LFW SS14 Nail Trends

Firstly, huge apologies for my tardiness! This past week has been absolutely crazy work wise, from teaching 30 students, exhibiting at a 3 day wedding fair, working at 2 weddings and holding a Grease Sing-A-Long charity event in aid of NWCR, the Rougettes have been working flat out. Phew- time for a day off I think!

So it's time to take a leap back to London Fashion Week, and the fantastic nail art that graced the catwalks! From pointed acrylics, embellishment and even purposely chipped nails, the manicurists at LFW did not disappoint.

Let's start at PPQ where the artists from Ciate created stiletto pointed nails, in a vivid fuchsia pink. Accented with nail art on the ring finger, in deep purple and yellow's to compliment the berry and violet tones in the SS14 collection. 

I love wearing bright nails in the summer, and my favourite pink is Im Indi A Mood for Love. This hot fuchsia is even a great tone to punk up your AW wardrobe! 

Just as we saw at NYFW,  Jean Pierre Braganza complimented their collection at LFW with a twist on a french manicure. Nail technician Jenni Draper for Orly created soft pink nails with a sharp black line at the outer edge- definitely one for a salon visit I think! At So Coco Rouge, our manicurist Katy would choose to use OPI Gel Colour Lacquer to create such a complex look, using shades Bubble Bath and Lady in Black. If you are a manicurist, I would certainly suggest looking into this range. We couldn't live (or work!) without it!

From simple nail art- to full on masterpieces. At House of Holland nail queen Sophy Robson created acrylic nails dressed with motifs of the Virgin Mary, Joesph and tattoos, all matching the motifs emblazoned on the SS14 collection. Wow. This lady is one creative genius.

For instant decorative nail art, without the manicurist on speed dial, try Pure Lacquer Nail Apps. Available in a variety of designs, these take moments to simply apply and dry instantly.

In fact, Heidi Klum even wore these at NYFW! If you want to follow in Heidi's footsteps, you can purchase 'Metallic Ware' from QVC! 

NYFW SS14 Nail Trends

We've already been inspired by the make-up trrends emerging for Spring Summer 2014 from the New York shows, but what should we be doing with our nails?!

Nail art was still in full force, but this time much simplier and angular. Think lots of stripes, in a variety of thickness, colour and direction. If you are feeling particulary arty this season you could even create a 'checkboard' design to match your tartan skirt or shirt!

OPI for Holmes and Yang

The traditional french manicure also got a little makeover over at Holmes and Yang, actress Katie Holmes' brand. Here the nail tech's from OPI added a slanted tip in deep blue I Saw U Saw We Saw Warsaw over nude pink base So many Clowns So Little Time.

I really like this look, and would be tempted to finish the blue tip with  Matte Top Coat for a multi dimensial manicure!

OPI Nail Lacquer

OPI for Joanna Mastroianni

Planning on trying the orange lip trend we saw at Rag & Bone, then why not add a bright nail to clash yet compliment? At Joanna Mastroianni that did just that, as models sported bright yellow nails, against their tangerine lips. Once again the OPI team were on hand, and used Need Sunglasses with a super glossy top coat. (no doubt Rapidry Top Coat knowing how busy it is backstage!!)

Well, it's certainly looking like statement nails are here to stay. for another season at least!

NYFW SS14 Make-up Trends

It might be grey, rainy and miserable here in the UK, but over in New York, where the late summer sun is still shining, the catwalks are full of the joys of Spring.

Yes, its fashion Week once again! 

So, after 7 days of shows, including the iconic Diane Von Furstenburg, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang, what beauty trends can we be expected to fall for when the sunshine returns next year?

From flawlessly natural at Sass & Bide and Jenny Packam, to rose gold glitter eyes at Jason Wu and bright pop's of colour at Marc Jacobs and Rag & Bone, next season your make-up bag is your oyster.

This makes a great change- Spring Summer make-up has been too plain, too pastel for too long in my opinion. It's about time we all embraced the amazing products we have at our disposal and started to treat make-up as creative tool. Your face is simply a bank canvas for your own creativity.

Fancy getting ahead of the pack and trying a SS14 trend this winter? Then make sure you pair your bright pop or colour, or glitter eye with a flawless base. Charlotte Tilbury was in charge of the fresh, natural complexion created at Sass and Bide, and from the design sheet she posted on her Instagram page this morning we can presume she used MAC products primarily. My personal favourite is MAC Face and Body, which is lightweight, water resistant and offers a light-to-medium buildable coverage. (A great pro tip is to apply a small amount to the palms of your hand and 'clap' your hands together. This creates a thicker tecture which you can apply using your hands.) For a purse friendly alternative, you could also try Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix Foundation or No7 Instant Radiance Foundation.

At Marc Jacobs make-up artist Dick Page, created bold blue washes of colour over models lid's by using Shiseido Shimmering Eye Cream in Ice Blue followed by an electric blue eyeshadow. Dick admitted this look followed no inspiration- just that he and Marc loved the colour and decided to add a pop of colour! 

You could also try Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Burn It Blue (using the cream only) and follow with MAC Eyeshadow in Electri Eel for a very similar look. Finish with two coats of black mascara, soft neutral cheeks and a natural lip.

If you'd rather keep your pop of colour simple, try a slick of orange on your lips.

A first for Rag & Bone, make-up artist Gucci Westman created a super bright lip, which constrasted beautifully against the clothings neutral palette.

Gucci used a brand new colour from Revlon, Carnival, which doesn't launch until Spring next year, but MAC Morange or Illamasqua Flare are available now and will create a similar look.

Keeping skin natural and lumious, a bright matte lip is a fantastic yet simple way to play with texture.

And finally, if you want to make an impact at this years christmas party then try Diane Kendal's rose gold glitter eye shown at Jason Wu. Using Lancome Le Crayon Khôl in Black Coffee in the socket line for extra definition, followed by a mix of golden brown tones to the lid before applying loose glitter on damp brushes, to aid placement. I love Make-up Forever Glitter in Beige which is available in the UK from Guru make-up Emporium.

Phew. One city down, three to go!