That "No Make-up Selfie" Trend

So you would have literally have had to have been living under a rock for the past fortnight not to of heard of the "No Make-up Selfie" trend. 

What started off as immature girls bitching about how good or bad certain Facebook 'friends' looked without their signature slap, and others accusing fellow tweeters of joining in for the sake of upping their 'favourites', thankfully U-turned, with lots of us embracing our natural state. However flawless (or not so in my case) that state is. 

So where did this trend appear from? Rumour has it, that it can be traced to my hometown of the Wirral- the same area where the beautiful Sophie Jones lived and fought her battle with Cervical Cancer. Sophie passed away at the tender age of 19, earlier this month. Alongside the petition  'Sophie's Choice' , created by her family and friends the to lower the age of cervical screening, this empowering social media trend emerged.

Within days, these 'selfies' took over our news feeds, most accompanied with text donations of £3 to Cancer Research UK. Which is, of course, amazing. I am all for fundraising, but part of me was a little disheartened that people in my local area (including many friends and family) chose to donate to this charity, rather than our local cancer research charity, NWCR. 

If you've read my blogs before, or follow my Twitter and Instagram, you've no doubt heard me harp on about NWCR before. Robyn (my So Coco Rouge partner in cosmetic criminal activity) and I are dedicated members of the Liverpool City Centre fund raising committee, and after both suffering the loss of very close family members, are committed to raising as much as possible. (We also are known for creating pretty disguising tasting but visually amazing/horrifying cakes for their annual Bake Off.)

So, after grabbing the industrial sized cleanser and scrubbing our smokes, red lips and chiseled cheekbones off, we revealed our bare skinned self's to the masses. And are going to do so once more tomorrow- when we hold our very own fundraiser, whilst also persuading each and every client to sign Sophie's Choice and join the fight to end the big C's wave of devastation once and for all.

'How can you get involved' I hear you cry?! Well, book into So Coco Rouge tomorrow by calling 0151 708 7245 and either treat yourself to a deluxe facial (to stay make-up free!) or a makeover (if that one Selfie was enough for you!) all in exchange for a measly £10 donation. With every single penny going straight to NWCR. 

Not lucky enough to be in Liverpool?! Then you can join us in revealing your fresh faced self and texting NWCR22 to 70070 and donating £3.00 to a charity dedicated to local research. 

What else can you do? Head over to http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/62385 and sign Sophie's Petition. 

Because, together, I really do think that one day we'll beat the big C once and for all.

AW14 Beauty Trends

Well what a nuisance to have my busiest time in the salon, and a bad case of writers block over the fashion week period! Especially with this being the Autumn Winter showcase, which are typically always my favourites.

So this season I've been catching the shows online in between clients, and spending my bedtimes on Vogue.com reading show reports. Oh the glamour of fashion...

Well, what should we be wearing on our faces come September according to the fashion giants? To start with....blue. Yes, blue. 

At Temperley make-up artist Lisa Eldridge created blunt, squared ended flicks of eyeliner in bright blue. Keeping skin, lips and brows natural, all focus was on the outer part of the eye, with a soft peachy tone in the inner lash line and tear duct. Then over at Giles Lucia Pieroni created a soft punk look, with pastel blue shadow applied to the lower lash line, and deep grey smokiness on the eyelid. Finally at Michael Van der Ham, Sam Bryant used MAC to create a girlie 60's look with orange lips and a simple wash of dove blue on eyelids. Whatever way you wear it, blue is looking like a top trend for AW14.

Temperley- Image Cosmopolitan

Michael Van der Ham. Image- Cosmopolitan

 I'll be stocking up on Illamasqua eyeshadow in Anja, Illamasqua Eye Colouring Pencil in Debonair, MUA Gel Eyeliner in Blue and Crown All Eyes On You set for a professional finish.

Gucci Image- Cosmopolitan

The make-up genius and my ultimate heroine, Pat McGrath created stunning looks this season, as predicted. Inspired by the 1950s and 1960s the looks she created for Dolce and Gabbana and Gucci are wearable, simple to create, yet effective.

Dolce Image- Cosmopolitan

At Dolce and Gabbana models wore clean flicks of liquid eyeliner teamed with fuller brows, flushed cheeks and a naturally flawless complexion. Then over at Gucci, we jumped forward a decade to a 60s dollesque look. Focusing on longer bottom lashes and fuller, thicker top lashes, teamed with a muted pink/mauve lip. 

As a lover of vintage inspired looks, and liquid liner framed with full lashes, I swear by Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner, Eyeko Eye Do Mascara, Liz Martins Lashes and Art Deco Teint Concealer.