OPI AW14 & Coca Cola Launch

Well what a day I've had!

Bright and early this morning I made my way from the beautiful (but rainy) banks of Kingston and headed to the swanky St Martins Lane Hotel, for the official OPI AW14 and Coca Cola launch.

Featuring a stunning video presentation from OPI Artistic Director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann and a plethora of manicurists on hand to enable us to try the shades before anyone else, the event was attended by a whole host of beauty journalists and fellow bloggers.

Suzi began her presentation with some interesting facts, all of which came to light through the Pink Report 2013-2013 'Nailed: The allure of nail colour. 

For example, can you believe 99% of women asked, admitted they were addicted to nail lacquer? (I am DEFINITELY in this group) 


Or that our favourite shades are pink, followed by muted beige's or hot reds?! 
This survey also found that 75% of women voted OPI their favourite nail brand- so it's nice to know I'm in good company!

Right! Lets start with the Coca Cola Collection, which I touched on last week. With 9 shades that represent Coca Colas best selling drinks, it's easy to see why these two brands collaborated- they both provide 'Happiness in a Bottle'.

Up first is my favourite, the classic 'Coca Cola Red', which is a creamy gloss shade like the muted cream ' You're So Vain-ill a' , bubblegum pink 'Sorry I'm Fizzy Today' and bold tangerine 'Orange You Stylish!'.
For your purple lovers, they also have the gorgeous grape tones 'Get Cherried Away' and the deeper vampish 'A Grape Affair'


For those of you who really like to make a statement you'll LOVE metallic green 'Green On The Runway', striking silver 'Turn On The Haute Light' and the blackened red sparkle 'Today I Accomplished Zero'.


I've heard on the 'grape vine' that when I launch this collection on QVC
 next month, we may even have  a special set of miniatures too- perfect for taking your salon mani on your jolly holidays!



So, what will we be wearing come AW?! Well, if you're like me, a different manicure shade per week- I am absolutely in love with every shade in the Nordic Collection and want to wear it ALL. And I want to wear it NOW!!

Suzi introduced the collection through a stunning video, featuring ethereal looking goddesses, their long blonde locks pulled back into plaits and braids. Dressed in a palette of soft, earthy tones in sheer fabrics teamed with gunmetal 'armour', they provoked thoughts of Nordic Warrior Princesses, as they ran through dampened Greenland and deserted beaches.

The palette of colour used in the Nordic collection is inspired by nature and the visual surrounding of the Nordic region, including the famed Northern Lights and the iconic pastel painted houses found in Copenhagen, Denmark.








My absolute favourites are the pastel tones, mint green 'My Dogsled Is A Hybrid', feminine pink 'Suzi Has A Swede Tooth' , the vivid coral 'Can't AfJord Not To' and the deep indigo 'Do You Have This Colour In Stock-Holm?'. These shades are perfect for Summer too, so make sure you grab these early when they launch in August!














For the colder winter months we have a warming palette of spicy browns, rich wines and warm golds.

The sparkly wine 'Thank Glogg It's Friday' , deep burgundy 'Skating On Thin Ice-Land and 'dark plum 'Viking In A Vonderland' are to me, the perfect Christmas shades- whether I'll be prepared to wait that long, we will see!

Finally we have metallic gold 'OPI With A Nice Finn-Ish', super sparkly 'My Voice Is A Little Norse', cinnamon coffee 'How Great Is Your Dane',  iced caramel 'Going My Way Or Norway' and the rich chocolate 'Ice-Bergers And Fries' 

Wow-What a collection! 

There was just enough time for a cheeky manicure from OPI Nail tech Lee, and a quick pose in front of the gorgeous Nordic Images with my colleges Niki and Siobhain before I headed back up north...... Luckily for me, with two both collections in toe.

Why do I have a feeling a lot of my female friends may be popping in this evening?! 

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. 

AW13 Manicure Trends

From nail art, to matt textues and pointed tips, this year nails have been a big part of creating a look bang on the seasons trend.

This year especially has seen the rise of the 'Ring Finger Manicure'- where you select a deeper, brighter or shimmery shade to accent the one nail. Perfect for those who want to dip their polished toes into the deep waters of show stopping nails.

But thanks to Moschino, theres a new mani in town.

Moschino nails by Marianne Newman

At their Cheap & Chic AW13 show back in February, maicurist Marianne Newman created stunning deep dark nails with hot pink accents on the thumb and forefinger. This complimented the black lips and flashes of pink in the models hair perfecltly. 

So being a nail obsessive I had to give it a go, so off I ran to my cupboard- yes I know CUPBOARD- of OPI Nail Lacquer. After a weekend of dark, cloudy rain in Berlin, I was definitely feeling Autumnal- so I chose classic shades You Don't Know Jacques with Lincoln Park After Dark as my accent shade. 

Starting with Matte Nail Envy, which my nails are in dire need of with this changing weather, before I painted two coats of each shade. 

For a glossy high shine finish, plus treatment, I finished with Original Nail Envy.

Incognito Sausalito

Pompeii Purple

Fancy re-creating the Moschino look?! 
If you are following this seasons leather clad punk trend, make sure you pick up the OPI Spirit of Punk collection exclusive to QVC UK this Saturday at 9pm! 




Containing 2 of the latest Autumn Winter San Francisco collection- deep blue 'Incognito Sausalito' and metallic silver 'Haven't The Foggiest' and hot fuchsia pink 'Pompeii Purple'.
I'll be trying Incognito Sausalito with a french mani style tip of Haven't the Foggiest, complete with Pompeii Purple accent thumb and forefingers!

Haven't The Foggiest

Working With Strictly's Flavia at QVC

It's only Wednesday and already this week has been a manically busy one!

I started Monday with a visit down to London, for 3 QVC shows with professional nail brand OPI. This month I will mainly be introducing the Autumn Winter collection, which is inspired by the chic, cosmopolitan city of San Francisco! I fell in love with the collection at the press launch back in April, which you can read all about here, and this collection features all 5 of my favourite shades this season!

Featuring 5 of OPI's best selling, award winning treatments and 5 professional nail lacquers, for only £23.88, this collection is definitely worth snapping up while you can!

One of the shows also featured professional dancer and star of BBC show 'Strictly Come Dancing', Flavia Cacace and astrologer Russell Grant, who have together created a dance workout DVD, Zalza. I was lucky enough to be sharing the set and a dressing room with the pair, who were an absolute joy to work with.

Prior to going to air, I prepped Flavia's nails with OPI Non Acetone Polish Remover on OPI Lint Free Nail Wipes, which are much more easier to use than cotton wool pads! Next, I buffed Flavia's nails to remove any ridges and dead skin cells. I then applied Matte Nail Envy as a base coat, which not only provides a fantastic base to 'grab' colour, it also treats the nails to wheat protein and calcium which help to strengthen nails! Flavia likes to wear warm red tones on her nails, so the San Fran ruby red First Date At Golden Gate was an obvious choice. Two coats later, I finished her manicure with Rapi-Dry Top Coat and a Rapi-Dry drops, meaning Flavia was free to finish her preparation for the show! 

I will be back on air Thursday 22nd at 11am and Thursday 29th at 1pm if you want to try these gorgeous new colours for yourself!

Having fun on air at QVC!

No7 Ta Dah Campaign

As many of you will know, I have been working closely with No7 for almost a year now, as a online beauty expert and as part of the social media team from Oscar Mike.

This week the latest No7 ad campaign is released, and it's a little different from their previous ones!

Prior to the release of the new campaign, over at the No7 Facebook page, we have been celebrating No7's heritage by looking back into the archives and celebrating original products and famed adverts. It's been amazing to see how many women have used No7 since it launched back in 1935, with some who have solely relied on No7 for their make-up and skincare needs their whole lives!

I started my own make-up career at the Liverpool Boots store, ten years ago next month (its scary how time flies isn't it!) and originally worked mainly on the fragrance counter, which was situated opposite the No7 counter. Like a bee round a honey pot, I was constantly over there, swatching lipsticks, watching the advisors giving make-overs and generally in wide-eyed awe of the atmosphere. When I was first building my make-up kit, it consisted of many No7 gems- such as the eyeshadow trio's, lipsticks and blushers.

So, it seems pretty apt that I work with the brand on a daily basis now, and my passion for No7 will never falter.

Well, lets get back to present day, and the exciting campaign No7 have for us this week- which features REAL WOMEN. No models, no celebrities, just real women. All of which have NOT been airbrushed, re-touched or altered in any way. Just simple lighting, gorgeous make-up and beautiful women. Bravo No7!

No7 believe every women should have a Ta Dah! moment- that moment when you look in the mirror and think 'Wow- I look great' and step out into the wide world brimming with confidence- and why shouldn't we?! With a skincare and make-up range that provides quick and impressive results from a simple, stress free application, No7 have got my Ta Dah moment nailed.

The TV advert will be gracing your screens tomorrow, but for a sneak peek, head over to the Boots website, where you will also find a mood board app, get the look instructions and the real women's stories!  Plus, remember to pop into your local store and see these gorgeous images for yourself. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

OPI AW13 San Francisco Collection Launch

Finally, the sun is shining on the capital!!

And what better way to spend a sunny morning than listening to the Mamas and Papas cult hit 'California Dreamin' and imagining that you are cruising around San Fran, in a convertible around the late 1960's. The flares however are definitely optional. 

Well, that is exactly how I have spent my day so far-

With a gorgeous manicure, endless coffee and gossip all thrown in for good measure.

Cult nail brand OPI, today held their AW press launch of the fabulous San Francisco collection at the quirky Hotel Soho. Hidden off a bustling Oxford St, Hotel Soho looks quite traditional (and dare I say, bland?!) from the outside- but once you have stepped inside the polished foyer and made your way to the selection of conference rooms available, I can assure you, your opinion will change!

The OPI took over the Crimson room, which is decorated with sumptuous fabrics, Moroccan inspired prints and rich colours. If I could move in here, I'd be unpacked by the time you can say 'Home Sweet Home'

After a quick chat with my fellow OPI QVC presenters Lisa and Julie, and a catch up with colleagues Siobhain and Nicky, it was time for a pamper! 

Now, I'm a girl who cannot make decisions, how I manage to decide what to wear each day is beyond me. So, it's a good job nail tech Anita was on hand to guide me through the options!

 

After much deliberation we decided I should bravely move away from my favourite red and purple tones and try something new- in the shape of the multi-tonal 'Peace, Love and OPI' and a flash of liquid sand 'Alcatraz Rocks' on my ring finger. 

If you haven't tried it yet, Liquid Sand creates a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle. A must buy-especially when you want to out-mani your friends or foes!

The San Francisco collection contains 12 traditional lacquer's and 3 Liquid Sand shades.

Ranging from moody greys to rich rubies, elegant blues to a rich nude, this autumn there is something for us all. Continuing the on trend 60s/70s vibe provided my the playlist, the collection was beautifully displayed amongst beds of daisy's and surrounded by striking black and white scenes of San Fran during the hippy era.

 

 
 

The advertising imagery created for this collection is simply beautiful too- tousled hair, soft make up and creamy skin compliment the strong nail shades perfectly.Definitely a look I hope to see more of!

 

The inspirational Lena White, managing director of Lena White LTD, 

the UK distributor of OPI said of the collection-

 "San Francisco offers a European flair with distinct West Coast attributes. These elements inspired a collection of urban chic nail lacquers, thanks to the sophisticated combination of high fashion and eclectic street style"

So, as a morning of listening to the familiar tones of Sonny, Cher and Donovan draws to a close, there is just time for a quick chat with QVC presenter Will Gowing before making my way back to the reality of 2013. I think a little trip to Topshop is in order- well flares are back in style this season aren't they?!