Autumn Winter Make-up Ideas

This week I have really been embracing Autumn. From introducing the latest OPI nail lacquer shades to the audience of QVC,  to rocking the 90's inspired tartan trend, Summer seems well and truly behind me.

So whilst I have been busy wearing rich burgandys, deep plums and ruby reds on my nails, I have been incorporating similar tones in my make-up, especially for my work in front of the camera.

My absolute favourites in my make-up bag this season have to be from Illamasqua. Funnily enough, my faved three Illamasqua items, aren't from the latest collection (more on this soon!) or even the previous one. No, these beauties have been available for a good while! 

For sultry burgundy eyes, to enhance my OPI San Francisco Polishes, I have been using the Complement and Empower palettes. 

1. Starting with the taupe liquid metal from the Complement palette, I sweep over my eyelid and blend upwards using my fingertips, keeping the area immediately below my brow clean. 
2. Next, on a tapered brush (I LOVE my Charles Fox ones- I have three!!) I apply the rich burgundy shade from Complement to the centre and outer third of my socket line. Blending back and forth.
3. On a fluffy brush, such a as Crown Brushes C433, take the light warm taupe shade from Empower palette and blend the top of the burgundy working upwards towards the brow. 
4. Apply the champagne shade from Complement to the area beneath the arch of the brow and blend into the warm taupe.
5. On a small pencil brush, dot the deep purple from Complement into the outer corners of the eye and blend inwards and up into socket line.
6. Mix the light pink from Empower and champagne from Complement together and apply to the lid and inner corners of the eye.
7. I finished the look with Estee Lauder DoubleWear Eyeliner in Black and two coats of Art Deco Dita Von Teese Golden Vintage Lash Designer mascara.

For the flawless complexion needed on HD TV, I like to use Kryolan Concealer Wheel to any blemishes and under eye darkness and blend with Make-up Forever HD Foundation. Next, for a complimentary warm pink cheek, I am OBSESSED with Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Androgen blended from my apples upwards onto my cheekbones with Crown Brushes C404 Dual Fibre brush. For longevity, I lightly blend Art Deco Dita Von Teese Golden Vintage Blusher on top. Finishing with a warm, deep rose pink lip from MAC and a slick of gloss from MUA (bargain price of £1 and non-sticky!) and I'm ready to go on set!

Wearing my AW look backstage at QVC

Vintage Beauty Shoot

Earlier this year photographer Michelle Wilson of MSW Photography asked Robyn and I to work with her on a vintage inspired series of images, set within So Coco Rouge. The beautiful Olivia Hunter of Boss Model Management was my model for the day, and was an absolute pleasure to work with. So lovely to see beauty inside and out!

We wanted the images to be inspired by screen icons of the 1940's, with the setting of a backstage dressing room. For a modern twist, we decided to keep Olivia's look simple with luminous skin and swept back hair.

To define Olivia's eyes, I used soft neutral tones, in a variety of shimmer and matte finishes. This technique would be perfect for a naturally beautiful bridal look or special occasion too.
The majority of products I used for this look are from MAC, but you can use any brand you wish. 

1. Sparingly apply MAC Paint Pot in Painterly all over the eye lid and up to the brow bone using your ring finger. This acts as a great base for eyeshadows and creates a gorgeous warm pink tone to the lid. 

2. To highlight the brow shape, apply MAC matte eye shadow Vanilla, to the area imediatly under the arch of the brow and blend well. This creamy tone creates the brow definition we need for a vintage look.

3. Using a tapered or pencil brush (my ultimate favourite is by Charles Fox- no name or number I'm afraid, but its a must have!) apply a warm toned, light taupe like MAC Malt to the centre area of the socket line. Make sure you don't follow the socket shape at the inner and outer corners as this can make the eye appear smaller. 

4. Blend using a small amount of MAC Naked Pigment, a nude shimmer, on a fluffy brush, working upwards towards the blow area.

5. Next, apply MAC Vanilla Pigment to the lower lid in pressing movements on a flat brush, before blending up to the contoured socket line. Apply to the inner corner of the eye too, for the ultimate doe-eyed look.

6. Finish with a fine line of Estee Lauder Stay In Place Gel Liner, 2 coats of black mascara and indivudal lashes in short and medium to the outer corners of the eye.

Festival Favourites- Make-up

Festival season is once again upon us! From isle of Wight last weekend, to the daddy of all festivals Glastonbury in a matter of days and V, Reading and Leeds finishing our Summer off nicely, UK festivals have become pinnacles of the British Summer.

So whats a girl to do when she wants to maintain that glamorous glow during 4 days of mud, hot sun (or heavy rain depending on the weathers mood!) and un-comfy camping?!

Well, its simple- follow this weeks blog posts for the professional tips to keep you festival fabulous all weekend long!

First up- it's a girls best friend-  make-up.

When my clients ask me if their make-up will last all night, I can honestly say I know it will not only last all night, but that it will still be immaculate when they wake up the next day.

How do I know this? Because I take my time applying make-up in light layers, rather than speedily applying a heavy coverage.  

Now, I'm not suggesting you wear the same make-up all weekend long (Believe me, it has been and can be done if you so wish!) but following the layering tips, will ensure your make up will stay in place from breakfast through to a midnight rave and beyond.

So, how do we layer?

Starting with your base, apply a small amount of concealer to any areas needed.

Next, take a small amount of your foundation (I would HIGHLY recommend Smashbox Studio Skin for longevity) and buff into skin using a dual fibre brush on circular motions. Crown 406 is ideal for this.

Repeat until you have achieved the level of coverage needed. 

For a long lasting bronzed glow and peachy cheek,  using the same dual fibre brush, take a cream bronzer and apply where the sun usually hits- forehead, cheeks, chin and nose. Chanel Bronze Universal is expensive but its my absolute favourite. Next, apply a cream blush, such as Kryolan Lip N Cheek to the apples of the cheek, again using your dual fibre brush. 

(If you hadn't guessed already, this brush comes in rather handy!)

Then lightly powder skin using a translucent powder, I like Rimmel Stay Matte Powder for a budget buy on a fluffy powder brush such as MUA F4. 

Now for the next layer! Taking your powder brush, apply a powder bronzer and blusher over where you have applied your cream. Remember this will add an extra strength of colour, so apply lightly and repeat if and when neccessary. My favourites include- Max factor Bronzing Powder and MAC Blusher.

For eyes, it's the same technique as cheeks! Start by applying a long lasting eye shadow cream using your fingers- Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow Paints are available in a wide range of colours and do not budge!

Layer your eye shadows on top, using a flat brush to apply, pressing the colour firmly. MAC Eye Shadows and their 239 Brush are the perfect tools for the job! 

Finish with a flick of No7 Stay Precise Felt Tip Liner and two coats of Stay Perfect Mascara (this mascara is seriously life-proof- perfect for our festival look!)

And for lips?! If you like a natural look, I would suggest lining and filling in lips with a liner, Bourjois Lip Pencils are a great bargain, and finish with a tinted balm like the selection by  Burts Bee's. For a stronger look, why not try my favourite No7 Stay Perfect Lip Stain. 

And voila! Your long lasting festival make-up is complete!

Next up- ultimate festival hair!