Latest OPI Collection

Whilst things in the world of Beauty can be rather quiet at the start of the year, it's also the exciting time when new collections are released!
As one of the guest presenters on QVC for nail brand OPI, I was lucky enough to try their latest collection a little earlier than usual-and I've been dying to tell you all about them ever since!
OPI's first release of 2013 is a collaboration with superstar Mariah Carey! The collection also contains a innovative formula called Liquid Sand, which dries to a textured matte finish.




The shades in Liquid Sand finish are perfect for the stage or anyone wanting shoe stopping nail colour! We have a brilliant blue, a soft purple, a glittering fuchsia and black with stunning flecks of red-




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The collection is complete with the gorgeous and glamorous creamy purple, a lavender shimmer, a frosted nude and shimmering copper.





You can get yours now from Lena White- each varnish costs £11 for 15ml and features OPI award winning chip resistant formula and their patented Pro Wide brush!
uk/store/mariah-carey-collection-1/mariah-carey-liquid-sand-mini-nail-lacquers

Cricket's Annual Show with Art Deco Make-up

Working as a make-up artist, I'm lucky enough to use a variety of different products. One brand that I keep in my kit is Art Deco- and their eye base is one of my favourite all time products!

 

Art Deco also have their own team of Creative's who can be hired for all sorts of projects, from televised award ceremonies to celebrity photo shoots.

 

Their latest project was for Liverpool's famous fashion store, Cricket, who were holding their annual fashion show just in time for Christmas. I was one of the lucky artists who was invited by Art Deco to work with them on the project!

 

 

Sally, head of make-up at Art Deco designed the looks using Amy, a stylist at Cricket's inspiration of 'Naria's Ice Queen.' And with this being Liverpool lots of glitter and gems were in order!

 

Image- Art Deco

Sally designed two looks- one focusing on a dark smokey eye and the other with a striking 'crystal brow' using a variety of art/craft items alongside lots of Art Deco products! Manicurist Laura, was also on hand to ensure the models nails continued the theme- lots and lots of silver glitter!

Image- Art Deco

 

Image- Art Deco

You can read a little more about who attended the event here and keep your eyes peeled in next week's OK! magazine, who covered the event.

 

 

Image- Art Deco

 

 



My nerve wracking first show for OPI

Before I knew it the 1st December had sprung upon me, and my first show for OPI was here!

After a busy morning in So Coco Rouge I headed down to the QVC studios in Chiswick, London.

Once I arrived I was ushered into my dressing room, narrowly avoiding being caught on camera pre make-up! As it was a Saturday, they decided to film some of the experts in their dressing rooms and green room, to talk about what their ideal Christmas gift would be. Thankfully, I managed to escape this part!

I was excited to discover my dressing room was located next to John Barrowmans- who you could definitely hear way before you saw him! He was such a character, and entertained everyone backstage and on screen for hours on end!

 

 

Although I was scheduled to be on air at 11pm, you are required to be in the QVC studios two hours prior. During this time, we are preparing ourselves and the products for the show, and ensuring the set looks good on camera. So lots goes on backstage during that time!

 

Once this is all done, its time to get glammed up!! Luckily, Katy who works from the So Coco Rouge salon, had kindly offered to paint my nails the night before in the stunning Nein Nein Nein Ok Fine! with a touch of Save Me glitter over my ring finger. So, all I have to do was nourish my cuticles with my Avoplex favourites!

 

 

Then it was time to hit the air! The wonderful presenter Debbie Flint, who I worked with earlier this year, once again instantly calmed my nerves when she sat beside me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The OPI 10 Piece Discovery Collection I was introducing was fantastic value and packed full of goodies! 4 mini lacquers from  the AW12 Germany collection- featuring creamy nude Don't Pretzel My Buttons, Deep Olive Grey Nein Nein Nein Ok Fine, Metallic Purple Suzi and the 7 Dussledorfs and Deep Sapphire Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue. Plus the limited edition Save Me Glitter from this years Nicki Minaj collection, which you can use alone or as a top coat over the other shades- perfect for your Christmas party!

 

The collection also contains 5 of OPI's best selling treatments! Nail strengtheners Nail Envy and QVC exclusive PINK Nail Envy, plus my favourites Avoplex Cuticle Oil, Chip Skip and Rapi Dry Top Coat.

Thanks for everyone's support leading up to my first show, and thanks to you all for watching!

Exciting new project!

Well, the past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind! But I'm very excited about the news I can now share with you all!

As most of you know I have been working hard during 2012 to build the media side of my career, with lots of help from my wonderful agent Joanna at Red24 Management. I loved featuring on UK shopping channel QVC in September, and I was delighted to hear there was a chance I could be appearing more often in the future!

I was thrilled to be invited down to the UK head office of best selling nail care brand, OPI, to meet with the team who run the QVC side to the business. Just being invited to step inside the Lena White offices was an absolute privilege. Although I walked in a bag full of nerves, every member of staff I met could not have welcomed me more and within minutes I felt right at home.

 

I am delighted to tell you all, that I have been appointed as a OPI Guest Presenter for QVC!

I will be working alongside current guest presenters, Lisa Bennett and Julie Barham, who have featured on QVC for a number of years.

 

My first show is next Saturday (1st December) at 11pm, which I am rather nervous but very excited about! It would be great if some of you tune in to support me and see what wonderful products I'll be working with!

 

 

OPI is a brand I have used for many years- in fact their Alpine Snow lacquer was the first nail colour I stole from my mum's dresser! Even when I started my beauty training, almost 10 years ago now, OPI was the brand I turned to. Ensuring even as a trainee, I was using professional products that both my clients and I could trust.

Since focusing my career down the hair and make-up route, a selection of OPI products have always been kit staples. What many people are unaware of, is that as a make-up artist it is usually your responsibility to look after your artist/client/model's nails too, so finding a brand you can trust under on set pressure is paramount.

Luckily, when we launched the new So Coco Rouge salon Katy, our fantastic Beauty Therapist and Nail Technician, loved OPI as much as Robyn and I do. So when it came to choosing which brand to offer our clients, we knew exactly where to turn! Alongside traditional lacquer we also offer their latest product Gel Colour, for long lasting chip-free nails.

 

 

 

As I'm sure you can tell, I am so happy to be working with OPI and QVC. It feels like the perfect end to a fantastic year, and I cannot wait to work with them more closely in 2013 and beyond.

 

 

Boux Avenue comes to Liverpool One

Today Boux Avenue launched their latest stylish store in Liverpool One, and I was one of the lucky few to be invited along to the secret preview!

 

Boux Avenue, the UK's equivalent to Victoria's Secret, is a chain of lingerie stores owned by  Dragons Den star and business mogul Theo Pathitis.

We were greeted at the event by two gorgeous models, dressed in fur and one of Boux's beautiful corsets, complete with a modern take on 1940's Victory Rolls and classic red lips. Once inside, and a chilled glass of champagne in head, the browsing could begin!

 

Boux Avenue's collection includes beautiful bridal lingerie, everyday essentials and a vast nightwear range boosting both thermals nightshirts and barely there negligees! There certainly was something for everyone and every occasion!

 

 

 

Lots of friendly, trained advisers were on hand to assist us in our lingerie browsing, and even offered complimentary bra fittings to those of us brave enough to loose the layers on such a cold winters day!

 

Having taken a sneak peak into Boux Avenues changing rooms, loosing the layers seemed like a perfect idea!

 

Each beautifully decorated room is named after one of the exquisite fabrics used to make our all important lingerie.

 

 

 

But what really makes these changing rooms so different to every other high street store- is the lighting.

 

Boux Avenue, give us ladies THREE options!

Daylight, Dusk and Evening.

 

It really makes a wonderful change to see yourself in the lighting most of us will wear our new underwear in before we've even decided to buy it!

And if you need any extra help with the correct fitting or you require a different size, just press for concierge and one of the Boux advisers will come to your beck and call.

 

 

If that wasn't enough, I was also treated to these gorgeous goodies!

Huge thanks to Fluorescent PR for inviting me to this fantastic event!

 

 

From Berlin With Love!

Having the So Coco Rouge salon in a leafy area of the city is idyllic. Well, that is until autumn approaches and you find your front door blocked with golden leaves!

 

Now is the perfect time to indulge in the latest trends approaching us for AW 12, and experimenting with nail colour is the quickest way to update your look! With a busy week of make-up work and the icy chill we have been experiencing in the North, my nails definitely needed a little love!

 

 OPI is has been one of my favourite beauty brands, since I started my training nearly a decade ago.  It's the nail colour range Katy, our in house Beauty Therapist uses in the salon, and my on-set kit wouldn't be complete without their perfectly sized miniatures!

 

With a free hour to pamper myself, I grabbed my favourite products and set to work!

 

 

As you can see, too much 'alcohol/hygiene' gel and the cold weather had certainly taken its toll- who wants dry, cracked cuticles!!

 

Nothing, a little bit of Avoplex Nail and Cuticle Replenishing Oil won't sort!

This little miracle should be massaged twice a day in the cuticle area (something I WILL be doing from now on!) but can also be used on elbows, knuckles and other dry areas!

 

 

 

What a difference just one application makes!

 

 

Now to decide which shade of lacquer I would try first this season!

OPI releases a large variety of limited edition colours each year, all inspired by the latest Hollywood film, catwalk fashion or art.

 

This Autumn Winter the  collection's I will be sporting will be the Germany Collection, inspired by the latest fashionable city, Berlin, and the SkyFall range to celebrate the latest Bond film and 50 years of Bond.

 

After much deliberation, I decided to try a nude shade from the Germany range.

My Very First Knockwurst is a beautiful nude with rosy undertones, ideal for a pale complexion like mine!

 

To prevent my nails from staining, and to ensure my varnish stays chip free all week, I firstly applied Natural Nail Base Coat followed by two of my chosen colour. For extra protection and added shine I finished with a Top Coat.

 

 

 

OPI make application really easy- even when trying to do your opposite hand!! Their exclusive ProWide brush ensures an even application, in three easy strokes!

 

Voila! Gorgeous nails ready to compliment my AW leathers!

 

 

 

 

(Sorry about the quality of this image! I think my camera was a little dazzled by these beauties!!)

Kryolan Live Event

 

Well what a night it's been!

 

Tonight myself and Robyn, were kindly invited by Propa Ganda to the launch of the re-branded Kryolan range, which was held at The Chemistry Centre, in London's Piccadilly.

 

 

 

For those of you who think you have never come across Kryolan, if Robyn or I have applied your make-up, then you have! In our professional kits and the huge kit we have at SCR, you will find many Kryolan products.

From Derma Blend for Tattoo, scar and blemish cover, to their nifty lip palettes and huge pots of translucent powder, Kryolan is the brand we turn to.

 

This event was to celebrate the recent re-branding and launch of their newest products, giving professional make-up artists the chance to try them first hand.

 

The evening began with a heart warming talk from both Wolfram Langer and his son Dominik, who explained to us how Arnold Langer, Wolfram's father started the brand back in the 1920's, influenced by his combined passion of the theatre and science.

 

65 years on the brand is still used by make-up professionals the world over. From specials effects in TV to traditional theatre make-up and fashion editorial work, Kryolan has products to suit each genre.

 

After a short video showcasing the products uses, the newest advertising images were released and live models surrounded us each wearing a unique make-up design inspired by each genre.

Like children in a candy store, we were all eager to get trying the products, and boy did Kryolan spoil us! Huge pots of pigment, stacks of glitter and palettes upon palettes of brightly coloured eye shadows were available to play with, and play we did!!

My favourite products included the High Definition 15 shade foundation palette, Shimmering Vision Cream Pigments and the re-packaged lip palettes we already swear by! Luckily, Kryolan very kindly supplied us each with a bag full of goodies to wet our appetite until the new range becomes available later this month.

 

Before the evening drew to a close, I was very privileged to be asked to give a mini interview on my thoughts on the new branding, (which luckily were all good!!) which I'll post here when I receive the finished piece!