Front Cover Matt + Metallic Summer '12 Collection

I have a lot of admiration for the ladies behind Front Cover, they really know their stuff and tirelessly bring seasonal collections hot off the heels of the catwalks from London, Paris, Milan and NYC for the loyal, beauty hunters at a good price in an informative, approachable and rather fun way.

This Summer they did not skimp on creativity and I know many bloggers have posted some fantastic, in depth reviews about their latest Summer '12 make up sets, which are more than likely flying off the shelves.  Well, sorry if this one is low on stock but I couldn't let this kit (launched in May) Matt + Metallic,creation pass by without a pic heavy post.

Due to so many elements included in this kit ie.  Satin and Matt finished pressed eye shadows plus 4 Cream Eye Shadows I thought I'd focus on the latter; they are ultra creamy, with immense staying power AND so versatile.  Let me show you...

Copper Cream Eye Shadow:  Hot flush of a colour for eyes and wearable for cheeks too.

Gold Cream Eye Shadow:  This metallic outshines the lot.

Cool Brown Cream Eye Shadow:  A seemingly dull shade but accurate for smudgy shading and depth.

Cream Cream Eye Shadow:  Supremely sparkly and a great highlighter around eyes, brow and cheek bones.

My fabulous friend, Vic was willing to be my model and allowed me to experiment with 3 extremely speedy looks.

The first look:  Sultry Metallics: Gold applied as a base colour, over lids and around the eyes.

Cool Brown used to shade inner sockets and blended.

More shading with Cool Brown under eyes and extended to outer edge.

Cream added to accentuate and highlight the centre of the lids and inner duct.

Finished look that would have even more drama with a few coats of mascara.

The second look:  Intense Copper Eyes: Copper blended over eye lids with Cream used to highlight lower lashline.

Brown eye pencil lined upper lash line.

Smudge and extend liner to create a subtle flick.

Then brown liner along the waterline (of course, a layer of Brown Mascara would complete this).

The third look:  Speedy Smoky Eyes:  Cool Brown blended over the eye lids to sockets and imperfectly smudged lower lash line.

Blend will into sockets right up to brow bones.

And there you have it, 3 wearable looks for any occasion, again to finish the 3rd look you could add a coat of Black, Purple or even Khaki mascara (very on trend) and/or line the waterline with a coloured eye liner.

I am eager to try more and already anticipating the truly brilliant A/W '12 collections!

http://www.frontcovercosmetics.com/

Who said never work with animals?

They say never work with children or animals, well this pair where so well behaved I'd brave it again.
Meet Chilli, the Flamingo and Chloe, the Macaw from the latest Sky TV commercial who had a split second of a part in the last shot but they are worth a mention, even on a beauty blog!
It was a gloomy July day in Hampton, whereby lunch was moved till the end of the day due to endless storm clouds, with the entire crew laden with North Face gear to repel any sign of raindrops.  The wonderful props department landscaped the garden to a very colourful display of hedges, peppered with flowers and they excelled at this water feature, not bad for a few hours work.  The co-stars, Chilli and Chloe (sorry to the Actor, Richard who did a grand job) were a welcome piece of paradise on such a cold, dreary day.  This is why I love my job, so unpredictable!

YOU magazine: Olympic Partners!

A little backstage shot from YOU magazine's Gold issue this weekend!  

We're all looking forward to Friday aren't we?

How will you be celebrating the Olympic Opening Ceremony? 

Maybelline's for me!

Yesterday, I was on the hunt for a reliable liquid eye liner for two reasons; my usual felt pen style liner was running out and I thought I'd resist from replacing it by purchasing on-line as it is no longer available in the UK.  The second reason was that my other 'not so cheap' waterproof liquid liner was no longer performing as it should, in fact it had begun to flake soon after application.  

I visited a Pro store but they were out of stock of the Make Up For Ever Liner they thought I might like.  What to do?

I was eager to buy something immediately as back up at least!   

Then it struck me as I read a recent Elle magazine, whilst waiting to get my nails done, flicking through the beauty story adorned by a Make Up Artist I rate highly and respect as a Beauty Genius, yes, Sharon Dowsett, UK's Make Up Director for Maybelline!  This was recommendation enough for me plus I've read countless reviews on their liners, they are brand that is always easy to find and well stocked in Boots, so I dashed over there with great speed (after my nails were done, of course).

I was immediately drawn to this liner, Master Precise as it was similar to my existing one.  I was impressed by the super fine tip applicator as well as the price tag.  Bearing in mind its currently 3 for 2 on all Maybelline Cosmetics, I decided to buy two liners, one for my kit and one for myself.

When I arrived home I thought I'd draw an eye line as quickly as possible.   Yes, I do know I apply make up for a living but I don't wear much make up, certainly not liquid liners these days but even I was impressed by how easy it glided on while I traced it along the lash line with precision and without getting into an awkward posture to apply it.  Brilliant, I think I've found my 'reliable' liquid liner!  Of course, I went straight for the jugular by attempting to rub the fresh eye line with my fingers to find not even a smudge; it was evident, I had indeed found a remarkable liner.

I mentioned the offer of 3 for 2 at Boots so I made the most of it and purchased another item for myself.  I rarely buy make up these days as I earn products from editorial credits, published product mentions and my blog and with little time on my hands I don't get the chance to pass by and play with products for myself let alone my kit, so this was a treat.  I wanted to choose an alternative lip product to a lip stick, maybe a stain of some sort, then I noticed Maybelline Super Stay 10h Tint Gloss in Forever Coral.

I loved the colour (what's not to love about corals in the summer), the texture was of a stain quality though injected with a gloss finish, which I assumed would feel nice and hydrating, rather than dry as with some stains.

And I was right!  It felt so comfortable on, without an outrageous shine in a pretty hint of coral.  Long lasting?

Yes, this lip colour clung on nicely and didn't have that nasty gloopy feeling nor did it solidify or congeal.

I am so chuffed with these purchases so I urge you, if you're out this weekend on a jolly jaunt for make up, do take a look at these and make the most of this budget buy offer in Boots.

Which Maybelline products have you been using?

GELeration nails in the mix.

In between a list of things to-do yesterday I made time to get my GELeration nails soaked off and reapplied yet this time I fancied some colour.  I couldn't settle with the shades on offer so the clever, Sarah at The Nail Lounge at Maximiliano Centini suggested we mix it up to find the perfect coral colour for me.  We agreed on two coats of Orange 702 and two coats of French Manicure Pink 366.  Here are the results directly after my treatment.

And a closer look, you can just about see the orange peeping through with an overlay of pale pink.  I personally love it.  Which nail effects do you currently like?

Lashes and brows with the help of Tweezerman, of course!

I love my Pro Tweezerman kit; a compact set of tools for lashes, brows and nails. 

I put it to the test (minus nails) on a recent Honda ident for Channel 4 TV programmes. 

This short and sweet bite of a TV ad may have escaped you but it is amazing how much time is taken to produce these.  All in all a whole week of shooting though my bit took just half a day which was a close up of beautiful eyes.

I began by concentrating on lashes at first as this is how I like to 'pretty up' eyes.  I coated lashes with mascara and combed through carefully with Tweezerman Lash Comb added a few Ardell Individual Lashes to make them appear thicker and to fill in any 'gappy' areas.

I applied an extremely light base so the model didn't feel bare, then a delicate dusting of eyeshadow.  Brows were brushed (no need to pluck such a good shape) with Brow Shaping Brush, then filled in with the dual ended Brow Eyenhance Pencil

Ready for the close up once the Tweezerman Brow Mousse was swept through for control and finishing.

And action!

Enhancing the faces of MCM.

Although I don't do very many high fashion shoots my work reflects current trends, seasonal looks and those delicious new must-have make up products, so I was delighted to be asked to do make up for the models at the MCM Fashion event in London using some of my most high performance products in my kit.

As you can see, they went out on a limb with branding with their iconic logo onto a Routemaster!

Here are all the models with their final look; high shine with elegant in the MCM colours.

I will take you through the look and make it brief...

I began with a light cleanse using Cover FX Clean FX Cleansing Mousse, then applied their BritePrep FX for an all over sheen.  The eyes were contoured using Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes E104, avoiding the centre of the eye.

The contours were accentuated further using the deep aubergine in Suqqu Blend Colour Eye Shadow 05 palette, then lined the upper lash line using Chanel's latest Autumn addition, Long Lasting Eyeliner (Stylo Yeux Waterproof) in Noir.

I highlighted the lids using RMK's A/W Ingenious Powder Eyes in 01 Iridescent Brown, the darker shade around the shape of the eye lid and pale bronze in the centre and across the brow bone.  Lashes were coated lightly with Givenchy Waterproof Phenomen'Eyes Mascara in Brown, upper lashes only.  The base, Cover FX Total Coverage B0 was then buffed on using Cover FX brush #160, Conceal FX in Light dabbed under the eyes to conceal any shadows, then I contoured cheeks with RMK Ingenious Powder Cheeks in Bronze (new season colour no less).

Once hair was beautifully styled I completed the eyes by lining Chanel Intense Eyeliner 75 (a bronze metallic shade) along the lower lash line quite liberally and Dior Brow Mascara in Gold combed generously through brows.   Not forgetting final touches to this look, nails were tidied up with the stunning gold/silver shade Kaleidoscope by Chanel.

The venue was the historic, English Heritage site, the Wellington Arch in Hyde Park Corner, steeped in history and such a high end event, I had to make some impact with lips though not go over board, so I chose OCC Lip Tar in Petty Beige, the exact colour match to MCM's Heritage range, why not!?

I loved the 'neutral' aspect of this look with the focus on highlights, contours with depth; nothing but enhancing.

Bridal Make Up aka Red Carpet Make Up!

Here are two very quick pics of recent brides I've worked on, firstly the stunning Asian bride, who never, yes, never wears make up therefore keen to ooze pretty eyes with natural 'under' made up skin and then the bride who wanted a bronzed glow on her big day.

My philosophy is to enhance natural beauty, define in comfort.  What do you think?

What's in store from Dior?

I tweeted this image this week but thought you might like another gander at the gold infused Fall Look, Golden Jungle from Dior.  As well as the harmonious duo Diorblush, Leopard motif of Golden Jungle Eye Shadow Palette and Dior Addict Lip Stick with a shine finish from  rosewood to deep burgundy shades, there is even more Khaki on show for next season though with golden flecks throughout to ooze warmth; what an adoring mix. 

Nail colour will be BIG next season, every leading brand have some sensational shades for Autumn with  Dior Vernis  possibly topping them all by introducing such an animalistic Limited Edition duo nail colours of a gold base and khaki top coat, to create a crocodile effect!

Here is a quick snap from the press release.  For all of you dying to know when you can lay your hands on the Golden Jungle collection, it will be exclusively at Selfridges from 30th July 2012, then Nationwide from 13th August 2012.

Rouge in Love.

Are you constantly falling in love?

  I am, with yet another adorable lip range that launched earlier this year from Lancome, Rouge In Love, super soft, instant colouration lip sticks, which are HIGHLY pigmented so you can achieve that block of colour in shades such as Violette Coquette or Rouge Valentine, without a smudge nor smear.  

Lancome are impressing me more and more these days as they are concentrating on building up a broader colour range, Teint Idole Ultra 24hr foundations for instance and now their Rouge In Love, lip wardrobe is a hefty 24 shades cleverly categorised into 3 moods; Jolis Matins, Boudoir Time and Tonight Is My Night, need I say more expect maybe j'adore!

Corail In Love.

It's Summer (believe it or not) and we tend to wear a little colour on our toe nails, get the open toe shoes and sandals out to show off our recent pedicures with something bright.  I tend to opt for coral's, enough of a bright but neither outlandish to go with my Summer wardrobe, so I was in hysteria when my eye caught Corail In Love 105M by Lancome this week, I instantly thought I must try it!

It looks quite pink here but has a peach tone, I promise.

I applied Ritual Nail Whitener first as a base coat; this I love as it keeps nail plates stain-free especially for red nail colours. I must admit I applied about 4 coats of the Vernis In Love as its quite thin, though I do admit layering it on whilst watching the tennis I lost count though knew I wanted to achieve a solid colour.  

Ta dah! I love the shade, not too bright or garish.  I added Rituals Top Coat, another favourite of mine.

I do love coral shades against my skin, certainly peps up my feet and even if the weather doesn't quite understand it is Summer as yet, I can at least feel I am trying a summery vibe.