Prada’s Spring 2012 campaign shot by Miesel

This summer has been all about sun, surf, and unfortunately for us Sydney-siders, lots of rain! My one go-to surf product (besides SPF 30+, of course!) has been YSL’s Mascara Singulier Waterproof. Love the shape of the brush (it creates long, feathery looking lashes), the jet black shade, and best of all, it’s actually waterproof! So often I’ve gone into the ocean with ‘waterproof’ mascara, rubbed my eyes and then seen black smudges on my hand – not very Venus of me! This heavy duty formula just blows my mind, although to be honest it is a bit tricky to get off (you need a lot of time in front of the mirror with an oil-based remover) but I think it’s totally worth it.

Do you have a number one waterproof mascara? Care to share?? x

Bambi shot by Stephen Ward

So I can’t believe it has taken me so long to share this news but late last year I shot the super lovely and ridiculously pretty Bambi Northwood-Blythe for Russh magazine. It was such a thrill to do her makeup again and I am so in love with the shots. In this shot it’s all about defined eyes with Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony and crazy fresh skin which I created by spritzing with Avène Eau Thermale Water right before Stephen took the shots.

For other images of the shoot check out FGR and Russh for a short video.

Gisele in Givenchy S/S 2012 shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

The weather down under has been pretty shocking for summer (and who know’s if it’s going to get any better), so I’ve decided to quit whinging and make the most of it – just like Gisele here and her two handsome friends. Starting from today I am piling on the sea salt (Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray to be precise) and lathering my legs with Weleda’s Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil (I’m all about the oils, again). Now, if only I could surf…

I can never decide if I’m a summer or winter kind of gal. I love the layers of winter and the rich, moody colours, but then when it comes to summer I can’t help but go crazy with colour. This summer (which arrives in three days time !!) this is the look I’ll be playing with: a bold lid with a pop of sunshine in the inner-v’s and bright lips.

As you can see here, I love a blue eye and this is such a cool way to mix it up. In my kit I’ve got Shu Uemura’s pressed eye shadow in bright yellow as well as Ben Nye’s Cream Colour in yellow that’s been used here. Pair with a plait or a cute fringe and there you have it, bird of paradise eyes. Love!

Alexa Chung shot by Josh Olins for Vogue UK, June 2011

This festival loving, long-legged hipster muse is as low maintenance as they come. A slick of liquid liner, a few minutes with the curling irons and the right products and she’s ready to go. Currently sporting a shoulder length bob, her simple, shaggy chic ‘do is suited to all lengths. I’ve been doing this look non-stop since I cut my hair and the best thing about it is that the hairstyle gets better as the days go on. Here’s how-to do Alexa’s twisty look…

1) Spray the new KMS FREESHAPE Hot Flex Spray on towel dried hair and roughly blow-dry. Both heat and humidity resistant, Hot Flex Spray has an elastic hold which allows the style to last until the next wash.

2) Using Remington’s Tribal Tongs, wrap irregular sized sections of hair around the conical barrel away from the face and hold in place until hair is warm. Continue with the rest of the hair without worrying about being too precise as imperfection is the key to Alexa’s look.

3) Once the hair has cooled, comb out the curls with fingers. Apply a small amount of Redken’s Tousle Whip 04 (a cream-wax for glossy, texturised hair) to the lengths of the hair focussing on separating and defining pieces.

4) Finally, to tame tiny flyaways at the roots, spray Moroccanoil’s strong-hold Luminous Hairspray onto your Mason Pearson Paddle Brush and gently comb the roots. Easy!

Wang Xiao shot by Jeff Hahn for SCMP Style Magazine

To be perfectly honest the thought of bright green nails made me shudder – until now. Wang’s murky, fluro nails perfectly set off her black biker girl look. She’s pretty cool and hella fun. If only I had thought of this first. My pick? Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in Green With Envy. And if you’re not sold, it’s only $7 so if you get over it by the third wear then you’ve got your money’s worth.

Firstly, love Lindsey Wixson. Secondly, to get those bold, perfectly lined black eyes use waterproof liner on the inner rim of the eyes (the water line) and under the top lashes. Right now I’m loving Laura Mercier’s Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony as it hardly moves or smudges. Then, after you’ve lined the eyes go mascara crazy (in black of course!). Too easy.

Naty Chabanenko shot by Fabio Chizzola for Gravure

A fortnight ago I wrote an article about the current crazy-coloured hair trend for The Australian newspaper (!!). I distinctly remember the Rodarte wunderkinds showing a variety of coloured extensions aaaages ago at their Spring 2008 show and then those purveyors of cool Proenza Schouler who presented murky looks at their Spring 2010 show. After that, King Karl showed pastel streaks on the models at Chanel’s Spring 2010 couture show and at the same time Abbey Lee Kershaw got colourful on the cover of Vogue Australia. Since then, it’s gotten big and it’s not going away.

Wanna know how to get the look without destroying your beautiful hair? Well, don’t I have great news for you! In writing the article I tried and tested everything and anything and have got the low-down on what works.

Firstly, the man responsible for Abbey Lee’s locks, the very lovely Kevin Murphy, has just launched a coloured powder called Color.Bug. I’m in love! They’re easy to use and the colours are ace.

Secondly, for a powdery texture a la Thakoon S/S 2012, use the easily accessible Australian brand Cinta’s range of Intense Colour Hairsprays.

For a runway replica hairdo, try German professional makeup brand Kryolan’s Colour Spray which I spotted backstage at Narciso Rodriguez.

Otherwise, for a sleeker, smoother texture, try alternative New York brand Manic Panic’s range of Dye Hard Gels.

Well what’s stopping you? It’s super easy and they all wash out with shampoo.

What colour will you go for? I’m loving bright green, pastel pink and purple.

And finally, for a snippet of the article, click here.

Henrietta Hellberg shot by Andrew Yee for Elle Vietnam October 2011

1) Start with clean hair then slowly flat iron from roots to mid lenghts for slick, flat locks.

2) Spritz the bottom half of the hair with ghd’s Curl Hold Spray whilst your curling tongs heat up.

3) Curl small sections of the hair and hold for 15-20 seconds for really round, exaggerated curls.

4) Take out the curling tongs and gently place the hair on your chest.

5) Continue with the rest of your locks.

6) Once hair has cooled, comb hair with a detangling comb and align the curls.

7) Pack on ghd’s Final Fix Hairspray on both the top and underside of the curls et voila! Great waves!