I recently did a test with a super girl team: photographer Zanita, stylist Kat Wotton and model Vanessa Breuer from Chic. It was AMAZING. We worked insanely well as a team, shooting plenty of outfits and having so much fun.

The picture above is by far one of my favourite images I’ve shot. I adore the feeling of this shot. Vanessa looks so glamourous and serene basking in the sun. The outfit is terribly chic, Vanessa’s movement is so feminine and beautiful, and I love how the softness and relaxed expression in her face contrasts the gritty step and pebbly ground.

Here is a peek at the makeup…

I used a flat, dark brown (no shimmer or sparkles or anything) from Inglot on the eye and then layered the most beautiful brown eyeshadow, Fez from Nars, on top to get that bronze highlight and create depth. Using an angled shading brush (quite a fluffly one, like Mac’s 275), I blended like crazy so the edges weren’t harsh and the brown subtly faded away. I made sure to put plenty of colour under Vanessa’s eyes to really frame them and bring out her amazing blue peepers. For some looks I used Mac’s Orange Alarm (of course! I love that colour too much!) on the lips but mainly stuck to Shu Uemura’s BG 954M, which as of now is known as Creamy Chloe A/W 2010 Tan in Matte, as those letters and numbers don’t cut it for me.

Be sure to check out the rest of the shoot here. Enjoy!

xxo

This is pretty much how I remember the ages of 18 to 22 to be (minus the shoulders and expensive totes). An explosion of colour, flats, high ponytails and circles of black eyeliner. Oh!

Hanne Gaby and Abbey Lee Kershaw shot by Steven Meisel for the Mulberry Fall 2010 Campaign.

xxo

Her simple makeup and natural flowing locks are just the perfect compliment. We may not all be New York It-girls (yet!), but we can get her look. A red lipgloss, try Shu Uemura’s for a super shine, Stila’s eyeshadow in Wheat as well as lashings of mascara and there you go, an everyday look worthy of your own photoshoot.

xxo

Blaise Reutersward shot Marloes Horst for the cover of Vogue Nippon (April 2010) wearing this style. It’s the perfect example of a deep side part; simple, chic and sexy. With a bit of movement in the hair, it’s a breeze!

xxo

Oh, I really need a busier social life so I can keep up with all of these makeup looks!

xx

Pictures from models.com

I find that the simple, pared back hair and makeup is the perfect complement to the busy, somewhat ornate outfits. My favourite detail is the bright, bold, blue eye in the second shot. Easily accomplished by using Shu Uemura pressed eye shadow in m blue 665 and a touch of black mascara, nothing else is necessary or otherwise it could look a bit over-the-top. I can’t wait until my hair gets long enough so I can be a young girl lost.

xx

Pictures from models.com

TOM FORD PEOPLE, TOM FORD!!

I’m so excited! Although not all of his designs are to my liking, his skills and achievements are astounding. And the fact that he was an art history nerd like myself is also pretty cool i reckon. Even if the film is lacking, you know that it’s bound to be stylistically spectacular. Check out the promo picture, Colin Firth looking debonair and Julianne Moore is simply stunning.

Time to whip out the mascara and falsies.

xx

ps. Picture from (and an endearing interview) here.

Starting with the ever popular rock chic look, dark smokey eyes were sported at Nina Ricci and Lanvin.

Nina Ricci’s girl was quite angelic but with a darker side. Beautifully glowing skin (mix in a little Giorgio Armani ‘Fluid Sheer #2′ with your foundation) and a lined top lid (MAC ‘Fluidline’ in Blacktrack – see this post for hints) achieve that angelic aspect, now, just add a touch of golden brown shadow or cream to the inners of the eyes for a dramatic effect (but one that isn’t too harsh). If you want you can use a brush but it’s up to you! On my eyes I like messily rubbing in shadows for a grungier look.

Speaking of dark and grungy, Lanvin (above) rocked it! Once again, a clean, glossy palette (foundation and ‘Fluid Sheer’ on the skin) was the base for a tough, dirty eye. Apply the black shadow in whatever shape you like and to make it really rock, dab a tiny amount of Paw Paw ointment (or any clear eyegloss) in the centres of your lids, smudge it a tad with a cotton tip, and voila! Using Paw Paw ointment (or clear eyegloss) will make your lids super shiny but can become super messy around your eyes (especially if you’ve got a long fringe). So if you want to rock this look make sure you’re willing to do touchups every few hours. Just take some cotton tips in your makeup purse and wipe the build up from the inners of your eyes and any fall down. And don’t forget, make sure you put on lots of black mascara!

Another fun, Spring-friendly makeup look was seen at Gaspard Yurkievich. Models’ right eyes and cheekbones were sprinkled with gold glitter. Maybe so not good for days spent doing chores, but for a girly night out or special occasion this could be quite fun! Use any colour and pick a nice complimenting lipstick and you’re ready to go! I recommend the Ben Nye glitters, they’re affordable and designed to be used on the face so are superfine so it’s okay if it goes into your eye. There’s no need to use glue, just press the glitter onto your face with your fingertips. Who knew it was so easy to sparkle! Isn’t that what every girl wants?

You know that the Mod inside of you can’t wait to wear this half-moon look as seen at Junya Wantanabe. Sometimes I see makeup looks on the catwalk and wish I had come up with them. This is one of them. It’s simple but so cool!

And I couldn’t talk about pretty makeup looks without mentioning the beautiful faces at Christian Dior. Inspired by Lauren Bacall, the look was updated with vibrant hues on the lids. The purple-blue (above) and light-orange (below) are colours most girls generally wouldn’t consider, but pared with a red lip (my favourite is Bobbi Brown ‘Lip Color Red 10′), it’s insatiable!

Now go and have fun!

Anni xx

(all pics from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/)

John the Baptist by Caravaggio, 1604.

(Pic from Wiki)

After discovering this artwork I became fanatical about baroque art. All of the drama, rich colours and intense lighting pulled me in.

The other two gentlemen were Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. I remember seeing their Spring 2002 RTW collection and being absolutely blown away by it. The perfectly tailored suits, corseted dresses, flower-print chiffon, woven ribbon mini skirts, all of which I still covet today. Additionally, all of the It-girls were in the show: Gisele, Mini, Maggie, Anouck, Carmen, Stella, Jaquetta, Erin, Karen, Karolina, Alek Wek, plus more! That collection just had me. It was such an awesome spectacle! So feminine and yet structured and powerful, so carefree and beautiful, an array of clothes that would take you from your office in Milan to a weekend away on the Amalfi Coast. Hey, a girl can dream!

I had to indulge my fantasy, I couldn’t resist! So i took up the Italian language at uni and studied it for 3 years. I haven’t been back to Italy or turned to the language for a couple of years now, but it’s comforting to know that the Italian woman is still as beautiful as that initial imprint from 8 years ago. This is Dolce and Gabbana’s Spring/Summer 2010 woman:

Simply beautiful.

Italian Springs and Summers to me mean warm, rich colours (think golden tones, shades of red from Carnelian to Persimmon to Venetian red (of course!) and browns including bronze, copper, burnt sienna and sandy brown) or an overtly sexy, smokey eye. And here they are…

A golden eye at Pucci with a flick of mascara.

Chocolate-brown smudged all over the eye and up to the brow at Fendi.

And at Versace, a royal purple smokey eye. With a bit of practice this look could be quite fun to wear on a night out!

How-to’s coming soon, I promise! xxxx

(all pics from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/)