Kramer and George from Seinfeld had it right. Mum picked up some refills for my makeup kit and some other new little goodies for me to play with. Thanks mum!

Clockwise from left: Russh Magazine issue 36, Chanel nail varnish in Particuliere, this Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit in Beige, Christian Dior Diorshow Extase Mascara in Noir Extase, Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in colour 5.5.

xxo

p.s. How gorgeous is Ashley Smith?

and p.p.s. Loving this blog, can you tell?

Also, whilst you’re surfing the web (who says that?), have a look at Jess’ new project, Reedy Hollow Vintage. She sells beautiful original and reworked vintage clothing and accessories. If you’re in Sydney, she’ll be at Kirribilli Fashion Markets this Sunday, September 12, from 9am. Come down and say hi!

xxo

]]> http://www.annihall.com/beautyblog/2010/09/a-new-muse-interview/feed/ 0 http://www.annihall.com/beautyblog/2009/10/parisfashionweekpart2/ http://www.annihall.com/beautyblog/2009/10/parisfashionweekpart2/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:07:35 +0000 anni hall http://www.annihall.com/beautyblog/?p=268 Now, after the crazy creativeness that was the last post, here are the best looks of the first few days that are definitely ready-to-wear.

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/)

The last three days at LFW were all about good bases and focal points. Having studied art history obsessively for three years at uni I’m all about focal points. So when my fringe was short is was all about my brows, and now that my fringe is hovering over my eyes it’s all about my lips. I kind of get excited when looks are quite focused and a feature of the face is emphasised. I feel that it allows for more creativity in the choice of colours and designs. Although, if you ask me to be creative when I have ten minutes to get ready, good luck!

The following looks all have these focal points, which are actually really easy to do in ten minutes! As long as you’ve got the base right, you’re set! You really need to invest in a good foundation and to apply it thoroughly with either fingertips or a foundation brush. The most popular one I’ve seen on shoots and recommend to people is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It gives a good amount of coverage, has a gorgeous finish, and is perfect for the ever-popular dewy-look, although can easily be matted-down with a touch of powder. It’s not oily or drying, and is really gorgeous over a moisturised face.

Erdem had one of the simplest and prettiest looks at London Fashion Week. A flawless base, mascara and a touch of lipgloss perfectly matched the multi-coloured pansy prints, black lace and china-blue silks. Use a light pink lipgloss and check out this post for mascara hints. Don’t forget to curl those lashes!

To another focal point… lips! Here at the House of Holland and below at Paul Smith, models were given all different shades of lipstick and gloss. The purple above would be amazing with a cute dress on a balmy night. Skip lipstick and head straight to ‘Dirty Shame’ lipgloss by Nars. It’s not sticky, has enough pigment to create the above colour and has a wet-shine so would look super chic at a cocktail party by the beach or pool. The colour below would also be amazing by the pool or on the beach, although this time during the day whilst wearing a bright bikini or one-piece. I haven’t seen a baby blue although I know Shu Uemura make a medium blue in their Rouge Unlimited line which would be lots of fun to play with.

And finally, one of my favourite labels, Luella (below). Bases were perfect and eyes were played up with cream eyeshadows. I wouldn’t bother hunting around the major labels for such theatrical colours, but am going to head straight to Ben Nye. The Ben Nye ‘Cream Colors’ are amazing and are only ten to fifteen (Australian) dollars!! The creams are really well made, the pigment is strong and you can easily mix colours to get your desired shade. Once you’ve got your colour apply it with a brush for that perfect, rounded shape, and then set with a translucent powder. These ‘Cream Colors’ can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips so you could even make your own Paul Smith light blue (as above). You can find these products at most makeup schools.

Now, go and have some fun with those focal points!

xxxx

(all pics from www.style.com/fashionshows/ except House of Holland from www.independent.co.uk & Paul Smith from www.coutourture.com)

Excitingly, Australian label Sass & Bide showed their first collection in London at the 7.15pm slot!

The designs that did take my fancy were by Turkey-born Bora Asku. His outfits were very Romantic and quite mystical.

The messy hair and random plaits along with the earthy makeup suited this theme perfectly. The models’ brows were concealed, as were the lips, and bronzer was used liberally over the cheekbones and temples, and in the contours of the eyes. Quite a dramatic look for everyday, but the best thing to take from this is the white pencil on the ‘wets’ of the eye (the inner of the lower lashline). As you can see here it really opens up the eye and makes the whites whiter! The one I use is the Giorgio Armani ‘Smooth Silk Eye Pencil’ although you can use any to get this look.

Alrighty, see you tomorrow!

xx

(Image from http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/)

Donna Karan had that same beachy face from Lacoste, but placed special emphasis on the eyes by using a white pencil to create a little flick. The one I use is the Giorgio Armani ‘Smooth Silk Eye Pencil’ although you can use any to get this look. Just make sure you try it on your hand before you purchase it, just to check that it has staying power. Also, use that Strobe Cream down the neck, on the collarbones, shoulders and chest for a super sleek look.

A really beautiful look from Day 5 was that at Carolina Herrera. The same colours from Rag & Bone were used here but much more subtly. Taupe seems to be the hottest colour of the moment for doubling up on contouring (under the cheekbone) and for use on the eye. And that lipcolour! That lipcolour! Who are you?

Oh Marc! Marc Jacobs. What a dude! I think this makeup is awesome! Probably best left on the catwalk, but those eyes, you could definitely rock them at night. And the lips, I love that the bottom lip is one shade lighter than the top! They’re totally impossible to wear out (unless you don’t talk, eat, drink, press lips together etc… Trust me i’ve tried..) but it’s these small details that make makeup exciting! And fun! And it’s there to have fun with and not be taken seriously!

So go and try something new next time youre heading out!

xx

P.s. Check out the post “Liner Notes” for some liquid liner tips.

(all pics from http://nymag.com/fashion/)

As the outfits were all bright and colourblocked at Lacoste (above), the makeup was exceedingly minimal. A clean face with moisturiser, a dab of concealer under the eyes (and on spots if necessary) and a row of black false lashes. The look was then completed with clear lipgloss and a highlighter on the cheeks and temples. My favourite highlighter to use for this wet, fresh-out-of-the-swimming-pool look is the MAC Strobe lotion. Lots of the other popular highlighters, like Armani’s and Becca’s, have a rather creamy, dewy effect, but because of the pearlised sheen of the Strobe Lotion the skin is more beachy.

My favourite look of the day is above by Rag & Bone. For me, both their mens and womens wear collections can always do no wrong, and the cool tones they used for this season are my all time favourite colours. I really like how the makeup look is quite dramatic, but is still suitable for Spring. The lipcolour is one I need to get my hands on. It seems to be a light, mauve-taupe. I’ll do some hunting and let you know when I find a good one!

Another top look of the week so far is the Erin Wasson x RVCA girl (as seen above). She is very beachy, rocker-chic. This look is so easy but so so sexy. All you need to do is bronze up, give your cheeks a light flush and your lips a sheer pink gloss. For eyes, just line them with a black pencil and use your finger to smudge on a light brown or taupe over your lids and up to your brows, and then use a brush to work the colour under your eyes. It’s all about being carefree so there’s no need to take too much time in doing it. And finally, make sure your hair compliments your makeup. You definitely need a loose, tousled look, so either go a swim in the ocean before you apply your makeup or use a sea spray on your hair (such as the Bumble & Bumble one) and let it dry naturally.

Helloooo hotstuff!

xx

(all pics from http://nymag.com/fashion/)

Like everyone else out there, I’ve been watching (and obsessing over) HBO series “True Blood”. I can’t believe season 2 just finished! What am I meant to watch now!?!

All of the romance, supernaturalism, melodrama, blood, pretty sweethearts and handsome, broody vampires got me thinking about red lips, naturally.

For me, red lipsticks are the white tees of makeup. You can never have enough. I’ve three trusty ones that will suit everyone out there, no matter what your skintone and undertone.

My all time favourite red that I recommend to everyone is Bobbi Brown “Lip Color Red 10”. It’s a vibrant red with blue undertones so it will make your teeth look extra white and brighten up your complexion.

For a winter-y, seductive shade that can be piled on, or smeared across the lip with a finger to stain the lip, is Giorgio Armani “Lipstick Mania” in 9. It’s a bit pricey, but definitely worth the investment.

And finally, a lipgloss without much stickiness and lots of pigment: Shu Uemura “Gloss Unlimited Red”. It comes in a cute handy size, isn’t too dramatic when applied, but rather lifts your look.

These will just have to satisfy our “True Blood” cravings until season 3!

annixx