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!

Never before have I pack so lightly for a holiday, it was very impressive. I took a handful of swimmers, towels, pjs, a few lightweight dresses, and some sandals. I was extra impressed with my beauty products – below is all that I took! Seriously!

These are my summer holiday essentials (from L to R):

Perricone MD Cold Plasma: This lightweight gel is great under sunscreen and perfect for evenings to cool my face down and take away that little bit of redness.

Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15: Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen! The skin around your eyes is soo fine so make sure your eyecream has a SPF!

Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light SPF 30+ Tinted Facial Sunscreen: A summer holiday is the only time that I’m non-Rococo. Before going away I got my bronze on with Rodial’s Brazilian Tan (in light, of course!). Even though I love Rodial and it has never failed me, I never do my face, it’s just too risky, and you know what, this is why tinted sunscreens were invented! This tinted facial suncreen is the perfect match for when I’m (fake) tanned. Win!

Nars The Multiple Duo (Cream Blushes) in Orgasm and South Beach: The only makeup product I took away. When I wanted a pretty look I used a touch of the pink on the apples of my cheek, and when I wanted to look super tanned, I put the bronze all over; the bridge of my nose, across my cheeks, my temples, a dab on my chin and at my hairline – so all of the places that the sun sees. I l love Nars’ cream blushes (I have SEVEN!!) as they’re so lightweight, so no matter what shade you wear, the colours always look natural.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: All holiday I went mascara free but still curled my lashes as it really does make a difference. They make your eyes instantly bigger and prettier, what more could you want?!

Kai Body Lotion: This lotion smells like Hawaii. It’s so fresh, pretty and so relaxing, I made sure to use it everyday whilst away so it will remind me of Jervis.

And finally, Le Tan SPF 30 + Classic Lotion: I carry sunscreen with me everywhere! There’s nothing worse than being sunburnt. Eek!

xxo

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

SO EXCITING! The day was such a breeze, Zanita is a powerhouse behind the lens – she has such a clear vision and shoots so speedily, and Alyce was a gem and constantly had the hugest smile on her face, even in the super chilly wind!

Tests are so much fun, you can do whatever you want to, and I did! As you know I love power-brows and emphasised Alyce’s with MAC Brow Powder and an angled brush. I used my favourite NARS Lipcolour in Funny Face for half of the shots and the other half I used a vibrant blue cream eyecolour by Shu Uemura in the inner-vs of Alyce’s eyes.

As you can see, both of the girls did an incredible job and I am so so so over the moon with the images.

Thank you ladies!

Check out the rest of the story over here at Zanita’s blog.

xxo

The Shu Uemura eyelash curler is the best! And if you feel like spoiling yourself, you should get the smaller version too to curl those side lashes.

Marloes Horst shot by Miles Aldridge for Vogue Russia June 2010.

I would expect no less from Vogue Japan. Japanese makeup artists and products are known for being beautiful, delicate and precise. The gorgeous full lashes, bleached brows, modernised rococo hair and slightly bitten lip make for a divine, serene scene.

Judith Bedard shot by Takuya Uchiyama for Vogue Nippon Beauty.

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

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

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)

My favourite makeup look of the day… WHAT A SURPRISE! Haha, those lashes are just awesome! I’ve just read here that the above label, PPQ, are collaborating with Shu Uemura and the lashes will be in store in February 2010. How exciting! To get the rest of this look, Nars ‘Desire’ is the perfect pink blush and any babydoll pink lipstick will do, lightly pressed onto the lips with a finger.

Here at Ashish it’s time to party! The only makeup look that could live up to such a vibrant, sequined frock is but of course, the red lip. And a very full one at that! So get out your sharpener, create a full lip shape with your trusty red pencil, and then apply a generous amount of MAC’s ‘Lady Danger’, a bright coral-red.

And I just had to include the look from my favourite collection of the day, at Mark Fast. The Canadian-born designer creates these beautiful, and very sexy, knitted dresses that are definitely worth checking out. The look to go with his varied palette was quite simple. A dusting of lilac eyeshadow in the inner Vs of the eyes and a directional brow (done with a sharp brow pencil or a powder and an angle brush). It’s really quick and easy to do, and is just that little bit different. Definitely something I’m going to try when next I go out!

xx

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