LFW: David Koma AW12

And for my final show of this LFW season, it was over to the Fashion Week showspace at Somerset House for one of my favourite designers- David Koma! He always manages to combine a slick, polished look with and element of toughness. This season's collection was inspired by greyhounds, a theme that carried out through the collection. Including some seriously spectacular wedge heels that featured a silver greyhound in the heel! (I'm still trying to locate a picture of these beauties!)

On the fabulous Stila Pro Artist Team working under the direction of Creative Director Sarah Lucero, once again, we set about bright and early creating a look that was 'clean, modern and sophisticated but with a hard edge'.

Red-wine stained lips were created using Stila Pomegranite Crush Lip and Cheek Stain to give the illusion of this dishevelled beauty. Skin was luminous with a high sheen accent above the cheekbones.

Hair was directed by Kenna for GHD the girls sporting a slick pony, with a deep side parting that was adorned with a silver accessory to match the detail on the garments.

Final Look, Hair & Makeup

LFW: Italian Designer's Showcase for Vogue Italia

Next up- I was working alongside Andrea once again, creating the makeup looks (and playing photographer!) for the

Vogue Talents International Fashion Showcase 

which was held at the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgravia. Supported by Italian Vogue, the event was designed to promote emerging Italian designers, internationally, here at London Fashion Week and support the future stars of Italian design.

We liased with the 6 different designers and had to (very quickly) come up with 6 different looks which would best display the identity and vibe of each brand with the hair and makeup.  Once the looks were decided on, it was all hands on deck to get the girls ready in time to strut their stuff to the Fash pack.

Featured designers included:

• Comeforbreakfast
• A-Lab Milano
• Sivio Berterelli
• COTE
• Caterina Gatta
• Nicholas Julitta

Lucky for me I had a great team-  and as usual working alongside the Hob hair team, ensured we also had a good time backstage when things had all calmed down.

The presentation drew quite a crowd, apparently there was at least 700 guests throughout the 2 hour presentation which included plenty of prosecco and the chance to meet with the designers themselves and witness the usual London Fashion Week circus.

A very big, big thankyou to my makeup team-
Verity, Nina and Gemma! 

MX

LFW: Matthew Williamson AW12

On Sunday afternoon, I headed to the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for Matthew Williamson's show.

To say I was excited about being on the Stila Pro Artist Team this London Fashion Week, was an understatement. Not only was I priveleged enough to be working on one of my favourite designer's shows, but also alongside the amazing Sarah Lucero, who is Global Director of Creative Artistry for the brand.

Stila Cosmetics have been one of my most favourite brands and I was devastated when they disapeared a couple of years back- but they're back and better than ever!!! Yes!

On to the show.....

The brief behind the makeup was a celebration of youthfulness and natural beauty which complimented the detail and opulence of Williamson's collection perfectly.

Hair followed suit with simplicity and was created by Toni&Guy.  It was great to catch up with some of the old Kensington crew after the show! They created a beautiful, low, deconstructed ponytail, with a side parting.




My favourite product discovery for the day was the Stila Perfecting Concealer as it does exactly what the name suggests! It had the perfect texture and amount of coverage to create a flawless, yet natural complexion. I've gotta get me some of that to cover my dark circles, that's for sure!

two of the MW beauties I made up for LFW

The collection itself featured embellishments such as sequins and fur with a colour pallette that embraced metallic tones and bold splashes of colour. Williamson's creations  capture a variety of occaisions, from beautiful, flowing dresses you could wear to the most glamourous Ibiza wedding to more tailored and structural pieces that you could wear in the day.

click here to check out the collection in it's entire glory

Stay posted for step by steps, how to receate this beautiful, wearable look!

MX

LFW: Felicity Brown, AW12 Presentation

On day 1 of LFW, I was already super tired... thanks to a combination of jet lag and a bad cold- but LFW is no time for rest!  I headed back to London where I met with designer Felicity Brown at her east London studio with lead hair stylist, Andrea Martinelli from Hob to discus the hair and makeup look we were creating for her presentation on Saturday.

Here's our finished look on the beautiful model Lenka:

It was great to be part of the team for Felicity's presentation once again and I was very excited to be creating the makeup look for this beautiful collection!  A big thanks to Nina and Gemma who were part of my makeup team on the day.

With the makeup, it was all about understated, natural beauty. We created a flawless complexion, using Clarins Beauty Flash balm to add radiance.

Eyes were enhanced with a flash of Mac pigment in Old Gold, used in the inner corner which complimented the splash of colour used throughout the collection. Lashes were defined and separated with loads of mascara.

On the lips we went for a natural sheen using my favourite Pawpaw Ointment.

Felicity Brown's AW12 Collection was designed with more of a daywear element, progressing away from the couture/evening wear feel of last seasons collection.

With a 60's influence, featuring shift dresses in bold prints  and a colour pallette of autumnal tones such as burnt amber and accents of ink navy and mustard. This collection is very wearable and feminine and could easily translate from day wear to a night out, just by adding heels, lipstick and a deconstructed updo as seen in the presentation.


Stay tuned for more hair info and step by step!

MX

The Adventures Continue....

Angelo & model, by candlelight

Next, I headed up north to do makeup for a hair shoot with the super talented

Angelo Valillo 

from 

Zullo & Holland

We had about 6 girls in total and I can't wait to show you the final results!




My key product for the day was MAC eyeliner in smoulder. A quick way to create a smoky eye, is to literally colour in the eyelid with the pencil and then using a soft blending brush gently smudge and blend to create your shape and soften any hard lines.

Next up- LFW...
MX

NYFW Fall 2012 Hair & Makeup Trends

Following on from SS12's minimal makeup looks from last season, it's great to see again that its all about radiant skin with a focus on either eyes, brows or lips.  And seeing as we're talking about America, let's follow suit and call it Fall2012 as opposed to AW2012. This was just one of the words I learnt whilst I was in the Big Apple, like candy (sweets/lollies) and cookies (biscuits) 

These looks are wearable and translate easily enough for every day life and are quite simple to recreate at home. It's nice to see looks that work both on the runway and in real life!

Here's some of my favourite looks:

Victoria Beckham Fall 2012

As Victoria Beckham finally gets the credit she deserves for her stunning collection the hair and make up complimented the strength and simplicity of her creations. With fresh skin and a focus on stronger eyebrows  and a pop of colour on the lips. I'm loving the red/orange lip colour as its a perfect shade of red for daywear without being too in your face.

Hair was created by the legendary Guido for Redken and sported a severe side part with a slick of gel to create a wet look through the front. He also used extensions on the girls to create a blunt cut finish on their straight locks.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012

At Marc by Marc Jacobs we saw a similar vibe with the makeup and strong side parting, however this time it was complimented by a low ponytail.

Whilst at Marc Jacobs mainline, it was a grungier look altogether- the girls makeup looked like they were on their way home from a big night out! Hair wise, following his 'Oliver Twist in Wonderland' theme it featured a lot of hats. Hair featured 2 low buns which were deconstructed and dishevelled to add a fairy tale kind of twist to the look.

MX

I LOVE NY!

Just back from a whirlwind trip to the Big Apple, just in time for NY Fashion Week and catching up with friends! The weather was unusually warm for this time of year, much warmer than these arctic conditions we've been experiencing in London that's for sure.

I took the picture (above) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which has the most fantastic views across the water of Manhattan. It was such a gorgeous, sunny Winter's day, would of been rude not to share it with you all! Of course that picture has gone straight to Instagram, which is my new app obsession. It's like twitter but with photos and much more fun.... look me up: @foxylovesit

This time my in flight skin saviour was Rich Hydrating Cream by Avene. I also changed my watch as soon as I boarded the plane which seemed to help with the jet lag immensely upon arrival in New York!

Stay tuned for NYFW beauty favourites!

Oh and Happy Valentines Day <3

MX

Ginge of The Week- Lana Del Rey!

En route to NYC, I thought it was fitting to crown New York's own lady of the moment, 

Lana Del Rey 

with this week's ginger honour.

Ok, I know she's not technically ginge, however depending on the lighting and on her Vogue cover debut, I think we can safely say that Miss Del Rey is rocking a fine shade of copper-chestnut! (This also proves how much lighting can change the look of hair colour too!) I think she could definately venture towards a statement shade of the Ginge.  And as for all this controversy on her name change and image change, I'm a little confused!! She's talented and beautiful and right now I'm totally obsessed with her album.

MX

Mascara Must Have: Model Co Fibre Lash

As my never ending quest for long, luscious, lash-perfection continues, on my travels I noticed that cult Australian brand Model Co had a new(ish) mascara out that I was yet to try! And this is not just any old mascara, it is like false lashes in a bottle. Genius! Now, I love the look  of falsies, however, rarely have the patience or time to put them on myself so anything thats gonna save me some time getting ready is already a winner in my eyes.

I was so excited to get my hands on this litle treat that I didn't read the instructions and dived straight in to give it a try. I opened the box and found 2 silver mascara bottles. Cool. I opened the smaller one first (labelled Lash Fibres!) and to my shock when I took the wand out of the bottle it was covered in what looked like spider's webs.  So that's the FIBRE'S! Easy as 1, 2....

Step 1: coat your lashes in the FIBRES
Step 2: coat your fibred lashes in MASCARA

The effect was immediate, longer, thicker, fuller luscious lashes!
The mascara brush is also great as it really defines and separates the lashes, in fact, I sometimes use it on it's own without the fibres for day wear and when I'm wanting a more dramatic look with my lashes, I add the fibres.

WARNING: Fibre Lash is Addictive!!

Rating: 9/10

MX