FELICITY BROWN: AW12 Makeup Step by Step

The make up for Felicity Brown's AW collection was all about capturing, understated beauty with an element of the 60's influence as seen throughout the collection.

1. Ensure skin is nourished and moisturised to enhance luminousity and radiance. This look is not about matte texture but giving skin a healthy glow. We prepped the models with moisturiser and MAC studio fix spray to hydrate followed by strobe cream on the cheek bones.

2. Concealer was used under the eyes and where required to even out skin tone and hid any blemishes. Adonia tinted moisturiser was used if required on some of the girls to further give them a natural flwless complexion.

3. On the eyelids we used shades fro the Bobbi Brown shimmer brick- the lightest shade was used as a neutral base and then a sweep the reflective coppery shades across the lid to create subtle colour and sheen to match the colour pallette used throughout the collection.

4. On the inner corner of the eyes MAC pigment in Old Gold was used

5. Lashes were loaded with mascara and defined to give a bit of a sixties feel to the look.

6. Finished with Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on the lips to give subtle colour and gloss.

As Felicity's collection this season had more of a day wear focus, I think you could easily transfer the look from day to night by adding some killer heels and bright red lipstick!

MX

Ginge of the Week- Puppy!!

After all the fashion week madness was over, it was time for some down time, 

which included puppy sitting the adorable, ginger Hungarian Vizla

 Semper 

(which is Latin for 'always faithful') 

Paris Fashion Week: futuristic fashion

Not to be outdone by Milan, Paris kept the momentum with some even more surreal beauty looks on the catwalk, never mind the clothes, people!

1. Chanel


The most angelic complexions were enhanced with a dazzling jewel encrusted brow for a minimalist, futuristic feel which carried from head to toe in this beautiful collection.

Hair was slicked into a wet look pony. I love nothing more than a perfect, slick pony on the catwalk!


2. Jean Paul Gaultier


In keeping with the current futuristic vibe, JPG continued, this time with some cyber-colour action in the form of a reverse dip dye in an array of luminous shades!

YES!!! BRING ON MORE CATWALK COLOUR!!

There was a  90's twist to the futuristic feel with their poker straight, center partings and glam/grunge smoky eye makeup perfection.

More fashion week faves to come!

MX

Milan Fashion Week: Hair & Makeup Looks

Whilst New York and London played it safe for AW with minimalist, youthful makeup looks, it seems Milan has decided to take center stage and explore the more theatrical side of the catwalk.

Here is a selection of some of my favourite looks:

1. PRADA


They never cease to disappoint with their trademark style.

Manga inspired makeup- black liquid eyeliner to the max with a flash of electrifying orange on the eyebrows, created a striking, futuristic feel to the total look which was created by Pat McGrath.  Not to mention the dip-dye coloured extensions which featured throughout the collection (Hooray for hair colour on the catwalk! YES!!). The extensions added a cool edge to what would of otherwise been a very safe hair look.

It also goes to prove that the dip dye is here for a little while longer....

2. GUCCI


Here we saw a girlie-goth look come to life. Featuring a flawless beautiful complexion, defined lashes- toughened up with a semi gloss, dark ruby red lip colour which looked amazing against the rich jewel like tones displayed throughout the collection.
(Very similar to my current Winter favourite lipstick shade- Diva by MAC!)

Hair was kept deconstructed with loose texture in a center parting in a half-up pre Raphaelite style.

3. VERSACE

Another powerful, strong long hair and makeup look to compliment the gothic edge to this AW collection. Makeup showcased the ultimate smoky eye, with nude lips and bleached eyebrows (which seemed to be a recurring theme at MFW)

Eyes were framed by a short, blunt fringe and straight, long locks.
If you're not brave enough to get the chop- why don't you follow suit with a 'winge' (wig fringe!! Genius!!) before you commit to the real thing (trust me, a fringe like that is hell to grow out, hence why I have kept mine, forever!) Check out Hershesons where for just £30 you can test the waters and create the ultimate Versace look for yourself.

Ginge of the Week- Prada Girl at MFW!

To celebrate the use of hair colour on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week, I'm staying true to my roots (no pun intended!) as a colourist and crowning the ginger dip dye Prada girls with this week's honours.

I'm also loving her totally ginger, electric orange eyebrows which ultimately compliment the extensions.

Coloured hair extensions are a great way to try out a colour if you're not so sure and this striking look will ensure that the dip dye/rootstretch/baliage look is not over just yet!

Here's to more colour on the catwalk!

MX

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