MUSINGS OF A MAKEUP ARTIST

La Roche-Posay: Brand Catch Up : Anthelios Offerings

2013-05-19T18:18:00.001+01:00

As we fast approach the summer months and (hopefully) sunny days, I've been travelling for work and as always pack a comprehensive SPF kit for crew and myself! Through experience everyone on a trip tends to delve into my kit for SPF concerns so I bring a lot! My main concerns with sunscreens and blocks especially when it comes to being used on the model is that one, they offer good protection so

Makeup Close Up: ES Magazine Beauty Shoot: Metallic Eyes

2013-04-19T15:21:00.000+01:00

After posting my latest beauty shoot, I had some requests on a post of how I did the metallic eyes shot. Whilst researching what was hot off the runways, metallic eyes were all the rage again. There were the incredible gold leafed eyes of Fendi that first caught my eye a while ago. So when I got the chance to do a metallic eye that was wearable and pretty, I jumped at the chance to use gold leaf.

Editorial Update: ES Magazine

2013-04-19T14:46:00.001+01:00

Hot off the press, I just had these sent to me. A beauty shoot that I had the privilege to work on with an incredible team. Beautiful model Maria Konieczna, unreal hair by Louis Bryne, intricate nails by Chisato Yamamoto, spot on styling by Nicky Yates, makeup by myself assisted most amazingly by Rebecca McMahon. All perfect lit and captured by the talented Jon Gorrigan. It really was an

Illamasqua: Brand Catch Up: Paranormal Collection

2013-04-14T15:44:00.000+01:00

I'm sure by now anyone who's interested in makeup will know of cult, niche, slightly oddball brand Illamasqua. Famed for it's toxic colours and textures and it's penchant for the weird and wonderful. I will admit that if I'm after a colour cosmetic that is off a weird shade, I will go on their site to see if they have it. Saying that I have become rather fond of a few items of their range and

Before/After: Aviator Beauty: A Tribute to the Beauty of Katherine Hepburn

2013-04-07T16:48:00.001+01:00

I recently did a shoot in the hangar at Goodwood Flight Academy. And amidst the beautiful old planes I was totally inspired by one of my favourite screen sirens of old Hollywood, Katherine Hepburn. So just as well that stylist David Hawkins and photographer Andy Barnham had similar ideas! Katherine Houghton Hepburn, star, legend and strong woman, made so many films, more than I care to admit to

Before/After: Dark Circles and Bright Lips

2013-04-02T18:24:00.000+01:00

When you get a model with dark circles, sometimes there really isn't anything you can do but make the best of situations. And such was the case with our Russian beauty today. A mere teenager with bad eating habits but blessed with beauty of face. To be honest weren't we all grumpy teens once? As a MUA sometimes there's not a lot you can but use concealer to the best of your ability and then focus

Before/After: One Face Two Looks/All About Colour & Texture

2013-03-31T18:10:00.002+01:00

So Spring is upon us, apparently... although cold and frosty still and Easter has come and gone, work waits for no one and I'm already shooting Spring/Summer looks. A few weeks back I was asked to create a few looks for a Spring shoot. I didn't want to go down the route of flushed cheeks and glossy skin again so I decided to play with textures instead. What do I mean by textures? Think matte,

CK One: Brand Revisited & Face Of The Week

2013-03-16T18:20:00.000Z

In it's 3rd incarnation I think, CK One is on a roll. It's been many years since Calvin Klein first delved into cosmetics. I will admit I am the last one to actually know and try any of the products in any of it's various stages. So when sent a recent collection to trial for work, I set about running it through it's paces. And I LOVE it! The CK image is always one of clean, pure lines with a

Decleor: Brand Catch Up

2013-02-07T15:19:00.001Z

I'm back! Many of you would have known that I've recently moved and finally back online with computer and internet. It's amazing how reliant I have become of modern technology! Anyway Happy New Year and let's get the blog ball rolling this year with a skincare brand that I am rather fond of. I have been using the Neroli and Ylang Ylang range for myself and also on my clients at work. It's been a

Before/After: A Glowy Burnished Look for Black Women

2012-12-01T10:51:00.001Z

I adore doing makeup on anyone but have a soft spot for doing makeup on black women. The texture of the skin, features and colours is so different from other skin colours and as a result, you can do things that wouldn't look as dramatic. Anyway without gushing on and on, let's meet Philomena! Face Prep: Lancome Galatéis Douceur Soft Cleansing Fluid, Bioderma Crealine H2O, Emma Hardie Lighter

Before/After: Thinking in Black & White

2012-11-06T17:29:00.000Z

Sometimes on shoots that I've worked on, the pictures shot end up printed in Black & White and it's often a case of a mix of both B&W and colour. So I think it's interesting when I'm told before hand that the magazine wanted a full B&W shoot. Why interesting? Because I can tailor the makeup to work specifically for the end result. If you research the history of film, makeup was orginally designed

Before/After: Spiky/Clumped-Up Lashes/Makeup Mistakes

2012-10-31T19:12:00.001Z

So today whilst at a shoot, I decided to take one of my makeup pet peeves and use it as inspiration. What's the pet peeve? When girls wear too many false lashes and apply too much mascara! All too often I look around on trains or buses and see many such offenders. I suppose with the current crop of "celebs" sporting every extension you can think off, the general public is bound to follow suit.

Editorial Update: Look Magazine

2012-10-31T18:20:00.000Z

Hi everyone! Pardon the absence of late, lots happening in my world, all good and will result in wonderful things but it has meant a slight quiet period blog front. Bear with for a while longer but I will try to post as much as I can! Anyway I wanted to share with you my latest shoot to be published. Shot in NY by a very talented amazing team, I love it and hope you do too! What do you

Before/After: A Liner & Red Lip Variation

2012-09-30T17:56:00.000+01:00

Is there anything more striking and classic as a red lip and an lined eye? I highly doubt it. I call up this combination more than any other makeup look in my repertoire. I do get a little tired of this look sometimes, not often but once in awhile I do. So I try to make it as interesting as possible by changing various aspects of it. Simple little things that might be utterly unnoticeable to the

Latest Kit Acquisitions: Skin!

2012-09-30T16:52:00.003+01:00

I apologise for the recent blog silence. As always work has been crazy but add to that trying to sort out personal matters, it really doesn't leave much time for blogging. Saying that all is well and I am busier but also happier than ever. Let's not waste time talking shall we? I wanted to bring attention to some recent launches that as a MUA excite me, a lot! Sisley Gentle Makeup Remover

Before/After: Psychedelic Screen Siren

2012-09-09T15:00:00.001+01:00

I've been on a bit of a colour theme of late with my work. I find that I go through phases with my work and what I do. And the current look for me is full of colour and high voltage glamour! It's almost a throw back to the strong vibrant colours of the 80s but done in a modern way with the latest formulations and technology. One of my favourites recently was a big fashion spread for a London

Insight My Kit: New Additions

2012-08-11T16:50:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, it's been a crazy couple of months filled with work, travel and personal affairs! Seeing as it's been a while, I've hence had time to trial a couple of new things that are now firmly in my permanent working kit and also for personal use. Without further ado, let's have a look. To make it easier, I've categorised them according to function. Cleansing

Before/After: A Multi-Faceted Blue Jewelled Eye

2012-07-31T17:40:00.002+01:00

Often whilst doing makeup for shoots, I find myself noticing certain trends emerging from the briefs. After so many years I still find it slightly magical that everyone seems to know what the trends for the next season are. Of course I forget that there are trends companies whose sole job is to predict and forecast the upcoming trends for future seasons. And since I work at fashion weeks which

Before/After: A Modigliani Beauty

2012-07-29T18:21:00.001+01:00

Whilst in Sicily recently, I am not sure what it was, maybe it's the explosion of colour, vibrancy of the people and landscape or the beautiful artistic architecture and interiors, I found myself seeking inspiration from the arts. Certain artists to be exact. One of my favourites is Amedeo Clemente Modigliani, an Italian artist known for his paintings of women with elongated necks and oval faces

Before/After: Dusky Sizzling Sicilian Goddess

2012-07-20T19:27:00.002+01:00

Finally time to do a post about what I have been up to in Sicily. 9 days, 6 different shoots, 3 models. Sizzling hot temperatures, early starts, inspiring locations and a most incredible and inspiring team to work with resulted in some pretty amazing transformations. I love working with hairstylist maestro Marco Testa who just gets me and together we created some pretty amazing

A Visual Diary: Sicily, Italy

2012-07-15T20:07:00.001+01:00

It's been a few days since I've returned from my second trip this year to Italy for work. This time I spent 9 days in sun-drenched Sicily. Home to the formidable active volcano, Etna. This is my second time to the island but the first spending so much time there experiencing the people, food, culture and life of this beautiful place. Words fail to describe the colours, heat, passion, smells,

Before/After: Technicolour Film Mannequin/Stepford Wife

2012-06-30T16:10:00.000+01:00

Remember the fab team I worked with for the Lana Del Ray shoot? Well after a few days I got to work with the fab stylist again and another fab team of photographer and hair stylist and we shot a look that was once again, simply amazing! The location was at a location house hired for the day and there were so many incredible paintings, art and furniture in it that it was impossible not to be

Pink/Fushcia Lip: The Search Might Be Over

2012-06-26T11:57:00.000+01:00

I have been searching and searching for a pink equivalent of one of my favourite lipsticks of all time, MAC's Ruby Woo. I wanted a pink that had the same dense, velvet intensity of Ruby Woo that drenched lips in almost technicolour pigment. And after 19 years doing makeup, I think I might have cracked it. Maybe. I shot with the beautiful Sophie Pumfrett who I think will be the next huge model

Editorial Update: Harrods Magazine

2012-06-24T15:29:00.000+01:00

Remember my trip to Puglia, Italy? The first shots of the shoots we did there are out. A sun-drenched beauty shoot on the trends for our so far elusive summer. I'm ecstatic with the results, have a look! I couldn't wait for the shots to be sent to me so these are screen grabs off the website. What do you think? Gorgeous huh? Our gorgeous model made my job so much easier and an incredible

Before/After: Enhancing/Lana Del Ray Makeup

2012-06-24T12:26:00.000+01:00

I just noticed that this was my 100th post! How apt that upon this joyous occasion, this post reflects how excited and happy I was with this look created 2 days ago on a shoot for one of my favourite publications. Now, by no means is this look revolutionary or ground-breaking but it was just one of those days when everything clicked. Model was amazing and joy to work with, stylist inspiring and