Kay Montano shows us how to channel your inner Elizabeth Taylor for a bombshell 50′s look that could be from a Fellini film. Viva La Dolce Vita!
Video: Kay Montano does 50′s Mad Men
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Monthly Archives: March 2011
New Collection – Lancome Ultra Lavande
I’m very excited about this week’s launch of Lancome‘s new collection for Spring, Ultra Lavande – and there’s a few reasons why. One, because it’s shades of purple and lavender which never go out of season at MM HQ, two because it’s Aaron de Mey who created it (one of my makeup artist crushes), and three, it has Julia Restoin-Roitfield as the new spokesmodel. I did her makeup in London and not only is she gorgeous with the style you’d expect from someone who basically grew up at Paris Vogue, she’s also a really lovely, friendly girl. Check out the behind the scenes video of the making of the new Ultra Lavande commercial. Then go get your lavande on (I know I will be).
The Foundation Files: Estee Lauder Maximum Cover
Every now and then I go into the Vault and have a rummage for you good people, and to remind myself what’s actually in there. And every now and then I come up with an absolute treasure – this is one of those times.
I bought this foundation aaaaaages ago in London, and for some reason it just never made it into my kit – space issues probably. So I tried it the other day and … just, wow. A tiny little bit goes a very long way, and it just melts into the skin – you hardly need to rub it in at all. It’s a heavier finish foundation than I usually like (you might have noticed my preference for fairly light, fluid and light reflective foundations before), but as I only use this foundation for spot coverage, it doesn’t matter that it’s a heavier weight.
When I started Googling Estee Lauder Maximum Cover there were rumblings on the internet that it was about to be discontinued. NOOOOO! Not after I have just re-discovered it (although to be fair I have four large tubes of it, and since one tiny dab will do your whole face, they should last me a good long while). So I checked with Estee Lauder and you’ll all be relieved to hear that it hasn’t been discontinued, but it has been reformulated as it will now be one of the Double Wear foundations. Which makes sense as once that sucker is on it ain’t going anywhere. This has to be one of the longest wearing foundations I have ever tried, staying on through a whole day’s sweaty testing whilst I ran around and did a zillion errands. It’s actually supposed to be water proof, but I’ll be honest and say I haven’t tested it out in a beach or pool environment yet – but I will, oh I will. Perhaps that might be a good experiment for the new re-formulation of it, to see how it stacks up when faced with the elements? Oh I love to have projects!
This is really a hardcore foundation as it was originally formulated to cover birthmarks, scars, marks from acne and the like – so if this is something that you struggle to cover with regular foundation and concealer, it’s well worth checking out, as it provides SERIOUS coverage whilst still looking natural (no easy feat).
The only thing that is a downfall to this foundation is the colour range, which I think is a bit limited – five shades in all, and all very much on the pink/Caucasian side. However if this is your colouring, this is an incredible foundation. Uber makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury loves this guy and has used it extensively for years, which is why I originally tried it. I like to use it as a spot concealer, just where needed, instead of a full face of foundation. This one’s a keeper.
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Paris Fashion Week – GARETH PUGH – Autumn/Winter 2011
Report by Celine Bopp | Makeup Director – Alex Box | Sponsor – MAC
As Alex’s assistant, Celine Bopp, so rightly says “The girls at Gareth Pugh… well, well, well! Another extravaganza from the Box.” Alex describes the look of the show as “religious iconography”.
Celine says “The girls and boys in the show this season were sensational, along with those clothes and the colour that Pugh sneaked into his collection this year was fab – black, gold and blue… beautiful.”
Foundation: The models’ base was kept minimal using MAC Studio Sculpt foundation to match the girls’ skin tone, and the cheeks were left relatively sheer and fresh so to see the natural skin flesh tone.
Eyes: The eye pads were stuck underneath the models’ eye, with either a gold or a blue winged out shape, using ‘secret material’.
Face Gloss: MAC Lipglass in Clear, and Gloss Brilliance was placed on the cheekbones and cupid’s bow.
The boys didn’t wear the mystery winged out shape under their eyes but they had amazing highlights and textures on their skin which looked gorgeous. We used MAC Studio Sculpt foundation, MAC Lipglass, Strobe Cream, and a few different MAC Reflecting Pigments to get the effect that Alex wanted.
From the Front Lines – Chanel’s Peter Philips Talks Autumn/Winter
It’s always a cause for rejoicing when Chanel do one of their show videos, and this one has it all. Peter Phillips on makeup! Sam McKnight on hair! A sneak peek at the new products coming out for Autumn/Winter! (And they do look like some very naughty new makeup action). Check it out!
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Lady Gaga Hello Kitty photo shoot
I’ve posted this breakdown before but I couldn’t resist posting it again, as it was on the cover of the Observer magazine in the UK this weekend. It’s such an extraordinary photo, and an extraordinary makeup – done by none other than Kay Montano! Here’s what she used on the world’s biggest pop star.
Kay Montano on the Hello Kitty Shoot: “Gaga art directs everything! She is a stream of ideas and suggested I paint Japanese cartoon style eyes on her eyelids which added a surreal edge to what would otherwise have been a cutesie look.”
Base: Chanel Vitalumiere in No. 20 Clair
Powder: Chanel Traslucent powder to create the perfect base
Eyes: Make Up For Ever Flash Colors 12 color box of crème makeup to paint exaggerated green Japanese eyes on her eyelids, with MAC Prep+Prime to set
Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
Mascara: Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in black
Lashes: 2 sets of MAC eyelashes, one on the browbone to create false top lash
Lips: Chanel Coco Pink lipstick (US exclusive), then silver (Fardel silver powder mixed with water).
From the Front Lines: Hairdresser James Pecis does the Shows
We’re very lucky here at MM HQ – look what I have received from one of my favourite hairdressers ever, James Pecis. James is not only one of the loveliest people in the business, he’s also a seriously amazing hairdresser who books Italian Vogue like you and I go to the supermarket. (Just this month he’s done the cover of Dazed and Confused with the unbelievably hot model, Arizona Muse).
This Fashion Week was one of his busiest ever (in London alone he did Roksanda Ilincic, Peter Pilotto and Meadham Kirchoff, amongst others), and we have an incredible video he put together of what it’s REALLY like doing the show circuits of NY, London and Paris. Lots of hard work and an awful lot of hair – but James makes it fun. Check it out.
Paris Fashion Week – Anne Valérie Hash
Makeup Director – Alex Box | Report by Celine Bopp | Sponsored by MAC
Skin: The girls were given flawless skin, using MAC Studio Sculpt foundation and Prep + Prime primer.
Highlights: MAC Vanilla Pigment was used to highlight the face and mouth.
Contour: MAC Pro Longwear Eyeshadow in Beige was used to contour and define the cheekbone.
Eyes: A sheer wash of colour could be seen across the girls’ eyelids in cream eyeshadow in Blasé and powder eyeshadow in Lady Grey.
Eyebrows: A lovely natural but brushed upwards look was given to the girls’ eyebrows
Lips: Beautiful dark lips were the focal point for the Anne Valerie models, dark plum winey lips using MAC Portside Cremeliner to line the lips, and Prince Noir Lipstick. (This is turning out to be a serious season favourite, showing up on quite a few shows).
Paris Fashion Week – Colette Dinnigan Show
Makeup Director – Kay Montano
Vogue’s Beauty Blog called this show look “strange beauty”. Kay told me she aimed for a “polished and perfected look with a subtle edge.”
Foundation: MyFace Mymix foundation
Powder: MAC Prep and Prime powder
Eyes: Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Black Ink. No mascara “as it gives a certain oddness which is interesting”, Kay said.
Lips: MAC Prince Noir lipstick applied to the innermost centre of the lips and smudged outward with a finger, creating a black cherry stain which was both sensual and innocent.
Paris Fashion Week – Yves Saint Laurent
Makeup Director – Pat McGrath
The YSL show is always considered to be a beauty bellwether – whereever Pat McGrath decides to take the models’ wearing Stefano Pilati’s gorgeous clothes, we can all expect to be following in her incredible footsteps’ next year.
This season there was a change on the lip colour right before show time – I don’t know whether we’d call it Lipgate, but the original, gorgeous strong violet lip colour was decided to be a little overpowering and minutes before show time Pat had her team remove the violet lip and replace it with a gorgeous, glossy nude. I love both but as always I think Pat made the right call. Can this woman do any wrong?
Here’s what she used (all products by YSL Beauté)
FACE
Pale polished skin, very neutral, touch of shimmer on cheeks
- Teint Radiance N° 1 – Ivory
- Touche Éclat N° 1 – Luminous Pink
- Touche Éclat N° 2 – Luminous Ivory
- Semi Loose Natural Radiant Powder N° 1
- Highlighter – Ombres Duolumières N° 1 – Evenly Beige/ Astral Brown used on cheekbones to add touch of shimmer
EYES
- Eyes sculpted in taupe – Ombre Duo Lumières N° 1 – Evenly Beige/ Astral Brown
- Beautiful designed brows – Dessin des Sourcils N° 2 – Dark Brown
- and Dessin des Sourcils N° 3 – Glazed Brown
- Mascara Volume Effets Faux Cils N° 2 – Brown – on upper lashes only.
LIPS
- Stunning chic coral beige lacquered mouth
- Sculpted with Touche Éclat N° 1 Luminous Pink
- Touche Éclat N° 2 – Luminous Ivory
- Rouge Pur Couture N° 10 – Beige Tribute
- mixed with new Rouge Pur Couture N° 36 – Coral Legend (available with the Fall Look 2011).
- Topped off with Golden Gloss N° 11 – Golden Whisper – or a modern “patent” shine
NAILS
- La Laque N° 14 – Transparent Pink
For more information about the products, please visit www.yslbeautyus.com