Category Archives: From the front lines

From the Front Lines – Celebrity Makeup Artist Florrie White for NUDE Skincare

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I was very excited to hear that one of my favourite makeup artists (and mentors), Florrie White, is now NUDE Skincare’s brand ambassador. Florrie is an amazing makeup artist and has quite the celebrity clientele, working regularly with Alexa Chung, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne and Kate Bosworth – how’s that for a cool crowd of clients?

She has magical hands and would always choose exactly the right blend of skincare to address what her client’s skin required, unfailingly achieving a beautiful, hydrated skin as a base for her lovely makeup. I’m not surprised she is now working with NUDE as they are a wonderful luxury organic skincare brand, and perfect for Florrie’s effortless, cool aesthetic.

Nowadays it feels like every week there is a new “organic” or “natural” skincare range being released as people increasingly are becoming aware of the toxic nature of many products which we put everyday onto our biggest organ, our skin. But as NUDE started back in 2007, they were one of the first to market in this area. Synthesising all natural ingredients to create truly luxurious and effective skincare (and the packaging to match) wasn’t easy, but founder Brian Meehan insisted that they get it exactly right. Cult products from the range include the Perfect Cleansing Oil and the Radiant Day Moisturiser.

I can’t wait to see more of Florrie and NUDE Skincare!

www.nudeskincare.com

From the Front Lines: Georgia May Jagger as a Dragon Princess

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Georgia Jagger 21st birthdayMakeup by Alex Box

When I saw this in the papers at the weekend, I couldn’t resist – Georgia May Jagger looking like an otherworldly creature (literally), as a dragon princess at her 21st birthday. Makeup by the uber-talented Alex Box using Illamasqua, and hair by James Rowe. Dragon princesses never looked so good.

Georgia Jagger 21st Birthday

From Alex Box’s instagram

Making History! Hairstylist James Pecis Does Paris Vogue

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Daria Werbowy Vogue Paris

And when I say “Does Paris Vogue” I mean, literally! Fabulous NY-based hairdresser, James Pecis who I had the pleasure of working with a lot in London over the years, has just done the hair for EVERY SINGLE STORY, both main and short fashion in February’s Paris Vogue. Including a body-slamming editorial of Daria Werbowy shot by Inez and Vinoodh it’s definitely one for the archives and I’m as in awe as ever of James’ amazing hair skills. He’s currently in NY kicking off the show circuit with his team, but I for one can’t wait to see where his career is going to go next. What a coup!

See more of James’ work

 

From the Front Lines – Alexa Chung’s Lipstick on ELLE

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International celebrity makeup artist Kay Montano recently shot this gorgeous British ELLE cover of Alexa Chung – who couldn’t be more if an It girl if she tried, honestly. When I saw it I had to know what that gorgeous lipstick colour she’s sporting is. Kay told me it’s Chanel’s Rouge Allure in Insolente, which I’m sure you all know has rapidly been added to my ever-growing list of Must-Have Pinks. It’s turning into quite a long list now, as yes, you guessed it – I’m still obsessed.

Here’s a video from behind-the-scenes on the ELLE shoot:

 

 

From the Front Lines – Chanel’s Peter Philips Talks Autumn/Winter

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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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From the Front Lines: Hairdresser James Pecis does the Shows

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Arizona Muse by Benjamin Alexander Huseby for Dazed Confused

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.

From the Front Lines: Lisa Eldridge’s Four Shades of Bronze

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I couldn’t resist this lovely new video from London-based makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, called Four Shades of Bronze. It’s shot on location of a Glamour beauty shoot she did on bronzing for different skintones, and it’s ace.

It very clearly explains all about bronzer across a broad range of skintones, which is a tricky subject for many women – bronzer is one of those areas where one size definitely doesn’t fit all, yet in the traditional media it seems that there are only about five bronzers you ever hear about, leading you to buy one of them at a makeup counter then get home and wonder why it makes you look more dirtbag than radiantly sunkissed.

I really like Lisa’s videos as I think they are clear, easy to follow and she and I have a very similar approach to makeup. She puts up a new one about once a week (God knows how with her very hectic editorial and celeb schedule, but she does, so hats off!) and it’s well worth checking back on her site if great makeup vids are your thing.

www.lisaeldridge.com

From the Front Lines: Kristen Stewart wears NARS

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Kristen Stewart-Eclipse PremiereIt seems like every day Twilight actress Kristen Stewart has been rocking the red carpet somewhere in the world as she promotes her new film in the Twilight Saga, Eclipse.

I thought she looked particularly gorgeous at the New York premiere this week, and apparently that very sexy eye makeup is courtesy of NARS. One of her regular makeup artists, Beau Nelson, used NARS Zardoz cream eyeshadow (a raven black), with NARS Pandora cream eyeshadow (a black and white duo) over it for those elongated, sexy eyes. Combining cream eyeshadow with powder gives beautiful depth and definition to your eye makeup and is a favourite MM technique. Now if NARS could just gift box up R-Patz to go with those eyeshadows, we’d all be set!

Les Pop Up Summer Collection de Chanel

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Just because:

a) it’s the yummiest collection I’ve seen for awhile,

b) it reminds me of summer

c) it’s makeup artist Peter Philips’ little ‘holding collection’ to tide us all over in those gasp! makeup-collection free days in between the Spring and Summer makeup releases

d) it’s Chanel.

‘Nuff said.

On counter in the UK May 10, 2010

Les Pop up de Chanel

Photo courtesy of Kay Montano

From the Front Lines: Daisy Lowe for Vogue

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Daisy Lowe at a film premiere

Last week the unfailingly gorgeous Daisy Lowe was being shot at London’s Spring Studios for photographer Jacob Sutton, with the best of the upcoming season’s new trends from Vogue’s fashion director, Kate Phelan.

Kay Montano was doing her makeup, a sexy rock n’ roll look that’s perfect for Daisy’s modern It girl style. She used Chanel Vitalumiere foundation in 20 Clair on her skin, Myface black eyeliner and Bobbi Brown Black Ink gel eyeliner for smudgy, sexy eyes, and Nude lipbalm and Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Beige Felin to finish off a modern bombshell. Hairdresser James Pecis used Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray to get the perfect rough texture on the hair. And voila! Who knew Spring was around the corner?