The ace-ness that is makeup maestro Peter Phillips has done it again – a new limited edition beauty collection to celebrate the re-launch of the new Chanel boutique in Soho, and I am positively frothing at the mouth at the new nail varnishes.
Here is the lovely video about the new collection.
I found this fab video from London makeup artist, Lee Pycroft, where she discusses how to put your portfolio together for all aspiring makeup artists. There is still an incredible dearth of information out there for makeup artists to get the background on the business, and Lee is graciously filling that gap with her new Youtube series.
I assisted Lee in London some years ago now, and not only is she a great makeup artist, she is a lovely person as well. Her client list reads like a who’s who of celebrities and prestige titles, from the pages of Harpers and Tatler to beauties like Diane Kruger, Elle McPherson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Naomi Watts. Check out her book! It’s gorgeous.
I hope Lee does more videos as it’s really useful to have truly in-demand, talented and cool makeup artists out there on the internet, as well as all the makeup lovers and general cosmetics aficianados who can be found on YouTube.
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.
I found this lovely video of Chanel makeup maestro Peter Phillips backstage at the recent Chanel Haute Couture show, explaining his inspiration for the show – which is Courtney Love meets Haute Couture (trust Peter Phillips to bust out a combo like that and make it look so right, and perfectly chic).
Hair is by none other than Sam McKnight, one of my very favourite hairdressers, and the clothes – well, let’s just say that haute couture ain’t dead yet.
Oh, and that perfect red lip? It’s Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Carmin and Rouge Coco lipstick in Rivoli.
Since I’m already on the topic of all things Chanel – and regular readers will know it’s a topic I revisit often, as I love, love, love this brand – currently on counter in Asia are none other than the super deluxe eyelash curlers that I blogged about a while ago. And the other thing that is shortly winging it’s way into my makeup kit? The new cream eyeshadow duos which are absolutely gorgeous. The texture is amazing, and I’ll be starting with Gris-Subtil, the deep slate grey and shimmering silver, and then working on adding some more. You know, a girl has to have projects.
I found this behind the scenes video of the new Lancome Autumn/Winter collection for Lancome, French Coquettes. It’s an homage to the French Belle Epoque era, and I have to say the makeup looks gorgeous (particularly the new Ombre Magnetique eyeshadows.)
Last year New Zealand born, New York based makeup artist Aaron de Mey was appointed as the Global Makeup Director for the brand, and ever since then it’s looking more and more interesting. I have kind of a makeup crush on Mr de Mey (It’s kind of like a girl crush, but he’s a guy, and there’s more makeup involved), as he’s one of the world’s foremost editorial makeup artists.
Check out the video with gorgeous brand ambassadors Daria Werbowy and Electtra Wiedermann (and yes, her mum is Isabella Rosellini in a nice twist on the Lancome heritage).
Lancome’s French Coquettes collection will be available exclusively at Harvey Nichols from the 20th August, and nationwide throughout the UK from the 1st September.
London mega-manicurist Sophy Robson has been at it again, this time nailing (excuse the pun) the provocative new Tom Ford Eyewear campaign (see image above). If that doesn’t make you look, I don’t know what does!
The campaign was actually shot by Mr Tom Ford himself who has added photographer to his already pretty impressive CV, and the model is the ever gorgeous Dane, Freja Beha.
The deep blackened purple on Freja’s nails is Sophy’s Polish Pick of the Month, and it is a new colour for autumn, Dior’s Black Plum. Set to be huge again this autumn/winter are variations on black, so Dior’s new nail polish is typically of the moment.
Sophy has another nail tutorial as well – this time a Chanel nail tutorial, which I’ve included below.
She’s been a very busy bee the last month, shooting campaigns for Jil Sander, Tom Ford Perfume, Loewe, Armani and Givenchy, and editorial that includes a cover of Marion Cotillard for Paris Vogue and M.I.A for Interview magazine as well as her usual slew of editorials in British and Japanese Vogue and Love magazine. Phew!
Estee Lauder is one of those brands that have really re-invented themselves over the last few years. They used to be a bit granny – that’s where your mum and your grandma (and in some cases, great-grandma!) shopped for their rouge and lipstick, but no longer. The quality of the products is still there (because they have that in spades), but it’s now a nanna-free zone. The advertising is much more glamorous, with spokesmodels like the beautiful Hilary Rhoda and the unbelievable looking Constance Jablonski, and their first Asian model, Liu Wen. And this year they have a new International Makeup artist in the form of one Mr Tom Pecheux, he of the constant flow of Paris Vogue covers, years as Mario Testino’s favourite makeup artist, runway artist regular and makeup artist to Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss amongst others. The urbane Frenchman is a perfect addition to the brand, and I love the look of his first collection, Blue Dahlia. He says “Makeup is such a fashion accessory – I’d like to highlight that part of the brand, and also bring a playful touch to the franchise.”
However! I’ve been using Estee Lauder judiciously in my kit for quite awhile as I love the finish of their products – this is still makeup for grown ups, even if it is being ushered into the new millennium. I had my first proper taste of their range at the Swarowski Fashion Rocks show in London a couple of years ago (Estee Lauder sponsored it), and I was actually really blown away by the quality. It was a huge show with a zillion models and celebrities in very full makeup looks, and their products held up amazingly. Ever since then I’ve been a fan.
One of my favourites from Estee Lauder is their eyeshadows which are super finely milled, blend deliciously and used in conjunction with others in the range give a gorgeous finish and are just lovely, flattering colours. I definitely prefer them to their eyeshadow quads from the core range, which are not the same texture as the singles. The colour pay off in the singles seems to be much better, and less powdery – plus the mattes are really matte and the shimmers are just shimmery enough. Shimmer to make you pretty, not look like an escapee from Crazy Town. And the metallics? Well they’re off the charts – love, love love these particularly in the deeper colours like purple and charcoal.
Each shadow feels like pretty little Lucite seashells in your hand, so they definitely give you that feeling you’re using something luxe, although as a makeup artist I do find they get quite heavy when you’re stacking them up and carrying them around (as one does). Word on the street has it that Estee Lauder will be re-launching their single eyeshadows later this year in the form of 48 new Pure Colour eyeshadows with finishes ranging from matte, to satins, luminous and metallic. And if they’re anything as good as the ones I have in my kit I’ll be queuing up to get to them!
I couldn’t resist this 80′s awesomeness – this is a rare Estee Lauder promotional video of supermodel Paulina Porizkova. Quite the contrast to Hilary Rhoda!
So when you’re not painting the toes of supermodels or the world’s biggest fashion editors, or shooting major campaigns with the world’s coolest photographers, what’s a girl to do? Well if you’re the hottest manicurist in London, AKA Sophy Robson, the Nail Queen, you do nail tutorials on YouTube. Nailheads rejoice! Here’s Sophy’s first video tutorial, the Rainbow Nail. When she does it, it looks easy, although I’m not sure when I try it it’s going to look quite that good…