The Makeup Mole

This time of year one’s mind starts turning to all things cosy and wintry, so it’s time for a snuggle-fest on the Mole Patrol. Crack out that duvet, whip up some hot chocolate and slather yourself in serious moisturizer for that dry and winter parched skin – it’s a cold weather delight!

Embryolisse moisturizer

This is a must for winter skin. It’s heavy and glues back all those lovely dry

crack-y bits you get when your nose turns red. I always put it back in my kit at this time of year as more and more models start turning up with their faces falling off due to too much heating inside, the cold outside, and seeing as they’re so gorgeous and can get away with it, often a diet of caffeine and cigarettes. Embryolisse to the rescue. Word on the makeup streets is that what you buy in Parisian pharmacies is better than their export stuff (which you can get in London at the makeup shop PAM in Shepherd’s Bush).

Illamasqua Cake Liner in Mislead with Sealing Gel

Because this sucker don’t move. I’d read all the raves on the internet but only recently have I tried it, and it is amazing. So when the wind is blowing and you’re swaddled in scarves and beanies, at least your eyes will still look like Audrey Hepburn’s (even if the rest of you looks like Freddie Krueger).

Bobbi Brown Eye Palette in Velvet Plum

Fab neutrals that would suit any eye color, and an amazing dense black brown eyeshadow which is a surprisingly difficult color to find in other ranges. Combined with the Illamasqua Cake liner it is a wintry winner.

Chanel Particuliere Nail Polish

Straight from the Paris shows (where she created 50 shades of nude nails for Louis Vuitton) Sophy Robson’s top nail color for the coming season is Chanel Particuliere. Sure to be as coveted as last season’s Jade and the original got-to-have-it nail color, Rouge Noir, I fell in love from the second I saw it. It’s a weird taupe-y mauve color that’s like dead people’s hands, but better. The fashion pack are going to love it! I think the new Chanel shade is chic, effortless and original – just like Chanel really.

Benetint by Benefit

Aaah, a hardy perennial – just rescued from the makeup Vault where it has been languishing for quite a while, this is the perfect outdoor flush for when it gets cold. I do love a wind burned cheek (well a fake one, not a real one!) this time of year, and this bestselling 30 year old tinted liquid made from rose petals is still the original, and still the best.

Makeup by Kay Montano

Recently Kay did Cheryl Cole’s makeup for the cover of ELLE magazine, and the look was cool and fashion forward whilst bringing out Cheryl’s natural beauty. Watch the behind-the-scenes video as well to see what went on the day of the shoot, and see Kay talk about the makeup

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in Shell 30

Powder – Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in Clair 20

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Truffle

Eyes – Chanel Bleu Celestes quad (the very dark navy in this quad) in a soft ‘halo’ shape around the eye

Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in Smoky Noir

Lips – NARS Belle de Jour lipstick

Kay Montano was in Madrid last weekend helping Rachel Weisz promote her new movie, Agora, and this is what she used for the premiere.

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in Clair 20.

Concealer – Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3

Blush – Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge Pink Truffle applied with a sponge on ‘apple’ of cheek.

Powder – Jurlique powder in Rose brushed on ‘T’ zone.

Eyes – Julie Hewitt Los Angeles cream eye shadow in Rue Burgundy on top lids to create density followed by Chanel eye shadow in Amethyst which was used to blend colour softly around entire eye.

- Ecriture De Chanel in Black used to line along the root of top lashes, ticking outward slightly.

Mascara – Exceptionnel De Chanel in Smoky Noir on top & lower lashes.

Lips – Bobbi Brown lip liner in Blush with Nude Lip Balm mixed with a tiny amount of Chanel Rouge Allure in Maniac (part of the autumn/winter Les Noirs Obscurs collection).

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere foundation in 20 Clair

Powder – Jurlique Lavender Powder on T-zone

Blush – Chanel Mystery blush

Eyes – Chanel Ambre eye pencil smudged around eyes

Chanel eyeshadow in brown from the Variations quad, heavily swept into the socket line with a soft artist’s brush

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in black top and bottom,

with individual lash clusters on the outer corners of lashline

Lips – Jurlique Love Balm with MAC Lip Erase in Dim

I’m re-posting this makeup breakdown Kay Montano did for Lady Gaga’s Hello Kitty shoot a few weeks ago, as the pictures have now been released. Shot by celebrated photographers Marcus Klinko and Indrani to celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the Hello Kitty line, you really have to see these anime eyes to believe it!

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in No. 20 Clair

Powder – Chanel Translucent powder to create the perfect bas

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 powder to set

Eyeliner – Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

Mascara – Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in black

Lashes – 2 sets of MAC eyelashes, 1 on the browbone to create false top lash

Lips – Chanel Coco Pink lipstick (US exclusive).

Chanel Vendetta nail polish
Superstar manicurist Sophy Robson put me on to this one, and it is indeed a winner. Deep, shimmering sparkles in a purple black base are making me dream of cold winter nights. Chanel does it again!

Bobbi Brown cream eyeshadow in Galaxy
Just this side of gunmetal, it’s lovely on it’s own tucked at the lash line with a black pencil, or as a base for winter’s opulent shades of grey – the new take on the smoky eye.

Revlon brushes
What a revelation these are! Perfect sizes, great for blending and super soft bristles. Usually I’m not a drugstore makeup girl, but these brushes leave some of their much pricier counterparts in the shade. The foundation brush is excellent, as are the blush and powder brushes.

MAC lipstick in Underworld
Proper old skool 90’s red brown, the color of the season. Just this side of brick red – so wrong, it’s right!

Chantecaille Flower Infused Cleansing Milk
Gentle, aromatic, flower infused and a perfect transition for your skin into the cooler months.

The lovely Kay Montano was on a press junket for Keira Knightley last week, and this is the look she created for her. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of the makeup that she did as it was meeting the press and not an actual photo shoot, but the photo I have included was makeup Kay did for Keira for a Chanel event in Paris earlier this year. Enjoy!

Base – Chanel Vitalumiere in Cendre 30  (Keira has a tan at the moment, so this is darker than she would normally use on her)

Powder – Chanel Translucent Loose Powder in 20 brushed onto T-zone

Eyes:

• Chanel Eye Pencil in Ambre smudged into lashes
• Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in black

Blush – Chanel Tea Rose blush

Lips – Chanel Rouge Hydrabase lipstick in Red Dream blotted on as a stain

We are lucky enough to have a makeup breakdown for the original belle of the Met ball, Selma Blair, actress and muse for designer Marc Jacobs.

Selma Blair at the 2009 Met Ball in New York

Skincare
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base to create a youthful glow

Foundation
Chanel Vitalumiere in 30, Cendre

Concealer
Chanel Estompe Eclat Concealer in 30

Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder on T-zone only

Blush
Chanel Powder Blush in Be-Bop

Eyes

Lips
Wanted to keep Selma’s ‘underground’ chic so plumped them up slightly with Bobbi Browm Blush lipliner and MAC Clear Lipglass

Makeup by Kay Montano