The Makeup Mole

When it comes to nails, no-one knows nails like manicurist Miss Sophy Robson. Makeup Mole is all about the maquillage, so we thought we’d go straight to the source and ask Sophy what the hot nail colour of the month is in London, the polish on everyone’s tips and the name on everyone’s lips – it’s gotta be

Chanel Nouvelle Vague from their Les Pop-up Collection (on counter

in the UK in May.)

Sophy was telling me that whilst hanging out in Paris with Peter Phillips, Global Makeup Director for Chanel, he was giving her the inside scoop on the newest products from the Chanel beauty atelier. The latest? Chanel eyelash curlers have just gone on sale in Shanghai. How chic is that?

I. Want. Some. Of. Those.

PS. Sophy is writing about Nouvelle Vague this week on her blog – she’s got a still of Beyonce in her new video wearing a colour that looks suspiciously like… you guessed it!

Makeup by Kay Montano

Keira Knightley looked ravishing as always at the Olivier awards in London. Kay Montano was her makeup maestro, and this is the Beauty Breakdown for her look.

Skincare

• Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
• Nude Lipbalm

Base – Chanel Pro Lumiere foundation in 10

Powder – Chanel Poudre Universal Libre in 20 Clair

Blush – Chanel Tea Rose Joues Contrast blush, with extra Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face base on the cheeks

Eyes – Chanel Teak eye pencil smudged into upper lashes, Chanel Ecriture de Chanel black eyeliner on lashline and Chanel Inimtable Obscure mascara in Black.

Lips – Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Ballet Russes

Makeup by Kay Montano - Photographer Lorenzo Agius

How incredible does gorgeous actress Thandie Newton look in these pictures? It’s for the Virgin Shorts film competition which Thandie will soon be judging, and the brief was to recreate the drama of 1920’s silent screen actress Theda Bara.

Celebrity photographer Lorenzo Agius was behind the camera, and top hairdresser Neil Moodie was tending to her locks. As usual Kay Montano rocked it on the makeup front, and Thandie was her usual amazing self – how many movie stars will offer you a seat whilst you’re working? I can tell you now, not many – but there’s a reason why Thandie is one of my favourite stars. Here’s what Kay used to transform her into a Cecil B. DeMille era siren.

Base – Myface Mymix foundation in Med/Dark 01

Concealer – Becca concealer in Cappucino

Powder – Jurlique Translucent powder

Blush – No blush

Eyes

• MyFace Soulful Shades Eyeshadow trio in Midnight Hour (the black shadow) as a base, creating the distinctive shape
• Chanel Eye Gloss quad in black over this, with a bit of Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on top for extra shine (which is key to this look)
• Eye rimmed with black Guyliner eye khol
• Black Chanel Inimitable Mascara

Lips – Chanel Les Rouge Noirs Hysteria lipstick in a 1920’s bee stung shape

Alexa Davalos by Kay Montano

Makeup by Kay Montano

There’s a new starlet in town and her name is Alexa Davalos. She is Andromeda in the new film Clash of the Titans, and this week in London she’s been lighting up the red carpet in a dress by Ralph Lauren and diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Makeup artist Kay Montano was inspired by the makeup at the recent YSL show, which was very matte skin with a bright, glossy lip, and a hint of shine on the eyes and the cheeks.  Juxtaposing textures creates a look that’s beautiful, polished and fresh – perfect for the red carpet.

Base – Chanel Pro Lumiere in 20

Concealer – Laura Mercier in Secret Camouflage 3

Powder – Chanel Poudre Libre in Translucent 20

Cheeks – Becca Blossom Crème Cheek and Lip Color

Eyes

• Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream on lids for shine
• Clinique Naturally Glossy Black mascara

Lips

• Chanel lipstick in Enthusiast
• MyFace Lip Pop Gloss in 136

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

Photo courtesy of Kay Montano

I couldn’t resist putting up this gorgeous video of Vanessa Paradis in her new Chanel ad:

• Because she’s beautiful
• It’s really cute
• I’ve been singing the tune in my head all day imaging myself as some chic, Gallic, gap toothed beauty
• The lippie is ace, and the color she’s wearing in the ad (Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle) is now my signature shade! Not sure how much it makes me look like her though…

It’s been red-carpets a go-go in London this week, with the BAFTAS, London Fashion Week AND Last night’s ELLE Style awards. Celebrity makeup artist Kay Montano has been busier (and more fashionable) than the proverbial bee, last night buzzing to Claudia Schiffer’s London home and then onto Claire Danes to glam up two very gorgeous women.  She had her Chanel makeup kit fully stocked and ready to go – for what could be chicer for the red carpet than Chanel?

Foundation – Chanel Vitalumiere in Clair 20

Concealer – Chanel Beige Estompe concealer in Light

Powder – Lightly through T-Zone with Chanel Translucent 1 Loose Powder

Blush – Chanel Joues Contraste blush in Fresque

Eyes – A soft smoky eye created by blending Chanel Quad in Smoky Eyes, with Irreele duo eyeshadow in Aqua-Alta (a slate and silvery grey duo combo) to create depth.

• Chanel Ecriture de Chanel black liner at the base of eyelashes to create a subtle ‘tick’ shape
• Chanel Exceptionnel mascara in black

Lips – Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Natural with Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Beige Felin

Foundation – Chanel Vitalumiere in Clair 20

Concealer – Chanel Estompe concealer in Light (Claire was joking that she needed lots of this after having an amazing night at the BAFTAS!)

Powder – Chanel Translucent 1 Loose Powder

Blusher – Chanel Les Tissages de Chanel duo blush in Tweed Rose

Eyes - Chanel Ombre Essentiel single eyeshadow in Liberty washed all over eye, with Irreele eyeshadow duo in Aqua-Alta (the dark grey from this) along lashline and in a soft, wide sweep under the eye for a subtle Kate Moss rock n’ roll eye.

• Chanel Le Crayon Kohl in Noir lining the inside of the eye
• Chanel Ecriture de Chanel liner in black on top lid only

Mascara – Exceptionnel de Chanel mascara in Smoky Noir (although apparently Claire’s lashes are already looking phenomenally lush thanks to Latisse, the new US potion that makes your lashes grow, and from all reports, it’s amazing!)

Lips – Chnael Rouge Coco lipstick in Beige Felin