Polish your style with Zarra Celik!

Polish your style with Zarra Celik, Max Factor Nail Artist!

 What is the most on trend nail shape for SS12 and how do you achieve it?
Oval nails are in vogue for SS12 and the great thing about this shape is that it flatters all hands. They look feminine and pretty and you can achieve this shape with long or short nails.

What colours are bang on trend for SS12?
Candy colours, such as aquamarines and candy pinks will be really prominent - as well nudes.
  
Nails are getting more creative, what designs are hot for SS12?
To be on trend for SS12, your nail look should accessorize your outfit. Play with colour to mix, match and clash your nail look to your clothes daily. Bold patterns, clean lines and half moon manicures featured on the catwalks this season, so play with stripes, dots and colourful moons and tips. 3D nail art will be on the up if you’re really creative.

What is the simplest way to create polka dots?
To achieve polka dots you need a nail dotting tool which you can buy from naildelights.com or ebay.co.uk, alternatively you can use a tooth pick. The trick to perfecting this striking look is to choose two contrasting colours like Max Factor Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish in Mellow Yellow and Pretty in Pink. First, evenly apply two thin coats of Factor Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish in Mellow Yellow – waiting for each layer to dry. Then, using your dotter or tooth pick dip the tip into Pretty in Pink and dab onto the nail, holding it down for a brief second. Don’t dot randomly, the trick to this effect is to keep your polka dots in line. 

 What is the simplest way to create a stripe effect?
To achieve a striped effect you need a nail striper, alternatively you can use a very fine paint brush. Make sure you wait for your base polish to dry before painting on your stripes. Horizontal stripes are easiest, but you’ll need a steady hand.

What are your main dos and don’ts for nail art?
There are no rules in nail art, just experiment! When it comes to nail art, it’s all about having a full palette of colour at your fingertips and the desire to shake up your look.  The more you contrast your nail colours, the more striking the effect.

What colours look really striking together?
Anything goes but I really like strong colours that clash. Turquoise and pinks looks good together, try Max Factor Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish in Cool Jade and Lollipop. 

What are your favourite Max Colour Effect Mini shades and why?
I love the Dalston collection from the new Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish range as it’s bright and bold and the shades clash.

What is the most creative nail look you’ve ever created?
I was at a hen party and me and a group of friends were staying in a chalet and the bride-to-be asked me to create floral patterned nails inspired by the curtains. They looked amazing – taupe nail base decorated with pink, yellow and purple flowers. 

1.     How do you stop nails from chipping the day after you’ve painted them?

The trick to creating gorgeous looking nails that last is to apply two very thin coats of polish, don’t overdo it by sweeping it on too thick. Then once dry, follow up with a good top coat, brushing over the edges of your nail tips to really seal in the colour. Try Max Factor Nailfinity Top Coat.

2.     What are the best nail colours to show off your summer tan?

Vibrant colours that pop against the skin really show off a tan. I’d recommend a hot pink like Max Factor Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish in Lollipop. The new Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polish Collection is perfect for summer, as it offers a rainbow of colour to compliment your summer wardrobe. What’s more, they mini in size so it’s easy to squeeze a few into your holiday wash bag.   

3.     There are lots of myths around how to file your nails – what’s the best way to file them / what’s the best type of nail file you can use (glass, wood, metal)??

Avoid metal nail file as they are too course and can lead to nail splitting. Red emery boards are no good either. Your nail file should be smooth to touch. 

4.    Does nail polish weaken your nails?

No, this is a myth! Nail polish strengthens your nails as it helps to protect them.

6.    Is buffing good for your nails?

A light buff is good for your nails, it smoothes out ridges and helps with smoother application. Don’t over buff.

7.     Cutting cuticles...bad idea?

Always leave cuticle cutting to the professionals. People often make the mistake of cutting live skin that can lead to infection. Or, just wait until after you’ve had a hot bath or shower as the skin is soft and supple – and gently push back your cuticles with your opposite fingers.

8.    What are your three best tips to keep nails in shape?

Regularly file, lightly buff and apply cuticle oil every two weeks. Moisturise hands with almond oil, as hand cream doesn’t moisturise your cuticle skin.

9.     How do you strengthen your nails?

Filing regularly helps but try eating a handful of almonds everyday to improve strength. To prevent nails from peeling and splitting eat a handful of hazelnuts.

Meet Keri-anne Payne!

 Max Factor recently announced  the signing of British Olympic Games swimmer, Keri-anne Payne, as the face of its award winning mascara, False Lash Effect Gold. Known for her determination and focus, and her warm and fun personality, Keri-anne will be striving for gold in the London 2012 Olympic Games.



How does it feel to be chosen as the face of Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold Mascara?
I’m really proud to be an ambassador for Max Factor. As a swimmer I never thought I'd have the chance to do something so exciting! I'm also a big fan of the brand, so I feel really privileged to know it's supporting my ambitions this summer. I'm actually the face of Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold, which is so cool as this new gold pack edition is the celebratory award winning mascara!

You look stunning in the advertising – gold suits you!  How did it feel to be shot by Rankin?
I’ve always admired Rankin - he’s a very cool guy and has shot some incredible people. I must admit before the shoot I was a little bit nervous but he made me feel very comfortable and took some amazing pictures. I absolutely loved my look; brown smoky eyes teamed with gorgeous full and thick lashes, wet look hair and pink glossy lips. If only I could emerge from the pool looking so glam!

It’s now a real countdown to London 2012, I imagine you’re feeling a complete mix of emotions?  And for the fact that it’s happening in your home country!
It’s all very exciting!  I also can’t believe that I’ll get to participate in the Olympic Games when they’re in the UK.  All my friends and family are very excited for me too. I imagine the nerves will begin to creep in as July 2012 draws nearer.

What does your typical day of training involve?  Will it intensify as the Olympic Games get closer?
My training programme will actually stay the same right up to the Olympic Games.  I train pretty intensively: most mornings I’m in the pool from 6 – 8am and then it’s a cardio session in the gym for an hour. I then get to go back home for lunch and I head back to the pool 4pm for another two hour session. I get Wednesday and Saturday afternoons off, and Sunday's my total off-duty day.

How do you stay so focused?
Passion! Everyone has the occasional morning when they want to stay in bed, so if this happens I just remind myself just how lucky I am to have a job that I love so much. I just tell myself to “get on with it!”

Do you have any good luck rituals before you swim?
I’m not very superstitious at all. In fact, I’m very forgetful so if I had a lucky charm like a rabbit foot I’d probably just leave it at home!

What do you love doing on your off training days?
I love hanging out with friends, most of whom are professional swimmers, and we'll often go to the cinema for a fun night out. I also love seeing my family, especially as I have a baby niece so it’s been fun spending time with her. I also love to bake in spare time - when you’re constantly training you can eat a lot!

How do you maintain a healthy complexion with so much swimming?
When you’re in and out of the pool a good moisturiser is a total must, and for me it's Olay Total Effects. I use the Day Moisturiser as it’s nice and creamy and feels great on my skin. I also exfoliate three times a week and use a body moisturiser every time I get out of the pool. Finally a touch of blusher also works wonders; it makes skin look instantly healthier. A dab of Max Factor Creamy Blush in Soft Pink on the apples of my cheeks is my complexion saviour!

What are your top tips for going from a pared back pool look to a little bit of night time glam?
For me, it's all about enhancing my eyes. So poolside glamour is kept simple with a slick of False Lash Effect waterproof mascara. If I'm going out then I love creating a cool smoky eye look with eye-liner and volumising mascara. Oh and I always go for lip gloss. Since becoming a face of Max Factor, make-up artists have given me lots of great tips so I will be trying new looks on night’s out.

What are your five favourite beauty products and why?
Dior Nail Polish in Blue Label – I love dark nail polishes and this deep blue is my current favourite. I have to keep my nails short to avoid scratching other swimmers in the pool, but I still like to paint my fingers and toes so they look nice;
Max Factor False Lash Effect Gold in black – this mascara is my absolute fave.  I would never go for false lashes so I love how it instantly plumps my lashes for a false lash look - when I'm wearing it I'm often surprised they’re my own lashes!;
Bliss Lemon & Sage Body Scrub – this smells so fresh and leaves my skin feeling pampered and gorgeous;
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner – I reach for this twice a week to keep my hair soft, shiny and conditioned
Oral-B Triumph 5000 with SmartGuide. I can’t use anything else but that along with Pro-Expert now after learning about the amazing things they do!

Who is your beauty/style icon and why?
It has to be Angelina Jolie, she’s a natural beauty and I have to say that I'm envious of her gorgeous full lips! 


How would you describe your make-up style?
Most days I’m at the pool so it's au natural with waterproof mascara if I'm competing. It's not all off-duty though, as I like to experiment and play with my make-up looks for special occasions and nights out, and then it's smoky eyes the whole way! 


What item of make-up can you not leave the house without?
Mascara! I don’t feel right without it, as it works wonders to frame my eyes.

What’s the best make-up tip you’ve ever been given?
Always take your make-up off before bed! I rarely sleep in my make-up. 


What does make-up mean to you?
For me it's about having fun and experimenting with different looks, especially as it can totally change my typical training look! I'm getting braver with my look too and that's come from playing with make-up, speaking to make-up artists and picking up tips from friends. 

When did you make the decision to be a professional swimmer? Was it an easy decision to make?
I started swimming at the age of four and have been swimming ever since. What started off as swimming lessons, later turned into training and racing. It wasn’t a hard decision to make at all, it happened naturally.

What one piece of advice would you give to girls looking to become professional athletes?
You must enjoy it, if you don’t you’ll never reach your full potential.  

 

Get the perfect accessory for Valentine's Day!

Max Factor has launched 5 new shades of bold, kiss-proof colour – just in time to get ready for Valentines’ Day! The award winning lip pens now come in 10 bright colours including Passion Red 09 and Pink Petal 01 – Max Factor’s perfect shades for Valentines’. The pen format allows you to create sleek lip looks to capture his eye, whilst the stain formula is kiss-proof – meaning you don’t need to worry about smudging your lipstick!

Max Factor award winning make-up artist Caroline Barnes reveals her failsafe tips in her Valentine’s Q&A: 

Are there any make-up don’ts for a hot date?

“Being sexy is key but over doing the make-up is generally a quick turn off for boys! If you want to have a statement lip just ensure that it is blotted down well so that when you have a kiss- it won't end up all over your face. If you are a girl who can't survive without her gloss then keep the tone natural and play up your eyes instead.”

What look should we opt for this Valentines’ Day?

 “Fresh dewy healthy skin and defined lips. Choose your best alluring feature and bring out your beauty, your features are key flirting tools! Make your lips fuller by rounding the top lip over the cupids bow to make them look fuller, much sexier than just drawing over the lip line.”

What products have that extra staying power?

“ Use lip products that will give you a perfect stain to your mouth. This way the colour lasts longer and is definitely more kiss proof. My favourite at the moment is Max Factor Lip Tint in Red Passion (£7.99).” 

  

For a dramatic and kiss-proof lip look on Valentine's Day, follow these easy steps from Caroline!

STEP 1- Use Lip Tint Pen in Passion Red and let it dry for 30 seconds to allow the pigment to

stain your lips.

STEP 2 -  Apply a gloss - go for a clear gloss for the traditional runway look or try different colours.

 

Caroline’s Tip: Max Colour Effect Lip Gloss in bright Orange Smack will give a red stain a shimmering opulent Gatsby-esque finish!

Not sure what bold shade to wear on the most romantic day of the year? Click here to discover the best shade for your personality https://www.facebook.com/MaxFactorUK?sk=app_295884130443444   https://www.facebook.com/MaxFactorUK?sk=app_295884130443444

Get the New Year party look

Smouldering smoky eyes are a party season classic, which take your look from day to disco within seconds. With Max Factor's Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow, getting the look has never been so easy and what's more, you can enjoy perfect party peepers with a twist as our double-ended applicator comes in a range of shade combos. Follow these top tips to create a monochromatic smoke out in shimmering shades of black and white.

1. This look is all about high impact eyes and perfectly polished skin, so begin by exfoliating using a gentle scrub and then apply our new Ageless Elixir 2-in-1 Foundation + Serum in broad circular motions across the face. The silky formula will glide onto the skin, creating a gorgeous finish and disguising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst protecting from harmful UV rays with its SPF15. A dab of Mastertouch Concealer on the delicate under-eye area will also help to combat dark circles.

2.Prep the eyes with a primer and then use Max Factor’s Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Onyx Smoke to create a gorgeous smoke out in seconds. Use Step One of the double- ended applicator to apply a wash of iridescence on the brow bone and in the eyes’ inner corners, then create a wash of velvety black across the lid, in the socket and along the lower lash line using Step Two.

3. Line the eyes’ waterline using Liquid Effect Eye Pencil in Black Fire for extra definition, before applying Masterpiece Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner to the lash line of the upper lids.

4. Give your lashes serious oomph with False Lash Effect FUSION mascara in black.

5.Leave lips understated – a quick slick of Max Colour Effect Cube Gloss in Nude Brown will make them look luscious but will keep the focus on your peepers.

6.Don a classic up-do and slip on a little black dress.

Products Used

A Million Max Factor lipsticks to be won!

Be ready for a fantastic promotion! Starting today, Kellog’s Special K is giving you a chance to win one million lipsticks! And not any lipsticks – our new Colour Elixir Lipstick in Ruby Tuesday!

 Special K and Max Factor share the same mission which is to help millions of women look and feel fabulous everyday. We want you to have the confidence to wear any colour you want, like a gorgeous, daring red dress, or our Ruby Tuesday lipstick, a bold and beautiful red shade! Designed with a special 'elixir' containing a 60% blend of skin emollients, conditioners and antioxidants including shea butter, white tea and aloe, Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipsticks help you get vibrant fashion colours with a polished catwalk effect. So take your first step of this colour journey by entering our competition!

Top tips for perfect party makeup

Get your makeup bag at the ready and supe-up your skills as the party season is almost upon us. With impromptu shindigs, office dos and family get-togethers on the horizon, now’s the time to experiment with some bold and beautiful looks. Our top tips will help you stay fresh, no matter how hard you party, and will see you through the season in super-sparkling style!

Face time
The festive period is one of the most socially demanding in the style calendar, with sun-starved days and late nights all taking their toll. Give winter skin some oomph by exfoliating regularly and applying a moisturiser with a hint of fake tan. Olay’s Total Effects Touch of Sun is a fabulous find. Couple it with a flawless foundation, such as Max Factor’s Ageless Elixir 2in1 Foundation +Serum and a dab of illuminating Mastertouch Concealer wherever your skin lacks lustre. 

Party eyes
Nothing says sexy like a smoky eye and Max Factor’s Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow will take your look from day to night in seconds. The secret is its simple-to-use double-ended applicator. Use Step One to create a wash of colour across your eyelid and Step Two to shade and contour. For a bold party look that’s bang on trend this season, try Indigo Mist, a dazzling mauve / turquoise number. A sweep of Max Factor’s Dip-In Eyeshadow in Ultra Violet (05) along the lower lash line will make your eyes pop like a dream.

On the lash
Fabulously fluttersome lashes shout instant glamour and there are lots of fantastic falsies out there to try. Don’t fancy the fiddle? Then try Max Factor’s False Lash Effect FUSION mascara. It delivers 100% more length and volume verses bare lashes, so you get a high impact look with minimal fuss. 

All that glitters
Shimmer your way through the shindigs, by applying a touch of sparkle to the inner corner of your eyes, to the very tops of your cheekbones and to the centre of your lips. Glitter can look gaudy if over-loaded but a light dusting feels ultra festive and will help your look shine. Try Max Factor’s Dip-In Eyeshadows which come in a variety of shimmering shades and a pop of Max Effect Lip Gloss in Ivory for a high shine finish. 

Screen siren lips
If you’re more of a lips than an eyes girl, get the party started with a show-stopping pout. Max Factor’s Colour Elixir Lipsticks are a go-to tool for makeup artists, delivering punchy colour, while moisturising and conditioning the lips. A crimson pout is a must-have this season, so try the Ruby Tuesday (715) shade. For something darker and a tad more fruity, try Mulberry (685) – berry nice indeed!

Kiss me quick
Not into lippie, but looking to for something super-soft for those under-the-mistletoe moments? Try a quick dab of Max Factor’s Xperience Sheer Gloss Balm. This luscious lip-fix offers a light way to wear colour and will keep your mouth super-smooth and ready for some Christmas crackers!

Party fingers nailed
When it comes to partying, finishing touches count. Match your lips to your nails for super sophisticated style, or opt for scarlet red to give your mitts glamorous glitz. Max Factor’s Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Ruby Tusday looks fabulous and can be topped-up on the go.

Get the Fashion Awards Look!

The cream of the style world was out in force on Monday night attending The British Fashion Awards, one of the year’s most hotly anticipated events. From designers to models, the bash drew a roll-call of some of the industry’s biggest names and it was a night when ladies triumphed, with women winning many of the night’s gongs.

Of all the looks sported, we adored the get-up of the Designer Brand Award winner. The singer-turned-designer looked super-chic in a floor length cowl-neck dress with a plunging back, a classic chignon and most importantly a beautifully flawless face with subtley smoky eyes.

Follow our top tips for a similarly sophisticated finish that will see you through many a Christmas party in award-winning style:

1.This look is all about smoky eyes and perfectly polished skin, so begin by exfoliating using a gentle scrub and then apply our new Ageless Elixir 2-in-1 Foundation + Serum in broad circular motions across the face. The silky formula will glide onto the skin, creating a gorgeous finish and disguising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst protecting from harmful UV rays with its SPF15.

2.Prep the eyes with a primer and then use Max Factor’s Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Onyx Smoke to create a gorgeous smoke out in seconds. Use Step One of the double- ended applicator to apply a wash of iridescence on the brow bone and in the eyes’ inner corners, then create a wash of velvety black across the lid, in the socket and along the lower lash line using Step Two.

3.Line the eyes’ waterline using Liquid Effect Eye Pencil in Black Fire for extra definition, before applying Masterpiece Glide and Define Liquid Eyeliner to the lash line of the upper lids.

4.Give your lashes serious oomph with False Lash Effect FUSION mascara in black.

5.Leave lips understated – a quick slick of Max Colour Effect Cube Gloss in Nude Brown will make them look luscious but will keep the focus on your peepers.

6.Don and chignon and don’t forget to pout!