New Fashion Talent

Fledgling talent puts the freshness into fashion, so I was delighted attend a recent show from the students of the American InterContinental University. From the opening beats and the models' first sultry stalk of the runway, I knew that I was in for a treat.   
 The show exhibited creations from first to final year Fashion Design students, with origins from around the globe and the collections were matched in freshness and diversity.
Highlights included Johnny Wang’s fashion-forward designs which paired bold contrasting hues, lines and textures to a striking and unique effect.
Mona Ali's use of bright canary yellow gave an asymetric maxi gown a loud and lovely edge, while Taylor Scopes-Upton brought theatricaility to proceedings, giving the underwear as outwear look an industrial twist with a structured hoop skirt and bodice in monochromatic tones.
The models' beauty look was similarly avant garde: Flawless skin and nude lips provided a subtle back-drop for a flirtatious focus on snow white feather false lashes - a look that was created by The Session School. While hair was piled high in a whispy bun by the Mayfair salon, Electric Hair.
Key industry figures were invited behind the scenes to view the designs, in the hope that amidst the collections the 'next big thing' might just be waiting...

Johnny Wang

Johnny Wang

Mona Ali

Taylor Scopes-Upton

Get the Look: Christmas Starlet:

With the Christmas break proving to be one of the most busy periods in the party calendar, t'is the season to be sexy!

Top makeup artist Caroline Barnes has developed a fabulous look, which gives sultry smoky eyes an ultra-glam twist. Follow these simple steps and you'll be working a smouldering look fused with a flash of contemporary colour in seconds.

1. Create a perfect party base by applying
Miracle Touch Foundation. Add warmth to the
cheekbones with a sweep of Miracle Blush in
Soft Copper blusher.

2. Apply the matte black from the Precious
Metals Max Effect Trio Eye Shadow along the lash line top
and bottom, over the eyelid and into the socket.
Next, blend in Ultra Violet Dip In Eye Shadow
along the socket.

3. To finish the eyes, apply Glide and Define
Liquid Eyeliner in Black along the lashline and sweep
out and extend the shape of the eye in a ‘v’
before applying two coats of False Lash Effect
Mascara. Define brows with an Eyebrow Pencil.

4. Finally complete the look with Lipfinity Indulgent
for party ready lips which will last all night long.

Get the look: Rebecca Ferguson

She might not have been crowned the X Factor champion, but Rebecca Ferguson was the indisputable queen of cool in both the style and beauty stakes. Week in, week out, her timelessly soulful voice was matched with uncompromisingly elegant and at turns impactful beauty and fashion looks.
While I won’t be able to transform you into a sultry songstress, if you’re looking to capture a little of Rebecca’s je ne sais quoi, follow these easy steps and you’ll be able to recreate her most fashion-forward look within minutes.

1.    You can recreate Rebecca’s flawless complexion using Max Factor’s Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation. The unique solid to liquid formula glides on in seconds for a gloriously refined finish. Apply using the sponge provided, working the formula onto the face in broad sweeping motions.

2.    If you suffer from dark circles under the eyes, use Mastertouch Concealer and then mattify the skin for a chic retro finish with Loose Powder.

3.    Now for the eyes: create a subtle smoke out with Max Factor’s foolproof Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Silver Storm. Use the silver/grey hue to shade the eye lid and then contour both the outer corners and the socket using the precision end of the velvety aubergine shade. If you suffer from oily skin be sure to use a good quality primer to ensure that the creamy formula doesn’t crease.

4.    Finish the eyes with Black Kohl Pencil on the inner rim of both the upper and lower lid and add two fluttersome coats of False Lash Effect Mascara in Black to the lashes.

5.    Paint lips in an intense burst of colour using the new Lipfinity Lip Tint Pen in Royal Plum – this season’s most dark, fruity and on-trend shade. The felt-tip style applicator makes it easy for you to define and shade the lips and the non transferable water based formula is perfectly vibrant yet wonderfully light. Best of all the season’s hottest hue looks as lovely on fair faces as it does against darker tones.

6.    Grab a mike and you’re good to go!

VIP treatment at the Xperience vodcast shoot

It’s not often that makeup lovers get the chance to experience a high-fashion beauty shoot, but last week two of our gorgeous Facebook fans enjoyed a VIP day filming Max Factor’s latest vodcast with celebrity makeup artist Caroline Barnes.

The day started, as all the best days should, with a nice glass of fizz. The lovely Anastasia and Evelyn were then introduced to makeup extraordinaire Caroline, who put everyone at instant ease in her signature down-to-earth style, before introducing the latest products from Max Factor’s Xperience boutique: A superlight but great coverage foundation, a voluminous but weightless mascara and a Sheer Gloss Balm, which combines the glistening gorgeousness of a gloss but with a soft, balm feel.

A Q&A session gave the girls the chance to ask Caroline anything and everything: from advice on foundations to match a Mediterranean skin tone (top tip: always work from your chest colour up), to what it’s like to work with some of the world’s biggest stars, including Cheryl Cole, Kylie and Diane Kruger (a fabulous opportunity that has allowed her to travel and enjoy some seriously exciting collaborations).

A quick break for lunch in Springbank Studio’s uber-cool restaurant and it was on to an afternoon of makeup demonstrations with Caroline and Max Factor’s fresh-faced model, Simone.

The day was then beautifully rounded off with the presentation of some goodie bags filled with Max Factor’s latest products, including Xperience Weightless Foundation, Mascara and Sheer Gloss Balm and Lipfinity Lip Tint Pen - a party season must-have that allows you to perfectly define and shade your lips in vibrant, kiss and touch proof, fashion-forward colour.

Check out the interviews with both Caroline and the girls and look out for the vodcast, which will be hitting Facebook within the next week.

60 seconds with Caroline

Following the hundreds of beauty questions that have been flooding the wall each week at the BACKSTAGE SECRETS BLOGGER clinic, Caroline shares some top tips...

What eyeshadow shades best suit blue, green and brown eyes?

If you look at your eyes under a magnifying mirror, you’ll notice the gold flecks in your irises. Soft purples and greens bring these out and make them sparkle in a way that’s subtly defining, whatever your eye colour.

A soft taupe with flecks of gold looks sexy and will shape your eye. It’s the perfect shade for creating a smoky look that isn’t too severe. Try Max Factor’s Smoky Eye Effect Shadow in Purple Dust.


How can I make my foundation last?

If you have naturally oily skin, you may find that your foundation doesn’t ever seem to have enough staying power. Make sure that you aren’t adding additional oil through rich moisturisers– your skin just doesn’t need them Plump for a super-light day cream and then use an oil-free foundation such as Max Factor’s Xperience Weightless Foundation. Set it with a loose powder and then, if you have to, blot away excess shine throughout the day with makeup blotting tissues.

Should one’s beauty regime alter in the winter months?

Skin tends to dry out in the winter because you veer from the bracing cold outdoors to dehydrating central heating indoors. To counteract this, make sure that you moisturise daily, use a gentle exfoliator to slough away dead skin cells and invest in a good night cream. I love Olay’s Regenerist 3 point treatment cream

Working in winter's lower light can also make the skin look flat, so play around with highlighters on your brow bone, cheekbones, Cupid’s bow and the bridge of your nose. This will add instant radiance.

Any top tips for the party season?

Now is the time to experiment, so have lots of fun with nail colours, false lashes and glitter. Remember, you don’t have to be too careful as you’ll be going out at night when it’s dark!

Winners’ interview

Anastasia (from Bedford) and Evelyn (from London) share their thoughts on their VIP day:

What has been the best thing about today’s event?

A: Meeting Caroline and getting the chance to ask questions that were relevant to me. I really struggle with finding a foundation to suit my skin tone in the winter, but Caroline taught me how to colour match from my chest up.

E: I discovered that using a bronzer and a blusher really sculpts and warms the face. I never would have thought to put them together but the result looks great!

Any favourite goodies from your goodie bags?

A: I’m pleased to have been given all the products from the Xperience range. Really looking forward to trying them all out together.

E: Looking forward to trying the foundation as it’s not something I use that much of usually.

Have you learnt any tips and tricks that you would like to share?

E: Absolutely! We are having a party this weekend with 10 girlfriends and we will be sharing what we’ve learnt today and checking out the products. We can’t wait!

Proud Pout

The loud mouth triumphed on the A/W10 catwalks, puckering up proudly from Gucci to Miu Miu in a range of reds from berry to pillar box bright. Finish-wise there was a clear winner though - according to top makeup artist and Max Factor creative design director Pat McGrath, 'This season's high voltage lips look best in matte.'




Precision is certainly the key to rocking a loud lip look, so it's lucky for us girls that Max Factor has just launched another killer product in the form of Lipfinity Lip Tint.

This cunning new lip pen makes creating a killer pout easy peasy: Via a precision felt tipped applicator, lips can be drawn, defined and coloured in a range of fashion-forward, this season shades.

While traditional lipsticks can sometimes feel heavy, Lipfinity Lip Tint has a lightweight, barely there feel. Its water-based formula absorbs into the top layer of the lips rather than simply sitting on top of them. You're left with a colour-popping pucker that is kiss- and drink-proof and best of all that lasts for hours.

Follow these easy steps and you'll be working this high impact look with ease:

A loud lip looks loveliest when the rest of the face is kept pared down, so keep skin looking fresh and dewy by applying an illuminating primer. Then apply Max Factor's new Xperience Foundation in broad sweeps across the skin. This nifty new foundation offers great coverage, but has a super-lightweight feel.

Apply a dab of a highlighter such as Benefit's High Beam to your brow bone, cheek bones and cupid's bow to add extra luminescence to the skin.

Next give cheeks a subtle glow working in a dab of Max Factor's Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper.

Define eyes with Kohl Pencil in Black before lining the upper lids as close to the lash line as you can get in a fine sweep of Masterpiece Glide and Define Liquid Eyeliner. Add feline flicks at the outer edge if you're looking to up the glam factor.

Finish with two volumising sweeps of Masterpiece Max Mascara in Black.

Now for the lips: Choose from Lipfinity Lip Tint's three deep and fruity shades: Berry Burst, Royal Plum or Pink Princess.Use the applicator pen to precisely sketch your desired lip shape. Remember not to draw over your natural lip line. Ensure that you perfectly define your cupid's bow.Then, using the flat side of the applicator, colour the full lip.

And voila: a subtley understated face with a colour popping boost of brightness that's effortless and lasts for hours.

My Sugarland Turns Two

If you're looking for a fashion fix that's as sweet as candy, Islington's My Sugarland is a must visit.

The delightful boutique stocks a candyfloss confection of vintage and designer goodies and last week it opened its doors, inviting the press and fashion world to celebrate its second birthday at a seriously stylish soiree.

The owner, celebrity stylist Zoe Lem, has created something in My Sugarland which feels reminicent of the loveliest of dreams - the shops deliciously refined edit of beauiful vintage pieces, dazzling designer wares and fairytale jewellery has been curated in such a thoughtful way that you feel as though someone has offered you a key to a fashion Narnia.

Rather than stocking items by designer, each rail is lined by theme, so pre-loved thrift nestles happily next to sparkling new high-fashion, everything has the space to breathe and you can't help but feel an elevated sense of excitement as you thumb through the heady mix of eras and styles, in search of a piece of fashion perfection.

Perhaps unsurprsingly then, My Sugarland's 2nd birthday drew a discerning crowd of style savvy fashionistas including the queen of sartorial blogging Susie Bubble.

As the rails were rifled, the coiffed and coutured sipped on strawberry vodka or rum and passionfruit cocktails, nibbled on fondant iced cupcakes from Bea's of Bloomsbury and listened to a delightful jamboree from one man band Dollar Bill.

Typewriter artist Keira Rathbone sat, cocktail in hand and styled to Forties perfection, rustling up quirkly and curious works of art on an old typewriter. Around the sugared space, cool and quirky models donned dresses by the likes of Anna Quansah - think simple shifts transformed by uber embellished bibs and Jasper Garvida - whose ruffled structured cocktail dresses couldn't fail to make the cut on any fashionista’s fantasy wishlist.

The beauty look, whilst retro, nodded towards this season's trends. Faces remained alabaster, eyes were discreetly defined using liquid eyeliner and lashings of mascara and lips were painted to matte perfection in A/W10's must have dark berry shade.

Sugar and spice and all things nice were expected from this sweet soiree and it delivered on every level.

Queen of Fashion: Susie Bubble

Keira Rathbone's typewriter art and vintage styling.

Anna Quansah's designs

Jasper Garvida's must have cocktail dresses

 

 

A serious accolade

Owner Zoe Lem right, with PR and Event Coordinator Holly Barder

The scoop from Britain’s Next Top Model Live.

This weekend I was in search of a serious style fix, so I hopped aboard London’s DLR and headed out to the Excel Centre to experience the first ever Britain’s Next Top Model Live.

As I tottered on to the train, dressed to impress is some rather regrettably towering platforms it quickly became clear that I was not the only one seeking a slice of the model life. The train was absolutely teeming with fashionistas - all dressed to the nines and all hungry for a piece of the fashion pie.


And the vast exhibition hall was certainly chocker with treats: from the rails of vintage wares with surprisingly purse friendly price tags, to the rather fabulously named Powder Room where the London College of Beauty were offering free treatments.

 Celebrity hair stylist Adee Phelan was there, scissors in hand, slicing and dicing countless gals’ tresses in to styled perfection.

The divine Emma Willis was also on hand to interview Britain’s Next Top Model host and ex-Calvin Klein model Charley Speed on the Kiss Open Catwalk and there were performances from Diana Vickers, Eliza Doolittle and singing sensation Jessie J to wow the crowds.

Members of the public were even given the chance to strut their stuff in front of a panel of fashion and beauty scouts at the Models 1 Casting Couch.
And there were countless Q&A sessions and trend talks being given by the likes of beauty blogging luminaries Pixiwoo and Gemma Cartwright, the former editor-in-chief of CatwalkQueen.tv

Pixiwoo host a demonstration

But the biggest highlight was undoubtedly the catwalk show itself, which saw finalists from the latest series of BNTM walking in an epic extravaganza that was peppered with awesome dance routines which slickly complemented the sound track of killer tunes.
I can’t deny it, I was in a girly paradise, but after all hours of running about, I just could not wait to get out of my shoes! x

60 seconds with Caroline Barnes

For over 14 years award-winning makeup artist Caroline Barnes has been at the top of her game:
She’s made up the faces of some of the biggest glamour pusses on the celebrity circuit. Think Kylie, Cheryl Cole, Diane Kruger and Alexandra Burke, to name a few!  Her looks have graced the pages of some of the most widely read women’s glossies from Marie Claire to Glamour and she’s done shoots with fashion’s most hallowed photographers, including Rankin and Wayne Maser.

Yet despite reaching dizzying heights working with celebrated stars from the fashion and music world, Caroline is at her most satisfied when she has her makeup brushes in hand and is pushing the beauty boundaries with signature versatility.

Here’s a little insight in to what makes this celebrated makeup guru and Max Factor UK Ambassador tick, from top tips for new season trends to which new products are currently crammed in to her makeup case. Enjoy!

Which products do you always have in your make up case?
I wheel a massive family suitcase of makeup around with me each day so there is very little I don't have, but I’m loving Max Factor’s new Xperience range. You need to experience the collection to understand how luxurious, yet lightweight these products feel on your skin lips and eyes. The foundation, mascara and sheer gloss for lips offer natural effortless beauty, with a weightless feel.

Which fashion shows have been your favourite to work on and why?
For Frost French and we created a Circus film and had Helena Christensen as the Ring Master and Jerry Hall as the Lion Tamer. It was really creative and a refreshing change from the super-slick looks of the traditional catwalk.

Any favourite backstage beauty tips?
Not to rush skin preparation. Hydration is key to a perfect complexion so I always encourage my team to concentrate on giving the girls a facial massage before they start the base.

Which Autumn Winter 2010/11 trends will you be wearing this season?
I’m a big fan of smoky eyes, but this season I'm going to be adding a hint of colour to my lids and blend it into the charcoal black, it feels and looks really fresh and modern.

Can you suggest one makeup trick that will instantly update a look?
Use a cream eyeshadow rather than a powder, the texture is totally different and looks much fresher and more modern on your eyes. It’s also very anti aging.

Do you have any tips for finding the perfect lipstick shade?
Don't try it on your hand as your hands aren't pink. The lipstick shade you choose will look totally different on your lips. Always test on your lips and for the most natural shade opt for a tone two shades darker than your own.

LeBeado show takes fashion to the max!

Exclusive private members' club Home House is a frequent venue for nights that ooze glitz and glamour, but its evening hosting a LeBeado catwalk show gave new meaning to the notion of a sparkling event.

The premium bead boutique, which has recently launched its third bejeweled heaven in shopping Mecca Westfield, fused fashion, beauty and accessories into an evening that dazzled almost as much as the fantastic array of gems and ready-to-wear jewellery that lines its shelves.

The look of each of the models featured at the Shock and Awe themed charity show* was kept simple: Think flawless bases enhanced with a cheekbone-skimming sweep of illuminating cream, subtly defined eyes with lashings of lengthening mascara and nude lips. The fashions, however, presented a bold counterpoint.

Graduate Fashion Week one-to-watch Naomi New showcased her incredible collection, which took inspiration from 15th century armour, horses and apocalyptic flick Mad Max. Her show-stopping designs utilise leather, suede, horse hair and bone, creating one-off pieces with the theatricality to make even a seasoned costume queen like Lady GaGa giddy.

Other top picks of the evening included ex Philip Treacy milliner Olivia Roat's bespoke headpieces and the presentation of Beulah London's Spring/Summer 2011 collection - a vibrant rainbow of sweeping, premium silk gowns. 

Artemis Boots and Yull's unique footwear and designer Flora McKillop's quirky hand candy gave further dimensions to the show. 

And peppered amidst the designer showcase, were LeBeado's own designs worn by self-assured, not to mention strapping, male models who donned them in style.

The goodie bags nestled beneath the chairs of all who attended, offered a charming reminder that making your own masterpiece is only ever a craft afternoon away. 

*All proceeds in aid of the Mark Evison Foundation and Kids Company.

Naomi New's show-stopping designs

Beulah London S/S11

Male models rock jewellery for one night only

London Fashion Week-ends in style

London Fashion Week might be as tricky to get in to as a pair of size zero jeans, but this weekend its esteemed home, Somerset House, opened its door to allow all would be fashionistas the chance to experience its buzz.   

The three day London Fashion Weekend offered the style-savvy the opportunity to snap up reduced designer wares from the likes of Ghost, Twenty8Twelve, Sass and Bide and French Sole and while the Chambord bar was the epitome of restrained civility, it was a case of 'Elbows at the ready' as the bargain hungry rifled the rails in search of fabulous finds. 

If you weren't there just to shop, there were makeup artists on hand offering master classes. A super-cool catwalk show and trend presentation from presenter of the moment Zara Martin gave the fashion forward the scoop on key items to snap up as we make the full transition in to A/W10. 

The Nomad look was a key trend take out - a glorious ethnic affair that allows us to "scrap the rule book and tap in to our bohemian side." Think a colourful kaleidoscope of items dug from the depths of the wardrobe and a 'mash up of texture and pattern' worn with carefree abandon. 

Other highlights included a refresher showcase of Singapore-born designer Ashley Isham's gorgeous A/W10 collection. With his distinctive brand of glossy glamour, it's little wonder that he has dressed the likes of Lady Gaga, Kylie, Cheryl Cole and Florence Welch.

The show culminated with a sleek and sexy showcase of BodyAmr's wares. Amr's bold designs marry bright block colours with superfine feminine materials that drape the body gracefully and effortlessly, accentuating every curve.

The models sported flawless matte complexions throughout. There eyes subtly accentuated. A proud burst of vivid cerise gave plump lips the perfect colour hit.