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!