London's Fashion Fiesta!

Bora Aksu. Photography: Matt Hass

It was London's turn for a slice of the style action last week and on catwalks across the capital models galore were strutting their stuff!

We checked in at some of the hottest shows to bring you the scoop on upcoming trends and deliver the skinny on the kind of looks we’ll all be rocking come Spring / Summer 2012.

Bora Aksu’s presentation was a must-have ticket for the style savvy, with fashionistas and celebs aplenty taking up residency on the front row.

The designer showcased an uber romantic collection with lots of lace and corsetry parading on a petal strewn catwalk in a rainbow of shades from taupe to turquoise.

The models' skin was cashmere soft – get a similar look with Max Factor’s Smooth Effect Foundation. Cheeks were warmed with a bronzer such as Max Factor’s Natural Minerals Bronzer. Eyes should be washed in bronze and rimmed in liner, try the Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Bronze Haze and Liquid Effect Pencil in Black Fire.

Corrie Nielsen’s show was another hot ticket. The winner of last year’s Fashion Fringe prize presented a gorgeous collection of oriental style dresses with fine stitched detailing. Acid lemon dresses were paired with lime washed eyes - try applying Max Factor’s Max Colour Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Party Lime across the lid, up to the brow bone and in the inner corners. Lips were finished in a toffee gloss – try Max Colour Effect Cube Gloss in Nude Brown for a similarly luxurious effect.

While at Zoe Jordan’s show the designs harked back to the glamour of a bygone era. A riot of colour abounded the runway with bright dragonfly prints fluttering free.

A palette of ginger, rust and caramel dresses brought additional richness to her summer palette, while the use of silks and ruche detailing kept the look luxurious and fabulously feminine. Models sported flawless skin, flushed, glowing cheeks and a pop of summery coral on the lips. Try Max Factor’s Ageless Elixir 2-in1 Foundation & Serum, Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper and new Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy for a similar look, before finishing your lashes with two generous coats of Masterpiece Max mascara in Black.

Bora Aksu. Photography: Matt Hass

Corrie Nielsen. Photography Matt Hass

Corrie Nielsen. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Zoe Jordan. Photography: Matt Hass

Catwalk round-up A/W’11

A crispness in the air, the turning of the trees and that unmistakable crunch underfoot all spell the start of autumn and here at Max Factor we can’t wait to experiment with the new season’s coolest looks. The style stakes were well and truly set on the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris. Here is part one of our top trend picks, which will ensure you look super stylish as the leaves start to fall!

Autumn bronze

With its rich palette of burnt browns and glinting golds, this look encapsulates everything that is glorious about autumn. Smouldering smoky eyes form the focus, the skin is flawless and cashmere soft, while lips are effortlessly understated.

Get the look:

1. Begin by applying Max Factor’s Smooth Effect Foundation in broad circular sweeps across the face. The fab formula creates a flawless canvas, whilst a light dusting of Natural Minerals Bronzer in the hollows of your cheek bones will give you a gorgeous glow. 

2. Now take Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Bronze Haze. Use Step One of the double-ended applicator to create a wash of gold across both lids. Then use Step Two to define and contour. 

3. Line both the upper and lower lid as close to the lash line as possible with Liquid Effect Eye Pencil in Brown Blaze, teasing with the in-built smudger for sexy finish. 

4. Coat the lashes with False Lash Effect FUSION Mascara  

5. Apply a rich pinkish-brown lipstick, such as our new Colour Elixir Lipstick in Mulberry to the lips. 

Get the Look

Sixties chic

Give the classic baby doll look a fashion-forward twist with this edgy and modern take on the Twiggy-esque trend.

Get the look:

1. Create a radiant base using Max Factor’s Second Skin Foundation. The water-based formula subtly highlights your bone structure, brightening your features for youthful luminosity.

2. Apply a wash of a peachy eyeshadow, such as the orange shade from Max Colour Effect Trio Eyeshadow in Queen Bee to the lids adding a soft pop of sunshine yellow to the inner corners of the eye. 

3. Line the eyes with graphic drama using Max Factor’s Glide and Define Liquid Eyeliner and coat the lashes, both top and bottom with False Lash Effect FUSION Mascara. A smudged, slightly rocky look is your aim, so don’t worry about being too precise with your application.

4. Lips are finished with a simple slick of Xperience Sheer Gloss Lip Balm.

Girl time with Eliza

Sizzling pop sensation Eliza Doolittle is known for her super-cute and quirky style as well as being the face of Max Factor’s Colour Effects range, so when EMI records auctioned a morning with her and top makeup artist Caroline Barnes, beauty buffs entered in their droves.
The lucky winners - Anna and her daughter Juliette, got to spend several stylish hours in the company of the crack team – first getting pampered to polished perfection by celebrity makeup artist Caroline and then getting the chance to talk style, beauty and all things pop with Eliza.

From a makeup case over-flowing with Max Factor must-haves, Caroline set to work. She taught Anna the importance of skin prep, before applying Max Factor's new Ageless Elixir 2-in1 Foundation + Serum, a fabulous face fix that provides instant coverage for fine lines, reducing their appearance and has had the beauty editors raving.

A dab of Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper was applied to Anna's cheeks and then it was time for the eyes. Caroline created a wash of sophistication with the Masterpiece Precision Eyeshadow in Coco before treating the lashes to two coats of Lash Extension Effect Mascara for fluttersome fabulousness. Lips were finished with Max Factor’s new Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy and the Max Effect Cube Gloss in Nude Brown.

Juliette kept her look minimal and let her youthful radiance do the talking. Just a soft flush of Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Copper on the cheeks, a pop of the Nude Brown Cube Gloss on the lips and eyes that were subtly enhanced with Liquid Effect Eye Pencil in Violet Voltage and Lash Extension Effect mascara in Brown.






The lucky winners then got some girl-time with one of pop’s brightest stars before leaving with goodie bags, brimming with treats from the day.