Friday, 25 March 2011

Snap up a work of Kiss Art!

Pixie Lott's gorgeous work
Our fabulous fans will have the chance to scoop up a piece of beauty history from Monday, when works of art created by some of the hottest celebs on the style circuit are put up for a very special auction.

Max Factor has challenged a bevy of beauties including new Max Colour Effect face Eliza Doolittle, songstress Pixie Lott and fashionista Barbara Hulanicki to create one-off kiss-inspired pieces using nothing but a smooch-proof Lipfinity Lip Tint Pen.

Just as the lovely lip-tint redraws the rules of colour, offering gorgeous gals an easy way to define and shade their lips in hot kiss-proof shades, this campaign gives art a cute and quirky twist. Best of all, it’s for a good cause - all money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The auction goes live on ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity on March 28, and with all funds going to such a worthy charity, there’s no excuse not to get bidding!

Eliza Doolittle: it's all in the eyes. 





Barbara Hulanicki's fashion forward look!

Monday, 21 March 2011

Get the Look: Marina's Dusk Apparition

Want to sparkle like a star this spring? Then check out the hot look that top makeup artist Caroline Barnes has created for the gorgeous new face of the Max Colour Effects range, Marina Diamondis. Smoky eyes are a classic look, but this fun take on the trend has a fashion-forward twist. “The look is young, fresh and beautiful – with an edge,” says Caroline.

Here’s how to work it:

1.Make eyes dazzle with Max Colour Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Ibiza Sunrise and sweep it into the inner corners.

2.Next sweep Max Colour Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Bronzed Glow from the centre of the lid towards the outer edges and along the lower lash line and blend with finger tips to soften the look.

3.Add drama and smudge Max Factor Kohl Eye Pencil along the lower lash line

4.Layer lashes with two coats of False Lash Effect.

5.Glaze lips with Max Colour Effect Lipgloss in Chocolate Brownie to give dusky eyes a rich classy look.

Q&A with Marina

How do you feel about being Max Factor’s Max Colour Effect ‘Big Night Out’ ambassador?


I’m really excited about being an ambassador for Max Factor’s vibrant Max Colour Effect collection as it is fun and celebrates individuality - two things close to my heart. The campaign, Max Colour Effect ‘Big Night Out’, is encouraging girls to be braver with colour, after all, colour is what life should be about; it allows us to play around with our looks and embrace identity.

Tell us a little bit more about your involvement in the Max Colour Effect ‘Big Night Out’ campaign?

‘Big Night Out’ kicked off with me having my own amazing new make-up look created by Caroline Barnes, Max Factor’s make-up artist, for an exclusive Max Colour Effect gig – which I absolutely loved plus I picked up some fab tips. Over the next few months you’ll be seeing more cool looks created for me by Caroline, so keep your eyes peeled! We’re on a mission to inspire girls to embrace make-up colour when getting ready for fun nights out – or if like me, anytime, a la my pink neon lips! Life would be incredibly boring if we didn’t have a collection like Max Colour Effect – all girls should try hot red lips and aqua eyes one night to bronze lips and golden eyes the next, in the spirit of celebrating individual style.

What are your favourite Max Colour Effect products?

There are so many to choose from – especially for the girl who loves colour - my make-up bag is literally jam-packed with the very cool and colourful Max Colour Effect. If I had to choose then I think I’d pick three: the Dip In Eye-shadows which come in a host of punchy colours and are really easy to apply, either as a block of rich colour across the entire lid or as a subtle shimmer across the lash line; a handful of the versatile Lip Glosses as they deliver a pop of vibrant colour on the lips – from orange through to pink – and can give a slick of gloss on top of lipstick – and finally, the cute pots of mini nail polishes as I’m really into clashing and on-trend nail colours.

Do you do anything differently with your beauty regime in summer and winter?

My beauty regime doesn’t really vary according to what season it is; it depends on what look I want to create. If you want to wear something, go for it - the weather shouldn’t determine your look!

Saturday, 5 March 2011

Pink Twist

The rainbow's sweetest shade is one of the hottest hues of the coming season, but its coolest when worn with a zingy urban twist.

This fashion-forward look works just as beautifully on fair as on dark skin and the acid lime eyeshadow element gives it an ultra fresh edge. Follow these simple steps for cotton candy coolness in seconds:

* Radiant, luminous skin is a must for this look, so begin by applying Max Factor's Second Skin Foundation. The formula gives you a beautiful natural glow, subtly highlighting your bone structure and brightening up your features.

* Now take Max Factor's Max Trio Effect Eyeshadow in Sweet Pink. Using a large eyeshadow brush apply the centre shade, sweeping the colour from the crease of your lid to your brow bone, stopping just short of the brow itself. Contour up from your eye crease using an eyeshadow brush and the darkest of the three pink shades, Then, to highlight your brow bone, use the lightest shade from the Max Trio Effect Eyeshadow range in Precious Metals. The pearlescent finish will give subtle definition to your eyes.

* Now create a colour wash over the lid using Max Effect Dip-In Eyeshadow in Party Lime. Apply the colour from your lash line to your crease, adding a dab of the zingy green shade in inner corner of both eyes. Wing the colour out at the outer corners for an edgy party vibe and also line the lower lid as close to the lash line as possible.

* Using a round eyeshadow brush, apply a brown eyeshadow such as Earth Spirits Eyeshadow in Burnt Bark in your eye crease. Start from the outer corner and gradually work your way in, really blending the colour to give a subtly smoky crease line look.

* Finish with two fluttersome coats of Max Factor's Masterpiece Max Mascara.

* Now back to the face. Warm your cheeks with a flush of Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Candy. Apply the creamy formula to the apples of your cheeks for a radiant romantic glow.

* Apply a slick of Vibrant Curve Effect Lipgloss in Intuitive to your lips. The unique applicator really hugs their curves for a full, voluptuous finish in the hottest of hues.

Friday, 25 February 2011

BODYAMR’s bold and beautiful show

Whether you consider his beautifully draped silk-jersey evening gowns or tight-as-you-like body-con micro minis, one thing is for sure - designer Amr Ali of cult fashion label Bodyamr does sexiness in spades. It was no surprise then this week's showing of his A/W ’11 collection drew one of the most glam front rows of fashion week's proceedings. Model of the moment, Amber Rose, was in attendance looking bootilicious in an uber-revealing dress, Louise Rednapp was looking fab in faux fur, while the gorgeous presenter Zara Martin, who designed a capsule collection with the label for S/S11, was rocking a super-chic cream dress paired with a statement pout.
It was the bold and beautiful collection though that had fashionistas and journalistas cooing. Inspired by the painting La Grande Odalisque by Ingres, Bodyamr's latest designs came in a rich range of shades including gold, teal, ruby red and midnight blue. Mixing modern tailoring with hot hues is what Bodyamr does best and the models that strutted their stuff on the runway sizzled in billowing drapes, sumptuous velvets and sexy sheer paneled gowns.
Beauty-wise the look was refined: think cashmere skin, lusciously long lashes and a dark, berry red, perfectly lined lip.

You can achieve a similar look using Max Factor’s Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation, Lash Extension Effect Mascara and Lipfinity Lip Tint in Berry Burst.





Friday, 4 February 2011

My Sugarland’s Carboot Sale

Having spent over 15 years dressing the rich and famous, Zoe Lem has collected an eye-popping collection of clothes.

Now she is offering fashionistas the chance to sample the delights of a celebrity stylist’s wardrobe, by transforming her delectable London boutique My Sugarland into an instore Car Boot Sale.

If you have ever visited this delicious little shop, you’ll know that behind its doors lies a beautifully curated Narnia of pre-loved and designer wares.

This week, fashionistas can expect an inspiring mix of new and vintage clothes for gals and guys, plus a treasure trove of props, trinkets and nick-nacks collected over the years.

Designer goodies are nestled in amongst high street pieces, so it’s worth having a good rummage to see what you can find! Elbows at the ready girls!

Prices start from £5. Doors open at 10am. Cash only. Until Sunday February 6.
My Sugarland, 402 – 404, St John’s Street, London. EC1V 4NJ


Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Pick 'n' mix – vintage style!

Vintage shopping usually requires a good dollop of patience as well as a discerning eye, but if you’re London based and prefer to rifle the rails in haste, be sure to catch the last few days of the Pick ‘n’ Mix Vintage Fair in Bethnal Green.
The concept is simple: Buy either a ‘£10 bag’ or a £20 bag’ and stuff it with as many glorious wares as you can muster!
Let’s face it ladies, one girl’s trash is another girl’s treasure. There is nothing quite as satisfying as stumbling across that perfect one off and then purchasing it for mere pennies.
Happy hunting!
x


Thursday, 13 January 2011

Beauty Resolutions for a gorgeous 2011

Stuck in a makeup rut? Brimming with bad beauty habits? Fear not! The New Year is the best time to pursue a brand new you! So arm yourself with these simple Beauty Resoltions and get ready to make 2011 your most glamorous year yet!

Massage daily
Whether she is beautifying a global superstar or catwalk model, top makeup artist Caroline Barnes swears by facial massage as it stimulates circulation and increases the skin's freshness, tone and luminosity. This is something that can easily be incorporated into your daily beauty routine. Simply introduce the technique when applying your day cream, massaging the face in sweeping circular motions and working your way up to around your eyes and forehead to really wake up the face.

Be bold
If you're stuck in a paint-by-numbers beauty rut with a routine reminiscent of Ground Hog Day, make this the year in which you experiment more. While pastels were big news for 2010, 2011 will be all about a complete colour blast - so try your hand at a bright and bold pout or line your lower lid with a flash of neon colour. Try Max Factor's Colour Effects range and get inspired to play with brights! They're the perfect pick-me-up to refresh a tired look.

Drink more water
It sounds simple, but be honest are you regularly glugging your recommended two litres a day? Thought not. Never underestimate the power of H20 for improving not just your looks but your well-being. Regular consumption makes eyes bright, skin clear, flushes your body of toxins and even improves your metabolism.

Embark on a makeup bag detox
Still got a drawer full of eyeshadows and lipglosses that date back to the dark ages? Us beauty buffs tend to hoard our makeup, but it's vital that you bin anything that's passed its sell by date as all products, from lipsticks to eyeshadows, can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If your makeup has changed colour or texture, has seperated or smells unusual it should be consigned to the bin and never keep mascara for longer than four months. Makeup brushes should be washed with warm soapy water at least once a month and left out to dry.

Find the perfect colour match
If you're sporting a shade of foundation that's poorly colour matched to your skin tone it will undermine your entire look! To make sure your face-finish is seamless, always follow the tone from your chest up when choosing your foundation as this will ensure that from head to body the shade is consistent. Whenever you are testing foundations, try to make sure that you apply them in a natural light as unnatural light can fool you in to thinking that your makeup is even when it isn't. Dry skin makes foundation more apparent as it sits on the dead skin cells, so be sure to exfoliate regularly using a gentle, non-abrasive formula. Foundation-wise you might like to try Max Factor's Xperience Weightless Foundation, which has a super-light finish but offers fab coverage. It's yellow-based tones neutralise redness and flatter most skin tones from pale to darl.

Perfect feline flicks
Immaculately lined and subtely winged eyeliner whispers understated glamour, so if you are yet to master the art, make 2011 your year. Max Factor's Masterpiece Glide and Define Liquid Eyeliner makes lining those peeps supremely easy. The dinky applicator is a cinch to control so you can get close to the lash line and create a smooth sweep with one simple motion.

Do you have any Beauty Resolutions? Let us know what they are! x