Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Jaime Ridge's Make Up

I was Jaime Ridge's make up artist during her reality show The Ridges which has just finished it's first (smash hit) season. I've had a tonne of requests asking how I did her make up and it managed to last during her boxing fight! Read on...

Jaime and Sally Ridge before Jaime's big fight!

SKIN
1. I always start off with a great primer (Smashbox Luminizing Primer) which keeps make up in place and prevents it settling into smile lines or open pores.
2. Next I apply a small amount of a full coverage foundation (Smashbox Studio Skin) and concealer where required.
3. I finish off by setting her base with mineral powder (Smashbox Halo Powder) which again extends the wear of the make up and provides a matte yet still glowing finish
4. I'm big on brows so I always fill in and define Jaime's brows using 'Brow Tech'

EYES
1. I start with a cream shadow base (Smashbox Cream Shadow in 'Quartz') and apply this all over the eyelid up to the crease of the eye. Over that I press Smashbox 'Cinnamon Toast' and blend it out just above the crease
2. I darken the outer corners of the eyes using a dark brown Smashbox 'Roast' and use this to line the bottom lashline to half way
3. I line the top lashline with black liner (Smashbox Jet Set Black) and the bottom inner rim with white pencil (Smashbox Eye Beam) to open up the eyes
4. Lastly I apply a set of false lashes and mascara

CHEEKS/LIPS
1. Jaime has great cheekbones as it is but I enhance them using Smashbox Contour Palette and a bit of Blush (Smashbox 'Paradise')
2. To create a natural nude lip but still with a hint of colour I use Smashbox 'Honey' lipstick with 'Afterglow' gloss over the top.

Jaime with a smokier look at the press conference
(Image from Jaime's twitter)

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

ghd Presents Blue Sky: twenty-seven names & Ingrid Starnes NZFW 2012


Hair: Michael Beel for ghd

Ingrid Starnes and twenty-seven names came together for New Zealand Fashion Week 2012 as part of the second ever Blue Sky concept show to release their autumn/winter 2013 collections. Global hair styling superbrand ghd joined forces with Showroom 22 and the two local labels as the naming rights sponsor for ‘ghd Presents Blue Sky,' presented at Britomart’s Nathan Club and Australis House.

twenty-seven names
The twenty-seven names’ winter 2013 collection — ‘i thought you’d never ask’ — emerged from the first line of Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Marriage Plot: "To start with, look at all the books”. In the collection, 19th-century detailing and hand-printed silk sits alongside bright multi-colours and polka dots.

The hair was full and slightly textured; think 90's inspired volume meets the mother out of the 'Beethoven' movie.

Ingrid Starnes
The Ingrid Starnes’ Autumn/Winter 12/13 collection, Hunt’s End, was based on a whole group of eccentric characters that go away to an old estate for a hunting weekend. Michael and his ghd team had ten minutes to change the twenty-seven names look to fit Ingrid’s aesthetic and new collection!

Michael explains of the Ingrid Starnes look, ‘We took the twenty-seven names volume but made the hair more streamlined through the top. We wanted the hair to give off an effortless glamour feel that Ingrid’s clothing epitomises.'


Monday, September 10, 2012

Trend Report: NZFW 2012



I’ve just finished my fourth consecutive year working backstage at NZFW as a pro artist for Smashbox Cosmetics. In between prepping models for our own shows, I was lucky enough to be able to attend some of the shows on offer throughout the week.
Here are some of my favourite beauty looks from the week.
HAILWOOD

Image: Stephen Marr
Hair: Lauren Gunn for Stephen Marr
The locally revered designer, who also launched his shoe collection for Mi Piacci, showed a fantastic collection that as a whole was one of my favourites. The hair was a soft 70′s blowdry, with lots of movement and a subtle wave through the front pieces.
SALASAI

Make-up: Amber D for M.A.C
The idea behind this look was “Dolly Parton meets Joan Jett”, which sounds scary, but resulted in one of the most effective looks of the week. Key products used included Uninterrupted Pro Longwear Eyeshadow and Hot Paprika Pro Longwear Eyeliner. Without a doubt, the hero of the look was the bold lip, created using Sin Lipstick, Ruby Woo Lipstick and Burgundy Lip Pencil. That lip colour is just stunning!
JULIETTE HOGAN

Image: thread.co.nz
Make-up: Josie Wignall for M.A.C
The look was inspired by a girl traveller, who travels first class. She is polished and immaculate. It’s a very soft and diffused look, which relies on Autumn shades,  with terracotta eyeshadows in ‘Rule’ and ‘Peaches’ and ‘Sincere’ blush, with ‘Honey Love’ lipstick.
TRELISE COOPER

Image Credit: Alex Tee
Make-up: Amber D for M.A.C
This was one of my personal favourites, if only for the wildly avante garde styling and seamless running that could only come from such a well-travelled brand. The smokey eye and glam metallic were the focus of this elegant yet edgy look. That heavy lid was created using Tarnish Eye Kohl, Bottle Green, Scene and Carbon Eyeshadows, and Blacktrack Fluidline. For those pink cheeks, Amber generously applied Pink Swoon Blish, Silver Dusk Irridescent Powder and Pink Opal Pigment to highlight.
CHARLIE BROWN

Make-up: Smashbox
Hair: Stephen Marr
Nails: Orly
Charlie Brown’s Naughty & Nice collection for a/w 2013 was the only international label presenting at this year’s New Zealand Fashion Week. The look was based around a modern 50′s girl with deep red lips, neutral eyes (using Multiflash trio) and matte porcelain skin. The lip colour was created using a mix of Infrared Matte and Grenadine.
ANDREA MOORE
Hair: ghd

Photo: Carly Van Winkel / 3 News
Andrea Moore’s aptly named collection for winter 2013 ‘The Hunt’ was true to the equestrian theme with horse prints and riding-inspired styles. Hair was equally equine themed with horse tail inspired front pony tails.

Miranda Kerr - The New Face of Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy



Unilever Australasia has announced the exciting signing of Miranda Kerr to represent new hair care brand Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy in Australia.

Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy offers a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients that ensures a deeply nourished scalp.

“To be chosen to represent such an innovative brand is a huge thrill,” says Miranda Kerr.




Bobbi Brown unveils Katy Holmes as its first celebrity face

Bobbi Brown may have been revolutionising the beauty industry for over 20 years, but recently they entered new terrain with the announcement of their first-ever celebrity face - the recently single Katie Holmes.

“Katie Holmes epitomises the modern ‘Bobbi woman’… I think of her as the modern day Ali McGraw, who I have always admired,” says Bobbi Brown. “Katie is a classic natural beauty, entrepreneur and mother. When I met her, I thought she was a natural fit for my brand, and felt an instant connection with her because we have so much in common.” 

Holmes adds, “Bobbi is exceptional and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics is a company that we, as women, all turn to because it is make-up that is very accessible and makes you feel pretty. Sometimes it is just a lipstick or a blush that makes you feel like you can do what you need to do. Make-up is powerful and I am thrilled to be a part of this brand.” 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

ghd reveals a new-look Katy Perry



Global brand ambassador Katy Perry reveals a series of stunning new hair looks for ghd



Shot by renowned fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth in Los Angeles at the end of Katy’s world tour, the campaign shows Katy in a series of striking scenarios "It was fun to go a more natural route after playing characters in my last ghd campaign,” said Katy. 



The classic yet fashion forward images see Katy with an array of covetable, wearable hair looks and exuding confidence – a positive message to inspire millions of women to have a good hair day, every day. This message ‘good hair day, every day’ is the brand’s core client promise and will launch as part of the new campaign.

ghd air


The new ghd airTM – the brand’s first salon-strength professional hairdryer - was used to create all of Katy’s looks, in addition to the iconic ghd stylers, the range of brushes (which I personally love) and a capsule collection of ghd styling products.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Vision for Humanity Products

Me with David Farrier.
Image courtesy of LEMESH

I attended the launch of Vision products this week at their Auckland showroom and was excited to try the 100% natural range of skincare products.
All products are made in New Zealand and are socially and environmentally responsible. But it gets better, because in addition to being great for humanity and for the environment, the products are great for your skin as they’re packed full of natural, organic ingredients including acai and camu camu.


I’m quite discerning when it comes to skin care and I like products that are gentle on the skin and carry a very subtle fragrance. The Vision products smell great and feel weightless yet nourishing. I like.
A great tip I got from a reliable source is to leave the Citrus Lotion in the fridge for a refreshing (and reviving) start to the day. 

Vision Citrus Lotion

For more information about Vision Products visit www.visionproducts.co.nz

Camera Ready Makeup


MAC Loves Barbie Collection
Ever wonder why your makeup looks ok in the mirror but once you start snapping photos you turn out looking like a ghost? It’s all about light. The more light that is reflected off your skin, the whiter and brighter you will appear. So what reflects all this light? Let’s investigate…
Suspect #1: SPF
Unfortunately products containing a high sun factor tend to leave a white sheen over the skin that is highly visible in photos. While a low SPF is usually fine, anything higher than a 20 will start to show up. If you like an SPF foundation, stick to around SPF15 or layer over it with a face powder.
Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder
Suspect #2: Shimmer
Shimmer also reflects light and, used sparingly on the cheekbones, brow bone and bridge of the nose, can give the appearance of fabulous genetics. However, used in excess, it’ll make you look like you face planted into the cake. Ensure your foundation doesn’t have too many “light reflecting particles” and mineral powders can be a likely culprit for this too. Test some on the back of your hand, then hold it under direct light – if it sparkles like diamonds, it’s not for all over the face.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation
Suspect #3: Oiliness
This is usually the one we’re most aware of, however as the night goes on, we don’t always keep it under control. If you’re prone to oiliness, make sure you use a primer with oil control factor and carry blotting papers with you to take care of shine. Don’t apply too much moisturizer and opt for a lotion over a cream.
Shiseido Pureness Oil Blotting Papers
Good luck with your investigation and here’s to looking great in photos!

Lush Launches Emotional Brilliance


International cult favourite, Lush cosmetics, has launched their first colour range for lips and eyes. I had the pleasure of meeting with Lush Co-Founder and Inventor of the range Rowena Bird. The range, consisting of eyeliners, eyeshadow and lip colours, is less about wearing makeup that’s ‘in season’ or ‘on-trend’ and more about selecting colours designed specifically to meet your needs. First, however, you have to play the game!

Emotional Brilliance from Lush
Spin the Wheel!
The colour game is meant to unveil the colours you should be wearing to fulfill a need. You spin the wheel and select the three colours that stand out to you the most: these represent your strength or weakness, your subconscious need and your talent. In case you’re curious, I got ‘Lifted’ ‘Power’ and ‘In Charge’.

‘Power’ lip colour; ‘In Charge’ eyeliner; ‘Lifted’ cream shadow
There are 30 products in the range which is completely vegan. Everything comes in the same eco-friendly, clear glass bottles The liquid lipsticks contain organic jojoba oil, candelilla wax and rose wax to keep lips soft and moisturised. Liquid Eyeliners come with a liquid liner brush applicator, two of which (Independant and Fantasy) have a no smudge smudge formula. The cream Eyeshadows blend easily and cupuacu butter helps set the pigments so the colour stays put.
All products retail for $29.90 and are available in Lush stores and online worldwide as of July 21st. www.lushnz.com

Max Fashion Show at Sphere

I attended the Max Spring Summer launch, hosted by Sphere in Newton. We were treated to a runway show of Max's three Spring collections:  Hacienda, In the Garden and To Catch a Thief. 






Images courtesy of The A-List

Thursday, July 5, 2012

GOLD MINE




Once the ultimate sign of luxury, gold is now the ultimate ingredient for achieving beautiful skin.
As part of a revised treatment menu, Spa at the Pullman introduces its most luxurious facial ever, a 24 Carat Gold Leaf Facial by Nahaia Active Organics.
Creator of the facial and director of Nahaia Active Organics, Nahaia Russ says the anti-aging and detoxifying benefits of the facial are clear.
“Pure 24 carat gold can help improve cellular regeneration, prevent the breakdown of elastin and protect your skin from the elements,” says Ms Russ.


The facial begins with a purifying cleanse and exfoliation followed by the Radiant-Light Hydrating Serum and Love-In-Essence Gold Spray. Then layers of gold are applied to the entire face by an expert therapist.

The 75-minute facial is launched exclusive with Spa at the Pullman at a cost of $180.