Alex has been busy helping to design her first collection of dresses for the Label Forever Unique and has the launch night at the Circle club in manchester.

We went for Alex’s favorite Winged eyeliner in and amazing new liquid liner which I picked up at the New York shows from the very generous P.R girl (Thank you) Lancome’s art liner in black. At first I though the pen applicator looked to stiff to create a sharp line but I loved how smooth and jet black the liner went on. You can also build up the depth without any flaking.

I’m also really in love with my Scott Barnes Body Bling in Platinum for finishing any skin that’s on show. It smoothes over the skin easily and leaves a subtle hint of colour that makes the skin look really radiant. Great if you love a high shine on your cheeks and want to carry the texture down through your body.

I got the chance to work with The Pierces on a shoot for Music, Style, Fashion magazine the other day. The girls were in London on a promo trip and to hold auditions for a UK band before they move here for a few months later in the year. I loved their style, a mix of arty boho ease and under ground New York music scene cool. Make sure to check out their latest EP “Love you more” which has been getting rave reviews in the U.S

So I thought I was bad when it comes to being a product junkie but my good friend and super star makeup artist friend Lynsey Alexander puts me to shame. New Topshop makeup, Linz has it. Ellis Faas range, already been there! So it was no surprise when we met for dinner on Upper street for her to fill me in on the new “Must have” lip product, Lip Tar. The name alone did it for me so of I went in search of this new wonder lip gloss.

So my appetite well and truly whetted for this mixable, vinyl shine uber gloss the next step was to find a stockist. You can get your fix of Lip Tar at these websites -

www.crownbrushes.com

www.themakeupartistboutique.com

Now to wait for the post man!

I’ve spent so much time in the  country side shooting lately and although I’ve had a great time soaking up the British summer showers and all I’m kind of looking forward to the Autumn/Winter season when everything gets a little darker. I came across this stunning shoot for Tatler Hong Kong and thought it was the perfect antidote to my whimsical way of thinking. The model is perfect for the shoot and I love the post apocalyptic other worldly feel of the story.

I spent a lovely day in the Hertfordshire country side shooting with Craig Fordham and stylist Emily Jerman. The location was quintessentially english which framed the story of the two young lovers talking a walk after a long summer day.

The sun stayed with us throughout the day and I was blown away by Craig’s use of natural light.

Models Milue and George braved the chilly stream to make the most of the dappled light and water reflection along with Craig while Emily and I stayed on dry land.

It was really refreshing to work without power for a hairdryer or tongs as well as being able to apply makeup in perfect daylight. I found myself applying the bare minimum of product to keep the natural beauty of the day.

One thing I love about the summer is getting out on location and shooting. So with all of the sun we’ve been having I decided to get together with Mark Enstone www.enstone.net and shoot some beauty. Trust me to pick the one weekend with torrential rain! Well we were shooting in Manchester so I wasn’t too surprised. The rain did ease up in time for us to get these  gorgeous shots of Boss new face Cailin.

I worked with Layla Regan and Amanda from MandP models on this beauty shot. We were playing around with textures of black in beauty and styling. I used MAC Carbon all over the lid and up through the brow with Elizabeth Arden smokey eyes pencil in black as the base colour to give it depth.

I wanted to share this beautiful shoot with you from Tush magazine. I’m very jealous!

I was at a friends 7th birthday when I first saw Barbarella starring Jane Fonda. Probably not the best choice of movie for a kids party given the see through rubber dresses, Cannibal dolls and soft core 60’s sex scenes! I remember the opening scene which is what the film is most famous for with Jane (Barbarella) stripping off her metallic space suit and helmet and looking incredible and falling in love with her look. I’ll still watch it every now and then when I need a bit of  inspiration.

I love the whole look which is super sexy from the mass of marmalade hair which I need to talk about for a second. “There’s nothing two minute scrunch dry about that do” as my hair dresser friend Zoe Irwin would say! It’s the texture and colour of the hair that is so beautiful, kind of a back combed soft candy floss which still looks glossy, like a Breck girl from the American shampoo adverts.

The makeup is great too, it’s a total 90’s matte browns to contour everything look finished with jet black kitten flick eye liner and technocolour tanned skin. It’s a real beauty icon moment for me and I find myself rocking my take on this look when I shoot beauty.  I think Jane Fonda gets a bit over looked as a beauty icon of the 60’s and 70’s which is a shame as she is so gorgeous, especially in this role. If you haven’t seen it make sure you do asap, you can forget about the story which is a bit odd in that 60’s space age way and get lost in the kitsch fashion.

I came across Fernanda Guedes’ work whilst in Sao paulo. I’m a big fan of illustration and thought this set of images were stunning, I love her makeup idea. I find her illustrations full of energy and humour as well as being really beautiful. Check out her website for more gorgeous images. http://www.fernandaguedes.com.br

Images taken from Fernanda’s site.