London Fashion Week F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty at Sass & Bide

"Tough, graphic and tribal." - Petros Petrohilos

Eyes:
Gloss Texture – apply with fingers to eyelids and up to brows

Face:
Strobe Cream - highlight cheekbones and temples
Face and Body Foundation – apply to corners of nose, under eyes and centre of the forehead
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder and Invisible Set Powder – combine and apply to the centre of face
Gloss Texture – apply to cheekbones

Lips:
Media Lipstick – apply with #223 brush
Cremestick Liner In Velvet - blend evenly
Meeow Lipglass (Coming Fall 2010) – apply one top coat for added shine

Nars Orgasm Illuminator

Nars Cosmetics "cult-classic" blush has morphed into a lip gloss and a nail color and even into another blush called, "Super Orgasm!" To extend the life of the Orgasm, so to speak (*wink*), Nars' new iteration of the "O" is a beautiful peach-pinky illuminator that gives the skin a sheer and dewy highlight. Can be worn alone or mixed with your favorite foundation or powder, this is a great product for most skin tones.

Oh Canada Makeup Tutorial

In case you guys didn't know, the Winter Olympics have been going on for the last 16 days here in Vancouver (my home town!) The city has been alive and to help show my support, this makeup tutorial is inspired by the Candian colors Red & White, with a bit of pink :)

Products used:
Make Up For Ever Pearly Waterproof Pencil #13
Make Up For Ever Red Flash color
Make Up For Ever White Flash color
Mac Gesso e/s
Mac Passionate e/s
Make Up For Ever #99 e/s
Mac Smolder eye pencil
Make Up For Ever Aquablack liquid liner
Mac Carbon e/s

Cheeks
Mac Melba Blush

Lips
Make Up For Ever #9 glossy full

ILLAMASQUA Nail Polish Competition.

2010’s hottest new nail colour is in your hands!

Whether it’s the standout shade of your favourite killer heels, your must-have cupcake frosting or the glow of the city skyline, Illamasqua wants to hear what inspires your soul.

The UK’s hottest and most talked about make-up brand, Illamasqua is famed for its unique and daringly different collection of cult Nail Varnish colours.  

And now they want you to get creative.

Illamasqua is asking finger fetishists the world over to submit a description of their dream nail varnish colour, for their chance to make it a reality.

Run in conjunction with luxury retailer, Selfridges, this incredible competition is giving nail varnish fans the world over the opportunity to push their imaginative boundaries further than ever before and design their very own perfect shade.

Entrants must explain in no more than 50 words what inspired their unique choice, and provide an image or photograph to illustrate their big idea.

The prize? Two winners will see their dream colour created and sold exclusively at Selfridges in London, Manchester Trafford and Birmingham from October 2010. In addition, they’ll receive a bottle of their winning colour before anybody else! 

The winning entries will be selected by a high-profile judging panel consisting of legendary make-up artist Alex Box, nail artist to the stars Sophy Robson, Selfridges’ Beauty Director David Walker-Smith and Pixiwoo

The rules:

In 50 words or less, submit a description of your dream colour and the thinking behind it – please include pictures to illustrate your inspiration if possible. 

Entries must be submitted in one of the following three ways, no later than
14^th March 2010:

Via email: competition@illamasqua.com  

Via blog post: competition@illamasqua.com

Via mail:

NAIL COMPETITION
c/o Illamasqua
6-8 Amwell St
London
EC1R 1UQ                    

One entry per person. Competition is open to entrants globally.

For more details click here

Bobbi Brown Facechart For Facebook Fans

Kérastase Chronologiste

The fashion and beauty world is buzzing about the upcoming launch of Kérastase's Chronologiste luxury hair product. If you don't mind spending a small fortune for soft and buttery tresses, then you definitely should treat yourself to an in-salon treatment at a Kérastase Consultant Salon.

Set to launch in March, Kérastase Chronologiste is a deep conditioning treatment made of sea-enriched caviar pearls that will drench your hair with hair-healthy Vitamin E and will provide UV anti-oxidant protection (protect that beautiful hair color, girls!).

Interested? $60 for an in-salon treatment/$145 for the DIY home version.

NOTD: GLITTER GRADATION NAILS!

OOOooo! Holograpic nails I love you so but WHY are you so hard to photograph?!Gah! A quick post for you this evening so I can show off my OPI "Lincoln Park After Dark" topped with China Glaze's "Nova".I was going for the gradation look which I think I sort of achieved.I applied two coats of Lincoln, a top coat of Seche Vite followed by a blob of Nova on the tips which was gently spread across the

The Classic Winged Liner

You've tried and tried again but you just can't seem to get that winged liner done right. Well, check out this great article below I found explaning how to get that perfect winged liner every time.

Products Required
When it comes to winged liner, there are a variety of products you can choose from. Gel liner, cake eyeliner, liquid liner and water proof eye pencils are some of your choices. All of these products have amazing staying power.

Tools Required
Having brushes in great condition is the key to creating a well defined, ultra sleek wing. You can opt to use a flat liner brush, angled liner brush, or a pointed liquid liner brush. Keep a few cotton swabs on hand to help you clean up around the edges of the wing.

Technique

1. Start off by dabbing a little primer onto the lid and then add an eye base. Follow this with translucent powder to set your eye base and add a nude eye shadow over the entire eye lid.

2. Push or draw your liner into the roots of your lashes which will create a thin eyeliner close to the lash line.

3. Next, start at the outer corner of the eye area pulling your brush or pencil along the lash line towards the nose. Hold your eye at the outer corner of your brow bone to tighten the skin. Do not pull at the outer corner. Thicken the liner at the outer corner and blend it into the rest of the liner as you work towards the center of the eyelid.

4. Next, you are creating your wing. Work your product from the center of the eyeliner along the base of the lash line and pull it out to where you would like the liner to stop. By easing the pressure of your brush as you approach the end of the wing you will avoid thickness and a squared edge and will create a fine tip instead. Working outwards will give the liner an upward swing and lift the corner of the eye. For a more dramatic liner connect the tip of the wing downwards to the outer corner of the upper lash line.

Have fun trying it out!!

xo Eman Aziz

Bridal Beauty - Eye Make-Up Tips

Neutral colours are the best option for bridal eye make-up, such as light browns & beiges to stone/grey as well as lilac colours, not forgetting silver & gold shimmer tones too...
To keep your eye make-up on all day, use an eye base or primer & then apply a base colour over the lid, such as cream or light beige as well as a shimmer tone.
Definition is very important for your photos & you can do this as well as still achieving a natural finish. Start with the socket line after your base colour is applied, shade with a darker tone into the socket line with a light 'fluff' style brush to softly blend, then use a light slightly reflective highlighter colour to highlight the brow bone, this can also be used on the inner corner or the eye, applied with a cotton bud which will give the eyes a little added sparkle!
To line the eyes either use a soft kohl pencil or with a small slanted brush & with a darker eye shadow take a soft line along your lower & upper lash line then soften & blend with a cotton bud, this will give a soft smokey eye effect. Choose your favorite mascara & then using a lash combmake sure all the lashes are separated. However if would rather avoid a lot of mascara incase of smudging after a few emotional tears then you could opt for a lash tint & perm before the big day which will give your lashes more definition.

For the brows, ensure these are shaped as they are the 'frame' to you eyes, a week before the wedding go for an eyebrow shape & maintain this on the lead up to your wedding, ensuring not to pluck on the day itself causing any redness!

WINTER WONDER! SKIN MD SHIELDING LOTION

I've noticed quite a few bloggers got this product to review and I am happy to say I was one of the lucky few too!I've had this product for just under two months and have used it almost daily since receiving it.I think it's important with skin care reviews to give the products time to really work and to also check for any allergies etc.Thankfully I can safely say I was not allergic to this and my

Hairspray For Your Face - Beauty Fix Airbrush Face!

I'm sure all of us at some point have said how we wished our make-up would stay perfect all day & that wouldn't it be great if there were a hairspray for our face to keep it all in place perfectly! Well now there is Model Co 'Beauty Fix Airbrush Face', a hairspray for your make-up! It claims that after just one spray your make-up will stay in place for the whole day or night without needing a re-touch in front of the nearest mirror!
They say that the spray itself is a lightweight, transparent mist that gently sets onto the face to seal your makeup, making it smudge-proof, tear-proof and water resistant! Also it offers a strong hold to your make-up without changing the appearance or feel of your foundation & unlike similar products on the market that give a matte finish, BEAUTY FIX leaves your skin with a luminous effect. It provides a feather light seal over the skin to seal the makeup, it also dries quickly but still keeps the skin hydrated. Use after makeup application, shake can, close eyes and spray from 30cm. £23.00

Best Eyeshadow Primer - Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a genie in a bottle that fulfills three wishes for eyeshadow that lasts, colour that stays vibrant & finally no creasing!
The potion keeps shadows firmly in place & stops any smudging to creasing as the day goes on so your eyes will be as fresh as they were when your shadow was applied!
It is a sheer nude base & glides on easily then disappears instantly, apply with your finger tips and let dry before putting on your eyeshadow, it will help intensify the colour & keep it there until you decide to take it off!
£11.50.

SOME KIND OF...GREASY MESS...BOO!

Can you guess from the title what product I am reviewing tonight?I guess the photos give it away hey!Aye...I would like to discuss Benefit's "Some Kind of Gorgeous".I bought this just after Xmas as part of the "Sexy Starlet" gift set which I managed to nab at HQ Hair for £34 in the sale...bargain! The set also included Coralista (main reason for purchasing!) and Bad Gal mascara.Anyway...so yes...

CHANEL PARTICULIERE VS OPI YOU DON'T KNOW JACQUES!

Chanel's kick started 2010 with another highly sought after limited edition "IT" shade. I am of course talking about "Particuliere"!All the glossies and papers have been buzzing about so I pretty much wrote this off as another elusive polish I'd probably never get to see, let alone purchase.However, I found this polish extremely easy to find!It was EVERYWHERE two weeks ago...not so sure about now

Neutral Nail Trend For Spring 2010: Deborah Lippmann

I love neutral nails and all its variations. Deborah Lippmann has some of the most fashion forward colors ever. Although the shades shown here are not new, per se, they are nonetheless great for the nude nail trend for spring. From left to right, is Fashion (a taupe-y beige), No More Drama (a soft, creamy bronze with flecks of gold) & Satin Doll (a dusty pale pink with silver undertones). I have all three and they wear well without a lot of chipping. The colors are exquisite and they work well with all skin tones.

Lea Michele Grammy Makeup Tutorial

The look that got the second highest number of votes from the Grammy looks was the Lea Michele Smoky Eye. This look is very sexy and sultry, great for a night out.
To see how it was done check out the video below and the products used.

Face
Nars Primer
Make Up For Ever HD Foundation #120
Make Up For Ever Lift concealer #3
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Pressed Powder #205
Make Up For Ever Mat Bronzer #2
Make Up For Ever Contouring Palette #2
Mac mineralize blush in Danity

Eyes
Mac Brun e/s (eyebrows)
Mac pencil in Smolder
Mac Soft Brown e/s
Mac Electra e/s
Mac Idol Eyes e/s
Mac Knight Divine e/s
Mac Black Tied e/s
Mac Brule e/s
Mac Gesso e/s
Make Up For Ever Aquablack liquid liner
Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara
Ardell #301 false lashes

Lips
Mac lip pencil in Subculture
Make Up For Ever lipstick #427
Nars Moon Fleet gloss

TEENY TINY TKMAXX HAUL...!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend?Unfortunately mine was spent recovering from the wretched monovirus that seems to be plaguing Londoners at the moment. Horrible bad bad BAD virus! *shudders*Still...didn't stop me from making a trip to the local shops on Sunday where I purchased these beauties:I have always wanted to get Miss Popularity from Benefit but could never really justify the price tag

NYFW F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty: Sexy Equestrian at Vena Cava

“The designers wanted the girls to look like they spent a day skiing and horseback riding – fresh, flushed but tanned” – Lloyd Simmonds

Get The Look...

Eyes:
M·A·C Pro Powder Blush in Taupe – Softly brushed along the crease of the eyelid
Style Predator Eye Shadow – Brushed over the whole eyelid
M·A·C Pro Shine Wax – Applied over the eye shadow on the eyelid
M·A·C Pro Lash in Black – Applied only to the upper eyelashes

Skin:
Select Cover Up Concealer – Applied to the skin as foundation
M·A·C Pro Cream Colour Base in Bronze and Mid-tone Sepia – Brushed across forehead and cheekbones for a slightly windblown effect.
M·A·C Pro Shine Wax – Applied over the Cream Colour Base across the bridge of the nose to give a dewy finish

NYFW F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty: Runway Hair at Cynthia Rowley

I love sleek or messy ponytails. I think they look effortlessly chic and sexy! That's why I fell in love with the ponytails at the Fall 2010 runway show at Cynthia Rowley! The hair was described as a sleek, natural ponytail accented with the striking contrast of an artificial colored hair extension placed off center for an added tuft of textured fringe.

The Wella Pros at Cynthia Rowley created the colorful extensions with Koleston Perfect Special Mix. The shades were used to "completely saturate the natural hair extensions with rich, vibrant, jewel-toned shades of the collection. The sophisticated nuances of the Special Mix collection allow for creativity without limits – turning any color fantasy into a reality on the runway or in real life. The multi-dimensional tones and layers reveal sensuous colors in a range of shades, while embedded with an element of surprise."

If you're daring enough to wear this look, the Wella Professional Hair Team for Cynthia Rowley suggests:

1. Sectioning hair off and working from back of the head to the front, prepare hair with Wella System Professional Ultimation hair spray for added texture and shine.

2. Create texture within each section by using a combination of a curling iron and crimping iron for non-uniform waviness.

3. Place Wella colored hair pieces that have been crimped within sections of the natural hair so that the extensions blend in seamlessly.

4. Pull the hair back into a soft ponytail at the nape of the neck with the ends flowing naturally, while allowing the streaks of color to show through for added dimension.

"Pakistani Bride" inspired

Hey everyone,

sorry for the recent lack of updating! I've been away and couldn't do any blog posts due to lack of time and opportunity. I do however have some looks prepared and will post them soon!

I also created a formspring page, so you can ask me any question on there as well! Your question does not have to be make-up related of course, but I suggest you use it if you have a question for me, rather than posting it in comments - so they're much easier to keep track of!

The inspiration for today's look came from Anis Syahirah via Facebook - she suggested a "pakistani bride" look. So I decided to do my version of a pakistani bridal look:








Product List
MAC Bare Canvas, MAC Expensive Pink, MAC Vanilla, Zoeva 88 Mattes palette, MAC Nightfish fluidline, CG Lash Blast, Maybelline kohls in black & white, lashes

AND THE PERRICONE M.D WINNER IS.....!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Perricone M.D giveaway!With no further ado...the WINNER is...hether78Congratulations! Please check your email inbox as I will be emailing you very soon!Winner was chosen using random.orgFor those of you who didn't win...keep checking back as I will be doing more giveaways in the near future!

BEAUTY BLOG LINK LOVE!

Hey everyone!Here is the latest "Beauty Blog Link Love"...lot's of interesting and informative posts from fellow bloggers :)ENJOY!--------------------Rae from theNotice shares her skincare secret to flawless, pore-free skin. Phyrra gives you an exclusive interview with Fyrinnae Cosmetics in February's Indie Spotlight. Betty's first video eye tutorial: Dragon Fruit Eye Look is now up at

BEAUTY BLENDER VS SONIA KASHUK VS SEPHORA PRECISION SPONGE!

I finally got all three! WOO HOO!You may remember that I wrote about the Sephora Precision Blender around September time, then wrote about the Sonia Kashuk at the end of the year before finally getting my mitts on the original Beauty Blender at IMATS this year!So it's high time I wrote a comparison review aye?Right I'll try to make this punchy and to the point without too much muttering and

NYFW Fall 2010: Backstage Beauty: The "Anti-Blush" Movement?

Healthy Cheeks at Marc by Marc Jacobs

"Anti-blush" at Rodarte
Backstage at the shows this week, there seemed to be a trend from what I've been reading that beauty for Fall 2010 will be the season of the "anti-blush." Quite a shock for someone who wears blush, like me.

For some makeup artists, the cheek will be about the "cheekbone." Bringing out the cheekbones will involve bringing luminousity to the skin with products that highlight and shape that area of the face.

At Rodarte, my favorite MUA, Charlotte Tilbury, mentioned that she was over the "rosy" cheek, while my other favorite MUA, Dick Page, was asked about the "anti-blush" movement for fall.

As he provided a "healthy" cheek to the models at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, he kindly gave his reply, "F*** that."

My sentiments exactly.

Photo: Style.com

ON THE GO CONTOUR KIT!

I'll admit it. I'm not really one to ever "contour". But then you see...I never really tried!Anyway...last week I received a parcel from the lovely folk at Sleek Make Up which contained one of their Face Contour Kits to try.Oooo! Exciting! Time to venture into unfamiliar ground and start sculpting some cheekbones :)The contour kit contains a "pressed powder and highlighter in one". You get one

Bronze defined eyes.

You may remember the Bronze defined eyes tutorial that I created for Karen Buglass, Fashion Director of Now Magazine.

The tutorial has just been featured on the Now magazine website. 

I know a few of you wondered what Karen looked like with the make-up on....

Here are the details of the gorgeous earrings that I wore in that tutorial.

They're £24 and from Talullah Tu. Call 020-7227 9802, visit talullahtu.co.uk or email info@talullahtu.co.uk.

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At Donna Karan

I haven't worn red lips in so long, but for the last three fashion seasons or more, more than one or two designers feature red lips in some form or another. From juicy tangerine-orangy reds to deep cranberry to warm deep brick crimson, reds will definitely be the key "accessory" to wear for the coming fall. I'm talking full-on lips--not the wimpy sheer variety.

Red lips, deep very cherry lips were evident at the Fall 2010 Donna Karan Show for New York Fashion Week. One of my makeup mentors, Charlotte Tibury, shaped the lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry and she used MAC Lip Mix in Burgundy to fill in the lip and then she topped off the look with a lip lacquer, like Nars Diablo.

With a swipe of a grayish steel blue eye shadow swept from the lower lash to the brow, note the clean and "waxy" texture of the skin. Be on the lookout for MAC Mixing Medium (coming summer 2010). Charlotte mixed this product with the foundation to give the skin a flawlessly mannequin, but realistic dewy texture.

New Spring Scent - Clinique's Limited Edition 'Happy In Bloom'

The latest new scent for spring is Clinique's Limited Edition 'Happy In Bloom', I have to the original 'Happy' is one of my favourites & just captures happiness in a gorgeous summer scent! So this new offering is set to be a hot favourite, even softer, sweeter with brighter notes from a summer garden, fresh but not to strong it lasts all day, fast becoming many a girls signature scent - get ordering though as it's only available in the spring! Available Nationwide - £23.

HELL CANDY MAKE UP 1 YEAR CONTEST WINNERS!

Hey everyone!Apologies for the delay in announcing the winners...was waiting for the boy to choose the winners for me!So without any further delay the winners for my 1 Year anniversary giveaway are as follows:FIRST PRIZE = *jules3 RUNNERS UP = 1) Aero2)Mummy Sarah3) Sofia M (noted that you accidentally posted your entry on the wrong post!)Congratulations everyone! Please could you email me your

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At L.A.M.B

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At Alexander Wang

NOTD: HAPPY VALENTINES EVERYONE!

BIG Happy Valentines to you all!I hope everyone is having/had a lovely and romantic day!I myself am sat here in bed watching X-Men on tv and feeling rather sorry for myself. Feeling a bit ill today I am..BOO.To celebrate Valentines Day I decided to do a paint job on the nails...et viola:I used OPI's "heart throb" (i think!) as the base and OPI's "Heart to Resist" which is a clear polish with

Update.

You may have noticed a distinct lack of videos from Nic of late.  The reason for this is that Nic is busy packing up her life in London and getting ready to move home.
Yes, as of the 20th Nic will be a full-time resident of our beloved hometown Norwich.

We are extremely proud of our YouTube success and to be honest we have barely put much thought or effort into it. So we figured it was time to really give something back to everyone who has supported us and made last year such a good one.
As of early March you will benefit from videos featuring both of us...at the same time!
As promised we will also be starting a series of videos for darker skin tones and we promise to make everything bigger and better.

PERRICONE M.D GIVEAWAY ENDING TOMORROW!

Just a quick post to remind you that the Perricone M.D giveaway ends tomorrow!This is a fantastic chance to win a full size bottle of their "advance face firming activator"!For more details and to enter...click here!

IT'S ABOUT TIME I DID A BLUSHER & BRONZER REVIEW EH?

One of the things I've noticed my blog is lacking is blusher and bronze reviews.I don't know why I haven't really reviewed any...I guess because I'm usually using my beloved Benetint but that's not to say I don't like my powders :)So...tonight I thought I would write a little review about Prestige cheek products.Left to right: Baked Bronze mineral powder in St Tropez, Mineralise Bronzing Powder

Erin Wasson x RVCA

From what I've read, model turned fashion designer, Erin Wasson's presentation during New York Fashion week harkened back to the nineties grunge look with her showing of slouthy tees and leggings. It was the beauty looks, I found interesting. Love the look of the soft nudy-mauve lip and lightly smoked eyes in shades of grey and the healthy cheek, but the one bushy "Frankenstein-esque" eyebrow feels forced. It's like someone wanted a look that would standout, but I think they missed the mark. Didn't see how this translated to a grunge-inspired, 70's vibe beauty look.