LFW FUDGE for Meadham Kirchhoff - James Pecis

I never usually write too many brand/ sponsored related Fashion Week posts.. Usually because there is just not enough time in a day to get through it all and I work FW so posts will almost certainly be delayed.. just like this one! Now I had an absolute ball assisting Val Garland in NY on several shows this season.. though this year I am not in London for LFW so a little delayed in the looks that were on the runway.

I was informed of the wonderful work of James Pecis at Meadham Kirchhoff at LFW for SS13 using FUDGE hair care products.. I loved it so much I had to post it so you could all see. James is one of my favourite Session Stylist he is always exploring new shapes, colours, trends and I just love the style of his work its quirky and always fun.. 

Oh and I love Fudge products! I use them on my clients hair as well as my own and have been for several years! You can always count on this brand for great hair results!

Take a look at James Pecis creation for this show.. Makeup looks fab too!

James gives his tips on how to recreate the look at home:

1.     Prep the hair with dry shampoo to remove any grease and make it easy to style the hair.

2.     Using a tail comb, separate the front section of hair just behind the ears.  Tie the rest of your hair out of the way to make it easier to braid your hair.

3.     Using the tail comb to create an off centre zizag parting.  Start braiding the hair in a tight french plait down the right hand side of your head.  Once you get to the nape of the next, plait in the normal way and secure with a snag free plastic hair band. 

4.     Repeat the plait on the left hand side.

5.     Take the plait from the right and wrap back around the nape of the neck and tuck and pin into the left plait.  Repeat process on the left side.

6.     Next, take sections of the loose hair and spray with Matte Head Gas.  Use a thin curling wand to create tight ringlets.

7.     Pin the curls high and forward on your head with curling pins.  Gently ease the curls with your fingers to create more height, and a wispy softness to the style.

8.     Take a length of thin elastic and an upholstery needle and weave thought the curls to secure the style in place – you may need a friend to help you do this.  If an extra pair of hands is not available you can secure the style in place with hair grips.

9.     Finish with a good mist of hairspray such as Fudge’s Sky Scraper to hold the style in place.

Thanks y'all for reading.

FRONT COVER and fashion spread for Four Seasons Hotels

I had such a great time working with this team creating the Front Cover and Fashion Spread for this issue of Four Seasons hotels magazine... Long days to get enough for 16 pages! but well worth it. I did the Hair and Makeup for this shoot and am extremely happy with the outcome. Look out for my work in the (hardcopy) Four Seasons magazine in all hotels globally and also online!

Anyone interested in taking a look at what goes on behind the scenes.. Check out this link below. x

https://vimeo.com/49460373

Check out some screenshots of the Front Cover and fashion spread.. :)

For a bit of luxury.. Check out there locations around the globe.. 

http://www.fourseasons.com/

xx

APIVITA

In 1979 Apivita was born.. Apivita is currently stocked in 11 countries, USA being one of them. I just spent the last 6 years in UK and have recently relocated to LA and am enjoying getting to know brands I have never used before. Apivita were kind enough to send me a selection of samples to try out. Here's how I got on..

Before I ramble on make sure to check out http://www.apivita.com/ for all products.. I spent ages scrolling through there ingredients dictionary. I just love when brands share info of what is being used in each product.. I love learning about the benefits and what you can gain out of a single bottle of product. Check this out here.. http://www.apivita.com/usa/ouringredients.html/

Something I learnt from the ingredient list.. 

"Marshmallow soothes sore throat and relieves cough."

I tried and tested the Express masks and loved these..

My two favourites..

Apivita Express Gold with Prickly Pear $7 for 2 sachets

Apply an even layer on a cleansed face avoiding the eye area. leave mask on for ten mins then rinse off with water. Best used 1-2 times per week.. 

Contains Prickly Pear, Chamomile, Lavender Essential Oil, Shea Butter.. etc

Lavender soothes irritations and is super duper relaxing. Prickly Pear is used to hydrate and moisturise. My skin felt gorgeous and fresh as well as hydrated. I tend to love anything with Lavender in it.

Apivita Express Beauty with Pink Clay Gentle Cleansing Mask $5 for 2 sachets

This particular product is great for anyone with pore concerns. Ideal for normal, sensitive and dry skin. Use same directions as above. my skin felt more taut, crispy clean and rejuvenated.

Pink Clay and Honey are two of many wonderful ingredients. Honey is rich in vitamins, has antibacterial properties as well as healing properties. Pink Clay works wonders on cleansing your skin and is a mild exfoliator.

xx

NEW CONAIR Ceramic Flat Iron

NEW Infiniti Pro by CONAIR 

1 inch Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

My hair is curly, unruly, dry, red and quite frankly annoying at times.. but I love her! She makes for the ultimate straightener test! Conair have a NEW Ceramic Flat Iron out which left me with slick, straight, shiny and frizz free hair. :)

This is what it looks like on the shelves. x

The 1 inch is perfect for men and women.. I even use on bangs for a quick blow dried looking finish. The longer plates allow for wider sections to be heated and styled. It takes only 15 seconds to heat up and has several heat settings, the highest reaching 455'F! So not only can you choose the right heat for your hair type but it is ideal for hairstylists and makeup artists too.. Every client has a different head of hair and sensitivities which requires different settings to be used every time with just a switch of a button. Just remember to keep your hair healthy you don't want to use to much heat on your hair.. So general rule for fine/thin hair keep on lower settings.. for thicker and more stubborn hair.. crank it up to one of the higher settings.

Easy to use and  completely affordable.. Invest in one of these and save your self the salon costs.

This baby has an auto off which is safe for when working with clients or even at home. Get creative and try using the Flat Iron for curls, waves and even crimping. There are so many looks you can create with just the one tool. 

The box comes complete with with an Argan Oil too.. which helps to strengthen your hair, condition and help with frizz and static. Some hair may need more then others.. The Argan Oil can be applied on wet or dry hair.. Try both and see which suits best for you. I prefer applying it after I have straightened  on dry hair before any styling products (hairspray etc).. This helps with any frizz and calms any wild strays.

$39.99 Sold Nationwide

Check out other products at this link.. www.conair.com

Missha

Missha

I just got back from NYFW and was so grateful to be assisting the very talented Makeup Artist Val Garland! The sponsor for one of the shows I worked on (Behnaz Sarafpour) were Missha.. (a brand I had never heard of). I absolutely adored the products and must share with you some of my fav pics!! 

After chatting with other beauty guru's I found out Missha are known for there fabulous primers and BB creams. This is  there BB Boomer a product that helps to increase duration of Makeup longevity. Leaves a radiant glow and a dewy sheen. Helos to brighten and helps with wrinkle repair too! $24.99

My fav pics.. Such cute packaging too! Make sure to check out the other products! They have so much on offer and great products to suit all. Really impressed with the payoff. Sold across the globe.. Really keen to try some of there other  products. All these have gone straight to my makeup kit!
http://www.misshaus.com

So beautiful!! Absolutely love this cute design for a compact.. And the eyeshadows are  just so silky smooth!  A little really does go a long way! I love this colour combo too.. you can create quite a few looks with this compact. This is the Signature Velvet Art shadow. No.11 Pastel Combination. $22.99

M Perfect Cover BB Cream spf $29.99
Great foundations are hard to find!!! Miisha offers great colours and this particular leaves a gorgeous  finish. Spreads over beautifully with a light coverage. I used this also as a concealer by building product with finger. I LOVED THIS. I like the packaging, pumps out and stays clean.

I don't think I have ever seen a vibrating Mascara! I like this just for being unique!
M Signature Vibrating Mascara $25.99 
Can use as regular mascara or press on' for vibrate to create more intense curl and volume. Must get right at root for this to be effective. Actual mascara consistency is great. So many wonderful products in this range

 x

Herver Leger NYFW!!!

Day 3.. I was so lucky to be chosen for Val Garlands team for the Herve Leger show.. What a beautiful collection for SS13 NYFW.. Absolutely stunning show!!

Temptu were the makeup sponsor.. so we airbrushed the girls face and bodies for a gorgeous sheen and used the highlight pod to complement the girls.

The hair was absolutely stunning and just perfect for the collection, the makeup, the show.. Great hair team!

Just beautiful!

Clean braids framing the girls face.. 

Show was held at The Lincoln Center NYC

Moments before the show began.. final touch ups for all the girls.. Nice moisturised legs with a nice highlighter  to give that ultimate finish

Manic.. Press backstage.. 

Flawless skin, some contouring, healthy lip and natural balm.

I had so much fun on the makeup team.. x

Sneak Peek Behind The Scenes at NYFW SS13

I assisted the amazing Val Garland for Streetes again on Day 2 of NYFW for Behnaz Sarafpour...

Here's what it looked like backstage..

Literally as the show was taking place.. Took place in The Jane Hotel.. Ballroom.. Beautiful setting!

Look was very painterly. Gorgeous skin, white eyeliner on bottom inner rim,  light flush of colour, no mascara, lots of powder for matte finish. Elegant and polished.

Makeup, Models, Press everywhere!!!

http://www.behnazsarafpour.com/

Come backstage Day 1, NYFW BCBGMAXAZARIA

NYFW.. SS13 

I assisted the wonderful VAL GARLAND on several shows this season.. 

Come backstage with me.. x

We were all kitted out with Temptu's Airbrush System and all the pods we could possibly need.. The look was elegantly natural. With a barely there finish on the face, a dark black eyeliner melted in to the lashline on top and bottom, gentle pink lip and slight bit of contouring and some highlighter on the cheek bones. I really loved using the airbush system and thought the illuminating highlighter that comes as a pod that easy just snaps in to tool was absolutely lovely. The foundation pods can be used for a barely there look and just go in closer with the tool for any cover ups you may need... For extra cover I used Temptu concealer Palette before spraying. beautiful look.

One of my models.. Hair complete.. (From memory sponsor was Bumble and Bumble..) hair team did a great job.

Chaos in the Makeup room before the show.

Makeup Look.

A model I made up for the show.. Absolutely stunning this girl. Gorgeous dress too.

So easy to use.. Airbrush system.. Just pop in the pod and start spraying for a flawless finish.

On stage.

Model board.

In makeup.

Seconds before the show..

Pre NYFW

I am off to NYFW tomorrow for a bit of Makeup Magic.. It will be good bye LA and hello NY! Packing and prepping today.. and side tracking and blogging..

Some of my fave Makeup looks from past seasons..

NYFW

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

Viktor & Rolf Paris Fashion Week

Love the hair..

Chat to you all when I am back..xx

Arm & Hammer Oral Care Products

Arm & Hammer 

We often forget that a bright, white smile is a huge part of our beauty regime, whether we like it or not!

As I have recently moved from London to LA I have been forced to try new products, and hugely enjoying the american brands that I have been testing out. Arm & Hammer is a toothpaste I have been introduced to here in the USA and products are also sold in the UK.  For over 150 years the brand has been known and leading toothpaste for using a natural ingredient.. Baking Soda! I have been using there products for the past couple weeks and here's how I got on..

From Left to Right..

Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster (clinically proven to whiten in just one week)

Absolutely loved this. Really easy and fast.. I had another brand of toothpaste to finish off so this product worked perfect in addition. It is a whitening booster that must be used with toothpaste and not on its own to work its magic. Brush as normal twice a day and simply add the same amount of the booster on top of your toothpaste. My teeth looked whiter from just one brush! After a week the brushing looked brighter and is so affordable! Contains Peroxide the same ingredient that dentists use for whitening!

Arm & Hammer SpinBrush

I have opted for soft to suit my teeth (I usually go for soft or medium). Every 3 months I change my brush and decided this time to try this along with the toothpaste. It is a dual action brush head operated by battery. I was worried that it would be too rough but the brush was nice and great for sensitive teeth. They do kids spinbrushes that have tunes playing while you brush! I think that is a such a fun and clever idea.

Arm & Hammer Advance White 

This one does have a minty flavor though because of the baking Soda and peroxide for the whitening effects it can taste a little salty.. But after a few days of using I got used to it.. I loved this and really saw a difference. Was simple and is cheap! Left me feeling cleaner and whiter!

Check out some more of there products..

http://www.armandhammer.com/