I heart NYC

Besides the incredible amount of creativity it contains, including this which is a mind blowing must see...

The endlessly inspiring fashion and street art...

The most super fun form of public transport...

And the most enjoyable way ever to spend a weekend, here and here...

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I never fail to uncover some major make-up gems that find their way to the very top of my beauty routine or my set bag and here are a few worth trying out.

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Sensual Skin Enhancer (silly name) from the late, great Kevyn Aucoin is truly the wonder base product I have been searching for,  It is a super creamy multiple product working as a foundation, a blemish concealer and an under eye highlighter providing astounding results.  I find you get the best out of it if you work it into your skin with your fingers, it comes in sixteen shades and is available here in the UK for £36.00 and here in the US for about $56.00.  It's a tiny pot but it goes a very long way and is perfect for a little enhancement as opposed to a full coverage base.

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Doctors Dermalogic Formula - DDF, Ultra lite oil free moisturising dew (long name) is exactly what is says on the label, it's super light but seems to keep my skin hydrated all day and make-up can be applied almost straight after using it. If you have sensitive skin and are searching for a great summer moisturiser give this a go.  Available here for $40.00

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Finally Fresh Cannabis Santal (controversial name, ha!) is absolutely delicious,  it is marketed as a mens fragrance however I found it to be sexy and sultry and seemingly perfect for NYC.  With top notes of Bergamot and Brazilian Orange, heart notes of Cannabis Accord (no it doesn't smell anything like that) and rose and base notes of Chocolate, Vetiver and Vanilla it is simply delicious.

I always find New York City a constant source of inspiration and this time round was certainly no exception.

Setting the tone...The Coral

1) Another gorgeous interiors inspiration via pinterest.

2) A wardrobe staple from Alexander McQueen. Found here.

3) Stunning and pretty expensive 'The Coral Reef' eye palette from Chantecaille.  Found at my favourite store.

4) Very cute leather and chain Clutch bag or make up bag from ASOS.

5) Essie nail polish in California Coral.  Perfect for the up coming summer months.

6) Coralista from Benefit, a beachy blush colour suitable for a huge variety of skin tones.

7) Insanely sexy leather trousers, I love these babies!

8) Summer is on it's way, very cliche but it's time to get my run on! These Nikes will be perfect.

9) Cute coral pillow found here on Etsy, because buying real coral is so bad for our planet.

Weekend

Phew, the end is in sight of the most insanely busy week.  Just before I dash off to continue the birthday celebrations (i'm really stretching this one out!), I thought I would leave you with some vintage Chanel eye candy!

Have a productive weekend guys!

I Beweave...

She has been around for a while now but I have only just had the pleasure of being introduced to Shocantelle Brown.  I will never dress out wigs or weaves again without thinking of her!

Setting the tone...Heathers

1) Heathers on DVD, if you haven't seen this film with Winona Ryder and I insist you watch it this weekend for some 80's bad girl brilliance. Available here.

2) Chic 80's inspired interior, with a stunning Yves Klein blue coffee table centrepiece (via unknown, do you?)

3) Fekkai - Extra body mousse, $25.00 (£16.00) for some big hair so you can be in the Heathers gang (if you're brave enough)
4) Turn your iPhone into an old school walkman, Yeah! $10.99 (£7.00)
5) Be as sartorially risky as Veronica Sawyer, get rid of your glasses and rock a monocle from now on! (Or not, this is a just cute necklace found on etsy here).
6) A fresh take on 80's style - Preen Line - Pie Crust chambray skirt £410.00 ($648.00)
7) School hall appropriate manicure by Essie - Picking up the pieces £7.95 ($12.500 approximately.
8) Channel Veronica with this gorgeous bowler hat from ASOS £20.00 ($31.00)
9) For bright yet wearable colour try Revlon's new lip stains - Just Bitten In Flame, these last for hours, don't smudge and give a very sheer coverage. 


Have a great weekend being bad with your gang!

Golden

Make-up Artist Peter Philips referred to the look he created for the Fendi show in Milan as "a game of textures" which it was indeed.  By opposing the strong black kohl liner on the top lash line with shiny gold leaf pressed into the eyelid all the way up and over the brow the models exuded both vintage femininity and super modern strength.  

Gold leaf is such a beautiful yet very very tricky medium to work with.  If you do decide to give something like this a go (perhaps as just a gesture and not all the way up over the brows ok, Ga Ga!), I recommend using eyelash glue that has all but dried on the skin and a very clean soft brush to lift the leaf out of the book or the pot it comes in to apply because that stuff has a life of it's own.  This look requires a very steady hand!

(How gold leaf is traditionally bought)

The product below will give you a gilt effect, not quite as golden and shiny (of course its not actual gold) but really effective all the same.  It's one of the closest things I have found to a pure gold in a make-up specific product, also perfect for body painting and for use in your hair depending on your wild ideas.  Using this is not difficult, time consuming or expensive, and this pot is only £5.00 ($8.50).

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This is the type of thing you can achieve with the Fardel water colour cream, pretty awesome huh?

This is the type of thing you could not achieve with the Fardel water colour cream, although for a purse it is very golden and very make-upy' and equally awesome don't you think? Lulu Guinness is an eccentric accessories designer known for her quirky aesthetic and you can find this here.

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And for the luxe obsessed out there or for anyone who has had a total disaster trying to recreate the Fendi magic on their eyelids, just stick it all over a batch of brownies to make them look a million dollars and eat it! (of course you have to make sure the type of leaf you bought is edible). Mmmmmm.

Purrr...

If pretty packaging is your thing, then feast your eyes on this little selection of kitsch delights! Paul & Joe is a fabulous French fashion label with a history dating back 17 years, and this is their beauty range.  The Spring/Summer 2012 collection is cat crazy!

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Oh Gosh, the lipsticks...the lipsticks.  Not only are the prints on the packaging inspiring but the cuteness of the cat shaped colour itself is enough for me to show them off but never share!  These will definitely escape being chopped up and pressed into a palette.

Pucker Up

Happy Valentines Day

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Very sexy Chanel - Rouge Allure, Extrait de gloss £23.50 ($37.00)

Hidden Gem

Body painting is not something I have ever been particularly fond of.  However, when it is done properly and I mean REALLY properly it can conjure up extremely provocative results.  Peruvian photographer Cecilia Paredes has clearly collaborated with a master of this art for her collection of self portraits.

Incredible make-up work don't you think?

Setting the tone...Grey Skies

1) Carnaby Street - London in it's heyday during fabulous swinging sixties. (image source unknown)

2) Grey but definitely not gloomy interior inspiration from Elle decoration.  I love the dark ceiling.

3) Killer heels from the intimidatingly talented Alexander Wang £485.00 ($770.00) from here.

4) Bargain brilliant nail polish in Grey, only £2.99 ($4.75) from Barry M.  These polishes are superb.

5) This mascara will give you lashes for days! one of my 'go to' products in my kit, Diorshow New look £23.00 ($38.00)

6) Foil printed jumper, shiny enough to brighten up even the greyest day (you'd hope!), £45.00 from Miss Selfridge

7) Bobbi Brown always makes the most wearable palettes and this one is no exception. Smoking.

8) Dark and Moody towels from Anthropologie £6.00 ($9.50) - £28.00 ($45.00)

9) These have been around for a while but I will never get over how gorgeous they are, A Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde, 

    cover illustration by Coralie Bickford-Smith, available here, Suitably sombre for a currently very grey London Town!

Emmanuelle Alt

To celebrate the re-launch of Vogue.fr Emmanuelle Alt, Editor in Chief,  with the help of a few beautiful staff members and a sprinkling of model beauties has recreated Wham's party classic 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go".  It. Is. Fabulous.

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First Impressions

When you work as a freelancer you represent your business and first impressions definitely count.  I love these inspired business cards from three different hairstylists.  

Wouldn't you be intrigued to find out a little more about these guys?

Setting the tone...Charlie Brown

1) The charming Charlie Brown as created by the genius Charles M. Schultz.

2) Bright and beautiful interior inspiration, Image via an unknown source.

3) Very appropriate Charlie Brown-esque clutch bag found on Etsy here ($32.90)

4) Gorgeous Illamasqua Nail Lacquer in Rare (£13.50).

5)  An essential brush to add to your collection, this version is - Bobbi brown foundation brush (£31.00).

6) Shu Uemura Skin Purifier, Cleansing oil, a refreshing way to wash the day from your face (£28.00). 

7) Brogues found here, for a little Peanuts chic.

8) MAC eyeshadow in three ring yellow.

9) The essential 60th Anniversary Peanuts Hardback a must for any Snoopy fan, found here.