Beauty News Round-up

This week's round-up - starting with...

• Stop the Press! Next Friday - 10th, Emma Watson - Hermione herself, is doing a P.A. in Selfridges as part of her role as Lancome Ambassador and Face of the brand. She's there to launch her new collection of lipsticks and nail polishes called Rouge in Love and Vernis in Love respectively. Prepare to be squashed to death by screaming Harry Potter fans.
  Selfridges Oxford Street - 4.30pm. Friday 10th February.

• Origins launch Youthtopia Lift today. Designed to help skins affected by stress, age, fatigue and lack of hyaluronic acid (moi) - it uses Commiphora Mukul - a key plant ingredient used in ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years. 92% of their testers said their skin was 'lifted and firmer'. That'll do.
  My favourite part of Origins packaging? This bit:
  
  Origins products are formulated WITHOUT:
  Parabens  ● Phthalates  ● Propylene Glycol  ● Mineral Oil  ● PABA  ● Petrolatum
  Paraffin ● DEA ● Animal Ingredients (except cruelty-free honey and beeswax)
  Doesn't it look nice to see that? Youthtopia is £48.00.
  
  

• Deborah Mitchell launches her Eye version of her infamous Bee Venom Mask exclusively through NutriBeauty this week, priced at £55.00. A natural alternative to botox - she has taken the 'sting' part of the mask and added river silt - rich in  minerals, enzymes and marine collagen to feed, firm, tighten and rejuvenate. I kinda need that all over.
  

• The stunning cologne 4711 is sponsoring Matthew Williamson at LFW 2012. Frankly it's about time this unisex cult classic was put in front of people in a more pro-active manner. Never smelt it? It's citrus-y, think James Bond wears Aqua di Parma.
  Interesting sidebar: this is the first time I've linked to a wikipedia page for a product. Told you it was a classic.
  

• Also launching is Wild - a bright, bold and fresh initiative proving that Fair Trade doesn't have to be brown, dull and drab. Taking oils directly from ethically sourced and sustained suppliers from Africa, they have beautiful body butters and soaps that won't break the bank and make great gifts.
  

• Speaking of Africa - this week pureDKNY launch their latest collaboration with CARE International - an organisation that aims to empower and lift women out of global poverty. *stands up, claps*
  A Drop Of Verbena not only donates £1.00 per bottle to CARE, it sources the verbena directly from farmers in Togo to help sustain the local community. Can I get an AMEN?
  Watch this video featuring the face of DKNY Angela Lindvall for more info about the work DKNY are doing with CARE.

Good work DK peeps.

• Fast on the heels of RapidLash comes RapidBrow - the gift from the Gods for over-pluckers everywhere.

• Your eyebrows are the coat hangers for your face - if yours look like old wire hangers from the dry cleaners instead of sturdy fabulous wooden ones from Peter Jones haberdashery department (trust me), you may wanna look this up. Exclusive to Boots - £37.00
  

• Dove Spa have launched their Real Local Beauty campaign. Open to all ages and sizes you can nominate a friend or enter yourself if you fancy your chances. Prizes of up to £250 are on offer along with the chance to appear in their advertising campaigns and in the windows of Dove Spas across the country.  To enter email realbeauty@dovespa.co.uk. Entries close 17th Feb.
  

• Can we all take a minute to bow before the altar of NARS and these gorgeous previously-exclusive-to-Selfridges-now-in-SpaceNK new glosses?  He's basically giving us a super-pigmented-crack-version of his original glosses in THE most amazing, bright, beautiful colours. I suggest you go now and investigate Norma - pictured above. No I don't suggest, I HIGHLY suggest. £19.00

• Speaking of bowing, my old favourite Doctor P as usual, is at the forefront of his game and has released a Hypoallergenic Collection for those of us with sensitive skin - for whatever reason. I love this man and I trust him implicitly. No he's not cheap, but if you want cheap I suggest you go and use something for £2.00 on 3 for 2 in Boots and come back to me when your face is falling off. Yeah. That's what I thought.
  Starting with a cleanser, eye cream, peptide complex and moisturiser it is priced between £34 and £80 and is available online and on Perricone counters. Review to follow.
  

• Coach launched its latest fragrance - Poppy this week. Fruity and floral, it's the perfect escape as we get SNOW forecast. Priced from £29.00 at Debenhams, Harrods and selected stockists.
  

• Balance Me launch their skincare Try-Me kit on QVC on Sunday 5th at 6pm and 10pm. Priced at £22.50 it contains trial sizes of both cleansers, Radiance Face Oil, Moisture-Rich Face Cream, Wonder Eye Cream and Stellar Face Balm. Tune in at 6pm - it's bound to sell out.

• And finally - be careful what you wish for. Stila launching online with SpaceNK in March. HELL YEAH!

Beauty News Round-up

A little round-up of stories this week - first up...

• A reminder. Invati - the new range from Aveda that I reviewed late last year is on counters now. If you are worried about thinning hair - give it a go. I found it really good.
  
  
• FOUR London are teaming up with Daniel Sandler and offering a Consultation Evening next Thursday on 19th of January. The experts at FOUR will be giving colour consultations, Daniel will be giving MU tips and experts will be on hand from Dr Duve skincare to give you advice on how to get the best out of your skin. All with a glass of bubbles. To attend - simply email shirley at sdpr.co.uk
  

• Jo Malone announced this week that Charlotte Stockdale would be their new 'Style Editor'. In all honesty I'm not sure what a 'Style Editor' will do. Or how it will affect the brand. Very few brands are as visually strong as Jo Malone.
  I recently attended a CEW talk given by Jo herself to launch her new brand Jo Loves - during her speech she said that trying to pick which brand she loved more would be like 'trying to say which of her children she loved more'. I wonder what the original 'nose' makes of the new 'Style Editor'.
  Perhaps the original Jo Malone company (owned by Lauder since 1999) injecting newness into the range will be good for them - and good for the consumer.
  
  
• To celebrate the launch of their new counter in Harvey Nichols London - Stila are having a lipgloss amnesty 'Stila Steal' on 19th of this month. Just bring any lipgloss to the counter from 10am and they'll exchange it for a brand new 'Kitten' Lip Glaze.
  Interesting sidebar: Stila Lip Glaze is what I sold to my rudest customer ever when it was originally in Harvey Nichols in the late 90's. *waves at Naomi Campbell*
  
  

Frankly it's ABOUT TIME that Stila is back where it belongs. I could never get used to seeing it in Boots. Heartbreaking. It needs to be back in SpaceNK before I can sleep properly at night though.

Source

• Speaking of SpaceNK - lots of fabulous new ranges coming their way in the next couple of months - the most exciting for me being Kevyn Aucoin.
  It's 10 years this May since the unexpected death of one of the greatest MUA I have ever seen in action. I'm so glad his estate kept his new (at the time) range going. What better legacy? Look out for Celestial Powder and the Sensual Skin Enhancer. Hurry up and get here!

MUA of the week - Chiara Guizzetti

This week's MUA is Queen of the Catwalk Chiara Guizzetti.
You know that dream where your backstage at Chanel tending to all the top models faces while Karl Lagerfeld holds court next to you? Chiara does it in real life - and worse - makes a living out of it.. How rude.

How long have you been a MUA?
I got my PDC award in Make up in 2002 in London and did my first photoshoot straight away.
I remember being very nervous…I met the crew in South London and when I saw the photographer with the model I just wanted to run away: he previously gave me all the details about the look..except that the model had black skin (???!!!) It was quite tough but came out very well. That was my first real “lesson”.

How long have you been working in the industry?
Eight years in total. For four years alongside  Space NK, two years with Daniel Sandler Cosmetics and two years as a full-time freelance MUA.

When did you get your ‘big break’?
When I came back to live in Milan and got represented by Green Apple Italia.

 Gianfranco Ferre

What advice do you have for aspiring MUA’s trying to get into the industry?
It’s a very competitive industry, especially these days.
Be nice and people will want to work with you.
Be perseverant, eventually it will pay back.
Don’t rush things: it simply takes time.

Who has been your best client so far?
I worked with lots of lovely people…. but I have a very nice memory of working with Marie O’Riordan, former editor of Marie Claire UK. I did her make-up when she was the main judge for Britain’s Missing Top Model, she’s exquisite, very professional and I feel  so lucky to have met her and worked for her.

And your favourite job so far?
Last year in Venice for the Chanel cruise show. It was AMAZING. From to the gorgeous hotel (booked out just for us) on the Lido, to working with the world’s top models, the magic atmosphere of Venice…Watch for yourself ..here.  (Warning - this video will make you A: jealous and B: crave Chanel)

What are you currently working on/who with?
I just did a shoot for Pierre Ancy.

How many brushes do you own?
Lots. More than 50 I’d say, but I tend to use my favourites most of the time, of which there are probably about 10.

What do you consider your speciality?
My make up style is generally soft, not really into the heavy handed stuff…my strong point is a  good eye for colours.

What is your favourite brand, and why?
I like variety and to be able to choose..so I like to work with different brands: Laura Mercier for concealers, MAC and Becca for foundations, Daniel Sandler for  blushers, Dolce & Gabbana lipsticks, Stila, Kevyn Aucoin, Chantecaille, Shu Uemura, Madina Milano, Stephane Marais, Chanel.

 Donatella and Christopher Kane - like you do...

Your kit is on fire – and you can only save 5 things. What are they?
Bioderma Make up Remover
Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Emulsion
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (if you don't own this after reading all of these MUA's list it in this section you're clearly missing a trick!)
Lash Curler
Daniel Sandler Watercolour

You can follow Chiara's life on the road blog here.
And check out her amazing website here!

Make-Up Artist on Monday - Adam 'Medusa' Sidwell

This weeks MUA is Adam Sidwell aka Medusa - the International MUA for Illamasqua.

How long have you been a MUA?  
I have been involved in makeup for 10 years .

How long have you been working in the industry?
Make-up is the only work I have ever done, since I left school in 1998.

When did you get your ‘big break’?
I think my big break which changed everything for me was being asked to be the European MUA for the PussyCat Dolls in 2005.
I have been doing all of their press/magazine/TV/ and concert performances for 5 years now.

What advice do you have for aspiring MUA’s trying to get into the industry?
Don't listen to rules, rules are there to be broken! Of course its good to have basic structure of makeup (a course is good, but not always needed, I've never studied makeup!)
It's about believing in your skill and not being shy to express it in any way you want.
I hate it when I see people doing stuff only to please other people, you should never work to the constraints of others.

Who has been your best client so far?
My best client so far has to be Nicole Scherzinger.... I've worked with her for a long time, she is gracious, kind, sweet, honest and focussed.  We have a very close professional bond - she trusts me and she knows she is getting an honest opinion from me.
I refuse to be a “yes” person around people that are successful. So we have a great understanding of each other.

And your favourite job so far?
I think a defining moment for me was backstage at the Munich MTV video awards, with Nicole Scherzinger....
After her performance with Will-i-am, we partied in the “glamour pit” it was one of the best parties EVER, we were all drinking Jagerbombs and dancing the night away.
I met some amazing people that night.... One of the best feel good moments of my career... Im sure I will have many more to come!
 
What are you currently working on/who with?
PussyCat Dolls, Firetrapp, British Hairdresser of the Year Awards, Courtney Love, Redken, Vogue, Italian Vanity Fair, cassett player, Jenny Packham, Justin Oh, Zoot, And Men, Fashion Now, Jessica Stam, Wetten Darz, Schlarg Den Raab,
Golden Camera Awards. MTV  Europe, European Music Awards, NRJ Awards, Fashion Rocks.

How many brushes do you own?
I really couldn’t tell you? Mmmm about 50 I guess...
My favourite brush is the number 15 from stila, and the brow brush from Illamasqua.

What do you consider your speciality?
My speciality for make-up – for myself – is to try and make me look quite dead but with a soft damaged, tainted look.
I like to look quite hurt and vulnerable. I like to look broken and pretty.  People think gothic makeup is always scary, but my look involves a lot of skill and prettiness, yeah, I might always wear black lips, but I always maintain a soft gamime, waif-like look.
I like to make sure my looks always involve a element of couture high fashion, but with a silence to the look.

What is your favourite brand, and why?
It has to be ILLAMASQUA, I use loads of other stuff, but Illamasqua unites my deep creativeness. Its the only brand which has no rules.
It truly is a stand alone brand... No one has the deepness, the mystery, the night time, the glamorous edge that I have to be surrounded by. Illamasqua is ME.
 
Your kit is on fire – and you can only save 5 things. What are they?
Black Liquid Liner from Sleek, Black Smudge Pot by Stila, Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation in Shell, Powder Foundation 145 from Illamasqua and Static Pigment from Illamasqua.

You can read more about the lovely Adam and his work for Illamasqua here.
And contact him directly here.
And read more about Illamasqua and in particular their work for the S.O.P.H.I.E. Foundation here.