Get the Look: Shimmery Smokey Eye

I was lucky enough to shoot with the beautiful Oona Chanel a couple of years ago and I still love this look we created for her for Topshop Magazine, Topman Generation.

Here are the key products I used to create the look

I firstly applied MAC's Fluidline in 'Blacktrack' up to the crease in the eye using Tom Fords eyeshadow brush. 

I then used a clean MAC 217 brush to buff around the edges to soften the shape. 

Finally I applied MyFace Cosmetics 'Blingtones' eyeshadows in 'Black Ice', pressing it on to the lid using the Tom Ford Eyeshadow brush. 

In some of the shots I added 'Gloss Texture' by MAC to the lids, a look that is awesome for editorial work but a bit harder to pull off in your day to day life.

NAIL IT!

Autumn 2012 Nail Trends and Learn how to achieve these Fab Nails 

As nail art continues to feature as a big trend into Autumn Winter '12/'13 I asked my great buddy (and Nail Artist) Maz aka Marie Isabel aka Chelsea Dagger to tell us a bit about herself, give us the inside scoop on what to expect for the upcoming season and show us how to achieve her beautiful nails (below).

Where did you train to do nails?

I trained with the amazing Kym and Kay of Aspire to Beauty in Hertfordshire.
They have both been in the industry for over 20 years and have worked on all the best fashion shows, including Alexander McQueen. They were so down to earth, incredibly talented and a massive inspiration to me.

How long have you been doing it for?

I started playing with nail art back in 2009 when Wah Nails was popular I kept seeing these nail art designs in all the magazines, I couldn't afford to go and get my nails done and I thought.... I'm sure I could do that!
It definitely wasn't as easy as it looked, but I had a lot of fun playing with polish and painstakingly painting onto my nails before I discovered nail art pens! I even painted the London eye on my nail once... Using a toothpick!

Worked with/for any famous people and brands?

Iv been lucky enough to work with some amazing people and brands over the last few years.
One of the most fun jobs I did this summer was assisting Jenny Longworth at the Isle of White festival with Revlon.

What's your favorite job/look?

One of my favourite shoots was for Disorder magazine. I placed clear tips over the edge of the models nails to create futuristic, lady gaga style nails. Sometimes the simplest touches are the most effective. I also got really into nail piercings earlier this year and was giving everyone nail chains and charms!

What's on-trend for nails coming into a/w '12... Shape, colour, art... 

Deep shimmery brown is my favourite colour of AW12. Think of rich, leathers, coffee and chocolate. Red browns and light cardboard colours are everywhere, but the look you need is deep and luxurious. The best one I've found found so far is Essie 'Decadent Diva', it is perfect and suits all skin tones.
Iridescent colours and shimmery textures are really making a come back. Topshop does a great range. Rich shimmery oranges and greens are the best for autumn, bright creme colours are over, there is a certain shade of bright blue polish that i see everywhere and it really makes me cringe!

What are you going to demo for us? 

I'm gong to show you how to do a really simple, but effective nail art simply using dots.
I am really into simple graphics, You can achieve pretty much anything with black and white polishes, a dotting tool and a striper brush.

Anything else you'd like to add?

If you want to get into the industry the best advise I was ever given is to just practise, practise, practise. Graciously accept every opportunity that comes your way and don't take anything for granted.

1. Paint each nail a different pastel colour.
2. Use your dotting tool, or a nail art pen, with the white nail polish to paint five small dots in a semi circle at the side of the nail.
3. Using your dotting tool create another row of four dots, in above and between the first row.
4. To create smaller dots, ease off the pressure on your dotting tool and very lightly add four more polish dots to create "rays"
5. Repeat steps 2-4 on the other side of the nail.
6. Using the brush straight from the white polish, carefully place a drop of polish on the nail to create a circle.
7. Using the dotting tool or the nail art pen paint small dots around the large circle.
8. Using the technnique from the first nail, add more dots and rays.
9. On the thumb carefully use the large brush from the white polish to paint a semi circle and a circle.
10. Use your dotting tool or nail art pen to add white dots along the edge of the circle and semi circle.
11. Add more dots to create a starburst.

Play around with different combinations and sizes of dots to create fun patterns.

You can add more interest to your nail art by using the same technique to add little black dots inbetween the white dots.

You can see more of Maz's work at her website here

GET THE LOOK - NEON MATTE LINER

Let your peepers glow Neon with a little help from MAC Cosmetics

I love a bit of coloured liner, it’s a simple and effective way of achieving a strong look when pressed for time. Over the years I have tried and tested many techniques to achive this intensity of colour  in a matte formula with varying levels of success.

I have tried all sorts of pigments and mixing mediums to achieve this effect (here’s just one of many) using products from MAC Cosmetics

Liner

1. Apply Fascinating (white) Kohl Pencil as liner.
2. Using an Angled Liner Brush 266, gently pat Magenta Madness Pigment on top of the white liner.

Lashes

1. Apply Prep+Prime Lash to your top lashes
2. Mix Magenta Madness Pigment with a tiny amount of Lash Mixing Medium (or just apply dry over the wet primer) apply with a angled liner brush or a mascara wand.

Extra Tips

1. Experiment with colour and layering - you can achieve some amazing results.
2. Dont be afraid to add colour over black liner - it will often boost the colour.