Elizabeth Taylor

This week saw the passing of a hollywood legend.
Sometimes her turbulent private life took centre stage and over the years perhaps many have forgetten or don't even realise what a brilliant woman she was.
Not only was Elizabeth Taylor an exceptionally good actress (winning two Academy Awards) she also spent decades as a social activist, championing the cause of AIDS awareness, research and cure. In those years she helped to raise more than $100 million to fight the disease.

Crystal Renn Inspiration

This is the shoot I used for inspiration for my recent Crystal Renn Tutorial.

Rome

After working away from home for a while it has completely slipped my mind to post all the deets on my recent trip to Rome.
I have been to lots of beautiful cities but none that took my breath away quite like Rome. The history is everywhere,  you don't even have to look for it, it finds you. Walking down any street, you turn a corner and you see the most amazing historical buildings.

Trevi Fountain

Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum

Pantheon

Vatican

This is the amazing apartment we stayed in.  This apartment was used in last years Britain's Next Top Model.

Questions and Answers from Make-up Artist Maggie Hunt

If I could have a pound for every time someone asked me why I became a make up artist I would probably have about £30.... Ok, so I wouldn’t be rich but £30 is better than nothing. 

Both Sam and I were inspired to become make-up artists by Maggie Hunt, who also happens to be our auntie (handy).

So I decided to ask my Auntie Maggie a few questions about her life as a make up artist. 

BIOGRAPHY

MAGGIE HUNT is a leading name in the fashion and beauty industry, working with top photographers like David Bailey, Terry O’Neill, Lord Snowdon and directors such as Gerard de Thame, Joe Pykta and Tony Kaye.  Maggie’s make-up has appeared on covers including Vogue, Harpers, Tatler, Brides, Elle, Cosmo, Company, The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph.  

This is just a few of the high profile people Maggie has worked with.

The (late and great) Princess of Wales.                                      

HRH The Prince of Wales 

Gillian Anderson

Kate Beckinsale

Honor Blackman                                  

David Bowie

Pierce Brosnan

Shakira Caine

Naomi Campbell

Belinda Carlisle

Julie Christie

Abigail Clancy

Simon Cowell

Cindy Crawford

Dame Judi Drench

Agness Deyn

Paul & Linda McCartney 

Janet Jackson

Check out Maggie’s website for more info and images; www.Maggiehunt.net

Maggie Hunt Questions and Answers. 

1.How many years have you been a make up artist for?

I’ve been a make-up artist for 30 years yet I’m still as passionate about it now as I was at the beginning of my career.

2. How did you get into make up?

I became a fashion model in the sixties. I was truly inspired by the make-up of the swinging sixties and models such as Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy; I could relate to these young and successful girls.  During this period most photographic shoots did not include a make-up artist, hairdresser or stylist so I was required to be a ‘Jack of all Trades’.  Make-up changed dramatically from big wide eyes and pale lips to dark eyes and dark lips (Biba inspired).  Then the feeling moved on to romantic and then punk.  It was around the punk era that I decided to put my creative flair to good use but I wanted to do it properly as you are only given one chance, so make-up school was on the cards for me. 

3. What has been your best job to date?

It is not so much what I perceive to be my best job but the perception of others, so in this case I would have to say having done the make-up of The Princess of Wales and HRH The Prince of Wales for their official engagement photographs shot by Lord Snowdon which where used globally on and in every magazine plus postage stamps.

4. Can you tell us 5 of your favorite products and why you love them?

I would prefer to say that without the use of great make-up brushes you can not achieve glorious make-up. With the use of my choice of brushes I'm able to create beautiful make-up, with all make-up, irrespective of price.

Maggie Hunt Make-up brushes at www.maggiehunt.net

5. Who/What inspires you?

I'm mostly inspired by photographers and their work rather than catwalk make-up but I'm also influenced by films and pop videos.

To name but a few these are some great photographers whose work has inspired me over the years - Steven Miesel, Guy Bourdin, Paolo Roversi, Helmut Newton, Sarah Moon, Barry Lategan, Nick Knight.

Great make-up artists that I have admired over the years - Barbara Daly, Francois Nars, Serge Lutens, Pat McGrath.

                                            

              

6. Who is the nicest person you have worked with?
I do like Paul McCartney and Sarah, The Duchess of York as they are both kind and genuine people but I also work with some really nice models too. 

7. How did you get so successful?

It is a combination of many different qualities and not just creativity.As a model I watched many talented make-up artists work and I also watched many untalented make-up artists work so I was able to compare and understand the different emotions a model and myself included would go through with the application of amazing make-up and ugly make-up.  So I knew my aim was not just to please myself but also to please the person I was making up.  Yet, it isn’t only that, to success you need to be liked and wanted because of your talent, professionalism, dedication, hard work, self-belief, organization, modesty, kindness and these qualities cannot be learnt; methods can be taught, products can be brought but the rest is down to your personality.

8.What do you think is the most difficult thing to do as a make up artist?

There is not much that I’m fazed by as a make-up artist and I love going out of my comfort zone to create looks that I’m truly proud.  However the realms of make-up are very broad and I do not venture into an area that I do not cover such as prosthetics. 

9. What do you think about your nieces following in your footsteps?

 I feel honored that my nieces have wanted to follow in my footsteps; they have the perfect attitude and on top of that they have captured a market which has propelled them into an area that was untouched until now. Although they are both still young they have many years of experience, which has built them into who they are today. Samantha and Nicola are focused on succeeding and with their determination and hard working ethics they will arrive and that pleases me. my sister (their mum) and all the family, which gives encouragement to the younger members of the family and hopefully to all those trying to make it in the world today.

10. Have you got any advise for people starting out?

It doesn’t happen over night, never give up learning, confidence is good, arrogance is not, live and breath make-up, patience is a virtue and dedication is paramount. 

Posted by Nic

Illamasqua - Art of Darkness

Illamasqua's Art of Darkness collection is full of intense, rich, dark, autumnal colours just as the name would suggest.
There is a real buzz about this collection and future collections as Illamasqua have appointed David Horne (previously of Jemma Kidd and MAC) as Director of Product Development. With Alex Box's creativity and David's attention to detail this may mark a new period for the company.

I chatted to David about what the future holds for PD at Illamasqua.

"Illamasqua has always been cultivated with professional quality pigmented make-up product at the core of the brand, and now as the company moves forward with our exciting first UK flagship store and School of Make-Up Art the creative and technical challenges are as ever continuous and vast.

Product efficacy is at the heart of Professional Make-Up Artistry and to the Illamasqua brand, and the process is underway to deliver even more continuous improvements to product being developed as we endeavor to respond to product feedback, listen to our customers, and communicate with our suppliers to push our creative vision and expand their capacity to achieve colour results we strive for.

We are a brand that is responsive, not complacent like other cosmetic industry brands. We have a responsibility to position and offer the unusual.

Never colour cautious.

We acknowledge we have not always got everything 'pigment perfect' in our evolution, not always possible in a business driven by pigments that can become variable. However when we are not able to be satisfied with a product we go back to supplier production and strive further to mutually get the result we initiated.

Our product development direction has quality assurance at the forefront of its agenda and we are assessing our products item by item and shade by shade to respond with an dynamic inspirational range to inspire the artists which make professional make-up art so creative. This is not an overnight process but one, which will position us to offer you exciting kit pieces for your delectation.

Thank you everyone for your continued support, it is that candid product passion which drives us to deliver the results team by team as we move forward and evolve as a brand".
David Horne, Director Product Development & School of Make-Up Art

Some of my favourite books

These are just a few of my of the books that I love.

1. David Lachapelle - Heaven to Hell
2. Model as Muse - The Model as Muse Embodying Fashion
3. NARS - Make Up your Mind
4. Helmet Newton - A Gun for Hire
5. VOGUE - People in Vogue
6. EDIE - Girl on Fire
7. TASCHENS - 1000 Pin-up Girls

Reviews coming soon.

Nic xx

Corinne Day 1965 - August 28, 2010

Corinne Day was arguably one of the most influential photographers of the 90s.


Working with a young Kate Moss on a fashion story for The Face magazine titled 'The 3rd Summer of Love,' which was published in July 1990 and later (1993) on the British Vogue cover story (opposite) the images would define the 'Waif' look and spark the 'Heroin chic' movement.


The imperfect and voyeuristic feel of the images that Corinne Day produced were in stark contrast to the perfectly made up supermodels and photography of the time, paving the way for the documentary style photography that became synonymous with the late nineties and beyond.

iPhone picture log - Pixiwoo make-up course

A massive thank you to all those who attended our recent make-up courses. I feel like I have made so many new friends. I am busy uploading all the pictures that Nic and I took to my Facebook, as promised.

Don't be strangers. x

Make-up Mavericks

Even though make-up artists are responsible for the execution of most of the looks that these celebrities wear, for me it is the strength of personality behind the make-up that really makes them look so dynamic.

Few people wear strong make-up with this amount of confidence.