Tux Deluxe - Make-up & Post by Eli Wakamatsu

This sleek and androgynous tuxedo story was shot in both black and white, as well as colour on the day by Italian photographer Max Cadelli. It is always so much fun shooting with him.

Both versions of the story were strong but I am loving the black and white featured in Marie Claire's March issue.

We had a very sexy sports car for our gorgeous model Maxime from Models 1 to use as a prop.

I worked the skin to be sheer but slightly iridescent so it keeps it's  natural texture in the photo by using Chanel's Hydra Beauty Skincare Range. I also worked with shading tones to build the shape of her face for it's  

cool urban 'no make-up' look.

I paid most attention to the eyebrow for this look. I know I've mentioned it before and I'm sure I'll mention it again, but I love the Chanel eyebrow kit and I recommend it to everybody. 

I hope you enjoy the story as much as we did putting it together.

See the full story here.

Once in a Lifetime Trip - by Eli Wakamatsu

Every now and then, I am so grateful for being a make up artist as I get to travel to amazing places for shoots, and this trip for Marie Claire UK was certainly a 'once in the life time' experience, travelling in style, shooting in and on the Eastern Oriental Express train as the train runs between Bangkok to Singapore over 4 days and 3 nights.

The first shot on the first day before the train's departure was in the tropical squall showering and cooling down the heat, which gave us a fabulous start of this dramatic story in full swing ! Good job we love some drama !

Marie Claire Fashion editor Sarah Christie and I took local taxi back  after dinner in Bangkok.

We got on the train in Bangkok with such excitement, checked into our individual cosy an suite rooms, which are turned into bedrooms for the night as we had our delicious dinner in the infamous dinning carriage. When I came back from the dinner, the seat in my room was turned into a comfy bed with crisp luxury linen like this.

On the second day, we got off the train near the River Kwai and spent the day  shooting around the river, sometimes on the boat like this one below.

As the train enters Malaysia from Thailand, there is a tranquil view of lush vegetation, Rice fields and steamy  mountains on horizon wrapped me with tropical Asian moisture air   .. Bliss..

Model Leah wore LE VERNIS Chanel Nail colour 637 MALICE,  Chanel LONG WEAR LUMINOUS EYESHADOW 817 APPARENCE, Chanel ROUGE ALLURE VELVET LIPSTIK 307 L'IMPATIENTE and Chanel ILLUMINUS POWDER

See the full story here.

Follow Eli on Twitter here.

Fragrance Exclusives at BeautyMART - by Eli Wakamatsu

Scent is the most powerful of the senses we have, it is directly connected with our memories, emotions, sexuality etc..
Smelling a certain fragrance can signal a treasured memory in us. Our sense of smell plays a crucial role in our emotional well-being in this rapidly changing and chaotic world.

Here are some fragrances which are only available at new concept shop, BeautyMART in UK, where Millie Kendall and Anna-Marie Solowij, two of the beauty industry's experts carefully selected to be a part of their edit.

Why not drop by and experience these scents for yourself !


Japanese room fragrance 'DEICA'

For centuries people in Japan have cultivated an appreciation for fragrance, using it to focus and elevate their thoughts and senses. It is always strongly associated with creating atmosphere according to the seasons and the sense of beauty.



It is interesting that perfume sales in Japan are miniscule compared to the West as for them, fragrance has a strong connection with social, cognitive, psychological, physiological domains and human performance. Thus, the Japanese room fragrance 'DEICA', pays special attention to their ingredients which mostly grow in their own herb garden, creating special scents in the form of a diffuser and room spray (£45.00 for 480ml in 3 scents: 'Reve', 'L'Argent' and 'Dream'.


The aroma diffuser in 3 scents with beautiful flowers (£75.00)

'Liberte'　180ml

'Beaute' 180ml

'Lamour'　180ml

Water perfume : I Hate Perfume 

This perfume uses no alcohol which evaporates quickly, dries the skin & hair and is highly flammable.  

The creator of the brand CB says that 'Oil & water are what the skin naturally needs to hold fragrance the longest ' CB initially started to blend perfume at Keihls which I love the scents of, and it's shows in unique and  impossible to mass-produce scents with fine ingredients.

5 special scents are available at BeautyMART (£75.00)
at-the-beach-1966
the-fir-tree
mr.-hulots-holiday
russian-caravan-tea
patchouli-empire

The LAGUDA
15ml £35.00

The LAGUDA is cultural and geographical alchemy: the scents of here and there. Bright and effusive bergamot, orange tree and spearmint are tempered by rosewood and jasmine, diffused by the warmth of sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli.
LAGUDA is exotic, multi-cultural, for any gender, Conceived by editorial hairdresser Ayo Laguda and realised by award-winning perfumer designer Azzi Glasser,



LURK PERFUMEOILS £42.00 each

From Soho NY, This natural perfume oil is hand blended and poured using only pure essential oils in a base of organic jojoba. No water or alcohol is used in perfume oil concentrates. It's uses no chemical preservatives, stabilisers or additives either.
It is in the handy little bottle which fits in your bag very nicely.

5 signature scents are exclusively available at BeautyMART in UK

• PRJV1
• AS01
• BS003
• RSW005
• TBPV1

BeautyMART by Eli Wakamatsu

At last a saviour in the massive sea of the beauty world has opened !

Have you ever felt lost or overwhelmed in the sea of beauty products, not sure what to choose, can't make up your mind what is best for you.. all because there are so many products and so much publicity out   there all trying to convince you.. trying really really hard...after all it is their job to do so.

If so, I suggest you go to the newly opened BeautyMART! On the 3rd floor of Harvey Nichols.

It is on the fashion floor, away from chaos of the street, here in the fashion floor, you can shop beauty goods in the same relaxed style as you shop for your special fashion items.

The BeautyMART is all about the 'EDIT', editorial style shopping for the best beauty products edited by two experts of the industry.

I mean experts you can really trust ! They are  Independent advisers.

Anna Marie Solowij, World renowned beauty editor and Millie Kendall, Beauty PR who is responsible for the introduction of so many successful brands in UK and the world, are responsible of launching the BeautyMART.

They offer the best and most exciting beauty selection for you from mass to niche, for men to teenage, anti-age skin care to hair care, perfume to pregnant skin care, nail care to scented candle... for all.

There is no hierarchy in the BeautyMART in their selection or clientele, all needs are met and treated with their approval...The way forward.

Here are some of my favourite products on sale at BeautyMART which you can try and take home with you !

Pretty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion - By far the best leg and body make up I ever seen, it is for red carpet legs and body !

Magic Velcro tape for placing Fringe in the right place.

KAHINA 100% ORGANIC ARGAN OIL.

This pure and best quality ARTISAN argan oil which is extremely rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants is from the nut of the argan tree. The oil is extracted by Berber women's coop, the indigenous people of  North Africa in the sustainable and ethical way to deliver to us an ancient beauty secret. Read more about it here http://kahina-givingbeauty.com

Face Stockholm Picture Perfect Foundation, and Corrective Concealer, Tinted Mineral Moisturiser

I am so impressed with the quality of these products. It has incredible texture and coverage which glide and spread beautifully to skin without appearing too dry or oily  with impeccable colour matching.

Jurlique biodynamic (Haute couture of organic farming ) and organic sanitiser for your hands. This item is placed throughout BeautyMART counters so you can keep your hands clean while browsing.

I love this product so much and always have this in my make up kit.

  

There is so many other I would like to mention, so Look out for the  part 2 of  my favourites from the BeautyMART soon !

Follow Eli on Twitter here and BeautyMART here.

'My first Strip Bar experience !' in the Topshop Beauty Rooms - By Eli Wakamatsu

I went to the Re-launch of the Topshop Beauty Floor yesterday. Even through it was almost evening, Topshop was buzzing with people and atmosphere as if it was midday on a weekend, and I was invited into the closed off section of Topshop Beauty Floor in the-2.

The area offers all sorts of beauty treatments under one roof with perfection, fashion-forward style, and at an affordable cost. 

It really is the ultimate beauty destination in Central London. There is Tattoos and Piercing, Bleaching, Manicures and Pedicures, Waxing and Eyebrows and a Blow Dry Bar.

In Hershesons Blow dry bar, You can choose your desired style from the photos on the wall. You will be washed and styled in just 30 minutes and ready to go. What a great idea!

You can see the selection on their website tells you how long it'll take, together with short and beautiful video of the style and you can  also book your appointment !

I try the stip waxing at the Stripbar for the first time in my life ! I know some of you do this regularly and I get to hear educational stories from models I work with about this all the time but I never done it for myself, so I thought I'll have a go. An experienced and friendly therapist named Alison immediately made me confortable in the boutique, hotel-like room and answered all my questions about it.

It was a wonderful treat, and now has me hooked, I'll be back for regular visits now.

Here in the Stripbar, they do all waxing for men and women, Spray tans, and a tailor-made eyebrow called 'HD eyebrow'. I can highly recommend them for their hygiene, high standard and quality service. I did my patch test for my HD eyebrow so that I can make sure there is no allergy to have them done.

I loved this picture in the treatment room 'smother me in berries'

Follow Eli on twitter here.

See Eli's website here.

Autumn's Urban Uniform -Blog and Styling Sarah Clark & (Make-up) Eli Wakamatsu

Eli and Sarah worked on the make-up and styling respectively for the Autumn's Urban Uniform story in the September issue of Red Magazine with the photographer David Mandelberg.

Sarah: "I really loved the Topshop Unique show back February (in fact, it was one of my favourite London shows). I never thought a Topshop show would provide the inspiration for one of my shoots, but with Kate Phelan at the helm, it was a very different show. 

I loved the way she deconstructed the military looks to make them cooler and more wearable. I thought this was a great take on the (huge) trend for Red - not too young or gimmicky, but still stylish and cool. 

I wanted to style the clothes in a way that was really effortless and easy for every day (but without being boring). My favourite pieces were the Topshop coat (amazing, although not sure I'm tall enough to pull it off myself), the Margaret Howell navy wool cap, and the Joseph skirt. And I was also completely obsessed with the Pringle boots! 

I wanted to shoot the story in a really simple location, (and definitely didn't want any military references), and I just love Hyde Park. It's so beautiful, and so photogenic. So we shot one day there and one day around the streets in Shoreditch and Brick Lane (to balance out all the green!)."




Eli: "We had such a lovely location shoot, a day out in both Hyde park and  in the East end of London.

Our model Claudia Raba at Models 1 was well cast to do this shoot which needed someone cool, effortless and stylish.

She was all that before I started make-up!

The make up was totally aimed to do just that as well, nothing too 'statement', just beautiful skin and with her gorgeous smile just shined. And showing her independence and determination by filling her eyebrow well.

All colours were in the pallet of urban tones, well worked into the skin.

I used  Dior skin Nude as a base. 

Her eyebrow was defined and shaped with Becca  Cosmetics Brow Powder and Brow Shaping Gel.  

Her nails were painted in Nars polish in the 'Desperado' shade. 

See the full story here.

Follow Sarah on Twitter here.

Follow Eli on Twitter here.

Working with Lovely Holly and Puppies! By Eli Wakamatsu

There is famous saying of 'Never to work with Animals and Children'... But
The day we shot GLAMOUR WOMEN OF THE YEAR presenter Holly Willoughby
We had lovely Holly and 3 gorgeous blonde Labrador puppies !

Holly wore Armani's amazing, Luminous silk foundation and Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in Scarlato 402.

The whole studio loved Holly and puppies also kept falling asleep in Holly's arm!
Glad they are all awake for the final shot.

Wander Lust by Eli Wakamatsu

This was the second story Eli Wakamatsu worked on in Morocco for Marie Claire UK in the June Edition with the photographer Kim Myers Robertson and the stylist Sarah Christie. Here's what she had to say about it. 

We shot this story mostly at the legendary Moroccan Palace, the beautiful La Mamonia Hotel which is sheltered within the walls of the old city  in Marrakech.

The modern Design and traditional Craftmanship for this newly renovated hotel was just breath taking...

Music played at the Le Marocain Restaurant in the evening after shoot, I love this cute photo of our model, Caroline Winberg (IMG)

We had a selection of the most delicious Moroccan starters.

While we are waiting...'I was iphoning'...

Beautiful Bedroom, a dream room.

The beauty look was created with

Dior Skin Nude

Diorshow Blackout Mascara  KOHL BLACK 

and

Dior Addict  Extrême Lip Colour in INCOGNITO

See the full story here. 

Rainy Day Make-up By Eli Wakamatsu

Today, I would like to talk about 'Water resistant make up' to share with you in showery London. (And any other parts of the world, it seems we're not the only ones!)

This can also apply to the Pool/Beach make up and the Hot and Sweaty summer make up tips.

The first thing I ask with 'waterproof make up' is Do you need to wear foundation ?

If so, invest one like DiorSkin Forever new formula with its extension of super skin care  that are long lasting, sweat proofing coverage or Clinique's Almost Makeup SPF 15 which contain anti oxidants and gives chemical free protection to your skin as well as oil free long wear natural skin perfecter.

If you desire more coverage that lasts a long time without fading or streaking in wet weather, try Clinique's Superfit Makeup, again oil free.

Next the Cheeks and eyes...There is much more water proof point make up available nowadays and the quality of them is just incredibly good, they are durable to apply and come in very wearable colours.

I recently contributed for the Artist Edits page fo Becca, and the brand has my favourite perfectly beautiful cheek and eye cream tints which are water resistant and streak free.

These easily blendable tints can be applied by finger tip or brush, and can be layered.

There are many water proof mascara in the market, so it's about finding the one with the wand to suits your eye shape, if you have almond shape eye like mine, with short eyelashes, try a thinner wand type rather than thick types.

A ball shape wand like Givenchy Phenomen`Eyes Mascara BLACK is great.

If you have big eyes with long lashes, you will need a thick brush.

Finally, if you are still worried for your make up in watery or steamy conditions or by the pool and beach, You can try Clarin's Fix' Make-Up mist to sets the make up and prolongs it's hold with continuous hydration.

After the Rain, comes the Sun, enjoy !

Light & Shade - By Eli Wakamatsu

Eli Wakamatsu worked on this shoot for Marie Claire. Here's what she had to say about it.

Marrakech is a location where lots of editorial shoots happen, especially this time of the year when you need a good sun to shoot spring and summer clothes.

I have been to the place many times yet still, Morocco holds very special place in my heart and is one of my favourite locations in the world. It is a magical and exotic place where Orient met Africa though an ancient trade route known as the Silk Road. It has incredible local cuisine, music and culture.

For this shoot, the team stayed in this beautiful hotel called Ksar Char Bagh located in the edge of Palmeraie.

The room, food, service, everything about the hotel was superb, my room had its very own roof terrace where I could sunbath with a view of the magnificent atlas mountains with snowy caps in distance.

On the Face I used Dior skin Nude for a radiant and transparent finish.

I used the 5 colours iridescent eyeshadow with the Diorshow Waterproof Liner in Chestnut

On the nails I used METALLIC SILVER072 

I swept Dior Bronze Make-up in Spicy Tan 004 on the Cheeks and Temples and used Dior Addict Extreme on the lips.

I would like to finish with a image of  the sunset from my hotel room in Marrakech, truly a magical place.

 See the full story here.