Maria Comparetto at the Givenchy Mascara Launch

Maria Comparetto attended the Givenchy launch to celebrate their new mascara, Démesure (which hits stores in July £22). They also launched their AW11 collection (which will hit stores late August, prices start at £13).

The setting was the very Grand ‘Quintessentially House’ Portland Place. There was a Champagne reception followed by a presentation by Nicolas Degennes, the Creative Director for Givenchy make up who came over from Paris to talk through the inspiration for the new mascara and also preview the AW11 collection. In a blackened room, he presented the new colours and textures.

Using a powder highlighter underneath the foundation Nicolas demonstrated how easy it is to use the AW11 palette to allow the glow to look more natural. Apparently this new product will be available in only two shades (light & dark) and does it all.

Nicolas then demonstrated with the use of just a pencil, this palette and the new mascara how easy it was to create a seductive look in a the matter of minutes.

Maria said that Nicolas approach is to break all the rules and use fewer products to keep things simple.

After Nicolas' presentation, journalists, publishers/editors and make up artists could experience the new mascara for themselves with the help of four make up artists including Kevin Fortune, Adam De Cruz, Lyz Marsden and Dani Guinsberg.

For Maria the most exciting of all the products was the Mascara with its new and innovative retractable wand. Maria thought that ‘The ribbed applicator seems thick and clunky at first with slight grooves at the end to brush through the lashes’. She said that the trick is to apply your mascara, and then twist the base of the wand. This exposes a super flexible brush which helps you work the product from roots to ends to separate the individual lashes.

Maria’s said, “The result is amazing. Any transfer of mascara onto the eye area can be easily blended as eye shadow to enhance the Smokey eye.” And added that “The mascara will be out soon and I can’t wait!”

According to Maria the one to watch also is the Golden stardust, “In a beautiful “old school” black perfume bottle. The dust is applied as if you were applying perfume to hair & skin, truly magical… The room fills with flecks of Gold”. Unfortunately we can’t see for ourselves what this looks like until nearer the time…

M∙A∙C Pigment Colour - A Versatile pot of Magic

One of the best and most versatile beauty buys I have made in the last (yikes) two decades has got to be the M∙A∙C Pigment Colour in ‘Frost’.

Twelve years ago a make-up artist recommended I make the purchase and I wondered what on earth I would do with it. Now I wonder what I would do with out it!

The official brief from M∙A∙C is that pigment is ‘a highly concentrated loose colour powder that contains ingredients to help it adhere to the skin’ and M∙A∙C claims that you can use it ‘to create a subtle wash of colour or an intense effect’. They also say that it ‘does not streak or cake, is easy to blend and long-lasting.’

Unlike a lot of press releases or product descriptions, this is actually 100% true (and more and I don’t even have the latest refined version)…

I (speaking as a non professional) have had the following uses of it and can make the following tried and tested claims:

1.    With a little bit of moisturiser to wake up the skin on the face and body (and no, you don’t end up looking like a Twilight vampire in the sun – but could do if you wanted to). A perfect primer.

2.    A little added to tinted moisturiser or foundation to make me look like I’ve had a few more hours sleep than I have.

3.    As a highlighter.

4.    As a full on fancy dress disco glitter silver eyeshadow.

5.    As a subtle addition to a daytime eyeshadow.

6.    A little more to change a daytime look for evening.

7.    To soften a smokey eye when I’ve overdone it.

8.    A teeny amount with a little lipsalve (over lipstick and not).

9.    On the shoulders and décolleté for a bit of party shimmer.

10.  VAT returns (obviously joking but I wouldn’t be surprised – it does everything else and will certainly make you feel nicer as you get it done)

To give a professional view, I asked Maria Comparetto for her comments and she said that “Pigments are the most versatile product on the market today…” She suggests choosing the 'correct mixing medium and create an array of effects from eyeliner with maximum lasting power to the most intense body paint' (as seen in the image). She added “For whatever occasion and effect there is a pigment for you even used straight from the pot. I  love M∙A∙C pigmets as they turn even the most inexperienced of makeup artists into a professional.”

Vanilla Pigment

It blends beautifully and it’s very easy to manage. However, my little pot of magic is coming to an end and unfortunately the exact shade I have doesn’t exist any more but apparently the closest is the Frozen White Pigment RRP: £15.50 (with blue duochrome) or the Vanilla Pigment with a pearlescent finish will be a good substitute. Price per wear it has been the best value I have ever spent on a product so I’m going to try both.

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

Andrea Fulerton - Instyle April 2011 Eliza Doolittle

Andrea Fulerton used Jade and Cat on Eliza Doolittle's nails for this Instyle shoot.

Andrea asked her permission to mix a new bright shade for her collection after her and 'Eliza' was born... A sparkling Aqua shade. Unfortunately it's not available until later in the year - at least that will give us time to try out all the existing shades in the AFNB range.

'Eliza' - available later this year

 

Giannie Couji IN the new Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Advert with Keira Knightley

Giannie Couji had a role on the other side of the camera this time with a role in the new Chanel Coco Mademoiselle advert starring Keira Knightley directed by Joe Wright.

Andrea Fulerton - Glamour April 2011 with TV Presenter Jameela Jamil

Andrea Fulerton painted TV presenter Jameela Jamil's nails with 'Helena' an electric royal blue shade from the Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique available at Superdrug made darker by layering it over black.








Andrea used the 'Ashvina' shade, perfect for this (also from the Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique).

Andrea said that Jameela's nails were peeling so she recommended Imedeen supplements and Mavala Scientific. I painted her nails in a mix of electric blue and black

The photographer was David Oldham and the shoot was styled by Bijal Patel.

Eli Wakamatsu - Marie Claire UK April 2011

Eli Wakamatsu worked with the photographer Kim Myers Robertson and the stylist Sarah Christie to create this beautiful shoot for Marie Claire Magazine.

Kim and her assistant Tony came from New York, the “lovely” model Gabriela from Oslo and the rest of the team came from London. They all met at Nairobi International airport to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and then changed to small 12-seater plane for further hour or so to the Selous safari camp.

Eli said that when they touched down, they were met by lovely people from the camp who “greeted us so warmly in the heat of approximately 47 degrees!”

The team needed to quickly adjust to not only the heat, but also the code of wild safari life; to be aware of wild animals, including poisonous creatures, and always be escorted by local Masai men (who all had beautiful smiles apparently).

The Selous safari camp sits by the Rufiji River, the largest river in East Africa and supplied the strong winds needed to blow the fabric of the dresses to achieve the beautiful images.

Eli said, “It is truly beautiful river, and I had such an urge to dip my toes in as the day reached the highest temperature of 47, but quickly held myself back remembering that the river is a home for thousands of crocodiles!”

In the intense heat, Eli used Dior Anti-Aging Sun Crème SPF30 and Dior Pro-Youth Protective Fluid SPF 15 of the hydra life to protect Gabriela's skin prior to beginning make up. (This light emulsion hydrates and acts as a defense against UVA and UVB)

 To keep Gabriela’s skin looking sheer and fresh, Eli used Dior nude foundation in 010 Ivory with Dior Bronze 004 Spicy Matte SPF 20 on the cheeks and forehead.

Eyes were swept with range of Dior amber and burned earth colours and for the strong lips Eli used Rouge Dior colour called fantastic!

Eli Wakamatsu - Marie Claire UK April 2011 Karen Gillan

Eli Wakamatsu worked with the actor Karen Gillan (Amy Pond in TV's Doctor Who) with the photographer Bruno Barbazan and the stylist Arabella Greenhill.

The shoot was Eli's last one before the end of last year in snowy December in a 50's American style diner located in west London.
Despite Karen's busy schedule with shooting the Dr Who's Christmas special,  Eli said, "She was so lovely, easy going young girl who was there to enjoy fashion shoot for a day."

The clothes were all hip and quirky, inkeeping with the "Twin Peaky" location with  proper milkshakes!

Eli used Diorskin icon foundation and Volume Intense Black Khol ' Blackout'. To complete the look Eli used Dior Rouge Serum in 850 Red Serum and the Dior Luminous COlour Lip Treatment.

Karen was also kind enough to give an autograph to Eli went down very well as an extra Christmas present for her son. "Thank you Karen!"