Introducing Hair Stylist George Northwood

I am delighted to announce that hair stylist George Northwood has joined the agency.

Cited as the rising star of the hairdressing world, George is already a regular on the sets for shoots for titles including Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. With clients including Net-A-Porter, Burberry and Radley and having recently styled the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Elle McPherson and Emma Watson, his career is going from strength to strength.

George fell in love with the hairdressing trade watching his grandmother – “a brilliant hairdresser” – style the local ladies who came to her home for a cut and style and stayed for tea and biscuits.

George now counts Laura Bailey and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as regular clients and has for years been responsible for Alexa Chung’s ever-evolving and brilliant looks. 

George now works alongside the industry’s dream team at the Josh Wood Atelier.

Follow him on twitter here.

Like his facebook page here.

By Ruth Funnell - Shu Uemura Make-up Artist Event

I was excited to attend the Spring/Summer 2012 launch for Shu Uemura last week and meet the amazingly talented creative designer Kakuyasu Uchiide, who worked alongside the legendary Mr Uemura himself for more than 20 years.

It was really great to see him at work and understand the philosophy behind the brand and to see his unique approach to colour and application of his makeup on the face.

One product that really stood out and amazed me was the New Face mask which just felt incredible - it is unlike any other product out there.

There are 6 in a pack and they can be used like an intense facial before a night out or when the skin is feeling fatiqued and needs brightening and lifting.

They can be left on for as long as you like,but 20 mins minimum is ideal. 

They don't need to be washed off, you leave the product on so that it sinks in and just make sure to add a moisturiser on top to seal all the goodies in! 

Just be careful not to open the door to anyone whilst wearing it ;-) !

By Ruth Funnell : YSL Make-up Artists Event - Product Lowdown

YSL is always a favourite of mine to attend, to see new products. Everything they do is so beautifully packaged and feels luxe and decadent and you just want to put them straight into your makeup bag or clutch, and go out for the night !

The new product that is very exciting, is their range of all in one High Gloss Lipstains. They come in an amazing choice of 19 colours and so there is something for everyone, from fab reds, fushias like No1 which is a deep classic YSL purple fushia  through to soft beiges and pinks. You apply them by building up the intensity and gloss you require by layering with the sponge applicator.

The staying power is incredible -you need to remove them with their Top Secret Eye Makeup remover as the stain does not budge for many hours.

The other products that are new this season are the Pure Chromatics Eyeshadow palettes [6 different colour sets] -beautiful deep tones with metallic shot through them -everything you would expect from YSL in terms of texture and jewel tones.

The colours are so rich and gorgeous that they are shouting out  to be used on an editorial shoot straight away!..... :-)

Introducing Nail Technician Sophie Harris-Greenslade

We are so excited to announce that nail technician, Sophie Harris-Greenslade aka The Illustrated Nail has joined the agency. 

Sophie studied illustration at university and completed a nail technician course after she graduated. 

Her artistic hand means that Sophie paints each nail design with incredible detail and precision with intricate, beautiful and creative designs which you can see several examples of on her blog: http://theillustratednail.tumblr.com/.




Sophie has worked on shoots for French Elle, W magazine (with M.I.A.), Stylist Magazine, Instyle, Glamour, i-D and The Guardian to name a few and has just had a mention on Teen Vogue.


Sophie was also recently chosen to be part of Nail Philia, the worlds' first nail art exhibition.


Follow Sophie on Twitter here.
See Sophie's facebook page here.

By Maria Comparetto Io Donna with Schmidt & Gorges

Maria Comparetto worked on this beautiful 24 page shoot shoot for Io Donna Magazine with photographers Lydia Gorges and Jens Schmidt. Styled by Jane Howard @ MAP with the model Georgie Badiel @ FM Model Agency and Paul Merritt @ Jed Root on hair.

Here's what she had to say about it:

I really enjoyed this shoot for Io Donna.
It was my first time at this particular studio (MKII in Hackney),and working with the ever so lovely Lydia & Jens photographic duo. They have a really great approach to shooting and I felt they really portrayed the London streets where we were shooting in a very different way, making our urban landscape feel really new with fresh angles on architecture and things we take for granted like the regular corner store!

Georgie, the model was so amazing, so gentle and spiritual yet so sassy and cool with a brilliant sense of humour. Paul Merritt had prepared a stunning wig for her which he moulded for every shot.

Jane the stylist made all the clothes look effortlessly blended and created some beautiful wearable looks.This story was mega; 25 pages of fashion could end up looking very 'samey' where makeup was concerned, so I made a huge effort to mix it up a bit and play with textures eye shapes and lashes. I cannot wait to work with this team again,It was a chilled but super fun day with stunning results! wouldnt you say? 

See the full story here.

By Ruth Funnell - GIORGIO ARMANI Make-up Artist Event

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Giorgio Armani Beauty Drinks Reception event last night and see their beautiful range.

Their spring/summer palettes were bang on trend with blues and greys and beautiful sheer lip colours.

There is a particularly lovely navy colour which is very wearable and is on the right side of the blue spectrum to look 'new ' and not too retro as sometimes blue eyeshadow can be! 

They make a great change from greys and blacks and look fresh, lighter and somehow 'right ' for now. 

These colours finished with a few coats of their best selling hero product, Eyes to Kill Mascara is about all you need to complete a new spring/summer eye.

As seems to be the trademark of Armani cosmetics, the beautiful textures of their Luminous Silk Foundations seem to 'glide' on the skin and feel extremely soft and luxurious and so very wearable with one of the largest collections of bases in every conceivable skin match -there are 15 to choose from to get that accurate skin colour match for every season.

I really rate their Fluid Sheer highlighter which is so fine and doesn't leave any hint of 'sparkle' on the skin [as some brands can] -just a dewy glow which can be used alone or mixed with a base.

One other gorgeous product I need to mention  is the little Blushing Fabric Tubes in 3 colours that seem to seamlessly melt into the skin leaving a sheer blush and feel like velvet-again perfect for summer and is a firm makeup bag favourite with me now !

Harrods Magazine 'Flower Show' Make-up & Post by Emma Miles

The story for Harrods magazine was called 'Flower Show' shot by Jason Ell, I did a spring inspired make up.

I used 7 sets of various shapes and sizes of fake eyelashes on the eyes to create a  opening effect like a flower in spring. Starting with the smallest lashes at the eyelash line and gradually working my way over the lid into the socket line using larger more exaggerated lashes.

See the full story here.