George Northwood with Alexa Chung in Paris

George worked with his favourite girl in Paris this week.  Alexa Chung is the face of super stylish French label Maje. A match made in heaven.

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.

GIORGIO ARMANI "One night only in Beijing" - by Maria Comparetto

With fellow make-up artist Rafael Pita

31^st May 2012

1 week in Beijing! 2 days makeup fittings, 1-day rehearsal, and then the show!

195 models Total (60 male models/ 135 girls) including lots of new and exciting Asian girls with the most Amazing skin!

Linda Cantello heads the team…organisation is key and a solid team is paramount. Signor Armani is meticulous about detail and has to over see everything. Speaking Italian is a bonus as I am able to translate and convey to Linda what Mr Armani is feeling for the makeup“look” for the show.

The fittings go really well and we have decided on 2 looks for the show. The show is divided into 3 categories, Emporio/Giorgio and prive (couture) running time approx 30 mins it will be circular runway and the different sections will be blending into one another. Finishing with a live performance from Mary J Blige.

The atmosphere is electric back stage and we are all being filmed for a live “backstage stream!” no pressure!. Everything is very organised and models are given name tags showing which is their section so everyone is on the same page.

Call time is midday and the show doesn’t start until 9pm, longest call time ever! But needed as so much to do. As we had already done our makeup demonstrations the day before the team was primed and ready to go! Including the GA face designers we are a  30 strong team of makeup artists and ready for action!.

Emporio & Prive look.

This look was very technical!

Very graphic eyeliner along the lash line, which had to be, applied at just the right angle & thickness! We had been out the previous day to source a product that would not smudge and would stay put for the long wait before the show. False eyelashes, which we also sourced, were also applied which exaggerated the lash line. Beneath the eye a less graphic & smokier line was added which had sections removed in the centre and the outer corner of the eye

A light lip balm was applied & no contouring necessary.

Giorgio Armani Look

This look was organic

Light shadows were applied to the eye area, almost emulating a western socket without it looking like makeup but more abstract. This wash was taken around the outside of the eye and down too the lower lashes a little black kohl pencil was also added to the inside of the corner of the eye to give depth. No masara, or contouring was needed & little if any lip balm was added.

Beijing /China is where it was at..the buzz is astounding and everyone was ready for this Armani extravaganza, including Tina Turner and so many other VIP guests. The stage becomes alive with a Beijing moving skyline projected onto it & the occasional garment detail or close up beauty shot for all to see. The haunting then thumping music starts and the models stride out in all their glory, things come to an end with a statuesque style traditional dance with a model wearing a green dragon gown. Mr Armani takes his bow…What an amazing thing to be a part of. Now Lets Party!!

See it for yourself on youtube or facebook/Armani.and let me know what you think?

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. 

George Northwood at the Vogue Festival - Day 2

The second day of the Vogue Festival was ten hours of manic, relentless, worthwhile, stylish, fashion fun.


Based in the Beauty Hall, the Josh Wood Atelier team was working mini miracles.  

Laura Bailey

We were knocking up scalp plaits, up dos, top knots and waving out that beachy tong like our lives depended it. 

The three main looks of the room were the classic smokey eyes, bright red lips and a five minute fling with myself for a style fix. 











By the afternoon I felt like Robert Palmer in the Addicted to Love video. Stunning.  It was such a great buzz for me, amazing to catch up with the Vogue girls, I’ve missed them so much.  The only thing that kept me going all day were the amazing Vogue cookies …. Heavenly!

Russian Vogue - Make-up by Emma Miles

Emma Miles worked on this Jewellery shoot for Russian Vogue with the photographer Mark Mattock and Suki Waterhouse modelling. Here's what she had to say about it:

The theme was tropical so I had to warm the models skin up to look tanned. I applied a sheen of  moisturiser to make the skin look light reflective and dewy. The lip was a Nars Jungle red, with a Mac lip glass on top to create a beautiful full glossy lip. 


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 !