SANTA BABY

I am really rubbish when it comes to giving non-beauty related presents. I know everyone down to a T but only when it comes to beauty. For my lovely Iranian friend who I have known since I was 11, she loves fig toned lipsticks, a good bronzer and hair care which smells delicious. My two close university friends based in Bristol are both blonde English roses, they love great skincare and lots of pale pinks and pale icy eyeshadows-easy. However, this Christmas Filofax has come to the rescue with the perfect Christmas gift with their fabulous Limited Edition £40 Filofax Beauty Gift box. As well as containing a rather jazzy filofax, which comes in 3 styles, I love the snake skin (feels a bit dangerous and Robert Cavalli -love it) and a pink one. Each box contains a cleverly disguised perfume atomiser in the shape of a pen (very Bond girl), a mirror and a free beauty voucher worth up to £100, which you can choose a massage, facial, manicure, fashion makeover or your own photo shoot. Sorted.

Grab one now exclusively from www.filofaxgifts.co.uk

BIFA AWARDS 2009- GET THE LOOK- RED LIPS

A red lip can be a very daunting thing and can send a shiver up the spine of the most die hard beauty fan, who thinks Lady Gaga’s stage make up is day time look. Just remember to get a red lipstick which suits your skin’s undertones. If you have warm undertones (think Blake Lively) in your skin think tomato red and if you have more blue in your skin (think Anna Hathaway), try a cooler more raspberry red. Here, Rosamund's look is amazing with her MAC lipstick in Dubonnet. When wearing a strong lip it looks great when the rest of the skin is clean and neutral. However, don’t forget to sculpt the skin and carve out cheekbones and brow bones by dusting them with an iridescent powder, which suits your skin tone such as golds, silvers and bronzes.

BIFA AWARDS 2009- ROSAMUND PIKE

Here is Rosamund Pike with glowing skin and a red lip on the red carpet.

BIFA AWARDS 2009- GET THE LOOK- SMOKY EYES

To create the classic smoky eye seen on Eva Green at the BIFA awards, first of all don’t panic! Think of it as two lines -one close to the upper lash line and winged out a bit and a line on the bottom lash line. Once you have your two lines smudge and smoke them out and you have a great base for a smoky eye. The blacker and deeper the pigment of your pencil the better. I love MAC’s Smolder eye liner, which was also used on Eva, as it’s blacker than a winter’s London afternoon at 4pm and on my dark skin any other liner looks a bit grey and anaemic. If you want to get fancy and more dramatic like Eva’s look, try working MAC’s Scene and Carbon eyeshadows into your lids. I also like to go for a smoky molten bronze eye, metallic purple eye or navy to mix it up a bit. Keep lips fleshy and nude for a sultry look.

BIFA AWARDS 2009- RED CARPET READY

As I mentioned I attended the BIFA awards on Sunday, which was fab and both Eva Green and Rosamund Pike gave master classes on how to rock a red carpet look. MAC make up artists created the looks for the leading ladies, which both embodied two classic party looks of smoky eyes or a red mouth. I think it’s best to stick to smoked out eyes or a saucy mouth rather than have both. If you attempt both looks at the same time it can look a bit Helmut Newton, which is fabulous and very Italian Vogue but may be a tad out of place down your local Pizza Express at an office Christmas party.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

How much do I love Aretha Franklin in this photo! Here she is singing in New York at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Rockerfeller centre. Whether you're anti- fur or love vintage fur, you can’t deny this is a proper woman not someone trying to look or act 14 and a size zero. She is a woman who is super talented and known for her God given voice and is still performing around 50 years since her debut. She’s not famous for dropping her knickers, shagging an A- lister or leaking out her own sex tape. I have nothing but R.E.S.P.E.C.T for her as she is a woman embracing her pretty and body and I think she is beautiful.

ROSE ELIXIR

Like a doctor, I often get asked personal questions especially skincare and make up recommendations. That's the power of beauty. It really breaks down social barriers. You can be chatting to a stranger at a function or cocktail party about the weather or falling house prices and the next minute you are telling them their perfect foundation shade is Punjab by NARS, which they scribble on a napkin. I love the universal language of beauty. Someone recently asked me for a good skin brightening product to help fade pigmentation and hydrate combination skin, which had turned dry and flaky with the bad weather. I am loving Cosmetics a la Carte's Rose Elixir. This light oil is packed full of organic rose hip oil, grape seed oil and skin protecting vitamin E, which is rich in essential fatty acids and helps to deeply nourish tired, dull and dehydrated skin. Many women with combination skin like me can get dehydrated, which is a lack of water in the skin rather than having a dry skin condition. I really loved using this oil and found it even faded a new scar I had on my hand really quickly. Grab a bottle for glowing skin.

BIFA AWARDS 2009

Here I am with Best Actress winner Carey Mulligan for her performance in 'An Education', which was stunning. She was so excited, down to earth and lovely. She is being tipped for an Oscar nod.

BIFA AWARDS 2009

Bond girl Gemma Arterton was really warm and presented Sir Michael Caine with his Variety Award.

BIFA AWARDS 2009

I met Rosamund Pike who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress and looked flawless. She was very cool.

BIFA AWARDS 2009

I have 3 loves in my life beauty, history and film. Last night I was able to mix 2 of these loves as I was invited by MAC to the British Independent Film Awards held at The Brewery near the Barbican. Talented MAC make up artists created the make up looks for Rosamund Pike and Eva Green (who looked like goddesses) and MAC also sponsored the best actress award.

I was so excited to go and be on cheerleading duty as my husband had been nominated for Best Short Film, which he produced and stars Sir Derek Jacobi and Rupert Evans. The night was very relaxed, low key and fun. Daniel Day Lewis and Michael Caine were both honoured with achievement awards and received a standing ovation. I saw Daniel Day Lewis crying, when a poem written by his father celebrating his birth was read out before he received his award. I love him even more. I wanted to shout “stay alive and I will find you”, a hot immortal line he said in the fantastic movie ‘Last of the Mohicans’, (which my husband calls girl porn). However, I bottled it and used my inside voice instead. I did also meet Stephen Frears a legendary director who discovered Daniel Day Lewis 25 years ago and cast him in, ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’ and also presented him with his award. Frears also directed ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ one of my favourite films of all time. Check out the powdered wigs, peach stained lips and rouge, its 18th century beauty always captivated me. He was lovely and really warm and funny. I told him this film really inspired me and brought lots of beauty to my childhood, it was really embarrassing but heartfelt. Thank you MAC x

SOLID FRAGRANCES

I’m a huge fan of solid perfumes, as there is something sensual and ritualistic about rubbing your pulse points and décolleté with the fragrance loaded balm. With the Christmas party season in full swing, slinging a solid fragrance in your handbag and slicking on some perfume will make you feel totally pulled together and groomed even if you have come straight from the office. I am loving Diptyque’s new solid perfume in Philosykos. This warming perfume is inspired by Greece and uses all of the fig tree from the roots, bark and fruit laced with white cedar. If you like deep woody, heady fragrances you will love this. It drives my husband nuts as it reminds him of his childhood which was filled with fun summers spent running around pine forests and figs trees in Menorca, where his family have a second home.

I am also a massive Miller Harris fan as she really does capture a mood or location in a bottle in a unique and complex way. Check out her Geranium Bourbon Solid balm made from 100 % natural oils, which was inspired by an English garden after the rain. The blend of Turkish rose, cassis berries and lemon geranium will leave you feeling sophisticated and comforted and also slightly smug as other people won’t be able to work out what you are wearing.

For sheer fabulousity I have to say I also really like the Marc Jacobs LOLA solid perfume ring. This cocktail ring will look great with any party outfit but also reveals a secret stash of solid perfume with top notes of fresh ruby red grapefruit, pink peppercorn, peony and base notes of creamy and warm vanilla, tonka bean and musk.

Grab a solid fragrance for a touch of glamour…….

LOTION, POTIONS & ME - AND ME

Hi guys,
I had the honour of being asked to reveal the contents of some of my faourite beauty products for the brilliant Bag Spy on the LOTION, POTIONS & ME beauty blog. It was really fun to sit down, pet and write about my most die hard beauty essentials. Please check it out with the link below to see what's in my beauty stash.

www.lotionspotionsandme.blogspot.com/

TOOLED UP!

Christmas and the party season means you can’t get away with a smudge of lipgloss and some mascara before running out the door. Nothing looks more groomed and pulled together than a proper full face of slap and beautifully applied foundation. When applying make up, a good tool can be invaluable for getting buffed, air brushed like skin. I am loving this Pro Pointed Cream Blush/ Foundation brush from make up artist brand Jemma Kidd, available from THEPROMAKEUPSHOP.COM, as the pointy head mimics a finger and can get in all the nooks and crannies around your nose and eyes for great coverage. Enjoy!

Tis' the season to be Foxy

Oh it’s party season again and it’s a chance to whip out a hot beauty look and channel your inner Beyonce on the dance floor as well as snog a random from the accounts department at your office Christmas party. Oh joy……

Anyway when it comes to your make up look you don’t have to make any toe curling mistakes, as you can perfect the timeless and killer look of shimmering eyes and a perfect pout. I know for many the thought of party make up sends a shiver of fear down the spine. However, if you know the basic beauty rules of picking the right shades and application techniques you will look red carpet ready instead of being mistaken for a hooker who has had a punch up while waiting for the night bus. Once you master your go to party look it can become as faithful pair of your favourite Louboutin heels. Check out this genius video on choosing and applying party make up from The Body Shop and their celebrity make up artist Chase Aston for great tips. Remember practice makes perfect so have a few goes at your look before you hit the party circuit.

Have fun!!!!!!!!!

MARIAH AND ME

Last Thursday, at the Dorchester I was lucky enough to be invited with a handful of other beauty journalists to meet a living legend – Ms Mariah Carey ahhhh. In my time I have met a few stars, there was the time at the Baftas George Clooney stepped on my foot and was very apologetic and gave me a squeeze but nothing- I mean nothing compares to the Diva of all Divas. She is the most successful female artist of all time with her 5-octave voice, 18 number one singles with only the Beatles having more and over 175 million album sales. Was she late – yes. Did we care – No! When Mariah floated into the room there was a respectful hush but I was very over excited and gave her a little wave and said Hiiiiiiii!!!!! Mariah was very warm, bubbly and waved back and you could tell she knows her world is packed full of fabulousity and a little crazy but she seems to be in on the joke and drama.

Mariah was there to launch her new fragrance Forever, which is a feminine floral mix of tuberose and gardenia, which has exclusively launched on Boots.com and in Boots nationwide from 4th Jan 2010. Mariah had a little chat with us where she said she is really involved with the whole process of creating the perfume and sees them as a luxury every woman can have for herself. After that it was time for our photo call where she said to me, "see you at the photagggge". As we had our picture taken, she was so cool and funny and told me the boots she was wearing were from Giuseppe. It took all my self discipline and shame not to belt out Vision of Love or Hero to her but after my time with Mariah I can tell you she was a true superstar and left me wanting to be her BFF Forever.

AN EXAMPLE OF JEFF KOONS' WORK

DAZZLE CAMOUFLAGE FROM WORLD WAR II

DAZZLE CAMOUFLAGE FROM WORLD WAR I

AARON DE MEY ET MOI

A few weeks ago I popped down to Lancôme’s launch of their spring colours and met Aaron de Mey, Lancôme’s celebrity make up artist and Creative Director. It was a real pleasure to chat with Aaron a native of New Zealand, as he is a real artist and is bursting at the seams with ideas and creativity, which was infectious.

When designing the latest collection for Lancôme Aaron said he was inspired by the film ‘Out of Africa’ with Meryl Streep, as he loved the idea of a woman existing in a different culture and her adaptation to it. I loved his dreamy and updated use of apricots and peaches on the lips and cheeks (think of a sexed up Bridget Bardot), which will be huge next season. The artist Jeff Koons, www.jeffkoons.com was also cited as a major influence with his geometric shapes as well as Dazzle camouflage used in World War II, which helped to confuse the enemy as to the type, size, speed and heading of the decorated ship.

I love speaking to passionate and interesting people like Aaron as he reminds me why I love the beauty industry so much. I love his avant- garde approach and artistic and expressive way he views the world and interprets it through the medium of make up. Thank you Aaron!

COSMO AWARDS X FACTOR'S BRIAN FRIEDMAN

It was fun chatting to Brian and I told him I loved what he was doing with JEDWARD. The X factor twins were the hottest topic of the night and everyone was talking about them.

COSMO AWARDS MEL B AKA SCARY SPICE

Mel B was sporting a super sexy short LBD and looked super groomed. She was incredibly warm and grabbed her friend to take our photo.

COSMO AWARDS DANNII MINOGUE

Before Dannii hit the Press pit she quickly powdered her nose and showed off her prize to me.

COSMO AWARDS LOUISE REDKNAPP

Louise was super sweet and was wearing Lanvin, which looked stunning on her.

COSMO AWARDS LAMAR AND REGGIE YATE

I bumped into the guys and Reggie told me he had a dry cleaning nightmare and was wearing a TOPSHOP suit but I thought he looked rather dapper and very Savile Row.

COSMO AWARDS PIXIE LOTT NAILS

Pixie's cool green and deep purple nails looked fab clutching her award!

COSMOPOLITAN ULTIMATE WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited by Olay to the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards at the Banqueting House in Whitehall. Beneath the stunning Rubens ceiling scores of celebs such as Danni Minogue, a pregnant Denise Van Outen, Kimberley from Girls Aloud, Vernon Kay, Holly Willoughby, Ferne Cotton and Pixie Lott, which made for grade A celeb spotting.

The ceremony was really moving where both celebs and real life heroes such as Justice Williams MBE who is the youngest black woman to be honoured with a MBE for her services to young people in Birmingham gained awards.

I got whisked backstage and managed to have a chat with Pixie Lott who worn best newcomer who was rocking alternate deep purple and green nail polish from urban outfitters and was wearing sky high Fendi shoes, which she said made her feel nervous when she went up on stage to collect her prize. The night ended with a fun fuelled party where we all sipped on Baileys and Pineapple cocktails, which were deceptively lethal and danced to Madonna’s ‘Lucky Star’. It was a brilliant night so thank you Olay.

GIVENCHY GLOSS POETIQUE

This fabulous limited edition gel textured lip gloss has had pride of place in my handbag for some months now. As part of the A/W collection this black lacquer chic compact houses a clear lip gloss, which magically reacts to the PH in your lips meaning you get the perfect pink for your skin tone. One of my beauty bugbears is finding a deep and pigmented pink for my skin tone, which doesn’t look wishy washy on my lips. Givenchy has delivered on this product so grab it for your personal ultimate pink shade, which can also be used on cheeks!

SPANDAU BALLET

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to see Spandau Ballet’s last concert at the 02 with the lovely ladies from the Elizabeth Arden press office to celebrate the launch of their limited edition 80s inspired Eight Hour Cream skin protectant and Lip Protectant stick. The 02 was packed with women who all still had crushes and the boys didn’t disappoint. They gave it some welly and I was so impressed and shocked they actually played their own instruments. I am so used to not expecting pop stars to be able to actually sing and I counted Steve Norman the blonde sax playing one played 5 instruments!

As a child of the the 80s its fab to see this era has come back in a major way with Cheryl Cole’s new video 'Fight for this love' referencing the hard core blush applied on the temples to Rihanna’s updated Grace Jones high top hair and Balmain’s shoulder pads, which put Joan Collins to shame. Last night was a lovely nostalgic 80s trip when more is more.

ESTEE LAUDER

Like this Sunday night’s X factor with Whitney Houston - Estee Lauder has just launched a revamped version of an old classic with their New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex. The original Advanced Night Repair in 1982 was revolutionary as it recognised and aided the skins own natural repair system. ANR has been used by legions of loyal fans who have also found it works wonders on burns and cuts. Today the new and improved version has used new research, which has discovered that each skin cell contains clock genes which helps the cell maximise its own DNA repair. When used every night the lightweight serum helps to repair damage from smoke, pollution, UV light and even emotional stress with a potent cocktail of anti-oxidants and skin plumping and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Grab a bottle now!

SKIN SAVERS

As the weather is getting colder and scarves and opaque tights are being whipped out, your skin might be feeling more sensitized and raw at the moment. I don't have sensitive skin on my face but I can get a bit over excited with exfoliation or after a dodgy facial my skin does feel sore and in need of some TLC. To help soothe my skin I always turn to Dermalogica's Ultra Calming Cleanser, which after a few days makes my skin feel back to normal and cushioned if I have abused it. Estelle told me in the back of an Addison Lee people carrier she is also a huge fan. Masks are also a must for calming sensitized skin and I always have Khiel’s Soothing Gel Masque in my bathroom and Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask packed with skin brightening vitamin C and Eve Lom's Rescue Mask is also good if your skin is playing up. Good quality oils on skin at night is also really healing I love Liz Earle's Superskin Concentrate with its healing argan oil and vitamin E and Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules feel like cashmere on dry, angry skin.

COWSHED MASSAGE

I’m a huge Cowshed fan as the delicious products are really good quality and suit any mood from relaxation to uplifting a weary spirit. Cowshed has recently opened a new spa with treatment rooms in the heart of London in Carnaby Street. I love a good old massage and had a fantastic one in the new Cowshed treatment rooms. Their spa menu also includes mani/pedis, threading, waxing and facials if you need a quick beauty pit stop when in central London. The décor of warm woods and the gentle sound of birdsong playing in the background made me feel like I was in the middle of the countryside instead of the hustle and bustle of central London. I was slathered in Cowshed's Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath and Massage oil, which is laced with unwinding lavender and eucalyptus and I left feeling balanced and chilled out.

THE BODY SHOP

How much do I love The Body Shop! They have had the genius idea of bringing back some iconic products from yester year such as Fuzzy Peach and Green Apple body wash. One whiff and it sent me straight back to my school days. They have also brought back their Passion Fruit Cleansing Gel. I first met my husband when we were 19 at University. I remember spying a bottle of this cleansing gel in his room and being impressed and thinking I can work with this guy- he has a skincare regime. The rest was history. You can vote for which product stays permanently out of the collection. Vote now!

BODY OILS

I have crazy dry skin on my body and need to slather on body oils everyday to keep my skin feeling soft and supple. Oils are great for dry skin as it’s easily absorbs by the skin and helps soothe and nourish. Some of my favourites include this Lavender Body Oil by Ole Henriksen, which is laced with soothing lavender and skin softening sesame oil and sweet almond oil. I also love Dermalogica’s Stress Relief Treatment Oil, which has a relaxing blend of ylang ylang, lemon, sandalwood and lavender.

If you too suffer with dry sensitive skin try and avoid oils with artificial fragrance and colour, which can aggravate your skin condition. Other good quality body oils which I love using are Clarins Relax Treatment Oil, as it has a blend of essential oils with geranium, chamomile and skin softening hazelnut oil. Also check out Origins as they have great oils such as Ginger Gloss smoothing Body oil, Calm to your senses body oil with Lavender and Vanilla and also Peace of Mind Relaxing massage oil, this minty oil is great for quickly calming down itchy sensitive skin.

CHANEL JADE NAIL POLISH IN ACTION

Jade was first seen at the Chanel A/W 09 show

CHANEL JADE NAIL POLISH

Listen up ladies! It’s time to sharpen your claws and get yourself ready to grab a bottle of Chanel’s Limited Edition Jade nail polish, which is launching 9th October. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a Jade manicure done with Celebrity Nail Expert Sophy Robson at Chanel HQ on Bond Street. The green is really flattering on all skin tones from pale to darker skin tones. The green is deliciously milky and art deco in feeling and reminded me of Sally Bowles in Cabaret. After I walked out of Chanel with my Jade nails I was stopped 3 times by women asking me about my nails and who made the polish. Chic Chanel does it again!

AA BEAUTY RESCUE

Anyone who doubts the healing power of essential oils should discover Aromatherapy Associates founded by Geraldine Howard. I really like and respect Geraldine, she is an intelligent and deeply soulful and passionate person. Her passion pours into her powerful and beautiful products, which really do touch your spirit and gives you a hug from the inside out. As I mentioned I love Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil. I also adore their body oils and love the Enrich Massage and Body Oil with vanilla and Ylang Ylang as well as Support Breathe Essence, which is packed full of anti bacterial tree tea oil and head clearing Eucalyptus, peppermint and pine. This rescue essence is great for the upcoming cold and flu season or brilliant when flying or when you are stuck on a rather ripe tube. The De -Stress Frankincense Pure Essential oil is also really special for grounding you, especially if you are in the middle of a hectic day. The skincare oils are also really potent and I use the Rose and Sandalwood Facial Oil at night. Not only is the aroma really restful before bed but it also keeps my skin, soft, supple and bright. The quality of all the products is staggering and the bath oils fill your whole house with fragrance which makes your flat feel like a spa….fabulous.

CHILLAX

A few weeks ago I took a trip to the country to visit one if my closest most soulful friends. Seeing hedges, trees, fields and deafening peaceful quiet made me realise what a stressed out city mouse I was. In these credit crunchy times we are living on double time. Everywhere I turn I see more and more exhausted people doing the work of three people and no one can afford to scrimp on good quality beauty products to help them CHILLAX.

Some of my favourite beauty products such as Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil really do soothe the soul. Comforting chamomile, sandalwood and sleep induing vertiver in this bath oil will knock you out faster than you can say Valium. I also love using candles to relax and am loving COWSHED’s appropriately named Knackered cow candle, which is laced with calming Lavender and mind clearing Eucalyptus. L’Occitane’s Lavender candle also deserves a shout out for putting me straight to bed and putting me in a good mood. My husband and I both love Diptyque’s Feu de Bois candle which scents the room with firewood. Close your eyes and it feels like you are sipping mulled wine in a country pub beside a roaring fire, which is a perfect tonic for a very urban lifestyle. Women are so bad at looking after themselves and topping up depleted energy reserves. Just remember a savvy investment in high quality relaxing beauty products are cheaper than a trip to the Priory!

BACKSTAGE AT PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND

The Pringle of Scotland show was held at the Saatchi Gallery Duke of York on the King’s Road. Backstage felt serene as the girls got ready amongst beautiful art pieces and the large, white space felt very zen. The glowing uber make up Charlotte Tilbury (she’s due to give birth in 2 weeks) who regularly works with Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell was behind the 80s inspired make up look. “ The look is inspired by Brooke Shields, 80s athleticism and it’s a full on, no make up, make up look. We brushed the eyebrows up with gel. We also contoured the face using bronzer and used a new orange MAC crème blush called Optimistic”.

The hair also had a sexy sporty feel and was weighed down with Tigi leave in conditioner for a separated, piecey feel as if the girls had just played tennis and tied their hair up themselves. It was lovely to have Pringle come back home to LFW!

ALEXA CHUNG / STARBUCKS RUN

As I was dashing from the Twenty8Tweve show to go back backstage at Pringle I spotted Alexa Chung in Starbucks and went to say hello and congratulate her on breaking America. You can't open a US Vogue or US Harper's Bazaar without a break down on Chung's style. She was super sweet.

TRISH GOFF AND I

I got very over excited when I bumped into supermodel Trish Goff at TWENTY8TWELVE. Oh I had a flashback to 1995 sitting in my sixth form common room reading Elle and Vogue where Trish worked with fashion giants such as Versace, Chanel, Prada and Christian Dior. I would marvel at the new breed of Supermodel which included Trish. I loved her pixie face and how she rocks her short hair as I also too feel like an inner short haired gal.

STRIKE A POSE

BACKSTAGE AT TWENTY8TWELVE

Here a model is getting the final touches of her make up by MAC done before she hits the catwalk.

TWENTY8TWELVE

I was in the heart of Victoria for Sienna Miller’s show Twenty8Twelve. Anna Wintour, Pixie Geldof and Alexa Chung were all on front row for this star -studded show. Backstage the whirl of hairdryers, bright lights and manic rush of make up artists and models running about was electrifying. The lovely Luke Hersheson created the hair and the inspiration was, “ a boho rock chick with attitude who doesn’t get her hair cut much but one day she wakes up and decides to cut her own fringe-it’s Kate Moss in denim shorts and a leather jacket”. The look on the models all looked like cool girls who don’t have to try much and the liner -MAC’s Carbon made me want to join in and be part of the gang.

GORDON AND I BACKSTAGE AT VIVIENNE WESTWOOD RED LABEL

I was so excited to see MAC's Gordon Espinet backstage at Vivienne Westwood Red Label. He is super talented, fabulous and one of the sweetest people I have ever met. He also said my skin and foundation was looking good, which is like Michelangelo saying he likes the way you draw I was extremely proud.

VIVA VIVIENNE!

As one of my all time heroines Vivienne Westwood’s Red label show was an absolute must see this fashion week. I have always loved her heroic romantic vision, her love of history and inspiration taken from the Georgian era. Backstage at the Old Sorting Post Office on New Oxford Street was chaotic and buzzing and ram packed full of make up artists, camera crews, hair stylists and wall-to-wall models. I spotted Daisy Lowe looking like her heart was full of sorrow (perhaps her rumoured break up with her boyfriend Will is to blame) as well as Pixie Geldof with new blonde hair extensions jumping about.

I mustered all my courage to approach Dame Vivienne herself and got to have a chat with her backstage. She told me, “ the collection is influenced on my archive and a woman who was very bad”. This look was translated by MAC’s Gordon Espinet Vice President of Global make up artistry who also happens to be a fellow Trini (Trinidadian) like me. He explained, “ Vivienne had lots of biblical references and wanted to create a seductress who had an affair with Joseph and had told lies about her husband she’s bad, beautiful and a little evil. There is no colour on the face I just used pencils and a palette of taupes such as hudge pudge, concrete, coquette and omega to pull down the corners of the mouth and eyes”. Peter Grey using L’Oreal Professionnel completed the look with Alice in Wonderland inspired hair, which looked slightly ratty, naughty and as if it hadn’t been brushed through.

Vivienne’s show offered up an explosion of ideas and creativity, which left me walking out on a fashion and beauty high, which could also have been helped along by hairspray and no windows backstage. I loved it!

CHANEL FRAGRANCE BAR

I was in Bristol recently at a dear friend’s wedding and the next day my very generous husband and I went to see the movie ‘Coco before Chanel’ (that man loves me, non?). You all know I have a soft spot for all things Chanel and I can't wait to see their new fragrance bar in Selfridges, which has just been unveiled. You’ll want to pull up a seat to this new olfactory bar, as it has an ingenious way of introducing you to the House’s 48 fragrances using a patented ceramic blotter system. The little magic rods let’s you enjoy and savour all the fragrances like smelling a fine wine and won’t leave you with a headache.

Specially trained experts will also help you navigate all the different fragrance families and classics to help you choose your signature Chanel fragrance. You can also get your mitts on the elusive Les Exclusifs Fragrance Collection, which boasts 12 specially crafted fragrances, which is great for those of you who like to keep people guessing what you are wearing. Tres Chic.

NARS NIRVANA

This is my perfect shade Benares!

Thank you Francois NARS!!!!

NARS NIRVANA

Beauty dreams can come true. I have found foundation Nirvana in Nars new Sheer Glow foundation. I’m all about dewy, glowing skin and finding a perfect colour match is a nightmare for me and for anyone with ethnic skin tones. Most companies offer token dark shades, which only Beyonce and Alek Wek could wear, which leave everyone in between uncatered for. In the past I have had foundations which range from that scary monotone, heavy natural mask like Fashion Fair look circa 1995 to ashy looking foundations and ones that make me look angry and a bit fierce (not in a good way). Since I was 14 I haven’t found a foundation I have been head of heels in love with until this one!

Clever NARS have widened their range to 20 shades, (mine is Benares) which will be available from the 1st September, with real undertones women with darker skin tones have. Instead of angry red undertones and too honeyed golden tones NARS have got the balance and range of undertones right from browns, yellow, blue/ reds and espresso for a range of dark skin tones.

As well as giving skin a soft satin sheen, the foundation also has hydrating benefits and promises to leave skin looking radiant after 4 weeks of repeated use. Lovely.

UP YOURS AND LIPSTICK OFF!

I just found out from a friend who has moved to China that my little old beauty blog is banned, blocked and can’t be accessed. After my initial shock wore off I was left feeling deliciously subversive and dangerous. My husband also said he thought I was ‘bad ass’.

As the streets of Iran burn and people march for the right to be heard waves of pride and gratitude race through me, as quite frankly we are all so lucky to express ourselves in anyway we see fit.

Blocking a beauty site may seem trivial on the surface but I don’t know of any period of history or culture where beauty has not been a dominant form of self -expression. Native Americans getting ready to open up a can of whoop ass, first ritualistically applied war paint. Punks and new romantics trapped in an oppressive Thatcherite Britain, screamed at their society using their make up and music. The 60s and 70s saw the Black power movement where hair straightening chemical relaxers were thrown out in favour of the afro, a strong political statement demanding civil rights and was a sign of the embrace and acceptance of the beauty of black ethnicity.

A lipstick bullet isn’t called a lipstick bullet for nothing. So every time you slick on your lip gloss, or a man applies guy liner, or you sport a smoky eye, you are saying Up yours and Lipstick off to the suffocation of self-expression, which is the most beautiful thing of all.

BEAUTY CRUSH PART DEUX

Many of you guys have been saying how much you too love my beauty crush First Lady of Cameroon Chantal Biya. She blows away all the boring Credit Crunch blues and I often sit and wonder that her hair along, soaks up the GDP of a small nation all by itself. Here she is in all her Maria Antoinette splendour meeting the Pope in a very subtle tribute to the church. Chantal Biya- don't you dare go changing we love you!