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.