Penelope Cruz Vanity Fair November 09 Make-Up Tutorial

Penelope Cruz Vanity Fair November 09 Make-Up Tutorial..

If you haven't seen the November 09 issue of Vanity Fair, I suggest you hot foot it to your closest news stand and buy it now. The super-hot photographic duo Mert & Marcus shot Penelope Cruz for the cover. The shoot images evoked the old school Hollywood glamour of sultry screen icons such as Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Gina Lollobrigida, Ursula Andress and Marilyn Monroe. It was all about tumbling waves of "bed hair", heavily kohled feline "bedroom eyes", come-hither lashes, strong defined brows, sculpted cheeks and a luscious nude pink pout. I created my own interpretation of the look for a make-up tutorial on my new You Tube "guru" channel:

Marc Jacobs AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial

Marc Jacobs AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial..

If like Calvin Harris you've got love for the 80's, you'd be as enamoured as I am with the retro-tastic make-up looks Francois Nars created for the Marc Jacobs AW09 show. Traditionally, models tend to sport a relatively uniform make-up look in a show - but Nars pushed the boundaries by creating unique looks on every single model. Citing punks and club kids as his inspiration, Nars took us on a visual journey that referenced with the signature looks of Boy George, Toyah Wilcox, Grace Jones, Steve Strange, Siouxsie and the Banshees and A Flock of Seagulls amongst others. With a kaleidoscopic colour palette that could have been inspired by Skittles (enter your taste the rainbow jokes here), there was a huge emphasis on fun and creativity. Surely this is what we've all been clamouring for, what with the media sounding a seemingly endless death knell with their sensationalised reports of the demise of the world economy? Skin was flawless and matte throughout, with emphasis being placed on bold smoky eyes, punk-style winged eyeliner, dramatic blusher (sweeping up into the hairline), bold lips and contoured cheeks. I created my own interpretation for a make-up tutorial on my new You Tube "guru" channel:

Moschino AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial

Moschino AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial..

The world-renowned make-up artist Pat McGrath created a striking 50's style make-up look for the Moschino AW09 catwalk show. Reminiscent of iconic 50's models such as Dovima and Lisa Fonssagrives, the base was flawless and super-matte, punctuated by dramatic, heavily-pencilled, arched brows and a vibrant red lip. Eyes were given a feline look with a bold sweep of black eyeliner along the top lashes, winged out at the edges for a graphic feel. The eyelid was contoured subtly with a neutral brown, to emphasise the pale highlighter shade that was worked from the upper lash line, through the eyelids and up to the brow bone. Cheekbones were given extra definition with subtle contouring, with a little highlighter blended above to add radiance and a sense of dimension. I created my own interpretation of the look for a make-up tutorial on my new You Tube "guru" channel:

Chloe AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial

Chloe AW09 Catwalk Make-Up Tutorial..

I loved the bronzed 70's inspired make-up that Charlotte Tillbury created for the Chloe AW09 catwalk show. It was all about flawless, bronzed, matte skin. Cheekbones were beautifully contoured to give a sophisticated, sculpted look. Brows were full and defined, eyes were smokey and seductive and lashes were long, luscious and very flirtatious. To keep the emphasis on the dramatic eyes, lips were kept nude and discrete. I created my own interpretation of the look for a make-up tutorial on my new You Tube "guru" channel:

Are You Afraid of The Dark?

Are You Afraid of The Dark?

Illamasqua emerged from the shadows in Autumn 2008, creating a ripple of excitement with their distinctively dark and individual take on beauty. Their highly pigmented cosmetics are available in a range of shades so varied they make a rainbow seem positively dull in comparison. Their foundations alone run the gamut from Nicole Kidman porcelain to Alek Wek blue-black, giving Illamasqua kudos and credibility as a brand that truly has something for everyone. The superior formulas offer the wearer the opportunity to experiment with application. Lipsticks may be worn traditionally or blended across the cheekbones as a cream blusher. A simple eyeshadow can be used to contour the face or to create graphic shapes when applied wet with a slanted brush. A cream blusher doubles as a lip stain and eyeshadow - it can even be used to shade and contour the face. The versatility of the products is limited solely by the imagination of the wearer. The brand mantra is "Make-up For Your Alter Ego", there's a major emphasis on exploring the different facets of one's own personality. The brand and product literature notes the cabaret culture of 1920's Berlin as a major influence, bringing to mind the illicit and decadent Kit Kat Club - made famous by the Oscar-winning film Cabaret. Liza Minelli turned in a career-defining performance as the film's protagonist Sally Bowles. A highly complex character, Sally was a flurry of contradictions, managing to be both fearless and vulnerable, sexually provocative yet innocent. With Illamasqua, the wearer is able to tap into a multitude of "characters". Whether it's vixen or virgin, hero or villain, the scope for exploring one's own psyche via the creation of alternate personas is endless. The Sirens collection for Summer 2009 was a rich and exotic blend of opulent gold, bronze and terracotta highlighted by coral pink and a jewel-like turquoise. Dangerous and beauteous creatures, Sirens were said to seduce men with their song, luring them to their deaths. The make-up was as enticing as the name suggests - and the palette so opulent it would have made King Midas green with envy. For AW09, the brand's vision is less Gold Rush and more Blade Runner. Taking inspiration from the film Metropolis, the Dystopia collection represents the opposite of Utopia. Chaos and darkness prevails in an imagined reality of the future. The collection's black, grey, silver and iridescent ultraviolet pigments have a cyborg-feel reminiscent of Daryl Hannah as Pris, the lethal replicant with a penchant for acrobatics in the cult 80's Sci Fi film Blade Runner. The campaign imagery features Kabuki-esque looks reminiscent of 80's Blitz Kid era pop icons such as Siouxsie Sioux, Steve Strange, Toyah Wilcox and Boy George. The neon accents of pink and purple could be straight out of the iconic 80's cartoon Jem and the Holograms, in keeping with the tough 80's punk aesthetic evident at key AW09 shows such as Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Versace. Above you can find images from Illamasqua's exclusive blogger event at Kettner's in London. The brand's Creative Director Alex Box was on hand to create a unique Dystopia look on a fellow blogger - it was quite the experience. Alex's signature style would best be described as the love child of Cruella de Vil, Dita Von Teese and a Blonde Ambition era, Gaultie bustier-clad Madonna. She has created catwalk looks for McQueen and Stella McCartney, not to mention editorials for the world's leading style bibles. A book of inspirational photos is launching in October, after a collaboration with snapper to the stars Rankin. Alex's make-up artistry viewed through Rankin's lens is bound to have created a visual feast - I can't wait for the launch party in October.

Lipstick in Avenge - £14
Intense Lip Gloss in Galactic - £12.50
Intense Lipgloss in Explode - £12.50
Nail Varnish in Obsess - £12.50
Nail Varnish in Velocity - £12.50
Powder Eye Shadow in Synth - £14
Powder Eye Shadow in Machine - £14
Powder Eyeshadow in Matter - £14
Pure Pigment in Android - £15
Pure Pigment in Static - £15
Liquid Metal in Phenomena - £16
4-Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Pink - £29
4-Colour Eye Shadow Palette in Purple - £29
No.21 False Eye Lashes - £11

www.illamasqua.com

Light My Fire

Light My Fire..

As the nights grow longer and colder, people inevitably turn to the comfort of luxury candles to create ambience in their living space. Diptyque have long dominated the beauty pages of the world's glossiest magazines. However, having recently come across Votivo candles, I personally feel that Diptyque have approached the end of their wick. At £35, Diptyque's offerings are £7 more expensive than Votivo's. This is understandable given their iconic status - but hardly economical given that their olfactory impact is about as noticeable as a slap across the face with a feather duster. Votivo's kaleidoscopic Color collection candles burn for 50 hours and are stocked exclusively at Liberty. They retail for a comparably reasonable £28. That's approximately £1.79 per hour, which seems like a small price to pay for exquisitely scented surroundings. What they lack in price they make up for in aesthetics - and most importantly, strength and complexity of scent. The brand has gained something of an A - List following since their launch in 1994. Madonna, Oprah, P. Diddy and Jessica Simpson are all fans. Each candle is hand-crafted, each tissue hand-wrapped and each pewter seal hand-printed, making each one a true labour of love and all the more special. My personal favourite is the Green Pepper and Coriander candle, it's fresh and invigorating, the perfect antidote to a gloomy Autumn.

Votivo Color Candles are £28 - available exclusively at Liberty

www.liberty.co.uk

5 Love Forever Pieces

5 Love Forever Pieces..

The AW09 catwalks were awash with a variety of contradictory trends. There was 80's power dressing at Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani. Disco chic reigned supreme at Gucci and Versace, while rustic knits and prints were the order of the day at Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Burberry and Aquascutum. Add to this a heavy dose of a rock and roll tinged gothic aesthetic and you have a rather confusing array of fashion options. Thank goodness then for the LFP's (Love Forever Pieces) - those savvy investments that will neither date nor lose their appeal in seasons to come. The notion of cheap, disposable fashion isn't so economical when you've a wardrobe packed to the rafters with ill fitting, poor quality clothing. Given that most of the time we only tend to wear 20% of our wardrobe, surely it makes sense to invest a little money on good quality, beautifully crafted capsule pieces that have that FGF (Feel Good Factor) ?

I've hand-picked five sartorial gems from My-wardrobe.com that would enhance every man's wardrobe.

1. Paul Smith Blue Thin Striped Scarf

Accessories are the easiest way to update and add a little flair to your ensemble. This classic, graphic striped design would look as good with your work suit as it would with jeans and a jumper at the weekend.

2. Paul Smith Pitney Black Darby Lace Up Shoe

I can't help but wax lyrical about this shoe. A classic colour, quality glossy leather and an almond toe shape that isn't as extreme as the pointy styles that have been in vogue in recent years. The purple laces and floral print inner sole provide a subtle individuality that marks it out from the plethora of black shoes on the street.

3. Vivienne Westwood Blue Classic Wool V Neck Knit

Dame Vivienne Westwood is known for many things; punk, tartan, political activism and toppling Supermodels. Naomi Campbell famously came down to earth in more ways than one while negotiating her way down Queen Viv's catwalk in a pair of vertigo-inducing platforms. What you may not know is that she also designs some of the most sought after knits. The right fit is essential with knitwear lest you risk being mistaken for the Michelin Man. This blue wool V neck is the perfect item to stash in your manbag for freak weather changes. It's the perfect cover up for less than balmy late summer nights. Furthermore it would work equally well with a tailored navy suit in the office as it would with your favourite jeans at the weekend.

4. PS Paul Smith Grey Wool Velvet Collar Epsom Coat

Given that your winter coat is going to be on your back until spring next year (this is Britain after all), it makes sense to invest in one that you love. It's been well documented that Burberry have been giving Aquascutum something of a thrashing in the trench wars but between you and me I am a little bit over the whole urban spy look. Unless you happen to be starring in a remake of 'Allo 'Allo !, I recommend you opt for something luxurious and grown up like this single breasted grey wool coat with a sumptuous black velvet trim on the collar and cuffs. Worn over a suit, jeans or trousers, the sharp tailoring and simple cut is guaranteed to suit men of all shapes and sizes.

5. Vivienne Westwood Denim Classic Slim Jeans

If you're too trend driven when it comes to your jeans you run the risk of obscuring any hint of a body shape, or worse still, looking like an overgrown skater boy or indie rocker. Low crotch jeans may be all the rage right now but they also give you an air of incontinence. This presents something of a dilemma. Do you take the fashion route and look like you've had a 'mishap' or go for the safe option? Safe doesn't have to mean boring these days. These classic slim jeans in an indigo wash have a universally flattering cut. Trendy low crotch styles will obscure your posterior to the extent that you appear to have an extraordinarily long back. It's time to embrace your buttocks chaps (relax - I didn't mean that literally), believe it or not, people do like to see the junk in your trunk. Drainpipe skinnies can give men with rugby thighs the appearance of a tree trunk smuggler. Thankfully the leg of these jeans are slim enough to indicate you have a fully functioning fashion radar, but roomy enough to accommodate a larger leg. To quote David Bowie these are a Jean Genie. Whether it's a jumper, jacket, shirt or coat, they will magically go with everything.

Paul Smith Blue Thin Striped Scarf - £60

PS Paul Smith Grey Wool Velvet Collar Epsom Coat - £385

Vivienne Westwood Blue Classic Wool V-Neck Knit - £149

Vivienne Westwood Denim Classic Slim Jeans - £170

Paul Smith Pitney Black Darby Lace Up Shoe - £180

www.my-wardrobe.com