Posts by leah:
Oscars 2010
March 8th, 2010
The Academy Awards-the biggest night in Hollywood. Oscar winner Sandra Bullock looked quite beautiful wearing red lips, as did Charlize Theron. I also quite liked Zoe Saldana’s overall look. Her dress was very dramatic which worked well with her smoky eyes. What I like about Diane Kruger is that she always switches up her make up look. Last night she wore neutral eye make up with cool pink lips which nicely enhances her features. With some debate as to who had the best dress (For me Miley Cyrus and for Lisa Rachel McAdams) we both agreed Demi Moore looked lovely in Atelier Versace.
Makeup Artist: Hannah Murray
March 5th, 2010
Hannah Murray is a make up artist based in London. I had the opportunity to work with her on the Jaeger show SS/09. She designed the prettiest look using pastel pinks on the cheeks that went up into the temple. As well as being a regular key make up artist at London Fashion Week, Hannah’s work is often seen in some of the industry’s best magazines: British, Italian and French Vogue, Dazed & Confused, i-D, AnOther and AnOther Man.
Hannah Murray is represented by Julian Watson Agency
Concealer Tips
March 4th, 2010
Concealer is a lifesaver. It covers anything you ever want to hide, from blemishes to bad tattoos. Here are a few concealer tips:
1. Choose the right tool. Small soft brushes for concealing under the eyes. Small firm brushes are better for blemishes and spots.
2. If you can, avoid using heavy cream concealers under the eyes they can look noticeable. Instead opt for a medium coverage liquid concealer for seamless coverage.
3. Use a warm coloured concealer to cancel out dark circles that have blue undertones.
4. When applying concealer under the eye or on a blemish, focus on the area that needs covering. Don’t over apply where you don’t need it.
5. Choose the right colour. Too light only emphasizes what you’re trying to disguise.
6. Always prep the skin with appropriate skincare before apply concealer. Concealer will blend easier and look more natural.
Our favourites:
DiorSkin Nude Skin-Perfecting Hydrating concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper at MAC Viva Glam Launch
March 3rd, 2010
Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are out and about a lot lately as they promote their MAC Viva Glam Lipsticks. Both ladies have their own shade, Gaga’s is a cool pink and Cyndi’s is a coral red which I wear and love. These two make a brilliantly outrageous couple and draw attention to an in important cause.
For more information on the MAC Aids Fund visit macaidsfund.org
Marc Jacobs Splash Fragrance
March 2nd, 2010
Love these splash fragrances by Marc Jacobs. The clean minimal design of the bottle and the simple scent is very Marc Jacobs. They are the perfect light fragrance for the Spring season. The latest editions are inspired by the patisserie-Apple, Pomegranate, and Biscotti, all smell really fresh and slightly sweet. The supersize bottle (10 oz) lasts for ages. A couple of years ago I bought the Pear Splash, which I think is unavailable now, and I still have half a bottle left. They do come with an atomizer for easy spray application, but I keep a travel size perfume bottle in my make up bag, which I pour my fragrance into for a quick spritz throughout the day.
Available at Sephora.
Sneak Preview: Milan A/W 10
March 1st, 2010
As I, and the rest of the fashion insiders out there predicted, the Milan shows so far have had some pretty glamorous make up. For the most part, it wasn’t completely over the top glamour-Dsquared being the exception to that rule. The look from Gucci is very similar to my own standard look. I am all about the black pencil in the water line. Overall the major trends coming out of Milan seem to be flawless skin that’s sculpted, red or nude lips, and an emphasis on the eyebrows.
Lavender Eyes: Get the Look
February 26th, 2010
Pastel eyeshadow in matte and shimmery textures are a trend to try out this Spring. Lavender shadow was swept across the lower eyelids at Marios Schwab in London, Christian Dior in Paris, and Versace in Milan. This cool pale colour works on almost every skin tone from fair to medium dark. On darker skin tones I recommend pairing lavender with a deeper purple colour, similar to the ones in the Dior palette. To add more intensity to the eyes try smudging a charcoal grey eye kohl along the lash line. Lips and cheeks look best kept neutral to complete this look.
Model of the Moment: Shu Pei Qin
February 25th, 2010
Shu Pei has walked the runways of all the big shows in every major city from New York to Paris. This past season Spring 2010, Shu Pei became one of the few Asian models to walk the runway for Prada. Since she signed with Next in 2007 Shu Pei’s resume has been getting longer with editorials in Chinese Vogue, W, Teen Vogue, Chinese Elle, and British Elle. I spotted her at Christopher Kane last season. She has sort of an innocence about her, but she’s provocative at the same time. Great eyes, full lips, and striking bone structure she has a long career ahead of her.
Sneak Preview: London A/W 10
February 24th, 2010
London Fashion wrapped up on Tuesday. I missed not being there this season, there were some really amazing shows and some emerging designers worth watching. After spending the last few days going through show images both on the runway and backstage, it’s easy to see why London Fashion Week remains the most exciting. The neutral palette of earth tones seen in New York seemed to continue on in London. Interesting placement made up for the lack of colour. The contouring at Vivienne Westwood was very intense. Combined with the soft cloud of teezed hair was so dramatic. Jeremy Scott’s geometric eyeliner paired with caramel shading on the cheeks, and mauvey brown lips is fantastic.
Next stop is Milan get ready for major glamour.
Images from elle.com & style.com
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen
February 23rd, 2010
London has been the place to be for the past few days. The BAFTA’s, Elle Style Awards, and London Fashion Week have meant an influx of American celebrities. My favourite twins we’re seen at a BAFTA event as well as at the Style Awards looking fashion forward as usual. Their huge blue eyes always stand out whether they’re wearing smoky eyes as seen on the left or neutral shadows like the picture on the right. What I always admire about these two is that they look effortlessly put together.
Images from justjared.com
Sneak Preview: New York Fashion Week A/W 10
February 19th, 2010
Spring hasn’t officially arrived yet, but judging from what we’ve seen so far at New York Fashion Week there is a lot to look forward to for Autumn 2010. There were some beautiful shows. Overall the make up looks seemed to be more about the eyes than the lips. I absolutely love the Alexander Wang make up. MAC Mid-tone Sepia Cream Colour Base blended and wrapped around the eye is such a hot look. I also enjoyed the cool taupe eyes at Rodarte, again in that wrapped around elongated shape. London starts today!
Images from style.com
Tip of the Day: Groomed Eyebrows
February 17th, 2010
The first step to achieving properly groomed brows is to brush them into place with a brow brush. The brow brush can also be used after you’ve applied brow pencil or shadow. This technique assures neat and precise eyebrows.
Megan Fox on W Magazine
February 16th, 2010
Megan Fox looking more fresh faced fashion than sexpot on the cover of W for March. There is no doubt that Megan was blessed with outstanding features. Everything from her arched brows, almond shaped eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips is picture perfect. When you look like this you can pretty much throw any make up at her- a little or a lot, and it’s safe to say she’ll look gorgeous. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the spread looks like.
Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm
February 15th, 2010
To be completely honest I’ve never looked twice at the Clarins counter. I’ve always associated the brand with skin care and wouldn’t think to browse at their make up. On Friday Lisa and I were searching for the perfect orange/coral lip colour, that is one of the most important lip trends of the season. I’d checked out most of my go to brands and came up short. Then I came across this Clarins Colour Quench Lip Balm in orange slice. It has treatment ingredients: Shea Butter, Wild Mango and Olive to moisturize the lips, and Vitamins A and E to protect. The texture is non sticky like a lip balm, but super shiny like a gloss. The colour is perfect for achieving that juicy tangerine colour that was seen all over the runways for Spring. For a sheer application of colour just wear it alone. For full on colour it’s so good on top of an orange based lipstick and liner.
Look out for our next Smudge video on how to achieve this season’s coral lip trend.
Goodbye Alexander McQueen
February 12th, 2010
The fashion industry was beyond shocked yesterday by the tragic news of Lee Alexander McQueen’s passing. It’s so devastating that such an amazing talent will no longer create what came to be the most anticipated collections of every season. McQueen was without a doubt a creative genius. The architecture of his work blew minds. I never had the chance to attend one of his shows, but I hung on every word that was described to me by those who did. McQueen’s shows were theatrical productions with so much back story. It was hardly ever just about models walking down a runway.
In 2005 I watched Val Garland recreate the look she had done for McQueen’s Fall 2004 show. In 2007 my friend who worked backstage at the Spring show, told me how beautiful it was when the model walked in the dress made of roses, and how they fell in a train behind her. The Fall 2007 show was very dark and disturbing. McQueen had taken a trip to Salem and discovered he had ancestors that were witches. Charlotte Tilbury was inspired by the make up of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra. This became the look for the show as well as a product collection for MAC.
There will be a huge void left in Paris fashion week this season, and for years to come. There was only one McQueen and he will be greatly missed.
Images from style.com
False Lash Application Video
February 11th, 2010Smudge Style’s first “how to” video-easy false eye lash application.
Braids for S/S 10
February 9th, 2010
It’s the season of the side braid. This whimsical look got a 2010 redo at Alexander Wang and Miu Miu. The girls wore their braids slightly dishevelled, thick, and extra long. This is definitely my braid of choice. I’ve tried and tested it already, and got complements! If a sleek version is more your speed, then either the Lacoste or Gaultier look would be more appropriate.
Anyone else loving the one braided ponytail?
Kat Von D Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Duos
February 8th, 2010
Over the weekend I’ve been wearing the Kat Von D Motorhead (black colour) eyeshadow. What I liked about the shadow initially was the two textures in one. Half is matte the other half has small silver glitter particles infused into it. Inside the lid is a small mirror which is quite convenient. I found that the shadow adheres to the skin quite easily when applied with a brush. The pay off is good especially the matte texture. As with most eyeshadow, when applied on top of a cream base you get maximum pay off. As I blended the shadow, I did notice the colour started to lose intensity going from dark black to more of a grey colour. The glitter particles fall onto your cheeks which can be annoying if you’ve already done your foundation. On myself, I found the shadow wore for at least 5 hours without fading.
Currently these shadows are half price at Sephora-only $10. For that price they are worth trying.
Transition to Spring: the White Shirt
February 5th, 2010
While we are patiently waiting for Spring to arrive, the white shirt is a go to transition piece. This wardrobe staple works for every season, and in between. Seen at Chloe and Alexander Wang for AW 09 in crisp button down form. Then again for Spring at Celine, and a softer version at Berardi. White always brightens up skin tone. Try MAC Strobe Lotion to add more radiance to the skin, right now on the face and collarbone. When the weather warms up it looks beautiful on arms and legs. I also love a little bit of white pencil on the water line. This opens up the eyes making them look bigger and brighter.
Images from style.com and netaporter.com
Tip of the Day: How to Exfoliate Lips
February 4th, 2010
For smooth lips wrap a make up wipe around your finger, and gently scrub dry chapped skin from your lips. Once all the dry skin is removed, apply a lip balm to lock in moisture and keep lips looking soft and supple.
