Model, TV presenter, designer, “it-girl” Alexa Chung wears many hats. Recognized for her somewhat quirky yet cool style, and a permanent front row feature at the four fashion weeks. Despite this, what makes her so appealing is the non-chalent approach to her overall grooming that makes her somewhat intriguing. Not one to over do it with makeup, usually nothing more than a flick of liquid liner is the basis of her look, bare lips and tousled hair.

Simply put Val Garland’s work is cool. it’s unusual to flip through a British Vogue and not see evidence of her work. She can go from commercial to conceptual easily. From a runway looks for designers such as Giambattista Vali, to Lady Gaga’s music videos. Having had the opportunity to work with Val Garland backstage, I can say she’s a laid-back, super talented artist.

Images from models.com & streeters.com

I recently heard of Lloyd Simmonds while at a MAC Master Class on Spring runway trend. Simmonds created the look for the Blumarine SS10 show in Milan. Tanned, sculpted faces with gold highlights and dark black eye pencil smudged around the entire eye. Lips were a tan coloured gloss. Since this is one of my signature looks, and I enjoy Blumarine having worked on that show myself in the past, my interest was piqued! Apart from runway shows Simmonds has created beautiful work for magazines such as Vogue Nippon, i-D, Numéro, Mixte, and Flair.

Images from models.com & l’exposure.net

The new Fall season is certainly looking like a make up extravaganza.  With almost every feature being focused on, as seen above at Gucci, this is definitely the time to go big with your make up.  Exact replicas are not recommended- stay tuned for tips on toned down versions!

Image from style.com

The full brow is by far the most flattering shape for the face. For many seasons now the girls hit the runways with well groomed, beautifully arched eyebrows. Even Richard Nicoll SS09 was all about bountiful brows. So it’s pretty safe to say that this is standard procedure and not just a fleeting trend.

When it comes to perfecting your own brows think Brooke Shields not Pam Anderson! There are many ways to create a fuller brow — the most common is to use an eyebrow pencil. A natural look can also be achieved using an angled brush and an eyebrow powder or eyeshadow in a colour that is a couple of shades lighter than your hair colour. Once you have brushed the colour on your brows, try smoothing your brows with an eyelash brush like MAC 204. Not only does this groom the brows but it can also help lighten up the colour if you applied the shadow a bit heavy. Also try Make Up For Ever’s Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector. It’s perfect for anyone who’s had half a brow missing by the end of the day! For those of you fortunate enough to have naturally full eyebrows all you need is a clear brow gel to keep them in place all day long.

Images from style.com

What’s so great about EA 8 hour cream? It’s jam packed with super moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum and vitamin E. This original skin protectant dates way back to the 1930’s and is still a staple in any savvy make up artists kit. The emollient texture leaves dry skin anywhere on the face or body feeling soothed and hydrated. Because of it’s natural sheen, Backstage it’s often used to highlight the high planes of models faces, gloss lips, and tame brows.