This post is dedicated to my wonderful friend DJ 'Spooky Shaz'
My second inspirational feature goes to none other than the amazing Siouxsie Sioux - no-one does it better!
35 years in the music business and she still looks as fabulous as she did when she began. Her distinct look is still recognizable and she has inspired goths from all around the world with her music, style and look.
In the late 70's - Siouxsie became well known in the London club scene for her glam, fetish and bondage attire, which were later notable of punk fashion. She would also later popularise the gothic style of dress with her trademark feline-style eye make up, deep red lipstick, spiky dyed-black hair, and black clothing. (wikipedia)
Her look was the opposite of what was popular in the mainstream during the late 70's and 80's - heavily made up, pale, with her signature egyptian like eyes and completed with big, black, crimped and teased hair.
At the time I began clubbing in the mid 80's this style of make up and hair was already quite popular in the alternative club scene. I loved the smooth pale face, heavy black eye make up and the red lip combination, although i never took a fancy to the sharper, straighter brow and pointy inner eye shadow accent.
Over the years Siouxsie's style evolved along with her music and today we see a slightly more subdued version yet the look remains dramatic, immaculate and incredible to look at.
I'll be happy if i look this great when i turn 50!
The new bronze is beautifully understated and elegant for a believable, warm glow not a muddy orange mask you can spot 100 metres away. We've moved on from heavy, glittery shimmer and on to sophisticated, expensive looking skin that glistens. The overall effect is bronzed, sophisticated and contoured.
Bronzing formulations have come along way and bronzer is the perfect product that can fake a well rested glow, make the whites of your eyes brighter and even make your teeth look whiter. Think honey- bronze for natural light and shade with glints of gold.
A warm healthy glow is flattering for all complexions. The right bronzer can literally shed a few years off if applied correctly. Contouring and sculpting the face is the simplest way to create natural definition to the face. Always apply bronzer to the face ‘hot spots’ for definition just under the cheekbone and on the temples to lift the face shape and blush to the apples for radiance.
Layering bronzer and blush has a double benefit. The bronzer brings out the cheekbone and the blush adds some glow. Add a pop of colour to the apples of the cheeks with a dusting of luminescent blush right on top of the bronzer.
The biggest mistake people make when using bronzer to to completely and evenly cover the entire face with bronzer which creates a flat, muddy and overall unflattering effect.
Glittery bronzers can have a tendency to settle in fine lines and draw attention to wrinkles so choose a soft shimmer finish or better yet a bronzer combo of a matte tone and a second lighter hue with a soft gleam. To avoid looking overdone, choose a highlighter that looks like your skin tone, just slightly more golden.
A two toned bronzer will deliver just the right amount of light and shade to your skin for an all over glow. The golden rule: Less is more.
If your skin tone is:
Peaches and Cream: Choose soft pink based bronzers adding some warmth and freshness to the skin without looking like you’re wearing anything at all.
Caramel & Honey Toned: Choose a slightly green undertoned bronzer as this allows the bronze and gold tones to shine through without looking too orange on the skin.
Olive:Choose a bronzer with varying shades of brown, gold and bronze to give darker features greater definition and highlight.
For evening opt to use a bronzer one shade darker than the colour you use every day to sculpt the cheekbones, under the brow bone and the décolletage.
Expert tip: Swirling the bronzing brush along the hairline, around the cheekbone and under the jaw line in a large #3 shape creates the perfect look for a natural sun kissed effect and to make it look real.
A naturally bronzed face looks incredible with this seasons aqua toned eye shadows with a golden illuminator down the nose, along the cheekbones and a little across the décolletage.
Make a glowing statement - Add some sparkle with a sweep of metallic yellow gold or molten copper to the inner corners of your eyes or add a touch to the centre of your lip for extra fullness.
The travel size kabuki brush has dense goat bristles for even distribution of powder and is super soft to glide over your delicate skin.
Understated elegance was the look and the 2011 Emmy Awards red carpet was flooded with BLUE!
Guaranteed to make an entrance azure is this season's colour and every major celebrity and designer has been seen working it over the past few months.
2011 Emmy Awards Dianna Agron
It's time to ditch your boring neutral eye shadow and choose a striking electric hue for spring/summer. Blue eyeshadow can be a tough one to pull off but to keep it fresh and on trend apply high pigment cobalt blue and rich marine hues close around them top lash line as a wash across the lid and swept slightly underneath the lower lash line. Team with a matching toned inky, midnight eye liner to add intensity. Add a little silver or creamy shimmer to highlight the inner corner of your eyes and a little under the arch of the brow.
For a striking look that's quick and easy take an aqua or tourquoise metallic pencil and line all around the eyes, keeping it close to the lashes and blend with a small brush to soften and smudge it slightly outwards into the outer corner for a pop of colour. Fresh luminous skin and a flushed, rosy cheek with a classic arched brow and natural looking but long, thick false lashes also keep it modern and less 80's. To keep the eyes the focal point finish it off with a nude lip.
Wear Springs hottest shade wet as a metallic liner, an electric wash of colour or all over smoky and smudged.
From the red carpet to the street get the look with ARTDECO.
Eyeshadow in No. 29 and No. 272 $12 each. Magic Eyeliner No. 55 $28 and Kajal Eye Liner No.11 $19. All In One Mascara $32. Blush in No. 48 $22 and a pout coated in Lip Brillance No. 18 $28 - Your Hollywood look is complete!
Expert tip: Want a more extreme look? Slightly wet an eye shadow brush before applying for a more intense colour hit.
In my last post I suggested if you're looking for something with more gore & something unique for Halloween you might want to see a professional make up artist experienced in SFX make up who can create the perfect living dead or car crash look, and I've had a few Melbourne people asking where can they go so I've decided to feature 2 local talents who offer affordable rates and would love to help you get your ghoul on.
First up: Rebecca Romanin is a freelance Make Up Artist who has worked with numerous professional photographers, designers and models in Melbourne and specializes in photographic, runway & SFX make up. She uses a range of products from various professional, quality brands such as MAC, Kryolan, Ben Nye, Napoleon, Gorgeous and Inglot.
Rebecca is offering the following services for Halloween:
Small SFX (e.g. bullet wound, fake blood, cuts, burns) $20 Large SFX (e.g. zombie green skin, disease, slit throats, larger wounds) $30 Beauty make up $40 Beauty make up and SFX combo: $60 Masquerade makeup: $60 False eyelashes: $15 (or you are welcome to bring your own)
Appointments are available in the suburb of Doncaster. If you would like a make up service at another location please ask her - she may be able to travel to you.
Take a look at Rebecca's website for more information and images of her work and to send her an enquiry regarding any type of look you may require and pricing.
http://rebeccaromanin.com/
Photographer/Hairstylist: Rachael Mia - Matchless Snapshots
Halloween is only 41 days away! My favorite time of the year next to my birthday. Time to start decorating the house and organizing the final details for my Bloody, Dead & Sexy Halloween Party.
I always love to see what supermodel Heidi Klum comes up with for her annual Halloween Bash. She’s one celebrity that knows how to throw a party.
Your Halloween costume isn’t complete without the final touches of adding makeup to complete your total look. What’s your favorite Halloween look?
Vampire, Zombie, Horror or Fiend?
Whatever your choice make it ghoulishly glam, and go dramatic. Add a bit of DIY and make it your own and you can be sure no one else will be quite the same. Don’t forget to add some glitter, false lashes, fangs and gore!
Model, Styling, Make up by Deadpuppy Julia
Models: Alessia Kitty Pedrosa & Becky Boneshaker
Model: RazorCandi for Gore- Couture & Photographer: Bodo Janos Attila
Model, make up, photography: Mythril Countess-Charmaine Auburn
Not sure what you will need to create your look? Professional costume make up kits have been created to simplify the process and can be purchased online or from costume/theatrical stores or even in your local goth shop. These kits usually include everything you need and will take you step by step to correctly apply and achieve the look to match your costume. Also look for Kryolan: The world's favorite theatrical make up & Kryolan special FX products.
Halloween face paints works well for Vampire, Zombie, Demons & Horror themed outfits to create a ghoulish white, blue/grey tint or a green hue for your base. If you need a make up that will last for hours choose a cake foundation and apply with a damp sponge. Finish off your base make up with a layer of fixing powder or spray to set it. A cheap alternative for a white face is to use some talcum powder to set instead.
Want something outstanding? Get an expert to do it for you. Search online for a MUA who specializes in Alternative & SFX looks or try Illamasqua (Myer Melbourne & Sydney stores) for a more avant garde look.
The standard of Halloween gore, fake blood! Add some to your gruesome costume to make it more realistic. To make blood you can use red food coloring and corn syrup – add in some peanut butter if you want to add more gore. Spirit gum will adhere accessories and prosthetics to the skin. Going all out Zombie and need more gore? Use pre painted latex prosthetics to create bloody, oozing, open wounds.
Starting with a clean face will give you the most optimal base for your Halloween make up.
* Cleanse your face to remove all traces of oil from the skin to make your make up last longer.
* Don’t use heavy moisturizers if you’re using thick grease based foundations or theatrical paints.
* Use latex eyelash glue to adhere glitter to your eye make up so it stays put, layering it onto vaseline or a cream eye shadow is fine for a photoshoot but it won't last the distance of a big night out. Apply latex glue to the area and allow to become tacky in the same as applying false lashes at the lash line. Use a cheap make up brush to apply the loose glitter dust as latex will damage a good brush as it is hard to remove.
Always remove your Halloween make up before you go to sleep with a foaming cleanser and or make up/adhesive remover to remove all residue from the skin to avoid any breakout a few days later. Warm water and cleanser will remove latex easily as it will just peel away and lift off the skin. Use a calming thermal spray to soothe the skin before applying your normal skin care.
What's so good about mineral makeup? Unlike traditional make up formulations which is made from a talc-base, mineral cosmetics are clay-based. More than just a trend, mineral make up has fully established itself into the make up market with an expanding range of products to choose from.
I cannot speak more highly of the ARTDECO mineral collection and use them a lot in salon especially for bridal make up for that natural and radiant, long lasting finish. I personally love the fluid foundation as my skin is quite sensitive and the luxurious creamy texture feels so soft and smooth. I can build up the coverage and it still feels light on my skin and barely needs a touch up during the day. The fact they are lightweight they feel almost weightless on the skin yet they are long lasting and water resistant making them ideal for the upcoming warmer weather.
ARTDECO's mineral makeup range is made of 100% pure, natural minerals and colour pigments. Including zinc and magnesium, ARTDECO's mineral makeup range contain minerals that enhance the skin cell's metabolism to help the skin optimise its renewal. Sodium and potassium improve the cell's resistance, strengthen tissue, and generally act as essential regulators of the skin's moisture content and retention. Calcium soothes and calms redness in the skin.
Mineral products do not clog the skin and allow it to breathe much easier. Mineral foundations don't just create a flawless base and even skin tone, they actually treat and boost your skin condition. They work like an eraser to soften and camouflage blemishes, redness and fine lines which will visibly improve the quality of your skin.
ARTEDCO mineral products are not only free of talc but they also contain no chemicals, oil, fragrances, waxes, parabens, preservatives and other synthetic ingredients. They are also non - comedogenic. Mineral products are ideal for all skin types even the most sensitive skin. The other bonus is they contain a natural sunscreen for added skin protection against UVA and UVB rays.
What is different about ARTDECO's mineral makeup, compared with other brands? Put simply, it's about quality. Made in Germany, ARTDECO's mineral makeup is ultra-fine in texture and blends exceptionally well. The powders won't flake or cake like some other brands can, instead they give the skin a soft focus, air brushed finish that bring a natural luminosity to the skin.
Some people have achieved bad results when applying other brands of mineral powder formulations however there is a simple technique to get professional results. It's as easy as 1,2,3!
1/ Shake - some powder foundation into the lid of your product.
2/ Swirl - your kabuki brush and pick up a small amount of product on the end of the brush. Tap off any excess.
3/ Buff - onto the skin and use a firm circular motion to polish the foundation into your skin. Start along the nose and cheek and blend out towards the hairline, buffing over each section at a time until you have achieved the coverage you desire. The more you polish the better the result.