LFW BORA AKSU AW13 - ASSISTING HAIR DESIGNER CHRYSOSTOMOS CHAMALIDIS

Last month I was extremely happy again to assist Hair stylist Chrysostomos Chamalidis for London Fashion Week.

Chrysostomos was the Key Hair Designer for Bora Aksu AW13 show that took place in the Courtyard Space at Somerset House in front of a celebrity filled crowd including Kate Nash & Laura Whitmore.

Hair Designer Chrysostomos Chamalidis with Kate Nash

The show was sponsored by hair brand KMS and with Chrysostomos own personal team we worked together with members of the KMS UK Education Team to create the amazing hairstyle on the model’s backstage. 

Bora Aksu AW13 collection was inspired by Roszika (Rosie) and Janszieka (Jenny) the Dolly Sisters who were Hungarian identical twins that moved to New York City where they danced in unison and proceeded to tour Europe to sell out shows

The sisters were the ultimate icons of the roaring twenties, known not only for their dance acts but their elaborate costumes and ornate headpieces.

The Dolly Sisters

The main objective for the hair was to achieve an extremely high shine look and for this we used KMS products HAIRSTAY anti-humidity seal, HAIRSTAY styling gel SILKSHEEN polishing serum and adding some colour throughout the plaits we used Kryolan Blue hair spray paint. 

The beautiful makeup for the show was designed by Key Makeup Artist Maria Papadopoulou using Ellis Faas and the stunning collection of headpieces  were made by knitwear designer Liria Pristine.

To view a step by step on how to recreate the hairstyle Click Here

Love Jo 
x

MY AW12 NET-A-PORTER SALE BUYS...

Here's a little look at to what I've been buying from my favourite online shopping site Net-a-Porters Winter Sale. 

I was quite pleased with myself as I didn't go as crazy as I usually do! but very happy with my  new purchases.

I opted more for tops in this Sale (instead of bags and shoes!!) as I can wear a couple of them now and through the summer.

I've had my eye on the Karl Saatchi skirt since it was first added to the site and I'm over the moon that I managed to get this in the sale.  It's definitely my best sale buy this year!

Also The McQ Alexander McQueenTartan ipad case to keep my ipad safe and cosy!  



KARL by Karl Lagerfield
Saatchi pleated faux leather mini skirt     Was: £130     Sale Price: £39   70% OFF

KARL by Karl Lagerfield
Jerry PVC-sleeve cotton-jersey sweatshirt  Was: £115   Sale Price: £34.50   70% OFF

T BY ALEXANDER WANG

Classic slub-jersey T-shirt    Was:£75    Sale Price: £37.50    50% OFF

T BY ALEXANDER WANG

Jersey top    Was: £100    Sale Price: £40   60% OFF

SPLENDID

Cotton-blend jersey turtleneck top  Was: £61 Sale Price: £36.60 40% OFF

MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Tartan jacquard iPad case  Was: £85  Sale Price:  £42.50   50% OFF

Let me know what you think of my sale buys and also if you have grabbed any bargains lately.  If not Net-a-Porters Sale is on until Thursday 29th January where there's some real little gems still to be found with fantastic savings of up to 80% off!

Love Jo x

MENS LONDON COLLECTIONS - MALE GROOMING AT CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN & XANDER ZHOU

I had the privilege and a great time assisting an amazing makeup artist last week for two shows at Men’s London Collections.

I joined 6 of my fellow AOFM graduates backstage at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden with Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb who designed the look for Christopher Raeburn and Xander Zhou AW13 shows.

For both looks the makeup was kept minimal and simple and on arrival at our 6.30am call time Michelle demonstrated the male grooming makeup for our first show Christopher Raeburn. 

DEMO BY KEY MAKEUP ARTIST MICHELLE WEBB 

Firstly the skin was prepped using Dermalogica skin care, who sponsored the shows with their products. The skin was thoroughly cleansed with their Ultra Calming Cleanser followed by their Multi Active Toner.  Active moist moisturiser was used to give a semi matt appearance. 

Paying special attention to minimising any redness. A natural skin base was created by using OCC Tinted Moisturiser and the BBU palette to conceal any blemishes and dark circles.  Also paying attention to any redness on the ears. Shu Uemura translucent powder was used along the T-zone to reduce shine and the male models’ brows were set in place with a clear brow set.

For Xander Zhou the look was pretty much the same and all models were required to shave before we started if they had any visible stubble.

Here’s a couple of pics from the shows and the AOFM team with Michelle…

CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN AW13

XANDER ZHOU AW13

THE AOFM TEAM WITH KEY MAKEUP ARTIST MICHELLE WEBB

Love Jo x

MY WINTER SKIN SAVIOUR - ELEMIS CELLULAR RECOVERY SKIN BLISS CAPSULES

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy New Year to you all and I'm sorry I haven't been posting many blogs lately. I have been extremely busy with Blondie Media Productions TV Show Harley Street Beauty Series 1 and other projects.

As I've woken up to snow this morning and freezing cold weather outside I thought I would start this year off by sharing with you one of my favorite winter skin must haves and what's been helping my skin get through these horrid months.

My skin can become very dry and almost sore in cold weather as it is very sensitive and sometimes my moisturiser alone is just not enough to help this from happening. I find I need a little something else to help my skin.  I’ve tried numerous serums but finally found the perfect little helper!

As some of you may know from reading my previous blogs (MY HOLIDAY MAKEUP & BEAUTY ESSENTIALS)  I’m a huge fan of Elemis and have been so for some years now. I use the entire pro collagen range and from time to time also enjoy their amazing facials (MY ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN QUARTZ LIFT FACIAL).  So to add to my daily routine I have been using their Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules for the past couple of months.

Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules contain pure Moringa Oil and with its unique anti-ageing properties dramatically renew skin elasticity and skin youthfulness. 

The Anti-Oxidants physically repair the visible signs of ageing and counteract the damaging effects of pollution by sweeping clean the network of skin cells, ridding it of harmful toxins.

They come in a pot of 60 capsules split with 30 Pink and 30 Green and are quick and easy to use.

After cleansing and toning but before moisturising you twist the top of the capsule and squeeze the oil into the palm of the hand and rub both palms together to warm the oil and spread evenly over the face and neck area.

I use one Pink Rose capsule in the morning to stimulate micro circulation and vitality and then in the evening one Green Lavender capsule to repair the skin and encourage a peaceful night's sleep.

Then I continue my routine by using Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

These really are amazing and my skin has been looking incredible. It is less sore, dry and irritated. They are available from Time to Spa website and other Elemis retailers 

RRP £62.00.

For those of you who would like to try the Elemis Pro-Collagen range including the capsules, Time to Spa do a fab little trial kit for £29.00.  Click here to take a look.

Love Jo x

SEMI-PERMANENT LASH ENHANCEMENT BY CATHY BROWN

I have been very fortunate lately in my new role at Blondie Media Productions with working and meeting such lovely people!

Recently myself and Naomi Isted visited the amazing Dermaspa in Milton Keynes owned by HD Brows Founder Nilam Patel.  Nilam who I first met a couple of years ago trained me in the HD Brows treatment will be featuring in Blondie Media Productions new TV series Harley Street Beauty that aired last Monday on SKY 266 

Nilam Patel

Dermaspa

Nilam had introduced us to her friend and collegue Cathy Brown a few weeks ago who tattooed Naomi’s eyebrows for the show (please see Naomi's Blog). They have worked together for over a decade and we were both kindly invited back by Nilam & Cathy to each have a semi permanent eyelash enhancement.

Cathy Brown

Cathy Brown Bio

With a wealth of experience helping clients restore their appearance and confidence  Cathy’s work in the cosmetic tattoo field is fast generating a celebrity following, with models  and presenters putting their confidence in her abilities to create the look they desire.

Having worked in the semi permanent makeup industry for over 10 years, Cathys skills, artistic flair and knowledge of colour has enabled her to achieve a reputation as one of the industries elite so I was definitely in safe hands!

In 2004 Cathy was selected as a trainer for Nouveau Contour giving her the opportunity to pass on her industry knowledge to students just embarking on their career. Nouveau are one of the UKs leading suppliers of permanent cosmetics equipment and treatment accessories.

The Semi-Permanent Lash Enhancement Treatment

Considered to be the window to our soul, our eyes for many are one of our best assets, whatever that shape or colour, with careful pigment placement even the smallest eye can be made to look bigger,

Eyelash enhancement gives a really soft yet stunning result, pigment in placed in the lash line, in between all the rows of lashes.  The thin line of residue that is sometimes left in the lashes after a tint or when you wipe off your makeup is similar to that of a lash enhancement.

This gives a very natural result, just making the lashes look thicker and eyes not so bare without makeup.

I was so excited about having this treatment as juggling work and a family life I was getting regular comments on how tired I was looking lately!

My visit with Cathy at the Dermaspa started with a very in depth consultation and I had to complete and sign some forms. Once this was done Cathy started the treatment by cleaning the area, drawing a line with a kohl pencil and applying an anaesthetic cream to the lash line to numb the area.

Equipment
For semi permanent makeup Cathy uses the Nouveau Contour Intelligent Machine where with its pre-programmed settings and a press of a button, the Intelligent will automatically adjust the needle frequency to suit the tolerance of the skin. This can promote better healing times and longer lasting results.

The precision control of the Nouveau Contour Intelligent Machine means pigments go in smoother, faster and with greater evenness. This is important for reducing the tattooing time which in turn reduces the risk of skin trauma and improves colour retention.  

All Nouveau Contour needle cartridges are individually packaged in sterile packaging using ethylene oxide gas. Each single-use cartridge has an internal diaphragm which prevents fluid and airborne contaminants from entering the Pigment Pen.

Nouveau Contour professional pigment range offers the widest colour range, to suit any skin tone or complexion. Their pigments are made of the Highest Quality pharmaceutical grade Ingredients and manufactured under very strict European guidelines.

During the treatment

The treatment lasted for around an hour and I found it mostly comfortable but it was only towards the very end that I could feel the slight scratchy feeling.  Nothing at all painful more of an achey feeling.

Afterwards my eyes were a little swollen and felt like they were sunburnt!

Cathy went through our aftercare and gave us a healing balm to take away with us. She told us to start with cleaning the area that evening with cooled boiled water and cotton wool pads and to apply the balm 3-4 times a day for the next few days and that we were to vist her again in 6 weeks for a colour top up.

That evening the swelling started to go down and I cleaned them which I must admit felt very soothing! Especially applying the balm after.

I cleaned them again in the morning as there was a build up of the colour in the corners of my eye.  The swellen had all gone and from there I just used the balm 3 times a day as requested.  I used it when I started to feel a tightness around the eye area.

Cathy had mentioned that the enhancement would dry and be a little flaky and then look like it has disappeared, then after a few days the colour would come through.

This is what certainly happened and the results now are absolutely stunning! I am in love with this treatment!  I can’t stress how much It has given my eyes a makeover and how I don’t look as tired.

Here's my before and after:

Before - Tired looking eyes

After- Eye Makeover!

I would like to say a massive thank you to Cathy for her expertise and Nilam Patel and her wonderful team at the Dermaspa for allowing me to experience this fantastic treatment! 

Before I had met Cathy & Nilam I was not educated at all regarding what should be taken into consideration if you're thinking of having any kind of semi-permanent makeup.  I was totally in the hands of true professionals and for those who are thinking of having it done please please do your research as there is some terrible semi permanent work out there! Please beware and don't always go for the cheaper option!

For more information or to book an appointment with Cathy please visit Dermaspa website or contact Cathy on 07967 156782.

Please feel free to drop me a message if you have any other questions about my experience.

Love Jo x