Spreading Our Wings To Guatemala 's Non Magazine

http://issuu.com/nonmagazine/docs/nonmagdicene2011/61

This beautiful collaborative shoot by Mary Parker Photography, featuring styling by Bridget from Dapper Zorse, model Kylie Board and hair & makeup by yours truely, was picked up this month by Guatelmalan online magazine, Non Magazine.It's a gorgeous publication.

I loved this shoot because it captures Mary's style perfectly - beautiful, dreamy and feminine. It was the first time I used my new volumising crimper too. I picked this up from the Sharon Blain Hair Bootcamp recently and had all hands on deck, including Mary's, getting hair crimped before our lighting disappeared.

Kylie proved a tough and courageous model, braving the Herrison Island mosquitos. A passing german tourist had repellent thankfully, so bites were limited to 100 or so!

Bridget from Dapper Zorse did a beautiful job styling this shoot as usual. Though we did loose her while she went off to search for a glove. Someone should invent a 4WD clothes rack for her.

Enjoy the images. xx

A Little Splash Of Colour - Worried?

Julia's eyes have warm brown, gold & caramel higlights with a dark brown rim - Inglot Pure Pigment 55 over MAC Fluidline in Brassy

I often wonder why makeup houses release splashes of colour into their new season ranges without instructions...

As a makeup artist I love colour because it provides me with inspiration. However for the average makeup user, it seems those pretty coloured pots appear like delicatable lollies - pretty to look at but you're probably worried that they're not so good for you, right?

Well, I'm here to encourage you to sample and sample some more. Whether you're 16 or 116, you can enjoy the delights of colour.

My makeup lessons always have an easy to understand session on colour technique - especially for eyes. I recommend four simple techniques for colour confidence with eyeshadow. The first of these is one we all know - browns/neutrals suit everyone. But imagine if that's what our wardrobe consisted of. No people - I will not stand for it, I won't!

So as a guide to get you thinking, have a good look at your iris - and I mean a really good look. There's so much more than brown, hazel, blue or green. I challenge you to find at least three colours in there. And this is where the magic of techniques two to four start.

If you just take one of those colours that you see (and brown, blue, green does not count) and add it to your usual base of neutrals you'll find technique two - a soft compliment to your eye colour. You might see lime or gold or rich caramel or milky blue. Have a look at the makeup on Julia above and let me know how you go.

If you're interested in learning more, follow the link to my contact page. Ali x

L’Oréal Paris Runway Looks - Vogue Australia



The eyes are the focus in this powerful and sleek makeup look, with a pared back nude lip and deep violet tones creating a new version of the sultry, smoky eye.



Keeping on-trend with the latest looks can be tricky for the everyday girl - but that's why you turn to your makeup artist for help. We make sure that we have our finger on the pulse and the products and techniques to sweep you into the present. So to inspire you, here are the latest looks from L'Oreal Paris - perfect for brides or balls.

L’Oréal Paris Runway Looks - Vogue Australia

Makeup As Art and IMATS Sydney 2010

After seeing various manifestations of makeup at the International Makeup Artists Trade Show (IMATS) in Sydney recently, I felt inspired by the many different genres on show. Australian and international experts in special FX and prosthetics showcased injuries and creatures from other worlds while other artists used bodies as canvases to create incredibly detailed art.

As a makeup artist whose working week consists primarily of beauty, bridal and special occasion looks, I am reminded of the importance of keeping alive both creative expression and artistic development.

I used to say "but I just like doing beautiful, wearable makeup". But after getting a firm shove out of my comfort zone during formal makeup studies by having to produce more creative looks, I realised makeup artists that push themselves creatively develop confidence, skill and bravery – something every good makeup artist needs.

IMATS is not just for the professional makeup artist, it’s open to everyone. This year it was held 18/19 September in Sydney and well worth the airfare if you’re interstate. Keep your eye on the website http://www.imatsshow.com/ for next year’s event to be held 24/25 September. It’s been running internationally for 13 years and is produced by the internationally acclaimed industry magazine Makeup Mag http://www.makeupmag.com/.

This year I competed in the beauty/fantasy themed competition ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Although I didn’t place I was very happy with my achievement of reaching the finals. The winner, the lovely Caitlin Betts was well deserved and at just 20 has a great career ahead of her. It proved to me again that pushing personal boundaries always results in growth (and I admit some sleepless nights) and I look forward to finding ways to encourage others to participate in future shows.

Special thanks for Vicky at http://www.rockstarsandroyalty.com.au/ for designing my costume

and Tara my fabulous model. Also credit to roseannebeauty.onsugar.com and john weston photography for the images.

Makeup Shopping in the USA

My makeup kit is overflowing with the spoils of New York and Las Vegas.

It's a makeup lovers dream with a Sephora on every corner it seems - and according to my husband I took far too much advantage of it.

It reminded me of how savvy we need to be in Australia when buying makeup. We pay a premium here for makeup compared with our overseas counterparts and who wants to waste money on products we don't like and won't use?

My favourite buys included some fabulously pigmented lip products for Makeup Forever which are also water resistant and a cute 12 colour greasepaint palette which includes silver and gold. It's one brand we can't buy in Australia unless you head off to IMATS in Darling Harbour...more on that later...

But in the main I bought up on my MAC staples and fell in love with the MAC penultimate brow liner. It's so subtle and fills those little gaps in brows by slightly staining the skin - perfect!

You're More Than Just A Face

Yes, you are more than just a face girls. But I'll move quickly on from the obvious to my point.

You also have a body and it's a little miffed at the way most of us ignore it when it comes to makeup.

* Goddess Fact * If you're preparing for a special occasion and have skin exposed anywhere, it too needs to be made up in some way.

The first area to lavish attention on is your neck and decollatage. Check to see that your foundation blends well with the colour here, particularly if you've had a faux tan. If you've ever noticed yourself looking a little pale faced in a photo - your foundation colour needs more depth **HINT add a sweep of bronzer to your temples, outer cheek bones and chin too**

You've probably noticed how celebrities and models have glowing skin from head to toe? Glowing skin comes from good health but also from products that are designed to reflect light and there's fantastic artificial light at nigh to benefit from. Apply a light shimmer dust or cream to highlight areas including shoulders, collarbones, and arms and legs. Instant radiance just like my model Rachelle! (photo courtesy of chalkstudio.com.au)

To achieve this look, try Natio Body Gloss, Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Body Gloss, MAC 'To The Beach Lustre Drops' or 'To The Beach Bronze Body Oil'. You don't necessarily have to be faux tanned either though a beautiful light tan does lift a pale winter skin and add instant glow.

Stay Fabulous ;)

Inspired by Corals...

Super keen to start creating with my new Inglot pallette, I asked my friend Terence Mann from Spark Photography HKG to help me produce an image with a soft, contempory fashion edge. Terence and his assistants Brian and Kev delivered with amazing results.

Coral (Inglot matt shadow #361) can be used to add colour with an etheral warmth. A great alternative to pink browns and tans.

I think you'll agree that most of the time we stick to colours we feel safe with, but in the same way you experiment with your wardrobe, why not try something new on your face? Just one new season colour added to your everyday eyemakeup can be the lift you need on these cold winter work days.

Special thanks also to model Megan Osler and stylist Lauren Boyle.