Friday 29 July 2011

Vintage/Boho Tea Party at my home














July 23rd and 24th were 2 very special days on my Summer calender. Firstly it involved my best friend Kelly spending the weekend show casing her stunning boutique kellyseyeboutique that has now branched out to the wedding industry, my amazing wonderful Mum with us demonstrating her talents in needle point and the Berlin wool work she has been doing for many years, baking her delicious cakes and general Mum'ness...to seeing lots of the M.A.C.H team relaxing in the garden and clients, brides and friends.
It was one of those weekends where I wanted all those I loved to be together, all those ladies that ask to meet up for coffee and we never manage because of our busy lives, and for all ex brides to come and show me their photo's and tell their stories now they are Mrs... Thanks Dawn for all yours, stunning!

There were Make up and Hair demo's, kelly's clothes on display for trying on and some even decided to model them for us - thanks Mel!

Mum showed Mel her needle point and she was hooked - for the duration of the afternoon Mel soaked up the sun shine in my Vintage Inspired Garden and designed her own work with guidance from Mum...very proud!

The rooms were themed - the cream room was dedicated to Mum's work, The TV room was turned into Kellyseye Boutique and the kitchen - well Cupcake heaven!!!! The spread the 3 of us created was every girls dream...needless to say everyone took a goodie bag away with them on Sunday!!!!

I challenge you all to spot Kelly!!!!!

So fabulous to see you all...

Thanks also to Nicola Stegmann for her photo's that she took which will follow soon, she is contactable at: http://www.glenmitchellphotography.com

Thanks also to Amy Brandon / blog one of the M.A.C.H team for making it after her epic adventures in Scotland for me following 2 days of work up there - lovely to meet your family and Melanie Meik / blog also from my M.A.C.H team making it down from Manchester...we love you both!

Also to Claire Bache for making the journey to Oxfordshire, with your hilarious Mum, great to see you both!

Kellyseye Boutique: www.kellyseyeboutique.co.uk/



Wednesday 20 July 2011

'CHRISTY' TOWELS ADVERTISING SHOOT










Today's shoot was for CWA photography and the clients were 'Christy' Towels advertising for their new range of towels that dry quicker, and so what could you be doing instead of washing - ah! Yoga, playing guitar, face mask time, and salsa so here are some images I took from a few of the scenarios!
I had my trusty assistant with me today, Amber, who you'll see in a few of the shots looking gorgeous and doing some great wardrobe watching and lip top up's!

Make up was kept clean and defined for the 'towel' shot to start, then into gym wear for the yoga shot, so low pony tail and fresh make up, followed by Salsa where we added a little more cheeks and lips and eyes, together with a sleek back sided look and bouffant top and kiss curl to the front as Lucy our model swirled and danced the salsa...

Make up was by The Green People
and their stunning range of powder foundations, blush, mascara, lipstick, and eye shadow trios.
Organic and good for you!!!

Hair products by TIGI
I can't work on shoots without my top favorites: Love & Peace 'Totally Beachin', Rockaholic's 'Fun Times' hair spray and their leave in conditioner volume spray and shine spray... all totally amazing!

Look forward to seeing the final shots!

Monday 18 July 2011

My 2 day Intensive Hair Master Class with Melanie Meik taken by Anouska














Bridal, Classic,Vintage, and Retro /Fashion were all themes on our agenda for Anouska's 2 day One to One Intensive Hair Master Class with one of the M.A.C.H team and trainer Melanie Meik.

The second day covered all the looks you see above. From my essential hair prep routine - sectioning and blow drying with a root boost spray, Anouska was guided through the step by step flawless guidance, tuition and coaching with Melanie, who brought out the best in Anouska - her confidence soured throughout day 1 all ready for day 2 which she had clear views on what she wanted to have shot.
Melanie and myself were on hand to guide her with the day, but we were very much impressed with her professionalism and approach to the shoot. Timings were getting faster and the results impeccable.

Make up was incorporated into the shoot day to complete the looks. Both interior shots are done in a variety of lighting to demonstrate how make up and hair can differ, the artist then alters the make up accordingly, and learns how to also do this whilst on set, and to time. The photographer will love you!!
We then also take the same make up out side to see the difference, and then into full light where the last shots were done for the retro/fashion section.
The importance of getting your client out of various make up looks is as important as the initial application!
We have some unique tricks and techniques.

Photography and genius Glen Mitchell was on hand again for the shoot and provided yet more jaw dropping tricks and lighting techniques to produce a set of high quality commercial images for Anouska's portfolio - essential to any Make up & Hair Artist.

In Anouska's own words 'I'm delighted with my 2 days, Mel was an incredible teacher and helped my confidence enormously, I can't believe how much we've covered and that I've learnt, I'm so happy'

GLEN MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY: http://www.glenmitchellphotography.com/

Rhodes House Wedding Shoot - by Glen Mitchell Photography







Beautiful location - Rhodes House, Oxford was the setting and perfect back drop to a recent Bridal shoot, shot by Wedding and Lifestyle photographer extraordinaire Glen Mitchell.

Stunning dresses, gorgeous models, blooming marvelous flowers were the order of the day, together with Make up & Hair provided by 2 of my girls Katie Wilton and assisted by Becky Sutton.

Clean lines and the historic building of Rhodes comes to light and were captured exquisitely here on the images above.

Make up was classic, clean and flawless - my signature, and essential part of application to any working Make up Artist. There was a slight Vintage twist half way through where a few kiss curls were added and a brick red lip, which was perfect for our models skin tone - not too red or pink but more of an orange base.

Hair was kept pretty and not too styled, flowing, yet defined.

STUNNING! Well done team!!!


GLEN MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY: http://www.glenmitchellphotography.com http://www.theweddinghouseuk.co.uk

RHODES HOUSE:
http://www.rhodeshouseoxford.com/

FABULOUS FLOWERS:
http://www.fabulousflowers.biz/

KATHERINE ALLEN EXCLUSIVE WEDDING COLLECTION:
http://www.katherine-allen.co.uk

Lucknam Park hosts Leslie and Ben's pre wedding day and wedding.







The stunning location of 'Lucknam Park' in the depths of the Wiltshire countryside was the setting for Leslie and Ben's pre wedding day for their Tea and Cocktail Party on the Friday, followed by a sensational wedding day on the Saturday. The warmth and welcoming we all received from the staff at Lucknam was evident from the moment we entered the drive way and were met by the charming concierge, only too happy to assist with cars and luggage, to entering the magnificent house with the events team and reception staff - with smiles from morning to night.
The photographs for the celebrations were taken and supplied by the creative duo, Susie and Harley at 'Barker Evans', who have added their unique velvet touch to create a vintage/fine art feel, which worked beautifully with Ben and Leslie’s exquisite style. Sarah Haywood who is an international wedding designer and her fabulous executive assistant Tanya had planned every detail and made sure the days ran to perfection. The flowers as ever when supplied by Mathew and Gary of Fabulous Flowers worked their magic hands on filling the venue, marque and bride/bridesmaids hands with delightful blooms to have anyone cooing over!
It was utter luxury and style from beginning to end, and thanks to a few girls from my team at 'M.A.C.H': Amy Brandon, Melanie Meik and Holly Anderson who worked on the bridal party with their calmness, grace and personalities as always.

At Leslie's trial we discussed her definite looks. They were based on her passion for luxury style and class. Style icons such as Audrey Hepburn & Grace Kelly came to mind, with a mix of modern day beauty Cheryl Cole.

I created 3 very distinctive looks.
The first being for the Tea Party which was a stunning flowing dress in a nude/lilac tone. Leslie wanted the hair to flow also, so I created volume using TIGI leave in volumising conditioner and gave a great blow dry, followed by sections of varying thicknesses and curled each one, pinning up to keep the curl whilst I did the make up.
For the Make up I used my 'signature flawless look' using 'Nars' duo concealer as a very light base, as and where needed, just lightly feathered, followed by 'The Green People' Compact foundation in 'Caramel'.

Caramel - for skin with a yellow undertone

Suitable for sensitive skin and those prone to acne, eczema, psoriasis or rosacea

  • 3 in 1 foundation, powder and sunscreen SPF15
  • Natural complexion, matte finish - no tide mark!
  • Minerals reflect light to minimize fine lines and wrinkles
  • Does not clog your pores, allowing skin to breathe naturally
The eyes were a block of colour across the lid in the same tone as the dress mixed together - by MAC called 'Brule' and 'Hush', then lightly into the sockets I added 'Haux' also by MAC. A fine liner was drawn on the top lid using Bobbie Brown Black Gel liner. Followed by YSL 'Faux Cils'(False Lash) Mascara - great at creating a full set of lashes in minutes, without the need for false lashes.

For the evening dinner I added extra defined curls and pinned them up section by section to create an elegant style that kept the neck line clear of hair and was the perfect balance for the original Vintage black dress Leslie had bought...that wowed everyone! Audrey Hepburn before our eyes.

The Make up was kept very similar to the afternoon but defined further on the top lid with the black gel liner only thicker, and under the eyes a soft blend of MAC shadow in 'Grain' was applied using a socket brush - ideal to create a flawless smudged line. Then I added a hint of MAC 'Vanilla' to the brow arch to give the appearance of open wide eyes and a great highlighter for the evening light and cameras to catch.

A magical 2 days, and what an utter pleasure to be a part of Leslie and Ben's day, and their delightful families...

LUCKNAM PARK : http://www.lucknampark.co.uk/

SARAH HAYWOOD: http://www.sarahhaywood.com/home

BARKER EVANS: http://www.barkerevans.com

FABULOUS FLOWERS:
http://www.fabulousflowers.biz/

THE GREEN PEOPLE: http://www.greenpeople.co.uk