Makeup at Paris Fashion Week: Part 2

My last PFW post got up to the makeup midway through Sunday, so I figured I'd do a part 2, to peruse some of the looks which appeared on the runways from late Sunday afternoon to Wednesday! Here are a few of my favourites!

Maiyet:

photo credit
photo credit

I felt like I had to include a picture of the clothes from this show, as well as the makeup, because it was undoubtedly one of my favourites! How effortlessly cool is that top picture there! Absolutely stunning. Anyway, in terms of makeup, I really loved the dark smokey eyes shown here, it was a slightly more glam, defined look than the smudgey black eyeshadow/liner look at Jean Paul Gaultier, and it tied in beautifully with the clothes.

Stella McCartney:

photo credit

How pretty is this soft lilac and blue look from Stella McCartney? Colourful mascara can often be a bit hit or miss, but I think the electric blue mascara here, paired with the soft, subtle purple shades around the lashes looks gorgeous! I also love the really soft peachy lips and full brows.

Moncler Gamme Rouge:

photo credit

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a sucker for graphic eyeliner, and this look for the Moncler Gamme Rouge show totally blew me away. I couldn't find a good, clear picture from the runway to show just how amazing this is, so I went with this wee backstage shot. This almost Black Swan inspired makeup looked fantastic with the dramatic black and white statement clothes on this runway.

Miu Miu:

photo credit

Another very dramatic look, and another featuring the colour blue - very much a trend alongside minimal makeup and strong brows this month at Paris. I'm sure, given some of the looks I chose in my last PFW post (Manish Arora and Tsumori Chisato) that it won't come as a suprise that I love this look at Miu Miu! It's incredibly creative, and the totally minimal makeup everywhere else (bare lips and hardly any coverage on the cheeks) lets the eyes do all the talking.

Valentino:

photo credit

As you can see, some of the models on the Valentino show sported a more greyish toned eye while others were seen with a more pinky/coral hue, but both were incredibly soft and delicate. There were no crazy false lashes here, or thick, winged out liner. At the same time though, it was a step up from a lot of the looks on the catwalk which were pretty much no makeup at all! It was simple, but effective and suited the folksy sort of clothes showcased here perfectly.

Akris:

photo credit

Another blue look! I just think the makeup at the Akris show looked incredibly clean and simple, and while making a statement, it didn't try to compete with the clothes, or do too much. The pop of colour on the eyelids is vibrant, and striking, but it isn't winged too far out, taken up past the socket line, or even taken under the bottom lashes - it is confined the the lid itself and along with a lovely glossy lip, makes for a really gorgeous makeup look. This is, in fact, probably one of my favourites altogether at Paris this February/March!

Chanel:

photo credit

Finally, I felt that I couldn't very well ignore the huge, statement, jewel-encrusted eyebrows at Chanel - I won't say too much about it because I think the picture above speaks for itself!

So that's that for another Fashion Week. What were your favourite looks on the catwalk? Fashion and beauty wise?! Let me know in the comments below, or tweet me at lynseymac1 on twitter! Thanks for reading guys, hope you've had a great weekend!

Lynsey x

Inspiring Makeup in Music Videos

I don't know about anyone else, but music videos are one of the places I find myself most drawn to for makeup inspiration these days - it's are one of the areas of the film industry (sort of!) that the makeup can be really diverse and creative, because there's no need to stick to anything realistic like you often would working on a film or television show - it can be a combination of high fashion creative style makeup, and totally neutral no-makeup makeup, and more often than not, more than one look is present in any one video. Here are a few of my top choice music video makeup looks from recent years! Click on the song/artist names for a link to the video.

Jennifer Lopez - I'm Into You

I don't think it's a secret how much I adore the makeup in this video. JLo looks absolutely incredible, and the makeup is stunning, I don't think you could fail to be inspired to try it out! Her skin looks so beautiful, and for someone like me, who's a sucker for eye makeup, this is definitely a winner!

photo credit

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

There are several FANTASTIC looks in this video, and while the song isn't one of her most famous tracks, the video should definitely be more well known. She looks, of course, incredible in the video, with a lot of really interesting eyeliner work, bright lips, amazing eyeshadow and interesting hair styles. The video has a fifties vibe, so there are plenty red lips thrown in for good measure!

photo credit

Beyonce - Countdown

Beyonce again! Might as well list them one after the other! This is another really amazing video in terms of makeup, with some seriously fun, creative looks, and some more toned down, natural beauty shots. If you're looking for inspiration, look no further!

photo credit

Pixie Lott - What Do You Take Me For

Pixie is well known for her heavy eye makeup, and normally wears a lot of black liner, statement lashes and often a bit of glitter. This look is totally opposite that, but I think it's stunning. She is a beautiful girl, and this more toned down makeup really accentuates that.

photo credit

Pixie Lott - All About Tonight

AND just to totally contrast, this is the makeup from her all about tonight video. Some very striking looks in this one.

photo credit


Rihanna - Who's That Chick (Day Version)

Want to try some majorly colourful makeup? Then here's the video for you!

photo credit


Hope you enjoyed that guys! If you'd like me to do more of these 'makeup inspiration' posts let me know either in the comments below, or tweet me (my twitter name is lynseymac1)! There are plenty more where that came from! :)

Lynsey x

Disclaimer: None of the photos above belong to me, the sources are linked below the images.

International Women's Day - Imaginary Dinner Part Guest List

Since International Women's Day is coming up this week, I thought I'd do a wee wish list of some famous ladies I'd love to meet - a sort of fantasy dinner party type idea! So here they are, in no particular order... Click on their names for links to interviews, performances etc.

1. Ellen De Generes

photo credit

I can't imagine that there's anyone out there who wouldn't want to meet Ellen. Apart from the fact I think she's an amazing role model for women all over the world, she is absolutely hilarious, and seems like one of the most genuinely nice people on the L.A. scene. I have so much admiration for how honest and down to earth she is, and it's obvious that I'm not the only one! Everyone wants to be on The Ellen Show! I can't imagine that off camera she is any different to how she is on TV, and while we ought to live in a liberal enough society by now that being a famous lesbian, in a stable and public relationship with another famous woman shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary, I really do think she's an amazing example for young girls, gay or straight, to look up to.

2. Katie Piper

photo credit

No one should have to go through what this girl has been through, and yet she handles herself with such grace and dignity, and is constantly working to make sure that not only does no one have to go through the horrific sort of attack she suffered, but also to raise awareness and help burn victims through her charity The Katie Piper Foundation. At only 28 (she was 24 when her ex-boyfriend threw sulphuric acid directly into her face) she is an absolutely inspiring young woman, and the work she is carrying out is so important. I really think that more people should know her story than I think actually do.

3. Sandra Bullock

photo credit

The photo says it all, doesn't it! I love this woman, I really do. I think when someone can have as successful a career as she has had, and yet still be so down to earth and humorous, it is incredibly appealing. I love watching interviews with Sandra because she never comes across as starry or stand offish, even after a very public break up just a couple of years ago. She is absolutely one of my favourite actresses and while I'm slightly gutted that Ryan Reynolds is dating Blake Lively when he and Sandra seemed so close for a while there (and no-one can deny they have chemistry!), I have nothing but respect for the way she dealt with the 'scandal' surrounding her husband's infidelity and just got on with living her life with her gorgeous little boy, and focusing on him and her career rather than the trauma of such a public divorce.

4. Kristen Bell

photo credit

I have been a massive Kristen fan for years, and Veronica Mars is certainly in my top 3 favourite TV shows of all time, and a contender for the number one spot - which is saying something considering how much of a TV drama fan I am! I think that because a lot of her films lately have been comedies, people maybe don't realise how talented she is. See Veronica Mars for proof of how amazing she really is - she'll make you laugh and cry within seconds of each other. Anyway, aside from how talented she is, I love how game she is for anything. That's the one thing people who have worked with her say, she isn't afraid to try anything, or to make a fool of herself. She has the kind of confidence I think we all wish we had, without ever seeming arrogant - she is actually really self-deprocating. And, on top of all that, she does a lot of amazing charity work, is a huge ambassador for animal welfare charities and I'm so impressed with how outspoken she is about these issues - it's exactly the sort of work people in the public eye should all be doing.

5. Beyonce

photo credit

Who wouldn't want to meet Beyonce?! She is one of the most successful women on the planet, and she has bucketloads of talent and class. She is a great example for young girls in that she embraces her curves and her incredible career so far is definitely an inspiration for all of us. Hard work, talent and determination can lead to great things, and Beyonce is a testament to that - and she isn't even thirty yet. I must admit, the amount of money she and Jay Z have reportedly been spending on baby Blue Ivy has, for the first time, slightly changed my opinion of her - I don't really think any child, no matter how successful her parents are, needs to be bought a $600,000 solid gold rocking horse. But I still have a lot of respect for Beyonce's talent and hard work.

6. Lauren Graham

photo credit

For sheer entertainment purposes, I would want Lauren Graham at any dinner party I was throwing. Much like Kristen Bell, my love for Lauren was born through an obsession with one of her characters on TV, the wonderful Lorelai Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, and it hasn't stopped there. Even though I planned to start watching Parenthood anyway, my excitement about the show shot up when I heard Lauren was to star in it. She's funny and witty and never fails to put a smile on my face - I love watching interviews with her. I also love the fact (as ridiculous as this sounds) that she is single, and seems perfectly happy that way. You never see messy break ups or relationship speculation plastered all over the internet when it comes to Lauren, she is a successful woman who doesn't need a man to make her feel secure. Although I think ANYONE would be lucky to have her!

7. Demi Lovato

photo credit

As one of the more recent Disney teen stars, Demi has had a turbulent year. She entered rehab for various problems, and has come out stronger, and openly discussing the troubles she's faced - self-harm, eating disorders and severe self-esteem issues stemming from childhood/teen bullying. Having completed a lengthy stint in rehab, I think it's great to see Demi (19) really being a voice for young girls who are going through the same thing. She is a gorgeous girl, and very talented, and I think it's hugely important to have people in the public eye speaking out about these issues and being a role model for young people facing the same things. Everyone experiences their teenage years differently, and that's why it's so important to have people like Demi admitting that they have struggled with these problems, but showing how with courage and determination, you can overcome them.

8. Mindy Kaling

photo credit

I recently finished reading Mindy Kaling's book 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)' and it's one of the best books I've read in a long time. I feel like she is someone I would instantly be friends with, her personality comes through amazingly in her writing (the book is an autobiographical style series of snippets of her life, her career and her opinions) and she really reminds me of myself and my best friend. As a successful female writer and producer working in television comedy (she is a writer and exec producer on the American version of The Office, also starring in it as Kelly), she's really inspiring. I love to see women doing well in comedy, and alongside people like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, she has cemented herself as a talented and incredibly funny woman on American television.

9. J.K.Rowling

photo credit

As a massive fan of Harry Potter, I wasn't sure, until recently, what I made of J.K.Rowling. However, the special features on the last two dvds changed this. For a start, the woman is crazy talented - can you imagine having come up with the idea for Harry Potter?! And apart from the intricate story itself, the way she uses language is amazing. My mum is fascinated by the origin of different words and different language, and every time we watch one of the films together, she is sure to comment on how clever some of the names she chose for certain people, places, spells etc in the HP universe were. But more than that, the way she talks about her own childhood, and the fact she was desperate to find a girl in literature that she, as a shy, and somewhat insecure bookworm, could relate to really made me warm to her, and I think in Hermione, and a lot of the other wonderful women in the book series, she certainly achieved that. She is a great inspiration for young women who want to make a career as an author, and I have a huge amount of respect for what she has achieved.

10. Lady Gaga

photo credit


I can't decide whether this is an obvious choice or not. Lady Gaga fascinates me, for so many reasons, but I think the fact that she genuinely doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks of her is what makes me really admire her. Her outlandish outfits spark constant debate and controversy, and her elaborate music videos are more often than not akin to some sort of avant-garde art rather than the mainstream music category her songs fit into. She has a very strong idea of what her career is about, and her dramatic, artistic performance are always amazing to watch. I think it's lovely to see how sweet and almost shy she often is when she is interviewed, and while she puts up with a lot of criticism from people who constantly judge her, she never changes herself or her attitude. And that, my friends, is definitely something we should all try to emulate :)

This wasn't really a tag, but if you guys fancy doing it, then jump on board the Inspirational Women train and let me know who your top ten famous women are! They can be from any walk of life (I haven't strayed into the areas of science or politics here, but if you fancy doing so then go for it!) and I think we should all do something on March the 8th to raise awareness on this very important day.

Lynsey x

ps the women I have mentioned are all amazing, and have had the chance in life to be educated and work towards these incredible careers. Not all women have this chance at the moment, and that's something International Women's Day is working to change. Go to their website, linked here, to find out more information.

My Favourite Makeup So Far at PFW...

This isn't going to be a trend post or particularly in depth, it's just a little 'mid-way through Paris Fashion Week' post since I've just spent ages on the Vogue website looking through some of the catwalk makeup from the shows so far! There are a couple of crackers :)

Ready to Wear A/W 2012/2013 Collections

Manish Arora

I love this colourful makeup from the Manish Arora show. It's fun and eccentric and I couldn't take my eyes off it! When I eventually managed to take a look at the clothes though, the makeup compliments them perfectly. The bold lip and the detail around the eyes are really striking, and a total step away from the many many minimalist makeup looks I've seen at Paris so far.

See by Chloe

How fantastic are the brows and contouring on this look at the See by Chloe runway?! The nude lip and eyes are in keeping with the pretty ubiquitous minimal makeup, but the defined brows make a statement, and are complimented rather than overpowered by the deep contouring. I absolutely love this, of all the simple makeup looks on the runway, I think this is my favourite.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Got to love a bit of rock chick-esque drama at Jean Paul Gaultier. The skin looked dewy and fresh, not too heavily powdered, and ensured that the smudgey, glossy black eyeshadow and liner look came across as effortlessly cool looking rather than too stylized or glamorous.

Barbara Bui

Catwalk aside, I think this is a beautiful makeup look, definitely something I plan to recreate for a night out in the near future! It's the gorgeous gold eye-makeup that really makes it, it instantly catches your eye without being too over the top or taking away from the lovely clothes on this runway. Another nice nude lip seen here too.

Tsumori Chisato

Getting a bit more dramatic again, this look from Tsumori Chisato is another favourite of mine. The graphic, squared off eyeliner and pretty pink lip are totally contrasting, but that's partly why it caught my eye. The clothes on this show were really fun, and something a bit different, so this makeup was a testament to that! I also loved the really defined brows on this look.

Christian Dior

This is another gorgeous look at Christian Dior, a bit softer and simpler than some of the Dior makeup over the past couple of years, but it certainly gets the thumbs up from me. A similar goldish eyeshadow to the Barbara Bui look can be seen here, but it's a tiny bit more smokey and a heavier look in terms of the cheek contouring, with a lovely shade of coral toned bronze on the back of the cheeks.

There are many more designers still to hit the runways with their Autumn/Winter collections in Paris over the next couple of days, so let's keep our eyes peeled for some more interesting Fashion Week makeup!

Lynsey x

Disclaimer, none of the photos above belong to me. All sources are linked below.
photo credit - fashioning

Haul: Watt Brothers, Superdrug, Dorothy Perkins!

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I'd gone a little bit mad in Watt Brothers, so I decided it was about time to actually do a blog post on the products I picked up!

The first thing on my little list, were these gorgeous Maybelline Pencils. Now, I haven't seen these in any UK drug stores, so I'm thinking they might be an American thing? They are the Maybelline New York Eyestudio: 2 in 1 Impact Shadow Liners, and they're absolutely gorgeous - they had about five shades, but since I already have eyeliners a plenty, in lots of colours, I managed to contain myself and only buy two, at an unbelievable 99p each! I went for a gold and a really dark bronze, shown swatched below, although they don't actually have names or numbers on them which is a bit odd.

The next thing which ended up on my receipt were five of the Rimmel 8 Hour Mousse Eyeshadows. I've already got two of these at home, and although I love them, I wouldn't normally buy five at a time - except that they were only £1.99 each! These shadows blend really well for a high street cream shadow, and the colour range is lovely. Swatched below (L-R) are Get Fresh, Splash, Midnight Blue, Galaxy and Black Pearl.

Next on the agenda was lip products. I came away with two lipsticks, two lipglosses and a lipliner. The lipglosses are lovely, the first being a gorgeous glossy red Lacquer Shine from Sally Hansen. The colour is Lily, and I'm absolutely in love with it. I'm a big fan of Sally Hansen liglosses, they always have beautiful colour payoff, and don't tend to be too sticky! The other is a Bourjois Paris Eau de Gloss (another product I've never seen in any shops which stock Bourjois) in the colour Brun Petillant:

As for the lipliner, I was using it at a Bridal Makeup trial last night and it will be buried somewhere in my kit, so I'll just have to describe it! It's one of the Rimmel 1000 Kisses lipliner pencils, in the colour natural! And the lipsticks, which were both Revlon Super Lustrous, in the colours Spiced Brandy and Fleshtone, have been de-potted and put into my kit! So, that was my lot, 12 items (including two Revlon Super Lustrous lipstics, which retail for (I think) £7.99 or £8.99 each) and here's a picture of the total on my receipt:

Under £20!!! Now that's what I call a bargain!

I then popped to Superdrug, where I returned home not only with a brand new Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara (my favourite of all time!) but a nifty new little blusher palette from Sleek. These limited edition Blush by 3 palettes are gorgeous, and while I really wanted another of the shades, which was sold out, I'm pretty happy with the one I left with! It's called the Flame palette, with shades Furnace, Bon Fire and Molten. The shade Bon Fire really reminds me of the MAC blusher Frankly Scarlet, it looks scary in the pan, but actually gives a really lovely, soft flush of colour to the cheeks!

And last but not least, I found a bargain today in Dorothy Perkins - this little guy was just a pound!

He's a litte owl necklace, I've held off buying it at £8.50 for ages, turns out it was worth it. I think my friend Beatrice will appreciate this, check out her blogpost on owl related fashion here!

Thanks for reading this massive haul guys :)

Lynsey x