London Fashion Week SS 2011

Monday 20th September- Giles Deacon

After nearly having a panic attack in Superdrug because I went to John Street, instead of St John Street, I realised the correct address wasn't far away at all, thank God! And as I ran out of the shop in a fluster, there was a black cab with it's light shining, hallelujah! It quickly whisked me the relatively short distance, and I made it just on time. The last thing I want is to be late!!! First off I see Kelly Brook standing right in front of me waiting to sign in, (she looks younger in the flesh, and totally gorgeous with no make-up on)! And then Abbey Clancy gets out of a car, second time I've seen her in about as many weeks.

So, I make my way inside The Farmiloe Building to get set up, and wait for the make-up demonstration. Miranda Joyce is the key, and she has designed a look which is 'sexy, rock & roll, glam, bohemian, arty.' Its not meant to look too well done or hard. Lots of glitter was used around the eyes and through the brows (the girls had their eyebrows bleached first, apart from Kelly Brook who wasn't too willing), and the lip was also bold with Lady Danger red and clear gloss.

My first model was Coco Rocha, and I also made up Kasia Struss. The show was full of big models, such as Agyness Deyn, Jessica Stam, Cameron Russell, Alessandra Ambrosio, Karolina Kurkova, Jessica Hart, Noemie Lenoir, Chanel Iman, Anne Vyalitsyna, Ana Beatriz, Stella Tennant, and Verushka, who was a huge model in the 60s. It was great to see Giles using a variety of different models.

I really hope Giles shows in London again next season, and I get to do his show again! Definitely one of my favourites!!

Great British Hairdresser

Friday 3rd September

In Spring next year (bloody miles away I know), there is going to be a new show on E4, as titled above. Think Britain's Next Top Model but for hairdressers. The challenge for the hairdressers today was to create a hair style around a make-up look. They had one hour in which to do this. Celebrity hairdresser James Brown, and Jo Elvin, Editor of Glamour magazine are on the judging panel. Liz Martins is the key make-up artist. Also involved in the show is Abbey Clancy. It was nice to see her again, as it's been 5 years since working with her on Top Model. It's great to see her doing so well!

V Festival

Friday 20th August 2010

Trundled across London in my Hunters, complete with kit in a suitcase, a heavy shoulder bag, a rucksack, and a bum bag, to assemble at Mac head office for our coach trip to V Festival, Chelmsford. That was me exhausted already! What a nightmare! But once calmed down on the coach, I was really looking forward to the experience, if also feeling slightly apprehensive about the whole camping thing, (and I was lucky enough to be treated to a pod, rather than a tent thank God, and Mac had their own toilets and showers for us to use).

In the exclusive Louder Lounge was where I would be working for the weekend, making up VIPs and talent in the Mac tent. Dean Rudd had designed four festival looks, which a lot of the guests wanted to sport themselves, or we could do a make-up of their choice. Our shifts were in two hour stints, so we had a good amount of time to enjoy the festival outside of the Louder Lounge if we wanted. But it was so cool in there I spent most of my time in there. Except to see Florence of course.

I felt really lucky to have been asked to participate. We got treated like VIPs also, we could eat and drink for free all day, and we had beds with duvets and electricity in our little houses! I was ready to come home by the end of it though, and have a nice long hot soak in the bath!