NARS Turns 15

Fifteen years ago, François Nars shook up the cosmetics world when he launched a collection of 12 lipsticks at Barneys, New York with names as evocative as the shades: Honolulu Honey, Blonde Venus, Funny Face, Heatwave, Scarlet Empress, Trans Siberian, Morocco, Casablanca, Red Lizard, Shanghai Express, Jungle Red, and Transeurope Express. The first NARS collection launched "a tradition of indelibly branding each product with a personality and reference based on a person, place, event, film, or simply, an emotion."

Fifteen years on and it's time to celebrate! Founder and Creative Director François commemorate his 15 years in the beauty industry with the launch of ‘15X15’ – a celebrity portrait book which examines the use of make-up and icons. Oh, the glamour.

The limited edition book features 15 famous faces from the worlds of fashion and film including Marc Jacobs, Isabella Rossellini, Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Amber Valetta, and Daphne Guinness.

The book, along with the individual portraits and a series of photographic interpretations taken by each celebrity, will be displayed via a worldwide online gallery www.15x15project.com launching on the 12th November 2009 for only 30 days.

All of the images and the 1500 limited edition books will be available to buy from the website www.15x15project.com. Profits from the project will be distributed among the 15 charities chosen by the participating celebrities including amFAR, White Ribbon Alliance and Greenpeace.

I love it.

www.narscosmetics.co.uk

Beauty Scoop Becomes Bridezilla

Apologises Scoopers, BS is taking a day (or two) out to get hold of my newly-formed Bridezilla tendencies. Who'd have thought?! Must run in the family...

Anyway, once I've sorted out a ring and a venue (and my family!) I will return to my calm, normal self.

Until then, stay happy, healthy and beautiful. xxx

Get Ready For Party Season - Boot Camp Style

Ladies, the party season is officially less than four weeks away and that means drastic action has to be taken (in my case, at least).

And I think I have found the answer...

Le Metier de Beaute, Wole training and NOSH detox are joining forces at Liberty from Monday 9th November to help you get ready for next month's festivities - i.e. make you look your flippin' best.

So whether it's a complimentary session with Le Metier de Beaute's make-up director, a quick fix for December, or you just want to try a new shade of foundation or lipstick and you're not sure what works, this is the place for you.

Beauty Boot Camp will provide you with insider tips and hints from the professionals on how to make the best of yourself both inside and out.

If you spend over £85 on Le Metier de Beaute products you'll get a little gift bag worth approx £50 (Christmas present for sister perhaps?).

For more info and to pre-book appointments, head to www.beautybootcamp.co.uk

Top Dior Christmas Products

Prepare to want to part with some money...

I've just seen these beautiful Christmas products from Christian Dior, and I'm worried for His Lordship. Not only does he have to buy me an engagement ring, he might also have to come with me to the nearest Dior counter and hand over his Amex. Naughty me.

First up in my top picks of the new line is the elegant centrepiece, the Cristal Boréal locket (£55.00) from which the rest of the collection is formed. An oval pendant, reminiscent of the backs of the armchairs in Christian Dior’s studio at 30 Avenue Montaigne, the locket is covered with crystals and inlaid with Swarovski stones (including 4 Aurora Borealis crystals - hence the name, I imagine). Inside lies a sumptuous lip gloss... imagine pulling this out at your Christmas party?! Available in Purple Crystal or Pink Crystal hues.

Second up is the Cristal Boréal Eyeshadow (£19.50). In keeping with the star product, the collector's edition eye shadows are embossed with a raised crystal motif. Available in Silver Gem or Purple Gem.

Gulp. They're too nice to resist. And they're limited edition so you've got to buy them, right?

Available nationwide now.

'How To' Time - Big Party Hair

OK, I've succumed and am now thinking about the festive season... a lot. Aside from picking out a couple of nice outfits for the various parties I'll be going to, I also need to get a party hair look that will sit well, will look natural and will make me feel brilliant.

Check out this video from Schwarzkopf featuring the lovely Lisa Snowdon. In it, the stylist Peter shows you how to get brilliant volume and shine, just in time for the party season. it's full of lots of handy tips and hints so I'm going to be following it step-by-step.

'How To' Time - Victoria Beckham's New Hair

I promise this is the last post about VB for the next little while, but we can't move forward without first discussing the new hair style that she debuted at an LA Lakers game this week. Gone was the razor sharp pixie cut and in its place a more forgiving, fabulously feminine waved bob.

Fancy getting the look? I've recruited Mahogany Hairdressing's* international creative director, Richard Thompson, to give us some comprehensive tips.

"To achieve Victoria’s rich and multi-tonal colour, ask your colourist to apply T-section tan coloured slices through the top, fringe and temple area, putting a glossy dark chocolate colour in-between.

To create her style, I suggest a mid-length, long layered cut with a long and slightly asymmetric fringe. To add volume use S4U T’xT before drying, then use straightening irons to straighten some sections and curl others so that the hair is beautifully textured. Finally dress the hair with S4U D’finR to add shine and finish off the look."

Trust me, I am sorely tempted to try it!

*Mahogany Hairdressing
17 St. George Street
London
W1S 1FJ
T: 020 7629 3121
www.mahoganyhair.co.uk

S4U products are sold online and in-store

The Beauty Spot: Jackie Tyson

Today in The Beauty Spot I speak to Jackie Tyson, celebrity make-up artist. Jackie has been in the industry for over twenty years, working with celebrities like Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Yasmin Le Bon, Daniel Craig, Brandon Flowers (swoon) and she's also the Chief Make-Up Artist on The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. As we speak she's currently working with Bon Jovi... it's a tough job.

Let's find out a little bit more about her.

How did you get into the industry?
I always wanted to be a make-up artist, but growing up in Yorkshire I did not know anyone in the business. I moved to London after my A-levels and studied beauty therapy and hair. Whenever I met a photographer or anyone in the film industry I asked if I could work with them to get experience and I taught myself! I still work with some of the same photographers more than 20 years later.

What are your hero beauty products?
Hero products are Sisley moisturiser, concealers by Laura Mercier, mascara, Avon spectralash, gel liners by Bobbi Brown. Eight hour cream by Elizabeth Arden.

How did you get involved in The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent?
When the first series of The X Factor started Simon Cowell was not happy with how the make-up looked so his creative director got in touch with me. At that time I worked with bands and did lots of TV work as a personal make-up artist. I took over the make-up and have been there ever since as the chief designer for all the contestants.

What advice would you give aspiring make-up artists?
I would like to advise aspiring make-up artists to do a make-up course. It would have saved me a lot of time if I had done a specific course.

What are your thoughts on organic/mineral make-up products?
Organic and mineral make-up is great for people with ultra-sensitive skin.

What are your favourite looks for the winter season?
I am loving the big make-up look. Large, dark, eyes, cheek contour, and bright lips.

Where's your favourite beauty hall/shop?
I am happy in any beauty hall but I love going to pharmacies and make-up shops abroad looking for new and unusual products.

What's next for you?
Next for me will be a Xmas break to catch up with my wonderful family and then I will be concentrating on my new make-up school and website so I can impart the many years of knowledge that I have gathered.

www.jackietyson.co.uk