Its all about the pony tail

Mason Pearson

The classic brush - This is the best beauty investment you will ever make. Although this brush is pricey, it will last you for years and years. This brush is amazing, it smooths and shine over the hair with every stroke and reduced frizz. Brushing with a Mason Pearson hair brush is the best way to distribute the natural oils while exfoliating the scalp and stimulating circulation of the hair follicles. It is gentle enough to brush through tangled back combed hair, but is still great for creating high-volumed teasing.

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil 

I'm always looking for products that make my thick, fluffy hair more manageable without a lot of effort on my part. I want smooth locks without using a blowdryer, straightener or loads of products.This product is a lifesaver. After washing your hair apply a small amount of the oil into damp hair, comb through and either leave to air dry or style. Leaves hair in shiny waves with hardly any frizz.

Hair Bungee

A clever little alternative to the traditional ponytail hair band that we all know and love. This elastic was developed to help create the perfect ponytail. The Ponytail Bungee Band has 2 hooks that secure the band in the hair, instead of the traditional loops. In simple words you secure one hook in your hair, wrap the bungee cord around your hair until the elastic is taut, and secure the other hook in your hair again. I know it may sound complicated, but it does work perfectly every time.

GET THE LOOK: GOLDEN GLOBES' KATIE HOLMES LOW PONYTAIL

Step-by-Step: 

Step 1: Apply Organix Moroccan Argan Penatrating Oil to towel dried hair and comb through.

Step 2: Using a large round brush, blow dry hair on high-heat and part it on your desired side.

Step 3: Go over the hair with a straightener from root to tip, to create a super sleek look and then brush it through with a Mason Pearson brush.

Step 4: Gather the parted hair low at the nape of the neck, and secured it using a hair bungee. Then wrapped several small pieces of hair around the bungee to hide it, and secured those strands with bobby pins.

Step 5: Finished by spraying a supple amount of Deliplus Brillo Diamante spray.

FREEZE that FAT with Cool Contours España

Spring is clearly among us which means summer is soon approaching - so if you haven't started already now is the perfect time to start creating those bikini bodies ladies. So many of us promise ourselves every new year that we want to start living a healthy life style and lose weight. I knew I wanted to be in the best shape of my life and this is my year to achieve just that. 

The idea of getting into shape is one thing, actually getting into shape is another. There are certain areas of our body we just can’t shift the extra weight or is stubborn body fat.

Well ladies the answer to all these problems is now here on the costa del sol, with Cool Contours España. Direct from the U.S.A. & U.K. Cool Contours España is the latest non-invasive, fat-freezing FDA-approved treatment as used by celebrities. Lose up to 25-40% of your stubborn body fat and cellulite permanently with state of the art fat freezing technology. A painless and safe liposuction treatment in under an hour from qualified technicians.

What is fat freezing??

It is a non invasive procedure that removes fat, with no scalpel, no needle, no special diets and with no down time from work or social activities. It’s the latest buzz with the likes of Colleen Rooney, Britney Spears and Amy Willerton and is known to many as ‘Lunchtime Lipo’ - It takes under an hour to have the procedure and you can walk straight back out and carry on with your day, with no pain or discomfort. 

Cool Contour España’s unique technology uses controlled cooling to freeze and eliminate unwanted fat cells without surgery. The procedure is FDA-approved, safe and an effective way to reduce fat and contour your body. It is similar to liposuction without the surgery, it freezes localised fat deposits to a low temperature where the fat cells slowly die over the course of several weeks and is naturally eliminated from your body. The results are lasting and undeniable. This procedure is great for those lumps and bumps that don't respond to diets and exercise as quickly as other areas may. The procedure is done without effecting skin muscle, tissue or vital organs because fat cells freeze much more quickly. Results can be seen with an 8 to 10 week period, but it is extremely important that you drink up to 2litre of water a day to help flush the fat cells out through your lymphatic system.

The procedure

I was greeted by the lovely Lisa and Sally of Cool Contours España, where it was first explained to me about the development  of Cryogenic lipoysis which is the medical term used for the procedure and how the concept came about which was incredibly interesting. it was then explained to me what the non invasive fat-freezing process was going to entail and then I answered a full medical questionnaire before getting started. 

By the time I got into the room I was totally relaxed knowing I was in the safe hands of Cool Contour España. At first a icy cold membrane was applied to my tummy, which is used to protect the area and then the machine is applied. I felt the suction and a bit of cold, but after 3 to 4 minutes the area had been frozen and I felt nothing whilst lying there for the hour, no discomfort or any pain. I sat talking to Lisa and didn't even realise the time passing, it was amazing! I am really looking forward to seeing the results in the next two months and have most defiantly booked in for my second treatment with the girls. 

Contact Cool Contour España for a FREE consultation

Facebook: Cool Contours España

The Art of Highlight and Contouring

Ever since miss Kim Kardashian graced our screen and reintroduced the art of contouring. It has become one of the most popular and in demand looks when doing private clients, brides and high fashion editorial. Im asked constantly how to achieve a contoured effect at home, well lady here are a few home tips for you.

Contouring, is a technique previously reserved for runway models and high fashion photo shoots, but is now becoming part of our daily routines. 

Soooo what is it, exactly? In a nutshell - Contouring is giving shape to an area of the face and enhancing the facial structure through makeup, It's not supposed to be noticeable—just a subtle definition. And I mean subtle. In other words, It's all about the artistry—and illusion! This is not the time to go find one of your darker shade of blusher or bronzer and draw a line under your cheek bone - its subtle as mentioned previously! 

Highlighting is the process by which you accentuates the highest points of your face. Like the highest part of your cheek bones, just under your eyebrows, bridge of your nose.  The product should be one to two shades lighter than your complexion. You can use both shimmery and matte products for highlighting.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes o trying out the contoured look at home.

Contours are meant to be matte, while highlighting is meant to have shimmer. don't get the two confused and remember texture is key!

A lot of people contour with their bronzer, But I'm against that unless you have tanned skin. You need to find something that creates the illusion of an actual shadow, choose a shade one to two shades darker than your skin tone, these will typically have tones of beiges and browns. 

If you're using powders to contour, you'll achieve a more matte finish. If you use creams, the result will be more dewy. If you are a beginners start with creamy products, these will be much easier to build up and blend in till you get your desired look. 

Get an angled cream brush to hit under the cheekbone and jaw bone. (picture of a angled brush Brushes are key to any good application of makeup! You should buy two, one for contouring and one for highlighting. Just about every makeup artist in the world swears by MAC #217. This will help with the precision to apply under the jawline, and around the cheekbone for a precise, airbrushed finish.

There is one rule to keep in mind when it comes to highlighting and contouring. Hard lines are not elegant or chic. Use a regular foundation brush or a damp egg sponge and tap it into the contour to make sure there's no hard obvious lines. You absolutely need to BLEND BLEND BLEND!! 

Once you have finished contouring your face, don’t forget to add some colour to the apple of the cheek and a bit of sheen to the cheekbones to further enhance the complexion. A peachy-pink tone for a natural-looking flush always works best and adapts to most skin tones, then add luminizer just at the top of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, and a hint on the chin for super-fresh skin. My all time favourite is Benefit High Beam - its creamy liquid texture is easy to apply and long lasting results.

Friendly Fires : Hawaiian Air : Music Video

Friday 6th May, I had the pleasure of spending the day on set - shooting the new single 'Hawaiian Air' with the very talented and awesome 'Friendly Fires' - Playing dance-oriented music with the feel of indie pop but the insistent pulse of disco, Friendly Fires come from St. Albans, England. Featuring Ed Macfarlane on vocals and keyboards, Edd Gibson on guitar, and Jack Savidge on drums, all three members of Friendly Fires were in their early twenties when they began making a splash on the U.K. music scene in 2006!
The Video was great fun to shoot! great laughs and what a fabulous team to be apart of! Want to wish the boys all the best with their new album, 'Pala' - to be released on the 16th May in the UK - Check it out!!

My Walk-In-Wardrobe

Whilst down in South Africa at the beginning of the year I was asked by founder of 'My Walk-in-wardrobe' Alethea if I would create the look for her fabulous online winter collection.
Was a magic two days, first one in studio with Kat Grudko - photographer and second day was spent at the Kyalami Castle -Shooting off the roof tops with the most exquisite views of Johannesburg. I will be uploading photo's soon on to my portfolio :)
visit www.mywalkinwardrobe.co.za to view the collection.

My First Blog...

As many of you know I have recently started in a new job where I have been asked to combine my career as a make-up artist with my love for fashion! I was asked at the time whether I blogged and to be honest when asked I had no clue as to how I would even go about starting a blog and what I would even blog about - but after a little persuasion here I am. My friends are always asking me tips for applying make-up and so my initial thought was to write a few of these down. Then I realised that as with fashion, makeup styles also change and so I have decided to write about my current inspirations in both fashion and makeup and basically in short WHAT IS HOT AND WHAT IS NOT!  I hope you all enjoy my blog and dont forget to share it with your friends and family!