Tag Archives: lipstick

Violet and Wren Lookbook A/W 2016 Photoshoot

You know I work on lots of beautiful weddings, but I also work on locations and in studios providing hair and makeup for editorial, fashion, advertising and portrait photoshoots. This one for Violet and Wren is one of my all time favourites.

I’ve had these images lingering in my dropbox for while now and I had to keep them there until the final look book had been released. They are surely some of the most glorious images I’ve ever received.

Model: Clea Martin at Storm, Images: Polly Hanrahan

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The colours, textures and achingly beautiful styling of this British silk loungewear brand are WOW. Feast your eyes…then probably go and treat yourself or someone you sleep beside, to something gorgeous.  The collection: Midnight With Lulu by Violet and Wren is available now…

Carolanne x

 

Easy Valentine’s Day Red Lipstick Tutorial

It’s the best seasonal excuse this side of Christmas to wear a bold red lipstick, whether you give a fig about Valentine’s Day or not. I love vibrant red lips and here’s how I would recommend making it current and wearable.

Step 1. Really important: apply some lip balm or something that will soften and lift off any dry skin. Carmex, Paw Paw ointment, and Lanolips are all used in my kit depending on condition of the skin. Skin Food is a really great emergency remedy. Apply and allow to absorb.www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist

 

Step 2. Do the rest of your make up. I really like the lips to be the main focus with the rest of the face quite simple. This stops you looking too made up and keeps the look current. I’ve applied serum, foundation, filled my eyebrows, cream blusher and mascara. I’m thinking runway red lip, not 50’s pin-up. (If you’re not wearing any other makeup, talk amongst yourselves for a minute.)


Step 3.  gently scrub lips to remove any skin that’s lifted off and wipe away excess balm. Use a lip liner no darker than your chosen colour to line and fill the lips. It doesn’t need to match exactly. In fact a nude lip liner is good under most lip shades. Don’t over-draw, just trace the edge of your own lip. Repeat after me: I am not Jodie Marsh/Shannon Doherty in 90210 (The Original!) The purpose of the lipliner is to prevent bleeding and give your lipstick something to stick to.image-3-e1454678726567 www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist

Step 4. Using a lip brush, start at the cupid’s bow and fill away from the middle, following the liner. I recommend a red lipstick with a moisturising matt finish in this process. I’m using Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Matt Lip Colour in 51 ‘La Bouleversante’. Don’t venture too far into the corners or it can look clownish. www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist

Step 5. Blot, and repeat step 4. When I say blot, I mean press firmly. You want the colour to be pressed in,  and become stained.  (Depending on how bold you want it, you can repeat step 4 again to add another layer of colour.)www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist

Alternatively: To wear it in a  ‘not too fussed actually’ style, paint only onto the centre of the lips, dab and lightly blend by tapping outwards with a fingertip. It doesn’t need to look perfect, just deliberate.www.carolannearmstrong.com // hair and makeup artist

You will probably need to touch up if you’re eating and drinking. A retractable lip brush is a great thing to have with you. A straw is always helpful, but actually, I think it’s perfectly fine to leave your mark.

Carolanne x

A Make Up Artist’s Kit Secret: Skin Food

Skin Food. It’s multi-purpose wonder stuff.

I know a lot of you are interested in ‘no nasties’ in your skin products and Weleda are marvellous for thatSkin Food is something of a cult wonder product, rated highly by celebs and my model favourite Erin O’Connor I’ve been in love with it for years and thought I’d add a post here for anyone still unfamiliar with it. Skin Food contains organic plant extracts, plant oils and waxes, essential oils orange and lavandulae and almond oil, sunflower oil,organic beeswax and hypoallergenic lanolin. No artificial preservatives or parabens. Nobody likes a paraben.

image: carolanne armstrong

The key active plant ingredients in Skin Food read like my dream garden: Chamomile Flower Extract. The flowers of this plant possess gentle healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In skin care it is often paired with Calendula, the combination having a soothing, calming effect. Wild Pansy Extract: the tiny viola tricolour is particularly good for rough or cracked skin, and helps keep skin supple. Calendula Flower Extract is known for it’s soothing and healing effects on irritated or inflamed skin and has antibacterial properties, protecting from infection. Rosemary Leaf Extract which  is revitalising and stimulating to the complexion.

So with all that in mind, here are my 5 favourite applications of Skin Food…

5. Elbows and knees – target dry skin patches.

4. Hand cream – especially in the winter, apply with abandon. It’s great for nail and cuticle conditioning. It’s a good day when even your nails look moisturised.

3. Baby safe – I happily use on my baby’s skin, you only need a teeny amount.

2. Overnight foot treatment for cracked heels and dry toes.

***drumroll please***

1. If you have dry lips from the assault of the winter winds but want to wear a statement lipstick, Skin Food makes for quite the awesome matt lip primer, as used on this photoshoot. (Apply sparingly, pat in and allow to dry)

Image ©www.fanniwilliams.com

I have lots of samples of Skin Food in my kit for any clients with skin in need of feeding (I am a feeder).

Carolanne x