Published! Well.. sort of

http://lauraecox.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/abandon-hope-all-yee-who-enter-how-to-be-an-intern/

Here Comes The Rain Again..

Drip drip drop go the April showers and frizz frizz ruin goes my hair. Yes, having stoically brazened out the cold winter and drying effects of the ever-ubiquitous central heating, my rebellious hair will take the oportunity to double in size at even the slightest hint of rain this spring. What's a girl to do? Well, they say that prevention is better than cure, so here's what I'm going to be doing to get my locks in tip top in preparation for spring. 

1. Invest in an intensive hair treatment mask - I love Bumble & Bumble Mending Masque, £27.50 at www.spacenk.co.uk. Drench towel dried hair in you chosen conditioning treatment, wrap hair in aluminum foil and then a hot towel (achieved by hanging it on a radiator) and wait 30 mins. Your hair will feel luxuriously smooth and soft, and you can rest assured that you've restored it to at least part of it's former glory. Tip source: Giannandrea Marongiu, hairstylist to Kirsten Dunst and Hilary Swank. Quoted in US InStyle, March 2011.

2. Choose your tools carefully. One of the greatest causes of hair breakage is burshing. Opt for a flexible, wide-toothed brush, which will prevent unnecesary snagging. Tangle Teezer's Compact Styler (£12.24 at www.tangleteezer.com) is fab, and totally travel-friendly so you can be smooth on the move, too. 

3. Go nowhere near heated tools until you've applied a generous amount of your favourite heat defense product. Many serums and straightening gels have thermal defending properties (I like Redken Sheer Straigh 06, £12.55 at www.lookfantastic.com), but if using with straightening irons it's always a good idea to use a product from the brand's range, as these are specifically formulated to prevent build-up on your irons. I like GHD's thermal protector series, £9.95 at ghdhair.com)

4. Give it a rest! Try a 'one-on-one-off' regime for your hair. One wash, you heat-style to your wee hearts content, the next wash, you leave your locks be. Take inspiration from Natalie Portman and tame unruly barnets on 'off'' days with this season's must-try updo: the bun. Secure hair in a ponytail in the middle of your head, twist until the hair begins to fold back on itself, and secure with another band or hair pins. Et voila - no one need ever know that you skimped on your styling, and your hair will thank you for the break.

5. If you have no time for prevention, and need a cure, fast, rinse your hair with vinegar. No really. The acidity of the vinegar will close the hair's cuticles, forcing them all to lie in the same direction, and maximising light reflection and shine. 

Cute or Custard?

Yesterday, I proudly paraded a new nail colour by M&S in what I thought was a perfectly spring-like shade of yellow, "Lemon". It went on easily, dried quickly, and looked fashion forward and edgy. I thought. However, far from attracting praise and admiration, I was stopped in my tracks by a damning report delivered from my sister; "looks like you stuck your hands in birds-eye custard". Hm. So, I re-grouped, removed and started a-fresh. And then, as I picked out a second choise shade, "Ice To Meet You" by Leighton Denny (a sort of pearlised-gone-wrong dirty yellow), it hit me. Following A/W10's every-so-slightly grubby greys, this season's nail colours are actually just a little bit gross. Take Denny's gunky green "Inside Scoop", a slightly snotty shade of the much-loved secondary colour, or Orly's violent "Old School Orange". And so I wonder. With such ubiquitous colours taking the beauty counters by storm, how long before we all succumb to custard-nail syndrome? 

Love/Hate

Foundation and I have enjoyed a bit of a love/hate relationship over the years. From orange and cakey to thin and patchy, I seem to have made just about every face-paint mistake in the book.. but with almost a decade of religious application under my belt, I like to think I've finally cracked it. That's not to say I don't suffer the occasional blip; just last week, I was greeted by a chorus of "Oompa-Loompa.." from my male friends on account of my mis-matching face and neck (I blame bad lighting). And it's here that dwells the underlying fear many people experience when they consider foundation. I think the phrase "tide marks" just about sums it up.  However, with new technologies making applicaiton and blending simpler than ever, a poor result can be down only to poor choice of tool. So, I have compilied a list of tried and tested bases - from bargain to boutique - in the hope of inspiring many a happy and fuss-free face-foundation relationship.  

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse – Cheap, super easy to apply, and creates a soft texture. Can look a little one-dimensional though, so be sure to use a good blusher-highlighter combination to liven-up your complexion. £7.69 at www.boots.com 

DiorSkin Forever - Really thick coverage, perfect for a night out or those crucial morning-after moments. I need lashings of powder with this one, but then my skin is quite dry so I’m used to a very matte complexion. £28 at www.Selfridges.com

Lancome Teint Miracle – My go-to daytime foundation. Super light, it blends like a moisturiser and leaves skin looking naturally flawless, without the risk of tide marks. I Literally cannot fault this. £22.55 at www.lancome.co.uk

Chanel Naturally Luminous Compact Makeup SPF10 - Encased in a touch-up friendly compact, and blends like a dream. Won best in category at this year's InStyle Best Beauty Buy awards, voted for by almost 200 industry insiders. Well there's no arguing with the professionals.. £31, at www.harrods.com

No7 Stay Perfect Liquid Foundation - A perfect middle-of-the-road-er. Fab staying power so a bit of a winner for work. £15 at www.boots.com (almost invariably on offer - look out for '3 for 2's and stock up!)

Some like it.. well, wet, actually

You remember when Cher announced in Clueless that make-overs gave her a sense of control in a world full of chaos? Well, for me, that sense of control comes from creating change. There really is nothing more invigorating. And if that change can occur in the wee hours of the morning as I perch bleary-eyed in-front of my dressing table, then all the better. 

So you can imagine my delight when YSL Pure Chromatics wet & dry eye shadows (a veritable invitation to manipulate and mould) arrived on my desk. Lloyd Simmonds, YSL international make-up artist, describes these little gems as “the biggest impact of glamour imaginable!” That sounded like a challenge. So, I swatched and I swiped; I dampened and I dried. And was it true? The proof is in the pudding, so I leave you to draw your own conclusions (photos to follow). Personally, I was sold at first swipe, but at £37 a pop and a shelf date not til March 2011, you might want to consider some more accessible alternatives. 

The YSL shadows come with two applicators, specifically modified to handle the wet-to-dry transition; however, most shadows can achieve the same consistancy simply by wetting your applicator brush or sponge, for a creamier, richer colour experience. For most dramatic results, use metallics or acid bright colours (the higher the pigment the better), as seen all over S/S 11 catwalks. Try Nars Single Eyeshadow in Daphne (£16.50 at www.narscosmetics.co.uk), Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore (£15.50 at www.illamasqua.com), or Maybelline Eyestudio Colour Explosion Duo in Green Gold (£6.99 at www.boots.com). 

The Lip(liners) Have It

I was recently asked to transcribe an interview with celebrity make-up artist Kay Montano. Kay spoke lucidly about her a-list clients; that face powder incident with Nicole, working with Kiera's bold features, and.. the merits of lip liner. 

Now. When I think of lip liner, I picture myself aged 11, excitedly exploring my horde of mum's Clinique cast-offs and making a tragic mess of my face in the process. I think old ladies. I think Eastenders. I think the 1970s. But according to Kay, lip-liner = life-saver in the world of celebrity make-up. Apparently, it all comes  down to control, a factor which escapes a make-up artist the minute their client leaves the chair - who knows what they will do, she implores. I detect a sense of panic. As though our beloved celebs might take to their lips with a red crayon, a la that imfamous taxi scene in Ab Fab, when Eddy inadvertantly turns her face into a child's scribbles en route to a crucial meeting. Of the tricks and tools Kay uses to regain this upper-hand on those dastardly cosmetics and their tendancy to droop / slip / cake with time, it was lip liner she repeatedly returned to, heralding it as creating a clean, sharp, controlled look that will last under the presure of the celebrity circuit.

So. Should we all rush out and buy one? Well, with colour blocking set to storm the markets for summer, perhaps a liner isn't a bad investment. If you're a fan of the red lips, a liner will help keep your colour at bay, and prevent that awful "creeping" into fine lines around the mouth. However, beware the fated two-tone look. If you must line, then repeat after me.. match match match! Your lipstick should perfectly match the hue of your liner, or it is simply pointless. I'll give a few a road-test tonight and let you see what I mean. 

You've Been Tango'ed

Every dog has his day, and tangerine is enjoying a real it-moment on the catwalks this season - finally, it's tasteful to be tangoed.. but not as you previously knew it! The makeup maestros at Givenchy have tickled our fancy with the fabulous new Acid Lights collection (and in particular the stunning Le Prisimissine Eyes Acid Lights, a veritable paint palette of treats - merci beaucoup, Givenchy!), but until it is released in mid-May, here’s a few orangey offerings to tide us over..

From Leighton Denny's SS11 "The Gelato" nails collection, "Do me a flavour" is so delightfully orange, it's almost naughty. £11 at www.leightondenny.com

Model's Own Neon Orange Powder Eyeshadow - The name says it all really.. Fabulous, and super easy to apply. £5 at www.modelsownit.com 

Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Torture is a seductive, decadent splash of colour and is gooey in all the right places. £13 at www.illamasqua.com 

Or if you're after a more wearable version of the tango trend, Dior's Dior Vernis in Psychedelic Orange is the perfect half-way house between fashion and fun. Deliciously red infused with a coral hue. Yummy. £17.50 at www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Pictures to follow..

Unleash Your Inner Artiste!

James Kaliardos (International Make-Up
Artist for L'Oréal Paris) is currently quoted on the L’Oreal website calling a woman's daily make-up regime a "moment of creativity". I love the idea that we are being creative in those bleariest of moments in our waking process – what a generous suggestion! See the full quote at www.loreal-paris.co.uk

Face First-Aid

It has to be the hardest skin moment of the a-list calendar. In a whirl-wind of fashion weeks, awards ceremonies and eyebag-inducing jet-lag, it must take some serious cosmetic know-how to get our celebs red-carpet ready in February. But for us mere mortals, what are the make-up marvels that take us from yucky to yummy after one too many cosmos? Here's my selection of the creme de la creme of cover-all cosmetics currently available:

Diorskin Forever - For when your regular foundation just won't cut the mustard, a heavier, "no transfer" offering is available from the house of Dior. Leaves skin dewy and soft, and will last much longer than you will..! £28.50 at www.selfridges.com

Benefit Erase Paste - Goes on like paint. Stays on like paint. Need I say more? £19.50 at www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Blistex Intensive Moisturiser Lip Cream - Get back to basics and give partying-dried lips a new lease of life. £2.54 at www.Boots.com

St Tropez Bronzing Rocks - Individual rocks of bronzer (yes, the clue is in the name..) means even brush coverage and a perfectly glowing complexion. £30.64 at www.st-tropez.com

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Mascara in brown - Clever little millioniser brush separates and lengthens lashes, while excess wiper prevents overload. Perfect for a natural, day-friendly finish. Choose a warm, chocolately brown to draw attention from red eyes. £11.29 at www.boots.com

YSL Creme de Blush - Effortlessly achieves that perfect pop of velvety colour, enough to brighten even the wan-est complexion. £28 at www.Harrods.com

Clarins Joli Rouge Perfect Brilliant Shine Sheer Lipstick – There’s nothing worse than lipstick on chapped lips, but Clarins’ has just the right amont of moisture to nurse your smackers back to health and leave them looking fresh. £15.82 at http://uk.clarins.com 

The First Post

Hello! I have decided to start a blog, to chart my progress from beauty intern to (maybe, just maybe, if I cross my fingers hard enough) getting a "real job" at a magazine. I am writing it mainly as a form of personal diary, but if it helps other interns in the process, then all the better! I like the idea of looking back in years to come and remembering  what it took to get where I end up.. Hopefully this will help! Liv xx