Andrea Fulerton DIY

A little bit of nail art today with the help of Andrea Fulerton Stripe & Sparkle. All the yesteryear fun of arts and crafts but slightly more justifiable on a lazy Saturday.. Tricky to get the hang of at first, but once you've nailed it (see what I did there?!), the 2-step glitter shaker promises endless nail art fun. Plain nails are so last season..

By Olivia Cox

David Koma SS12

Fashion went a bit tribal-tastic at David Koma yesterday, but backstage the look was manipulated to include the metallic trend that has taken London by storm. Irridescent, see-through textures on the catwalk inspired hair and make up creations with a seriously futuristic theme, perfectly complemented by the daylight-strewn show space at the old Eurostar Terminal in Waterloo.

Skin was manipulated by Nicola Joss to create a shimmery, iridescent finish using St Tropez Silverrose Illuminator and just the faintest hint of spray tan. Makeup artist Mel Arter went for fresh, vibrant colours, inspired by glass, perspex and other reflective textures to create the illusion of bodies sugar coated and frozen in time. Eyes were lacquered in MAC Lipglass up to the brow bone, with the smallest of reflective blue glitter around the top lash line. Lips were washed-out using MAC Lip Erase, and (ironically) gloss-free.

Kenna for GHD re-created the positive and negative space between the paneling of the clothes using a patchwork of shiny and “natural” sections of hair. The look was completely symmetrical, adding to the futuristic vibe.

So it’s back to the future, then.

Danielle Scutt SS12

A nod to street culture backstage at Danielle Scutt last night, taking inspiration from our multifaceted society. Luke Hersheson took pretty and gave it a serious dose of reality with his east-meets-west hair – think school-girl braids given a Croydon Face-lift.

And on make-up, Gemma Smith-Edhouse continued the rebellion with her rejection of the contouring trend. Luke’s super-shiny hair (courtesy of L’Oreal Professionel Gloss Control) was contrasted with purposefully brushed-up eyebrows, fixed in place with glue for an intriguing textures clash.

She even sent a smattering of girls down the runway with a graphic stripe on the left cheekbone, reminiscent of that plaster on Nelly. Word up.  

The effect was uniquely ironic, and seemingly hopeful for our “broken generation” after the August riots.

Olivia Cox

Meet Shelly..

A new girl has landed in my makeup bag and is causing quite a stir.. Shelly by Andrea Garland is a divine, vintage inspired clutch bag pendant, discreetly containing delectable beeswax lipbalm. With notes of grapefruit, lavender and raspberry, Shelly is almost too good to use.. Almost.. £29.50 at andreagarland.co.uk from September 28<sup>th

By Olivia Cox</sup> 

Tattoo'd Talons

I've come over all patriotic this afternoon, having discovered Andrea Fulerton Rose & Crowns Nail Tattoos. They've punked-up my nails, and I'm pretty sure they've transformed my three-day-old chipped lacquer from tatty to edgy. £1.99 at superdrug.com

By Olivia Cox

Watch These Red Lips

Until very recently, I had never worn red lipstick. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I consciously avoided it. A scarlett pout was (for me) simply unchartered territory, lingering quietly in the "should try / afraid of" category. But then during a frenzied packing session for a vintage-themed outing, I stumbled upon Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Hollywood Red. The pleasingly gooey gloss avoided all the pouting pitfalls I had assumed would befall my maiden voyage - no bleeding, no teeth-smears, and the intense pigment didn't even cause me to look washed out. Winner. Start your own scarlet liaison at bobbibrown.co.uk (£14.50)

Olivia Cox