Put your best face forward
Those of you that know me well might be thinking, “What does Gwen know about Spring 2014 Make-up trends?” Well you’re right, except that if you follow me on Facebook &/or Instagram you might have seen my pics at the recent Napoleon Perdis / Elle Beauty Trends event as a VIP guest (shameless event-drop!) here in Hollywood.
It’s true I never really did the whole make-up thing. I subscribed to the “natural look” long before it was invented. And mine was more the vintage natural look rather than today’s drop-dead gorgeous natural look.
Frankly I’m not sure why I never really got into make-up. I would sit for hours watching mum put her make -up on as I was growing up starting from when I was really young. I remember her favourite shade vividly when I was little was green. Very Charlie’s Angels.
My mum sent me on a deportment course where we were taught how to apply make-up (and yes walk and pluck eyebrows). This was a big call because we were living in FNQ at the time (Far North Queensland for you readers outside Australia and land of the thongs–ahem, flip flops). When we returned to Melbourne from FNQ she took me on the obligatory trip to the Clinique counter at Myer to once again learn how to apply make-up, stock up and look my best.
Yet it didn’t stick. Until now.
I was treated to a make-over session by Napoleon Perdis just before Christmas last year and I marvelled at how little make-up was used to make me look (& feel) a million dollars. Yes, I asked for the natural look (to continue my perpetual fear of all things make-up). Baby steps peoples, baby steps.
I was also surprised as to how much prep work went into creating my look and provide tone and creates angles on your face which were invisible to those looking but made all the difference in the world. They’re so bloody clever! So I became hooked, and slowly I started (and am continuing) to get more adventurous with the hues and colours and every excuse to get to Napoleon Perdis’s flagship Hollywood store I don’t hesitate! But enough about me …
Top four trends
I believe Napoleon has just been over in Australia running a couple of sessions so you have been lucky enough to attend. If not you’ll have to rely on me. No drumroll, here are Napoleon Perdis’s top four make-up trends for (our-LA-our) Spring 2014.
- Art Pop–a pop of very dramatic colour usually around the eyes (blue, green & purple are your friends not your enemies)
- Natural–as the name suggests
- White Lines–fabulous look creating white lines around the eyes
- Flaming Lips–embracing bold, flaming lips.
My favourite is Natural with a touch of White Lines (I’m going back to see if it will work on me), a pop of colour and finished with Flaming Lips. Well there’s no rule about not being able to dabble in each and every one!
This post wasn’t meant to be confessions of a make-up shy Princess but I rarely wore lipstick (I thought it made my lips dry) let alone wear anything bright. I was given “Hara” (a flaming orange that’s to die for) to try and it’s my new go-to colour. Not bad for someone who rarely wore lipstick or wore it as brown or nude could be.
If you’re in doubt over whether this translates in “real life” take a closer look at the make-up at the Oscars, in fact here’s a run-down of some of the best looks again at NP’s blog. (I couldn’t agree more with the best look of the night who I gave an honourable mention to for her whole “package” in my own blog).
http://blog.napoleonperdis.com/2014-oscars-top-5-beauty-looks/
http://itstartedinla.com/the-two-things-we-talked-about-in-la-last-week-rain-the-oscars/
It’s always so much better to see what you read in Blogs and in mags translate into the real world and I think that’s what Napoleon Perdis does so well.
Anyway, I’m no Beauty Editor so if you want to see more and learn more about the night check out NP’s very own blog at:
http://blog.napoleonperdis.com/elle-magazine-masterclass/
If you click on the video you’ll be able to see me in the front row (hint: it’s at exactly the 0.27s mark)! The blog shows examples of each of the looks.
Let me share three things with you I learnt from the night.
- Start with mascara. And add a coat of mascara last.
- Apply lipstick from the outside coming in–and don’t forget to go all the way into the “join” of the lips
- Add lipliner after the lipstick.
It was such a treat to see Napoleon at work (probably even more so for me because I’ve never appreciated the art of make-up).
A flick of the brush here, a bit of concealer there, contour there, colour here … and voila! you’re transformed into a beauty. No exaggeration, they make it look so simple.
In fact since I’ve been putting more effort into my make-up my friends have been saying I’m looking good often saying that LA suits me. Well I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with the fun I’m having here and everything to do with the special things I’m doing to my face. So thank you Napoleon Perdis!
BTW here is a link to the official pics on the night:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152299782426654.1073741846.22076326653&type=1
These pics are waaay better than the ones I took.
Why not treat yourself? Even if you’re “good” with make-up there are always trade secrets the Napoleon Perdis team is happy to share. As Napoleon says, even if you only walk away with one thing it’ll be worth it. Couldn’t agree more!
Have a good weekend everyone!
xx It Started in LA xx
Psst … the irony is not at all lost on me that I’ve come all the way to Hollywood to be introduced with one of Australia’s best loved brands. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
Beauty editor tip: if your lips are dry from lipstick use a lip scrub (there are how-to recipes on You Tube & Lush does a good one) and get some Lip Service from Napoleon Service, it soothes and moisturises your lips. Oh, also pop it on before your lipstick.
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