Post by Thandie.
So I’ve noticed over the last few years that strange, soft, mini mounds have developed at the top of my cheeks. I didn’t pay too much attention initially, and assumed it was lack of sleep – and a BFF for my puffy morning eyes.
Hello mini mounds
Then when shooting Rogue Season 2, lovely make up artist Rita Ciccozi found she needed to highlight BELOW the mounds as a way of disguising them. I mean, what were these bizarre bumps and what the hell were they doing on my face?
Kay explained – they’ve always been there – but what has gone, is my full, youthful, marshmallow cheek underneath.… Read more...
Words by Thandie – photos by Kay.
I love serums. I use them like a physician – different serums for the different moods of my skin.
I like a serum because of the intense properties but lightweight feel of them. Also because they create a delicate film across the skin which is illuminating and concealing all at once.
So, I was immediately curious when I came across Bare Minerals Serum Foundation. It has a good range of colours – the pigments are more intense without the heavier creaminess of regular foundations. It has a liquid consistency but don’t let that fool you into using too much – a little of this goes a long way.… Read more...
Post by Thandie.
Lipstick color – the options are endless. Some people have their signature shade – like my friend Polly who rocked Rimmel’s ‘Heather Shimmer’ all through Uni. The irridescent mauve colour was as much ‘her’ as her ringlets, smile, friendship. Eve Ensler – that RED mouth – giving added power to the final “CUNT!” of her one woman show The Vagina Monologues.
I noticed at this year’s launch of One Billion Rising in NYC, that Eve replaced her signature red mouth with silver. We all approved, and interpreted the move like we were reading poetry. Which we were.… Read more...
I remember the deep love I felt for my Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers Cherry flavored chapstick. 
The smell, the feel, the packaging. I know it’s not incredibly glamorous but it was everything to me.
I am well rested and/or I’ve just been in the ocean.
My mother moisturized SO MUCH when I was a kid. She also is adamant about sunblock and hydration. I am sure this is just part of why she is still so, so gorgeous.… Read more...
Posted by Kay
‘Influenced by the glamour associated with mid 90s–00s hip hop culture’,
Florence Adepoju
MDMFlow is the concept of Florence Adepoju, a Scientist with a BSc (Hons) in Cosmetic Science from the London College of Fashion.
Having spent undergraduate life studying and working in luxury beauty retail, Florence (Flow) decided upon graduating in July 2013 to do what was in her heart, to create the brand she’d always wanted. All MDMflow lipsticks are handmade and cruelty-free.
MDMFlow
I remember being about 10 mixing my mum’s red nail polishes on a piece of tissue, then putting it on the radiator to dry and being so fascinated by the texture when it dried, but disappointed at the colour. … Read more...
Post by Kay
Aurelia Miracle Cleanser and cloth
With so many cleansers and their claims to choose from, it’s no wonder that most of us find one and just stick to it.
But due to those unpredictable hormones, age (yawn) and the weather, our skin has changing needs in order to stay balanced- and that means understanding how to adapt our skincare accordingly. For instance, a lighter moisturiser and foaming cleanser (less creamy) if your skin is becoming spotty or oily, a richer moisturiser and creamy cleanser is your skin is dry.
I am fortunate in the sense that being a make-up artist AND a ‘blogger’ means I do get sent a lot of stuff – that means I do try new things out that perhaps I otherwise wouldn’t.… Read more...
Post by Kay 
I met Hackney-born Betty recently on a beauty shoot for netaporter’s online magazine The Edit. It was a feature on gold make-up looks so I was thrilled when I saw Betty’s name on the call sheet- her rich mahogany skin showed the gold to the max!
My earliest beauty memory is of my mum applying a red lipstick. I remember how she would apply lipstick in a certain way with care, she would always save it until last out of all when putting on make-up.
I remember how I learnt just by watching her that beautifying was a delicate activity.… Read more...
Posted by Kay
Eve Arnold
Marilyn on the set of The Misfits 1960. Magnum
Many of you have seen the work of photojournalist Eve Arnold from the photographs of Marilyn Monroe on the set of John Huston’s 1960 film The Misfits when the renowned photojournalism agency Magnum were given exclusive access. Eve was on the set in Nevada for 4 months along with others in the agency at the time (Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson & Inge Morath) and was the first woman ever to work at the cooperative.
Eve first met Marilyn when they were both at early stages of their careers and later recalled “At photo sessions, she was in total control, she manipulated everything-me, the camera and I never met anyone who could make them respond the way she did”.… Read more...
Posted by Kay
I first came across this lip balm on a Ralph Lauren ad job when the model I was working with had very sore, cracked lips and insisted I use this. It was the only lip balm that didn’t make her lips irritated.
I then discovered another aesthetic bonus-the lip balm wasn’t glossy-which doesn’t work so well in photographs-plus it had a pleasant, honey-flavoured beeswax texture that was much easier to wear than gloopy, petroleum-based balms.
the ’20 ans’ anniversary edition
Since then it’s been by my bedside every night for me to use before bed, and is forever in my kit to keep my models and actresses lips looking, and feeling soft.… Read more...
Posted by Kay
Yes the streets of London are dotted with canopies of pink blossom but shall I tell you how I knew that Spring had arrived?
I’ve got spots! Or zits as y’all say across the pond.
Just when I thought I was too old to get them, the pimples are having a last hurrah, sprouting up like dandelions on a Spring English lawn but a lot less pretty. Yes, that’s right, there’s nothing like a change in temperature-or more importantly moisture, that says to my face “you need to change the skincare lady”.
Skin gets dryer in the winter; brusque winds and central heating turn the dewiest skin into parched planes as the moisture (often mistaken for oil) is drawn out of the skin’s surface.… Read more...
