Benjamin Roberts Campaign Shoot

 

I first worked with Bridalwear company Benjamin Roberts over a year ago on a series of television programmes for Wedding TV (take a look at an episode here). In November, I was asked to do the Hair and Make-up on a two-day shoot in South Wales for their new season collection. We were shooting on location near Swansea at Stradey Castle, which was apparently used for filming the Dr Who Christmas Special in 2011. This beautiful castle, with its grand staircase and roaring flames of the stately fireplace was the ideal backdrop to the stunning collection.

 

 

As for styling, we kept the make-up natural and beautiful for the dress lookbook on day one. The skin was fresh and dewy with a pretty bridal flush to the cheeks. I used smoky taupes and browns on the eyes and applied Ardell False Eyelashes. Sarah's brows were filled in with my trusty MAC Brow Pencil in Lingering and a neutral pink gloss finished the look. Hair was swept up in a high-bun to display the beautiful headpieces.
 

Behind the Scenes - look one in the stately rooms; it's not every day I get to set-up in an area like this!

The advertising images were the focus for day-two where we could go for a little more drama! I shaded the cheekbones with some deeper contouring and blended a strong plum blush onto the apples of the cheeks. Black eyeliner and darker shading added more definition to the eyes and a deep plum lip completed the look. Sarah's hair was styled in loose curls and later, a textured side-bun.
 

Behind the Scenes - look two in the impressive entrance-hall; stunning chandeliers and beautiful dresses

My hero products for this shoot:

• Estee Lauder Eight Hour Cream
• No7 Lipstick in Plum Beautiful
• Ardell  Demi Wispies Eyelashes

The final images will be published in multiple Bridal Magazines in February.

Many thanks to a truly fantastic team! The guys and girls at Benjamin Roberts were so friendly and welcoming, Ryan's photography was stunning and the lovely Sarah made a fabulous room-mate!

Credits:

Client: Benjamin Roberts Ltd.

Photographer: Ryan Bater

Model: Sarah Beake

Make-up and Hair: Laura Walton

Professional Beauty Awards 2013

 

 

As you may have already seen on my Facebook or Twitter profiles, I was announced as a finalist for the Professional Beauty Awards Make-up Specialist of the year towards the end of 2013.

 

I have followed the awards for a few years now and on a whim, decided to apply on the last day of entry. To my delight, a few weeks later, it was announced that I had made the final and I was to travel down to London to compete!

 

The brief for this year was to complete a Spring/Summer 2013 trend look. A week of research, planning and designing later, I arrived at the location and met my model. My focus was on the 'Brights' trend as seen at Moschino, Michael Kors and Stella McCartney. I applied a bright, peacock-blue liner underneath the lash line for a pop of colour to the eyes and chose a matte, fuschia lip. I kept my models skin minimalistic with a fresh, velvet finish and a little contouring and sculpting. I spent the last 10 minutes of our allocated hour finalising the look with individual lashes, which in hindsight perhaps wasn't the best idea with shaking hands!

 

One of my Moodboards for Spring/Summer 2013

 

An interview with judges Daniel Sandler, Justine Westwood and Antonia Hawke followed the practical. These well-respected artists have been in the industry for many years and whilst at first very intimidating, they were very friendly and easy to talk to during the interview. It was a pleasure to discuss my career past, present and future with them.

 

I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting the fellow five contestants, all of whom were incredibly talented! The results are to be announced in February, so wish me luck!

 

 

What do you think of the Bright trend for Spring/Summer 2013?

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

Just a short post to wish all my lovely readers a Happy New Year! A heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for the kind comments and support throughout my first blogging year. I'm hoping to dedicate more time to this blog in 2013, so if there's anything in particular you'd like to see, please do let me know! In the meantime, here's a round-up of my 2012 make-up highlights and I'm looking forward to seeing what 2013 brings...

 



 

 

Photoshoot's


 

Bridal Clients

 



Behind the Scenes

 

 

 

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

 

 

 

Wishing you all health and happiness for 2013.

What are your hopes and wishes for the year ahead?