Hot Summer Lips

Type 'Spring Summer Lips' into Google and the results are inspiring. Colour abounds. However it is not just cyber space that is all bright red, orange and pink this season. Girls everywhere have embraced the refreshing trend and it looks great. Yes the pendulum has swung. Lips are back in style and the perfect pout is all about stunning statements in lipstick. Let's face it Lipgloss had a great run. The ranges, both colour and type, have grown over the years and what sexy years they were. Yet I couldn't help but mourn the loss of perfect pouts as a generation of women emerged for whom lipstick was seen as either old school or simply too much trouble. Well ladies don't get left behind because I can tell you if you want to impress you'd bette let your lips do the talking!

Shirley she still looks great

How long is it since Shirley Manson struck fear and lust into the hearts of young and not so young music lovers everywhere? I found this old shot of Shirley and immediatley recalled my love of those ruby red lips. I know we've got the drama of gaga and the sexy sweetness that is Katie Perry but I miss the brash energy of Shirley. Her make up always helped to emphasise her strength. Bold colours on that white scottish skin made a statement that will remain in my mind for a long time to come.

Less is MORE!!

Less is more isn't neccessarily a term that comes to mind when picturing Scarlett Johansson. She is known for having a little more of everything that matters most. However just like the aforementioned, seemingly contradictory, statement miss J tends to be more attractive with less make up. Eyes really have taken a back seat this past season with bleached brows and little or no mascara. Lips are doing all the talking LOL (even more minimalism for you). Like any true artist an MUA has to know when to put the brush down, after working on Scarlett's lips the MUA on the above shoot took a well deserved rest, let's pop the champagne!!!

Live the life you love

Amber Renae was put on this earth to style, so that is why she does exactly that as her chosen career. Sounds simple doesn't it? Well like most things the back story is a little more complicated. Even though Amber knew what she wanted to do from an early age, and made it clear to those around her that it was her destiny, it didn't stop some obstacles threatening to ensure that Amber's dream remained elusive. That is one reason I admire and respect this amazing women and just had to talk with her. Despite my knowing what I have always wanted to do I have twisted and turned along that journey so often that the desired end has rarely been in sight. I can learn a lot from Amber, we all can, and I'm not just talking about what to wear. Amber is a Civil Engineer by trade. It is a trade that runs in the family and one which mum felt comfortable knowing her daughter could secure a living with. However despite gaining these qualifications and working as an engineer for Leighton Contractors, fashion called and Amber wasn't hiding.

First stop, retail, but not just shop girl. Amber ran a chain of fashion stores in Brisbane for six years, gaining a local profile as the go to girl for fashion questions. This profile jumped to a national level when Amber appeared with more than a little success, on Project Runway Australia. Design remains one of Amber's first loves, however other projects are keeping her very busy at the moment. Amber presents at live events such as Fashion Pallet and is flying around the place styling people whose trust she has gained with her obvious depth of knowledge and of course style. However it is a role as presenter/interviewer on FTV that most recently caught my attention. It is a role which Amber finds very rewarding. The entire process from research to microphone. Amber's inquisitive nature helps a lot. Speaking with Designers about their creative process is more a love than a job. "Getting to talk to the guys from Manning Cartel" is always great. I really love the story they have to tell" Amber told me with unchecked enthusiasm. I am very jealous. I know what she means. Not just because I too long to do a 'job' that I love but because getting to interview someone like Amber is in itself rewarding and inspiring. Which brings me to why I am here, literally and otherwise, Make Up.

Is Amber a Make Up Maven or does she not care about coverage? "I am definitely a can't live without it girl." Great me thinks. Respect to those more prepared to bare out there but this revelation just makes me like Amber even more. I asked Amber what she feels her best feature is. Now I know what I think the answer should be, but just how aware is Amber of those killer green eyes of hers? "I would have to say my big eyes." That answers that question. How does Amber know what products and looks suit you best? What/who has been her teacher? "I have learned a lot from having my make up done. I really take note of what the artist is using and ask questions." Finally, Lipstick or Gloss?!! "I like lips shiny, so definitely gloss. However I rarely style someone with gloss, so I appreciate both." Amber I appreciate your time. I hope that next time we talk you won't be at the end of a telephone but instead the end of a make up brush.

Red Amber Green GO!!!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a lady that is fast becoming a style icon in this country. Amber Renae's big green eyes sucked me in when I first saw her on Project Runway Australia. When she left the series, like most guys I'm sure, I wondered where, if ever, I would get to see her again. Unlike most Guys I found Amber Renae on Foxtel's FTV. Amber has become the go to girl on the Australian fashion scene. That's a big statement, I know, with so many ladies possibly eligible for that title. However Amber's impressive CV covers a broader range than usual. Designer, Stylist, Retailer, Commentator, TV Presenter and MC, not to mention regular Fashions in the Field Winner. With this insight into all things fashion I just had to have a chat with Amber. I wanted to know how she gained success in her dream field despite starting out in a totally different one, a subject dear to my heart. I also chatted about make up of course and the art of interviewing. See it all in my next post.

Zanita Zanita

As the blogoshere is relatively new ground for me I thought I would ask around for some advice on how to succeed in cyber world. What is not new is my appreciation for a beautiful face. Couple it with a strong, independent and intelligent mind and I,m gone. Hence why I married my wife Michelle.

I have noticed this wining combination in a fellow blogger, a fashion blogger, Zanita Whittington, author of zanitazanita. Zanita happens to be one of those impressive souls who are blessed in more ways than one. Not only does she have a cool name, Zanita is a model and photographer as well as a successful blogger. So it was to she that I went for help.

Being a very beautiful women, I wanted to know about her make up must haves, but I instead focused on the subject at hand, blogging. Make up will wait for another time.

'So Zanita, how long have you been blogging?' 'I've had my blog for two years now.' 'What is your inspiration?' 'I find fashion exciting. It's always changing and evolving, You gotta stay in touch to remain relevant.' I know what she means. It's the same with make up. Each time a do a new course or masterclass there is a new trick, a reinvention of an old one or a rule to break in some inventive new way.

Model, Photographer and Blogger! Which brings you the most joy and satisfaction? That's a tough one! They are definitely all connected and I couldn't be successful in one without the other. I've been a model first and its been such an incredible ride and I've learnt so much from it but now photography is the thing that I'm most passionate about. That being said working as a model with an amazing photographer is such a buzz and can't really compare to being behind the lens. Its so different.

Does the aforementioned trinity feed itself in some kind of perfect circular way, gaining contacts and work from one pursuit and passing it on to another? Absolutely, I feel so lucky that my foray into photography has been so a smooth transition. It's essential to be known within the industry.

As a blogger what would you say has been your single best evidence of recognition from your followers? The comments I receive from my followers are the only recognition I need to motivate me to continue to blog and provide original content. Its the reason I do it and I'm so grateful.How many followers do you currently have? I really have no idea, a few thousand subscribers but possible more that check my blog irregularly.Can you please give me some advice as to how to best expose my own blog and increase the followers? Post regular and original content, network with other bloggers and give your blog an appealing layout. Having a look through my blog is there any advice you could give me? Probably just to develop your layout, readers respond more to imagery so include more pictures around. Observe some of your favourite blogs and websites and go from there.

So it's time to do as Zanita says and give you more pictures. For 2011 I am going to focus on getting gorgeous girls in amazing make up and taking great shots for my blog. Maybe Zanita will oblige as both photographer and model, on separate occasions. We'll see.

Quite often you stories from other make up artists about the genesis of their calling to make up involving playing with their mothers or sisters make up. I can hardly remember my mother wearing make up. I do remember this bright shade of crimson lipstick she would wear on the the very rare occasion she went out. To me it was add odds with my perception of her so had rather the opposite effect to inspiration. My sister is younger than I am so no inspiration there either. My inspiration came from the impossibly distant images of Jerry Hall and watching Miss Universe on TV. My wife wears make up out and to work, but as little as she can get away with. If she didn't have to she wouldn't. So for as long as I can remember I have felt a bit like I'm on an island. But wait, on the horizon I can see a ship carrying long awaited hope in the form of my daughter, a girly girl for sure with any eye for fashion and a passion for make up. Oh and did I mention how beautiful she is!