Olympia Beauty Show

the crowds were bigger than ever!

By far the biggest and best show, Olympia didn't disappoint. The usual suspects such as Elemis, Dermalogica, Sienna X, OPI, Louella Belle stood out in the crowd. So what was new? let's talk Makeup and Beauty Theatre plus the Beauty's got Talent panel. An array of well known names in the industry came to share, show and be accessible to their audience. David Horne and his team at Illamasqua, Louise Page, Miriam Jensen, Liz Martin, Daniel Sandler all shared a little insight into their world. Its easy to be a little awed by talent within this industry.

Beautys Got Talent

Men. Yes, thats right men and plenty of them! There was a huge male presence over the 2 days and I'm not talking the men that carry bags lagging behind their women huffing and puffing. Men were there to shop, talk business and strut confidently in what has been a very female dominated industry. Despite economic fears, there was no recession at Olympia last weekend! My plastic fantastic partner in crime (MasterCard) flexed in anticipation although I absolutely refrained from going totally OTT.

I was fortunate to have a VIP pass to the Scratch Magazine Party on Sunday night and got to catch up with some well known faces, sip some fizz and bust some moves the dance floor. Shame I had to wear my hangover the next day but it was well worth it.

The Louise Page Academy took a small stand that made a huge impact. Makeup artistry and beauty education has never been so forward thinking in creative direction combined with a strong business acumen. There is no doubt that this business venture I belong too is going to boom. I will happily gush that education content is high and prices are low - that's not even the best bit, students get trained by Louise Page herself. Lead by example is her motto!  The Academy run a competition called 'Mirror Mirror on the wall' thanks to all entrants, we randomly picked a winner.. congrats goes to Sam Young who has won a 1 day workshop with the Academy.
Go Sam! Look forward to seeing you at one of our masterclasses.

Next up is the Pro Beauty North show in October, it will be hard to beat the success of Olympia but I'll go just to be sure I don't miss out!

See you in 2012 Olympia, miss you already...

Dior or not to Dior?

Naturally, the answer is to Dior.  I was thrilled to be asked to attend the AW11 collection launch on behalf of Lou Page. I didn't waste any time getting off the blocks to sample the goods on offer.   Jenny ushers me to their training room, eqoquently dressed in Dior style - there's a lot to see. As I grab a glass of bubbles, I'm drawn quickly to the new Forever Foundations, represented in the latest ad campaign by Natalie Portman. Flawlessly complexed, there are a few oo's and arh's at the light and sheer fusion of the matifying yet hydrating foundation that will be available in 8 shades (released to retail early October).

My attention is focussed on the 'Christmas' collection which is nails and lips with the undertone of gold through each shade of 4 nails and 8 lips. I'm in goldness heaven and lick my lips at the thought of trying out Exquis, one of the new shades.

Moving swiftly to the new premium skincare range, the new velvet-to-touch facial mask is absolutely divine as is the serum which absorbs instantly into my skin. The subtle smell is typically Dior and I know this will be sell out when the product launches in stores across the nation.

4 new trio eye palettes are blue, green, grey and plum tones, all complimented by shimmer pigment and a flat block colour to blend on the eye. The new pencils are stead fast... within seconds of putting on, they dare not move. Impressive.

With my recent nail experiences I am drawn to the case of nail colours and marvel at all of them. I love the fact the brushes are curved which makes easy painting. I'll take the lot please!

The preview is over, I've made new friends enroute and had a very nice time with the Dior PR team. Last but not least, the goody bag is every bit as extravagent as their offices, there is plenty of each collection to give really good look and feel of the new range, I am a lucky girl. Thanks to Jenny in PR for being a great host.

Just a few goodies, I've tried all ready. Thumbs up from me, its in the kit!

I've nailed it!

Ok, its time to confess that I dabble in extra curricular activity besides makeup and hair. It's an absolute foregone conclusion that 'we' despite our talents as makeup artists or hair stylists, have to be multi skilled. Love it or loath it, its a requirement in today's world.

I'm embarking on my journey to learn how to master the technically appropriate way to do mani's and pedi's. The aim is, I leave with a new skill in my basket ready to offer to my clients. I want to call myself a nail technician and I'm ready to earn that right.

It's no secret, I'm the Academy Director at the Louise Page Academy, I'm taking my own medicine when it comes to training. I've put myself in the hands of Jo Webb, nail guru to the stars. Jo freelances and has recently opened her own establishment in Hitchin, Hertfordshire called Vanity Beauty Academy. The training room is brightness itself, feel the crispness and newness of the slightly rustic building yet beautifully decorated in Cath Kidston style. It feels inviting and cosy, I could live here and I see why Jo's clients will love the surroundings.

I arrive with 3 other ladies and wait impatiently to get on and create beautiful nails... I eye up Jo's creative work on the wall and set my sights to being as good by the end of todays course. Clearly, in my mind I will be an expert by the day is over. Fat chance I might add, but I've started, Im on the road to greatness.

We clean, file, squeak, massage and polish hands and feet - the day flashes by in the blur and it's time to leave with a certificate in hand. I feel elated that I can add a new skill to my business card, facebook  and twitter. By the time I have reached my car, in my mind, I have scoped a new treatment room, nail bar and I'm earning a few bob!! Clearly I am slightly dillusional with time scales but what the mind can percieve the body can achieve. I'm raring to go!

To book a course, check out info on www.louisepageacademy.com if you can't find a course for you, drop us a line at academy@louise-page.com and we can bespoke a course for you. Happy days!

And here's proof I'm in the throe's of practice!

Colour Creation at its best... Illamasqua.

Approximately a year ago I became slightly obsessive with Illamasqua products, their store and increasingly, their journey as a training school. A year on, I'm in lust. Makeup for your ultra ego is not a phase, fad or fleeting marketing strapline, its a simple fact. I digress. I am standing at the Illasmasqua's Beak Street Store, London, ready to indulge in some colour therapy.

Slightly nervous as to whom might be in the class, I am greeted by Daniel who has been with Illamasqua since the birth of the training school in 2010, a blonde haired, slender, blue eyed fully fledged tutor by day, drag by night. Who better other than David Horne (whom I shall refer to as Sir David from hereafter) to teach this creative and inspirational masterclass.

As a makeup artist, there is always a chance of suffering the "I am slightly inferior to others' syndrome as eye up who's who in the class. Its low key, there are 5 of us from all different walks of life. Daniel leaps into an intro, a presentation and then a demo using pencils. That's right, pencils. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of trying any of the Illamasqua products, pencils are labelled generically for good reason. Any pencil, any place, any where, any time. There are no rules with these pencils which can be a primer, contouring aid, highlighting diva and a colour base. Creamy and slightly waxy, these beauties glide on effortlessly, seamlessly and blend well.

We are off to a good start, I have long left my makeup ego behind and throw myself whole heartedly to the mercy of Daniel and the class members, I'm thirsty to learn, watch, absorb and try. I'm back at school and it feels great.

We switch partners, as an odd numbered team, I get to indulge myself in the mirror and quickly move onto the cream pigments complimented by the loose pigments, blending the tones to create something unique and different. I am having the most fabulous time. I see the foundations, the new skin base collection and I turn my affection into creating a flawless, slightly illuminating base and marvel at its coverage. Im thirsty for more, I need-I-have-to-have these on my face and in my kit.

Before I know it, the class bells ring and times up. Daniel so kindly lets me steal my table collection to show the front of house so I can purchase my goodies. One thing that strikes me as value for money is the discount program for professionals. It makes my kit affordable, diverse that serves me well. Every penny I spend on my career, my kit needs to be reflected in my work. Today I felt I became a little better at what I do and a stack of products I know will assist me to do just that.

Thanks Illamasqua, I'll be back.

The lovely Rebecca McMahon as my model today...