Backstage at Victoria's Secret

I love lacey underwear. But what do I love more? Lacey underwear plus gorgeous hair and makeup!

Tommy Ton, creator of Jak & Jil's fantastic fashion blog, has captured some amazing moments on camera at Victoria's Secret's fashion event and has posted them for all of us to enjoy. I think that these are some of the best captured backstage photographs for a fashion show I've ever seen - pure love!

Go to jakandjil.com for a peek behind the scenes. If that's not enough, enjoy more of Tommy's backstage photography on the Style.com feature Touched by Angels - seventh heaven hair and makeup!

Image source: Tommy Ton at jakandjil.com

A Day in the Life of Peter Phillips...

Ever wondered what an 'average' day would be like for Global Creative Director of Chanel? Well now you can be the fly on the wall, following the creative makeup and styling adventures of Peter Phillips during the Fashion Weeks of the world's fashion capitals!

Vogue followed Phillips around for 6 whole months on camera documenting his work backstage, his business meetings, and all of the planning and collaborating for this year's shows. The video diary comes in two parts 'Beauty by Chanel - Episode 1' and 'Beauty by Chanel - Episode 2'.

I love these videos as they're a fantastic insight into all of Peter Phillips' creativity and hard work that we eventually see in the final outcome on the catwalk. Being able to catch a glimpse as to how he works and what makes him tick is for me an amazing opportunity!

The videos also fairly represent the chaos behind the scenes when putting together something as huge and carefully crafted as a fashion show - the highs, the madness, the tears, the panic but overall the crazy and amazing rush that seems to buzz around only backstage at a fashion show...

Click on the link below to be taken behind the scenes:

Beauty by Chanel - Episode 1

The makeup magic continues in Episode 2:

Beauty by Chanel - Episode 2

A/W Makeup Trends 2009

With the chill of autumn on our doorstep, let's face it September makes or breaks summer for good! I'm still clinging to the hope that we might have 2 more weeks of a Golden September, but until then and after (if it ever comes!) it will most definitely be "Bye bye summer" for 2009...

That said - it's not all doom and gloom! Autumn and winter mean more accessorising (hats, scarves, gloves, tights and booties), layering (jackets, cardigans, wraps and knitwear galore) YAY and also makeup - whether it be your eyes, lips or even nails - can be taken up a notch in terms of colours and strength/depth, HOORAH! So the colder months needn't be boring, and they ought not to be seeming as all that colour and the excuse to wear more clothes will help lift your mood on the rainy, cold walks to work : )

Today I've been looking at the new trends for makeup this A/W and what's hot on the catwalks this season...

It's All About Brows, Brows, Brows!
Over the years people have realised how important a well groomed and defined brow really is to complete a look! I never used to fully understand how it could make a difference but trust me it does. If you haven't tried defining your brows, be brave and give it a go. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it before.

A well groomed and defined brow can take years off a face and transform it all at the same time. This year shimmery golds were brushed through the brows to add more impact to the overall eye makeup. It may sound severe, but the end effect is stunning, opening up the eyes and adding a new dimension to the face.

Of course you might feel this all to be too much if you've never even touched your brows with a brow definer brush or pencil, haha! I'll be giving a tutorial in the next two weeks on how to define your eyebrows so watch this space...

Red Lips
This winter the lips are 1940s inspired, rich red and strong! Plus it's all about the detail - lips are going Geisha-style with a sharp contour on the Cupid's bow. A red lip needs to be done carefully, so make sure to apply concealer/foundation to the lip and powder so you have a great base, then get to work with a red lip liner all over the lips and finish off with your red lipstick of choice.

Smoky Dramatic Eyes
And we're not just talking black - blues and sparkling greens are among this year's colours of choice for that impactful look. I'm in love with Aaron De Mey's creations that he demonstrated for Lancome.

The new Artistic Director has also developed his third makeup collection for the brand called Declaring Indigo which made its debut on the catwalks this season and will be hitting our stores very soon! He's even had input into other areas of Lancome's business such as the way its products are presented instore...

He gave models a smoky eye using sapphire blues and emerald greens but advises to use very little foundation to keep the look fresh and youthful.

Aaron De Mey, whose Lancome range Declaring Indigo is out in stores soon!