Brenda Blethyn, Choccywoccydoodah and Julian Clary

Last Thursday morning I was filming with the amazing actress Brenda Blethyn for the South Bank Sky Arts Awards in a fabulous town house on Dean Street in London...and after an incredibly delicious (rather huge!) slice of chocolate cake and a glass of pink lemonade in the new Choccywoccydoodah Cafe on Carnaby Street (literally the most amazing cafe I've ever been in!)  http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/index.html   I did Julian Clary's makeup for a new series in the very same house where the The King's Speech was filmed...

Here are some pics...

Do you recognise these rooms from the movie?! 

Rihanna's New Show 'R Style'

Hi all

I've just started working with the very lovely Henry Holland on Rihanna's new reality fashion show called 'R Style' which is being filmed in London town.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/01/27/rihanna-fronts-new-reality-fashion-show

The contestants have an amazing opportunity to design and make incredible outfits for various celebs throughout the competition and the winner will be asked to design a stage outfit for Rihanna to wear during herWireless Festival performance in Hyde Park this summer.

Be sure to check it out when it hits our screens later this year.

Misty Miller @ The Harrods Technology Launch Party, March 23rd 2012

Last Thursday I went to the Harrods Technology Department Launch Party.

I was there to work with the hugely talented singer / songwriter / musician Misty Miller.
http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-starscelebsmodels/voguettes/2010/11/misty-miller

Misty was performing a few of her beautiful songs on the ukulele to coincide with the unveiling of Loewe's Connect ID Smart 3D TV range.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH PARTY VIDEO HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFZCzOVOCzo

http://www.tatler.com/bystander/events/2012/march/harrods-technology-party#/7130/image/2

Also on display was a152-inch Panasonic TV costing £600,000 (wow!) and an 11ft AeroDream speaker designed by Jean Michel Jarre costing £330,000 - so tall is the AeroDream that it didn't fit inside the Technology Department and was instead on display downstairs!

It was a great night -  whisky and absinthe infused cocktails were drunk, as well as pineapple rum punch cocktails that instantly took me back to a beach somewhere in Mexico...*sigh : )*

Smokey Eye Tutorial

Here is a Smokey Eye tutorial and catwalk trend / beauty article that was published on the TstylesU.com website that I wrote a few weeks back.

If you're having trouble mastering a smokey eye I hope this article helps you out a little.

SMOKEY EYE TUTORIAL

‘Sparkle Sparkle Everywhere’

Vogue magazine call this season’s must have eye trend ‘Heavy Metal’ – a twist on the traditional much loved black smokey eye, this trend is all about metallic and sparkle. And what girl doesn’t love all things sparkly!

Models for Libertine, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, DSQUARED 2, Kinder Aggugini and Giorgio Armani looked sensational on the SS2012 runways with their heavily kohl lined eyes and dark glittery or heavy metallic Bardot esque lids.

So let your imagination run wild and get your shimmer on girls!

Here are our tips to super sultry smokin’ hot eyes:

1:  

Firstly decide just how intense you want to make your smokey eye. For cocktails in town with your beau why not channel the über chic Emilio Pucci eye (incorporating some Metal X cream shadow in ‘Venetian Tarnish’ by Mac). Whilst for a jet set weekend away at Coachella Fest in the Californian desert, (oh how we wish!) be bold and beautiful with the DSQUARED 2 fallen gold glitter and black liner look.

Emilio Pucci SS2012

DSquared2 SS2012

 

2:

Start with your eyes and do your base last. Often when doing a smokey eye, you get fall-out.

3:

Apply eye primer to your eye lids. Eye primers prevent creasing, your eye shadow remains

long lasting and rich in colour.

Tried and tested eye primers we recommend are:

M.U.A. Professional Eye Primer, £2.50 from Superdrug

Laura Mercier Eye Basics, £20.50 These primers come in a variety of colours from ‘Buff’ to ‘Peach’ through to ‘Wheat’ and they actually camouflage eye lid colour imperfections, creating a flawless base – perfect if your eye shadow colour is very light in tone.

Mac Prep & Prime Eye, £12.50  in Light, Medium or Dark.

3:

If you’re using powder eye shadows, apply a light dusting of your usual face powder over your eye lids. This creates a silky base making eye shadow application very easy.

4:

Choose your eye shadow colour: smokey eyes don’t always have to be black. You can still create a smokey eye using for example burnt bronzes, rusty browns, or antique gold colours,

Apply your chosen colour or colours to your eye lid, up to the socket line.

5:

Open your eye and decide how far up above the socket line and how far out from the corner of your eye you want to take the colour. How far up you take it depends on your eye shape and how much space you have between your eye lid and brow bone. Sometimes less is more. Then blend. Blend blend blend blend blend!

The key to a fabulous smokey eye really lies in the blending. You need the edges to be perfectly buffed. The Mac 217 Blending Brush, £16 is excellent for doing just this. Blend all the way along the socket line and then using small circular motions blend the eye shadow upwards and outwards until you have created your desired smokey eye shape.

6:

Sweep some of the eye shadow colour down and along your lower lash line. Blend.

If you want to add extra glitter to your eye lid, you can mix some glitter with ‘Sealing Gel’ by Illamasqua and using your finger tips, dab the glitter onto your eye lid. The ‘Sealing Gel’ will dry and will secure the glitter in place. An alternative way is to apply some Vaseline to your eye lids and then using your fingertips dab the glitter onto your eyes. If using Vaseline prepare for the eye shadow underneath to crease.

7:

Line your eyes along the top lash line, inner lower lash line and lower lash line with a long lasting eye pencil or gel liner. Again this doesn’t have to be black.

Stop to think how far along your lower lash line towards the inner corner of your eye you want to take the liner. For a really dramatic effect line the eye the whole way round. For a more subtle effect line only where the lower lashes are and on the inner corner of your eye add some light coloured sparkle to open your eyes. Illamasqua’s Loose Pigment Powder in ‘Furore’ (a beautiful champagne gold) is great for this.

Then smudge and blend the liner. Add a touch more shadow to the lower lash line and blend again.

8:

To highlight your brow bone add a dusting of light champagne gold.

9:

Curl your lashes and add several layers of mascara.

10:

For added definition apply some individual or strip lashes with Duo Eyelash Adhesive in the dark tone (black) £4.99.

And that’s it. Not being afraid to experiment and nailing your blending will ensure you’re on trend with this season’s smokey eye.

Good luck ladies!

www.TstylesU.com Beauty Articles written by Lara Crudgington, Libby Braggins & Vu Mdudu

Check out www.TstylesU.com for all the latest editorial, celebrity and commercial style, hair and makeup photoshoots, trend articles and online shopping.

Makeup Trend Article 'Pucker Up!'
March 2012

www.tstylesu.com

Wealden Times Magazine Easter Fashion Shoot 'Spring Awakening'

www.LaraCrudgington.co.uk

A few weeks back we shot an Easter fashion feature for The Wealden Times Magazine at a beautiful house in the Kent countryside.

Gorgeous model Halla is from Iceland.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE THE SHOTS:
http://www.wealdentimes.co.uk/fashion/wt122.asp

CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nWni9CScqI&context=C4f4941dADvjVQa1PpcFOkJJ2evV08NBiJHdXnH46xMeVe08AfGIw=

And check out the amazing French Grey Merino Wool lined wellington boots by EWE www.ewestyle.com - so toasty!

Photographed by David Merewether

Hair and Makeup by Lara Crudgington

Holly Hannah Body Adornment

Makeup Artist Holly Silius (creator of Shimmer Twins Lashes that I featured a few posts ago) and Jewellery Designer Hannah Warner have joined forces to design and make these INCREDIBLE false nails.

They've taken false nail design to a whole new level.

You have to check them out. Totally rock star!

http://www.holly-hannah.com/index_.html



Bjorg Jewellery

Whilst shooting for www.tstylesu.com on Sunday I spotted two incredible pieces of jewellry on the stylist's accessories table...of course I couldn' resist trying them on! So in love with these pieces:

The Bjorg Odyssey Spine Rose Gold Cuff (£397) stocked at www.kabiri.co.uk

http://www.bjorgjewellery.com/lookbook



And this fabulous Bjorg White Knight Hair Ring (£187) also stocked at www.kabiri.co.uk



I need them! : )

www.TSTYLESU.com

www.tstylesu.com

A few days late but new weekly style website www.tstylesu.com is now LIVE!

I am one of the Makeup Artists for the site - it is great to be working with such a lovely team.
There are some incredible editorial, beauty and commercial shoots to come.

Please go check it out for the latest fashion, style, hair and makeup trends plus online shopping - it is packed full of gorgeous items from high street to designer, plus our style team offer you top styling tips on how to dress for your body shape on a budget that works for you.

Oh and please spread the word -  tell all your friends!

L x
www.tstylesu.com

Recent Images

http://www.laracrudgington.co.uk/

Photographer Amelia Ellison
Stylist Sophie Davies
Hair & Makeup Lara Crudgington
LASHES KINDLY SUPPLIED BY www.FantasyLashes.co.uk

Spring Pastels

Photographer Amelia Ellison
Makeup Artist Lara Crudgington
Models Laura Thomas & Emily May Covall 
Wigs from ASOS
Clothing from Tophsop & Asos

PKR, Jake Cody, Stacked Magazine

Back in November I did a shoot at the Curtain Road Studios in London with poker's youngest Triple Crown winner and PKR Pro team player Jake Cody.

The shots were for the recent Stacked Magazine cover and inside article about Jake:
http://www.pkr.com/en/community/stacked/

Photos by Paul Condron
Styled by the gorgeous Sophie Davies
Hair & Makeup by Lara Crudgington

Further 'Let Them Eat Cake' Shots...

Credits:

Photographer : Lea Salomone 

www.leasalomone.com

Models : Sarah Lewis, Sophie Leniston

MUA : Lara Crudgington

www.laracrudgington.co.uk

Hairstylist : Luke Plukrose, Saks Salon 

www.saks.co.uk

Stylist : Sophie Davies

www.stylecadet.wordpress.com

Cupcake : Victoria's Kitchen 

www.victorias-kitchen.com

Pastries : Belle Epoque Pâtisserie

Fashionista

So this morning I was woken up by a knock on the door from the post lady who had a giant jiffy bag full of Fashionista makeup.

What a great way to start a Saturday!

The products had been sent from the Fashionista PR office at Superdrug, after I contacted them asking if I could try out some makeup samples for use on our models at www.tstylesu.com - and the verdict: I am seriously impressed with what they sent.

Fashionista is a new makeup brand at Superdrug "that brings catwalk style to the high street..."

The Custom Design Palettes and the lip stick cases come in a gorgeous scarlett red...perfectly slim line to fit inside your makeup bag.

(The lipstick colours are really nice btw).



The many shades of powder blush are gorgeous - my favourite is the delicately glittery 'Fashionista Mono Blusher in Juciy Apricot'

(bottom left of the palette in the picture below)...

And the 'Fashionista Ready to Wear Luminous Foundation for Flawless Radiance' does exactly what it's name suggests....

Finally an inexpensive foundation that is easy to apply, blends flawlessy, gives great coverage, feels light with just the right amount of 'dewyness', lasts AND really does look radiant.

I'm loving the steady rise of affordable makeup brands out there now whose products have great branding, are rich in quality, have staying power and actually do what they say they do - they don't disappoint plus, you can put change back in your purse from a fiver.  

Lara most definitely Loves!

Check Out My New YouTube Channel!

Lashtastic!

The makeup trends for this season are all so darn chic.

Whether it be the coloured power brow, fresh dewy skin for spring, a statement lip, a nude lip, pastels, tangerine, the cat eye flick or the heavy metal eye that you favour, there's no escaping one trend in particular that has swept the nation on and off the catwalk and made one hell of a comeback...

* FALSE LASHES *

And these days anything goes.

From neon pink doll like lashes on models at the Viktor & Rolph SS12 Paris show...

 to heavy black 1960's inspired lashes at the Marc Jacobs SS12 New York show...

...the more of a statement you can make with each and every flutter, the better.

(Team the statement lashes with a flawless dewy base and the aforementioned nude lip).

And now that you've been practicing with the Barry M Wink Black Marker Pen for eyes (see previous post) I'm going to show you some gorgeous lashes

that have just arrived and I'm dying to use!

*Top Tip: Purchase some 'Duo Eyelash Adhesive, Waterproof, Dark Tone' (£4.99) to stick your lucious lashes on with. The glue is black so no more evil traces of white glue around your peepers!

First up are these brilliant 'Shimmer Twins Treasure Lashes' (sold on ASOS and at Urban Outfitters, £15 a set) and made by a fellow Makeup Artist Holly Silius.

http://shimmertwins.com/

How cute are these red heart lashes for Valentines Day!

Also in the fab 'Shimmer Twins Treasure Lash' collection

are these wonderful star lashes:



And then these long black feathery lashes by 'Elise'

that I absolutely adore, can be found at FantasyLashes.co.uk

If the wilder lashes aren't your style, and you're seeking a natural look, yet with a subtle sultry edge, then I always recommend the Eylure Individual Lashes.

You can pick these up from Boots or Superdrug, usually priced around £5.50

These are particulalry good for weddings;

for brides, mother of the bride and bridesmaids.



Even placing just 3 or 4 bunches at the outer corners of each eye has an amazing effect.

For added wow you can apply a full set using the longer ones on the outer corners and gradually using shorter ones as your work your way in.

If applying them yourself they do require a bit of practice and patience.

Don't use too much glue!

They're very comfortable to wear, will easily last you a couple of days and nights and even first time false lash wearers will fall in love with them.

I can't recommend them highly enough.

For individual lashes to work well you need to have a good number of your own lashes for them to rest on...

If you don't have many or any of your own lashes then rather than using individual lashes I would use natural looking strip lashes.

My favourites are again by Eylure and they're called 'Eylure Naturlites Natural Volume' lashes. 'Ultra Light Weight, Contact Lens Friendly, Reusable.'

* Look out for further lash updates and a lash application tutorial *

Rock the Feline and Metallic Eye Trends

Girls, the 'Wink Black Marker Pen for Eyes' by Barry M, (£4.59) means we can say goodbye to messy, hard to use liquid liners.

Hurrah!

The Wink Marker Pen helps you create foxy feline flicks or sultry smokey eyes in seconds.

A long awaited, life changing, time saving fabulous product!

And the 'Dazzle Dust' Pots also by Barry M (£4.59) are simply a must have.

Some of my current favourites: the Petrol Black, Old Gold and Rust.  

Great shades for recreating the Spring/Summer 2012 metallic eye trend seen all over the catwalks in the SS12 shows.

Love!

Lara Loves...

Hi everyone!

So I wanted to start a new piece on my blog called 'Lara Loves...' and in 'Lara Loves...' I want to share with you, as a Makeup Artist, the favourite makeup products that I have in my numerous kit bags and that I regularly use on models for fashion or beauty shoots, actors on film sets, celebrities, TV presenters or for my beautiful brides.

They loved them, I love them and I hope you will too.

I want to bring you the latest, and in my opinion, most fabulous products on the market right now to keep you and your makeup bag looking uber chic and on trend.

And not all really great makeup has to cost a fortune.  It's important to me that I uncover those hidden gems that are  luxurious in quality, have staying power but cost less than your usual morning almond croissant and hot chocolate (with whipped cream yes please!) 

But of course I'll also throw in some key luxury items if you feel like a well deserved treat.

I hope you'll enjoy 'Lara Loves...' and that you'll find it useful.

L x

http://www.laracrudgington.co.uk/