Interview: Gucci Westman – Makeup Artist

Gucci Westman interview

You’re one of the most successful makeup artists in the industry. What’s your philosophy on makeup?

My philosophy on makeup is that it is constantly evolving and its fun to evolve with it as well, to not be stuck as known for one thing or that you can only do one thing. It’s nice to kind of branch out and fun to be creative but also be able to make yourself feel better and confident with makeup.

Do you have a certain technique or method when it comes to applying makeup?

Yes but I also like to switch it up. There are certain techniques that I used to do but I don’t do it anymore. I just try to really not repeat myself even if it’s the easy way out and I’m like “oh I know that will work”. I try to do something different each time cause you want to push yourself.

Can you tell us about some of your most memorable backstage moments?

The most memorable backstage moments would most definitely always be at Rag & Bone shows but then this last season with John Galliano and Oscar De Le Renta was pretty memorable.

Any backstage disasters?!

Yes, once a long time ago.  I was doing a show call Lamou and one of my assistants got dark purple lipstick on a white dress! And it was right in the middle of the dress. That was a total disaster.

What are your product essentials when working at fashion week?

During Fashion Week I rely on a number of tools and my kit. I definitely have to have great primers like the Revlon PhotoReady™ Primer is great. Also I have to have moisturizers, luminizers, and highlighter eye shadows. The things I am certain to have are eyebrow, lip and eye brushes. Sometimes there are products that I know I can do without but there are certain products that I know I’ll need.

When it comes to your own beauty routine, what do you place most importance on?

Skin. I take pretty good care of my skin; I do lactic acid gentle peels every day. At night I use masks. I like to double up a lot so I have time.

What’s your signature makeup look?

I don’t have one! Black eye and black mouth…just joking.

Have you changed your makeup look over the years?

Probably. Yeah I think I have changed.

Please tell us about your role as Global Artistic Director for Revlon

I’m at Revlon to infuse fashion, and the trends but make it globally aware for the Revlon girl. Try to interject new product ideas it’s kind of a last full. Suggest everything to a new lip range to who I would love for a spokes model. It’s a really fun job going to the lab, going to interclass, there’s a lot. It’s cool.

What are your favorite Revlon products?

There are a lot of Revlon products that are my favorite now because there are some really good ones out there. All of my collections I love, I love the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, the entire Revlon Nearly Naked Collection, Revlon mascaras, and the Revlon ColorStay™ 16 hour Eye shadow Quads. Also, the new perfumery nail polishes that are launching soon.

Will you be coming to Dubai in your role as Global Artistic Director?

I went once and I definitely hope to come again I loved it. Please bring me over!

 

Posted by & filed under Interviews.

MAC Art of the Eye Collection

MAC Art of the Eye Collection

MAC Art of the Eye Collection - Vimmi J

MAC Art of the Eye Collection

MAC Art of the Eye Collection

MAC Art of the Eye palette

The much-anticipated MAC Art of the Eye Collection has just arrived in Dubai. The collection was created with the Middle East market in mind and focuses entirely on the beauty of eye makeup and it’s transforming abilities. There are two palettes in the collection; Masat Al Lail, the darker of the two with black, smoky blue, grey and platinum silver shades and Rimal Dahabia, a more neutral palette with beige, burnt copper, peach and muddy brown shades. There are also a couple of really vivid standalone shades, chromagraphic pencils, dark brunette eyebrow gel, reflects glitter pigments, kohl eye pencil and blue and black mascaras.

I was drawn to the neutral Rimal Dahabia palette as it has the kind of shades I love and there’s enough variety in there to create a whole host of different eye looks. I recently dropped into the activation stand for this Collection at Mall of the Emirates as MAC invited me in for a mini makeover and a quick chat with the lovely Vimmi J, MAC regional artist for the Middle East and India. She created a really smoky, yet very soft eye using the Rimal Dahabia palette, Teddy kohl pencil on the inner and lower lashline and smudged the kohl black liner on my upper lash line. MAC very kindly gave me a sample palette of Rimal Dahabia and the dark brunette eyebrow gel to take home but of course I still rushed into MAC afterwards to pick up some more products as I loved the look so much. Teddy kohl pencil might just be the most beautiful eyeliner I have ever seen. Are any of you guys using it? It’s a soft chocolate brown with slices of gold running through it – totally amazing!

If you would like to go check out the collection and get your eye makeup done, the activation stand is open in the North Galleria (just in front of Harvey Nichols) until Tuesday May 28th. Vimmi will be there dishing out tips and tricks and participating in live demos using all the different products.

Posted by & filed under Collections, Events.

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

This is the latest skincare offering from Lancome, a brand new, more advanced version of the original bestselling Genifique. Building on the claims of the first one, consistent use of this newbie will apparently result in the  ‘repair and activation of the 10 signs of youth’ such as firmness, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture and so on with results visible after a mere 7 days of use. Lancome claim that this new version contains 40% more active ingredients, 14 years of research and 9 patents that are covered until 2029. Interesting, no?

Amazing claims aside, I have to say I was a little skeptical about using this when Lancome approached to me try it out. Mainly because ‘results in x amount of days’ claims rarely ring true and also because I  tried the original version and didn’t love it. Granted, I only used it for a few days and very inconsistently at that, but I felt it was quite sticky on the skin so I jumped ship very fast. I do remember however – when I worked on a beauty counter in Brown Thomas, the never-ending steam of women passing by the Lancome counter every day to pick it up, so I figured this new version was worth a go.

The serum is dispensed using the pipette attached to the lid which I really like – it’s very easy to extract the right amount and it’s not at all messy. I found that half a pipette is enough for the whole face as it seems to just spread and spread without drying up. It’s quite a silky texture and once it’s on the skin, you feel it sinking in for about 10 seconds and then it’s gone. No stickiness, no tight or dry feeling – it’s quite pleasant actually. Usually after using a serum I always feel the need to slap some moisturiser on afterwards but I didn’t with this.

I used it every night for 7 days at first (at the same time too, just to be pedantic) and this is what I found; after two days my skin felt a lot softer to the touch and much less dry around my chin and forehead. After 7 days there was a definite new plumpness to my skin and astonishingly, some raised blemish marks I had on my cheek had significantly reduced in size. At the weekend I sat peering into my magnifying mirror for about 15 minutes (much to my husbands amusement) to check out how my fine lines and wrinkles were doing and found that the lines around the side of my mouth looked the same but the ones on my forehead were far less visible.

I’ve been using it now for about 3 weeks and I will admit that I’m impressed. I’m not using it as consistently as I was, but I think that’s because I know it works now, so I reach for it every other night or – and I find its superb for this, when my skin needs a boost.

The downside to such effective skincare of course is the price. It’s not available in Dubai yet but I believe it will be around Dhs500 for 30ml when it comes out later this summer – although don’t quote me on that. The good news however, is that Lancome have given me 3 bottles to dish out to my Dubai-based readers. If you’d like to win a bottle, just leave a comment below, with your email address so I can contact you, saying why you’d like to win. Good luck!

Posted by & filed under Skincare and Body.

Paper Couture

Paper Couture Dubai Paper Couture Dubai

Is there anything more lovely than really pretty stationary? Check out these dainty personalised pieces I got from a new Dubai-based stationary company called Paper Couture. Tags for when I send giveaway prizes or for giving away with gifts and sweet little notecards that can be used for more of the same.

They offer a tonne of other great services too, such as traditional stationary sets, gorgeous save the date cards, vintage party invites and of course all the usuals; business cards, wedding invites and so much more. I love that each item can be personalised exactly how you want it, right down to the last tiny little details. They will print and deliver them for you, or if you’re based outside of Dubai – they will email you a printable version. Genius!

We have a bunch of events coming up this summer such as my birthday (woohoo!) and our 5 year wedding anniversary (OMG!) so I plan to indulge in some cute soiree invites. You can check out more of Paper Couture’s work on their website or via their Facebook page.

Posted by & filed under Simone etc.

Makeup update

MakeupI like makeup ruts, they’re cosy and comforting and they save lots of time when it comes to thinking about what products to slap on day-to-day.

These five products are the staples of my current makeup rut. I bought Diorskin Nude BB Creme on a whim a couple of weeks ago, I was looking for the Hydralife one or whatever it’s called but they didn’t have it so I picked this up instead, and I’m so glad I did. It’s medium coverage, silky and moisturising without excessive shininess and it blends so beautifully. It lasts all day and my skin looks even and super healthy when I wear it. As it’s not full coverage, I follow-up with a little bit of MAC Studio Finish Concealer around the nose and on the darker pigmentation spots on my cheeks.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer occasionally goes on before the BB Creme on my forehead and/or chin when I’m a little oily, but mostly I’m using it under my eyes to stop my concealer creasing. I was using Benefit Fake Up religiously (which doesn’t crease) but I lost it somewhere so I’m also using Studio Finish under my eyes until I find an alternative solution.

I ran out of my beloved Clinique mascara recently and picked up YSL Shocking mascara (on another whim). The packaging is sleek and pretty and as it’s YSL I expected amazing things. Unfortunately, it’s one of the worst mascaras I have ever used. It’s gloopy, applies too heavy and leaves the lashes thin and spiky looking. It’s also quite a wet formula – which I hate, so there have been some smudge problems. It’s outrageously overpriced so I am absolutely determined to use it up, even if my lashes look terrible.

Lastly, my latest acquisition – a beautiful sculpting and highlighting powder from Guerlain’s summer collection, Terra Ora. Aside from the ridiculously beautiful packaging (wooden, with a magnetic twist off mirror lid) and the gorgeous embossed design – the colour of this on the skin is just perfection. It’s a light, golden honey shade that sculpts the cheeks, slightly tans the skin and adds a lovely touch of highlight. Everything else has gone out the window since this appeared on the scene, even my Chanel bronzer. It must be love!

Posted by & filed under BB Cream, Bronzer, Concealer, Mascara, Primer.

New in: haircare

Haircare

After stalking Redken stockists in Dubai for some time I decided to take the plunge and purchase some products from the Body Full range, which is all about pumping up the volume. I picked up the Body Full Instant Bodifier Mousse from Pace E Luce hair salon in Marina Mall, along with the Body Full Shampoo. I instantly loved the shampoo and incidentally, I’m now on my second bottle – but I haven’t quite figured out how to use the mousse yet. Any suggestions? I’m terrible at using mousse in my hair – it always ends up looking flat and crispy. I picked up the Body Full Volume Amplifier Spray too, as I might as well give the whole range a go, right?! I want to love it as it’s non sticky and smells nice, but it’s just not making my hair big enough sadly.

Then a couple of weeks ago I was sent this brush by Eideal, a high-end haircare distributor in the Middle East – it’s a ceramic design that claims to deliver smooth, big hair when used correctly. When I first saw the brush I thought I would never be able to use it because it looks so massive and frightening, but – whether it the design or the fact that I spend too much time in salons, I’ve got it down!  It literally glides through my hair and you can twist it and twist and it never gets caught in the hair or pulls on your mop. As a result I’ve been sporting moderately large hair with super sleek ends recently, imagine?! And I did it at home. Crazytown.

Lastly, I’ve been getting to know a new hair oil from Davines called Oi/Oil. Initially when I used it I wasn’t impressed, I thought it was way too heavy and made my hair look greasy as I was using it on the ends after blow drying. When I did a bit of research online I discovered that it apparently works best when finger combed through damp hair before styling and my god, -it does. This oil is actually amazing – my hair looks incredibly smooth and so shiny after just a few uses. Granted, the heavy formula means my hair feels slightly greasy by the time I’m going to bed but that doesn’t bother me as it’s benefits far outweigh having greasy hair at nighttime. Naturally, I’m keen to investigate the rest of Davines line now as this has impressed me so much.

Are any of you using these products at the moment? Also, any recommendations for how to get huge hair?!

Posted by & filed under Hair.

Bourjois Summer on the Riviera Collection

Bourjois Summer on the Riviera Collection Bourjois Summer on the Riviera Collection Bourjois Summer on the Riviera Collection

You all know I love a bit of Bourjois. And by a bit I mean the majority of the products on any given Bourjois stand. I love their foundations, their lipsticks, the little pots of blush and the intense version of their eyeshadows. I now also love this collection. Well, not all of it exactly as I am only using two of the four products available, but these are the best two!

Summer on the Riviera is Bourjois’ new bronzing collection and comprises of four products; a BB bronzer, a mattifying primer, a maxi bronzing powder and a mousse body bronzer. I have the primer and the mousse and I have to say, I’m damn impressed with both. The primer is crazy – it’s the squishiest, softest primer I have ever used and it goes on exactly the same shade as it looks in the pot and then it blends in beautifully. The reason I like it so much is because it allows to me go without any other makeup. Imagine?! It makes the skin look so tan and healthy that I don’t use foundation on top of it. An absolute revelation.

The mousse for the bod has also blown me away. I’m usually not a great one for tanning, I don’t like the idea of it and I always think I’ll end up looking patchy and feeling sticky but not with this baby. I used a mitt to apply it all over and it’s not sticky at all, it gives a lovely bronze hue (not orange) and dries within 2 minutes or so. Once it’s dry, it’s dry. It doesn’t transfer on clothes, it doesn’t streak and it feels like nothing. I’ve been wearing it the last couple of days and completely forget I have it on until I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Then, and this is the most amazing part – it completely washes away in the shower. Completely! No scrubbing necessary – and then you’re ready to start afresh the next day!

I tried to take a couple of decent shots of me wearing both of them but the above is the best I could do as there was no one around to take pics. I’m quite a natural pale face and bod kinda girl so this is me quite tan looking and I lurve it!

Really and truly, I love these products so much. Bourjois consistently continue to impress me with their collections and this is another fine example of a job well done. Woo!

 

Posted by & filed under Collections, Primer, Tanning.

The Microdelivery Peel by Philosophy

Philosophy Microdelivery Peel

On my trip to Sephora last week I was loitering around the Philosophy stand mooning over the pretty packaging. Of course, about .5 of a second into my loitering, the sales assistant pounced on me. She asked me if I had ever tried the microdelivery peel, I said no and thus a five minute demonstration begun. To be honest, I was all set to feign interest, “ooh yeah it seems nice but I’m just looking today, thanks” and walk off, BUT that’s not what happened. She applied the two-step peel to my hand and voila! I was sold. Yes, I know – I am devoid of willpower.

Anyways, I gave it a go last night and the results were so impressive that I thought it merited a blog post. Before I get into it, it must be noted that this is not actually a peel. No peeling happens, the skin doesn’t peel off, you don’t peel the product off etc. No peeling. What does happen however, is a bit of scuffing – for use of a better word. The top layer of the skin melts/scuff’s away, depending on how gentle you are when using it.

So, what is the claim? Philosophy reckon regular use of this at home kit will resurface and rejuvenate sun damaged, hyperpigmented, aging skin. There are two products in the kit; a tub of vitamin c/peptide crystals and a little bottle of lactic/salicylic acid activating gel and as you’d expect with two products, it’s a two-step process. First, a teaspoon amount of the peptide crystals is massaged gently all over the skin (dry skin I might add) – massaged is the operative word here. If you scrub your face with this stuff it will hurt. Do this for about a minute (it’s quite pleasant), then follow-up with a teaspoon amount of the activating gel. Again, massage this gently over the peptide crystals on your face, it will start to foam and your skin will start to feel quite warm – which is the vitamin c in action. Leave it on your skin for about 2-3 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with water. And that’s it.

The results? Pretty damn impressive I have to say, there was a visible difference in my skin after just one use. Even my husband noticed, which is unheard of. It looked so much brighter and felt incredibly soft, not a lump or bump in site. As it’s quite intensive, I would recommend using it no more than twice a week, less if you have very sensitive skin. At Dhs350, it’s far from cheap but it’s worth every single penny and it will last a very long time. If you’re in Dubai you can get it in Sephora, or online here from Boots in the UK and Ireland.

Posted by & filed under Skincare and Body.

New Sephora White Card

Sephora Loyalty Card

I paid a visit to Sephora in The Dubai Mall recently to have a look around and to find out about the new Sephora loyalty card. I must admit, I do love a good loyalty card – and it’s just as well Sephora have one as my poor credit card gets a serious boshing in there a couple of times a year.

The new loyalty card free and when you purchase anything in Sephora you will be asked to sign up. The process is pretty straightforward; at the counter they help you fill in a form with all your details and you are given your new white Sephora card on the spot, along with a welcome gift. The benefits of the card are pretty good; points will be added to it every time you make a purchase (Dhs10 = 1 point) and it can be used at any of the Sephora stores in Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi and here in Dubai.

When you have accumulated 200 points, you automatically get upgraded to black membership which is even more exciting, but I’ll write a separate blog post about that. As an aside, did everyone know there is a blow dry bar in Sephora here?! Because I did not! Very excited about that and I also discovered a huge new nail section this morning, choc-ful of Ciate, Essie and OPI polishes! Clearly, I have been away from Sephora for too long!

Posted by & filed under Simone etc.

Spring/Summer Fragrance Edit

Summer fragrance edit Summer fragrance edit Summer fragrance edit Summer fragrance edit

Ah fragrance, something that I never had much interest in has now developed into something akin to a small obsession. It started off with a few gifts here and there, then I got a few samples from brands, then I hit up duty-free a few times and now, well – lets just say I have difficulty walking past any outlet that sells smelly stuff.

The above collection of images are some of the latest and greatest fragrances to grace my fragrance er, shelf. Yes, I have a shelf. There are quite a few so I’m going to try to keep this as brief as possible; a little round-up of each shall suffice I think!

Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne Currently one of favourite fragrances, this offering from Jo Malone is incredibly fresh and clean with cucumber taking precedence over the Earl Grey notes. I get so many compliments when I wear this as I think it’s such an unexpected scent, so of course, I wear it all the time! Love love love. Also, I’m on the hunt for the candle now.

See by Chloe A recent acquisition, this fashion house fragrance is not what I expected. I thought it would be strong and quite overpowering but it’s the complete opposite; quite light, slightly sweet and very fruity. Perfect for hot days in Dubai. I reach for this a few times a week at the moment.

Issey Miyake Pleats Please I was incredibly loyal to L’eau d’Issey in my teenage years so I was excited to try this – especially when I saw the amazing bottle! Surprisingly, I’m really on the fence about it. It’s very very powdery, quite heavy and it lingers on the skin for what feels like hours. The main note I get from it is pear, which isn’t one of my favourite fruits. I think I need to wear it a few more times before I completely make up my mind…

Dolce & Gabbana The One Desire I couldn’t love this fragrance any more if I tried. Initially, I reserved it for evening use as it’s quite strong but now I’m all over it, any time of the day or night. It kind of smells like dark, sensual fruit (swit swoo!) and caramel. It’s really interesting melange of notes and I adore it. I’m wearing it now while writing this post!

Jo Malone Ginger Biscuits Cologne Another firm favourite, this one is from the Sugar & Spice collection. It smells 100% like ginger biscuits – that might sound odd but trust me, it’s SO GOOD. It’s deliciously subtle and not at all overpowering and it makes me want to eat ginger biscuits every time I wear it. I can’t recommend it enough. Divine. (Also, I’ve just discovered Elderflower & Gooseberry Cologne from the same collection and it’s to.die.for)

Pure DKNY Another fragrance house that I had quite good relations with in my teenage years. I expected to love this but unfortunately, it’s more of a mild like. It’s a very light, very watery fragrance and I’m not kidding when I say it’s like spraying water on your skin, albeit water that whiffs slightly of vanilla. I know a lot of people will love this but it’s a little too light for me.

J’Adore Voile de Parfum Dior An extremely ladylike, glamourous fragrance – this reminds me of something my Mom would wear. It’s slightly musky and flowery but not overly so. It’s more like a mist, if that makes sense, like a general veil of fragrance – not too strong or sweet, just really balanced and feminine. It’s one that you need to have a whiff of and then you’ll see what I mean.

CK One Shock Ah CK One, I remember the days when I practically showered in this stuff. Every single one of my friends had it when we were in school and we thought we were so unique, ha! Shock is quite oriental and a bit of a departure from the original formula, it’s kind of spicy and citrusy at the same time but still very fresh. It was on my side of the bathroom originally, but now it’s on my husband’s side. Funny that…

Guess Girl This is another one I’m on the fence about. It smells like sandalwood mixed with raspberries, not an unpleasant combination but one that gives me a headache when I wear it. I’ve tried spraying it close to and far away from the skin but it just doesn’t do it for me. I want to love it, especially because the bottle is so cute and girly but I just can’t. Funnily enough, after a few goes I gave it to a friend of mine and she has declared it as her all time favourite fragrance!

Estee Lauder Amber Mystique This is an interesting one. Created primarily with the middle eastern market in mind and launched here first, it’s strong with the main notes being amber, oud, rose, pink pepper and leather. I really didn’t expect to like this as I don’t usually get on with oud, but after meeting the perfumer, Honorine Blanc – who gave me a whiff of each individual note involved and explained how to recognise each note, I love it. It’s absolutely delicious – a funny way to describe a strong oud-based fragrance I know but go have a whiff of it and you’ll see what I mean.

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire This is an absolutely gorgeous, super feminine fragrance that gets better the more you wear it. It’s sweet without being too heavy and it smells faintly of liquorice and berries. It’s a funny way to describe a fragrance, but it smells like a deliciously sweet syrup, and how can you go wrong with a fragrance that smells like sweets!

So there we have it. A brief(ish) round-up of some of the latest fragrances. Are any of these in your collection? And what’s your favourite scent at the moment?

Posted by & filed under Perfume.