UNIVERSITY: STYLING FOR EDITORIAL "IMPOSTOR"

This was a second year BA (Hons) Fashion Design module called 'Styling for Editorial' in which we had to develop a concept to communication trends for S/S 2011, for a particular editorial publication. I focused my photo shoot towards the fashion, beauty and art editorial WOUND magazine.

My initial concepts revolved around the film Wicker Park and numerous piece of photography and art. Looking at how light and dark could create illusion and how people can transform themselves.

As the project began to develop, I started to look into more impostor type angles, looking into real life con artists and impostors. Trying to figure out how they could get away with so much and for a time, without any suspicion. 

I also explored multiple personality disorder and in particular the book A Fractured Mind, by Robert B. Oxnam. This honest account of a life with MPD is an eye opening account of the minds ability to protect itself and how one human body can be inhabited by several levels of consciousness. It is honestly one of the most intriguing stories I have ever read!

I used all of this information to comprise what type of fabric textures to include, what sort of shadows to cast and overall encourage the feeling of more than one presence. 
So these are my final pages for WOUND magazine, concept, styling and post production all by yours truly, spilt into two individual shoots featuring models Ali Lomas & Joanna Young.

SHOOT ONE

SHOOT TWO
 

 
CREDIT:
Photographers: Abigail Morris & Hannah Beth.
Models: Ali Lomas & Joanna Young

TOPSHOP MAKEUP REVIEW

Ok. So I finally caved and brought myself some of the Tophop makeup line, I’ve been tempted for so long but as with most clothing store makeup lines the products never seem to make it into your favourite's list or last the distance. 

At the moment, Topshop stock three collections: CORE, Sandstorm and Heavy Duty. 

The CORE collection is their permanent range that only changes or adds colours with the seasons and is ultimately Topshop's take on the basics needed in every girls makeup bag, including makeup brushes and tools. This is the collection I will be reviewing. 

'Sandstorm' is a limited addition collection that will only be available through the summer season; this contains more trend lead products, with more daring colours and textures. I did have a quick look at this collection and it did look very impressive, the colour range looked perfect for creating more trend based looks to suit S/S 2011, especially the 70's and colour blocking trends. 

'Heavy Duty' is a much smaller collection and is a collection for more evening/night time or event makeup, the name implies that the lasting power of these products would be longer than other items; it also implies that a heavier and more dramatic look can be achieved with this collection. 

HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE.

Highlighter in 'Sunbeam': £12. ★★★★★

This is such a beautiful summer highlighter and I will be using it all summer! I have to admit I am a little bit in love with it, so much so that sometimes I'm a tad too highlighted! 

And ok, you could go and pay the extra £8 for a MAC highlighter and you would get 3.5g more product, so bare this in mind. BUT, I personally haven't seen a highlighter like this before, and the quality is just lovely, it’s well milled and doesn't leave your skin powdery. It buffs into the skin and reflects the light perfectly, to give you that summery, fresh and glowing complexion. 

Its not the best compact for your handbag, the packaging is pretty and sturdy but a little too bulky for travel or on-the-go purposes but if you end up falling for it like I did, you'll happily chose this product over some others to make room. 

I apply mine with the Number 42, Flat Blush brush from Sephora, it gets in under your brow and catches your cheekbones perfectly.   

CREAMY CHEEKS.

Cream Blusher in 'Flush': £6. ★★★★

This was a new thing for me altogether, I wanted to start using more cream based products for over the summer months. I was excited to try this product but the consistency of the blush was just a little bit bitty. The colours they offer are very pretty and the pigmentation is so good for the price, it blends into your skin smoothly even though the texture feels slightly grainy but it sit well on your skin and the colour lasts all day! 

I would definitely recommend this product for anyone looking to try cream blushes for the first time, as the colours are so fashionable and they are very affordable. 
I will be trying a more high end cream blush soon, the Bobbi Brown: 'Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks' £17, so hopefully this will give me a better idea of how creamy a cream blush should be.
The application of this product was much much smoother when applied with the Sephora Professionnel: 'Mineral Powder Brush (45)' £15.87, which is a bargain because its such a brilliant brush!  

OUTLINE.

Eye Kohl Pencils in 'Frost' & 'Petrol': £4. ★★★★★

Without a doubt these eye kohl pencils will be permanent items in my makeup bag, they are such good quality and value for money that I have completely ditch my Rimmel eye kohl and there's no looking back! I had wanted to try a white eyeliner for the summer season, to give my eyes that brighter and healthier look and I’m so glad that I tried it first with the Topshop kohl pencil. 

The white is so pigmented and brightens your eye immediately; the lasting power is brilliant especially for the price. The application is so smooth it literally glides onto your water line and with one sweep of the pencil, your done. I couldn't recommend this product any more; it’s just the perfect eye kohl pencil!   

NEAT NAILS.

Nail Varnish in 'World's End' & 'Green Room' £5. ★★★

I really liked the nail varnishes although they weren't my favourite product, for £5 they have a very good application and consistency comparable to the Barry M nail varnishes, however the Topshop varnishes go on a little thicker. I would definately say they were worth the money but I will only be looking to repurchase the more trend lead and unique colours in the collection. 

I would like to point out that the prices throughout all three collections are very similar if not the same. Lipsticks from both collections are priced at £8, all nail varnish is priced at £5 and the large highlighter compacts are all priced at £12. The similar pricing makes me believe that the quality I experienced with the CORE collection will be the same across all other collections. I will definately be purchasing from the Topshop makeup line again and trying out their limited edition collections. 

Future Topshop buys?

Thanks for reading.L x