Haute Boheme - New Collection by Moira Hughes

While it was storming we braved the crazy weather and went ahead with the campaign shoot for Moira Hughes Bridal Couture. Moira is a little bit awesome and is the designer I choose to work with for my very own wedding dress. It was so much fun doing the bespoke design together and I could not believe how good her fabrics feel on the skin. I actually can't wait to wear my dress on the day. As a former designer myself I was blown away by the technique and quality of fabrics, it truly doesn't get any better than this. But own planning aside she just came up with this lovely collection of dresses and her campaign was just released a few days ago. I love the feel. I know that due to the lighting and editing of these moody images you can't see much of the makeup that I have created, but I still love the images a lot. It's about the dresses after all, not about the beauty. Creating makeup for a campaign and working closely with the designers is a very special part of my work that I love so much. We worked with a great team of creatives on this photo shoot and I can't wait for the next collection. Photos by Jason Ierace Makeup by Liv Lundelius Hair The Bridal Hair Co

Australian For Beauty- new botanical beauty products

Today was a simply perfect day! After a Yoga session at home, I started my work day with a beautiful breakfast beauty launch held at Chiswick at the Gallery. A fantastic new restaurant within the Art Gallery Of NSW. The occasion was a interesting product launch of Red Earth and Coast To Coast. Red Earth is relaunch of an Australian makeup & skincare line, while Coast to Coast includes a bath&body range as well as skincare. Both are inspired by natural ingredients. The presentation and packaging of the products appears premium in many ways and is minimal and chic. While NOT being certified organic the ranges are not tested on animals and contain a high percentage of active natural and organic ingredients and no artificial colours or fragrances. It's certainly not an all natural line, if you are an eco-beauty fan seeking 100% purity and toxin free products these lines are not for you. There are still plenty of ingredients in this line which are potentially harmful and that I would personally avoid. If you are after affordable, effective skincare with lovely smells & textures you should give these a try. The founders believe that good skincare does not have to be expensive, and therefore both ranges sell at a very affordable price point. The focus is on very active botanicals many of which are sourced in Australia to create potent skin care and makeup products that deliverresults.

Coast to Coast formulations include a host of exceptional native Australian ingredients. Take Kakadu Plum; native to the northern tip of Australia, it provides the skin with six times the vitamin C of an Orange. Tasmanian Sea Kelp, from Bass Strait, is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C & E, & contains nourishing minerals & amino acids. Wild Rosella, Desert Quandong & Sea Parsley also add to the range of scientifically proven actives chosen based on their merit, rather than aesthetic to visibly replenish & nourish the skin.

While I love the presentation of the brand I am afraid that the mentioning of natural ingredients might mislead consumers to think this is a toxin free line that is certified organic. Therefore I have to make this clear: Read labels and don't get fooled by Greenwashing.

Rise Editiorial Makeup & Hair for Zephyr Magazine

A little while ago I teamed up with fashion photographer Levon Baird and stylist Susannah Best for an ethereal fashion Editorial that just got published in the current issue of Zephyr Magazine.

I hope to work with these creative people again sometime.

Top 5 Summer Skin Favourites

As the hot days are in full swing and we have a few more weeks of Summer left over here in Australia, although, I am pretty optimistic. Officially Summer will end this week. I am sure the warm weather will continue for a while though, and of course in Europe and many parts of the world, you will be just preparing yourself for the warm season. I wanted to share this seasons favourite products with you:

1. After a beach day or day where I have been working on fashion editorial makeup outdoors on location in the sun, nothing repairs and soothes my skin like Zk'in Hydrating mist, I have even used it on light sunburns on the body. It feels amazing, cools the skin and targets UV-damage, it makes my skin glow instantly.

2. Malin & Goetz Eucalyptus Deodarant, my better half Dave actually got me on to this one, a true unisex product and I am impressed it works throughout the humid days, without Aluminium, which I have been trying to avoid.

3. La Mav Organic BB Creme, yes I have mentioned this one before. See here for a full review. It's just been my go-to everyday product.

5. Zk'in Rebalancing Lotion with it's Matte Effect Active a true saviour on hot days underneath my makeup. Still hydrating enough to keep my skin supple, it feels light and balancing. (P.S: If this was a top 6 I would totally nominate the Z'kin Brightening & Hydrating Mask an all-rounder mask, that works wonders. It looks like chocolate and smells like licorice!)

One Fine Day Sydney Roundup- Favourite Vendors

One fun weekend this was! At the One Fine Day in Sydney. While my inbox is overflowing and I am trying my best to get through the wonderful and overwhelming response of the last few days, I wanted to share a few of my favourite vendors with you. The One Fine Day girls where one of the very first people I got in touch with when I moved to Sydney and I have been part of the magical fair right from the humble beginnings at Sun Studios. I can not thank the founders enough, I met so many wonderful people through this event, even new friendships and of course a lot of business. Now that we are getting married ourselves, we didn't only exhibit but were also for the first time on the other side. We were actually shopping around and locking in some vendors ourselves!

People often ask me which part of my work I enjoy more: wedding makeup or editorial makeup, but to be honest, I can't quite decide. I love both and I do both. That's the short and sweet answer. Of course all One Fine Day handpicked vendors are great in their own ways, but here are a few that I found are really worth mentioning and recommending to you, if you are currently planning your own wedding as I had personally amazing experiences with them.

Hello May magazine! Be sure to check out their new "Real Wedding Special" a print book full of the most amazing real weddings. All We Need Is Love -Celebrant Victoria Eustace is just super lovely all around. Bridal trousseau - Luxurious Bridal Lingerie and also the most inspiring Instagram account Natalija The Label - Lovely gowns to make getting ready even more fun! Tillee Music -Ohhhh this voice. listen for yourself, these guys are amazing. In An Instant photo booth - Incredibly Fun Polaroid Photobooth being silly in front of their camera was my highlight of the weekend Bondi Lashes - The best experience in lash extensions Moira Hughes Couture- bridal dresses exuding luxury and couture skill. If you can't find the right style in her collection, Moira also creates bespoke pieces. Grew & Co Some serious jewelry design by the loveliest and most creative husband & wife team based in Sydney.

Photographers: Jo Bartholomew Jo recently shot our very own engagement photos- nuff said! Milton Gan - Finely Crafted Wedding Photography I met these guys right at the very first OFD and am always impressed by their big smiles and positive nature paired with professionalism. Anna Turner Very artistic Lady with a good sense of Humor and Style.