CORE Magazine feature

                                           



My hair and makeup are featured in the October edition of CORE magazine with the feature entitled 'Young Friesians' . The magazine is aimed at local business and culture in Falkirk. The shoot took place in the Summer with stylist Laura Villanueva. Great photography from Dylan Drummond    with models:Eilidh Bell and Shannon Kerr. Hats were from Mairi Brunning Millinery, corsets from 'Bad Kitty.
There is a funny story behind this shoot, I was asked to be the hair and makeup artist by Laura and upon arriving at the farmhouse in Angus I was surrounded by a number of dogs barking round my car. Now anyone who knows me is aware that I have a fear of dogs I don't know due to experiencing an attack a couple of years ago, therefore there was no chance of me leaving my car to do hair and makeup. I have swam with sharks, had large snakes around my neck and been near alligators and am fine but jumpy round certain dogs (sounds weird I know). The crew and models were also running late so  while I waited I set up my hair and makeup station in the boot of my car in the wheat field half a mile up the road (no dogs). I was also not hanging about for makeup touch-ups as the dogs were still present so was a fairly quick day for me. In spite of the initial set back I am really pleased with the feature -well done to everyone involved. Some of my favourite images are here .

Latest Work with Oliver Schneider and Sula Powell

Loved creating the hair, makeup and styling for this last minute shoot for Halloween with Photographer Oliver Schneider and model Sula Powell.The hair and accessories were all made by hand. Many thanks to Peter Menzies of 'The Vine' Dundee for use of his fantastic premises. You can rent office space or hire for events in this beautiful listed building.
View the images here:

Where has the time gone!!? Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the past 6 months of the working life of a full time professional makeup artist based in Dundee Scotland but working internationally.

I have been fortunate enough to work with both Perth Theatre, Scotland  on their production of 'The Odd Couple'   when I was hired upon recommendation in September to provide hair and makeup consultation.

Earlier in March I was hired for Dundee Rep's production of Steel Magnolias. I had a wonderful 2 weeks working with the  brilliant ensemble cast, production team and the amazing Barbara Rafferty
Pre-production I cut, dyed and styled the a large number of wigs for the cast and restyled each day, including matinees. It was a fabulous 2 weeks and massive thanks to actress Annie Louise Ross who I had filmed with previously and who had recommended me.



The following Dundee Rep production was 'The Tempest' and was hired for special effects burn consultation for Annie's character.

Annie Louise Ross (copyright Dundee Rep Theatre)

In the Summer I made a video  aims to provide techniques for transvestites to look like a natural confident woman. I love drag makeup but the purpose of the video is to give men the confidence to look naturally good as a woman. This was based upon feedback from transvestites I know who wanted me to create this. We are hoping to release it very soon as it's had to be put on the back-burner due to work commitments from myself and the cameraman who's being editing it.
Here's a behind the scenes pix of me in action...

                                                           Jane Gowans Jewellery

Jane Gowans is a Scottish based jewellery designer who I first met at a model shoot when I styled her hair and makeup. Since then I have worked with her on 3 occasions to create the hair and makeup for her last collection 'Geology Rocks'  & Colourways  -striking and unusual pieces  that "incorporates the naturally occurring facets & structures found in rock forms with a high-end fashion aesthetic".

Last month we shot Jane's S/S and A/W  2013 collections which will be launched next year. Here's a behind the scenes pic from my camera of model Catherine Sloan ,The location was Dundee and was photographed by 'What Kirsten Saw' and styled by Kirsty Headden.


St Andrews Charity Fashion Shoot.

This month I was hired to make up 22 male and female models for the the St Andrews FS Charity shoot. I asked Mary Meikle to assist me with makeup for the male models. I have worked with the group for a few years now and they are so creative full of ideas and energy. All the models are students at St Andrews University as well as being very photogenic. One of the girls,Andrea, exclusively models for Karl Lagerfeld. 

Photography:Kayhan/Makeup:Me

Janine Clark's winning outfit/Photographer:Gillian Gamble/Hair & Makeup:Me

In February this year I worked with the St Andrews FS committee for the joint FS 2012/Alfa Romeo Young Designer of the  year competition on 2 shoots to showcase the shortlisted designers outfits. Janine Clark  was the winner and well-deserved. The photographers for the shoots were Kayhan and  Gillian Gamble. I loved all the entrants outfits and they can be seen here.   Gillian is a muti-talented individual based in Scotland-here is more of Gillian's work and projects. 

As every year I am fortunate to be be fairly continuously booked with weddings throughout the whole of the year and as a result have been fortunate to have met so many wonderful people and to be a small part of one of the most important days of their lives. Nothing is too big or too small and I have travelled throughout Scotland to attend. On a serious note nothing saddens me more when I receive calls or emails from Brides who have been let down at the last minute by makeup artists or hairstylists and usually I can't personally help as am usually booked but I do try to pass on to other trusted professionals when I can. I am lucky also to be recommended by venues and photographers and have had a wonderful year so far with many happy bridal parties. I am quickly booking up for 2013 so if you are planning hair and makeup I would love to offer you a consultation. Here are a few images from some of my weddings this year.

Els Wedding Glamis Castle/Hair and Makeup:Me /Photographer:www.maggiemiller.com/

Shona: Fairmont Hotel /Hair and Makeup:Me

Louise Apex Hotel /Hair & Makeup:SC Makeup Artistry

There are lots of things I've left out but these are some of the most significant things that has happened over the last 6 months and I hope you've enjoyed sharing these with me. x

Where on earth has the time gone!!!!? Part 1

Blimey- I know it's a well-worn cliche  but time certainly does fly when you're busy! I have neglected blogging and been posting mainly on my FB page so all of my work over the past 6 months is on that also. Please join my page and share with friends to keep up to date.
I have split this into 2 parts-PART 1
I managed to fit in 2 trips to London- in May it was for relaxation purposes but being the happy workaholic I am I decided to fit in a women's business meeting (in between shopping and shows) in Kensington with the Athena Network who have groups throughout the world  /. They made me very welcome and I was very impressed with the calibre of professionalism and warmth of the group and I made some great contacts. Unfortunately they don't have a group available in Scotland which is a pity.

LOVE! I did buy some Pixi 'Endless Silky Eye Pens which I really love -they last for ages and are mid-range priced and in lots of colours. The only down-side is they wore down quicker than I would have liked but apart from this I would recommend.

My second trip was London Fashion  Week A/W 13 in September assisting Makeup Artist Lan Ngyuen Grealis at Vauxhall fashion Scout where I was asked to do 6 shows and was also interviewed by Vauxhall Fashion Scout reporting team  
The  Body Shop provided the makeup for the shows and I really love their shimmer cube palettes.


I have been fortunate enough to have been part of assisting at LFW for past 4 years since my training at the Academy of Freelance Makeup (LONDON/NEW YORK)

and have assisted twice with them and twice with Lan. It's all been interesting and have learned so much but as I have to self-finance this I need to focus on paid work and continue to professionally develop myself in all formats.


As part of the Invite Magazine Team responsible for Hair and Makeup and feature writer I reported from backstage  behind the scenes at some of the shows and took some pictures- the deadline for submission was tight however it got written while traveling back from London-to read my article you can buy or subscribe to 'Invite' and the current edition will be available next week (see stockists by following link).

Talking of 'Invite' - as well as my LFW feature I have 4 other features which include my hair and makeup , one is a children's Cowboys and Indians' shoot and the other 2 are a Sweeney Todd/Mrs Lovatt Fancy Dress look where I explain how to achieve the look. My friend Raymond Wood assisted with this and did some spectacular special effects blood and gore on our 'Sweeney' model- as they were considered unsuitable for inclusion they're not in the mag but will be posted her and on FB as soon as I can. A special thank you to Paul Merchant of 'Charles Fox' Covent Garden, London for supplying products from the store. I try to pop in for products when am in London and love the massive range of  Kryolan makeup

I also write a feature detailing how to achieve our cover girl look for our model Sula Powell' hair where I used makeup supplied by Illamasqua  Glasgow
I am a huge fan of their products and have have had  them in my kit since they formed the company. I have used their products in magazines, bridal, film and video and they are amazing-check them out! I styled Sula's hair using While in London for Fashion Week I also squeezed in a masterclass with Illamasqua trainer Adam John who as well as being uber -talented is such a lovely person and so giving.
As well as Sula being included in a feature about Kinettles House Hotel , where she exudes full-on Hollywood Glamour she is also on the front cover. I have worked with Sula lots of times and despite being only 16 she is very mature in outlook and she's definitely going places! Lousie Beattie photographed the shoot and did a fantastic job as always

and  'The Frockery's Alison Preuss supplied some amazing period outfits and accessories and has very affordable, sought-after pieces which can be purchased on line. 
I hope you enjoy my regular hair/makeup page- this edition I will be giving advice and tips on choosing your hair and makeup artist for your Wedding Day. If there is anything hair and makeup wise you would like me to include in my column let me know!