Christmas In London

I grew up in the southern hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed. So all my childhood Christmases were in mid summer. Its light out til 10 o'clock, so the houses aren't decorated with twinkling lights like they are here, the last thing you want is hot cocoa, and you'll never see snow.

So when I moved to London, Christmas was a crazy, new, exciting experience. It was cold out, and got dark by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. And those Londoners really know how to throw a fabulous Christmas!

Every year there would be the pre Christmas runs to Calais to stock up on cases of fab french wine, cheeses, pates & other french delectables. We'd jump on the hovercraft and zoom over to the hypermarkets (enormous supermarkets) buy all the goods, and head back after lunch. Man it was fun!!!Is that trippy, or what?

And London itself would get all tricked out for the festive season.

The street corners would have old men standing over smoking barrels of roasting chestnuts - one of the greatest aromas ever. I have a million memories of walking out of cool jobs into the cold London air, all wrapped up in killer cool London chic and getting these little bags of salted roasted chestnuts from the street vendors.



I'm not sure if I ever actually ate them, & couldn't for the life of me tell you what they actually tasted like, but the smell and the warmth they gave were deliriously fabulous!

These guys are actually in Switzerland - I couldn't find pics of the London ones, but you get the idea...
Can you just smell it???

And I soooo loved the way they would decorate the streets of central London, and more significantly the windows of the major department stores. They were completely fantastic!

Debenhams 2008

Selfridges 2008

Back then I think they were even better than the Manhatten Christmas windows. Who knows?






Regent Street



Regent Street


Looks like fun!

Euro Christmas Magic!

Anyway, the European Christmas experience was divine, and forever ruined me for summer Christmases.
My American Christmas? Love it! I get all kinds of homesick every year, but oh I how love winter Christmas!

The Divine Vicky B

I was looking through images of all the red carpet events that happened around the world this week, trying to decide who brought the best game to town.
And I have to say, diva divine, Victoria Beckham absolutely owned it this week.

Here she is arriving at the 2009 British Fashion Council Awards At the Royal Courts in London on December 9th, wearing Victoria Beckham Collection.

Posh has such an understanding of her reed thin body, and how to work it to maximize the impact of her dress.

She is always right up there at the forefront of everything that is happening in fashion.

And just as one would expect, Vicky B had perfect hair and make up.
Bold, confident and proud.
Just as every girl should be.

The handsome David Beckham wasn't with her that night, my understanding is that Becks was at his grandfather's funeral that day and opted out of the evening.

Party Make Up #4 Black Tie Party

I so love the majesty of the black tie event.
Be it a party, a movie premiere, an awards show
this is where you get to go all out on a
fabulous, well put together look.

I love lots of lashes for black tie.

ooh look! Kate Hudson in Nine.
You are held hostage by those eyes!

For the most part either go big with the eyes and do a soft mouth, or vice versa.
I'm a sucker for the huge eyes for a big event.
Especially if you'll have a drink in your hand.
Red lipstick on the rim of your glass?
Not so sexy.



Penelope's eyes. So loved her in Vicky Christina Barcelona

I love how put together and polished this look is.
It's dynamic.


The red carpet is a great place to look if you need inspiration.
Some of the best make up you'll ever see.

After watching Blind Side
I want to be friends with Sandra B


Black tie perfect!
Kris is owning this look.
(We just shot it the other day)



Monica Belluci perfection.
If you can take your eyes off her boobs, the make up is black tie awesome.


Fox Fierce.
Clean, tight, put together.
And she knows how to wear it.


And of course, the Goddess herself.
Always immaculate
Always appropriate
Perfect black tie make up.

Party Makeup #3 - The Cocktail Party!

Oh NOW we're talking!!!
I so love a good cocktail party!
Fun, gorgeous, short dresses.
Sexy heels.
Turning on a fabulous hairdo.
Oh yeah!

In the world of parties, I think cocktail parties are primo.
They don't go on all night.
The drinks are fun and stylish.
Canapes as opposed to a full meal.
Fun, upbeat music.
Fun!

The energy is light and effervescent.
And so your look must be too.
Light, fun and effervescent.

No heavy eyes, no heavy liner.
And keep it bright.
December 2009 has its own cocktail party look.




This is from Armani. The lip color is Rouge d'Armani.
See how it is a bright, fun, alive red?
It lights up the face.
It is the central focus of the face.
Keep everything else to a minimum.
Clean, bare, fresh.
Of course she's fully made up, but the look is simple and lovely.
And fun.




With Penelope's dark hair and olive complexion, she can take more around the eye.
The darker your hair, the bolder the red you can take.
Red says party.
Red says fun.





A cocktail party calls for a more kicked up, fun hairstyle too.
If you have length, put it up.

A pretty dress, an updo and red lips.
A girl can have herself all kinds of fun!
Fun!

xo

C

Hey Santa Baby!

Dear Santa
It's me, Corinna.
I've been such a good, good girl
Achingly good in fact
Good til it almost hurt

I've made a list of things I'd like
for you to bring me
Because I deserve them

Alicia Keys new album drops 10 days before you get here
I'll already have it
But bring another just in case

This David Yurman ring will make me feel like Kate
Wild and free

Mr Louboutin said you have his number
I told him you'd get me this shoe in black
It sparkles when I dance in it.
Mesmerizing.

I put this one in to give you a yuletide giggle.
It looks like its wearing a merkin.
We'll call it the "M" shoe
It'll be our little secret
Yours and mine
And you will know what I mean.
(I don't really want this shoe Santa...)

But this one I'd die for.
Jimmy Choo "Glenys" in silver
I pined for it in green python
But I didn't succumb

Santa, this shoe is everything. Everything.

If you bring it to me
Stop by Agent Provocateur on the way


Choose either of these masks

Will is already looking for a sexy dark wig for me
We need it for a shoot
But I will have it on when you get here

I will do my makeup like this
Beautiful K.K

I'll slip on the Jimmy's and a mask
and I will dance for you
Santa
To this beautiful song

This is not the end of my list Santa
I will be back
with more
xo

Party # 2: A Night Out With The Girls

So now in our quest for perfect holiday party looks we come to another interesting evening out - the soiree with the girls.

Now this situation requires a very careful read. The girls night out can be one of two things: a heartwarming trip to the soul-food cafe (all warmth, love and camaraderie) or it can be a tightrope walk over a viper pit.

Firstly you need to look at where it going to be held and who will be there.

And just for fun, I'm going to use celebs to decorate the blog today.

For a fab evening with the besties, where there is no competition involved, and no overt man-hunting (another level of competition when running with the pack) I would recommend not going for a huge make up look. When everyone else is casual you don't want to walk in looking too made up. Their softer look will make your heavier look seem like drag queen make up.

So we're going to take our cue from Team Aniston.
Invariably Jennifer sports a soft, pretty makeup. Still flawless, but no big eyeliner, beautifully soft cheeks, soft lips.
Warm. Cozy. Friendly.
Approachable.
Trustworthy.




Now if its still a night out with the love squad, but there's an option for flirting with the man-tribe, you want to separate yourself a little with your look.
There will always be someone prettier/thinner/taller/shorter/better dressed/etc etc
but you can OWN the evening by rocking a little something along the lines of the gorgeous
Miss Moss. The Kate is my favorite supermodel and has been ever since we did a Calvin Klein show together at the Hollywood bowl a lifetime ago.

Check her out in the YSL fragrance ad.
Hair kinda tousled and bedroomy, smouldering eyes, soft mouth.
Man-bait.
In most settings this look is suitable and appropriate. Not overpowering the other girls, not intimidating, just sexy gorgeous.


Now we head into the territory of the competitive female on the prowl. If there is going to be competition afoot, if there are going to be evil females in the bunch, then you must dress, present and carry yourself like the ultimate alpha.

And for this look we turn to the consummate winner. Anything less than a full win is not acceptable to the divine Santa Angelina.
Quite apart from the fact that she is ridiculously, exquisitely beautiful, can you see how her attitude and demeanor have her winning the gold medal before the race is even started?
Angelina is never owned by her makeup. Her look is always about beautiful skin and small makeup touches, but it radiates power.
Look at those eyes!

She can intimidate any problematic female with less than a glance.
Problem is, she probably scares the shiz out of the average male too.
But she's not after the average male.
If you can pull this one off you too can no doubt pull yourself a Pitt-like male.
If thats what you want.

Then our final look, if you want to out class, out sexy, out everything every other female on the block, take a cue from the always perfect Dita Von Teese.
Always immaculate, always in charge of her own destiny.
Doesn't look all warm and fuzzy, but I don't think that particularly concerns her.


And remember, you are banned from brown eyeshadow, bronzer, brown toned blusher, and emphatically banned from brown lips.
And hideous Christmas sweaters.


Have a gorgeous and festive weekend!

xo

C

Party Time!

Woo Hoo!!!
It's party season!

As you check out your social calender for the party hearty month of December, I want you to start thinking about your make up wardrobe, and how you will do your make up for the different events.

Because you see, not all parties are created equal. And just as the clothes you wear to different types of party are quite different, so is the make up that goes with them.
Your look for a black tie event is different from the look for a cocktail party. The office Christmas party has a different vibe from the pre-Christmas drinks with the girls/cookie exchange/neighborhood Christmas fest. You with me here?

So lets take the next few days and break down the different events on your list, and what is appropriate make up-wise for each one.

Eeany meany miney mo. Lets start with the office party.

This one requires some thought.

These are the people that see you every day. If you suddenly show up with a huge makeup, when you don't wear much on a regular work day, chances are you won't look fab, you'll just look odd. The key here is to just create a look that is fresh and pretty and lively.

First up: Avoid this guy at all costs!

Polish up your regular daily look. You are officially banned from wearing brown for the rest of the month.
Assuming you'll be going directly from work to the event, you'll need a relatively quick and easy
routine to get all glorious.

YSL Touche Eclat dabbed and patted under the eyes will wake your look up and bring back some vibrancy.

I cannot live without it.



Make sure your foundation is looking good and even.


A dual finish compact such as Make Up Forever Duo Matte or MAC Studio Fix applied with a triangle sponge is a high speed repair job.

With brown off the table for now, start looking at soft shimmery shades of shadow. I love delicate pink based shadows as they tend to be skin tone friendly and don't dominate the face. Silvers and greys can be good, but aren't flattering to that many skin tones.
MAC All That Glitters is lovely on most.






Don't go for a heavily lined eye. Keep it soft and demure.



Use a soft, fresh and slightly warm blush. Something that is not too noticeable - we don't want to see stripes of bold color. I love cream blushes as they give a slight sheen to the skin. Using a highlighter or luminizer (such as Nars, The Multiple in Copacabana) high on the cheekbone will help the skin to look alive.

Groom your brows.


If you're going to do a red lip, keep your eyes soft and to a minimum - otherwise your eyes and lips will be competing for attention.
Avoid dark lip shades. Christmas parties are about bright and vibrant.
I adore the MAC lipglosses. They are fabulous quality, don't ball up on the lip, and aren't too porno-shiney.
Go to the MAC counter and check them out. They have tons of lovely colors, that can really brighten your look without overwhelming your face.
Viva Glam VI is universally lovely on everyone, so if you're at a loss, try that one.
Make sure you look polished, professional and put together. You never know who is watching, and what opportunities for promotion are around the corner. Although its fun, don't drink too much - keep yourself in check. Save your wild partying for another occasion. Not the work Christmas party!


Check out the lovely K.K. Her make up is always perfect. And she owns it, it doesn't own her.