Laura Lester Make Up Artist

Morella Sassoon

2012-01-09T15:15:00.002Z

Here are a few sneak peaks behind the scenes of the new collection of a new an incredibly talented upcoming designer, Daniella Sassoon.

Designer - Daniella Sassoon

Hair and Make up - Laura Lester

Photography - Ilana Baxter

Photographer assistant - Daniel Keys

Model - Katarina at Nevs

As seen in Vogue...

2011-09-25T17:11:00.000+01:00

I was asked to place an advert in this months Vogue magazine in the 'Make Up Artist Directory'!

Check me out!

Exciting new products this month

2011-09-08T18:06:00.007+01:00

- I LOVE love love Lancôme’s new special edition Parisian inspired palette. It is a beautiful collector’s item (because it is just too nice to use!) The soft rose and gold tones combine to create an illuminating shimmery blusher for a fresh and subtle glow.

- After all the bright corals and fluorescent pink nail varnishes for the summer it is time to put them to the back of your wardrobe and invest in a classic nude colour. Dior’s new Blue Tie Collection for the Autumn – re- launch of ‘219’ lacquer shouts class and sophistication!

To contrast with this colour in this new season’s collection - Illusions D’ombres De Chanel is ‘Graphite’ nail lacquer. This unusual gun-metal, green/gold shimmer lacquer is a great way to express your inner rock chic!

- With all this shimmer in the air, a new must have is the Bobbi Brown lip gloss. Not only have they now extended the size of their lip glosses, swapped the old brush for a new and improved one, they have also added a whole range of high shimmer lip glosses. They are great over a lipstick or even without, as the variety of colours and shimmer is enough to make a statement on its own!

- I am without a doubt a massive fan of Bobbi Browns gel liners but I am always asked if there is a product on the market as long lasting that is in the style of a pen. Well the good news is that Clarins have now launched one. It’s ‘Instant Liner’ lasts all day and night. Use it along the top of your lashes to create a fine line to define your eyes.

***

In April I mentiond that the new BBU Face Palette will be out soon.

It is now online exclusively at www.bobbibrown.co.uk

Good Morning, Vietnam

2011-08-22T19:04:00.008+01:00

I have just returned from travelling around one of the most fascinating and endearing countries I have ever been to. Vietnam. I have been so inspired by the colours of the hill tribes clothing and lanterns along the river in Hoi An, to the textures of the beautiful scenery in Sapa.

Being lucky enough to experience, hands on, another culture and way of life has also enabled me to perceive another ethnicity’s beauty in a whole new light. Many Vietnamese work outside on the streets or harvesting, and whilst this is such a hot country, the women cover up completely from head to toe wearing socks with sandals, hats and even masks around their faces so they don’t catch a tan. Being tanned in most Asian countries is a sign of working outside and is therefore looked down upon by upper classes. There are whitening lotions advertised everywhere and additional brightening ranges sold by well known brands only for Asia! Take that Coco Chanel!

This photo shoot that I did a while ago reminded me of the type of lady I saw in Vietnam. The pale luminous skin, covered up with scarves and hats wearing natural materials.

How to create this modern, westernised image:

Mac Strobe Cream

One thin layer of Mac Face and Body, one shade lighter than the model

Darken eyebrows with Bobbi Brown’s eyebrow pencil in grey to make create a modern and fresh feel (don't make the eyebrows too neat)

Touch éclat!

Use a lipstick one shade lighter than natural lip colour and dab on with your finger

Model: Aine Campbell, Storm Models

So chaud and ready to go...

2011-06-05T13:33:00.009+01:00

I have been a major fan of ‘See Sheer’ from Mac for almost 3 years and I recently decided to go a tad brighter. 'So Chaud' by Mac is my new favourite lip colour! This orangey red is more on the dramatic side but why not add a bit of colour on your lips at this time of year.

It is my perfect ‘pick me up’. All you need is a few coats of mascara, a wash of a peachy blush and ‘Voilà’, you are ‘so chaud’!

As Gwyneth Paltrow famously once said "Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, and a kick-ass lipstick!"

-Click here to buy-

"Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it."

2011-05-30T14:16:00.000+01:00

Fairytale Princess

2011-05-24T19:01:00.003+01:00

A few images from behind the scenes today. Final images to come soon...

It might just be me but this model definately has a look of supermodel Lindsey Wixson to her!

Aloha

2011-05-23T12:54:00.002+01:00

Here is a better picture of the Dior nail polish called Aloha!

Summer has arrived! Well, almost...

2011-05-19T20:37:00.001+01:00

Please excuse the chipped nail varnish but I thought I would show off this striking new colour by Dior!

It will look great for those with dark or tanned skin.

2011-05-19T20:22:00.004+01:00

These are a few pictures for a look I was trying out today for a client!

My client:

2011-05-15T12:19:00.003+01:00

Bournemouth Beach

2011-05-10T13:19:00.001+01:00

I am feeling inspired and excited for a shoot I am planning on doing on the beach in Bournemouth in June.

I am looking for male and female models to shoot with so message me here if you are interested: laura@lauralester.com

!!!

My favourite product of the month

2011-05-03T22:13:00.000+01:00

NARS single eye shadow:

Strada

Lavender infused with gold. LOVE IT!!!

Black Hair Magazine

2011-05-02T22:11:00.003+01:00

A shoot I did for Black Hair Magazine that I came across. Hopefully will be getting the final images from the shoot soon.

Shooting

2011-05-02T11:35:00.003+01:00

Final images from my bridal shoot

Photography: Ellie Rose Harvey

Once upon a time...

2011-04-29T22:22:00.001+01:00

It is times like these I feel so proud to be a Brit! The new Duchess of Cambridge epitomised everything a princess should be; beautiful, elegant and understated. This magical day is something that I will remember forever!

The brave princess relied on herself to do her make up on her big day! The ever so subtle smoky eyed look coupled together gracefully with a soft pink on her lips and cheeks is I am sure a look that I will be re-creating for my brides in the next few months!

Excitingly I found out that the make up artist that gave Kate a few lessons beforehand was Arabella Preston who was taught by the same lady who taught me at the London College of Fashion!

Bridal shoot

2011-04-17T18:41:00.009+01:00

A few photos with my little camera from behind the scenes of a bridal shoot with photographer Ellie Harvey.

Location: Canons Park

Make Up: Me

Final images to come...

Mac Strobe cream
Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick: Warm Sand (2.5)
Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow: Sandy Gold
Tigi Eyeshadow palette
Mac: Vanilla Pigment
Mac Lipstick: Brave
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick:Nectar
Bobbi Brown Blusher: Nectar

Bespoke Wedding Stationary

2011-04-11T18:29:00.001+01:00

www.ciarabella-favors.com

Wedding Promotions

2011-04-11T16:16:00.001+01:00

Next ten bookings receive 20% off!

If you want to book a lesson on how to do your make up for your wedding day or if you would like to book me to apply your make up for your wedding day then email me: laura@lauralester.com

Wedding Make Up Lessons

~~£75~~ £60

Bridal Make Up

~~£150~~ £120

Trial

~~£40~~ £32

Bridesmaids/ Mother of the Bride

£50 (Third person is half price)

I do I do I do I do I do

2011-04-11T16:12:00.000+01:00

With love in the air this season and the royal wedding just approaching, I felt inspired to create a bridal beauty regime for the big day!

From organising the venue to choosing that ‘perfect dress’, a wedding can be a stressful time for brides, but it is important not to leave your skin care and make up to the last minute. Make sure you follow a good skin care routine that you begin at least 4 months before your wedding.

Skincare

Cleanse tone and moisturise

It is easy to forget about your skin and just concentrate on getting the makeup for your wedding but if your skin isn’t right then the make up won’t sit on your skin correctly.

Dry skin

It is so important to exfoliate and moisturize your skin before you apply foundation. Even the most expensive make up in world won’t look right if the skin isn’t prepared first. Foundation will only look patchy if your skin isn’t moisturised and hydrated. Drinking water is really vital to achieving this as well.

Oily skin

Invest in an oil free foundation and an oil controlling moisturiser. Blotting papers and translucent powder is essential to carry with you to reduce shine, especially before getting in front of the camera.

Primer

Invest in a moisturiser with a primer to keep your make up on all day.

Make Up

Foundation

Even if you have a make up artist on the day, make certain you have picked your correct foundation and concealer beforehand as most foundation depends on your skin type; for example yellow toned, oil free, moisturising. Try and pick a foundation that has more of a matte finish as shine can pick up on the camera, and always ensure the foundation is the same colour as your chest.

Blush/ Bronzer/ Tanning

There is nothing worse than having a fake tan last minute and then you notice you have orange streaks on your body or the tan is too dark, so try it out a few weeks before the wedding and always exfoliate first.

When applying bronzer I always see people using it all over their face which ultimately leaves their face another colour the rest of their body. Try applying it where the sun would naturally hit your skin. For example cheek bones, nose, chin, top of your forehead and of course blended in to your skin.

To achieve that ‘flushed’ look apply your blusher on the apples of your cheeks and softly blend up in to hairline.

Highlighting

Using a soft pearlized pigment or loose powder, highlight above the cheek bones, on the brow bone, on the cupids bow and slightly on the nose for a radiant and glowing look. This will pick up beautifully on camera.

Lips and Eyes

There are no rules for how you do your make up on your wedding day, as long as you feel comfortable then you can do whatever you like! What I will say however, if you are going for strong eye make up, then keep less focus on your lips by using a softer colour, and the same goes for a strong lip, I would use softer colours on your eyes.

(Tip: Avoid wearing a lip gloss if you are going to wear a veil!)

Little doodles...

2011-04-07T17:12:00.000+01:00

The Secret's Out

2011-04-07T12:41:00.001+01:00

Bobbi's Secret to the Universe

Being a make up artist, I have always found hiding under eye dark circles a little tricky. The key to disguising them is to use a corrector. In other words, a product before using a concealer that brightens and neutralizes discoloration under the eyes.

Bobbi Browns new creamy corrector and concealer kit is the new 'wake up call for your eyes'!

The new formula now has a pressed translucent powder attached to the concealer to ensure the product stays on and doesn't crease. (For those who suffer from dryness make sure you avoid powder by getting the single concealer).

Tip: Use Bobbi Browns hydrating eye cream first as it has a primer in it that will keep your eyes looking smooth and hydrated all day!

- Make sure you have an artist apply the product for you first to get the right tones for your skin. -

(Correctors: Bisque tones neutralize pinky-blue under eye darkness and is ideal for most skin tones. Peach tones naturalize purple-brown undereye darkness common in olive, golden and tan skin tones)

Note for Make Up Artists

Bobbi Browns new corrector/ concealer formula in the professional palettes will be available in Selfridges in June. Get on the waiting list soon!

Welcome

2011-04-01T13:00:00.001+01:00

Welcome to my Blog

Laura x