No Makeup Makeup | LFW SS15

No Makeup Makeup | LFW SS15

photo by Kris Atomic 

No makeup makeup - NMM for short - I feel goes hand in hand with terms including effortless chic and beachy waves - all of which convey a life beyond fashion and beauty routines but secretly - whisper it - take some effort. This London Fashion Week I had my first turn at NMM, a look inspired by the catwalks of Victoria Beckham (stateside), Jonathan Saunders and Mary Katrantzou (home turf).

When I was working in TV earlier this year, we had a steady stream of models in need of prep per each episode of our show. On set we had two makeup artists for every girl. NB: To clarify the models went in turn, there weren't literally hundreds of MUAs! But yep, there were still TWO of them. And one of them was entirely for creating the perfect luminous NMM base. If I've learnt anything - it's that a no makeup makeup look is an ART. Fortunately, one we can all learn . . . read on my friends.  

L: Mary Katrantzou SS15 | R: Jonathan Saunders SS15 | Photos Via Style.com  

photo by Kris Atomic 

This London Fashion Week I was treated to my own makeup masterclass when I visited Max Factor’s Skin Luminizer suite at the St Martin Lane Hotel. Max Factor ambassador, and celebrity makeup artist, Caroline Barnes, took me through the ways in which I could perfect my skin, whilst leaving it glowing, and importantly setting it for a whole day of LFW. Caroline first applied moisturiser, and then a little primer around my nose, cheek bones and chin areas - this was to smooth out imperfections. Caroline then used a green-tinted makeup crayon to counteract any redness in my skin. We then used two shades of Max Factor Luminzer foundation - one tan and one porcelain - to get my exact shade. Having just returned from Menorca my skin in darker than normal so it was great to see how easy it is to create a custom shade using two foundations. As I get fairer through Autumn I can mix the ratios - a little more porcelain, a little less tan. One of Caroline’s top tips was to look at the skin colour of your chest, and use this as a guide for the colour of foundation on your face - mix your colour and work from your neck upwards. This way you get an even colour from top to toe. GENIUS. Previously I have definitely fallen for having too tanned of a face when my body is paler in the Winter. Never again! Finally, Caroline use a highlighter crayon to illuminate my cheekbones, brow bone and the centre of my nose. No Makeup Makeup - the Max Factor way. 

photo by Kris Atomic  

Twit-pic! 

As for the finishing touches - eyes, brows and lips, one of Caroline’s lovely colleagues gave me the Victoria Beckham SS15 runway look on my request. We went for a strong brow, copper eyeshadow and a nude glossy lip. 

Having had my makeup done first thing in the morning, I ran off to my first appointments of LFW . . .  and yep my NMM look stayed put the whole day. 

Luminous skin is the perfect start for any beauty look. Whether you opt to keep it as bare as I did, or use it as a base to build a more dramatic eye or lip, it is definitely worth experimenting with with No Makeup Makeup. Max Factor’s skin Luminizer is a great high street foundation to get you on your merry NMM way. 

The question now remains - do YOU dare to bare?! 

Today's the last day of LFW for me! I have been having THE most awesome time, this season has definitely been my favourite ever, ever - what a way to break in my first full working LFW! 

Tomorrow I will definitely probably be putting my feet up, but whilst they're still in heels see my #FWIS on Instagram!

Have an awesome day all!

Love, 

MB x

This post is sponsored by Max Factor. All reviews and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Elgin Avenue's partners! You guys rock!