Annette McKenzie | Hold the Glamour

December 23, 2014

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2015!

With only days left before this year ends and another one begins, I start to marvel at how fast time flies and how much my children have grown, comparing this year’s Santa photo to last year’s.

What a year 2014 has been — the global events that have shaped and changed our world forever and etched themselves into history. There are so many wonderful things to be grateful and thankful for and then for some, unfortunately there isn’t.

During my last week of work for 2014, a man took innocent people hostage in a Sydney cafe — what a time, what an outcome and what an amazing city — it’s just one of so many events that occurred this year, both good and bad.

To all those who are lost, hurt, suffering and mourning at this time, my heart goes out to you.

I have some behind-the-scene shots of the autumn catalogue I shot for Modern Curve which happens to be one of my last shoots for 2014.

Hair and make-up final touches by Annette McKenzie

One of my favourite looks on the monitor

Little Black Dress alert

The spectacular Hamptons style location house

Waiting for the thumbs up to start shooting

The fabulous pool area of our location house

I love the interiors of our location house

What are your plans for the holidays?

What are you looking forward to?

What are you most grateful for?

Who will you be spending this special time with?

I truly wish you and yours all the very best over the holidays and festive season. I look forward to seeing you in 2015!

From my family to yours,

L.
xoxo

Leave a comment

June 28, 2014

Behind the scenes of a spring & summer catalogue

I recently finished shooting the spring and summer catalogues for Ezibuy in Sydney and we managed to find ourselves in some truly beautiful and magical places.

See the location shots below where you gain an insight in to the crews and my days at work.

On location with our own private beach in Sydney

One of the fresh spring looks — I love my stripes!

The crew hanging out in-between shots

A cover try on the jetty and a white cane chair as a prop

A cover try on the jetty with a white cane chair as my prop

A close-up of one of the cover tries on the monitor

A stunning art deco location house in Mosman is our studio for the day

A 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and bless us with its warmth

It’s a 6.30am start in the middle of winter and the sun is starting to appear and greet us with its warmth

In our RV on Balmoral Beach, Annette McKenzie is creating hair magic

Balmoral Beach at 7am

In studio – it’s time for evening wear and I’m wearing a fabulous black maxi dress

Is there anything you would like to ask about our shoot or any other?

Is there anything as far as spring or summer fashion you are interested in or curious about?

What is your favourite thing about spring and summer?

Till next time…

Be well.

L.
xoxo

2 Comments

February 3, 2014

Mascara, perfume and lip pencils

I’d love to share some product favourites I’ve come across of late — I’ve re-discovered L’OREAL Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara after the longest time. It does what it says… it’s a no brainer!

As you know, I love a good lash and if a mascara doesn’t deliver then it’s out. You don’t need to build up the lashes with layers and layers of product that eventually weigh down your lashes.

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Makeup/Eyes/Mascara-Primer/Voluminous-Million-Lashes-Mascara.aspx?shade=Blackest-Black

Whilst in Australia last month, I discovered this soft and feminine scent called Vanitas by Versace. I really love the fragrance as it develops onto the skin. I can hardly smell it after I put it on and the compliments I get surprise me.

http://www.versace.com/en/fragrances/women/vanitas

Another fabulous product I love is the NARS matte lip pencil. Annette McKenzie uses them all the time and we always get fabulous results.

The lip pencils look matte however, my lips never feel dry. You get the wear without the chapped, dry skin which is a plus.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/lips/lip-pencils/velvet-matte-lip-pencil/bahama

Have you made any new or exciting product discoveries of late?

What product/s turn you on?

What beauty product do you find difficult to live without?

Leave a comment

January 13, 2014

Shooting for Modern Curve by Ezibuy

Last week the crew and I finished shooting the autumn catalogue for Modern Curve by Ezibuy in Sydney.

Keep an eye out for a great pair of black-coated jeans, some cute rain coats and a studded black top I loved — very rock n’ roll indeed.

I have some behind-the-scene photos below.

Enjoy the rest of summer Southern Hemisphere and have safe fun in the sun!

A fabulous location house we shot in at Potts Point

We shot by the huge windows, getting beautiful light for our pictures

It's another location day in Walsh Bay, with the talented Deb Bowen styling

It’s another location day at Walsh Bay, with the talented Deb Bowen styling

Modeling one of the cute rain coats I mentioned above

Deb Bowen making some final adjustments to my outfit

A make-shift studio was made to ensure we had beautiful light to shoot on such a grey day

In the studio shooting one of the cover options

I love what Annette McKenzie has created with my hair — it’s a new fresh approach for Modern Curve

My messy but finished hair is my new personal favourite. I think we have started something Annette!

What hair style do you love most for yourself?

What is the craziest hair style you’ve had?

Do you like to change your hair colour or style often?

Leave a comment

October 19, 2013

How to achieve great hair according to Annette McKenzie

I recently had a chat with my friend and longtime hair and make-up artist Annette McKenzie about great hair and how to achieve it. She shared some great tips with me and I simply had to pass the information on to you. Annette gets my hair looking fabulous, each and every time. She is a genius.

LM: 1. How long have you been doing hair and make-up?
AM: I’ve been doing my job for 27 (mostly) enjoyable years.

LM: 2. What is challenging about hair?
AM: There are no guarantees with hair. You can do the same thing two days running and get slightly different results. It’s always a work in progress.

LM: 3. What do you consider good hair to work with?
AM: Good hair is healthy, mid-length and lots of it, with some colour treatment (this gives good body and control). Hair that is uncoloured, or ‘virgin’ hair can be harder to work with as it doesn’t hold styles as well.

LM: 4. What five must-have products do you have in your kit?
AM: Five must-haves: A good blow dryer, a mid-sized round brush, hair spray, conditioning cream and clip in hair pieces.

LM: 5. What three must-have products should everyone reading this blog have at home?
AM: Three must-haves at home: A blow dryer, one styling product (to either curl or de-frizz or give body or straighten, depending on your hair type) and a good quality brush.

LM: 6. What hair brands if any, have been consistent over the years? Are you brand loyal?
AM: Elnet hair spray is a product I have used my entire career. I do use other hair sprays but I always use Elnet every day I work. I would be lost without it. I would be brand loyal if products stayed on the market. When I find something is working for me I’m happy to stay with it, but often they change the formulae or tweak the ingredients and rebrand it. Nothing is around for long anymore.

LM: 7. If you could create or come up with your own perfect hair product, what would it be and why?
AM: To get the best results with styling hair you have to layer products. A particular look might require volumising products to get body, gloss or conditioning cream for a healthy look and hair spray for hold. It would be great if one product did all. Imagine all those bottles you could throw away! One product would be liberating. However, I don’t think it’s that easy to do as many companies have tried unsuccessfully to market ‘all-in-one’ products… Hey, I can dream.

What hair secrets do you have that work for you?

What would you love to have help with when it comes to your hair?

What is your favourite hair product and why?

What can’t you live without?

Annette McKenzie and I at a shoot in Sydney

Leave a comment

January 8, 2013

42 degrees and still shooting

I’m currently in Australia and today I finished my first shoot of the new year. We were shooting the autumn/fall collection for Sara by Ezibuy. It means layers, coats and boots for the cooler months ahead.

It’s hard to imagine however, the fashion industry is always at least six months ahead of the game with design, sourcing the fabric, manufacture to shooting the samples and getting the images ready for advertising. It’s a long lead time.

The weather has been hot, hot, hot and today we battled beauty and fashion in 42 degree celsius heat in Sydney like true professionals (107.6 degrees fahrenheit). The heat wave we are experiencing throughout Australia did not stop us from making and creating fashion magic. We started at 5.30am this morning to ensure we weren’t shooting during the hottest time of the day.

Sydney – call time is at sunrise

Sydney – Juli Balla and the Sara crew hard at work

Sydney – smiling and shooting whilst the temperatures soar

Yesterday we spent on the Northern Beaches shooting in one of my favourite location homes. The property looks like something straight out of Palm Springs, U.S.A. I love it. Unfortunately, jumping in the pool and cooling off after work was not an option for me or the crew. What an incredible view!

Sydney – my dream house on the Northern Beaches

The first couple of days of our shoot, we spent inside the studio. It is certainly easier for all without the elements and humidity wreaking havoc on hair, make-up, equipment and clothes. We turn the air conditioning up, the music goes on and we get down to business. It is calm, controlled and smooth.

Sydney – Annette McKenzie & I (my amazing hair & make-up artist)

Sydney – in studio

Sydney – kisses from the hair & make-up table

Since I started writing this post this afternoon, over a hundred and forty fires have broken out in N.S.W. alone. Other states in Australia are also battling fires in hot, dry and windy conditions that have proven to be devastating and uncontrollable. My best wishes and thoughts go out to all those affected and threatened by the catastrophic temperatures and erratic fire patterns that lie ahead of this evening. I wish you all, well.

What are you going to do to stay cool during these hot summer months? What tips do you have?

What are you looking forward to come autumn/fall as far as fashion goes?

What trends are you noticing and excited about?

Leave a comment

Tag: Annette McKenzie