Beauty Icon: Blake Lively

Blake Lively, is bloody gorgeous. Born with quite clearly perfect genes, she shared some of her beauty secrets behind the scenes for her new million dollar campaign for the newest fragrance from fashion house Gucci - Premiere. 

What's your go-to beauty or hair look for events? "It depends. I was at a premiere in Los Angeles recently in a Zuhair Murad gown, and I could have gone two ways - a smoky eye and lighter lip with a very slicked-back, straight, long ponytail, or a Rita Hayworth look with the red, longer nails and little cat eyes. So I went for the latter because that to me was a fun, special moment. But the next day at the premiere in New York I had this beautiful Gucci mellow yellow gown, and with that I thought you could go Grecian or A Midsummer Night's Dream. So, to make it different from the night before, I thought: 'I want a high pony or I want a braid'. And I had a necklace that I was considering wearing, so I thought: 'let's wrap it around the braid because it will make it more interesting." So you decide upon the looks yourself? "I'm always designing what the hair and make-up will look like and I style myself, including the shoes, jewellery, accessories - all of it. But then I'm lucky to be in the hands of some of the most talented people who will say: 'so that's your idea, now let me actualise it in a way that's more beautiful'. Maybe it's that old classic Hollywood look, maybe it's messy Kate Moss hair or a slicked-back J-Lo ponytail. So there's no go-to, it's 'who do you want to be tonight?"

Inside her Handbag: Hannah Warner

After a stint in NYC studying Gemology and Diamond Grading at The Gemological Institute of America, jewellery designer Hannah Warner has moved back home and set up studio on Hackney Road in London. Inspired by her surroundings and the darker side of nature Hannah works with gold, silver, black rhodium and a range of precious stones. Most recently Hannah has launched a new label of 3D metal nails, H&H with make-up artist Holly Silius. Her handbag is filled with both highly acclaimed and cult beauty products, all within the luxurious studded leather of the Alexander Wang tote. Mmmmmm...

 i n s i d e  l y n ' s  h a n d b a g  . . .

Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara (£24.50) - I have quite long lashes naturally, but this is amazing at enhancing them even more. I love the full-bodied finish it gives and it doesn’t clump!

Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-On Illuminator (£22.50) - This is great for covering up bags or redder areas of the face. It works really well with my skin tone and is a must underneath my foundation and powder.

Benefit Bronzing Powder in Hoola (£23.50) - I love wearing this in the evenings it covers any imperfections and gives my skin an all-over glow. A matte bronzer that blends easily, perfect for transforming my look in an instant.

L'occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream (£8) - I’m always working with my hands so this cream is a must-have. It sinks in quickly so doesn’t stop me from working and smells amazing – I go through a tube far too quickly.

Benefit 'Hello Flawless!' (£24.50) - This is perfect for hiding blemishes and bags. I often work or play very late so this is great for covering up that slightly ‘worn-out’ look!

Yves Saint Laurent Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil (£19) - I couldn’t live without eyeliner…even if I’m not wearing any other make-up I'll always wear it. This is great to sling in my bag because it works for both a full-on smoky eye and the more appropriate daytime swipe.

p r e v i o u s  h a n d b a g s  . . .

lyn harris  |  wendy rowe  |  alice ripman  |  sophie qureshi  |  liz hambleton  |  alison elwin  |  aly hazelwood 

rachel xo

Insider Insight: Patti Wilson

Patti Wilson, Stylist.

A look into her life, beauty secrets & hero products...

“My mom is from Trinidad, and I was raised in New York—Queens. I’m into minimalism right now, so I’ve been dressing very Rad Hourani. I style his shows, so I’m totally into him, I love his aesthetic. I kind of match my beauty look to what I’m wearing, and I think the minimalist thing has creeped in. Every day I use a flat iron on my hair, and lots of Redken Glass 01 Smoothing Serum while I’m doing it. It’s expensive, but we always try and call it in or find places where it is really cheap. I wash my hair once a week with Mane ‘n Tail shampoo, and flat iron it every morning. I hate if it gets a little bit of wave, and this just seems the simplest way to manage it. I work with a lot of hairdressers for shoots, so I don’t have to go through the process of finding the right things—they just tell you what’s good.

For my skin, I use Perricone MD Cold Plasma. It’s too expensive, but it just feels good. I use it morning and night. I’m really into skincare—it’s important. I use Nars Gentle Cream Cleanser, the Balancing Toning Lotion, and then he has this brightener thing that I kind of like. I know it sounds weird, but it just makes you look really bright. It’s not really a lightener, it’s a brightener: Nars Brightening Serum. And theHydrating Moisture Cream. The jars are so massive, I told [François Nars] he has to stop. [Laughs] I’ve known him for 15 years, and I do all of his campaigns. I have been to his house in Tahiti, it’s amazing. He’s got everything, and the boat is right there…I have some soaps from Tahiti, like Tahitian coconut, which I use in the bath.

Inside her Handbag: Lyn Harris

Lyn Harris has been working in the fragrance industry for more than twenty years and founded Miller Harris in 2000. She spent five years training in France and at Robertet in Grasse. Lyn’s signature style is defined by her love of naturals and her precision in using them is prevalent in all her creations. Whilst respecting tradition, Lyn strives to push the boundaries, creating fragrances that are innovative yet timeless. Miller Harris fragrances have been a long-time favourite of mine (the woody-sexy-mysteriously-musky trio of La Fumée, Fleur Oriental and L'Air de Rien is my idea of olfactory joy) and the fact that her empire has now expanded to take in a line of botanically-inspired wallpaper, fragrant teas and some of the prettiest stationary we've ever seen means her bag ticks pretty much all the boxes.

 i n s i d e  l y n ' s  h a n d b a g  . . .

Miller Harris Citron Citron Eau De Parfum (£62) - Fragrance is a daily necessity and this is one of the first I launched at Miller Harris. I just love how refreshing and uplifting the citrus and green notes are.
NARS The Multiple in Riviera  (£29) - The best thing for bringing my complexion alive. It's so easy to use and 'Riviera' leaves me with a natural glow.
Bach Rescue Remedy Natural Stress Relief Liquid  (£11.45) - Just so perfect for situations that need a little bit of calm. This works perfectly to soothe and lift my mood.
Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 (£18) - This is so addictive, like all Fresh's sugar products. I’m not a great fan of lipstick so this gives a little hint of colour as well as being amazingly moisturising.
Murine Dry & Tired Eyes (£4.49) - I actually suffer from allergies a little bit and these are the only drops that really work for me and keep my eyes feeling fresh.
Sisley 'Sisleya' Global Anti-Age Cream (£251) - This is a desert island must-have. It really works with my skin and I can’t live without it. It's fool proof!

p r e v i o u s  h a n d b a g s  . . .

wendy rowe  |  alice ripman  |  sophie qureshi  |  liz hambleton  |  alison elwin  |  aly hazelwood 

rachel xo

Inside Her Handbag: Wendy Rowe

Internationally renowned and respected in the global fashion and beauty industry, makeup artist Wendy Rowe is famed for her modern luxe makeup aesthetic. With an eye for detail and ability to create beautiful, flawless skin that looks real, her makeup style epitomises the effortlessly cool look that women aspire to. 

 i n s i d e  w e n d y ' s  h a n d b a g  . . .

Sarah Chapman Instant Miracle Mask (£38 for four sachets) - The perfect boost for my skin, I carry this just in case my skin needs a pick-me-up before I go out.

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base (£32.41) - Perfect for when my skin looks like it needs a pick-me-up, this luminous liquid instantly makes my skin look fresher and well rested, even when it’s not!

Vichy Liftactiv Renino Ha (£27.50) - This really lifts the skin and makes it look amazing. It immediately plumps and brightens my skin but also works to rehydrate and fight against the onset of those pesky lines and wrinkles.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20) - I don’t wear much eye makeup during the day, so curling my lashes with these really makes a difference as it opens my eyes.

Shu Uemura Ultimate Expression Mascara (£20) - I love this mascara as it defines my lashes without looking heavy or clumpy - and it never smudges, even when I’m caught in the rain!

p r e v i o u s  h a n d b a g s  . . .

alice ripman  |  sophie qureshi  |  liz hambleton  |  alison elwin  |  aly hazelwood 

rachel xo

Insider Insight: Caroline Issa

Caroline Issa, Fashion Director at Tank.

A look into her life, beauty secrets & hero products...

When I started working at Tank, I decided to let my hair grow out. It was a bad phase; I had this little mushroom on my head. Literally nobody saw me for my first two years at Tank because I was just like, ‘There’s no way I’m being introduced to anybody looking like this,’ until it grew out into a normal place. Now I have loads of hair, and I don’t deal with it very well. I’ve been using Super Sleek Smoothing Shampoo from Ojon; it has macadamia nut and other oils in it. And my hair stylist Angelo Seminara turned me onto this amazing organic oil, OI from Davines, which I put on when my hair is wet. And then I’ll do a bun or a braid, and slick back all the frizzies with L’Oréal Paris gel. Right now, I’m growing my hair out because I’ve decided what my September look is going to be: stick-straight and really long. When I get to New York for fashion week—because it’s really a very New York thing—I’ll get a normal New York blow dry, which you just can’t get in London—there are no blow-dry bars. And then I’ll probably cut it in October.

This is as much makeup as I can handle: mascara, eyeliner, and a red lip. I don’t have anything on my skin. Yes, I’m totally lucky, but the thing is, I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my entire life, I don’t drink huge amounts of alcohol, and I have a Chinese mother—that, I think, is my advantage. My mom does not look a day over 45, and she’s 65. Asian skin is amazing. My dad is Lebanese-Iranian, so the mix of all these crazy cultures together has been really helpful. I mean, I have a glass of wine every night, but because I’m half-Chinese I just can’t hold my alcohol very well, which means I’m a really cheap date, but I think it probably helps the skin situation.