Shot by Jenny Hands and styled by Anne Shore.
Model is Milana Kruz at Select Models, our ethereal, noble, warrior queen for the day.
Monthly Archives: November 2012
Our Lady of Latex
I would never have thought until working on this shoot for Contributing Editor that latex could be used with such skill to make something so unique and incredible but also very beautiful. All the outfits were by the amazing designer Atsuko Kudo who stylist Kate Ruth wanted to feature and interview for this story. Atsuko is based in a studio in London where she has created bespoke and couture outfits for the likes of J Lo, Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Expect to see more wonderful creations from this incredible designer! To read Kate’s interview with Atsuko just click onto the link.ย http://www.thecontributingeditor.com/2011/05/our-lady-of-latex/
Photography: David Standish
Alpha H
Liquid gold is Alpha H’s world renowned skin refining solution. A few drops of this wonder product on a cotton disc and a gentle pressing motion across the face (not the eye area) and enlarged pores are tightened with skin clearer and even in tone. As a make up artist I also use this product as part of my cleansing routine on clients as it’s so quick at dissolving all the impurities on their skin as make up looks terrible on skin that’s not cleansed properly and when shooting aย high definition close up beauty story it’s unforgivable.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the skincare brand Alpha H, they’re one of Australia’s fastest growing and dynamic skincare companies and are available in more than 700 exclusive salons around Australia in every state.
It’s taken a team of scientists who have spent years researching the essential elements of what skin needs for optimal health and the result is a blend of botanical, herbal and natural vitamins with their AHA’s that help to support and strengthen the skin. The AHA used in the products is Glycolic acid, a gentle fruit acid that occurs naturally in sugar cane and is believed to be the most safest and effective AHA that helps to clear pore openings making them smaller and more refined. It’s size as an extremely small molecule allows it to be absorbed quickly into the skin, thus allowing other active ingredients contained in Alpha H to work more effectively.
As beauty consumers we spend so much money on skincare creams that promise more than they deliver only to be left with skin that feels even more congested and suffocating under a layer of too heavy moisturisers that just sit on top of the skin surface. Alpha H has a much higher percentage of active ingredients than many leading and pricey skincare brands. When I first used some of the products, the Micro Cleanse and Liquid Gold Smoothing and perfecting mask that contained Glycolic acid I did experience mild tingling but was assured that this was the product getting to work on my skin and would subside with regular use. I also used the Essential Hydration Cream, a wonderluxe bio mineral and peptide repair cream that brought my skin back to it’s normal pH level.
The brand Owners and Directors Michelle and Dean Doherty state “The Alpha H brand is built around notions of value, trust and integrity” I couldn’t agree more.
ย Alpha-H products and treatments are available in FERN SKIN CLINIC in London England.
Emma Hardie Amazing Face
“The science of amazing skin”
The reality is is that you have to put some time and effort into achieving good healthy skin. It’s for this reason I initially took notice of Emma’s ethos and approach to skin care products that have made her a leading pioneer in natural, healing skin rejuvination. Emma herself wanted to end the search for a “miracle in a bottle” and instead focus on natural alternatives to promote a softer and youthful complexion.
At the press event Emma demonstrated her natural lift and sculpting facial techniques that have been given glowing reviews by leading beauty editors and celebrities around the world.ย Using her Moringa cleansing balm with dual action buff and polish cleansing cloth, we were shown how to lift, plump and contour the skin and muscle on the face in combination with deep tissue techniques. The sculpting techniques she uses are derived from an understanding of the physiology of our faces. The layers of skin tissue, the cells, the connective tissue, muscle all connect and stress and tension can immobilse our features making us look more tired and sluggish.
“Facial mobilsation” as Emma calls it, allows tension in the face to be released, accelerates lymphatic drainage and oxygenates the facial tissue whilst helping to strengthen the underlying muscles and improve skin contour.
“To achieve the most vibrant looking complexion it is essential to condition all the layers of the facial tissue. Many of today’s skincare systems work only on “outside” layer of the skin, allowing the underlying supportive tissue to slide downwards”
http://www.emmahardie.com/treatments/natural-life-sculpting-facial/
During the press event there were no fancy claims but passion and commitment to an alternative approach to skin and muscle rejuvination that stemmed from her own experience of a 12 year debilitating illness, which left her with a serious loss of muscle tone. She described how massaging her face and body was the first step in her healing and rejuvination process, combined with products she’d carefully formulated with specific marine trace elements. Once her health and muscle tone had been restored she re trained in Aromatherapy (why the products smell amazing!),health and beauty. From here her interest and passion for natural cell healing was to research the factual science behind it all with leading cell biologist Roger Coghill.
http://www.emmahardie.com/treatments/science-of-youthful-skin/
I’ve spent a month now using a few of Emma Hardie’s Amazing Face products including of course the Moringa cleansing balm and cloth which I absolutley love as well as the Plumping Serum and Hydrating Lighter lotion.ย For skin that wants to be cleansed and feel refreshed then the Moringa Foaming Cleansing wash is also a must for morning and or night.
I cannot recommend Emma’s products and sculpting techniques enough, The ingredients alone are like an aladdin’s cave of essential oils and potent botanical enzymes but it’s Emma’s skincare techniques and understanding of skin made easy and approachable with great results that will keep me using her products because they simply are amazing.
The products I’ve been using,
Plumping Serum
With a blend of live plankton extracts and potent botanical enzymes from the Macca root this super serum helps to alleviate signs of age, stress and environmental exposure, leaving you with even toned and smoother looking skin.
Hydrating Lighter Lotion
One of my favourite moisturisers, containing a powerful blend of selenium, manganese, Zinc and herbal extracts that act as a natural defence system. Rose, geranium, peppermint and pettigrain essential oils revitalise the skin and the lavender oil relaxes and calms.
Moringa Cleansing Balm and Dual Action Buff and Polish Cleansing Cloth
A luxurious botanical cleansing balm, that hydrates and smoothes whilst removing all traces of face and eye make up.
The muslin side of the cloth is for gentle exfoliation and the micro fibre side for polishing and perfecting.
For more info on Emma Hardie and her Amazing Face products please go to
Her products are also available at Space NK Apothecary.
