This season I was incredibly excited and privileged to create the make up look for the beautiful Nicholas Oakwell Couture Autumn Winter 2013 collection presented in the Ballroom at Claridge’s in London with styling by Phoebe Arnold and hair by James Rowe. The reference for the show was Paris rooftops at 4am and the iconic 1942 film Cat People which had our models walking through the most stunning and elaborate set created within the ballroom with smoky, feline, blown out eyes and dark crimson lips wearing exquisite couture gowns and millions of pounds worth of Graff Diamonds. It was truly mind blowing. When creating the look for the show I wanted there to be a cinematic look making sure that our woman was powerful and seductive yet with a hard glamour that enhanced the hints of leopard print throughout the collection in shades of black and grey. I used all Estee Lauder products throughout the show, starting with Take It Away Total Makeup Remover to cleanse skin, Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Lotion to moisturise and then Nutritious Vita-Mineral Infusing Eye Gel to ensure skin was thoroughly prepped as base was kept very minimal for a fresh and modern look. For the black, diffused eye I used Double Wear Stay In Place Gel Eyeliner in Black sketching it on with a fluffy blending brush into a graphic shape but leaving the edges quite rough and blown out for that smudgy, dirty eye that contrasted the perfect lip and set hair. Brows were left bare and groomed, eyelashes were intensely curled and then loaded up with layers of Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black. For the lips I wanted to create a deep dark red so outlined lips perfectly with Double Wear Lip Pencil in Red and then filled in with Pure Colour Lipstick in Scarlet Siren before applying Pure Colour Lipstick in Plum Couture. Base was kept minimal to allow the natural skin to show through so I used Double Wear Light Foundation where needed with Ideal Light Brush On Illuminator to add lightness under the eyes and finally removed any shine with Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder. All set and dressed, the models moved to the jewellery room where few people were allowed and dressed in stunning Graff Diamonds before slinking out onto the catwalk amongst the Parisian rooftops, Catwomen indeed.