Cosmetics - Illamasqua

If you haven't already been introduced to British beauty brand 'Illamasqua' then get your self on this Band Wagon sharpish! 

(Illamasqua team member 'Daniel Sallstrom')

'Illamasqua' is a completely inclusive brand that caters for Male and Female customers without discrimination, No Guy-liner rubbish here folks. With it's moto 'Make-up for your Alter Ego' Illamasqua has been a huge supporter of the Transgender Community and encourages everyone to release their Alter Ego onto the world. 

The cult Make-up peddlers have been blazing a trail throughout the beauty industry and our British high street for almost three years. They have racked up an impressive eight counters in Uk department stores 'Selfridges', 'Debenhams' and 'Fenwick' as well as counters in Australia, Dubai and The United Arab Emirates; Online collaborations with 'Sephora' and 'ASOS' and There Flagship Store in 'Beak Street, London' which boasts it's very own Make-up School. Not bad for a company that has yet to celebrate it's Third Birthday.

(The Flagship 'Beak Street' store)

(Illamasqua Powder Eye-shadows)

But why is 'Illamasqua' so sucessful? In their own words:

"Illamasqua is the product of a heady mix of influences. Its roots stem from the dark and illicit 1920s club scene, and combine a rich heritage in the manufacture of make-up for film and theatre. It also takes inspiration from members of the ‘alternative scenes’ for whom self-expression is paramount. Alternative cultures have always dared to be dramatic. They have an emotional attachment to making up. It’s an expression of their darker side, a release for their alter ego.

Illamasqua is for the bolder person hiding inside all of us. It is an act and an attitude. A symbol of tolerance. A celebration of idiosyncrasies. A confident statement of self-ownership."

Sounds good to us!

(Creative Director Alex Box on the set of A/W09 collection 'Dystopia')

The products have been developed by leading chemists, manufacturers of stage and screen make-up and make-up artists to an incredibly high standard. The range boast a huge array of dazzling shades, powerful performance and animal cruelty free ingredients. 

(BAFTA Winning actress 'Vicky McClure' in brand film 'The Poem')

Beyond the products themselves, the campaign images by Creative Director 'Alex Box' have truly set them apart. There creatives are not afraid to be extremely 'Avant Guard' but most importantly they don't take themselves to seriously. The true skill of the brand is that they are aspirational, yet accessible. By setting themselves apart from the rest of the beauty world and declaring themselves as an outsider they have spoken to something previously untaped in all of us. Illamasqua is the equivalent of being a child and dipping into your mothers make-up kits for the first time. Everything is new. Everything is dangerous. Everything is exiting.

(One of Illamasqua's very first images 2008)

Expect nothing else but the stars for this brand. We are sure that 'M.A.C Cosmetics' had better watch it's back because... The British are coming!

www.illamasqua.com

Lifestyle - Help and Support

Being a transgender person can be challenging and difficult at times. Where can u turn to find help and advice? We, here at Betty-Leigh's have been scouring the internet to find some websites that may be helpful to you. Here are a few to get you started:

http://theangels.co.uk/

http://www.transgenderzone.com/

http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/

http://www.sparkle.org.uk/

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/

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Fashion - Tarina Tarantino

(Jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino)

We here at Betty-Leigh's have adored 'Tarina Tarantino' jewelry for a few years. But Tarina and her 'Sparkle Factory' have been making waves since 1995. From her small apartment in West Hollywood, Tarina along with her husband 'Alfonso Campos' has grown a thriving online business and shops in L.A., New York, Japan and Milan. Loved by celebrities and the fashion world a like, her designs are colourful, kitsch and loaded with sparkle. 

(Cameron Diaz sporting Tarina's bracelet at the 'Oscars')

Her Jewelry is not made from diamonds and platinum but plastic and 'Swarofski' crystals. It's fun, accessible and designed to make anyone, no matter your age or background feel like a princess. For us her jewelry packs a mighty punch for half the pound. 

(Tarina Tarantino jewelry)

Tarina has had long standing collaborations with some of the biggest brands in the world. But Tarina is rather picky about who she works with and rejects any that don't fit easily fit into the 'Tarina Tarantino' world. The collaborations to date inclube 'Barbie', 'Hello Kitty', 'Kidrobott', 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Wizard of Oz'.

(Tarina Tarantino for 'Barbie')

('Kelly Osborne' as 'Glinda' for 'Wizard of Oz')

www.tarinatarantino.com

Fashion - Designers 'The Blonds'

(Phillipe and David Blonde)

Phillipe Rolano and David Trujilo, also known as Pillipe and David Blond  are a design duo that are taking the world by storm! Never heard of them? That may be true but chances are that you have seen one of there creations. Since there launch around 2004, celebrities from all corners of the industry have been plucking outfits directly from The Blonds' runway extravaganzas, but none more so than the pop industry. The colourful, highly embellished designs are a perfect fit for pops most daring divas.

(Phillipe Blond Strutting his stuff)

The blondes straddle a line between pop culture kitsch and the avant guard. Their creations have been used in music videos, live performances, magazine covers and hollywood movies. They love them so much that these one of a kind pieces have been seen on more than one celeb. Who would have thought these ladies could share? There client list includes, are you ready? :


Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna, Evan Rachel Wood, Debbie Harry, Nicole Shersinger, Kate Bosworth, Britney Spears, Fergie, Beyonce, Rochine Murphy, Minnie Driver, Dita Von Teese, Lady GaGa, Adam Lambert, Alesha Keys, Christina Aguilera, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cirus and Kim Catrall's infamous red Karaoke dress in Sex and the City 2. To name but a... few!

(Kim in Sex and the City 2)

(Celebs love The Blonds)

Check out more at: 

www.theblondsnewyork.com

Fashion - Lea T and Andrej Pejic

Where fashion goes the rest of the world follows. And now fashion houses 'Givenchy' and 'Jean Paul Gaultier' have given us Transgender Models 'Lea T' and 'Anrej Pejic'. 

Lea T

(Lea T)

Lea T, 28, rose to fame in 'Ricardo Tisci's' advertising campaign for 'Givenchy' A/W10, she soon went on to conquer the fashion world's toughest critics.  She has been featured in French 'Vouge', Italan 'Vanity Fair' and alongside 'Kate moss'  in a steamy shot for the cover of 'LOVE' magazine.

(Lea T and Kate Moss on the cover of LOVE magazine)

She began her career as a design assistant to 'Ricardo Tisci', Lea (then Leo) was ignorant of her model potential. "One night, he encouraged me to wear heels to a party. We went shopping for these drag queen high heels and bleached my eyebrows. It was a revelation," she told the 'Telegraph'.

(Lea in 2010 Givanchy campaign)

"When you are a transsexual, you look for your future, and you can't see it," Lea told the New York Times. "I thought this would be a nice message for another tranny: 'Look, we can be the same as other girls and boys.' It's small, but it makes you feel like you have a little chance. Maybe a transsexual will open a magazine and think: 'That's cool. We can be whatever we want.' That's why I did the Givenchy campaign."

Anrej Pejic

(Andrej Pejic)

Andrej Pejic, 19, gained notoriety walking for 'Jean Paul Gaultier' in both there Menswear and Womenswear catwalk shows. Born in Bosnia, Pejic moved to Melborn when he was 8 and was discovered at the age of 17 wile working in a McDonnell's.

(Andrej in a Bridal gown for Jean Paul Gaultier)

Pejic is male and doesn't consider himself Transexual like Lea T. Therefore Pejic has been able to to utilize the duality of masculine and feminine in his work. On a 'Jean Paul Gaultier' catwalk show he famously opened the show in a suit and closed it in a dress.

(Anrej Pejic)

We hope that these shining stars have encouraged a new definition of beauty, and a new group of Trans Super Models to take the fashion industry by storm. We say BRING IT ON!

Cosmetics - Face Lift Tapes

(Dior SS/11)

The catwalk of 'Dior' Haute Couture SS11 wowed on lookers with the help of one of make-up's best kept secrets. The secret in question? 'Face Lift Tapes'. But what are they? Facelift Tapes have been common place in the fashion and entertainment industry for many years. They are clear self adhesive tapes attached to elastic bands that (once secured and pulled taught) create a desecrate non surgical facelift. You attach the tapes to the desired area, feed the elastic through the hairline and secure behind the head. 

(Dior SS11)

This trick is really helpful for us girls with a hooded eyelid. Attaching the tapes at the temples (as shown in the pictures) will reveal the crease of the eye creating a more feminine shape. The tapes are clear but will still be visible on the skin, they can be disguised by your wig lace, fringe or good foundation application. The elastic comes in different colours to match your hair.

(Dior SS11)

(Dior SS11)

There are several makers of 'Face Lift Tapes' online but we've listed bellow links to two different brands.

Mark Traynor - Face Lift Tapes

http://www.screenface.co.uk/beauty/face-lifts-anti-wrinkle/mark-traynor-face-neck-lift-professional-single-set.htm

Secret Lift - Face Lift Tapes

http://www.cosmesearch.com/secretlift/index.html

Cosmetics - Eyebrow Blocking

For the girl who doesn't want to take the plunge and pluck there eyebrows, 'Eyebrow Blocking' is a great trick. There are several different ways to get a great result and here are just a few of them. 

Here are 2 different techniques to cover your eyebrows in 1 video. First is the Glue stick method, using an everyday water soluble glue stick. The second uses 'Spirit Gum' and 'Eyebrow Wax' both made by 'Kryolan'.

This is another method that we just discovered. It uses a medical surgical adhesive called 'Pros Aide'. This can be found at 'www.pros-aide.com'. p.s. Don't forget the all important adhesive remover 'Bond off'.