fruit of my loins

Editorial images: ROUGE Magazine Spring 11/Stockton Johnson/Antoine Neufmars (art direction)/Miao Bin Si, Ma Jing (fashiongonerogue, author-made collage)

Take your cue from the fruit bowl at your high-end Singaporean hotel buffet breakfast, I'm talking for the uninitiated (from mid-left clockwise): mangosteen, dragonfruit, durian, rambutan, lychees, mangoes/papaya and persimmon. Don't be shy, the more in the colour cocktail the merrier.

Key features to note are the sculpted cheekbones and highlighted angles of the face, combined with strong eyebrows and black-rimmed, heavily mascara-ed eyes. These form the basis along with glowing skin for the bold, clashing looks. And personally, I think lining lips when using bright lippie is a must :)

patterns on fabric, patterns on skin

One of my all-time favourite editorials, always so inspiring to see the clash of vibrancy work with patterns, textures, print & ink; all tied together with strong hair and makeup. There's not much more I can say, the pictures and drop-dead stunning faces do the talking.

Editorial images: 'Vogue Patterns' Vogue Italia Dec 07/Steven Meisel/Hanne Gaby Odiele, Kinga Razjak, Lara Stone, Maryna Linchuck, Meghan Collison (isight)

Source of most other images: curiousphotos

Makes me want to book in and get more work done now!

neon lollipop lace

I love how the styling, beauty & photography come together in this artistic, twisted-elegant shoot. The colours, fabrics, layers of frilled trim, lace, cut-outs, stars & tribal influences combine for an eyeful. Thanks to Magdalena's poise - devil in an angel's disguise - and the incredible makeup the look is kept 'just' in the realm of (fantastic) reality.

Editorial images: Beauty in Vogue Italia Apr '11/Richard Burbridge/ Robbie Spencer (stylist)/Magdalena Frackowiak (fashiongonerogue)

The great thing about the beauty in this editorial is just how easily each makeup combination can be applied to an everyday or evening look. Here the makeup direction grounds yet complements the outrageous styling, in real life looks like this can really lift an outfit and your mood. The key I think is the boldly lined & winged upper lash line in deep black, with a thin line carried to half-way along under the bottom lash line. Thick yet defined lashes a must, as are well groomed & defined brows. And for the rest, play with some complementary colour! Ah, if only I was able to apply false lashes.

My fave two pics: the first and last, love how the lace framing the face & her frozen features appear so collage-like. If you watch the video link below you will see these 'masks' attached to Magdalena's head as she models. So fascinating & you gain a real appreciation for the work & creativity behind the scenes.

Video:

Beauty in Vogue Italia Apr '11

black-lined & bow-tied

Editorial images: 'The China Syndrome' Vogue Japan Apr 11/Francois Nars/Lena Koro (makeup)/Ginta Lapina (fashiongonerogue)

Now I don't know much about photography, and this could be a big call to make, but in my opinion Francois Nars is one of the best beauty portrait photographer around, his images have a clarity and fresh glow to them, never out-dated including his various books and campaign images. The above editorial has an obvious oriental influence, but I think each look would be perfectly suited to masculine styled attire. The rich boldness of just certain facial features contrasted with the remaining stark nudity is what keeps this look strong and classic. And don't forget the nails! Keep them short but stacked with bright reds or deep wintery hues. I can't pick favourites, love each and every look above.

Alternatively the below images show what a smokey eye & filled out eyebrow can do for a collared shirt (& bow tie!), another beauty look to try for when 'i wish i was a boy'.

GQ Style UK/Chad Pitman/Martha Hunt & Daria P. (etoday)

crease me good

'A Single Man'/2009/Tom Ford

I love the mod, Mary Quant eye makeup trend of the 1960s. So bold and glamorous, it was achieved with heavily black and white lined eyes, dramatic lining of the crease and heavy lashings of mascara - or painted on lashes (or both). Prior to the mid-60's falsies craze baby powder would be applied to the lashes between coats & curls for added thickness! Lips were kept nude or 'frosty' so all focus was kept on the eyes. Widely popularised in the era by Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick, Julianne Moore is va-va-voomed in context in 'A Single Man' with the look, and it often makes a comeback in editorials and on the catwalk. A truly iconic beauty look. And it's a fun one to experiment with at home - but trust me, not if you're running short on time!