Natalie James

In the week running up to my 30th birthday, I think the Cubs had come to an agreement to make my life as difficult and as testing as they possibly could. They threw day long strops and would alternate hourly meltdowns come nightfall.  So by the time I left for London I looked and felt like I was actually heading off to my fiftieth.  My first port of call was Liberty; Instead of leaving with the lipstick I'd come for, I walked out with a full face of professionally applied make up.  For free.  

I love makeup.  All the beautiful packaging; the promise of a new, better you.  I'm  a marketing man's dream - embarrassingly gullible and desperate to believe that it really will make me look like Kate Moss. 
My problem is the application.  Even though I've had countless lessons and have even worked as a beauty journalist, I can never do it as well as I want to.  So before an event, a night out or just when I'd quite like some me time - I often make a detour to the nearest beauty counter for a transformation.  
I usually head for a Bobbi Brown or Chantecaille stand; so when I was approached by a beautiful, fresh faced girl from Chantecaille- no hint of orange foundation anywhere -  I happily put myself in her hands.   She was so unlike any of the make up artists I've come accross in  previous department store dashes.  After being an account director at MC Saatchi for the last seven years, she- Natalie - decided a change of career was in order and became a make up artist. She was business like, interesting and kind. And incredible at make-up.  She got me and exactly what I wanted in seconds.  There was none of the awful pretending I liked it and having to rub it off afterwards in secret.   
Make-up's never really been of high importance to me - a bit of tinted moisturiser and mascara and I'm ready to go.  Though now I'm getting on a bit, I feel that that and the sleep free nights are beginning to take their toll;  I need to become a bit more high maintenance. My first step is booking myself in with Natalie for a makeup bag analysis/overhaul/lesson.  And then we'll go from there.  Hopefully shopping.

http://www.nataliejamesmakeup.com
http://themakeupdebate.blogspot.co.uk

All I Want For Christmas..

I am so happy that it's finally December. I've been feeling very Christmasy this year and cant wait to turn the house into one big sparkly nest. The Christmas tree is coming next week and I've been collecting so many beautiful baubles, I'm hoping it's going to be nothing short of visionary.

Until that Cub gets his hands on it.

As usual I've been compiling present lists since July. So far this is what I'm hoping for..

1.

Top top top of my list is a month long holiday. Somewhere preferably sun and sea based.

2.

A jewel encrusted Mulberry bag

3.

A Woolrich parka. I've wanted for one for years and was so close to buying a red tartan one last year from the Bluebird. Navy's probably a better colour choice though.

4.

A vintage striped Balenciaga motorcycle bag. I've been desperate for one ever since Nicole Richie was swinging one around a few years ago.

5.

Starry Barnaby Gates wallpaper

6.

We are in desperate need of lamps. I'm loving these two below, both from Graham and Green.

7.

Anything and everything from Indian antiques heaven, Opium.

8.

A years subscription to Not Another Bill

9.

Hattie Rickards's Octo Ring.

10.

An Odd Rocker.

11.

Chinti and Parker cashmere starry jumper. Or anything from Chinti and Parker.

12.

Some more Stella days of the week pants. My current Tuesday and Saturdays have seen better days.

13.

Some Tribal rugs from Odd

14.

Jasmine Pebble soap from Bamford.

15.

I cant think of anything better than chucking out all my make up and starting again. This Bobbi Brown trunk full of their all their prods would make me the happiest person on the planet.

16.

My stationary supplies are dwindling and I love these flamingo fanices from Singapore's Ribbons and Roses.

16.

A heavenly fairy from Magpie and the Wardrobe for the top of our tree.