Thursday, October 21, 2010

Got My Mojo Working!

Hey there lovely ones!

Hope all is well in your world! Here, it is manic as always with so many new and exciting things happening for POP – check out the new collection for fall/holiday. I hope you will love it as much as I do. The inspiration behind it is “blocks to color” & the whole point is trying to introduce more color, freshness and sass into your makeup bags! So the kits have been designed like mosaic, jigsaw and puzzle art and give you an amazing array of shades to play with and as always, my tips and tricks on application. Could not be easier!

Anyway, let’s put the focus elsewhere for a little moment. Lately, many of my friends have been asking me for tips on music. Now beware – I am not much of a trendy house, Techno and R&B person so if you are expecting an amazing b-side to the Far East movements latest single…Sorry. I am more like and old man stuck in a young woman’s body! So I am going a little vintage with this, but hey…

Below are four albums that you just must have…. (So hard to narrow it down to four - I am literally pulling my hair out…)

"I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." -Elvis Presley
1. Bringing it All Back Home, Bob Dylan.
Do you know how hard it is to try to narrow Mr. Zimmerman down to one album – nearly impossible. But this must be one of my all time favorite albums; it’s as if the man is on fire! Lyrically it’s so amazing that it hurts.

“A poem is a naked person... Some people say that I am a poet." -Bob Dylan
2. Song to a Seagull – Joni Mitchell.
This album is art, and it speaks for itself, I have nothing to add. Listen to night in the city, or cactus tree.

“Back then, I didn't have a big organization around me. I was just a kid with a guitar, traveling around. My responsibility basically was to the art, and I had extra time on my hands. There is no extra time now. There isn't enough time." -Joni Mitchell
3. Dr John, the night tripper – Gris, Gris.
I fell madly in love with “the doctors” sound when I was first introduced to this album. What a genius! Mad psycadelic swamp voodoo jazz. “walk on guilded splinters is one of my all time favorite songs. This is magic.

“I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.” -Etta James
4. Anything by Edith Piaf - What an amazing woman!
She lived and had a story to tell, and an amazing voice and talent. My first singing teacher would make me sing all of her songs and then get angry and screamed at me when I pronounced things wrong (I can’t speak French!) But I am so happy today that she introduced me to her – she is one of my biggest inspirations to this day, (still can’t speak French though but have had it all translated for me) My favorite song by her is l”accorde’oniste.

“I want to make people cry even when they don't understand my words.” -Edith Piaf

Ok, just a few more:

Let it Bleed - The Rolling Stones
Retrospective – Buffalo Springfield
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
Curtis – Curtis Mayfield
Breakfast in America – Supertramp
Got My Mojo Working – Muddy Waters
Rumors – Fleetwood Mac
Astral Weeks – Van Morrison
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts – David Byrne
Marquee Moon – Television
Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills
The Velvet Underground – the Velvet Underground
Music from Big Pink – The Band
Happy Trails – Quicksilver Messenger Service
The Best of Chet Baker Sings – Chet Baker
London Calling – The Clash
Ladies and Gentlemen – Louis Prima
La Mer - Charles Trinet
At the Gate of Horn – Odetta
With a Little Help from My Friends – Joe Cocker
Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday
Songs of Leonard Cohen – Leonard Cohen
Air on G string – J.S Bach

And the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on…..

“Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll." -Keith Richards

Rock on (& roll) until next time!

Love Sara x x x x x

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall Pick-Me-Ups!

I don’t know about you but every Fall I get a little melancholic. Maybe it’s just stayed with me from growing up in Sweden where the days just got shorter and shorter in August and then around November it would be pitch black outside at 3 pm. Now that was slightly depressing! Swedes have great ways of dealing with it though - consuming a lot of vodka might be one of them, but not the one I am referring to - lit candles in all windows when the days start to get dark is kind of an unwritten rule. So when you walk past apartments and houses they all give a cozy glimmer onto the streets.

Lots of creative activity (why do you think so many designers, writers and musical geniuses are from Sweden? There is nothing else to do but to stay indoors and get creative). During my first year (out of 10) in London I never understood why people always hinted that it rains there constantly, “It does not!” I thought to myself, until September arrived…..The person who said that it always rained in London must have lived there only in Fall. Sweden is cold but London is…wet….but in such a buzzing city you can keep yourself entertained whatever the weather!

Now that I’m residing in sunny CA I can erase candles from the windows, vodka, and umbrellas from my shopping list – so here are a few things I will be getting for Fall!

1) I am going to find out if blondes really do have more fun. Not for the first time, but I have been a redhead now for a looong time and I need a change! I will let you know if I will have more fun or simply develop a better sense of humor once I am blonde….watch this space…
“Having money is rather like being a blonde. It is more fun but not vital” - Mary Quant
2) Bright colored animal prints, flowering head pieces, oversized primal colored glasses – I will be rocking all three. I have always had a kind of love-hate relationship with animal prints. It can look so fun and funky and youthful in the right cuts and materials, but there is a fine line that is easy to step over that will land you in “old lady land” where I don’t want to reside for another 40 years or so! Brightly colored animal prints instantly add that POP twist and a youthfulness to it that I love. Head pieces I know have been in vogue for a while, but if you think that they are a classic and can really lift any out fit – bring on the feathers! Sunglasses are a must here in CA and the primal colored ones are so much more fun! I will also keep rocking my favorite Ray Bans of course!
3) Faux Fur - yes, please! Cozy, stylish, warm and animal friendly, what’s not to love? I will be mixing up my Viking heritage look with an Audrey Hepburn gone electro twist to sass up the jazz, and a faux fur piece or two is key in my autumn wardrobe!
4) A pair of cool, patent leather boots, that end just below the knee, worn with short skirts, or dresses. Show off a little leg but not too much and is sexy in a non-kinky way. They can be vintage or new, Twiggy knew just how to do it!
“Fashion, as we knew it, is over; people wear now exactly what they feel like wearing” Mary Quant
Have a fantastic fall everybody, keep having fun and keep being yourselves! Fashion is art, its fantasy and it’s a world to draw inspiration from, to follow the no-trend trends “I make up my own” will always be the trendiest thing in my world!

With love & light as always,
Sara x x x x

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Current 4 skincare musts!

I have a confession to make - growing up I was never that interested in skincare. I was obsessed with fashion, music, makeup & color – but the skincare part of me never really tuned in. Actually, you could probably have called me a “skincare slob“. My sister (Sofia, who is an esthetician) would talk me through all the lotions and potions and explain to me that if I did not create a proper skin care routine my skin could age prematurely (yay! I thought – easier to get into the clubs without ID, terrible but true ….you know, somehow that part worked out too!) Because she had (and still has) the most amazingly perfect skin I kind of had to listen to her. Thanks to Sofia, things are different today for sure – I am just as obsessed with the formula, scent and ingredients as I am the color and the texture of a product. I had a little ponder and here are my 4 current favorites, don’t be surprised if they have changed in a week or so!

Sampar Ultra Hydrating Fluid: This antioxidant and anti-irritant moisture fluid is just delicious! From the first time I tried it I was completely hooked. Smells divine and adds just the right moisture without feeling greasy at all. It helps soften and repair dry skin.
Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer: From my sister Petra’s skin care line. This is the most amazing serum I have ever tried. Used on top of your moisturizer it creates a silk shield that the skin can still breathe through. Your skin has never felt more amazing or smelled better! Organic and all natural ingredients treat your skin and help add luster. You’ll be lucky to get a hold of one – they are always flying off the shelf!
Dermalogica Precleanse: This comes with me everywhere! Manages to dissolve the toughest of stage makeup, and the most waterproofs of mascaras as well as smells divine and makes your skin feel amazing. Based with Olive and Apricot Kernel it cleanses your skin without leaving an oily residue.
Caudalie Eau de Beaute: One on my desk in the office, one in my bathroom, one small version in my handbag – this little fresher-upper works magic when the eyes and brain get weary from the computer and when I just need a whiff of fresh air. Made out of essential oils and active plant ingredients. It also works really well as a set spray for makeup and adds some radiance as well as tightening pores. Love it!

Or, if you want to go the completely organic way – make it yourself! Visit this website for tips and recipies:

http://www.smartskincare.com/tips/tipcategidx/skinrecipe

Have fun as always!

Love, Sara x x x x x

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

One more for the road?

In my life there has been a lot of traveling and moving from one country to the next. I feel like I have had a lot of practice in the art of packing. And when it comes to makeup, it is just as easy to unintentionally over pack as it is with clothing. Perfect example is when my sister asks me if I am really bringing that feathered cropped jacket (stage outfit I bought in 1992 …) to our relaxing family vacation and I replied “Oh, I just have to bring that – who knows, I might want to wear it to the beach one day.” Did I? Of course, not! The days of hauling three full suitcases (where one is just filled to the brim with makeup…), two hat cases, one guitar case and then wearing two coats because the last one just “would not fit into the bag and I might really want to wear it” are OVER!

Not only can it seem vain, but it is also a pure pain. These days I am more of a “bag lady” you can drop me off in the middle of the desert and I have planned my hand bag so well I would be able to survive (and look good) for the next week or so! But, of course, I still want to have a choice in the morning, and I don’t really plan outfits. I go by the “panic theory” and just bring my favorite pieces, both for my clothing and my makeup wardrobe so I can go by my mood and mix things up a bit, and so far so good….

Below are some of my thoughts on how to fit all the beautifiers you need into one little bag! Happy Travels!

The Essentials:
Start with selecting a makeup bag, whatever size you have chosen is the size you are sticking with. No throwing in liners and lip glosses loose into your suitcase- be strong with yourself! Think of the things you definitely know that you need on a day to day basis (exclude skin and hair care – when I travel they get a beauty bag of their own. It would not be realistic to try to fit everything into one makeup bag).

Pick those key items that really make a difference to your face that you would not want to go without. Narrow it down to the basics (4-5 things) and then there will still be room to add playfulness. Also try to think of things that easily takes you from day to night.

My can’t live without product for traveling is POP No Show Concealer – it doubles as a tinted moisturizer, a highlighting fluid, and a hardworking cover stick. So with a little good finger work it can be really multi-purpose – a high coverage matte finish to skin, a hardly there glowing hint and a lot of the spectrums inbetween!


Hey, I know I am a little biased, so don’t take my word for it – try it yourself and then tell me I am not right!

Pick kits:
I like going with shadow kits for traveling. Makeup artist work and touch ups on the go. That way I don’t have haul all my little single shadows with me, but rather have everything in one place! More visual, more fun, and much more practical!
I am still in LOVE with my Day to Play clutch – 18 gorgeous hues, from day to night. When the makeup runs out you can “pop” the trays of makeup out and use it as a clutch for credit or business cards. People always ask where I got mine when I take it with me.

Treatment/ Moisture
Dry airplane air, jetlag, general exhaustion, your skin is thirsty! Make sure you pick your travel essentials carefully so that there are a few treatment based products in there as well! Petal Jam is well worth a mention, formulated with natural oils like avocado, jojoba and macadamia nut, they give a moisture quenching effect to affected areas like, lips, elbows, cuticles so on. (Oh, and they taste good enough to eat! In fact, if you ever get stuck on a desert island, you COULD eat them!)
With these little gems you will still have the room to add all your other favorite cant-live-withouts. As I know there will still be a few and they are individual and different depending on the person. For ex: my sister who is a blond would say she can not go without mascara - while I just need an eye lash curler and I am good, but I would never go without a tinted moisturizer and she would! And one of my girlfriends would never go anywhere without a powder while I am perfectly happy to survive without it!

Either way, make sure to have fun along the road!

Love, Sara x x x x x x

P.S. Don’t forget - brushes, eye lash curler and tweezers – I hate it when I can’t find my eyelash curler!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

In My Pantry!

I don’t know about you, but I am obsessed with good food! I am by no means an expert, but I do love a delicious meal just as much as I love a perfect shade or texture in a makeup product. I am one of those people who can happily spend a whole weekend just cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Literally cooking up a storm - that is, the kitchen does look like a hurricane passed through it after I am done – and by then I am too exhausted to clean up….. Sometimes I manage to produce something quite delicious and sometimes it is not as much of a success! But hey, you have to experiment to learn new things – you win some you lose some!

One of my favorite things in the world is to have friends over for a good meal and plenty of wine. Below are some ingredients that are absolutely essential to me.
Fresh herbs of all kinds – An absolute must! I use fresh herbs for everything I cook – whether it is a tossed into a fresh salad or a marinade – I can not go without them.
“I COOK WITH WINE – SOMETIMES I EVEN ADD IT TO THE FOOD!”

Red wine is a must for me and above is my all time favorite French wine - it is dangerously delicious. Don’t waste it by adding it to the food, use a lower quality wine for your stews and sauces, this wine needs to be enjoyed as it is!
Who does not enjoy a good cheese? I think that I could honestly live on cheese quite happily for the rest of my life! But as with everything it is probably best in moderation. I always make sure I have a good parmesan, a good blue cheese and a softer brie or a chevre in my fridge. A shaved parmesan or a grated chevre can take boring pasta or a flat salad and really heighten the flavors and add a more interesting taste experience. Also perfect to have around the house as a yummy snack with wine or as a dessert or starter. Berries & nuts! I always make sure to have raspberries, blueberries and strawberries in my kitchen. Not only are they amazingly good for you – they are so super yummy! I make a fresh smoothie every morning using rice or Soya milk, fresh berries, apple, banana, fresh ginger and fresh leaf spinach. It gives me a nice kick start to the day and a great hit of Vitamin C. They are also really perfect as a dessert with a little ricotta cheese and some lemon, or with Greek yogurt, walnuts and some honey. In my native Sweden we pick them wild in the forest, so berries were always a part of my every day meals.

If anyone has any good recipes they want to share or any unusual ways to enhance and intensify flavor – please shoot me an email and I will have another reason to mess up my kitchen!

With love as always,
Sara

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

All Eyes On You: Swinging 60’s eye definition


The 60’s is a decade I still love to draw inspiration from. The fashion & the music from that era is like a never dwindling goldmine full of fun, dramatic and eclectic styles and sounds. Above is a look that is very distinct of the 60’s - matte porcelain skin, pale lips and dramatically defined eyes with huge lashes. Please follow below steps to achieve this look.

1. Base is key here. When you are putting extra enhancement and definition on the eyes it is key that any blemishes or redness in the skin is well hidden. Use powder to cream foundation or a liquid base with a matte finish and set with a good mineral powder. The face is kept matte, matte, and matte – no shimmer in this look, please!

2. Dust a little of a peach/apricot blush just underneath the highest point of the cheek bones and blend well. If you have olive or darker skin, go more towards a bronze or a rose hue.

3. Prime lids to ensure smooth application and staying power. Smooth a white or a nude matte shadow onto lids and blend all the way up to the eyebrow.

4. Next, line upper lash line with a jet black liquid liner winging line outwards and upwards at the outer corner of the eyes.

5. Using a fine brush and a jet black shadow, carefully draw a line into the crease of the eye, following your eyes natural shape. This look is meant to be graphic with quite “harsh” lines, so don’t blend the black into the crease of the eye. Draw it on using small short strokes and again, “winging” the line upwards and outwards at the outer corner of the eye.

6. Draw on “fake lashes” onto the lower lash line. Hold the brush vertical and then dot on the black, smudging it into lash roots, leave a ½-1 cm gap between each black dot.

7. Time for mascara – slap it on! Does not have to be perfect - a little clumpy application just adds to this look! Let first layers dry and then apply more. You will need at least 4-5 layers of mascara to achieve this look. Fake lashes are also a good alternative here if you want to go all the way.

8. Lastly, “kiss” a piece of paper to remove any moistness from lips and then apply one thin layer of a matte lipstick in a very light color, for example: baby pink, light coral, or a nude skin tone. Once applied dust a very thin layer of a loose powder onto lips to set, mattifye and create a long lasting surface. You will be a real stunner! Don’t “overdo” this look by matching it with other 60’s trademarks. (Don’t back comb your hair or wear a baby doll dress!) A look always seems more modern and individual when you mix things up a bit! Wear you hair down, loose and unfixed and your favorite well fitted jeans and a t-shirt for updated & doll faced every day glamour with a rock ‘n roll twist!

Have fun and don’t forget to shake it up!

Love,
Sara x x x x x x

Thursday, August 26, 2010

An August in Europe

Hey there lovely ones!

Hope everyone has had an amazing summer! I can not believe it’s nearly over - it’s literally rushed by! I spent most of August in my native Sweden but I also squeezed in a stop in London (naturally!). Therefore, I will dedicate this blog to a few of my favorite home-away-from-home spots in these two trendy and fashion forward cities - if you find yourself on the other side of the pond make sure to make a stop!

The Troubadour London:
I swigged a couple of glasses of rose and caught up with friends over lunch. During my 10 years living in London, people would joke that I was literally part of the furniture in this place. I sang there regularly but also met some of (to this day) my absolute dearest friends. Go there to catch new upcoming bands, some proper old school rock ‘n rollers and well established musicians & artists. Truly famous for its bohemian vibe - this is a place where A-listers, scruffy poets and royalties hang out alike.


Miss Juniversum – Malmo Sweden:
Owned and run by my talented friend Jun (yes, miss juniverse) this store is well worth a visit if you happen to visit the Swedish south and its slightly edgy town of Malmo. She sells a rainbow array of craziness - don’t really know how else to put it! She simply adds an alternative “if you don’t want your house to look like an IKEA catalogue” I think she offers so much more! She sells everything you think you did not need until you laid your eyes on it: huge pink flamingos, red lip telephones, clothes & jewelry and pretty much everything else under the sun. You’ll leave the store not being able to carry more!


The deepest Swedish forest:
Never seen fairies, trolls or pixies? Easy, travel to Sweden and hang out in the forest, it is not a coincidence that so many famous fairy tales were written here…Call me crazy but I heard stories about them early on as a little girl from my grandma as we would stroll through the moss, collecting wild berries and mushrooms and believe me, I don’t think these folktales came to be because of nothing! I love the Swedish forest dearly, it is as far away from luxury but as close to nature as you can get! And honestly, I can sit by some fancy pool sipping a cocktail any other day. Our little house in the deepest forest with no neighbors is one of my favorite hide always!


F12 Terrace Stockholm:
This night club in Stockholm is always CRAZY packed with people hanging out on the castle-like stairs, looking impossibly trendy, good looking and icy cool - the way only Stockholmer’s can. But its well worth a visit if you want to mingle and listen to loud music. It has a beautiful view overlooking the water and is not one of Stockholm’s tourist traps. Usually I like bar hopping or going out to listen to bands, but if I feel like a big night out you might very well find me here on a Saturday night, apple martini in hand! The restaurant next door to the club is one of Stockholm’s best and also well worth a visit.


Hope you’ll make it to these places one day and if you do – I hope you will love them as much as I do. Always good to be “home” though!

Love as always,
Sara x x x x

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Makeup Artist Mind Reading - What I think but don't say when I'm applying makeup


1) I wish she would stop looking in the mirror the whole time - I don’t want her to see the progress, just the transformation!
2) Wow, great lashes!
3) Her eyes would POP so much if I got her to wear her green shadow! Persuasion time!
4) Please stop flinching…
5) Oooops! (We never say that out loud, but yes, sometimes we do think it!)
6) It is amazing how models transform with makeup, you either have a face that’s meant to wear it, or you look best with an absolute minimum
7) She has naturally gorgeous colored lips - I need to mix a shade that matches hers exactly.

8) Where did all the sponges go…?
9) Ta da - I am a genius! (Hahaha yep – sometimes it turns out good!)
10) Ok 1 hour and 15 models, this will be interesting…
11) Actually, yes – you do need to wear foundation…
12) Where is the light, where is the light?
13) Relax your lips
14) Did that model just go into the bathroom and change the lipstick, again?
15) Wow, a bunch of beautiful, unpainted faces – where can I set up!?
16) Not quite there yet… I never send someone off before its perfection in my eyes.
17) This calls for faux lashes!

18) Oh just trust me, I know what I am doing!
19) Can I get away with rhinestones and gold flakes here? At least a little glitter….
20) OK so, frame eyes without framing, color in without coloring, lift without lifting, it’s all an illusion
21) I love makeup!
22) There is no better feeling then giving a girl a proper confidence boost, making her look and feel gorgeous!
23) I don’t care what anyone says, makeup is art!

xxx
Sara

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Buff It Up!


Always wondered how to get your nails looking fun and flawless? Below I spill the beans on how to make those neon hues stick out longer! Make sure to have a real play with our famous POP shades. Use a fine brush and paint your nails in polka dots, rainbow stripes, peace signs or fluffy clouds! Bring out the artist in you and get playful!

1) Always start with clean, buffed nails. Make sure your nails are completely dry and that there is no oil or lotion residue on them so that nail color can adhere properly.

2) Use a good base coat that is also a treatment for your nails.

3) Apply color in thin coats, letting each layer dry in between, a layered effect will create a better seal and reduce air bubbles. Don’t do too many layers though, as this can make the polish too thick, making it less likely to stay on properly and taking ages to dry. After 3-5 coats you should have the optimum fullness of the shade.

4) Throw away old and "glue" like polishes.

5) Wrap each tip of the nail with the color; sweep a little color around the tip of the nail, this will minimize the risk of chipping.

6) Let dry properly! This is so key. I am always anxious to keep on going but there really is no better way to ensure the nails keep looking good apart from letting the polish dry properly.

7) Stay away from water, washing dishes, re-potting plants - you name it, for the next 12 hours at least.

8) Apply a top coat and keep it handy for touch ups.

9) Last but not least - POP’s amazing neon nail shades are nail hardening and non-occlusive, your nails will look so pretty and perky, you will take proper care not to chip them!

xxxx
Sara

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

POP Your Day - I dare you!



- Wear a really bright lipstick!
- Pick a recipe that seems impossible to recreate online, and invite your friends over for a yummy (?) dinner with lots of wine
- Cut bangs
- Go with a friend to a costume shop and try on the pirate outfits
- Add a neon blue on top of your usual black liner
- Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers
- Paint your toe nails bright neon
- Make really pretty paper planes and throw them off the balcony
- Send an “I love you because…” letter to the people you love
- Write a list of all the things you want to do that would make you happy and then – do them!
- Create a new cocktail
- Paint each nail a neon “M&M” color
- Learn three new words and annoy everyone by using them vigorously
- Get up in the office and challenge everyone to a hoola hoop competition
- Kiss someone
- Book a trip for the weekend
- See how many Swedish fish sweets you can fit into your mouth at once
- Write a “thank you” Oscar speech
- Make your eyebrows a real statement, really fill them in!
- Put large pieces of paper on your walls and splash them with your favorite hues
- Wear feathers on your lashes
- Mix up the textures, matte on lips and shimmer on eyes, or the other way around
- Have a look in your wardrobe to see what can be altered, remade or just thrown away
- Paint your lower lip red and your upper lip pink
- Treat yourself to the best, most expensive chocolate around
- Sing, sing, sing – at the top of your voice, as loudly as you can!
- Spend a happy hour making up names for the new band you and your mates are forming
- Sign up for a dance class and then actually attend it
- Go to the beach to watch the sunset
- Plan a party, a really, really good one
- Dye your hair – you can always change it again
- Flirt with everyone you meet
- Use white eye shadow, no mascara, bright red blush and bright red lips – modern geisha!
- Watch three cheesy musicals in a row
- Name your plants and then chat to them about the weather
- Using eyelash glue, glue pearls and beads and gold leafs to your cheekbones
- Try to learn the famous Fred Astaire dance from “Singing In The Rain”
- Feed the pigeons
- Make up true and funny nick names for everyone you know
- Have a glass of champagne for lunch
- Buy a 50’s prom dress
- Load up your ipod with all your favorite music and go for long walks
- Go to a theater makeup shop and by the strangest color makeup you can find, then find fun ways of wearing them

I could go on and on, but that should keep you busy for today! Shake it up!

Love as always,
Sara

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

POP ‘til YOU DROP


Play with this thought: Makeup as an accessory, never as a must. An expression of art, confidence and color. Not always to beautify but the main goal is to brighten or to mystify!

Bright color on the edge can take you many places, where does creativity go when it gets air under its wings. How do you feel today? Where does your mood take you?

Okay - granted, I am not asking you to step out the door with bright colored makeup splashed all over your face (or wait....am I?!) but I am asking you to start feeling differently about makeup. Do not look at it from a stand point of correction, look at it from a standpoint of fun, of enhancement or, if you are brave enough, performance art!

As a makeup artist you might think that we look at people’s face and think “hmm, got to cover that up, spackle some stuff on there, hide that, and...” we do – but ONLY after we have noticed what amazing color eyes you have, how sculpted your cheekbones are, the perfect arch of your eyebrows, your amazing lips, etc. EVERYBODY without any exception, (whatsoever) is beautiful and has some feature to enhance. That is just the way it is. So I wish to look at makeup from a different perspective, and sometimes it can be useful to bring that new perspective into your everyday routine.

It is not a tattoo, it is not a haircut, it is just some pigment - some color! and its easy to wash off if you don’t like it!

Start looking at your makeup bag the way you look at a box of jewelry, it’s to embellish what’s already there, you don’t put on a necklace to hide your neck, quite the opposite!

So get that child in you a box of crayons and mummy’s lipstick, play with your box of jewelry, and start embellishing those peepers, instead of hiding behind those browns!

Have fun,

With love, Sara x x x

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Lightning Strikes!


That illusive wonderful ray that makes all the difference to a face in a picture, those spotlights piercing the darkness to light up a face on a sullen stage - there are ways to highlight, to brighten and to pour rays of sunshine on your face, sculpting and lifting your features and opening up your eyes. Below are a few of my favorite tricks on how to do this.

1) Light at the base: For a gorgeous all over glow mix a drop or two of a luminizer into your foundation and apply all over face. For a brightening effect for sullen, grey or too yellow looking skin, use a pearl essence with a pink tone. To warm up skin, use a pearl essence with a gold holographic tone and for a universal suit all glow, just a drop of a pure white pearl essence. It should not change the color of your foundation but rather just add a light hint of shimmer.

2) Light up the bones that sculpt your face: Apply highlighter at the highest points, powder is fine but I do prefer a gel or a shimmer for this as it looks like your own skin. You can play with hues - soft pastels with a holographic hint sometimes looks so much more amazing then just a plain white, nude, or gold. Use clean fingertips and dab just underneath the brow bone and then down onto the cheek bones, ending diagonally (away from the nose) under the pupil. You can also add a small touch of glow to the bridge of the nose for lit from within effect.

3) Light up your gaze: Use a light, loose shimmer dust right in the inner corner of your eyes to reflect the light into peepers, opening them up and brightening them to the max. (Hint of color - blue mascara also brightens the eye whites, it truly works!)

4) A lip lighting maze: After applying lip color or lip gloss, dot a sheer shimmer crème just outside your natural lip line at the cupids bow and smudge a little bit onto the middle of upper and lower lips. Creating an enhanced lit up illusion.

Come out and play in the light!

With love as always,
Sara x x x

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Got Style?


Pinup? Rockabilly? Mod? Housewife? Hippie? Rock ‘n Roll? Punk? Is that really all there is? No way! Let’s shake it up! Want to go vintage? Good – take your favorite elements and frazzle them up to bedazzle! Get your favorite little 50’s prom dress out and mix it up with a tattered leather jacket, a pair of boots and messed up hair. No limits! I know this is no news to you, so now let’s do it with our makeup too. This is really how to create something new, to whip it up and get the milk frothing.

You want to follow your individuality, not some set rules of what things should look like!

I was doing my makeup the other day and as I was putting on my usual winged eyeliner, I suddenly remembered that young girl I used to be. That girl who was always late for school because she was busy hair pinning tin foil to her hair or trying out that new blue lipstick found in the theatre makeup shop. In the last school picture I look like a complete mess, just a small hippie gone wrong! In my grandmother’s house coat, REALLY back combed platinum blonde hair and way too big jeans stained with paint splashes. But oh, did I have fun! In the course of 4-5 years I went through every style I knew of. I was the surfer girl (in freezing December in Sweden), I was mod (and a pretty good one, I went to the all nighters, still love the music), I was punk (yes, I had pink and purple spikes), I was skate girl (gave that up, fell to often :), I was grunge (I looked pretty good as a grunge), I was also beat, hippie, gypsy, rock ‘n roll (now those last three kind stuck with me!)

See, the hardcore followers of all these styles would tell me I am insincere and a poser, that I had to much time on my hands and that each style comes with a culture that is not to be played with. Sure, I’ll take it on the chin, but...I will keep on playing. That’s what makes makeup, fashion and life fun!

I would encourage you to do the same – mix it up! Go after your mood and make a statement, make it yours (even if it’s your grandma’s house coat!)

Make it POP!

Love, Sara x x x

Thursday, June 3, 2010

At the Base!


Hi everyone-

What’s the most important part of your makeup routine? It’s actually what happens before you even put the makeup on! It’s in your skin. Below are some of my personal favorite ways to make sure my skin is prepped, primped and happy. Apart from sleeping lots (which rarely happens!) - moisturize, drink lots of water, or just being blessed with good genes (to those lucky few!) How do you really create a great canvas, so that you can start playing with those yummy hues?

• Prime: POP’s Face Magnet Primer is one of our absolute bestselling products. With ingredients like skin plumping and revitalizing caffeine, calming and antiseptic liquorish root and healing Vitamin E, this face brightening lotion will even out the skin tone as an amazing first step in your makeup routine, and it holds on to rest of your makeup all day!

• Hide: A good concealer really is key! I don’t want to go anywhere without my No Show Concealer. One side for full-on coverage and one side for a highlighting luminosity. Dab high coverage end under the eye area and around the nose and chin, or anywhere you need extra coverage. Use clean finger tips or a synthetic brush.

• Cover: your choice of powder, tinted moisturizer, liquid or crème foundation. I like to switch them up depending on the event, weather and how I feel. Always keep two shades in your base wardrobe. Lighter and darker for “summer” vs “winter” and then you can mix them together for when your skin is anywhere in between.

• Prime again! Time to prime those eyelids for shadow. The POP Eye Magnet Primer is amazing for creating a flawless finish for lids, making the shadow blend easier and stay on until you take it off!

Now you should be ready to start throwing those fun hues around! Enjoy!
With love, Sara x x

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Sunrise to Sunset


Dear fellow makeup lovers!
Ever wondered how to get from drab to fab? From the office to a party without missing a beat, from coffee with the girls to a fancy dinner? I am talking about how to get from day to night with minimum effort... What are some of the key things to really glam it up in a matter of minutes? Below I give you a few tips on makeup products that really lift the face and get you party ready, touches that add that icing on the cake and make a true difference to the face. Hope you will implement and enjoy!

1) Crème foundation: this is my secret weapon for a quick touch up – if the formula is good enough it works as a concealer and skin base in one and using a nice sponge and quick dabbing motions you will have erased dark circles and have your skin looking back to flawless in seconds. Note: does not work if you have been wearing lots of powder before hand, then you might as well start over. We are developing an amazing crème foundation for POP – in the meantime, try Pixi’s Vitamin Veil – it is amazing and looks just like skin!

2) Liquid liner: frames your eyes and makes them look sharp and “clean cut”. A liquid liner is no doubt an evening staple for me, make sure to apply lots of mascara with it! POP’s My One Liner is your best bet, trust me. I have tried them all and it is truly is my no 1! No smudge no flake, just pure eye perfection!

3) Faux lashes....Need I say more? Nothing takes you from day to night with a flirty flutter like a pair of falsies. Try the collection, Dressed Up Lashes for nights on the town, Icons for full on glamour and Fantasy Lashes for “before fashion” moments and stage. Should be a lash for each one of us!

4) A deep lip. If you have no time to do anything else, opt for that perfect red or bright berry lipstick to take you from office to party. It will brighten your face, add some drama and make you look party ready in no time at all!

5) Highlight properly. A soft nude or even bright white eyeliner “cleans up” the rest of the makeup and puts focus where focus should be. Apply on top of cheek and brow bones to open up those peepers and sculpt and sharpen those cheek bones, you will be surprised at the effect, it really works!

From daytime to playtime – in no time! Enjoy!

With love as always,
Sara

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

5 Top Makeup Mistakes


Hi all you lovely people!

Hope all is really well and that spring turning to summer is putting a spring in your step as well as mine! As a makeup artist there are some things we get asked over and over, one of those questions is without a doubt: what are the biggest makeup mistakes…..I have listed my main ones below – hope this can be of some help!

With love as always! Sara x x x x

1) Trying to fake a tan with a darker tone foundation, or trying to lighten skin with a too light shade foundation. These are the most common and the worst mistakes. Base/foundation is supposed to be the canvas where all other shades can then be applied. The base should be exactly the same color as your skin or all other makeup you put onto will look wrong. If you want to look pale, stay out of the sun, if you want to look more tanned – invest in a bronzer or a nice holiday in the Caribbean’s…

2) Too much of a good thing….piling on the powder. this is not a good look, you want skin to look like skin, not like you stuck your head in a pile of flower. If you feel powder is a must, dust it on sheer with a big brush and blend until it is seamless on the skin. The above applies here as well – choose the right shade for you.

3) Lip liner. Sorry to say but a lip liner can so easily look outdated. Whatever you do, do not try to make your lips look bigger by drawing the line outside your natural lip line. Did not look good in the 80’s, does not look good now…Only works on camera if you ask me. If you really want to wear a liner to stop lip color from bleeding and feathering, follow your natural lip line, it will look so much better!

4) Matte, matte, matte. Mix up your textures! A matte base with a matte eye shadow and a matte lipstick makes you look really harsh and over painted. If you like a matte base, use a cheek color with a little shimmer and maybe a lip hue with a dewy finish. Mixing textures on the skin will make you look more youthful and alive.

5) Lips and eyes and cheeks….No – choose one feature and go all the way there, keeping the rest to a minimum. You can mix it up of course, do eyes one day, lips the other. But don’t make them compete with each other – that’s just not fair.

Last but not least! Use a POP of color. Move away from the browns people, mooove away from the browns!

With love as always,
Sara

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Shakeup your makeup!


Hello gorgeous people! What’s shaking in your world? In the world of POP everything is crazy as per normal, just the way I like it! Now, I wanted to give a little insight to what it means to shake up your makeup – as this is one of the taglines for POP. I am sure you have heard the expression to shake it up, mix it up, and try something new?

Take a different route home, wear your hair up for once, Put a stop to buying more black clothes, treat yourself to a super fancy dinner alone, date someone not your usual type…you get the picture - now, apply it to your makeup routine! Ever looked in the mirror in the morning and felt, “hmm something is missing, I am just going through the motions here, I am not being creative and the products I am using are not making me feel like the goddess I am,” then, my friends, it is time to shakeup your makeup!

It is time for a beauty routine overhaul; it is time to have a proper look at what products make a real difference and what products you are just putting on because you always have. With POP I want to bring you unusual makeup solutions, products that give you a little nudge in a new direction, while making you feel amazing! Shaking up your makeup is about having fun, experimenting and moving out of your comfort zone – we don’t have to look flawless 24/7 but if we have gotten stuck in a rut that does not do us any favors, then that’s a real shame.

As always I am advocating a little color, and that’s half of the shaking up your makeup job done. I am about to yawn if I see more browns or grays on the list of best sellers and sticking out of your makeup bags. There are soooo many ways to look sophisticated without looking like everyone else and without going through a rut. Textures and color pigments change and develop constantly in the world of makeup – if you say you can’t wear green, I say with 100% certainty that you are wrong – there are a thousand shades of green and I can find one that suits you fine and actually makes your eyes really pop – no matter your coloring.

If you say you can’t wear shimmer because it will get into your fine lines, I say with 100% certainty that you can. Today’s crème & gel textures will sit on top of fine lines, plumping them and directing the light away from them, making them disappear!! So here is my plea: Try a vibrant red lip, try a pair of falsies when you are going out, try a different foundation, stop piling on the powder – add a neon liner to those neutral eye shadows; and you might look in the mirror and see a new side of yourself! Punches of color are not just for the young and brave, mature ladies look amazing with a little color on the lips! I try to shake it up every day – now it’s your turn!

With love as always,
Sara x x x x

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The "No Trend" trends


Hey everyone!

Hope life is wonderful and exiting as it should be! I am now going to take the bull by the horns and approach a sensitive subject – makeup trends.

In my job I get endless inquiries about trends in makeup - what is happening this month, what is happening in makeup next season, etc. Of course, it is easy to scan the catwalks and pick up on the makeup thermometer of the street but the truth of it all is – who cares what the trends are?!

Now, ladies (and fellas for that matter!) don’t get me wrong here, I love my industry and creative thinking is definitely at the forefront of what I do. I like to believe that POP sets the trends rather then follows, so… what on earth am I talking about? I am talking about following what works for YOU – create your own trend! In product development we are always looking for the newest most effective technology, that elusive PERFECT shade and texture, the best packaging and, last but not least, that product you have never seen before and did not even know you really wanted – that is my mission.

But…. when it comes down to your own makeup bag, pick what works for you! Makeup is just as individual as what sweet you like the taste of, what clothes you wear, which jewelry you pick out! Don’t let trends get in the way! So one top model had to shave off her eyebrows for her latest catwalk show, c’mon – that does not mean we are going to do the same, does it? What works for the catwalk does not necessarily work for lunch with your friends (or dinner at your boyfriend’s parents house for that matter!) lets be sensible here…

Also, let’s not listen too much too people like me – if you like it, wear it! That’s how you create your own fashion! As a makeup artist, nearly every woman I meet has been told to wear browns….Why is that? I find it beyond puzzling as almost no one looks their best in browns….Sure, neutrals mixed with a pop of color, bronze with a blue liner for example but just browns…No – it does not do it for me, they can actually make you look more tired and sometimes when it gets bad, like you need a good scrub.

This is also what people usually mean when they tell me they want to look “natural” - as the word natural comes out of their mouths they are usually looking at my set makeup table and with raised eyebrows hinting and pointing in the directions of the neutrals, forsaking a rainbow of yummy looking shades. I shall state my case: Brown is NOT natural – no one has naturally brown lips! Most of us have a naturally rosy pinky tone to our lips – so that would be the natural hue to enhance!

So apart from not following trends like a robot, my advice to you is – try something new, try a POP of color, let’s have fun and be playful and you will be surprised at how good you will look, before anyone else has had the time to catch on!

With love as always,
Sara x x x x

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Stage vs. Street


Hey all you gorgeous POP lovers! Hope you are all really well and enjoying life to the fullest! Any of you ever wondered what the real difference between street and stage makeup is? For many Hollywood dames or brave rock ‘n rollers the difference might be slight but for you chameleons out there who like to switch it up and slip into a different persona depending on your mood I have a few tips! As a performer and stage person myself, I would say there are quite a lot of differences in getting ready for the stage or the camera and just getting ready for coffee with your friends. Don’t ever feel restricted though, I do want to add that I sometimes sprinkle myself in glitter just to go and get milk(!) these are a few general tips. Hope they will be of some help-

1) Street: no makeup makeup is the best way to go – natural sunlight enhances the amount you put on and just a touch too much powder easily ends up looking cakey & flaky – not a good look…Keep things to a minimum, put your makeup on in a room with lots of natural sunlight so that you know exactly what you look like before stepping out the door. Less is more when it comes to quantity.

Work with light touches of color to enhance, don’t try to shade or sculpt features too much but rather enhance what you have naturally with light touches of pinks or berry for cheeks, navy, moss or plum lines for eyes and a neutral pink for lips (fair skins go for pinks or peaches to lift and brighten, medium to olive skin try fresh berries to counteract yellow and dark skins give deeper tones like earthy reds and deep plums a go – avoid grey undertones). Don’t be scared of a little glow, choose crème textures with a shimmer rather than glitter for a skin-like texture - this way you will look fresh and vivid without looking overdone!

2) Stage: Just cake it on baby! In the dark and in front of the camera, it seems almost like the more you put on the less it´s noticed! Work with lighting and angles to shade and sculpt cheek bones and nose; choose earth tones and neutrals. Suck cheeks in, shading with darker shades under the cheekbones, building lighter shades upwards so that the lightest shades ends up on top of the bone structure, this enhances & sharpens the cheekbones and opens up the eyes.

Smoke your eyes out or make them pop with tons of neon hues. The options are endless. For stage, faux lashes are a must! Choose a pair that works with the look you have gone for on the eyes - the smokier the eye, the darker and denser the lashes.

Here is also (according to me) the only opportunity to enhance lips with lip liner, drawing the line outside of the lips ONLY works on stage or in front of the camera, it looks almost clown like in the light of day. Use a good concealer and dab over and around the lips so that your natural lip line fades as much as possible – then choose a lip liner that is the same color as the lipstick you plan to use, draw the liner just outside your lip line and also fill in your lips, then follow with lipstick. For a finishing touch sprinkle yourself with fairy dust and have a glass of champagne – Tada! Ready to meet my audience!

With love as always!
Sara x x x x x x x x x

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Stranded by a Volcano....


Wow what a week! Apart from erupting volcanoes in Iceland, trapping me in my birth country of Sweden (and millions of others unable to travel all over the world) – there has been a lot happening! Just moved into my new apartment in LA when I was whisked off to spend a week in my native London!

I remembered instantly why I moved there in the first place, the buzz, the people, the makeup, the fashion! Everywhere you look there is street art happening in the people rushing about! In London there is no limit, no rules to what you should and should not wear, do, or say! Makeup becomes an expression of your mood rather than a must or a mask and this was the inspiration for POP in the first place - makeup as an accessory, makeup as an extension of your mood and makeup as another tool, another creative outlet and personal expression!

Trends? Who cares – honestly, just wear what makes you look and feel good! There are too many trends going on at the same time to pin it down, your options are endless. Go your own way, create your own trends, those are the only ones that count anyway! I fell in love with Alexander McQueen all over again as his last collection is just an explosion of pure creativity and talent – what an icon we have lost!

Avant garde is obvious in a city with sharp edges and a week in good old London town gave me a much needed boost of inspiration – like a shot of Spirulina for the soul! Walking down Fulham Road on Sunday evening I bumped into an amazing sax player and his stand up base guy, they asked me to join their gig and subsequently I ended up doing a really fun gig, singing in a club in Chelsea with Dr Johns (one of my personal favorites!) and no one less than Slash´s music guys! Now that’s the kind of thing that only happens in London or maybe NYC…So as you can imagine I have had a great time!

As far as makeup for travelling goes, I am sure you know the dilemma I stand in front of trying to pack my 16 drawers and 7 huge boxes of cosmetics into one portable and easy to carry travelling makeup bag that fits in my suitcase and still allows creativity for evenings out and days of color on a whim! These have been my essentials for this trip: Correct & Protect No 2: a must that evens out skin tone invisibly and also has SPF 30. No Show Concealer: if you think you don’t need concealer you are lucky! This one has added caviar extract - one liquid luminous side is a must for jetlagged skin as it hides imperfections AND adds a glow, now that’s working double duty! My One Liner: jet black non-smudge liquid liner, what can I say, I can´t face sunset without it! Lid Neon: for a fun and playful twist and a pop of color to any look! Lash WOW: amazing fake lash effect without the hassle and Lush Blush in cherry blossom, if I have these – I can survive. Hope everyone is having fun, don’t forget to shakeup your makeup!
Love, Sara x x x x

Monday, April 5, 2010

Makeup Takes The Heat!


There’s nothing worse then trying to enjoy the blossoming weather and having makeup melting, feeling and looking sticky and greasy on your face, but don’t worry, there are ways to get around it! Below are my favorite top three tips on how to look good in the heat!

1) its in the skin
Don’t pack on the makeup for days in humid warm weather or frolics in the sun. Choose light, gel based textures that absorb into the skin immediately and avoid face powders as they may cake, streak and crumble as you get hot and it is just not a good look. A lot of people feel that if they keep on applying powder their skin will look fresh and velvety, not the case if you are in hot weather, you are so much better off without it. Try using an oil controlling/mattefying primer and water based gel foundation or tinted moisturizer that sets seamlessly into your skin & don’t forget the SPF. If you are very oily (most people are not as oily as they think) get some good blotting paper.

Suggested POP products: Face Magnet Primer, No Show Correct & Protect

2) no smudge
Use a waterproof/waterresistant mascara to ensure it stays in place - mascara smudged under the eyes is something to be avoided for an every day fresh faced look! There are so many great waterproof mascaras, and eye liners too for that matter, you should never have to put up with or worry about makeup residue moving around on your face! Same goes for eyeliners, use a gel based, water resistant liner for hot humid days.

Suggested POP products: Lash Kapow, In Liner, Hot Pot Gel Liner.

3) make it stay on
My last (but not least) tip for stay put makeup whatever the weather may be is to use a sealer (POP liner creator) mixed with any powder to create a liquid that then sets like a waterproof shield on the skin. This product has saved many a pool parties for me! You can mix with eye shadow, blusher, even a face powder and then apply onto eyes or skin with a synthetic brush or a sponge and it will literally not come off until you take it off, totally waterproofs the pigments - like magic!

Suggested POP products: Eyeliner Creator/Sparkle Sauce

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Spring Clean Your Makeup Wardrobe

Hope you are enjoying spring as much as I am - I am basking in the sunlight, loving every bit of it! This is the time of the year that is perfect for trying something new, maybe to even make daring new leaps, and why not start with your makeup routine?!

Spring clean your makeup bag! I am calling out to all blonds, brunettes and redheads out there – throw away the browns and the earth tones! This is the time of the year for budding hues of freshness! Do a proper beauty routine spring clean and have a look at what routine you might have been stuck in – we all tend to do the same things over and over – not noticing if it makes us look and feel revived or not.



Makeup is not a must – it is not an obligation, it is supposed to make us feel good! It is sooo easy to get stuck in a makeup rut. Especially if you look down into your makeup bag and can only find browns and beiges! I know, these hues are “known” for looking polished and what a lot of people call “natural” (even though I would love to know who has “naturally” brown lips? Lips are naturally a fresh pink tone!) but browns can also make you look muddy, tired and old fashioned. Throw some of those old shadows away and replace with some pastel sorbet shades for eyes, fresh berries and pinks for cheeks and a burst of coral on your lips (or just a tinted gloss is fine if you don’t want to go all the way).



On the catwalks this Spring, neons are making their way back – to my great delight, but if you are not brave enough for those ultraviolet hues, start with just introducing pop’s (yes Pop’s ) of color – switch your black liner for a deep emerald green or a midnight blue and you will be surprised at how much fresher it looks – but in a subtle way! Play and find your way of falling in love with color again!

Also make sure to take good care of your brushes – wash carefully with baby shampoo and then soak in a gentle conditioner, rinse thoroughly before squeezing the water out of them, shaping them and then lying them on a towel to dry; this way they will last a long time and always be fresh and clean. Try to wash them once a week (if they are only used for yourself – we makeup artists obviously wash them after each use).

Also make sure to throw away your old mascaras. The eye area is so incredibly sensitive and if you had a cold or flu and used the mascara, the bacteria can still be in it months later. Mascara should be thrown after a maximum of three months. Try to stick to it!

Alright M’ladies – have a great week, enjoy the budding New Year and make sure to have fun with your makeup – that’s what it’s all about!

Rock ‘n roll and with love as always,

xxx Sara

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Spring Beauty Trends - Straight From the Runway





POP your nails!

Our neon nail brighteners (go POP nail glams!) have been flying off the shelves since they launched. For spring and summer, what is more fun than a really loud nail peeking through sandals, or demanding attention on your fingers! The key here is to contradict color, this is not about matching, and it is 100% about contrast!

Basically do not go with the same color as your clothing, hair, handbag, and so on – make it clash and POP! Paint each nail in a different candy colored hue, do neon French manicures, the options are many, as long as they are not conventional, they are good! Some of the key hues this spring are: neon yellow (POP Yellow), Neon grass (POP Radioactive), Neon Orange (POP Mandarin), Neon Coral (POP Orange), Neon lilac (POP Violetta), Neon Pink (POP Pinky). Have fun!

POP the rest!

As far as backstage makeup tips for spring and summer I want to start with the basics, find the right foundation for you and don’t think you need more coverage then you do – it’s sexy to be able to see the skin underneath the foundation, its not meant to look like a pancake across your face.

Opt for a tinted moisturizer when possible and a good concealer to hide dark circles under the eyes and around the nose. To my great delight (as I have been preaching about this for over 10 years) we are seeing some bright colors again. Nothing can make you look as freshly polished as a great red lipstick. We are seeing fresh corals and true oranges for lips and if you dare try it you might get addicted – I have!

Neon’s have made their way from nails up to eyes as well – Wohooo! Make sure you finish off a neon eye with lots of mascara (always curl your lashes!) and double check that your complexion looks as flawless as possible before playing with brights, otherwise these loud shades can amplify redness and/or skin imperfections. Choose one feature for your neons; eyes or lips and keep the rest of the face simple and polished. Another trend that is coming back is the thick white eyeliner; this can look incredibly dramatic if applied in the right way. Apply a thick white liner onto an otherwise naked eye and layer on the mascara for an angelic punky effect. Love it! Play around and have fun and find your personal twist – that’s what makeup is all about!


P.S. Don’t forget your faux lashes – there is no catwalk, stage or red carpet where you can’t find a pair of glam lashes – POP’s Dressed Up, Icons or Fantasy Lashes have just launched! So exiting!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

All About Me!! An interview with MF magazine


1. Tell me about your music.
I WAS ALWAYS “OBSESSED” WITH MUSIC. IT WAS (AND STILL IS) SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART OF MY LIFE THAT IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE NOT THE SAME! WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG I WAS CATAPULTED ONTO THE MUSIC SCENE WITH ALL THAT THAT ENTAILS (BEING SIGNED BY SONY, WRITING, RECORDING AND PERFORMING LIVE). BEING ON STAGE IS REALLY WHEN I FEEL MOST ALIVE AND VIBRANT. I ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR THE MUSIC, AND HAVE NEVER STOPPED PERFORMING. I HAVE WORKED WITH SOME AMAZING AND INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE AS WELL AS SOME COMPLETE NUTTERS, THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY :)

2. How has your life as a performer influenced your work in the beauty industry?
THE BEAUTY/FASHION INDUSTRY AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY GO HAND IN HAND FOR ME – SURE THEY HAVE DIFFERENCES BUT AT THE CORE LIES THE SAME WISH TO EXPRESS FREE CREATIVITY AND TO CREATE. FOR ME THE TWO MESH RATHER NATURALLY, THE MUSIC INSPIRES THE MAKEUP AND THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

3. What are you hoping to achieve with Pop Beauty?
I AM HOPING TO DEMYSTIFY COLOUR AND ENHANCE THE SENSE OF FUN MAKEUP SHOULD BRING. IT’S NOT ABOUT FEELING FORCED TO ALWAYS HAVING TO LOOK YOUR BEST OR ABOUT A SENSE OF DUTY; MAKEUP IS ABOUT ENHANCING AND SHOULD BE PLAYFUL AND ADD A SENSE OF PERSONALITY TO YOUR STYLE. I AM HOPING TO UPDATE PEOPLE’S MAKEUP WARDROBES AND ADD A POP OF COLOUR. POP IS ALSO ABOUT A CERTAIN ATTITUDE TOWARDS MAKEUP – I SEE MAKEUP AS ANOTHER ACCESSORY, IT’S A WAY TO EXPRESS A MOOD OR A FEELING AS WELL AS BEAUTIFY. I ALSO WANTED TO BRING HIGH END, NICHE BRANDING TO A RATHER UNIFORMED HIGH STREET AND BRING FUN, PLAYFUL MAKEUP WITH GREAT CONCEPTS AND GREAT QUALITY TO A WIDER AUDIENCE. MAKEUP SHOULD BE FUN!

4. What is your best makeup tip?
CURL YOUR LASHES, FIND A GREAT BASE THAT WORKS FOR YOU, SWAP YOUR BROWN/BLACK/GREY LINER TO A PLUM/MOSS GREEN/ NAVY, FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE TO REALLY MAKE IT POP, HIGHLIGHT PROPERLY AND DON’T BE SCARED TO USE A POP OF COLOUR!

5. What is the worst mistake women make in choosing their makeup?
TRYING TO ACHIEVE A TAN WITH YOUR BASE IS A BIG NO, NO – ALWAYS LOOKS WRONG. INVEST IN A HOLIDAY OR A GOOD BRONZER! OVER APPLYING, GOING TO MATTE ON MATURE SKIN, USING TOO MUCH BROWN, TRYING TO “MATCH” TOO MUCH (MATCH LIPSTICK TO YOUR CLOTHES, YOUR HAIR SO ON) NOT BEING WILLING TO EXPERIMENT - FIND NEW AND EXITING WAYS TO MAKE YOU LOOK YOUR BEST!

6. When you create color palates and seasonal ranges, where does your inspirational process begin?
HMMM LET ME THINK …I GET HINTS AND SPARKS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND MY EVERYDAY LIFE CAN SOMETIMES BE A LITTLE CRAZY I GET INSPIRATION FROM TRAVELLING, NEW PLACES, VIBES, CULTURES. DIFFERENT HUES AND PALETTES IN NATURE. ALL KINDS OF ART, MUSIC AND FASHION. AN IDEA CAN SPRING FROM ANYTHING - FROM A NEW SONG TO A NEW LOOK I CREATED FOR A MODEL TO A FLOWER I SAW IN THE GARDEN, A BACKSTREET IN LONDON OR NY, A SUNSET OR EVEN JUST A GOOD COCKTAIL I HAD LAST TIME I WAS OUT. A LOT OF THE TIME IT’S AN INTUITIVE FEELING OF WHAT FEELS NEW, FRESH AND EXITING AND ALSO OF COURSE WHAT I KNOW IS MISSING IN MY MAKEUP BAG. POP ALSO HAS A FINGER ON THE PULSE WHEN IT COMES TO POP CULTURE AND WE ALWAYS TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME AND BUILD NEW COLLECTIONS ON QUIRKY AND FUN IDEAS THAT ARE EDGY AND SAFE AT THE SAME TIME. A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A BRAINSTORMING SESSION IS USUALLY WHERE IT ALL COMES INTO FRUITION FROM IDEA TO REALITY.

7. What is the most important thing that a beauty product should offer?
EXCITEMENT & EFFECTIVENESS – IT SHOULD DO WHAT IT SAYS IT DOES. IT SHOULD HOPEFULLY PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP AND MAKE YOU LIGHT UP WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR. IT SHOULD ADD A SENSE OF FUN TO A NIGHT OUT WITH THE GIRLS OR A BORING MONDAY MORNING.

8. What is the one thing you wish all women knew about makeup?
THAT IT IS NOT PERMANENT, IT’S NOT A TATTOO SO YOU SHOULD REALLY FEEL FREE TO PLAY AND EXPERIMENT – IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, WASH IT OFF AND START OVER! I ALSO WISH EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THEY CAN WEAR COLOUR, AS LONG AS YOU FIND THE RIGHT HUE; SO MANY PEOPLE GO – OH, NO I CAN NOT WEAR GREEN - YES YOU CAN! THERE ARE A THOUSAND TONES OF GREEN; WE JUST NEED TO FIND THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR YOU! A LITTLE BIT OF COLOUR CAN MAKE YOU LOOK SO MUCH PERKIER IN JUST A FEW SECONDS, IT’S NOT ABOUT GOING CRAZY WITH COLOUR, IT’S ABOUT A TOUCH THAT CAN REALLY LIFT THE FACE.

9. Who is one person you would like to see done up in Pop Beauty products and why?
EDIE SEDGEWICK IF SHE WAS STILL AROUND, AUDREY HEPBURN, AS FOR PEOPLE OF TODAY; AGYNESS DEYN, KATE MOSS, KESHA, LADY GAGA, I WOULD LOVE TO DO AMY WINEHOUSE’S MAKEUP OR GWEN STEFANI (SOME OF THE ABOVE ALREADY USE POP ACTUALLY :)

10. What is the brand all about?
OUR TAGLINE IS “SHAKEUP YOUR MAKEUP” AND THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES I THINK! THE BRAND IS ABOUT BRINGING MAKEUP ARTISTRY TO THE STREET, HIGH END TO HIGH STREET, AT A GREAT PRICE POINT. IT’S ABOUT POP ART, POP CULTURE AND POP MUSIC. IT’S ABOUT ADDING A FINISHING TOUCH AND USING PRODUCTS TO MAKE YOUR FACE POP! HOW DO I MAKE MY SKIN, EYES, LIPS, LASHES POP? IT’S ABOUT GIVING YOU PRODUCTS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT’S ABOUT AN ATTITUDE AND A ZEST FOR LIFE. IT’S ABOUT ENCOURAGING UNIQUENESS AND BEING NON-CONFORMING! IT’S ABOUT PLAYFULNESS AND CREATIVITY, THE FAST LANE AND THE FINGER ON THE PULSE. IT’S TIME TO MAKE IT POP!

11. What are you doing in music now?
I AM WRITING AND RECORDING AT THE MOMENT, AND HAVING MY SONGS MIXED BY SOME DIFFERENT PRODUCERS TO REALLY CARVE OUT THE SOUND OF WHAT IS TO HOPEFULLY BECOME MY NEXT ALBUM. I AM ALSO PUTTING A BAND TOGETHER TO START PERFORMING LIVE HERE IN THE STATES – I AM READY TO ROCK N ROLL! ALSO HAVE SOME UPCOMING SHOWS IN EUROPE.

12. Who is the one person you would like to perform with?
WOW THAT’S TOUGH! SOOO MANY OF THEM! BOB DYLAN, THE ROLLING STONES, STEVIE NICKS, ELLA FITZGERALD, FRANK SINATRA, TINA TURNER, STEPHEN STILLS, JONI MITCHELL, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, SUPERTRAMP, ALISON KRAUSS & ROBERT PLANT, STEVIE WONDER….FOR MORE CURRENT I WOULD LOVE TO JAM WITH: PETER, BJORN AND JOHN, AMY WINEHOUSE, LYKKE LI, PRINCE, ADELE, MIKA, THE SOUNDTRACKS OF OUR LIVES…I COULD REALLY GO ON AND ON!