It's Burlesque Bitch...

 I just love the artistic expression of Burlesque.  As I have friends who work in the industry I have seen shows over the years and have become fascinated by the history and somewhat twisted elegance of it.  There are so many fantastic places in London to see a good Burlesque show.  It has an element of old glamour that I think has definitely transcended into fashion so that is why I wanted to share it with you all.  The film Burlesque starring Christina Aquilera and Cher (i think it's a great film, although most don't!) showed the art form to a much broader and younger audience.  It's now very popular for hen parties, office parties and many other functions to either book dancers or attend one of the many clubs to entertain their celebrations.

Christina Aguilera in Burlesque the movie

Cher in Burlesque the movie

The Wam Bam club and the House of Burlesque in London are just two of the many amazing clubs you can visit.  If your interested in going to a show I would definitely either get first hand reference to a show or read some reviews online before you go (there not all great).

Wam Bam club in London

House of Burlesque in London

I am also completely fascinated by Dita von Teese, I think she is the reason I began to love the art form in the first place.  She inspires many of my ideas within hair, make-up and styling and I feel she has had probably the most impact on bringing Burlesque to the masses.  I have put together below some of her looks that inspire me and to me are nothing but fabulous.








If you have an interest on old style glamour or just in a fun place to enjoy yourself but watch a fantastic show then give Burlesque a go.  It is a great place to gain inspiration if your an artist of any description or you just fancy re-creating certain looks on yourself.  Give it a go...

Fabulous Fallon...

I wanted to introduce you all to my fabulous friend Miss Fallon Dee...  I have known Fallon now for nearly a decade, we've not only been great friends but have worked together on many exciting jobs.  The main reason i'm including her is to do with my feature on Burlesque.  If i'm writing about something I like to have first hand knowledge from someone in the business. Fallon has been a dancer since she was three years old and has become very successful in her field.  Her dream job began when she won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dance.  From there the jobs have been endless, she has danced at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, she was in the Hurly Burly show on the West End which then went on a world tour, she has been a back-up dancer for many artists including Take That at Wembley and Justin Timberlake and these are just a handful of the many exciting things she's done.   Throughout her busy schedule for the past 10 years Fallon has also had an interest in the art of Burlesque.  She is a regular at London's Wam Bam club and does many t.v and professional appearances as part of the IT girls including dancing at all Sir Richard Branson's private parties.  

Miss Fallon Dee

Miss Fallon Dee at Wam Bam

Miss Fallon Dee at Wam Bam

Miss Fallon Dee at a private function 

I began working with Fallon after we became friends.  Back in the Noughties she was involved in a girl group called Candyshop.  I was in charge of styling the hair for the whole band.  I used to style and attend all their gigs, promos and shoots.  After that I have and still continue to do hair for Fallon on many shoots.  I wanted to show you all some of the work we have done together and some of the fun we've had along the way at festivals and gigs (haha)...

Promo for Candyshop

Fallon performing on Brick Lane

The band performing in Brick Lane

Me with the girls at an afterparty post gig

Lookbook shoot for Fallon

60's inspired shoot on the Liverpool docks

One of many nights with Miss Fallon Dee

Fun times at Glastonbury festival

As Fallon does lots of work in fashion, music and entertainment I always value her opinion.  She has a great sense of personal style and is not afraid to push the boundaries at all with fashion and make-up looks.  I wanted to interview her to see what she finds hot and what her must-haves are...

Kieran:  Where do you look to for style inspiration?

Fallon:  I'm a mixer babe, I love rummaging through the markets in Camden and I love a charity shop.  Always been a fan of Miss Moss, I love high-end brands and high street.  So everywhere really.

K:  What do you love about your job?

F:  I love that it's different everyday, I never know where i'm waking up next.  I love seeing amazing places.  I feel very lucky everyday.

K:  What drew you to Burlesque?

F:  One of my first jobs was part of the dance troupe at Moulin Rouge in Paris.  I lived there for two years and went on a world tour with the show.  I loved the freedom of expression and I love getting my kit off! In a classy way of course darling! (hahaha she laughs) The fascination went from there i suppose, I got a part on the west end a few years ago in the Hurly Burly show and I've performed Burlesque ever since.

K:  What three fashion or beauty items can't you live without?

F:  I don't wear a lot of make-up when i'm not working really.  I love a great hat or headpiece, I love my perfumes, I'm wearing Coco Chanel now and I love a bit of a tutu for a good night dancing!

SO HOT! Gotta have it...

I think every girl (or guy) needs a good black eye pencil.  I particularly love the M.A.C feline kohl power eye pencil.  The depth and richness of the black tone are brilliant.  It is long lasting and the pigment is very strong so you can create defined looks very easily.  This product will blend very well and gives you enough time to do so before it sets so you can create smoky eyes or flicks with this product.  A good black pencil is essential for you make-up bag and I want to show you three easy looks you can create using one pencil (and any eyeshadow that you have already in your bag).

Apply your favourite eyeshadow then apply pencil just around the lash line and waterline

Draw a thicker line both on the lid and under the eye, blend out with a brush to create a smokey effect

Draw in your desired shape use a wet angled brush to define and clean up the lines

BITCH! Stole my Look!!!...

 Ever look in the fashion or gossip mags and think I would love to look like that...?  Well, it's beauty bitch is going to give you regular updates on just how you can achieve the look and work it just as good.  I want to show you how to achieve hair and make-up for a good price in six easy steps.  This will be a regular fortnightly feature looking at what's hot right now and how you can have it.  It won't be long before your saying BITCH! Stole my Look!!!

The first look of the fortnight will be Cheryl's voluminous bouncy hair.  I want to show all you gals out there how easy it is to achieve this look.  There are several curling tools that you can use, I'm going to use a wand but you can use whatever heat tool you prefer, they all give similar results.  I have chosen to use my friend Meg as my model.  Her hair hasn't been coloured or cut for a while so I'm going to even her brown out and make it more glossy before we start.  I'm also going to cut layers into her hair this will give a better flow and more volume when curling the hair.  You don't have to have layers to create the look but I feel the shape has a better flow if you do.

Meg's before shot with a bit of rootage

We applied the colour to the roots, then refreshed the ends to even colour and create shine

Sectioning the hair to start cutting some shape in

Cutting layers throughout to better support the curl

Creating a shorter, fringe layer to give shape and definition round the jaw line


Now as i've created a glossy evened out brown on Meg's hair I am going to take you through the six easy steps to create a voluminous, bouncy curl.

To finish and show you all that we can all look great with a bit of practice I took some shots in the studio of Meg and here are the results.  Hope you all like them...

Its Beauty Bitch LOVES LOLA...

I wanted to introduce you to someone that has inspired me on a personal level for many years.  I decided to look at my friend and talented fashion designer Debbie.  She has really put her stamp on the Liverpool fashion scene with her own label Lola Loves. Her success is now spreading further across the UK, landing deals with Topshop and Selfridges, so I wanted to get some ideas of what's hot right now in the fashion world from one of the up and coming leaders. 

A/W 2012 ad campaign 

From humble beginnings my friend and passionate artiste has began to make her mark on the fashion world.  Debbie -aka- Lola Loves, began her journey selling home-made garments on the weekend Gracie markets in Liverpool.  From this tiny stall she began selling items in small boutiques in and around Merseyside.  It took some time, but Debbie's skills, expertise and creativity were finally noticed and she was given the opportunity to create her own store.   She opened her first store in Liverpool back in 2008 and has grown from strength to strength ever since.  Lola Loves unprecedented success is definitely paramount in her securing deals with two of the countries major retailers Topshop and Selfridges.

Lola Loves Boutique - Cavern Walks Liverpool

Lola Loves Boutique - Cavern Walks Liverpool

Lola Loves Boutique - Cavern Walks Liverpool

Lola loves is a shining embodiment of sheer determination. Pulling through the recession Debbie is now heading to the top of the fashion ladder and I couldn't be prouder.  I have worked with Debbie many times over the years and I wanted to begin my blog by gaining expert knowledge from a leader in the field.  With Lola Loves growing every day, watch this space... 

Lola Loves A/W 2014/15 at Selfridges

Lola Loves A/W 2014/15 at Selfridges

Lola Loves S/S 2014 at Topshop

Lola Loves A/W 2014/15 at Topshop

The brains behind Lola Loves, bares all...

Debbie enjoying the bustle at a Liverpool fashion show 2009

Debbie thrives herself on taking inspiration from all aspects of life.  The idea behind her brand was to take inspiration from high-end designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Christopher Kane and Prada, just to name a few.  She wanted to give her take on design and make it affordable for everyone, but still create a bespoke service.  With Lola Loves Boutique you have the opportunity to buy straight from the rails or customise one of the designs with colour, size, material etc.  It really gives people that individual feel and you know that theres only going to be you wearing that dress, which is definitely every girls potential nightmare!  Debbie's success has catapulted her to celebrity status and she now sends dresses to many celebrities for events.  Below are just a few of the big names in the entertainment business who just love a bit of Lola...

Debbie (4th from the left) enjoys the success of the Garlands main fashion show at Liverpool fashion week 2009

Alesha Dixon - Britains Got Talent Semi-finals

Caroline Flack - Xtra Factor on ITV2

Sam Faiers wearing a sexy Lola Loves number

Amy Childs attending a Charity event looking fabulous and definitely loved by Lola

I wanted to get to know what makes the brains behind Lola Loves tick, where does she get all this energy and inspiration to make these fabulous pieces...

Kieran: What inspires you on a daily basis?

Debbie: I suppose i'm inspired by most things really.  I've always been interested in fashion and art and I love a good rock band especially Kings of Leon, nothing better than a bit of head banging in some dirty concert (she says laughing).  I guess i'm always looking for new ideas from all walks of life.  I wanted to make my dresses affordable but still high fashion so I take a lot of inspiration from the catwalk.

K: What celebrities do you think get it right?

D: I have always loved Gwen Stefani and her effortless chic.  She always looks great, even when she's going to the shop for a pint of milk.  I love Fearne Cotton i think she has a great look.

K: What made you get into fashion?  

D: I've aways loved drawing and dressing up and my mum bought me a sewing machine on my sixth birthday.  I guess it's just gone from there really.

K: What are your fashion must haves?

D: I love my black vintage Chanel clutch bag,  I bought it on ebay a few years ago for £400, its timeless and classic and just adds an element of classiness to any outfit.  I'm a fan of heels you can never have enough height on a night out, Christopher Kane has some good heels and I love Kurt Geiger.

K: What are you 3 best beauty products?

D: I love Chanel powder it makes my skin look flawless and hides a multitude of sins (she laughs again), Bobbi Brown concealer is great in the morning and I love my Blacktrack eyeliner from M.A.C