Makeup Tips and Trends: Katie Mannix

Makeup, like anything, evolves over time; over thousands of years. From lipstick created from red pigmented minerals, lashes blackened with soot to chalk used to whiten complexion.

Throughout time there has always been a slight adaption to create different looks; however during the Victorian era, makeup was associated mostly with prostitutes and actresses. From the 1920s statement red lip, to the iconic 50s look; wacky bright 80s, 90s grunge and now in the 21st Century we contour like Kimmy K; 3D eyebrows and lips becoming more popular with makeup evolving every year!

New and fresh faced to the industry; Katie Mannix from Liverpool specializes in fashion forward, photographic and bespoke looks enhancing both client face shape and eye colour. Her interest in makeup derived from watching countless tutorials as a teen and mastering the basic techniques to cover her acne prone skin - I’m sure some of us can relate!

After studying fashion for a number of years, beauty has always been that much closer to her heart; after falling pregnant she decided to push herself and enrolled in The Makeup Artist course.

We asked Katie a few questions for makeup tips and tricks and how to create an on trend summer look.

Never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she’s late! What is your life-changing trick to ensuring a natural winged eyeliner look without it escalating the dreaded Panda look?

Katie: Have confidence! I'm constantly doing flicks on myself to master a smoother finish. For a classic and timeless 1920sday or night feline flick that suits absolutely everyone, first of all apply a thin layer of concealer to the lid. Using a shadow brush and pigment that’s a few shades darker than your foundation, contour the crease and lighten the line which helps open up the eye. To finish apply a gorgeous thin feline flick.

TIP! The smaller the brush the better, try using a craft brush as the bristles are tiny! You can always thicken the line, but it is hard to make it thinner.

 What makeup looks are on trend this summer?

Katie: Tones of purple, whether it is bold, pastel or a tint of the shade. A bright eye and subtle lip has also been a statement this year, with trends complimenting the 60’s/70’s vibes we are witnessing within fashion prints and styles. This season the biggest catwalk statement was skincare and no makeup, fresh skin, from natural to dewy, so subtlety is key. I’d suggest Shien Cosmetics Pink Jade Lip Veil as their products include bio-nutrients and vitamins, which hydrate and protect the lips; this colour adds a glow completing any look with natural lips.

TIP! Your skin is your base, so look after it! Without a healthy base it makes it difficult to create a flawless look. Use products aimed at your skin type i.e oily, dry, sensitive. To really enhance your complexion, exfoliate, cleanse, tone and moisturize a few times a week to create the perfect canvas.

How can we be ahead and practice our makeup skills, or lack of them, to be on trend for A/W15?

Katie: Autumn 2015 will all be about graphic liner. More makeup artists publish their looks online and how to create them so by experimenting this trend allows you to be more dramatic whether that’s for the day or night.

TIP! Sugarpill Poison Plum Pressed Eyeshadow and Magpie Loose Pigment was used to create this bold graphic liner 60s space age inspired look.

Visit Katie Mannix's facebook page for more amazing looks!

Don't forget you can shop for makeup on our website, including US indie brands Sugarpill, Shien Cosmetics and Cique Colors!

SS'15 Trends

Worried about what to wear for that upcoming pool party?

This season's trends has something for everyone, a blast to the past reliving 70s boho chic, layers of volume, mixing and matching fabric so the ‘what’s on my bedroom floor look’ is fashionable, prints, delicate intricate lace, sultry black sheers, metallic and accessories. It’s all about combinations!

Along the poolside why not indulge in our Geo Mesh Longline Bustier with matching high waist briefs for an on trend look. This print is very fashion forward, and when combined with the black mesh as the side transparent panels give a fun but sultry finish.

If you’d rather hear about the party from the comfort of your home, you can lounge around in a loose fitting powder pink Tippi Satin Chemise for a softer, more delicate look. To complete the look, accessorize with our Pamela Mann Microvelvet Hold Ups then finally combine the Fl*sh You & Me Samantha harness too for a layering effect.

The Tippi Satin Chemise is free floating for this trends bohemian feel, with satin fabric finished with black edging as a decorative trim to release the edgy ballerina in you.

Jumpsuits and teddys are both walking tall on the catwalk so perhaps you'd like your nightwear to be a bit bolder but still subtly sexy. The Sabriel Stork Print Teddy with intricate scalloped eyelash lace on the legs and neckline veil the body enhancing the provocative factor.

Do you think layering should be in or out? Just the perfect excuse we’ve all been waiting for to buy more Playful Promises, right?

Meet The Team: Eragh

The people behind the company are as important as the company itself! That’s why we decided to run a short ‘Meet the team’ interview cycle, so you can get to know the women behind Playful Promises a little bit better.

Let’s start with Eragh – our super creative design manager, where the print and fabric magic happens...

Tell us a little bit about your journey –  what first got you into textile/pattern design?

 I have always been into drawing and crafts, since I was young and when it came to choosing a career, textile design seemed like the right fit.

Besides design, what other passions do you have and how do they influence your work?

I love to travel, dreaming of exotic locations definitely is a big influence on my work. I enjoy finding new music and going to gigs, the style of all the different people there can sometimes end up giving me inspiration for my next print.

What do you find the most challenging about your job?

Anticipating what the next big print trend is going to be.

 … and the most rewarding?

When I'm right about the next print trend!

 What would you consider your most proud achievement so far?

Beyonce was photographed wearing a Topshop bikini that I had designed the print for, so that would have to be it!

 I often see you with your headphones on while working –  what’s on the playlist?

It really depends on the day! I listen to a bizarrely varied track list, one day it could be 90s rnb/hip hop, the next country and folk and then of course indie rock, such as Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes.

How would you define creativity?

Actively engaging your imagination.

Where do you look for inspiration?

 When I'm stuck for inspiration, pinterest always helps!  Wandering around art galleries inspires me and gets me in the mood to create. Watching Wes Anderson movies usually kickstarts me to create too. I like to read, and find that a good story never fails to inspire me.

What’s the next step for you?  Do you have any future aspirations that you would like to share?

I'm not really sure yet! I suppose the dream is to own your own company one day!

What sets your prints apart?

As I mostly design prints for swimwear, you can be a lot crazier with print design, so I guess that's what sets mine apart.

Any advices for budding print designers?

Get as many internships as possible!

If you were to describe yourself in just a three words, what would you say?

Ambitious, Creative, Mermaid.

Is there an unbreakable rule you live by?

To always dream big.

What do you enjoy away from working?  What is your getaway?

I love to travel, explore new cities, going to festivals and gigs is always a great getaway

What is it like to be working on Playful Promises' team? ;)

It's  incredible to be working with a team of such amazingly skilled and lovely women!

Running Away to the Circus

Have you got what it takes to be a circus performer?

Sometimes… all the time, it seems like a torturous task going the gym to workout, ready to replicate a bond girl coming out of the ocean in Summer, but doing the same repetitive workouts can get tiresome.  So, as an alternative we’ve been looking into other methods of fitness classes, and we don’t mean Zumba or Legs, Bums and Tums because, quite frankly, all that does is make us jiggle and giggle.

For those who agree with the above, and can be quite the entertainer at times, we announce aerial fitness! A new fitness craze was needed and what better than to pretend you’re a sexy circus acrobatic performer? But be warned, you won’t look as glamorous as a Cirque du Soleil professional right away, it takes some time working on those core muscles, but you sure will look as entertaining!

If you can’t master the aerial hoop, silks or trapeze, don’t fret because you can still fulfill your circus performer dream. Magic is becoming very popular within the last few years, with televised competitions and entertainment shows; Killer Magic and Dynamo so there still is a place for you in the circus!

The next step is to put on our Peek and Beau Phoebe Wine and Tassel set with beautiful hand-dyed fringing on each individual garment making it that extra bit more special! Take a step back, whip out a few card tricks or just wave your hands around; they have assistants in a circus, right?

Peek & Beau Phoebe Wine & Black Tassel Bra £18, Peek & Beau Phoebe Wine & Black Tassel Briefs £12

With the aim to look nice and naughty for your performance, and with even more fringing, the Bluebella Sasha Body is sheer and seductive with its halter-neck and cut out style. This little number will definitely keep all eyes on you.

Bluebella Sasha Body £38

Or if you’re more of a tease then enter the hoochie coochie tent and give burlesque a try with my favourite, the Matilde Nipple Tassels. I adore the heart shape filled with detailed individual roses and a tassel to finish, so cheeky how could you say no?

Matilde Nipple Tassels Black Rose £12

Or, if you just want to embody the circus... in your pants (?!) go for our cute Circus Tins! There's three different "performers" to go for, The Fire Girl with a spotty chiffon brief, The Hoop Girl with a neon pink thong or The Trapeze Girl with a black tasseled brief!

Look closely at the naughty illustrations (done by local artist Karina Akopyan) on the side of the tins ;)

Circus Tins £20 each

Do you have any circus skills? Do you wish you did?

Strap In: The Bondage Trend

Love it or hate it, the strappy lingerie trend is still going strong!

Typically only seen in the BDSM/fetish world, bondage (a constraint used for sexual pleasure) has entered mainstream fashion over the last few years. Although not a new addition to the lingerie world (strappy lingerie has been around in certain forms since the 1940s or possibly earlier!), 50 Shades of Grey certainly had a powerful influence on the rise of bondage themes within fashion.

Music videos now have an age rating as bondage has become more glamorized, mainstream and socially acceptable, with female musicians donning the garments. Although being constrained is typically a submissive trait, these women are anything but submissive, in fact, they seem to use the garments to exert power and strength. 

In "traditional" society, if you exposed your underwear it would have been frowned upon, whereas in this day and age you could turn your underwear into outerwear and nobody will bat an eyelash. Whether its body harnesses, cuffs or lingerie strapping decor, has this generation became more liberal to experiment with elements of BDSM?

As Playful Promises love all things playful, flirty and a little bit dirty we opened our arms to the curious and naughty. Our Cristina Black Satin and Mesh Longline Cage Bra with matching briefs features layers of strapping and a harness brief. The bra is a classic longline style which is both sexy and sophisticated. 

One of our guest brands, Hopeless Lingerie, is a specialist in bondage inspired lingerie. For the more daring wearer their Jennifer Frame Ouvert Knickers are perfect; with adjustable strapping giving a made to measure feel.

For a more subtle introduction to strapping why not try the Hopeless Lingerie Suzy Bralette. This is a less provocative but still strong piece with a soft jersey cup, which can be worn as lingerie or out and about as outerwear.

Fl*sh You & Me also create their own harnesses, which are at a slightly lower price point than Hopeless, with a more colourful approach. The Ruby Harness in Mint is a personal favourite, which brings colour to any summer outfit in the daytime or spice up an outfit in the evening.

For those who are more angelic and pure, but hold a secret love for strappy pants, the Fl*sh You & Me White Double Cross bra with matching garter belt and briefs is ideal as it's sweet and seductive. When wearing the garter belt with the briefs this is a killer combo highlighting the waist, and the multiple strapping on the briefs emphasizes the curve to the hip.

With imagery and video so accessible, and with more lingerie brands than ever before, will this bondage trend continue to grow? I hope so!

Do you love this trend? How do you style strappy lingerie as outerwear?