Fashion Front Row at NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week

Last night saw one of my favourite events from the nine days of NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week. The Fashion Front Row catwalk, taking place at As You Like It in Jesmond, showcases some top designers, all based in the North East.

The show was a huge success last year, so we went for it again, making it bigger and better. Designers showing included headliner Emma Bell, Christopher Niari, Tallulah Love, Shonagh Marie and many more.

It was an absolute pleasure to work with our presenter Jayne Middlemiss. I had the privilege of sitting with her throughout the evening, she loved the designers and was just perfect to work with!

It really was a fantastic night and ran unbelievably smoothly, with the help of our runners! The make up was by ND Make Up and hair by Toni & Guy.

Photo credits to Idene Roozybayani and Lee Scullion

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I am currently heavily involved with preparation for Newcastle Fashion Week 2012, so expect future updates and coverage of each event. I'm not in anyway sponsored or committed to blog about events.

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NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week

NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week has officially begun! We've had the weekend packed full of events, and beautiful weather for our audiences to bask in and there are still seven days to go.

Saturday saw the Newcastle College Showcase and the Work It catwalk. Both involved a lot of running around to get everything together, but both went without problem. Some beautiful designs from Newcastle College.

We also had the Work It catwalk, all about what to wear to the office with several brands that are available in Newcastle.

With one of our earlier finishes for the week - at 5pm - we treated ourselves to Happy Hour at Las Iguanas. A beautiful way to end the day!

Another early start for our Sunday, yesterday we had Brix Smith Start in Newcastle for the rare occasion of a Barbour catwalk. This featured Barbour's Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The iconic coats in the 23 degree heat, can't say I envied the model. I instead set myself up ready to tweet for Newcastle Fashion Week at the bottom of the catwalk.

Brix was lovely, as was her excellently behaved pup!

Two days down and I'm already shattered, later this evening we have our lecture with Liz Walker - tickets are still available from getintonewcastle.co.uk if you want to come down!

Can't wait for the rest of this week, there are still some great events to come. Including Eldon Square's Fashion Day out on Thursday, a full day of shopping!

I'll try and squeeze in some more updates throughout this hectic week!

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I am currently heavily involved with preparation for Newcastle Fashion Week 2012, so expect future updates and coverage of each event. I'm not in anyway sponsored or committed to blog about events.

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Origins Super Spot Remover

The Origins Super Spot Remover is now in my holy grail category. Gone are the days of the murky waters of Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion (a very close second) and in place is this super gel, that works miracles.

The gel is to be applied to any blemishes that refuse to leave. It's inparticularly good for the massive under the skin spots that never seem to come to a head. Put this on over night and the pain will instantly disappear, as will the spot, if not coming to a head.

It contains the mighty salicylic acid that stings a little when applied to open blemishes, but it's worth the tiny sting for the after effect. I'm personally of the opinion that if it stings, you know it's working.

It is dispensed by squeezing the product out of the small hole, meaning you can greatly control the amount you need. This, by the way, is the tiniest amount. You need literally the size of the spot amount to cover it. Leave on overnight and then you can usually just peel off the set gel in the morning, if not then a quick face wash will rid it.

For the cutest, teeny tiny bottle of the Origins Super Spot Remover you get 10ml for £12. Sounds pretty extortionate I know, but I think for wonder treatments like this one, it's definitely worth it and you need a tiny amount for each application.

It's definitely a repurchase item for me, and while you might not wake up blemish free every single time, it will certainly speed up the process.

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Newcastle's Most Stylish

This year, for NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week, the second edition of Newcastle's Most Stylish is back and bigger.
It has now opened up into four categories, boys, girls, groups and over 30s - slightly reminiscent of The X Factor actually.

We have been scouting out the fashionistas of Newcastle in the last few weeks and we have one more search left before the events begin.

Below, is the winning look from last year. The beautiful Lisa from Shoes & Sashimi.

The winner is chosen through the Newcastle Fashion Week Facebook, with whichever photo having the most likes, been crowned the winner. Take a look at the rest of the entries in the Facebook album and vote for your favourites! There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs this year, including shopping sprees, VIP nights out and a personalised piece of Chamilia jewellery.

These are some of my favourites so far...

The winner is to be announced at The Living Room on Sunday June 2nd. Hosted by Donna Air this event is open to everyone, so come along to see if your favourite wins!

Until then, we will be out on the streets looking for Newcastle's Most Stylish people in the lead up to the NE1 Newcastle Fashion Week events. Check back on Facebook for updates on where we will be located.

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I am currently heavily involved with preparation for Newcastle Fashion Week 2012, so expect future updates and coverage of each event. I'm not in anyway sponsored or committed to blog about events.

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Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow!

A pretty significant beauty release was Benefit's newest Hello Flawless addition. I missed the Manchester celebrations on this, so popped along to the counter in Harvey Nichols a couple of weeks later to try it out.

My make over was done by Catriona who I had met at a previous event, she did such an amazing job. They eye make up was amazing and definitely not something I would have done, but onto the foundation...

I have to start by saying, I love the inclusion of SPF 25. It's rare that I put sun cream on daily - which you really should be doing! - so having such a high protection built in just erases a step. I've never tried this foundation on a night out, so I can't say whether the ghostly-suncream-face is an issue with this. It's great for a day foundation, it's really light feeling and I would say it's medium coverage. Catriona finished it with the Hello Flawless powder which did make for pretty flawless results.

It goes on very dewy. I have combination to dry skin but this makes it look pretty oily when you first apply it. It takes a while to set, even with a finishing powder but I find that it looks better throughout the day.

The pump nozzle is another top point. I love pump applicators as you discover how much you need - I use about one and a half pumps for my whole face - and minimise taking out too much, not to mention, super hygenic!

I got matched to 'Believe In Me Ivory' which is a perfect match. There are only nine shades available, but there is a pretty good selection in my opinion. I would definitely recommend getting a full makeover at a counter though. It allows you to try out the product and find the perfect shade, not to mention an always much needed pamper.

I also had the Hervana  blush used on my lips, which I thought would really dry them out but it didn't. It also featured on my cheeks and the face was completed with the Instant Brow pencil, They're Real mascara and Hello Flawless powder. With the powder and pencil on my lust list for the next make up splurge!

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation is available now at Benefit counters and stores for £24.50

Have you tried the Benefit Hello Flawless foundation?

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Beauty UK #PaintForLife

I can't believe this hasn't been done before as it's such a great idea for such a great cause. Beauty UK, along with help from a beauty blogger have released a pink trio all in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

I think everyone can always do with another pink in their collection, beauty blogger or not, but even with every pink shade under the sun, everyone can always do their bit for charity.

The trio is made up of Hope, Love and Strength. Three beautiful pinks to match the breast cancer pink.

This came about after Beauty UK held a competition for their fans to create their own nail shade. Beauty blogger Sam expressed her desire to have nail varnish for her mum, battling cancer that still wanted to feel pretty. And here you have the developed idea. Something so simple - and so appealing - doing so much. 

Hope--Love--Strength

Possibly my new favourite shade in Love it is my perfect pink and looks great with a tan!

Beauty UK are hoping to raise a minimum of £50,000 this year, solely from this product, please help by picking up a set! I got one of the last two in my branch, I'm glad to see they're already doing so well.

£1 of every £5.99 trio goes directly to the charity and are on sale exclusively in Superdrug nationwide and online.

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Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner

I really thought that nothing would ever replace my MAC Fluid Line, but after keeping it for far longer than I should have, I replaced it. I had already bought the Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner when it first came out, it's finally getting its use.

In all honesty there isn't much between them. Admittedly when the MAC Fluidline is fresh and new, it's a little creamier and goes on a lot smoother but it is essentially the exact same product.

I apply it with my MAC liner brush, although it does come with its own. I just twist the tip of the brush into the product then close my eye to apply it.
The colour pay off with the Maybelline version is a little temperamental and there's the frequent case of quite a sheer line, which rarely happens with MAC. I don't always need to build on it though, so I wouldn't hold this flaw against it. However, for those on a budget, the Maybelline option is a perfectly good product and I would happily repurchase it.

For a high street copy this is near perfect and the only thing that I really prefer in the MAC one is the packaging. Is it just me that loves the noise of the glass pot?! The Maybelline is still in a glass pot, but with a thin metal lid instead of a sturdy plastic one. It travels well and the screw lid prevents it from drying out, although I can't see it lasting as long as the Fluid Line.

As with all gel liners, you need a tiny little bit, so despite the size, it will last a very long time, even if you are using it daily, like I do.

Maybelline Eye Studio is available now for £7.99

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