Hi fashionistas!!

Only 2 weeks to Spring!!!! I am very excited about the arrival of the warmer seasons.

In the last issue of Fashion Statement I shared with you the main Spring/Summer 08 fashion trends which are now appearing in all the stores around town. The new Spring/Summer 08 collection of leather handbags will be available at Blue Maya from September so make sure you check out a preview of them in our Featured Products section!!

Now that you are all frocked up and ready for the Spring weather, you might find that your hair, skin and Winter make-up palette need a freshen up too. So how do you complete the Spring look? We asked celebrity make-up artist Melissa Dempster from 'melli cosmetics' some advice so check out our exclusive interview for some expert make-up tips and tricks.

In this issue I share with you some easy peasy Spring/Summer 08 hair and make-up trends that are seemingly effortless and chic!

As always, we had a great subscriber response to Fashion Statement.

This month one lucky subscriber has the chance to win a lustworthy Condura Metallic Bowling Bag valued at RRP $89.95 (may I mention that this bag is perfect for your gym gear and also as a handbag!) AND in conjunction with the fab folks at 'melli cosmetics' the quintessential make-up item to create a flawless base for your make-up - "VELVET" Silk Perfection Mousse Primer valued at RRP $68.00.

For 2 lucky subscribers there is also the chance to win 2 Greater Union movie tickets each just by sharing any fashion/make-up tips of your own or by leaving some feedback!

See our Competitions section below for more details on how to win these awesome prizes!

The lucky winners of the competitions in our last newsletter are:

• M. Moreira of Victoria scored herself the gorgeous Manzoni Quilted Leather Handbag valued at $150!; and
• C. Pace of Victoria won a 2GB MP3/MP4 player valued at $80;
Congratulations!

Enjoy and keep those tips/stories coming in!!

EDITOR

Hayden Panettiere was snapped looking beautiful as always and carrying this gorgeous Kooba Elisha handbag (RRP US$535.00) while doing her grocery shopping.

You can also look feminine and chic with our stunning Manzoni Leather Bow Handbag (only $210 at Blue Maya but RRP $250) featured here in grey and silver.

Spring/Summer 08 Hair and Make-up Trends

This season it is all about your hair looking effortlessy chic and feminine and your make up should be bright, fresh and light. The 'natural beauty' look is huge and was the underlying element at all major fashion shows!

Your hair and make-up should complement this season's styles being floral prints, bright citrus hues and 70's and 80's influences. Think maxi dresses, wide legged and high waisted pants, voluminous skirts and dresses, soft, sheer and flowy tops in materials like chiffons and silks.

Hair

This season's hair includes variations of the ponytail, voluminous hairdos and beachy waves. No matter which style you choose, your hair should have a natural, breezy, light and feminine feel.

Some hair styling tips to consider:

• The BOB is back this season but it doesn't have such a sharp, structured cut. The cut should gradually mix different hair lengths to add volume and texture.
• If you have a fringe or if you are thinking of getting one - good news - they are hot this season. The fringe needs to be cut to suit each individual's facial shape and personality but do keep it casual, soft and wispy. Shorter fringes bring out the eyes while longer fringes emphasise the cheeks.
• For longer hair, it is all about texture and layers if want that natural, fun look.
• Keep colours natural by blending different shades to create vibrant hair.
• Always make sure you keep your locks healthy and silky. Trim hair regularly to prevent dry/split ends. Use a little hair moisturiser to keep fuzziness at bay and have fun experimenting with your styles!

Make-up

This season's make up will be colourful, bright, bold and playful. Make-up pallettes reflect the colours used in this season's trends look out for bronze, gold, yellow, peach, orange, red, coral red, violet, purple, light blue and green. Don't forget to wear colours that suit your skin tones.

The trend is steered towards the 'natural beauty' look so you can get away with using a little colour on your eyes, cheeks and lips.

Eyes

This is my favourite feature by far. Some tips for eye make-up are:

• Eyebrows are fuller and nicely shaped to give that natural look, make sure you match the eyebrow pencil colour to the mid tones in your hair colour.
 
• Use a mix of eyeshadow colours in the same tone. Always blend the edges of the colours used so that there is a gradual gradient from darker to lighter.
 
• The smokey eye is huge this season. The smokey eye doesn't necessarily have to be achieved with the use of only dark colours - some beautiful smokey eyes can be done in pinks, greens and blues...check out the video tutorial.
 
• Finish off your eyeliner with a little flick! Cats eyes are "in" once again!
 

Cheeks and Face

Because the Spring/Summer 08 colours are quite bold, keep your foundation matte and natural. If you don't like blush then use bronzer powder, which is also matte this season.

The best way to achieve a bright, fresh look is with flushed cheeks. This is a must this season. A peachy pink blush will look great for both day and evening looks and will go well with almost any lip colour.

Lips

If you are going to go with the smokey eye look then keep lips nude. Use a lipstick that matches your natural lip colour and put coats of matching gloss over the top so that the sun will dance off your lips!

If you are more daring, you will love the new season's lipstick colours. The biggest trend is coral red, fuschia, orange and pink. These are pretty bold colours so you don't want to overdo the eye make up.

This month we have interviewed Melissa Dempster, Australia's most sought after film, television and red carpet make-up artist and founder of 'melli cosmetics', the number one requested make-up range by professional make-up artists in Australia.

Celebs to have tried and fallen in love with melli cosmetics include: Isabel Lucas, Danni Minogue, Katie Fisher, Natalie Gruzlewski, Georgie Parker, Sami Lucas, Tracey Grimshaw, Jaynie Seal, Georgie Gardner, Holly Brisley, Toni Pearen, Amanda Flynn, Gina Jeffreys and Bessie Bardot.

The current collection features highly pigmented eye shadows in unique and age-less colours, silky textured foundations, blushes that give you ‘that’ afterglow, super shiny lip glosses, eye-popping mascaras and eye liners, as well as mattifying powders and foundation sticks all wrapped up in elegant packaging that will make any beauty junkie jealous. It bridges the gap between professional make-up artistry and DIY.

1. How did you get involved in the make-up industry?

I knew from about the age of ten after watching the Wizard of Oz that I wanted to be a make-up artist working in the TV and Film Industry. In high school my work experience was at a make-up College - I was hooked! I went on to study make-up and worked my way up in the industry eventually landing work at a major television network.

 2. You have developed your own range of cosmetics, tell us more about your products and what makes them great.

I had forever been mixing concoctions of colours for the talent that I worked on and they would often lust after the colours I had created. It was a gradual realisation that my own range was where I was heading and in 2005 I created melli cosmetics. The colours in the range are all amazing. Even the neutrals are far from boring but still very wearable. I completely understand how girls want to look when they are made up and quite often it’s that fresh red carpet glowy look that I am well known for. The melli range delivers this look and more.

3. What make-up items would we find in your handbag?

If I discover I have forgotten to place my eyelash curler in my handbag I go into a panic - it's my absolute favourite item! My Hero product, Velvet - this is a mousse based primer that fills in my pores and makes my skin look bright and silky ... great for touch ups throughout the day. And my melli Bling Lip Gel - I love that it gives my lips just a hint of colour but is super glossy.

4. What's the biggest mistake women make with make-up? What tips/advice can you give us?

Not blending their eye shadow and hard, uneven eyeliner. The best eye make-up is defined, but still soft and blended. You don’t want to see where one colour starts and another finishes - that’s the secret to a beautiful eye make-up. For soft eye liner on the lower lash line the trick is in the way you hold the brush - hold it vertically and come up and under the lashes and smudge lightly back and forth. Even if you use a pencil it still should be softened.  From here, you can still go back in and add for more definition but keep the depth of the colour on the outer edges.

5. What are the main make-up trends for Spring/Summer 08?

There are a few distinctive looks this Spring/Summer - bronze eyes are huge along with coral gloss on the lips. Red lips will also play a big part.  

Eighties brights are back! Purple, green and blue eye shadows are a must, but if you choose to do a colourful eye, make sure that the skin is matte and the lips are nude.

6. Where can we buy your products?

Shop online at www.mellicosmetics.com.