Mad Max: Fury Road Review

One word - INTENSE! This movie has no low points, it starts revved up and stays fuelled until the very end. Having not seen the original Mad Max, despite being a Mel Gibson fan, I had no idea what to expect with this film. It pounded my senses and left me wanting several more hours of footage. I was excited to hear that Tom Hardy has already signed up to 3 more films.

Hardy as Max Rockatansky was the typical action hero but almost became a prop with the chase taking centre stage. Charlize Theron, Furiosa, was at her best with every look from her full of emotion. It always amazes me how she can show so much through emotion alone, an incredible actress. 

The lack of dialogue doesn't set this film back, it helps with the flow of the film and kept the action at the forefront. Director George Miller had a storyboard before the screenplay was even written because he envisioned one continuous race. This works well visually and makes a feast for the eyes while the score replaces the lack of conversations.

Amazingly over 80% of the effects seen in the film are real which is a nice break from the over-saturated CGI used nowadays. Mainly CGI was used for Theron's prosthetic arm and ofcourse the amazing weather formations. I'm so use to seeing drab colours on the screen when it comes to dystopian films but this was vivid and beautiful. This is a must see in the cinema and I really want to see it again!

I know everyone told me I should see this is 3D but I prefer my movies in 2D and the experience really wasn't any less, just cheaper. 

Fav Quote: Feels like hope.

Cinema: Odeon Norwich

 

First Front Cover

I was so proud to see my makeup artistry grace the front cover of a local magazine - The Norwich Resident - this September 2014. This is my first front cover makeup and also my first published work. It couldn't have happened if I hadn't been asked by a local photographer Rekha Garton to be a part of this collaboration.

I only had 2 days to come up with something and without any practice, just an idea of what I wanted to create I headed to the location of the photographers home where we would be shooting. I used Illamasqua, B. beautiful and Urban Decay to create a single look which lasted through several fashion changes.

As this was for a fashion feature the makeup wasn't neccassarily going to be the focal point but the face did seem to get the most attention throughout the shoot. Metallics are going to be big this Autumn/Winter so make sure you stock up ladies.

This feature was made possible with this great team -

Photography: Rekha Garton

Model: Claire Gaskings

Jewellery: Eclectic Eccentricity

Clothing Designer: Chloe Kent

Make-up: Wendy England

Hair: Sophie Hichinsson 

See the whole feature online free http://www.norwichresident.co.uk 

Wendy x

Norwich Fashion Week Vintage show 2014

 

Last night saw The Puppet Theatre, Norwich come to life for an 18th Century inspired Vintage Show during Norwich Fashion Week. I turned up at 1pm rising into a cloud of hairspray in the dressing room. The hair stylists were busy teasing and back-combing models hair into extravagant updos and everything was running smoothly. As I set up my makeup kit the other makeup artists started to arrive. The Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists were either currently studying or had qualified from Jackie Hamiltons School of Beauty. We were all showing our support of the school by wearing our branded T-Shirts.

 

We had all previously met to discuss the makeup and had decided that the bold white brows and lashes combined with either a pink or orange cheek and lip would stand out the best on stage. Everyone was helping out each other in regards to products - there was a lot of borrowing going on. Which reminds me.. if you took a brush home by mistake (easily done as we had to pack away quickly to make way for clothes) that wasnt yours can you please drop it into the school asap, its very much missed in someones kit, thank you.

 

I was over the moon being the first to pick my model to work on. I snaked outside to where the models were having a much needed break and spotted Jess from a distance and knew I wanted her. Her skin was amazing to work on and the colours really stood out. To book Jess she can be found on Sandra Reynolds Website. The second model of the afternoon was the striking Anna-Maria Green who has the most friendly personality. She's travelled all the way from Bury st Edmunds for Norwich Fashion Week. I used an orange palette on her as I had to alternate colours to make sure there was an even number of pink and orange hues going down the catwalk. Last but not least I was able to get my hands on a man! This was the first time I had ever applied makeup on male skin and he was a sport for letting me. I know it's very odd for a guy if they haven't had makeup on their skin before.

 

I was very happy with the end result on my models. After every ones models were checked under the lights a few models cam back to have their colours brightened. I then shot off home to get changed for the nights performance. I was lucky enough to grab one of the last tickets.

 

The theatre itself was very small but the models made the most of the whole area by walking up and down the stairs. I hold my hands up to them they really had a long day and ended it on a high. Many local designers showcased there businesses from reclaimed fashions to newly designed hats. I even discovered a few brands I didn't know existed in my own home town. I for one will be getting my knickers from Proudlock and Harry from now on. I would really like to collaborate with Mystic Magic as I was blown away by his couture head wear designs!

 

 

A huge well done to all the models, makeup artist, hair stylists, photographers and everyone involved. There's so much organisation that goes into a show like this and I'm proud to say I was a part of it. To read more see today's EDP news.

 

oX Wendy Xo

 

The Hunger Games Catching Fire preview

 

Tonight I was lucky enough to see The Hunger Games Catching Fire before it's release in the UK tomorrow. And..O...M...G!! It was amazing!! I was utterly engrossed and loved every minute of it. The makeup was outstanding. The fashion creations were drop dead gorgeous and the emotion, oh the emotion. It was so much more moving than the first film. I warn you that you will need tissues. Within 20 minutes of the film started tears were rolling down my cheeks. I've only even seen the first film once and yet I felt I knew the characters' like the back of my hand.

 

I was so absorbed in the film that I almost forgot I had handed my phone over before entering the screen. Yes you read that right. Before we were allowed into screen 3 of our Odeon cinema we had to hand over all recording devices. I thought there were cameras in the screen to be able to see if people were being 'naughty'? It was quite scary to think how much we really rely on our phones, I felt lost. I've never seen a screen empty so fast; people were almost jumping over one another to get there phones back. Then ofcourse they were all standing around seeing what they had missed out on in the virtual world over the last 2hrs 30mins.

 

You may have seen from my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram that I had been re-creating Jennifer Lawrence's red carpet makeup for the occasion. Save to say I didn't wear the wig to the cinema but the makeup turned out lovely. It still amazes me how makeup can transform my whole look. My website is now up and running if you'd like to check it out. Still a few creases to iron out with text, links and pictures but it's getting there. The web address is currently www.whereswendy.co.uk but it will be changing to www.wendyenglandmua.co.uk very soon.

 

Goodie bag - East Anglian Blogger Party

How're yer gorn on ther gul? Not to bad? Fair ta middlen?

Did you understand any of that? If you did then you must be born and bred Norfolk. Seriously I don't understand most the dialect and I've lived here all my life. My boyfriend on the other hand was critiquing that first sentence to make sure I spelt it all correctly. Well, you can't not use our Norridge dialect when speaking about the East Anglian Blogger Party. It was the first of it's kind in the East. Most bloggers parties our set either in London, Birmingham or Nottingham - the ones I've heard about anyhow.

Makeup Academy & more makeup haul

It's been some time since I had a haul like this. I'm due to do a photoshoot to build my portfolio on Tuesday so headed into the city to buy some extras to play with. I plan on designing my own eyelashes inspired by the many works of Karla Powell MUA. Fingers crossed they turn out fabulous! My first stop was Chapelfield, Norwich and into Superdrug, boyfriend in tow. I couldn't find what I was looking for so decided to go to the other Superdrug on the street just outside. As I turned on my heels I walked smack into a display (swear it wasn't there before!) much to my boyfriends dismay. I actually cut my arm and walked out the shop at a fast pace, head low. I can be such a klutz sometimes haha thankfully I didn't send products flying (now that would have been embaressing).

Vintage MacLaren handbags

I am a huge lover of anything vintage that was made locally in my home city, Norwich. A few years ago I went to my first flea market and came across a 1950/60's handbag & fell in love. I bought it for £10 and it wasn't until I got it home and had a good look inside that I saw the label.

Open Eve at Jackie Hamilton School of Beauty

This is just a short post as a follow up to my 'MUA in the making' post. Tonight I went to an open evening at Jackie Hamilton School of Beauty where I will be studying starting in March. I was joined by my friend Sheena, who qualified beauty therapist and nail technician, who is supporting my choice to re-start my career.

The school is situated on Dove Street, Norwich and I was surprised to see have an office space adjacent to Pixiwoo!! I don't need to tell you who they are surely. The school was a lot smaller than I expected, simply just one room split into a theory area where all the paper work is carried out and the practical area. The practical drew me in as there were 10 chairs sat next to 10 tables with illuminated back stage style mirrors. I've always wanted one of those! I even had a peek at the makeup set which I will be given on introduction. The tutors were very friendly and informative. Answering all of my questions and in return asking me lots of questions about why I've chosen to study makeup. I was the first one there so received the tutors full attention and browsed the folders of other students. After 20mins the room started to fill up which was my queue to leave.

Makeup Artist in the Making

I finished work today to discover an email confirming my place on a new career path in 2013. I enrolled at Jackie Hamilton's School of Beauty, Norwich starting in March. I will be training to become a Level 2 qualified Make-Up Artist (MUA). It's something I have always had an interest in but thought I would never do!