Melbourne makeup artist and hair stylist Kristy Bassett shares her tips, inspiration and latest work
Caterina, our host in Verona, is the best and here's proof: I got back from breakfast this morning and she was waiting at our door...
SO SHE COULD TAKE ME SHOPPING!
Last night while we were at dinner together I had mentioned a shop that I like, so today she organised to take me to their outlet on the outskirts of town. Shoes and bags here we come!
OMG I am so excited right now!
Surprise shopping face
Amo scarpe e borse
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makuep Artist
Today I'm in Verona, the city of love.
Being here reminds me of "Letters to Juliet" where a group of women spend their days answering letters of hope, love and heartbreak that are sent to Juliet from all over the world.
I <3 Juliet and Verona. Here's my tribute to them...
Amanti sfortunati
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I'm going to Verona
Here's a wet look for you
I love this lipstick! Bronze Shimmer by Mac.
Pettinati all'indietro
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
For the last few days we've stayed in the historic Unicorn Apartment near Lecco. It's a family estate that has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years and a total inspiration.
I've seen my fair share of stunning wedding venues as part of my bridal hair and makeup adventures but this place is next level - they host wedding parties for guests in their thousands, all summer long.
I was chilling out admiring the antique furniture and stone hewn walls of our space when a 1960s fashion mag caught my eye. I flipped through and quickly discovered my inspiration for today.
The Inspiration.
Start with blow-dried hair with a soft wave.
Apply foundation with a brush then concealer and blend. Draw a semi circle along the socket line and connect with the outside corner of the eye.
Repeat this on the second eye and about half way along the bottom lash line and blend.
Set the eye lid with a neutral colour and the socket line with dark brown Viseart cool matte palette. Apply loads of black mascara. Lips are muted down with concealer and set with pale pink from Viseart cool matte palette.
Define brows thinly and lightly contour cheeks with Mac Mineralize Medium Dark.
Section out the top part of the hair in a semi circle shape from the recession areas.
Take another semi circle section behind the first and secure with a hair band. Tease.
Roll teased section into a large padded bun and pin into place with bobby pins.
Section out the front sections from ear to ear, roll the back section into a french roll and secure.
Comb out the fringe section with a centre parting and cover the padded bun with the remaining hair. Secure with bobby pins.
Sleek the fringe section down and secure with bobby pins.
Pin up each side and secure with bobby pins.
Spray!
Moda dagli anni Sessanta
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
We've meandered north of Milan to visit Lake Como, a popular summer spot amongst Italiani and a home away from home to George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
Como's also famous for providing the backdrop to the Talented Mr Ripley, in which a certain gliterrata played by Cate Blanchett worked a look just like this one...
Stella del Lago di Como.
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
I'm writing from Lake Como today and we've got a train to catch. I've got five minutes and a pocket square so let's get into it...
On the move ;)
Toot! Toot!
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
I’m rolling with a classic today - the Gibson Roll. I caught a glimpse of a Milanista rocking their own Gibson earlier in the week. She caught my full attention because I was a little bored while waiting for my husband to cruise through the concept store at Corso Como. While I was sipping my iced tea, I glanced up and there she was. Now, I’m bringing it to you…
Un classico con un tocco. Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
Sometimes there is no clear direction.
I woke up this morning with no clear idea of what to do with my hair and makeup for you. I had coffee and no clear direction. I had breakfast and still no clear direction. I procrastinated with my little girl and yep, no clear direction.
I started playing and this is where I landed.
Monday morning bed hair - literally no clear direction.
Set top of hair with H2D large curling wand.
Loosely plait remaining hair.
Pin plait into loose side bun.
Unpin the set hair.
Loosely twist the side section and pin.
And repeat on the other side.
Ta-da!
Now for the makeup. Apply tinted moisturiser, light cream blush and Mac Untitled paint to the lids.
Soft contour of the socket with Viseart cool matte palette and black mascara.
Apply lipstick in Mac Half And Half.
And for today, this is where we find ourselves!
Kisses, K
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist
Buongiorno Ragazzi! A friend of mine has asked for proof that I rock out these looks on the streets of Milan. I'm rising to her challenge and showing my own loyalties for this weekend's big football match; the Derby Della Madonnina between Inter and AC Milan.
My husband is an Interista, so I'm rocking out my blue, black and white to show my support!
A mia casa in nerazzurra.
In the Castello Sforzesco in front of the St George Cross and the Biscione - both symbols of Inter!
And a little bit of fashion for fun.
C'e Solo Inter! Pazza Inter!
Today I'm going to demonstrate how a little bit of hair and makeup magic can make a big difference. This is all about working with your natural features to pull off a striking change.
Before: hair, makeup and me
Curl hair with H2D small conical wand.
Apply Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation with brush.
Highlight the face with white foundation and blend.
Add concealer under eyes and on any blemishes then blend.
The highlighted face.
Contour with Ben Nye Character Shadow and blend.
Set with Mac Mineralize Natural Skin Finish in light and medium dark through the contours. Highlighting and shading defines the face and emphasises your features.
Highlight on the cupids bow using Makeup Forever Aqua Shadow in 28E; lipstick is Mac in Peachstock.
Apply blush - Mac Pinch O' Peach.
Fill in the eyebrows using a firm angle brush and eyeshadow. Apply eyeshadow above the crease line and slightly on to the brow bone both using Viseart cool matte palette.
Deepen eyes in the crease line with a darker shade of eyeshadow using Viseart cool matte palette.
Using a wide tooth comb, comb the hair. What the?! Comb curly hair? Never fear, this will break up the ringlets and give a natural curl finish. Tame the frizz by adding a 10 cent piece size of Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancing Cream to the palms and work through the hair.
The finished look.
Prima e dopo.
Kisses K,
Melbourne Hair and Makeup Artist.