Final moodboard for my word

This is the final moodboard for my editorial word photoshooting. GLEAM. 

I have finally decided about the idea that I want to create and I have chosen the galaxy inspired gleam. I will follow the bodypainting idea, but because I didn't find a model willing to pose and stay for the make-up half-naked, I've reconsidered my moodboard and my design and I will do just her face and her neck area, with little to none glitter on her hair. I've abandoned the glitter all over the hair and head because I have thought to put the "falling stars" on her eyes, focusing all the bright glitter there, and when she will pose with her eyes closed the eyes will look like in the big picture in the centre of the moodboard, with glitter falling off her face like a rain of stars, to symbolise the fallen star tail on the sky. She will be all painted in black supracolour and I will sprinkle aquacolour in various galaxy-like colours over, with glitter added everywhere. I will use supracolour as a base so the glitter will stick on her skin easily without any other product use. The lighting setup for this photoshoot will be low-key, and I will use a single light, mainly a beautydish, with two black pannels on the sides to have little to no light spills. If only one light doesn't work, I will add a second light from above, just so I can emphasize and capture the gleam of the glitter. The post-production will focus on saturation and contrast so the galaxy-like colours will pop. I will add blue mascara to emphasize her eyelashes and, as I said, the main focus will be on her eyes while closed. 

Let's see how this turns out. I am very optimistic.

Let's make the pictures shine bright like the galaxy!

Yves Saint Laurent film review

(All about Yves: Inside an Unmissable fashion film)

It was a really, really good film which I enjoyed watching and helped me a lot through my research of his brand. It helped me to understand better the circumstances of his life, what inspired him and mainly how a great designer conceives his pieces of art. It gave me a better insight about his vision and also about the brand vision, because YSL is not only about luxury clothing and accessories but about a certaint lifestyle too, which I think that it's reflected in their ethos, in their brand philosophy.

It gave me a better idea of how the photography and make-up should look like if I had to work for them to reflect the YSL style. Now I am thinking of creating a design that should inspire luxury, desire, romanticism while preserving the mistery of a luxurious lifestyle that not everybody can afford or even bear. Because being an artist is far from being an easy "job".

However, I think that the best way to describe this film as a production is by reffering to those who know how to review one, because I am not that good at speaking about films in general, so here's an article from Vogue about it which I really liked:

"Living with Yves Saint Laurent was not easy, says Guillaume Gallienne, who plays his long-term partner, Pierre Bergé, in a new biopic about the designer. Gallienne lost nearly a stone in the two months that it took to shoot the film, which hits cinemas on March 21.

"It consumed me," Gallienne told us. "That's what I said to Pierre after shooting, 'How did you manage?' He said, 'I was in love. And imagine, it lasted 50 years for me.' I said, 'Dear God.' They loved each other for what they were and not what they wanted the other person to be."

The French film, directed by Jalil Lespert, stars Pierre Niney in the title role and chronicles the designer's legendary career - from the 22-year-old creative director of the house of Dior (Christian Dior instructed the then fledgling designer to succeed him before he died), to the creative mastermind behind one of the most influential and enduring fashion brands in history, changing the way that women dress forever. It is unflinchingly candid, never shying away from the darker side of Saint Laurent's personality. The designer - who is portrayed as fashion's version of Van Gogh - was tormented by mental illness and suffered from manic depression his whole life, making him angry, reclusive, volatile and self-destructive. Bergé, his partner in both business and love, acted as his rock amid the madness.

"Yves was really smart and lucid," said Niney. "Daily things were tough and violent for him. That's where his inspiration and creation came through, but he couldn't handle that. He saw immediately in Pierre the strength that he didn't have. So they were necessary for each other."

"In a letter Pierre wrote to Yves, he told him, 'You brought me poetry; you made me touch; you gave me access to something that I've never felt before,'" added Gallienne. "Yves would fall in love with a piece of art and then he'd buy it because it moved him. But having to take a chequebook out and pay for it… he couldn't understand that, not for a snobby reason, but he would think, 'I'm having such a beautiful moment, don't interrupt me.' Pierre would then be behind him, would pay for it and then get a 20 per cent discount."

The film features many of Saint Laurent's contemporaries, from his muses and collaborators - such as Betty Catroux and the late Loulou de la Falaise - to designer friends including Karl Lagerfeld, documenting the wilder, perhaps lesser-known aspects of their lifestyles. Debauched parties are thrown with Andy Warhol, boyfriends are stolen, drugs are taken and fights are drunkenly fought - it's hedonism to the extreme, but with unromanticised consequences. Although Niney admits that some creative liberties were taken, he spent five months researching his character - talking to the people who knew Saint Laurent the most in order to accurately recreate both his physicality and mentality.

"I spoke to Betty and she was amazing," said Niney. "She didn't avoid any taboos, the drugs, the partying, the cocaine, the alcohol. She talked so easily about Yves it was like he'd gone to the toilet and would be back any minute. I didn't meet Karl, although we were supposed to - it was question of schedule. It's very sensitive and one has to respect people's shyness."

The biopic is one of two films about the designer being released this year; the other, directed by Bertrand Bonello, stars former Chanel muse Gaspard Ulliel as Saint Laurent and Léa Seydoux as Loulou de la Falaise. Bergé has been famously critical towards Bonello's interpretation and has threatened to sue if they use unauthorised copies of the designer's work. However, the businessman, who occasionally still attends the label's shows (he is a big supporter of current creative director Hedi Slimane), has praised Lespert's film, which moved him to tears - such was Niney's striking resemblance to his former lover. He worked very closely with Niney, opening up the YSL archives and allowing the use of original pieces, and was very open about how he dealt with Saint Laurent's illness.

"I couldn't switch off and it wasn't easy," said Niney, who wasn't aware of Saint Laurent's legacy before shooting. "I didn't see my friends or family during shooting; I switched my phone off. I worked with medical professionals. I hope people can appreciate the sadness, the tragedy, but also the positive message - Yves went through his life never being able to deal with happiness, but he turned his suffering into new inventions, new creations for women. He managed to make women around the world happy even if he couldn't be."

"It's the first time in my life I have been moved by a dress," continued Gallienne. "You come out of the film realising that art is not only in museums; that is what Yves would be happiest with if he was able to see this. He brought art to the streets because he decided that women should be masterpieces; they could be a Mondrian, they could be Picassos, they could be avant-garde Ballets Russes beauties. That's his gift."(All about Yves: Inside an Unmissable fashion film)

References:

All about Yves: Inside an Unmissable fashion film (no date) Available at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2014/03/14/yves-saint-laurent-film-review--interviews-pierre-niney (Accessed: 12 February 2016).

Second studio practice

Today we have practice a lighting setup that we previously used in one of Chris's sessions but this time we had to set up the studio all by our own. I have worked in group with Fatima, Chloe, Sian, Grace and Lia and after we struggled a bit to set the studio we finally got some nice pictures which I really like. I think I will use this lighting setup in one of my future photoshoots. We used 50 mm and 85 mm lenses to test out which is best and we all agreed about the 50mm lens.


This is how we set up the studio:

This was me taking pictures:

Here are a couple of results:

First storyboard for YSL

Yves Saint Laurent inspires me luxury, ultra-feminine designs combined with innovation and bold, daring colours apart from the romantic and elegant black. YSL woman is adventurous, edgy, wild, sexy, hedonistic but still misterious and classy. "Respecting the past whilst moving forward, and breaking a few rules along the way." as Lloyd Simmonds would say.

(YSL beauty official @yslbeauty Instagram)

She has this allure and only gives a little bit, taking instead everything that you have got to give. She has an incredible power of seducing only with a glimpse and is not afraid to be driven by pleasures, whether with men or women. If she was a colour, she would be fuchsia - "the quintessence of scandal" (@yslbeauty)

(YSL beauty official @yslbeauty Instagram)

So how I thought about my storyboard? Well, I don't know if I should have uploaded this first storyboard in my final assignment, because the final one is more like a moodboard, but here it is, the result of my first thoughts which conducted me to have an idea about the final make-up design and photography.

What I have understood at first is that a storyboard tells us the story behind the photoshoot, whilst a moodboard is more about the mood of the final result, the lighting setups, the actual stuff that is going to happen at the make-up session and photoshoot. So because I had to create a storyboard for my brand, I obviously thought about creating a story in concordance with the brand's ethos and products and inspired by previous published adverts, and try to reflect that through pictures.

So here's a summary of the story:

Madeleine put her make-up on, emphasizing her beautiful green eyes with a dash of fuchsia eyeshadow under her strong, black, graphic eyeliner. She knew that she's going to do what she planned tonight. She whispered Amelie that she will leave her, but only for tonight, and then she will be back in her arms. Madeleine loved and lusted Amelie so much that she was capable of doing anything for her, just so she will be always happy next to her and never leave. Amelie loved luxury items as much as Madeleine did, but one thing that she loved more were lipsticks. She could have every possible high-end lipstick ever made, but she wanted that one. The object of desire. The quintessence of scandal. The new, limted edition YSL lipstick, that wasn't available for everyone but ony for those who were the elite. Rumours about it were everywhere at high fashion parties, but still nobody was seen wearing or having it. They tried to immitate it, but nothing was capable of reproducing that fabulous gleam, that perfect shine and texture the original had. Madeleine heard that the host of the notorious exclusive party that was going to be tonight might have it, so she wanted to seduce him so she can find out where it is and steal it. Oh, and she only needed to give him a glimpse... It was going to be a "nuit blanche"!

I hope you liked the story and it gave you something more to imagine for yourself!

Here's the storyboard:

Getting back to my design, I was thinking to portray Madeleine as powerful but still very feminine and sensual and last but not least very misterious, because she has to keep a lot of secrets in her mission, doesn't she?! 

So I think I will opt for vibrant, shiny, lips and that's how the picture I'll take reflects the word GLEAM, as well as for a very dewy, glistening BUT porcelain skin. So no real skin to show, just flawless foundation, subtle contour and a lot of beautful highlight. 

And for the eyes I think I will do either a smudgy but soft smokey eye, or for a more daring spring look in the style of both combined Lloyd Simmonds and Isamaya Ffrench a graphic eyeliner with a pop of smudged fuchsia underneath.

References:

• YSL beauty official (@yslbeauty) Instagram photos and videos (no date) Available at: https://www.instagram.com/yslbeauty/ (Accessed: 13 February 2016).
• Instagram photo by YSL beauty official • Sep 9, 2015 at 4: 46pm UTC (no date) Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/7asVkPFIkq/ (Accessed: 13 February 2016).

Favourite three (four) images related to my brand photoshoot ideas - YSL

1. In my oppinion, this YSL advert represents the ideal YSL woman - misterious, sexy, daring - at least enough to wear an intense smokey eye and red lip at the same time! I just love the sleek and perfect look of the hair, the androgynous look suggested by the tuxedo. Also, the colours are very contrasted, the red lips with her snow white skin and the black elegant tuxedo... everything about this picture is perfect. I love the composition, I love how one side of the face is lit and another just dissapears into the shadow, the shine of the hair... I love it! It also helps me understand their make-up style, which is not like Clinique's, very clean and all about the skin, but more about smokey eyes and bold lips, about contratsts and edgyness.

2. That's another look created by Lloyd Simmonds for their highlighter concealer or what that is, which I absolutely adore! Once again, even though the focus is on the flawlessness of the skin and on the gleaming strobing , on the gorgeous skin of the model, it seems quite dramatic to me because of the lighting used to take the picture. It is very YSL-like. I would call thiss "mysterious innocence".

3. The perfection in this picture is just too much. I don't think I can handle that much gorgeousness. Really. Look at that shine! This picture screams GLEAM! That's kind of how I want my model's lips to look like in the shooting, or somehow close to that. Isamaya Ffrench is a genius make-up artist. Love her and her work.

4. Even though I had to comment pictures related to my brand - YSL - I could't resist not commenting about this advert for Tom Ford's Black Orchid fragrance. It is very, very YSL-like and I adore the lighting - I think that there's quite a very dark Rembrandt triangle underneatha the less lit eye. 

"Rembrandt lighting is a lighting technique that is used in studio portrait photography. It can be achieved using one light and a reflector, or two lights, and is popular because it is capable of producing images which appear both natural and compelling with a minimum of equipment. Rembrandt lighting is characterized by an illuminated triangle under the eye of the subject on the less illuminated side of the face. It is named for the Dutch painter Rembrandt, who often used this type of lighting."

Anyway, whether if I'm right or wrong with my unprofessional eye and with my guessing, I think that is pretty inspiring and that's what I aspire to recreate in my future brand shoot!
I love the plum-fuchsia smokey eye paired with the bold lip - again, a defining feature for both brands YSL and Tom Ford. I love those colours, her hair colour is just perfect (actually one day I will have the courage to dye my hair like that), those pretty highlights in her hair and the bleached eyebrows, the purple contour/blush whatever that is, everything is AAAMAZING.


References:

1. la Nordstrom, de (no date) YSL storyboard. Available at: https://ro.pinterest.com/pin/338051515761387455/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
2. la Nordstrom, de (no date) Instagram photo by YSL beauty official • Oct 21, 2015 at 12: 17pm UTC. Available at: https://ro.pinterest.com/pin/338051515761387321/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
3. Instagram photo by YSL beauty official • Nov 23, 2015 at 4: 07pm UTC (no date) Available at: https://ro.pinterest.com/pin/338051515761387311/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
4. STUDIO, S. (2013) Zuzanna Bijoch for Tom Ford black Orchid fragrance. Available at: http://www.beautyscene.net/fragrances-for-women/zuzanna-bijoch-for-tom-ford-black-orchid-fragrance/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
5. Rembrandt lighting (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt_lighting (Accessed: 12 February 2016).

Yves Saint Laurent brand research

As I have known, surprisingly, absolutely nothing about YSL as a brand (ok, I'm exaggerating, I knew only about the lipsticks), I had to spend some time gathering information. And how should I start doing this if not from the bottom? To understand better the ethos of the brand I had to start researching first about the designer himself and about his life. What I found was very impressive which made me want to know more and made me even more excited about the project that I was going to do! I have to admit that after reading about YSL and his work I felt so stupid because I didn't know about him earlier, but better late than never. But the thing is, I have never been that much into fashion until now. I've spent my 19 years looking through magazine pages in a hurry and I've only noticed the make-up, so my sense and knowledge about fashion is actually very limited. But after this university year, I am not planning to stay like that anymore!

Yves Saint Laurent, photographed by Jeanloup Sieff, 1971 (Nast 2011)

Yves Saint Laurent, or Yves Henri Donat Matthieu Saint Laurent (huh!), was one of the most influential European fashion designers, starting from the 1960s to the present day. His early years weren't easy, as he was constantly bullied at school for appearing homosexual. In consequence, he was a nervous and weakly child, understood by nobody. 

He found solace in the world of fashion, in drawing, designing dresses for his mother and sisters, until his mother took him to Paris for a meeting she'd arranged with Michael de Brunhoff, the editor of French Vogue. A year later, he moved to Paris and enrolled at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture, where his designs quickly stood out. He then was introduced to Christian Dior, a giant in the fashion world. Under Dior's tutelage, Saint Laurent's style continued to mature and gain still more notice.

Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent stripped off to become the face of the first YSL eau de toilette for men, Pour Homme, in 1971. He was photographed by Jeanloup Sieff. (All about Yves: Inside an Unmissable fashion film)

In 1960 YSL had to go back to his home country, Algeria, to fight for its independence. He got an exemption based on precarious health status though, but when he came back to Paris, he was ousted from the House of Dior. The news were devastating for the young designer but soon he recovered and sued Dior for breach of contract, collecting 48,000 pounds, and with help from his lover, Pierre Berge, he opened his own fashion house. The rise of pop culture and a general appreciation for the original, fresh designs, Saint Laurent gained even more recognition. 

(Yves saint Laurent changes name to ‘Saint Laurent Paris’ no date)

Over the next two decades, Saint Laurent's designs sat atop the fashion world. His signature pieces were revolutionary and a breath of fresh air in fashion. By the 1980s, YSL was a true icon. Berge continue to manage YSL 's firm even though they have broken up, the fashion house was blooming as a money making machine. 

But the fame didn't bring him only happiness. He was struggling, and he became solitary and addicted to alcohol and cocaine. His vision was altered and he lost many of his admirers who now were criticising him as being obsolete in style. 

In the early 1990s he started to recover and his designs were rediscovered by a fashion elite tired of the grunge movement that dominated the runways. By the end of the decade though, Saint Laurent and Berger sold the company. In January 2002, Saint Laurent participated in his final show and then retired. 6 years later, he passed away. (Biography.com Editors)

(On this day in fashion 2010)

One of the best creations of YSL was the “Mondrian” Dress, inspired by the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian. The Yves Saint Laurent dress launched in 1965 and is definitely one of the most iconic dresses of all time, both for transforming art into fashion and for starting the color block trend, which nowadays is making a comeback! (Most Iconic dresses | most famous dresses 2016)

(Most Iconic dresses | most famous dresses 2016)

Just look how perfect that dress is!

Although Christian Dior's ultra-feminine silhouettes from the 1950s, and the hyper exoticism of Paul Poiret from the 1910s inspired YSL, one of his biggest muses was Coco Chanel. "Chanel affected not only Saint Laurent’s aesthetic, but his entire approach to fashion. He felt by 1970 that Dior’s tradition of unveiling a new silhouette with each collection was out of date. In Saint Laurent’s own words: “Now it is ridiculous to think that clothes must change, that hemlines must change, that women want pants this season and not the next.” In contrast, Chanel’s interest in creating a fashionable uniform or “style” inspired Saint Laurent to search for a “uniform” of his own. As reporters Claude de Leusse and Patricia McColl recounted in Women’s Wear Daily in 1970, “[Saint Laurent] says he’d be perfectly happy to see every woman in the world in the same dress. ‘A uniform for day and a uniform for night.’… It is in essence, the Chanel approach to fashion… Evolution rather than revolution.”"(Nast 2011)

Jean-Luce Hure, photograph of Yves Saint Laurent and models wearing his designs in Paris that appeared on the front page of Women’s Wear Daily, April 24, 1972.(Nast 2011)

In 1972, the picture above appeared on the front page of Women’s Wear Daily. It shows Saint Laurent strutting down the street surrounded by models in his latest designs. Underneath the photograph, de Leusse and McColl declared, “Yves St. Laurent continues the spirit of Coco Chanel. His clothes for the Rive Gauche fall/winter collection are as relaxed and easy as Chanel’s were. But the look is pure Yves.”(Nast 2011)

Helmut Newton, photographs of a model wearing Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, August 1, 1973, Newton / Vogue; © Condé Nast (Nast 2011)

"On the opposite page the same model appears in a similarly styled ensemble consisting of a long knit sweater worn over a high-neckline dress, punctuated by a bow at the base of the neck. The model’s angular, cropped bob completes both looks, and seemingly transforms her into a clone of Chanel herself.

Beyond the examples discussed here, Chanel’s influence on Saint Laurent can be felt throughout his work, from his le smoking tuxedos to his exotic evening pajamas. Chanel’s dedication to creating streamlined, androgynous, and modern garments for women with an active lifestyle inspired Saint Laurent to transform the fashionable wardrobe in the 1970s, and the effects of his developments can still be seen today."(Nast 2011)

(Terms 2016)

But what about Yves Saint Laurent as a cosmetics brand?

"Yves Saint Laurent Beauté also has a notable presence in the luxury beauty market, although this is run independently through L'Oreal Paris that licenses the name."(Yves saint Laurent (brand) Wikipedia 2016)

"Fragrance: the Yves Saint Laurent history of fragrances is punctuated by successes. Ever since the 1964 creation of « Y », more than 50 years ago, YSL Beauté has produced true olfactory sociological markers. A societal dimension perfectly illustrated by the image of Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent posing nude for the launch of his first men's fragrance, Pour Homme, in 1971. Today, many fragrances of the brand have become must-have references both for men, with L'Homme, La Nuit de l'Homme and women, with Opium, Black Opium, Manifesto and Paris.

Makeup offers the highest technology at the heart of a precious case, under the inspiration of Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director Makeup. The YSL Beauté makeup icons include Touche Éclat, Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, Rouge Pur Couture and Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres glossy stain . All hold leading positions in the market of main countries where the brand is marketed.

Skincare unites the most cutting-edge technology with glamour and an ultimate sensorial experience. Forever Youth Liberator and Forever Light Creator skincare lines, based on glycobiology, have enabled the brand to take a position in the countries where they have been launched. Top Secrets, a pioneering skincare range for makeup lovers that presents a simple beauty equation: skincare plus makeup equals a multitasking hybrid of pre and post-makeup solutions for all complexions. The skincare branch of the brand is today conquering the premium skincare territory with its Or Rouge collection that brings together the Glycobiology science and a precious ingredient containing a high concentration of glycans, the pistil of Saffron." (Yves saint Laurent beauty: Perfume, makeup, skincare - L’Oréal group 2015)

So YSL Beaute is owned by L'oreal, which, to be honest, I don't really like. But the "brain" of their make-up designs and sometimes, even of their new products is Lloyd Simmonds with, as far as I've researched, Isamaya Ffrench being the UK make-up ambassador. Other top make-up artists such as PatMcgrath also collaborate with the YSL Beaute make-up team. 

To understand better YSL Beaute as a cosmetics brand and also to understand their vision, I think it's crucial to know about the team of brilliant make-up artists behind. I've mentioned Lloyd Simmonds earlier as being the make-up Creative Director and Isamaya Ffrench the UK make-up Ambassador. Well let's get to know their vision about the brand that they represent!

Love this picture! I want to do one in the exact same style one day! (Lloyd Simmonds - Niven 2011)

"LLOYD SIMMONDS was appointed Yves Saint Laurent's international make-up artist in 2010, and has created stand-out products including YSL's Shocking Mascara and six additional shades of the famous Touche Eclat Complexion Highlighter Pen. He talks to us about what's next for YSL beauty.

Who is the YSL woman?

I think it's the girls who walked the runways way back - the great ladies of the past. They were sexy, but strong and in control. Nowadays it's a modern woman who breaks the rules. For example at the spring/summer 2012 show it was a classic glamorous look but then the eye make-up Pat McGrath made it a little harder - giving it a street edge instead of a beauty edge.

What inspires you?

I'm pretty open to what's around. One of the palettes we did for spring was influenced by a flower I saw in a florist's window, but then on other occasions I'll be inspired by street lights in the rain, oil, asphalt. A lot of the products I'll do will be black but with a colour behind it.

The spring looks are influenced by a candy store I walked past in Paris, where all the sweets were displayed in glass jars - it was so appetising. And that's what I wanted to create for spring - a real sugar rush. It was drama for autumn and now it's much softer, sheerer and prettier for spring.

What do you want to achieve at YSL?

I really want the beauty offering to be coherent - respecting the past whilst moving forward, and breaking a few rules along the way. I've changed a lot of the textures to make them more modern and performance-based, as with our gel blushes. I've tried to keep the glamour high but with more choice. Rather than one red lipstick I've created five. So if you love your strong red lips there's something for you, whilst in the spring range I've created an almost transparent, sheer red that's great for beginners.

So you want to make YSL relevant to more people?

Yes, it's a message of empowerment - giving choice to the woman. These days I think women need armour to navigate this world, and make-up provides that armour. Maybe you're seducing, maybe you're just doing it for yourself - but the aim is to teach women some tricks so they can have fun with make-up."(Niven 2011)

Here's some of Simmonds work for YSL:

I love the fact that he's still classic, very Yves in style, but with a modern and graphic touch! Ah he said, he's " respecting the past whilst moving forward, and breaking a few rules along the way" (Simmonds) which I find absolutely inspiring. 

What about the UK YSL Make-up Ambassador, Isamaya Ffrench? Well, I personally adore her. She's such a stunning artist and I wish one day I could met her or that she will do masterclasses, because I NEED TO GO.

"Who Is Isamaya Ffrench?

Isamaya Ffrench (Niven 2015)

Last month, YSL Beauté appointed Isamaya Ffrench as its new UK make-up ambassador. Well known in the beauty community and boasting an impressive Instagram following of ardent make-up fanatics, Ffrench has bagged this top role at the age of just 25 - so what makes her so special?

Specialising in 3D design at Chelsea College of Arts, Ffrench went on to study Product and Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins as well as joining the Theo Adams Company; a London-based collective of artists, dancers, musicians, actors and singers. Pairing that with a weekend job of children's face painting, she soon realised her love for - in her words - "telling stories" through people's faces, and a make-up artistry career was born. Often trying out her most experimental looks on herself, she isn't afraid to try out a bold colour or an unconventional technique. Here, Isamaya gives us an insight into her world, and what we can expect from her at YSL Beauté." (Niven 2015)

Here's more of Ffrench's work:

If that didn't convince you enough that Ffrench is absolutely amazing then... I don't know what else is amazing for you. Thruth is, I'm ultra-inspired by her edgyness and freshness and everything about her make-up looks. 

How can I not love YSL Beaute then?! How?!

References:

• Nast, C. (2011) Yves saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 70s Blog. Available at: http://exhibitions.fitnyc.edu/blog-ysl-halston/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Biography. com Editors (no date) Yves Saint Laurent Biography. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/yves-saint-laurent-9469669#later-years (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Most Iconic dresses | most famous dresses (2016) Available at: http://www.becomegorgeous.com/fashion-style/celebrity_style/most-iconic-dresses-of-all-time-A12956 (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• On this day in fashion (2010) Available at: http://onthisdayinfashion.com/?tag=yves-saint-laurent (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Yves saint Laurent changes name to ‘Saint Laurent Paris’ (no date) Available at: http://www.creativeboysclub.com/yves-saint-laurent-changes-name-to-saint-laurent-paris (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• All about Yves: Inside an Unmissable fashion film (no date) Available at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2014/03/14/yves-saint-laurent-film-review--interviews-pierre-niney (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Terms, P.I. (2016) Yves saint Laurent. Available at: https://prezi.com/gr97rvn0nkx0/yves-saint-laurent/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Yves saint Laurent (brand) (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yves_Saint_Laurent_(brand) (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Yves saint Laurent beauty: Perfume, makeup, skincare - L’Oréal group (2015) Available at: http://www.loreal.com/brand/l%E2%80%99or%C3%A9al-luxe/yves-saint-laurent-beaut%C3%A9 (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Niven, L. (2015) Who is Isamaya Ffrench? Available at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2015/08/11/who-is-isamaya-ffrench-ysl-beaute-uk-makeup-ambassador (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Niven, L. (2011) Lloyd Simmonds. Available at: http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2011/11/14/lloyd-simmonds-ysl-beauty (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Isamaya Ffrench on YSL’s Touche Éclat from vogue video on Vimeo (no date) Available at: https://player.vimeo.com/video/135875044 (Accessed: 12 February 2016).
• Lipstick, E. (2014) MUA Isamaya Ffrench for i-d magazine winter 2014 by Richard Burbridge. Available at: http://www.eyeshadowlipstick.com/27774/mua-isamaya-ffrench-d-magazine-winter-2014-richard-burbridge/ (Accessed: 12 February 2016).

Studio practice - GOBO and other types of lighting

Today we have learnt another types of lighting: using GOBOs, a big softbox above the model and shooting using coloured gels.. These lighting setups are best for creating dramatic lighting effect, useful, for example, at out gothic horror unit.

"A gobo (or GOBO) is a physical stencil or template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light.
In the design of an artificial environment in which lighting instruments are used, it is sometimes desirable to manipulate the shape of the light which is cast over a space or object. To do so, a piece of metal with patterned holes through which light passes is placed in the beam of light to allow only the desired "shape" or pattern through, while blocking the rest of the light, casting a specific shadow/light into the space." (Wikipedia 2016)

These little things can be borrowed from the hatch.

Examples

GOBO:

GELS:

Softbox from above the model:

References:

• Gobo (lighting) (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobo_(lighting) (Accessed: 11 February 2016).