A peachy, gilded beauty look: Hibiscus

Photographer Simon Ackerman creates a beautiful expression of bare skin and bare beauty in this exquisite portraiture shoot. Rather than the apparel that covers the body being the focus of the shoot, Ackerman draws attention to the body on which that apparel would sit, and the beauty of the face. Model Michelle Hicks’s soft creamy skin, ocean blue eyes and lips withholding unspoken words, create focus and are defined as where the true beauty lies.

The delicate addition of a low rolled hairstyle studded with flowers – created by Darren Bay – is symbolic of the delicacy found in the curve of the natural female form. Meanwhile, the beauty look by Lindsay Cullen is a picture of blushing femininity that mirrors the colours of the petals.

For steps on recreating the makeup look, read on after the break.

Eyes.

This look uses a beige/neutral base and a gold pigment. Lindsay applied ‘Ricepaper’ eyeshadow by MAC on the brow bone and OCC pigment in ‘Flicker’ at the crease.

Line eyes at the top of the lash and bottom waterline with a brown liner to compliment the gold tone. Lindsay used ‘Coffee’ eyeliner by MAC.

Take an eyeliner brush and swipe just above the top lash liner with an orange/gold shimmer such as Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) ‘Mimosa’ pigment.


Finish with two coats of mascara (for the shoot, Full ‘N Soft waterproof mascara by Maybelline was used).

Brows.

Frame your face with a heavier brow using an angled eyebrow brush and the same brown eyeliner applied throughout the brow.


Lips.

This look compliments the golden hues of the eyes with a coral-peach lip. Lindsay mixed Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) lip tars in ‘Interlace’ palest crème peach and ‘Trollop’ pinked coral.


Finishing touches.

To finish off the look, give the cheeks a rosy-bronze flush. For the shoot, Lindsay used Chanel blush in rose bronze and Laura Mercier bronzer on the apples of the cheeks.

Written by Chevaun Roux for www.fashionising.com 

© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved

www.simonackerman.co.uk 

The girl’s got style: Rachel by Simon Ackerman

There’s a particular magic that’s formed at the place where two eras collide. Or in this case, three, if you count the here-and-now.

Combining contemporary youthfulness with retro ’70s-inspired glamour is a shoot by rising photographer Simon Ackerman, working with a creative team who turned a straightforward portrait of model Rachel Validum into a picture of freshness and strong femininity.

Hairstylist Jill Schnapp added her love of the “Deco Decadence” of the 1920s into the mix, merging an edgy pompadore with a textured side braid or coaxing two twirly pigtails out from under a chic black hat to create styles that borrow from multiple eras without subscribing specifically to any.

  

Makeup artist Crystal Watkins played perfectly to Rachel’s features and colouring, contrasting her velvety dark skin with the boldest red lipstick and adding a flick of black liner and white shimmer to her eyes.

The era collision of the ’20s and ’70s comes into play again in Amelia Schussler’s flirtatious styling: Deco-inspired jewels atop plunging necklines creating an element of night-time glamour, while a perfectly on-trend black and white patterned crop top paired with high-waisted black pants is the vision of what this ultra-cool, modern-day glamazon would wear during the daytime hours.

Words by Tania Braukamper at www.fashionising.com


Photographer: Simon Ackerman

Hair: Jill Schnapp @ www.jillschnapphair.com | www.davidryansalon.com

Model: Rachel Validum @ MC2 - NYC Model Management

Make-up Artist: Crystal Watkins @ www.themakeupboo.com

Wardrobe Stylist: Amelia Schussler @ www.ameliaschussler.com



© Simon Ackerman 2013 - All Rights Reserved
www.simonackerman.co.uk