Melanie Mills is the Emmy Award (the TV equivalent to the Oscars) winning makeup artist and creative head makeup artist for #1 USA TV show Dancing with the Stars.

Where are you originally from?
MM-I was born and raised in 1000 Oaks California… Spent alot of time in Hermosa with my grandma’s

Did you always want to be a makeup artist?
MM-No I did not always want to be a makeup artist, but I always loved makeup and watching my grandma’s and aunt’s paint their faces

How long have you been a makeup artist and where did you train?
MM- I took a 6 week course at sunset and Gower Makeup Academy… However, before this I was visiting friends in Milan and came across a makeup academy and applied… Once accepted my grandma informed she wouldn’t help fund this… Later in the USA I was complaining to my hair lady about the bummer of not being able to go. It had sparked something….. She happened to have a roommate that was a makeup artist and within a week she had me interning with luck on a film. So I really learned on set from other makeup artists..

How many hours do you get to prep the dancers and celebrities for an episode of Dancing with the Stars?
MM-Dancers and celebs have 4-5 hours in hair, body and makeup throuhout the day. I prep and think about the looks all week.

How do you come up with the ideas for the dancers/celebrity makeup looks for the show?
MM-The wardrobe is where I first draw my inspiration I need to battle the glitz of of the costumes.. The type of dance and the music also can lead the direction.. A recent movie or pics from a mag could inspire… Really anything goes….The producers really give me alot of creative freedom and like what ends up on the screen…

What type of products do you use for the show? What are some of your favourite makeup products to use?
MM-We use everything under the sun. But fav’s are St. Tropez.. The spray color is our exclusive color… We also use alot of St. Tropez’s bronzing mousse and perfect legs. We use alot of MAC, Makeup Forever, Laura Mercier, Kevin Aucoin, Bobby Brown, Dior, Armani, Ardell Lashes, Julie Hewitt, Stila, Kryolyn, Skin Illustrator and Smashbox
My fave fave’s are Dior foundation, Laura Mercier secret camoflauge, Armani foundations, Vincent Kehoe pallettes, the Z Palette to hold it all, Mac’s fluidlines and pigments, duo glue, ardell lashes #117,114 and whispies – and makeup forever’s diamont powder and glitters….

What have been some of your favourite celebrites to work on?
MM- Natalie couglin, Shawn Johnson, Toni Braxton, Lil Kim, Heather Mills McCartney, Marli Matlin, Shandi Finnissy, Tia Carrere, Edyta Slivinska, Karina Smirnoff, Sabrina Brian, Joanna Kruppa, Derek Hough, Seal, Jason Taylor, Susan Lucci, Albert Reed, Anna Trabunskia, Blue Cantrell, Stacy Dash, Antoinio Sabato Jr, Warren Sapp, Kym Johnson

What would you classify or define as a Melanie Mills style of makeup? What would you say is your personal makeup signature or technique?
MM- I guess my style is colorful glittery glamour. My signature is…. Big lashy eyes

Are there any new exciting shows or projects that you are working on or lined up for you in the near future?
MM- Other than dancing, I am working on a book

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A while back I was at the Design Museum in London and by chance met the very lovely American fashion designer Caycee Black.  Black designs everything from the buttons to the prints herself, and each print comes either from one of her photographs or paintings.

Did growing up in Texas influence your work?
CB – I think growing up in Texas and spending many summers at my grandparents’ farm gave me a love for nature. In my paintings I play with the juxtaposition how nature is found in the New York city environment.

How would you describe your style?
CB – My style is such a mix of vintage and my own pieces. I like playing with juxtaposition; the obvious bores me. If i wear my organza plaid noir painted dress I mix it with my gentleman’s jacket, colored leg, and vintage 80’s snow boots that could be on Napoleon Dynamite! My wardrobe is an accumulation of pieces I love on their own which I’ve collected from my line to my grandmother’s closet. I then take each piece and bring them together where they create their own story

How long did you study ballet for?
CB – I begged my mom to put me in lessons after seeing my first ballet at age 4. My mom was worried I would be bored but I sat on the edge of that velvet seat the whole time. I can still remember how magical it was to me. I decided when I was 14 not to attend Houston School of Performing arts and to continue my love of ballet as a hobby rather than a lifestyle. I still take adult classes every week at Joffrey School of Ballet’s adult program. It is truly my time to not think of anything else and always puts me in a good mood.

You also studied fine art?
CB – I took art classes every summer as a child as that was my other passion. I was quite shy as a child and that became my way to express myself and gave me comfort. I continued art classes through high school, where my senior year I built my art portfolio to be admitted into Parsons. I was attracted to Parsons as a fashion design school because art curriculum you are put through your first year before you are allowed to enter the fashion design program. I like this approach as it was the way I had envisioned myself designing clothes.

Did you go to Parsons in Paris or New York?
CB – I went to parsons New York for my BFA.

What are your favourite fabrics?
CB – Each season I love taking typically menswear fabrications and making them into feminine bodies. There is something great about this juxtaposition. For spring I took a menswear suiting fabric which is a silk/linen blend pinstripe from Italy and created a jumpsuit with surprising cut outs. This I paired with a coral bow tie blouse is my take on a suit for a woman. I like to play with mens looks in my own way. I had a tuxedo look for fall that was a tux blouse tucked into high waisted bubble shorts that have a cumberbun waistband.

Where do you live?
CB – I live in Green Point Brooklyn. I have a great view of Manhattan and the east river from my roof top.

Do you have pet?
Cb – Umm no I’m trying to responsible I consider my line my child as it is soo demanding! I’m kind of a crazy dog lover and will definitely be getting one when I can!

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For each purchase made in an Esprit retail store worldwide on Saturday 23rd of January, 1 Euro/ 1 USD will be donated to the earthquake victims in Haiti. The total amount raised will go to SOS Children’s Villages Haiti via the "Esprit Cares Trust".

Angel Jackson was set up in 2005 by sisters Katie and Millie Smith. They have been short listed for BFC’s Vogue Fashion Fund and won Topshop’s New Designer of the Year Award!

All Angel Jackson products are produced in their own fairtrade workshops and made from ethically sourced material. Katie is the designer, based in Bristol, with two children and Millie has 3 children, she had her third in Bali and she calls her Ruby Star!  Millie oversees the production in Bali, where they set up their fairtrade workshops. They have a Bali fund that helps 2 charities: street kids and the mother baby fund. Angel Jackson promotes fair pay and contribute to the health care and education of their workers, all of whom have specific creative skills.

I love this snakeskin bag! Every season, Angel Jackson creates a few bags using the by-products of the food industry. (I never realized that snake skin was a by-product, or that snake could be food!) This bag is very tactile and soft. It’s all hand made and the studs are hand done too!

The ethical luxury bags are stocked in Selfridges, Harrods, Henri Bendel, Villa Moda, Galeries Lafayette as well as in a selection of lovely boutiques.

French Vogue recently requested quite a few items including the Seric! naturally many celebrities has been spotted with an Angel Jackson bag including Rachel Bilson, Gaga, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Sienna and Rihanna. I’m sure we’re going to spot a few more bags at  Brits and Elle style awards!

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Anyone familiar with the W Hotel chain will know that their motto is "your wish is our command" and there could never have been a more true wish then to hope for a fabulous LA branch of the Bliss Spa. Bliss spas are little oasis’s of pure indulgent decadence. Plus at this LA Bliss Spa they have super friendly warm California smiles oozing out of every staff member which made me feel extra super special.

I have always been a massive advocate for their triple oxygen treatment for years. When I used to do wedding makeup it was the number one treatment that I recommended for Brides pre-day, as the results for glowing skin are astounding. But, since I’ve just stepped off a plane from NYC and my skin was look dehydrated and dull I decided to go for "The Youth As We Know It‘ facial. My adorable esthetician Christina started this one hour treatment with a cleansing and massage and then she exfoliated my dead skin using a mushroom based enzyme peel which she described may feel a little "spicy". Next a cell-regenerating moisturiser was applied to my face and neck area. Then a soothing collagen mask. I was stunned how this last mask smoothed away my fine lines. In between each product application, a different area of my body was massaged into pure jelly like status to help boost over all circulation. Also what I love about Bliss treatments is that they apply hot towels to open pores rather than stick some horrible steam machine on your face like other facials do. I find steam machines tend to hit one area and then leak a drip of burning hot water onto the forehead. When I left my skin was plumped, dark circles were gone and my acne around my chin was eradicated. My skin has been left so youthful and even-toned that I haven’t needed to wear foundation.

I am in LA  to do makeup on two models for the Golden Globes. The models need to be on par with every A-lister in town to get noticed and it’s my job that they do so. I feel for any big event if you really want to be a step ahead you need a little preparation. Most celebrities in this town will have been detoxed, massaged, manicured, sweated and coiffed every inch before even considering sitting in a makeup chair. The Youth As We Know It treatment is definitely my new number one choice for any pre-red carpet prep. I’ve phoned my clients and told them to book in asap before the event. It will give them flawless results and will make my makeup application a breeze to apply.

For those of you who maybe visiting the LA area this is a definite destination spot for anyone in need of some beauty treatment TLC. They even serve you the most delicious brownies and teas in the lounge area too. They just opened a brand new location in Hollywood!

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