Tag Archives: Maxwell Leclerc

Stylish Sundays: Intersections

Fashion and Happy Things!   Stylish Sundays: Intersections

Top: The Limted, Jeans: Aeropostale, Shoes: Old, don’t know the brand but I bought them from Alloy Necklace: H&M

I wore this early last week, because I was finally feeling a bit better and wanted to be dressed and feel pretty, but I still wanted to be comfortable. This fit the bill perfectly. I don’t think I’ve ever worn this top on the blog before, but it is one of my favorites and I always feel amazing in it. I am still really loving my hair. And upkeep has been insanely easy so I’ll be doing a post on that sometime next week or the week after hopefully. I feel like I’ve been neglecting both my blogs so so so much recently because of how busy I am, and how sick I’ve been. However I’m killing it on Tumblr so if you want to follow me there you can. It’s what I do late at night when I should be sleeping, but just can’t.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Stylish Sundays: Intersections

Hair: Curled with 2 inch Conair Curling iron, color: Color Ion Brilliance Brights Fuchsia.

On My Face: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Foundation (I’m almost out of my Nars foundations so I’m wearing this to use it up before it needs to be tossed), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush on the apples of my cheeks and The Balm’s Hot Mama from the apples to my temples, with a light brown from Maybelline’s the Nudes Palette as my contour, and The Balm’s Mary Lou Manizer to highlight. Eyes are the champagne color from the Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette, Makeup Forever Eyeliner on my tightline and Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara because Maxwell has me addicted to it. Lipstick is Nyx Tea Rose with Lancome’s Coral Rush Juicy Tube over it.

I adore this necklace I bought from H&M because I’m a really big fan of intersections and the lower letter T.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Stylish Sundays: Intersections

I always forget I have these shoes. Which sucks because I love them, despite the fact that they eat my heels. I bought these years ago, before the whole loafer trend started, because the Nancy Drew movie had just come out and I really like Nancy Drew. Really that says how old they are. I’m pretty sure I bought them on sale from Alloy, and I haven’t shopped there in ages.

Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I had the opportunity this weekend to make an appointment with and interview my friend Maxwell Leclerc.

For those of you that don’t know, Maxwell is a makeup artist, who studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and he is a Beauty Adviser/Color Expert for Sephora in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. You can find Maxwell on Instagram here.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

My questions will be in italics and all of his answers are his own words. We decided it would be amazing for him to do a makeup look on me, using his absolute must have products. There are pictures from that session, interspersed through the interview.

 How long have you been doing makeup, and what got you started?
I’ve been working in cosmetic medium for approximately 5 years, but I have spent my entire lifetime exploring the beauty and aesthetics of women since I can remember. I specifically remember seeing a Playboy at age 3, and that must be where the interest stems from. My grandfather was an artist and his home was filled with sculptures and paintings of the nude femme body. I was obsessed… The hair, the makeup, the flesh. I also recall my mother wearing incredibly stunning and dramatic makeup throughout most of my childhood and teens. I always just wanted to somehow capture and create work that represented my strong affection towards beauty and women. My primary work as an illustrator has always been faceted by strong ideals of beauty and sexuality, so it is entirely inherent that I became a makeup artist.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I’ve seen some of your paintings on Instagram and they’re gorgeous, how long have you been painting?
I have been painting since I was a child. The Little Mermaid was my first dose of inspiration. All my stick figures had red hair! In High School I won a national Scholastic award for a series of 27 illustrations I did from Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’urbervilles, and then attended the Art Academy for 4 years. Once I realized I wanted to do makeup full time I dropped out right before graduation and my true pursuit of  beauty began to blossom.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

What other Artists are you inspired by?
So many! I’ve always been inspired by the work of Alberto Vargas, Aubrey Beardsley, Eduard Manet, Halston, and McQueen of course… These artists’ aesthetic of beauty have gravely influenced how I’ve shaped my own.

As a Makeup Artist, what are some of your must have products?
Must haves: Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, Make Up For Ever Smokey Extravagent Mascara, Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes shadow pencil in ME-54, urban decay Naked 3, Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, Nars contour Bronzer Duo in Olympia, Hourglass femme rouge velvet cream lipstick, makeupforever aqua lip liner, and Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer lip gloss.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

Products shown and used: Nars Radiance Enhancing Pro Prime, Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Makeup Forever Aqua Matic in ME54, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eyeliner in Jazzberry, Urban Decay Naked Three Palette the colors:Strange, Buzz and Trick, Darkside, Marc Jacobs Full Coverage Creamy Concealer in Awake, Makeup Forever HD Setting Powder in Translucent, Nars Blush in Unlawful, Nars Bronzer in Olympia, Nars Highlighter in Albatross, Makeup Forever Rouge Artist in #22 Pink Peach, Marc Jacobs Lust for Laquer in 306 Sweet Escape, Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara in Black

 

Of course, since this is a Fashion Blog at heart, what is your go to outfit for when you’re running late?
When I’m running late I like to combine something comfortable with something chic. An easy look is best to relieve anxiety of already being late so I like to wear a wife-beater with a cool blazer and a pair of jeans or running sweats.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

And finally I know you’re a movie buff, what is your must watch movie list?
Melancholia, Under the Skin, Nymphomaniac and Matilda

And here’s the final look:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

and outside in the daylight:

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

I plan to buy everyone of the products that he used that I don’t currently have. They’re amazing. And a very sincere thank you to Maxwell for agreeing to this crazy interview. It’s rare you get to work with someone who’s not only talented, but incredibly intelligent as well.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Interview: Maxwell Leclerc, Makeup Artist

 

A Little Luxury

Every once in a while I buy something just for the luxury of it. Something that’s just lovely to use, and there’s no real need for it, except it’s nice and it makes you feel good to use it.

This haul is a result of one of those times.

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

I went to Sephora, had a super quit chat with Maxwell, a couple weeks ago and picked up this Dior polish and one of the YSL Gloss Voluptés

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

This polish is gorgeous. The wear time isn’t outstanding, but the color makes up for it. And the name Bouquet makes it flawless for spring. I’m completely happy with it.

Fashion and Happy Things!   A Little Luxury

But this is my favorite. I went in looking for a lipgloss, and even though he was busy, Maxwell escorted me to the YSL section to look at these. YSL lip products are my weakness and I instantly fell in love with 3 shades. Since $90 worth of lipgloss would have been a bit much, I asked Maxwell to help me choose and we settled on Grenade Pépite. It’s a gorgeous watermelon pink that is flawless for spring and summer. I’ll have a full review on it soon, because I adore it.

 

Spring Luxuries

On Saturday, while we were waiting for Howl to be groomed, I decided to stop in Sephora to see Maxwell and to see if I could get a look at the NARSskin line in person. Unfortunately they didn’t have it, so I’m going to order when their 15% off sale starts. But I still managed to pick up a few necessities.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

Actually none of these are necessities. They’re all Princess products, if I’m being honest.

After wandering the store, chatting with Maxwell and trying lip colors. I tried 3 different ones before deciding on Rose by Hourglass

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

I was torn between this one and Sweety and Satsuma by Bite, but they ended up being to bright, and I just really liked this one.

I also picked up the Jose Maran cleansing oil and Argan oil set at the checkout.

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

I’ve used the cleansing oil before, I adore it, and I’ve had a sample of the oil before which I liked so these will make a good temporary solution until I order the NARSskin products.

The last thing I picked up is what I’m most excited about. The Marc Jacobs Lolita Palette.
It comes in this lovely pouch

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

And I took far to many pictures of this palette

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

But every detail is just so lovely

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

Down to the liner protecting the shadows

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

And the shadows themselves are just stunning

Fashion and Happy Things!   Spring Luxuries

I haven’t swatched it yet, because I’m still sick and I just want to wait until I’m feeling better. I’m really excited about this palette, because normally I don’t spend money on eyeshadows. All of the Lancome ones that I use I actually got for free. So this was a complete luxury purchase for me. I’m so in love with this palette, it’s just flawless. I can’t wait to use it, and I hope it lives up to the hype, I’ve heard on youtube. If not I can disappointingly, but thankfully, return it because of Sephora’s amazing return policy.

Now I’m off to watch my brushes and watch something girly on Netflix.