Dolce & Gabbana Beauty in Milan

I’ve just spent the weekend getting up-close to Dolce & Gabbana – both fashion and beauty – in Milan. The two big highlights of the weekend were the Spring 2014 show and the Pat McGrath masterclass where she took us through some of the catwalk looks and trend predictions for spring 2014. Sometimes it takes something like this to bring a beauty brand to life – I see a LOT of make-up and it can be quite difficult to get excited about one product over another. However, Pat is a master at enthusiasm (she was so tired her voice was all croaky but she still managed to inject passion into the class – there are short videos over on Instagram HERE) so its little wonder that everyone loves her.

D&G Pat McGrath Class

The master-class was brief – the spring show was only a couple of hours away so how she had time for it in the first place, I don’t know! The two beautiful models were already made up so we didn’t see Pat in action because she was just talking through the looks BUT she couldn’t resist covering her hand with swatches to demonstrate! This wonderful lady loves beauty through and through.

On Saturday evening (the show and masterclass were on Sunday) we were treated to a make-over by a D & G make-up artist (I was completely thrilled to discover that my make-up artist read my blog – we ended up going through my make-up bag for things she’d read about) and I was persuaded to do a red lip. Now, I am totally bright lip shy – and also completely selfie shy (there can only be about five selfies of me, ever) and I’m going to do a YouTube about that subject, but she managed to persuade me that a really strong red lip would be fine. And, I think it is… I think… But, the main focus was Passioneyes – the new mascara (HERE) which I put on my bottom lashes for gorgeous spikes that didn’t flake, smudge or disappear throughout the entire evening.

Oh yes, we did! The other UK blogger on the trip was Kate from Gh0stparties (HERE) who was so helpful with all my techie issues (finding WIFI in Milan is like looking for a needle in a haystack) and just great fun to be with, but I also saw old friends, such as Megan from Refinery 29 (US) and met some new blog friends – Nilo from JeddaBeauty.com (HERE) from Saudi Arabia.

Key learnings from the trip? Don’t go to Milan without a pair of black shoes; don’t think you can’t wear a red lip, embrace your inner animal print goddess and find yourself the smoky, purple-burgundy Intense Khol Eye Pencil, Dahlia (HERE), mix it with a little bronze shadow and get the sexiest eyes in the world.