Brighton Festival: Ellie's Ellie's picks! Part 2

We're halfway through one of Brighton's biggest celebrations of the year, and we haven't been disappointed! There's been something for everyone, from fancy dress and book-reading for kids, to plays and live music performances in the city's best-loved venues.

So what's in store for the last few days of one of the biggest highlights in the UK's event calendar?

Nina Conti: This Tuesday, for comedic fun for all the family, don't miss the ventriloquism talents of Nina Conti (along with her puppet friends of course). See a screening of her 'docu-mockumentary" her Master's Voice, alongside a live performance guaranteed to leave both adult and kids wanting more.

Carousel: What goes on at fairground after closing time? You'll find out in this enchanting journey through dramatic movement with an equally enticing soundtrack - meeting all the weird and wonderful characters along with way. For a breathtaking performance of energetic choreography and music, visit the Southpaw Dance company on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 to experience at atmosphere you won't find anywhere else. 

How We Used To Live: This is definitely one for history enthusiasts and vintage lovers. Narrated by Ian McShane, it's a film of rare footage of London from the fifties through to the eighties. See the transformation of England's capital and an insight into its developing nightlife, vehicles and housing. The brains behind the idea and who made it a reality are nineties band Saint Etienne and filmmaker Paul Kelly, who will be on hand to give a special treat to their viewers with a live performance of the intriguing soundtrack too!

www.ellieellie.co.uk 

Brighton Arts Festival!

Brighton Festival is a celebration of theatre, music, circus, dance, literature, debate, film and family events. It's now in its 48th year and takes place in venues across Brighton and Hove for three weeks in May.

It's England's biggest curated mixed arts festival and attracts some of the innovative artists and companies from the UK and the world.

Starting on the 3rd of May, the Brighton Festival has a whole host of different shows, activities and arts to explore. A good way to start the festival is with an explosion of colour and activity with the Children's Parade! With 5,000 young people involved and 83 schools involved, the parade is sure to be a vision of activity and colour.

Different sections of the parade will focus on difference arts, including dance, film and books. With music and dance this parade is going to be a great activity to go and watch next weekend! The parade starts at 10.30am in Kensington Street!

For more about the Brighton Festival, visit the website now!

The Great Gatsby Inspired Makeup

The Great Gatsby was one of the most eagerly awaited films of the past few years and unsurprisingly it's been immensely popular with ticket sales going through the roof. One of the best literary classics of all time written by the genius American author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Set in the roaring '20s during the prohibition, the plot circulates around fortune, idealism, social upheaval and the lengths people will go for love. The novel spells the story of the mysterious Jay Gatsby, a young man of extreme wealth and status and his infatuation with the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby throws giant and luxurious parties, where 'men and women flock like moths' in an array of high fashion and glamour.

The 1920 is famous as the 'flapper' era- brimming with tassels, feathers, diamonds and head dresses. The makeup was bold, glamorous and seductive. Eyes were accentuated with dark smokey eye shadow to give a enthralling 'doe eyed' look that men just coundn't pass. Lipstick was bold, dark and classic - reds and plums that ooze a velvet texture.

The height of 1920 style - smokey eyes, dark lipsticks accompanying no-end of feathers and glitz

 

 

For smokey eyes look no further than Bobbi Brown's Eyeshadow Palletes. We love these dark, dusky grey colours complete with those professional brushes for high class application! Use the darker tones towards the outide of the eye to create that catlike effect, adding the lighter shimmer grey towards the inside towards your nose! Gently blend the colours over your eye with your index finger, just to create a beautifully smooth 'tie-die' effect, rather then a block finish.

Here you can see the effect of the darker shades, blending with the softer grey to open the eye and create that classic 1920 flapper look.

 You can't go wrong with a MAC lippy. They come in so many shades it can take hours to decide on 'the one'. For the 1920 look we vote in favour of 'Diva' a luxurious deep red tone, so typical of that era.

MAC Lipstick in 'Diva' screams glamour and should be a makeup staple! To soften the colour for day time wear, why not add a very slight base of concealer to the lip before application?