BEYOND ALEXIS

14 Dec, 2014

Model, Instagram sensation, and Cali-babe Alexis Ren talks all things beauty while playing on the shores of iconic Bondi Beach in a “Puberty Blues” inspired shoot.

While this is Alexis’ first trip down-under she could definitely be mistaken as a local, until you hear her West Coast accent. With tanned curves, tousled beach waves and a love for the sun and sea, Ren is in her element as she works on the water’s edge lifting her face enjoyably up in to the sun to give photographer Jordan Graham the right light.

With a shared passion for tousled salty hair, golden sun-kissed skin and the search for the ultimate tint or stain, it made perfect send for me to try out the Season’s hottest stains, tints, Bronzers, and texture sprays on the Cali-beauty.

With a handful of must-haves and beauty rituals of her own, Ren with her signature up-lifting positive attitude, freely shares her own do’s and don’ts – it’s clear why she has become such an inspiration to so many girls.

BEAUTY CREDITS – opening image

Skincare; Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, Skin; Ellis Faas Concealer S204 Tip; Only cover the parts of your skin that absolutely need it- i.e. under eyes, around the nose, and on any spots. Lashes; YSL Doll Eyes Mascara Tip; Don’t forget to curl. Brows; Alison Jade Brow Palette & Clear Brow Fixx – to fill in any gaps and set in place, Cheeks; Becca Beach Tint Shimmer Soufflé in Lychee/Opal; Lips; Curtis Collection Mineral Lip Mousse in Rasberry, Tip; Blend into the lips using your finger to make more of a stain, Nails; Mecca Cosmetics Nail Polish in Cobalt.

HAIR CREDITS

Prep; I rough dried label.m Volume Mousse through the roots of Alexis’ hair. Use your fingers to rake the mousse through and lift each section of the hair while drying the product through. Note; The more lift you get at the roots the more the hair will move freely. Tip; Try flipping your head up side down and hitting the hair with the cool air so to set the volume in.

Set; Picking up random pieces of hair I wrap it around a smallest size tong on my H2D Curling Tong X3. Tip; Before you drop each piece to cool give it a good shake from the end of the hair. This gives you that tighter ripple without it being a curl. Note; I sprayed each section with label. m Heat Protection Spray.

Finish; Don’t be afraid to go back over any section you have already worked on – this is what will help you build that natural inconsistency you see here in Alexis’ hair. Once you are happy with the amount of wave, lightly spray the mid-lengths and ends of your hair with Shu Uemura Mineral Texture Spray. Allow it to dry before raking you fingers through lightly (no more than ONCE) to break it up so it can move naturally!

WET BEAUTY CREDITS

Skincare; Dermalogica Super Sensitive Shield SPF30, Skin; Ellis Faas Concealer s204, Eyes; Lancome Hypnose Star Waterproof Mascara, Cheeks; Becca Cosmetics Cream Blush in Geranium, Lips; Rimmel London Lasting Finish Colour Rush in Drive Me Nude,

CREDITS

Photographer; Jordan Graham for Maxmade.com.au, Stylist; Nadene Duncan at DLM, Hair & Makeup; Max May at DLM, Model; Alexis Ren at Chic Models, Graphic Designer; Jake Stollery at jakestollery.com