Born in the Netherlands to a family of couturieres, chemists and beauticians, Ellis was soon doing the makeup for Mario Testino, Karl Lagerfeld and French Vogue, and designing makeup for big name brands. In 2007 she launched her eponymous brand - a selection of clever makeup 'pens' that release just the right amount of each liquid product, created to echo the body's natural water content. And it's all kinds of cool. Meet the legend herself: Ellis Faas.

 

What or who inspires you?

The people I work with.

 

How do you conceive your products?

First on myself and after that on models.

 

What's been your proudest moment?

Getting top grades at make up school.

 

Which part of the creative process is your favourite?

Creating the colours and fine-tuning them in the laboratory.

 

What is it about London that inspires you?

The creativity in the streetlife.

 

Which other beauty product do you wish you'd created?

Crealine Cleansing Lotion.

 

Who makes up your dream team on a shoot?

Cate Blanchett shot by either Peter Lindbergh or Mario Testino, with Patti Wilson styling.

 

What have you got coming up? 

We just introduced the Clips, that increase the portability of our products. and next spring we're introducing seven new shades in Creamy Eyes, a textured eye colour.

 

 

Text: Grace Timothy

Hourglass arrived in the UK as a beneath-the-radar collection which came with the faint whisperings of a cult following in the US. Weeks into its presence in Liberty and at Zuneta, it had established itself as the coolest thing to happen to cosmetics this year. Check out Kay Montano using lots of the now bestselling products in our Beauty Tutorials, and meet CEO and founder, Carisa Janes.

 

What or who inspires you?

Art mostly but also music, my dogs and living by the beach in Venice, California.

 

How do you conceive your products?

Since we rely on cutting-edge ingredients, most of them are born in the lab. During the process all the girls in the office, myself included, become willing guinea pigs. We have an exhaustive approach to testing new products, shades and textures.

  

Which one product could you not be without?

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. It eliminates redness, softens fine lines and pores, and creates a smooth canvas for your makeup. Plus it has SPF 15. I wear it every single day.

 

What is it about London that inspires you?

So many things in London move me: Architecture, street style and the women and their love of makeup.

 

Which other beauty product do you wish you'd created?

I wish I'd invented mascara. It's such an indispensable item.

 

Who makes up your own beauty entourage?

Brows: Tonya Crooks; facialist: Diana Podeanu at Ma Maison de Beaute; hair in NY: Rachel Coppola at Prive Salon; hair in LA: Nora Mercado at Umberto.

 

Who makes up your dream team on a shoot?

We work with a rotating team. Gina Brooke, Madonna's makeup artist, is our incredible Artistic Director. Last season we shot with an amazing photographer called Donna Trope, and she's a genius when it comes to beauty images. 

 

What's next?

In the spring, we're releasing our third foundation which is a godsend for those with oily complexions. Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation is so mattifying is does away with the need to be constantly touching-up your makeup. It also has clinical levels of two amazing new anti-ageing ingredients.

 

Text: Grace Timothy

If you go to Percy & Reed for a short back and sides, you're sure to sit there with your mouth hanging open as A-lister after A-lister gets their hair coiffed by Paul Percival, Adam Reed and their team of talented stylists. Last time I was in there, Noel Gallagher had his signature mod mop trimmed. These two have also launched their own haircare and styling range this year, and are now in the midst of a salon refurb. Theirs are the names to know in cult hairdressing. Meet Percy & Reed.

 

What or who inspires you?

PP: Passionate people who have the drive to achieve the highest standard of work.

AR: There are so many people and things that inspire me - Guido Palau for his amazing and inspirational work.

 

What's been the proudest moment in your career?

PP: Walking in to Space NK and seeing Percy & Reed products on the shelf.

AR: Yes, seeing the Percy and Reed 'hair' range in Space NK Covent garden was amazing. We had spent 2 years developing the range so to see it on shelf was a great experience. Then to hear the team in store singing its praises was fantastic!

 

Who do you love to style?

PP: People like Marina and the Diamonds and the Hurts, as they are always up for trying something new.

AR: I love working with Sophie Dahl and Diane Kruger - they are both so classically beautiful and they wear their hair so well in any style. 

 

What about London inspires you?

PP: The history. There are so many new cities - New York, Sydney - but London has heritage.

AR: The realness of London is what really inspires me - the individuality, the sense of adventure, the element of classic... it's a real mixing pot. I love the fact that you really can expect the unexpected.

 

Which look, tool or hair product do you wish you were responsible for?

PP: Ceramic straighteners as they have made life easier for so many people.

AR: The Marcel Wave. I LOVE this look - it can be kept classic or adapted to be really modern.

 

Who makes up your own beauty entourage?

PP: Being on my feet styling hair all day tends to affect my back, so once a month I try to get a massage. Other than that my trusty hairdresser, Neil Wooley.

AR: For facials, Yvonne Martin is amazing; for nails, David Barton is a genius. Neil Wooley cuts my hair.

 

And who makes up your dream team on a shoot?

PP: As a model, Erin O'Connor; the stylist, Alton Hetariki; the photographer, Simon Emmett, and for makeup, Cassie Lomas.

AR: My dream model is Eliza Cummings, makeup artist is Mel Artor, and photographer is Rick Guest.

 

What's next?

PP: We are refurbishing our london salon and will re-launch in spring of next year.

AR: We are also working on some great products to add to our existing range - all top secret at the moment - and in the process of looking for a second shop. It's all very exciting.

 

Text: Grace Timothy