SMASHBOX 'Love Me' launch

By Flora Cheng

Smashbox has joined forces with world-renowned graffiti artist Curtis Kulig to bring street-style to our make-up bags in their latest limited edition collection ‘Love Me’. REMIX got invited to the intimate launch of the collection at Auckland’s Sofitel Hotel, where guests were treated to canapés, high tea and a seminar with Global Pro Lead Make-up Artist for Smashbox Lori Taylor.

Using one of the two iconic Eye Palettes from the collection, Entice Me – a mix of icy pinks and cool blues – Lori demonstrated how we can step away from the traditional and wear a smoky eye with pops of different colours. She teamed it up with the jet-black liquid Love Me Paint Pen Eyeliner for a dramatic smokey eye. The silk-like Idolize Me blush was then brushed over the cheekbones for an instant warm and luminous glow. To finish the masterpiece and for a pout pop like a work of art Lori used the Love Me lipstick – a pantone match of Kulig’s signature red – one of the two newest colours in the Be Legendary collection.

The Eye Palettes in the Love Me collection are created using a new special slurry formula which allows for twice the colour pigmentation and vibrancy. This formula results in creamy, textured colour palettes that shimmer without being too frosty, and glide on with high blendability.  Best of all both palettes can be worn two ways, either as a ‘dry’ natural look for during the day, or dampen the tip of your brush for a ‘wet’ sultry look at night.

This partnership between Smashbox and Kulig is not only an innovative concept but it’s also one that spreads Kulig’s message that love is universal and relatable to any human being, anywhere in the world. Everything about Smashbox’s new Love Me collection is true to Curtis Kulig and his art, with bits and pieces of Kulig sprinkled throughout the collection. From the Paint Pen Eyeliner which mimics Kulig’s graffiti art pen, to the Be Legendary lipstick that matches the signature red used to create his Love Me mark, right down to the Eye Palettes being etched with the Love Me sign, this collaboration really does spread Kulig’s message of love.

The limited edition Love Me range is available at smashbox.com 

The Strokes 'Comedown Machine' comeback

By Claudia Innes

After spending many years burning through the leeway they earned with once being declared saviours of rock ‘n’ roll, the Strokes have released their fifth studio album 'Comedown Machine'. I have to admit, I was starting to wonder if the band whose posters once sprawled my walls and whose songs were the sole inspiration to my teenage girl band dreams had disappeared for good.

The synth-heavy album is a particularly mellow version of the indie pop band that personified the early 2000’s. Although it’s not exactly how I remember the Strokes, it’s definitely not all bad. Their new sound has the same catchy riffs and elegant melodies, except with a more moody and grown up feel. The song after which the album is titled, ‘80s comedown machine’, sees Julian Casablancas do his usual charming serenade with ease, but unfortunately there are a number of songs on the album that just feel forced.

It’s no surprise then that the album is the final release in fulfilling the bands contract agreement with long time label RCA, and is actually a compilation of new and leftover material. 'Comedown Machine' sees the band attempt to relive their old days, but in doing so they produced a hugely diverse range of tracks compiled together in a somewhat confused album.

Either way it’s worth a listen just to hear the classic Strokes sound in songs like ‘Happy Ending’, ‘All The Time’, and ‘One Way trigger’. Album available now on iTunes. 

Everyday Fun with Glassons

By Sophie Donovan

The last time I'd been to a gym was in a miserable 5th form P.E. class, but my latest experience was anything but. Locker key stashed in my pocket, the bleachers were ready and waiting for Sydney's fashionable folk to take their place for a slice of Glassons 'Everyday Fun.' 

There were no catwalks, no steely looks and no strutting in sight, instead 13 of Australasia's top models dashed into the stadium for a game of musical chairs. As this feircely fashionable competition unfolded, the girls showcased the hottest winter looks from Glassons. Polo necks, overalls and snuggly jumpers were a favourite plus some sensational denim overalls, frocks and shirts. Models got competitive as they battled it out for the final few chairs with hot blonde Ollie Henderson providing a commentary with sassy cheerleader charm. We wrapped up the afternoon with a mountain of post-gym treats as the winner celebrated her success. I wish all gym experiences were this much fun.

Images by Ryan Kenny

MANSTUFF

Mimi Kelly is the artistic director/owner of Killer Hair, Newton. She’s an award-winning hair colourist and makeup artist. Every week Mimi will be doing what she does best... give her opinion.

So who buys the soap in your house? My guess is it's not him. 

Guys don't make a fuss when they leave the shower smelling like jasmine flowers, but now they get a choice!

MANSTUFF was purpose built so a guy could smell like a guy. An offering to their fellow man, MANSTUFF has risen from the ruins of Christchurch and been brewed in the rugged surrounds of Marlborough. Crafted from the best of ingredients the range offers up two bars of soap: Handful of Gravel and Whiskey and Mint $12. 'Handful of Gravel' states it will 'clean you up no matter what's stuck to you,' which sounds a little ominous... and 'Whiskey and Mint' contains whiskey extract and peppermint oil, it's invigorating and can be used on the face and the bod. (They like that.)

I had a couple of men take it home and tell me all about it after a shower. As you can imagine it wasn't easy getting a lot out of them, feedback as follows:

Whiskey and Mint fragrance was enjoyed, the soap was soft, the natural ingredient preferred. 

Handful of Gravel had a nice exfoliating thing going on, not as harsh as the name might suggest, very happy to not smell like flowers but be clean. 

It's the sense of humour about this product that's most refreshing and with big plans to add more manly grooming stuff to their line you should check it out www.manstuff.co.nz 

Next addition to the bathroom: his and hers soap trays. 

xMimi

Future Music Festival Sydney…a 36 hour whirlwind musical experience

By Will Seal 

It was always going to be a whirlwind visit – 5:30am check-in at Auckland International, 9:30am arrival in Sydney, 1:30pm festival arrival and flying straight home the next day… Red Bulls are the go.

Promising a diverse and eclectic star-studded line-up of new trend-setters, classic acts and everything in between, the likes of Prodigy, Rita Ora, Azealia Banks, Bloc Party and Dizziee Rascal blasted audiences day and night with near stellar performances all around – and they did it with gusto.

Being from little old New Zealand, the 50,000 party-goers and extreme sweltering heat at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse was near overwhelming – but the infrastructure held together with what seemed to be few issues for punters overall.  Crowds were typically Australian, leaving me feeling woefully inadequate in the steroid and tattoo arenas, but seemed to be in high spirits with everyone keeping mostly calm (the nice [armed] police officers trying to direct a lost Kiwi into the venue agreed).

Channelling my inner The Edge lover, first act of the day was the incredibly nice (we’ve interviewed her for REMIX previously) Ellie Goulding.  Wooing crowds with her beautiful sound, she kept it upbeat, fun and vibrant as the crowds rolled in and the day began to heat up.   Serving as an excellent follow-on, Rita Ora was next, necessitating a mad dash between stages as she built crowd excitement to the next level.

From this point on I was going to chronologically run through the acts and my thoughts across the day, but everyone likes a good list, and it’s more fun to read this way.  So, other personal highlights across the day were:

Prodigy… my god, do they ever slow down?  The final act of the day I managed to catch, the crowd that packed the dance tent was (very) noticeably older compared to the average across the day, but once the lights went red and the bass kicked in, they partied like it was somewhere between 1997 and 2004.  With all the big hits including Firestarter and Smack My Bitch Up, it was a set of classics with a little bit of contemporary thrown in for good measure.  Crowd went nuts, perfection.

Dizzee Rascal – while yes he comes to Australia and NZ every year without fail, one of Hip Hop’s greatest showmen does it with such pizzazz you can’t help but love him.  Hits like Fix Up, Look Sharp, Bassline Junkie and Bonkers (as a finale) kept the crowd doing the same while confetti canons boomed and the basslines thumped out.  It was glorious.

Rudimental – providing a solid set with lock, stock and the lot, this act delivered exactly what was to be expected of their chart-topping hits.  Their mix of personal tunes with a few definitive covers ensured a diverse mix and an enthusiastic and captivated crowd.  Having not seen this quartet in the past it was a totally fresh experience but with all the familiarity of a professional doing their job well (which they repeated later – see below).

Avicii – this photo says it all, madness and quality:

Psy – Gangnam Style…I’d been drinking, I haven’t seen him live, he met the Secretary General of the United Nations, fuck it, what else was I going to do really.  Didn’t do the dance though.

Richie Hawtin – keeping it minimal and techno influenced, Richie’s set allowed me to ‘get away from it all’ and enjoy a much needed break and a beer at the Cocoon Heroes stage.  Sound was a little off, but his quality mixing and overall great performance made up for it nicely.

So overall how was my Future Music Festival experience?  Superb.  While entirely overwhelmed by the crowds and heat, the assorted selection of genres and acts made for a great day out.  Prodigy were my highlight of the night (always steadfast, reliable and over delivering), while Dizzee Rascal and Rita Ora compete for the crown of best day-time act.

But it wasn’t over yet – hell I still hours before my flight, so after a long wait I hopped aboard one of the free busses (huge help) and headed town-ways.  Having been in Sydney a few times, I aimed towards what I hoped would be a satisfactory end to an otherwise marvellous day – Chinese Laundry.  

One of the biggest, longest running nightclubs around, I’d heard amongst the post-festival bus-line chatter that Rudimental would be gracing the venue for an official FMF after-party with their second performance of the night.  Hell, after such a good showing the first time, why not go for double or nothing?  That was my general thinking anyway…

And it paid off in droves.  A packed out crowd brought the club to a stand-still as every person in attendance made a break for the zone they occupied.  It was chaos – but in the best way possible.  Delivering a once-again stellar set it was the perfect end to a long, dry and dusty Australian festival experience.

And that’s a wrap – all in all a typical massive music event undertaking with tons of people, sweltering heat and long lines – but balanced with amazing weather, an incredible line-up and a hassle-free day of awesome music and atmosphere.

Big props to the Future Music Festival app too – made life a breeze.