​	Introducing our new Community Partner, Lauren O’Donnell of Lauren O Makeup. Lauren has over ten years experience in the makeup industry, working for a wide variety of clients all over Europe, and has now started her own business. We’ll hand over to her to explain...

I’m originally from Glasgow, but I’ve been living in London for just over 4 years and moved to Tooting in March! I lived in Balham when I first moved here for a year so I’m really happy to be back in the south west!

I trained in Scotland for 2 years in everything from historical makeup and theatre and film to fashion, bridal and beauty. I worked at London Fashion Week in 2010 on the team for the David Koma and Maria Graschvogel shows. I then toured with Musical Starnights on their European tour, travelling all over northern Europe, creating makeup looks and training the cast. I’ve worked for brands such as Illamasqua (as a Senior Artist) to Chanel (on their National Events team) and have managed Tamara Ecclestone’s Show Dry Salon in Notting Hill for the last year.
 

I’ve also worked for lots of different brands in the majority of department stores across London. I now want to create a business for myself, so I’ve decided to go freelance and build my very own client base – and what better place to start than in Tooting?

The services I mainly offer are:

• Makeup application for brides and bridal parties, plus evening and occasion makeup.
• One-to-one and group makeup lessons.
• CND Shellac manicures.
• And soon I’ll be launching mobile spray tanning to my list (just in time for Christmas parties)!
   

I love Tooting. You can really feel the community atmosphere here, much more so than anywhere else I've lived in London. The markets are AMAZING – me and my boyfriend love to try all the new restaurants and cafés that seem to be opening up all the time.

Chadwicks, our local butcher, even told us he gets his beef from a place that is next door to where my aunt lives in Scotland, so I go there to get a little piece of home! The area feels exciting and lively and we’re lucky enough to have a great group of friends who all live or have just moved to the area. Tooting isn't a place that you can bore of easily!
 

The pubs here are great. My 'go-to' places are The Castle and The Selkirk. We loved the Tapas Room during Tootopia (the red wine selection is AMAZING) and I get cravings for Koi Ramen tofu noodles – luckily they’re not too far away!

I’m looking forward to hearing from Tootingites who want their makeup and nails done. The beauty is I can come to you, so just get in touch if you’re in need of a bit of pampering!

You can find out more about Lauren on her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, call her on 07845 196 164, or email info@laurenomakeup.co.uk.

Lauren O Make-up is one of our Community Partners. To find out more, click here.