Support Breast Cancer Awareness: Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment

Fall is here, which means winter is not far behind ... and that means dry, chapped, cracked, peeling hands. Or does it? Slather just a touch of Origins Make a Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment on your digits and say goodbye to scaly skin.

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Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice: Just Calm Down A Pumpkin For Your Thoughts Manicure and Pedicure

Okay, I admit it -- it had been awhile since my last manicure and pedicure. Shameful, I know! Luckily I stumbled upon my new favorite spot, Just Calm Down Spa in Chelsea.

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A Rose is a Rose is a Rose ... With Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil, That Is

While I know it may be cliche, the rose is my absolute favorite flower. Red, white, yellow, peach, I'll take any and all. So of course I was overjoyed when I came across Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil.

The bottle itself is luxe, luxe, luxe -- a faceted, prismatic square that looks oh-so-good atop a vanity. But a slight whiff of what's inside is enough to drive me over the edge. Fragrant, succulent, heady, delicious ... are there enough words to describe the wonderful fragrance that lies within? A touch of violet, lemon and spearmint just adds that much more to the decadence.

Bath time just got a whole lot sweeter.

Jo Malone Red Roses Bath Oil retails for $65 at jomalone.com.

Love of My Life: Frederic Fekkai Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme

I'm in love. No, not with a boy ... with a hair product. Come on, would you expect anything less from this beauty chick? And my latest flight of fancy is none other than Frederic Fekkai's Coiff Perfecteur Anti-Frizz Silkening Creme.

The groovy-looking tube is light blue in color, with a neat little twisting top that ensures none will spill out unexpectedly (thank goodness). And what does this magical product do, you might ask? Why, make sure your hair remains silky and frizz-free, of course!

Now, my hair is not known for behaving, even on humidity-free days. But in the past week, I think I've received more compliments on the sleekness and shininess of my tresses, and it's all thanks to Frederic Fekkai. A mere dime-sized amount emulsified within my palms and rubbed into my damp locks, and after blowdrying my hair looks absolutely amazing. And the slight melony-cucumbery scent doesn't hurt, either.

See for yourself -- it's only $25 and available on Sephora's website. While I have to admit I was bummed when I recently discovered that my all-time favorite product -- the line's Smooth Hair -- was being discontinued, this baby is bigger and better than ever. At least it keeps my hair anything but big.

Direct from the Runway: Academy of Art Fashion Students

It was fun, it was upbeat, it was full of life. It was the Academy of Art MFA fashion candidate presentation at the Tents in Bryant Park this past Saturday. And let me tell you, these ten designers are definitely the ones to watch! I really think they could be the next Zac Posen, Thakoon, Phillip Lim, Peter Som ... yes, the list goes on and on.

Models strutted down the runway in everything from loud, polka-dotted trapeze dresses to wildly patterned, glittery and metallic, 80s-inspired tunics and leggings. And I had quite an amazing view from my 2nd row seat! (Coincidentally, I was seated next to the family of one of the designers, Tara Shannahan, whose coated white linen separates had them all beaming with pride!) My vantage point offered up quite the wonderful view of hair and makeup, which fortunately was as great to look at as the clothes.

Hair was flat-ironed to perfection, hanging long and straight and oh-so-shiny. (If only spending half an hour blowdrying in sections and running shine serum through my locks worked so well!) I couldn't get over how gorgeous the hair was, especially during the presentation for Jiyoon Yeom -- she sent models out in featherweight, floral jacquard-woven dresses and accented the look with sprays of flowers woven into their tresses, adding just the right touch of "je ne sais quoi."

Makeup was fresh, pretty and youthful -- faces were glowing, eyes were given just the subtlest amount of shimmer, and lips were done in dusky roses and the palest of reds. All in all, it was a wonderfully exciting evening. I can't wait to see all of the collections in stores this spring!

*All photos are the sole property of The Beauty of Life.

Direct from the Runway: Rosa Cha

Let's face it -- who doesn't want to feel like Gisele Bundchen once in awhile? Luckily, thanks to Rosa Cha's Spring 2008 collection you can at least pretend you're a Brazilian bombshell. Yes, there were some ... interesting swimsuits, to say the least -- one that was reminiscent of a Sumo wrestler's outfit comes to mind. But on the whole the collection was exuberant and artistically pleasing, combining tribal and camouflage elements with vibrant corals and gorgeous aquas, throwing in a few white suits bedecked with crystals and silver sequins for added glamour.

And the sexy femininity didn't stop at the clothing. Models sashayed down the runway to Brazilian beats pumping from the speakers, each with the most gorgeously wavy and voluminous locks imaginable. A fan blowing on them couldn't have made them look any better! Cheeks were heavily contoured and dusted with shimmer, and the models' bodies were, of course, tanned to perfection. Eyes were rimmed in black liner and lips were glossed in the most beautiful sparkly nude. Sensuality and sexuality? You'd better believe it.

And a personal shout-out -- Thanks to my old coworker from Cargo Magazine, Melissa Rodriguez, for getting me a ticket to this show!

Direct from the Runway: Twinkle by Wenlan

I love fashion shows that give off a fun, girly, feminine vibe. And Wenlan Chia's Twinkle by Wenlan Spring 2008 show did just that this past Saturday. Pretty florals and interesting geometric designs came together in a collection that evoked an utterly Parisian feel.

Of note? The yellow and white silk shirtdress with dropped waist emitted "ooohs" from the crowd, as did a black satin dress with slouchy basket-woven pockets. But what really did it for me was the beauty. Models walked the runway looking just the right amount of "done" -- perfect for everything from brunch to shopping to a night on the town with your girlfriends.

Tresses were parted on the side and left long, loose and flowing, slightly wavy for that sexy, just-got-out-of-bed-didn't-have-time-to-do-my-hair look. Faces were fresh and glowing, with eyes lightly rimmed in brown shadow. Finishing off the look was just a gorgeous, come-hither, look-at-me red mouth. A hit? I'd say yes.

Direct from the Runway: Cynthia Rowley

I wanted to like the Spring 2008 Cynthia Rowley show this past Friday. I really did. But unfortunately, I felt it fell flat of expectations. Perhaps it was due to the fact that everyone had to wait outside the venue -- in 90 degree heat -- for 45 minutes before being let inside. Perhaps it was the fact that we then had to wait another 50 minutes inside for the show to start, with no explanation as to why the show was delayed. (And as it wasn't in the tents but at Gotham Hall, this did not seem to make sense.) Or perhaps it was just because once the show began, the collection seemed disjointed at best.

While the pieces were individually wearable, they just did not form one cohesive group. And the hair and makeup most certainly did not seem to fit the vibe of the show, which seemed to be fun-loving and free-spirited (evidenced by the models and Rowley herself riding down the runway and out of the venue on bicycles during the curtain call).

The hair -- while pretty with center-parted, voluminous, flowing curls -- did not reinvent the wheel, while the vibrant magenta lipstick screamed "Let's revisit the '80s!" The eyes were interesting, with deep electric-blue liner emanating a cat-like vibe. When all was said and done, I was just left wanting more. Maybe that will come with the fall collection.

Direct from the Runway: Terexov

And I thought I was in love with fashion week just after seeing BCBG. Who knew it could get even better? But better it was today at the Spring 2008 Terexov show. (And no, it's not because noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker was sitting directly across from this beauty chick ... and it's not because I was front row either! Though of course those two coups didn't hurt.)

No, it was because Terexov may very well have become my new favorite designer after his collection of ruffled and tiered dresses and flowing tunics in luminous silk charmeuse, floaty cashmere and lightweight cottons, all designed in the most gorgeous shades of mauve, dove gray and pearl.

But enough salivating over the clothes (which I will be snapping up as soon as they hit stores), I was there to see the beauty. And beautiful this show was from head-to-toe! Hair by Juan Carlos Maciques of the Rita Hazan Salon echoed the gracefulness of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's with locks pulled back into tight buns, not a stray wisp to be found anywhere. Lyne Desnoyers of M.A.C Cosmetics followed suit, with rose-shadowed lids, lengthy lashes swiped with black mascara, subtly rouged cheeks and lips of the palest coral.

A 10? I only wish I could give an 11. Well done, Alexander Terekhov, well done.

Direct from the Runway: Gottex

The contrast of severity and femininity was ever-apparent at the Spring 2008 Gottex show. A throwback to the '80s was in full swing from before the show even began, with strobes flashing on and off at an alarmingly fast rate, the crowd cheering and screaming uncontrollably and loud music pumping from the speakers. And then the lights went up and the show officially began.

Let's forget about the swimwear -- which was impeccably amazing in five different stages, ranging from dominatrix (bright yellow nylon and black leather) to angelic (floaty white chiffon accented with silver-spangled-and-rhinestone-embellished turquoise and lime designs) to hippie chick (bright splashy florals and flowing tunics and caftans galore). Let's focus instead on the beauty, shall we?

While the hair was not something just anyone could pull off -- a severely tight and shellacked ponytail will give even the best of us a rip-roaring headache by the end of the day, not to mention it was tied twice down the length like this beauty chick used to do in the early '90s. But the makeup was truly awesome to behold.

Adding so much to the early dominatrix vibe, but even creating a subtle pop of spice for the more feminine looks, was an eye lined super-heavily in thick black liner. The apples of the cheeks were heavily contoured, while lips were done in barely-there nudes and pinks.

The final assessment? H-O-T ... and a look I will most definitely be trying at home. It's sure to raise some temperatures once Spring 2008 is finally here.

*Photo is the sole property of The Beauty of Life.

Direct from the Runway: Anne Bowen

Channeling Brigitte Bardot! Sex, sex, and more sex was all this beauty chick could think of while the models walked the runway at Anne Bowen. But surprisingly, makeup and hair did not seem garish or overdone -- instead, I was left feeling as though the beauty looks were the highlight of the show, while the clothing left much to be desired.

But while I did not feel the need to salivate over unfinished hems and tattered zippers -- not to mention drawstring and fishtail hems so long the models almost tripped their way down the runway -- the beauty looks seriously called out my name.

Locks were parted just off-center and left long and flowing, with the biggest, bounciest curls propelling the models along. (Note to self: purchase a big-barrel curling iron!) Eyes featured shimmery taupe shadow swept all the way up to the browbone, which suggested the slightest "come hither" vibe. But my favorite part had to be the lashes -- so utterly black, so utterly thick, so utterly lush, they just screamed sexiness. Skin was kept dewy and fresh, and lips were slicked with the prettiest pale pink gloss.

All in all, I loved the beauty, disliked the clothing. But since I'm a beauty writer, I guess this show was in my favor after all!

*Photo is the sole property of The Beauty of Life.

Direct from the Runway: BCBG Max Azria

Ethereal. Angelic. Just a couple of the words that can be used to describe the looks at the Spring 2008 BCBG Max Azria show. This beauty chick, for one, was absolutely in love with everything about the show -- the fact that she got a seat when she was supposed to be standing room ... seeing Tyra Banks, Nina Garcia, Joe Zee, Fern Mallis and Nigel Barker in the audience ... oh yes, and the absolutely gorgeous clothes and makeup certainly didn't hurt.

From the first look down the runway, I was completely hooked. Hair by Recine featured long, flowing locks with just the slightest hint of bedheadedness and beachiness, while makeup by Diane Kendal was light, airy and perfect for daytime. Tresses were parted just off-center and looked as though the models had slept in braids overnight -- so sexy. Faces were kept fresh, with matte skin and barely-there eye makeup. And the lips! Just the perfect shade of stained berry. The makeup complimented the clothes so wonderfully -- everything about this show was just completely in sync, leading to an absolutely amazing kickoff to fashion week! Bravo, BCBG!

*Photo is the sole property of The Beauty of Life.

Spook Central: Bath and Body Works Halloween Products

Halloween has come early this year. It's no surprise, really -- it seems that drugstores and supermarkets have now started putting Halloween candy out simultaneous with back-to-school products! But I never expected beauty brands to get in the game. Imagine my surprise (and yes, my delight too) when I recently discovered the Halloween Sneak Preview on the Bath and Body Works website. I love that it's only September 1 and we are already supposed to be thinking about witches, ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and the best beauty products to help get us in the mood. It did give a slight throwback to my childhood, though -- what to be this year? Will I get enough candy? How late will my mom let me stay out trick-or-treating? No product on the website did it better, though, than the Pumpkin Anti-Bacterial Soap in Perfect Autumn Pumpkin. One look at this baby and I knew it had to be mine! The jack-o-lantern-shaped bottle is too cute for words, and I can't wait to smell the intoxicatingly sweet aroma of pumpkin ... leading me to want to roast pumpkin seeds in the toaster oven, watch "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" on TV and come up with the best costume this side of Transylvania. And at only $10 a bottle, you can bet I'll be buying a few of these for my apartment. Won't you be doing the same?