Have you ever tried a product that you thought was the absolute best thing out there -- nothing else comes even close? I thought I had, until I came across the M.A.C Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. All of a sudden, everything else pales in comparison.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Skin So Soft: M.A.C Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Saves the Day
The Beauty of Life Featured by Prescriptives!
Exciting news this morning, fellow beauty chicks! Imagine my surprise and delight when I woke up to find an email from Prescriptives in my inbox featuring a quote from yours truly! Check it out:
I'm so excited and just wanted to share with all of you! If you want to read my full story on the product, click here for a recap. Thanks to Prescriptives for this fabulous start to my day!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Want Good Hair? Head to Ernie at Riccardo Maggiore Salon
To begin with, he used Moroccanoil. I was pretty thrilled to finally have the chance to try it. Ernie told me this has become his go-to favorite product. When I asked him why, he said it's because he has never found another product that makes every single hair type look amazing. Straight, curly, thick or thin, he thinks it transforms locks into things of beauty.
And you know what? He was right. A mere 25 minutes in his chair and my hair went from huge, kinky and coarse to super-straight and sleek -- but with a bounce to it that even my timeless work with blowdryers and flat irons just can't achieve. I was, to put it mildly, impressed. Needless to say I will become a regular client of Ernie's!
Blowouts at the Riccardo Maggiore Salon range from $60-$85. Visit riccardomaggiore.com or call 212-586-6482 for more information or to make an appointment.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Get Whiter and Brighter with SK-II Whitening Source Intensive Mask
Now, this mask is so amazing that I've actually already lauded its strengths. (You can read about it here.) But it's worth repeating because of how unbelievable it made my skin look this week. After quite a stressful week, my skin was looking pretty darn lackluster. No brightness to be had, no beauty to be found. We're talking completely and utterly dull with no signs of life.
But 15 minutes with this mask and things were looking up. All of a sudden my skin was drenched with moisture! It was revitalized, rejuvenated and completely reinvigorated. Now I'm back to my normal glowy self -- and realizing that I'd better stock up on these masks or else I run the risk of sinking back into dullness. And maybe, just maybe, I'll let my roommate see me wearing one.
The SK-II Whitening Source Intensive Mask is $150 for a box of 10 masks.
Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for SK-II.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week: Give a Dog a Bone
Jeremy Scott sent models down the runway at his Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Show this week sporting My Little Pony-esque, candy-colored crimped ponytails with a doggy bone a la Bam Bam from the Flintstones perched at the center. Something tells me this isn't a trend we'll be seeing make its way into the mainstream.
M.A.C Cremesheen Glass in Looks Like Sin Brings Out My Inner Sinner.
I am in love with this recent find. M.A.C Cremesheen Glass in Looks Like Sin ... how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
1) You go on creamily, evenly and without a hint of gloppy, goopy mess.
2) You leave behind a just-bitten-now-I-think-I-might-be-a-vampire glossy reddish sheen.
3) You last for hours -- no reapplication necessary.
4) You garner comments from strangers on the street and make my Twestie Gregory Arlt proud of me for trying red.
5) You make my bestie jealous and cause her to snatch it right out of my hand while I'm applying before a party to try it herself. (She also sees its greatness.)
Sadly, M.A.C Cremesheen Glass in Looks Like Sin is sold out everywhere. But if you ever happen to see a tube ... oh, what am I talking about? I'll have grabbed it out of your hands and run quickly in the other direction. What can I say? It brings out the sinner in me.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Baby Phat Spring 2010
When I get the opportunity to go backstage at Baby Phat, I take it. The combination of James Kaliardos for M.A.C, hairstylist Odile Gilbert and Creative Nail Design on nails is what we'd call a beauty home run! And, as usual, they knocked it right out of the park. The look was inspired by "Marisa Berenson and trips to Morocco in 1972," Kaliardos told me, so you can imagine that it was unbelievably wild. Get all the details and see many more photos after the jump.
Trend-Spotting: French Manicures at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards
I haven't actually been a French manicure fan since about the 10th grade. But some celebrities were definitely favoring French manicures at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards this past Sunday! Check out all the partakers after the jump.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Thuy Spring 2010
Backstage at the Thuy Spring 2010 Collection was controlled chaos. Between makeup artist Luc Bouchard for M.A.C and hairstylist Elaine Mitchell, Senior Creative Director for Sassoon, the look was simple but at the same time quite sophisticated and glamorous. As Mitchell told me, "It's 1930's glamour with a touch of S&M ... kind of a little fetish, femme fatale thing." Pretty interesting stuff! Find out all the details after the jump.
Mitchell decided to create a feminine, sculpted shape through the hairline and separated the hair into three different panels. After saturating the hair with Sebastian mousse "because it's very soft and keeps [hair] really pliable," she began with a low, asymmetrical fishtail. She then worked in the other two panels, twisting and pinning them into very tight little loops and using Sebastian shine spray for a super sleek look. "On stage it's gonna look like leather! Almost like glass!" she told me. "On stage she'll have this nice little feminine chignon at the back, but she's gonna be FIERCE on top."
I loved talking to Luc Bouchard backstage, because not only is he a genius but he's one of the nicest makeup artists I've ever come across! "What we wanted to do is find a color that would make the collection pop," he said. "That's why we decided to settle on a big coral eye." He actually used three different M.A.C Paint Sticks to create the coral hue -- magenta, yellow and white -- noticing as he pointed them out that it was very similar to the nail color I was sporting! (Chanel Miami Peach, for those who were wondering!) "I couldn't find a color that was exactly it, so this is basically a new concoction," he said. He also showed me that because the color was created with Paint Sticks, it was incredibly creamy, powerful and long-lasting.
To make the color show when the eyes were open, he went high up onto the browbones and then extended it out. He then used black mascara on the top lashes, M.A.C Brun Eyeshadow on the brows "for a strong look," and contoured blush. He finished with Baby Breath Eyeshadow (a new color from the spring collection, this is a working name), and Dim Lip Erase to soften the lips and make them almost disappear.
Luc Bouchard backstage
When I asked Bouchard about the finish of the skin, he was quick to tell me it was neither dewy nor matte but satiny. To achieve this look, he used a combination of foundation, M.A.C Prep + Prime Finishing Powder in the T-zone and M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish around the face for a bit of shine. "It gives that feeling of flesh, basically," he told me. "It gives more dimension to the face because it's softer on the sides." He also told me that each of these products have optical diffusers, so they make the skin look good both up close and far away. "When you back up it's even more perfect," he said. "It's almost like Photoshop creating an illusion!"
Direct from the Runway: Reem Acra Spring 2010
Backstage at Reem Acra was much less crazy than a season ago. Hairstylists and makeup artists were actually given tables in the atelier this time, rather than models being shoved in corners around the clothing. The clothing, as always, was very sophisticated and glamorous -- very red-carpet ready. Makeup artist Maxine Leonard for Temptu and hairstylist Laurent Philippon for Bumble and bumble definitely evoked that feel in the makeup and hair, respectively. Get all the details after the jump.
Direct from the Runway: Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010
When you think of Rebecca Taylor, you think of gorgeous, girly and feminine clothes. Lots of florals, a bit little girl but grown up. And that's exactly the look Rie Omoto for M.A.C and Dai Michishita went for with the makeup and hair, respectively. "This girl is very feminine, soft, cute ... but [also] very strong, confident, sexy," Omoto told me backstage. "She doesn't have to show off her sensuality wearing really sexy clothes." Find out how they achieved this look after the jump.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Herve Leger Spring 2010
Going backstage at Herve Leger is always a treat. I really enjoy seeing hair and makeup that doesn't look too "done" -- as Lisa Buter for M.A.C told me, "We decided that we didn't want to go for anything too obvious." Find out how she, Bob Recine for Phyto and Creative Nail Design accomplished it after the jump.
Yay or Nay: Drew Barrymore's Two-Tone Hair and Teal Nails at the Whip It Roller Derby
So I leave it up to you. Is this look a yay or a nay? Let me know in the comments!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Georges Chakra Spring 2010
I'll tell you something. When I have the opportunity to interview my Twestie (read: Twitter Bestie) at Fashion Week, I take it. So when I heard that Gregory Arlt, Senior Makeup Artist for M.A.C, was doing the makeup for Georges Chakra, I simply had to see what gorgeousness he would create. And as usual, he did not disappoint!
The makeup was inspired by girls lying on the beach in 1950's Portofino with lots of chocolate brown eyeliner. "These clothes are stunning, they're really, really beautiful," Gregory told me backstage. Along with Amy Farid of Bumble and bumble, who also gushed about the clothes -- "They're so beautiful! Lots of colors: light, airy, springy, beautiful clothes!" she told me. Get all the details after the jump.
Direct from the Runway: Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2010
When you have the opportunity to go backstage and cover Chado Ralph Rucci, you take it. The combination of Tom Pecheux for M.A.C and Laurent Philippon for Bumble and bumble is just too good to pass up ... especially since in conjunction with the gorgeous collection created by Ralph Rucci, there's just no way you can go wrong! "Ralph's clothes are very sophisticated with a twist," Pecheux told me backstage. Get all the details after the jump.
Discover the New Fekkai Advanced!
Those beloved bottles of Fekkai Advanced just got better. The people in the lab tweaked the formulas in each line, just a bit, to bring even better results. The most noticeable change is the now delicious citrus vanilla scent in the Full Blown Volume line. Warning, it will make you crave a dreamsicle with every wash! The packaging also had a makeover and now all the bottles are gorgeously chic. The best part is, even with all the new changes, the prices remain the same as before! I had the chance to meet Frederic Fekkai in person and talk to him about his new collection launch and tips for utilizing all his great products. Keep reading for my two favorite pieces of advice from the Hair God himself.
Direct from the Runway: Erin Fetherston Spring 2010
Backstage at Erin Fetherston was pretty, pretty, pretty! Lucia Pica for M.A.C (makeup), Lyndell Mansfield for Bumble and Bumble (hair) and Pattie Yankee for Dashing Diva (nails) created a look that was at once elegant and powerful. See all the details after the jump.
Lucia Pica, Key Artist for M.A.C, created a smothering eye look by blending M.A.C Cork and Brun eyeshadows with M.A.C Teddy Eye Kohl and M.A.C Dipdown Fluidline. According to Neil Young, Senior Artist for M.A.C, it was a “modern take on a diffused look.” The warm eyes popped even under the shadow of the mesh hats that the models wore, evoking the film era of the 70's. This season, the focus was on either eyes or lips (not both!) and so Lucia kept the lips bare with lip balm -– she even put concealer on the lips of models that had “too much natural color.” On cheeks, high near the eyes, was a coral orange creme blush called Optimistic Orange, out in stores next spring. Neil called the look “more flush than blush.” Love it!
Lyndell Mansfield for Bumble and Bumble is the most charming character, cheerleading on her hair staff in an outfit of lace bustier, bubble skirt, stockings and platform boots. The look she created consisted of a “flirtatious and sophisticated” side part and two buns, expertly pinned one over another. She wanted a look that “wasn’t perfect ... messed up hair that looked like it was falling down.” She took her inspiration from the clothes, saying this year’s collection was elegant and powerful and she wanted “understated details in the hair that emphasized a long neckline.”
The adorable Lyndell Mansfield
On nails, Pattie Yankee for Dashing Diva used 2 coats of the neutral beige, Trust Fund, on short round nails. She said this color will be huge next spring, along with a coral orange, saying it's perfect for "a girl on the go," since the nude hue goes with absolutely everything. "It’s both sophisticated and carefree,” she told me backstage. Gorgeous –- I need to get me a bottle right now!
--Jennifer Lee
Direct from the Runway: Band of Outsiders Spring 2010
I'm always a fan of easy, simple, beach-inspired beauty. So the look from the Band of Outsiders show, created by James Kaliardos for M.A.C and Neil Moodie for Bumble and bumble, was really perfect for me. "I just felt like the clothes are just so perfect and minimal and simple and well-fitted, and they don’t need a lot," James told me backstage. "So it was really just about not ruining it in a way, not ruining the girls and just keeping them beautiful." Get all the details after the jump.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Cynthia Rowley Spring 2010
Hello, drama queen! Cynthia Rowley tipped her hat to the 50's era with an over-the-top retro hairstyle and dramatic purple eyeshadow. Get all the details after the jump.
Bok-Hee Meixner for Redken said her inspiration for the look was a combination of "50's retro, punk and futuristic high drama." She pulled the hair into a messy ponytail "as if the model did it herself," and contrasted the causal back with a super-structured front. Using a sponge cushion, she rolled the front section of the hair into a C-shaped side bang, evoking Betty Boop. To create the look, she used Redken Workforce 09 Flexible Volumizing Spray and Redken Fabricate 03 Heat-Active Texturizer.
Makki for M.A.C was inspired by "50's winged eye makeup" but wanted a "fierce look" -- so he cut the ends straight instead of thinning them out. He wanted a girl that looked like "she ran away from home ... a tough, little girl." For this reason, he kept the color a true purple instead of anything with a pink tone, achieving this by mixing his own color with M.A.C Creme de Violet as the base. He piled on the black liner, groomed brows with brown shadow and kept lips bare.
--Jennifer Lee
Direct from the Runway: Twinkle Spring 2010
If you haven’t heard about Twinkle yet, go do some visual (or retail) research ASAP because the clothes are at the very top of my list. Designer Wenlan Chia totally understands whimsical comfort, especially with her structured silk dresses and Pollocks of color. Finally, a breath of spring air!
In keeping with the happiness vibe, John Paolo for M.A.C created a fresh look with edgy orange lips and huge innocent eyes. He dabbed on Orange Lipmix with a lipbrush, and only used one color, a glowy shimmer called Crush Metal (not yet out), all over eyes. He highlighted the eye area with Silver Dusk Iridescent Powder, and added fake eyelashes only to the middle of the lashline, creating huge doll-like eyes.
Fingernails were kept classy and simple with Creative Nail Design Brilliant White, topped with Ivory Coast in a matte finish. The mineralized wash look combined freshness with a romantic and edgy feel. Dana of the CND team described it as “goody girl goes punk.” Nails were shaped to a rounded square, and Dana revealed that the secret is “to round the entire nail.” A lot of people think of a rounded square as straight across with rounded sides, but Dana said this is “very unnatural.” Check out the pics to see the gorgeous nails!
Toes were kept glossy with Desert Suede topped with Ivory Coast, creating a pretty sandy beige.
--Jennifer Lee
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Rosa Cha Spring 2010
We usually don’t wear heavy makeup to the beach, but hey, it’s Fashion Week! The makeup for Rosa Cha was super bright and fun. Where did summer go? I want to wear these colors now! See all the details after the jump.
Philippe Chansel for M.A.C created a “fresh, summer look” with M.A.C Golden Lemon Pigment on the eyes, wearable because of its sheer texture. He wanted the look to be very clean, which he emphasized by lining insides of the lashline with white pencil. When asked how to translate such a bold color to everyday wear, he said, “This look is actually wearable for a secure girl. The key is to keep the biggest accent in one area.” He explained that since he wanted the eyes to pop, he kept color off the rest of the face, only using a transparent lipgloss (M.A.C Slicked Pink).
Off the runway and on the beach, Philippe recommended wearing waterproof mascara and a tinted lipgloss that can be applied to the cheeks for double duty.
To keep all the models’ nails consistent, the Dashing Diva team first applied Kiss Express On Nails and trimmed them to an oval shape. Pattie Yankee for Dashing Diva said the pinky coral of Dashing Diva Nail Polish in Miranda’s Law picked up on the orange in the swimwear while contrasting beautifully with the green. Keep a watch out for this matte color, which Pattie predicted will be huge next season –- Fashion Week is only a day in and this color has already been requested at two shows!
--Jennifer Lee
Direct from the Runway: Jen Kao Spring 2010
The Jen Kao Spring 2010 fashion show at Milk Studios was definitely sexy. The designer wanted to create a “caught in the rain” theme, which was reflected in the transparent clothing, completely nude face and super shinny hair. Get all the details after the jump.
Lloyd Simmons for M.A.C emphasized the perfect face by adding absolutely no color, instead focusing on dewy skin. The inspiration was “candlelit skin.” A great trick I learned that day: apply M.A.C Face and Body Foundation, let it sit for a bit, and then use a soft fluffy brush to gently blend it in. Also, when achieving perfect skin, you've got to work that concealer!
Backstage is crazy enough as it is, especially when a show is running late and the stylist usually doesn’t give interviews, so I’m all the more grateful Tadashi Harada for Shiseido graced me with a few minutes alongside his translator. He really wanted to capture the idea of the “soaked wet look” by slicking back the top with Shiseido Design Tex in 31 and 33 and spraying it with a ton of water. He left the ends dry, creating a half wet, half dry look (think Megan Fox at the MTV Music Awards).
The overall look was extremely bare, proving that even the understated can make a statement.
--Jennifer Lee
Friday, September 11, 2009
Direct from the Runway: Elie Tahari Spring/Summer 2010
Every corporate girl dreams in Tahari. The clothes work perfectly in a boardroom (polished, well-tailored), at happy hour and dinner (fashionable, playfully detailed), and into the weekend (comfortable, practical). Backstage, at Elie Tahari’s Spring/Summer presentation, I talked to the hair and nail teams. The overall theme was clean, polished and simple –- just like the clothes. Get all the details after the jump.
Headed by nail tech Pattie Yankee, the 30 models got two coats of Dashing Diva Well-Connected on both hands and feet. The neutral, translucent pink works as an “everyday look, good on any nail shape,” according to the Dashing Diva team.
The hair also reflected the theme of simplicity with slightly textured, straight hair. Think straight hair with a few flyaways and slightly piecey, flipped ends ... yeah, it’s the perfect hair unachievable by us normal folks. The stylists behind the look, Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri of R Session, agree with me, saying that the natural look is much harder to achieve than the polished, pinup look. “You’re working with each individual’s hair texture. If a girl has curly hair, we have to straighten it. If she has straight hair, we give it volume. Each person’s look is customized,” they told me backstage.
Depending on the hair texture, a blowdryer was used with a concoction of products: Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Bumble and bumble Spray de Mode, along with Aveda Volumizing Tonic and Air Control Hair Spray. Frank and Kevin also raved about Bumble and bumble's dry shampoo, saying it not only takes away grease, but adds volume. Kevin did warn, “A little goes a long way. Just spray some into the roots and brush out with bristles -– and make sure to use dry shampoo that matches the color of your hair!”
--Jennifer Lee
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