Oh My God Worthy: The La Brasiliana Treatment at Ted Gibson

I have what I'd like to refer to as unmanageable hair. On any given day, it exhibits a random sampling of the following factors:

Curly
Wavy
Straight
Dry
Kinky
Coarse
Frizzy

Not a great combo, right? But most people would never even know all that is going on ... because I don't let anyone see my hair in its natural state. No, that privilege has been reserved for my mom, brother and roommate exclusively. I don't even think my best friend has seen my hair like this. It takes a lot of painstaking blowdrying, straightening, flat ironing and product using, but I can make my hair straight, sleek and Pantene-worthy.

But I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I don't have to do all that work anymore. Last week, I visited my gal Jan-Marie Arteca at Ted Gibson, who performed La Brasiliana on me ... and my life is now forever changed.



What is La Brasiliana, you may ask? It's the Brazilian Keratin Treatment, which is formulated with both keratin and collagen to improve hair manageability, remove frizz and add shine. And it lasts a whopping 2-4 months without any of the horrible side effects caused by Japanese straightening! Sounds impossible, right? Not so.

As I settled into the chair, my hair was washed twice with La Brasiliana Shampoo and conditioned once with La Brasiliana Conditioner. Jan-Marie then meticulously coated each and every strand of my hair with the treatment (which comes in two formulations -- one with formaldehyde, one without. I chose the one with, because the smell doesn't bother me). After I sat for about 15 minutes and had the treatment washed out, Jan-Marie enlisted her partner in crime, Devin Toth (who gave me a fabulous haircut afterwards, BTW) to blow out my hair with a flat brush.

The piece de resistance in this treatment was the flat ironing. Now, my hair was already pretty soft and sleek after the blowout ... but the flat iron sealed in the product and MADE MY HAIR LOOK AMAZING. Seriously, so straight and sleek that I got compliments for FOUR DAYS. Why four days? Because, gasp! That's how long you have to wait to wash your hair.

Now, you may think four days isn't so bad. But imagine no washing, no ponytails, no tucking hair behind your ears ... basically not doing anything that could cause a ridge to form. For four days. It was torture, I'm not gonna lie. I didn't think I would make it! But luckily, I made it through. And then came the final test ... doing my hair myself. Would it actually look as amazing now that I didn't have the fabulous Jan-Marie there to flat iron my hair? Well, imagine my surprise ... because I DIDN'T NEED TO FLAT IRON. I washed and conditioned my hair with La Brasiliana After-Treatment Shampoo and Conditioner, let it air dry for about 20 minutes (during which it didn't get big or frizzy at all, a huge coup for me), then blew it dry in literally 5 minutes while barely using a round brush. AND IT LOOKED INCREDIBLE. Seriously, salon-worthy.

Now, I do feel the need to warn you that this treatment is not cheap. It runs between $400-$800 depending on hair length and texture. But if you have unmanageable hair like I do, and you're looking for a way to make it look amazing for months on end, this is the way to go. Just remember to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, as they both deplete the treatment and fade color.

To book an appointment at Ted Gibson with Jan-Marie Arteca, call 212-633-6333. You can also follow the lovely Jan-Marie on Twitter here.

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First Look Fridays: Beauty Blogger Scrangie

I've been obsessed with nails for as long as I can remember. But my obsession doesn't even come close to that of Scrangie! Her swatches are amazing, her breadth of nail and polish knowledge is out of this world. Read on to discover how she first became interested in nails, how she felt about the polish she got to design with Rescue Beauty Lounge, and so much more!



Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
I'm just a regular girl from the Midwest! I'm married, no children, I love music, animals, nature, reading, cooking and playing video games. Not the most exciting profile, I'm sure, but that's who I am!

How did you first become interested in nails?
I've been interested in nails for as long as I can remember. I always played with my mom's nail polishes as a little girl, and I even had my very own bottle of some type of peel-off pink nail polish (may have been Tinkerbell?) that I got in all sorts of trouble with. I almost always had my nails painted ever since I could do them on my own and growing up I had a pretty large stash of polish. I really liked all of the fun iridescent colors, neons and olive green shades that were around back then. I can't really think of a time in my life when I haven't been interested in nails!

Why did you decide to start your blog?
I've always been really obsessed with makeup and beauty products and I really wanted a place where I could talk about the things that interested me. No one I knew in real life really seemed to want to hear me yap about makeup all the time, so I made a blog where I could write down my thoughts on beauty.

What have been some of the highlights of having your blog?
So many awesome highlights, I don't even know where to begin. I've met so many cool and interesting people through my blog. I've made friends with other beauty junkies from all over the world. It's been really amazing to talk to people so far away from me yet so interested in the same things! Places as far away as Sweden, Finland, Australia, Japan, Israel -- definitely an opportunity I wouldn't have gotten without my blog.

I've also really loved being able to meet some of the people behind the polish brands. It really opened my eyes to see that there are actual individuals behind those bottles of polish, not just a nameless, faceless corporation. It's so exciting to think that the people who make the polish I love actually read my blog. I can't even describe it. They're like rock stars to me!

Another major highlight is of course the chance I got to design a polish with Rescue Beauty Lounge. It was like a dream come true. Such a high honor and I feel very privileged and thankful to have received such an amazing gift.

What are your top 5 nail essentials?
1) Absolute must-have is quick dry topcoat. I'm a big fan of Seche Vite, but lately I'm branching out into other brands and so far I'm really liking Orly In A Snap and Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine. I can't imagine having to do a manicure without quick dry topcoat. It's changed my life.

2) Cuticle oil. Out of all the brands I've tried, Creative Nail Design Solar Oil is my absolute favorite. I carry it with me everywhere I go and I have bottles in every room of my house.

3) A good nail treatment. My "holy grail" treatment is Qtica Natural Nail Growth Stimulator. I never wear just plain base coat -- seems useless. I always use a treatment as my base coat -- why not have my base coat benefit my nails as well?

4) A glass or crystal file. It leaves smooth edges, no snags! It lasts forever and it can easily be sterilized. My favorite is OPI's, but Essie is a very close second.

5) A nail brush. Such a simple and cheap item, but it is really essential. I use it almost every time I wash my hands -- I don't want anything funny under my nails! And they're so inexpensive that you can use a new one every week to keep things sanitary.

What are your top 3 nail tips?
1) Never use your nails as tools! It takes a little bit of effort to remember not to use your nails as tools, but it will really improve your nails. The less they bend and flex, the less they'll split and break.

2) Always wear gloves when you have your hands in water for an extended amount of time and never ever bend your nails while they're wet. If I bend my nails when they're wet, it's almost inevitable that they'll break.

3) Moisturize constantly. Lotion, oil, cuticle cream, whichever you have and like. It keeps the nails healthy and resilient ant improves the appearance of your cuticles.

What polishes and brands can you simply not live without?
I always need my go-to polishes. A good purple, a good green and a good silver foil or silver holo. I'm very fond of China Glaze Sexagon, OPI Ink, Illamasqua Rampage, Zoya Trixie, Barielle Date Night, Rescue Beauty Lounge Recycle and Savvy Deep Amethyst.

I'm also quite the OPI fan when I need something fast and reliable. The colors aren't always consistent between batches, but I know I can always count on them to apply easily and dry quickly. I've really grown fond of the Pro-Wide brush, it makes the painting process so much faster for me.

I also can't live without holos, glitters and vampy colors. I love a good neon. I love dark shimmery blackened shades, duochromes or other "interesting," non-traditional shades. I guess I can't live without cool polish!

Are there any other beauty blogs you read regularly? What are some that you like and why?
Oh, lots. Too many to name (just take a look at my blogroll!) I'd hate to leave anyone out, but just a small few of the ones I really like are:

Makeup My Lack. Sanna is like ... the coolest girl ever. She does amazing makeup, amazing manicures, has an awesome sense of style and she's super nice. She also has her own makeup line! How cool is that?!

Pretty Random. We seem to have the same taste in pretty much everything. I'm fairly sure we're twins separated at birth. And I really love the way this blog is written. So much fun.

Stupid Nail Polish Names. This blog cracks me up. Nail polish names are ridiculous -- this one shows some of the worst! I need humor in my life!

There are so many I like ... I could probably name 50 more! I love my blogging buddies!

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Steal the Look: Makeup Artist Mai Quynh's Tips for Creating Kristen Bell's Look for the When in Rome Premiere

Makeup artist Mai Quynh did Kristen Bell's makeup for the premiere of When in Rome last night, and she shared the details of how she created the look with The Beauty of Life! "I wanted to keep her face fresh and bright," she said. "Here's what I used!"

SKIN:
Mai started with Mark Calm & Composed Moisturizer before applying Mark Face Xpert in Buff using a foundation brush. She then used Mark Good Riddance in Fair/Light around Kristen's nose and mouth, and Mark Get Bright in Light under her eyes and down the bridge of her nose. Mai used Mark Just Pinched in Peachy on the apples of Kristen's cheeks using a concealer brush. Mai added Mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush in Hush Baby to her cheeks, using the blush/bronzer brush -- "just to make them pop!" she said. She then set Kristen's face with Mark Matte-nificent Powder in Nude Ivory using a powder brush.

EYES:
On Kristen's eyes, Mai started with I-Mark eyeshadow in Biscotti, putting it on her lid using an allover eyeshadow brush. In the crease of her eyes, Mai mixed I-Mark eyeshadows in Latte and Minx with an angled contour eyeshadow brush. Kristen's eyes were rimmed with Mark Longwear Eye Pencil in Solid Gold and then smudged with Mark Eyemarker Pencil in Java along the top of the lashline and underneath the bottom lashes using an eyeliner brush. Mai finished her eyes with Mark Lash Splash Mascara in Black.

LIPS:
Mai used Mark Pro Gloss in Swell to finish the look.

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Beauty Watch: Michelle Trachtenberg at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Starlet Michelle Trachtenberg certainly pulled out all the stops with her makeup at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show back in November. The heavily lined eyes and scarlet pout were dramatic and sexy without feeling over the top, thanks to a pale shadow and matte, clear skin. Here’s how to get the look.



SKIN:
Prep the skin with a cleanser such as Clinique Comforting Cream Cleanser ($18.50) to remove residue and give it a fresh, clean feel.

Follow with a mattifying powder like Shiseido The Makeup Mattifying Veil SPF 17 ($33.50) -- it will take away the shine without making you look like a porcelain doll.

EYES:
The focus here is on the heavy liner, so lids should be kept very minimal. Sweep a shimmery white shadow just onto the lids, stopping at the crease. Try NARS Single Eyeshadow in Himalayas ($22) -- it should just peek out above the liner.

After applying the shadow, take a heavy black liquid liner such as Sue Devitt Microquatic Lash Line Enhancer in Wicked ($20). Starting at the inner corners, trace a thick line -- about a half-inch -- all the way across the lid, winging it out slightly at the corners.

Define the bottom of your eyes slightly with a brown eyeliner pencil such as M.A.C Eye Pencil in Coffee ($13). Trace just under the lashline and only in the middle, leaving the corners bare.

Finish with one coat of black mascara on both the top and bottom lashes to create the feathery fringe seen on Michelle. Try Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara ($28), which lengthens and volumizes instantly and needs no combing through.

LIPS:
The great thing about this look is that while the lips are bold, they’re not very defined. It almost looks as though the color was drawn on hastily and not cleaned up. No lip liner is required here -- just fill in your lips with a creamy lipstick like Lipstick Queen Wine Sinner Lipstick ($18).

To get the glossy finish seen on Michelle, finish with Benefit Benetint Pocket Pal ($20).

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Beauty Question: What's Your Lipcolor One-Two Punch?

Yesterday, I talked about my new lipcolor one-two punch. (Click here for a quick recap.) Well, today I'm asking you ... What's your lipcolor one-two punch? Let me know in the comments!

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Ted Gibson Colorist Jan-Marie Arteca Works Her Magic On Me Again!

So, this past weekend I went to Ted Gibson to have my gal Jan-Marie Arteca perform La Brasiliana on me. (More on that in a later post.) While I was there, she decided to do an impromptu coloring session ... and WOW. MY HAIR LOOKS AMAZING!!

Jan-Marie decided to add in some red highlights underneath the top layer of hair. While we discussed the Jersey Shore finale ad nauseam, she strategically foiled a bunch of pieces. After I sat with the foils for about 15-20 minutes, she washed them out and then added a reddish-brown gloss over my entire head.

The end result? The overall hue is a gorgeous reddish brown, almost auburn, with tons of vibrant red streaks running throughout. I've been getting compliments nonstop! My coworkers, friends and roommate just can't get over it.

People, you must book an appointment with the fab Jan-Marie ASAP. Call 212-633-6333 or visit tedgibsonsalon.com for more information.

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My New Lipcolor One-Two Punch: M.A.C Lustre Lipstick in Way to Love and Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Rosy

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of layering my lipcolors. I can never be satisfied with just one lipstick or lipgloss -- I like to create my own shades and consistencies by mixing and matching various shades in my lipcolor wardrobe. And my recent find -- the combination of M.A.C Lustre Lipstick in Way to Love and Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Rosy -- is a real winner.

On its own, Way to Love is a pretty pale pink. Nothing crazy, nothing overt, just a nice, safe, pastel pink. It looks good by itself, but I decided it needed a little kick.

So I swiped on a touch of Rosy and WOW! Instantly, my lips went from pale pink to super-chic raspberry. I would never have guessed how fantastic the two colors would look together -- but I was utterly happy and surprised!

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Rosy retails for $20. M.A.C Lustre Lipstick in Way to Love was part of the Rose Romance collection and is not available anymore.

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Beauty Question: Who Does Your Nails?

I used to be a victim of the every week mani. I'd shell out the big bucks every Sunday for someone to shape and buff my nails, push back my cuticles and swipe on a coat of polish. But then I realized something. Even though my complete manicuring skills weren't necessarily up to par, I could paint my nails with the best of them. Little by little, I started weeding out the weekly manis until, finally, I did them myself. And now? I get compliments on my polish choice and application every week -- and most of the time, they last longer than the professional ones I used to pay for every week.

Now, this is not to say I don't enjoy a good manicure. Gals like TracyLee Percival are welcome to work their manicure magic on me anytime! But on a weekly basis, I've moved to painting them myself. So this is my Beauty Question of the day: Who does your nails? Let me know in the comments!

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Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring: It Doesn't Matter with the Diptyque Baies Candle

Have you ever searched for a candle that was truly seasonless, only to come up empty-handed? Well, I most certainly have. Luckily, my quest for the perfect year-round candle has finally come to an end ... because the fabulous, fantastic Diptyque Baies Candle has come into my life.

This candle is one of the most famous in the entire Diptyque line, thanks to its delectably sweet combination of black currant leaves and Bulgarian rose essences. When I first started burning this candle at home, my roommate poked his head out of his room and said, "That smells AMAZING."

Now, you'd think it would be heady and cloying, wouldn't you? You would be incorrect. It's somehow strong but soft at the same time, and fills the room without ever feeling overpowering. In a word, the candle is delightful.

The Diptyque Baies Candle retails for $60.

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Steal the Look: Anna Kendrick at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Celebrity stylist Stephanie Hobgood styled Anna Kendrick for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. Stephanie used only Davines products to create the look.

"Anna's dress spoke for itself," Stephanie said. "Instead of leading Anna towards a specific look, I left it all up to her. For the SAGs, she wanted it to be simple simple simple!"

After shampooing and conditioning Anna's hair with Davines LOVE products, Stephanie lightly coated Anna's locks with Davines For Wizards No 1 Finest Oil Non Oil, which added soft definition and eliminated the static effect and unwanted flyaways. After leaving some heavy fringe around Anna's face, Stephanie pinned up the back in a messy bun. Lastly, Stephanie sprayed Anna's hair with Davines For Wizards No 7 Crystal Fixative Lacquer for a firm hold with high shine.

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Steal the Look: Holly Hunter at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Last night at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, actress Holly Hunter wore stunning jewelry by designer Kimberly McDonald. Actually, I called it on Twitter before I even got the announcement -- Kimberly's pieces are truly one-of-a-kind!

Holly adorned herself in the Double Geode and Diamond Earrings and the Green Geode Ring, which was surrounded by natural fancy green diamonds.

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Obsession of the Moment (And Perfect Birthday Present): Helen Ficalora Alphabet Charm Necklace

So in just 9 days, I will be celebrating a milestone birthday. And while a lady never tells her age, I'll let you in on a little secret -- it's the big 3-0. That's right, I'm entering my Dirty Thirties! Or as Jennifer Garner says in 13 Going on 30, I'll be "flirty, thirty and thriving."

At any rate, I've decided I need to give myself a little gift, a little pick-me-up, a little extra love as I enter this new chapter of my life. And after much deliberation -- should it be a Rebecca Minkoff bag? A pair of Jimmy Choos? Or just a relaxing spa day? -- I've landed on the Helen Ficalora Alphabet Charm Necklace. I've actually been obsessing over this simple, elegant pendant for quite some time -- my gal Jessie bought one about a year ago, and although I'd been wanting one since before she started sporting hers, it definitely sparked my interest even further.

The charms and chains come in yellow, white or pink gold. I'm actually loving the yellow gold most of all, which means the "J" charm will run me $115 and the 16" fine chain an extra $70. I think that's a perfectly reasonable price to pay for my 30th birthday present to myself, don't you?

So here's to living up what's left of my 20s -- I've vowed not to sit home any night until they're over -- and to welcoming the next stage of life with open arms!

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Obsession of the Moment: Hanky Panky "Candy" Original Rise Thong

Chances are, if you've tried Hanky Panky Original Rise Thongs, you've become hooked. Friends of mine who aren't even thong wearers have taken a liking to these bad boys. Out of every thong I've ever tried -- and there have been many in my past -- this one takes the cake.

Or should I say the candy? My latest Obsession of the Moment is definitely the Hanky Panky "Candy" Original Rise Thong. It comes wrapped up as a tootsie roll -- so utterly fun and adorable, I had a hard time unwrapping and actually wearing it!

The Hanky Panky "Candy" Original Rise Thong retails for $18.

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The Perfect Pale Pink Nail Polish: Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Mica Rose

Admittedly, I am not much of a pale pink nail polish wearer. Given the choice, I'd rather sport anything else -- give me a sparkly purple or creamy green any day. But once I laid eyes on Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Mica Rose, I knew it was all over.

Originally part of the Celestial Lights collection from Summer 2009, Mica Rose is a gorgeous pale pink with just a hint of shimmer. It's fairly sheer, so depending on how opaque you want your nails, you might need three coats. I went with two recently and was left with a nudish-peachish-pinkish shade that was elegant, sophisticated and supremely pretty. Not to mention it lasts for days without chipping -- a good thing, since Chanel polish is definitely not cheap.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Mica Rose retails for $23.

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Completely Bare on RueLaLa Today!

Exciting news, fellow beauty chicks! My fave waxing place ever in the history of life, Completely Bare, is having a massive sale on RueLaLa today! For example: the Brazilian, which is normally $74, is now only $50. Such great deals, seriously! Snap them up, if I haven't bought them all myself already!

Also on RueLaLa today:
Joe Zee for Elle
Cass Luxury Shapewear
ESQ by Movado (Men's and Women's)
Corioliss

Need an invite? Click here.

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Obsession of the Moment: Splendid Python V-Neck Tee

As some of you may know, I'm just as crazy about fashion as I am about beauty. To that end, I will be covering more fashion topics in the future! And up first is my latest Obsession of the Moment: the Splendid Python V-Neck Tee.

I've completely embraced the T-shirt and leggings trend of the season -- it's practically become my daytime staple -- and this tee is one of my newfound favorites. The blousy silhouette is flattering no matter what your body type, and the python print is totally on trend -- but subtle enough that you won't feel overtly flashy. And over black leggings? Perfection.

The Splendid Python V-Neck Tee is on sale for $40.60 at bloomingdales.com.

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Exciting News for Twitter Followers and Robert Verdi Lovers!

Exciting news, fellow beauty chicks! Tonight I will be live tweeting from the Luxe Lab of none other than fashion guru himself Robert Verdi. At 7pm EST, be sure to tune in to my Twitter feed, the one and only @BeautyChick101, for tons of fabulous gift and style tips straight from Robert himself! All relevant posts will contain the hashtag #rvtips, so you'll know what to look out for. You might even be able to win some of his amazing gift picks by checking out his Twitter feed here. Don't miss it!

Follow The Beauty of Life on Twitter here!

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Beauty Question: How Do You Feel About Lip-Toned Lipstick?

I have to admit, I've never been a fan of lip-toned lipstick. Why bother wearing a color that doesn't really even show up but just blends into your actual lip color? That is, until I discovered M.A.C Lustre Lipstick in Way to Love. This (unfortunately) discontinued shade of nudish pinky peach somehow blends in and stands out at the same time. It flatters like no other shade I've ever tried!

So that brings me to my Beauty Question of the day. How do you feel about lip-toned lipstick? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Steal the Look: January Jones at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Mad Men star January Jones sported a retro-inspired hairstyle with a modern twist at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Hairstylist Mark Townsend was inspired by her black Lanvin dress. "As soon as I saw the dress, I knew I wanted to put her hair up," he said. "I think that adding the satin ribbon as a headband gave a classic French twist with a very modern edge." Here's how he created the look.

"I started by applying a small amount of Moroccanoil Treatment to January's damp hair and blow-dried it with a round brush," he said. "This unique argan oil-infused formula gives the hair amazing shine and silky finish, an essential to the look I had in mind."

When January's hair was dry, Townsend took a dollop of Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream into his hands and then finger combed the hair for soft hold. It also worked to "add even more shine and leave the hair extremely smooth," he said.

Townsend then gathered the hair into a French twist and secured it with about 10 bobby pins. Of the finishing touch, he said, "To give her a progressive, chic look I used satin ribbon as a headband."

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Steal the Look: Leona Lewis at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Hairstylist Laini Reeves created a romantic "down-do" inspired by the glamorous purple gown worn by Leona Lewis at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Here's how she created the look.

Since Leona has very thick hair, Laini mentioned that styles hold better if it is not freshly washed. She started with No Frizz Straight Making Spray on dry hair to prevent flyaways and keep it from frizzing in the rain. She then parted Leona's hair in the middle and used a flat iron to straighten the strands. To create an asymmetrical look, she pulled the hair to one side and used a 3-inch curling iron to add a touch of bounce to the ends.

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Steal the Look: Emily Blunt at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

I love Emily Blunt. I've thought she was amazing ever since her biting, sarcastic wit came through in The Devil Wears Prada. She looked fantastic at the 67th Annual Golden Globes, thanks to celebrity hairstylist Laini Reeves and Living Proof No Frizz. Here's how Laini achieved Emily's easy waves.

Laini started by cutting Emily's hair to shoulder length for the occasion. She then applied No Frizz Wave Shaping Cream for Medium to Thick Hair to wet hair to prevent frizz. A bit of Living Proof Full added a bit of body to Emily's waves. To create pin curls, Laini took half-inch pieces ofh air and wrapped them around her fingers before pinning them to the top of Emily's head. To add dimension to the curl, Laini recommends alternating the twisting motion both clockwise and counter clockwise.

After letting Emily's hair dry naturally, Laini used both a medium-barrel curling iron and a small-barrel curling iron to accentuate the curls. She also used a flat iron on the bottom inch of each curl to add sophistication to the look.

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Steal the Look: Julianna Margulies at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Julianna Margulies looked winning on and off the red carpet at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards, thanks to makeup artist Kristofer Buckle for NARS. “Julianna has such beautiful skin and a gorgeous beaming smile that I wanted to keep the colors subdued and let her natural skintone shine through,” Kristofer said. “I didn't want to use too much color because it might have taken away from her. I wanted it to be all about Julianna so I focused on highlighting her skin by encouraging shine and glow.” Here's how he achieved the look.

SKIN:
Using your fingers, apply Orgasm Illuminator down the center of the nose, across cheekbone, and on the apples of the cheeks. Apply Firming Foundation all over face, mixing in with the Orgasm Illuminator. Reapply Orgasm Illuminator over the entire complexion to encourage shine. “I used the Flat Concealer Brush to apply the Orgasm Illuminator on top of the foundation, creating high gleam," Kristofer said.

CHEEKS:
Dust Super Orgasm Blush onto the apples of cheeks. Also blend it into the neck and decolletage.

EYES:
Apply both sides of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow into the crease and all over the eyelid. Dab the sooty dark brown side of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow on the outer part of the eye. “I love the shimmering iridescent in this eyeshadow," Kristofer said. "A metallic iridescence softens the smokiness of an eye, allowing it to look like it is part of the skin rather than looking gothic.” Next, use the sable shade from Brousse Duo Eyeshadow and lightly dust under lower lashline. Then, lightly tap Orgasm Illuminator on the inside corner of the eye. Curl the eyelashes and apply Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara.

LIPS:
Apply Cruising Lipstick. Next, layer Ophelia Lip Gloss over the lipstick. “I love this soft pink, it adds just the right amount of color," Kristofer said.

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Steal the Look: Christina Aguilera at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

“I wanted to create a soft natural look on Christina Aguilera to compliment her gown and new haircut,” said Kristofer Buckle for NARS Cosmetics of her look at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. “Her dress choice was a beautiful pastel peach with silver -- I didn’t want the look to fight with her gown. The final look is chic and seamless, with a earthy colored smoky eye and glowing skin.” Here's how Kristofer created the look with NARS products.

SKIN:
Start with Balancing Moisture Lotion and use Makeup Primer as a base. Apply Firming Foundation and set with Pressed Powder.

CHEEKS:
Generously apply Orgasm Illuminator to cheekbones, décolletage and shoulders "for an allover glow," Kristofer said. Use Malaysia Multiple Bronzer to contour cheeks by blending under cheekbones. Apply Mata Hari Blush to the apples of cheeks and lightly tap on browbones. “Lightly dusting a blush on the browbone gives life to the eye and melds the whole look together," Kristofer said. Next, with short, back and forth quick strokes use Nico Blush to highlight cheekbones.

EYES:
Apply the vanilla side of India Song Duo Eyeshadow as a base, over the entire lid and up to eyebrow. Next, use the shimmering walnut shade of India Song Duo Eyeshadow and apply to the outer corner and under the bottom lashline. Then, use the warm rich brown side of Cordura Duo Eyeshadow just under eye rubbing into the lower lashline to create a smoky eye.

Next, curl the eyelashes and apply a coat of Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara to top and bottom lashes, following with two coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara for full lashes. Take Nuits Blanches Eyeliner Stylo and dot in between individual lashes. “I used the Push Eyeliner Brush to blend the eyeliner in between the lashes, which helped to apply just enough without looking too heavy," Kristofer said.

LIPS:
Use Fantasia Lipliner Pencil and Niagara Lipstick. Next, apply Easy Lover Lip Gloss -- a new color for Spring 2010! “Applying a sheer pink gloss on top of a nude colored lip provides a nice modern pop of color," Kristofer said.

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Steal the Look: Carey Mulligan at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Budding starlet Carey Mulligan looked fresh and beautiful at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards, thanks to my very favorite makeup artist Gregory Arlt. “My inspiration for Carey’s look was pure English Rose," Gregory said. "I wanted to keep the skin luminous and cool with a sweet pink cheek, the eyes soft yet defined with gray metallic shadows, and the lips a just bitten berry stain.” Here's how he accomplished the look -- using all M.A.C products, of course.

SKIN:
Foundation: C2 Face and Body mixed with a drop of Care Blends Oil and Strobe Liquid "for a luminous glow," Gregory said.
Powder: Light Medium Mineralized Skinfinish
Upper cheeks: Pearl Cream Color Base for highlight
Blush: Well Dressed Powder Blush

EYES:
Brow Highlight: Pfloof! Eyeshadow
Crease: Truce and Copperplate Eyeshadows
Eyelids: Satin Taupe Eyeshadow
Outer corners: Print Eyeshadow
Upper liner: Suspicion and Carbon Eyeshadows
Mascara: Backsplash Waterproof Mascara on the upper lashes only

LIPS:
"I created a custom lip balm/stain for Carey," Gregory said. "I mixed half a drop of rose oil and half a drop of mint oil into M.A.C Lip Conditioner with a drop of Crimson Lipmix, Burgundy Lipmix and one-fourth drop of Black Lipmix to create the perfect berry stain. Consumers can try Plum Perfect Lip Conditioner at home."

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Steal the Look: Nicole Kidman at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Chanel makeup artist Angela Levin created Nicole Kidman's look for the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. "Nicole is a true Hollywood movie star, and I knew I wanted to go with an Old Hollywood look," Levin said. "Somewhere along the way, I decided to kick it up a bit and make her eyes more sexy and sultry."

To get the look, Levin started by prepping Nicole's skin with Chanel Sublimage Cream on the face and neck and Chanel Sublimage Eye Cream under the eyes. She then applied Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadows in Jungle, Bois Bleu and Le Bronze to Nicole's lids. Two coats of Chanel Inimitable Mascara in Noir gave Nicole "a slightly dramatic look," Levin said.

Levin then applied Chanel Powder Blush in In Love to Nicole's cheeks -- "the perfect corally-pink blush," she said. She finished with Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Santal on Nicole's lips.

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Lash Envy: Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara

I've been on the hunt for a new amazing mascara for awhile. Not that I don't have some that get the job done -- but none that have really made me say WOW in quite some time. But then Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara came into my life, and all became right with the world.

I love the brush -- the thin spherical silhouette is packed to the gills with black pearl pigments to create a 3D volume effect. It adheres to lashes so easily, it almost feels like the brush is leading the hand as you apply! Inspired by the tiered couture dresses created by the house of Dior, it features both black elastomer fibers and gold nylon fibers to define lashes and give them tons of volume.

There are also metamorphosis powders in the formula, which expand in size by up to 50 percent as you apply -- and SR38 patented ceramid reconstructs damaged lashes and promotes fuller fringe.

The end result? In just one coat, my lashes are so long they HIT MY GLASSES. They're curled, they're long, they're full and thick -- if people didn't know any better, they'd assume I was wearing fakes!

Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara retails for $28.

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First Look Fridays: Hairstylist Daniel Koye

Do I ever have a treat for you today! The fabulous, amazing, unbelievably talented hairstylist Daniel Koye sat down with me for First Look Fridays. Daniel is currently working on the smash Broadway show Hair. (Which I've seen and am here to tell you is INCREDIBLE. See it immediately if not sooner. But I digress.) He's also worked on Gypsy starring Patti Lupone, Spring Awakening, Chicago and Jersey Boys, just to name a few. Not to mention he is super sweet and funny! Find out how he gets the actors in and out of their wigs, the product he can't live without and so much more after the jump.



What is your favorite thing about working on Hair?
It's a Broadway show! Working with professionals and creating great looks for the show, to have people enjoy the theater.

What is the process for creating the various characters’ looks?
There are a couple things that go into making a character's look. You have the actor, the costume designer, director and wig designer. They all sit down and discuss how the character will be -- [how the character will] look, act on stage.

How long does it take to get each person into his or her hair for the show?
My track on the show starts an hour before curtain. Each actor has a different prep. Some wear their microphone packs in their head (so you don’t see the wires during the naked scene). Each wig takes anywhere from 5-7 minutes.

Conversely, what’s the process for removing wigs and hairpieces at the end of the show?
Most just rip the wig off! Then I clean and take off the wig.

Claude goes through a major hair change in the second act. How do you achieve this?
Well I must say that I do need to keep that a secret. That is the MAGIC of Broadway! Hehehe. [Editor’s note: I’m sad! I really want to know how that happens!]

What are your favorite products?
I love Redken Hair Spray 25, Bumble and bumble BIG Shine Spray and Bumble and bumble Surf Spray!

What are your top 3 hair tips?
1) When blowdrying your hair, make sure that you get about 80 percent dry before you start with your round brush! This will save time and your arm!

2) If you spray your hair with a little shine spray while it is wet, you will have silky, smooth hair.

3) For short hair I love to use short sexy hair gel!

For more information on Daniel Koye, check out danielkoye.com. You can also read his fabulous blog, Celebrity Hair By You, and follow him on Twitter here.

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Wild at Heart: M.A.C Eyeshadow in Banshee

I have to admit, when I first looked at the name of this eyeshadow and the corresponding color, I thought something was a bit off. The word banshee calls to mind a screaming, shrieking lunatic -- and M.A.C Eyeshadow in Banshee, a gorgeously light and shimmery taupeish rose, is anything but crazy. It’s quite airy and calm, as a matter of fact.

So I decided to just set my original thoughts aside and try it out. Lo and behold, I fell in love instantly. This eyeshadow, which is part of the All Ages, All Races, All Sexes Collection, is one of the most flattering shades I’ve tried in quite some time. The combination of pink, nude and taupe hues that are swirled into the concoction really work to create a color that looks good on everyone -- including pale faces like me! And I love the subtle hint of shimmer -- it’s not so overpowering that it won’t work for daytime on its own, but it would also look fantastic swept over another color for added drama at night.

All in all, this is a color that’s become a new staple in my makeup bag. All praises be to M.A.C!

M.A.C Eyeshadow in Banshee retails for $14.50.

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Today's Gilt Groupe Sales

Don't miss today's Gilt Groupe sales! Good stuff today:

exhale spa
BlueprintCleanse
Puma Accessories
Escali Scales
Pure Inventions
Freestyle Watches
Breville Appliances
Y-3 Accessories
Beyond Yoga
Somma Pillows, Throws & Blankets

I personally can't wait for exhale. I love the facials and massages at this spa, especially at the Boston location. Click the link here for an invite -- and happy shopping!

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An Apple A Day: DKNY Delicious Candy Apples Fragrance Collection

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." How many times have you heard that in your life? Enough to realize it's not true, I'm sure. But in the case of the new DKNY Delicious Candy Apples Fragrance Collection, I have a feeling it could actually happen!

I was in love with the three fragrances in this collection the second I took them out of their vibrantly patterned boxes. Each is crafted in DKNY's signature apple shape -- but this time, they include a signature stick much in the vein of a real candy apple. The inspiration lies in the pairing of a ripe, juicy apple with the sweetness of candy. Each one is designed to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Sweet Caramel contains notes of candy apple, pear, marshmallow, jasmine, muguet, violet, whipped vanilla, creamy caramel and greens. It's sweet without feeling overpowering or cloying -- the combination of notes really makes it feel sensual and sophisticated instead of young and teenybopperish.

Ripe Raspberry contains notes of raspberry, apple, lime, peony, lily and cola. I have to admit, this is the one that worried me the most -- because, unlike most people growing up, I hated the raspberry scent from Bath and Body Works. I thought it was the most annoyingly, sickeningly sweet scent on the face of the planet. Luckily, this scent is nothing like that! The scent of raspberry is offput by so many other floral and fruity notes that it becomes a beautifully rich aroma that just envelops you.

Juicy Berry contains notes of black currant, blackberry, pear, lychee, nectar, rose petals, apple blossom, sandalwood and blonde woods. This is the freshest, youngest scent of the three -- but it still exudes a sophistication and sexiness not often found in fruity scents. The addition of musky notes really helps to set it apart.

The only bad part about these three delicious candy apples? You can't actually eat them.

DKNY Delicious Candy Apple Fragrances retail for $55 each.

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