London Fashion Week F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty at Sass & Bide

"Tough, graphic and tribal." - Petros Petrohilos

Eyes:
Gloss Texture – apply with fingers to eyelids and up to brows

Face:
Strobe Cream - highlight cheekbones and temples
Face and Body Foundation – apply to corners of nose, under eyes and centre of the forehead
Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder and Invisible Set Powder – combine and apply to the centre of face
Gloss Texture – apply to cheekbones

Lips:
Media Lipstick – apply with #223 brush
Cremestick Liner In Velvet - blend evenly
Meeow Lipglass (Coming Fall 2010) – apply one top coat for added shine

Nars Orgasm Illuminator

Nars Cosmetics "cult-classic" blush has morphed into a lip gloss and a nail color and even into another blush called, "Super Orgasm!" To extend the life of the Orgasm, so to speak (*wink*), Nars' new iteration of the "O" is a beautiful peach-pinky illuminator that gives the skin a sheer and dewy highlight. Can be worn alone or mixed with your favorite foundation or powder, this is a great product for most skin tones.

Bobbi Brown Facechart For Facebook Fans

Kérastase Chronologiste

The fashion and beauty world is buzzing about the upcoming launch of Kérastase's Chronologiste luxury hair product. If you don't mind spending a small fortune for soft and buttery tresses, then you definitely should treat yourself to an in-salon treatment at a Kérastase Consultant Salon.

Set to launch in March, Kérastase Chronologiste is a deep conditioning treatment made of sea-enriched caviar pearls that will drench your hair with hair-healthy Vitamin E and will provide UV anti-oxidant protection (protect that beautiful hair color, girls!).

Interested? $60 for an in-salon treatment/$145 for the DIY home version.

Neutral Nail Trend For Spring 2010: Deborah Lippmann

I love neutral nails and all its variations. Deborah Lippmann has some of the most fashion forward colors ever. Although the shades shown here are not new, per se, they are nonetheless great for the nude nail trend for spring. From left to right, is Fashion (a taupe-y beige), No More Drama (a soft, creamy bronze with flecks of gold) & Satin Doll (a dusty pale pink with silver undertones). I have all three and they wear well without a lot of chipping. The colors are exquisite and they work well with all skin tones.

NYFW F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty: Sexy Equestrian at Vena Cava

“The designers wanted the girls to look like they spent a day skiing and horseback riding – fresh, flushed but tanned” – Lloyd Simmonds

Get The Look...

Eyes:
M·A·C Pro Powder Blush in Taupe – Softly brushed along the crease of the eyelid
Style Predator Eye Shadow – Brushed over the whole eyelid
M·A·C Pro Shine Wax – Applied over the eye shadow on the eyelid
M·A·C Pro Lash in Black – Applied only to the upper eyelashes

Skin:
Select Cover Up Concealer – Applied to the skin as foundation
M·A·C Pro Cream Colour Base in Bronze and Mid-tone Sepia – Brushed across forehead and cheekbones for a slightly windblown effect.
M·A·C Pro Shine Wax – Applied over the Cream Colour Base across the bridge of the nose to give a dewy finish

NYFW F/W 2010 Backstage Beauty: Runway Hair at Cynthia Rowley

I love sleek or messy ponytails. I think they look effortlessly chic and sexy! That's why I fell in love with the ponytails at the Fall 2010 runway show at Cynthia Rowley! The hair was described as a sleek, natural ponytail accented with the striking contrast of an artificial colored hair extension placed off center for an added tuft of textured fringe.

The Wella Pros at Cynthia Rowley created the colorful extensions with Koleston Perfect Special Mix. The shades were used to "completely saturate the natural hair extensions with rich, vibrant, jewel-toned shades of the collection. The sophisticated nuances of the Special Mix collection allow for creativity without limits – turning any color fantasy into a reality on the runway or in real life. The multi-dimensional tones and layers reveal sensuous colors in a range of shades, while embedded with an element of surprise."

If you're daring enough to wear this look, the Wella Professional Hair Team for Cynthia Rowley suggests:

1. Sectioning hair off and working from back of the head to the front, prepare hair with Wella System Professional Ultimation hair spray for added texture and shine.

2. Create texture within each section by using a combination of a curling iron and crimping iron for non-uniform waviness.

3. Place Wella colored hair pieces that have been crimped within sections of the natural hair so that the extensions blend in seamlessly.

4. Pull the hair back into a soft ponytail at the nape of the neck with the ends flowing naturally, while allowing the streaks of color to show through for added dimension.

NYFW Fall 2010: Backstage Beauty: The "Anti-Blush" Movement?

Healthy Cheeks at Marc by Marc Jacobs

"Anti-blush" at Rodarte
Backstage at the shows this week, there seemed to be a trend from what I've been reading that beauty for Fall 2010 will be the season of the "anti-blush." Quite a shock for someone who wears blush, like me.

For some makeup artists, the cheek will be about the "cheekbone." Bringing out the cheekbones will involve bringing luminousity to the skin with products that highlight and shape that area of the face.

At Rodarte, my favorite MUA, Charlotte Tilbury, mentioned that she was over the "rosy" cheek, while my other favorite MUA, Dick Page, was asked about the "anti-blush" movement for fall.

As he provided a "healthy" cheek to the models at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, he kindly gave his reply, "F*** that."

My sentiments exactly.

Photo: Style.com

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At Donna Karan

I haven't worn red lips in so long, but for the last three fashion seasons or more, more than one or two designers feature red lips in some form or another. From juicy tangerine-orangy reds to deep cranberry to warm deep brick crimson, reds will definitely be the key "accessory" to wear for the coming fall. I'm talking full-on lips--not the wimpy sheer variety.

Red lips, deep very cherry lips were evident at the Fall 2010 Donna Karan Show for New York Fashion Week. One of my makeup mentors, Charlotte Tibury, shaped the lips with MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry and she used MAC Lip Mix in Burgundy to fill in the lip and then she topped off the look with a lip lacquer, like Nars Diablo.

With a swipe of a grayish steel blue eye shadow swept from the lower lash to the brow, note the clean and "waxy" texture of the skin. Be on the lookout for MAC Mixing Medium (coming summer 2010). Charlotte mixed this product with the foundation to give the skin a flawlessly mannequin, but realistic dewy texture.

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At L.A.M.B

NYFW F/W 2010: Backstage Beauty At Alexander Wang

Erin Wasson x RVCA

From what I've read, model turned fashion designer, Erin Wasson's presentation during New York Fashion week harkened back to the nineties grunge look with her showing of slouthy tees and leggings. It was the beauty looks, I found interesting. Love the look of the soft nudy-mauve lip and lightly smoked eyes in shades of grey and the healthy cheek, but the one bushy "Frankenstein-esque" eyebrow feels forced. It's like someone wanted a look that would standout, but I think they missed the mark. Didn't see how this translated to a grunge-inspired, 70's vibe beauty look.

Chanel Coco Rouge

For the last three or four fashion seasons and maybe a little before that, fashion insiders have made the proclamation that "lipstick is back!" I would say that within the last eight or nine years, sales of lipstick have gone down and the sale of lip gloss had exploded exponentially.

Seeing this trend, the style mavens at Chanel have decided to take all lip gloss users and convert them into lipstick lovers! Especially among the younger set, lip gloss is "QUEEN," so to speak. They grew up seeing lipstick as something that's worn by an older crowd. Chanel will singlehandedly, take all those Glossimer users and introduce to them the new Coco Rouge lipsticks that have a completely different more up-to-date texture and a wider range of shades of pinks, nudes, and berries.

I can't wait to see what Chanel has whipped up! Ever since the new makeup "king" Peter Philips has taken the creative helm at Chanel in the makeup department, products have been flying off the shelves! Remember fall's Jade Nail Lacquer?

Coco Rouge will be available March 2010 nationwide.

Adara Virgin Organic Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil has so many benefits for the skin. I have used it several times myself when I can get my hands on it. And while its good for the skin, I have yet to use it on my hair as I've heard that it has great conditioning properties for the hair, too.

While trying to find out where I can get more, I found out about adara Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Imported from Singapore, adara offers the highest grade of Organic Coconut Oil. I like the fact that it is a Fair Trade product without preservatives and it's paraben free!

You can find out more about adara at www.b-glowing.com.

M•A•C Viva Glam: Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga

Two of the boldest, if not, most quirky singers have teamed up with M•A•C Cosmetics to represent the cosmetic company's AIDS Fund through the ever popular, Viva Glam series!

Available in North America this month (International Markets in March), the two very different shades of Viva Glam that each celeb has created is a light coral red by Cyndi Lauper and a bubble-gumy pink creation by Lady Gaga. This will be the first time in Viva Glam's history that these lipsticks are named after celebrities and the lipstick tube carries the signature of each spokewoman.

As you know, all proceeds from the sale of all Viva Glam lipsticks go to support those living with AIDS. Since 1994 and past celeb reps like Mary J. Blige and Fergie, M•A•C has raised mega-bucks to help those in the AIDS community.

bliss triple oxygen™ instant energizing mask

"A spa in a bottle" is what I call this "miracle" product from bliss! The bliss triple oxygen™ instant energizing mask is a unique mask that perks up tired and dull looking skin in five minutes or less. I love it because it actually mimics the actual bliss spa Triple Oxygen Treatment Facial that they are famous for. I've been using this twice of month and I love the little oxygen bubbles that work diligently to make my skin beautiful. It's great to use in the morning if you can manage a few quick minutes while getting ready for work. My makeup goes on flawlessly after I slather on my great moisturizer!

Makeup Trend Report: MAC Spring/Summer 2010

Trend: Dye-A-Tribe

A shaft of sunlight through stained glass… the syrupy freshness of peach juice…the swirled, translucent tints in a murano vase…tinted filters over a camera lense: for colour this summer, think multi-dimensional, soft-focus and super-blended in a succulent palette. It’s about optimistic, upbeat shades applied with the very lightest touch “in the ongoing trend for colour that looks airbrushed with the softest edges,” says Terry Barber. Not that its attitude is hippie-dippy or costume drama. “It’s more about taking pretty colours, yet giving them a rebellious edge so that they don’t come across as too bridal.” Whether that be the subtlety of a dégradé chromatic shift over the lip or eye or the juxtaposition of upbeat colours against a raw skin or bare lash, as Gordon Espinet explains, “It’s really about wearing colour with a cool factor.”

“Using a translucent, colourless powder mixed with powder blush gives the pigment an even smoother finish that allows the skin just the barest wash of colour with a totally seamless edge.” Nadine Luke, Director Make Up Artistry International at MAC Cosmetics


Trend: Underground Society

An aerodynamically misplaced streak of liner. A lip packed in Pigment or duo-chromatically constructed...a hardass brow. "It's more of an attempt to project an attitude of individuality and a sense of ownership than about looking gorgeous in any traditional sense," explains Terry Barber.

“These makeups are all about one element on the face. Rather than defining the features, it’s almost more about the product being an accent on a practically naked face… it’s minimal makeup, maximum impact, and definitely with an edge.” Gordon Espinet, Vice President of Makeup Artistry of M•A•C

Trend: Pale N' Dandy

Take bleach to your brows...Or pull them into distinctive focus. A brow, or distinct lack of one, is essential on this season’s uncomplicated face…sit them on skin that’s under-refined yet ultra-alive with gloss and light-reflective textures…ensure your lips are fresh and free of colour…leave lashes bare. Such are the touchstones of this season’s über-nude look. Yet, there’s nothing alien or odd about this pallor. Pulling reference points from English aristocracy and portraiture to grooming on the verge of grunge, this girl is tough, urban and consciously plays with a certain androgynously sensual beauty. She doesn’t care a lot, but she cares enough, and minimal amounts of makeup upgrade what’s naturally there. It’s a look brought to life by the dominance of shine-enhancing textures. “It’s about pale with a texture to it,” says Gordon Espinet. Hydrated and bathed in light, this skincare-effect makeup is low-level languid for the most enigmatic feel. “It adds a vulnerability and openness to the face,” says lyne desnoyers.

“Gloss texture on the eye and brushed through the brow is officially the most popular product of the season.” Tiffany Johnston, MAC Senior Makeup Artist

Shu Uemura: The Art of Hair

Any one of my friends can tell you that not only do I love makeup, I'm all about hair care. My stylist is a bit like me in that she is always seeking products that will make your hair better and she believes, like me, in great hair care products. About a year ago, she introduced me to Shu Uemura's Art of Hair Collection. Because my hair is relaxed, combating dryness is critical to the health of my hair. She used the Silk Bloom treatment on my hair and because it contains Argon Oil, I knew it had to be something special to it. Just like Moroccan Oil, the Silk Bloom conditioner worked wonders for my hair. It stayed hydrated for two straight weeks and I was able to maintain my hair style until my next visit.

If you're in the market for something new, check out Shu Uemura's Art of Hair collection. There is something for all hair types.

Prada Red

Bleached brows and tomato red lips were the stand out look at S/S Prada 2010. Make red lips your "accessory" for spring. Some great bright tomato reds are MAC Lady Danger (matte) and Kevyn Aucoin Talula (sheer coral). Not ready to take the plunge, try Nars lip gloss in Babe.

Dolce & Gabbana Anniversary Lipsticks

Fashion mavericks, Dolce & Gabbana, exclusive line of cosmetics called, The Makeup, is made up of a simple collection of lipsticks, eye shadows, nail colors, and powder foundation. To celebrate their one year anniversary, they extended their lipstick offerings with the Roses Collection. Just in time for Valentine's Day (not necessarity released for the ocassion). Shades include Scarlett Fire Rose - a classic, creamy red; Shine On is an infusion of apricot, peach, and gold; and Magnifica is a mauve crimson; and Baby Darling is an orange-pink pigment and Fascination is a great girly color! Available at select Saks Fifth Avenue Stores.