Beauty411

Backstage Pass: Lela Rose at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

While in New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I was privileged to attend the shows and go backstage to get the details on key aspects of the look: makeup, hair and nails.  At Lela Rose, the look was relaxed and inspired by Venice Beach.

Makeup was by Sarah Lucero for Stila and Beauty.com.  Sarah said the look they were going for was a "seashell look on the eyes".  Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 was applied to the face, with Fandango Duo Shadow applied to eyelids, Camelia Convertible Color on the browbone and Cobalt Smudge Pot in inner corners.  Cheeks were naturally flushed using Pomegranate Crush Stain.  Lips were nude, using Camellia Convertible Color.  Black Major Major Mascara completed the look.  Prior to makeup application, various Darphin products were used to prepare the skin.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Edition: What's in my makeup bag?

As you read this, I am winging my way to New York to cover Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for Spring 2010.  This semi-annual event brings thousands of journalists to New York to see, drool, disect and determine the best of next season's fashions.  The atmosphere in the tents is electric; for a fashionista, it's a huge adrenaline rush.  While at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the fashion media will document Anna (Wintour) sightings, models falling off their shoes and every other nuance of the culture of couture.

As you can imagine, editing the contents of my makeup bag has been a task of epic proportion.  Here are some of the standout products I'm taking with me:

 

Eye Shadow:  When you're watching the world's best makeup artists at work, believe me, you feel the pressure to put on your best face.  This is no time or place for a neutral, day look!  I'll be bring lots of MAC, including pigments, the Smokin' Eyes palette from Benefit, Giorgio Armani Beauty Manta Ray Duo and the Dior Midnight Butterfly eye shadow quint.

 

Mascara:  Maybelline Lash Stiletto, to celebrate that Maybelline is the new official cosmetic sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and new Estee Lauder Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara--because having a wardrobe of mascara is essential during Fashion Week!

Fashion's Night Out: My Top 10 Can't Miss Picks!

Fashion's Night Out, a celebration of retail and fashion, will kick off New York Fashion Week on Thursday, September 10, 2009.  Fashion's Night Out was conceptualized by Anna Wintour as an attempt to boost sales in a tough economic environment.  Vogue partners with the CFDA and NYC & Co. to host an evening extravaganza, full of appearances by fashion and beauty's elite, the likes of which have never been seen.

A seasoned shopaholic, I can't wait for Fashion's Night Out.  I'll be covering the event as part of New York Fashion Week.  With so many fantastic venues to choose from, I've narrowed my list to these can't-miss picks:

• Barney's New York:  Personal appearance abound here, including Isabel Toledo, one of Michelle Obama's fave designers.  Lipstick Queen Poppy King will be on hand to do "lip readings" .

• Bergdorf Goodman: Zac Posen will be painting the windows;  Andre Leon Talley will be hosting the new game Fashion Rules with guests Donna Karan; Isaac Mizrahi will also be attending.  There will be a cook-off hosted by Padma Lakshmi, of Top Chef. Lancome's Sandy Linter will also be making an appearance to share tips and techniques.

• Bloomingdales (flagship): Tons of personal appearance and festivities here will make this a stop you won't want to miss. Plus, Clinique is hosting Milly designer Michelle Smith with cocktails and makeovers from 5-7 pm.  You'll want to pick up "The Milly for Clinique" makeup bag gift with purchase with any $25 Clinique purchase.

• Chanel: The Soho store will feature the Chanel Champagne Nail Bar (a concept I'm totally behind!), where the highly sought-after Jade nail colour will make it's debut. Shoppers will be treated to mini-manicures with Jade.  At the 57th Street Store, guests can custom-create their own Chanel handbag--can you even imagine? This might be my most anticipated event of the night.

• Henri Bendel: The evening's events will be focused on accessories and beauty.  A personal appearance will be held by Trish McEvoy. And being as how Henri Bendel is known for their beauty and fragrance departments, I'm sure this will be a fabulous stop.

• Lancome: At the Boutique (Columbus Circle), there will be an appearance by designer Chris Benz, creator of the new Pout-a-Porter lipstick. The wait list will officially open. Cupcakes, champagne and makeup--what's not to love?

• M.A.C:  (42nd at Park Avenue) Get in on a sneak-peek party for the Style Black Collection, M.A.C's journey to the dark side. DJs will be on hand to add to the atmosphere. No one throws a party like M.A.C. Plan on this being a party to remember!

• Magnolia Bakery:  The iconic cupcake bakery will be dressing up their classic cupcake with a special Fashion's Night Out cupcake and donating a portion of the proceeds to the 9/11 Memorial Fund.  An excellent stop to re-fuel and get your sugar high on.

• Saks Fifth Avenue: Appearances are the name of the game here, including visits by fashion and beauty's biggest names: Donna Karan, Carolina Hererra, Guiseppe Zanotti, Aerin Lauder, Bobbi Brown and Frederic Fekkai. Over 1,000 cosmetic giveaways to really add excitement to the night.

• Tory Burch: One of the most fun events, Tory Burch is hosting a neighborhood blcok party at the Meatpacking District Store, complete with DJs and barbeque.  Definitely a can't-miss stop!

While Fashion's Night Out promises to be full of fun, the evening will also benefit two worthwhile charities: A limited edition t-shirt (see photo above) will be sold by participating retailers, with 40% of the proceeds going to National September 11 Memorial and Museum at The World Trade Center.  In addition, a citywide clothing drive will support the NYC AIDS fund.

Every day that gets closer to Fashion's Night Out, I get an update more amazing than the day before it, so keep checking FashionsNightOut.com for the most up-to-date information.  It's also where you can find links to retailers and even compose and email your own itinerary.  Now...how to be in more than one place at a time?!

Francois Nars Lead Makeup Artist at Marc Jacobs Fashion Show

After a 10 year hiatus, François Nars marked his return to the fashion runway in a larger than life way by leading the makeup direction for Marc Jacobs’ Autumn/Winter 2009 show at Fashion Week in New York. Nars’ unexpected return to fashion week can be attributed solely to Marc Jacobs.  “We’ve known each other since the beginning so it was really fun to work with Marc again.  I really love what he does,” said Nars. 

I can't even imagine the buzz that having Nars backstage must have caused.  To a beauty fan, Nars is a rockstar.  Part of the challenge for Nars was working with 65 models and creating 65 different makeup looks.

Focusing on an edgy, night clubbing look, strong eyes and bold color were a major theme.  Black shadow laid the foundation for creating the dramatic dark smokey eye, to which the artists added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter.  “There is a wide variety of color,” said Nars, “it’s whatever looks good on the girl.” 

For many of the models, porcelain skin was a key component, allowing the black eyes and bright colors to pop.  “You want to play with makeup,” says Nars, “makeup is a great accessory - that is the message.”

The fashions at the Jacobs show were a throwback to the devil-may-care, fun, fabulous and colorful 80's.  In tough economic times, this was fashion as a way to be optimistic.  Viva le Nars!

Barbie Fashion Show at New York Fashion Week featuring Stila Makeup

It's Mercedes Benz Fall 2009 Fashion Week in New York and who better to make the scene than Barbie?  Barbie continues her 50th celebration this year with a fashion show featuring guest designers like Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Bob Mackie, dressing her in Past, Present and Future creations.  My favorite look is Barbie Present. 

Makeup was done by the Stila Pro Artistry Team led by legendary makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who brought the looks to life. 

Makeup used to get the Present look, detailed on the face chart below, include Stila shades of purple eyeshadow with black eyeliner; Illuminating Makeup, Perfecting Concealer, bubblegum pink cheeks and All Over Shimmer.  Stila "Giggle", a light pink Lip Vinyl, completed the look.  

 

Rock & Republic launches cosmetics line!

Rock & Republic, the premium lifestyle brand loved by celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Eva Longoria Parker and Paris Hilton, is launching a line of cosmetics that are definitely crave-worthy.  Rock & Republic Cosmetics will launch a 116-piece collection in 10 product categories. 

There will be lip glosses, mascara, high-pigmented eye shadow, caffeine-infused primer and the most fabulous bronzer compact you will ever see.  The Accentuate Bronzer/Highlighter is the embodimentof luxe, with Swarovski Crystals embedded in the compact.  Must. Own. This.  Other products will feature decadent details like black patent leather. 

Mark your calendar.  The Rock & Republic Cosmetics Collection will be available September 15th at Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales and online at RockandRepublicCosmetics.com. 

New York Fashion Week Update

Fashion Week, I've learned, is everything you'd imagine it to be and so much more!  It's exciting; hectic; with a pulse all it's own.  So much to take in, you're on sensory overload.  My Fashion Week Experience started out with a cocktail party at the offices of the Estee Lauder Company, where beauty bloggers were able to meet with representatives of brands such as Clinique, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Jo Malone and many more.  A personal highlight for me was meeting Makeup Artist Extraordinaire Bobbi Brown, who was so gracious. Another wonderful experience was seeing the personal office of Mrs. Estee Lauder. Amazing!

I also saw Lisa Robertson, QVC Host, prepping for the remote production last night from the tents at Bryant Park.  What struck me is how beautiful her skin is in person. 

Today I was able to be backstage with Charlotte Tilbury, lead MAC makeup artist at the Monique Lhuillier show, where the look was Rock-n-Roll smokey eyes, super clean looking skin with barely-there blush and just Vaseline or a light stain on the lips.  Stay tuned for more on the products used to get the look, a face chart and the 411 on new products, in an interview with Nick Gavrelis, VP of MAC Global Product Development.

Also coming up...some insights on women's hair and common mistakes made when selecting hair products from celebrity hairstylist Ted Gibson. 

Stay tuned for more Beauty411 at Fashion Week!

Calvin Klein Secret Obsession

Calvin Klein has a new fragrance out, called Secret Obsession.  If you're thinking it's just a re-hash of the original Obsession, think again.  It's totally different, with top notes of exotic plum, mace and rose de damas; a heart of Egyptian jasmine, French orange flower and tuberose and base notes of cashmere woods, burnt amber, Madagascan vanilla and Austrailian sandalwood. Although this floral oriental can be worn year 'round, I tend to really love a warm fragrance like this in the fall and winter. 

The face of the provocative ad campaign for Secret Obsession is Eva Mendez, who looks stunning in the ads.  Secret Obsession explores the secrets that lie between love and madness.  It's an undeniably sexy fragrance.  And the bottle? I completely love it.

In time for Fashion Week, the new billboard for Secret Obsession was unveiled in Times Square:

Calvin Klein Secret Obsession is available at Macy's and wherever Calvin Klein fragrances are sold. You can get more information on the Secret Obsession, as well as see the advertising and request a sample of the fragrance on the Secret Obsession website.

NARS Collection Favorites

What makeup does a beauty blog editor take to Fashion Week?  You can bet that one of lines will be NARS!  One of my staples is the Isolde eyshadow duo from the Fall collection; the perfect frosted ginger/shimmering copper.  In addition to wearing the ginger on the lid/bronze in the crease, you can create a smoky eye look by reversing that and then applying a flash of the ginger on the outside corner of the eye to add a "lift". Curl using the new NARS eyelash curler, which gives lashes a natural shape.  Add mascara for a gorgeous eye look.

And the nail polish I'm rocking Rebel Yell from the Fall collection.  It's officially "dusty pomegranate".  I say it's a red/brick/brown color that is easy to wear.  I have shorter nails (I wish I had those long, gorgeous hands with beautiful nails; sadly I don't) and Rebel Yell definitely works.

Of course, NARS is known for their lip gloss; it was recently named a 2008 Best of of Sephora.  If the dark lip just isn't your thing, Frisky Summer lip gloss is a raspberry shade that brightens up just about any sallow complexion.  

I'll keep you posted throughout the week of key makeup trends...stay tuned!

Beauty411 Going to Fashion Week!

There is nothing like the frenzy, excitement  and the theatre that is Fashion Week in New York City.  And I am leaving tomorrow morning to bring all of it to you!  I will be in New York through Thursday, live blogging for Total Beauty.  I'll be on hand to catch the MAC makeup artists extraordinaire create the looks for Spring 2009.  Make sure to check out the widget on the sidebar, where you can catch the MAC Senior Artists as they Twitter on their experiences.

How excited am I to be at Fashion Week?  It's a lifelong dream come true.  Some of the shows I'll be covering include Gottex, Monique Lhuillier, Doucette Duvall and Doo.Ri.  I'll be checking out the fashions and the makeup looks and reporting on the spring trends. 

Come with me on the journey and inside the tents at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Bryant Park.  Follow my updates on Twitter (http://twitter.com/beauty411) and here on Beauty411.  Another great resource to check out is called Inside the Tents.  It's the hub of news on Fashion Week, where many fashion and beauty bloggers, including me, will be contributing. 

And you can bet....I will work it!