Pretty Connected Backstage at 3.1 Phillip Lim
20Feb10
Post by Melissa Udoff
“Uptown Debbie Harry” served as the inspiration for Phillip Lim at the designer’s 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. “This is a youthful, rebellious look that exudes a strong sense of confidence. Energy radiates within the girls through their makeup with eyes that have a bit of a rock and roll feel,” said designer Phillip Lim. Unlike the infamous Mrs. Harry, this Debbie is not exactly the leather-clad, hard-edged girl of a Blondie video. She has a look that’s classic yet modern, polished but with a hints of rebellion. She’s definitely got an edge but it’s more unexpected.
HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO
Taking inspiration from this altered state of Debbie, famed hairstylist Odile Gilbert, created a look that was both refined yet Rock & Roll. Long, voluminous waves had just enough fluff and feather to invoke the spirit of Ms. Harry. Using all Phyto products Gilbert applied Intense Volume Mousse and created volume by blowdrying hair upside down. She then used a curling iron to create soft waves and finished with Volume Actif Hair Spray for hold, and #7 Hydrating Cream to seal the ends.
MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Lisa Butler for NARS Cosmetics
“This look has many layers,” said NARS Cosmetic’s lead artist Lisa Butler. “The eyes are punchy and edgy while the skin was kept healthy and glowing. The lips are a soft, sheer pink for the elegant punk-rock princess style that Phillip was looking for.” NARS Cosmetics accomplished their goal, keeping the models looking youthful and glowing with light lips but captured the edge in the eyes with a smokier look.
Here’s how to get the look:
FACE
- Riviera Multiple
- Douceur Blush (NEW for Fall 2010); try Lovejoy or Madly Blush for a similar effect
- Luxor Multiple
EYES
- Abyssinia Single Eyeshadow
- Nymphea Single Eyeshadow
- Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect
- London Eyeliner Pencil
LIPS
- Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2010); try Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect
NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish
Angi Wingle completed the refined rocker look on nails with a French manicure using Creamy Cameo and Gold Chrome tips.
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Pretty Connected Backstage at Peter Som
17Feb10
Everyone was pretty in purple backstage for Peter Som’s Fall 2010 fashion show at Milk Studios.
HAIR: Lead Hair Stylist Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble
Inspired by Steven Meisel’s photography in the ‘90s, Laurent Philippon created simple straight lines for the hairstyle to balance the vibrant mix of colors and textures coming from Som’s collection, and the bold purple lip from MAC. Using all Bumble and Bumble products, Laurent saturated locks in ‘Prep’ prior to straightening, then flat ironed in sections, misting in ‘Does It All Styling Spray’ to create a bone straight look with a sleek middle part.
MAKEUP: Lead Makeup Artist, Tom Pecheux for M.A.C
“The look was uptown girl, meets Woodstock, a shimmery golden eye to contradict the deep, dark, purple lip.” -Tom Pecheux
EYES:
- Studio Sculpt Concealer – applied over the eyelid
- Set Powder in Invisible – powdered over the eye area to set concealer
- Pigment in with Legal – swept over the concealed eyelid from lash to brow and in the inner eye corner
- Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk – lightly appliet to the inner eye corner and under the brow Bone
- Studio Fix Lash – applied to top and bottom lash
FACE:
- Studio Sculpt SPF Foundation – applied all over the face
- Set Powder in Invisible – brushed over the skin to more
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My Packing List for Hawaii
29Dec09
Part of my New Years resolutions is to be more adventurous, so on Christmas day I booked a trip to Hawaii for New Years. I traded in NYC snow for Kona (and eventually Maui) sunshine!
My trips two weeks, so I packed the essentials for my paradise vacation:
- Shiseido Suncare Refreshing Sun Protection Spray SPF 16 - 150ml/5 fl.oz. $28.00
- Sponge Ladi Avokanto – 50ml/1.7 fl.oz. $100
- Whish Flawless Ingrown Hair Serum – 35ml/1.1 fl.oz. $22.50
- Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo – 300ml/10 fl.oz. $18
- Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment – 4.2oz/$36, .35oz/$6
- Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing Leave-In Cream – 300ml/10 fl.oz. $26
- Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Infused Comb – $12
- Vichy Apres Soleil Daily Milky Care – 150ml
- Tweezerman Hot For Dots Mini Slant Tweezer – $15
- Hard Candy Just Nail Polish in Pretty in Punk (pink), Frenzy (teal), and Splendid (yellow). 10.3ml/.35 fl.oz. $5
- Ken Paves Travel Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic 1 inch Plate Flat Iron – $59.95
- Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Liquid Foundation SPF 10 – 30ml/1. fl.oz LIQ. $33.50
- Avalon Organics Bath & Shower Gel in Peppermint – 350ml/12 fl.oz. $10.95
- Upper Canada Hand & Body Lotion – 360ml/12 fl.oz
More in depth review to come, but for now I need to catch a flight!
Affiliation: Sponge, Whish, Macadamia Natural Oil, Hard Candy, Ken Paves, and Upper Canada products we’re sent to me by a company representative for the purpose of this blog. Estee Lauder was given to me by a company rep. for a previous blog I wrote for; Shiseido I received in a gift bag. I was under no obligation to write this review for any of these brands.
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Booty Queen for Halloween
1Nov09
*My flash decided to censor my stuffed bra. Top by Nicole Romano, Blue Jean Denim Leggings by Mark. (worked great for stuffing my behind!), Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell
Oh Kim, why did we think Karaoke as a good idea?
Look at those eyes! Ignore my hair (I was rained on)
Halloween is a fun time of year when you can really go outside your comfort zone and play dress up without any concern about looking too ridiculous or over-dressed. This year, I decided to be Kim Kardashian. It was very entertaining creating this costume considering it was my first ‘stuff my bra/butt experience.’ It also gave me an opportunity to test a lot of products.
Here’s a quick excerpt of the my Kim Kardashian look (more detailed review to come):
HAIR:
Redken Go Clean Shampoo and Finish Up Conditioner – Love it! This is part of Redken’s men’s line but it works really well on my hair. Great lather, my hair comes out shiny and well, clean. But yes, you’ll smell like a dude. When men ask me for a list of products I recommend for them, this is always on the list (unless they have color treated hair).
Ken Paves Professional Styling Iron – Part of Ken Paves’ Travel line, is this lightweight straightener, which is fast becoming my everyday straightener – it’s that good. Originally I was apprehensive about this product since I didn’t think ‘one heat setting fits all’ is viable for flat irons; however it gets very hot (up to 410 degrees F), which is what is really necessary for my curly hair. Warning, if you generally use your flat iron on a low heat setting, this may not be the product for you. Unless of course the heat settings automatically adjusts based on hair need, but either way there is no dial to manually control it. I will investigate this further and report back.
Living Proof Straight Making No Frizz Styling Treatment - a great protective cream for when you’re using a flat iron or blow-drying your hair. Helps fight frizz and only requires a small dollop to service your entire scalp. It’s no wonder this line has been winning so many prestigious beauty awards!
Cutler Specialist Fly-Away Control Stick - This is my go to product for fly aways. Shaped like a deodorant stick, I just roll them over problematic areas and I’m all set for the entire evening.
John Frieda Luxurious Volume All-Out Hold Hairspray – This product fell a little flat. It has great hold, but didn’t maintain the volume I was hoping for.
LIPS:
L’Oreal Infallible Plumping Lip Gloss in Plumped Pink and Plumped Red – It tingles a bit, and I definitely felt a little plumping action taking place, but having pretty full lips already, it wasn’t more
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Birthday Makeup by Paul Labrecque
28Oct09
In anticipation of my birthday this week, it triggered the usual, ‘What do I wear? How should I wear my makeup?’ freak-out. Fortunately, I received a complimentary makeup application at Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa in the gift bag from Nicole Williams‘, Girl on Top book launch. No time like the present to use it!
Considering the reputation of the salon, and the many beauty awards they’ve received (everyone from Vogue, and InStyle, to Allure Magazine), I plopped myself down on the chair and placed my complete trust in them. I gave no guidelines on the application or makeup look, just a description of my outfit to my big event so the stylist could make sure they matched.
Without any hesitation, my lovely stylist Salome, who has been with the company for over 8 years, gave me a gorgeous bronzed glow, using product by NARS Cosmetics and Cle de Peau.
But see for yourself:
My birthday look:
EYES:
NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Pandora, Kilimanjaro, and Isolde
Cle de Peau Intensifying Cream Eyeliner in #101
Cle de Peau Mascara in Volume in Black #101
FACE:
NARS Liquid Foundation in Sedona
NARS Face Powder in Mountain
NARS Concealer in Toffee
NARS Multiple Stick in Palm Beach
CHEEKS:
NARS Blush in Exhibit A
LIPS:
NARS Lipliner in Papau
NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight and Stolen Kisses (NARS)
The staff was so great and warm, I had such a lovely experience and my makeup lasted all night, without any touch ups.
Thank you Salome and Paul Labrecque for making my day so special!
For more information onn Paul Labrecque Salon and Spa click HERE
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Hard Candy: They’re Back and Exclusive at Walmart
5Oct09
Exclusively at Walmart, the former prestige beauty brand, Hard Candy, resurfaces this week for the masses, priced at $5 – $10. An impressive price point considering they will launch with 261 items ranging from nail polish, bronzers, tinted moisturizers, to lip stains, lip glosses, and a variety of eyeliners, eyeshadows, mascaras, and more.
The Hard Candy for Walmart launch party
Founded in 1995 by Dineh Mohajer, Hard Candy is one of those brands that takes me back. That’s the year Clueless hit theatres and every female teen from that generation, become instantly obsessed with Alicia Silverstone. Well at least I did, so when she more
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Ready-To-Bare it ALL: Backstage at Vivienne Tam Spring 2010 Collection
15Sep09
On Saturday, September 12th, Gina Brooks, Artistic Director of Shu Uemura, was kind enough to extend an invitation to go backstage and preview the look for Vivienne Tam’s Spring 2010 runway collection. Considering this was the last year fashion week would be held at Bryant Park (sniff, sniff), I was anxious to get to the tents.
The inspiration for the show was nature. Gina Brooks did an exceptional job embodying the theme and creating a clean, natural face with soft pink cheeks and dramatic lashes that appeared like butterfly wings (using the Shu Uemura Farfallina False Eyelashes on both the top and bottom lash line).
“Butterflies were seen everywhere in Vivienne’s collection which was inspired by freedom, life and the 1960’s,” said Brooke. “It was only natural to have these beautiful, wing-like lashes flank the models’ eyes to resemble one of earth’s most gorgeous creatures.”
Get the Look:
Farfallina False Eyelashes – $29.00
Nobara Cream Cover Stick – $42.00
Primal Mix Blush – $24.00
Eyebrow Gel - $24.00
Rouge Unlimited 942 – $23.00
Shu Uemura Artistic Director Gina Brook
Hair by Kevin Mancuso for Kevin Mancuso Salons. Following suit, Kevin completed the look with middle parts, producing loose waves on these models flowing locks, creating a modern twist on a classic hippie do.
After my interview, I had a little time to kill until the show started. Fortunately, I ran into a friend who invited me to the W Hotels VIP Backstage Lounge, sponsored by Veuve Clicquot. I had me a drink (or two) while mingling with some of fashion’s finest.
Showtime! I filed into the crowd excited for Vivienne Tam’s collection and especially thrilled to see the premiere of her latest collaboration with HP for their digital clutch. A beauty bloggers dream! So compact and stylish, I want it! But like more