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.

Leave a Comment

Pretty Connected Backstage at Karen Walker

18Feb10

Karen Walker’s Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by her love for Bob Dylan and The Sound of Music (but for totally different reasons), saying, “I’ve always wondered what would happen if the two got thrown together.”

The result? See for yourself:

HAIR: Lead Stylist Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and Bumble

Rolando wanted to create a messy, rough ponytail that seemed carelessly glamorous. The persona being the girl who did a quick fix up to last nights go-out-hair and managed to make it look effortlessly chic. The trick to avoid bumps when putting your hair up in a ponytail, is to lift your chin up and tilt your head back.

Rolando created the look by spraying Bumble and bumble ‘Thickening Hairspray’ to add volume and texture and height at the crown.  Rolando recommends, “using your hands, not a brush” and to rake hair back with your fingers, then secure with a simple black elastic.  Finish with Bumble and bumble’s ‘Does it All Styling Spray‘.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Jenna Menard for Shiseido

Jenna Menard for Shiseido led the artistry team doing a strong, matte, red lip using Shiseido lipstick in Valentine.  To keep the accent on the bold lips, Menard was minimal on the rest of the makeup, using no eyeliner and just a hint of peach shimmer around the eyes.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish in Rose Water

more

Leave a Comment

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
Leave a Comment

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:

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.

1 Comment

Perfect Last Minute Gifts

23Dec09

If you’re like me, then right about now you’ve finished most of your shopping and just trying to resolve a few loose ends.

So here it is — a list of great gift sets to have on hand that you can give as is or break them apart (they makes great little stocking stuffers).  And if all else fails, keep them for yourself, everyone wins!

1. Korres – Never Too Much of a Good Thing

The possibilities are endless with this unisex set of 12 body products (six showergels, six body butters).  Match them by scent and give them to your favorite coworkers (just get fancy on the wrapping).  Or you can give the entire set to that person in your life who’s fortunate enough to have a guest bathroom and enjoys putting toiletries out for their guests. Also a perfect gift for hosts/hotesesses, secret santa, travelers, siblings, maybe even the mailman? … like I said, endless possibilities.

The set contains:

  • 6 Showergels in Basil Lemon, Jasmine, Guava, Clementine, Melon, and Mint
  • 6 Body Butters in Basil Lemon, Jasmine, Guava, Clementine, Melon, and Mint

Price: $39.50 (value $99).  Exclusive to Sephora, visit Sephora.com for more information.

2. Tarte – Crown Jewels Lipgloss Multi-Gift Set

This limited edition set already does the work for you! This gift is nicely packaged on its own or inside there are 3 sets of perfectly packed sets of 5 mini lip glosses ready to be given out by more

1 Comment

Unconventional Beauty Tips

12Nov09

Sometimes you’re not at home to fix some of life’s little inconveniences.  So here are a few quick tips:

toothpastebandaid

  • You’re out on the town and you’ve broken a nail.  No nail file? Use either a brick off a building to file or even better a matchbook! This should help tie you over until you’re home and can properly file.
  • On a trip and you break out? Try eye drops on your blemish to diminish redness.   Also, toothpaste can be used to spot treat and help dry out that pimple so that it’s cleared up by morning.
  • A little nippy out? Turn your high beams off with Bandaid ActivFlex! They hide amazingly well under clothes.  I find this one hilarious!
Leave a Comment

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color

6Nov09

sal han

People seek different things when it comes to selecting and applying their nail polish.  Some enjoy the salon manicure experience, and some like to get creative with patterns and kits.  Others spend time applying a bottom coat, multiple layers of their chosen color, followed by a top coat (or something in between), all the while being ever so patient with the drying process to create the perfect at home manicure. 
 
And then there’s the girl on the run.  And for that girl, there is Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Color.  The wand is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Compared to the average size, it’s huge and it only takes one coat for full coverage.  The brush is amazingly precise and makes the polish so easy to apply.  (Make sure when dipping the wand, you wipe the excess polish on the edges of the jar, otherwise you may find more

Leave a Comment

Carol’s Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar

24Oct09

carols daughter

2 oz. $11.50

Directions: Rub gently and let the salt exfoliate, while the shea butter moisturizes.  Rinse off the excess salt and dry your hands.  Your hands will feel silky smooth in just a few seconds.

Holy smokes Batman! This product is serious stuff.  I scooped some out from the jar and rubbed the concoction all over my hands.  At first I questioned the ‘silky smooth’ result, considering how hard the salt was exfoliating my skin.  Then after rinsing the shea butter absorbed into my skin and BAM! My hands were the softest they’ve ever been.  Finish with a hand cream or just call it a day.

Please note, while the packaging says ‘with fragrance of vanilla, musk, and lemon balm,’ all I smell is the shea butter.  Sure if you inhale hard enough, you will get hints of the other ingredients. While I’m a fan of the restorative properties of shea butter, I’m not crazy about the smell.  But this product is so impressive; I’m willing to overlook it.  Now if only a hand massage and manicure came along with the product, I’d never step foot in a parlor again.  Until then …

This product does not contain parabens, sulfates or synthetic fragrances and dyes.

For more information click here

Affiliation: This product was not sent to me by a representative.

2 Comments

Dell Computers + OPI Nail Lacquer = One HOT Laptop

23Oct09

Dell Mini in 'I'm Not Really a Waitress' by OPI

Dell Mini in 'I'm Not Really a Waitress' by OPI

Dell Computers is partnering with OPI nail lacquer to launch a collection of Dell Mini, Inspiron, and Studio laptops based on 20 classic OPI colors such as “Big Apple Red,” “Kyoto Pearl,” and “Rosy Future,” along with six holiday shades including “Merry Midnight” and “Smitten with Mittens”.

I’m loving this trend of technology meeting beauty/fashion; first the digital clutch from HP and designer, Vivienne Tam, and now, Dell collaborating with OPI.

Unlike the HP/Vivienne Tam laptop scheduled to launch Spring 2010, the Dell/OPI models will be available next month. Just in time for the holidays — it makes a perfect gift especially for a beauty blogger (ahem).

And considering I’m kicking around the idea of moving to Hawaii for a few months, I could definitely use the “I’m Not Really a Waitress” laptop!

Available: November 2009, US Only

For more information visit Dell

Leave a Comment

J.Crew: I Do

13Oct09

J.Crew Oct Catalog Cover

Having a merchandising background, I can honestly say when I saw October’s edition of J. Crew’s catalog, I was blown away.  Aside from the gorgeous clothing assortment (which I want in my wardrobe), the layouts, colors and alliances in this book are done so superbly well.

jcrew oct

The opening spread which features J. Crew’s Creative Director, Jenna Lyons ‘picks’, displays 14 products, including Essie’s Nail Polish in Eternal Optimist! more

Leave a Comment
older posts

Categories

Archives

Beauty Blogs

Blogroll

News

NYC