Louboutin Lust Travels from Feet to Hands
By Melanie Parker

The day has finally come to test the Louboutin manicure, which is a trend inspired by the peek of red you get when you see the sole of a Christian Louboutin shoe. I was trying the new Sally Hansen Glossy polish, which is a deep black gloss with red microshimmer that hides until you are standing in the sun. I decided to give the Louboutin manicure a try and painted the undersides of my nails a deep red creme. I have to admit that the soles of a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes command my attention when a woman is walking a red carpet, but I am not sold on how this translate to hands.

China Glaze was the first to package a set of polishes that were designed specifically for this trend. They made a new Lubu Heels color that is essentially black with red glitter, and then added in their best-selling red polish Ruby Pumps that is a red glitter. I think the Lubu Manicure set misses the mark. I can't even fathom how hard it would be to remove a glitter polish from under the nails. And that polish needs to be at least 2 layers thick to really be a saturated red. As much as I love China Glaze Ruby Pumps for those days when I want some twinkle toes, I'd stick to a red creme polish if you want to try this technique at home.

I used Essie Handle with Flair, which is a brick red creme on the underside of my nails to test the trend. While I like the hint of color on the flipside, you really need to dedicate a polish to this trend by cutting the brush down to a taper to do this properly. If the red creme pools at the base of your nail, you risk it looking like blood. Which might not be a bad thing with Halloween coming up soon, but I don't think I'll be trying this look again.

Images: bluefly.com and chinaglaze.com
Disclaimer: All products were purchased by the reviewer, Melanie Parker.

Chanel Tour Part VIII: Stags


Chanel surrounded herself with art that reflected her personality. There were many lions, camellias, ornate mirrors and crystal balls.
I also spotted several pairs of deer littered throughout the apartment.
Deer often symbolize independence and pride.

Chanel's apartment is often the source for inspiration for everything from the fall collections, new fragrances, commercials and the actual interiors of the boutiques.

From Vogue:
Inside the store(Hong Kong), which is inspired by Mademoiselle's Paris apartment, the collection of specially-commissioned pieces includes a endearing cast bronze doe sculpted by Francois- Xavier Lalanne, a 32-meter three-storey strand of Murano glass pearls by Jean-Michel Othoniel (which weighs 500 kilos and necessited a reinforcement of the supporting structure of the building), a huge, but delicate Conte-crayon Camellia drawing by Joseph Stashkevetch, and a diamond-dust portrait of Chanel by Vik Muniz, all from the outside too.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=31266

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman and Vogue.co.uk
Disclosure: This Paris trip was made possible by Chanel.

Stumbling across Serge Lutens...

I was a horrible perfumista while I was in Paris. There just was not enough time to visit the perfume shrines.
I did manage to locate the Serge Lutens boutique. I gazed longingly at the Sarrasins and Louve bottles through the closed doors.
But...do not cry for me.
Later that day, I met Mr Christopher Sheldrake himself.
The man responsible for my beloved Fumerie Turque and Ambre Sultan.
I wanted to kick myself for not choosing to wearing one of his scent creations. I had foolishly worn Frederic Malle's Iris Poudre.

I told him that I was a huge fan and he seemed startled by the fuss. I am guessing that he is blissfully unaware that he has a huge cult following on the fragrance board at Makeupalley.

He is full of charm and it was a delight to hear him speak on the art of perfumery.

So in honor of my latest crush...
A Fragrance of the Day Poll

What fragrance did you choose today?
What is your favorite Sheldrake creation? (This is for the perfume junkies)
What is your latest crush?

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman

Disclosure: This Paris trip was made possible by Chanel.

Lipstick, Powder 'n Paint is giving away amazing prizes for each of the 31 days of October.

How to enter: Keep your eyes peeled to http://www.lipstickpowdernpaint.blogspot.com/ each day and guess what the product is shown (image will be distorted slightly). Contests will close at midnight each day. Winning entries will be randomly picked the following day and the winner announced on the site.

Here are some of the brands that have kindly donated prizes:

Lancôme
Kenzo Fragrance
Bombshell Bargains
Principessa
Open Sundaes
Pure & Petal Hair Fragrances
Tarte Cosmetics
Benefit Cosmetics
Bliss
Jelly Pong Pong
Jaqua Beauty
MAC
Herbal Essences

Heatherette Spring 2008

Inspiration: Veruschka

Makeup Artist: The super cool and fabulous Kabuki

Products: MAC

The Look: “One [look] is a black, matte, Amy Winehouse eye shape,” he said, “with a sliver of white in the liner — like a tuxedo.”Darker girls got the liner look — and a matte lip — while the second look was “disco lashes,” said Kabuki. Fake lashes were attached to the bottom and top lids for a “sunburst” effect, he noted. “It’s a 1970s, Harper’s Bazaar eye, with no liner.”Cheeks were peachy and there was not a lot of color on the lips, just a touch of tangerine-mango lip gloss, “a color we mixed,” said Kabuki. (WWD)

Credits: Vogue.co.uk and WWD

Chaiken Spring 2008

Inspiration: The sand and the sea

Makeup Artist: Polly Osmond

Products: MAC

The Look: Polly Osmond created the Chaiken lippie look with MAC's infamous Spice Liner and filled it in with Subculture Lip Pencil and 2N lipglass.

To create the wide eyed look she used both pink and white eye pencils.

Credits: MAC and Vogue.co.uk

Interview with Director Joe Wright on the new Chanel Coco Mademoiselle commercial.

What fascinated you most about Chanel’s personality?
Her duality. Coco was a woman with many secrets and façades. A woman who revealed a completely different personality, depending on who she was talking to and what situation she was in. We capture this quality in the Coco Mademoiselle fragrance.

You can’t really put your finger on the real identity, the real intimacy of the character. I kept this approach in mind for the film.

Did you do any research?
I visited the places where she lived and worked. I was immediately struck by the fact that, during the most important years of her career, she lived in a very limited space, between the rue Cambon, where she worked, and the Ritz hotel, where she lived.

I can almost say the same for myself in London.

What memories will you keep of the Coco Mademoiselle film shoot?

This film came at the right time. After Pride & Prejudice, which is a film about love, Keira and I were walking on clouds.

Then we finished Atonement, a very dark film about lies. It was very difficult to bear. The Coco Mademoiselle film brought a breath of fresh air and lightness.

As for my favourite sequence, it’s the one where Keira is reflected in the mirror.

What is your relationship to fragrance?

It must be in complete harmony with the person who wears it. My girlfriend has her very own scent and I think I fell in love with it!

Interview from thestar.com by M. Rebichon

Photo: Blogdorf Goodman and unknown

L.A.M.B Spring 2008 Collection

The smoky eye ruled on this runway. Charlotte Tilbury used the stunning shades from the MAC Blue Steel collection currently at the counters. Tilbury christianed the look the "3-d smoky grey eye". It was a mixture of inky blues and charcoal. She used a nude lippie and the nails were long and white.

Chanel Tour Part VII

This exquisite tiny birdcage from Chanel's apartment so inspired director Jean-Paul Goude that he created the very memorable Coco commercial with Vanessa Paradis. In the commercial Vanessa is perched on a swing inside a birdcage while a hungry kitty cat looks on.

I always thought it was a more glamorous version of Sylvester and Tweety Bird. You almost expect to see Chanel come into the frame with a broom to chase the cat away.




Credits: Blogdorf Goodman and Youtube
Disclosure: This Paris trip was made possible by Chanel.

Rodarte Spring 2008

Inspiration: Punk Ballerina

Makeup Artist: James Kaliardos for MAC

Look: exaggerated cat eyes, dewy face, lids with turquoise and cobalt shadows

Hair: Belle du Jour ponytails dipped in colored ink

Photo: Elle.com

This is my friend's Ebay auction of uncut Vogue design patterns.
They range from Christian Dior to Givenchy.
This makes me wish that I was gifted with the skills to use a needle or thread.
I attempted a sewing class and made my instructor miserable.

This post brings me to an important question...
When does Project Runway start?
Why does it feel like we have been waiting for years for the new season?

Blogdorf Goodman's Chanel Tour Part VI

One of the most magnificent items in Chanel's apartment was her custom made chandelier in the sitting room. It was loaded with stunning rock crystals and detailed iron work. If you look closely, you will spot the infamous interlocking C's, the number 5 and the letter G.

I loved how she managed to monogram a chandelier.
She really took everything to a tasteful extreme.

Credits: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: This Paris trip was made possible by Chanel.

Grey Ant Spring 2008

Inspiration: Keene paintings

Makeup artist: Tiffany Johnston

Products: MAC

Look: Plastic skin-not dewey and not matte, neutral lip gel and highlighted cheeks.

Eyes were blacked out with black or electric blue eye shadow. Johnston used false eyelashes layered with countless coats of mascara. This gave the appearance that they were made of paper mache.

Photo: Keiki Lisa by Margaret Keene at keenelook.com, Elle.com and MAC

Kate Moss Fragrance Perfume Commercial
...A bit rock and roll, a bit edgy, a bit light and a bit dark

Christopher Kane Spring 2008

Inspiration: The natural beauty of Sissy Spacek, the 1970's Steven King film Carrie

Makeup Artist: Gucci Westman

Products: Lancome
Aqua Fusion Creme or Aqua Fusion Tinted Moisturizer
Primordiale Optimum Lip or Color Design Blush in Pret A Plum
Magique Blush in Cinnamon Glaze
Color Design Eye Shadow in Click

Look: The skin was matte with windswept cheeks and rosebud lips.

Credits: Youtube, vogue.co.uk and Lancome

Because we love people who love lipgloss....

L’Oréal Paris and Lil Mama are partnering to bring you an exclusive listening party for the release of Lil Mama’s debut album, Voice of The Young People.

Lil Mama, Jive Records’ newest Hip Pop phenomenon, will be appearing live to preview cuts off her highly anticipated first album, sign autographs, and share one of the inspirations behind her hit single “Lip Gloss”: L’Oréal Paris’ Watermelon Crush lip gloss!

“L’Oréal, yep cause I’m worth it...
Ooo My Lips So Luscious…
L’Oréal Got Them Want Watermelon Crushes
That’s Probably The Reason All These Boys Got Crushes”


The afternoon will also feature mini-makeovers with L’Oréal Paris beauty stylists and special gift-with-purchase offers.


What:
Lil’ Mama in-store appearance Listening party

Where:
L’Oréal Paris Store
Beverly Center
8500 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310-360-6555

When:
Saturday, September 29th
4pm-7pm

Win some Tarte!

SeenON! Sephora Giveaway (starting today-Sep.24th) is for variety Tarte cosmetics! (Giveaway items include: Pret-a-Porter Dual Look Palette , Mineral Powder Bronzer , Natural Beauty Cheek Stain , Glam On The Go brush , Inside Out Vitamin Lip Glosses , Inside Out Vitamin Lipsticks , Lights, Camera, Lashes! and Clean Slate primer)The value is over $300!

Visit SeenON! today to enter!

http://www.seenon.com/

The Chanel Seal of Approval
Chanel Tour Part V



There was a second half to the demonstration of the packaging of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle Extrait de Parfum bottle.


Each bottle is branded with the Chanel hallmark of interlocking C's. This process involves fire, thick wax and a steady hand.




Many bloggers attempted this process with great success. Seth from Cool Hunting and Kay from The Clothing Project nailed the perfect interlocking C's on their first try. The C's must be centered "just so" to be acceptable and Chanel worthy.

I was very enchanted with this part of the Chanel tour. I had no clue that these hand crafted touches still existed in the perfume industry. I assumed that my parfum bottles were crafted by machines and assembly lines.

Chanel gives a couture touch to each extrait bottle.

Every detail is exquisite and a homage to the woman herself.

Photos: Blogdorf Goodman
Disclosure: This Paris trip was made possible by Chanel.