Something Wicked Comes This Way

Chanel's Les Vernis Nail Colour in Diabolic

This is one of the nail polishes in the Noirs Obscurs collection. This shade is not a vamp dupe. This is less red and more of a boozy plum. I am officially a diabolical disciple!
It retails for $23 and will be arriving at the counters in November.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Chanel.

Drugstore Deals and Steals

For September 27th through October 3rd 2009

CVS

CoverGirl: Simply Ageless Blush is priced at $10 with CVS card
Simply Ageless foundation is priced at $13 with CVS card
Outlast lip color, lipstain,Lashblast original,Luxe or Length mascara,Lashblast Length are priced at $7 with CVS card
L'Oreal: If you purchase Infallible plumping lipgloss, Extra-Volume collagen mascara or All Colour Riche lip, you will receive $2 extra CVS bucks with CVS card
L'Oreal's Telescopic Explosion mascara is priced at $9.49 with CVS card
Has anyone tried this yet? How does it compare to Givenchy?
Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on all Revlon lip products with CVS card
Almay: $2 extra CVS bucks with a purchase of an Almay mascara with CVS card
Olay: 18-23.6 oz Body Wash is priced at $6.49 with CVS card
Olay wet clothes(20ct, cleanser or scrub are priced at $6.99 with CVS card
Aveeno: Save $2 on Positively Ageless with CVS card

Rite Aid

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on all Maybelline cosmetics
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on implements or nail treatments
wet n wild: Buy 1, get 1 50% off cosmetics
Almay: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on all Almay eye cosmetics
Revlon: Buy Revlon Super Lustrous Lip color and get a FREE Revlon lip enamel
Revlon: All mascara is priced at $3.99
Aveeno: 20% off bath, facial and hair care products
CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all cosmetics

Target

Maybelline: Super Stay liquid foundation is priced at $7.99
Venus Embrace is priced at $7.94

Walgreens

Olay: 23.6 oz Body Wash is priced at 2 for $11
Pantene: 3 for $10 on 8.5-13.5 oz shampoo or conditioners
Revlon: Super Lustrous or Moon Drops lip color is priced at $6.99
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on L'Oreal Wear Infinite eye shadow, mascara, or Bare Naturale cosmetics
Almay: Intense i-color eye cosmetics or eye makeup remover is priced at $4.99
Olay: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on Regenerist or Definity skin care
Eucerin: 14 to 16.9 oz is priced at $10.99
CoverGirl: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics

Batcave: MAC's Bat Black Cream Colour Base

Look past the slow black rain of a chill night in Soho;
Ignore the lures of a thousand neon fire-flies,
fall deft to the sighs of street corner sirens -
come walk with me between heaven and hell.
Here there is a club lost in its own feverish limbo, where sin becomes salvation and only the dark angels tread.
For here is a BATCAVE.
(quote from the liner notes of The Bat Cave, Young Limbs & Numb Hymns.)

I should have bought Bat Black.
This is a blackened burgundy shade that looks amazing under the Style Black mineralize shadows. It retails for $16.50 and is currently available at your local MAC counter and www.maccosmetics.com

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse

These are the dark lippies from Chanel's Noirs Obscurs Collection. The lipsticks are heavily pigmented, vampy shades that vary from chocolate to blue violet. The color pay off is outstanding. What you see is what you get. The lipsticks provide deep saturated color. The Noirs Obscurs lippies are not a wash of morbid darkness that streak or clump.

Hysteria is a blue violet black shade. Obscure is a 1920's inspired chocolate wine.
Maniac is a plummy black.

These lipsticks will be arriving at your local Chanel counter soon. They are currently on http://www.chanel.com/

Let us know what you think about the lipsticks in the comments.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Chanel.

Credit: Blogdorf Goodman and Clara Bow via wikipedia.

Isn’t it romantic? ... New lipsticks and glosses from Edward Bess at Bergdorf Goodman

Sneak Peek and Review by Jessica M

“It’s autumn in New York that brings the promise of new love” – “Autumn in New York,” lyrics by Vernon Duke,
performed by Ella Fitzgerald (and many others)


Edward Bess recently made a personal appearance at Bergdorf Goodman in New York and demonstrated the newest, easy-to-love products in his self-titled cosmetics line. If you read Annie’s original post about Edward in December 2007, or you’ve tried his makeup yourself, you know that he’s a perfectionist about the colors, textures, packaging, and overall high quality of his cosmetics.

This autumn brings us three new Ultra Slick Lipstick colors and three new Deep Shine Lip Gloss shades in the Edward Bess line. Most of these amour-themed shades fall into the plum/berry family. This makes me happy, because they flatter pale skin and/or dark hair (like mine!), but they’ll work well with many other skin tones as well.

The three lipstick shades, as seen and swatched on Edward’s hand, are Night Romance (left), Forever Yours (center), and Tender Love (right). All three are beautiful, and Tender Love in particular made my heart skip a beat. ($29 each)

The three gloss shades, as held in his hand, are Nude Satin (left), Love Always (center), and Sweet Dream (right). Worn alone, they’re sleek and sheer. Applied over the lipsticks, they add depth and shine without any stickiness. ($28 each)

These new products are also packaged in sets of three lipsticks or three glosses, nestled into little black boxes. ($75 each set).

Edward will be introducing more new items this autumn, including a makeup bag and a cream blush. When we asked him, he admitted that he’d love to release an Edward Bess fragrance someday, too. His current favorite fragrances are the IUNX line by Olivia Giacobetti, so he obviously has good taste in scent as well as in beauty!

Let us know if you’re able to make a visit to the exclusive Edward Bess counter at Bergdorf Goodman and if you fall for any of these crush-worthy colors. For more information, call 1-888-774-2424. The company website is http://www.edwardbess.com

Photos by Jessica M

Jaded

By Melanie Parker

The Chanel Jades are in, and after a week of testing, I'm ready to carve my opinion in stone. Or at least this blog... I wanted to love and praise Chanel for being a risk taker and coming out with a green polish with green shimmer, but no can do. At $25 a bottle, I want to be able to preserve the preciousness of this liquid, and as you will see in the swatches, three coats was not enough to provide even coverage.

Like the Fire-King Jadeite of the 1940s before it, the hue used for Chanel Jade evokes a whimsical sophistication. In the bottle, Chanel Jade polish reminds me of a grandmother's retro kitchen or sharing a lime daiquiri with Ernest Hemingway. It's not very often that Chanel serves up such a confection--there is a slight glow of green microshimmer in certain light. However, the color looks a little too yellow on me. I lean toward blue-based greens and this one went the opposite way. It happens, and I can blame it on my ruddy pink skin tone. But I can't blame myself for the fact that you can see streaks and sheerness after THREE coats of color. That's just not acceptable.

Jade's partner in this release is a demure Jade Rose. This soft pink polish reminds me of the inside of a sea shell. I am sure I will get plenty of use out of Jade Rose. She's lovely and has just a whisper of tonal shimmer. Enough to keep it interesting in the sunlight, but subdued for the office. This photo shows FOUR coats for opaque coverage.

Overall, this color story is distinctly Spring in Key West to me, and yet here I am in the Midwest on the cusp of Fall. I want nails the color of the actual jade gemstones used in the Chanel runway show and that Kate Moss has been frosted with at a recent Chanel party.

So, considering the coverage problems and the chipping nature of Chanel lacquers in general, if you aren't a slave to the house of Chanel, I would pass on these. One reasonable alternative to Jade is Pa's A86. Pa polish bottles are small, but when you get unusual colors like this mint, you will have enough to do at least a dozen manicures, and that seems like it is enough for any beauty addict's lifetime. I've reviewed Pa polishes on here before and I have to confess that the tag line "for the cutie girls who want to become lovely" has me hooked. The LE Chanel polishes are available at chanel.com and Chanel boutiques for $25. Pa polishes are available at orangelighthouse.com for $4.40. Other comparable colors that skip the slight shimmer are MAC's Peppermint Patty and OPI Hey! Get in Lime!

Photos: Melanie Parker and Splash/Dailymail.co.uk

Disclaimer: Melanie purchased Jade and Jade Rose polish.

She's a Carnival

Chanel's Les Folies Noires Quadra Eye Shadow from the Noirs Obscurs Collection

mosaic eye, gypsy eye
glowing as it dazzles
she's a portrait of a poison

The Noirs Obscurs collection is officially up on http://www.chanel.com/
I think many of us have been salivating at this tribute to darkness by Peter Philips.
There are many things to love from 1920's inspired lipsticks to this murky palette.

The pigment power ranges with application. With a dry application, the shadows appear like a mist of soot. It is smoke and ashes with just a tint of color. The wet application brings out all the spectral magnificence. The 4 shadows are variations of black.

The shades are:
Noir Aubergine-This is a plummy ash.
Noir Céleste-This is a sooty British racing green.
Noir Céladon-This is the sky at round 2am. Inky with just a touch of gray.
and Noir Brun. Noir Brun is a sepia shade and it is a beast. Very 20's inspired. Hitting pan will never be so quick and easy.

Watch the short film on http://www.chanel.com/fb/um.php?la=en-as&lo=as&re=chanelcom&ws-action=http://um.chanel.com/black-collection.php?la%3den-as%26lo%3das%26re%3dchanelcom~~~G!09516357300C!5kW0r37g%252brwd%252bKllvg%3d%3d~general~~~@http://syndicator.live.chanel.com/chanel/chanel-um


Disclosure: A press sample of this product was provided by Chanel.

Farewell Tour: Prescriptives Well Suited Finishing Powder

Well Suited is a translucent pressed powder with a silky texture. It gives just a hint of peachy-pink color on fair skin. I have worn it layered over blushes and as a finishing powder. It really is subtle and a quiet kind of lovely. A sleeper in the fall collection.
I loved the sputnik-like design. It makes me giddy.

This powder retails for $28 and is available at your local Prescriptives counter. Visit http://www.prescriptives.com/ for more deets.

Disclaimer: A press sample of this product was provided by Prescriptives.

The Bitter End

Prescriptives will close in 2010

It is always a sad day when you discover a beloved brand is shutting their doors. I have never really gotten over the demise of Tony & Tina. My friends mourn the loss of the Stephane Marais cosmetic line like a family member. Every fragrance junkie worth their salt feels a sharp jab when they think about the great Gobin Daude. That one slays me every time.

This weekend we found out we are losing Prescriptives.

Estée Lauder Companies announced today that it would close the global wholesale distribution of its Prescriptives brand by January 31, 2010. The brand plans to continue to sell online for United States shipping at www.prescriptives.com to help service consumers for replenishment of key products, while inventory lasts. Prescriptives products are currently sold in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.

Prescriptives did not receive the love it so richly deserved. They had superior skin care and eye shadows. The line created such masterpieces such as Magic Powder. This is a finely milled powder that felt wet upon application. It was slightly creepy but with luminizing, opal-like results. I just fell in love with the Quick Remover. With just two swipes my smoky eye was gone and buried.

The Prescriptives counter at Bergdorf Goodman was the place I received my last great makeover. They created and mixed my custom foundation. As much as I love my La Mer and Kanebo....Prescriptives gave me the very best skin match. The MA also stated that I did not need much makeup. Clearly, the man fibbed beautifully. It was such a sweet and kind gesture that I have never forgotten.

Prescriptives Calyx fans...do not fret. This email was in my inbox this weekend.

As most of you know, we made an important announcement yesterday regarding Prescriptives. For those of you who have been supporters of the brand, we wanted to personally reach out to you to let you know that the Prescriptives fragrance Calyx, which is a favorite among consumers, will continue to be distributed through Aramis and Designer Fragrances and sold at the fragrance bar in select fine department stores and online beginning February 1st.

So this week...I will be paying tribute to Prescriptives with reviews that are much too late.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the team and all Prescriptives counters across the country.

Let us know your favorite Prescriptives products in the comments.

Credit: Yahoo

I'm walking into spiderwebs

Cle de Peau Beaute Beauty Breakdown for Vera Wang S/S 10

I wanted the models to appear cool and very natural, so I created a super sheer base on the face with eye accents only, of taupe and silver.” Lucia says. “I wanted them to look healthy, but a bit supernatural.” (quote from Lucia Pieroni, Color Creator for Clé de Peau Beauté)

Face: Beginning with the new Luminizing Enhancer Base ($42,) Lucia created a luminous complexion and evened out skin tone, prior to applying the Refining Fluid Foundation ($118) to provide an even, flawless and radiant finish on skin.

Eyes: Next, Lucia accented, and extended, the brows utilizing Eyebrow Pencil in #104/Grey ($55) to give a fuller, still polished effect. To brighten eyes, she used the new Satin Eye Color in #11/silver ($45,) with a touch of shade #111/taupe to add definition at the outer corners.
Additionally, Lucia decided to forego the mascara and eyeliner, but utilized Satin Eye Color #104/golden to highlight the browbone and the top of the cheek to add an ethereal glow.

Lips: Lastly, lips were colored to understated perfection, complementing the face without drawing attention. Lucia used NEW! Extra Rich Lipstick in T4 ($65,) a nude shade inspired by tea roses.

Did they say "tea roses"?
***Swoon***

Credits: Yahoo/AP, No Doubt and Clé de Peau Beauté

Lady in Red

Hey everyone. We didn't dress anyone for the emmys this year. There are some great looks tho. Also joeys on twitter @joeymaalouf. Follow him
Twitter message via Brad from Rachel Zoe
http://twitter.com/mrbradgoreski

and

We didn't do anyone for the emmys..crazy with other stuff!!!RT: @britneycrosson @taylorjacobsonn Who did y'all dress for the Emmy's today?
message via Taylor's twitter

What? This was not Rachel Zoe's doing?
Debra Messing looked amazing! Bananas. I d-i-e.

Debra Messing at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Credit: Celebutopia

The Serena Also Rises

Blake Lively in Versace at 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Well, I'm aware I lack some people's ... easy grace with strangers. I don't exactly make you feel like you've known me forever even though we just met. When I laugh, you might not smile just at the coquettish sound of it, and I may not be spontaneous or delightful or full of surprises, and my hair not sparkle when it catches the light...(quote from Blair on Gossip Girl)

Celebrity Makeup Artist Kristofer Buckle used Dior Beauty products to create a stunning "golden goddess" look for "Gossip Girl" star Blake Livelyat the 2009 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles this evening.

"I used a lot of warm, honey colors on her skin and lips to make her green eyes pop," said Buckle. "Then I topped off the look with tons of DiorShowBlackout Mascara, which transformed her upper and lower lashes into expressive frames."

The Dior Breakdown:

Skin: DiorSkin Airflash Spray Foundation in #301, Dior Skinflash #3 aroundthe eyes.

Lips: Dior Serum de Rouge Lipstick as a base with Dior Lip Polish in Radiance Expert on top.

Eyes: DiorShow Blackout Mascara, Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Beige Messai#705

Cheeks: DiorBronze Original Tan in Amber Tan #03

"I used Dior Eye Show in Undressed Beige on Blake's cheekbones and shoulders to create an ethereal glow," said Buckle. "It's technically an eyeshadow but it works basically anywhere you want to reflect the light!"

Credits: celebutopia, style.com and Dior

Bad News Blair

Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester in Bottega Veneta at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Credits: Style.com and wireimage

Wild at Heart

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa at the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Olivia wears a Spring 2010 juniper embroidered tulle gown with pleated petal skirt and
carries a Marchesa crystal embroidered handbag with hand beveled quartz crystal clasp.


Credits: style.com, Marchesa and celebutopia

Drugstore Deals and Steals

For September 20th through September 26th 2009

Target

First off...how about the shimmer power in that Sonia Kashuk eye palette? This might be a lemming for me.

Sonia Kashuk: Showstopper eye palette is priced at $8.99
10% off all other SK beauty products
Soap & Glory: 16.2 oz Calm One all bath soak is priced at $7.99
15% off all other Soap & Glory items
CoverGirl: LashBlast and Lashblast Luxe mascara is priced at $6.99
Olay: 4 oz Complete is priced at $6
Pantene: 12.6 oz Nature Fusion shampoo is priced at $3.29
Almay: Smart Shade Balance liquid makeup is priced at $9.99
Neutrogena: Redness Soothing 6 oz cleanser is priced at $6.99

Rite Aid

Revlon: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on all cosmetics
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on all cosmetics
L'Oreal Facial Cleansers are priced at $5.99
Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Skin Cream, Advanced Revitalift, Collagen Filler or Skin Genesis skin care are priced at $15.99
Almay: foundation, concealer, powder and blush is priced at $8.99
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on lip or nail products
Physicians Formula: $2 off of regular retail on PF cosmetics
Nair: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on hair remover products
N.Y.C: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on cosmetics

CVS

Physicians Formula: Buy 1, get 1 50% off on cosmetics with CVS card
CoverGirl: Lashblast Length mascara is priced at $7 with CVS card
Has anyone tried this yet? Let us know in the comments.
CoverGirl: Save $5 on Wetslicks, TrueShine, Incredifull, Continuous color lip, Eye shadow quads, Line exact eyeliner, Eyelights or Lashblast mascara(excludes LashBlast length) with CVS card
Milani: Buy 1, get 1 50% off cosmetics with CVS card
L'Oreal: Buy 1, get 1 50% off eye shadow, liner, or mascara with CVS card
Sally Hansen: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on nail color with CVS card

Walgreens

Maybelline: Buy 1, get 1 FREE on foundation,powder, concealer, blush or lip cosmetics
Neutrogena: 40% off on foundation, powder, concealer or blush
H.I.P: $3 off cosmetics
Sally Hansen: 40% off of nail treatment or color
L'Oreal: Collagen, Revitalift Deep Set Wrinkle, Skin Genesis or Wrinkle Decrease are priced at $14.99

Som Kind of Wonderful

MAC Beauty Breakdown for Peter Som S/S 10

EYE: PRO Red Violet Eye Shadow – applied to lid, from lash line up to brow and underneath the eye.
Fascinating Eye Kohl – added to inner corners of the eye to brighten.
Emphasize Sculpt and Shape Powder – layered on top of the Fascinating.
Blackdazzle Dazzlelash Mascara – layered through the top and bottom lashes

FACE: Studio Sculpt Foundation – to prep the skin.

PRO Bright Coral Blush – swept generously from side of face, over temple, down around to cheek bones.
Emphasize Sculpt and Shape Powder – brushed onto the tops of cheekbones and down the nose to highlight.
Invisible Set Powder – dusted over skin to create a soft, matte finish.

LIP: Pink Burst Lipstick – brushed onto the lips for a fuchsia lip.
Invisible Set Powder – tapped over lips for a soft, matte look.

“The inspiration was created after looking through photographs of
Brigitte Bardot. These are young girls who want to look made-up.
Colourful, sweet and chic.” – Tom Pecheux

Credits: MAC and NYMag via fashionspot

Touch of Gray

MAC Beauty Breakdown for Doo.Ri S/S 10

EYE: Nehru Eye Shadow – softly shaded from the inner corner
of the eye, through the crease and then applied to the eyebrows
for a strong, grey effect.
No mascara.

FACE: Sculpt and Shape Foundation – applied to the skin.
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural – dusted over
the skin for a matte finish.

LIP: Sculpt and Shape Foundation – patted onto the lips to mute the natural colour.
Mon’s Reflection and Electric Eel Eye Shadow – blended and
brushed onto lips to create a metallic baby blue soft focus.

“Doo .Ri is a Designer , but she is also a Creator . This is make up that has a unique point of view looking to create a style, an amazing woman. Powerful and a bit strange, yet gentle,
cool and confident.” – Tom Pecheux

Credit: Style.com and MAC

Ladies of Dogtown

MAC Beauty Breakdown for Proenza Schouler S/S 10

EYE: Dark Brown Cream Colour Base – blended into the crease
and under the eye to define and sculpt the eye.
Lingering Eye Pencil – blended through eyebrows for a natural effect.
No mascara.

FACE: Face and Body Foundation – applied with a 189 brush
for a natural finish.
Warm Soul Mineralize Blush – brushed onto center of
cheek for a sunburned look.

LIP: Lip Balm – patted onto lips to condition where nee ded,
then blotted to take away excess moisture.

“Boys surfing and skateboarding. Raw and boyish make up – brown eyebrows and tan skin.” – Diane Kendal

Credit: MAC and Style.com

The Valley of the Unrest

MAC Beauty Breakdown for Rodarte S/S 10

EYE: Bone Beige Sculpting Powder – brushed into socket and under eye to slightly contour.
Eyelashes curled.
No mascara.

FACE: Face and Body Foundation – applied to skin
for a transparent, matte finish.
Accentuate Sculpting Powder – used to contour cheeks slightly.

LIP: Beet Lip Pencil – applied to center of lips for a reddish-wine stain.
Black Lip Mix and Fast Response Eye Cream – mixed and precisely outlined around Beet Lip Pencil for a soft-edged, transparent and full lip.

“Tough beauty coming out of an Edgar Allen Poe poem. A mix between gang
girls of early LA and condors – terrifying but devastatingly beautiful.”
James Kaliardos

Credits: Style.com, MAC and Edgar Allen Poe

Dress You Up

You've got style, thats what all the girls say
Satin sheets and luxuries so fine
All your suits are custom made in London
But Ive got something that you'll really like
(Madonna)


Credits: Style.com and Youtube

Pushing My Love Over the Borderline

The beauty inspiration for Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010 show was “Punk rock”. All I saw was Bananarama and early Madonna.

Lips were prepped with Aquafor before applying color to the lips. Next, the Perfect Rouge Lipstick in Fuschia (RS320) from the Spring 2009 Line was applied, followed by a high pigment bright pink powder. The lips were completed with a dusting of the Translucent Loose Powder from the Fall 2009 Collection.

Eyes were left completely natural. Dick then used the Natural Eyebrow Pencil from the Fall 2009 Collection if needed.

Credit: Shiseido

François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics for Marc Jacobs S/S 10

Trend: Theatrical Makeup

Inspiration: The look of the Marc Jacobs collection was inspired by the contemporary dancer, Martha Graham: Old-fashioned and theatrical but graceful and precise. At the same time, however, there was a darker side that was shone through: a quality of gothic romance. Ballerinas with a sense of mystery- as if part of them, along with some of their makeup, had been left behind on stage.

Look: Left-over stage makeup. The models weren’t meant to have perfect makeup- rather, they were meant to encompass a “just came off-stage” effect. “Dancers in theater and opera always have white faces, pointed lips and an eye that is drawn outward, not upward-it’s very theatrical, very ballet,” said François Nars. He stressed the importance of the eye for this look, noting that “the shape of the eyeliner is important- it should open the eyes, especially underneath. The slashes of white is something they used to do in the 70s- it brings a 3-dimensional feeling to the makeup.”

Face:Blend NARS Siberia Sheer Matte foundation onto the face

Set with NARS Snow Loose Powder(I really need to cave on this!) for a white, pirouette-clown look

Subtly contour and highlight, if necessary, with NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo

Eyes: Dust the white shimmer from the left side of NARS Pandora Duo Eyeshadow on the eyelid Use NARS D.Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) in the crease
Using the NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Nuits Blanches on the top and bottom lids, follow the shape of the eye, elongating it just past the outer corners but keeping the line straight and out, never moving upwards.
Use NARS Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil to enhance the eye
After applying two sets of false eyelashes, apply one coat of NARS Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara followed by one coat of NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

Lips: Apply NARS Pop Life Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (NEW for Holiday 2009) to upper and lower lips, adding an extra layer on the top lip. Dab your finger along the lower lip to lightly fade the color so that the top lip is darker.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/

Credits: Nars

The Shrimp

MAC Beauty Breakdown at Zac Posen 2010

How can you resist Stephane Marais, doll-like cheeks, The Shrimp and Degas ballerinas?

EYE: White Pigment – applied to eyelid.
Dazzlelight Eye Shadow – layered over lids for a transparent, sparkle.
Lingering Brow Pencil – blended into crease to enhance
and contour the eye.
Fibre Rich Mascara – generously applied to top and
bottom lashes to create a fake lashlook.

Clear Brow Set – to set brows.

FACE: Face and Body Foundation – applied to skin for
a dewy, sheer finish.
Prep + Prime Powder – to set.
Pro Paintstick in Magenta and Dolly Mix Blush – mixed and blended onto
cheeks with fingertips.
White Frost Eye Shadow – dusted over tops of cheekbones to highlight.

LIP: Syrup Lipstick – patted onto lips.
Plumful Lipstick – blended with fingertips onto the corners
of lips to add volume and contour.

“A mix of Degas ballerinas and Jean Shrimpton from the 1960s.
Graceful and delicate like a watercolour painting, colours blended
like hydrangeas.” – Stephane Marais

Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics at Thakoon S/S 10

Trend: Luminous skin and contoured cheeks

Inspiration: The inspiration behind the collection came from the idea of "samurai-meets-surfer." The collection consisted of so many sharp edges and aqua-blues that deisgner Thakoon wanted the girls to look like warriors so that they could really wear and carry the strong clothing. With such bright colors, the goal was to keep the face a bit more monotone overall but still to impart strength around the eyes and cheekbones.

Look: A very strong and luminous face is the key to getting this look right. “It’s a beach warrior look - surfer girl meets Seven Samurai," explained lead artist Diane Kendal. She used a minimal amount of makeup everywhere, but contoured the cheeks and kept the eye deeply set to convey an image of power through minimalism.

Face:

Apply NARS Sheer Matte Foundation to conceal imperfections
-To achieve luminosity, apply NARS Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin
-To contour and sculpt the cheeks, apply NARS Malaysia Multiple Bronzer and blend into the cheek bones
-Highlight the cheekbones and nose with the white side of NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo

Eyes:

Apply the brown side of NARS Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow on the entire eyelid up to the brows
-Blend both NARS D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) as well as the light pink side of NARS Kuala Lumpur Duo Eyeshadow (NEW for Spring 2010) into the crease, outer eye and up towards the brow bone.
-Apply NARS Bali Single Eyeshadow to the upper and lower lash lines as well as to the crease in the eyelid, blending with the other shadows to create definition.
-Dust NARS Night Snow Single Eyeshadow in the corners of the eyes

Lips:
-Mute lips by using NARS Concealer
-With your finger, apply NARS Ophelia Lip Gloss (NEW for Spring 2010) to the center of lips

Credits: Nars

The Maestro: Mr Dick Page

Dick Page for Zero + Maria Cornejo S/S 10

Inspiration: Leftover makeup” look and “touch of sun” with Shiseido makeup

Cheeks:
Dick used the Luminizing Satin Face Color Tea Rose (RS302) from the Spring 2010 Collection and applied on the models’ bare skin, just on the cheeks and nose to give a sun-kissed look.

Eyes:
Dick lined the top and bottom lash line with the Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown (BR602) from the 2009 Fall Makeup Collection. To give the look a little bit of slip, he applied a dab of the Accentuating Color Stick in Champagne Flush (S3) underneath the eyes. After curling the lashes, Dick applied a touch of the Perfect Mascara in Black (BK901) from the Fall 2009 Makeup Collection.
Dick used the Natural Eyebrow Pencil from the Fall 2009 Makeup Collection if the eyebrows were very light and brushed up the hairs simultaneously.

Lips:
Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer Lipstick in Pout (RS326) from the Spring 2010 Collection was applied like a lip liner and patted to fill in the rest of the lip to create a soft, translucent lip.

Credit: Shiseido

I Want It Painted Black

Sneak Peek at MAC Style Black Collection

This is another photograph courtesy from Jessica M.

This collection launches at the end of September. My local counter already has stock. I am hoping that I can charm them into letting me have a small peek. Cavewoman from MUA stated that the shadows are to die for. They are like Nars night series but with more shimmer and less black. The pigment is buildable.

Are you lemming anything from this collection? Let us know in the comments.

Elixir of Life

Make Up For Ever's HD High Definition Elixir Review

MUFE's HD Elixir is an instantaneous fix for dry skin. It was created for the high definition format. Makeup artists needed something that banished flakes and other issues quickly...like yesterday.

This serum boosts skin's moisture to create a smooth palette for HD complexion makeup. It looks like a silicon primer but with a light gel-like texture. The formula feels like it has been whipped in a blender for an extra minute. It soaked into my skin immediately but left a slightly tacky feeling afterward. I kept inspecting my skin to see crazy results. When you read figures like 520% improvement ...you expect your skin to be dripping with dew.

Clinical tests proved that HD Elixir boosted skin’s moisture a whopping 520% after 15 minutes and continued to hold
in moisture at 490% after 30 minutes and 430% after one hour. In addition to the instant surge of moisture, HD Elixir also restores skin’s radiance and erases signs of fatigue, actually firming and giving skin a smooth and soft texture.

Hydration: +250%
Tonicity: +24%
After 2 hours Elasticity: +26%
Firmness: +12%
Softness: +18%

The results are not dramatic. My skin is not "dewtastic" or glowing like a Cullen. It is flake free and moisturized. My primer and foundation are intact. It is not rolling off or having any cake issues. I would venture to say that it is a good moisturizer that is not heavy handed. It gives a good finish for primers and then foundation.

Will it change your life?

Maybe.

Key ingredients include D-Panthenol and Glycerin for supreme hydration, Dermican for firmness and tonicity, Argatensyl for an immediate tightening effect and Fucogel for moisture and protection from environmental factors.

The elixir is available at Sephora and retails for $38.00

Let us know what you think of this product in the comments.

Credits: Sephora and MUFE

Disclaimer: This is a sample that a SA made for me at my local Sephora. The sample was generous and lasted for more than a week.

Girlie Men

Alexander Wang Spring 2010

I waffled on making the SNL reference with the beauty rundown from MAC.

But how could I resist? It is just too darn easy.

Looking past the fashion...the model's skin was bananas. Poreless and dewy!

EYE: Clear lipglass--patted onto eyelid with finger to maintain natural colour and add a lot of shine. No mascara.
Fling and Lingering brow pencils--brushed upwards to create bold,strong eyebrows.

FACE: Select Cover-Up---applied where needed to create a sheer, dewy finish.

Lilicent and Ladyblushcremes--mixed and lightly applied to apples of the cheeks.

LIP: Studio finish concealer---patted around edges and base of lips to give the lips a muted look, leaving natural colour in the center. Lip balm layered on top.

“Strong brows and really beautiful, fresh dewy skin."
Diane Kendal