This month, British designer House of Blue Eyes presented their Spring/Summer 2010 "I Feel Love Collection" in the heart of London's exclusive Mayfair. The collection featured sequined body suits, lycra jumpsuits, sparkling, shimmering mini dresses and tight spandex pants in various hues of glimmering gold and slick black. The theme? DISCO!!
THE LOOK: At this show "less is more," explained Sara Biria. Skip the primer and mix your moisturizer and foundation for a natural base. The PRO Team worked the SEPHORA COLLECTION Brown Smoky Eyes Palette on all the models' lids since it's so universally flattering. "I love that you can wet these shadows and use them as a liner too," explained Sara.
MAKEUP ARTIST TRICK: Brush mascara to the side instead of upwards for a natural wing.
Cheeks were kissed with a peachy pink blush and a light (key word here!) dusting of bronzer all over. Lips were also kept neutral by filling in with a nude liner and topping off with a clear gloss.
BEAUTY BOTTOM-LINE: Neutral makeup with highlights
THE LOOK: What's so fabulous about this look is that anyone can wear it, anywhere—from day to night! Using a neutral eye shadow and blush, the face looks like it has just a wash of color. Lottie, MAKE UP FOR EVER's lead artist, brushed on a highlighter to the outside of the cheek (think between the apple and under your eye). Eyes really popped thanks to the white shimmery shadow at the inner corners. Lips also stayed neutral by filling in with a beigey nude pencil.
And you still need a Fame-fix? Done. We're giving away all 5 of our Fame-inspired lip glosses, each signed by the cast. Wanna win it? Just tell us which Fame guy or gal you're most like - and why - in the comments. Make sure you leave a way for us to contact you, of course. We'll be dishing out this serious lip shine set at the end of the week to one lucky winner!
Spotted at the Venexiana show for New York's Fashion Week was a vampire-inspired cateye created by our own Sephora Pro Beauty team (get the look here), plus gorgeously undone, yet intricately knotted buns, created by stylist Philip Pelusi. As Rachel Z. says, "I die."
And then copy the look.
Here's how in 9 easy steps:
1. Make a side part and take three inches of the hair closest to the front and pin to the side.
2. Take another three inches from the crown of the head, right behind the section of hair you just marked off and pin that to the side as well.
3. You should be left with two sections of hair on both sides of your head.
4. Take the hair from the right section, and twist hair into a low ponytail, you should go from your temple to the nape of your neck.
5. Take the hair from the left section, and do the same but make sure you keep hair on an angle.
6. You should be left with 2 “rolls” on each side of you head.
7. With the hair in the low ponytail, you should coil pieces together and allow them to fold into each other, just use pins to hold hair in place.
8. Take the top section from the crown of your head and twist that piece loosely like a rope and pin it to your head.
9. Take the last section of hair and fold the hair into the rolls with your finger and pin all loose pieces with your finger.
As Spring Fashion Week wraps up on the other side of the pond (Paris, London, Milan), we're just now seeing all the fabulous wire images from the shows and literally, salivating. Short, frilly skirts with folded details (and I mean short - like mid thigh), adorable peplum jackets, sandals that creep up the ankle rivaling the beloved Fall boot - it's all just too much. I want it all now. And Fall just started. Boo.
Anyway, the most crazy-noticeable thing (particularly at the Milan shows this past weekend) is it seems like the makeup is making way for the clothes by way of muted eyes or lips, translucently clear skin, slicked back chignons and the occasional red/berry mouth. There was a shocking lack of eyeliner and mascara, but TONS of colored shadows and sculpted bronze cheeks. Here are some of the standouts that were the most eye-catching:
* The smoky eye in reverse, instead of smoking it out with heavy liner it's a heavily shadowed eye in bronzes/peaches or deep violets - no liner - kind of like our summer, Morroccan Sunrise model here.
* Straight, long hair, naturally styled or pulled back, or (wait for it...) CRIMPED! * Glossy red/orange lips - and nothing else. * Middle parts, lopsided ponys, braids and headbands. * Bronze skin and sculpted cheeks * Matching pink lips and cheeks
That said, you be the judge and check out the snappies yourselves. We'd love to hear what you think. The best images I've found so far are at Fab Sugar's Coutorture site (love that name!) check them all out here. This pic here is my fave look so far by Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi. So subtle, yet pow! Bellisima! - Joannie McIntyre
New York Fashion Week, which we covered here on the blog, was filled with nail trends. We saw Chanel's newest, Jade (a gorgeously pale green), plus lots of bright corals, inky blue-blacks, and a tendency to paint the pedi the same color as the mani.
Now it's Milan's turn to host Fashion Week (follow us on Twitter as we trendspy!), and Fashion Indie has already spotted two new nail trends: Clear plastic nails (NO!) and lace decals (eh, maybe). Would you wear these?
Are you a V.I.B. (Very Important Beauty Insider)? It's the new, premium level rewards program for Beauty Insiders and your ticket to even more beauty-full rewards.
Example of those rewards? Winning an all-expenses trip to L.A. to hit the red carpet at the Emmys and the after-parties (and help getting ready with a Sephora Pro Beauty makeup session)
How much did our winner, Lynn, love being the lucky V.I.B.er? Enought to write this after the show:
"I could honestly go on for hours about how great this trip was. Being the girly-girl that I am, one of my favorite moments was getting my makeup done by Alex. She was fantastic! She completely transformed me into a fabulous, glamour girl.
The pre-party at Spago was a great way to kick off the weekend. We had the chance to mingle & chat with many celebrities. I even walked into Tracy Morgan - literally.
Emmy day was super fun. As I said before, getting my makeup done was a highlight; so was walking the red carpet. To stroll down that carpet and see all the arrivals was surreal. I don't think I could have wiped the smile off my face if I tried!
Of course, being in the theater and watching the Emmys live was great. It's so much more interesting and exciting than just watching it on TV!
And to complete the night, dinner at the Dakota restaurant was incredible. We dined with the other winner, Ellen and her guest. Great company!
I guess the best way I can sum it all up is this: Experiencing the Emmys as a V.I.P. (or in this case, a V.I.B.) was an experience I certainly will never forget. Everything about it was unforgettable. It's impossible to put into words what a once-in-a-lifetime experience this was. Thank you SO much!"
BEAUTY BOTTOM-LINE: Doll-like skin, lips and lashes
THE LOOK: Since there were so many beautiful colors in the collection, Chris and Daniel decided to keep everything neutral except for a prominent lip. And so, the perfect shade of coral was born. “This coral is wearable for everyone—from fair skin girls to women of color—since it has pink undertones,” said Daniel.
Daniel wanted the makeup to look very DIY, so the steps were simple. He prepped skin with a moisturizing serum and creamy foundation, followed by a dusting of translucent powder. A coral-y pink was lightly applied to the cheekbones near the temple for a pop of color, while black liner was smudged on the upper and lower lash lines. A couple of coats of mascara finished off the doll-like eye and a creamy coral lipstick coated the pout.
Did you get your copy of Allure this month (cover: Vanessa Hudgens. Her hair: Windswept. My goal: Copy that)? It's their annual Allure Best Of Beauty awards and color us surprised when we saw so many of our brands make the cut.
We were planning on being modest, thanking our mom, etc. But look at this list! If you're a Sephora shopper, chances are you've got a winner in your makeup bag:
If you are in New York City tomorrow, head to the Sephora SoHo store from 12 PM to 6 PM. Caudalíe cofounder Bertrand Thomas (the other cofounder is his wife Mathilde Thomas) and their team of experts will be there to celebrate the launch of their newest product, Premier Cru La Crème.
This luxe new cream is the result of over seven years of research and development, using three of Caudalíe’s patented ingredients (titrated resveratrol and viniferine from grapevines and grape-seed polyphenols). In clinical studies, it reduced free radicals by 155%, quadrulpled skin cell life span in just 10 days, while visibly improving dark spots and lack of firmness. Premier Cru ($150) will be available only at Sephora October 1. (Shh, you can get it NOW online!)
Ask Bertrand all your questions, and sit for exclusive mini facials featuring this amazing product–and speaking from personal experience, “mini” doesn’t mean lacking in anything. The Sephora 42nd and Madison store hosted a fabulous Caudalíe event today, and I stopped in to chat with Bertrand (and okay, I confess, also to indulge in a treatment). The facial included cleansing, exfoliating, toning, plus a serum and mask, all customized based on each individual skin’s needs. (Did I mention the hand massage?) Finishing off the quick pampering treatment was the star product Premier Cru La Crème. Beauties who sit for a skin consultation will receive a mini Vinexpert Anti-Ageing Serum Eyes and Lips and mini Vinoperfect Radiance Serum. And with every $150 in Caudalíe purchases, you'll get a Caudalíe Beauty Elixir.
Already sold out in Europe, Bertrand said he understood the reasons behind Premier Cru’s immediate success. He said, “We didn’t expect it, but it shows that recession or not, people are looking for great results in skincare. People want our products because of the claims, the clinical test results, the texture and fragrance of the products, and last but not least, our natural ingredients.”
MODELS: Ronald Kroell For NY Models (season one’s Make Me A Supermodel contestant); and Scott Herman for Third Eye Talent Management (Video); and Holly for New York Models (season one’s Make Me A Supermodel winner) (Photo)
BEAUTY BOTTOM-LINE: Clean and fresh for the guys. Strong eyes with a supernatural complexion for the gals.
THE LOOK: The key to the makeup at Malan Breton was “to look like yourself, only better,” explained Jose Rivera. To create the bold eyes that set the stage for the entire face, rim with a deep black liner and smudge it out on both top and bottom. Smooth over a dark chocolate shadow from the lash line to the crease, and finish with a set of falsies, which "always add a layer of sophistication," said Jose.
Skin was kept fresh with a mattifying foundation, topped off with peachy cheeks, and lips were a combo of two glosses in peach and brown.
BEAUTY BOTTOM-LINE: Luminous skin and contoured cheeks
THE LOOK: “It’s a beach warrior look—surfer girl meets Seven Samurai,” said Diane Kendal. Although she used minimal makeup, she explained that a strong luminous face is the key to getting this look right. Her gold star product was the NARS Orgasm Illuminator (NEW for Spring 2010) on the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. She followed by contouring and sculpting the cheeks with The Multiple Bronzer (a cream-to-powder stick), blending into the cheek bones. To complete the skin, she highlighted the cheekbones and nose with a gold/ivory highlighter.
On eyes, the brown side of the Alhambra Duo Eyeshadow was used on the entire lid up to the brows. Lips were muted by using concealer and topping with a clear gloss on the center of lips.
Did you watch the Emmys last weekend? We did too...but not for the couture. When it comes to a showdown between frocks and makeup, a fine display of well-applied slap snags our attention every time.
Exception: Filthy Gossip (or any gossip, actually). And we heard a certain blond Gossip Girl went Dior-heavy, playing up her golden glow with a heavy coat of DiorShow Blackout Mascara and a dot of Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Beige Messai on her lids. Oh snap, Blair!
Got 500 points in your Beauty Bank? Redeem them for a FREE Kat Von D Rock n Roll Eyeshadow Palette! It's a a full-size, color-packed palette created by Kat Von D, especially for Beauty Insiders. Pick it up in stores or online during checkout.
Are you a Beauty Insider? Earn a point for every dollar you spend. Trade 100 points in for deluxe-size samples, or save up 500 points for a full-sized, limited edition products like this. Not a Beauty Insider? Join now (it's free!)>
THE LOOK: The makeup at Michael Kors was such a breath of fresh air! Finally, beautiful spring shades on eyes and lips. Dick Page used Shiseido's Accentuating Color Stick as a base on lids to help smooth on shadow. To keep the look soft, he lined the top and bottom lash lines with cream eye liner before applying three different shadows.
Aqua was the main attraction all over the lid, gold was used on the inner crease and amethyst was strategically placed in somewhat of a sideways “U” shape for definition. (Check out the 24-second video below to get the gist!) To finish the eyes, Dick used a light pink highlighter powder right at the brow bone. Skin and lips were simple with a touch of gold highlighting powder on the apples of the cheek and a dab of pink lipstick on the pout.
THE LOOK: Thanks to Sharon Gault for MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE and the MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE Team, the girls at Monarchy walked around backstage looking very Brigitte Bardot sporting Saint Tropez-kissed skin and a slight cat eye. Since the look was all about natural skin, Sharon used HD Complexion, but applied it softly to allow natural freckles peek through.
MAKEUP ARTIST TRICK: Apply foundation with a moisturized sponge to achieve natural coverage with a glow.
Eyes were kept soft with shades of apricot, brown and bronze and rimmed with black pencil. To get those chunky lashes, a few coats of mascara were layered. Flash Color #19 (copper) was used as the blush, and Shine On Powder with shimmer was used to set and reinforce the bronzy skin shade. Lips had a dab of concealer on them and then were topped off with a nude liner and gloss.
BEAUTY BOTTOM LINE: Classic glam red lips and smoky eyes
THE LOOK: Dark bold lips and smoky eyes with hints of gold heated up old-school glamour at the Dennis Basso show. Kabuki said he envisioned classic Hollywood film star Hedy Lamarr “who was often called the most beautiful woman in the world.” To start, he used not one but several shades of HD foundation. Creating a palette of different pigments, he blended the complexion for a very contoured face, then set it with powder.
For eyes, Kabuki first lined the upper and lower lash lines with black liner, blending it with a pointed brush. He then used a darker golden shadow on the outside of lids and a brownish shade on the inside, blending into the liner. Wanting just a little bit of pigment, he used the residue from the brush to add a touch of color right under the brow bone. Lashes were added for extra sexy allure, and lips were a strong dark red. “Since it’s a spring collection, the darker lip goes against trend and is unexpected. The look is all about glamour and making yourself look confident – no matter what the trends are.”
BEAUTY BOTTOM LINE: Natural waves of a California surfer girl
THE LOOK: “Think of a girl who goes surfing, a bit careless about hair, wild and natural,” said Didier. “I wanted beach hair, not something manicured.” Didier’s first step was prepping with a leave-in conditioner, then spraying Fekkai Coiff Oceanique Toulsed Wave Spray throughout strands. He used a hair dryer at a very low temperature, gradually bringing out the curls with fingers. “Dry very slowly,” he stressed. Perfect the look with some finishing cream. (Lavender and green hair on some of the models also created some serious waves!)
The best part about this look is that the only tools you really need are your fingers. At home, you can even forgo the dryer; simply work the wave spray through hair, and let it dry naturally.
We interviewed actors Anna and Asher, stars of the remake of Fame, coming to theaters September 25th. Now it's time to go behind the scenes and chat with Elisabeth Frym, movie makeup department head. Because although we're big fans of dancing, we're even bigger fans of knowing how to make our makeup stay put while we shake it.
What are the key looks in the movie? I believe there are many key looks, especially since we see the progression of the age of the kids. My favorites are the Halloween sequence and the final dance number at graduation.
What was the most dramatic look you designed, and how did you create that? The Halloween sequence is one of the scenes we are most proud of. We worked with a lot of paints, as well as glitters. For the African dance number we used body paints and gave the look a warrior feel.
What was the inspiration behind some of the looks in the film? We always kept in mind that these are very creative and gifted kids in an artsy school. It had to look real but not too staged.
What are your 3 best makeup/beauty tips? Cleanse! Cleanse! Cleanse! Moisturize, too, and use common sense when trying new products.
What’s a beauty trick you learned on set? The funniest one is the blotting paper trick: If you have none handy, use one of the toilet seat covers that are usually in the bathrooms. They work just as well in a pinch.
What are your must-have products? A good facial scrub, moisturizer, and NARS blush in Orgasm.
How do you keep the cast looking fresh despite long days and hectic filming schedules? I try to refresh makeup after lunch and supply cleansers for the evening. And I remind them to drink plenty of water and rest whenever possible.
THE LOOK: The smudgy eye made yet another appearance at Walter. To get this smoky eye, Sarah recommends an eye shadow that can be used wet and applied close to the lash line. Then smudge with a fingertip underneath the eye.
Even though we've seen smoky/smudgy eyes show after show, this look stands out since Sarah paired them with severely contoured cheeks in a peachy blush (very 80s nighttime drama!) and a nude lip.
MAKEUP ARTIST TIP: Can't find the perfect lip color? Mix gloss with an eyeliner of the lip shade you are trying to achieve.
Check out the quick vid of Sarah (below) where she shares other tricks of the trade.
Attention Lauren Luke Fans: Up until today, you could only pick up Lauren Luke's gorgeous palettes on Sephora.com, but now, you can run (don't walk) to your nearest Sephora and buy it in-store! Just launched today (We heard it's in 135 stores), you can touch, play, and pick from one of 5 perfectly coordinated palettes - see them all here. I am personally lusting over the "My Sultry Blues" palette (shown here) that would make my boring brown eyes pop :) And don't forget, check out all of Lauren's Videos coordinated to each palette right here on Beauty And The Blog to get the full Lauren Luke, show-me-how experience. See all the vids here or scroll down the "Tell Me About" list in the left nav and click on "Lauren Luke." Have fun playing! We *heart* Lauren Luke! - Joannie McIntyre