The Sephora Guide to Fashion's Night Out

It's just over one week away, and we can't contain our excitement for the most spectacular fashion and beauty event of the year: Fashion's Night Out— this September 8, 2011. All over New York City, our stores are bringing out their brightest and best— from Kate Walsh to Kat Von D. Here's our guide to some of the exciting happenings. Don't miss out.

Can't make it to NYC? Don't worry, you can still get front row to all of the excitement on our Facebook Fashion's Night Out feature, where you can see live tweets, photobooth pics, and more in real-time— as it's happening!

• Sephora 5th Avenue: Watch Supermodel Josie Maran as she shoots her latest campaign live, pose for a photo taken by Smashbox founder Davis Factor, or engage with our Ask the Expert Panel: Vogue Beauty Director Sarah Brown, Stylist Oscar Blandi, Urban Decay's Wende Zomnir, and Hollywood Facialist Kate Somerville.

• Sephora Times Square (at Broadway): Get complimentary skincare consultations from Park Ave. dermatologist Dr. Sadick, meet Lancome video makeup artist Michelle Phan, and more.

• Sephora Times Square (at 7th Ave): Get glamored with tarte for True Blood's Kristin Bauer, chat with Ouidad, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance by Kat Von D and Linda Perry, and more.

• Sephora Lexington: Receive a professional brow service from a Benefit esthetician while meeting Benefit's Global Beauty Authority, Maggie Ford Danielson, consult with celeb dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, meet Tokyo's Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi, and more.

• Sephora Columbus Circle: Meet Peter Thomas Roth and take home a custom portrait drawn with the new Lashes To Die For Liner, or win this season's bold lip from Buxom and bareMinerals, plus more.

• Sephora 34th Street: Learn Temptu tricks from Joey Maalouf, Celebrity Makeup Artist, get nail tips from Thea Green (founder or Nails, Inc.) and more.

• Sephora Flatiron: Watch tokidoki creater Simone Legno bring his characters to life, plus so much more.

NARS’ New Collection: Avant-Garde for Autumn

NARS recently released their Fall 2011 collection, and we’re mesmerized by the mix of daring color and soft, subtle tones. Designed by NARS Founder and Creative Director Francois Nars himself, he explains this fall as “confident, fashion-forward and graphic…the perfect time to play with dramatic shades, bold color, and rich textures.”

The collection teeters on both sides of the color spectrum—the eye shades range from bright blue to matte gray, and the lips run the gamut from matte red to sparkling champagne pink. What’s in for fall nails? A stormy, mysterious gray. It’ll give you the chills, it’s so pretty. Go ahead and browse through the looks, get inspired, and go avant-garde for autumn.
NARS Fall 2011 Press File - PDF

Fan Fridays: Something We’re Sure You’ll ‘Like’

We're announcing Fan Fridays. The inspiration came a few weeks ago when we decided to do a simple Facebook post just wishing you a Happy Friday.

When we received an overwhelming response (3,914 likes!) it gave us an idea. Why not share the love every Friday, but in the form of specials gifts and news? Our first Fan Friday began last week on Facebook with the announcement of our Charlotte Ronson Week Twitter contest, and a first look at her new line. From here on out, every Friday we'll be offering exclusive specials–just for our fans. So, what’s the 'deal' for today's Fan Friday? We're giving you four magic words: FREE Yves Saint Laurent. Visit the Fan Fridays tab and checkout code for a FREE Yves Saint Laurent lipstick with any order (while supplies last). T.G.I.F!

Just Released: Fall 2011 Beauty Report

Our experts edited the fashion runway to bring you Sephora's definitive beauty statement of the season: rich color, bold texture, and extreme hair. The look that stole the show is on our cover model, a rich purple winged liner, which we tell you how to do like a pro. Inside, you'll also find nail art from Sophy Robson, fall's sleekest hair trend (we swear it works on every cut and style), and the absolutely most gorgeous fragrance bottles we've ever seen from none other than the fabulous Stella McCartney. Go ahead and explore—edgy glamour awaits. Download our catalog here.

Fall 2011 Beauty Report

5 Fun Facts: Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel

Recently, the Sephora inside jcpenney education team spent an afternoon with master perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, president of DreamAir LLC. The “nose” behind scents for brands including Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Michael Kors, Laudamiel shared his expertise on the fragrance-creation process (“a mix of science, art and craft”), marketing and selling scents, and the science behind the sense of smell. His passion for the subject was infectious, his knowledge seemed limitless, and his sense of humor (and French accent) were completely charming. Here are a few fun facts I learned from the man once dubbed “the enfant terrible of contemporary perfumery."

1. Fragrances contain anywhere from 15-100 ingredients—a mix naturals, molecules and bases. The average scent is made up of 50-80 ingredients, and some comprise as little as .0001% of the finished scent.

2. Natural ingredients aren’t necessarily superior to molecules made in a lab, nor are they always more expensive. There are high- and low-quality natural ingredients, and high- and low-quality molecules.

3. The sense of smell is more powerful than the sense of sight. Your eyes have four receptors, while your nose has more than 350. You remember more of what you smell than what you see, and are able to smell before you can see—starting at three months in the womb.

4. Spray your fragrance on your clothes if you want it to linger longer. A bonus: Shifting your scent from day to night is as easy as changing your outfit.

5. The next big trend in fragrances will be scents with a darker, sexier, more animalistic, masculine vibe.

Photograph of Christophe Laudamiel by Jost Fink

Win It: bareMinerals’ SPOTLIGHT ON Giveaway

Last week, you saw the amazing looks in our road test for bareMinerals' new Spotlight On kits. Now, we're giving you a shot at snagging these products for yourself. Master a different look – and take it from day to night with one of these beauties:

-Big & Bright Eyeliner
-High Shine Eyecolor
-Prime Time Primer Shadow

Here's how to enter: -Post a comment below telling us which kit you would want the most (Big & Bright Eyeliner, High Shine Eyecolor or Prime Time Primer Shadow) and why. -Make sure to leave your e-mail address.


We will choose the winner Friday morning 8/26 at 9AM PST. Good luck!

Charlotte Ronson Giveaway Week on Twitter: Win One of 9 Pairs of Tickets to Her NYFW Show

Charlotte Ronson, a fashion “it” girl known for her effortless mix of chic and downtown design, is extending her youthful aesthetic to beauty. Available exclusively at Sephora, she’s introducing a new lineup of fun and trendy beauty products, inspired by and named after her A-list friends and family.

To celebrate the launch of #CharlotteRonsonWeek at Sephora, we’re being forward—fashion-forward. We’re giving away 9 (that’s right 9) pairs of tickets to Charlotte’s New York Fashion Week show this September, plus beauty bundles of the her new products to get yourself front-row fabulous. Here's how to enter.

1. Follow @Sephora on Twitter.

2. Each day around 10:00 am PST and 3:00 pm PST we'll ask a trivia question on Twitter and link to either a post on Beauty and the Blog or Sephora.com where you can find the answer.

3. Tweet @Sephora with the correct answer and the hashtag #CharlotteRonsonWeek to be entered to win a pair of tickets to Charlotte’s Spring 2012 fashion show in New York during Fashion Week. Winners also receive beauty products from the brand new Charlotte Ronson line exclusively at Sephora.

4. Sephora will choose a winner at random from among our Twitter followers that answered correctly within one hour of our trivia tweet. 9 pairs of tickets will be given away between Monday August 22, 2011 and Friday August 26, 2011. The show takes place in New York City on September 10, 2011. Note that winners will need to pick up their tickets in person at the show and are responsible for lodging and travel to New York.

For official rules, click here.

Good luck!

Charlotte Ronson Week: The Interview

Charlotte, her brother Mark, her mother Ann Dexter-Jones, and sister Samantha

To kick off the #CharlotteRonsonWeek, we got the lowdown on her beauty line, her birthday, and her big break– straight from the designer herself.

B&TB: You've become a star designer at New York Fashion Week. What made you want to expand to beauty?

CR: It has been a dream of mine to be able to expand into beauty, but more importantly, to be able to translate my aesthetic in an authentic way. This line happened somewhat organically with Sephora. Like my designs, all of the products had to be wearable, but also on-trend, and we were able to collaborate on great, functional products that are fun and easy to use.

B&TB: Who is the Charlotte Ronson woman?

CR: She is a city girl, like myself, so it’s important that my collections reflect that lifestyle. I design for a girl who is always on the go and needs easy, wearable pieces and products that are versatile but also unique. Her look effortlessly transitions from day into night. She doesn't try too hard, and looks for items that are comfortable and wearable, but with a bit of an edge. Her closet and beauty routine remains relatively uncomplicated for a natural, effortless look.

B&TB: Who or what inspires the products in your beauty line?

CR: The collection was created with my friends and family in mind, and each product is named after their unique style and beauty. When I was working on the lip glosses I immediately thought “Samantha would love this” or “This shade would be perfect for Annabelle,” and my inspiration grew from there. My friend Drea de Matteo has very striking, beautiful eyes, so I was inspired to create a palette that would highlight that. On the other hand, with my friend Rashida Jones, it’s her beautiful skin that inspired me to create the Light Filter Powder.

B&TB: How would you describe your new collection in one phrase?

CR: No makeup, makeup.

B&TB: What is the current beauty trend you are loving?

CR: I think a natural, healthy look and glow is never really out of style.

B&TB: When was your ‘big break’?

CR: I can't imagine there was an official big break for my career as a fashion designer, but I think my first big project was my line of custom vintage tees I started making for my friends 10 years ago. Those days— often spent dying t-shirts with my sisters in a bathtub in my apartment— looked a bit different than what I'm doing today. It has been a continuous evolution.

B&TB: You live in New York now. What are your favorite Manhattan spots for a memorable night out?

CR: Bar Pitti is a staple in NYC– great Italian food, and outside seating is perfect for this weather. It's small and people are always waiting for a table– but it's worth the wait! I also love The Smile, a cozy restaurant and café with charming décor. My favorite is the smoked salmon sandwich and crisps. I also love the Bowery Hotel– the lounge is very “classic New York,” and the food at the restaurant. Gemma, is also great– I never get tired of the tuna and fava beans.

B&TB: You recently had a birthday. What did you do to celebrate?

CR: No matter our schedules, I always try to find a way to spend it with my twin sister, Samantha. This year we celebrated in Atlantic City together. If we can manage to get everyone together, we also have a small get-together with close friends and family.

B&TB: How often do you see your family?

CR: Family is very important to us, so we are often checking in with each other. We are all very supportive of each other’s work, and enjoy collaborating creatively with one another, so we often make sure to tailor our schedules in order to be there for important events and shows we’re involved in.

Sephora Fieldtrip: Touring Algenist's Lab

When we discovered our favorite algae-derived skincare line, Algenist, is located one town over from us, we decided on a visit to the superlab. We arrived via an algae-fueled jeep with Algenist Vice President Jeff A., behind the wheel. Besides the usual "nice-to-meet-you" chit-chat, he tells us the first interesting fact on our fieldtrip: we're riding in a car of the future, one in which all vehicles will someday be powered by sustainable biofuel.

In fact, you may have already heard Algenist's scientists were researching algae as an unlimited energy source before they stumbled on its by-product, alguronic acid, and its regenerative properties. We had previously imagined a bunch of sea water being mixed into our cream, but Senior Vice President Frederic S. set us right. That's interesting fact number two. Alguronic acid requires two months to extract, and once it's harvested, it's purified, and milled down into micro-particles, before being infused into the cream. In short, it's derived from a natural ingredient that's then processed in a state-of-the-art way. Translation: it's potently effective.

We also find out that Algenist's parent company, Solazyme, is still unlocking all the applications of this wonder organism. We don lab goggles to explore a discovery room, where new strains are being developed, a fermentation room producing new algae-derived compounds, and even a kitchen. Apparently, algae can serve as a healthy, high-in-protein fat source, that could one day replace butter and saturated oils (interesting fact number three). For our tasting, Jeff and Frederic offered us some heart-friendly chocolate ice cream.

If we weren't fans of algae already, Frederic tell us it's not trees, but algae, that is Earth's number one source of oxygen (interesting fact number 4). We leave feeling smarter, and our faith renewed that algae won't just help us with that dark spot, but it will save the world. See our adventures below—including a picture of algae ice cream that might replace our fro-yo habit.

Road Test: bareMinerals Day-to-Night Eye Collections

For the ultimate in blind road tests, we handed the kits to three testers with no instructions. Just a "try these out, tell us what you think, and good luck." Here’s what they said.

Spotlight On: Big & Bright Eyeliner
Reviewer: Alissa S.
Occupation: Public Relations Specialist
Review: “I don’t consider myself to be very good at applying make-up and have tried to follow steps in magazines before with not very much success. But my experience with this kit however, was the opposite! It was easy and I loved the results. I tried the ‘Night’ look on a Saturday and when I went out with my friends, a guy came up to me and complimented me on my eyes, which I thought was pretty funny (and definitely flattering!) I also love the mascara because it doesn’t clump, holds throughout the day, and defines my lashes to really open up my eyes. It’s probably one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used.”

Alissa's looks from left: Before, Day, and Night

bareMinerals Pro Tip: To take this look to a stunning smoky eye for a dramatic night time look. Blend Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer right under the brow and into the inner corner of the eye, then brush the Smudge Brush onto the tip of the eyeliner and buff to crease and contour. Use Big & Bright Eyeliner in Slate to wing out your upper lash line.

Spotlight On: Prime Time Primer Shadow Kit
Reviewer: Perrin C.
Occupation: Corporate Communications Supervisor
Review: “The primer went on smoothly and added a nice extra pop. I loved the coffee eyeliner too. As someone that doesn’t wear much eyeshadow, this was a great alternative, and something I’ll definitely plan to wear again. My day and night looks didn’t look much different to me, so here’s a picture that represents both.”

Perrin's looks from left: Before and After

bareMinerals Pro Tip: The Prime Time Primer Shadow can be used to ‘reinvent your color’ by layering with other bareMinerals eyecolors. Plus, it’s waterproof and formulated with a lightweight, silky texture that won’t crease, fade, or budge so it can also be worn on its own with just a bit of smoky eyeliner and fully-defined lashes.
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Spotlight On: High Shine Eye Color
Reviewer: Kacie T.
Occupation: Publicist
Review: “The instructions were easy to understand, and both day and night looks ended up looking great and similar to what the pictures resembled. A key to the look was getting my brush wet before applying the eyeshadow as an eyeliner. I would definitely wear both looks out.”

Kacie's looks from left: Before, Day, and Night

BareMinerals Pro tip: Smoky metallic and gilded chrome colors are perfect for daytime and nighttime and look gorgeous on everyone. To easily take the look from day to night, sweep the High Shine Luster Eyecolor right under the brow and into the inner corner of eye to highlight.

Check back soon for our bareMinerals Spotlight On Giveaway, here on Beauty & the Blog. You could be a lucky winner of one of the three sets. Giveaway information to be posted soon!

Makeup Advice From Twitter: Less is More

I still remember getting my first makeup tip as a 13 year-old from my mother as I watched her get ready for work: "Take a tissue, fold it in half, and press it between your lips after you put on lipstick. Makes it last much longer." Good beauty advice is something that’s never forgotten. We're paying it forward by publishing these smart tips from yesterday's One Quick Question on Twitter. Which one was the hands-down most popular? Hint: it's three little words that make a huge difference. Read on and put them to good use!

Who knows, maybe you'll learn something new?

@xnadyboox: A little goes a long way. It’s quality over quantity.
@TheRoadTested: Eyes or lips; neckline or legs. Never draw attention to both, or you'll be mistaken for a 'working girl.’Thanks, grandma!
@panda7488: Put your eyeliner pencil in the freezer or fridge for a few minutes before use. Makes for really nice, smooth lines.
@KristinRanieri: Blend any foundation down past your jawline slightly to avoid the cake-face effect.
@ames1277: Less is more.
@Anna Marr: Mascara and Red Lipstick is all a girl needs.
@Liz_SF: Eyebrows: sisters not twins.
@alissawinb: Always remove your makeup before bed every night! No excuses!
@Stephyblue: Invest in quality make-up brushes.
@TheShanmeister: Apply bronzer only where the sun would natural hit on your face! NOT everywhere.
@jen276here: It is easier to add to then take away & less is better.
@rhstartdthefire: Clean brushes make all the difference in makeup application!
@Naisha2u: Put an almost finished tube of mascara in hot water to loosen it up.
@megblauvelt: Always use eye primer!!
@aprilbelles: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks & be sure to blend it up to the temples for a more sexier, glowing look!
@AngelaVFrye: Moisturize!
@marakevyn: Wash your brushes!
@willyouscream: It's all about learning what works best for you! What works on one person might not work on the next, so experiment!
@jeanaanderson: From Aunt Becky on Full House, ‘The point of makeup is to look like you're not wearing any makeup at all.’
@AishaZS: Apply foundation AFTER applying eye makeup. I don't have to worry about ruining the makeup on my cheeks!
@Jane Holland: Wash it off at night!
@VHenderson3: You shouldn't notice the makeup, but simply how beautiful the person looks wearing it.
@Jill Marie: The best advice I got was not to rub but pat your concealer in.
@noreent: Classic advice - NEVER go to bed without taking off your makeup.
@Nivekson: Less is more!
@Vambreen: Play with purple shades for green eyes.
@maryalexg: Put mascara on top of your lashes (along with the bottom) so when u look down, your eyelashes are the same color, and it’s more dramatic.
@tinkgirl_34: Never shave your eyebrows! My mom told me that
@SamanthaG420: Liquid eyeliner is your best friend when wearing fake eyelashes :) Oh & mascara too!
@TibiTaylor: Use a fluffy tapered brush (instead of a flat one) to apply undereye concealer. Leaves an airbrushed finish!
@JoshuaRWaller: Be creative and never follow the rules. That is the advice that creates true beauty.
@GirlWearsPrada: Blend, Blend, Blend!! Everything looks better blended!
@kimpcole: For long eyelashes: curl lashes w/eyelash curler, touch only tips of lashes with mascara & let dry, then apply mascara as usual.
@Jfoldes: Sometimes, less is more!

His & Her Fragrance Test: Caudalie Vigne Series

Caudalie's summer fragrances won me over with their idea. The three blends are based on the ever-changing scene of Bordeaux's famous Smith Haut Lafitte estate. Each scent represents one of these times, dawn, noon, and dusk, making up an entire day of basking in the vineyards. With an experience this utterly romantic, I needed to have a companion to share it with. Enter Andy. He is, as readers of the blog know, an enthusiastic fan of fragrance from the "smutty" to the "sumptuous." So, off we went to the conference room to describe how the soft mist at dawn, the warmth of the sun, etc. smelled on our skin, and more importantly, how we smelled to each other.

Fragrance #1: Fleur de Vigne (dawn)

Andy’s first impressions: Grapey floral. Citrus grapefruit.

Cheryl’s first impressions: Warm, smooth, and knowing.This blend is inspired by the vineyard at dawn, and I get that. There’s anticipation of the day in this fragrance. It’s waiting to be layered and experienced with the scents of a daily morning routine: coffee in the morning, putting on my leather jacket, the morning dew on my way to work, etc.

On Cheryl (according to Andy): Elegant, not overly sexy. There are garden and forest notes.

On Andy (according to Cheryl): The woodsy cedar complements his aftershave so gorgeously.

Cheryl’s tip: Wear this one to brunch or wine tasting. It won’t interfere with your other senses, but somehow balances beautifully with other scents.

Fragrance #2: Thé des Vignes (noon)

Andy’s first impressions: Its musk is sharp, but doesn’t bang you over the head.

Cheryl’s first impression: Musky and sensual. Andy’s description pretty much sums it up.

On Cheryl: It’s fruity, but not fruity in a girly way. It’s pretty and wearable on Cheryl. It’s quiet, a little bit unique. There’s lightness to it, effervescence on top of the light musk.

Andy’s tip: Spraying it on a test strip does it no justice. You really have to smell it on skin.

Fragrance #3: Zeste de Vigne (dusk)

Andy’s first impressions: It opens with a sweet mandarin note that becomes pleasantly bitter as it dries down. As the scent dries down, the quality of ingredients shows through, you can detect the high concentration of essential oils. The smell of mandarin always reminds takes me back to childhood when I’d enjoy afternoon snacks with my mom on a sunny afternoon.

Cheryl’s first impressions: It smells like an expensive cocktail from a very classy hotel bar. It also reminds me of the way Caudalie’s vine-derived Vinoperfect Radiance Serum smells, which is beautifully subtle and energizing.

On Andy: It’s intended as a unisex fragrance, and the parfumers, Anne Flipo, Francis Kurkdjian, and Jacque Cavalier, certainly delivered. This smells sexy on Andy–like he just jumped out of the shower after a very rewarding bootcamp session. It’s alive, decisive, and endorphin-laced.

On Cheryl: Its youthfulness is fun and beautiful. There’s an elegant lightness to it. It’s happy but not bubbly.

Guide to Sephora Collection's Eye Display

Our displays with the latest Dare-to-Play line from SEPHORA COLLECTION are like gigantic boxes of crayons packed with hundreds of tantalizing possibilities. Here's a guide to our sumptuous eye spread.

1. Eye Shadows
With 80 shadows, ranging from never-boring nudes and luxe jewel tones, plus every single kind of finish from matte to microglitter, it's no surprise we're constantly compared to a candy store. We grab the single Mono Eyeshadows whenever we're experimenting with of-the-moment trends, from neons to pastels. The baked shadows are favorites, too, for their green-tea enriched formula and diamond dust shimmer.

2. Smoky Kohl Liner
Sephora is the mecca of the smoky eye. You cannot leave without finding exactly what you need to pull off and own this look. These pigment-rich liners glide on and smudge out effortlessly. We especially love the twist-up packaging that lets us take these on the go.

3. Pencil Liners
Sephora has more than 110 eyeliners, which leave you with mind-boggling options. Pencils let you blend and smudge, and are our most versatile makeup staple. We especially love the new jumbo liners, ultimate two-in-ones, that create bold lines and shadowy effects with a bit of no-fuss finger blending.

4. Liquid Liners
Known in the business as what sets makeup obsessives apart from the amateurs, the idea of liquid liner may be daunting, but you don't have anything to fear from ours. They have built-in flocked tips to help you draw well-defined lines. We love them for their fashion-forward winged-out effects.

5. Nail Lacquers
Besides eyes, our other favorite place for our most wild, we-dare-you looks must be our nails. There are 60 high-shine colors. Our top pick of the moment: L38, Dark Chocolate Chunk.

For more colors, get inspired from our video and get-the-look guides.

Sephora's New Nail Studio

You may have noticed our recent frenzy around all things nails. And now, you can experience firsthand the latest designs we've been raving about. Sephora has launched our new Nail Studio, with Art+Lacquer Services Featuring XpresSpa, in select stores.

We were super excited to celebrate the opening of Sephora Times Square's Nail Studio, and of course, we couldn't resist indulging in a service. Part of the fun was browsing through all the many options and deciding which style we wanted to flaunt—the designs ranged from simple to intricate. We sat down with expert nail artists who first shaped and buffed our nails, then moisturized from our arms down to our tips. After that, the real artistry began. Check out our looks below!

Jessica's look was called Azure Fade—with a shimmering vibrant color and texture that gradually deepened and intensified down to the tips.


Nicole picked one of Sophy Robson's designs, Punk Cheetah, with each of her ring fingers sporting a SEPHORA COLLECTION Nail Bling Patch in Pink Zebra (with tiny sparkly rhinestones!).


I opted for a simpler version of Sophy Robson's Cherry Blossoms, sans branches and with only one blossom per nail, due to my woefully small nail beds.

Call to book your own appointment at any of the below locations. You can also download more than 25 exclusive nail art recipes, complete with how-to instructions, or watch Sophy Robson apply looks for every skill level and reveal her personal tips.


NEW YORK
5 Times Square, New York City
34th Street, New York City
Roosevelt Field, Garden City

CALIFORNIA
Santa Monica
Hollywood and Highland
South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
Fashion Valley, San Diego
Powell Street, San Francisco