Runway Recap: Wella at NYFW

Wella Professionals recently styled the looks for the Cynthia Rowley and DKNY shows during NYFW. While the look at Cynthia Rowley was decidedly whimsical, complete with jewel-toned hair extensions, DKNY kept it a little more refined with an equestrian feel. I love a good pony personally, it's a style I've been rocking lately because the whole blow out routine feels a little much right now. I just blow dry haphazardly and then either flat iron or create waves in the pony and voila! Fabulous hair in minutes. Read on for a step-by-step guide to re-creating these playful and chic looks.

Here's how to get the look shown at Cynthia Rowley:

The Products:

• System Professional Ultimation: Strong-hold hairspray with long-lasting hold and maximum shine

Step-by-Step Styling

1. Section hair off and working from back of the head to the front, prepare hair with System Professional Ultimation hair spray for added texture and shine.
2. Create texture within each section by using a combination of a curling iron and crimping iron for non-uniform waviness.
3. Place Wella colored hair pieces that have been crimped within sections of the natural hair so that the extensions blend in seamlessly.
4. Pull the hair back into a soft ponytail at the nape of the neck with the ends flowing naturally, while allowing the streaks of color to show through for added dimension.

Here's how to get the look shown at DKNY:

The Products:

• System Professional Volumagic: Natural hold styling foam for long-lasting volume
• System Professional Hypercurl: Provides texture and definition to curl patterns

Step-by-Step Styling

1. Prepare damp hair with System Professional Volumagic and blow dry with a large round brush, creating a soft wave and giving direction for the side part.
2. Rake hands through hair to loosen the waves, pulling to the side of the part and fasten the low side ponytail.
3. Leave hair on the opposite side of the ponytail loose around the face to balance the asymmetry of the look.
4. Lightly smooth System Professional Hypercurl on the length of the ponytail for separation and added texture.

It's the New Me

Beauty is the New Black got a much needed makeover courtesy of the lovely and talented Krystyn of Krizzy Designs. If you're in the market for a blog or website upgrade, check out Krystyn's site krizzydesigns.com. She's super fast, knows exactly what you want, and will painstakingly go over various shades of coral/orange/peach with you until it's perfect.

What do you think of the new look?

Lorac on Sale at HauteLook

If you're a die hard LORAC fan, or have never tried the line before, today is the day to scoop up your staples or give a new product a go. Beginning at 8am PST, 11am ET, and ending Friday, LORAC, created by famed makeup artist Carol Shaw, is on sale at member's only shopping site HauteLook. Prices range from $4 for eyeshadow to $16.50 for a palette. 

I distinctly remember my first foray into LORAC land when I was just a little college girl interning in the beauty department of a now defunct women's glossy. The beauty assistant let me take home tons of stuff and I was immediately hooked on Lip Polish, a shimmery lip gloss that looks like nail polish, complete with brush applicator. The rest is beauty history.

My picks: 

Cheek Stamps - Originally $22, Now $4

Lip Polish - Originally $17.50, Now $4

Palettes - Originally $55-$25, Now $16.50-$10

If you're not a member of HauteLook here's your hookup: 

http://www.hautelook.com/invite/bitnb 

Runway Beauty: Susan Woo and Lela Rose

I'm loving the looks featured at Susan Woo and Lela Rose runway shows - it's a night departure from the super natural makeup we've been seeing and is perfect for a night out. Celeb makeup artist Tina Turnbow, along with the tarte artistry team and beauty.com created both the looks and used all tarte products. I'm sure you know by now I'm a big fan of the line; the cheek stains are just to die for and the lock and roll creaseless cream shadow is the only shadow I've used that has ever stayed in place all day (or all night). Bonus: Until February 28th tarte is offering 30% off with code FWFall. Check out the face charts with detailed product recommendations below:

Susan Woo:

Overall Look: Effortless beauty-A fresh, slightly-dewy complexion with kohl-rimmed eyes.

complexion: It's all about a healthy, dewy complexion.

• Spot treat problem areas and darkness with the eraser 4-in-1 natural concealer.
• Apply smooth operator oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 all over the face.
• Using rest assured brightening wand apply the sheer pink highlighter on top of cheek bones, over lids before shadow application, on the bridge of the nose, on the cupid's bow and in the corner of eyes.
• Apply natural cheek stain in dollface in a U-shape from top of lids to outer and under eye area (acting as an illuminator).

cheeks: Just a hint of flush.

• Dab natural cheek stain in true love on apples of cheek.
• Highlight cheeks with natural cheek stain in dollface.

eyes: Kohl-rimmed eyes-emphasis on the eyes without being too smoky. 

• eye shadows:
• Using the eye couture day-to-night palette apply the shimmery deep gray and top with the silver sheen

• liner:
• Line inner rim and lash line with emphasEYES™ natural high definition inner rim eye pencil in black.
• Using emphasEYES™ waterproof clay shadow/liner smudge the top line. You want to create darkness around the lash line.

• lashes:
• Curl lashes with picture perfect lash curler.
• Coat top and bottom lashes with lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 natural mascara.
• brows
• Using the lash and mascara comb brush brows in an upward motion.

lips: A healthy, natural, berry stain.

• LipSurgence™ natural lip stain in moody (exclusive to Sephora)

Lela Rose:

Overall Look: The moonlit eyes are mysterious, while the complexion and lips have a cloudy, hazy feel. 

eyes: Silvery, moonlit eyes-a silvery/black smoky eye without edges and just a touch of blue. The eye is almost 3D, rounded and mysterious.  

 
direction: Think of the eye as a rounded sphere or planet. The inner crease of the eye is darkened up to the brow with the shimmery deep blue gray (eyeshadow in lucy I'm home). The outer area is rounded, softly muted blackness. The center of the eye is the lightest, with darker edges (inner and outer corner of eye) ending in black (eye couture palette). Apply blue lagoon only in the center of the top and lower lids. Blend the blue into the gray and then into a bit of the black. There should be a bit of the blue and silver gray (eye couture palette) blended in the center of the lower lashline. Apply smolderEYES in the inner rim of the eyes. Top it off with a coat of lights, camera, lashes! mascara on the top and bottom lashes (no curling needed). Leave eyebrows-do not fill in. After finishing the eyes, clean underneath with the eraser 4-in-1 natural concealer. 

complexion: It should feel muted like a hazy, cloudy sky. The mineral powder will matte  and tone skin. the eraser 4-in-1 natural concealer-use after applying shadows to avoid fallout.
          ·  smooth operator oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF 20
             (one shade lighter than model's complexion)
          ·  provocateur pressed mineral powder
          ·  t-zone travel

 cheeks: Just a touch of healthy blush.
          ·  blissful natural cheek stain (warm peachy pink)
          ·  powder over blissful with provocateur pressed mineral powder

Runway Beauty: Max Azria

One of my favorite designers is Max Azria. Probably because he has so many different lines at various price points I can actually afford his clothes. His runway look was also very much attainable as Maybelline products were used on all the models during his Tuesday afternoon show. Makeup artist Charlotte Willer prepped the models' skin with Maybelline Mineral Power liquid foundation, then defined brows with a Maybelline brow pencil. Like last year, strong brows seem to be continuing their reign. Next up was a generous application of Maybelline Lash Stiletto in Black, with extra coats on the outer corners for a cat eye effect. 

An orange lipstick, specially created for the show that was applied with fingertips for a stained effect, finished off the look. For something a little more wearable, try Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in Coral Crush or Peachy Scene.



Photo credit: Kyle Ericksen

Runway Beauty: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I'm always intrigued to see what makeup look the models will be sporting at a Marc Jacobs runway show because it's never expected, but also not costumey. The Marc by Marc Jacobs runway beauty look from Tuesday was decidedly low maintenance; polished without looking forced. Shiseido artistic director Dick Page created the look by blending a combo of white and gold highlighters under the eyes and on cheeks, and on top of that swept one of four different rosy hued blushes, depending on the model's skin tone. Eyes and lips were left bare, says Page, however if you have naturally light lashes and pale lips like me, a little something is in order. 

Try L'Oreal Bare Naturale mascara in black brown, using only two coats and to re-create the natural reddish brown hue I slicked on wet n wild Speed Gloss Energizing lip shine in Chaotic, a true red, and then blotted until just a slight stain was left and topped with a creamy, low shine balm. Also don't forget strong brows, which will offset the need for lots of eye makeup since brows give the face definition. I've been loving Revlon Brow Fantasy lately, a dual-ended stick with brow pencil on one end and tinted brow gel on the other.

Photo credit: Kyle Ericksen

Apologies and Excuses

So as of late my posting has become a little...on the not so frequent side. So I'm offering up an apology - and an excuse! In addition to being in the process of having my site completely overhauled (I can't wait to unveil the new look to you!) I've also finally once and for all began writing my first novel. I've dreamed of writing a book since I was in fourth grade, however there has always been an excuse as to why I can't: I'm too tired, my laptop broke because I spilled water on it, I don't even know where to begin, I have no time because I work for eight hours a day (these are all genuine excuses used by me in the last few years). 

Now that the biggest hurdle is out of the way (the whole pesky full time job thing) I decided that there are simply no more excuses allowed here for why I haven't finished this novel by now. I took a fabulous seminar in Chicago back in September where the super-talented chick lit writer Kristin Harmel was instructing, so I finally had all the necessary tools, and time, that I needed to begin. So I did. And now it's pretty much taken over my life. Friends, if you aren't aware, and I certainly wasn't, the average novel is approximately 90,000 words. But, I promise to get back in the game and start posting everyday again because there really is always something new and fabulous to talk about. Please stay tuned!

Get a V-Day Glow

It's already February lovelies; can you believe it? I can almost feel spring in the air, but first up, it's almost Valentine's day. Roses, candy, candlelight dinners and...hopefully not pale skin. Here's the buzz on two of my favorite new glow inducers for body and face.

The Solerra Instant Bronzing Mitt gives a warm golden tan immediately, while also developing a lasting tan over the course of a few hours. I'm big into self tanner as most of you know, but I absolutely dread the application process. This single-use, four layer mitt makes it a snap. Simply rub the mitt over your body from head to toe (you'll only need one mitt) let dry for a few minutes before getting dressed and in four to six hours, you have a lasting tan minus the stink. The Solerra Mitt uses patented Invisicare technology, which is resistant to wash-off, while allowing skin to breathe and perspire as it normally does. Head over to the Solerra website for ordering info.

NARS' famed Orgasm hue is now available in a liquid luminizer for the perfect candlelight sheen day or night. There seems to be a little confusion that this will replace blush, which it definitely won't. It's meant to be worn on top of blush, on cheekbones, brow bones, decollete or anywhere else you want a peachy pink golden sheen. My favorite way to use is right on cheekbones, dabbing on in a C-shape from temple to cheek. Pick it up at Sephora.

Old Favorites

It's "Use Everything in Your Shower Before Bringing Any Other Products into It" time over at Beauty is the New Black headquarters, which always makes me discover my old faithful products that I, for one reason or another, stopped using (the reason is that it's so hard for me to be in a  monogamous relationship with my beauty products). I have products basically exploding out of the shower and a huge bin of new products I'm dying to try, but I promised myself I would use up some things before bringing more stuff in. 

Which leads me to my praise of the L'Oreal Vive Pro line of shampoos and conditioners. I'm going to make a bold statement here: it's probably the best line of drugstore haircare that I've tried. My favorite part? The fact that each of the lines is further divided into specific hair type. I.e. Vive Pro Smooth Intense shampoos and conditioners come in formulas for thick, medium and fine textured hair. Because as we all know by now, hair can be both fine and frizzy! And at around $5 or $6, you really can't beat it. 

Formulas include: Color Vive, Nutri Gloss, Hydra Gloss, Glossy Volume and Smooth Intense. Pop on over to your local drugstore and pick out the formula that works best for you.

Red Carpet Recap: The Grammys

I don't know about you, but I was feeling tres uninspired by the Grammy looks last night. Everything was just kind of same old same old. I actually forgot the Grammys were even on last night (and from the looks of it, maybe some of the stars did as well) and tuned in really late and it didn't seem like I missed all that much. There were a few saving graces of the night however.

Rihanna: Ahhhh RiRi, you always look spot on, even when running errands on a Tuesday. She always has this amazing dewy glow, no? That, combined with a nudey, peachy lip and super shimmery silver shadow equals makeup perfection. To get the lip look try Maybelline Moisture Extreme lip color in Nude Blush and for the bright eyed shadow effect generous helpings of Benefit Miss Popularity are in order here. Add Benefit Velvet Eyeshadow in Where There's Smoke in the crease, a thin line of black liner, plenty of long false lashes and you're good to go.

Marisa Miller: Why was a Victoria's Secret model at the Grammys? Who cares, she looks great. She can do a soft wavy beachy style like no other. Serious hair envy right now. Get wavy texture and plenty of volume by spritzing damp hair with Bumble and bumble south surf spray and blow dry while scrunching. Add some definition to waves by taking a few one inch sections and curling around a 1 1/2 inch curling iron and rake your fingers through when cool; you don't want debutante curls here. 

Lady Gaga: She's nuts, she's super talented, she looked fantastic. I loved that her hair was super full and kind of sex kitten looking, but she funked it up with yellow tips. How do you get this look? Beats me; you'll have to ask her.

Perricone MD - At Prices We Can All Afford

Perricone MD is one of those fabulous - and fabulously expensive - doctor brands that actually deliver on their claims. While the products are great and do work, (shout out to High Potency Eye Lift) the price tag can be a real hinderence for some. The thought of dropping over $300 on a product that you haven't used before is a pretty scary thing - even for a beauty adventurer such as moi. Luckily Perricone's new sampling program makes it easy for all to check out a product we've been dying to try, or to stock up on smaller travel sizes of our staples. These aren't your typical sample size either - depending on the product, you can get 2 oz. worth, at around half the cost. 

My top picks are Face Finishing Moisturizer, Advanced Face Firming Activator and either the Citrus or Nutritive cleanser, depending on your skin type. It's also a great reason to check out some of their newer products, like No Foundation Foundation on the cheap and the real investment products, like Neuropeptide Firming Moisturizer at almost half the price. Bonus: shipping is free when you spend $125. Head here to check out the goods.