Runway Beauty- Jean Paul Gaultier

 

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Here is a bit of Monday morning inspiration for all of you. Leave it to makeup genius Tom Pecheux to create an Avatar inspired beauty look for Jean Paul Gaultier's couture show that completely blew me away. Inspired by the blockbuster movie, with a large bit of Mexican flavor, Pecheux designed a rainbow eye look that is as colorful as it is imaginative. This my friends is rainbow done right.

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And of course I think we all need to take a moment to appreciate the plaited hair and AMAZING clothing. Jean Paul, you rock.

What do you think of the look? Would you wear it?

Lady Gaga at the Grammys

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga absolutely killed it at the Grammys. From the moment she arrived on the red carpet, she killed it with her canary yellow ombre hair, super defined eyes and brows, and her out of this world intergalactic dress.

 

 

:Thud:

*Image Source: Huffington Post Blog

Alexander McQueen Spring 2010

I haven't commented on international fashion weeks, but that can't last much longer. The fashion and beauty lover in me is positively reeling after fully taking in all of the beauty the Spring 2010 Alexander McQueen runway show had to offer. I know I am a bit late to the party, but I wasn't feeling well enough the past couple of days to fully appreciate everything that went on during this monumental show.

Anywho, I think you will agree with me in saying the runway show display was outlandish, bizarre, and all kinds of amazing .WOW, just WOW. This folks, is creativity at its pinnacle.

Breaking it down:

Hair:
Hair was taken to new heights with intricate braiding, and sky scraper height.

Makeup:
In a very time consuming process, models were fitted with prosthetic pieces around the eyes to give them a more alien-like appearance. Brows were bleached, lips were nuded out, and models were given a silver pallor.


The Shoes, Oh the Shoes:
I am sure most of you have seen these by now, but it bears repeating. These shoes are obviously completely unwearable, but exceptionally beautiful. I heard it through the grapevine that these shoes measured in at a whopping ten inches.

Oh McQueen, the things you do with fashion make my art loving heart very happy.

What say you, is the latest McQueen romp a foray into madness, or a stroke of brilliance?

*All photos taken from Imaxtree and NYMAG

NARS in NYC- Nars for Marc Jacobs, and NARS loves NYC (meet Francois at Saks!)

When an iconic makeup artist teams up with one of the most amazing contemporary fashion designers of our time, the results are nothing short of exceptional. Francois Nars created an amazing look for the Spring 2010 Marc Jacobs runway show.

The look:

Inspired by stage performers in a cabaret, or a slightly twisted ballerina, models rocked a toned down berry lip, dramatic eyeliner, and a definitive white streak from lid to brow bone.

The products:
Tried and true favorites get mixed in with a few new additions to the party. I am still eager to try the new liner stylo, and the new matte lip pencil looks amazing!

For more information, and to check out the products, hop on over to the NARS website.

But the NARS fun doesn't end there folks! The master, Francois NARS himself is making a personal appearance next week at Saks!
On Thursday, October 8, from 1:30-3:00pm, François Nars will be making a special personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue in celebration of the brand's 15th anniversary. He'll be signing copies of his books X-Ray and Makeup Your Mind as well as the limited-edition NARS Loves New York Set. The set contains an assortment of four classic products resurrected from the archives by François Nars specifically for the women of New York and re-named after iconic names in the city, will be available for sale at the NARS counter during this time. A talented team of NARS makeup artists will also be offering customers in-store makeovers.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
611 Fifth Avenue at East 50th Street
New York, NY‎
NARS Counter (212) 753-4000 X 2643

You know I am all over that event like white on rice. Who else will I be seeing there? :)

Backstage at Charlotte Ronson with the Avon Hair Team

Image Credit: NY Mag.com

Now it is time for a hair trends post. From what I saw, hair pulled back from the face seemed to be big on the runway this year. The following look was created by lead Avon hair stylist Allen Ruiz, for the Charlotte Ronson Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week show.

The inspiration for the look was a remake of 80’s style. Allen created the fresh, young wispy look, that mirrors Charlotte Ronson’s collection, and the look gives off the “just walked out of dance class at Julliard” vibe.

Here are the reasons why Allen loves this look:

Spring is all about wearing your hair up and away from your face.

Radiate confidence and positive energy by styling your bun so it looks finished, yet slightly disheveled.

Wearing your hair up in a bun creates a youthful, fresh look that is easy-to-achieve!

The reason I love it is because its quick, easy, and polished. You look sophisticated and youthful at the same time, without trying too hard.

Here is how you can re-create the look:

Step 1: Prep the hair from root to tip with Advance Techniques Salon Volume Finishing Spray to enhance natural shine and create volume.

Step 2: Using the Advance Techniques Paddle Brush and hair dryer, distribute the Advance Techniques Salon Volume Finishing Spray by sectioning off the hair and blow-drying to ensure that there is a natural, soft texture.

Step 3: Next, gather the hair tight to form a ponytail at the back crown of the head and secure with a ponytail holder keeping all sides flat.

Step 4: Holding hair at the base of the ponytail, twist the hair firmly in one direction to form a kink in to a spiral. Secure with bobby pins.

Step 5: On the sides, using the little hairs “muse” the wispy hairs to play up the natural texture.

Step 6: Lightly spray Advance Techniques Hair Spray to complete the style and hold in place.
All of the products mentioned are available on the Avon website.

How do you feel about the ballerina bun?

Spring 2010 Nail Trends Summary from CND

For Fashion Week Spring 2010, CND brought the drama by introducing their brand new Colour and Effects line at 20 different runway shows.

CND's trend expert Jan Arnold, and leading nail stylists Roxanne Valinoti, Angi Wingle and Kristina Baune created what are sure to be the next hot manicure trends.

Here is a summary of the custom designer nail looks as seen on the runways. Rest assured that each and every one of these will be hot for spring next year.

3.1 Phillip Lim - Oilslick topped with asymmetrical sweeps of Gold Sparkle for a deconstructed, oxidized finish

Baby Phat - Gold foil on nails and Gold Chrome topped with Air Dry on toes for an exotic Moroccan-inspired look
BCBG, Costello Tagliapietra, Hervé Léger, and Max Azria - a beautiful, sand blasted look with two coats of Putty followed by Air Dry top coat

Behnaz Sarafpour - Bursts of rich, deep color with Dark Ruby or Asphalt to match '40s inspired pieces

Carolina Herrera - One thin coat of Blackjack and a layer of Muddy Rose topped with Air Dry for a harmonious "Dusty Rose" shade paired with earthy pieces

Cushnie et Ochs - Two coats of Putty topped with two coats of Copper Shimmer for a metallic meets neutral futuristic spin

Malandrino - Desert Suede mixed with coffee grounds and sugar for a dense, sandy texture

Diego Binetti - Nails mimicked a sunrise with Studio White, Ivory Coast and Electric Orange, and Thai nights with Inkwell, Ice Blue Shimmer and colorful rhinestone embellishments

Gottex - Custom sheer metallic wash that combined Bicycle Yellow and Gold Chrome for a shimmery, subtle finish to compliment gold accessories in the collection

Jason Wu - Copper Chrome topped by Super Matte for a gorgeous matte metallic finish

Karen Walker - Gorgeous soft muted gray, combining Silver Chrome and Studio White and a taupe finish combining the same two colors, topped with two coats of Putty to complement preppy, clean looks on the runway

Milly - Two coats of pale pink Marshmallow Rose topped with Air Dry to accessorize preppy-punk pieces

Monique Lhuillier - One coat of Oilslick and one coat of Raisin in the Sun topped with Super Matte top coat created an amazing deep brown color to match the collection inspired by the intricate draping of the Masai Warriors

Ruffian - Art-deco, '40s inspired clean moon manicures with Plumville base, tipped with Blackjack and topped with Air Dry

Twinkle - Brilliant White, Ivory Coast and Super Matte on fingers for a snow-white color sans shine and Ivory Coast, Desert Suede and Air Dry on toes

Victor de Souza - Blackjack on long, pointy nails and hands dipped in paraffin wax for a futuristic glaze

Last, but most certainly not least, CND will also be creating manicure looks for ThreeAsFour at Milk Studios.

With so many amazing nail looks, it is hard to play favorites. You tell me, which nail looks are you loving for spring 2010?

Rebecca Taylor Collection for Spring 2010

Rebecca Taylor is one of my favorite designers, and her Spring 2010 collection promises lots of fun textures, patterns, and colors. While I didn't have the opportunity to attend this show in person, I do have some amazing images to share with you all.

Here are my favorites from her runway show.

Polka dotted anything is amazing in my book, and these mini-shorts take the cake. The top and short combo provides an excellent mix of patterns that doesn't overwhelm or look overdone. This would look amazing with a pair of gladiator flats and a chunky bracelet.


The stunning cobalt color to this minidress is eye-catching, with the ruffled bodice and skirt adding just the right amount of fun and flirtiness. Black pumps and a statement necklace would complete this look, in my opinion.
Proving that one shoulder styles are here to stay, this ruffled orange number screams summer fun. I feel like you could easily take it from day to night with the right accessories and footwear.
Note: How amazing is the bright orange lips, with tips to match? I am love love loving the orange lip/nail trend for spring.

How do you feel about Rebecca Taylor's spring offerings?