Meet François Nars at Saks in NYC!

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 50^th Street

New York, NY‎

NARS Counter (212) 753-4000 X 2643

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Halloween Hair and Makeup Services at Butterfly Studio Salon

Pictured above: Butterfly Studio Salon owner Kattia Solano’s VERY intricate peacock costume from last Halloween. Her hair, lashes, and makeup were all done at Butterfly by resident makeup specialists Francesca Roman and Cristina Marroquin.

Last year, all of the stylists and colorists at Butterfly looked so fab that the salon is offering hair and makeup services this Halloween at the following rates:

Hair only: $150

Makeup only: $200

Hair/Makeup/Prop (lashes, feathers, etc): $300

Butterfly Studio Salon

149 Fifth Avenue 2nd Floor

212-253-2100

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Beauty Bloggerati Spotlight: The Mask

This week, I've asked the Beauty Bloggerati to share their favorite hair masks. My current fave? Leonor Greyl Masque Quintessence ($138). It's pretty spendy, but applied to dry ends for 20 minutes pre-shower, it will absolve you of all your hair-related sins. It's especially great for getting some extra mileage out of your haircut. Check out what the Bloggerati recommends, below!

Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment is as amazing as they make it look on QVC (if you've watched one of their on-air demonstrations, you know what I mean). You can use it as a deep conditioning treatment, leave-in conditioner, or shine enhancer. I noticed the difference as soon as I put down the blow-dryer. My hair was softer, smoother, and shinier than I’d seen it in a
long time. --Spoiled Pretty

My pick is the Leonor Greyl Masque Fleurs de Jasmin. This lightly scented masque has enough organic oils to nourish my hair from all the damage I do it to each week. It works great on for 20 minutes, but even better if you sleep in it. Ooh la la.--All About The Pretty


I love Phytokarite Ultra Nourishing Mask by Phyto! It's not too heavy, the scent is lovely and it leaves my hair softer and easier to manage. Couldn't ask for more.--Hair Thursday

I looove the Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque, it smells divine and it leaves my locks soft as can be.--The Jet Set Girls (Hope)

I never have a lot to spend on hair products, so I love the Giovani Nutrafixx Hair Reconstructor because even though it's more than I'd usually spend (about $10-14), it makes a huge difference. My hair feels SO silky and I always add a squirt of it to my conditioner every time I shower. It even helps improve expensive hair masks.--Makeover Momma

My favorite hair mask is the budget-friendly Pantene PRO-V 5 Minute Nourishing Moisture Replenishing Mask. After first use, I was hooked! It left my hair silky soft and tangle-free. I even use it on my daughter's fine, easily tangled hair.--A Mom In Red High Heels

What mask is blowing your hair back? Tell me in the comments!

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BBJ Interviews Robin Mathews, Kristen Stewart's Makeup Artist for The Twilight Saga: New Moon

It's well documented on this blog that I love all things vampire/Twilight. So, I'm very excited to bring you the I scoop on all things Bella beauty straight from Kristen Stewart's makeup artist on the set of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Robin Mathews! Robin began her career in as a special effects makeup artist, and broke into the business from there. Beauty followed, and now she has been offered projects that allow her to excel at both beauty and special effects. She got her big break when Sean Penn asked her to department head his film Into the Wild in 2005. After that, her career took off and she hasn't stopped since.

Read on for her top makeup tips, favorite products, and her unusual advice to aspiring makeup artists below!

Beauty Blogging Junkie: What is most exciting about working on The Twilight Saga: New Moon?

Robin Mathews: Being a part of a film and story that is dearly loved by so many people, and living up to their expectations with the make-up design was fun. I hope I didn’t let them down.

BBJ: What are your favorite products?
RM: Well, I'm a fan of Shiseido moisturizers; they sink completely into the skin and don't interrupt the foundation process. I don't live without Cle de Peau Concealers, Stila Convertible Colors, or much of the Laura Mercier line. Anastasia's line for brows is a must in my kit as well as Ve Neill brushes, and a Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

BBJ: What is your style/technique?

RM: I’m very picky and obsessive about foundation and the application process. Foundation should mimic the texture of real skin and if you see it sitting on the skin, it hasn’t been applied properly. It should be very sheer in the places that you can get away with less coverage, and stippled a bit heavier where more coverage is needed. Proper skin prep is essential to this process also. If skin prep and proper foundation application hasn’t been done, you can forget the the rest.

BBJ: Can you give us some makeup tips?

RM: Quite honestly, I get asked A LOT by artists starting out in the business, and my advice to them is to study drag queen makeup, or at least (good) porn make-up. It is an extreme study of how unappealing features can be sculpted into beauty, and how bone structure can be morphed into something completely different. Makeup tips for average women: research the proper skincare regime and foundation for you. Exfoliate on a regular basis, and use the lightest formula of foundation you can get away with. If you have beautiful skin, don’t use any foundation at all! I love avoiding foundations for some of my characters in films. Most importantly, be happy from the inside, because you are never more beautiful then when you glow from true happiness.

BBJ: What's next for you? What are you going to be working on?

RM: My movie The Final Destination in HD 3-D came out August 28! That was a serious labor of love, and I’m very pleased at how well it turned out! I just saw a screening of The Twilight Saga: New Moon that rocked! (Wait until you get a load of Tailor Lautner and the wolves). [Ed. note: CAN'T WAIT, Robin. I already have tickets for opening day, obv.]

BBJ: What appealed to you most about working on the set of New Moon?

RM: We got to shoot part of New Moon in Italy, so that was a total trip. I wish I were back there now! I am currently in Vancouver shooting The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and two days prior to coming here, I wrapped The Runaways with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. By the way, those two were unbelievable; completely playing their own instruments and singing themselves. You’ve never seen Dakota Fanning look like this before. This will be a breakthrough role for the both of them I’m sure. They were undeniably fantastic. Oh, hanging out with Joan Jett every day didn’t suck either!

I love it! I find Robin's advice about studying the makeup of drag queens and porn stars fascinating. It makes complete and utter sense that sculpting unappealing features into something beautiful is the ultimate test for a talented makeup artist. Thank you Robin, for taking the time to provide us with your thoughtful answers! Tell Robert Pattinson I said heeeey.

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New From Bobbi Brown: Rich Color Gloss

Bobbi Brown's new Rich Color Lip Gloss ($20) offers the look and benefits of three products in one: the full color coverage of a lipstick, the soft shine of a gloss, and the luxurious feel of a balm. The modern formula moisturizes and conditions, wears comfortably, and lasts throughout the day without feathering.

Rich Color Lip Gloss is available in a range of eight shades: Naked, Ruby Red, Pink Raspberry, Merlot, Dusty Rose, Melon, Tutu, Pink Buff. It'll be on-counter and available www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com in October 2009.

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Dolce&Gabbana Spring/Summer 2010 Ready to Wear Show in Milan

At the Dolce&Gabbana Spring/Summer 2010 Ready to Wear show in Milan, the designers aptly named their show “Heritage,” which showcased their Sicilian roots and signature sartorial tailoring laced with a dose of tango. On the runway, each model donned a bold red lip created using Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up.


“This season our inspiration stemmed from the passionate Latin woman melded with our Sicilian upbringing,” said Domenico Dolce. Stefano Gabbana added, “The cultures are very similar and we wanted the beauty look to be reflective of this passion and sensuality.”

Backstage makeup maestro Pat McGrath prepped skin with the foundation, to create a flawlessly natural canvas. Next, McGrath sculpted cheeks using the blush, in Warm.


On eyes, McGrath blended a taupe shadow from the eyeshadow quad in Elegance along the crease and lower lids. Using a damp brush, McGrath then applied the white shimmer shadow from the eyeshadow duo in Rose along the upper lips close to lashes. To complete the eye look, multiple coats of the mascara, in Black were brushed through top lashes.


To create an alluring pout, McGrath noted that she wanted to create, “a rich, velvet, red shade.”To achieve a deep burgundy red, McGrath painted lips with a mix of the classic lipstick in Devil, Dahlia, and Ultra.

Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up is sold at saks.com.

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40% Off At Three Custom Color

Three Custom Color is hosting a 40% sitewide discount for 3 days, starting today (through midnight on October 1). This is a great time to stock up on your Ready to Wear and Custom favorites or to try something new that you’ve been curious about!

Enter code LOVE at checkout. Enjoy!

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Bloomingdale's Friends & Family Discount Code

Use code FANDF and get 20% off at Bloomingdales.com.

You're WELCOME!

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Huge Lips Skinny Hips Gloss

Dolls, if you aren't rocking Purple Lab NYC's Huge Lips Skinny Hips Gloss, I don't know what you're DOING all the time.


Purple LAB Creatrix, yogi, and fellow raised-in-a-non-sugar-householder Karen Robinovitz decided there should be a lip gloss that curbs the appetite whilst plumping your pout--and thus, Huge Lips Skinny Hips was born. Lest you think Karen is trying to convince you you'll simply gloss up your lips and the weight will fall off, be assured that the name is very tongue-in-cheek/chic.

And sidenote? Living in NYC, you meet a bevy of blondes (and even brunettes!) who think they're Carrie Bradshaw. Anyone who's held a pen, has ever been single, has or does not have curly hair claims to be "JUST like her." After seven years of living here, the comparison becomes more cliche than... a bunny eating a carrot. However, this former magazine editor/journalist/author who rocks better shoes and designer duds than Mrs. John Preston herself not only is the sole New Yorker I've met worthy of the moniker, her fabulousness DEMANDS the title.

Let's discuss the gloss, shall we? This nonsticky lip lacquer contains Hoodia, an all natural appetite suppressant--it targets the part of the brain that tells you you're full by mimicking the effects of sugar. HLSKH also plumps without pain thanks to active ingredient Vitamin B3. Former med student Karen also slipped in some orange peel extract, which is a natural metabolism booster.

My favorite part? The gloss comes in six fabulous shades that reference Karen's favorite icons and general gorgeous things. To name a few: Red Sole is inspired by her love of Christian Louboutin heels, Worship Kate is a tribute to her fascination with Kate Moss, Kitty Poledancer reflects her dancing predilection, and Lychee Martini is a shout-out to her cocktail of choice.

More deets on the full spectrum of shades:
Goji Berry Smoothie - NEW for fall! It's named after Karen's fave breakfast treat
Kitty Poledancer - Nudish Pink Sheer
Red Sole - Sultra Sexy Fierce Red
Very Very Sheer...a bee stung look
Lychee Martini - Soft Peach-Like Apricot.
No Panty Lines - Clear as Crystal.
Love Your Thighs - Exotic Coral, but still translucent.
Worship Kate - slightly darker pink with hints of mauve & shimmer.


Karen recently hosted a tweet-up to introduce a select group of bloggers to the new Goji Berry shade (which is a soft berry pink, pictured at left) held at the GORGEOUS feng-shui'd out home of the fabulous Libby Weintraub.


Libby is a yoga instructor and did a mini class with the group while The Didge Project provided instrumentals. For the mini class, we donned Hard Tail yoga pants and pre-ate some sugar free chocolate! Fourth generation psychic Linda Lauren ended the night with a handwriting analysis of each attendee that impressed me with its no-way-she-could-have-known insight. All in all, a fantabulous night out. I left feeling rejuvenated and relaxed for the first time in MONTHS. I then proceeded to feng shui my entire apartment, starting with plugging up my drains (I don't need my money flowing right through them!) a la Libby.

Huge Lips Skinny Hips Gloss retails for $20 at b-glowing.com, blissworld.com, Scoop NYC, and Fred Segal.

Get you some of that, stat!

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New From CHANEL: Collection Noirs Obscures

Ahead of her time as an arbiter of style and color authority, Mademoiselle Chanel recognized and revered the color black as a symbol of luxury, modernity, sophistication and seduction. Today, Peter Philips creates a tribute to black with an avant-garde collection of trend-defining eye, lip and nail shades, uncovering the many nuances and undertones of this iconic shade. While these statement-making tones are more daring than demure when worn together, they can easily achieve a quiet elegance when color is limited to either the eyes, lips or fingertips.

ROUGE ALLURE LUMINOUS SATIN LIP COLOUR

Limited Edition

Three limited-edition shades of the iconic lipstick exemplify the seductive feel of the collection. The lip colors are an enigmatic play on noir, each with a different, nuanced undertone. $30

MANIAC HYSTERIA OBSCURE

QUATUOR BOUTONS DE CHANEL QUADRA EYE SHADOW

Limited Edition

Nowhere is black’s mystique more strikingly expressed than on the eyes. A shade quartet of deep green, mahogany, midnight blue and dark violet — embellished with the coveted CHANEL signature — creates a dramatic, yet sophisticated look. $60

INIMITABLE NOIR OBSCUR MASCARA MULTI-DIMENSIONNEL &

EXCEPTIONNEL DE CHANEL NOIR OBSCUR INTENSE VOLUME AND CURL MASCARA

Black is elevated to a new level of intensity with the introduction of NOIR OBSCUR, an extreme, black shade of the best-selling CHANEL mascaras. Lashes are coated in deep, luxurious color for the most intensely dramatic effect. $30

LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR

For the perfect finishing touch, new edgy yet elegant shades of black for fingertips. $23

DIABOLIC VENDETTA FORBIDDEN

Available this November at www.CHANEL.com, select CHANEL boutiques and department stores.

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Video: Beauty Bloggerati Beauty Crawl

In July, Daily Makeover hosted a beauty crawl for the Beauty Bloggerati. Check out this video, which captures the highlights of the stops on our tour, which included Kiehl's, Fresh, L'Occitane, and Space.NK, among others.


Don't forget to hit up Daily Makeover's Fall Trend Feature, the site's Backstage Beauty Blog and expert blogs by Carmindy, Jason Backe and Ted Gibson.

'Kay? Greeeeaaat!

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Upcoming ideeli Sales

Check out the week's sales at ideeli! Need an invite? Get one courtesy of moi at ideeli.com/invite/beautybloggingjunkie.
Tuesday, September 29

Phillip Bloch for Emma & Posh

RTW (Contemporary)
Save up to: 67%Off
Prices start at: $79

City of Others

Denim

Save up to: 65%Off
Prices start at: $35

Wednesday, September 30

Hype

Bags

Save up to: 57%Off
Prices start at: $47

David Aubrey
Jewelry

M.I.N.S
RTW (Knits, Sweaters)
Save up to: 49%Off
Prices start at: $28

Nine West
Outerwear

Save up to: 69%Off
Prices start at: $39

Thursday, October 1

VaVa by Joy Han
RTW (Contemporary)
Save up to: 77%Off
Prices start at: $29

Brics
Luggage
Save up to: 60%Off
Prices start at: $77

Friday, October 2

Technomarine
Watches

Save up to: 68%Off
Prices start at: $109

Forte
RTW (Cashmere Sweaters)

Save up to: 69%Off
Prices start at: $79

Vera Wang Lavender
Designer

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Eight Stila Lip Glazes for $25!!

It's an $80 value, dolls! Take advantage of this sick offer at stilacosmetics.com!


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Sonia Rykiel to Partner with H&M

Knitwear nobility Sonia Rykiel will partner with H&M to do the Nordic chain's first designer lingerie collection, hitting stores on December 5. A spring knitwear collection, complete with accessories is slated to hit stores on February 20. CYE (can you even?)


Check out NYmag.com The Cut's coverage for more deets.

Image credit: NYmag.com

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Blogging For The Fairest!

Dolls, if you're not involved with The Fairest, the hottest new online sample sale strictly peddling beauty products, I'm not sure what you're DOING with your life.

It's an online sample sale of sorts, but only for beauty. Kind of like the Gilt Groupe of the beauty set. The site sells amaze brands like Pur-lisse, Stila and Korres, just to name a few.

The site boasts its own blog called Who's The Fairest?, run by my gal Nadine Haobsh who has asked yours truly to contribute a biweekly Monday column called Amber's Obsession, where I'll discuss the latest beauty product I'm loving. Today's post is up! There are Back to the Future references, obv.

Check it out and let me know what you think!



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Q, You Are So Fine: Q-Zone Quiet Dryer

Dolls, the title is a hilariously obscure quote from one of my college fave movies, Love & Basketball. In the movie, Monica (played by Sanaa Lathan) reads this love note from the "ho" who's aggressively pursing her dude, Quincy (played by Omar Epps):

"Q, you are so fine. I been wantin' to get with you. Take me to the Spring Dance and I promise I'll leave you satisfied."

Friends, that is how I feel about the Q-Zone Quiet Dryer. I want to take it to the Spring Dance. It is not cheap at $180, but you'll find the ROI (oiy, corporate speak rears its ugly head!) in the even-more-useful currency of blow-outs during Mad Men episodes. To be able to achieve such a feat, the Q-zone employs Insanely Quiet™ technology. You'll be so impressed with your sleek, shiny 'do that you can achieve whilst doing almost anything. You can have a conversation or listen to your fave radio station at a reasonable level (beyond just the hours of 9 and 11).

The Q-Zone Quiet Dryer offers the power of 1875 watts at only 1500. Ceramic Tourmaline technology yields healthier looking hair, shine and moisture, while IONIC technology helps reduce drying time dramatically. So it doesn't take a second longer than your ush dryer. I experienced the magic that is the Q last week at the De Berardinis Salon located at 155 West 23rd Street in NYC (212-967-0927‎ for an appointment). Stylist Michael Thomas gave me a fab supersoft blow-out, during which we discussed everything from suburban Philadelphia to Italy WHILE the blow-out was happening. Convinced? You should be.

You'll be in love with it since you were [fill in with your current age] years old. And the shit won't go away.

Buy the Q-Zone Quiet Dryer here.

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Megan Fox Rocks Dashing Diva

Megan Fox in Jennifer's Body

Megan Fox got ready for a night out on the town a couple nights ago and had her nails painted in the new fall matte grey color Astor Place from Dashing Diva.


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The Beauty Girls' Weekend Read

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Love Kim Kardashian's Emmy Awards makeup look, and wish you knew how to re-create it? Daneen from Spoiled Pretty scored an exclusive interview with Kim's makeup artist - click here for the step by step beauty breakdown!

Check out Amber's favorite golden products of the moment at Beauty Blogging Junkie.

Marina at makeup loves me finally finds a truly painless tweezer. Pluck on, beauties!

Hold onto your hats beauties...Ted Gibson and the Real Housewives have landed in DC Lianne from The Makeup Girl takes you behind the scenes.

Teri was at the L'Oreal Paris Color Space this week and got the L'Oreal Paris beauty experts to answer some reader questions for Beautiful Makeup Search.

Colored mascara....oh so hot according to Erika from Makeup Bag. She checks out Estee Lauder's Sumptuous Color Mascara.

Julia from All About The Pretty is head over heels for Carol's Daughter's Magical Beauty Collection for Disney's The Princess & The Frog.

Follow the Beauty Girls on Twitter:

Beauty Blogging Junkie @Glambr
Makeup Bag @makeupbag
TheMakeupGirl @themakeupgirl
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The Office's Angela Kinsey is Clairol's "Guardian Girlfriend"

Actress Angela Kinsey of The Office has taken on a new role as straight-talking "Guardian Girlfriend" Gigi in Clairol's new Nice 'n Easy advertising campaign. Get your right hair color and check out an interview with Gigi, the commercial, and Angela Kinsey on playing the role.

I was surprised to find that Angela's effervescent, chatty demeanor is nothing like that of her eponymous famously disapproving-of-everything character on The Office. In fact, Angela breezed onto the phone, and laughingly confessed that she'd just knocked over a vase of flowers. Read on to find out about everything from Angela's favorite products to her trick to getting into character on-set at The Office.

Beauty Blogging Junkie: Did you draw on experiences with anyone you know to get into character to play Gigi?
Angela Kinsey: Absolutely. My longtime friend Sue Ann McLaren would tell it like it is, just like Gigi. She'd be like [in a southern accent] "We have to do something about your eyebrows." Similarly, Gigi's the kind of girl who won't let you leave the house looking awful. She'll be like, "Hey. That's not working for you."

BBJ: I'd posit that everyone needs a friend like Gigi! What do you like most about playing her?
AK: I like her upbeat wardrobe. The Office's Angela Martin dons so much beige and grey! Gigi is also an endearing klutz, which makes her fun to play.

BBJ: She certainly sounds like a change of pace from your gig playing Angela Martin! I love that Angela (Martin) declared colors like orange and green "whorish." How do you get into character to play Angela? She's so serious with her sensible shoes and accounting degree!
AK: I rely on being tired! Having a baby helped me to be more cranky. It's easier to be confrontational like Angela is when you're sleep deprived!

BBJ: What's most challenging about working on The Office?
AK: It's hard to get through a scene with Steve Carell without breaking Angela's super serious character by laughing or smiling!

BBJ: What's most rewarding about working on the show (other than getting to rule the fictitious Party Planning Committee [PPC] with an iron fist)?
AK: Working with people I truly care about. We're truly a family, which is so nice to have so far from home. I also love that I'm able to bring my daughter to the set every day!

BBJ: What do you think Angela Martin thinks about all the men fighting over her on the show?
AK: I think she loves it, secretly. She has an old-fashioned view of courtship, so her behavior requires men to play a suitor role. But, she's not easily won over, so she plays into men's primal need to pursue.

BBJ: What are some of your favorite products?
AK: I love Lancôme Juicy Tubes. I also wear Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up myself. I once wrecked my color at a salon I'd never been to before while I was traveling and had to quickly get myself back to Angela's blonde hue. I was impressed by how easy it was to use. I used the Natural Medium Neutral Blonde shade. I also alternate between Olay Daily Moisturizer and Cetaphil. I tend to beauty shop during trips to grocery store, Target and Walgreens.

BBJ: What are your top three beauty tips?
AK: Get lots of sleep, go a day or two without washing your hair, especially if you color it. Lastly, smile! It sounds cheesy but I get the most compliments when I'm in a good mood.

BBJ: How would you describe Angela Martin's beauty routine?
AK: It's a very simple one! I'm pretty sure her makeup remover of choice is letting her cat lick her face. She also is a vegetarian who goes to bed very early, so that helps. She's in great shape [ed. note: That she is! She has mentioned on the show that she weighs 90 pounds and wears a children's size 10!] , She doesn't enjoy sunshine, so I could see her cruising around the mall!

Thanks to Angela for dishing with me!




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Memo to L'Oreal: Bring Back Air Wear!

By Carol (my mother)

When I read a couple of weeks ago that VOGUE's Anna Wintour was doing a Fashion's Night Out promotion at Macy’s, in Queens, I became truly terrified. It had to be clear confirmation that this was one really nasty recession. After all, who knew that the empress of fashion did borough? (Let alone Macy’s!) Obviously, the far reaches of her empire required it, so she gamely did her royal duty. Noblesse oblige.

With the economy in the doldrums, most of us need to search out good buys and that includes makeup. To the drugstores then, for bargains. For me, concealer is an everyday requirement and I’ve been pretty pleased with two L’Oreal products: True Match Super Blendable Concealer and Infallible 16 Hour Concealer. I use the former, which has a little brush, to paint lightly under the eye area and on the chin area, where I seem to have a facial version of cellulite. It does the trick. I use the Infallible around my nostrils, where it nicely covers a chronic redness there. Infallible is in stick-form and has a thicker consistency. Naturally, there are numerous shades one can purchase, according to one’s skin tones.

I do bemoan the fact that L’Oreal has apparently discontinued its Air Wear line of products. The Air Wear Long Wearing Concealer was particularly terrific. I still have a little left in its nifty little wand and I love it. It’s just the right shade for me (Fair Pale) and it imparts a lovely luminosity as a bonus. Also, the texture provides somewhat better coverage than the True Match and is smoother and less "crumbly" than the Inflallible.

Memo to L’Oreal: Bring it back, s’il vous plait!

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MAC DSquared Collection: Fall 2009

MAC DSquared² Collection

Every season the fashion crowd is up and on the run, crazy for the fierce and sexy fun we’ve come to expect from designers Dan and Dean Caten, the Canadian twins who know how to pack a punch and throw a party! With their haute hi-jinx and body-beautiful clothes for boys and girls, a collaboration with MAC simply could NOT be avoided! “DSquared2 and MAC are on the same trip!” says Dan. This collection brings us to the Ziegfield Follies by way of Grey Gardens, a bit disheveled, a little Girl Interrupted, both dramatically hip and dangerously sexy.

It starts with a strong, sooty, blackest-ever wild-child eye…a new Greasepaint Stick also in blue and violet versions, and Pro Gloss to create it. Neutral and perfected skin will get more drama with highlighting and low lighting from Sculpt and Shape Powders and the 165 Tapered Cheek/Highlight Brush all the better to achieve it. And finally, the totally nude Pro Lip Erase does its stuff, followed by a light Lipstick and Lip Conditioner to put the lilt and lift back in…. But the cynosure of this season’s scintillating collaboration is the daring, dramatic slightly demented DSquared2 eye. Have fun with it!

Lipsticks ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

• Nude Rose Light neutral pink (Lustre)
  
• Blood Red Clean deep berry (Lustre)
  

Lip Erase ($16.00 U.S. / $19.00 CDN)

• Dim NC37 Fleshtone
  

Tinted Lip Conditioner ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Fuschia Fix Deep pink sheen
  

Grease Paint Sticks ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

• Black True black
  
• B Bright blue violet
  
• V Bright yellow blue
  

Kohl Power ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Feline Glossy black
  

Sculpt and Shape Powder Duos ($21.00 U.S. / $25.00 CDN)

• Bone Beige/ Emphasize Palest cream / Tan
  
• Accentuate/Sculpt Pale blushed beige / Soft taupey brown

Gloss Texture ($18.00 U.S. / $22.00 CDN)

• Clear A colour-free gel formulated for full-on shine, M·A·C Gloss adds polish, shine and highlights to bare or made-up skin. May be used on the face or any part of the body where shine is desired.
  

Brush ($34.00 U.S. / $41.00 CDN)

• 165 Brush Medium-sized tapered brush with soft, natural bristles. Provides perfect application and blending of powder products. Can be used to highlight the cheeks or all over the face.
  

Availability: October 12, 2009 in the U.S. and November 2009 internationally.

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MAC Cosmetics Fall Trend F/W ‘09 Collection

The shapes and steely colours in this collection are an expression of the trend, an ode to the strength of a woman, rendered with true architectural precision. The geometry of eyes in graphic, graphite tones of grey with the beguiling blue sheen of an elegant grid of sky-reflecting windows on a stunning concrete skyscraper, Trend F/W ‘09 is a living tower of power! Lips are dark or seductively nude. The fragrance? Asphalt Flower, a limited-life scent as bold and urbane as the modern metropolis.

Fragrance ($20.00 U.S. / $24.00 CDN)
Asphalt Flower Glossy violet and iris petals cast an ebonized sheen over dark clouds of vanilla and patchouli like a shimmering lace veil this scent caresses and envelops of glamour and drama. Top note: violet, ylang; Mid: iris, heliotrope; Dry: olibanum, patchouli, vanilla.

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)
Red Full Stop Bright neon coral (Lustre)
Hipster Burgundy with frost (Frost)
Faultlessly F/W Blackened blue violet (Amplified)
Our Pick Cement taupe grey (Satin)

Lipglass ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)
Runway Fave Grey tone neutral with high pearl (Frost)
New Berry Deep plum (Cream)
So This Season Deep blue violet (Cream)

Eyeshadow x4: Tone: Grey ($36.00 U.S. / $43.00 CDN)
Tone: Grey Dirty grey (Satin)
Waft Dark smoky blue grey (Frost)
A Warmer White Pale green grey (Satin)
The Right Smoke Rich blue with white pearl (Frost)

Availability: September 17, 2009 at all North American MAC locations. October 2009 for International MAC locations.

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MAC Style Black Collection

Guys, I plan to take FULL advantage of this collection... because it houses the relaunch of my fave scrub of all time, MAC's Volacanic Ash Exfoliator.

From “Back to Black” beehive and eyeliner to Steven “80s” Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to Gareth Pugh London New Goth, Black is simply beyond. Lips, nails, eyes there’s no more dramatic way to declare your desire, separate your sensibility, celebrate your magnetism. They WILL surrender to a Blackfire Glimmerglass, Rapidblack Penultimate Eyeliner, a slash of Greasepaint Stick, and the hot scratch of Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer. Style Black is a way of life, a shadowy and mysterious figure of fantasy, even for just one dark and dangerous night.

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

• Black Knight Creamy true black (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)

Mattene ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Midnight Media Dense matte black (Limited Edition)
• Night Violet Deep purple grape (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Glimmerglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

• Bling Black Sheer black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackfire Sheer black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blackware Creamy true black (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.00 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Cinderfella Black with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
• Young Punk Black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• Gilt by Association Black with gold bronze pearl (Limited Edition)
• Blue Flame Black with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Grease Paintstick ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

• Black Intense black (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Liner ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Eye Kohl ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

• Smolder Intense Black (Permanent)

Cream Colour Base ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

• Black Creamy True black (Limited Edition)
• Bat Black Burgundy black with pink pearl (Permanent at PRO)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)

• Nocturnelle True black (Cream) (Permanent)
• Seriously Hip Black with gold particle pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Baby Goth Girl Black with pink and purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Brushes

• #214 Short Shader Brush Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids. (Permanent) ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($19.50 U.S. / 23.50 CDN) LOVE!!!

For all skin types. Volcanic ash (in the form of mineral-rich clay), sugar crystals and natural enzymes combine to exfoliate and remove excess oils from the skin. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($19.50 U.S / $23.50 CDN)

Contains natural volcanic ash to cleanse and treat the skin. The mineral-rich ash works with oat kernel flour to help absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface. A combo of natural oils (lavender, sunflower, safflower seed and evening primrose) help lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. It helps to even out the skin’s texture and leaves the skin feeling smooth and perfected for makeup application. The unique formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, allowing ample playtime. The mask heats up on the skin when used with water and removes impurities from the surface, leaving skin looking radiant and fresh. Use 1-3 times a week. Derm-tested, non-acnegenic and for all skins. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

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Manhattan Students: Get a B Card And Get Discounts At Blow, NY's Blow Dry Bar

Blow, New York’s premiere Blow Dry Bar has debuted its b card, an exclusive student card for Manhattan’s elite students. The card entitles students to a 15% discount on all services, as well as many other perks, including invitations to private shopping, events and beauty workshops. Blow's products are some of my fave sulfate-free hair saviors.



Come to Blow Uptown and celebrate the week of October 5 with a complimentary back-to-school blow-out! All students up to 21 are eligible (must show student ID) and offer is available from 3-8pm, Monday through Friday.

Enjoy!


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CollegeCandy's Got Recs for Germophobes

Brown sugar is a natural antibacterial ingredient! Did you know?

Swine flu, change of seasons, too much AC for too little heat... I always get sick in September, so I was relieved to find this list of antibacterial recommendations from my friends at CollegeCandy. Click here to read all about it!

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