Dailymakeover.com: Sweet Indulgences at The Daily Suite

Check my 'do! I'm on the left with Warren-Tricomi's Kristina.

Hey, gals!

I chronicled my beauty experience during New York Fashion Week at The Daily Suite over at Daily Makeover. I had a phenom manicure, hand massage, and hair touch-up thanks to beauty services provided by products from The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi. Here's an excerpt:

The Daily Suite provided a calm haven from the chaos that is New York Fashion Week. The suite, located at the aka Hotel Penthouse Suites on West 44th Street (just steps from the tents) provided a multitude of luxe services for fashionistas in between shows. The suite's beauty services used products available at The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi:

Hair styling by Warren-Tricomi

Makeup and nails by Smashbox and Napoleon Perdis

Skincare by Sponge

Airbrush tanning and teeth-whitening by Beach Bum Tanning

Never one to turn down an opportunity to have my hair styled, I flew right from the suite's front door into Warren-Tricomi stylist Kristina Noto's chair. She immediately got to work on touching up my Remington Airwave waves, which were wilting, thanks to my crazy Fashion Week schedule.

Read the entire article here.

#NYFW

Foot Petals = Foot SAVIOR

Fashion Week is my fave time of year, but it wreaks unbelievable havoc on my tootsies. My friends know this about me: I LOVE to sit. And I hate to stand. I love to walk. But I hate to be stationary, standing up at a party. I knew my FW sched was going to include a lot of lines, parties, and long hours on my feet. This time, I came prepared by reinforcing all of my shoes I wore with Foot Petals. They're PHENOM. The brand offers a wide range of solutions to your stiletto situations, but my favorites are their Amazing Arches (2 pairs for $13, for arch support) and Heavenly Heelz ($5, for pinchy heel collars). Their Stiletto Survival Kit is $50 and contains all you need to end foot pain situations.

You'll have to come up with another reason to stop talking to that loser at the bar.

#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Marchesa

Marchesa’s Fall 2009 collection juxtaposes pleated tulle and silk chiffon ruffles with sequins and delicate lace.

Lead stylist and John Frieda Collection Creative Consultant Harry Josh created a strong part and natural waves using John Frieda Root Awakening products. I envisioned a wood nymph a la the Britney Spears Curious commercial when Harry explained that the look was inspired by the enchantment of the forest. To get the look, Harry equipped models with John Frieda Root Awakening Shampoo, Conditioner and Detangling Spray prior to the show.

“Using a curling iron slanted horizontally, manually wrap hair around the iron to create the appearance of natural waves and avoid an overly styled look,” Harry advised. “Brush hair through to loosen curls, then slick down the side and secure with a bobby pin.” Harry recommends aiming the bobby pin at a 45 degree angle from the outer corner of the eye to secure hair away from the face.

Talia Shobrook for NARS Cosmetics's look backstage at Marchesa was all about wild brows and matte skin. Talia created a whimsical look from her vision of a naughty aristocrat running out of a party, “like a young girl going into the woods wearing a gorgeous ball gown, putting on makeup rather naively,” she explained.

Wild brows atop flawless skin was the focus of the look. “I used a dash of Madrague brown shadow and went right into the inner corners of the brows,” said Talia. To capture the look of a tousled young girl, the brows were brushed in an unnatural direction. Beneath the brows was a colored lid of matte white, as if applied in a fleeting moment by a true makeup novice. Soft lips complemented the perfect skin. Here's what you need to get the look.

Face

· Lightly exfoliate and smooth skin with NARSskin Hydrating Freshening Lotion

· Moisturize with NARSskin Aqua Gel Hydrator

· Use NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) in the center of the face and buff out for a neutral base

· Apply NARS Concealer generously, to cover any imperfections

· Apply NARS Loose Powder for matte finish

Eyes:

· Apply NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kilimanjaro (icy yellow and icy blue sides) to entire lid, all the way to the brow, in a block shape, not blending

· Apply NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Madrague (cream side) on top

· Dash of the brown in NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Madrague (caramel side) into the inner top corners of the brows, pushing the hair in opposite directions

Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler

Coat top lashes with NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara in Black (NEW for Fall 2009)

Lips:

Massage light layer of NARS Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls

Apply a bit of NARS Concealer to center of lip for matte look

Talia and Harry posed for me while the models were getting decked in Marchesa!

On the Catwalk: Chris Benz

Chris Benz also was not a runway show (he did a presentation in Chelsea), but his Fall 2009 collection was my favorite, hands down. It was very Rainbow Brite in a good way. Check my photos from the event.









The best part? I spotted the designer at the event drinking... a juice box! Hilar.

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie
#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Tibi

While this look is GORGEOUS, isn't it just a tad reminiscent (in a GOOD way) of Mimi of The Drew Carey Show fame?


Hilarious, right? Lead makeup artist Makky for MAC (it was DESTINY that he work with makeup with a name like that, n'est-ce pas?) headed up the makeup team backstage at Tibi. There's a LOT of eye going on, and I love it. In fact, I just about flew over to the makeup station to find out WHAT was happening with that turquoise eye I could see from across the room. Makky drew from a Pantone palette of bright blues with an '80s vibe. "The Christy Turlington in '80s VOGUE era," explained Makky. He managed to keep it from being too retro Barbie, though. There need only be one Barbie show this season at Fashion Week.

To give the eye a futuristic vibe, the shadow was neatly "boxed off" by chopping off the excess shadow at the ends, lending a geometric effect. Victor Cembellin, MAC makeup artist who was on hand backstage told me that you can simply use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to remove shadow in a flash JUST where you need to.


The products involved: Makky mixed a sky blue mixed with aqua shadow over a cobalt purple (like a cobalt blue mixed with purple) shadow before layering MAC standby Electric Eel Shadow (part of my makeup collection, and probably yours, too) on top of it all. The effect was a kaleidescope of blues that were saturated, not powdery. MAC's new Tinted Lip Conditioner in Pink Fish from the Hello Kitty collection was slicked onto lips. Skin was primed with MAC Face and Body Foundation and Studio Sculpt Concealer. The result was a dewy, beautiful canvas. No blush was used ("too circus-y," said Victor), and lots of mascara was applied to the top and bottom lashes.

Hair was headed up by my FAVE backstage buddy Kevin Ryan for RSessions, but he was a bit busy this time, so I chatted up his business partner, fellow Philadelphian Frank Rizzieri who gave me the deets on the look. Using their Pin-up Girl Kit (see below for pics) to be sold at Ricky's, Kevin instituted a look based on Dr. Zhivago. The effect was very Breck Girl With a Bit of Hat Head, with a ponytail just on the brink of falling out. The elastic was pulled to the last three inches of hair. To achieve the look, hair was prepped with Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, teased along the crown, and then curled with a curling iron and secured into pincurls. A deep side part was created before the hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail.

Frank creates curls backstage

The pin-up girl kit! I will DEFINITELY be investing in one of these. That tiny, skinny-handled brush is absolutely ubiquitous backstage at Fashion Week. Why don't I have one?

Read my coverage of Tibi backstage in September 2008 and February 2008.

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie
#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Chris Benz

Hair at Chris Benz was GORGEOUS... but highly complicated.

"Is this math?" I asked REDKEN lead stylist John Ruidant when he explained how he achieved the highly intricate, very complicated look he designed based on an uptown girl in the late '70s/early '80s headed downtown for a night on the town. I haven't been this confused since my mandatory Calc class I took my freshman year at BU.

And I KNOW from hair, girls. But even the most copious notes didn't allow for a good step-by-step how-to on this one. I'll put in a request to REDKEN for deets for that. Stay tuned. I do think it's lovely, however difficult it may be for a lay(wo)man to pull off at home. I can tell you that it incorporated REDKEN Hot Sets 22, REDKEN Fabricate, REDKEN Workforce Hairspray and a lot of backcombing.

The best part is that all the while, John is explaining this 'do (which just SOUNDS so hard to do), he's actually DOING the 'do, I'm assuming, under pretty high pressure. And he's ALWAYS cool as a cucumber. Every time I interview him. I'm not unconvinced that he's not actually at the tents. I think he's actually in Tahiti and is mentally projecting himself at New York Fashion Week in hologram form or something. Like Al from Quantum Leap. I've never seen anything like it.

Daniel Martin, Lancome makeup artist interpreted the "uptown girl gone downtown to a danceteria" vision using Lancome cosmetics. Complexions were intended to look blown out, as they do when photographed by a polaroid camera. To achieve this look, Daniel used powder and foundation two shades lighter than the models' own skin tone. Eyes were enhanced with three colors: Lancome Cream Liner in Indigo (smudged on with fingers), Lancome Eye Shadow in The New Black, and famed Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black for a "slept in" effect. Tons of Lancome Hypnose Mascara was used on both top and bottom lashes. Lips were a matte beige that mixed Lancome Cream Blush in Chic Cassis applied with fingertips with Lancome Le Rouge Absolu Lipstick in Beige Cashmere.




Deborah Lippman headed up the nail team on staff backstage at Chris Benz. Three colors were incorporated, reflecting the primary color focus of Chris' collection. The not-yet-named Lancome shades used are an electric blue with shimmer, a temperate red, and a soft gold metallic. "The red is not warm, but not cool," Deborah explained.



The back of John's hair concept.


















A close-up of the "danceteria eye."


Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie

#NYFW

Stay tuned for my coverage of the Chris Benz presentation!

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Thakoon

Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics created the makeup look on Monday at Thakoon. A very "Keira Knighly" smoky eye was the main focus of the look. The collection took inspiration from the 1940’s, reflecting the surrealist images of photographer Lee Miller. Combined with a bit of 80’s rock and roll glam, Diane Kendal created a not-too-girly, strong look.

“The look is all about the eyes with soft matte lips for contrast,” said Diane Kendal. To bring strength to the face, Diane focused on creating smoky eyes and full brows, while downplaying the lips and keeping skin fresh with a light brushing of blush for a healthy glow.

Here's how to recreate the look:

Face

Use NARSskin Hydrating Moisture Cream to moisturize entire face

Apply NARS Concealer as needed, to cover any imperfections

Use a minimal amount of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009)

Lightly stroke NARS Blush in Gilda on the apples of the cheek

Eyes

Use NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Mambo to line upper lashes and crease

Blend over entire lid and up to brows, keeping dense color by lashline

With Mambo, line lower lashes and gently blend

Use NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bali to fill in brows

Draw a very thin line on upper lashes with NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Black (NEW for Fall 2009)

Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler

Lips

Apply NARS Lip Therapy Treatment in Rain to entire lip

Lightly pat a small amount of NARS Concealer over Rain to take down color

Eugene Souleiman created an updo that was tight and structured in the front, yet soft and loose in the back. Unfortunately, backstage at Thakoon was a ZOO, so I didn't have a chance to interview him. I'm into the special profile this look boasts. See pic to the left for the full effect of the sweeping deep side part that folds into the updo.






CND provided the time-intensive faux nails (pictured, left) used at Thakoon. The two colors involved were custom blends that can be compared to CND Beige Kiss and CND Voodoo. Each was handmade, one by one.

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie
#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Diesel Black Gold

I finally met the famed Charlotte Tilbury (she was the lead artist backstage at the Barbie show) backstage at Diesel Black Gold today. She worked with MAC makeup to create the look you see at left. The inspiration was the 1930s Great Depression era infused with a modern rock and roll vibe. Charlotte herself, BTW, looks like a rock star.

"It's about a girl who stayed up all night with a jazz band," Charlotte explained. A girl who's partying through the depression, evidently. How to convey this bender of a night?

Charlotte lined eyes with MAC Eye Liner in Smolder on the top, bottom and waterline. Then, she topped it with MAC Blackware Gloss for a wet, messier look. Lots of MAC Mascara in Black was brushed onto lashes, while brows were set with MAC Clear Brow Set. MAC Face and Body Foundation was used to even out the models' skin tone and was set with MAC Prep + Prime Finishing Powder. Lips were "intended to look worn off, as if she's been kissing," Charlotte said. She used a combination of MAC Brick Lip Pencil, MAC Lipstick in Black Knight and MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo.

Eugene Souleiman created a "Toulouse Letrec/Fall of the Empire" look using WELLA products. "It's based on the fall of someone glamorous," he explained when I asked as to the inspiration behind the look. "It's abstract in shape, but it moves," Eugene said. He used hairspray as a settling lotion by spraying it on before curling sections of hair with an iron. Then, the curl was sort of undone for a frizzified wave. A fishnet veil finished the look.











This is an intricate 'do.



















Check the close-up of the back part of hair, which Eugene coiled into a lazy bun.


















Amanda Fontanarrosa for CND told me that the brand custom blended a cream browned down purple for the Diesel Black Gold. Isn't it just like them to create a color I'm in love with that will never see the light of day on MY nails? "It's ace," Amanda confirmed. I agree.








A photo of the finished look!

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie

#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Miss Sixty

I ALWAYS cover Miss Sixty. I'm like Rain Man about it. This year's backstage beauty inspiration didn't disappoint.

NO FRIZZ technology made its fashion week debut backstage at Miss Sixty this season. Celebrity stylist Ward Stegerhoek headed up the Living Proof team to design the look – Rocker Chic. "It's a softer, girly version of Rock and Roll," Ward explained.

I loved the knot he created in the front of the hair. It feminized the vibe perfectly. Ward used the NO FRIZZ Wave-Shaping, Curl-Defining Styling Spray to style the hair and then used the NO FRIZZ Wave-Shaping, Curl-Defining Styling Cream to twist the hair and make it appear rough and stringy. NO FRIZZ Wave-Shaping, Curl-Defining Styling Spray was used to hold the curl in place. NO FRIZZ Wave-Shaping, Curl-Defining Styling Cream was also used.

Lisa Butler for MAC drew mainly from a purple palette. She started with a black pencil liner (MAC Grease Paint Stick - it's movable and then sets) on the top and bottom lid and dotted it between the lashes for depth before pressing on MAC Eye Shadow in Violet Trance, an electric blue/purple, on top of the pencil. Violet Pigment was dusted underneath the eyes. MAC Eye Shadow in Young Pink was also brushed onto the lids, which provided a soft black effect "for structure on the socket," Lisa said. She then feathered out the shadow to soften the look. Skin and lips were left as-is. Brows were groomed, but were neutral.

Check my Fall 2008 coverage of Miss Sixty here and Spring 2009 coverage here.

Image credit: Living Proof

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Tuleh

Based on the collection's violet shades, makeup artist Polly Osmond for MAC created a look inspired by Paris in the 1930s.

MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation was used to define skin, with a bit of powder to mattify. Polly instituted a smoky eye with a grey finish to define models' peepers. Lips were dark and dramatic. To achieve the look, Polly used a sheer black MAC Lipstick called Dark Night sparingly and dabbed it on like a stain using her fingers. She mixed this with MAC Lipstick in Dark Side, a burgundy hue. Lashes were curled and saturated with mascara. MAC Eye Shadow in Copper Plate was applied to the lids. Brows were elongated for a finished effect.





Stylist Yannick D'Is headed up the Barex hair team. The inspiration? 1940s fingerwaves. "It's very Hitchcock heroine," Yannick said. Backstage at the hair station, I spotted a print-out photo of Tippi Hendren (pictured, left). It seems she was THE Hitchcock heroin Yannick had in mind.

To achieve a look a la Tippi, he used a curling iron on sections of hair, which he then pincurled. After the curls set, he brushed through and separated the hair into a low side part. Then, Yannick plaited a braid horizontally along the nape of the neck to anchor the waves, which he folded under and pinned along the length of it to give the illusion of shorter, bobbed hair. Barex Gloss Hairspray was used to maintain the 'do.




#NYFW
Image credit: NYmag.com

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Thuy

Romero Jennings for MAC created a looked based on "optimism and the future" using clean lines and an organic black and white motif. He incorporated both shine and matte textures when employing his arsenal of products.

MAC Fluidline gel liner was used in addition to MAC Lipstick in Fleshpot. The shade Chelsea was used for darker-skinned gals. My favorite aspect of this look was the geometric, squared-off, futuristic cat eye. Romero mixed white and gold shimmer shadow which he swept onto lids.

Anthony Barrow for Avon created the hair concept for Thuy. "Controlled chaos" was the inspiration. "It's a bit rockerish," Anthony said.




This airy, dry texture was created with the help of Avon Advance Techniques Volumizing Mousse and Hairspray. Anthony separated a section in the front from the ears up and backcombed it.















Then, he twisted the back into a sort of asymmetrical French twist, brought the front side over and left the ends out for "grittiness." "It's not too girly but edgy," Anthony said. "Raw, but clean."

Definitely one of the more creative updos I've seen this week!

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie

#NYFW

Ted Gibson Salon: If You Build It, They Will Come.

Daneen and I were invited for blow-outs on Saturday at the Ted Gibson Salon, one of my favorite beauty sanctuaries. Stylist Devin was assigned to me, and am I ever glad he was. He gets my need for volume in major way.

He sprayed on copious amounts of Ted Gibson's Build It ($28), a volumizing spray made with a Merlot complex. He noticed that it "took to [my] hair well." Well, obviously. My hair knows it had best be amplified to its greatest capabilities. I will stand for nothing less. The blow-out was fantastic and is still going strong, thanks to my Klorane hair powder. I highly recommend Devin if you're in the market for a new stylist in NYC.

Check the photo of me post blow-out above!

#NYFW

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Carlos Miele

The makeup at Carlos Miele was inspired by an '80s silhouette using non-'80s colors--mostly charcoal greys, taupes, and pinky gold highlights. Romy Soleimani for MAC gave me the deets on the look.

"We highlighted above and around the browbone in a "V," she explained. "This creates a dramatic profile." She was given a lot of creative license with this one. Carlos showed her the collection (see pieces all the way below) and told her to take the reins!

Romy dabbed a MAC Blushcreme in Brit Wit, a dirty plum creme blush, onto the lips and covered them with a slick of MAC Cremesheen Glass in Boy Bait, a light neutral beige with pearl. She managed to pick the most entertainingly named MAC products I've heard in a while.




Fabulous Ted Giza for John Barrett created a "slightly haphazard ballerina bun." "Like a Type B Ballerina?" I asked. "EXACTLY," Ted laughed. The products used were John Barrett's Be In Control, Be Heeled Styling Masque, and Styling Balm. The look echoed the structured, yet flowy feminine fabrics in chiffon, silk and satin of the designs themselves. The hair was modern, but not too complicated. Ted pulled the models' hair into ponytails, which he then ratted up for volume with an unfussy, unfinished texture. Post-ratting, he fingered through the sections of the pony and then twisted and pinned in a slightly slapdash fashion. "Not TOO slapdash, though," Ted said. "That would be too... cleaning lady."








Check the "Type B" ballerina bun.

Behold the clothes backstage at Carlos Miele!













Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie

Fashion Week: BBJ Backstage at Herve Leger

The finished product!

Lead artist Diane Kendal for NARS created the "strong brow, dewy skin" look at Herve Leger today. Despite the fierceness of the hair, makeup and clothes, three models tripped on the unbelievably high heels. I wound up scoring a ticket through my gal Julia, PR Director of NARS and caught the "front of house" show, as they say in the biz. BTW, everyone clapped for the girls when they got back in the game. I thought it was a lovely show of support. Anywho. Let's get back to the makeup.

The inspiration: For Fall 2009, Hervé Léger drums to the beat of an urban tribe with a gradient palette of earth tones polished by rich shades of deep ebony. Diane drew inspiration from Helmut Newton photographs, using the concept of a brave warrior - strong and fierce. “The collection is very hard and sculpted so we wanted to keep the skin neutral and show strength through the eyebrows,” said Diane. Here's how to recreate the look:

Face

· Use NARSskin Hydrating Moisture Cream to moisturize
· Apply NARS Concealer as needed, to cover any imperfections
· Use a minimal amount of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to even skin tone

Eyes
· Brush brows to define natural shape
· With NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bali, fill in brows
· Brush again for even, natural look
· Apply gentle dusting of NARS Single Eyeshadow in Sophia to entire lid, blending up towards brows for natural shading
· Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler

Lips
· Apply NARS Lip Therapy Treatment in Rain to entire lip
· Use NARS Concealer over Rain to mute color
Diane applies makeup to a model, above.

Hair stylist Dennis Lanni for Bumble and bumble created the hair concept for the show. Said Dennis, "I incorporated two different textures for a wet/dry look." He used a matte rubber hair band which was "supposed to look like electrical tape," Dennis explained. The graphic look featured an explosive ponytail (are you noticing that ponies are HUGE for Fall 2009? Get your rubber bands ready!). The sides are slick, but the top is dry, earthy, and slept in. To achieve the crimpy, wild ponytail body, Dennis employed... pipe cleaners. Is that creative, or what? He folded a cleaner in half and weaved through small pieces of hair in a figure eight, then set the hair quickly between a flatiron "to bake it." Dennis mentioned that pipe cleaners are so easy to use because you can simply secure the ends with it as well. "There's no need for pins," he said. Dennis used "a lot of products with alcohol": Bumble and bumble Holding Spray, Holding Gel, and my favorite hairspray of all time, Spray de Mode. Sounds like someone needs a big cocktail, post-show!


Dennis' pipe cleaner at work!



Nails were painted with a CND custom blend in a dark, rich royal purple.

Image credit: Beauty Blogging Junkie
#NYFW