FOTD Featuring "Dirty" Greasepaint Stick!

Though today was a pretty chill Saturday (just some errand-running!), I opted for a darker eye (more specifically a taupey/purple-toned smoky eye) with a soft, glowy cheek, and a pale pink lip. I'm really not one to post FOTD looks, but I really liked how this one turned out!

Here is the breakdown of what I used to achieve this look:

FACE:

MAC FIX+

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30

Origins GinZing Eye Cream

Make Up For Ever UV Prime SPF 50/PA+++ foundation primer

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in "Mont Blanc"

NARS stick concealer in "Honey"

MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC15

CoverFx MatteFx Oil Absorbing Powder in "Light"

Benefit Powderflage

NARS bronzer in "Laguna"

MAC Cremeblend Blush in "So Sweet, So Easy"

Laura Geller blush in "Transparent Pink"

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "By Candlelight" (for highlight)

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Greasepaint Stick in "Dirty" (on lid only)

MAC "Shale" eyeshadow (on lid over "Dirty")

MAC "Wedge" eyeshadow (in crease to soften)

MAC "Shroom" eyeshadow (highlight under brow bone)

MAC "Pink Opal" pigment (tiny bit in inner corner)

Jordana Fabu Liner in Black

Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion

Make Up For Ever Smokey Lash mascara (top lashes)

Maybelline Full & Soft mascara (bottom lashes)

LIPS:

CoverFx MintGlazeFx (to prime)

Revlon Super Lustrous lip gloss in "Petal Peach"

**Originally wore LORAC Cream Lipstick in "Baby Doll," a pale salmon pink/peach, underneath the gloss (LOVE!!)

A better view of the eyes

Side view of eyes and cheeks

What do you think? Let me know if it's a "yay" or a "nay!"

P.S. Ignore the messy hair and brows that are in desperate need of some grooming!

Backstage At Victor de Souza For Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week: Glamour Hails From Another Universe

The setting was intimate for the showing of the Victor de Souza F/W 2010 collection. At Casa la Femme restaurant, 140 Charles Street in Manhattan's West Village, de Souza brought out the drama. The beauty that was created to mesh with the clothing being presented was the most out of the ordinary and intriguing display that I had seen over the course of this week.

Lead stylist, Danilo, and his team of six, worked with PHYTO products to create what was described in Danilo's own words as an "alien chic" silhouette. Hair was formed into a tight pony tail which was subsequently slicked back with PHYTO Professional Strong Sculpting Gel and wrapped into a chignon at the top of the head. The bun was placed in line with the chin to help accentuate the shape of the face. Small sections of hair at the temples were left out, and extensions wrapped within a hair net (in blond, brunette, and black shades depending on the model's hair color) were fastened to the top of the head, covering the chignon. Once set into place with pins, the hair left out at the temples was tucked into the back of the head and underneath. To finish off the look, Danilo used PHYTO Professional Workable Hold Hairspray. The overall style was reflective of the "high class couture woman," the "classic woman from another universe." Danilo commented that what he loves about PHYTO is the fact that when using the products he feels that in addition to styling, he is treating the hair.

Danilo in action

Makeup was led by Lena Koro, head artist for the NARS team (of 25!). I spoke with Ashley Robb, who works on the NARS PR team, and she enlightened me regarding the inspiration for the look. She told me that the underlying idea for the face was a photograph of Audrey Hepburn, and was intended to emulate the feeling of her elegance and class, with an "alien twist." Looking at the face, one should be able to get the sense of old, chic beauty, but it should also be apparent that something is off, a bit "out of this universe." The face was made pale with powder. Brows were muted as well, and were practically invisible. Models sported black contact lenses (through which I am not quite sure it was easy to see!) that added to the alien aesthetic.

The main products used to create the look:

Snow Loose Powder

Sheer Matte Foundation in "Siberia"

"Black Moon" Eyeliner Pencil

"XXX" Lip Gloss

Eyeliner Stylo in "Black"

Finished look:

Nails were done by CND (Creative Nail Design) manicurists. Christina Estabrooks, lead nail stylist, gave me the low-down on the look. She revealed that nails were shaped down and adhered just below the first knuckle (to further the "alien chic" concept), defined with a series of polishes, and finished off with French tips (for which the color "Studio White" was used). The other polishes that were integrated into the manicure were "Pink Lily" and " Copper Chrome," as well as the "Super Matte" top coat. The nails were to appear as if they were indestructible.

After getting the scoop backstage, I was able to stay to see the show. The garments were, in general, highly theatrical and the aesthetic was rich and reminiscent of old-school glamour. In attendance was actress Jessica Biel as well as the mastermind behind the NARS brand, Mr. Francois Nars himself (who posed for a picture with me, which admittedly, left me a bit weak in the knees...he is definitely an artist I admire immensely).

Me and Francois Nars

Bravo, Victor!

For product information, check out www.narscosmetics.com, www.cnd.com, and www.phyto-usa.com/phytoprofessional.

Sweet 16 (+10): Birthday Fun With Friends...And NARS

Tuesday marked my 26th birthday. Though I'm not usually one to do anything too extravagant for birthdays, I decided to spend some of the late afternoon and evening in NYC. On the agenda was a stop at MAC Pro, a bit of a disappointment since the only thing set on my wishlist, the Lip Erase, was out of stock. All was not lost, though, as the Cupcake Stop , a mobile cupcake vendor, had their truck stationed about a block away from the MAC store. The policy is that you get a free cupcake of your choice on your birthday, so I opted for a scrumptious Red Velvet (see below for a photo from the website...I forgot to snap a picture of the little beauty before I inhaled it lol).

After a bit of solo time, I met up with my beauty "partner in crime" and adopted little sister, Adina of Krasey Beauty for some much needed (OK, so it wasn't really needed) beauty retail therapy. I'm not going to lie. I actually went into SAKS soley with the intention of purchasing a new foundation (I had been debating between NARS Sheer Glow and Armani Luminous Silk). Needless to say, I ended up with a few more items than I had planned (I got caught up in the loveliness at the NARS counter). Behold, the damage....

Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc

Concealer in Honey

Powder Foundation in Mont Blanc

Douceurs de Paris (Pleasures of Paris) Palette (limited edition)

From L-R, T-B: Nepal, Violetta, Demon Lover, Cordura, Abyssinia, Fez

Lip Laquer in Chelsea Girls

Botan Brush

After some lovely time with Adina, who always seems to have some "NARS-fluence" on me, I headed downtown to meet Aja, of Don't Forget the Lip Gloss, and Nancy, of The Informed Makeup Maven, for some dinner at Buddakan, a very hip and trendy Asian-inspired restaurant (one of my all-time favorite cuisines, I might add!) The food was yummy, the company even better.

It was a really great birthday. Not to sound cheesy (OK, here comes the cheese...), but honestly my most meaningful birthdays are those spent with friends and family. It's not about what I'm doing to celebrate, however, but it's about being with people whose time I value and with whom I can just let myself enjoy being in the moment. **I am through with the sappiness/seeming cliches now**

I will leave you all with some photos of the birthday cake my mom made me. It was (well, actually, it still is...leftovers abound!) a pumpkin spice layer cake with a cream cheese buttercream frosting. It was delicious!

New From NARS: The Eyeliner Stylo

NARS has introduced their version of the liquid eyeliner pen, the Eyeliner Stylo. Available in three shades - Nuits Blanches (a shiny black), Blue Bayou (a teal blue), and Nabucco (brown) - this felt-tipped pen allows for smooth and even application. The precision tip is designed to easily deliver a thin or a thicker line, with intense pigmentation and a quick-drying formula.

I am now very interested to see how this liner pen compares to others on the market. MAC offers their Penultimate Eyeliner in Rapidblack ($16.50 at MAC stores, counters and online at http://www.maccosmetics.com/) and Stila has recently introduced their Barbie Loves Stila Liquid Liner in black ($20 at http://www.stilacosmetics.com/). The Eyeliner Stylo in the teal shade looks particularly gorgeous. I can't wait to my hands on one to try it out!

You can find each of NARS' new liquid liner pens for $27 now at http://www.narscosmetics.com/, http://www.sephora.com/, and other locations where NARS is sold.

I've Got Eyes For You, Baby: Current Lemmings

New collections are launching. I'm a beauty addict. Sephora's having a Friends and Family sale. My birthday is coming next month. These might sound like excuses for creating a list of "products I just can't take my eyes off of," but whatever the case may be, I am feeling the need to get some of my beauty (and other) lemmings put down in writing.




First off, the Holiday '09 collection has popped up on the Nars website, and a few of the goods are just calling out my name (don't you hear it, too?). I'm particularly impressed by the new shades of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil. The hues are rich and bold - Toundra, a deep wine, and Pop Life, a "holly" red.











Nars eyeshadows are among the best in their buttery soft formulation, and the earthy and smoky colors being offered as part of the collection are definitely appealing. I'm especially loving the look of the Eurydice duo, a coupling of gorgeous aubergine purple and clean graphite.

As the Sephora sale is fast approaching (it will run from October 19-November 2), I have put together some of the items that I've been waiting to purchase from the website. As I've previously blogged about the new Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. 2, I might finally "break down" (kicking and screaming, arm-twisting and all, right? ;-)) and purchase this palette. Between the color assortment and the great value, this one is pretty close to a definite score for me. As I'm keen on makeup/product sets, I'm also eyeing the Buxom Babes About Town collection from Bare Escentuals (I really adore their lip products!) and the Fresh Star Light, Star Bright kit. I'm a Fresh "virgin," and this little compilation of some of their products would be a great way for me to get my feet wet, so to speak. Make Up For Ever always has me lemming something. Right now, I'm itching to try out the HD foundation, the HD concealer, and the Flash Color palette (though these might all go on my list for the next Make-up Show!).

I'm forever a "perfume freak," always checking out the new scents to set my olfactory system a-flutter. LOLA, Marc Jacobs' new fragrance, is up there on my list right now.

My final beauty lemming is the Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon. I'm going on lip swatch photos for this one, but the pigmentation on this product seems to be pretty phenomenal. In between a gloss and a lipstick, this vibrant red color has me stopped in my tracks (red light does mean stop!).

And now for something I actually need - a camera! As some of you know, towards the end of Fashion Week I lost the Canon digital Elf camera I have had for about four years. I was devastated. I mean what does a blogger do without being able to capture swatch photos?!? I've been feeling quite lost (hence the lack of product reviews as of late). Needless to say, I will have to get myself a new camera ASAP. I've been looking at the updated version of my beloved Canon, namely the SD970 model. With 12.1 Mega Pixels and 5x optical zoom, I think I would be able to take some quality pictures. Was losing my camera a blessing in dusguise? Hmmm.....

So I've shared with you some of the items that I'm currently desiring. Now, I want to know... what's on your list (you know you have one!)?