Rock & Republic's Alpha Blonde Creates an Art Form

With mascaras and (under) eye liners beyond BIG this season, the perfect nude lip is now a necessary masterful art. Not unlike the artist capable of creating the subtle distinction between naked pictures and the nude portrait, this tweezer-sized tube from Rock & Republic's ultra fab cosmetics collection elevates the nude lip to an art form. For sparkly, sultry, gold-dusted lips it's a must have. Enjoy!

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The Radiant Concealer SPF 25 by La Mer: The New Fountain of Youth

Though it's only Tuesday, I've already worked twenty-one hours and I'm about to hunker down with some pasta and clock in a few more. Still, everyone insists I look radiant. Glowing, even.

Odd? Would be - except I have discovered the fountain of youth in La Mer's Radiant Concealer. Though it comes as a shiny, covetable mini-compact with a matching miniature brush I've taken to expanding its real estate on my face to any area with even a hint of hyper pigmentation (SPF 25 included in the magic makeup!!)

I have not looked this good, well, ever possibly. Though I couldn't get the mad scientists at The Max Huber Research Labs to reveal exactly how they put all of the powers of the sea into this bite-sized compact they did design La Mer’s gemstone-infused Skincolor Collection to help capture light and transfer its energy to the skin - which explains the completely misleading healthy glow I've got going on.

Recent Emmy Winner for Best Actress in a Comedy, Toni Collette, also used this new wonder product to transform into a glowing goddess at the ceremonies earlier this week. (Thanks to instyle.com for the image!)

Though it was only launched on September 1st, it has already become an instant favorite among celebs and beauty editors alike. I myself have moved it onto the ultra exclusive list of my Top Ten Favorite products (of all time!) (You must) enjoy!

Jason Wu Goes Fiercely Green

Jason Wu partnered with Aveda and Odile Gilbert this season to created a truly original organic look. The video below reveals the truly brilliant marriage of chic sophistication and elegant edgy-ness bound up within those crisp black ribbons. Interview questions with Jason are also below.

Q: What is the inspiration for your collection? What is the look you are capturing?

“Contemporary artist, Tara Donovan’s, installations were my creative starting point; she makes amazing displays out of plastic cups, clear tape, and all sorts of everyday materials. Her art makes me rethink the way I look at texture and materiality.”


Q: You have made a real effort to “green” your show this season. How do you feel about this accomplishment?

“The entire eco movement is something I’ve always had an interest in, so now it is time to take an active role in ‘greening’ the fashion industry. I think the recycled paper invitations we sent out this season was a great beginning, and partnering with an environmentally conscious company like Aveda makes a powerful statement as well.”

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Shalom Harlow at John Patrick Organic

We always take a moment to pause for one the "girls."

The original supermodels summon moments of silence as their ability to enthral my 11 year old self is the entire reason Beauty's SPOT exists. Here is Shalom Harlow primping - Aveda style - before the John Patrick Organic show. No words.

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LC Goes Chic at VMAs

Remember when I met Lauren Conrad as we both happened to be getting our hair done at Warren Tricomi Salon on Melrose? I know, I know it's one the highlights of this blog (my life?)

Anyhow although Lauren couldn't take a picture because she was makeup less at the time she did have her PR people provide all the deets on Amy Nadine's perfect application of her mark. makeup that night (her LA Fashion Week debut.) Amy updated Lauren's look for the VMAs yesterday and I must say Lauren is looking stunning as usual and perhaps even a little more grown up. Grown-up suits her, no?

Here are all the deets straight from Amy Nadine herself: (!!!! - love my life!)

“Lauren wore a beautiful black and cream Diane von Furstenberg dress. So we decided the inspiration for her look would be “smoldering sophistication”. Lauren wanted a statement eye so we started by lining her eyes with mark Get in Line Hook Up Waterproof Eyeliner in Painted Black with a sweep of mark I-mark Custom Pick Eyeshadow in Corset on top and smudged outward with an eyeliner brush.”

Face
“I started by applying mark Speedway Do Everything in Natural and then dusted her face with mark Matte-nificent Oil Absorbing Powder in Natural/Buff. To further highlight and draw focus to her eyes, I used mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter in Light/Medium under her eyes and above her cheekbones. To give her that summer glow, I finished by dusting mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush in Cameo Glo and mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder to her cheeks.”

Lips
“I finished Lauren’s look by applying mark Dew Drenched Moisturlicious Lip Color in Skinny Dip to her lips.”

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L.A.M.B. 2010 Spring Fashion Presentation

I am so with Gwen on being over color. By the end of fashion week last year I was already sick of purple but it had somehow infused my whole wardrobe. I going back to black and camel and maybe some updated hunter green. Color is for makeup and accessories this winter.

The ever polite (and fashion forward) Ms. Stefani made sure to thank the New Vaseline® Sheer Infusion body lotion sponsors, as they were responsible for the glowing skin on all the models. "Thanks to Vaseline Sheer Infusion Body Lotion for sponsoring my L.A.M.B. Spring 2010 fashion show. All the models' skin looked healthy and glowing."

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The Braids at Diego Binetti: A Bit of Fashion Week Heaven.

Girls, I know I keep covering Thomas Dunkin - but he keeps creating a-MA-zing coiffures. I've loved the Faux-bob, the classic pony, and now the next evolution of last year's messy braid combined with this season's faux bob...and voila...behold Beauty!

Spearheading the brilliant stylists at Sebastian Professional yet again, Thomas Dunkin created the look for the Diego Binetti show. This modern, textured twist on structured braids echos the unique individualism and carefree youthful inspiration in Diego Binetti’s spring ’10 collection

To get a little Sebastian Professional in your life; Enjoy!

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Ponytails Trot the Runway at Michael Angel

Ponytails of all kinds - messy, chic, and properly primped - are showing up all over the runways of SS10. Thomas Dunkin was the key artist for Sebastian Professional's stylist design team at the Spring ’10 Michael Angel show and he created a muted ‘perfect pony’ to complement Michael Angel’s bold spring ’10 collection.

Taking inspiration from influential women like Nancy Cunard, Josephine Baker and Schiaparelli, Michael directed a Spring ’10 beauty look that’s meant to replace depressing, dark days of yore with a revived, empowered and reenergized youthfulness. A fresh, healthy “just come back from holiday” look subtly complements the collection’s energy-packed, color-rich designs that are Michael's hallmark.

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Best Colored Mascaras: Estee Lauder Sumptuous Color

Having just returned from Mercees Benz Fashion Week in New York's Bryant Park, I've seen more new product in the last 5 days than most people see in wal-mart all year long. Still, these little babies have stolen my heart. Inspired by the colorful fall runway looks of John Galliano and Marc Jacobs, Estée Lauder's Limited Edition Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara are the loveliest lash accessories of 2009. A-MA-zing. Amethyst, Sapphire, Amber, Garnet, Emerald each more precious and beautiful than the next.

I rarely tell you, my lovely readers, that you must buy something but I must make an exception here. Please please please treat yourself to these stunning, jaw-droppingly beautiful, jewel-toned mascaras. Enjoy!

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New York Fashion Week: Sebastian Professional's Faux Bob at Costello Tagliapietra

I'm dying over Costello Tagliapietra's frocks that debuted yesterday at New York Fashion Week. Famed designers, Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra presented Costello Tagliapietra Spring ’10 line last night at Milk Studios in Chelsea and (in a moment of genius) partnered with Sebastian Professional for a killer combination: the next direction in fashion and a shadow of beauty from the past.

DYING, though I'm not sure I could picture them with out these wistful, dreamy faux-bobs. Costello Tagliapietra’s Spring ’10 beauty look seamless combines elegance, youthfulness, natural beauty and romance. The hair, both feminine and fresh, is loosely inspired by the roll style of the ‘40s with soft curls that sit just above the shoulder.

The Hair Look:
Sebastian Professional lead stylist Thomas Dunkin recommends building texture and shape with techniques that keep the hair looking soft, romantic and not too “done.” Finish with an elastic touchable texturizer or flexible shine spray to create an elegant yet playful look.

DIY:

1) Apply Sebastian Professional Texturizer to damp hair; distribute evenly throughout.

2) Blow hair out straight with a medium to large-sized round brush.

3) Spray hair with a flexible hairspray for added texture, section hair, curl it with a medium-sized barrel curling iron and set.

4) Take out pins, gently brush out the curls and then roll hair under, section by section, fastening it under at the neck with bobby pins.

5) Apply Microweb Fiber to hands and gently work through the front of the hair to create an imperfect, lived-in effect. Finish by misting with a strong-hold hairspray.

Lead Stylist – Thomas Dunkin, Sebastian Professional Stylist Design Team

Fashion Week Report: John Patrick Organic Show Hair by Aveda

I am completely adoring the look created by Odile Gilbert for Aveda at the John Patrick Organic
show. The modern, playful take on Bohemian-chic is absolutely worthy of my first fashion week post of SS10. Hair is smooth and shiny on top with soft, free-flowing curls below the cheekbone and volume at the front—pulled back into a barrette, adding a girly touch.

Here is what Odile had to say about his beautiful follicular creations:

Q: What was your inspiration for this look? How did you collaborate with the designer to create the look?
“I call this chic-bohemian look ‘the wave.’ Patrick was inspired by a photograph taken in the Krazy Kat Club in the 1920’s, where the girls embodied a “wholesome Bohemia” full of enthusiasm and creative spirit. We worked together to translate this inspiration into a look for the seductive, modern girl who attends private speakeasies. She is distinctive, intellectual, and very pretty—yet fun-loving and young.”

Q: How could a woman achieve this look on her own?
“This look is gorgeous and easy to recreate for day or evening. Prep hair with Aveda Phomollient™ Styling Foam and create a deep side part. Spray hair with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray and curl with a one-inch barrel curling iron. Brush through to create soft, full waves. Smooth the top of hair with Aveda Light Elements™ Shaping Wax to tame flyaways and achieve a smooth, modern finish. Lastly, twist the front curl back and secure with a barrette, adding Air Control™ Hair Spray for volume and hold.”

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Red Door Spa at the Willard InterContinental

I'd heard of the legendary Red Door Spas from the time I was a little girl. One particular D.C. socialite spoke of her lengthy stays there (gifts from her lawyer husband) and her compatriot celebrity patrons in such a way that I imagined the Red Door not as a place that was actually accessible to me, but rather a lone, posh compound of spas located in the highland dessert of the southwest where one could attend by invitation only.

Last week I visited my first Red Door Spa on the eve of it's one year anniversary at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel (Red Door locations are in fact plentiful.) I was pleasantly surprised to find that the mystique accumulated by The Red Door during the 100 years since its inception is in fact earned by its superior services and design, but that its demeanor is nothing short of the friendliness one normally finds only in Mid-western neighborhoods where people also commonly place gnomes in their front yard.

With a young, enthusiastic staff and their incredibly hip and talented national makeup director, Lindsay Ebbin, on hand I felt at home immediately. Lindsay (pictured above with Julia from All About the Pretty) provided the trend forecast for fall noting that lower liners were big for eyes this season, both increasing the apparent size of the eye and adding an updated structure to the nearly played out smokey eye that has been prancing down catwalks since FW09. (Just try it - more on the lower liner than the upper - you'll thank me - & Lindsay!)

On a final note, I claimed one of their cloud-like (read: divinely comfortable) robes as my own and it has revolutionized my daily beauty routine. At the end of the day when I normal squint my way to the sink so as to not acknowledge the heaping pile of as yet un-reviewed products begging for my attention, I now simply open my eyes, don my Red Door robe and I am instantly transported to the perfection that is the Red Door. Turns out the Red Door (state of mind) is in fact any location where Spa is supreme.

If you aren't lucky enough to live near one of their 33 locations, I highly suggest you pick up a robe to take home with you. Enjoy!

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Fashion's Night Out with La Mer at Saks Fifth Avenue

There are certain brands that I'm dedicated to heart and soul. La Mer, with all of their earth and ocean friendly aesthetic perfectionism is high atop that list. I'm just kicking myself that I haven't picked up their new tourmaline-and-malachite-gemstone-infused Radiant Concealer SPF 25. I suppose I'll just have to pick up this lightweight cream-to-powder concealer at their Vogue Fashion’s Night Out at Saks Fifth Avenue New York event. Join me if you like at this most fabulous La Mer event. (I mean really, if Fashion took La Mer on a date, who wouldn't want to be there?) Details below!

During this international celebration of fashion and retail promotion – La Mer at Saks Fifth Avenue New York will present for the first time ever, Robin Shandler, Executive Director of Global Product Development, The Max Huber Research Labs.

Robin will be on hand to personally answer questions while guests enjoy signature La Mer skincare and Skincolor treatments. Shop, pamper yourself and discover the miraculous benefits that have made La Mer a true beauty legend.

Thursday, September 10th 2009
7:00 to 10:00 PM

Cosmetics Floor
Saks Fifth Avenue
611 Fifth Avenue

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The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown: Where Washington D.C. Culture Resides

There is something intangibly magnificent about The Ritz-Carlton's boutique hotel in Georgetown. Writers (yes, I'd like to be one someday) have a long standing tradition of taking up residence in hotel lobbies to do their best work. The Roosevelt Hotel in New York played nurse maid to more than one great American novel by keeping their creators well nourished with a diet of seemingly endless inspiration arriving through the revolving doors of it's Madison Avenue entrance.

Housed on the high banks of the Potomac river, Ritz's hip boutique hotel in Georgetown was in fact an old Native American campsite where the area's American Indians retreated during the 4,500 years leading up to the first settlers' arrival. More recently it was home to 19th century working class families before finally being converted into the local incinerator. Beneath the current incarnation's centrally located, refurbished staircase you can view the arrowheads, tea cup dolls, and apothecary bottles these geographic ancestors left behind. This is the stuff that makes for good writing.

The intersection of cultural inspirations ancient and modern, a cozy fireplace, and whispers of a hot chocolate bar in colder seasons and I began to wonder...why hadn't I set up shop (or at least laptop) there sooner? By the end of the DC Beauty Tour, suspecting that my two year exclusive declaration of the W Lobby as my creative home was drawing to a close, I summoned up all my courage to ask the one final important question. "Yes." (Fellow aspiring writers and laptop-totting bohemians take note) there is in fact free wireless in the lobby. Actually there are also two macs for guest use on the way. This, my friends is no longer your grandpa's Ritz-Carlton.

With French-certified organic facials being preformed in the subterranean spa, the area's hottest Budokon Yoga instructor on call, and the spirits of eras gone by mingling in the lobby, my creative center (and that of hip, youthful DC society) has, simply put - shifted. If you see me there this winter be sure to say hello and join me for a cup of hot chocolate. Until then, enjoy!

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