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subscribe to beauty blog via RSSThinking Pink On Black Friday
November 24, 2010
Onika Tanya Maraj, a.k.a. Nicki Minaj, is no stranger to collaboration: The Trinidadian-born, Queens-raised hip-hop artist has produced guest tracks with heavyweights like Eminem, Usher, Ludacris, Lil’ Wayne, and P. Diddy, to name a few. Now the 25-year-old lyricist is taking her alter-ego talents to the beauty level, teaming up with MAC to create a limited-edition cotton candy pink lipstick in celebration of her highly anticipated debut album, Pink Friday. The shade, named after the album, is a slightly more vivid version of MAC’s Pink Nouveau, which has long been a mainstay in Minaj’s makeup arsenal (along with her hot pink wig). Watch for the lipstick to drop on MAC’s Web site on four consecutive Fridays, starting this week, which definitely ups the ante on Black Friday deals. And speaking of, here are five other coveted specials to consider when you likely retreat to cyberspace on the 26th to seek a little solace after a few long days of family “fun.”
Bliss Out
Stockpile spa essentials at Bliss’ online outlet, where you can find top sellers like Pore Performer and Youth As We Know It face creams marked down to 50 percent of their regular retail price for 24 hours—if the server doesn’t crash, that is.
www.blissworld.com.
Magic Wands
Makeup artists love to love Lancóme’s mascaras, and so will anyone on your list who admires thick, full lashes. Pick up the following pro products, including Définicils Precious Cells, Oscillation, Hypnóse Drama Mascara, or Définicils, and for a few bucks extra, receive travel-size versions of the brand’s Bi-Facil cleanser, Cils Booster mascara base, and a full-size Le Crayon Khól or Artliner eyeliner.
www.lancome.com.
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tags: Bliss Spa, Bumble & Bumble, Chantecaille, Hair, Kiehl's Since 1851, Lanc�me, MAC Cosmetics, Makeup, Nicki Minaj, Skincare
Aesop Re-Emphasizes America
November 24, 2010
As 2010 draws to a close, Aesop is making some serious strides to be a major player in the U.S. market next year. After a brief hiatus on American shores, the much-loved Australian skin, hair, and bodycare company—known for its apothecary-style packaging and its pared down yet highly effective natural essential oil-based formulas—just teamed up with A.P.C for another round of cross-promotional merchandising. This month, four of its latest releases finally debut stateside.
“We didn’t exit the market [here]; we just de-emphasized it in the U.S. because it was hard to manage from Australia,” Giovanni Lepori, Aesop’s general manager and president for the Americas, explains. After going to great lengths to swipe a number of travel-sized Aesop amenities from the Park Hyatt in Tokyo on a recent trip to Japan (the brand is stocked there as well as other luxury properties across Europe and Asia), we’re happy to have them back a little closer to home. Newcomers like its Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream, which blends incredibly emollient jojoba, rosehip, and shea butter oils together yet somehow manages to impart a non-greasy, matte finish, and its Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil, the perfect wintertime face wash that removes makeup and grease without stripping skin of its moisture, have just rolled out to Barneys, where they will be joined by a Deodorant and the refreshing B & Tea Balancing Toner. Well-edited boutiques like Modern Anthology in Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood and Freemans Sporting Club will also stock selections from the line, although Lepori intends on keeping distribution limited. “People like that they can’t find it everywhere,” he admits.
There will be one more place you can get the collection in its entirety, though: After much location scouting, a freestanding Aesop store will open in New York come spring. “It’s definitely going to be downtown,” Lepori told us, hinting at the West Village, Soho, or Nolita for the flagship, which should be something to behold considering the brand goes to great lengths to ensure that each of its stores is different while embodying the same overall ethos. Fingers crossed Australian architect and Aesop favorite Rodney Eggleston also makes the trip; Eggleston recently completed work on a Singapore outpost of the retailer that includes a ceiling covered with about 30 kilometers of coconut husk, which follows his “glass bottle ceiling” triumph in Adelaide and the cardboard pop-up shop he executed for the company in Melbourne.
Frida Gustavsson Is Seeing Stars
November 24, 2010
The haute face-painting techniques makeup artist Lisa Eldridge demonstrates on Frida Gustavsson in the latest issue of December’s British Vogue have little in common with the common street-fair variety. No lion whiskers here. Instead, Eldridge looked to Swinging Sixties icon Talitha Getty and the face-painting trend of the sixties and seventies for inspiration. “A historian friend of mine has a box of Mary Quant colored makeup crayons from that period and the only instructions on the packet are ‘draw a flower anywhere,” she says. “I love that idea of complete freedom. There is so much minimalism in beauty at the moment that it was just so nice to have fun and play with makeup!” For the giant, solo pink star above, Eldridge first sketched out the shape freehand with a bright pink lip pencil. Then she used a paler pink Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Color as a base, before topping it off with the super-bright MUFE HD Microfinish Cream Blush in Truth or Dare. Ultraviolet glitter on the inner half of the lids gave a three-dimensional effect.
As for the psychedelic constellation on the opening spread, that was actually the last shot of the day and entirely impromptu. Eldridge started with MAC Fluidline in Silverstroke to paint the large platinum star with a stencil, then let her imagination run wild using colored eye pencils (for the trails) and pastel Kryolan aqua colors and metallic gold and silver craft pieces (for the shooting stars) to create a freehand galaxy on Gustavsson’s face. She finished with a dusting of MAC silver glitter and Illamasqua iridescent shimmering Powdered Metal, a face powder.
So, is there a way to incorporate a bit of face painting into your makeup routine without looking too amateurish? “A good choice of color palette will keep it tasteful,” suggests Eldridge. “The bright pink of the star looks great when it isn’t combined with any other clashing shades, whereas the constellation of shooting stars are all fairly pastel, so there is some harmony. If I had added a red lip to this shot, for example the whole thing
would have gone from pretty to ghastly!”
tags: British Vogue, Frida Gustavsson, Lisa Eldridge, Makeup
Cyndi Lauper Just Wants You To Volunteer!
November 24, 2010
Cyndi Lauper made her commitment to AIDS awareness and prevention known back in February, when she joined with Lady Gaga as MAC Cosmetics’ latest Viva Glam spokesperson. But her allegiance to the MAC AIDS Fund didn’t end at shilling lipstick—a vocation she’s quite good at, turns out. “We’ve sold 32 million,” MAC AIDS Fund executive director Nancy Mahon said of the total signed tubes of lipstick and gloss the makeup giant has parted ways with since Lauper and Gaga came on board. “People listen to Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga more than the surgeon general,” Mahon joked, pointing out that it’s the organization’s ability to combine the “viva”—the actual charitable work—and the “glam”—the Cyndi and the Gaga, if you will—that keeps the program so successful.
Earlier this week, Lauper embodied the dichotomy. Donning a hair net, she showed up at God’s Love We Deliver, a charitable organization devoted to preparing nutritious and delicious meals for people suffering from AIDS, to get people pumped about volunteering for World AIDS Day on December 1. “When you do something good for someone else, you’re doing something good for yourself,” Lauper told us. “Cyndi’s my favorite face to work with because she gets into it—and she’s a great makeup artist herself,” face painter James Kaliardos said of Lauper as he applied a fresh layer of her Cyndi Viva Glam gloss, a pretty shade of coral. “Well, I’ve been doing it since I was 13,” Lauper quipped back. “You should’ve seen the makeup I used to do when I was thirteen!” Here, Lauper talks makeup essentials, doing her part for the cause, and a forthcoming autobiography that, rest assured, we will be first in line to purchase.
So first things first. How did you get involved with Gods Love We Deliver?
I’ve given to these people. This is the first time I’ve been inside, though. They deliver to friends of mine. I can’t tell you how much it means to people. Sometimes the sick are forgotten. December 1, babe. We’re making great strides. These lipsticks—this was the biggest campaign [for MAC] ever.
Why do you think it’s so important, even in these days of AZT, for people to continue to volunteer and generate awareness?
Because it’s is still here and the numbers are rising again. And you have to be aware. AIDS is 100 percent preventable but 0 percent curable. And I’m telling you, life with AIDS sucks. If the disease don’t get you, the medicine will. And to stand by and not do anything and not say anything, uh uh. The whole thing is, happy people don’t self-destruct. And you gotta respect yourself and take care of yourself, and if you’re sad and lonely, find a place to volunteer.
Or sell a really gorgeous lipstick, 100 percent of the proceeds of which will be donated to AIDS awareness. Aside from your Cyndi lipstick, what are your other makeup essentials?
I love MAC and I love makeup and I love lipstick. I’m just sorry that I only have one face and one mouth to put it on. I love my coral Cyndi, because I’m able to mix it. I never wear just one lipstick. You gotta paint! And now that there’s the gloss, I like it even better because it pops—it deepens the color. And if you put this color on top of [MAC Lipstick in] Cyber, it has a different effect—it’s almost iridescent. I like that. It also looks great over [MAC Lipstick in] Russian Red. Lady Gaga’s color looks good over [MAC Lipstick in] Amped, depending on what kind of eye I’m going for and what my hair is like.
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tags: Cyndi Lauper, God's Love We Deliver, Lady Gaga, MAC Cosmetics, Viva Glam
Diptyque Debuts Storied Perfume Solids
November 23, 2010
Diptyque, for those of you not in the know, was founded by three artist friends who originally set out to produce fabrics in Paris. In 1963, they introduced a line of colored candles to match their textiles, and decided to add a drop of perfume to the wax. The scented candles were such a hit, the trio was persuaded to focus on fragrance. The brand was born. Today, Diptyque carries more than 50 candles, along with other perfumed beauties like bathing waters, hand soaps, and body care creams. The latest installment to the range is a collection of solid fragrances for the holidays in four best-selling blends, including Eau Duelle, Do Son, L’Ombre dans L’Eau, and Philosykos. Each scent has a unique back story. The mixture of crumpled blackcurrant leaves and rose petals at the heart of L’Ombre dans L’Eau, for instance, is inspired by Mrs. Merwin, a friend of the Diptyque brand who was often seen pruning her fruits and flower bushes. Philosykos, meanwhile, is redolent of the fig trees that grew on Mount Pelion in Thessaly, where the founders shared a house. Dabbing on the solids feels exquisite, too, since they’re housed in elegant black tins imprinted with the design of the perfume label. Let the art/fragrance collecting begin—while supplies last.
tags: Diptyque
Laura Geller’s 4-In-1 Skin Saver
November 23, 2010
We’re a generation of hardcore multitaskers, so it’s no surprise that any new product that hits shelves claiming to offer more than one beautifying function is an immediate attention-grabber. Laura Geller’s new pocket-size Real Deal Remedy Stick certainly qualifies. Blend it across the face under foundation as an emollient primer to create an even canvas; dab it around your eyes and mouth to minimize the appearance of fine lines; or trace it over your T-zone to camouflage oversize pores. You can even use it on top of makeup to mattify any shiny patches that creep up during the day. The magic of Geller’s velvety formula is its combination of optical diffusers and nourishing vitamins C and E; that it’s also entirely oil- and fragrance-free is a bonus for sensitive types. Consider it a must-have for any well-stocked makeup bag.
tags: Laura Geller, Makeup, Real Deal Remedy Stick
Blake Lively Is Gellin’
November 23, 2010
We’ve talked about it before, and we’ll likely speak of it again: Blake Lively loves a ponytail. At last night’s Beyoncé-hosted launch party for Lorraine Schwartz’s 2BHAPPY jewelry collection, she added something slightly out of character, albeit totally on trend: hair gel. According to Redken creative consultant Guido Palau, with whom we had the pleasure of talking Spring hair trends last night, the idea of “decadent glamour,” a shiny, strong, powerful hair look that necessitates product, is what next season is all about. Palau, who was responsible for the tight, small-headed looks at Prada, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton, went on to insist that more product doesn’t necessarily mean more maintenance. As evidenced by Lively’s sleek updo, it could be as simple as a coating of Redken’s Hardwear 16 Super Strong Gel, a middle part, and a classic pony. “I don’t want you to look like a different person,” Palau said, “just a better version of yourself.” If that incarnation requires some mousse and a slick of pomade, so be it. What do you think of Lively’s very Spring 2011 strands?
tags: Blake Lively, Guido Palau, Hair, Redken
The Italian Connection
November 22, 2010
In my fantasies, I’m traveling to Europe for the holidays, where I will wear fancy gloves, eat pasta and panettone, and subsequently bring home little tokens for loved ones in my Vuitton steamer trunks. This year’s merrymaking will only transport me as far away as Boston, unfortunately; but while there will be no Alps in my future, I still plan to make good on my lavish gifting ambitions. High on the list is Tocca’s new Mini Eau de Parfum Trio Set, which comprises the Italian’s brand most popular scents, all inspired by alluring places and personas. On the more seductive end, there’s Cleopatra, a rich combination of vanilla musk and deep tuberose, wrapped with a hint of grapefruit and jasmine. Florence is its more ladylike counterpoint, composed of delicate gardenia, backed with sparkling pear and crisp bergamot. And then there’s Stella, a playful, adventurous blend of freesia, spicy lily, and soft woods. Each of the parfums comes in an old-fashioned glass bottle topped with a heavy, embossed stopper that has an I-found this-in-an-Italian-antique-shop air to it. This little luxury is stocked at Space NK, which just launched a rewards program allowing you to earn points toward future shopping from its selection of foreign delights, should you to want to live vicariously through your purchases.
Proactiv’s Newest Face; Anne Hathaway Says No To The Needle; And More…
November 22, 2010
Katy Perry, out; tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki, in. The Danish ace has just inked a two-year deal with the skincare company to be the newest face of Proactiv. [WWD]
Despite living in the age of Botox Babies, Anne Hathaway is one celebrity withstanding the lure of the needle. The 28-year-old actress was allegedly advised to start getting injections at 23 but refused. [Daily Mail]
As anyone who saw Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair is well aware, the best brunette locks for weaves and wigs come from India. Impoverished parts of Russia provide the blond equivalent, it appears. [NYT]
Embarrassed by moles and “beauty marks”? Don’t be. A new study suggests that men and women with more than 100 pigmentation spots have tougher bones than normal, making them less likely to develop osteoporosis. Freckles are super-cute as far as we’re concerned (our face happens to be full of them). [Daily Mail]
tags: Anne Hathaway, Botox, Caroline Wozniacki, Hair, Katy Perry, Proactiv, Skincare
Salon Selections
November 22, 2010
For those who reside far outside the greater New York or Los Angeles areas, landing an appointment with Sally Hershberger is an almost impossible feat; it can be a challenge to score a coveted time slot with the queen of the $800 cut for those of us lucky enough to live in a neighboring zip code. Two years ago, Hershberger began to spread her gospel of great hair to the flyover states with the launch of Salon, a line of professional-grade styling products. At 5 p.m. EST today, two new additions to the range will be revealed by the hair heavyweight herself on HSN. Body Fix is a flexible volumizing spray that dries at lightning speed, leaves little residue, and creates a barrier against humidity, while Mineral Complex is a lightweight cream formulated with shea butter, natural palm oil extract, and a trio of minerals (hematite, smithsonite, and malachite) to defrizz and smooth. The latter is also particularly noteworthy for its natural wave-defining capabilities, and at only $24 a pop, it costs a whole lot less than an hour in Hershberger’s chair.
tags: Hair, Sally Hershberger, Salon
