beauty-com

Betsey Johnson's Backstage Beauty Bonanza

I had been told earlier by Jeannine that backstage at Betsey Johnson was one big party and I was not disappointed.   The day finally came for me to cover her show and I was ecstatic! There were colorful signs everywhere made by the designer herself, champagne flowed and mini cupcakes by Baked By Melissa were abundant. Models and makeup artists alike were almost too busy dancing to the bumping music to get ready for the show. Somehow they managed. Sarah Lucero was the lead on makeup for Stila Cosmetics and the watchword for the show was "glam" (sexy and bombshell were also thrown around). The skin was kept very simple using Stila's Perfect + Correct, Brighten + Correct, and Sheer Pressed Powder. The cheeks were contoured with Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder to create some vavavavoom! The eyes were kept fairly simple with a bold, black cat eye (which stayed put thanks to Stila's Prime Pot and Smudge Pot in black) and loooong jet black lashes. (Sarah's tip for those at home is to apply the mascara and then make the cat eye.)

The main focus of the look were the lips; a bright, glossy, neon pink made with "giggle" luxe lip gloss. The finished product was definitely bold without being too much.

The hair, by Peter Gray for Cutler Redken Salon, was based off of Jerry Hall and Betsey's theme for the evening; "tits and ass". To make the hair as curvy as the motif, Peter used Redken's Number 12 Versatile Working Spray and curled 3/4 of the head all over. The curls were held with pins and sprayed again (I felt the top of the curls, there was a lot of shelac there). The other side of the head was a deep, sleek side part that went all the way from the front of the head to the back of the ear. After the curls were set, using Redken number 7 full frame protective volumizing mousse, the curls were brushed out into gorgeous waves. The finished look was as opulent as the collection.

The most intricate part of the show was definitely Nonie Creme, of Butter Londons nails. They were insane! Nonie said her inspiration came from Betsey's let loose and rock on attitude. The nails were a reverse half moon. She started by painting the nails with Union Jack Black and filing the tips to points. Then putting on a "stair step holographic glitter tip" (If you're confused, don't worry so was I. The stair step bit means that the fake nail sat above the real nail so it was on two different planes). Then, "Of course since it's Betsey," said Nonie. There was a diamante applique on each of the nails at the curve. The most interesting part of the already amazing and innovative manicure were the pinkies. Each pinky was pierced with a baby black safety pin. The safety pin was unbelievably cool and has made me stop biting my nails so I can grow them long enough to get them! Nonie's at home tip for this crazy manicure is to lay all of the fake nails on the table and paint them before you apply them. That way you can put nail polish everywhere and not worry about messing up your manicure.

Betsey's backstage party was amazing and I never wanted to leave. When I finally did, rocking a pink, glittery hair extension that smelled like Betsey's new fragrance, "Too Too", I danced around my room in my favorite Betsey dress listening to '80's music. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

Betsey keeping it cool with her own hair extension!

Groovy Baby! 60's Mod for Alice + Olivia

Bright colors mixed with pastels and eclectic hairstyles were part of the beauty scene for Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet's Spring 2012 collection.  The theme: walking through a secret garden during the 60's.

Thomas Dunkin, Sebastian Professional Lead Stylist, didn't want to take the 60's look so literally, so he pulled inspiration from the 20's creating three different styles.  A mix between chignons and buns, side-swept hair and low ponytails with head scarfs.  SO Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly!   For the runway, Dunkin used Potion 9 Lite as the foundation throughout the hair and a donut to create that polished look for the buns and chignons.  When trying it at home, he suggests making it your own. No need to make it so polished (i.e. no donut). If there are any loose strands let them be so as not to make it seem like you're trying too hard.

 

Let's talk about the shagadelic makeup done by Stila's Global Artist, Kasi Harabedian  for Beauty.com.  .  GORGEOUS!  The sparkling turquoise eyeshadow and extreme cat eye brought out the 60's mod style we all know and love.  She used a nude liner in the inner rim of the eyes instead of white to give it a modern touch and make the eyes pop.  For the most part, the nails were a mix of sorbet colors from Nails Inc. including mint green, corals and pinks.  However, some of the models rocked white nails with black stripes. To make it work Julie Kandalec first painted two coats of floral street and then a top coat on which she drew the black lines with black taxi.  A quick tip from the pro: no need to run out and buy fancy nail art pens, all she did was cut the bristles of the brush to make it easier to create the stripes.

 

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Beauty Deals & Steals

This year I'm welcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday with open arms. Every beauty junkie waits for this time to stock up on her favorite must have products, and I got a sneak peak at some of the best beauty and style deals out there! Get ready to save on splurge-worthy products without breaking the bank. Starting Black Friday:

  • Urban Decay’s best-selling eye shadows, colored mascara, and glosses are only $6. Also make sure to check out chic nail polish sets and eyeshadow palettes for just $12!
  • Get  the perfect gift for any man at Anthony.com and enjoy a 20% discount off any purchase and with a purchase of $50 or more you can score a free Tool Kit + complimentary ground shipping.
  • Get perfect skin this season with Zeno, which uses heat to kill acne bacteria, unclog pores and prevention blemishes. Lucky for us, www.myzeno.com is offering 25% off the entire site and free shipping.
  • Stock up for the season with AHAVA and try the amazing Dead Sea Mineral-boosting line which is one of my favorites. If you spend $50 you will get 15% off and a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot cream with code GIVE15. Spend $100 and get 20% off plus a deluxe Hand/Body/Foot cream, and Exfoliating Washcloth, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use coupon code GIVE20. If you spend $200 you will get 30% off with a deluxe size Hand/Body/Foot Cream, and Exfoliating Washing, and a Botanic Bliss Set, use code GIVE30.
  • Lancome is having a great deal and if you blink you will miss it. It’s on their top mascaras! Each time you purchase a mascara you get a free gift too!
  • Elizabeth Arden is offering 25% off all makeup, skincare and fragrance (with free shipping of course!) on any order on www.elizabetharden.com.
  • Order all of your hair essentials from Lockandmane.com and receive 25% off by using code Friends at check out.

Starting Cyber Monday:

  • Stila is having an exclusive online sample sale. You won’t feel guilty because your favorite products are up to 80% off.
  • Beauty.com is saving the best deals till Cyber Monday with 20% off hair appliances, 40% off Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel, and even 80% off Laura Geller sets and palettes. Spend $50 and Beauty.com will give you a free Lela Rose tin packed with 24 amazing samples, and get this a $10 Beauty Gift Card! It’s like getting paid to shop!
  • Sally Beauty is offering 20% off all orders of only $25! Check out www.sallybeauty.com and get ready for lots of great deals!
  • Shop Elizabeth Arden and with any $65 purchase, you'll get a 31-piece Black Tote with a retail value of over $300! This bag is the ultimate makeup kit, it includes everything from blushes, to mascara, to glosses and more! Keep it for yourself or use it as the perfect gift for the beauty maven in your life. Use coupon code CYBER65 at check out to redeem this offer.
  • Lierac Paris is having a Friends & Family sale running through Fri. 12/3.  30% off all products atwww.lierac-usa.com Just enter code: FF2010.

Beauty.com Friends & Family Discount

Hey Beauty Junkies!  With the change of seasons it's time to restock your beauty closets, vanities and medicine cabinets with some new skincare and makeup colors.  Beauty.com is having a Friends & Family sale with 20% off!  Shop for yourself or for holiday gifts. Click the coupon to redeem.  It expires on Friday.  You're welcome!