Beauty Maverick

5-Minute Workout for Wobbly Arms

Whatever your fitness level, you should feel a serious burn by the 3-minute mark.

A Much-Needed Escape

Can't get away for a proper holiday? Create your very own private retreat with an assortment of these island-inspired luxuries:

Kai Body Buffer
Scented with the brand's signature blend of exotic florals, this (hypoallergenic) foaming sponge works to cleanse, exfoliate & moisturize the skin.

Nude Hibiscus Monoi
An all-over body oil that lavishly treats skin from top to toe with hibiscus-infused Tahitian coconut oil.

Jo Malone Lotus Blossom & Water Lily Bath Oil
Lush and softly foaming, this intoxicating bath oil awakens the senses and energizes the soul. 

Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Shampoo, Conditioner & Masque
Use this ultra-rich, extra-gentle trio to help restore sheen & softness, improve flexibility and minimize frizz.

Exclusive Guerlain Giveaway!

Simply leave a comment on any BeautyMaverick post, between February 16th and March 3rd, for a chance to win the complete Guerlain Idylle body care collection (valued at over $290)— before its in-store debut this spring.

Included in the prize:

Idylle Shower Gel
Its fluid texture transforms into a lush, airy foam, leaving skin soft and delicately scented. For purity and refinement, the gel is transparent, with a subtle golden hue. 

Idylle Body Lotion
Swathes skin in the smoothness of satin and the floral chypre harmonies of Idylle. Ultra-fluid and easy to apply, it glides on and absorbs quickly, moisturizing all the way. Perfume becomes a precious beauty treatment, illuminating skin with a subtle dusting of gold micro-pearl.  

Idylle Body Cream
A rich yet fluid texture that feels at once wonderfully refreshing and supremely sensual. In its luxurious glass jar, whose opulently rounded form is emblematic of Guerlain perfumed body lines, the Body Cream leaves skin soft and deeply moisturized. Like the lotion, the cream leaves behind the subtle shimmer of gold micro-pearl – the ultimate detail, and a playful allusion to the drop of gold that is the Idylle bottle.

Idylle Eau de Parfum
A timeless message of love, celebrating the varying facets and feelings experienced in a love affair. A mist of flowers float lightly and blissfully on the skin, symbolizing the tenderness and fleeting nature of relationships. The chypre accord adds a daring and stirring undertone reflecting that special moment when it all begins, when the explosion of the sense mingle with a surge of feelings. Each stage and each step in love’s emotional journey are distinctively cherished in the special harmonizing notes of Idylle.  (50 ml.)

Best of luck! x

---CONTEST NOW EXPIRED---

Some restrictions may apply. International entries welcome. Contest closes on 03/02/10.

La Gagnante

Backstage at Halston Fall 2010

Artists: Lisa Butler for M.A.C; Eugine Souleiman for Wella.

Inspiration: "Sexy stern." Defined brow, contoured cheek; Lack of color in the face. Hair made board-straight and exaggerated with lengthy extensions. Nails kept short and painted in West Village, a soft lilac-purple by Dashing Diva.

Backstage Buzz: Tight for space and time, manicures were done over paper cups and meters (upon meters) of hair extensions were seen flying around the room.

Rouge G de Guerlain Le Brillant

Lip-plumping. Line-filling. Ultra soothing.

Striking the perfect balance between lipstick and gloss, Guerlain Rouge G Le Brilliant is one product you won't want to be without this season. (Or next.)

Available in 10 luminous shades, each presented in a Lorenz Bäumer mirrored bullet case.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $46.00

Backstage at Zac Posen Fall 2010

Artists: Stephane Marais for M.A.C; Odile for L'Oréal Professionnel; Deborah Lippman (Manicurist).

Inspiration: Downtown Chelsea girl that's a slightly finished. Big captivating sheer smoky eyes, touch of pink shimmer on concealer-ed lips, slight swipe of highlighter on the cheek. Hair held natural waves with a flat top. Nails painted in My Romance by Lippman Collection, a pinched-cheek pink.

Backstage Buzz: Crowded, hot and VERY early. Models chugging Dean & Deluca coffee and nibbling on pastries here and there. Miss J was there to critique walks for the run through (wearing the longest scarf I've ever seen).

And in the front of house, a random standing room girl was granted a picture with Anna Wintour (sans sunglasses). Yes, you read correctly.

Straight from the Source: Nicky Kinnaird

Nicky Kinnaird— founder of cult beauty emporium Space.NK and recent OBE honoree— shares her current obsessions:

Takashimaya High Mountain Green Tea
My favorite morning drink instead of coffee for my caffeine hit and to boost my antioxidant levels from within.

David Kirsch Vanilla Protein Powder + Supercharged Greens
Blend with water in a blender and you have the perfect healthy liquid meal that stops you eating junk when time pressed or on the road and unable to easily access fresh nutritious food.

Eve Lom Cleanser
Much copied but never bettered, Eve’s treatment cleanser complete with muslin cloth acts as your eye make up remover, cleanser, toner and daily exfoliant – why make cleansing more complicated than it has to be.

Zelens Intensive Triple Action Eye Cream
Dr. Marko Lens’ antioxidant and peptide-packed formula banishes dark circles, puffiness and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles whilst hyaluronic acid effectively boosts hydration levels.

Nia 24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Oil-free with 5% sun damage repairing pro niacin, this sunscreen is suitable for year-round use under make up and leaves no white residue.  It’s also perfect for tennis and running as it never runs into your eyes.

Clarisonic Skincare Brush
Regular use of this with your favorite daily cleanser dramatically improves the clarity of your skin and ensures you are not wasting your expensive serums and creams on dead skin cells.

Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara
Imparts unbelievably long full lashes without leaving them “crunchy” - has a great rosewater smell too.

By Terry Touche Veloutee No 3
Terry de Gunzburg’s brush-on skin perfector evens out my skin tone, imparts a healthy radiance and banishes any hint of tiredness around my eyes— I panic if I travel without this as nothing else comes close!

Chantecaille Lip Chic in China Rose
This season’s perfect orange-red hydrating lipstick.

Oribe Royal Blowout Spray
Contains a special polymer which protects the hair shaft from heat damage whilst cutting my blow dry time by one third— simply genius!

Backstage at Alexander Wang Fall 2010

Artists: Diane Kendall for M.A.C; Guido Palau for Redken.

Inspiration: '90s grunge. Nothing on the skin, cheeks or lips; Soft, cocoa-colored eye. "Tomboy" hair, with a deep side-part and hairspray-heavy roots. Nails painted in Butter London's Yummy Mummy, an opaque beige matte.

Backstage Buzz: Models Natalia Vodianova & Agyness Deyn sauntering around talking to everyone; 14-year-old Tavi (sans bow hat) exploring the scene.

NYFW: Who Sits Where & Why

Vanity Fair explains— at length— how New York Fashion Week's most exclusive events are orchestrated.