Beauty Maverick

The Great Debate

A new study claims that men aren't particularly responsive to high heels, whilst Manolo Blahnik believes that the simple act of wearing stilettos can save a marriage.

Preen Spring 2011

Artists: James Kaliardos for M.A.C Cosmetics; Luke Hersheson for Redken. 

Inspiration: Posh school girl.

The Look: "It's a '90's look inspired by Catherine Deneuve in her 1964 french film, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," said Kaliardos.

M.A.C Prep and Prime Finishing Powder was first applied to the face, followed by a sweep of Give Me Sun bronzer on the cheeks for a sun-kissed look. Pearl Cream Color Base was used to highlight the cheekbones. On the eyes, Lite Brite, a bale blue shimmer, was applied to the inner corners of the eye, followed by Swell Baby, in the crease. Lashes were curled but left bare. Lips were painted with Super Kissable Lip Color in Nude.

To compliment, hair was equally playful with an emphasis on natural-looking sheen. Models wore clip-on bangs that tapered in the front. The rest of the head was lightly curled and brushed-out, then finished with Redken Full Force Hair Spray and Body Full Amplifier.

Backstage Buzz: Check out New York's exclusive video above.

Boy./Girl. By Band of Outsiders Spring 2011

Artists: Neil Moodie for Bumble & bumble; Dick Page for Shiseido. 

Inspiration: Country innocence vs. urban androgyny. 

The Look: Page veto'd liquid makeup and powder for both Boy. and Girl., using corrector only to conceal spots. Brows were also groomed as needed.

For Boy., a striking "transfer eye" was created by smudging black pencil at the lash line and in the socket, followed by a coat of Shiseido Full Correction Lip Treatment (a clear balm) on the entire lid, and black liquid liner (applied with a brush) at the outer corners for added intensity. The desired finish revealed itself after a few minutes, as the balm began to blur the dark lines. The eyes were then completed using black mascara. Lips and cheeks were left bare.

The focus shifted away from the eyes for Girl., with a flushed cheek and lip taking center stage. Page used a damp sponge to apply Shiseido Shimmering Rouge in RD601 (new for spring) at the temples, across the apples of the cheeks (towards the eyes), along the bridge of the nose and on the lips.

Hair was also styled two ways, with rough, textured tresses paired with Boy. pieces and a softer, side-swept ponytail used to compliment the Girl. collection. Stylists relied on Bb Prep, Thickening, Surf Spray, Grooming Creme, Brilliantine and Spray de Mode to create both looks.

Backstage Buzz: Male models admiring each other's hair and makeup (no joke); Reporters trying to get a sneak peek at Scott Sternberg's fourth line before the hour.

Doo.Ri Spring 2011

Artists: Tom Pecheux for M.A.C; Orlando Pita (Hair); Jin Soon Choi for Zoya.

Inspiration: The delicate fabrics, feminine cuts and muted color palette of the collection.

The Look: Pecheux opted for translucent beige skin with a sateen finish. Brows and lashes were kept bare, with the focus set on a soft, multicolor eye (pink, yellow, lavender and orange cream-based shadows were blended and topped with a touch of clear gloss). A creamy vanilla lip (M.A.C Studio Finish Skin Corrector in Ash Blonde) with just a hint of mustard-yellow in the center (M.A.C Studio Finish Skin Corrector in Ochre) finished the face.

Hair was blown straight, then slightly teased at the crown using T3 Elevate and pulled back ever-so-lightly to create a loose, low-slung ponytail.

Choi used a single coat of Zoya Nail Polish in Sally, a dusty mauve frost, over rounded nails to complete the look.

Backstage Buzz: Models & co. were in high spirits, with hair and makeup taking little time and friends allowed backstage to socialize. Choi also told us that she'll be behind-the-scenes at tonight's Saks 5th Avenue fête, prepping the tips of A-list attendees. 

Trend to Watch: Grown-Out Guilded Nails

Nails were dipped in gold metallic to complement the dripping effect of the clothing at Thursday's Cushnie et Ochs Spring 2011 show, a finish created by manicurist Pattie Yankee for Dashing Diva.

Get the look: Paint each nail with a clear base coat, then apply gold foil (rubbing it straight onto the surface) a few millimeters above the base. For an edgier finish, lightly file.

Fashion's Night Out 2010

Click here for a complete listing of Friday's activities, promotions & offerings.

Bad Botox

Botox may be approved for everything from wrinkles to excessive sweating, but many of its common uses are actually off-label. So much so that the FDA just fined the filler's parent company, Allergan, for "seeding the market" with the notion that Botox is safe for migraines, muscle spasticity and overactive bladders— all claims that have yet to be cleared.

Moral of the story? One doctor's recommendation may bear another doctor's warning, so do your due diligence to enjoy these sorts of medical treatments to their full (FDA-approved) extent.

Givenchy Offers an "Anti-Aging Vaccine"

Is it possible to vaccinate your skin against the aging process in the same way that you can vaccinate against a virus? Givenchy says yes, and claims its latest product— Vax'in For Youth— does exactly that, reports London's Daily Mail.

Les Khakis de Chanel

In celebration of Fashion’s Night Out, CHANEL is offering a limited-edition collection of three fall-friendly Le Vernis Nail Colours: Khaki Brun, Khaki Vert and Khaki Rose.

(Global Creative Director Peter Philips designed each stunning shade to be worn alone, or combined for an urban chic camouflage effect.)

Available online and in-store September 10.

Retailer: Chanel.com
Cost: $25.00

Un Rendez-Vous

Joining the likes of Martin Scorsese, Frank Miller & Wong Kar Wai, Guy Ritchie is the latest filmmaker to add his signature to a luxury fragrance.