Beauty Maverick

Shanghai Fever

From Ralph Lauren's latest showing to late nights at Mr. H, NYFW has left me with a serious craving for all things eastern-inspired.

My fix:

KohGenDo Maifanshi Makeup Color Base in Pearl White
Boasts micronized pearl powders for an optical smoothing and brightening effect.

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Aigle Noir
Delivers a buildable, velvet-black finish w/flecks of gold.

CHANEL Le Vernis in Dragon
A sexy, seasonless apple-red.

Shiseido White Lucent Eye Brightening Treatment
Illuminates instantly, whilst Asian plant extracts work to retexturize skin for brighter, more vibrant eyes.

La Mer The Whitening Essence
An intensive, lightweight treatment that realizes skin's most luminous beauty.

Peter Lamas Chinese Herbs Revitalizing Nutrient Mist
Fortifies and replenishes weak, thinning hair whilst providing body, lift and control.

Wang, The Next Generation

Alexander Wang's niece is sure to give the Olsen twins a run for their empire. (Once she's fully mobile, that is.)

'11 Grammy Awards

Browse expert how-tos, hair hits/misses & more on my Lifetime TV beauty blog.

Altuzarra F/W '11: Kate Circa Johnny

"A very cool girl with a glam-rock sophistication about her... She's a bit of a bitch," describes lead makeup artist Tom Pecheux.

The Eye: M.A.C Eye Shadow in Lady Grey (available a/w '11) applied over the eyelid & upward. Keep Your Cool Pro Longwear Eye Shadow (also launching a/w '11) blended through the outer eyelid & upward to elongate with a soft winged shape. Pro Pigment in Platinum Metal defines the inner corners with a strong metallic highlight. Rich Purple Pro Chromagraphic Pencil – blended through the lower lashline and through the crease – completes the look.

Alexander Wang F/W '11: Fine Hair

"It’s very simple, easy hair… kind of how the girls wear it themselves — a little edgy and downtown. We’re using a Redken wax to get some texture, and a Sultra curling iron just to bend it a little bit. It’s a bit dirty, not sweet — a not washed kind of feeling. Sort of a slept in look. A little messy center part, a loose pony tail, like it’s falling out, and tucked behind the ear. We’re doing a hidden braid underneath to take away some of the volume, if it’s too thick. In real life, girls want thick luscious hair, but on the runway, fine hair often works better — it looks cooler, in a way."

— Guido

Watch Yourself

A new study claims that looking at the source of pain can actually increase one's tolerance to it.

Rose Rebellion

In honor of the French origin of Valentine's Day, I propose we break away from all the faux-felt expressions of love, empty calories and useless gifts.

Instead, let's indulge whole-heartedly for the mere fact that it's fashion week — a time when even attempting to read tweets, browse collections or keep-up on backstage/front row gossip can be as exhausting as covering the shows themselves.

My mid-NYFW lust list:

M/MINK by Byredo
A hypnotic, unisex composition that opens with adoxal, reveals a heart of incense then dries to a base of patchouli leaf, clover honey and dark amber.

CHANEL Rouge Coco Shine in Boy
The brand is offering an exclusive sneak preview of this much-anticipated spring launch — a sheer, natural rose — from 02/10 through 02/14.  

EviDenS de Beaute Foam Masque
This delicate, do-it-all treatment boasts anti-aging, moisturizing, clarifying, restorative, protective and anti-stress properties.

Decleor Rose d'Orient Soothing Night Balm
Works overnight to smooth, calm and heal skin. (Makes a briliant lip/hand/hair aid as well.)

Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner
An all-natural, sulfate-free cleansing and conditioning duo that works together to smooth, protect and illuminate rebellious, winter-worn hair.

Modern Alchemy Ex Libris Candle
Antiquated leather-bound volumes of handmade papers and parchment permeate seduce the senses in this D.L. & Co. creation.

Luca Luca F/W '11: Modern English

Revlon Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, paired a contoured eye with a strong lip for the Luca Luca Fall 2011 collection, bringing forth the designer’s vision of a forest fairytale filled with lush orange and okra hues.

“The look is about a fresh, modern girl on an adventure,” says Westman. “She’s refined, yet modern. I created an eye that is contoured but not overly done so the attention is focused on the bright, striking lip.”

The Lip: ColorStay Lipliner in Red, Super Lustrous Lipstick in Chocoliscious & Matte Lipstick in Really Red.

Jenni Kayne F/W '11: Grown-Up Grunge

CND's Angi Wingle created a blushing taupe manicure to complement the poppy-magenta lips and stick-straight hair at Jenni Kayne.

Get the look: Apply one coat of nude-opaque Desert Suede, then layer with Copper Shimmer. Wash-out with a coat of semi-sheer patina Rose Water and top with Super Matte.

Get Nailed for Less

Seeking the skills of an uptown esthetician, with the speed and cost of a downtown nail salon? Meet two of the city's best kept secrets:

Sandy, Think Pink Nails II
6th Avenue at 10th Street, NYC

Often called on to work exclusive events by brands like CHANEL. Specializes in nail care as well as reflexology.

Nina, Beauty Jewel Spa
146 West 4th Street, NYC

Splits time between Beauty Jewel and La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton. Efficient, experienced and professional.