Beauty Maverick

A Trend to Avoid

First Snooki's pouf made headlines as a trend-to-watch, and now the overgrown nails featured on Jerseylicious have made their way on to the runway...

What's next, clashing animal prints? Seriously.

Fall 2010: Euro Recap

The fashion elite will say “au revoir” to Paris today at the close of another fashion week frenzy. Here are some of the highlights and trends from Europe:

Curves are back. Vuitton and Giles embraced the bosom this year— case and point, check out Laetitia Casta opening Vuitton…holy cleavage! Both shows also cast Victoria’s Secret models, one of which (Alessandra Ambrosio) gave birth in November.

Get creative with your eyeliner. We’re used to Chanel’s Peter Philips translating Lagerfeld’s clothes into beauty (that’s how highly coveted nail color Jade came about, people) but this season he went beyond, making smoky eyes painterly— mimicking the paint-dipped bags.

Invest in fur. It was seriously everywhere, even adorning shoes.

You don’t have to be a secret detective to wear a wig. Models at Lanvin’s show wore sleek black wigs that we hear were flown in the night before from Ricky’s NYC.

Statement brows are in. I’m not going to recommend getting crazy-colored brows as done at Balenciaga, but I will say— put down the tweezers and channel your inner-Prada woman.

Less is more— when it comes to your face. Countless shows went the natural route for the face. Think light pinks, slight shimmer, nude lips. But, when it comes to your wardrobe, mini skirts look like they’re going to be collecting dust. It’s either long, pleated, and rather dreamy (à la Vuitton) or hot pants (D&G).

Sometimes the clothes should do all the talking. McQueen's final presentation showcased opulent colors, full shapes, and an all over medieval sensibility. A truly outstanding collection.

— Daisy

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.

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.

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.

Spring/Summer '10: The Impact Lip

Think: Prada Spring/Summer 2010 RTW.

Tools: Laura Mercier Lip Colour Crème Lipstick in Truly Red; MAKE UP FOR EVER Lacquered Lipstick in Fluorescent Orange; MAKE UP FOR EVER Glossy Full Couleur Gloss in Vibrant Orange.

Technique: The lips are defined with a mixture of the Laura Mercier and MAKE UP FOR EVER Lipsticks, then topped with the MAKE UP FOR EVER Gloss to achieve a nearly neon intensity. 

— Pat McGrath, Global Creative Director of Max Factor Cosmetics.

CHANEL Haute Couture S/S '10: The Lip

"Karl gave me three key words: Neon Baroque, Chemical Pastels and Liquid Silver. For the lips, I used the new Summer 2010 Rouge Allure Lipstick in Genial. This coral shade perfectly matched the Technicolor and Neon Baroque spirit Karl wanted for the makeup at this show." 

— Peter Philips, Global Creative Director of CHANEL Makeup.

Swept Away

A simply swept back chignon is universal for no-fuss chic. Moving the twist higher up on the scalp, increasing the size, and letting it get a little messy, is an update to the style that works as a cure-all for any hair dilemma from now through spring.  Think Louis Vuitton’s fall ’09 show—minus the bunny ears—or Lanvin’s spring ’10 show for the height, size, and unkempt updo that transitions seamlessly from day-to-night, work-to-play.

For best results try the following on second-day hair:

• Lightly spritz roots with dry shampoo to remove any grease.
• Brush hair straight back, eliminating any natural hair part, into a very high ponytail (the kind you may have rocked in 2^nd grade) and secure with an invisible hair elastic (Goody makes a good one).
• Twist hair in a clockwise motion, wrapping around the base of the ponytail until it coils on top of itself.
• Secure with bobby pins of your hair color.

— Daisy

Race & the Runway

As two of the hottest hubs of style, New York and London have long been in cahoots and competition with each other—and with back-to-back fashion weeks, it seems that the two are in direct comparison more than ever.

After browsing the recent London show coverage, it was impossible not to notice the flux in size and race of the models. Instead of the young, pin-thin, fair-haired girls that walked the New York shows, London designers are sprinkling their shows with girls with curves [Mark Fast] and all shades of skin [PPQ].

Perhaps the British runway is picking up where European print let off. It wasn’t too long ago that Alexandra Shulman, Editor in Chief of British Vogue, admitted to frequently retouching fashion spreads to add pounds to boney models. And, who could forget Italian Vogue’s all-black issue? But the real question is, when will [if ever] the New York shows become inclusive?

— Daisy

Spring 2010: Trends to Watch

NY Fashion Week left us with a number of buzz-worthy beauty looks for Spring '10.

Below, a round-up of the trends that aim to inspire, be worn— and test our limits.

Awe-Inspiring: Porcelain Doll & Faux Tatoos

Though we've not seen what the couture houses have in-store, NYFW certainly kept us entertained with a theatrical showcase of the industry's top talent.

Worth Wearing: The New Pink, Voilet Eyes & Subtle Metallics

At Zac Posen, flushed cheeks added a youthful effect to the fashions showcased, whilst Tracy Reese sexed-up pink lips and rosy cheeks by pairing them with punk-inspired hair and nails. 

Lavender-colored eyes also ruled the runways in NYC, with makeup artist Dick Page pairing the look with a muted, 60s-inspired lip at Michael Kors. (Another exciting spring trend, more to come on that in a bit.)

And, no surprise here, metallic eyeshadow returns as the go-to for the season. Whether gold, silver, white or nude, a subtle shimmer to (and around) the eyes and cheekbones works as the ultimate pick-me-up for a winter-worn complexion.

If You Dare: Lace-Covered Nails, Feather Lashes & Mascara-Less Eyes

I'm absolutely obsessed with the lace-covered nails created by celebrity manicurist Elle (for Barielle) at Reem Acra. They live on the fine line between brilliance and kitsch, and work with both the romantic and rock-inspired styles of the season.

Best Left on the Runway: Artliner, (Purposefully) Smudged Mascara & 'Punk-Colored' Coifs

Unless you're Lady Gaga, these trends shouldn't translate (directly) from the runway to real-life. Enough said.