Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Jonathan Simkhai

I had a blast behind the scenes at the Jonathan Simkhai presentation at the The Griffin Hotel in the Meatpacking District. The retro 50's clothing, with librarian glasses and vintage housewife meets menswear inspiration was impeccable. The vintage-looking clothes somehow looked so modern and wearable. The space was unbelievable. Blue velvet fainting couches, an enormous crystal chandelier, beautiful vintage props, a dusty old suitcase, an aged globe and small little toys from a past era. The models used all the props around them to create a total ambiance and space unlike anything I had ever seen.  Everything there was modern with a twist, retro with a spin and sexy with an edge of masculine.

The hair was also a big standout for me. Cesar Ramirez for Catwalk by TIGI created the classically feminine with a modern twist style. He says, "to play off of the androgyny of Simkhai's menswear-inspired collection I chose to take the uber-feminine look from the 1950's housewife and merge her with Simkhai's contemporary vision of the modern NYC girl." Messy buns and dish rags adorned model's heads to reflect the disparity of the collection. Ramirez used CATWALK by TIGI Your Highness Root Boost Spray Mousse and CATWALK by TIGI Your Highness Shine Spray.

The Liberty Hotel & Fashionably Late's Fab Fashion Event Hosted by Styleboston!

My Beantowners: Will you be at the Liberty Hotel tomorrow night? The Liberty Hotel Presents Fashionably Late Thursday, November 18th from 8pm-2am. Styleboston's Terri Stanley and their new Fresh Face Winner (fingers crossed!) will be hosting fashion by Metrostyle and music by Michael Savant. To join in on the fun, RSVP: fashion@libertyhotel.com by 9 pm tomorrow! Come hang out friends! Don't forget to vote for your favorite fresh face (ahem..!) for a chance to win tickets to the fabulous show tomorrow.

 

Follow me on Twitter: @beautybuffblog and Styleboston: @styleboston for fabulous fashion updates and to find out who the winner is!

Styleboston's Fashion Forward Host Contest-VOTE For Your Fave. Finalist!!

Hi friends! Styleboston is a fabulous New England-focused show that brings "the latest and greatest in local happenings" to viewers. The show highlights food, art, sports, local culture and FASHION! As you can imagine I'm a huge fan! I recently auditioned to become a host for their fashion segment and made it to the final round! The winner will be selected next Thursday (November 18th) at the Liberty Hotel in Boston. Please check out the link below and scroll down the page to leave a comment in support of your favorite finalist! ;)

http://styleboston.tv/1145/web-exclusive-win-tickets-to-stylebostons-vip-event/


Your support would be fantastic!! Thanks lovies!

 

Support The Troops This Veteran's Day By Leaving Them A Big Smooch!

 Happy Veterans Day People! Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country and risk their lives every day for America. It's so important to recognize and honor the hard work and commitment of our troops.

We can all pay tribute in our own way but if you're a New Yorker you can show your support as only a beauty buff would. Maybelline New York is teaming up with Cosmopolitan Magazine and the United Service Organization (USO) to collect 'Kisses for the Troops'. Such a great idea and so fun!

Today Cosmo Mag has a Kiss Station set up and is inviting the public to give a kiss on a postcard for our troops. The postcards will be delivered to those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan just in time for New Year's Eve. Awww… (heart melting). Cosmo and Maybelline New York will donate one dollar for each kiss collected to the USO, which I think is a fantastic reason to kiss it out for them.

Visit the kissing station in TIMES SQUARE TODAY and meet actress Malin Ackerman, who'll be helping collect kisses for the servicemen and women. Maybelline New York will provide various shades of Color Sensational lipstick in the Kiss station to leave your beautiful marks.  

Even if you can't make it to the event you can still participate by "kissing" a postcard virtually via a digital application on Cosmo's website or by going to Cosmo's Facebook page and uploading a photo and  note of thanks. Both will count towards the USO donation and be sent to the troops. You can also text "KISS" to 85944 to donate $10 to the USO for the amazing work they do for the troops and their families.

I really think this a great cause. Especially if you've always wanted to show how much you support and thank the troops. So "kiss" away and know you'll be really leaving a mark.

Check out photos from last year's event hosted by AnnaLynne McCord.

Check Out This Contest From Barney's & Urban Daddy!

Hey what do you have to lose!? If you win, can I be one of your four friends who gets some loot too!? 

Enter the Urban Daddy/Barneys Shopping Spree Giveaway now! A fab trip to Barneys New York could be in store for you!

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Lela Rose

Lela Rose's Spring 2011 collection may have been an homage to the vibrant culture and clothing and colorful handicrafts of Lima, Peru but in my mind, the collection was designed personally for me. I am in love. Every dress, sweater, top, gown, accessory had my name written all over it. The vibrancy of the colors used was perfect: rich tangerines, hot marbled pinks, shocking yellows and foamy jades dominated the collection. Each outfit is perfectly accessorized with beaded strands, Aztec belts, and oversize bib necklaces. I'm also in love with the gorgeous strappy sandals. Some accessories were even from her latest Payless collection. Beware: I will knock someone over to get my hands on these treasures when they come out. The ultra-feminine outfits had such interesting hem and necklines, patterns and fabrics. Overall the collection was a delight and a real inspiration for my spring wardrobe.

GET THE LOOK:

MAKEUP: Celebrity makeup artist, Sarah Lucero for Stila on Beauty.com created the beautifully polished looks. Lucero said, "to enhance a collection of Peruvian and Brazilian fashion influences, hot coral lips shone amidst flawless skin and subtle eyes".

To create the look you'll need:

-Stila One Step Makeup

-Stila Eye Shadow in Puppy

-Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Outrageous and Lover

-Stila Prime Pot in Taffy and Caramel (available spring 2011)

HAIR: Star-favorite Ted Gibson for Beauty.com created the gorge side braids. Since the collection was inspired by a trip to Peru, Gibson created a look to match. "The teased, undone side braid is very beachy and inspired by the modern Peruvian prints represented in the clothing."

To create the look you'll need:

-Ted Gibson Build It

-Ted Gibson Hairsheet

-Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hairspray

SKINCARE: Skincare line ARCONA for Beauty.com prepped the skin and made sure the models looked flawless. The skin was hydrated and prepped for the fresh makeup look with ARCONA moisturizers and mists (all which have delicious scents to them) to give the models a dewy, fresh look. I've just discovered the ARCONA and am loving their fragrant and effective skin treatments. The treatments used helped enhance the skin and bring out the glow, quality and elasticity of the skin.

To create the look you'll need:

-ARCONA Peptide Hydrating Complex

-ARCONA Desert Mist

-ARCONA Pumpkin Lotion 10% Regenerate

NAILS: Deborah Lippmann for Beauty.com finished off the look by creating an all-natural beachy-peachy nail look. Lippmann said "the sheer peach nails were minimal and clean and reflected the beachy, natural look that complimented the bright peach lip". 

To create the look you'll need:

-Deborah Lippmann's "P.Y.T." (Pretty Young Thing)

unway photos from Style.com

OUIDAD at Fashion Week

Celebrities love Ouidad too. The brand participated in the Daily Beauty Bar during this Fashion Week this fall and stars (some we love and some we love to hate) dropped by to get their hair did. Singer Kat De Luna and reality stars Adrienne Bailon, Kelly Bensimon and the Jersey Shore's Angelina took a break from the shows (who knew Angelina went to fashion week!?) to visit Ouidad curl experts at the Townhouse Spa! Check out the photos below from the event.

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson never fails to disappoint! Her spring 2011 collection was as festive, inventive and colorful as the designer herself. What could have possibly inspired Ms. Johnson for this collection? Cyclists! Models strutted down the runway/road in spandex, headgear and bright neon colors-very appropriate for ya know a cyclist at night. Johnson inserted her typical brand of raw, raunchy, unapologetic humor and quirkiness to the show. Jackets were emblazoned with the phrase "Ride Me", and one model skateboarded down the runway in stripper heels (Oh my! Heaven's to Betsy!). The clothes were fun, hip and of course typically edgy. Betsey Johnson always seems to have the best time ever at her own shows and in life which is a rare, beautiful quality. That's why I love her and loved the collection! Enjoy the ride!

GET THE LOOK:

The makeup was as wild as the clothes. Sarah Lucero for Stila on Beauty.com created the look. Lucero said "the bright pops of color were used to create a hip NYC punk girl with a flirty hot pink lip and electric green eyes".

Green smoky eyes seems to be a trend for the spring, as Whitney Eve's collection also featured bright green almost neon eye makeup.

To create the look you'll need:

-Stila One Step Makeup
- Stila Fiji Palette No. 5 (Available in December)
-Stila Eyeshadow in Palm (Available in December)
-Stila Custom Color Blush
-Stila Long Wear Liquid Lip Color in Caprice



Photos and some information provided by Style.com
 
 
 
 

The Queen of Curl to the Rescue

I've always considered my hair type to be frizzy; Frizzy with a dash of wavy/curl, when it's behaving that is. Much effort is needed to get it looking presentable. Like so many others, all I want is to have totally luscious waves that cascade and fall around my shoulders in an effortless, sexy-kinda way instead of my usual frizzy poof with the always unfortunately-placed cowlick. Is that too much to ask? Until now, it was. However, the tides have changed!

I was recently introduced to Ouidad, a hair care line (named after its creator) that's exclusively for hair with curls, waves and kinks. Ouidad, known as the "Queen of Curl" is an internationally known stylist who is a pioneer in the curly hair industry. 25 years ago she opened the first salon in the country to cater exclusively to curly hair and since then created her award-winning curly hair care line. Although I wasn't able to visit Ouidad's New York City salon, but I was lucky enough to test out a lot of the products and was more than impressed. After trying the curl-conscious products out in the summer and the fall, it's clear that this is the type of line you need for any and all seasons. In the summer, the products protected my hair from the humidity and kept my poofiness at bay while bringing out the volume, definition and contained waves I was after. More recently as the weather drastically changes and I'm trying to get some height back in my hair, the volumizing products add depth to my curls while still protecting my hair from the nasty cold rain/drowned-rat look I inevitably encounter in the fall/winter.

I can not speak more highly of this line. After consistently using their hair, styling and finishing products I can actually see a difference in how my hair looks and feels. The styling products don't make my locks feel crunchy or heavy and I can run my fingers through them without encountering product roadblocks and buildup. My waves also look pretty darn good if I do say so myself.  

Ouidad gets my Beauty Buff seal of approval because the line caters to different hair types (for thin, thick, cork-screw, colored, etc) and different hair needs (dry, damaged, frizzy, etc.). The products not only tame existing curls but enhance and define hair that has a beautiful wave or curl hidden deep within and brings out the movie-star waves you've been waiting to debut.

If you wear your hair anything other than straight all the time you MUST try this line out immediately! Luckily the products come in travel sizes so you can get a few and see what they're all about.

If you're a first time user start by checking out these products-

Shampoo: Clear & Gentle (Essential Daily Shampoo) for normal or chemically treated curls or for thinner curls or wavier hair try the PlayCurl (Volumizing Shampoo)-my personal favorite.

Conditioner: Balancing Rinse (Essential Daily Conditioner) an Allure Best of Beauty Winner or PlayCurl (Volumizing Conditioner). Also an absolute must: the Botanical Boost (Moisture Infusing & Refreshing Spray) which will revive and re-spring your curls, preserve moisture to prevent frizz and lock-in hydration.

Styling: Climate Control (Heat & Humidity Gel) an award-winning fan favorite that controls frizz in all climates and works with humidity so hair stays in place and curls stay defined. LOVE this product!

Finishing: Clear Control (Pomade) is a water-soluble gel that hold curls and gives them definition. I love all the finishing products including the Shine Glaze (Serum) and Styling Mist (Setting & Holding Spray) so you really can't go wrong. The Clear Control is, however, a great introduction to the finishing line.

If you're unsure which products to choose from let Sephora do the work for you. Try the Curl Essentials Starter Kit, Expert Curl Kit or Expert Solutions for Perfect Waves and Curls Kit, all containing best-selling products available at your favorite beauty super store. You can also find their travel bottles here too.

Enjoy my Curly Sues! 

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Whitney Eve

Makeup: Sarah Lucero for Stila on Beauty.com

Inspiration: Fresh faced glowy skin with an ethereal and non-traditional pastel smoky eye created an edgy yet feminine look.

Get the Look:

·         Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

·         Stila Perfecting Concealer

·         Stila Eye Shadow Trio in Venus

·         Stila Kitten All Over Shimmer Duo

·         Stila Long Wear Lip Color in In The Nude

·         Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Topaz

Nails: butter LONDON for Beauty.com

Inspiration: The periwinkle nail color was personally selected by Whitney for the show and complimented the colorful collection and makeup look. Toes were painted with a light stone grey shade

that was both fresh and neutral.                      

Get the look:

• Hands: butter LONDON “Lady Muck” (available on Beauty.com in Spring 2011)
• Toes: butter LONDON “All Hail McQueen” 

Glamour Recipes: A Beauty Buff Do!

Panko-Crusted Lemon Chicken with a Parsley Capers Potato Salad

Cheddar Squash Muffins

Who would have thought Glamour Magazine would be my recipe guru!? I'm a big fan of the magazine and an even bigger fan of easy to follow recipes! Each month Glamour publishes interesting, yummy-sounding recipes and like clock-work I find myself tearing out the page and taking it to the grocery store. A few months ago, thanks to Glamour,  I made a very yummy panko-crusted lemon chicken with a parsley potato salad topped with anchovies and cappers. It was divine. A few months before that I learnt how to make a great chicken stew.

The latest recipe from the cookbook TIME FOR DINNER  in Glamour's November 2010 issue featuring Taylor Swift on the cover takes advantage of a very seasonal fall ingredient: squash. Cheddar Squash Muffins and Curried Squash Soup was on the menu and not only were the super easy to make they turned out to be delicious!

Check out the recipe for the totally yummy cheddar squash muffins below:

Cheddar Squash Muffins

Makes 12 Muffins

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Water

1 Cup Roasted Squash, Mashed

1 one-lb box oat-meal muffin mix

1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese-I personally think you can be a little generous with the amount you put in.

1/4 Cup Chopped Scallions

The recipe says: "In a bowl, add eggs, water and roasted squash. Whisk in oatmeal muffin mix, shredded cheddar and chopped scallions. Spoon batter into baking cups of two 6-cup muffin tins (or a tray of 12 muffin tins), and bake in oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes.

I promise you if you invest some time in Glamour Magazine's yummy recipe ideas, you won't be sorry!