First Look at the Daphne Guinness Colletion for M·A·C

Fashion icon Daphne Guinness is introducing a new collection for M·A·C to be released December 26th and available through February 9th. The 21 piece collection includes:

• 4 Cremesheen Glasses
• 4 Pro Longwear Lipcremes
• 3 Nail Lacquers
• 2 Eyebrow Pencils
• 2 Powerpoint Eye Pencils
• 3 Pigments
• An Eye Shadow Quad
• 2 Blush Ombrés

The shades are primarily a range of cool grays, pinks, and purples which reflect Guinness's Cruella deVil-esque sense of style. The stand-out product seems to be the Ombré-styled (linear color gradient in purple/pink) blushes. Otherwise, these are just different (some impractical) shades of products we've seen before. It would take a bold person to wear the gray lip glass!

Holiday Sales!

Its not even mid-November, so you know what that means? Holiday sales!!! Two good "Family and Friends" sales this week are Benefit Cosmetics and Too-Faced Cosmetics. Both offer 20% off all merchandise.
For Benefit Cosmetics: Shop their website between now and 11/14 with code: LOVEYALL
For Too-Faced: Shop their website with between now and 11/16 with code: FF2011F

I will try to post any upcoming sales that I spot ASAP. Happy shopping!

Nicki Minaj for O·P·I

In yet another beauty brand collaboration, Nicki Minaj has teamed up with everybody's favorite nail polish, O·P·I! The collection consists of 6 nail shades (3 glitter, 2 creme, 1 shatter). I'm loving the electric blue and green! The collection has a loose retail release date of January 2012.

See close ups of the shades after the jump!

UPDATE!

OPI just released a statement on Facebook along with this picture. The statement reads:

"Despite what you've seen online, we wanted to make sure you got accurate information from us. The Nicki Minaj collection consists of a deep shimmering purple Shatter called "Super Bass" and these five Nicki-inspired colors: "Metallic 4 Life", "Save Me", "Fly", "Did It On 'Em" and the bubble gum hue "Pink Friday".

So, everything is the same except for the Pink Friday shade which in my mind is better. I'd rather have a matte neon pink than a metallic pink (which, to me is a 'lil bit tacky).

Excusez moi! It's Miss Piggy for M·A·C!

Couldn't you just die? Isn't this photo fantastic? On November 14th, the 3 piece Miss Piggy collection for M·A·C will be released to coincide with The Muppets movie. It includes a Frost eyeshadow called Miss Piggy Pink (Mid-toned blue-pink) for $15.00, a Penultimate Liner in Rapidblack for $17.50, and a #36 False Lash for $18.00 to complete this "naturally dramatic" look. Here is a preview of the collection:

Fabulousssss!

A completely ridiculous interview with everybody's favorite pig DIVA can be found after the jump!

 

 

Trendspotting

I mentioned a trend a few weeks ago that I noticed in Vogue's September issue: A simple silver eye paired with red lips. It has turned up once again in Armani Beauty's holiday ad campaign featuring Megan Fox. As I said before, I think this is classic winter holiday makeup. Would you try this look?

Dita Nails It!

Dita Von Teese has been accentuating her pin-up image for years with a red vintage half-moon manicure. She even had press-on acrylics specially made for her use. Now, after pairing with Kiss Nails they are finally available to the public. They are supposed to last up to 10 days without chipping. Ooh la la!
The nails are 9.99 for a set of 24 (pink glue included).

Click HERE to get a pair for yourself!

What Look Is Currently In Vogue?

I opened my mailbox today to find the mammoth, almost 800 page September issue of Vogue smothering all the other puny pieces of mail that dared to share the small space with it. It literally hurts my wrists to hold it for too long. Did we really need any further proof that Anna Wintour is Satan's fashionable mistress?
I always scan the (mostly ads) pages of Vogue for the current makeup trends and within the first 15 pages there were no less than 3 examples of the trend du jour: simple silver eyes (No contouring shades. No heavy liner. Just a single shade of silver eyeshadow and black lashes.) paired with a bold red lip. It isn't a new look, but it is definitely a look that seems to be having a moment in the spotlight.

 

Upon digging for answers, I found that the trend seems to have stemmed from the makeup in Ralph Lauren's Fall runway collection (shown above). It was his theme at Fashion Week as well as in the editorial campaign. Though I generally think of this as a "winter holidays" look, I could be willing to throw my prejudices to the side and try it out for any old time. Just remember to keep everything simple. Your example of what not to do is below:

The Muppets Get Their Own O.P.I. Line!

It has just been announced that The Muppets will get their own line from O.P.I. Nail Polish this holiday season! The line will consist of 13 shades that range from 2 neutral bronze and coppers, 4 matte berry colors, and six glitter-packed shades. The final shade is a gold shatter, which would look awesome on top of  most of the aforementioned shades. My initial favorite of the bunch is 'Gettin' Miss Piggy With It', a bright glittery red. The Muppets is out in theaters November 23, so expect the release date for the polishes to coincide with the movie.

Urban Decay Sale!

Head on over to Urban Decay's website for a great sale! There are amazing items for cheapy-cheap prices, such as:

• Loose pigments for $1.00 (normally $20.00)
• Matte eyeshadows for $3.00 (normally $17.00)
• Oil-free Makeup Remover for $3.00 (normally $18.00)
• Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer for $6.00 (normally $32.00)

No, I am not being paid to advertise this! I just can't resist good deals and don't mind sharing. OK?

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Road Show Wrap-Up

This past weekend's MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Road Show was a great experience and I took away a ton of great info and of course, product! I grabbed the Dany Pouch for carrying and storing brushes and the A-MAZ-ING Flash Color Palette. Both are superior products and were 50% off. Niiiiice. Unfortunately, I could only attend two of the classes during the weekend. But, I feel like I really learned important tips and tricks that I will use. I attended a Smokey Eye class and a Portfolio and Website Development class. Both were very informative. I will post some highlights after the jump. All in all, I really had a great time and will definitely attend any future MAKE UP FOR EVER events.

MAKE UP FOREVER Pro Road Show

MAKE UP FOREVER is kicking off its 4 city Pro Road Show tour in San Francisco this weekend. It is an event for makeup artists and those in the beauty industry. They will be hosting complimentary educational programs all weekend on a variety of topics. Proof of trade (business cards, etc.) is required to gain entry and will entitle you to 40-50% off all MAKE UP FOREVER products and grant you access to the seminars and parties. I will definitely be attending and let you know what I've taken away from the experience.

• MAKE UP FOREVER Pro Road Show

•  Schedule of San Francisco Road Show

• W Hotel San Francisco 

Simple Tip of the Week

Kiss the back of your hand after applying a coat of lipstick.

This method is more effective and has several advantages over blotting with tissue. You get no fibers stuck in your lipstick and no texture imprints. It leaves more natural-looking color and texture behind by reducing the thickness of an application straight from the tube which also leaves a lighter feeling of product on your skin. And lastly, it reduces unnecessary tissue usage. And doesn't that make you feel a bit more virtuous?

Introducing: Cindy Sherman for M·A·C!

As a formerly obsessed art student who took a fair share of inspiration from Ms. Sherman, I could not be more excited for this line. In an official press release, M·A·C says "In the campaign we've longed forever to conceive, Cindy Sherman for M·A·C created three characters using three different colour stories. We're living in a time when people of all persuasions have become bolder than ever about the ways they choose to express themselves: with a colourful palette of possibilities, You are the Artist, You are your own Subject, and no matter how fearfully you begin, you become fearless in the process."
The colors range from muted to neon and include lipsticks, pencil, liquid, & gel liners, glosses, blushes, eyeshadow (singles & quads), mascara, lashes, and a variety of brushes. Its really a HUGE collection for such a limited release.

The Cindy Sherman for M·A·C collection will be available in stores for a very short time: September 29 until October 27. Prices range from $14.50 for a lipstick to $38 for an eyeshadow quad. Get it while its hot!!

And the 2012 MAC Viva Glam Spokepeople Are....

Ricky Martin & Nicki Minaj were chosen to represent the campaign that has raised over $218 million for AIDS research since its inception in 1994 (that's about $13 million a year!). Every single penny of your $14.50 is something you can feel good about and look better for! Information has yet to be released about the lipstick shades. If Nicki's is anything like her Pink Friday Lipstick, its sure to be a massive bestseller. As for Ricky, I'm anxious to see what the shade will be and if he will wear it in the photos. Time will tell...but in the meantime consider making a positive purchase by sporting a previous shade of Viva Glam until you can get your paws on the new ones.

MAC Viva Glam

MAC AIDS Fund

Beauty Steal of the Week

When researching Beauty Icon of the Week, Carmen Dell'Orefice I came across her quote about this week's steal: Bag Balm! It is a product developed for farm animals teats and hooves that has gained cult status as skincare miracle. Carmen said, "If it's good enough for horses, it's good enough for me." Well, of course, I had to order some right away (I've since noticed it at most drugstores, shelved with moisturizers). It came promptly in the mail and I couldn't wait to try it. In reviews it is raved about for deep moisturization and is even thought to quicken the healing process of wounds or abrasions as well as or better than Neosporin®. I recently developed an itchy little rash between my fingers where my wedding ring sits. So I whipped out my cotton gloves and slathered it on my hands, covered up my paws and went to sleep.
Now, if I'm being honest I will tell you that the scent of this product is less that appealing. In line with the reviews, I found it to smell medicinal with a farm-animal undertone. One of the chief ingredients is Lanolin, a waxy secretion of the sebaceous glands of farm animals, so there ya go. Its just not a product you put on when you intend to leave the house. That being said, the scent is bearable in light of the results.
In the morning, my hands were baby smooth and the rash was significantly reduced. The product (along with the scent) is easily washed away, leaving only fantastically renewed skin. Following further applications, my rash is gone and my devotion for Bag Balm has only just begun.
Prices range from $4-8  for a generous 10 oz. tin. Available at most drugstores and online.

Beauty Steal of the Week

This weeks steal comes from NYX Cosmetics and is their Slim Lip Liner Pencils.
I recently read an article in this months issue of Allure magazine that most drugstore lip and eye pencils that have the label  "Made in Germany" are usually comparable to luxury brands due to the fact that there are only 2 factories that manufacture those products there. According to the experts its a safe bet that the pigments and waxes used are similar to those in high-end products. So I decided to keep my eye out.
I was in my local beauty supply stocking up and I noticed that the NYX lip pencils read "Made In Germany" on them. There was a wide range of 60 colors, which, along with the packaging, mimic that of MAC's liners. At $2.99 a pop, I decided to pick up a handful and try them out. I was excited to find that the colors were highly pigmented and the consistency was high quality. Not only that! They have a decent amount of wear time.
Now, I kinda have a hard time dissing MAC...but if I can save $10 and get virtually the same product, I'm gonna do it! I suggest you try them out for yourself. I doubt you'll be sorry.

Wedding Expo...

I had lots of fun at the Wedding Expo this past weekend. It went really well and I made lots of contacts with prospective clients and other artists. Thanks again to everyone who helped me get everything together and to the organizers of the event!

Wedding Events Expo

If anyone is in San Francisco this Sunday, head to Treasure Island for the Wedding Events Expo at The Winery SF from 11am-5pm. I will have my own booth and will be giving free consultations all day long. There will also be tons of different vendors (food, music, flowers, rentals, etc.), covering all your wedding needs, lots of free samples, and tons of giveaways! Come check it out!

Wedding Events Expo 2011 Facebook Page

Map of The Winery SF

Beauty Steal of the Week

This week's featured beauty product with a price tag to cheer for is e.l.f.'s Essential Individual False Lashes.

At a whopping $1 these lashes perform just as well as other brands (Makeup Forever, I'm pointing at you!) that are 15x's the price! The only downside to this product is the subpar quality of the included eyelash glue. However, you can snag that at the drugstore and still be under a 1/4 the price of even the drugstore brand lashes! 

For those of you who don't really use false lashes or have never tried, let me preach a sec. I understand your apprehension. I really do! Why bother? Its a hassle, right? They are too much for an everyday look...right? Wrong! Sure, full strip lashes may be a bit dramatic for anyone less showy than a drag queen but individual lashes are a different story. A natural-looking story. When you apply just one individual lash at the outer corner of each eye, you create magic. I am relatively new to this myself and have only done it a handful of time but I am already a believer. Even up close, no one can tell you're wearing them. Its a subtle secret used by many classic beauties like Marilyn and Angelina, to name a few. If its good enough for them, its good enough for you! So next time you need that little something extra, consider making a $1 investment.

Photo Shoot 7/5/2011

Photographer: Lawrence Pan

Models: Madison Lawrence, Erin Yelda, and the fabulous Pong Sixiengmay

Makeup: Joel King

 See more photos from this shoot after the jump!

Treat Yourself To...

Too Faced Perfect Lips Lip Liner is described as "the only liner you will ever need" which isn't too far from the truth. It was created to mimic a flattering natural lip color. This product definitely evens out your lips tone and can be used to shape and define your kisser any time a natural look is desired. It has a velvety consistency and wears very well throughout the day. It looks fabulous by itself, underneath lightly pigmented lipsticks, and is definitely a winner when paired with gloss. Its a little expensive at $18.50, but is something you can use everyday and get a lot of wear out of. As an eye makeup person who can usually only be bothered applying lip color once a day, its my go-to liner.

Beauty Icon of the Week

 

This week's icon is Carmen Dell'Orefice. The 80 year old supermodel has been consistently working for 67 years! Muse to Salvador Dali at age 13, on the cover of Vogue magazine at age 15 in 1947, and more in-demand than ever today, she has been the picture of grace and beauty for any age.

Carmen (the mononymous name she is known by) stopped dyeing her hair in her mid-40s saying, "I'm not giving in to anyone else's idea of how I ought to feel and look." She embraced the natural stages of graying and now has her hair toned 4 times a year to lift the color to a pure white.

She says beauty starts with thought and attitude. She also lives a healthy lifestyle. "I exercise every day. I don't get up and have a cup of coffee anymore. I get up and move to get blood to my brain. Train like an athlete, get enough sleep, not too much booze, and never smoke." She also credits her sex life as a key element in maintaining her youth. "Sex is part of it. Life has to be a balance, and I've figured out the balance for myself. Sex always!"

When asked her favorite beauty product, her answer is the cult favorite Bag Balm, an ointment developed by a dairy farmer for softening cow teats and horse hooves. "If it's good enough for horses, it's good enough for me."

 Get Carmen's makeup look after the jump!

Beauty Icon of the Week

This week's Beauty Icon is the gorgeous Debi Mazar! She is an actress in films like Goodfellas and shows like HBO's Entourage. She also has a cooking show Extra Virgin with her Italian husband on the Cooking Channel and hosts a similar web series on youtube called Under the Tuscan Gun. The unique beauty started out her career as a makeup artist and most notably did her good friend Madonna's makeup for a Broadway play in 1988. In addition to her busy schedule she has also recently formulated her own line of natural body creams and scrubs made from the olive trees on her property in Fiesole, Italy.
With her remarkable features, its no wonder she is often compared to the vintage face of Barbie.

Mazar, 46, attributes her good looks to following simple rules such as drinking plenty of water to smooth out lines, red wine for its antioxidant power, taking vitamins, doing cardio for circulation, and getting proper sleep (she was once an insomniac). Also, she claims to have been using Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products for almost 30 years and is a loyal devotee of the moon manicure (or half-moon manicure), a retro look which leaves the "moons" (or the 1/8 inch portion of nail closest to the nailbed and cuticle) nude or white in contrast to the color of the rest of the nail.

 

 Get Debi's makeup look after the jump!

Beauty Steal of the Week

This week's steal comes in the form of a hair product with Frizz-Ease's Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Créme. Its a miracle for those of us who blowdry, curl, iron, or just have naturally unruly hair. It restores moisture to your parched locks and smooths down any fly-aways you might have. The pretty smell and healthy looking shine don't hurt either. At just under $6 and available at most drugstores, its a go-to that saves you from looking frazzled for pennies per day. Highly recommended!

Review: OPI Shatter Nail Lacquer

I just picked up OPI's Shatter Nail Lacquer in Black Shatter today. After rushing home to try it I settled on Ruby Kisses' Lime Green with Envy as a base color. The instructions tell you to let it dry completely before applying the shatter coat. After 10 minutes, I lightly brushed on the thick formula (one thinly brushed coat is enough). It almost instantly begins to shrink up and crack. Its kind of like watching a science experiment. After about 30 seconds or so it should look fully "shattered" and the base color will show through the cracks. Pretty cool, huh? OPI recommends following with a top coat to seal & add shine. It seems that is this is also best because the shattered effect definitely has a raised texture. All in all, its a pretty cool product when you're feeling a little sassy and want unusual looking nails. Depending on what you use underneath the possibilities are endless. I would suggest something bold & purposeful-looking as to avoid looking like you just have a really trashed manicure. Next time I think I might play with a colorful glitter polish showing through the cracks.

My finished nails. Sorry for the poor quality cell phone pic!

Here is a link to a good youtube tutorial.

Beauty Buzz: MAC's new face, Johnny Weir!

It was announced today that champion figure skater Johnny Weir will be the face of MAC's 2011 holiday makeup collection, Glitter and Ice. He will be the 3rd male to ever have the distinction of being the face for the cosmetics giant, following in the footsteps of 2 other gay icons Elton John and RuPaul.

Shoots for Glitter and Ice line took place in Miami earlier this month and the products will be available later this fall. Previously, Weir has said his favorite MAC products are:

• MAC Blot Powder 
• MAC Bronzing Powder 
• MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Soothing Beige.

Treat Yourself To...

Diorshow Blackout mascara is a great high-end mascara. Its intensely pigmented kohl-black formula coats and defines every lash for a dramatic effect that flatters and frames your peepers whether you're wearing minimal or maximum eye makeup. It never flakes, feels dry or heavy, and requires no touch-ups throughout the day.  If you're tired of experimenting with drugstore brands that don't live up to expectations, you've got a sure bet in Diorshow Blackout. At $24.50, its definitely a splurge...but one that you will feel great about.

Beauty Icon of the Week

That's right! Its none other than Christina Hendricks! Its no surprise that this buxom bombshell was named Esquire's Best Looking American Woman in 2010. The Mad Men star has caused mouths to drop all over the country due to her hourglass shape and confident, come-hither gaze. Her character, Joan Holloway has everyone at the Sterling Cooper offices wrapped around her well-manicured finger.
Hendricks herself is also confident with her curvacious body. She is 5'8" and wears a size 14 dress but says she felt more beautiful when she was 15 pounds heavier a few years back, modelling in Italy. "I was having cappuccinos every day! I would take my clothes off in front of the mirror and be like, 'Oh, I look like a woman.' And I felt beautiful, and I never tried to lose it, 'cause I loved it." She still says she breaks all diet rules by eating salty and creamy foods, but now exercises to balance her indulgences.

A natural blonde, Christina says she started dyeing her hair red at the age of 10. She experimented with her style in earlier years saying: "I was a goth girl in high school. Perhaps the powdered white face and the black lipstick were not the most attractive. I felt fabulous at the time". In 1999 she stared in a commercial for Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets and now says her beauty routine isn't so different than that of  her iconic character. "Joan is a classic beauty, and my everyday makeup look isn't much different from hers: coral lips, neutral eyeshadow, liquid black eyeliner. It's the hair that makes us so different."

See Christina's favorite products and get her makeup look after the jump!

Beauty Steal of the Week

If you're like me, you might find lipstick a little bit of a chore to keep on. Covergirl's Outlast Lipstain could be the cheap solution to your problem. At around $6 and available in almost any drugstore/supermarket this new line of lipstain is like a marker. The light formula goes on wet and dries in seconds for a stain that lasts for hours. Its available in 10 colors. Covergirls colors are a little tricky to figure out, as they aren't always true to the package coloring but I can tell you that I love and recommend Everbloom Kiss (pictured above) which translates to a natural pink flush on the lips. In short, I love these lipstains. They look natural and last a reasonable amount of time. I have never had them bleed, feel dry, or rub off on anything. They perform very well for the price.

Homespun Hottie: Under Eye Circle Lightener

Before piling on loads of under eye concealer you may want to reach for the nearest spud. Did you know that potatoes contain high levels of an enzyme called catecholase, which is one of the most common skin lighteneing ingredients in luxury brand eye creams? It helps naturally protect everyone's favorite tuber from damage but has also been a secret weapon of wise women for generations. Why pay $$ for the same thing you can get for ¢ ?
To make a homemade under eye circle lightener:

• Use a box grater or food processor to finely shred 1 small potato.
• Wrap the potato pulp in cheesecloth or a breathable piece of clean fabric.
• Apply to undereye area, being careful not to get juice in your eyes. Leave on for around 15 minutes while watching TV or relaxing.

While the above method is more effective, a quicker fix is to slice the potato and apply to the eyes as you would cucumber slices.

Treat Yourself To...

Nars Blush!

A good choice for a splurge that you will get a lot of use out of is this upscale powder blush which currently retails for $27. Why is it worth it? Nars' special formula is made with extremely high quality, transparent pigments that allow it to be layered without looking heavy or unnatural. At the same time, a little bit of product goes a long way and buys you a lot of mileage. It is available in 27 shades that vary from natural to glowing, trendy to bold. They last all day and beyond.

A hands-down favorite shade is Orgasm (shown above). It has been the winner of countless beauty awards across the board (Allure Best of Beauty and Readers Choice for the past 5 years in a row!) and has the internet buzzing with makeup enthusiasts' praise. It boasts a universally flattering flush of "peachy pink with shimmer" that mimics its namesakes effect on the skin. You simply cannot find a more beloved blush on the market today. I personally prefer Desire, a "cotton candy pink" shade in the case that creates a natural looking pop of healthy color to the apples of the cheeks.

When it comes down to it, I've tried many brands of blush and don't shy away from using cheaper products if they perform well. Nothing compares to the quality of Nars Blush!