Older Girl Beauty » NYFW

RevitaBrow makes my Momma work

Paula — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:24:37 +0000

It always makes me catch my breath a bit when my 76yo momma calls me at work. I never know if it’s something simple like “What do you want for dinner?” or more like “I’ve cut myself & am heading over to the doctor’s office now”. So, when she called me this morning to tell me, “I just want you to know that I’m having to trim my eyebrows”, it was a good thing.

See, Momma grew up when you plucked your brows into a *thin* line, so, it was difficult for her to grow any more. Add in the fact that she took a tumble a few years ago, gashing her brow open and the ER doc basically just pulled it up and sewed a jagged line where her brow should be, and you see why she pretty much draws in her brows with her Smashbox Brow Tech To Go on the daily.

Well, when I was in New York for NYFW, I visited the GBK Celebrity Style Lounge and chatted with Bree-Anna from Revitalash about their RevitaBrow. She sent me home with samples for Momma to try and, after the phone call today, I can happily report that she is definitely seeing fuller brows. Now, this is *not* a hair growth serum. This is just a conditioning treatment that helps “revitalize” the brows. But, Momma can atest to the fact that she actually has to maintenance her brows now, which she didn’t need to do before. I’d call that a difference.

How about you guys? Have you plucked your eyebrows into oblivion and need some help making them fuller? Have you tried a brow conditioner to help you out? Let me know!

*Disclaimer: I received this product from the company for editorial consideration.

From the Drugstore to the Runway: Revlon

Paula — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 01:26:29 +0000

Drugstore favorite, Revlon, showed us that drugstore products are powerful enough to make the most famous of designers’ runways beautiful. Revlon’s Global Artistic Director, Gucci Westman, created looks that ran the gamut from the desert, to the nomadic Eskimos and even to the Siberian tundra.

Check out the looks she created for these Fall 2011 collections:

From the Drugstore to the Runway: Maybelline New York

Paula — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:45:45 +0000

One of the great things I love about beauty is that it can be all mixed up. I mean, that you can wear a $3 eyeliner with a $75 concealer. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a great example of this. The “Official Makeup Sponsor” of MBFW is drugstore favorite, Maybelline New York. That’s right – the same items that you can get at your local CVS or Target is what was used on the models at some of the biggest designer names’ runway shows this month.

Check out some of the looks they created this season:

Maybelline New York at Max Azria F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Foundation: apply all over like you would your moisturizer.
STEP 2: Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Sapphire Siren: apply the darkest color to the moving eyelid and blend out just beyond the crease for a subtle smokey effect.
STEP 3: Color Sensational Lipcolor in In The Nude: apply directly for the tube for a clean nude look.
TIP OF THE DAY: For a more dramatic night time look, add a few layers of Falsies mascara.

Maybelline New York at DKNY F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Concealer: dab on and smooth out to cover up any imperfections.
STEP 2: Line Express Eyeliner: start with the crease of the eye and go outward and then come back towards the corner but do not connect.
STEP 3: Color Sensational Lipstain in In The Buff: apply very lightly for a hint of color.
TIP OF THE DAY: For an ultra nude look, dab some Fit Me! Concealer on your lips before applying the lipstain.

Maybelline New York at Cynthia Rowley F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Foundation: apply all over like you would your moisturizer.
STEP 2: Expert Wear Eye Shadow Quad in Chai Latte: use the dark brown as an overall base, blend edges out with the lighter brown, and then add the golden shade in the corner of the eyes.
STEP 3: Color Sensational in Warm Me Up: dab on with your fingers and then apply to center of lip directly from the tube.
TIP OF THE DAY: Apply multiple coats of Falsies Mascara to achieve the false lash look.

Maybelline New York at Carlos Miele F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Foundation: apply all over like you would your moisturizer.
STEP 2: Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Give Me Gold: apply a few coats to bring out the eyes.
STEP 3: Color Sensational Lip Gloss in Touch of Toffee: apply lightly for a subtle hint of color.
TIP OF THE DAY: To apply Falsies Mascara simultaneous to top and bottom lashes close the eye and apply.

Maybelline New York at Betsey Johnson F/W 2011

STEP 1:Eye Studio Color Plush Eyeshadow in Sapphire Stylist (New for Fall 2011): apply the darkest shade all over the eyelid, above, under, and in the corner of the eye. Use gold on half the eye for additional pop.
STEP 2: Fit Me! Foundation: clean off the excess eye shadow and apply foundation carefully.
STEP 3: Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Haute (New for Fall 2011): apply directly for a rich color.
TIP OF THE DAY: When doing a heavy eye look, do the eyes first and foundation second to avoid additional clean up.

Maybelline New York at Catherine Malandrino F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Bronzer: apply down the cheek bones and down the jaw line to emphasize the contours.
STEP 2: Eye Studio Color Plush Eyeshadow in Pink Persuasion: use the darkest color in the crease of the eye and the lighter to highlight under the eyebrow and inner corners.
STEP 3: Shine Sensational in Minty Sheer: apply directly from the tube for maximum shine.
TIP OF THE DAY: Dab on some Line Express Eyeliner on the lid to make your shadow last longer.

Maybelline New York at BCBG Max Azria F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Pressed Powder: apply all over with the sponge for a smooth finish.
STEP 2: Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Give Me Gold: put the darkest color underneath the eye, the middle in the crease and outer corners, and the lightest in the middle for a gold highlight.
STEP 3: Color Sensational Pearls in So Pearly: dab on the lipstick for a see-through effect.
TIP OF THE DAY: Using Define-A-Brow, brush out and fill in your brows to frame your eye makeup.

Maybelline New York at Vivienne Tam F/W 2011

STEP 1: Dream Liquid Mousse: apply all over like you would your moisturizer for a poreless finish.
STEP 2: Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner: create a modern effect by starting from the middle of the eye and then going up at an angle, creating a perfect edge. Fill in for a thick solid line result.
STEP 3: Color Sensational in Warm Me Up: apply directly from the tube for maximum coverage.
TIP OF THE DAY: Finish off the look by applying a coat of Lash Stiletto Mascara for perfect long lashes.

Maybelline New York at L.A.M.B. F/W 2011

STEP 1: Fit Me! Foundation: apply all over like you would your moisturizer.
STEP 2: Line Express Eyeliner: outline the eye in a sort of cat-eye shape, fill in the eyebrows, and the smudge with a brush or your finger for a strong look.
STEP 3: Fit Me! Concealer: dab on the lip for a nude finish.
TIP OF THE DAY: For a more edgy greasy look, do not powder around the eyes so that the liner can smudge naturally.

You can tell that the new “Fit Me!” Foundation, the Volum’ Express the Falsies Mascara and the Line Express Eyeliner were staples for the makeup artists at the shows and each of these only run around $6 -$8 (*and if you watch, there are usually BOGO1/2off at Walgreen’s and CVS pretty regularly.).

So, have you tried any of these Maybelline products? Any of them you are looking to try? I think I am going to try to go find my “Fit Me!” match pretty soon myself. Lemme know what your match is, if you go and find out, too.

Missing out on NYFW

Paula — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:23:28 +0000

So, I am irrationally bummed that I will not be attending the Fall ’11 NYFW/MBFW due to an injury I did to myself (*burns hurt!). However, I do love that fashion is becoming so much more tech savvy. This means that while I am unable to attend any shows in person, I *can* watch them via livestream, as more and more houses put their shows online. Thanks to “Racked” there is a handy reference guide to see who, and when, these shows are streaming:

This week, you (yes, you!) have more personal invitations to Fashion Week shows than even the Tumblr convoy, because a slew of designers are broadcasting their big events via livestream. We’ve got the entire schedule below, which includes Lincoln Center, Milk Studios and off-site shows; there’s so many you can always just “see what’s on” and tune in.

Compare this list to last year’s February Fashion Week livestreams, and the growth is stupendous. From 10 shows livestreaming to nearly 50…better start making some reminder Post-Its.

Note that many other sites have also listed similar livestreaming schedules, but we’ve found missing and incorrect information in all of them, so what you have below is as near to perfection as we’ve gotten.

· Wednesday, February 9
Hear Truth’s Red Dress Collection: 7pm. Live from Lincoln Center on CBSNews.

· Thursday, February 10
BCBG Max Azria: 10am. Live from Lincoln Center on BCBGMaxAzriaRunway.com.
Luca Luca: 3pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Wayne: 6pm. Live from Milk at Milkmade.
Christian Siriano: 7pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FijiWater.com, plus a contest to win one of the looks.

· Friday, February 11
Peter Som: 10am. Live from Milk on Milkmade.
Perry Ellis: 11am. Live from Lincoln Center on PerryEllis.com.
Jason Wu: 1pm. Live from off-site on BergdorfGoodman.com, with chance to pre-order looks on February 16.
Rebecca Taylor: 2pm. Live from Lincoln Center at RebeccaTaylor.com.
Costello Tagliapietra: 3pm. Live from Milk at Milkmade.
Rebecca Minkoff: 3pm. Live from Lincoln Center at RebeccaMinkoff.com.
Nicole Miller: 6pm. Live from Lincoln Center at FirstComesFashion.com.

· Saturday, February 12
Prabal Gurung: 12pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Alexander Wang: 5pm. Live from off-site on Style.com.
Charlotte Ronson: 6pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Suno: 7pm. Live from Milk at Milkmade.
Altuzarra: 8pm. Live from Milk on Milkmade.

· Sunday, February 13
Derek Lam: 10am. Live from Lincoln Center at FirstComesFashion.com.
Preen: 11:30am. Live from Milk at Milkmade.
DKNY: 1pm. Live from off-site on Facebook.
Calvin Klein Men’s Collection: 2pm. Live from off-site at CalvinKleinInc.
Thakoon: 3pm. Live from off-site on FirstComesFashion.com.
Cushnie et Ochs: 7pm. Live from Milk on Milkmade.
Tommy Hilfiger: 8pm. Live from Lincoln Center on Facebook.

· Monday, February 14
Carolina Herrera: 10am. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Olivier Theyskens for Theory: 12pm. Live from off-site on Facebook.
Tracy Reese: 1pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Donna Karan Collection: 2pm. Live from off-site on Style.com.
Alice + Olivia: 5pm. Live from The Plaza on Livestream.com.
Betsey Johnson: 6pm. Live from Lincoln Center on BetseyJohnson.com.
Marc Jacobs Collection: 7:30pm. Live from the Armory on MarcJacobs.com.

· Tuesday, February 15
Badgley Mischka: 10am. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Diesel Black Gold: 1pm. Live from off-site on Livestream.com.
Jen Kao: 1pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: 3:45pm. Live from the Armory on MarcJacobs.com.
Tibi: 7pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.

· Wednesday, February 16
Michael Kors: 10am. Live from Lincoln Center on MichaelKors.com.
Nanette Lepore: 11am. Live from Lincoln Center on NanetteLepore.com.
Oscar de la Renta: 1pm. Live from off-site on Facebook.
Milly: 3pm. Live from Lincoln Center on FirstComesFashion.com.
Anna Sui: 6pm. Live from Lincoln Center on AnnaSui.com.
The Blonds: 7pm. Live from Milk on Milkmade.
Proenza Schouler: 8pm. Live from off-site on FirstComesFashion.com.

· Thursday, February 17
Calvin Klein Women’s Collection 2pm. Live from off-site, on CalvinKleinInc.

*UPDATE* I just saw today (10th) that Maybelline (*as official makeup sponsors of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) have a YouTube page that is streaming fashion shows all week: Live From The Runway

Of course, as much as I will enjoy watching the shows, it’s the backstage that I will really miss this season. I just adore watching everything come together with the hair and makeup. Is it too soon to start counting down to September??

Are you going to tune in to any of the shows? Are there any shows *not* streaming that you wish were?

Backstage at Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011

Paula — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 02:37:18 +0000

This season I was able to go backstage, and watch the preparations, for the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 collection fashion show.

The makeup team was lead by James Kaliardos, for MAC Cosmetics. In keeping with the 60′s throwback vibe of the collection, James drew inspiration for the makeup from the Catherine Deneuve film, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” – glowy complexion, silver & grey eye colors & pink, pouty lips.

The hair team was lead by Kevin Ryan, for Rsession Tools. Kevin created a braided, slightly messy bun that was held together with elastics & rubberized bobby pins. (*Seriously – I ran out to Ricky’s and picked up some of those bobby pins myself!). Kevin also shared his secret for pulling out knotted hairstyles – forceps. As in, a surgical tool. He says you should be able to use it on yourself, but I have yet to try it, let alone think I can twist myself around enough to make it look as effortless as he does, that’s for sure.

The lead nail tech for the show was TJ Kelly, for butter LONDON. Nicole worked with butter LONDON to create a custom grey/blue color that went with a grey in the fabric in her collection. It’s not for sale (*yet, fingers crossed), unfortch, but is so on point, I hope they reconsider.

MAC face chart for the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

The makeup counter backstage at the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

Sneak peek at some of the new MAC products slated for Spring 2011 release.

MAC makeup artist Romero Jennings work on a models eye in preparation of the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

MAC makeup artist prepping a model for the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

Kevin Ryan puts the finishing touches on the messy bun he created for the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

butter LONDON created a custom grey/blue color for the Nicole Miller Spring/Summer 2011 show.

Backstage at Peter Som Spring/Summer 2011

Paula — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:23:22 +0000

This season I was able to go backstage, and watch the preparations, for the Peter Som Spring/Summer 2011 collection fashion show.

The makeup team was lead by Tom Pecheux, for MAC Cosmetics, and he went for “playful makeup”. He drew inspiration from the 60′s, using eyeliner, so popular then, and updated it by using it in a wingtip with bright yellow & didn’t use any mascara to distract from it.

The hair team was led by Laurent Philippon, for Bumble & Bumble, went with long, tousled layers. They used Bumble & Bumble Prep or Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray to help get the effect, along with braiding the girls hair to help give it waves.

As for the nails, the nail team was led by Jackie Saulbery, for Zoya Nail Polish. They used a custom blended color of a combination of “Jolie” and “Shawn”, for a muted beige/greenish color.

Makeup artist works on the statement eyeliner in yellow for the show.

Tom Pecheux went with a 60′s eyeliner throwback, in the bold color of yellow.

The hair team braided some models hair to get the beachy wave feel.

The braided hair created a wavy effect to the models’ hair.

Jackie from Zoya works on the models’ nails, while a makeup artist works on her eye makeup.

Jackie from Zoya was all business under the table to get the models’ toes ready for the show.

Zoya polish displays a portion of their collection.

Erin from Zoya shows off the new “spoons” that allow you to see what a polish would look like before you buy it.

Just to wet your whistle…

Paula — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:55:49 +0000

Hi guys! I am back & trying to catch up and look back on everything that happened this last week. I just wanted to let you guys know that I a starting to upload some of my backstage videos to my YouTube page, if you want to get a look at what I was seeing before I post about them.

I had a chance to do and see so many things – I can’t wait to tell you about it all!

First time for everything

Paula — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:14:52 +0000

So here’s something I didn’t know – Estée Lauder has never participated in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Until this season. I’m actually really surprised by this – you would think at some point in it’s 64yr history that they would have been a part of it.And boy, did they jump right in, with “bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails” at the Derek Lam Fall/Winter 2010 show. Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux led a team of 15 artists to create the stunning look on 22 models – While famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new color that was tested backstage!“When Derek showed me the fabrics that inspired his Fall 2010 collection – bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns – I thought the makeup shades should be complimentary. So we chose a blend of bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation — an on-trend beauty preview of what we will see for Fall 2010.” Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director. One of the things that Tom is doing as the new Creative Makeup Director is working on new high-impact colors that will be on Estée Lauder counters in Fall 2010, but he runway tested some of them backstage for this show:Eyes: New Estée Lauder EyeShadow Tested Backstage – Shades Launching Fall 2010 Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Midnight Blue Estée Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara in BlackLips: Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal BeigeCheeks: BareSkin: Estée Lauder Double Wear Light FoundationNails: New Estée Lauder shade Tested Backstage (*I hear it is a sheer, milky white kind of color with some, not a lot, of sparkle to it.)I can def say that I look forward to checking out these new colors when they hit the counter this fall.(*Credits)Makeup: Tom Pecheux for Estée LauderNails: Jin Soon Choi for Estée LauderModel Photo: Liu Wen (Marilyn) Photo Courtesy of Estée Lauder

Marco Santini, ION Studio, at Jeremy Laing Fall/Winter 2010

Paula — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:32:20 +0000

You might remember that I had a chance to chat with Marco Santini at the Jeremy Laing S/S 10 show last season. Well, I didn’t get a chance to see him in person this time, but I still wanted to know what he did for this season, besides just speak in a gorgeous accent. *sigh*This is what I found out: this guy is crafty – literally:The look was inspired by a “sketch of a whimsical fairy – the sketch isn’t perfect – there are no hard lines, but rather soft blurred lines that manage to form into a picture”. To achieve this look Santini used the following:· An old-fashioned sewing needle· Elastic string· Davines DEDE Conditioner· Davines For Wizards No. 4 Glossy Modeling Putty“First, Santini wet hair with Davines DEDE Conditioner to condition and strengthen the hair without leaving it heavy. He then dried the hair and separated it into two sections. Backcombing by the nape of the neck, Santini used an old fashioned sewing needle and some elastic string to weave the hair together to create an organic ponytail. Lastly Santini applied Davines For Wizards No.4 Glossy Modeling Putty, a paste that creates texture and separation with natural movement, to the hair to finish the look.”The result had all of the models looking similar, but slightly different.Davines products can be found in salons – just check on their website for locations.

NYFW Fall/Winter 2010 without me

Paula — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:25:00 +0000

Today is opening day for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – New York and I’m not there. Boo! With all of the crap snow going on out there (*as if we haven’t had enough here in Oklahoma), I’m going to pretend that I am *super* happy not to be out there in all of that mess – which is a boldface lie. Unfortch, due to some issues here, I didn’t get to go this season – even tho I actually got credentials in my own name this time. However, I have been able to pay it forward, just like I had done for me last season, and give some of my access to Meredith, from Retrodiva’s Beauty Bar, who will do a fab job reporting from behind the scenes.

This also means you will not to get read my direct tweets about what I am doing in NYC. BUT! I *will* be retweeting a lot of the action from some of the other lovelies that are there at the tents. In addition to those, MAC Cosmetics has provided a twiter widget, which you can see in the right sidebar, that showcases tweets from their artists directly backstage at the tents. Also, if you have a particular MAC makeup artist you want to follow exclusively, check out MAC Artists Tweets and follow them individually. And if *THAT* isn’t enough fashion week info for you, you can search twitter #NYFW hashtag and see what EVERYONE that uses that tag is saying. (*WARNING* – could definitely lead to information overload – esp when several are at the same show at the same time.)

Oh, speaking of twitter/information overload – American Express, one of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week sponsors has provided an electronic board, inside the tent, that displays live tweets that use the hashtag #amexmbfw. I think it is really cool for such a big company to embrace people tweeting – a great way to instantly show the people in the tents immediate reaction to things. Love it!

So, there you have it lovelies – even tho I am not there, I will def be here, using a bunch of different means, to still bring you my perspective on what goes on at NYFW. I hope you enjoy it.

*UPDATE*: While I was writing this today, news broke that fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, had committed suicide. (*You might remember that I discussed his Armadillo Shoes back in November). It came as quite a shock & put a black cloud over the start of Fashion Week. RIP.