Author: Lindsay

NARS Backstage at Rodarte for Fall 2012!

I was so smitten by this Vanity Fair article about the Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, this past week. They are a fashion force, with a quirky and down-to-earth air that makes me want to be their best friend. Their Fall 2012 collection echoed this imaginative energy, and the beauty was a perfect, sun-kissed look inspired by Australia. “We wanted to reference Aboriginals, the outback, and the Dust Bowl, along with a Victorian reference and bring them together in a rugged way.”

NARS, led by James Kaliardos, created the look, featuring windblown, bronzed skin. The face was contoured and featured a strong lip.

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LIPS

Gwenyth Paltrow wears NARS at the 84th annual Academy Awards

My vote for best dressed tonight was hands-down Gwenyth Paltrow. That included her fresh, classic face. Celebrity makeup artist Leslie Lopez used NARS cosmetics get the presenter red carpet ready.

“It’s elegantly bronzed,” said celebrity makeup artist Leslie Lopez for NARS Cosmetics about the red carpet look she created for Gwyneth Paltrow. “The dress makes such a statement, but it also has no color, so we needed to create a makeup look that complemented the dress and was still sophisticated enough for the red carpet. I really loved the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer because it gives a sun-kissed look to her skin, and perfect against a white dress!”

FACE

EYES

LIPS

essie Polish Resort 2012

essie Resort 2012 is a glam but still feminine collection that has my name all over it. After a winter full of dark blues and metallics, these fresh and floral colors are a breath of fresh air. These shades have micro-glitter for more depth.

  • sure shot—glistening, irresistible magenta
  • pink-a-boo—flirty micro-glitter sheer
  • she’s picture perfect—iridescent lovely lilac
  • no more film—seductive deep violet creme

“Glamour is something you can’t just put on,” says Essie Weingarten, founder and global creative director of essie. “It’s inside each of us, waiting to be set free. This collection will inspire that inner ingénue and coax her out to play. Essie was inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly.

This collection will be available later this month.

Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum

I don’t review parfumes very often, so when I do mention them, I think it is something exceptional. And how could you resist something inspired Italian It Girls? I’d like to envision myself as a cool, careless and rebellious Italian heiress. Not even close, I know… but I can dream, can’t I?

This gorgeous bottle is a true peice of art for your vanity. The metal flowers make this bottle indulgent and elegant. And I love the old school spray cap.

While I like to describe Valentina as classic, clean, springy and fresh, I understand the are more nuanced “notes”. These include:

  • Italian – Exuberant Freshness – Calabrian bergamot and white alba truffle.
  • Floral – Floral Irreverence – White flowers and wild strawberry.
  • Oriental – Captivating Ambery Woods – Cedar and amber.

Valentina is already my Spring 2012 fragrance. Check it out for yourself at Neiman Marcus – after all, it is Beauty Event time!

Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protection Cream SPF50

If you aren’t a SPF fanatic, I highly recommend you become one. It is the absolute only way to prevent aging and preserve even skin tone. I don’t care if you are in your early 20s or late 80s – wear it…. everyday.

There are plenty of options out there but my favorites are Aveeno Active Naturals Continous Protection Sunblock Face Lotion, SPF 100 from the drugstore and SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30. But for now, I am completely hooked on the luxurious Cle de Peau Beaute UV Protection Cream SPF50. It is a pretty penny, but goes far beyond just sun block.

I love finding a luxury product that can live up to its price point. Beyond superpowered sun protection, the workhorse ingredients improve the look of my skin even before I put on makeup.

  • Hybiscus Extract from Africa that can repair damaged cells
  • Powerful Triple Antioxidant including Thiotaurin, Chestnut Rose, and Ginko Leaf Extract
  • Thyme and Turmeric Extracts prevent cell damage and wrinkles
  • Vitamin C to brighten
  • Natural Rose and Rare Orchid with grapefruit, mandarin and peach for a yummy scent

This formula is super absorbant and silky. I love the way my makeup glides over the cream. I can actually say I look forward to the SPF step in my morning skincare routine.

Need an excuse? Tomorrow is the first day of Neiman Marcus Beauty Event! With a cosmetics or fragrance purchase of $100 or more, you receive a free tote loaded with beauty samples. I’ve got my eye on the pink version.

Diorshow New Look Mascara

Christian Dior established himself with a feminine and rich collection that revolutionized fashion in 1947. His clothes quickly became known as the “New Look.” Dior channeled this revolutionary tenor with the launch of Diorshow New Look mascara.

The most unusual feature of this new mascara is the nano brush. Unlike the huge brush on the original Diorshow mascara, the nano brush is more nimble and precisce, allowing for maximum coverage.

I’m not sure how thickening this mascara is, but I love the lengthening and definition. My lashes are long, but thin and blond at the end. Using New Look, my lashes were emphasized, lengthened and stretched. Dior’s exclusive 3D effect, Dior Black Glass pigment, makes the black version super inky and shiny.

There are long term benefits to this mascara as well. Royal jelly extract works to repair damaged parts of the lash fiber. Diorshow New Look reacts to body heat, allowing the serum to release its potent active ingredients as close as possible to the lash line. My lashes have been more resiliant and I can’t wait to see what even longer term use will provide.

If you somehow missed the Dior mascara craze over the past 10 years, here’s some mandatory reading:

In 2002, Dior introduced Diorshow, the first Dior mascara directly inspired by professional makeup artist’s techniques. Backstage at fashion shows, artists would use a toothbrush to create a dramatic, voluminous lash look. With its one-of-a-kind XL brush, Diorshow created explosive volume for a stunning catwalk look and has since become a cult favorite.