Category: news

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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EYES

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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!”

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EYES

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Laura Mercier at Marchesa Fall 2012 NYFW

Marchesa’s Fall 2012 collection found inspiration in William Adolphe Bouguereaus’ famed 1878 portrait, “A Soul Brought to Heaven.” For the makeup, Talia Shobrook achieved a matching angelic and luminous look for the textiles: tulles, embroidery and silks. The effect was highly feminine and delicate.

Shobrook stated “iridescent, porcelain skin was the foundation of the look and evoked the untouched perfection of angels.”

Talia then “applied a cherubic lip, with a stained effect to modernize the look.”

  • Talia mixed Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Merlot and Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Haute Red (NEW: Available Fall 2012) and applied to the center of the mouth
  • She then pressed in the color with her fingertips to allow the pigment to bleed outwards

According to Shobrook, “the ethereal eye lent an incandescent glow to the entire look.”

Shiseido’s Get the Look for Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 spoke to me. I love the blend of a feminine silhouette and modern twist. Jacobs worked his wizard ways blending school girl and edgy, all while incorporating loads of texture and jewel tones. So excited to see more combat boots – I basically plan on wearing mine as much as I can for what is left of winter.

To accompany the aclaimed collection, Dick Page, Shiseido Artistic Director, used goodies from the Shiseido Makeup collection to create a “Sophisticated 80s” look. Dick transformed lid and cheek products and used them on the brow and eyes for a dynamic effect. The graphic lip was “borderline cartoony and felt like wax crayon.”

FACE

  • The Marc by Marc Jacobs face was pure matte perfection, featuring velvety skin that emulated “a flat, poster paint effect,” and allowed the natural rosiness of the cheeks to peek through ever so slightly. 
  • Dick started with a clean, well-moisturized base and applied a wash of Dual Balancing Foundation to remove any redness or imperfections. No color was added to the cheeks.

EYES

  • The eyes were treated to a shimmery, highlighted “halo,” offset with full, weighty, natural brows by using products for “all the wrong reasons.”
  • To add weight to the brow, Dick created a custom blend of cream shadows to complement the natural brow shade. He used Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Sable (BR709), Meadow (BE204) and Caviar (BK912) for brunettes and Leather (BR306) for redheads. These cream shadows allowed Dick to easily “customize color for each model.” (Tip: add a bit of clear brow gel to the cream color if it gets a little clumpy.)
  • Using a fluff brush, Dick blended Luminizing Satin Face Color in Soft Beam Gold (BE206) and High Beam White (WT905), and applied around the entire eye area to create a halo effect.
  • He then added Perfect Mascara Full Definition in Black (BK901) to just the upper lashes, curling them only if they had no natural curve to them already.

LIPS

  • Red was on everyone’s lips for the look, as Dick whipped up a custom crimson shade for each girl. “This is what lipstick is like before they finish making it,” he said. “Waxy and condensed.”
  • Using a Small Eye Shadow Brush, Dick applied the custom matte red shade to the lip area. To create a similar look, try Perfect Rouge in Cerise (RD516) and Valentine (RD415). Dick focused on a precise, defined application for a perfect pop of color. (Tip: “Resist the urge to overdraw.” If you have thinner lips, accentuate them ever so slightly.)

NARS at New York Fashion Week – Honor

It is New York Fashion Week and you know what that means: beauty buffs get a whole new world of inspiration. NARS is first up with their looks at the Honor show on the inaugural day of NYFW. James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry created a pretty, polished skin to show the collection. “It’s a love story between a preppy boy and exotic Argentinean girl,” said Honor designer Giovanna Randall. “The merging of two worlds – very refined and earthy with tapestry prints and a modern take on art deco.”

“Skin is beautiful, luminous and glossy,” said James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry. “Eyes are deliberate and were sculpted in a chalky grey shade.”

Below are the key products used to create the exclusive look:

FACE

  • Sheer Glow Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Loose Powder
  • Penny Lane Cream Blush

EYES

  • Paris Duo Eyeshadow
  • Zardoz Single Eyeshadow
  • Madison Avenue Larger Than Life® Long-Wear Eyeliner
  • Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

LIPS

  • Greta Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment

Stephanie Johnson Traveler

When it comes to makeup bags, there is absolutely a gold standard. And that gold standard is the Stephanie Johnson Traveler. This tidy case always works perfectly to store and access makeup easily while I am on the road. Especially important are the two snap-out mesh pouches that allow me to organize but also spread out in those luxurious hotel bathrooms (okay, they usually aren’t luxurious, but I can dream, right?).

Stephanie Johnson has has a long passion for printed fabrics and her collection is full with unique, travel inspired designs and colors. I chose Cannes with gold and ivory but I also love the palm beach turquoise. She launched her company in 2000 and quickly became a cult favorite with her compartmentalized design and chic details (such as zipper pulls made with Turkish silk knots). This is an investment piece you can build upon to make a collection as your travels pile up.