BSB: Beauty news, makeup swatches and pictures, nail polish articles, makeup tutorials, product reviews, and how-to's from a MAC-trained makeup artist.

Floral inspiration at Akiko Ogawa

(image source)

I love these looks.

A: The eye makeup that looks like the inside of a lily to me.
B: The new twist on the French manicure reminds me of ombre fabric.

(image source)

Ok, you have to check this lovely look from the Akiko Ogawa runway for Fall/Winter 2009. The inspiration for the makeup was a cherry blossom, but reminds me more of the dappled inside of a lily or an orchid.

This really strikes me as a great look for Spring, and frankly maybe a bit unusual for Fall. But despite that, I must rock these nails! Look how the color fades from top to tip... I just love this! The look was created with several Dashing Diva lacquer shades, and I'm going to have to figure this out! But thankfully there's a step-by-step to follow...

Visit Bella Sugar and The Beauty of Life to see how to recreate this eye and nail look!

Stargazer Lily  (image source)

Cherry Blossom (image source)



Orchid (image source)

 
Do you like this makeup look? Would you try it? And how 'bout the nails? Share with the class!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: NARS facecharts for Marchesa

NARS Cosmetics was backstage creating the makeup look for Marchesa’s Autumn/Winter 2009 show.

SHOW | Marchesa

 

LEAD ARTIST | Talia Shobrook for NARS Cosmetics

 

TREND | Wild brows, matte skin

 

Inspiration  | Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig created their Fall 2009 collection with fairytales in mind.  To highlight this theme, Talia Shobrook created a whimsical look from her vision of a naughty aristocrat running out of a party, “like a young girl going into the woods wearing a gorgeous ball gown, putting on makeup rather naively,” she explained.

 

Look  | Wild brows atop flawless skin was the focus of the look.  “I used a dash of Madrague brown shadow and went right into the inner corners of the brows,” said Talia.  To capture the look of a tousled young girl, the brows were brushed in an unnatural direction. Beneath the brows was a colored lid of matte white, as if applied in a fleeting moment by a true makeup novice.  Soft lips complemented the perfect skin.   

 

 

Below is a step-by-step to recreate the look:

 

• Face |  Lightly exfoliate and smooth skin with NARSskin Hydrating Freshening Lotion;    Moisturize with NARSskin Aqua Gel Hydrator; Use NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) in the center of the face and buff out for a neutral base;Apply NARS Concealer generously, to cover any imperfections; Apply NARS Loose Powder for matte finish

• Eyes |Apply NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Kilimanjaro (icy yellow and icy blue sides) to entire lid, all the way to the brow, in a block shape, not blending; Apply NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Madrague (cream side) on top; Dash of the brown in NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Madrague (caramel side) into the inner top corners of the brows, pushing the hair in opposite directions; Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler; Coat top lashes with NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara in Black (NEW for Fall 2009)

•  Lips |Massage light layer of NARS Lip Lacquer in Chelsea Girls; Apply a bit of NARS Concealer to center of lip for matte look

 

NARS products are available at www.narscosmetics.com. 

The clothes:

"I wanted the whole thing to be like a fairy tale," explained Marchesa's designer, Georgina Chapman. "I wanted to have fantasy."

Love these clothes, and they surely are fairy tale-like, but wearable, too! 

This collection makes me want to buy all of the clothes, and then go to some fabulous parties!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: NARS facecharts for Philip Lim

 

NARS Cosmetics was backstage creating the makeup look for 3.1 phillip lim’s Autumn/Winter 2009 show.

SHOW | 3.1 phillip lim

LEAD ARTIST | Ayako, International Makeup Director, NARS Cosmetics

TREND | Wispy lashes, translucent matte skin

 

Inspiration | The Fall 2009 collection took inspiration from the mythical spirit of rock and roll, while the hair and makeup was created to emulate Tao Okamoto’s look, a Japanese model in Phillip Lim’s Fall 2009 collection. Fused together, Phillip wanted the makeup look to mirror Tao’s mod style with a touch of rock n’ roll.  With this in mind, Ayako created a look centered around “poetic mod-rock.” 

 

Look | False lashes were placed on the outer half of the bottom lash line and was the central focus of the look.  For an exaggerated effect, matte charcoal shadow was used with a wet eyeliner brush to draw lashes beneath, as if to create a shadow effect.  “This is the poetic part of the look,” said Ayako.  As a complement to the wispy lashes, shimmering pink and gold shadows covered the lids, while the lips were muted with concealer.  Skin was made flawless with the newly formulated sheer matte foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to counteract the sleepy look of the lengthy bottom lashes.  Atop the matte skin, a gentle sweep of shimmer was added to cheekbones to catch the light.

 

 

Below is a step-by-step to recreate the look:

•  Face | Apply NARS Concealer generously, to cover any imperfections;   Use a small amount of NARS Sheer Matte Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to create even, beautiful skin; ·         With NARS Yachiyo Brush, dust NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bombshell from apple of cheeks up to temples for a light shimmer without pigment
  

• Eyes |Line lower lashes with NARS Glittler Pencil in Danceteria, Smudge with finger to bring out gold shine;    Use NARS Eye Contour Brush to layer rose gold with golden flecks side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Silk Road  (NEW for Fall 2009) over Danceteria;   Apply frosted champagne side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Indian Summer (NEW for Fall 2009) over entire lid, blending up to brow;  Cut a set of false eyelashes in half and apply to outer half of lower lash line;·         Apply NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara (NEW for Fall 2009) to lower lashes;  Wet NARS Liquid Eyeliner Brush and apply matte charcoal side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Brumes (NEW for Fall 2009), drawing lash shadows on outer half of lower lash line

•  Lips |  Apply a generous amount of NARS Concelear to entire lip

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: NARS facecharts for Thakoon

SHOW | Thakoon

LEAD ARTIST | Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics

TREND | Smoky eyes

INSPIRATION | The collection took inspiration from the 1940’s, reflecting the surrealist images of photographer Lee Miller. Combined with a bit of 80’s rock and roll glam, makeup artist Diane Kendal created a strong look without being too girly.

LOOK | “The look is all about the eyes with soft matte lips for contrast,” said Diane Kendal. To bring strength to the face, Diane focused on creating smoky eyes and full brows, while downplaying the lips and keeping skin fresh with a light brushing of blush for a healthy glow.

Below is a step-by-step to recreate the look:

• Face | Use NARSskin Hydrating Moisture Cream to moisturize entire face · Apply NARS Concealer as needed, to cover any imperfections · Use a minimal amount of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) · Lightly stroke NARS Blush in Gilda on the apples of the cheeks
• Eyes | Use NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Mambo to line upper lashes and crease · Blend over entire lid and up to brows, keeping dense color by lashline · With Mambo, line lower lashes and gently blend · Use NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bali to fill in brows · Draw a very thin line on upper lashes with NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Black (NEW for Fall 2009) · Curl lashes with NARS Eyelash Curler
• Lips | Apply NARS Lip Therapy Treatment in Rain to entire lip · Lightly pat a small amount of NARS Concealer over Rain to take down color

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Guests use makeup artists, too!

Jessica Stroup, from the new 90210, hit Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, but made sure she looked her best by getting some help from theBalm makeup artist, Felicia Roman.

How did Felicia create this look?

 

1-    Pick-Up-Liners in Don Juan were smudged around the lashes and in a thicker line covering most of the bottom part of the lid to achieve smoky definition. Because the Pick Up Liners are half the size of a typical pencil, Felicia was able to get up close and really push the liner into the base of the lashes with perfect precision.

 

2-    Felicia dabbed ShadyLady Eye Shadow in Luscious Lani across the lid to highlight the symmetrical shape of her face and then finished it off with a light dusting of the sheer 100% mineral  Overshadows in “You Buy, I’ll Fly” – a copper shimmer-  to  make Stroup’s eyes POP.  This powder was also blended into the lower lash line over the pencil for an ethereal finish. The lashes were defined and volumized with 3 coats of Two Timer Mascara- two to instantly build fuller lashes and a third to separate and lengthen.

 

3-    To even out skintone and smooth her skin, Felicia blended BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer with TimeBalm Concealer.  TimeBalm Concealer has time released hydrating properties, so there was no need to reapply between shows- the under eye area stayed bright all day. SexyMama translucent powder gave a photo-finish, and then a combo of the matte Bahama Mama bronzer with the more shimmering berry toned Hot Mama blush gave a healthy glow to the cheeks.

 

4-     Roman conditioned and nourished Stroup’s lips with theBalm to the Rescue, and then topped them off with either BalmShelter Lip Gloss in Girly-Girl (for a pinky finish) or Plump Your Pucker in Cocoa My Coconut (a warm nude)  to add some shimmer. Jessica LOVED the yummy flavors of the glosses, especially Cocoa My Coconut which she wore for the Jill Stuart show.

 

Items are all available through Sephora.com

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.18.09 | Nanette Lapore, Doo.Ri, Proenza Schouler

To see the looks and charts, keep reading!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Bobbi Brown backstage at Rachel Roy

Bobbi Brown shared a peek into the process that started her down the path to a sensational Rachel Roy fashion show.

 

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.17.09 | Behnaz Sarafpour, Rodarte, Matthew Williamson

To see the looks and charts, keep reading!

NY Fashion Week Fall '09 Schedule for February 18th

9am	Vera Wang Show	sponsored by
	158 Mercer St.
10am	Tommy Hilfiger Show
	The Tent, Bryant Park
10am appt	Rafe Preview
	Rafe Studio, 85 5th Avenue, 12th Floor
11am appt	Kara Ross Preview
	41 E. 60th St, 5th Fl (Park & Madison)
11am	Brian Reyes Show
	The Promenade, Bryant Park
11am	Catherine Malandrino Show
	Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Fl. (49th)
12pm	Phi Show
	76th 9th Ave., 16th Floor (15th/16th St. enterance on 15th)
12pm	Unrath & Strano
	Eye Beam 540 West 21st Street
12pm	Jerome Dreyfuss and Ludivine
	1216 Lexington Ave, 82/83
1pm	Rebecca Taylor Show
	The Salon, Bryant Park
1pm	Douglas Hannant Show
	Plaza Hotel - 768 5th Ave, Edwardian Room
1-3pm	Julian Louie Show
	Drive In Studios, 443 W. 18th Street, Studio 3 (btwn 9th & 10th ave)
1-6pm	Adrienne Landau Presentation
	519 8th Ave, 21st Fl
2pm	Isaac Mizrahi Show
	NY Public Library, (5th Ave/42nd)
2pm	Macqua Show
	Eyebeam, 540 West 21st Street
3pm	Ports 1961 Show
	The Promenade, Bryant Park
4pm	Calvin Klein Show #1
	205 W. 39th St., 1st Floor
4-6pm	Leifsdottir Presentation
	209 West 38th Street, 7th Floor
5-7pm	Naeem Khan Presentation
	260 W. 36th St, 12th FL (7th/8th)
6pm	Kai Kuhne Show
	Eye Beam, 540 W. 21st St.
6pm	Christian Siriano Show
	The Salon, Bryant Park
6-8pm	Hayden-Harnett Presentation
	Chelsea Hotel - 222 W 23rd St
6-8pm	Libertine Presentation
	187 Lafayette St, 7th Fl
7pm	Custo Barcelona Show
	The Promenade, Bryant Park
7-9pm	Leanne Marshall Presentation
	409 W. 39th St
7-11pm	Sioloonim's Presentation
	226 5th Ave, 2nd Fl
8pm	Zac Posen Show
	The Tent, Bryant Park

Fashion Week Fall '09 | Makeup Porn from the Marc Jacobs show (featuring NARS)

Hold onto your hats, kids. This is some serious makeup porn!
Meanwhile, you can read more about the look Fraçois Nars created for the Marc Jacob show here.

Fashion Week Fall '09 | Francios Nars for Marc Jacobs

Fraçois Nars has been away from the fashion circuit for 10 years. What made him come back this Fashion Week? Marc Jacobs. He made 65 different looks for 65 models, and only for Jacobs. 

“We’ve known each other since the beginning so it was really fun to work with Marc again.  I really love what he does,” said Nars. 

PS: See some great makeup porn from this show here! 

SHOW: Marc Jacobs

LEAD ARTIST: François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics

TREND: Night clubbing – theatrical makeup – strong eyes, porcelain skin

Inspiration:  The Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 collection paid homage to the New York night club scene of the 1970s and ‘80s.  Drawing inspiration from these decades and the works of Sprouse, St. Laurent, and Halston, François Nars took into consideration each model’s individual beauty before creating a separate edgy look, reminiscent of the past but still very modern. "We are doing quite an eclectic look," he said. The inspiration for diversity came from Nars’ book XRAY.  “[Marc] wanted to keep that feeling,” said Nars, “the variety of looks, the same way we do the campaigns for NARS.”  Overall, it was important that each girl look beautiful, even with strong theatrical looks.  Much like the fashion, Nars emphasized having fun with makeup for the coming year, despite the times we live in- “It’s a good antidote.”

Look:  Focusing on an edgy, night clubbing look, strong eyes and bold color were a major theme.  Black shadow laid the foundation for creating the dramatic eye, to which the artists added cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and glitter.  “There is a wide variety of color,” said Nars, “it’s whatever looks good on the girl.”  For many of the models, porcelain skin was a key component, allowing the black eyes and bright colors to pop.  “You want to play with makeup,” says Nars, “makeup is a great accessory - that is the message.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to watch the Michael Kors Fall 2009 Runway Show? YOU CAN! 2.18 @ 11AM EST

Couldn't make it to Fashion Week? Love Michael Kors as much as I do? You can still catch his Fall '09 collection - LIVE! (online). Click the image below at 11:00AM EST and you can watch the show. Unfortunately, I just got this information, so sorry for the last minute notice. And also unfortunately, I'll be sitting in a doctor's office at 11. Poo! :(

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.16.09 | Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera, Luca Luca

To see the looks and charts, keep reading!

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.15.09 | DKNY, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Tuleh

To see the looks and charts, keep reading!

Fashion Week Fall '09 | Barbie

As we reported here, Barbie hit the runway in her first ever fashion show,
celebrating her 50th Aniversary, and it was amazing!
Take a look at the fashions here.

Ken made an appearance, and there were special guests to end the show.

Just keep on reading to see the pictures!

(And when you're done looking, I dare you to tell me that
you don't want to go out and get a pair of sky high pink heels!)

Fashion Week Fall '09 | NARS Face Charts - 2.14.09 | Hervé Léger

 

 

(LOVE THE CHEEKS!)

NARS Cosmetics was backstage creating the makeup look for Hervé Léger’s Autumn/Winter 2009 show.  

To see the looks, the inspiration, and the how-to keep reading! 

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.14.09 | Adam, threeasfour, Ruffian

To see the looks and charts, keep reading!

Fashion Week Fall '09 | MAC Face Charts - 2.13.09 | Yigal Azrouel, Nicole Miller, Charlotte Ronson

Keep reading to see the charts!

NY Fashion Week Fall '09 Schedule for February 16th

9am-5pm	Natorious by Josie Natori Presentation	sponsored by
	Bryant Park Hotel, 40 W. 40th St.
9am-7pm	Spanx Fall Preview - Confessions of a Shape-aholic
	The Bryant Park Hotel, 24th Fl 40 W. 40th St.
10am	Carolina Herrera Show
	The Tent, Bryant Park
11am appt	Brooks Brothers Collection Preview
	Brooks Brothers, 346 Madison Ave., 6th floor (44th St.)
11am	Carlos Miele Show
	The Promenade, Bryant Park
11am	Zero + Maria Cornejo Show
	Robert Miller Gallery 526 W 26th Street
11am-1pm	Organic by John Patrick Presentation
	CHI, 128 W. 37th St. (Broadway/Seventh Ave.)
11:15am	Alejandro Ingelmo Presentation
	25 Mercer St., Ste 2C (Howard/Grand)
12pm	Jill Stuart Show
	Astor Hall (5th/42nd St.), NY Public Library
12-1:30pm	Vittadini Presentation
	Int'l Ctr of Photography, 1113 Ave of the Americas (43rd St.)
1pm	Gerlan Jeans Show
	306 Bowery (Houston)
1pm	Tracy Reese
	The Salon, Bryant Park
1:30-3pm	Ideen Presentation
	725 Washington St. (Bank St./West 11th St.)
1:30-4pm	Lutz & Patmos Presentation
	425 W. 13th St., Showroom—Suite 406
2pm	Donna Karan Collection Show
	711 Greenwich St. (Charles St./W. 10th St.)
2-7pm	Rozae Nichols & Rozae by Rozae Nichols Presentation
	Susan Inglett Gallery, 522 W. 24th St., Ground floor
3pm	Thakoon Show
	Eyebeam, 540 W 21st St.
3-5pm	Corpus Presentation
	The Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery (3rd St.)
4pm	Yeohlee Show
	225 West 35th Street, 16th Floor
4-5pm	Luca Luca Presentation
	Plaza Hotel - 768 5th Ave., Palm Court at CPS
4-6pm	Betsey Johnson Presentation
	498 7th Ave, 21st Floor
4-6pm	Bodkin Presentation
	Horticultural Society, 148 W. 37th St., 13th floor
5pm	Cynthia Rowley Show
	The Jane Hotel, 113 Jane St Ballroom Entrance
5pm	Tony Cohen
	The Salon, Bryant Park
5pm	Toni Maticevski Show
	The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. (6th/7th Ave.)
5-6pm	Altuzarra Presentation
	Andrew Kreps Gallery, 525 W. 22nd S.t at 10 Ave.
5-7pm	Alice + Olivia Presentation
	80 W. 40th St. (5th/6th Ave.)
5-7pm	House of Cassette Presentation
	W Hotels Backstage Lounge Bryant Park
6pm	Terexov Show
	The Promenade, Bryant Park
6-7pm	Elie Tahari Press Presentation
	Elie Tahari, 11 W 42nd Street, 14th floor
6-8pm	Generra Presentation
	The Event Space, 122 W. 26th St. (6th/7th)
6-8pm	Chris Benz Presentation
	169-175 Tenth Avenue (20th/21st)
7pm	William Rast Show
	The Tent, Bryant Park
8pm	Marc Jacobs Show
	NY State Armory, 68 Lexington (25th St.)