6 Bloggers 1 Lipstick: Becca Cosmetics in Hotel California

"Will it work on my complexion?" is a question I hear often in the beauty field. Not all shades are created with all skin tones in mind, but it's does happen. It's refreshing to test a product and learn that anyone can wear it. This is what Danielle of The Style & Beauty Doctor is out to share with her #6Bloggers1Lipstick collaborations. She has a group of bloggers with different complexions test the same product and share the results. In this round, 6 of us tested Becca Cosmetics lipgloss in Hotel California. It's a rich raspberry red with luscious shine. I don't wear reds too often, but I love wearing this one. Be sure to check out the other lovely ladies featured - @alittlebitetc, @thisthatbeauty, @christenecarr, @mamafashfiles, and @stylenbeautydoc.

NYC Event: Try Clinique's NEW Smart Custom Repair Serum At Bloomingdale's

Get ready, NYC ladies! Join Clinique for a Smart VIP event on Thursday, September 18th at Bloomingdale's 59th street. Clinique, the first dermatologist developed skin care brand will introduce beauty lovers to their latest skin care innovation - Smart Custom Repair Serum. The serum is so smart it understands the particular needs of individual skin. Innovative, right? The serum provides targeted custom repair for the damage you see and the damage you don't.

Shoppers who make a qualifying purchase including the new serum will have the opportunity to create a customized smartphone case designed on-the-spot by fashion illustrator Brooke Hagel.

Bloomingdales 59th

1000 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022

Thursday, September 18, 2014

6:00 - 8:00 p.m

RSVP at (212) 705-2879

Adventure Time With The 2014 Kia Soul in Bright Solar Yellow

Photos by James Ayala

Some days you need a little adventure, so when I was asked to take the 2014 Kia Soul for a test drive I knew adventure was near. When I first laid eyes on the car, I immediately thought of dancing hamsters (good marketing, yes?). Like that fun commercial, the Kia Soul is kind of a party in itself. It drives like a dream, is incredible on gas, and is a show-stopper in the streets – perfect for any beauty or fashion maven. I can’t tell you how many people stopped to stare. Its bright yellow exterior caught the eyes of many, and my family quickly named the car Aretha… after the queen of soul herself.

Needless to say, we fell in love with the Kia Soul and are now strongly considering purchasing one. It was one of the best cars to drive and comes recommended highly to anyone looking for a great, affordable compact vehicle.

The Kia Soul 6-speed Manual starts at $14,900.

• Car Type: Wagon
• Transmission: 6-speed Manual
• Total Seating: 5
• Cylinders: Inline 4
• Colors: Various shades
• Favorite Interior Features: Heated mirrors, dual illuminating vanity mirrors (perfect for quick touch-ups!), USB connection, 6 speakers, & Bluetooth wireless technology.

See below for my favorite gold/yellow beauty products inspired by the Kia’s bright hue.

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Essie At Nanette Lepore SS15

Nanette Lepore's Spring/Summer 2015 collection channeled California and the south of France in the 1960's. Julie Kandalec for essie created gradient nails using two shades - a mint green & a sheer white. We can't wait to try this look come spring! 

How-To Steps:

1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails 
2. Next, apply two coats of mint candy apple
3. Once dry, dip a makeup sponge in blanc and blot polish over the tip of the nail
4. Then, take the makeup sponge and gently press halfway up the nail creating an opaque gradient away from the tip; less blanc pigment should be applied the further up on the nail you go
5. Follow with good to go top coat

NYFW Backstage Beauty: JINSoon For Karen Walker SS15

JINSoon created the nail look backstage for Karen Walker's Spring/Summer 2015 collection. The nail look was inspired by a garden. Think vivid color, rich hues, and literal green thumbs. Jin Soon Choi chose a sleek, green shade from her upcoming collection to complement the looks.

How-To Steps:

1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish
2. Apply JINsoon Power Coat base coat to prep the nails
3. Apply two coats of a forest green nail polish (the shade Jin used was from her upcoming JINsoon Spring 2015 Collection)
4. Finish by applying a single coat of JINsoon Top Gloss

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Stila Cosmetics At Trina Turk SS15

The Trend: Pop Art Perfection

Lead Artist: Sarah Lucero, Stila's Global Director of Creative Artistry

Designer Inspiration: "Trina's collection was inspired by the iconic LA Flower Mart, so we chose makeup in a bouquet of colors. The hues are like the petals of a flower, with a soft finish but opaque in color." - Sarah Lucero

Step-By-Step To Achieve The Look:

FACE: 
10-in-1 Illuminating Beauty Balm

EYES:
Smudge Stick in Turquoise
Mile High Mascara

CHEEKS:
Convertible Lips + Cheeks in Camellia

LIPS:
Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Carina

TOOLS:
Stay All Day Brows

TIPS:
Use the #15 brush to buff the turquoise smudge-stick into an opaque eye shadow across the lid.

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Essie At Altuzarra S/S 2015

Essie created the nail look for Altuzarra's Spring/Summer 2015 collection at New York Fashion Week. Michelle Saunders kept nails chic & feminine nail by using the same nude shade on both hands and feet. The most popular trend of the S/S 2015 season is clearly naked, fresh nails, and Essie's Spaghetti Strap is one of the top shades we recommend. 

Step-By-Step To Achieve The Look:

1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails 
2. Once the base coat dries, apply one coat of spaghetti strap
3. Follow with good to go top coat

NYFW Backstage Beauty: All About Braids At SUNO SS15 With Kérastase

Images via Kessler Studios

Kerastase Lead Artist Odile Gilbert created the hairstyle for yesterday's SUNO S/S 2015 show... and it was all about braids! We've seen a quite a few braids this fashion season. From Marissa Webb to Mara Hoffman, the braids are coming in all shapes and sizes. For this show, Odile created a glossy cage herringbone braid look using products from Kerastase's iconic Couture Styling Collection. Step-by-Step breakdown below:

1. On dry hair, create a deep part using a tail comb
2. Starting at the roots, apply a generous amount of Forme Fatale to the top half of the hair for a voluminous, wet look
3. Comb hair back in an upwards wave on each side and secure with clips
4. Create a cage herringbone braid by parting the dry ends into three sections. Begin crossing the lengths over each other and underneath
5. Loosely deconstruct the braid for added volume and a lived in feel. Spray all over with Laque Noire for hold
6. Finish with Gloss Appeal for instant shine

NYFW Backstage Beauty: JINsoon For Tess Giberson SS15

JINsoon created the nail polish look backstage at Tess Giberson's S/S 2015 New York Fashion Week collection. The inspiration was Palm Beach in the '70s. JINsoon opted for a simple, muted look by adding a soft matte effect to a neutral off-white.

How-To Steps:

1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish and oil residue
2. Use a base coat to protect nail; Jin used JINsoon Power Coat
3. Apply two coats of JINsoon Kookie White
4. Finish by applying JINsoon Matte Maker

NYFW Backstage Beauty: Kérastase For Jason Wu SS15

Odile Gilbert created the hairstyle for Jason Wu's S/S 2015 Collection at New York Fashion Week using Kérastase Paris. The overlook look was a side-part low ponytail that was chic & channeled old Hollywood glamour.

Step-By-Step To Achieve The Look:

1. On dry hair, apply Mousse Bouffant and Ciment Thermique
2. With a paddle brush, blow dry in a backwards motion for volume
3. Using a tail comb, create a side part. Leave two-inch strips of hair on either side of the face and pull back the remaining hair and secure (temporarily) with a clip
4. Pulling hair from the clip, section by section, spray with Laque Dentelle and twist with your fingers before curling around a 2” barrel curling iron for added texture
5. Collect the two front strips and pull with the remaining length at the back of the head into a pony, securing at the nape of the neck with an elastic
6. Comb fingers through the lengths of hair to create a soft, natural look
7. Apply Baume Double Je to prevent fly-aways and secure hair in place

NYFW Backstage Beauty: NARS Cosmetics At Rachel Comey SS15

SHOW: Rachel Comey SS’15

LEAD ARTIST: Hannah Murray for NARS Cosmetics

LOOK: “Effortless handsome beauty. The brows are defined in a boyish, uncomplicated fashion and the lips are hydrated with balm.”

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

FACE

Luminous Moisture Cream

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

CHEEK

Stick Concealer

Copacabana Multiple

Het Loo Satin Lip Pencil

BROW

Brow Perfector

EYES

Stick Concealer (in contour)

NYFW Backstage Beauty: TRESemmé at Marissa Webb SS15

TRESemmé Stylist Jeanie Syfu created two hairstyles for Marissa Webb's Spring/Summer 2015 Collection at New York Fashion Week. The collection played up the "downtown" woman on-the-go. Both hairstyles encompassed a feminine and edgy vibe. The first look (seen above) is the Braided Pompadour, which I can see many city girls wearing to add a little oomph to their everyday looks.

Braided Pompadour Step-By-Step:

1. Apply TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Mousse on damp hair and rough-dry ends for volume and texture. Finish blow-dry using a round brush to create fullness through the top of the head and the hairline.
2. Using the end of your comb, section off the center portion of the hair three-fourths of the way down and clip up.
3. Create a Dutch braid (in side out or reverse French braid) on both sides of the head using the loose hair, beginning at the temple and working your way to the nape of the neck. Braid the remaining lengths, leaving ends out, and fasten with a clear elastic.
4. Mist top section of hair with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Hair Spray and lightly brush along the part.
5. Begin French braid, leaving additional volume at the front and base. Gather hair along the part, working 90 degrees from the head, and finish braiding lengths of the hair leaving ends out. Fasten with clear elastic.
6. Gather all three braids and twist into a low bun, leaving ends loose.
7. Brush the completed French braid upward creating a wind blown effect and spray with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Hair Spray.

The second look (seen above) is the Five-Strand Braid. The hairstyle still had an edge, but with a bit more casual femininity. 

Five-Strand Braid Step-By-Step:

1. Prep damp hair with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Mousse and rough-dry the lengths with fingers for texture and lift. Finish blow-dry with a round brush at the hairline for a soft, airy perimeter of wisps.
2. Once hair is dry, create a deep side part on the right side of the head, then back-brush hair for extra volume and spray lightly with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Hair Spray.
3. Divide hair into five equal strands at the nape of the neck and begin weaving the farthest right section over and under each part, working your way to the left.
4. Take the furthest left section of hair and weave over and under each part, working your way to the right.
5. Repeat steps four and five until braid is complete, leaving ends loose and fasten with a clear elastic.
6. Loosen braid by gently pulling apart and leave airy wisps to frame the face. Mist finished look with TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Hair Spray.

NYFW Backstage Beauty: butter LONDON At Tadashi Shoji SS15

Katie Jane Hughes, butter LONDON's Global Colour Ambassador created the above nail design for Tadashi Shoji's SS15 New York Fashion Week show. The Golden Palace of Venice was the inspiration. Tadashi's collection is full of intricate detailing and the colors of Venice inspire the palette - glowing pastels of frosted jade, pink shadow and blue stone are built up in the layers.

Steps to achieve the look:

• Apply butter LONDON Nail Foundation mixed with the new butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in High Tea (available 2015) to create a clean, nude base.
• Use butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in The Full Monty applied with the Striping Brush (available in the butter LONDON Colour Hardwear Nail Art Tool Kit) to create a diagonal mesh-like pattern.

NYFW Backstage Beauty: NARS Cosmetics At Tome SS15

Fashion Week kicked off in New York yesterday, and I headed backstage to cover the upcoming beauty trends for Spring 2015. Here's a closer look at Tome with NARS Cosmetics. 

LEAD ARTIST: James Boehmer, NARS Director of Global Artistry

LOOK: “The inspiration for the collection came from two Indian artists – Rukmini Devi, a classical dancer and Dayanita Singh, a contemporary photographer – who represent the richness and diversity of old and new India.  The look fuses traditional elements of the Indian culture and modern makeup. The skin is very matte, with a clean, liquid eyeliner on the top eyelid, no mascara. Some girls will have a pale, chalky-pink lip.”

Below are the key products used to create the look:

FACE:

Stick Concealer

All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (New for Spring 2015, for now try Sheer Matte Foundation)
Soft Velvet Loose Powder (New for Spring 2015, for now try Loose Powder)

EYES:

Black Valley Eye Paint

LIPS:

Silvia Audacious Lipstick

Santa Monica Boulevard Larger Than Life® Long-Wear Eyeliner (layered over lipstick and blended in)