fragrance friday: agent provocateur

No stranger to the world of sexy -- heck they might as well have invented sexy -- Agent Provocateur will be launching three new perfumes, based off of its most celebrated fragrant editions: Agent Provocateur (2000) Maitresse (2006) and L'Agent (2011). The trio of new scents are lighter and fresher but still have the enticing allure about Agent Provocateur is known for.

Agent Provocateur Eau Provocateur is easily the freshest of three perfumes with notes of orange blossom, lily of the valley. At the base lies gentle accords of myrrh, vanilla and tonka bean to add softness and sensuality. Meanwhile, Maitresse Eau Provocateur blends notes of rose, iris, jasmine sambac and green notes of Acacia (a thorny shrub). This floral arrangement is rounded out wit amber, sandalwood and Tonka bean.

My favorite, however, has to be L’Agent Eau Provocateur. It starts of with fresh citrusy accords of bergamot, mandarin orange, and green leaves, complemented with fruity aromas of peach, apple and melon. At the heart of the scent, you get the more floral notes of ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose, tuberose, magnolia and freesia. Finally you're left with the seductive combination of a woody and oriental base consistent of amber, musk, sandalwood and patchouli. If you could bottle me up for an everyday fragrance, I'm pretty sure this would be it.

The new ‘Eau Provocateur’ Collection from Agent Provocateur is available April 15th in select department stores.

Disclosure: sample provided for editorial consideration. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

M·A·C Viva Glam 2012

It's no secret by now that Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin are the faces of Viva Glam 2012 (I posted about it here) but now it's time to get up close and personal with the products! The Viva Glam products are special not because of their celebrity collaborations and endorsements but because 100% of the proceeds go to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. Not ten or twenty-five but every. single. cent. It's the mission of the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women and children affected by with HIV and AIDS. Last year alone, they raised $38 million!

Sidenote: be safe. Know your status. Get tested

The Products

Ricky Martin's product is the colorless (and gender friendly!) Lip Conditioner ($15) in tube format and has Ricky's signature across the front. While it isn't anything new or groundbreaking, everyone needs an everyday lip balm so why not get one that goes the extra mile? Ricky is known for is humanitarian efforts and there's no better partner for M·A·C - a brand who truly celebrates all ages, races, and sexes. The lip conditioner is smooth and non tacky. It hydrates without leaving my lips feeling greasy.

Nicki Minaj's product is - shocker - pink! Although she's already collaborated with the brand for her Pink Friday lipstick (which sold out immediately), she's back for more. Viva Glam Nicki ($14.50) is described as a bright yellow pink shade and has a satin finish. It's different from Pink Friday as that was more of a blue-based pink. Viva Glam Nicki has hints of coral, though not overt. It glides on effortlessly and opaque (be careful as more than two applications and it gets thick!).

I've seen some chatter around the blogosphere as a few women of color have been disappointed by the shade. True, it seems kind of "pale" for women with dark skin but I firmly believe it's all about application. It can look milky/ashy if you don't exfoliate properly and/or apply too much. Nicki Minaj is known for wearing these types of pinks (this is the woman who declared her love for Pink Nouveau). That said, I wear this lipstick with a slightly warmer color underneath (a raspberry gloss or pencil). Can I apply this without a mirror on a crowded train? Probably not. Was I hoping this lipstick would be more of a fuchsia? Yes. Will that stop me from wearing it? Hell no. Heck I wore in this outfit post and you guys loved it!

Ricky & Nicki for M·A·C Viva Glam is available now through February 2013.

P.S.: M·A·C held a launch party for Viva Glam at the tail end of fashion week and while I may have missed Nicki and Ricky, I did get to meet (and fangirl over) Alexander Wang. YOU GUYS! I DIED (and live tweeted the whole thing). Clearly I was excited.

I'm wearing Viva Glam Nicki layered over Revlon's "Raspberry Ice" lip butter. Thanks Sarah for capturing the moment!

Disclosure: Sample provided for editorial consideration. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

wind blown

coat: H&M; blouse and jeans: Forever 21; shoes: Jean Michael Cazabat; bag: Alexander Wang

chain bangle: Bauble Bar; "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" bangle: Kate Spade; Tiger bangle: Bauble Bar; heart bangle: Forever 21; watch: Juicy Couture

Today we hit a high of 59 degrees in the city and, though windy, New Yorkers have no behavior -- myself included. I'm seeing so many bare legs and short skirts one would think it's actually summer. I've practically lost my mind and decided to break out my new peep toe shoes, which I scored at the Barney's Warehouse Sale on opening day. Major! They retailed for $400 but at $130 I knew it had to be mine. I'm so excited for spring -- can't wait to break out these bad boys more often.

Happy almost Friday!

Pin It Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

peplums for spring!

blouse: Joe Fresh; Skirt: ASOS (no longer available); boots: Zara (no longer available); bag: Alexander Wang; coat: H&M

jewelry (L -R): JewelMint, Kate Spade, Alexis Bittar Ring, BaubleBar, Juicy Couture watch

perhaps it's the lighting but these photos really doesn't do this skirt justice. That's what I get for waiting until 5:30pm, eh? It's definitely orange and not pink as it may seem. But I am in love with it. Ever since spotting it on Atlantic-Pacific, I immediately purchased and have worn twice. Expect to see it multiple times throughout the warmer weather :)

Pin It Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

perfect for spring -- m·a·c vera collection

No stranger to collaborations, M·A·C Cosmetics has released a limited edition collection inspired by the art of textile designer, Vera Neumann. Neumann is best known for her brightly colored patterns and items signed with her distinctive signature, and often a ladybug.

Brilliant butterflies, flashy florals and gorgeously geometric graphics...A colourful collaboration between M·A·C and the artist known worldwide as Vera, who merged fine arts with linens, murals, textiles and silk scarves in her punchy, painted patterns. Now in shades plucked straight from her most lavish prints, M·A·C Vera embraces the luxe, lighter-than-air spirit that delivers the kind of startling, look-at-me statement that defines what it means to be an instant classic. -- M·A·C Cosmetics

Each of the colors in this collection is said to have been named from a design in the Vera archives. Much like her art, this collection boasts bright, cheery, playful colors that shout spring from the rooftops. I love how delicate this looks with its pretty pinks and summer-esque corals.

Midsummer's Dream nail lacquer ($16) - described as a pale pink lilac ($16)

sets one and three come together; sets two and four are packaged together -- I got them all shuffled when taking pictures! These cost $34 USD and $40 CAD

-- Crushed Metallic Pigment in Strawberry Patch (light blue pink) and Moon Rose (a vibrantly dark pink)
-- Crushed Metallic Pigment in Rain Drop (metallic teal) and Moss Garden (metallic silver green)
-- Crushed Metallic Pigment in Star Crystal (pink champagne) and Rose Light (metallic yellow pink)
-- Crushed Metallic Pigment in Butterfly Party (bright lilac) and Desert Cloud (deep blue purple)

Plushglass ($19.50) in Butterfly Dream (a md-tone violet with blue pearl), Pretty Plush (extra soft pink with white pearl), and Confetti (a bright orange coral with soft pearl). All of these go on slightly sheer with hints of color (and smell like candy!)

Pearlglide Intense Liners ($15) in Industrial (periwinkle grey) , Lord It Up (bronze with pearl), Black Swan (black with pearl), and Petrol Blue (deep navy with pearl). These glide on and have amazing pigmentation. I love how intense it makes the eyes, though they are prone to smudging a bit.

Pearlmatte Face Powder ($28) in Flower Fantasy. This is one of two beauty powders in this collection and is described as a pale coral with slight gold pearl/slightly blue pale pink/soft pale salmon. That's a lot of colors that basically means it's a salmon/pink color that makes for a great blush. My one issue is that it's SO beautiful in the pan, I don't have the heart to swatch it, much less swipe a brush and use it on my cheeks. This looks like a total brown girl friendly color that can be used to liven up the cheeks a bit.

The full M·A·C Vera collection is currently available in stores/ on counters and online.

Disclosure: samples provided for editorial consideration. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

NYFW: Backstage Beauty at Alexander Wang Fall/Winter 2012

When it comes to beauty, the Alexander Wang girl relies on a certain understated beauty. She's non-fussy, yet neat. She keeps it simple, "downtown," and is borderline tomboyish. The look was, as described by makeup artist Diane Kendal, “the sculpted Alex Wang girl...tough chick"

Kendal, on behalf of M·A·C Cosmetics, began by applying Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel on the models to hydrate and prep skin for the makeup to come. Next she applied Pro Conceal and Correct Palette in Light* where needed, keeping skin looking "beautifully raw" and natural. To counter the low planes under the cheekbones, Kendal used M·A·C's upcoming Coffee Walnut Pro* Sculpting Cream (which she also blended through the crease of the eye for a contour). Next up, she blended Accentuate Pro Sculpting cream* over the high planes, above the cheekbones, bridge of nose and above the brow bone as well as over the eyelids for highlight. Finally she swept Studio Careblend Pressed Powder through the middle of the face for a polishing effect.

photos from style.com

Using Richly Honed Pro Sculpting Cream* to intensify the inner corner of the browbones, she then applied M·A·C Pro Black Crème Liner along the upper lashline to give it slight definition. Brows were give an boyish flair with a straight shape and soft fullness created with eye shadows. To finish off the look, the Pro Conceal and Correct Palette/Light was lightly blended over lips to tone down their natural color.

The hair was inspired by kind of girl everyone wants to be, a perfect match for Wang’s chic, modern, must-have sportswear - led by Redken Creative Consultant, Guido.

Photos by Charles Sykes for Redken

“When designing his collection, Alexander is very in tune to the details and designs for the girl today, and we wanted the hairstyle to reflect that as well. It’s a very simple look, an easy down style with a center part and hair tucked behind the ears. It’s a very wearable hairstyle as well- straightforward and effortless.” -- Guido, Redken Creative Consultant

On damp hair, Guido applied satinwear 02 ultimate blow-dry lotion all over to create the foundation for the style and blow-dried the hair until about 80% dry. Creating a very clean center part, he then applied outshine 01 anti-frizz polishing milk from the mid-lengths to ends and allowed hair air dry the remaining 20% to bring out the natural texture. The outshine 01 prevented hair from frizzing as it dried. When dry, hair was tucked behind the ears for a simple finish.

*available Autumn/Winter 2012

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

Looks from the Rock and Republic show

Last time I spoke about the celebs who attended the Rock & and Republic for Kohl's fashion show but now it's time to get to the actual FASHION! The line consists of everyday wear - tees, dresses and denim - but pumped up a bit. For the ladies, the runway was filled with sequined camis ($48), dresses ($70) and heels ($74.99) and denim skinnies and flares. For men there were bootcut jeans and graphic T shirts, among others.

The line is available NOW at Kohl's and online.

Disclosure: Kohl's provided compensation to me as an incentive to blog about the Rock & Republic launch event. The opinions expressed herein are those of this author, and they have not been reviewed or approved by Kohl's in advance. Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

NYFW: Backstage at Band of Outsiders Fall/Winter 2012

This season's Band of Outsiders collection looked a a little Mexican vacation inspired and, in the words of Dick Page, "gets little into Ennio Morricone The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." The makeup is how you would want to look if you were camping, alternating the looks slightly whether they were dressed in Boy Girl or Girl Girl.

According to Page, Shiseido Artistic Director, the look was a "little bit bronzy and toned with gold and bronzed highlights mixed together but not in the kind of Gucci way -- not sculpty and glamourous. they look a little bit dusty and a little bit dirty there are little bits of white highlights and gold highlights depending on their skin tone - around the eyes, under the brow bone."

He started by the moisturizing the face using Shiseido's The Skincare Multi-Energizing Cream and evened skin tone with a wash of the new Shiseido Makeup Radiant Lifting Foundation SPF17 (launching Fall 2012). Shiseido Makeup Bronzer was applied on the forehead, upper cheekbones and chin. Page then applied a combination of Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Face Color in Soft Beam Gold (BE206) and High Beam White (WT905), followed by a blend of Soft Beam Gold mixed with loose translucent powder. Using a large powder brush, Page combined the Luminizing Satin Face Color in Soft Beam Gold (BE206) and the Bronzer in Light (1) and applied the combo to the center of the cheek, blending across the bridge of the nose, along the forehead, and dusting a bit on the chin.

"Eyebrows are kind of amped up but still looking natural depending on their skin tone so the black girls get this [Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Cream Eye Color] Caviar cream eye shadow, the redheads get the Leather - a reddish brown cream - and the blondes get Meadow or Sable which are these blondey colors," described Page.

There was no mascara, no liner, no eyeshadow per se as he wanted the girls to look like they live in these clothes.

With a stronger focus on skin and brows, Dick “erased” the lips with foundation and created two neutral looks. On Boy-Girl he applied Shiseido Makeup Luminizing Satin Face Color in High Beam White (WT905) along the cupid's bow and the edge of the upper lip line. Shiseido Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment was reapplied and then blotted for a colorless look. On Girl-Girl, Page lined the inner part of the lower lip with Shiseido Makeup Lacquer Rouge in Nocturn (RD607), which is a new product launching Fall 2012, to create the slightest trace of "just bitten" color.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

NYFW: Backstage at Rachel Antonoff Fall/Winter 2012

Backstage at Rachel Antonoff, I spoke to M.A.C Senior Artist, Keri Blair, who stated that the look was a little bit hopeful and romantic, sweet yet sophisticated.

Blair began by using M.A.C.’s soon-to-be-released Sculpting Cream in Richly Honed and Dark Currant cream eye shadow, both rich shades of brown, which she described as "very diffused and very translucent." Next she tapped in with a new Pro Longwear eye shadow called Uninterrupted, which is "beautiful dirty ochre color, a mustardy yellow", with a 224 brush tapped onto lids. Blair described M.A.C's 224 brush as an extension of her right arm since it doesn't give any hard lines. Finally, she pressed White Gold Pro Pigment, a loose shimmer, over the lids to create a wet, luminescent effect.

Antonoff's theme was girls on a dock at night or twilight so Blair wanted to ensure the makeup meshed well. She says, "I wanted to emulate that feeling with makeup, what moonlit water looks like. That's why I'm doing so many layers." She wanted the makeup to look wet but "I didn't want it be deconstructed. I didn't want to use Vaseline or a gloss or something like that to break down the makeup. I just wanted it to have the appearance of wetness."

On the cheeks, she applied So Sweet, So Easy cream blush which added sweetness back to makeup.

CND's Candice Manacchio designed three playful nails for the gal with a sense of adventure:
"Starry Night" (left) evoked the nighttime sky on a lake with two coats of CND Colour in Midnight Sapphire with sponged overlay of Eclectic Purple and Studio White, with a coat of CND Effects in Sapphire Sparkle.

"Flirty Flower" (center) was created with two coats of bold red CND Colour in Flashpoint with hand detailed ferns using CND Colours in Brilliant White and Anchor Blue.

"True Red" (right) was created with two coats of CND Colour in Flashpoint.

Continuing with the moonlit theme, Jenny Balding for Cutler Salon created a really sleek and simple do. Using Redken's Hard Gel, all hair was pulled away from the face into a shiny ponytail tied at the base.

Please don't forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.