Known to inject a burst of energy into fashion week, The Blonds is known for outrageously amazing beauty looks.
mercedes-benz fashion week beauty: the blonds SS2013
mercedes-benz fashion week beauty: Imitation of Christ ss2013
Backstage at Imitation of Christ was definitely an experience. For the presentation itself, designer Tara Subkoff opted for an installation with real women of all ages instead of your typical fashion models. Visitors were first greeted with a chorus singing Carol of the Bells with new lyrics about the modern-day obsession with cosmetic surgery.
Backstage makeup artist Robin Black for Hourglass Cosmetics started with Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum to create a seamless canvas for makeup and treat the skin with an infusion of essential oils. Next she applied Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer the brand’s # 2 Foundation brush, for a glowing complexion. Any imperfections or dark circles were covered with Hidden Corrective Concealer. On the cheeks, she contoured and highlighted with Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronzer Duo in Bronze Light as well as Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush to the apples of the cheeks and blend with the fingers.
For the eye look, she applied the shimmering shell shade from Hourglass’ Vol. 6 Eye Shadow Palette all over the lid and the bone white shade (found in the same palette) on the inner corners of the eyes. Hourglass Film Noir Kohl Eye Pencil (launching October 2012) in Espresso was applied from the outer corners of the bottom lash line to just short of the inner corner and smudged using the Hourglass #11 brush. Lastly, she applied two coats of Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara on the top and bottom lashes. Brows were kept full and natural with the new Hourglass Arch Sculpting Brow Pencil (launching October 2012) in Soft Brunette.
The most exciting part of the look was the lips - an Amanda Lepore-esque look created with the new (and totally amazing!) Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick.
Nails, created by the maestros over at CND, were created “blown glass nails” designed to “accentuate the woman’s form” so a few were shaped like sharp stilettos. Layering CND’s Copper Pearl and Putty nail colors, they simply dropped the colors and pulled them up to create the swirl pattern you see in the photo above. Nails were finished off with Air Dry Top Coat.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Beauty: Rachel Antonoff SS2013
Led by MAC Senior Artst Keri Blair, the beauty look at Rachel Antonoff was inspired by girls who go to the country club but are a bit naughty, garden parties, and a short film called “Power of Ten.”
Blair called it the darker side of spring with the eyes having a graphic line created with MAC’s Blacktrack Fluidline topped with a new pigment called Black Poodle from the upcoming Archie collection with a clear gloss (Shine mixing medium) over the lid; this breaks it down a bit during the show. Haute & Naughty Mascara was applied on the top lashes. On the cheeks, she applied a stain of color using So Sweet, So Easy Cremeblend Blush. Lips are stained with a mixture of Firm Form Lipstick, Black & Magenta Lipmix and Lip Balm.
my love affair with wide leg trousers continue…
cape: Forever 21 (old); blouse: Jones New York (gifted); trousers: Zara (from summer); boots: MIA via piperlime; nail polish: CND Dark Amethyst
…thanks to Zara. These photos were taken last week, so I’m a bit behind on sharing.
Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.
Fall Beauty: CND’s “The Look: Fall 2011″
As much as I love BRIGHT ASS nail colors during the spring and summer, I am OBSESSED with the dark but not black colors of autumn beauty. Perhaps it’s all my years of watching shows like The City and The Rachel Zoe Project where girls sport the “I work in fashion and have serious nails” nail look but once September/ October rolls around I have to wear the black but so not black nail.
“This Fall, manicures are emerging in waves of rich jewel tones, earthy and worn shades, and comfortable colors - as cozy as a boyfriend’s t-shirt,” says CND Co-founder and Style Director, Jan Arnold.
During the Fall/Winter 2011 fashion shows, I went backstage and interviewed some of the best in beauty, including the creative geniuses behind Creative Nail Design (CND). For fall, runway manicures unite lavish eggplant purple and deep blues with decadent gilded gold. For your own opulent, jewel-toned nailcolor, CND’s limited edition The Look: Fall 2011 ($29) box set is perf! The set includes Midnight Sapphire (a deep cobalt blue crème), Dark Amethyst (velvet aubergine crème) and Sheer 24K Sparkle (gold lamé effect ). These jewel tones were seen at Sachin & Babi, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jen Kao and Monique Lhuillier.
| mani in Midnight Sapphire |
All of these polishes apply beautifully and I’m pretty much smitten with the way CND formulates their nail lacquers. Not too thick but not watery thin, they apply pretty smoothly and evenly without any air bubbles. Also, one coat is more than enough with the darker colors. As I’m a creature of habit, I apply two for an uber dark look.
The Look: Fall 2011 box set is available while supplies last at select salons and professional beauty supply stores. Wanna learn more? Check out cnd.com.
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.
