Heading backstage at New York Fashion Week, we picked up a plethora of beauty tips. Hair, nail, and makeup experts give us premium access to their favorite tricks (particularly of the time-saving sentiment, since their jobs involved getting 30 or so models out in under an hour). So today we're paying it forward and letting you in on the top seven beauty tricks we learned at NYFW. They have truly changed our lives!
So you made a last minute decision to paint the town red come New Year's Eve – but you have nothing to wear. Instead of hailing a cab to the nearest shop, take inspiration from our picks and create something amazing from your existing repertoire. Glamorize a pair of basic black skinny jeans with an elongating sequin top, like this one from 3.1 Phillip Lim, along with sexy black pumps and a standout necklace. Finish off with festive nail polish and loads of mascara for the ultimate worry-fee, yet funky ensemble.
Left to right: 3.1 Phillip Lim Sequin Shirt ($1,107), Cedes Necklace ($17), Topshop Moto Skinny Jeans ($80), Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara ($22), Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance Nail Polish ($18), Anthropologie Stroke of Midnight Pouch ($28), Schutz High Heel Suede Pumps ($214)
What do you get when you put together 50 sheets of gold and silver leaf from Paris, MAC Pro Pigment in Acid Orange and a nail polish called "Fashion"? The look at Rodarte, which the designers referred to as "Beautiful Androids."
Using Aveda products, hairstylist Odile Gilbert smoothed models' hair into buns that resembled pin cushions, coated them with gobs of gel and covered them with gold (for blondes) and silver (for brunettes). "It was a conversation between the designers and me, we wanted something really graphic and futuristic," Gilbert joked backstage.
As for the makeup, "We're doing a kind of Ziggy Stardust look but mixing this orange feeling with a very natural feeling, so we're using a really translucent foundation to begin with, so the skin is really luminous," explained James Kaliardos. "We're lightening the eyebrows on some of the girls by brushing some foundation in — you can only do it if you have blonde hair. We're using an orange lip liner on the eye to make a boomerang shape and going over it with the orange pigment. We're also using orange-y peachy blush called Fun & Games high in the cheek bones and a salmon-colored lipstick. Curling lashes, no mascara. The idea is a monochromatic look, but not in brown tones or pinks — something more."
To see all my pics from backstage, read more
With all the talk about trendy, dark and bright nail polishes in the spotlight these days, it's nice to keep some muted, basic shades in the mix for when you're feeling more conservative. Below are three of my favorite pale, pink polishes. Unfortunately, now that I know that Essie subscribes to the big three, I'll have to rethink my choices. Something tells me that considering all of the attention the subject of safety is getting, things in the nail biz are bound to change. Let's hope so.
OPI Sweet Heart ($7) is the deepest and most opaque pink of the bunch. In my opinion, it also lasts the longest. (Anyone care to dispute this?) Sweet Heart is my go-to color for elegant manicures and pedicures in any given season.
Essie Ballet Slippers ($8) is a classic, tame, sheer pink that doesn't contain any shimmer. It gives a high-gloss finish and happens to be one of the brand's all-time best sellers.
For one last pretty pale pink polish, read more
The 80s called, and they want their nail polish back. Only this time, delicate pinks are not quite as sheer as before. Candy-colored nail polish takes on a new twist for Spring 2008 with three new shades infused with shimmery iridescence to reflect light and add some extra drama to your digits.
Deborah Lippmann Dream a Little Dream of Me ($15) is a medium cotton-candy pink polish. The cool part about the color is that as you move your hands in different lights, the iridescence reveals blue, purple, and yellow tones on your nails.
For two more pretty, iridescent pink nail polishes, read more
Hey there sailor! Navy isn't on reserve for nautical use alone any longer. These deep navy nail polishes are this season's next big "it" nail. Say hello to inks and indigos, which are richer alternatives to ultra dark black and traditional red lacquers. Here are three rich blue hues for the gal who's not afraid to make a statement.
Let your dark side shine through with this Deborah Lippman Color Nail Lacquer in Rehab ($15). Sources say that the Kitson store on Roberston can't even keep it in stock.
I guess with all the young celebs going to rehab this summer the polish would naturally be popular in Los Angeles! Kidding aside, the color is dark yet sheer and looks best with two coats.
For two more trendy navy nail polish suggestions, read more
Break-ups are bad news, but they can also be a good excuse to give yourself a makeover, pamper yourself, and come out of the whole ordeal looking fabulous. And lately, I've noticed a number of cosmetics companies making break-up themed makeup to help you along.
So I bring you Part I of my Break-Up Makeup series, which today features a few kitschy nail lacquers to help you polish away your pain. (Thanks to Kiss and Makeup for the tip.) Now stop your whining and pamper yourself with a nice little mani/pedi.
The Essie Starting Over Collection ($7 per bottle) includes six pink and red shades with super-cute and highly appropriate names: E-nuff is E-nuff, Starter Wife, Wife Goes On, My Way, Pinking Up the Pieces, and Red-y-Set Ex.
For two more break-up inspired polish collections, read more
