BellaSugar

It's Sexy Sixties Style at Diane von Furstenberg

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:31:39 -0700

Think runway makeup is all about expensive brands? Think again. At the Diane von Furstenberg show, lead makeup artist Gucci Westman used Revlon on top models like Jessica Stam and Coco Rocha. Westman has recently been named Global Artistic Director for the brand, and I've gotta say, she's already making me think differently about drugstore makeup.

Case in point: this '60s-inspired Veruschka-on-a-safari look. Models wore khaki tones punched up with a shot of bold color - in this case, a flash of yellow on shimmering black eyes. (For day-to-day wear, leave the yellow aside and instead use matte eye shadow; Westman used Revlon matte eye shadow in Rich Sable, Peach Sorbet, and Vintage Lace.) The mod lip color isn't lipstick; it's the Peach Sorbet eye shadow mixed with white Matte Lux eyeliner.

So will we see a Gucci Westman makeup collection from Revlon anytime soon? "Eventually," Westman said, adding that she's already giving input on products being made now. "Everybody is excited to bring back that iconic woman - like the Charlie girl, but a modern take on that." For now, though, I'm off to figure out how to make this whole eye-products-on-the-lips thing work off the runway.

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Who's Your Favorite Celebrity Makeup Artist?

BellaSugar — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:00:10 -0700

Celebrity makeup artists can command upwards of $10,000 a day for their services. Multiply that by all the days in the year, plus double-duty when it comes time for awards seasons, and you've got yourself one outrageous salary. All of these artists have loyal celebrity clients that request their company across the globe, wherever it is they may be working. Can you guess who some of their famous-faced clients are? I think that Paul Starr is a genius, and I love the natural effect that Nick Barose achieves. Who is your favorite celebrity makeup artist?

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Beauty Byte: Gucci Westman's New Gig

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:04:18 -0700

Makeup mastermind Gucci Westman rose to fame as the international artistic director of Lancôme. After leaving that position earlier this year, she's been busy with photo shoots and fashion shows. Now, she's announced her new position - and it's huge for you drugstore divas.

We already know that Revlon hasn't been doing so well lately, but now Gucci is the brand's new global artistic director. Quite a score for Revlon, in my opinion. She told Fashion Week Daily:

There's never been more pressure to deliver better product for less money. Based on my experience with Lancôme, which was really, really, great; I learned a lot about how a global prestige brand works. I realized that with Revlon, it's working with more a mass brand and a completely new consumer, but the woman still wants something she'll be happy to pull out of her handbag.

As artistic director, Gucci will develop new products, work alongside Revlon spokesmodels such as Halle Berry, and participate in Revlon's philanthropic efforts. After seeing Gucci's work (some pictured below), I have no doubt she'll refresh and revive this brand. Cannot. Wait.

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Backstage Beauty: Behnaz Sarafpour

BellaSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:00:03 -0800

Gucci Westman has been one busy woman this week. I've seen her at Miss Sixty, Rag & Bone, and then at Behnaz Sarafpour, where she worked with MAC. Here she is applying makeup to Canadian model Lisa Cant, who is almost always the first model to arrive at a show. Punctual, that one.

Gucci's team colored models' eyes with gray, yellow, or purple shades - all of which popped on their otherwise nude faces. The makeup artists used brushes to apply the color, of course, but they also used airbrushes to spray it directly on eyelashes. And in the case of the purple eyes, they got creative by smudging MAC lipstick in Violetta around eyes. Unfortunately, that particular shade of cream makeup is available only to makeup artists, but if you'd like to know which products were used for this show's yellow eye, this guide from MAC has the details.

Backstage Beauty: Rag & Bone

BellaSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 10:00:09 -0800

The hair and makeup at Friday's Rag & Bone show worked 100% seamlessly with the clothing. That makes sense, since lead makeup artist Gucci Westman is married to one of the designers of the line. Like the clothing that came down the runway, the makeup used gray, black, and blue tones to create an edgy cool-girl look.

"It's a Blade Runner '40s girl," Gucci explained as she dabbed navy eye shadow on model Coco Rocha. "The collection is very monochromatic and futuristic, so we wanted something a little more futuristic and unexpected in the makeup. The girl still looks gorgeous-it's always important that she looks sexy and cool."

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Backstage Beauty: Miss Sixty

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:44 -0800

Oh, the stories I have to tell you about the Miss Sixty show. But before going any further, would you look at this gorgeous red hair? In a sea of blonde, black, and brown, this model's mane grabbed my attention. I loved it, but then again, the hair in general was so pretty. Neil Moodie of Bumble & bumble created the '70s-influenced look, and I snagged a minute with him before the show. "We wanted to keep the hair a little more simple because in the collection, there's a lot going on," he explained. "It's '70s, but not literal. It needs to be a little more subtle."

I also talked with Gucci Westman, the lead makeup artist who was working with MAC for the show. While she applied deep blue eye shadow to Jessica Stam, she explained the inspiration for the look. "It's a sort of a cross between Joan Jett and bohemian, with a little bit of Endora," she said. As she did with her work for Rag & Bone a few days prior, she used a rich blue as the base for eyes. "I'm feeling the blue," she said.

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To read about my Top Model sightings at the show, read more.

In the tent itself, I had a great view of noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker and runway coach J. Alexander. Even better is that when the remixed medley of '70s songs switched to "Immigrant Song," Nigel started tapping his fingers to the beat. And before you knew it, he was tapping his toes. And then Miss J got into it, too. What can you say? A little Led Zep never hurt anybody. Bianca from last cycle was also at the show-her head's still shaved, and it looks great-and her behavior was, dare I say it, ladylike. Go figure.

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Coming Soon: Lancôme L.U.C.I. Collection

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:00:20 -0800

Could L.U.C.I. be the G.O.A.T. for Lancôme? Gucci Westman's last color collection for Lancôme stands for Luminous Colorless Color Intelligence, and she's going out with a bang when it launches next month. Check out the design of this collection. I love how the shape of the packaging feels futuristic yet organic - especially that shell-shaped compact.

The products incorporate iridescent color, which looks white to the naked eye. When it's applied to skin, though, it captures and reflects light. This photonic effect varies, depending on the skin tone. If your skin is fair, the color looks pastel, and it appears deep and more intense on darker skin. Gucci tried some of the colors out on the Peter Som runway this past Fall. (Check out the gallery below to get a feel for how they wear.) "I wanted the models’ makeup to look easy and sexy,” she explained. "I gave the eyes a bit of a pop with Ombre Glacée for a sultry effect.”

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For full descriptions of all of the products, read more.

L.U.C.I. Eyes - Light Color in Motion Eye Shadow Duo ($45) is the compact I'm crazy for. It contains two shadows: a bronze color and a photonic one. You can use either shadow on its own, but I'm excited to experiment with the photonic shade, which is supposed to create a luminous appearance on its own.

Photonic - Illuminating Powder Brush Face ($40) in Ray of Apricot Light is a light, loose powder that can be used to sculpt the face or add a sheer glow.

Ombre Glacée - Cooling Gel Illuminator Eyes ($22) is a cooling eye shadow available in Chameleon, Morning Pearl, and Sunrise. You can wear it on lids, of course, but it's also meant to be used on cheek and brow bones.

Color Fever Gloss ($23) comes in three colors: Sunray (the photonic shade), Seashell, and Rainbow

Color Fever Shine ($25) is available as two new lipsticks. Luminous, a photonic shade, gives a reflective lilac effect on its own. Or you can layer it over Desert Pink, a deep-raspberry shade.

Traceur Design - Illuminating Long-Lasting Eyeliner Soft Brush ($20) in Ray of Purple Light is an eyeliner with lilac reflections.

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Beauty Byte: Gucci Westman to Leave Lancôme

BellaSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:22 -0800

Of all the makeup artists out there, one of the best known is Gucci Westman. Since 2003, she's been the international artistic director of Lancôme. But that's about to change. Through a press release, Lancôme announced that this Spring's color collections will be her final contributions to the brand.

In early Spring, the Pout-á-Porter lipstick that she created with Thakoon will be out. And then it's the L.U.C.I. color collection, which will be out in January. Now, this is just speculation, but considering Gucci's star power, I'm wondering if she could be cooking up her own line. Considering how successful makeup artists such as François Nars and Jeanine Lobell of Stila have been with their own brands, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

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Must-Have of the Moment: Lancome/Goyard Train Case

BellaSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:00:52 -0700

So long Caboodles and hello Goyard! A highly anticipated ultimate holiday gift for the rich and famous will arrive exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman in limited-edition quantities by special order. As you may remember, I am a huge fan of Goyard. My laptop bag is one of my prized possessions, but after seeing this extravagant train case designed by Gucci Westman from Lancome and Goyard, I find myself coveting this!

It's a beauty editor's dream come true to own this hand-crafted white canvas printed case, which is enhanced with cognac colored leather (you know, the kind that looks even better as it gets worn in over time).

Unfortunately, I'd have to win the lottery to actually have that dream come true, since the makeup case sells for a whopping $18,000. I guess it's not totally outer limits, considering it's pimped out with multiple removable compartments, a mirror and a white makeup bag and 36 of Gucci Westman’s makeup essentials - I'm kidding, of course. But still, it sure would look pretty sitting on my vanity!

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Backstage Beauty: Christopher Kane

BellaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:00:11 -0700

Last week at the Christopher Kane fashion show in London, the clothing colors were soft and romantic in light blues, muted greys and nudes. Fittingly, the makeup look was clean and fresh-to the point of it looking almost bare-faced.

Skin was matte, lips were flushed and cheeks had that natural, just-pinched look. Makeup artist Gucci Westman used Lancome products to create a look from the 1976 film Carrie. (That is, Sissy Spacek's look before the bloody prom.) If you like what you see, you'll be happy: Rumor has it that Christopher Kane and Lancome are working on a fun makeup project together for 2008!

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For a four-step guide and a complete list of products used to create this look, read more

Step 1: Use only a touch of Lancome Aqua Fusion Cream on the skin and then tissue it off to create a matte, natural look.
Step 2: By adding a touch of Magique Blush in Cinnamon Glaze to your face, you can help contour your cheekbones. Start off with a light dust and blend well. Remember, you can always add more if you want to.
Step 3:Then add some Primordiale Optimum Lip to enhance your natural lip color. If this just doesn't feel like enough color, you can also add some Color Design Blush in Pret A Plum to the lips.
Step 4: For a touch of definition, add a light layer of Color Design Eye Shadow in Click to your creases. Again, blend well.

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