Thank You Santa

Santa Claus visited us this year and told us that we have been mighty nice!
So he pulled out his red sack of goodies
And before we were able to take a peak inside
And before he took a sip of the low-fat, lactose-free milk laid out before him
He gave us our presents as a reward for being good this year!

Since some of the presents have quickly become my favorites and will be appearing on my Favorite Things 2008 (on January 10th), I won't be able to share with you what Santa gave me for x'mas just yet!


Hope everyone had a happy holidays and got everything that they had wished for!


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), gearthblog.com

Christmas Is Coming

It will likely be a personal challenge for our Christmas dinner this year. Not only will I be responsible for the turkey (which I have never made before), I will have to look presentable after having been cooking for the entire day. I have never figured out how other people do it. How do they manage to cook an entire meal for their guests and come out of the kitchen with every hair in place and not a single spot of oil on their skin? I wish I knew their secret.

If all goes well, the following will be make up my festive look. I pray for no first-timer diasters and that I will have enough time to pull this together. Knowing my luck though, I will likely walk out of the kitchen with parsley in my hair and makeup migrated half way down my face.


Bobbi Brown Mauve Face Palette

This is an elegant palette that is easy to use. I know that it will be hard to mess up with its colors so beautifully combined. The texture of each of the colors makes it even more foolproof to use.

And look, it has a great big mirror and the blush is large enough to dip a brush in without messing up other colors!


Makeup Forever Glitter in Black

I will be creating a line along the upper lashes with this beautiful glitter with very fine dusty texture. It will instantly glam up any makeup look.

Bobbi Brown Beige Shimmer Brick Compact

Because I will be wearing stronger colors on the eyes, a pale color with a bit of glow on my cheeks is called for. This one is really lovely and possibly one of the best glow-getter I have tried. It gives a believable glow that does not go glittery, greasy and stays where you put it. This is the perfect universal compact that is the secret to that 'candle-lit' glow which is so flattering.

Tip: Use your brush to pick up either the darkest parts, lightest parts, or all mixed together to vary the depth of glow on your skin.



So I am anxious to find out what you will be doing for Christmas. Please do tell!


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), photo of Barbara Stanwyck from style.com

Go or No Go?

Spotted: Handy holiday purse palettes from Clarins

Question: Go or No Go?

Comes in:
Gold Purse & Palette - "A burnished combination of gold-lit bronze and candy pink for eyes, toned with caramel and rose pink for lips."

Black Purse & Palette - "A sultry mix of smoky plum and glittering greys for eyes, toned with berry red and sugar pink for lips."

Silver Purse & Palette - "A pretty collection of vibrant violet and silver greys for eyes, toned with berry pinks for lips."

Each contains:
- Complexion perfecting natural beige compact powder
- 3 eyeshadows
- 2 lip glosses
- 1 mini Black Wonder Volume Mascara
- Large mirror
- Powder sponge, eyeshadow applicator, lip brush


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), Clarins

Geneve

It is so good to be home. Oh lovely bed, how I have missed you! I wish I had the luggage space to bring my own pillows and sheets. Unfortunately, the space was filled with personal care necessities such as different colors of blushers.

I had a wonderful time on this trip. There weren't many sunny days but having fondue (and the most fantastic one I have ever tasted) in the beautiful town of Montreux, Switzerland made up for it all. The atmosphere was just stunning. The town itself is surrounded by the Swiss Alps, Lake Geneva, and many vineyards which is why it was the perfect spot for a Christmas market to be located at. The perfect backdrop.

I turn into a little kid every year I go to Christmas markets. I start to hyperventilate and begin to run around the different stalls, playing with sparkly boxes, hand painted wooden figures and ogling colorful pieces of hard candies. The bonus this year was stuffing down exactly 220grams of cheese fondue a l'ail. I have had cheese fondue in the past but none like this.

The day cross over French border at Charmonix, a town situated at the foot of Mont Blanc was another treat this trip. Even when the weather did not cooperate and we were unable to take the cable car further up or see glaciers, the town itself was still beautiful. We had only about six hours in town and had opted not to take a ride with the sleddogs because they smelled well, too natural. The enthusiasm of the dogs were great to see though as they were howling and so eager to get going.

There is something about the crisp cold mountain air. I have been sleeping so well ever since I got back and I certainly feel alot healthier than when I first left for vacation.

So what do you do to feel rejuvenated again? What makes you feel alive and charged up?


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)

Possibilities: Unknown

Day Two

Purpose: Vacation
Destination: Geneva, Switzerland
Possibilities: Unknown

As I write this, I feel a certain lightness surround me. It has been a while since I have had a vacation. It feels very different and so special blogging from an airport wifi cafe. I sit here with my miniature coffee listening to the buzzing of french being spoken around me and I can't help but feel giddy. Feel excited about the prospects of what's to come in the coming week, all of the new discoveries I will make. Discoveries that will likely leave a long lasting impression in my mind. I am in Geneva this week for a short winter getaway. Traveling wakes me up. It injects a new dose of energy back into my mind and my body.

Yesterday I wandered into a shop selling beauty supplies on Rue de la Confederation. The shop was about to close so I had to literally run through it. I am so excited because I spotted beauty brands that I have either wanted to try for a long time, or ones that I have never heard of. I am also elated at the thought of filling up with cheese fondue and Swiss chocolate. And what about seeing the Alps! I will hopefully have the fortune of seeing glacier for the first time in my life. When I am done here, I am crossing over to the French border and who knows what else is in store for me.

Any recommendations for what a newbie should do and see in Geneve?


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)

Story Behind Givenchy's Autumn/Winter 08/09 Make-up Line

Credit: youtube.com

Donna Karen Fall '08

Does a man or a woman better understand how to design for the woman's form? It is a debate with no end in sight.

However, one thing that I am sure of is that Donna Karen has a complete understanding of how to dress a women with curves. I am in love with the way the fabrics seem to river & flirt with our eyes. There is a sense of understated confidence that doesn't sacrifice femininity.

The key to dressing "DK" ~

Boudoir Dressing
Something seductive that slips on and may slip off easily! Glides around with us wherever we go and takes the form of our body.

Tapestry Top Layer
A dressy top that has all the drama we need so that we can keep the rest easy.

Venetian Drama
Enter a room with drama and the richness of jewel tones.

Exotic Evening
Exotic looking fabrics dresses us up all the time.

Noir Nights
Yes, black is back again but DK takes it to reflective heights!

Urban Upulance
Soft shimmery suits that takes us day to night.

Wardrobe Foundation
A simple yet sassy layer which can be revealed when the layers come off.

Luxe Cashmere Tweed
Structure built into cashmere that takes off the heaviness but makes for interesting illusion.


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), donnakaren.com
Different subscription services to this blog is available on the sidebar.

Parlez-Vous Long Nails?

I can barely type right now. I was asked to model in a photo shoot yesterday and they had me all done up from my fingertips to my head. It was absolutely fun and glamorous. However, I am now sporting the longest nails I have ever had. Typing this post, letter by letter, is limiting and testing my patience.

All the fancy work achieved on these nails was done with OPI's lacquer and most of them came from their new LA COLLECTION DE FRANCE FALL/WINTER 2008. The first picture features the polish called "Bastille My Heart" and the second "Parlez-Vous OPI?" and "Louvre Me Louvre Me Not".

So what I am wondering is if you have got any tips for me on how to deal with really long finger nails? Doing simple daily tasks (e.g. picking up my tweezers) has got me baffled and BFOG screams every time I accidentally injure him with them. Although, I have noticed that they make excellent itch scratchers and act as a big tooth comb for combing conditioner through hair!

I admire the intricate work performed and the time spent on them but I am starting to lose it. If all goes well, they can stay on for as long as 2 weeks. Will I be able to bear it? Or should I just go ahead and have them removed? Do you like them?



Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar.

All Eyes On: LIPS

Three of my current favorite lip looks:Bourjois has just released a line of red lipsticks called Beauty-to-wear So Rouge red colors. There is finally an easier way to shop for a red lippie for any skin tone. There is a color for everyone in the new collection.

Trendy Rouge #31 is a red that is bold enough for glamor wear. Wear it with bare lids with just a thin line of liquid eyeliner and bare powdered cheeks.

I love the blinding shimmer in this Super Shine gloss from Rituals. To make sure it doesn't turn gaudy, concentrate the color in the middle parts of the lips. I powdered the outer corners to stop the gloss from migrating outwards and to emphasize the dewiness of the gloss in the middle.

I dug this Versace lipstick out from storage and I believe has been discontinued. What a shame. It is gorgeously pigmented and has fantastic texture that does not feel heavy.



Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar.

Interpretation Of MAC Fall Makeup Looks

I have been obsessed with looking at the MAC Cult of Cherry collection. The deep cherry and chocolate hues of the collection is made even more delicious with an array of lipsticks, mattenes and lipglasses so devilishly pigmented. So Scarlet (lipstick), Bing (Mattene Lipstick), and Jampacked (Lipglass) are the ones to have for Fall because it might be a while until we see these kinds of colors again.

Now I am quite used to waiting for some time for any new MAC releases here. I used to fret and get all anxious about the wait but something has changed and I quite enjoy it now. This waiting period gives me the time to read everyone else's reviews and see their interpretations. The time also lets me come up with my own interpretations and stand-in products until the real thing reaches me. It will be about another week or so until the entire collection shows up in the Netherlands so I have put together a few of my favorite stand-ins that I love and am using right now.

MAC Face Chart - Jampacked

For this look, I use a Versace lipstick I already own in V2015. The beautiful cherry stain color with no shimmer is disguised by the look of scary eggplant color. The swatch above was done with one single swipe so with a few more swipes, it reaches the intensity of the look in MAC's face chart (above left). Great versatility! Thanks to the hype with dark lips this fall, I can work this and finally pull this one from storage.

To complete the look while not taking too much attention from that delicious lip look, the Sephora Blush Me Twice! duo in Duo Capricieuse No. 1 is perfect. Since this was purchased when I was in Paris, the name of the product is different elsewhere (on their site, it is called Blush Me Twice! Hot Pink/Bronze) and may not be available everywhere. I find that both sides of the blush can be used allover the face and on the eyes to contour and highlight, and to re-create the look in the face chart. I am particularly fond of the satin feel of the finely pressed powder of this blush duo. The texture feels incredibly light and has a beautiful sheen.

MAC Face Chart








Dark smoky eyes have all the attention as well; as long as it is not paired with a strong lip like the one above. Colors of soot, dust, ash and matt black are the ones to pay attention to. For this task I call on my Hot Contrast eyeshadow from MAC. The beautiful veining on the lighter side consists of silver, red, black and pink. Because of the marbling, we get to play and create a variety of looks depending on how much of each color we choose to pick up. The matt black side is supposed to be a straight matt black but mine came with a a smudge of shimmery red in it. So much fun and what you get may be different from what others have!

A second interpretation of the smoky eye this fall can be done with H&M's Makeup Palette called 40's Night Makeup Palette. The compact costs me a whopping 7 euros and contains 5 shades for making up the eyes and 3 shades for the cheeks. The palette came in two choices and this one was another Paris purchase. I have not seen this in the Netherlands yet but I hope it makes an appearance elsewhere other than Paris. The killer shades are the smoldering blue/green that looks like velvet in the compact, the shimmery charcoal that sparkles, and the diamante ricepaper shade. The blushes are usable and has good texture, but they are way too small to use with a proper blush brush. I had to squeeze my brush to make it compact enough to fit. But who cares because the compact as a whole is so cute and metallic aqua!


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), maccosmetics.com
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar

Which Category Do You Fit Into?

Just a heads-up on The Body Shop's new line of body products that aim to take care of our inner and outer selves. I have been to their store and tested most of the products myself. Granted, the wellness approach is nothing new, but I think they have done a convincing job at creating some lemming-worthy items to treat our body and soul.

The line is divided into four categories (see image above) and is driven by ingredients that do double duties in terms of provoking a state of mind via scent and active properties. I think I am going to have to get something from each category since I suffer from each one of them at different times. For example, I could really use some of that Total Energy Exhilarating body wash (state #1) during that one time of the month when I can use a kick of energy at that time. Or, I could hand over that bottle of Divine Calm Relaxing Massage oil (state #2) to BFOG when life is stressing me out. And when I feel like getting some detox action, I would probably give the Rejuvenating Bath Soak (state #4) that contains wasabi (!) a try.

As soon as I get my hands on these, I will let you in on the scoop!


Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), thebodyshop.com
Subscription to this blog is available on the sidebar

Givenchy Prisme Again! - Yes!

I am in love again! with Givenchy's new collection of Prisme Again! Eyeshadow quartets. The two stunners come in Smoky Shimmer and Precious Shimmer. I have yet to see these at my local counter but from the press pictures, they look very promising.

The Smoky Shimmer quartet includes a deep denim shade, a velvety eggplant, a black and the irresistible smoky black with white polka dots. The Precious Shimmer quartet holds a metallic khaki, a shimmery loaded light gray, a beautiful lilac and an adorable silver with black polka dots.

The image below of the model wearing colors from the two palettes is enough to make me want them both. I am loving the straight brows and what they have done to play up the inner corners of the eye and the lower lashline.

The collection is charming and mysterious and I have serious craving for that delicious red lippie.

Credit: temptalia.com

Skin, Lips Going Forward

Image: Model Barbara (for Antoine Peters) with matte skin and attention-grabbing lipstick on, waiting to be groomed backstage.

So it seems we have reached the end of the road for shimmers and luminous finishes. Perhaps I should have clued in on that as we have seen loads of powdery skin in magazines lately. But I hadn't realized that we are gong to have to let go of it all!

This insight is what I learned when I chatted with Pernel, who was leading a group of makeup artists at the Antoine Peters show during fashion week. According to him, the ladies who used to wear lipgloss are now craving something a little more sophisticated and grown-up. Lipgloss may soon be a thing of the past as lipstick in bold hues create drama that stand out and is compatible with the dark dark clothes for fall/winter.

The matte look appeals to me. I actually long for the smooth-dry feel of it all. As soon as the weather says autumn, my face powders and lipsticks are coming out from storage!

How do you feel about this 'cooling' trend?


Credit: Grayburn, vogue.com, style.com

Sunny Day At The AIFW

So... so so so tired right now. But I just want to get a few words in before I call it a day. We had such wonderful weather today and Fashion Week was made even better by the sunshine. Attendees all rushed in for the shows and rushed outside again to catch more of the much desired rays.

Names who showed today: Ha.ru.co - Vert, Collection PRC, Oilily, and Lichting 2008. I will have more on some of these and more shortly, I promise!

I just can't wait to see more of the fabulous looks I have already seen at the shows and will be bringing back some piping hot looks from backstage as well. I have a feeling we will be quite spoiled for ideas on what to wear in Autumn and Winter!



Photos: Grayburn.blogspot.com

A Peek Into Autumn With Dolce & Gabbana

I urge everyone to take advantage of all the great summer colors of the moment because autumn colors are coming our way fast! Have a look at these images from the Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter '08 show and you will know what I mean.

Deep luminous hues go with the luxuriousness and oversized shapes. Note the darkened nails.

Matte skin with not a highlighter in sight. No more over-exaggerated brows.

Check out the all the textures! Fluffy and feathery vests fitted close to the body.

Tartan paired with other patterns such as stripes and paisley. I'm so excited about hats!

These trousers..love! Mix patterned blouse...love!

Photos by Luca Cannoneri