I had to wipe off the drool from the top of my chin when I saw this standout at the MAC counter the other day. I had never seen a beauty like this before!
The MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Warm Blend (Colour Craft Collection) contains 3 stripes of colors that deepens a tan and gives sheen to the complexion. This is a stellar shaper or highlighter for those with light-medium to dark skin tones but the lightest of skintones do not fear; apply with a 187/188/131 (LE) then buff with a flat top brush to achieve a rich glow.
Top - peach bronze
Middle - brown bronze
Bottom - true bronze
Swirled together, the result is a rich, deep, tropical glow. To apply, place along the hollows of the cheeks and then blended towards the apples to create what reminds me of the girl in MAC's Naked Honey campaign picture. But the colors in the compact can also be used seperately as well. Using the middle color as a crease color and one of the other 2 to complement it creates a summery, warm look for the eye.
I am certainly grabbing a backup!
Website: maccosmetics.com
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Wednesday
Warm Blend
Friday
Monday
Summer '09 Chanel Glossimers
I love how Chanel make the impossible look impossibly chic! They are launching new Glossimers (which are possibly the best lipgloss around) and I want whichever one(s) were used for achieving the lips above. My guess from their product description is that the above look was achieved by using a combination of Nebula (rosewood) and Mica (white). Can't wait to see them at the counters!
Glossimers ($27.00)
- Nebula Rosewood
- Meteore Deep coral
- Mica White
- Mirage Brown
- Venus Fuchsia
- Silex Coral
- Cosmos Bronze
- Jupiter Red
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), temptalia.com
Aloha And Sun Protection
Aloha! I am loving Hawaii and even more now that jet lag seems like a distant memory. It is sunny here and when it rains, it only seems to last for 10 minutes. And oh boy is sunscreen a necessity but makeup no longer one.
I have 4 different bottles of sunscreen on hand and when used appropriately, they seem to be keeping me well protected. For example, my tiny liquidy bottle of La Roche Posay Spf 30 is managing to withstand 12-o'clock sunshine and sweat without that greesy feeling. Unfortunately, it somehow messes with my mineral foundation. The Sofina Lucent Spf 50+ is a liiiiight protector which doubles as an Excellent liquid or powder foundation primer. The thing about these two sunscreens is that you must remove them completely or they could lead to clogged pores. I discovered the Banana Boat sunscreens here in Hawaii and have fallen in love with their Ultra Defense line. This stuff applies very light and is absorbed by the skin in no time. And for sun protection touch-ups on the go, I love those mists from Neutrogena's Fresh Cooling line.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), picture of the beautiful Waikiki Beach from waikikibeachoutreach.com
drOOOOOl!
drOOOOOOl!
We have been using quite a few products from NARS cosmetics in makeup class. I'm loving them so far because they have great textures; especially the lippies which are striking in its pigment intensity. Looking forward to seeing the items from their Summer 2009 collection (they are available for sale online right now!) when they come out to the stores.
Will write reviews on them as soon as I have tried the products on a larger variety of skin tones and types!
Website: narscosmetics.com
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Thursday
Pretty In Spring
Spring is about happy soft colors. This is the time when major brands such as Estee Lauder, Chanel and Lancome have lots of powdery pinks and peaches for us to choose from. Shimmer or none, this is the time to play with pretty pastels.
The H&M blush compact in Pink is a budget-friendly version that doesn't make you feel like you are stingy. Texture-wise, it is right up there with some department brands I have compared to. It has aloe vera amongst its list of ingredients and the color hasn't failed me yet when it comes to its staying power. The fine shimmer creates a slight glowy effect sans chunky glittery pieces.
What makes even greater is that one can adjust the desired look by either picking up more of the pink in the center with a brush, or the sand or pale peach/pink on its sides.
Price: 4,90 euros
Website: shop.hm.com/nl/shoppingwindow?dept=KOSM_MAKE&shoptype=S
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Friday
Celebration Sale @ Joline Jolink
One of my favorite Dutch designer Joline Jolink is having a celebration to mark the 1-year anniversary of their webshop (one that is open to international customers by the way). The sale is good for this weekend only and there is 20% off of their current and their "Hall of Fame" collection. Orders over 200 euros will receive a 6-month free subscription to Elle or Red magazine (for customers living in the Netherlands).
Hurry before her Sun Max dress is sold out!
Website: jolinejolink.com
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Chanel Shopping Bag
The black and white paper shopping bag from Chanel is such a symbol of class and luxury. Most often when I see someone walking down the street with one of them in her clutch I immediately have the urge to rush over and see what lovely things she got!
The shopping bags pictured above come from Chanel's Spring Summer 2009 RTW collection and are crafted out of calfskin with hand painted lettering. They come in 3 sizes: large (looks like the one you get when say you have purchased a large purse), medium (the one you get when you have perhaps purchased 2 pairs of sunglasses), and small (the one you get when you buy a lipstick or a rose broche). Colors are in black, white, or pink.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), chanel.com, style.com
Thursday
All In The Details: C'est Brillant AIFW 2009
It was fantastic to see 5 groups of designers given the honor to create clothing to complement C'est Brillant's 2009 eyeglasses collection. I love the focus of using eyeglasses as an accessory rather than an ordinary visual-aid piece.
p.s. the name of the eyeglasses designer is not misspelled, "brillen" is the Dutch word for eyeglasses... a play on the English word "brill-i-ant"...you get the idea...!
I love details and personally I either buy something for its details or the very lack thereof - if you know what I mean. Here are the details that caught my eye and had me snapping crazily away with my camera ...
Anne Et Valentin & Cross Colours
Sama Summum
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use)
Monday
Something To Do With Vibrant Colors
I might not be quite ready to wear brights on my digits just yet (the temperature is still hovering at around freezing here) but I sure am looking forward to these 2 colors from Givenchy's Spring/Summer line. The collection, made up of vibrant pinks and oranges, drew inspiration from the exhilirating colors seen in India and in Bollywood films.
The vividly hot colors would make a bold statement equally on both pale to dark skin tones. I am hoping to make an even bolder statement for Summer by wearing the nail colors together in geometric blocks the same way I have seen done brilliantly on some dresses lately. It would work particularly well since the two shades complement each other rather well I think.
Vernis Please! Lacquer both LE (link) - Maharani Tangerine No. 161 (only available in Europe) and Maharani Pink No. 162.
Creator Nicolas Degennes talks about the collection:
"I saw India as a bombardment of colours bursting forth to the rhythm of filmi music. I had already been a fan of this infectious, upbeat music for a long time, but of course it was the imagery that really grabbed me — Bollywood and its palettes of colours burst with beams of light.Melodramatic love stories… But love stories all the same, with all the emotion, the ardour, the passion of hearts that are torn apart and the struggle through hardship … The stuff of life! And the women! So beautiful, vivacious, dazzling…… and yet so sweetly demure. I have been, sometimes without realizing it, inspired by historical, traditional India. A mysterious, magical, disquieting India. The India of symbols and thousands of gods, where even cows and elephants are made up and 'bejewelled'. The India of fairy tales, of Maharajas and especially Maharanis, wrapped up in their silk saris and covered in precious jewels.Words and images that take us beyond our boundaries.History, reality and fantasy join hands."
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), givenchy.com
Thursday
22.01.2009
Shoes from CasadeiHere are a few looks I'm looking forward to wearing for S/S '09, what are yours?
Ethnic Detail - Anna Sui
Think heat and earthy brights. These colors look great against heat-flushed cheeks. Show off tribal patterns and embellish with handmade accessories. Rough a little texture into the hair and wear brick red on the lips.
Fitted Jumpsuit - Proenza Schouler
I have always had a thing for bodysuits. This one from Proenza Schouler is fits and skims at the right places. Its simple coloring means that whatever accessories you will add to the outfit will pop. Balance the slimline of the bodysuit with loose wavy hair and keep the makeup simple with just some emphasis on the brows.
Different Stripes - Viktor & Rolf
Not the ordinary kind. Stripes are not reserved only for sailors anymore. Wear them at night to make a grand impact. To turn heads in an off-shoulder number, sweep hair off the face.
Breezy Harem - Ralph Lauren
Another S/S trend that I will want to live in. Some harem pants can be difficult to wear but this belted version has a luxurious and easy feel. Team it with a simple tank and some soft leather sandals in tan. Let your hair down and fluffy.
Credit: Grayburn (Terms of Use), harpersbazaar.com.au
Tuesday
Blue Blood Catwalk Show AIFW S/S 09 - Indigo In Their Veins
Image: goodie bag from the Blue Blood show
Credits: Grayburn
Wednesday
Monique Collignon S/S '09 Brings St. Tropez To The AIFW
It was hot inside the showroom. We felt relieved however, as Monique Collignon's S/S '09 collection walked onto the catwalk in a breath of fresh fabrics. The designer certainly has a flair for expensive fabrics and the collection has St. Tropez written all over it. For the entire fifteen minutes, we were suspended in French Riviera.
The models were all made up impeccably, with a touch of sunset color on their lids and liner (upper and lower) smudged on the outer 3/4. Those looking for sophisticated holiday day wear and cocktail dresses will surely find something in this collection.
Tomato red pops.
Day-to-night dressing.
I love the impeccable fit of the jacket.
Another gorgeous coat.
Peek-a-boo shorts - innocent yet provocative.
Flower: blossoming.
Crisp white lining.
This dress folded and moved in an interesting way as she walked out.
My lust-have!Monday
Backstage at Fashion Week '08
Ever been in a situation where you just don't know where to look because there is so much going on and that you are afraid to even blink because you might miss something? That about sums up my state when I spent my Saturday evening, backstage at the AIFW (Amsterdam's fashion week).
The vibe backstage was a clash of opposites; some of the crew were frantically running around the models trying to finish their looks; while others sat calmly reading magazines or chatted. There were just 2 shows left for the day (EnD & Antoine Peters) and the immense focus of the backstage crew made sure things ran relatively smoothly. When there were opportunities, I grabbed the chance to speak with Heath Roberts (Chef de cabine for the Antoine Peters show), and Anne (Chef de cabine for the EnD show). Both of these stylistic talents are part of the View Agency; an agency who represents some of the most talented hairstylists in the Netherlands. After all, this is why the AIFW chooses to work with View every time.
Image: Heath working intensely
For the Antoine Peters show, Heath explained that the designer wanted to toy with the Dutch phrase "Making an elephant of a mosquito". What became of that inspiration were hairstyles that were rather fun and upbeat. A few models graced the catwalk with front ponytails shaped into an elephant snout (see pic below). It was a little comedic but actually complemented the clothes rather well.
I can understand why this was Heath's most memorable show during fashion week. Unlike most shows where models from the same show all walked out with the same hairstyle, all the girls for this show walked out with slightly different styles. The models didn't mind it either. Heath, who speaks with a charming Australian accent which makes him a breeze to chat with, puts those around him at ease because of his relaxed demeanor and healthy-good looks. After all, anyone who has the ability to turn BFOG's hair into something appropriate is my personal hero and a great talent indeed!
Image: Anne (in green) with her team
She must have been one of the easiest and friendliest people I talked to at the shows. And her experience working at the AIFW was apparent. Anne, who was the Chef de cabine for EnD's catwalk show, explained the stylistic concept for the hair. EnD's focus on geometric shapes for their S/S '09 collection meant that the hair had to be kept simple. Anne explained to me that they had decided on something more curvy; which meant a slicked back ponytail that was placed high on the back of the head. The volume in the tail, emphasized by wrapping the first 2 inches, is further enhanced by a curve at the end (see pic below). The hairstyle definitely finished the clothes and coincided with EnD's sporty yet feminine flare.Anne also chatted about hair for this fall and winter and she seemed excited about creating looks with lots of big volume. I gathered that this will be a different kind of big hair than we have seen in the past (no more mattifying hair with hair powder). I can't wait to see more of Anne's work!
Anne's 2 favorite products to work with:
Redken Bulk Up ..............&.............Redken Fabricate 03She said that the two products can be mixed together to give our hair textured volume without too much kink. These are both on my list to buy!
I stole a few moments to chat with Mandy, the General Director of View Agency, when she was not busy overseeing the slur of activities backstage. Not only was she a pleasure to talk to, she spoke proudly of what View has accomplished with its stellar team of stylists. She went on to explain candidly about why she thinks the agency has done so well. Her secret is in selecting a team of friendly personalities.
What was evident to me as I watched the team at work backstage was that everyone knew what they were responsible for and how to do it. There is no wonder that major brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and De Bijenkorf are among View's clients. View's support of The Hair School in Amsterdam has produced many top hairstylists as well, who now have the seal of approval of being represented by the agency. An even brighter future for the agency lies ahead. So watch out for them!
All images copyright of Grayburn
