Beauty411

Beauty in the Basket...4 suggestions to welcome spring!

Do you typically make up Easter baskets to help celebrate the holiday and the arrival of spring?  I do--and I'm constantly on the lookout for a few beauty products to tuck into the basket, along with the chocolate bunnies and Peeps.  Here are some suggestions that are perfect for the makeup lover:

NY Fashion Week: Lela Rose Fall 2010 Backstage Beauty

The Lela Rose fashion show is always one of the most popular shows of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Inspired by a recent trip to the Galopagos Island, colors in shades of blue figured prominently in the Lela Rose Fall/Winter 2010 collection.

The tarte artistry team partnered with beauty.com and celebrity makeup artist, Tina Turnbow to create the celestial-inspired look for Lela Rose's Fall 2010 show.  The moonlit eye look featured a mysterious silvery/black smoky eye without edges and just a touch of blue, while the complexion and lips had a cloudy, hazy feel.

Lippmann Nail Collection - Fall 2009

Deborah Lippmann introduces two new nail colors for Fall 2009:  Don't Tell Mama and Marquee Moon.  Don't Tell Mama is a gorgeous shade of deep forest/spruce green shimmer, shot with a bit of teal blue.  At first I was hesitant -- I'm not about the green nail colors.  But once applied on the nail, Don't Tell Mama is an amazing color.  So amazing, that while I was at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I lost count of the number of people that grabbed my hand and wanted to know what nail color I was wearing!  There is enough pigmentation in the color that you might be able to get away with one coat, but I applied two.

Backstage Pass: Lela Rose at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

While in New York for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I was privileged to attend the shows and go backstage to get the details on key aspects of the look: makeup, hair and nails.  At Lela Rose, the look was relaxed and inspired by Venice Beach.

Makeup was by Sarah Lucero for Stila and Beauty.com.  Sarah said the look they were going for was a "seashell look on the eyes".  Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 was applied to the face, with Fandango Duo Shadow applied to eyelids, Camelia Convertible Color on the browbone and Cobalt Smudge Pot in inner corners.  Cheeks were naturally flushed using Pomegranate Crush Stain.  Lips were nude, using Camellia Convertible Color.  Black Major Major Mascara completed the look.  Prior to makeup application, various Darphin products were used to prepare the skin.

Presale Info: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives Event 2009

Beauty Addicts...It's time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusives Presale Event!  Starting today, you can go online to NORDSTROM.com or stop into Nordstrom stores to pre-order and reserve your favorite Anniversary Sale Beauty Exclusive offerings.  I'm definitely in trouble, as the makeup offerings look great.

Here are some of my early beauty picks:

 

Laura Mercier Renaissance Collection:  Laura Mercier created an exclusive set featuring seven must-have items in the hottest shades of the season, all housed in a chic patent cosmetic bag.  $65  (a $167 value)

MAC Look In a Box:  This set of six products gives makeup lovers everything they need to create a sultry, sexy look.  Choose from Seductress, Siren or Sweet Tease.  $49.50  (a $100 value).  MAC will also have brush sets available ($ 49.50, a $125 value), 2 eye palettes (warm and cool) and a lip palette.