Fall’s Hottest Nail Polish
Summer has come and gone, as have all those neon nail lacquers. Now we’re switching up our manis with these fall nail trends — some obvious, like deep reds, and others not so much, like pearly white. (We’ve always thought wearing white after Labor Day was a fashion faux-pas that just had to be broken.)
Rich jewel tones were all over the fall runways, such as at Karen Walker’s show where models nails were polished with CND Midnight Sapphire ($9, Cnd.com). Other jewel tones we’re loving: Estée Lauder Black Turquoise ($20, Saksfifthavenue.com), MAC Gadabout Girl ($16, Maccosmetics.com), and Essie Stylenomics ($8, Essie.com).
Although light lacquers are typically associated with spring, pale nudes and even white are getting some play this fall. Use these simple, chic colors to accompany fall’s bolder trends, such as a dark lip or cat-eye. Shades we recommend: OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls ($7.25, opi.com), Chanel Frenzy ($26, Chanel.com) and Nails Inc. Jermyn Street ($9.50, Sephora.com).
Gold and silver were two of the hottest colors this summer, thanks to the Olympics, and they aren’t going anywhere. If you’re into a bold mani, but like us, you don’t have the ambidexterity to tackle nail art, metallics are a smart option. Add these to your collection: Tom Ford Dominatrix ($30, Neimanmarcus.com), Butter London Shag ($14, Butterlondon.com), and Sonia Kashuk Dime A Dozen ($4.99, Target.com)
The French manicure has gone through so many transformations in recent years. This season, try a neutral base and dark tip, like the mani models wore at Donna Karan’s fall runway show. More combinations we’re dying to try: Julep Otte ($14, Trinaturk.com) with CND Bloodline ($9, Cnd.com) and Deborah Lippmann Modern Love ($16, Lippmanncollection.com) with Zoya Diva Collection Song ($8, Zoya.com). And since gray is a huge color this season (not just because of Fifty Shades of Grey), you have to try gray on gray. We love China Glaze on Safari Elephant Walk ($5.99, Enailsupply.com) as the base and Nars Storm Bird ($18, Sephora.com) as the tips. Understated and classy.
Which trend is your favorite?
NYFW Spring 2013 Makeup Trends
Fashion week’s bevy of beautiful models had their natural beauty highlighted for Spring 2013. Eyes, lids, brows, and lips were the focus: soft, feature-enhancing makeup and bold, modern looks both reigned on the runways. From iconic images of the past to scenes in nature, makeup artists drew inspiration from a variety of muses and really mixed the old with the new. We can’t wait to try out these fresh trends next spring!
Our Favorite New Beauty Finds
We love trying all the latest beauty products out there and sharing our finds with you. There are tons of new products for smooth hair, soft skin or long lashes. Which should you try? Read on for our faves.
Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer, $42
When Rachel Zoe claims to be a fan, you know its got to be “MAJOR!” This tinted moisturizer is perfect for summer as it provides light, skin illuminating coverage as well as sun protection. And coming from one of our favorite makeup brands, it’s no surprise the shades are gorgeous.
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, $42
Illamasqua is known for their highly-pigmeneted, dramatic makeup, but this foundation is natural and beautiful. It goes on so smooth and has staying power. Plus you can layer and blend for the right amount of coverage for you. It isn’t cakey at all and has a mild fragrance.
Simply Vera Vera Wang Cosmetics Transforming Shadow Duo, $19.50
Vera Wang’s line for Kohl’s has now expanded into cosmetics. The formulas and packaging are so luxe you won’t believe they aren’t from a high end department store. The eye shadow duos are the perfect size to keep in your purse and come in an array of shimmer-y and matte shades that go on smooth and don’t crease.
Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen for Body SPF 50, $23
Kiehl’s new sunscreen not only protects you from the sun but is also full of antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients such as goji berry, vitamin e and wheat. It’s perfect for sensitive skin, too!
Maybelline Volum’ Express The MegaPlush Mascara, $7.99
This new mascara’s gel mousse formula doesn’t flake and creates super long lashes that almost look fake. The unique flexor brush ensures lots of product gets on your lashes without clumping. Plus, you can’t go wrong with this drugstore price!
Nexxus Pro-Mend Split End Treatment Daily Shampoo, $9.50 and Split End Binding Daily Conditioner, $17
If you’re prone to split ends between cuts you’ve got to try Nexxus’ new shampoo and conditioner. Their pro-mend line is formulated to treat dry, damaged hair and bind split ends. The scent is addictive and keeps your hair smelling fresh between washes.
Eclos Anti-Aging Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream, $24.99
We recently discovered Eclos’ line of plant stem cell products that is amazingly moisturizing with great anti-aging properties. The moisturizer smells fantastic and isn’t greasy…it will leave your skin feeling super soft!
Get Your Glitter On
When you’re getting ready for a big night or just want to look a little extra special, sparkly baubles make a great addition to your look, but have you thought about adding a little glimmer to your beauty routine? There are plenty of products to get your face and body glowing. Here’s our list of favorites:
NYX Roll On Shimmer in Platinum, $4.49
This easy to use roller is a great multi-tasker. You can use it to add some sheer shimmer to your eyes, cheeks or décolletage.
Pretty in Pastels
When it comes to trends, what says spring more than pastels? Gorgeous pale shades were all over the runways, so we’ve hand-picked the most stylish pastel fashion items, accessories and beauty products for you to try this spring.
Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Dab, $24
This matte cream pigment has amazing coverage as an eye shadow and is super easy to apply with your fingertips or a brush. It’s a perfect way to try out a pastel purple look!
Nars Blush in Gaeity, $28
Nars has become the authority for blush. Get cheeky with this pastel-y pink.
Bobbi Brown Cream Lip Color in Pale Mauve, $23
Pale pastel lips are so mod. For Twiggy-esque lips, try Bobbi Brown’s cream lip color.
Essie Love & Acceptance Nail Polish, $8
This new shade is actually from Essie’s wedding collection, but even if you aren’t tying the knot, you will love this dainty color.
LC Lauren Conrad Platform High Heels, $38.99
Adorable AND affordable, these suede pumps from Lauren Conrad’s line for Kohl’s look great with jeans or a dress…the pale pink easily matches with many outfits.
Diane von Furstenberg Rina Top, $245
DVF’s famous wrap dresses…now in blouse form and in an on-trend pastel purple. Pair it with linen pants on the weekend or throw a blazer over it for the office.
Rag & Bone Midrise Ankle Zip Seafoam Jeans, $188
Rag & Bone just makes the BEST skinny jeans in amazing colors. The zippered ankle adds an edgy detail that looks fab paired with a leather jacket.
cut25 Matte Jersey Cut-Out Dress, $355
How amazing is this shift? In a basic shape with sexy cut-outs and a gorgeous color, this frock is the ultimate party dress.
3.1 Phillip Lim Lark Small Duffel, $875
If you find yourself always wearing black, try the pastel trend with a muted statement bag like this one from 3.1 Phillip Lim.
How to Go Nude
If you’ve ever applied nude makeup you probably know what it means to look washed out, or worse, like you haven’t done a thing. “A lot of women thinks nude means pale,” said Kimberly Soane, Bobbi Brown’s director of global artistry, when nude is actually about highlighting your natural skin tone. Here are some tips on how to get this timeless, goes-with-everything look.
The Best Nude Lipsticks, Glosses and Pencils
Lips
The key to nude lips is choosing a shade with a hint of color. You’re not trying to neutralize your entire face. Needless to say, the color of your skin tone determines what product you choose, but the idea is to brighten your pout.
For pale skin, try a peachy-pink color; for olive skin tones, choose a warm color with gold or caramel undertone, like NARS Buenos Aires Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil ($24; available April 15 at Narscosmetics.com); and for darker skin choose a deep honey or light coffee color.
Nails
A nude polish is a universally flattering color that works with every outfit. Yep, all of ’em. The nice thing about a neutral nail is that you don’t necessarily have to wear polish; if you’re happy with your natural nail, just add a glossy coat.
But a nude nail can look very bridal, and while we adore the classic imagery, it might not be ideal on a day-to-day basis. Choosing a good color depends on how bold you want to go; we like the beige-colored Sally Hansen Smooth and Perfect polish in Dune ($5.50, Drugstore.com). As long as the color appears natural and makes your nails look healthier than before, you’ve perfected a nude nail.
Editor’s Picks: The Best Spring Lipsticks
Skin
The idea with nude skin is to enhance your natural skin tone and draw out your best facial features. “When you create a makeup [look] based on the tones already found in your face, you will, in fact, create your perfect personal nude,” said Soane. Like choosing the right blush: “If you pinch your cheek, that will be your perfect nude blush,” she added.
Also note that your skin’s nude will change with the seasons. What works in winter may not work in the summer. We really like Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder ($50, Bobbibrown.com). After you’ve applied your makeup, dust this powder across your face lightly to blend colors and add a little evening sparkle to your face.
Eyes
The fantastic thing about a nude eye is that it kills two birds with one stone: hides dark circles and adds a little color to your face at the same time. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can use a nude shadow to conceal a rough night’s sleep. Select a color almost identical to your skin tone and apply generously to your lids.
To draw attention to your eyes and enhance their natural color, follow the same color guidelines that you did for your lips. Try Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude ($11, Ulta.com), a product with nine shades to help you figure out which one matches your tone.
Have you mastered the nude look yet?
Photo: Frederic Cirou @ PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections
 DailyMakeover.com from Makeover Solutions, Inc., is the web’s leading beauty information site, providing virtual makeover technology and content for women to create personalized makeovers. DailyMakeover.com’s virtual Makeover Studio enables users to see themselves wearing numerous hairstyles, makeup shades and fashion accessories to create their best makeovers, which can be saved, printed, or emailed. DailyMakeover.com is headquartered in New York City. |
Rachel Roy: What Every Woman Needs in Her Wardrobe PLUS Travel, Style and Beauty Must-haves
Rachel Roy is a dynamic fashion designer whose pieces have been seen on every leading lady from Michelle Obama, Diane Sawyer, Jennifer Garner, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson. I met Rachel at a recent event and was blown away by her support of entrepreneurial women and charity. The gorgeous native Californian, whose personal beauty shines through every one of her designs has worked in the fashion industry since her teenage years as a sales girl– which she calls her early market research! Before designing her own line, she styled magazine shoots, music videos and was creative director for Rocawear. Since the launch of her Rachel Roy line in Spring 2005, Rachel has had a whirlwind of success including being inducted into the CFDA, appearing on Oprah, and launching RACHEL Rachel Roy, a diffusion line sold exclusively at Macy’s. Rachel shared with me what she has been up to lately and offered some of her best tips and products picks!
MM: You have a very interesting background. How has that influenced you as a designer?
RR: I’ve always loved fashion and taking risks in both what I wear and what I design as this has been a guiding principle for me. I’ve never let fear paralyze me but rather let my passion drive me. One of my goals is to help other women realize this as well.
MM: We are so excited about your new collection, what was your inspiration for FW 2012?
RR: My fall 2012 collection is inspired by the documentary Women in the Dirt which highlights the works of seven award- winning women who have made their mark in the field of landscape architecture and are changing our world. From this, the idea of modern landscape architecture and the influence of nature was really interesting to me– balancing the clean lines of landscapes and natural colors and interesting material combinations and details.
MM: What are 3 items you always have on hand during fashion week?
RR: Yoga mat- I practice yoga two to three times a week. The meditation helps me stay centered. Music- it’s one of the quickest routes to dream and always inspires me. Candles- the comforting and continuous glow of a Jo Malone candle while I work is a must.
MM: How do you unwind after such a whirlwind week?
RR: Take a breath, thank my staff and then off for some R & R. First I sleep and then I have a proper meal since I have been living off coffee and sugar for the past two weeks preparing for the show. I’ll spend some quality time with my daughters, visit the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza Hotel for one of my favorite facial treatments, and lounge at home and watch re-runs of The Office or Modern Family. Then it’s right back into designing the next collection!
9 Cool Beauty Looks from Fashion Week
As much as we love checking out all of the new collections designers roll out, when you have backstage access it’s all about the beauty! The world’s best hair stylists and sought after make-up artists create the fabulous looks we see on the runway that set the trends for real life. Here are our picks of the coolest hair and make-up looks during New York Fashion Week.
20 Ways To Look Hot This Holiday
Sport Shiny Hair
To get an attention-grabbing hairdo, celebrity stylist Mark Townsend says to add a large dollop of Dove’s Body and Lift Mousse ($4.29, Drugstore.com) to damp hair, and blow dry it with a round brush. Divide hair into 3-inch sections and spritz some flexible hold hairspray onto each section before wrapping it around a 2 inch curling iron. Add extra shine by rubbing a small amount of Dove’s Nourishing Oil Leave-in Smoothing cream ($5.59, Drugstore.com) through hair.
Get Legs Mini Skirt Ready
Most women give their razors a long break in the winter and keep their legs covered, but great looking stems are sure to get a second glance. Get smooth skin with the Venus Embrace razor ($10.99, Drugstore.com) and Prtty Peaushun ($36.00, B-glowing.com), a cream with light-reflecting particles that will firm skin and camouflage imperfections.
Carmindy Shares Her Best Blush Tips
Super chic fashion make-up artist, Carmindy, from the hit show What Not to Wear and author of Crazy Busy Beautiful, Get Positively Beautiful, and The 5-Minute Face, shares her tips and tricks for making the most out of your blush this fall.
It’s time to put away the bronzers and self-tanners because fall is here. Though don’t think you have to be basking in the sun to get a gorgeous glow. Blush creates a fresh and youthful look, and while it’s universally flattering on everybody, you may find yourself spending hours trying to find the perfect shade for your complexion.
Choosing the correct shade of blush for your skin tone is key to achieving that perfect flushed look. Carmindy recommends pink for fair skin, coral for olive skin, and terra-cotta-ish for dark skin. We love NARS Super Orgasm Blush, (Sephora, $27.00), the perfect mixture of shimmering pinky/peach, not to mention flattering on all skin tones.
Achieving a natural-look with blush is all about the application. “Use a big fluffy powder brush to swirl on powder blush and use upwards sweeps starting at the apples and working back to hairline,” she says. Carmindy recommends using a big powder brush for powder blush (a regular size blush brush picks up too much color often resulting in inconsistencies in coverage). Carmindy also recommends using a synthetic dome brush like MAC 197 Duo Fibre Brush (MAC, $42.00) or even your fingers.
For applying cream blush, the tools are very simple-“For cream blush use your fingers and apply in circular motions the same way,” she says. We love the Blushwear Cream Stick (Clinique, $19.00), an easy-to-apply blush in flirty colors Rosy,Peachy, Glow and Shy.
When it comes to her favorite brands of blushes, Carmindy has no problem naming her top picks- “My Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy Sheerest Cream Blush is the best there is,” she says. Another favorite: “I love the powder blushes by MAC for their color range,” she says.
With all the various types of blushes (powder, creme, and cheek stains) out on the market, it can be tricky to pin-point which is the best for your skin-type. “Powder blush is great for more intensity and for oily skin,” she says. “For drier skin and mature skin cream blush looks a but more natural and dewy.” Athletic women should turn to stains to achieve the best look- “stains are best for really active sporty women who need a waterproof or sweat-proof color,” she says.
For more fabulous tips on blush or makeup,visit Carmindy’s website.
