Laying It On Thick

A few weeks ago, I was in C.O. Bigelow - zipping through the aisles like a Whirling Dervish. A helpful salesgirl, seeing I was overwhelmed by the plethora of products, approached me and asked if I needed help finding anything in particular. Usually I coyly answer, "Just looking" - hoping that the salesperson backs up and leaves me to my own devices (eg- testing 20+ shades of lipgloss on the back of my hand).

But this time, I actually needed some assistance. I explained that I turn into an oil slick during the summer and I'm sick of looking shiny all of the time. So she patiently guided me around the store, suggesting cleansers, toners, and other oil-obsorbing products. I purchased a few, and when she rang me up, she threw a good amount of samples in my bag as well. Now that's what I call customer service (shout out to my local C.O. Bigelow store in the King of Prussia Mall)!

When I returned home, I ripped open my bag to see what beauty booty this girl had bestowed upon me. I was excited to see that she had included DDF's Daily Matte SPF 15, which I had heard such wonderful things about. Sephora describes the product as, "Ideal daily care for oil and combination skin, this lightweight, shine reducing fluid is oil-free and boasts a powerful SPF 15." Well, when Sephora says it's powerful - they ain't just whistlin' dixie.

I applied the Daily Matte immediately after washing my face, and I had planned to follow with a lightweight foundation. As I started smoothing the product onto my face, I couldn't help but be a bit turned off my how thick it felt. I then became more annoyed that it kind of sat on top of my skin, rather than melting into it - the way I thought it would. In fact, to be perfectly honest, it was like slathering sunblock onto my face. Now I realize that the product contains sunscreen, but so do plenty of other facial mositurizers and treatments...and they don't leave me with a Coppertone complexion.

My skin hated this product so much that I couldn't bear it on my face for more than 5 minutes. I had to wash it off and start all over. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Hence, I'm going to have to give Daily Matte SPF 15 two (manicured and Essie-polished) thumbs down. But don't think I'm hating on DDF products...I absolutely love their Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which helps to clear blemishes, clogged pores, acne, and seborrhea.

Laying It On Thick

A few weeks ago, I was in C.O. Bigelow - zipping through the aisles like a Whirling Dervish. A helpful salesgirl, seeing I was overwhelmed by the plethora of products, approached me and asked if I needed help finding anything in particular. Usually I coyly answer, "Just looking" - hoping that the salesperson backs up and leaves me to my own devices (eg- testing 20+ shades of lipgloss on the back of my hand).

But this time, I actually needed some assistance. I explained that I turn into an oil slick during the summer and I'm sick of looking shiny all of the time. So she patiently guided me around the store, suggesting cleansers, toners, and other oil-obsorbing products. I purchased a few, and when she rang me up, she threw a good amount of samples in my bag as well. Now that's what I call customer service (shout out to my local C.O. Bigelow store in the King of Prussia Mall)!

When I returned home, I ripped open my bag to see what beauty booty this girl had bestowed upon me. I was excited to see that she had included DDF's Daily Matte SPF 15, which I had heard such wonderful things about. Sephora describes the product as, "Ideal daily care for oil and combination skin, this lightweight, shine reducing fluid is oil-free and boasts a powerful SPF 15." Well, when Sephora says it's powerful - they ain't just whistlin' dixie.

I applied the Daily Matte immediately after washing my face, and I had planned to follow with a lightweight foundation. As I started smoothing the product onto my face, I couldn't help but be a bit turned off my how thick it felt. I then became more annoyed that it kind of sat on top of my skin, rather than melting into it - the way I thought it would. In fact, to be perfectly honest, it was like slathering sunblock onto my face. Now I realize that the product contains sunscreen, but so do plenty of other facial mositurizers and treatments...and they don't leave me with a Coppertone complexion.

My skin hated this product so much that I couldn't bear it on my face for more than 5 minutes. I had to wash it off and start all over. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Hence, I'm going to have to give Daily Matte SPF 15 two (manicured and Essie-polished) thumbs down. But don't think I'm hating on DDF products...I absolutely love their Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which helps to clear blemishes, clogged pores, acne, and seborrhea.

PS, I Love You

What will be on every woman’s lips this fall (the lucky ones, at least)? If beauty buzz is any indication, it’s bound to be Lancome Color Fever Lipstick in P.S. Kiss, the latest runway-inspired shade in the Pout-à-Porter series. Created by Lancome’s Artistic Director Gucci Westman and designer Peter Som for his Fall 2007 runway show, this gorgeous garnet lipstick will be the most sought after scarlet of the season.

“My fall collection was all about rich textures and deep saturated colors – P.S. Kiss is the perfect bold stroke to go with the clothes, but it is still elegant and easy,” says Som.

“Peter is such a gentleman and he’s so talented, so the process was really delightful,” says Westman. “I think the color we came up with is reflective of his clothes – modern and sophisticated, and very pretty.”

On October 1st, P.S. Kiss will be available in limited quantity exclusively at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Lancome’s U.S. boutiques, and lancome-usa.com. The New York Times is reporting that the Bergdorf’s waiting list will open on September 1st, but those in the know have been calling 212.872.2740 for months – putting their names on the pre-waiting list, waiting list.

Thakoon is the next design house to create a Pout-à-Porter lipstick. Following in the footsteps of Proenza Schouler’s Proenza Pink, Behnaz Sarafpour’s Behnaz, and Peter Som’s P.S. Kiss, the shade will debut at the Thakoon spring 2008 runway show at New York Spring Fashion Week runway this September 7, and is due to hit counters early next year.

There’s not much room left on this beauty bandwagon, so if you find yourself sans Som – fret not. Three Custom Color Specialists will custom blend lipstick for you and ship it within a week.

PS, I Love You

What will be on every woman’s lips this fall (the lucky ones, at least)? If beauty buzz is any indication, it’s bound to be Lancome Color Fever Lipstick in P.S. Kiss, the latest runway-inspired shade in the Pout-à-Porter series. Created by Lancome’s Artistic Director Gucci Westman and designer Peter Som for his Fall 2007 runway show, this gorgeous garnet lipstick will be the most sought after scarlet of the season.

“My fall collection was all about rich textures and deep saturated colors – P.S. Kiss is the perfect bold stroke to go with the clothes, but it is still elegant and easy,” says Som.

“Peter is such a gentleman and he’s so talented, so the process was really delightful,” says Westman. “I think the color we came up with is reflective of his clothes – modern and sophisticated, and very pretty.”

On October 1st, P.S. Kiss will be available in limited quantity exclusively at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, Lancome’s U.S. boutiques, and lancome-usa.com. The New York Times is reporting that the Bergdorf’s waiting list will open on September 1st, but those in the know have been calling 212.872.2740 for months – putting their names on the pre-waiting list, waiting list.

Thakoon is the next design house to create a Pout-à-Porter lipstick. Following in the footsteps of Proenza Schouler’s Proenza Pink, Behnaz Sarafpour’s Behnaz, and Peter Som’s P.S. Kiss, the shade will debut at the Thakoon spring 2008 runway show at New York Spring Fashion Week runway this September 7, and is due to hit counters early next year.

There’s not much room left on this beauty bandwagon, so if you find yourself sans Som – fret not. Three Custom Color Specialists will custom blend lipstick for you and ship it within a week.

Set It And Forget It

Does the summer heat melt your makeup off your face? Don’t set your makeup with powder, which can result in your face looking, well, powdery. Instead, use MAC Fix+, a mist that keeps your face looking (and feeling) fresh all day long. MAC describes the product as “an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi.”

Use Fix+ to set makeup and to revive your look throughout the day. It’s also perfect for those times when you have to go from day to night, but aren’t able to redo your makeup. Just one spray, and you're on your way.

As if that wasn’t good enough, the product does double duty. Fix+ is wonderful for soothing irritated skin post-waxing treatments!

Ladies, the fix is in.

Fix+ is available at all MAC retail locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Set It And Forget It

Does the summer heat melt your makeup off your face? Don’t set your makeup with powder, which can result in your face looking, well, powdery. Instead, use MAC Fix+, a mist that keeps your face looking (and feeling) fresh all day long. MAC describes the product as “an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi.”

Use Fix+ to set makeup and to revive your look throughout the day. It’s also perfect for those times when you have to go from day to night, but aren’t able to redo your makeup. Just one spray, and you're on your way.

As if that wasn’t good enough, the product does double duty. Fix+ is wonderful for soothing irritated skin post-waxing treatments!

Ladies, the fix is in.

Fix+ is available at all MAC retail locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Resurrecting A Classic

In 1939, Constance Frances Marie Ockelman made her motion picture debut in a film called Sorority House. Director, John Farrow, noticed how the unknown actress’ hair always covered her right eye, creating an air of mystery about her and enhancing her natural beauty. Ockelman was later introduced to Paramount producer Arthur Hornblow Jr., who renamed her Veronica Lake - “Lake” being inspired by the blueness of her eyes, and according to Hornblow, the name Veronica suggesting a classic beauty.

For fall 2007, everything old is new again. On runways and red carpets, old Hollywood reigns supreme with billowy waves and crimson lips reminiscent of Lake.

"Female icons of the '40s were strong and independent yet always flawless," says Pat McGrath, who channeled the decade behind the scenes at Gucci and Valentino.

To replicate this femme-fatale look, consider the following tips.

Lake-like Locks in Six Steps

Step 1: Protect ends, which receive the most exposure to high heat, with serum or a thermal styler. Step 2: Set the entire head in rollers. Step 3: Use a blow-dryer on the highest possible setting, to lock in the curls with heat, and follow with a blast of cold air. Step 4: Undo the rollers, flip your head over, and shake out the curls. Step 5: Define the curls with a large round brush and blow-dryer, paying special attention to the hair around the face. Step 6: Set with hairspray. Try Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel by Frederic Fekkai.

Cat Eyes Simplified

Look in the mirror, with your face turned at an angle. Pull your lid taut at the corner with your free hand. Then, starting a quarter of the way in, draw a thin line all the way out to your outer corner. Keep the line as close to your lashes as possible. Don’t panic if it’s a little crooked - you’ll be able to fix that later. When you get to the outer corner of your eye, draw the liner out and up to create a little wing, then go back and thicken up the line to correct any mistakes. Follow with two coats of volumizing mascara. Dramatically lined eyes are simple to achieve with CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen in Very Black (it's smudgeproof, easy to hold, and it has a precise tip) and Diorshow Mascara.

Screen Siren Smooches…Made Easy

To keep lipstick from bleeding, coat lips in red liner beforehand," says Lancôme Artistic Director Gucci Westman, who applied a chocolaty red at Peter Som. Get the look with Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below and Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.

Resurrecting A Classic

In 1939, Constance Frances Marie Ockelman made her motion picture debut in a film called Sorority House. Director, John Farrow, noticed how the unknown actress’ hair always covered her right eye, creating an air of mystery about her and enhancing her natural beauty. Ockelman was later introduced to Paramount producer Arthur Hornblow Jr., who renamed her Veronica Lake - “Lake” being inspired by the blueness of her eyes, and according to Hornblow, the name Veronica suggesting a classic beauty.

For fall 2007, everything old is new again. On runways and red carpets, old Hollywood reigns supreme with billowy waves and crimson lips reminiscent of Lake.

"Female icons of the '40s were strong and independent yet always flawless," says Pat McGrath, who channeled the decade behind the scenes at Gucci and Valentino.

To replicate this femme-fatale look, consider the following tips.

Lake-like Locks in Six Steps

Step 1: Protect ends, which receive the most exposure to high heat, with serum or a thermal styler. Step 2: Set the entire head in rollers. Step 3: Use a blow-dryer on the highest possible setting, to lock in the curls with heat, and follow with a blast of cold air. Step 4: Undo the rollers, flip your head over, and shake out the curls. Step 5: Define the curls with a large round brush and blow-dryer, paying special attention to the hair around the face. Step 6: Set with hairspray. Try Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel by Frederic Fekkai.

Cat Eyes Simplified

Look in the mirror, with your face turned at an angle. Pull your lid taut at the corner with your free hand. Then, starting a quarter of the way in, draw a thin line all the way out to your outer corner. Keep the line as close to your lashes as possible. Don’t panic if it’s a little crooked - you’ll be able to fix that later. When you get to the outer corner of your eye, draw the liner out and up to create a little wing, then go back and thicken up the line to correct any mistakes. Follow with two coats of volumizing mascara. Dramatically lined eyes are simple to achieve with CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen in Very Black (it's smudgeproof, easy to hold, and it has a precise tip) and Diorshow Mascara.

Screen Siren Smooches…Made Easy

To keep lipstick from bleeding, coat lips in red liner beforehand," says Lancôme Artistic Director Gucci Westman, who applied a chocolaty red at Peter Som. Get the look with Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below and Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.

Don't Believe The Hype

Yesterday, I had a birthday party to attend, but not a thing to wear (on my lashes). Normally, I would have zipped on over to Sephora or a department store for one of my favorites – Dior Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose – but I was pressed for time. So instead, I went to the local drugstore and purchased a tube of Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, hoping that it would suffice.

Maybelline promises that Define-A-Lash is a “zero clump mascara” that “creates stunning length with clean definition”. I disagree with Maybelline’s claims, as the mascara did not deliver length that I would describe as “stunning” and my lashes were far from clump-free. The product did impart good color, but isn’t that something you expect from mascara (with the exception of clear ones)?

I should have purchased Maybelline’s Great Lash, but I’ve seen so many commercials and advertisements proclaiming the virtues of the new rubber brushes. So I decided to give Define-A-Lash a try. In my experience, the brush was flimsy and cumbersome – and I doubt that I would ever purchase another mascara that uses a rubber brush.

Bottom line: don’t buy into Maybelline’s promises or be seduced by Define-A-Lash’s lime green packaging. With so many superior mascaras on the market, there is no justification for wasting $8 on this product.

Don't Believe The Hype

Yesterday, I had a birthday party to attend, but not a thing to wear (on my lashes). Normally, I would have zipped on over to Sephora or a department store for one of my favorites – Dior Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose – but I was pressed for time. So instead, I went to the local drugstore and purchased a tube of Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, hoping that it would suffice.

Maybelline promises that Define-A-Lash is a “zero clump mascara” that “creates stunning length with clean definition”. I disagree with Maybelline’s claims, as the mascara did not deliver length that I would describe as “stunning” and my lashes were far from clump-free. The product did impart good color, but isn’t that something you expect from mascara (with the exception of clear ones)?

I should have purchased Maybelline’s Great Lash, but I’ve seen so many commercials and advertisements proclaiming the virtues of the new rubber brushes. So I decided to give Define-A-Lash a try. In my experience, the brush was flimsy and cumbersome – and I doubt that I would ever purchase another mascara that uses a rubber brush.

Bottom line: don’t buy into Maybelline’s promises or be seduced by Define-A-Lash’s lime green packaging. With so many superior mascaras on the market, there is no justification for wasting $8 on this product.

Take a Bow

Inspired by a vintage Yves Saint Laurent evening gown, the Palette Esprit Couture dresses cheeks and eyes with radiant hues and silky textures. Each compact contains four shades of powder, which can be applied alone or combined to suit your mood. All colors were designed to compliment all skin tones and eyes of every color. The palette is available in two colors: Harmony 1 and Harmony 2 (above).

Take a Bow

Inspired by a vintage Yves Saint Laurent evening gown, the Palette Esprit Couture dresses cheeks and eyes with radiant hues and silky textures. Each compact contains four shades of powder, which can be applied alone or combined to suit your mood. All colors were designed to compliment all skin tones and eyes of every color. The palette is available in two colors: Harmony 1 and Harmony 2 (above).

On Cloud Nine

On August 23rd, MAC debuted Smoke Signals, a color collection of smoldering lids paired with sultry lips. That same day, beauty addicts were on cloud nine thanks to the simultaneous unveiling of Blue Storm.

On fall’s horizon, a new formation of hues: stratus blues, dense billowing pink-tinged cumulus, set against deep, rolling, overcast grays…a thunderclap of shades so intense, deeply pigmented and atmospheric, they take your eye to the heart if the storm with a look that is sophisticated, well-rendered, and paradoxically, calm. For the lips: light-filled bolts of clear silver, dusky pinks and red-sky-at-night plums. Forecast to last all fall and winter.

The Blue Storm collection includes:

Tinted Lipglass: Lightning (white silver w/ silver sparkle – frost); Lull (pink lilac – frost); Atmospheric (rich grape w/ red and gold pearl – frost)

Eye Shadow: Blue Storm (cool royal blue with blue and silver pearl – frost); Stormwatch (deep teal); Thunder (rich blue w/ purple pearl - frost); Cumulus (creamy gray w/ silver pearl – frost); Cloudburst (black w/ blue pearl – velvet)

Kohl Power Eye Pencil: Feline (rich black – frost); Mystery (rich black w/ green and teal pearl – frost);

Zoom Lash Mascara: Zoomblack (rich black)

Nail Lacquer: Whirlwind (metallic royal blue w/ green, blue and purple pearl – frost); Rainy Day (metallic gunmetal gray w/ lilac pearl – frost)

Thank you, MAC. I now have a blue crush.

Insider Tip: MAC shares your commitment to the environment, and accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back to M·A·C Program. By returning six primary packaging containers to a counter or maccosmetics.com, you receive a free lipstick of your choice as a thank you.

On Cloud Nine

On August 23rd, MAC debuted Smoke Signals, a color collection of smoldering lids paired with sultry lips. That same day, beauty addicts were on cloud nine thanks to the simultaneous unveiling of Blue Storm.

On fall’s horizon, a new formation of hues: stratus blues, dense billowing pink-tinged cumulus, set against deep, rolling, overcast grays…a thunderclap of shades so intense, deeply pigmented and atmospheric, they take your eye to the heart if the storm with a look that is sophisticated, well-rendered, and paradoxically, calm. For the lips: light-filled bolts of clear silver, dusky pinks and red-sky-at-night plums. Forecast to last all fall and winter.

The Blue Storm collection includes:

Tinted Lipglass: Lightning (white silver w/ silver sparkle – frost); Lull (pink lilac – frost); Atmospheric (rich grape w/ red and gold pearl – frost)

Eye Shadow: Blue Storm (cool royal blue with blue and silver pearl – frost); Stormwatch (deep teal); Thunder (rich blue w/ purple pearl - frost); Cumulus (creamy gray w/ silver pearl – frost); Cloudburst (black w/ blue pearl – velvet)

Kohl Power Eye Pencil: Feline (rich black – frost); Mystery (rich black w/ green and teal pearl – frost);

Zoom Lash Mascara: Zoomblack (rich black)

Nail Lacquer: Whirlwind (metallic royal blue w/ green, blue and purple pearl – frost); Rainy Day (metallic gunmetal gray w/ lilac pearl – frost)

Thank you, MAC. I now have a blue crush.

Insider Tip: MAC shares your commitment to the environment, and accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back to M·A·C Program. By returning six primary packaging containers to a counter or maccosmetics.com, you receive a free lipstick of your choice as a thank you.

Smoke Gets On Your Eyes

From yesterday's NY Post...I couldn't say it better myself, so I won't try...

When James Gager, Senior VP and Creative Director for MAC Cosmetics worldwide, was creating fall’s sultry Smoke Signals line - a collection of rich lipsticks, metallic brown and aubergine eye shadows, and dark purple and black nail polishes - there was only one woman on his mind: legendary Harlem-bred songstress Eartha Kitt. “This collection was inspired by jazz clubs in the ’30s and ’40s, and the idea that people are getting dressed up again. It’s a sense of glamour that has a little retro influence,” he says.

Gager said visions of Kitt performing in smoke-filled cabaret clubs while wealthy, well-dressed people sat in the audience is exactly the vibe he hopes customers will get when they use the new products.

“The smoky eye works beautifully with fall’s gray fashions, punctuated by purple and blue. A dramatic eye with a nude mouth, a little Veronica Lake, or with a red or burgundy mouth, like Eartha, is feminine but still glam,” he says. “This isn’t a look that’s so over-the-top that women can’t relate to it, or do it themselves.”

But while Kitt rocks a full face of makeup, including lengthy fake eyelashes, the still-working 80-year-old with remarkably good skin says she likes to stick to a more low-maintenance regimen.

“I never go to bed with makeup on. I wash my face with Oil of Olay soap with oil in it,” our favorite Catwoman says. “Then I squeeze real lemon juice, which works as a natural astringent, onto my face and hands. And I finish with olive oil as a night cream on my face and in my hair. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good.”

She even shot a music video - the MAC original “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” will be playing at all MAC stores.

“I feel like this collection was made for me, for women my color and even my age,” she says. “This lipstick ‘Burnin’ is my favorite, because I’m 80 and I’m still burning, baby.”

Colors featured in the Smoke Signals Collection include:

Gentle Fume Eyes Quad: Features three limited edition shades (Waft, Gentle Fume and Rondelle) matched-up with Carbon.

Smoking Eyes Quad: Features three limited edition shades (Next to Nothing, Smoking, and Showstopper) complemented by Satin Taupe.

Lipstick: Brew (creamy beige - lustre); Barely Lit (pink sand w/ gold pearl - lustre); Sparks Can Fly (creamy rose - frost); Mellow Flame (warm coral pink w/ red pearl - lustre); Burnin’ (rich wine - amplified)

Tinted Lipglass: Illicit (cream natural pink - cream); Soft & Slow (soft rose w/ gold pearl - cream); Bare Truth (warm caramel - cream); Bizaarish (burgundy w/ pearl - frost)

Kohl Power Eye Pencil: Orpheus (intense black w/ gold pearl - frost); Raven (intense black w/ red pearl - frost)

Powder Blush: Ablaze (deep dirty coraly rose - frost); Emote (gray brown - matte)

Pigment: Silver Fog (metallic mid-tone dirty silver - frost); Smoke Signal (rusty deep maroon - matte); Dark Soul (charcoal black smoked w/ gold)

Nail Lacquer: Wildfire (black w/ red pearl - cream); Nocturnelle (black as night black - cream)

Smoke Signals is now available at all MAC locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Smoke Gets On Your Eyes

From yesterday's NY Post...I couldn't say it better myself, so I won't try...

When James Gager, Senior VP and Creative Director for MAC Cosmetics worldwide, was creating fall’s sultry Smoke Signals line - a collection of rich lipsticks, metallic brown and aubergine eye shadows, and dark purple and black nail polishes - there was only one woman on his mind: legendary Harlem-bred songstress Eartha Kitt. “This collection was inspired by jazz clubs in the ’30s and ’40s, and the idea that people are getting dressed up again. It’s a sense of glamour that has a little retro influence,” he says.

Gager said visions of Kitt performing in smoke-filled cabaret clubs while wealthy, well-dressed people sat in the audience is exactly the vibe he hopes customers will get when they use the new products.

“The smoky eye works beautifully with fall’s gray fashions, punctuated by purple and blue. A dramatic eye with a nude mouth, a little Veronica Lake, or with a red or burgundy mouth, like Eartha, is feminine but still glam,” he says. “This isn’t a look that’s so over-the-top that women can’t relate to it, or do it themselves.”

But while Kitt rocks a full face of makeup, including lengthy fake eyelashes, the still-working 80-year-old with remarkably good skin says she likes to stick to a more low-maintenance regimen.

“I never go to bed with makeup on. I wash my face with Oil of Olay soap with oil in it,” our favorite Catwoman says. “Then I squeeze real lemon juice, which works as a natural astringent, onto my face and hands. And I finish with olive oil as a night cream on my face and in my hair. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good.”

She even shot a music video - the MAC original “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” will be playing at all MAC stores.

“I feel like this collection was made for me, for women my color and even my age,” she says. “This lipstick ‘Burnin’ is my favorite, because I’m 80 and I’m still burning, baby.”

Colors featured in the Smoke Signals Collection include:

Gentle Fume Eyes Quad: Features three limited edition shades (Waft, Gentle Fume and Rondelle) matched-up with Carbon.

Smoking Eyes Quad: Features three limited edition shades (Next to Nothing, Smoking, and Showstopper) complemented by Satin Taupe.

Lipstick: Brew (creamy beige - lustre); Barely Lit (pink sand w/ gold pearl - lustre); Sparks Can Fly (creamy rose - frost); Mellow Flame (warm coral pink w/ red pearl - lustre); Burnin’ (rich wine - amplified)

Tinted Lipglass: Illicit (cream natural pink - cream); Soft & Slow (soft rose w/ gold pearl - cream); Bare Truth (warm caramel - cream); Bizaarish (burgundy w/ pearl - frost)

Kohl Power Eye Pencil: Orpheus (intense black w/ gold pearl - frost); Raven (intense black w/ red pearl - frost)

Powder Blush: Ablaze (deep dirty coraly rose - frost); Emote (gray brown - matte)

Pigment: Silver Fog (metallic mid-tone dirty silver - frost); Smoke Signal (rusty deep maroon - matte); Dark Soul (charcoal black smoked w/ gold)

Nail Lacquer: Wildfire (black w/ red pearl - cream); Nocturnelle (black as night black - cream)

Smoke Signals is now available at all MAC locations and at maccosmetics.com.

Mane Attraction

Braids have come a long way since grade school. The trend of the moment uses braids as an accessory, rather than the mane event. Like a garland crown, a single braid woven across the top of the head is romantic. Likewise, it’s a chic alternative to wearing hair accessories.

"Adding a braid or two gives interest and dimension to any hairstyle," says Mathew Soobroy, master stylist at Charles Worthington Salon in New York City. "Don't do the whole head,” he warns. “Find an area and use the braids as a detail."

To take this hairstyle from the runway to the real world, pull hair back into a messy bun and secure with bobby pins. Add a braided piece from the nape of the neck, and wrap around the entire head. Set the braid in place by sticking pins in the braid and connecting to the scalp.*






*If your hair isn’t long enough to braid and snake around the top of your head, substitute a synthetic hair headband like Braidies Thick Braided Headband.