Name: leah
Posts by leah:
Fall Headbands
September 2nd, 2010
Update your look for Fall with a sleek oversized headband. A runway favourite at Prada, Donna Karan, and Karl Lagerfeld. This hair accessory is a must for the new season.
Check out the styles at: jenniferbehr.com, topshop.com, forever21.com
Wrap-Around Eye Shadow
September 1st, 2010
Lots of looks from the Fall 2010 collections showed eyeshadow that was wrapped around the eye. This is a really easy look and can be done with any colour that is medium to dark. Here’s a few tips to create this diffused, soft smoky look:
1. Use a flat shader brush to apply the eye shadow to the eyelids from lash line to crease.
2. Use the same colour and blend along the lower lash line.
3. Blend out the edges to keep the look soft.
4. For extra definition take a slightly darker colour and blend through the socket line, or add dark pencil to the water line.
MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner
August 31st, 2010
MAC just launched these new Superslick liquid eyeliners with their Fall collection, and I have to say they’re pretty amazing. First, the felt tip applicator makes it beyond easy to apply. Second, the liner is shiny like patent leather, which I enjoy. Third, it is incredibly longwearing-I wore it for fifteen hours and it did not budge. The only negative thing I have to say is, once it was completely dry it looked slightly wrinkly. I have “on the hunt”which is black, and altogether there are 9 new shades to choose from.
Emmy’s 2010
August 30th, 2010
Emmy’s last night were quite entertaining thanks to the hosting skills of Jimmy Fallon. The looks from the red carpet were pretty standard with the exception of a couple of unusual choices. January Jones got mixed reviews on her blue Atelier Versace and seemingly undone hair. I actually liked her hair and makeup for that reason. Her eyeliner was good, her skin looked glowy and the pink lips were pretty. The dress was perhaps not the best choice, but at least she didn’t look like anyone else. I liked Lea Michele’s pale grey shadow, and statement necklace. Jewel has never been on my radar but she looked beautiful last night in red lips and chignon. The song she sang was equally beautiful. Kim looked quite ethereal in white Marchesa. Her hair and makeup was really pretty and quite soft which suited the dress perfectly. Claire Danes I thought, was one of the best dressed overall of the night. Her dress was gorgeous Armani Prive. The colour and texture looked amazing against her tan skin, and blonde hair, and metallic eyeshadow pulled the whole together.
Images from justjared.com
Fall Budget Beauty
August 26th, 2010
Wallet friendly beauty is always a good thing. Over the past few weeks these drug store brands caught our eye:
Joe Fresh Eyeshadow has 6 new colours for fall. For the price you really can’t beat these, they blend pretty well and the pay off is good too.
I’m really into L’oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black. For thick super black lashes this is the way to go. It claims to have twice the intensity of L’oreal’s classic black shade, it is as black as tar and makes your lashes look amazing. However, if you’re not into overly dramatic and slightly clumpy then this is not the mascara for you. Personally I’m a fan.
Got2b recently launched a couple of new hair products and sent some our way to review. Fat-tastic Instant Collagen Infusion Mega-Lift Root Boosting Spray is designed to plump up flat hair, give lift and body without feeling crunchy. Lisa tried it first on damp hair and it worked pretty good considering it didn’t feel too crunchy or product heavy. The next time she used it she sprayed her roots on hair that hadn’t been washed for a day. Normally she washes her hair everyday because it looks so flat on the second day, but thought she’d test out the product to see if it could get some volume. She then sprayed her roots with the product and then blow dried. She got quite a bit of volume and it was so much faster than rewashing and blow drying her hair.
On my hair, after spritzing the roots I used my hands to push my hair up, skipped the blow dry, and used a curling iron to create waves. I did get some volume at the roots that lasted quite well. Prior to using the curling iron I applied the Smoothing Lotion as it works as a heat protector as well as smoothing fly aways which it does nicely. The best thing about this product though, is the smell!
Curls for Fall
August 25th, 2010
Hair for Fall 2010 has a certain opulence to it. The beach waves of the summer have been replaced with a more precise curve. Sometimes soft like at Gucci, or more defined like at 3.1 Philip Lim. After a quick discussion with my stylist here are a few tips to achieve the look:
1. Roll sections of hair up with hot rollers – size of section will depend on how tight or loose you want the curl
2. Wait until rollers have completely cooled before removing, then spritz with shine spray.
3. Smooth curls out with a brush to create volume and finish with hair spray.
Image from allure.com
Rachel Bilson for Instyle Magazine
August 24th, 2010
Rachel Bilson looks adorable as usual in the September issue of Instyle UK. I’ve been a fan ever since the O.C! Here she’s working a few of Fall’s key trends: sleek hair, grey nails, and natural matte skin-gorgeous.
Images from magxone.com
Love Covers
August 23rd, 2010
The rest of the Love covers surfaced last week, besides these 4, and the 2 others shown on Smudge Style, there is also British model/actress Kelly Brook, and a mannequin cover to choose from. Personally I’m torn as to which is my favourite between Rosie, Giselle, and Alessandra I can’t decide. The latest edition of Love launched today in both print and an ipad version.
Which cover is your favourite?
Images from models.com
Fall Makeup Trends
August 20th, 2010
The make up for Fall is anything but simple this season. We’re gearing up for glamorous looks that aren’t over done. Fall’s old faithful standbys like the smoky eye and the red lip have a fresh feel to them-it’s a modern type of glamour for Fall 2010.
1. Graphic Eyes
If you don’t own black eye kohl or liquid liner now is the time to get it. This trend is harder edged than we saw last season. The shapes are defined and deliberate, but at the same time can be toned down for real life without losing the feel.
2. All Shades of Red
Of course there are red lips this season! What we noticed is that there are a variety of shades from brights to deep darks. A lipliner and lip brush are a must to replicate these perfect pouts.
3. Luxurious Skin
As far as I’m concerned it’s always all about the skin. To create the perfect canvas prep is the key. Don’t skimp on skincare. The end result should be like cashmere, soft, smooth. Not overly matte or dewy the perfect in-between.
4. Wrap Around Shadow
You have to wrap your shadow around your eyes. Apply all over the eyelid and continue underneath. You don’t have to use a dark colour to recreate this more up to date way of shading the eyes.
Stay tuned for more in depth “how to’s” on how to take these runway looks to real way…
Tip of the Day: Dark Lips
August 19th, 2010
Dark lips and red lips are mandatory for Fall. If you can’t handle the colour full on, first apply a sheer amount of lip balm and then dab your dark lip colour on with your ring finger for a subtle look.
Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick
August 18th, 2010
I just tried these new lipsticks from Make Up Forever. They really are quite nice. They come in 3 different textures-matte, pearly, and satin. I enjoyed the matte and the satin, I’m never a huge fan of overly frosty textures. All 3 textures are packed with pigment, apparently 50% more than traditional lipstick. The pay off is excellent, and they wear very well. What is most exciting is the fact that there are 50 new colours to choose from! A make up kit overhaul is in my near future, and these new lipsticks will be great new additions to my lip palette.
Available at Sephora
Love Magazine
August 16th, 2010
I didn’t even recognize Alessandra! This is an absolutely fabulous image, another of LOVE magazine’s collectible September issues. The lips, the contouring, and of course the non brow-it’s so good. I can’t wait for the other 6 covers.
Image from models.com
Transition to Fall: Hosiery
August 13th, 2010
For Spring we saw ankle, and knee length socks making a statement on the runway. I love the way this looks particularly with platforms. This trend easily takes you into cooler temps, and can later be replaced by the vast array of tights that are hitting the shops as we speak.
Make Up Artist: Patrick Eichler
August 12th, 2010
Patrick Eichler is a dear former colleague of mine, who has recently embarked on something quite exciting professionally. When I heard about COLOR CRAFT I thought it would be a great idea to interview Patrick and let him tell me how everything brought him to where he is today:
SS: Have you always been a creative person?
PE: From an early age, like five, I’ve drawn and painted then later went to art school. Total nerd. And I was always interested in fashion. I had a subscription to Vogue at ten.
SS: I was buying Vogue when I was around the same age too.
PE: I was very interested in the “salons” of the early part of the last century where artists like Man Ray and Cocteau would collaborate with designers like Schiaparelli and Chanel. I feel like these relationships keep things exciting and fresh. My best makeup work has always been as a result of a collaboration whether with a stylist, designer, photographer or artist.
SS: I know people always ask artist’s this question and it can be a tricky one to answer, but what inspires you creatively make up or otherwise?
PE: Inspiration is a hard one to pin down because it could be from anywhere. The street, magazines, photographic books…makeup artists that I work with. I do try to keep my inspiration from “lower on the chain” so to speak so that my work doesn’t get too appropriative. I love museums!
SS: I love cities that have fabulous museums especially since I live in a city that is lacking in this area. I try to visit at least one gallery or museum in every city I vacation in.
PE: I’ve often wondered if I could ever live in a place with no museums. In San Francisco we’re lucky to have all these great places to see art from every time period but I still stop at The Smithsonian when I’m in New York to see it all but particularly the Vermeer paintings. Perhaps one day I can make real skin look as beautiful as his painted portraits.
SS: So let’s talk makeup…when did you start doing makeup?
PE: I started working as the receptionist in a punk-y hair salon when I was 18 called “Curl Up & Dye” that retailed makeup.
SS: I think it’s so funny when the name of a hair salon is a play on words. I did make up at a salon called “Live to Dye” in Edmonton.
PE: It was 1986 so the color we used was pretty intense and fun. I couldn’t keep my hands out of it! We did photo shoots for the salon and everybody was doing hair so I kind of filled in as the makeup guy. My first paid job was for an Australian artist named Tracy Moffat who was doing an artist in residence gig in San Antonio, where I’m from. It was a photographic series called “Guapa” and the women in the photos were roller derby girls so I got to do blood and bruises but with pink lipstick. Kind of a dream actually!
SS: Was that when you realized-this is it I’m a make up artist?
PE: I canʼt say I was a true makeup artist until I started working with Francis Hathaway in New York. She is a makeup artistʼs makeup artist with incredible range. Sheʼs the one who showed me how to think and see like a makeup artist. Really brilliant.
SS: Yes I agree she is amazing, and from Canada as well.
SS: I always like to look in other make up artists kits what would I find in yours?
PE: Iʼm kind of concealer obsessed…I have like, six different kinds in my kit which is crazy. I think of them as full coverage foundations and blend, blend, blend. My favorite is from Kett.
SS: Really that’s interesting, I’ve not heard of that brand. I’ll have to check it out.
PE: The coverage is perfect and looks like real skin. I think the MAC Sculpt and Shape highlight and contour powders are fantastic. I use them for everything! And of course Touche Eclat from YSL. Is there anyone who doesnʼt use it?
SS: Don’t leave home without it!
SS: Ok, most memorable career moments.
PE: So many! But probably the worst was when I showed up to job with a very high profile celebrity and discovered that somehow my brushes didnʼt make it with me from my earlier job. PANIC!
SS: I would die. Literally die.
PE: I kept my cool, the last thing you want to do is make a new client uncomfortable, and I did the entire makeup with sponges, mascara wands, and of course my fingers. My objective was to make her think that was how I always worked.Well, it worked, thank God. I learned a great lesson from that experience. Because I was working out of my comfort zone I had to really think about what I was doing, instead of going into what I call “makeup auto-pilot” and I feel like this made the makeup that much better.
SS: Wow! A true professional.
PE: There was one real validation moment when I was doing a showroom event for Oscar de la Renta. Andre Leon Talley was styling with Oscar as he does often, and I went to the fitting to design the look. We walked the clothes with Andre and Oscar and discussed the idea behind the collection then went to work on the girl. When we were done we took the girl in and they loved it, which is so rare to have no changes to make. But it was what they said that took me over the moon. Oscar said the makeup was beautiful and Andre replied: “Itʼs genius.” It took me years to come down off of that cloud!
SS: Fantastic! It’s things like that make all the difference when you’re schlepping your kit from test to show and back again.
SS: What’s your favourite city to do shows?
PE: Paris. So much fun! I find the makeup to be more ethereal, and of course the delicious food- scrumptious.
SS: Yes Paris is brilliant. That’s where I’m heading this upcoming season. I can’t wait.
SS: Tell me about COLOR CRAFT.
PE: Throughout my career I have been asked so many times “how do I become a makeup artist?” or “where can I learn how to apply makeup?”One has two options really: To go to a makeup school, which I feel can be a great option especially for film and television makeup or to assist a really good makeup artist which is probably a better route if you want to learn beauty and fashion makeup. But makeup schools can be very expensive and take quite a bit of your time and what if you donʼt want to learn FX makeup? Assisting gigs are hard to come by and for the most part donʼt pay enough to live on. So COLORCRAFT was to be the answer to that question. We wanted to make makeup artist education accessible. Weʼve structured the masterclasses and workshops to be taken a la carte so you only learn what you want and at a level appropriate to your needs.
SS: In the words of Andre Leon Tally-”It’s genius”
PE: What I think is going to prove to be our long term benefit is that our classes are designed to teach attendees how to “think” and “see” like a makeup artist so that their knowledge and skills grow exponentially after they leave the training environment. Weʼre not just handing them a look on a platter. Itʼs the“teaching a person to fish versus giving them a fish” approach.
SS: The fish analogy. So good. When I’m teaching make up I constantly remind myself of this.
PE: With COLOR CRAFT all beauty professionals have an opportunity to develop their makeup skills.
SS: Thanks so much for chatting Patrick. We wish you tons of success with your new venture.
For more information on COLOR CRAFT click here
Chanel Fall 2010
August 11th, 2010
The Chanel Fall make up collection is the perfect antidote to Summer’s neons and pastels. Though not available in Canada for another couple of weeks, I was able to test the samples that were on display at The Bay. The shadows in the Enigma palette all have a cool grey undertone. At least 3 of them will be perfect for creating the ever so important smoky eye of the season. There are also two single eyeshadows launching with this collection one of which is called Vert Khaki-a dark khaki green with a frost texture, it is gorgeous. Another notable addition to the line is the Intense Eye pencil in clair, a pale nude beige colour that will work as a brightener in the water line. Of course Chanel never disappoints in the nail polish department. Paradoxal nail polish is a dark grey, purple with a slight iridescence. I put my name on the already long waiting list for this one, I’m not holding my breath though.
Peter Philips is the master mind behind the Chanel make up collections as well as the make up direction for their runway shows inParis. The Fall show was all about these really messy undone looking eyes, that looked like a a child had got hold of her mother’s liquid eyeliner and dotted it all over her lids. The eyes were complemented with flawless skin and bare lips. Take this look from runway to real way for Fall, by being not totally precise with your eye make up but keeping up your skin perfect and lips nude.
Images from style.com & chanel.com
Tip of the Day: The Ponytail for Fall
August 9th, 2010
To create a runway worthy ponytail, curl hair first with a large barrel iron before putting it up. This will give your ponytail a bit of volume, and a more on trend look like the one seen here from Louis Vuittton Fall 2010.
Image from style.com
Fall Nail Colours
August 6th, 2010
Soon it will be time to retire Summer’s nail lacquers in favour of new Fall shades. Grey is still a top contender, although darker than the Summer greige. I think we’re going to be stocking up on all shades and texture of red. Maybe we’ll even try the Dsquared long and pointy version-stay tuned!
1. Zoya nail polish in kelly 2. Topshop nail varnish in pillar box 3. Tarina Tarantino supernova nail lacquer 4. Zoya nail polish in karina
Images from style.com
Ellis Faas Lips
August 5th, 2010
Lipstick is going to be essential for Fall, especially red lipstick. I’ve been wearing Ellis Faas Creamy Lips in L101, it’s totally perfect for the upcoming season. For a long wearing lipstick (I had it on for about 6 hours, drank a bottle of water and it held up) I did not expect the texture to be as smooth, and comfortable to wear as it is. You twist the top of the very chic shiny packaging, and the colour pops out in tiny droplets onto the sponge. It glides on the lips with a sponge tip applicator that’s slanted like a lipstick.
Milky Lips is more liquid like and less opaque than Creamy Lips, but still wears well. This one has a brush applicator which gives even coverage. I tried L203 which is kind of a rosy pink brown.
Lisa has been wearing Glazed Lips in L306. It goes on really smooth not at all sticky and delivers nice glossy shine. She liked the brush applicator because you can control how much you want to wear. A sheer application gives more of a stained look, and when applied heavier the colour is considerably more vibrant than the image appears.
The website shows all the lip colours on 3 different skin tones, making online shopping a little easier http://www.ellisfaas.com/
*Ellis Faas Lips were provided to Smudge Style
Love Magazine
August 4th, 2010
The September issue of British magazine Love is beyond gorgeous! What’s even better is that Rosie Huntington-Whitely is just the first of 7 collectible covers that will feature some of the industry’s top models. The only annoying thing is that Love is a bi-annual British magazine, and I’ve not managed to find it ever in Vancouver. So if you’re from Vancouver, and you know where we can get our hands on it, let us know because I’ve got a feeling we’re going to want all 7 covers.
Image from models.com
The Girls of 90210
August 3rd, 2010
The girls of 90210 were all in attendance at the recent CW Summer Party. All looked red carpet ready-Jessica Stroup’s long lashes, Shenae Grime’s dark eyeliner, and Annalynne McCord’s peach lips. However, I think Jessica Lowndes stole the show. Everything from her effortless wavy hair, glowy cheeks, red lips, and the outfit-was a hit.
