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Lara Eurdolian, Pretty Connected Beauty Blog

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NEW Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Post by Anny Deirmenjian

Although suitable for all skin types (and ages), for someone with extremely sensitive skin, I found the Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehl’s to be a miracle product. Considering my skin is prone to break outs, which can be caused by anything from change of season, water temperature to switching moisturizers, I was apprehensive but decided to give it a try anyway.

After cleansing, I applied 2 drops (2-3 drops is the recommended dosage) of the concentrate to my face and noticed it immediately absorbed effortlessly into skin (make sure to evenly distribute the formula, and pat into skin, do not rub). The next morning, my skin felt tighter, softer, and more hydrated; my pores appeared smaller and the best part – no breakouts! Not only is the scent of lavender and geranium wonderful and relaxing, this nourishing, paraben-free elixir consists of a complete blend of botanical oils (lipids) and natural essential oils (those important Omegas).  They help improve the skin – rejuvenating and hydrating while you

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Pretty Connected Backstage at Alexandre Herchcovitch

Post by Melissa Udoff

Inspired by the new Eastern European woman (from countries like The Republic of Georgia), hair stylist Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and bumble, used buns, braids, and headscarves in bold colors to bring designer Alexandre Herchovitch’s vision to life.  “Alexandre was deeply influenced by director Sergev Parajanov and his film ‘The Color of Pomegranates’. Parajanov was highly controversial and was even jailed for a time in the ‘70’s,” noted Beauchamp.

Using Bumble and bumble, Beauchamp prepared locks with ‘White Hair Powder’.  He first sectioned hair from ear to ear and used the back section to create a bun.  On the side sections he braided random, small sections of hair and secured them with a small elastic being sure to slightly pull on the side of the braids to create a more textured look.  Some braids were left to hang and others were tucked into the bun.  Non-braided sections were flat ironed.  The whole look was secured with ‘Does It All’ for hold, and then adorned with a colorful scarf.

*Makeup by Lead Stylist Philippe Chansel for M.A.C

NYFW Retreat – Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge

I love New York Fashion Week (NYFW) — the people watching, the clothes, the makeup/hair, the backstage passes, and all around fabulousness.  However it does have it’s down side — the weather was cold and icy, and it felt like every show was miles apart.  Everyone assumes NYFW = Bryant Park, but many of the shows were held at alternate venues including Milk Studios, Chelsea Art Museum, The Altman Building, and Exit Art.  Not a fun trek in your Manolo’s.  You’re stuck waiting for a cab in the freezing cold with all the hustle and bustle for a fifteen-minute show.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth every minute, exhausting yes, but when I received an invitation to Robert Verdi’s 2010 Fashion Retreat, I was not about to pass up the opportunity.

Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge was beyond my expectations. The style icon was not only charismatic, and full of smiles, but also the most fabulous host.  He thought of everything a girl needed to relax, and escape from all the running around.  From healthy snacks and juices by Blue Print Cleanse, to manicures by Ginger + Liz Nail Polish, to blowouts by Phyto, the haven pampered guests from

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Pretty Connected Backstage at 3.1 Phillip Lim

Post by Melissa Udoff

“Uptown Debbie Harry” served as the inspiration for Phillip Lim at the designer’s 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall/Winter 2010 Collection. “This is a youthful, rebellious look that exudes a strong sense of confidence.  Energy radiates within the girls through their makeup with eyes that have a bit of a rock and roll feel,” said designer Phillip Lim.  Unlike the infamous Mrs. Harry, this Debbie is not exactly the leather-clad, hard-edged girl of a Blondie video.  She has a look that’s classic yet modern, polished but with a hints of rebellion.  She’s definitely got an edge but it’s more unexpected.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO

Taking inspiration from this altered state of Debbie, famed hairstylist Odile Gilbert, created a look that was both refined yet Rock & Roll.  Long, voluminous waves had just enough fluff and feather to invoke the spirit of Ms. Harry.  Using all Phyto products Gilbert applied Intense Volume Mousse and created volume by blowdrying hair upside down.   She then used a curling iron to create soft waves and finished with Volume Actif Hair Spray for hold, and #7 Hydrating Cream to seal the ends.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Lisa Butler for NARS Cosmetics

“This look has many layers,” said NARS Cosmetic’s lead artist Lisa Butler. “The eyes are punchy and edgy while the skin was kept healthy and glowing. The lips are a soft, sheer pink for the elegant punk-rock princess style that Phillip was looking for.”  NARS Cosmetics accomplished their goal, keeping the models looking youthful and glowing with light lips but captured the edge in the eyes with a smokier look.

Here’s how to get the look:

FACE

  • Riviera Multiple
  • Douceur Blush (NEW for Fall 2010); try Lovejoy or Madly Blush for a similar effect
  • Luxor Multiple

EYES

  • Abyssinia Single Eyeshadow
  • Nymphea Single Eyeshadow
  • Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (NEW for Fall 2010); try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect
  • London Eyeliner Pencil

LIPS

  • Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (NEW for Fall 2010); try Sex Machine Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish

Angi Wingle completed the refined rocker look on nails with a French manicure using Creamy Cameo and Gold Chrome tips.

Pretty Connected Backstage at Malandrino

Malandrino Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by Mongolia and “a vision of earth as seen from above”. Words like, nomadic, tribal, strong, warriors were all part of the vision for the collection and influence for the hair and makeup.

HAIR: Lead Stylist Odile Gilbert for PHYTO Professional

“The inspiration was a bit of Mongolia and a bit of Africa so what we wanted to create for Catherine, was a little tree on top of the head … in a very organic, natural way” said Gilbert.  “It should be fresh but have the touch of a barbarian girl.”

Gilbert began by applying ‘Intense Volume Mousse’ and ‘Actif Volumizing Spray’ to create a dry, matte texture.  While the hair dried, the stylist aggressively massaged the roots using her hands to add volume. ‘Fiber Paste’ was then added to create even more texture before hair was swept and bound on the top of the head. Next, Gilbert sprayed ‘Workable Holding Spray’ to add a strong hold.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Tom Pecheux for M.A.C

“My inspiration came from Catherine, she got inspired by Mongolia, and the beauty of the women there … so I created a powerful eyebrow, shaped eyes, and high cheeks.  I darkened the eyebrow, but nothing on the upper eyelid, and no mascara.  Everything is happening in the bottom with the bronze color and black eye pencil.” –Tom Pecheux

To achieve the look, Pecheux applied M.A.C eyeshadow in Tarnished Bronze to the lower eyelid, with Eye Kohl Pencil in Smolder to elongate eyes. For a powerful brow, Carcoal Brown eyeshadow was applied.  For an even complexion and fresh face, M.A.C Face and Body Foundation, Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, and Blot Loose Powder was applied to the face followed by M.A.C Contour Bronzer Powder to accentuate the cheekbone. Pecheux then applied M.A.C Lipstick in Folio on the model’s lips to complete the look.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle for CND Nail Polish

To compliment the collection, Angi Wingle created a bark hued manicure textured to look like leather using CND Nail Polish in

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Pretty Connected backstage at Mandy Coon

Post by Heather Wilson

Backstage at the Mandy Coon Fall 2010 show during New York Fashion Week, Dimitrios Tsioumas, lead stylist from Mizu New York, and his team created the fabulous looks featured in the show.

Dimitrios Tsioumas worked with Mandy Coon to develop a sleek, low, defined French twist for the models using 3 Goldwell products; ‘Hot Darling’, ‘Big Finish’, and ‘Supervisor’.  Starting with ‘Hot Darling’, a lightweight thermal protectant, is used to prep the hair while blow-drying it out.  This is followed by ‘Big Finish’, a volume hairspray that sets the hair.  Tsioumas then finished the look with ‘Supervisor,’ a pomade that omits flyaway, and leaves a beautiful matte finish. The sophisticated look of the hair was perfectly complimented with a very clean, bold, red lip by M.A.C.

All of this was to help show off the beautiful flowing fashions by Mandy Coon. There was a soft drape, to a fitted gown, flowing hoods, and scrunched layers. The tulip cut to the skirts was very nicely hung, and a great fitted jacket made with military inspired Capulet shoulders.

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Pretty Connected Backstage at Karen Walker

Karen Walker’s Fall 2010 fashion show was inspired by her love for Bob Dylan and The Sound of Music (but for totally different reasons), saying, “I’ve always wondered what would happen if the two got thrown together.”

The result? See for yourself:

HAIR: Lead Stylist Rolando Beauchamp for Bumble and Bumble

Rolando wanted to create a messy, rough ponytail that seemed carelessly glamorous. The persona being the girl who did a quick fix up to last nights go-out-hair and managed to make it look effortlessly chic. The trick to avoid bumps when putting your hair up in a ponytail, is to lift your chin up and tilt your head back.

Rolando created the look by spraying Bumble and bumble ‘Thickening Hairspray’ to add volume and texture and height at the crown.  Rolando recommends, “using your hands, not a brush” and to rake hair back with your fingers, then secure with a simple black elastic.  Finish with Bumble and bumble’s ‘Does it All Styling Spray‘.

MAKEUP: Lead Stylist Jenna Menard for Shiseido

Jenna Menard for Shiseido led the artistry team doing a strong, matte, red lip using Shiseido lipstick in Valentine.  To keep the accent on the bold lips, Menard was minimal on the rest of the makeup, using no eyeliner and just a hint of peach shimmer around the eyes.

NAILS: Lead Stylist Angi Wingle used CND Nail Polish in Rose Water

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Pretty Connected Backstage at Korto Momolu

Post by Heather Wilson

What a fabulous opportunity to go backstage to Project Runway Alum, Korto Momolu’s Fall 2010 show.   The concept for the collection was all about going natural; clothes, jewelry, hats, and handbags as well as the hair and makeup.

It was such a delight to spend time with key hair stylists, Danny LeClair and Aubrey Loots from Studio DNA in West Hollywood, and watch them in action. They created a beautiful braid twisted into a bun piled high on the top of the head. Aubrey told me they used fabric to bring out the braiding texture and add depth to the hair. The key to a great hairstyle like this, is to use Sebastian products. Their top 3 must-have products of the night were the Microweb Fiber, which is a re-moldable texture with silky web fibers; then after braiding the hair, they used the Gel Forte to give a glistening style and shimmer-strong hold.  For the finishing touch, they used Shaper Fierce to provide a super hold for the look that won’t budge!

The easiest way to take this look from the runway to real life, Aubrey recommends

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Pretty Connected Backstage at Peter Som

Everyone was pretty in purple backstage for Peter Som’s Fall 2010 fashion show at Milk Studios.

HAIR: Lead Hair Stylist Laurent Philippon for Bumble and Bumble

Inspired by Steven Meisel’s photography in the ‘90s, Laurent Philippon created simple straight lines for the hairstyle to balance the vibrant mix of colors and textures coming from Som’s collection, and the bold purple lip from MAC. Using all Bumble and Bumble products, Laurent saturated locks in ‘Prep’ prior to straightening, then flat ironed in sections, misting in ‘Does It All Styling Spray’ to create a bone straight look with a sleek middle part.

MAKEUP: Lead Makeup Artist, Tom Pecheux for M.A.C

“The look was uptown girl, meets Woodstock, a shimmery golden eye to contradict the deep, dark, purple lip.”  -Tom Pecheux

EYES:

  • Studio Sculpt Concealer – applied over the eyelid
  • Set Powder in Invisible – powdered over the eye area to set concealer
  • Pigment in with Legal – swept over the concealed eyelid from lash to brow and in the inner eye corner
  • Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk – lightly appliet to the inner eye corner and under the brow Bone
  • Studio Fix Lash – applied to top and bottom lash

FACE:

  • Studio Sculpt SPF Foundation – applied all over the face
  • Set Powder in Invisible – brushed over the skin to
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Must Have for Spring: Milly for Clinique Cosmetic Bag

Spring has arrived early this year for all you Milly and Clinique fans!  In their latest collaboration the ‘Milly for Clinique Cosmetics Bag’, you’ll receive a custom designed fold over bag (that can double as a clutch) by Milly designer and founder Michelle Smith.  It comes filled with Clinique’s best of spring beauty items, a fantastic deal with any $24.50 or more Clinique purchase (a $75 value!).

In addition to the Milly for Clinique Cosmetic Bag, this set includes the following Clinique travel size products:

  • Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder and Brush
  • High Impact Mascara in Black
  • Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20
  • Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
  • Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent
  • Clinique Foldover Mirror
  • Long Last Lipstick in A Different Grape
  • Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink

*The two lip treats come on a Clinique key chain

Perfect for travel or a night on the town.  An exciting clutch to add to my collection — I’m a nut for details and the zipper has this amazing orange bead on it.  Exclusive to Bloomingdale’s, get it while you can . . .  it’s only available while supplies last!

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