Get the Look: Backstage at Cynthia Rowley Fall 2012 + Sneak Peek at Her Band-Aids

Mar 8, 2012

Cynthia Rowey Band-Aid New York Fashion Week Backstage — Cynthia Rowley with her signature Band-Aid's

I am such a fan of Cynthia Rowley from her apparel to Band-Aid collaboration and now her as a person! Minutes before her Fall 2012 show Cynthia Rowley took a break from putting the finishing touches on her show to talk to a few special bloggers *inhale* myself included. And instead of being stressed and in need of a sedative, she was cool and collected and just excited. She talked about the music and the intricate hair style designed for the models and how all the pieces went together support the theme of craftsmanship which was the inspiration for her show.

I’ve never felt so welcome or had as much fun backstage at a show. Generally, I’m in and out, just there to interview the beauty sponsors, however this was no ordinary backstage…

As some of you know after going nut-so over the Cynthia Rowley BAND-AID’s they asked me to be a blogger ambassador last year for the collection! At that time they we’re limited edition, however due to the enormous success and popularity, the duo are collaborating again! And as part of the celebration, BAND-AID hosted a backstage lounge at the show and gave guests a sneak peek at the new collaboration, the BAND-AID Brand Beach Sport Kit. The kit ($10) which will launch May 2012 includes 20 newly designed bandages, 4 NEOSPORIN single use packets, and resealable plastic pouch to hold your beach essentials (and big enough to hold and protect your cell phone!).

Screen Shot 2012-03-07 at 3.13.16 PM — Cynthia Rowley Fall 2012 Collection

So I hung out, made friends (that where I met my new bff Jenni from ISpyDIY!), and was all around blown away by the texture and craftsmanship that went into the hair created by amika. In contrast, MAKE UP FOR EVER did a nude and natural makeup application to balance the look.

GET THE LOOK! Here’s how to recreate the show’s hair and makeup:

Hair Lead Stylist: Duffy for amika

Hair Look: Autumnal Texture

Inspiration: “Cynthia and I wanted the hair to play with texture for the hair look. The clothes this season are so structured we wanted to contrast that with the hair. The idea of this look was for it to be free flowing; there is no beginning and no end.” – Duffy

How Duffy created the hair look:

1. Mouse was applied to the hair and it was rough dryed with the amika NRG Professional Hair Dryer

2. A figure-eight technique was used (around the crown of the head) which was created by pinning the hair around bobby pins

3. The figure-eight shape was sealed in with heat from the amika x Cynthia Rowley styler

4. Tight curls were created using a hot rod

5. The hair was then dragged out and brushed to create volume

6. Pieces were pulled and pinned

Since each girl’s hair was different Duffy selected the final style based on each individual girl, their personality and the clothes they looks they were modeling.

Makeup Lead Stylist: MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE artist, Lottie

Makeup Look/Inspiration: The look was inspired by the women of the 40s – effortlessly natural, empowered, and clean. The skin had a dewy finish with supple bare lips. To add a slightly masculine edge, Lottie groomed the brows creating a full and fluffy appearance.

How Lottie created the makeup look:

Complexion: Lottie first mixed MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation with MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight #12. She applied this mixture all over, which gave the models a flawless dewy canvas. To finish the look and set the make up, she used MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder.

Brows: Lottie brushed the brows upwards to create a fluffy appearance. For added fullness, she filled in individual hairs with MAKE UP FOR EVER Brow Pencil and MAKE UP FOR EVER Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector. The brows were then kept in place using MAKE UP FOR EVER Brow Seal.

Lips: The lips were supple and hydrated with MAKE UP FOR EVER Moisturizing Lip Balm.

{SMASH star, Megan Hilty Backstage at Cynthia Rowley}

{Backstage with Jenni of ISpyDIY}

Valentino Introduces a New Fragrance for Her: Valentina

Mar 7, 2012

In a recent visit to the Valentino showroom, I met Valentina. Or rather, I should say experienced Valentina as she is a fragrance, not a person. Taking the journey through 3 rooms; Valentino’s Spring collection, the Valentina advertising campaign, followed by an introduction of the formula by the perfumers, gave me a much deeper understanding and connection to the Eau de Parfum.

“I just women to feel beautiful”, Valentino’s very essence and foundation for the House of Valentino translated into a fragrance. Keeping elements of couture he used his iconic flowers to adorn the bottle. A unique floral oriental, this fragrance is feminine and delicate while still exuding strength and confidence, much like the women Valentino embodies in the ad campaign featuring model, Freja Beha Erichsen.

Freja has that edge and uniqueness to her, and yet when looking at her their this underlying innocence that makes her perfect for the face of Valentina. The advertisement depicts her as an heiress/socialite being called down to her elaborate 21st birthday party but is sneaking out to soak in the streets of Rome and create her own adventure.

After two years of development, Valentina came to fruition with the help of perfumers Alberto Morillas and Olivier Cresp. Composing a fresh floral oriental which is inspired by the streets of Rome and the scents in the air, many of the notes are authentic to Italy. The heart of the fragrance is orange blossoms, jasmine tuberose and wild strawberries mixed with top notes of bergamot from Calabria and white truffles from Alba, which settle on the base notes of cedar, vanilla and amber. This is the first fragrance to use white truffles in it, and it adds a soft quality to this very unique and original fragrance. Masked in a vintage italiana perfume bottle, I’m so happy to have this fragrance in my collection and have been wearing it everyday. It’s whimsical essence is feminine without being too sweet or overpowering and just a lovely day fragrance that’s perfect for spring.

{Valentino Spring Collection}

Valentino ‘Valentina‘ Eau de Parfum (2.7oz/$108, 1.7oz/$80) is available at fine retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstom.

DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample was given to Pretty Connected in a gift bag for the products launch. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.

Levi’s Fall 2012 Global Collection Preview

Mar 7, 2012

One of highlights of last month was making it to Levi’s first ever global collection during New York Fashion Week. The event started with an art installation and then runway presentation where the brand showcased the key looks from its Fall/Winter 2012 collection.

Inspired by the ritual of getting dressed, the models did just that — dressed! While some models we’re busy putting on their clothes on stage, others we’re already dressed and walking down the cat walk. Mixing both men’s and women’s together, one model even added a bicycle to his morning routine and biked down the runway. Visually, one of the best produced and coolest shows I have been to; although with models coming out in all different directions was a little distracting in not knowing which direction to focus on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yKsQRzZrsw&list=UU9BX-x1D-YtJhGoX2vY1TVQ&index=3&feature=plcp

Much like the aesthetic for the whole presentation, the pieces we’re very well styled and accessorized. The evolution of Levi’s beyond blue denim was apparent in their tailored jackets, pops of leather pieces, series of dresses and extended color range of men’s pants. The shoes stole the show.

“Levi’s® has always been about embracing the energy and events of our time. Today, fashion is more democratic and accessible than ever, making New York Fashion Week the perfect moment in time for the Levi’s® brand to launch our first global collection,” said Len Peltier, Global Vice President of Creative Direction.

It was a solid collection based on a more refined and tailored look, for both men (which featured a tapered and slim leg) and women (a redefined bootcut skinny pant). The designs were inspired by the idea of craftsmanship, honesty and authenticity – honoring tradition while defying convention, redefining the norm and re-crafting and re-creating iconic Levi’s® styles. For men the key look was was a slouchy on the top and has a slim tailored leg.

The show concluded with a live banjo performance. They thought of everything.