Welcome the latest bold addition to the Make Up For Ever family… Charlie XCX! Actually it’s their new Aqua XL Eye Pencil which global pop sensation, Charlie XCX is the face of. She needs no introduction right?
Me and Charlie XCX!
I hope you saw my snap chat from the launch party, because it was pretty epic (it’s snapchat: @prettyconnected if you want to follow me for future makeup launches). Charlie XCX performed her hit song, Boom Clap and then was joined on stage by her makeup artist, Colby Smith and Make Up For Ever’s Director of Artistry, Lihja Stewart to give us the 411 on the new Aqua XL Eye Pencils.
Here’s what you need to know: Available in 20 eye popping, highly pigmented shades spanning the gamut of brights, metallics and classics; they go on creamy and smooth and then don’t budget — like feel free to rub your eyes they aren’t moving! They are waterproof, extra long lasting and according to Charlie XCX sweat proof and doesn’t budge when she’s on stage. With Coachella around the corner I may be melting but it’s good to know my eye makeup won’t be.
During the event I chatted with Charlie XCX and asked favorite shade, which just so happens to be the green color of my hair — coincidence? That or we’re soul sisters.
This is the first of an ongoing series of artistic collaborations that highlights stage artists and their makeup artists. I am excited to see who they team up with next!
The range is currently available in Europe and launching in the US at Sephora starting April 26th and all Make Up For Ever Boutiques starting 4/29.
Push boundaries and explore new looks with MAKE UP FOR EVER as their ground-breaking “Be Bold. Be Unexpected. Be You.” campaign launches nationally in Sephora stores. The campaign promotes individually and self-expression, featuring renowned transgender fashion model Andreja Pejić and popular actress/fashion blogger Jamie Chung, with cutting-edge makeup looks created by visionary celebrity makeup artist Mélanie Inglessis.
If you’re looking to stand out this Halloween or having trouble figuring out what to be, there’s no better stop then at MAKE UP FOR EVER . They are the ultimate when it comes to artistry and are offering custom looks to complement any costume, or you can pick from one of 10 incredible fantasy looks (tutorials below for some of them! If you want to attempt them on your own!), otherwise here are the options:
This has been an exciting month of new features and opportunities for me! My twitter party with Birchbox and Benefit trended on twitter! As did my #PrettyGlamazonOscars Party. In Touch Weekly asked me to do a twitter takeover and cover the Oscars red carpet. I know we’re only two weeks into March but I’m too excited not to share that exciting news and the features below!
Who’s on top of their holiday shopping? Here are some of my personal picks of gifts I’ve gotten (mostly for myself) and loved!
1. Royal Apothic Conservatory Collection Candle in scent English Rose ($26) – this candle is lie a little piece of heaven. It’s a soy-blend wax and burns for 60 hours. It’s larger then it looks in the picture (5″h, 3″ square) and is gorgeous from package to scent. It’s like walking through a rose garden, the scent is superb.
2. Sarah H. Reynolds Original Frame Notecards & Envelopes ($22/set of 10) – I love sending cards and this versatile set includes two of each print of five original charcoal frame drawings and ten envelopes by NY based artist, Sarah Reyholds. Leave your love note, thank you, or even your own drawing or picture inside one of these beautifully drawn frame (or use stamps!) and send. I like that they are artsy and give you a foundation to customize the card and they work for number of different occasions so they are handy to have around.
3. International Sanctuary Beautiful Green Necklace ($40) – As seen in my video campaign with SpaFinder (and regularly in photos on my instagram page, I wear this necklace all the time. This website (and necklace) are amazing. iSanctuary works to help victims of human trafficking reintegrate by employing survivors. Their mission to end human trafficking through
For fall I’m all about bold, red lips and MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Rouge #8is the perfect long lasting, high pigmented lip stain/gloss duo. I’m also really into metallic accents and with all the army green we’ve seen from the runway I love MAKE UP FOR EVER Metal Powder. It builds into a really beautiful shimmer and the formula is gorgeous; it goes on clean and is so soft and silky. I’m also rocking some serious false eyelashes from Sephora brand inCelebrityand all bronzed up with Guerlain Terracotta matched with a CNDShellac manicure from Jin Soon Spa.
Are you ready for the craziness that is Fashion’s Night Out? It’s all going down September 6th in NYC, so be sure to get your beauty sleep the night before because the parties and events are never ending and it’s bound to be an amazing time! Here are some of the happenings, for starters:
Who: Karen Millen
When and where: Thursday, September 6th from 6PM – 9PM. Karen Millen SoHo, 114 Prince St.
Who: fresh
What: Join fresh for the launch of their limited edition Fresh Turns 21 Oval Soaps. Meet the artist R Nichols, creator of Exclusive Artisanal Pieces and received an exclusive custom stationary with your purchase of $125. Plus get a sneak peek at Fresh’s new Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15
When and where: Thursday, September 6th from 6-8PM, Fresh Union Square 872 Broadway, NYC
Who: Alexandra Taylor, Assouline and Fashion 4 Development (F4D)
What: Designer Alexandra Taylor has teamed up with F4D to advocate for the strengthening of collaborations between fashion and humanitarian efforts. FNO scarves will be sold for $55 and a portion of the proceeds will go to F4D.
When and where: Thursday, September 6th from 7PM – 9PM. X’TIGE SHOWROOM37 West 57th Street, 11th Floor.
{FNO scarf, $55}
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Who: Bergdorf Goodman
What: Bergdorf Goodman’s 111 birthday celebration! From 3PM – 6PM on the beauty level, expect guest appearances from beauty experts and makeup artists including Aerin Lauder, Francis Kurkdjian, Colette Malouf and Miss Pop nail bar, Brows by Sonja, lashes by Taylor, DJ Johnny Dynell and more. Guests enjoy a gift with purchase fromBalenciaga Paris. From 6PM – 9PM on the third floor, celebrate Bergdorf’s new book Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman with author Sara James Mnookin and contributing designers like Bobbi Brown, Edward Bess, Lela Rose, Michael Bastian, Naeem Khan, Rachel Zoe, and Thakoon Panichgul. From 6PM – 10PM on the main level, enjoy a dance party with Lady Bunny.
When and where: Thursday, September 6th from 3PM – 10PM at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street.
Having lived in major cities my whole life, I never much subscribed to home shopping networks like QVC — which I associated with stay-at-home moms and consumers that didn’t have immediate access to stores at every corner. Living in a place where there is a Sephora on every other block, TV is the last place I look to make a beauty purchase (although they do sell online as well).
However, after attending a recent QVC event, I could not have been more wrong — given the amount of beauty brands out on the market it’s a challenge to pick which product is worth the investment; QVC offers consumers that educational component and the opportunity to learn about the products beyond just staring at the packaging straight from the expert behind the brand.
I was shocked by the amount of prestige brands they are currently showcasing — Perricone MD, Bliss, Algenist, Clarisonic, Fresh, Tarte, Lipstick Queen, Make Up For Ever, Go Smile, Josie Maran, Mally, Laura Geller (to name a few) as well as retailers like Space.NK, and Sephora are now partnering with them as well!
Talking vitamin C with Dr. Perricone!
And they certainly got my attention. Walking the isles of the QVC event, I got to meet Dr. Perricone and hear first hand why I need to drop everything and try his Vitamin C Ester 15 (QVC Item #A221548) — which has a high 15% concentration of vitamin C fused a with fatty acid derived from palm oil that’s going to brighten my skin and give me a glowing complexion. And then there was Poppy King (THE LIPSTICK QUEEN!!!) — who I’ve been obsessed with for some time now. Her lipsticks are so luxurious and rich and offer this perfect combination of hydration and pigment without being messy or flimsy. She’s launched the Lipstick Queen Liptopolis Lipstick Collection ($48/QVC Item #A226460) which has this super cute packaging that includes 3 lipstick shades, Central Park (peach), Soho (red) and Upper East (nude hue). What can I say… I’m so Soho — I haven’t stopped wearing this shade since I got the set. I met Josie Maran, Ken Paves, Laura Geller… and hearing first hand from these experts what makes their products so great and the best way to use them adds such a value and educational component that I’m a total QVC convert. Plus you can expect a medley of specials and exclusives from these brands only available on QVC.
{Ken Paves gives Cheryl of The Fashionista Stories his signature Hairdo extensions — looks so natural!}
{Sarah Potempo demoed her “The Wrap-Up” ($24/QVC Item #A323424) on a model, instantly giving her the perfect bun in seconds!}
{Fresh co-founder Lev Glazman introduced us to their hand blended (in a monastery) ancient remedy to the fountain of youth, Elixir Ancien + Face Treatment Oil ($50/QVC Item #A226364), which is being offered exclusively in a .5 ounce size on QVC}
{Former super model Josie Maran has more then one reason to be glowing — we suspect it’s part baby-bump, part her latest Argan Illuminating Body Butter ($30/ QVC Item #A224383) which combines her lightweight, hydrating body butter that’s infused with her signature ingredient, argan oil and a delicate luminzers that offers a subtle shimmer for that perfect summer glow.
For the complete list of beauty offerings, visit QVC.com
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!).
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:
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 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}
I have a rather humorous story to tell that sums up to MAKE UP FOR EVER new Fluo Night is a must-have for Halloween or in your makeup collection for any occasion that deems you in Ultraviolet light.
My story begins at 10am in the bathroom of my office smothering this translucent loose powder all over my lips and eyes, turning off the lights and waiting to glow in the dark. I didn’t. I put more on, turned the lights off…nothing. I missed the part about only glowing in the dark under black-lights. Naturally, I put makeup on over the light-weight powder and chalked it up to a failed product. A whole day of work, and several events later; 12 hours to be exact, I stopped by SPiN New York to finalize my birthday reservations only to get a lot of stares. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING! Finally some overly drunk table-tennis player nearly screamed while almost tripping over me to pick up a ping-pong ball asking, “what’s the matter with your face?”
What you'll look like if you use Fluo Night
Confused for a moment, I realized it was black-light ping-pong night at the club (what are the odds?), and my MAKE UP FOR EVER product doesn’t glow in darkness, it glows under UV lights! I ran back to my date and asked what was the matter with my face? He replied, ‘nothing, why?’, I grabbed his arm and moved us under the black-light lantern –‘What about now?’. When he was finally able to compose himself from the horrific laughter we snapped a few shots, and I left mortified. Really, what got me is the amount of staff and friends I ran into there and none of them told me. Although in all fairness, knowing that I’m an beauty blogger, they probably all assumed it was
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.
