Top Five Beauty Trends for 2012

As we move on from 2011, do you think that we can hold fast to the colors and trends that have dominated the past few months? Will there be a victor from the hodgepodge of trends that have cyclically surfaced every 3 to 5 years?

To date, The Lipstick Index tried and failed to predict sales and trends and judging by the past few years we now can safely say that the Nail Color Index can attribute to the influx of spending in the nail care sector, so much so that Nail Color sales were $328 million in 2010, dominating over other color cosmetics.

Will Nail Domination continue in 2012? Here are my top 5 most- unscientifically hypothesized ganders for what 2012 will bring for us color cosmetic enthusiasts.


1. Beauty for the Ages

We all can generalize and say that gloss is for the teens and tweens, lipsticks are from the young adult to professional crowd and that everyone else just doesn't exist.. just kidding. Well, it sure does seem that way- the oldest beauty ambassador on the roster is Ellen DeGeneris who is in her Mid- 50's, well done cosmetic companies! But what about 50 and over? MAC Cosmetics answered the call of " All Ages" ( coincidentally their tag line) and will release the MAC for Iris Aphel collection this month. Iris is almost a centurion and is still fashionable in every way. Another cosmetic venture, Fabulousat60.com a lifestyle website for Baby Boomers who can also get their beauty fix.


2. Natural is as Natural Does

Cosmeticeuticals are once again up for debate. Borba has tried it and new products are coming soon that will give you all the nutrients you need so that your inner health is reflected on the outside, and it will taste good! I guess it beats the one pill to cure everything but also poses a problem if you have to have a mixed cocktail to strengthen hair, reduce oiliness in skin and boost the immune system..


3. The Unpredictable Coveted Beauty Collaborations

One day next year, or if I'm lucky enough to go to Japan in the fall, I will be able to order a lipstick alongside my Cassis Macaron at Ladureé. I'm so excited that Ladureé is stepping into the world of color cosmetics! Judging by the quality of their Candles, Fragrances, Teas and Macarons, their cosmetic collection will be nothing short of amazing! Other completely left-field-but-totally-can't wait collections include: Pantone and Sephora. On another note, why doesn't MAC partner up with Sprinkles cupcakes for some lip colors or nail polishes or better yet one of my favorite NYC stores, Opening Ceremony!


4. Global Beauty Love!

Some color cosmetics companies are good at others with this one, its teaching the US consumers about what is effective and special about products that do well abroad. For example, The BB creams that were released here didn't go so well. Why? because the Makeup Artists were not really trained to tell you what they were and how do they work! 
I think that more companies need to explore the Global Embrace, educate don't imitate nor dominate. Another example, if you are inspired by Baja Mexico, do your research, make the campaign look amazing and show how to work the colors, textures and tones into the everyday or special occasion looks.


5. The end of the Glittery Nail Struggle


I've posted before on my struggle with glitter nail polish, soaking doesn't work, rubbing takes off the color, not the glitter, twisting causes scratching on my nail surface..its a useless battle that has me sitting the bench instead of participating in the glitter party. Can someone please re-develop a formula so that glitter nail polish can easily be taken off without the threat of harming yourself in the process?


That is all for 2012.


 

Monday Muse: Jasmine Tookes in Vogue Paris Dec 2011/ Jan 2012

 

 Updated:

 Happy New Year! Bonne Anneé!

I hope everyone had a beautiful ring to the New Year! I wanted to spread some cheer here and share what could possibly be a new segment- Monday Muse, inspiring editorials from some of my favorite publications! This week is Jasmine Tookes in Vogue Paris' Dec/Jan magazine. Despite the lack of creativity on this month's cover ( Kate Moss as David Bowie) and the end of the best calendars to come with your end of the year magazine ( I still have December's Daria calendar on my wall..) there was a handful of great editorials to come from Vogue Paris, this includes the two shots above of Jasmine Tookes in the Cadeaux section. I love these and can't wait to see her in more shots! I only wish I knew what color cosmetics she was wearing!

A plus!

A is for Aldo Fragrance Launch

Cushnie et Ochs!

 Happy Holidays everyone! Are you ready for the New Year come next week? Well if you are out and about checking out your local mall or clamoring to your closest fashionable residence in time for some New Years gear, you should definitely take some time to discover a new fragrance!
All this year and last, I've been trying and testing new fragrances but I was quite impressed with Aldo's new fragrances that launched earlier this month. I was invited to the launch party in Noho and got to sample the three women's fragrances: Yellow, Red and Blue. Simple and sophisticated.
I tried and liked the Red scent, its the warmest of the three and packs a musky yet fruity scent that doesn't leave you smelling male musky but is perfect for the fall/winter season.
If you get a chance while out and about "window shopping", stop into Aldo, take a whiff and relax.

Special Thanks to Aldo and BPCM

A Quick Getaway at The Chelsea

Face Stockholm in the building!

Whew! I can't believe my first term of school is officially over! So far, its been an exciting journey and I've met some really amazing people! Before I embarked on re-capping my studies from mid-terms to finals time, I went down to Atlantic City with some friends to check out The Chelsea hotel!
The Chelsea is AMAZING! The decor is 1940's, beautiful and completely reminds me of a hotel that would be in the middle of Palm Springs California.
Another surprise at The Chelsea is that they carry Face Stockholm toiletry products! I find this great because when I first started visiting NYC I used to visit Face Stockholm on the corner of Prince and Greene streets. Sadly, the store closed two years ago.
I was also pretty jubilant to see that Face Stockholm made Shampoo and Hair Rinse ( Conditioner). After surveying the products I then asked my friends how they plan on changing up their winter hair care regimen. While we went through some standards and trends: heavy conditioning, co-washing, dry shampoo, etc., I announced that I would try co-washing to see how it goes for my hair and I tried it with the Hair Rinse in White Tea.
The White Tea Hair Rinse smells floral and woodsy, the consistency is milky, light and the conditioner did a fantastic job of moisturizing.
Now I have to go to the newly opened Face Stockholm at Columbus Circle to see the variety of the hair care line.

Holiday Win-spiration: Chanel's Khol Rimmed Paris-Bombay Look

Jasmine Tookes photo: Elle.com

Its finals!. I have so much great stuff to share but will have to be put on hold for a couple of days. I did want to do a quick post on my Holiday Winter Inspiration- (Win-spiration if you will)- The Chanel Pre-fall 2012 Paris- Bombay Metiers d'Art show that debuted on Wednesday December 7th, 2011.  I love the khol rimmed eyes- it makes me want to re-visit smokey eyes- but in a way to just line it tightly instead of smudging. My spin would be putting some highlights of gold underneath the eye and in the corner.
I love the look and was happy that their were east Asian women represented along with my faves Audrey Marnay and Southern California new-comer Jasmine Tookes!