MAC Flashback: Tempt Me Tease Me Fall 2004

While on my vacation, I went through a box in the guestroom. Sure enough, there was my collection of MAC postcards. Remember when MAC used to either mail postcards about campaigns and invites or you used to pick them up at your local store or counter?

Well, now I get emails- ( unless its an exclusive event which has postcards) anyway, I started to rummage through them and that feeling of excitement hit me all over again!

My first campaign card was Lady Danger from 2000. It reminded me of the Charlie's Angels movie as the campaign and collection came out at around the same time, I was just starting my undergrad at SDSU and the trips I used to take to Fashion Valley on the regular.

I then moved on to some of the other cards I collected in different places: Peacenik ( 2002) acquired at MAC Hollywood, Smoke Signals ( 2007) acquired in Galleries Lafayette in Paris, etc. But one of my absolute favorite campaigns / collection was ( and still is ) Tempt Me Tease Me from 2004.

In MAC's Fall campaign fashion, Tempt Me Tease Me catered to both warm and cool tones but my excitement rests in the fact that collection was boudoir chic and come hither without being over- the-top ( no loud flashy reds in this one). Another plus was that I got to pick up a lookbook at my local Nordies with looks from the collection. YES!

Now I can look back and reminisce on all the great memories I have from the campaign cards and hope that in the future, MAC will create special items for artsy cosmetic aficionado such as myself.

Photos of the Tempt Me Tease Me campaign look book are below.

Enjoy!

Chanel Fall 2010- Les Contrastes is available now!

Wow! Can't wait to preview the collection. Swatches will be coming soon...

NARS Loves New York Set Photos!

Its been a busy one, but I didn't forget!

Here are the long awaited photos of the NARS Loves New York Set !

Orgasm Blush- no name change for this one

Uptown Girl Eyeshadow Duo- Paris Eyeshadow duo renamed. I'm pleasantly surprised at how versatile this duo is, the metallic light grey is beautiful alone or with its charcoal grey counterpart. I'm finding that this duo is very easy to work into a daytime smoky.

New York Eyeshadow- I usually shy away from eyeshadow bases that stray from the conventional browns and golds- but this is a great plummy brown that complements my eyecolor!

Soho Nailpolish- deep eggplant purple that reminds me of Lincoln Park After Dark ( for you OPI fans) but has slight red metallic flecks in it. Perfect for fall!

When Lacroix Met Francois NARS

This past Thursday, October 8th, one of my dreams came true- I met Francois Nars at Saks Fifth Avenue here in NYC!

Let us rewind to last year for a moment- last September I stumbled upon Makeup Your Mind, the ultimate NARS product and tutorial guide, at the Strand at Union Square. I used to study it almost nightly ( until I found my full-time job).

Fast Forward to a few days ago, I arrived early and got my makeup done by Cindy, a NARS facialist who recommended NARS Soft Glow Foundation mixed with the Brightening Serum.

She then used the following to complete my 15 minute look ( I wanted to get in line early):

-New Black Liner in Blackness on the upper lash line

-Albatross from lid to brow

-Exhibit A Blush

-Desire blush right above the cheek bone

and my new favorite lip combination: Skorpios Shadow pencil ( a copper) with Revolt lipgloss on top!

After my mini-makeover and the purchase of my NARS loves New York Box ( more pics to come):

-Soho Nail Polish- deep metallic eggplant

-New York Single Eyeshadow- plum burgundy matte

-Uptown Girl Eyeshadow Duo- ( looks like Paris eyeshadow duo) grey and charcoal eyeshadows

-Orgasm Blush- no name change here

And gift with purchase Copacabana/ St Barths Multiple Duo!

Finally, I got in line and was so happy to finally see Francois Nars and Ayako- I was really nervous!

Then I got my book signed-

Francois Nars: Hello.. Lacroix? Where are you from?

Me: I'm from here, I mean San Diego, yeah.

FN: Ah, Ok. What is your favorite product Lacroix?

Me; Nirvana Blush

FN: Oh! a Classic! ( everyone chuckles)

Me: Yes, I love it

( FN begins to sign my bag): ok don't wash this.

Me: Trust me I wont, I'm going to put it in a time capsule for 30 years to pass down to my children.

( everyone at the table cracks up)

FN: So nice to meet you.

Me: So nice to meet you!

Fall ’09 Beauty Trends: Smoky Bronze Gold Eye

Pale gold shadows and liners should go in the inner corner of the eyes to make them pop, while deeper bronze shades should go on the crease or outside of the eyes.
Textures that create a halo are metallics that are just on the cusp of being frosty but not ashy frosty- so they also need to be highly pigmented.
MAC and NARS are my favorites in the eyeshadow category as they are heavily pigmented and have an array of finishes. From Frost, Velvet, Veluxe Pearl, etc.

My Fall Faves:
MAC Bronze, Sable, Honey Lust, Tempting
NARS- Fez, Galapagos

Fall ’09 Beauty Trends: Vampy Lips

It’s the return of Glamour, Mystery and the Femme Fatale- clearly, you.mean.business in a read-my-lips way.
Let them be read! Or Red-Cherry, Berry or Burgundy with heavy pigments.
Day calls for sheer tones, night calls for opaque with a bit of shimmer.

My faves:
MAC- Sin, Media, Desire lipsticks, Night Moth& Bing Mattenes.
Milani- Chic & Classy Velvet lipsticks
NARS- Viridiana, Fastride, Hindu and Tamango lipsticks

photo: Style.com

Fall ’09 Beauty Trends: Soft Skin

Shed the summer skin and prepare for fall’s polished skin with sensitivity in mind.
A little ( a quarter size and use 1-2 times a week) goes a long way, so these recommended may last you until the New Year and beyond!
After exfoliating, I follow-up with my favorite moisturizer.
This has been my Sunday wind-down routine – especially when the sun sets earlier and the temperature gets colder.
Have some Vanilla tea.
Exfoliate
Moisturize
Watch a film
Fall asleep while watching the film J

Here are my favorite scrubs for fall:
MAC Volcanic Ash
YSL Natural Action Exfoliator
Laura Mercier Face Polish Gommage Facial
Chanel Deep Purifying Exfoliating Mousse

photo: Sephora.com

Fall '09 Beauty Trends: Very Berry Cheeks

The initial push of Fall has kicked off- we are now almost a month vested in Fall, although today felt like a typical day in San Diego here in New York- please be assured the chilly winds are just around the corner..like next week.

So what does that mean? To reflect the uniqueness of a new season, its time to turn the brights dim for fall- lets use nature as an example. Fallen leaves of maple brown, cloudier days and the sun setting at 6pm- regretfully its time to turn the maquillage down for day, play it up for night and highlight features while transitioning from day to night.

One reflection of this seasonal change and beauty must have is the very berry cheeks. Just like the wind chill whips around and hits your dimples and leaves them numb and perplexed for a quick minute or two. Let's take that minute or so make make it last for the day with pretty plums, berries and deep mauves!

Here are a few of my favorites:

- NARS Montenegro - a cream blush that gives a nice mulberry flush, very great for all skin types as its very easy to blend.

- Cover Girl's Cheekers in True Plum and Plum Plush- poweder formula, sheer plums that are budget friendly- under $10!

- MAC's Ambered Rose-is in the MAC Sheertone blush family, a great sheer raspberry red with golden and red shimmer.

photo:style.com

Chanel is having Deja Vu!

Chanel has brought back some of their classic beauty items!

Here is just a snippet:

Rouge Hydrabase:

- Wild Violet

- Siroco

- Aura

- Shanghai Red

- Inspiration

- Muse

- Grace Poise

- Lily Beige

- Rose Secret

- Great Copper

Le Vernis:

- Shanghai Red

- Flamingo

- Dazzling

Facettes D'or: Highlighter in Gold Fever

photo: Chanel.com

Opening Ceremony x Where The Wild Things Are

In anticipation of the new Spike Jones film, with a soundtrack that includes the Arcade Fire and Karen O from the "Yeah Yeah Yeah's" comes Opening Ceremony's clothing and jewelry collaboration.

In September's W magazine they profiled Pamela Love's Where The Wild Things Are charm bracelet complete with claws and traps made exclusively for Opening Ceremony as well as hinting that Mr. Jones himself would be creating pieces for this outfit.

I think the hoodies and dresses capture fall fantasy and are definately wearable. Plus I like that fact that there are his and her gear ( I imagined it would only be for boys but happened to see the pics on Opening Ceremony and was refreshed).

I love the OCx WTWTA collab, the Max suit reminds me of the brother when he was 5. Coincidentally, today is his birthday! Happy Birthday Aaron!

photos: Opening Ceremony.com

Sold Out: Yves Saint Laurent Frozen Plum Sheer Sensual Gloss Stick

Someone. Help. Me. Please.

After going to Bloomingdales in Soho to do some Fall look research, I wanted to purchase the YSL Frozen Plum Gloss Stick as I have a more summery toned one, Frozen Plum would be the nice introduction to Fall. Plus after testing it a while back- I have not stopped thinking about how much I love the texture, weight and of course- color!

Well, everyone one else sure does love it as much as I do! If not more! this is a frenzy- its SOLD OUT. Not on Sephora.com, Sephora on Fifth Ave, not in Bloomies, ysl.com, am I going to have to call the YSL store?

Susan, Soho Bloomie's YSL business manager assured me that Frozen Plum would be restocked on Thursday. Ok now, no pushing come Thursday.

Congrats Chanel Jade Nailpolish Winner!

The Answers were:

Chanel Iman and Veronica Webb are the First Beautè du jours and the blog anniversary date is January 4, 2007.

Congrats to Sunchicka who will receive Chanel's Jade Nailpolish!

I have this on right now and it is lovely lovely.

More contests will come this fall!

Thanks to all who have entered.

Win it: Chanel Jade Nail Polish

Win it here!

Contest ends thursday, Good luck!

Top 5 NYFW Show Looks I'm Looking Forward To

I CAN'T WAIT!

Here are my top 5 shows I'm looking forward to- Can't wait to see the Make-up and new products from NARS, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Stila and ( new) Bryant Park Sponsor- Maybelline.

5. Ruffian- Umm, can I get my hands on MAC's Ruffian Red Pah-leeze? I'm dying to see comparisons to Russian Red.

4. Rachel Roy- For all came the Noir Levres courtesy of Bobbi Brown in the form of strong burgundy and black lips. Will cheeks become a main focus? After all, Rachel has confessed to loving the Pot Rouge in Velvet Plum.

3. Anna Sui- Boho-Hippie to Ziggy Stardust inspired wigs with metallics. Somehow it all works for my fave models Naomi Campbell and Karen Elson alike. What will she bring this time? and most importantly, will she recreate the makeup for her line?

2. Herve Leger- For the past few seasons, NARS has shown highlighted accents around the eyes and bronzed skin for HL- will Francoise and Co. step it up a notch for Spring '10? After all, shouldn't its the dawn of a new decade.

1. 3.1 Philip Lim- Spring '09's looks had me at my knees. Everyone looked beautiful. Inspiration all over the place and the introduction of NARS's Multiple Bronzers and Grenadines eyeshadow. Last season was the concealer laced lips and eyeliner. NARS+ Philip Lim= MAKEUP MAGIC

Backlash on the Noir Lèvres?

I know in the past many of you have sported this look- the My Lips but Lighter. Maybe it was back when you your nails were decked out in Hard Candy’s Sky nailpolish and listening to “ Miss World” or “I’m So Into You” ( or maybe both). While getting your Hole and SWV on, the nude and or pink lips were accompanied by either MAC’s Spice, Chestnut or Wet and Wild’s 666 lip liner to make the zinc lips look “good”.
Never the less, everything comes full circle- so now we have Rhianna in the Vogue Italia supplement doing the same, rocking the super light lip of the 80’s and 90’s that reminds me of camp surf movies- a la North Shore.
In any case, I ‘ve tried and failed at this look three too many times. First it was the trial and error with MAC’s Chai after it was noted that many people used this lipglass as a nude- fine by me though not for me unfortunately.
Seeing the VI editorial is beautiful, and it helps that was shot in black and white but in real life, the look would look sour.

Could this be the “backlash” ( or “Blacklash”) on the fall Noir Lèvres? Or is this attempt to be “ different” in the change of season?





Photo: Fashionista.com

Lara Stone for Paris Vogue Sept '09

Photo: Fashionologie.com

Ms. Stone has landed 2 Paris Vogue covers this year... seriously, who does that?!

Plus, she is so versatile that she is barely recognizable- now this is what I call true modeling!

If there is one thing I splurge on 3-4 times a year ( yeah, I know- I seriously need to get a subscription) it would be Paris Vogue. It never lets me down in fact the last Vogue I bought was the one with Michelle Obama on the cover- just because she was on it, unfortunately everything else about the photoshoots and editorials has let me down- yes, ALT has let me down, and lead me to the path of Emmanuelle Alt, Melanie Huynh and Carine Roitfeld of Paris Vogue and its made editorials and photos more appealing to me than any other Vogue out there ( sorry Vogue Italia, you are 2nd on my list followed by Vogue Korea).

NARS Fall 09: Lolita

Coming August 2009

Thanks to lalashake at Makeupalley for the promo image.

Details coming soon...

More Cult of Cherry Pics

Plum du Bois Blush

Cult of Cherry Hotties

Cult of Cherry Apron.. yummy!

MAC Cult of Cherry

Tonight I had the privilege of attending MAC Soho's Cult of Cherry unveiling.

It was a great event and the collection is unbelievable! Yes, I tend to get excited about MAC collections but this one has topped it for me this year!

The store was chock-ful ( just like the mattene) of choco-tini and cherry tarts handed out by handsome male waiters. The artists were all adorned with cute half-aprons and helped everyone with achieving different looks to pull of a new face for the fall season.

I would describe Cult of Cherry as sophisticated, sensual and powerful! The collection is the perfect blend of cherries, chocolate with accents of pink and taupe. Its like a pure choco-cherry factory of goodness.

I picked up a few products that I will be using pronto.

Creme Cerise lipstick is a warm neutral taupe, its cooler than Touch and taupier than Instinctive. It will be in my bag for the everyday neutral.

Bing Mattene is a deep eggplant color that wears great, matte but not drying at all. Since I can't pull off the all black YSL lip, this will be my substitute. Though I didn't purchase tonight, my next one will be Chock-ful, a rich chocolate color that reminds me of the mid-90's when I was trying to do the dark brown burgundy.

Blooming blush is a dusty rose and the finish is a frost. This would look great with Chock-ful as the lippie and neutral eyes.

Plum du Bois blush is a plummy brown with shimmer, the finish is frost as well and is great for every day. A close one to this is Mountain High.

Cult of Cherry will be in stores on the 19th.

Who wants to look like Coco? YSL Beauty Fall '08

Elle's fragrance campaign has popped out and stepped into YSL's fall campaign.



Who doesn't want to look like Coco? 'cause now you can get pretty darn close to it
smoldering eyes and bold fuchsia lips that scream- Woman, Power, More ( not to mention Coco always looks like a femme fatale!)!

The standout products from this collection are:

Pure Lipstick:
#14 Golden Purple
#15 Golden Berry

Rouge Pure Shine:
#30 Shimmering Pink
#31 Tuxedo Pink ( swatch above from site)

Golden Gloss:
#14 Golden Purple
#15 Golden Berry



Palette Collection- Powder for Eyes
THE Smoky eye palette ! Deep dark hue, Champagne highlighter and Metallic Grey trio make the compact of the fall season.

Blush Variation:
#17 Silky Nude

Lovely indeed, Can't wait til it launches so I can put my new camera to use!

Photos: yslbeauty.com