Love you 2012..Welcome 2013!

You're all I need to get by..this winter

Hoping you and yours are having a great holiday season!

I've been traveling a bit and can't wait to settle down and get back in the groove of things. Groove being the operative word as I received a turntable for Chrimbus so now I can enjoy this Diana Ross album I picked up at Amoeba Records Hollywood last week.

All music aside, winter is here and its time to do an about face with the routine. Since I've been on an award tour (with Mohammad my man..just had to add that..haha) from East coast to West Coast and back, from T-shirt and shades 76 degrees Fahrenheit down to a snowy 29 degrees Fahrenheit. I found some pretty reliable moisturizers for my oily-sensitive skin and was introduced to a new lipgloss and hand salve while in LA too.

In the morning I spritz on Caudalie Beauty Elixir after my morning cleanser and then use a pea size of ReVive Moisturizng Renewal Cream. This cream is a dream.. and very pricey for my budget but I did get this during the Barneys Love Yourself Beauty event in my dopp bag.
For the evening after cleansing I use a pea size amount of La Mer's new Moisturizing Soft Cream. I bought the soft cream during the Barneys event and I have loved it ever since. I have a good friend whose skin looks just amazing and she's been using La Mer products for years. I have been using the green gel cleanser for 10 years but have just went down the rabbit hole with the soft cream.. I might not look back!
Both morning and night routines have worked well in the crazy temps my skin has been exposed to and the dry conditions of airplanes and buses.
As for my makeup routine.. I was ecstatic to see that Fashion Valley's Sephora had Dior's Creme de Rose! This stuff is no where to be found in NYC..I dare you to name one of the 10+ Sephora's in the city that has this in stock- none, nada, zip, zilch.
Since I'm in a berry mood, I picked up the new LA Miss Lippy by Butter London while in LA. I'll have to do a full review later, the color is what you see and what you get! The gloss goes of smooth and sheer so you can layer it for depth.
Finally, I checked out a new salve/balm for my perpetually dry hands and found one with a heavenly ( sweet not saccharine) by Barr Co. Its made in St. Louis Missouri and I have to find out if they are in a retailer here in NYC. I found it at American Rag Cie in LA and I think it was one of the best finds in the store!

So this is my 2012 winter skincare routine in a nutshell. I'll have some haircare stuff soon! It should be exciting as I just made some homemade shampoo.


Have a wonderful New Years! and see you in 2013!
xo L

Interview with "Here" Makeup Artist - Nico Guilis

 

Stills from The Luxury Collection's short-film, "Here", starring Agyness Deyn.

This past weekend I had pleasure of interviewing Makeup Artist Nico Guilis! While she was in Las Vegas for the Chanel exhibition , she shared with me how she got started in the business, how to create a natural look by applying bronzer to your eyelid ( sounds cool, who knew?) and what products she looks forward to for Spring 2012.

LTBB: How did you get your start in beauty?

NG:  I got my start in the beauty business around the age of 9 when I was exposed to the makeup world by my mother who was a makeup artist herself at the time. I was a painter in private art classes after school and I found that it was like painting on the face and I quickly became obssessed. I watched Style Chanel, Vintage Movies like Gidget-Singing in the Rain-An American in Paris - Breathless, Fashion TV and I would imagine myself  working in NY or Paris , I just knew it was what I was meant to do. 

LTBB: In the film, you used the Desert Coral Bronzer on Agyness' eye lids to create a healthy, natural look, what tools can we use to re-create this look?

NG: Anyone can re-create the look I did with the Desert Bronze coral on the eye by just sweeping a light touch of bronzer with some warm honey tones over the eye lid area with a larger brush. Stay away from Bronzers that have a lot of red in them or are too shimmery.. it can make the eye look tired instead of refreshed. 

LTBB: Lastly, What are your 3 favorite products for the upcoming Spring 2012 ?

NG: 1. I am loving the UV Essentiel daily spf 50 sunscreen by Chanel. Its light and fresh and is great to set on the skin 10 minutes before your makeup. 

2. Rouge Coco Baume is the new hydrating lip Balm by Chanel that makes your lips creamy , gorgeous with a kissable shine. 

3. Nubian Heritage is an Organic line that makes a Coconut & Papaya lotion with Vanilla Bean extract and it is divine. Its and anti aging/brightening and firming creame that smells incredible and makes your skin feel like silk.

Check out the Tilda Swinton and Waris Ahluwalia produced, Luca Guadagnino directed short original film, "Here" at TheLuxuryCollection.com/TheFilmHere  available on January 24th.

Special thanks to BPCM and Nico!

Behind the Scenes Beauty: Agyness Deyn for the Luxury Collections "Here"

Teaser Trailer for "Here" from the Luxury Collection via Style.com

Tomorrow, January 24th, The Luxury Collection will premier the Tilda Swinton and Waris Ahluwalia produced, original short film, "Here". (TheLuxuryCollection.com/TheFilmHere)
The film directed by Luca Guadgnino and starring Agyness Deyn, is about a woman who explores the beauty of travel through three fabulous Luxury Collection properties.

Nico Guilis, the Makeup Artist for "Here", shares how to get the look from the film.
The beauty look ,“is all about healthy glowing skin that feels fresh and sophisticated, a reflection of the Starwood Luxury Traveler. Her eyes are bright and big, manicured brows and healthy skin that beams. I was really inspired by the thought of a classic timeless woman with natural beauty who really exudes a sophistication that isn’t dampened by heavy overdone makeup. With all her traveling she always feels and looks fresh but always put together,” said Nico. 

This past weekend I had the pleasure of interviewing Nico ! I’ll post the interview tomorrow but until then, enjoy the beauty breakdown from “Here”, which you can watch TheLuxuryCollection.com/TheFilmHere

Makeup Credits for Agyness Deyn: All Cosmetic Products were Chanel 

-Chanel Hydramax Moisturizer

-Chanel Aqualumiere Foundation with spf 15

-Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder in T Zones

-Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid: Highlight Beam on Cheek, forehead and chin

-Chanel Bronzer Desert Coral on Contour of Cheek under Highlight Beam and dusted on the eye lids

-Chanel Blush "In Love" on apple of the cheek 

-Chanel Inimitable Intense Black Mascara

-Chanel Argonite Lipgloss on lips

To Vegas and Back

Hello out there!

I just returned from Vegas and Joshua Tree and had a blast! I didnt take my computer on the road so .. here I am!

While at the Forums at Cesar's I stopped by Kiehls. I have their blue astringent from way back when and its not working for me. Why? because it has alcohol and everytime I put a moisturizer over it- it clumps.
Since the weather was a good 85 degrees and my skin started to ooze oil, I wanted to see if they could help me minimize the oil and shine and maximize my sanity.
Luckly the sales person helped my find their Tea Tree oil toner that is alcohol-free ( yess..) and I have to say, it smells great and does the job.
Also while I was in there I picked up the all-famous Kiehl's lipgloss in Berry 1851.
Its the fastest lip smoother I've every tried. As soon as you put it on, it just melts onto your lips- great for when you are on the go.. yay!
I have other beauty discoveries to reveal later. A classic will be on the way too.

Happy Tuesday!