Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign Featuring Christy Turlington, Karen Elson & Natalia Vodianova

i admit, i'm a sucker for a fabulous ad campaign. so when the new Louis Vuitton pics were released last week, i had to share!



last spring in paris, for the fall 2010 Louis Vuitton runway show, Marc Jacobs, LV creative director, tapped several of the world’s most famously curvaceous supermodels-- including Adriana Lima, Bar Refaeli, Laetitia Casta and Elle Macpherson-- to wear the collection.



for the ad campaign, he's booked three more supermodels.



"this season was a manifesto for beautiful, ladylike clothes," says Marc.



thus, the ads feature the gorgeous Natalia Vodianova, Karen Elson and supermodel legend Christy Turlington (love her!) dressed up in a vintage-inspired movie star dressing room. with hairstyles created by master stylist Guido and makeup done by the amazing, world-renowned Pat McGrath, the ladies looked chic wearing bustiers, 50s-inspired knits and full skirts.



check out this behind-the-scenes video:




as you can see, the iconic Speedy handbag is as desirable as ever, with new materials like alligator, waxed calf leather and flocked and sequined monogram canvas.

what do you think of thie new campaign?

xo
source: Louis Vuitton via InStyle Magazine

Beautifully Protected: Janson-Beckett Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer

finding the right sun protection for your face is important, but can be tricky. thankfully, Janson-Beckett has an amazing product-- Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer-- that is so silky and light, you may just forget you're wearing sunscreen on your face (yes, i did...once. but in my defense, i had just started using it).

oil-free, and non-greasy (you remember i said it was silky and light, right?), Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer contains shea butter, aloe vera, and soluble collagen to keep skin looking good while also keeping it protected thanks to sun protection factor (spf) of 40. as i apply it, it disappears into my skin, after it's on it doesn't cause my makeup to look weird, and to the joy of me (and my skin), didn't cause any breakouts.

my only gripe is the size. i really wish it were offered in something larger than just an ounce. true, it will have lasted about two months by the time it's gone, but when it comes to skincare, i like my products to come in bigger packages, you know?

visit janson-beckett.com for more info about this product, the company (they make great injection-alternative skincare) or to order.


xo
full-size product sample sent to me by the brand's PR for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

Summer Wardrobe Pieces from Express to Wear into Fall

when it comes to clothing, making items work year-round makes them so much more affordable (essentially, the more times you wear something, the more it pays for itself). Express has some great items that will not only work for summer, but, when paired with other items, will keep you looking fabulous well into the fall season.




this figure-flattering Draped Mesh Mini is perfect for summer when paired with a simple tank and strappy or gladiator-style sandals. for fall, wear it with a crisp blouse and fun booties.




who doesn't need an all-occasion dress? this Belted Sleeveless Dress can be dressed up for a night out, summer party or wedding. when the chill of fall comes, add tights and a fitted blazer or cardigan for a classic look that is office-friendly.




your favorite pair of "skinnies" would look perfect with something like this Semi-Sheer Lace Tank (a great date-night look!). when the chilly fall breezes begin to blow, throw on a leather jacket to give your look an edgy, rocker feel.


hope these picks inspire you to make your own summer essentials autumn-appropriate! find the items featured at your local Express boutique and online at express.com

xo

nail color of the week: Savvy Knightly Armour

on a recent visit to my local Sally Beauty, i found this beauty, Knightly Armour, by Savvy. it looks silver with a lavander tint in the bottle, but is very sheer when applied. with 3 coats i acheived a very pretty, shimmery-metallic finish. it's edgy but still delicate-- perfect for me.

i have never heard of this line before, but searched and found it to have good reviews. Knightly Armour is a new shade and the Savvy brand is exclusive to Sally Beauty.

xo
pics taken by me :)

mark Take Me To Rio Bag

looking for a fun carry-all tote for the summer season? this Take Me To Rio Bag from mark., designed by the fabulous, award-winning handbag designer Carlos Falchi, is fun and will definitely add that something extra to your warm-weather ensembles.

made with faux leather, and in Mr. Falchi's signature metallic texture, this Rio bag is big enough to store all your must-have items. i love the baby blue hue-- so refreshing!

"the lining of the bag is the pattern of the copacabana boardwalk in rio. all of my bags have colorful linings, because i think the inside of the bag is just as important as the outside." – Carlos Falchi

find the Take Me to Rio Bag at meetmark.com or contact your local mark. representative.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Jessica Alba Wears China Glaze Sacred Heart

in a blast-from-the-past sort of event, celebrity manicurist Marsha Bialo recently gave Jessica Alba a fabulous manicure using China Glaze Sacred Heart for the cover of the summer 2010 issue of Genlux Magazine.

it just so happened that Marsha and the stylist were working together, searching to find the perfect color to represent the transition of summer nail trends into fall. finally, they agreed that Sacred Heart would be the perfect choice because of its neon base combined with the richness of always-chic-in-fall red.



the red polish, which launched in 2008 (waayy back, ha!) as part of the Ink Collection, was a great compliment to Jessica's olive skin tone, and looks good on me too, don't you think? ;)


xo
source: American International Industries

Hair Therapy: Pantene Pro-V Straighten & Smooth Creme

Pantene's new Medium Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme was sent to me from Harper's Bazaar Magazine via a program they offerr to subscribers (this was the first time i was chosen for it!). since being introduced to part of this range of products (shampoo, conditioner, and hairspray included), that offer different hair types different benefits, i have fallen even more in love with the brand.

the Medium-Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme is fabulous because it can be used on hair that is wet or dry. it offers extra conditioning, frizz control, shine and when hair is dry, calms fly-aways.

have you seen the new Pro-V Hair Solutions line? if not, you need to get yourself to your local drugstore and check out these products! you'll be happy you did.


xo
pic taken by me :)

Natasha Bedingfield Shares Her Beauty Must-Haves

the fabulous Natasha Bedingfield visited the west hollywood Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon for an US Magazine shoot (featured in the current issue-- get it, quick!). post-shoot, beauty director Gwen Flamberg met up with the singer to find out about products Natasha can't live without.




for her blonde tresses, John Frieda Sheer Blonde products are her faves. the Color Renew Tone Restoring Shampoo and Go Blonder Shampoo keep her tone just the way she likes it, bright and more on the ash-beige side.

when it comes to makeup, Cle de Peau Beaute Foundation and Concealer are her picks for giving her skin an even finish. Natasha says, "it's just so good, and it's a little more expensive, but if you're going to splurge on something, i would say...if you're skin looks good, you don't have to wear anything else."

Guerlain My Insolence Eau de Toilette Spray is her pick for keeping herself smelling fabulous!


great products, wouldn't you say? i have never smelled My Insolence, but now i am intrigued. :)


xo
source: US Magazine; image source: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Beautifully Organized with a Hold Me Bag

dear beauties i would like to introduce you to an amazing makeup bag. it's like no other makeup bag you have (unless you actually have this one)...



meet the Hold Me bag. isn't the wrap-a-round, vintage schoolgirl's book-bag look so adorable?




it has many places to store your makeup and brushes and can hold a lot! every bag comes in a black exterior with a material called Knew Suede, a soft fabric that keeps it's shape no matter what, and cleans up easily (there are different inner lining styles. Miss Suki is the one i have).



the center section has a separate liner in the bottom that is easily removable for cleaning. it can also be used outside the bag, if needed.




the brush/tool section has fifteen compartments (!!)-- some will hold single items and some, multiple items.




i love that the Hold Me bag allows me to fill it with everything from jars to bottles to compacts and liners to palettes and mascaras, along with makeup brushes, yet still closes and looks good!




as you can see in the above collage (click to enlarge), i really stuffed the Hold Me to see for myself, and show you, how much it could store.

i am so happy to have this Hold Me bag*. it's well made and i think every makeup-lover should own one. though on the pricey side, it is very cost effective when it comes to how much use you'll get out of it, is versatile, and it just makes makeup storage so chic! :)


visit holdmecompany.com to see all the inner liner styles and for more info.

xo
*Hold Me bag featured sent to me for review by the brand.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

father's day is around the corner, and if you're like me, you're a bit on edge since you have no idea what to get for the dad in your life.

in my case it's my husband.

the dear man is fabulous but has a terrible habit of buying things for himself as the year goes on, making not only holidays like father's day practically impossible to shop for, but other major events like his birthday and christmas.

so here's my "gift guide" for you (with the hope it will spark some inspiration for myself). take a look...



for the dad who always puts his best foot forward:



get him a Sockscription through blacksocks.com so he'll never be without great-looking socks. you'll save him the trouble of shopping (because most men hate to do it, LOL), and save yourself the oh-so-boring trip of having to shop for socks. it works like this: you choose the socks you know your dad would like, figure out how often you want them sent, then, lo and behold, your dad can have calf socks, knee socks, athletic socks, ski socks or cashmere silk socks -– all great quality, all manufactured in italy-– conveniently delivered to his doorstep in regular intervals.


for the trendy dad:




a new scent will be appreciated by the dad who likes to change up his look and stay on trend. housed in an edgy, flask-shaped silver bottle, Express has created Honor, a great smelling new fragrance. capturing a downtown edge and big-city cool, this watery, fresh and aromatic scent blends energizing top notes of fresh water accord, peppermint and basil. at the heart is grapefruit, fig and green ivy, and dries down to a base of musk, vetiver and a hint of vanilla.



for the music-loving dad:



any dad who loves music will appreciate receiving a DJ Hero game kit. i myself would have bought this for dear hubby, but he beat me to it 3 weeks ago (grrr...). the kit includes the turntable and game disc full of entertaining songs and really good instruction. i love that it has a super easy option, so even kids can get into the fun-- when their dad lets them, LOL!



for the techie dad:



he more than likely has many items that need charging everyday, so why not help him out with this fab Bluelounge Refresh Charging Station? it can charge up to three items and accommodates iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, or Bluetooth headsets, not to mention many other personal electronics.


what do you plan to get the dad in your life for father's day?

xo

Introducing New Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss

as usual, i'm excited to share with you a new product collection! Pure Color Gloss from Estee Lauder is a collection of 34 seductive shades in 3 brilliant finishes and includes a custom collection by world-renowned makeup artist and Estee Lauder creative makeup director Tom Pecheux.



the collection features the brand's exclusive True Vision™ Technology, which wraps pigments in a crystal-like coating to provide intense, brilliant color and shine to lips.

sounds so luxe, right?



the new Pure Color Gloss collection will be available at all Estee Lauder counters nationwide and esteelauder.com beginning mid-june 2010.

Pure Color Gloss Custom Collection by Tom Pecheux features 6 high-performing shades-- his secret weapon for creating runway looks from avant-guard to natural femininity.



the limited-edition Pure Color Gloss Custom Collection by Tom Pecheux will be available exclusively at Nordstrom stores nationwide and nordstrom.com also beginning mid-june 2010.

i'm intrigued and can't wait to try these lippies! what about you?

xo
info and images courtesy of Estee Lauder

Scarlett Johansson at the 2010 Tony Awards

first of all, i have to say congrats to Scarlett Johansson! if you didn't already know, the actress accepted the Tony for best performance by a featured actress on sunday night. she was wearing a deep green embroidered Elie Saab gown (isn't it gorgeous?!), and her makeup look complimented it by being both romantic and sultry.

Scarlett's makeup artist, Gianpaolo Ceciliato, created the look-- dewy, fresh skin and a fierce pink and purple smoky eye using products from the Dolce & Gabanna The Makeup line.

first, Ceciliato lined Johansson's inner and outer eyelids with the Dahlia Crayon Intense Eyeliner. he then blended the purple shadow from the Eyeshadow Duo in Dazzling and the pink shadow from the the Eyeshadow Duo in Guilty on her eyelids. completing the eyes, Ceciliato applied several coats of black mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

Ceciliato kept the rest of the face natural, key to accentuating the dramatic eyes, by applying a bit of Luminous Cheek Color in Provocative to the upper portion of Scarlett's cheeks. the final touch was a nude lip using The Classic Cream Lipstick in Nude.

what do you think of Scarlett's look?

xo
images: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Katy Perry at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards

CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey created an uber-fun look for Katy Perry at the MTV Movies awards this year. i don't know about you, but i thought her makeup was amazing and her blue wig was fabulous (seriously, who knew blue hair could look so good?)!

since the wig was definitely the focal point of the look, Jake wanted to create a look to balance the bright color out. the result was a dramatic, glamorous eye with the rest of the face more muted. Katy really wanted everything to look polished and chic.

on the face, Jake used Makeup For Ever HD Foundation followed by CoverGirl Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Plush Peach to give her cheeks a warm glow.

on Katy's eyes CoverGirl Line Exact in Black was used. Jake says, "i love liquid liner because it allows you to change the shape of an eye, and we wanted to create a more almond shape for Katy." above the black liner, he applied the white shade of the CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast in Onyx Smoke. the new LiquiLine Blast in Silver Spark was lined on the waterline to make the eyes pop.

"women tend to be afraid to use liner in the inner eye but it actually balances out a dramatic eye look." -Jake Bailey

to finish the eye, multiple coats of CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion in Very Black was used. to finish the look, the lips were stained with Outlast Lipstain in Flirty Nude and given a touch of shine with LaMer Lip Balm .

before her performance Jake punched up the look a bit by adding LiquiLineBlast in Blue Bloom for a pop of color and Outlast Lipstain in Everbloom Kiss.

Jake shares that "Katy loves the Outlast Lipstains because they are great for when she performs; they don't stick to her hair or microphone and never smudge." i will add that i love them as well, and the new Flirty Nude shade is my newest favorite shade!

great job Jake!

xo
images: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

CoverGirl Beauty Lounge with Molly R. Stern

last weekend (june 6, 2010, to be exact) i was privileged enough to attend a pre-MTV Movie Awards fete sponsored by CoverGirl at the Byron and Tracey Salon in Beverly Hills. unlike last year's event, this was much more intimate and we were able to watch the fabulous Molly R. Stern create a gorgeous look for Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones.

i also got to catch up with blogger pals i haven't seen in awhile-- Amber, Nadine, Charli and Kristen and Sarah-- as well as meet new ones i "know" via the web-- Sydne, Jamie and Tara.



shortly after arriving, we all sat down to watch as Molly effortlessly applied product after product, creating a flawless look for Rashida. the key to the look was building it rather than just applying it heavy all on at once. i loved being able to sit and observe the playful banter between Molly and Rashida, longtime friends.



here's how to get Rashida's look:

since Rashida's dress was simple and black, Molly wanted to play up her makeup with a bit of color.

she began prepping Rashida's skin with a light moisturizer followed by the soon-to-be-released Simply Ageless Primer to prep her skin for foundation. after a touch of Simply Ageless Corrector under the eyes to conceal darkness, Molly used Simply Ageless Foundation in Classic Tan and Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush in Lush Berry to the apples of her cheeks, creating a most gorgeous look on an already gorgeous face.




so, at this point Rashida looked beyond amazing, but then came the eye makeup...

to create a colorful smoky eye, Smoky ShadowBlast in Citrus Flair was applied first followed by Exact Eyelights Eyeshadow palette for brown eyes to add more dramatic definition. new LiquiLine Blast in Violet Voltage to line the eyes was followed by the same liner in Green Glow (just added to the inner corners of the eyes). the shocking green added a fabulous and unexpected pop of color. a few coats of LashBlast Fusion in Black on the top lashes and Brown on the bottom lashes gave the eyes the finishing touch.

a shiny pout with a hint of color completed the look as Molly used Outlast Lipstain in Flirty Nude followed by ShineBlast Lip Gloss in Smolder on Rashida's lips.



once Rashida's look was complete, we blogging babes were treated to hair, makeup and yummy food. i myself tried the Green Glow LiquiLine Blast and must tell you, it is my new summer liner fave (stay tuned for review and pics)! the color is shocking to look at as is, but when it's on looks amazing.

btw, Rashida's fabulous braided updo was created by Byron Williams-- love it!

xo
images featuring Rashida Jones and Molly R Stern: S. Keenen/WireImage; all other images are my own.

Summer Beauty 2010: Bobbi Brown Beach Club Collection

"i’m always inspired by how happy and healthy people look on the beach. nothing says summer to me like pretty, glowing skin and shimmering lids." – Bobbi Brown

it's summer and Bobbi Brown has released her fabulous Beach Club Collection, featuring everything we beauty-loving girls need to get gleaming skin and iridescent lids.



Beach Shimmer Brick, limited edition

shimmer bricks are one of Bobbi's signature products, and this new one is gorgeous! i bought one today at Nordstrom, and i have to say, i'm very happy with my purchase. hand-made in italy, the Beach Shimmer Brick compact features five bars of warm, pearlized shimmer to create a beautiful seaside glow. i love that it has multi-tasking qualities-- wear one or two shades at a time on your lids, run a big fluffy powder brush over it to give your face the perfect hint of shimmer, or just highlight your cheek and brow bones.


the rest of the collection includes...

Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadows
the award-winning, crease-free formula now comes in glistening pastels in colors ranging from ocean blue to oyster pink. new shades include: Moonstone, Opal, Surf and Pink Oyster.

Shore Long-Wear Cream Shadow
this soft matte beige shade gives a perfect look-- just one notch up from natural, it stays color-true and crease-free all day.

Clear Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15
lightweight, soft shine lipstick also doubles as a rejuvenating treatment. it comforts dry, chapped lips and provides long-term moisturization with natural cocoa and shea butters, jojoba, apricot kernel and avocado oils. peptides, along with vitamin C and paracress, stimulate collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while spf 15 helps prevent sun damage.


the Bobbi Brown Beach Collection is available now on counter and online at bobbibrown.com

xo
Shimmer Brick pic taken by me :) ;other image courtesy of Bobbi Brown cosmetics.

nail color of the week: Rimmel London Steel Grey

i have become a bit obsessed with Rimmel London's Steel Grey* nail polish (part of their Lasting Finish Pro line, available at drugstores) after seeing it featured in one of my mags (don't ask me which one-- i subscribe to so many!). seriously, i've been wearing it a lot!

this taupe-grey-purple-putty color is the perfect non-boring neutral. as you can see in the pictures, sometimes it can appear to be more grey-purple or more of a putty-grey. in less light it takes on a darker appearance.

i also have to mention that Lasting Finish Pro has something i have come to appreciate-- a wide pro brush. it makes applying the already great formula so easy. love it! :)

xo
*pic on left taken with no flash; pic on right taken with flash. pics taken by me :)

Beauty Must-Have: L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

if you're looking for a new makeup primer that won't break the bank, i suggest you try L'Oreal's new Magic Perfecting Base, part of the new Studio Secrets Professionalline. it gives skin a beautiful finish and smooths out any rough appearance your skin may have.

while a little bit on the pricey side for a drugstore product (yes, i bought this myself), i think Magic Perfecting Base is completely worth it. it can be worn alone to give skin a better-than-bare look, and of course, under makeup. i love how the mousse-like consistency makes my foundation look so much better and last longer. i also notice that it controls shine with its matte finish-- such a fab thing if you have oily skin!



the only thing i'm not really a fan of is the fact that it's in a jar. it would be great if they would switch it over to have a tube instead (so much more sanitary, and if you're a germ-a-phobe, you probably agree).

other than that, based on results, i think it's a beauty must-have. next time you're at your favorite drug or mass retailer, grab it. i've noticed it's been sold out more than a handful of times, and for good reason! :)

visit lorealparisusa.com for more info.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Get Her Look: Christina Ricci Wearing NARS

Christina Ricci attended the closing celebration of Marina Abramovic’s "The Artist Is Present" at the Museum of Modern Art in nyc looking classic, but with an edgy twist. newly appointed NARS national makeup artist Francelle Daly creaated the look.

Francelle says of the look: "i wanted Christina's look to exude edgy, classic noir. it's all about the eyes. we kept them classic but infused edginess by adding green tones."

check out which products were used to achieve Christina's fabulous look:


face:



PRO-PRIME Skin Smoothing Face Prep

Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation


eyes:



PRO-PRIME Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Galapagos Eyeshadow

Misfit Duo Eyeshadow

Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil


lips:



Harlow Lip Gloss


tell me: what do you think of Christina's look?

xo
info and first image courtesy of NARS