Beauty Blog » Trend Alert

The latest whacky craze to hit the Fall/Winter 09 runways is the hermaphroditic, sinister looking face sporting a pale visage, jet black hair, gothic makeup and no eyebrows. Like everything else that has gone wrong this past year, The NewYork Times reports that the sad economic times is to blame for this also. What else is new? J Party scenesters see it as an inexpensive way to shake things up while emulating haute couture. Givenchy could not have made the sultry Adrianna Lima look more different than her sexy Victoria Secret self, in its latest campaign which features you guessed it, eyebrow less, futuristic looking models in a traditional, luxurious French chateau setting. Emma Watson and the always fashion savvy Kim Kardashian were also recently photographed in prominent photo shoots with brows completely forgotten.

While photographers love the blank slate face that allows them to play up the rest of the scenery, some eyebrow slayers embrace the spiritual connection behind them and claim to be inspired by Buddhist monks. Do you think the look portrays cerebral serenity or do you believe it is futuristic and ghastly?

Braids have been seen on the runways and red carpets recently and forecasters are predicting them to be a hot summer style for the hair.  This makes total sense.  Braiding your hair not only will keep you cool (a long mane on your back can act as a winter coat sometimes), but will keep the hair out of your face leaving you looking fresh and your hair looking well groomed.  One of my favorite year-round styles for my hair is to wear it in braids.  First, i part the hair in the middle, do two regular braids–one on each side, and then I pull both up, wrapping them across the top of the crown, and finally securing them with bobby pins near the ears.  I like to leave a few shorter pieces loose in the front to frame the face.  I don’t see to many gals wearing their hair this way, and I always hear them tell me “I wish I could pull that off…but I just can’t.”  Nonsense!  Even if you don’t do the ‘Heidi’ style I do, there are so many variations to try, that eventually you will find one that suits you.  Nicole Richie was seen recently with a cute little braided style…

This style is super easy.  Part hair in the middle, do a french braid on each side, then twist ends into a low bun in the back.

Diane Kruger also opted for a braid on the Cannes Film Festival’s Red Carpet…

This is similar to Richie’s except messier.  For this you will do a side part, keeping it loose and slightly tousled, then on each side start a braid using imperfect, uneven chunks of hair.  Resist trying to do a back part also.  When the two braids meet in the back, combine them and either create one single braid with remaining hair, or weave them together and create another small braid that will be meant to rest on your shoulder.  I hate the rubber band at the end.  A quick fix is to take a small piece of hair from the end and wrap it tightly around the rubber band, disguising it.  This trick is very chic looking and easy!

There I was quickly flipping through the boob tube, searching for something to watch … suddenly an image of a completely ebony eyeball popped onto the screen!!

This was not your run of the mill costume contact either, the program was about Cultural Taboos and I happen to catch the tail end of the EYE TATTOO segment!!! I believe it was on National Geographic Channel (which I love) and they have this segment on cultural taboos every Wednesdays at 10pm that highlights different practices from around the world that is often viewed as strange or down right grotesque.

Well I pride myself on being relatively liberal in all aspects of my life, and my stance on Beauty is very much “to each his/her own”. If it makes you feel beautiful and happy then by all means sport a bone threw your nose and rock your mullet! This doesn’t mean I am not shaking with laughter on the inside but I would NEVER infringe my idea of beauty on another.

That said, I do however have a huge aversion to anything that involves EYEBALLS!!!

Call me crazy but it just doesn’t seem like an object that requires much fussing with, am I wrong? And let’s be clear I don’t mean colored contacts or the assortment of make-up that adorns the outside of an eye. I am talking about tattooing and jewelry hanging from the irises!

WARNING! - the following images are not for the faint of heart, it makes even the hardcore cringe!

There is a video out there that shows the first ever eyeball tattoo being done and I seriously could not get myself to watch it! If you want to watch it for yourself click on this - Eyeball Tattoos on Youtube!

This is all I know about this procedure:

PERMANENT - as in you decide to do this during your rebellious years, when your 50 you will still be rockin’ your death eyes!

BLINDNESS - very real chance you could permanently destroy your retinas and go blind!

Honestly, I guess I am getting old because there is nothing about this that I don’t find horrific and nauseating. And I myself have several tattoos and have had assorted piercing in my day. Which wow seems like very small potatoes to the body modifiers of today.

What do you guys think? Am I an old biddy, or is this not the pinnacle of shocking?! - Michelle

I love shiny black things: shiny black heels, shiny black bangs, shiny black nail polish, shiny black tights. Hmm…Could it be the goth girl in me? Now that black is the new black, and biker chic, is well, so chic, I say hurrah for black lip gloss! I know I may not be of popular opinion and really, one couldn’t rock this look everyday but hot damn, it is just so… HOT. Could you wear it to a Kings of Leon concert? Yes! Yes! with a cropped denim jacket and fierce heels. This look debuted on Fall runways and lo and behold, when Yves Saint Laurent came out with their Pur Lip Gloss this fall, the gloss sold out immediately.

But here is what I propose: wear it as eye gloss and keep the rest of your face soft and muted. This would make it daring and pretty and be a bit more wearable if you are going for the rocker eye. That being said, eye gloss can be a hassle to wear and can slip slide about. Constant touch-ups are needed, which is kind of funny, because then you find yourself saying things like: I have to go to the little girl’s room to gloss my eyes. But hey, why not? I find the look personally smoking. Make-up artists have smeared vaseline on model eyelids forever to give it that dewy look, so why not do it with some color? Here is another tip: Rosebud Lip Salve over some neutral peach shadow. Blend. Be forewarned: It is messy, feels weird, but god, it looks like you just came breathlessly out of a meadow, looking glowy.
Also, in other news: This month, Lancome is coming out with a limited edition of Color Fever Gloss in glossy, raven black. I am such a beast for limited editions. I cannot wait till it hits stores. The gloss is for your lips as well as your peepers. Keep an eye out, girls.

Ok, and final note: I am SO loving Christian Dior’s Black Sequins Vernis ($19).

It is full of silver sparkles and is perfect for the holidays. Pair it with some innocent (or not so innocent *wink*) make-up and you will look edgy and pretty at the same time. Try it. Let me know what you think.

To shop for an array of discount cosmetics and make-up, click here.  

Well I know I maybe should have posted about this particular phenomenon a bit sooner, but truth be told I didn’t think this trend would last for too long. I just came back from Las Vegas this weekend and I would like to report that not only is the “Authentic Ray Ban” trend still in full force but that it is trickling down to fashion as well.

If I had a nickel for every guy I saw sporting a fedora and a pair of black Ray-Bans well I would probably have a buck fifty right now! Truth is I don’t mind the look, it’s kinda suave and a throw back to the “Sinatra Rat Pack” generation. It’s swanky.

I also attended the Kanye West Concert on Friday, now the one look I am not fully convinced about is the multi-colored Ray-Bans that the young hipsters seem to be supporting:

While promoting her new film Interview in NYC, Sienna Miller sports two major trends for summer, red frames and Ray-Ban Wayfarers! (Source: People.com)

Drew Barrymore sporting the white Ray-Ban Sunglasses …

Nicole “Miss Trendy” Richie flossin’ the classic black Ray-Ban Wayfarers …

There was literally swarms of kiddies sporting white Ray-Bans at the Kanye concert, but I think it was also due to those white sunglasses with blinds for lenses that he sports that added to the trend. I personally have nothing against the colored versions, they just look really stupid on my pudgy asian face.

More power to you if you can rock them. Myself I am more of a fan of the Classic Ray-Ban Aviators sported here:

(Source: People.com)

What do you guys think? Welcome back vintage Ray-Bans? or Horrible blast from the Past?

I really love the new Miu Miu ads featuring Kirsten Dunst. One of the most interesting thing about them is her matte red lipstick.  Very Winona Ryder circa the nineties:

Oh, those were sweet, sweet days. And just look at that Johnny Depp!

I wonder if Dunst has the power to usher in the pale face/blood red look back into fashion.  I mean, she’s cute and all, but she’s no Winona.  Either way, I just hope that in the ten years since the non-glossy look has been in vogue, the makeup gods have figured out a way to keep matte lipstick from sucking every ounce of moisture from your lips.

Quick tip: If you’re gonna go matte, gently exfoliate your lips first to avoid unsightly peeling. Trust me.

I found out about the Sun Tattoo on Yanko Designs, and I think it might become a craze. I’m not saying it should catch on, but I don’t always get what I want, especially when it comes to beauty trends. Nonetheless, designer Yu-Chiao Wang has created a stencil robe that leaves deliberate–albeit artistic–tan lines. The result is not to my particular tastes, but I could see how people who are into the henna thang might go the way of the sun tattoo.

Now I’m not a proponent of tanning, especially in a tanning booth where the UVA rays are two the three times more powerful than what naturally occurs with the sun (source) , but the designer says “it’s better to use with sunless tanning cream.” So, if you must, then go ahead.

Find out more about Yu-Chiao Wang and see her other designs here.

If last week’s Emmy looks and the first few Milan shows are an indication of things to come, then ladies, we are entering a natural period in beauty.

At Burberry Prorsum, the hair and makeup was minimal in a Summer of Love kind of way, although a little crimping was jazzed up long, flowing, center-parted hair. Grey and lavender eyeshadow added just a touch of color, while lips were matte and pale.

Allesandro Dell’Acqua sent them out with a little powder, a swipe of mascara and pink lipstick. Of course, there was surely a lot more to it than that, but that was the effect they were going for. The tightly pulled back hair is very prima ballerina.

Even Giorgio Armani went light, although hardly barefaced.  Pearl eyeshadow was used to accentuate eyes along with grey and purple shadow. Lips were lightly colored with what looks like stain, while skin was dewy and freckles were allowed to breathe.

Well, of course they say blonds have more fun, but the real question we should be pondering is: do short-haired blonds have more or less fun than their long-haired counterparts?

When I first started wearing makeup, my routine consisted of foundation, loose powder and red lipstick–it was the 90s and I was thirteen, what do you want from me? But as the years went by, I brought in new things (eyeliner anyone?) and just let go of others. For instance, at one point, I nixed the lipstick, choosing instead to play up my eyes, and once the dewy look elicited my affections, liquid bronzer took the place of translucent powder.

But that’s all over now. I mean, I still wear the bronzer, but I’ve reincorporated the translucent loose powder and my makeup is all the better for it. And still pretty dewy.  Considering the way it keeps makeup in place all day (no, seriously!), absorbs oil, and minimizes the appearance of pores, I can’t believe I went without wearing it all these years. I guess I thought that it would give me too much matte texture, but if you apply it with a large powder brush, you can really control it.

My technique is to give my face a light dusting after the bronzer but before blush and eyeliner in order to increase the staying power and true color of both. Because of its moisture eradicating super powers, a quick sweep of powder on the eyelids before you let any liner or shadow near  ‘em will eliminate the smudges and makeup build-up in the creases. Yuck, I hate when that happens.

Another trick is to powder your lips before applying lipstick, which makes lipstick last and last. It’s also a good tool if you’re going for nude lips–just dab a little bit of foundation on your kisser until you get the fleshiness you’re going for and then lightly powder. You’ll be amazed at how long the effect will last.

Top to Bottom: LORAC Face Powder for the Face $28, Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush, $18.50, Shu Uemura New Face Powder, $32