Beauty

Ever since pouty-lipped Lindsey Wixson shot on the scene with her Miu Miu campaign for Spring 2010, she’s been in high demand (heady stuff for a 15-year old!). But while model-dom is a tumultuous world, we hope Miss Wixson is going to stick around. Something about that Persian cat face has us transfixed. As it goes, the beauty folks at Jill Stuart thought so too. Wixson is the face of the line’s Fall 2010 beauty campaign. Check out the behind the scenes video here and sound out on what you think of the pretty in pink campaign – hint: it’s targeted towards Asian shoppers. Continue…

We’re what you call, summer-philes. Cold weather – save for a cup of hot chocolate post killer snowboard session – is overrated. But as our favorite season is coming to a close, our skin just might thank us for it. Despite slathering on the SPF, after months of sun worship and splashing around in saltwater and cholorinated pools, our complexions could use a break. While we’re giving our body’s largest organ a rest from the elements, some key beauty buys surely can help a girl out. From our beauty closet, we’ve been raving about 9 in particular that produce noticeable results without going under pricey lasers. Check out these miracle-workers and you’ll be fall-ready in no time. Continue…

If you haven’t heard, lipstick is back and in full force. For those of us that grew up with glosses as best friends, lipstick is one way to pull together a more polished Fall look. Plus, with accessories running the sticker shock gamut from pricey to more-than-our-rent-combined, spending 20 bucks on a quality lipstick that will last you for ages is a smart way to go. Check out FABRIC’s favorite formulas and colors here. Continue…

Unlike fashion, where you can get a little crazy sometimes and get away with it, perfumes have their creative confines reined in by the simple fact our noses (no matter how refined) simply likes something that smells good. “Good” is all relative. Some women like theirs musky, and others saccharine sweet. But the point better made is that women, by wearing a perfume, want an identifiable scent. A natural solution then is not to go wacky with an intolerable in small spaces fragrance. Instead, skip the usual beauty counter scents in favor of something more under-the-radar. Check out our best not-your-common fall scents. Continue…

There was an entire fashion week season when our photographer was Ranya-stalking. If you haven’t been privy to the beauty of Miss Ranya Mordanova, then be prepared to be charmed. The super petite Russian with the dark as night bowl cut (that’s since grown into a Louise Brooks bob) stalks down the runway with such otherworldly appeal that said photographer would cry out, “Baby alien!” at every spotting. This coming from one jaded photog is quite the feat. But despite what we saw from the get-go, Ranya’s beauty isn’t for the cheerleader-loving, grew up under the sun type. Instead it’s brooding with attitude and far more perfect for appreciating at a Paris cafe (Cafe Charlot, je préfère) while smoking a Gauloise. That said, let’s cut to the chase: Italian Vogue, being ever the editorial game changer, shot Ranya alongside lush Ukrainian stunner Naty Chabanenko for it’s August beauty special. Continue…

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes, just sometimes, beauty is pretty damn near agreed upon. Case in point: Dree Hemingway’s editorial spread for Vogue Japan’s July issue. Shot by Nathaniel Goldberg, the Hemingway progeny even makes purple eyeshadow (which normally makes us look like we got a black eye) look good. Take a look at the spread here. Continue…

Who can forget the captivating “Calvin Klein Obsession” ads in the early 90′s? How about the “One” unisex fragrance campaigns? Calvin Klein has long been known to be one of the industry leaders in innovative fragrance advertising. Diane Kruger, just became the latest to join an “it” girl list of Calvin Klein Fragrance models as she inked a contract for the highly anticipated Calvin Klein Beauty fragrance launch this fall.  Miss Kruger joins a distinguished list of Calvin Klein faces including Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Christy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova, and Eva Mendes. Can the star of Helen of Troy keep pace? We will soon find out.

Constance Jablonski has just landed the mother of all beauty contracts. The French beauty shot onto the scene with her golden good looks and now Estee Lauder has taken notice. The mega-beauty brand has announced its adding Constance to their roster of campaign stars. Aside from guaranteeing her financial future, Jablonski now has company in Gwyneth Paltrow, Carolyn Murphy and Elizabeth Hurley. Not exactly shabby company for a 19-year old. Expect the stunner to head into the studio this coming June. Congrats and bonne chance!

Sure Lady Gaga did it. But does that mean two-tone color can pass muster for spring? Miu Miu’s fall 2010 runway offered dual-toned colors for both eyes and hair. While we think the bright pastel shades for eyes could offer a bit of spring pick me up, we’d be woe to wear the makeup doubled-up out in the daytime. Instead, we think a dash of carefully applied, highly pigmented color courtesy of Make Up For Ever or British brand Illamasqua could be a nice night option. As for hair, a two-tone dye job might be edgy for a day but let’s face it, we don’t exactly have Gaga’s beauty team at our daily disposal so we’ll stick with our monotone strands, thanks. Continue…

A bit of pampering for stressed out, recession souls are in order at The Setai New York’s recently opened spa. Along with poaching spa director Steven O’Neal from Cornelia Day Resort, the facility’s Asian-tinged decor was a nice Zen touch but without overdoing it on the scents. When we popped in for an afternoon massage, the place was luxuriously mellow and the post-service hot tub, sauna and steam room trio (called the “Aqua Grotto,” but unlike the Playboy manse version with boys and girls separated) could have had us lingering for hours. Alas, work calls, but we expect with its Financial District location, the spa is surely going to see a particular clientele – namely the high-strung Wall Street power type. Continue…