When it comes to finding your perfect makeup palette, let your hair color be your guide.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Lady Gaga gives heartfelt thanks at fashion award event
It seems the fashion crowd, especially when fully decked out for Monday night's Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, can be pretty intimidating: CNN anchor Anderson Cooper said so, actress Naomi Watts said so, and even Lady Gaga said so.
On stage to accept her award as the year's top style icon, a soft-spoken, maybe even teary-eyed Gaga said she was nervous.
"All of you made me feel like a star before I was," she told the audience at Lincoln Center that boasted bold-faced names such as Marc Jacobs, Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan and Michael Kors.
She talked about how important fashion was in her life as a pathway to self-discovery, artistry and confidence. As a teenager, she'd save her money to buy vintage Thierry Mugler from a neighborhood thrift shop, checking in with the salesman regularly to make sure her favorite pieces hadn't sold while she was raising the cash. She planned her outfits for Friday night parties as if she was going to the Oscars, she said.
"As much as this award means to me personally ... I just want you to know how much this means to young Americans," Gaga said.
But the music star and style risk-taker, wearing a corset get-up by Mugler, a label now helmed by her friend Nicola Formichetti, got her swagger back as she recalled getting the text message from Wintour that she was picked for the prize.
She said she thought the message was from a friend named Anna and replied with a bleep-worthy response. The text back from the Vogue editor-in-chief said, "How lovely."
That led to laughter — and so did Cooper's montage of his early days as a preteen model.
Cooper, a longtime friend of CFDA president von Furstenberg, said he decided to show his photos to prove his fashion cred since he was acting as master of ceremonies. (He also is the son of former designer jeans magnate Gloria Vanderbilt and worked as a fit model for both Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, who made his tuxedo.)
"There was no way you'd be critical," he joked, "or that's what Diane said, anyway."
Watts, dressed in a metallic T-shirt-style gown by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, presented the top womenswear honor to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. But she seemed to find the awkward walk across a long stage intimidating in her high heels. "That was easy," she said as she reached the podium. "Fun doing it in a room full of supermodels."
Top models Doutzen Kroes, Karlie Kloss, Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio and Chanel Iman were indeed in the house, on the arms of their favorite designers. Karolina Kurkova, in a striking hooded jumpsuit made of green sequins, read the names of the winners in the Swarovski emerging-talent categories: Eddie Borgo for accessories, Robert Geller for menswear and Prabal Gurung for womenswear.
Kurkova took a moment to sing for Gaga — "I'm your biggest fan," she said — and then Gurung asked during his speech if he could pose with Gaga. "That will make me the coolest uncle," he boasted.
But it was the nod from his fellow designers as well as retailers, stylists and editors that the rest of his family would find impressive, Gurung said. "I'm just a guy from Nepal. I will call my mother and say, `It's OK. I turned out fine.'"
The two standing ovations of the night went to photographer Arthur Elgort and designer Marc Jacobs, who was there for his "half-lifetime achievement award," according to presenter Sofia Coppola.
"This achievement is born of love, passion, creativity ... and a hell of a lot of hard work," said Jacobs, who is 48.
He added, "I believe we all know and feel the greatest reward is the process itself."
Other highlights:
_Kanye West, saying he was a huge fan, handed the international design prize to Phoebe Philo of Celine. He said he's been known to go into a Celine store and try on the clothes — womenswear, no less — "knowing that would get me bashed by the hip-hop blogs."
_Michael Bastian was named best menswear designer, and Alexander Wang as accessories designer.
_Jessica Alba, showing off her baby bump in a coral-and-purple gown by von Furstenberg, gave the CFDA Founders Award to InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein.
_Kors said he always enjoys this event because he likes being surrounded with "people who have a passion for fashion."
"Tonight is about not only people who make the clothes, but also the photographers, writers and the people who wear the clothes."
(This version CORRECTS 9th paragraph to show Gloria Vanderbilt is not deceased. )
On stage to accept her award as the year's top style icon, a soft-spoken, maybe even teary-eyed Gaga said she was nervous.
"All of you made me feel like a star before I was," she told the audience at Lincoln Center that boasted bold-faced names such as Marc Jacobs, Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan and Michael Kors.
She talked about how important fashion was in her life as a pathway to self-discovery, artistry and confidence. As a teenager, she'd save her money to buy vintage Thierry Mugler from a neighborhood thrift shop, checking in with the salesman regularly to make sure her favorite pieces hadn't sold while she was raising the cash. She planned her outfits for Friday night parties as if she was going to the Oscars, she said.
"As much as this award means to me personally ... I just want you to know how much this means to young Americans," Gaga said.
But the music star and style risk-taker, wearing a corset get-up by Mugler, a label now helmed by her friend Nicola Formichetti, got her swagger back as she recalled getting the text message from Wintour that she was picked for the prize.
She said she thought the message was from a friend named Anna and replied with a bleep-worthy response. The text back from the Vogue editor-in-chief said, "How lovely."
That led to laughter — and so did Cooper's montage of his early days as a preteen model.
Cooper, a longtime friend of CFDA president von Furstenberg, said he decided to show his photos to prove his fashion cred since he was acting as master of ceremonies. (He also is the son of former designer jeans magnate Gloria Vanderbilt and worked as a fit model for both Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, who made his tuxedo.)
"There was no way you'd be critical," he joked, "or that's what Diane said, anyway."
Watts, dressed in a metallic T-shirt-style gown by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein, presented the top womenswear honor to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. But she seemed to find the awkward walk across a long stage intimidating in her high heels. "That was easy," she said as she reached the podium. "Fun doing it in a room full of supermodels."
Top models Doutzen Kroes, Karlie Kloss, Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio and Chanel Iman were indeed in the house, on the arms of their favorite designers. Karolina Kurkova, in a striking hooded jumpsuit made of green sequins, read the names of the winners in the Swarovski emerging-talent categories: Eddie Borgo for accessories, Robert Geller for menswear and Prabal Gurung for womenswear.
Kurkova took a moment to sing for Gaga — "I'm your biggest fan," she said — and then Gurung asked during his speech if he could pose with Gaga. "That will make me the coolest uncle," he boasted.
But it was the nod from his fellow designers as well as retailers, stylists and editors that the rest of his family would find impressive, Gurung said. "I'm just a guy from Nepal. I will call my mother and say, `It's OK. I turned out fine.'"
The two standing ovations of the night went to photographer Arthur Elgort and designer Marc Jacobs, who was there for his "half-lifetime achievement award," according to presenter Sofia Coppola.
"This achievement is born of love, passion, creativity ... and a hell of a lot of hard work," said Jacobs, who is 48.
He added, "I believe we all know and feel the greatest reward is the process itself."
Other highlights:
_Kanye West, saying he was a huge fan, handed the international design prize to Phoebe Philo of Celine. He said he's been known to go into a Celine store and try on the clothes — womenswear, no less — "knowing that would get me bashed by the hip-hop blogs."
_Michael Bastian was named best menswear designer, and Alexander Wang as accessories designer.
_Jessica Alba, showing off her baby bump in a coral-and-purple gown by von Furstenberg, gave the CFDA Founders Award to InStyle fashion director Hal Rubenstein.
_Kors said he always enjoys this event because he likes being surrounded with "people who have a passion for fashion."
"Tonight is about not only people who make the clothes, but also the photographers, writers and the people who wear the clothes."
(This version CORRECTS 9th paragraph to show Gloria Vanderbilt is not deceased. )
Designer L'Wren Scott launches handbag line
It turns out that tall-drink-of-water L'Wren Scott is self-conscious about being so tall.
Scott, the model-turned-stylist-turned-designer, appeared at the flagship Barneys New York store on Wednesday to launch her handbag collection. As she designed each bag — the weekender, the shoulder bag, the clutch — she kept in mind the size of each piece.
How long are the straps? How wide is the frame? How far does it open?
She said it's how she approaches everything. "I am obsessed with proportion, and how proportion is perceived."
Scott stands 6-foot-3, and it feels like she's been that tall forever, she said. She told a crowd of fashion-centric bloggers in a session moderated by Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, that she was charged the adult price of $1 instead of 75 cents at the small movie theater in her Utah hometown long before she turned 12, the official turning point.
Height drives her own fashion choices. It's why she doesn't wear poufy, Doris Day styles, opting instead for lean silhouettes, Scott explained, and she thinks most women operate the same way: Once they find a look they like, they stick with it.
The skirts and dresses in her collection usually are often in three lengths — mini, just above the knee and just below. She chose a rose-colored, pencil-skirt suit with jeweled buttons paired with kitten heels for this appearance.
Her runway show is a top-tier, A-list event, which draws mostly her friends such as Kyra Sedgwick and Ellen Barkin, and boyfriend Mick Jagger. On the red carpet, she has dressed Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Drew Barrymore, among others. For her goodbye gala last month, Oprah Winfrey wore a Scott-designed purple crepe gown with handmade turquoise and black floral embroidery.
But Scott said she's also interested in dressing many more women, including those who don't routinely spend four digits on dresses. That will not mean fast fashion, though. "I'm more into sustainable luxury, something that lasts."
She added: "I don't like fast food, either."
Scott, the model-turned-stylist-turned-designer, appeared at the flagship Barneys New York store on Wednesday to launch her handbag collection. As she designed each bag — the weekender, the shoulder bag, the clutch — she kept in mind the size of each piece.
How long are the straps? How wide is the frame? How far does it open?
She said it's how she approaches everything. "I am obsessed with proportion, and how proportion is perceived."
Scott stands 6-foot-3, and it feels like she's been that tall forever, she said. She told a crowd of fashion-centric bloggers in a session moderated by Adam Glassman, creative director of O, The Oprah Magazine, that she was charged the adult price of $1 instead of 75 cents at the small movie theater in her Utah hometown long before she turned 12, the official turning point.
Height drives her own fashion choices. It's why she doesn't wear poufy, Doris Day styles, opting instead for lean silhouettes, Scott explained, and she thinks most women operate the same way: Once they find a look they like, they stick with it.
The skirts and dresses in her collection usually are often in three lengths — mini, just above the knee and just below. She chose a rose-colored, pencil-skirt suit with jeweled buttons paired with kitten heels for this appearance.
Her runway show is a top-tier, A-list event, which draws mostly her friends such as Kyra Sedgwick and Ellen Barkin, and boyfriend Mick Jagger. On the red carpet, she has dressed Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Drew Barrymore, among others. For her goodbye gala last month, Oprah Winfrey wore a Scott-designed purple crepe gown with handmade turquoise and black floral embroidery.
But Scott said she's also interested in dressing many more women, including those who don't routinely spend four digits on dresses. That will not mean fast fashion, though. "I'm more into sustainable luxury, something that lasts."
She added: "I don't like fast food, either."
Messy Updo
A sexy, messy updo is the perfect style for a hot summer day when you want to keep your hair out of your face and still look amazing. It’s fast and easy to do, and great for those bad hair days.
Wash your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Towel dry your hair. Scrunch a curl enhancing mousse into damp hair and let it air dry.
Gather your hair into a low, loose ponytail. Don’t pull your hair all the way through the elastic the last time you wrap it around; you want to form a loop.
Leave a few face framing pieces and curl them just a little bit. Spray your hair with an anti-frizz and set with a light, aerosol hairspray.
Wash your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Towel dry your hair. Scrunch a curl enhancing mousse into damp hair and let it air dry.
Gather your hair into a low, loose ponytail. Don’t pull your hair all the way through the elastic the last time you wrap it around; you want to form a loop.
Leave a few face framing pieces and curl them just a little bit. Spray your hair with an anti-frizz and set with a light, aerosol hairspray.
Messy Updos- Boho Braids
One of the hottest trends this summer will be the very cute, very elegant and easy to do, boho braids. A boho braid is a side swept single braid that gives your coif a little edge. Boho braids work on anyone with medium to long hair. It doesn’t work that well on short hair because the braid needs to be swept across to one side and go behind the ear.
A boho braid can be included in any messy updos, including natural, soft waves, or just a messy bun. To get the messy updo with the boho braid, start by spritzing your hair with a shine enhancer after you’ve washed it.
Get a dime-sized amount of gel or mousse and scrunch your hair with your hands. Flip your hair over for even more volume, and blow dry.
Take a 2-4 inch piece of hair right at the front (see picture) and braid it across to the other side. Make sure you braid it all the way to the end. Pin the braid behind the ear, and you’re all set. Boho braids are great for the summer because they keep the hair out of your face, as well as giving you a chic and elegant do that you can wear anytime during the day.
A boho braid can be included in any messy updos, including natural, soft waves, or just a messy bun. To get the messy updo with the boho braid, start by spritzing your hair with a shine enhancer after you’ve washed it.
Get a dime-sized amount of gel or mousse and scrunch your hair with your hands. Flip your hair over for even more volume, and blow dry.
Take a 2-4 inch piece of hair right at the front (see picture) and braid it across to the other side. Make sure you braid it all the way to the end. Pin the braid behind the ear, and you’re all set. Boho braids are great for the summer because they keep the hair out of your face, as well as giving you a chic and elegant do that you can wear anytime during the day.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tips for Healthy, Shiny Hair
Great hair doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You don’t need to spend money on expensive high-end products, or even go to the salon every month. All it takes is a little TLC to get your hair back to its natural health and shine.
Preventive Care: Don’t let your hair be a victim to the environment. Protect it by deep conditioning once a week or using a hair mask. This will fortify your strands, making them much healthier and easier to manage. So treat your hair to some spa time every week and within a month, you’ll definitely see a difference!
Skip the Heat: I cannot tell you how important it is that you skip the blowdrier/straightener/curler as much as possible! On your days off where you’re not leaving the house for example, why not let your hair air dry to its natural state? The more heat you put on your hair, the more you dry out the strands, leaving your hair weak, brittle, and not very healthy. If you must blowdry every day, make sure you do it at the lowest heat setting possible. Yes, it does take a little longer, but especially for those with thin hair like mine, it can make a world of difference! Also, don’t forget that ceramic irons are much more gentler on your hair than non-ceramic ones, so be sure you use the best kind.
Don’t rub! After getting out of the shower, PAT your hair dry and then wrap it in a towel. But under no circumstance should you rub your hair dry since that causes breakage which will eventually lead to split ends.
Brush With Care: The way you brush your hair is very crucial to its health. Never pull on it too hard – you’ll end up pulling out strands! If your hair gets easily tangled, brush it slowly and with care starting at the ends and working your way up – especially if your hair is wet.
Skip a Day: One of the best advices I was given by my hairdresser was to not wash my hair every day. Sure, it may sound a little gross, but washing your hair every single day strips it of its natural oils, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. Instead, wash your hair every other day to retain essential oils.
Tip #1
Preventive Care: Don’t let your hair be a victim to the environment. Protect it by deep conditioning once a week or using a hair mask. This will fortify your strands, making them much healthier and easier to manage. So treat your hair to some spa time every week and within a month, you’ll definitely see a difference!
Tip #2
Skip the Heat: I cannot tell you how important it is that you skip the blowdrier/straightener/curler as much as possible! On your days off where you’re not leaving the house for example, why not let your hair air dry to its natural state? The more heat you put on your hair, the more you dry out the strands, leaving your hair weak, brittle, and not very healthy. If you must blowdry every day, make sure you do it at the lowest heat setting possible. Yes, it does take a little longer, but especially for those with thin hair like mine, it can make a world of difference! Also, don’t forget that ceramic irons are much more gentler on your hair than non-ceramic ones, so be sure you use the best kind.
Tip #3
Don’t rub! After getting out of the shower, PAT your hair dry and then wrap it in a towel. But under no circumstance should you rub your hair dry since that causes breakage which will eventually lead to split ends.
Tip #4
Brush With Care: The way you brush your hair is very crucial to its health. Never pull on it too hard – you’ll end up pulling out strands! If your hair gets easily tangled, brush it slowly and with care starting at the ends and working your way up – especially if your hair is wet.
Tip #5
Skip a Day: One of the best advices I was given by my hairdresser was to not wash my hair every day. Sure, it may sound a little gross, but washing your hair every single day strips it of its natural oils, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. Instead, wash your hair every other day to retain essential oils.
How to do a French Braid
If you didn’t already know, braids are one of the hottest hairstyles this summer and for good reason too! They keep the hair out of your hair on those hot, humid days, they’re easy to maintain, and oh yeah they look super cute! There are tons of different ways to braid your hair and all of them are good, but I find that french braids are super classy and look amazing on anyone. Granted, they’re a little hard to pull off, but all you need is a little bit of patience and voila, you can have a beautiful french braid in no time. So here is your step-by-step guide to doing a french braid.
Step 1:
Start with clean hair and brush out any knots or tangles. Brush your hair back so that there is no part. Apply a frizz serum to your palms and run through hair to make sure there are no flyaways.
Step 2:
Take a part of your hair and separate it from the rest of your hair where you want to start your braid. It is best to make the part V-shaped, with the point of the V towards the back of your head. I find that this is easiest, but you can also start lower on the head or even on the side. If you’re a beginner though, just stick to these steps.
Step 3:
Now that you’ve gathered that section of hair, separate it into three parts just like you would a regular braid.
Step 4:
Now this is where it gets a little trickier, but if you know how to do a normal braid, it shouldn’t be too hard at all. Hold the left strand with your left pinkie while moving the right strand from your right hand to your left. Shift the new right strand (which was the middle strand) from your right hand to your left.
Step 5:
Add some hair from the right side of your head to the right strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head and add it to the new rightmost strand.
Step 6:
Cross the left strand over the middle strand. Grab the rightmost strand with your right pinkie then rotate your left hand so that you can grab the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand to your right hand.
Step 7:
Add hair from the left side of the head to the new leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.
Step 8:
Cross the right strand over the middle strand. Grab the left strand with your left pinkie and rotate your right hand so that you can grab the rightmost strand in your left hand. Shift the new rightmost strand to your left hand.
Step 9:
Add some hair from the right side of your head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head. Add it to the rightmost strand which is currently held in your left hand.
Step 10:
Cross the left strand over to the middle strand. Grab the right strand with your right pinkie then rotate your left hand so that you can grab the leftmost part of your hair in your right hand. Shift the new leftmore strand from your left hand to your right hand.
Step 11:
Add some hair from the left side to the leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand in your right hand.
Step 12:
Continue braiding and cross the rightmost strand over the middle. Add hair to the new rightmost strand, cross the leftmost strand over the middle, add hair to the new leftmost strand, and repeat until there is no hair left to braid.
Step 13:
Braid the rest of your hair normally until there is no more hair left. Tie or clip the braid and ta-da! Easy as pie! Okay, so maybe it doesn’t sound very easy, but if you take the time and follow the steps along with a little bit of patience, I promise you you’ll be able to french braid your hair in no time
Step 1:
Start with clean hair and brush out any knots or tangles. Brush your hair back so that there is no part. Apply a frizz serum to your palms and run through hair to make sure there are no flyaways.
Step 2:
Take a part of your hair and separate it from the rest of your hair where you want to start your braid. It is best to make the part V-shaped, with the point of the V towards the back of your head. I find that this is easiest, but you can also start lower on the head or even on the side. If you’re a beginner though, just stick to these steps.
Step 3:
Now that you’ve gathered that section of hair, separate it into three parts just like you would a regular braid.
Step 4:
Now this is where it gets a little trickier, but if you know how to do a normal braid, it shouldn’t be too hard at all. Hold the left strand with your left pinkie while moving the right strand from your right hand to your left. Shift the new right strand (which was the middle strand) from your right hand to your left.
Step 5:
Add some hair from the right side of your head to the right strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head and add it to the new rightmost strand.
Step 6:
Cross the left strand over the middle strand. Grab the rightmost strand with your right pinkie then rotate your left hand so that you can grab the leftmost strand in your right hand. Shift the new leftmost strand to your right hand.
Step 7:
Add hair from the left side of the head to the new leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand.
Step 8:
Cross the right strand over the middle strand. Grab the left strand with your left pinkie and rotate your right hand so that you can grab the rightmost strand in your left hand. Shift the new rightmost strand to your left hand.
Step 9:
Add some hair from the right side of your head to the rightmost strand. Use your right index finger to pick up a section of hair from the right side of the head. Add it to the rightmost strand which is currently held in your left hand.
Step 10:
Cross the left strand over to the middle strand. Grab the right strand with your right pinkie then rotate your left hand so that you can grab the leftmost part of your hair in your right hand. Shift the new leftmore strand from your left hand to your right hand.
Step 11:
Add some hair from the left side to the leftmost strand. Use your left index finger to pick up a section of hair from the left side of the head and add it to the leftmost strand in your right hand.
Step 12:
Continue braiding and cross the rightmost strand over the middle. Add hair to the new rightmost strand, cross the leftmost strand over the middle, add hair to the new leftmost strand, and repeat until there is no hair left to braid.
Step 13:
Braid the rest of your hair normally until there is no more hair left. Tie or clip the braid and ta-da! Easy as pie! Okay, so maybe it doesn’t sound very easy, but if you take the time and follow the steps along with a little bit of patience, I promise you you’ll be able to french braid your hair in no time
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