Like anyone with bills to pay, I am always happy to find a bargain, especially when the deal gets me more bang for my buck in the beauty department. BeautyFix.com has answered my prayers, providing a fun and inexpensive way to test beauty products without breaking the bank. For $49.99, Beauty Fix sends you a kit of high quality, full size samples and simply asks you to provide feedback to the site afterwards, making this one fix that’s easy to get hooked on.

SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Airhead

Me! Bath Ice Cream

Me! Bath Spa Morning Grapefruit Bath Ice Cream - This fizzy bomb, which contains both jojoba and coconut oil not only makes taking a bath infinitely more entertaining, but the ingredients leave your skin soft and supple, making lotion a thing of the past.

Spa Ritual Ginger Moisturizing Lotion

SpaRitual Ginger Instinctual Organic Moisturizing Lotion – This lotion smells exactly like a freshly cut piece of ginger, but the spicy scent is light and refreshing on skin, and this organic, vegan moisturizer is good for both your body and your conscience.

Degree Classic Romance Body Mist

Degree Classic Romance Body Mist - I have long wondered how certain people get the scent of soap to last on their skin all day. Luckily, Degree Classic Romance body mist has answered the question for me. This light scent smells incredibly fresh and clean and is subtle enough to wear in conjunction with your regular perfume every day.

Skindinavia Makeup finishing Spray

Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray - Hot summer days can mean major makeup meltdown, but you don’t have to suffer the smudges anymore, thanks to Skindinavia’s Makeup Finishing Spray. Unlike other make up finishers, this mist is light and completely non-sticky, but keeps makeup put for an entire day. Even with the combined forces of my oily skin and the hot weather stacked against me, my makeup didn’t move one bit until the day was done.

SpaRitual Nail Lacquer in Airhead – Like many fans of the French manicure, I have been a longtime devotee of Essie’s Ballet Slippers polish. However, it may be time to hang up my dancing shoes for good, since I have fallen in love with SpaRitual’s Airhead color. This soft, baby pink is so similar to the color of my nails that it looks completely natural and effectively covers up any spots on my nails without being too opaque.

IQ Derma Firmaceuticals Firming Body Gel

iQ Derma Firmaceuticals Firming Body Gel – This unscented sculpting gel made my skin feel instantly firmer and baby soft. Although I already like the feeling this formula gives to my skin, when the changes become visible, I’m sure I’ll be shouting its praises from the rooftops.

The fall 2009 scoop for Tarte Cosmetics is in our Inbox! We are all over the lovely eye palettes that not only have great colors but come in pretty packaging as Tarte almost always does.

They are launching a new natural eye primer with Firmitol($20)

The Femme fatale & Femme naturale refillable natural eye palettes ($44) will haunt you in your dreams until your wallet complies. They’re THAT good.

Get the Green Siren natural wax cheek stain in golden apricot ($28)

We love Reduce: 24/7 natural lip sheer with SPF 15 in golden coral

Zap your dark circles with the defense natural under eye corrector and brush ($32)

The natural beauty complexion collection is a Sephora exclusive ($54)

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Style Miles’ stylist and fashion guru, Lloyd Boston, at a Jones New York Fall and Winter 2009 preview.

Above, Lloyd Boston and myself at the Fall/ Holiday preview.

Boston took me through the different fall colors and looks of Jones New York, explaining with passion that color is so key for fall and winter (New York ladies, take note). There are so many plain solids that can be used as layer pieces in the collection. “You can start there and layer it with a belt, or a ruffled skirt or an accessories and transform it…it’s all about bringing out each one’s individuality,” says Boston.

Add a belt…it’s a cinch to making it more “stylish.”

Accents like ruffled edges make these sweaters both feminine and edgy…

The above skirt was Boston’s most favorite piece in the collection. It shows how cute tartan can be and the bow detail is as charming as a Tiffany baby prattle.

Although this looks like a men’s tuxedo jacket or an item stolen from Celine Dion‘s closet, Boston assured me that this is very “feminine” and a great look for the fall. “It’s not tight fitting..it’s as though a guy threw his jacket over your shoulders,” he says. “Imagine this with a pair of cigarette jeans, heels and a plain turtleneck…you’re good to go!”

This is definitely a statement piece…we want to spark conversations and trends right?

I was very happy and impressed with the Fall 2009 collection and would own quite a few pieces from it (definitely that tartan skirt…step back..it’s MINE!). All are affordably priced below $200.

www.jonesnewyork.com

Have a colorful and trendy fall!

This was my second most favorite show this week (the first being Erin Fetherston). Even before the show began, I had my share of fun (aka snapping a pic and talking to the gorgeous Taylor Momsen). When asked why she picked Anna Sui‘s show to attend, she said, “Her clothes are so fun! I love her fabrics too.”

And Taylor was spot on.

Anna Sui’s show, inspired by the whimsical, cartoonish pictures of Toulouse-Lautrec, erased the thoughts of the tarnished economy. Her fun, bright, mix and match patterns flush with detail were like a circus parade of bright prints. There was plum, orange, yellow, light blue, purple and pink dancing like a firework display. Of course, there were a lot of black prints but what stood out was the fact that we see a very colorful Fall. At least in Ms. Sui’s esoteric, inspired world.

Backstage at Marchesa the makeup artists from NARS Cosmetics and hair stylists from John Frieda were rushed at 2:30pm because the models were doing a private, closed runthrough for Vogue Editrix Anna Wintour.

Harry Josh, who did the hair for John Frieda says, “There are a variety of fantasy-themed hairstyles for Marchesa. One is wearing the hair down, the other a loose ponytail, another one is a low ponytail with bobby pins.” When asked why there were so many hairstyles, he replied, “Because the clothes are so different and we wanted to show there were several “Marchesa” women…not just one.”

He used John Frieda’s “Root Awakening” product line including the Health Boosting Detangling Spray, the ever popular Frizz-Ease, and the Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Spray. John also used lots of powder to get the hair to look textured and loose.

Julio Sandino, the makeup artist for NARS Cosmetics said, “There’s a lot of eye color like how a teenager does makeup, and the clothes are very rich so they complement the makeup.” Sandino used no blush on the cheeks, and the emphasis was all on the eye (which should come as no surprise, since that seems to be the dominant makeup area in most of the shows).

“Her eyebrows are wild, the face is very matte, and the eyeshadow is very light, you know…white and pink eyeshadow.” He used eyeshadow in Kilimanjaro at the base of the eyes and on top he used Matte Lilac. The eyelashes were curled using NARS Eyelash Curler, and a Blue Mascara (launching in Fall 2009) was applied. The complexion was finished with the new SHEER MATTE Foundation that launches this fall.

The nails, done by CND, were silver in tone (a custom blend).

And as for the clothes, Georgina Chapman outdid herself by creating red-carpet ready gowns. The pieces were exquisite, heavily detailed (think large satin bows, crystal embellishments, fabric blooming into flowers, and ruched tulle). Yes, we’ll probably see celebrities vying to wear these museum pieces very soon.

The Saturday showing of VPL by Victoria Bartlett embraced the “dewy, fresh look” trend that seems to be dominant on the runway for Fall 2009. Makeup artist Romy Soleimani for MAC Cosmetics says, “The look is a dewy, fresh look, which is kind of moody at the same time. The same colors are applied to the lips and we are highlighting an playing up that dewiness even more.”

The cream colors on the eyelids are brown and oak and layered with a gloss on top called Instant Gold. The face is flawless with Studio Sculpt foundation (believe me, I’ve tried this foundation and can literally sing praises from the rooftops!). The eyes look stunning, don’t they? You can achieve this look by applying Dusk and Midtone Sepia color on the eyelid and crease. Make sure the color gets more concentrated by the lash line.

Apply Pearl eyeshadow on the inner corner of the eye with a 224 brush. Then dust the top of the eye with Instant Gold Luster Glass.

As with many MAC shows this Fashion Week, there was no mascara applied to the eyelids, which is pretty funny when you consider the fact that long lashes (with Latisse etc.) are all the rage right now. But life is all about oxymorons, isn’t it?

The lips were colored with Midtone Sepia and Dusk lip gloss and Voile Slimshine lipstick.

Wow, was I excited to meet designer Thuy! Here she is:

Her Fall 2009 collection is very futuristic and she calls it a bit more “messy” than her previous collections.
The makeup backstage, by MAC Cosmetics, reflected this edginess and futuristic vibe. MAC Makeup artist Romero Jennings says, “The look is very futuristic and it complements the clothes because it is organic with graphic lines.”

Jennings used gel eyeliner in Blacktrack, Fleshpot for the lips, Sculpted Shape and Highlight in Bone Beige for the blush, and no mascara for the eyes.

A very natural eyeshadow in Wedge was used on the eyelids. When asked if this was a “Runway to Reality,” and wearable, Jennings said, “Absolutely…this is a look that women can do themselves.”

 The texurized hair was done by AVON. Lead stylists were Anthony Barrow and Alan Ruiez. The hairstyle changed at the very last minute and it was “piecey” before but then they decided to do a messy, unfinished twist. Ruiez used “Volumizing Mousse” to create a thick texture for the hair, and finished the hair with Finish It! Hair Spray. After putting plenty of pins in the hair and creating an updo, Ruiez left the hair unfinished and spikey….just like a futurist would do!

The stunning nails in a deep burgundy color called “Soul Men” was done by Essie.

The Monarchy Collection Fall 2009 was a very wearable affair with the highlights on black, grey, brown and touches of plaid. The makeup, done by leading MAC Makeup artist Gregory Arlt, showcased a lovely subdued face and a modern take on the smokey eye. Click here to see a great post about backstage at Monarchy.

The collection itself was a feast of plaid capes, high waisted trousers, high collar blouses, blazers, suits and trench coats. In short: luxe retail. Barneys, we imagine, would scoop this up in a matter of seconds, and we can really see the streets of New York alive with style and wearing Monarchy.

Numbers like the Olive Military Trench, Cream Cowl Neck Button Up and Olive Denim were some of the delicious numbers that strutted down the catwalk. I would have really liked to see more color in the collection, though. Which proves that once again, Fall is shaping up to be a sombre affair.

Backstage at Adam Lippes gave us insight to how colorful fall can be. Before this show, we had witnessed a pretty stark, colorless face palette. But MAC’s makeup artist, Romy Soleimani, says that “the inspiration came from Japanese watercolors and there’s a lot of color for Fall. The clothes are colorful and the makeup complements that. There’s a lot of layering of color.” Romy used makeup that had fine micas and fine pigments over the face.

Eyes: Beautiful Iris Eyeshadow

Cornflower Pigment to make the eyes pop

Teal Pigment on lower lids

Lips: Liperase on the lips

The hair was done by Laurent Philippone for Bumble & Bumble, who said that everything in the collection was done to complement the rich clothes and makeup. “Basically, I felt the makeup and clothes were very colorful, so I did not want to do a dramatic hair.” The look was fresh, straight hair that did nothing to distract from the colorful pigments of the clothes.

Backstage at Ohne Titel, there was a lot of makeup and hair activity by MAC Cosmetics and Bumble and Bumble, respectively. The entire look is “sans makeup” with powder on the cheeks, powder around the eyes, a very natural lip color. “I used whatever color was naturally on the model,” says a MAC makeup artist. “There were no set products.”

As for the hair, there was a lot of texture going into the loose undefined style that Jimmy Paul for Bumble & Bumble chose to create. “The designer wanted me to keep the hair away from the face,” says Paul. “So I created hair full of texture. First we put the hair up into a “zulu” knot. We left that for about 20 minutes or so, and created a very defined and precise middle part.” He used Surf Spray by Bumble & Bumble to create that thick coarse texture.