Tired feet, aching muscles and stilettos do not help during the steam train course that’s Fashion Week. So when we heard that there was an oasis in the desert called Robert Verdi’s CVS Reinventing Beauty Luxelab Lounge to take us away from the tigers, we pounced.

I was actually curious to see what CVS had done for this beauty lab since I am also Editor of their Reinventing Beauty Magazine (shameless plug: you can pick it up at Rite Aid and CVS stores and it’s only 99 cents!). But I’ve always been a huge fan of Robert and his tastes.

First off: his pad is absolutely gorgeous and has a huge TV screen that’s always playing an Audrey Hepburn movie:

Second, upon entering, we were fed with delicious food and drinks from the unparalleled Blue Print Cleanse (this red pepper vegan soup is probably the best I’ve tasted):

We got access to beautiful makeovers and manis (here I’m getting my face touched up by sporting lots of CoverGirl makeup, and wearing my brand new Sally Hansen HD mani):

We had a tour of CVS Beauty Exclusives that includes Mission Skincare’s new lip balm:

Plus, with a view like this, who needs Central Park?

In our goody bags, we received:

CVS Oil Absorbing Sheets, Lumene Time Freeze Instant Cooling Eyestick, Essence of Beauty Jasmine Ginger Hand Cream, Mission Skincare Serena Williams SPF Lip Balm, Colgate WISP, Covergirl Lash Blast Length Mascara and Outlast LipStain, and (thank god) a Lint Roller.

Did I mention, oasis?

Finally! A show where backstage beauty showcased both gorgeous guys AND gals…

The last show on the last day of fashion week is for those who are tougher than nails and who have more energy than Wall Street’s Bull. But nevertheless, I could not afford to miss backstage at Tommy Hilfiger (he IS opening a flagship on 5th Avenue, after all).

As expected, the look was very simple and American sweet (think The Notebook meets Genie Francis in Gen. Hospital). Lisa Butler for MAC Cosmetics says, “we used a pink and slightly glittery eyelid using Nanogold eyeliner that debuts in the spring (part of the Crushed Metal collection).” She applied mascara only to the top lashes and Rosy Outlook cheek blush to the apples of the cheeks to create that wholesome “look at me, I’m so healthy” look Tommy is known for.

The lipstick was in Bubblegum, a sheer pink color.

“It’s very American and very clean,” says Butler. “There’s a natural elegance to the look these colors have a pretty delicacy to them.” She did not use any foundation (and besides, do these models look like they need it?).

As for the hair, Eugene Souleiman with Wella said the look was very healthy and American hair, worn loose. “I really did not do too much with the hair…it’s beautiful and classy, and I wanted the girls to look like they have healthy and glamorous hair. It’s a little ’80s and a little like Brooke Shields and I wanted hair that was touchable with some loose waves.” (more…)

I never would have thought of acid yellow eyeshadow as a minimalist look, but Phillippe Chansel for MAC at the Rosa Cha show convinced me otherwise. The bright accessories from this swimsuit collection inspired equally happy eyeshadow.

Chansel started off by mixing Studio Sculpt foundation with Face and Body Mixing Medium to give a lighter version of perfect coverage. He dusted cheekbones with Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde and used Slip Pink gloss – really more of a coral – on lips.

And the eyes stole the show (quietly!) with paint stick in yellow. “It’s so nice to see color again,” Chansel smiles as he demonstrates the use of said paint.

All products above are MAC. It looks bright, but it blends on sheer for a nice pop of color. The perky color made me wish I wasn’t trading my own bathing suit in for a pea coat, but now we all have one more thing to look forward to after the end of a harsh New York Winter.

You’ve seen fabulous clothing from the Lorick line whether you realize it or not. This youthful line stars as the Waldorf Collection on the CW’s Gossip Girl. Their Spring 2010 runway show came in three distinct acts with three different and complimentary make-up looks. JP McCary, the head make-up artist for this show, explains:

Pastel Look

Look 1, for the Watercolor section, lifts colors directly from a graceful painting. A bold teal liner under the eye with taupe in the eyelid crease and natural brow compliment subtle orange blush and lip stain. Champagne highlighter in a V on cheekbones and temples makes the look very now, as McCary tells me that soft shimmer a big trend for spring.

Watercolor Look

For Look 2, the Pastel unit, McCary created a mod 60s look with deep black shadow under the eye and on the upper lash line that gradual fades to white as it nears the (still natural) brows. A baby doll pink lip stain continues the mod theme. (more…)

Agent Provocateur kicked NYC’s Spring 2010 Fashion Week off to a rollicking start with the launch of their new line, Soiree. The high end kinky-with-class collection, including panties studded with Swarovski crystal, call spectacular make-up and hair. Chantal Miller and Pasquale Ferrante answer the call.

Miller wanted the make-up for the show to capture the spirit of the Timeless Woman. “She’s the woman for whom time doesn’t exist,” Miller explained. “She uses liquid eyeliner, and she knows how to do a flawless red lip.”

A strong eye, bearing MAC’s Fluidline liquid eyeliner in Blacktrack and baby blue, olive green, turquoise, and rich gold shadows, balanced out the aforementioned flawless lips in MAC’s Pro Longwear Lipcolour in Ruby Red. (more…)

The six new creme nail lacquers for MAC by renowned nail artist Jin Soon are beyond creamy and velvety with the slightest hint of shine.

We wrote about this collection here previously but wanted you to see the swatches for yourself. This polish is very high end: lustrous, with a no chip attitude and plenty of elegance. The Beyond Jealousy screams fall runway but I’m more of a Cool Reserve kind of gal.

They are available August 27th through September.

Beyond Jealous is a hot ticket item for the fall and originally made its debut during fashion week. It reminds me of a forest green: deep, dark and delicious.

Cool Reserve is my personal favorite because I adore mauves. A beautiful pale violet, this lacquer is elegant enough to be worn to the office and is completely date worthy.

Dry Martini is a dirty olive color that is a mixture of brown and moss green. A perfect fall shade, it will complement red and wine colored dresses particularly well.

MAC Cosmetics and renowned nail artist Jin Soon Choi joined forces to create a Fashion Week ready collection that’s pure lacquer delight for the nails.

Jin Soon is a permanent fixture backstage at the tents, having worked with designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Derek Lam and Doo Ri.

This is her first ever brand collaboration, and the focus is on nail colors with a long lasting shine and creamy finish. There are six shades in the collection:

Base/ Under Lacquer

Beyond Jealous

Cool Reserve

Dance All Night

Dry Martini

For Fun

Top Coat

Rich Dark Delicious

The polishes will be available in North America on August 27th and will retail for $12 each.

MAC announced today that it will partner with the iconic MILK STUDIOS (The Milk Building at 450 West 15th Street) during New York Fashion Week September 2009 for the Spring Collections.

M·A·C and Milk will offer designers more than a great space — they will be dishing out presentations and press appointments, and allow castings, hair and makeup tests and look book shoots filmed at the spaces.

John Demsey of Estee Lauder & Mazdack Rassi, founder of MILK Studios

Confirmed participants include Adam Lippes, Alexander Wang, Altuzarra, Band of Outsiders, Barbara Tfank, Costello Tagliapietra, Erin Fetherston, Pamela Love, Peter Som, Preen, Proenza Schouler, Temperley London and threeASFOUR.

The news broke today in WWD and the NY Times.

The working title of the collaboration will be called “MAC at MILK.”  The people behind the move include John Demsey, the Estée Lauder group president who oversees MAC, and Mazdack Rassi, the founder of Milk Studios.

Frankly, this is a great move for MAC and the opportunity for fashion week to be taken to a more upscale, less “circus” environment. The tents at the Park always remind me of Barnum & Bailey. Couture is more than that, non?

By far my most favorite show this fashion week was the Erin Fetherston show last evening, The Living Doll. It was a complete production from start to finish: the music (a rock and roll version of Prokofiev), the lighting (plain quilted backdrop that set the background for the “living doll” stage); and the makeup and hair.

Although I did not get an opportunity to go backstage, I did see the innovative and creative hairstyles (crimped hair, tucked into a bun, with flyaways). Yes, the models definitely looked like living dolls, in their teacup skirts, detailed lace stockings, sheer chiffon blouses with crystal buttons, and lace detailing.

The runway was also flawlessly executed. There are so many shows I’ve gone to where the music started in fits and stops and the cohesiveness was lost. But Erin’s show was like a Disney production.

The hair was doll like in that it was very detailed (think layers and layers of crimping) and then tucked into a bun but with strands left loose. This hairstyle actually contrasts with the clothes, which are superbly put together like a Chanel show, or an American Girl exhibit.

The makeup was done by for Sebastien Tardif for Bobbi Brown; and the hair by Lyndell Mansfield for Bumble & Bumble.

The initial pieces were very military inspired. Numbers like the Double Breasted Marching Jacket in Cranberry Silk-Fil Jacquard and jewel tweed bow belt made me a little uneasy, because I had expected to see a very dolled up, girly show and I was fearful that Ms. Fetherston had embraced the dark side. A little harsh to start with, but as the lineup continued, I was thrilled to see fluid, more feminine numbers like the Black Pointelle Jacquard Cap Sleeve Shift over Doll Blouse in Ivory Lattice Chiffon.

The second half of the show was much more fluid, magical and showcased Fetherston’s versatility. Cute animal masks were worn as headpieces and added flair and balance to dreamy chiffon swingskirts and tulle skirts. The accessories were stunning and crystal embellishments stood out in the form of dainty buttons or large studded bows.

The hottest ticket of the day was Barbie Fall 2009 show, who appealed to adults and children alike. The clothes were West Palm Beach, 1950s mom, hot swimsuit and also a lovely appearance by “Ken.”

The makeup was as colorful as Dame Edna, with feathered eyebrows, pink blush and pink lips. In short, America’s darling is a doll.