New York Fashion Week is over and we’re left to make sense of it all. What’s here to stay and what’s a has-been? Are we doing matte lips again? Is the winged cat eye so over? Well Beauty Expert Trae Bodge, co founder of Three Custom Color Specialists, returns to ThisThatBeauty to offer our bi-annual New York Fashion Week Beauty Trend Report. Why painstakingly cull through show after show when we can break it down for you plain and simple. Take it away, Trae!

**********

Spring/Summer 2012 Trends from the Runway

Hello again – I’m SO thrilled to be back with another beauty trend report for ThisThatBeauty!  I’m sitting here on a crisp, Fall day trying to fast forward in my mind to the light and flirty days of Spring and Summer 2012.  All it takes is another tour of the runways (thank you, www.style.com!) and I’m in a Springy, Summery state of mind.

What struck me first about this season were the colorful lips. I always feel a bit sad when there is a strong return to nude or neutral lips, so I was excited to see a real commitment to bold, defined lips this go ‘round.

The two lip trends that were the most memorable for me were the Peach Lip and the Red Lip.

Peach Lip

Several of the peach lips were paired with soft, demure eyes, like at Nicholas K, Candela and Porter Grey.  This is a very fresh, wearable “every day” look.  Most of us can make this look work because peach is extremely wearable.  Because it is the perfect balance between warm (red) and cool (pink), peach suits most skin tones.

The peach lip look that I really like was at Jill Stuart (pictured).  The peach lip was pronounced and matte and the eyes were rimmed with dramatic black.  It was the perfect play against her powerful, color blocked styles.  Because of the dramatic eye, this is a tougher look for the every day woman to pull off, but hey – isn’t runway supposed to be larger than life any way?

Red Lip

Red lips often make an appearance on the runway, but this season’s reds were notably bright and commanding.  These lips were most often paired with peach cheeks, soft eyes and a defined brow.  My favorite examples of this were at Jason Wu, Jen Kao and Joy Cioci (pictured).

Now, in terms of being wearable, a red lip is not for the faint of heart.  Of course, Felicia of TTB ROCKS a fabulous red lip, but she’s got the personality to match!  If you’re feeling bold, go for it, but if you’re more on the shy side, try a red gloss (or red lipstick mixed with lip balm), for a softer look.

The WOW Factor

Now, I don’t know if the super dramatic black-rimmed eyes I saw at Marc Jacobs, Monique L’Hullier and L.A.M.B. (pictured) will end up being a trend, but I thought the look was so fabulous that I felt compelled to write about it.  I question the trendiness of this look, simply because it would take so much work to make it happen!  Eyes were literally scrawled with black, and often winged out in a dramatic, almost Japanese-inspired style.  Lashes were heavy and fake and brows were very defined as well, particularly at L.A.M.B.   Fabulous!

One of my favorite runway looks this season, by far, was the look created by DeShawn Hatcher for Becca Cosmetics at VENEXIANA. The 20′s/ 30′s retro vibe set to a modern 2012 landscape captured my heart right from the start. Ms. Hatcher shares the beauty deets on her catwalk creation:

For complexion:

First we used Becca Resurfacing primer in the t zone, then Becca’s concealer only where needed. To finish off the look I used Becca mineral powder foundation dry.

For Eyes:

The technique was a Semi Smokey Eye using Becca’s Lost Weekend/Prairie Moon palette (the darkest colors in both palettes–more to the outside corners of the eyes, instead of all over the lid, paired with top and bottom, spikey lashes, eyes lined (top and bottom inner rims and top bottom lids) in Becca’s Intense Black automatic pencil.

For Face:

A wash of blush in Estella concentrating on the apples of the cheeks–a beautiful coral color.

For Lips:

Lips were unlined and concentrating only in the center of the lip. I used Becca’s Lip and Cheek creme in Petal, and a beautiful Glossy Tint in Frappe–this is also a beautiful coral lip color to coordinate with the blush.

Each season, as New York Fashion Week rolls around, I look forward to viewing the collections and critiquing the beauty/makeup. Another New York Fashion Week event that I have come to look forward to is Cocktails & Couture – the premiere networking event for online media, hosted by Veteran Blogger and Beauty Guru – Lianne Farbes. This twice a year fete is a swanky mash-up of the “Who’s Who” of the digital space. Brands and Bloggers connect and have one heck of a good time.

This year’s event was held at Aveda Advanced Salon…and here’s what I wore: Sine Retro Know Dress in Peacock — Here is the dress, as featured in InStyle

Here’s the dress on a dress form

Here’s the dress on moi at Cocktails & Couture media event

The dress was a huge hit. I particularly love the retro feel and forgiving ruching at the waist. I tried to “downtown” the dress a bit by pairing it with dark tights and a slouchy bulky suede boot (Tahari). I also added ginormous shoulder pads to push the dress from cutesy cocktail situation to a slightly edgier rocker feel…sort of.

Here I am with SINE designer, the lovely Micaela

Here I am with Uber Blogger Extraordinaire, @alywalasky

And here I am hamming it up on the red carpet. I believe Beyonce “Single Ladies” was playing in the background. Now who doesn’t love dancing to that song?!

I am incredibly thankful to the lovely ladies at Sine for saving the day and graciously offering to outfit Ms ThisThatBeauty for New York Fashion Week. The Retro Knot Dress is affordably priced at $132.50 and worth every penny. The silk is of high quality and does not wrinkle easily. I loved that the dress is fully lined, thus eliminating the need for a slip – while providing a nice smoothing effect between the body and the dress. I strongly encourage you to visit Sine and check out their beautiful finds. If you’re interested in purchasing the Retro Knot Dress, I recommend possibly sizing down. I am generally a size 4 but the size 2 fits beautifully. Perhaps I’ve dropped a few pounds?…hmmm, not sure….but just thought I would share this observation to help you with your online shopping.

Well, I better get back to Lincoln Center. Fashion Week waits for no (wo)man. Bye-bye for now!

xoxo

#NYFW

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor Nicole Marie Melton. @NMeltonMedia

Backstage at Organic by John Patrick — The looks created by the Aveda were all about keeping it natural and textured.  The Fall collection by Patrick included cozy knit sweaters and wooly plaids in deep earth tones of browns and grays. Minimal hair and makeup created a perfect balance.  I caught up with head makeup artist Janell Geason who gave me the scoop on the inspiration behind the makeup.   Geason summed the look up by saying “It was really about beautiful, hydrated, luminous skin. Less is more is definitely in this approach”.

Models were prepped with Aveda Inner-Light Tinted Moisturizer.  For eyes, Aveda Petal Essence Eye Color Trio in Gobi Sands was brushed lightly onto the lids.  Aveda Nourish-Mint Sheer Mineral Lip Color in Sheer Filaree was used on the lip, along with a dab of Aveda Lip Glaze in Morning Rose in the center of the pout to add fullness and a touch of shine.  Geason said that recreating this look is perfect for fall because “it has a little more hydration at a time when your skin tends to be a little drier.”

The beautifully bare makeup look was paired with loose, messy hair  — which continues the natural essence of the show.  Head hairstylist Antoinette Beenders assembled the undone look by prepping the hair with the Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion and finishing it off with the Air Control Hair Spray, which gave a really nice roughness to the hair.  No blow driers, curling irons, or flat irons were used to create the look, which makes it easy to recreate, and perfect for heading out of the door in a flash.

#NYFW

MAC makeup artist Kristin Gallegos designed the look for Naeem Khan’s Spring/Summer 2011 show. The makeup was inspired by 1990‘s Versace in Miami. The foundation was done using MAC Face and Body Foundation. It was applied a shade darker than each model’s skintone and Mineralized Skin Finished was added to give a sun kissed glow. The face was highlighted with Pearl Sunshine Powder.

Gold Metal Remnant, a metallic gold shadow, was blotted on the lid and outside of the eye. A lighter shade, Dalliance, was used to highlight the brow bone and the inner corner of the eye. Dalliance is due to hit shelves in Spring 2011. Center Stage, a dark brown metallic shadow, was used under the eye to add a bit of depth and darkness while Gilded White Power Pencil was used to line the inner rim of the eye. Lashes were well defined using Haute and Naughty mascara on both the top and bottom lashes.

The apple of the cheeks were done in So sweet – So Easy Creme Blush to brighten up the face, compliment the bronze of the face and skin, as well as the intricately designed, jeweled and embroidered pieces in the line. A combination of lip products were incorporated to finish the look.

The bronzed skin, gold shadow with bold lashes and big hair, designed by Laurent Phillipon, was perfect to complete Naeem Khan’s love affair with Miami.

********************

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more: @CNicholaC,  www.christenecarr.com, and www.hairandskinjunc.com

During NYFW as I ran from venue to venue I was noticing a trend; almost all the makeup artists I encountered were doing very minimal coverage on the face.  Most were spot concealing and giving models a fresh faced look.

Backstage for United Bamboo, Dick Page, of Shiseido summed it up well “Spring is all about great skin.” He also mentioned that for United Bamboo the models were going to be very close to the audience so he wanted to keep the makeup simple and make it about the clothes.

For the eye, Dick applied Shiseido Benefiance Full Correction Lip Treatment to the lids then added a thin line of navy blue shadow from the Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Snow Shadow, over it.  This is meant to give eyes a somewhat molten shine that sparkles a bit in flashes of light. On the lips he used Shiseido Shimmering Rouge Lipsticks in Alabaster beige, to diffuse the natural lip tone and add just a hint of shimmer.

The lipgloss on lid topped with shadow is definitely not for long wear; to create a similar look at home try lining the eye with a navy eye pencil. Next, smudge the liner on top and bottom and then add a bit of iridescent shimmer powder over the top lid.

The hair for United Bamboo was also simple. Models wore a masculine style of hair with a messy texture. Shiseido Lotion Number two was used on the roots of rough dried hair and smoothed down about 4 inches on the length of the hair. (Lotion number two was designed specifically for use during NYFW and is not yet available for retail sale.)  Hair was then parted on the left side and Shiseido Designtex Gel number 3 was added in the front and sides as hair was slicked back and pinned. A bit of Dry shampoo was then used to give hair a slightly matte texture.

*******************

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more from Christene you may stalk her (not really) on Twitter at @CNicholaC, visit her blog www.christenecarr.com and check out her business website www.hairandskinjunc.com

Union Jack Black and Yummy Mummy were the Butter London colors of choice for Vena Cava’s Spring 2011 nail look.  Neither of the colors are new but based on the Vena Cava’s line of seventies inspired pieces that included cropped pants and knee length and longer hemlines, the choice of dual toned nails was spot on. The nails added edge to the somewhat conservative clothing. Press on nails were made specifically for Vena Cava and are not sold by Butter London.

For Spring 2011 Butter London has three colors that are not yet named (Shown above).  According to Founder and Creative Director, Nonie Creme, inspiration for the existing Spring colors came from impressionist lace and print fabric.  The green shown above was “muddied up with a bit of black” to give it some edge and get away from the pastels.  More colors will likely be added to Butter London’s line after New York Fashion Week.

Nonie Creme sees nail art making a comeback for spring 2011.  However, It will be refined and tasteful with simple graphics.

To recreate the look at home…

The best way to get this look at home is to use press on nails. Apply two to three coats of Yummy Mummy to the nail and allow it to dry.  The best way I find to get the half moon is to use the ring and index fingers to hold the nail (upside down) on the middle finger. (The top of the nail to be painted with the half moon, should be held away from you.)  In one fluid motion, apply one coat of Union Jack Black. Allow nails to dry completely and you are good to press on.

Butter London polishes are ‘3 free,’ that is free of formaldehyde, DBP, and Toluene.  They also have treatments for cuticle and nail care.

********************

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more: @CNicholaC,  www.christenecarr.com, and www.hairandskinjunc.com

When I first walked into the Rebecca Moses presentation at The Box at Lincoln Center, I felt I had walked into story time.  The long black jersey dress with plunging cowl back and leopard print skirt worn with the embellished camisole and leopard jacket, beckoned to me  from “The Library” section. The green flower atop the head of the leopard print clad model was unexpected and I loved everything about it. On my way to the “The Library” I passed  the “Pyramids of Giza” and Paris inspired backdrop, designed by Rebecca herself. I saw a polka-dot dress at the “Museum” where the models hair was done up in an oversized French roll.

I spotted a lightweight polka dot coat over what looked like an abstract print dress but back at the pyramids I had left the most amazing necklace I’d seen all week. The presentation was done in ten sections where each section told a story through fashion, styling and set design.  Rebecca Moses told an easy to follow story that was entertaining. The line has pieces for the ultra conservative to the moderately risque woman.  I know I would easily wear anything from the line and with a retail price point of $120 or below, Rebecca Moses has my “Heart Soul Style.” #MBFW NYFW

********************

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more: @CNicholaC,  www.christenecarr.com, and www.hairandskinjunc.com

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

Fashion Week was a blast! It’s weird but I love to see the week coming and I love to see it GO! I live for the anticipation of the tents, yet I jump for joy once it’s all said and done.

Having said all that, I wouldn’t change my experiences for the world. Season after season, it’s always the faces (most are familiar, some are new) that I love the most. Check out my “Faces and Places” rundown for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week S/S11.

First and foremost, say hello to @CNicholaC, Contributing Writer for ThisThatBeauty. This season, with the help of Christene, TTB was able to cover over 30 shows and events. Look out for additional NYFW coverage of unique product discoveries and style/ beauty stories to post in the weeks to come. For Christene’s rundown of her first NYFW experience, visit this post on her personal blog.

Here is the lovely Christene with Andre Leon Talley, Vogue Editor at Large

Here I am with the kids of @occmakeup – Katie Pellegrino and Jasen Hunt

Partying (at @candcparty) with my Beauty Blogging God Momma Extraordinaire @LianneFarbes. Is that a bottle of Mo’ in Lianne’s hand?…Yep, that’s how we roll! LOL

Bloggers who blog about the pretty because obviously they know where of they speak

@TempleofGlam @WhatsHaute ME @realcurbappeal @Roselyn

Caring is sharing. I shared my Anna Sui blot papers with Jenna Muller of Phyto. OMG, try their PhytoSpecific relaxer!

Yea, I get pretty greasy. Don’t judge me…instead, pitch me your company’s best mattifyer:)

With @chic_thrills at Aveda’s pre-NYFW event. I inspired her to go red, read all about it here

Hey @afrobella! Its always wonderful to see this blogging legend in the NYC! We attended an Aveda event together.

Yea boy, I’m official…PRESS CREDENTIALS!

With designer @loissamuels after her show (Again, dont judge my greasiness…pitch me on an anti-shine product why don’t cha:))

With the legendary Beverly Johnson…the first woman of color to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974.

With director Nefertite Nguvu (@loissamuels show). She directed the Cover Girl web series that I am currently appearing in.

My Bowtie Boo @jdavidrobbins (in the tents at the AOL Lounge)

As @realcurbappeal calls us a “new hit R&B group: Rouge Lips”

@realcurbappeal @liannefarbes @victoriastiles ME – in the tents

More love from Katie Pellegrino of @occmakeup at Michael Angelo’s Wonderland during Fashion’s Night Out

Cutting up with makeup mentors @kjbennettbeauty @DeShawnHatcher

Again with Director Nefertite Nguvu…and Master Makeup Artist @danessamyricks. This was in the meatpacking district during #FNO.

With celebrity manicurist @LuxeByTracyLee

It took me forever to find a pic that I could show of the two of us together where she doesn’t look too much better than me. Actress @cassiefree is too damn hot for words.

With the homie @beautylogicblog. Love this woman!

Bloggers @roselyn, ME, Actress @cassiefree, Blogger @beautylogicblog

This time we added the cutie pie @MissWhoeverUR. And is that Miss @StyleIt I spy in the background? Heeey Sarah!

@jdavidrobbins is by far one of my fave blogger sightings when on the scene

My outfit for @candcparty Social Media Event

Top: French Connection from @bloomingdales

Belt: JCrew (at least ten years old)

Skirt: Love this little power skirt. Major major steal from @bloomingdales. Brand = Aqua

Shoes: Christian Louboutin (what else!) These little booties are amaze…especially after I had about an inch of the heel cut off!

With @stilaPROartist Sarah Lucero backstage at Lela Rose. I have a slight crush…(just keeping it real)

With @TedGibson backstage at Lela Rose

There goes my Bowtie boo again @jdavidrobbins. Boyfriend and I are like the Energizer Bunny. Here we are at Robert Verdi Luxe Laboratory.

Me at DVF wearing DVF awaiting the arrival of DVF

Me with DVF at DVF wearing DVF in DVF heaven.

Oh did I mention, I’m wearing DVF with DVF at DVF???:)

Interviewing @jvincentmakeup backstage at @BriteYoungthing

With @BriteYoungThing creator Eliza Starbuck. We are both wearing, what else….@BriteYoungThing

Oh @jdavidrobbins……@ideeli NYFW Wrap Party

With @MissWhoeverUR…we’re wearing the same red (NARS Dragon Girl). Apparently I influenced her purchase!

With the glam’d up @fashionpulse. She’s always such a sweetie pie!

@realcurbappeal moving in on my thang with @jdavidrobbins. This was at @ideeli’s NYFW Wrap Party!

Sisters for life. With @realcurbappeal

What a way to end the night…and the week! Bumped into some fun loving drag-queens!

The very next day I said bye-bye (bye-girl, girl-bye) to all things fashionable and curled up in a hoodie, cut offs, and Nike sneakers!

Until next season…

xoxo

Felicia

Twas the night before Fashion Week and oh what a pity, my hair was in dire need of TLC – quick, fast, and in a jiffy!

It’s a good thing I was lucky enough to receive an invite to an exclusive pre-NYFW event at Aveda Advanced Academy.

Aveda’s Creative Director, Antoinette Beenders, and her team provided personal, one-on-one styling sessions and makeup applications.

Now I’m not sure if it was pure dumb luck, or if my hair was clearly crying out for “expert” hands – but I was fortunate enough to have Ms Beenders herself style my hair….which leads me to the title of this post: “Best Beachy Waves Ever, Thank Aveda”.

Please allow me to narrate through pictures:

Upon arriving at Aveda I thought to myself: “Ahhh, just what I need…a little pre-NYFW pampering.” As I was greeted with a yummy organic cocktail I thought to myself: “YES! THIS!”

After a very frank hair chat with Creative Director, Antoinette Beenders, I felt very confident in her ability to style my hair. It is extremely rare (practically unheard of) that I allow my hair to be styled at press events. History has shown that these things do not end well (for women with hair like mine). But Antoinette and I had a brief, yet thorough and honest conversation which led me to trust her without question (an honor not easily earned)…see how comfortable and trusting I look below:)

Here’s my hair all wet…it’s time for Antoinette to go IN. And still, I am relaxed and confident that she will achieve the results I desire. Side note: The lovely assistant in the pic below was just marvelous…gave me one of my best shampoos ever!

Here are my beachy waves in progress

Here’s a tip from Antoinette to me to you. To impart shine without weighing hair down, try applying your shine product of choice with a Kabuki brush…yes, a Kabuki brush!

And here’s the final result….I am in LOVE  LOVE LOVE. Like I wanna make love to myself IN LOVE (please excuse the yellow picture quality)

Thank you Antoinette! xoxo

Thank you ladies for inviting me to such a lovely event!

Later that evening I cried my eyes out uncertain of how I would maintain the look overnight

I decided to sleep on my chin (I’m a slave to beauty, what can I say) and woke up with this look…not bad! I’d say I maintained 70% of my beachy waves

Later that morning as I prepared for Day One of NYFW, I added a few extra curls (using my Sultra Slim Luxe Iron) and achieved this look.

Thank you again to Aveda, Antoinette Beenders (and her team), the entire staff at Aveda, and the lovely PR ladies who extended the invitation!

Be on the look out for product reviews of some of the press samples I received from Aveda during my recent visit!

I love you all,

Felicia – xoxo