nyfw spring '15 {trend}: glossy, natural nails

new york fashion week has wrapped up, and i'm sure i'm not alone when i say i'm still absorbing it all; so many looks and trends were created for the runway that will shape and influence what we'll be wearing in the spring and summer of 2015. and not just the clothes, but everything from hair and makeup to nails and accessories…

 one trend that stood out to me was that of glossy, nude, natural nails. this is something every beauty girl has obsessed over, including me; creating the perfect nude, shiny nail ranks up there to finding that  fab LBD, a pair of amazing-fitting jeans and goes-with-everything-but-still-makes-a-statement handbag in your wardrobe.

the nail looks are far from bare, but have a base color on the nail on the natural side. any added art or texture is subtle and simple ~ good news for me since i rarely have time to spend on elaborate designs. let's take a look at some of these interpretations, shall we?

at Prabal Gurung models' tips were coated with wispy stripes as they prepared to walk the runway.

 Katie Jane Hughes created a nude nail using a Butter London nude base and completed the look with a diamond embellishment at Lela Rose.

the graphic nail art at Tibi was created by Jin Soon Choi using Georgette ~ a nude color ~ as the base with Chamonix used to finish the look.

Michelle Saunders for essie created a classic pink nail for the hands and an opaque pale pink nail for the toes {classics mademoiselle and fiji, respectively}, which paired perfectly with the colors and prints found throughout the Diane von Furstenberg collection.

for Altuzarra, Michelle Saunders created a delicate, feminine nail by using spaghetti strap on both the hands and feet. the sheer pink hue, reminiscent of rosy cheeks, completed the overall look.

for BCBG Max Azria the models took the runway in nude, natural nails that perfectly complimented the airy, boho ensembles.

to compliment Proenza Schouler's american sporswear-inspired collection, a minimal, glossy nail was worn by the models both the hands and feet

Julie Kandalec for essie used fiji to create a nail look to represent the Naeem Khan girl ~ elegant and done up, but not too glamorous.

at Rachel Zoe, butter LONDON polishes were layered {first Tea with the Queen, followed by Nail Foundation, topped with 999 Base Coat} to create a glossy, creamy effect.

Jin Soon created a soft, glossy nude to complement the sheer romanticism of the Vera Wang collection

a "new nude" by Deborah Lippmann coated model tips at the Narciso Rodriguez show

a high-shine nude nail was creed using Jin Soon Tulle to complement the cool, utilitarian aesthetic of the Rag & Bone show.


will you be wearing the glossy, natural tone nail look come spring 2015?

nyfw spring '15 {hair}: scünci x Tracy Reese

i was beyond in love with the ballerina-inspired collection and complimenting hair styles seen at Tracy Reese's spring 2015 runway show ~ did you see it? the best part, in my opinion, were that the hairstyles are easily created using affordable products from scünci hair accessories!

 the scünci x Tracy Reese ready-to-wear collection will be available in spring 2015 {the collaboration marks the first-ever designer partnership for the leading hair accessory brand}, but you can get the look at home right now with the chic headbands from the current collection!

as you can see, hair accessories were integral to the Tracy Reese collection for spring 2015, so it seems fitting that she'd turn to scünci to create exclusive items for the runway. the designer also tapped Bok-Hee, master stylist, to lend her creative perspective in the development process. together, the three joined forces to come up with the pieces based on the hair look, including fabrics, designs and colors of the ballet-inspired collection.

 both easily beautiful and on trend, thin and thick soft headbands were used in various textures. here's how to get the look yourself...

1. add tons of texture to the hair using a texture spray, a round brush and a teasing brush such as Conair's Infiniti Pro Thermal Round Brush and Teasing Comb.

2. pull back into loose ponytail in the middle of the back of the head and secure with a scünci No Slip Grip or Evolution Hair Tie.

3. next, layer headbands in different textures and colors to add some pop and dimension to your style with a scünci No Slip Grip or Interlock Fabric Headwraps.

4. finally, take the ponytail and loop the end in the back of the bottom of the headband to create the perfect "unpolished" look.

pull up the headbands and voila ~you have textured ballerina hair, imperfectly perfect for every day wear! 

j'adore...

"Tracy Reese was inspired by the modern dance techniques of Martha Graham for her spring 2015 collection, and when you look at her pictures, you see that she is very structured and angular," explains makeup artist Daniel Martin.

the focal point when it came to makeup for the show was exaggerated, 60s-inspired graphic eyeliner, and rather than going for a traditional cat eye, Martin used NYX The Curve liner to give models a more square-shaped line above the lashes, and drew a banana-shaped line over the lids to keep the graphic element. Martin also gave the models a two-toned lip to create depth, and accentuated their natural lip color using various shades of the brand’s Simply Pink Lip Cream collection.

visit scunci.com to see more behind the scenes pics and {as always} more info and where to buy.

images style.com, zimbio.com + featured brand's PR

nyfw spring '15 {beauty}: backstage at Alexander Wang

the Alexander Wang spring 2015 show was received with high praise thanks to its strong yet feminine pieces that were expertly structured, cool and definitely wearable. the collection was complimented by beautifully simple and modern looks created by artists from NARS and essie. 

Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics used the spring '15 collection as her inspiration to create a makeup look that highlighted and contoured to bring out the strength of each model's features.

products used:

face:

NARSSkin Luminous Moisture Cream

NARSSkin Optimal Brightening Concentrate

Radiant Creamy Concealer

Sheer Glow Foundation

cheeks:

Cappadoce Matte Multiple

the left side of Craving Dual-Intensity Blush {new for spring 2015; for now try Copacabana Multiple}

eyes:

Via Appia Larger Than Life® Long-wear Eyeliner

Iskandar Eye Paint

Cappadoce Matte Multiple layered with South Beach Multiple

on nails, Michelle Saunders for essie created a short, rounded length nail look for both the hands and feet. she layered the neutral tone of ridge filling base coat over au natural to complement the modern, active collection.

to create the look {hands and feet}:
1. apply two coats of au natural to clean, filed nails
2. next, apply one coat of ridge filling base coat in order to create the perfect modern,
neutral nail color
3. follow with good to go top coat

be sure to follow NARS and essie for more fabulous backstage coverage at ny fashion week via Instagram ~ @narsissist and @essiepolish  

info and images courtesy of featured brands' PR and style.com

total beauty: fashion and beauty looks for spring and summer

when it comes to fashion and beauty looks, what we see on the runway can be a bit intimidating. what most of us already know is that they aren't to be taken completely literal. that said, it can still be difficult to figure out how to make those out-of-this-world, beautiful looks more down-to-earth.

thankfully, beauty and style gurus exist to help us! 

since, for the most part, we all want to look glam and on trend in a more realistic way, the following article is quite helpful. what you'll see are trends as they were presented on the runway; click on the image, and they're explained so we can make them part of our regular, busy lives.

after you visit the page, come back and share with me your favorite look! how will you incorporate it with your current style? 

Flawless Spring Looks You'll Love

The hair, makeup and fashion inspiration you need for spring

This is a TotalBeauty.com Makeup article Need a little warm-weather inspiration after the long, dreary winter? Master spring's hottest makeup and fashion trends -- think orange lips, matte skin and crop tops -- with our guide. See the trends

spring beauty: JINsoon tulip-inspired manicure

it's the season of beautiful bouquets, bright, vibrant color, and all things pretty…

isn't it fabulous? 

to celebrate this {and mother's day}, the most awesome nail guru, Jin Soon Choi {founder of the JINsoon Nail Lacquer line and Jin Soon Hand & Foot Spas in nyc} has created a cheerful, tulip-inspired nail look that you can easily recreate!

here's how to do it:

*file and shape your nails to a natural square shape.

*apply a base coat {like JINsoon Power Coat}.

*apply a pink-blush shade on the entire nail bed {polish shade used: JINsoon Dolly Pink}.

*apply a deep pink/berry polish color using a thin brush to create the tulip petals {JINsoon Cherry Berry shade used}. 

*starting at the cuticle area, draw a straight line down towards the tip of the nail, curving left ¾ of the way down to create an arch and then fill in the shape. repeat on the right side of the same nail to create a mirroring shape.

*finish with a top coat {like JINsoon Top Gloss} for a lasting glossy finish.

so pretty, don't you think? will you try this? 

new beauty: SheaMoisture Dry Oil Mists

to pamper your skin and give it an instant boost of moisture, SheaMoisture offers some fabulous products. and not only are they nourishing to skin, but they're so affordable! now the brand offers Dry Oil Mists, and from the description they definitely sound like they are a perfect addition to the range…

available in 4 scents, each has its own unique and multipurpose benefit. they boast quick absorption on bare skin,are suggested for use as a gloss for hair, and can even be worn as a delicate fragrance.

oh, how i love a multitasking product! 

also, these mists do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, gluten, synthetic fragrance or artificial color. lets take a closer look, shall we??

varieties include:

Tahitian Noni & Monoi {Soothing & Reparative} 
features a formula of certified organic shea butter, antioxidant tahitian noni, monoi, and a blend of rich coconut oil, natural floral essences and sweet almond oil.

Coconut & Hibiscus {Brightening & Toning}
made with certified organic shea butter and coconut oil to hydrate and firm skin; hibiscus flower and songyi mushroom extracts brighten and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.

Lavender & Wild Orchid Healing {Hydrating & Calming} 
this healing, hydrating and calming blend utilizes certified organic shea butter to heal; lavender and arnica to soothe; and wild orchid extract to repair dry, rough skin.

Argan Oil & Raw Shea {Anti-Aging & Softening} 
effectively rehydrates and repairs dull, aging skin. includes certified organic shea butter, argan oil and frankincense & myrrh to nourish and soften skin.

SheaMoisture’s Dry Oil Mists are available at Target stores nationwide. for more info, visit SheaMoisture.com.

info and image provided by PR for SheaMoisture

spring beauty: new Neroli & Orchid Collection + LE Fragrance Boosting Cream from L’Occitane

 set for launch on april 16th, 2014, L’Occitane has a fabulous new collection, Neroli & Orchid, featuring a limited edition Fragrance Boosting Cream.

from this collection, i have had the amazing opportunity to pamper my senses with 2 products.

first, let me tell you, beauties, the new Neroli & Orchidee eau de toilette smells gorgeous ~ i'm in love with it! infused with notes i already find appealing {orange, mandarin and peach; neroli, orchid and iris}, the scent is so unique. it manages to smell just-sweet-enough fresh and flowery, yet has a warmness to it that is not at all heavy feeling. the overall effect is so intriguing. it's simply a perfect blend of feminine, light and airy ~ a fabulous way to smell in the spring, i would say!

the other product i received to test out was the Fragrance Booster Cream. an innovative, moisturizing body cream. this gem somehow works to enhance your fragrance on the body, then locks it in for added aroma and longevity; it's a perfect match for any L'Occitane fragrance you may want to wear, but is a beautiful compliment to the Neroli & Orchidee.

other products in the Neroli & Orchid collection that also include a shower gel, perfumed soap, body milk and scented candle.

when you get the chance, please do check out this new fragrance collection!

p.s: L'Occitane suggests this fragrance layering technique to ensure your scent stays put day to night:

step 1: wash with the Shower Gel or Perfumed Soap

step 2: nourish skin with the hydrating Body Milk

step 3: apply the Fragrance Booster Cream

step 4: spritz on the Eau de Toilette

any of these products could make a great gift for yourself or anyone in your life that is a fan of floral-fruit scents. visit loccitane.com for more info!

products featured sent to me for review consideration; all opinions and thoughts are my own; pics taken by me :)

spring beauty: NARS Contour Blush

bonjour beauties! 

hope you've been well. i don't know about you, but i've been especially excited about all of the fabulous spring beauty releases {as if i'm ever not excited, hello new products are always exciting! but you know what i mean…} and have just added the new NARS Contouring Blush to the list.

i personally started using a bronzing/contouring-type products year-round a few years ago, but there are so many different types that create different effects and looks. these Contouring Blush duos come in 3 shades: Olympia {ivory/rose}, Paloma {pink beige/deep rose}, and Geinah {honey/amber}.

 the brand graciously sent me Paloma to try for myself.

simply put, this shimmer-free duo does just what it says it will do: create a natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish. the deeper shade enhances definition while the lighter shade illuminates the high points of the face.

 i'm more than pleased to report that Contour Blush is definitely making me a bit more cheerful, and is a fabulous item to have in the beauty arsenal for spring. if you are long-time reader, you may know that i am not a fan of the heat, so as the days are getting warmer, this is a good thing.

:)

i admit, when i first received this particular palette, i was unsure how much of a "contour" i would get considering i have dark skin, and the darker blush shade isn't super deep {the Olympia blush is lighter in color and Geinah features deeper shades}; but, good news, beauties! it didn't disappoint.  i think Paloma will work for a large range of skin tones. for me, Paloma offers a dark enough shade to add the natural looking contour i prefer for my everyday makeup. the lighter highlighting shade is fabulous as well. it makes for a perfect finish over my favorite peachy-pink blushes and even as a contrast {on my brow bone} when i wear more shimmery eyeshadow shades.

NARS Contouring Blush is available at Nordstrom and NARS boutiques. visit narscosmetics.com for more info.

product featured sent to me for review consideration; all thoughts and opinions are my own; pics taken my me :)

travel-friendly beauty from amarte + jane iredale

 jetsetting to a tropical destination? taking a long weekend away with friends? with your future travel plans in mind, you might appreciate some new travel-friendly finds ~ these creative goodies promise to make it easy to take a hollywood-worthy beauty routine with you, anywhere...

take a look at these 3 great spring break picks below: a TSA-friendly cleansing powder, a dry sunscreen and a collection of pre-measured makeup remover swabs.

Amarte Daily ExfoliPowder  {AmarteSkinCare.com} ~ a 2-in-1 "wonder wash" comes in powder form and uses refined, plant seed-based exfoliants to remove dry dull skin and gently cleanse. this formula is so delicate you can use it daily. to activate, simply shake the powder onto hands, add water and lather into a creamy cleanser; smooth over skin, rinse and reveal a more radiant complexion.

jane iredale Dot the i®Makeup Remover Swabs {shop.janeiredale.com} ~ pre-measured eye makeup remover swabs boast an absolutely residue-free finish, thanks to a blend of organic botanicals; the formula is gentle, alcohol-free and even safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes. make quick and easy corrections without lugging liquid makeup remover in your suitcase {it's a favorite product of actress Helen Mirren}!

jane iredale Powder-Me SPF {shop.janeiredale.com} ~ this is a dry sunscreen that can literally be used from head to toe {on the body, face and scalp} for UVB/UVA spf 30 protection. water resistant for up to 40 minutes, the Powder-Me SPF contains titanium dioxide and natural clay which is completely free of contaminants and atmospheric pollutants. available in three shades: Translucent, Tanned, and Golden.

even when you're away from home it's super simple to stay gorgeous…

visit each brand's websites of more info!

info and images provided by brand's PR