Thursday, September 28, 2006

Fashion show-off


Hey Hey Hey,
It’s me! I’m back! Thank you from the bottom of my hot pink heart (hot pink being the lipcolor du jour at the shows) for all of your sweet well wishes. In case you’re wondering, my migraine fog has finally cleared and I am officially back in the building! And actively gnawing my nails to a nub wondering who’s going to win Project Runway. I just love Michael to death—and no, not just because FINALLY we have a good-natured, level-headed, sweet-as-all-get-out young black man starring on a reality show (he’s the anti-Flavor Flav, is he not?)—but because he’s actually extraordinarily talented. Can I please wear his white cocktail dress with the black leather cinch-waist every day of my life until it becomes tattered and concealer-smudged (yep, herein lies the problem with applying makeup with your fingers…it gets everywhere)?

So, speaking of Project Runway, let’s get into New York City’s Olympus Fashion Week! As always, the people-watching was much more exciting than the actual shows. Take Zac Posen’s after-party at the Soho Grand. It was such an exclusive, chi chi affair that some celebs actually lost their sartorial sense. Exhibit A: Guess what brilliant, megalomaniacal hip-hop star-slash-producer swanned into the soiree wearing a smoke-grey Louis Vuitton MINK STOLE?! Kanye, of course. It was haphazardly flung across your boy’s shoulders like he was Diahann Carrol. And the lovely Mischa Barton—whose fashion choices I usually enthusiastically co-sign—was wearing a fluffy, lacy white headband that gave her a distinct ten-maids-a-milking vibe. And girls, Kate Bosworth was so emaciated that a shocked hush fell over the crowd upon her shaky entrance. On a non-celebrity note, however, I looked sorta cute in my off-the-shoulder Tracy Feith black mindress…


But the week wasn’t all about the parties, obviously. It was the Spring 2007 Collections, and everywhere you turned a new trend was being hatched. Judging from the turbans at Prada, the Out of Africa-style safari thingies at Ralph Lauren and a host of other fedoras, beanies, and messenger caps at Armani, DKNY and Marni—hats are the big thing. This is inconvenient for me, because I have a disproportionately huge head and can’t even successfully rock a baseball cap without feeling like I’ve stuck my head in a vice. In terms of shoes, it’s still all about the platform pump! You know those darling Christian Louboutins all the stars are rocking, with the wooden platforms? I just bought a super-cute knockoff at Urban Outfitters—the Oh Deer! Rounded Wooden Platforms ($58) even have Louboutin’s telltale red sole. Oh and girls, if you’re so over boho everything, you’ll DIE over Spring’s return to flouncy, flirty, ladylike dresses! Think Whitley Gilbert at a cotillion—in a good way. My favorite was this little red corvette from Ferragamo (above, left). I found a totally affordable version at Anthropologie—their lipstick red Hourglass Dress ($188) has the same kicky skirt and corset-like bodice. Yum.

And now, onto our favorite part!! Ladies, during the shows, your eagle-eyed beauty leader zeroed in on the four biggest beauty trends of the Spring 2007 Collections. Enjoy, and try not to wear them all at once…

Sick to death with love for you,
Your Tia

TIA’S TOP FOUR FASHION WEEK BEAUTY TRENDS:

1.) LUMINOUS SKIN
This might seem obvious, like when is perfect skin NOT a trend? But, let me tell you, at shows like Calvin Klein, Jill Stuart, Max Azria and Bottega Veneta (left) the models had such radiant, dewy, “I-just-had-the-best-sex-of-my-life” skin that they upstaged the clothes! Here's how to do it: Instead of heavy foundation, simply blend a creamy concealer under eyes and over blemishes. Then—and here’s the magic—using an oversized brush, dust a translucent shimmer powder allover to set the concealer. Kimora Lee Simmons’ KLS Beauty Powder Highlighter ($20) has light-reflecting particles that somehow camouflage uneven skin tones and discoloration…it’s simply gorgeous. Choose one of the four darkest shades—Honeycomb, Butter Pecan, Juicy Java or Chocolate Soufflé.


2.) BABY PINK LIPS
Faithful SYB readers are well-aware of the fact that I favor a bronzey lip. My mind has officially changed. At Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta (left), the models' lips were painted the sweetest shade of princess-pink, ever. Oh, that whole “Who me, sexy?” thing is just so irresistible, isn't it? And yes, brown girls can most definitely go there—as evidenced by cutie-pie model-of-the-moment Jaunel. After the shows, I ran out and bought Revlon Superlustrous Lip Gloss in Glossy Rose ($6.19)--this sheer, shimmery shade looks adorable alone or layered over brown lip pencil for more depth.


3.) GOLD EYES
Ooooh, my favorite!! You know I LIVE for a bit o'gold around the eyes. No matter how intense your night was, a smudge of this sunny metallic shade instantly makes you look awake, refreshed and impossibly sexy. Which was not lost on the beauty squad at shows like Donna Karan and Anna Sui (left). And gold just happens to be stunning on brown skin. Blend a gilded shadow like Clinique Touch Tint for Eyes Shimmer Formula in Gold Glimmer ($14.50) just along the upper lashline, and then, using the pad of your pinky finger, dab it on the inside corners of your eyes (you know, around the tear duct area). Smokin!’


4.) GLOSSY, BOUNCY, SIDE-PARTED HAIR (please ignore the crazy lips)
For many seasons, we’ve all been rocking the heavily flatironed, center-parted locks, because it’s the proper Beyonce thing to do. But at Catherine Malandrino (“Angela, you look ridiculous”), Zac Posen and especially Nanette Lepore (left), I was so taken with the unapologetic glamorousness of the super-bouncy, swooped-to-the-side style! And how about that glossiness? On a beauty counter backstage, I squealed when I saw the product that my Dominican hairstylist uses on me every Sunday— Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray ($4.49)! Spritz this vitamin E and olive oil-blended shine spray on wet hair before you blowdry, and then again on dry hair before you flatiron or use the curling iron—and you’ll have Barbie-hair-level glossiness that you wouldn’t believe.

20 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love it!

#1 Michael has talent for days! Enough said. (But wee have to wait 2 weeks for Olympus Fashion Week?!)

Wish we could've seen a picture of you looking "sorta cute" in your minidress, but we'll take your modest word for it. ;o)

I've been rocking the pink lip every since I got my Lancome Juicy Tube in Frozen Punch for Christmas. I can't get enough of it...I wear it everyday. It looks so fresh.

Glad to hear you're feeling better. <3 Take it easy mama!

6:06 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm sooooglad you are back and feeling fab.It shows in your post!!

Michael is a gift from the heavens for fashion.He BETTA win! I like everyone else but he's a complete star...Am I the only that got pissy about Uli stealing Nazri the muse?

I'm so glad that luminous(sp!) is in in in! That's makes me feel beter since I've found a way to wear three different bronzers on my face!

Muah,
J

6:36 PM  
Blogger Rasha said...

Hey Tia,
Great to have you back!!!

Thanks for all of the beauty tips. I was just wondering what my new beauty look should be for the winter. Thanks for making my process alot easier.

And if Micheal doesn't win... Its just too painful...I can't bare the thought LOL!!!!

8:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Tia,

You're back and migraine free, good for you. I am so in love w/Posen, Malandrino and Lepore. I hope to attend their shows one day. As for Michael, he's such a gem. I am so hoping that he wins Project Runway. Girl, I've been handling my skin for over a year and I can proudly state that I have no pimples. Thanks to the Bliss Resurfacing Peel, my dark marks are almost gone. So, I am ready to try the concealer and powder look.

8:29 PM  
Blogger Cece said...

I wholeheartedly agree about Micheal. Finally, a black man on tv not interested in embarassing the race ;-)And I agree with Porsche we need some updated pics of you-looking all cute!

9:03 AM  
Blogger 1969 said...

Welcome Back!

I love Micheal Knight...from the grecian white jersey dress to the hot pink shorts. HE ROCKS.

I love a pink lip. I used to do bronzy but have been wearing pink since last year. I am laughing at you because I am wearing the Glossy Rose Revlon Gloss as I tye this. It's my favorite!

9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was about to start a riot in my living room when Michael was in the bottom 2 on the last show! pheww!! On my way to Sephora to pick up the KLS beauty powder highlighter..Thanks Tia

9:32 AM  
Blogger | b | said...

Tia! I love the Oh Deer! Rounded Wooden Platforms, but I am wary of buying them online because I think those types of shoes tend to run small. I am an 8.5, but should I go for a 9.5? (When I was in a shoe store, I tried on another brand and the 9 just didn't even do it! Help! Did you find that you got a different size than your usual?

12:02 PM  
Blogger What's Haute said...

michael knight is a shoo in to win...his dresses (even the 'bad' ones) are fabulous!

i'll have to try the light pink lip-mac has a delicious selection of pinks.

Editor, What's Haute and Hauteness

12:44 PM  
Blogger Miss Kim, Product Junkie said...

Welcome back Tia!!! Glad you are doing better. I know migraines way too well and I feel for you.

I HEART Michael Knight. He's so talented and just oozes goodness. He seems so sweet and likeable.

I am running out to buy a tube of Glossy Rose and a can of the Olive Oil Nourishing Sheen Spray.

1:12 PM  
Blogger Elle* said...

Glad to see your back!

Am I the only one not tuned into Project Runway this season? Dang, I gotta catch a marathon, I gotta know who this Michael is!

11:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

T-Love,

Glad to know that you are BACK IN BIDNESS!!!

I am totally enamored by Mr. Michael Knight. I think he is the best designer on that show. I also like Laura. I like that classic style, but Michael has the gift and he knows how to use it. His designs are fresh and chic. I hope one to purchase a MK sweater, skirt, OR something. Jeffrey, Mr. Ex-Junkie who thinks he is the sh** should have BEEN KICKED OFF!! Just because you stop taking drugs and boozin' does not mean people need to tolerate your annoying antics.

Love the tips!!

2:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tia, I love pink gloss! I'm a brown betty, but chose baby pink and hot pink shades at my local Lancome counter. One thing I don't understand is how to chose the right concealer shade. The Ukranian woman at the Lancome counter tried a shade under my eyes that made me look ashy and then one that made me look cakey. Frustrated, she suggested I look at Fashion Fair, but their stuff tends to be too heavy and the wrong undertone (I'm kinda orange). HOW DOES A GIRL CHOOSE?!? It's really irritating me looking at these dark circles under my eyes. Help.

12:02 PM  
Blogger Glib Gurl said...

Here's a cosmetic question for you, Tia - I tend to just wear whatever looks good on me without paying attention to makeup "trends." I mean, don't get me wrong - you won't see me rockin' some blue eyeliner from the 80s, but when it comes to these new trends -- baby pink lips, bronzed skin, etc., etc. -- I am a little more apprehensive. When I try to rock a bronzer like KLS, I just end up looking gree-zee (yes, not just greasy, but gree-zee). What are your thoughts on just sticking with "what works" for you?

8:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oooh, I guess I'm ahead of the trends (for ONCE in my life) - I've been rocking glowy skin and rosy lips since the beginning of the summer (Everyday Minerals foundation, Alima Luminous Shimmer Blush in Guava, AND Revlon Super Lustrous gloss in Glossy Rose - I almost cried when I tried this, so pretty on brown skin!)

Anyway, I hope you talk about mineral makeup for women of color one day - I'm a recent convert, and it's the only foundation I've found that perfectly matches my color, plus I can put it on completely guilt-free since it's so pure. I rave, I know. I'll zip it. Just wanted to holla and let you know I love your blog!

9:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK What do you suggest for a substitute for that KLS line? I personally do not want to wear anything associated with her.

And suggestion for a pecan-colored girl?

4:58 AM  
Blogger 1969 said...

For those that like a pinkish bronze...the BEST lipstick is "Plastique" by MAC.

9:19 AM  
Blogger angelica said...

So glad you're feeling better - can't tell you how much we missed you!

Am soo lovin' Michael!! He's the anti-Flav, but also the anti-Any Black Man Who's Ever Been on MTV Real World, no? And his style is so elegant!

Thanks for the tip on the Olive Oil Spray! I always fear that I've sprayed too much, leaving me with greasy, saturated french-fry head.

1:28 PM  
Blogger Toya said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better!
I love Micheal so much I even text voted him in that Who's the Fan Favorite promotion that Bravo is doing- I am so not the vote for a reality show person. I hope he wins fan fav and the whole show!
About that KLS highlighter - looks really pretty but what's the diff between highlighter and bronzer? Is it less sparkly?

6:58 PM  
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