Jing Ai Cosmetics Line Debuts at Henri Bendel

Jing Ai is pleased to announce that her brand new collection of eco-gorgeous cosmetics, which make it's debut today at an exclusive trunk show at the ultra-luxe specialty store Henri Bendel located at 712 Fifth Avenue in New York February 27th thru March 4th! 


Jing Ai, which means pure love in Mandarin Chinese, is a luxurious, eco-friendly cosmetics collection that combines healthy-yet-gorgeous makeup with the sustainable packaging that eco-conscious consumers desire.


For those who look out for their health and environment, the entire line is cruelty, paraben, petrochemical and gluten free; in addition, the collection is packaged in gorgeous tubes, compacts and boxes that are recyclable, biodegradable or both. 

With barely-there lip glosses, a sexy black mascara (with Jing Ai’s unique paintbrush applicator), elegant bronzer duos (comes with Jing Ai’s sweet, hidden “bonus” of Wild Flower Seed Paper), a silky automatic lip pencil, a glide-on automatic eye pencil, and a truly fabulous creamy concealer for eyes and face, this collection is perfect for a natural beauty look.

Back to the looking out for health part, Jing Ai donates 5% of proceeds to breast cancer charities! 


The line can be seen on the company’s website:www.jingaiskin.com

Milan Fashion Week: Prada Fall 2012 Beauty

Redken Creative Consultant Guido created a look that stole the Prada Fall 2012 show in Milan, making all of the models into what he called “Virtual Princesses.” The futuristic, other-worldly, two-toned look provided the perfect contrast to Miuccia Prada’s restrained yet lavish collection.


“All hair is away from the face – there’s no emotion and all of the personality is taken away. I envisioned the way a ‘virtual girl’ is drawn in a cartoon. Then I added these different colored extensions – white, red and black, which adds to the synthetic feeling of the hair. I used colors which looked most dramatic against each of the models’ real hair. The different colors give you that pop of fakeness so we’re not talking about reality. Like a futuristic princess.”
–Guido, Redken Creative Consultant

Redken Products:
thickening lotion 06 all-over body builder
hardwear 16 super-strength gel
iron silk 07 ultra straightening spray
forceful 23 super-strength finishing spray
                                                        
Get the Look:
Layer thickening lotion 06 and hardwear 16 on the top portion of the hair when wet and brush straight back.
Blow-dry hair straight, continuing to brush straight back.
Apply iron silk 07 from the mid-shaft to ends of the hair to protect hair from heat iron and then use a straightening iron to give it a crisp, extremely straight look.
Finish with forceful 23 to keep the style in place and looking extra sleek.

Nicki Minaj & Ricky Martin Team Up For MAC

Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin are teaming up to promote MAC Viva Glam and have started a new campaign to bring HIV/AIDS awareness to Latin America. 

Martin is the inspiration behind a new VIVA GLAM Lip Conditioner and Minaj has released a VIVA GLAM Nicki pink lipstick. 

"Kids are being infected with HIV and AIDS," Martin said in the interview with GMA, "Some people think that this is an issue of the 80's and now we are still dealing with this issue. The fact that it's a disease that doesn't discriminate: men, women and children are being affected by this virus. Let's talk about it. I want to be part of this."

This cause really hits home for Ms. Minaj. Born in Trinidad, her uncle died of an AIDS-related illness.

"This is something that is killing a lot of, especially black women, young black women. And so for me, that is why it hits home," said Minaj, "I have such a young fan base. I want them to start now, you know, protecting themselves. I want to start now being smart. I want them to abstain because I love them so much. I don't want them to ruin their lives."

So how will this campaign help?  100 percent of the proceeds from the purchase of the items will go directly to support activities raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in Latin America 

7 Bad Beauty Habits to Cut Out of Your Daily Routine

Cut it out if you are doing any of the 5, bad, maybe even worse, beauty habits a girl can have. Really, break these habits if you do any of them...they are bad, gross, disgusting, and I think you get the idea, they are no good for you!

So here it goes... don't do these anymore...ya hear?

1. Not removing makeup

"I'm tired and it's late...I'll just wash it off first thing in the morning!". This has been said and thought way too often on a night back from being out on the town. Taking the time to take off your makeup before you go to sleep at night is so, so important.

2. Not wearing sunscreen

It really doesn't matter if you're in the sun or if it's winter time, those UVA, UVB's and whatever UV rays are hittin' ya! Apply a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF everyday to protect it from the sun. Your face (and health) will thank you later.

3. Not drinking enough water

This is a huge huge issue I have myself. Let's take a bottle of water with us daily from now on and force ourselves to drink and refill, drink and refill.

4. Using moisturizer on the eyes

Use eye cream instead...that's why they make it!

5. Wearing foundation that does not match your skin tone

Don't use the back of your hand as a way to match your foundation to your skin tone...your skin on your face and the back of your hand are completely different. Try heading to a department store where a makeup artist or consultant can help you determine the right shade for you. Trust me, you don't want to be walking around with the wrong shade on!

6. Peeling Nail Polish off your Nails

A bad habit I confess, but not only are you peeling off the nail polish but you're also peeling off your nails! Don't do this, please!

7. Pickin' Your Face

Call me sick, but this song came to mind when thinking of this bad beauty habit, 'pickin' muscles from a shell'. I couldn't help but think pickin' pimples from your face....the worst habit of them all possibly, this one will get you red scars that may last you a long time, even years, to rid! Don't pick those pimples, treat them! Use a bit of product that contains salicylic acid and even moisturize that sucker.

IRIS APFEL FOR MAC

Iris Apfel, so awesome, she is. Two seasons a go, during Fashion Week, I happened to see her in a tiny, tiny coffee shop across the street from Lincoln Center. I recognized her, her large, black framed glasses, completely adored her style, and thought to myself, how do I know her? She looks so familiar.

WELL, hell, it's Iris Apfel! Style icon who worked at Women’s Wear Daily & later on, for interior designer Elinor Johnson before launching a textile firm with her husband, Carl Apfel, called Old World Weavers in 1950. Up until her retirement from interior design in 1992 she worked on many projects, including work at the White House where she crossed paths with nine presidents: Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton. Oh the things she must have seen

So what is she up to now? She has no doubt become a fashion icon, mixing flea market finds with haute couture, reason being the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History in Boynton Beach is looking to create a 93,000 square feet building with a gallery dedicated to the clothes, accessories and furnishings of Iris Apfel.

Besides that lil tidbit of exciting news for her (and us to be able to view and experience this amazing gallery) she is also teaming up with MAC cosmetics! At 90 Iris Apfel becomes the latest star to collaborate with MAC to produce a bold 20-piece collection. The collection includes lipsticks, eyeshadows and nail lacquers with names like Scarlet Ibis, Early Bird and Toco Toucan, and is a celebration of her colorful life and style. Always ahead of the curve, the lipstick Scarlet Ibis was used by make-up artist Andrew Gallimore for the Erdem spring/summer 12 show, proving that, at 90, Iris can still spot a trend.

LADUREE TO LAUNCH COSMETICS

Luscious, delectable, colorful and sweet, these are only a few ways to describe the world famous Lauduree, 'manufacturer of sweets'. Good news is, these tasty treats are set to launch it's first cosmetic collection this year.

The brand is no stranger to beauty, the Laduree’s cosmetics collection, The Merveilleuses de Ladurée (or The Wonders of Ladurée), is debuting in Japan next February before rolling out across Europe, the US and the rest of Asia later on.

Their press office has kept the details on the low, however, they did reveal there will be more details to come in a January press day. In the meantime, rumor has it the collection will include 20 blush shades in the form of cameos , as well as lip colors and even liquid foundations! I'm expecting lots of pretty pastel hues, beautifully ornate packaging and sweet-scented products. Maybe they'll throw in some macaroons? We can only hope!

Wedge Trainer

The hi-top is back and fashionable as ever, thanks to Isabel Marant. For those of you who love the comfort of a hi-top sneaker and dressed up trendy wedge, Isabel Marant presents to you her wedge trainer shoe!

These just may be every fashion fan's must have, the trend of athleticism seems it will stay, at least for this upcoming season! This sport-luxe shoe will definitely gain popularity, a perfect paring with some dark denim skinnies or cut off denim shorts. Check out Isabel Marant's wedge trainer and two similar shoes (by Ash & See by Chloe), and let me know...how will you mettle these trendy kicks into your upcoming wardrobe?