5 SPRING BEAUTY TRENDS

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but behold the new trends in beauty for Spring 2010. From lips to eyes and skin, we've got you covered. Gone are the days of dark, moody as we welcome the days of color explosion and glowing skin.

1. PAINT ME PASTEL. Understated hues that are eye-popping in shades- lavender, turquoise, pink, and sage green- in matte to shimmer are capturing the lids this season.

How to achieve this look: Start slow, one color at a time. Limit your shade below the crease of your lids. Fresh and clean is the name of the game. Have no fear, pastels work on all skin shades, from porcelain white to olive, these universal hues make the whites of your eyes brighter. Stick to a lil eyeliner to create the drama and a nude lipgloss to complete the look. (Our favorites: Chanel Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Bambou, Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow in Personal Style, Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow in Frost Blossom.)

2. ORANGE you RED-Y for SPRING. Vibrant red adds a jolt of color and panache to your lips. Jump into Spring full throttle and embrace this fabulous hue. Toss out the dark purples from the past, this is RED HOT!

How to achieve this look: Start with a lip liner that matches the color of your natural lip. Mix a red-orange lipstick with a lil lip balm and apply with a brush. Make sure to keep the rest of your face fairly neutral and then kick it up a notch in the evening with a lil liner on the upper lids. Remember this color transitions from day to night! (Our favorites: Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Fire, Tarina Tarantino Conditioning Lip Balm in Paramour, and Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick  in A Go-Go.)

3. TOUSLE ME TENDER. Slightly effortless and a whole lot of sexy, tousled, romantic curls are in. Get a modern, yet edgy look that looks like you just rolled out of bed.

How to achieve this look: Blow dry your hair with your hands and not your typical round brush. Once dry, add a texture spray (we love Shu Uemura Art of Hair, Liquid Fabric Mineral Texture Spray). Then section hair into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch pieces and curl with a 1.25" barrel. After your whole head is curled, gently run your fingers it to give movement.

4. NATURAL BEAUTY. Go for glow. Luminous skin is IN. Gone are the days of the matte skin, radiant complexions are all the rage!

How to achieve this look: Remember that you should illuminate or accentuate your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Select a color of foundation that has a luminizer in it to make your life easier. Apply with a foundation brush and blend into your own skin. Dust with a translucent powder to seal the look. (Our favorites: Nars Orgasm Illuminator liquid luminizer, Laura Mercier Radiant Creme Colour, and Dior Poudrier Dentelle Illuminating Lace Effect Powder in Rose Dentelle.)

5. LIKE PUTTY "ON" YOUR HANDS. Nail polish is one of the best accessories to top off an outfit, so with that said, say goodbye to the blacks and navy blues, but definitely try Putty, which is a brown/grey tone.

How to achieve this look: A lighter color can replace a french manicure lovers typical fare, where as, olive skin and darker tones can definitely make a statement with this subtle taupe color. (Our favorites: RGB in Toast, OPI in You Don't Know Jacques, and Deborah Lippmann in Waking Up in Vegas)

NYFW REWIND

Last Thursday marked the end of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City and the last time the event will take place in Bryant Park, its home of 17 years.
More than 100 designers showcased their Fall 2010 Ready-To-Wear collections at one of the most talked about fashion weeks in years due, in part, to its somber beginning.

On Feb. 11, the first day of fashion week, the news of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen’s suicide shook the entire fashion industry. Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour release a statement calling McQueen “one of the greatest talents of his generation.” Curtains shrouded the glass windows of the McQueen store in New York City and flowers and cards were left lying against its walls by fans. However, the shows did go on.
The first show of the week was BCBG Max Azria showing color-blocked silk dresses, paired with white tights and black platform heels. But the BCBG show hardly set the tone for all the major trends that were to be seen in the days to come.
One of the biggest trends from the fall collections was fur. Real or faux, fur was everywhere from coats, to hats, to shoes. Oscar de la Renta used it as a hem for his vibrant jewel-toned skirts and coats. Thakoon’s coat collars and hoods were lined with it, and J. Mendel used it on just about everything.
While the fall collections were not without an abundance of the season’s traditional dark colors, there were plenty of graphic prints, metallic fabrics and sequins to balance it out.
Proenza Schouler showed pants and shirts with a paint-splattered effect. Peter Som, in his ’70s inspired collection, mixed and matched colors and prints that worked surprisingly well together. Diane von Furstenberg used vivid colors and embellished fabric in one of the more glamorous collections in recent seasons.
The final shows of fashion week were that of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Both designers brought their unique takes on American style to the table.
Ralph Lauren showed his classic floral prints and equestrian inspired ensembles but with a bohemian twist. Floor length dresses were paired with masculine coats, multi-colored beaded necklaces and beanies. But the collection was still signature Ralph Lauren with its impeccably tailored separates and whimsical, country club sensibility.
Tommy Hilfiger’s collection was surprisingly more relevant and had a more youthful edge than his recent collections. There were sequined skirts and cuffed leather shorts. This change could be due to the fact that fellow designer Peter Som consulted on the line. But the change in tone seemed to be a positive turn around for the recently lackluster brand.
With the last two shows radiating optimism, change and a sense of looking ahead to the future, New York Fashion Week ended on a better note than which it began. New York Fashion Week will take place again Sept. 9 to 16 at its new venue Lincoln Center.

LIFE IS A BEACH!

Swimwear 2010 takes a new turn, . . .here are some of the hottest swimsuit trends for 2010

FASHION WORLD LOSES AN ICON

PARIS—Provocative British designer Alexander McQueen has died, the company that owns his fashion house said Thursday.

"He has passed away," said a spokeswoman for Gucci Group, part of Paris's retail-to-luxury group PPR SA.

Alexander McQueen at his fall-winter menswear collection in Milan in January.
More on McQueen

* McQueen's Last Tweets
* Twitter Reactions to Designer's Death
* McQueen's Primordial Reveries (10/06/09)
* McQueen's Theatrics Revs Up Audience (03/10/09)
* McQueen Holds (Goth) Court (03/01/08)
* McQueen Pays Tribute to Isabella Blow (10/06/07)

Samantha Garrett, a spokeswoman for the British fashion icon, said the designers body was found at his London home Thursday morning. "We don't have any information in terms of circumstances," she said.

Police didn't directly comment about how Mr. McQueen died, but said the death wasn't being treated as suspicious.

Mr. McQueen was the creative chief behind the brand he founded in the 1990s and sold to Gucci Group in 2000. His dramatic designs, such as reptilian dresses and hoof-like shoes, were met with critical acclaim, yet he struggled to get commercial success.

Mr. McQueen, who was also once the designer for French fashion house Givenchy, was due to present his collection during Paris fashion week less than a month from now.

"McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs," said Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue. "At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashions shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over."

Mr. McQueen received his training at London's Central St. Martin's College of Art and Design, long recognized for its fashion-forward approach and encouragement of young designers. He worked for traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Sheppard, and Gieves and Hawkes before branching out into his own more theatrical designs.

His edgy creations have been seen on numerous red carpets, worn by celebrities including Lady Gaga, Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz.

News of Mr. McQueen's death came as New York fashion week kicked off, sending shock waves through the industry. "Everyone in this tent is shocked," said Cindi Leive, editor in chief of Glamour magazine. "He was obviously incredibly talented and had a creative energy. There was a real sense of energy in everything he did."

Hal Rubenstein, a fashion director for InStyle magazine, said Mr. McQueen started out tough and angry—in his work and attitude—but softened over time as he felt more appreciated by the industry. Mr. McQueen, he added, was a master of integration of technology into fashion. "He changed the way so many of us see shows," Mr. Rubenstein said.

Fashion designer Richard Chai, who learned of the news as he was preparing for his 11 a.m. show at Bryant Park, called Mr. McQueen's death a tragedy. "He was a genius. I really have no words. It is just sad," he said.

The British designer's death comes three years after the suicide of fashion guru Isabella Blow, who helped launch Mr. McQueen's career.

WHO DAT?

Welcome to Miami! Miami is a fashion destination that celebrities flock to for vaca, some call it home, and others come to unwind, this weekend is no different. SuperBowl XLIV is what most have their eyes on, . . but my eyes are on SUPERBOWL Fashion. Celebrities turned out in style for all the pre-game festivities. And although some would choose a team based on colors, Black & Gold is always in! Blue & White is so last season.

How did Hollywood's hottest look in the sizzling Miami heat? HOT! HOT! HOT!

Rihanna dazzled in a Christian Siriano strapless dress as she hosted the Pepsi Refresh Project Kickoff Party at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach on Friday night (February 5).  Rihanna accessorized with statement jewels and Jimmy Choo shoes.













Kim Kardashian is heating up Miami.  In town for Super Bowl 2010, Kim rocked a sexy mini, accessorized with matching pumps and a matching clutch to the Leather and Laces Super Bowl Party hosted by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. 

Joining in on the Super Bowl festivities, Fergie attended Playboy’s Super Saturday Night Party in Miami Beach, Florida on Saturday night (February 6).
Held at Sagamore Hotel, the Black Eyed Peas frontwoman was joined by her bandmates for the annual southern Florida extravaganza.

Quite possibly the swankiest of all of the Super Bowl parties in town, the biggest names in show business and sports gathered together at the W Hotel: South Beach on Saturday night (February 6).
Joining together for the Creative Artists Agency Super Bowl fete, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes met up with Cameron Diaz and Alex Rodriguez during the course of the evening soiree.

Keeping quite the busy schedule during her trip to southern Florida, Olivia Munn was spotted all over South Beach on Saturday (February 6).
Looking simply stunning, the Olivia brunette beauty wore an olive green dress as she was accompanied by an officer to The Raleigh for the Maxim Super Bowl party - during which time she celebrated her cover issue of the popular men’s magazine.

Among the many events taking place in southern Florida this weekend, the 2nd annual Big Game, Big Give fundraiser drew out top Hollywood names on Saturday night (February 6).
Hosted by Michael Bay at his Miami Beach estate, AnnaLynne McCord and Kellan Lutz were among the stars on-hand at the shindig held to benefit the Giving Fund.

FIVE LESSONS IN SEXY

Sexy doesn't mean Victoria Secret model. Sexy is an unspoken confidence. It's actually the best accessory that will complete any outfit. It goes with anything and it always fits you!

Here are 5 Lessons in Sexy

1. If it sparkles, you shine. Remember the song, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend"? Well, all that glitters is gold, my friend. They instantly bring glitz to your body. Here's a tip to keep in mind: Go for fitted, not loose when it comes to sequins. Keep accessories to a minimum when your dress is practically jewelry in itself.

2. Long legs are never out of style. The shorter the hem on the skirt or dress, the longer the legs! Try adding a gorgeous heel to the mix and you instantly get supermodel elevation. Simple and chic is never out of style, opt for a V-neck tee, rolled up the sleeves, and a bold necklace to tie it all together.

3. Zip it, good! Zippers are everywhere, therefore, if it zips, it's HOT. Zippers give a sense of youthfulness and playfulness without being childish. Zippers are not being hidden anymore. From heels to jackets, . . .zip to the store to get a piece!

4. Give them the cold shoulder. Everyone's got sexy shoulders, so show them off! And notice that whether its a jumpsuit or asymmetrical dress, cinching the waist with a bold belt will make this ensemble fierce. Another trend is bold shoulders: try sequin shoulder pads to add some pizazz to a basic outfit.

5. Skin is in. Just a hint is all you need. A tiny sliver, no larger than a slice of pizza. Peek-a-boo cutouts are so on trend, yet glamorous at the same time. Whether it's sheer or geometric cutouts, show a glimpse of what you are most comfortable in, your skin!

HATHAWAY HALF NAKED IN GQ

Anne Hathaway donned lingerie and talked to British GQ about movie kissing. "It's a totally different experience," she said of the forceful movie kiss. "But really you have to be Angelina Jolie to pull that off and still look good. I don't know if you've noticed, but I ain't no Angie."
"If you're both unattached and you get along, of course kissing in a movie is fun," she went on. "But you can never get truly deep down and into it. Well, I can't. Jennifer Garner -- now that girl can movie kiss!"