Stories & Snapshots from Backstage the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show

Where else would I be able to chat with Wendy Williams about her sleek wig, Kelly Osbourne about her fuchsia lip gloss, Kris Jenner about Kylie and Kendall's modeling careers and Deborah Lippmann about Jillian Michaels?  Of course, only a good cause could bring all of these personalities together and this time it was to spread awareness about heart disease at the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show.  Backstage I weaned in and out of all of them like a sly fox sneaking in a question or two as they were being primped for their runway debut.

There's nothing not to love about Wendy!  She had a glamorous wig on as she was getting ready, but waited until the last minute to place her show wig on.  She described her look saying, "The wig is sleek and the dress is sleeker."

Kelly Osbourne is perhaps the sweetest person and showed me the combination of lip glosses she wanted to wear to compliment her earrings, but her makeup artists wouldn't give me names or allow for pics of the unidentified clear containers.  And of course Kris Jenner was "so excited to be part of something special with her girls who developed in to models."  Yes, Kylie and Kendall were walking too and they're beyond naturally beautiful.

Deborah Lippmann gave the talent manicures backstage and I always love cornering her at this show to talk about what I'm going to see backstage for the rest of the week.  Instead, she had a more captivating story.  As she was painting Jillian Michaels's nails, they were "having girl talk" about heart disease and the scary truth that it's the number one killer amongst women.  Of course, Jillian began giving Deborah "hard hitting health tips" and told her that "people need to get moving, it doesn't matter what they do."  Beyond the glitz and the glam of the evening is the message.  It was nice to speak with Deborah, who I've admired for her skills and polish collection for so long about something tied to meaning.  Oh and of course, Jillian chose to wear Lady is A Tramp, "she's not going to wear a wimpy red," Deborah concluded.

6 Things to Add to Your Holiday Wish List from Celeb Manicurist, Deborah Lippmann

Normally when I see Deborah Lippmann, she's busy supervising her team of manicurists backstage during New York Fashion Week.  I always find her somewhere amongst the chaos to chat with her about the nail look for the show, trends for the upcoming season and pick her brain about what's next.  The celebrity manicurist and founder of her own nail and hand care line talks about not five, but six things you should add to your holiday wish list including jewels, affordable, yet chic clothing that I'm obsessed with and of course, a little pampering.

1. My new holiday shade Cleopatra In New York

I love the contrast of the black base with a pop of gold glitter.  I think that it’s very festive and modern, without being a traditional holiday shade.  Tip: One of the tendencies when using glitter polish is expecting the first coat to look the way that it looks in the bottle.  When seeing it in the bottle, the glitter may appear to be full-coverage, but the formula may go on sparse because it is meant to be layered.  Always apply thin coats because applying too much polish at once will cause it to chip easily.

 

2. Briolette Small Cluster Drop Earrings from Ten Thousand Things

These earrings are sweet and simple, which makes them an easy accessory to go from day to night.  They’re very delicate and feminine, and I love jewelry that’s versatile and can be worn for any occasion because they’re appropriate during the day and at night.  I always have jewelry on my list, and have to tell my husband that I’ll never be disappointed with jewelry because I can never have enough.

3. Trip to Cal-a-Vie Spa

This spa has is fairly easy to get to in the US, and the weather is gorgeous because it is located outside of San Diego, California.  You can work out all morning and have incredible spa treatments all afternoon, which to me is the best of both worlds.  I enjoy the intimate atmosphere – there aren’t too many people, and the last time that I went I came home thinner, relaxed and with a few more friends.  They have couples week, so you can go with the girls or you can also do something special as a couple and go with your significant other.

4. iPhone 5

I always want new gadgets.  As soon as something new comes out I want it, so this is definitely on my list!

5. Maison Martin Margiela for H&M Collection

This collection is so hip, cool and affordable.  I was out of the country when it launched, so I definitely have some pieces from the collection on my wish list.  There is a really cute, big puffy coat that I really want.  Everything in the collection is very trendy as Margiela is, with unexpected shapes.  It’s an affordable way to be super hip.

6. La Prairie Caviar Crystal Limited Edition Set

Sometimes we feel like we can’t spend the money on ourselves to get beautiful skincare products, so getting them as a gift is really great.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.  The La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream feels incredible, and I love what it does for my skin.  It also looks beautiful in my medicine which is another bonus!

Celeb Manicurist, Deborah Lippmann Talks Nail Trends & Working with Top Designers

Nails have been the icing on the cake backstage during the past few seasons of NY Fashion Week.  Anxious to see what I was going to see backstage this season, I chatted with Deborah Lippmann, who is in charge of creating the nail look for countless shows this season including Kate Spade, Cynthia Rowley and Honor to name a few.  We discuss upcoming nail trends, the creative process of working with designers and her most memorable NYFW moment.

What do you predict will be some of the biggest nail trends for nails the Spring/Summer 2013 season?

White. We will definitely  see dark white, and opaque, full-coverage glossy white.I also think that we will see a stiletto nail shape, or a softer version of the shape which is almond-shaped.  There will be versions varying from almond to stiletto, but I think that is going to be the shape of the season.

How will nail art play a part?

I think nail art is still big, and it’s such a fun way to express yourself.  We haven’t seen the end of it.

You're working with some fantastic designers including Kate Spade and Cynthia Rowley.  What's the creative process like when preparing for a show?

It starts with a flurry of emails that begin weeks in advance. Then, I often receive inspiration boards from the designer, but it differs with every designer.  Sometimes I see inspiration boards, or sometimes I see clothing weeks in advance.  There are also times when I don’t see anything until the hair and makeup test 24 hours before the show.

It’s a creative process starting with the designer's vision, which is then interpreted by the styling team, and the beauty team which includes hair, makeup and nails.

Did you create any special colors specifically for this season?

We did actually.  We created a mint green shade for Kate Spade.  It's going to be part of the nail look, but the shade probably won't become part of the collection.  Also, in order to achieve the look that Cynthia Rowley envisioned, we layered two colors from my existing line to create the right look for the show.

What's your most memorable NYFW moment?

Narciso Rodriguez Spring/Summer 2012.  It's a really memorable moment for me.  I have worked with Narciso for many, many seasons, and we did several variations of a nude nail. Its a very minimalist look, and we always went for a very naked-feeling nail look.  Twenty four hours before the show I got a call about how they wanted a certain shade of grey for the nails, and I thought it was somehow an April Fool's joke.  I was excited, but surprised.

I created the shade, and once we got it approved with Narciso we had to create ten bottles for my team to use backstage.  When we got to the show, all of the models were asking what the color was because they loved it. We realized then that we had to put the shade in the line, and Narciso named it Stormy Weather.

To collaborate with Narciso on a strong color was so unexpected, and it was a great moment.  That's one of the great things about how that creative process happens, and how so much can happen at the last minute that ends up being incredible.

What do you think you owe your success during NYFW to?

People ask how you get to be really successful as a manicurist and get to the next level, and you have to always be willing to work and embrace whatever comes your way. Take the job that starts at 4AM, and then the one that starts 8PM that night.  You have to be willing to be there and be a part of it because things happen in the moment.

The Truth About Gel Manicures, Are They Really That Bad for You?

There’s been a lot of negative press lately on gel manicures (let's face it, people need to sell magazines), but truth is they haven’t been around long enough to really know what could happen.  Since I’m a fan, I wanted to present the facts, so I chatted with Celebrity Manicurist, Deborah Lippmann and Dr. Marina Peredo to get the scoop. When really dissected they’re not that bad for you the benefits outway the negatives (two weeks of chip-free polish?).  Decide for yourself. UV Lamps

Yes, it’s true the UV lamps used to harden the gels during gel manicures are like mini tanning beds, which everyone should avoid at all costs.  However, they only produce about 60 watts of power whereas tanning beds produce about 1200 watts or more.  "I do not think these lights are harmful, however the long term effects of the UV lights are not known," comments Dr. Peredo.  She recommends using a hand cream with SPF 15 or higher before getting your nails done.  Try Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect Hand Cream with SPF 15, $14.  To play it fair, many nail salons use UV lamps to help dry polish after a regular manicure too.

Ingredients

Make sure you go to a credible nail salon to get gels.  Some salons may be purchasing cheap gel products from manufacturers with little quality control. One particularly dangerous ingredient, is a chemical called methyl methacrylate.  It can cause shortness of breath and irritate the eyes and skin.

I’m a fan of Creative Nail Design Shellac (which doesn't use the chemical) and OPI Axxium.  There’s also a DIY system now I love called Sensationail, $59.99.  The manufacturers of these products are super credible.

Removal

"Just like acrylics, gels, and nail enhancements in general, a lot of the potential for damage is in the removal process, or more specifically the improper removal process," states Lippmann.  "A lot of people get impatient with the amount of time that it takes for the gel to dissolve, and they end up pulling the product off and that’s what damages the nail."

You can either go to the salon and pay to have the gels removed (by soaking in acetone and having them file a bit away) or you can soak them off at home by applying an acetone soaked cotton ball to each nail and wrapping them in tin foil for about ten minutes or you can try Deborah Lippmann's The Stripper To Go Nail Lacquer Finger Mitts, $12 for a pack of 6 mitts. This helps the gel loosen up and slide off.  Still, you may have to file some off.

When you or your manicurist does the removal process right (it shouldn't hurt), you don’t damage your real nails and yes, your gel manicure does last from 10 days to two weeks so the soaking is worth it.  Long term effects of acetone are still not clear, but it is drying.  After removing a gel manicure, Lippmann recommends soaking your nails in cuticle oil to replenish any moisture lost.

Seeing Spots at Kate Spade’s French-Inspired Collection

Kate Spade’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection had lots of bright colors and Parisian inspired prints. I thought the polka dot nails the models sported were by far the cutest accessory.  Manicurist, Deborah Lippmann was responsible for the models polka dotted nails (very Kate Spade) and was decked out in her own nail design confirming that nail art is here to stay. "She said that the polka dots are an ageless trend, and such an easy way to infuse some fun into your nails," Lippmann commented.  She first played with a lot of color combinations and then chose to go with a more simple color scheme of peach and black. The base coat was done in Fade To Black and the polka dots were applied in an opaque peach hue called I’m Not Innocent—the pretty combination was unexpected, yet totally Kate!

The makeup, done by Jouer cosmetics, was kept very natural with the focus on an attainable smoky eye. The look is definitely not too harsh to wear for the minimalist makeup girl, and is just the right amount of edge.

In keeping with the French vibe of the collection, each girl wore a bold fringe across her forehead that completely covered the brow area. Most of the fringe extensions were pre-cut, tailored for each model, and triangle shaped. The rest of the hair was kept really sleek and shiny to contrast the strong graphic patterns and color blocking on the clothes.

Holiday Gift Guide: Juicy Couture & Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Set

Whether she's your teenage sister living in the velour suits or your best friend who appreciates the feminine, flirty style of the cocktail dresses, if you're shopping for a Juicy girl, the Juicy Couture + Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Set makes a fun and affordable gift. This year, Juicy partnered with Celebrity Manicurist, Deborah Lippman, who primps the tips of A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker to create three metallic hues for the Juicy girl.

It includes "Believe" (silver), "Here Comes the Queen" (sparkly gold) and "Jewel in the Crown" (peweter).  I really like the gold as I feel the holiday season is one of the only times I can get away with wearing tons of glitter on my nails without looking like a 12 year old.  The three polishes have a jewel on the top of the brush and come in an adorably chic pink gift box.

You can find them at JuicyCouture.com for $48.

Castello Tagliapietra Created A Walk Through the Rainforest

 

A quiet sophistication blended with romanticism while strolling through a dewy environment like the rainforest was the theme for Castello Tagliapietra's Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week show.  To complement the collection all it took was minimal make up, wet nails and sleek hair.

Nail guru, Deborah Lippmann for Beauty.com wanted to create a neutral feeling with a point of a view for a sophisticated, chic woman.  Combing two colors Fashion and Waking Up in Vegas to create a perfect nudish-grey hue with a high gloss top coat to create that wet look.  During the interview I confessed a beauty sin... I sometimes skip the base coat when I do my own nails.  Deborah simply stated how it's imperative to use both base and top coat for a manicure to not only protect the nails but not to allow color to seep through and for a longer lasting manicure.  My new beauty promise to myself is to not rush and start using base and top coat - thanks Deborah!

I use a lot of different colors when applying makeup especially for my eyes (you should check out my makeup case!).  When I saw that there was only one, yes just one, color used to create this romanticized look I was floored!  Lisa Butler, Lead Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics, wanted to emulate an elegant, romanticized look that reminded her of the 30's.  All she used was a cream based eyeshadow in Burnt Coral for eyes and cheeks.  She dabbed on the cream shadow all around the eyes and the apples of the cheeks.  For the lips she used a big, fluffy brush, as opposed to the pointy ones typically used for definition, to dab on the lips and wiped off the excess for a clean edge.  You don't need to be a professional to recreate the look, but make sure you don't use powder since it's harder to correct if you make any mistakes.

Lead Stylist, Nelson Vercher for Redken may have found a solution for the humidity challenged hair calling sleek, wet hair chic.  He used a layering tecnique in this order - cream leave-in conditioner, silicone based product such as Redken's Glass and lastly with thickening lotion.  To create the elegant bun in the back by separating the hair top and bottom and created a french twist on the bottom and one on top.  A great addition to your rainy day 'do arsenal.

Dazzle Your Nails with 24K Gold & Diamonds

Try to get me to steer away from my staples, even around the holidays and it's almost impossible.  I'm talking about Essie Wicked and OPI Lincoln Park After Dark.  I did try a new color by Zoya recently which seemed to shock the world.  But these new colors are a must have, especially for the holiday season. Deborah Lippmann just launched Today Was A Fairytale, an explosion of blueish sliver glitter with diamond powder and Boom Boom Pow, just as glittery with real 24K gold dust.  Hello Hollywood!

I actually like the Boom Boom Pow on top of two coats of Essie Wicked or two coats of either one alone.  You can find the polishes online.

Nailing in the Nude

Among this season’s prettiest and most attainable runway trends comes in the form of a tiny glass bottle containing a liquid in a lovely, modest shade: nude nail polish.  Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors both had their models sport nude nails on the catwalk.  For quite a while now, we have loved our vernis to make a statement, and to make it loud and clear. But perhaps a more subtle approach would better suit the more mature and refined looks coming down the runway as of recent, from vamp to nautical to safari.  After all, the bold nail does sometimes end up dictating our outfits (what really matches with shimmery aqua nail polish?).

The nude nail gives you the advantage of looking put together and polished (pun intended!).  It doesn’t scream, “Look over here!” Rather, it whispers, “…but even if you do, I’m prepared!”  There are a variety of shades that you can experiment with, from sheer pinks and flesh tones to ivories and peaches.  Even clear polish, light grays, or naked and beautifully buffed nails are fair game. Any of these options will be certain to give you a grown-up finish and let the true you shine through. So ladies, lacquer up and tone it down!

My top picks for the season: Chanel Inattendu, Essie Fed Up, Deborah Lippmann Im Not Innocent