There’s nothing in the world that compares to a Betsey Johnson show. It is a true spectacle, and I was lucky to have the chance to attend her latest runway presentation. The vivacious designer always goes over the top, and her Spring/Summer 2011 collection consisted of her signature crazy neons and clashing patterns.
The inspiration behind the collection was simply taking a bike ride through New York City. Sarah Lucero, the lead makeup artist for Stila said, “The look is optimistic, happy, and colorful.” Lucero wanted a “bright, bold green eye” and accomplished it by wetting Fiji Palette no. 5 eyeshadow and painting it on like a thick paint splotch. To complete the face she used a hot pink hue on the cheek and Caprice Long Wear Liquid Lip Color (another bold pink) on the pout.
Check out my pick of Betsey...
Nonie Creme, the Founder and Creative Director for Butter London of Beauty.com, created a fun, rainbow sherbet inspired color for the models nails. She applied a Pepto Bismol-like pink color, then Royal Navy, followed by a mustard yellow shade on the tip. “The idea was to create a very pop-art, retro kind of fingernail,” she said. (They did use press-on nails for obvious reasons).
Peter Gray for Redken was the lead on hair, and he was going for an athletic/punk and get this – a road kill vibe. The models sported a mix of dreadlocks, teased waves, and spiky hair. Even though there were a variety of looks, they all sported visible hair bands in bright hues throughout the hair that were made of the same light and loose material as hosiery.
Lead manicurist, Creme told me, “Betsey isn’t driven by global trends--you have to love her commitment to her customer,” and I have to agree. Betsey proves that whimsical, girly clothes don’t have an age, and most importantly, that fashion should be fun!
Backstage at The Academy of the Art University I was surprised to see that two of the shows stars were under the age of ten! As they were getting primped their parents weren't far behind and they looked like they've been doing this all their lives – funny thing is, they have.
Backstage at The Academy of the Art University in Lincoln Center I discovered one makeup tip that was well worth doing a whole post around! Let's just say it's very BeautySweetSpot! This one focuses all on the lips so pay attention and pucker up!
The models were sporting imperfectly done perfect lips and makeup artist, Janessa Pare' of Aveda, taught me how to make your lipstick look like it was just kissed off. Her key product: Aveda's Lip Glaze in Raspberry Tea. MWAH! Check it out:
After a covering backstage for Costello Tagliapietra at Milk Studios, I wondered up to the 8th floor and found myself pleasantly surprised by what I found (to say the least). The sounds of music flooded the halls and I entered a room full of gorgeous men – yes, eye sex worthy. Let's just say my job of reporting on beauty trends was long forgotten.
The room was full of about 30 male models rocking the latest by Tim Hamilton drinks in hand, laughing and talking with each other. I felt like I was at a cocktail party, some even made me feel like I was at a fraternity formal. The DJ spun club music and took a break to allow a solo guitarist 
perform. Photographers were walking in between the models to capture the moment and I, well I just decided to mingle, Belevedere and cranberry in hand. What girl wouldn't?
Back at Milk Studios today the scene was surprisingly calm and well organized for the Costello Tagliapietra show. With 23 models coming from prior shows who needed to be molded into the Costello girl, stylists and artists were busy at work, but seemed anything but frantic.
All of the girls wore high side buns directly above their left ears. "It's a throwback," commented Nelson Vercher, the lead stylist from the Rita Hazan Salon. "Back in the day ladies used to wear their hair like this when they wore hats." He used Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray to create texture, but then just a piece of elastic to secure the ponytail that he wrapped and tied, wrapped 
and tied about three times and cut the ends. It's definitely not practical for the every day girl, but a sweet backstage trick. After looping the hair around itself he secured with bobby pins and sprayed with L'Oreal Elnett Hair Spray.
and keep your skin dewy. On other areas (like your chin) that may need heavier coverage, go heavier with the foundation and don't mix in the moisturizer. The key is to layer lightly.
Beach chic sums up Mara Hoffman's Spring/Summer 2011 collection and the hair and makeup effortlessly complimented the style. Fedoras, sunglasses, bright patterns, dewy skin and bohemian hair were spotted on the catwalk at Pier 59 studio.
"Even though they're all wearing the same look, the model's are all so racially diverse, they bring their own individuality it," stated Lottie, Makeup Forever's lead makeup artist. She kept it clean using Makeup Forever's HD Foundation and Sculpting Kit around the cheeks and left the lips natural. The secret to a dewy complexion? The beauty blender!
Three different hair 'do's were created on the 15 models by Martin-Christopher Harper for Redken and Cutler. The inspiration: A woman on the Caymen Islands just coming from a leisurely day at the beach. It was a look we can all relate to, very organic. From texturized high buns to buns at the nape of the neck and loose waves all of the women had the same theme. The key to mastering the beachy look is texture, texture, texture. Try Cutler Volumizing Specializing Spray and mist it from your root to mid shaft and blow dry directly over your head from the front with your hands.
I wish I could just hand out tickets to all of you just for reading my blog and supporting my career to the fashion show of your choice, but unfortunately, I can't pull strings like that! However, there is a chance you can win a VIP ticket to a show this season and see what this crazy week is all about.
Leica Camera, a savvy digital camera brand is giving away six tickets to New York Fashion Week's sexiest shows including Lacoste, Derek Lam, Perry Ellis, Badgley Mischka, Herve Leger and Naeem Khan. To win all you have to do is follow @leica_camera on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway including the brands twitter handle and the hashtags #NYFW and #MBFW.
Makeup Forever, the official make up sponsor of this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, is finally letting the public in on an insider secret.
To keep their sun-kissed glows looking flawless, the models in this year’s runway shows are sporting the line's the new 
