Sarah Jessica Parker Nails it at the Met Gala: An Interview with Her Makeup Artist, Leslie Lopez

Love, love, love SJP and when I was looking through film of celebs on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institue Gala I stopped to study a few of course, but my jaw dropped at the sight of Sarah Jessica Parker.  Expected to be one of the best dressed, she went all out with the Punk: Chaos to Couture theme and definitely took home the award.  Her makeup, unlike most, was wearable. I spoke with Nars Makeup Artist, Leslie Lopez to find out how to recreate it. “I had to make the punk look glamorous,” said Leslie Lopez about the look she created for Sarah Jessica Parker. To create strong eyes, we used a plum pencil that is both intense but beautiful. No matter what the theme, I always want Sarah Jessica to look beautiful, so we softened the intensity of the eyes with a light mouth."

Did Sarah Jessica have any requests?

We both love the NARS Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil so we had to use that. And of course, to make sure the punk was glamorous!

Why did you choose a plum pencil?   What are the tricks to pulling off this shade on the eyes?

The NARS Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil is such a great product because you can apply it in so many different ways – blended as an eyeshadow, built up for intensity in the crease, and in the waterline for definition. It’s not as harsh as black. With such an intense eye, a light lip looks the best.

How did you create such intensity on the eyes?

Sarah Jessica has great lashes, so we didn’t need to do much but add mascara. Then, with the Calabria Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, you just blend with your fingers to form a base on the eyelid, and then add more into the crease, stroking it out and blending it with a brush for intensity.

Why did you choose to go matte with her nude lip?

It was important to not make the lip look too “pretty” or “sweet.” Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is a mauve color so to make it more “punk” we used a beige lip liner to line the edges and diffuse any natural lip color. I always prefer a light lip, with intense eyes.

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.

Introducing Tattoo Inspired Scents by Inky

Last year Chanel introduced tattoos on the runways and began selling temporary tattoos starting at $75 per pack.  Sarah Jessica Parker rocked one, but me?  If I'm going to splurge on Chanel it's going to be on a bag or pair of sunglasses. I have a tattoo on my right, inner wrist of a butterfly I designed.  I know, you're probably thinking "a butterfly?," but there's so much meaning behind this butterfly I couldn't begin to explain it and I love it.  It is part of who I am and I look at it as a permanant accessory.

Recently, I came across these tattoo inspired scents by Inky.  They're more like body splashes, two for men and three for women.  I like them because each one reflects a different personality as the butterfly I designed reflects mine.  They're exclusively sold at Target for $5.99.

Behind the Scenes of My Elizabeth Arden Shoot... So SJP

This past week has been super fun!  I shot a campaign for Elizabeth Arden that's going to be on BetterTV, online and in print similar to the Strivectin campaign I shot last fall.  Acting as a Spokesperson and being in front of a camera is my true passion so I was completely in my element. Thursday we shot in an office setting and in a gorgeous house in New Jersey and Friday we shot at the Elizabeth Arden store on 5th Ave and out and about in NYC.  My Friday scenes were my favorite because they truly portrayed 'a day in the life.'  Only for this day, I had a stylist and glam squad on hand.

I was the "girl on the go" and we filmed in and out of taxi cabs, subways and walking around the Plaza Hotel by the fountain.  I felt very Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City!  I can't wait to show you the video when it's out!

Now, they're taking a day and a half of footage and creating a three minute piece.  It's expected to be launched late April/early May.

Japanese Trio Crashes NYFW

Ever wanted to crash a fashion show during NYFW or better yet – how about the two best parties of the season?  Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs.  This Japanese trio figured out how, partied with A-listers like Sarah Jessica Parker and took NYFW by storm. Styled by Samantha Lim, fashion editor for Lookbooks.com, the girls sported Harajuku looks that even the strictest doormen didn't question.  To get into the coveted Tom Ford party, one of them pretended she was an editor of Vogue Japan, Mitsuko Watanabe.  Who's going to argue with that?  Once security realized the real Miss Watanabe was inside, they escorted the Lolitas out.  Do all Asians really look alike?

Rocking bustiers, tutus and platform boots from Lolli Popitt paired with dramatic false lashes that matched the colors of their airbrushed makeup done by makeup artist Dana James, the girls exuded confidence that no doorman would question.  It also helped that they didn't speak English very well.

Check out my video interview with them at the AHAlife fashion week party (which yes, they were invited to):

Halston Kicks Off the Season with A Natural Look

Worn by Sarah Jessica Parker (who was at the show tonight), and other hot celebrities; Halston is one designer that knows how to set trends. Despite the down pour the show went on and the audience was packed at Gladstone’s Gallery in New York. Halston showed off their designs and fresh, natural look for this season. I went backstage for Beautysweetspot to get all the tricks of the trade in creating what the pros called – the perfect natural look. Inspired by the 1960’s and 70’s, MAC’s head makeup artist, Amora, shares a few secrets in creating a “no makeup” look. The team dabbled on foundation with a brush in a circular motion to polish the skin while giving it great coverage.  For a natural flush, Amora applied blush with her fingers in the center of the models cheek. The eyes lashes were absolutely amazing, and I found out the secret is to make sure the mascara’s brush is spikier and rubbery, similar to a comb. To get these lashes apply lots of product and separate the lashes one by one with brush. To do this take the mascara brush and bend up in layers to separate and lengthen. To complete the natural look, skip the eye liner.

Every girl knows that hair is the most important accessory worn with any outfit. Head hairstylist, Bob Recine and the Barex Style Team had two looks for the models at this year’s show. First, they started with Barex Gloss Strong Hold Mousse, which was applied to damp hair for added volume. The hair was then center parted and blow dried straight. Their bangs were pinned back creating a “V” shape to help... avoid lift. The look was completed by using Barex Gloss Hairspray to make sure all the strands stayed perfectly in place.

The second look was a sophisticated bun. The bun was created by first having two pig tails. Recine created the look by twisting the pig tails back and forth like a figure eight. He then used bobby pins to hold it in place.

Lead by Pattie Yankee, Dashing Diva once again proved they owned the runways – opting for a natural look that wouldn't clash with the designs. Two coats of the shade East River View was applied on light skinned models and  one coat of Chelsie in the Buff on darker skinned models.  Halston’s look this season of natural, fresh, makeup, hair, and nails is perfect for any woman to wear to work, running errands, or simply having brunch on Sundays.

Who Are You in Sex and the City 2

How excited are you? Sex and the City 2 has arrived!  Tonight, I get to take my best friend to a private, advanced screening of the film thanks to Sarah Jessica Parker's new fragrance SJP NYC. Like many of you I've been a SATC fan since Carrie used to talk to the camera (ew) and when the first movie came out, my friends and I brought a bottle of wine and Magnolia cupcakes into the theater to celebrate. Sex and the City nailed it by creating their characters.  In every group of BFF's there's always an innocent princess, seductress, hopeless romantic and sarcastic downer.  So which one are you?  I've always been the Carrie in my groups.  However, I have a different theory about formula of the characters...

I think there's a little bit of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and yes, even Miranda in all of us.  The characters have such strong, distinct roles and each of them represent different sides of a woman. Some of us may show one more than the other, but our true BFF's know each and every side, which is why the show is such a hit.

So who do you best identify with?  Any Samantha's out there?  Rarrr!