I had been told earlier by Jeannine that backstage at Betsey Johnson was one big party and I was not disappointed. The day finally came for me to cover her show and I was ecstatic! There were colorful signs everywhere made by the designer herself, champagne flowed and mini cupcakes by Baked By Melissa were abundant. Models and makeup artists alike were almost too busy dancing to the bumping music to get ready for the show. Somehow they managed.
Sarah Lucero was the lead on makeup for Stila Cosmetics and the watchword for the show was "glam" (sexy and bombshell were also thrown around). The skin was kept very simple using Stila's Perfect + Correct, Brighten + Correct, and Sheer Pressed Powder. The cheeks were contoured with Stila's Sun Bronzing Powder to create some vavavavoom! The eyes were kept fairly simple with a bold, black cat eye (which stayed put thanks to Stila's Prime Pot and Smudge Pot in black) and loooong jet black lashes. (Sarah's tip for those at home is to apply the mascara and then make the cat eye.)
The main focus of the look were the lips; a bright, glossy, neon pink made with "giggle" luxe lip gloss. The finished product was definitely bold without being too much.
The hair, by Peter Gray for Cutler Redken Salon, was based off of Jerry Hall and Betsey's theme for the evening; "tits and ass". To make the hair as curvy as the motif, Peter used Redken's Number 12 Versatile Working Spray and curled 3/4 of the head all over. The curls were held with pins and sprayed again (I felt the top of the curls, there was a lot of shelac there). The other side of the head was a deep, sleek side part that went all the way from the front of the head to the back of the ear. After the curls were set, using Redken number 7 full frame protective volumizing mousse, the curls were brushed out into gorgeous waves. The finished look was as opulent as the collection.
The most intricate part of the show was definitely Nonie Creme, of Butter Londons nails. They were insane! Nonie said her inspiration came from Betsey's let loose and rock on attitude. The nails were a reverse half moon. She started by painting the nails with Union Jack Black and filing the tips to points. Then putting on a "stair step holographic glitter tip" (If you're confused, don't worry so was I. The stair step bit means that the fake nail sat above the real nail so it was on two different planes). Then, "Of course since it's Betsey," said Nonie. There was a diamante applique on each of the nails at the curve. The most interesting part of the already amazing and innovative manicure were the pinkies. Each pinky was pierced with a baby black safety pin. The safety pin was unbelievably cool and has made me stop biting my nails so I can grow them long enough to get them! Nonie's at home tip for this crazy manicure is to lay all of the fake nails on the table and paint them before you apply them. That way you can put nail polish everywhere and not worry about messing up your manicure.
Betsey's backstage party was amazing and I never wanted to leave. When I finally did, rocking a pink, glittery hair extension that smelled like Betsey's new fragrance, "Too Too", I danced around my room in my favorite Betsey dress listening to '80's music. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Betsey keeping it cool with her own hair extension!
Well it's here! New York Fashion Week has arrived quicker than summer ended. This season I have two talented team members to help me tackle my busy show schedule. You can expect to see backstage coverage from Rag & Bone, Cynthia Rowley, Jill Stuart, Helmut Lang, Monique Lhuillier, Victoria Beckham, Alice & Olivia, Betsey Johnson, Ports 1961 and Milly (just to name a few) as well as show coverage and exclusive designer interviews.
I have some really exciting projects going on throughout the week including hosting backstage videos and the after party for the Duckie Brown men's show for Conair and covering shows for other publications. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage.
Bri, a blazer obsessed fashionista with a nail polish collection to die for
Normally at 9 am I'm just beginning my day at the gym or taking my first sip of coffee, but this Tuesday was different. I joined Betsey Johnson for brunch at Milk Studios as she launched her latest fragrance, Too Too. With a "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" theme, Betsey was accompanied by ballerinas from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and pink frosted cupcakes went hand in hand with champagne (yes, this was brunch).
The fragrance, Too Too, is very youthful in packaging and scent, which made the atmosphere of the event relevant. It's very Betsey! Loaded with sweet fruity notes of mandarin, ginger and strawberry layered over jasmine, bulgarian rose, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla. The fragrance retails for $42-$82 and also comes in a body lotion and roller ball form.
One of my favorite parts of covering backstage New York Fashion Week is picking the brains of some of the most talented hairstylists, makeup artists and manicurists in the world.
The glam squads behind the Fall 2011 fashion shows of Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson, Carlos Miele, Rag & Bone, Monique Lhuillier and other designers filled me in on some of their latest backstage beauty secrets that I’m definitely going to try. The eyebrow tip is already in full effect!
black bob wigs inspired by the Sassoon movie. Of course just a simple wig for a Betsey Johnson show wasn't enough, so the team spray painted a dust of gold around a lace pattern to add a fresh fun feel. To keep the wig looking shiny as the models walked the runway, Gray used Redken Shine Flash 02.
in the fall. It's a tarnished greenish gold.
It's officially New York Fashion Week and you're invited backstage with me! I rounded up my troops – BeautySweetSpot intern, Ashley and former intern, Carly and we're ready to roll.
This is my 12th season covering New York Fashion Week and I have to say I'm very proud of the selection of shows my team and I will be backstage for this year. Here's a few:
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.
Nonie Creme, the Founder and Creative Director for Butter London of 
As WWD reported today, "the circus is in town," only this one includes models, celebrities and fashionistas! And don't forget the journalists. That's right, I'll be backstage reporting on the hottest hair, makeup and nail trends for over 20 of this September's Spring/Summer 2011 shows.
But I won't be doing it alone, my BeautySweetSpot.com intern, Carly Nelson will be joining as well as my intern from last spring, Jasmine Dilmanian. They're both fab writers and ready to stiletto stomp into the new tents of Lincoln Center and beyond.
