Beauty


How to get the beauty look from Dolce & Gabbana’s fall 2012 runway

Dolce & Gabbana’s fall 2012 collection shown during Milan Fashion Week was nothing short of amazing. The designing duo presented a collection which evoked the opulence of Sicilian Baroque. The line featured intricate brocade details against a classic black and gold color palette which inspired Fashionistas everywhere for the upcoming cool weather season.

In order to create the ultimate beauty look on the models, make-up artist Pat McGrath used Dolce & Gabbana beauty products to create the ultimate fall beauty look on the runway which not only complimented the accessory and apparel collection, the look inspired new beauty trends for the fall season. Pat McGrath translated Dolce & Gabbana’s vision into makeup by combing tonal nudes and rich gold accents.

This season we were inspired by the exquisite detail found in Baroque architecture and design,” says Domenico Dolce.  “We wanted to reflect the delicate perfection of embroidery and the details you see in tapestries; the iconic grandeur of cherubs, capodimonte flowers, intricate motifs and stitching,” adds Stefano Gabbana.


Dolce & Gabbana and Pat McGrath have shared the beauty secrets from backstage at Milan Fashion Week in order to help us achieve this flawless and fabulous face at home. The following text was written and provided by Pat McGrath and Dolce & Gabbana:

To achieve a flawless look Pat applied The Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation using The Foundation Brush

She carefully blended the foundation adding extra coverage on the nose and forehead. The Perfect Finish Concealer was then used to achieve a flawless, ethereal look illuminated with light. 

Finally Pat used The Luminous Cheek Colour in Delight, sweeping colour lightly across models’ cheekbones for a romantic flush

On the eyes, The Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Gold and Desert were applied in layers to create a luxurious, gilt rich tone. 

The Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Nude was then worked along the lash line above and below the eyes to brighten the look and add further definition. 

Finally, several coats of The Secret Eyes Mascara in Coffee were applied, achieving long, volumized lashes for a flirtatious look.

Turning her attention to the lips, Pat applied The Classic Cream Lipstick in Petal and Mandorla, mixing the colors together for a soft, sensual lip with a subtle sheen. The color was applied with greater intensity at the cupid’s bow for a pearlescent finish.

Pat chose The Intense Nail lacquer in Nude for a final subtle accent. The luxuriant finish of the nail color perfectly completed the sensuous makeup look.

Pat McGrath explained: “It was wonderful to create this make up look for this collection; there is a real sense of divine drama to the clothes and so I wanted to bring that to life with the makeup look. The models look refined and flawless, and their gilt edged lids really refer to the Designers’ lavish inspiration.”

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*Special THANK YOU to Pat McGrath and Dolce & Gabbana for providing these fabulous beauty tips.

*All photos and video courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana


Salon Grafix Healthy Hair Nutrition Conditioning Cleanser review: the “anti-shampoo” revealed

Salon Grafix is a new hair cleansing brand which uses natural ingredients that do not strip hair of its natural oils and shine. This affordable hair care line claims to be the “anti-shampoo,” so of course, I was intrigued  As a swimmer, and person who loves to be outdoors, I not only battle with chlorinated hair, I battle with dry and sun-damaged hair; especially in the warm summer months. The thought of a hair cleanser which could restore my hair’s natural health and shine sounded like the ultimate beauty product!

Salon Grafix was generous enough to send me a sample of their “Healthy Hair Nutrition Conditioning Cleanser,” which sounded perfect for my outdoor hair woes. The cleanser is meant to replace all of the hair care bottles which many of us store in our bathroom showers; the shampoo, the conditioner and the weekly deep-cleaning shampoo. As a busy working Mother of three, the thought of cutting down my hair care time sounded like a godsend!

The first time I tried Salon Grafix “Healthy Hair Nutrition Conditioning Cleanser” I followed the instructions on the back of the bottle for long hair. Thankfully the bottle warns consumers that Salon Grafix’s Conditioning Cleanser does not lather like ordinary shampoos. If the warning was not there, I would have been very confused! I worked the hair cleanser into my hair and let it sit for a few minutes, per the instructions on the bottle. I could already tell in the shower that my hair felt better; after just one use!

I blew my hair dry and purposely did not use any styling products in order to see if my hair was dry or nicely conditioned. Sure enough, my hair felt more conditioned than it had felt in years! The ultimate test was to see if this clean and healthy look remained for the entire day; or would I look like a grease monster by 3pm.

As the day wore on, I continued to run my hands through my hair and check myself in the mirror. No greasy head! In fact, when I woke up the next morning, my hair was still clean and fresh! It seemed too good to be true, so I continued to use the product for two weeks in order to see if there would be any sort of build-up or if my hair would adjust and return to its’ dry state.

After two weeks, I am excited to announce that my hair looks healthy, clean and shiny! Yay! I no longer have to do a weekly deep cleanse in order to strip the chlorine from my hair, plus my hair has a new and healthy shine which the sun normally dulls. In fact, I have noticed my hair is easier to comb when it is wet. I am hooked! I no longer shampoo and condition, I now cleanse J

The verdict is in! Salon Grafix Conditioning “Healthy Hair Nutrition Conditioning Cleanser” earned a perfect five out of five stars.

Salon Grafix Condition Hair Cleanser is priced at $8.49 and can be found at CVS, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid and other select retailers. Please visit salongrafix.com

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*I received a product sample of Salon Grafix Conditioning Hair Cleanser in citrus crème for consideration. Receipt of this product did not influence my review or opinion. I am under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative. For more information, please read our disclaimer.


Chanel releases their spring 2012 runway nail polish: Attraction is here

Chanel has released their spring 2012 runway nail polish color, “Attraction” to stores this month and with the pearly white shade, the iconic fashion house has also released three additional, late spring colors. The three additional colors, “Distraction,” “Frisson” and “Tentation” are shimmering colors which are also on-trend for the spring 2012 season.

“Attraction” is the long-awaited runway shade from the Chanel spring 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week last fall. The hue, which offers a pearly white color, needs three applications to not show streaks. This is the perfect warm weather neutral since it can be worn with all of the bright colors of the spring 2012 season. This is also an easy color to wear on toes since it will not clash with colorful sandals and open toe pumps; love that!

For those who enjoy a bit more color and are getting bored with April, May and June, the new late-spring shades are juicy and packed with sparkling color. “Distraction” is a fabulous bright pink with an orange undertone. This warm color applies perfectly in two coats and works well with all the orange, yellow and pink colors of the spring season. Love!

“Frisson” is the perfect pink for the Fashionista who has embraced the pastel color trend for the spring 2012 season. This light pink is sweet and candy-like; it too applies nicely in two coats.

“Tentation” is a dark pink with cherry red undertones which works well with shades of pink, red, purple, fuschia, blue and green this spring season. This is a great alternative to red for Fashionistas who enjoy a more classic nail polish, but are ready to break away from regular reds.

While the “IT” polish for late spring is Chanel’s “Attraction,” the other late-spring colors, and the early spring colors of “April,” “May” and “June” are all perfect and on-trend for the warm weather season. So many options=fabulous!

Bay Area Fashionista tip: We love “Attraction” on toes and wearing “Distraction,” “Frisson,” “Tentation,” “April,” “May” or June” on the fingers. Since spring 2012 is all about color, why miss out on the opportunity to show off your colorful side with your hands! “Distraction” is perfect for toes since toenails are so close to shoes, you never have to worry about clashing. 

Which color is your favorite?

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