While fashion designers are the ones that we all hear about around New York’s Fashion week, it’s the makeup artists who create the looks to compliment those designs that we don’t hear from. While I loved the designs from the 3.1 Phillip Lim show, I was also intrigued by the makeup used. It was perfect for the upcoming autumn and winter. NARS International Make Up Artist Ayako sat down for an interview for NARS about her work backstage with Backstage with NARS and 3.1 Phillip Lim at Fashion Week. The show covered the Autumn/Winter 2008 3.1 Phillip Lim line and the makeup used was just as gorgeous as the designs on the runway. Ayako sat down for a question and answer session about the look that she created for the 3.1 Phillip Lim Fashion Week show.

Q : What was your inspiration for the Look?
A : It was a picture of a woman that Phillip gave me at the make-up test a few days before the show. The woman looked very powerful and it made me think of a mixture of the 1930’s and 1980’s. I wanted to give the models a hint of 80’s with a powerful and modern feeling, so I created a look centered around a strong eyebrow and a poignant berry red lip, complemented by flawless, clean skin.

Q : What makes this Look special/unique?
A : No words speak more! Just a strong eyebrow and beautiful red lips! This look was very powerful - when I focused on these two features.

Q : How does it relate to current trends?
A : The strong 80’s eyebrow that I created is very popular right now.

Q : What products were used for this Look?
A : I used a few key items. NARS Concealer, Powder Foundation, Eyebrow Pencil, Bali Single Eyeshadow, Fire Down Below (lipstick) and Dragon Girl (velvet matte lip pencil).

Q : What are any tips and tricks women could use when emulating this Look?
A : If you want to go for a bold red lip, it will always look the best and the most modern when it is paired with clean skin and a nude eye.

To get the look from the runway, Ayako suggests the following. All products are available through the NARS website. :
Face : Basically no base or cheek color. Apply NARS Concealer where needed to cover skin imperfections. Add NARS Powder Foundation if needed with NARS Botan Brush, for softer finish.

Eyes : Use NARS Eyebrow Pencil to draw brows for a strong look. Apply NARS Eyeshadow in Bali.

Lips :Apply NARS Lipstick in Fire Down Below to entire lip. Blend NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl in center of lip to brighten and empower color.

As I’m sure you have all noticed, braids are very popular right now and will be going into the fall. They are a great way to spice up an otherwise basic hair style and to add a touch of a bohemian vibe to your look. Braids are also a great way to style your hair when wearing the Nature Prints that are also going to be popular this fall. But, if you are like me, you haven’t been sure of how to create the looks that are popping up everywhere. Thanks to Bldg15 and Free People, you can now learn how!

Through Online tutorials that are both written and posted in video form, you can get a lot of great Braiding Tips from Bldg15 Threads and Free People. The written tutorials offer great detailed instructions while the video tutorials give you a little extra help. With these tutorials mastered, you’re sure to have the cutest hairstyle around.

Enjoy this weeks free samples! I’ve been thinking of adding a weekly post with links to various coupons for beauty and household items. I find a lot of them online and everyone loves to save a buck or two, right? Let me know what you think of this idea!

+ Bounce Awakenings Dryer Sheets
+ Calvin Klein Secret Obsession Fragrance (UK Only)
+ Degree Men Absolute Protection
+ Dove Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion
+ Dove Hair Therapy
+ Head & Shoulders Dry Scalp Care or Smooth & Silky Shampoo and Conditioner
+ Nivea Smooth Sensation (UK only)
+ Secret Clinical Strength Sport

Are you looking for some information on moving boxes?

One of my favorite things about fall is that there are cardigans everywhere. I don’t think that I could even begin to start to explain my love for cardigans. They are versatile and great pieces to have in your wardrobe year round. However, there’s just something about buying them for the crisp fall mornings, the type when you can see your breath in the air if you are up early enough and the leaves are starting to change, that makes a cardigan such a cozy necessity. Here’s my take on The Best Cardigans For Fall.

I love cardigans that are more than just the simple and basic fabric. Cute, feminine details can really help to pull a look together and create a classier feel to an outfit. I loved the Milly Ribbon Bow Cardigan in Black, Juicy Couture V Neck Cashmere Blend Cardigan in High Seas, and the Nanette Lepore French Kiss Cardigan in Pearl for those reasons. They are great pieces to toss on over a plain t-shirt and dark wash jeans to instantly look polished. Or pair them with a skirt for a wrap that will keep you warm without looking too casual.

However, the basic cardigan shouldn’t be underestimated. I live in these because it’s a great way to stay warm but isn’t as casual as wearing a fleece sweatshirt. Some of the best for this fall are the Free People Bubble Sleeve Sweater in Natural, Ted Baker Chunky Cable Short Sleeve Cardigan in Cream and the LA Made Pocket Cardigan in Sail Blue. These are the perfect cardigans for your casual days. Toss on some skinny jeans, Converse Chuck Taylors or slouchy boots, a t-shirt, and layer on some necklaces to finish the look.

Interested in checking out some coffee tables?

When it was announced in June of 2008 that Gwen Stefani was coming out with Harajuku Lovers Fragrances, they were expected to be released in September of 2008. To everyones surprise, they are available a month early! Each in adorable bottles to represent one of the Harajuku Girls, the fragrances are available online now through Sephora. In the September, 2008 issue Gwen Stefani Talks Harajuku Lovers Fragrances with Nylon. Interviewed by Fiorella Valdesolo for a piece titled Turning Japanese, Gwen Stefani dishes on the Harajuku Lovers fragrances, how their creation came about, and her future in beauty products and cosmetics.

Gwen Stefani might be the only person who could dye her hair powder blue, get braces, slap a bindi on her forehead, throw on a pair of parachute pants, and have a line of girls behind her ready to do the exact same thing. Since her early days as the front-woman of No Doubt, Stefani has consistently played by her own style rules, much to the delight of her fans. It’s no surprise then that her jump from style icon to fashion and beauty entrepreneur has been an easy one - Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers fashion lines, and her first fragrance have all been widely embraced. So it was with eager anticipation that I, an avowed No Doubt superfan, awaited her next foray into fragrance. And Harajuku Lovers - not one, not two, but five distinctive perfumes inspired by the girls of Tokyo’s most fashionable district and housed in Kidrobot-like figurines - does not disappoint. Here, Stefani answers a few questions about her latest creations.

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Sorry that I forgot to make a Freebie Saturday post last week! I completely spaced it. Enjoy this weeks freebies!

+ Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion (UK only)
+ Christina Aguilera Inspire Fragrance
+ Harajuku Lovers by Gwen Stefani Fragrance
+ L’Oreal Skin Genesis (Canada only)
+ Nivea Q10Plus Light Day Cream (UK only)
+ Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
+ Playtex Sport Tampons
+ Tampax Pearl Tampons

One trend that is going to be huge this fall are peep toe pumps. They are a great way to dress up during the colder and, in most areas, wetter months while looking stylish. The peep toe lets them be a bit more flirty and chic than traditional pumps. Feel free to show off a stylish pedicure in one of the seasons hottest colors of polish.

1. Report Signature Ellis Patent Shoes : These are a great pair of peep toes to pair with the menswear style collections that are going to continue to be in style this fall. Since these shoes are a feminine style with details that are more common in men’s dress shoes, they will perfectly compliment the look. They would also be a great pair to dress up and jazz up a unique item, like the Converse by John Varvatos Suspender Wide Leg Pant. Add in a blouse in a basic color with embellishments, like the Trina Turk Julien Ruffle Shirt and pair with glamorous red lips and black eyeliner to complete the look. The Report Signature Ellis Patent Shoes are available through Revolve Clothing.

2. L.A.M.B. Gianira Oxford : What I love most about these heels is that they remind me of the eternal classic saddle shoes. Inspired by the idea of saddle shoes worn with poodle skirts in the 1950’s, this grown up version would also be complimented by an A-Line Skirt. The Kyumi High Waist Belt Skirt is a great example. To play on the vintage vibe, pair it with an equally vintage looking cardigan, such as the Milly Ribbon Bow Cardigan. The L.A.M.B. Gianira Oxford is available through Revolve Clothing.

3. Forever 21 Buckled Patent Platform Stiletto : Buckled peep toes are the break out shoe this fall. They definitely have the edgiest style out of all of the peep toe heels that are going to be worn in the next few months. While I can see them worn with menswear outfits and featured them in the post Feminine Menswear For Fall, these heels are also going to be a great option for the less feminine crowd. Pair them with a great pair of skinny jeans and an over-sized tee shirt like Mary-Kate Olsen for a different feel. J wrote a great tutorial on how to wear oversized tee’s. The Buckled Patent Platform Stiletto is available through Forever 21.

4. Go Jane Crinkle Patent Buckle Peep Toe : This pair of peep toe heels is perfect for the girl in the business environment that still wants to be stylish as well as those watching their spending. The buckle is a great update on a very classic style and color of shoe. These would be great paired with a very classic look. Indigo wash straight leg denim, a sweater, and a single strand of pearls would be perfect. The Crinkle Patent Buckle Peep Toe is available through Go Jane.

5. BCBGirls Fiona Heel : This heel reminds me of one of the great fashion icons and bad girls from the 1980’s - Pat Benetar. They are sexy, stylish and edgy. Everything that Pat Benetar was. They would be perfect paired with black skinny jeans and one of the cropped leather jackets that are going to be in style this fall. Finish the look with lots of black eyeliner and dark red lips. The Ever Pleat Back Zip Up Leather Jacket with Hood is the perfect example. The BCBGirls Fiona Heel is available online here.

6. Carlos by Carlos Santana Bliss Mary Jane : If you read my post of the outfit inspired by Courtney Love, you’ll know that I consider Mary Jane heels to be a necessity. Not only that but, they are also going to be huge this fall. They are innocent and sexy enough that they can be paired with nearly any kind of style and look amazing. Whether you go grunge with ripped jeans and a corset top, pair them with an innocent baby doll dress, or pair them with a full a-line high-waisted skirt, Mary Jane heels are going to look amazing. The Carlos by Carlos Santana Bliss Mary Jane heels are available online here.

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