Who:  Parsons alumnus Chris Benz presents a colorful collection for fall 2009 that can transform any woman into an elegant sophisticate.  Benz’s previous life as the designer for J. Crew’s Special Occasion dresses shines through as every piece is effortlessly chic, sexy and playful.

When: Monday, February 16th, 2009 in an industrial space in Chelsea

Face:  Lancôme makeup artist, Daniel Martin, creates a clean, beautiful and sophisticated 80’s-inspired look.  Using Lancôme’s Fall 2009 Declaring Indigo collection, Martin morphs young girls into ladies.  Somehow the navy smoky eyes, dusty rose cheeks and pale beige lip colors work well on all the models of different colors (Asian, African and Caucasian).

Lancôme colors used for the look are: Indigo Charm Cream Eye Liner (available in the fall), Color Design Eye Shadow in the New Black, Hypnose mascara in black, cream blush in Chic Cassis (available in the fall) and L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Rich Cashmere.

Hair:  John Ruidant of Redken channels Rita Hayworth for his 1980’s uptown girl coif.  Ruidant’s brilliantly messy pinned-up bob is inspiring me to get a curling iron so I can recreate the look at home.

Ruidant starts by prepping the hair with Redken Fabricate 03.  Fabricate 03’s heat-active technology will help to create and control without stickiness.  Next, establish a side part and spray Redken Hot Sets 22 throughout the two sections.  Hot Sets will protect hair from the one inch curling irons Ruidant uses to create volume and body.  Only the sections of hair in front will meet the curling iron.

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Who:  Miss Sixty, the seductive Italian denim line, with a rock and roll boyfriend

When: Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at the Bryant Park Tent

Face:  MAC Senior Artist Tiffany Johnston, under the tutelage of MAC Key Artist Lisa Butler, explained how to replicate the Rocker Chic makeup look at home.  The “messed up perfection” look means more leeway and creativity for the plebeian.

Start by lining both the top and bottom lash lines with MAC Pro Grease Paint Stick in Black. Next, take a skinny eye liner brush and press Violet Trance (shade to be released in the fall) powder eye shadow atop the Grease Paint liner.  Then dust Violet Mineral Pigment along the lower lash line only to give the eyes a shimmery pop.

Follow up by blending Young Pink eye shadow on the top eyelid to soften the overall look.  Top it all off with a few coats of black Pro Lash mascara and a seductive grin.

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Hold on to your hats ladies, because Rescue Beauty Lounge is bringin’ the bling for spring with its new Spring/Summer 2009 Collection.

Inspired by the sequined and metallic fashions seen on the runways from last September even amidst the current economic state, creator Ji Baek wanted to bring us all a little glitz and glam.  Most of us can’t afford jeweled Lanvin sandals for $2,200 but we might be able to splurge on a sparkly bottle of nail polish.

For Spring/Summer 2009, Rescue Beauty Lounge offers three glitter packed polishes that shine like little jewels – more so if I would have applied a third coat versus two coats I did for all three swatches.

Locavore is mash-up of colors with gold, green, blue and silver glitter.  I like the layers of colors in this shade – it’s fun to wear alone or even over a solid.

Frugalista is probably my favorite of the bunch with a silver base and speckled with purple glitter.  I’ve already decided that I’m going to wear this shade all weekend!

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Who:  Designed by Wisconsin native Bryan Bradley, the Tuleh collection is known for its chic downtown girl vibe mixed with uptown woman sophistication.

When: Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at the New York Design Center

Face:  Inspired by the women of Paris in the 1930s, Polly Osmond for MAC creates a “muted smoky” eye using a soft gray hue and accentuates the eyebrows by elongating its shape.  The most prominent feature of the look is the lips, stained to create a ghoulish mauve shade that, surprisingly, works well with the rest of the look.

To get the look, the artists use MAC MoistureLush on the models to give them a hydrated and youthful glow.  After moisturizing, new Studio Sculpt creates a blank canvas where the artists can unleash their artistry.

For the subtle smoky eye, Osmond uses Copperplate, a matte gray eye shadow, and keeps the color right along the lash line.  Define the eyes by lining with a black kohl pencil while the eyelashes are curled and lacquered with black mascara.  The eyebrows are filled in and extended with MAC brow pencil in Lingering.

To complete the look, Osmond forgoes the cheek color and heavies up on the lip.  The lips are stained with lipsticks in Dark Knight, a black lip color that topped off with a burgundy lipstick called Dark Side.  The result is a plumy mauve color that works with the Parisian motif.  To take the look off the runway, Osmond, recommends replacing the dark lip color with a pale pink shade instead.

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