JULIE DRISCOLL

Julie Driscoll was a 60s British Pop star that
created her own artistic Twiggy eye makeup look.
I don't know what she sounded like but am impressed
by her creativity with eyeliner.

Catherine Roberts

The beautiful Catherine Roberts and I met when she first arrived in New York from Florida and I was in the early stages of my hair and makeup career. We did our first test together with Gordon Munro.
Catherine was outside the model standard in those days because she was quite tall and curvy. Standing over 5' 10" tall and a size 10-12 dress. But no one could deny her fabulous cheek bones, perfect features and long silky dark hair, making her a very popular model for beauty work. Photo above for Max Factor by Douglas Dubler.


She had a contract for Charles of the Ritz cosmetics, and I'll never forget going past 57 St and Park Ave in a taxi and seeing the huge photographs of Catherine in their windows. I think the photographer Neal Barr shot most of them. Makeup by Way Bandy.

I've been in touch with Catherine recently and she still looks as amazing as ever, proving that beauty, and good bone structure, can be timeless.

Z is for Zebra Everything

Tyra can you say rhinoplasty?

Tyra Banks is not only a beautiful and talented super model, television personality, executive producer, and mega entrepreneur.

She is also a woman that likes to expose the myths behind the industry and about herself as well. Like the time she had a breast exam and x-ray by a doctor on her talk show to prove that she did not have implants.

Or when she wore a bathing suit on air and talked about her weight gain since retiring from modeling. That's why I've wondered for some time why she has not mentioned the surgery she had to refine her nose early in her career. I mean she will remove all her makeup on TV to show how cosmetics transform her face, why leave the nose job details out?

Lord knows she is not the first or the last beauty to alter the shape of her schnoz. Goldie Hawn and her daughter Kate Hudson did it. Both Mariah Carey and Hallie Berry did it. Hell, even Marilyn Monroe had a little work done to shorten her beak. No biggie...well not any more.

We love you Tyra. You know it...weave and all. So don't be afraid to come out of the closet on this subject. I'm sure there are a lot of young girls your honesty will empower. Cause you're as fierce as the lion tamer you were named after.

Man that new colonge is Fantastic

The guys behind Fantastic Man magazine and its more obscene little bother - Butt - Jop Van Bennkom and Gert Jonkers, have just unveiled their first foray into the world of fragrance creation. The Dutch duo teamed up with Ben Gorham of Byredo Parfums, a new Swedish company, to concoct a cologne exclusive to Fantastic Man that can only be found at BARNEYS NYC or COLETTE Paris.

During Paris fashion Week the scent was launched by having the "tester" be a blindfolded young man in a private room. So one by one the guests could truly experience the full effect of the new fragrance.
Kinda kinky...No?

Fantastic Man features notes of bergamot, star anise, cardamom, geranium, incense, lavender, vetyver, moss and patchouli. I wonder if Barneys will have the same tester available?

Makeup Artist Jorge Serio

“Rose Prick” David LaChapelle photographer. Makeup by Jorge Serio.
I've always loved this photo of Uma Thurman but didn't know who the makeup artist was until now...it's the amazing Jorge Serio. My friend Diane Pernet had the following shots posted on her site A Shaded View On Fashion and mentioned that Jorge is also known for his body painting.
See more of his work here.

Really beautiful and innovative...with his use of the stencil technique for these. The photographer was Erez Sabag.

I found this photo of the handsome artist himself from when he was with Estee Lauder in 2005. Jorge is represented in New york by SEE Mgnt.
Jorge you are truly an artist!

LIPSTICK: Red Is The Color

GIORGIO ARMANI

ALEXANDER McQUEEN

SONIA RYKIEL

The designers agreed during Paris Fashion Week.

Photographs by Sonny Vandevelde.

TRACES: Tiger Lilly by Dubarry

Color Glow the first "foam-in" cosmetic hair coloring.
source

FACE: Angelina Jolie

Looking particularly witchy here...but beautiful as ever.

I'm pretty sure Angelina would have a good sense of humor re: this. Not as certain about Lady Madonna here. Angelina played by Amy Elliot and Madonna played by Kristen Wiig were both quite amazing on Saturday Night Live recently.

The ability to laugh at it all makes everyone much more attractive. No?

PLACE: The Dior Showroom Paris

Love these beautiful purple orchids.
Source: A Shaded View On Fashion.

Makeup Beat

I came across this website Polyvore with two pages of multi-images from my postings on my site MakeupBeat.com and was very surprised. I wonder what this is all about?

And then here are these postings on GLAM.com from MakeupBeat.

Maura The Face of Clinique 1977

Clinique was a very visible and popular cosmetic line in the 1970s. It was the first of the hypo-allergenic lines. I thought these photos of model Maura shot by Victor Skrebneski were particularly beautiful.
I had the pleasure of making up Maura several times. I believe the first time was with the fantastic British photographer Barry Lategan. Maura has a different kind of look, a rather angular face with those amazing eyes, that made her a stand out among the other models of the day.
Clinique is still a very popular line today from Estee Lauder, they just don't advertise quite as much as they did back then. Mostly you see their wonderful still life product shots but not so much an identifiable face connected with the line like Maura.


I love this later short haired look photographed by Rico Puhlmann (top) and Stan Malinowski. I think Maura worked for Clinique for 14 years or so. I have asked her to share some of her thoughts regarding that job and time...watch for her comment coming soon. We have become friends on Facebook and she is still as lovely as ever.

The Debut of Bulgari Gem Essence

Bulgari's new 17-piece luxury line called Gem Essence Skincare debuts exclusively in New York at Bergdorf Goodman on April 7, 2009. The collaboration between Bulgari and Bergdorf Goodman will kick off from 5 to 8 p.m. at Goodman's Café on the Beauty Level, where a Bulgari gemologist and skin-care expert will be on-hand to discuss the product. Other events follow throughout the week, including mini-facials on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

The Bulgari Gem Essence collection consists of 3 product categories--the Cleansing Line, Lumiere Line and Precieux Line. Prices range from $50 for demaquillant yeux eclat (radiance eye makeup remover) to $320 for serum precieux (an anti-aging, moisturizing serum). Bulgari initially launched the Gem Essence line of skincare in Rome Italy for Fall 2007. It then proceeded to hit several other European countries before appearing now in the United States. Launches in Japan and Latin America are expected in the next 12-18 months.

The gems are said to have healing capabilities, and have been tailored to Bulgari’s latest cosmetic offering. It is composed of three distinct treatment lines and each treatment line is tailored to meet specific needs; anti-ageing care, revitalization care, and daily cleansing.

What’s totally unique about Bulgari’s skincare is that, taking inspiration from the company’s soul, gemology, the key ingredient is a formula containing extracts of precious stones such as citrine, malachite, blue sapphire and red tourmaline. Combined to create Bulgari Gem Essence a formula that blends micronized powders and, thanks to a complicated process, liquid extracts from the stones that are then added to active ingredients. Among the precious stones benefits for the skin, studied for years in Swiss laboratories before the line was officially born, are anti-wrinkle properties and skin radiance improvement.

To achieve the science behind its line, Bulgari hired Jean-Paul Marty, a well-known French scientist, to lead a research team studying the use of gems in beauty treatments. “We took every gemstone you could imagine and examined each one’s chemical structure,” explains Laurence Laubreaux, head of Bulgari’s skincare department. “We examined their crystallographic structure, which shows how the atoms in them are arranged. We looked at their trace elements, which are the levels of minerals they contain. Copper and magnesium are two examples—they’re powerful antioxidants and help revitalize skin.” Bulgari believes its wet and dry quartet surpasses the competition. “We’ve done two things that have never been done in skincare,” says Laubreaux. “Not only the association between the four gemstones, but between the powders and liquids. It’s all about the synergy they have with each other.”

Of course Bulgari has been famous for many years creating fine jewelery, leather goods, and even fragrance, but they are not the first company that comes to one's mind for skincare.

Although I have heard about the healing quality of wearing various gem stones, I wonder if there is really much of a benefit to adding them to a skincare line.

Is this just a gimmick to connect the name Bulgari to the world of cosmetics? I am sure the very rich, and often bored group of women out there, will be thinking "I love gem stones, and at these prices, it must be good". So it doesn't surprise me that Bulgari has opened its first luxury skincare counter in the Middle East exclusively at Harvey Nichols, in Dubai.

Bulgari did say that not all the gem stones could be used. Emeralds, for example, contain chrome, which can cause allergic reactions, and diamonds, though used in professional treatments as exfoliators, don’t contain any penetrating minerals.
Hmmmm and I thought diamonds were a girls best friend. Not when it comes to skincare evidently.

Suzy Parker - Super Model Hall of Fame

I love this ad, had to be for Revlon. The fabulous Linda Morand has a forum all about the Super Models of the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond. She is also working on a TV special to honor the men & women of the modeling industry, and she has asked me to be on the Blue Ribbon judging panel.

I love the names of the lip and nail colors "blase' apricot - swinging pink" Someone made big money coming up with those color names...too fabu!

Pee Wee Herman's Telephone Booth

OK, I have to admit this doesn't have anything to do with the beauty industry. But this has to be the most glamorous phone booth you have ever seen, with the leopard print interior, eye lashes, and those red lips! I adored Pee Wee's Playhouse and actually find the show most inspiring. Oh La La!

Oh, which reminds me...don't forget Miss Yvonne's beauty tip:
"When you feel beautiful, you are beautiful."
I couldn't have said it better myself.

Emma Roberts Neutrogena Spokesmodel

Actress Emma Roberts is the new spokesmodel for the fresh face skincare brand and will soon debut in a series of print and TV ads promoting Neutrogena products.

“Emma Roberts embodies the youthful spirit and confidence that have always been part of the Neutrogena brand and we are proud to have her as our newest brand ambassador,” Neutrogena president Jim Colleran said in a statement this week.

“To be a part of a brand that I have always loved and believed in is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Emma said. “It’s important to me to be associated with Neutrogena because they instill confidence and beauty in young women.”

She follows in the footsteps of other Neutrogena beauties Diane Lane, Jennifer Garner, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere and Gabrielle Union.

Emma made the cover of Vanity Fair (second from right) last year as part of 'Hollywood's New Wave', and was last seen in the movie Hotel for Dogs.

She also just happens to be the niece of movie star Julia Roberts. Can't hurt having an Academy Award winner in the family like Auntie Julia. No?
(top photo blended by xshimmer)

Shu Uemura vs Tweezerman Eyelash Curler

Curling the eyelashes is one simple thing you can do to make a big difference for your eyes. Besides opening up the look of your eyes, curling also can make the lashes look much longer, even without mascara.

Eyelash Curler by Shu Uemura
$24.00
Perfectly measured and finely balanced, the Shu Uemura 24K Gold Eyelash Curler is designed to ensure superior functionality and performance. The silicone pad in a “mushroom” shape provides a protective, stay-put edge for safety and optimum curl. The patented hinge is specifically engineered to apply the perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes. The calculated shape, size of frame length, and ergonomic handles ensure stability and control, while the curved angle suits all eye shapes. Comes with one refill pad.
(Also available in chrome color).
This is the curler the industry has used as the standard for the best lash curler for years.


ProCurl Lash Curler by Tweezerman
$20.00
Ergonomically designed with pinch-proof precision, the narrower top bar is curved to fit most eye-shapes. The doubled-body design and contoured finger loops provide ultimate strength for comfortable, easy curling. The thick, rounded silicone pad won’t stick and ensures always-intense curl without ever creasing lashes. Stylish and distinctive in rose gold with black pad. Three replacement pads included.

Tips for curling your lashes:
Hold the eyelash curler positioning the upper frame on your upper lashes pushing the flesh of the eyelid back with the curler, and then carefully close the lower frame holding your upper lashes between both frames. Hold to the count of three. Open gently. If their not curled enough go back and repeat.
Always curl lashes first before applying mascara. Purchase a new lash curler every 12 months for optimum performance.

The consensus seems to be that although the Tweezerman is very good, nothing beats the Shu Uemura for a lasting curl.

Antonio Lopez Fashion Illustrator

I miss the creative energy of the artistic genius Antonio Lopez.
Join his Facebook fan page here.

Scarlett Johansson for Moët et Chandon

The actress is the new image of Moët et Chandon champagne and appears in a series of sexy ads for the brand. Recently Ms. Johansson also appeared as the new face for Dolce&Gabbana cosmetics. Just keep that dough coming in while you can Scarlett darling.