KARDASHIAN MAKEUP LINE IN TROUBLE

OK, right from the start I'm not a fan of the Kardashian sisters. The fact that Kim Kardashian, copied her little buddy, Paris Hilton, and leaked a nasty sex tape she made with Ray Jay, and then parlayed that into a reality show, and now her whole family are involved, and they are all making millions off the whole sordid mess.....makes me sick to my stomach.

And now the three sisters have launched their own cosmetic line called KHROMA. Only problem is the name they chose belongs to a real makeup artist named LEE TILLETT. And she has officially filed suit against the Kardashians in Los Angeles superior court. She is suing for $10 million dollars in damages, claiming the Kardashians stole the name of her makeup line, Kroma, which was founded in 2004, and simply added an "h." "I developed the Kroma line myself, built my business through my own hard work, and took the legal steps necessary to protect it," Tillett said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "And yet I have now been forced into a legal battle with the Kardashians simply because they have decided to take something that doesn't belong to them."

This is not the first time the Kardashians have faced legal action in regards to Khroma. Back in October, another makeup line called Chroma threatened to sue the Kardashians unless they changed the name of the brand. Michael Rey, co-owner of Chroma Makeup, told TMZ that the reality stars' new range "cheapens" his line and "creates confusion in the marketplace." With the beauty market so oversaturated, it's not an unfair complaint. Though Rey went even further in the same interview to say his customers would be "embarrassed" to find they had purchased a Kardashian brand in error.

The Kardashians did indeed change the name after the threat from Chroma Makeup, and Boldface Licensing + Branding, the company that owns the Kardashian license, claimed they had gone through several steps to secure the brand's originality and name, telling the Huffington Post, "Boldface Licensing + Branding has gone through the appropriate legal channels in obtaining the rights to use the name Khroma Beauty by Kourtney, Kim and Khloé in the Color Category with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, making all proper legal filings."

UPDATE: The Kardashian sisters' make-up line Khroma Beauty was served with a preliminary injunction by U.S. District Court for the Central District of California after getting into legal snafu with another similarly named beauty brand "Kroma". This means that sales of the Kardashian beauty line will halt until a final decision is rendered. Apparently since Khroma was launched by the Kardashians, Tillett's line Kroma has seen a decrease in sales of 25%. Judge Audrey Collins wrote in her ruling, "Tillett has demonstrated that it will likely lose business opportunities, customers, and goodwill due to Boldface's use of the confusingly similar Khroma Beauty marks. This Court has little doubt that, in short order, the Khroma Beauty products will likely eliminate Tillett's business entirely, creating irreparable harm to justify an injunction."

Boldface Licensing + Branding, which owns the licensing rights to Kardashian's Kroma pleaded with the Judge to not grant the injunction as it would result in millions of dollars in lost sales. However, the Judge in evaluating the facts believe that no injunction would completely destroy Tillett's Kroma and that "the difference between the two is that Tillett has superior rights to Boldface. As a result, the balance of hardships tips sharply in Tillett's favor."

Lee Tillett has graciously agreed to allow stores to continue to sell any Khroma products already in stock, but unless Boldface can get the Ninth Circuit to reverse the District Court, the preliminary injunction will hold.

KhromaBeauty.com directs users to their Facebook page currently.

VINTAGE MAX FACTOR ADVERTISEMENT

This is a unique looking ad that must have been created in the early 1950's or maybe even in the 1940's. What makes it unique to me, is the fact that it's an American company advertising in France. Plus the model's unusual pose with the crossed arms wearing two different colored gloves to represent the two different shades of lipstick "Rouge Mode" and "Rose Mode". It definitely catches your eye! N'est-ce pas? 

MARJORIE ANDRADE SUPER STAR

I discovered Marjorie Andrade when she first moved to Los Angeles from Brazil. She had been a top junior model in Brazil, but was only 5'4" tall, so no one was interested in her in the US. In fact the day I saw her head shot in a photographers studio I happened to be working with, I asked him about this new girl, his exact words were "Forget it, she's short!" But as soon as I saw that face with those big blue eyes, small nose, perfect lips, and the lush dark hair. I knew she would be great to sell cosmetics.

I called her agency and had her come in for a go-see and I set up a test photo shoot with a then unknown photographer, that I had also discovered, Douglas Dubler. We saw that she moved well in front of the camera, and took direction well too. Marjorie looked beautiful. I started booking her for my jobs with beauty clients like MAX FACTOR and REDKEN. The clients loved her too. So we started working together all the time.

Francesco Scavullo was the photographer under contract to shoot the monthly editions of COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE. But at that time Cosmo had two special editions a year, that they had other photographers shoot. The Beauty Guide and The Diet and Exercise Guide. I suggested we shoot a cover try and send the photos to the art director Linda Cox. She was a friend of mine from working for the magazine when I lived in Manhattan. First we went for the Beauty Guide, shooting two different colored backdrops, one blue and one red. I styled Marjorie in fashions by Norma Kamali, did the hair and makeup and gave Marjorie ideas for the right kind of poses for the Cosmo look. Douglas sent them to New York and the blue version was picked up as the new Beauty Guide cover.

The issue sold very well, everyone was pleased and so we decided to put together a cover try for The Diet and Exercise Guide. I choose a orange bathing suit, again by Norma Kamali, and we had another winner for all of our portfolios. Now Marjorie Andrade was a double cover girl!

 

With these two national magazine covers under my belt, I suggested to Marjorie and Douglas that we submit a cover photograph to VOGUE BRAZIL. I found exquisite earrings and a necklace of coral, diamonds, and onyx, from FRED JOAILLIER of BEVERLY HILLS, to be featured on the cover.

I did Marjorie's makeup and an elegant up hair style. I directed Marjorie into the pose that I thought would work best as a cover look. Douglas photographed the shot with a couple of background color changes, and we sent them off to Brazil. Where, this time, we didn't know anyone at the magazine. We held our breath, and crossed our fingers, and to our great relief, our photo made the cover of VOGUE! Another feather in my cap as a producer and a creative director. A beautiful cover for the photographer's book. And now Marjorie could lay claim to being a VOGUE COVER GIRL!
(see photo at top of post)

When Marjorie decided to try her luck in New York she went with Elite Models, but they weren't doing anything with her, except wishing she were taller. So I introduced Marjorie to my friend Zoli at Zoli Models. He loved her and got her lot's of beauty work, plus cosmetic contracts with two major brands.

Marjorie went on to have a great career, was on several more Vogue covers, and I believe she has the distinction of being the shortest super model in modern history. And they said it couldn't be done!

 

Here is Marjorie Andrade in the most recent photo I produced of her in 2010. She is a proud mother of a handsome son and a beautiful daughter. Marjorie is the CEO of FEEL GOOD BRANDS. She designed a line of dresses called THE GODDESS COLLECTION. And is a successful entrepreneur today, always working on new projects.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY GAGA

I love the Lady Gaga, and so I'm happy to wish her all the very best on this her twenty seventh birthday. Enjoy!

GINGER ROGERS

If you don't know who this is Google her name, Ginger Rogers. She did the most wonderful black and white movies in the 1930's where she danced in every film with Fred Astare.
You will be glad you did.

LINDA AND NAOMI

Not sure who the artist is but it's a wonderful drawing of two super models.
Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell. True legends of the fashion world.

YSL BEAUTY SPRING 2013

Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer

No.34 Jade Impérial, a charming mid-tone, muted green cream polish, perfect for Spring. Looks divine with eyes and lips in various shades of pinks and purples.

INSPIRATION

This is just one of many photos I will be posting in the future of the artistry of genius SERGE LUTENS. This photo was done in the late 80's. The model is Helena Kountouras, who is now the Minister of Culture for Greece. Look forward to hearing more about the history of Serge Lutens in future posts.

XUXA AND TALISA SOTO SHARE A BIRTHDAY

Xuxa (pronouced shu-sha) is 50 years old today. I first met her when she came to New York as a model in the 80's with the Ford Model Agency. I didn't learn until later, that Xuxa was a household name in Brazil. She started as the girlfriend of Pele, the most famous soccer player of Brazil. And she hosted a children's television show called "Show de Xuxa" for many, many years. Plus there was Xuxa everything, from dolls, to makeup, to clothing. Any thing you can think of, Xuxa had her name on it. But when she came to NYC she spoke very little english and no one had ever heard of her. I did her hair and makeup for some photos that ended up on the cover of a Brazilian magazine, and a lead story about her with more photos inside. She was a sweet, pretty girl and a multi-millionaire. Anyway, today Xuxa is 50, married to a handsome guy with a beautiful daughter. Happy Birthday Xuxa!

 I first met Talisa Soto on a editorial shoot and I was impressed with her sultry latin looks. Turns out she was Puerto Rican, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After being a very successful model with several Vogue covers in her portfolio, Talisa started taking acting lessons, and got the role of the James Bond girl, Lupe Lamora, in the movie "Licence to Kill". Currently she is married to actor Benjamin Bratt, and they have two gorgeous children. Happy 46th Birthday Talisa!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DIANA ROSS

I've got to wish a very happy birthday to Miss Diana Ross, who celebrates her 69 years on this planet today. When I was a teenager growing up in Detroit Michigan, I used to be amazed by the SUPREMES. And my favorite was always Diana. I loved their mini dresses and big earrings. And I especially loved their wigs that were cut into the asymmetrical Sassoon style. BABY LOVE, I HEAR A SYMPHONY, STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE, these were some of the songs we sang along to as we danced to their music.

ARE YOU MADE FOR FIRE & ICE?

In 1952 Revlon cosmetics hired photographer Richard Avedon and top model Dorian Leigh (sister of Suzy Parker) to create the image for their new line of lipstick and nail polish called "Fire & Ice", complete with the tag line “for you who love to flirt with fire......who dare to skate on thin ice.” In 2010 Revlon re-released the Fire & Ice ad, this time shot by Mario Testino. They restaged the original look except with the actress Jessica Biel in Dorian Leigh's place. And that's the problem. Must we always have an actress in every ad and on every magazine cover? What is this obsession with having so called celebrities involved in everything? BRING BACK THE SUPER MODEL! The coat the dress the background every thing looks beautiful, except for the energy, the sultriness, the je ne sais quoi, of the women starring in the photo. BRING BACK THE SUPER MODEL!

AVANT GARDE

I love what they did with the cheek color here, it looks like a ripe peach. And the red lips are drawn on to perfection. There was no makeup artist credited, but their work is very exciting.

FIVE GREAT REDS

(1)NARCOTIC RED by TOM FORD (2)TRANS SIBERIAN RED by NARS (3) RUSSIAN RED by M.A.C. (4) LOVER RED by CHANEL (5) HOT PASSION RED by COVER GIRL

CLASSIC RED LIPS NEVER OUT OF STYLE

A woman can never go wrong by wearing a red lipstick. It's like the "little black dress" of the makeup world. Even on a day when your feeling a little down and not in the mood to do a complete makeup job, a swipe of red lipstick will light up your face and brighten up your day.

However if you are serious about creating the perfect red mouth there are some tricks to doing it right. First you need to find the right shade of red lipstick, they range from a orange based red, to a blue tone, a brown red, and the clear or true red. Now there are general rules that say an orange based red is for brunettes, red with a blue base are for blondes, and the brown based reds are good for a darker skin tone. But when it comes to color I believe a woman should just try the shade of red that appeals to her, and if anything, match your lipstick to the color of the clothing you are wearing. But even that rule is not written in stone, as sometimes, it looks great when your lipstick is in contrast to what you have on.

So be creative and go with what appeals to you most. Now that we have discussed the shades of red, let me share with you a tip for applying red lipstick. If your very young you can get away with just dabbing it on straight from the tube. But for most woman, and for those of you that want to look more sophisticated, you need to start by preparing your lips with a light coat of foundation over the lips plus powder on top, or use a lip primer such as M.A.C. Prep + Prime. Either one will act as a base for your color and help stop your lipstick from feathering. Next you will need to find a lip pencil in a shade as close to your lipstick color as possible. Use the pencil to out line your lips, following the natural lip line. If you want to make your lips look fuller or to correct uneven lips, just draw slightly outside your lip line. After lining your lip shape, take the same lip pencil and fill in your entire mouth. This will give your lipstick staying power. Now take your lip brush and the lipstick shade of your choice and carefully paint the color over the lip pencil you just applied. If you really want your lipstick to last all day blot your lips with a tissue and lightly powder over your lips before applying a second coat of lipstick.

 Nows the time to decide if you want a matte or glossy look. For a matte look, place a thin layer of tissue (pull the tissue apart until you get just one layer) on top of your lips and lightly powder over the color. To go glossy, choose a clear lip gloss, and carefully apply to the center of your lips and just lightly blend it up to your lips edge. (Photo courtesy of Bazaar magazine in homage to Man Ray).

DREW BARRYMORE - MODEL

Two beautiful photographs of Drew Barrymore. The one on the left was from an ad for Lancôme cosmetics. And the photo on the right was taken during Drew's stint as creative director and the image for Covergirl cosmetics. I think it shows, in just these two photos, how much more confident Drew became in front of the camera.

FLOWER POWER

I'm a big fan of actress Drew Barrymore, I have been since she was just a little girl in her first film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". And I've enjoyed watching her grow up into a beautiful and accomplished woman, and now wife and Mother to daughter Olive with husband Will Kopelman.

 Drew first got into the cosmetics world as a model for Lancôme, working with makeup artist Gucci Westman. Then in 2007 she became brand ambassador of Covergirl. But now that her contract with Proctor & Gamble has recently ended, Drew has launched her own line of color cosmetics, called FLOWER sold exclusively at WALMART.

 I read in "Women's Wear Daily" that Drew has been working with the Italian based company Intercos, a leading supplier of cosmetics, makeup and skincare, to produce her line. Not only will this be Barrymore’s first delve into beauty marketing, she also will be creating and fronting the collection, this will also be Walmart’s first full makeup brand developed from start to finish. The cruelty-free, budget priced, collection is “formulated with the same quality ingredients found in department store luxury brands, but sold for a fraction of the price,” according to their press release.

FLOWER consists of more than 181 eye, face, lip and nail products ranging from $4.98 to $13.98, and is available in more than 1,500 Walmart stores. The only thing that disappoints me in all this, is that she made her deal with Walmart. A store that underpays their employees, while their CEO's rake in billions. There isn't a Walmart located in Manhattan (where I live), so if someone can check out the line and tell me what you think of it, I'd really appreciate your opinion in the comments on this blog. Thank you.

I'M BACK!

 Hello to you wonderful lovers of all things beauty. After a very long absence, I'm happy to report that I am back and ready to share with you beautiful photos (this one is by HORST), cosmetic news, a little gossip perhaps, and inspiring posts about hair and makeup artists, models, celebs, and many other aspects of the beauty industry. So see what's new on FACES PLACES LIPSTICK TRACES.