Solessence | Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – Next Week!

Hillary — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:03:33 +0000

I hope I can still fit into this dress…

CND Shellac – spring 2012 color swatches

Hillary — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:24:33 +0000

These Six new CND Shellac colors to hit shelves March 2012

Behold, the 6 new colors from CND Shellac: Dark Lava, Rubble, Cityscape, Silver Chrome, Silver VIP Status, Gold VIP Status These are all indoor swatches I took just to get you the scoop. I’ll be getting outdoor shots too. What do you think of them? The colors are going on sale in March so get your PRE-ORDERS to your distributors now!

Dark Lava

Gorgeous, jewel-toned black wine

Rubble

Cityscape

Dove Gray

Silver Chrome

The Effects – Silver VIP Status & Gold VIP Status

Ok, so it technically isn’t an Effect (that’s reserved for the lacquer line) but it serves in the same vein. These lovelies give a wash of glimmer over color.

Silver VIP Status

Silver VIP Status over Cityscape

I NEED to get a better photo of this one. When we were asked for fantasy Shellac colors, one of mine was the spectacular gray called Miss Wu from the Jason Wu collection done with CND. It’s this cool and dreamy gray with a chic pearlization to it. By applying Silver VIP Status over Cityscape, you can achieve a very similar look. Without, you get a great cream. It’s fabulous to have options.

Gold VIP Status over Rubble

Again, a sleek wash that just give a perk to the color. Can be used all over or in art. Try it in art!

That’s it for now. I’ll be getting more photos together for you. Any other questions or requests on the product ask away.

Fashion Week is coming up and I’ll be detailing looks for you. For on-the-go reporting I’d love if you would “Like” my Solessence Facebook page to keep up while I’m away! Detailed how-tos will be posted to the blog after my return (and also closer to actual season as is my norm).

Candice Swanepoel for Prabal Gurung Spring 2012 Ad Campaign

Hillary — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:41:27 +0000

Sensual Flower

Prabal Gurung has snagged one of the world’s highest paid models for his latest ad campaign, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her. Her trademark light locks now raven black, Victoria’s Secret model and Transformers:Dark Side of the Moon actress Candice Swanepoel writhes seductively, interpreting Prabal’s inspiration for this collection, Nobuyashi Araki’s “Sensual Flowers”.

It’s a stunning set of vivid color on black and white, and makes the clothing look every bit eye candy as it did going down the catwalk.

Dress above is dress below, backstage.

I took great delight in the custom heels, also pictured in the ad

The creative team includes photographer Daniel Jackson, Fashion Editor/Stylist Tiina Laakkonen, and Frederic Fekkai’s Didier Malige

Chicago Exclusive: Neiman Marcus Estee Lauder Private Collection – Tuberose Gardenia

Hillary — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:46:29 +0000

Aerin Lauder’s new spin on Estee’s 1973 Private Collection

Chicago’s Neiman Marcus Estee Lauder GWP event continues now through February 5th, and I want to introduce you to a fabulous way to pick up that gift.

Estee Lauder used to keep a personal blend of essential and rare oils to use as her own trademark scent, her own Private Collection. For years she was asked about her fragrance and she finally brought it to market in the 1970s. Aerin Lauder has taken the fragrance and added her own notes to personalize and update Private Collection by Estee Lauder. Neiman Marcus Chicago carries multiple unique versions of the bottle cap – and I love this elegant hammered metal look. Pleasing to the eye, the perfume is also a winner. Tuberose fans will be ecstatic over the gardenia blend, which gives it an overall softness and femininity without being too weak.

Products provided for review consideration

Kupa Ultra Sonic Cleanser

Hillary — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:51:22 +0000

Sanitation is important in the salon, and this Kupa offering provides an attractive unit to house your implements and bits while you work. The items can soak in the recommended time with the addition of a ultrasonic treatment to shake off any particles that remain, ensuring a better cleanse. Remember, it is always important to thoroughly scrub your tools using soap and water before adding them to Barbicide.

Side note: Laughing because YouTube wants to keep tagging this with Hedgehog!

She’s Got the Look: Lea Michele – SAG Awards

Hillary — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:10:47 +0000

“I was so inspired by Lea and her Atelier Versace gown and wanted to give her a hairstyle that was soft, sexy, and touchable.” ~ Dove Celebrity Hair Stylist Mark Townsend

Lea Michele took the #1 spot for most mentioned celebrity during SAG

Lea Michele was the belle of the ball at tonight’s SAG awards and her gorgeous mane of hair was the crowning glory. Lea’s tresses were treated with products from the new Dove Style+Care collection by stylist Mark Townsend. The products are rolling out in stores now, but most won’t even hit the shelves until March. Here’s how you can get this tousled look at home:

Start by applying a large dollop of the new Dove Style+Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse to damp hair and blow dry with a large round brush for volume.
Next, take a dime-size amount of the new Dove Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum in my hands and rub them together to warm up the product, then rake hands through hair. Townsend says, “I am obsessed with this cream; it gives the hair amazing shine and separation, and also nourishes the hair too so it’s like having a styling product and a conditioner in one bottle.”
Pull hair into a loose bun to set a loose wave in hair. Then, let the hair down and spray Oribe Après Beach Spray all over to give the hair that great sexy “second-day” hair.

Just before Lea left for the red carpet, Thompson finished her hairstyle by spraying the new Dove Style+Care Extra Hold Hairspray all over to keep her hair in place without it looking stiff or crunchy.”

Hours later, her hair is still looking amazing on the dance floor, as you can see in this photo shared on Twitter:

Look for the new Dove Style+Care products coming out over the next month.

New York Fashion Week: Goodness – because a girl’s gotta eat!

Hillary — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:27:32 +0000

“I founded GOODNESS to provide quick and healthy food in a space that’s close to Lincoln Center,” explains Elettra Wiedemann. “But this season we’re offering so much more. As a CFDA Health Initiative Ambassador, I am so happy to have them join us.”

Elettra Wiedemann, the face of Lancôme, is bringing her full service pop-up restaurant, GOODNESS back to Fashion Week this season.

This year GOODNESS will be held at the Robert, located on the top of the Museum of Art and Design, and this season “GOODNESS” will be featuring a different collection of prominent NYC-based chefs. Everyday from Feb. 11-14 “GOODNESS” will provide fresh, healthy and delicious food to the fashion community. The line-up includes:Mario Batali, Leo Forneas, Alain Allegretti and Julian Medina. GOODNESS has earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.

Location: ROBERT at Museum of Arts and Design http://robertnyc.com/

Address: 2 Columbus Circle, 9th floor, NY, NY 10019 ( located on the top of the Museum of Art and Design)

Dates: Saturday, Feb 11th – Tuesday Feb 14th

Serving lunch: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Featured chefs:

Mario Batali of Babbo – Saturday, Feb 11th
Leo Forneas of ROBERT – Sunday, Feb 12th
Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais – Monday, Feb 13th
Julian Medina of Toloache – Tuesday, Feb 14th

Menu: Prix fixe menu ($35) includes 1 appetizer, 1 soup, 2 entrees and 1 dessert

GOODNESS is open to the public and reservations are now being accepted on www.goodnesspopup.com.

Official Sponsors/Partners include: The Daily Front Row, CFDA, Renaissance Hotels, Lancôme, Circa, Kanon Vodka,Vita Coco, Ty-Ku and City Harvest.

See you at the table!

Rachel Zoe ss 2012 – Nails by Zoya – New York Fashion Week

Hillary — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:47:32 +0000

What nude polish did Rachel Zoe’s pair with her ss 2012 launch during Fashion Week? Amanda by Zoya was the select shade. Watch Sunshine Outing apply this beautiful shade.

Rihanna in CND Shellac – over enhancements!

Hillary — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:07:16 +0000

Rihanna in US Magazine, pictured with CND VIP manicurist Flavia Pitton

While she’s been a fan of CND Shellac from the get go, US Magazine recently featured Rihanna in Milan getting a Shellac Black Pool manicure on top of CND Retention+ liquid and powder set.

Yes, Shellac is for natural nails. But it is also for use over CND enhancements! How many of you are doing this double duty mani? I have a few gels that I Shellac over. No tip wear is a big benefit, along with the standard long lasting, high shine and no-dry time we’ve all come to know and love!

She’s Got the Look: Zooey Deschanel, Golden Globes and that CND Tuxedo Manicure

Hillary — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:41:22 +0000

Zooey Deschanel’s excitement over her adorable tuxedo nails has spilled all over the internet.

Where did the design come from? CND’s Ruffian fall 2011 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, New York.

And this is why runway is done!

Ruffian’s collection, called “Tuxedo Park” was matched perfectly with CND’s version of a feminine tuxedo manicure.

Experiment with your own colors or get this runway look at home:

CND Colours & Effects

Use the following combination to achieve the blue/lavender base:

(1) coat Ice Blue Shimmer
(2) coats Lavender Pearl
(1) coat Air Dry Top Coat

For ArtWork

BlackJack

Hand paint black bow tie at tip
Hand paint black moon base at base
Handpaint 3 buttons down the vertical center of the nail

In total, the CND team polished 6080 layers, 760 moons and bow ties and 2280 buttons for the Ruffian show. It was well worth it to see it again!

Congrats to the CND team that put it all together: