Award-Worthy Hair!

We asked Jenny Balding, NYC Cutler/Redken Styling and Grooming Expert for her favorite Oscar hair and tips for getting the look at home. Here’s what she had to say:

Olivia Wilde – “This is a stunning, swept up, Brigitte Bardot inspired style and compliments her gown beautifully.  Her graphic black eyeliner adds a 60’s inspired feel to the whole ensemble.” – Jenny Balding
To Do:
  • Start by blow drying hair with a round brush to create body, volume and slight wave to the ends.
  • Separate into two sections.  Take the crown and front section and pin to one side then leave the underneath section out.
  • Sweep the underneath section into a chignon that hugs the curve of the head.
  • Take the top section and back brush under the crown area to create padding and volume and twist lightly and secure into chignon.
  • Finish by gently loosening some shorter pieces to frame the face and mist with a light hairspray –  I love Redken fashion work 12 and it is very versatile and light to work with.
Cate Blanchett – “This beautiful, classic vintage Hollywood style is refreshing as it isn’t a faux bob or very long but it’s just right, at the shoulder.  The key to this look is to create the wave just through the front section and throughout the perimeter of the hair.” – Jenny Balding
To Do:
  • Create a deep side part wherever works best for your face shape and hairline.
  • Blow dry smooth and keep to just a natural volume for this look.
  • Mist hair with a light and versatile hairspray like Redken fashion work 12
  • Use a medium size curling iron and start by creating the front section first as this will set the tone.  Create the wave from underneath the cheekbone.
  • Hold the iron vertically and wrap from mid-length to the ends.
  • Finish by setting the hair with a stronger hold hairspray.  Redken control addict 28 is perfect for this as it holds and creates shine.
Charlize Theron – “Charlize is simply stunning with her sleek, smooth, grown out pixie which complimented her sleek gown with clean lines.  If you have a shorter hairstyle you can style it in so many ways, this, being one of them.” – Jenny Balding
To Do:
  • Apply a smoothing, straightening balm, Redken align 12, to clean wet hair.
  • Blow dry smooth and wrap the hair back and forward to prevent creating volume.
  • Create a deep side part which works best for your face shape and hairline.
  • Sweep and tuck behind ears.
  • I love Cutler Flyaway stick which is perfect for keeping your strands sleek and glossy all over.

 

(photography courtesy of Michael Buckner/Getty Images, Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

And the Award Goes To…

The big night has come and gone and the 86th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood at the Dolby Theatre did not disappoint. We knew Ellen would entertain, make a few cracks and still remain lovable. And chances were good that Lupita, Jared, and McConaughey would take home golden statues…but when it comes to “the look” who got the highest rankings from The Beauty Wall?

While I loved Jennifer Lawrence’s orange-red Dior, Amy Adams in Gucci and Lupita Nyong’o’s Prada it was Cate Blanchett who stole the show! Her gorgeous nude Giorgio Armani Prive gown with Swarovski crystals and sequins was age, occasion and attention-grabbing appropriate and her hair and makeup was just right.

Makeup artist Jeanine Lobell created the  timeless “Modern Movie Star” look for Blanchett. Here, the products she used so you can copy it at home:

EYES-
Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Quad #2 Effeto Nudo – Jeanine used the warm taupe shade all over as a base; the deeper taupe on the lid and feathered it into the crease to open up the eye; the light brown was mixed with the deeper taupe and applied to the outer crease and center; and the darkest brown was wet and used as a liner

Troy Surratt Lash Curler

Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara – After cutting a strip of false lashes and applying to the corner of the eye, Jeanine applied the mascara to the base of the lashes and pressed it in to give her real lashes a false effect

Makeup Forever Brow Gel

FACE-
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence – Jeanine patted this into the skin before applying foundation to allow her to use a more lightweight foundation and to ensure it will stay put all night long

Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush #10 Beige – Jeanine applied this to the apples of Cate’s cheeks and feathered it out before applying a second coat to ensure she looked like she was glowing from within 

LIPS-
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick in #103 – Jeanine finished the look with this creamy, beige-y pink

 86th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

 

Skin Savers

Fashion Week was a whirlwind, not only for the editors, writers and buyers that attended the shows but also for the models that walked down the runways. Yes, most are genetically blessed with “gorgeous” genes but that doesn’t mean the pre-show preps of fittings, running around in the biting cold and early-to-late hours wouldn’t take as much a toll on their skin as it would for you or me.

Designer Richard Chai was taking no chances. He teamed up with Dr. Jart+ to guarantee his models looked their best. Here’s what it took to get them runway-ready:

“Richard Chai is all about dewy, fresh skin,” says Joy Fennell, Lead Makeup Artist for Dr. Jart+.  For this show, she relied on the V7 Cleansing Foam, Water Fuse Water-Full Hydrogel Mask, Ceramidin Liquid, and Ceramidin Cream to help achieve a radiant complexion.

Dr. Jart+ V7 Cleansing FoamThe V7 Cleansing Foam not only removes old make-up but brightens and calms dull, stressed skin, making it an easy choice for backstage use.  Formulated with a super antioxidant blend containing 7 essential vitamins, this cleanser neutralizes free radicals to restore stressed skin.
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Full Hydrogel MaskLike a glass of water for your skin, the Water Fuse Water-Full Hydrogel Mask infuses moisture into dry and dehydrated skin within minutes of applying.  Made with a unique hydrogel material that locks in moisture, the mask also contains hyaluronic acid and natural extracts to restore elasticity and bounce to the skin, providing a little TLC during the backstage frenzy.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid and Ceramidin CreamConstantly having makeup removed and applied to the face can cause some serious irritation, but models were saved by the quick, soothing relief of Ceramidin Liquid and Ceramide Cream.  Jam-packed with micro-encapsulated ceramides, these powerful moisturizers smoothen and soften the models’ dry, itchy skin, helping to creating the perfect blank canvas for makeup.  Dr. Jart+’s patented ceramide stabilization technology also ensures the ceramides are able to penetrate deeper into the lipid layer, enhancing the skin’s natural strength and ensuring it stays well-hydrated throughout the day.

 

For more information or to purchase Dr. Jart+ products, click here.

 

Hair Pro Secret

Everyone knows that when it comes to an updo you want hair that’s a bit dirty to give your style some staying power…another trick is dry shampoo. Simply spray it onto your bobby pins to create a bit of friction between your hair and the pin and your style will last and last and last.

Try Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder, $26 at sephora.com.

 

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector

Product Review: Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector

Yes, there have been other concealer pens…but none as good as this one!

If you like the convenience and precision of getting a concealer that really covers in a handy, travels-well pen, then this is what you’ve been searching for. I for one, am infatuated with it. Shiseido’s Sheer Eye Zone Corrector has a silky smooth texture and sets to a comfortable long-wearing  finish that really does stay put all day. Simply swipe it under the eyes, at the outer and inner corner and even a touch on your lids and dark shadows and blemishes all but disappear. If only it were permanent!

To purchase: Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector, $30 at shiseido.com.

Sun-Kissed!

Product Review: Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse

We were heading to the Dominican Republic and were more than a little excited. Resort reservations were set. Plane tickets were booked. Passports were rush-renewed. Some swimsuits and warm-weather outfits were purchased. Arrangements were made for kitty-cat care. Baggage and carry-ons were lined up by the front door. A car service was already scheduled…and then the super-storm hit!

We knew some planes would still be able to make it out. Unfortunately, ours wasn’t one of them. There’d be no pina coladas poolside, no ocean breeze, no looking for shells or learning how to do the flying trapeze. No toes in the sand, snorkeling or catamarans. And just when I thought all was lost I realized I could still get the healthy-looking glow I wouldn’t be getting on the island. Though I might not feel the benefits of a relaxing vacation, I would at least look it. A self-tanner is all it would take. I was wary of anything that might make me orange-y or too tan. I was concerned about streaking and awful smelling lotions. I had heard about Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse and thought it could be what I was looking for…it just might do the trick!

All self-tanners are not created equal. If you’re looking for natural-looking color Supergoop! is head and shoulders above the masses. Before bed, I applied a thin layer and woke up to a light golden glow that looks completely natural and sun-kissed (not sun-baked!). No product was left behind on my white pillowcase or sheets and I really like that this product gives you broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, antioxidants and has a hint of a fresh green tea/cucumber scent in a paraben and oxybenzone-free formula. If you want more color just reapply for a deeper glow.

To purchase: Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse, $38 at supergoop.com.

(photography courtesy of seafolly.com and supergoop.com)

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Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Nail Look

I’m crazy about this cool runway nail look: the negative space diagonal nail design mani created by Naomi Yasuda for essie. Clearly, the inspiration behind the nail look for Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter ’14 collection was the asymmetrical clothing in rich green, blue and gray tones.

essie nail products used: “first base” base coat, aruba blue polish, go overboard polish, master plan polish, “good to go” top coat

To get the look:

  1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails.
  2. Once dry, apply one coat of aruba blue, go overboard or master plan (depending on color preference) to the pinky on left hand and ring finger on right hand.
  3. Next, apply preferred polish shade at an angle across each additional nail and fill in the space to make a diagonal design (each nail from the thumb to ring finger should have a different ratio of color to natural nail).
  4. Finish with good to go top coat.

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photography courtesy of essie and vogue.

Trend Alert: New Nail Look

I love the black with white tips mani Jin Soon Choi created for Tess Giberson’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Show — a modern take on the french manicure.

To do:

  1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish.
  2. Apply a base coat like JINsoon Power Coat base coat.
  3. Next, apply two coats of dark gray/metallic black nail polish. Let dry. (Jin used a shade from her upcoming JINsoon Fall/Winter 2014 Tess Giberson Collection)
  4. At tip of the nail, apply a thin arc of white. Jin used JINsoon Kookie White.
  5. Finish by applying a shiny top coat such as JINsoon Top Gloss.

JINsoon products available at sephora and sephora.com.

JINsoon at Tess Giberson Fall/Winter 2014

 

Because Beauty Comes in All Shapes and Sizes…

People post a lot of worthless minutia on Facebook…but every now and then something truly special makes its way onto the Wall. Directed by Alain Gsponer, this short film (less than 5 minutes) has gone viral…it’s entited “Because who is perfect? Get closer.”

If you haven’t seen it, it’s so worth the look-see. Click here and then click directly on the video to view. xoxoNancy

 

 

Baby Your Skin…Literally!

Have I mentioned my little beauty vice?  I’m addicted to taking hot showers two to three times a day. Nothing else warms me in quite the same way but this “habit” of mine was taking a huge toll on my skin. It was very dry, but the additional hand-washing throughout the day and not always wearing gloves when outside had turned my hands rough, red, old-looking, seemingly beyond repair…not attractive or healthy at all!  And then I tried Mustela Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream. It’s a miracle cream –after just one use my hands were fixed! They were soft, smooth, supple and even-toned. Did they look this good before?

This cream is different than anything I’ve ever used. It’s rich and light (if that makes any sense) — it goes on creamy but almost feels slick like a gel as I rub it in and it quickly nourishes and soothes dry, moisture-depleted skin. I’ve been using it on my body and hands and my skin is back to healthy and really soft! It contains Mustela’s patented Sunflower Oil Distillate, which improves skin barrier function with an ingredient that’s concentrated in tocopherols, phytosterols and essentail fatty acids without any proteins so it’s even safe for those with nut allergies.

Mustela’s Stelatopia line was developed to meet the specific needs of eczema-prone skin and though I don’t have eczema, my skin was very dry and this cream got the job done like no other cream that came before it. The moisturizing cream is rich enough for me for everyday use and I love the way it penetrates easily without leaving any greasy feel, but if you or your children have extremely dry skin that’s irritated or suffer from itching and/or eczema there’s also a balm with a richer, thicker texture, Mustela Stelatopia Lipid-Replenishing Balm for Extremely Dry Skin/Excema-Prone Skin. It also contains the patented ingredient, is gentle enough to be used on the face and body of infants, babies and children and it’s even been awarded the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance.

If you’re familiar with Mustela, you might know they’re the No. 1 baby care brand in Europe  and their Dermo-Pediatrics Stelatopia line is formulated to handle the needs of babies’ more vulnerable skin but if you have dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin I know these products will work for you, too. I’m sold!!!

To purchase: Mustela Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream, $22 at drugstore.com,  Mustela Stelatopia Lipid-Replenishing Balm, $22 at drugstore.com.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest and Mustela)

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