i want

Despite having the best manicure of my life last week at Rescue Beauty, these are making me want to venture back into nail art territory. Thanks, SK…

meet the new gibson girls

Last week I wore my hair up in what I thought was a cute and subdued (and yes, poufy) manner. Forty-five minutes into dinner, my former boss’ 15-year-old daughter asked me whether I watched Jersey Shore, then coyly informed me that my hair looked just like a certain greasy Oompa Loompa’s. This is the second time in as many weeks that I have had to deal with otherwise literate and well-adjusted teenagers who seem to be getting their only fashion cues from MTV. I may not be able to convince Brother the Younger to wear straight-leg jeans (yet) but I am not giving up the pouf to the guidettes of the world.

Once upon a time, when a woman’s hair was known as her “crowning glory,” Charles Dana Gibson sketched what would ultimately be the first pin-up: the Gibson Girl. Fresh on the heels of Parisian hairdresser M. Marcel Grateau, whose heated wave iron would change women’s hair forever, Gibson sketched his feminine ideal with a tiny waist contrasted with upswept curled hair piled high. Besides being beautiful, the Gibson girl was at ease, fashionable, and an equal to man.

Ladies, this is how it’s done:

Clockwise from top left: Chanel-approved extensions and pouf; Miu Miu girls sporting half-up and braided pompadours; models at Elie Saab with Gibson Girl hair; fluffy and refined at Louis Vuitton; more Victorian throwback hair (and couture) at Christian Dior; Eva Mendes; poufs and tortoiseshell glasses at Michael Kors; candyfloss hair at Roberto Cavalli; love the hair, love the lips, love Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette; structured updos at YSL.

cupcakes love me, cupcakes love chanel

If anyone read NYMag today… now these are some cupcakes.

gaga trickle-down

I finally had a chance to take a look at the Paris couture shows last night, and the thing that struck me the most was not the clothes themselves, but the hair and accessories. Living up to my namesake I guess. I couldn’t help but having a strong feeling of déjà vu, as if I had seen all of those hairstyles before. And it turns out, in some form or another, I have! We all have, adorning the head of everyone’s favorite pop star, Gaga herself. She has taken inspiration from (and served as a fashion plate for) many avant garde designers – McQueen, Hussein Chalayan  – but inspiring some of the world’s most elite designers is all in a day’s work.

Exhibits 1-4: Jean Paul Gaultier’s Mexican fiesta  is confusing and profoundly unwearable. As for the straw/hair sombrero, Gaga did it better. Chanel’s runway hair is a trend explosion – My Little Pony silver streaks, giant bows, and teased poufs that are definitely reminiscent of her signature hair bow, which she gave to Oprah on her show. Afterall, Karl even had Gaga front and center at his show last week. I can take or leave the hair, but I am in love with the silver and pastel hues and looking forward to continuing the trend in the near future by dressing like a giant cupcake.

John Galliano’s equestrian-themed show for Christian Dior showcases a less obvious influence but no less compelling when you see Stephen Jones’ couture hats and the pop star’s headpiece side-by-side. Finally, the lampshade hats at Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy show are a reduction of a similar dress Gaga wore last summer. Thoughts on her Grammy Awards ensemble? As usual, it was her hair I was most fascinated with – like a freaky Barbie-Silence of the Lambs fusion. Oh, Gagita.

lace in the face

Dior‘s Spring 2010 may have you running to Bloomingdale’s to get your fix but Eric Traore has figured out a much better way to do it. Chanel needs to up the ante with their faux tattoos. These are making me wish for warmer weather and Marie Antoinette-style castle parties. Speaking of the Dauphine, I am feeling her inspiration in many aspects — that hair, the French-as-a-third-language thing, shoes, that Adam and the Ants song I can’t get out of my head, and now makeup. Hopefully I won’t find myself with my head on the proverbial chopping block at any point this year.

chanel: rouge coco

Get it… it’s “time” to start using lipstick again! Get it?! Kidding aside, I am super excited about the new Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Color, launching in March. For a long time I have just-said-no to lip gloss, after being a total addict for most of my formative product years. I saved endless dollars by coming to terms with the fact that although I loved the pretty colors, the lipgloss was always too sticky, would wear off too quickly, or just didn’t look good on my lips. I am a converted lipstick fan, considering it much more ladylike and infinitely sexier than gloss.

Most of the shades are in nude and pink, which is right up my alley, and the lipsticks are each named after different times in Coco’s life, like Mademoiselle, a pale pink, Camelia, a deep rose, and Paris, a bright red. Each of 30 shades is $30. I am trying to get my hands on an advance stick – I will let you all know if I have any luck! I need a worthy challenger to my Shiseido.

cat-eyes for dummies

The most comprehensive article about how to get the perfect cat-eye (from Glamour) I’ve come across yet. I’m a fan of level 3. For extra help, read this. In terms of makeup, try Chanel’s Automatic Liquid Eyeliner, or Shiseido’s Accentuating Cream Eyeliner. The former is my favorite but takes some practice to apply; the latter comes with its own brush for precision and is totally smudge-free when you apply. Below, some pics to inspire you.

from top left: backstage at Louis Vuitton; Rihanna; fancy cat-eye — the white makes your eyes look bigger; the always-sexy Brigitte Bardot; a model backstage at Chanel; eye detail at Dior; simple, and; not-so-simple cat-eyes

look noir obscur

I have been feeling this look all winter long and it’s perfect for the holiday season. It’s sophisticated but super easy to pull off. Rouge Allure Lipstick in Hysteria, and any matte dark grey shadow all over the eye.

thinking happy thoughts

Under two feet of snow I’m snuggled up with the latest W and my French lessons. I am hoping beyond hope that sales are good this weekend and that we will be able to cover some ground as we barrel towards end-of-season, despite this crazy weather. I guess we will have to wait until Monday to find out how super Super Saturday was.

So, in the meantime, I am thinking happy thoughts and imagining a warmer time and pedicures.

from top: 1. Miu Miu shoes, with or without rhinestone embellishments. Below is a thumbnail of my favorite pair from Resort. I may have to send this on over to the ladies at Bluff; would love to see some jeweled shoelery! 2. I love these Fendi shoes but practically speaking I don’t think I could pull off the 7-inch heel and the lucite is muito Miami. What I am more interested in are the Chanel tights from the barnyard show; a similar pair is currently available at Wolford. 3. I adore the seasonless look of the Diors and how they are paired with cute little socks. Need. Wedges!! 4. This spring I am finally ready to wear the man’s shoe because my favorite brand, Dieppa-Restrepo, is coming out with a more open shoe, the Dina and the Breezy Cali (below l-r). Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt.

chaneldrip

Chaneldrip is a series of customized iconic Chanel No 5 perfume bottles by Dutch artist/designer Pepe Heykoop. Commissioned by Majed Al Sabah for Al Sabah Art + Design Gallery in Kuwait, the bottles “wear” a coat dripped with foam.