Retail Therapy: The Glamazons Hit H&M

So after a week of runway shows, one would think the last thing Ferocia and I want to see is clothes...wrong! Retail therapy (and an upcoming spa session we'll share with you!) is one of the best ways to decompress after the Fashion Week circus.

And while we lust after Louboutins and crave Christian Dior, retail therapy is only great when you don't have to cope with the shame of overspending later. H&M solves that problem with affordable, chic finds.

And the guilt of supporting a business that wastes clothes, instead of donating them has also been lifted. Though H&M has had plenty of drama this year, we're happy to report they are donating unsold clothes to charities. (Apparently, that was the policy all along but the 34th Street H&M wasn't following protocol, according to Nicole Christie, a spokesperson for H&M via The New York Times.) Hmm...as long as the clothes are going to charity NOW, I'm okay with it.

After discussing blog plans over dinner (great things coming soon! stay tuned!), Ferocia and I hit the H&M near Union Square to pick up some stylish separates to mix and match with our wardrobes at home (investment pieces, people! and we threw in some tops we just had to have because they were cute!).

While the sales associates scratched their heads, we posed, strutted and modeled our H&M picks. Check out our silly shots below and vote on what piece you love and what you're not so crazy about.

It's all about lace! Check out my slinky, black lace dress. (P.S. Excuse the winter gear---Aldo patent leather Russian hat and Marc Jacobs rain boots---it's a neverending rainstorm in NYC right now)

Ferocia's giving some sparkle for day in a glittery, sequin vest. I live!

Pink lace dress is just a bit too racy and uberfeminine (it's lace AND pink)...so to tone it down...

...I pair it with a gray, oversized blazer. Perfect mix of masculine and feminine.

A geometric pattern and bright colors turn a plain black dress into a showstopper! Love this look on Ferocia

Here's her giving her best high-fashion curved back model pose. Hehe

Love this cute nautical dress with gold buttons and detailing! Chic!

I'm going to live in this military jacket come Spring! And to mix things up, I'm rocking it with all my floral, ruffled dresses. It's all about soft and structured pairings. Get into it!

If you follow Ferocia on Twitter, you know she goes crazy for a fierce, red lip. Now, she has the shirt to match her Ruffian Red lips. Gorg.

What do you think of our picks? Where do you go for fun, guiltfree retail therapy?

Kisses,

Coutura

10 Minutes With Sam Fine

Hey Glamazons! As you probably know by now, I'm obsessed with makeup artists. Oh, and hair stylists. So, you can probably imagine my glee and excitement over interviewing celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine. He's responsible for those beautifully made up faces you see on Mo'Nique, Queen Latifah, IMAN and Vanessa Williams.

Last night, he debuted his latest collaboration: cute pairs of flats created with Cavage shoes in colors inspired by his favorite makeup shades . Myself and Elaine Welteroth (Fashion & Beauty Reporter from EBONY magazine and from Meeting In The Ladies Room) sat down with him to pick his lovely 'made up' brain.

Ferocia: So, Sam, we hear that you like to babysit children. How was that for you?

Sam: You're not going to get me talk about my God children. No! [laughing]

Ferocia: How was that experience for you?

Sam: Babysitting a 5 year old and a 7 year old is not easy. I actually babysat my God son and daughter this past weekend and tweeted about the whole experience and it was a lot of fun. We went to Lion King. We went to Broadway. You need to take kids to a crowd, so that was wonderful. Lion King was a wonderful experience and just really seeing things through their eyes is wonderful.

Ferocia: Oh, because I just read that you sat them in front of a television...

Sam: No. Only when I needed a break. And it was educational. Always.

Elaine: In our industry, you're known as the fabulous Sam Fine. Always at the best parties...we want to know why a flat? Why weren't you drawn to a fabulous stiletto? When I think of Sam Fine, I think of a bedazzled jeweled...

Ferocia: Like lucite...

Sam: Oh Lord..you really think of me as bedazzled lucite?

Ferocia: Hell ass yes!

Sam: Well, you know, having dedicated my career to women of color, I like things that are a little bit more meaningful to me. I think about the emotional purchase that beauty suggests and I also think about a shoe that speaks to a woman's comfort and fashion. That's why choosing 5 different shades to me, was really interesting. I think a flat now has become so dressy as well as comfortable. So you don't have to be in 6 inch heels to be dressy anymore. I think a lot of the women will love me for it.

Elaine: Absolutely. I see Michelle Obama all over that.

Sam: Exactly! C'mon! I have so many clients. You know, whenever Jennifer Hudson comes offstage, she's reaching for a pair of flats. She's like "Those were cute, now give me some flats!"

So, I guess because I'm behind the scenes and I know how women really think, no Patti LaBelle, she would not be caught in a flat, but when she's at home, she's definitely fashionable and I can see her in these as well.

Ferocia: So, did you go to any shows during Fashion Week?

Sam: I didn't!

Elaine: No?

Ferocia: How tragic is this?!

Sam: You know what? I said that I have my God children. I have a ton of work to do. I was doing ad campaigns. Tons of work. Because everybody was in town, it was a great time to get all the editorial and everything in the can. I have to say, I don't miss going to the shows. I've got a wonderful computer. I can skip the crowds. I can see all the trends. Having done shows with Kevyn Aucoin and Fran Cooper and Isaac Mizrahi and Tod Oldhman....people aren't even showing anymore. I remember when fashion was amazingly interesting and it wasn't online yet. And Christy (Turlington) and Linda (Evangelista) and Naomi (Campbell) and Tyra (Banks) were on the runways and you had all these personalities and beauties. So I'd like to remember it the way I experienced it. I don't need to sit front row because I feel more at home behind the stage.

Ferocia: Can I just say that I interviewed Naomi (Campbell) and she scared the crap out of me!

Sam: Where did you meet her?

Ferocia: Backstage at the Fashion For Haiti show.

Sam: Well, you have to be a fighter to be in this industry. To reach the level that she has...she's taught me a lot. Herself, Tyra (Banks), IMAN, these are women who definitely know what they want and I don't think you ever get to a certain level of success without knowing what you want. We've worked with Kimora (Lee-Simmons) recently for a wonderful EBONY cover. There's always a point of view and I love that. Looking at these multi-dimensional women, like IMAN with cosmetics and modeling and Tyra (Banks) with the talk show and America's Next Top Model and Kimora (Lee-Simmons) with a clothing line! They're such wonderful examples to what we all can achieve. I'm really just following in their foot steps by teaming up with Cavage and doing this foot line.

Elaine: So, what's next? Do you see maybe coats?

Ferocia: Accessories?

Sam: Well, you know, when I look at IMAN, she's on HSN with jewelry, handbags, travel gear. Zac Posen is doing the interior for a hotel, they're doing Target. I think that you're seeing a lot more artists have their spin and add their creativity to different things. This is just another notch on my belt. But I look forward to returning to cosmetics, to doing cosmetics. I just released a DVD The Basics of Beauty....

Ferocia: Which is amazing! BTW...

Sam: Aww, thank you! That means a lot. Especially coming from the audience...the real critics. So, I'm looking forward to doing another DVD...I'm looking forward to doing cosmetics and hopefully building upon the fall trends and what I see in shoes. Who knows? I'm sure a heel is in my future.

Ferocia: Children's clothing?

Sam: Well, at least I have the experience having two God children because I let them dress themselves. Hair products...I did their hair. They're multi-racial. So, there's a lot there going on. And they say with the browning of America, we need more products, not just for women of color but for people of color. I think there's a lot more for me to do.

Ferocia: I think so too!

Elaine: What are 3 of your top beauty tricks?

Sam: 1. When you apply your foundation, before you apply powder, take a tissue...like a 2-ply tissue and just tear it in half, separating those two plys and just blotting the excess oil that comes along with foundation. It's a great way to touch up through out the day, but it's also a great way to keep the powder from clinging as heavily and the skin shows through beautifully.

2. Brows! See, you're one of! I'm looking at two beautiful ladies (ie Ferocia and Elaine...get into it!) with groomed brows and tons of mascara on. I think that's like 2 and 3. I mean, these are like natural things that before you get to foundation, before you get to concealer, before you get to bronzer, you've got to address. You want to remove any unwanted facial hair, you really want the brows to look beautiful because you don't already look like you have on makeup.

3. Bronzer! Bronzer is a form that you can use on the outer perimeter of the face, along the hair line, bringing it into the cheeks. It not only illuminates the complexion, but it also brings a warmth. I think a lot of women are scared that their foundation is gonna look fake, but bronzer adds luminosity that you might have lost when evening out and beautifying those very tones.

Elaine: That Queen Latifah bronzer from CoverGirl? I live for that.

Sam: That's one of my favorites!

Elaine: I can't leave the house without it.

Sam: I have some on now! [laughing]

xo

Ferocia

New York Fashion Week Backstage Beauty Trend Report

Hey Glamazons! I think I can honestly say that I'm fully recovered from the madness of NY Fashion Week. I may have spent most of last weekend snoozing on the couch to catch up on some much needed sleep, but I'm starting to feel more like my old self again.

With that said, let me share with you some of my top beauty trends from the Fall 2010 collections that I saw backstage. I don't know about you, but I may just start rocking some of them right now!

Strong Brows

If you need no other incentive to keep your eyebrows neatly waxed, tweezed or threaded, it should be this: a strong brow can be the focus of your beauty look. If you've got clear, healthy looking skin this means that you can skip the foundation (alright, I can just hear the gasps from you guys, so you can still keep it if you really need to) lipstick, blush and bronzer.

Lead makeup artist Wendy Rowe (for Bobbi Brown) created the look at Yigal Azrouel and described the strong brow as a way to achieve a youthful, chic look.

"Brush the hairs of the eyebrow up and then put in liner," she said. "Then, brush the eyebrow hairs back down for a more natural look."

Also seen at: Narciso Rodriguez

Backstage at Yigal Azrouel

Backstage at Narciso Rodriguez

Glossy Eyes

I first noticed this idea of a glossy eyeshadow during the Spring 2010 collections from the MAC makeup artists. At first I was very skeptical about it (I mean, it just seemed like you were applying colored grease onto your eyes), but now that I've seen it again this time around, it's grown on me. So much so that I've deemed it cool. Although most of the eye glosses I noticed being used backstage by the MAC makeup artists don't even have names yet (yay for super new as-yet-to-be-named prototypes!), but a trick that you can do now is to dab a bit of Vaseline on top of your eyelids after applying eyeshadow and it gives you the same sheen.

Seen at: Alexander Wang, Twinkle by Wenlan

Backstage at Alexander Wang

Matte Textured Tresses

The grungy look of the early 90's is back! I noticed a lot of hairstylists citing Kate Moss (circa late 80's, early 90's) as the inspiration for their looks; which, in turn, meant that hair was sometimes given a ruffled up, messy look. From the kind of extreme (ie Catherine Malandrino) to the slightly polished (ie Tracy Reese) don't be afraid to let your hair get a little bit messy this upcoming season. Lead hairstylist Eugene Solemne (for Wella Professionals) literally described the hairstyle he was creating backstage at Isaac Mizrahi as just "a mess."

"We're literally messing up the hair like they've been rolling around a little," he said. "We wanted to make the hair sexy and it doesn't go with the clothes at all. It's more tangible, more raw, less ladylike and cool." However, Solemne warns not to let the look get what he calls "skanky."

"This looks like its not dirty and it's just been roughed up; it's more like something that floats," he said.

Also seen at: Herve Leger, Michael Kors

Backstage at Catherine Malandrino

Backstage at Issac Mizrahi

Backstage at Herve Leger

Backstage at Michael Kors

Backstage at Michael Kors

Smudgy Smoke

We all know that the smokey eye is always a returning trend (for this season, it's all about a pastel smokey eye) but come fall, the black smoke shall return. This time it will have a smudged up new twist: it's the smokey eye that you wore last night and it didn't quite wash away; what Stephane Marais (head makeup artist for MAC at Zac Posen) described as "trashy but with dignity." Although I don't advise you to walk around wearing last week's black smokey eye, I do think that the idea of an imperfect smudge here and there is an uber cool idea.

Also seen at: DVF

Backstage at Diane Von Furstenberg

Backstage at Diane Von Furstenberg

Dark Lips

It's not quite goth and not quite ladylike; it's somewhere in between. But, where ever it lies, I can honestly say that it's a lip look that I love to see on other women. Tom Pechaux (lead makeup artist at Peter Som for MAC) used a very violet powder on the lips and a burgundy violet lip pencil to give definition to the lips. He added a creamy texture by adding in a bit of burgundy lipstick.

"When Peter showed me his collection, he said the look was basically like a woman from the upper East Side going to Woodstock," Som said. "I think it's no longer I want to be a punk; I want to be gothic; I want to be romantic; I want to be proper. People like to mix the beautiful engagement right with an amazing plastic creation."

Also seen at: Luca Luca, L.A.M.B.

Backstage at Peter Som

Backstage at Peter Som

Backstage at Luca Luca

Backstage at Luca Luca

Twisted Polished Updo's

Some designers (such as Christian Siriano) opted to keep the hair look a bit classier and opted instead for ladylike updo's. At Nanette Lepore, head hairstylist Esther Langham (for Moroccan Oil) said the designer was inspired by the Renaissance. "When I went in to see Nanette, she had this gorgeous Renaissance painting and we just knew that was it," she said. "But, at the same time, it's a Nanette girl. She wants her to feel easy, like you could do it yourself; which you honestly could."

Also seen at: Custo Barcelona

Backstage at Christian Siriano

Backstage at Custo Barcelona

Funky Nails

I can't wait to start rockin' the cool nail looks that I saw backstage at Catherine Malandrino and Tracy Reese. (The latter opted for a pretty lace overlay on the nails, which I actually had done to my nails a couple of months ago thanks to Barielle. Who knew that I was ahead of the trends?! haha) Backstage at Malandrino, Jane Arnold (co-founder and style director for Creative Nail Design) layered on nail polish and then tapped a round makeup pad on the nail to make it look like aged leather. The best part? You can get the makeup pads at your local drugstore! (Just be sure to avoid the ones made out of the cotton material as you don't want to have fuzzies all over your nails.)

Also seen at: LaQuan

Backstage at Tracy Reese

Nails used backstage at LaQuan

Tell us, which of the beauty trends from the Fall 2010 collections are you most excited about?

xo

Ferocia

Fashion Week: Tracy Reese Gets Edgy for Fall 2010

It's official. The Tracy Reese uptown lady has left the tea party and headed to the gritty downtown streets. The designer, whose line is synonymous with all things airy, elegant and dainty, has a new daring attitude for the Fall 2010 season.


The dark turn, which incorporated touches of black lace and dark shades, did nothing to take away from Tracy's ubergirlie style. Instead, downtown girl edge was weaved effortessly into her posh and prim aesthetic, most brilliantly in a pink tulle A-line dress paired with black lace tights, a black statement necklace and booties by Highline United for Tracy Reese.


Though silhouettes were a little more form-fitting than previous seasons, pieces like a sky blue printed dress and a pink cardigan with sparkling embellishments were still quintessential Tracy. Texture and print was a prominent theme with plaids, jacquard, fur trim and tweed jackets taking centerstage. Reese also gave the fashionista plenty of ways to stay warm this Fall: black leg warmers, fingerless opera length gloves, chunky scarfs and cozy cowls.

At the show, models like Georgie Badiel and Gracie Carvalho stormed the catwalk to One Way's "Cutie Pie" with plenty of sass to match the tough luxe fashions. The beauty looks were equally edgy: wild, curly ponytails, smoky eyes and lace fingernails! Tracy Reese tweeted that the nails weren't Minx, but rather lace overlay on top of polish. I LIVE for them.

The crowd, including Julia Stiles, Kristen Bell, Adrienne Bailon and Michelle Williams (who looked gorg in a Tracy Reese trench, floral dress and leather gloves), erupted in applause when Tracy took to the runway at the finale.

Tracy did the impossible with this latest collection: she made being a girly girl cool again. I, obviously, am obsessed with the look! Check out the pics below and let me know what you think of the new bad-ass Fall 2010 collection. Should Tracy stick to pretty and posh? Is the new edgy direction a breath of fresh air? Discuss.


Kisses,


Coutura

Fashion Week: Robert Verdi Lounge with Ginger & Liz

By the end of Fashion Week, editors are the walking dead in Louboutins and Jimmy Choos. As fun as it looks, trekking from show to show without a second to breathe, eat or sleep is not for the faint of heart. The Future of Fashion lounge, hosted by TV personality and style expert, Robert Verdi, was the perfect antidote for stressed writers, bloggers and even celebs.

Nestled in the center of the Fashion Week circus, the Luxe lab was transformed into a fashion and beauty oasis, with makeup, hair and nail applications and cocktails courtesy of the new Absolut Berri Acai. Celebs, like June Ambrose and Miss J, who I ran into getting his nails did, stopped by to take a much-deserved break between shows and mingle with the creme de la creme of the Fashion world.

But that's not the best part. Robert Verdi's lounge is the perfect place to discover the new and the next in Fashion and Beauty. Robert Verdi has the earned the moniker, the gay Oprah (Goprah) for his penchant for finding the best and brightest brands in the biz. (P.S. While chatting, we realized we went to the same high school in New Jersey! He's so my gay boyfriend in my head but I digress...)

Once you get the Robert Verdi stamp of approval, it's a known fact that you're on your way to a whirlwind of success. And that success is well-deserved. Each brand he embraces has something special about them---whether it's a fresh take on makeup packaging or innovative shapewear technology that's nowhere else on the market. 

Robert Verdi's nail lacquer line of choice? Ginger & Liz. The haute nail polish brand, which I covered on The Glamazons in November, was founded by model/author, Liz, and entrepreneur, Ginger. With sassy names like "Put a Ring on It," "Swagger," and "Boss Lady," each color is rich, chic and fashion-forward. 

Celebrity nail artists like Kimmie Kyees (Rihanna, Britney Spears, Katy Perry) and Tracy Lee (who works at Damone Roberts salons) say the quality of the Ginger & Liz line is just as great as the color choices. While hooking up my mani, my nail tech said "the polish is thick and only needs a few coats, and lasts longer than most nail polishes on the market." And she's absolutely right. A week later, my nail polish hasn't chipped at all. 

From the conservative career woman to the fashion-loving risktaker, there's a color for everyone. I chose the new, gorgeous unnamed gray color that everyone's talking about (Tweet @gingerandliz with name suggestions!) and for my ring finger, I picked the amazing taxi yellow hue, "Caution." 

Me getting my nails done. Yes, I'm always on the phone.

Finished product---isn't it amazing? The gray color and "Caution" are a match made in heaven.

The adorable "Liz" of Ginger & Liz with multicolor nail polish. I'm so proud of their success (P.S. I knew they were gonna be huge!)

Miss J painted each nail in a Ginger & Liz hue to match his fierce multi-finger ring. Werk!

June Ambrose posted a Twitpic of herself getting a cute Ginger & Liz mani at the lounge.

While sipping on Absolut Berri Acai (which mixes amazingly well with everything from juice to champagne. Trust me, I've tried), I checked out the Jouer Cosmetics makeup stand, which is a French line of chic and modern cosmetics. The intelligent packaging for Jouer, which means "play" in French, allows you to do just that. You can attach different shadows to customize your portable makeup palette. Fabulous!

Once Beautylicious and my nails were hooked up and faces were beat, we snacked on the delicious Popcorn Indian Kettle Corn (see below, yum!) and checked out the fashion brands. Robert Verdi featured the new Maidenform bra that adds two cup sizes to your bustline and ShaToBu shapewear, the innovative brand that burns calories while you wear it! I need ShaToBu in my life pronto to get right and tight for the summertime. 

Check out some pics of us hanging out at the lounge below! Fun times.

Beautylicious and I looking pretty and sipping Absolut Berri Acai and lemonade earlier in the week.

Here's this adorable model I met at the lounge! I had to take a pic with him. Fierce.

His cut was some kind of amazing.

Kisses,

Coutura