MAGAZINE GLAM: Naomi Campbell Nude on the Cover of British GQ

Naomi Campbell is one of the most gorgeous specimens in life. It's a distinction she shares with only a few other celebs like Heidi Klum, Iman, Halle Berry and Adriana Lima who are fortunate enough to have stunningly gorgeous features and a perfect body that doesn't age.

That's why, although Naomi's latest GQ cover is beyond beautiful, I cannot fathom why they would photograph her in such an off-putting position. On her knees? It's just a little too over-the-top for me.

There are plenty more tasteful ways to shoot someone artistically in the nude; take Taraji P. Henson's new PETA ad for example. You get the full scope of her gorgeous bod, but not in a ready-made sex position.

Furthermore, it seems the cover story is about Naomi's infamous Blood Diamonds trial and the sexualized tone of the image certainly does not match the serious matter of the crimes, even with the "Naked Truth" title.

But alas, her skin, body and face are truly a work of art, and that's all that matters when it comes to selling covers, isn't it?

What do you think of the cover?

P.S. Do you think Naomi's the last of the Supermodels? Fascinating cover line...

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Eva Longoria in Georges Hobeika Couture at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Eva Longoria is one of the few Hollywood starlets who can go from show to show during Awards Season without missing one glamorous beat. Though each look is new and refreshing (she's no Angelina), they are always stunning, regal and polished. Totes Glamazon material.

At the Golden Globes, she was a veritable black bombshell in a long black gown that hugged her curves perfectly. For the Screen Actors Guild Awards, she pours on the sexy again but this time in a gorgeous stone-hued gown by Georges Hobeika Couture from their Spring 2011 collection.

Even with the plunging neckline, the draped waist and fluid silhouette bring a touch of elegance. Her updo, metallic shimmer and silver accessories (Fred Leighton earrings and Ferragamo clutch) bring the look full circle.

What do you think of her gown? Glam or Sham?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: January Jones in Carolina Herrera at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Now THIS is a red-carpet worthy look. January Jones wowed everyone at the Sag Awards in a black and gold lace Carolina Herrera mermaid gown.

Ladylike, regal and exquisite, the gown highlighted January's amaze figure without being too over-the-top or racy (a la her Versace dress at The Golden Globes).

Paired with a beautiful blonde updo and shimmery gold makeup, January was the picture of elegance last night. Old Hollywood glamour wins over swimsuit siren any day---well, maybe just at Awards Shows.

What do you think of her look? Glam or Sham? I think it's everything and more.

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Natalie Portman in Azzaro at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Most of you were less-than-pleased with Natalie Portman's Viktor & Rolf gown at the Golden Globe Awards, saying it was too busy and unflattering to her pregnant frame. Her stylist, Kate Young, must have been listening because she chose a dress with a more fitted silhouette for the SAG Awards.

The white gown (white was the color of the night) was accented with a sparkling embroidered neckline and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Hair, of course, was pulled back.

Blah. White is a fabulous hue (it looked stunning on Eva Longoria) but I'd love to see Natalie in a colorful printed flowing gown (think Mila Kunis' Alexander McQueen) to give her some life. This was safe and boring, and it looks like her stomach can't breathe.

Sham for me, though I'm ecstatic about her second Awards Season win for Best Actress in Black Swan and her paved road to the Oscars.

What do you think of her look?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Kim Kardashian in Marchesa at the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards

Nevermind why she even attended the SAG Awards and if she's an actual actress (P.S. I thought she did a great job of acting upset with her naked W Magazine cover on Kim & Kourtney Take New York last night. Come on Kimmie), Kim Kardashian rarely misses the chance to appear on a red carpet and last night, she hit the Screen Actor's Guild Awards in a Marchesa gown.

She tweeted that she felt like a "princess" and in case you were wondering, she did indeed step out sans extensions and fake lashes. The result? She sure looked gorgeous without her beauty "enhancers" but the gown just didn't wow me. For princess, I prefer Olivia Wilde's black and gold Marchesa gown from the Golden Globes: full-on sparkly tulle and excess.

I don't think Kim Kardashian embodies that look here; this dress is more of a purple Grecian goddess moment. And that look is equally feminine, gorgeous and sexy. The cut-outs are classy and tasteful and the embroidery is super elegant and modern.

It's admittedly not my favorite Kim or Marchesa moment, but her beauty is non-debatable. What do you guys think of this look? Glam or Sham?

And what exercises does she do for that toned back?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: Anne Hathaway Mixes Stripes, Polka Dots and Ruffles in Marni Resort 2011

Anne Hathaway is something of a fashion darling, appearing in Vogue and wearing top designers flawlessly on the red carpet. That's why her latest appearance has The Glamazons scratching our heads.

For the 20th Century Fox Press Day for her upcoming flick, RIO, in Los Angeles, Hathaway wore a look from Marni's Resort 2011 collection: a striped cropped sweater paired with polka dot ruffled cropped pants. 
 

Mixed prints are nothing new---we've seen Rihanna, Beyonce and even Michelle Obama embrace the look, but a Coutura rule of thumb is to wear varying patterns with complimentary hues. Unfortunately, Anne Hathaway didn't read this blog.

The pieces are too mismatched and out-of-sync to be fashion-forward. And to add insult to injury, the cropped shirt AND cropped pants make for odd proportions, the sweater is completely shapeless and even the materials clash. A sweater and light breezy pants? What season is it?


On the model, however, it looks quirky and playful which proves that not every look can go from the runway to reality.

For her hot Marni mess, we say Anne Hathaway looks a "Dusty Sham," but what's your verdict, Glamazons? Is this look Glam or a Sham?

 


Kisses,


Coutura

FIRST LOOK! Vera Wang for David's Bridal

It seems after every holiday season there's a baby boom or wave of engagements. For me, it's been a little bit of both. I have several new nieces and nephews to spoil and two of my favorite cousins are getting married (congrats to Bunny and DB!). As the designated "fashion person in the family," I jump at the chance to help with the dress search.

Imagine, then, my excitement when I learned last April that the Goddess of Bridal Gowns Vera Wang is designing a collection for David's Bridal. The celebrated bridal designer has outfitted some of today's biggest celebrities for their nuptials including Khloe Kardashian and Alicia Keys. Her coveted designs at David's Bridal prices? Talk about affordable luxury!

Few wedding gowns are as romantic and breathtaking as Vera Wang's and I'm proud to say she doesn't disappoint with her White collection for David's Bridal. The collection, which hits stores February 11th, will range in sizes from 0-14 and in price from $600-$1,400. Budget brides, leap for joy!

About the stunning collection of gowns, Vera Wang said: "Every bride deserves to have great design. I believe the bride knows who she is and how she wants to look and feel on her special day. Every gown I create reflects that respect for other women and how much design means to me...A wedding dress is more than just a dress. It embodies a bride's lifelong dream and her own sense of who she is."

I know that's right, Vera. Check out the collection of strapless embroidered tulle gowns, sleek one-shoulder Grecian gowns and soft pink princess gowns below. Which is your favorite?

Aren't they just perfect? Shop the full collection here.

Kisses,

Coutura

BEAUTY NEWS: Halle Berry's New Fragrance 'Reveal' in Stores Next Month

Hey Glamazons, remember when Ferocia told you that Halle Berry’s third fragrance, Reveal, was in the works? Well, after much anticipation, the scent will make its own big reveal when debuts on store shelves throughout the country this February.

The follow-up to two successful scents, Halle by Halle Berry and Pure Orchid by Halle Berry, the new fragrance contains a blend of Berry's fave flower (mimosa), peach, honeydew, melon and red berries; a heart of plumeria flower, iris blossom and neroli petals and a base of vetiver, cashmere woods and skin musk.

With a goal to create a balance of everyday fabulousness with a dose of sensuality, Halle said her newest fragrance “becomes sexier and more mysterious as you wear it.”

“Reveal is an invitation for women to share their story, to reveal some parts of themselves that they have not yet expressed,” Halle said in a press release.

The scent comes in three sizes 0.5 oz ($17); 1 oz ($35) and 1.7 oz ($35).

Are you excited for Halle’s new fragrance? Are you ready to experience Reveal?

Ciao Bellas,

Glamazon Margo

TRY THIS: Maybelline Fit Me! Collection

While normal people hole up in their apartments on snow days and watch movies and do other domesticated things like say cook and clean, I play with makeup. I know, sounds really strange (especially when you see that I store the stuff in my kitchen cabinets, too) but it's really not that crazy of a thing especially when you consider the fact that I've already professed my beauty junkie habits several times before on this blog. Plus, you (as the reader) totally benefit from it in that you get to find out what I think about each of the products.

With that said, let me tell you about a pretty awesome collection that came my way last week: Maybelline's Fit Me! Collection. Side note: It was KIND of amazing that I received these products because I totally wrote about it here last year and I've been itching to get my hands on the stuff ever since! This is the first drugstore brand foundation, powder and concealer that I've found actually melts into my skin just like a prestige brand! There are 18 shades of foundation and powder, 6 shades of concealer, 12 shades of blush and 3 shades of bronzer so there's no way that you won't find the perfect shade for you. Here's a breakdown of each product in the line:

Fit Me! Foundation has a translucent base mixed with lightweight pigments that allow the foundation to give an excellent replication of the shade on the skin. (All of this according to the press release of course.) My take on it? It's super creamy yet very light and is the perfect non-foundation foundation. (You know, so you can create that whole "I'm not really wearing makeup" look.) It contains SPF 18 and retails for $7.99.

Fit Me! Powder is (yep! you guessed it!) also lightweight and blendable and leaves a non-cakey finish. Each of its 18 shades corresponds perfectly with the FIT ME! Foundation. ($7.99)

Fit Me! Concealer also contains the same formulation as the foundation to conceal imperfections without hiding skins natural imperfections. Translation from the press release: this stuff goes on smooth and doesn't do those other weird things that most drug store concealers do like just sit on top of whatever zit or pimple you're trying to conceal. ($6.49)

Fit Me! Blush features a silky, soft texture for easy blending and contains a soft, lasting fade-free natural color. Now, you know that as much as I abhor blush, I've been wearing it a bit more often than usual. So, even though I totally didn't want to put this stuff on, I did and was pleasantly surprised to see that it melded right into my skin without looking clownish. Amaze! ($5.51)

The best part about all of these products is not just how they look on you, but how they look in the stores. The stands in the drugstore contain what's called the "Fit Finder" tool making it super easy to find the right shades for you. Also, they each have numbers on them so if you're a 220 in foundation, then you're also a 220 in powder and concealer.

All of these products are available for purchase now at a drugstore near you, so you should probably go get your own set and test 'em out for yourselves! (Don't worry, you can thank me for the recommendation later.)

xo

Ferocia

TRY THIS: Ferocia (Finally!) Gets Her Hands On The MAC Wonder Woman Collection!

Since I first heard the first whisperings of a MAC Wonder Woman collection backstage during Fashion Week last year, I've been on pins and needles as to whether it would really come to fruition. I mean, I've only been a fan of Wonder Woman since the age of 3.

Side note: I won't even tell you guys the story about how I once tried to be her and threw myself down the stairs thinking I was actually going to glide. Yeah, to say that didn't end so well is a serious understatement. Geez.

After reading the official announcement in WWD, I squealed with glee, wrote up the news here for you guys to read and waited for that black box of products from the brand to arrive for me to review. Lucky for me (and the rest of the beauty blogging/editorial world) the brand decided to not only send us products, but to hold a special event to give us all of the deets on the collection. Nevermind the fact that it had snowed 8 inches the night before and the streets were a mess, I work up extra early the day of the event and trudged downtown in my silver Hunter rain boots to the amazing MAC pop-up store where all the action was taking place.

I was greeted by super tall models at the door in superhero outfits and Wonder Woman comic books lined the shelves along the walls. There was red, white and blue everywhere and fun, empowering music playing (think Destiny's Child Survivor). MAC makeup artists were on hand to create fun looks using the new products (Romero Jennings took one look at me and immediately put on my new favorite gloss, Secret Identity. Love him!) If some of the products look like they've been injected with extra doses of steroids that's because they have! (I mean, who doesn't want an extra large size of LipGlass or Mineralize Skinfinish powder?!) According to the brand, the products were created larger than life to emphasize Wonder Woman's super hero strength.)

During the presentation, I learned that MAC worked very closely with DC Comics to come up with the names and packaging for the line. Also, regardless of whatever collection they create, MAC always makes sure that the shades are en vogue for the season.

According to Jennifer Balbier, Sr. Vice President of Product Development for MAC Worldwide, the shades in the collection consist of monochromatic blues and greens to stay on trend with the look of Spring 2011. (Gordon Espinet, VP of Global Makeup Artistry, MAC Worldwide shared that one of the big stand out trends for Spring 2011 is a "very early, very fresh '70s look."

"Think a shampoo commercial from 1972, or a Cheryl Tiegs or Farrah Fawcett type of girl. It's a very nude face with products that are used to sculpt, with hints of pop art colors and cool tones," he said. And, of course, that's like the epitome of the beauty look that Wonder Woman rocks.

Instead of models, MAC teamed up with a cartoonist to create a comic. In the story line, Wonder Woman defeats the evil Medusa and saves the women of the world from turning into Plain Janes. She uses the power of makeup to eliminate dullness and make the women of the world beautiful.

Let's fast forward to some of my fave products in the line now, shall we?

Eyeshadow Quad in Defiance - (from l to r)

Defiance: iridescent white pink (veluxe pearl)

Paradise Island: soft warm pink (satin)

Star Studded: mid-tone violet pink (satin)

Real Drama: dark burgundy with pink pearl (satin)

PRICE: $40.00

Eyeshadow Quad in Lady Justice - (from l to r)

Lady Justice: bright silver with white pearl (frost)

Insurmountable: dirty blue grey (veluxe pearl)

Bold Babe: deep metal blue with white pearl (frost)

Deep Truth: true dark blue (frost)

$40.00

*there's also one more eyeshadow quad not pictured here called Valiant

Valiant: light lime with yellow pearl (frost)

Spinning Transformation: deep olive bronze with yellow pearl (frost)

Diana Undercover: dark forest green (satin)

Manila Paper: pale frost white gold (veluxe pearl)

$40.00

Opulash Mascara in Victorious (an awesome shade of purple)

*line also includes three other Opulash mascaras not pictured here in Army of Amazons (green); Themyscira (blue); Black (black...obvs!)

$15 each

Reflects Glitter in Reflects Bronze (a sparkling rich gold)

$21.00

Reflects Glitter in Reflects Pearl (a white glitter with a pearl sheen)

$21.00

Pigment in Marine Ultra (a vivid marine blue)

$21.00

Pigment in Bright Fuschia (a super bright magenta)

$21.00

Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack (a true black)

$18.50

Mineralize Skinfinish in Golden Lariot (a true coral with fine gold shimmer, soft suntanned bronzer and soft gold with fine shimmer)

$35.00

Powder Blush in Mighty Aphrodite (a warm peach coral with gold pearl and bright coral pink with gold pearl)

$24.00

LipGlass (from l to r):

Wonder Woman (a bright red with soft pearl)

Emancipation (pale neutral pink)

Secret Identity (mid-tone copper with soft pearl) *my new fave lipglass!!

Athena's Kiss (bright blue fuschia)

$19.50 each

Here's what the shades look like on my skin! (from top to bottom): Wonder Woman; Athena's Kiss; Secret Identity; and Emancipation

Lipstick in Russian Red (an intense matte bluish-red) *one of my all-time favorite shades from MAC that already exists in the line; isn't the packaging awesome?!

$15.50 each

Here's what the lipstick shades look like on my skin (from top to bottom): Russian Red; Spitfire (satin); Heroine (frost); and Marquise d' (lustre)

There's also other really cool accessories in the collection such as this MAC Wonder Woman Bulletproof Blue Makeup Bag ($30.00). Side note: Not that I really want to jump in front of a bunch of flying bullets with this thing, but I wonder if it really IS bullet proof?!

And don't think for one second that I'm not rocking this gold Wonder Woman Utility Belt at the bar! (It comes with a cute blue set of mini face brushes and retails for $49.50).

The absolute best accessory is this POW! ring we got in our goodie bags at the event. Want to know how you can win it? Here's how:

MAC has teamed up with Foursquare to create a program that debuts 2/8/2011 in seven countries. Wonder Woman will travel the globe in her ultra chic invisible jet and visit select MAC stores to leave gifts for her array of fans. You can keep track of Wonder Woman by visiting MAC's Facebook page via a dedicated Wonder Woman tab. This tab will feature details of the Foursquare program as well as a schedule of participating stores and countries. Upon checking in on Foursquare at one of the participating MAC locations, you'll receive a message on your mobile device that you should present to a MAC makeup artist. In turn, you'll receive a page of limited-edition Wonder Woman stickers. Select stickers will reveal a winner message (only 30 winners per store!) and an exclusive custom-made MAC Wonder Woman POW ring will be sent directly to the winner.

Whew! I know, a lot of info, but sounds like a really cool program, right?! And, um how AMAZING is this collection?! (You know it must be pretty great if I've taken the time to write a book about it hahaha)

The MAC Wonder Woman collection will be available for purchase next month (2/10) at all MAC locations as well as online at maccosmetics.com. BUT if you're just dying to get your hands on it now, you can head over to the first ever MAC Pop-Up store here in New York! The collection will be available for purchase now until February 10. Here's the store location and hours:

MAC Wonder Woman Pop-Up Store

109 Spring St.

New York, NY 10012

212.334.4641

Store Hours:

M-W 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

TH-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Sunday Noon-7 p.m.

And there you have it. Another epic collection from MAC! Who else out there can't wait to get their hands on this stuff?!

xo

Ferocia