Banana Republic's new Wildbloom Vert

I’m just saying…for someone who’s pretty accustomed to a 10AM-6PM schedule, waking up at 7 for Banana Republic’s new Wildbloom Vert fragrance launch was no easy feat. But once I stepped into the Gramercy Park Hotel terrace, which was flooded by sunlight, I instantly woke up. If only every morning can begin like this…

Gramery Park Hotel terrace

Table setting

Wasn't kidding about the sun...PS, for those of you asking about my updated ombre, here it is

To learn about the fragrance, we were in good company: we were joined by BR’s creative director, Simon Kneen, and world-renowned perfumer, Ilias Ermenidis, who helped develop the scent.

Simon Kneen

Breakfast!

The table setting and special menu all included elements of the perfume itself, with little magnolias and gardenias sweeping across the table, and crisp pear and pink lady apples in our salads.

Menu

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Salad

Potato frittata with fresh greens

Oatmeal

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Me and Simon Kneen

The ever stylish, BR's Tara McCollum

Simon Kneen and Ilias Ermenidis

BR girls! So effortlessly cute, no?

Over breakfast, Ermenidis talked about his passion for lively green fragrances like Wildbloom Vert. The idea, he said, was to develop something joyful and optimistic. What he came up with was a beautiful, lush scent with a mix of fruits and rich florals. The perfume has notes of peach, teak, green violet leaves, and sandalwood, and a few drops of silky musks.

Win Wildbloom Vert today!

I’m a stickler for scents, and with one spritz of this I was totally taken. It’s very spring, but also a wonderful scent to take you easily from day to night. It’s truly a really beautiful fragrance. A 50 ml bottle will be available for $48, and I’m so convinced you’ll love it, I’m giving you a chance to try it right now for today’s giveaway!

TO ENTER: There are two ways to enter and you can do either for a chance to win. Do both to increase your chances!

1) FOLLOW me on Twitter, and tweet: “@BeautyNDFeast I want to win @BananaRepublic’s new Wildbloom Vert perfume http://ow.ly/8PuKj #BRVertGiveaway”

2) LIKE BATF’s Facebook Page and leave a comment about Wildbloom Vert on its post!

Leave a comment below on how you entered! You won’t want to miss this one — the perfume smells divine! Winner will be announced on February 9th. Good luck!

x
Shy

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*All pictures by Joy Jacobs

Garnier's new Skin Renew BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector

But the good news is, Garnier has brought their own BB cream to the masses here with their new BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector.

The cream promises to even out skin tone, brighten complexion, renew radiance, deliver 24 hour hydration, and protection with its SPF 15. It’s also packed with Vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant and it comes in two shades (light/medium, and medium/dark) to provide a light coverage. It’s similar to a tinted moisturizer but it has more skin-perfecting and brightening benefits. I was sent one in medium/dark to review and have been using it as a quick pick-me-up before I apply my makeup and was impressed that it really added a fresh sheen to my skin without looking cakey (and it smells so good!). But don’t expect it to be as heavy duty as a concealer or foundation — it will minimize the appearance of dark spots but not totally cover them. That’s why it’s a good idea to layer on with a little color if you need it. Hence, it comes in only two shades and not multiple…it’s only meant for light coverage in that sense since it’s more for the skin’s benefit than anything.

The cream will be available at mass market retailers for $13 starting February 2012.

Have any of you used BB creams before? Which ones do you use and what do you think?

x
Shy

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Specific Beauty Skin Brightening Serum

I’ve been freelancing at Allure, and just as you’d imagine, it’s quite the beauty product heaven. During a recent beauty sale, I picked up a few products from Specific Beauty. If you remember, I had a giveaway with them a few months ago. That was actually the first time I was introduced the brand myself, which is formulated to serve the needs particular to people of medium-to-dark skin tones (particularly, to even out your complexion).

I started using their Skin Brightening Serum and Professional Moisture Complex sparingly every AM and PM. I’m always really critical of serums and skin brighteners in general because the ones I’ve used in the past either feel sticky and gross or they dry out my skin. Surprisingly though, these were neither. The serum was more creamy and combining it with the moisturizer kept my skin from drying out.

Serum and Professional Moisture Complex

Even better, I felt like I noticed the difference within a few days. Any dark spots I had were lightening up a lot faster than I thought it would. I checked out the ingredients and it contains licorice, which is a known skin lightener because of its glabridin (which inhibits pigmentation). The moisture complex also contains grape seed oil, an antioxidant powerhouse and skin softener. Both are also under $50 each (the serum is $30 and the moisturizer is $20), which considering the fact that it can be compared to brands that are LOT more expensive, is a pretty good deal.

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Shy

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Makeup from It Cosmetics

“IT” cosmetics stands for Innovative Technology Cosmetics. The company works with the top plastic surgeons to create high-performance makeup with anti-aging technology. I feel this is one of those small brand has been growing like crazy because the stuff they make is AMAZING. Last year, they won the prestigious Cosmetic Innovator of the year Award and I wouldn’t be surprised if they stacked up more. I met Jamie last year when I was first introduced to the brand, and since then, her makeup has remained some of my staples favorite staples, beginning with her Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer.

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, $24

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

Normally, I’m not a huge fan of liquid concealer, but this one is rich in texture and (what I love) brightens at the same time. The color match (I use Tan) is amazing and a little goes a long way. I don’t really have a huge dark circle issue, but I like to use this just to lighten up around my eyes on occasion. (This comes with a retractable concealer brush for $26 on qvc.com).

Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Volumizing Mascara Duo, $30

I will fight for their Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Volumizing Mascara Duo. It’s truly one of the most unique brushes I’ve ever seen in a mascara (and trust me, I’m a mascara junkie). The tip reminds me of Givenchy’s Phenomen’Eyes, but I love this one way more because the rest of the brush gives you lift and volume. The tip also makes it easy to get into those itty bitty lashes. The formula is infused with a conditioning primer and lash-enhancing serum (yes longer lashes without mascara too yaay!). Not to mention, it’s free of parabens, fragrance, pthalate, and sulfates. Stuff you don’t want near your eyes anyway.

Luxe High Performance Eye Shadow Palette, $35

Their High Performance eyeshadow palette is serious stuff — the shadows have great color pay-off since they’re so highly pigmented. I think it’s a great inclusive palette as a basic set to create day time or smoky eyes. The brush it comes with is a dual liner/shadow brush that makes it super easy to apply them as eyeliner too. I played with it a bit myself .

Using It Cosmetics shadows, mascara, and concealer

Using It Cosmetics

I used their Cashmere (matte creme) all over first, then a little bit of Earth Angel (matte beige cashmere) on the lid, and a mix of Ipanema (golden beige pearl) and Espresso (matte deep brown) in the crease. Heavenly (pearl white) on the brow bone and Azure (midnight navy) as a liner. Finished off with their Hello Eyes mascara.

I can’t write a IT Cosmetics post without mentioning the wonders of their Brow Power pencil — it’s an award winning universal brow pencil that is so subtle but helps shape your browns so beautifully. One end is the brow pencil and the other is a brush:

Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil Duo, $32

AND finally, I JUST started experimenting with their Bye Bye Pores Micro-Finishing HD Powder. It’s definitely on par with a lot of top makeup brands as a traceless setting powder. It’s infused with silk and vitamins for a perfecting finish. If you’ve never tried it before, TODAY is the best time to look into it because for one day only, they’re giving their Complexion Perfection Anti-Aging Collection for less than half the price. That includes the basics: Their full coverage concealer, the Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Micro-Powder, their Heavenly Luxe Powder Brush and dual Airbrush foundation/Concealer brush — all for $50 (value $186):

Complexion Perfection 4-piece collection

Check out the whole collection at itcosmetics.com!

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Shy

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*samples provided for review but these are my real opinions

My review on Bergdorf's blog

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation, $75

Tom Ford is a genius. To say that he’s made an indelible mark on fashion would be an understatement. So when Mr. Ford decided to bring his keen aesthetic to the beauty world, I was first in line. As far as my expectations of the launch, I had comfortably settled somewhere between tempering my anticipation…and secretly pining for pure magic. After all, when it comes to my skin tone (which generally falls in the “medium” or “tan” category), I typically find that even the biggest beauty brands are left scratching their heads over how to achieve a perfect match.

The formulation of his Traceless Foundation is incredibly lightweight, moisturizing, and above all – illuminating. Before applying, my skin was dull and lacked vibrancy (hey, it’s been a long week!). After application my skin was visibly dewy and radiant. Caramel is a tad deeper than my skin tone but only in the slightest — it actually adds “warmth” to my complexion…something I tend to lack during the cooler, winter months. What I find particularly refreshing about Traceless is the yellow-undertone of the shade range…a welcome departure from the pink-undertones that I typically see in many foundation formulations.

Tip: If you require added coverage in certain areas (as I do on blemishes), use your finger to concentrate the coverage of your application. Tap, tap, tap until desired complexion perfection is achieved. If you need even heavier coverage (and let’s face it, girls – sometimes…), I recommend using Tom Ford’s Traceless Foundation Stick, or a combination of both liquid and stick. Read the rest on BG’s website!

Another tip! I would definitely check out the colors in person at Bergdorf’s counter — I thought it was rather difficult to tell what my color match is from looking online. Case in point, I thought Caramel would definitely NOT suit my skin color, but after trying it at the store, I found that it was the closest match. Have any one of you tried his foundation or the other products in Mr. Ford’s line? What do you think?

x
Shy

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Rachel Roy Shadow collection

To celebrate the launch of her beauty line, Rachel Roy invited a select few writers to her studio in midtown to introduce her Shadow Collection and talk (what else?) makeup. I was honored to be there and get an up-close look at the shadows firsthand. We snacked on macaroons and cake pops (that were are in colors that coordinate the shadows in her palette nonetheless) and indulged in hand massages, before Roy herself emerged.

Day time shadows

Rachel Roy

My first thought when I saw the 37-year-old designer (who mind you, looks like she’s still fresh in her 20s) besides her obvious beauty is, “Man…Rachel Roy is tall!” She has to be at least 5′10 thought she was hiding some heels under her long wool slacks but no…all I saw peeking from under there were Chanel ballerina flats.

Macaroons in the shade of her shadows

After I met her, she briskly walked across the studio and first stopped by to see how the makeup artist (who was there doing mini-makeovers) was doing. Then she took a seat at a table across another chair facing her. I thought she was gearing up for a presentation, but instead, she took a few sips of her wine before picking her palette up and to do her co-workers makeup using her new shadows.

The collection itself is impressive with a gorgeous mix of 10 dark and light tones with the most interesting names. The day shades include: Balance, Fire, Energy, Galaxy, and Dark Magic. Night shades consist of Twilight, Infinite, Evil Eye, Empyrean, and Celestial. While she sat playing makeup artist, she was game for our questions:

When did you start dabbling with makeup?
I did [makeup] on my brother…he was my first victim. I would style him, but to me the styling wasn’t complete unless it was a head to toe look. I would just experiment with how I wanted makeup to look on me, but I needed to see that on someone else. I grew up not being able to afford the things I saw in movies or magazines. As a child, you get that through dreaming and fantasizing but with makeup you can get it quickly. So I had fun with it and my dad, being Indian, was always worried. I heard him talking to my mom saying, “This is going to be her life.” He worried that my nails were red, and my mom would say, “Oh, I did that when I was young, too, and look at me now. Don’t worry about it. This is not going to be forever.” Little did they know.

All of my aunts on my dad’s side didn’t have much. But they had beautiful saris, plastic bangles up their arms and a kohl eye no matter what. Some of them went to clean because they were maids, but they were the most beautiful maids.

I took about 10 of these cake pops home

Why did you decide to branch into beauty?
Sometimes when something comes to you as easy as breathing, you don’t realize it’s a gift or a talent until much later in life, and you start to become very thankful. When I went to Africa to visit the orphanage I work with, it was in such a rural place — very stereotypical with kids running up to the car because they never see cars and little girls tugging at you. All they wanted to do is look in my purse. They wanted makeup. Little girls are exactly same as [my girls at] home. Little girls are little girls are little girls. That was a turning point for me becasue I realized that makeup and fashion, it makes people feel good about themselves. The older you get you can start to think it’s a very vain thing, it’s a very self-serving thing. Self-serving can be good if you’re taking care of yourself and doing the right things for yourself.

Whatever I had in my purse I showed them, what they looked like, and you can see them…they were so proud of themselves. It made them feel good, something as small as that. There’s definitely a good side to beauty and to feeling beautiful. As you get older, you realize if you don’t have the balance and you’re not doing every single step to get that, it’s never just never gonna be there. As a little girl, it’s just fun. The older I get the more I learn, I try to pass on all those tools on how to do makeup and those other tools to feeling beautiful.

What are your beauty must-haves?
For me, mascara and eyelash, eyelash eyelash. If that’s all I can do I feel good with an eyelash. It makes me feel younger and more awake. One of my favorites is Estée Lauder’s Turbo Lash. I love a blush from By Terry. It smells like roses. It’s this peachy shade that gives a glow and works on every skin color.

Do you do your own makeup?
Yes, all the time! For television, I’ll get someone to do my foundation because I can’t gauge how much I should put on and how it’ll look like under the lights in the studio. And I’m not good at putting lashes on. If I can master that…because it’s all about the proportion, how big do I want to take my eye, I want to take it out. I want it to be blended because it represents effortlessness it looks lived in and real. And no one can really get that except me so when I work with makeup artist, it can be offensive becasue I keep changing what they’re doing so I like doing it myself. It eliminates one stress in my lfie. I just enjoy it — it’s quick and it’s fun. I tried a green smoky eye for the CFDA one year and a friend of mine walked up to me and is like, “Why?” And I was like, “It’s pretty! And its new, that’s why!”

What’s your favorite way to wear a smoky eye?
I like to open my eye outwards as oppose to most people. It’s instantly sexy. You can dress very classic but still have this way about you that’s quite down to earth. And the messier, the better. I’m not one to hide my wrinkles, but I hide it with [smoky eye]. This is amazing for crow’s feet. When I get complemented on being 37 and maybe not looking quite 37, it’s definitely my Indian pigment and also that I cover my eyes with makeup. The smoky eye is the answer to everything! Also, Brigitte Bardot’s look was so effortless because her makeup was so lived-in and not too precise. It also allows me to wear the type of clothes that I love because if I like to wear something classic, the smokey eye always makes me look so relatable.

The darker Night shadows

How did you choose the colors in your palette?
I literally went through [so many colors]. I wanted something for day and night. Thankfully there’s a palette that’s big enough for both. I tried ried them on with my staff and we literally put [it on our hands] and when something was close put on face. I wanted something that wasn’t a typically smoky eye. For me purples and navys work well with black [shadows] and for day, you know not everyone could go to the office with makeup this heavy, so I wanted browns and ambers. You still want fun and you still want color and something a little bit newer and fresh.

What colors are you wearing tonight on your eyes?
Tonight I personally have on Evil Eye [dark gray] and Celestial in the crease and I take a little bit of wet and put on top, so that gives my eye I think it makes it look a little wet, I like a moist look. I do like a a wet liner, the shadow.

Rachel Roy

Do you relate more to your Dutch or Indian side?
Clearly, I’m an Indian girl. My [Dutch] mom had an Indian daughter! That said, I do spend more time with Dutch side because they help to raise me. I don’t have dad’s family here. What I get from my Dutch side is how I raise my children and how I am in my personal life. They are kind and sweet people — very genuine. I my business side from my father.

Growing up, my mom always told me not to wear makeup — I think they didn’t want us to grow up tpp fast and it’s also probably why I’m so obsessed with makeup now! You always want what you can’t have. Did you have any similar experience from your Indian side growing up, and does it affect your decision to get into designing or makeup at all?
There might be a connection subconsciously. But I think you are born with gifts you discover them as you grow. My dad is quite outgoing and charming. He’s a professor of sociology so he’s serious and focused. He was in the Indian Navy and he made costumes for himself. He would go into my mom’s trunk and sew up pants for himself. He was the life of the party. As much as he wanted me to be a doctor (he’s probably still waiting for me to be a doctor…waiting for my “real” job). He’s one of those people that has that flair for him as well. He’s very alpha though. [My parents] were hippies when they got together. They’re also the same height so they could wear each others pants. I think no matter who I was born to, I would love the same things. don’t know if I would bIe at the same place, he had two-three jobs and my mom had the same job for 40 years. So the work ethic came from the family definitely. My brother as well — he’s the film curator at the MoMA and you have to be very patient to get that type of job. That came from them. No matter what family I was born into, I think I would have the same loves. I just don’t know what I’d be doing with those loves.
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It was so fun speaking with Roy, and I was dying to try the shadows myself. Everyone knows I’m not normally a shadow girl (I can use liners to death), but these shadows are truly stunning. They have everything you need for easy day and night makeup. The palette also comes with a blending and smudging brush so you can perfect your smoky eyes. I thought the brushes would be hard to use, but to my delight, they make applying the shadows around your lashline pretty easy.

Natural day look

Playing with the darker shadows

I love that it simplifies by including shadows that are essentials but still come in gradients of ambers, golds, violets and other colors that are not totally typical. I usually don’t even pack shadows with me, but this palette most definitely was packed for my Argentina trip! The price point is amazing too — for 10 gorgeous shadows and two brushes, it’s $32. I’m telling you to run, don’t walk, to get yours too! It makes a perfect gift too…just TRY to find me a girl who wouldn’t love this…I can so quickly change her mind .

The Rachel Roy Shadow Collection is available at rachelroy.com and macys.com for $32.

x
Shy

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