I thought I’d share some lessons I learned while traveling this past February to NYC. Some beauty related, some not so beauty related… but hopefully they’re either entertaining or helpful (maybe even both, if I’m lucky!).

Lesson #1:  Pack Lighter

I am a master packer. Seriously! I do an incredible job of cramming everything I need into one carryon suitcase and one carryon “personal bag” (aka super large shoulder bag). I don’t like to check in my bags, because so many bags get lost, and I know makeup (especially MAC) is often stolen out of bags as they make their way from point A to point B. So if I can, I carryon! Both my carryons were quite heavy, which made lugging them up the jetway stairs kind of a drag, so definitely need to look into lessening the actual weight! I also packed more makeup than I used, and if I had been more forward-thinking… I would have realized I wouldn’t have needed all that makeup!

Lesson #2: Travel Size Everything

I actually would say I learned this lesson several trips ago, but I think it’s a good one to share nonetheless. Buy empty travel sized containers for all of your beauty products. Things like shampoo, conditioner, cleansers, toners, etc. often come in larger sizes than we actually need for our trip. For four days, I certainly didn’t need an entire 8 oz. bottle of cleanser! MAC came out with several travel sized containers a year or two ago, and I really love them. I frequently use them when I travel, so I can lessen the weight of what I take, plus the room they take up!

Lesson #3: Bring a Pillow

If you’re able to, bring a pillow on the plane. Whether it’s inflatable, a neckwrap, or a stuffed animal… BRING IT! Especially if you’re taking a red-eye. I didn’t think I would sleep on the plane, but I just might have dozed off for an hour or two had I had a pillow of some sort. On the way back, I used the hermit crab stuffed animal I bought at FAO Schwartz as a makeshift pillow and got an hour of shut-eye. Consider this a lesson learned!

Lesson #4: Re-Shape Your Body

Since it was Fashion Week, I wanted to slim down, but quite frankly, I suck at getting my fitness on. So, instead I cheated and wore Yummie Tummies underneath my sweaters. It was perfect, though, because I needed to layer with a tank top underneath anyway to add some warmth, but the shapewear kept my waistline looking a little more svelte! They’re comfy and not restricting at all; just feels like a tank top almost!

Lesson #5: Minty Fresh Mouth

Fashion Week is not for the fainthearted. It’s go, go, GO! the entire time you’re there. This translates into lots of treks to the nearest Starbucks for some delicious caffeine-infused concoction. Unfortunately, coffee-breath is not so happening when you’re meeting supermodel Heidi Klum. But neither is chewing gum a particularly sophisticated habit! Solution? SuperSmile Whitening Gum! Conveniently packaged in individually wrapped (like sealed entirely), I can toss a couple in my purse, a few in my camera bag, and some in my pocket. Very high in minty freshness, your mouth is no longer the coffee-shop-of-horrors within a few chews. I kept meaning to try their Quikee, but I only was able to pop in a piece of gum during my on-the-go travels.

Lesson #6: Less is More

I originally feared that I didn’t have enough events, meet-ups, etc. planned, but goodness gracious, I had just enough! Any more and I would have collapsed on the spot. So my new rule of thumb is plan, plan, plan for delays and impromptu opportunities along the way!

Lesson #7: Do Research Beforehand

I really wish I had done some more research regarding places to eat in NYC. I had wanted to get some amazing Italian food, but it didn’t really pan out. So next time… I will have it! But I know now that I need to get a list going and mark down the areas they’re located so I can refer to it on-the-go! (Also need to get some New York Cheesecake… hello!)

Lesson #8: Don’t Get Lost

This seems like an easy thing to say, but don’t get lost! Don’t get on the subway when you’re not a seasoned public transportationist! (Totally made that word up!) You’ll get lost and miss your event! Pay up and take a taxi!

Lesson #9: Plan to Blog

I planned different events and the like, but I didn’t plan time to blog. I just assumed I would have the time, and it turned out I really didn’t. Next time, I’m definitely going to set aside times to blog so I can do more blogging while I’m busy adventuring and it isn’t a bunch of posts all at once!

Lesson #10: Give More Kisses to Loved Ones

Gotta get in more lovin’ with the loved ones before I leave. Includes the boy, the familia, and the puppy!

Tommy Hilfiger | Lisa Butler

Inspiration: “The look is based on a late 1970’s Lauren Hutton kind of makeup – very American, very glamorous but low key and natural.”

Eyes: Goldmine eye shadow – blended over the eyelids. Cocomotion Pigment – buffed into the crease of the eyelids . Powersurge Eye Kohl – placed along the lower lashline then smudged slightly with a brush to blend into the lashline. Prolash Mascara in Black – applied to top and bottom lashes .

Skin: Full Coverage Foundation – brushed onto the skin for a flawless face. Mineralize Skinfinish Natural – blended over the face to set foundation. Refined Golden Bronzer – applied lightly under cheek bones as a subtle contour. Intenso and Earth to Earth Mineralize Blush – blended together onto the apples of the cheeks for a soft glow.

Lips: Lip Conditioner mixed with Tickle Me Pink cream colour base or Virgin Isle cream colour base – pressed on with fingers for a sheer pink or coral lip.

See breakdowns for Catherine Malandrino and Zac Posen…

Catherine Malandrino | Tom Pecheux

Inspiration: “A modern interpretation of the optical effects of Man Ray.”

Eyes: Vex and Scene eye shadows – blended over eyelids, up past the crease of the lids and along the lower lashline to create a gray wash on the eyes. Print eye shadow – gently applied over gray shadow to add a blue tint. Blacktrack Fluidline – lining the top lashline and slightly extended past the outer corner of the eyes. Another thin black line was created by following the arch of the brow bone above the crease of the lid, and another following the lower lashline under the eyes.

Skin: Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation – applied to the face for a natural but finished face. Invisible Set Powder – brushed over the entire face to set foundation.

Lips: Lip Erase in Dim – pressed onto lips to create a skin tone mouth.

Zac Posen | Lucia Pieroni

Inspiration:

3.1 Phillip Lim | Ayako

Inspiration: The Fall 2009 collection took inspiration from the mythical spirit of rock and roll, while the hair and makeup was created to emulate Tao Okamoto’s look, a Japanese model in Phillip Lim’s Fall 2009 collection. Fused together, Phillip wanted the makeup look to mirror Tao’s mod style with a touch of rock n’ roll. With this in mind, Ayako created a look centered around “poetic mod-rock.”

Look: False lashes were placed on the outer half of the bottom lash line and was the central focus of the look. For an exaggerated effect, matte charcoal shadow was used with a wet eyeliner brush to draw lashes beneath, as if to create a shadow effect. “This is the poetic part of the look,” said Ayako. As a complement to the wispy lashes, shimmering pink and gold shadows covered the lids, while the lips were muted with concealer. Skin was made flawless with the newly formulated sheer matte foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to counteract the sleepy look of the lengthy bottom lashes. Atop the matte skin, a gentle sweep of shimmer was added to cheekbones to catch the light.

Face: Apply NARS Concealer generously, to cover any imperfections. Use a small amount of NARS Sheer Matte Foundation (NEW for Fall 2009) to create even, beautiful skin. With NARS Yachiyo Brush, dust NARS Single Eyeshadow in Bombshell from apple of cheeks up to temples for a light shimmer without pigment

Eyes: Line lower lashes with NARS Glittler Pencil in Danceteria. Smudge with finger to bring out gold shine. Use NARS Eye Contour Brush to layer rose gold with golden flecks side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Silk Road (NEW for Fall 2009) over Danceteria. Apply frosted champagne side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Indian Summer (NEW for Fall 2009) over entire lid, blending up to brow. Cut a set of false eyelashes in half and apply to outer half of lower lash line. Apply NARS Larger than Life Volumizing Mascara (NEW for Fall 2009) to lower lashes. Wet NARS Liquid Eyeliner Brush and apply matte charcoal side of NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Brumes (NEW for Fall 2009), drawing lash shadows on outer half of lower lash line

Lips: Apply a generous amount of NARS Concelear to entire lip

See face chart…

Image Source: Elle.com

Koren & I after he fluffed up my hair

Here are a bunch of photos from my makeover by Eve Pearl at her studio in NYC!

ME!

Waiting for Koren to fix up my hair

Koren & I

Koren & I again!

Koren

Koren with the famous fan brush

Pursebuzz post-makeover

Pursebuzz pre-makeover

Koren and Pursebuzz

Koren sportin’ a false lash mustache

Pursebuzz & I

Eve Pearl working on Pursebuzz

The famous and ultra talented Eve Pearl

Eve Pearl’s Studio

Eve Pearl’s Makeover Station

Walter | Scott Fantana

Scott Fontana, stylist and owner of Badass Hair gave the models at the Walter show some rock and roll hair that matched the edgy, sexy vibe of the collection. Scott and his team styled the girls using Badass Hair products. The style was a teased, tousled updo accented with velvet wrap around ribbon and feather pins.

“I wanted the hair to reflect the clothes and the whole edgy attitude that makes the Walter collection so cool. The updo was messy while still being chic, lots of teasing, but still really feminine,” says Fontana.

To create the style, Fontana used Badass Hair products including “Up All Night” to create volume, “Free” (a working hair spray) to tease the hair, “Lock Up” hair spray to hold the hair in place, and “Light It Up” hair shine to give the style a gorgeous sheen!

Image Source: Tone

Nanette Lepore | Polly Osmond

Inspiration: “The look uses shades of rose gold in a bohemian traveller sort of way.”

Eyes: Studio Sculpt Concealer – spread on lids to even out skin tone. Coffee Eye Pencil – Applied to the top and bottom lashline. Powersurge Eye Kohl – Applied to the inner rim of the eye to open up the eye. Brassy Fluidline – Applied to eyelid and under eye to create a smoky look. Rose Gold Pigment – Applied on eyelids and under eye. Plushlash Plushblack Mascara – Applied to the top and bottom lashes to separate and elongate lashes. Lingering Eye Brows – Applied to eyebrows to create fullness.

Skin: Face & Body Foundation – Applied to face as a sheer base. Laid Back Blushcreme – Applied to apples of cheeks to give a rosy glow. Antique Rose Cream Colour Base – Applied over blushcreme to create a highlighted effect. Invisible Set Powder – Applied to the t-zone to matti fy.

Lips: Diva Lipstick – blotted onto lips with finger to create a stained look. Brassy Fluidline – Applied to the center of lips.

See breakdowns and face charts for Doo.Ri and Proenza Schouler…

Doo.Ri | Tom Pecheux

Inspiration: “The look is graphic and powerful but the shimmer makes it a bit glamorous. She is made up but in a very young way.”

Eyes: Invisible Set Powder – applied to lids as a base. A blend of Black Tied eye shadow and Pearl Reflects Glitter – drawn along top lashline in a wedge shape tapered at inner corners and thick at the outer corners of the eyes. Blacktrack Fluidline – brushed onto top lashline for definition .

Skin: Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation – applied to the face in shades matching natural skin tone. Prep + Prime Powder – blended over foundation to give skin a natural matte finish.

Lips: Studio Finish Concealer mixed with Black Lipmix – patted onto lips for a sheer gray mouth allowing some of the natural lip colour to show through.

Proenza Schouler | Diane Kendal

Inspiration: “Its a worn in kind of look. The creamy brown eye makeup has a bit of a 90’s feel to it. Its giving the girls a coolness without glamorizing the makeup too much.”

Eyes: Dark Brown Cream Colour Base – applied more intensely along the lashline and eyelid crease, then blended over the lids, up toward the brow and toward outer corners of the eyes. Blacktrack Fluidline – used to fill in the top and bottom lashlines. Clear Brow Set – Combed through brows.

Skin: Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation mixed with a M

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