It's All About the Attitude...

It's All About the Attitude... by divadebbi featuring fake bamboo plants

H M sweater, $32 / Each X Other leather coat, $1,265 / Christian Louboutin high heel sandals / Fur shawl, $165 / Yves Saint Laurent lipstick / Crate and Barrel fake bamboo plant / Prada Red Alligator Handbag

NYX Cosmetics: Who Knew???

Toni Ko
Founder and Chief Creative Director
NYX Cosmetics

Hooray!

It's Oct. 1st in less than 2 hours and I have officially made it through another September, my busiest month of the year.

I know you have not seen as many beauty posts from me and I appreciate your patience. Hopefully, you have enjoyed my Polyvore fashion sets, in the interim...the only thing I have had on my brain is my clients and their clothes.

When I was at Ulta a few weeks ago, purchasing what is now my Holy Grail cleanser from Hada Labo, I happened upon a cosmetics line called NYX.

Remarkably, I had never heard of it and it turns out, it is the fastest growing cosmetic company in the U.S.  It is also sold in 40 different countries at more than 10,000 retailers.

What caught my eye was the depth of the product offerings, the attractive packaging and sophisticated colors.  What was really surprising, however, was the price point.

Would it be unkind to say it's cheap???

Date Night

Date Night by divadebbi featuring drapey tops

H&M drapey top, $32 / Haute Hippie top / Madewell mini skirt / La Perla lace lingerie / Bionda Castana shoes / Bee Charming vintage collar necklace / Tory Burch dragonfly necklace / INC International Concepts home decor / Sia green plant, $6.43

Style Goddess: Rosie Huntington Whitely

Style Goddess: Rosie Huntington Whitely by divadebbi featuring Shiseido

J Brand sweater / Mini skirt, $185 / Isabel Marant booties / Giorgio Armani tote bag / Linda Farrow Luxe round tortoise sunglasses / Shiseido lip gloss / Chloé fragrance, $74 / Pier 1 Imports dogwood tree

Pretty

Pretty by divadebbi 

Levi's + Chanel= Perfection.

'Nuf said...

xox,

DD

Back to Basics

Back to Basics by divadebbi

My head is spinning these days.  Besides wardrobing my clients at a full tilt schedule, (who doesn't want to shop for Fall clothes in September?), I have also reviewed the Spring 2014 shows online from New York, London, Milan and Paris Much of it quite beautiful with unexpected pairings of fabric and color.

And then, I spotted this lovely photo of a woman wearing the basics; a black leather skirt, navy tank, riding boots and and a navy pea coat and it strikes me how as much as we crave new, timeless fashion always look chic and fresh...

Well done!

xox,
DD

Black and White

Black and White by divadebbi 

Review: Color WOW Temporary Root-Touch Up

Color WOW Root-Touch Up Kit
$34 for approx. 60 applications

   

Over the last few months, I have read several beauty blogs about Color Wow, a temporary water resistant temporary root-touch up product. Universally, they have been positive, particularly since they have tackled the trickier feat of covering up blonde regrowth, black or white.

Personally, I am still satisfied with Gray Away Root Spray when needed except for two things; it is not readily available at retail and, as pointed out by a clever reader, its primary ingredient is butane.

Oh my.

Short of avoiding using it while barbecuing, that butane thing has weighed heavily on me.  

While I was getting a manicure, I perused Allure's August issue, which covered their 2013 Beauty Awards and Breakthroughs.  Sure enough, Color Wow was a winner in both categories. 

DivaDebbi's Red Carpet Report Card- Emmy's 2014

The 65th Annual Emmy Awards

I thought it was a pretty sleepy night at the Emmy's. For me, if the opening monologue isn't funny, it usually sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

By 8:48 I was ready to make the switch to the (disappointing) finale of Dexter.  I never looked back...

The clothes were also pretty snoozy. The only hint of a trend were iced satin, shades of deep blue, blush, boring and ugly.

Hair ran the gamut from Texas County Fair to Finger Waves.  Most silhouettes were simple and unadorned of lace or beading, and jewelry, compared to the usual Brinks job, was somewhat minimal.

My Picks and Pans.

The A Team:



My FAVE:  Rose Byrn in Calvin Klein with gorgeous
 hair and makeup, though I do prefer her with darker locks.
  (This BTW was my waistline in Nursery School)



Padma Lashmi in Kaufmanfranco
(I liked the simplicity and modernity of this ice blue
satin cut out gown)

Zoey Deschanel in J. Mandel ( but with demerits
for Alabama Prom hair)

Kate Mara in J. Mendel (call me crazy--
I loved both the dress and the hair)

Beautiful Sophia Vergara in Vera Wang
(You would be flaunting it too...)

Lovely Elizabeth Moss in Andrew Gn
(Loved the side swipe platinum hair and red lip)

The B Team:

Kerry Washington in Marchesa
(she does so well on the RC I almost expected more,
and is it possible they photo shopped her head in???)

Tina Fey in Narciso Rodriguez
(So shoot me, I think she looks hippy and I much
prefer her as a dark brunette. Still and all one
 of her best efforts.  I'm rarely a fan)

Allison Williams in Ralph Lauren (channeling
Gwyneth Paltrow and the Duchess of Cambridge)
 Way too safe.

Edie Falco in Escada (Another vibrant hued
simple silhouette but I think Edie looks toned and terrific)

Colbie Smulders in J. Mandel (albeit, as
a gorgeous bridesmaid)

The C Team:

Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano
(I'm willing to concede this is her best turn ever
on the Red Carpet. Kudos for the most improved award)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Monique Lhullier
(this just missed for me. Something about it reminded me
of a mackerel. Gym hair was disappointing too, but I
loved her speech and was delighted by her win)

Gorgeous Robin Wright in Ralph Lauren (having seen her
at her finest, after recently bingeing on a House of
Cards marathon, this was a HUGE let down)

January Jones in Givenchy (are you in there Dear?
Pretty hair and makeup paired with Nana's curtains)

The D Team:

Connie Britton in Naeem Khan (the settee
is being returned to the Hermitage today)

Jessica Pare in Oscar de la Renta
(all she is missing is Bo Peep's staff)

Julie Bowen in Zac Posen
(I like to be in Ah-mer-ee-ka...)

Pretty hair and makeup on Julianna Margulies. Toga by Reed Krakoff

The spectacular Claire Danes giving new meaning to "side boobs" with a
 "faux bob", in an ill fitting Armani Prive gown.  I still don't
 know what exactly a faux bob is... Do you???

The F Team:

(as in fire your stylist. STAT)

Anna Farris in a Canary yellow Monique
L'huillier with Canary yellow hair to match

Zosia Mamet in Honor.  It looks better in
pictures.  'Nuf said.

Lena Dunham in Prada.  In matching rose and
teal, tatts, eyeshadow and dress...I just can't.

Amanda Peet in Erdem.
Really???

Julianne Hough in Jenny Packham
for Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey

I know I missed a few, the elegant Michelle Dockery in a jarring bi-color raisin and tangerine Prada halter dress, which some loved.  Always adorable Kiernan Shipka in an age appropriate, but odd frock by Delpozo.   Do let me know.

That's all...

xox,
DD

Emmy Warm Up

Patch It by divadebbi 

I am sleeping through the Emmy's...not so funny and hugely uninspired fashion.  I created this set to remind myself that women don't need stylist's to look original beautiful while watching with one eye.

Tune in tomorrow for my DivaDebbi Red Carpet Report Card.

It's going to be scathing...

xo,

DD

Tavi Takes Toronto

Tavi Takes Toronto by divadebbi

Tavi Gevinson looked beautifully all grown up in her appearances at the Toronto International Film Festival.  She started a fashion blog at 11 and caught the notice of everyone in the industry, including the illustrious Anna Wintour.

Awed.

By 13, she was seated in the front row of the fashion show at New York Fashion Week, (much to the chagrin of experienced journalists), garbed in outfits of her own unique styling.

Envious.

Tavi Gevinson (with her hair dyed grey)

When she was 15, she started her incredibly successful website Rookie for teens, which captured nearly 1million page views in its first five days of being live.

Impressed.

At 17, she is making her acting debut in Enough Said, with the late, great James Gandolfini and the wonderful Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  Not surprisingly, she is already winning rave reviews.

Gobsmacked.

What on earth will she do for an encore???

I can't wait to find out...

xox,
DD

Miroslava's Magic

Miroslava's Magic by divadebbi 
Thank you Polyvore for choosing this as a Top Set 9-22-13!

This is the second time I have created a Polyvore set based on this woman's style...I needed to know who this stylish minx was.

Thank God for Google.  She is not really a random "street style" find. Last week she attended NY Fashion Week, this week she has moved on to London's.

She is the former editor of Russia's Harper's Bazaar.  She now works freelance and is a social media fashion star, with images of her fantastic styling on her diminutive frame, circling the world everyday.

We have Olivia Palermo, Moscow has Miroslava Dumo.

Now I know...

xo,
DD

Review: Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream

Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
$24.99 Ulta

I recently received  Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream in a massive Glam Media goodie bag I received during Fashion Week.  I immediately blogged about this extraordinary cleanser that left my skin gleaming.  Imagining it was an esoteric, wildly expensive item, I was thrilled when I researched it and found it was $11.99 at Ulta.  The next morning, I also used a sample of their Skin Plumping Gel which I also loved.

Ulta opened about a year ago relatively close to both my work and home. It is a spectacular hybrid between an Sephora and CVS.  Here, brands like Smashbox and Dr. Brandt, share real estate with L'Oreal and Sally Hansen.  Surprisingly, I never moved in, in fact, my trip to purchase Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream was only my second visit.

The lovely sales associates never heard of Hada Labo, but were determined to help me find it, either in store or online.  It is a small line of products to begin with and happily we did find it stocked with the other skin care brands.

Fall Prints: London Style

Fall Prints: London Style by divadebbi

Michael Kors turtle neck crop top / Pink skirt / BCBGeneration shoes / Stella Dot bracelet / Michael Kors beach sunglasses / Tom Ford lipstick

I was reading in the NY Times the other day, how Designers are now influenced by the streams Instagram photos they look at daily. No doubt, the incredible things women are photographed wearing on the streets of fashionable cities must pop some fashion kernels.

The woman in the photo, Harper's Bazaar's Joanna Hillman was photographed at London Fashion Week. Look at the way the way she paired this amazing, black and white spattered midi skirt, with a simple black turtleneck and wrapped ankle strap sandals. 
Throw in the red lips and your have sartorial splendor in 4 easy pieces.

In a word???  

Brill.

xo,
DD

Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund: Year Two

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Last year Laura Mercier  started the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer fund (LMOCF) 

The cause is very near and dear to the hearts of Laura Mercier, and the company’s President and CEO, Claudia Poccia. Both women have been personally touched by the disease – Laura through a dear friend, and Claudia through her sister. 

This year, they are dedicated 100% of the profits of three gorgeous product to raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts to help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer.

As a breast cancer survivor with a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, I applaud Laura Mercier and Claudia Poccia for creating the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. It is an under served disease.

The Good Stuff:

BONNE MINE HEALTHY GLOW FOR FACE & CHEEKS CRÉME COLOUR PALETTE

The Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheeks Crème Colour Palette is an easy way to achieve a sun-kissed glow.  $48 (This is a permanent piece in the Laura Mercier collection)

Jennifer Shines

Jennifer Shines by divadebbi 

Anonyme dress / Michael Antonio pumps / Estée Lauder makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics cheek bronzer, $38 / Living Proof styling product / 

Jennifer Aniston looked radiant on the Red Carpet at the International Film Festival in Toronto.  She showed her lovely shape to all its best advantages in this pale blue Vivienne Westwood strapless dress. 

She kept her legs looking long and lean, with simple nude patent pumps and not a wisp of adornment besides her own shining locks.

The set I created is a popular Polyvore feature, where members create the, "Look for Less".

This dress is Societe Anonyme and is available at Farfetch.com for $136.  The nude patent pumps are Michael Antonio and are $49 at Zappos.com.

Yes, for $185 we can look just like Jenn.

Ya...

xox,
DD

Review: Make Up Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara

Make Up Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara
$24

I'm not certain why, but Make Up Forever has never been a brand I have gravitated towards.  Maybe it's a lack of media awareness; in my minds eye, I cant picture a single print ad, nor celeb muse preening endorsements.

Very much under the radar.

Nevertheless, Make Up Forever's new Smokey Extravagant Mascara was included in an extravagant gift bag I received from Glam Media, as one of their sponsors, so I looked forward to using it.

I particularly love testing new mascaras and I could barely wait till the morning to try it, (for about 2 seconds I contemplated putting it on my freshly washed lashes).

It has an interesting Xmas tree shaped brush that does take a bit of getting used to.  I stroked the tip on my palm to see if the "smokey" part referred to the color; I'm really only a fan of deeply black mascara--fortunately it did not, it's a beautiful inky black.

Spotted

Spotted by divadebbi featuring an artificial flower arrangement

Giambattista Valli knee high dress / Dolce & Gabbana leopard fur coat / Givenchy suede sandals / Makeup / Pier 1 Imports artificial flower arrangement

Top Set 9/13/13 -NYFW Spring 2014: Chiffon Florals

NYFW Spring 2014: Chiffon Florals 

I guess Friday the 13th was lucky for me...  Polyvore asked us to present sets that forecast the major runway trends that were emerging this week.

I was unfamiliar with the brand Zimmermann, designed by Australian  Nikki Zimmermann, but this lovely exit caught my eye at fashion week.

The look embodies three of the dominant  trends I spotted for Spring 2014, Sheer and Garden Florals and Cutouts.

I loved that she took some of the sweetness out this chiffon floral skirt,  by pairing it with a black wrap cutout satin sleeveless top.

Since exact images are unavailable at the moment things are being presented, Polyvore liked my likeness enough to include it in their Top Sets on their homepage today.

Yay and thanks.

Gut Yontiff to all of my friends and colleagues who are observing Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

xox,

DD

Divine!

Divine! by divadebbi featuring a lip stick

dVb Victoria Beckham white cotton blouse / Knee length skirt, $455 / Sophia Webster patent shoes / Swatch polish jewelry, $60 / Alexander McQueen belt / Tom Ford cat eye glasses / Tom Ford lip stick 

Does this woman not look divine?  Half the fun of fashion week is seeing the artfully clad fashionista's who manage to combine vintage couture with thrift store finds to dazzling effect.

The other half, is my preference, women who stick to crisp, linear, nearly basic ensembles and accessorize them with great flourish. They stand head and shoulders above the pack, and make it all look effortless.

Divine...

xox,
DD

Review: Hado Labo Hydrating Facial Cleanser (The World's BEST!)

Hada Labo Hydrating Facial Cleanser
3.5 oz. $11.99
Ulta

I received a gift from the beauty Gods this week... Hada Labo Hydrating Facial Cleanser was including in a luxe goodie bag I received at Glam Media's Fashion Week dinner at Morimoto.

Every blogger received a tote full of wonderful products, graciously supplied by well known top advertisers, like Kate Sommerville and LORAC. 

I am always on the hunt for three things; a great cleanser, a great drugstore mascara and a great eye makeup remover.

I had not heard of Hada Labo Tokyo, but that would never stop me from trying it STAT.  I knew from my first pea sized application of this creamy, 'gently foaming' cleanser that I was in love. When I looked up in the mirror and so my hydrated, glowing skin looking back at me, I flipped.

I had visions of it being similar to other expensive Asian skincare brands that I have fallen for before like Sulwhasoo and SK II...divine while you are using them, less so when they have to be replaced.

Ouch.

9/11: We Will NEVER Forget

9/11 Memorial NYC

As an American, I don't think any of us will ever forget the horrific events of the morning of September 11, 2001 Nearly 3000 people lost their lives in a terrorist attack by the Islamic group al-Qaeda. The victims died in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on the four planes used in the attack.

As a New Yorker, I hope you can understand that this tragedy resonates just a little more for us. So many of those lost, colleagues, Policemen, Firefighters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters were killed in our City, on a crisp crystal clear morning 12 years ago.

Like all moments that forever change the course of history, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of  President John F. Kennedy, where you were when you heard the news is irrevocably etched in your memory.

My husband called me from his office downtown when the first plane hit the North tower.  At that point, it was assumed it was a small plane that mistakenly flew into it.  We sat and watched the events unfold together on the phone. 17 minutes later, when the hijackers flew the second plane into the South tower, it was apparent that this was no accident.

By the time I got to work, we all stood together in stunned silence as we watched in grief and horror as the the Twin Towers fell, killing many of its terrified victims, knowing they were not going to make it out.

Haunting and painful.  Still.

It was a surreal and confusing morning. None of us knew if more attacks were planned or where.  My employers, the Mitchell family, closed Richards and instructed us to go home and be with our families.

I picked my son up at school and gathered with my friends and their children. We waited for hours for our husbands to return home, though we knew they were safe.

We were lucky. Our neighbor across the street was not.

Our City ached.  The markets were frozen but in turmoil. The grief, for those who lost their loved ones, unbearable.

There were stories of great heroism by those sworn to protect us, kindness among strangers, luck for those who missed their trains that morning.

As the years have passed, we have rebuilt, completed a magnificent memorial, and outwardly, healed...

But we will NEVER forget.

My condolences to all who lost family and friends on that terrible morning, so many of them young and not even in their prime. May they live in your hearts, for all your days.

God Bless America.

xox,
DD

Sweet!!!

Sweet!!! by divadebbi featuring jimmy choo shoes

Rick Owens long ribbed tank top / James Lakeland maxi skirt, $85 / Jimmy Choo shoes / Hermès leather handbag, $17,160 / Fine jewelry / Elegantly Waisted cognac belt / NARS Cosmetics

This gorgeous creature was photographed on the streets of NYC on her way to a fashion show.  The utter simplicity of this ensemble is stunning.

She is right on trend with a long midi, nearly maxi knife pleat skirt paired with a classic lady like pump.  I love the athletic looking sleeveless tank she paired with it and of course the vintage Hermes bag is pure icing.

Big sigh...

xox,
DD