DivaDebbi's SAG Awards 2016 Report Card

Have the SAG's always been presented on a Saturday night? As much as I love the Red Carpet, my Saturday night plans trumped this easily...I'll bet yours did too.  It's a shame, because in reviewing the evenings fashion, there were more splendid dresses and fewer tragedies that I can ever recall. If this is the Oscar preamble, the stylists are on their A game and the mirrors the stars look in are apparently in focus. Brava!

Kudos as well to the divine Idris Elba, one of my many pretend boyfriends, who had a double win for Best Supporting Actor in Beasts of a Nation and his amazing work on the BBC police drama Luther. I'm all for them casting Elba as the next James Bond.  I think he would be fantastic in the role.  For me, a lot of the outcry over the lack of nominated black actors for the Academy Awards is not justified...I never see color, only the work. Personally, I don't think anyone deserving was excluded this year and to nominate someone for the sake of diversity seems disingenuous. Shaking the Academy up and better balancing the age, sex and race of its members??? Loooong overdue.

Off my soapbox...

I adored so many of the dresses last night. No single trend emerged, though we did see lots of women pretty in pink, shades of blue, hunter green, thigh high slits and an abundance of sleeves. Overall, the stars looked radiantly beautiful in a wide array of designers.  For the first time I have an A+ and A list, and the age of the winners spans from 16 to 70. Naturally, the F list continues in infamy, though my heart is always a little heavy for those who end up on them and the stylists, designers and looking glass that failed them.

Moving on..,
A+

Alicia Vikkander in Louis Vuitton
As always, extraordinary

Emilia Clarke in Dior Haute Couture

Eva Langoria,
Looking  sexy and toned in Julien McDonald

Naomi Watts
Stunning in Burberry (and one of my faves)

Rachel McAdams looking fit and elegant in Elie Saab

The delightful Kiernan Shipka in Erdem

Helen Mirren, crushing it in Jenny Packham

S

Soarise Ronan, demure & elegant in a pale pink beaded Michel Kors

Rooney Mara in Valentino
(I don't favor black on the RC, but I think she looks divine)

Priyanka Chopra
Ultra femme in Monique L'Hullier

Maisie Williams
I adored her choice of midcalf by Ermanno Scervino

Marisa Tomei
Elegant, in understated Zuhair Murad Couture
(A first for both of them.)

The A List:
Almost perfect; Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Tina Fey (who often looks like Prom Mom), Claire Danes, Viola Davis, Diane Lane, Sarah Hyland and the always beautiful, but insanely predictable, Sophia Vergara.

Do you think they deserved a higher mark???

The F List:

There, there Darlings... all is forgiven, just not forgotten.

Gaby Hoffman
I wish she had opted for a more traditional length, just so we would
have been spared the jade suede clogs

Sola Bamis...a very busy bee

 Betty Draper would not be caught dead in this... Literally.

The satin version of her Game of Thrones armor, sans sword
that she looks infinitely more comfortable in

Julianne Moore in a midriff baring lettuce wrap

Joanna Froggat is another perennial on my worst dressed list
Didn't any of those years of dressing the exquisite Lady Mary pay off???

Nicole Kidman in Gucci for Ringling Brothers

The lovely Christina Hendricks is a perennial on my F List.
Why, oh why does she always look Marie Antoinette at Madame Tussaud's???
I contemplated publishing my cell phone. I offer all of my services to
you, on my dime for the Emmy's. DivaDebbi@gmail.com

Lori Petty
I think she's pulling our chain.
Why would anyone want to look like Billy the Kid in Mary Kay Pink,
if not for shi*ts and giggles?

So my loyal lovelies, there you have it...Who did you love and who did you loathe? Who did I miss fab and flop???

Always fun to recap for you and looking forward to the the Oscar's, less than a month away!

xox,
DD

Dreaming in Color

Dreaming in Color by divadebbi featuring Niche Modern

Mary Katrantzou colorblock dress / Precis Petite cardigan shrug, $70 / Christian louboutin pumps, $605 / Bottega Veneta snakeskin handbag / Miss Selfridge colorful earrings / Niche Modern vase / Butterfly Topiary Garden Frame

Allure's 9 Best Anti-Aging Drugstore Finds

A few of Allure.com's picks for best anti-aging products available at drugstores and mass merchants

One of my regular beauty reads is Allure.com, (though I'm still a little cranky about their firing their Founder and 20 year Editor, Linda Wells.  I liked Linda and her monthly letter to her readers was one of the few I actually read, though I can't deny Allure needing a reboot.)

Every one of my senses perks up when I see an article about excellently rated drugstore beauty buys. As I was downloading this into my beauty file, knowing that I was getting perilously close to the bottom of my beloved Exuviance Age Reverse Cream and pondering my next purchase, I also thought I should share it with you.  All of the choices were recommended by top dermatologists, who actually refer them to their patients.

I'm leaning toward trying either the Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream or the Avene Yesthereal Anti-Wrinkle Cream, since I am currently using their Cicalfate Cream during the day and I am quite liking it.

Wearable Art

Wearable Art by divadebbi featuring canvas wall art

Mary Katrantzou top, $990 / RED Valentino coat / MSGM short skirt / Gianvito Rossi black leather boots / Moschino 80s fashion / Pendants necklace / Yves Saint Laurent fragrance / ICanvas canvas wall art / Maples pink rug

Shades of Blue/Harlee's World

Shades of Blue/Harlee's World by divadebbi 

3 1 Phillip Lim navy blue top, $245 / Paul Smith navy jacket, $570 / MANGO cuff pants / George J. Love black ankle booties / Kevin Jewelers 14k charm / 3.1 Phillip Lim aviator glasses, $175 / Lauren Ralph Lauren wide leather belt / Dolce Gabbana lipstick / Mac cosmetics makeup / Marc Jacobs eyeliner / WallPops vinyl wallpaper


Have you seen Shades of Blue?  Shades of Blue is a new NYPD procedural on NBC, starring Jenny from the Block, well cast as Harlee Santos a single Mom, whose criminal ex-boyfriend is the father of her daughter, as is Ray Liotta, a dirty cop, who runs a dirty crew, that Harlee is part of.

It's surprisingly good.

What also works is Harlee's style, which I predict is going to be trend worthy, The clothes she wears are mostly very fluid, (with the exception of a fabulous body loving Victoria Beckham dress she wears on a date). There is a masculine bent to her pants and footwear, but pairing them with low cut tee's and tanks give them a sexy edge.  It's a welcome departure from the usual Theory suit and white button down shirt, depicted on every woman in law enforcement on T.V., from Carrie Mathison to Olivia Benson.

Toss in her tossed bob, red lips and well lined eyes and Harlee looks unlike anyone else. Literally, it's hard to take your eyes off of her.  I have read that J. Lo was influential, with her stylist, on creating Harlee's look, incorporating some of her own clothes with pieces sourced from Zara and Club Monaco. Nice work!

So if you haven't seen Shades of Blue, catch up with it On-Demand and as far as the trend thing goes, just remember where you heard it first...

xox,
DD

They Had Me at Halo: My Experience with the Halo Laser (Part 2)

Yesterday I posted Part 1 of my experience with the Halo Laser by Sciton, performed by Dr. Mark Schwartz in NYC at his office and outpatient surgical facility at 79. E. 79th St. The Halo Laser is customizable.  I opted for a medium to deep treatment. Please click here to learn more about Halo, the world's first hybrid fractional laser from its developers at Sciton.

Here is my Part 2, the follow up, with pictures of my treatment throughout the week and my final results:

Day 2, the morning after, before makeup. 
It's working.  Game on!

Day 2 after makeup at work. No one noticed anything amiss.
Dr. Schwartz provided me with an excellent post treatment cream;
Avene's Cicalfate. I've already purchased another tube.
Love it!

Day 3. More redness. My skin looks and feels like sandpaper
I was still able to cover this with makeup. With my hair down
no one could see the sides of my face, where Dr. Schwartz 
treated areas more deeply due to sun damage

  

Night 5. Tight itchy and peeling.  I would have given
anything to have been able to exfoliate, which Dr. Schwartz warned against.
Premature exfoliation can result in hyperpigmentation. Magically, after swathing
my face in Cicalfate, this was gone after I washed my face the next morning

8 Days Later and glowing! I l LITERALLY forgot
to use foundation. This is just a bit of self tanner and blush.
Probably the first time I hadn't used some form of coverage in 25 years!

Overall,  I think I achieved all of the results that the Halo Laser by Sciton purports to do:

Halo wiped out years of sun damage, evened my skin tone, improved my texture, shrunk my pores and helped minimize fine lines. And the radiant glow???  It surpassed all of my expectations. I accepted compliments on my skin from friends and colleagues all week and of course told anyone who would listen what I had done.

In terms of downtime, there really was none to speak of.  More good news???  My skin will continue to improve over time as the dermal rejuvenation phase kicks in.  The results will last for years as long as I am vigilant about sunscreen.

Both Dr. Schwartz and Megan checked in with me several times for updates. If you are interested in learning more about the Halo Laser please click here  to see Dr. Schwartz website for a full description of the treatment. If you are considering getting the Halo Glow, you could not be in better hands.  The fee for a Halo Laser Treatment is $1500. 

Just remember, you wear your face everyday...It's all a matter of your personal priorities.  If you are contemplating getting this treatment, I would put this ahead of a few new frocks, that you will wear on occasion, in rotation with all the other things already hanging in your closet!

Food for thought...

xox,

DD

They Had Me at Halo: My results with the Halo Laser (Part 1)

The hand held Halo Laser Fraction Hybrid Laser by Sciton

Whenever I receive an email one from my friends at Melissa Kelz Communications, I open it on the spot. Melissa and her team specialize in beauty, health, fitness and lifestyle. I can always count on receiving the most up-to-date information on what is going on in these fields. Melissa also represents some of the best plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the country, many of them practicing in my playground, NYC.  

Women in NY are on their A game and for some, that includes a lot of anti-aging maintenance. The biggest caveat? Everyone wants results, no one wants the downtime. Enter the beauty of the Halo Laser by Sciton.  The Halo Laser is a hybrid fractional laser that can precisely target the right depth, for each individual, to erase years of damage. Halo works as effectively as older deep dermal treatments but with minimal downtime.  The future is now!!!

When Melissa's team reached out to tell me that Dr. Mark Schwartz, a top rated Plastic Surgeon was successfully treating patients in his NYC office, I asked if it might be possible to receive a Halo Laser treatment to report on. I was excited that they said yes although a bit nervous...what was I getting myself into?

Dr. Mark Schwartz' beautiful office and outpatient surgical facility.
79 East 79th St. NYC
212-737-9090

Dr. Schwartz office is located on the Upper East Side in a gorgeous townhouse. His staff, Megan who coordinates patient services and nurse Barbara couldn't have been kinder or more accommodating. 

Dr. Mark Schwartz in his fully accredited outpatient
 surgical facility(for half a second I wanted to bolt!  Was I having brain surgery or a laser treatment?!)  More impressive then some hospitals I've seen.

I met with Dr. Schwartz first, who took the time to review my medical history and then explained everything about my treatment, and exactly what to expect during and after.  He answered all my questions and showed me pictures of patients during the healing process. He was warm, professional and caring and I immediately felt relieved that I would be in his skilled hands. 

We agreed to go for a medium to deep peel, in more heavily pigmented areas. Why go through this if not to get the best possible result? Women do choose light peels, however, when they need to be Red Carpet ready in a day or two.

Barbara then took 3-D pictures so Dr. Schwartz would be able adjust the Halo handpiece to treat areas of my face that needed deeper penetration than others. Next she cleansed my face thoroughly and applied an excellent numbing cream.  After a half an hour, I wasn't even sure my head was still attached to my shoulders!  Dr. Schwartz and I had discussed pain management. Local ladies often opt for a Valium/Percoset cocktail. Since I drove into town, we agreed on Advil/Tylenol instead, which I would have preferred either way. 

The treatment itself took about 25 minutes. As discussed, it felt warm and at times prickly. I think my tolerance for pain is fairly high.  On a 1-10 scale, I would put it at a 2/3. What was more uncomfortable, and what I had been prepped for, was the 45 minutes or so after the peel. At the point, it feels like the worst sunburn you've ever had.  Barbara and Megan took turns applying strips of gauze, dipped in cold water to my skin. They also had a tube they blew cool fresh air on my skin.  Both helped to reduce the sting considerably.  

When I left, since my eyes had been protected by goggles, I pretended I either looked like I had spent a week skiing in Gstaad or fell asleep on a beach in St. Barts. Either way, it wasn't pretty, but by the time I reached my sisters apartment, (the only time in my life I ever enjoyed walking in NYC on a freezing day,) it had subsided completely. Sis noticed nothing, other than I wasn't wearing any makeup, notable in and of itself!

Later than night I was a bit pink and swollen. I took some advil and went to bed.  Check back tomorrow for Part 2, of my Halo Laser treatment with Dr. Mark Schwartz, pics included.

It will be worth it...and for me, it surely  was.

xox,

DD

  

Review: Perricone MD's No Blush Blush

Perricone's No Blush Blush
$35 at Sephora

People think I'm a tough person to buy a gift for...I'm picky, (just ask my husband), and I have a somewhat deserved reputation for changing my mind about purchases.  There is one fool proof, 100% no return or swap gift that I am always thrilled to receive; a gift card to Sephora, which always leaves me giddy with appreciation and anticipation.

This is when I tend to splurge on products that I might otherwise deem as silly too pricey.  I have been curious about Perricone MD's "no makeup makeup" for awhile. Nicely, every product also has a skincare element to it; No Blush Blush for example contains DMAE and 30 SPF.  It is a very simple line with just a handful of products. Single shades "self adjust" to match "every skin tone".  I don't necessarily buy that, but if you are one of the people whose skin it does adjust to perfectly, you could tick one more thing off your bucket list.

Today

Today by divadebbi featuring floral home decor

Veronica Beard dress, $400 / Chloé black high heel boots / Mulberry gem bag, $1,405 / Byredo eau de perfume, $125 / Pier 1 Imports floral home decor

Softly

Softly by divadebbi featuring a feather wallpaper

The Row gray sweater / Carven cocoon coat / Brunello Cucinelli capri / Aquazzura leather flat / Gucci handbags purse, $1,725 / Aurélie Bidermann 18k gold earrings, $310 / Tom ford lipstick / Serena Lily feather wallpaper

Review: No Bleeding Lips Lip Liner

No Bleeding Lips Lip LIner
$15 at Sephora

I can't tell you how many times I've fallen prey to Sephora's most clever marketing trap...The checkout line is a double aisle, bedecked with mini products at irresistible price points.

I've always been curious whether or not those clear lip liner pencils were truly effective in keeping lip liners and lipstick from running amok...commonly known as, "feathering" or "bleeding"

When I spotted No More Bleeding Lips, I popped it into my basket without a second thought. After all, Sephora graciously accepts returns, so I always feel I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Style

Style by divadebbi featuring Tom Ford

Alexander McQueen dress, $1,195 / Gianvito Rossi short boots / Chanel purse / Sylva & Cie drop earrings / Tom Ford lip makeup, $38

Review: Tarte's Eyelash Curler

Tarte's Picture Perfect Duo
Eyelash Curler and  Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara
$18

                                                              

Do you really need another eyelash curler???  I'm afraid so.. After retiring my "must have" Shu Uemura

eyelash curler, I purchased one from Space NK, that was just OK, but truly, is one really better than other?

Definitively, yes and Tarte's is the one. This ergonomically-designed eyelash curler has an easy grip silicone padded handle, that allows for lashes to be curled evenly.  Because the angle is curved, it has a wider mouth that works for all eye shapes without crimping or pinching,  Your lashes will look longer and be curled in mere seconds instead of multiple squeezes or 30 second holds. I also loved how it fully revived my lashes at the end of the day, when I was refreshing my makeup to go out. Bam!!!

Nicely, it is also packaged with a small sample of their bestselling Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara a good, but not great mascara. No gripes...I'm thinking of it has a freebie. 

This is the best $18 you will have spent in awhile and the best part is, you get to wear your pretty lashes every, single day.

And you're very welcome...

xox,
DD

DivaDebbi's 2016 Golden Globe's Report Card

I am most excited to have been asked by the executive committee of The Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF), to share my DivaDebbi Golden Globes Fashion Report Card on their website.To see the link, please click here.

 Founded by Carina Crain, Colleen deVeer and Wendy Stapleton Reyes, GIFF, now in its second annual year, continues to celebrate gifted artists, "bridging the worlds of film, finance and philanthropy, to make Greenwich, Ct. a film and visual arts epicenter". This years festival, takes place from June 9th-June12th and will focus on human rights issues.The supporting workshops and seminars they feature during the festival and throughout the year, are successfully cultivating a, growing and devoted visual arts community in Greenwich.

On Friday night, GIFF supporters were treated to a preview of Showtime's newest series Billions starring Paul Giamatti and Damien Lewis and a panel discussion afterwards with its creators, director and cast members. Another enthralling night executed by GIFF and sponsored locally by Sotheby's Real Estate. Billions premieres January 17th on Showtime. (If you don't subscribe, the entertainment value of this series alone, is worth every nickel, as we have the fun of vicariously watching "Axe", played sublimely by Lewis, purchase a 68 million dollar beach house.)

So without further adieu Lovelies, let's get started...

Ricky Gervais was once again brought back to host the Golden Globes for the fourth time. A bad boy, who sharpened his teeth on the hides of his audience to mixed reviews in the past, I imagined he would be honing his incisors for his encore, just to prove he would not be chastised by Hollywood.  I say, bring back Tina and Amy...whatever his old beef with Mel Gibson was, it was for most of the universe, forgotten. Besides, all the stuff that gets bleeped out is zero fun for the television audience. Whatevs...

Since the Hollywood Foreign Press nominates the films, television shows and actors for the Golden Globes, it is often seen as a precursor for the Academy Awards and Emmy's. This year it just seemed like a rag-tag mix.  I don't think Mad Max Fury Road will be on the Oscar short list, nor Mr. Robot for a Best Drama nod for the Emmy's, though I will admit to not even knowing it existed on the USA network. The Revenant and Leo? Quite possibly...

Rant over, let's get to the good stuff; the clothes

Trends:.The biggest of the night was white, worn beautifully by Taraji P. Henson, Laverne Cox, Alicia Vikkander, Lilly Day and Saoirse Ronan (whose name I practice and still can't pronounce), far less so by Eva Langoria. The other can't miss color was canary yellow, worn by Jennifer Lopez, America Ferraro and Lola Kirke. It's a very tough shade to pull off. Of the three, J. Lo was my favorite, I may have given her extra props for finally covering up a bit...how tiresome its been to see so much of her boobs and booty over the years. Red, from lipstick to oxblood was also a favorite. Fantastic jewels graced the neck of  J. Lo., J. Law and Emmy Rossum by Chopard and Martin Katz respectively. I was also mad for the Kimberly McDonald emerald earring worn by Teraji P. Henson...fierce and very Cookie. Ruby lips were a stand out on J. Lo and Eva Green.

A+ My LOVES:

Alicia Vikkander
Flawless in a white beaded Louis Vuitton. Demure in front, it showed just the right amount of back to keep it refined. Lovely hair and makeup too

Olivia Wilde in Michael Kors. Impeccable.
This is plunging done well.

Jennifer Lopez
This is my favorite of all her RC appearances.
Resplendent and "modest" per her norm in
Couture Giambatissta Valli. Wowza!

Taraji P. Henson in Stella McCartney

Loved the 'tude and the Kimberly McDonald emerald earrings.

Congrats Cookie!

Jennifer Lawrence
Ladylike in Dior with an outstanding Chopard diamond collar

Laverene Cox
Wearing Elizabeth Kennedy. Whoever EK is, LC just put her on the map

Lily James in Marchesa
A wee bridey but still oh so pretty

Julianne Moore
Stunning in what looks like liquid sapphires from Tom Ford

Helen Mirren
Simply because she is always flawless and
shows you can be sexy at any age year after year

The B Team: The Almost's

Amy Adams in Atelier Versace. Whoever said red heads should not wear orange had that right...otherwise great. Emmy Rossum in Armani Prive, Gina Rodriguez, pretty in Zac Posen, but a hair MOB for a young beauty. Lady Gaga, once again channeling Sargeant's Madame X, Eva Green in Atelier Elie Saab, Saoirse Ronan lovely in YSL.

The C Team: The Meh's

Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Kate Winslet and Maura Tierney, channeling her inner Librarian.  As a nominee and nicely, a deserving winner, this could really have been her night to shine...head scratching and banal, no???

Maura Tierney

The D team: Too much, too little or ill fitting:

Eva Langoria
One bow or another...

Jane Fonda in YSL's
update for 'Lil Bo Peep

Jennifer Jason Leigh
One size up and a dollop less sleeve

The lovely Leslie Mann
overwhelmed in Mauve Marchesa...a shame.

Malin Ackerman
not feeling the lace, the peplum, the washed ice blue, the too low bodice
or the severe hair

The adorable Brie Larsen in Calvin Klein,
looking herself like a Golden Globe, albeit a female one with sagging tata's.
I literally want to pull this up by its boot strap neckline. So close!

Kirsten Dunst in Valentino
Too much ta for my taste

Cate the Great in Givenchy
Well, she broke my heart and her flawless RC streak.
Overwrought.

I was desperately hoping to like it from the back...
Sadly, not.

Kate Hudson in Michael Kors
I'm a huge Kate fan and think she usually kills it on the RC.
Yes, the abs and booty are prime, but a tube top, skirt and scarf 
do not a dress make.

Jamie Alexander
A half a yard more fabric here and there would have
elevated this to an A+. All I could think about here was
the two sided tape

Melissa McCarthy
A perfect silhouette for her marred by flammable looking fabric

Joanna Froggatt
Ah...no.

Jada Pinkett Smith,
looking like the lovechild of Peter Pan and Tinkerbell

The F Team: Flat Out Failure

Caitrone Balfe
In Jane Jetson's negligee

Heidi Klum
A perennial Red Carpet disaster. Unredeemable on any level

Regina King
It's a bird! It's a plane!

Rooney Mara
In an Alexander McQueen Miracle Mop

So there you have it...Do you agree? Disagree?  Who did I miss?  Who did you loathe?,  Who did you love?

Oh such fun!  See you at the SAG's.

xox,

DD