Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Blush Duo

Despite claims to be long lasting, I still found I needed a midday touch up, but I'm OK, with one, instead of three or four.

This is my first Kevyn Aucoin purchase.  Kevyn, an extraordinarily talented makeup artist, who was devoted to enhancing women's natural beauty. At the tender age of 21, he was named Creative Director at Ultima 11, and launched The Nakeds, a groundbreaking concept at the time.  He collaborated frequently with photographer Steven Meisel on many Vogue covers. He launched his own brand in Kevyn Aucoin Beauty in 2001

Sadly, he died at 40, from liver toxicity. He had a brain tumor and his dependency on prescription painkillers and acetaminophen killed him. 

A gentle soul, he had many friends in the industry.  A book that reviewed his career, tips, techniques and celebrity interviews, Kevyn Aucoin: The Success, Struggles and Beauty Secrets of a Legendary Make-up Artist was publish posthumosly in 2003.

His makeup line, reflects the aesthetic always favored, soft, natural hues, to enhance the beauty he believed every woman had within her.  

Worthy then, worthy now...a true visionary.  Better late than never...

xox,
DD

Aw... Cut it Out....

Aw... Cut it Out.... by divadebbi featuring feather jewelry

Alexander Wang sleeveless dress, $1,295 / Gianvito Rossi beige shoes / Federica Rettore white bangle / Aurélie Bidermann feather jewelry / 

Cut outs are having a fashion moment...I like this Alexander Wang dress because it captures the spirit, without exposing copious amounts of midriff.  I have no objection to that look when it is age and figure appropriate, but one really has to ask ones self , if they might otherwise end up looking like a Real Housewife.

Of course this trend is also reflected in accessories, a safer, simpler way to be on point, instead of in display...

xox,
DD

Angelina Jolie Pitt: Woman to Woman

Angelina Jolie Pitt

I have thought a lot about Angelina's ovaries in the last two years...I know that sounds strange, but I have also worn her shoes and I have been worried about her.

Ever since this amazingly talented, remarkable woman publicly shared her familial breast and ovarian cancer history with the world and her decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, I've wondered when she would address the bigger problem--her ovaries.

Angelina did not ignore the fact that they were her next hurdle.  The fact is, that since her mother died of ovarian cancer, an insidious, recurrent disease, (that is often almost symptomless until diagnosed in late stages), her ovaries were the bigger problem.

It was never a question of "if", but "when".

Fashion Flash

This week, Melanie of Society of Wellness is hosting Fashion Flash.  Our talented group of bloggers strive to bring you the best of fashion, beauty, health and wellness each week.  To read more, please click here.

Enjoy!

xox,
DD

The Gift of Social Media Friendshps

For dear @divadebbi by emavera featuring magnolia home decor

Victoria Beckham fitted dress, $3,510 / Giorgio Armani cut-out shoes / Pier 1 Imports magnolia home decor / Valentino's New Flagship Opens Up At Fifth Avenue - Pursuitist


Sometimes, I'm just amazed at how my world has been enriched by the Internet and social media.  Yes, at times, I too tsk tsk about how much of our time is spent gazing into our palms when we could and should be more present in the moment.

That being said, I have also made scores of new friends and rekindled old friendships via Polyvore, Twitter, Facebook and more recently Instagram. 

My very talented friend Vera created this Polyvore set to celebrate my blogs 7th anniversary and so nicely, to honor my style.  I am deeply touched. (You can see more of her fabulous sets here.  The lovely "Emavera", as she is known, as over 55,000 followers!).

Maybe the goal should be to balance it all a bit better...remaining "unplugged" in the presence of friends, colleagues and family, yet still recognizing magical connections can and do happen in cyberspace.

I'll work on it...how about you?

xox,
DD

Friendship is the brightest gift!!!

Friendship is the brightest gift!!! by divadebbi featuring a white flower arrangement

Peter Pilotto silk top / Valentino silk poncho / Peter pilotto skirt / Gianvito Rossi d'orsay pumps, $515 / Green purse, $54 / Verdura jewelry / Stephen Webster 18k gold jewelry / Philip B body cleanser / Pier 1 Imports white flower arrangement

NY Chic

NY Chic by divadebbi featuring John-Richard

Equipment shirts blouse, $290 / Brunello Cucinelli leather coat, $2,790 / MaxMara white pants, $305 / Isabel Marant leather shoes, $710 / Anya Hindmarch leather purse, $1,485 / Chain necklace / John Richard home decor

Emma Stone- A Fashion A Lister, Risk Taker and Modern Style Icon

Emma Stone in Dolce and Gabanna
(BTW, WTF was the design duo thinking, recently denigrating surrogacy and in vitro fertilization???)

There are a few young Hollywood stars who consistently get it right on the Red Carpet; to wit, Emma Stone, Emmy Rossum, Taylor Swift and Shaliene Woodley.  One of the great things about not being aligned contractually with one fashion house, (like Jennifer Lawrence and Dior), is the opportunity to explore a variety of looks.

What I adore about all of these women's style, is that they appear effortlessly, confident in their own skin. Largely, I think because  they have an innate sense of their own best looks, they will not be dissuaded to wear clothes that don't resonate with them for the sake of trend.

Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector

Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector
$24

I came to the conclusion recently that I needed a more emollient under eye concealer.  The two I alternate between, Amazing and IT Concealer are both well regarded.  Since they are both heavily pigmented, very little product is required to get the job done.

As a result, both tubes are only half used, though they were purchased eons ago.  I can't be sure if the dryness I'm experiencing is actually my skin, due to this endlessly cold winter, or if the consistency is changing to due to age of the product.

Either way, it was time for something new and I simply got lucky when I chose to sample and purchase Tarte Colored Clay CC Undereye Corrector...it's superb.

DivaDebbi turns 7!!!

I admit that I am always tickled when I hear that my men friends read DivaDebbi.  Peter Sachse, Macy's Chief for Innovation and Business Devlopment, is a regular, and I am deeply flattered that he finds it relevant.

Two of my friends at Equinox, John and is always trend savvy, stylish son Jack, were asking me just the other day, about my blog and how long I have been writing it....It dawned on my that I probably just hit my 7 year anniversary. Looking back through the archives (available on my front page, by month),  I started writing DivaDebbi in March 9th of 2007.

I'm probably only a hair more tech adept, but along the way, I have met fantastic people, including some powerhouse beauty and fashion bloggers, heard from readers all over the world, created new relationships with many PR, media and marketing partners, earned two Brand Ambassadorship's (RoC and La Peau Skincare), penned a fashion column for a year for WAG Magazine, attended fabulous events, stretched my brain muscles, slathered my face and body with every conceivable lotion and potion and caused my UPS delivery guy a aches and strains along the way.

Its all good and I am ever appreciative of all my loyal readers and partnerships If you will continue to read, I will continue to write.

I thought it would be fun to share my very first blog with you.  As friends have always told me, they "hear my voice" in my writing.  It was interesting for me to reflect on this post and experience the very same thing!

You're the best!

xox and my thanks,

DD

Just Getting Started....

O.K., I have no idea what I am doing yet, not even sure how I will find my own blog again, but gotta give this a whirl...I have been consistently obsessed with all things beauty and fashion related for the last 30 years or so. Happily I have dear friends who can attest to it and fabulous new friends and clients over the years who have all been on the receiving end of my blast emails about my latest discovery that must be purchased pronto. If you will read, I will write...

My first wrinkle creme was Dorothy Grey Night Creme. It came in a lavender jar and I purchased it at age 12. I think even then, it was marketed towards mature skin, but in the spirit of sooner than later, I slathered.

I googled Dorothy Grey and would you believe there are still some 5000 products out there??? I imagine they all have an inch or two of dust on them...scary.

I soon graduated onto pilfering my sister's Clinique 3 Step System nightly (which she will learn about first right here)....ooohhh that fabulous cucumber colored sliding soap dish....As I contemplated taking this on, I mentally went way back and remembered many of my early obsessions...

Yardley Lipsticks, in those adorable orange and pink striped tubes with black scrolls ( I actually found one on ebay)!, Love's Baby Soft and Fresh Lemon Perfumes, Misty Mocha and Misty Lilac Revlon nail polish, Karen Graham of Estee Lauder ad fame, Psssst dry shampoo, Sun In Highlighting spray, Calgon take me away....

So, if any of this rings a bell, I am the girl who thankfully gave up suntanning with Reynolds wrapped double album covers long before I hit my 20's and has learned a thing or two along the way.  I will share all that I try and scour reading, with you, my readers.

My business is fashion, so if you think I will resist writing about Stars on the Red Carpet, I couldn't possibly, not. I am nearly in hives waiting in anticipation of Stars who blow it, despite having the best designer offerings and stylists at their disposal...think Tilda Swinton accepting this year's Academy Award in a Hefty trash bag....

Tilda Swinton

So, I hope you will check in and if you like my blog, share it, put me in your favorites (I would, if I knew how)...

Dish with the Diva anytime....what were some of your earliest, fondest beauty memories and products???

xox,
DD