L'Oreal NYFW Hair Trends with Johnny Lavoy (& Makeup Too)

Tuesday, I had the opportunity to work with celebrity hair stylist and consulting hair expert for L'OREAL PARIS, Johnny Lavoy. He hosted a national satellite tour featuring hair trends and tips from the New York Fashion Week shows. The theme focused on healthy shiny hair -- something everyone wants. Johnny used products from the "Ever" style line and Elnett Satin Hairspray. Stylists love it because it's touchable and brushable since it's alcohol free. That means great hold without the drying sticky buildup. Tuesday's hair looks: a voluminous pony tail and glam sleek waves.

Makeup looks for the day featured a soft look for one model and a strong berry lip for the other. Prepping the skin is important. My go-to primer is Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base for a flawless matte finish. To complete each look, I used True Match Superblendable Foundation and Powder, Studio Secrets Professional Color Smokes in Lavender Smokes, HiP Studio Secrets Professional Color Truth Creme Eyeliner (my favorite gel liner) and Voluminous False Fiber Lashes.

The model on the left wore a berry liner, Infallible LeRouge in Forever Fuchsia and a bit of LeGloss in Watermelon Crush. The other wore Color Riche Lipstick in Compelling Coral topped with Golden Splash LeGloss.

It was a loooooong but amazing day. Working with the hair guru, Johnny, Alexander and the crew was pretty amazing. Looking forward to doing it again!

March Madness -- Budget Friendly Beauty

Forget about basketball...March Madness is all about beauty discounts and deals.

Look for real savings from REAL SIMPLE:

BECCA Lost Weekend Palette/$49 -- Neutrals in tones from tan to chocolate for eyes -- highly pigmented in soft textures. Crease resistant and versatile -- use wet or dry.
CODE: RSMARCH til 3/31 reduced to $34.30 at http://www.beccacosmetics.com/.

RGB Nail Lacquer -- Buff/$16 -- The London MakeUp Girl Blog likens it to the "Emperor's New Clothes" -- a naked take on sheer beige.
CODE: REALSIMPLE35 reduced to $10.40 at http://www.rgbcosmetics.com/.

TARTE Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation $38.00 -- Able to address your skins concerns -- reduces pores, minimizes discoloration and wears twelve hours. In eight shades with pink and yellow undertones.
CODE: RSCLAY reduced to $30.40 at tartecosmetics.com.

MIRABELLA Lip Colour/$22 -- Lead-free and paraben free stay put color that doesn't bleed...in 17 shades.
CODE: REALSIMPLE reduced to $13.20.

(Post inspired by Real Simple. Photo from BECCA Cosmetics.)

Friday Find: Colorblocking Accessories

Colorblocking is B.I.G. this season. The unexpected mix of neutrals paired with two contrasting colors or bold brights with muted tones is everywhere. Creates the perfect balance.

Not quite ready to standout in living color? Stay on trend with these accessories.

The VINCE CAMUTO Graph Amethyst Combo/$118 peep toe is a slick of color and a dash of unexpected texture. The gorgeous mix of hues and materials on this platform pump makes for an exceptional shoe.

The BE & D Mr. Vogel Leather Satchel/$1,098 at beandd.com. The handbag features two turn-lock closures, a wrapped handle with detachable shoulder strap in soft lambskin.Ultrasuede lining on the inside and button studs detail on the belt at front. (I actually saw it in green in People Style Watch...LOVED!)

The MIXIT Color Bead Necklace is a subtle colorblocking addition to dressy casual ensembles/$14 at JCPenney. A single strand of multicolor stones in orange, pink and golden yellow with a lobster clasp on goldtone metal. Bold and subtle all at once.
(pictures from Be&D.com; VinceCamtuto.com and JCPenney.com)

It's Tea Time

At day's end, I relax with a hot cup of tea. Why? Cause it's good for me inside and out.

Tea is a natural antioxidant -- the enemy of free radicals that causes skin to age prematurely (bonus). Plus it contains tannic acid which cleans the skin and kills odor causing bacteria.

My choice of drink at night is green tea. But the herbal tonic can be used in a number of ways.

Try green tea as:

* Toner: contains Vitamin C and E to soothe irritated skin and relieve redness.

* Depuffer: cooled tea bags reduces eye puffiness.

*Skin Refresher: use to rejuvenate skin and hydrate the face (great after air travel).

*Breath Freshener: wards off bad breath .

*Face Mask: removes toxins from skin and moisturizes when combined with oats and honey (gentle enough for all skin types).

*Sunburn Relief: Soothes and heals sunburned skin.

Interested in a DIY green tea detoxifying treatment, please email me at BLACKswanBeauty101@gmail.com.

Night Beauties.

Spring Trends to Try from Sephora

SEPHORA is one of my favorite one stop shops for all things beauty.

Their take on Extreme Spring 2012 -- Trends Two Ways:

REBELLIOUS EYES: Chanel your inner rock star or opt for a clean look. Whatever your preference -- edgy or chic -- it's easy to do. Outline your eyes with a precise line or go for a deconstructed smoky look making your gaze bigger and bolder.

UNDRESSED LIPS: Opaque flesh tones can be as flattering as a bold glossy saturated color. And pinks are a surprisingly elegant spin on a playful classic.

RADIANT SKIN: Whether you want a subtle glow or a full blown bronzed look, luminous skin is in. Get this look with products that keep you looking lit from within.

To get these looks, click this link: Sephora Spring Trends.

(via Sephora.com)

Diane von Furstenberg GapKids Collection Spring 2012

Creator of the ultra feminine wrap dress, designing icon, DIANE von FURSTENBERG has collaborated with GapKids for a cool kid collection for Spring 2012.

DIANE hoped to give kids a little attitude with fun prints and things girls like. The collection celebrates color with comfortable clothes: baby rompers, t-shirt and wrap dresses, tanks, leggings, shoes and accessories. Expect the launch to hit stores mid March in close to 30 countries. This collection is true to her own style. Click here to preview.

"To empower a little girl is to empower the woman she will become." DIANE von FURSTENBERG

Pro Artist of The Month for L'Oreal Paris

Yours truly was named Pro Makeup Artist of the Month by L'OREAL PARIS...such an honor amid so much talent!


Some details from my Q&A session:

Q: How did you start your career?

"I was artistic as a child and I always loved to draw. I started to take art classes and designing in my teens, and then started exploring with makeup. While I worked in the music industry, a makeup artist came in with one of the performers. I watched J.J. Jacobucci apply makeup that fit the artist's personal style. She really catered to her individuality and I decided I wanted to do that same thing. Not long after, a friend needed help at a counter on Black Friday at Nordstrom for another L'Oreal brand, Shu Uemura and that was my humble beginning."

Q: When did you get your first break?

"It was the first wedding I booked. The bride did not have a bridal party, so all eyes were focused on her. I felt a tremendous amount of pressure knowing the look I created would be captured in pictures and treasured for years to come."

Q: What is your favorite L'Oreal Paris product?

"I'm a huge fan of Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black. It adds length and thickness to my skimpy lashes and is ALWAYS in my kit! I also love HiP Studio Secrets Eye Shadow Duos -- a dual pan of incredibly pigmented shadows at a fraction of the cost of luxury brands. My go to? Showy/#224!"

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Your skin looks flawless...almost bare but better.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer protects you with SPF 30, luminizers for a healthy glow and anti-aging ingredients. An oil-free/paraban free veil available in nine shades with several undertones and natural botanicals to perfect skin. Mineral rich seawater revives skin for a brighter appearance. Said to reduce hyper-pigmentation in about a month (hmmmm).

Hydrate. Brighten. Protect. Plus coverage.
Exclusively at Nordstrom/Nordstrom.com for $42.

You know I'm already a fan of NARS Sheer Glow Foundation so I will trek to Nordies for a sample. Hope they have a shade for me!

Lip Color That Makes Your Teeth Look Brighter

A secret to a bright smile may just be in your makeup bag. I love a nude lip but a bold lip seems to light up a smile. Some colors seem to make teeth look a full shade lighter. Blue-based undertones found in pinks, reds and berries can amplify the brightness of teeth. For fair skin, select a lip stain and for darker skin, a deep burgundy is perfect.

Try NARS Red Lizard Lipstick/$24 -- pigment packed moisturizing formula with a semi-matte finish. A retro red that's truly stunning.

I also like URBAN DECAY Lip Love in Lolita/$12. One of the prettiest hot pink glosses around. A honey-infused see through tint with Vitamin C and Apricot Kernel Seed Oil replenish moisture and feels (and tastes) oh so good. Perfect for this season.

Tip: With the focus on your pout, go for unfussy makeup.

TheL'Oreal True Match MatchMaker App

Big News: L'OREAL created an online app to make finding the perfect foundation easier for you.

Bigger News: L'OREAL added nine new shades to the brands' True Match Super Blendable Makeup. Now available in 33 shades from porcelain to ebony and lots of shades in between. An oil and fragrance free cover up with Vitamins A and C, wheat germ and grapefruit extracts to keep your skin nourished, protected (with SPF 17) and healthy.

Click here to experience the L'OREAL MatchMaker -- nine easy steps with visuals to find your shade for flawless skin....The app even shows you your celebrity match.