Twenty years before Chanel’s 1994 introduction of the iconic Vamp Lipstick and matching Le Nail Vernis (the shade Uma Thurman rocked in Pulp Fiction), Clinique crossed over to the dark side, launching its sheer Merlot-meets-amber Black Honey Lip Gloss in 1971.
The genial François Nars tends to derive inspiration from cultural periods, geographical areas, architectural and interior decor styles, or fiercely individualistic art, music, and style icons when creating each of his namesake brand’s seasonal cosmetics collections.
Finding the perfect foundation for your skin tone can be as elusive a prospect as meeting the ideal mate.
Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen a resurgence in the popularity of cream eye shadows and, this fall, Clinique has thrown its hat into the velvety, liquid-like, molten color territory with the release of Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour ($19.50 each at Clinique.com), a 12-shade collection of cream shadows.
bareMinerals Ready 4.0 Eyeshadow in The Elements
bareMinerals READY 4.0 Eyeshadow in The Dream Sequence
bareMinerals READY 2.0 Eyeshadow in The Grand Finale
bareMinerals READY 2.0 Eyeshadow in The Vision
Though mineral makeup leader Bare Escentuals left behind a loose, powdery trail on its way to cosmetics glory, the San Francisco-based company is now unveiling its most unexpected launch to date: a collection of pressed shadows packaged in sleek, flip-top compacts. The newly launched bareMinerals READY collection incorporates fifteen eye shadow duos (cheekily dubbed 2.0) and four quads (dubbed 4.0 in keeping with the digital overtones of the monikers).
The newest foundation formulations feel so light and comfortable that they could almost be confused with tinted moisturizers.
The theatrical, origami-esque, paper headpieces worn by models in the Jen Kao Spring 2012 show encapsulated the independent spirit of the collection, a parade of separates and dresses in desert-like shades (ranging from sunset orange to safari green, ochre, tan, coral, beige); watercolored textiles in blue, pink, and yellow hues; dip-dyed fabrics that captured the transition between day and night; asymmetrical hemlines; slashes, tear-outs, and strappy details; geometric prints and checkerboard patterns; and spiderweb-like cut-out effects.
For his Spring 2012 collection, fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra derived inspiration from the erotically-charged, kinky but artistic, black-and-white work of Helmut Newton, who remains one of the most influential fashion photographers in history (just look at this photo of Linda Evangelista and bask in the glory of his genial mind).
Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch steered away from his oft experimental, avant-garde aesthetic for Spring 2012, instead masterminding a collection rife with prim and ladylike silhouettes in muted pink and beige tones, with many of the retro-tinged frocks constructed using shimmering satin fabrics.
Nobody does outlandish and fun quite like Betsey Johnson, who chose a “T & A” theme for her Spring 2012 show, held on Monday, September 12th.
