New York Fashion Week: Trip to the Creative Nail Design Studio

During New York Fashion Week, I visited the Creative Nail Design Studio to chat with the top nail pros about the nails they have created, in collaboration with the participating designers. CND nail technician Shelena Robinson was hard at work, crafting 40 sets of talons for the Baby Phat show. She meticulously layered Gold Chrome (to be released in Fall 2009) over Iced Capuccino. She told me that layering is one of the trends that CND is seeing for fall; it gives the nail a unique look, and is something women can easily do at home.

When I asked how long it takes to complete 40 sets of nails - like at Baby Phat - nail technician Kristina Baune explained that it takes 6-7 hours, especially with layered nail polish because the first color must completely dry before applying the second color. Otherwise, you run the risk of dragging and/or smearing.

Kristina said that the main nail color trend she predicts for fall is gray undertones. "Colors will be dirty and smoky, whether they be beige, pastels or reds. Gray isn't as hard to wear as black. It wears a little bit softer so it's not as dramatic when it gets all chipped up. It's great for every day. It's a great staple."

I concluded the interview by putting both technicians on the spot - asking them to name their favorite CND nail colors. Without really hesitating, Shelena put High Blue Dark, NFS and Decadence at the top of her list. Kristina's favorites include Blue Blood (discontinued), Hyde in the Dark and Red Baroness.

Last Fashion Week, the New York Times published The Unsung Heroes of Fashion Week, a fascinating slideshow that chronicles the work of CND artists. With a voiceover by Natasha Singer, the video captures the painstaking process these talented technicians underake to accessorize the nails at Fashion Week's hottest shows. If you're a nail phile, you really must take a look!

#NYFW

Girl You Know It's True: A Smiling Angel Shouldn't Have Crooked Teeth

Last Friday, little Lin Miaoke performed “Ode to the Motherland” for a global audience at the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing, China. Dubbed a "smiling angel," she captured the hearts of viewers around the world, and became an overnight media darling.

But as it turns out, the production team pulled a Milli Vanilli bait-and-switch, of Olympic proportions. The New York Times reports:

Under pressure from the highest levels of the ruling Communist Party to find the perfect face and voice, the ceremony’s production team concluded the only solution was to use two girls instead of one. Miaoke, a third grader, was judged cute and appealing but “not suitable” as a singer. Another girl, Yang Peiyi, 7, was judged the best singer but not as cute. So when Miaoke opened her mouth to sing, the voice that was actually heard was a recording of Peiyi.

And it is unclear if Miaoke even knew.

“The reason was for the national interest,” explained Chen Qigang, general music designer of the opening ceremonies, who revealed the deception during a Sunday radio interview. “The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression.”

To read the New York Times article in its entirety, click here.

Membership Has Its Privileges: Ideeli.com

Look at my luscious new handbag. Don’t you just love it? For the past few weeks, I’ve been tempted by quite a few pretty purses. But something told me to hold out…to wait for true love. And as soon as I laid my eyes on this heavenly handbag, I thanked that little voice inside my head.

The “Laguna” bag from Abaco, a hard-to-find French label, retails for $750. But I scooped this baby up (in dove gray) for just $250 – thanks to Ideeli.com.

Ideeli is a members-only shopping community for trendsetting women. The website offers authentic, luxury handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, and more…for up to 90% off the original price! There are 4 to 6 shopping events per week, plus incredible giveaways – like this Tessuto Multicolor Tote by Prada (original price: $1650.00).

Ideeli has been featured in O Magazine and The New York Times. And here’s what cnet News.com had this to say about Ideeli: "It's Woot.com meets 'The Devil Wears Prada.'"

If you love the idea of paying $239 for a $600 pair of Christian Lacroix shoes, or $110 for $350 Gucci sunglasses – get thee to Ideeli. There's just one catch …Ideeli.com membership is by referral only. Lucky for you, I’m a member. If you want to join the club (membership is free), email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com - be sure to include the email address where you would like your invite delivered.

You’re welcome.

New Trend: Imperfect Polish

According to the New York Times, chipped nail polish is the new thang. But not everyone can get away with it.

"A girl with skinny jeans and a great bag looks like she did it on purpose," said Deborah Lippman, a manicurist who has worked on the hands of Gwyneth Paltrow, Mary J. Blige and Madonna. "Those damn skinny girls can get away with murder."

My nails typically look jacked, so I suppose I'm ahead of the curve.

Click here to read the article in its entirety. I dare you not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

Photo: nytimes.com

Death By Blogging

This past weekend, The New York Times ran an interesting article on how the round-the-clock, sedentary lifestyle of bloggers can have a detrimental effect on their health.

CNN picked up on the story, and chatted with Perez Hilton about the risks of being a blogger. Click here to watch the video.

Girly Girls: The Growing Trend of Marketing Makeup To Children

In today’s New York Times, the paper takes an interesting look at the growing phenomenon of pre-pubescent makeup use. Analysts say this is part of a trend called KGOY (kids getting older younger) – a trend which is only enabled by pushover parents.

Years ago, I was shocked when pre-teens started carrying Dooney & Bourke handbags and wearing 7 For All Mankind jeans. And don’t get me started on the sweatpants with “Juicy” splashed across the ass. I used to find fault with just the parents, but the article points out that retailers are also to blame.

“Today, cosmetic companies and retailers increasingly aim their sophisticated products and service packages squarely at 6- to 9-year-olds, who are being transformed into savvy beauty consumers before they’re out of elementary school.”


According to the article:

*In a study last year, 55 percent of 6- to 9-year-old girls said they used lip gloss or lipstick, and nearly two-thirds said they used nail polish, according to Experian, a market research company based in New York. In 2003, 49 percent of 6- to 9-year-old girls said they used lip gloss or lipstick.

*Sweet & Sassy, a salon and party destination based in Texas for girls 5 to 11, includes pink limo service as a party add-on, which starts at $150 a ride.

*At Club Libby Lu, a mall-based chain, girls of any age can mix their own lip gloss and live out their pop idol fantasies. Last year, the chain did about a million makeovers in its 90 stores nationwide.

*Dashing Diva franchises often offer virgin Cosmos in martini glasses along with their extra-virgin nail polish, free of a group of chemicals called phthalates, for a round of services for a birthday girl and her friends.

Virgin Cosmos?!?!?! Huh?

I don’t know about you, but I am sickened by this. It doesn’t quite rise to the level of Big Tobacco marketing to adolescents and teens, but it’s pretty damned close. And the parents who can’t say no just add fuel to the proverbial fire. I’m all for buying your pre-teen some Bonne Bell Lip Smackers (that’s what my mom did, and I turned out just fine)…but limos and faux cocktails? I think this trend will only lead to bad things – like girls begging for rhinoplasty and boob jobs to commemorate their sweet sixteen.



Photos courtesy of The New York Times.

Beauty Turns Ugly

Yesterday, the New York Times ran a particularly scathing piece about beauty bloggers. In a nutshell, the 'expose' likened us to beauty whores – posting for free products.

There are so many inaccurate allegations in this article that I have neither the time nor the energy to set the record straight. Luckily, fellow BBN member Christina posted a retort on her blog, Bon Bons in the Bath…and I wholeheartedly agree with her assertions.

So Spoiled Pretty readers, please be assured that I am solely motivated by my love for all things beauty – and the opportunity to converse with you all everyday. Product samples and industry events are wonderful perks; but essentially, these benefits are what enable bloggers to compete with 'traditional' beauty media – and provide you with the unbiased reviews, breaking news, and tips you crave, in real time.

If you have any questions about the beauty blogging biz or the product review process, I am open to questions. Please feel free to email me, or leave a remark in comments section below.

You Don’t Have To Have Bad Skin

Head on over to the New York Times' website for an interesting article entitled, "Why Should Kids Have All the Acne?" Journalist Natasha Singer discusses pimples, product marketing, and ProActiv.

In a nutshell, the story contends that people's quest for perfection, coupled with Guthy-Renker's marketing genius, has resulted in a windfall ("five million active customers and annual worldwide sales of about $850 million") for a product that's actually not much different from Clearasil.

I've never used Proactiv, so I'm curious about whether this really is a miracle product or if it's just all talk. Have you tried Proactiv? Share your Proactive experience in the comments section of this post.

FYI - Did you know that Jessica Simpson just renewed her contract with Proativ Solutions for a rumored $3 million? Look for new infomercials to air this holiday season.

Monochrome Models

Yesterday, the New York Times ran an astute piece about the lack of diversity among fashion models. Despite the fact that 30 percent of Americans are non-white, and although African American women in the U.S. spend more than $20 billion on apparel each year, ethnic faces have been few and far between on the runways of New York, London, Paris, and Milan; they are even more noticeably absent in magazine fashion editorials.

Jezebel.com took a thorough look at the October issues of nine of the largest American women's fashion/service magazines, and found that that black models are far more common in advertisements than fashion editorials; their report is quite alarming:

Black Models In Advertisements, October 2007:
Marie Claire: 10, 1 of whom is a celebrity: Walgreens (3), Olay (1), Johnson's Soft Lotion (1), Diesel (1), CoverGirl (1), Puma (2), JCPenney (1).
W: 3, 1 of whom is a celebrity: Target (1), L'Oreal (1), Turks & Caicos tourism board (1).
Vogue: 6, 4 of whom are celebrities: Revlon (1), American Express (1), Diesel (1), JCPenney (1), Vaseline (1), Avon (1).
Harper's Bazaar: 2, 1 of whom is a celebrity: Make-A-Wish Foundation (1), CoverGirl (1).
Glamour: 3, none of whom are celebrities : Aquafresh White Trays (1), Liz Clairborne (1), Lee Jeans (1).
Cosmopolitan: 0.
Allure: 8, 4 of whom are celebrities: Diesel (1), Revlon (1), Sephora (1), L'Oreal (1), Revlon (1), Aquafresh White Trays (1), CoverGirl (1), Olay (1),
Lucky: 9, 4 of whom are celebrities: CoverGirl (1), Target (1), American Express (1), MAC Cosmetics (1), Dillard's (1), Puma (2), Sephora (1), Avon (1)
Elle: 13, 3 of whom are celebrities: Target (1), MAC Cosmetics (1), Diesel (1), Puma (2), Benetton (1), Avon Foundation (1), House of Dereon (4), Secret (1), Botox (1).

Black Models In Fashion Editorial, October 2007:
Marie Claire: 1, starring solo in a 6-page fashion editorial
W: 1, appearing on 1 page of a 20-page fashion editorial
Vogue: 0
Harper's Bazaar: 0
Glamour: 0
Cosmopolitan: 0
Allure: 0
Lucky: 0
Elle: 0

In the wake of New York fashion week, fashion photographer and ANTM judge Nigel Barker was reported as saying, "Everyone is always talking about the weight issue, I think they should be talking about race."

To read Guy Trebay’s New York Times article, click here. For Jezebel.com’s insightful commentary, follow this link.