Almost Effortless Hair at The Row

The Row photo via Siren PR

Since attending Fashion Week (yes, I'm still on that), I've been receiving beauty press releases like crazy. Unfortunately, I cannot share them all but it is great because not only do we get the step by step but the exact products used backstage. All this extra fun information and posts will go onto my new Facebook Fanpage. I know, I'm fashionably late to every party. I'll post this one from The Row here, this one time.

Overall look: Simple, Chic and Elegant Style

Steps:

• On damp hair, create a middle part and prep with Nectar Thermique for hair nourishment and heat protection
• Blow dry hair with a paddle brush
• Spray sections with Double Force Hair Spray and loosely curl sections of hair with a large barrel curling iron, curling in a downward vertical direction, and leaving the ends free
• Finger through the waves in the back and brush the front sections so the hair has a slight wave
• Add a pea-sized amount of Fibre Architecte to the ends to keep them smooth and slightly piec-y

Kérastase Products Used To Get the Look:

• Nectar Thermique – a heat protective nourishing leave-in treatment for dry, very dry or sensitized hair
• Double Force Hair Spray – a finishing spray that delivers buildable, flexible hold for all hair types
• Fibre Architecte – a reconstructive dual-serum that repairs and delivers long-lasting style memory for damaged, split ends

At The Row Fall 2013 presentation, legendary hairstylist Odile Gilbert created a simple and elegant style using Kérastase products.

How to Create a Messy Side Chignon

So I was seeing side parts galore for hair at New York Fashion Week for Fall 2013. Mind you, I already rock a side part but these were deep side parts. I also saw messy chignons. I thought I would get a bit creative for last night's Hispanicize event here in Chicago, to FINALLY meet my Facebook buddy and try one myself.

Those that saw Tuesday's post, look at my skin. No foundation. The peel worked.

This was AFTER the party and after getting nachos at Uncle Joe's with my long lost girlfriend who I ran into. There is no one better to eat nachos with and laugh at extremely loud decibels. Anywho,  here are 3 easy steps to get the messy side chignon.*

1. Curl hair in very large sections (I did about 8 sections) with a 1" barrel iron. You hair should already have a deep part because once it is curled, it will curl in that direction. Make sure you use a heat protecting styling product prior to.

2. Finger comb hair to the side and bunch it in your hand. Tie it. Make sure you do not use a brush, it will look too done and too perfect. We want messy.

3. Lightly mist with a finishing spray with a soft hold. No one wants crispy hair here.

I'm really into different types of parts and ponytails right now since I am growing out my hair. Any looks you are into right now?



*Products I have linked are the exact products I am currently using. The heat styling product is new to me but like it so far. The hairspray plays a serious rotation in my haircare and seems to be the one I alway run to when I run out of my Frederic Fekkai. The curling iron, I have used for 15 years and have yet to replace it. No joke.

Top Beauty Trends for Fall 2013

Check out my guest post for New York Fashion Week at Artistry Beauty's Blog...

This past weekend, I braved the snow storm and headed to NYC — thanks to Artistry! — to check out what is in store for us this Fall/Winter 2013. READ THE REST HERE

Come back later on this afternoon where I bare all and show you MY skincare concerns (pics and all) and show you what I am doing to solve them.

My Fashion WEEKend Part 3

Day 3 at New York Fashion Week started off perfectly. I slept until 8 and slathered on my eye cream. At this point, my eyes need a miracle. I opened the shades, let in the light, showered, got dressed and sat in front of my computer for another hour or so drinking the same nasty hotel room coffee. We really should get a petition going for in room Starbucks. Just saying'.  I, then went for a walk to find a cozy spot for a late breakfast. I settled in a small spot for an espresso and a pastry. I went small because today was a slow day. I would for sure have time to eat.

I headed to the tents, decked out in my vintage dress and the beanie I refused to take off. I tried the dry shampoo that I was given at the Charlotte Ronson show. I'm still trying to wash that gunk out. Face was bright with my Soft Peach Baked Blush from Artistry and my poppin' new gloss. Boom. I can be vain, shameful, I know but you wouldn't be here if you didn't love it or at least find the humor in it.

  My first show was Trina Turk but my calendar was posting central time and of course, I missed it and I missed backstage. So I walked out to get lunch because I was still starved from the days before when an email came in. Time to cover the Tracy Reese show. A mix up with PR moved my seat from the 3rd row to front row seconds before the show started. I was so excited, I misspelled the designer's name in all my tweets. Hehehe, I was on cloud 9 and the show was that damn good.

Then of course, my phone buzzes me to go backstage to Custo Barcelona where I snap a few photos and on the way out talk to hairstylist Duffy who tells me how he created the hair. He was sweet, funny and just laid back. I'm sensing a pattern here with these hair and make up artists backstage. They are genuinely cool and easy to talk to. Period.

The designer is much shorter in person but so is everyone I meet. He was pretty chill also.

Hey Miss Jay! Girl is T-A-L-L! Of course when someone asked a question he directed his answers to everybody like we were there in a group just to hang out and be friends. I just duck my lips and shake my head, trying to not show my lame-ness by shouting, "oh, Miss Jay, you so cray...be my bestie!" Even though I was tempted. Oh yeah and Miss USA & Miss Teen USA. Gorgeous aren't they?

The hair for Custo that Duffy created. Now, this is not something you do in the streets, or maybe you do but it was still pretty dope. If I had the patience to do this, I probably would.

I have no words for this show. I was left speechless. After the show, I had to charge my phone or I would be lost for the rest of the day. Thank goodness I have an iPhone 5 and it charges it 15 minutes because I had to run to the Empire where my meeting had to be cut down to 20 min! Then I practically ran to 59th and Columbus to hail a cab...okay steal a cab from tourists (sorry!) to head to the Plaza. I love that place because secretly I want to be Eloise. 

I made it backstage in time for the Zac Posen show where I got to meet top models, the awesome hair genius Luisi for John Frieda and while I didn't know it then, chat about Alexander Wang's tote with a major editor. She looked familiar but I figured I saw her in the tents. Wrong. Sad to say her name is still on the tip of my tongue.

Of course, I'm all #TEAMCOCO at the show. After waiting around for 30 mins, the PR girl tells me if I stand tight, I may get to see the show. After 15 more minutes of intense heat, dehydration and starvation, my body can no longer take it. I walk out to get fresh air and hop the train back to my hotel to pick up my bags. I get a car because the door guy says it is cheaper only to find it to be the same price as a cab and the driver that much ruder! At the airport and flight is delayed two hours. I could have caught the Emerson show and I slump my way to the food court at 8 pm for my first real meal of the day, filled with shame for sitting to eat instead of cabbing it back to Lincoln Center.

I felt disgustedly awesome after though. Thank you to Famiglia for the freebie pizza. They felt bad because I was so hungry, I was on the edge of tears! I ate every last bite. This has been an exhausting trip but equally rewarding. I know, I have so much more to share and so much that I learned from this experience but alas that will have to wait. I have been writing, typing tweeting and instagraming like crazy for almost a week straight. I'm a working mom but right now, I need to work on just being mom so here is what you should expect next week on....BEAUTY WEEK, all brought you by Artistry Beauty! All beauty, all week starting Tuesday. See you soon!

A special shout out and thank you to Artistry Beauty who covered my hotel, flight and travel accommodations. I also received pieces from the Spring 2013 to use during my stay. All opinions, words are my own. They do not reflect nor are paid for by Artistry Beauty. I received no further compensation for this post or any in association. Thoughts and opinions written here do not reflect any of my brand sponsorships nor do they reflect upon those who I write for on a freelance basis.

My Fashion WEEKend Part 2

Day 2 of my Fashion WEEKend and I was exhausted. Not only had I stayed up almost all night with a migraine before NYC, I went out during the snow storm just to prove I could still hang. Apparently, I can't. Thank goodness for my awesome skincare and make up pieces from Artistry Beauty otherwise, I would look beat.

 Selfies for instagram on my look for Artistry Beauty for NYFW. Check out the cramped bathroom space, typical NYC hotel room. I used the Creme LX and it instantly made my skin look more alive than I have ever seen it before. More about that tomorrow.

The products I used to create my look. This gloss was on my "questionable" list at first, only because I wear bright almost daily,but I got so many hits on my instagram and Facebook regarding this color, not to mention the in person compliments. I've been wearing it daily since.

 I needed to be comfortable so I rocked my new high tops that I bought the night before, my leather shorts, blazer, vegan fur and a Gia Luxe bag.

I missed the media call time for Ruffian backstage but I caught the show which was pretty awesome, since I had an actual seat and not standing room. I did get to chat with an artist from the actual show so I still was able to cover it.

Fellow Latina MUA working her magic backstage at Christian Siriano. I was able to chat with her on behalf of Latina Magazine. She was able to give me insight at Ruffian and saved the day!

Christian Siriano and Polly Osmond, lead artist for the show, going over a few things.

Super sweet, the both of them. The show was a HUGE success with rave reviews across the board. He is here to stay folks. I covered the make up for Latina. 

This was the moment I actually realized I had credentials, clout, a press pass and backstage access. I mean, so far I had gone backstage a few times and have gone in and out of the tents so much the security guards stop asking for my credentials but this was a moment of epic proportions. 

Watching the hair get styled and getting to interview, legendary hair goddess, Odile Gilberts for Kérastase Paris was just as epic. It was nerve wrecking at first but let me tell you that people that are at the top of their fields are very sweet and easy going. It is the interns, assistants and the nobodies that are plain nasty. Odile just was...well...just was so chill. 

Day two was done so I rewarded myself with a glass of sangria and an early dinner at Tio Pol. Best tapas ever and the group sitting next to me had to stop and ask if I was an actress or someone famous. I responded with "I'm just a mom from Chicago. I'm a nobody." They didn't buy it and I ended up taking a picture with one of them. 

Yeah, I almost fell for this trick in Mexico. Nice try, NYC. Nice try.

I finally get back to my room and my phone buzzes. I'm off to The Standard to cover Latino designer Alejandro Ingelmo.

I almost walked out with these but I was too tired to make a run for it so instead, I hailed a cab and headed back downtown. I spent that night in, writing all my coverage and prepping instagrams for Latina Magazine. I had 3 cups of deliciously disgusting room coffee, that legit was a blend of feet and funk, before calling it a night at 1 am. The next day was sure to be easier....

A special shout out and thank you to Artistry Beauty who covered my hotel, flight and travel accommodations. I also received pieces from the Spring 2013 to use during my stay. All opinions, words are my own. They do not reflect nor are paid for by Artistry Beauty. I received no further compensation for this post or any in association. Thoughts and opinions written here do not reflect any of my brand sponsorships nor do they reflect upon those who I write for on a freelance basis. Gia Luxe bag was on loan from the designer. 

My Fashion WEEKend Part 1

As snowmageddon was about to hit the East coast, I caught the last flight out. I was NYC bound.  Unfortunately, this mom was dealing with slight heartbreak as my little one was getting over a 24 hour bug but daddy day care was open for business and I was off. Check out a few images from my Instagram and trusty iPhone during the busiest 3 days ever!

 I tried fitting so much into a carry on, I'm surprised they didn't make me check it in, which wouldn't have mattered. They now charge $50 for a carry on! Seriously?

 Picked up this awesome skirt last minute and of course never wore it.

 I was afraid I wouldn't get in on time but I made it to the Noon By Noor Show and lucky me, I had a seat. Back row of course, but who's complaining.

 I had to check my make up because of course, it was done in a cab on the way to the tents. This felt tip liquid eyeliner from Artistry Beauty is all I was raving about to ANYONE who would listen. DONE.IN.CAB.

I check my instagram feed and what do I see? I'm on Latina's instagram. From now until Thursday if you put your look up on instagram with the hashtag #LatinaFW you could win some awesome prizes.

 The show was getting to be to much so before I ruined them, I ran to H&M on 59th and Columbus and grabbed the pair I would end up wearing almost all weekend.

 I was lucky enough to sit in on a chat with legendary designer, Carmen Marc Valvo who just showed his new collection that includes shoes! Oh and wait for it...lingerie is next! Thank you Style Coalition for inviting Latina.

 After a late lunch at 4 and my first meal of the day, I ran back to the tents to catch the Nicole Miller show. The snow was coming down hard but I'm from Chicago, it was child's play.

 By the time the Charlotte Ronson presentation started, it legit was snowing in the tents as I struggled to keep my eyes open.

But I had a friend from Chicago in town, so I thickened my liner back at my hotel and threw on some gloss from Artistry Beauty and headed out for some sushi. You can ask my husband, the only way to get me away from the pjs and out the door, is the promise of sushi.

Bag by Gia Luxe Chicago.

This was just the first day and you wouldn't have guess it to be the easiest. I made it in bed by midnight EST but my body hit that bed like a pile of rocks! Come back tomorrow for a recap of Day 2 and a recreation of one of the hottest runway looks!

A special shout out and thank you to Artistry Beauty who covered my hotel, flight and travel accommodations. I also received pieces from the Spring 2013 to use during my stay. All opinions, words are my own. They do not reflect nor are paid for by Artistry Beauty. I received no further compensation for this post or any in association.