Last Monday was a big day for me at NYFW. Not only did I run myself ragged covering like 6 or 7 shows in a day but I was invited to sit front row at the Tracy Reese runway show at the tents. Can you even? I nearly died inside when I found out.
I’ve been to shows in past seasons and once I was even pulled to the front row as a seat filler at an off-site show. But this was totally different. I love Tracy Reese’s designs and her show is always one of my faves. Plus she draws some great celebs each season and being a total Entertainment Weekly/E! type of girl, my inner celeb stalker was thrilled.
Of course, I had to plan out not only what I would wear but my nail color. Since Sally Hansen partners with Tracy Reese each season, a color from their new Complete Salon Manicure line was a natural choice. But with so many colors in the line, which one do I bring? Color of the moment and Chanel Particuliere doppelganger Commander In Chic? A fun metallic like Pedal To The Metal? A very “me” blue or green? See what color I chose after the jump along with some pics from my front row vantage point and my web celeb encounter.
Mannequin Hands is a new series featuring ALU Fanatics showing off their “mannequin hands” shade. The one polish that best gives that elongated, flesh-toned look to their hands.
Today we’re taking a look at KarenD’s mannequin hands. She used three coats of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in 220 Café Au Lait since she’s, “still learning to work with that funky wide brush.” She also showed it mattified with China Glaze Matte Magic (below). Karen is primarily a drugstore woman using Revlon Colorstay Ivory foundation and has shared some additional images on MUA (click here).
If you found your color match in KarenD, let us know. Have you tried the new Sally Hansen line? What do you think of the brush?
Don’t forget, you have until January 15th to share your Mannequin Hands with the group. CLICK HERE for more details.
After 7 long, tiring, fun-filled days in NYC, I returned home with one desire… to recoup!! Fashion Week takes a lot out of a girl. I have so many exciting things I want to share with you from my trip but let’s start off with the results of my NOTD Challenge (click to read part 1). In case you missed it, I challenged myself to wear a different nail color every day of NYFW. While I failed to change my color EVERY day, I did make a valiant effort.
Hear tales from my trip and see what colors I picked after the jump! When we left off I was wearing Zoya Savita on the day of the Total Beauty Blogging Summit and Fashion’s Night Out. Wouldn’t you know it, I ended up being invited backstage to a show and seeing Deborah Lippmann while wearing another brand. The horror!!
The next day, Friday, I had a visit to the Chanel offices planned so naturally I wore Jade. It launched the night before at the Chanel SoHo Boutique for Fashion’s Night Out and I spotted it on many ladies backstage that day. Considering the torrential downpour outside, Jade brought a bit of sunshine and light to a very gloomy day. Can we say rain-soaked shoes and a ruined blowout? Good times!
I was running late on Saturday, no time for a change. Luckily Roxanne Valinoti from CND was there to freshen up my look. She added a coat of Jade Sparkle from the new Effects line to totally bling me out! And once Jan Arnold set her sights on the shade, they started layering different Colours trying to duplicate the hue. Using Green Scene as a base, they came very close but not dead on. I hope they’ll keep working to find a twin.
Saturday night I went to a fab blogger party hosted by Lianne from The Makeup Girl and Paul from Beyond Beauty Basics. I was running so late that I didn’t even realize it was THE Ted Gibson holding the door for me at the W Hotel until the next morning when he asked if I enjoyed the party. What a memory he has. But seriously, how oblivious can I be? The man is a tall drink of gorgeous! Though I did get to meet his brilliant partner and hair color genius, Jason Backe, who said to me, “YOU’RE All Lacquered Up?” as though I’m someone to know. I was beyond flattered, to say the least.
Anywhoodle, post party and late night diner run I did this slightly drunken mani with Barielle Slate of Affairs in preparation of seeing my pal and ALU collection collaborator, Elle, at the Reem Acra presentation. Reem contacted Elle after reading that Slate of Affairs was based on one of her Fall collection gowns and asked her to do the nails for her show. Monday was my uber-crazy seven show day and it started at 8am so as I’m sure you can guess, there was no color change. It wasn’t until I stopped by the CVS Beauty Lounge at Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lab on Tuesday that my nails got a much needed switch.
Not only did I get to do a little people watching, like Top Chef guest judge and former Queer Eye food guy Ted Allen and Miss J from ANTM but I got a little pampering too. Jake Bailey from CoverGirl, who is so adorable, was doing touch-ups and helped me find a foundation that doesn’t just sit on my skin (Simply Ageless) while Sally Hansen was giving manicures. I decided that for my last day in the city I wanted a little party on my nails so I went with a layering combo of Xtreme Wear Disco Ball over In The Navy. So that pretty much wraps up my own personal nail story at NYFW but not to fret there are many more updates to come. I spent the weekend processing everything I saw so I can bring you the best of the best in Fashion Week nails. Stay tuned!!
At every New York Fashion Week I’ve attended, one of the shows I most look forward to is Tracy Reese. I’ve been a fan of her colorful, feminine designs ever since I saw Lauren Ezersky interview her on Behind The Velvet Ropes. Oh how I pine over Style canceling that show.
But it isn’t just the clothes that draw me in season after season. It’s her recurring partnership with Sally Hansen. For the past eight NYFW’s they’ve teamed up to bring runway ready colors to the masses and they’ve done it again with a brand new line called Complete Salon Manicure.
Read on to view the chic, layered nails, get a peek at the new collection and see my first on-camera interview!
Tracy’s collection was all about contrast, embellishment and intense colors. Bringing together hard edges and soft shapes, layering opaque and sheer fabrics. It’s the layering that became the focus for the hair and nail teams.
I spoke with Jeanie Syfu the hair stylist working with Tresemme (you may have seen her on Project Runway) who shared that she used Tracy’s concept of layering to create this sky high hair. Syfu explains, “There looks like there isn’t a lot happening but there is.” Using Tresemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse and Finishing Spray, she created three stacked ponytails that she pulled into a loose bun to keep the sides sleek and avoid restricting the height.
For the at-home stylist, she recommends teasing the crown and gathering hair into a chignon. She added that teasing hair and then curling it with a 1″ iron creates fluffy volume.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Willer for Maybelline went for a modern 20s makeup look. She wanted edge and got it with exaggerated penciled-in brows, glossy lids and heavy under-eye liner juxtaposed with sweet, pink lips. She used Shiny-licious Lip Gloss on the lids, Eye Studio shadow palette (launching in January) under the eye, Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara, Mineral Power Naturally Luminous Blush in Fresh Plum and Color Sensational Lip Color in Make Me Pink.
Of course the nails are what really caught my eye. Using the new Complete Salon Manicure line, set to launch this Spring, Sally Hansen Nail Expert Dana Caruso and her team painted the models’ nails with a rich black (Midnight In New York) topped with a sheer glitter (Hidden Treasure) that when combined look like burning embers in a pitch black night. I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Boraczek, SVP of Marketing for Coty (Sally Hansen’s parent company), who told me that he often polls employees not connected to the line for their take on new shades. That when he asked about Hidden Treasure, his favorite description was that it looks like “crushed gems”. Bill spoke of Tracy’s aversion to “frost” in creating the Spring collection. That she wanted to avoid the outdated look our mothers wore. So even though the vivid teal and bright yellow have been softened with a pearlescence to make them wearable, they’re still bold enough to be modern. While backstage I was asked to do a quick interview about Sally Hansen and the nail trends I was seeing at Fashion Week. I was extremely nervous but flattered to have the opportunity. The footage has been used in a great recap of the show that includes interviews with Tracy Reese, Bill Boraczek, Dana Caruso and actress Gabrielle Union. Check it out!
Hi Fanatics! I’m back from Vegas with a fantastic giveaway. I know I said this would go live on Monday but traveling and scheduled posting issues got in the way. So let’s get this party started.
I told you all about the amazing sweepstakes Sally Hansen is hosting on their own site (click here) to promote the HD Hi-Definition line launch. As if that’s not enough, Sally Hansen is sponsoring a giveaway just for ALU Fanatics. FIVE (5) lucky readers will WIN a full set of the HD Hi-Definition polishes.
What do you need to do to win? We’re going to do this one two ways. TWO (2) Winners will win by completing the form below and THREE (3) will win via Twitter.
I’m SUCH a Twitter fanatic and I’m on a mission to get everyone I know to jump on the bandwagon so for the Twitter portion of this giveaway I’m asking you to JOINTwitter, FOLLOWAll Lacquered Up (so I can contact you) and TWEET this message: I want to win @AllLacqueredUp’s Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Giveaway.
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and ends on August 7th, 2009 at 11:55pm. Winners will be chosen at random and contacted via email or Twitter.
Last Monday was a big day for me at NYFW. Not only did I run myself ragged covering like 6 or 7 shows in a day but I was invited to sit front row at the Tracy Reese runway show at the tents. Can you even? I nearly died inside when I found out.
