Spring 2013 Couture: Elie Saab

 There are two couture shows that I cannot wait to see each season - first is Dior and second is Elie Saab. His Spring 2013 collection was nothing short of spectacular - I adored the crystals encrusted gowns in fairy tale shades of blue and barely there lilac.  I see everyone of these exquisite dresses walking down the red carpet at the upcoming Academy Awards.  

Fall Beauty:: Defined Brows and a Matte Red Lip

The makeup at the Spring 2013 runway shows was nothing short of beautiful. One of my favorites was the look at Jason Wu where matte skin was paired with highly defined brows, contoured cheeks, stained red lips and mile-long lashes tinted black.  Even though this was a look for spring, this can definitely translate very well into a fall/holiday look.  

The key here is to have a blank canvas to work with, which is why prepping with a moisturizer, primer and finishing with foundation will help you achieve a flawless finish.  The second step is to define and accentuate. Here, the brows and the lips are the main focal points, as they are finely traced and filled in with pencils.  Finally this look is finished with a matte red lip, cheeks that are highly contoured with a matte bronzer and a neutral brown eye shadow.  Do you like this look, or do you prefer to only highlight one area with makeup?

Fresh Soy Face Cream
Givenchy Mister Mat Matting Foundation Primer
Nars Sheer Matte Foundation 
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
Dior Celebration Collection Eye Palette
Diorshow Iconic Mascara
Stila Long Wear Lip Liner
Nars Pure Matte Lipstick
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder

On another note:  You all know that I love food, fashion and interiors, but one thing that you probably didn't know about me is that I am a beauty junkie. I haven't shared too much information about my professional background or one of my true passions, but beauty has been 'it' since I was about fifteen.  Beauty is the reason that I went to college in New York and the reason I moved back after continuing college in South Carolina.   I had two beauty editorial internships at two national magazines during college and have since worked at three large beauty companies.  However, up until recently I wasn't allowed to write about anything relating to beauty. My situation has changed and I am so happy that now I can!  I plan on sharing with you on a weekly basis products that I cannot live without or the newest launches that have caught my eye, so stay tuned!

Image from style.com

Alberta Ferretti - Spring 2013 RTW Milan

The Alberta Ferretti collections alway create such a sense of wonder and intrigue.  Her delicate use of exquisite fabrics and colors portray femininity at its finest.  The Spring 2013 collection was submerged in aquatic blues, silvery whites an accentuated with sheer materials and delicate leaf appliques arranged to create an almost mermaid-like effect.  

Peter Pilotto - Spring 2013 RTW London

The Peter Pilotto Spring 2013 show was a dizzying array of colors, almost as if you were peeking through a kaleidoscope.  His pieces might be much to wear together (unless of course you are Anna Dello Russo), but the separates pieces are truly works of art.  So far all of the London shows have been bursting with a multitude of colors, in particularly blues.  

The Streets are the Runway: Spring 2013 RTW New York Edition

New York fashion week has come and gone (sadly), but one thing was for sure, the streets were a flutter with beautiful colors and eye-catching patterns - Prada! Celine! Stella McCartney! it was quite fabulous actually.  Here are some of my favorite looks off the runway.  

Spring 2013 RTW: Prabal Gurung

Feathering frocks, feminine ruffles and sheer materials were the main elements that created an outstanding collection by Prabal Gurung.  Doses of vivid reds were complimented by subdued greys and luminescent whites.  I would wear every piece in this collection, sigh.

Spring 2013 RTW: ERIN by Erin Fetherston

I absolutely adore Erin Fetherston. I love how she creates such feminine and airy pieces -  something that you just dream about wearing.  In her Spring 2013 presentation she combined those ultra-feminine elements with a bit of edge, thanks to the painted-on leather leggings.  

Image from here

Spring 2013 RTW: Jason Wu

The Jason Wu Spring 2013 runway show was quite the departure from his prior collections. Shades of inky blacks and blues, lace, power reds, sheer materials like netting and crop tops dominated the show.  There was still the influence of glamour, thanks to the hatbox shaped handbags, the minaudières with leopard accents and the vibrant red lip.  Continue for more...