STARRY NIGHT... Mariko Wordell

Mariko is attending the Cannes Film Festival this week so we came up with this shimmering universe of soft black across her eyelids... perfect for a fancy fête, all night dancing or just lounging with a glass of champagne.

PRODUCTS // Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Mirifique, Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara in Black Satin, Laura Mercier Brow Definer, NARS Sheer Lipstick in Barbarella (applied sparingly), Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Cream Ivory

WHAT IS REALITY ANYWAY… Krystal Simpson

Writer, model, musician, occasional designer and bon vivant Krystal Simpson stopped by the studio last week for make-up and Polaroids done two ways.  The first was loosely inspired by Sharon Tate (or any of those incredibly sexy 60's kittens who had an affinity for black cat eyes).  The second is what we loosely named the "I ran away at 16 to join a rock band" look with make-up circa late 70's / early 80's.  This image reminds me a bit of the movie Foxes.

Note: Check out the behind the scenes video from this shoot on Krystal's blog, What Is Reality Anyway.

PRODUCTS // Look 1:  Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner, NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Persia (only in the crease), DiorShow New Look Mascara in Black, NARS Bronzing Powder in Casino (as contour), Tom Ford Lip Color in Nude Vanille, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder

PRODUCTS // Look 2: Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber, DiorShow New Look Mascara in Black, Tom Ford Cheek Color in Savage, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Blushed Rose (lips), Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Edward Bess All Over Seduction in Sunlight (highlighter)

MODERN BARDOT... Jennifer Pugh

Make like Bridgette Bardot with lots of black lashes (cheating with fakies is encouraged), a generous dose of the blackest black eyeliner and a pale lip.

Note: Jennifer Pugh has made several appearances on Beauty is Boring, check her out HERE and HERE... with more coming soon!

PRODUCTS // Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, Shu Uemura Smoky Layers False Eyelashes, Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Frivole (cheeks and eyelids), Bobbi Brown Rouge for Lips & Cheeks in Pale Pink (lips), Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Champagne

PUNK... Sid, Nancy & Rosie O'Laskey

Punk was the soundtrack of my youth and its raw DIY sensibility continues to inform my work.  For this post we wanted to reference some of the earlier punk styles and John Ruggiero (hair genius) came up with the brilliant idea of shooting Rosie as Sid and Nancy (yes, that is her in both images!).  We also shot her (see below) with 80's "Suburbia" hair and 70's Soo Catwoman inspired make-up.

Note: See a behind the scenes video from this shoot HERE.

Note: A few of my favorite punk women... Poly Styrene, Ari Up, Exene Cervenka, Debbie Harry, Lydia Lunch, Patti Smith, Soo Catwoman, Vivienne Westwood, Siouxsie Sioux

Note: All make-up by MAC Cosmetics, hair products by Bumble and Bumble.

PRODUCTS // Nancy: Eye Shadow in Carbon, Eye Pencil in Ebony, Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash, Powder Blush in a mix of Frankly Scarlet and Peaches, Lip Pencil in Redd, Pro Lip Palette in 6 Editorial Reds

PRODUCTS // Sid: Sculpting Powder Pro Palette, Veluxe Brow Liner in Deep Brunette, Studio Conceal and Correct Palette

PRODUCTS // Punk Mash Up: Fluidline in Blacktrack, Pro Chromaline in Basic Red, Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash, Eye Pencil in Ebony, Lipmix in Black

THE MODEL… Kasia Struss

There are models and then there are MODELS.  Kasia Struss is of the second variety.  Her cheekbones, widely spaced almond eyes, high brows and sculpted lips are ridiculously gorgeous.

Note: Kasia is from Poland which reminds me of a Polish designer that I met last year in Berlin.  He makes garments out of a material called Tyvek which looks and feels exactly like paper.  His brand is called UEG, an abbreviation of "usa e getta" which means "use and discard" in Italian.  Lots of interesting stuff coming out of Poland these days… I feel a trip to Warsaw coming on.

Note: Hair by the talented Teddy Charles at Art + Commerce

PRODUCTS // Dior Mono Eyeshadow in Choc Clair (smudged into the lower lashline with just a touch blended into the crease), Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner in Noir, DiorShow New Look Mascara in Black, Anastasia Brow Wiz in Caramel, Dior Automatic Lipliner in Spicy Pink (filled in entire lip to add a more neutral tone to the coral lipstick), Tom Ford Lip Color in True Coral, Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate in Intensity Two, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion

NY PUBLIC LIBRARY… Tian Li & Ophelie Guillermand

Pre-show with Ophelie Guillermand (in her own clothes)

Pre-show with Tian Li (in her own clothes)

I recently did a private runway show at the NY Public Library (an amazing venue!) and managed to snap a few of my favorite faces behind the scenes.  One of the things that I've always found fascinating about runway is using the exact same color elements on completely different looking models.

PRODUCTS // MAC Eye Shadow in Knight Divine, Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara in Black Satin,  Anastasia Brow Wiz , MAC Lip Pencil in Cherry (filled in entire lip), NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Funny Face, Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate in Intensity Two, Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Ecrin, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua 

THE 90's (AGAIN)... Beck Trumbo

Yesterday Beck stopped in for a visit and surprised me with bright red hair, circa Karen Elson 1997. Of course I couldn't resist pulling out some copper shades and having a bit of fun. Beck's pentagram earrings (she gave me a matching pair!) set off the look perfectly.

So about the 90's… when trends come back around and you lived through them the first time, it reinforces the idea that regardless of what your self perception is, you are no longer a kid.  The 90's have been having a revival these past few seasons with runways that look exactly like my teenage years (yes, I am referring to you Hedi).  It's both nostalgic and sometimes offensive because the fashion without the cultural movement behind it is really just… well, it's just fashion (see PUNK).  That's neither good or bad, it's just strange when you were part of the original moment.

One piece of the 90's that seems to have been overlooked in this current wave of trends is the riot grrrls.  I wasn't really immersed in their culture (I was romantically attached to the 70's / early 80's NY punk scene) but I did sympathize with it. This week, in honor of this female centric movement, why don't you incorporate some riot grrrl attitude into your daily routine to add some authenticity to that Saint Laurent baby doll dress.

1: Get offended by sexism.  Being accommodating and pretending that femininity is synonymous with weakness is so 2004.

2: Stop shying away from the word "feminism".  If you are a woman and you would like to have equal legal/civil/economic rights, then you are a feminist.

3: Talk to your friends about the situation of women around the globe.  Create awareness then figure out a plan of action, start a band or make the modern equivalent to a zine (a blog).

4: Learn who the two Kims are and worship them (Kim Gordon and Kim Deal).  You should also make friends with records by L7, Bikini Kill and their earlier influences like Exene Cervenka, Lydia Lunch, Patti Smith and Siouxsie Sioux.  

PRODUCTS // MAC Eye Shadow in Coppering and Red Brick, MAC Eye Khol in Facsinating, DiorShow New Look Mascara in Black, Dior Bronzing Powder in Spicy, NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo, Laura Mecier Silk Cream Foundation in Soft Ivory