The Beauty Blog

Perceptions of beauty and whether society accepts them are constantly changing. Once being plump was considered a sign of beauty for models, then it was being slender. Now the criteria appears to be changing once again with the public reportedly eager to see more “normal” looking models who resemble people you might see in real life.

Dictionary.com defines a model “whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.” However, over the years, the definition has changed, or rather been extended, in its meaning. The word model is used with descriptive adjectives as slim, tall and gorgeous, but is it true nowadays?

Newsweek Magazine reports that “real-looking models” are now shining in fashion shows.

Now real people are even strutting the catwalk—the swimwear company Lycra plucked 20 women of all shapes and sizes off the beach to model their suits at last year’s Miami Swim Fashion Week.

It also quotes Simon Rogers, the head of Ugly New York, a casting agency for “real”-looking models, commenting on this new trend.

“I definitely think there’s some backlash amongst people who see fashion shows, then read stories about how the models have to smoke themselves to death and only drink lemon water for six weeks.People would like to see somebody up there who reflects how people on the street really look.”

An expert in the field, Amy Larocca, the editor of “Look Book,” explains the new trend.

“Fashion shows used to be for a very small number of people, very exclusive. Now you can see them an hour later on the Internet. Everyone can be involved. Larocca also links the increased accessibility of fashion to the number of high-end designers creating affordable lines for mass-market stores, such as Isaac Mizrahi’s collection for Target, as well as reality shows such as “Project Runway.”

Back in skinny jeans also states that people nowadays care about models’ health rather than their appearance.

If the woman still looks like she’s only had lemon water with cayenne pepper to eat for 6 weeks, then she’s still starving herself for fashion, and none of us want to see that any more. We don’t care about a model’s fashion look, we care about her health.

Photo: © WillFoster

For those of you who would like to know what it feels like to be a part of the world of beauty, Lancôme invites you to get made up with Fashion Week and Celebrity Makeup Artist Daniel Martin, Melissa Walker and the Lancôme Backstage Makeup Team.

Make Her Up reports that Lancome will also present the new Christopher Kane designed, on limited Juicy Tubes, which will not be available in stores until mid-March 2008.

The Beauty Alchemist also states that the event will take place in Short Hills, New Jersey on February 1.

WHEN: Friday, February 1, 2008
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Lancôme The Boutique 1200 Morris Turnpike Short Hills, NJ 07078
Gift Bags, Mocktails and Cupcakes!
Enter to win a luxurious prize!

According to Daily Cookie, space is limited, and if you want to be a part of this event, you will have to reserve your spot at cschramke@lancome-usa.com.

The Beauty Blog wishes all attendants a very nice day!

Supermodel and actress Shakara Ledard has partnered up with Metrostyle to launch the M by Shakara. The new line is scheduled to launch in the middle of next month.

The Budget Fashionista reports that this new line comprises both clothing and accessories.

“The M by Shakara collection features mix and match clothing and accessories that are geared to the stylish, contemporary woman. Retail price points range from $14.99 for a wide patent belt with covered buckle to $149.99 for a metallic leather trench coat. (Most items retail for well under $100.) Highlights include a satin bubble skirt ($49.99); a metallic knit dress ($59.99); a satin clutch with patent-croc trim ($29.99).”

A Life of Style quotes Sandy Forgione, the metrostyle Vice President and General Brand Manager, commenting on the company’s new collaboration with Metrostyle.

“Shakara has a wonderful fashion sense; these pieces combine the very latest fashions with extremely affordable price points. The collection will showcase trend-focused designs that accentuate Ledard’s personal flair for high fashion.” Sandy Forgione added, “Another important component of the line is sizing; all clothing items will be available in sizes 4-20.”

It is also reported that M by Shakara Line will first debut on Metrostyle’s official website.

Photo: © socadance78

Adidas by Stella McCartney Golf Collection 2008 will hit stores next month. Adidas by Stella McCartney Golf Collection is for women who love sport and spend time on the golf course.

According to FitSugar, the collection is inspired by men’s silhouettes and tailoring, but includes feminine details.

FashionMagDaily quotes McCartney commenting on this new collection.

“I think it is about time that women who play golf can now echo what they wear in everyday life on the green. It’s exciting for me to bring a bit of an edge to golf,” McCartney says.

Miss Stylologist likes McCartney’s designed collections.

It is the most comfortable item within my comfortable/lounge/gym wardrobe. I find myself wearing it everywhere from Yoga classes to my occasional jaunts to the spa. I plan to revamp my workout wardrobe with the entire Adidas by Stella McCartney collection. It’s the most stylish way to be comfortable and fashionable at the same time - hands down.

It is reported that the Stella McCartney Golf Collection promises to grow and will be marketed until 2010.

Photo: © amaz

Elizabeth Arden is teaming up with Milan-based fashion designer Alberta Ferretti to introduce a women new fragrance collection. Nitrolicious reports that the new line of this fragrance should launch in Spring 2009.

A debut fragrance is planned to launch in the spring of 2009. Elizabeth Arden will produce and market the fragrance collections with creative direction for the scents to come from Alberta Ferretti herself.

According to bellasugar, the new line is targeted towards the woman who “lives in the present yet looks to the future.”

A little vague, but I think we can expect Ferretti to maintain the same levels of excellence with the line as she does with her fashion house. One thing’s for sure: it promises to be a lucrative partnership for Ferretti, based on the success of Arden’s other licensced lines, which include wildly popular fragrances by Badgley Mischka and Nanette Lepore, among others.

PRNewswire quotes E. Scott Beattie, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden, commenting on this new agreement.

“I’m extremely proud to embark on the adventure of creating my
fragrance with Elizabeth Arden. The history of Elizabeth Arden in the world of beauty is characterized by a distinct definition of femininity that is quite close to my own world, in which beauty, femininity and sensuality emanate from the personality. I am convinced that this collaboration will result in a remarkable fragrance that will express the contemporary nature of a woman who lives in the present yet looks to the future.”

Photo: © scalleja

Womens Wear Daily has published a list of the hottest beauty blogs around. Unfortunately, this one didn’t make the grade, but some of the blogs we like, such as the Total Beauty, Makeup and Beauty Blog, Temptalia and Makeup Bag, did.

A new breed of beauty writers is building the sort of influence that’s gaining the attention of major brands: bloggers. Scores of blogs largely dedicated to opinions and reviews of beauty products have proliferated in the past several years. And as the quality and quantity of blogs increases, beauty companies’ traditional marketing strategies are having to adapt.

According to GlamBlush, All About the Pretty, Beauty Snob, Makeup Bag, Shake Your Beauty, and Beauty Addict have been profiled as three of the Best Beauty Blogs. The Beauty Blog congratulates all of them.

Photo: © akamé

The Makeup Show will take place this year in Miami Beach, Florida. The show is scheduled to run from 24-5 February.

According to Yummy 411, the show will include brand presenters along with product demonstrations.

Experience everything in makeup: wonderful presenter, products, demonstrations… they have it all! Some of the attendees/participants: Billy B, Leslie Lopez, James Vincent, Myles O’Reilly, Marietta Carter Narcisse, Eve Pearl, Orlando Santiago, Michael DeVellis, and Johnny Lavoy. Exhibitors include M.A.C Cosmetics, Stila Cosmetics, Temptu, Artists by Timothy Priano, Make Up For Ever, Three Custom Color, Kett Cosmetics, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Becca Cosmetics, and Alison Raffaele Cosmetics to name a few.

ModelVanity.Net reports that The Makeup Show has also a built-in educational program, which hosts more than 40 seminars, workshops and lectures by some of the top makeup artists in the industry.

Classes range from Editorial Beauty, to Airbrush Basics, The Perfect Bride and Makeup for Women of Color, and more. The program has included beauty superstars Billy B, Sam Fine, Pat McGrath, Joanne Gair, Joanna Schlip, to name a few. Examples of classes include Editorial Beauty, Airbrush Basics, The Perfect Bride, The Flawless Face, Makeup for Women of Color, and Makeup for the Mature Face.

All About the Pretty and Diva Shop are both pleased to be invited to attend the show.

“I was pleased to receive an invitation to attend the Miami edition of The Makeup Show, which is an exclusive tradeshow for the makeup industry!,” Diva Shop reports.

If you wish to be a part of this fun, go to the official website of The Makeup Show Miami and order a ticket now!

Photo: © Natalia Envy

Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, has been crowned Miss America 2008. Along with the title, Fox News reports that the aspiring Broadway star also won a $50,000 scholarship to continue her education.

Haglund, who studies music at the University of Cincinnati, grew up in a pageant family. Her mother is an active volunteer, and her grandmother Iora Hunt, competed for the crown as Miss Michigan 1944. Hunt was in the audience Saturday.

Haglund, a cheery, classic blond, wore a revealing silver sequined dress and black bikini during the evening gown and swimsuit portions of the pageant. As her platform issue, she promised to advocate for awareness of eating disorders, an illness from which she has recovered.

Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach reports that after the contest the newly-crowned Haglund went to Las Vegas where she spent 16 hours making TV appearances and giving interviews.

She will now travel some 20,000 miles each month acting as the official national ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network at fundraisers also raising scholarships for the Miss America Organization.

News Blog quotes Hagland commenting on her victory and the hard work expecting her in the future.

“(It’s) a dream come true … I can’t wait to get started. Im ready to flly to New York tomorrow … I’m thrilled … I’m ready for my year as Miss America … amazing! My grandmother competed years ago, (she) loved the new show … (there are) no inhibitions–(we can) be ourselves instead of what pageant queens are supposed to look (like) … (we can)strut our stuff and be sexy if we want to.”

Celebrity Mound embeds an excerpt from the TV show shown on Saturday night for the readers and so do we.

Kirsten Dunst is teaming up with Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos of Lutz & Patmos to release her own fashion collection which will debut during New York Fashion Week on 3 February.

Kirsten Dunst is an American actress well-known for her roles in Interview with the Vampire, The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, and Bring It On. Elle UK Magazine reports that the fashion show will take place at Manhattan’s New Museum.

The collection will make it’s debut at New York fashion week on 3rd February with a party at Manhattan’s New Museum, with Karl Largerfeld’s favourite DJ, Michel Gaubert, on the decks!

According to Celebrity-Fashion.net, Dunst has always had an interest in launching her own personal line of clothes.

Dunst, who is currently appearing in Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2008 ad campaign, is known for her quirky, offbeat style and has, for some time, had an interest in launching her own fashion line.

Photo: © Gaira House

Hilary Duff is launching a new fragrance line — Wrapped With Love. The perfume, described to have a fruity floral scent, will hit beauty counters in a couple of weeks.

According to Anything Hollywood, Wrapped With Love is Duff’s second signature fragrance.

Hilary Duff has launched her second signature fragrance, Wrapped with Love. Wrapped with Love is Duff’s follow-up to the first one,With Love By Hilary Fragrance.

Bellasugar has tried this new scent and recommends it for daytime and for spring as well as summer.

If you can put aside the celebrity aspect of the scent and focus only on how it smells, I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

Comedy Blogs reports that after its release, Wrapped With Love will also be available as a gift set for Valentine’s Day.

The fragrance is described as a fruity floral combined with light-hearted sophistication. The parfum will be available within the next couple of weeks, and shortly following its release you can expect to see a Valentine’s Day gift set that includes the same size fragrance as well as a cutesy tank top.