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Exclusive Backstage Access at Fashion Focus Chicago 2008: Allure of Couture Makeup Breakdown

Phyllis — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:08:00 +0000

We all know red lips is hot hot hot this season and at the backstage of Focus Fashion Chicago 2008′s Allure of Couture show, Lancome’s Alex Sanchez takes the look to a whole new level and gives us the 411 on how to nail it.

Products Used For The Show

Eyes
* Le Crayon Khôl Eyeliner in Blanc
* Le Stylo Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Noir
* Color Design Eyeshadow in Drape, Chic and Faux Pas
* Le Crayon Poudre Powder Pencil for the Brows
* Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
* Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara

Cheeks
* Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame from the Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection
* Blush Subtil in Miel Glacé

Lips
* L’Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir
* Le Lipstique Lipcolouring Stick with Brush in Raisinberry
* Color Fever Gloss in Up In Smoke

Alex’s Tips: How To Do The Perfect Red Lips

1. Starting by applying a blue-based lipstick with a brush.

2. Use a lip pencil to fill in the shape and blend for a no-lined look.

3. Blot once with a tissue and reapply the lipstick.

4. Top with a clear gloss, applying more on the bottom lip to create the illusion of fuller lips.

5. Clean up the edges with a brush dipped in concealer. Voila! Hot red lips!

Related Post
Backstage At Fashion Focus Chicago 2008: Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion Makeup Breakdown.
Exclusive Look at Lancome’s Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection.

Exclusive Backstage Access At Fashion Focus Chicago 2008: Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion Makeup Breakdown

Phyllis — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:35:00 +0000

For Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion at Fashion Focus Chicago 2008, Lancôme’s national makeup artist Alex Sanchez created a street chic look for the young and hip models.

Granite colors were smudged around the eyes to create a city vibe, brows filled in with pencil for a strong look, mascara and false lashes applied for thick lashes and lips painted in nude colors.

Makeup sheet for the show

Model Sophie and Shaya

Models getting ready for the rehearsal

Products Used by Alex
Here is what I found on Alex’s workstation:

Face
* Teint Idole Ultra Foundation in various shades
* Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup in various shades

Eyes
* Le Crayon Poudre Powder Pencil for the Brows in various shades
* Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Filigree
* Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Kitten Heel
* Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Chic Matte
* Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Volcano
* Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in New Black
* Le Crayon Khôl EyeLiner in Black Toffee and Ebony
* Définicils High Definition Mascara in various shades

Cheeks
* Color Design Blush in Petticoat Pink
* Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame from the Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection
* Star Bronzer Magic Bronzing Brush

Lips
* Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick with Brush in various shades
* Juicy Tube Smoothie in Hallucination

How To Achieve The Look
Alex turned our naturally beautiful model Angela into a sex kitten with the following steps:

Before and After
1. Alex filled in Angela’s eyebrows with Le Crayon Poudre Powder Pencil for the Brows and blended with the spoolie.

2. After mixing two different shades of Teint Idole Ultra Foundation, Alex painted the foundation onto Angela’s face with a foundation brush and blended everything with his fingers. The foundation was set with Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup with a big brush and extra powder was applied under the eyes.

3. Using Le Crayon Khôl EyeLiner in Ebony, Alex drew a thin line very close to Angela’s upper lash line and smudged it onto her eyelid with his finger. Using the same liner, he lined Angela’s lower lash line. Next, he placed a Kleenex under her eye before smudging the liner outwards and onto the crease. A few eyeshadows were also smudged around the eye to smoke up the look.

4. Alex applied a few coats of the Définicils High Definition Mascara on Angela’s top and bottom lashes.

5. He lined Angela’s lips with Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick and applied Juicy Tube Smoothie in Hallucination on top.

6. To create a nice glow on Angela’s cheeks, Alex swiped Star Bronzer in a 3 motion and used Freeze Frame to highlight the brow bone, under the eye and her collarbone.

7. Finally, Alex sent Angela to his assistant where individual flared eyelashes by Shu Uemura were placed on the outer corners with a pair of tweezers and Duo’s Eyelash Adhesive in Dark Tone.

More Pics From The Show

The legendary Alex Sanchez and me (Alex used the Hallucination JT and Freeze Frame Blush on me in this picture)

Alex working his magic on the models

Reception Area

Bar Area

Runway

Exclusive Backstage Access: Lancome’s Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection Previews

Phyllis — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:45:00 +0000

With the kick-off of Fashion Focus Chicago 2008, the official makeup sponsor of the fashion week, Lancome, has launched a special makeup collection called the Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection.

Inspired by the unique sense of style of Chicago women and the city’s beautiful architecture, the collection was hand-picked by Lancome’s national makeup artist Alex Sanchez. It features a gorgeous range of chic neutrals that are not only perfect for fall but would look great on women of all skin tones.

Products from the collection will be used by Alex to create different looks for all five runway shows and they include:

* Color Design Palette in Golden Glitz ($42)
* Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame ($27)
* Color Fever Shine Lipstick in Femme Fire ($25)
* Color Fever Gloss in Hotness ($23)
* Artliner in Noir ($28)
* Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee ($23.50)
* Hypnose Mascara in Black ($24)
* Blending Shadow Brush #17 ($26)

The collection is now available exclusively at selective Chicago Macy’s locations – State Street, Water Tower, Old Orchard and Woodfield – until October 31st. A portion of the proceeds will also go to The Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) to help support six emerging Chicago-based designers.

Product Swatches (With and without flash)

My Thoughts On The Collection
This collection is *beautiful*! The eyeshadows in the Color Design Palette are all smooth, pigmented and so easy to blend. Plus since they are simple neutrals, you can’t really go wrong with the colors.

The Black Coffee Kohl liner, which is one of Alex’s favorites, is a dark brown color that is great for definition without the harsh effects of black eyeliner. It goes on very smoothly without any tugging or pulling and you can smudge it out for a soft sultry look.

As for my favorite item? The Freeze Frame blush! The color is a soft shimmery light pink and the texture is very creamy and blendable. You can use it as a blush or dab it under the brow bone, along the bridge of your nose and on the cheekbone as a highlighter. Alex used this on me and it made my skin look so nice an dewy!! Loves it!!

A Few Tips From Alex
* When it comes to eyeshadows, you don’t always have to use all the colors that come in the palette. For a simple day look, two colors – a light one on the lid and a darker one to line – should suffice.

* Use a lash conditioner like the Cils Booster Mascara Enhancing Base before applying mascara for uber luscious lashes.

* Alex’s all-time favorites from Lancome? The Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee and their best-selling mascara, Definicils.

* Take care of your skin! Get your beauty sleep, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen.

I also got to watch Alex work his magic on the models backstage for the Gen Art show. Stay tuned for more pictures and a breakdown of the look!