Your Fall Color Forecast for Eyes, Lips and Nails

Bold Matte lips, shimmering gold eyes and boutique nails are what's hot this fall.

Fall 2015, NYC  This fall think big and bold in color as the ultimate accessory. Yes, your nails and makeup can accessorize your outfit in a major way.  Here are some new color palettes you'll want to take a look at this fall.

Eyes & Lashes
NYC's new Cityproof 24 HR Waterproof Eyeshadow is surprisingly creamy and easy to apply. Once it's on, it doesn't budge. The Wall Street Bronze is beautiful with just enough shimmer to keep it fun but not too much that it would be inappropriate for daytime wear. Very versatile, these can be used as a highlighter, liner or lid color. Just use primer on your lids first and you're good to go. The sticks are also easy to pack for travel. Very cool by NYC (New York Colors) - Coty.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow is from her new Pure Color line. This is my go-to palette of beautiful yet subtle fall satin, shimmers and mattes.

Rimmel Lift Me Up Mascara in BLACK with vitamins and cucumber. This new formula has added nutrients aimed at helping to keep your lashes healthy. I tried using it without my eyelash curler and was pleased with the effect. No clumps at all and it gives natural volume to your lashes.

The eyes have it. Garnier 5 Sec Blur makes a great eyelid primer. Raen Sunglasses.

Luscious Fall Lips
Go bold or go home! Darker, richer fabrics for fall and winter cry out for a slightly more earth-toned lip. The trick is to go matte but not dry. I've been really impressed with Estee Lauder's long wearing Pure Color Envy lipsticks this season. The colors are amazing and I've found my perfect nude lip with her Desirable shade in this collection. I prefer orange-reds for fall and really like the ultra red, Envious and Fierce shades in the Pure Color Envy line. Another one of my go to reds for fall is Clinique's Long Last Lipstick in RED, RED, RED. These are matte but moist and will not dry out your lips by the end of the day. Go for the warrmer shades of red too. Blue-reds can really age you like a vampire.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Lipsticks and NEW Esum Vegan Makeup Brushes.

Nair Care & Colors
Healthy nails are beautiful nails! That's why I invest more in products to nourish my nails from the inside out. I take a small scoop of Knox Gelatin each morning as well as Neocell's Beauty Infusion which has collagen, hyaluronic acid and biotin for healthy skin plus strong hair and nail growth. If you are not into red meat, you may need to supplement with iron as deficiencies can show up as flattened out, thin nails. I prefer a natural, food based iron supplement like Floradix Iron Plus Herbs.

Fall nail colors with a healthy punch of vitamins

Base Coat:
Once you've got your nutrition in place, you can then add a few topical products to help strengthen and smooth your nails which will help you manicure last longer. I purchased Essies Grow Stronger and Fill The Gap just a few weeks ago and can see a major difference in how my nails look. One coat of each product as my base coat and I'm ready for my nail lacquer of choice.

My base coat products from Essie.

NEW Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polishes
These are a new breed of nail lacquers that do more than paint a pretty glaze. These contain Tea Tree Oil, Vitamins and Wheat Protein. No Dibutylphthalate, Toluene or Formaldehyde in these formulas. Shown here are Peaceful in Pink Coral and Purity in Pink. See more shades at RemedyNails.com

Healthier choices for nail color.

Lauren B's 5 Free Nail Colors
In similar fashion, Lauren B's nail lacquer formulations leave out all of the same chemicals as the Dr.'s Remedy but also have no resins or camphor. What I also like from this collection is Lauren B's Nail and Cuticle Balm. I apply it the night before a new manicure, giving it time to sink in. Her colors are a bit more intense with CA names like Espresso on 3 rd and Rose Bowl shown below. Perfect for fall!

Lauren B. Nail Polish

Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure
Known for her nail-hardening lacquers the Manicure in a Bottle collection offers some bold and beautiful fall colors. The nail paint brush is double wide similar to Revlon's Colorstay Gel Envy. Visit SallyHansen.com

Sally Hansen's fall colors: Manicure in a Bottle. Soho Zippered Makeup Case.

Designer Nails by Ami Vega
This colorful book was just released this past August! Nail artist extraordinaire, Ami Vega shares her insider tips for innovative boutique manicures as well as nail care. Easy to follow, step by step instructions will make you an artist as well.

Designer Nails by Ami Vega - Random House

Step by step instruction is Designer Nails.

Top Coat
This is a really important step to make sure your manicure looks professional and lasts. I prefer Revlon Colorstay nail lacquers as they are the closest thing to gel nails but with out the UV curing light. My manicures last about a week which is pretty decent for me. Apply your top coat (or two) over your base coats and nail color for a high-watt shine. Shown above here is Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat.

Backstage Hairstyle Tips from Derek Lam's NYFW 2015 Show

Classic pony as seen in Derek Lam's NYFW 2015 Show at 545 W. 22nd Street. 

Designer Derek Lam had his show over the weekend on Sunday downtown at 545 West 22nd Street. Vera Wang, who I've met and spoke with in person, will be hosting her show in the same location on Tuesday February 17th.

I often get backstage access pass offers to see what products the hairstylists are using for the shows. When I did runway work, we would have a signature hairstyle for the show. The stylists have all sorts of tricks in their bag to help the models achieve that flawless hairstyle that enhances the designer's line. They want you to see the clothes so a neat, pulled back low ponytail is really one of the most polished, classic looks on the runway.


Here's how to pull this look off and what you will need:

Hair Accessories: custom-made leather holders
You can find these classic pony tail holders at most drugstores. Made of Leather, they secure with a little dowel that threads though the two holes in the holder.

Hair Mousse
I'm not a fan of mousse in general but some styles require a bit of definition and structure. I've used Tresemme Extra Firm Control. It offers all day control with humidity resistance. A little goes a long way and I use the smallest amount possible, about a quarter size puff.

Hair Spray
Just like mousse, hair spray is also pretty low on my list of hair care products. I don't like crunchy textures or the build-up often associated with heavy use of these products.
So when I do use hairspray, I've used Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist. According to the label it: "Creates touchable control for gorgeous bounce and style that lasts." It really is light and shampoos out very easily. My stylist, Ray uses just a spritz of hair spray to keep my hair soft and touchable.

My stylist Ray - Christo Fifth Avenue

My Favorite Hair Styling Tools
I use only 100% boar bristle brushes for styling and smoothing my long hair. They resist static and cause the hair cuticle to lay flat to better reflect light thus increasing shine. Kent Brushes from England are some of the best. I also like my Madora Rake Combs which are very smooth and hand polished. They resist snagging and breaking your hair and are excellent for tangles.
Both are available at the Original George Michael of Madison Avenue Salon, 422 Madison Avenue New York City, NY 10017
Call (212) 752-1177 or visit online at Madora Long Hair Heaven

Madora Pocket and Vanity Rake Combs and Boar Bristle Styling Brush

Prior to this the only PHYTO product I've tried was their Phyto 9 Phytologie Daily Ultra Moisturizing Cream with Macadamia Oil. Ahead of its time, you now see a LOT of hair care products with this precious nut oil.
I've also personally tried these new products,namely the Mousse Intense Volume and Phytolaque Soie Hair Spray with Silk Proteins and like them very much. Just what you'd expect from a Parisian hair care line used by the professionals.

Derek Lam's FW2015 Show

Derek Lam NYFW “Get the Look” tips from Orlando Pita for PHYTO

INSPIRATION: 

Classic American New York woman. Sportswear with a New York edge. Super contemporary.

THE LOOK:

The look is a clean, graphic ponytail with a sharp center part.

GET THE LOOK:

·         Blow dry hair with PHYTO Phytovolume Actif or PHYTO Intense Volume Mousse, depending upon the hair type. 

·         Pull back hair into a pony tail at the nape of the neck.

·         Once the hair is pulled back, secure it with custom-made leather holders.

·         Finish the look by spraying with PHYTO Phytolaque Soie Hairspray.

Stylist Orlando Pita finishing this polished low pony look with hairspray.

Photos by Erin Baiano for PHYTO Hair Care

Editor's Choice: Top Street Style Looks from New York Fashion Week 2015

Some of the amazing street style outfits of 2015 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, NYC

New York Fashion Week 2015 started off with sunshine, a gust of wind, clouds and then snow. Just like the fashion scene today. A mixed bag of textures and beauty. Here are some of my favorite street style looks from Lincoln Center Plaza.

So love this suede over the knee boots which were EVERYWHERE.

Neko Zhang in a lovely red coat & veiled hat. Instagram: nekoislove

Impeccably done patterned fur & fox fur hat. Suede over the knee boots!

Tan tunic with black leather side panels by designer Donna Degnan, NYC

NY Fashion Week Style-Edgy with a surprise pop of pink.

Loved the luxe faux fur coat and floppy hat with this outfit.

White faux fur with red stripes on the bottom. Simply works.

Crowds leaving the fashion show at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week building.

To me, the most interesting styles were on the street. Designers showing here at the MB Fashion Week Theatre and Salon today were: BCBG Max Azria, Costello Tagliapietra, Tadashi Shoji and Todd Snyder. Downtown, Timo Weiland's show was at Pier 59 Studios, 59 Chelsea Piers #2. Also Honor showed at Artbeam, 540 W. 21st. This fall-winter FW2015-16, look for high-heeled over the knee boots in suede. Faux and real fur (i.e. fox a la Joseph Altuzarra) isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Fur trooper hats are making a comeback, (did they ever leave?)

My tunic and white blouse are both by New York designer, Donna Degnan and made in NYC. Despite the temperature drop and snow flurries, I was incredibly warm and happy outdoors. The pockets and full lining and zip front are also a major plus!

Modeling at the Fashion Week afterparty-Photo by Andrew Fitzsimons

Makeup-Kett Cosmetics Hydro Foundation
Micheal Kors Black Leather Tassel Knox Bag - Mine
Oscar de la Renta Silk Scarf - Mine
Jewelry by Tiffany & Co.
Special thanks to FashionXTech and the sponsors for furnishing transportation to the shows.