Degree Women Natureffects Launch: SIGHT

If you've been following my "nature-inspired experiences" courtesy of Degree Women's PR team, then you'll remember that we covered "taste" last week. And so this week we've moved on to "sight", indicated by the Tory Burch sunglasses above.

Now if you're like me, you probably can't wait for spring/summer to get here, right!?! Well, with all the snow days we've had recently, I've found myself outside with the first sight of sun! I guess I've been suffering from cabin fever, so a slight rise in temperature and a little sun have been just what the doctor ordered!

Stay tuned for the next experience...

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Superstar of the Week: Valente Frazier

I've already talked your heads off about this week's "Mischo Beauty Superstar", Valente Frazier, here. So this week I'm inviting you all to check out his website and more of his work here. Be sure to stop back by and let me know what you think!

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Mischo Beauty Extra: Zoya's Reverie Spring Collection

As I write this post I'm seriously reminiscing about my recent trip to St. Lucia- probably because I wore a combination of Zoya's "Gwin" and "Lana" (last two nail colors above- far right) while lying on the beach- remember this Twitpic...

The nail collection above is Zoya's Reverie Spring Collection which includes:

- Laney
- Charity (not included in this collection, but perfect for spring!)
- Adina
- Happi
- Reece
- Gwin
- Lana

Described as "dreamy metallic oil slick looking" nail colors, they're all available now- here! So what's your favorite shade?

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty: Kiss Nail Files

It wasn't until I was in cosmetology school completing the nail curriculum, that I learned using the wrong nail file could damage your nails. Yes, there are nail files designed specifically for use on natural nails, acrylic nails, gel nails, tips, etc; and Kiss has an assortment that will probably meet your every need. So the next time you're shopping for a nail file, pay special attention to the nail type it's recommended for, or risk damaging your nails!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Loves Glowology Simply Divine

I've had the Glowology Simply Divine set which includes the Lovely Body Lotion and the Heavenly Honey Wash for months now, and I'm a little mad at myself for just now trying them out! I love products that leave my skin silky smooth, and that's what the result was after using these! They're specifically formulated for sensitive skin (my skin is easily sensitized), but all skin types would definitely appreciate them!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Loves Shima + Sahai

During my event with GEORGIA, I met the lovely sisters (Tsahai & Shima) behind the brand, Shima + Sahai. Not only did they gift me with their attendance and support, but they also surprised me with a lovely gift bag that included their "Hot!" Couture Candle, Couture RoomFresh and a sample of their "Cherries on Top!"Body Butter. The scents of each of these alone took my breath away! These are must-have luxury handmade products everyone should have in their lives!

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Mischo Beauty School: Hair Texture 101

So with all the hair talk during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I thought it only appropriate to offer a refresher on the term "hair texture". It's often a point of confusion, but simply refers to the diameter of each individual hair. The texture of hair generally falls into one of the following five categories:

A. Very Coarse
B. Coarse
C. Average
D. Fine
E. Very Fine

The coarser the hair, the thicker the cuticle (outermost layer of the hair) and larger the cortex (the middle layer of the hair). Stronger, coarser hair textures will be able to withstand stronger chemicals and rougher treatments than fine hair. For example, I have coarse to very coarse hair and I'm surprised that I have hair today after allowing stylist after stylist to overprocess my hair (unknowingly!) during my college years. But due to my hair's strength it's been able to withstand the damage!

Hair textures have nothing to do with the quantity of individual hairs on the head, so it is possible to have a thick head of fine hair and on the other hand, a thin distribution of coarse hair. Questions? Love your hair.

What's your hair texture?

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Degree Women Natureffects Launch: TASTE

The Degree Women's PR team has been sending me "nature-inspired experiences" in preparation for the launch of their Degree Women Natureffects Collection. And so each experience is supposed to stimulate one of the five senses- taste, sight, touch, smell and sound.

Now I know very little about the collection itself, except for the fact that two of the new fragrances from the collection - "olive leaf & pink pepper" and "orange flower & cranberry" were the inspiration for the ingredients in the cute little "orange olive oil cake" they sent me. Too cute- and tasty too!

Stay tuned for the next experience...

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

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Mischo Beauty Says Goodbye to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 Collections

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week's backstage was truly the beauty lover's frontstage! I hope you all enjoyed my coverage- I know I had a ball! I can't wait to see what's in store for the Spring 2011 collections this September! Please stay tuned...

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Sally Hansen & Tracy Reese Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Best nails and hair for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week goes to Sally Hansen and Tresemme for Tracy Reese's Fall 2010 Collection runway show. Sally Hansen created an exclusive collection of colors to coordinate with the collection.

This was the ninth season for the Sally Hansen collaboration with Tracy Reese, and for the show models wore "Wet Clay" (a light nude) layered with black lace to compliment the runway collection.

More hair and nail photos are available here, here and here. This was definitely backstage beauty at it's BEST! Do you agree?

photos: WWD, Elle.com, style.com

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Sebastian & Betsey Johnson Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

The backstage hairstyling team for Betsey Johnson was lead by Thomas Dunkin for Sebastian. This particular show was held offsite at the Altman Building on Sunday, February 14th.

Thomas says of the hair, "we went with a country girl meets Brigit Bardot look that was messy, fun and flirtatious, fitting with Betsey's collection."

Hmmmm.... so what do you think? View the entire collection here.

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: PHYTO & Andy & Debb Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

While covering backstage at Andy & Debb, I had the opportunity to discuss the hair look with Phyto's lead hairstylist, David Cruz. He stated that the goal was to achieve a beautiful, perfect texture, that's shiny and healthy, but with very little volume- center parted and tucked a little behind the ears.

The hair was prepped with Phytovolume Actif Volumizing Spray with a mix of Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Cream and then blown out. The ends of the hair were then flat ironed, section by section. To add shine and control flyaways, the hair was finished with Phyto Professional Glossing Cream from roots to ends.

Easy enough, right? Definitely a look you could achieve using these products, along with the right tools! The complete runway look is available here.

photos: Phyto, Elle.com

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Tarte for Beauty.com & Lela Rose Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

The Tarte artistry team partnered with Beauty.com and celebrity makeup artist, Tina Turnbow to create the celestial-inspired look for Lela Rose's Fall 2010 runway show. The inspiration for the look is described as "nature's celestial landscapes- think of the nighttime sky and imagine a full moon peaking behind the clouds".

The overall look is described as "mysterious moonlit eyes, while the complexion and lips have a cloudy, hazy feel". The silvery/black smokey eye was created using the Lights, Camera, Lahses! mascara, smolderEYES, the Eye Couture Palette, and Lucy I'm Home & Blue Lagoon eyeshadows. All Tarte products used to create the look are available on Beauty.com.

Complete runway looks are available here! Love it?

photo: style.com

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Estée Lauder & Derek Lam Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

So I was really surprised to learn that Estee Lauder had never participated in Fashion Week!!?? But, I guess there's a first for everything, right! They sponsored the beauty look (makeup and nails) for Derek Lam's Fall 2010 Collection. Estee Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux

Celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished the models' nails with a new color that was tested backstage!

Bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails ruled the catwalk.

According to Pecheux, bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation- are an on-trend preview of what we'll see for Fall 2010. All runway looks are available here.

So what do you think?

photos: Estee Lauder, style.com

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: NARS & Thakoon Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Since we all pretty much HEART anything NARS, I decided to share with you all the makeup look at the Thakoon AW2010 show. Designer Thakoon Panichgul states, "I was inspired by the costumes of Chopinot & Gaultier's Le Defile show and wanted to create a collection that reflected that same era but without the goth element."

"The look is fresh, beautiful, luminous and quite confident, " said lead NARS artist Diane Kendal. "We focused on a strong brow and highlighted the eyes to show depth and boldness in a way that wouldn't fight with the various textures, layers and colors of the collection".

The fall 2010 makeup collection will include the following, which were used in the show:

- Douceur Blush (try Lovejoy or Madly Blushes for a similar effect)
- Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (try Bali Single Eyeshadow for a similar effect)
- Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow (try Orgasm Illuminator for a similar effect)
- Portobello Duo Eyeshadow
- Tashkent Pure Matte Lipstick (try Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil for a similar effect)

You may view more looks here! So, what do you think?

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Dashing Diva & Tibi Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Oh how I love Dashing Diva, let me count the many, many ways! This season Dashing Diva created the nail look for Tibi's Fall 2010 Collection. The designer wanted a "mushroomie grey" color for the nails...

So head nail tech Pattie Yankee mixed Astor Place and West Village (pictured above), and the result was the perfect grey, taupe mushroom color pictured below on supermodel, Arlenis Sosa.

Love the nail color- definitely a WINNER! The complete looks from the runway show are available here.

photos: Eric Yu

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Amoy Pitters & Eryn Brinie Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Celebrity hairstylist, Amoy Pitters created the hair look for the Eryn Brinie Fall 2010 presentation. The look, described as ethereal, wind-swept and effortless, was created by using one of my favorite brands, Rene Furterer (you'll remember that I love, love, love the Complex 5 Regenerating Extract!).

Amoy created the look by first applying Rene Furterer Volume Mousse from root to end to achieve texture. Using a 1-2" curling iron, she created soft waves throughout the crown. After adding Amoy Couture Hair Clip-On Extensions to add fullness and length to the hair, she then sprayed a brush with Rene Furterer Dry Shampoo to create volume.

Next, using a comb, she brushed back the hair at the root, sweeping the hair to one side and creating a long braid. She continued to comb the braid back to create lose flyaways for a soft, renaissance look.

After the models' makeup was applied, Amoy then finished the hair look by applying Rene Furterer Finishing Spray, securing any loose hairs.

So are you all impressed? Please let me know your thoughts!

photos: Ann Lawlor, Eryn Brinie

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: IMAN Cosmetics & Arise Magazine African Collective – Part III

I love Valente Frazier- like SERIOUSLY! I've had the opportunity to see him at a celebrity makeup symposium a few years ago and found him to be such a huge inspiration. And isn't that what life is about- using your gifts to inspire others? He shared with us his journey - the steps and the many risks he'd taken to achieve his dream, and I can't tell you all how much I love meeting people who are living their dreams! And, after watching his makeup demonstration, I was blown away! So now you understand why I had to include him in my fashion week coverage!

And just so you know, he's the Emmy Award-winning makeup artist for such celebrities as Iman and Tyra Banks; and his work has been featured in Elle, Essence and O, The Oprah Magazine. This fashion week he led the IMAN Cosmetics backstage beauty team in creating the looks for the ARISE African Collective fashion show.

Most notable was the strong, sexy IMAN eye look, sheer sexy lip and bronzed cheeks. Complete looks from the show are available here!

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Wella & DKNY Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

I became well versed in all Wella products while apprenticing at Vidal Sassoon and so I was curious to see what the artistic team would create for DKNY's runway show. I was told that the fall collection "encapsulates New York art and soul, reflecting the convergence of creative worlds and individual style that is the spirit of New York City". The hair look was a "refined side-swept ponytail projecting a sexy equestrian vibe with a subtly strong, yet not too masculine look".

Wella Professionals lead colorist Eva Scrivo directed a team of colorists to handpaint extensions using Blondor, Koleston Perfect and ColorTouch to match the natural color palette of the models' hair- ranging from medium brown to a spectrum of blonde shades. Extensions were then woven in to soften the look by placing the paler pieces in the front where the sun would naturally lighten the hair.

Eugene Souleiman (top photo), Global Creative Director for Wella Professionals, led the styling team by creating the low side ponytail using System Professionals Volumagic to give the side part direction. System Professional Hypercurl was used on the length of the ponytail for separation and added texture. Additional looks from the runway show are available here.

Are you all impressed? Love the look?

photo: style.com

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Zoya Nail Polish & Peter Som Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection

I can't begin to tell you how much I love Zoya Nail Polish and so covering nails backstage at Peter Som was like a dream come true! And so after arriving at Milk Studios last Saturday, I learnd that Som was inspired by the film Taking Woodstock by Ang Lee, and therefore created a collection of texture, prints, florals, beading, checks, tweeds and knits.

The nail color of choice was "Charity" (pictured on the model's hands above) which is described as a "metallic dusty purple with magical gilded highlights". Erin Giddings of Zoya stated, "they wanted to go with a neutral, but with tone to it- they didn't want to go with a nude. They selected Charity, which has a gold shimmer underneath..."

Lead manicurist Jackie Saulsbery prepped the nails using the Lemon Dream Home Spa collection followed by the Zoya Color Lock System. The nail look perfectly complemented the fall 2010 collection, which can be viewed in full here.

Love the nail color? Would you wear it?

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Fall 2010 Collections

I had a BALL covering the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 Collections! And I promise you all, the posts are coming!!! I just needed a break to catch my breath and regroup! So please stay tuned...

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Thank You, Thank You & Thank You!

As you all know, I partnered with the chic beauty boutique GEORGIA to co-host "The Trilogy of Perfect Skin Care" last Friday evening. Guests were able to sample the Duchess Marden, Georgia By G and Company, and Kroia skin care lines, all while toasting a new year of new beauty. The event was a SUCCESS, and I'd like to thank everyone again who came out in the freezing cold snow to show their support!

The fabulous beauty entrepreneurs and co-owners of GEORGIA (Jodie & Kiara) are pictured above. They're featured in the March issues of Essence and InStyle magazines- be sure to pick them up!

The guests above are browsing, sampling products and asking questions...

Karla Farach, the Founder and President of KROIA skincare is pictured above with beautiful beauty bloggers, Roselyn of Tempt'd (center) and DE of Beauty Logic (right).

My friend/sorority sister Ayanna (fabulous copywriter/creative), whom I've known since college (she went to Emory, I went to Spelman) was there to take all the photos, record video and do just about anything I needed her to do! I can't thank her enough for all of her hard work and support!!

Guests appreciated the many haircare collections carried by GEORGIA. Yes, there's a product/regimen for EVERY texture/hair type! And, you know I love that! Yay!!!

If you haven't checked out Beauty Logic (DE's blog) and Tempt'd (Roselyn's blog) then you're missing out! Bookmark them, add them to your reader and spread the word!

In addition to the haircare, skin and body products, GEORGIA also carries jewelry, lingerie and a collection of fabulous silk pillowcases (must-have!) which were recently featured on DailyCandy. GEORGIA is truly Jodie and Kiara's dream come true and I'm so happy I was able to partner with them on this event.

To those of you who posted my event invite on your blogs, invited your personal networks out, left comments of support and re-tweeted my many event tweets - LOL ;) - THANK YOU!

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