RUNWAY MODELS: The Next Big Faces

We all have our favorites. The models that just seem to shine a little brighter than some of the others for us. For me, it's Agyness Deyn ... adorable yet wicked, classic yet edgy, black yet white (hair that is) ... thin yet, well thinner ... oh, you know what I mean.

Well, hold on to your hats, a new group of models is emerging. Hitting the runways for debut catwalks during New York Fashion Week, Casting Director Douglas Perrett believes these are the new beauties to watch in the future: (click images to enlarge)

ABBEY LEE

Fresh from Australia, Abbey is an 18 year old (read: 30 in model speak), who Perrett says is going to have her choice of the best designers for which to model collections. Agency - Next

Fall 2008 BCBG Max Azria Collection

ALI STEPHENS

Utah raised Ali is the most buzzed about girl, says Perrett. He says she's only doing shows for the likes of Donna Karan, Rodarte, Calvin Klein, et al. with her really long legs they're all dying to get her for their collections. Agency - Elite

Fall 2008 Blumarine

ENIKO MIHALIK

Eighteen years old and hailing from Hungary, she's being compared to Daria. Perrett likes her wide-set eyes, flawless skin and perfect walk. Agency - Marilyn, Elite

Fall 2008 Benjamin Cho

GANTZ

Russian born and at the tender age of 15, Perrett thinks this new starlit will start out small but has lots of hype behind her already. Agency - 1 Model Management

HYUNI or HYONI (I've seen it spelled both ways)

Korean, Seung-Hyun Kang (she goes by Hyuni), winner of Ford's Supermodel of the World contest, has an amazing walk and can look so exotic. Agency - Ford





MALIN

Touted by Perrett as the next Hilary Rhoda, Malin is statuesque, has great shoulders, a severe jawbone, perfect he thinks for Calvin Klein or Oscar de la Renta. Agency - Marilyn

Fall 2008 Calvin Klein

NATALIE KEYSER


From Oregon, this 15 year old is just starting her run with the "big dogs" of fashion. Again, Perrett sees a Calvin Klein model in the making. Agency - Elite










PAUL


Already on Alexander Wang's radar, Perrett says Paul has an interesting face, boldly styled hair and a boy's name, which always captures attention. Agency - Trump








SKYE

Aussie and 16 years old, she's the new "baby" for model agency DNA. Expect to see her shows with a slightly younger vibe, says Perrett. She's the darling of the catwalk. Agency - DNA



Fall 2008 Hermes

TETYANA PISKUN

Perrett likes Tetyana's healthy and sophisticated look; says Perrett, "...she's just beautiful". Agency - Next

View more photos of these runway newcomers via the slideshow playing in the right-hand margin

for more info: elle.com

photos: elle.com, supermodels.nl, nymag.com

BeneFit: Talk to the Tan

Just in time for spring tanning, BeneFit has introduced their new facial self-tanning product, Talk to the Tan. Described as a sheer facial tint, which is meant to be smoothed evenly over face and neck for an instant, healthy tan-glow. $26 for a 50ml tube

More info and purchasing: benefit.com

REWIND: Swarovski Fashion Rocks 2007

Yes, yes, I know. This event took place last year, however I've only just last night had the chance to see the show on BravoTV - cool stuff that was! (I sound like Yoda, huh)

Anywho ... for those also living under proverbial rocks, let's take a little peak inside the event that was. The evening was a huge success with top fashion houses such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more showing their collection with Alicia Keys, The Gossip, Joss Stone, Razorlight, Lily Allen, Marc Almond, Timbaland, The Sugarbabes backing them up.




Backstage a team of 31 Estée Lauder makeup artists were working on the models to create the stunning looks for the night, under the leadership of international makeup artist Alex Box.



The stunning limited edition Estée Lauder Signature Compact is a powder compact covered in gold and silver Swarovski crystals. The powder itself is Lucidity Pressed Powder. The Signature Hydra Lustre 'Fashion Rocks' Lipstick was also released for the event. Percentages of proceeds from sales of both items are going to The Prince's Trust Fund, which runs programs for UK youth that encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves – helping them build the life they choose rather than the one they’ve ended up with.










(L-R) Kate Moss, Uma Thurman, Naomi Watts, Alicia Keyes & Giorgio Armani

Having trouble finding some fashion photos for you, but if you have a chance to catch the show again, do so. The Christopher Kane, Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein collection showings were stellar!

other photos: vogue.com, esteelauder

NEW IN STORES: March

Shiseido Eye Moisture Recharge

A super-moisturizing, puff reducing free radical thwarting trio of yuzu, herbal extract and antioxidants, this refreshing cream gel promises to wake up your peepers - $39 for 15ml tube [Macy's, Nordstrom & Sephora]

Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect Body Serum

The company's best selling Restore & Renew Facial Serum sold out days after arriving stateside after a study purported it was the only antiaging preparation found to reduce sun damage and reduce wrinkle depth (wow!). Given that the body toner is packed with many of the same skin-rejuvenating ingredients, you may want to check this out now - $21.99 for 200ml tube [Target and Boots]

St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser

St. Ives says you can skip the sunscreen without sacrificing your skin with this two-in-one, UV-blocking face wash. It deposits a long-wearing, non-greasy layer of SPF10 each time you cleanse - $6.99 for 4oz pump bottle [drugstores]

JOICO Dry Spray Wax

For creating tousled waves and dramatic updos; gives the look and feel of unwashed hair (ew, do we really want that look? hmmm) - $17.95 for 3.5oz spritz [JOICO and salons]

Aveda Nourish-Mint Smoothing Lip Color

21 gorgeous shades of full coverage, expertly moisturizing color in a mint flavored lippie; nourish-mint is also available in renewing and sheer mineral formulas - $14 [Aveda]

photos: Nicola Kast

for more info: style.com

REVIEW: JERGENS NATURAL GLOW EXPRESS - Self-Tanning Drugstore Style

Touted as a self-tanning "beauty breakthrough", I was pretty excited about trying the new Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer. Now, having used it two days in a row, I have to admit I'm pretty impressed.

What's good about it: extremely hydrating to the skin; blends like a high end body butter; noticeable but subtle tanning effect; light, fresh scent; although not intended for the face yields good results there too while not being too overpowering a moisturizer (and I have combo - normal/oily - skin type); does NOT stain clothing or linens; and best of all, extremely reasonably priced at $6.99 - $7.99 a 4 oz bottle.

What's not so good about it: although definitely a more natural looking tanning shade than most other self-tanners, still a tad bit orange-ish on Day 2 of use - other than that, no complaints, is a great moisturizer (decadent even) and nice, speedy self-tanning product.

Found at Walgreens, Walmart and other drugstores

NEWSFLASH: Bliss Has Done It Again - FatGirlSleep

Oh ... I'm so excited about the upcoming release of the newest FatGirl product from Bliss Spa. Seems they've been very busy over there ... hmmmmm (see earlier posts). This one, off the tails of the wildly popular FatGirlSlim, is said to be a more potent version for nighttime use of the lotus and algae extract (plus caffeine, of course) cream. I thought the older version worked so I'm psyched about trying this more potent one!

BECCA Beach Tints

Do you know you have a choice with BECCA Beach Tints? These are wildly popular during the warmer months. And as we're starting to consider which self-tanners and Spring/Summer beauty we'll be sporting, this little fave should be a must-have in the bag.

Beach Tint is a highly pigmented, easily blended cream stain for the lips and cheeks. Suitable for all skin types and shades, its kiss-proof and water-resistant formula dries with a streak-free finish. Watermelon is both colored and scented to match a watermelon's beautiful pink color and sweet fragrance. Peach feels like you've just bitten into a juicy, ripe peach. Formulated with antioxidant vitamin E to condition and protect the skin, Beach Tint is non-greasy and non-drying, as well as paraben-free.

You can find these at BECCA, DermStore, Neiman Marcus, Berdorf Goodman, Bliss Spa, Sephora (ltd there) and other retailers for $22 - $25 a tube.

This Works

Yep, it sure does! This gem is fast becoming a cult favorite. Voted one of InStyle's Best in Beauty Buys of 2007, the leg oil is the quintessential luxury for legs and your senses. Here's a gander at some of its prized ingredients: Moroccan Rose, nourishing Sandalwood from India, regenerative Indonesian Patchouli, costly Tuberose, Evening Primrose, Macadamia, and Pure Coconut Oil, in addition to seven pure cold-pressed plant oils high in vitamins. This rich oil tackles rough, dry skin; also great following a swim or shower after a work-out at the gym. Skin feels softer, smoother ... it's lovely!

I'd encourage you to peruse This Works to learn more about their quality, effective products. You can snap up this gorgeous product ($60 USD a bottle, 125 ml) at This Works, Beauty Habit, Barneys, Bliss Spa and other retailers.

Prescriptives Perfectly Portable Sweepstakes

Perfectly Portable is a best-selling line-up of Px take anywhere makeup all packed in a portable cosmetics bag and ready to go; click here to enter. Good luck!

Also - if you're in the buying mood, you really can't go wrong with Px fab, new products; and to make it more delicious, they're offering a free sample of the yet-to-be-released (available in stores in May) Colorscope Lipgloss in the shade "Sassy" (a sheer, dusty rose) + free standard shipping with any online purchase at prescriptives.com. Use promo code CLPREVIEW at checkout. The offer ends at 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, 3/9/08.

Smashbox Sweepstakes

Contest runs March 5 - March 20, 2008, click here to enter. Good luck!

Santa Maria Novella - Tabacco Toscano

New at Aedes de Venustas, inspired by the famous Toscano cigars of Lucca in Italy, Santa Maria Novella's latest addition Tabacco Toscano opens with a sparkling fruity-floral note and quickly changes into a warm and leathery yet airy tobacco scent. You can learn more about this new fragrance here, or to garner a bottle (3.3 oz) of the cologne at $96.

LipFusion Plump + Replump

Liquid Lipstick

Coming Soon! Available March 17th at Bliss Spa, this new LipFusion product is being marketed as a "re-plumper". Per Bliss, it’s the first moisture-activated plumper to re-trigger the lip-enlarging action, just lick your lips! Combines gloss-like shine, balm-like nourishment and lipstick-like creaminess, all in a click-bottom dispenser. Sounds cool.

They'll be offered in two shades initially - NAKED (cafe au lait, neutral) and RUNWAY (kinda fuschia-ish red) for $38 each. It's looking like this is an exclusive for Bliss Spa, but will update if I find other retailers or onliners offering them as well.

For more info, goto blissworld.com

BLISS SPA CONTEST: Win by a Nose

Want to vote in the Bliss 2008 'eau-lection'? he he

World-renowned Bliss Spa is soon to debut a new body butter, scrub and shower gel and they want your thoughts on the matter. To get a glimpse of the three scent candidates, visit a voting 'scent-er' at Bliss Spa or cast your vote online at blisswinbyanose.com. Voting doesn't take place until March 13-16 so the website is not yet activating. The winner will be announced in April. Mark your calendars now to remember to vote!

REVIEW: BeneFit Powder Pop + Thrrrob Boxes

$28 at Sephora (Sephora Exclusive)

Ever feel like you just don't know which of BeneFit's famed powders you want to try or buy? You can have three of 'em if you want. Now, the individual powders will be smaller in size, less in content each, however the price is the same for these three here in one box. So you can try all three - yippee!

This ensemble allows you to have BeneFit Dallas (rozy bronze), Hoola (bronze) and Dandelion (soft pink) PLUS their famed, perfectly sized brush.

Now! I also want to rave about BeneFit's newest powder box, Thrrrob. Love it! This is the perfect soft pink flush (described as "sheer pink") for Spring and smells delicately of roses. Yes, it is light and that's the trend right now. I really like BeneFit's blush brush (included). Tis the perfect shape, size, and texture to apply a perfect amount of rosiness to your face. Although it has the appearance of glitter in the box, it is absolutely NOT glittery (or sparkly) on the face. Not feeling any of that "throb" on my cheeks (supposed to stimulate a natural flush), but everything else about this blush is A+.