“Mmm… what’s that smell?”

If only I had a dollar for every time a coworker said that!

My second favorite is, “Someone smells good!”

Yeah, it’s me!

I am always after the next best scent. You could call me a fragranista. I am also lover of travel, and a tropical island is about my favorite place to be. I picked up Island Capri, a Michael Kors fragrance put out by Estee Lauder, in August before my trip to Turks & Caicos.

It’s nearly October now, and I am unwilling to give it up. Call it an addiction. This fragrance is the perfect combination of sexy and sweet, combining delightful florals with a sensual, subtle fruity note, with some woodsy scents beneath.

MichaelKors.com describes the scent as, “island spirit is brought to life in this new fragrance from Michael Kors—fresh and voluptuous, this succulent scent combines lush florals with subtle fruit and woodsy accords.

• Dewy, sparkling top notes of Chinese kiwi, honeysuckle, and parrot tulip.

• Lush, vibrant heart notes of champaca flowers, gingerlilies, Bulgarian rose, and stephanotis.

• Woody, smooth base notes of white bark accord, driftwood, and rice fields accord.”

All I know is, I smell delicious, and I love the modern and feminine turquoise glass bottle that reminds me of the ocean licking the shores of Turks & Caicos.

Mmm… what’s that smell?

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At the end of my stay in New York City for the Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Week, I received a phone call to hop on a plane the next day for a photo shoot! The photo shoot was for jazz singer Melody Gardot, and her new album is set to release early 2009. Melody’s story is amazing and I was honored to have the opportunity to work as her personal makeup artist in the city that inspires her most – Paris, France!!

At 19 years old, Melody Gardot was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle in her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The near-fatal accident left her with a shattered pelvis and extreme sensitivity to light. Doctors urged her to turn to music for therapy. Fast-forward to today and Melody Gardot, walking with a cane and sporting Burberry shades, is now signed with Universal, touring the world, and recording her second album.

When I received the phone call to work with Melody in Paris, I immediately turned to Bobbi Brown and her team to assist me with product selection for Melody. Gardot’s personal makeup style is dramatic liquid liner and smoky eyes. I felt keeping her personal style was key for her album cover and promotional materials.

Below is how I achieved her album look, focused on the eyes, step-by-step using Bobbi Brown Cosmetics that were rushed directly to my hotel in Paris:

1. Shimmering Nudes Palette:
   This limited edition palette includes a combination of Metallic and soft, pearlized Shimmer Wash Eye Shadows along with Espresso Eye Shadow for added smoke and drama.
   To achieve Melody’s smoky eyes, I started off with Nude Spice Metal Eye Shadow on the lid. After gently sweeping a highlight under the brow, I used a blend of Naked Eye Shadow and Nude Glow Metallic Eye Shadow. For contour, smoke, and drama around the eyes, I started in the outer corner of the eyes and blended through the contour of the eye with Espresso Eye Shadow.
2. Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner in Black Ink:
   Keeping Melody’s personal style was important to me so, following suit with her signature old Hollywood flare, I used Bobbi’s Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner in Black Ink to perfectly sketch a wing-tip that dramatically swooped along the top lash line.
   Stiles Makeup Tip: When the look calls for smoky, I don’t like to have harsh lines. Even though the top eye liner called for drama, I still wanted to soften it just a bit. Blending Bobbi Brown’s Espresso Eye Shadow on top of the Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner did the trick! I now had a dramatic eye look that read well for photography!
3. Metallic Eye Shadow in Rockstar:
   My favorite touch to any makeup look is a soft highlight in the inner corner of the eyes. Using Metallic Eye Shadow in Rockstar (a fitting name!) with an eye shadow brush, I started from the inner corners and dragged the shadow just below the bottom lash line stopping below the tear duct.
4. Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara in Smoke:
   For the long shoot days out in the environment, waterproof mascara was necessary for completing this look. The Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara in Smoke was the perfect mascara that gave Melody length and curl to her lashes completing her glamorous look.
   The products Bobbi Brown Cosmetics provided were perfect for the look Melody and I wanted to achieve for her album shoot. The look lasted more than 12 hours as we went from location to location within Paris for her photo shoot. The Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner and Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara proved not only to be waterproof but smudge-proof as well!

Melody’s album with the shots from Paris is due to launch early next year. Check back for the final pictures from the shoot.

Until then, check out my behind-the-scenes shots from Melody Gardot’s album shoot in Paris, including makeup by me and products courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics!

Photos: Victoria Stiles & bobbibrowncosmetics.com

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During New York Fashion Week SS09, Philippe Chansel, Key Makeup Artist for the Chris Han show, turned to Greek mythology and used nymphs as inspiration to create the beautiful look that graced the runway. Chansel’s creations were soft and feminine, similar to French-born artist Sophie Gengembre Anderson’s painting, The Head of A Nymph.

Chansel focused on keeping the face soft and clean by opening up the eyes with matte neutral colors, freshly-pinched cheeks, and natural lips. The application of brown mascara barely defined the eyes but was perfect for maintaining flow throughout the look.

Inside Philippe Chansel’s kit:

1. MAC Face and Body Foundation – A water-based foundation with sheer coverage and a dewy finish, perfect for the fresh-faced nymph look.

2. MAC Matte Squared Eye Shadow - (Using the shades Tete-A-Tint and Brown Script, Chansel was able to achieve the clean open eye he required for the look.

3. MAC Powder Blush in Fleur Power - This soft coral-rose color was perfect puffed on to the cheeks for a pinch-like look.

4. MAC Twig Lipstick - Twig lipstick is one of MAC’s staple shades, and for good reason! The brown-pink shade was used by Chansel to finish off his nymph look.

By definition, a nymph is a beautiful and graceful woman. The genius combination of Philippe Chansel’s vision of a nymph and Chris Han’s creations of flowing fabric and vivid colors proved to be elegant yet mythical.

Photos: Victoria Stiles & Getty Images

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