Maxi from Lifetime’s Blush:  Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist hasn’t lost his outlandish style, wild sense of humor, or his reputation in the makeup world.  Despite much criticism on his hit reality TV show for his seemingly diva-like attitude, Blush opened doors for Maxi in an indirect way.

“I received more response from being voted The Best Dressed Reality Star on E! Television’s The Soup than I did by being a contestant on Blush!” the reality TV star said while standing outside of The Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City during The Makeup Show NYC.

A well-dressed reality star indeed, Maxi was a head-turner during this year’s Makeup Show, hosted by On Makeup Magazine and The Powder Group, wearing a sequin head-dress on day one and a lavishly ruffled blouse on the second.  Assisting Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) creator and professional makeup artist, David Klasfeld, Maxi drew a crowd at the already popular booth!

Signing on to a reality TV show is a make or break career move.  For professional makeup artist Maxi, it was an opportunity to showcase his work in a different light.  “I’ve worked with big names such as Lady GaGa and Christina Aguilera but mainly for music videos and events, not print” he says.  “I wanted to showcase my work in a different form and to a larger audience” he explains.

The reality show did just that and Maxi gave a voice to his work as it was showcased to millions of viewers.  Unfortunately for Maxi, a quick route to fame came at a cost.  “When another contestant would win a challenge, everyone would applaud, including me” Maxi said.  “But when the episode would go to final edit, they would cut to a clip where I was rolling my eyes”, he goes on to say, “the clip was from a totally different moment and taken out of context.  I was genuinely happy for the winner, but they did not show that”.

When asked what is next up for the talented artist, Maxi reported that he has been offered his very own reality show!  “Two shows are in the works at the moment– one that may focus around my life including my work as a makeup artist and hanging out with my dog Silly, a long-hair Dachshund, or a makeover show” replied Maxi.

We will be seeing a lot more of Maxi in the future!  He will be appearing as an educator at this year’s International Makeup Artist Trade Show 2009 (IMATS) in Los Angeles, California, taking place on June 20 and 21.  Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) will be presenting the talented young artist and he will be sharing his knowledge on creative makeup.

Photo: Victoria Stiles

Hello Kitty is a perfect fit for MAC Cosmetics, a company that always has its fingers on the pulse of pop culture. Known for modern color palettes, and fun products Lip Glass. Like me, you may have grown up with Hello Kitty. I have loved her since I got my hands on a set of stickers back in 1982. Of course, as I’ve gotten a little (just a little) older, I’ve become a bit more infatuated with MAC Cosmetics. Hello Kitty has, too - after all – she is a girl just like me! Lucky for me, I don’t have to be completely grown up now that MAC Cosmetics and Sanrio Global Consumer Products have joined forces to create a Hello Kitty color cosmetics collection.

Often assumed to be a cat, Sanrio Global Consumer Products says Hello Kitty is really a girl, albeit a girl without a mouth, so she “speaks from the heart.” With her face in more places than most celebrities, it’s about time she works with a cosmetics line!

The Hello Kitty line for MAC Cosmetics is based on a palette of pinks, but will feature other trendy Spring colors like turquoises and aquas, shades of lavender and cool greens.

It is presented in two collections: The Hello Kitty Colour Collection and the higher-end Hello Kitty Kouture Collection.

Most of the line falls into the Hello Kitty Colour Collection. This collection will contain six shades of lipstick, retailing at the normal price for MAC lipsticks at $14 and will come in shades with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’. There will also six Lipglass (I absolutely LOVE Lipglass!) shades at $14 apiece; tinted lip conditioners in two shades for $14.50 each; black mascara at $12 each; two sades to Beauty Powder priced at $22; three nail color choices for $11 (sure to be great Spring colors); false lashes at $12 (MAC lashes are the BEST); two shades of pigment, $19.50 each; four Glitter Eye Liners for $16.50 each; and two Reflects Glitter choices – pink and blue – for $17.50 each.

There will also be two eye shadow quads at $38. The “Lucky Tom” quad will feature violet blue, brown, gold and pink-coral shadows, while “Too Dolly” will feature mint, blue-silver, pale pink and magenta shades. The line will also include glitter eyeliners that will be totally fun for dressing up and added some spice to an evening look.

The higher end of the line, the Hello Kitty Kouture, will feature two shades of Dazzleglass at $28 apiece. Each Dazzleglass comes with a silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black. Her signature bow dazzles in pink crystal. It also feature three shades of Sheer Mystery Powder. The powder, in a silver compact with an outline of Hello Kitty in white Swarovski crystals with pink crystal bow on a black background, will run you about $90.

The items in the Hello Kitty Colour line, a petite makeup bag ($22), and a medium makeup bag, $35, will be in all stores: Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and all MAC stores and online at maccosmetics.com.

Additional items from the Hello Kitty line will be a plush Hello Kitty doll, $42; a coordinating purse mirror, $22; and a three-brush collection, $49.50; will EXCLUSIVELY be available for purchase at MAC stores, Nordstrom retail locations and maccosmetics.com only. A beaded bracelet for $34, and a mirrored key clip for $16 will be sold in MAC retail stores and at maccosmetics.com ONLY. A $45 tote bag, and a soft vanity kit for $55, will be sold exclusively at maccosmetics.com.

Like Hello Kitty, the collection “speaks from the heart,” and is launching just in time for Valentine’s Day! The collection is slated to arrive online at MAC’s website on Web site February 10, 2009 and will be making its retail debut in North American stores on February 12, 2009. The line is expected to arrive in stores overseas March 2009. Mark your calender, because the MAC Cosmetics Hello Kitty Collection will only be available for about eight weeks.

I can’t wait to purchase some glitter eyeliners, some new eyeshadow shades, and maybe – just maybe – I’ll get adventurous with my lip color.

Something’s brewing in New York City.

You can single out the knowing smiles in a crowd of faces. You can hear it as the stilettos hit the pavement, gaining excitement with every step. You can even feel it in the air.

Something’s definitely… sexier.

There’s a whole lot of activity over at Bryant Park - and that could only mean one thing: The Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is gearing up for another round of runway perfection. The most talented and innovative designers are ready for their Spring 2009 collections to be seen and adored. They’re set to dazzle, inspire and amaze. And they’re sure to pave the way for the hottest new fashion and beauty trends.

I, for one, can barely contain my giddy excitement. During this round of Fashion Week, TotalBeauty.com is playing a major sponsorship role. As the official sponsor of the Web Editor Media Center at the Bryant Park Hotel, they’re kicking off the week in high gear with — what else? A party!

The party, “Fashion for Everyone,” is sponsored jointly by AOL’s Stylelist.com and Total Beauty and takes place on Thursday, September 4th at the chic Arena nightclub.

So what does this all mean for Beyond Beauty Basics? It means our brand-spankin’-new team of editors is poised and ready to attend the 5 fabulous Fashion Week shows we have been given access to! We’ll be bringing you, our dear readers, all of the backstage secrets, trends, and tips. We can’t tell you exactly which shows we’re covering because, well… what’s the fun in that? We love surprises!

Stay tuned!

Click here for more info on TotalBeauty.com’s involvement in Fashion Week.

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is approaching and it is your chance to shop for Fall Fashions and Exclusive Cosmetic Collection launches before anyone else! These are limited edition launches and created just for Nordstrom so be sure to pick up your favorites before they are gone. I am most excited about the MAC Colourforms Collection. This collection has all you need to create your favorite looks from MAC. The MAC Colourforms collection is the perfect blend of warm meets cool where your favorite MAC colors are matched with new and exclusive shades all in a colorful compact form. Here is your sneak peak to what is to come in late July to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale from MAC cosmetics.

Check out these gorgeous eye shadows! You get a perfect palette of warm and cool shadows. There are five shadows in each and you will love to blend them all for your look.

You will also find three lip palettes in 3 Neautral Lips, 3 Warm Lips, and 3 Cool Lips. I couldn’t pick a favorite, I am obsessed with lip color. They are all gorgeous!

The new creamy lipsticks are limited and exclusive as well, but lets take a look at the packageing, I love it! You will not only have a new MAC shade of creamy lipstick, but they all have a sheer beige pearlized core. Naked to the Core, Pop Circle, Inner Hue, and Rose Go Round are the four new and limited editions lip colors.

Another favorite of mine is the exclusive brush sets of 5 basic and 5 advanced brushes. The basic brushes come in a trend red nylon bag, and the advanced brushes come in either a green nylon or purple nylon bag.Everyone loves pigments and you will have 6 to choose from at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Royal Flush, Gilded Green, Tea Time, Jardin Aires, Circa Plum, and Steel Blue are all the colors of the collection.

Richmetal Highlighters are all frosted and some have a gold pearlized hue to them. Female, Deep Deposit, Quick Flash, Rose Bullion, Dark Influence, and Positive Charge are the 6 colors that will all be available and remember are limited colors so be sure to stock up!

Don’t forget about your new Colour Form Powder! Sun Centered and Play Around Pink, I need both! I actually collect compacts so when a limited edition comes out, I am all over it!

Remember, the best part about the Anniversary Sale at Nordstrom is you can pre-order your favorites in cosmetics so definitely check in with you MAC counter to be sure you don’t miss out on this gorgeous exclusive collection! Enjoy!