Lights, camera, makeup brush! Kabuki is a mentor to many makeup artists and is an inspiration in both artistry and creativity to the community. Hailing from merry ol’ England, Key Artist for the Tony Cohen show at The Salon in Bryant Park on September, 8, 2008, inspiration came from Odilon Redon, the late 19th century Symbolist artist. When asked, what about this artist inspired you? Kabuki replied, “Picture a mysterious woman that exists somewhere between the romantic and decadent.”

A former model and textile designer, Kabuki’s faces have appeared on the runway, in print, and television. His work can be seen in Vogue, Bazaar, and Numero, to name a few. Patricia Field, stylist and designer for HBO’s Sex In The City, called upon his expertise to design the makeup looks for style divas Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. With his vast list of credentials, it is no wonder Tony Cohen went straight to the master of makeup, Kabuki, to design the looks for Spring 2009.

The look created by Kabuki for Tony Cohen was exactly how his quote described, “romantic and decadent.” With soft skin, a warm cheek highlight, and deep color strategically placed on the inner corner of the eyes, this gentle yet rich-indulgent look entranced the viewers for yet another hit for innovative makeup artist, Kabuki.

When asked how to achieve this striking look, Kabuki responded, “We’re sculpting the face with two tones of MAC Select Cover-up and with blush, neutralizing the lips and brows. Then, I added a generous amount of Carbon Eye Shadow for the inner eye. Lastly, I balanced the look with a highlight of Vanilla Pigment on the cheek.”

The stunning contoured faces and eyes perfectly complimented the elegant simplicity of Tony Cohen’s designs. The hair styling was equally stunning with sleek roots and textured ends. Cohen’s designs incorporated neutral tones with sheer fabrics that flowed down the runway. This marvelous combination is aesthetically pleasing to the senses while transcending current trend.

Kabuki, the chameleon of makeup design, continues to surprise us with his creations and keeps us guessing- what imaginative look will he craft next? With inspired looks and inventive design, the maestro of makeup is always creating new faces for all aspects in fashion and beauty.

For more on Kabuki’s work, visit www.kabukimagic.com.

Photos: Victoria Stiles

Popularity: 4%

On a rainy day in the middle of fashion week, Ted Gibson arrived to the Total Beauty suite, located at the Bryant Park Hotel in New York City. Dressed in a suit and tie with a Louis Vuitton black leather laptop case draped over his shoulder, the six-foot-something tall, husky, handsome gentleman looked more downtown stockbroker than celebrity hair stylist - but his work experience and fashion credits speak otherwise!

Celebrity Hair Stylist Ted Gibon’s career began 20 years ago. He has worked for various salons, including Aveda, along with teaching cosmetology. Today his celebrity clientele includes Angelina Jolie and Deborah Messing and he is also known for giving Anne Hathaway that ultra sexy bob!

While working as a hair stylist, including in fashion for the past nine years, Ted Gibson found himself unhappy with the lack of product innovation in styling and hair care formulas. This void in the industry is what motivated Ted Gibson to create his own line of products that include hair treatments, cleansers, conditioners, styling tools and product, along with body care cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliates. His line also includes an extra added piece in aromatherapy for the home - the blood orange fragrance candle. The Potential Beauty Candle offers “solace from the stresses of life,” Gibson states, and will “transform any space into a relaxing and inspiring experience.”
Completing this all encompassing hair, body, styling, and home line is the travel collection. The travel line offers 2 ounce size bottles of Ted Gibson body shampoo and conditioners, a body kit, and styling products.

During my visit with Ted, I had the good fortune to receive a styling session with a member of Ted’s team. The stylist used Ted’s Professional Flat Iron, which has a special technology to help prevent styling damage. I was personally impressed by the wide range of heat settings – 140 to 450 degrees! Wow! Sporting a short blonde angled bob, Ted’s stylist put “flat iron curls” through my hair, giving me a soft sexy look for the day. The stylist finished off my hair with Ted’s Beautiful Hold hairspray, a soft finishing product that didn’t build up in my hair. My new style lasted all day and still feels soft and natural!
For the spring 2009 Lela Rose show in New York City, Ted created a beautiful look for the hair with a deep side part on the left side with a corn-row-braid on the right that gently lead to a messy low chignon at the nape of the neck. When it comes to current trend, Ted says, “Know trend but don’t be a slave”. An encouraging quote coming from a mogul in the fashion industry!
From Aveda salon stylist to celebrity hair stylist and product developer, Ted Gibson offers a complete line of hair care along with an artistic creative touch to cuts and color. For more on Ted Gibson’s salon and products, visit www.tedgibsonbeauty.com.

Photo: Victoria Stiles

Popularity: 3%

What a party!

Sunday night Beyond Beauty Basics had the great fortune of attending the MAC Cosmetics Fashion Week dinner in New York City at the chic and fabulous Suba restaurant on the lower east side.

I got all dolled up in my favorite pencil skirt and power woman red heels, and of course, MAC makeup. I mean, I was going to a party in its honor; the least I could do was wear my faves! I had on their shadow in Carbon, Silver Ring, Electra, and Vellum (I like to play), and Eye Kohl in Smolder. (Don’t you just LOVE the names?!) Finishing off my face was their powder blush in Ambering Rose and Touch lipstick - which had just the right amount of luster for my lips.

After meeting the fabulous Heather Park of MAC, as well as Javier, we sat down to an AMAZING dinner. We sat with Annie Tomlin, the gorgeous, chic, Californian from Bella Sugar (hello, one of our favorites!) and got to talk about beauty, the industry, and how Annie will one day light up CNN and MSNBC with her ingenious political commentary. She has charisma to spare, we love her! She also, a great haircut… but I digress (I have a habit of digression).

Also seated with us was the Beauty Alchemist herself, who happens to be a fellow Sagittarius!

Rounding out those in attendance were some of the fabulous bloggers from All About The Pretty, The MakeupBag, The JetSet Girls, Beauty Blogging Junkie, Elke Von Freudenberg, and a few others.

MAC Cosmetics also sent along a present for each of us beauty bloggers, essentials for surviving Fashion Week in New York:

• A good-sized makeup bag (every girl needs one).
• Sexy false eyelashes (I am DYING to try these).
• Paint Pot eye shadow in “Bare Study,” which is amaaaazzzinnnggg. Ours has a gorgeous pearly finish. It goes on so smooth and creamy and dries to long lasting, vibrant, beautiful, cake-free finish. Loves it.
• Technakohl Eyeliner – in two shades: “Steelpoint” and “Photogravure!” The first is a steely charcoal and the second is a raisin brown. They are gorgeous.
• Facial wipes – I tried these last night to remove my bronzer (hey the summer tan is fading fast), charcoal shadow, and liner. I am so happy they included these! They left my face feeling clean and fresh, and with Vitamin E, I know it’s good for my skin. Best of all, they’re completely portable so you can freshen your face on the go.
• Tinted Lip Conditioner (SPF 15) in “Fuchsia Fix.” It is so hard to find good lip products that also have SPF (I for one, get freckles on MY LIPS!) The color is so pretty and sheer.
• Slimshine Lipstick in “Rock Out.” Simply gorgeous. With full lips I am sometimes afraid of bright colors but this is glamorous enough for the evening yet soft and pretty enough for work.
• Cleansing Tips – how you can live without these is beyond me. Well, maybe it’s JUST me. I seem to always make boo-boos with my eye makeup. The best is, these can be used on the go, and you can toss an individually wrapped one in your makeup bag!

Loves it!

Before we left, I had to ask the gorgeous Heather Park what color her gorgeous gold eye shadow was. I had been coveting it all night! It’s MAC’s new Blackened Gold Reflex Glitter. I really can’t wait to get some of my own, it’s going to be perfect for Fall and Holiday parties.

Thank you so much MAC Cosmetics and Heather Park for hosting this wonderful party and letting us be a part of the MAC Cosmetics Fashion Week experience.

Viva la MAC!

Photos: Jennifer Long

Popularity: 2%

Arena nightclub on 41st and 6th was the setting for the Total Beauty and AOL/StyleList.com Fashion Week kick-off party, “Fashion for Everyone,” on Thursday and Beyond Beauty Basics was there!

We arrived (fashionably late, of course) to Arena nightclub at about 8:20 PM. The Bryant Park and Times Square areas were pulsing with the excitement of Fashion Week and we were positively surrounded by Fashionistas.

After walking the RED CARPET and posing for the flashbulbs, we were inside one of the hottest Fashion Week parties. There were giant movie screens to the left and right showing fashion highlights from the last century under sparkling fuchsia lights that adorned the ceiling, a classic medallion with a crystalline chandelier in the center, reminiscent of the history of New York City’s theater district.

Hairstylists from Ted Gibson were there, offering hot hair makeovers; suspended from the ceiling was a trapeze artist, working her limbs in and out of giant cloth ribbons; unlimited champagne and an open bar (I am a champagne girl); a dessert bar complete with chocolate fountain; and…

A sample of the new line from the up-and-coming fashion designers at Chloe and Reese!

I was so excited to check out their line. The silhouette was both feminine and chic; with clothes to wear out and clothes you can wear to the office. (Well, if your office can handle this much style!) Think ruffled plackets and satin frocks. Lace and Swiss dot blouses with sophisticated skirts. The season’s hottest colors were all present in the collection, along with your classic black, creams, and whites.

I was quick to point out that all the samples were in my size (tee hee). I got some good shots of some of the clothing on display as well as the representative from Chloe and Reese, who was decked out in a fabulous black dress from their line, paired with some great black gladiator-inspired pumps.

I cannot wait until I can find some Chloe and Reese in stores!

We met so many other beauty bloggers and got to chat with the staff from Total Beauty. We’re still reeling from the excitement (and the RED CARPET)!

The Total Beauty and AOL/StyleList.com party was the perfect way to kick-off Fashion Week! We can’t wait to bring you more behind-the-scenes news and tips!

Photos: Jennifer Long

Popularity: 1%