Each line embodies a vision, a culture and a message. LA Fashion Week’s unveiling of Fall 2007 collections were no exception. A few key pieces stood out as the season’s true trend, pencil skirts, plunging necklines, copper colors, Asian inspiration and of course it would not be LA if not for a few brands showing that raw rock edge.

Literature Noir resembled European avant-garde. With true fall colors black, latte and a splash of fuchsia and gold, the line was creative, elegant and inspirational. MAC made the look for the show ideal by giving the models “Bridget Bardot’s” subtle elegance. The smoky eyes were defined with lashes and a heavy liner from MAC’s Fall 2007 collection of sliver gray, dark black and gold flax. Première stylist, Sean James set the model’s look by using Good Hair Day Creations Spray and back combing to give it a frizzy texture and an old world appeal with a youthful twist.

Image courtesy of Michael Bezjian for wireimage.com

Grail’s collection was inspired by a trip the design team took to Haiti. There surrounded by voodoo temples the designers were inspired by vast earth tones and unique flicks of color. Bed Head’s Big Black Eyeliner was used for the tribal dots that graced the catwalk along with Glow Mineral Illuminator to create a dewy finish. The models had seriously straight locks in the back and an exceptional crown of braided extensions in the front to give the hair an exotic look. TIGI used Hard Head Hairspray to hold the mod style in place.

Monarchy Collection had a Mad Max, street warrior appeal. Mohawk models strutted the street garments on a dirt and rock runway. MAC rocked the catwalk as well in this show by creating a strong, smoky winged out, cat eye while toning down a bit with a pale lip. And Sean James used Good Hair Day Fixations Spray to keep that mohawk nearly a foot high!

The Oligo Tissew Collection had an Asian twist that extended to hair and makeup. Makeup was done by the artist Napoleon Perdis himself. He wanted the models to have a modern china doll face, soft and feminine but with an empowered look as well. He used products from his line such as Madame Beyond Mascara and fitting for the occasion, China Doll Liner for that soft but sharp touch. Aveda did a premiere job of creating the perfect “geisha girl” image by looping the hair and making it stick on the sides using Control Paste then leaving it long and flowing in the back.

Tart had an innovative yet classic collection. The line featured plunging neck lines and buttery soft model fabrics to create a superior feminine vision. Stila created a smoky, vamp yet wet eye look by smudging the reflective metallic colors that graced the eye. The hair for the show was a combination of a 1920′s mixed with a 1970′s influence by using headbands and barrettes for a sleek and sheer finished look.

The Ed Hardy line held true to its brand by bringing the art of tattooing to each garment in jeans, hoodies, trucker hats and sheer tattooed sleeved tees to the line up. MAC added a special touch by adding liner based mustaches to create the most theatrical theme. The hair was done by Sean James and was made up of a global street circus wild look and even a bearded lady was added for effect!

Image courtesy of Marcobollenger.com

Christian Audigier’s Collection went beyond fashion and added pure entertainment. The show featured its own choir to open the show! The line was all about bling and ghetto gold. Tattooed velour hoodies, amazing copper handbags as well as flowy scarf dresses added elegance to the collection. The MAC makeup consisted of glam lashes, silver mod eyes and nude lips with a dash of pink. The hair was very Barbie Girl and wigs were used with bangs to create blowout hair, making the show’s look a little bit of reality meets fantasy.

It’s always intriguing to see what professional makeup artists use and why they do so. It wasn’t until I spoke with celebrity makeup artist Troy Peppin, that I really got the dish. He uses a clean face as a fresh canvas and then enhances the positive features and minimizes the negative features.

If you’ve ever taken pictures in a dark area like a club, then you know that your face comes out looking completely washed out, and has no structure and dimension. “Foundation without structure is a blank canvas; you have to put structure back into the face,” Peppin says. His solution is to add structure with Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder. He applies the powder with a brush to highlight the bridge of the nose, areas of the cheekbones, the dimple beneath the lower lip, and the crease above the eyelids. Use this technique on top of foundation or base powder and your pictures will never look one-dimensional again.

Kevyn Aucoin Essential Eye Shadow set is also a remarkable tool. Each color palette contains hues that accommodate and work together to shadow, lighten and enhance. The palettes are long lasting, smooth and comfortable on skin.

The Liquid Airbrush is the latest edition to the collection. This product glides on so smoothly, you barely know it’s there! Liquid Airbrush contains vitamin-rich soy, which creates a semi-satin finish that evens out skin tone for a première runway look.

You may not have a makeup artist on standby daily, but with these insider tips, you can look camera ready all on your own! Visit Neiman Marcus at 9700 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills CA 90212 or log onto www.kevynaucoin.com.

We buy fragrances to smell heavenly and inviting, but what if there was a perfume that is also good for you! Lavanila Laboratories has created the first fragrance line that smells delectable and is healthy as well.

These enticing fragrances contain 30 essential vitamins and minerals and 19 amino acids that absorb into your body. You’ll get healthy doses in just one spritz with ingredients like Goji Berries, Kakadu Plum and Olive Leaf Extract, which contains Vitamin C, iron, and beta carotene,. It may not be time to toss out your favorite multivitamins, but a fragrance that is actually good for you is definitely something to check into!

Lavanila comes in three scrumptious scents that will have your mouth watering for more. The Pure Vanilla contains the true vanilla smell, very sweet with a hint of sophistication. Vanilla Grapefruit has a fresh and clean vanilla smell with a touch of citrus and Vanilla Blossom embodies the classic fragrance appeal, with a dab of vanilla and some floral femininity.

Each scent is a tantalizing, healthy and tasty treat that you’re sure to enjoy! You can purchase these products at Sephora at 1349 Third Street, Santa Monica CA 90401 or log onto www.lavanila.com.

In the Middle Ages, men and women picked their valentine by drawing names, and then wore their valentine’s name on their sleeves, on display for the entire world to see. Today, most men show their affections with a box of candy, a teddy bear, or flowers””romantic gestures have no doubt fallen by the waist side.

This Valentine’s Day, say it with flowers in a whole new way! Treat your sweetheart to the “Valentine’s Day Special” at the Jurlique Day Spa. The package includes the most cherished flower on earth, the rose. This signature treatment offers a Pure Rose Oil Body Wrap (60 minutes) where I could feel my dry, winter skin rehydrate within minutes and leave me completely moisturized and soothed from head to toe.

The Rose Facial (60 minutes) was so relaxing that it nearly put me to sleep. I could smell the essential oils and felt them tingle as the treatment progressed. I was truly impressed because the next day all my blemishes vanished””talk about fast results!

The spa team even added a few extras, including a scalp massage and a rose foot soak with you guessed it”¦rose pedals and enchanting rose salts placed directly at my feet. And to put the cherry on top or shall we say strawberry, they added every girl’s favourite, chocolate covered strawberries to make you feel like the princess you are.

I walked out of the spa and onto Rodeo Drive feeling amazing! If you can’t get enough of them but can’t visit their spa everyday, don’t despair, they also sell some amazing products. I’m completely in love with their Rose Hand Cream. It healed my chapped and cracked hands in two days! The best part is, Jurlique uses only natural ingredients derived from the purest of flowers. I could certainly tell it did not knock me over with fragrance, it smells just like an actual rose. This pedal package is one that I am proud to push!

For more information about the spa or its products please visit www.jurlique.com. Jurlique Day Spa is located at 358 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, (310) 285-9820.

The holiday season is almost here, and in Hollywood we are surrounded by celebrities and beauty is all around us. Sure, most Americans see what we do everyday on TV, but not at their local grocery store or walking down the street. Competition is fierce and looking spectacular while sipping eggnog at your company Christmas party or holiday event is a must as you never know who you may bump into! Rather then get your tresses in a tizzy, Beauty News LA has taken the time to experiment and fill you in on the “how to’s” of hair enhancement for that première look.

Hairdo, which is all the rage and the newest addition to the extension family, is a product designed by the illustrious Jessica Simpson and stylist Ken Paves. The system has an exclusive quick and easy snap-on one piece procedure that makes you red carpet ready in a pinch (no stylist required). Hairdo is the perfect quick fix for any party or event and application is only 10 minutes.

Pop Put On Pony’s is perfect if you are just looking for a simple ponytail and want to add flavor to your look. The pony takes less than five minutes and gives you that dreamy, bouncy look that you always craved.

Pop Mini Clips are great option if you are among the many who have hair that varies in length with numerous layers. This shaggy do creates the illusion of depth; if you are looking to turn up the volume, this is the way to go. Add as many pieces and lengths as you want creating a tailor- made boost to your face. Application is a mere five to ten minutes.

EasiXtend and the Pop ten-piece set each have a similar system, ideal for those of us who are looking for something that is both a little more natural and permanent. These products add both volume and length and have quick and easy clips that are layered from the top to bottom of the head and take roughly 10-15 minutes to apply. These are my personal favorite; they added body and length to my flat and lifeless mane. The easy application also makes each system a year-round option, not exclusively reserved for special occasions.

If you’ve decided that a more permanent fix is the way to go, an in-salon treatment might be what you are looking for. DreamCatchers offers human hair applied by a professional stylist and custom blended to match your natural color. The treatment lasts for months and is available at the US Hair Tech International Salon, 9255 Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills. It’s a true a-list experience as each client is treated in a private suite with internet access so that you can remain connected.

Each of these systems is perfect for both holiday soirees and everyday hair on the go. Depending on your hair type and need, you are bound to find one which is perfect for you. Hair extensions, applied at home or by a professional, prove that while we can’t all be celebrities, we can still pick up a beauty tip or two!

For more information, please visit www.hairuwear.com or www.extensions.com. If you would like to view the enhancements in person, please visit:

Wilshire Wigs
5241 Craner Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Like many, you may be looking to shed a few pounds for the bevy of holiday parties this year. Or perhaps you’re looking to get an early start on an optimistic New Year’s resolution. If you fall in either of these groups and are looking to spice up your fitness schedule with something that you actually might stick to this year, Pilates may be your answer. Known as a mixture of yoga and power cardio, Pilates strengthens, lengthens and tones while uniting both body and mind. I myself go to a fitness club that offers this program but as I’ve been sadly uncoordinated since my very first tap lesson, I tend to avoid embarrassing myself amongst a bunch of strangers and attractive men. Like many others, I prefer a private approach where I can concentrate on training my body without all eyes on my wobbly areas that need oh so much work. In my endless search for a safe environment, I found Moves Pilates, a private studio that offers a forum in which I can workout – celebrity style – with my own personal trainer. Amanda Hood, owner of Moves, is a former San Francisco Ballet dancer who has been studying the art of Pilates for several years. Since she began ballet, she’s been using Pilates as a strength training method to enhance her dance skills and performance. Amanda loved Pilates so much she decided to progress in her training and focus on this alone.

I walked into the studio not knowing what to expect. I have been studying yoga for several years and combined that with my usual 30 minutes of virtual skiing on my favorite elliptical machine as my daily workout. I have to admit this tops them all! My lesson was tailor fit to my personal needs and areas of much needed improvement. I left the studio feeling relaxed and charged at the same time. I felt that literally every muscle in my body had been worked, something I can’t get from my gym. Feeling the intense need to go back for more”¦..this is one resolution I look forward to keeping!

Moves Pilates is located at 8350 Melrose Avenue, Suite #4, in Los Angeles. To make an appointment, call 323-252-1793 or email pilatesla@hotmail.com.

On occasion we need to take time to unwind and be pampered, with so many spas to choose from how do we know which one is right for us?

The Luxe Spa located in the première Luxe Hotel offers a soothing solution. Nestled quietly just off Sunset, is a blissful oasis where you can sit back relax and take your mind off all of the Hollywood woes and holiday madness that is soon approaching. The spa has a team of expert therapists which contour each facial or massage to the client, focusing on aches and pains and incorporating several choices into their tailored treatment. For those of us who are addicted to sweets but are contiously watching our waist, there is a guiltless Chocolate Massage which uses chocolate flavored jojoba oils and citrus aromatherapy to combine the most scrumptious of treats. If you are more into earthy treatments try Hot Stone Therapy which is a combination of warm basalt rocks and cold marble stones. Few spas have the coveted Reiki treatment which is a Japanese technique that reduces stress and brings a state of well being both mentally and physically by using energy from within.

Haven’t had your fill yet? The Luxe offers all spa-goers use of both the pool and tennis courts as well throughout the day. This is one luxury this beauty writer can’t afford to miss!