FOREVER YOUNG

Gisele Bundchen
Magazine: Vogue Japan, January 2011
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti

OOH LA LA

TOM FORD
Photographer: Tom Ford
Models: Joost Van Der Hulst & Abbey Lee Kershaw

THE PERFECT SWAN QUEEN

SANTA ANGELINA

Photographed by Mario Testino, Angelina Jolie strikes a pose on the cover of Vogue’s December 2010 issue. In the magazine, the 35-year-old actress opens up about raising six kids and her upcoming movie with Johnny Depp, The Tourist.

On wearing black: “As Brad’ll tell you—and my kids—apparently Mommy only wears black,” she says. Because she was a Goth, right? No, she says, it’s utilitarian, it’s practical: “I like to get up so every pair of pants goes with every top, every dress goes with every shoe. I’ve a very tiny closet. Brad’s always laughing at me. Some days, yes, I have the nightgown that looks like a dress that I can sleep in and pick the kids up at school. And maybe take a meeting if I switch into heels.”

Visit vogue.com to read the complete article from the December issue and a slideshow of Angelina Jolie throughout the years in Vogue.

FACIAL MASKS

Facial masks are more than just silly tricks to get your “beauty rest”. Facial masks are a great way to condition, clean or treat the skin. With the variety of facial masks you can apply to your skin, anyone can use them for a multitude of benefits. They are an important part of skin care. It is recommended that you use a facial mask at least once a week. A weekly facial mask session cannot only help your skin receive moisture, but it can also ease skin disorders, though it is not necessary to go overboard and wear one every night.

The type of mask you can use depends on skin condition. Oily skin gets a great benefit out of mud or clay masks, because the ingredients cleanse impurities causing acne. Masks that contain alpha-hydroxy acids act to exfoliate, cleaning away dead skin cells, and hydrating masks are made with anything from glycerin to aromatherapy oils.

Masks from green tea help calm irritated skin, especially after a deep cleansing facial. Facial masks are usually left on for no more than 20 minutes, and rinsed off with warm water. After rinsing the facial mask off, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face that works best with your skin type.

Shiseido
Purifying Mask ($27.00, shiseido.com)
PRODUCT 101: A creamy, rinse-off facial mask formulated with Marine Mineral Clay to absorb dulling surface sebum and impurities and leave skin visibly refined and refreshed. Reveals radiant new skin for a more youthful look. Contains a unique combination of highly-porous Marine Mineral Clay, kaolin, and powder ingredients to absorb surface sebum and impurities and minimize the appearance of pores.

Shiseido
Pure Retinol Intensive Revitalizing Face Mask ($62.00, shiseido.com)
PRODUCT 101: A concentrated treatment that targets fine lines and wrinkles as it saturates skin with moisture. Restore youthful suppleness and radiance with a single application of this vitality-enhancing complex. Suitable for all skin types, this advanced formula features Shiseido-original Pure Liquid Retinol and anti-photowrinkle system with Chlorella plant extract.

LEATHER AND LACE

OUTERWEAR DILEMMA – There’s only one problem with the jackets on the Burberry Prorsum runway for Fall 2010: Which one to choose? Christopher Bailey manages to sex up traditional outerwear like no one else. This time it’s by showcasing uber hot thigh high boots in reptile leather, and sharp yet understated leather jackets; some with transformational zips that take them from long to cropped. Every hybrid, in all their variations of volume, shape, shagginess, and leather strap and buckle detail, are utterly desirable.

On the evening side of things, dresses and skirts in bright hues were ruched and gathered and layered, in variations of silk and lace.

TRENDY TIP: It’s time to fly the leather bomber into new territory: cocktail hour! Paired with a satin dress and sky-high heels, and accented with dark tights and mixed metals, it’s the perfect hard-soft, strong-sexy combo.

DESERT ROSE

It looks like Gucci has gone back to the desert for its Fall 2010 ad campaign.

You might recall a couple of desert-themed ads in the Tom Ford era, as well as the images of Natasha Poly running hand-in-hand with a chiseled model over rocky terrain for the 2008 Resort ads.

This time around, Gucci enlisted 27-year-old Brazilian model Raquel Zimmerman, who is also the face of Chloé this season, and male model Nikola Jovanovic and placed them in the dry Marrakech desert along with, oddly enough, a cozy cold-weather wardrobe.

Comfort aside, the alluring images, shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, are visually stunning. The palette is all rich browns, golds, and aqua blues, while the photography duo employed the same technique and angles as in their Spring 2010 Gucci ads, giving the already leggy models maximum elongation.

BLUSH BABY, BLUSH!

SO CHEEKY! – CHOOSING CHEEK COLOR: Although choosing cheek color is, of course, subjective, don’t forget to consider your basic skin tone. Subtle is almost more flattering, but who’s to say you won’t look (and feel) smashing in fuchsia sometimes? Here are quick guidelines that can save you some time and trouble.

• DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR SKIN TONE IS WARM OR COOL
Here are three surefire tests: Check the veins on your wrists. If they appear greenish, you have warm skin. If they look blue, you have cool skin. Consider how your skin reacts to sun. Warm skin tends to tan; cool skin tends to burn. Slip on a silver bracelet, then a gold one. Silver looks better on cool skin; gold compliments warm skin.

• TRY ON MAKEUP SHADES IN THE SAME CATEGORY
If you have warm undertones, you probably look best in yellow-based blush colors such as peach and terracotta; if you have cool undertones, blue-based pinks and berries will work.

• TAKE A GOOD LOOK
Rules or no rules, remember that choosing makeup colors is very subjective, and the smartest approach is trial and error. It’s pretty basic, an unflattering tone will make you look tired and sickly, and a flattering one will make your face come alive. Next, all you have to do is select the formulation best suited to your needs and skin type.

“How can I tone down too much blush?”
If you’ve over done it with cream blush, blot the color off with a tissue. If powder blush is the cause of the problem, diffuse it with translucent powder. Dust it on with a brush or powder puff and smooth it across your cheeks until the color is subdued. Since gel and liquid blush “stain” the cheeks, the only way to lighten them is to wash your face, moisturize, and reapply your makeup more sparingly.

HERE COMES THE SUN

SUMMER HEAT WAVES: ARE YOU GETTING ALL THE FACTS?

There are three kinds of dangerous rays. UVB, or “burning,” rays are the primary cause of skin cancer and are the most intense in summer. UVA, or “aging,” rays pose a risk in any season and penetrate deeper into the skin, causing wrinkles, sagging, sunspots and cancer. A third kind of light, infrared radiation (IR), can also cause both premature aging and cancer. To protect yourself from all three, you must wear sunscreen every single day, even when it’s cloudy. It may sound like a chore, but once you’ve become an expert on everything from SPF to the powers of vitamin C, safeguarding your skin will, and should become second nature.

How long can you stay in the sun without burning? Do the math. Multiply the SPF number on the label by the number of minutes it takes you to start burning without protection. For example, if you start to burn after ten minutes of exposure, SPF 15 has been shown in lab tests to protect you for 150 minutes. If you burn in five minutes, SPF 15 will shield you for 75 minutes. As SPFs go beyond 30, the effectiveness is less dramatic, but since most people don’t apply as much as they should, a higher SPF is always a safe bet.

SCREEN SAVERS:
• Do not burn. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.

• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.

• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

WHEN IN DOUBT, GO NUDE

Natural has never looked so beautiful. Always glossy. Just the perfect sheen. It’s never dull or fake. And, there’s no such thing as too nude. The classic barefaced with the right touch of pink and peach creates warmth. It’s fresh and approachable, clean beauty makeup at its best!

THE GLOW DOWN – QUICK TIPS AND TRICKS
• Use your fingertips to apply a toffee-colored cream blush onto your cheeks, then go over them with a peach powder blush using a fluffy blush brush.

• For a subtle effect on the lips, pick a blue- or purple-based pink rather than and orange or red lip gloss. Line your lips with a subtle definition and apply a sheer amount of gloss.

• Highlighter is easy to apply and even easier to overdo. It gives you a glow without looking like you’re wearing tons of makeup. A peach-gold shimmer gives the perfect warmth. Mix a pea-size amount with a light foundation or tinted moisturizer for a golden sheen to perk up your skin.

• For an easy and precise eye makeup, trace a non-smudgy black pencil as close as possible to your upper lash line and apply a few coats of mascara. A touch of gold eye shadow in the inner corners will brighten up your eyes. Make sure your brows are neat and defined, when you’re wearing minimal eye makeup, the spotlight falls on them.

Laura Mercier Cosmetics
Crème Cheek Colour, ($22.00, lauramercier.com)
PRODUCT 101: A long-lasting, natural cheek colour formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish. Provides simple and quick way to create naturally flushed-looking cheeks. Silky powder allows ample play time before the product dries. Softly illuminates skin for a healthy complexion.

Nars Cosmetics
Orgasm Illuminator, ($29.00, narscosmetics.com)
PRODUCT 101: A complexion enhancer that makes skin look instantly refreshed, radiant, and glowing. This product lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic!

SHADY LADY

DOLCE AND GABBANA TEAM WITH MADONNA TO CREATE SUNGLASSES FOR “THE WOMAN WHO WANTS TO FEEL LIKE A DIVA” – Lightning struck when Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana hosted a party for the superstar in Milan last summer: The trio would create MDG, D&G’s first product collaboration with a celebrity; perhaps to shield her from any harmful UV Rays of Light. “With the line we want to capture femininity and extreme sensuality,” says Gabbana. That same attitude was caught on film by fashion photographer Steven Klein for the ad campaign, which features the pop icon in a steamy embrace. Says Gabbana, “The images evoke the essence of a star like Madonna: admired, chased, spied on, and adored but never completely revealed.”

“Designing an eyewear line with Madonna was a new experience for us. The oversized and wraparound designs are sexy and very feminine, like our clothes. Madonna’s creative contribution and unique point of view were key, even in designing the MDG logo,” says both Dolce and Gabbana. Madonna and the designers have collaborated on numerous projects, including their first, designing costumes for her 1993 Girlie Show tour, and she currently appears in the design house’s spring ad campaign.

THE MIRACLE VITAMIN

The purest and most active form of Vitamin A. Retinol aids in the resurfacing and rejuvenating of skin, helping to impart a clearer, more vibrant complexion for all ages and skin types.

• Retinol is another name for vitamin A, one of the most important vitamins for the appearance of your skin. It plays an important role in anti-aging skin care.

• Retinol belongs to the family of chemical compounds known as retinoids, and is particularly effective due to its small molecular structure. This allows for penetration deep beneath the skin and promotes cellular renewal.

• Retinol has the ability to smooth wrinkles and lines. It also increases moisture and elasticity and assists the skin in repairing itself. Retinol is acknowledged as a powerful antioxidant that assists in creating stronger, healthier skin cells and increases the amount of skin-support substances.

• Retinol products are an important component in any quality skin care regimen and for those looking to maintain a youthful glow.

Shiseido
Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask ($62.00, shiseido.com)
PRODUCT 101: A concentrated under-eye treatment sheet mask for all skin types. Developed with Shiseido exclusive Pure Liquid Retinol Delivery System, this complex is designed to visibly improve fine lines, crow’s feet, and uneven texture, in just 15 minutes. It can also be used around the lips for exceptional smoothing benefits.

Philosophy
Help Me ($45.00, philosophy.com)
PRODUCT 101: An advanced, age-fighting night treatment featuring time-released retinol. This winner of Allure magazine’s editor’s choice “Best of Beauty” award for best antiaging treatment helps keep pores clean and minimized, reduces wrinkles and discoloration, and boosts tone and firmness. It delivers the key ingredient, retinol, through encapsulated microsponge technology, which offers stability for gradual release into the skin. The time-release innovation, along with a soothing dose of bisabolol, increases efficacy and helps prevent irritation.

FLORA BY GUCCI FRAGRANCE

A subtle and sophisticated floral scent.

• Top Notes: Citrus accords, Peony
• Heart Notes: Rose, Osmanthus Flower
• Base Notes: Pink Pepper, Sandalwood

Inspired by the Princesses from the past, the present and the future. The Flora Donna is a young, natural, spontaneous, elegant, classic and refined woman who possesses the ‘Gucci edge’ of power & sensuality. “Flora is lighter, the floral scent of course evokes a younger consumer, and she has a hedonistic, daring side. I don’t want to say that Flora is the daughter of Gucci by Gucci but maybe the younger sister,” said Frida Giannini, Creative Director of the luxury brand.

The first Flora scarf was exclusively designed for the Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966 and soon became one of the most popular Gucci icons, featured on Gucci fashion and accessories. Years later, Frida Giannini discovered this marvelous drawing from her mother’s scarf and was seduced by its playful details and bright colors. Frida reintroduced the Flora pattern and continues to use it throughout her collections.

The bottle has Flora Pattern in Black & White Script Logo, Iconic Gucci symbols – Webbing, Gold Bamboo Clean, and a sharp hexagonal shape.

JUST ONE KISS

LIP SERVICE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Whether you prefer a strong red mouth or just a wash of color, lipstick is one of the easiest ways to create a signature look. There are so many looks you can achieve with the right shade and the right tools. For instance, red lips are great with an almost-no-makeup look. Want to emphasize a pout? Dab a little frosted lipstick onto the center of the lower lip. Meanwhile, a pale mouth works well with a sexy smoky lid. The idea is to achieve a sense of balance. More important, however, is to blend everything so your lips don’t enter the room before you do.

• Don’t use a dark lip pencil with a lighter shade of lipstick.

• Blend everything! Again, you don’t want your lips to enter the room before you do.

• A stronger lip balances a nearly nude eye.

• Smoky eyes require a paler mouth.

• Use a lip brush to apply color. It helps you create a more precise shape and distributes the pigment evenly.

• A latex sponge is an important tool. Use it to blend your lipstick, it picks up the excess, so your lips don’t look heavy or gooey.

• Avoid dark colors if you have thin lips. Instead, highlight the top lip and stick with sheer colors.

• Lighter shades create the illusion that small, round lips are larger.

• Your makeup isn’t finished until your lips are done!

MAC Cosmetics
Cremestick Liner ($14.50, maccosmetics.com)
PRODUCT 101: A creamy, highly pigmented, retractable lip liner. Lightweight and smooth to apply: very long-lasting. Use as outline or as a “fill.” Helps prevent feathering and bleeding. For a nude lip, try Gingerroot or Summerfruit. Also try, Red Enriched or Portside for colors that delivers a darker punch.

Chanel
Glossimer ($27.00, chanel.com)
PRODUCT 101: These exquisitely colored glosses add shimmer without stickiness. Very long-lasting and has a fragrance-free formula. Apply it over lipstick and the color looks like shiny glass. Available in a variety of shades, from pale pinks, apricot oranges to vampy intense burgundies.

BURN, BABY, BURN!

ARE TANNING SALONS SAFE?

No! No! No! Tanning beds are extremely dangerous. Studies have shown that they increase the risk of cancer. Tanning lights mainly contain UVA and sometimes also UVB rays. Both those wavelengths can contribute to melanoma and the intensity of energy from light bulbs is many times stronger than natural light.

Tanning is also skin damage! Although skin cancer has been associated with UVB radiation and sunburns, scientists say that even tanning in moderation produces the same harmful effects, as would a burn. Tanning causes premature aging, causing the skin to appear leathery and wrinkled, and also damages the immune system. So think twice, before you lather up your activating tanning gel! Is is worth sacrificing your health and beauty for a semi-permanent color?

EYE BELIEVE IN YOU

HOW TO DIMINISH PUFFINESS AND DARK CIRCLES

What ages you most? Surprisingly, it might not be wrinkles or gray hair but dark circles under your eyes. Although dark circles under eyes usually aren’t a sign of exhaustion or serious illness, they can make you feel old, unhealthy and exhausted, and most of us have experienced the “raccoon eyes.”

Handle with care. The skin under the eyes is the thinnest on the body. The many blood vessels in this area can show through the delicate skin, contributing to the appearance of dark under eye circles, especially if the vessels become dilated. Fat pads surround the eyes, and the muscles that enclose the upper and lower eyelids hold the fat pads (and skin) in place. As we age, skin and muscle lose elasticity, which can result in sagging around the eyes. With this known fact, as a makeup artist and avid beauty addict, I stress out the importance of a proper rigid eye care system to almost everyone that I encounter. I will always go out of my way to get my eye cream fix.

Puffiness under the eyes occurs when you retain water and your under eye tissue swells. Dark circles indicate blood vessels or hereditary pigment. To reduce puffiness, look for an eye cream containing caffeine, which causes blood vessels to temporarily constrict, or shrink. You should also avoid salt and drink plenty of water. For a quick at-home fix, apply cool compresses (tea bags soaked in ice water or cucumber slices work well) and rest with your head elevated for as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight. To lighten dark areas, use a cream containing hydroquinone or kojic acid; both brighten hyper-pigmented skin. To cosmetically improve the appearance of dark circles, apply eye cream that contain mica or light-diffusing particles to make the skin seem lighter and brighter, if necessary, follow with concealer.

Shiseido
Benefiance Concentrated Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream ($50.00, shiseido.com)
PRODUCT 101: An ultra-rich, age-defense eye cream that protects skin from dehydration and dramatically minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and lines to promote a youthfully smooth, radiant look. Developed with Shiseido-exclusive Anti-Photowrinkle System, consisting of plant extract chlorella to counteract the appearance of future wrinkles. Recommended for dry and very dry skin. Pat around eye area, morning and night, as last step of skincare routine.

Murad
Lighten and Brighten Eye Treatment ($75.00, murad.com)
PRODUCT 101: A patented, triple-action formula targets the signs of environmental damage around the eye area. Scientifically proven to fight multiple signs of distress around the delicate eye area by lightening dark under eye circles and diminishing under eye bags and puffiness. Clinical testing has shown that using this product lightens dark under eye circles by an average of 59% and diminishes under eye bags and puffiness by up to 50%.

DANCE ON AIR

MADONNA IS THE NEW FACE FOR LOUIS VUITTON

When Marc Jacobs found himself in a meeting on a Monday morning to brainstorm about Louis Vuitton’s next fashion advertising campaign, inspiration struck. “I just blurted out, ‘I think we should do Madonna,’” said the designer, Vuitton’s creative director, mentioning he’d attended a concert by the pop icon the night before in Paris. “I was totally just blown away by it, and moved by her performance, by what she had to say, and her energy.” As the meeting went on, Jacobs tapped out a message to Madonna on his BlackBerry, and within about five minutes came the reply: “I’d love to.”

“I wanted the campaign to be very bold, very sensual and very atmospheric,” he added. “We needed the ultimate performer – and for me, that is Madonna.”

During the shoot, the designer marveled at the singer’s incredible fitness that allowed her to recline, her back arched, on bentwood chairs, or shoot a leg straight up in the air, no sweat. “She’s so sure of herself as an icon and as a woman. It was her idea to do the fishnets,” Jacobs said. “What fascinates me the most about her is her never-ending energy, and the idea of becoming and changing. She’s an artist who’s unafraid to use her voice.”

The result is six Parisian-theme inspired images of a smoldering Madonna shot by top fashion photographer Steven Meisel that will break in a range of fashion magazines in February/March worldwide.

DOLCE! DOLCE! DOLCE!

DOLCE AND GABBANA LAUNCHES COSMETIC LINE

This February, Scarlett Johansson will be channeling Marilyn Monroe in her boudoir to mark the debut of Dolce & Gabbana’s luxurious new makeup line. “We see makeup as another thing for women, like a dress,” Stefano Gabbana recently told WWD. “We worked on the makeup line like we work on a clothing collection — you can change makeup like you can change your clothes, depending on your mood.”

The color palette was inspired by the deep burgundy of the dahlia flower (Gabbana’s favorite flower), the intense cerulean hues of the Mediterranean, and the stark black volcanic sands of Stromboli (where D&G like to summer). Collaborating with world-renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath, the lushly-pigmented line includes three looks: Sensually Natural (understated neutrals), Provocative Eyes (smoky eyes & pale lips), and Lustful Lips (tres silver screen siren with dark ruby lips and nails). “For me, lipstick is one of the most important things. When I see a woman made-up, I look straight to the lips.”

In addition to the ultra-glamorous, shiny gold packaging, the line also features a retro rose scent. “We noticed that lipsticks on the market took away their fragrance, but we wanted to create makeup with a scent. Domenico and I remember when we were children and opened our mother’s handbags — the scent of her lipstick trailed out.”

The luxe collection will roll out at the beginning of February in select Saks Fifth Avenue department stores.

A GLOW FROM RIO

Warm colors are a girl’s best friend. Mimic the warmth of skin when achieving natural beauty. Keep in mind, it’s about quality, not quantity! Bronzing powder gives skin a healthy, sun kissed appearance, and you don’t have to spend a second in the sun. Look for warm golden or brown tones a few shades darker than your skin. The sheerer the texture, the more natural it will look. Bronzing powder also helps neutralize red or ruddy complexions.

Touch it. Feel it against your skin. Bronzing powder should feel silky soft and fine, like any loose powder, or if it comes in a compact, like pressed powder or blush. The softer the texture, the more your skin will radiate a natural flawless glow.

The trick is to shine through your makeup, rather than hide behind, accentuate rather than change. Apply bronzing powder with a medium-sized fluffy brush. Try MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush, ($34.00, maccosmetics.com), a full, rounded, all-purpose brush that I have been using for years. Use it over foundation or on bare skin. Rather than dusting a uniform layer onto the face, apply it where sunlight would naturally hit, the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheekbones, and your chin. Finish it off by applying a warm peach blush on your cheeks, this will give you a more fresh and richer complexion. When you naturally tan, your skin is a little flushed and rosy.

Guerlain
Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder ($48.00, guerlain.com)
PRODUCT 101: This multi-tone bronzing powder has a light texture and doesn’t contain a ton of pigment, so it’s subtle and discreet enough to use even in the cooler months. It glides on smooth, not too shimmery and the application can be easily controlled. It can slightly warm pale and medium complexions, be paired with a darker formula to create a deep tan, or help build a warm base for a smoky eye.

MAC Cosmetics
Powder Blush, Style ($18.00, maccosmetics.com)
PRODUCT 101: This shimmering peach blush is universal. It flatters more complexions than cooler colors do, and it warms up the complexion a little bit, so it still looks natural and fresh. It’s soft and sophisticated, and has a subtle touch of pink that makes it look good on almost anyone.

DOMESTIC BROWS

THE PERFECT EYEBROWS: ALMOST AS EFFECTIVE AS AN EYE LIFT

If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then your eyebrows should be the most uplifting part of your face. They completely alter the expression on your face, from surprised to perfectly calm. In addition to channeling feelings and emotions, eyebrows frame the face and creates clear boundaries and acts as a guideline for eye makeup, which is why keeping them well groomed is so important. If your eyebrows are in great shape, you need less makeup to look effortlessly polished and pulled together.

Always customize your brows to fit and flatter your face. You can’t go wrong with the universal brow shape: medium full with a tapered end and soft arch. But if you want truly customized brows, factor in the shape of your face. Think about proportion as well, if you have prominent features, you’ll look best with fuller brows; if you have small, delicate features, try a thinner softer shape. Brows always appear softer and more feminine when they are slightly lighter than your hair color. Know when not to fill in your brows. Brows don’t always need to be filled in. If a brow is naturally full, by simply adding a small amount of brow gel will do the job. Filling in an already heavy brow can quickly overtake the focus of the makeup application. Also, avoid the application of too much color on the inner brow. This can make the shape of the brow look “blocked off” and too heavy. Leave this portion of the brow clean and natural, just focus efforts on the arch and tail with only a tint of color on the inside.