As a girl, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina. Sadly, my two left feet and total lack of hand-eye coordination made me quit my beginner dance lessons in a fit of fifth grader’s frustration. But this afternoon, I got to live vicariously through the pro dancers from NYC’s Gallim Dance in their rehearsal space in Soho.
Between choreographing moves for their upcoming show Sit, Kneel, Stand (debuting at the Joyce Theater in June), the dancers took time out to share their most-beloved beauty products and their best on-stage makeup tricks (which happily translate to real life). Learn more after the jump!
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It’s Friday, Friday. Gotta get down on Friday. Okay, do you have Rebecca Black’s crazy catchy song stuck in your head? Good. Now you’re ready for the weekend. Before you jet off to all your fun plans, read a few of our favorite stories this week.
- Today, MAC announced their latest limited edition collection and it’s a doozy—they’ll be partnering with Carine Roitfeld. The French editrix’s collection will focus on a smoky eye, bold brows, and nude lips. Also coming up for MAC: a nautical-themed ‘Hey, Sailor!’ nail polish collection. [WWD, SheFinds]
- Kelly Osbourne changed her hair once again, this time to a more vibrant purple shade than we’ve seen on her before. Do you like? [People Style Watch]
- America’s Next Top Model and Tyra Banks shocked the blogosphere today when it was revealed that three of the longest standing members of the cast will not be returning for the next season. Instead, they are rumored to be bringing on bloggers as judges. [Fashionista]
- Finally, in news that isn’t really news: Mila Kunis was spotted leaving a gym without makeup. Totally normal but she still looks lovely, which is nice. Stars, they’re just like us! [Stylelist]
—Lorelei
Put this on your weekend to-do list: Join Birchbox in time to get a Gossip Girl box in May! If you’re already a member, don’t worry— you’re all set. Go have a bagel instead.
This week’s guest blogger, the lovely Alissa Kelly, offers up fun fashion and beauty advice on her blog, Feeling Good. (Our favorite feature? Kelly’s fun nail posts!) We love her optimistic attitude and useful tips. Today, she’s showing us the must-have items that she can’t leave home without.
There are just some things women cannot live without. I’m a purse fanatic so I’m always switching my bag to match the day’s outfit. Every time I do, there are 5 items that always make the switch with me.
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One of our favorite enduring trends: bright pink lips. Whether you’re rocking an easy-going, natural vibe or a look with a touch of dramatic flair, this ultra-feminine color is nothing but flattering. We’re always on the hunt for the perfect shade, and, in fact, we teamed up with Jouer to create a bright magenta Birchbox pink lip gloss. Sheer and subtle with one coat, keep applying for additional pigment payoff or layer it over an opaque lipstick for a highly saturated effect. Not sure how to rock a bright pink pucker properly? Take a cue from pros like Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, and Rihanna.
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Photo: fanpop.com
Stop everything. Blockbuster color-company MAC cosmetics has just announced that it will be releasing an exclusive, limited edition Marilyn Monroe collection. We’ve seen the blonde bombshell popping up at the top of everyone’s list these days, from Michelle William’s film My Week With Marilyn to the sassy Norma Jean-inspired musical in NBC’s new show Smash. Will 2012 be the year of Marilyn?
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Audrey pre-makeover and post-makeover. So pretty!
This afternoon, we got a stellar crash course in day to night beauty from Prieto Select, a cool new service that brings backstage hair stylists and makeup artists right to your office, home, or hotel. Stylist Anna Nuet and makeup artist Kristine Cruz swung by Birchbox HQ to give our newest operations associate, Audrey, a total date night makeover (don’t you think she looks amazing?). Happily, we’ve put together a step-by-step tutorial to teach you how to achieve Audrey’s glamorous look yourself!
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Presentation: Haus Alkire
Hair: Nick Irwin for TIGI
Makeup: Lyne Desnoyers for M.A.C.
Nails: Priti NYC using Blue Atlas Cedar
The Vibe: Abstract and edgy, but still feminine. To mirror the theme of detailed graphic designs and textures in the Haus Alkire collection, TIGI’s global creative director and lead stylist Nick Irwin created an inventive, complex style. “We wanted movement on the top, so we created this crisscross weave,” said Irwin of the detailed ‘do. Important products to get this look were Session Series Wet Look Gel and Session Series True Wax, which were literally painted on to hair using a color brush to create a vinyl-like appearance.
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Photos: Courtesy of Kérastase
The Show: Monique Lhuillier
The Makeup: Val Garland for M.A.C.
The Hair: Odile Gilbert for Kérastase
The Nails: Wanda Ruiz for CND
The Vibe: Modern glamor. Don’t let lead stylist Odlie Gilbert for Kérastase catch you calling the hair at Monique Lhuillier retro. “It’s anything but,” said Gilbert at yesterday’s show. That’s not to say that the style—slicked back on top and falling into classic waves—doesn’t have “a touch of Hollywood.” Gilbert achieved the look by curling the length of models’ hair with a curling iron and then brushing it out to create a soft wave. To achieve the sleek finish up top, stylists alternated spraying two hairsprays, Double Force for build-able hold and Double Force Controle Ultime for extra-strength hold, on sections and then brushing down.
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Presentation: Erin by Erin Fetherston
Hair: Nick Irwin, TIGI
Makeup: James Kaliardos, M.A.C.
Nails: Sheril Bailey for Zoya
The Vibe: Woodsy fairies. Erin Fetherston loves the ethereal nymph look, so it was no surprise to see models with very girly, whimsical hair. All in all, there were three styles: beachy waves, low ponys, and topknots. “The topknot was inspired by Tinker Bell,” explained Eric Gomez, a TIGI stylist who collaborated closely with the lead, Steve Irwin, on the looks. “[Erin Fetherston] didn’t want it too clean, so we distressed it a bit and kept it slightly off center,” he explained of the windblown, romantic bun. Only two products were used for all three styles: Catwalk by TIGI Session Series Salt Spray and Catwalk by TIGI Session Series Finishing Hairspray.
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