We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
This week, the streets of Paris are flooded with dressed-to-the-nines fashion fiends, all enthusiastically posing for photogs while dashing from show to show. Runways are equally exciting, featuring an array of riveting ready-to-wear shows by a host of esteemed houses. In contrast, beauty has been muted to balance out the over-the-top styles on display, with focus on the eyes, brows and lips. Here, I’ve corralled four of my favorite faces to copy this season.
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We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
Happy Almost Oscars Day! In honor of the looming 85th Annual Academy Awards, Hollywood has morphed into one big primping party, offering a host of pop-up beauty havens at a bevy of top-notch hotels. Yesterday I swung by the Brit Beauty Suite at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills, where gratis St. Tropez tanning treatments and custom Sanctuary Spa facials were being doled out.
Facials were being given by London-based renowned skincare and beauty specialist, Nichola Joss, who helps maintain the glowing skin of Kate Moss, Elle Macpherson, Heidi Klum, Charlize Theron, Keira Knightley and Cate Blanchett. I sat down with her to chat skincare routines, beauty myths and the proper way to apply eye cream.
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Slick, Stick-Straight Strands at Theyskens’ Theory
We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
Yesterday’s Theyskens’ Theory show at Moynihan Station was a celebration of futurism. From trapeze-like dresses to boxy sweaters paired with A-line skirts, every look that stormed down the custom runway illustrated why Olivier Theyskens is one of today’s most exciting talents.
To complement the show’s minimalist-cool point of view, Kérastase lead hair stylist Odile Gilbert created a fresh, simple look. “I wanted the hair to be very straight and silky this season,” said Gilbert.
After creating a middle part and straightening hair with a flat iron, she secured the front side pieces behind the head with an elastic, creating a faux headband look. The stylist used Kérastase Mousse Substantive, Kérastase Resistance Double Force Controle Ultime and Kérastase Double Force to keep the ‘do in place.
When asked about collaborating with the designer, Gilbert explained that they keep their individual realms separate. “Olivier does clothes and I do hair. We understand each other and have been working together for 12 years.” Theyskens has certainly met his match.
- Natalie
For more runway coverage go to our New York Fashion Week photo feed.
V-Shaped Girl Power Tips at Prabal Gurung
We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
For their sixth season collaborating with Prabal Gurung, the nail gurus at Sally Hansen created a set of custom hues to complement the Nepalese designer’s tough-but-feminine range for fall. Although the exclusive collection of military-inspired colors—Loden Green (olive), Night Watch (navy), and Coat of Arms (gold)—won’t hit stores until September, fans got a sneak peek at the stellar shades at yesterday’s show.
“Prabal is inspired by female empowerment this season, so I designed a nail that showcases both strength and style,” explained Sally Hansen artist Jin Soon. “Loden Green salutes women in the military and Coat of Arms represents femininity. I went with a natural nail because you don’t want to pair anything too severe with a V-shape.”
To get this look without using a nail art brush or stencil, the artist first applied the gold Coat of Arms and then freehanded the V with Loden Green on top. During her surprisingly easy-to-follow tutorial (applying the gold base before the darker shade really helps), Soon predicted that “the V-shape is the moon shape of 2013.” You heard it here first!
- Natalie
Color Club’s Killer Claws at Katie Gallagher
We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
NY-based designer Katie Gallagher is known for her avant-garde sartorial style. In a rather timely move, her fall 2013 collection, “The Winter Froze You Away,” was inspired by snowfall and featured a set of textured, three-dimensional threads fit for this week’s frosty weather.
To the match the range’s icy vibe, Color Club’s Simcha Whitehill created a rough and tough nail that featured the pointed shape that stars like Adele and Beyonce can’t get enough of. Whitehill created the witchy look using four fierce shades: Where’s the Soiree (black), Muse-ical (charcoal), Sheer Disguise (medium grey), and a custom dove grey.
“This is a great design for anyone who’s enthusiastic about nail art but can’t paint with their non-dominant hand,” Whitehill said. “All you need is a dotter tool—which can be purchased at any beauty supply store—or anything found around the house, such as a tailor pin stuck at the end of a pen, a bobby pin or even a toothpick.” To get the look, layer paints in an ombre style (check out a handy how-to here). Next, dip your tool in the paint and press down on the nail to create dots that cascade from dark to light. Add a basecoat and you’re good to go!
—Natalie
Find more exclusive backstage pics on the Birchbox NYFW site.
Here’s How to Follow All The Fashion Week Fun At Birchbox
Happy Fashion Week! The Fall 2013 shows have begun and—come hell or crazy blizzard—our editors and photographers will be bopping around town covering the backstage beauty scene. And that’s not all! In addition to our own Birchbox staffers, we have some amazing guest contributors. Our regular columnist Natalie Alcala, Taryn Multack of Miss Ladyfinger, and model extraordinaire Alana Zimmer will all be posting to the Birchbox Blog.
The best part? We want YOU to come along for the ride. Our brand new Birchbox NYFW site will feature original photos of models, manis, and more. Check back frequently (in fact, you may want to bookmark it) to stay up to date on all the latest trends.
We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
(Photo: Melissa Bentley/Pinterest)
Cara Delevingne (pronounced De-le-veen) is officially the model of the moment. A few months ago, Fashionista revealed that the 20-year-old British stunner walked in a whopping 53 shows during the spring 2013 runway season. That’s a lot of strutting!
So, why does every iconic fashion designer and acclaimed photographer want to work with her? Besides being a total charmer in front of the camera (have you seen her Shania Twain impression?) her features are spellbinding—especially those eyes. If you’re looking for some weekend beauty inspiration, here are six delightful Delevingne gazes worth replicating.
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We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
From Parisian cool at Rebecca Taylor to bohemian charm at Creatures of the Wind to Victorian romance at Lela Rose, a variety of vibes inspire top makeup artists during fashion week. And, like a painter with a canvas, these beauty magic-makers have their own dedicated tool for expression: the face chart.
In honor of The Makeup Show’s upcoming stop in Los Angeles on March 2 and 3, the international event is giving beauty aficionados—like you!—the opportunity to express your unique vision like the pros do.
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You wouldn’t know it from how much we talk about cookies, but Birchbox staffers are a pretty healthy bunch. We love our veggies and mind-clearing workouts, and are always up to try the latest fitness class or nutrition bar. Which is why we have new regular column: Well-Balanced. Check back weekly for our latest wellness obsession.
You may know our contributor Natalie Alcala as an LA-based blogger with access to fashion and beauty insiders. But what you probably don’t know is that the pint-size whiz is also a total wellness geek. She knows as much about chia seeds and kale as she does about runway trends and celebrity shenanigans. Recently, she emailed me out of the blue to say, “You need to try my beet n’ berry smoothie! It’s Birchbox pink!” Since I’ve never met a smoothie I didn’t like, I promptly went out to buy the ingredients and whipped it up for Sunday breakfast. The verdict? An antioxidant-rich fuchsia smoothie with a sweet, earthy taste. Click through for the recipe!
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We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
Kurt Reiger’s spring campaign. (Photo: Elle)
Besides it being awards season, there’s another reason why this is my favorite time of year: It’s the release of spring ad campaigns! Although I love the bundled up looks for fall, spring collections are always fresh, fun and bursting with brilliance. Plus, I get particularly hyped for the latest ads since the beauty is more experimental as well. From the slick hair and dark lip at Kurt Reiger to the peach lid and nude pout at Max Mara, here are the looks that I’m really feeling for spring.
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