Splendid Reads!

Hit List: Best Matte Eyeshadow Formula

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:00 GMT

What's the Best Matte Eyeshadow Formula…?

What brand/products win this category? What makes it so great?

Thanks to Caroline for today's topic!

Jewelry PR: Diamond in the Rough Aims to Disrupt the Fine Jewelry Industry

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:27 GMT

Diamond in the Rough (http://www.diamondintherough.com) has one simple goal: to disrupt the world of diamond jewelry. It's with this in mind that they re-launch their e-commerce store, making rough diamond jewelry available for purchase anywhere in the United States. The new website aims to educate consumers on the beauty of diamonds in their natural form, and showcase Diamond in the Rough's one of a kind engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry.

While luxury brands typically build their business first through brick and mortar retail, Diamond in the Rough will be doing the opposite, relying on their fresh, simple, and elegant site to communicate with consumers. Unlike many of their peers, Diamond in the Rough requires site visitors to sign in using a name, password and e-mail address to view the collection much like popular members-only sale sites. Since each piece is one of a kind, inventory changes quickly and the brand plans to utilize this information to keep customers informed about availability. In addition, the site aims to emulate the level of service customers would receive at a store through various online customer service tools such as live chat, real-time use of social media platforms, and traditional e-mail and phone representatives. The brand will also be offering a 30-day return policy and free overnight shipping.

Leading the rebranding effort is newly designated CEO of Diamond in the Rough, Monica Chambers. "I'm delighted to be a part of Diamond in the Rough at such an exciting time for the company. Our product is extraordinary, it has a point of view, and it finally gives a woman something radically new in the world of diamonds," said Chambers. She is a recent Harvard Business School graduate with a keen understanding of the digital space. Her prior positions as JWT, AG Properties, and Columbia Records focused on the intersection of marketing, media, and technology, making her an invaluable asset to the company as they look to build their web-based luxury business.

Chambers adds, "My background is in media and I absolutely believe that the future of marketing lies in the intersection of content and commerce. We aim to entertain and inform, never to interrupt. While this approach isn't foreign to e-commerce, luxury brands, particularly fine jewelry brands, have been slow to jump on board."

Diamond in the Rough intends to focus heavily on social media to create brand awareness, brand preference, and to drive sales. Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr are already key components of their online marketing strategy, with Pinterest and other sites gaining traction due to their viral nature.

To find out more about Diamond in the Rough, visit http://www.diamondintherough.com.

Celebrity Cosmetic Marketing: Jennifer Connelly for Shiseido Skin Care

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:20 GMT

As Shiseido Co., Ltd. celebrates its 140th anniversary, the company announced that it has signed Academy Award-winning actress, Jennifer Connelly, who previously represented the company in Asia. Connelly will be the namesake brand's global spokesperson and face of its highly acclaimed premium skincare line Future Solution LX. Connelly's first advertising campaign as global spokesperson will debut this fall.

"I am honored to be working with Shiseido again and to be representing the Future Solution LX line globally," said Jennifer Connelly. "Like Shiseido, I believe it is important to prepare now for our future well being. I look forward to sharing my journey with Future Solution LX with women worldwide."

While this marks the first time the brand will be working with a global spokesperson, this will not be the first time Shiseido has worked with the classic beauty; more than two decades ago, Connelly appeared in an advertising campaign for a Shiseido makeup brand that was distributed in Japan.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer back to our family as we celebrate our 140th anniversary," stated Hiroshi Maruyama, General Manager of the International Marketing Department at Shiseido Co., Ltd. "Jennifer's genuine personality, commitment to her family and approach to living a beautiful life embodies the core values of our company, and match those of the Shiseido customer. We believe that she portrays the essence of the Future Solution LX line perfectly and that her inner and outer beauty will inspire our customers."

This spring, Connelly is appearing in her latest feature film "Virginia." She has also starred in acclaimed movies including, "A Beautiful Mind," for which she won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, "Reservation Road", "Blood Diamond", "Requiem for a Dream" and "The House of Sand and Fog."

Launched in 2009, Shiseido Future Solution LX is a premium skincare line that was based on Shiseido's award-winning scientific research. The line features Skingenecell 1P, a proprietary ingredient acknowledged by the scientific community for its ability to improve skin's overall condition at the cellular level, empowering skin's defenses against environmental effects. Future Solution LX is available at select Shiseido counters worldwide.

Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger Makes Another Dumb Comment About The Gay Community

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:05 GMT

Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger–whose entire life, mind you, is orchestrating marriages between venal, shitty people and rich, shitty people–keeps making tone deaf comments about the gay community and keeps backtracking about how she's not ignorant and she's got lots of gay friends (yup, she's one of those). And it happened again!

This time, however, she made a stupid, marginalizing comment about gays and tried preempting criticism all in the same swing. She walked the runway for the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show last night and discussed which famous gays she'd like to work her shitty magic on:

“If I could put him, and oh my God, let me think for a second. Tom Ford. That’s a fit. Is Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs a fit? ‘Cause they both have those muscles and ripped bodies. And they both look straight. I’d date ‘em. They’re both gorgeous. And I didn’t mean that as a generalization, and don’t you gay people get all snippy with me. I meant that as a compliment!” Patti, it turns out, has a personal connection. “Daniel, my ex, is cousins with Marc Jacobs, from Massachusetts.”

You hear that, Tom Ford? We know you've been with your partner for 25 years and all, but you and Marc Jacobs would make such a cute couple because you're both gay and also muscles and stuff! And that awful lady from TV would date you, despite you gayness. And you look straight! Which is totally a compliment.

Nice try, Stanger, but your defense is as weak as your judgment.

(NYMag)

Related posts:

Post from: TheGloss

Look: Pop of Color for Spring

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00 GMT

Look: Pop of Color for Spring

This was a recent look I used to test out the wear of several products–the newer MAC eyeshadow quad (because it had a very stubborn shade in it), MAC's Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner (because it was worth re-testing), and Becca Damselfly (had not tested the wear before). I haven't worn either the lipstick or gloss on its own, so I haven't finished testing either of those, but I thought they might work well with this look so at least I could get a lip swatch out of it!

You will need the following…

Eyes: NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (eyeshadow primer), MAC Colour Eyeshadow Quad (yellow, dark blue, gray, beige), MAC Undercurrent Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner (teal), Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (black)
Face: Chanel Vitalumiere (B30), Guerlain Les Voilettes Mineral Powder (03), Becca Damselfly Mineral Blush (orange-coral)
Lips: Make Up For Ever Folk Rouge Artist Natural (coral), Le Metier de Beaute Orange Juiced Sheer Brilliance Lipgloss (sheer tangerine)

For eyes, I applied a light layer of NARS Smudgeproof on the lid as an eyeshadow primer from lash line to brow bone with a firm, flat brush. First, I applied Self-Serve to the crease with a pencil brush and used a blending brush to attempt to diffuse the color. Next, I applied Colour Added all over the lid with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. I used another pencil brush to apply Pre-packaged to the outer corner and into the deep crease. To highlight the brow bone, I used Laudry Daze applied and blended with a fluffy blending brush. On the lower lash line, I applied MAC Undercurrent and then patted Colour Added on the inner half of the lash line and Pre-packaged on the outer half of the lash line. Finally, I applied a coat of Hourglass Film Noir to lengthen and thicken lashes.

For face, I applied Chanel Vitalumiere with a circular foundation brush. I blended Becca Damselfly onto cheeks with a dense blush brush and set with Guerlain Les Voilettes. For lips, I applied Make Up For Ever Folk and layered Le Metier de Beaute Orange Juiced on top.

Check out more photos!

DIY cuff links

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:48 GMT

A little Valentine's Day DIY for the dudes (and their french cuffs) in your life.

Dad, this one's for you!

How to: DIY Cuff Links

You will need:
2 shank buttons
2 toggle clasps
2 jump rings
Pliers

1. Open a jump ring using your pliers and attach a button.

2. Attach the part of the toggle clasp shaped like a bar to the same jump ring and close tightly. This will create 1 cufflink.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create your second cufflink.

Photos: because im addicted for stylehive

Men's Fashion Fragrance PR: Dolce & Gabbana Launch The One Sport

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:41 GMT

In 2008, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana began their The One franchise with The One for men fragrance. Two years later in 2010 they followed that with The One Gentleman as homage to the “modern gentleman” and “contemporary charmer.” In 2012, Dolce & Gabbana will expand The One line with The One Sport.

“We have friends that go to the gym. They are each very different from one another, but they all enjoy going to the gym for themselves, to feel good about themselves. As the Latins said, ‘Mens sana in corpore sano (or a sound mind in a healthy body, in English).’ “ Gabanna told WWD. With the 2012 Olympic summer games in London (one of the fashion capitals of the world) and sports fragrances being the most quickly expanding category in the sector, Dolce & Gabanna have picked the perfect time to release the newest fragrance from The One line.

While the previous fragrances have been for the more elegant gentlemen, The One Sport was designed for men that enjoy being outside and active. Designers wanted it to be associated with sports but still have a feeling of cleanliness. Patchouli, musk, rosemary, heart of cardamom and Sequoia wood combine to form a light, clean scent for the active man.

The One Sport is set to launch first in the UK and then in Italy in late February. The fragrance will be available in 30, 50 and 100 ml and can be purchased in stores and at http://www.dolcegabbana.com.

10 crosby derek lam rtw fall 2012

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:36 GMT

"What would Hanne Gaby Odiele do if she were Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone? Derek Lam envisioned his favorite model cavorting around her apartment as if it were a snow day for his latest 10 Crosby lookbook. Fittingly, the new Fall collection is full of cozy Shetland peplum sweaters, long T-shirt dresses in an amplified buffalo plaid print, and vintage-looking fox fur pieces ideal for quickly tossing over a dress before darting out the door to catch a cab." - style.com

Photos: WWD