Monthly Archives: September 2009

As I was running on the treadmill I got a call from one of my good friends who works at InStyle asking me if I wanted to join her at Baby Phat.  (Yes, I have my blackberry with me at the gym).  I immediately pressed “end workout,” skipped the cool down and ran to get ready.  

I didn’t have access to Baby Phat this year, but it was always one of my favorite shows to go to in the past for many reasons: the front row is the best place to people watch, the vibe and scene is unreal and the hair and makeup looks are always wild.  Kimmora knows how to throw a party.

The overall inspiration for the look was summer in Morocco meets ’70′s Bohemian chic. MAC did the make up lead by James Kaliardos, who created an elongated winged shaped eye using a collaboration of deep blue hues.  Colors used were: Deep Truth Frost Eye Shadow, and Fly-By-Blu PearlGlide Eye Liner with Light Violet Crushed Mineral Pigment added into the inner corners of the eye.

The cheeks were tanned and contoured with a combination of Florida and Joie De Vivre Creme Blushes and a bit of Crushed Metal Pigment in Dark Pink was used to highlight the cheekbones.  The lip was a gorge peach, Love Nectar LustreGlass.  Very wearable.

The hair was to die for.  Odile Gilbert of Moroccanoil and her team added lots of extensions into each of the models hair before curling the whole head with a two inch curling iron.  Once all curled, it was gently brushed out. A small French braid (about one inch thick) was added across the front of the head at the hairline starting from behind one ear to the other to act like a head band.  

Out of all of the shows I’ve been to so far, the nails at Baby Phat were my favorite.  Creative Nail Design’s Jan Arnold and team filed the nails to a medium, almond shape and used their color, Gold Chrome.  However, they added a bit of a twist.  The nails were super metallic and shiny, to the point where they appeared Minxed, and a gold chrome mineral wash was done on the toes.  Here, they used an air dry top coat that’s super thick and luminous. (Photo below is my friend Sheryl and I with Jan Arnold).

My friend and I ended up sitting third row for the show and noticed Miss J (who I love!), Lisa Rinna, Amanda Lepore, Ice T and his wife Coco, and some other D list celebs.  However, I did run into (OMG) Kim Kardashian backstage and she is stunning and much tinier than you think.  I was surprised because when I attended this show in the past I met people like 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Christina Millian, Maya, Kelly Rowland and sat behind Lil’ Kim! There were really no big names in hip hop or at all.

Check out footage from the show on my YouTube channel!

Ever wish you could spend a day in the life of your fave celeb?  Well now you can!  Enter got2b’s new online “Hot Hollywood Hair-Do Rescue” contest and you can win a trip for two to the US Weekly Hot Hollywood Event. 

All you have to do is go to the got2B website and upload before and after pics of your hair, choose your fave got2b products that helped you get the look and get your friends to vote for you.  (Check out the example entry on the left to see your competition).

Imagine that… your hair can get you VIP access to US Weekly’s hottest event of the year! But hurry up, the contest ends next week.  Good Luck!

This week I was introduced to a famous Greek designer, Vassilios Kostetsos.   It was a special show because it was the first time Kostetsos was partaking in New York Fashion Week.  

Mehron, a makeup line that normally dominates Broadway, created the look using the inspiration of the bronzed goddess.  Raedawn Johnson lead the Mehron team in making up 20 models, using brown and gold eye shadows, bronzer, a pop of pink on the cheek and clear glossy lip.  

All of the concentration was on the eye. “When doing a heavy eye, it’s easiest if you start with the eyes first. This way you can easily clean up whatever gets all over your skin,” remarks Johnson.  Mehron Aura Bronzing Gel was mixed with moisturizer and used on the models who were wearing bathing suits.

“Since the collection is so structured, we knew we had to put all of the hair up to show off the strong pieces,” commented lead Mizo stylist, Angela Soto.  Using Oribe Gel Serum, the stylists slicked back the hair into a side parted front pouf and then twisted the back up into a classic bun.  

One of my favorite spas in the city, Townhouse Spa, brought their team in to take care of nails.  Jamie Ahn, President of the spa, lead her manicurists to create a clean look using an oldie but goodie, Essie’s Prima Ballerina on the hands and feet.

Ladies, meet Bobby D., 26, from Secaucus, NJ.  He’s an EDI Coordinator for a container shipping company and surprisingly, he’s single!

What’s in your medicine cabinet?

My medicine cabinet is pretty basic. I use a Neutrogena Face Wash in the morning and at night before bed. Oil of Olay moisturizer occasionally. Johnson & Johnson baby powder to keep the ‘boys’ downstairs fresh. I use Degree anti-perspirant deodorant. And a quick spray of Chanel Platinum cologne to top it off.

What product can’t you live without and why?

There is no product I couldn’t live without, I’m a guy. But if I had to choose one it would be Johnson & Johnson baby powder. It really makes a huge difference in your comfort level through out the day. I like to stay active and play a lot of sports, so the baby powder is an obvious must for any male athlete. Go head, run a few miles without it and tell me how you feel “down there.”

How would you describe your grooming habits?

My grooming habits are pretty basic as well. I get my haircut every two weeks. I shave my face every night before I jump in the shower. On the weekends I don’t shave at all, unless I have something to do or somebody to impress. I try to shave “down there” once a week or so. Other than that, I don’t do much grooming. When my nails get long, I’ll cut them (if I haven’t already bitten them down myself). By the way, men shouldn’t touch their eyebrows unless they only have one long one.

Have you ever gotten a manicure or pedicure? Why or why not?

I have never gotten a manicure or pedicure. Not really sure why, but I guess it’s because I can think of 100 other things to do besides that. I’ve never been all that concerned with my finger nails, and especially not my feet. I’m not ruling it out, I may try it once, but that’s if the other 100 things don’t pan out.

If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why?  More importantly, what would you do?

If I could have one night with a celebrity, it would have to be Jennifer Aniston. She’s exactly what I look for in a woman physically, with a beautiful face, pretty eyes, and a terrific body. She seems like she has a good sense of humor and really down to earth. I’d probably take her to dinner somewhere in the city and then somewhere quiet, yet classy for drinks so we can just relax and talk and get to know each other.

What’s the first thing you notice about a woman?

The first thing that catches my eye is a woman’s face, specifically her eyes. I like a light eye color, such as blue, green, or hazel. Once I notice a pretty face with light eyes, I’ll work my way down.

Do you prefer a woman au naturel or all made up?  How come?

I prefer a woman to be all natural if she can pull it off. A little bit of make-up is fine too.  If you need to go heavy on the makeup, at least make it look like you didn’t go heavy, if that makes sense. Some women just need to tone it down. Drake said it best: “Sweatpants, hair-tied, chillin wit no make-up on. That’s when you’re the prettiest…”

How about down there?  Why?

Completely shaven is best. A landing strip is OK too, but sometimes the landing strip becomes an airport and then it’s just not a good look. For the same reasons women complain about men not shaving down there, we complain about women.  It works both ways.

When it comes to a woman’s beauty what’s your sweet spot?

My sweet spot is the complete package. A good-looking woman who takes care of herself and doesn’t need pounds of make-up to look pretty is attractive to me. There is also a certain confidence a woman should have. I don’t need a woman asking me how she looks every half hour. Women know when they look good.

This was the first show I’ve ever been to that had facialists on hand. Facialists from the Cygalle Healing Spa from the Dominican Republic were busy backstage performing ten minute holistic mini facials to prep the models skin before they went into makeup.   

Charlotte Willer, the Global makeup artist for Maybelline lead the team in creating a collaboration of an innocent ballerina meeting the edgy streets of NYC look.  It’s a very fresh, natural look with all mineral makeup used on the face.  Maybelline’s Lash Stiletto Mascara was used only on the top lashes (the bottom were skipped to keep the look natural) and extra edge came from adding excess blush and illuminator to the cheeks.  Willer finished off the face by dabbing on Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in Born With it mixed with lip balm.

Tippi Shorter lead the Avon hair team and I was beyond thrilled because I got to interview her for the first time in a long time.  Since she’s a stylist to many celebs including Alicia Keys and Rihanna, I used to interview her for Cosmo so it was great to touch base and meet her in person.  See the video in the post below for my interview with Tippi for the Style Coalition.