Marchesa for Revlon: Nail Art as Intricately Designed as Their Coveted Gowns

The invite read: Comes see the inspiration behind the first Revlon by Marchesa collections and speak with the designers, get fitted for a bespoke 3D Jewel Appliqué nail art design, and earn more about the future of the collaboration over champagne cocktails and elegant bites.  I died.     

It was just about a month ago I was trying on Marchesa wedding gowns after swooning over their collections from season to season.  To have cocktails at The Plaza with the designers, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig was, after all, just another day in the life.  Only this time, I was a bit more excited than usual.  I couldn't wait to see what they were doing with Revlon.

"Marchesa and Revlon are both about empowering women through beauty and making them feel happy about themselves, so it was a perfect fit," Georgina explained.  "Nail art's been such an exciting entrance for us and now we're a bit addicted to it."

Let's just say that my nails are now coated with the most intricate, texturized detail inspired by an actual Marchesa gown from their fall 2013 collection.  Throughout the Plaza's Oak Room, all of the gowns were on display next to photos of their coordinating Revlon nail wraps.  Stunning!  The stickers just launched in drugstores.

Holiday 'It' Kits: Bargain Beauty Buys for Everyone on Your Shopping List... Including Yourself!

One of the best parts about gifting your beauty junkie BFF during the holidays is the deals.    Since beauty companies are packaging their best sellers into giftables, they're being offered at discounted prices.  They're so irresistible that as selfish as it may sound, I highly recommend stocking up on your own beauty loot as you shop for others.   I rounded up some of the best beauty deals happening this season so you don't miss out.  You're welcome! Lorac Sweet Temptations Eye Shadow Collection, $36 ($304 value)

Inspired by a box of deluxe chocolates, Celebrity Makeup Artist, Carol Shaw created these four eye shadow palettes with rich pigments that are velvety to touch.  With names like: Indulge In White Chocolate (dramatic shades), Satisfying Toffee Crunch (natural shades), Tease Me Truffles (plum shades) and Tantalizing Dark Chocolate (bronze shades), the gift set makes a sweet treat for a chocolate lover or anyone who can use a boost to their cosmetic bag.  And seriously, who doesn't?

Marchesa Parfum D'Extase Gift Set, $75 (a $115 value)

Update your scent with this light, floral fragrance by Marchesa.  Feminine notes of freesia, jasmine and violet are layered over a musky finish to create a an intoxicating blend.  This gift set comes with a 1 oz. eau de parfum spray, roller ball and hair mist.

Fresh Sugar Addiction Mini Lip Collection, $48 (a $68 value) 

Appropriately named, I'm addicted to these tinted lip balms and would surely purchase them for myself if I didn't receive them at the press event.  Not only do these lip treatments help prevent and heal chapped lips, but five out of six in this package add a nice buildable tint.  My favorites are Rose and Berry.

Bliss The 'Bod' Squad Our Four Most 'Spa'-Pular Formulas For Body Set, $65 (a $115 value)

If you're a sucker for luxe body lotions and potions, then this set is worth indulging in.  Bliss packaged their four best sellers: Body Butter, Body Scrub, Hand Cream and Fat Girl Slim all for a fraction of the price.

Urban Decay Ocho Loco 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set, $58 (a $152 value)

Urban Decay liners are no joke.  They're super pigmented and glide on smoothly.  This set contains eight full sized pencils: four best sellers and four newbies exclusively created for holiday.

White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor Gift Set, $60 (a $120 value)

A celebrity fragrance that possesses the femininity and beauty of a classic icon.  Created by Elizabeth Taylor, the gift set includes a 3.3 oz. EDT Spray, 3.3 oz. Perfumed Body Cream, 3.3 oz. Gentle Moisturizing Body Wash and .5 oz. Frosted EDP.  All travel sized, which is a smart way to give someone a gift of perfume.  If they love it, they can purchase the full sized bottle at a later date.

Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection, $34 (a $77 value)

This is the ultimate lash lovers kit.  I'm obsessed with this mascara and love that Lancome created a whole kit around it!  It comes with their Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, Artliner Precision Point EyeLiner in Noir and of course, 0.22 oz Hypnôse Star Mascara in Intense Black.  Everything you need to create an intense eye look.

Caudalie Indulgent Body Set, $28 (a $43 value)

Indulgent is the best word to describe Caudalie's creams.  I live for their foot cream and want this set!  It includes a full sized hand and nail cream and body butter.  Trust me on this, treat yourself.

Yves Saint Laurent 'La Laque Couture' Nail Lacquer Set, $60 (a $75 Value)

This value makes them $20 a polish!  Ladies, it's so worth it.  They're full sized lacquers in Rouge Pop Art (my fave), Rouge Dada and Fuschia Intemporal.  These polishes are covetable!   I'd even purchase this, keep one for myself and give one to two of my friends as a token on their gifts.

Spotted: Jessica Szohr's Bob Styles, Get the Look!

Yes, I spotted Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr out and about during New York Fashion Week with a mid length bob.  Even though I caught glimpse of her before Herve Leger, she also attended several other shows like Marchesa and I got the 411 on her bob transformations from Pureology Colour Ambassador, Ruth Roche, who worked with Jessica throughout the week. "Since Jessica still has some length to her bob it leaves her with a lot of styling options," commented Roche.

To achieve smooth bob (as seen at Herve Leger), all Roche did was blow dry Jessica's hair with a round brush, but shine serum was the key to creating smoothness and adding a bit of separation.  She used Pureology Colour Stylist Cuticle Polisher.  I use this too and just place a small amount in my hands, rub them together to warm it up (so it distributes well) and then rub on my ends for added smoothness.

To get a more texturized look like the style Jessica rocked at the Marchesa show, Roche blow dried her hair and then used a 1 1/2 inch curling iron to randomly curl sections of her hair inwards and outwards.  The trick to this 'do was to leave the iron in longer on some sections than others and pulling other curls out a bit so the curls were all different.  In the end, the loose waves were texturized with a lot of movement.

Your Invite Backstage to New York Fashion Week

It's officially New York Fashion Week and you're invited backstage with me!  I rounded up my troops – BeautySweetSpot intern, Ashley and former intern, Carly and we're ready to roll. This is my 12th season covering New York Fashion Week and I have to say I'm very proud of the selection of shows my team and I will be backstage for this year.  Here's a few:

Rag & Bone, Cynthia Rowley, Jason Wu, Malandrino, Betsey Johnson, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, Rachel Roy, Marchesa, Oscar de la Renta and LAMB

On the site expect to find coverage on the hottest fall '11 beauty trends, pictures and exclusive video interviews.  I'll also be working with the Style Coalition to host web TV interviews.  Enjoy!