The Master of F/X Makeup & M.A.C. throw a Monster Mash for Hollywood's Haute Hotties, like Kelly Osbourne & Slash

By Laura Medina

Kelly Osbourne & master F/X Makeup Artist, Rick Baker

Hollywood, young & hot and established & high society, celebrated holidays such as Halloween. differently.  They got the jump-start, and with help from M.A.C., they used Halloween to pay homage to the movie industry's best special effects a.k.a. "F/X" makeup artist, Rick Baker.

Mr. Baker was and is the man who transformed Michael Jackson into that "werecat" on the genre-busting music video, "Thriller."  He is the man who used maple syrup in the late Seventies' horror classic, "The Incredible Melting Man."  He transformed the usually svelte Eddie Murphy into the cuddly but weight-loss challenged Sherman Klumpt in "The Nutty Professor."  He did "Empire Strikes Back" and "The Return of the Jedi."  His proudest moment was "Harry and the Henderson."  He also did "American Werewolf in London."  Rick is still very much in demand, designing and constructing good ole fashion makeup in the digital age for all the "X-Men," "Men in Black," and the "Batman" movies series.

He is the man who inspires thousands of comic book/graphic novel boys and girls to be top-notch F/X makeup artists but there is only one Rick Baker.

The evening celebrated MAC and Rick Baker’s limited edition makeup collection just in time for Halloween and guests came dressed up in full creative costumes. 

       Kelly Osbourne, dressed as Dame Edna Everage, stayed in character throughout the evening.  Her fiancé Matthew Mosshart dressed up as Blossom and the two enjoyed checking out a museum of Rick Baker's incredible work on the second floor of the event.

 

J     Jason Priestley and wife Naomi dressed in Dia De Los Muertos-themed costumes and enjoyed a couple's night out having a great time on the dance floor.  Victoria Summer also hit the dance floor as the deejay played a mix of classic and current music including the ever-appropriate "Thriller."

       Slash and wife Perla got into the Halloween spirit donning prosthetic horns.  The two chatted and snapped photos with Rick Baker and stayed until nearly the end of the party.

Andy Garcia and family.

There's more to Rick Baker's & M.A.C.'s Monster Mash than Hollywood's hotties and haute actors and celebrities.  Guess who this Jekyll and Hyde is...Roy Disney. Yes, this is the latest scion of the Disney legacy.  There is more to Disney than the mega-theme/amusement parks, the studio, the cable network and its stable of tween stars and the library of cartoons and merchandise.  Mr. Roy Disney and the Disney Family are Los Angeles' leading society figures who built the cultural institution, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, the home of Los Angeles' Philharmonic.

You don't have to go all "Hollywood" to partake in the fun.  Since the Rick Baker Halloween Limited Edition Collection for M.A.C. is already out on the market,...no more cheap, destructive funky drugstore makeup.  You can have and use the best quality makeup for All Hallow's Eve.

Maroon 5's Adam Levine debuts his Fall/Holiday Collection for Kmart

By Laura Medina

If Maroon 5's Adam Levine aspires to "Move Like Mick Jagger," he's also aware that this generation's tweens, teens, and twenty-somethings want to dress like him.

This past Thursday, October 24^th from 5PM-7PM Adam Levine made his style available by launching his new Fall/Holiday 2013 Menswear Collection at the Los Angeles Kmart on 3^rd and Fairfax, so anyone can drop by and cop his attire at an attainable price range in an attainable store chain.

During his debut clothing appearance, Adam modeled and wore The Dean Straight Leg Jean and Flannel Shirt from his own "Adam Levine for Kmart"  collection.

The first 100 Shop Your Way members made a small purchase from the collection were tickled pink to meet Adam Levine then had their picture taken with him as an additional bonus souvenir.

Mind you, this scribe has seen and covered similar collegiate/military-influenced menswear and outerwear priced at a much higher price range in way more exclusive boutiques and upscale department stores.

Adam Levine knows his legion of fans needs and yearns and searches for reliable menswear and outerwear that are rugged for the elements yet retains timeless style for a couple of years...at a reasonable price in a down-to-earth store.

For those who don't have a Kmart, you can pick and customize at http://www.shopyourway.com/adamlevine

Anne Hathaway hosting Elyse Walker’s ninth annual The Pink Party® at the Santa Monica Airport

By Laura Medina

 

 Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway hosted the biggest Breast Cancer bash in Los Angeles, in the heart of Santa Monica Airport which happens to be down the street from this scribe, very convenient for this society-satiate scribe.

On October 19, 2013, boutique owner, stylist and designer Elyse Walker’s ninth annual The Pink Party® raised $1.7 million to benefit the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, bringing the event’s cumulative gross revenue (from 2005-2013) to over $9 million.

Since 2005, The Pink Party has managed to raise over $9 million for the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai’s Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.  Led by director, Dr Beth Y. Karlan along with her team of doctors, the Women’s Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai has made amazing strides in improving diagnosis and treatment of gender specific cancers.  Through education, early detection and prevention, the goal is to reduce the threat of cancer to women and save lives.

 

Kate Beckinsale

This year, the always exciting live auction brought in over $200,000 and included spectacular items including original artwork by famed Los Angeles-based artist RETNA (née Marquis Lewis); a luxury travel package to South Africa customized by the experts at Ker and Downey; a 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet provided by The Auto Gallery; and an exclusive, one-of-a-kind dream NYFW 2014 experience for two that includes seats to some of the most coveted fall runway shows in the industry such as Reed Krakoff, Cushnie et Ochs, and Nanette Lepore, a $5000 shopping spree at KaufmanFranco, private viewings of the J.Mendel and Nancy Gonzalez collections, premium dining experiences and more.  The silent auction featured designer bags and jewelry from the world’s most coveted premium labels, including: Proenza Schouler, Lanvin, Jerome Dreyfuss, Nina Ricci, Jacquie Aiche, Alexander McQueen, Pierre Hardy, Barbara Bui, Gucci, Giuseppe Zanotti, Nancy Newberg, Jimmy Choo, Stark, Reed Krakoff, Givenchy, Jaimie Geller Jewelry, Siena Jewelry, Zoe Chicco, Chloé, The Woods, Broken English Jewelry, Cathy Waterman,Inc, Roberto Cavalli, Nancy Gonzalez, J. Mendel, and Brunello Cucinelli. SUPRA returned to join Walker in the fight against cancer for the third year in a row by creating a limited-edition Pink Party Society high-top sneaker in which 100% of the proceeds will benefit the cause.

  Poppy Delevingne

The décor in the transformed Hangar 8, featured blush pink tufted couches and custom mirror top tables by Revelry Event Designers.

The evening brought out some of the biggest names in fashion, entertainment and philanthropy including Kate Beckinsale & Len Wiseman, Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman, Usher, Jessica Capshaw, Brooke Burke Charvet & David Charvet, Poppy Delevingne, Michael Chiklis, Sela Ward, Frances Fisher, Aimee Garcia, A.J. Cook, Maria Bello, Laeticia & Johnny Hallyday, Francesca Eastwood, Brenda Song, Paz Vega, Sela Ward, LA Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig, and fashion designers Ken Kaufman & Isaac Franco of KaufmanFranco and Alejandro Ingelmo.

During the fashion show portion of the evening, the crowd watched in anticipation as top designers Barbara Bui, Chloé, J.Mendel, KaufmanFranco, Matthew Williamson, Lanvin and Valentino sent head-to-toe looks from their Fall/Winter 2013 and Spring/Summer 2014 collections down the 50-foot runway. Makeup authority LORAC Cosmetics created a simple and classic look with a strong fall lip and a lighter eye, while celebrity hair guru Chaz Dean and his team of stylists designed low sleek ponytails for the models. Once the fashion show concluded, the runway was transformed into the dance floor where guests danced the night away to music provided by DJ Skinnie. 

Guests dined on premium buffets featuring items including braised boneless beef short ribs with cabernet wine sauce and kale and celeriac chiffonade salad. Throughout the evening, revelers were also treated to tray-passed service of delectable samplers including Kobe beef sliders and ahi tuna tartare on wonton crisp and specialty cocktails by Tequila Avion: Pink Paloma, Midnight Espresso and Smooth Runway, as well as FIJI Water outfitted with custom pink FIJI Straws. Attendees also enjoyed special Pink Bavarian cupcakes, from Baked by Melissa, that were shipped perfectly from NYC for The Pink Party and created especially for the event.

As the evening came to an end, departing guests were provided with late-night snacks, including Pink’s Hot Dogs and warm donuts as well as incredible gift bags that included luxury goods generously donated to the event, such as Beats by Dre headphones, Voluspa Candles, Enza Costa t-shirts, WEN Hair and Body Care by Chaz Dean products, LORAC Cosmetics makeup including Hot Flash Bronzer/Blush Duo and Lips With Benefits in Josh, and OPI nail polish. 

Smashbox Wondervision Holiday 2013 Collection-Test Drive

By Laura Medina

Smashbox's Wonderland Holiday Collection 2013 is the frosty, muted continuation of it's blazing-hot seller, "Fade Out/Fade In" Fall Collection 2013.

The non-frosty, muted matted pink eyeshadow can double as a soft rose blush.

The lip gloss collection range from merlot plum to cherry red to various textures and shades of lilac, mauve, and pink in frost or matte.

Frosty-friendly, http://www.smashbox.com/collections/wondervisionholiday2013

BEDROCKtoberfest by LA Weekly Welcomes October, Halloween, & Autumnal Equinox

By Laura Medina

Rob Zabrecky hosting BEDROCKtoberfest in Moods of Norway.

Traditionally a precursor to Halloween, the Berlin's Oktoberfest heralds in the arrival of Autumn, the wheat harvest which means gallons of beer, toasting seasonal transition and the nature's bounty of bread and beer, a carbohydrate addict's dream.

Los Angeles' major alternative press, the LA Weekly toasted Fall by throwing a free music festival, BEDROCKtoberfest where Oktoberfest, rock music, and Fall merge and BedrockLA Music Studios, http://bedrock.la/, in Echo Park was the crossroad.

Hollywood's luminous and hottest magicians hosted the festival and entertainment during intermission.  The festival's sponsor, The Moods of Norway, kindly outfitted them, such as Rob Zabrecky.

 

The BedrockLA staff paid homage to Oktoberfest's Germanic roots by donning lederhosens, some do it in that East Hollywood/Silverlake/Echo Park Hipster mode.

Autumn's colors came out in greys like Jon Armstrong's Moods of Norway suit and this Echo Park hipster does preppy-punk in black polo shirt.

 RZA in a suede tunic bedazzled with a Skull & Crossbones motif.

Headliner, New York-based RZA (of the Wu-Tang Clan) with his live orchestra was really in awe of BedrockLA's facilities, 100 rooms of rehearsal and recording and relaxing.

Talking out loud to the crowds of Wu-Tang Clan fans, he said it takes time to become famous, ten years to master a craft.  He's been in this industry for twenty years, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd0WzK9Uttc.  It took him twenty years to become a master. The message is keep striving, keep working.  One day, the day will arrive when the world will hear your art.

There is more to trends than clothes, hair, and makeup.  Trends pop up in music too.   If RZA brought back the Seventies, the last time live music and a live orchestra predominated, Liam Finn was force and ferocity, a raw and real lash reaction to mainstream's dance pop.  Again, he had a full band of women musicians backing him up with musicianship and fierceness.

This was the first time LA Weekly did BEDROCKtoberfest with BedrockLA.  This scribe this wouldn't be the last.  Like any other music festivals preceding it, BEDROCKtoberfest ripe for picking the freshest trends sprouting out from the underground, ready to be harvested.

 

 

 

Sweatin' on that Hot & Sultry Seventies Feeling, NARS Paying Tribute to Guy Bourdin

By Laura Medina

http://www.narscosmetics.com/narsguybourdin/default.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=US&utm_campaign=guy_bourdin_launch_101513&hq_e=el&hq_m=1826168&hq_l=12&hq_v=a9b1de07bc

Always in the shadow of Helmut Newton and without the patronage of a rising Anna Wintour, Guy Bourdin shot provocative, sensualized fashion spreads that symbolize the super-charged sexuality of the Seventies.  He put sexuality into surrealism and surrealism into sexuality.

If Antonio Lopez discovered the Three Muses of Pat Cleveland, Maris Berenson, and Jerry Hall echoing the Disco Era, Guy Bourdin discovered a girl that actually signifies the emerging Gay/Bi-Sexual and Equality Right Movement and the impending emergence of the Eighties's proto-multi-cultural/ethnicities supermodels, the provocative Gia Carangi, this English-Italian American model was proto-Cindy Crawford and unfortunately, the first American woman to die from AIDS.  Their collaboration and her quick demise created a chasm that yearns for someone olive-complexion, curvy, brunette, with a daring attitude ripe with sexuality.  A "Baby Gia" came along to satisfy that yearning; and she was a clean-cut, All-American Girl with an European look-Cindy Crawford.

During that time, a little French boy watched and looked at all those changes in fashion and transformation in commercial beauty and wanted to do something to honor the man who passed away discarded by the Eighties.

This little French boy grew up to be Francois Nars, the influential makeup artist and brand creator of the all-in-one category for eyes, cheeks, and lips, The Multiple, the ideal makeup for the hot, fast, liberated woman on the go, like those Supermodels of the Seventies and Eighties.

He named a hot flush of a red blush, "Exhibit A" after a book dedicated to Guy Bourdin's work.  This wasn't enough.  Francois had to wait for the right time and moment; and...

That moment is now!

NARS Guy Bourdin Holiday 2013 collection pays homage to the man who infused the young Francois with the tastes for exoticism, the jet-set freedom to learn and experiment, and a deep sense of femme fatale glamour and a sensual sense of luxury.

As a child, NARS Founder and Creative Director François Nars discovered Guy Bourdin’s work in the pages of French Vogue. It was then that Nars was first inspired to become a makeup artist. Today François Nars honors Bourdin’s legacy with an entire limited edition collection for Holiday 2013 displaying bold uncompromising color and high-impact finishes in shades that launch us into his intriguing, high-fashion world.

Francois said Guy Bourdin is in his DNA which mean it is also in NARS' DNA too.

With 17 shades, the Color collection features four nail shades, three blushes (1 may look familiar – Exhibit A is highlighted due to its relevancy), and one new formula seen in the form of five eyeshadows and five lipsticks – the Cinematic formulation was created exclusively for the NARS Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection. 

Cinematic Lipsticks impart brilliant, glossy shine with intense color saturation. Creamy and comfortable, Monoï butter and Vitamin E offer moisturizing and antioxidant/anti-aging properties, ensuring lips look well cared for and colorful. 

Eyeshadows have a velvety soft texture that glides on smoothly for high-impact color and statement-making effects.

The Color collection launches today, October 15 at NARS boutiques and www.narscosmetics.com. 

Along with the Color collection are eight Gifting options for the Holiday season. Each set displays a Guy Bourdin print on the box, created in the spirit of Guy Bourdin. Holiday 2013 Gifting becomes available at various retailers beginning November 1

 Peek behind the curtain during the campaign shoot starring Toni Garrn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d15f8FLzqso

 This brief tutorial teaches you to create a bold lip look ideal for any Holiday event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlYOeWAsyFI

 The Guy Bourdin tribute eponymously named Nars' sultry 2013 Holiday Collection, wiping off the cliche, childish frost and snow flakes then infusing some adult heat that will run hot and current, charging into Spring/Summer 2014, a mature makeup investment.
 

It Doesn't Have to Burn, Soothing Skincare for Breast Cancer Month...and the Survivors.

By Laura Medina

M3K Beauty, http://m3kbeauty.com

Honoring Breast/Reproductive/Skin and any other Cancer Month and the patients and the survivors, "going for the burn" to eradicate the cancer is painful and humiliating.  It doesn't just damage the cells.  It damages the self-esteem and gets in the way of being normal.

While your skin is ultra-sensitive from treatment or just plain normally sensitive, you can't tackle it with normal, classic Retina-A to reverse the damage.

Here's something very calming to soothe the skin and soul, Matrixyl 3000 and MitoQ.

Matrixyl 3000 is turbo-charged fragmented matrix peptides able to regulate cell activity, containing two matrikines, Pal-GHK and Pal-GQPR. Acting as messengers of cutaneous restructuration and repair, these two peptides work synergistically to restore and maintain the skin's youthful appearance.

Matrixyl 3000 is the next anti-aging/skin-soothing ingredient to keep your eyes out for in fighting wrinkles and calming skin.

Matrixyl 3000 is one of the four key ingredients in M3K Beauty Optimized Matrix Regenerative Face Cream leaves you feeling hydrated and refreshed from the first use.

Unlike the traditional anti-aging, wrinkle-tackling pore-clogging and skin-suffocating heavy oils, creams, and lotions, Matrixyl 3000 smooths out the lines sans oil and fat, great for those who can't handle Retina-A.

The light rich texture of M3K Beauty Optimized Matrix Regenerative Face Cream, http://m3kbeauty.com/shop/m3k-face-creme/, is a pleasant change from the myriad of thicker and oily products on the market today. From the very first day of use, you will notice the immediate hydration difference. Luster returns to your skin during the first week and with continued use you will see and experience the full benefits of the M3K premium anti aging formula.

http://www.sephora.com/naked-weightless-ultra-definition-liquid-makeup-P374830?skuId=1434919

Matrixyl 3000 is also boosting up everyday makeup foundation, plumping up the lines in Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in a weightless and virtually invisible liquid formula, creating a luminous, demi-matte finish for a natural, illuminated and bright finish.

The finish is matte, never flat, and luminous, but not shiny or greasy.

BOTA-PEPTIDE EYE CONTOUR, http://www.gmcollin.com/en/displayProd_noJS.php?id=%27gv1507%27, on the left.

NIGHT CREAM: RETINOL ADVANCED + Matrixyl^® + Q10, http://www.gmcollin.com/en/search_noJS.php?search_box=Matrixyl, on the right.

G.M. Collins uses Matrixyl where it's needed the most, eye cream and to smooth out the rough edges of retinol.

In G.M. Collins' Bota-Peptide Eye Contour where Matrixyl targets those pesky "crinkles" a.k.a. "crow's feet," the first sign of aging.

G.M. Collins added Matrixyl to its NIGHT CREAM: RETINOL ADVANCED + Matrixyl^® + Q10 to smooth retinol's rough edges.  For those with naturally dry-sensitive skin who want the benefits of retinol without the irritating and embarrassing peeling (like a snake), the Matrixyl makes it easier on you tackling wrinkles with dignity, without the flaky skin or the pore-choking oils. 

MitoQ, http://www.mitoq.com/mitoq.html

Another Retina-A/retinol alternative and a next generation of CoQ, MitoQ is another skincare savior among cancer patients.

MitoQ  has been challenging the international skin care industry with a new level of efficacy.  The patented ingredient in MitoQ®, mitoquinol, is scientifically proven to penetrate the mitochondria and is 1,000x more potent than CoQ (a molecule used in the world’s best anti-aging products!) It is the only topical cream proven to deliver ingredients deep down to mitochondria at levels shown to have an immense effect in rejuvenating the cells, encouraging the natural production of collagen and elastin and leaving skin looking radiant with a lit-from-within glow.

An 50-something editor from the Tampa Tribune, in the heart of skincare country, used MitoQ on top of her awkward skin cancer wounds that were crusty and peeling on her face.

This is her experience using MitoQ on her cheeks,..

"After I’d been using MitoQ for a few weeks, I learned I had some pre-cancerous spots on my cheeks. The dermatologist prescribed an ointment that can turn those spots red and kind of crusty — and then the skin peels. Many people commented online that the only thing that made the treatment bearable was slathering on Vaseline. I prepared for the worst — and even bought some Vaseline — but using the MitoQ every morning under my makeup worked just fine. It is safe for all skin types, including hypersensitive skin, and it didn’t sting. (One downside: It doesn’t block ultraviolet (UV) light damage, so I have to use something else for protection.)  Until now, I’ve only been using MitoQ on my face and neck, but it is also recommended for hands, so I’m going to give that a try next. Heaven knows my 54-year-old paws could use some help." http://tbo.com/health/we-tried-it-mitoq-anti-aging-face-cream-b82493657z1

Furthering fighting the indignities and discomfort of cancer treatments, During the month of October 2013, new U.S. anti-aging serum, MitoQ®, will donate 15% of net proceeds to one of the leading national education and support organizations, the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). NBCF’s mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need. This includes increasing awareness through education, providing diagnostic breast care services for those in need, supporting breast cancer research programs, and providing nurturing support services. 

Matrixyl 3000 and MitoQ are here to save the day.  They're not magic bullets in solving cancer.  They just give dignity to those whose skin is suffering from chemo-therapy and drug treatments.  Shoot, if they can tackle severe skin side affects by being effective and gentle, they can sure calm the nerves of those with sensitive skin sans oil, sans fat, and sincerely without waxy fillers.