Hard Candy launch

This week I brought a couple of my InStyle co-workers with me to the launch event for Hard Candy. It will be sold exclusively at Walmart beginning the third week of September. I don't have the rest of the press material with me right now, but D2 Publicity's event at the Bryant Park Hotel loft was great! The make-up is fun with pretty packaging and bright, bold colors. Lots of glitter and glam to go along with many of the products--it would be hard to miss once it hits the shelves. There was a make-up artist and lip reader giving free make-up consultations at the event too. And I have to say there were really delicious hors d'oeuvres!

Cristina and I at the Hard Candy event

Food =9 and the make-up artists!

Jewelry, Bags and Shoes... Oh my

This week was sort of a slow week in beauty land for weddings since we're in between issues. So I offered to help out main book in the accessories department for a few days, which was a very interesting experience since I've never worked in a fashion closet before (but have done tons of staring...). I actually learned a lot about how things work in there and it's nice getting to know different editors from other departments. And okay, I was really close to stealing a 1/2 pair of Louboutins (I learned press samples of shoes usually only come in 1/2 pairs for photoshoots because that's all they need...), but who cares that it's only one shoe? My right foot would be totally kick-ass.

Michelle Obama's Favorite Fragrance

Click Here to see the original post on InStyleWeddings.com.

Photoshoot!

I went on my first photoshoot ever this week. I couldn't believe that it took over 5 hours for just one model, one gown, one perfect picture! Before the work began, we chilled back with some food from Wichcraft (yummy sandwiches) and played with the photog assistant's dog.

One of the editors also thought it would be fun to take a shot of all our hot sandals we all happened to be wearing...

I then helped the fashion director dress the model in a variety of gowns and pick the top 3 dresses. Our top picks from l-r were Reem Acra, Christos and Monique Lullier. The Monique won! And I layed out the pretty jewelry in consideration for the shoot.

While the model, Nicole (who happens to be a regular on Gossip Girls in Blair's posse!), got her hair and make-up done. I helped the assistant editor interview the makeup artist about why he chose certain beauty products for this shoot/story. We then put on the Monique Lullier and finally got to picture taking. It was a very lengthy process and it's interesting how a couple strands of hair out of place warrants the hair stylist to come rushing with his giant hairspray and brush. We probably took at least a few hundres shots and several different make-up and hair looks until we finally got the "perfect" one... though I thought they were all pretty good!

Inside InStyle

The ceiling of the elevator bank

When you walk in

I only got the chance to take a couple pictures before my camera's battery died, but here's the beginning of the inside look at one of Time Inc.'s many magazine pubs. The assistant job's been not as hectic. We're done with our run-thrus so I've pretty much breezed through the week. Starting to see all the holiday gift guide products shuffle in. It's hard to think about it when it's only July!

The Early Show

Last week I was CBS' The Early Show showcasing the clothes from InStyle's July issue in a story about making your workout clothes wearable for daytime. It's kind of funny I am the freeze frame to the video clip on the website. I wore LNA leggings with awesome zipper detail, a Calvin Klein tunic and Rebecca Minkoff clutch. Though I had to wake up at 4 a.m., it was pretty sweet getting picked up from a car service and kicking back while CBS provided breakfast and someone to do hair and makeup! I loved the star treatment even though I was quickly snapped back to reality when I had to show up at 9 a.m. back in beauty land at Instyle.

Max Factor Maxes Out

Just in time for Max Factor's 100th anniversary, by the year 2010 P&G will phase out the makeup brand in the U.S. in hopes to make more pocket money for CoverGirl. Though Max Factor products will still be available overses where its sales are the strongest, I'm sad to bid farewell to one of America's most wallet-friendly makeup brands. It seems like Americans are opting for more of CoverGirl's easy, breezy, down-to-earth look (a la Drew Barrymore) than the straight-off-the-runway look (like Max Factor spokesmodel Giselle Bundchen), which happens to be more appealing for Europeans. If you're a Max Factor fanatic, it's time to stock up!



Photo: Max Factor

Another Beauty-ful Beginning

I'm finally done slaving over papers and studying for final exams. But now I can be a voluntary slave to beauty with my new position as InStyle special issues (Weddings, Hair, Makeover...)!

I went into the interview thinking it was an internship position. Though a full-time, permanent job in magazines right after college is often the dream, it's rarely that easy. I figured that I'd get more experience and make more contacts in the industry, so there wasn't anything to lose by applying. During the interview, I found out that it was a freelance position and I get the luxury of calling myself a beauty assistant. When I met my now boss, she said the beauty team is very small--basically just me and her. It's the perfect situation--though it means a ton of responsibility, it also means a ton of experience.

Though I'll be busy blogging for InStyleWeddings.com and doing my beauty assistant duties, I want to keep my beauty blog alive to keep track of my journey as I slowly claw my way up the editorial ladder. It's fun seeing familiar faces at Time Inc. and it's good to know everyone in the messenger center remembers me from People because of all those bags of beauty products I made them bring up...