In December, it was announced that Grammy winner and American Idol Alumni, Carrie Underwood became engaged to NHL player Mike Fischer. Since the news Carrie has begun planning her storybook wedding, and we’ve got an update on her beauty regime the day of.

Celebrity lash expert, Stephen Moleski, who fitted Underwood with a pair of lashes for the Grammys, will also be custom designing a pair for her wedding day. “She wore my lashes to the Grammys and fell in love with them,” said Moleski. “For her wedding day we decided to create a custom pair based on her favorite elements of existing styles.” The special set will be a mix of Moleski’s New York, Nashville, and Miami lashes which retail for $13.50 each.

A little pricey for false lashes, but if they can make my eyes look like Carrie’s I may just have to indulge myself. “The lashes are a tapered feathered lash, so shorter on the inside corner, and thick and fluffy everywhere else,” says Moleski, and as soon as Underwood and Fischer tie the knot, the lashes will available to purchase on Moleski’s site, smokeandmirrorsbeauty.com.

An Interview With Beth Bender, Creative Director Of Beth Bender Beauty

Beth’s artistry has been featured in numerous fashion magazines, as well as New York and LA Fashion Week, and on the Red Carpet in Hollywood.  She herself was once a freelance artist in New York with Bobbi Brown, and knows first hand how to find a great makeup artist.

For anyone looking for a makeup artist, they don’t just do weddings. If you want to look nice for a big event, and are working within a budget, why not find an expert at a store’s makeup counter? Most of them do freelance work for a surprisingly low fee, and are all extremely seasoned when it comes to creating a look specific to your needs.

Makeup Artist Beth Bender At Work

How To Find The Right Person: Head to the department-store counter of your favorite brand, and study the people doing makeovers. Who looks appealing and friendly? Wait for the person you want, and see if you can schedule an appointment.

Do A test Run: The easiest way to try someone out is to get a free makeover right there in the store. If you like the way you look, then make an appointment with that person for your event. It’s also nice to buy one or two of the products that he or she uses on you. This is usually the proper protocol at most makeup counters.

Make yourself clear: Once you’ve found someone you like, ask plenty of questions. How much do they charge? ($150 to $250 is typical, depending on where you live.) Will they bring their own makeup and brushes, or use yours? Make sure you’re entirely clear on the costs and your expectations, and speak up about anything done during the test run that you would like to change. “The eyes are heavier than I wanted” or “That lipstick washes me out”, so they have a chance to correct it.

How Much Time Is Needed?: Schedule your appointment for about three hours before the event; that way, you won’t feel rushed, and the makeup will have a chance to settle. Be sure to tell your makeup artist that you don’t want them to use a mix of lipstick shades, which makes touching up much more difficult. It is best to buy the lip color from the makeup artist so you can take it with you that night, along with a pressed powder if needed. And while a tip isn’t expected, you can always throw in an extra 10%  if you are thrilled with the results.

Fall collections continued to shine in London, where stars arrived in droves to catch fashion shows like Burberry. Kate Hudson, Kirsten Stewart, Claire Danes and more came out for the show, and star designer Christopher Bailey provided the glittering climax to London Fashion Week on Tuesday unveiling its fall and winter collection.

American Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour jetted in, wearing a burgundy Chanel dress as she sipped champagne in the front row, and the Hollywood contingent included actresses Kate Hudson, in a sparkling green dress, and Claire Danes, understated in a cream-colored outfit.

The attraction that brought people out despite driving rain and snow was a first look at designer Bailey’s vision for autumn and winter, which turned out to be a stunning blend of the brand’s heritage, trench coats, and military jackets paired with sexy, tight skirts and dresses.

Bailey told the Associated Press after the show that he had been inspired by a visit to the company’s archives and a sketch of an aviator jacket he found while there. “I wanted it to be about our heritage,” he said. “I took flying jackets and aviation jackets and ran them through from pea coats to trench coats. I wanted it very tight and a celebration of coats.”

Bailey has reinvigorated Burberry, a venerable British brand that enjoyed a reputation for quality but lacked for some time fresh ideas. A few of the olive green jackets seemed like imaginative reinventions of the World War II jacket worn by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“I thought it was fantastic,” said Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue. “I thought the combination of the big, oversized jackets with the kind of sexy little rouched velvet and chiffon was a lovely mixture, kind of Burberry outerwear with sex appeal that you’d want to lighten up.”

Many of the skirts were mid-length, designed to cover the tops of the sky-high boots. The color palette shifted from green to blue midway through the show as Bailey showed an elegant collection of blue overcoats, some with big gold buttons. Next came seductive evening dresses, still topped with military-style jackets. A few purely feminine outfits consisted of lacy blouses in blue and purple.

As part of Burberry’s marketing plan, the show was streamed live in 3-D to special venues in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, Paris and Tokyo. Also, Internet customers could view the show online, and make instant purchases of items they wanted. “The world is moving quickly,” said Bailey, explaining Burberry’s eager embrace of new technology. “Literally during the show you can click to buy.”

Oh my…I can see it now, fashion-frenzied fans with a credit card in hand while they watch. It certainly is moving quickly.

image credit: wire images

Tired of your cluttered bathroom with makeup everywhere…can’t find your favorite eyeliner or blush brush???  Well, get it organized and keep your counter free from all the chaos with MagnaPods (magnetic cosmetic organizers).

Organize your makeup with MagnaPods

It’s so easy to use…this kit contains 3 high quality plastic containers that magnetically adhere to the inside of your steel framed medicine cabinet.  You can then organize your lipsticks, lip & eye pencils, brushes, etc…and the great thing about MagnaPods is that they are movable!  Have makeup…will travel…

Love my MagnaPods…keeps my husband from complaining about my Q-tips near the sink and my makeup brushes being in his way…:)

For more info or to purchase please visit:  MagnaPods

’80s retro beauty continues to make its mark on the red carpet here, and in Europe. At the Elle Style Awards in London, Runaways star Kristen Stewart was feeling right at home with her Joan Jett eyes in steeley blue. The edgy actress showed off new, redder strands, and a subtle wash of pastel blue shadow along her eyelids.

According to celebrity makeup artist Beth Bender, Light hues don’t have to be overly girly. To create this look on yourself start by applying a pale shade right against your top lashes, and then blend it to a fade at the crease. If you prefer a more toned down version, add a swipe of silvery shadow, and finish with a rich black mascara for a look that’s quiet, but very cool.

Check out The Good Girl, Gone Bad Smoky Eye Kit from Get in Line Beauty.

There are many reasons why your eyes can look tired…not enough sleep, stress, illness, and genetics… just to name a few.  All of these can cause tissue damage to such a delicate area…not good ladies…Hydration is key to maintaining a youthful glow not only under your eyes, but all over your face…

What to do for tired eyes...

Recently, a friend contacted me with concern about her dark, puffy circles under her eyes and wanted my advice on how to improve them.  Besides fillers like juvederm and sculptra, the other alternative is over the counter products that specifically target that area.

Here are a few products that are available at most beauty stores nationwide.  They can make a huge difference for your under eye appearance…without costing a fortune.

Redermic Eyes by LA ROCHE-POSAY

Redermic Eyes is a daily anti-wrinkle firming cream that will visibly reconstruct skin tissue and redefine your eye area.  It will reinforce eye area skin support, it is fragrance free, allergy tested and safe to use by all.

• Madecassoside [95% pure] to help fill in crow’s feet wrinkles
• L-Ascorbic Acid [ 5% ] to help reinforce eye area cutaneous support
• Hyaluronic Acid to help fix water in the thin and delicate eye area and immediately smooth surface micro-grooves

A 0.5 fl. oz. tube retails for $36.90 and can last up to 3 months or longer.

Jason Red Elements Lifting Eye Creme

Jason Red Elements Lifting Eye Creme is loaded with polypeptides, zinc, copper & manganese which stimulates cellular renewal for firmer, smoother skin under your eyes.  The hyaluronic acid will help reduce your fine lines as well as lighten dark circles & reduce any puffiness.  Also, hypo-allergenic, paraben-free and fragrance free.  A 5oz jar retails for $23.  To find a store near you please visit:  Jason

After using these products for several weeks my under eye area is less puffy and more youthful

te-see:)

image credit:  la roche-posay, jason

Concept Vert, the highly anticipated eco-friendly line from Privé launched nationwide last summer. Laurent Dufourg the founder of Prive realized his life-long dream of reducing Privé’s carbon footprint with the launch of Concept Vert’s first two products, Concept Vert’s Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo and Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Conditioner.

The Girls at BSW who were already fans of the entire product line, were equally excited to check out the newest additions. With organic ingredients and most importantly sulfate and paraben free, we knew our locks were in good hands. The packaging is environmentally friendly as well, and made from recycled materials, but the best part is the size, since the contents are under pressure and dispensed as a foam, the size is much smaller, but not in the amount of product. Each can averages 40 uses per bottle, which is the size of an average can of mousse, and when the bottles are empty, you can return them to the salon where you purchased to be refilled and recycled. It doesn’t get better than that!

So, what did we think of these newest products from Prive?  In one word, L-O-V-E!!! Not only do you need just a tiny bit to wash and conditioner your hair, (mine is to the middle of my back), but they smell fabulous, and leave your hair looking extremely shiny.

The initial intent of Concept Vert’s products like the sulfate free and paraben free ingredients, the pure organic extracts and the reusable packaging have made Privé’s Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo and Rejuvenating Pure Conditioner truly unique. The color safe formula enriched with Amazon Açaí and Babassu Oil rejuvenates the hair with antioxidants and strengtheners as it gently nourishes and cleanses leaving the hair feeling amazing and making styling a breeze. What more can we say. If you haven’t tried it, we definitely reccomend that you do. Your hair will surely thank you.

Privè’s Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Shampoo retails for $28 and the Concept Vert Rejuvenating Pure Conditioner retails for $30. Both are available at elite salons and spas nationwide. For information, or to purchase, please visit www.priveproducts.com.

Rita Hazan for anyone who doesn’t know is one of the busiest colorists to the stars. Based in New York, and responsible for hundreds of celebrity locks like Jennifer Lopez, who count her as the one and only, and have her number on speed dial whenever it’s time for color. What’s Rita’s secret to Hollywood’s best hair color you ask?

Hazan was sweet enough to dish on a few of her top clients, starting with Jennifer Lopez’s sunny highlights that always look fabulous. “When I started working with Jennifer in the ’90s, I thought it would be fun to experiment with honey highlights. I had no idea it would become such a big part of her look,” the colorist says. Now Lopez gets “inside highlights” that show even when she flips her hair.

Rachel Weisz’s bold espresso which gets a very big BSW thumbs up!: Hazan gives Weisz a cool brown to avoid brassiness. “If it starts looking too inky, I’ll break it up with subtle highlights,” she says. And Last, Jessica Simpson’s buttery blond locks “The first time Jessica came to see me was at the age of 18. She wanted to fix a bleached-out platinum dye-job,” says Hazan. Now Jessica receives a base of golden blond with paler blond highlights, and so much more flattering for her complexion.

For more information On Rita Hazan or to book an appointment visit RitaHazanSalon.com

Spring is right around the corner and the ’80s trend has moved to makeup, with a palette of icy blues, purples, and other sorbet shadows for spring. Derek Lam along with a number of designers were all doing the 80′s retro look for their spring collections, from rocker eyes, to bright pink lips.

For a more toned down version of this look, our in-house ‘smoky eye’ expert Beth Bender, and the only makeup artist I trust to touch my face suggests layering your eye shadows until you get the desired intensity. Start with a lighter shade like a pale blue, lavender, or pale pink, and then add your darker pastel colors like turquoise, hot pink, and bright lavender.

Shimmers work best, or a combination of matte and shimmer shadows. You can use a blender brush to apply color to the crease if you are doing a smoky eye, or just use your fingers and apply directly to the eyelid. Either look is really beautiful. To create a smoky eye with ease, Beth recommends a Smoky Eyeliner Stencil. It fits any eye shape, and saves you a lot of time and mess.

Check out You So Pwetty Smoky Eye Kit and The OMG! Smoky Eye Palette for spring