NYX Nude on Nude Palette-Fab Beauty Product Review and Giveaway!

I have been happily using my NYX Nude on Nude Natural Look Kit during my recent travels. Comprised of nine shades of neutral but pigmented eye shadows and two complementing lip colors, the kit has all the colors I  need for my typical daytime and nighttime looks. I mean, it's fun playing and experimenting with unconventional colors once in a while, but browns and taupes are an Asian girl's best friend and are the ideal colors to highlight and complement my yellow under tone. Bold and bright colors like blue, green and red just don't work on a day-to-day basis and are best left for places with strategically dimmed lighting. It's that simple.

I was especially drawn to the palette for my travels as it comes in a sturdy and compact square box and can be effortlessly tucked into my luggage without giving it a second thought or a furrow of the brow. Some of the colors are shimmery, which infuses some needed dimension and glow for the eye region. However, the shimmer is understated which means you don't have to worry about miners trying to dig gold out of your eye sockets.

I like the palette so much I'm going to give one away to my readers!

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. follow me via google friend connect (the tab is to the right of the entries)
2. leave a comment at the end of this post with your email address
3. "Like" this post
4. Want to double your chances of winning? Retweet: Follow@goodbadandfab and RT to win a @nyxcosmetics Nude on Nude palette. For details, check out http://bit.ly/qVdULy
5. Open to everyone worldwide
6. Giveaway ends October 7, 2011, 11:59 PST

Rachel Roy Spring 2012 Presentation-New York Fashion Week NYFW

Entitled "Romantic Minimalism," the Rachel Roy Spring 2012 Presentation definitely embodies a modern simplicity through the balance of masculine and feminine shapes to create romantic yet refined moments. Black and white serves as a complementing contrast for soft pastels and florals. 

Held on the second floor terrace of the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, the crowd of buyers, press and  a girl by the name of Kim Kardashian stood in between two beautiful views-the statuesque models on the left and the equally statuesque Manhattan buildings on the right. The 10:30am presentation time, perhaps a strategic choice on the part of the Rachel Roy team served as perfect timing, as the sun's bright rays cast a soft and picture friendly light on the collection.

The Fab: asymmetrical shaping, silk draped blazers, origami folds, contrasting colors.

Meet and Greet with Christian Siriano at Payless Westside Pavilion

Set in stone plans are preventing me from interviewing and meeting the amazingly fierce and ever-so charming Christian Siriano this Wednesday! However, don't let that stop you from checking out his ferosh fall offerings. Make room, Mr. Red Soles-another shoe genius by the name of Christian is here to stay.

Payless Guest Designer Christian Siriano is hosting an in-store event for fans to strike a pose and get their photo with him. Attendees will get a look at Christian’s new expanded fall ’11 Payless collection, including an assortment of shoes and handbags, and be able to shop all the latest fall styles from Payless.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 6:30pm
Payless ShoeSource
Westside Pavilion
10800 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

My fab picks from the Christian Siriano Fall 2011 Payless Collection:

Natalia Ankle Boots $49.99

Christoff Jazz Oxford $19.99

Chaney Crossbody Bag $22.99

A Teaser-Weekend Photo Shooting

I spent this past Saturday playing dress up and posing for the camera in drop dead gorgeous Ellie Lavelle creations. Stay tuned for the glamorous pictures! I want to thank my friend, the ever so sweet Karen of fashiongroupie for putting all this together! The photo shoot (seven bloggers, three hair/makeup artists, one talented photographer) could not have happened without her meticulous organization skills!

New York Fashion Week NYFW Jen Kao and Custo Barcelona Spring 2012 Collections

One commonality tie together the Jen Kao and Custo Barcelona Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week shows. Both took place in the early evening of 9/11/11. In fact, the shows were back to back, meaning packs of fashionistas legged in five inch platforms hurriedly shuffled from one end of the tent to the other. Other than that, the two collections fell into the opposite ends of the visual aesthetics spectrum, stimulating its viewers with a menagerie of dichotomous styling, colors, and graphics.

Inspired by the warm beaches of tropical paradise, gradient floras, laces and burnout embroideries, sweeping silks and cottons along with wind-adoring drapery and the soft colors of sunrise and sunset set ablaze the stage at the Jen Kao show. Meanwhile, the Custo Barcelona show, titled "Tripolar," divided its runway looks into three ascending groups (Dual, Kaleidoscophio, Mirame) as androgynous looks dominated by contemporary patterns and helmed with mirrors, holographic and metal embellishments. Even graphic 3-D technology made an appearance!

Which do you prefer?

Jen Kao Spring 2012 Collection-The Fab

Custo Barcelona Spring 2012-The Fab

Exude Lipstick Review-Fab Beauty Product

When I heard that Rachel Zoe was going bananas over a revolutionary line of lipstick called Exude and had applied it on her models at her New York Fashion Week Spring 2012 presentation, I knew I had to try it. Due to its unique applicator, Exude is able to retain its shape over time and dispense the exact amount of lipstick users need. Touted as a modern approach to a classic beauty problem, it is a long wearing lipstick that adds layers of sheen and shine without any mess or waste.

From the moment I got the package, I knew this was unlike any other lipstick I'd ever seen or used. It came in a beautiful white/silver box that mimic that of a jewelry box. The lipstick sat neatly inside the center crevice, looking more like a tactical device James Bond would use to blow up the bald one-eyed Russian double spy than a lipstick. One twist of the applicator and the perfect blend of rich brownish burgundy color emerged. It coated my lips thoroughly,  precisely, and glossly so that I didn't need a lip liner or gloss to seal the deal. Although the color didn't last the entire day but did last through two martinis (shaken, not stirred), I didn't mind reapplying as the one-step application was easy breezy.  This is definitely a product I'm exuding my enthusiasm for!

Exude Lipstick $29

New York Fashion Week Personal Style Outfit Post

I wore this outfit in the am of Day 2, NYFW. I cannot stop raving about the ribbed flared navy sweater skirt from Motel Clothing. It's hard to tell from the picture, but the detailing on the skirt is impeccable. And, it's one of the few form fitting skirts that actually lifts and slims the parts of the body that needs lifting and slimming. I chose a bright tee to match the especially sunny weather New York was gracing upon us.

photographed by Gene Yraola of Chictini after the Lela Rose show

Tank: Express

Tee: H&M

Skirt: Motel Clothing

I changed into another colorful outfit in the pm. I was too busy running from show to show to stop for outfit shots, so the picture below will give you a general gist of what I wore. I love the velvet Cynthia Vincent blazer as it formalized the outfit while helping it retain a sense of edge and style. I fawned over the Bishop teal silk trousers as it feels like second skin and provides a nice pop of color. I also love that it tapers at the bottom, adding a nice contrast to the flowiness of the silk.

Tank: Express

Velvet Blazer: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent 

Silk Pants: Bishop

New York Fashion Week Coverage Parkchoonmoo Spring 2012 Collection

As I stood outside a warehouse/studio space in the middle of the Meatpacking District waiting for the doors to the Parkchoonmoo show to open, I surveyed the fellow attendees and realized two things: 1. I was existing in the goth hipster scene, where the color black wasn't just the dress code-it was the way of life. I felt like my yellow tee was as bright as the sun, capable of providing a day's worth of vitamin D to the entire crowd. 2. The collection would fare on the dark side.

My Realization #2 wasn't completely on the mark. Although the collection mainly adhered to monochromatic black and white, splashes of brilliant blues and reds broke up the visual monotone. The collection reminds me of Alexander Wang circa 2010. The shapes and silhouettes were decidedly masculine and sporty while maintaining an edgy, urban and cool vibe. Though avant garde by nature, designer Demi Park has shifted towards ready to wear pieces in her spring collection garnering (hopefully) a broader appeal for the burgeoning Korea-based brand.

New York Fashion Week Coverage Spring 2012 Lela Rose Show

The Spring 2012 Lela Rose Fashion Show was a celebrity studded event and showcased the designer's affection for ladylike elegance. Although the collection was inspired by Rose's trip to the Neon Museum in Las Vegas earlier this year, the pieces aligned with soft watercolor paintings rather than urban neon signs. Sheath dresses and pencil skirts in muted gray with pops of neon mustard and tangerine served as the starting point for the collection. It then experienced a crescendo of bright blocks of purple and orange on cream silk dresses and structural jackets. I was visibly excited when I saw the evening wear as the models seemed to glide down the runway in the slightly ruffled, mildly voluminous, tightly corseted gowns.

Front Row: Eva Amurri, Mandy Moore, Brad Goreski, Joanna Hillman

The Fabulous: Eva Amurri (Susan Sarandon's daughter) and bride-to-be looking like a front row veteran (Rose is designing her wedding gown), a soft but varied color palette, cascading evening gowns, eclectic mix of colors and silhouettes.

Mandy Moore looks ravishing and thinner than ever.

Joanna Hillman, Market Editor at Harper's Bazaar and my new style inspiration!

Eva Amurri. Tall and Gorgeous!