Denver Fashion Week Spring ’16

A look from Velvet Wolf at Denver Fashion Week Spring ’16.

Let me start out by saying that I really enjoyed the Denver Fashion Weekend Spring ’16 festivities, a multi-day event that features local and national designers and boutiques, along with hair shows and awards ceremonies. Unfortunately, I missed the 303 Awards/Southwest Hairstyling Awards on Night One, but celebrity stylist Tabatha Coffey received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In Focus host, Eden Lane was holding court, and without too much criticism (I can’t imagine what it takes to pull off a production like this on multiple nights), compared to my experience at the Fall ’15 shows, DFW Spring ’16 was a massive improvement. It was better organized, the press didn’t have to fight to get into place, and the overall mood was less manic. This production had their act together; they were much friendlier (even after I knocked a stack of cards off of a pole), the security staff was more personable, the press was given more respect, and the people attending this event were much more festive and much less bitchy than the last fashion event.

Eden Lane hosting Night Three of Denver Fashion Week ’16.

I should have had this blog out last week, but I wasted a lot of time trying to unsuccessfully edit fashion week videos while trying to learn a new job, so please excuse me in advance for the janky video and extreme lateness. Last year’s footage was so bad I barely bothered to post anything. This time was no different. The Fall ’15  runway was cool but complicated, and we were situated on the side next to a platform with a lone photographer on it. Thankfully, the person I brought for photography was taller than my 5′ 2″ frame, so he was more successful with photos. This year, I was told that we could have used that near-empty platform, but no one told us.

Back to work after having to bail on Night Two of Denver Fashion Week. The one and only time I successfully applied false lashes.

This year was no different as far as lousy positioning, but at least there was a reason for it. Night Three was PACKED and so was that platform. Apparently, there was a schedule change because when I RSVP’d the event, the night I attended was scheduled to be a hair show.  I was a little bummed because I had to bail on Night Two at the last-minute and I was more interested in the fashion than the hair, although I had planned on going to both. To be honest, I was probably more bummed about the fact that I had finally applied false eyelashes without them coming off or getting adhesive all over the place, and I had nowhere to go. I can’t be the only person who hates to waste time and a good makeup job.

This was the cutest outfit. This local blogger knew how to mix her prints. The photo does not do this outfit justice.

I should probably go back; the kick-off event for DFW Spring ’16 was Red Pearl, a fashion comedy movie by Stacy Barton and Jessica McGaugh. The comedy-drama movie with fashion overtones is based in Colorado, and is about Scarlet (Desira Pesta), a recent transplant from Ohio fresh out of fashion school. She’s having difficulty making friends professionally and personally, and she’s nursing a broken heart as well. Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra makes an appearance as her mentor and I thought he was in attendance, but it turned out that the gentleman I mistook as Guerra was not. One would have expected him to turn up for the premiere of a movie he is in, but…

The gentleman I mistook for Mondo Guerra.

My favorite performances were from Scarlet’s creepy apartment manager (William Leiren), and her married lover and neighbor (Matt Block), whom I met at the fashion show. He walked right past us and I said, “He’s cute,” and my daughter/photographer said, “That’s that guy from the movie, her neighbor.” Being who I am, I ran after him. He’s all kinds of cute. That movie does not do him justice. He was beyond charming and very funny. He was also taking part in the shows.

Red Pearl actor and model Matt Block with me at the Denver Fashion Weekend Spring 2016 show.

Back to the show…

Final walk for Soignee.

I immediately ran into the Beauty For Real booth at the bazaar and the rep. went to work selling us on how innovative the makeup line is. Ok, the lip gloss has a mirror AND a light on the applicator. Hello, where have you been all of my life? She told me Leslie Munsell, the founder of Beauty For Real was walking in the show.

Is this Leslie Munsell, founder of Beauty For Real walking in the Marks-Lloyds fashion show?

I thought I saw her walk for Marks-Lloyds, but I can’t be certain. [Doesn’t this look like her? I feel like a post about the brand is in order.

Beauty For Real

When I left Beauty For Real counter, I perused a couple of apparel vendors, and then ran into Sam LaBella, hairstylist and makeup artist at Family Affair representing the Balmain Hair Couture line. Remember when I said I had never heard of Balmain Hair? Ta-da! She was so much fun, and I had the best time with her. She even spritzed my dusty bun with a shining product. In the middle of entertaining me, she also provided me with a little more education about the line and where it is headed. Balmain Hair won’t stay hush-hush for long.

StylEnigma (Lynnette Southwood) and Sam LaBella from Family Affair.

The line up for the shows I attended were:

Marks-Lloyds Furs
Lions in Four
Kouture
Velvet Wolf
Soignee
Royal Outerwear
ILy ILey
Femme Fatal Intimates
Georgine

While I enjoyed every show, the standouts for me were Velvet Wolf, Kouture, and ILy Iley. I am not an outerwear fan per se, but as far as a physical reaction, I loved Royal Outerwear. The styling and makeup was inspiring and Torell Madsen, A.K.A. Tory, was especially breathtaking. I may have to relax my style a bit and embrace street wear more.

Torell Madsen in Royal Outerwear

I recorded a few of the shows but I didn’t get them all. Unfortunately, I didn’t get photos or footage of Femme Fatale Intimates and Georgine NYC, which I truly regret. Poor battery life and difficulty holding the camera with so many bloggers and photographers jockeying for position dictated I sit out a few shows so again, please enjoy the sketchy camera work. The fact that there were so many people in attendance tells me that the popularity of the event is growing, as it should. A special shout-out to my photographer Raven Refuerzo, a.k.a., my kid. Denver Fashion Week Spring ’16 was a great production and a lot of fun. Can’t wait till the fall shows.

Kouture

Marks-Lloyds

Velvet Wolf

Lions In Four

Must Haves: Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum

Jessie’s Girl Satin Finish Nail Color in Sea Glass

I’m back with another sponsored review of a Valentia product. This time, I was given a bottle of the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum, which is supposed to increase elasticity by increasing the circulation in your skin. The Valentia line of beauty products are fascinating to me because while each product has an individual role, all of the ones I’ve tried so far also moisturize,  minimizes fine lines, and brightens skin tone.

Unlike the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum, a product that has a few perks that take time to present themselves (although the ability to give moisturizer staying power was immediate), the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum’s benefits showed up almost immediately. This is another night time serum and what I noticed was a difference in tone by the second day. I noticed a difference in the appearance, a glow or a freshness – like I had given it a good scrub by the fourth day. One of the ingredients in the serum is Lactic Acid which is an exfoliant that speeds up skin cell turnover.

The other ingredients are: Seaweed which helps skin’s absorption of oxygen, Licorice to even out skin tone, Gotu Kola for skin firmness, and Argan oil which reduces water loss and helps with skin elasticity. When  I noticed that the Clearlift Revitalizing Serum contains Argan oil — something I use often with my moisturizer and hair care products for additional moisture — I stopped using the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum and my Argan oil In order to properly review the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum. My skin still felt hydrated without the extra Argan oil and hydrating serum, and the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum appears to give it a buffed smoothness.

My thoughts — I like the Valentia Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum. I’m anxious to see if consistent use will produce firmer, plumper skin, but it provided me with buffed skin and enough hydration to bypass an additional source of moisture.

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Is The Spray On Nail Polish Worth The Splurge? — Enterspree

I don’t often reblog, but I had to give props to a fellow beauty blogger, Chanele Edwards at Enterspree for this review of Nails Inc. Paint Can nail polish. I wrote a blog post in December when I first heard about it praising the innovation but hypothesizing the pitfalls of a product that wasn’t available in the U.S. then. Chanelle commented that she had never heard of the product until reading my post, but found a can for half the price in the U.K., where she lives. I begged her to review it – she did. So today, I am posting her review of the product. Please read her post it’s very informative and definitely watch the video. I had no idea she is so beautiful!

A spray on nail polish? How revolutionary! Nails Inc London have released the world’s first ever spray on nail polish and the internet has been going crazy. It was very difficult to get my hands on one, but I managed to grab the last one in stock at Selfridges London for a discounted price of […]

via Is The Spray On Nail Polish Worth The Splurge? — Enterspree

I Didn’t Know Balmain Had a Hair Care Line Either

Balmain Hair muse Noémie Lenoir.

 

It was during Paris Fashion Week that the I discovered Balmain was into hair. Should I feel stupid for not knowing the French fashion brand extended to a hair care line? This revelation came just yesterday while reading an article on Business of Fashion about Balmain’s new custom wig venture – an extension of the already existing Balmain Hair Couture line. During Paris Fashion Week, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadi seemingly swapped hair colors at the Balmain Fall 2016 RTW show and of course, everybody went nuts because those two can’t cut their nails without it becoming breaking news. Sorry (not sorry), I’m just so sick of those two. Anyway…

Balmain Hair Couture muse Devon Wilson and Gigi Hadid as brunettes.

 

According to the piece, that was an introduction of sorts to Balmain Hair, a custom-made wig and hair extensions service. The intended fuss about the hair color swap got tails wagging about the orientation of the wigs the chosen were wearing , expansion news, and the admittance that the hair care line is largely unknown. Now, I don’t feel so stupid.

 

Alessandra Ambrosio walking in the Balmain Pre-spring 2016 show in her natural hair color.

Alessandra Ambrosio, a favorite Balmain runway model is shown with her natural hair color in the Pre-spring 2016 show, and again wearing a Balmain custom-made wig in the Fall 2016 show at PFW 2016. Joan Smalls, Rose Huntington-Whitely, and Lily Donaldson were among the models walking with one of those coveted pieces.

Alessandra Ambrosio walking in the Balmain Fall 2016 show in a Balmain wig.

Balmain Hair Couture brand isn’t new if you are heavily immersed in the beauty scene or in Europe – it’s been around for 40-years slowly making its way into high-end salons and fancy-schmancy fashion sites. Currently, the Balmain Hair repertoire consists of extensions, styling products, styling tools, and now custom-made wigs. You’ll have to do some jet-setting if you want one of those custom-made, 100 percent human hair wigs. The Balmain Hair wigs are only made at their location in the Paris at 13, rue Royal which is headed by Nabil Harlow a “master hair designer.” Yeah, you’re going to need super model money in order to afford one.

 

However, if you want their Argan Moisturizing Elixir ($43), or instant extensions ($390), that’s available online, although the company encourages you to seek a professional for extension installation. For professionals, there are classes to teach you how to install their products. I’ve watched some of their tutorials, it looks very involved. There are 5,000 hair salons worldwide (300 in the US) that carry Balmain Hair, and “Prestige Salon”  has been created to place their products in exclusive style focused salons.

 

 

Balmain joins the likes of  Wendy Williams, Jessica Simpson, practically the entire cast of RHOA, and Beverly Johnson – who have been on the hair extension/wig train for quite some time. Balmain has stepped up as a response to the apparent explosion of couture wig and hair extensions. Well, when everybody is trying to be Beyoncé, that’s gonna happen, and Bey ain’t wearing Sally Beauty Supply hair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with ILNP Fall Semester & Incoco Green With Envy

Incoco Green with Envy

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! I thought I would challenge myself today and see if I could write a post in an hour. I am stepping up my speed, (or trying to) and I thought, I’ll do something celebratory – St. Patrick’s nail art with Incoco Green With Envy. I bought this nail applique set last year at Walgreen’s along with Pot Of Gold and Happy go Lucky, which I posted lasted last year.  I didn’t get to post this one then, so I thought I would do so now and unfortunately, if you are really into plaid and tartan, you can only get it on Ebay.

 

I had just used my OPI Avoplex Nail & Cuticle Replenishing Oil and it shows…

 

Incoco Green With Envy

This year I am wearing ILNP Fall Semester.  Unfortunately, I didn’t take pictures in a lighter setting before the polish started chipping so I will have to do another manicure with this color. It really is gorgeous and changes color depending on the light.  Here it looks like a forest green but it really is more of a teal. ILNP has the most gorgeous holographic and chrome polishes.

ILNP Fall Semester and Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

 

So my quicky post took me one hour and forty-eight minutes. Not bad. Have a super-duper great St. Patrick’s Day. I am staying home with lamb stew and red wine.

 

Must Haves: Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

 

Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum

Today, I am reviewing another product from Valentia; the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum. I was so impressed with the True Glow Eye Cream, and the Ultra Plumping Hydrating Mask that I jumped all over the opportunity to write another sponsored post. After applying the serum for a couple of nights,  I decided to approach evaluating it differently than instructed because applying it at night and then waking up to perform my morning beauty regime left very little time to determine its effectiveness. Instead, I implemented the Valentia serum into my morning regimen; washing my face with Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover, applying the serum on my face, neck, and ears, (let’s not neglect the ears) and applying Neutrogena Naturals  Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer, and finally Valentia True Glow Eye Cream. This method allowed me to evaluate the serum while I was awake and I could judge the effectiveness throughout the day.

Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum and ILNP Fall Semester on my nails.

My impression of the Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum is that it is a great moisturizer booster. My skin was more hydrated at the end of the day with the serum than with my moisturizer alone. Typically, if I feel I need a bit more moisture I will add a drop or two of 100 percent Argan oil, but that wasn’t necessary during the testing phase. The serum is lightweight and absorbs quickly, my moisturizer glided on and the slight rose scent disappeared quickly, unfortunately for me.

The company claims that the ingredients in the serum; Rose Damascena, Rosehip seed, Lavender, Vitamin B, Bearberry, and Evening Primrose oil:

• Calms and soothes skin,
• Deeply moisturizes and nourishes skin
• Smoothes skin tone and texture
• Provides antioxidant protection
• Fades away sun spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation

Many of the benefits the serum claims to offer (heals the skin, skin lightening ) couldn’t be determined within the time allotted for the campaign, but what I did notice was that in addition to being a great moisturizer booster, it had a “calming effect” on my sensitive skin when I  applied it after using my exfoliating cleansing brush.  My skin didn’t feel as “inflamed” once I applied the serum. This product has become a permanent part of my daily skin care ritual.

As a thank you for reading my review, I am offering a 20% off of the purchase of Valentia’s Royal Rose Hydrating Serum. Use Promo Code  8MLVQYLC at checkout and hurry, the coupon is only good until 4/11/2016, and let me know how the serum worked out for you.

 

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I Want – Issey Miyake’s Bao Bao Bag

 

Look 1 ~ Issey Miyake Crystal Series Shoulder Bag SS16 – $1,250.

 

I was smack dab in the middle of ogling Chanel’s Fall 2016 collection when I ran into this beauty, the Issey Miyake Bao Bao Crystal Shoulder Bag. Isn’t it fascinating? It must be EVERYTHING if it made me stop looking a Chanel. This is, as most things are on my “I Want” list, completely unattainable, but a girl can dream, right?…

 

Look 2 ~ Issey Miyake Crystal Series Shoulder Bag SS16 – $1,250.

 

Just like the Bao Bao bags, Issey Miyake’s apparel frequently conforms and transforms into dramatic shapes. The Issey Miyake Geometric Jacket.

Issey Miyake, in addition to producing my favorite perfume, is the most innovative fashion designer alive. The Bao Bao line has been around for a sixteen years and I am ashamed to say that this is my first time seeing one. I really like how the bags transform to accomodate whatever is in your bag be it a file or a bag of oranges, after all, the concept is “shapes by chance.”

Issey Miyake Bao Bao Rock series Crossbody SS16 in Matte  Light Grey – $805.

I want the Crossbody so bad I can taste it…

Issey Miyake Bao Bao Prism Series Tote in Aurora SS16 – $925

This gorgeous creature is from the Prism series and I want you to look at the details; the bag is made out of small triangles that are placed on top of mesh fabric. It is so architectural and futuristic. I’m completely in love. Triangles placed on mesh makes this concept so transformative.

 

Look 1 ~ Issey Miyake Bao Bao Platinum Tote SS16 – $1,295.

 

But not as in love as I am with the Platinum; it reflects like a mirror, so eye-catching, a total hater instigator.  Check out the incredible Bao Bao bags from Issey Miyake.

 

 

 

 

 

Must Haves: Valentia True Glow Eye Cream and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask

 

I’m one of those skeptics when it comes to anti-aging products primarily because most of the products I have tried have been more hype than anything else or they don’t mesh well with makeup. Not this one. I received two products from Valentia, the True Glow Eye Cream, and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask to try in exchange for an honest review. I am honestly impressed.

 

Valentia True Glow Eye Cream

Valentia True Glow Eye Cream:

The eye cream has a slight scent, nothing overwhelming and it is extremely  hydrating. The consistency is smooth and creamy and it instantly absorbs into the skin. I can still feel the effects of the morning application when I go to do the evening application. A little goes a long way and it doesn’t cake up or leave a residue when I apply foundation or eyeshadow. I have also found that it also does double duty as a primer because my eyeshadow had more staying power.  I used it every day for two weeks and I really like it. It’s not overly expensive and it is well worth the money. This won’t be sitting around unused in my cabinet.

Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask:

I was skeptical about the pumping aspect but what I will say is that my skin did look more radiant after the first use of the Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask. As proof, this picture of me putting on the eye cream shows dry flaky skin. Three days later, I used the mask and there was a noticeable difference immediately, I mean immediately, without a moisturizer and my skin was glowing.

Before: This image of me applying the Valentia eye cream shows dry, flaky skin.

After: Image of my skin after using the Valentia mask.

I’m wasn’t sure about the plumping aspect initially, but I did notice that my forehead friends were less prominent. To be sure, I used it again six days later, and once again, my skin did have a radiance, I didn’t imagine it. I loved it so much I didn’t want it covered up with makeup. The tingling concerned me initially because I always associate that sensation with an allergic reaction, but the tingling is expected according to the instructions and frankly, if a little tingling is going to make me look more alive, I’m fine with it. For me, this worked better for me than my glycolic peel. 

Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Cream

Valentia claims that the combination of a Silk Protein Amino Acid blend, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, and Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil in their mask boosts collagen production, increases skin radiance, reduces fine lines, and secures skin moisture and it absolutely does. I can’t say enough about the eye cream, I love it. It definitely hydrates and tightens and brightens the eye area. It has a powerful antioxidant, Astanxanthin, Vitamin C, and Organic Rose Hip making it an intense and effective anti-aging tool. If you are looking for better results from your skin regimen, try the Valentia True Glow Eye Cream, and Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask.

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Denver Bronco Super Bowl 50 Celebration Style

Image Source: Pinterest

 

I thought I would produce a quick little post at 1:30 in the morning to gloat. The Denver Broncos have won Super Bowl 50 and now it’s time to celebrate by putting away our game day apparel and put on some celebratory blue and orange (and gold for the golden anniversary) clothing and rocking those Bronco nails and makeup a little bit longer. While blue and orange can be a difficult color combination to pull off, it can also be mesmerizing when done correctly.

Image Source: Pinterest

 

I live in Denver so we’ll be wearing blue and orange for the foreseeable future, and I would encourage all Bronco fans to stretch it out as long as possible. Again, congratulations to Peyton Manning and the Broncos on another Super Bowl win and for showing the doubters why this team has been one of the top teams in the NFL for decades.

 

Denver Bronco Super Bowl 50 Celebration Style by stylenigma featuring Illamasqua

Nails Inc gel nail polish
sephora.com

Nars cosmetic
barneys.com

Lovers Friends orange dress
revolveclothing.com

Lovers Friends dress
revolveclothing.com

Illamasqua eyeshadow
$24 – illamasqua.com

Posh Girl leather shoes
poshgirl.us

Liliana gold shoes
heels.com

I Want: Michael Kors’ Floral Mary Janes

First of all, I loved, loved, loved, Michael Kor’s Pre-Fall 2016 collection. I am so stunned and surprised by some of the elements he incorporated into the current trends, that my mindset for the couture shows is completely blown. I’m not a pink girl, but I NEED that pink and white mink coat. What I couldn’t get over is the floral Mary Jane’s in black and white, and black and army green. I’ll take them both.

 

Kors who rejects the label “Pre-Fall” and prefers to use “Transeasonal” because it’s less limiting, says he approaches design this way: “She’s got to fall in love.” Mission accomplished.