What was it like: From the moody music to the grey-toned studio space, everything about Vera’s fall 2015 show was inherently sexy (including an appearance by , who pranced down the runway in a cool babydoll-esque LBD).
Why we love this collection: Sure, Vera Wang’s 2015 collection was seeded heavily in black, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t feel the warmth of the collection from start to finish. From oversized fisherman cable pullovers that looked as cozy as they did understatedly sexy, to sultry crepe bustier tops with lace-up detailing that we’d eagerly slip on for a night on the town, the seasoned designer knocked it out of the park once again.
Below is an excerpt from “17 Songs That Will Make You Feel Beautiful,” which originally appeared on . Read the full story at .
I, for one, am thrilled to see the blitz of empowering videos about being and appreciating yourself. As a beauty gal, I love makeup, skin care, and dabbling in a few bold hairstyles (I currently have a wash of blue in my hair), but at the end of the day, I am left with the woman without the mascara and the concealer. And as someone with a healthy dose of confidence, it wasn’t until the past few years that I truly felt comfortable and pretty in my own skin.
This year has been chock-full of videos encouraging us to embrace our natural looks, which led me down memory lane’s best beauty anthems. — most capture the essence of being yourself, while others just make you feel good.
What was it like: The may have a stake in downtown cool, but the Donna Karan woman is all about uptown glam. In another successful homage to New York City, Karan catered to the women on top, with a city-slick line-up of power-trip pieces and daring gowns. It’s everything you need for the office, a black-tie affair, and everything in between.
Why we love this collection: Donna Karan may be sophisticated, but conservative it is not. For fall/winter 2015, Karan carved out modern silhouettes out of lush fabrics, like brocade and silk. For every safe button-down or pant, there was some standout detail, from geometric folds to statement coats with luxe fur accents or rich gilded embroidery, or belted fur shawls. And if you got close enough, each model was (faux) pierced with multi-ring ear cuffs for a tiny dose of downtown edge.
Sure the windchill in NYC dropped to an unbearable -9 degrees and was in full roar, but some of Tinseltown’s boldest face celebs stepped out anyway for 40th Anniversary fete (which took place last night– a Sunday!)
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The comedy sketch show drew all the ol’ SNL regulars like , , Eddie Murphy, Alec Baldwin, Rachel Dratch, , , Steve Martin and Maya Rudolph (who did a hilarious impersonation on stage), and plenty of other funny guys and gals like Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chris Rock. But as with the best kinds of parties, it was a mixed crowd. took Instagrams from backstage.
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A photo posted by Kerry Washington (@kerrywashington) on
Catherine Zeta Jones was just an arms throw from and . made out with Betty White(!!!), and Paul McCartney, and (in wacky light blue contacts) rounded out the musical performers.
A photo posted by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on
A photo posted by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus) on
The red carpet was also sprinkled with plenty of glamorous ingenues with ready laughs (and there were plenty of them to be had). , who has comedic chops of her own playing Roseanne onstage, shared a few grins with Larry David while walking the carpet in a black sequined number. also chose sequins although in metallic shades by . The sisters trio Haim, dressed in pieces by and , were particularly excited about a possible Mary Catherine Gallagher sighting. They were on the heels of bestie , who wowed in an dress with cut-outs. The friends actually had just spent Saturday night together too. Hanging with Taylor is “the craziest amount of fun I think we’ve ever had,” they told InStyle. “We ate a lot of chocolate chip cookies last night that she baked for Valentine’s Day and they were delicious. I just sat there and watched her bake until I could down them.” Funny and sweet.
Now here’s an unexpected way to powder your nose: Powder face cleansers are already big abroad in countries like Japan and Korea, and thanks to innovations by the brands we know and love stateside, the formula is quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. The formulas act partly as a DIY exfoliant–simply spill a small amount into the palm of your hand, then mix with a few drops of water to transform the powder into a foam. If you prefer a little more grit, go easy on the water, but if you prefer a texture similar to the rest of the cleansers in your arsenal, mix equal parts of both powder and water. Because elements like alcohol and preservatives are left out of the mix, powder face cleansers present a more gentle alternative for sensitive skin types, or complexions that flare up under traditional scrubs.
So, how do you find your perfect formula? Just like with any new skin staple, start by determining your needs and any issues you want to address. If you’re lost on where to start, pick up a one-size-fits-all versions like Amorepacific’s Treat Enzyme Peel ($60; ) or Tatcha’s Gentle Rice Powder ($65; ), which work on all complexions.
NUDE Skincare’s Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash ($42; ) is perfect for those in need of a serious deep cleansing, and if dark spots are a concern of yours, Peter Thomas Roth’s Camu Camu Brightening Cleansing Powder ($45; ) is rich in vitamin C to impart an instant illuminated effect. For acne-prone skin types, we recommend Murad’s Dual Action Cleanser and Exfoliator ($30; ). The dose of salicylic acid works to kill blemishes before they have time to form, and seems slightly more potent in its powder form. Like the rest of the formulas, Murad’s can be amped up or toned down by altering the water levels, and the dissolving beads ensure you won’t over-exfoliate your skin. Another unexpected plus to powder face washes? They won’t hold you up in the airport security line. While the TSA is easing up on security measures in terms of your beauty loot, a full-sized gel cleanser still runs the risk of being confiscated, which is why its powder counterpart just might be picking up a few more frequent flyer miles.
has been good to Zendaya Coleman. So far, the 18-year-old singer and actress has popped up at the front rows at and , and even took a turn down the catwalk herself at the when she modeled a gown by Rubin Singer to raise awareness for the . And if it looks like she’s having a good ‘ol time, it’s because she is! She gave InStyle an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek when she went to the Christian Siriano show and sat front row next to , , and , Instagramming all the action for . Scroll down to see her shots, ICYMI.
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A photo posted by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on
A photo posted by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on
A photo posted by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on
A photo posted by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on
madness is in full effect. With shows like and to attend, street and high fashion happily co-exist as we turn up the cool factor.
Styling Tip: We’ve been seeing a lot of turtlenecks used underneath pretty much everything during New York Fashion Week. Layer sweaters (make sure the layer underneath is fitted to keep the look sleek, not rumpled) and top it with a tailored coat. Sneakers in all black leather add the sporty street feeling.
Courtesy (7)
Prada turtleneck, $399,
Uniqlo sweater, $40,
Vince coat, $675,
31. Phillip Lim skirt, $375,
Eddie Borgo bracelet, $350,
Nike sneakers, $95,
Woldford tights, $52,
For more from Melissa Rubini, follow her on Instagram () for of-the-moment #NYFW updates and check back tomorrow to see her next enviable look!
