News

We at BSD like to make sure that we stay current on celebrity beauty trends. What’s in, what’s out, and who looks the craziest trying it?

So I was surfing the Internet earlier this week, and ran across a People Magazine Online slideshow on celebrity trends. It shows 13 celebrities and their “trendy” nail polish.

Here’s the run-down:

• Baby blue (Rihanna)
• Gold (Eva Mendes)
• Black (Debra Messing)
• Buff (Katherine Heigl)
• Gunmetal (Mischa Barton)
• White (Scarlett Johansson)
• French manicure (Victoria Beckham)
• Pale pink (Hilary Duff)
• Natural (Selma Blair)
• Orange (Fergie)
• Rose pink (Rihanna again)
• Dark red (Jessica Alba)

So … am I supposed to see a pattern here? I don’t see any sort of summer polish trend, other than ’somewhere over the rainbow”. It seems to me that this summer (and maybe always) “trendy” polish is just about being true to yourself and your style.

Those of you in the nail and cosmetology business: what do you think? Are there any polish shades that are really “in” or “out” this season?

It’s that time again. Everyone is getting ready for the big event – prom! So you have your dress, but what about your hair. It is just as important, if not more. You can tie in your theme with the right hair and make your prom unforgettable.

But how far should you go? You don’t want to turn your big night into a nightmare because of your hair. Here are some helpful tips for you and your hair.

Remember that simple is elegant. You can finish off your look with a graceful, sleek hair design.

It is a  statement of elegance. If your dress is overpowering, it is best to go minimal on the hair. This hair design is easy and you won’t have to worry about your hair falling halfway through your favorite song.

If you want your hair to stand out more – then messy is in! Just remember not to go overboard. Here is a great design for your night on the town.

You don’t want to look like you stuck your finger in a light socket. Sometimes messy doesn’t equal glamorous.

If you want to try something that is daring and unique – try and be reasonable with your hair. Here is a bad example of when you try an Asian-inspired hair design. You don’t want to look like a bird that has lost its way!

Now, here is good way to mix modern with the past. This 1920s inspired hair design will always be flawlessly beautiful and classic.

Now that you have some dos and don’ts of prom hair, you can start looking for your own design.

If you want to save on some cash for your prom look, try getting your hair done by cosmetology student. Some schools offer a student clinic so future cosmetologists can practice their new skills and it can be more than half the price of going to a salon.

What makeup artist wouldn’t want to be featured in ELLE magazine? Talk about exposure!

If your cosmetology training has given you the skills to take your career to the next level, then enter this makeup artist competition! It’s sponsored by ELLE magazine, Dior cosmetics, and Macy’s. The winner will be featured in the January 2009 issue of ELLE.

All you need to do is grab a friend who makes a great blank canvas, and head to the Dior counter at your local Macy’s with a digital camera. Make over your friend using the Dior products available at the counter, then snap a picture of your work!

E-mail the picture to ArtistInAction@Elle.com to enter. Here are more details on the contest.

Clink. That’s the sound of your last quarter meeting the belly of the vending machine beast. You’ve now entered the moment of climactic resolution in your purchasing experience. You watch in anxious anticipation – will your Hershey bar fall and be delivered to your eagerly awaiting hands? Or will the wrapper get caught on the spirally-wire thingy that only sometimes pushes your purchase over the edge?

And when your chocolate doesn’t come out, you’re left sizing the machine up. Wondering if you’re strong enough to tilt it to an angle that could knock it from its shelf – and then realizing you’re not.

The saddest part of this whole vending machine business – there’s no one to make it right for you. Where are sales people when you need them?

I have to admit, when I heard that vending machines selling beauty products like Elizabeth Arden and Proactive were popping up in malls across America, I was hesitant to buy into the concept.

What about consulting with a cosmetology specialist? What about human interaction, and advice on skin care? Or the free cosmetology product giveaways?

I understand, if you’ve been buying the exact same beauty products for years and you aren’t interested in someone trying to up-sale your purchase, a vending machine could be really convenient. But, if you choose to go to a machine instead of a real person, you could be missing out on some amazing cosmetology products and advice from beauty experts who are paid to stay current on beauty trends.

It will be really interesting to see how vending machines stocked with items outside of the usual soda pop and junk food fare in America. And, it’s not just beauty products – vending machines selling iPods are even springing up in airports.

In Japan, you can find virtually every product known to man in vending machines. They’re stocked with everything from board games to nine course meals to under garments.

The sales racked up from the vending machines that line city streets and countryside roads alike already rival those of convenience stores. According to the Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, Japan has 1 vending machine for every 23 people.

So, there’s got to be something to vending machines. I just wonder if the convenience factor is going to outweigh interaction with real human beings. Especially when it comes to cosmetology …

What’s next? Drive-thru make-overs?

by Jennifer Zammit 

Last Wednesday night on Bravo TV, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou and Christian Siriano had a walk-off to decide who would be named the winning designer.

Okay, fine, the final 3 contestants of Project Runway had someone else do the walking-off for them … but we know they could have done it themselves. Didn’t you hear Christian say he had walked around his apartment in the model heels for hours?

Of course you did. Christian was the best part of every episode. In fact, Christian was the only-stand out designer this season. No, not in terms of fashion. Each of the top 5 designers had a stunning vision, motivated drive and the creativity to make their dreams work. I expect to see much more out of Sweet P Vaughn and Chris March in the future.

And no, Christian wasn’t always the most likeable designer. He was sometimes catty, often whiney, and always egotistical. Yet, he made the season worth watching.

That’s why I’m disappointed that he won. Yes, yes … let the hate mail flow. I recognize that he is an excellent designer. However, I’m used to reality television presenting me with at least a semblance of surprise. The conclusion of this season had none.

How great would it have been to see Jillian rise up from under the radar and take it all? Or have Rami bounce back from having to compete for his shot in the final 3, only to become number 1?

I don’t watch reality television for justice. But in this instance, I suppose justice was served. Fast-sewing, fierce-talking Christian drove off a winner in his 2008 Saturn Astra. While I’m proud that he’ll be able to parade his haute couture designs all over the European runways, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Jillian or Rami original hanging in my closet.