“We looked at the colors in her collection and we saw that kelly green/chartreuse really stood out in the collection,” said Puckey. “We thought it was a really good accent color for the collection so we went with these two colors for the look.”In regards to makeup application, Puckey explains, “The color goes all over the lid to the crease, where she blinks. It makes a mark on the upper lid and we use that as a guide. We drew the eyeliner under the eye as well and up into a wing. We used MAC Chromacakes which is a solid color that you mix with mixing medium. We created this green using a darker green and a lighter green. And we used an orange that was already perfect on its own. On the lips we used Lip Erase and on the face we used Face & Body Foundation which is a very natural foundation.”

Photo Credits: LoveBrownSugar

Christina Brown is a social media specialist and freelance writer. She is also the founder of LoveBrownSugar. Follow her on twitter @LoveBrownSugar

Makeup artists emphasized a strong brow, neutral face and flushed cheeks for the overall look.

Using MAC Brun Eyeshadow for a light smokey effect on the eyes and MAC Richly Honed Pro Sculpting Cream to finish off the look.

Taking an unexpected twist on the use of lipstick, artists used Jill Stuart Cosmetics Lipstick in #23 Drip Drop as blush on the cheeks to give a flushed appearance.

Photo Credits: LoveBrownSugar

Christina Brown is a social media specialist and freelance writer. She is also the founder of LoveBrownSugar. Follow her on twitter @LoveBrownSugar

“It’s very 70’s chic, sophisticated Faye Dunaway,” said Lucero. “Imagine this girl with these amazing colors on, she likes to travel, she loves texture, she has this amazing hat on. There are so many beautiful colors in Trina’s collection, so I wanted the look to be very warm and rustic.”

While checking out the looks, we noticed mattes, and splashes of gold. “We didn’t do dark makeup because it would compete with the Trina Turk looks,” said Lucero. “It’s all about these big statement hats today so I wanted it to be very sultry and smudgy.”As for the makeup, Lucero mixed Kitten, Stila’s all-over shimmer liquid, with Elizabeth Arden’s 8-hour cream to get a vinyl shine on the cheeks.

“Then I took a little bit of the bronzer like a caramel color, so it’s very monochromatic and harmonious,” she continued “[The look] is very flattering on all these girls. And I love the mix of polished-perfect skin with a high-gloss cheekbone in that neutral-wheat tone with platinum shine.”

To finish the look, Lucero used mascara just on the top lashline.

When asked about how to perfect this look for various complexions Lucero notes, “The key to perfecting this look is really to spend an extra minute perfecting your complexion. Even out redness, discoloration and blotchiness. If you’re going to pop in nudes or caramel tone colors on the face, they cannot compete with redness or blotchy skin because otherwise it doesn’t look fresh.”

Photo Credit: Stacy-Ann Ellis

Christina Brown is a social media specialist and freelance writer. She is also the founder of LoveBrownSugar. Follow her on twitter @LoveBrownSugar

“For eyes, we used black pencil on the inside and then Carbon eyeshadow underneath. Slightly heavier on the corner and then liner on the inside, with a very fine line on the top lid,” she explained. “Just underneath the eye, we feathered it slightly so it looked like little eyelashes coming out which gave that diffused effect.” “We shaded the face with contour, no blusher, no mascara,” continued Osmond. “The eyebrows were brushed out and then we finished with Clean lipglass on the lip over Mavy Nude lipstick. So apart from the eyes, everything else is quite natural.”

The artists used a combination of eyeshadow and liners including Carbon eyeshadow, Smolder eyeliner on the bottom, and Black Track eyeliner on top to create the dramatic eye spied at Christian Siriano Fall 2013.

Photo Credits: LoveBrownSugar

Christina Brown is a social media specialist and freelance writer. She is also the founder of LoveBrownSugar. Follow her on twitter @LoveBrownSugar

Have you ever wondered what hair extensions fit you best? Going natural and need protective styles? Vixen correspondent Christina Brown of LoveBrownSugar goes to True Indian Hair Showroom in Midtown Manhattan and shows you how to get the best hair extensions for YOU!

New York Fashion Week came and went like a winter boo during cuffing season. Though we’re already runway-stalking London Fashion Week, we can’t help but stop and reflect on all the amazing American collections we drooled over for Fall/Winter 2012. In true Vixen fashion, we laughed, we cried, we gagged and we even broke a few stilettos running in and out of the #NYFW tents for a taste of next season’s trends. We saw everything from 70′s retro glam to sultry sophisticated chic. Here’s a recap of all of our favorite collections this season.

Rachel Roy
The Rachel Roy F/W 2012 collection was a classic example of Rachel’s ability to bring wearability, sophistication and fun to the season. Showing a colorful collection of jewel-toned looks, from royal blue chunk knit turtlenecks to green and mustard tweed coats to burgundy work-ready dresses, Roy stayed true to her uptown sophisticate meets downtown chic aesthetic. The looks, accented by Rachel’s signature smoky eye and sleek hair, encompassed a balanced mix of updated classics and statement pieces for every day. No doubt some of our favorite fashion-obsessed red carpet regulars will be sporting these looks come Fall. Celebs of note in attendance included socialites and reality stars like Angela Simmons and Olivia Palermo, Beyonce’s head stylist Ty Hunter, and stylist Mary Alice Stephenson.

Rebecca Minkoff
Kicking off her Fall/Winter 2012 collection with a show-stopping performance by cool kid Theophilus London, Rebecca Minkoff immediately tickled our fancy with an even cooler collection of fall looks. Touches of sequins and colored metallics flooded the runway as Minkoff’s super chic mix of tailored jackets, colored cropped pants, printed dresses and leather-lined separates took the tents by storm. Minkettes (as Minkoff affectionately calls her stans) have nothing to fear, as her signature pieces including bomber jackets, tailored trousers and statement handbags were mainstays throughout the show.

Nanette Lepore
Nanette Lepore’s girly glam aesthetic rang true in her Fall/Winter 2012 collection, which included touches of custom embroidery, colorful lace, and jewel-toned velvet. Showing romantic silhouettes of ruffled and pleated miniskirts, bold metallic accents and sheer sleeved mini dresses, Nanette Lepore’s array of standout looks were sweet enough for Sunday brunch with your favorite Gossip Girl.

Tracy Reese
Sending a fanciful mix of texture, color and structure down the runway, Tracy Reese’s F/W ready to wear collection was everything a downtown princess dreamed of. From structured double-breasted coats with lush fur accents to Tracy’s signature bejeweled cocktail pieces in winter white with touches of frosty blue, a wearable and lust-worthy collection is always appreciated from the long-time Vixen favorite. Reese played with color and metallics, sending an unexpected mix of spring fun meets fall functionality down the runway. Celebs spotted front row included Twilight’s Nikki Reed and model Selita Ebanks.

Mara Hoffman
Bohemian luxe only begins to describe the Mara Hoffman F/W 2012 collection. Taking her inspiration from “South American Shaman Cowboys,” this season’s pieces were accented by a myriad of intricate elements including delicate beading, leather appliqués, and of course her custom-made prints. From long draped knit ponchos to 70′s -inspired keyhole dresses, Mara stayed true to her eclectic aesthetic and showed a mix of fancy-free prints, sheer maxi dresses and the perfect chunky knits. Celebrity fans of the designer front row included reality star Whitney Port, stylist June Ambrose, photographer Nigel Barker and runway extraordinaire Miss J Alexander.

Christian Siriano
In what was quite possibly the most refined collection we’ve seen from Christian Siriano, he somehow managed to nail his ingenious and innovative design aesthetic with sophisticated wearability into a collection that any Project Runway alum can be proud of. Taking his cues and inspiration from 1933 horror film Vampire Bat, Siriano’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection channeled streamlined sophistication meets ethereal goth. Including classic fall/winter staples like fur coats, tailored blazers and work-ready frocks in crisp whites and blacks, Siriano’s collection was chock full of red-carpet ready gowns for fall’s society balls and awards season.

Monique Lhuillier
Monique Lhuillier channeled the year of the dragon with a deep red and black palette at her Fall/Winter 2012 collection. Touches of lace, waist-cinching leather accents and fiery prints ruled the runway with sultry red-carpet worthy pieces sprinkled in for good measure. While we’re used to seeing couture-appropriate ball gowns flood her entire collections, this season was surprisingly balanced with ready to wear including a mix of bejeweled bombers, mesh tops, and knee length cocktail pieces.

Rebecca Taylor
For Rebecca Taylor’s Fall 2012 collection, she played with lush layering of chunky knits, rich custom-printed fabrics, and detailing like shearling and lace. This season’s rocker-chic aesthetic was a slight departure from her more feminine appeal, but still included signature RT elements like patchwork detailing. Menswear-inspired looks included tailored trousers, oversized blazers and quilted leather. Taylor stuck to a neutral palette of grays, blacks, plums and browns. Cropped vests with mink detailing and pops of unexpected prints like blue snakeskin rounded out the show.

On Wednesday night, celebrities, patrons, heart health advocates and fashion aficionados alike gathered at the Hammerstein Ballroom to celebrate the annual Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection fashion show. Organized by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and sponsored by Diet Coke, the annual Heart Truth Red Dress collection show features premiere designer red dresses adorned by an array of prominent celebrities who strut down the runway in support of heart health initiatives.

This year’s celebrity roster included stars like actress Christie Brinkley (who tripped down the runway but recovered beautifully by kicking off her heels and continuing her signature stride), on-air personality Aisha Tyler, VJ & reality star La La Vasquez-Anthony, music legends Gloria Estefan and Chaka Khan and more!

Celebs spotted front row included iconic actress and Broadway star Phylicia Rashad as well as Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps who met his mother Debra Phelps at the end of her runway walk with a kiss. Too cute! --Christina Brown

Christina Brown is a NYC-based blogger/writer and founder of LoveBrownSugar. Follow her to catch several NYFW updates at @LoveBrownSugar!

From UPTOWN–2011 is Kelly Rowland‘s year. In the wake of her smash hit single “Motivation”, the release of her newest solo album Here I Am, and the buzz she’s generated blazing ahead of her former bandmate Beyonce on the Billboard charts, Kelly Rowland’s career is in overtime and showing no signs of slowing down.

With her recent VIBE Magazine cover proudly displaying her newfound sense of sex appeal and entitlement in the industry, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Diddy tapped the It-girl to be the face of Sean John’s newest fragrance Empress.

“She is such a beautiful woman. Her spirit is so genuine. She’s so feminine. Sean was adamant about Kelly being the Empress,” said an enthusiastic Ericka Pittman of Blue Flame Agency, the marketing group behind all things Diddy.

Yesterday at the exclusive premiere of Empress, guests sampled the fragrance poolside at the Ciroc Cabana Club in Southampton, NY. Kelly explained the importance of women’s empowerment and how it connects to the fragrance.

“…the fact that I’ve been a part of Destiny’s Child and we’ve always been about women’s empowerment, [I feel] it’s so important for women to empower each other. And for this scent to make you feel so inspired and empowered and embrace all of your idiosyncrasies, is just amazing,” gushed Kelly.

(Continue reading at UPTOWN…)