A fellow beauty blogger, Lianne from TheMakeupGirl, Samara and myself. We were at an Italian restaurant (IL Menestrello) that as Lianne put it, “Was real gangsta!” I had a great time at dinner with these ladies and we certainly laughed a lot.

I was invited to an event at Estee Lauder with Total Beauty and The Beauty Blog Network. We were given a tour of Mrs. Lauder’s office, intact the way she had it while she was still alive. The room was gorgeous, although I remarked on the fact that her bathroom was all mirrors, which kind of freaked me out. Loved the view from her office out to the skyline of New York City. This is the event where I also got a picture with Bobbi Brown.

These are Mrs. Lauder’s antique compacts–aren’t they beautiful?

These were some of the items designed for Runway to Change, which I wrote about on my work blog. And we all know how much I adore Isaac Mizrahi–so when I was paying the cab driver when we pulled up to the event, Isaac was leaving the VIP portion of the party with Russell Simmons in front of him. I tried to make the cab driver move a little faster getting me my change so that I could talk to him, but Isaac was quick and got in his car and left. I was so disappointed, but at least I can say I saw him in person and he has such a bright smile as you see in all of his pictures.

This is Pamela Pekerman, who attended Runway to Change with me (and was also at The Budget Fashionista party where I met Carson Kressley). In full disclosure she is a Pierce Mattie PR client, but nevertheless, she is exceptionally nice and we had a really great chat that night.

Here’s just a small video of what it looked like inside Runway to Change:

This is me in my hotel room a few hours before I had to speak at the HBA Expo (and later that night met Jane Iredale.) Leandro Bare from Lancome came to my hotel room to do my makeup (because he is amazing like that!) He had fallen asleep on the bus ride over and left his whole makeup kit on the bus. So he used what I had. Just goes to show you what an incredible talent he is!

Then this is just me in the last few hours I was in the city hanging out at Pierce Mattie’s Media Oasis.

Of course, look through the archives here and at A Girl’s Gotta Spa! and you’ll find more photos from backstage. I look forward to going back again next year!

*Photo Credit: All photos (c) Shannon Nelson

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Here are just some of the things I will be doing:

Meeting up with the owners and makeup artists behind 3 Custom Color Specialists. This will be another video I’ll be doing and you’ll want to check it out.

Possibly meeting up with Andrea from Glamour Magazine.

Going to a party jointly thrown by the Sugar Network and Coutorture.

Going to the nomination ceremony for The Fabbies (of which my other blog A Girl’s Gotta Spa was nominated for Beauty!)

Backstage with MAC Cosmetics on Feb. 1st for Jason Wu & Nicole Miller (pending designer approval at this point).

Going to Victorya Hong’s (from Project Runway) Runway Show.

Having cocktails at Koi with Total Beauty (sponsored by Aveda).

Getting a makeover at the Lancome Boutique and interviewing their makeup artist on what’s new for 2008.

Meeting up with my friend Samara & later my friend Jason.

Going to a dinner for beauty bloggers held by MAC at Indochine.

Going to Extracts/New York Gift Fair (I’ll be stopping by Mommy Makeup’s table!)

Having brunch with the beauty & fashion bloggers from Splendicity.

Possibly going to the launch party for IQONS Magazine–Diane Pernet invited me after all (and I probably danced around my house for an hour saying “Diane Pernet invited ME!”)

I’ll be seeing so many beauty bloggers some as old friends and some new faces, as well.

I can’t wait–and I can’t wait to share it on all my blogs for all of you!

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From lids to lips, cheekbones to collarbones, this scintillating set offers everything you need to get ready for a big night out. This sephora.com-exclusive set includes:

* mini cheek stain in tipsy (sheer shimmery peach)
–skinvigorating™ ingredients: oil free, alcohol free, paraben free, preservative free, phthalate free, dermatologist tested

* double-ended lipgloss in elle & emmett (sparkly pink and lilac)
–skinvigorating™ ingredients: jojoba seed oil, mineral pigments, paraben free, mineral oil free, phthalate free, dermatologist tested

* rest assured brightening wand
–skinvigorating™ ingredients: cocoa seed butter, shea butter, mineral pigments, water, beeswax, phthalate free, dermatologist tested

* mineral powder bronzer in park avenue princess (light bronze)
–skinvigorating™ ingredients: vitamin A, C & E, mineral pigments, mineral oil free, phthalate free, dermatologist tested

* mini glistening powder in sugar daddy (sparkly champagne)
–skinvigorating™ ingredients: mineral pigments and silk powder

Available exclusively at www.sephora.com

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Hot off the presses from Lancome!!

Paris, January 2nd, 2008 – Lancôme has the immense pleasure to announce the future arrival of American actress Anne Hathaway as new ambassador for the brand.

“Anne Hathaway is a radiant young woman who perfectly embodies modern femininity. We know she will portray all the passion and excitement of our new fragrance, to be launched throughout the world in September 2008″, says Odile Roujol, President of Lancôme International.

Photo Credit: www.satoshisaikusa.com

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What’s even more exciting is that the first issue is free to anyone who asks! So what are you waiting for?! Click over to their website to find out how you can get the first issue free and emerse yourself into the makeup industry.

Out of the Foundation Brushes pictures above, were you able to spot Billy B’s right away? I know I did–and MAC’s as well!

Photo Credits:
Beauty Shot: Makeup Artist Eran Paul
Photographer: Dudi Hasson
Technique Shot: Photographer: Arthur Cohen
Makeup Artist: Lori Hogg
Model: Emily Ansell
Brush Shot: Photographer: Paul Godwin

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1. I love Stacy London and Lancome.

2. See the floors in the Lancome plant? My husband installed them! Look honey you’re famous!

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My uber talented friend, Billy B , is currently traveling the states doing his American Beauty Tour; I’ve watched his blog as he appeals for people to apply to be a model at each of his tour stops (which people happily clammer for). So imagine his surprise when he gets a call at midnight from the Production Assistant from American Idol claiming that Paula Abdul wants to be his model for his Atlanta event. Was he speechless…yes–and I think he still is (and my gawd, I would be too–I love Paula!)

Paula Abdul flew into Atlanta for auditions for American Idol when she picked up the Atlanta Peach and read a blurb about Billy being in Atlanta at the same time for The American Beauty Tour. She has long been a fan of his and has always wanted to work with him, so she decided …this was her in.

With everything squared away, Paula snuck in while everyone was seated and Billy gave the opening piece of his presentation. He then introduced his model to the group of attendees and when Paula appeared, “Everyone’s mouthes hit the floor.” When I asked him what kind of model Paula was Billy told me, “She was great! She asked questions, engaged the audience; she even posed for photos.”

Billy has a really important stop on his tour coming up. On November 4th he and Ruth Roche will be teaming up to do both makeup and hair at his New Orleans stop of his tour. Both the seminar itself and the cocktail party that evening will benefit Hairdressers Unlocking Hope a Vidal Sassoon and BehindtheChair.com initiative with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Habitat For Humanity. The money being raised that day will be put towards rebuilding an entire neighborhood in post-Katrina New Orleans.

Billy’s & Ruth’s seminar is from 1:30-4:30pm; the cost is $145. The cocktail party (and seminar) will take place at the W French Quarter. The cocktail party cost is $145 and dress is…”fabulously casual or casually fabulous” as The Powder Group’s Michael DeVellis told me today. The Powder Group is the organization producing and organizing The American Beauty Tour, as well as this fabulous charity event. The Powder Group artists are also the creatives behind the artwork done on the bodies of the people in the photographs on the Hairdressers Unlocking Hope website.

While Billy and Ruth are Pro’s, the event is open to absolutely everyone–and believe me, Billy is so super fab, you will want to meet him in person. (I know I can’t wait for the day when I finally do!) At the event you’ll also be able to purchase the entire set of Billy B Paintbrushes I have raved about at a great discount!

Please head over to The Powder Group’s website to see complete details about this event. Can’t make it to the event itself? Consider making a direct donation to Hairdressers Unlocking Hope.

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Lipstick:
Masque: Rosy dirty pink
Archetype: Sheer light gold

Lipglass:
Nothingless: White gold with yellow pearl
White Magic: Soft baby pink with white pearl

This collection also contains eyeshadow, paint pots, mineralize skin finish, kohl powder and mascara. It’ll be available on October 11th. www.maccosmetics.com

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I’ve written up my adventures on A Girl’s Gotta Spa:

My Jay Manuel sighting

I met Phillip Bloch & Robert Verdi

The gang’s all here–big meet up with my fellow beauty bloggers

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* Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
* Mac Eye shadows & lip glosses
* Channel Glossimer lip glosses
* Napoleon Perdis Blush
* And a must have…false eyelashes!!!

You can listen to snippets from her album by going to EMI’s website.

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