As someone who spent the better part of their life sleeping with mascara on to cover blond lashes, I’m always open to try the latest in lash enhancements. When I heard about LashDip, a semi-permanent mascara solution that promises perfectly sculpted jet black lashes for up to 6 weeks, I knew I had to try it. Described as “the world’s most perfect coat of mascara,” LashDip is painted carefully onto individual lashes to create lasting luscious, voluminous fringe. Conceived by founders Jessica Harley and Gina Mondragon in Chicago, the revolutionary treatment is quickly spreading to salons all across the country.

I met up with the founders while they were in New York to test out the latest in eyelash innovations. The hour long procedure was surprisingly relaxing and not at all uncomfortable. Nourishing eye masks are even placed under eyes for an added beauty benefit while the technicians work, taking care to painstakingly separate each lash. Lashes are first curled and then individually painted with a stark black gel that is set in place with a short burst of cool air. Multiple coats can be applied, depending on the desired effect.

Once the formula is set, it is 100% water-proof, allowing you to exercise, shower, swim and cry without the worry of smearing, smudging or clumping. This feature makes LashDip an easy choice for flawless, fuss-free vacation makeup as well as for brides looking to avoid unsightly raccoon eyes on the most photographed day of their lives. An added bonus? It will also last through the honeymoon!

This unique breakthrough treatment is perfect for women looking for a simple alternative to the classic, time consuming process of mascara application. If you don’t generally have the time, patience or desire to fiddle with your lashes every morning, look no further. With LashDip you will wake up with dark, separated, subtly curled lashes, creating an instantly pulled together, yet natural makeup look. It’s ideal for everyone from busy career gals to hectic moms that want a lasting, low maintenance solution and a quick makeup routine.

Lash fanatics may find it difficult to put down their favorite mascara wand and comply with no-touching requirements. Fussing with lashes is discouraged as oils from your fingers break down the formula and shorten the life of the treatment. Though oil based mascaras and curlers are forbidden, the drama of LashDip’s effects can be further enhanced with both semi-permanent and at home lash extensions. The LashDip formula actually helps extensions adhere to your lashes and allows them to blend seamlessly without a coat of mascara. If you are going for the full false lash look, opt to have a few extensions added to your outer lids while getting “dipped”. If you absolutely MUST apply an additional coat of mascara for added oompf on a special night out, make sure to use a water-based mascara. The founders suggest using Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara as it does the least damage to the formula.

Using lash growth treatments is also allowed and even encouraged. Try an at home lash growth serum like RapidLash or Miss Oops! Ridiculously Long Lashes to promote healthy, natural lash length.

Do you think getting “dipped” is for you? Are you excited or apprehensive to try out the latest in lash enhancement?

As we officially transition in to fall, we thought it would be timely to check out Smashbox’s provocative Fall 2010 Masquerade Collection. With seven limited edition pieces, the Masquerade collection plays up fantasies of illusion mystery and intrigue with rich, decadent shadows, jewel toned liners and shimmer infused glosses with surprisingly wearable colors. True to the collection’s name, many of the products surprised us with unexpected elements and dual purpose features. Our friends at Tractenberg & Co. sent over some of the collection’s highlights.

Our favorite pieces from the collection have to be the The Lip Enhancing Glosses (in golden nude Reveal and golden pink Disguise). Light reflecting particles diffuse light for the perfect amount of shimmer and shine while moisturizing ingredients like sunflower seed oil provide nourishing benefits to lips. The gloss glides on completely sheer, with no goopy or sticky reside. Perfect for adding a touch of sparkle to any holiday ensemble.

The collection offers two beautiful blushing options. The Creamy Cheek Color and Blush provides a gorgeous, subtle rosy glow in a compact cream blushing stick. With its built in blending brush, it’s a make-up bag essential for after work touch-ups. If you prefer power blush, go for the Baked Fusion Soft Light Palette. The multi-toned palette infuses skin with a soft rosy shimmer flecked with gold and is perfect for achieving a long lasting luminous glow.

The mutli-purpose metallic Liquid Liner and Lash Overlay (in Teal and Bronze) acts as both a classic eyeliner and a colorful compliment to your mascara. Not only can you create the perfect cat-eye with the super thin liner brush, ideal for precision application, but you can also add a hint of color to the tips of your lashes to really bring the focus to your eyes. Pair it with one of the paler shadows from the line’s Eye Shadow Palette and let the liner take center stage or amp up the look by using it with one of the sumptuous smoky shadow shades for a more dramatic nighttime look. With nine distinct colors in one easy compact, the combinations are endless.

Perhaps the most mysterious product of all, the O-Gloss Noir appears black in the tube, but transforms to a sheer berry hue when it comes into contact with your skin/lips. Exclusively available at Sephora, the O-Gloss reacts to your skin to create a shade that is unique to you. It’s packed with nourishing vitamins like goji berry-c complex, ginko and avocado oil that naturally moisturize lips. Truly amazing!

If you are an avid fragrance buff or a simply loyal LUSH fan, you have to head down to Soho and check out their pop-up perfume gallery at 54 Crosby dedicated to LUSH’s Gorilla Perfume line launch (open to the public Saturday, September 25 11 AM – 5 PM).

The exhibit is a tour through each of the line’s ten new fragrances created by Mark and Simon Constantine, the brand’s Co-Founder and his son. The space has been completely transformed into a multi-level olfactory fun house with each room devoted to a different, distinct fragrance and decked out thematically in accordance with the original motivation for the scent. The best part is that you are guided through by LUSH fragrance experts who not only explain the intricate notes of each perfume, but also tells the fascinating story behind the scents’ inspiration.

For example, a journey into the Orange Blossom room evokes thoughts of bicycling through the Mediterranean while while the smell of orange blossom wafts through the air. It brings you back to the very moment Simon conceptualized the scent.

In stark contrast, in Lust room, your nostrils are immediately met with the strong scent of pure Jasmine accentuated with floral notes and a seductive scene that illustrates Mark’s vision for a “sexy, dirty, lustful” fragrance.

Moving on to a salon setting reminiscent of where Mark started his career, we found one of our favorites from the evening – The Duchess. The fragrance is part of a trio of portraits of memorable women Mark met during his stint as an assistant at the popular Elizabeth Arden salon on Bond Street. The Duchess is named for Margaret The Duchess of Argyll, British Royalty, who’s scandalous history is represented by a strong blend of known aphrodisiacs like Jasmine and Rose.

The line also carries a selection of amazing candles. We are in love with the fun, flirty scent of the Tuca Tuca candle which permeates a room with a sumptuous mix of violet, vanilla, cassie absolute and ylang ylang. Pick it up in the store on your way out of the event.

What’s your favorite fragrance from the new collection?

With New York Fashion Week over it’s time to step back, assess the trends and figure out how you can realistically recreate them at home. From tousled, bed head hair and blunt bangs to brown-toned lips, smudged eyes and muted nails, these are the trends that stood out to us this fall along with suggestions on how to duplicate the looks.

Nails – Cloudy gray, taupe and khaki tones from Chanel and butter LONDON ruled the runways this season. Vena Cava upped the drama with a striking half moon shape to compliment the collection’s geometric designs. Get the look with butter LONDON’s “Yummy Mummy” as a base coat and use their “Union Black Jack” to create the half moon.  A quick coat of one of the season’s hottest muddy polishes adds an instant element of chic to any look.

Vena Cava's dramatic nail impression

Hair – Reddish, copper shades are the hottest hue for fall. The shades can range from a subdued auburn to the edgy, bold statement red Rihanna has been seen sporting recently. Replicate the trend (to whatever degree you desire) with L’Oreal Healthy Look coloring kit. The color washes out in 28 shampoos and gives you the freedom to experiment without the commitment.

Long hair is back, but don’t worry if you haven’t grown out that bob just yet. You can replicate your favorite celebrity looks with lightweight, blendable extensions from hairdo. Duplicate the Snooki bump and achieve all that volume without the damaging effects of teasing with the Bump Up the Volume crown piece or add some glamour and length with the Styleable Extensions. Bangs are big this season too, but if you’re too nervous to make the cut, just clip in the brands clip-in bangs for a sultry look that’s totally temporary.

Lips – From nearly nude beiges to dark autumn browns, lip colors warmed up on the runways. Backstage at United Bamboo Dick Page used Shiseido’s Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in new color Alabaster to create a barely there, clean lip look. Similarly at Rag & Bone models sported the aptly named Fashion’s Night Pout Lipstick, a matte nude shade, developed by Gucci Westman for Revlon. The trend was more exaggerated at Derek Lam and Chris Benz where the models walked the runway in more saturated shades of 90’s era dark grunge inspired browns.

Eyes – While a smoky, dramatic eye is always a show stopping staple, Dick Page went a different direction at United Bamboo and aimed to create a natural, minimalist look with (gasp) no mascara. He used a light touch with Shiseido’s Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in Snow Shadow and slicked the brands shimmering lipgloss over lids. His approach encompasses the perfectly non-precise look of the season. Try a softer, less in-focus approach for fall and do away with any harsh, drastic lines. Blend, blend, blend!

Backstage at United Bamboo

Dick Page's eye combo at United Bamboo

Skin - Fresh, glowing skin is key to any look. Prep your skin with COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer. The breakthrough product firms skin while providing a perfectly smooth canvas for foundation application.

What trend are you most looking forward to testing out this season?

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Mickey