Back in Jolie’s magazine editor days, she used to attend fashion shows each season.  It was all terribly glamorous…but when you’ve seen one show, you’ve seen ‘em all.  After leaving New York in 2006, we haven’t ventured back east to brave the Bryant Park tents, despite (because of?) the increasing popularity of the shows among bloggers, many of whom have done an excellent job with their backstage coverage.  Plus, Jolie is all about real beauty…and Fashion Week, more often than not, isn’t.

Mais!  Recent reports have surfaced that Maybelline, one of our favorite drugstore brands (Great Lash notwithstanding) is thisclose to signing a deal to sponsor the New York shows in September.  It’s been a busy year for the ol’ J, and she sniffs heady, blissfully perfumed change in the winds.  Should we finally brave the tents with the Beauty Bloggeratti?  Methinks, indeed, it might finally be time.

New York…you’re on notice.  Jolie’s missed you.

Women’s Wear Daily reports:

NEW FACE IN THE TENTS: Maybelline New York, which touts itself as the top-selling makeup brand in the global mass market, is said to be close to signing a deal to become a lead sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Maybelline, a division of the Paris-based L’Oréal, has never played a role in the Bryant Park shows, but the brand has had fashion sponsorships in Germany, according to sources. Maybelline’s new sponsorship deal is thought to be for a two-year period for both the September and February shows, first in Bryant Park and then at Lincoln Center. A L’Oréal spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The move comes after MAC Cosmetics, the previous cosmetics industry backer of the fashion shows, was said to be in talks to become a lead sponsor for runway shows and presentations at Milk Studios during fashion week. According to sources, MAC is withdrawing its sponsorship from the Bryant Park shows in favor of backing the Milk Studios venue. A MAC spokeswoman confirmed late Friday that MAC will no longer be the cosmetic sponsor of fashion week at the tents. However, the company will continue to do the backstage makeup for a multitude of shows.

 One of the most frequent questions I get is: “What should I splurge on and how can I save?”

I think only with hair do you really get what you pay for.  Splurge on a gorgeous cut and artful highlights and your hair will be easier to style, will grow out more evenly and you’ll be more likely to love what you see in the mirror every morning.Is this a hard and fast rule?  No.  You can get nice color from a box–although from-a-box highlights truly are dicey–and you can get a good cut from Susie Q at the local salon.  The more complex the style and intricate the color, however, the more you’ll benefit from a pro.  If you have the same color God blessed you with, rarely blowdry your hair because it airdries perfectly!, and haven’t the foggiest why everybody moans about frizz and damage, then Supercuts and Feria away!  For the rest of us–you know, us split-ended, monthly root-touch-up requiring, coarse-stranded, thick-haired gals with cowlicks?–you’d better believe we’ll see results from a great stylist.  (“Great” means, say, $100 – $200…not $1000.  We are not Billionaires here, people.)

Now.  As for pretty much everything else …with the exception of powders (more on that below)…more expensive does not equal better!  Cleanser, face moisturizer/serum, nail polish, intensive conditioner…you can find genuinely amazing buys for all at the drugstore!  Below, my all-time favorites (all of which are currently carving out real-estate in my bathroom).

Moisturizer/Serum/Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch SPF 55, Olay Regenerist, Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion SPF 15 

Cleanser: Check out Cetaphil, Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

 Nail polish: OPI will do just fine, thanks!

Intensive Conditioner: VO5 Hot Oil, Infusium Leave-In Treatment, Aussie Three Minute Miracle

 Mascara: Cover Girl Lash Blast, Max Factor Lash Perfection, Maybelline Great Lash (if that’s your thing)

The only thing besides hair I will voluntarily splurge on until the day I die is Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals foundation, because those drugstore imitations just do not compete.  Why?  More expensive powders are more finely milled; your NARS blush will produce less streaks than the Rite-Aid version; it’s not your imagination–those MAC eyeshadows really are more pigmented than the corner knock-off.So, shop at the drugstore and remain confident that–as long as you’re picking the right products–you can still equip yourself with the best…all while saving money for those expensive highlights!  Or for rent.  Toss up.

There’s a new mascara on the block: Maybelline Lash Stiletto.  Now, I am beyond skeptical when it comes to Maybelline and mascaras–I know that everybody else in the world seems to hold hands and sing songs and praise Jesus when it comes to the wonders of Maybelline Great Lash, but I, personally, cannot stand it.  Lash Stiletto, on the other hand, isn’t the best mascara I’ve ever come across, but it’s definitely not the worst…and, in fact, I think it’s pretty darn good for a drugstore offering.

Here’s the deal: it has a rose scent, much like Diorshow, that either you’ll love or you’ll hate.  Me?  I like it; I think it’s a nice touch and ups the glamour factor.  It also dumps a massive quantity of product on your lashes, and really does extend them to spindly, otherworldly lengths.  (Read between the lines: this is not a mascara for the faint of heart!)  My one problem with it is that it’s slightly clumpy, and if you don’t apply it carefully, you could be left with Tammy Faye Baker lashes.  Run the brush over the lip of the tube or squeeze the excess onto a tissue before you apply; the remaining amount, I’ve found, is perfect for defined, extended, Daddy Longlegs on steroids lashes.

A. writes:

Hi Jolie,

I noticed on an old post that you are a fan of Lancome Fatale. Can you explain how to use the friggin’ stuff? I’ve looked up tips for using it, but all I get is huge clumps that stick all of my eyelashes together. I keep combing it through, just like I’ve read, but it seems to make things worse. I even try separating my lashes with an eyelash comb, then with pointed tweezers. They glob together, and it’s a hot mess.

I’m really good at makeup application, and I’m a fan of other brands that use the unconventional wand for fatter lashes, but this Fatale stuff has me thrown for a loop.  Thanks!

Thanks for your email, A.!  Here are a few tricks for you to try, alone or in tandem. 

1) Run the closed tube under warm water for about 30 seconds-1 minute to help loosen the formula up and keep it from clumping.
2) When you take the wand out of the tube, press a piece of toilet paper/kleenex around the wand and then gently squeeze, to take off excess product
3) Take the wand, and rub it back and forth against the lip of the tube, to take off even more excess

But, keep in mind: Fatale is supposed to look kind of spidery and crazy. Don’t freak out about it; just embrace it! (Those tricks should help, though, but it will never look like wimpy mascara that gently defines; it’s definitely a Look At Me! mascara.) If you’re looking for barely-there, try Maybelline Great Lash (shudder for me, but there are those that love it!), and if you want definition without craziness, try Max Factor Lash Perfection or Too Face Lash Injection Pin Point. I hope that helps!

If you watched last night’s Stylista, you saw our very own Cologne Schmidt sent packing.  (What do you think?  Was her departure fair, or should it have been whiny Kate?)  I interviewed her last week, planning to post her responses today…but never dreaming it would be her last hurrah!  Sob.

Congrats on the show. Are you recognized anywhere? Have long-lost friends started crawling out of the woodwork?

Thank you! Today was a normal New York day–work, then happy hour with the girls. I actually did get recognized once. A guy came up to me and said “You look just like this girl from this new show Stylista, do people always tell you that?” I had to laugh. And I did discover relatives I never knew I had, which was a fun surprise. Everyone has been very supportive.

What does being a fashion editor mean to you? Why were you interested in working at Elle?

A fashion editor has the unique ability to combine creativity and intelligence. You have to always be ahead of trends and be able to predict where the fashion world is going next. Decisions a fashion editor makes can essentially change the way people dress, shop, and think about style. You have to have a love for fashion, innate eye for style, creative vision, and intellectual capacity. It is a fast-paced job that requires a lot of involvement and ambition. To by honest, it is exactly what I would love in a career. Elle is one of the most ideal magazines for me to work at. It is fast-paced, reputable, smart, and beautifully laid out. I admire the talented minds that generate Elle each month.
 
Tell me more about your line, Oh de Cologne.

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