Claudine Stace's Beauty Insider Blog

I love Robert Verdi for his game show host enthusiasm about things ranging from flatbread to a sick pair of jeans to his favorite skin hydrator. But mostly, I love that he employs his signature move--his sunglasses perched on his head--ALWAYS. It's the accessory equivalent of a signature scent and it's so freaking fierce. So it's only natural that the veritable SHAH of shades has created his own line of sunglasses for HSN.Read on... While you may not be able to afford a $400+ pair of shades from Tom Ford at the mo', you can capitalize on Verdi’s high-end styles for...

More news on lead in your lipstick [Betty Confidential] IS eight hours of sleep a night consecutively a good thing? [BBC] This French major is KIND OF disturbed that the French are doing away with the usage of "Mademoiselle." The WORD, not even the perfume [TresSugar] The best and worst smelling cities, per Chandler Burr, whom I obv call Chanandler Burr in my head, similar to the erroneous TV Guide of Chandler Bing [GQ] Is it 2004 where he is? The Sartorialist DEIGNS to include UGGS on his site [The Frisky] Anastasia Highlighting Cream Duo review [College Candy] And your real estate dreams are REALIZED: Mary Kay's pink mansion is back on...

The Mad Men Collection by Estee Lauder boasts vintage-inspired  packaging much like the original EL items of the '60s.  He has a place in South Hampton. I'm not saying that I've seen it, but it's beautiful.-- Mad Men's Joan Holloway Start SWEATING, you guys. Do you have THE VAPORS over what is going on here OR WHAT? Estée Lauder is launching a Mad Men makeup collection. I know. I KNOW. A corpse is reading this. You are no longer LIVING. Here, the deets on the limited edition makeup collection. Inspired by AMC Drama Mad Men, Estée Lauder will introduce two limited edition makeup collections. The first Estée Lauder Mad...

Redken Creative Consultant Guido created a look that reflected “A collection inspired by, Land Girls, 40’s military and London war times, the hairstyle for McQ’s London show was meant to be strong, forceful and structured and reaches back into the brand’s heritage, referencing its own aesthetic of beauty.” I love that it simultaneously recalls a danish and a hockey puck. Here's how to get the look. Redken Products: - full frame 07 protective volumizing mousse - fashion work 12 versatile working spray - ...

In NYC, where fitness trends change at the speed of light (for the masses, Core Fusion is so 2011, though it's very 2012 for me). The latest group class with a cult following is SoulCycle, which everyone on Twitter is OBSESSED with. So my gal Denise organized a beauty spin group sesh for myself, Rachael Kelley from Kiehl's, Jeannine and Kristin. I loved that I worked muscles INTENSELY that I don't use as much in Core Fusion. My quads and hamstrings have been sore for DAYS which is at once alarming and satisfying. Some things to know before your first...

I'm super-psyched to share with you all an exclusive Q&A I did with the noses behind Nine West's new Love Fury fragrance, available now. I caught up with Firmenich perfumers Ilias Ermenidis and Hororine Blanc and scored the scoop on the process of creating the olfactory delight and what a typical workday's like for a master perfumer. Check it. Beauty Blogging Junkie: Tell me a bit about the process of creating Love Fury--were there specific notes you wanted to incorporate? Firmenich: In the development process, focus was paid to using ingredients that captured the specific emotions and sensations of the...

Let a bitch SPA. For a long time, I used to consider massages and facials to be extravagant purchases, only for the completely indulgent. Especially massages--why spend the cash on a beauty service after which you won't even look more attractive? It seemed INSANE. Until I caved and started spending on them while on vacation, which ended up being the gateway drug to a massage every few weeks or so to unwind after busy weeks running around and sitting at a desk all day. Spa days with some of my favorite friends and even spa weekend breaks like the one I took...

My gal Tiffany, makeup artist extraordinaire just alerted me to this event taking place in Connecticut. Stila is celebrating E! Live from the Red Carpet for the Oscars with Ulta Beauty in North Haven, CT on February 25 from 12-6. Stila has made exclusive products just for E! and will be featuring those, along with offering mini makeovers with Stila's Pro Artists, Live DJ, Mocktails & appetizers. Bonus: customers will also receive a free gift with purchase. Appointments are required; call (203) 234-1489. Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Starting today, Guerlain has released a series of video episodes dedicated to Orchidée Impériale skincare featuring new brand ambassador Michelle Yeoh. The series explores the world of orchids, the science of longevity, the wonder of nature in a cinematographic manner which rings true to Guerlain's high-end brand. I've been on the receiving end of many an orchid plant as a gift and wish there were some way I could figure how NOT to kill them.  The video does not explore this, but you'll learn lots about how the brand works with the beautiful flower and its beauty benefits. Here, first episode of...

In the lastest installment from Official Mascara Correspondent Ashleigh, she tries Femme Couture Monster Lash Mega-Volume Mascara, available at Sally Beauty Supply for a not-so-steep 6 bucks. How does she find its lash-lengthening abilities? Read on and find out... The brush on this mascara appears to be the selling point at first glance. It's a curved brush with natural fibers, but it almost looks like it's been squished like a pancake. You have curve, but you also have an almost comb-like feel to the bristles. The brush has a bit of a scoop, so I expected it to deliver...

Number of Groundhog Day-esque deadlines for ELLE.com trend posts: EIGHT. I gave myself the most stressful assignment of coming up with beauty trends from JUST each day, never overlapping. Number of $15+ cab rides all the way up to Lincoln Center (AKA Siberia) and back: 10 Number of actual runway shows attended: 1, Betsey Johnson, whose cartwheel reaffirmed why I heart FW. Number of songs Shazaam'd during Betsey Johnson: 5. Fashion shows routinely boast the best mu. Number of NYFW manicures: 1 using Lancome's new Vernis in Love at their event at the Solange Azagury-Partridge Number of backstage shows covered: Just 7 this season--I found...

Did you know that Cetaphil uses the same original formula developed in 1947? Check out the brand's original packaging, above. Some fun facts from 1947: Betty Boop, Judy Garland and Katharine Hepburn were the style icons of the era Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart stole the hearts of the ladies on and off screen Rosie the Riveter stood proud as the face of women working in factories during the war The most popular shade of lipstick was berry red In New York City, Edwin Land demonstrated the first "instant camera," a Polaroid Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball professional, signed onto the Brooklyn Dodgers After 65...

More must-have beauty trends seen on the fall 2012 runways: intricate nude nails, beautiful braids and perhaps a city-wide gel draught. Here, some the week's most salient hair and nail trends. Carmen Marc Valvo Shellacked Shapes Ted Gibson used a veritable half-bottle of his Fix It Gel backstage at Carmen Marc Valvo to create a triangular low bun. The hair, parted on the side, was as shiny as patent leather. At Zac Posen, John Freida’s Luigi constructed a Japanese-inspired chignon saturated with gel and accented with shorn pieces of the models’ actual hair coated in product; the ends were...

There's still one more day to take advantage of 50% off at New York Dermatology Group! I recommend you treat yourself to a Triad Facial at half the price. Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Fictionary is a column showcasing beauty-related words that don't exist, but should. A Fob gracing the runway at L'Wren Scott today. Approach commitment to your lock length with all the enthusiasm of a New York man to a serious relationship: Enter the faux-bob, or Fob, for short. A flirty, cropped ‘do is yours--until you unpin it and return to your regularly scheduled tumbling Rapunzel mane. Here's how it was done throughout the fall 2012 shows at New York Fashion Week. Theda Bara inspired the marcel-waved faux bobs Serge Normant sculpted behind the scenes at L’Wren Scott. For Oscar de la Renta, Orlando Pita fashioned a...

Twenty percent off the already-wallet-friendly MicroZone treatments? Get INTO it! Dermalogica is located at 110 Grand Street in NYC. Enjoy! Like this post? Don't miss another one! Subscribe via my RSS feed.

Daphne Groeneveld at Anna Sui In today's Fashion Week trend news, you may want to snap a photo of your natural flush after a day of skiing in crazy-cold climes for blush inspiration next September: wind-burned cheeks are all the runway rage on day seven of New York Fashion Week. Also popular? Elongated brows and bright blue lids. Mayhaps you'll indulge in just one of these trends at a time, though. Here's a run-through of Day 7's beauty trends. Element-ravaged Cheeks Chalet-chic rosy cheeks ruled the runway at Michael Kors. According to Shiseido’s Dick Page, the look is a “bloody, wonky flush, like...

File under: I want to go to there. Infinity pools of Bali. I love every word of that sentence, even "of" [The Luxury Spot] More proof that The Secret works! NOW YOU CAN SHOWER LYING DOWN. Thrills! [BellaSugar] Oscar de la Renta is releasing a NAIL POLISH COLLECTION [Birchbox] Shakira was attacked by a SEA LION? [Betty Confidential] Check out the Doo.ri for Macy's collection [Racked] Fourteen celebs who resemble the Westminster Kennel Club dogs. Obv [The Frisky] Another advocate of oil cleansing [Already Pretty] Pretty pleats under $20! [College Candy] Real beauty brings you Fashion Week's beauty trends [Real Beauty] Bring it: 8 fatty snacks that can slim you down [You Beauty] Like this post? Don't miss another one!...

Makeup maestro Pat McGrath just tweeted a pic of this SICK eye makeup look from backstage tonight at Anna Sui's fall 2012 fashion week show and I think I need an OXYGEN TANK. I'd posit we'll be talking about that eye (achieved with indigo CoverGirl eyeshadow, BT dubs) for YEARS to come. That look, along with the epic Zac Posen Japanese-inspired spiky hair adornments (created from pieces of the models' real hair) will live on as The Looks That Set The World On Fire for fall 2012. Do you love it, or do you LOVE it? Image credit: Pat McGrath/Twitter Like this post? Don't...

Credit: Bellasugar Go make an appointment with a NOTARY because this modern take on the Gibson Girl hairstyle sashaying down the Lela Rose runway created by my mane man himself, Ted Gibson is officially The Business. Read on for the how-to. Says Ted, "Lela was influenced by this architect who designed bridges, Santiago Calatrava. As the bridges were very structured, we went for that same inspiration with the hair. It couldn't be down, it needed to be up and with a defined shape." SoTed went with a modern take on the classic Gibson Girl. To make it 2012, he did the roll...