55 Secret Street

You Want This: Palatable Florals

  

Madison Marcus Flourish One Shoulder Dress, $328.

  

Jill Stuart Lena Print Long Sleeve Dress, $588.  

  

Tribune Standard Slashed Shoulder Shirtdress,$525.  

  

Madison Marcus Opulence Floral Mini Dress, $265.  

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Blue Floral Dress,$475.

 

55 Beauty Bag: Curls Unleashed!

 

 

My pal Patrice at Afrobella made sure that I heard about Curls Unleashed - and I'm glad she did! The makers of Organic Root Stimulator participated in a series of events during New York Fashion Week last month and Patrice made sure that I was invited.  Sadly for me, I wasn't able to stay very long at either event - but I was lucky enough to get my hands on the entire product line to review.

The timing could not have been more perfect.  I was literally out of all of my usual staples (which I am bored with anyway) and I was ready to make a trip to Ricky's to replenish.  With the exception of the mousse  (which is made for looser, curly textures - I passed that on to my youngest sister) I tried every product in the line, from start to finish. 

I began with the Lavish in Lather Sulfate Free Shampoo ($10.99) which effectively removed the product in my hair without stripping it and making it feel like straw. In fact, it was kind of soft.  I followed with the No Restrictions Moisturizing Conditioner ($14.99) which moisturized my hair very well and softened it hair even more, even though I only left it on for a few minutes.  In subsequent uses, I have left it on for up to an hour, but it works well either way.  I'm a conditioner hog, so I really need to watch how much product I am using and when I saw that my jar was getting low very fast, I started using less product and had the same result. 

Sulfate shampoos and conditioners aren't really an issue because I find that several brands work well for me.  The real test for me is with styling and moisturizing products.  The ones that worked best for me in the past are just out of my current price range, so I haven't used them in a while.  The cheaper products I've been using have been just... okay, so, I wasn't expecting much when I tried the Set It Off Curl Boosting Jelly ($14.99).  The promise is crunchless curl definition and, lucky me,  it delivered - no flakes, no crunch and my hair wasn't dull for once. It even provided a bit of moisture even before I applied the Take Command Curl Defining Creme($14.99)  It looked white when I applied it the first time and I was concerned about it drying that way but it didn't and, again - no flakes. 

Throughout the day, I find that my hair remains soft and when I revive it the next day with the Second Chance Curl Refresher ($12.99), all is still well - no flakes, hardness or dullness.  I haven't been this pleased with (nearly) an entire line of products in a long time.  A very long time.  I have yet to see them in any of the drugstores that I frequent in New York and New Jersey, so I will be visiting Sally Beauty Supply online to replenish when I'm ready.  Highly recommended.

Curls Unleashed, $10.99 to $14.99, curlsunleashed.com and sallybeauty.com.

Zippers, Brows & Color-Blocked Nails: Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2012

 

MAC's eyebrow pencil in Fling was used to fill in the thick, Brooke Shields-inspired brows and eye kohl (pencil) in Teddy was smudged over the eyelid for a sleek, smoky finish.

Color-block inspired nails by Pattie Yankie for Dashing Diva. 

Pattie Yankee's nails for Dashing Diva were almost "zipper metallic" at Cushnie et Ochs before a last minute switch in the collection that inspired a color-blocked palette in a pale nude (Chelsea In The Buff) and Navy (NYPD Blue). Considering that the collection, with its precise draping and strategically placed silver zippers,  was inspired Pedro Almodóvar's lurid tale of a mad plastic surgeon, The Skin I Live In, the subtlety on the nails worked. 

 

 

Zimbabwean model Nyasha Matonhodze being interviewed backstage before walking the runway at Milk Studios for Cushnie et Ochs (below).

 

*All photos by Nichelle Gainer except the final photo (Alessandro Garafalo/GoRunway.com via New York magazine.)

 

DEGEN Fall 2012

Lindsay Degen's first ready-to-wear collection, entitled "Ask Tell," was a repeal of the term "Don't Ask Don't Tell," Degen set out to create a collection that referenced "military themes." As a salute to the importance of the individual, Degen collaborated with a collection of other creative minds, a photographer, a stylist, a shoemaker, and a crochet milliner. Degen wanted each person involved in the collection to bring their own individuality.

The inspiration: a naval ship or the "dazzle ship." Degen mimicked the patterns on the ships using complex knit structures.

I loved the capes and sweaters

These cropped tweed pants were my favorite in the collection.

Degen displayed many items that were not neccessarliy wearable (unless you're Prince) but interesting knit and detail none this less.

 
More of the crochet that was used throuout the collection.