Muah-Valicious: Spring Reporter

THE INTRODUCTION: Is there anyone as excited for the spring than the Madam herself? I hope so, because there are many hot trends ready to set sail for this spring, and I have the liberty and pleasure to create sample looks that will get you going for an easy, breezy spring. Every Friday I am happy to present "Muah-Valicious: Spring Reporter", my relaxed guide to getting dressed for any occasion this spring! THE SETS: I am thrilled to showcase "Red, Hot, & Blue"; a classic way to incorporate two sizzling colors into your spring wardrobe.

Spring Cookouts: As the temperature heats up, I'm positive the cookout invitations will start over flooding your mailboxes. Check out this cute, flirty, simple look that will keep all eyes on you!

Sunday Brunches: So you've just got out of church and everyone is headed to brunch at one of the hottest restaurants in town. Embrace your femininity and slip on an easy dress; make sure you bring a sweater because the spring wind can host a little bite!

The Spring Dance: As you know the spring time would be the best time to go club hopping. What better way to shake your tail than by putting on slim biker style pants and a pair of your favorite booties. Don't pack them away just yet!..Booties will be a sure thing all through the spring!

Discover Intelligent Beauty??

So the phrase, “the grass is greener on the other side” comes to mind when explaining the “Going Green” phase. Millions alike have jumped aboard to fighting for an eco-friendly system, at all costs. From the foods we eat, the cars we drive, and the clothes we wear; many are finding their way to play their part in maintaining a greener environment. As for the average beauty junkie, saving the earth is rarely on the top of their to-do list. Let’s get down to the boiling point, when it comes to cosmetics, it’s about trends, not trees. So if you’ve finally discovered that new shade of lip color, or lightweight cleanser, does it really matter if the products are made from eco-friendly ingredients? To answer the question- Yes it does, to more and more consumers. With the ushering of eco-chic on the runways with the help of Stella McCartney and Edun creator, Bono, the latest fashionista is sashaying where the grass is greener. Globally, sales of natural and organic cosmetics reached an estimated $7 billion last year, according to Organic Monitor, a British company that tracks the growth of the organic market. And those sales, which have included familiar botanical brands such as Burt's Bees, the Body Shop, Nature's Gate and Origins, have been growing 20% annually and are expected to double in market share in the coming years. Aveda founder, Horst Rechelbacher is developing a new line of head-to-toe organic products under the Intelligent Nutrients label, while Kiehl's will soon market its first product with a certified -by EcoCert, the European seal of eco-friendliness- organic ingredient, argan oil, sourced from Morocco and coveted for its rich moisturizing effects. Stella McCartney, a known eco-friendly leader, joined forces with Yves Saint Laurent last year to create Care, an organic skin care line. Estee Lauder also created an organic frenzy last year, with the release of Origins Organic. Driving the trend for eco-conscious beauty has become effortless, as some of the major cosmetic companies have created full cosmetic lines. This now leaves the beauty junkie to take extra steps on going green; now the beauty junkie becomes the eco-beaute junkie!

CONFESSIONS OF A BEAUTY QUEEN

Dear Mauve readers,

I must make a confession...I am a Beauty enthusiast! Being able to enhance facial features has always been an obsession of mine. Constantly changing my hair and make-up to current trends allows me to embrace a new season- and guess what? Enhancing your natural beauty is not as compilicated as some beauty guides present it to be! That is why today, I am thrilled to show you my five Spring Beauty Looks that require minimal steps, but delivers grand results! Take a look:

EYE CANDY: Graphic lines are making a huge fuss this spring as the help to draw attention to your natural eye shape or help to recreate a new one. Simply add faux eyelashes to open your eyelids. Allow for bronzer on the cheek bones, and make sure to use a natural lip color for a nude effect.

SUGAR HONEY ICED-TEA: You know the old saying, “less is more”. Well this look is the epitome of that saying. By simply adding a light amount body glow bronzer to the face and by narrowing in on the cheek bones, you create a soft, sun-touched look to the skin. Continue with a nice brow shaper and a bronzed lip color for the complete touches.

COLOR ME MOD: The act of lining the eyes have worked for centuries! Paying close attention to the lash area, line both top and bottom lash area to emphasis the color of your eyes. To really make the eyes stand out, you can use a colored liner. Touch up the skin area with a light bronzer followed by a cream blush for long-lasting wear.

NATURAL GLOW: Ready to imitate Goldy Locks on the hair? Try a ceramic curler that will allow for a tight curl without damaging the hair. On the skin use an illumination powder for glow and follow up with a liquid liner, staying very close to the eye.

SMOKIN' HOT: The smokey eye is an industry favorite for the spring. Use soft colors to blend together with your smokey black or grey shadows to create a light weight smokey eye for the spring. For the tresses try the Ceramic flat iron to smooth those tight curls out.

TOP PICKS OF THE RUNWAY

1:

SOFT, MODERN LOOK FOR THE EVERDAY WOMAN. ALSO GIVES A SPLASH OF BOLD COLORS FOR THOSE WHO WANT A CHALLENGE!

2:

NAVY BLUE IS A MUST! THIS IS DEFENITELY THE COLOR FOR FALL...STAY TUNED!

3:

SOFT METALLICS AND SWEATER DRESSES...A HEAVY HITTER FOR THE FALL! ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SHOULDER GLOVES.

OOoooWWW!!!...SOMEONE PLEASE PASS ME A BANDAGE!

Its the craze thats been taking the fashion industry by storm, as celebrities rush to retrieve bandages from legendary designer Herve Leger. These "Bandage" dresses have been a speciality of Herve since the late 80's. As the design of the bandage dress has been continually reinvinted, the demand for them have skyrocketed! Its the most sought after dress ranging from A-List celebrities to the local fashionista herself! They serve a great deed of justice...these dresses, as they hug, tuck, and squeeze every curve into its proper position; allotting for that hourglass figure most girls dream about. It is to no wonder why Herve Leger, under the direction of Max Azria, took this brand to greater heights during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Show. Max Azria stuck close to natural, warm, flesh tone colors, while adding intricate designs to the signature dresses. Take an exclusive look at some of the Celebrities who love the Bandage Dress. The Mauve Society also give you the complete Fall 2008 collection and we assure that you'll be screaming for a bandage pretty soon!

HERVE LEGER by MAX AZRIA FALL 2008: