55 Secret Street

Dove's Real Beauty Sketches #WeAreBeautiful

2013-04-16T19:46:25-04:00

Dove enlisted an FBI sketch artist to draw women as they see themselves - and the way they are seen by complete strangers. The results were pretty interesting. Do you think your self-perception matches the way the world sees you?

Beauty Bag: CoverGirl's 'Always Naked' Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss

2013-03-22T11:34:33-04:00

My new favorite neutral CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish in Always Naked. I discovered it at a recent beauty event hosted by CoverGirl where hairstylist Marcus Francis (he did Kerry Washington's hair for her recent Ebony cover) and makeup artist Bruce Grayson (I took a great Vine video of him and his famous "flick." Watch and you'll see what I mean) let us in on some recent red carpet beauty trends. My first thought was that it looked like putty and would be dull on my skin. Good thing I was wrong!

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Always Naked $4.99

Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced

2013-03-20T18:12:15-04:00

Pat Cleveland in 1972 wearing Stephen Burrows. Photo: Charles Tracy.

Stephen Burrows: When Fashion Danced is a new exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York which showcases the pioneering designer's innovative work from the 1970s. The exhibit features several original pieces by Burrows, along with sketches and photographs of the designer's work. Stephen Burrows made fashion history in the 1970s: he was the first African-American designer to win a Coty Award and have his own branded boutique in Henri Bendel. He also dressed superstars like Cher and Diana Ross and participated in the iconic 1973 fashion show at Versailles featuring a battle royale between American and French designers. The show was recently immortalized in the documentary, Versailles '73.

Museum of the City of New York, 1120 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672.

Photo: John Aquino.

55 Oscar Favorites: Solange Knowles, Naomie Harris, Queen Latifah and more

2013-03-01T18:56:24-05:00

Kerry Washington talking Olivia Pope nails on the red carpet.

Naomi Campbell and Quincy Jones at the Vanity Fair party.

Aisha Tyler in Jean Fares Couture at the Elton John AIDS Foundation party.

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka. I wonder if she is wearing one of her CoverGirl Queen Collection Jumbo Gloss Balms on her lips? That looks like Electric Flamingo to me! Those balms are one of my new favorites, but I like Mulberry Mousse.

Rashida Jones glittering in Vivienne Westwood.

Quvenzhané Wallis in Armani and her signature puppy purse. I am sure it was due to Quvenzhané that Poochie & Co. has completely sold out of their inventory of puppy purses!

Stacy Keibler in Naeem Khan. I loooved his Fall 2013 show and Stacy wore one of my favorite looks from the collection.

Naomie Harris and her daring split got mixed reviews, but overall, I liked her look. It was designed by Michael Badger, a Ghanaian-born design student at Savannah College of Art and Design, who was mentored throughout the design process by Vivienne Westwood.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji. I think her seeming loyalty to him is serving her well.

Solange Knowles in a sunshiney yellow Emilio Pucci and her signature afro.

First Lady Michelle Obama's surprise appearance to present the award for Best Picture in a gorgeous, custom Naeem Khan. She was in the same gown she wore for the Governors' Ball earlier in the evening.

* All photos: Getty except Michelle Obama (Official White House photo).