Last week ended a series of projects that were focused on the beginning of the year and with a lot of them closing and transitioning into new projects to start, I had to take a bit of a breather from things and seek a little inspiration after going to a few meetings and events. There was just enough time to take a little personal time and to see what was out there. This time of year is amazing as you're getting items from Spring, carryovers of items from the fall/winter that you may not have received and of course, you start thinking of items that should be hitting your closet! With my initial focus being boots (which didn't happen) I decided to have an open mind to find whatever would catch my eye!

ACCESSORIES INSPIRATIONS

I walked away with a fabulous pair of heels thanks to the amazing sales that took place at Lord and Taylor. Getting these Joan and David Quella heels which are a mixture of burgundy/berry, a mossy green and skate grey in snakeskin obviously gives me ideas on how my accessories can inspire items to add into my beauty case. Joan and David reminds me of classic heritage heels - it makes me think of looking in my mom's closet growing up and seeing heels that were in an array of hues and in my favorite magazines.

GET THE BEAUTY LOOK

With such a mixture of hues there are fab items in your local counters or online that you can purchase to bring this into your beauty case. Butter London is not only a nail polish brand but they also have lip glosses as well - I love how rich their hues are and both allow you to rock the burgundy tone whether you choose Come to Bed Red (the polish) or Primrose Hill Picnic (the lipgloss). Yves Saint Laurent also has two products that are fabulous their Volume Effect Faux Cils Burgundy Mascara and Eyeliner in Moss is another way to rock these hues. Burberry makes a number of grey hues available with this eyeshadow palette. Another great eyeshadow option is from Giorgio Armani and is a mixture of grey and a bit of green mixed in (which reminds of these heels even more).

Finish the look with these great finds. Smashbox keeps your lips richly hued in this burgundy shade. Rock these Slate nails by RGB And finally, pop in a bit of green with this waterproof and retractable eyeliner in green from the Sephora Collection!

Kerry Washington of ABC's Scandal never disappoints! I also feel that if there's a person who can rock the heck out of a color, she does it and is always a vision in white! Kerry stunned on the SAG Award's red carpet as she made her way inside to be one of the presenters of the night in a show where actors vote for other actors. Decked out in an embellished ensemble by Rodarte, she completed the look with a classy Chanel makeup look.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Matthew Vanleeuwen wanted to bring a modern elegance to her look. you too can get this great finish by:

Skincare

Kerry's skin was prepped with Chanel Sublimage Essential Regenerating Fluid for her face and neck, while Chanel Regenerating Le Creme Yeux was used for her eyes.

Foundation

He applied Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long Wear Flawless Fluid Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Beige Amber to her skin. She was a perfect match (her foundation definitely looked flawless)

Blush

Kerry's cheeks had Chanel Powder Blush in Malice and on her cheekbones, Route des Indies de Chanel Illuminating Powder with Shimmer was applied

Eyes

For fabulous eyes, Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Vanites was used with the richest plum applied to the crease and the palest silvery/lilac shade used into the lash line. A little smudge of plum was used under the lash line for extra pop. The top lid was lined with Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense. Chanel Le Crayon Kohl Intense Eye Pencil in Noir was used on the lower lid.

Mascara

Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir

Lips

Lips were lined and filled with Chanel Precision Lip Definer in Mordore. They were finished with Chanel Glossmier in Sweet Beige.

I'm always talking about what I love but I have to share what works well with men and their beauty routine. "Skin is Skin" is something that I say a lot. Although I love that my boyfriend enjoys trying a number of the beauty items that come to me, there are times when I am baffled by the lack of a consistent lotion regimen. When he wonders why his skin is dry, I tell him that skin is skin - all skin regardless of race or gender needs moisture! Fortunately, I'm so happy that there are a number of items that he does love without me saying a word. In addition, there are a few items that I highly suggest. Especially in the colder temperatures, it's essential to find what works!

The Art of Shaving Sandalwood has a fab shaving cream that leaves an amazing smell and I love that Paul loves using it. I love that it leaves his skin soft. I use separate exfoliants for my face, body and even zone areas (I love certain items for tush and legs that are different from the rest of my body - what can I tell you, I love product). For him, I suggest in an effort to introduce and simplify, Borghese Active Mud for Face and Body is a great way to get this into the routine while also saving space which is important. Plus it's good for everything. For a body wash, I suggest H2O Plus Sea Salt Body Wash is a great cleanser to use and is perfect to have in the shower especially when you and your boyfriend live together so that you don't have to have a number of bottles sitting in such a small NY space.

I think the eyes are essential and I love that Ole Henriksen Eye Lift PM Gel is a great way to begin restoring your face (Pro Tip: Many of my gels sit in the fridge so that I have a nice cool feeling when applying the product at night or when it's the summer). Even if eye sagging is not an issue, I believe in preventative maintenance and am a fan of a number of the products within this line. When it's time to call it a night, I love that Paul loves keeping his face fresh by cleansing it with a Pond's Facial Wipe. This version has lavender which is calming. When I wipe off with a cleansing wipe, I still like to have a moisturizer, I highly suggest Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream - this has Clary Sage and is a nice aroma mixture with the lavender. Finally, lips are my other love! I use lip balm throughout the day and I always put on a healthy coat at night. I highly suggest Jack Black as they have an entire line that's phenomenal and good for you and him. My personal favorite is Black Tea!

Kathering McPhee stunned on the red carpet of the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Decked out in Theyskens' Theory with a plunging neckline and a high slit dress in black - it's no wonder that she is on many "Best Dressed" looks including Kitten Lounge's! We love the accessories that are feature here including her black and gold clutch, chain linked bracelet, diamond drop earrings and fabulous strappy black platforms.

To complete the Smash stars look, NARS was used to complete her stunning look thanks to Makeup Artist, Jake Bailey. His beauty inspiration came about as, "Katharine's dress looks like it belongs in a Helmut Newton photograph, so I thought the makeup should be strong and sultry...the kind of eye makeup that would be in one of those photographs. It's an eye look for sure - a smoky eye with a beautiful nude skin palette." You can get the same look by getting the following items!

FACE

Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013)

Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed (New for Spring 2013)

EYES

Via Veneto Larger Than Life(R) Long-Wear Eyeliner

Cordura Duo Eyeshadow

LIPS

Biscayne Park Satin Lip Pencil (New for Spring 2013)

Versace was the perfect dress for Homeland's Claire Danes to wear she hit the red carpet of the 70th Annual Golden Globes Awards! We also love her earrings from Joanna Laura Constantine which are on the geometria trend. Claire's smoulder look was phenomenal thanks to one of my fave beauty brands, Laura Mercier. We have the scoop on how you can get it, so read on!

Matin Maulawizada, Global Artistry Director for Laura Mercier, created a “sexy, fun look” for the starlet and gives you some of his comments on creating it.

EYES: Maulawizada determined that a sultry, smoky eye would perfectly complement the star’s glamorous, red Versace dress. “I decided to go with a smoky eye and not a red lip since the dress was so red,” stated Maulawizada.

• Maulawizada accomplished this by applying Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Liner in Black ($22) on Danes’ top lids and under her eyes “to create depth and shape.”

• Next he applied Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Black Ebony ($22) with Laura Mercier Flat Eye Liner Brush ($25) to “deepen the lash line.” He then rimmed the inside of the eyes using Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Gold ($20) to “intensify the depth and to create a contrast with Claire’s blue eyes.”

• Maulawizada added the final touch of glamour by applying multiple coats of Laura Mercier Faux Lash Mascara ($24) to Claire’s upper lashes.

LIPS: Maulawizada used neutral colours to “contour the lips” and make them appear “pouty, à la an early ‘90s supermodel pout.”

• He first defined the lips using Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in Hazelnut ($20).

• Then he contoured and shaded in the lips with Laura Mercier Lip Pencil in Praline ($20).

• Lastly he applied Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Angelic ($26) to make the colour a “bit more beige and quiet.”

FLAWLESS FACE: Maulawizada determined that “glowy, warm skin” would be the perfect canvas for Danes’ sultry makeup look.

• First, he applied Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact SPF 20 in Almond ($45) to warm up Claire’s skin tone.

• Next he sparingly used Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage #3 ($30) to “cover up little imperfections and darkness under the eyes, which she really doesn’t have.”

• On her cheeks, Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Blaze ($24) followed by Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Palette ($48) to “highlight, bronze and make her even more glowy.”

• Lastly he used a combination of Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent ($35) and Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder ($22) to set Claire’s makeup and concealer.

• To ensure Danes glowed from head to toe, Maulawizada applied Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Powder in Candlelight ($32) over Laura Mercier Repair Eye Serum ($80) on Claire’s shoulders and arms.

I love this time of year as it's glam on another level! You get to kick off the year with awards season, a number of trade shows showcase what is coming into the market for the fall and of course you have a nunmber of Fashion Weeks globally and that's just the overall calendar within the Fashion industry! There are so many organizational methods taking place to keep everyone on the same page as companies are involved in a number of events and Face Charts are a life saver.

Years ago when I first modeled, I don't believe it registered with me that they were being used as I just sat in the chair and let the magic happen around me; however, when I began to cover backstages of NYFW or attended shoots, I realized that these face charts were not only there so that people had a guide of how the look would be but it was a great way to ensure that the makeup look complimented the clothing. When I launched Shoe Week last year during NYFW, it was much easier to ensure that the vision I had for each runway show was being communicated as I was able to look at the face chart that our makeup artist created! Finally, I even create them for myself for events that I am doing or when I am going on HSN - so simple and easy!

This is a look that was created for Erin Heatherton when she attended the CFDA Fashion Awards and is actually a signature look that I have worn off and on as I love that it has a smouldering eye and a great pop of pink lip, I always call this my "Sun Kissed" look when I am doing TV as it's warm, totally works even for early morning call times (on HSN) and it's super chic! You can find blank face charts for your needs and then play around with creating your desired look!

For those that want to know how to re-create the look from this chart, here is how you can recreate it courtesy of Victoria's Secret Beauty:

FACE

Get this Bronzed Bombshell look by applying VS PRO Radiant FX Face Illuminator everywhere the sun naturally hits: forehead, tops of cheekbones, bridge of nose and tip of the chin.

Lightly dust VS Makeup Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Goddess on temples, under cheekbones, and to the tip of the chin for extra sunkissed radiance followed by VS Makeup Luminous Blush Duo in Starlet.

EYES

Define upper and lower lashlines with VS Makeup Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate. Use a flat, firm liner brush to blend and soften the line.

Apply VS Makeup Shimmer Eye Shadow in Chestnut from lashline to crease. Next, apply more color to the outer corner of the eye and blend up and out towards the brow.

Using fingertips, dab Shimmer Eye Shadow in Taupe Love to the center of the lid. Add a dab of the shadow to the inner corner for an eye-opening effect.

Finish with two coats of VS Makeup Triple Drama Mascara in Blackest Black.

LIPS

Complete the red carpet look with a swipe of VS Makeup Lip Gloss in Intimate.

On a rainy afternoon earlier this week, I headed to Milos for a Beauty Brunch that was hosted by my friend and Social Media Director, Michelle Joni Lapidos of Spa Week - also make sure to check out their blog as well. The brunch allowed attendees to sit and chat skincare with Miami Beach based Dermatologist, Dr Loretta who has her own practice, a skincare line in her own name as well as a line that does private label for various spas. For those that follow Kitten Lounge on Facebook, you saw a number of my videos popping up talking about how gum (sugarless free is suggested) is great to keep your neck muscles firm, her skincare's innovation with stem cells that contain lavendar as well as other information regarding African Americans and the types of peels that they should use. The video above shares why we should apply new beauty products to only half of our face as they are done during clinical trials! It's a great way of seeing how well the product works for you and what results you can expect to see - a novel idea and one that we should always remember to do!

In addition to a fabulous lunch, we were able to have many of our skincare issues answered as well as to test a number of products within the Dr Loretta line including Age Change Daily Moisturizer (includes SPF 30+ which is perfect to use day and night), Age Change Body (which is great for all skin types and allows your skin to glow) and Age Change Eye (which lessens dark circles, bags and puffiness and protects the thin skin that is around the eye area). These can be purchased individually OR you can select the Age Change Kit which allows you to receive the Age Change Body for free when you purchase the Age Change Eye as well as the Age Change Face (which is the daily moisturizer).