LYRA MAG.

Metropolitan Pavillion, NYC Makeup legends, consumers and professional artists  descended en masse to West 18th street-for the discounts, educational seminars, and makeup demos (galore)...along side exhibiters from mega brands -NARS, Make Up Forever, MAC, STILA, Smashbox- smaller companies that are cult indie FAVS (Embryolisse, Bioderma, Lip Armour, Obsessive Cosmetics, Inglot, Mehron, Temptu, Viseart)--- and beauty emporiums (like fav Alcone, Nigel's Beauty Emporium, and Ricky's). To name a few. packed aisles---brisk sales- seriously even on a MONDAY special 10th anniversary products.... HIGHLIGHTS (in no particular order) Of course-the special effects demos got the most Instagram pics...multi-hour works of art on humans... airbrush for precise lines... Temptu Pro even the hair took two artist and hours.... from Cosmix School of MakeUp Artistry ---a gal's BF---what a guy! She told us that if she was working on a set-this wo

NYC SOLO ONE-STEP Gel Manicure, SK-II, SimySkin, Jao Hand Refresher, Lucas PawPaw, Embryolisse, Bioderma Nail color and special effects are still super popular---with new formulations, colors and textures keeping ladies' talons supplied with plenty of options. to use---clean nails, lightly buff-apply one thin coat…just brush on…use the LED light to cure 60 seconds---and brush on second coat…the glitter was  added on ---while polish was wet  30 solid and sparkling colors-$15/apiece SOLO ONE-STEP  Gel Polish manicure systems ( ULTA $129)-take the durability+color selection of gel manicures---and makes it consumer friendly- with its NEW at home kit-no base or top coat needed. LED light, Solo-Vanish gel remover, and a foil wrap, picture... The curing LED light--- has a 60 second timer.. Each kit includes 2 cleansing wipes, Vanish Gel remover, 10 remover wraps, four polishes, nail file, nail buffer…and LED light. Backstage-the usual staples that make-up art

We try scores of beauty/skincare products…but-what we end up using till the container is empty= that is a product that gets the major love. It works and it works for our active lifestyle-(outdoors, endurance sports)…as well as quality (passing  the urban sophisticate test) and, a MUST- practical to use. Like our wardrobe- we take high/low approach to this…as there are loads of inexpensive products ---and plenty of pricey items that are worth it. IMO.                                                                   Eye MakeUp With all the watery environments and sweat induced activities-we're always bemused by claims of "waterproof" makeup. Yeah, right.  The first test we did 2.5 years back was with MakeUp Forever's at that time fairly new AquaLiner $23-in Dragon Lagoon Green-a bold toned liquid eyeliner that goes on easily enough with the provided thin brush-and sets fast. Waterproof tough was put to the test- as we were going to jump off a ferry and swim t

International Beauty Show NYC/Javits Center OSSWALD BOUTIQUE/311 West Broadway, NYC Remember how Black Friday/Cyber Monday- brought out the frenzy of the motivated looking to score deals. Not that the annual International Beauty Show...a tradeshow and educational event- had attendees knocking over the 'competition' to snag some of the specially priced goodies from the 500+ exhibitors...but since we first started covering this show---it has grown in attendance--- by a lot . And we were there on a Monday---that was jammed pack from the get go---particularly in the main area where most of the hair/nail/salon exhibitors were located. SHE® by SO Cap --a lucky volunteer! TRENDS: For hair ---argan oil and Keratin straightening treatments and haircare products are still popular-but there is a noticeable uptick in hair extension products---both realistic looking (shade wise) real human hair tresses---to the bold tinged, clearly fake locks...of all lengths. Sponsor SHE®