Julia Restoin Roitfeld: Beauty Diary

I always enjoy a glimpse of the beauty products of Julia Restoin Roitfeld and the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar kindly provides a look at her current favorites. In this month’s “Beauty Diaries,” the magazine shares insider secrets to be fabulous at any age (up to 60) and Julia was chosen to represent women in their 30s. Which products does JRR consider top shelf? What tips does she offer? Let’s take a peek…

MAKEUP

“I love 60s references. Sophia Loren’s winged eyeliner was always super sultry.” Essie Nail Polish (Muchi Muchi)Everyday essentials: Bobbi Brown concealer, Luma blush, Eyeko mascara, Kiehl’s lip balm. Evening picks: M.A.C. taupe shadow, Eyeko liquid liner, and M.A.C. nude glosses. Preferred polish: Essie’s Muchi, Muchi pink:  “I get a manicure twice a week and a pedicure once a week. This color is neutral enough to go with everything.”

HAIR

“I’m bad at styling my own hair, plus it tends to get very dry, so I keep it simple and let it air-dry to a soft, natural wave. When I have an event, I go to my local Drybar salon.” Tress prep: Rahua shampoo, Amazon Beauty Rahua ShampooKiehl’s olive oil mask, and Moroccanoil Treatment. Hair pro: Colorist Christopher John at Alessandro Mangerini Salon “colors my gray roots, but I hate getting haircuts — it always looks too short! I get trims on shoots.”

DIET & FITNESS

“Whenever I’m on a diet, all I think about is eating, so when I don’t restrict myself I feel better. But I do try to stick to organic foods.” Breakfast: Juice Press kale smoothie. Juice Press Kale SmoothieBest brunch: Eggs, pancakes, and oysters at Soho House. “I love mixing savory with sweet.” Lunch: A sandwich, a Cobb salad, or sushi. Dinner: “I eat my daughter’s leftovers — roast chicken and mash or fish and vegetables.” Guilty pleasures: Rubirosa pepperoni pizza and Häagen-Dazs. Fitness routine: “I feel guilty if I don’t work out.” SoulCycle three times a week and Ballet Beautiful twice a week “for toning.”

Bonpoint Fragrance

SKIN & BODY

“I’ve never done Botox. I spend a lot of money on products because I prefer to prevent aging rather than have to fix things later on.” Skin savers: Eve Lom Cleanser, LaPrairie moisturizer, Sunday Riley moisturizer and eye cream, and Natura Bissé Glyco Extreme Peel “to remove dead skin and get a glow.” Favorite facial: Mist Beauty’s laser facial to “tighten my skin” once a month. Body basics: Kiehl’s body butter and Aurelia oil. Fragrance: Bonpoint. Indulgence: Massages at the Prince de Galles hotel in Paris.

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Julia Restoin Roitfeld for Harper’s Bazaar © 2015 Hearst Communications, Inc. Images courtesy of amazon.com and twitter.com.

Happy 60th Birthday Carine Roitfeld!

Happiest of birthdays to the queen of our hearts, Carine Roitfeld! Though it is impossible to believe, this incredibly chic woman turns 60 today, an inspiration to all that sexy has nothing whatsoever to do with age. In celebration of Carine's extraordinary ability to defy the passing of time, let us examine five of her basic principles for living. All of these hints work to "preserve the freshness," the Parisian approach to caring for oneself; the typical French woman wisely believes that it is better to take care of her assets along the way rather than trying to retrieve her youth with surgery or expensive creams later in life. Note that these ideas have nothing to do with fashion, other than providing for a beautiful frame on which to display the art of the garment. Joyeux anniversaire Carine xxx

1. Ballet

Over the years, Carine Roitfeld has kept active with Pilates, a personal trainer, and other forms of fitness. Her current passion is ballet and she practices with a teacher regularly at home. Of course she has chosen the best ballet clothes: cashmere tank top, leggings, and cardigan in nude or khaki by Rick Owens. She likes to layer her pieces so that she can remove them as she sweats.

2. Green tea

Carine begins her day with matcha green tea, whipping the powder into froth with a handheld electric food processor. Noted for its antioxidant properties, green tea makes the skin glow among many other benefits. I found it interesting that when the Vogue Bar began, they selected a drink befitting CR, then editor-in-chief, that included green tea… "Carine's Tea Time" composed of Vodka Absolut 100, sirop de thé vert, jus citron vert, eau florale de menthe (or in English, Absolut vodka, green tea syrup, lime juice, and mint blossom water.)

3. Massage

Carine Roitfeld prefers Joëlle Ciocco for her facial massage, a thorough treatment which covers even the inside of the mouth, reducing stress and freshening the skin. Parisian women swear that treatments with Ciocco can stop the process of aging. For body treatments, Carine has been spotted at L'appartement 217, the peaceful haven created by Stéphane Jaulin.

4. Sunscreen

Sun damage is the leading cause of premature aging in women and men. The sun's UVA light accounts for 90 percent of all wrinkles. This means that with care, damage to the skin can be avoided and aging can be prevented. An effective sunscreen can help to protect against skin cancer as well. If you consider only one of these ideas to counter the effects of aging, I hope you will choose the regular application of a quality sunscreen. As Julia Restoin-Roitfeld explains, "It’s a daily routine for French women of eating healthy and being very careful about going out in the sun. They work to keep up the freshness as long as possible... For me, beauty is more about prevention than anything. Especially now that I’ve hit 30, it’s more about being careful and maintaining my skin. I want to keep my youth and freshness and be wrinkle-free as long as possible because I don’t want to have to cheat — that’s what I call any cosmetic surgeries, cheating. I don’t mind having a little glow, but now when I go to the beach, I put SPF 50 everywhere — either Avène or La Roche-Posay Anthelios."

5. Sleep

Even with her busy schedule, Carine knows the importance of sleep for health and she aims for seven hours per night. A true French fantasy, she wears to bed her black silk slip dress by Olatz with a spritz of Opium by Yves Saint Laurent. Notice how clean and calm her bedroom is, conducive to clearing the mind for a restful night of sleep.

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Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of Twitter, Instagram, Art + Commerce, Net-a-porter.

Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C.: The Smoky Eye

I am honored to present the first official IWTBAR video — Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C.: The Smoky Eye by our "very cute looking" contributing editor, Renee Hernandez. She shares her interpretation of the smoky eye à la the limited edition makeup collection created by Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C. Cosmetics. Very special thanks to Carine Roitfeld and M.A.C. for their support of this makeup tutorial.

Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C.: The Smoky Eye
By Renee Hernandez

I’ve always told myself that your messy self is your most beautiful self and when I see pictures and interviews of Carine Roitfeld I know this is true. This shy, edgy, and provocative style maker does not like things to look perfect. She even admits that the best makeup look is when it is still smudged the next morning. Her collaboration with M.A.C. is true to her aesthetic — smoky eye, bold brow, nude lip, and a touch of whimsy with her “good luck” beauty mark.

To recreate Carine Roitfeld’s iconic look, begin with your eyes. This look uses Desert Camouflage Eye and Cheek Palette from the limited edition Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C. collection.

Iconic Eyes
To avoid eyeshadow dust from settling onto your foundation, start with the eyes.

Using a small, flat brush, apply Cactus Thorn across the base of your lid. Apply the same color with a smaller blending brush to the lower lash line. Blend around the edges for a softer effect.

At the outer corner of the eye, apply Desert using a slightly pointed blending brush. Take a larger blending brush and blend over Cactus Thorn.

Keep building the drama with Smolder Kohl Eye Pencil. Glide liner across your upper lash line. Apply Carbon over the liner using a small blending brush for a softer effect.

Continue defining the eyes by applying Carbon with a small angle brush past the outer corner of your eye for an subtle cat-eye shape. Finish by lining the lower water line with Smolder Kohl liner. Smudge eye pencil using small blending brush to diffuse and soften the edge.

Accent the look by applying Sahara Dust under the brow.

Full Brows
The eyebrows are brushed downward and then lightly filled with Brunette Brow, the perfect brown-gray brow color (this color choice depends on your natural brow color). Brush upward for a softer-looking application, and keep them in place with a sweep of clear mascara or hairspray, if you like.

Natural Looking Finish
Gently remove excess eyeshadow dust with a little bit of moisturizer and a cotton ball. Use your favorite foundation or concealer to spot-touch and even out skin tone.

Mascara
Curl lashes and apply black mascara to top lashes, sweeping from root to tip.

Extra Definition
For extra definition, use Sandstorm cream blush to contour cheekbones. Apply color to the hollows of the cheek using your fingertips or angled contour brush and blend.

Nude Lips
A nude lip is the perfect finish to the sexy smoky eye. Glide Tropical Mist directly from the tube, starting at the center of your upper lip and working out. Repeat on the bottom lip.

Good Luck Star
Place stencil on your cheek just below your eye. Fill stencil in with M.A.C. Fluidline in Blacktrack using a small angled brush.

And there you have it. Tired but sexy. So Carine.

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Carine Roitfeld photograph © 2012 M.A.C. Cosmetics. Carine Roitfeld X M.A.C.: The Smoky Eye film stills © 2012 Renee Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.

Roitfeld Beauty Secret: Imperfection

Editor-at-large Kate Ringo Suzuki is on the scene to share with us one of the secrets to being a Roitfeld: imperfection. Yes, you read that correctly, Carine Roitfeld practices the art of imperfection and you can, too...

Roitfeld Beauty Secret: Imperfection
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

“I think that something needs to be weird in order to have a real beauty. Beauty can be quite boring, especially if you’re talking about beauty that doesn’t last. And what lasts is exactly the thing that maybe wasn’t pretty at first — it comes over time to be beautiful or interesting or exciting.”

— Carine Roitfeld

Resist the urge to Photoshop your life. Real beauty contains flaws and weirdness: What an interesting concept. I think Ms. Roitfeld is right. I am pulling for the weird side of style. Think of it as CR Fashion Book vs. InStyle Magazine. Go, CR Fashion Book, GO!

Another groovy fashion editor esteemed for her singularity, the late, great Diana Vreeland, delivered a similar riff on this idea that so-called flaws enhance rather than degrade what is considered beautiful. She once said, “You don’t have to be pretty. You don’t owe prettiness to anyone… Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked ‘female’.” These are words that came out of the mouth of a woman with iconic style.

How would you choose to present yourself if pretty were not a requirement? Would you wear discretely strange tops by Martin Margiela, paired with tight black Balenciaga pants? Would you button a white Ann Demeulemeester shirt all the way up? Or would you unbutton it down to there… and forget about it? Take a moment to ponder it.. What if pretty were not a requirement? What would you do? Okay… so do that.

If pretty were not a requirement, perhaps you would be edgy and own it, or maybe you would be fearlessly sexy. Give pretty the backseat and what results is pure nonchalance. Interesting. Carine Roitfeld does not fidget in the mirror nor does she tilt her head sweetly. She is too busy being charming, being interested, and being engaged in the moment, which is now. Like right now. This second. She is not being pretty. There is no “being pretty” — you either are or you are not.

But while Carine Roitfeld does not fidget in the mirror, she also embraces beauty wholeheartedly. For Ms. Roitfeld, beauty develops from the delicate interplay between the pleasing and the weird, the elegant and the shocking. Carine Roitfeld wears gorgeous clothes, weird shoes, and she lazily smudges black kohl around her eyes. We view her style as exciting. We think the circles under her eyes are sexy. The juxtaposition of her holy shit amazing clothes and her imperfections makes for a cool contrast. Carine Roitfeld highlights her strengths and lets the rest be. She skips the concealer. We call it character.

Is your imperfection...
Frizzy hair? That’s your signature. Make frizzy hair cool.
Flat chest? Go braless. Wear tight tops. Emphasize it.
Big nose? Pull your hair back. Wing your eyeliner.
Scars? Wear them like edgy, one-of-a-kind accessories that you bought in the East Village.
Too tall? Stand up straight. Wear heels. Really piss off the short people.
Too short? Take your cue from the Olsen twins and be awesome, do stuff.

Even if your flaws are nowhere near the ballpark of being strangely compelling, you can take heart that imperfection is endearing at the very least. Here are a few snappy bullet points to print out:

• Relax, there is no being pretty.
• Highlight strengths and forget the rest.
• Wear holy shit amazing clothes.
• Be awesome, do stuff.

Have fun. As for me, I’m skipping the manicure and going for a run. Catch you later.

Carine Roitfeld photographs courtesy of 12mag.net, the-wink.com, and tumblr.com.

Roitfeld Beauty Secret: Confidence

Our delightful editor-at-large Kate Ringo Suzuki has encouraging news for all of us: it is possible to share in Carine Roitfeld's secret to beauty and it is absolutely free! Please read on to learn for yourself how you, too, can have that Roitfeld je ne sais quoi in just three easy steps… I am confident you will enjoy the lesson. Thanks for breaking it down, Kate!

Roitfeld Beauty Secret: Confidence
By Kate Ringo Suzuki

Equipment shirt… Check.

Balenciaga pencil skirt… Check.

Alaïa heels… Check.

Kohl rimmed eyes… Check.

There you go, you have the signature Carine Roitfeld look. You're welcome.

Wait a minute, not so fast! If you truly desire to emulate the compelling allure of La Roitfeld, forgo a spending spree at Barneys, it is unnecessary. I am going to let you in on a little secret — the secret to grabbing up Carine Roitfeld style! And by the way, I know it is hard to believe but her beauty secret comes absolutely free of charge. It can be had by all!

Come closer and I’ll whisper it into your ear. Shhhhhh… Carine Roitfeld’s most potent beauty elixir is timeless, enduring, free (did I mention free?), and completely intoxicating to everyone in her presence. Her beauty secret is called: Confidence. Not sold in a Sephora near you, I can assure you of that.

Here is my big promise: Follow these guidelines and you can project confidence, too.

1. Carine Roitfeld understands that youthfulness is a state of being. She is not obsessed with looking young because she is too busy enjoying life. She has l'art de vivre down pat. Although she is a very busy woman, she never appears to be burned out. On the contrary, Ms. Roitfeld retains a sense of fun. You need only to watch any interview of her on YouTube to see it for yourself. She is sharp and witty, light and charming.
2. Carine Roitfeld always appears to be comfortable in her own skin. This is a woman who has no qualms about being photographed (fabulously) wearing nothing more than a black thong and white pumps. Ok, fine. It helps that she has a figure that many 25 year olds dream of having, but let us not overlook the power of Confident Body Language, otherwise known as C.B.L. Grab up any photo of Carine Roitfeld and you will see that her shoulders are relaxed, her chin is up, and her eyes pierce through like a tigress stalking its prey.
3. Carine Roitfeld has jolie laide (or in English, pretty ugly). She parades her quirky good looks with pride. Eyebrows remain ungroomed (all the more to dramatically frame her tigress gaze), and her face exhibits pleasing lines when she smiles (the anti-New York look). And no, despite numerous fashion writers’ claims, for the last time, no, she does not look like Iggy Pop, for crying out loud. She is much prettier than Iggy Pop. And much more refined. I am confident enough to say this.

Don’t forget the three magical ingredients to intoxicating confidence: Have some fun, remember your C.B.L., and parade your quirky good looks with pride!

Carine Roitfeld photographs © 2010 Alexandra De Lapierre and courtesy of alltheprettybirds.blogspot.com and Fashion Spot.