Karl Lagerfeld + Modelco
London had its big wedding, but in Paris the city was taken over by fashion royalty when Karl Lagerfeld staged a very flash flash mob. A hundred models wearing spacey Lagerfeld helmets stormed the streets for the launch of the uber designer's beauty collection in collaboration with Australian brand Modelco.
The so-called Beauty Butlers treated Paris like a runway, parading past landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and up the Champs-Elysees, before heading to the Place Vendome to break ranks in front of startled pedestrians. Then it was off to a swish launch party at the Hotel D’Evreux, attended by influencers including Caro Daur.
The unveiling of more than 50 limited edition colour cosmetics revealed that the hero item, the Lip Light Lip Gloss, was also topped by a Karl head. Innovative packaging extends to a palette in the image of Choupette, his Instagram star cat. New Zealand-raised supermodel Stella Maxwell, a Victoria’s Secret angel and partner of actor Kristen Stewart, is the face of Karl Lagerfeld + Modelco.
The collection will be available for a limited time in in a limited number of top overseas stores, including Lagerfeld's own and online at Modelco.com
Exotic blooms
The Erdem for Nars Strange Flowers collection is one of the prettiest we have seen. Jumping off from designer Erdem Moralioglu's love for striking florals, the grey packaging is stunning, as to be expected from Nars collaborations which are always stand outs.
Colours inside are equally as striking, ranging from deep purples and unexpected yellows to delicate mauves. Items have been developed from scratch, rather than the old collaboration trick of repurposing range standards. An example is a densely pigmented red lip powder which debuted on the runway at Erdem's last London Fashion Week show. The collection is available in New Zealand from May 29 exclusively to Mecca Cosmetica stores and at Meccabeauty.co.nz.
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Starr struck
In another floral outing, M.A.C has teamed up with makeup YouTuber Patrick Starr again, after a successful cosmetics collaboration in February. This time round, rather than lending his name to a range of individual items, he has chosen the colours for two kits of full-sized products. These come in flower emblazoned pink packaging and carry his signature.
The kits, Me So Fleek and Me So Chic, each contain a lipstick, lipglass, blush duo and an eyeshadow quad at a cost of $142. The M.A.C X Patrick Starr Floral Realness deal is available at selected M.A.C stockists at Britomart, St Lukes, Manukau and Sylvia Park and at Farmers Hamilton Centre Place and Wellington. It's also available online at Farmers.co.nz/mac
Benefit for all
Brow specialist Benefit is determined to lift arches and spirits with their Bold is Beautiful campaign, running in 19 countries. Throughout May in New Zealand, Benefit is donating $15 from every brow wax service it does to Dress for Success, the organisation that helps outfit women back into the workplace. It's the fourth year the company has partnered with a local charity that empowers women and girls. In-store collections of work worthy clothing are also being accepted. In exchange you will receive a fun-size brow sample.
Benefit has also extended the shade selection of one of its champion products, Gimme Brow mascara. To help a good cause, get along to Benefit’s Ponsonby Rd flagship store, its kiosk at Westfield Albany, Smith & Caughey’s Auckland stores, David Jones in Wellington, Ballantynes in Christchurch, and H&J Smith in Dunedin.
Name to know
Leonor Greyl is a cult classic Parisian haircare brand with an in-the-know following. "This oil is such a French product, easy to apply with immediate results, it's like that Parisian look with jeans and a jacket: easy and immediately chic," says the company's president, Caroline Greyl. The Royal formerly known as Megan Markle had it lavished on her locks by her hair stylist of four years, Michael Silva. He says he uses the botanical oil to nourish, detangle and add shine to all his clients, who also include the Kardashians.
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Advertise with NZME.Finding it in this part of the world hasn't been easy, but newish Auckland online beauty start-up, Ines store, is helping out. They also stock Christophe Robin, another prized haircare brand, alongside a range of French pharmacy and other specialist skincare. Find Huile de Leonor Greyl, $72, and a magnolia fragranced oil that sounds very bride-worthy at Inesstore.com
Case on point
If you want to express your personality with your lipstick, then choosing Guerlain's Rouge G is an open and shut case. Its signature lipstick is now available in a choice of colourful cases, into which you can insert your selected shade. The cannister opens to a reveal a double-sided mirror and is refillable.
The cases, $30, are new on counter, with the original weighty Rouge G silver model joined by gold, black leather, snakeskin and pink designs. Lipstick refills from this heritage French beauty brand (which made its first bullet lipstick back in 1870) cost $56. Find the Rouge G collection at Smith & Caughey’s Auckland stores, David Jones in Wellington and Ballantynes in Christchurch.
