NEW YORK—The makeup muse for Chris Benz’s Spring 2012 collection was Candy Darling, a 1960′s nightclub fixture who was part of Andy Warhol’s clique.

With Candy and Chris’ bright colors as inspiration, lead makeup artist Daniel Martin wanted to create fresh, clean skin with a pop of color on the eyes and lips. Daniel used shades of sea foam and mint green on the eyes and then applied black gel liner for definition.

For thick jet-black lashes, he applied “tons of mascara.” A wash of tangerine blush was applied high on the cheekbones and Lancôme’s new Rouge in Love lipstick gave the models a bright pouty lip.

Here’s how to with Lancôme makeup…

SKIN:

Teint Miracle Foundation

Blush Subtil in Tangerine Tint

EYES:

Color Design 5 Pan Palette in Vert Tendresse (available February 2012)

Liner Design in Black Fishnets (available February 2012)

Hypnôse Doll Lashes Mascara in So Black!

LIPS:

Rouge in Love Lipstick in Sequence of Love (available February 14, 2012)

NAILS:

Le Vernis Mini Nail Polish in Green Almond and Rose Macaron (available February 2012)

Designer Chris Benz will be collaborating with Lancôme for a limited edition gift with purchase, aka GWP, from June 14th-25th, 2011. Lancôme has been a proud sponsor of American designer Chris Benz’s fashion shows for several seasons and last Spring we collaborated on a special lipstick, Chris & Tell, for our Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick collection. What’s next? Lancôme and Chris Benz are excited to partner on a limited-edition gift with purchase which will be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue and saks.com from June 14-June 25.

The celebrated designer and frequent Lancôme collaborator is loved by celebrities like Jessica Szohr, Susan Sarandon, Elettra Wiedemann and Eva Amurri and now he’s created a tote solely for Lancôme customers. Beginning June 14th, customers will receive the complimentary Chris Benz-designed tote with any $60 purchase, up to a $119 value. Printed with a chic, stylized silhouette, the exclusive design makes the perfect summer accessory.

Packed with Lancôme must haves (Définicils Precious Cells Mascara and Absolue Hand) you have the option to select your moisturizer (Absolue Premium BX or Absolue Precious Cells) and your pink (L’Absolu Rouge in Pink Sapphire, Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose & Blush Subtil in Rose Fresque) or coral (L’Absolu Rouge in Fleur Impressioniste , Juicy Tubes in Coral Rush & Blush Subtil in Shimmer Coral Sunset) makeup trio to tote inside the Benz bag.

To celebrate the collaboration, Chris Benz will make a personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City on June 23rd from 5 -7 p.m., toasting the fashion-forward partnership. Stop by:)

New York Fashion Week SS 2011. Designer: Chris Benz. Makeup by Daniel Martin for Lancôme. The Makeup & Nails Trends: Pale lavender eyes and lips. Whimsical dots of liquid liner. Short purple nails.

Designer Chris Benz tapped into an American-girl-in-Paris mode (circa the late 1960’s) for his spring collection this week. The presentation, held in the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, featured models standing against a video screen on which the cult Claude Lelouch “C’était un Rendezvous” short film was screened.

The clothes were a medley of colors and fabrics; mahogany and navy were counterbalanced with graphic white, citron yellow, cerulean blue and honey. Textures were woven painterly patterns of fuchsia, tangerine and taupe, evoking a blurred glimpse of a beautiful girl buzzing by on a Vespa.

The makeup, by Daniel Martin, continued on the youthfully sophisticated theme. Chris and Daniel looked to the French singer Frances Gall, the pop princess from the 1960s, for inspiration. To start, Daniel applied the pale lavender shade from Lancôme’s new spring palette, Color Design Minérale Eye Shadow Quad in Cool Lavande, along the lid and up to the crease. Next, he applied a straight line of Artliner in Noir from the inner corner to the end of the lashline. (Daniel refrained from creating a “retro cat eye.”) The inner eyes were rimmed with black eyeliner.

Tiny dots of Artliner, contained close to the bottom lashline, were Daniel’s nod to French whimsy. “From a distance it looks like a fuller lash,” explained Daniel, “but up close it’s just cool.” Finally, top and bottom lashes were coated with several coats of Hypnôse Drama Mascara.

The skin was kept “medium bodied—not too dewy or matte,” said Daniel, with Teint Miracle Lit-from-Within foundation. Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette was used to softly contour the models’ faces. Lancôme’s new spring lipstick, the lilac-pink L’Absolu Rouge in Lily Rose, was swiped lightly on lips.

The bright purple nail polish was Lancôme’s new Violet Groove; nails were manicured by Lisa Logan. Lisa called the shade “a true, one-coat color.” The side-parted, undone bun, by John Ruidant for Redken, completed the look.

PRODUCTS USED

Lancôme Color Design Minérale Eye Shadow Quad in Cool Lavande (NEW for Spring)

Lancôme Artliner in Noir

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black

Lancôme Teint Miracle Lit-from-Within Makeup

Lancôme Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Lily Rose (NEW for Spring)

Lancôme Le Vernis nail polish in Violet Groove (NEW for Spring)

New York City’s loveliest ladies were made up in Lancôme this week. Here’s a round-up:

L to R:

Supermodel Devon Aoki looked resplendent at last Thursday night’s, June 10th, 2010, Wildlife Conservation Society Gala 2010: Flights of Fancy at the Central Park Zoo. Makeup artist Jordy Poon gave Devon soft, smoky eyes with Lancôme’s Color Design Eye Shadow Quad in ShowStopper Style, along with a pairing of Le Crayon Khôl EyeLiner in Black Coffee and Artliner in Noir. As for Devon’s sculpted cheeks, Jordy reached for his favorite Blush Subtil in Cappucine and Star Bronzer in Bronze Solaire.

MODEL: Karen Desouza @ Fusion. PHOTO CREDIT: Gray Scott. Talented designer—and friend-of-Lancôme—Chris Benz presented his Resort 2011 collection to the press yesterday, June 10th, 2010. For this collection, makeup artist Daniel Martin created a look reminiscent of a “1950′s Californian Lady-of-Leisure.” This translated to fuchsia lips paired with eyes that were lined on top (“just don’t call it a cat eye,” says Daniel) finished with sculpted cheeks and full, shaped brows. To create the look, Daniel used Lancôme’s new Teint Idole Fresh Wear Foundation, Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette and Tropiques Minérale Bronzer in Natural Sunkiss. For the eyes, Daniel lined with Artliner in Noir and topped lashes with Hypnôse Mascara. The bright lips are courtesy of Le Crayon in Berry (all over the lip) topped with Color Fever Lipstick in Rock Icon Fuchsia.

For the 38th Annual FiFi Awards last night, makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor ensured that actress Saffron Burrows looked absolutely gorgeous. First, Andrew prepped Saffron’s skin with Lancôme’s Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, which Andrew likes pre-makeup due to its refreshing, weightless feel. Next, Maquicomplet Concealer in Camée instantly neutralized any undereye darkness without a lot of product. The eyes were made up in four Color Design Eye Shadow shades—Chic, Guest List, Bikini Golden and Pose—and finished off with Lancôme’s new Définicils Precious Cells Mascara in Black. For Saffron’s full pout, Andrew lined with Le Lipstique in Charme, filled in with L’Absolu Rouge lipstick in Rich Cashmere and topped it off Clark’s Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Balm. PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images.

John Ruidant for Redken styles Alison Pill for CDFA Awards: Accompanying Chris Benz to the CDFA Awards Monday night, June 7th, 2010, Alison Pill looked stunning in a black and white loose flowing v-neck dress. To compliment her overall soft look, Redken Session Stylist John Ruidant fashioned a loose, undone updo with hair that was not too tight for a stunningly classic red carpet look.

L to R: Fashion Designer Chris Benz and actress Alison Pill

Marta Walsh says: “BTW I’ve met both Chris Benz and John Ruidant backstage during New York Fashion week, they are simply the sweetest in person and possess an enviable effortless talent”!

How to get Alison Pill’s undone updo: To create the look, Ruidant spritzed Redken iron silk 07 ultra straightening spray through her damp hair and blow dried through for texture with a Mason Pearson brush. Then, using a 1 inch curling iron, he set her hair in alternating directions, spraying Redken hot sets 22 thermal setting mist on each section before curling for heat protection.

After the set cooled, he backcombed all of her hair to the roots, created a messy side part and then finger combed the hair back to the nape as if to make a ponytail, still leaving loose bits around the hairline to create a soft shape. Next, he twisted the ponytail up and created a French Twist, pinning the loose hair and pinning the ends into itself in the back. To finishing the look, he sprayed quick dry 18 instant finishing spray all over for a hold that lasted all night!

All products by Redken

Going backstage at Chris Benz fashion show during New York Fashion Week is always exciting to me because I know I’m going to get to see and chat with Lancome’s fabulous lead makeup artist Daniel Martin. Just a reminder, Daniel and fashion designer Chris Benz were the brilliant minds behind one of Lancom’e best selling lipstick (and Marta’s all time favorite) Chris & Tell. If you’re into makeup like myself, Daniel is the best guy to pick his brains about it. Needless to say, he is always so sweet to me! Thanks Daniel. xo

Daniel Martin and Marta Walsh backstage at Chris Benz Fall 2010 with Lancome
Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

Me, Marta Walsh, backstage at Chris Benz Fall 2010, also in the background Redken
team busy creating the hairstyle for the show. Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

I met YouTube sensation Michelle Phan backstage at the Chris Benz Fall 2010 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. Michelle was there as part of her work with Lancome and the Lancome makeup artistry team creating the makeup look for the Chris Benz show. The sound in the video is not best but I’m way too excited to leave this video interview with Michelle Phan in the back burner. Hope you understand:) xo Marta

From Left: Marta Walsh and Michelle Phan Backstage at Chris Benz Fall 2010
Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

Michelle Phan backstage at Chris Benz Fall 2010 applying Lancome makeup on
model. Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

Visit lancome-usa.com to learn about the latest from Lancome. Also watch Romantic Makeup by Michelle Phan makeup tutorial for Lancome!

I’m a huge fan of fashion designer Chris Benz. I met him backstage at his Fall 2010 fashion show and he was the sweetest to take a photo with me. Visit the Chris Benz official website at chris-benz.com to view his designs. LOVE.

Photo Credit: © amber rima mclinn

New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2010: Seattle native and downtown New York denizen Chris Benz saw all of his influences collide in a spectacular way on Monday, Febuary 15, 2010, for his Fall 2010 presentation. The collection mixes the patterns, textures and utility of clothes made for the Great Outdoors as worn by the renegade, Outward Bound Debutante.

Makeup Tutorial: Lead makeup artist Daniel Martin (who helped create the Chris & Tell shade with the designer for Spring 2010) wanted a “makeup” makeup look, so he and Chris settled on what they’re calling Gothic Chic. The eyes and the lips were given equal attention. The eyes were smoky in gradations of shimmery charcoal and chocolate. Daniel used the new Ombre Magnétique, a mousse-like cream shadow, in black, layered with Color Design Eye Shadow in Guest List, an opaque espresso shade. For the lashes, several coats of Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black, and for the eyeliner, Le Stylo Waterproof EyeLiner in Noir along the waterline, completed the look.

The lips were just as prominent. In a surprise twist, Daniel used Le Crayon Poudre brow pencil in Sable as lip liner, to get a specific gradated gothy lip look inspired by a photograph of Kate Moss from the 90’s. Over it, Daniel debuted the new Color Design matte lipstick in Bronze Show. (Available in mid-March 2010, exclusively at Macy’s.) He topped it all with Juicy Tubes in Hallucination just on the center of the bottom lip for dimension.

For the complexion, Photôgenic Lumessence foundation enhanced the entire face (even the models’ ears!), Shu Uemura’s Sheer loose powder delivered a high-def finish that withstood the bright lights of the studio where the presentation was held. Finally, the cheeks were treated with two Blush Subtil shades: Cappucine for definition and Mauve Coquette for a pop of color.

Editorial manicurist Ana Maria gave each model pretty hands and feet using Lancôme’s new polish in Sweet Nude (part of a mini trio, new for fall). As for the hair, Redken stylist John Ruidant wove intricately braided updos that matched the mood of the collection.

THE LOOK
Play on textures
Updated 90’s brown lip
Layers of charcoal and chocolate on the eyes
Defined cheeks

PRODUCTS USED
Lancôme Ombre Magnétique in Black (NEW for Fall 2010)
Lancôme Color Design Eye Shadow in Guest List
Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof EyeLiner in Noir
Lancôme Hypnôse Drama Mascara in Excessive Black
Lancôme Le Crayon Poudre brow pencil in Sable (used as lip liner)
Lancôme Color Design Matte lipstick in Bronze Show (available in mid-March 2010, exclusively at Macy’s)
Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Hallucination
Lancôme Photôgenic Lumessence foundation
Shu Uemura Sheer loose powder
Lancôme Blush Subtil in Mauve Coquette
Lancôme Blush Subtil in Cappuccine (for the contour)
Lancôme nail polish in Sweet Nude (part of a mini trio, new for fall)

Chris Benz Signing Lancôme’s Chris & Tell lipsticks tomorrow at Saks NYC! Are you looking for the Chris Benz Chris & Tell lipstick, here’s one of their last chances to get it. Chris is doing a personal appearance at the Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter in Manhattan tomorrow 2/18/2010. Chris will be signing lipsticks and sharing the inspiration for his Spring 2010 collection. Saks is the official retailer for Chris & Tell and this is one of the only counters that has any lipsticks left (and only because a special batch was reserved for Chris’s P.A.!).

Chris & Tell, as you may know, was created specifically for the Chris Benz Spring 2010 presentation held in September 2009. Since its debut earlier this month, it’s become one of the fastest-selling lipsticks in the Lancôme Pout-à-Porter designer lipstick series. Six hundred of the lipsticks sold on lancome-usa.com in just 48 hours. Beauty aficionados have already snatched up most of the supply and some have already popped up on eBay.

Chris is happy to sign previously purchased lipsticks too, so if you or your readers already have a Chris & Tell, feel free to stop by. Joining Chris will be makeup artist extraordinaire Daniel Martin, co-creator of the gorgeous peachy coral lipstick, the Lancôme team and some of his favorite models, who will be wearing the clothing and the makeup look from the Spring show.

WHAT WHEN & WHERE:
Chris Benz Personal Appearance
Thursday, Feb. 18th, 2010
Saks Fifth Avenue Lancôme counter
Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets
5 to 7 p.m.