By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Josie Maran, left, and Soledad Alberti were at Sephora Saturday to introduce Josie’s self-named green cosmetics line.

Model/actress turned eco-entrepreneur Josie Maran visited Sephora Saturday afternoon to talk about her line of eco-conscious cosmetics.

She and makeup artist Soledad Alberti helped perform makeovers on Sephora shoppers, including one prom goer who showed Josie a photo of her green gown and was hoping to get a cosmetic match for her event that night.

The line was a hit with women in search of low-maintenance, natural-looking makeup. And the line’s organic ingredients was a plus, as well as its luxurious feel.When she talked earlier about the line’s biodegradable packaging, I thought it had to do with boxes, but it extends to the metallic-looking compacts as well, which she said is made from corn.

Josie’s next project is a green lifestyle TV program.

There seems to have been a lot of progress made on the green front now that the movement has picked up mainstream momentum over the last two years. People are buying less, too, because they have less money. It’s good that people are thinking about all these things, but contraction is a rough thing on the economy. I feel like we have to go back to a 1970s lifestyle before we can start living in a sustainable way on a human and planetary scale. That’s a long way backward to recovery and right-sizing our relationships with things.

By Nadine Kam

Here’s a look at some of the Fall 2009 barely there makeup looks coming off the New York runways:

Thakoon
Lead artist: Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics

Inspired by the 1940’s, reflecting the surrealist images of photographer Lee Miller, combined with ‘80’s rock and roll glam, for a look that’s strong without being too girly. To bring strength to the face, Diane focused on creating smoky eyes and full brows, while downplaying the lips and keeping skin fresh with a light blush for a healthy glow.

3.1 phillip lim
Lead artist: Ayako, International Makeup Director, NARS Cosmetics

Hair and makeup was created to emulate Tao Okamoto’s look, a Japanese model in Phillip Lim’s Fall 2009 collection. Fused together, Phillip wanted the makeup look to mirror Tao’s mod style with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll for a “poetic mod-rock” look. False lashes were placed on the outer half of the bottom lash line and was the central focus of the look. For an exaggerated effect, matte charcoal shadow was used with a wet eyeliner brush to draw lashes beneath, as if to create a shadow effect. The wispy lashes were accompanied by shimmering pink and gold shadows, while the lips were muted with concealer. Matte skin was accented by a gentle sweep of shimmer over cheekbones to catch the light.

Marchesa
Lead artist: Talia Shobrook for NARS

Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig created their Fall 2009 collection with fairytales in mind. To highlight this theme, Shobrook envisioned of a naughty aristocrat running out of a party, “like a young girl going into the woods wearing a gorgeous ball gown, putting on makeup rather naively.” The look features wild brows atop flawless skin. Beneath the brows was a colored lid of matte white, as if applied in a fleeting moment. Soft lips complement perfect skin.

Rodarte
Lead artist: James Kaliardos for M.A.C

I really loved the sisters’ urban warrior collection, with pieces representing a patchwork of leather, tulle, lace and lamé. To go with the look, M.A.C created the stone face look inspired by sculpture, with white around the eyes and paintstick blended into the skin. Lips have a dark brown cream color base, with the addition of white and black to create a stone-gray lip.

Cassandra, left, and model Kelsey Campbell.

Coincidentally, Julie Aragaki hosted a party at Bonsai for her latest project, a magazine called Chromatic Wednesday night, where I spotted model Kelsey Campbell with “the look.” It was created for her by Cassandra, who also does makeup for Janet Jackson, so she has to be on top of trends.

I think non-models would prefer more color though. I often look washed out even WITH makeup!

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Of course, Marc Jacobs had to be different, and enlisted non other than Francois Nars himself to create a neon-glam look with a touch of 1980s Culture Club:

By Nadine Kam

Sorry I haven’t added to my blog in a week but the new year has been off to a fast start. Adding to the regular January mix of stories is the added “bonus” of inauguration activities surrounding the change Jan. 20. This is the first time Hawaii has shared some of the presidential limelight and it could provide a bit of a boost to businesses as several events are being held to celebrate Barack Obama’s presidency and all the hope it brings.

I’ve been super busy finishing up four stories for sister publication HI Luxury magazine, including another fashion spread. They keep getting bigger and more ambitious, requiring more elaborate sets, more props and storyboarding that has more in common with filmmaking than our typical newspaper photo sessions. Which is all I could think about over the holidays as we essentially brainstormed a mini feature film.

I had many a “Rachel Zoe Project” moment where I was thinking, “I need options, I need more options,” and went through much hand-wringing while praying clothing we requested from Gucci in New York and Cosabella in Miami would arrive on time. All this while people were on vacation or leaving offices early in celebration of Christmas and New Year holidays, and in Hawaii we’re at a distinct disadvantage due to the time differences.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until February to see the spread.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Here’s one of my candids of Kate Schuette in Dior from our fashion shoot at Foster Botanic Garden, where the first thing that happened was I was attacked by a swarm of fast, crazy ants running up my legs in the parking lot, causing the crew to say, “Look, Nadine’s dancing.” Yeah.

I’m on vacation but that doesn’t mean the work stops. Another HI Luxury deadline looms. Darn if we didn’t just finish the October/November issue, available at Borders and Barnes & Noble. It has Daniel Dae Kim on the cover and model Kate Schuette in a fall fantasy fashion spread featuring Dior, Fendi, Escada, Issey Miyake and Versace.

Another outtake of Kate in Versace. Leah Ball took the photos that appear in the magazine.

By Nadine Kam

Photos and video by Nadine Kam
Aatila Tanaka models jewelry by Kensei in “The Art of Jewelry.”

Belle Époque glamour, elegance and opulence were the order of the day Oct. 5 when Kensei Takeda presented “The Art of Jewelry Fashion Experience” Sunday at the Halekulani as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Models wore cascades of gemstones, beads, as well as feathered and veiled hats and hair pieces also created by Kensei, a hair stylist by day, accessory designer and collector of all things beautiful in his spare time. His perfectionist’s eye was evident in sumptuous styling, with, for a change, clothes as accessories to his dramatic jewelry creations.

The presentation took months of planning, and I was treated to a sneak preview in March when Kensei and show producer Dale Young hosted a lunch and mini show for Jane Lyman on her 86th birthday. Sitting at Jane’s table was one of her friends, Gladys Goka, from the days of Bon Ton, a downtown clothing store where much of Honolulu shopped in the 1930s.

MAC Cosmetics makeup artists Vanessa Buyson, Robin Gallo and April Moon created the looks on the models, and pianist Ginny Tiu performed during the lunch. Cheryl Bartlett and Cathy Foy-Mahi performed during intermissions between the show’s three segments.As a finale, Kensei held a drawing for two of his necklaces. One was won by Pia Solywoda, who claimed to be so certain of her win, she showed up with no necklace and wore black and white that so perfectly matched the onyx and silver necklace she won, Kensei immediately put it around her neck.

Kensei greeted well-wishers after the show, including Leilani Keough, who’s wearing a dress by Jeanie Chun, who was also in the audience. Chun is in the process of moving her business.

Cathy Roberts is adorned in turquoise from earrings to an updated version of the concha belt.

Among those enjoying the show were, from left, Lance Ishibashi, Catherine Fong and Stacey Gross. Catherine and Stacey, who’s also a jewelry designer, wore hats from Catherine’s Manoa vintage boutique Catherine’s Closet. Meanwhile Lance, formerly of Phil’s Gold & Diamonds, is looking forward to opening his own jewelry store just before the holidays. Details to come.

After the show, models Tessa Yu, Cathy and Aatila wait for their cars at the valet station in their civilian clothes, a little different from Kensei’s vision.

By Nadine Kam

There are so many new cosmetic products delivered daily that it’s difficult to try them all to determine what works best. It’s great that stores like Sephora allow us to sample formulas, textures and color, and makeup counters at other stores also allow sampling with many ops for a makeover.

Faced with hundreds and hundreds of new products and colors, I tend to get overwhelmed, but here are a few things that work for me:

I mentioned Make Up For Ever Eye Seal in the print edition today. It’s not sexy, but this provides one way to get the clean, finished look you see in magazine ads. It’s lightweight but works like a glue to hold color to your eyelid. Pat some on and dab on your shadow in layers that stay true to the color you see in the pan. A little on your liner brush will also transform your shadow into a liner. It’s especially essential if you like mineral or glitter shadows that tend to scatter and fly everywhere on your face. It’s $20 at Sephora.

I like a glow that looks as if it’s coming from within your skin rather than sitting on the surface. Benefit’s Posie Tint ($28) is a pink transparent stain that you can rub in a thin layer over your cheeks for a light, natural-looking flush. My skin is really pale, so I can’t take colors much darker than this. I don’t know how well it would work with darker skin, but it seems to me, with the right primer, it could work. You can find all Benefit products at Sephora and Macy’s.

Before the rest of your makeup goes on, it’s important to wear sunscreen. Dr. Zein Obagi’s ZO Skin Health Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 does several jobs in one, protecting against UVA/UVB sun damage with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide; moisturizing; repairing skin with lipopeptide and vitamin E; and priming the skin with silicone to give makeup a smooth, even finish. It appears to have a slight tint as well, making your skin look good enough to do away with foundation if you have the confidence to walk out the door with a nearly naked face. Set with powder and you’re good to go. It’s $85, exclusive in Hawaii to Nordstrom.

Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Lip Wax compact lipsticks are amazing, delivering saturated color in a formula that’s so smooth and light you barely feel it. It’s not sticky, gooey, wet or all those unpleasant things. For a “wax,” it doesn’t even feel waxy. It is also neither too matte nor too glossy, making it look chic and modern. Use your fingertip to blot on a thin layer for a blush of color, or use a lip brush for a precise, dramatic lip. If you wear no other makeup, this will give you maximum polish with no work at all. This being from Armani, the colors are no-brainers. Even if you don’t trust yourself, the selections have been edited down to flattering, easy-to-wear hues.

I’m pretty sure men will like it too, because we always hear how they hate to kiss gooey, overglossed lips. I even know men who are just plain frightened of women with overdone, overlined lips. The compacts are $26; exclusive in Hawaii to Neiman Marcus.

Pores seem invisible on childrens’ skin, but somehow start growing into deep chasms during teen years. For this there is spackle for the skin, like Clarins Lisse Minute or Instant Smoother ($28), one of the brand’s Instant Beauty Perfectors. Instructions tell you to lay it down before applying makeup, but to avoid heavy layering, I just spot dab it where there are major potholes, a remnant of childhood chicken pox. This melts onto skin and smooths areas that look and feel like our city streets. It amounts to filling in your pores, so make sure you wash thoroughly when using such products. Find it at Nordstrom.

I see a pattern with my faves in seeking lightness and ease. Would love to know what works for others. Also, the biggest news lies in mascaras, but I’m still trying them out. There are so many considerations with mascaras, including the look you’re going for, like Urban Decay’s Big Fatty Mascara ($19) will deliver a thick, high-impact lash. I guess I’m looking for the ultimate defining, curling, smudgeproof, waterproof formula for lashes that normally head straight south.

By Nadine Kam

LesPros Entertainment

Few have the genes to make it as an international supermodel, but with accessibility and likeability a factor in Japan modeling careers, it seems there are many more opportunities there for Hawaii models.

Find out if you have what it takes during the LesPros Girls search for Japan’s next top model, taking place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the 6th and 7th, at the Ala Moana Hotel.
You have nothing to lose, and if you happen to be among the first 100 to apply, you’ll receive gifts including beauty products, tote bags and the best-selling products from Japan.

Applicants must be females between the ages of 13 and 22, born between Oct. 14, 1985, and Oct. 10, 1995. The winner will receive $3,000, a LesPros exclusive contract, and opportunity to compete against Japan winners.

The Tokyo-based LesPros Entertainment Co. is one of the largest artist management company in Japan, representing models, actors, musicians and athletes.

Visit for more information and to download an official entry form.

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Class is in session at CHOP Salon. Coby Alcantar works on Danielle Doucette’s hair.

CHOP Salon was the site of an inspiration educational session presented by Bumble & Bumble’s Coby Alcantar for stylists islandwide on June 9.

It was rather technical for this beauty school drop-in with all that talk about inversions and arrowheads, etc., but I got the big picture of easing up on rigid technique for styling that’s more about naturalness and flow suiting the individual.

The guinea pigs, or models, were Danielle Doucette, Heilika Leinus and Cass Gravitt, daughter of our business reporter Erika Engle, who said of the floppy mohawk cut afterward, “I wish I could see more of her eyes, but I like it.”

I’m afraid I was so inspired that I went home and tried lopping off some of my own bangs, which didn’t work out all that well. As simple and messy as my haircut by an S.F. stylist seemed to be — considering it has a lot of what Coby termed “messy bits” all around and was done dry while I was standing in a rather unorthodox venue — it is actually more precise than I thought.

So, yeah, don’t try it at home unless you’re prepared to live with the results. As Coby said, she loves it when people cut their own hair. That’s an indication they’ll try anything, plus, they’ll probably visit a salon soon afterward.

From left, Cass Gravitt in floppy mohawk, Heilika Leinus and Danielle Doucette were happy with their loose, updated ‘dos.

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Makana Esthetics Director of Education Malia Sanchez, left, with former classmate, the Star-Bulletin’s Rose Bernardo.

With the growing interest in the spa industry and physical well-being, Malia Sanchez and Christine Hall saw a need for advanced esthetician training for those aspiring to work in high-end resort spas or medi spas, and created the Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, an accredited Esthetics Certified training program that celebrated its grand opening May 29.

Melissa Samiano was one of the beneficiaries of her sister Melanie’s hand and arm massages.

Those who attended were able to walk through the treatment rooms, enjoy hand massages, sample the lines of Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care and June Jacobs Spa Collection carried by the school, as well as enjoy food, including shrimp scampi and spicy ahi on tortilla chips, catered by Pearl Kai’s newest restaurant Off the Wall.

The school’s Core Esthetics Course consists of an intensive 15-week curriculum designed to help students pass the Hawaii State Licensing examination. Summer courses open for registration start up July 14 and Aug. 25. Call 591-6090 or visit www.MakanaAcademy.com for more information.

Model Karen Vance showed up with her fringy dog-shaped purse from Anteprima Plastiq.

Where there are students, there’s a need for guinea pigs, and what that means for you is the availability of facials running $35 to $45, with add-ons such as a single microdermabrasion treatment for $25, or single glycolic treatment for $25.

They’re at 1168 Waimanu St., across from the Ko’olani condominium. Park on the street.

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Among restaurateurs in attendance were Ed Kenney (Town, Downtown), Donato Loperfido (Pasta & Basta, Elua), Philippe Padovani (Elua) and Henry Adaniya (Hank’s Haute Dogs). The room was so packed it was hard to back up far enough to get a photo, and the only reason this one was possible is because these party guys were among the last to leave.

After dropping in on the Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, it was off to Waikiki for Nobu Waikiki’s one-year anniversary. I couldn’t believe a year has flown by, but so it has.

In a small room in the back of the restaurant, the fashionable — including a bunch of magazine eds., party girls and a contingent from Louis Vuitton — mixed with the foodies. It was near impossible to back up for a photograph, and among the restaurateurs able to take a break from their own kitchens to congratulate Nobu were Henry Adaniya, Kevin Aoki (Doraku Sushi), Ed Kenney, Donato Loperfido, George Mavrothalassitis (Chef Mavro), Philippe Padovani, and Ana and Tushar Dubey of Hokulani Bake Shop.

Wine and lychee martinis flowed, and waiters made the rounds with trays of lamb chops, Nobu’s famous black cod, temaki rolls, seabass and jalapeno-topped hamachi, one of my favorite dishes.

The party didn’t end after it was over, as many just took their celebration to the sushi counter or to the bar.

Congratulations, Nobu!

By Nadine Kam

Diorshow Artist Thuy Pham, who visited Hawaii twice during spring to show Dior’s latest makeup tips, tricks and trends, is featured in the June issue of Elle magazine, demonstrating how to “indulge your inner diva” with Diorshow products.

Of interest to beauty junkies is Dior’s, Elle’s and Macy’s invitation to be an Artist in Action, featured in the January 2009 issue of the magazine.

Give it a try by grabbing a friend and digital camera and heading to a Macy’s Dior counter. Make over your friend using Dior products and snap a photo of your work. Email the photo to ArtistinAction@Elle.com. The deadline to enter is Sept. 15, 2008. You’re limited to one entry per person or email address. Full details are available at Elle.com/Promotions/ArtistinAction

Good luck!