Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes: Creating Art with Innovation

You have to have been living under a rock if your haven't seen the latest and greatest innovation in mascara by Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes. Thought up Le Makeup's Artistic Diector Nicholas Degennes, the brush in the shape of a ball at the end of a stick is unlike anything every made for putting on mascara before. I finally got my hands on a tube (only available at Sephora mind you) and it is pretty fantastic. I'm not sure I've mastered the application yet, it is just so different that any other mascara I've applied before. The best direction I got was to use the end of the ball and paint all your lashes with it, then use the sides of the ball to go over them again and curl your lashes. The ball really allows you to get every last lash. Very cool. Definitely worth all the hype and excitement that has been buzzing. But it is not over...

To coincide with the launch of Phenomen'Eyes – a revolutionary high-precision mascara with a patented ground-breaking spherical brush – Parfums Givenchy commissioned British artist Ian Wright to create a work of art using approximately 5,000 of the Phenomen'Eyes brushes. The result was “5045 Lashes,” a work that symbolizes the "remix" of a fashion-inspired beauty collection with art.

An accomplished artist, Wright is best known for his collage work, creating portraits and artwork out of various materials ranging from buttons to strategically placed scraps of paper. With this in mind, Parfums Givenchy provided Wright with 5,000 Phenomen'Eyes mini mascara brushes in an effort to marry beauty with the art world.
The project began in August 2008 and was completed 12 days later. In the end, Wright chose to recreate an illusion of a 45' record using only the mascara brushes as his medium. The unique circular brush shape brought back memories of Wright's early childhood, listening to the voices of Dusty Springfield and Roxy Music on the record player. The pure glamour of glistening black vinyl became thoughts of glistening black lashes, and the inspiration for the Phenomen'Eyes project was born.

“5045 Lashes” was unveiled last night at the Christopher Henry Gallery (127 Elizabeth Street), and will now appear throughout New York City in pop-up galleries this fall (Oct 10th and 11th at Sephora SoHo; Oct 17th and 18th at Sephora Union Square).

Pretty innovative huh? I think it is awesome! I think of beauty as my form of art, so this right up my alley. Wish I could be in NYC to check out the show. If you go, tell me how it is!

Lash Lovely!

Bored With Your Lashes? Try These!

Cosmetics companies are also coming up with new ways to improve your looks. Sometimes its with formulas, sometimes its with packaging and sometimes its with entirely new products. Here are some interesting things I've come across lately in the world of LASHES:

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara: This is the weirdest brush I've ever seen. Apparently, this tiny brush helps to curl and separate your lashes to perfection. I'd be willing to try it just for the novelty. Only available at Sephora.




Model Co Lash Wand Heated Eyelash Curler: I'm not sure about heat getting that close to my eye, but if it gives gorgeous curly lashes I just might try it. Only available online.




Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara: This seemingly ordinary mascara has a special ingredient: shu extract. This the ancient Chinese herb that promotes health, pigmentation and prevents hair loss. Might be hocus-pocus but it sounds convincing.

Highlight This!

A favorite product of mine right now is highlighter. With the winter months upon us, skin can tend to get sallow and dead looking without proper sun. They bring a little much needed glam to your eyes and cheeks. Highlighters add a bit of shine and life to your features, without any fake-looking tan color. A little swipe on top of your cheekbone or under your eyebrow can make your features POP! It also photographs really well. So rock those wintry pale complexions, with one of my picks for highlighters this season:

Bare Escentual's i.d. bareMinerals All-Over Face Color in True is a glimmering loose powder that can be used all over the face to create a subtle coraly-pink glow.


Benefit's High Beam is a classic liquid highlighter. It creates a soft, subtle glow wherever you brush it on and blend it in. You can even mix it with your liquid foundation to create an all over subtle glow.

For a more sparkly, holiday look, try Givency's Prisme Solitaire All-Over Diamond-Effect Powder. This limited edition compact can be used on the eyes, cheeks, lips and even your shoulders and neckline, to create a subtle yet stunning glow. It comes in a leather ring box with a brush, as part of Givency's Holiday 2007 collection.

MAC has some beautiful options for highlighters, one being their Iridescent Pressed Powder in Belightful. This finely milled powder contains Mica and other pigments to give you a soft, subtle glow. It can be worn alone or with foundation.

Shine Lovely!