How to photograph well: Makeup tips to ensure you look as spectacular in pictures as you do in-person

As a wedding photographer and makeup artist, Dallas Curow knows a thing or two about looking good in front of the camera—which is why we asked her to share her best beauty tips on how to photograph well. Be it a wedding you’re attending or other big event, you’ll want to use these tricks the next time you know you’ll be in the spotlight!

Wedding season is almost in full swing and even if you’re not heading down the aisle yourself, chances are high that many a camera will be pointed your way. Meaning: If there was ever a day want to know how to photograph well, someone’s wedding day is it. Aside from picking a flattering outfit and practicing your smile, the best way to ensure you’ll photograph well is through your makeup. But this doesn’t mean you need to turn to a professional makeup artist to get the job done. With just a few tricks and changes to your everyday beauty routine, you can ensure you look as spectacular in pictures as you do in-person. Follow the steps below and get ready to smile for the camera!

Prep
Great skin is the foundation of any look. The night before your big event, exfoliate with either a gently abrasive scrub (such as St. Ives Apricot Scrub) or a non-abrasive liquid (like Aveda Botanical Kinetics Exfoliant) and apply your favourite moisturizer generously. This will leave your skin looking plump and refreshed. On the day of your event, only apply moisturizer if your skin is dry to very dry. If your skin is a bit more oily, skip to the next step.

Prime 
Be sure to begin with a primer to create a smooth starting point for the rest of your look. Two of the best ones on the market are Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Nars Pro-Prime Oil-Free Pore Refining Primer.

Refine Your Complexion
Choose a foundation that’s right for your skin type and made to be photographed. It’s best to avoid any varieties with built-in sunscreen, as they don’t play nice with flash photography and can look mask-like in photos. Two of the best camera friendly foundations are Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Coverage Foundation and Revlon PhotoReady Foundation (liquid, mousse or powder).

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Wedding day beauty: Whether you’re the bride or a guest, 10 tips for romantic makeup and hair

Summer wedding season is here, and whether you’re walking down the aisle, standing up for your best friend or just showing up and dancing the night away, it’s important to consider how you’ll look. In terms of outfits, we certainly have you covered. But what about your hair and makeup on the big day?

More and more brides are taking the DIY approach to their wedding makeup (even Kate Middleton was rumoured to have done it herself!) and it goes without saying that most wedding guests aren’t spending a day at the salon before a friend’s nuptials. But with photographers everywhere and some weddings starting at the crack of dawn and going into the wee hours of the night, it’s advisable to put some extra effort into your hair and makeup.

To get the best advice on wedding day makeup and hair, we turned to the Beauty Panel. With a number of professional makeup artists on the panel, these experts have many weddings under their beauty belts—and plenty of tips for you, regardless of your bride, bridesmaid or guest status.

Challenge 12: How would you do your hair and makeup for a wedding? See the answers now! »

For Fiona Man from Product Wars, wedding day makeup is all about thin layers. By apply products slowly, you can control the pigmentation (no smoky cat eye mistakes for brides!) and ensure that it lasts all day and night long. Janella Panchamsingh fromBold n Beautiful Makeup agrees with the layering technique, but her her, the best bridal makeup is all about coming in under budget. No fancy brushes or expensive palettes are required to get the romantic look she shares with the Beauty Panel.

As for wedding day hair, Toronto Beauty Reviews’s Elaine Atkins shows you how to do an easy, curled bun that’s sure to standout amongst the sea of wedding guests. And if you’re feeling a little more dramatic, take a tip from Secrets From Your Girlfriends’s JJ Cowan: she enlisted the help of some hair extensions to get her show-stopping updo that any bride is sure to covet.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way atbeautypanel@fashionmagazine.com. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.

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SUMMER WEDDING GUIDE 2013

You know that the summer wedding season has officially begun when wedding invitations fill your mailbox and wedding photos dominate your social media feeds. Even if you’re not the bride (or bridesmaid), attending a wedding still requires an awful lot of planning. From finding a date to deciding how to do your hair and makeup to figuring out what to wear to a wedding—there’s a lot riding on just one day. But don’t fret: our summer wedding guide is here to help!

Though getting ready for a wedding may feel daunting, it’s the perfect excuse to experiment with spring fashion trends, try a new hairstyle or, at the very least, buy a new pair of dancing shoes. To help you decide what to wear to a wedding, we’ve compiled some top-notch wedding style guides. If you have a dress code to follow, turn to our street style-inspired shopping guide. From what to wear to a country wedding to choosing a dress for a black-tie affair, we have you covered. (Even better, every pick takes a cue from some of the best street style photos of the season.) If buying a new dress isn’t in your budget, the Style Panel offers great tips on how to make something you may already own (or borrow from a friend) look special enough for a big event.

We know the bride and groom will be documenting everything at their wedding, and that includes pictures of all the lovely guests—yourself included! But instead of getting nervous by the onslaught of cameras, change up your beauty routine and ensure you look your best. We share 10 romantic hair and makeup looks that are ideal for wedding guests—though DIY brides may want to take note! And if you’ve always wanted to know how to photograph well, our step-by-step tutorial takes you through key makeup tricks that will make you look your best on camera. (File that one away for any time you’re attending a big event!)

One last thing to remember: It’s certainly a faux pas to steal the bride’s spotlight on her special night, but with the help of our wedding guide, there is no doubt you’ll be the second prettiest lady in attendance!

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Best curly hair on the red carpet: 67 photos to inspire your next style

View our gallery of the best curly hair on the red carpet »

Curly and wavy hairstyles are, without a doubt, one of our favourite red carpet looks. From perfectly coiffed Old Hollywood ringlets to messy beach waves, there are endless ways to wear your hair down—while still giving it some style. Curly hair is easier to master than an updo, looks much more dramatic than a ponytail and definitely has an appeal that straight hair just can’t match. Need further proof? We’ve gathered some of the best curly hair and wavy hair looks from recent red carpets all in one place. (If you haven’t already logged into your Pinterest account, now’s the time!)

Jessica Chastain, Kristen Stewart and Rihanna are at the top of our list of stars who are most likely to walk a red carpet with wavy hair. While Chastain generally keeps it very glamourous, Stewart has perfected the art of pairing haute couture with a grungy hairstyle—for equally stunning results. Rihanna, on the other hand, is the queen of changing colour—her curly hair has gone from black to blonde and back again—its most recent incarnation is a trend-setting shade of grey.

Cropped cuts and long bobs also look best with the added texture of waves. Demi Lovato kept her curls messy when she was in Toronto last month for the MMVAs.Lily Collins ditched her long style for a shorter, beachy-wave style. And Jennifer Lawrence probably caused a thousand girls to request a lob when she debuted her new short cut—complete with loose waves—earlier in the spring.

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Lucian Matis brings ’60s banana eyeliner back (with French outline nails to match!) for Fall 2013

See the makeup and nail art from Lucian Matis Fall 2013 »

It may have occurred at the very end of Toronto Fashion Week, but the makeup and nails at Lucian Matis set the bar for Fall 2013 beauty trends. Of course, having some talented heavyweights on board certainly helped: Revlon global artistic directorGucci Westman and Revlon nail expert Leeanne Colley were behind the retro look.

Despite a scheduling conflict that prevented Westman from actually being backstage, she didn’t want to pass up the chance to work with Lucian Matis. Skype sessions allowed for proper collaboration with the designer and once the look was finalized, her right-hand gal, Mimi Imanishi, led the team in Toronto.

“The inspiration for this look was Lucian’s gorgeous, monochromatic colour palette while incorporating safari khaki tones to the eye. This look is also very much inspired by the ’60s, specifically, the German model, Veruschka,” Westman said, via press release.

Thick, black banana liner was what really brought the ’60s influence to life—that’s the industry term for eyeliner applied to the crease. Mimi layered Revlon PhotoReady Kajal Intense Liner and Brightener in “Carbon Cleopatra” and ColorStay Crème Gel Liner in “Black,” blending and adjusting as she went. The rest of the colours—shimmering, multi-dimensional shades of green and khaki-gold—came courtesy of the Revlon PhotoReady Primer and Shadow in “Pop Art.”

Even better, the banana liner look was artfully mimicked in the nails, with Leeanne Colley creating a contoured, outline French mani design. The stripe-heavy style was done with a custom blend: “We created a wintery white using Revlon’s “Spirit, which is a white Top Speed [Nail Enamel], with one coat and then layered [Revlon Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel in] “Porcelain” over top of it. It actually looks a bit like French vanilla ice cream,” Colley explained. The black outline was done using Revlon Nail Enamel in “Iconic,” which is a deep charcoal-grey shade with a green undertone—making it a perfect match for the makeup.

An additional nail art look, featuring a deep V of leather-looking polish, was created after Colley previewed the Fall 2013 Lucian Matis collection and decided more texture was needed: “The second look is a little bit more dramatic—a little bit fiercer—we used the exact same [polish] colours but we created texture. We really wanted to create a leather look because there’s a lot of leather throughout the collection so we did that by using a sponging technique.”

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Noticed: Playing cards, pastel hairnets and clips of all colours were popular backstage at the Fall 2013 shows

See all the Fall 2013 backstage photos of the hair clip trend »

Backstage at the fall shows, we spotted all manner of ways to keep hair off the face and crease-free, from playing cards to pastel hairnets. Bow-and leaf-shaped clips are stylist Guido Palau’s signature, while Bumble and Bumble coiffeurs keep a handy supply of logo’d cards.

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Greta Constantine Fall 2013 backstage beauty: Warrior-inspired hair and “beautifully unfinished” makeup

See the backstage pictures from Greta Constantine Fall 2013 »

“A sense of tribal,” is how Stephen Wong—one half of the Greta Constantinedesign duo—described the beauty look for the label’s Fall 2013 collection. When presenting the looks last night, models were turned into fierce warriors, goddesses and Amazonians with textured hair, smoky eyes and geometric, neutral nails. “We took our cues from Oribe [Canales], a hairstylist who did all the supermodels in the ’90s,” Wong says. “I remember looking at the shows he’d do and thinking the hair was amazing. It had a sense of tribal, but very cool and modern feel to it.”

Sebastian core stylist Daniel Di Tommaso was the lead for the three different hairstyles, inspired by three variations of tribal. “All three hair looks were tight on the sides but textured on top to blend all the girls together.” First up were the goddesses. Di Tommaso layered multiple products—including Sebastian’s new Shine Crafter Moldable Shine Wax—to make the hair moldable. He then added a long, 30-inch ponytail in the back and braids in the front, while the rest of the style was “just her own hair pulled back into a chignon bun.” he explained. He finished by layering the style with Sebastian’s Thermal Spray, Shine Define and Shaper Hairspray. The second hairstyle was the warrior, where the hair was tied into tiny ponytails to look like a mohawk—using Shine Crafter Moldable Wax to get the hair sleek and tight. With the individual ponytails, knots were made to condense the length and were pinned in. The third hair look was the Amazon goddess who had more texture and dimension. Di Tommaso braided cornrows at the side and brought the hair into a high, tight, sleek bun with the ends left out for added flare.

The past few seasons, a smoky eye has been Greta Constantine’s go-to for makeup. This season, M.A.C Cosmetics senior makeup artist Melissa Gibson was inspired by two ideas: “savage” and “psychological romance.” “I wanted to do something not only tribal but beautifully unfinished,” Gibson said. “It’s like marking your face, but instead you are running your finger across your eye, creating a broken down smoky look.” She achieved this by mixing “Black Black,” “Pure White” and “Marine Ultra” from M.A.C’s professional Chromacake line. Gibson took a fan brush to break up the colour so it didn’t look beautifully blended. To complete the look, she layered Haute and Naughty Lash Mascara.

Nails were kept chic and long, and designed by nail artist Naomi Misu from Tips Nail Bar using M.A.C Cosmetics. Misu used M.A.C polish in “Nocturnelle” and added lines with “Skin” using a detailed brush. “We created this look inspired by pysanka, an Ukranian Easter egg,” Misu says. “It has all the nice details with lines and triangles.

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Missoni Spring 2013 backstage beauty: Examining the bright lips and space-age skin of this anime-inspired look

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER STIGTER

Read all the backstage tips from Missoni Spring 2013 »

Nothing says Missoni like colourful knitwear. So when the 60-year-old Italian label strayed from its trademark in favour of new shades and textures for the Spring 2013 collection, it was a shock to all. The Missoni runway show started with white, ended with black and featured a selection of amped-up pastel shades in between. The label went even further out of its comfort zone in applying layers of futuristic looking organza and embellishments over the signature raschel knit. When it came to beauty, a whole other set of surprises was in store. The au-naturel look typical to the Missoni runway was ditched in favour of a playfully amped up, space-age anime aesthetic.

All focus was on the neon pout which makeup artist Lucia Pieroni achieved by mixing M.A.C pigments in hot-pink, orange and white. The “manga mouth,” as Pieroni dubbed it, provided the necessary pop of colour on the runway. Pieroni opted for natural, illuminated skin, which she achieved with a sheer foundation and a creamy highlighter. The “ethereal and slightly spacey” look was completed with an almost-naked eyelid. To achieve this, Pieroni applied clear lipgloss to the lids, skipping the mascara, shadow and liner—which also kept the strong lip at the centre of attention.

Hairstylist Eugene Souleiman, global creative director of Wella Professionals, stayed true to the spacey aesthetic in developing an athletic look for hair that involved a sleek, flat top half and looser, free-flowing tresses on the bottom. Mousse and salt spray were used to achieve the futuristic style.

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How to do the cool-girl makeup and faded pastel hair from Peter Som Spring 2013

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER STIGTER

Read all the backstage tips from Peter Som Spring 2013 »

More was more on Peter Som’s Spring 2013 runway when it came to beauty. Bright orange eyelids were mixed with washed out pastel hair extensions, resulting in the ultimate cool-girl vibe for spring.

The Peter Som beauty team—led by Wella Professionals global creative directorEugene Souleiman and makeup artist Tom Pecheux—matched the collection’s watercolour-print boardshorts and billowy floral dresses with bright pops of colour. However, the models’ natural skin tone played a key role in the look. “There is no blush, no highlighter—no need,” said Pecheux, noting that all the models were returning from summer vacation with flawless, toned skin. As our spring trends guidereported, skincare products play a major role when it comes to the “natural” skin look. Pecheux used hydrating gel, foundation and a translucent powder to ensure complexions looked fresh.

Drawing inspiration from Courtney Love in the 1990s and heiress Brooke Astor, the beauty look was a little bit grungy and had an overall California beach town vibe. Continuing the playful look, nails were done with a multi-colour manicure. Using the custom Peter Som Zoya nail polish collection, the French manicure was re-imagined with a mint-green base and a creamsicle-orange tips—like an ice cream sundae for your hands.

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Canada Day nail art: 9 patriotic red and white manicures to try this long weekend

With Canada Day just around the corner, it’s time to start planning those red and white outfits! Whether you’re spending the long weekend at the cottage or celebrating in the city, Canada Days calls for the addition of a patriotic ensemble. But if there’s nothing in your wardrobe that suits the occasion, consider inserting some red and white into your beauty routine. No, we’re not suggesting you go all out with a maple leaf flag face paint situation—instead take it to your nails with some Canada Day nail art.

The best part about doing a themed manicure for Canada Day is that no matter your talent level, there’s a nail art option for you. Whatever combination of red and white nail polish you end up applying will get the patriotic message across! To get the Canada Day nail art ideas rolling, we asked the Beauty Panel to share their long weekend manicures. From simple red and white dots to intricite maple leaf designs, these manis are sure to inspire some Canada Day nail art of your own, adding the perfect dose of patriotic pop to your long weekend.

Challenge 17: Happy Canada Day! What are you wearing on your nails this weekend? See the answers now! »

If you’re considering adding something unique to your Canada Day nail art design, Marilou Moles from Twenty York Street shows us how she incorporated dots and glitter to keep things interesting. Looking for something other than the Canadian flag? Dee Thomson from Liner Glitter Gloss shares a splatter manicure that is not only a creative masterpiece, but also a fun design you can do with your friends before you head out the door to join the festivities. Still unsure about trying your hand at nail art?Perilously Pale’s Christa Potter shows that red and white off centre stripes are both easy to do to and makes for a playful accent that’s long weekend-ready.

Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way atbeautypanel@fashionmagazine.com. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our 

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See the new Quo by Orly GelFX Duo-Chrome Shades »

It’s common knowledge that Rihanna doesn’t wake up looking the way she does when she hits the red carpet. From hairstylists to makeup artists, an entourage is key to getting our favourite Barbadian songstress camera-ready. But have you ever wondered who does her nails? (The megastar is credited with setting the pointy nail trend, after all!) Well, the talent behind the look is L.A.-based nail guru Kimmie Kyees.

Kyees, whose Instagram is flooded with images of Ke$ha, Nicole Richie and Kim Kardashian (you know, the usual), has a list of celebrity clients as long as Rihanna’s pointed talons.

While she seems to follow her clients wherever the red carpet takes them, we recently caught up with Kimmie Kyees in Toronto. The celebrity manicurist was in town to promote the Quo by Orly nail polish collection for Fall 2013 and talk about celebrity nail art trends.

A backstage regular at award shows (Kyees styled Adele’s nails at last year’s Golden Globes, Grammys and Oscars) she revealed that the colour of the dress being worn is usually what influences the choice of nail colour. When asked to bring up an awards show memory that stands out, Kyees recounted doing both Rihanna and Katy Perry’s nails at the Grammys one year, having to run between dressing rooms all evening long. And beyond the red carpet, Kyees has worked with numerous publications such asGlamour and Vogue and has contributed to ads for Sears, among others.

With 19 years of experience under her belt, Kyees also had plenty of tips for aspiring manicurists and nail art aficionados. “Always use polish remover and cuticle oil,” she advised when asked to comment on manicure essentials. As for when you’re wearing a bright shade, it’s best to “put a white base on to make the colour pop.”

On the nail polish agenda for fall, Quo by Orly is adding five new warm jewel tone shades to its roster of core nail polish colours, as well as a MegaPixel FX collection, which consists of 7 ultra-glittery quick-dry polishes. Finally, for the gel lacquer lovers amongst us, 20 new colours are being added to the Quo by Orly Gels collection including four stunning duo-chrome shades. Itching to get your hands on the new products? The polishes, as well as a new compact LED lamp, hits Shoppers Drug Mart stores mid-August

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The best summer nail polish colours: 7 Beauty Panel favourites (and some nail art, too!)

It would be an understatement to say that nail art hasn’t completely saturated the beauty world. From Anne Hathaway’s neon manicure at the Met gala to Hailee Steinfeld’s pop art nails at Comic Con, nail art is still going strong throughout summer.

While A-list stars turn to nail gurus like Kimmie Kyees (Rihanna’s go-to) and Tom Bachik (he does Beyoncé, Zooey Dechannel and Jennifer Lopez) DIY nail art can look just as red carpet-worthy. Although scrolling through thousands of nail art images on Pinterest may be one way to get inspired, the Beauty Panel is here to lend us a hand. This week they’re sharing top tips and tricks on the best nail art looks for summer. From pastel shades to chevron nail art to glitter top coats, we’re pretty sure you’ll be reaching for a bottle of nail polish before you finish reading this post.

Challenge 22: What’s your favourite nail polish colour to wear this summer? See the answers now! »

While Alison Leong from Alison Elle shows off her graphic, colour-block nails, Makeup by Tess’s Tess Lopez shares a trick on how to use nail art to make our nails look nice and elongated. If you’re skeptical at trying out nail art, both A Pop of Colour’s Shayna Wiwierski and Spiced Beauty’s Jennifer Francis strongly believe that glitter will be your lifesaver. Though Shayna says she’s nail art klutz, her manicure is anything but sloppy-looking. To add a bit of glitter to her neutral toned nails, she recommends reaching for a sparkly nail polish or nail stickers (when you’re short on time) to layer over your existing colour. In the market for new nail art tools? Jennifer shares her go-to place for affordable and easy to use products.

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Beauty Fix: A mud mask to try now, how to get rid of a stubborn pimple and more answers to your beauty questions

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question we haven’t answered? Email us atbeautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

I like to give my nails a break from polish every so often, but they look so dull. How can I make them look their best?
While we can all be slaves to the polish bottle, bare nails can be quite modern and, right now, are remarkably on-trend. If your nails have taken a bit of battering after multiple polish changes with minimal breaks in between, using a nail buffer, such asQuo’s Ergo Buffer ($6, at Shoppers Drug Mart), can actually help stimulate circulation to your nail beds. Buffing encourages nails to grow while smoothing out the nail surface, thus making them look and feel healthier. Use the black nail file side of the Ergo Buffer to shape nails, moving on to the blue side to buff nails lightly, and finally use the purple interior side of the buffing tool to bring nails to a smooth, glossy shine.

My breakouts are extremely persistent when they crop up. Can I use anything to shorten their lifespan?
Who hasn’t been on the unfortunate receiving end of a zit that just won’t quit!? And it’s even worse when you’re trying all your usual products and still can’t seem to shrink it. That’s where a gadget like Tanda Zap Power ($80, tanda.ca) can come in handy. This little rechargeable gizmo’s sole mission is to eradicate the bacteria that cause those wildly unpleasant blemishes. It uses a three-pronged approach to bacteria elimination—LED light, heat and sonic vibrations—in effort to reduce redness, size and inflammation. The best part is that it can be used up to three times per day for timely results and it doesn’t cause the dryness that most acne topical treatments are prone to.

I love the shine of a gel manicure, but committing to one nail colour for weeks on end bores me. Is there a happy medium? 
I hear you on this one! As much as I love a good Shellac manicure to get me through a vacation chip-free or through a stretch of busy weeks, I adore polish way too much to hold back from frequently trying different shades and nail designs. If you enjoy changing your nail colour every week, consider giving the new CND Vinylux system ($12 each, at Trade Secrets) a whirl. CND, makers of the much-loved Shellac system, have created a long-lasting polish formula that is applied directly to your nails (no base coat underneath). The trick is in the top coat, which is strengthened by natural UV light as you wear it, leading to increased protection against chipping. The shade range is expansive (62 shades and counting), so the likelihood of finding something to appeal to you week after week is quite high!

Are mud masks really that beneficial? They seem like a lot of hype. 
Well, not all mud masks are created equally. If you’re curious about the efficacy of a mud mask, consider looking into the type of mud being used and research the benefits of that particular mud. One mud mask I recently tried—after hearing much hype—wasGlam Glow Super-Mud Clearing Treatment ($69, sephora.ca). And I must say: with this little jar, the hype is real. When a thin layer is applied to the skin, the mask actually dries down in a manner that allows you to see all the areas where you had congestion in your skin (akin to looking at a pore strip after you’ve removed it). It contains charcoal, which effectively extracts any unwanted debris from your pores, as well a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids to balance the skin’s pH level. Advanced ingredients in a mud mask are helpful for a positive experience, and in this case, skin is left feeling clean, refreshed and refined!

I don’t normally have issues with body odour, but I’ve noticed that times of stress lead to more perspiration than usual—and the thought of smelling just makes me more stressed! How do I address this?
This is increasingly common, so you’re not alone in this often-frustrating scenario. Stress can cause several different reactions within people that vary from person to person. If sweating is your particular reaction to stress, it’s important to know that the adrenaline spike caused by stress leads to a different type of perspiration than the sweat that’s created when we’re in hot weather or doing physical activity. This stress sweat also causes a different odour, so an ideal way to counteract it is with an antiperspirant that’s designed with this problem in mind. For instance, Nivea Stress Protect Antiperspirant ($5, at drugstores) will provide protection against odour and wetness for 48 hours, and contains avocado oil in order to prevent your underarm skin from drying out the way many clinical-grade antiperspirants often do.

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Bicycle fashion: 4 Style Panel tips on what to wear when biking

Biking is the go-to mode of transportation for our sticky summer commutes. You’ve got to hand it to our two-wheeler friends for getting us through the heaviest rush hour traffic in a time crunch. And though we adore anything that shortens our morning routines, a speedy cycle doesn’t come without its fair share of wardrobe-related challenges. Combining fashion and function is key for assembling bike-ready ensembles. Once you find the perfect balance of comfort and style, you’d be surprised what you can pull off wearing while weaving through the city streets.

While helmets may not be topping your must-have accessories list, they’re totally first on ours. Rachel Bilson recently paired her tight-fitted bike uniform with the sturdy headgear, earning her major safety points. ‘We Can’t Stop’ singer Miley Cyrus relies on her bike-basket to carry all of her favourite things and though her long hair is no more, we still suggest copying Cyrus’ polished top bun. It’s the perfect hairstyle for avoiding the post-cycle hot mess look. The ever-fashionable Kate Bosworth won’t let a little cycling get in the way of her outfit choices. Bosworth’s a-line circle skirt is the perfect way to steer clear of grease stains, while the knee length hemline promises to prevent un-wanted flashing situations.

But you don’t have to be a celebrity to look this cute on a bike. We’ve turned to our Style Panel for more advice on how to dress fashionably while biking. The Girl With The Messy Hair’s KD Faustino deems shorts a biking-must, but suggests scrapping your favourite denim cutoffs for something a little more fashion-forward. Short Presents’ Kayla Short also favours shorts, but suggests pairing them with a interesting top to give people something to look at as your cruise past them at top-speed. (Woah there, easy rider!)

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September 2013: Letter from the editor

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VANESSA HEINS; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY GRACE LEE FOR MAYBELLINE NEW YORK CANADA/PLUTINO GROUP

Can we timeshare that outfit?

I was touring the Prada fall collection the day after the show in Milan, and a colleague and I were both ogling the same tweedy two-piece.

Since then, the skirt suit has emerged as the breakout star of the season. And for good reason. A quick poll of the FASHION editorial team revealed that no one—no one—owns a skirt suit. How’s that for guaranteed retail gold? Before hitting the stores, spend time with David Livingstone’s eloquent essay on the return of the skirt (“Skirting Around,” page 66). And see how photographer Gabor Jurina and contributing stylist George Antonopoulos interpreted the trend on the streets of Toronto (“Public Enemy,” page 180).

The aqua Carven suit on that story’s opening page is a perfect example of a major movement in materials—things aren’t always what they seem. The bulky pieces were cut from a puckered fabric with an egg carton-like finish, and assistant fashion editor Eliza Grossman was sure she would need two hands to hoist them off a hanger. In fact, the silk/nylon suit is lighter than air. And the rubbery Pedro Lourenço “feathers” on page 167 are gabardine and organza…but feel like fine neoprene.

Such innovations are the one constant in our business, which sparked an idea for a Predictions spread in our Beauty section. We had so much fun compiling this four-page foldout (blue eyebrows for all!), I will be tucking a copy away to see which forecasts come true down the road.

And finally, we welcome a new monthly feature by Tommy Ton, the Canadian whose street coverage for Style.com is viewed by millions. Tommy will be sharing his favourite images and explaining why he took each picture. Interestingly, his first subject for “Snapped” (page 88) is remarkably low-key, revealing some of what goes through Tommy’s mind as he aims his lens on the fashion world.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VANESSA HEINS; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY GRACE LEE FOR MAYBELLINE NEW YORK CANADA/PLUTINO GROUP

Can we timeshare that outfit?

I was touring the Prada fall collection the day after the show in Milan, and a colleague and I were both ogling the same tweedy two-piece.

Since then, the skirt suit has emerged as the breakout star of the season. And for good reason. A quick poll of the FASHION editorial team revealed that no one—no one—owns a skirt suit. How’s that for guaranteed retail gold? Before hitting the stores, spend time with David Livingstone’s eloquent essay on the return of the skirt (“Skirting Around,” page 66). And see how photographer Gabor Jurina and contributing stylist George Antonopoulos interpreted the trend on the streets of Toronto (“Public Enemy,” page 180).

The aqua Carven suit on that story’s opening page is a perfect example of a major movement in materials—things aren’t always what they seem. The bulky pieces were cut from a puckered fabric with an egg carton-like finish, and assistant fashion editor Eliza Grossman was sure she would need two hands to hoist them off a hanger. In fact, the silk/nylon suit is lighter than air. And the rubbery Pedro Lourenço “feathers” on page 167 are gabardine and organza…but feel like fine neoprene.

Such innovations are the one constant in our business, which sparked an idea for a Predictions spread in our Beauty section. We had so much fun compiling this four-page foldout (blue eyebrows for all!), I will be tucking a copy away to see which forecasts come true down the road.

And finally, we welcome a new monthly feature by Tommy Ton, the Canadian whose street coverage for Style.com is viewed by millions. Tommy will be sharing his favourite images and explaining why he took each picture. Interestingly, his first subject for “Snapped” (page 88) is remarkably low-key, revealing some of what goes through Tommy’s mind as he aims his lens on the fashion world.

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ehind the scenes at Tanya Taylor’s wedding: From her haute couture wedding gown to the tropical paradise venue

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER STIGTER

See the entire Fall 2013 trend report »

Or jump to trend: COAT | RIOT GIRL | GREY | PINK | SKIRT SUIT | PLAID |BOUDOIR | BLACK AND WHITE | PRINT | STATEMENT ACCESSORIES

Fall 2013 fashion is a lesson in extremes. There’s some serious push and pull when it comes to the stylistic female role in today’s society, and no place proves a better show than on the runway.

Skirt suits, the once-staple pairing for women’s fashion, were back for fall at Prada,Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Dior, where models returned to New Look ideals. Nipped waists, strong shoulders and an ample cut of wool seemed to pose that the woman of the 1940s was ideal, at least this time around on the trend carousel. The return of the skirt, whether in-suit or otherwise, seems never more impactful than for this season, where it appeared in virtually every collection from Hérmes to Chanel. At Ports 1961, a mid-length circle skirt paired effortlessly with a grey bomber jacket and cable knit sweater to make the ultimate modern-casual statement.

To add to Fall 2013 fashion’s femme fest, Miu Miu, Carven, Giles and Jonathan Saunders embraced powder pink, the ultimate baby doll hue. Elsewhere, a soft palette of baby blue and winter whites seemed to point to a more innocent direction as well, especially when paired with fall’s boudoir trend. Most notably at Marc Jacobsand Louis Vuitton, bed-headed models wore slinky lingerie dresses, fox-trim silk robes and lazily dragged stoles on the ground.

And because no fashion season is complete without opposing views, Fall 2013 fashion was dealt a heavy dose of bra-burning rebellion via grunge, biker and a push towards mannish tailoring and for-the-boys fabrics.

The ever-popular motorcycle jacket appeared in ever-growing multitudes on runways at Rag & Bone, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne, Etro, Rodarte and Diesel while grunge hallmarks were on the rise for the second season in a row at Saint Laurent, Chloe Comme Parris, Christopher Kane and Givenchy. Punk’s everlasting effect reared its unruly head at countless shows during fashion week, but most notably at Versace, where spikes, PVC and logo T-shirts had Donatella Versace creating her own word for the revival, “Vunk.”

At Céline, Stella McCartney and Vanessa Bruno, plaids, pinstripes and oversized cuts quietly messaged a gender role shift.

But where does it all leave us? Gender bending once more? Guess we’ll need to wait till next season to find out.

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Calgary Street Style: 34 shots of trendy residents sporting summer layers

See Calgary street style the gallery »

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: man, Calgary’s stylish. Resident street style photographers Ania Boniecka and Tyler Stalman took to the ever-trendy 17thAvenue to document some of this summer’s hippest, and as per usual, came out with street style gold. Photographed over a few weekends in July, trendy Calgarians were spotted sporting summer layers apropos for Summer 2013’s cold-weather influx. Leather jackets and thin-knit sweaters seemed the favourite cover-ups for the ladies, while the gents favoured long sleeved button downs. As they are with much of the country’s most fashion-forward men, unkempt beards and moustaches reigned supreme. We ain’t complaining.

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Partying with Nicole Kidman: Inside Omega’s fantasy fête in Vienna

Twilight takes its leave in Vienna, Austria, as I’m transported through a triumphal arch onto the grounds of the historic Liechtenstein Garden Palace. I exit the car, touching heel to pink carpet and following it across a courtyard full of fastidiously placed flickering lanterns parted by two lines of footmen in cream-coloured suits and a pair of white rearing Pegasus statues—all dwarfed by the Romanesque building bathed in silky light behind them. Inside, the grand foyer is flush with fragrant flowers. Commanding the centre is a gilded rococo carriage. A bell tolls and, as I ascend the marble staircase into the 17th-century frescoed ballroom, a fairy tale comes to mind: Cinderella.

This is one enchanted evening, though the woman of the hour is no upstart cinder girl but rather fabled actress Nicole Kidman. In this setting, wearing a beaded Oscar de la Renta gown with shoulder-grazing blonde curls, she looks every bit the part of a princess. But the linchpin accessory for this storybook night is a watch: the latest incarnation of Omega’s legendary Lady-matic, of which Kidman is the face (and wrist). To fête both its ambassador and its timepiece, the watchmaker threw a gala worthy of a fairy tale.

OMEGA’S NEW LADYMATIC WATCH WITH BICOLOUR BRACELET AND DIAMOND-SET BEZEL

A glass slipper pales in comparison to the glamorous chronometer clasped to Kidman’s wrist. One of this year’s new Ladymatic styles, it retains the sculptural, undulating design of the 2010 model, but elegantly alternates 18-karat gold and stainless steel on the bracelet with a bezel of glittering pavé diamonds.

Dating back to 1955, the original Ladymatic was Omega’s first self-winding watch made especially for women, featuring the smallest movement the brand had ever produced. While Omega is well-known for its connection to male astronauts and secret agents, it has long made time for ladies, designing a jewellery wristwatch for Princess Juliana of the Netherlands as a wedding gift in 1937. For the Ladymatic’s 21st-century revival three years ago, the watchmaker took inspiration from—what else?—a woman’s curves, further elevating the everyday timepiece from strictly business to artful accessory.

“It’s the equivalent to shoes and bags, in a way,” says Kidman. “I think it’s a very important fashion accessory now.” And, like a Birkin bag or Manolo pumps, this year’s Ladymatic comes in a variety of colours to consider and collect. The spiralling supernova dial now comes clad in muted hues of aubergine, pale pink, baby blue and go-with-it-all grey. There are also matching leather straps that have been treated to resemble brushed
satin. “Practical” and “beautiful” are the words Kidman uses, an impressive amalgam that even our most prized carryalls and peep-toes can’t always achieve.

In the eight years since Omega signed Kidman as brand ambassador, the actress has picked up a few more roles (and not just the movie kind), making her time especially precious. “I have young children now, so I’m very aware of how I allocate my time,” she says. She has two children with husband Keith Urban, five-year-old Sunday and two-year-old Faith, and says that Sunday already shares her mother’s proclivity for timepieces. “She has this obsession with wanting a watch,” Kidman says. “It represents being a grown-up.” Her own days as a watch wearer coincide with her start in acting at the age of 14. “Working in film as a child, you learn to be on time,” she says. “It’s a sign of respect for others.”

Like watch, like spokesperson: Kidman is passionately punctual. On gala night, she leaves before the stroke of midnight to catch up on her beauty rest for tomorrow morning’s press conference. Needless to say, this Cinderella had no problem leaving the ball on time.

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