Lancôme's National Spotlight on Chicago

All that strutting up and down the Magnificent Mile has finally paid off – and if you’re just thinking about the shopping and great stores…think again. The beautiful women of the city of Chicago have inspired a new and limited edition makeup collection by Lancôme just in time for Chicago's week of fashion, Fashion Focus.

The Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection was developed by Chicago-born, National Lancôme Makeup Artist, Alex Sanchez. Products in the limited collection include: NEW! Color Design Palette in Golden Glitz $42, Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame $27, Color Fever Shine Lipstick in Femme Fire $25, Color Fever Gloss in Hotness $23, Artliner in Noir $28, Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee $23.50, Hypnôse Mascara in Black $24, and Blending Shadow Brush # 17 $26. The collection will be unveiled at select Macy’s locations September 2nd and only be exclusively available in Chicago until October 31st.

Why, you may ask is Chicago receiving such magnificent attention? Not only because our city is so great, and our ladies so lovely – but because our very own Millennium Park will soon be hosting the 4th annual Fashion Focus Chicago. Lancôme is taking over the event, October 1-8, as the official makeup sponsor of Fashion Focus Chicago. Alex Sanchez will seize the runway with his magnificent cosmetic excellence for all five runway shows that include: Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion featuring Clandestine Industries, World Fashion Chicago presented by Sister Cities International, Dress Code of The Chicago Fashion Design School, Allure of Couture and the Designers of Chicago Show presented by Macy's. Guests at Fashion Focus events are invited to take advantage of the Lancôme Beauty Bar to have their makeup touched up before taking their seats for the shows.

Lancôme is excited to be supporting new and emerging talents in Chicago, which is why a portion of the proceeds from the Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection will go to support The Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI). Macy’s has partnered with the city of Chicago to create CFI, a program that is part of the Mayor’s Fashion Initiative to support, promote, and keep the fashion designers of Chicago working and living in Chicago. CFI is excited to be working with Lancôme and believes the famous beauty brand will give their organization the resources to flourish into more success.

We caught up with Lancôme's National Makeup Artist Alex Sanchez to get all of the details about the collection.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Tell us about the Fashion Focus Collection! How did Chicago fashion inspire you?
ALEX SANCHEZ: To live in a city with such surreal and beautiful architecture is very inspiring. And the local fashion talent that resides here is so innovative. I love that Chicago provides so much support for the local fashion talent. That’s inspiring! For the collection, I channeled the women who walk the Magnificent Mile every day. There is so much natural beauty in this town and I feel the collection really speaks to that.

FM: Tell us about your background as a makeup artist.
AS: I have always been an artist. At the age of five, I began painting realistic portraits. Makeup for me is art and allows me to bring my creative side to life on women every day.

FM: What is your favorite aspect about working for Lancôme?
AS: I love meeting and working with real women. Makeup is so personal and for women to allow me to be a part of that is incredible. I love building new relationships with these women and ultimately, that is so rewarding.

FM: What should every woman have in her makeup bag?
AS: Every woman should have the following beauty staples in their makeup bag: A great mascara like Définicils, a chocolate brown eye pencil, a concealer and powder and this season, of course, the Fashion Focus Backstage Beauty Collection. Also, a great eye makeup remover like Bi-facil is important.

FM: What are your favorite beauty looks for fall?
AS: This fall, the makeup is sexy city chic. Bronzing carried over from summer in a more modern fashion and I love the bronzy brown tones on the eyes with a neutral lip. For night, I love to add some smolder of graphite and granite on the eyes and a pop of berry on the lips.

FM: What are you most looking forward to for Fashion Focus?
AS: I am very excited because I believe that fashion is for every woman, every age and every culture and I know that the Chicago Fashion Focus shares the same philosophy.

FM: What are people surprised to know about you?
AS: Everyone is surprised when they hear that I play piano and sing. I have my mother to thank for that!

FM: Give us three beauty secrets for a flawless look.
AS: Honor thy skin! Wear sunscreen 24/7, moisturize, drink plenty of water, don’t smoke and get your beauty sleep! That’s more than three, but good advice for flawless skin.

FM: What is next for you? What can we look forward to for the spring face?
AS: Between Glamorama and Fashion Focus, it’s been a busy fall! I can’t believe spring is right around the corner. Spring makeup is a play on contrast using pink and black with an emphasis on cinematic pink lips. After Fashion Focus, I hit the road again to meet with women across the country and gear up for the busy holiday season.

FM: What are your Chicago hangout spots?

• Geja's- Great for date night with champagne, fondue, flamenco and chocolate.
• Cafe 28- Incredible Cuban Food and Mojitos.
• Ping Pong- Delicious Asian cuisine served in (ever-changing) swanky digs complete with high-drama (in a good way) staff.
• Encore- Perfect Martini Bar after a great night on the town.

Stop in at the following Macy’s locations September 20 – October 31, 2008 to buy Lancôme’s Fashion Focus Beauty Collection. For more info about Lancôme, visit www.lancome-usa.com

Macy’s State Street
111 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60602
312.781.1000

Macy’s Water Tower
835 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.335.7700

Macy’s Old Orchard
1 Old Orchard Shopping Center
Skokie, IL 60077
847.329.2700

Macy’s Woodfield
1 Woodfield Mall
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847.706.6000
-Jackie Medler