Finds of the week:

• High: YSL's Shocking Felt Tip Eyeliner Pen, $32
• Low: Maybelline's Eye Studio Felt Tip Eyeliner, $8

Off the wire:

• Karl Lagerfeld once owned (and wore) a mankini. Photo evidence because it happened.
• Max Azria only works five hours a day. Redesigning the same bandage dress can't be that difficult.
• Betsey Johnson files for Chapter 11, but the reality show is still on.

Smart reads:

• LOFT Summer 2012 Lookbook - The Budget Babe
• I'm Powerless Against a J.Crew/Pamela Love Collaboration - Eye4Style
• It's Like Going On Vacation, But Not - Miss Whoever You Are

Introducing Friends of Style IT, a new interview series that offers a bit of insight (plus a side serving of whit and giggles) into the lives of some of the most superhuman people I know.

Some people have a special ability of communicating online that makes you feel like you know them, even if you have never met. Julia Murphree, Director of Public Relations for Maybelline, has that gift. In fact, we somehow managed to go at least a couple of seasons during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week without meeting (even though we both made concerted efforts). Of course with Maybelline as one of the title sponsors of the shows, it's no wonder. Julia has a lot on her hands.

In addition to sharing the colorful world of Maybelline with editors and bloggers alike, Julia also won my heart on Monday nights, when it feels like the entire Twitter community bands together to live tweet Gossip Girl. Her comments are smart, insightful, and often Chuck Bass-related. Who can blame her?

To learn more about Julia's impressive career and more, keep reading.

How did you get your start in the industry?

My first job in New York was at a PR agency called LaForce + Stevens. I was desperate to work in fashion but their only opening was on the beauty team. I was hired as an Account Executive, catering to clients including by Terry, Carita, Decleor and Nuxe. A week into my new career, my boss went on maternity leave...and never returned. With little (if any) direction, I was forced to sink or swim. I dove in head first and fell in love with beauty in the process.

What's the funniest fashion mishap that you've witnessed? Bonus points if it's actually happened to you.

I have this awesome pair of leather pants I wear every chance I get. But the first time I wore them, they split right up the back! I was mortified. A coat check attendant gave me a shirt to tie around my waist, which probably made things worse since it looked as if I was going for a grunge look. Grunge wasn't happening at the time. Needless to say, I had the seam reinforced soon after this incident.

What are three things you'd never be caught without?

1. Falsies Mascara- I wouldn’t clean the house without mascara on.

2. A manicure- I always have color on my nails. I feel naked without it. My signature shade is Big Spender by essie.

3. My iPhone. Addicted to Twitter and Tumblr. #obvs

I'd never be caught with:

Flats on! You'll never catch me wearing flats. Unless I'm injured. Or at the gym.

If you wanted to dispel one myth about the fashion industry, what would it be?

A lot of people think working in fashion and beauty is all about going to parties and being fabulous. It's such hard work and there is zero room to be lazy. It's about dedication, passion, integrity and - if you're lucky - a little bit of fun.

After spending a week running around Lincoln Center for Fashion Week attempting to pretend that it was spring, I just couldn't reach back into my closet for the thick knits or the oversized coats any more. New Yorkers are the most seasonally confused once it begins to hit 50 degrees in the spring. You'll see the widest range of outfits, including everything from Uggs to flip flops and bare legs, so I'd like to think that my look was on the more appropriate side of the scale, but even I was cold. Needless to say, I'm so thrilled that it's finally beginning to warm up in the city, even if our 10 day forecasts are still peppered with 30 degree temperatures, high winds and rain.

Anorak: One Stop Plus (no longer available, similar available here)

Ruffled top: Old Navy (no longer available, similar available here)

Skinny jeans: Torrid

Nude bow pumps: Jeffrey Campbell (no longer available, similar here and here)

Bag: DKNY

Bow cuff: Kate Spade (no longer available, similar here, here and here)

Lipstick: Maybelline's Color Sensational in Very Cherry

Nail polish: Sally Hansen Salon Effects in Cry Baby

Photos by Tarah Shashaty

Earlier this week I had the chance to take tour through some of Maybelline's 2012 product launches and I have to say I am seriously impressed. From new products in their Super Stay lip collection to a new lengthening mascara, Maybelline certainly means business. However, the most impressive (aka the ones I immediately opened on the train ride home) are new cream eyeshadows called Color Tattoo. The formula boasts 24 hour wear and amazing color payoff with a smooth, buttery texture. They'll be arriving at drugstores near you in Spring 2012 with the jaw droppingly low price of $6.99 and 10 bold shades.

Best daytime neutral: Tough as Taupe - a matte greige (pictured above)

Best winter color: Pomegranate Punk - a reddish wine

Best spring color: Edgy Emerald - a light turquoise

Most original color: Tie! Tenacious Teal - a vibrant turquoise and Painted Purple - a purple purpal with tonal shimmer

How do you wear yourcream shadows? Do you wear them alone or do you layer them with shadow? Leave your answers in the comments below!

“The beauty look at L.A.M.B. is inspired by a trip to India,” said Maybelline's Global Makeup Artist Charlotte Willer. “A dark, dramatically lined eye is the focal point– a modern take on kohl.” To recreate the look Charlotte created for L.A.M.B. Spring/Summer 2012, she recommends the following:

Face:

Fit Me! Powder: Charlotte eliminated shine and created natural coverage with this pressed powder. She swept a second, slightly darker shade under the cheekbones to contour and create definition. Next, she applied Fit Me! Blush in Deep Rose to the apples of the cheeks, creating a soft glow.

Eyes:

Eye Studio Master Drama Cream Pencil in Midnight Master: Charlotte created an exaggerated winged eye with this richly pigmented liner. She lined the outer half of the lid and the entire lower lash line. She extended the line out toward the edge of the temple and in toward the inner corner of the eye.

Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Pink Persuasion: To add a slight shimmer, Charlotte used a liner brush to apply the dark grey shade over the eyeliner, on the outer corner of the eye.

Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Soft Black: A straight, strong brow framed the eye look. Charlotte filled in the area under the arch of the brow - creating a straight, dramatic shape.

Volum' Express Falsies: Charlotte finished the eyes with this extra matte, extremely black mascara.