It's a safe bet James Cameron loves a good adventure flick as much as I do. I don't know him personally, but I'd assume as much.
Critics often mention how beneath the revolutionary technology of Avatar is a story that's already told before (think Dances with Wolves
or Fern Gully - The Last Rainforest
) and thankfully, they're right. As a Latino American, I'll be the first to argue that stories inspired by the Spanish Inquisition will never be cliché. Furthermore, the preservation themes of films like Avatar and Wall-E
have emboldened the spirit behind my childhood obsessions with Captain Planet, Free Willy
and ET
that have lingered like as a canvas tote bag I made in grade school with SAVE THE EARTH in vibrant puff paint that resides somewhere in my parents' basement.
or Fern Gully - The Last Rainforest) and thankfully, they're right. As a Latino American, I'll be the first to argue that stories inspired by the Spanish Inquisition will never be cliché. Furthermore, the preservation themes of films like Avatar and Wall-E have emboldened the spirit behind my childhood obsessions with Captain Planet, Free Willy and ET that have lingered like as a canvas tote bag I made in grade school with SAVE THE EARTH in vibrant puff paint that resides somewhere in my parents' basement. 
In honor of Avatar's cry for mother nature, I'm gonna give shout outs to two of my most favorite beauty brands that benefit beauty fanatics and mother earth.
Cargo's PlantLove Lipsticks have tubes made from corn instead of plastic, are free from petroleum or parabens, and the cardboard wrapper is infused with wildflower seeds that actually grow when buried.
Chantecaille has worked hard raising money to protect endangered species by donating a portion of the sales of their blushes and eye shadows beautifully embossed with designs representing tigers, whales, coral reefs, butterflies, and most recently (my childhood favorites) dolphins.
Going back to nature is important for our future, but technology has earned it's role in entertainment. Both times I saw Avatar in IMAX 3D, the landscapes were so breathtaking, I felt a bit of relief from my yearning to run off and move to the rainforest. Unfortunately, that fantasy will not come true until they have an iPhone app that cures one's fear of snakes.
Fun with technology inspired photographer Lizzy Sullivan, dancer Marcus Phillips (from the original Off-Broadway production of Fela!), and I to brave the winter winds for a rooftop photo shoot last fall. Building on the skills I learned when I keyed Patrick Wolf's Hard Times Video, we used blacklights, blue UV activated body paint and a long exposure to create motion blurs of Marcus moving with the Brooklyn Bridge behind him. The final look reminded me of Billy Crudup as Dr Manhattan in Watchmen.
If you're eco chic, and headed to an Oscars party this Sunday, this easy Avatar glamazon look is the perfect way to show your futuristic wild side. Brighten your whole expression with a single tiny Swarovski crystal placed in the inner corners of each eye. Pick it up with tweezers, dip it in a tiny bit of lash glue and place it just beyond the tear duct. The effect is much more subtle than you'd think and looked amazing at Marchesa F/W 2010 presentation. To keep the rest of the look simple, avoid shimmery eye shadow and instead add a pop of vibrant matte blue color on the lid using Shu Uemura m 685. Follow with several coats of mascara and you're done.
If you're not willing to paint yourself blue in full Avatar solidarity, you'll obviously need to know what to wear. MyFashionPlate.com stylist Eric Himel suggests turning to Alexander McQueen's S/S 2010 collection, Plato's Atlantis. The "eighties-inspired tribal futuristic" dresses "epitomize the strong tribal culture of the Na'vi people." The prints even look like the markings on Pandora's flying Ikran.
Finally, every good warrior princess needs to accessorize, so jewelry designer Jenny Jordan recommends these handmade bangles from her Symbology collection, available on Etsy.com and at Elle Squared in Livingston NJ. Her Pisces and Aquarius designs are both hand painted and plated in 22-karat gold. "People born under these signs are humanitarians. They are sensitive, headstrong, creative, intuitive and have a very large imagination."
Avatar is hands down the most technologically advanced film of the year, but will blue take the gold for best picture? I'll be glued to my TV set Sunday, eager to find out. I'll "see you" there!
For more styling tips, click here to reach out to Eric Himel via MyFashionPlate.com.
To see more of Jenny Jordan's designs visit her online boutique at
www.SYMBOLOGYbyJJ.etsy.com or in-person at Elle Squared in Livingston, NJ (973) 533-1111
www.SYMBOLOGYbyJJ.etsy.com or in-person at Elle Squared in Livingston, NJ (973) 533-1111
Andrew Sotomayor is a celebrity makeup artist in New York who's worked with Juliette Binoche, Kerry Washington, Saffron Burrows, Rose Byrne, Justin Kirk, Jonathan Groff and champion boxer Andre Berto. His clients have appeared on Project Runway, The Today Show, The CBS Early Show, Good Day New York, and CNN. He's created the makeup for Victoria Beckham's denim and eyewear look books, and assisted on fashion shows for Dior, Diesel, Marchesa, and Project Runway. Magazines like Marie Claire, Shape, InStyle, Glamour, People, and numerous blogs have interviewed him, and he's appeared on television for Access Hollywood. Andrew leads makeup artistry workshops for the students at The High School of Fashion Industries. See his work at DramaFreeMakeup.com
