Happy early birthday to me is what I thought when I opened up this email with V’s latest beauty extravaganza.

My former beauty editor heart definitely starts beating a little faster when a single story contains work by so many of my most favorite hairstylists, makeup artists, and photographers. And the models aren’t too shabby either!

Seriously check out just some of the people who gave their interpretations of what the definition of beauty will be in the next decade: Gucci Westman, Aaron de Mey, Didier Malige, James Kaliardos, Val Garland, Richard Burbridge, Miles Aldridge, Jimmy Paul, Julien d’Ys, Mario Sorrenti. The list goes on and on and their work is completely outstanding.

Tired of doodling on paper or the soles of your Converse? How about your arm? Your thigh? Your chest?

Rodarte kicked off the body art trend in New York, covering their models with Sharpied tribal shapes to complement their primitive, deconstructed collection. James Kaliardos pulled from a variety of inspirations to come up with the black curvilinear designs that ended up the perfect armor for Rodarte’s futuristic warrior girls.

This week of fashion parties continued with last night’s celebration of Ruffian’s new book, Ruffian Inside Out.

Though the book, written by Style.com’s Executive Editor Nicole Phelps, officially launched in April, we’ve been loving it since their AW09 show in February. Jamie Isaia’s photographs of Brian Wolk and Claude Morais are basically fashion porn.

Thus the party was a celebration not just of the book, but of the talented designers themselves. John Demsey, Group President of Estée Lauder, played host, even offering up his own home for the night and we spotted everyone from Simon Doonan and Rachel Roy to MAC ûber makeup artist James Kaliardos.

MAC has a special relationship with the brand and the book — they created a limited edition, just-for-Fashion-Week, not sold in stores lipstick shade for the Fall 2009 show called Ruffian Red, (which Britt obsessively rocked throughout Fashion month) that they so generously handed out again last night.

I also got a sneak peek at those fabulous Jin Soon-created polishes we mentioned last month and I can tell you, judging by the gorgeous orchid shade I saw, the collection is going to be fantastic.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Yesterday’s Preen show was at Espace. The only thing we know about Espace is that Christian Bale really needed to get there in American Psycho. Which brings the number of American Psycho references to a grand total of two this week. Which is way surprising.

Here’s what we saw and heard backstage:

- Make-up artist James Kaliardos, “We’re approaching each girl like we’re painting her portrait.”

- Jourdan Dunn, with her best friend from home, tasting different sandwiches. (You can read an interview with her at TeenVogue.com).

- Sewing, ironing, taping, pinning - up until the last second.

- Anja Rubik eating dates. Irina K. eating trail mix. Maryna Linchuk eating a turkey sandwich.

- Dresses that lace up, button up, ruffle up and look like they’re made to come off.

We’ve always loved being backstage at Ruffian’s shows, because the vibe is so fun:

There’s salad and scones, Irina and Chanel Iman, and lots of ’70s rock while the girls get ready.

But this year, there’s something even more exciting happening behind-the-scenes:

We hear James Kaliardos, the worshipped makeup artist and co-founder of V Magazine, is the lead makeup artist on the show.

Will he coat all the girls in gold shimmer, as he did with Gemma Ward on Halloween (left)?

Probably not - but they’ll still be gorgeous anyway.