Fall 2011 Looks: Anne Valerie Hash's Vampy Boudoir Lips

 

photos: Elle.com 

Anne Valerie Hash's Fall 2011 lips reminded me that I needed to shop my stash to create these vampy shades.  Break out your YSL  Pur Black Gloss and evaluate your MAC Style Black collection to see  if your  Bling Black Glimmerglass is ready, its time to vamp it up by layering the gloss over some supreme matte lipsticks for some boudoir lips! My favorite mattes are  MAC's Charred Red, Sin and Diva, Chanel's Classic Vamp and Bobbi Brown's Chocolate.

Fall 2011 Looks: Fendi's Jennifer Behr Dinosaur Hair Accessory

 Photo: Elle.com

Honestly, I can't remember the last time I wore a headband. Maybe it was when I was 8 or 9 and more than likely it was made of plastic to coordinate with my barrettes. Yes, my mom was ALL about color coordination. Jennifer Behr worked with  Fendi to provide her dinosaur headbands for the Fall 2011 collection and this look makes me want to sport a band again! Plus, mom will be proud as the texture and color will match with my existing fall chunky sweaters.
Check out the Jennifer Behr's other collection of hair accessories at jenniferbehr.com

Fall 2011 Looks: Rodarte's Rustic Inspired Lips

 Photos: Style.com and MAC Cosmetics 

MAC Photo lipstick swatch

I'm always anxious to see what looks Rodarte comes up with for their RTW fashion shows and was sorely disappointed when their MAC collaboration didn't pan out, I'm still holding out hope that they will create a makeup collab, after all for Spring 2012 NARS will now command the looks for the show. Ok, back to Fall 2011 where the look conjured "Mid-West, Prairie and Rustic" and the official lipstick chosen for the Rodarte this season is MAC's Photo.
Photo has been in MAC's lipstick lineup for quite along time. I remember looking at the color a few years ago trying to wrap my head around how to make it work albeit without trying it on. Just looking at the color from the tube reminds me of Rayanne Graff from My So Called Life and her makeup application moments in the ladies room, so mid-ninties, so passed over but definitely worth the try.
So after applying then walking around Soho busily looking in the mirror, I walked back into MAC and purchased Photo for my own. I had to do a bit of application adjusting as Photo has a Satin finish ( that's how you can tell its an older color, MAC now pushes Glosses, Glazes and Glass finishes) so I used a lighter hand. Overall I'm pleased with this re-earthed gem that Rodarte has brought to my attention.

Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference Sept 7th, 2011 at MILK Studios

photo: IFB

Its back! For the second time this year, Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) will be hosting panels for new and established bloggers featuring the best of the best bloggers, models and editors to share with you social media survival tactics and to meet some of your fellow friends in the Frago/Beauty/Fashion Field. Tickets are $60 and be bought here.
In February this year the Keynote Speakers where Proenza Schouler, next week Joe Zee will be the keynote speaker. This event is definitely not to be missed. Hopefully I'll see you there, just in time for NY Fashion Week!

Fall 2011 Looks: Louis Vuitton Graphic Cat Eye

photos: Style.com and Topshop.com

After seeing all the beauty trends post Fall 2011 fashion week, I got really excited about a few. Some tips and techniques are fun to wear just about anywhere while others are observed for that special night out with the girls or during a holiday party.
With that, I started my list of the Fall 2011 looks that I liked the most and I could see myself experimenting with.
Exhibit A would be Louis Vuitton's Graphic Cat Eye. With a couple of swipes of a liquid eyeliner, this look can be done in about 5 minutes. Though Anna Sui had a similar Graphic Eye look ( I would consider it a Mod Graphic Eye), the LV eye looks super sexy. I recently tested this look with my Topshop Liner and forgot that I only did one eye and walked out of my apartment to got get lightbulbs from Duane Reade. While I was looking at some nail polish,  I realized that I had only done one eye! So I had to play it off as though I was " Edgy" while buying bulbs.. haha memo to self, next time check the mirror before leaving the apt.

In the Gentlemen's corner: Jack Black's Double-Duty Face Moisturizer

 

Who says that ladies have all the fun when it comes to skincare? Since purchasing a Jack Black Skincare set for the BF for the holidays, I've been using his Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer when I forget to have facial moisturizer handy and it has been wonderful!

JB's Double Duty is really lightweight, not greasy and doesn't have a strong musky smell so its pleasant to wear.

Review: Lipstick Queen's Jean Queen Lipstick

Jean Queen Lipstick

Jean Queen Lipstick Swatched

Since moving to NYC a little over 3 years ago, I've noticed that jeans (denim) are not much of a wardrobe staple as they are in California. I've also noticed that jeans have a strong connection to leisure (" oh, I'll just throw some jeans on and [insert grungy outdoor activity here]" or they are associated with Back to School as almost any public school student can get away with wearing jeans. Even a number of August issues of magazines are dedicated to denim! But now acid-wash, bootcut, low-rise and pocket-less jean lovers can wear a lipcolor dedicated to coordinate with your closet full of multi-color and fitted Levi's, J Brand, Rock & Republic and Marc Jacobs.

Lipstick Queen created a lovely pink shade that suites all beauties of color called Jean Queen. The hue offsets the blue in denim for a colors that works for all. Jean Queen comes in two formulas, the first being a classic bullet lipstick that is sheer in texture and gradually builds and the second is an opaque gloss. Both are available for $18 at Barneys, Bloomingdales or Lipstickqueen.com

I've had Jean Queen milling about in my makeup drawer for a few months now since I received it from a Barney's event. I started to use it when I went on vacation a few weeks ago and I'm pleased that I can apply 2-3 swipes and am ready where usually with pinks I have to check the mirror both indoor and out to make sure the color doesn't leave my lips looking ashy.

Do you have a favorite lipcolor you like to wear with your denim? 

Fall 2011: Chanel Graphite 529 Nail Color and Swatches

 The Fall 2011 Chanel Le Vernis trio has been out since June but I just opened my box of Graphite today. Why? I'm still trying to hold on to summer! While swatching all three colors ( Quartz- a shade shifting moody beige metallic with just a hint of rose and Peridot- a holographic shifting gold green are the other two colors that I left at the counter) Graphite stood out as my favorite. The color is a metallic silver that is completely wearable, uber dramatic and perfect for fall.

DIY Gifts: Magazine Cover Clutch

 Magazine Clutch- Finished product

What do you with your old magazines after you tear out your inspiring color stories, editorials and ad campaigns? Specifically, what do you do with the cover of your dated but more than loved mags?

This weekend for my friends birthday, I needed something fun to put a few fun knacks, and discovered that a magazine cover also makes for a kitschy clutch!

 Materials:
- Magazine Cover
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun

First, I sourced my mags and found V magazine is the longest and the cover is pretty glossy, which could make for sturdy material. I then folded the cover in half and created two folds about 2-3 inches above and below the center as my "bottom"of the clutch. Then I created a triangle by bringing the two ends together and gently pulling the bottom half of the cover down so that there is room at the top for a flap. Next I creased about an inch on each side of the page and folded the page in so that I could superglue the ends together. After supergluing the sides, I folded the page inwards 1/2 inch once more and glued the sides to the page leaving the top flap open. Once the glue is dry, you can use your hand to push the inside of the clutch out. With the top flap, you will fold it over the bottom of the page ( which is now at the top of the clutch) and ta da! You have your mag clutch!

gluing the sides down.

Fall Sneek Preview: Duri's Cognac XO 561 Nail Polish

 

Duri cosmetics' Cognac XO 561 nail polish

We are halfway through Summer and I'm finding little reminders of Fall already. The majority of the trees on my block have shed their leaves (check), I'm finding myself looking at "Back to School" attire when walking through stores (check), reminiscing on watching Daria and catching up on My So Called Life on instant Netflix ( um..check), experimenting with warmer, denser colors for my lips and eyes for Fall to blog about ( double check). Then, last week after coming back from vacation, I received a nail polish sample from Duri's Fall 2011 " Wine Tasting Party" Nail Color collection and decided to preview fall give or take a few weeks.

Duri's Wine Tasting Party Collection boasts 6 nail colors that range from shimmery violet to shades of red. One of the colors I tried, 561 Cognac XO ( pictured) is a warm terracotta that is really easy to apply ( 2 coats), dries quickly ( roughly 5 minutes) , is DBP, toulene and formaldeheyde-free AND is only $5.00 for .5 fl oz. Other colors from the collection include 562- Bloody Mary, 563 Pinot Noir, 564 Cabernet Sauvignon, 566- Dragontini and 567 Grape Swirl.

The collection is available September 2011 via www.duri.com or by calling 1-800-724-2216.
For Android and iPhone App users, Duri Cosmetics has a FREE nail color and treatment app so you can try on your nail color shade virtually.

disclaimer: I received this product for potential review.

Daisha gets Beachy with BeautiControl

Daisha and Anaya

While on vacationing back home in southern California, I couldn't help but notice my sister-in-law Daisha's gorgeous makeup! 

 Daisha has been a die hard Beauty Control fan for about 8 months and so much so, she is also a consultant for the brand. 

After a day at the beach, she filled me in on her favorite products that give her that beachy glow!

For eyes she uses BeautiControl's Intense Mineral Shadows in Red Carpet ready with Mirage Highlighter. To sculpt her cheeks she uses the Secret Agent Tricolor Bronzer with MAC's Peach Twist and for her lips she uses BC's Plum lip liner with matching Plum lipgloss.

If you are interested in achieving Daisha's look, you can email her here.

Chloe Moretz 's Love magazine cover

Hit Girl from Kick-Ass is just one of the 8 covermodels featured for Love magazines 6th Supernatural A/W issue.
All photograghs were done by Meet Alas &Marcus Piggot.
I love her Vivienne Westwood horns. I have about 400 pages of this issue to digest!

American Apparel NEON Nail Lacquer: Neon Red - Review

"As bright as day as bright as night.." just to semi-paraphrase the Green Lantern, is how I would describe American Apparel's NEON  Nail Lacquer collection. Actually, a deadpan word to describe the colors is "Fluo" in every french sense of the work.  The shade I chose to demystify is Neon Red simply because red wasn't present at all, the color is more like an electric watermelon. While there is little to no hint of red in this lacquer, the color is rather impressive. Extremely bold and attention grabbing that the sales woman in AmAp commented on the shade when I tested in on my pinkie finger but when I got home, I reserved this color for swatches and to brighten my toes.
 

LOL Beauty x Molton Brown Beauty event

                                                              Laura of LOL Beauty

Last Thursday I was invited to a beauty event hosted by LOL beauty at Molton Brown in Soho! While I've seen Molton Brown in countless magazines (Allure, Vogue Paris, etc) ,I've never experienced the luxury bath and body line from London until now.

Within 5 minutes of me walking into the boutique, I was greated by some of the best of NYC's beauty and fashion bloggers who were discussing their Fashion Night Out and New York Fashion Week plans while sipping wine and munching on fruits and veggies. While mingling, we were treated to Heavenly Gingerlily Body Cream Hand and Cedrus Temple SootherTemple massages by Molton Brown and educated on the origins of the unique ingredients in their products.

Since I was preparing for another weekend trip, I decided to pick up some of MB's products for myself. The Blissful Templetree Moisture Bath and Shower smells like a high-seas vacation in a bottle. I think I'm going to purchase another bottle soon. I also love the Skin Refresh Facial Wash. It goes on so soothing, kinda like aloe with a little lather and no dryness.