Spring/Summer Style: Gladiator Heels

Thursday, March 27th, 2008 | Summer Style | 6 Comments

Gladiator Heels
A “Step Up” From Gladiator Sandals!

Gladiator sandals have been taken to new heights this season as we’re seeing gladiator heels and platforms emerging in constrast to last year’s flats. The hottest gladiator heel colors are the metallics: gold and silver. Next would be earth-tone beige gladiator heels that go perfect with the very earthen, pastel tie-dye dresses this spring. The added heel makes gladiator sandals perfect for your everyday skinny jeans, adding style and height to your look.

Steeper	Cheaper
L.A.M.B. “Goldy” Sandal $295	Ebay $25

Color Story: Lancome “L.U.C.I.” Spring 2008

Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 | Summer Style | 2 Comments

The Lancome L.U.C.I. collection for spring 2008 is inspired by beach sands and luminescent pearls against deep suntanned skin. Lancome has introduced new “photonic” shades of lipstick and gloss to layer over colors to transform looks. On fair skin the “photonic” shades add a pearlescent effect and on dark skin “photonics” deepen the look.

I love the gold and pearl eyeshadows in the Ray of Apricot Light duo because you can really tailor the two shades to get the look you like. I like to sweep the golden apricot shade across the lid for a wash of color then use the pearlescent shade to highlight the brow bone and inner corners of the eyes.

The featured Color Fever Shine lipstick in Desert Pink suits most skintones and the “photonic” shade Luminous can be layered on top for a stunning effect. Also new in this collection are three Ombres Glacee Cooling Gel Illuminator shades for eyes and face as well as the Photonic Illuminating Powder Face Brush that can also be swept across the decollate.

Eyes: L.U.C.I. (Light Color in Motion) Eyes shadow duo (Ray of Apricot Light) / Ombres Glacee Cooling Gel Illuminator (Chameleon - Sunrise -Morning Pearl); Traceur Design Eye Pencil (Ray of Purple Light)

Lips: Color Fever Shine Photonic (Desert Pink - Luminous); Color Fever Gloss Photonic (Rainbow - Sunray - Seashell)

Face: Photonic Illuminating Powder Face Brush (Apricot Ray of Light)

Spring/Summer Style: Going Nautical

Saturday, March 15th, 2008 | Summer Style, Trend Watch | 5 Comments

Casual fashionista Lauren Conrad goes basically nautical in a cute, short white dress with navy blue detail to give an out-at-sea feel. The look is so typically spring, so I figured I’d start out with the basics. Get the look by pairing solid navy on solid white in whichever way you choose to flatter your shape. I would probably go for a satin navy halter top with pants like these white J Brand “Lovestory” bell-bottom jeans (bell-bottoms are back in a big way this season so we’ll be seeing those everywhere). The nautical look can also be acheived by pairing a white/navy striped accessory (perhaps a tote) with basic colors like grey, black, and/or red (patent red peeptoe flats or pumps would be perfectly bold paired with a nautical navy top or very dark-washed blue jeans).

Accessory for your truck: tonneau cover

Spring/Summer Style: Mix Things Up

Sunday, February 24th, 2008 | Summer Style, Trend Watch | 1 Comment

This spring will be a perfect opportunity (if you aren’t already) to totally mix things up in your day-to-day ensembles. Pair random prints and materials such as animal print with stripes, plaid with mesh… get creative! To keep this look working, try to make the elements work together, such as Paris does below as she layers one hoodie on top of another. You could also go monochromatic, for example pairing brown-based plaid shorts with a beige silk top or a basic leopard print hoodie. Be daring and creative, and if it’s working for you, that’s all that matters!

Don’t forget to check out some fabulous luxury watches to add to your or a special one’s wardrobe.

How To Score High-End Makeup Freebies

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 | Beauty Tips, Summer Style | 11 Comments

While I generously gave free cosmetics samples to anyone who asked when I was behind the counter, some department store makeup counters would rather see a sale before giving up the goods. However, you can leave a counter with new makeup and more money left in your pocket for other fabulous buys.

Not all cosmetics counters have free samples, but many do. My suggestion is to hit up all your favorite counters with a different technique. Take $15-$30 to spend for good measure; not all makeup counters are overflowing with samples so you may have to buy a lip gloss to get a freebie or make the minimum purchase for a free gift.

I’m going to share some tips you can use to score yourself some high-end makeup freebies!

How To Score High-End Makeup Freebies

• Save your money for the Gift. Many cosmetics counters seasonally offer free beauty bags for a minimum purchase – it’s called Gift With Purchase. This is a jackpot. By spending around $30 – my suggestion is to invest in good skincare – you can receive freebies like makeup bags, brushes, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and even sample sizes of expensive creams from your favorite lines! Many women make a habit of waiting to buy for Gifts to build up their cosmetics arsenal.
  • Lancome and Estee Lauder offer some of the best Gift With Purchase freebies, including makeup bags, mini sizes of luxury skin creams, full-size lipsticks, mascara, and even lip gloss. Clinique often gives away $50 worth of freebies for spending only $22! Don’t miss out on those Gifts!
• Get on the client list. How can you get the inside scoop on upcoming Gifts? Ask to be added to the client list of your favorite cosmetics counters and they will call you when Gifts are happening and for other cool events. Clarins (famous for skincare and self tanners) hosts an event where you can get free facials for a minimum purchase, and Clinique often has events where you can play around with makeup and take home some freebies for attending.
• Sit down for a makeover. Pick a cosmetics line that you like and visit their counter for a free makeover. That’s right: makeovers are always free. Choose a counter or day where there’s not too much traffic; it’s courtesy not to take away from other customers for a 15 minute makeover in which you may not be buying anything. I would suggest taking at least $15 with you to buy a lip gloss – or if you’re broke, an eyeliner pencil sharpener at least. At the end, tell the beauty advisor that you’re really picky about [mascara, lipstick, etc] formulas and would like a sample to try before you buy. More than likely they’ll have something you can use. If not, you still got a free makeover and learned some new makeup techniques!
• When all else fails, be a damsel in distress. You ran out of mascara and you desperately need some to hold you over until you replenish. Or, you just want to score some free high-end mascara. Approach your Lancome counter – they have the best mascara – and let them know that you’re out of your old stuff and want to try something new before you buy. Voila! You have a free, petite-sized high-end mascara to slip in your pocket or handbag.