Archive for February 2011

Weekend Wear: Transition Pieces

Friday, February 25, 2011

The weather has been toying with us a bit with warm, sometimes rainy, days followed by days that are bitterly cold with wind that smacks you right in the face.  I've been longing for warm weather since I returned from my escape to Puerto Rico. Since my return, I've nearly abandoned all of my winter wardrobe in favor of transition pieces. My weekend plans include a good food, record listening, and reading and this is just what I want to be wearing. The pieces below can easily be worn now and well into spring. 
Lunar Cycles Top $88 @ Anthropologie (I LOVE this top...prettier in person and so flattering too); aerie girly tank $12 @ American Eagle (the top is sheer so a cami is needed); J Brand Lightweight Lovestory Jeans $179 @ Shopbop (a little flair is sometimes nice) ; crystal and rose stud earrings $35 @ Betsey Johnson; UO Tiny Rose Necklace $18 @ Urban Outfitters;  The PeekABoo Slingback $198 @ Madewell; Lifestyle Notebook: Books $28 @Anthropologie; Lunch in Paris: A Love Story by Elizabeth Bard $8.22 @ Amazon (a quick read with recipes is just what I need!);  Tory Burch Mathilde Canvas Trimmed Satchel $495 @ Saks (I love the pop of yellow stripes-the bag is available for pre-order now);  Butter London pink ribbon nail polish $14 @ Need Supply (I'm back to favoring the palest of pinks for nail polish);

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Oscar Fashion Predictions Illustrated by Esra Roise

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Norwegian artist, Esra Roise, illustrated some gorgeous Oscar Fashion predictions for the Sundance Channel. I adore her work and am constantly clipping them from my Nylon magazines.  Check out some of her predictions below:

The Women:
Anne Hathaway in Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2011; Hailee Steinfeld in Chanel Spring 2011 Couture; Jennifer Lawrence in Naeem Khan Resort; Natalie Portman in Chanel Spring 2011 RTW;  Michelle Williams in Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 RTW; Helena Bonham Carter in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture; all illustrated by Esra Roise
The Men:
Jesse Eisenberg in Canali Fall 2011; James Franco Gucci Fall 2011; Christian Bale in Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2011; all illustrated by Esra Roise
Anne Hathaway will have 25 dress changes--How lucky is she?! I really hope the above prediction is wrong about Natalie Portman, but what do you think about her other predictions? Aren't the illustrations lovely? See more of the Oscar fashion illustrations at the Sundance Channel.

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Makeover Memo: Make Up Forever Aqua Cream Haul

I usually save my makeup splurges for Chanel, Nars, Dior, and Laura Mercier, but I've heard nothing but rave reviews about Make Up For Ever so lately I've been picking up shades here and there.


The fact that I purchased three of their aqua cream eye shadows is a big deal because I've actually been pretty good about cutting back my makeup spending. The thing is, I've been eyeing their gold (#11) aqua cream for a long while and the gold L'Oreal H.I.P. eyeliner I've been using as a base for my gold eye looks has been getting a bit tired. #11 was the top of my list, but after swatching a few I opted to pick up three in total (I justified this by telling myself they are "practical" shades). I purchased two aqua creams meant for use on the eyes (#11 Gold and #2 Steel), and one that is designed to be used for your lips/cheeks (#5 Peach).



MUFE Haul photos:

Make Up Forever Aqua Cream in #11 Gold (Yellow Gold Shimmer), #5 Peach (Peachy pink with gold shimmer), & #2 Steel (Silver Gray Shimmer)


Make Up Forever Aqua Cream in #11 Gold (Yellow Gold Shimmer), #5 Peach (Peachy pink with gold shimmer), & #2 Steel (Silver Gray Shimmer)
Swatches:


Make Up Forever Aqua Cream in  #2 Steel, #11 Gold, #5 Peach,  #5 Peach on Cheeks blended in alone (paired with CoverGirl Rapture lipstick), and #5 Peach on lips (worn alone, no base or gloss)


#5 reminds a lot of one of my all time favorite blushes, Nars Orgasm, but with more of a frosty finish. I didn't care for it on my lips alone as it dries down quickly and sinks into the lip lines. It might make for a pretty base or center color, but there is a lot of shimmer going on here. It was perfection on my cheeks. Very easy to blend (but work fast because it does dry down quickly on the skin)  I foresee myself using this frequently as a blush and very infrequently as a lip color.


Because I wear a ton of metallic eyeshadow looks I know I will get a ton of use out of both #2 and #11 The pigmentation on both is really incredible so a little bit truly does go a long way.  In the swatches above I didn't have to build up the color at all...one swipe and the color was true to that in the jar.


In my wear tests I didn't experience any creasing when worn over Too Faced Shadow insurance. They do dry down pretty quickly, so blending might be a problem if you apply and say answer a phone call before finishing, but I would much prefer that than a formula that is so creamy it slides right into my crease. It is also really important to me that they are waterproof. When it is super windy or cold my eyes tend to tear, so any product that waterproof or water resistant gets an automatic check in the plus side. The only true downside to these is that they are $22 a pop. Hopefully, these will hold me over for a while!  Oh, and the Steel #2 Aqua cream was recently featured in Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video (watch below and you'll see her "applying" the shadow)





See more from Make Up Forever by clicking here. Purchase MUFE Aqua Creams at Sephora.

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Lisa Hanawalt 's 'Rumors I've Heard About Anna Wintour'

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

illustrations by Lisa Hanawalt via the Hairpin
Every time I see these Anna Wintour cartoons illustrated by Lisa Hanawalt, I fall into a fit of laughter.  The Forever 21 illustration has to be my favorite. If you haven't already, check out the full 'Rumors I've Heard About Anna Wintour' post on the Hairpin. And be sure to check out Lisa Hanawalt's other work as she is immensely talented and quite funny. Even her lists are great.

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{top ten tuesday} ten things I am currently coveting

1) Diane von Furstenberg Tatia Suede Wedge Sandals $280 @ Shopbop - I just love the orange detail on the platform... it is truly perfection.

2) Vanessa Bruno Crepe structured-shoulder cropped jacket $670 @ Net-A-Porter- I became obsessed with this jacket in particular after seeing Rachel Bilson pair it with a cream dress on an episode of Chelsey Lately. I am a huge fan of Vanessa Bruno in general, but this jacket is such a great cut and color, I can't stop thinking about it.

3) Q&A A Day $17 @ Anthropologie- I have been keeping a journal similar to this for several years now, but I feel that at different stages in your life you need a fresh start as far as journals are concerned.  I keep feeling the need to re-answer some of the questions posed by my current journal.  I like that this one is arranged chronologically as opposed to by topic as is the case with my existing journal.  I need prompting to jot in a journal, so this seems perfect for me.

4) Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil (available March 2011) -the starfish really sold me on this... (much like the seahorse got me with M.A.C. Marine Life)

5) Giant Magnetic Chalkboard Heart $36 @ Urban Outfitters -so simple and sweet. 

6) Contrast bags: Rebecca Minkoff Clutch Bombe $330;  ASOS Double Buckle Canvas Satchel $53.79;  I really love the briefcase/messenger bags with the contrast piping, but slap contrast piping on any bag and I'll probably be smitten.

7) Stripes: Geometry in Motion Skirt $78 @ Anthropologie; Merino confetti stripe sweater $148 @ J.Crew;  Twisted Stripe Dress $298 @ Anthropologie; I love stripes...I can't make myself stop. A girl can only have so many striped tees and tanks...these items are a little twist on the nautical trend that is taking over our lives!
8) Crackle Nail Polish: China Glaze Crackle Polish & O.P.I. Black Shatter (soon to have several other shatter shades)-- I am intrigued by these top coats in the same way I was about the matte top coats.  I really would love to try the white crackle/shatter top coat over a glitter polish (possibly in gold or silver).
9) Emma Book Clutch $330 @ Kate Spade- This is so lovely. The quote is so sweet.
10) Gold Bow Shoe Clips $45 @ Ban.do  -I am sort of obsessed with bows in all forms, so these seem to be the perfect purchase for me.

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Drugstore Detours: CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick & the hunt for the perfect orange

Monday, February 21, 2011

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Sweetheart & Rapture


On one of my recent stops to my local drugstore I was hunting for new lipstick namely for a light baby pink and a vivid orange. Winter has taken a toll on my skin and lips putting them on the dry side despite my best efforts at moisturizing, so I was intrigued by CoverGirl's claim that their new lip perfection lipstick could improve your lip condition after 7 days of use. There are few things I hate more than finding a lip color you truly love only to find it dries down faster than concrete, so I couldn't resist trying.


The thing I HATE about buying makeup at a drugstore is simply because it is usually impossible to swatch a shade before you buy it. That is unless you see a shade swatched online or on a friend. Otherwise you are just buying at your own risk.


CoverGirl has a TON of different shades to choose from so I chose a light pink shade named "Sweetheart" and peach shade called "Rapture" based solely on the color on the tube packaging. The lipsticks are incredibly moisturizing, but I found these two shades to be on the frosty side. This might be nice if you prefer the look of gloss but also want the staying power of lipstick. I found Rapture to be less frosty, and as such was my favorite of the two. The CoverGirl website has all of the shades listed, so one would assume that the shades without the shimmer-esque graphics are frost-free.  This lipstick formula certainly is one of the better drugstore varieties, but these two shades, while acceptable, are not anywhere close to being my favorite.


Revlon MoonDrops Lipstick in Orange Flip, CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Sweetheart & Rapture




I really want to embrace the orange lipstick trend, because I think it looks so fabulous on others.  I looked at several varieties and decided to go with Revlon's Moon Drops lipstick in Orange Flip. I felt like it was a good orange that leaned coral. I thought this color suited me nicely. I love a true red lip and didn't want a traffic cone orange shade, so this seemed like the perfect way for me to embrace the trend. Check out my skin, lip & full face swatches of the above mentioned lipsticks.


Skin & Lip Swatches:
CoverGirl Sweetheart, CoverGirl Rapture, Revlon Orange Flip
Full Face Swatches:
CoverGirl Sweetheart, CoverGirl Rapture, Revlon Orange Flip


Any recent drugstore steals you'd like to rave about? Share them please! 

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Rodarte Fall 2011 Collection

Saturday, February 19, 2011

photos via Elle.com
Kate and Laura Mulleavy, of Rodarte took on the Prairie for Fall 2011.  The models wore their hair in windswept side ponies as they marched down a runway lined with light sculptures that looked to be inspired by hay bales.  There were a number of looks I couldn't help but thinking would look perfect on the set of 'Big Love'. That said, the sisters did an excellent job of creating what seemed to be a more salable than past collections while still maintaining their artistic vision.
While floor length prairie coats and skirts kept the 'Little House on the Praire' vibe going, and a pair of sparkling ruby numbers gave a nod to Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the rest of the collection was ethereal and quite beautiful. I loved the wheat prints, criss-cross tops, triangle cut-out open backs, and the quilt inspired patterns that could be found on the apron dresses and sweaters. I thought the one-shoulder silk gowns were absolutely stunning but I can't help but to wish there had been more of them. 


Runway Video:

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Phillip Lim Fall 2011 Collection

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Photos via Elle.com
Phillip Lim's take on sportswear is unique, interesting, and functional. There was plenty to love  in this collection, but some of the silhouettes he favored were not particularly flattering even on the flawless models wearing them. I loved his use & mixing of texture and colors in this collection. Functionality like the removable sleeves and such that were present in this collection is just one indicator of many that this is a collection that is well studied, yet another reason why I really respect his work and talent.


Runway Video:




Backstage Beauty: 



 The Nars team led by Lisa Butler created a look where green eyeshadow was the focus. The skin was kept natural using only Nars concealer to neutralize any redness (as green tends to bring that out). Lips were colored with Nars lipstick in Pago Pago, a new shade slated for Fall 2011.




Cap Ferrat Trio Eyeshadow (new for summer 2011) and Delphes Trio Eyeshadow (new for fall 2011) were used along with Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliners in Rue de Rivoli and Abbey Road (both new for Fall 2011)

The models wore Creative Nail Design polish in Desert Suede, a sandy color on their nails with a navy half moon (in Midnight Sapphire). 


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Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 Collection

images via Elle.com


Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, of Proenza Schouler, embraced the Western trend for fall but took it to new heights with gorgeous navajo prints that were infused with the perfect cocktail that was three parts luxe glam and one part urban cool. It is one that speaks for itself...





Runway Video:






Watch the full show at Proenza Schouler

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Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Photos via Elle.com
Thank you Marc Jacobs for giving us a real show! Fall looks were covered in shiny scales and all-over polka-dots. Models wore odd berets complete with a chin strap. I loved the various textures and mixing of patterns and colors. The silhouettes were ladylike and refined, while the designs were infused with some futuristic fun. This playful contrast out-shined the campy bits giving a collection that will please both avid Marc Jacobs fans as well as editors.

Runway Video:

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Carolina Herrera Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Tuesday, February 15, 2011


We look to Carolina Herrera for her elegance and she wasn't about to turn us away. Gorgeous tweeds, wools, silks and satins glided down the runway. I appreciated the refined looks of her classics, and oohed and awed over the shiny details. If someone could send me over a pair of the suede gloves that accessorized many of the looks I would feel instantly more glamorous in my J.Crew. :)
photos via Style.com

Beauty: Eyes: M.A.C. eye gloss, Black Creme Liner winged out, topped with Haute and Naughty Mascara Lips: M.A.C. Prince Noir lipstick (new shade coming in the fall) applied and then blotted to give the appearance of a burgundy stain Face: M.A.C. Angel Blush
Nails: Creative Nail Design shade called Dark Ruby
Hair: Sleek rolled bun by Orlando Pita's team

Runway Video:

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Carmen Marc Valvo Fall 2011 NYFW

Citing the grace and movements of ballerinas as inspiration for his Fall 2011 collection, Carmen Marc Valvo presented a stunning line-up of gowns. Perfect for award season, no?

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Betsey Johnson Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Black Tag collection via Elle.com
Betsey Johnson always puts on a fun show and this was no exception. This Valentine's Day collection was split into two parts: The Black Tag collection and the Pink Patch collection that carries a nice sub $100 price point. Friends and Betsey Johnson employees modeled the Pink Patch line that is essentially Betsey Johnson's greatest hits revisted. I was really impressed by the Black Tag collection, that had a bad girl vibe with its velvet dresses, victorian goth jackets with nipped in waists, animal prints galore, layered over printed tights. The floral prints and poppy embellishments added a dose of girly frill that made it just my cup of tea. Who knows, if I get my hands on one of those poppy embellished coats I might do my own cartwheel :)

Runway Video:
Watch the entire show at Betsey Johnson

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Rachel Roy Fall 2011 NYFW

Rachel Roy's Fall 2011 collection was a beautiful lesson in eclectic layering and styling.Cashmere blazers, vests, necktie blouses, wrap dresses, and carrot pants in jewel tones, floral prints, and stripes gave both the bohemians and the ladies who lunch something to go on about. I adore the heidi braids the models wore in their hair as I thought this look complimented the collection nicely. I was a big fan of the floral pieces, but am not sure I can rock the carrot pant. That said, Rachel Roy made me certainly want to try.



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Alice + Olivia Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Photos via Elle.com
If you are in need of a fabulous party dress Alice + Olivia will certainly have something fabulous. For the past few seasons I've been coveting multiple variations of their sequined minis. They certainly haven't abandoned their party girl fans with the fall 2011 collection, but have mixed it up a bit by adding a few glamorous separates. All of the looks were styled with plenty of 1920s flapper-esque flair.  In that regard, the Alice+Olivia girl has a "more is more" mentality for fall.  The glitzy dresses were the highlight for me  and will certainly continue to be a party and red carpet main stay.



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Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Rebecca Minkoff's bags are a staple in accessory closets everywhere, so we were thrilled to see her New York Fashion Week Runway debut. She kicked off the start studded event with a performance by Sean Lennon & Charlotte Kemp (a/k/a Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger). When the models were ready to march the duo switched to an instrumental accompaniment. The collection had a urban gypsy theme that ultimately was the perfect combination of that edgy rock aesthetic we all can't get enough of, effortless bohemian, and glam tailoring. The styling was pitch perfect and the printed silk, leather, tweed, and knits meshed nicely.  This collection had everything a downtown girl could ever need in her closet for Fall: tailored jackets, skinny pants & leggings, printed dresses & tunics.


Runway Video:

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Alexander Wang Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Monday, February 14, 2011

Photos via Elle

The Alexander Wang girl is inevitably the coolest girl in the room. I may not be the coolest girl in the room, but the thing about wearing Alexander Wang is that I feel like the coolest girl in the room.  This urban-cool aesthetic seems to come naturally for him, and this collection may be one of his coolest yet.   Leather jackets, over-sized ponchos with quilted interiors, outerwear with leather panels and fur collars, knit dresses, tapered pants worn a bit slouchy were shown alongside staple knits.  The looks were accessorized with open-toe leather boots, sunglasses accessorized with fur, & strappy sandals.




Runway Video:

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BHLDN: Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters New Wedding Venture

Remember, the bride who made her wedding dress out of an Anthropologie shower curtain (and looked beyond gorgeous)? Well, while many of us may enjoy a D.I.Y. challenge from time to time, I think that the majority of us would not go to such extremes...at least not when our wedding dress is at stake.  I, for one, could NEVER pull it off quite like she did...I much prefer to leave it up to the experts.  Luckily for those us who want that stunning look, Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters have officially launched their new wedding venture, BHLDN. In case you're wondering, BHLDN (pronounced beholden), was named after the Dutch word "te houden" that means "to keep". 

My wedding has already been planned and is set for April 29th of this year. So while the rest of you are oohing and awwing about Kate Middleton I will actually be getting hitched myself! As it worked out BHLDN launched on the day of my final dress fitting, but I can still admire the gorgeous gowns!

There is actually plenty to admire and  purchase even if you aren't in the market for a wedding gown. I've been looking to the shoes, jewelry, and dresses for all of my wedding related parties and  of course the honeymoon. I even purchased a hair accessory that I think might be the big winner for my wedding day (this has yet to be determined). Check out some of the gorgeousness below:

Wedding Gowns:
{top} ribboned silk gown $1600; ethereal monarch gown $3200; cascading goddess gown $1600; {bottom} burnished organza gown $1400; sweeping taffeta ball gown $1600;  tiered tulip gown $2400; 


Tea Length Gowns:
Floral Artwork Dress $1800; Pinwheel Tea Dress $1400; Fondant Tea Dress $600;  Tulle Era Dress $2600;
Shoes:
{top} festooned shoe clips $80; torsade peep-toes $180;  Agave Peep Toes $350;


{bottom} threshold slingbacks $320; Diamond Dust Sandals $200; Moon Lit Peep Toes $300;
Hair Accessories:
{top} botanical garland headband $460; feathered petals headband $128; crystallized chiffon headband $225; aloft headband $260;

{middle} ghost orchid comb $230; flights of fancy $130; dewed vines hairpin $140; peony hairpin $80;

(bottom} silk coil hat $120; plumed tiara $825; voluminous silk headband $130; beauregard headband $550;

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United Bamboo Fall 2011 Collection

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Photos via Elle.com
Miho Aoki and Thuy Pham, of United Bamboo, presented a grown up version of their boyish girl aesthetic for Fall 2011 with sharply tailored jackets and coats, chic little black dresses, in a palette of black and grey with a bit of red plaid thrown in. They updated the classics very well, and and it would certainly be easy for one to get all your basics from them come fall that is if you don't mind maxing out your credit card in the process.  The shearling detailed jackets were my personal favorite, as I thought they had a certain cool factor, but I certainly wouldn't mind owning any of the looks above.

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Peter Som Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Photos via Elle.com
Metallic & sequined looks were among the hits at Peter Som's Fall presentation. Lady-like shifts, the sequined cigarette pants, and a black floral print dress were among my favorites. Other looks were harder to swallow for me namely the fur sleeves & fur patches, and a red floral jacquard dress that seemed to clash with everything else on the runway. 

Backstage Beauty:
Photos via  M.A.C.
Models wore their hair half up and teased upwards with extensions woven in for depth and volume. Nearly nude makeup was used to finish the face with a pinch of blush and highlighting shimmer.  Lips were lined with M.A.C. Cherry Lip Pencil, and filled in with a red lipstick not yet in stores called Runaway Red (similar to M.A.C. Dare You lipstick) and then topped off with M.A.C. pigments in silver, melon, or rose gold for an interesting metallic finish. 

Runway Video:



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Rachel Comey Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Saturday, February 12, 2011


Rachel Comey is adored for her fantastic prints and shoes, so as you would expect this collection had a wide variety of prints to catch one's eye and plenty of shoes destined to become hot sellers.  There were a number of dresses and separates in the collection that I have my eye on. I found the cut of the pants seen throughout the show to be interesting, but I don't foresee many gals wearing pants cropped at the ankles come October, nevermind the fact you might have to be 5'10" to be able to pull of the silhouette. 

Beauty:
The models wore very little makeup...with natural eyes and nude lips. Their hair was worn in what can only be categorized as a mullet with bangs that were curled and then wore pinned up to create a bit of volume while the remaining hair was left straight and unstyled.

My take: I wasn't a fan of the hair at all, but the shoes & printed dresses never get old.


Runway Video:

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Steven Alan Fall 2011 NYFW

images via Elle.com

If you look to fashion week for ways to spin your everyday look, Steven Alan is just the place you should be looking. The Fall 2011 collection offers a fresh twist on classic preppy American sportswear. Long sleeve shifts worn over knit tights, boxy coats & jackets, and a fun multicolored stripe dress were some of the stand-out looks while long hemlines and wide-leg trousers gave the collection a little retro punch. Overall, the collection was rife with covetable layering pieces for fall and is just the thing girls will love to wear when the mercury drops.

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Vena Cava Fall 2011 Collection NYFW

Photos via Elle.com
Vena Cava's Fall 2011 collection sent a wave of nostalgia for that 90's alt rocker style and the flair of the early 90's where supermodels reigned supreme.  The collection didn't send us grasping for combat boots or shoulder pads, but instead struck middle ground with crop-tops, cutouts, moto-jackets, and slim high-waisted trousers that will translate well into 2011.


Runway Video:


Backstage Beauty:
Photos via M.A.C.


Photos via: Refinery 29; NBC; TeenVogue
Glitter caked eyes and light pink lips by M.A.C. were paired with nude nails with nail polish finger bands by Butter London. The hair was gelled but worn long, loose, and slightly mussed, with a middle part to complete that '90s grunge vibe.
 


Face
  • Select Moisturecover – applied sparingly for a natural finish
  • Strobe Cream – for a subtle highlight over cheekbones

Eye
  • A blend of MAC Pro Glitters in Silver, 3-D Silver and Reflects Purple Duo – applied wit MAC Pro Shine Mixing Medium over the eyelids and through the lower lashes for a smoky, show-stopping effect
  •  Brows groomed upwards with Clear Brow Set

Lips
  • Subculture Lip Pencil – lightly contours lips
  • Petting Pink Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 – for a healthy natural finish
 The glitter got a bit out of hand in this show, however, a few girls had just the right amount on that made me feel like this might be a look worth adapting for the street.  If you're going for that Ke$ha look though, the more is more approach will suit you well.  With that said, I am a big fan of the nail polish bands as it is definitely something I would like to play around with!
To get the nail polish bands try using masking or painters tape to help you perfect that line. Make sure your hands are clean and free of lotion or other product to help the polish adhere to the skin and place the bands away from the joints in your hands. The Butter London team used shades: Royal Navy, Scoundrel, Flouro, Tramp Stamp, and Union Jack Black. 

Try a butter london shade, or pick up something similar to re-create this look.



Backstage Beauty Video:

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Urban Decay Spring 2011 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils and Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tint

Friday, February 11, 2011

Urban Decay introduced a some products for spring: the 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils and the Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints ($24 each).

The 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils ($20 each) come in twelve shades: Sin (champagne shimmer), Lit (sunny bronze shimmer), Midnight Cowboy (beige with fine gold sparkle), Rehab (taupey brown sheen), Wasteland (dark brown sheen), Mercury (gunmetal grey sheen), Clinic (deep peacock green with fine green sparkle), Narc (mossy green sheen), Clash (bright electric blue with fine silver sparkle), Delinquent (deep jewel purple with fine purple sparkle), Morphine (iridescent lilac), and Barracuda (black with fine silver sparkle).

Being a big fan of Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On eyeliner I had to give them a whirl. In doing so, I was instantly sold. The shadow pencils are similar to the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils (although much more expensive) in that they are thicker versions of the 24/7 eye-liners. They are easy to apply going on with a smooth, creamy application with no tugging. I found the pencils much easier to work with than M.A.C.'s shadesticks which have a tendency to dry out. Furthermore, the shadow pencils wore well with no creasing both with and without a base and blended easily. 

The Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints($24 each) come in seven shades: Bang (sheer coral red), Crush (sheer hot pink), Fetish (sheer mauve with fine pearl finish), Greedy (sheer blackberry), Indecent (sheer apricot with pearly gold shimmer), Quickie (sheer bubble-pop-electric pink), and Score (sheer pink lemonade with fine pearl finish).

I own a few of Stila's Convertible Colors and Tarte's Cheek Stain in dollface, so I wasn't as sold on the Afterglow Glide-On Cheek Tints, but I ended up purchasing one in Crush. While of course, I loved the hue, the application was what got me. The Afterglow Glide-One Cheek Tints are similar in packaging to Stila but much easier to blend. super smooth and blending immediately. The Urban Decay Afterglow Cheek tints really do glide-on smoothly and are is the easiest cream blush to blend even when using just your fingers. The color is buildable, so the shades would certainly work on a variety of skin tones. As far as formula goes I found them to be more like Tarte's cheek stains than Stila's Convertible Color but less wet & sticky than Tarte's initial application. 

Some swatches and photos of my mini Urban Decay Haul:
Urban Decay AFTERGLOW Glide-On Cheek Tin in Crush & two Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils

Urban Decay AFTERGLOW Glide-On Cheek Tin in Crush & two Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils in Morphine & Lit

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils in Lit & Morphine

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils in Lit & Morphine


Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil Swatches: Barracuda, Wasteland, Rehab, Mercury, Morphine, Delinquent, Narc, Clinic, Midnight Cowboy, Lit, & Sin  

Urban Decay Afterglow Glide On Cheek Tint in Crush


Swatch: Urban Decay Afterglow Glide On Cheek Tint in Crush


I'm thrilled with my purchases...Lit seems like something I will get a lot of use out of, while Morphine is an interesting an unique shade. I really don't have anything like it and I see a lot of cool lilac eyeshadow looks in my future for spring. Crush is a pretty barbie pink blush that is really flattering, offering a nice change to my usual coral or baby pink blush.

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