New website/blog love...

Lovelies! I found some NEW places online that I love to go to in order to waste time and daydream about fashion (as if I needed more reasons)...

First up - SPOOL NO.72 Clothing Company! Not only is the name just super-cool and throwback-sounding, but the site has lovely photography and unique, cozy, beautiful pieces that could really add something special to your basics. Sweaters, unique jewelry, floaty tops, ahhhhh...

Second - Sex and Coffee, the addictive fashion blog by young-California-transplant-now-living-in-Boston Melissa.

Not only does she weirdly remind me of my little (ultra-fashionable and pseudo-stylist) sister, but she puts together outfits and makeup looks that manage to be trendy, edgy, beautiful and feminine all at once. This is the main reason I am now obsessed with finding blue suede pumps.

Yes, I am jealous. Leave me alone to pore over her quirky self-styling so that I can try and emulate her. You should do it too.

In search of the perfect nude...

Lip, that is! I have long coveted that classic, super-smokey eye and nude/neutral lip look that always finds its way back into makeup fashion, but have never been able to find the right product to do so (a la Kim Kardashian).

So, upon wandering through the makeup department at Macy's, the oh-so-helpful girl at the Lancome counter answered my prayers! Part lip pencil, part lipstick, Lancome's Le Lipstique LipColouring Stick is seriously a wonder-product.

Super-creamy, waterproof, full of pigment and in the perfect neutral colors (I love it in "Bronzelle") to really mute out your natural lip color, it's excellent on its own or layered under a favorite lip color or gloss (like Lancome Color Design "Vintage Rose" lipstick). Plus, the other end of the pencil has a lip brush! Normally a MAC junkie, I have a new favorite makeup item girls, for real...

Buy it for about $20 at Lancome USA or Sephora and get nude!

Bat your eyelashes...

...especially if they're falsies! I have been to 2 weddings in 2 weeks, complete with the necessary grooming and preparation that we ladies require to feel and look our best (hairstyling, makeup, cocktail dress) along with the less obvious (waxing, strapless bras, etc.). However, I propose that the next best thing to having toned arms and the perfectly coordinated clutch are definitely, without a doubt, false eyelashes.

I tell you lovelies, as soon as those babies are put on by a professional, only a tiny bit of additional makeup is necessary. Not to mention how fabulous one feels once they've been applied! There's a certain je ne sais quois about long, feathery eyelashes...who am I kidding? I know what! Inherent femininity, sexiness and allure - all from a few fake pieces of hair glued onto your eyelids. Nice!

I personally prefer the look of 4-6 individual clusters per eye (vs. the full strips) and while your local salon/spa is the quickest way to do it (about $15-20 per 10-15 minute session), you can try your hand at doing it yourself for your next night out.

FYI - most salons use the same kind you can find at your local drugstore or beauty supply store:

* Ardell
* M.A.C.
* Sephora

Here's a great video tutorial on individual lashes by makeup artist Kandee Johnson:



Here's a nice video tutorial on applying strip lashes by M.A.C. Makeup Artist Chantell Miller:



Either way, curling your lashes and applying eyeliner and mascara beforehand is the best prep for the best results. Now go get sexy eyes!

I love makeup...

...and I especially love makeup/beauty blogs! Thanks to the wonders of the internet, there are countless blogs online that give great makeup reviews and, my favorite, beauty how-to's and tutorials. These are especially helpful whether you're wondering about a new beauty product or considering (finally) learning how to do that smokey eye thing.

One of my go-to beauty blogs is by the fabulous Karen, a self-described "friendly neighborhood beauty addict." Her long-running blog, Makeup and Beauty Blog is one of the most popular ones around, and for good reason!

She's casual, funny (her cat, Tabs, makes frequent appearances) and extremely helpful, with step-by-step tutorials (her eye makeup tips are particularly good), beauty news and professional makeup artist advice. She also takes care to provide tips for both our fair-skinned friends and us deeper-skinned ladies - bonus!

Check out her latest post, "You Must Choose: The Tough Choices Edition." Hilarious.

Right Said Red...

Oh my goodness I heart this dress. I am so hoping that it looks as good on as it does online, because I am in dire need of a red dress, now that summer may actually be around the corner. This one is Forever 21's Flutter Chiffon Dress, for...yes, I'll say it...$22.80!

However, girls, there is a very, very, fine fashion line between "beauty" and "booty" when it comes to pulling off lipstick red! The dress must be well-tailored, at a moderate length and cleavage level and in a fabric that does not cling, shine or sparkle (no being mistaken for a streetwalker here). Also, shoes should be neutral (I like gold or nude myself) - NOT black...unless you want to look straight out of 1987 (if you're going for that, excellent).

And please, please keep your hair natural and makeup minimal. With a color so bold, your outfit does not need competition from the rest of your lovely self...

Find your own soon because the little black dress can quickly become the little BORING dress, am I right? Show your fashion chops and BE the Lady in Red this summer!

Let's talk face...

Meaning MAKEUP, that is. What good are clothes and hair if your face is a mess? I mean, there's a reason why the term "Butterface" was invented, right? And I will NOT allow that name to be used to describe you if I can help it, dearest readers...

First, the keys are knowing your own skin (dry, oily, combination?), how much time you have to get ready in the A.M. and (very important) your budget before taking the plunge into re-vamping your makeup wardrobe.

Second, there are tons of equally excellent products in the drugstore and at the department store, and both require trial and error. If you have the time and the bucks or really are at your wits end trying to figure it out on your own, make an appointment at the makeup counter to get advice from professionals - I have had some great personal experiences at both M.A.C. and Sephora.

Special note for women of color out there: A good clue as to whether you will come out lookin' good or lookin' not-so-cute is whether or not there are any makeup artists behind the counter who are also women/men of color and/or any of their advertising has women of color featured in it. This is not ALWAYS true, of course, but it's a good start if you're feeling a little worried (this is why there are usually so many of us at the M.A.C. counter)!

Third, have fun! There are so many exciting things to try out, new formulations for products you've been using for years and new colors with each season. Changing your makeup can do even more for your look than a new outfit. Seriously.

So, what, you ask, do I use in MY OWN glamour arsenal? Well, these are my go-to favorites because they work for my skin, they LAST (very important for the workday and the fun night) and they easily go from A.M. to P.M. with just a few tweaks.

See the pic at the top of the post!

FACE
1) M.A.C. Select Cover-Up in NW30
2) Make Up For Ever Extreme Camouflage Cream in 10 (when I need serious coverage)
3) M.A.C. Studio Tech in NC40
4) NARS Powder Blush in Torrid
* Revlon SkinLights Instant Skin Brightener in Golden Light (not pictured)

EYE
5) Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat (primer)
6) Smashbox Eye Shadow Trio in On Stage
7) M.A.C. Matte Eye Shadow in Signed Sealed
8) Dior Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Intense Brown
9) M.A.C. Eye Brows in Spiked
10) L’Oreal Lash Architect 3-D Dramatic Waterproof Mascara in Black

LIP
11) M.A.C. Lip Pencil in Whirl
12) Aveda Lip Glaze in Raspberry Tea
13) M.A.C. Lustre Lipstick in Capricious

TOOLS
14) Tweezerman Classic Eyelash Curler
15) Sephora Professionnel Ergonomic Brush – Eye Crease
16) Sephora Professionnel Ergonomic Brush - Blush
* Sephora Professionnel Concealer Brush (not pictured)
* M.A.C. Studio Tech Sponge (not pictured)

All of these products can be found at M.A.C., Sephora or drugstores (with the exception of Aveda products, which are only available at Aveda salons or stores). NOW GO GET PRETTY!