November 2007

Alima Precious Metals Holiday Gift Set Collection

Oh yes , mineral makeup is just the perfect gift for our loved ones this yuletide season! I will always stress that it is more than giving gifts -when you give mineral makeup, you are giving them the gift of healthy skin, and a chance to explore skin-friendly makeup!

Alima, one of my favorite brands has Precious Metals up for grabs! This set retails for $24. Alima has one of the prettiest and silky textured eye makeup out there, so check this one out!

Precious Metals

Just in time for the holiday season, we’ve created four stunning, shimmering new golds. Wrapped up and tied with a golden ribbon, this collection is the perfect gift for dear friends, hostesses, teachers — and of course, you!

Pure Gold – The lightest of the four shades, more shimmer than pigment; it really is a “pure” gold with no other tones visible. This versatile shade can be worn as a brow highlight, or an all over lid color, but it’s also beautiful mixed with your favorite matte blush, and you can control the amount of shimmer. (If you love Apple Blossom, you have to see it with some Pure Gold mixed in.)

Burnished Gold – Possibly the perfect gold; not too orange, just the warm gleam of gold. A deeper shade than Pure Gold, Burnished Gold has a bit more brown which makes it rich and gorgeous on the eyelid or in the crease.

Rose Gold – As the name implies, a hint of pink separates this shade from the others. Beautiful on the eyelid or in the crease, Rose Gold can also be worn lightly over blush to add just a touch of shimmer.

Antique Gold – Can you do a smoky eye with gold? You can if you use Antique Gold! This shade is the most intense of the four, and has a healthy dose of green that looks amazing in the crease or outer corner of the eye. If you’re aiming for something less dramatic, Antique Gold can be used wet as a metallic liner.

Gold is one of the safest colors to wear, specially if you’re in a hurry. But I suggest not to hurry when doing your makeup this holiday season as you will have alot of photo ops! I’m loving gold now , and it is great to use them during the day for a classy eye look that helps define and liven up your eyes with a sheer wash of safe shimmer, and by night, it can be foiled to give a gorgeous metallic effect that looks so pro!

Well, enjoy your golds!

* $2 from the sale of each Precious Metals Collection goes to the Global Fund For Women.

Source: Alima Precious Metals Holiday Gift Set Collection

Just let me be!

There are shops that coo and shops that just let you be.  I far prefer the latter.

The coo-ing shops are the ones were the SA’s fawn over you and exclaim in a disturbingly over-excited way that everything looks ‘Goooooorgeous’ on you even though you could be wearing an acid lime green satin corset minidress.  This usually has some correlation to the labels they stock; super girly, glamourpuss and FHM-sexy things that customers will be coerced into buying because ‘It’s SOOOOO you!’. 

The shops that let you be are the ones that give a bit of credit to the customer.  A brief hello and a smile and away you go.  Nobody is standing by ready to pounce on you.  You know the labels through and through.  They are the sort that don’t need a hard sell because you’re already familiar with them and they’re usually not the trend-led flash-in-the-pan kind either.

Two See in Covent Garden London thankfully belongs to the latter kind and with the kind of selectiveness that Anthony Stephenson, the store manager/buyer applies to the labels they stock, basically, it’s a ‘Susie’ shop. The kind that I have to limit myself to visiting because I’d end up buying something for sure… Preen, Jean Pierre Braganza, Patrik Rzepski with some quirky touches from Jean Charles de Castelbajac make up a lot of the offereings on the new online store which I think is still under development as a lot of images aren’t up. However, what they lack in quantity, they make up for with quality….quality that is very tempting indeed….

The other plus point would be dragging the boyf in as well. Actually, correction. It’s not dragging. We happily walk in together because there’s Dexter Wong, Baader Corp (Patrik Rzepski’s menswear line which I rarely see in London!) and new menswear designer Eric Lebon there to go spending happy. Online stores popping up before Christmas are a little cruel as you are supposed to be thinking of others but I’m a little on the greedy side so self indulgence is in order. Especially when the store is ’soooooo me’.

Source: Just let me be!

“IT” of the future

I know, I wrote so recently about the end of the IT bag , and it’s not that I’m fickle, but I know that there will always be an ‘IT” bag. Not the corporate driven “you NEED this” handbag, a real “IT” bag happens organically. It’s the bag that defines a season. one you find in your closet and immediately recall exactly what was happening in fashion at that moment. The Fendi Bagguette, is a true “IT” bag, or was until it was reworked to death. The same with the first push lock Marc Jacobs bags, Prada’s nylon backpack, or the Gucci Jacki Hobo.
Direct from Style.com, here are some bags destined to be “IT” this Spring, 2 got that tag the second they hit the runway.

Not a very high “IT” factor, at first glance, it actually looks like a future classic.

However, being from Balenciaga, which runs neck and neck with Chloe as the house of “IT” it is destined to be seen on all the arms that matter. At least it’s clean, and there’s nary a hanging fringe, exposed zipper, or thimble. It has a mod effect hearkening back to Balenciaga protegee Andre Courreges’s style. This will be the quiet ‘IT”.

An “IT” bag before it left backstage, like the adorned Vuitton signature canvas before, the Richard Prince collaboration’s sure winner.

This is less elaborate and more easily recognized by everyone for what it is than some of the other styles in the collection. It is also sure to be the one you see for $20 on every NYC street corner.

Another bag that was hailed as the next big thing before the last model left the runway, is Prada’s Fairy and Floral Printed Handbag

Over sized floral prints were everywhere in the Spring shows, and this bag captures the look beautifully. Acknowledging that large multicolored prints are not for everyone, this bag allows anyone to catch the look without sacrificing personal style. The fact that the colors are so rich and amazing doesn’t hurt any either.

A less apparent choice is the Multicolored Crocodile Structured bag from Dolce and Gabanna.

This is a bag that packs signature style, without being in your face. It looks like designer, it looks expensive, but it doesn’t scream, “I have the same bag as Posh!” This may actually be the “un-IT” bag because it really doesn’t look definitive of anything besides a nice looking bag. The colors will easily transcend the seasons of the calendar as well as fashion making this a bag you might buy for it’s good looks, not it’s timeliness.

All the bags here were part of a Style.com Spring accessory preview. You can see the full collection at Style.com and decide for yourself what will be the premier accessories come Spring.

Source: “IT” of the future

Continuing the Discussion: The Eye Makeup Remover

So! Following our mascara conversation from last week. There was a request for discussion:

how about following up this post with recommendations for good eye (or general) make-up remover? now that i’ve gunked my eyes up….
xol.

We only have one answer for this, and we speak as someone who enjoys the full-on raccoon look. Sephora eye makeup remover. It’s all we use. This is partly because it’s the cheapest one we can find, and it keeps us from going to bed with eyeliner caked into the grooves beneath our eyes. Altogether a happy occurrence.

But! Who has other suggestions?

Above: Sephora eye makeup remover, $5 (small) or $8 (large)

Source: Continuing the Discussion: The Eye Makeup Remover

Green Tote, A Style Inspiration [Tops 2 Bottoms]

I’ve owned this bag for a year now (a gift from teh boyfriend) but it’s only these past few weeks did I find myself inclined to use it. Let’s just say I was inspired. Apart from it’s awesome functionality, I find it’s overall style statement fabulous. I love green, using a tote has always been a preference since I usually cram a lot of things inside my bag. I usually bring my baby (a Canon Digital SLR 400D) plus an extra lens, you see.

I’ve been experimenting with several styling ideas that revolves around the tote. Of course, main consideration is the colour. I reckon the bag is a great statement in itself so accessorising an outfit will be minimal, even the tops or bottoms I use will be kept at a minimum. That way, the whole look won’t go overboard and end up too cluttered.

Here’s one of the outfits I put together. (See photo after the fold)

For details on the outfit, see the related post: Yurakuen, A PR Event.

Technorati Tags: accessories, bag, Green, Green Tote, style, styling, Tote

Source: Green Tote, A Style Inspiration [Tops 2 Bottoms]

Reader Mail: The Free Sample

In today’s Reader Mail:

Dear BS:

This is pretty random, but I am pretty broke, and I was wondering if you have any ideas for beauty stores that give away free samples. It’s not that I’m trying to scam anyone, it’s just that I’m trying to make my purchases go as far as possible. Any help you or anyone else could provide would be awesome!

Love,
S.

Oh! We only have one, but it is in our experience totally fool-proof. A woman at Sephora once gave us a huge tester of the Smashbox Corrective Primer—so big it was like half the actual tiny travel size we almost bought—and we love her. (Find her at the International Terminal at SFO.) Doesn’t the Body Shop give samples? We worked there in high school but can’t quite remember. Anyway: Kiehl’s. We’ve never bought anything at Kiehl’s without getting a sample. This was true as we made our twice-yearly purchase of our favorite conditioner. We know it is not cheap, but we cannot say strongly enough: This shit lasts for fucking ever. We were trying to cut down on our purchases of $18 bottles of hair conditioner, but we’ve been through four bottles of the Pantene stuff, we’re estimating, in the last two months, so the Kiehl’s, which for us usually lasts around six, works out to be cheaper, anyway, and is way better for our hair, anyway. And last night we went home with samples for Over-Night Biological Peel and the Foaming Non-Detergent Washable Cleanser, the former being some sort of night repair thing we think we are going to apply when we get back on a plane. Which we should be doing soon enough. That peel stuff is $40 for 1.7 oz., and we got .17 oz. for free, so we’re thinking we scored a $4 sample there. Times are tight, etc. So: yay, Kiehl’s!

Above: the Over-Night Biological Peel, $40

LB would like to add:

You can also get free samples at most beauty counters of department stores, as well as Sephora. True, Kiehl’s gives them to you all nicely package in single-serving sizes, but at Sephora you can basically get any single thing you want and then some. Department stores can be more of a challenge - you may have to feign interest and have them apply some kind of products to you. But hey, it’s worth it if money is tight.

-LB

Source: Reader Mail: The Free Sample

Nicole Kidman: Nice Stems, Babe! [Snarkstress]

Okay, dahlings. So I’m a little bitchy here and there. Sue me. But I guess every now and again it wouldn’t kill me to be halfway nice to the few celebs who actually show up to an event looking fabby. So being that today is Monday, I suppose I can start the week off with a shout out to everybody’s favorite Aussie gal, Nicole Kidman.

True, I gave her shit last week for her choice of South Beach attire at the Country Music Awards, but here she’s gone and brought her A-game. Aside from the retarded hairdo, I am loving this look on her. I’m a great big fan of monochromatic dressing, which Nic does very well here. I love how the highness of the turtleneck offsets the shortness of the miniskirt. Couple that with the fact that her stems look freaking awesome and her lipstick choice is strong and attention-grabbing, and we’ve got ourselves a winner.

All in all, a solid look for Mrs. Urban. So there.

Okay, I was nice. Genuinely nice, no less. Soon we will return to our originally scheduled program of bitchiness and catty shreddings, so be prepared, dahlings. Be prepared.

And have a nice day.

Ack, there I go again! Make. The. Kindness. Stop.

Hollywood Damsels, Rock It, Sexy Girlfriends

Source: Nicole Kidman: Nice Stems, Babe! [Snarkstress]

Going Green The Right Way [Chic By Nature]

Yesterday I attended the GreenTOpia book launch in Toronto (a great book, by the way, for any other Torontoians out there reading). There was a panel of eco-experts talking about various environmental issues that are of particular interest to Toronto, when an interesting thing happened. A man in the audience called the panel on their lesser green actions and demanded more of them.

The panel responded in a responsible way that I applaud. We all can’t do everything, but we all can do as much we can. The most important things about going green are as follows: being educated about every decision you make, so if its not as green as it could be, you understand the consequences behind the decision and can mitigate this in other ways. The second thing is to not keep quiet about the decisions you make that ARE better for the earth. It’s the best way to spread the word.

So, the next time your pal compliments you on your organic cotton dress, recycled wool coat or vegan leather shoes, thank them. Then tell them they are eco-friendly and where you got them. It’s the least you could do to put your friends on a greener- and more stylish–path!

book launch, going green, green advice, greentopia

Source: Going Green The Right Way [Chic By Nature]

//ROBOT:BLK:SEQ//

I am a black sequinned robot.

I have been programmed by my master to command all* all black sequinned garments to automatically gravitate towards me.

Anything with those black circular shiny discs will be picked up by my sensors.  No high street chain/charity shop/vintage store/flea market can will be left unturned. 

Neither the master nor I knows when the programme will stop but it’s not anytime soon.

Soon there will be no more black sequinned garments left to sense and the master will have to re-programme me to sense some other magpie object. 

*The Topshop black sequin trews that a lot of you pointed out to me had a bizarre non-skinny fit on me… I malfunctioned on that one…

Source: //ROBOT:BLK:SEQ//

Bumble, bumble and Me

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Bumble and bumble products for years. Some of the products are can’t-live-without staples for me, and others I just can’t get behind, even if they’re best-sellers that everyone seems to love.

Brilliantine? Amazing. Seriously, it makes second-day hair a work of art. Just a tiny dab whips my hair into fine shape, with fab texture, shine and separation. It gives me that windblown, tousled, morning after look without and of the knots, stringiness or grease. I’m obsessed with Brilliantine; sometimes I actually get excited for my hair to get a little dirty and mussed up so I have an excuse to style it with this.

And since we’re on the love train here, the mini sizes of Gentle shampoo and Super Rich conditioner just might be my favorite travel size hair products…ever.

Bb. Shine is where things get a little hazy. This is one of the most lightweight shine sprays available; it gives hair a great finish without weighing it down or greasing it up. But the smell! The SMELL! Straight out of the can, Bb. Shine has an aroma of industrial bug spray that I just can’t abide. It evaporates within seconds and doesn’t linger in the hair, but the first blast is just so unpleasant (not enough, however, to keep me from frantically repurchasing every time I’m worried about running out).

But the Hair Powder? I bet I’m going to get tons of mail telling me, “YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG,” but I just can’t get this product to work for me. The Blondish shade makes my roots look horribly dull and gross, no matter how vigorously I shake it out or brush it through. And I can’t bear to touch my hair after I’ve applied it; for some reason it gives me a feeling I normally associate with fingernails on a chalkboard. This seems to be a product that’s universally loved if you believe the magazines, but perhaps it’s yet another case of what I’m now calling “the Great Lash effect.”

Do you have a love/hate relationship with any favorite beauty brands? And what do you really think of that pesky hair powder? Post your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Bumble, bumble and Me