Friday, February 25, 2011

How To Wear Sportswear For Fall

The sportswear as ready-to-wear trend first emerged last spring with Alexander Wang’s low slung skinny sweatpants worn with pointy black booties. From Derek Lam and Bottega Veneta to Lacoste and Hermès, it was made official . . . workout wear is fashionable and trendy. It looks and feels so comfortable, but also has an edgier side when styled smartly; for example, when paired with a crisp button-front blouse and sharp-shouldered blazer. But now summer and spring are over, but the girls still want to wear their sweats when they go out. How can they do so without looking too casual? The answer is all in the details, and heels have never made more sense that now.

You don’t have to limit the sportswear trend to just the popular sweatpants leftover from summer. Play around with other sporty pieces instead. Replace your classic blazer with a hooded cropped sweatshirt cardigan and wear it over an elegant silk blouse and skinny high-waisted trousers. The mix of dressy with casual is a juxtaposition that can be worn anywhere without a doubt.

Another option is to throw on an oversized college letter jacket over a basic white tee and pair it with denim jeans and black pumps. You’ll look like a sports star with class.

Can’t live without your running leggings? Find a pair in a fun pattern, throw on a tunic top and girlish flats, and top the look off with a distressed denim jacket and baseball hat. You’ll still show off your shape with the leggings, but the extra masculine touches bring out your tomboy side that loves to have fun and get active.

Adding some unexpected jewelery into the mix like a rock star studded cuff or pretty jeweled bracelet keeps the sporty and edgy ratio in balance. Remember, this look is perfectly executed when every detail is taken into consideration.

Channeling your glamorous sporty side has never been easier or more fun! The best thing is . . . you can easily transition from work to the gym in no time!

How to Freshen Up A Black Outfit

Black never goes out of style. Black makes us look long and lean. Black is the go-to color of the fashionable set, from edgy models to top notch front row editors. When we don’t know what to wear, we turn to the color black. But most of all, black is the color of the new season. When the skies turn gray and the rain is more likely to pour from the clouds, this dark and damp hue just seems to fit in so much more with the mood and environment of fall and winter than any other color. But to keep from looking too much like a depressed Gothic Lolita or being mistaken for Wednesday Addams of The Addams Family, a sharp pop of white from underneath all that black makes things fresh and lively again.

The best way to revitalize a head to toe black look is with a crispy white collared shirt. Stick the collar out of the neck of a black knitted sweater, boyfriend blazer, or feminine lace top. The stark contrast of bright and clean against dark and deep is head turning and youthful. It’s kind of like when the sun bursts through after a day’s worth of storm clouds and rainfall. You cannot help but smile and feel hopeful about things.

Check out these two black and white looks that are anything but boring.

F/W 2010 Trend: Fur Attraction

Fur has always been known as winter’s greatest indulgence. It keeps you warm, it looks luscious, and sends off the message that says, “ I am extra extravagant.” But because we modern girls are also an animal-friendly set, we have no qualms about wearing fur as long as it’s faux. Faux fur can make a big statement with just a little of itself here and there. From one long decadent coat to a little furry clutch purse, the eye is easily attracted to this material because it cannot help but be attention-grabbing with its volume. Don’t make the mistake of taking this trend too far by pairing a fur coat with fur trimmed boots and a fuzzy beanie all together. As long as you keep one key fur piece as the focus of the outfit, you are good to go.
The Michael Kors F/W 2010 runway show was loads full of inspiration on how to create the right balance of decadence and simplicity in your fur-filled look. Michael Kors’ collection of fur pieces was an instant hit, with the fan favorite being a chic shredded fox fur skirt belted at the waist. Worn in natural color schemes of gray, black, and brown, Kor’s furs complemented the quiet minimalism of his sandy hued separates so as to bring back down to earth the air of luxury that his furs cannot help but convey.

So follow in the footsteps of Kors, trade in the real for the faux, and get to work on adding a little but of spice to your fall and winter outfits. Check out this amazing selection of faux fur pieces below.

FW Trend: Baroque Style

Fashion is considered by many as art, but this is because fashion to very much inspired by art, whether it be art of the past, modern art, or what art is imagined to be in the future. But there was one style of art that came across the strongest at the fall/winter shows: Baroque art. Baroque art prevailed from the late 17th century to the early 18th century in Europe. If you have ever been to any well-known art museum, then you’ve probably seen this art form before, and it has probably painted a picture of itself in your mind, for this form is anything but boring or mundane. Baroque art is defined by its overly exaggerated, colorful, and highly dramatic and detailed portrayal of movement and emotion, much like the way an actor brings to life a character on stage from a facial expression to the single movement of a finger. Translate this into fashion and you’ve got a stylish aesthetic grander than life that looks like it belongs much more on the throne of a European monarchy rather than the downtown city streets. From opulent brocade jackets, cascading velvet dresses, and jewel-encrusted bodices, baroque art showed up in every shape and form on the runway, almost to the point of costume wear rather than ready-to-wear.

It definitely is beautiful and outstanding down to every such detail, but how does one interpret this during the modern era without looking like she belongs on stage? Well, just by incorporating bits and pieces of baroque-inspired fabric and shape is enough to capture an entire century’s worth of artistic merit in one outfit. A shrunken brocade blazer threaded in gold and silver like at the Balmain show looks well worn yet down to earth with a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and combat boots. But if you are going to stick with a baroque style dress like the ones designed by the late Alexander McQueen, there is no other way to go about it but to keep everything else extremely simple. An extravagantly pleated satin dress has a lot going on with its royal and elegant flair, so leave your hair messy and down, your makeup natural, and throw on some basic black flats. Baroque style evoked a lot of emotion in its time with just single stroke of a brush, so follow suit in reality and keep this trend going one piece at a time.

F/W Trend: Lace-Up Booties

With all the chunky sweaters, scarves, hats, and even socks that lie ahead in our fall fashion future, it is no surprise that chunky booties are coming back once again to adorn our feet with all their platformed, laced, and even lugged glory. The season’s hottest shoe showstoppers were thick with tread at the sole, laced to the top, hit at the ankle, and were made of top notch leather resistant to even the chilliest of snowstorms. Closely resembling a waterproof and weather-resistant mountain boot, but much more edgier with a sleek shape, stacked or wedged heel, and a hidden platform, the cold season’s lace-up booties are fashionably comfortable and able to stand the test of time. You can even get a pair with a buckle strap around the ankle for extra support, even though most of us will be getting it just for the looks. Thankfully in fashion, you don’t have to have a reason to indulge in the extra details. Take a look at these hot lace-up booties on the market right now, and start contemplating which bag you want to match with it.

How To Make Military Green Edgy

Cargo green pieces were a huge hit at the fall/winter shows this year, especially in the form of parka jackets and utility pocket pants. Cargo works as a practical layering material, lending a tough masculine exterior to any outfit, while being comfortable and totally element resistant at the same time. Even flouncy skirts and soft silk blouses lost their grace by being worn in the noticeable army tone. But how do we wear this trend without looking to much like a military sergeant? It may seem like a tough ordeal to transform such a rugged, war-driven color into an edgy wardrobe essential, but really it is much easier done than said. The key is to juxtapose cargo green’s masculine, utilitarian elements with the season’s most soft, romantic, and even sexy fabrics and colors.

Dries van Noten and Moschino Cheap and Chic both paired cargo green with a timeless leopard print. A cargo A-line skirt in itself is a juxtaposition, but layering a faux leopard vest on top adds a much needed dose of sex appeal that takes the look to the next level. Fendi channeled cargo green’s more feminine side with a two piece dress suit in the color topped off with a rich fur scarf. Fendi also pair a cargo green blouse with a classic cropped trench jacket and metallic embroidered skirt at a modest length. From being worn on a sheer, floor skimming gown at Christian Dior to being paired with the season’s young and casual jersey and cashmere knits at Vanessa Bruno and Twenty8Twelve, there is no option that doesn’t seem to work with cargo.

Mixing cargo with your favorite prints, textures, and fabrics is as easy as 1-2-3 as long as you keep a balance between masculine and feminine. Even leather works, as long as it is sleek and smooth. Replacing the sleeves of your cargo pocket jacket with leather is as edgy as you can get in this department. If you can imagine it, it can be done. So get to work with mixing and matching right now, taking inspiration from these runway looks below.

Fall Hair Trend: Black Headbands

Every designer has a hair look that they want to pursue for their runway show, from long and messy strands to teased side parts. But the one hair tend that stood out to us the most was the sleek black hairband that held all the hair off of the face. The look is simple, but extremely edgy, and because of this edginess, many think that they cannot pull it off. Some may say you must have the face shape for it, while others think it makes you look bald, but we think it looks totally chic. Not only is it chic, but also easy and practical enough that anyone can try their hand at it. The Donna Karan and Karl Lagerfeld shows sent models down the runways in shiny black thick banded headbands that were worn right at the hairline. Lagerfeld teased the models hair up high on the top of the head into what looked like a futuristic beehive, while Karan’s models wore their hair in elegantly formed chignons on the back of their heads. The black headband let’s you show off your face and this can really take confidence, especially for girls who take comfort in hiding behind their long, middle parted mane of hippie-inspired locks. A face free of misplaced hair looks fresh, open, and clean (much like fall fashion’s minimalist aesthetic), making the perfect palette to showcase the season’s hottest makeup colors, like a bold red lip. Glossy chili pepper red was worn at the Lagerfeld show while a deep, matte burgundy was worn at Donna Karan. Whichever color you choose, go outside of your comfort zone to really make a statement. Don’t be shy . . . people want to see your beautiful face.

Fall/Winter Trend: Ski-Slope Style

Even though its not even fall yet, many of you are already thinking up your winter dream vacation. Where are you imagining yourself? How about the Swiss Alps or the high class mountain resorts of Aspen, Colorado? Wherever you plan to go, there’s sure to be lots of snow so you better plan on including some heavy knits and layers into your winter weather wardrobe. Whether you plan on actually hitting up the slopes, lounging by the fire with hot cocoa and marshmellows, or just chatting up that cute ski instructor, a beautiful winter setting is no better reason to look fashionable and chic. Take a cue from the D&G and Rag & Bone shows where there were classic Fair Isle designs on modern day silhouettes, thick circle scarves heavily layered around the neck or thin ones hanging long and low, grandpa knit sweater dresses, fur trimmed utility coats, boxy wool mittens, and chunky high socks scrunched around the ankles. Color combos like eye catching maroon and white, classic black and white, and even a hint of electric red were popular amongst the designers. Even if you are snowed in at home this upcoming winter season, it doesn’t mean you have to be stuck in sweats and your old college sweatshirts. Throw on a pretty Fair Isle long length cardigan over leggings instead and you’ll feel much more at home. These winter looks also make for a cool downtown city look with a tough pair of boots and a body conscious skirt. Whether you feel like being tomboyish in slouchy layering sweaters and a parka jacket, or elegant in a slim fit sweater dress, there is an abundance of options for you to choose from this upcoming season!

How To Get The Perfect Cat Eye

The swinging 50’s trend has finally found its way back into the hearts of the high fashion world. From feminine housewife circle dresses at Louis Vuittton to Isabel Marant’s rockabilly babe in leather and skinny pants, we were surprised that we didn’t see any poodle skirts gracing the runways. But there was one thing we did see, and that was the famous cat eye. The cat eye is one makeup look that means business. A girl is tough, confident, and sexy with her flashy cat eye. A thick and sharp streak of eyeliner makes the eye look longer and more heavily lidded, causing the boys faint with just one blink. Some make the mistake of making their line too thick and end up looking to harsh, or they make it too thin and long as if they were channeling Cleopatra. Then there is also the problem of smearing the delicate curve of the outer eye during the day. We busy girls want a cat eye that stays put because we have other things to worry about.

The best trick is to prep your eye with a primer like Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray Shadow Base ($24) (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P253113&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5333) before applying anything. This keeps the eyelid from getting greasy during the day so color doesn’t slip off. Also, try to stay away from eye pencils because they tend to smudge easily soon after application. A liquid or gel liner is sure to stay put all day because they dry faster. You also get more out less usage because they are more highly pigmented.

Bobbi Brown’s award-winning Long Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21) (http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/spp/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY22753&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1109) is a favorite in the industry because of its fast drying and waterproof formula.

When it comes to forming the cat eye, use a slanted eyeliner brush like Bobbi Brown’s Eye Definer Brush ($28) (http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/templates/products/spp/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY22796&PRODUCT_ID=PROD14408).

Make sure the shorter end of the brush faces the outer corner of the eye when you make the swipe. This creates a perfect point. Your cat eye should be the shape of a thin scalene triangle with the longest side pointing out towards the outer corners of the eye, ending only a few millimeters past them.. Now wait for it dry, add a swipe of mascara, and you’ve got yourself the season’s freshest look for your eyes. It couldn’t be any simpler.

How To Get Flawless Runway Model Skin

How is it that runway models always have the most flawless skin in those backstage photos during fashion week with not an imperfection in sight, but always a dewy glow that radiates under the camera lights? Though many models have impeccable skin, there are also many who need to fight to keep their skin looking in tip top condition at all times. But with the help of light-reflecting illusions provided by the right products, we too can achieve that runway perfect look ourselves. We introduce to you the magic of face serums and primers. Think of these two products as your skin’s new best friends from now on.

Serums provide amazing benefits for your skin that a normal moisturizer normally cannot do. Serums, which also moisturize, absorb deeper into your skin where a normal moisturizer cannot reach and deposit potent nutrients into the pores. Serums also come in very specialized formulas so that you can choose one that targets a certain problem with your skin that you would like to fix, be it clarity, tone, dark spots, clogged pores, and even preventive care against the sun. Serums work to improve the overall appearance and smoothness of the skin along with your normal wash and prep routine, and when your skin is healthy and radiating from the inside out, you are one step closer to getting that supermodel skin you always dreamed of.

Once you’ve got skincare down, it’s on to makeup. Models’ skin don’t look that amazing all on their own. Everyone always needs a little help. This is when primers come into the mix. Primers prep your skin before makeup application. They go on after moisturizing and work by absorbing into the skin to smooth the surface so that makeup goes on more evenly, looks more natural, and stays on longer. Primers also absorb extra oil so you can stay shine-free throughout the day. Many also come with added benefits like anti-aging properties and added moisturizers to ensure skin health and radiance. Sounds too good to be true? Try it yourself and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Primers are a newer addition the world of beauty, but they are now popping up in your local drugstore, so everybody can have a piece of their magic.

Adding a serum and a primer to your beauty routine can make all the difference. So get ready to put your best face forward with these products known to work like a charm. Now, don’t be alarmed if you get mistaken as a runway model on the streets.

Fashion Trend or Fashion Disaster?: Big Furry Boots

What is that you see on the fall/winter runways? It looks like a woolly mammoth or Big Foot! Wait, no. It’s actually a model in big furry boots. Sounds scary, yes, but at the D&G and Chanel shows, they were anything but. From full on pant and sweater combinations covered in an outrageous amount of faux fur, one thing is certain . . . furriness is in. But does this trend work in real life?

We are not telling you to follow in the footsteps of Karl’s interpretation of animal meets human being (unless you want to be recognized as Chewbacca), but trying on one furry piece at a time, like a pair of furry boot that hits right below the knee, you are sure to make a fashion statement. Pair yours with Fair Isle knits suited for a day on the slopes or channel the original Coco Chanel with a classic tweed jacket. Choose a pair in natural colors like brown, gray, white, or black. Steer clear from anything found in the rainbow or else you’ll look like a 60’s mod dancer (not a good look). If you are going to make a go with this trend, keep everything simple. Fur itself is already overwhelming, and you may have to keep a distance from those hardcore PETA types, so less is always more.

Last but not least, the ability to pull of these boots takes a lot of guts and a nonchalant flair that doesn’t give a care what others may think. Do you have it in you to try this trend, or is it a total no in your book? Let us know!

Fall Trend: Earthy Jewel Toned Nails

The fall runways were a color exploration into the deep, dark, and earthy. From every tone of brown imaginable to rusty red and forest green, mother nature came across as fashion’s biggest fashion influence. You may have the outfit down, but what about your nails? Some think that it makes no difference what color your nails are sporting or whether you have on any polish at all, but many beg to differ. Sometimes a look is not entirely complete until you tie things together with whatever your mood says it wants your nails to be painted. Past seasons have been leaning towards the extremely gothic (black) or an intensely minimalistic perspective (pale pink or sandy beige). But according to Essie, the leading brand in everything that comes to nail decor, your nails must be painted a specific hue of utilitarian green (Sew Psyched to be exact). From a dusty tulip (In Stitches) and just plucked plum (Merino Cool) to the tone of the healthiest soil (Little Brown Dress) and the reddest rose (Limited Addiction), Essie’s latest nature and gem-inspired fall collection is everything we’re craving this fall, much like a Pumpkin Spice Latte on a chilly afternoon. Get your hands on it when it hits stores September 1st, and let your fingers do the talking.

The Best Liquid Foundations

The Best Liquid Foundations
By Dylana Suarez

There are so many foundations out there promising to cater to all the different skin types we have: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Then it branches out even further from there, providing us with a long list of sub-categories to choose from including concealers, brighteners, tinted moisturizers, compact powder, powder-to-liquid, cream, whipped, mineral, and even a foundation you can spray on like hairspray (where did that come from?). Whatever happened to good old normal liquid foundation that we can apply with our fingertips? Forget the brushes and sponges. Easy and natural application makes all the difference when it comes to foundation.

We all want the same thing out of our foundation. We want flawless coverage that looks natural, a healthy glow, and a grease-free face that lasts all day. Unlike the thick and cakey liquid foundations of the past, today’s liquid foundations are soft, light, and flexible, giving us what we want without totally covering up the texture of our real skin underneath. Yes, it is true that no two skins are made the same, so finding a foundation unique to our needs is important. But there are many liquid foundations out there right now that promise universal help when it comes to complete coverage for our faces, normal, oily, and everything in between.

Liquid foundations don’t make us look chalky and dry like a powders, they provide more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, and they aren’t as heavy as compact foundation applied with a brush. You have the ability to use as much as you need because you have the control, not the brush. From being moisture-rich so as to fight anti-aging aggressors that wreak havoc on our skin to being light enough so that we don’t look like we have on a mask, liquid foundations are multifunctional and trustworthy. Here are a few of the best liquid foundations that everyone can give a try and be happy with the results, no matter what your skin type is. There is no better time than now to look in the mirror and smile.