Entries Tagged 'fashion' ↓

You know those huge boxes and containers full of eye shadows, lipsticks and blush colors you see all over the place at Christmas?  I usually shy away because they are usually the cheap store brand and not a quality product I want to use on my skin.

However…

My boys thought this was just what mom would love so they gave me a big, red Ulta makeup box at Christmas.  I tell you, it’s the best thing ever!  I’m not in love with the quality.  Doesn’t have much staying power.  But for experimenting and working with different colors to work with your skin coloring…it’s fantastic!

Sephora has released a limited edition palette with dozens of colors, including the hot spring trend in colors: nudes.

- 35 eye shadows
- 15 lipsticks/lipglosses
- 4 blushes
- 2 bronzers

What I love about it:
Using the included tool, it’s easy to to lift out the shades you want out of the palette to place them into the portable compact. Magnets hold each color tray in place, ensuring that they stay put. Mirrors are included in both the compact and palette case.  Great to toss in your purse for touch ups.

$155 for $36.  That’s a bit of a no-brainer if you have been searching for the best spring/summer makeup colors.  Get yours today!

Brought to you by Sephora: Colorista Custom Makeup Palette

Everyone knows a fresh coat of lacquer makes a woman feel more “polished” (pun intended) and can be the perfect accessory, much like shoes or jewelry.  Similar to your clothes and accessories your shade says a lot about your own personal style.  Here are my three fave shades for this Spring and Summer.

#3 for the Classic Girly Girl: Panda-monium Pink by OPI

Featured in the Hong Kong collection, this perfect shade of baby pink will surely show off your suntan or spray tan whichever you prefer.  Panda-monium Pink is definitely the most versatile of the three and is perfect for any occasion. I mean what girl doesn’t like pink?

#2 for the Dreamer :  Mint Candy Apple by Essie

There’s something about this color that I LOVE…  Perhaps it’s because of its striking resemblance to an iconic pastel teal little box that EVERY girl hopes to receive one day or maybe it’s because of my love of mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Either way, you can be sure to see this trendy vintage hue quite frequently in apparel and accessories.

#1 for the Celebrity at heart: (Prepare to turn some heads!) Teenage Dream from the Katy Perry collection by OPI

I will be the first to admit that I’m usually a strictly matte shade kind of girl but there is just something about this color that was just love at first sight.  It literally perks me up just admiring it. Following my instant attraction, I just had to add it to my collection. I searched pretty much every Beauty Brands for the last 3 weeks and it’s been sold out at EVERY one!!!  I ended up throwing in the towel and ordered it online at Amazon . In the mean time, I had no other choice but to find the closest nail salon carrying it and enjoy a relaxing mani-pedi.

By: Brett Becker

Where to buy
Sponsor link Drugstore.com:  New Customers – spend $25 at drugstore.com and get free shipping + a $50 Restaurant.com gift code! Offer ends 01.01.2012.

There is a lot of hype and bias about the safety of cosmetics and skin care products.  I try to muddle through but it’s very murky waters my friend.

Environmental group web sites blast the skin care industry and often, in my opinion, seem to have a lot more scare tactics in their reports than full disclosure.  The skin care industry blasts back.  Both sides have some legitimate claims.

Paraben (a preservative) safety is hotly debated yet no casual link has been made between them and breast cancer. Wikipedia seems to have an unbiased report about findings and disputes regarding parabens.  Basically there should be more testing and research.  Does long term use of products with parabens lead to cancer or alter estrogenic activity?  No one knows 100% either way.

I think… better safe than sorry.  It’s not hard to find paraben-free products.  I’ve started buying paraben-free when I can, but honestly am not altering my families lifestyle because of it.

A few things that seem to be no brainers:

Petroleum jelly. Yuck.  While often said to be a dangerous byproduct of that stuff we drill for, sources show it’s actually not.  In “olden days” it was used for healing purposes.  But that was before we got our hands on better, organic products.  Personally I can’t stand the stuff.  Maybe it actually holds moisture in my skin.  I’d rather use something like pure shea butter that comes almost straight from the earth, not a product that spends so much time in a facility that has had to heat and refine it. (p.s. I did learn today that it should NOT go in the nose!  bad bad)

Fragrances in skin care.  Ouch.  Often causes irritation.  Usually also says on the packaging to keep out of eyes.  Many fragrances contain phalates which are said to disrupt hormone levels. Yikes.  While my opinion is that certain sites with their scare-tactic videos leave out so many important truths, there is the better-safe-than-sorry rule I’m going with on fragrances.   I like this informative post from KC’s own DERMAdoctor regarding fragrances in skin care products.  Bottom line…many fragrances cause irritation, allergies and other problems.  Skip it when you can.

Educate yourself by visiting both sides of the fence on these issues.  On one hand we hope that anything that could endanger the lives of us or our children would be banned.  However, they still sell cigarettes.  Just sayin’.

Any item discussed in this, or any, Haute Weekly article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, check with your doctor, not a well-meaning but not-medically-certified blogger.

Somewhere along the way, possibly past the point of kid #2 and giving a crap, my fashion style faded to a point on non-existence.  It came back in fits and bursts but quickly hid under a large rock when #3 came around.
Sound vaguely familiar?
About the time diapers and pull-ups were a thing of the past I am pretty sure I threw a temper tantrum in my mind and said NO MORE!

(perhaps some of that was actually verbal but I also acquired occasional, and somewhat convenient, memory loss)

What in the hell happens to us when we become moms?  Ok, so we’re tired and smell less like Chanel No 5 and more like eau de spit-up….but seriously friends, I’ve researched this and absolutely no where does it say that thou shalt give up all sense of self in exchange for a good parenting medal.  Three kids…still no medals out there to be had.

So.

Now what?

Well for starters…comb your hair.  Thankfully the sleek pony tail look was all over the spring 2011 fashion week runways.  Go with it.

Find or buy a pair of capri jeans that fit, or at least have them altered.  If your hips seem to have spread to another zip code even though your waist obeyed your pleadings and went back to it’s near-original size…have the pants darted in the back.  Yes, they do that.  It’s liberating.

Find or buy a top that shows your figure and doesn’t pull down passed your rear end.

Throw on a scarf, smear on a bit of lipstick and you are suddenly quite easily and quickly presentable.  The kid might cry because he doesn’t recognize you.  Your husband may sweep you off your feet because you’re back.

Baby steps.

It’s ok to look like a hot mom and not just a mom.  You have more titles than that, surely.

Own it baby.

Spring weather in the Midwest is a crazy collision of temperatures creating weather temperaments you don’t want to mess with. But you still have to go to work, the grocery store, the school assembly. What to wear when the weather is a bear?

A skirt that won’t flash the masses is a must. This fabulously stylish A-line skirt should do the trick. Strips of tonal trim zigzag diagonally across the front of the skirt cast in a clean, dark wash – Nordstrom.com $98.
Great skirt for the work day, casual day or night time soiree.

A great jacket (or three) in your closet is a must. Have one in a simple design, neutral color and light weight that will carry you through the seasons. This draped linen jacket at Macys.com is a super option (and currently on sale) for your closet conundrum.

Don’t forget a stylish umbrella to keep you locks dry! Great selection by Totes, around $15.

text size=3>Our friends at InStyle.com are watching and waiting for more royal news just as we are.  They have a great write up about possible tiaras for the soon-to-be princess Kate:

While there is no shortage of royal tiaras from which Kate could choose for her walk down the aisle, InStyle.com asked some of the world’s most renowned jewelers to imagine the kind of crown they think the modern day bride might wear. Designers from Swarovski, Van Cleef and Arpels, Chopard and more legendary jewelers have created original sketches inspired by Middleton’s own style.

Check it out: http://news.instyle.com/2011/04/04/kate-middleton-tiara-royal-wedding/?xid=4411-bmail-middleton-tiaras

I’ve finally dived into the big bag of beauty goodies.  The annual Cosmetic Executive Women’s Network product demo is the absolute tops when it comes to getting one’s hands on the latest and greatest skin care, hair care and cosmetic products!

Go Clear has been my first facial cleanser test. I really like it so far. I didn’t realize (or maybe forgot) that it’s part of an anti-acne program. However it’s nothing like the old school products that stripped our skin leaving it red, sore and dry. Go Clear is made with natural ingredients like shea butter, green tea extract, lavender…just to name a few.

What makes it so great? The list is long. My favorite perks are:

Shea butter. In my opinion, one of the earth’s finest moisturizing ingredients. If you’ve ever been treated to trying pure, unprocessed shea butter…it doesn’t smell great but it is amazing!

Tea. Green and white to be specific. Both amazing anti-oxidants. Also Green tea extract fights those nasty free radicals that harm your skin making it age faster, dry out and get just plain dirty.

Acai Berry. Said to be one of the top super-foods of the world.  A rich antioxidant with so many uses and health benefits too numerous to list here.

I don’t have acne problems save a little here and there maybe every few months.  Still, I’d use this product daily.  Acne or no it seems to be very natural, non harsh and beneficial for my face.  It’s $25 on the Go Clear web site.  In my opinion, worth paying double what I was paying on my previous face wash because of the gentle yet effective cleansing product.

For an interesting fable about the Acai berry….

Today only, receive a Free Silver Cosmetics Bag with any $50 Prescriptives.com order. Offer valid 3.16.11 only.
What’s great about Prescriptives? The handy refillable compacts for one. A bit eco friendly not creating such waste each time you purchase new colors.
Custom color blending is the new way to personalize your purchases. Make your own recipe for foundation, powder and lip gloss. Create the shades and colors of your dreams.

what do you think?

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Join Saks Fifth Avenue as they present Spring Fashion Soiree for a night of shopping and mingling. A $15 suggested donation at the door and five percent of the night’s sales benefit the Saint Louis Zoo.

The first 200 guests will receive a gift bag and all guests will receive a 15 percent discount card good for purchases during the event. Guests will enjoy passed appetizers from Brio Tuscan Grille and sips from Pearl Sparkling Wines, Heineken and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.  RSVP to springfashion@alivemag.com.

More info

The runways for spring 2011 sported a variety of crop pants.  Mostly it seemed they were either just below the knee or just above the ankle.  Not mid calf like in the past.

We went hunting for a few examples to show you.

Cozy, easy fit, knit, crop pants at EllaMoss.com.  These are actually swatpants and I’m a big fan of the saying “sweatpants are for sweating in”.  But these offer a middle ground for those of you resistant to putting effort in to just run to the grocery store.  Belted at the waist for a bit of added fashion.  Pants are a blend of viscose linen, cotton and spandex.  At Ella Moss, $128

The Trouve’ crop pant at Nordstrom makes our list because of it’s relaxed, boyfriend styling. This pair of straight-leg chinos can we worn straight or cuffed. $78 at Nordstrom.com.  Casual and comfortable.  Wear with a t-shirt.  Dress up with a spring weight cardigan or shrug.

This cropped denim pant in by Tommy HIlfiger caught my eye. At $59.50 the price tag catches the eye as well. Not bad for a designer label, good fitting pant.

Keep in mind the width of the cuff my friends. A wider cuff may draw the eye in a way that isn’t flattering. I love the wide cuff look, but on the majority of us a more thin cuff is better. Don’t forget to keep an eye on your proportion. Try not to cut yourself in half with your clothes.

Not to forget my curvy girlfriends, here is a plus size version also at Macy’s, and per macys.com they are on sale for just $27.99!