BEAUTY WHEN LESS IS MORE!!

Makeup now is about being a minimalist. It’s easier, more natural, simple and all around “lower maintenance”. It does not mean no makeup it means looking fresh, sporty yet luminous at the same time. What’s great about a more natural style is that it’s not chasing youth (that shouldn’t be the goal anyway); it just allows you to look like a well pulled together version of yourself. Fashion is influenced by the times, and we live in a very health and fitness-oriented society right now. That’s why we are seeing so much athletic-inspired clothing. And, of course, when we wear more casual clothes, the face has to match. It will transform you into the best version of yourself while still making you completely recognizable. I have a service called “The 5 minute face”. It is 5 products in 5 minutes making you look 5 minutes younger.
Here they are:

1. CONCEALER- Go with a colour that goes with your skin tone. Put it on the lids, under the eyes, side to nose and on and under the lip area. This high lights these areas that usually go darker with age.

2. BROW TINT- Go with a colour with is little lighter than your hair colour. Apply on lightly using the brush to gently glide the hair strands. It darkens the brows and covers the grey if you have any.

3. CURL LASHES AND USE BLACK MASCARA- This opens up the face, brings out the natural eye colour and gives a natural appearance the face.

5. USE A SOFT BRONZER OR BLUSH COLOUR- Keep it light and fresh by putting it on with a small fan brush. Remember, to put it on the cheek bones and into the hair line. This gives you a soft glow that makes you look “sun-kissed”.

6. LIPGLOSS- This is the most fun!! You can not gave enough fresh, light, fun glosses. Try any colour that goes with your personality, skin, and hair colour. A lot of glosses now have vitamins in them to keep your lips moist and soft.

Now go do this!! Try it on. Keep it fresh.

Photoshoot

A client that I styled for a fashion photo shoot — doesn’t she look beautiful?

How to Prepare for Holiday Travel – What to Wear

What with the holidays so (SO!) close, a lot of you may be packing up to return to family, in-laws’ or otherwise, in other towns/states/countries(!) — so it’s time to start preparing for your fall/winter travel!

What with more and more stringent baggage restrictions nowadays, the question of what to wear on planes is pretty important. You don’t want to wear anything too festive or too nice, as you’ll look a bit silly while running last-minute errands at home — and when you’re traveling, there are always last-minute errands — and dressier outfits aren’t always the most comfortable. Certainly don’t put on anything that really needs pressing or dry cleaning, don’t wear jeans (they’re just not comfy enough!) . . . so what do you wear?

This time of year is prime time for layers. See if you can find a movement-friendly pair of pants (not necessarily sporty pants, unless you’re thinking yoga), a long tank top, a cushy cardigan or wrap, and a scarf. Planes are notoriously chilly, so the more (simple) layers you put on, the more personal temperature control you’ll have. Solid colours (especially neutrals) will be easier to mix and match, so if you have plenty of solids in your suitcase, you won’t have to worry about clashing prints. This will allow you to pack lightly!

Do your best not to bring this much with you!

If your trip is only a few days long, consider packing two pairs of jeans: one casual (light to medium wash), one dressier (dark wash). Avoid bulky pieces like chunky sweaters (supercute at home, but a pain to lug around in baggage you’re trying to keep light) and keep to lightweight tops you can layer. Cardigans and vests are your friend! Remember, you’re visiting extended family, not making statements at the country club. Keep it simple, at least on off days where you’re not celebrating. For those festivities, packing a fun new dress is certainly appropriate (if not expected!). Take care to pack nicer pieces of clothing in tissue paper (or plastic dry-cleaner bags) to help prevent wrinkles, as this reduces friction. Remember that the more crammed your suitcase is, the more “stressed” your clothing will get, so keep your luggage to just the essentials, your toiletries and beauty products (more on this in the next installment), and gifts.

travel-friendly solids

Holiday sparkle!

As for jewelry, see if you can find some simple, yet versatile, jewelry that will match several outfits. Sometimes bringing “sets,” say, a silver set, a gold set, a black set, will help you accessories simpler, casual outfits. Having sets of colour-coordinated pieces will keep you looking put together, so pack them together in a jewelry-specific bag, taking care not to tangle necklaces.

If you’ve followed our advice and stuck with mostly a neutral colour palette, you can have fun with colour by packing accessories that pop. Luscious fall/winter colours such as burgundy, gold, emerald green, deep violet — experiment with scarves, earrings, shawls, rings . . . have fun! A punch of colour (or prints) with the right accessory on top of a neutral outfit can bring some interest to your travel wardrobe.

3 Fall 2013 Hairstyle Trends to Try Today, Part 1

Now that fall has settled in at full swing, cooling temps down and inspiring new colour palettes, today let’s visit some revamped classics in hairstyles to try out this season with your new fall layers. Since this year’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) has already come and gone, this hairstyle guide will include some inspiration from the famed celebration. Without further ado, here are three fabulous hairdos to try out – have fun and style on!

Side (faux) bang.

(left: faking fringe with a deep side part; right: real bang action from Jeremy Scott’s NYFW runway.)

If you’re not the type to commit to actual bangs (I hear ya), you can fake the look with a deep side part and strategic pinning. If you do actually have bangs, experiment with sweeping them to one side for this dramatic, retro look.

Messy buns.

From Michael Kors at NYFW.

Forget the impeccable, flawless ballerina bun that leaves not a single hair out of place. This year’s bun is all about the beauty of imperfection, leaving wispy strands to draw interest to the classic look. You can even experiment with braided effects and deconstructing the plait just enough to give it volume.

Low ponytails.

Take the “gym” look out of the classic lazy-girl go-to by bringing your pony down to the nape and adding some glamour with either texture, sleekness, or a bit of curl for a bouncy look. This low-maintenance style is all about simplicity and approachability, and isn’t so out-there that many trends off the runway can seem on the streets.

What are your have fall hair trends? Stay tuned for Thursday’s top three styles . . .

Photo credits: harpersbazaar.com and www.nydailynews.com.

The Trendiest Colours for Fall 2013

The year’s most exciting style season is just around the corner — fall fashion! To help you prepare for looking your best and keep you up-to-date, we’ve compiled a little guide for you to start checking your closets (or keep an eye out for while shopping) for this year’s hottest fall colours.

First, check out Pantone’s top ten colours for fall 2013, below.

Image curated from Pinterest.

With fall’s classic, “leafy” colours we can rely on year after year, it’s no surprise deep lichen green, linden green, samba, and koi top the list. Our personal fall favorite is of course samba — a playful and flattering red that suits all skintones.

You’ll see samba cropping up in clothing and makeup by the likes of Guess, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Marchesa, and Gucci (more on Italian fashion soon!).

New York Fashion Week: Marchesa – via Stylebistro.com

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Need some inspiration for incorporating fall’s up-and-coming “it” colors? Get yourself some nailcolour — throw on a beautiful, eye-catching scarf to complement classic neutrals, or perhaps consider an all-over auburn for a new fall haircolour. Throw on a pair of poppy-inspired heels or a beautiful handbag in the bold hue.

The same could be said about the jewel tones making an entrance this autumn. You can still wear your seasonal staples with confidence and mix your neutrals — the blacks, greys, navies, beiges — with a pop of colour. Fall fashion is fun because it’s about layering. Incorporate your colour trends into prints, accessories, hair, or makeup. They don’t have to steal the show!

How do you like to use your colour trends? Leave a comment below and share your ideas!

From Stylebistro.com — mixing bold samba with soft neutrals

Hairdo by our very own Lauren Cassidy (photography by Argentina Leyva)

Oscar de la Renta accessorizes this joyfully green outfit with red lips and heels at New York Fashion Week.