Fall Make Up

I can't say I'm happy that summer is almost gone, there is a definite nostalgia that settles after labor day weekend. Another summer behind me... but the thing that keeps me going is that in fall I get this amazing sense of renewal. There's an energy that makes me eager to start new projects. It's a more powerful version of New Year's for me. When days are cooler, I feel that I can be more productive. I can also renew myself by adding a few more items to my wardrobe, and I love trying new make-up. This fall is all about highlighting your features... Think feline trend and French coquettes (no, not cRoquettes!), I'm referring to the ones who are always incredibly chic and flaunt themselves with grace! The modernized neutrals are also a very strong trend this season. What a great alternative when you need something simple. Welcome to fall sexiness...

Mac went crazy like a cat. I love this palette. Works great on my olive skin. 

Why limit yourself to makeup when you can wear your favorite feline around your neck? Meow...

Or on your lips? 

Get ready for some French love with intense eyes and immaculate skin...

Sometimes I feel like doing something very simple with my make-up and this is where the neutrals trend comes in very handy. Taupe and beige are not boring if you know how to use them. They can actually make you look incredibly elegant. 

Bronzer, soft grays and perfectly highlighted complexions continue to be a great natural option for transitioning easily into the evening.  

I want the dress as well... 

Crazy Brazilian

The new craze for hair is Keratin. Everyone is doing it and many people I know are willing to spend hundreds of dollars trying to get their hair silky, shiny and frizz-free. I got mine done through Lifebooker and only paid $150. But if you missed the deal and don't want to spend a lot of money, you can now get an Express Blowout, which lasts 3-4 weeks, for just $100. Will it have the same effect on your hair? I doubt it... but it's an easy and cheap solution. You can spare yourself the 2 hour treatment and go have a Bellini instead. Also, you don't need to wait 3 days to wash your hair. You can wash it in 8 hours! Thank you thank you thank you!

Awapuhi Wild Ginger is another in-salon treatment that lasts only 15 minutes and costs between $25-75. Designed to last about a month, it is also supposed to improve shine and reduce breakage.

You can buy products to use at home, such as shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in treatments for about $15-$20. I want to try out the Rusk Deepshine Smooth Keratin line, which offers sodium chloride-free formulas that are safe for color-treated hair.  Most shampoos out there are so harsh... this seems like a great alternative. Garnier, Ulta, and Hershberger are also coming out with products so you can smooth easily into fall...  

An attempt to stop my shopping addiction

I recently moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend who relocated to NYC to be with me. Instead of buying shoes and eyeshadow when I go shopping, I am now buying shelves and milk and eggs. I do love being domestic and creating a nest for us but a small part of me, and by small I mean massive, misses shopping for unneccessary clothing and accessories that are just so so delicious...mmm....anyway....I have been trying a new shopping deterant recently by keeping a list of everything I want to buy and visiting Shopbop.com daily in hopes that I will get sick of looking at my imaginary fall wardrobe and will not end up buying any of it. So far, this method has been working but only because I dont get paid until next week. Here is my Fall shopping list. Maybe someone can send me a present. Wink Wink.

Alexander Wang Sunglasses

American Apparel Racerback tank

BB Dakota Blazer

Current/Elliot The Captain Trousers

DVF Sequin hat

Erin Wasson/RVCA Fortune Teller Top

Jeffrey Campbell Brit Wrap Strap Booties

Jcrew Sequin Top

Madewell Scarf

Joe's Jeans The Shirt

Madewell Woodcut Print Blouse

Rag and Bone Calico Skirt

Rag and Bone Jean Knit Pocket Dress

Splendid Venice Slub Tee

Ahhh I can smell the new clothes smell already. Happy cold weather!

Amateur Make up Artist

One of my best friends got married this weekend and she was nice enough to ask me to be in the wedding party. I also volunteered to be make up artist for the Maid of Honor, Mother of the Bride and a bridesmaid. I have done make up for weddings before, but I was really nervous about this one in particular. In the end, everything turned out great and everyone loved their make up! The brides mother told me that her friend said she looked like a movie star. Here are my lovely works of art and some pictures from the beautiful wedding in Tuxedo, New York. If you are curious, I mostly used Mary Kay makeup and MAC blush in Stark Naked (a really pretty mauve shimmer blush) Its bright enough to give color, but subtle enough for girls who arent used to piling on cosmetics.

My finished makeup in my bridesmaid dress

me before makeup

The mother of the bride

The Maid of Honor and her makeup

The bride getting her makeup done. Not by me :)

Get Loud!

I never thought that I'd be saying this, but I love what Tommy Hilfiger is doing with his fragrances. He is launching Loud for Her and Loud for Him, created by perfumers Yann Vasnier and Aurelien Guichard. It's all about rose and patchouli. The feminine version has touches of lychee on top and and is followed by rose and patchouli, while the masculine version has a predominance of patchouli with just hints of rose. Think hippy summers in Woodstock in the 70's but for the modern downtown music-loving soul.

Hilfiger is moving away from the more classic scents that he did in the past and this time will target the music loving Gen-Y. Watch out for The Ting Tings' new song, "We're Not the Same", which is coming out in their next album, to be played in the advertising of the fragrances.  

The bottles look like records while the caps resemble stereo knobs. 

Part of the fun is the in-store promotion, which will include scented wristbands ad concert ticket blotters.  You'll be able to get these Loud babies in Europe in October and in the U.S. in the Spring. 

Color Me Rouge

Poweful. Feminine. Timeless. What's not to like about red? Wear it in spring, summer, fall, winter... to bed, to work, on your face or on your hair. Rouge mon amour... 

Photos: Spring/Summer 2011 looks from Almost Famous and Vero Moda; Fall/Winter 2010-2011 looks from Mimi Holliday, Prada, Balmain, Leonard, JP Gaultier, D&G, and Isabel Marant. Make Up: Shu Uemura Partial Floral Feather eyelashes & Dreamy Petal Pallette eyeshadow, Chanel Rouge Allure.