What makeup to wear with the military trend?

Whilst perusing my latest fashion obsession, fashionising.com, and investigating the coming trends for Fall 2010, I became quite taken by the military trend. I have created two similar looks inspired by this trend that give you high-end and affordable options for makeup.

Look #1: High End

FACE
1) Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light
2) Makeup Forever HD Foundation in #117
3) MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20
4) Chanel Soleil Tan in #62
5) NARS blush in Madly

EYES
1) Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
2) MAC Eye Shadows
         -Sumptuous Olive (all over the lid)
         -Bronze (outer corner)
         -Dreammaker (inner corner)
3) Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Mauve
4) Lancome Hypnose Mascara

LIPS
1) Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Bois Des Iles

Look #2: Affordable

FACE
1) Revlon Colourstay Foundation  in Buff
2) MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20
3) MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural
4) Rimmel Natural Tan Bronzer

EYES

1) Coastal Scents Metal Mania Palette
2) Maybelline Falsies Mascara

LIPS
1) Tarte Lip Stain in Enchanted

Makeup From the Runway to Reality: Michael Kors

The newest trends in beauty are always found on the runways. Due to the nature of a fashion show, new trends are often exaggerated so that they can be visible to the audience, show up in photography, and compliment the theatricality of the show.

The Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2010 show revealed a vibrant smoky eye that mixed deep violets, light blues and canary yellows. (photo credit to Lou Lou Magazine)

I thought that it would be fun to recreate this smokey eye to be more wearable while maintaining the drama . Here is what I came up with:

Products Used

EYES:

1) Coastal Scents 88 Metal Mania Palette
          -For the lid, mix shades 1&2 to achieve the right plum colour
2) Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink
3) Loreal Collagen Mascara

FACE:
1) Smashbox Photofinish Light Primer
2) Amazing Cosmetics Concealer in Light
3) Revlon Colourstay Foundation in Buff
4) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light (as setting powder)
5) Chanel Soleil Tan in #62
6) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping (as cheekbone highlight)

LIPS:
1) Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Rose Comete

Two Outfits=$75 and a Fashion Confession

I said I would never do it. NEVER. But now that old adage "Never say never" has come back to haunt me. So, what have I done? I bought leggings. And I wore them. Yes, I am a leggings hyprocrite.

Allow me to explain. For the past five years (or however long they have been the "it" look) I have had a strong aversion to leggings. I don't think that it is a look that lends itself well to every body type in spite of persistent efforts. I think that leggings can lead to numerous fashion faux pas such as:

1) Visibly noticing someone's undergarments...or lack thereof
2) Wearing leggings as pants with short tops
3) Clinging and squeezing unforgiving areas

I think that in order for the leggings look to be successful, it must be done tastefully...and by that I mean please cover your derriere's. This being said, I have been afraid to breach my "no leggings" rule because I didn't feel I had the confidence to wear bottoms that were so form fitting, even if I wore a long tunic. But all this changed on a recent trip to H&M.

I found these cute zippered leggings and two tunics (plus a belt) all for a total of $75.00 (Canadian). At first I thought I was having a momentary lapse in judgement or sanity, but I was so comfortable that I decided to buy them anyway. If I found that I didn't like them, I would just wear it around the house where no one could see me but the cat. Here are the results:

Leggings: $15.00

Tunic: $13.00

Belt: $7.00

Shoes: Old pair from Aldo

Leggings: Same as above

Tunic: $40

**This tunic is going back to the store because it adds too much volume at my hips, but I thought it was worth showing for those of you with a more narrow frame. It is really cute, but not for me**

Am I a complete leggings convert? No. But I will be keeping my eyes open for long tunics that I can potentially wear with my new leggings. I still think this will be an around the house/neighbourhood look for me. I am too faithful to my summer skirts and dresses to forgo them when going out. Do any of you have a leggings phobia?

Summer Purse Trend- Designer Style WITHOUT The Designer Price

I know this will probably get me a lot of hate, but I am against designer knock-off bags. Now, hold on to your pleather Prado bags for just a second and hear me out! Why is it we are so harsh on academic and intellectual plagerism but we pay no regard to the artistic plagerism that is hocked on the likes of Canal Street?

Many women (myself included) have a weakness for purses and love the look of designer bags; unfortunately, the accompanying price tags make us quickly flip the magazine page. Instead, what we should be doing is study the look of the designer bags we love so much and see how we can apply that aesthetic to a more affordable option. Below I have given examples of designer bags that I adore paired with an affordable option at a fraction of the cost. The goal is not to find an exact replica (even though that is sometimes possible without resorting to knock-offs), but to keep the flavour of the design.

1) Inspiration: Chanel Classic Flap $2000+

Affordable Version: ALDO quilted bags $30-$50

2) Inspiration: Marc Jacobs Rubik Quilted Debbie Mini Bag $500

Affordable Version: ALDO Dotts Bag $30

3) Inspiration: Hermes Birkin Bag & Hermes Kelly Bag $10, 000+

Affordable Version: David Jones from Winners $50

4) Inspiration: Marc by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo Bag

Affordable Version: KGB from Winners $35

5) Inspiration: Michael Kors Roslyn Leather Bag

Affordable Version: Co Lab $40 (Regular Price $95)

6) Inspiration: Agnona Pleated Leather Tote $2, 600

Affordable Version: Steve Madden from Winners $50 (Regular $120)