What To Wear To a Presidential Debate Party

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Trends & Tribulations

The first presidential debate is tonight, September 26, between the democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, & the republican candidate, Donald Trump. Here’s the skinny on what to wear if you are heading to a presidential debate party, whether you are a democrat or republican.

If you are a democrat & voting for Hillary….

WearAll blue shirt, $12, via We Are All

Navy skirt, $129, via PopMap

Schutz blue shoes, $210, via Saks Fifth Avenue

Mansur Gavriel blue purse, $445, via Moda Operandi

River Island watch, $100, via River Island

BillyTheTree drop earrings, $63, via Billy The Tree

Lipstick Queen lipstick, $25, via Barneys

Drinkware, $14, via Fish’s Eddy

If you are a republican & voting for the Donald….

Alexander Wang white shirt, $675, via Harper’s Bazaar

Miss Selfridge pants, $61, via Miss Selfridge

Trump thong, $13, via Cafe Press ~~(yes, we went there)~~

Valentino Rockstud heels, $1,070, via StyleBop

Gucci handbag, $3,800, via Saks Fifth Avenue

Rosendahl watch, $155, via Trouva

Christian Dior lipstick, $35, via Bloomingdales

Bella Bellissima perfume fragrance, $245, via Fortnum & Mason

Home wall decor, $17, via Art.com

Care to share who you will be rooting for? Will you be attending any presidential debate parties this evening?

xo

Your Go-To Guide for Spring & Summer 2016 Beauty Trends

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Trends & Tribulations

Hottest Make-Up Trends for Spring/Summer 2016

We love runways! The glitz, the glam, the excitement, the everything. I’ve been working as a stylist for many years now and I still get chills whenever I go backstage with my models or when I style any of my celebrity clients (you’ve got to look good when you are in sitting in the first row). And, runways are the start of all new trends we later adore, which is an additional reason absolutely love ‘em.

Another interesting aspect of runway shows is that, while clothes are the focus of every catwalk, we can also spot the ever-evolving makeup changes presented on the runway as part of the collection. Most designers say they rarely think about makeup as a separate things to the clothes, but rather tend to make it an accessory to it in order to make the whole look be cohesive, aesthetically appealing, and to the point. Still, us who are on the other side, tend to single out things about the whole presentation and then play it up in ways they are most fitting for us.

It’s wonderful that the makeup palette is seemingly broader than ever, so there is so much for everyone! I am singling out some of my favorite makeup trends for the upcoming spring and summer and I hope you’ll love them as much as I am loving them. Enjoy!

Color me blue

via cosmopolitan UK

Blue is currently trending and it’s not going anywhere in 2016 either. Although, this time around things are getting a bit bandit-like; Chanel introduced the look. It’s perfect for both a daytime look, with a hint of blue eyeshadow, and a nighttime look, with a blue smoky eye.

Doll-like vibes

from left, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino

For all the girls who are channeling their inner Lolita, this makeup trend is everything! No, we are not talking red, heart-shaped lips… things are more subtle this time around. This Lolita is a free-spirited doll who decided to go bohemian on her style. The exaggerated lash look was first introduced by Louis Vuitton and it was well received. If you are daring, this is the look for your spring.

Contour me, please

via MarieClaire

With contouring being the absolute hit in 2015 (thank you Kim K!), and multiple sister-techniques emerging I am absolutely positive 2016 is going to be major when it comes to this makeup trend. Contouring, strobing, tontouring… you name it – they are all going to make your face look slimmer and your nose more defined. Although the techniques do take a lot of time, the results are simply amazing.

Femininity re-born

via all-fashion-trends

Plenty designers have turned to more feminine vibes by channeling the simplicity of hairstyles, colors and makeup techniques. Marchesa, DKNY, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Carolina Herera… they are all relying on the rich texture of reds, pinks and purples on the lips while staying faithful to the simplicity of eye makeup for contrast. A little bit of liquid liner on the eyes or a hint of glitter are what’s going to be our major love in the summer of 2016.

Take me back to the ‘70’s

via BeautySupport

It’s getting hot! DVF made it all about curls and tropical makeup, paying tribute to the first time Diane went out and let her hair curly. Clean, healthy skin and pops of metallic blue and shimmery green on the eyes channel the easygoing and fun vibes of a summer holiday vacation. Simply adorable!

So, which of these do you think will be your favorite vibe the upcoming summer? Share in the comments section below!

xo

Tom Ford Shares Beauty, Fashion, & Sex Tips

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Trends & Tribulations

Tom Ford’s Tom Style Commandments

Tom Ford shares his top 10 style commandments

Dress with mystery and don’t rule out black for a wedding: the designer known as the King of Sex, TOM FORD, shares 10 of his ultimate style rules via Net-a-Porter

Tom Ford Eyewear Spring/Summer 2011

1 DON’T LET FASHION DICTATE TO YOU

I always feel a little sad when I see a woman head-to-toe in a runway look. Women also change their hair a lot, but if it’s done in an insecure way, that makes me feel sad, too. You need to make what you are wearing your own.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2013

2 NEVER TRY TO BE OVERTLY SEXY

I’m more interested in a little bit of mystery. Maybe it’s my age… Or maybe it’s because the women in my life are starting to wear stockings now because they think the skin on their legs isn’t as good as it used to be!

Tom Ford Fall 2013

3 FIND YOUR UNIFORM

If you have five outfits that you love wearing and always make you feel your best, which are comfortable and confident and just work, why do you need all the others? Yes, you need some variations on the theme – you don’t want to wear the exact same clothes every day – but I think it’s very important for everyone to figure out what their look is.

Tom Ford Spring 2010

4 REMEMBER: SEXINESS IS ABOUT CONFIDENCE

Sexiness comes from the way you move and the way you handle yourself. It doesn’t come from short skirts and low-cut tops.

Tom Ford Autumn/Winter 2014

5 REASSESS YOUR STYLE EVERY FIVE YEARS

Bodies change, looks change, everything changes, so every five years you need to take off all your clothes and reassess yourself. Try your clothes on and see what still works and what should be rethought – not in an emotional way but in a detached way. Also, do it on your own, because it’s not about what your friends or partner think, it’s about how you feel.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2014

6 MAKE AN EFFORT

No matter what your personal style, people have to look at you in the same way they have to look at a building, or a piece of art, or a table, or a new car. You become a part of the photograph, the landscape, someone’s vision.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2015

7 DON’T BELIEVE YOU NEED WARDROBE ESSENTIALS…

It isn’t about owning a classic white shirt or a black blazer – I know women who wear that and look like they’re doing a chic androgynous thing, and other women who look immediately like they work on Wall Street. It’s about your own taste; camouflaging the things you don’t like and accentuating the things you do.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2015

8 …BUT EVERYONE NEEDS AT LEAST ONE LBD

Because you never know when you’re going to have to go to a funeral, or a job interview, or a last-minute wedding (maybe you’re not supposed to wear black to weddings, but I would). It’s perfect for everything: you can wear it with sandals and it’s a summer look; with a heel, it’s an evening look. Long, short, fitted, loose, it’s such a key piece. It is always chic.

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2012

9 DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF MAKEUP

By changing your makeup you can channel the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s… You can do everything with beauty because it’s the character; it’s who you are. I find that fascinating. There was a trend a couple of years ago that saw women dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers with mega makeup – I loved it. It’s a great way to express yourself that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have a lot of money.

Tom Ford Advertisement, Spring 2012

10 FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE

I don’t like to see a major lip and a major eye statement [at the same time]. I think if you’re going to accentuate your eyes, great, but then you need a neutral lip. If you’re going to do a bold red lip, it looks the best with almost nothing on your eyes, except maybe a little bit of mascara. I really like to see one makeup statement and just beautiful, glowing skin.

“Sexiness comes from the way you move and the way you handle yourself. It doesn’t come from short skirts and low-cut tops.” -Tom Ford

What do you think of Tom Ford’s fashion & beauty advice? Do you agree or disagree? Share in the comments section below!

5 Tried & True Face Moisturizers From a Product Junkie

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Trends & Tribulations

5 Tried & True Face Moisturizers from a Product Junkie

Anyone who knows me, or has ever been through my beauty cabinet(s), knows that I am a total sucker for a good product. After trying out many different face moisturizers over the years, I’ve rounded up some of the best moisturizers that hydrate your skin, without leaving any greasy or shiny residue. Here are my top picks for all different skin types.

( 1 )

Dr. Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, $35, via Sephora

This stuff goes on smooth, and leaves no sticky residue. It’s my absolute favorite face lotion to use under make-up, as it creates a light, even base; just the right amount of hydration, without creating shine.

( 2 )

Paula’s Choice RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator, $29, via BirchBox

This stuff is amazing for both its anti-aging and acne fighting properties, while keeping skin hydrated. It’s a fabulous all-in-one product.

( 3 )

Trilane Retinol + Vitamin C Moisturizer via Amazon

Trilane recently sent me a sample of this moisturizer for me to review and post my thoughts on Trends & Tribulations. Trilane Retinol + Vitamin C has a light, yet smooth consistency, similar to an oil, without any sticky residue. It is extremely hydrating, and gives my skin a dewy glow. Vitamin C & Retinol both give major anti-aging benefits, and are great for fading acne scars and other marks.

( 4 )

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil, $27, via The Body Shopsss

This stuff will make you wake up looking well-rested and glowing. For real. If your skin is especially parched, pair it with the Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask to hydrate your skin like no other.

( 5 )

Dr. Jart Water-Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask, $48, via Sephora

I’m all for anything that will give my skin some extra benefits while sleeping. This sleeping mask is great for rejuvenating tired-looking skin, as well as keeping it look hydrated and plump. It’s gel formula sinks into skin in seconds, leaving you with a non-greasy feel. Bonus: It accelerates the fading of scars and brown spots.

What are your favorite skin care products?

The Permanent New Trend in Cosmetics You Don’t Know About

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Trends & Tribulations

Makeup Tattoos: The Art of Permanent Cosmetic Tattoos

Are you an expert in the art of tattoos? If you love tattoos, then you may have already thought about the art of permanent cosmetic tattoos. If you’re not a tattoo enthusiast, but you want to learn more about the art of permanent cosmetic tattoos and what to expect before you decide to invest in this procedure, keep reading.

This permanent cosmetic procedure is gaining popularity among women interested in filling in their eyebrows, defining their lips, along with applying eyeliner.

Continue reading →

Alexa Chung’s Makeup Artist Shares Beauty Tips

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Trends & Tribulations

The secret to liquid eyeliner self-application lies with finding the right felt-tip marker. After all, everyone’s familiar with holding a pen or pencil, right? They’re long, thin, easy to manipulate, and—if you pick the right one—deliver just the right amount of black pigment. Tamah, Alexa Chung’s make-up artist, favors Nars’ Eyeliner Stylo ($27) in Carpates: “It has the fluidity of a brush,” she says. Kevyn Aucoin’s Precision Liquid Liner ($32) in Black has a similarly rounded brush, as does Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Eyeliner ($33) in Black and Revlon’s ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen ($9), though the latter two are a bit plumper (ideal if you favor a thicker line).

Via Who What Wear

L’Oreal’s Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner ($9) in Black is the slimmest of the bunch, delivers the darkest black line, and is super flexible, giving you the most control. Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner ($20) in Black has almost the same tip, but is waterproof in case you want to accessorize your swimsuit with a cat eye this summer. If it’s staying power you’re worried about, there’s Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner ($18) in Trooper. Though the tip looks like the others, it’s actually a brush, one that delivers a water-resistant formula that dries super fast and stays put all day long.

Whichever marker you choose, practice drawing the kind of line you’re after on your hand a few times before moving to your lash line. And one last tip from Tamah: “People tend to put too much pressure on the brush, but it’s almost like calligraphy—you have to let the pen do the work.”

Thanks to the lovely folks at Who What Wear for sharing these tips from Tamah K, Alexa Chung’s make-up artist. I’m a huge fan of liquid eyeliner, and my 3 top favorites are Nars ‘Stylo’ Liquid Eyeliner for a bit of a thicker line, Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner & Serum for a very thin base line (and it claims to thicken your eyelashes as a bonus- also note the low price tag of $11), and Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner for a thin line (but mostly because the black color has this amazing pigmentation that really makes my brown eyes stand out). What are your tips for applying eyeliner?