Makeup Essentials I Can't Live Without

How are my fellow divas this evening? I hope excellent! So I have covered clothing in all of my blogs thus far but we cannot forget one of the most important components of looking great… your makeup! I feel like an outfit is not perfect until the face is put together. I literally pulled out ALL of my makeup so I could share with you all the items I use daily. I hope it is informative and enjoyable.

FACE

Out of all of my makeup, my M.A.C. Studio Tech Pressed Powder in N9 ($27.50) has to be my favorite item. I have tried other powders from Mary Kay, Clarins and Clinique but I feel M.A.C. makes the best makeup for women of color. The product never goes on chalky or cakey; it always leaves a smooth finish. I have combination skin so the matte finish is great as well. 

What can I say, I am a M.A.C. addict! I use their blush in Ambering Rose ($19.50), GORGEOUS color. The product gives my skin a healthy glow without being overwhelming; great for everyday use.

I use concealer primarily for perfecting my eyebrows but this product is great for covering blemishes as well. I purchased my Milani Concealer in Deep Tan ($5), it has a nice creamy consistency and does not appear greasy. 

EYES

Ever since Jasmine put me on to filling in your eyebrows I have been addicted ever since! Your makeup just looks so much better with a defined brow. The eyebrow pencil I use is by NYX in Black/Brown ($7). The color blends perfectly with my eyebrows, and the retractable pencil is way more convenient than a pencil that needs to be sharpened.  

Liquid eyeliner is a staple in my life, you will RARELY see me without my signature cat-eye (unless it's finals week then I get a reprieve!) . Tokidoki Liquid Eyeliner ($17 each) is the BEST liquid eyeliner EVER. I have tried them all, from Revlon to Benefit and none of them go on as smooth and defined as this brand. The felt tip applicator feels like you're holding a pen which makes applying easier. I have them in Black, Turquoise and Navy. You can find them at any Sephora.  

I like to use a variety of eyeliners and I like to have a pencil on deck for rimming my waterline. This pencil does so much more than that. Loreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner ($9) does not have the consistency of a liquid liner but it has the LOOK of one. An added bonus is the smudger on the other end of the applicator. Hello smokey eye!

I call my Maybelline Great Lash Mascara ($6) "old faithful" because no matter how many department store brands I try this one is the best. Tried and true, it makes my lashes bold and lush. Perfecto.

Are you drooling over this pallete!? I was as soon as I saw it and knew I had to own it. This is the Urban Decay Anniversary Pallete ($45) and I am telling you it was a worthwhile investment. I don't wear eyeshadow daily, but on days when I feel like experimenting or a special occasion, this pallete comes in handy. The pigments are so rich and this pallete provides you with all the colors you need to feel glam.

LIPS

As you can see I am a huge fan of NYX products as well. I love their Megashine Lipgloss ($5), I own them in just about every color, the color is rich and the product is affordable.

As I stated before I do enjoy variety and Revlon's Colorburst Gloss ($9) is soooo LUXE! My favorite is Fire (a rich red), perfect for a date night or night on the town with the girls!

I don't wear lipstick daily but when I do I reach for my Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick in Powderpuff Pink ($7) which is basically a rich fuchsia. The color looks great with my skin without being too stark. This color is big this season, go for it!

 NYX Lipliner ($4) is a necessity. So many girls like to wear colored glosses or lipsticks and do  not line their lips. This a crucial step, not only does it define the lip and prevents bleeding it helps your color last longer. I have these pencils in all of the neutral shades and pink and red as well.

TOOLS

So many people underestimate the importance of makeup brushes. They make a difference! Don't believe me? Try a smokey eye with the applicators that come with your makeup, then do it again with an eyeshadow brush. My set is by Sonia Kashuk ($30) and so far I love it. I have also used a kit by EcoTools which is also very nice. If you are really into makeup, invest in a set of brushes because it really does make a difference. 

Well that’s all folks! I hope you all enjoyed my beauty post, I did. Have fun creating new looks. Remember make fashion simple, and then add a touch of glam.

Jackie O Inspired Fashion

Hello again bloggers, lately I have noticed my style becoming more refined and classic like the late-great Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I have always been a fan of her fashion, but lately more so than usual. While shopping with my mom today at Forever21 I found some great pieces that are sophisticated while still trendy. Enjoy!

My Inspiration

I am DROOLING over this Chanel bag, so vintage, so Jackie.

When in doubt grab a pair of pearls, you will always look classy! For a younger look try a long pair.

My "Jackie O" Inspired Items

I had to have these flats! Aren't they adorable? I am in love with cardigans right now so these will fit perfectly into my wardrobe. Only $15.

This cardigan has now completed my life. As soon as I saw it I envisioned like 10 outfits to pair this with. It reminds me of vintage Chanel and the chain detail looks so luxe. $27.

Yes, MORE flats! What can I say, I adore them. You can never have too many flats and these can transition from day to night. $16.

My mom picked this out and at first I wasn't in love with it but once I tried it on I was all in. The material is very soft and the cream color is very pretty. $12. 

OK, I did not buy these from Forever21 but since this post is inspired by the pearl-necklace connoisseur I figured why not include them? I purchased this necklace from a woman on the square (an outdoor boutique) who specializes in re-creating designer jewelry. I purchased one for my mom also and we love this necklace! Every girl should own a pair of pearls. $20. 

Well this was my Jackie O inspired list, as I said my style is really evolving into more simple cuts and classic lines. She is the perfect muse! More blogs coming soon. Make fashion simple, then add a touch of glam.

Outfit of the Day

Hola fashionistas! I hope everyone is enjoying these last few days before Christmas. This is my first outfit of the day so I hope you guys enjoy it. The occasion was a day at the mall with my mom, so of course a blazer combo was the perfect choice. Top your look off with great accessories and you are ready to go.

                 

 

You likeyy??? LOL, I LOVE this look and received compliments on it throughout the day. Here are the pieces broken down:

Chanel Inspired Earrings: Charmed by Stacy $13

Metallic Cuff: Giddy Up Glamour $10

Ring: Sam Moon $8

Blazer: Maurice's Boutique $30

Lace Top: Forever21 $21

Dark Denim Jeggings: Forever21 $32.50

Over-the-knee Boots: Torrid $50

I really enjoyed this post, expect many more “Outfit of the Day” blogs in the near future. A special shout out to my mom who took most of the pics!! Luv you all, and remember make fashion simple then add a touch a glam.

Gift Ideas For $30 & Under

Hey dollfaces! Jaz here & Its Christmas Time!!! Well not yet, but VERY close to, and I know there are a few of you lovelies who still need to get gifts for the special loved ones in your life. For this reason I have complied a list of cool but inexpensive gift ideas that can help make youur holiday shopping go a little more smoothly and leave your pockets a little less....empty.

FOR MEN
here are a few gift ideas for those special men in your life:

COOL CARDIGAN

This is a great gift idea for your fashion savvy male friend or relative. Cardigans are very trendy for guys right now and will keep him warm and looking good in the winter season. The pictured cardigan is from forever21 and will run you $23.03. There are many more styles and colors on the forever21 website and some of them cost even less than this one. Look to find the one that is perfect for that guy on your mind!

LETS PLAY

Okay, lets be real here dolls. Most guys...boys, men, whatever...are all just big kids at heart. And most own a gaming system of sorts that they are always dying to upgrade in one way or another whenever possible. One option is to purchase a controller for their xbox, ps3, or whatever their system of choice is. The option to have two participants is always better than just one! And who knows, maybe this new controller will allow you to get into gameplay with mr. man and give you guys some good 'ol QT. Browse Amazon.com you can find Xbox controllers for as low $25.00 and PS3 controllers for as low as $13.18!


SMELL GOODS

 Every man wants to smell good so what better gift than a nice, masculine scent that's all his own. There are lots of quality colognes out there for less. Check out the scents before buying to be sure to purchase the perfect one for your loved one. Pictured is Guess by Marciano cologne. It can be found at Sears for $26.00.  

FOR WOMEN

here are a few gift ideas for your special dolls :

MAKE ME PRETTY

This is the Coastal Scents 88 Original Palette. Any girl, or at least any girl I know, would die to have this palatte at her disposal! There is a vast variety of colors and according to various reviews on YouTube and the Coastal Scents website, they are all said to be very rich and well pigmented shadows. This particular palatte costs only $18.95 and can be purchased from coastalscents.com. It comes with a mirror and two dual end foam tip applicators.

MMM...JUICY

As I said for men, the same goes for women. Everyone likes to smell good. Juicy Couture is a high -end brand of clothing, bags, jewelry, and fragrances that are delightful  in quality but usually quite heavy on the budget. However, this  Viva La Juicy set, which comes with lotion, parfum, and eau de parfum spray rings in at only $29.99 and can be found at your local target or target.com. They also offer the Peace, Love, and Juicy set, which i LOVE, but either set would make a perfect gift for a glam girlie.

ROC ME OUT

Good Music. The gift that keeps on giving. Rihanna's new album "Talk that Talk" is  exceptional. You can jam it track for track. I think it would make a perfect gift to get a girl to tap into her inner rockstar. It will run you about $11.99 for the regular version, $16.99 for the deluxe. If the girl your gifting for is not a Rihanna fan, no worries. There are many other quality CDs that came out this year. Choose according to your loved ones personality and artist you know for sure they would like. .

.

UNISEX GIFTS

BOOKS

Books are a great gift if you know your loved one is more of an intellectual. Or at the very least likes a little reading. I personally love to read and the Hunger Games series is one of the best series (if not the best) that I have ever read. This book would be a great gift for a person who likes to read utopian/dystopian fiction novels and doesn't mind a book that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Some other great book ideas are A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini or The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

GIFT CARDS

Gift cards can be a perfect gift for someone who is a bit more tricky to gift for. Money toward music (everyone likes music!) or your loved ones favorite store is a great gift. Just make sure the place or product of the gift card you purchase is somewhere that the person can spend $30 and get a worthwhile item. $30 can go a long way in the iTunes store, Forever21, or Walmart. If selecting a reasonably priced store that your loved one will enjoy becomes to difficult, there are Visa gift cards that can be used any where Visa is accepted.

I hope this was helpful to you all to make your holiday shopping trips a lot easier and helps to make your loved ones very happy this Christmas season! Love, Peace, & Hair Grease...oh, & happy holidays!!!

How to Wear Leggings

LEGGINGS 101: A Step by Step Guide


Per request from one of my good friends I have decided to also do a how-to blog on leggings. They are a very versatile item to own and can be a much more fashionable (and comfy) alternative to jeans.






Step 1: Let's start with the basics

• These days you can find leggings in every color and style imaginable, so I can imagine how shopping for a pair could be overwhelming. If you are a newbie in the leggings world I would recommend starting with black or brown.

Step 2: Cut 

• The most popular length for leggings are ankle length (which flatter everyone) but you can also find those that hit mid-calf. For me, being 5'2 I steer clear of these because they tend to make my legs look chunky! Mid-calf leggings are more for the tall and lean girl.

Step 3: Proportion 

• Speaking of chunky, lol, let me just say that I embrace being a curvy woman and I strive to show that fashion is not dependent on your weight...BUT the main issue I see with leggings are that (thicker) women do not pick leggings that will flatter their bodies. For example, if you have a Nicki Minaj booty do not try and wear leggings as pants, you will cheapen the look and add pounds that aren't really there. Also, darker shades are always flattering, but I know my true fashionistas will want to step outside of the box. Printed leggings are HAWT right now, my trick to balancing out my curves with the print is wearing an over-sized tunic in a neutral shade. 

Step 4: Invest in Items to Pair with Your Leggings

• I think leggings look best when paired with a flowy top or dress, tunics or a short skirt. My rule is if you are going to keep it tight at the bottom, keep it flowy at the top and vice versa.

 Step 5: Shoes

• You can wear heels with your leggings but I wouldn't pull out the 6 inch pumps! They look best paired with ballet flats, boots, moccasins, boots and especially oxfords.

Here are some looks for you to try...

I really hope these tips and pictures helped you guys out! Leggings are fun, enjoy experimenting! Until next time my fellow fashion dolls, remember make fashion simple then add a touch of glam :)


-Ash

Haw-wwtt Winter Coats

Let me start off by saying that winter is my favorite time of the year because I love the attire that goes along with the season. I’m all about the sweaters, scarves and layering. Unfortunately, most of my friends express that they hate the cold weather and that it makes it hard for them to wear a cute outfit, due to having to wear a coat. So I have compiled a list of fun and flirty outerwear that will enhance your outfit without making you appear bulky. Let the fashion games begin!

FUR

MILITARY 

HOUNDSTOOTH 

COLORED LEATHER

Remember make fashion simple, and then add a touch of glam!