I was a huge fan of Hello Kitty when I was in high school. I used to bribe friends to take me to the closest Sanrio store so I could splurge, and even made my beau take me once in New York (Times Square) but it was way too hellish to relish. I had it all - everything from alarm clocks, piggy banks, purses, water bottles, planners - to handheld fans. I’ve definitely grown out of it now, and I have successfully passed down all of my collectibles to my 6 year old neighbor back in Pennsylvania - thus ensuring the love and gratification of a first grader. The MAC Hello Kitty line is so nostalgic, like when they did Barbie - you can’t help but regress and crave that cute little kitty face - even if it means investing in blue eyeshadow!
Brush collection $49.50
Nail lacquer $11
Lipstick $14
Shop Hello Kitty for MAC at maccosmetics.com
Brooklyn is all over the place recently!
In stores this March - NY Post article “Brooklyn ‘Nose’ Best”
Nontoxic, water-based nail polish that peels off in neat little strips!
Sula Nail Polish $10 @ OutBlush.com
Beauty trends are very closely in line with those in fashion - and as we’ve been seeing so many more vibrant colors, prints, and glamorous ready to wear, makeup has been following along in its own way. I have never gotten too crazy into makeup - I’m awful with liquid eyeliner, but as I get older I seem to become better at pulling off the smokey eye, the red lip - but that’s about it. I remember in high school I would wear pink eyeshadow because of Avril Lavigne, as she was my teenage muse - and then also went through a phase of purple to make my eyes (green) pop - but it was never really about the fun aspect.
So - last year when Kate Moss stepped out in star face paint for her birthday, I became completely obsessed and have been dreaming about pulling this off on my own. While I don’t go to too many places where face paint is socially acceptable, I have still been experimenting with dark teal shadows, crimson lips, and undereye glitter (not simultaneously). Maybe it’s because I’m in a serious 70’s disco channeling mode right now - but I can’t get enough of that glam rock, Debbie Harry vibe.
It’s easy to be terrified of accidentally reliving the 80’s - but what’s old is new again - and colorful eye shades can be done really well when done in moderation and solidarity - that means JUST glitter, or JUST hot pink, or JUST aqua. Who’s to say you can’t pop into a bar with nail art and some graphic eye interest? I am a firm believer in dressing how you feel - and if you feel like a shining star you may as well draw one on your face.
View a slideshow on metallic beauty on Style.com
Givenchy is one of my favorite design houses, and it all started with how beautifully the name rolls off the tongue - when said right. I hate the Hills - I know probably everyone reading this loves it - but Whitney and Lauren had no idea how to say Givenchy while in Paris - it was so disappointing. Regardless of the meritocracy that is not fashion, I love this little pocket watch of glow because you can give a posh little gift that is so feminine and lux - for $55. The actual compact is an all over highlighter - so, basically a powder that gives you a glowing complexion. I find that bronzer looks so strange in the winter, not so much in Texas now that it’s 70 in December - but in the NE I always felt as though I looked a little Hollywood Tans - and so a sheer highlighter made me feel more like a natural snow bunny. It’s also the perfect companion when going from day to night - if you need a little boost you don’t always need to break out the arsenal - this will do the trick and doubles as a chic little accessory.
Shop Givenchy pocket beauty case $55 @ Sephora.com (free shipping!)
One of the things I hate most about holiday editorial, is the holiday gift guides that have one or two pages devoted to those under $50, and like seven to under $500 (i.e. Elle, which I just can’t relate to – strictly inspiration end use). Beyond that – when they do feature said under $50 gifts, it’s always a tea light holder, lip balm, or coasters. When I buy gifts, pretty much everything falls under that $50 bracket, and how on earth can I give my mom a set of coasters and call it a day? So, for this holiday season this commentary will be devoted to gifts worth giving – that are creative and fun and meaningful – on a working girl’s budget.
For her - runway silhouette necklace by Alex & Chloe $48
For him - skull print flask from Target.com $14.99
Lipstick sales this past month are up 40% according to the NY Times article “Frown Fighters” - which is funny because I’ve started to rock red lips more than ever after Halloween. It really makes perfect sense - you can switch up your entire look for only $6 - and because you haven’t been splurging on clothes & shoes, you can baby splurge on luxury brands with that eye candy packaging you swoon over but always pass up.
Read: NY Times “Frown Fighters”
Image by James Nader Photography
Japanese photographer Mika Ninagawa is keeping my fall colorful with a feature in Vogue - and her new place on my desktop background. Art is extremely important for anyone in fashion, but I have always found certain forms (pots full of urine at the MOMA) hard to relate to unless it’s colorful or vibrant (psychedelics, Jackson Pollock, etc) - and I know that sounds a bit ridiculous. Art History never helped either because I could never understand how professors could know exactly what an artist was thinking - and I still believe they’re full of it. So, I like this chick.
Mika not only conquers the art world, but fashion and beauty as well. She has created prints for Celine - and most recently created a collection for Japanese makeup line, Shu Uemura. Can you imagine the glosses? It’s like the second coming of MAC’s Barbie campaign!
Shop Mika for Shu Uemura @ Sephora.com
Photos taken from: Mika Ninagawa Official Site
This may very well be the cutest perfume packaging ever (and we all know it’s ALL about the packaging). I just ran out of Miss Dior Cherie - and now in dire need of a girly scent (I’ve been using travel size to stave off procrastination). I always wondered how Sephora.com exactly worked - one would think you would need to try out makeup, lotions, or perfumes in real time to truly know what you’re buying. Luckily for ecomm, Harajuku Lovers lists personality types for each perfume (great gift giving) - and to cite the Gwen barbie above, the style is “Tropical, Sunny, & Distinctive”. Everything Gwen touches turns to Gold.
Shop Sephora.com - .33 Ounce $25 and 1 Ounce $45
