Archive for December, 2009
Motives Holiday Gift Set, featuring a palette that can help create a full range of holiday looks. Just $49.95 at motivescosmetics.com!
For me, the trick to gorgeous party makeup that lasts is keeping it sheer and light. Rule #1: Apply your makeup in thin layers — I like to use as little foundation as possible and rely on strategically placed concealer instead. Unless you’re very oily, skip powder and use blotting papers. A tiny pack should fit easily in your evening bag. Rule #2: Apply your makeup with brushes. That’s a trick I learned from Cindy Crawford: It makes you look much more polished. Rule #3: If you go for a rich red lip color, you’ll have to commit to touchups throughout the night. A smoky eye is lower-maintenance, and often just as pretty. Rule #4: As a finishing touch, add some shimmer to your cheekbones, brow-bones and just above the cupid’s bow of your lips. That little touch somehow brings everything to life.
Here are my favorite holiday makeup variations:
1. Red lips + light eye (very fresh and innocent)
2. Smoky eye + light, pinkish beige mouth (sophisticated)
3. Smoky eye + rich, wine-tinted lips (a dramatic European look)
4. Bats-wing black eye liner + pale lips + strong eyebrows (a cool, 60s feel)
5. Pale gold eyeshadow + thin black liner + apricot blush + clear lip gloss (enhances the golden tones in your skin)
Which is your favorite look?
Actress Zoe Saldana, star of Avatar (the new James Cameron extravaganza), claims to be a nerd, but her fashion choices couldn’t be cooler. Take the Versace chain dress she wore to the film’s L.A. premiere – shot with silver and gold, the effect is eclectic glamour. Beautiful and sexy.
Would you wear this dress?
Love,
Loren
Like the rest of you, I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Brittany Murphy. Here, in tribute, a look at the beloved actress’s transformations over the years, from Clueless to Cannes. Which Murphy incarnation did you like best?
Image courtesy of blogs.telegraph.co.uk
Image courtesy of i50.photobucket.com
Image courtesy of dailymail.co.uk
Image courtesy of beautyriot.com
Image courtesy of brittanymurphys.com
Lots of love,
Loren
The trick to buying a stylish, uber-versatile tote is to choose a sturdy, classic shape with just enough detail to make it interesting. A case in point: At the moment, I’m particularly fixated on the muted plaid of this sleek Burberry bag, the embossed surface of Chico’s animal print number, and the rich plum shade of Banana Republic’s leather pouch. Each is artful and cool in its own way.
Saks Fifth Avenue Burberry Double-Layered Check Tote $550
Chico’s Cheetah Tote $62.30
Banana Republic Ruched Leather Tote $98
And no, I cannot choose between the three!
xoxo,
Loren
Through Thursday, December 31st save 15% off your entire purchase at World Market! This discount excludes furniture – use coupon code NWYRAFF at checkout.
Lots of love,
Loren
A lot of my friends are opting for a quiet New Year’s at home with friends this year, which to be quite honest, sounds pretty perfect to me. Besides being completely economical—considering most restaurants are charging nearly $100 per person for the evening—it has a level of intimacy you really want on such a big night. I’m helping one of my good friends design her table for the party and thought everyone could benefit from the cool, affordable party favors we’ve found—from cheap champagne flutes to decorative paper pom-poms to hang from the ceiling.
Mina Tablecloth, $58 at Anthropologie
Punch Bowl Set, $38.95 at Pier 1
Set of 12 Champagne Flutes, $24.99 at World Market
Cocktail napkins, $1.99 for 50 at Ikea
Paper Pom-Poms, $30 for 7 at PomLove’s on Etsy
I have been a guest blogger for the fantastic A Mom in Red High Heels blog a couple of times now and I really enjoy it! A Mom in Red High Heels is a great fashion and beauty source :) I recently did another guest post – this one on getting ready for New Year’s Eve. I talked about how to choose the perfect outfit, different makeup variations and tips (you know, everything us girls worry about before a big party!). You can click here to read the article.
Enjoy!
Love,
Loren
PS: You should follow A Mom in Red High Heels on Twitter! @amominred
Does this ever happen to you -while diligently marking people off your holiday gift list you get distracted by things you like for yourself? Not that you’re actually buying anything for yourself. It’s more of a browsing thing. Well, instead of feeling secretly guilty about it, this year I made my own little wish list and I’m using it to navigate all the post-holiday sales! Almost everything I wanted is marked down now. Check it out.
Banana Republic silk-tiered top: was $70, now $24.99
J. Crew wool peacoat: was $220, now $129.99
Thread Social scallop trim dress at Net-a-porter: was $450, now $180
Kara by Kara Ross flower ring at Vivre: were $215 each, now $60.20
Costume National boots at Zappos: were $868, now $305
What items did you wait to buy until they went on sale??
Love,
Loren
