As the seasons begin to change and we are forced to pull out a whole new set of clothing, that’s the time most people to a cleaning and purging routine. While you’re selecting which clothing items to keep and which to give away don’t forget your makeup needs to be updated as well.
The makeup and the supplies you use to apply it aren't eternal. They do have a limited lifespan and whether the bottles, tins and tubes are empty or not you need to consider pitching the older stuff. This will help avoid infections as well as keep you looking fresh and beautiful.
How long will it last?
Foundation/Concealer - 1 year. After that it will start to lose its vibrancy and can begin to look blotchy when applied to your face. If you use liquid foundation, throw it out when it begins to thicken.
Blush - 1-2 years. You'll know it's going bad if the powder begins to break or crack. When that happens... it's time to hit up the beauty counter.
Eyeshadow - 1-2 years. As with the blush, when it begins to break or crack with use that means it's ready for the garbage can.
Eyeliner - 6 months-1 year. If your pencil starts to look discolored, pitch it! To starve off the bacteria sharpen the pencil regularly. (Liquid should be pitched after 6 months, as there is no real way to get rid of the bacteria.)
Mascara - 4-6 months. When it starts to clump that's the time to dump it.
Lipstick - 1-2 years. If it starts to get rubbery or no longer leaves color behind on your lips when you apply it that is your clear indication it's time to find a new tube.
Lipliner - 2-3 years. Again like the lipstick or eyeliner, if the product becomes rubbery, stops adding color or the product color has changed just throw it out.
Makeup Brushes - Varies. If you take good care of your natural-hair brushes, washing them carefully after use and storing them in a flat place, they can last a dozen years. Anything made of fake fibers should be replaced more regularly. Think every 1-2 years.
Nail Polish - 1 year. It can last longer if you don't use it that often. You know it's over when the contents begin to separate, the liquid begins to thicken, etc...
How to make your makeup last:
Close the bottles/tubes tightly after each use. That will stop the air from getting inside and drying the product out. It'll also keep bacteria out.
Keep all powders in a dry place. Therefore, your bathroom is probably the worst place to keep your makeup bag.
Don't share your makeup with others. (Sure, you've heard it before, but seriously, it's a good mantra to live by.)
Refrain from pumping your mascara wand in and out when applying. That pushes dry air into the product and will make it go bad quicker.
Wash sponges every week.
Wash natural-hair brushes at least once a year.
What item should you be getting rid of this season? I need to replace a brush set that I have had for nearly 6 years.
Do you go straight to Wikipedia when you need basic information about some topic? While the site is not completely trust-worthy for all the details, it does offer a great overview or starting point for research.
Seeing the success of that venture, Madeline Veenstra, the managing director at Lola PR in Australia, has launched WikiFashion. The site works like any wiki, allowing contributors to create pages and edit the writing of others. Page types include blogs, designers, style icons, models, collections, items, brands and shops. WikiFashion is looking for contributors. Registration is easy and after a little tinkering creating pages becomes easy.
The site is in its infancy but growing daily. No doubt in the months ahead you’ll be able to read about your local fashion blogger and a world-renown designer with the click of the mouse. Plus it offers links to the person’s website, pictures and additional links to areas of interest pertaining to the entry.
For example: The New York Fashion Week Fall 2010 entry offers a play-by-play list of the designers that presented collections each day and links to view videos of the show.
Stay tuned for a Tiger Print entry. I’m off to work on posting one now!
I've worked in the retail world on and off for years now, and have found the one thing that has remained constant over the years is the difficulty men have when shopping for a woman. Whether it's a holiday gift, birthday present, or a just-because purchase men struggle with knowing what to buy and where to go. Next time you're shopping try these basic tips to ease the stress.
Note the colors she wears. You may love red, but she may look horrible in it, or maybe her old Aunt Bertha wore it too much. Stick with the colors she wears most often. Those are the shades and hues she is comfortable in and most likely looks the best in.
Know her style. Not every woman dresses the same. Some like more flare in their wardrobe, others stick to simple classic pieces. Some go for understated elegance and others opt for show-stopping attention-grabbing attire. Don't purchase the things you'd like to see her in. Go for the style she dresses in most often. Her style is something she has honed over the years and it is what she most likely feels best in.
Figure out where she shops. Do some sleuthing to find the stores she usually has luck in. Since womens clothing is much more difficult then mens, it is not about just picking up her size at any store you pick. A size 10 in one store may not be a size 10 in another store. She knows the places that fit her the best and will tend to shop those retailers most often.
Know her size! This is something you cannot guess at. And this is the one way in which you can either score points or fail big time. If she is a medium and you buy her an extra-large she might read into that purchase. Likewise if you buy a small and she is a medium the return or exchange hassle is discouraging to you and her.
Now it's time to hit the stores. Try to have something definite in mind before going out. Do you want to buy her a sweater, a skirt, a jacket, a scarf?
If you are still uncertain about what to get or you need help picking between several options your best bet would be to approach a sales associate that had a similar style or body shape as the woman you are buying for. This associate will be able to offer her suggestions of pieces she likes, what she has tried on and found to work, etc...
Do not become discouraged if you don't find anything you like or that would work for the woman you have in mind. When women shop it often takes dozens of try-on attempts to find the perfect fit. Your mission is no less daunting. Don't settle for something you're not totally convinced about. Keep looking till you find the piece she is sure to like.
Make sure to get a gift receipt with your purchase. This will ease the return or exchange process should it be necessary.
To complete an outfit it takes more than matching a top and a bottom together. To have an entire completed look it’s important to consider the details. Accessorize! Honestly, the right necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings will complete an outfit and give off an overall appearance of togetherness.
Accessories to consider:
Your neck. Wear either a necklace or scarf. For scarves, try to pick a color that will compliment your skin color and will match with most of your wardrobe. If you are unsure about the colors try a basic like black or white. For a little less bulk around your neck, try a short string of pearls or a long strand in silver or gold.
Your wrist. Try a decorative watch, a slue of thin bangles, a delicate string of diamonds or thick chunky bangles. Again when picking colors stick with neutrals that will coordinate with most of your wardrobe.
Your ears. Whether you have pierced ears or not, something hanging from your ears draws other's eyes back to your face and shows off what is inevitably our best feature (our eyes and smiles). Simple silver or gold hoops are a great basic. If you aren't a hoop girl try pearl or diamond studs. Even if they are little the time you take to put them in shows others that you care about your overall appearance, but you don't need to stress hours over what to wear.
Your waist. Belts, an obi sash or scarf worn as a belt are now considered accessory-musts to most outfits. Long gone are the days when a belt was used to hold pants at the waist. Now they are used to create the illusion of different waistlines and to cinch coats, sweaters and jackets together. One thick and one thin black or brown belt is a good bet to have on hand. Those will compliment most everything in your collection. Try belting a sweater dress, button-down woven or open cardigan.
Your fingers. A ring or a couple rings can also add a little something to any outfit. This is also an area to let your personal flare really shine. Go for a big bulky ring or a thin band with small rhinestone.
But Beware! Wearing all of these stylish accessories at once will likely look more like a train wreck than a polished fashion statement. Your outfit additions are not meant to compete for attention they are meant to compliment your person and add a little personal touch. Try to pick two, maybe three items to wear at once. For example: With a basic black dress you could wear a scarf, bangles and earrings.
New York Fashion Week has wrapped up; the designers have jet off to London for the next week of catwalks; and fashion lovers remain fixed to their computers to get the latest trends. One great trend I noticed from New York’s week was layering.
Why is layering so great? It allows for more creativity, a little eccentricity, and usually means less skin is on display. Plus, with the simple addition of another piece you can create an entirely different outfit.
Layering certainly isn’t new to the fashion world. It’s been slowly making an appearance for a couple years now. We’ve got t-shirts paired with jackets, then someone added the scarf, and then a necklace. Now you can take that combo and add another jacket or another shirt or two.
Designers this year combined different materials, patterns and textures just to create one look. For example, Rodarte displayed floral short-sleeved dresses with a lighter colored long-sleeved shirt made of gauze and lace. Elie Tahari models strutted in a dress, with a chucky sweater belted, and an overcoat. Tight and boots completed the look.
The draw back to the layered look is that it can leave even the most well-intentioned person looking frumpy and unkempt. There is an art to layering.
Try these basic tips:
Stick to the same color family. Whether your going to go brown, blue, or yellow try to go with colors that can all fit in the same color family. Going crazy on the color will leave you looking more like a clown than an aspiring fashionista.
Think shape. Layering should not diminish the body’s natural shape. It shouldn’t look like you are walking around in a sack. Try a belt or fitted jacket to give some shape and dimension to the outfit.
Go beyond the moment. Maybe you are cold when dressing, but you could step into a warm environment. Make sure layers can be taken off and added as needed without causing embarrassment as to what’s underneath.
Be creative. Layering, whether it’s three necklaces or two shirts and a sweater, is all about creativity. Think outside the box. What can be paired together? Experiment with various options.
To see pictures and videos from the various fashion shows check out Style.com.
Admittedly I used to HATE nylons and tights; I think it's a generational thing. But now that they comes in patterns and colors that are anything but boring they have grown on me.
But picking up the right pair of tights isn’t as easy as a quick trip to the local drug store. There are several factors to take into account…
Shopping 101:
Thickness! This is the most difficult part when shopping. It’s important that your tights still look like tights (and not nylons) when they are stretched over your legs. When comparing pairs stretch the material in all directions. If you can see your hand or the cardboard through the layers the material is too thin.
Design! When going with the design or fishnet trends make sure the pattern runs evenly up your leg. Adjusting to make the design sit right is not worth the effort. (I bought a pair of designed fishnets a couple years ago and the pattern twisted on the left leg! It was horrible.)
Size! We women are infamous for buying smaller sizes just to have the personal satisfaction to know we are in a smaller-than-usual size. But when it comes to tights that is a huge no-no. Buying too small will often mean the dreaded muffin top makes an appearance. GASP! Check the sizing information on the back of the package. If you are between sizes go for the bigger one.
Toes! If you are planning on sporting the peep-toe trend this season the toe area of your tights is all-important. Stay away from reinforced toes which tend to be a different color in the toe section. Also check the toe stitching to make sure it is not a different color and that it can easily be hidden from view. With peep-toe shoes it is also important to buy the correct size, otherwise the material will pull at your toes looking thin and worn.
Boots! For those who plan to wear taller boots and hate the constricting toes of tights, look for a footless pair. As long as the ends are hidden in your boots, no one will know the difference and you’ll be more comfortable. Keep the same criteria for the design, size and thickness.
Wearing 101:
Take out your scissors! The part I hate most about wearing tights is that band that runs along the top that seems to exist only to cut off your air supply. The solution to that is easier than you make think. Take your scissors and snip a slit on the left and right side of this strip. DO NOT cut all the way through the band, but you can cut right up to it. The slits will make breathing easier and wearing more comfortable.
Layering! With all the different designs out there now layering your tights for a different visual effect can be smart. Match solid black tights under a colored fishnet.
Wash them! It’s tempting to throw them back into your drawer or into the washer with the rest of your load, but neither is smart. To make them last and keep their shape it’s smartest to hand wash them with a light soap after each wearing.
Happy Chinese New Year. February 14, 2010 marked not only Valentine’s Day but also the Chinese New Year. In keeping with tradition, this is the year of the metal Tiger. (How appropriate that Tiger Print was just launched!)
According to a wide variety of online sources, the metal Tiger is passionate, honest, hard working, brave and modest. (This is sounding better and better.) Those born in the year of the Tiger are thought to be naturally forgiving and dedicated to family and friends.
Therefore, the Year of the Tiger is meant to be one that is dynamic and powerful; full of changes and social disorder.
The start of the New Year is based on the lunar calendar, so the day changes from year-to-year. The Chinese calendar rotates on a 12-year basis. Each year follows a pre-determined order for the animals; rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Previous years of the tiger include: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998.
Additionally, each year encompasses one of five elemental signs: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The year of metal is supposed to see persistence, strength and determination. Combined, the metal Tiger is often depicted as the White Tiger.
The Year of the Tiger ends on February 2, 2011, when the Year of the Rabbit begins.
The apparent suicide of designer Lee Alexander McQueen shook the fashion world considerably yesterday. The London-based designer was only 40 years old and at the height of his career. Celebrities, like Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Rihanna and Lady Gaga, flocked to his designs and wanted seats at his shows.
While his designs usually incorporated macabre elements, people were shocked to hear that his life had ended. Fashion insiders immediately issued personal statements about their grief and the great loss to the world that McQueen’s death represents. His New York fashion show was canceled and his boutique stores were closed to mourn.
What I find so interesting about this whole story, and so sad, is the fact that the only thing talked about is his work in fashion. Scanning through articles on NPR, CNN, the Huffington Post, The New York Times, and elsewhere readers get a solid picture of his great influence on the industry and a timeline of his rise to fame. But interestingly enough not one article mentions his life outside the industry. There is not one mention of surviving family members, charities he was involved in, causes he supported. According to these sources Alexander McQueen was merely a fashion house and not a person.
(Pic from Telegraph.co.uk)
Even when reading through the personal statements issued by industry gurus there is barely a reference to who McQueen was as a human being. For instance:
Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue: "McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs."
Anna Wintour, the editor of American Vogue: "He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen's influence was astonishing -- from street style, to music culture and the world's museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss."
Hal Rubenstein, a fashion director for InStyle: "He changed the way so many of us see shows."
Ben Bradshaw, UK Culture Secretary: "Alexander McQueen made an outstanding contribution to British fashion. His extraordinary talent and creativity mean that his designs are adored not just by followers of haute couture but lovers of great style everywhere. This is a great loss to one of Britain's most successful industries and to the design world more widely."
Is it just me, or do these read more like statements about a major fashion company going out of business than about the death of a person?
To learn anything about McQueen as a person you have to go to Wikipedia. For the record, McQueen is survived by his father; three sisters; Janet McQueen, Tracey Chapman and Jacqui McQueen; and brothers Tony and Michael McQueen. His mother passed away at the beginning of the month. Many sources are suggesting his suicide comes as a result of the grief he experienced at her passing.
While many of us would like an unlimited budget for fashion purchases, let's be honest we need to be frugal - even more so in recent years. Still, it's important to be current and look our best. The key to dressing current without breaking the bank is knowing the difference between a trend and a fad.
Here’s how to tell the difference…
Defined:
Fads – by definition are in and out almost quicker than you can purchase and wear the item. They last one season, maybe two if you are extra lucky.
Trends – by definition are the fashion mantras that tend to stick around longer than one little season. This does not mean however that a trend current now will still be ok to wear in 10 year (ahem, ladies with your jeans from the early 90s – I’m talking to you.)
Examples:
Fads – Remember those sweaters/pins/scarf’s that had your initial embroidered on them. They were popular about 5 years ago. You looked outdated if you wore it 6 months after you made the purchase.
Trends – Skinny jeans. They first made their appearance a couple years ago. Some people bought them, the celebrities started wearing them, now nearly every teenager and young professional has at least one pair.
Fads – Colors. Besides your basic black, brown, white. The color of the season is necessarily a fad. They last exactly one season, not usually a second longer.
Trends – Capri pants. At one point they were a total anomaly, now the trend is ending. Capri pants are too pedestrian now to last much longer. But they had a good long run.
How to Predict the Trend and Fad Future:
Ok, I admit this is a little difficult. Of course hind-sight is 20/20. I mean who would have thought those letter sweaters wouldn’t last? I mean, hello, Lavern and Shirley used to wear them. Anyway, here’s what I consider when trying to determine if something is a fad or trend:
Is it made popular so suddenly? Yes = Fad. No = Trend
Did the celebrities wear it last season? Yes = Trend. No = Fad
Is it popular in Paris now? Yes = Trend. No = Fad
Does nearly every woman you know own it? Yes = Fad. No = Trend
Why Care?
Well, if fads are going to be out of fashion next season it is going to be a lot harder to reuse the item next fall. And if you are going to pay a pretty penny for a piece, it’s usually smart to try and get a lot of wear out of it so your cost-per-wear is manageable.
The best bet is to purchase fads for cheap so that you don’t care when you bag it up in 6 months and send it to Goodwill. For trends you can spend the good money since you’ll be able to wear it next year, and if you catch it early enough, the year after too.
If you are interested in fashion one of the things you’re always searching for is unique pieces to make an outfit really standout. This doesn’t mean the article of clothing has to be flashy, just a cut above the rest. It should have something that says I’m different, I’m one-of-a-kind, I’m unique. Usually this can be achieved through handmade items.
Looking for these pieces on a shopping trip can be a long and often fruitless endeavor. Or going to boutiques can mean a large chunk of your wallet gets left behind with a small purchase. Why not find these sought-after items from the comfort of your home or office and have them delivered to your door step, all at an affordable price?
Enter Etsy.com! This online portal is the home for all things handmade. You can buy coin purses, wall art, jewelry, baby blankets, candles, soap… basically if you can name it and it can be made by hand you’re going to find it on the site.
The best part is most of the items are unlike anything you’ll find in a basic department store. They are truly one-of-a-kind. Some of my favorites include:
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