V-Style

Who Can Wear Coral Lipstick

Without interest in television, mass news or You Tube; I find myself  at the mercy of my social circles, a small collection of requested e-mail notifications, and press releases. You may be surprised the range of pop culture knowledge the word of mouth and my Inbox brings me. One of my recent press release treats involves the fabulously bizarre music video, Stevie Jobs by  nuvo-jazzy pop singer Petite Meller. The tune may not be your cup-o-tea, and the gargantuan mouse covered in maple syrup may not be the most pleasant sight, but I adored Petite's use of Yve Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture in orange imagine.

This bright coral shade stands boldly against her fair skin, blonde hair and neutral hued outfits. I find Petite proves this almost neon shade works best with neutrals like white/cream and black. It will also work with navy and grey. You don't want to pair this shocking shade with other bright colors like red, purple, pink or green. If you are feeling more daring, a happy yellow or brilliant blue pairing can be a fun exception.

As for who can wear coral lipstick, fair or very dark skinned is best. If you have red or strong yellow undertones, best to skip the coral shade. You want contrast between the color of your face and the bold lip. Otherwise, your look goes 80's and/or your face seems to bleed into a wound in the mouth region.

Skin Care For Dry Acne Prone Skin

I had baby fresh skin for as long as I could remember, but for the past three years, I have had blemishes and witches step all over my face. I believe the problem came from testing out too many products, over washing, aging, and using the wrong moisturizer and sunscreen.

When the blemishes began, I was horrified. Since I had never really washed my face or used any products, I figured that was the issue. I decided to wash my face constantly. The constant washing made my skin dry, which called for moisturizer. Then I would put sunscreen on my face to protect my skin from the sun. I have always been addicted to sunscreen - a lesson I never forgot after getting a terrible sunburn on my face when I was young. I live in fear of feeling that pain again. Unfortunately, my fear of sunburn gave way to vanity. The combination of intense washing and sunscreen was making the blemishes worse. I decided to start skipping the sunscreen and moisturizer. This helped with the blemishes, but for the first time in my life I looked old. My dry, sad skin had grown huge pores. I caught sight of my face in the mirror at a restaurant one night, and felt true vain fear for the first time. I am too young to have old skin. I went back to sunscreen and moisturizer, but the blemishes intensified again. Finally, I decided to wash my face less. I am to wash my face in the shower after my morning run and before I go to bed, no more that that. I also decided  I was not allowed to touch my face or think about its issues. My skin got better, although not amazing. 

The final pieces of the puzzle came together when I visited Girl On The Go Spa. She introduced me to Lucréce zinc sunscreen and informed me not to use any SPF moisturizer at night. SPF moisturizer is for protecting you during the day, not healing you at night. I purchased the Lucréce sunscreen to use exclusively for my face, (Banana Boat, Aveeno and Nuetrogena will only be used on my body from now on), I stopped using my SPF moisturizer in the evenings, and started using my mom's recommended night cream, Weleda. My face is finally under control. Now I can see the skin I used to have. I am beyond excited. Beyond. Who knows if it is the total combination, maybe my skin just settled, but this is the combination of products I am using now, and my face is almost completely back to normal. This is the best I've looked in years. Pictured below is my mug sans make-up or Photo Shop. Yes, I look washed out and tired, but I don't even want to show you what I looked like sans make-up and Photo Shop last year. 

Face Wash: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

I would prefer a less chemical based face wash, but this is what is working for me right now. I will keep my eye out for a more natural equal. I am open to suggestions.

Day Time Moisturizer: Sheer Cover SPF 15

I put a nickle size dollop on the tips of my fingers, then pat my entire face, neck and decolletage with it. A few weeks ago, I was using it at night as well, but I know better now not to do that.

Sunscreen: Lucréce Clear Zinc Solar Protection SPF 30 (Light Tint Silicone)

Even though I am told the bottle will last me 6 months or more, at $55 for 2.5 oz, I use it carefully. I put little drops on my fingers tips and dot it around the areas most susceptible to the sun: my high cheek bones, the center of my forehead, the top of my nose, the center of my decolletage, and my chin for luck. I tend to just use my pointer finger, adding more dots of liquid as I need it. Although, the price keeps me gentle with its use, the fact is you actually don't need a lot. This is a high quality product that works with every drop. There's no need to slather. I put a minimal amount of this sunscreen on my face every morning for a week while I was putting in 16-hour days on a TV show. I was in and out of the sun constantly, yet I never burned or reddened. Another reason to be stingy with its use is its tinted quality - too much of this product and it looks like you are wearing full face make-up.

Eye Make-Up Remover: Artisana Raw 100% Organic Coconut Oil

I love the purity of it and it works like a charm. I just dip a tissue in it and swipe at my eyes. I use it before I wash my face and then again afterwards.

Night Cream: Weleda Iris Hydrating Night Cream

Due to its thickness, I apply it the same way I apply the Lucréce to avoid a heavy application. I live in apprehension that using too much product will ruin my skin again. I also don't like my skin to rely heavily on outside resources. For years and years, my skin operated perfectly on its own. I never washed my face nor used a moisturizer - only basic sunscreen touched my face. I secretly believe it was the introduction of face wash that sent my skin into a spin. The less I use of everything, the better. I figure the more your body uses something, the more it needs it.

Eye Cream: Eyetality

This is an eye cream and eyelash grower in one. I see a difference in my lashes, but I don't really see much of a difference in the skin around my eyes. I believe wine and age is giving me dark circles and bags, and I don't believe this eye cream is putting up much of a fight. Still, I use it every night. I do like the lashes perk, but when I finish it, I will search out a new one.

The Toenail Polish That Goes With Everything

A clear nail polish is the true universal language of everything goes, but if you want something more bold, you'll be interested to know a soft or deep blue-green will do the trick. Specifically speaking, Orly's Ancient Jade will work wonderfully with practically any outfit you have, save a garment in that hue, but, seriously, how often do you wear solid colored aqua clothing? Usually this is a shade that is used as an accent in a print, not an entire garment - most designers know this color does not belong near the face. It will wash out most skin tones, making it perfect for the feet... or fun jeans.

As for the rest of the spectrum, a blue-green toenail polish will work with black, brown, silver, gold, purple, pink, medium blues, dark blues, red, orange, white, yellow, burnt sienna, grey, and so on. The week I had Ancient Jade toes, every client asked if I had coordinated my polish with my outfit. In response, I admitted no, this color just happens to go with everything. Unlike red, which will clash with everything accept neutrals and black which will interrupt earth tones, blue-green toes are a fun way to compliment a rainbow of outfits. 

La Fresh Waterproof Make-Up Remover

Last week, the commercial I styled for La Fresh featuring Fairly Legal's Virginia Williams started airing. I loved dressing these fabulous young women and the beautiful Virgina Williams, but I am so bummed the commercial didn't show off more of the fabulous outfits! My favorite look I put on Virginia Williams would have to be the BCBG red bondage dress that is only shown for one second from the shoulders up. It always breaks my heart when a fabulous look ends up on the cutting room floor. 

As for the products, I love them. One of the biggest perks of styling commercials is the generosity of the companies. I took home handfuls of the La Fresh waterproof make-up remover. At home, I use Artisana 100% Organic Raw Coconut Oil to remove my eye make-up, but when I travel, which is often, I can't be taking a big 'ol glass jar of oil with me. The awkward jar issue is quite the bummer because I am making a serious move to choose simple and healthy products over complex chemical products as much as possible. Thankfully La Fresh is paraben free and contains no alcohol, making it my go to for make-up removing on the go. I also use their acetone free nail polish remover pads, which is a serious godsend. Every other "good for you" nail polish remover my mom has tried to get me to use does not work. La Fresh's remover absolutely works, comes in an efficient rectangular shape, and has a thick texture that can remove nail polish off both hands with a single  pad. All the nail polish remover pads I have used in the past are flimsy thin circle shapes that make you use a bunch in one sitting. La Fresh's nail polish remover also smells shockingly good. I am so in love with it, I actually volunteered to give a testimonial for the nail polish remover. That too ended up on the cutting room floor. Bummer.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. In fact, La Fresh is unaware I have mentioned them.

Giveaway: Be A Bombshell "Hot Mess" Lip Gloss

This month V-Style is giving away Be A Bombshell's "Hot Mess" Lip gloss. "Hot Mess" is a fiery red hue that will wake up your face. In my own make-up bag, I am using Be A Bombshell eyeliner and blush. I adore the eyeliner with its thick handle and consistent swiping. Its hard to go wrong with blush and Bombeshell's rosiness is proof positive. To win the gloss, comment below why you want it in your make-up bag. Contest ends on May 1rst and is only for United States residents. The winner will be e-mailed on May 2nd. If the winner does not respond within three days, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!

A winner has been chosen! Contest Closed. Thank you all for participating and I hope you continue to enjoy V-Style!

Very Easy Hair Updos

You style, dye, cut and fill your hair with product. You put a lot of time and money into your hair to make the most of your swinging locks, but some days you want to, or have to, just throw that hair up. I am a woman who spends very little time on my hair and almost always wear it up. This begets my inclination for easy, but attractive up dos. And when I say easy, I mean easy. I posses ZERO talent in the hair category. I hate when you read these how-to's in magazines. They think I am going to take more than four minutes on my hair? They crazy!

The Sleek Ponytail

Step 1) This works best if you took a shower so you have clean slate hair instead of bed head with bumps and kinks to fight. 

Step 2) You can blow dry your hair or not. If you do blow dry, do it any way you like, no special instructions here. 

Step 3) Take a brush, if you hair is wet I recommend the wet brush. Brush hair back and straight. (Curly hair folk may be left out of this one). Once all the tangles are out, bring all your hair to the center back of your head and hold it in your fist. Black hair should use a black hair tie, brown hair should use a brown hair tie and blond should use a tan or yellow hair tie.

Tip: If you have gross ends, take a wide curling iron and curl the ends in a chunk so it curls up cutely versus being a pointy split end mess.

The Bun

Step 1) This involves the pony tail. Once you have the pony tail, take the tail and twist it around the base of the hair tie.

Step 2) Insert bobby pins into the mass until it stays. Use bobby pins of all the same color, whether it be black, brown or blond bobby pins. Funky tip: dark haired women can stick blond hair pins into their and blonds can stick black pins in their hair. Just make sure they are all the same and placed symmetrically around the bun so it reads as intentional, versus trashy. 

The Hair Claw

This is my go-to. Pull all your hair back as if about to put in a pony tail. Once it is in your fist, use your other hand to bring the tail end to the base. This means you folded the ponytail in half. Point the fold towards the top of your head. Use hair claw to secure the fold to your head. Sometimes I just create a mess atop my head and stick the claw in. It doesn't look amazing, but it is a fantastically presentable option when you only have two seconds. 

The Skinny Headband

Add to any of previously listed up do to create a more interesting look and give the impression of volume atop your head. Simply place on your head. 

Top Five Holiday Gift Ideas For Mom

 

Hands down, moms are my favorite person on my shopping list. There is nothing more rewarding than giving a gift to someone who gives so much. In celebration of Mama, here are five fabulous gift ideas for the mothers  in your life that deserve a lovely treat...

1) Spa Breaks

A massage, facial or any kind of pampering is absolutely, hands down, the best gift idea for a woman who has given birth.

2) Kendara Scott 'Danielle' oval earrings - $58

They are elegant, timeless and ageless. Jewelry is never a bad idea for gift giving. Just be sure of her pierced ears.

3) Custom Made T-Shirt Memory Quilt

I recently worked with a mom who had a full section of "memory" and sentimental tops. This is what she wore for every year to her daughter's horse riding competition, this is from a past job, this is from a grand event, her youngest daughter gave her this and so on. We all have the "sentimental" section in our wardrobe, but when it takes up a hefty amount in the closet, maybe its time to put it somewhere else... like on a quilt! A custom made memory quilt is a wonderful way to hold onto memories without wasting precious closet or drawer space. Also, now that they have a real use, you can relive the moments far more often.

4) Maid Service

I don't care what kind of mother you have, she is either cleaning right now or has cleaned in the past. Give the woman some much needed help and hire a monthly, weekly or one time maid service.

5) Personal Stylist

Most businesses are jam packed in the holiday season and then slow in January and February. As a personal stylist, mine is the opposite. Even if I didn't refuse shopping appointments after mid December, I would not be as booked as you would imagine. It is January, February and March that become insane because people are buying up my services via gift certificate in December to be used in the new year. Every other day this month, someone contacts me to purchase a gift certificate for their mom and I got to tell you, mothers LOVE it. This is one of the few times they get to look at themselves and really think about what they want.

Product Review: Silver Linings

Maybe my feet are not stinky enough. I usually don't post product reviews that don't have me raving, but I don't think it was Silver Linings fault that I am not raving. Silver Linings are ultra thin shoe liners that don't alter the fit of a shoe and are infused with Agion, an antimicrobial silver based technology that prevents bacterial odor in shoes worn without socks. 

Back to my feet not being stinky. I should have thought about that before I agreed to try them out. I never wear socks and my feet and shoes never stink, however this was not something that I neccesarily knew about. This product literally brought to my attention that I have weird feet that never stink. 

I decided to try Silver Linings the day of my best friend's wedding because she made us wear crazy tall Charlotte Russe shoes and I thought anything would help me not eat pavement. Even as I put them in the day of the nuptials, I thought back to the press release, these are not supposed to affect the fit... why I am putting these in? Oh, yeah... for the smell, but... (this is when it occurred to me that my feet don't smell, ever.)

When I got back from the wedding I smelled every single one of my shoes. They basically smelt like shoes, with the slightest hint of not a shoe. How nice.

Anyhoo, here is what Silver Linings did do for me. It absorbed the dirt from my dirty feet. The linings were originally blue and they are now basically black while the shoe underneath is still nice and clean. It also absorbed the light sweat from my feet, keeping my feet from slipping too deep into the peep-toe. This is great because the last time I remember wearing too high of heel, my feet did sweat a little bit from working so hard to stay in the shoe. Between the lubrication of the sweat and the gravity of the high heel pushing me towards the front of the shoe, I ended up with my toes curling the edge and a gap at the back of the heel. This did not occur with this Charlotte Russe shoe as bad as it could have, although one of the linings did end up shuffling towards the front - that I did not like.

It is also a bit expensive. You pay $15.99 for a set of three and each pair lasts up to one month. It would be cool if you could keep switching them to other shoes, but every time you take it out of the shoe, it is a little less likely to stay put the next time you use it. Still, if stinky feet is an issue for you, it might be worth it.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. If I am sent something that is unimpressive or boring I don’t write about it.

Product Review: Luxor Pro’s “Wet” Brush

I have terrible hair. I have useless, sexless hair that limps its way along, gripping my scalp with minimal strength. It is not productive to say such things about one's permanent head accessory - I have actually made it a rule to stop demeaning my locks and stifle my balding jokes - but this is all relevant for this product review. After this I vow, no more bad hair chatter.

Due to my fear that my thin hair will continue to suck and perhaps suck more if I treat it badly, I am very kind to it. I try not to blow dry it or wash it too much. I pat it dry after a shower and don't brush it while it is wet. Plus, I avoid hair ties when possible. This gentle life that I provide my hair is richly annoying. 

Then I get a press release about Luxor's Pro's "Wet" Brush. This brush massages while it untangles and works through tough snarls on wet hair. Obviously it is supposed to work on dry hair too.  

To test it properly I made sure to avoid conditioner as well as any product that could possibly make brushing wet hair easier. I also made sure I ravaged my hair with a towel to make it a complete mess. Between the hatred of my hair and how tiresome I have become over products that don't work, I really wanted to put this brush to the test. Perhaps it was a rageful day for me... So, I took the brush and basically brushed as fast as I could to try to prove the brush wouldn't work. 

I could not believe how easily it tamed my hair. I was shocked. I was confused. I love this brush. I love it. It effortlessly worked through my wet hair without any pulling or tearing. I barely lost a hair. It was so easy on my unconditioned hair, I thought perhaps I was previously mistaken about brushes and wet hair. After a few days of using it, I tried my other brush on my wet head and immediately got stuck and lost some much needed strands of hair. Turns out I wasn't mistaken, this brush is that good at its detangling task. I love this brush. It weighs nothing and doesn't look like much. I love this brush.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. If I am sent something that is unimpressive or boring I don’t write about it.

 

Product Review: Revlon Custom Eyes Eyeshadow

I don't have a real make-up talent so when I was requested to review Revlon Custom Eyes in the Mettalic Chic color I was excited about the compact diversity of it and the little cheat sheet for applying on the back of the eye shadow. The highlights:

•  Each eye shadow pallette contains four eye shadows and one built-in powder eyeliner that provides a coordinated eye look.

• Includes a ‘how to’ guide on the back of packaging for those with little imagination or lack of make-up talent.

At first I tried to apply it with the little thing it came with and I was sorely dissapointed. I find it to be a waste of materials for eyeshadows to come with that cheap little brush. It does not work. Once I threw the brush away, I just used one of my fingers for each color and applied the eyeshadow to my eyes following the instructions. I used a small movement of my pointer for the #1 step, a poke of my middle finger for the #2 step, a sweep of my ring finger for step #3 and a blot of the pinky finger for #4. I loved the look! Although, I recommend skipping the silver portion and putting more of the bronze there instead (4). Obviously you can use the silver for another look though. Step 5 I just skipped and used my usual eyeliner instead of their powder version. I tried it at first and it didn't seem to go on so I skipped it.

I wore the look last night (about 5 hours) and I loved that it lasted and didn't seep into the crevices and wrinkles of my eyelids like most eyeshadows do. I couldn't believe how fresh I looked at midnight! Usually at the end of an evening, my eye make-up has nudged my face into crack whore status. 

I can't tell you how excited I am to have quality, idiot proof, stylish make-up. No more of this two trick pony business of never using more than one color at a time. I feel so interesting now.

As a side note, I don't believe any make-up artist or dermetologist would recommend putting your fingers in your make-up for bacteria reasons. I usually use a brush but this make-up application pictured above required such small areas of color that, to me, didn't seem possible with a make-up brush.

My product reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I never accept payment for product reviews although I am given the sample to keep. If I am sent something that is unimpressive or boring I don’t write about it.