BrandHabit

Rock the Fingerless Glove Trend this Fall

One of the more dramatic trends this fall is the fingerless glove. This trend is part of the glam rocker trend and coordinates well with black skinny jeans, moto jackets and studded accessories. But be careful not to go over board. Pair fingerless gloves with a leather vest, tee and jeans or with leggings and a long faux fur belted vest. These gloves are more for effect than for function, as they will probably not keep hands warm during the snowy season.

From Free People, frivolous and fun Sparkle Fingerless Gloves, (upper left, $38 at Shopbop.com). These fine knit 15-inch long gloves feature a multicolored metallic sparkle, ruching on the sides and cutouts along the outer side. Aqua’s fingerless knit gloves ($45 per pair at Bloomingdales.com) come in a wide variety of colors to accent your fall wardrobe. Long knit rib cuffs can be worn rolled up or to full length. Carolina Amato’s fuchsia Snappy Fingerless Driving Gloves (middle right, $41 at Shopbop.com) add a fun pop of color and perfectly accent an all black outfit. From Rochas a pair of Fingerless silk crochet gloves (bottom, right $545 at Net-a-Porter) gives a homespun vintage Victorian look to the fingerless glove trend. Portolano’s Nappa Fingerless Gloves in black (bottom left $150 at Saks.com) are more like a gauntlet than a glove because there are no holes for the fingers. These 9-inch luxe fingerless gloves are lined with silk.

Save on your purchases with Coupon Codes from Shopbop from TheFind.com’s new coupon site

From our friends at thefind.

Pretty in Pink -- Shop and Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Tracey Brown, Beauty Editor

aka beauty guru

So many cosmetic companies are now on board with exclusive products for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that I feel no guilt when I buy a cute little lipgloss or compact or body wash whose proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Research.  I can’t wait to see the adorable packaging and pretty pink products that are limited editions for the month.October of each year affords me the opportunity to splurge on makeup that makes a difference.

 On a more serious note however, I have lost friends and family to breast cancer.  My cousin recently had a double mastectomy and is now a survivor.  When I was 40 I was breast feeding my youngest daughter (that’s what too much tequila in Las Vegas can do for you) so I missed that customary first mammogram at 40 years of age, but since that time I have been regularly getting screened.  Additionally I do my own breast checks in the shower.  If you are not regularly checking you breast for irregular lumps and need to learn how now.  Visit the American Cancer Society’s web page.

While working for the Marin County chapter of theCampaign for Safe Cosmetics, I became friends with Genevieve, a cancer survivor, who now works for the Breast Cancer Fund in San Francisco.  

Some startling data about breast cancer from the

Breast Cancer Fund:

In the United States, a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is an alarming 1 in 8i, and no more than 1 in 10 women with breast cancer has a genetic history of the disease.ii A growing body of scientific evidence points to toxic chemicals and radiation as factors contributing to the high rates of breast cancer.

A Few Breast Cancer Facts

Between 1973 and 1998, U.S. breast cancer incidence rates increased by more than 40 percent.iii In 2008, an estimated 250,000 U.S. women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,500 died of the disease.iv

An estimated 80,000 synthetic chemicals are registered for use in the United States; fewer than 10 percent have been fully tested for their effects on human health.v

Emigrants from low‐risk to high‐risk regions face increased risk of breast cancer, especially those who move before age 20.vi This and other data tell us that characteristics of modern societies affect risk.

 

A great resource to insure that proceeds from you purchases are actually funding breast cancer is thinkbeforeyoupink.org.

 

My Shop Pink Picks

 

1.  Sonia Kushak BCRF Brush Up on Pink 4-pc. Purse Set, $12.99.  15% of sales from each item goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available at target.com.

Sonia Kushak Brush Set

2.   Jane Iredale Christina PureMoist LipColour, named for cancer survivor Christina Applegate.  $19  Two dollars of each purchase goes toward a minimum donation of $25,000 to Living Beyond Breast Cancer. 

 Jane Iredale Christina Lipstick

 

3.  Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Moisturizing Bar Soap $4.  Available at avonfoundation.org.

 

Avon Soap

 4.  L’Oreal  Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag , $29.95 at drugstores.  $5 from each cosmetics bag sold goes to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. 

 

L’Oreal Color of Hope Cosmetics Bag

 

 5.  Du Wop Purse Your Lips, regularly $23, now $17.25 at Beauty Habit.  10% of proceeds go to Cancer and Careers.

 

Du Wop Purse Your Lips

 

 6.  Estee Lauder Evelyn Lauder Lip Set, $22.  $500,000 goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

 

Estee Lauder Pink Ribbon Collection

 

7.  Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection, $40.  $35,000 goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Bobbi Brown Pink Ribbon Collection

 8.  Smashbox PHOTO FINISH LIPSTICK TO BENEFIT SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE , $22.  A portion of proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Smashbox Phto Finish Susan G. Komen for the Cure Lipstick

Happy shopping and I’m sure you will be pretty in pink while supporting breast cancer research!

 

More Beauty Tips at Blinging Beauty

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk to the Rescue!

by Tracey Brown, Beauty Editor

aka makeupchica

I have a love/hate relationship with my hair.  It seems that I love to abuse it and then hate it when it reacts to the abuse.  Well, between sun, sand and salt water, various home coloring ventures and an omnipresent pony tail, my hair sustained some serious damage this summer.  I seem to enjoy taking my hair to the point of no return and then finding some miracle cure. 

Well, miracle cure I did find!  Carol's Daughter Hair Milkresurrected my hair from a lifeless wreck to lively luscious locks.  My crazy frizzy hair is now manageable, shiny and despite the multi-coloring effects (I need to see a professional), it's actually stylable.

Why I love Carol's Daughter Hair Milk:

• It's chalk full of good stuff -- soyybean oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, wheat germ oil and essential oil of lemongrass.
• It's not heavy
• It revives the hair
• Controls frizz and enhances curls
• It smells great naturally

And it lacks all those ingredients that we just don't need:

• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Synthetic Fragrances
• Synthetic Dyes
• Petro-Chemicals
• Phthalates
• GMO
• Triclosan

Plus how can I go against what O Magazine had to say?

"Even women whose relationship with their curls is harmonious most of the year find themselves at war when the mercury and humidity rises. The lush blend of nut oils and shea and cocoa butters in Carol's Daughter Hair Milk fortifies coarser, tighter curls, which tend to be the most parched and vulnerable to breakage." - Stephanie Tweito Jacob, O The Oprah Magazine

Last but not least, my former employer Sephora named it one of their Best Products for 2008.  All the beauty experts in the world just can't be wrong.

So, have you Got Milk?  If not get some (Carol's Daughter Hair Milk that is) and drink up.  Your hair will thank you.

 

 

The Fall Fashion Files

By Carlina Harris

As of two days ago, the air has been crisper, the leaves falling and shriveling up at faster rates than normal, and chunky knits have been pulled out of hiding around overstuffed closets worldwide. Its officially layering season, or fall, for the less fashion obsessed.  To celebrate the first day of this grand season, my sister and I went to a Calvin Klein event sponsored by Lucky magazine. We talked, shopped, sipped, snacked and fawned over the models great fall items available! I left the store wondering why I hadn't been an avid Calvin girl before. The items were pretty reasonably priced, extremely chic and totally wearable! My favorites were the huge chunky gray scarves, and an amazing pair of suede platforms.

                                       

    Unfortunately these pumps are no longer available in 7.5, not even online!

                                               

My sister and I were enjoying some cocktails when a German tourist came up to us and said "you Americans start drinking so early here", said early drinking time- 6:30PM. Where I responded, "Hey, its happy hour!"

                              

This is how fall layering should be done. Leather jacket, dark denim, bright chunky scarf, ankle boots, structured handbag, and major confidence!

                                                                                  

She looked so chic, a hybrid between Jackie O glamour, and Samantha Jones, powerhouse PR agent!

The models were perfectly put together. We gossiped... how did they got their arms to be sooo skinny?!

Ease into Fall with Wrap Front Sweaters

Get set for fall with a wrap front sweater. It’s official, fall is here and either you are still in the midst of an Indian summer or the cool crisp breezes have arrived in your city. This time of year can be tricky as we make the transition to cooler weather. The wrap sweater is the ideal solution for layering. It looks modern and in gray neutrals you can work it as one of your wardrobe’s basic essentials. Gray coordinates perfectly with blue denims, white, and black. Since black is a predominant color this season, you can’t go wrong with a gray sweater. Pair it with a thin leather belt to enhance your waist and dress it up for the office or wear it draped and casual for weekends.

Some of our picks for Gray wrap sweaters include this Vince Cashmere Wrap-Front Sweater (top left, $295 at Bloomingales.com) with a deep draped v-neck that can be worn with or without a layer underneath. The long slim sleeves add a nice contrast to the looser draped faux wrap front.  Another style from Vince is the Trim Wrap Cashmere Cardigan with Belt, (upper right, $335.00 at Shopbop.com). This style is more of a structured cardigan with a shawl collar, yet it hangs beautifully from the body and is easily cinched with a thin or wide belt. The sophisticated look of this dark gray cardigan makes it one of our absolute fall must-haves.  The Soft & Sexy Wrap, (bottom right, $39 at VictoriasSecret.com) is the perfect frugalista find and it is a convertible style which you can wear six ways. The Soft & Sexy Wrap is made of cotton/cashmere and comes in a range of 10 colors. Alice + Olivia’s Drape Gray Wraparound Sweater, (bottom left, $330 at Shopbop.com) is a fine knit sweater made of a 80/20 wool cashmere blend. This sweater can be worn open as a shawl collar or buttoned up behind the neck and draped around the front as shown above. A pretty, casual and comfy look for weekends worn with your favorite boyfriend jeans.

Save with coupon codes for Shopbop.com from TheFind.com’s Coupon site.

From our friends at thefind.

Fresh Matte Looks for Fall -- Update your Makeup!

When MAC Studio Fix hit the market in the ’80’s, I nearly lost my mind.

 No pores, no imperfections– as a matter of fact, no skin was even showing.   I loved that perfectly finished face.  I emulated my makeup muse Sade daily — pony tail, matte face, dark brows and red lips.  Needless to say, I ditched that look in the  few years decade, and dove head long in to the dewy, luminous look.  (I’m old — I need to make up for estrogen loss!)

Matte Today is fresh not dry.  Skin actually shows, but minus the shine.  A touch of color give your matte face life and vibrancy.  Leaver your shimmer and shine for the club and the sparkle and glitter for the kids.  Try out a new take on matte makeup.  Check out these steps  to have the hottest look in Matte.

 

Matte Makeup at Anna Sui

1.  Prep

Philosophy never let them see you shine primer

never let them see you shine

Never Let Them See You Shine:  dramatically reduces oil and shine while providing a velvet matte finish, instantly minimized pores and a provides a shine-free canvas.  Can also be mixed with your favorite foundation makeup for instant oil and shine control.

2.  Even Skin Tone

Cover FX Powder FX PressedMineral Foundation SPF 10

Powder FX Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation

Oil absorbing, anti-shine, mineral-rich, matte finish foundation with sheer to moderate coverage in 17 global shades.  Perfect for oily, normal/combination  and ideal for acneic/sensitive skin.

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation

NARS Sheer Matte Foundation

Minimizes visible discoloration, brightens and clarifies overall skin tone. Absorbs oil and controls shine.  Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic. Fragrance Free.

3.  Add color

Rock & Republic Contrived Pressed Blush (matte finish)

Rock & Republic Contrived Blush

Use a light hand for a natural flush.  Rock & Republic Contrived Blush in Bedroom or Foreplay.   (not the colors pictured)

 

Click Here to Finish reading Fresh Matte!

Good Clothes and Good Causes, Part II

By Carlina Harris

When we parted ways last week, I was to attend a fabulous fashion show in Santana Row, and fabulous it was! As you can see from the picture above the setting was immaculate, elegant and chic! I had a desirable second row seat, and loved being up close to the action. 

Upon entering the coveted roped off area, my date and I enjoyed a beverage provided by Vintage Wine Merchants. I could see the seething glare of the Real Housewives of Santana Row, behind their Gucci shades, wondering where their invite to this exclusive party was. The atmosphere was humming, the pseudo red carpet for paparazzi pictures was packed, the line for the hors d'oeuvres was long, and the beverage table boasted dozens of empty wine bottles, everyone was in good spirits!

Soon after taking my seat, a little too close to starting time- a la celebrity- the clubby music began. And out came designs from Santana Row's very own boutiques and merchants on amazonian women--and men! First up were designs from Anne Fontaine, strutting down the curvy runway to French pop!   C'est si bon. Check out those shoulders!

Some of my favorites were:Y-3, Cole Haan, Anthropologie, Oakley, St. Croix, Brooks Brothers, Lucy, Boutique Harijuku, Donald J. Pliner, and obvi all the shoes!

 

 

                         From sizzling secretary wrap dresses at Brooks Brothers, to runner chic, sporty spandex at Y-3, everything was well styled and put together. I thoroughly enjoyed the hi-low mix of brands, the great outfit selections for women, men and children, and loved that there was a bridal segment, this show had it all!

The warm summer night beckoned me to dress the part, so I opted out of fashion black, and went with a cobalt blue cap sleeve zippered number, with a studded belt, vintage clutch, and ferociously high, five inch heels! To bad I didn't get a full outfit pic-I was kinda fierce!

The proceeds for Friday's night events went to the Hispanic Foundation of Sillicon Valley, and the show's turnout was amazing. Thanks so much to Ed Kiley and his team for allowing me to attend this memorable event (and Francisco for being my photographer)!!!

The Power of Purple

Purple is shining bright this fall. The wine colored hue, which looks fabulous on almost any skin tone. Be it violet, lavender or berry I am loving this color for fall. It reminds me of the fall grape harvest in Napa Valley, only an hours drive away!  These purple frocks and accessories are ready to harvest. Don them for fall and you’ll look amazing with this versatile hue that can be paired with black, grey or white. Give your LBD the evening off with this one-shouldered berry hued dress, “Ruby Rox” Satin Dress ($79.00 at Macys.com).  Is it a cuff or a watch? The belt-style purple watch from Marc by Marc Jacobs ($250 at Net-a-Porter) has a hidden watch and is a fun accessory for keeping you on schedule. Stand out from the typical black leather jacket with a Washed Leather Biker Jacket from Doma ($620 at Net-a-Porter). Steve Madden’s purple platform cut-out bootie ($90.00 at Piperlime.com) is a fun shoe to add a splash of purple to your wardrobe.

Save $20 off orders of $100 or more at Macys.com from TheFind.com’s Coupon site.

From our friends at thefind.

Fall Trend Makeup -- Dark Lips Do's and Dont's

I love, love, love fall makeup and fashion.  Unfortunately, the best of fall is previewed 6 months early in February of each year. Who is ready to buy for fall when summer is right around the corner?  I do get excited when I see the fashions, the colors the new products, BUT, I’m just not ready for the to embrace fall when I’m on a diet trying to get swimsuit ready for summer.  

Right now, Spring 2010 fashion shows are in full swing at Bryant Park in NYC. (long sigh here) But are you ready to wear spring fashions? NOT.  So even though every self-respecting beauty editor and blogger has already written about the fall trends, 6 months ago as a matter of fact, now is the time to check out the fall trends and get on board.

One fall 2009 trend that hit the runways with a vengence was the dark lip.  Let me tell you something about this trend, you have to bring it!  If you want to rock the dark lip, everything else must be in place — makeup, hair and your fashion!  This is one trend that is not for the faint of heart.  Think of motorcycle chic or the edgy black dress when you adorn your lips with your dark lip color.  Please don’t try to mix boho with dark lips — you will resemble Bozo. 

 A word about TRENDS.  It’s just that, a trend, don’t take it too seriously, because it will change.  Rihanna is known for edgy glam swagger, and can pull off the dark lip trend with ease. On occasion, trends are here to stay — such as the smokey eye, it’s a trend that has become a makeup must-do.  Also, remember to make the trend work for you, every trend doesn’t work for everyone.  So you may have to tweak the dark lips shown here to get your personal  signature dark lip look.  And if you are not up for the black lipgloss that was on the runways, here are some viable options for you to check out.

 

FALL TREND DARK LIPS DO’s:

1. Keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum. 

Chanel Iman

 Lipsticks

NARS Fast Ride

MAC Dark Side

Urban Decay Confession

CoverGirl Berry Souffle

Tweak– apply a little lip balm before your lip color and blot.  Then apply lip color.  This will lessen the intensity of your lipstick. 

 

2.  Try a dark lipgloss for day.  Less saturated color is easier to pull off.

 

Jessica Alba

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Good Clothes and Good Causes

By Carlina Harris

Hey Dolls!  Remember last week when I was complaining of a fashion show-less fashion week? It seems the stylish ones heard my prayers rantings. This Friday, I am attending the oh so chic, Santana Row's 5th Annual Fall Fashion in the Park Runway Show, in San Jose, Ca. This event has been talked about for months now, and I feel so privileged to be attending!  It will be fabulous, and best of all will be benefiting one of four South Bay non-profit organizations! Good clothes and good causes, what more could a trend crazed dame ask for?

There are two shows both Friday and Saturday, and tickets are still available from what I hear. Not only do you get to see what will be major for fall fashion at the show, also included in your ticket: is a pre-show wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, private shopping boutique (to pick up all those amazing looks), and a post show soirée!

I love that the models will be wearing all Santana Row fashions, including: Anthropologie, Cole Haan, Furla and Blue Jeans Bar to name a few.  7PM: I watch the models strut fab moda. 8PM: I buy and strut my new fab moda! Style that is locally accessible, and relatively inexpensive is my kind of show stopping fashion!

I of course will be doing full show coverage of what I see, and who I see on Friday just for you! So expect a full update next week.  As I pack up my Louboutins, and black fashion week garb, my little vogued out heart is pitter pattering with anticipation.....
***I'm a model you know what I mean and I do my little turn on the catwalk***