Carolina Herrera's 10 Style Rules

Carolina Herrera is basically the classiest woman on the planet.  Please pay attention and take notes.  

1.  A full-length mirror is the most important accessory a woman can own.

2.  Do not be afraid to wear color.  A woman who walks into a room full of black dresses wearing red, pink or orange is stunning and everyone turns to look.

3.  Trends make everyone look as though they are wearing a uniform. It is best to wear what is most individually flattering and appropriate for the occasion.

4.  A crisp white shirt looks wonderful for the day or evening; every woman should have one they love in their closet.

5.  It’s important to dress for your age. What looked good at 15 will not look good at 40.

6.  Don’t forget to be feminine. Glamour and elegance are always something that attracts attention.

7.  Dress according to your personality.

8.  Your hair and makeup are very important. Women over 40 should maintain short hair.

9.  If you don’t have taste, you will never be stylish. Style is a state of mind. It is how you live, how you wear your clothes, what you read and what you love. It has nothing to do with money.

10.  Be mysterious. Mystery is the most important quality for a woman. Elegance is an attitude.

Image and text courtesy of SaksPOV.com

New Site Saturday: Into the Gloss

This is my new favorite blog.  Seriously.  Must read.  I guess I just love those 'favorite things' style articles and posts, and I can't get enough of IntoTheGloss.com.  I have never been much of a beauty products person, so this is a real eye opener for me, and I love how her subjects range from the simplistic to the beauty-maven.  Add this to your rss immediately.

IntoTheGloss.com is a blog dedicated to Beauty, from the Inside. No, not from within, although that’s great too—Inside in this case means Inside the fashion industry and on the street. You’ll find influencers from editors to stylists and models divulging their carefully curated products, routines and inspirations. You’ll find makeup artists, hair stylists and myriad other specialists talking about what makes them tick, their top tools, and their visions of what’s to come. You’ll see backstage. You’ll see product highlights. And you’ll see the new kids on the block— the assistants, the up-and-comers—along with the intriguing characters out and about, who are shaping our idea of modern Beauty.

—Emily Weiss

Editor, IntoTheGloss.com
September 10, 2010

 Image and above text courtesy of IntoTheGloss.com

Lush Lashes via Rapid Lash--It Works!

We have all been inundated with Brook Shields and her lovely lashes courtesy of Latisse, but guess what: Latisse is well over $100 for a 30-day supply and you need a prescription.  There must be a better (i.e. - easier and cheaper) way, and there is.  Last June my mother saw Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today Show raving about a product called Rapid Lash.  My mom, having sparse eyebrows and barely there lashes, was immediately intrigued.  She ordered two tubes online that week and has been using it nightly ever since.  Rapid Lash has same principle as Latisse: The product comes in a tube that reminds you of liquid eyeliner, and you draw a line of the gel directly on your lash line once a day and wait for the magic to happen.  It can also be applied to your brows to thicken them up.  When I went home for the Holidays my mom's eyelashes were soooo long.  My mom has never had long eyelashes!  Of course, I had to try this out for myself, and now I am totally hooked.  I have even noticed the lashes on my right eye are a bit longer than the left most likely because I apply to the right eye first and there must be more product on the wand.  Crazy right?  Anyway, Rapid Lash has received the official Shitty Chic seal of approval.  It normally sells for $50 on the Rapid Lash website, but there are plenty of listings on Amazon for $30.  Just think of all the hassle you will save yourself on fake venus fly trap lashes or its even creepier cousin....lash extensions!

 Lashes have no mascara on!

Rapid Lash official website

Purchase on Amazon.com

     

Solace for Winter-Worn Skin

You can winterize your boat, your wardrobe, and your summer home, but what about your skin?  I have recently discovered the Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream from Kiehl's that has turned my winter combination skin (dry cheeks coupled with an oily forehead that wreaks havoc on my bangs) into a dewy delight that makes me forget about indoor heat and gusty walks to and from the subway.  And, the best part about it is the price: under $30.  I don't buy the hype and marketing surrounding uber expensive skincare.  I trend towards simplicity and this moisturizer completely fits the bill.  I apply the lotion from the eyes down after my sunscreen, and my skin feels--and looks--like spring (or at least has the sheen of warmer days ahead).  I am not a big makeup person regarding skin: sunscreen/moisturizer and a bit of something on the cheeks is as far as I go, so this is the perfect winter pick-me-up.

Minx Nails...Are They Worth the Dough?

Unless you have been in Siberia for the past six months or so, you have most likely heard of Minx nails. The newest thing in "nail fashion" according to the Minx website, it has been sported by Beyonce, Rhianna, Lady Gaga, and is now available in a nail salon near you. But, at $40 a pop for a Minx manicure, you have to ask yourself....is it worth it?

My dear friend Heather Futterman recently got Minxed, and I decided to put her phalanges to the test. Just for the background on Minx, it is a film with an adhesive backing that is applied to your nails with heat. It was originally used for automotive decals, and you can have truly reflective metallic finish (as opposed to what you get with silver polish).

What she loved about them:
1) They look awesome in ways conventional nail polish just can't achieve (like metallics). 2) They really stay on. Minx may come up a bit at the tip of your finger or nail bed, but it can be fixed with a hair dryer. 3) They peel off when you are finito.

What was not so great:
1) The price. It was $40 + tip for a Minx manicure in the city of the sub-$10 manicure on almost every street corner. 2) It only lasts for about 2 weeks. Once your nail grows, it's over.

The verdict: If you need your nails to wow, are going on a two-week vacation with no access to touch up, or have endless amounts of money to do a beauty binge, Minx nails are a very fun thing to play around with. However, for the price of one Minx mani, I can probably have three standard NYC manicures and tip the little ladies quite nicely.

Click here to get Minxed in your city

Last Minute Christmas Longings

Ok, here is my dream top five Christmas wish list. Price is no option, items can magically appear under the tree via Santa (no overnight shipping required), everything will fit perfectly, and basically, no holds barred. Get ready to swipe that plastic!

1. Bottega Veneta Maxi Hobo - $1995

2. Vince Leather Leggings - $895

3. Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet - $1000

4. Mason Pearson boar bristle and nylon brush - $100

5. Rick Owens leather jacket - $2034

What is your ultimate sartorial Holiday wish?

50 Gifts Under $50: For Her (#1-10)

Do the words "Holiday gift giving" make your palms sweat and your knees weak? Not anymore! This week I will be featuring my picks for 50 gifts under $50. There is no reason not to find great things within a reasonable budget so you can spread plenty of Holiday cheer. 10 great Holiday gifts will be posted each day which fall into the categories of Her, Him, Home, Eat/Drink, and Mixed Bag.

So, here are my qualifications for a gift to make my coveted list:

• It can cost no more than $50 before sales tax.
• It must be something fairly luxe and fall into the category of an item that the recipient may wish to have but out of practicality would never spend their own money on.
  
• It must be relatively easy to find (either online, national retailers, or adequate substitutes are available).
• Finally, it has to be something I would love to receive or would personally give to a friend or family member. I would never recommend something I wouldn't pony up for myself.

Here are 10 wonderful gift ideas for her (girlfriend, best friend, sister, mom, etc.):

Let someone you love play Cinderella.

Rent the Runway giftcard - $50 for one designer dress rental

Who doesn't want nice-smelling underpinnings?
Lavender sachets - $28 for three

If you can't have a quilted handbag, go with the hands.
Chanel nail polish - $23 each

Say sayonara to your legs in Leggs.
Wolford Velvet Deluxe tights - $42


The cream of the crop from root to tip.
Mason Pearson hairbrush - $50

Unlike Holly Golightly, we all can't keep losing our key.
J. Crew crushed glitter minaudiere - $49.50

Glam up her morning mirror time.
Sonia Kashuk Twist of Fate 6pc brush set @ Target - $19.99

Keep winter skin at bay with the ultimate moisturizer.
Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm - $42

We all know the best part about going to the salon is having someone else wash your hair.
Blow NYC giftcard for almost two blow outs - $50

A fabulous guide to staying chic and shopping smart.
The Style Strategy by Nina Garcia - $14

Day 2: For Home
Day 3: Mixed Bag
Day 4: Food & Drink
Day 5: For Him

Your Guide to Fashion's Night Out Freebies

Little did I know when I planned my most recent business trip that I would be missing A) a good portion of Fashion Week (boo hoo), and B) Fashion's Night Out (double boo hoo). If you live in NYC, you have been inundated with posters, advertisements, and every shop window screaming about Fashion's Night Out on Thursday night. If we will so kindly remember the retail meltdown that happened last holiday season, this is the fashion industry's attempt to remedy the "world is ending so I may as well die in clearance cashmere" and put the "fun back into shopping"...or so the PSA says. Let's face it: consumers saw how much retailers were willing to hike up their skirts to make a sale, and now it seems incredibly painful to pay full price for anything.

Well, lucky for us, even if you shop on September 10th, you can still come out of the night with tons of free booty. Here is your guide to looking fabulous for free all evening.

• Start off at Pure Yoga for an unlimited free weekly pass. Only worth it if you live/work on the Upper East Side. Located on 86th. I think my nose bleeds when I go that far Uptown.
  
  
• Head to Bumble and Bumble for a free glass of bubbly and a styling session. You want to be camera ready, and the booze will numb the stiletto strife as the night goes on. (56th and Lex)
  
  
• Why pay when you can get one for free? Free official Fashion's Night Out t-shirt at Gucci.
  
  
• It's a beauty bonanza at Saks. Tons of deals, free brow shaping, and swag, swag, swag.
  
  
• Move downtown where you know the party is going to outlast those old bags on the Upper East Side. You are probably hungry (and drunk) by now, so swing by Unis (Elizabeth at Prince) for free Thai food.
  
  
• Free manicures at Chanel in Soho or Tracy Reese (Hudson at Gansevoort). Let your food digest before the last big push.
  
  
• Finish the night with a bag of beauty swag at Space.NK (Greene near Spring) or a free Mentha Lip Shine at CO Bigelow.
  

I think you have worked very hard this evening to get spruced up and replenish your beauty stash. Enjoy, and I am so jealous you will be there! Any crazy stories, major attitude, or juicy bits I would love to hear about? Leave a comment, and let me know!

For more awesome frugal finds for Fashion's Night Out click here.

For more on Fashion's Night Out click here.

Five Musts for Your Hair Arsenal

I asked Jordan Sparkes, my resident hair sensei, to give the quick and dirty 5 things every girl must have in her hair arsenal. When I was in college I got my hair cut at Toni & Guy, and I think they used at least 13 products on my hair each time. Ladies, this tactic is called "the hair show" and is completely unnecessary. Less is more when it comes to product, and you don't need a bathroom full of potions to look amazing.

Jordan Sparkes' five must-haves:

1- A great hair dryer (3000 watts or higher). They are much more expensive than the Conair one you bought at Target but very important if you want decent results.

2- A mild setting lotion to hold your blow out or curl, whether it be natural or applied with added heat. We have all used these products before but never really knew their importance. Example: mouse, curl enhancer or straightening cream. My favorite product in the world is Garren New York Designing Spray Tonic.

3- If you have a severe bang, spikes, a set you want to last a week, or generally anything you don't want to budge in the wind don't half ass it: get something that says freeze, maximum, cement, rock hard hold....you get the picture. My favorite is Blasting Freeze Spray from Got2B. The can looks like bug repellent, naturally!

4- A great hair clip. You never know when you'll need a quick fix to pull yourself together. Arm yourself with the tools to pull off a quick ponytail, chignon, twist it up, whatever! It could be a thick or thin rubber band that matches your hair color, comb, or butterfly clip. Just think simple--black, silver, brushed metal, something that can go with whatever you're wearing. But, nothing too flashy because it's all about being easy and looking pulled together yet effortless.

5- A good brush. C'mon really? This beachy look is out of control. There's a fine line between looking beachy and dirty!

The short list:

Blowdryer
Setting lotion
Hairspray

Hair band or clip

Brush

xo-
Jordan

Don't Get Mad, Get Even

I am currently a little obsessed with Mad Men. Really, I think most people are, and unless you live in a cave you know this show is causing a fashion/beauty tidal wave of early 60's inspiration from scarlet lips to pencil skirts. Who doesn't want to turn their numbing cubicle life into a little Don Draper fantasy? Well, it can all start with the makeup. I for one am glad the days of hats and nylons are over, but that doesn't mean you can't spice it up with a few simple tricks up your sleeve...or in your makeup bag.

According to Lana Horochowski, the show's makeup department head, she uses drugstore finds to paint the gorgeous faces of the ladies of Mad Men.

Lana's 3 steps to get a Mad Men inspired look:
- Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs to make limbs look flawless
- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in shades like Cherries in the Snow that have actually been around since the 60's.
- Andrea Modlash....not the tranny glam venus flytrap lashes. Go for thickness over length, and be sure to apply a few coats of mascara.

I know we have all been slaves to gloss and bronzer for the past however many years, but those days are over my friends. As fall comes rolling in, this is the most on point look you can have.

Check out the full article on Style.com.

Mini Shorts

One of the necessary extravagances I allow myself is the mani-pedi. Granted I am not heading to Bliss or any place fancy schmancy, but there is a GREAT place on Bleecker between Thompson and Sullivan called Gigi Nails that does a manicure-pedicure for $23 every day. I think they are one of the best budget nail places in NYC.

Anyway....I am currently obsessed with Essie Mini Shorts nail lacquer. I first heard of it in a Vanity Fair profile of Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's creative director. She said she always gets Mini Shorts on her toes. Of course I had to check this out. After a summer of doom and gloom which has felt much more akin to living in Charles Dickens's London than New York, this nail color is the breath fresh air I need. Don't get me wrong, it is bright construction/hazard/day-glo orange, but in a strange way it looks very modern, perfect for summer, and has no ties to tragic early 90's hot pink. This is my new summer staple polish; I can go back to Wicked once it gets cold out.

Best Brazilian in NYC

Yep, I am going there. Way down there. South of the equator. I have been to the famous J. Sisters and the way popular (but disappointing) Bliss Spa, and my go-to lady to take care of the hair down there is Mariola at Haven Spa in SoHo. Their Brazilian bikini wax is a very economical $41, and Mariola is really just the best. Enough said.

PS--They are running a special through June 15: Brazilian bikini wax for $25 Monday-Thursday until 4pm.

Haven Spa
Mercer between Houston and Prince
212-343-3515

Best Bargain Mascara

I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect mascara. Non negotiable traits include: 1- Lengthening, 2- Volumizing, 3- Won't be mistakened for raccoon at the end of the day, 4- Easily washes off at night when doing half-ass face cleansing, 5- Will not look completely scary the morning after tying a big one on.

I have found it, my loyal followers! A mascara that does all of the above! L'Oreal Double Extend with "Beauty Tubes Technology" (half red/half white packaging) is just wonderful. I first heard of this 'mascara tubes technology' years ago from a mascara in Kevin Aucoin's makeup line. So, when I started seeing commercials for L'Oreal's offering in the "minimal committment" $10 range I had to give it a whirl.

Step 1: Brush on the white side which has little fibers that lengthen and thicken your lashes. Step 2: Use the other side of the tube with the black mascara. Super long and thick lashes somehow appear. No movement or southern migration during the day is a huge plus for this mascara. I will say washing your face is a little scary since the mascara doesn't really come off in tiny, little tubes like you are expecting.....they look more like a bunch of tarantula hairs, but whatever. I love this stuff!

Check it out!

Tame Those Talons

• Two manicures a month = $24 (the only thing cheaper in NYC is a mani/pedi)
• One year's worth of said mani = $288
• Sephora 4-Step Buffer = $5
• Cost savings = $283

The numbers don't lie, my friends. This is a great trick for well-kept nails on a budget. And, in my opinion, nothing looks worse than chipped, dark polish. Your nails may have been professionally done by a very talented person of Asian descent, but now they are looking more guttersnipe than glam.

This buffer from Sephora is my favorite out of the countless ones I have tried: comfortable in the hand and long lasting. My favorite look, especially for easy breezy warmer weather, is buffed nails and immaculately painted toes (a must in sandal season). Do the buffing yourself....salons usually upcharge at least $2 for the buff, and be the master of your own fingernail domain.

Sephora 4-Step Nail Buffer

A Mighty Mane---Best Cheap Haircut in New York

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am absolutely shameless about promoting things and finds I love...especially if they are my friends.

Getting my hair cut at Garren New York is one of the biggest indulgences in my life, and I would rather eat peanut butter sandwiches then give up this habit. Lucky for me one of my best friends, Jordan Sparkes, is my stylist, and he is truly a hidden gem in NYC.

A great haircut will make or break your look, be the perfect "accessory" you never have to remove, and make you look nothing but gorge. An uninspired cut from Jean Louis David or wherever looks just that. Take my word, I went from bland bob to Cleopatra-style bangs one chilly November afternoon, and it has changed everything.

Jordan has worked with countless celebrities (Madge, Gwyneth, Posh), models (way too many to name), fashionistas, us mere plebeians. With these kind of notches in the belt--and having learned from the master, Garren himself--Jordan is poised to take one look at that mop and morph it into something absolutely fabulous.

Garren New York
Jordan Sparkes
Hair cut: $100
Blow dry: $60