NYFW 2014 Updates: Day 2 (Friday Feb 7)

Cushnie Et Ochs

Cushnie Et Ochs Autumn/Winter 2014-15-NYFW by kusja on polyvore.com

Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller Fall 2014 NYFW by polyvore-editorial on polyvore.com

Travel Essentials

I'm headed back to school very soon and have been packing my things, which always takes so much more time than expected.

 One thing I can pack on a moment's notice? A carry on. 

Here are my essentials:

Passport Cover: My boyfriend bought me the cutest red passport cover (he has extremely good taste) that is perfect for traveling especially because the bold color stands out in the mess that is my purse. 

Cable Knit Socks: Call me a grandma, but I get so cold on planes. I'm definitely that person wearing a coat the entire flight. I always bring an extra pair of super warm, knit socks for when I fly. Really helpful!

Glasses: I have not-so-great vision (probably the result of reading under the covers my entire childhood), so flying without contacts or glasses is not an option. For longer flights when I can potentially sleep, I wear my glasses and bring a pair of contacts with solution in my carry on.

 Perfume: I always feel so gross after I fly, so I spray some perfume on right after I get off the plane. 

Lip Balm: Especially in the winter, lip balm is a must. On planes, the air is so dry that I constantly reapply lip balm the entire flight. 

Moisturizer: I also pack a mini moisturizer in my bag. I use a really gentle unscented one that I can use on my face or hands to keep them moisturized. I also make sure to drink a ton of water.

Book: My main activity on planes is reading. Depending on the flight length I bring 1-2 books. It's nice to be able to unplug from social media to just get absorbed in a great story.

Other things I don't forget?

Earphones and Emergen-C

Bon voyage!

xoxo

One Dress, Five Ways

Madewell is my favorite store ever. The clothes are youthful and perfectly on trend. Take this pale pink silk pleated dress. You heard that right: pale pink. silk. pleated. dress.

Talk about versatile! And to prove it, I've styled this dress five different ways. Read on:



Cocktail: Throw on a boucle jacket, an embellished belt (I love the ones from anthropologie!), pearls and some classic black patent leather pumps and you're off to a cocktail party.

Formal: If you're headed to a formal event, play up metallics. Pair this dress with an embellished jacket, metallic flats and a beaded headband for an ultra chic and sparkly look.

Semi formal: Out to dinner with friends? Channel your inner rocker by pairing sweet pale pink and knotted pearls with a biker jacket and studded boots.

Date night: Going out tonight? Stay warm and comfortable while remaining chic by throwing on an oversized cable knit. The short and flirty hemline of the skirt balances out the baggy sweater. Pair with a long pendant necklace and shimmery gold flats for a feminine look.

Everyday: Dress down this flowy dress by sporting a jean jacket, neutral sandals and a basket purse. Kate Spade's Little Minka is the perfect size for running errands. It can fit everything from your wallet to an iPad and then some!

Happy styling!
xoxo

Perfect Pout

Perfect Pout by prosepearlspolkadots

I don't like wearing a ton of make up in the summer. Something about a lot of eyeshadow and mascara sounds sort of sticky in the heat. Therefore, I've been really into bold lips lately. Paired with just minimal eye make up (just a little liner &/or mascara) and a tinted moisturizer, a bold lip is a fast, easy way to make anyone look put together. Here are my top tips and products for perfecting your pout:

Tips:

Exfoliate: It is really important to scrub your lips before applying any kind of product. I usually just use a damp wash cloth and warm water or my tooth brush, but there are also special lip scrubs that are gentle for really sensitive lips.

Moisturize: To make sure color doesn't settle into fine lines in/around your lips, apply a light layer of lip balm and let it absorb for a minute. Then use a kleenex to blot off any excess.

Lipstick: Lipstick always used to be so intimidating to me. If you aren't used to applying color straight from the bullet, try a lip brush for build-able color. I dab a few dots on my lips and then sort of rub it around until it fades more into a stain. I add more color if I want a more intense look.

Lip Liner: I always thought lip liner was kind of tacky until I learned the right way to apply it. I was reading an article in a magazine by Bobbi Brown (she's the best) that suggested applying a matching liner after lipstick to prevent color fading mid-day. This really works!

Lip Gloss: Applying just a little bit of gloss in the center of the bottom lip gives the appearance of fuller lips. Apply a dot in the center and blend outward.

Products:

Lip Scrub: I recommend Mint Julep by Lush & Fabulips by Bliss.

Lip Balm: EOS lip balm is great and the packaging is cool but bulky (I like the mint flavor), Kiehl's lip conditioner has a bit of a cult following and resembles Carmex in texture, L'Occitane Shea lip butter is my favorite and is essentially fragrance free.

Lipstick: MAC lipstick is available in a wide range of shades (I recommend: everyday- See Sheer, bright pink- Speed Dial, berry- Craving and neutral- Twig). For a more luxurious pick, try YSL lipstick. Kate Spade's lipstick in Bashful Blush is a your-lips-but-better color and looks very natural. Aqualillies for Tarte is a great coral color that stays put all day- even at the beach! NARS lipsticks are the best long-lasting formula I have tried. My favorites are pinky neutral- Niagra and red- Jungle Red.

Lip Gloss: MAC's lustreglass tastes amazing and the applicators are really cool (like little paint brushes). Dior's lipgloss is a great texture- not too sticky! Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker (what is that name...) has gained a lot of popularity lately for its long lasting qualities. NARS' gloss in Super Orgasm (another awkward name) is my favorite lip gloss ever. It looks great over any lipstick or on its own. Finally, Benefit's California Kissin is a really cool minty lipgloss that claims to help with fresh breath. The blue pigment in the gloss also helps teeth look whiter!

Lip Pencil: First up, Clinique's chubby sticks aren't really pencils but they look great over lipstick. NARS' lip pencils are awesome, however, they don't match the brand's lipsticks very well so I opted for Make Up For Ever's incredible lip pencils. They only come off with make up remover and don't look flaky by the end of the day! Obsessed! Finally, Bobbi Brown, NYX and MAC's lip pencils are all pretty comparable. I opt for MAC as they go well with MAC lipsticks.

Smile big!
xoxo

Four Eyes: Glasses for Guys & Girls

In eighth grade I went through that really unfortunate, yet totally inevitable glasses-braces-breakouts phase. While my school didn't allow middle schoolers to wear make up, I tried to make the best of things by picking a pair of cute glasses. Today, I wear contact lenses, but every now and then I like to give my eyes a break and sport my glasses.

Here are my favorite picks for frames and sunnies (and some options for guys too!):

Four Eyes by prosepearlspolkadots featuring plastic glasses

Enjoy!

xoxo

Best Body Products

Best Body Products by prosepearlspolkadots featuring a bubble bath

Whether you're looking to splurge a little on a treat to pamper yourself or you just want something basic to get the job done, these body products will have you looking great from head to toe.

Body Lotion | I love Kiehl's Creme de Corps. It's an amazingly luxurious lotion that actually will change the texture of your skin after a week. I also love that it is unscented. However, one scented lotion I love is Vaseline's Cocoa Butter. It's ultra moisturizing and smells light.

Shaving Cream | Right now, I'm using Shave Works Pearl Souffle Shaving lotion which is amazing! Shaving creams that are more like lotions work best, so I also like EOS's Ultra Moisturizing Vanilla Bliss Shave Lotion, especially paired with Cocoa Butter lotion.

Body Wash | Philosophy always has the best scents. For summer, try out the melon daquiri bubble bath/shower gel/shampoo. In a pinch it's a great multi-tasker. Also, Olay's moisturizing body wash smells great and leaves skin feeling silky smooth (it can also be used as a shaving lotion).

Extras | H&M's cashmere lotion is awesome to add a little extra shimmer for a special occasion and Shave Works' Cool Fix is amazing post-shave.

Exfoliators & Body Scrubs | Right now, I have both of these products in my shower. Soap and Glory's flake away smells insanely good and is really moisturizing while exfoliating. However, Biotherm's Lait Gommage is one of the best products I've ever used.

Enjoy!
xoxo

Maintain Your Mane: Tips for Salon Status Hair

Maintain Your Mane by prosepearlspolkadots featuring pureology

You know that just-out-of-the-salon feeling? Where your hair is silky soft and ultra shiny? Imagine having that every day. It took a lot of experimenting, but I think I've figured out how to get permanently silky hair between cuts by using the right products at the right time.  This post describes my hair care routine and products I have tried and recommend for different hair types:

In the shower

Shampoo: I have to shampoo my hair every day since it is so fine and I have bangs, but people with nice, thick hair can usually get away with shampooing every other day (my friends who are lucky enough to be able to do this have amazing hair). I use Bumble & Bumble Tonic Shampoo which is really good for stimulating/clarifying the scalp so hair doesn't go flat and it's color-safe (I have highlights). For dry hair, I recommend Phyto Ultra Nourishing Shampoo and for color-treated hair I recommend Pureology New Volume Shampoo. Massage shampoo in vigorously for 30-45 seconds and let sit for about a minute.

Condition: Your scalp naturally conditions your hair to chin length, so for hair below chin length, conditioner is needed. Pull your hair into a low ponytail and coat strands with a quarter sized amount of product. I use Pureology Essential Repair Conditioner but also recommend Ouidad Climate Control Conditioner for frizzy hair and CHI Infra Treatment for hair that is often heat-styled.

Out of the shower

Prime: Before heat styling, I try to get most of the water out of my hair by towel drying. Then, I massage a hair primer in and comb. When I'm in humid weather, I use Living Proof Prime Style Extender, but most days I use Bumble & Bumble Prep.

Protect: I usually let my hair air dry about 60% before blow-drying (mainly my bangs which don't look so great air-dried). I use Bumble and Bumble Styling or CHI 44 Iron Guard before blow drying depending on what I have on hand. They're both great products.

Blow dry

Shine: Moroccan Oil has become a huge trend because it makes hair super shiny.  While I like this product, I also love Bumble and Bumble Shine (I'm a huge fan of the scent of the BB line).  I apply this to the ends of my hair for major shine.

Hold: Back up a few steps, my fine-haired friends. Before blow drying, massage an egg-sized amount of Living Proof Thickening Mousse into your hair for thick style that stays all day. To tame any flyaways or frizz, use every hairdresser's favorite hairspray: L'Oreal Elnett.

Before Bed/In The Morning

Repair: About 8-12 hours after this little ritual, repair your hair to prevent split ends. I love Carol's Daughter Split End Sealer. It smells great and works amazingly! However, if you don't want a creamy product in your hair, use Ojon's Repair Oil on your ends. It's also great.

xoxo

Make a Statement: 8 Gorgeous Statement Necklaces

Statement Necklaces by prosepearlspolkadots featuring kate spade necklace

Statement necklaces are huge right now. They can completely change an entire outfit. The eight linked above are perfect for any outfit and offer options for any budget-- I hope you give them a try!

Happy shopping

xoxo

Breaking the Rules: Taking Fashion Risks

Fashion Risks by prosepearlspolkadots featuring a drop waist dress

I've always been big into following rules. No detentions or suspensions, no conduct violations or black marks on records.

Fashion rules, however, are different. Because unlike rules in school or life, fashion rules are made to be broken. 

Now, I'll address some fashion risks that often aren't taken as they break conventional rules about what is (or in this case isn't) chic.

First, let's look at mixing patterns. While some cringe and remember childhood photos filled with polka dots and plaid, mixed patterns can look grown up. There are a few ways to achieve this mature look. The most basic way is to use similar color schemes like I've done in the "day" look. By taking the brown and cream tones from the colorful shorts and reintroducing them in a polka dot blouse, the outfit looks cohesive rather than confusing. Likewise, the "night" outfit mixes elegant textures. The silky, ocean-toned dress is in contrast with the geometric orange clutch. However, the two work together as they share white and are complementary colors.

Next up is sheer and lace. Now these materials are tricky. If used properly, sheer materials and lace won't look trashy and cheap but rather delicate or even edgy-cool. The "day" outfit uses feminine "lace on lace" and highlights the collar bone with a sheer panel at the neck of the peplum top. Paired with a neutral, ladylike bag, this outfit is perfect for brunch or afternoon tea with grandparents. The "night" outfit uses a slip to ensure that not too much skin is shown, yet the outfit remains edgy with the rocker skull-embellished clutch.

Finally, sequins. I love anything shiny. Day or night, I will (and do) wear any variation of sparkle- from metallics to glitter to sequins to embellished jewels. However, keeping sequins elegant and not costume-like can be tough. Sequins are not reserved only for dance class or nights out, as some often think. The "day" outfit highlights the importance of making any kind of glitter the focal point of the outfit.  By pairing sequined shorts with a cream blouse and black quilted bag, the outfit becomes appropriate for causal wearing. The night outfit also is based on this, adding an edgier pleated leather skirt. Something to note about sequins is that they can often look almost too edgy. To soften things up, I opt for feminine accents (for example the quilted bags or the soft bow blouse).

Now go break some rules!
xoxo

My Make Up Routine

Make Up Routine by prosepearlspolkadots featuring highlighter makeup

Make up shopping is simply the best! Purchasing just a new lipstick can totally change the tone of your outfit for the day- from classic red lip to a sultry smokey eye, make up completes any outfit.  Personally, I like to keep things pretty natural with my make up, focusing only on one feature to emphasize (usually my eyes, but sometimes I opt for red lips). I love a clean line of liquid eyeliner, a shimmery champagne eyeshadow and lots of black mascara. So without further ado, here is my daily makeup routine:

First I prime my skin with Make Up For Ever's HD Primer and my eyes with Urban Decay's Primer Potion. I let these absorb while I choose my outfit for the day or blow dry my hair. Then, I apply a sheer layer of Chanel's Vita Aqualumiere foundation with SPF all over my face and cover up any remaining imperfections with Benefit's Fake Up (in the summer, I usually just stick to the concealor and skip the foundation). I set my face make up with Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Powder.  For lips, I usually opt for a blush tone such as Kate Spade's Bashful Pink. I contour my cheeks with Nars' Laguna Bronzer and apply Nars' Orgasm Multiple to my cheeks and blend. To emphasize eyes, I use a Dior Eyeshadow Palette and blend a shimmery bronze or champagne color all over my eyelids (my palette is a bit different than the one pictured above, but I couldn't find a photo online). I then use a very light cream color in the inner corners of my eyes and on my brow bone. I line my eyes with MAC eyeliner and then finish off the look with YSL's Babydoll Mascara (a new obsession).

xoxo

Skincare Routine Featuring Kiehls

Skincare Routine Featuring Kiehls by prosepearlspolkadots featuring a kiehl s

As much as I love fashion and make up, I spend a lot of my time researching skincare. Clear, beautiful skin is the best accessory you can have and is hard to fake.  While I've always had pretty clear skin, there are times (especially since moving across the country) when I've found my skin feeling dry and rough or breaking out (hello, stress). Now, more than ever, I've been researching the best products to make my skin look its best and I have to say, I think I've finally gotten to that point. Here's what I do to keep my skin in tip top shape:

Morning: 

I use Kiehl's Ultra Face Wash both in the morning and at night to wash my face (after brushing my teeth and dealing with contacts, that is). After I rinse off the suds, I splash myself with cold water. This wakes me up and also closes up pores. I use Kiehl's Blue Astringent Toner applied with a cotton pad. After, I put three drops of Kiehl's Dark Spot Correcting Serum on my palms, rub them together and then press into my skin.  Let me tell you, if you buy one product buy this. It is really incredible! I have fair skin, so this product prevents sun damage, heals acne scars and even keeps blemishes away. I finish off by moisturizing with a mix of Kiehl's Skin Rescuer and Liquid UV Protect. Sometimes I apply a little bit of Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye Cream under my eyes but I usually forget. Sun protection is the most important part of skin care!

Night: 

After a long day, I love pampering myself (and my skin!). I feel like my time getting ready for bed is the only guaranteed "me time" I have no matter where I am. I first rinse off my makeup with warm water and Kiehl's Ultra Face Wash, then I reapply the face wash and go over my face with the Clairsonic Mia. After rinsing, I splash cold water and apply the same Blue Astringent toner. Then I use a few drops of Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Serum mixed with Dark Spot Correcting Serum. Finally, I moisturize with Skin Rescuer and Rosa Arctica Eye Cream. 

Weekly: 

Twice a week, I exfoliate with a gentle peel (I'm allergic to glycolic acid found in most which is a bit limiting) or grainy exfoliator (kind of depends on whatever I have on hand- I usually just use random samples for this, but I love ExfoliKate by Kate Sommerville). Following this, I apply a clay mask (I love Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Clay Mask). I first apply a light layer all over and then add an extra layer on my forehead, nose and chin to make sure I don't miss any spots.

Hope you found this helpful! What is your skincare routine? xoxo