Month: March 2016

Spring Fashion Updates

Leave a Comment

There’s no denying that it’s starting to feel like spring in the northeast. Especially with the time change, everyone is starting to feel that springtime bug.

 

I downsized my wardrobe back in the winter and have mostly stuck to a smaller collection of things that I love since then (with the exception of buying all of the activewear to avoid all of the laundry!) Lately, I’ve been starting to add in a few key pieces to update my wardrobe for spring. Here’s a quick look at what I’ve been buying and/or eyeing!

Screen Shot 2016-03-17 at 10.34.03 AM

I originally wanted this Topshop Structured Bardot Top in cream or black, just because I’ve somehow developed an aversion towards actually wearing colors over the past few years, but the only color that wasn’t sold out was this red-orange. I was so in love with the shape and style of it, I decided to buy it anyway, and I actually love it. I think it will get a lot of wear this spring and summer since it’s got a casual, flowy, relaxed vibe, but is structured enough that it can be dressed up for drinks or dancing!

Destructed denim looks so easy chic and cool for warmer weather. I have been wanting to add a pair of white jeans into my wardrobe, but it’s just not practical for me. I’m convinced that on the first wear I’ll spill some green juice or tomato soup or something devastating will happen to ruin them. Instead, I’m looking for a pair that’s a very light wash of denim which can serve the same function as a stark white pair, but a little less anxiety inducing. These Jbrand low-rise crops are the perfect light blue color, and I love that they’ve got both destruction above the knee (which is placed perfectly for us shorter girls) and a raw hem. If only they weren’t quite so expensive!

Backpacks are so trendy right now, and a lot more convenient and comfortable to carry! This one by Rebecca Minkoff has a removable clutch on the front, making your day to night transition even easier. I love the neutral putty color, and it’s large enough to fit a 13″ Macbook Pro. This piece would even transition well into the fall paired with a leather jacket and boots. I legitimately haven’t bought a new handbag since 2014, so maybe it’s time for an update?

On the beauty side of things, I’ve been wanting to stick to a similar effortlessly cool look for spring, which means swapping out dark or bright nail polish for more natural looking nails. I picked up the Deborah Lippmann Genie in a Bottle nail enhancer recently and love that it makes my tortured nails look clean and even and bright and fussfree.

Along the same lines, the Glam Glow Plumprageous Matte Lip Treatment makes your lips look a bit swollen (like you’ve just been making out!) without any added color or shine. It’s great to wear alone without worrying about transfering or smudging while giving your lips just a little extra something, or layered under your usual lip color for a little extra boost. The only complaint that I have is that the packaging and the applicator are tricky and gimmicky, but I’ve gotten over it!

cropped-afav1.png

Self-Tan Update

Leave a Comment

When I lived in NYC, there was a joke about the first warm day of the year and all of the New Yorkers baring their pasty white legs for the first time since the previous summer. Today it’s about 70 degrees in Boston, and in an effort to prevent being one of those jokes, I broke out the self-tan.

I’ve done a post on my favorite formulas before, but like most women, when it comes to cosmetics and body and skincare I’m always on the lookout for something better. When it comes to self-tan, you want something “foolproof”. To me, that means easy to apply, a natural looking color, and unlikely to stain your clothes or sheets. As far as scent goes, I actually like the fake tan smell (Matt likens it to chocolate chip cookies!), so that doesn’t bother me.

Here’s my latest routine:

Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 9.26.56 AM

 

At night:

I’ll dampen the beautyblender body sponge as you would the usual beautyblender. It’ll grow to 1.5-2x it’s normal size and become super soft. I prefer the sponge to a mitt since it’s easier to hold and doesn’t have any edges. It also lasts way longer (as it should since it’s about 4 times more expensive) and since it’s black doesn’t look as dirty.

I’ll use the sponge to apply the James Read Sleep Mask Tan Body. I usually take two pumps each for my chest/shoulders/neck, arms, top leg, bottom leg, and however much of my back I can reach. I’m not usually going to the beach, so I’m not too precious about making sure I cover my whole body, just the bits that would show if I were wearing shorts and a tank. This self-tan formula is clear, meaning it’s a little tough to make sure you’re getting an even coverage, but it won’t stain your sheets/furniture/clothes etc. It also dries very quickly and leaves skin soft!

Then I’ll apply one pump of the James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face to a clean face, making sure to blend into my hairline, jawline, down my neck a bit, and my ears. Again, usually my face will be evened out with makeup, so you don’t need to be extra cautious here, just do your best. The formula is clear and works as a pretty good night serum as well, so I don’t feel like I’m completely neglecting my nighttime skincare routine!

Then make sure you wash your hands!

In the morning:

So I don’t spend a fortune on buying multiple foundation shades to match my various degrees of self-tan, I’ll mix a little bit of liquid bronzer into my usual foundation. Lately, I’ve been going for Benefit’s new Dew The Hoola, but mine has a defective pump so I think I’ll have to return or exchange it. The formula is soft and light and the color is just dark enough to add a little bit more color to my foundation without changing the coverage too much or adding any shimmer or glitter.

If I’ve missed a few spots on my body or certain areas didn’t take to the tan so well, I’ll use the Vita Liberata Body Blur. Usually, the backs of my hands and the fronts of my legs don’t darken as evenly, so it’s usually just there where I’ll need to apply. If I’m going out at night sometimes I’ll use this on my arms since the glisten looks so lovely! This dries pretty quickly and won’t stain your clothes once it does, but you should only need to apply it on exposed skin and it blends in really nicely so it shouldn’t be a problem. It will also help minimize the appearance of bruises or other imperfections. It’s essentially a sheer wash of color in a silicone formula with the finest amount of shimmer you can imagine. It’s gorgeous.

And that’s it! A bit of a project but so worth it to look like you just got back from a weekend at the beach! Now if only I could go spend a weekend at the beach for real…

cropped-afav1.png