Wednesday 17 October 2012

Fall 2012 lipstick shades

RED

It's no surprise red is back this fall.  I personally love red but to be honest, sometimes I feel awkward wearing it. Why? It feels like everyone is staring at your lips (especially if you have bigger lips) But there is no doubt, the second you lather your lips with a deep red, paired with a defined cat eye, there is nothing to feel awkward about. Red lips can easily give you a high fashion look! This fall you can explore a deep red or show your attitude with an electric red.  How to overcome the awkwardness? Acknowledging that you look damn good in red lipstick and let your confidence show. You can rock anything and wear anything as long as you don't forget the most important accessory: confidence.

Alessandra wearing MAC Ruby Woo
In case you don't already have your favourite red, I have put together a list of trendy and reliable red rocking shades!

MAC Ruby Woo



Smashbox True Red
NARS Dragon Girl Siren Red
NARS Cruella Scarlet Red




Also try: YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Le Rouge, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Love Lipstick in Outlaw.




 MAKE A STATEMENT

I am delighted to see that deep purples are in this fall! Purple and plum colours always manage to find their way back almost every other fall, so it's important to find some great shades that you can get the most use out of. Just be diligent to be softer on the eyes. Darker Shades of purple look exotic and bold with nice vampy eyes.



 Here are some great choices you should try, both from NARS (Can you tell I am obsessed with NARS yet?)

NARS Train Bleu Aubergine Lip Pencil






NARS Volga Deep Aubergine Lipstick


 NATURALLY NUDE

Every girl should have a perfect nude lipstick! Not just for this fall trend, but because nude lips are always in style (especially with a gorgeous smokey eye). Even though it looks stunning with a great smokey eye, a nude lip can be worn with pretty much anything! The trouble is, some nude lipsticks can wash you out. You'll need to look for a few things when shopping for a nude lipstick. BE AWARE! grey undertones can totally wash you out so instead, opt for a nude lip colour that has a pink or peachy undertone.

I wouldn't suggest a single nude lipstick for everyone. We all know we are unique in our skin tones and lipsticks look different on everyone. So, here are some tips based on your skin tone. If you have very fair skin, a nice sandy pink undertone is best. Try using MAC Lipstick in Creme D'Nude or Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude. If you have a medium olive skin complexion, a rosy pink undertone will work best. Some lipsticks that might work for you are MAC Lipstick in Taupe. Finally, for my darker skin toned girls, bronze is bomb! MAC lipstick in Coconutty will bring out that bronze natural glow. Also, try experimenting with some toffee shades.


Don't be afraid to add a sheer gloss over your nude lip to bring some more life to your look.


Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense Matte Flesh

BOXOM Big & Healthy Lips Marrakech Nude



PRETTY IN PINK 

I am so excited about MATTE PINK! I've always loved the soft yet sharp look it creates so naturally, I am happy this is trending for Fall 2012. So forget your pink lip glosses (I know, I am sad to give up my pink lip gloss too) and bring on the matte! The best part about matte pink? It's gorgeous on every skin tone! 


The best part about playing with matte pink is the MANY different shades of pink you can use! From light pinks to bold ones, these shades in matte exuberate youth and fun.


Before I give a list of lipstick recommendations, I am going to share with you my worst kept beauty secret. A few months ago, while getting dolled up for a night out with my closest girlfriends, I discovered (while innocently snooping through my friends makeup bag) the BEST LIPSTICK SHADE IN THE WORLD. And guess what? It looked amazing on each one of us (we all have different skin tones) I've included this lip colour in this section because it is a cross over of a matte pink and a nude lip.


BUXOM Big & Healthy Lipstick in Nantucket


This lipstick is pretty much a matte peachy nude lipstick with full coverage.
"This 3-in-1 Lip Perfecter does three jobs—it defines the shape of the lips like a liner, fills them in with velvet matte color, and plumps them to their full Buxom potential. Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick contains vitamins A, C, and E, while a fusion of exotic mango and avocado butters deliver the perfect dose of hydration and long-lasting color." -Buxom


Also try:

    
MAC Candy Yum Yum
I hope you found my suggestions helpful! I am sure you might have your own personal finds that I would love to hear about! please share :)

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Gel Eyeliner Review

There was a time I loved the drugstore liquid eyeliner until I discovered gel liner. I have been experimenting with different brands for the past few years now, and I have compiled my favourite picks into one list. Based on your budget, I think I have something for all of you!

Makeup Forever Aqua Black Gel Liner 



Find it here on the Sephora website for $26.00 CAD

The actual product says "Eye Shadow" but I used this as a liner and it was better than the actual gel liner they sell. It's very DARK! If you like a dark defined black liner, this will give you just that look. The gel liner is long lasting and waterproof, and very easy to use.

One thing that bothered me about this product is how fast the cream can dry up. You need to be very mindful of putting the cap on as soon as you are done. Also, when it's almost done, the cream left at the bottom gets pretty stiff and hard to work with so watch out! BUT all that can be forgiven because it gives a gorgeous dark finish.



MAC blacktrack fluidliner 
Find it here on the MAC website for $18.00 CAD

This is a great deal for the price! MAC fluidline is very soft and smooth and VERY easy to work with. It adds a decent dark finish.

However, when I use it, I have to go over the liner once or twice to make sure I get the dark finish I like. If you aren't too particular of having a deep dark liner than this is a good pick for you. Other than that, its a great liner. 




 
Clinique Brush On Cream Liner




By far the best gel liner I have tried! 
Find it at The Bay for only $16.00 CAD

I LOVE this cream liner. Its VERY smooth, easy to work with and long lasting. You definitely do not need to worry about smudge. One stroke is enough to get a deep dark finish, and the odd time you will have to go over it but that depends on your preference. It's also safe to use on your waterline. Even better, it comes with a little brush!





Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner


 Find it at Sephora for only $20.00

When I purchased this last year, it was a bit more expensive (around $26.00) so now that the price has dropped, it definitely changes the game! This product is great because it's very smooth and easy to work with. BUT, It's actually a bit too smooth (yes there is such a thing as too smooth) so you have to be careful about smudge. It is definitely long lasting and provides a nice dark look


L’Oreal Infallible Gel Liner

Find it at your local drugstore for approx. $8.00-$12.00 depending on where you go.
This is a recent product release from L'oreal. Personally, I love all things L'oreal. Amongst the drugstore gel liners (such as Maybeline) this is one of the best. If you've got beauty on a budget, I would try this. It has a soft, creamy and smooth texture and it is easy to work with. You may have to go over your liner a few strokes to achieve the desired darkness. Another bonus- comes with a brush too! It is pretty long lasting and stays on strong so you don't need to worry about smudge too much. However, when you are applying it be VERY careful because it takes a few minutes to dry.


Out of my TOP FIVE picks, my favourite is the Clinique Brush On Cream Liner. If you haven't already tried it you are missing out! 

The Perfect Brush 

I've spent a considerable amount of time and money searching for the best brush. The truth is, as long as you find an eyeliner brush that has thinner bristles, it will be easier for you, and you can create a thin line or a thick one depending on the look you are going for. 

 If you don't mind spending, try a nice angle brush from MAC or the Sephora Brand angle brush available at Sephora. 

BUT you can get the same result (maybe even better) using elf brushes. 


e.l.f. Essential Eyeliner Brush

It has soft bristles, doesn't flake and very easy to use. Even better...purchase it online for only $1.00!!!!! 



You may have seen the bent eyeliner brush. This is also a good brush from e.l.f. but doesn't have enough bristles. You can probably tell by the picture, its fairy thin. This is best suitable for someone who likes a very light thin eye liner look. 

 

....and guess what? e.l.f. ships to Canada! You can find some e.l.f. products in local stores such as winners, but you can probably find a better deal online and get exactly what you are looking for, all packaged and sent to your front door. check it out!

 

 

Do you have a different review of these products? What worked best for you? Lets talk about it!

Sunday 7 October 2012

Dry Hair...Don't Care??


I can still remember the first time I highlighted my hair. I was 16 years old, and thought I could get away with chunky blonde streaks without my mom noticing. Boy was I wrong... 

She was right about one thing, though. Once you start colouring your hair, it's almost impossible to stop. Well, it is possible, but the truth is, its addictive. I have probably tried almost every hair colour out there, and my poor hair is paying the price now. 

Going blonde from black did a number on my hair. The texture of my hair has never been the same and it took me months just to be able to comb through it (even with loads of smoothing products). I purchased various types of hair masks, and still, I wasn't seeing a big difference. As usual, I ignored my mom's advice about using home remedies (I thought she was crazy) but turns out, she was right...AGAIN. 

So, I have compiled a list of hair masks you can make from home that really work. But, don't expect to see significant results the next day, you really have to be consistent and give your hair a break every now and then from all these chemicals. The main ingredients you will need: Avocado, Eggs, Honey & Yogurt. Depending on your hair type, you will use these ingredients differently. 


                                                                                                            Image from Buckingham Post.

Dry Hair: 

If you have dry hair like me, be it side effects of weather, hair colour or your flat iron, using honey will attract and lock in moisture. 

Directions:
Onto clean damp hair, take a half cup of honey and 1 and a half tbsp of olive oil mixed together and massage through your hair. Don't be shy to work through your scalp to the tips. Leave it in your hair for 20-30 minutes and rinse with warm water. Avocados are amazing for skin and hair too, you can also mix 1/2 avocado with 1/2 cup of honey and 1 tbsp of olive oil and apply it to your hair. Doing this treatment at least once a month will bring moisture back into your hair. 


For Dull Hair

I have two tips for livening up dull hair! The first is to use yogurt. Yes, Yogurt! My mom actually uses yogurt on her skin too as a facial mask sometimes! The milk fat in dairy products moisturize your skin and hair. 

Directions: 
Take a half cup of yogurt and massage onto damp hair. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Rinse your hair with warm water and shampoo and condition as regular. You can repeat this treatment every two weeks. 

This next tip is not exactly a home made remedy but consists of natural oils and is very affordable. I usually apply this treatment to my hair once a week and it has done a lot to bring moisture back into my hair! My mother-in-law is a hair stylist and uses Proclaim 7 oils treatment. 

Directions:
You don't need to apply this to clean or damp hair. I usually apply it to dry hair before I take a shower. I leave it in my hair anywhere from 30 mins to two hours. Simply massage the oil from scalp to tips. if you want to find out more about this product click on the link above. 

between $7.00- $9.00 CAD 



Oily Hair 

While some of us suffer from dry and brittle hair, there is a vast majority who are dealing with oily and greasy hair! I have never tried this myself, but apparently it works. This requires much more dedication, but I am sure it's worth it to get rid of that embarrassing grease!

What you need: Cornstarch and empty salt shaker

Directions: Measure 1 tbsp of cornstarch and put it into the empty salt shaker. (Make sure you are using a clean or new salt shaker to avoid salt residue getting onto your hair). On dry hair, sprinkle the cornstarch on your scalp until its done. Leave it in for 10-15 minutes before brushing it out with a hairbrush. Try this a few times a week for best results.

If you are trying this, I'd love to hear how it goes!



All of these treatments are affordable and can be done from the comfort of your home!
Do you have any secret hair treatments that work for you? Have you tried these treatments yourself?

Thats all for now! I hope you are all enjoying your thanksgiving weekend :)

Love always,
Wassal xo

Thursday 4 October 2012

Business...Casual?

I found this awesome tie necklace from topshop and had to have it. It's not something you would wear often, but if you are into costume jewelry and accessories like I am, you'll find a way. I wore it with a white blouse and orange blazer. Enjoy!


Metallic Medley

I normally stay away from black except for when it comes to a fall/winter night out. In fact, I've tried to stay away from black so much that I don't even own a basic essential to every girls closet- a black blouse. All that is going to change this fall/winter though!

In this OOTN, I've paired a metallic silver peplum top that has a unique back cutout with black leather pants. Putting my hair up was the best choice because you really want to show off the beauty of the top, and at the same time, take advantage of the trending sock bun look. I did a nice smokey eye to complete the sultry look I was going for, and kept my lip neutral with my favourite lip colour, Nantucket by Boxom (with a light layer of clear lip gloss). Have you noticed that I am big on accessories? Statement pieces like this big jeweled black and silver rope necklace are my favourite, because it can spice up a dull outfit or make a look like this even fancier. Take a look!






Sponge Nail Art

I am most definitely a nail art enthusiast. With that said, I decided to try the whole "sponge" effect and I must say, I LOVE IT! So here is everything you need & how to do it!




What you need: two nail polish colours in the same family of shades, top coat and a makeup sponge. The colours I chose were: 68 High Spirits by Essence & go for the base, 83 Luxury Secret for the tip and an OPI Top Coat. Also, in order to keep your nail polish on longer, without chipping, try a base coat (but that's optional).





 For your base put on two coats of colour and let it dry. Essence & Go was a good choice for me, because the colour was thick (even one coat would have been fine) and it dried quickly.


You want to put both colours on a clear surface (I used a cardboard box, but using a disposable plastic plate would keep the nail colour wet for longer). Put the base colour first and the darker shade above it

 Dip your sponge into it. It should look like this


 dab your sponge on the tip of your nails until you are satisfied with the look.

 Apply a thin layer of top coat, let it dry, and there ya go!


 The finished product :)

P.S.

I chose these colours to create a fall look, but this style looks brilliant with pink tones!


trend seeking tips



With so many trends out there, it's hard for an everyday girl who may not have the resources or time to shop! So, how do you stay current without spending too much time, effort and $$? Follow these basic steps:

(1) Approaching the start of each season, pick up a People Magazine Style Edition (or an InStyle Magazine) and browse through their recommendations for the latest trends. This could be anywhere from the paisley scarf, wide leg pant, ankle boot, etc. 
OR better yet, visit my blog :) No seriously, following fashion blogs can open your eyes to not only trending items, but also on how to put these items together. Bookmark some of your fave pages and visit them when you get a chance!

(2) You found some great pieces, now what? For example, if leather pants are not your thing, you can still achieve the same "leather pants look" by pairing basic leggings with some leather accents. This season the bordeaux pant is a personal favourite of mine, and suitable for all age groups. If you find anything in this colour, snatch it! It's a beautiful and rich colour, which looks great on every skin tone. For the office girl, consider a bordeaux cropped dress pant. The beauty of this trend is that goes well with everything you already have in your closet!

You can be sure to find this at H&M, Zara, Urban Planet, and Winners. 
Looking for a more comfortable look? Try the bordeaux jeggings that Zara carries. 


 Cheetah print is huge again this year, this time even trendier in footwear.  I personally love these skinnies from forever21 which you can also find at Zara

Moving forward with the animal print trend here is another bold statement: leggings from forever21!

I love the mixture of gold and black lace on these bottoms. Pair it with a gold top and black blazer, or be bold with a forest green blouse tucked in. Also from forever21

Floral pants are still in for Fall which makes me a little uneasy. Personally, I associate floral prints with spring and summer season, and I naturally gravitate towards earthy tones for fall. But I think you can get the best of both worlds with these skinnies. With a mild yellow tone and subtle splashes of vibrant colours, it gives off the same feeling a floral pant would without any big floral print. (Don't get me wrong I'd still wear some floral for fall but it makes me feel confused lol)

...and don't forget about the striped pant! I love this style because I really think it gives the illusion of a nice long leg and accentuates the shape of your butt ;) You can find these at H&M for 24.95 or TopShop located now in The Bay Eatons Centre and Yorkdale Mall.

(3) Now you are well equipped with some flattering Fall pieces. What to do now? Find what relates most to your personal style, what makes you excited, and of course, what looks best on you. You also have to consider which one can maximize the amount of outfits you can create. If I had to pick, I would choose the Bordeaux pant and an animal print pant. Why? The bordeaux pant can create many different looks, can be dressed up or dressed down and you wont get sick of it as easily. Second, the animal print pant (preferably cheetah) can be worn with a plethora of colours- from red, orange, mint, pink, blue and the basic black and white.  It can also be your statement piece for your fall wardrobe. (I'll discuss more about statement pieces in another post)

Trends will come and go, but its important to maintain your own personal style. The trick is how to incorporate a trend into your own style. After all, what you wear is a representation of who you are, how you feel or who you want to be. While shopping can be stressful to some, try to look at it as art in which you are the canvas.








Wednesday 3 October 2012

Summer favourites

It's a shame I started my blog after summer, because I am obsessed with summer fashion. Since we are saying goodbye to summer and welcoming fall wardrobe, I decided I would post some of my favourite summer outfits of 2012. 





I wore this outfit to a birthday party and toned it down by wearing a simple white tank and styling my hair a with natural wavy look.

Top: H&M
Pants: Forever21
Gold/bronze jewelry and oversized clutch from Forever 21
Shoes: Aldo





Dress: Marc Anthony
Shoes: Joe Fresh
Earings: NYC boutique
Clutch: Forever21
Watch: Fossil



I wore this eye catching dress to a bridal shower. The bold mixture of green and orange is not something you see to often. Pretty enough to be noticed, but not overbearing! After all, we don't want to steal the bride's thunder, now do we?

Dress: Jessica Simpson
Shoes: Forever 21
Gold Cuff: Forever 21
Watch: MK gold oversized runway 



This is something that can be both work appropriate, or worn on a night out. It's not the greatest shot of the outfit, but it's one of my favourite ensembles so I had to include it here. Both the sleeveless blouse and high waisted dress pants can create so many different looks!

Top: Joe Fresh
Pants: Forever21
Necklace: BCBG
Watch: MK gold oversized runway

As you all know, this shade of mint was the trending colour this spring/summer. I actually think we had the best colours in style as both bold orange and blues and soft pastels were all a big hit. It was a bigger bonus that colour blocking was in this year too.

Top: Olive & Oak (Winners brand)
Pants: Forever21

These pants are so much fun! Both wide legged pants and floral prints made a come back this summer, and what better colour to pair it with than mint?

Top: Flirty Girl (Winners brand)
Pants: Forever21



 Top: Forever 21
Pants: Forever 21
Necklace: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Joe Fresh



The high-low skirt and dresses were huge this summer! I LOVED IT!!! This was a favourite of mine because it could be dressed up a bit or dressed down to a casual day time look with some nice sandals.
Dress: Forever21
Sandals: Forever21
Watch: Marc Jacobs rose gold
Jewelry: NYC boutique

Thats it for my mini summer recap! I am guessing you can tell I REALLY like forever21 ;)

until next time!