Sunday, July 30, 2006

Wrap Yourself In Style

Wrap dresses have always been in vogue. Thanks to renowned designer Diane Von Furstenburg who(she sold 5 million wrap dresses in 1976 and still going) sparked a fashion phenomenon and ultimately made this a timeless apparel. I love her bold prints, fusion of colors, and the silk fabrics that are nothing short of flattering.

I also love that I stumbled upon two wrap dresses in Forever 21 while strolling in the mall the other day. I immediately grabbed my size in two colors and headed to the cashier. While DVF's esteemed line of wrap dresses run anywhere from $400 and up, Forever 21's run under $50 and boast the same fluid effect. They are made of 92% polyester and 8% spandex and for the price you really can't go wrong.

Inspired by Style Diary, I took this photo wearing the brown one. I wore it to work last Monday. :) It did pick up compliments from my mom (who thought it was a DVF dress) and Lisa, my co-worker.

brownwrapdress8

Click here to view the red dress on the Forever 21 site.

Of course, nothing beats owning a DVF wrap dress creation. I plan to scout for good buys online in the future. In the interim, I can happily settle with my "too good to pass up" deals. After all, fashion appeal is not measured by the price but by satiating one's personal satisfaction. This one definitely did!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Uncovering Bare Minerals

Bare Escentuals, the company that spawned a fast-growing line of bare minerals make-up (i.d. bareMinerals brand), is taking the beauty scene by storm. I was on the hunt for the right make-up foundation a couple of months ago. I wanted something light, sensitive skin friendly, and with SPF of course. After seeing this wonder product on countless infommercials and magazine ads, I thought I'd give it a shot. What drew me in was "it's make-up so pure you can sleep in it" catchphrase and what woman would not want such make-up??? (Though I am still your "don't go to bed with make-up on" kind of girl).

So I went to Sephora (who was widely campaigning for this brand at that time), and checked it out.

Bare Escentuals Starter Kit
Voila! I left the store with this starter kit and couldn't wait to try it at home. Click here to get a glimpse of the contents.

And the verdict? Let's just say that it has been a part of my daily regimen since then. I don't use the foundation on my entire face (as I still resort to Neutrogena Oil-Free Flawless Finish Blemish Treatment foundation to prevent occasional breakouts) but I've happily discovered it to be a great cover for blemishes.
Concealer Brush
I use this concealer brush that came with the kit. I swear by this beauty tool! I'd dab a little bit of the foundation on the inside of the lid (view DVD how-to clip here ), swirl the brush around, shake off the excess, and apply it on my skin. The blemishes truly disappear in seconds and the coverage stays on throughout the day!

Let me share with you another blissful discovery. We all know that there is a plethora of undereye concealers in the market right now. I tried several that didn't make the cut because they were either too cakey or too drying. I am delighted to say that Bare Escentuals has innovated a product called "Well Rested" that works not only as an eyeshadow base but also as an under-eye concealer. It has a light-deflecting element that really works wonders. If you wish to use it as such, swipe it only on your problem areas. In my case, I use it cover those veins underneath my eyes. I use the tinted Neutrogena Eye Cream with SPF 30 which already has some coverage but I still find those veins visible so the Well-Rested multi-tasking minerals definitely does the trick. It blends in beautifully and naturally. It lasts throughout that day too!

Multi-tasking Minerals

Bare Escentuals carries an extensive line of make-up and skincare. So far, I am very pleased with several of their products and look forward to unearthing more amazing beauty loot along the way.

Monday, July 17, 2006

White Takes Center Stage

White tops are certainly dominating the clothing racks this season. Who could not resist the freshness and crisp look that this color effortlessly delivers? From the trusty plain tee to the trendy ruffled tops, there is absolutely a wide array to choose from that is slated to lure every style savvy woman out there. The best thing about this hot item is that it goes perfectly with your trusty pair of jeans. You can go casual or dressy (depending on how you accessorize your look) in a whim. The "on the go" appeal needless to say naturally urged the busy mom in me to grab one in every style. Thanks to fashion designers who put a fresh spin on white wardrobe pieces, summer whites had never been this chic and versatile.

Here's a rundown of my favorites:

Button White Shirt
Every woman should have a crisp, button-front, cuff shirt either in long or three-quarter sleeves. Photo from Banana Republic

White Bohemian
The Bohemian Look is still a current fave. Opt for the linen fabric this season. Photo by Banana Republic

White Ruffles
This lightweight woven cotton top embelished with front tuxedo ruffles is so feminine. Simply wearing it with jeans gives it an edgy but still girly appeal. Photo by Gap

Rolled V Neck Tee

This rolled V Neck Tee gives the conventional white shirt a more relaxed look but a bix sexier. Trust me! Photo by Banana Republic

White Tank Top
This white tank top is another must-have. Perfect as just a stand-alone top or worn with a traditional or trendy/cropped jacket. Photo by Banana Republic