Hooded Scarf

Hi everyone,

So this is one of my favorite trends for the fall, hooded scarves! I got mine in oatmeal from Fossil for $88. I would link you to their site but it's not online anymore! I hope that means it sold like crazy. Mine is a super thick sweater-type and is very long. Nordstrom is also selling one by David & Young for a lot less and appears to be a sort of infinity thing going on.

So, since there's no official Fossil pic, here is me rocking it out in the store...

It's super cute to wear on campus, especially with my black long peacoat and Dior sunglasses. It makes a great, ready for winter statement!

Enjoy!
K

Long-wear Lipstick for Fall

Hi everyone!

I'm back! And I have a lot to tell you about. Today, I want to review a product that I think is great for women who love to wear lipstick but hate reapplying every hour or so. My absolute favorite product is Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Rouge Artist Intense: Lipstick and MUFE Aqua Lip.

MUFE's Lipstick is highly pigmented, with about 50% more pigment than other lipsticks, and is very long-wearing. I wear it to teach and work and don't have to worry about fading for three or four hours at minimum! It comes in a variety of shades perfect for any season, and comes in three finishes, satin, matte and pearly. Personally, I think the satin is the nicest, as it gives a bit of sheen without looking cheap and sparkly. A swipe of MUFE's Lab Shine Lip Gloss over top can give it that extra oomph too. My favorite is shade D0 Diamond. MUFE's Aqua Lip is a great base for any lipstick, especially their own. Aqua Lip is a waterproof liner, but it goes on very smooth! It's formulated with Vitamin E and jojoba oil, so it's very creamy, but it never moves.

For fall, nudes, reds, and corals are necessities. Coral isn't the best on me, so I stick to reds and nudes. For my skin tone, I use MUFE Rouge Artist Intense in Moulin Rouge (red) and #23 (nude). The coordinating liners are #8C (red) and #1C (nude). These are both satin finishes. The lipstick retails for $19 and the liner $18. I highly recommend these to everyone, especially if you want a lipstick to put on and not worry about. My last red lipstick was a nightmare, feathering and fading within an hour - I had to constantly reapply or else look crazy. MUFE keeps me sane & lets me put my mind on other things.


Now for photos:

Make Up For Ever is sold exclusively at Sephora (online and in stores) in the USA, as far as I know. Luckily, they have free shipping for orders over $50.

So, try it and let me know what you think! I am very excited for a new MUFE smokey eye palette that's coming out - I will review it once I get it. Have a great day!

<3 Katherine

High Waisted Pants

Hi everyone,

Today I want to mention a trend that I think all body types can embrace: high waisted denim and pants. Why? Not only do high waisted denim trousers or a cute high waisted pair of shorts look very fashion-foward, it is a flattering look. High waisted pants can help smooth out bumps, minimize hips, and prevent that overflow that can happen with low-rise pants. High waisted pants are extremely versatile because you can often find some with fun detailing so tucking in your shirt can show off the unexpected parts of your outfit. Plus, they can have a slimming effect when the shirt is untucked and hanging over the high waisted pant. 

I recently scored at Fossil (fossil.com) and got their Faye high waisted shorts for only $19.99 (originally $68 - woo). They're not online but stores have some sizes I think. After scanning the web, I picked a few favorite examples of high waisted items you can add to your wardrobe for some spice that will be flattering and versatile. 

Dark Trousers

These are cool because they combine a few fashionable ideas - first, dark denim is slimming, goes with everything, and is highly preferable to a light wash. Second, the trouser gives you the ability to wear this casually or a bit dressier with heels. This cut is going to elongate your legs and make you look fabulous. 

Skinny Jeggings

High waisted skinny jeans will be great especially if you like fitted tops. These second skin denim by 7FAM will definitely smooth out any bumps. Having something on that's as simple as a v-neck will look good because it can lay flat on your hips and accentuate your curves in the way you want! This should be a staple in everyone's wardrobe because super-skinny denim can serve as an alternative to leggings with a tunic. Plus, they look great with casual shoes like Toms, cute flats, and sexy heels. Wardrobing with skinnies is endless so try it out. I promise, skinnies look good on full-figured ladies too - not just slim women. :)

Trouser Shorts

A high waisted trouser short is a must for everyone. Whether you get these in a colored fabric or even a simple denim, the flare out away from the thighs will flatter and accentuate the slimmest part of your body - your waist. Shorts may be misleading in that they get a reputation for being only for summer. I recommend a pair of these for all year around - in the fall, just add a pair of tights and some short ankle boots for a very funky and different look. Shorts are a cool alternative to a skirt! 

So, check out the stores where you usually shop. If you see something with a high rise, try it on! You might surprise yourself. 

<3 Katherine

Shatter Polishes

Hi everyone!


Sorry for the delay in posts. I'll try and be better about it, I've been busy! Anyway today I'm going to review the different brands of shatter polishes which I'm sure you've been hearing about. I personally have tried the OPI Shatter, China Glaze Crackle, Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat, and Sephora by OPI Blasted polishes. My ranking?

1. OPI Shatter
2. Sephora by OPI Blasted
3. China Glaze Crackle
4. Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat

OPI Shatter
Of the brands I've tried, this is the only one I've bothered to get a second color in and I would be willing to try even more colors by OPI. They came out with the original shatter back in February and I think they have the easiest formula to work with. This is a true shatter in the sense that a thin to medium coat produces lots of tiny cracks and a very intricate effect. As with all the shatter polishes, it does get quite goopy over time so I'd recommend making sure you close the lid very tightly and not leaving the brush out any longer than you need to. Always give it a good roll before you paint - this morning I must not have mixed well because the shatter only shattered on 3/10 nails (yikes!). I have both the black and the bright blue, and they both make for interesting combinations. The formula is generally easy to work with and provides satisfying results. This usually retails around $9 and I get mine at Trade Secret or Beauty Brands.

**note, most shatters need a top coat or they dry matte and look dull.

Sephora by OPI Blasted
As it's by OPI, this has a similar formula that definitely provides lots of little cracks and an easy to work with formula. On the first try though (and subsequent tries thereafter) it's more goopy than the OPI which can be difficult to work with and leave you with thicker coats. The thicker the coat, the fewer cracks you get and it ends up being more like the result you get with a China Glaze. The brush on these isn't as good as the OPI one either, it's not as wide. Still, if you can get a Sephora one instead of an OPI one (if the OPI is sold out), go for it.

China Glaze Crackle
CG gives a very different formula that's a lot more difficult to work with - and I'm not the only one saying that! Below is one of my tries with the China Glaze crackle polish in white. Whites in general are harder to work with, but this formula is fussy and much thicker than the OPIs. When I use a thin coat, it just looks wimpy and you can see the underneath color. If I use a thick enough coat to give the color, you get very large cracks and only a few (as you can see) so it's definitely a different look than the "shatter" you get with both of the OPI formulas. If you're willing to work with a fussy formula it can be a different effect - and I have heard the newer CG crackles are a bit better formula wise. Beware of using too thick a coat otherwise you'll have drying problems.

Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat
So this is my last pick for crackles. Initially I was willing to work with the thick goopy formula, but it's more fussy than the China Glaze in my opinion. The cracking was even less than the China Glaze, maybe two cracks per nail. But they had different colors available and I could pop in at Walgreens to find them. However, on my second attempt to use my crackle, I discovered the brush had gone all wonky and made the polish nearly impossible to use. The subsequent attempt at a crackle mani failed miserably because it was very difficult to control the amount of polish I was putting on. A fellow polish friend said her brushes all went wonky like this too. So, if you want a thicker crackle, definitely get the CG. You can see the higher quality in the brushes - definitely. Steer clear of this one if you can - it's a waste of $7 I think.

So I hope you have a better idea of shatters now! Tweet me (@katherinep) pics of your shatter manis! I'd love to see the colors you mix and match!

<3 Katherine

Lip Moisturizers

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well! Today I have for you two lip moisturizers you can incorporate into your life instead of Chapstick brand. Chapstick contains petroleum, phenol, menthol and other non-appealing ingredients, plus it doesn't have much to moisturize your lips. It gives temporary relief for dry lips, but can actually contribute to chapped lips!

So, I have for you a vegan and non-vegan option. First is the Vegan Hemp Balm by the Merry Hempsters. It's USDA certified organic and vegan and uses hemp seed and sunflower seed oil, as well as Vitamin E and rosemary to moisturize and smooth lips. I've been using this brand for about six months and love it. It stays on and feels much smoother and richer than Chapstick! I've been able to find this product at Whole Foods, but I think it's also available on their website. Because this is vegan and there is no beeswax in it, it has a tendency to melt a little bit occasionally, but it's not been a problem.

If you don't mind having beeswax in your lip balm, then I recommend EOS lip balm. It's an odd balm that comes in a sphere, but this is the most moisturizing lip balm I've ever used! The unique aspect of EOS lip balm is that it has shea butter and jojoba oil - so it moisturizes and makes my lips really really smooth! It's better than the Hemp Balm for making smooth lips, but they tie in terms of moisture. I just got the Lemon Drop flavor and am LOVING it. I have also used sweet mint a few times and have been surprised by how long one sphere lasts! I actually have lost all of my EOS balms before I finished them.... As with the Merry Hempsters, this is an organic and natural lip balm. EOS is available at more places, like Walgreens.

Both cost about $3 or $3.50 and I highly recommend them! Let me know what you think!

<3 Katherine

Redken All Soft Shampoo & Conditioner

Hi everyone!

Today I want to tell you about the amazing shampoo and conditioner I've been using the last month. I am a hugely hair obsessed girl and spend too much money buying new product, shampoos, whatever looks like it'll make my hair softer and shinier and more healthy. Over the years, I've used Bed Head, Paul Mitchell, Matrix, Biolage, Goldwell, and many many other kinds of shampoo and conditioner, but I've never been totally satisfied. Until now!

My stylist told me about Redken's All Soft product, which is supposed to add softness to dry, brittle hair. I don't exactly have brittle hair, but even so, this product makes my hair sooooo shiny and smooth and soft. But it also cleans my hair well and gently. I use a lot of products some days and the shampoo gets it clean in one or two shampoos but I feel like it's softening my hair while getting it clean. The conditioner really rejuvenates my hair and helps detangle it too. 

I really think that if you want to make your hair softer, try this product. I have never been happier with a product! Plus, it's safe for color treated hair (like me!) Good luck and let me know what you think when you try it!

Katherine

7FAM Denim

Hi Everyone,

Today I have a review of the designer jean brand 7 For All Mankind (7FAM). About a month ago I brought home a pair of "The Skinny" and I have been beyond happy ever since. If you've ever felt like denim doesn't fit you and skinny jeans look bad on you, try 7FAM. I was feeling like there was no hope for a new pair of skinnies until I found these. 7FAM uses the highest quality denim so they're incredibly soft to the touch. My particular pair is also very lightweight and comfortable with the 2% spandex. I can't wait to get Roxanne or Guenevere!

7FAM is having a pretty incredible sale on denim right now, too, so go head over and look!

One of the best things about their denim is the rises are not too low. On my jeans the front rise is about 7 inches but is about 11 inches in the back - so no unfortunate panty showing incidents or muffin tops. The price may seem steep, but the cost of cotton is on the rise and I guarantee 7FAM denim is ten times higher quality than Miss Me, Silver, etc brand denim. I've been washing mine on cold inside out and the color is still dark and lush. Plus, they're very simple without a lot of branding, which I love!

So if you're a bootcut, trouser, straight, or skinny kind of person, check out 7FAM. They're great for other clothes too, and guys you're not left out. Especially if you're tall, most of their denim come standard with a long inseam so you can hem it to fit perfectly. I hope you all go check out the great product and sales to be had at 7forallmankind.com :)

Have a great weekend!

<3 K

Local Business Rave

Hi everyone,

Today I have a rave for the service I received at a local jewelry boutique, Beads Etc. Here is their website and this is their Facebook page. Beads, etc. sells all the tools you need to make your own jewelry, but the reason I went to their store was to purchase Trollbeads brand jewelry.

Until now I had only had horrible service when looking for Troll, so my trip to Beads, etc was a hugely pleasant surprise! Trollbeads is a brand like a few others where you pick the beads and can arrange them on a bracelet to your own liking. After my first trip to Beads, etc, I felt as though the sales staff cared about my business & I purchased my first glass Trollbead.

This morning, I returned to shop for myself and a friend and ended up buying (between us both) fourteen Trollbeads. In both of our purchases, the store included Troll booklets, a polishing cloth and jewelry roll. I felt like my service was truly appreciated and was absolutely thrilled!!

So go check out their Facebook page and keep them in mind if you ever need to purchase jewelry supplies or Troll!

<3 K

Newspaper Mani

Hi everyone!

A friend of mine recommended I try out this manicure, a newspaper mani! Turns out, it's really simple and the end result is fabulous. Here's how it turned out:

The best part about this mani is that it's a subtle detail that's not as big of a commitment as the shatter polishes floating around (I have four bottles...) and it is really easy to do!

If you're nails are already painted a light color, you're good to go. Just cut small pieces of newsprint big enough to wrap over your nail but not much bigger and grab some rubbing alcohol. I used alcohol pads and they worked really well.

All you need to do is dunk your finger into the alcohol, or in my case rub the pad over the nail so it is damp. Then, just put the newsprint onto the wet finger. I found I got better results when I put the pad overtop the newsprint as well and pressed down firmly to get a good transfer.

Then all you have to do is pull the newsprint off and try not to smear it so it's easier to see the letters. Seal with a good topcoat and you're done!

It's very low maintenance but a bit more fun than just a color. It works best over a non-shimmer polish with a light color. I would love to try this again over a nude. This color is OPI's Mermaid Tears. I hope you will all try this one!

<3 K

Ceramic Watches

Hi everyone!

Today I'm reviewing a newer trend, ceramic watches. I happen to own a white ceramic, but ceramic watches are not necessarily white. Typically, watches have stainless steel, silicone, or leather bands. These materials vary in durability, but all show wear after some time. Steel scratches and scuffs, silicone gets dingy, and leather scuffs and gets dingy. I have all of these materials and like them nonetheless.

Ceramic is a step up.

My ceramic is by Fossil, and costs about twice as much as the other watches they make. I think this is typically the trend with other brands, too. I have a "fake" ceramic, a white resin watch, and it has been good, but ceramic is just incredible! It is absolutely worth the investment.

Ceramic is scratch resistant, very smooth, a bit heavy, and pearly! I like the weight because it feels like a quality material. I did notice on the tag that dropping it on a hard surface could cause the band to crack, but I have a spare link and am not too worried. I've been wearing mine ever since I got it and it looks brand new. I bang it around while I'm wearing it, too, and it looks perfect still! The look of a ceramic is absolutely lush - I can't wait to get a black ceramic next.

So, if you are looking for an investment watch, you should go ceramic. I think it will last much longer than a steel watch and will look newer for much longer. My watch was $195 at Fossil. Other brands are more expensive, but the ceramic is still quality! Specific to my watch, I have a mother of pearl face and a hidden clasp, which add extra luxury to it.

I apologize for being translucent and scaring you with my blue veins!

So, if you're into jewelry and watches, definitely check out some ceramics. They are great!

<3 K

Pandora Compose Earrings

Hi everyone!

Today I am reviewing Pandora's "Compose" earrings. This is an ingenious design for earrings - all the dangles are compatible with all the posts. Pandora offers traditional french hooks as well as hoops - and the french hooks can be smooth or textured, medium or large in size! The hoops are now either smooth or twisted and come in two sizes as well. There is a huge selection of posts and dangles! I'm going to post a picture to explain what I mean...

If you can tell, I love pearls! I wear the small ones on my hoops and the larger teardrop dangles on the regular posts. The bases start at $20 and attachments at $30. All of these pieces are 0.925 sterling silver and genuine stones. They carry gold pieces also. Below is a picture of the medium versus large posts with smoky quartz and amethyst dangles.

These earrings are a really great investment for someone who likes high quality but doesn't want to be committed to the same pair of earrings every day. I love changing these to fit my outfit or my mood! Plus, they're lightweight and don't pull down on my ears at all. I absolutely adore them & I hope you will try and love them too!

<3 K

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

Hi everyone!

Tonight I'm going to review the Sally Hansen Salon Effects. These are nail polish strips that are supposed to be really easy to apply with no dry time, and can give really fun patterns easily. At Target, I got this box for $8.50 and it came with two packages of strips, eight strips each, of different sizes, so sixteen total. This is so that they can fit any nail size. It also came with a wooden cuticle pusher and a nail file. 

After I got home I noticed a little note on the box...

I was already a little leary of paying $8.50 for only 16 strips, but finding out that if I opened both packages I would have to throw them out didn't make me so excited. Luckily, the nail strips are very very very long, and I have short nails, so I was able to cut each strip in half and only had to open one package, so I have another for next time.

I wouldn't exactly call the application easy, at least not the first time, but I do think it's worth it considering the end look. I'm pretty pleased that I could make eight strips work for all my fingers, too, so it's a bit better of a price from that perspective. They supposedly last up to 10 days, so I'll post an update after I've worn them a bit.

On the whole, I think they're a cool option if you have somewhere to go or just feel like funky nails for a week.

<3 K

Shoe Dazzle Review

Hi everyone!

Today I am reviewing the online shoe program by Kim Kardashian, Shoe Dazzle. It's a private style club where stylists pick out shoes, bags, and jewelry for your personal style. With each piece they place in your own personal showroom, they explain some cool ways to wear it. Each month, the stylists revamp your showroom and provide you a whole bunch of new things to fall in love with.

Everything on the site is $39.95, free shipping and free returns. If you want, they will charge you that amount every month, but you have six days to have them skip the month. It's really whenever you want to buy! I got my first pair of shoes from Shoe Dazzle, a signature sole they released mid-month. These Chanelles are a stunning nude pump with a bright pink sole. At $40 I was a bit leary of quality, but I absolutely adore my shoes and they exceeded my expectation by so much. The pieces are all faux leather, but my shoes are faux patent and to me, there's not really any difference.

Below are photos of my actual shoes. I love the hot pink sole!

When you sign up for the site, they have you take a style quiz and it takes 24 hours to update your showroom, which could get frustrating if you want to get to buying shoes. But what I have found is that the help on their Facebook page is impeccable! So while I waited, or any time since that I've wanted different shoes, I post a request on Facebook for whatever I am wanting & give them my customer ID and I'll have new shoes in my showroom. They're so great about it.

So, if you love a great buy for shoes or handbags, I would highly recommend Shoe Dazzle!

<3 K

Butter London "All Hail The Queen"

Hi everyone!

Today I got my first bottle of Butter London polish, and boy am I pleased! Butter London is a company that produces high quality polishes that are also Bad 3 Free (no formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP). I am a serious nail polish addict, and I have been dying to try this brand of polish! I picked up my bottle at Ulta today...

Luckily, they had one bottle of All Hail The Queen left. This polish is a subtle neutral brown with holographic glitter. It's hard to see in the pictures, but in person it is definitely holo! I'm used to using polishes like China Glaze, OPI, and Essie, so the formula on this Butter London polish was an incredible step up! It retails for $14, but the formula alone makes it worth it. In the picture, I used two coats. Please excuse my super-short nails!

I would highly recommend this polish to anyone looking for some beautifully unique colors that are easy to apply. You can order them direct from Butter London and I think for the next 24 hours they're having a special sale. Enjoy!

<3 K

Feather Locks Review

Hey everyone!

This is the first post of many, and hopefully I'll eventually have followers of this. I want to use this as a place to review products that I try - clothing brands, nail polishes, makeup products, whatever! So here we go...!

As you may be well aware, feathers have become a fashion statement, spearheaded by the great Steven Tyler. This week I got my own Feather Locks, put in at my local salon (Creative Hair Design). This is the major provider of feather hair extensions. I really like them because they can be as subtle or as big of a statement as you would like. Personally, I got neutral colors for a subtle accent to my hair. The pricing was excellent and the feathers are reusable.

So far, I've done my hair curly and straight, washed them, slept in them - everything! And they still look great. If you are thinking about having them, you should go for it! They're easy to put in and easy to have taken out, so there is very low committal needed.

I have three on one side and two on the other. Below are a couple pictures I took of them.