Re-creating Dior's S/S '13 Couture Jeweled Lips

(Left: Dior S/S '13 Couture Right: Spirit Of A Dream's take)

Even as fall is beginning to make its presence known, and we celebrate the wrap up of yet another women's runway season--our hearts are still stuck two seasons back. Raf Simon's Spring 2013 Couture collection for Dior is still burned in our minds, specifically that magical make up. Dior's jewel encrusted lips are both playful and elegant. The look may have premiered for the Spring '13 season, but we're still sporting this look into the fall season. It's a great choice for both clubbing or fall parties. Try matching your stones to fall's most beautiful lip colors: plums, deep reds, burnt oranges, and for a daringly sleek look try black! 

Click through for a tutorial!

Sidewalk Film Festival 2013

    Last year Stephanie & I volunteered at our local film festival. That year was also the first time we had ever attended. In 2012, we unfortunately did not get to see many films however we did manage to catch Adam Wingard's American horror film, V/H/S. V/H/S is about a group of guys that find a collection of homemade horror short films. The film itself was a hit or miss depending on the short film. The experience of the film was heightened because we got to see it in an intimate theater in a less then safe area, at a late hour.  This year we decided to actually take the whole weekend to check out some of the latest independent films. The festival had a wide offering of movies & documentaries from all genres and styles. Below are the featured films that stood out to us and we highly recommend.

Making The Cut

I'm a 3rd generation pixie wearer in my family. It started with my grandmother when she was a model in a hair competition in the 1960's. The stylist gave her a Vidal Sassoon inspired geometrical crop that ended up being the winning cut of the show. Fast forward to the late 80s when my mom decided to get a super short pixie that has remained her signature style today. I then followed in their footsteps my junior year of high school. So I guess you can say it's a tradition among the Voigt family women.

For most I suppose the style can be quite scary, but for me it was never a frowned upon cut or one that created question of femininity. As a child peeking through the doorway of our bathroom, I would watch my mother put her daily face on and think she was the most elegant, feminine person I know--and she truly was. She instilled in me a mentality that you should never be ruled by trends or social expectation. Fashion is fun, and it should be what YOU make of it. Because after all nothing is permanent and you are always welcome to evolve once you feel the need to. If you are worried about pulling off this look, I believe having this mindset is essential. Ever heard the saying that confidence is attractive?

So you want the cut, now how to go about it?! Should you just take the dive? Perhaps. If you are brave about it. I wasn't quite as brave as my mother & grandmother and instead turned it into a 4-step process.

Step 1? Start going shorter! My first plan of action was to go from my long, mid back gracing hair to a short bob ala Kiera Knightley a few years ago. If you liked this look you can move to step 2.
Step 2? Analyze your face shape and try to find a short style that will compliment your features. A quick Google will find tons of material on the subject. 
Step 3? For my first pixie I chose a slightly longer version. I think it's very important to choose a stylist you trust and to always provide a picture! I brought in this shot of Agyness Deyn when she had slightly longer bangs to frame the face, making it feel like more hair was there.
Step 4? Carpe diem! This time I brought in a shot of Mia Farrow from Rosemary's baby and received the hairstyle that I now keep today.  

Follow the cut to read about my top 5 pixie muses.

Personal Style: Fall Shoes

Recently I had to go visit a podiatrist for a toe injury. There I was informed I had been wearing the wrong shoe size for quite some time! Its disheartening to know that not only were you wearing the wrong size but that you no longer can wear your shoes without causing further injury. Naturally I took the opportunity to invest in some new shoes. Since the weather is changing & soon it will be fall, I decided to focus on fall/winter shoes. The shoes pictured above are on of my favorite styles. They are a brogue shoe meets tuxedo style. I like that the shoes are simple in black and white. Shoes of that style typically have laces however these do not, they simply slip on. The lack of laces adds to the minimal style. Menswear inspired shoes with a pointed toe are a must have for me. Find these shoes here!

Another must have for me, ankle boots! I was looking for comfortable ankle boots with some edge. The ones pictured where found at Target by Stephanie & they are perfect. They are extremely comfortable with a small heel. Find these shoes here!

Stephanie's spiked sock D.I.Y.:

 A super simple D.I.Y. that goes well with your new fall ankle boots! This isn't an original idea, lately I've seen spikes on everything--socks being the latest clothing item to get the treatment. A quick search on Tumblr or Etsy and you'll see ton's of styles from tie-dyed, to knee-high. I like the look of classic white socks, especially with my thrifted Doc Marten look alike boots. 

Chanel Azure Nail Polish Dupe

Been coveting Chanel Azure lately. Too bad my current bank accounts don't allow for such extravagance. Went to my local grocery store today to find this little gem in the aisles! N.Y.C. has come out with a near dead-ringer for Azure. The quality is okay, but the color pay off is great. Maybe this will satisfy my cravings for now.

Here's to being cheap && looking expensive!

N.Y.C. Quick Dry Nail Polish in 206 East Village $1.72

(Chanel polish image via vanityrouge.com)

D.I.Y. Crystal Hair Clip

       I have a thing for rocks, especially any mineral or polished stone. As a child when we vacationed in Florida, there was a souvenir shop we always frequented, and my parents would allot $20 per kid for trinkets. They had a case full of polished rocks & I would leave each time with a bag of $20 rocks.

As an adult I'm still attracted to them. I hate collecting things and not using them though. This gave me the idea to combine my love of stones and fashion and create some crystal hair clips.

The stones I used for this time actually aren't rocks at all, but a more affordable option of decorative glass rocks that can be found at any craft/home decor store. I feel they're a pretty close match to quartz though. 

This super simple d.i.y takes minutes to do and it looks especially great paired with minimalist fashions!

Kiehl's Blue Herbal Cleanser vs L'Oreal Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser

Earlier this year I decided to try out Kiehl's line of facial cleansers. Having heard great reviews of their products, I knew I could not be disappointed.I have oily skin with some redness around the cheeks. The Kiehl's cleanser (1.5% salicylic acid & is 8.4 fl oz ) worked well however it can be a bit pricey at $21 a bottle so once I ran out I decided to find an cheaper alternative. I recently bought the L'Oreal Youth Code foaming cleanser at  $7.99 for 8 fl oz. L'Oreal's product is from the new Youth Code line that claims to improve cell turnover for younger looking skin but removing impurities and exfoliating the skin to reveal luminous, smooth and younger looking skin after each use. This quality gives the product a huge plus. However after trying out both products I would definitely buy the Kiehl's cleanser again instead. Even with a high price the product is well worth the purchase, here's why:

In the end L'Oreal's Youth Code was not as effective as Kiehl's products at removing and preventing acne on my skin. 

Image credit: cvs.com & kiehls.com

Beauty Look: Red Lipstick

Red lipstick has become an iconic, bold shade. When worn the color expresses power and confidence. A classic red lip is timeless as seen on celebrities of the past like Marylin Monroe or of the present: Gwen Stefani, Rihanna and Rita Ora. The red lip trend has increased in popularity over the years that today it can be seen on almost every starlet at least once. Now that the trend is so wearable there are many color option by a wide variety of cosmetic brands. My favorite reds are by MAC. I have tried out Russian Red, Chili, Lady Danger and Ruby Woo. Russian Red is a classic red, that unfortunately I lost on a trip.  Of the four shades, Chili is my overall favorite because it has a warm, brick red shade that is more subtle for everyday wear. Ruby Woo is another favorite and a favorite of MAC buyers because of its blue undertones and the shade looks great on all skin tones. Both Chili and Ruby Woo are matte lipsticks. I find that matte lipsticks, like all MAC shades, have a long lasting wear ability however they can feel a bit dry and hard to get on.  Lady Danger is a bright, vivid coral/orange shade that comes on very easy. 

For those that want a more inexpensive option in the red lip trend. Pictured above are Alverde in 40 Red Love, Revlon Color Burst in 080 Coral, Barry M in 121/307 and L'oreal Infallible Gloss in 320. Alverde is a all natural cosmetic brand. Red Love is a good dark, warm shade however I find that it can feel sticky for a while and it does not last very long. Revlon's Color Burst is a coral, more orange tones lip color. The lipstick's creamy texture allows it to glide on easily. The one drawback with this particular shade is that it does not have the staying power of other colors in the series. The color Barry M's is a classic red that comes on very easy yet does not last so long as the MAC lipsticks. L'oreal's Infallible Gloss is high in gloss and is very long lasting. The shade can be seen on Gwen Stefani in her Settle Down video. 

I'm known to wear some red shade almost everyday. To prepare for the look I exfoliate my lips by rotating a toothbrush in a circular motion over my lips. Then I apply a moisturizing lip balm. My favorite is Smith's Rosebud Slave from Sephora. I leave the lip balm on while I finish my makeup and get dressed. Finally when I'm ready for the lipstick, I blot the excess balm and apply my desired shade. I like to do this before I wear a matte lipstick to prevent any dryness and to make it easier to put on. 

BEAUTY Review: Shea Moisture African Black Soap

      Deciding to implement a more natural skincare routine can be beneficial not only to your skin but your overall health. I like the idea of being able to recognize all the ingredients I'm throwing on my skin every day. Making the change can be kinda scary, though! There are so many products out there claiming to be natural, how do you know what's good? And my #1 question: it's all good and nice for someone with nice skin to go natural--who cares, big change! But for someone that has trouble skin, making any skincare commitment can potentially end in disaster. I need something that at least maintains my skin as well as the chemical ridden products I'm used to. I found an affordable answer to this at my local Target. They now carry a brand called Shea Moisture and their African Black Soap blemish fighting line is available in a nice set including a face scrub, lotion, mask, and cleansing bar for a jaw dropping $16! If you've looked into natural organic skincare at all, you know that stuff does NOT come cheap. Here's what the brand claims:

    1)No Parabens 2)No Mineral Oil 3)No Phthalates 4)No Formaldehyde 5)No Propylene Glycol 6)No Synthetic Fragrance 7)No Paraffin 8)No Synthetic Color 9)No PABA 10)No DEA 10)No Animal Testing 11)No Animal Ingredients 12)Ethically Traded 13)Sustainably Produced

                                                                 

Christopher Shannon S/S 2014 Glitter Hair

        London Fashion Week for the Menswear Collections is a new installment in the fashion calendar. While it is only a few seasons in, the shows always offer some of the most creative collections. One of those that stood out was Christopher Shannon. The collection offered up a lot of brightly colored sportswear, but the glittery hair is what really drew our attention. Wonderland Magazine posted a quick 3 step process to achieve this eccentric hair look. Using their tips we recreated the look:

We decided to purchase inexpensive products that can be found at any drugstore or supermarket. Wonderland suggests using the Fudge brand hair products.

Recreating this hair trend can be extremely messy, so we recommend doing it outside or in a bathroom. Also it is a good idea to tape some foil or plastic wrap around your face and neck to catch any stray glitter. This is a very important step because it is very difficult to completely remove any glitter from your skin.

image credit: dazeddigital.com

D.I.Y. Givenchy Nosering

       The nose rings from the S/S 12 Givenchy couture collection are now infamous. Every single magazine of note have had the rings grace their editorials. The nose rings create a certain mystique; marrying both tribal and punk influences, they make any look instantly strong and striking. We've been coveting these nose rings for a while, but the hefty price tag keeps it far out of reach for us. It took a little while, but we think we've fashioned an acceptable dupe to these sought after rings. You design how you want your rings to look, have fun crafting your own couture look! 

Chiharu Okunugi

This recent runway F/W 13.14 season a few fresh faces stood out amongst the sea of new models. One of these is Tokyo based, Chiharu Okunugi. 

The Japanese beauty, Okunugi, has an elegant and refined look which has helped her stand out. Okunugi is also rising to stardom riding the wave of the current high demand of Asian models led by Liu Wen, Xiao Wen Ju, Shu Pei and Du Juan among others. 

Okunugi debuted in S/S 12 walking for the likes of Hermes, Yohji Yamamoto, Mugler, and Moncler Gamme Rouge, following with a strong F/W 13.12 season. This season she walked a staggering 54 shows. She appears in the CR Fashion Book #2, Prada Real Fantasies S/S 13 Lookbook, and Vogue China

Eye Candy: LUKASZ WIERZBOWSKI

Polish photographer Lukasz Wierzbowski is literally the first flickr crush I ever had. Back then he went under the moniker fakeneverland and produced mostly digital works. Even in those days when he was still crafting his now signature style, it was apparent I was looking at something genius. It is hard to define Lukasz's work. Certainly not your typical fashion photography, it seems Lukasz is more pre-occupied with creating the fantastical world his models inhabit than simply the act of showing 'fashion'. With patterns on top of patterns and saturated colors, his subjects are often seen contorted into unnatural movements that lend a unique atmosphere to his works. There is always something off in his pictures that keeps viewers on their toes and speaks to his ability to create photos that are fresh and innovative.    

Lukasz has produced work for such publications as Penguin, Getty, Urban Outfitters and Saatchi and Saatchi and you can catch his interviews in such publications as Dazed Digital and Urban Outfitters.

The Future of Fashion

Last year I discovered a very tasty and healthy drink called kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea that originated in China. While researching the tea, I came across some fascinating articles on how a designer/scientist is using kombucha to create fabrics for her designs! Suzanne Lee is a Senior Researcher at Central Saint Martins, University of Arts & Design  in London. 

Lee developed a line called BioCouture.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner Review

Usually I'm a bit hesitant about lines released by celebrities or really anything that has celebrity attached to it (it's obviously like a right of passage or something to have your own perfume/clothing line once you've made at least the C-list), because generally I assume they are just sub-par hastily done products sold for one purpose: to $$$ on that familiar name.  

So to say the least I was pretty indifferent when I heard Kat Von D released a line of make-up exclusively for Sephora. After seeing reviews of praise on you-tube I decided to break down and try it out for myself.

I purchased the Tattoo Liner in Maya (brown) for $18. The main reason I was intrigued by this liner is that the applicator is not a felt tip but actually a brush. It's pen shape mixed with the long, thin brush tip is supposedly perfect for creating those cat-eye flicks.  

All Hail Kate

original Kate image by Corinne Day

Kate Moss has proven to still be fashion's prevailing darling. She sure has started off 2013 with a bang, racking up not only 4 covers but being deemed the face of 6 brands in their S/S 13 campaigns. Scandal has not evaded Kate's career, and the fact that after all of that she is still in high demand (and looking pretty good!), makes it impossible not to admire the woman/give major props for her resilience. 

Let's take a look at Kate's 2013 portfolio (thus far):

Interview Dec 2012/Jan 2013

i-D Pre-Spring 2013

 

 

Love Magazine S/S 13 & W Magazine March 2013

S/S 2013 Ad campaigns 

 

 

(Vivienne Westwood,Stuart Weitzman, Rag & Bone, Givenchy, and Versace and Liu-Jo) 

STATS:

How: Discovered in 1988 at age 14 by Storm Model Management.

 Big Break: First work for British publication The Face. 

Claim to fame: In the 1990s became known as the "anti supermodel" in response to Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. Known for her thin frame and below-model-average height.

Style notes: heroin chic 

Famous Muse of: Calvin Klein, Prada, Chanel, Burberry, and YSL 

See Her Face In: Numerous international Vogue covers, W, Harper's Bazaar, Dazed and Confused, plus a whole lot more!

ALL HAIL KATE!

D.I.Y. Glass Spike Headband

Supplies:

Czech pressed glass spike beads (6)

thin plastic headband (Scünci Effortless Beauty 3 pack)

E6000 glue

It is obvious that the spiked headband has been done time and again, rehashed repackaged and published numerous times among fashion bloggers. I do have to say though, even after massive over exposure, I have yet to grow tired of this trend. I have been wanting to create my own version of this for a while--and my inspiration came when I came across a site that sold a spike different from the typical ones in metallic tones I am familiar with seeing. They are called 'Czech pressed glass' spikes; some are opaque and some are clear, but the main selling point for me is the wide range of colors and patterns that they can be found in (click here to see!). For this project I picked a semi-opaque spike in a tanzanite color sized at 6.5x15mm. I paired it with a clear plastic headband that feels more on-trend for the moment. 

There is no real guidelines to making this, simply glue! I will leave you with a tip on using E6000 glue: it helps it to adhere when the surface is rough so I ran the bottoms of the spikes across sand paper before applying. Have no idea about E600 glue? (Read this)