What Should I Wear? (A Routine Posting Now and Then…)

1 Aug

ClosetOn Sundays, I always take out my datebook and iPhone calendar to go over what I need to do for the week. Not just appointments either–I mean everything. Coffee dates, shopping, doctor visits, trips to the dry cleaner, shopping excursions, bottle returns, washing the car, even tattoo appointments! I have a closet full of clothes and sometimes its abundance can be overwhelming. And no matter what or how much we have, we all–at some point–will babble “God, I have nothing to wear!” Oh yeah, you’ll say it. And you should kick yourself right then and there because you KNOW you do.

Here is how I tackle the task of selecting or planning outfits. Remember anything can change on a moment’s notice, so choose wisely but also be flexible. First, I try to check the weather the night before to see what I’m facing temperature and precipitation-wise. Those two things alone can potentially eliminate 75% of my wardrobe. With that in mind I start at the bottom and work up. I try to select footwear first, followed by bottoms, tops, bracelets, necklace, earrings and finally a matching purse. Believe me, if you can have this in mind–or better yet set out–before bed?…the morning can go very smooth.

Let’s take my day tomorrow:

1. Head to repair shop to get punctured tire fixed. (Ugh–dread.)
2. Pick up a prescription.
3. Quick coffee with a friend at work.
4. Grab dry cleaning.

Okay, so it’s not a high profile day where I will be rubbing elbows with la dee da’s, and the chance of having to discuss my work with anyone new would be a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. My agenda will be a lot of go here-go there’s, so I will want to look fashionable but not über high end. I still want be comfortable since I will be in and out of the car a few times. Walking won’t be extensive. Mingling will be minimal. But the bottom line is… I will be out and I want to look approachable. And that’s why I need to be be a classy yet comfy fashionista for the day.

Tomorrow’s weather is supposed to be cloudy, chance of storms, with temperatures around 77 degrees. With this in mind, I have now selected three outfits that I can choose from:

*** Black, leather flats w/gold chains; dark-washed skinny jeans; designer graphic tee.

*** Brown low-wedge pumps; light blue boot-cut jeans; short-sleeved, dark blue flowered sheer tee.

*** Leopard espadrilles; medium blue skinny jeans; neutral-colored sequined/ruffled tank top; black shrug.

The selected outfit will determine the jewelry chosen. If it is a more laid-back outfit, like the first, the jewelry will be bolder and busier. Shoe color ultimately determines the purse. The black flats will put me into the black purse department. A large, embellished bag might be a perfect choice. The brown pumps might lean me towards a brown/tan shoulder bag. And those killer espadrilles scream gold or bronze mini metallic purse. Sad to say, I’m not lacking in the purse department. At all. I admit…bags are one of my weaknesses.

So, I will post this tonight with an update tomorrow (and hopefully a picture!) with what I chose and whether it was the right choice for the daily agenda. We all know things can change and nothing is written in stone. And if the weatherman is even remotely close here in Upstate NY, that in itself, would be amazing. So, we shall see!

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Must haves for… ANYONE?!?

28 Jul

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imageIt’s true that for each skin tone and hair color, there are a few “must haves” that don’t apply to others. Redheads NEED to have a brown eyeliner and a peach lipstick. Olive skin tones NEED to have metallic eye colors and blackest black mascara. Blondes NEED to have a bold red lip and earth toned tops. But some things that I have found stylish or necessary can work for anyone. In fact, some are flat out “must haves”. So what are Sassy’s can’t live withouts? Let’s take a look:

imageTape – Don’t laugh. “What do I need that for?”, you ask. You’d be surprised! Other than defurring whatever you pet owners are wearing, it can also make your purse look newer if it doesn’t have a dust bag. My biggest use for tape?–glitter fall out. Even with the best primers, glitter shadows and blushes can scatter their glitter everywhere. I always do my eyes FIRST after cleansing and treating my face. I apply primer, foundation, concealer and blush last, after the eye. And lips? Not a bad idea to tape them before applying lip products. This will help remove any tiny pieces of dry skin that can make lip colors look blotchy and flaky.
HINT: leave a roll of blue painter tape in the bathroom for just these situations. It is less sticky and there is less tugging in delicate areas.

imageA Newspaper Print Tee – You’re like… huh? Let’s go back to Sex and the City, circa 2000. Carrie wore a dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior from their Spring line in the series and it took off. You cannot find that dress anywhere now. It’s vintage and if it was for sale, it would probably be insanely expensive. So since you can’t have the original, go for a substitute. I’m not huge on dresses, but I have THREE newspaper print tee shirts and they are treated like gold in my closet. I didn’t buy any of them new–I got each from a consignment shop or thrift store at ridiculously cheap prices. I love the fact it can be part of a no-think outfit. A newspaper top can be worn with ANY jeans, ANY black skirt, ANY shoes, ANY hairstyle and ANY makeup look. Even though I have three already, I always keep my eyes open for other styles. They are funky and edgy with a whole lot of chic!! Always check out second hand stores before going new–way more vintage, way more classic.
Sassy Found: Bonmode’s Vintage Inspired Newspaper High Low Tunic Top, amazon.com, $39.95

imageWhite Eyeshadow – Some people think that a white shadow can make them look washed out, but it’s better to think that white shadow gives an artist a blank canvas. Matte or shimmer, powder or cream–white shadow gives you so many options for so many looks. Sometimes I’ll use my white cream shadow as a primer to hold powder shadows on and give them a brighter look. Other times I’ll just wear a white shimmer shadow with heavy black liner and mascara for a simple, sexy look. Work it how you want…just make sure you have at least one, and wear it often!
Sassy Found: Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in “Too Cool”, most drug stores, $6.99

imageLots of Bracelets – Just like shoes, purses & jeans…you can never have too many bracelets. I never was a big bracelet wearer mainly because I have wrists the size of a newborn baby’s. Bangles would always fall off. Now I don’t know if jewelry makers just got smart or women’s wrists just got smaller, but the options out there now are endless. Mainly because the majority of fashion bracelets are elastic. (Yeay!!) Mix and match gold tones and silver tones. Leather bracelets are always classy. If you are like me and love that rocker look, stack and layer them. I like putting “biker bracelets” with pearl or rhinestone ones. And chains? Chains are SOOO in! The chunkier… the better. In warm weather when sleeves are short, don’t leave your bare arms hanging. Dress them in some slammin’ baubles for an attention getter!
Sassy Found: Simply Vera Vera Wang Two Tone Bead Multistrand Stretch Bracelet, $21.00; Two Tone Curb Chain Multistrand Bracelet, $7.20; Silver Plated Crystal Bead & Heart Charm Woven Leather Stretch Bracelet, $80.00, kohls.com

imageFavorable Notoriety – Ummmm…. what? There is nothing that locally owned, non-chain stores LOVE more than: a) favorable word of mouth; and b) repeat customers. I have a few small stores in my area that I frequent at LEAST once a week. Sometimes I leave with something, other times I just browse. But I always make sure I say hello to the owner, manager, or sales people when I go in and chat them up. I also make DAMN sure that they know what I do, I know my designers, and I know the current (or upcoming) styles. Why? Because that gives you the “in” on anything new and hot, sometimes even before the general public if you’re cozy enough. I know a girl who works at my fave “gently used” clothing store. If something from a high-end designer comes in that I might like?… I get a little text telling me to stop in. OR if they really know you shop their store a lot?…They may even offer you a loyal customer discount. When you get a compliment on that jazzy Guess? tee you picked up for $6 from your “Mentor Mecca”, tell them WHERE you got it and how much you paid. Don’t think of it as a used $6 tee…. you think of it as the high-fashion expensive designer tee shirt that you landed for an INSANELY OBSCENE price! It won’t take long before your face and name (and with me…hair!) are known and you can reap the benefits!
Sassy’s Favorite Find: Authentic Sheer Roberto Cavalli T-Shirt in Black WITH TAGS (est. retail $55.00), my cost $8.00, Plato’s Closet.

Sometimes, the most cherished items in your glamour ensemble are things that someone else wouldn’t think twice about buying or owning. They are unsung heroes in a glamourista’s closet, vanity and personality. They might not be something you think you would like, but I challenge you to try. Time after time I find more things that I may not have thought about ever wearing before and now see them as sassy chic. It might be a photo in a magazine, it might be a certain look on a model or actress. Maybe it is a “revolutionary new product” or maybe it is something classic from days gone by. Whatever you see that makes you go “hmmm” for more than a couple of seconds, make a mental glamour note that THAT thing might be your new signature feature….then give it a chance!

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Sassy Gets Her Name In Print…..

18 Jul

imageSince becoming a blogger, product reviewer and general freelance writer, seeing my (or Sassy’s) name on the Internet doesn’t carry the same excitement that it once did. Oh don’t get me wrong… if I get ANYTHING published ANYWHERE, I am proud as punch and I get pretty excited. But when your name (spelled correctly too!) gets in print in a national beauty magazine?…. that’s the freaking BOMB!

…… and that’s exactly what happened to me today.

About three years ago, a big fashion mag wanted to use a letter I had wrote them in an upcoming issue. They even called me to fact check my name and info. I walked around on cloud nine for two months waiting to see this small-town girl’s name in one of THE biggest glam rags of all time! When the issue came out, I read it cover to cover, inch by inch. Nothing. I even called the editor thinking I was reading the wrong issue. Nope. No luck. “Sorry…..we had to edit for space and your piece had to go.” Wow. Tossed aside like a bad piece of lettuce. I was crushed. I was back to being just a reader and not a contributor. It SUCKED! But did I quit? Hellz no! I kept on writing.

Two months ago, I received an email from Allure Magazine regarding a collection of articles I had wrote in my blog about tattoos, their care and a tattoo expo I had recently attended. They liked a reference I had made in a post in relation to an article Allure had just done on moles and beauty marks, and wanted to use my comments in their letters section. I said “Sure!” and gave them the information they needed. Oh, I was thrilled, but I had been let down before so I shielded my enthusiasm in case I got “cut” once again.

Today, the August issue of Allure came in my mailbox and I couldn’t help gasping as I thought maybe–just maybe–this would be my chance to have my name on magazine stands across America. With shaky hands, I began to flip each page. One, after another, after another, after another. When I got to the letters section, my stomach dropped as I saw my name was no where to be found on the page. I looked up and down, left to right, at least a dozen time. *sigh* Screwed over again. Unless… unless…. maybe they carried the letters on to the next page? I held my breath as I turned the page calmly, like a slow-motion action scene from a Bruce Willis movie.

…and there it was. My letter in all its glory with my name and little home town plastered right under it. It was exact, it was quoted perfectly, and everything was spelled right! Me–Sassy!–in black & white on the pages of one of my all-time favorite magazines. I felt like a star! I don’t care who saw (or didn’t see) it…I knew it was there and I knew it was my experience and my writing. I did it!

So, for those of you who aren’t sure if you should stick with what you love to do–or wonder if you should give up on your goal or dream–from the mouth of experience….don’t. You do not have to give up everything to follow your heart, but you must do a little something every day to pursue it. Whatever it is. Cook something, paint something, sing something, build something. WRITE SOMETHING! Keep your dream alive and close to your heart…

And never, ever let it go!!

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(If you would like to see my letter, grab the August issue of Allure magazine at your favorite store or newsstand. Or, for you gadget gurus, download this issue from the App Store.)

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Free, Contest, Win, Goodies…. What Else Do You Need To Know?

16 Jul

imageSo… You’re entered into my fab contest to win a Sassy Set of goodies from ForGoodnessGrape, right? This is the last week to enter! Winner is picked next Monday….

….what? You haven’t entered yet? You’re not serious.

LET’S GET MOVING PEOPLE!

Let me remind you of the fabulous prize that is up for grabs on “The Sassy Is Right”:
You have a chance to win – FREE – a set of FGG‘s top products. ONE lucky winner will receive FGG’s most popular flavor–Lemon Cupcake–in a lip candy lip balm and sugary lip scrub. And…AND… because I am such a cool blogger and you luuuuuuuuuv me, I am also adding a “Kate” Lip Tintx–a peachy-pink moisturizing lip tint with a hint of golden sparkle. Face it…. you know you want this! “Oh Sassy, this is soooo cool! And you are so awesome! How do I enter?” Well you can check out my last blogpost for details OR follow the instructions below. It’s easy-peasy:

1. FOLLOW SassyAuburn on Twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/sassyauburn (@sassyauburn)
2. FOLLOW ForGoodnessGrape on Twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/4goodnessgrape (@4GoodnessGrape)
3. LEAVE A COMMENT HERE (go ahead, click it!) answering this question: If you could create your own lip balm flavor, what would it be??

(If you DON’T have a Twitter account, you can “Contact Sassy” above and I will let you know what you can substitute that with.)

Now, maybe you already are a fan of FGG products. Maybe you already entered and just can’t wait to see if you won. You need a balm fix NOW! I feel ya. Okay, let me sweeten the tea just a little bit more:

Thanks to the fabalicious Lisa from ForGoodnessGrape, you can order your fave lip balms, scrubs, tints and then-some and get 15% OFF…. let me spell that out… FIFTEEN PERCENT OFF!…. just by using the coupon code “SASSY” at checkout. No, I’m not kidding. But I’m telling ya, you gotta get moving!

You now have less than a week. Let’s get entered in the contest then jump over to FGG’s website and use that discount code before your lips start to cry. Oh they will. Trust me. And it won’t be pretty–but they can be if you treat them right with some goodies!

If you have any problem getting entered, please “Contact Sassy” with the homepage link.

The clock is ticking….. GO!

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Sassy’s Having A “Grape” Contest!!

8 Jul

imageOkay, I am sure all of you were so excited about my ForGoodnessGrape lip products review that you grabbed your laptop and ordered your favorite balms, scrubs and tints in seconds. Right? RIGHT? ……..WHAT? You didn’t? OMG, what is wrong with you people! I ordered my faves ASAP and they came today! I’ve been leaving random flavors around the house, in my purse, in my jeans, etc. just so I know I’ll always have one nearby. Now you can’t say you did the same did you? Tsk tsk.

Listen, Sassy is going to help you out a bit here. Don’t say I never do anything fun, okay? I am going to give you the opportunity to WIN a set of FGG’s top products to get your lips into phenom shape this season. ONE lucky winner will receive FGG’s most popular flavor–Lemon Cupcake–in a lip candy lip balm and sugary lip scrub. Plus, since those lips will be looking and feeling fabulous, I am also adding a “Kate” Lip Tintx–a peachy-pink moisturizing lip tint with a hint of golden royalty! I have these goodies myself and I absolutely LOVE them all. And I know you will too!

So, you want to win? Follow the instructions EXACTLY and your name will be entered into the drawing! Winner will be chosen randomly by an online program on JULY 29, 2013. (If any requirement is missing, sorry…your entry will be void.)

Here’s what you have to do:

1. FOLLOW SassyAuburn on Twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/sassyauburn (@sassyauburn)
2. FOLLOW ForGoodnessGrape on Twitter here: https://mobile.twitter.com/4goodnessgrape (@4Goodness Grape)
3. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW answering this question: If you could create your own lip balm flavor, what would it be?? (I’ll even throw mine in to get you started!)

That’s it! Simple huh? If you DON’T have a Twitter account, you can “Contact Sassy” above and I will let you know what you can substitute that with.

So, you ready to play? I am SOOO excited to see what awesome lip balm flavors you come up with! Think fruits, think candies, think cookies, think cakes! Blend up your fave and get entered for a chance to win my Lemon Cupcake Shimmer Set! Remember contest ends on 7/28/13 @ 11:59pm EST, so get entered soon!

GOOD LUCK SASS-INISTAS!!

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Sassy Thinks It’s The Best Lip Balm…EV-AH!

2 Jul

imagePinterest and Etsy have become the hot media outlets where you can share your handmade products and recipes with the rest of the world. Seriously, what a fabulous idea. You post how you made that delish chocolate peanut butter banana mousse in a blender in less than 10 minutes and I’ll show you how to braid leather and glass into a couture bracelet in a day. (Please don’t ask me for the directions to either. I have no clue.) My personal DIY abilities are quite limited. I can FIX anything. I can even make the basic better. But to CREATE? I can take a top, pants, shoes, bag and accessories and CREATE an outfit. But that’s even pushing it. I have the utmost respect for those who can create. Designers, tattoo artists, builders. And if you can create something for fun that ends up being really good–like sellable good? Sweetheart, you’ve made your mark!

A friend of mine, Doreene, has been raving to me about these lip balms that she got from Etsy for a while now. She knows my life revolves around fashion and beauty and said I HAD to try these best lip balms ever. I didn’t want to pop her bubble, but do you KNOW how many lip balms are on the retail market? Gazillions!! So, what made these special? But Doreen pressed on. I couldn’t let it go–Doreen said I HAD to try them! Okay, okay… I am a tester at heart, and an honest one at that. So you want to know what I think? Sit down and be ready because I WILL tell you.

Let me give you a brief background of the products: “ForGoodnessGrape’s” (FGG) Philosophy is simple – This is the last stop on your quest for the BEST LIP BALM! As stated on their website, “products are made with high quality ingredients and hand blended in small batches resulting in fresh high quality beauty products. Each has a combination of at least 3-4 different highly moisturizing butters and 2-3 different superior skin softening oils.” As a victim myself of chronic chapped lips, and a strict studier of oils and butters, I knew already this company had a smart grip on what they were doing from just what I read.

With a ton of questions and a lot of curiosity about the products, I figured I would touch base with Lisa, the contact person at ForGoodnessGrape.com. I explained to her who I was, what I did, and that I was told her fabulous products needed to be exposed which is where I came in. Lisa is a doll to work with if I have a question, she is right there with an immediate answer. I asked for a couple of samples of her best selling products which she sent me… quickly and over-abundantly!

My samples came with their three favorite items (well, for me): Lip Balms, Lip Tints and Shimmers, and Sugary Lip Scrubs. The packaging was simple but “cozy” (if that makes ANY sense to you), the items arrived well protected, and in fact they didn’t seem “handmade”. I easily could see them in a drug store retail environment, but I liked the fact I could look at the ENDLESS list of goodies online, changing my mind (and shopping cart) every other second if I chose. I’ll break down my thoughts on each…

Lip Balms: FGG balms have just about every flavor imaginable. No, seriously. You usually don’t get moisturizing/healing ingredients in a flavor you like enough to use often to help your lips heal. Plus, all items are handmade to order. No stale products from shelves like many mass marketing names do. Your order was made with you in mind. They contain 3-4 different moisturizing butters and 2-3 skin softening oils to keep your lips soft and silky. Sassy’s suggestion? Buy at least 3-5, and put one everywhere! I have one in my purse, one in my makeup drawer, one in my car, one next to my bed and one I can throw in my pocket if I am on the run. If you want them all the same favor?…that’s up to you. But variety is the spice of life, so I have favorites like lemon cupcake (a must have), cake batter and kahlua and cream. Yum!
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Lip Tints & Shimmers: There are times when we want a hint of color with a lip product that keeps our lips soft and smooth at the same time. Lipsticks have a tendency to be drying, even after going on moist. That’s why FGG Lip Tints & Shimmers really caught my eye. I am so lost with lip products. Some are long-wearing but drying. Others tug and hurt my already chapped lips. Others are so focused on being “moisturizing”, that they slide off or transfer almost immediately. And this one company who had my hopes up with “baby” -feeling lips was unfortunately a fail when it came to lasting tints and softness. A lip tint–with enough “couture” color to stand out but the right formula to keep lips soft–was something that grabbed my interest right away. I was sent a sample of “Bitten” which was a soft, true red right out of the ‘old days’. “Mystery and Macabre” is a dark red tint that definitely wears more bold and dark than “Bitten”. I tend to use “Bitten” for daytime/casual wear, and “Mystery and Macabre” for evening events. I liked them so much I ordered four more in a variety of colors today. It’s also nice to know you can blend tints to come up with a shade just for you! Hooray for FGG Lip Tints–two great products in one simple tube!

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Sugary Lip Scrubs: Oh, people…. let me tell you this is the lip scrub to end all lip scrubs. For years, I’ve been making my own lip scrubs, with exfoliating and healing ingredients. So when I saw that something that I myself had been making had been improved to store in a lip balm holder, in flavors I loved?… I was impressed. You could carry it with you as needed, as well be appealing to the eyes, nose and taste buds! (Yes, you can lick the excess off the tube!) Lisa sent me “Cherry Vanilla” and at first I was a little sad. I’m just not a big cherry-flavor fan. But it STILL was the first item I had to open and try because I had to see how it worked. And it DID! Not only do the various sugar grits rid the lips of dry skin, but its base is moisturizing and its flavor yummy!! I cannot WAIT to get more of these. Listen!—Sassy lesson coming here!–No matter WHAT you use on your lips for color or gloss (or especially if you use nothing,) you need a good lip exfoliant to use 1-2x a week! Nothing will ruin a great makeup look than blotchy, scratchie, ouchie lips. Scruff them off, then balm them up! FGG Lip Scrubs will be your new BFF.

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Okay, so if you can’t tell, I’ve found some of my new favorite lip products right here at ForGoodnessGrape. It’s nice to be discovering some of my new favorite beauty products coming from small local or home-based businesses. I won’t hesitate to pay a little more if I love what I get, it exceeds even my expectations, and helps us friends out here at home! I am happy and proud that ForGoodnessGrape has made that list for me. Welcome to my glamour-ama, Lisa!

Find ForGoodnessGrape at…
Main Shop: http://www.ForGoodnessGrape.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/4goodnessgrape
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/4GoodnessGrape
Blog: http://www.confessionsofalipbalmaddict.com/
(Flavor and Fragrance List can be found on my Blog here: http://www.forgoodnessgrape.blogspot.com/p/forgoodnessgrape-fragrance-list.html)

Sassy's Summer Sampler

Don’t miss the opportunity to get the “Sassy Summer Sampler” from ForGoodnessGrape named just for ME!
Just click the picture to go to this HOT deal!
(Pssst….check back very soon for a special treat for lip balm addicts everywhere!)

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Sassy’s Thought of the Day

30 Jun

imageWe did not change as we grew older; we just became more clearly ourselves.

~ Lynn Hall

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Sassy Redheads Love Denim!

19 Jun

imageBeing a redhead, I am pre-programmed to know what colors look good on me. I can wear green, I cannot wear reds (or so I think). I can wear browns, I cannot wear pastel pink. I can wear purple, I cannot wear lilac. I try sometimes to sneak taboo colors into my closet, but their time there is often short lived because I’m afraid to wear it.

The one tricky color for redheads is blue. I can say, without a doubt, it’s the most difficult color for me to feel comfortable in. Royal Blue? Oh no!…. That’s like arsenic to my fashion code. Powder blue? Eh….it’s okay but washes me out even more. (Really…can deathly pale look any worse? Ah, yeah.) Turquoise blue? That, I have to say, I do well with. Probably because it has yellow undertones which go with my auburn hair. Dark blue? Gag…. next.

These colors are out in the makeup and fashion world all year ’round so they are unavoidable. You just need to try, blend, mix, discover. Although there are many shades of blue, the one constant on the fashion pallet is not just a color but a material too–denim. Denim blue, no matter how varied in shades, it is a must in a redhead’s–or anyone’s for that matter–closet. I LOVE MY DENIM!!! And now with jeans being just as classy and dressy as they are casual, everyone with all hair colors need a varied collection of denim fashions.

Oh trust me…it took a long time for me to become a fan of denim jeans. Before? None of them seem to fit me right–too loose here, too tight there, too long, too short. Bah. I virtually gave up ever finding a nice, chic pair of jeans that looked and felt good all over. Then someone suggested I try to find a pair of jeans at a thrift store. Ummm… huh? They said they have been worn out in some places, shrunk to fit in others, have their color faded perfectly and…oh yeah…are cheap. So for a couple of weeks that’s what I did. I tried on all brands and sizes of jeans imaginable till I found what I loved. It didn’t take long to find certain brands and styles that fit me like a glove. And that enabled me to make jeans my number one priority in my wardrobe. Woot!

Now just because blue denim jeans are a must for my edgy, rocker-girl look, that doesn’t mean denim starts and end with jeans. There are so many other pieces (and accessories) where denim blue can play a fab role!! So how can this strong-spirited, must-have help take an avant-garde girl to the next fashion level? Let’s see what Sassy has:

Jeans (of course). I can easily say 1/3 of my closet is full of jeans. I have several pair of skinnies, boot cuts, jeggings and straight cuts in all types of washes (stone, whiskered, dark, acid, destroyed). Each cut and each color has a time and place. A nice date night may call for a pair of dark skinny denims with a sequined cami and a nice boyfriend jacket, finished with a pair of platform pumps. A day at a family birthday party screams faded stone-washed straight-legged jeans, maybe even with a few select worn holes. Top it with a graphic tee and a pair of contrasting gladiator sandals and you have a fun, comfortable look for the day. Always remember there is a pair of jeans for almost ANY occasion–you just need to find them. SASSY’S FAVORITES: dELiA’s Morgan Low-Rise Skinny Jean in Charlotte Wash, dELiA’s stores and delias.com, $46.50; Guess Starlet Leg Jeans in Noisy Wash, guess.com, $89.00
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A denim jacket. A denim jacket, no matter how old you are, is a must. This “Plain Jane” piece has been around for decades with only a few changes here and there depending on the latest fads. A standard denim jacket is a staple for both men and women. Women are the primarily the ones who enjoy jazzing them up to go with the current fashions. Me personally? I have a basic dark wash denim jacket — but I love to add accent pieces like pins, scarves, chains and rhinestones for a jazzier look. SASSY’S FAVORITE: Women’s Denim Jacket (also available in petite & tall) in Dark Worn; oldnavy.com, $34.94
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Jewelry. Yeah, that’s what I said…jewelry. Granted, there aren’t a ton of pieces out there that fall into this category, but what you find will probably look cool. Plus, when it comes to jewelry, it doesn’t have to be actual denim material. A denim-colored jeweled necklace can make a pair of boots, straight-legged jeans and a white classic top look stunning. And bracelets? Perfect! Find some denim blue rhinestone bracelets and stack them up with black leather cuffs, pearls, and links for a bold look that matches with its own style! SASSY’S FAVORITES: Napier Silver Tone Bead Multistrand Stretch Bracelet in blue, kohls.com, $18.00; 2028 Crystal Flower Pendant Necklace, macys.com, $38.00
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Purse. This gets a little squirrelly in my book. I think an all-denim handbag can look SO out of place with a pair of jeans if the wash and style aren’t the same. Some say it’s trendy, I personally say it’s match-y and gauche. If you want to integrate some denim with your bag, find a purse that has pieces of denim in it or has other materials and textures to break up the look. Your bag should compliment the outfit, not be a piece of it. This will be a challenge. I’d prefer to say phooey and just compliment your look with a nice black or metallic bag. But if you must… SASSY’S FAVORITE: Coach Poppy Pop C Denim (Groovy 15351), amazon.com, $228.00
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Eye Shadow. Ok, duh, I know you can’t glue pieces of denim to your lids, but there are some stunning shadows out there that are denim hued that will finish off your look with a pop of color that will look good on anyone. Stay true to the denim shade–don’t lean towards powder blues or midnight blues. You will know it when you see it. Use it as a crease accent with neutrals for a highlighter and lid shade. Use a fine liner brush to extend the crease color to the outer corner and along the bottom lash line. This will give you a soft smokey look for day and night wear. SASSY’S FAVORITES: Lancôme Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in Little Blue Dress, macys.com, $19.00; Maybelline Eye Studio Color Pearls Marbleized Eyeshadow Duo in Downtown Denim, CVS & cvs.com, $6.99
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With warm weather upon us, extend the denim look into some capris and shorts as well. Same rules apply with the colors and washes. What is great about summer denim is you can make your outfit look simply FAB by rocking some stunning sandals or footwear to really take those basic blues to another level. Denims can last a long, long time and will usually last longer than its style. To keep them looking as new as possible, wash them inside out, in cold water with a splash of color safe bleach. It’s also best to wash all your denims together without any other clothes. This will prevent any color from bleeding into other items and keep them soft, fresh and bright. With the right denims that fit you perfectly, you will have the one fashion that will ALWAYS be your best friend!

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OCC Lip Tars & Armour Lip Glosses from LeCosmetique

14 Jun

imageIt is not a surprise that color cosmetics are strongly judged by customers based mainly by two things: the strength of the pigments (base colors) in the product and how long these colors last without reapplication. These qualities are important in general, every day makeup as well as performance makeup used in TV, films and stage. Ever since I began my fascination with makeup years and years ago, I have seen some make ups go from lasting 20 minutes to wearing 24 hours. Companies know our time is precious and limited so the less touch ups we have to do during the day (or night), the better. Not only do cosmetics wear longer in general, but the colors and features are more vibrant. There are no more days of just jet black liner, mascara, powder blue eye shadow and fuchsia lipstick. The colors, styles and features are endless. And if you know your stuff? You can create yourself a look prettier than a peacock!

Recently, I saw an add for a cosmetic company called LeCosmetique. This company sells professional makeup supplies for makeup artists as well as makeup fanatics. One item they feature is a product they sell called “Lip Tars” by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC). Since I began blogging, I have seen lip tars here and there, but didn’t know what made them different from other lip colors. It seems that lip tars are HIGHLY pigmented and as the product itself wears down, the stain from the pigments keep the colors going strong. Because lip tars are oil based and not waxed based, they HAVE to be applied with a brush which conveniently comes with each one ordered. (FYI, I tell all my Sassinistas to put on ANY colored lip product with a brush–tars, lipsticks, tinted balms or even glosses.) Using a brush helps to keep the product from bleeding into the feathered cracks around your lips. It also helps to “press” the color into your lips, staining them, to make it last longer. You can even buy retractable lip brushes to use while you’re out and not mess up your purse or makeup bag.

Being a lip color addict, I have to admit that these “tars” intrigued me. They were packaged like some cream eye shadows are so it was hard to conceive them being like a manageable lip color. I asked LeCosmetique if they would be willing to let me try one, just to be able see what it was like compared to other lip glosses or lipsticks. They were more than happy to send me not just one but a couple of their favorite products to let me play with and see what I thought in comparison to other retail-store products. (LeCosmetique store is only online.) I was thrilled when I saw they sent me four products to test out–two OCC Lip Tars and two Armour Moisturizing Lip Glosses. Oh yeay…time to play makeup!

The first products I tried were the Lip Tars. It only took one ridiculous application to realize immediately two things: 1) the colors are very, VERY highly pigmented; and 2) a little goes a long way. Since each lip tar comes with its own brush, I highly recommend not interchanging the brush with its color. Now that’s not saying that you shouldn’t combine lip tars to create your own unique colors. In fact–just the opposite! It’s fabulous to have a pallet of lip tars to blend up a color that works perfectly for your color theme of the day. Use just a dot, blend it in thoroughly, then add more if you want a bolder color. Seriously though, listen to Sassy–APPLY ONE SMALL DOT AT A TIME! When you realize how very little you need to get the bold long lasting color you want, you’ll realize that one tube of OCC Lip Tar will most likely last the rest of your life. Really… I’m not kidding. If you do use a lip brush to blend several colors, make sure you wash the brush out as soon as you’re done with a little eye makeup remover and gentle cleanser. That way you won’t have any straggling color mixing in with your new one.

The two OCC Lip Tar colors I was sent were Harlot and Clockwork. Harlot is a BRIGHT fiery red that is neither warm nor cool. It is a straight up neutral red that you can wear alone for an old Hollywood look that is so in style right now. Or, if you wish, you can tone it up or down with other Lip Tars to give you a warmer or cooler tone. It is not easy to find a true, neutral, bright red lip color but you get it with Harlot. Being a redhead, I admit I was a little intimidated by its boldness. I had never worn a red that bright before! But I found if I applied the Lip Tar, blotted the oil, and reapplied if necessary, the color gave me a nice red tint to my lips which didn’t look overbearing. Nice! The other color I was sent was Clockwork which is a rich terra cotta shade with vivid orange undertones. With the warmer temps and my hair being richly red, this color looked great on me. Although its base notes are warm, the shade can be “pressed” into a long lasting neutral shade that can look good with all fashion shades. It can also be used very lightly to give an almost nude hue. A great color for a day of errands or light enough to wear when you want to bring attention to your emphasized eyes so they won’t collide with your lips.

I really liked how the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars looked and felt on my lips. They gave me a great base color and allowed me to jazz them up if I wanted with different shades of glosses (read below) for some high shine and pizazz. I couldn’t stress enough the importance of using a lip brush when applying the OCC Lip Tars. It’s also great to know that the Lip Tars are made in the USA and are both vegan and cruelty free. Yeay OCC and LeCosmetique!
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In addition to the highly pigmented OCC lip tars, LeCosmetique sent me two of their Beauty Lip Glosses by Armour. These are different from the Lip Tars because the Lip Glosses long-wearing formula is more moisturizing with a base of shea butter, avocado, mango and olive oil, grape seed oil and vitamin E. These great glosses come complete with a doe-foot applicator and go on bold–but not as bold as the Lip Tars. They are long wearing but super moisturizing which I LOVE. I was sent two shades of glosses–Gypsy and Hello.

Any fan of the 80’s will be thrilled to hear that the Gypsy Lip Gloss was, in fact, named after the popular Fleetwood Mac song. This gloss is a soft sheer peach with tiny specks of gold shimmer. I love that I can wear it by itself as a long-wearing, every day color. It has a light vanilla/grapefruit scent which isn’t over-bearing. Want to go bolder? Kick up your favorite Lip Tar shade a notch by topping it with this high shimmery shine. Gypsy is truly THE perfect nude shade to do just that! Then there is Hello. When I first saw this color as I took it out of the package, I thought, “Where the heck am I ever going to have the opportunity to wear this color?” I am a RAGING redhead and this gloss screams bubblegum pink with TONS of pigment. Sooooo not me! But you know what? … I was VERY pleasantly surprised! It’s light and bright, and it is one of THE hottest shades this season. Vanilla & grapefruit scented, this naturally based, long wearing, Rock ‘N’ Roll lip gloss is a great addition to your lip color pallet. Named after an ode to Hello Kitty and 1960’s Hello Magazine, this pink is without a doubt a must-have this year. Easy does it, though. The color is bold and it is better to dot it on with the applicator then blend in with your fingertip then to swipe it with the applicator. THEN you can add more if you want more pop! Like you don’t have enough reasons to love OCC Lip Tars and Armour Lip Glosses already, there’s more: they are both paraben free and do no animal testing….ever!
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The main thing I really liked about Armour Lip Glosses from LeCosmetique are that I can get a rich, long-lasting color with moisturizers and shine in ONE easy-to-carry product. We all know many big named cosmetics offer these things but not all in one tube. Sometimes you need as many as four! Well hellz bellz, I ain’t got time for that! The more simple you can make my routine, the better. And this gloss is certainly simple!

I am already putting together my next order to LeCosmetique for more Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars and Armour Lip Glosses right now! The thought of mixing and blending for some unique, long-lasting colors sounds exciting and fun! Plus it’s nice to know I am helping support local companies here at home that provide excellent products that are environmentally friendly. I definitely suggest you go and check out the numerous products that LeCosmetique has to offer. Whether you work on a big make up or cosmetology job level or just want a few quality items for your personal collection, I have no doubt you will find something you will like with LeCosmetique.

Check out LeCosmetique’s site HERE

This is me wearing OCC's Lip Tar in "Harlot" and Armour Beauty Lip Gloss in "Gypsy", both from LeCosmetique.

This is me wearing OCC’s Lip Tar in “Harlot” and Armour Beauty Lip Gloss in “Gypsy”, both from LeCosmetique.

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Must Haves In May

5 Jun

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I hate May.

How is that for an opening remark? I really don’t think any month tears me up more than May. I have lost several close relatives in the month of May, the weather is so unpredictable, allergies are brutal and… oh, let’s not forget the best of the best… my birthday is in May. Getting another year older always puts a smile on my face….NOT! I hate getting old and will fight ANY signs of it as much as possible–mind, body & soul. Which is probably why most of my fab finds this month will help me stay 29…again!

So what are my new favorite makeup and skin care items I found this month? Read on and find out:

image1. Lancôme Visionnaire – A few of the tell-tale signs of your real age is what begins happening to the skin on your face and neck. Fine lines appear, pores look larger, face takes on an uneven skin tone. Everything that screams old. Since cosmetic procedures are not an option to me (don’t know if I would even if I could), I always read about the latest products to fight the signs of aging. My friend Lisa who is a manager at the local Macy’s said I HAD to try this product for a couple of weeks and gave me a few samples of the Visionnaire serum. My current night cream was getting low so I thought it would be a good time to try it out. I had been using a night gel so this Lancôme Serum felt really nice to put on. It absorbed quickly with no tight or sticky feeling. I already notice my skin tone is evening out, and my pores and fine lines seem less noticeable. Boo-Yah! Just what I am looking for. The only down side it’s pretty expensive, but a little goes a long way and I believe the bottle I got will last at least six months to a year. That’s a good investment in younger looking skin. I top it with my favorite moisturizing night cream and let nature do the rest! ($89 [1oz], Macy’s stores & online)

image2. L’Oreal RevitaLift® Miracle Blur – Okay, true story: I was asked to be a product tester for this product early in the month. I read all the info, used it as directed, but I personally didn’t think I saw the results I was supposed to get, so I tossed it aside after a week. Blur is not a moisturizer, Blur is not a foundation, and it is supposed to do more than just a primer does. But it just didn’t seem to give me what i wanted. Then, like only NY can do, the weather did a complete 180, turning not just warmer but flat out HOT! I realized I needed something to keep away the makeup melt-aways and nasty shine. A product that did that PLUS help me with a broad spectrum SPF would be really great. Hmmmm. Funny–those are things that the new product Blur promised. Okay, lets try this again. Now, the directions say you should apply Blur after your moisturizer and before your foundation. When I did that, I didn’t really get the look I wanted. But when I used a little less and applied it OVER my foundation, I got the look I loved with lasting results I wanted. Sometimes I even blend a bit of my mineral foundation into it in the palm of my hand with the Blur which gives me a nice, all-day matte look. Sometimes things just need another chance and a little adjusting. We hope our serums will work fast, but if they don’t do the job 100%, this will hide that little percentage it missed! ($24.99, most drug stores)

image3. Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Towelettes – Obviously I have an OCD issue with the evenness and tone of my skin. I don’t want blotchy-ness and I don’t want scars from my teen years. If I could get my skin to brighten and even-out where I would need minimal to no foundation, I’d be thrilled. These towelettes take off all my makeup with a gentle textured no-rinse wipe. I was worried my sensitive skin might find it contained a bit too much acid from the grapefruit, but my skin tolerated the wipes just fine. I do feel some tingling after using them, but nothing that irritates or breaks out my face, more like a clean feeling. Oh and I love the scent! These are awesome for those “I’m too tired to take my face off” nights. Just leave a pack in the bed stand for just that! Congrats to Yes To for another fabulous line of products!!($5.99, most retail stores)

image4. Jimmy Choo’s “Flash” Parfum – Okay, so a new scent may not make you look younger, but it can definitely make you feel younger. And isn’t that what counts? This second fragrance from shoe expert, Jimmy Choo, has a pop to it that just takes the wearer’s charisma to a whole new level. The perfume caught my attention on a scratch & sniff page in one of my favorite magazines. (“Samples sell!!”) I INSTANTLY fell in love with it and the search was on. I was able to snag a mini bottle on EBay till I could get a regular sized bottle. This is truly one of those WOW! scents. Notes of pink pepper, strawberry and tangerine open you senses to a rush of power, allure and sexiness that you can even see within the person wearing it. It is very new, so watch for it. I think you hear more about it in the months to follow. ($55.00 [1.3 oz], Nordstrom’s and Nordstrom’s online)

image5. benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara – I am embarrassed to say how many mascaras I have featured on my blog as the greatest, best, advanced, favorite new product I’ve ever tried. Especially since I’m going to do it again. Ok, Sassinistas…. what do I always say about samples? (Look above, silly!). The sample of this mascara was actually the birthday gift to Sephora Insiders, so I picked mine up when I stopped in the store a few weeks ago. Okay, nice, a cute mascara, I’ll try it someday. Well, that day came while my husband was out of town recently and I had nothing to do with my free time except try makeup looks out of my glam mags. I grabbed a few of my fave products from the bathroom including “little” items that were easy to carry. I grabbed this mascara since the mini tube was easy to handle. I knew as soon as I put the mascara on a few of my lashes that is was really different. The “brush” coated each lash more like a comb, separating and plumping each lash. Seriously, they chose a great name for the product because it makes your lashes so lush, they almost look fake. As full as they were, removal wasn’t that difficult at bedtime either. I cringe to think about adding another mascara to my beauty drawer, but dang! I have GOT to get this one!! ($23.00, Sephora stores and online)

And there we have it! It may not be my favorite month of the year but trying new products kept my mind and writing hand busy. Phew, no doubt…. May was BUSY!! Soon, I’ll be talking about hot summer items that you’ll want to have on hand (and feet), so keep reading to learn about “summer must have’s” in your closet, beach bag, makeup drawer and on your bathroom counter. Is there anything YOU want to know about: Hot nail colors? Must-have hair products? Stylish shorts? Summer accessories? Skin tamers? Ask me! I’d love to do a blog post where I can help my readers with their fashion & glamour questions. Don’t wait… send them in!!!!

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