Tag Archives: glitter

Five Things I Learned This Year At The Makeup Show…

5 Jul

Every spring, I take my annual trip to NYC to attend one of the premiere makeup and glamour events in the country. The Makeup Show makes it stop at the beginning of May in the Big Apple which is not too far from my actual location here in Upstate NY. Ever since the first one I attended in 2016, I am always amazed by the talent and education The Makeup Show brings to the stage as well as the brands that go. This year was no exception. We heard tips and tricks from the industry’s leaders with insight into what is new and hot for the seasons ahead.

There are always exceptional products that never cease to amaze me as well as new trends to follow. I always feel honored to have the inside “T” in regards to make up looks, hot colors, trends, ingredients and tips. Sometimes I just hear something that gives me a “No kidding!” moment. And that happened more than once this year.

So what shockers did I experience? Let’s see….

1. “If you don’t have glitter adhesive for your eyes, use some clear eyelash adhesive and gently pat glitter onto the lid with a small, flat, synthetic brush.” This was kind of a “Wow! No sh*t!” moment for me. I have a few different glitter adhesives (that I actually got from The Makeup Show last year!) but this was a great tip for someone that may want an easy backup plan who needs a bit of sparkle to hold during an impromptu meeting, lunch, dinner, club date or even a glam moment. It makes total sense… if it is safe enough for your lashes, it’s safe enough for your lids. This is an inexpensive way to play with different glitter looks you want to try as well. Also, synthetic brushes don’t “absorb” as much product, so the majority of the product you pick up with gets to the eye. Especially glitter!

2. “For a dewy look on your body (neck, shoulders, cleavage, chest), use a simple sunscreen rather than a ton of different products.” I have done many reviews on different types of sunscreens over the years, but I never thought that they could be used as makeup. The ingredients of sunscreen tend to be slightly thicker than general makeup, and are needed for long term wear to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. This richer formula is perfect for giving you that soft, silky, dewy look without needing a ton of time with brushes, bronzers or highlighters.

3. “Do not use an HD powder when doing a photoshoot. HD powders tend to use shimmering agents that actually causes the flash to bounce off your face.” Whoa. THAT was a serious “Ah-Ha!” moment for me. In the past year, I have been doing a lot of professional photos with photographers. I always thought that the fine grind of HD powders would give me a flawless finish. That’s true, but not if cameras are involved. What can happen is your powder can cause flashback, which shows up on film as a white or oily look, coming from the flash of the camera hitting reflective surfaces. Products with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (natural sunscreen ingredients) can cause this to happen as well, but to a lesser extent. I stopped at one of my favorite vendors to discuss what I had just heard, and to ask what I needed instead. They felt my pain and directed me to the powder that I should use. Phew!

4. “Yes, you can find a long-lasting lip color that will stay true for over 8 hours without drying out your lips.” For years now, I have loved the idea of a lipstick that will not transfer onto my coffee cup, straw… or someone else’s face! I have definitely found a few brands, but with my unusually dry lips, the colors tend to cause more problems than they are worth. They dry out my lips causing cracking, peeling, and unappealing blotchiness. I usually end up exfoliating them with sugar and honey to get the uneven color off then just apply a moisturizing gloss tint to try and repair the damage. A company was there that asked me if I would try their long-lasting liquid matte lipstick with a glitter topper to see if they could convince me that theirs was “different”. Sure… why not? After long hours of running and rushing to and from seminars; from classes to subways; to trains then driving home, I gave my lips a look on the train to see how they looked. Holy ah-may-zing. The color was strong, the coverage was even, the glitter had no fall-out and I was still getting compliments on how they looked. I touched base with this great company and placed an order for my favorites within days. Kudos to this great crew for introducing me to my new fave lip color. (To see the brand, click here!)

5. “Choose gain over gossip.” No matter how well you do in your industry, people will talk. They will talk about how you are handling yourself, how you handle your business, how polite you are, how bitchy you can be, your mistakes, your successes, you name it. But the bottom line is that those who want to further themselves in their industry only make up 10% in that line of work. The other 90% are making excuses. Tabatha Coffey held a great seminar this year, not just talking about the makeup industry but how you respond to those around you that like to cut you down. I have said for years that if you don’t like me, yet still watch everything I do?… Bitch, you’re a fan. It’s nice to be reminded that if you are investing in yourself, you are already a step above the rest.

I continue to support those that I am proud to call my friends in this industry and am honored to be with them as we all continue to grow. I have seen amazing things from companies that I have been working with for over the years now, and am so glad that so many have taken me under their wing and shown me things I’ve only dreamed about. This amazing field of makeup and skincare continues to grow, and I look forward to the years to come as we all fly higher than we ever have before!

(Thank you to Glamorous Chicks Cosmetics for their glitter tutorials and the introduction to their long-wearing liquid lipsticks; to Danessa Myricks and Matthew Jordan Smith for the great class on working as a team with your photographer & tips for artists and models of all kinds; Kryolan with suggestions for achieving a great looks on film and in print; and Tabatha Coffey for her inspiration and motivation. And as always… thank you for all of those who do such a great job organizing one of the best makeup shows ever.)

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Fab Finds in June…

4 Jul

imageWelcome to summer, Sassinistas! Sun, warmth, cool shades, top down, shorts up. What a great time of year. Although the elements can be somewhat unpredictable–ranging from warm to very hot, dry to oppressive humidity, sunshine to thunderstorms–this doesn’t have to stop us from looking our best at any time in any weather. In June, I was lucky enough to stumble upon some great “must haves” that aren’t just perfect, but also have extra punch on these warm days when keeping your look fabulous is more difficult. You may want to check these summer-friendly items out:

imageModel in a Bottle: This is one of those items I stumbled upon at The Makeup Show in NYC. I knew I wanted to try it as soon as one of the speakers said it was a must have for anyone wanting an all day look that stayed put. When I spoke to the Model in a Bottle company, they were very generous to send me a full-size bottle to try. There are days when I start at 8 am and don’t stop till midnight. From running around at the tattoo shop, handling personal appointments, meeting with clients and prospective recruiters, then finishing my night spinning fire with my local fire jammer, some days can be day non-stop. Other than refreshing my lipstick occasionally, I don’t have a whole lot of time to do big touch ups or even redo my makeup look completely. Model in a Bottle is simple but great! A few spritzes on my face with my eyes closed for a few seconds and my look gets locked in with all-day hold. No eyeshadow creasing or glitter fallout, stay-put blush and steadfast foundation… for almost 24 hours! I can see how models would need something like this is for a photo shoot but even simple glamouristas like me find this to be a necessity. No matter what life throws at you (including surprise weather changes!), Model in a Bottle will keep you looking amazing all day and night.
modelinabottle.com, $18.00
(This is also available in a sensitive skin formula too, but my easily irritable skin had no problem with the original formula!)

imageEye Kandy Glitter: Although I am an independent fashion & glamour writer, living the simple life in a loft around a historic area of NY, that doesn’t mean I still don’t love anything fancy, frilly, glittery and sparkly. I still adore my sequined tops, shimmery shoes, and sparkly makeup. This was another “must have” Makeup Show item that I fell in love with as soon as I tried it on at the show. With 60 colors available, this makeup item it great alone or over your favorite shadows for a dramatic, dimensional look. What I love about this glitter is it goes on with a specially designed brush and an adhesive made with liquid sugar that creates a strong hold without harsh chemicals around the eyes. Use the different degrees of fine grinds to give you a soft, all over shimmer or use it only on certain areas of the eyes for a look that makes your eyes pop. I’m still experimenting but I already know I’m in love with this product! With my circle of activities, glitter is something I will always feel I need. Eye Kandy gives me endless colors and combos for a bold eye look!
eyekandycosmetics.com, $24.95 for a complete starter set with one color glitter; additional glitters are $7.50 each.

imageTarte’s tartiest lash paint mascara: Usually when you hear the term “lash paint” you expect to find a coloring lash gel that just gives your a hint of color. Not Tarte’s. This mascara is made from black pigments that nourish the lashes while it coats them with a glossy volumizing formula. The soft yet defining brush coats each lash giving them a 2700%+ increase in volume. Plus the formula is super water resistant which helps keep your lashes strong all day without smudging or flaking. When I wear this mascara, one rich coat then a hit with the eyelash curler gives me the look of full, fake lashes! If I DO decide to wear false eye lashes? This mascara is great for an extra level of oomph to coat them. This may actually be a mascara that I will have no hesitation buying again…. it’s that good for what I want!!
tartecosmetics.com, $23.00

imageLumene Bright Now Vitamin C Sleeping Cream: I found this product through a campaign from Influenster. They gave me a coupon to try out a Lumene product then tell them what I thought. I had purchased other Lumene products way back in my blogging days, but my favorite product–an eye makeup remover–was no longer available at my local drugstore so I strayed from the brand. With a two coupons in hand, I hit the store again with not even an idea of what I may want to try. While looking at the limited amount of products they had, I did find this little gem. I have my daytime skincare routine down, but my evening routine was lacking just a bit. I have a great serum I use faithfully but I wasn’t happy with the evening moisturizers I had tried. This one had specific things I knew were important to my skin: it contains Vitamin C to help brighten my skin during cell renewal overnight; essential oils such as sweet almond, cloudberry seed, olive, and sunflower seed to provide anti-aging hydration; and hyaluronic acid to bind and retain water for maximum moisture to reduce the signs of fatigue and fine lines. All that in one nighttime moisturizer?… that didn’t irritate my sensitive skin? Perfecto! So far I have noticed a great difference with my skin being firmer, softer and definitely brighter in the mornings–almost to the point where I can use very little foundation for an even look. Just what my skin needs!
Walgreens, $18.49

imageGarage Cold Shoulder Bodycon Top: Working in a tattoo shop gives me the opportunity to get some great ink done by my fabulous artists. One piece, currently a work in progress, is a beautiful arrangement of roses and vines that was inspired by a picture taken by someone close to me. It took me a long time to get up the nerve to do something on my arms. I knew if I did, this would pretty much put the nail in on ever working in corporate America ever again. I was already writing for “fun” but as soon as my first article was published for money, I knew I had found my calling. At that point, I didn’t care where my tattoos were and how many I had. I was now a professional writer! So now I have great tattoos to show off and I need a way to do it with a little fashion sense. That is what is great about “peek-a-boo” shoulder tops. You can show a bit of skin without looking unbecoming, enabling you to jazz them up with accessories to fit your mood. These tops are simple, great fitting and come in go-with-anything colors. Find them online (with a coupon code) or in a store near you!
Garage Clothing, $19.99

imageNo Boundries Junior Crochet Shorts: It is definitely shorts weather, and the style that’s in right now is the crocheted look. These pretty, feminine style bottoms come in several colors and sizes and can be dressed up for a casual dinner out or dressed down for a laid-back breezy feel at a picnic. It is a no-brainer that if you need to keep cool but stay classy on a warm day, this is a great fashion item to have close by. Me? I got them specifically for one reason: I plan on wearing them with two chained/charmed black scarves tied at the hip that will will be perfect for jingling when I perform with my hula hoop or for fire spinning. Sexy, reasonable and very comfortable!
Walmart, $9.88

So let’s welcome July (safely!) wth a bang and get ready to rock the summer. Sassy has A LOT going on in the next few months so you are going to want to stay in touch to get all the details of what adventures I’ll be taking. All of this will be new to me so I can only imagine how a fashionista will make this happen with style. Am I worried? Hell no. I can flash my style anywhere, anytime! Do you have any plans for the summer? How are you going to style them up? Let me know! I’d love to hear about your adventures and how YOU rocked them!!

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Define: “Steampunk”…

24 Jun

SteampunkCartoon“Steampunk is…a joyous fantasy of the past, allowing us to revel in a nostalgia for what never was. It is a literary playground for adventure, spectacle, drama, escapism and exploration. But most of all it is fun!” ― George Mann

From the Oxford dictionary:
steampunk
Pronunciation: /ˈstēmˌpəNGk/
1.1 A style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction:
the essence of steampunk is homage to vintage fashion with a modern, sassy twist.

I don’t think without a proper dictionary definition, the steampunk style could be understood. Even with the definition? It’s hard to process. Anyone directly in the alternative world of fashion and design may get it. But many on the outside looking in may be baffled. I tend to think of it like this: take a Harry Potter style, give it a punk edge with some designer style and you are on your way to a steampunk look.

Steampunk is definitely not front and center in the glamour & fashion world. In fact, it’s a little underground which makes it that much more eclectic and romantic. It is definitely built around the individual and each look is unique. No one goes into Macy’s and asks for the steampunk section of the store. But that doesn’t mean you can get a look there either.

As my fire-spinning evolves, so does my look. I find myself looking at things that I like, with an edgy flair, and a mystical aura. Do I still love my Manolos? Hell yeah. But you might find them next to a pair of worn black suede combat boots with wired taffeta laces. What can I say? Style is about individuality. That’s why I love this industry.

So you want to look at some steampunk inspired items? I happen to like these items when I’ve got the S-punk urge:

Makeup: Because steampunk is a genre which embraces individuality, no makeup look is right or wrong. There are a few things that can give your look more of an edge than a general look.
**Dark lips are always a plus. Heavy outlined lips, true red lip colors or black matte lipsticks or glosses are a nice look.
**Stenciled designs such as gears, feathers and scrolls around the eye/temple area is cool. You can also find temporary tattoos to give you this look. Enhance them with black or metallic liner for an extra pop.
**Dark gold or copper eyeshadow is a MUST! And the more sparkle and glitter, the better. Add a touch of glittery black liner for a deep look. A touch of the shadow in the middle of your bottom lip looks awesome too.
Sassy Likes: Eye Kandy Cosmetics Eye Kandy Glitter in Taffy (Copper Penny), $7.50; Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in “Outlaw”, $20.00 – Sephora

Clothes: Take a mixture of the Victorian era romance, elements from the Industrial Revolution from the 1800’s and a hint of the post-apocalyptic era and you may have an idea of what the general steampunk look is like. The key is individualism–wear what you feel comfortable in and feel it represents the style that reflects you. Key pieces to look for are long, flowing dresses, regal jackets and bodices, ruffled and/or lacy tops, unleveled hemmed skirts and more. I advise people to look at what other steampunk lovers wear and see what jumps out at them. Remember to try before you buy. What is good for some may not be good for you. Looking at styles presently in your closet may give you an idea of what types of s’punk clothes might interest you… if any! It may not be for you, but if it is, there are lots of places to shop. Start with your local thrift and consignment shops. You’d be surprised what treasures you may find there. You can even find a base and embellish it the way you want. If you are looking for something specific, there are several online stores that offer options such as SteampunkEmporium.com, pyramidcollection.com or my favorite rebelsmarket.com
Sassy Likes: Rebel’s Market Black Corset & Buckles Halter Top, $32.40; Belladonna Corset, $44.95 – goodgoth.com

 

Accessories: Your steampunk look most likely will never be ordinary but accessories can help take it to another level. These items can fall into categories that range from head to toe. They include hats, boots, jewelry and everything in between. When it comes to jewelry, the key thing to look for is bronze. Not necessarily the metal but the color! Necklaces and bracelets with old keys, buckles and chains are a perfect add-on. Chokers made of lace, velvet or leather accented with gems, gears, keys and locks are a pretty pick as well. Boots are a popular choice for footwear. All boot heights including knee high lace up, mid-calf with buckles or low Mary Janes are always popular. When it comes to shoes, dark colors of lace, velvet or leather look fab. And those cute mini hats are always cool if you can pull them off!
Sassy Likes: Necklaces from @Fishscalecreations on Etsy; UGG “Simmens” leather boots, $169.95 – Nordstrom; Steampunk Velvet Top Hat, $19.95 -yandy.com; Black leather metal studded fingerless gloves, $22.00 – rebelsmarket.com

Row

If punk is a little extreme for you ladies but still want to stand out from the crowd, see if the individuality of the steampunk genre is your cup of tea (or poison). If you would like to know more about the why’s, who’s and what’s, check out the links below to give you more information. And as always…. keep me posted on your finds, looks, styles and so on. I’d love to see and share!!

www.steamfashion.livejournal.com: This link gives you a LOT of information. What steampunk is, your individual style, plus it’s history. A great start.

www.pennlive.com: If you want to master a steampunk look or costume, this is a great tool. I love how it talks about the recycling aspect of the look. It doesn’t have to be new, especially since the theme is Victorian based anyways.

thesteampunkempire.com: I love the fact that this is a discussion group that addresses questions you might have. The contributors are people just like you and me that need answers too!

Enjoy and be Steamsavvy, Sassinistas!!
Stopwatch Fierce

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I Spy, With My Little Eye, From The Loft….

11 Nov

RainyFallI’m sitting here at The Loft staring out the beautiful picture window, filled with grey fall clouds above and red brick on the building next door, darkened by the passed rain. As dreary as some might think it is, to me it’s beautiful. The colors blend beautifully with a darkened hue of autumn’s best. Even though I appreciate the vibrancy of it all, the fact still remains that I will be wearing the usual black and white fall-back colors to the tattoo shop for the day. My closet is filled with shades of the season and I’ll still dress like a newspaper. I’m so ashamed.

As I look at all of the colors outside on this cloudy, dismal day, I can’t help but think of some great quotes as well as some fabulous song lyrics that fit the view that I see. Songs and poems come to mind that flow beautifully even with the overcast sky above. It also reminds me that the sights and colors that may seem bleak to many are actually vibrant and bright in my glamour collection. This goes far beyond the colors in my 64 pack of Crayola crayons as well. There are hues that only Mother Nature can create. Nature’s beauty seriously takes my breath away.

With the ever-changing weather in my neck of the woods, let me give you a little insight into what I’m seeing outside my window today, and how it relates to the products that I am partial to when I see them. I’ll even throw in a nice quote or song lyric to make it a bit more fun:

WetRedLipstick* Wet Brick* – “The rain stains the brick a darker red” gives you a great visual. It is a line from a song by singer/song writer Ani DiFranco. It’s definitely not the most uplifting song, but it gives you images you can’t erase. Looking across the lot from my window shows me that color in all its glory. A dark, rich, warm red with almost a charcoal undertone with a feeling of gloom. That’s the color. Is it easy to find? Absolutely not. But is it beautiful to wear if you find it? Hell yeah. Especially in a lip color for the cooler seasons. Sassy’s find: Sephora’s Rouge Cream Lipstick in “Deep Brick Red”, $12.50. Sephora stores and Sephora.com

YellowNails*Yellow Maple Leaves * – “Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun.” ~ Pablo Picasso. Wow, that makes you think, doesn’t it? The lemon-painted growth has left its home on the tree and fallen to a beautiful death to cover the ground in magnificent colors. The blanket of yellow leaves on the grass outside of The Loft covers the greens of the grass with a vibrant shade of yellow. Although the day is dreary, the color of the leaves warms the land with its intensity. No matter what the sky is doing, you can’t help but smile. Sassy’s find: Formula X Liquid Crystals Nail Polish in “Highlighter”, $12.50. Sephora stores and Sephora.com

GreenShadow*Green Pine Trees* – “…your soul could never grow old, it’s evergreen.” That is from another great song, this one by Ed Sheeran. What a fabulous way to describe something that stays strong with time, never changing over the years. The intense, bold greens that give an earthly background to the other colors of the season create the perfect canvas to the bright shades pictured on it. This green is perfect for a smoky look with some color. Add a touch of glitter for a bit of pop. Sassy likes: Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in “Iggy”, $21.00. Sephora stores & Sephora.com

CloudShadow*Grey Fluffy Clouds* – “Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think this quote applies to so many things in life. Just when you think everything is going the same, it changes. Don’t get too comfortable on your path—you’ll see a detour soon enough. The same goes for fashion and for glamour. In fact, we have an entire WEEK—twice a year!—that tells us what changes are happening to the norm in this industry. And like the clouds that are outside my window right now, I’d be willing to bet they will change their shape, their color, their type, their size before I look outside at them again. A brilliant performance by a simple mass of condensed water, in colors from white to gray to black. Amazing! Sassy likes: Rimmel London’s Glam Eye Shadow Quad in “Smokey Noir”, $2.99. Ulta stores or Ulta.com

NYXGlitter*Shiny, Wet Pavement* – “The road that leads to nowhere for others might just be the road that leads to somewhere for you!” ~ ildan. Wow, I can seriously relate to that one! Most people cringe when they realize they need to drive at night during a rainstorm. You can’t see the lines on the road, the pavement is blacker than black. This morning, the road outside the loft was still wet from the rain last night, but it had a slight shine and glimmer to it. A gothic gloom with a hint of glitz. Yeah, that works. It was definitely dark, even during the day. It was the kind of look I love in a good eyeliner. Especially one that can withstand water and rain–which is what I will be facing today. Sassy likes: NYX Slim Sparkle Eye Pencil in “Black Sparkle”, $3.49. Ulta stores and Ulta.com

This is a just a little taste of what life looked like outside of the window of The Loft this morning. It may not have been the brightest, most sunny of days but it still conveyed a mood, a feeling with its colors and contents. It is nice to look into my glamour drawer and see items that remind me of the beautiful things that can surround me every day or at any given time, no matter what the season. I encourage my readers to step outside of their box once in a while and look at products in shades that they may not normally wear but still look amazing. Just look around–if nature can capture the beauty of these colors and hues, why can’t you?

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Must haves for… ANYONE?!?

28 Jul

image
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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Sparkle On…. Sparkle Off….

30 Dec

glitter-kiss4‘Tis the season for all things that sparkle. Trees, windows, fresh fallen snow. Oh and let’s not forget the glamour industry too. Tops, bottoms, dresses, eye shadow, lip colors, and of course the ever popular manicure. Glittery, sparkly makeup is a major “YES!” this time of year, and glamour department is exploding with all kinds of dazzling products to give your fab look an extra bit of pop. Just recently I won a contest on Twitter, thanks to Cosmopolitan magazine and their beauty editor, Leah Wyar Romito. Leah was great enough to answer questions from readers about holiday glitz and I was lucky enough to have mine answered:

Cosmo Photo(picture screenshot from Cosmopolitan’s article “Cool Trends for 2013” from their online edition, found here.)

Just what I needed to know. I actually went out and found myself a great eye primer for my glitter shadows as well as a good base for my makeup and blushes. For my eyes? I fell in love with LA Minerals “Eye Fix” which is available in two skin tones. Not only does it hold on my lid shadows, but it is great to dot under the eyes to hold any sparkles against the lower lash line. FAB! It is only available online, so check it out here. FairEyeFixFor my face? I absolutely love L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. The Perfecting Base gives your skin a smooth, flawless finish with a silky, lightweight formula that is matted and holds your glamour look all day. L’Oreal’s Magic Perfecting Base is available in most drug and retail stores. More information on the product can be found here at their website.PerfectingBase

When going with glitter, it is best not to overdo it on your face. Pick one feature and do it up good. Whether it be eyes and lashes, lips or cheeks, find one feature then dazzle it up big! But no matter what feature you choose, you can add an extra bit of sparkle to your look with some glitzy nails. There are all kinds of sparkle/glitter polishes available. I am a big fan of essie’s “leading lady” (a supreme deep red with glitter), Sally Hansen’s Gem Crush Nail Color in “Big Money” (gold and silver sparkles) or my latest win in my Cosmo Swag Bag, OPI’s “Pink Yet Lavender” (pink glitter with lavender shimmer). Although it looks its best over a coat of white polish, I decided to go it alone for more bling. Nice, fun look on my fingers!
OPINails

One of the most difficult things about a sparkly look on my nails is getting it off to put on a new look. Isn’t removal of glitter polish a pain? UGH, the fuzzies get caught in the sparkles, the glitters won’t come off the nails or they just move and get stuck on the fingers. OH, it is such a PAIN! How do these beauty professionals do it? How do they take off the most dazzling finger designs without losing their minds? I decided to ask a professional…. a REAL professional—Leah Wyar Romito, Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine—to see how she suggests to remove the most stubborn shimmers on the nails. Leah answered me right away with a super easy way to get the job done right:

“Remover-soaked cotton balls on each finger, cover each in foil for 5 mins!”

That’s it? That’s IT? Easy peasy! I can do THAT! No more sparkle nail polish removing headaches. In just 5 minutes I can transfer from one holiday glimmer look to another on my nails—fingers and toes! Thank you, Leah!

So now that you have the edge on a glittery new year, what do YOU plan on doing in your glamour routine to give your look a little edge? Sparkly red lips? Glitter gold nails? A sequined party dress? I want to know…. and see! Share your pictures with Sassy so I can see how you SHINED this new year!

Here’s wishing all of my fellow Sass-inistas a fierce and fabulous 2013!! happy-new-year-animated

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Hmm…. Makes You Think:

7 Sep

Never really thought of it this way:




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