J Brand...KIDS

Everyone is looking for a fashion shortcut. Magazines like Vogue and Bazaar are perpetually tipping readers off to shopping secrets like vintage shops and little-known boutiques found off of the beaten path. As someone who wears a 24 or 25 in most pairs of high-end jeans, I have discovered a treasure trove of affordable denim that fits like a glove: the children's department at Bloomingdales. There, one can find J Brands (my favorite) and Sevens at almost half the cost of their adult counterparts. While the selection for most adults is certainly limited (the sizes run from 7 to 16), my smaller girlfriends and I can fit into a size 12 or 14 comfortably. Clearly, this shopping secret isn't for everyone, but those of you who fall on the smaller side might find yourself in luck!

Clarins foundation...what a surprise

After trying an absurd amount of foundations (more on that in a future post...), I randomly stumbled upon Clarins' new long-wearing Everlasting Foundation. While Clarins is certainly not the brand most cosmetic connoisseurs think of first when on the hunt for a cutting-edge foundation, the French company is known for innovative ingredients and a relatively natural approach to skin care. With regards to the foundation, I must immediately note that shades run incredibly light. My skin is light with olive-yellow undertones and I usually wear the second or third shade in a foundation line (for reference, I am a NC 20/C3 in MAC). However, in the Everlasting, I wear one of the last shades (#110 Honey)! This foundation shade has absolutely no pink and goes on much lighter than it appears in the frosted square bottle. I applied it with my fingers (over sunscreen and Hourglass' Mineral Veil Primer) and it glided on with ease. The matte finish does not require powder and does indeed last. I made it through a 10 hour teaching day and pretty much looked the same as I did at the start of my day. I recommend Clarin's Everlasting Foundation to those who desire a long-lasting matte finish...just be mindful of the shades.

Ksubi Forever

I can't stop buying Ksubi jeans. This Australian brand (formerly known as Tsubi) is quite hard to locate these days...this is tragic. The skinny jeans with ankle zippers are perfection...reasonable rise, thin and resilient fabric (no need to wash and dry them after each wear because of excessive stretching) and the slimmest leg around (the size 24, while undeniably tiny, is breathable and takes long-legged girls into consideration). They look amazing with heels and flats and boots glide over them with ease; they come in a multitude of washes (I have them in various shades of blue and black) and are well worth the investment. I have had the most success purchasing them at Barneys NY, Tobi (online) and Nordstrom...I wish you well on your search.

Happy Blessed Easter!

Beaute Cosmetics--a Worthwhile Discovery...

I have spent an obscene amount of time in search of the most exceptional lip products. My criteria is simple: strong color payoff, creamy consistency, minimal scent and decent lasting power (that doesn't dry out my lips). While I certainly have added some favorites to the arsenal over the years (Chanel's Astral Glossimer, Dior's Creme de Gloss in Coral Elixer and Guerlain in #800--perfect pearlish pink), I am still always on the hunt for the next worthy addition. I recently stumbled upon the Canadian line, Beaute Cosmetics, and have found another product that fulfills my expectations.

The voluminous lipgloss offers an array of pale shades (light tones are my preference) that features of the rare combination of opacity and unchanging color (have you ever had a pale pink turn the equivalent of a hot pink stain over the course of a couple of hours? Hello, YSL Rouge Volupte in Lingerie Pink). I own Medusa (a pink beige delight--I've already ordered backups), Allure (a metallic pink beige that is NOT over the top), Girly Show (a pale pink...the sheerest of the bunch) and Skin Trade (a perfect pale nude with absolutely NO pink). I always have at least 3 of these on rotation in my bag and will not leave the house without Medusa.

I also bought two of Beaute's weightless lip cremes in Trace (a pink beige that offers more color than expected) and Wanted (a true nude that blots out even the most pigmented of lip tones). The wear with this formula is impeccable; non-drying, creamy and color-true. They are a perfect base companion to the glosses--lately, I've been wearing a Trace/Medusa combination that is simply divine (and utilized in my profile picture).

Finally, Beaute's Liqui-Gel Stains are not to go unmentioned. While I only have Flouron, a pink/coral hybrid that looks alarming in the tube, it is a staple in my make up bag. Dabbed on the cheeks and promptly blended, Flouron offers a believable pink flush that replaces traditional blush. On the lips, it is a surprisingly soft pink that doesn't instantly dry out the lips (as most stains in my experience have).

All in all, I cannot wait to continue to experiment with this brand and WILL be giving Medusa and Trace as gifts--both to myself and others.