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.