Shop With Style

For thousands of years, women have been utilizing various oils, essences, and balms to enhance their scent. Before that, well…we’re afraid things were pretty stinky. Today, though, women are spoiled for choice in perfumes! And therein lies the challenge…with the holidays approaching, and hundreds of perfumes on the market to choose from, how do you find the best ones for you? The answer is actually simpler than you might imagine. Your style in fashion is the key in unlocking your ideal fragrance this Fall!

• Fun and Flirty – You are definitely girly. You love playing up your feminine side. Then sugary and fruity fragrances are for you! Your fragrance should highlight notes of pear, sugarcane, vanilla bean, passion fruit, plum, and/or caramel. Some leading contenders: Prada Candy Kiss, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium, and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Fireworks.
• Classic and Elegant – You are very ladylike. You gravitate towards the classic wardrobe choices, like cashmere cardigans and pearls. Your fragrance will evoke images of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, with their notes of iris, peonies, jasmine, lily, and mimosa. Some leading contenders: Jo Malone London Mimosa & Cardamom, Chanel Chance Eau Vive, and Gucci Bamboo.
• Sexy and Glam – Your chosen weapons on a Friday night out are a killer pair of stilettos and a stunning LBD. You don’t mind getting attention…in fact, you love it! Your fragrance will have loads of spice to it, just like you! Look for notes of black pepper, leather, incense, saffron, and cinnamon. Some leading contenders: Marc Jacobs Decadence, Dior J’Adore Touche de Parfum, and Dolce & Gabbana Velvet Exotic Leather.
• Modern and Bold – Your fashion and accessories are always very now. You dare to wear even the boldest colors, patterns, and cuts without a second thought. Your fragrance will make a statement, as you do every time you walk into a room. Look for notes of lush florals combined with more masculine scents like sandalwood, cedar, and amber. Some leading contenders: Michael Kors Rose Radiant Gold, Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme, and Donna Karan Liquid Cashmere Black.
• Boho Chic– You epitomize the free spirit in every woman. If the style is loose and flowy, with rustic or ethnic prints, it’s fabulous to you. Your fragrance will be spicy and earthy, with notes of patchouli, pepper, citrus, and sandalwood. Some leading contenders: Tory Burch Absolu, Lancome La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum, and Calvin Klein Euphoria Essence.

Just as a painter requires different brushes of all sizes and shapes to create a masterpiece, so too will the right choice in eye makeup brushes make your face shine like the work of art it is! There’s no need to break the bank buying fancy brushes, though (and trust us, you could easily break the bank with some makeup brushes on the market today)… we’ve got a list of your absolute ש-have eye makeup brushes right here!

• All-Over Shadow Brush (similar to a MAC 239, SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Allover Shadow Brush #12 ) – This will be your eye makeup brush workhorse (and it was probably the first real brush many of us bought when learning how to do eye make up). A great all-around brush, the flattened head, dense bristles, and medium length head works well for the general goal of applying eye shadow. Pressed eye shadow, pigment eyeshadow, baked eyeshadow… this brush can handle it.
• Blending Brush (similar to a MAC 217) – This is one of those eye makeup brushes that will save almost any heavy-handed eye makeup application. Fluffy, soft, long bristles can gently diffuse any dark or harsh lines, and blend even the most contrasting shades seamlessly. Best used through the crease and into the outer v.
• Eyeliner Brush (similar to MAC 219 Pencil Brush, MAKE UP FOR EVER 258 Large Precision Eyeliner Brush) – The fine, pointed tip is perfect for applying cream or gel liner, or precisely applying shadow either on top of, or in lieu of, gel liner.
• Stiff Dome Brush (similar to SEPHORA COLLECTION Classic Crease Shadow Brush #73, SEPHORA COLLECTION PRO Tapered Crease #19) – Useful in any number of eyeshadow application techniques, this is also known as a crease brush. The bristles are longer and stiffer than a regular shadow brush, which creates a nice crisp area of definition with shadow through the crease. You can also easily work it into the outer v to really elongate the shape of the eye. (Another contender for the best crease brush is the SEPHORA COLLECTION Pro Angled Shadow Brush #13… the angle of the bristles fits so nicely in the crease area!)
• Short Angled Brush (similar to a MAC 266) – Not only is this brush great for applying gel and shadow liner, it is a must-have for filling in and defining eyebrows! And if you need to go in and fill any bare patches missing liner after adding falsies over liner, you can dip the point of the brush into some gel or liquid, then dab the bare spots. (This is one of those fake eyelashes tips you probably won’t remember until you have it happen to you).
• Short Smudge Brush (similar to a MAC 214) – One of our favorite eye makeup brushes…ever! This brush has short, stiff, rounded bristles and it’s perfect for smoking out a lash line. It also works wonders to smudge out pencil liner, providing that smoldering look you long for with dark eye makeup or a smokey eye.

And there you have it! The most comprehensive list of must-have eye makeup brushes for any woman’s beauty arsenal. If you add a foundation brush, a powder brush, a blush brush, and a concealer brush, you will have a great basic set of tools capable of creating any makeup look you can imagine!  Now go make your masterpiece!

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Dress for Success.” Well, that’s easier said than done, especially if your budget is a bit thin. It’s a frustrating Catch-22: you need to dress the part to get a better job, but you can’t afford to dress the part until you get a better job. Luckily, there are some things you can do (yes, even on your current anorexic budget) to plump up your work wardrobe while you climb the corporate ladder.

• Sign up for sale alerts – Many websites, such as ShopItToMe.com, provide customized sale alerts. Simply choose which items you are looking for (in your initial wardrobe-building, focus on wardrobe staples such as pencil skirts, trousers, cardigans, etc.), and the site will email you with alerts when those items go on sale across the internet.
• Know what compliments your figure – If you are pear-shaped, you know to pick styles that hug your waist and flow away from your hips (A-line skirts are great). If you have an hourglass figure, you know you can pull off more body-hugging styles (but try to avoid items that are too clingy). If your figure is more boyish, you know to pick more feminine, flowing pieces. Once you know your body shape, a simple internet search will show you the silhouettes that flatter you the most.
• Find a tailor – Now that you know your best silhouettes, and you’ve found the deepest sales, you will be amazed at the difference a good tailor can make. In the skilled hands of someone who can nip, pin, and sew, a good article of clothing can be transformed into a fantastic article of clothing in no time flat. The best use of a tailor can be seen in that all-important professional wardrobe staple…the suit. Great suits can cost a small fortune, but a suit bought at a less expensive retail chain can be made to look as if it cost a small fortune…and made to look as if it was made for just for you… after your tailor has had their way with it.
• Focus on basics, not Louboutins – Sure those leopard print Louboutins look fierce, but when you are just starting out in the working world, spending an entire month’s salary on one or two pairs of shoes is absolutely ridiculous. And even though your feet will look fab, the rest of you will look like an impulsive, childish noob. You need decent quality shoes in black, brown, and nude. Those will work with just about anything in your closet.
• Invest in undergarments – No, we’re not talking about clearing the sale racks at Victoria’s Secret. We’re talking shapewear and bras. These are your foundation pieces for everything, and if they are ill-fitting, everything looks off. They don’t have to look pretty…they have to work. So go for form over fashion here. And don’t just go after the size you think you are… go get fitted for a bra, which is a free service in many stores.
• Know when to splurge and when to scrimp – There are certain wardrobe pieces that will never go out of style: black trousers, pencil skirts, a classic cashmere sweater, a fitted white button-down shirt, a large leather tote, etc. As you begin shopping with a more skilful eye, and as you begin earning more money, start filtering these “splurge-worthy” pieces into your closet. For now though, stick to the basics, and, most importantly… IGNORE LABLES. Besides, after you get through with the targeted sales, the flattering silhouettes, the shapewear, and the tailor, you’ll look like a million bucks!