Archive | news

Alexis Dayers
Posted by

Marc Jacobs Beauty - Highliner Pencil Review

I am a huge fan of Marc Jacobs. I own a few Marc by Marc Jacobs items because it’s pretty wallet friendly compared to his signature line. The Marc Jacobs woman is an effortlessly cool.  Polished but just a little rough, mussed up around the edges - this is my style in a nutshell. I just wish I could afford more Marc Jacobs. Well, my wish is coming true because early this fall, he released his self-titled beauty line.

I’m not going to review the entire collection, just the one item I picked up and has been used in my current rotation of beauty items.

The Highliner pencil:

01

I almost picked up basic black but I wanted something different, perhaps a shade that could also double as a lid shade. So I went with this beautiful, shimmery bronze, Ro(cocoa).

02

Honestly, I was a little hesitant because it reminded me of a bronzer liner I currently own that is near and dear to my heart - Urban Decay’s 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Liner in Smog, a deep brown with shimmer.

05

Ro(cocoa) on the left and Smog on right - I’m so glad I was wrong. Ro(cocoa) is more copper on my skin, whereas Smog is a deep brown bronze.

When trying as a lid base, I drew thick lines on my top lash lines and then smudged the color right below my orbital bone. Please pay no attention to the stray hair on my face.

06

I then drew another line right along my top and bottom lash lines. I also used an eye pencil brush to soften and smudge from mid to outer bottom corner. Finish up with layers of black mascara and you can call it a day. It’s perfect for weekends, simple eye looks that won’t compete with bright lips or for morning when you hit the snooze button just one too many times.

But being the beauty junkie I am, I added on:

07

I layered a light golden beige on top, a matte neutral brown in the crease and a creamy bisque as my highlight. This is a great component for a smoky bronze eye look. I also love wearing this on my bottom water line when wearing black liner on top lash lines.

When wearing this on top of a good lid primer, I get a full eight hours and surprisingly, up to four hours on my bottom water lines. I should preface this by mentioning that I do not have oily lids. If you do, you make experience some product movement. I love this liner - the formula is smooth like a traditional potted gel liner and packaged in a slim twist top pencil. It’s very light weight and can be easily carried in your pocket or a slim wristlet.

Bonus points - it comes with it’s own sharpener:

04

The Highliner comes in six shades and I’m pretty sure more to come in the very near future. Next on my “to-try” list are the blushes,  lip lacquer glosses and the lip gel lipsticks. If my lips take well to MJ lip product formulas then my wallet will be very fearful.

Marc Jacobs Beauty is exclusively found at Sephora and Marc Jacobs’ boutiques.

Product price range - $18 - $59/USD.

Highliner pencil, $25/USD

 

Posted in beauty & health Comments Off on Marc Jacobs Beauty - Highliner Pencil Review

Ron Simms Jr.
Posted by

Ask MISSter Simms - My Boyfriend Wasn’t There For Me When It Mattered

ask misster simms

What do you do when the person you care about most isn’t there for you when you when it really counts?

Dear MISSter Simms,

I am 22 years 0ld and got pregnant in August by my boyfriend of a couple of years. We started dating in college, and during our time together I have supported him through everything. The pregnancy was unplanned, and I live at home with my parents.  My family life at home, to put it lightly, is unhealthy, but my boyfriend wanted to keep the baby. I, on the other hand, did not. I knew in my heart that I couldn’t give this baby the life right now that he or she deserved.  However, my boyfriend gave me an ultimatum: if I had an abortion, he’d leave me.  I didn’t want to lose him, so I lied and said the pregnancy test was a false positive and had the abortion anyway.

Right after the procedure, I began to harbor some bad feelings towards him.  I needed him to be there with me and he wasn’t.  I had to take myself home on the public bus after my abortion. I was alone, scared, and very drugged.  I broke up with him shortly after, partially due the lack of support and also because he became too busy to spend time with me.

I am hurt, confused, and alone. I don’t regret my decision to abort, but I need some support. I need some help. I need something.  I can’t talk to anyone in my family about the procedure because 1) they didn’t know I was pregnant and 2) they frown on abortion. It’s been less than two months and my now ex-boyfriend has already replaced me. He’s posting cute pictures of himself with his new girlfriend on Facebook and introducing her to his family.  He seems to be treating this woman that he just met 100 times better than he treated me. I’m alone and very depressed. What can I do to heal from this? My heart is broken and my life is in ruins. Please help!

Lonely Heart

Dear LH,

If you’re looking for support, you’re obviously not going to get it from your ex-boyfriend or anyone in your family.  But, how about a close friend or two you can trust and count on?  What about someone at the clinic, or even a counselor recommended by them?  What about someone at mental health clinic?  If none of the above are an option, you could even try calling Exhale, an after abortion support hotline.

As for your ex-boyfriend, think about it like this.  You guys were together for a couple of years, you get pregnant; then claim you’re not pregnant, and shortly thereafter you break up with him.  Him moving on so quickly may be his way of coping with something he doesn’t understand.  After all, he doesn’t know that you broke up with him because you felt unsupported.  In his mind he’s thinking you weren’t ever pregnant, and that one day you woke up and didn’t want to be with him anymore.  While he may appear happy and in love in his Facebook photos, he could be using this new girl to mask the pain of losing you.

And if he’s genuinely happy?  Consider yourself lucky that you’re not with him anymore.   By moving on so quickly he’s showing that he’s not able to maintain a real, long-lasting relationship.   Plus, if he’s treating his new girl 100 times better than he ever treated you, he must have treated you like dirt .  Why would you want to be with someone like that?  You deserve someone who will treat you the way you want to be treated and support you every step off the way.

Need relationship advice?  Send your questions over to ronsimmsjr at gmail dot com.

Posted in FASHION Comments Off on Ask MISSter Simms - My Boyfriend Wasn’t There For Me When It Mattered

Gabriella
Posted by

Lisa Frank and Her Rainbow World Exist

Growing up I was obsessed with Lisa Frank.  Her rainbows, hearts and unicorns were my favorite and I couldn’t get enough of stickers, stationary and folders.  Her iconic look is instantly recognizable and just a glimpse brings back many childhood memories.  It turns out Lisa Frank and her rainbow world actually do exist.

Check out the video below for an interview of the artist, and a look into her world headquarters, along with a peek at some original art — real illustrations and airbrush art.  So amazing!

Posted in art, CULTURE Comments Off on Lisa Frank and Her Rainbow World Exist

LiaDelFresco
Posted by

Literature Inspired Tote Bags by Out of Print

Out of Print tote bags

There is nothing like a good book. Well, except maybe a good tote that looks like a book. Out of Print Clothing has successfully transferred the cover art of some of the world’s greatest literary works onto clothing and accessories worthy of entering anyone’s wardrobe. This season, the brand took its prints to totes.

Titles including The Great GatsbyThe Very Hungry Caterpillar and A Clockwork Orange made their way onto the durable cotton canvas bags. Each tote features a flat bottom and an inner pocket perfect for storing your page turner of the moment or e-reader.

Not only are these bags fashionable, but they also serve a purpose larger than holding your stuff. For each product sold, one book is donated to a community in need through Out of Print’s partner Books For Africa.

Image Layout: C_Rocka

Posted in accessories Comments Off on Literature Inspired Tote Bags by Out of Print

Alexis Dayers
Posted by

Shiseido Fall 2013 Review

Hey Beauty Fans,

This week I’ll be sharing my favorite fall offerings from a brand that I don’t always give love to, but I’m looking to change that with just the few items I picked this season.

01

 

I am a fan of the Perfect Rouge Lipstick for it’s instant moisture once applied to my lips, due to it’s super hydro-wrap vitalizing DE and hyaluronic acid. Pigment is rich and luxurious due to the red illuminating pearl also found in the formula, it delivers vivid color while reflecting light for a lustrous, pumped finish.

It’s unscented and doesn’t make my lips dry or itch. It’s earned a place on my holy grails of lipstick brands. Due to my hyper-sensitive lips, this is a relatively short list. Shiseido currently added five new shades to their existing lineup of twenty.

I went with a work friendly brownish red shade, Harmony (RD 750):

05

 

I find this to be a very office friendly color or perhaps the perfect compliment to smoky charcoal or chocolate eye looks. I would also use a soft peach or rose blush shade. I know this looks like a light coral but it is really is a light russet shade in naturally lighting.

I wanted to do something completely opposite to Harmony - Showgirl (RD 553):

03

Showgirl is described as a deep striking red - that’s true but it’s a bit of a tomato red on me. This is your red to compliment a nude lid marked with a strong liquid (or gel) eye liner on the top lash lines, topped with lots of black mascara or a strip of false lashes. Or for a more fresh and innocent look, I would pair this red lips with lightly a light touch of gold lids to brighten the eyes and lots of black mascara for flirty definition.

I get a decent wear time of about three hours before I need to refresh the color. It settles nicely and comfortably. I can’t wait to incorporate these shades into my color repertoire.

I’ve never tried the new Shiseido shadows. I probably stole a few swipes from my mother’s shadow duos from the late 80’s, when she was out and I was bored. I don’t remember the shadows being this soft to the touch on my fingertips.

It’s gets it buttery soft texture from these components:  Satin smooth pearl (provides smooth finish), Micromatic color (reflects light, creating vivid, translucent colors), Super Hydro-wrap Vitalizing DE  (improves dryness to give eyes a moisturized look all-day), and dual optimizing powder (delivers true color and natural sheen for all-day wear).  Shiseido has added three new shades to their existing lineup of twelve.

After a full day wear, I can attest that it does give a very soft look. If you are use to high impact colors, this may not be for you. You know how much I love strong colors on my lids but for days that I want some quiet soft shades, I’ll turn to this. These shadows are perfect for the office, weekends and any time you are craving a soft wash of color that won’t clash with your strong pout.

I went with Into the Woods (BR 214)

04

A dark, warm amber and gold paired with a cool lilac - reminiscent to a burned tree trunk. I really like the unexpected coolness from the lilac. I added the lilac to the inner corners of my eyes to brighten and make my eyes look a little bit bigger. I also like this color right under the highest arch of my brows added polish. I also used a deep bronze pencil along my bottom waterline.

I am pleased with my picks and hope to add more to my collection in the near future.

Perfect Rouge - $25/USD

Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio - $33/USD

The new fall collection is available now online (www.shiseido.com) and at all stores that carry the Shiseido brands.

Posted in beauty & health Comments Off on Shiseido Fall 2013 Review

Facebook Twitter Flickr Flickr