M•A•C To the Beach

Join MAC in Santa Monica this weekend to view their most soothing, sultry shades of summertime. A safe way to bronze, beautify, and get colour that looks sun-kissed.

Has Your Favorite Lipstick Been Discontinued?

Dear Red Lipstick Report,

My friend and I have been buying the same great lipstick from a boutique for years even though she’s a blond and I’m a brunette. It’s one of those fab colors that looks great with neutrals and I wear a lot of black and white. Now they say it’s discontinued. We did research and found out it’s from No Name Cosmetics. Possible it’s under a different # or name? How do I find someone to match it for me? We order 5 at a time of #42 also known as champagne.

A Desperate Color Matcher

Dear Desperate Color Matcher,

I’m sorry to hear your plight, but you should know it happens to the best of us!  Your in luck – I’ve got some good news for you. I once met a woman who was fascinated by the process of mixing lipsticks, foundations and more. She was a true blue artist and makeup happened to be where she played.  She prided herself on her magical touch, and uncanny ability to find her customers the perfect shade and texture lipstick. One day, she decided that she would open her own Cosmetic lab. Hence, Colorlab, was born! Mixology Magic.

In 1996, the talented makeup artist, Mary Swaab, created a process to replicate discontinued lipsticks and more. An immediate hit among beauty insiders, Colorlab, gained recognition from the press, including Vogue, InStyle, Mademoiselle and Seventeen magazine.

You can find Colorlab Custom Cosmetics at high end salons and spas and selected department stores. You can send a sample directly to the lab and have it matched into your own perfect shade. Instructions below.

CUSTOM LIPSTICK MATCHING
Colorlab Cosmetics can match the shade of an existing lipstick. Send the lipstick tube to:
Colorlab Cosmetics/Custom Matching
1112 Fifth Avenue
Rockford, Il 61104
Include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and credit card number with expiration date and CVV number. The price is $35.00 for one tube plus $7.95 shipping or $60.00 for two tubes of the same shade plus $9.95 shipping.

CUSTOM REORDERS
To reorder a custom product previously made for you at a Colorlab counter, please contact us by email at shop@colorlabcosmetics.com.

OMG! That Dress!

Okay, Jennifer Aniston you have to stop it! I mean it! Stop it right now.

Don’t even get me started about how you romp around with hot Scot Gerard Butler in your new movie “Bounty Hunter” only to dump him and then have him rekindle.

Even worse is that after he stuffs you into a trunk while doing his bounty hunter duties, you emerge looking professionally fluffed and sleek, all killer legs flashing, in the world’s most perfect little black dress.

I couldn’t even focus on your hair. Instead, I was forced to say, “Oh my God. That dress!”

Of course, being a style sleuth, I found out it’s not even really a dress, but a top and a skirt that’s so perfect on Jen and she wears it well. For the whole frickin’ movie! The specifics aren’t important because it looks like the prefect black dress. Why? It fits her body, it’s very streamlined and it works for her style.

Now, let’s pick apart why it works. The top is very casual and its scoopy neck almost looks like a T-shirt while the skirt hits her at exactly the right spot on her thigh. Sweet!

Just in case this sends you to the racks to buy your own trunk worthy LBD, (little black dress) I have a few helpful hints.

Tamara’s Tactics for Your Perfect LBD:

1. Watch the length of the LBD

Everyone will be different here. There are some of you Red Lipstick mavens who need that LBD to hit at the knee or below. If you’re in your 40′s and the skirt is two or three inches above the knee, it might just be too short. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done, but it’s tricky. Make sure you feel comfortable in the length. If you have that awkward ick moment (be honest) then go a bit longer. No matter what age, please don’t go six inches above the knee so a slight breeze means we get to see your crotch. Not attractive unless you’re doing a Showtime Late Late Night movie. At the knee or an inch or two above should be just right.

2. Find a neckline that works best for you like our style sister Jen.

Consider that Jen has round features, the scoop neck works great on her by complimenting and repeating her natural geometry. She’s a softer type with a great set of arms, so she can go sleeveless. If you have a bit more meat on your bones than opt for a longer sleeve. A V-neck can also be quite flattering and will accentuate your pretty face, especially if it’s a rounder one. Your best shirt style should be reflected in  the neckline of  your LBD.

3. Make sure your LBD is fitted to your body, so we can see your shape.

But it can’t be so fitted that it looks like you need oxygen or we see the exact shape of your kidneys. Please don’t get one that’s too big, so it looks like a maternity tent. That’s not the point here. It should gracefully skim your body and then drape over your form. You can go skin tight if that’s your personality. If you’re a glamour puss who loves the nightlife then a form-fitting black dress is your perfect LBD and wear it proudly!

4. Pay close attention to the fabric knowing that a medium weight material is the most versatile.

You will be able to wear it in summer with nothing over it or in the cooler weather months with a great jacket. If you’re very petite and tiny boned then lighter weights will work better for you. If you have stronger features including curly hair then you can go heavier fabrics because you can wear clothes with more visual weight to them.

5. Buy a classic, simple, streamlined dress without too much detail.

If it has all those studs or necklaces attached to it then it’s harder to work with in the future, plus people will think, “She’s wearing the stud-y, necklace dress again.” The perfect LBD is just the dress with maybe a hint of detail like a gorgeous stitching or detailed draping,  but don’t buy one that is too “souped up” with stuff because that’s not the point. You want to wear this dress a million different ways and  no one will know it’s the same dress because you will be able to create a faux hemline with hollywood tape, make it into a tunic, dress it up with jewelry or even use it at work under a jacket.

Five ways you know you have the WRONG LBD:

1. It screams disco queen.

2. It’s cutting off circulation to your pelvis and other important body areas.

3. You need girlfriends to help you get into it or men friends to help you get out of it. You’re empowered women and your clothes shouldn’t need assistants.

4. You can’t eat a bite of food in it or it will burst off you like Superman’s street clothes.

5. It makes noise when you walk in it. Your clothes shouldn’t talk back.

Five ways to know you have the RIGHT LBD:

1. You don’t have to wear any accessories and you still feel magnificent and sexy.

2. People stop and do double takes. Yes, they’re looking at YOU!

3. It packs easily.

4. You can wear it with almost anything in your closet plus any shoes. It looks great with boots, flats and the big girl pumps.

5. Our gal pal Jennifer Aniston might wear it to seduce Gerard in the sequel.

To Your Beautiful Life!

Tamara

7 Simple Style Strategies

Busy women, with businesses and families, still want to look great, but may find it hard to juggle it all and still look fabulous. The don’t want to spend too much time thinking about their looks, but they know it makes a difference when it comes to their business. First impressions do matter, but spending time on their wardrobe, isn’t a priority. Building a solid wardrobe can help you feel more confident and in the lng run, save you time and money.

1. Purchase the best quality you can afford. Good quality clothing will last longer and over the long run save you money.

2. Go for shapes and designs that are flattering on your body type. Stay away from trendy pieces that don’t do anything for your figure. Spend money on pieces that will be staples. Pick up a trend piece to add to your wardrobe for a season, but don’t break the bank on this item.

3. Look at color in a new way. If you usually play it safe by wearing only black and other shades of neutral, add color into the mix buy using your eye color. Buy a shirt in your eye color and notice how people compliment  you and listen to what you have to say.

4. Edit your closet. Get rid of anything that doesn’t speak to your soul, makes you feel sloppy, or doesn’t represent who you really want to be. Be ruthless. Too many clothes hanging in your closet can actually make it more difficult to get ready when you’re in a hurry.

5. Create a Style File. Look through magazines and catalogs and pull images of items you would like to own or ensembles you could duplicate on your own. Keep your Style File in your closet, in a binder, and flip through it whenever you need a little inspiration putting together a chic new look.

6. Be Creative. Mix and match pieces in a new way. Add a pair of texture tights, accessorize your outfit in a new way. Think outside the box. Outfits don’t have to be matchy-matchy. An unusual piece in the mix can add flair and interest.

7. Layer pieces to add interest to an outfit. A dress you’ve worn before will have an entirely different feel if you pair it with tights, add a short fitted jacket and a pair of boots.

Keep in mind that it should be fun to play with your style. If it’s not, you can hire a Wardrobe Stylist. Nordstrom’s Department Stores have a wonderful personal shopper system set in place.  Give them a call; make an appointment. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have great style. Wear your clothes with confidence and remember, style is an every evolving process.

Beauty on a Budget

Searching for a way to look your best without the high price? Check out these tips for a fresh face without sacrificing your cash.

- Read the reviews – Find out if it’s really what it’s cracked up to be before buying. See if there’s an alternative that does the job without the hefty price tag.
- Multi-purpose – Look for makeup products that do double duty, like a blush that doubles as eyeshadow.

- Keep it Green – Eco-friendly makeup not only is cost effective, competitively priced against traditional options, and boasts earth friendly ingredients.
- Buy Only What You Need – Skip the frivolous products and weed away what doesn’t work, isn’t used, or simply takes up space at the bottom of the makeup bag.

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