In Spades

Style... in abundance

Beauty Tools & Products I Can’t Live Without

Best Beauty Tools & ProductsThe Sephora Holiday Sale is here!

Save 10%, 15% or 20% off

Rouge (those who spend $1000/year) = 20% off
VIB (those who spend $350/year)= 15% off
Insider (no yearly minimum)= 10% off

This is THE opportunity to stock up on everyday beauty items, do some holiday shopping and pull the trigger on products you’ve been curious about but haven’t yet tried.

I thought this was a great opportunity to share my tried and true beauty products.

Sale ends November 9.

Skincare (almost all green beauty)

Exfoliator – this is both a physical exfoliator and an enzyme exfoliator (hint, you need both and this one is amazing).
Toner – a green beauty option to P50 lotion, this stuff gently exfoliates (can be used everyday) for the clearest, brightest skin.
Moisturizer – if you are prone to breakouts whatsoever, seriously consider swapping out your cream moisturizer for an oil.  This one makes my skin feel like velvet – so supple and luxurious.
Acne eliminating pads – I wrote about these here (forewarning, they BURN).  But man, do they eliminate and reduce blemishes.
Mud mask – instantly clears pores, tightens and brightens.  I use it before a photoshoot or event.

Makeup

Primer – I rarely use primer, but when I do, this is the only one I’ll use.  Gives you a velvety base that makeup melts flawlessly into.
Foundation – I hate dewey finish foundations.  I don’t want to worry about touching my face and having makeup rub off.  This feels like a moisturizer and provides max coverage.
Lipstick – I learned about these from my beauty blogger guru who deemed them her fave lipsticks ever.  That’s a high bar.
Cream eye shadow – I wrote about how I do my smokey eye and this is Step 1.
Eye shadow quad – these colors are the best I’ve ever used for everyday and for a smokey eye.
Eyebrow pencil – the most natural way to enhance your brows with a super easy to use application.
Eyebrow gel – I use this over the top of my brow pencil for the perfect finished look.

Tools, Hair & Nails

Foundation brush – I wrote a review of this brush here.  Get one!
Makeup sponge – for small areas (concealer) this is top of the line.
Facial cleansing device – this removes dirt and grime 1000 times better than just washing your face with your hands.
Facial Steamer – I was skeptical about this at first, but I use it twice per week to open up my pores and remove impurities.  It also allows your products to deeply absorb into the skin.
Dry shampoo – I got this as a sample and WOW.  This is THE dry shampoo to use for truly dirty hair.  It provides just the right about of volume too.
Nail art – I wrote a review on these here.  Super cute and an easy way to take your mani up a notch.
Turmeric powder – if you are prone to inflammation (which makes breakouts worse) this powder is a must.  Mix it with water or milk for a yummy latte that is packed with vitamins.
Silk pillow case – these have been on my holiday gift guides for the past 4 years.  A must for wrinkle reduction.
Tweezers – if you are living without these tweezers, I don’t know how you are living.

Draped Midi Skirt + Knee High Boots

Draped Midi Skirt Draped Midi Skirt

Skirt // Sweater (similar) // Sunglasses // Boots

Sometimes you just need to put on a skirt and pair of killer boots.  After posting my fair share of denim as of late, I needed to change it up.  This look is exactly what I needed.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my closet.  One of the side effects of the pandemic is a reflection on how much we can do without.  One day while cleaning out my office and then the baby’s room, I got this overwhelming urge to throw everything out and start at zero.

As you know, I’m really emotional when it comes to clothes.  They hold deep meaning for me.  But I’ve also realized that the demise of every good wardrobe are those pieces that are just OKAY.  The jeans that you got on sale that are a little tight, but you kept them anyway.  The jacket you bought for a weekend away that wasn’t quite right, but you were leaving so it came with you.  The shoes that are super cute and super uncomfortable.

Finding THE perfect piece is tough.  In some fashion categories, I’d go so far as to say it’s a lifelong search.

So when I saw this skirt I really thought about how it would work with my existing wardrobe.  Midi skirts seem to only come two ways nowadays – pleated or silk.  Love them, but am a bit tired of both.  The drape effect on this skirt is so dramatic,  fun and different.  Plus it highlights my knee high boots in a subtle chic way.

It’s made of recycled polyester (win!) and also comes in black.

How are you feeling about your wardrobe lately?  Are you pandemic (read: bored) shopping or have you been purging?

Shop the Post

BeautyBlender vs. Artis Brush

BeautyBlender vs Artis BrushAs a die hard BeautyBlender fan, I didn’t think I’d ever use anything else to apply my foundation.  But I kept seeing Artis brushes EVERYWHERE so I decided to give them a try.

Holy cow.  Had I been missing out.

Let’s compare the two.  Check out my video of the difference in application.

BeautyBlender

Pros

  1. Can be used wet or dry
  2. Provides great coverage

Cons

  1. A pain to clean (check out my beauty hack for the best way to clean them)
  2. Needs to be replaced every 6 months (not environmentally friendly)
  3. You use a lot of product
  4. Can only be used with liquid or cream makeup

I always thought the BeautyBlender gave the most seamless, natural finish.  Then I tried the Artis brush (more on that in a sec).  While the BeautyBlender does provide excellent coverage, you do get a “blotch paint” effect.  Some parts of my face would have great coverage, others not so much.

Also, the way my makeup wore off was always uneven.  You could see my pores through the product – almost like air bubbles in paint.  Not good.

I do think the BeautyBlender still has a place in everyone’s makeup bag.  It’s great for applying concealer or other makeup to small areas.

Artis Brush

Pros

  1. Super soft bristles
  2. Flawless, even coverage
  3. Can be used with powder, liquid or cream makeup
  4. Makeup lasts much longer
  5. You need very little product – a little goes a long way
  6. Clean with brush shampoo and it will last forever

Cons

  1. The cost

I am a total convert.  The Artis Oval 7 is my new favorite beauty tool.  I only need a small amount of foundation to cover my entire face.  The brush blends so well it’s almost like your makeup disappears.  It’s incredible.

The one thing I had to get used to was blending foundation around my nose.  Artis does make smaller brushes that may work better for this area, but I think the Oval 7 gets the job done.

It also works great for concealer or areas where you want heavy coverage.  The flawless blending is the same – I just use a lighter touch and fewer brush strokes.

I bought this set that also includes a handle-less Oval 7.  This is great for traveling because it takes up less room in your makeup bag.

Conclusion

I now only use the Artis Oval 7 to apply my foundation AND concealer.  I’m keeping my BeautyBlender for touch-ups, but I’ll be honest, I haven’t used it once since getting my Artis.  I doubt I will ever purchase another one.

If you’ve been on the fence about Artis brushes, I highly recommend them.  This is one of my best beauty buys of 2020!

Shop the Post

Fashion Friday

Welp, last week got the better of me and I’m just now getting around to posting my Fashion Friday. :S  I did, however, manage to film my Fashion Friday in real time for Instagram.  Check it out here.

On to the topic at hand.  Lots to discuss!

Fashion Month S/S21

I wanted to do a Top 10 list of Fashion Month, but when I sat down and really thought about the most impactful collections of the season, there were only three.

I’ve already talked about Raf Simons and Miuccia Prada’s first joint collection.  Hint: I didn’t love it, but enjoyed watching it and their post-show Q&A.

The best show of S/S21 for me was Jeremy Scott for Moschino.  I loved it because it was super innovative and made me smile during a time when we are doing so little smiling.  He took the miniature theme one step further than Dior by partnering with the Jim Henson Co. to create marionette models and stage a runway show.  There were even high profile marionette audience members – “Anna Wintour,” Edward Enninful” and others were in attendance.

Moschino S/S21 Moschino S/S21

On the flip side, the S/S21 collection that had me scratching my head was Givenchy.  This was newly appointed Creative Director Matthew Williams’ debut collection for the brand.  And it was awful.  I honestly don’t know where to begin.  There was no thoughtful reference to the brand’s DNA.  The best I can gather was that he desperately wanted to emulate Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta.  He tried to create an ugly it-shoe.  But they were just plain ugly.  Nothing “it” about them.  All I kept thinking was that we lost Clare Waight Keller for this?

Givenchy S/S21 Givenchy S/S21

Man Repeller Shuts Down

But perhaps the biggest news of the week is that Man Repeller is shutting down operations.  This is huge for a few reasons.

First, I think it’s a really important message that even the companies we think are successful and doing well financially are actually quite vulnerable in the pandemic.  Now, more than ever, it is IMPERATIVE to support the brands and businesses you align with.  Our mom and pops need us.

Second, I haven’t followed Man Repeller consistently in quite some time, but back in the day when it was just Leandra spouting off in quirky sartorial getups I was a fan.  I remember taking the Man Repeller quiz and feeling so proud that I was on the “full repeller” end of the spectrum.

But more than her voice and sense of style, what Leandra did for fashion blogging is huge.  Along with Bryan Boy, Susie Bubble, Sea of Shoes, Rumi, Chriselle, etc., she opened the door for fashion enthusiasts to take their voice to a larger community.

I wouldn’t have a blog if it weren’t for Leandra, et al.  I would probably still be just a girl who sits in her closet and talks to her shoes.  These pioneers opened the door for the rest of us.  They made it okay, the norm actually, for us to contribute to the larger fashion conversation.  Something we were taught was only reserved for Anna Wintour or someone with Editor in their moniker.

So while I can’t speak to what really went on behind closed door at Man Repeller, I can say one thing.  It’s the end of an era.

Images via IMAXTREE

Net-a-Porter Friends & Family Sale Picks

Net-a-Porter Friends & Family Sale 2020Net-a-Porter is having their Friends & Family sale!  They are one of my favorite retailers because their selection of brands is AMAZING.

Most of my designer denim comes from Net-a-Porter as well as my favorite band tees.

Even my loungewear, like this organic cotton set and these cropped sweatpants are from Net-a-Porter.

I’ve rounded up my favorite sale picks below.

Net-a-Porter Friends & Family Sale Picks