Tag Archives: lip

Black on Black

Hello my lovely stylistas! Today I had to decide whether or not to renew my domain, and after much thought I decided to give it another year. My new position has me very busy, especially with the holidays, but I really want to make the time to continue blogging (and hopefully with much more frequency).
Today I want to discuss the “Black on Black” trend. In my job, I have to wear black head-to-toe every day. While I was fine with this as I wear black most days, I have found it challenging to keep it fresh and new. I came across a wonderful article at PopSugar about this trend and I am feeling quite inspired.

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Anne Hathaway looks amazing in this black ensemble. The form-fitting dress is sexy and the longer hem makes it classy. Add a little fur jacket, suede bootie, neutral lip, and simple jewelry, and you have the perfect outfit for all your holiday parties.

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Gwyneth Paltrow is always chic. She makes what could be a very casual outfit into something fabulous. A tailored jacket, tank, and silky trousers are instantly raised to a new level with the addition of fringed heels.

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Kristen Stewart has really become a fashionista. Leather dress paired with quilted leather jacket (great idea to add a different texture when wearing similar fabrics) is biker chic and a strappy bootie is so, so sexy. Add smoldering makeup and you have an urban uniform that will keep you rockin.

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Karolina Kurkova also opts for leather. A pencil skirt and fitted bomber jacket make a terrific pairing and a simple pointy heel adds sophistication. Swipe on a burgundy lip and you are right on trend.

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I adore this look worn by Olivia Palermo. I would absolutely wear this to work. I’m a huge fan of layering and this is done just right. A long trouser, stellar heels, and black pearls complete the look. It’s classy, trendy, and fun.

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Victoria Beckham always gets it right. A cropped blazer with a tired miniskirt is flirty and fun and the only accessories you need are a dangerously high bootie and little box clutch.

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Taylor Swift is sporting my usual work look. Cropped black pant, peplum top, little heels (or booties now that’s it’s cold), and a red lip. Simple, elegant, and fabulous.

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Stacy Keibler has my second favorite work look-leggings, long top, and a shorter layering piece. Adding a colorful clutch adds interest to an already stunning ensemble.

You can never go wrong wearing black-on-black. It’s always perfect for every and any occasion. You will look classy, chic, and sophisticated.

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Lip Lacquer Magic

With Style Meganzine turning one year, I thought it was time to get blogging again. It’s been an amazing year with lots of new beginnings and I truly appreciate all the support from all of you.

Today I want to talk about my new favorite product. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge is the perfect combination of stain and gloss. Inspired by Japanese lacquerware, one coat of this gloss provides intense color and deep luster. The formula improves dry, rough, or peeling lips, and leaves your pucker very moisturized. And you never get that icky bleed some rich colors can leave. I love both Disco (RS 404) which is a very vibrant pink and Drama (RD 501) which is the perfect red. Disco took some getting used to as I never wear such bright color, but it really wakes me up. Because it’s a stain, the color lasts all day, and I really only reapply once. Yep, it’s that moisturizing!
Here’s a little secret I shared with the girls at the Shiseido counter-this lacquer is also the most amazing cheek tint. I know, you’d think it would be too sticky, but it actually blends in perfectly. Word of warning, a little bit goes A LONG way. Just the tiniest bit on your fingertip is all you need for rosy cheeks. I’ve also found it’s a great way to look refreshed when you’re having a long day. Dot, dot, and you look instantly revived!

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Shiseido Lacquer Rouge $25

Oh yeah-the tube is small enough to fit into any purse which is great. No more lugging gloss, stain, lipstick, blush, and brush-you have all of that in one tube!

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Beauty Products Blast From The Past

The other night I was racking my brain trying to remember the name of the hairspray I loved in high school. Many brands came to mind-Finesse, Salon Selective’s, Aussie, Rave, Final Net, ect., but they weren’t what I was looking for. I hit the internet in search of my beloved hair spray. While I didn’t find what I was searching for, I did find many of my childhood favorites and it was a true walk down memory lane. I thought I’d share them with you. I’m sure many of you will see some of your old go-to’s in the list.

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Body On Tap shampoo. This was the best smelling shampoo I’ve ever used. I absolutely loved this, and as kid, I thought it was pretty cool to use shampoo that contained beer.

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“Marathon looks just put on until you take it off”-can’t you just hear the jingle? The first mascara I used that featured a curved brush, and it was also the best waterproof version ever!

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Kissing Potion lip gloss. So yummy, so glossy. Girls throughout the high school could be seen rolling this over their lips.

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Love’s Baby Soft fragrance. Oh youth! The locker room was ripe with the aroma of this drugstore gem. I bought some recently, for nostalgia’s sake, but it just didn’t seem the same.

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Village Lip Lickers balm. My mom turned me on to these. They were super cute and had a nice flavor. Plus, they really did moisturize well.

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Mink hairspray. This seemed so glamorous. I don’t remember if it worked well or not, but the ads certainly got me to buy the product.

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Some of the shampoo offerings of the 70′s and 80′s. I know each one was in our bathroom at one time or another.

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Tickle anti-perspirant. It was all about the bottle and the colors. I can’t remember if this worked either, but it was too cool looking to pass up.

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Farrah Fawcett shampoo. I really thought if I used this my short hair would suddenly turn into a mane like Farrah’s. I guess that’s why my mom wouldn’t buy it for me. A girl could dream though!

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Sun-In. The first hair color we used. Most of us walked around looking like orange poofs, but that didn’t stop us from using it every summer.

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The steam curling iron. You’d put water in the reservoir and then you could push a button to “steam” the curl. Came in many different colors and seemed so high-tech.

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Flicker razor. I think this was the first razor I used. We always had one in the bathroom. Again, very cool design and fun colors made it desirable to a teenage girl.

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Dial-A-Lash mascara. You could control the amount of mascara that was on the wand, depending on your mood. It was something new and interesting and I had to have it.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this walk down beauty lane. What were your favorite products from the eighties? Hopefully, I’ll be able to remember that hairspray. I know it isn’t made anymore, but I can still smell it.

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Rainy Days

Yesterday was a very rainy in Minneapolis and I spent the majority of the day trying to keep our laundry room from flooding. In between changing and spinning out towels, I played around with instagram. I’ve been on it forever, but never really use it. It’s actually pretty fun! For those of you that don’t know what it is, it’s a social network based on photos. You take a picture, edit it with fun features, and then post. You can follow people, share on other social media sites, and find a lot of inspiration. Here’s a look at my day…

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The day definitely called for a top knot. I achieved this one by putting my hair in a high pony and wrapping it around. Secure with a pin and voila! You’ve got an awesome bun. For my lips, I needed something bright and moisturizing. This is the latest color from Fresh-Sugar Coral. I love the shade and it keeps my lips moist for hours (available at Sephora).

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I had my Hunter rain boots on a lot (available at Nordstrom) and since it was chilly, I pulled on my cozy fleece-lined leggings (Anthropologie). In between loads of towels and wet-vacing, I paged through this wonderful book, Stylists-New Fashion Visionaries (Amazon). On such an ugly day it felt good to look at some beauty.

If you are on instagram, look me up. You can find me under “chegpie”, which was my dad’s nickname for me (he actually called me “cow pie” until I figured out what that was). Hopefully today will be a sunnier one!

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Surf’s Up-Protect Your Assets

The days are getting longer, the temperature is getting higher, and it’s only a matter of time before my days can be spent at the beach. I’ve written several times already about the importance of proper sun protection, and although I have not always been diligent, it is now a top priority when I’m having fun outside. I’ve discovered some new, super fun and fabulous products that not only look good, but they offer excellent protection. So, all you need to do is have a blast soaking up the rays and playing in the surf. These amazing items will take care of the protection!

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SUN PROTECTION

Sun Bum Zinc Oxide SPF 50 $9.00
This clear zinc oxide is waterproof and sweat-proof and clear in color (no white noses here). It provides excellent coverage and hydration as it’s formulated with SPF 50 and a blend of aloe and vitamin E. It has a delicious beachy scent too.

Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Spray $10
This is the ultimate spray to cool your skin after a day in the sun. Enriched with soothing aloe, cucumber extract, and vitamin E, this spray hydrates and restores your skin’s natural moisture balance. Plus, it feels amazing.

Sun Bum Lip Balm SPF 50 $3.99
A lot of people forget to protect their lips, but this balm makes it super easy. Approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this lip wonder is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E, plus cocoa butter and provides SPF 50. This banana flavored balm will relieve the drying effects of the sun, wind, and sea, leaving your pucker very kissable.

Check out Sun Bum products at Trust the Bum. They are also available for purchase on Amazon.

SWIMWEAR

Heatwave Swim Bottom $48
This lovely bottom is a medium rise and has medium coverage. The fabric has UPF 50 to provide the ultimate sun protection. They are reversible and the rear pocket has a nifty key ring so you don’t have to worry about losing them in the sand.

Heatwave Bikini Top $54
This bikini top offers low to medium coverage, depending on how busty you are. It also has fabric made with UPF 50 so your tatas won’t get burned. Reversible with adjustable straps, you get the look and coverage you need while looking fantastic.

Lucky Luon Headband $12
Keep the sweat out of your eyes with this moisture-wicking headband. Made from stretch luon, this band will stay in place while you tear it up on the beach and in the water.

All available at Lululemon.

And don’t forget to hydrate! I love coconut water, especially Vita Coco. They have really yummy flavors and a nifty straw (kind of like a juice box). It’s the perfect way to stay hydrated and refreshed while at the beach.

You can find Vita Coco and other coconut waters at all grocery stores.

And remember to reapply your sunscreen. This is the part I always forget and I have the sun spots to prove it.

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Summer Dreaming

The grass is green, the trees have leaves, and flowers are blooming. I am dreaming of summer and it is just around the corner. I cannot wait for beach time, going to the Farmer’s Market, and spending time on the water. I want sand between my toes and the sun on my face. Here are two outfits I’ve put together that scream summertime. I hope they inspire you to start planning your summer wardorbe.

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“TRIP TO THE FARMER’S MARKET”
~7 For Mankind Crop Josefina $225 available at Zappos
~Charles By Charles David Trove wedge sandal $59.95 available at DSW
~Farmer’s Market tote $45 available at J. Crew
~Michael by Michael Kors Oversized sunglasses $99 available at Nordstrom
~Sephora Collection Be You lip balm $12
~Sephora Collection Lacquer polish $7
Both available at Sephora
~Smocked Mexicalli top $24.94 available at Old Navy

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“EVENING STROLL ON THE BEACH”
~Destroyed Boyfit Denim Shortie $36.50
~Dolman Sweater $34.99
~Zig-Zag fedora $15.50
~Sam Edelman for AEO Braided Gladiator sandal $39.50
All available at American Eagle
~Panacea Candy Color Long Stone necklace $50
~Acqua di Parma Arancia di Capri perfume $92
both available at Neiman Marcus
~Essie Go Overboard nail polish $8 available at Ulta

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A Lip Shade All Your Own

One of my all-time favorite lip product is Dior Addict Lip Glow. This balm adjusts to your unique ph and creates a pink shade that’s all your own. On me, it’s a pretty bright pink. The problem is that I become “addicted” to it and go through a tube every month. Not a good thing when the price is on the high side.

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Dior Addict Lip Glow $30

Luckily, Sephora has created their own miracle balm. Their Color Reveal Lip Balm is wonderful. It, too, adjusts to your individual chemistry and leaves you with a pink shade that looks perfect and different on everyone. It has a ton of moisture, adds volume to your lips, and has an amazing honey taste. Hurry tho-it’s a limited edition product!

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Sephora Collection Limited Edition Color Lip Reveal $12

Both available at Sephora

I know I’ll be stocking up on the Lip Reveal. Hopefully it will sell well and Sephora will add it to their collection permanently.

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5 Minute Face

I love my morning routine. There’s something very comforting about having a regime. It gets my day off to the right start and sets the stage. But just because I enjoy applying lotions and potions, it doesn’t mean I want it to take forever. Let’s be real, most of us have a limited amount of time in the morning to get ready and we need things to be streamlined. Here’s a look at my five minute face (give or take). It may seem like a lot of products, but they are quick and easy to apply. You’ll have a natural, rosy glow in a matter of minutes.

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The first thing I do is apply a beauty balm. This is a moisturizer, primer, concealer, and SPH all in one. It will save you lots of time (and money).
shown: Estee Lauder Daywear Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Cream $38

I then apply a concealer on the hard to cover spots. This takes two seconds, as the bb cream does a great job covering most flaws.
shown: Loreal Magic Lumi Liquid Concealer $13

The next step is to apply a blush stain (gel or cream). You could skip this step, but I find my cheeks stay rosy longer if I use a stain.
shown: Tarte Cheek Stain $30

I then sweep on a mineral powder. It gives me a flawless finish and helps to keep the oil at bay. I find mineral powders to be the best. They seem less cakey and are more natural.
shown: Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfectly Powder $59

Next comes a powder blush. I know, it seems like overkill to most of you. But I’ve found that using both a cream and powder blush gives me great color and is less likely to melt off during the day.
shown: Tarte Amazoninan Clay 12hr Blush $25

It’s on to the eyebrows. I like a gel instead of a pencil. The color sweeps on with a mascara wand and is super easy. It gives definition and holds brows into place.
shown: Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel $21

To set everything, I use a makeup setting spray. This keeps my face looking fresh and set all day.
shown: Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray $29

If it’s a day I’m going to be out and about, I’ll add mascara to the ritual. I always use a primer. It makes my lashes even longer and keeps the mascara from smudging.
shown: Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum and Primer $28 and Loreal Voluminous False Fiber Mascara $8

Last step is the lip. For most days I apply a tinted lip balm. It gives my pout a natural pop of color while keeping them soft and moisturized.
shown: Revlon Lip Butter

So, there you have it, my five minute face.You can add or subtract to fit your needs, but this is what works best for me. What’s your five minute face routine?

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My 5 minute face minus mascara!

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The Original Cheek And Lip Stain

I’ll never forget receiving my first catalog from Benefit. It’s close to almost twenty years now (where does the time go?). Back then, you couldn’t find the brand anywhere in Minneapolis, but luckily that didn’t last long. Good thing too! They have some of the best cosmetics products on the market and really pioneered the way for many trends. Case in point-cheek and lip stain. Benetint was one of their first (and most successful) products. It is the perfect rose shade and has real staying power. It was the first thing I purchased from them and the first stain I’d ever tried. It has remained a staple in my arsenal ever since.

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Benetint Cheek and Lip Stain $29
This is super easy to use. You just put 3 swipes on your apples and quickly blend with your fingers (and I do mean quickly). You can build the color, as it is quite sheer, but I think just a rosy glow is best. Very natural looking. And for your lips, just brush on and blend. Perfect, just kissed looking lips. It’s also waterproof, which is always a plus.

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Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 $20
This is a great lip balm. It has SPF (a must) and contains Vitamin E. The color is very sheer and natural looking. It also makes your lips super soft with just the right amount of shine.

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Benetint Pocket Pal $20
Benetint to go! One side contains tint and the other side houses a clear lip gloss. No need to carry around your bottle. Just throw this in your bag and it’s there for emergencies (or for when a sudden dinner date appears on your schedule). Easy peasy!

Benefit also has tints in other shades, as well as many super cool products. I highly recommend checking them out. You can find them at Benefit Cosmetics, at Sephora, and all fine department stores.

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Black Honey

I started wearing Clinique’s Black Honey over ten years ago. Back then it only came in their Almost Lipstick formula and it was my signature color. I loved the color (a deep, blackened raisin) and the feel. Fast forward a decade and now this color has a cult following. Why? Because it truly does look great on everyone. It does not matter what your individual coloring is, this will look amazing on you. I hate to admit it, but I had kind of forgotten about this unique lip shade until I started going through my new magazines. The ads are everywhere and it got me thinking-”Why did I abandon Black Honey?” I guess I just got caught up in all the new goodies that are constantly hitting the market. I pulled out the tube I had tucked away and tried it on. Perfection! And after looking into it, I found this color is now available in many different options.

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Black Honey Almost Lipstick $15
The original, this lipstick is really more of a balm. Transparent pigments merge with your unique, natural lip tone to create a color that is all yours. It’s sheer, glossy, and very lightweight.

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Black Honey Lip Duo $21
This is a two-sided gem. Almost lipstick is on one end, and on the other you have Long Last Glosswear. Worn separately or together, you will have beautiful and moisturized lips. SPF 15.

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Black Honey Superbalm Moisturizing Balm $15
This is a high-gloss balm that instantly relieves dryness and leaves you with radiant lips.

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Limited Edition Black Honey Shimmering Tones Powder $32.50
Inspired by the lip color, this brick can be used as a blush, eye shadow, or all around face brightener. Gorgeous!

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Black Honey Glow ($48.50 value) $28.50
This set contains four products to create the ultimate Black Honey look. Set contains Color Surge Eye Shadow Duo, High Impact Mascara, limited edition Black Honey gel blush, and Superbalm.

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Black Honey Gradient Powder Blush $29.50
This powder is great because it can be layered for a more dramatic look, or one sweep can create a natural flush.

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Black Honey Brush-on Cream Liner $15
A creamy eyeliner that is perfect for creating a smokey eye. This is a brownish raisin color.

All products available at Sephora. Most are available at Clinique or major department stores

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Loungin’ in my Black Honey Almost Lipstick

Whatever product you choose, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with Black Honey. It’s delicious!

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