Since I was younger I have love, love, loved makeup! From lip gloss to mascara – makeup has been a staple not only in my bag, but in the women who spend approximately $8 billion a year on cosmetic products. Cosmetics were made to enhance our already beautiful features. It can be worn day and night but just not overnight. Please make sure you wash your face before going to bed. Also remember that sometimes less is more!

There are several companies that sell makeup but there is one company that offers bold and innovative products for women at a reasonable price – Topshop. Topshop was basically known for their clothing and shoes but in May of this year they launched their makeup line.  Not only is Grace Jones a fan, but so is Kate Moss which shows that their reputation is phenomenal. So check out http://us.topshop.com and update your collection. Topshop is showing that makeup has never been so much fun.

I recently discovered Madewell on Shopbop and have found some great pieces to update my wardrobe. I’m really into scarves, so the Mosaic Square Scarf with Fringe immediately caught my eye. The colors in the scarf will really pop against neutrals and add visual interest to an outfit. Price: $52.00 at Shopbop.

Resale-Riches has a beautiful, classic black Burberry bag that a-list celeb Victoria Beckham owns! Not only is this majorly coveted arm candy, but it makes a great everyday bag. It has soft and supple quilted leather with a padlock. The condition of the bag is described as well cared for, gently used condition, with just a bit of rubbing on the corners and a number of areas where the gold is starting to fade. But overall, it’s still completely fabulous, with loads and loads wear left to go! Price: $850.00 $775.00 at Resale-Riches.com

I have always wanted to be a makeup artist but I ended up going to fashion school instead of pursuing a career as a makeup artist. Secretly, I wish I had the confidence to go all the way with it because I know I would have been really good at it. So for all you who love to experiment with makeup, I found the Smashbox Master’s Class: Ultimate Eyes – Hazel ($175 Value) while browsing at Sephora. It allows you to learn the tips and tricks for creating natural, smoky, and ultra-glam eye looks with this collection of customized shades for hazel eyes. This set features multiple shades to complement your hazel eyes and an illustrated Step by Step Get-the-Look Guide that shows you how to wear them. Here’s what you get:

- 0.04 oz Limitless Eye Liner in Plum

- 0.273 oz Eye Shadow Quad in Ultimate Eyes-Hazel

- 0.3 oz Hyperlash Mascara in Blackout

- 0.0035 Artificial Light Luminizing Powder

- 0.08 oz Finish Lid Primer

- 0.05 oz Cream Eye Liner in Graphite

The HandbagReport.com boutique now carries Haute Latitude clutches!  These are fabulous day to evening clutches in rich, vibrant colors. I fell in love with Haute Latitude accessories while browsing through Harper’s Bazaar magazine. The designers of Haute Latitude collaborate with artists from around the world to help create beautiful statement pieces that add a splash of color to your wardrobe. Each design has a story full of tradition, culture, and local flavor that represents the location it originated from. Available in orange, turquoise, lavender, teal, and gold. Price: $70.00.

]]> http://www.styleandtrendreport.com/2010/07/haute-latitude-brooch-clutches/feed/ 0 http://www.styleandtrendreport.com/2010/07/bows-arent-just-for-children/ http://www.styleandtrendreport.com/2010/07/bows-arent-just-for-children/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 19:23:29 +0000 Chantel http://www.styleandtrendreport.com/?p=1801

A new trend on the red carpet is bows. Whether it is on the shoulder or on the waist it is a stylish way to make your dress or shirt a little bit more feminine. We are not talking about little bows either…we are talking about big statement bows. For as long as I can remember, bows have been a big part of dresses. From church dresses to prom dresses and even bridesmaid dresses bows were a must have. Now they are back in full force and I am not mad. If you are going to try bows make sure it is tasteful, it is one of those trends that can overpower you. So if you are going to wear a bow, make sure the rest of your outfit is as simple as possible. Also, make sure it doesn’t take away from your beautiful face and hair, it should just add to your fly aura.

Do you need tips? Check out a fashion magazine, they have the best advice for all trends and sizes. Try InStyle, Allure, and Marie Claire, you will not be sorry.

I have grown to rely on Ehmonie of Handbag du Jour and What’s Haute Magazine to stay informed of all things related to fashion.  She never fails to deliver the latest haute trends, collaborations and NYC events.  Ehmonie recently reviewed Season 2 Project Runway Winner, Chloe Dao’s, Nuo Tech bags which I was excited to share with our readers. Chloe is one of my favorite designers from Project Runway, so I was happy to hear that she has so many haute collaborations and projects in the works.

Dao was tapped by Nuo Tech, an industry leading manufacturer of stylish laptop bags, messenger bags, briefcases and mobile technology cases, to design her own line of laptop bags. The result is the Dao Chloe Dao for Nuo Collection featuring a rolling laptop brief, a slim laptop brief, a flip tote, a mini backpack, 20″ carry-on trolley, over the shoulder satchel and a netbook envelope clutch covered in funky colors, graphic prints and geometric shapes. Prices start at $24.99.

Chloe Dao commented, “I design for working men or women like myself – professionals who do not want to sacrifice style for function. The Dao Chloe Dao Collection has the best of both worlds. I am a woman that is always on the go, literally. It has been wonderful to be able to work with Nuo to design accessories that are functional and fashionable that help me navigate my busy life with style.”

Ehmonie took the abstract floral Chloe Dao for Nuo satchel (pictured on left) out for a spin for a few days and loved it. She describes it as super lightweight but still durable enough to protect your laptop. It’s also made of a durable, water-resistant polyester material. There are tons of pockets – and we mean TONS! They’re called Chloe’s ’signature exterior kangaroo organizer’ pockets, and the best part is that they’re concealed so they don’t look bulky and obvious, but still are deep enough to store things safely and smoothly. There are two front pockets which could easily fit a water bottle, umbrella or other cylindrical-shaped object, a large rear opening with Velcro closure, and a horizontal zip pocket at the bottom which opens so you can easily slide the bag onto your luggage handle. Brilliant! Inside there’s a waterproof nylon lining, extra padding to further protect your computer and a cell phone pockets, pen and pencil storage and an additional pocket. The bag fits average 15.6″ screen laptops. There’s a 14″ handle which is the perfect size – not so long that it swings around every time you move, and not so short that it hurts the underarm.

Visit Chloe’s store – Lot 8 or Nuo Tech to view the entire collection.

One of my favorite trends of the season is “ethnic” prints.  In some cultures, ethic/tribal prints have always been in style but don’t receive any recognition until it hits the runway.  Bluefly has a Going Global Trend Report with inspiration and style tips to help you pull off the look.

Forget soft and pretty, bold and beautiful is the way to go this spring! Bluefly fashion stylist, Tanesha, zestfully exclaims, “I’m really passionate about tribal this spring. It’s really fun bright colors with neutral, khaki, and fun prints.” Dress buyer, Sandra excitedly adds, “Think big graphics with African and Navajo influences.” Other elements of the trend include warm earthy tones and natural accents such as straw, raffia, and beading. Safari-inspired elements such as rich khaki jackets and pants with epaulets and raised pockets are also important.

I finally caught up on all of the Bethenny Getting Married? episodes on Bravo, and have fallen in love with Bethenny all over again!  She was my favorite of all the women on Real Housewives of New York because she was far from a housewife. Bethenny has impeccable style that is more classic than trendy. Her personality, sense of humor and OCD tendencies make for great reality TV because she seems so real. What I admire most about Bethenny is her success motivates her to push herself to achieve more.  Pictured above (credit: Donnelly Swarbrick/INF) is Bethenny in a beautiful summery Alice+Olivia pastel-striped Lexi Strapless Ballerina Dress with Belt. Price: $495.00 $346.50 (30% off) at Shopbop.  PeopleStyleWatch has more summer striped dresses for any budget!

dress.  PeopleStyleWatch

H&M is launching its first line of skincare products with certified organic ingredients, and will debut in stores at the beginning of March. The line will have everyday essentials including shower gel, body scrub, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm, and are accompanied by make-up and toilet bags made from organic cotton.

“It felt like a natural step, since we’ve worked with organic cotton garments for a few seasons now. There’s also a strong demand from our customers for organics, and I hope they will be as excited as I am about the new products,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design.

The introduction of skincare products with certified organic ingredients comes at a time when sustainability is even more central to H&M’s work, with a commitment to increase the use of organic cotton by 50% each year until 2013, while projects like H&M’s Garden Collection for Spring 2010 show how organic and sustainable materials can take their place at the very heart of fashion.