OUTFITTED: 3 STUNNING NYE ENSEMBLES

Hi everyoneee, <3

They say that the way you spend New Year’s Eve is how you’ll spend the next year, so, if this is true, then it’s crucial to have a seriously stylish outfit to ring in 2013. I can’t tell you how much I love getting dolled up for New Year’s Eve! It’s such a fun night of friends, family, and celebrations, and the festive atmosphere is so infectious when it comes to choosing the perfect ensemble. To get the fashionista spark going in all of you, my lovely subbies, I thought I’d share with you a few outfit ideas I had: 

I think this ensemble would look great with a SEDUCTIVE SMOKEY EYE and a pretty red lip. You can’t go wrong with a Tom Ford lipstick for this outfit!

• SPARKLE LONG SLEEVE BODY CON BY DOROTHY PERKINS
• IRIDESCENT DIAMOND EARRINGS BY CHARLOTTE RUSSE
• RUBY JEWEL COLOUR BOX CLUTCH BY BOOHOO
• BLACK SUPERSOFT TIGHTS BY MISS SELFRIDGE
• BLACK GEMSTONE STRETCH BRACELET BY LOFT
• LICIA'S STERLING SILVER CUBIC ZIRCONIA STAR RING

This dress is fun and flirty but still stylish! Try sweeping your hair into a gorgeous TOP KNOT to show off the earrings and your pretty face :) 

• ROUND BEADED HOOP IN GOLD BY YOCHI DESIGN
• H&M DRESS
• URBAN EXPRESSIONS PLEATED SATIN CLUTCH
• VICKTEM BY STEVE MADDEN

The power of this outfit lies in its beautiful simplicity and understated elegance. This would be best paired with SEVERINE’S LOOK FROM SKYFALL!

• OFF-SHOULDER TEE BY ALLOY
• H&M SKIRT
• TIGHTS BY MODCLOTH
• BQUEEN BLACK SUEDE METAL ROOT IRON HEEL PUMPS
• BOLSHEVIK ENVELOP BY ALL SAINTS
• DIAMOND STICKS STATEMENT NECKLACE BY WET SEAL

Have you started planning your New Year's Eve outfit yet? Let me know what you're going to wear in the comment section!

<3 Mindy

NEW TUTORIAL: TWEAKING YOUR LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Hi everyone,

With the holiday season approaching, parties and other special events are bound to wind up dictating your social calendar and, most importantly, your wardrobe. A LITTLE BLACK DRESS is a reliable and stylish option, but finding one that fits absolutely perfectly isn't always easy or even possible. Check out my new tutorial on how you can tweak your own little black dress so that it's just right for you:

Once your LDB has been tailored specifically to your body, it's time to start accessorizing. The little black dress is the perfect blank canvas to use as a jumping off point for any occasion, whether you're going for something ultra-glamorous or understated chic. Like my friend Angela says, you can never go wrong with a beautiful ring, a clutch, and a simple pair of strappy heels or pumps.

Check out some of my favorite rings, clutches, and shoes to pair with your little black dress:

1. ASOS SUEDE QUILTED FOLDOVER CLUTCH
2. ALL SAINTS ELISSA ENVELOPE
3. WINDSOR SILVER GLITTER GEM LOCK CLUTCH
4. ALDO RITTMAN CLUTCH
5. BLACK LACE ASTRID CLUTCH PURSE
6. NINA MARTIN VELVET CLUTCH
   

1. ASOS PRIOR POINTED HIGH HEELS
2. VIA SPAGA RYAN PUMP
3. INC LILLY PUMPS
4. ZARA POINTED COURT SHOE WITH STRAPS
5. STEVE MADDEN HAWKINS PLATFORM SHOOTIES
6. WALLIS BLACK SNAKE PRINT SANDAL
   

1. ASOS JUST ACCES KRYPTO BIG RING
2. LUCKY BRAND CROWN STACK RINGS
3. H&M RING
4. KENNETH JAY LANE GOLD AND RESIN RING
5. TOPSHOP CRYSTAL CRAZE RING
   

How do you accessorize your little black dress? Let me know in the comments section!

<3 Mindy

BEAUTY FAUX PAS: GHOSTLY FOUNDATION

Hi everyone,

Unlike PILING ON THE BLUSH or going out with a FLOUR POWDER FACE, wearing a foundation that's too light for your skin tone is a beauty faux pas that starts at the makeup counter, before the application process even begins. Since this is the time of year that this blunder tends to happen the most, I thought it would be a good one to go over in today's blog.

Foundation that's too light for your skin is an easy trap to fall into, since your coloring will typically change throughout the year depending on the amount of time you spend out in the sun. To account for these changes, I recommend keeping more than one foundation in your beauty bag – one the color of your skin, and the other two shades darker. That way, you can easily create a custom blend of the two for a perfectly matched shade year-round, no matter how bronzed or fair you are. Concealer palettes with more than one shade of concealer are great for the same reason. It may sound like a pricey solution, but it shouldn't be; since you have more product to work with, it should actually last you longer than if you just had one. It also gives you a much more versatile palette to work!

Have You ever seen this faux pas? (Or committed it yourself?)

BEAUTY SCHOOL: THE LOWDOWN ON MAKEUP SPONGES

Hi everyone,

Although by now you probably all know that my preferred application tool for foundation or tinted moisturizer is the FOUNDATION BRUSH, I know that some people still like to use makeup sponges. The advantage to these is that they're quick and disposable, so they can useful when time is of the essence.

One differentiating factor between makeup sponges is that some use latex and others are latex-free. Interestingly, they don't get the job done any differently. The non-latex sponges were created for people with latex allergies, so literally the only difference is that one kind has latex and the other doesn't. If you have a latex allergy, don't worry–you're not sacrificing any sponge quality to take care of yourself.

When it comes to makeup sponges, what really makes a difference is the shape. So if you're going to use sponges instead of a foundation brush, keep the shape in mind rather than the material. Choose your makeup sponge based on the kind of coverage you're looking for.

Round and rectangular sponges are best for applying makeup on larger areas of skin, like the forehead and cheeks. Use wedge-shaped sponges for smaller areas or those that need contouring.

There are also egg-shaped sponges available too, such as the Beauty Blender or the Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge, which are designed in a way that doesn't leave visible streaks on your face. The benefit to these sponges, which can be used both dry and wet, is that it's easier to blend the makeup into your skin. Use the pointy tip around the nose and mouth and the wider base on your chin, cheeks, and forehead.

What kind of makeup sponges do you use? Let me know in the comments section! 

Love, Mindy.