Online Retail Therapy – Why do you shop?
(Photo by Photo Agency, Bauer Griffin and Pacific Coast News)
There is a possibility I have what could possibly be an unhealthy obsession with buying new things. I love to shop, especially since I can do it from the comfort of my own home, and not be accosted by annoying sales people, or be forced to see the way the clothes is “supposed” to fit on a size 2 mannequin. Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem physically walking into a store empty-handed and leaving with enough bags to fill the Grand Canyon. But, why carry your shopping bags to the Grand Canyon, when everything can be delivered there? I love shopping online because you don’t have to carry bags around with you from store-to-store, and you don’t have to wait on long lines. The greatest thing of all about shopping online is discount prices. I always find better deals online, than I do in the stores. Good deals and affordable prices are very important if you are a borderline shopaholic who doesn’t have as much money as your desire to spend it.
Now, I do not think I have a shopping addition, because I am a firm believer in retail therapy. Shopping makes me happy and stress-free, because when I look good, I feel good. Why do you shop?
Here are a few of my favorite online shopping websites:
1. Shop it to Me – this website acts a personal online shopper and scours the web to find you items that you will love. You even receive personalized e-mails with information on special VIP sale events, latest markdowns and secret promotional codes.
2. Amazon.com – If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, I’m sure you’ve noticed a lot of the items link to Amazon. They really have an amazing selection of everything from jewelry to clothes to electronics. And, the prices are always a bargain!
3. Zappos.com – Designer shoes for less…need I say more. What I love about Zapoos is that shipping and returns are ALWAYS free on all domestic orders. This is very important, because when you buy items online, especially shoes, they might not fit. The fact that you are not paying an extra cost to ship your items, and can get a full refund if you are not satisfied with your order, makes them one of my top favorites places to shop online.
4. Shopstyle.com – I love this website because it acts as a search engine, and lets you browse fashions available at thousands of different stores, all at one time! You can search for products by designer, brand, store, sale items, price point, and color.
Do magazine articles inspire you to want to look better?
A new study published in a recent issue of the journal Media Psychology revealed that images of models can inspire people to achieve the same ideal shape, if accompanied by an article that gave tips on what the reader could do to achieve that modelesque body. The study showed that people who were unhappy with their shape and size spent more time looking at images of models, if the picture was accompanied by a how-to article on how to achieve that physique. The same people ignored photos that did not share tips or give inspiration on how to attain the perfect shape. So, even though the pictures made them feel flawed, they were still inspired by the photos, since the articles made them believe they could improve their body by following the tips provided. How do images of models affect you? When you see an article on how to achieve the perfect abs, next to a picture of Janet Jackson, does that motivate you to start working out?
Why do you wear makeup? Plus, stars without makeup!
As far as I could remember, I’ve always been obsessed with makeup. I like watching women apply makeup, applying it on myself, and browsing the newest products on the market. I don’t wear tons of makeup, but if I were going out for a night on the town, I would not feel prepared if I did not at least have a little lip gloss and mascara on. I think a lot of women can agree. It’s very rare to go out to a big event, and find a single woman in the room not wearing at least one cosmetic product, whether it’s a tinted lip balm or mascara. So what is it about beauty products that keep women going back for more? Is it because it helps you feel or look more beautiful? Or, maybe it’s a combination of both. I, personally, have always been amazed to see just how much makeup can transform someone’s face. See below for what some of your favorite celebrities look like without their “face” on.
Kim Kardashian is really stunning with or without makeup. She is, however, the perfect example of how concealer is a great secret weapon if you have dark circles. She also uses false lashes to accentuate her exotic eyes.
Jessica Simpson still looks absolutely gorgeous without pounds makeup on. But, it is amazing how a little bit of eye makeup and lip gloss goes a long way…
There is no doubt that Rusell Brand had to sleep on the couch the day he posted this picture of his wife Katy Perry without makeup (left) on Twitter. The unflattering picture was quickly removed after he posted it.
Even Beyonce doesn’t wake up looking flawless. She relies on a team of hair stylists and makeup artists to make sure she looks her best when out in public.
Dress like a celebrity
Michelle Trachtenberg arrived at the Hollywood Domino Gala wearing a glamorous vintage-style Edition from the Georges Chakra Fall 2010 Ready to Wear collection. The white dress features a lace bodice and peplum. Be a head-turner with a comparable dress - Notte by Marchesa ($582.29).
(February 23, 2011 - Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images North America)
Brittany Snow wore a fabulous blue strapless Camilla + Marc dress to “Beastly” Premiere at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA. I loved everything about this dress, with the exception of the corset-inspired top. Get a similar look with this dress from Neiman Marcus for $138.
(February 25, 2011 - Photo by Bauer Griffin)
Anne Hathaway paired a white ruffled shirt with a fitted pencil skirt at the Harvey Weinstein and Dior’s Academy Awards dinner. Polka dot tights added a playful touch to this look. Copy her style with this S Collections Ruffle Collar Crepe Sheath Dress for $178 at Nordstorm and Sheer Dot Full Foot Tights for $14 at Urban Outfitters.
Brenda Song dazzled in a black Gryphon New York Sequined Party Dress to the 2011 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. Get a similar look with this Dasha Sequin Mini Dress by Guess for $151.99, which has a similar pattern as the Gryphon dress. Or, even better, get the actual dress at Bergdorf Goodman.
(January 7, 2011 - Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America)
High Performance Pigment Makeup
It’s very difficult to find vivid, rich, long-wearing makeup, especially for women with darker complexions. High pigmented makeu
p is great for all skin tones because it will show up under harsh photo and camera lights, and usually lasts longer than other types of makeup. If you crave brilliant hues then read on.
Black Up Cosmetics is France’s #1 brand for women with ethnic skin colors. The products are highly pigmented, and were developed in 1999 by a team of professional makeup artists with women of color in mind. Now, the line has a variety of products that look great on different skin tones, regardless of ethnicity.
NYX Cosmetics was started by Toni Ko in 1999, and is now available in 40 international markets. The products are high quality and most importantly, affordable. The eye pigments are offered in an assortment of intense colors including Ocean Blue, Mocha, Lilaz, Pearl, Fanta, Sky Pink and Black to name a few. The brand also has a line of glitter pigments, bronzer, blush, and lips products. NYX is also a cruelty-free makeup line.
Mally Beauty was started by Celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal, whose client list includes Beyonce, Celine Dion, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez. She launched her own brand of makeup in 2004, and is a staple on QVC. The makeup colors are buildable, long lasting and dramatic.
L’Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments are probably the cheapest high performance makeup products you may be able to get your hands on. Unlike the other makeup brands, you don’t have to travel any further than your local drug store to get them. Personally, I’ve found it hard to find a good variety of the product line available in a lot of the stores in the city. Since the line caters to women with darker complexions, you would have a better chance of finding good options in ethnic neighborhoods. When you do find the L’Oreal HIP line it includes ultra intense shadows and rich color combinations for lips. The high intensity pigments perform well, and are great if you are on a tight budget.
Rock the Red Pump
Every 9 minutes, someone is infected with HIV.
March 10th is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). It’s a nationwide initiative, recognized by the U.S. very year, in order “to raise awareness about the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls.” The Red Pump Project™ is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 that not only raises awareness on this day, but urges women to take action, encourages HIV testing, raises funds and tries to open dialogue about sexual and reproductive health. This year, marks the third annual Rock the Red Pump™ campaign, which uses a red shoe to represent the courage of women infected with HIV/AIDS. Today’s post is inspired by, you guessed it, fashionable red pumps! See below for some fierce and fabulous red pumps.
This blog signed up to be a part of the 2011 Red Pump Rockers. Please visit The Red Pump project to how you can get involved»
Enzo Angiolini 'Sully' Platform Pump $88.95
Second Glance Fashions Women's Red Satin Women's Red Heart Pumps $39
NYLA Bristoll Platform High Heels $49.99
Caparros Object Pump $59.95
Walk like a Celebrity…if you can afford to
Celebrities wear the most fabulous shoes. Just because your name doesn’t appear in headlights, that doesn’t mean you can wear the same footwear as your favorites stars. Here’s what the celebs are wearing and where you can buy the exact same shoes.
Audrina Partridge arrived at a hotel in Sydney wearing Tory Burch “Reva” Ballet Flats, which you can buy for $195 at Bloomindales.
(March 24, 2009 - Photo by Photo Agency)
Bella Thorne accessorized her hot pink cocktail dress with Kate Spade New York Charm Heel at the Justin Bieber movie premier. You can buy the shoes online at zappos.com for $325.
(February 8, 2011 - Photo by Bauer Griffin)
Hayden Panettiere wore black mesh and patent Aileen ankle booties with red lining by Charles Jourdan at Chateau Marmont on Feb. 23rd. You can buy them for yourself at Amazon.com for $154.45.
(February 23, 2011 - Photo by PacificCoastNews.com)
Jennifer Lopez stunned in these metal stud embellished Gucci Sigourney sandals. You can buy these right off their website in 3 different colors: honey color python ($1250); light tobacco leather($795), and military green suede ($795), which J-Lo is wearing in the picture below.
(November 19, 2010 - Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images North America)
Latest Disney Ads featuring Celebrities
I’ve always been a huge Disney fan, so I was very excited to see the latest ad campaign featuring celebrities as some of my favorite Disney characters. The ads, which truly are works of art, were shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Check out the slideshow below to see the beautiful photos.
***All Photos are by Annie Leibovitz/Disney Parks via Getty Images
Make your eyes pop: Mascara for your Bottom Lashes
Apply mascara to bottom lashes for a wide-eyed look.
Not all lashes are created equally….well, at least your upper and bottom lashes aren’t. It’s recommended that you don’t apply mascara on your bottom lashes for your everyday look, but for special events where you’re going for that “wow” factor you need to coat those babies. Unfortunately, the lashes on your lower lids are hard to get to with a regular sized wand, which could leave you with smears or an excess of product build-up. Alas, there is a solution to this problem: mascara specially created specifically for the purpose of applying to your lower lashes. Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10) and Tarte’s Bottoms Up™ – Lower Lash Mascara ($16) are designed with your bottom lashes in mind, and works to make sure even the tiniest lashes are coated so you can have a big, beautiful wide-eyed look. Both can be paired with your favorite mascara used on top, but if you are in love with your mascara and don’t want to buy a separate one just for your bottom lashes, you can invest in small disposable mascara wands. You can also use your current mascara wand if you apply the product vertically with a piece of tissue held in place under the eye, or use a mascara guide such as Tweezerman’s Mascara protector, under the bottom lashes until you get the look you want.
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara ($10)
Tarte Bottoms Up™ - Lower Lash Mascara ($16)
