Rocker Chic Leggings for Fall

I am obsessed with leggings. Cooler weather is the perfect time to bust these out and pair them with tunics and dresses (and maybe even leather boxing shorts) to keep you comfy and warm in the fall and winter. While your basic black leggings are always a great go-to option, leggings can also be the edgy addition to your outfit. Check out these options to turn up the dial on rocker chic style this season.

Leather look leggings from American Apparel

Leather-look leggings won't break the bank but they will leave you looking sharp and hard as nails at the same time. American Apparel has a bunch of different styles. I can't wait to wear all of those this season. ASOS has similar options, including some plus size styles.

Kat Von D "Jade" Mesh legging

I love Kat Von D's "Nicole" and "Jade" mesh leggings. They're sexy and avant-garde at the same time. At around $60, these are more affordable than some of her other garments.

ASOS Curve plus size sequin panel leggings

ASOS Curve has fabulous plus-size options like these sequin panel leggings. Glitz and glam rocker chic made easy and accessible.

Black and White leggings from ASOS

ASOS also has these black and white leggings with a random stripe pattern -- like Beetlejuice on "shuffle."

Lace panel leggings from Torrid

Lace is always a great option for leggings, and Torrid offers these plus size lace-panel beauties as an option. The solid panel on the back means fewer chances to snag the sexy floral pattern.

Hue Python-look leggings

Though I personally have not had great luck with Hue, these python-look leggings look fantastic. With a black oversized tunic, they add trompe-l'oeil texture that is completely on trend.

As you may know, I love metallics. So it's no surprise I love these wet-look gunmetal and silver with pyramid detailing leggings by Black Milk Clothing.

Check out these other Black Milk Clothing -- the trendy inverted Cross of St Peter will lend edge to even the most basic cold-weather wear.

What are your favourite leggings? How do you wear them?

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Deep, Dark and Dramatic Lips for Fall/Winter 2012

There are a LOT of trends that I am looking forward to for Fall 2012. Therefore, I have put together a shopping list titled ‘Non Negotiable Must Haves for Fall 2012’. It is absolutely spectacular and is a modest three pages long.

 I am thinking that most of my posts to come over the next few weeks will be geared towards my pursuit of getting these items, and my excitement when I find exactly what I am looking for... because I WILL find them.

The list is divided into sub headings, including pants, skirts, blouses, boots, flats, blazers, scarves, accessories and, of course, beauty. I think that before I was working in cosmetics, I didn’t really consider how predominant trends in the beauty industry actually were. This post is about a beauty trend I am just dying to wear, all day, every day: deep, wine coloured lips.

Gucci Fall/Winter 2012

Yves Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2012 

Although I am a devout believer in the classic red lip, this lip trend, which has been seen all over the fall fashion runways, is super sultry and very intriguing if it’s done right.

Below are a few tips and recommendations for creating this totally trendy look.

Tips & How to: 

MAC's Prep + Prime Lips, $19.

1. Always, ALWAYS, prep lips with MAC’s Prep and Prime Lips. I’m sure that there are other suitable options out there when it comes to lip primers, but I have personally found that the MAC primer gets the job done well. Not only is it affordable (retails $19), it is really effective. I wear bright red lipstick almost every single day, and before I started using this product I found that my lipstick would feather and bleed quite a bit. It didn’t matter if I was wearing a prestige cosmetics brand, or a drug store brand; if it was a sheer finish or matte finish – it was all over the place and required quite a bit of maintenance. However, once I started using this product, that problem stopped all together. It really is the secret to how I am able to make my lipstick last all day and stay in place. Try it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. 

MAC's Lip Pencil in Night Moth, $18.

2. Line and fill in lips. I know some professionals choose not to fill in the lip or simply line after applying the lip colour, but this is my blog and I’ll blog how I want to. For a nice deep liner, I like MAC’s Lip Pencil in Night Moth, $18. 

3, Next, swipe a deep wine colour on the lip. If you are more comfortable with a deep cranberry red, this is also acceptable for trendy fall lip colours. The look I created had more of a purple undertone and was very striking. The lip colour I have been using was from Dior’s Rouge Dior lip collection in number 862, $36. 

Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer, $30.

4.  Now, because these colours are so deep, it is important to clean up the edges of the lip with a concealer using the corner or a sponge or a concealer brush. Then go over the outside edges with the lip pencil to ensure they are smooth and uniform. I like Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer, $30. 

Clinique's Full Potential Lips in Playful Plump 

5. Add a pop of gloss! This look is very dramatic and seductive, but if you want to glam it up a little bit and draw even more attention to that pout, I would recommend putting a dab of a lighter coloured gloss just on the center of the lips. My absolute favourite lip gloss in the whole world is called Playful Plump from the Full Potential Lips line at Clinique. It has an incredibly glossy finish, lasts all day and isn't sticky. Plus, since it is a soft pink, it goes with nearly everything. I put a pop of it on my dark lips the other day and really liked the end result. What do you think?

My end result featuring all of the products listed above. 

 To complete the look I would suggest the following:

·         A full coverage foundation. There are lots out there! Choose one that is suitable for your skin type and will last all day. If you would like for me to recommend one, leave me a comment!

·         Defined brows. This is a general rule of thumb. Defined brows help to frame the face, lift the eye and make you look younger.

·         A bronzed cheek. A contoured cheek looks absolutely fabulous with dark lips, but if you are looking for a soft look, I would suggest a soft cheek colour of the same undertone.

·         Simple eyes. If you are going out with your girlfriends and want to go all out, by all means, do up the eyes if the mood strikes you. But to make this look chic and wearable, I highly recommend a simple eye. A sweep of shimmery gold or bronze would complement any deep plums or reds very nicely. Apply lots of black mascara.

·         A matching nail colour. This is another major trend going on in the beauty industry right now! Not to sound redundant, but Dior has a line of perfectly matching nail and lip colours. Simply marvelous if you ask me. If you can't find a perfect match, simply put on another deep fall colour

·         Confidence. This certainly is the type of look that requires some fierceness, so be confident. After all, you are fabulous.

Chanel Fall 2012 Beauty Campaign. This is a very dramatic approach to the look. Absolutely stunning!! 

From the same Chanel Fall 2012 Beauty Campaign: This is a great example of a toned down approach appropriate for both work and play. 

So happy that I am now able to cross one item off from the beauty category on my shopping list!! 

What do you guys think? I absolutely love the look and have received a ton of compliments over the last week or so. Will you be trying out this trend this fall and winter? Which deep shades are your personal faves? 

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Skull-patterned lace: the best of both worlds

I didn't think my love for romantic and edgy black lace could get any deeper... then I found skull-patterned lace. I've been swooning ever since. The first time I saw skull-patterned lace was on Kat Von D's Instagram feed.

If you don't already know, Kat Von D has very quickly become my fashion and make-up guru. (This is due entirely to the Vallely girls and their awesome blog, by the way.) The piece she's holding there is by Thomas Wylde and retails for thousands of dollars. So I began a search to find an affordable version of skull lace. Here's what I found! This slip dress from Betsey Johnson is $200 and not entirely what I was going for. There's also a peplum top version, but the reviews say that the peplum is not flattering. At $88, it doesn't seem worth it to get a top you're not in love with.

But don't fret: I totally found some skull lace that looks great and is affordable! This is my skull lace cardigan from HotTopic! (It's currently on sale for less than $20! Go go go!) Here's the detail on mine:

And here's a product pic:

Though the look is definitely more crochet than the lace on the Thomas Wylde piece, I think the skull shape is even cooler. HotTopic also has a top with the same pattern in white:

If you like the white look but you want your skulls to be a bit more hyped, check out this awesome kimono-style jacket for $48.

So what do you think? Will you be combining these trends?

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