Archive for November, 2011

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[Outfit Post] with a Mini Black Dress and Killer Tights…A Head to Toe Black Look with Traffic Stopping Stockings

Posted in DRESSES, FASHION, JEWELRY, OUTFIT POST, SHOES with tags , , , on November 30, 2011 by stylebymeli

Here’s a fresh look of the day.  I’ve actually rocked this outfit on two other separate occasions (minus the glasses) for a special event and going out purposes.  Being that this was a work/daytime look (why not?  I’m in a stylish field, no?), I styled this with my frames to keep it classy. Honestly, I think this look is styled best in frames, hence why I chose to showcase it this way for all of you to see!  Enjoy!  

About This Outfit:

[The Outfit]:  I am wearing a black Guess mini dress.  It’s unfortunate you cannot see the back, because there are actually cut-outs; however, when I wore this, I wore a black cami underneath because I didn’t want the cut-outs to show through.  It would be overkill if the back was semi-exposed paired with the already overly exposed legs.

Okay, I know you are probably dying to know where the stockings are from, because I must have been stopped at least 10x today by women (all ages) as to where I found these.  I had previously blogged in September that I purchased these in a Topshop when I was in Chicago (the store had just opened and it was spectacular!!)

The necklace and ring are both from Forever 21.  You can’t go wrong with their costume jewelry.  You also can’t beat the prices for the high style and I honestly get the most compliments on my jewelry from this store.  

The shoes are BCBG (again like my last outfit post) .  They are a black suede with a pointed toe.  I guess I wear these a lot!

[Where to wear this outfit]:  For many this would probably be a going out to a night club kind of look.

[Stylish Notes]:

-  What I love most about these stockings are that they give the illusion that I’m wearing over-the-knee boots and that’s exactly why I wanted to purchase them because this is the next best thing!  I don’t own a pair of over-the-knee boots but this works just fine by me!

 - If you are going to dare to wear such stockings (with an exposed leg), it is ABSOLUTELY necessary to keep the rest of your body covered up.  I emphasize this because you need to create style harmony (or BALANCE) and too much skin exposure is just visually style overkill where the eyes just don’t know where to look.  It’s kind of like when you wear a smokey eye and then heavy blush and then a bright lip.  It’s like, WHOA, why is every feature popping at me at once?!?!  (Unless you’re a clown, I guess it’s okay :-p).  You just really need to be strategic and look at the OVERALL picture–in other words the FINAL look from head to toe.

I tend to wear long necklaces by default. I have a large assortment of them with all kinds of fun styles. Remember that long necklaces will visually elongate you, so it's flattering on everyone!

Although this is a monochromatic look, you can see how wearing all black can still create high styling impact depending on how you layer the pieces and at the end make a bold fashion statement.  Black does not have to translate into boring and can still be incredibly stylishly hip (and sexy too may I add!)

I actually HATE wearing turtlenecks with a passion because they are not visually flattering (it totally cuts off the neck) but in this styling scenario it’s OKAY because again, I wanted the rest of the body to be pretty covered up and it’s not really a true turtleneck.  It’s more of a half turtleneck where only about half of my neck is covered up.  

[Fashion for Thought]:  I believe having a good sense of style is all about owning your look and feeling comfortable in your own skin.  While for many this look may be a little outrageous (bold, dramatic, however you want to classify it), at the end of the day I own it.  And by that I mean I can carry it off effortlessly because it’s an expression of my stylish state of mind.  I don’t care what people think.  I LOVE it and that’s all that matters! ;) 

[Thanks for viewing!  Thoughts?]

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Oil Based Makeup Removers: Why I’m Obsessed and Steps on How to Use it Successfully

Posted in BEAUTY TREATMENT, EYE MAKEUP, FACE, FACE CLEANSER, PRODUCTS I LOVE, SKINCARE with tags , , , , on November 28, 2011 by stylebymeli

Yesterday, I received a text from one of my best friends regarding a subject that ironically, I had all intentions on writing about.  It is a subject matter that I feel everyone could truly benefit from and I am happy to share it with not only my best friend, but my beloved blog readers!

“So you use oil to remove eye makeup right, not eye makeup remover?  What kind?”

The answer is, ABSOLUTELY (100%, without a doubt!)  I have been using oil based makeup removers just as long as I have been doing makeup professionally.  They are the very best and I feel that everyone should own one.  Especially for people who wear lots of eye makeup including waterproof products.

Reasons Why I Find Them to Be the Best:

1-  For starters, I want to clarify that oil based makeup removers will NOT cause breakouts.  There is a huge misconception that being that it is an oil, it is going to clog pores and cause the skin to produce more oil.  Quite the contrary.  Applying oil to the face directly will actually allow for the skin to produce less oils over time.

[It’s kind of like how people have the misconception that eating fat makes you fat.  There are many healthy fats out there (such as olive oil) that are essential in your daily diet and actually won’t make you put on weight.  FYI, my diet consists a lot of fats (the healthy ones obviously) and I’m smart enough to know they won’t make me fat!]

[Also think for a minute, if this was truly the case, oil based makeup removers would not be on the market if they caused people’s skin to break out.  There is a reason why the beauty obsessed love oils for their skin and this is no exception].

2-  I’m telling you right now, NOTHING will break down waterproof products the way an oil does.  Oils really penetrate the skin and remove all traces of makeup with little effort.  By that I mean you are not going to have to use a lot of the product to get it to work or rub the makeup off incessantly.

3-  Makeup remover oils are ideal for people with sensitive skin.  I believe oils nourish the skin and really keep it calm and supple.

4-  Ever notice that people with naturally oily skin seem to look great as they age?  Their skin is usually smooth and free of wrinkles.  I believe that any oil product applied to the face is going to over time, make a HUGE impact on the aging process.  It’s going to keep the skin much smoother and prevent wrinkling.

5-  If you have dry skin, this product will definitely give your skin more moisture, more so than a moisturizer ever could.  I just feel that the texture of an oil is much more penetrating than a lotion texture.  It really sinks into the skin and keeps it fresh!

[I don’t know about you, but personally, I want to age like a fine wine.  By that I mean, I want to only look better with age ;)...who ever said things have to go downhill?!  Look at Jennifer Lopez, one cannot deny how amazing she looks today (even more so than in her youth in my opinion).  Personally, when I look at myself 5 years ago and what I look like now, I find I have only become more beautiful with age.  I may not say that 5 years from now, but I do know that letting myself go is NOT an option so I’m not worried].

 My favorite makeup remover oil is MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil and I’m also a fan of Origin’s Clean Energy (which I typically use more in the shower).
How to Use a Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil:
  1.  Apply a small amount of the oil on a tissue.
  2.  When removing eye makeup, I will place the tissue with the oil over eye (closed) and press for about 5 seconds and then wipe.  I will then gently wipe any remainders of the eye makeup.  The makeup will literally melt off instantly.  You may need to rub a little harder to get mascara or eyeliner off but you’ll find that it won’t take nearly as much effort.  When removing face makeup, I pretty much do the same thing.  Quick and easy!
  3. You can then maybe take a clean wet towel to rinse off the excess oil left on the face or eye area.  Personally, I love leaving the oil residue on the face.  In the morning, my skin is radiant!
  4. Continue with the rest of your skincare regime.  After I remove my makeup, I follow-up with a toner and either a night cream OR skin oil (such as Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil).

[Does anyone else use an oil for makeup removing purposes?  If so, do you love it?]

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[My Thoughts on...] MAC’s Best Mascara (Yes, I’ve tried them all…)

Posted in EYE MAKEUP, FALSE EYE LASHES, MAC MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP, MASCARA, SHOPPING with tags , on November 22, 2011 by stylebymeli

MAC False Lashes mascara is by far the BEST mascara!

[Makeup Confession]:  To be completely honest (and I know my blog readers already know this), I’m NOT a huge mascara person.  It blows my mind when people say they would not leave the house without mascara.  (Like, really?!  How could people overlook blush, concealer, eyeliner, lipstick, and even brow products?!  There are just so many makeup necessities that come first and mascara will just never be a huge priority on my beauty list).

This could also be due to the fact that I just haven’t found “the one.”  I have short and thin lashes to begin with so for me, I feel mascara is a waste of time because it’s hard to enhance something that is simply not there.  (Hence why I wear false eye lashes pretty regularly because they make all the difference in the world).

When it comes to my lashes, it’s pretty much all or nothing:  I skip mascara or I wear dramatically long and full lashes.  There is really no in between…until now!  I am really in love with MAC’s False Lashes mascara because it does everything I could ever want a mascara to do: lengthen, volumize, separate, and CURL.  I can honestly see my lashes are curled up higher (giving the appearance of longer length) when I apply it which in itself is AMAZING.  I have never really experienced that with a mascara before.

Looking at the wand, it’s pretty standard, so initially I just didn’t think I’d be impressed by it.  I was at a point where I had given up on mascaras (for my personal use), but now I have finally found a mascara that works wonders!  Although it won’t give the appearance of actual “false lashes” (I don’t believe any mascara in itself could unless you have naturally long, full lashes to begin with); but it definitely enhances the eye lashes unlike any mascara I have seen before!

[Has anyone else tried this mascara?  How does it compare to other MAC mascaras in your opinion?]

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[Outfit Post] with a Pair of Red Pants Styled with Black…A Flashy and Festive Look

Posted in FASHION, MELI'S FAB FINDS, OUTFIT POST, SHOES, SHOPPING, VINTAGE on November 21, 2011 by stylebymeli

Due to my hectic schedule and my current physical condition (unfortunately, I am still not feeling well so it’s been hard for me to make the time to blog), but I wanted to share a current outfit showcasing the new love of my life:  bright red pants.  

And yes, they have stirrups on the bottom if you haven’t already noticed.  (I will be talking about this in more detail, don’t you worry)! ;)

About This Outfit:

[The Outfit]:  I am wearing a black tube top from Bebe Sport.  This is a basic layering piece.  I honestly don’t even wear it all that often but it’s classic and I love the fit.

Over the tube top, I am wearing a cropped black shrug from Forever 21.  I can’t get over how much I wear this shrug.  I love shrugs and I love cropped tops, so it should come as no surprise as to how this piece is a wardrobe staple of mine.

The red pants (they definitely are vintage) I purchased about a month ago when I went to the new Beacon’s Closet in Manhattan.  This has been the best fashion purchase I have made for the entire year (hands down)!  Since the beginning of the fall season, I have really been hunting for a hot pair of skinny red pants.  I nearly died when I found them and then when I tried them on to find they fit my body PERFECTLY I was beyond ecstatic!!!  (For me, vintage is so hit or miss in terms of the sizing).

[FYI I almost splurged on a pair of red skinny jeans from Guess when I was checking them out at Bloomingdales back in September.  However, they didn't have my size so I couldn't even see how they would look and in the back of my mind, I couldn't justify paying full price on a pair of red jeans because of the practicality of them.  (It's not like I could wear red jeans to the supermarket...although I would truly wear red pants anywhere).  A few weeks later, I found these red pants, so I guess it was a sign when they did not have it in my size in the Guess red jeans I initially was looking at!]

The shoes are BCBG.  They are a black suede with a pointed toe.  I love these shoes and have had them for a few years now. 

[Where to wear this outfit]:  I guess you could say this was a day to night type of look.  I have been wearing red pants a lot when I go out.  They’re also great this time of year to wear for the holidays.

[Stylish Notes]:

-  I kept my makeup pretty soft since the pants are definitely the focal point of the look.  Personally, I think adding red to the lips or any other traces of red would just make it too matchy-match and essentially ruin the overall styling.  It would then start to look tasteless in my opinion.

 - I prefer to match bright colors with neutrals.  In this case, the red is paired with black.  You can’t go wrong pairing anything with black.  They also contrast beautifully and are in total style harmony.

[Styling Confession]: I’ve already worn these pants a handful of times and although red pants are a current trend, I think they are so classic, that I will be wearing red pants for many years to come!  They are so sharp and stylish.    

Red pants don't only add a sense of flashiness but also complete any look with confidence. Be prepared to make a grand entrance with a pair of red pants!

 

I mainly wanted to focus on the fact that these pants are not just pants, they have STIRRUPS on the bottom!  I talk about my obsession with stirrups all the time, so the fact that these pants have stirrups just makes it styling perfection!

I’m sure many people are wondering why I love stirrups (“isn’t that trend so outdated Meli?”)…the last time I remember really rocking stirrups was back in the 90′s during my childhood.  Everyone had stirrups.  I actually didn’t really appreciate them at the time or think they were that cool (mainly because I didn’t understand them!), but that’s all people wore at that time!  (Does anyone remember that?)

[Fashion for Thought]:  It’s funny to think that today the cool kids rock jeggings, but back in my day we were rocking funky printed stirrup leggings.  Oh how fashion times have changed?!  

Anyhow…moving far, far away from the 90′s, I fully appreciate stirrups because they visually elongate the legs (versus a regular pant hem that cuts right at the ankle).  I’m pretty short to begin with (5’1″ to be exact), so anything to add visual length is going to be a huge styling plus in my opinion.  I also just LOVE the way they look tucked away in a pair of heels as shown in the photo on the left.

[Thanks for viewing!  Thoughts?]

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[What's Inside My Makeup Bag?] – YSL Rouge Pur Couture 24 “Blond Ingenu” and Lots of New MAC Lip Products

Posted in LIPGLOSSES, LIPS, LIPS - LIPSTICKS, MAC MAKE-UP, MAKE-UP, MELI'S MAKEUP BAG, PRODUCTS I LOVE, SHOPPING, YSL with tags , on November 16, 2011 by stylebymeli

I honestly don’t buy that much makeup for myself anymore unless I’m really running low on a something I use on a daily basis.  However, when it comes to lip products, I don’t seem to hold back.  I’m constantly experimenting and just love trying new shades!  I’ll pretty much wear anything on my lips.  I think most stylish people are obsessed with lip products as they know it could make or break any look.

I’m totally into YSL lipsticks (I really think they make the best lipsticks), but since they are pricey, I don’t really indulge all the time.  I finally caved in and purchased YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture in “Blond Ingenu” (#24) as I have been wanting this for quite some time.  It’s very neutral light pink with a warm peach undertone.  Every time I would try it on at a store, I just fell in love with it!

In terms of new MAC lip products, I am a HUGE fan of their new Pro Longwear lip pencils.  I usually prefer the twist-up pencils for the convenience but in terms of longevity, these really go the extra mile.  So far I purchased “Nice N Spicy” and “Morning Coffee” (both are neutral shades that would go with a lot of different colors).  I’m also dying for “In Anticipation” and “Staunchly Stylish.”

I tend to LOVE all of MAC’s Pro Longwear products (in terms of their lip products) and have always been in love with their original double-ended Pro Longwear lip colors.  I own almost all of them at this point as they really work!  This is why I really wanted to try one of their Pro Longwear lipglasses which came out a couple months ago.  I haven’t gotten a chance to really see how well they last throughout the day (I doubt it will really live up to the expectations as lipglosses are NOT meant to be long-wearing) but what I really like about these glosses are the visual impact they give.  It seriously gives my lips so much dimension, they look exceptionally full.  The texture of the gloss is very thick and somewhat sticky but it doesn’t bother me to be honest.  I wear lip products all the time, so I’m used to the feeling.  Kind of like how I wear high heels all the time, it doesn’t phase me at all because I wear them all the time!!

From the current holiday collection, “Glitter and Ice,” I picked up “Pleasure Principle” Dazzleglass which initially came out years ago when Dazzleglass first ever came out.  At the time, I didn’t pick up this shade and when I saw it came back in this collection, I realized I had to have it.  It’s pretty much clear but has a blue sparkle/glitter in it which I think would be a great finishing gloss to a lot of lip colors.  I seem to gravitate towards the blue undertones.  Don’t know why exactly, but I just do!

I also picked up “Double Spin” cremesheen lipstick which is VERY OUT OF CHARACTER of myself as it’s ridiculously light and I’m not typically a huge fan of light lipsticks (I’m very fair and hate when my lips don’t contract my skin).  However, when I tried it on, I somehow saw the beauty in it.  It’s a color I wouldn’t be able to wear effortlessly by itself, meaning I’d NEED to line it and add gloss to create depth but I’m totally okay with that.  I plan on wearing it when I create a dramatic smokey eye look.

[PS- So I have all these new lip products and have not even begun wearing any of them yet because I have been sick this entire month :( and I don't want to contaminate them.  This would also explain the extended absence from my blog this month.  My energy level has been so low, I just haven't had the energy to blog.  I've really been trying to take care of myself but can't seem to get better!]

[Is anyone familiar with any of these lip products?]

2 Comments »

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