Sweet Treats from Sephora

Have you received your Sephora winter magalog? Mine was sitting on the kitchen counter this evening when I came home, and I excitedly snatched it up and flipped through the whole thing before even acknowledging my husband. It's ok - he gets it. And by it, I mean Sephora. This is their winter campaign:



Seriously whackadoo. There is no way in hell that I'm going to feel inspired by page after page of models wearing pounds of the craziest makeup caked on their pretty faces. I believe in color. And glitter. But this? Please. Show me a few pictures where the makeup is so gorgeous, so wearable that I race to my makeup stash and try to recreate it. Not happening this season. BUT - at least the gift sets and actual products that Sephora is peddling are fantastic and exciting.



Lorac Double Booked Full Face Collection, a $350 value for just $55. This set contains 16 eye shadows, 2 blushes, a bronzer, a highlighter, 2 lip glosses, a lip liner and a dual-ended brush.



Sephora Frangrance Sampler for Her (also available For Him), $75. Includes samples of 7 different perfumes PLUS a voucher for one full size bottle of whichever sample you like best. This is such an amazing gift.



Bare Escentuals junkies are going to be crazy for the bareMinerals Happiness Collection. This $137 value, selling for a mere $54, contains Glee all over face color, 2 eye colors, a liner shadow, mascara, lipgloss, and the requisite brushes.

Photo credit: Sephora.com

How cute is this sweater?



It would look amazing with a pencil skirt, tights and boots. I love a little sparkle by the face. Ok, I love a little sparkle period. But especially near the face.

Liz Claiborne Sequin Fair Isle Sweater, up to size 3X, $109.

Trend Translation - Lucky Girl

One of my favorite sources for style inspiration is Lucky magazine and their online counterpart, Luckymag.com. My favorite spot to lurk? The Fashion Copycat page. This look strikes me as extremely cool in a thoughtful, but not overly-thought-out way: This look was ubiquitous across fashion magazines and on city streets all spring and summer - the laid back jeans, crew neck tee shirt, slouchy vest and sandals. With a few seasonal updates, it's an aesthetic that can still look fresh well into the winter as well. Here's my fashion copycat, using pieces designed for Bombshells.

First thing's first: jeans. Check your closet. Grab a pair that's more fitted than flared. Fitted jeans will keep the overall look from being sloppy.



A simple, gray cotton turtleneck is the perfect streamlined bottom layer for this chic style. Old Navy's Lightweight Turtleneck is a classic. (Bonus - you can layer this thin turtleneck under short sleeve dresses, too!)



This winter-weight tweed vest mimics the original inspiration's menswear vibe. Worn open, it'll evoke the same freestyle sense of chic; worn closed, it'll cinch your waist and highlight curves. Either way, it's a winner.



The purple tote bag really pops next to this outfit's neutrals. I love the sleek lines of this Lucky Brand Pleats of Love bag in Ultraviolet.



Ground the outfit in a pair of dark brown booties - their safari meets modern biker look is a great seasonal translation of the copycat girl's dark brown strappy sandals.

Photo credit: Lee.com; OldNavy.com; Avenue.com; Zappos.com; Nordstrom.com

Beauty Moment - Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

I'm quickly approaching my 30th birthday and long ago (ok, when I was 22) decided that I'd start getting serious about skincare when I hit that milestone age. My skin has changed a lot over the past five years; I've been surprised at how quickly and drastically those changes surfaced.

My skin has morphed with a mind of it's own - dry patches on my cheeks and nose, oily across the chin and forehead, sunken dark circles under the eyes, and lots of redness all over. I thought these were issues I'd be stuck with, that this new skin condition was my lot in life. It's not that I don't take care of my skin - I diligently cleanse, tone, moisturize and exfoliate. Beyond that, though, I didn't really know what else to do. The first treatment I've dipped my toes into is Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum*. It's a lightweight, non-greasy serum that goes on a clean face, after toner, before moisturizer.

Estee Lauder's really excited about this product; they're pursuing 20 different patents for the technology behind their proprietary formula. E.L's scientists believe the serum will improve skin in two ways: repairing past damage from environmental factors (like sun, smoke, smog, etc) and protecting the skin from future exposure.

Time will tell if Advanded Night Repair serum* really does live up to the brand's promises, but I'm really happy with the immediate improvement in my skin. My face retains hydration better; I don't get dry and tight halfway through the day. My skin tone is more even and the overall redness that I loathe is much less prevalent.

More to come on my journey toward 30 (which I'm excited about!) and the changes I'm making in my skincare. In the meantime, let me know if you have a favorite anti-aging product that I should check out.

Photo credit: MominRedHighHeels.com

Beauty Tip of the Day

And So It Begins - LB's Holiday Magalog

At the stroke of midnight on November 1st, before many of us had even made it home to count our Halloween candy, the world of retail declared that the holidays have arrived. And if the Lane Bryant holiday magalog is any indicator of what's to come, it's going to be a glamourous time of year. If you didn't receive a hard copy in the mail, click here to view a soft copy.



Lane Bryant's forecast for the holidays: shiny with a hit of surprise. I love the way they styled their winter collection. They paid a lot of attention to the little details, starting with the jewelry. Dramatic bib necklaces, dangly earrings - each piece makes a statement on its own. This is the time of year that a woman can get away with extra flash; and a $30 necklace that transforms what's already in your closet is a smart buy.



The biggest surprise of the magalog? The fact that LB showcased two different jump suits...and I actually like them. I've viewed jump suits with the kind of disdain normally reserved for Paris Hilton. But LB has me thinking twice.





My favorite spread in the magalog focuses on four tops, styled dressed up and dressed down. I must have the purple one-shouldered sweater on the far right.

Other highlights include on-trend sweaters, really cute pajamas & undies, and a very chic asymmetric ruffle dress from the Icon collection.

Photo credit: LaneBryant.com

Casual Friday Jeans

It's casual Friday, girls - well, casual Friday if you work anyplace half civilized (shout out to my friend Ann whose dress code is all business, all the time!). Casual Friday means jeans. And jeans means decisions: boyfriend, skinny, trouser, bootcut. Which to choose?

You know what I say? There are at least four Fridays a month; get one of each. Start your search here:



In my opinion, Old Navy has nailed the boyfriend jean - theirs look authentic, truly worn in and kind of like you pulled them off your boyfriend's bedroom floor. A close second is Avenue's Distressed Sparkle Boyfriend Jean, available up to size 32. To keep this casual look chic instead of sloppy, roll up the pant legs and pair them with a fitted top. Heels or tailored flats complete the outfit.



This ultra dark wash pair of skinny jeans is so hot. It can be hard to find dark jeans without any whiskering or other "fade" spots, but that faux treatment can draw attention to the exact spots you'd rather streamline. (I cannot be the only one who'd rather not have light patches directly on my thighs, right?). Torrid's Dark Wash Graduate Skinny Jean is true dark blue all the way around. Plus, this pair is available in 5 different in-seams so you're guaranteed the perfect length. I also love Lane Bryant's zipper-detail slim leg jeans - they're super cute, up to size 28.



Svoboda's Cate Wide Leg Trouser Jean is extra stylish because the wash is lighter than most trouser jeans. This pair is dubbed "steel blue" - it's a fun twist on the most business-like of all jeans. Kiyonna also offers a killer pair of trouser jeans, available up to size 32.



Jag Jeans' Sawyer cut is perfectly curvy, with well-placed pockets that make the most of your booty. Avenue also features a really crisp pair of bootcut jeans that wear well.

Photo credits: OldNavy.com; Torrid.com: Svoboda.com; Nordstrom.com

While cruising the online pages of Little Woods, I noticed more and more of their models were styled with oversized berets. Like this:



Sure, sure the clothes are cute. But those berets...the fanciful, playful aesthetic is fantastic. It takes a little moxie to top an outfit with a hat - even one as unthreatening as a girly beret. But the pay-off is so worth it. New winter must have: the perfect beret. Let the hunt begin...

Photo credit: LittleWoods.com

Congratulations to the Winners of the L'Oreal Booty Stash

From over 400 entries, three were randomly chosen- and they are:

Kathy H - L'Oreal Plumping 6 Hour Lipgloss set

Amber G- L'Oreal HIP Color Chrome Eyeliner Trio

Hal Fran - L'Oreal HIP Matte Eyeshadow Duos

Thank you to everyone who entered! Winners, please send your full name and mailing address to me at BombshellBeautyBlog@gmail.com

Last Day to Enter the L'Oreal Booty Stash Give-Away

Booties

Not butts - shoes! I've seen a lot of women rocking booties with tights and skirts, leggings, and even cropped pants (to show off the amazing shoes, of course). Booties are a stylish substitute for heels or boots; I think they look a little edgier, too. They still feel fresh and sort of unexpected.

Because booties typically hit right at the ankle, they can cut off a long visual line and make a girl look stumpy. Combat that undesired effect by choosing booties that cut lower down the front of the foot, or by going monochromatic (wearing black booties with black tights).

Torrid is carrying a bunch of really great bootie options, most of which cost less than $65.



This Black Faith Peeptoe Bootie is an example of one that's cut lower on the foot.



Not for the faint of heart, the Dollhouse Blue Burke Dome Stud Bootie will steal the spotlight. Pair with boyfriend jeans, rolled up to the ankle to show off those stud details.



I love the elegant ruching on this Dollhouse Taupe Basanti Peeptoe Bootie. And in case you still aren't sure - yes, you can wear tights with peeptoes. Just make sure the seam along the toe is tucked under.

Photo credit: Torrid.com

Inspired by Bobbi

Bobbi Brown has debuted her newest, the Chrome Collection, which she predicts will be on everyone's eyes and lips this holiday season. It's a really beautiful look: diffused grays and purples hit with a touch of sparkle.





Check out a quick video, which details the palette and lipsticks that
make up the Chrome Collection, here.

The icy, exotic vibe of the collection inspired me to look for a few pieces that would wear well with Bobbi's Chrome theme.



Igigi's Jessica dress gives the illusion of separates, but is one attached piece of adorable. Appropriate for work, then dinner and drinks afterward, the dress's gray and black georgette blouse provides just a hint of Bobbi's chrome theme.



J. Jill's velvet Boyfriend Jacket (available up to size 4X) looks incredibly luxe, especially when paired with a steely gray or purple tank underneath. Roll the sleeves up and pair it with dark jeans for a stylish play on casual chic.



You'll look like a gift in this Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique dress. The draped neckline and asymmetrical ruffle transform a basic shift dress into something really special - and the metallic gold fabric suits the upcoming holiday season.

Photo credit: BobbiBrownCosmetics.com; Igigi.com; JJill.com; Nordstrom.com