Beauty Post

           Photography: Alex Caley

                      This spring’s most anticipated beauty trend belongs on your lips. Striking red lips is the eternal make up staple that will make the finest of statements with just your lips alone. It is this seductive yet chic color of vibrant red that will give you that finishing touch of confidence with every look. Bold, matte lips accentuates your femininity by enhancing your natural features and mysteriously, dramatizing your passionate sensuality.  Red symbolizes passion and strength and will instantly attract attention to your sensational beauty. This color will make you stand out and give you the self-assurance you have always wanted when you walk into a room.           

            So here is the perfect way to wear that red lipstick and let your kissable lips demand attention.  First, make sure your lips are moisturized by frequently applying lip balm to keep your lips soft and smooth.  Dry, cracked lips will absolutely ruin your overall look.

            Next, choose the proper color that enhances your natural features and also matches your skin tone. If you are fair-skinned, go for a red with a more pinkish undertone. If your complexion is more olive, go for the true red colors for it will be the perfect shade to compliment the rest of your face. If you have a darker complexion then use a more burgundy-red with warmer undertones.

            The last tip to remember is to keep the rest of your face very subtle.  Red lips stand out best when the rest of the face is lighter with just a hint of color. The best way to achieve a natural yet sexy look is to let the lips be the center point. Apply a light-colored eye shadow with lengthening mascara  and a soft touch of pink blush to the face. Stay away from eyeliner or anything too dark and heavy around the eyes.

            Don’t be afraid to let your lips do the talking this season, for others will be talking about you.

Celebrity News Post

      Sean Lowe proposed to Catherine Giudici, the goofy, 26-year-old graphic designer. “I think the world of you and I miss you every time we have to say goodbye. I don’t want to say goodbye anymore. Catherine, I want to spend the rest of my life telling you, ‘I love you,’ and making you feel like the most special, beautiful woman in the world.” These are the words that melted our hearts as Sean got on one knee and proposed to Catherine. “Is this for real?” she asked. “I’m so happy. I am so grateful to have met somebody like you. I’ve never been so comfortable about myself and with somebody.” Her genuine response reminded all of us viewers that throughout the over dramatized episodes and heartbreaks, two people can still find love on a television show.

      As faithful viewers, we are entertained by the reality soap opera and  are heart-broken  when our favorite women go home. But to what extent do we believe that people can fall in love after only 6 weeks? This is the one question that we will never really be able to answer unless we are handed a famous red rose. But as viewers, we save our Monday nights to cuddle up on the couch and dare to be hopeless romantics for the chance we find love ourselves. It is the reason why so many of us are attracted to the show. It brings us a little closer to the meaning of fate and the belief of destiny between two people.

      So, yes the premises may be a bit absurd and disturbingly ridiculous. But amidst the OVERLY DRAMATIC episodes and heartbreaks, women find comfort in watching people fall in love. We watch the show because as women, we are able to empathize with the vulnerability that comes with opening our hearts to another. It reminds us of the many times we fell in and out of love and the endless emotions that rushed through our bodies. For the younger generation who are still looking for love, it makes us believe that there is a soul mate waiting for everyone. Each of our soul mates may have to date twenty-five women, but dating those women will ultimately lead him to his one and only. For those who are already married or who have found love, it reminds them of why they fell in love with the person of their dreams. They are reminded of the memories of falling in love and the moments they hold dear to their hearts forever.

      The Bachelor shows us that the sky is the limit when falling in love and that there is no “right” way to fall. We, as viewers, live vicariously through each date and rose ceremony as if we are standing there waiting to hear our names. It becomes our own version of a romantic comedy that we replay each week.

       So to all the nights we devoted to watching The Bachelor this season, Sean and Catherine couldn’t be more perfect for each other. Two genuinely good-hearted people who started a beautiful friendship that quickly developed to a promising engagement. The finale reassured our hearts that being in love and being told you’re loved  are some of the greatest gifts in life.

Fashion News Post

         Fashion and style is all about a feeling. It is the feeling of self-confidence and beauty you get when you try on different clothes. Those feelings inspire people everyday in ways they don’t even realize.  Fashion is about connecting an emotion to a dream and recreating it each time you put on a certain item. Fashion allows you to accept the differences among society and design the person you want to be as an individual.

     As an individual, you define the fashions you wear everyday. A certain choice of style shouldn’t define who you are. Race, age, gender, weight, height, or sexuality shouldn’t affect how a person defines style or even other people. Fashion gives people the chance to be diverse in who they are and not be a single stereotype. It allows you to be someone different everyday. In a society that is so focused on idealized and unrealistic beauty, it is hard to accept personal imperfections and differences as gifts. The choice of style helps people embrace a sense of individual freedom.

     Style is unique to each person and each person defines for themselves by the choices they make every day. Fashion and clothes complement inner style and self. You create the outward beauty by your personality and talents and fashion accompanies you by enhancing your personal characteristics. The individuality of each person is what creates a unique world of fashion. It drives designers to become innovative in their ideas. Fashion helps shine the inner perfection of style that resides within each person everyday.

     Fashion is all about you and it starts with you. It is about a feeling you should get when you put on a shirt or dress. It is that self-confidence that should build within you with every item you put on for the day. Every moment deserves a touch of a person’s style and personality. Whether it is in fashion or anything else, let yourself be your inspiration. Your unique individual style is what is going to bring you to those places in life that you strive to reach. You will achieve your goals by embracing the person you are inside and out. So be the designer of yourself and innovate the way you want to live.

Style Focused Gallery

       Phillip Lim, Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu Spring 2013, Images: IMAXtree

One of this season’s fashion favorites is the make over of luxurious leather to be “warm-weather leather.” With dramatic colors, feminine cuts and lighter weights, the addition of a touch of leather to your outfits will give the bit of edge you have always wanted.  We saw designers; including Fendi, Valentino, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, and many more, feature the different spring styles of leather on their runways.  Though the luxurious material seems impractical for the weather, designers have created a new perfected style that can be flirty and fun yet sophisticated and stylish for the spring. The different styles of leather in shorts, shirts, dresses and blazers have made these soft and bold pieces more intriguing than ever. So if you didn’t invest in a leather piece last season, now is the time to get to it.  

          Mastering the leather look is all about pairing its hardness and edginess with a light womanly touch.  To ease into the “warm weather leather,” try lighter colors such as beige and nude.  If you are ready to jump in, add a piece of colored leather to your wardrobe like a blue leather pencil skirt or emerald green leather dress. Mix it up and try all the unique leather combinations, below, to give you that sexy and classy look.

Look Number One:  Leather Shorts

          Do this don’t, and let a pair of leather shorts be denim’s alternative this spring! A soft and flirty blouse paired with black leather shorts and heels is a perfect outfit for a night out with the girls. To keep it more casual, pair black leather shorts with a casual t-shirt and flats.  Blazers, button-ups, and tucked-in oversized plaids paired with a leather short are also a perfect combination for a stylish leather look.       

 Shorts: Glamorous Leather Look Shorts at ASOS, $40.69

Look Number Two: Leather Skirts

          The leather skirt is probably the most versatile leather piece and can create many different looks. Choose a leather pencil skirt with a sophisticated blouse and pumps for a day at the office. Try a more flowy leather skirt with a simple tank and a piece of jewelry for a more flirty look.

skirt: Alice + Olivia Pleated Leather Skirt, $495

Look Number Three: The leather shirt

Replace your simple tanks with a light weight leather top. This Trina Turk nude, leather peplum top paired with white skinny jeans and flats would be perfect for a day out in the city. To dress it up, you can replace it with a pair of wedges and some fun jewelry. 

Top: Trina Turk Drapey Leather Taiyana Peplum Tank in Nude, $398

 Look Number Four: The Leather Dress

          The leather dress is a major trend this season, but can be a challenge to stylishly pull off. The trick to the leather dress is to keep it simple and to not over accessorize. If a black leather dress looks too harsh, try a more subtle color to soften up the look. Pair the leather dress with a classic  pump and cuff bracelet to give you the complete chic look. 

Dress: Milly Saxon Leather Dress, $750

         Don’t be afraid of the edginess of leather. A touch of leather to your wardrobe can be the little essence of high-end style that will set you apart from the rest. So don’t pack up your leather pieces quite yet and let the “warm weather leather” be your “go to” look this season.