OOTD

Hey Lovelies!! I feel like a Tommy Hilfiger model today! When I woke up and put my outfit on I just felt European, I just don’t know why. LOL. But back to business, so I am going to start posting pictures of my outfit of the day (OOTD) when I feel like it is special!! I love the trend of collared shirts under sweaters and today I finally did it! So here’s my look:

I like how I rolled up the sleeves to show some of the ombrè part of the button down shirt which is from Target. I love this sweater, definitely my favorite sweater that I have in my wardrobe, it is a cable knit sweater and the contrast against the blue just seems cool to me, I got this sweater at Forever 21. My jeans are from Hollister. My boots are brown and black contrast and I love how chic and refined they look. To me they give off like a polished and sophisticated feel. (Sorry don’t know where they are from! I got them for Christmas.) I just went with my everyday jewelry; the bangle is from Henry Bendel. My earrings are just silver cross earrings from Forever 21. My nails are Sally Hansen hard as nails in gunmetal. I just wore my hair in a messy side braid.

So this is my completed look! Hope you liked it! Come back for more fun!

-         AM

How I Curl My Hair: Everyday Curly Hair!!

Hey Lovelies!! So I haven't posted a new blog post in such a long time and I am so sorry for that; I have been in love with curling my hair for an everyday look so I decided why don't I show you how to do it also!! I like to use a regular curling iron to get looser and more "natural" curls, when using a wand I seem to get more tighter curls which I don't prefer for an everyday look!! I love the Conair Instant Heat 1 inch Curling Iron. I got it from Target last year and it is still going strong. I personally think Conair curling irons are great, I have another one that is 1/2 in and that also works great!! I think the 1 in just makes amazing curls!!

Before I curl my hair I always use heat protectant, I use the Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray, it works with all heat products but I primarily use it for just curling my hair. If I do straighten it I will use the John Frieda Straight Heat Protectant. It is really important to use a heat protectant, it is essential to shield it from over heating and damaging or breaking the hair. I like to flip my head over and spray this on the front and back of my hair then brush it through with a wide toothed comb to distribute it all over my hair evenly.

When I curl my hair I split my hair into 2 parts, from the top of the ear and up; I first work with the bottom section. I like to wrap the hair around the curling iron away from my face. I keep the hair smooth on the surface of the iron, if you keep it like bunched up it will come out with a different curl. I like to keep my ends out of the curl so I don't damage them and get split ends.

I hold it for 10 - 20 seconds, on 9 which is probably 200 - 250 degrees.

After I am done I like to drop the curl into my palm and hold it there for 5 seconds while it curls off.



Usually I don't like to put any product on my hair after I curl it but if I did I would put a pea size amount of the John Frieda Secret Weapon Finishing Creme. I scrunch it into my hair and it just tames frizz and adds some more curl and shine. I would also spray some Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Volumizing Hair Spray to add volume and keep the curl all throughout the day. I also like to scrunch this after spraying to add more of a curl.



First picture is when it is completely done (without hairspray and finishing creme). I flip my hair over and shake it a little and this is the complete finished look in the second picture. Now I am completely done!! You can add a braid, twist, clip or any hair accessory to add more glam!!

Thanks!! Hope you try this out!! If you do, send me a picture on twitter!! https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

- AM

Have a great day!! Do you have any techniques or products you love to use for curling your hair, let me know in the comments!! 

Drugstore Makeup Favorites!!

Hey Lovelies!! Today, I was thinking what I should do for a post, and I was thinking, since I do alot of high end favorites, I decided to do a favorites for the drugstore. This tag is perfect because the drugstore is affordable, and close to really anyone. Over the years, drugstore makeup has become amazing quality! So lets begin!!

1. Favorite drugstore makeup brand!
- I would have to say, it is a mix between Maybelline, Revlon and L'Oreal. I like all Maybelline products. I like the Revlon Colorstay/ Photo Ready products and from L'Oreal I like their lip products.

2. Favorite face, cheek, eye and lip products!
- Foundation: Revlon Colorstay is by far my favorite! It stays put ALL day and it does not fade, look cakey, or crease. It is also super build able which is great for everyone because you can put just a little on for light coverage or build it up for full coverage, suited for all skin types.

- Concealer: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer! I put this under my eyes to camouflage my dark circles and just by putting this on over my foundation it looks like I got a full nights sleep (but really who ever does)! You can also highlight your features (top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupids bow, below lips, forehead) with it which is great, it is basically a 2 in 1 product.

- Setting Powder: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder! It really locks in your concealer and foundation and keeps it in place all day. It is really perfect for anyone that has combination/ oily skin types. I like to pat my settingpowder onto the skin because, once you put your foundation and concealer on, it isn't exactly into your skin and if your sweep the powder on you can move your foundation and concealer; so i pat it into to really lock in everything!

- Bronzer: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster! This product is amazing for contouring, it gives you an all over glow that wont make you orange but gives you just the best tan! It also has some benefits like, carob tree extract which helps to naturally enhance a healthy-looking bronze glow. Vitamin C and E are potent antioxidants which help to improve skin's clarity and radiance. If you use it daily it helps to boost skins natural luminosity.

- Blush: Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blushes! They may only have a few colors but they are really great for a natural blushing color! Blush is basically a way to brighten the face and this is just great for that!

- Lip Balm: Maybelline Baby lips! They are so nice! They come in clear and have some colored balms if you want a little color on your lips. They last well and just make your lips so smooth and soft, even in the winter season! Also I love the L'Oreal Color Riche Balms!

- Lip Sticks/ Gloss: Really any L'Oreal gloss or lip stick is nice! All of the ones I have are smooth and apply nicely! I love the 8 hour Infallible Le Glosses from L'Oreal though, they are amazing! They have great color, are opaque, and last for such a long time! They also have plumping lip glosses that do the trick for any one who just wants to enhance there lips and make them fuller!

- Lip Stains: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.

- Lip Butter: I Love the Revlon Lip Butters! They are amazing, that's it, just amazing!

- Cream Eye Shadows: Maybelline 24 Hour Cream Eye shadows are amazing! I have some of the Makeup Forever cream shadows and the Maybelline ones are just as amazing for a fraction of the cost! They stay on great, don't crease and are perfect for eye shadow bases for any eye look. I like Bad to the Bronze the most, it is just an amazing product!

- Mascara: I like any of the Maybelline mascaras, they all are great and just make your lashes look fantastic!

- Eyeliner: I like the Revlon Color Stay Eye liners, they are creamy, stay in place, and are pigmented!

- Gel Liner: Maybelline gel liners! I like to put this on my lower lash line to pull a look together and it just gives me the neatest line ever! I just love how nicely it applies!

- Liquid Liner: Revlon Color stay Liquid Liner Pen! I love just putting this on my upper lash line and it just makes them look so much thicker and great!

Thanks! Have a great day!!

- AM
https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

Beauty Awards!!

Hey lovelies!! I was looking at ElleandBlair.com and they posted a link to a website called Daily Glow. They held the top beauty and skin care products of 2012 recently. I thought you may want to look at some of the different products that got awards! I went through them and saw some of my favorite products so I thought you may want to go through and see if some of your favorite products got an award!
Here is the link: http://www.dailyglow.com/awards

Thanks and have a great day!!

- AM

Fabulous Fitness!!

Hey!! So today I have a really smart workout plan for you! I love being fit and working out, it makes me feel so good about myself! Today, I have the smartest workout plan ever!! 2 of my favorite trainers, Karena and Katrina, the founders of the amazing fitness website, Tone It Up!, have made a 6 week fitness program for everyone wanting to shape up after the holidays and get ready to look fantastic for a special someone on Valentines day, its called the Love Your Body Series!! If you haven't looked at the calender recently then you may want to know that Valentines day, or the day of love, is in just 6 weeks!! Karena and Katrina have made a calender for the month of January that has a different activity/ workout for everyday! Better yet, they are giving away prizes from Victoria's Secret throughout the 6 weeks! You can join for free just by giving your name and email, and you will be entered in the series, easy, right! It really isn't that hard, I mean, you know you will not be alone, I will be doing it also, so why not do it with me! Get off your butt's and kick off the new year right with getting toned, slimmed, and looking/ feeling great! They even have full workout videos on YouTube that you can do in the comfort of your home!

- Tone It Up! Love Your Body Series Page: http://toneitup.com/blog.php?L-VE-Your-Body-Series-5657

- Tone It Up! Website: http://toneitup.com/

- Where to sign up!: http://toneitup.com/blog.php?New-Year-s-Challenge-...-What-could-it-be-5655

- YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ToneItUpcom

Hope you love it as much as I do! Thanks and Happy New Year!!

- AM
https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

Review: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette!!

Hey Lovelies!! Guess What! My first review ever! Today I am talking about the new Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette!! It has 6 shadows, ranging from light to dark, perfect for every look!

It is small and compact so it is perfect for traveling, or throwing in your bag for touch ups! It is the same size as an iPhone if you were wondering the size.

It has a mirror when you open it, perfect for applying/ reapplying makeup!

As you can see, the shadows are perfect for any look, preferably a matte neutral look.

Venus - skin tone, light color, this is the only shadow that has a slight shimmer to it. I would use this as a highlight color for the inner corner and brow bone.

Foxy - skin tone color with yellow undertones. perfect for an all over lid color to hide any redness or veins.

W.O.S - skin tone color. I love to sweep this over my lids and it brightens up the eyes!

Naked 2 - Perfect light brown color for the lids. You can use it to fill in your eye brows, or you can use it as a liner for the bottom lash line just to make them a little more prominent.

Faint - Brown color, perfect for crease, lining, or lid color. I like to put this is my outer corner and crease then line the bottom lash line with it, it just looks perfect with Naked 2.

Crave - Deep brownish black color. Perfect for the smokey eye looks, or lining your upper and lower lash line. You could also put this in your crease to give the ultimate drama eye. I like to line my upper lash line with crave because it makes them look fuller!

Thanks!! Have a great day and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

- AM

http://www.twitter.com/FashionForwardA

Some of My Favorite Fashion Quotes!!

• "Fashion has two purposes: comfort and love. Beauty comes when fashion succeeds". - Coco Chanel

• "Fashion fades, only style remains the same". - Coco Chanel

• "Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable". - Coco Chanel

• "Simplicity, good taste, and grooming are the three fundamentals of good dressing and these do not cost money". - Christian Dior

• "It is unforgivable to do what one doesn't love, especially if one succeeds". - Christian Dior

• "I think we have to be aware that people are allowed to make mistakes in their life". - Christian Dior

Have a great day and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

- AM

NYE Makeup and Hair Idea!!

Like my New Year’s Eve outfit Ideas, here is what I will be doing to my hair and makeup! I go for curls and smoky eyes! I have hazel/ green eyes so green complements them very well, so does mocha browns, gold and purple colors! If you have blue eyes then go for browns, earth toned shades, taupe, rose or purple shades. If you have brown eyes, then go for really any eye shadow but if you want your eyes to pop go for a green, blue, or gold color.  (This look is also my everyday curly hair and go to green smoky eye!)

Makeup: I am doing a green smoky eye and nude lip.



Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Face Primer, Tarte Clean Slate Eye Primer, Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched



1.       Prime eyes and face and apply chap stick to your lips. By priming you ensure that your eye and face products will be locked in and stay in place.



(Left) Covergirl Intense Shadowblast as my base. (Center) Maybelline Sunbaked Nuetrals Quad as my shadows, I used the last 2 green shades on the far right as my lid and crease color. (Right) Maybelline Color Tattoo in Too Cool as my highlight for my brow bone and inner corner.

 

2.       Apply eye shadow base so that the shadows on the top will be vibrant and appear more opaque.

3.       Sweep a light green color all over lid.

4.       Put a darker green in the outer corner and crease and sweep it on the bottom lash line.

5.       Blend!

6.       Use a matte white color for highlighting the brow bone and the shimmery white to highlight the inner corner. By highlighting you lift and make the eye appear more bright and awake.



(Right) Revlon Colorstay Eyeline in Black Brown as eyeliner. (Center) Revlon Growluscious Mascara (lengthening) in Blackest Black. (Right) L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes (Volumizing) in Blackest Black.



7.       Apply liquid, gel, or pencil liner (whatever you prefer) in a complementary color or the same color as the color on your lid to the upper lash line.

8.       (Optional) apply a black liner to the lower lash line. This will make the eyes appear smaller and more defined. 

9.       Curl lashes and apply mascara to the desired look.

10.   Sweep the excess shimmer off below your eyes with a brush.




(Left) Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer as my under eye concealer. (Center) Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder in buff beige. (Right) Covergirl Clean Foundation in Buff Beige.

 11.   Apply foundation and concealer to the desired places and set everything in place with a setting powder.

12.   Define your eye brows to make a sleek defined appearance. By filling them in with a powder, gel, or pencil you lift and slim the face.




(Left) Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting. (Center) Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer. (Right) Sonia Kashuk Shimmering Highlighter.

 

13.   Apply blush to the cheek bones/ highlighter to the bridge of your nose, center of forehead, and tops of your cheek bones/ and bronzer to the high points of your face (forehead and temples, below the cheek bones, and on the jaw line) to give a natural tan glow.




(Left) Sephora Long Wearing Lipstick in Maniac, it is a nude with shimmer and pink undertones. (Center) Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume. (Right) Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss in Healthy Blush. (Drugstore and High end choose of lip gloss, I only used the smashbox and sephora lip combo.) 

 

14.   Finish the look off with a light pink or nude lipstick and lip gloss and you’re done!

Hair: I am doing loose curls!

1.       Turn on curling iron.

2.       Apply heat tamer spray and brush hair to distribute product all over; wait 5 minutes to let product sink into hair. Optional, apply gel to hair to hold curl more.

3.       Section hair off by clipping up the top of your hair from the middle of the ear up.

4.       Take 1 inch sections from the back and wrap around curling iron away from your face.

5.       Hold for desired time, I have somewhat easy hair to curl so I hold it for 10 seconds.  Then drop into your hand and hold for 5 seconds. (If you have really hard to curl hair, hold for a longer time on iron then pin curl to head and let sit till it’s cooled.)

6.       Finish sectioning off hair and curling the same way, then hairspray all the curls.

7.       (Optional) tease hair.

9.       I like to apply a finishing crème in my hair to add more hold to the curls and to make my hair softer.

Okay so you are done with your complete NYE look!! Have a great night and see you next year!!!

-AM

https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

New Year's Eve Outfit Ideas!!

Hey!! New Year's Eve is just around the corner and many people (especially me, seriously) have no idea what to wear! When I think of NYE (new year's eve), I think SPARKLES and SEQUINS!! I love sparkles and sequins all year round but oh, I go cray cray during this fine day! All the pieces that I picked out are from Forever 21’s Holiday Glitz Section. They are affordable and easy to get, just perfect for a quick outfit find! So lets begin!

Outfit 1: Silver and Black! I love this outfit! The silver dress is body hugging and has a higher neck so it is perfect for a peter pan collar necklace. The bracelet is a subtle detail that just adds more to the look. I love that the clutch and the shoes match, in my opinion I feel like that ties the whole look together. I think this is my favorite look.

Outfit 2: This black body con dress with a v-neck back is perfect for people who don’t want to go all out like the silver dress but still want that pizz azz in their outfit. I like the gold that I added; I think that it adds a pop of glam to the outfit! I would add the belt where the sequined bodice ends and the plain skirt starts. For a plus, the belt will cinch in the waist. Now obvi you have to wear shoes, I was going with this gold flat that has the gold for the accessories but also has black to match with the dress. You could wear gold heels also if you don’t like flats. For a plus though you can stand for hours and your feet won’t hurt! The bracelet is also a subtle detail but does go with the mixing metals trend. Finally the bag makes the whole outfit work in my opinion, I love how sparkly it is!

Hair and Makeup: Seriously whatever you want to do/ feel comfortable with is fine. You can do an intense cat eye or sparkly eye shadow or maybe a bold lip, whatever you like! Just remember BALANCE! If you have a main focus on your eyes, then tone down the lips, same for the opposite, if you have a bold lip, tone down the eyes. Make sure you also don’t take away from the gorgeous outfit you pick! For the hair, you could also do whatever your little heart desires, a top knot would look good though or striaght or loose waves pined back to show your face wuld also look gorg!

Thanks! Have a great day/ new year!! Come back for more fun!

-          AM

Favorites: Skin Care!!

Hey!! Part 3!! Today I am talking about skin care, probably the most important part of this favorites series!! I do a lot of research in skin care just to make sure I know exactly what I am doing/ applying to my skin, I mean your skin is really important to you! So let’s begin!

Favorite…

1.      Face Wash: Cetaphil Cleanser is probably the best face wash I have ever had, it is my holy grail. Every time I run out I always end up going right back to Cetaphil. It is a very gentle cleanser made for all skin types that cleanses but doesn’t strip your skin of natural essential oils. I use this in the morning and at night!





2.      Face Moisturizer: I love the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. It brightens and smoothes the skin, basically it is suppose to improve the tone and texture of the skin. It’s perfect for the morning because it isn’t too thick but just light enough for morning application. But you should always moisturize in the morning and night!

3.      Body Moisturizer: I like the Nivea Smooth Sensation daily body lotion. It’s not too thick for a daily lotion but it absorbs fast and for me it doesn’t leave an oily base on the top of my skin which I hate. I use this right when I get out of the shower.

4.      Under Eye Cream: Lush Enchanted Eye Cream is my favorite. For one thing it is all natural, which means no phosphates or parabens, which aren’t the best for your skin. Also it really is good for soothing the eye area and smoothing fine lines. I like to put this on after my toner and eye roller and just before my face moisturizer. Always Remember, DO NOT put eye cream right under the eye, it will irritate your eyes, always put it about an inch below the eye, the cream will crease up to the desired place and set into the skin. You just need a VERY small amount because a little goes along ways!

5.      Under Eye Roller: Now most of you will probably be saying “what the heck is an eye roller?” Well the Garnier Skin Renew Anti Puff Eye Roller is amazing. Sadly I do have puffiness underneath the eye area so I love to use this product every morning before moisturizer and it just reduces the puffiness and freshens my eye area. I love using this product, seriously it is a life savor! Using this product and the eye cream makes wonders for my eye area!

6.      Toner: I like the Breath of Fresh Air Toner from lush. It’s perfect for soothing the skin and calming it. I use this product at night before my moisturizer. The aloe vera cools the skin while rose and clarifying herbs sooth and balance skin.

7.      Body Wash: Dove Cool Moisture Body Wash. I like the cucumber and green tea scent. For one thing this moisturizes, cleanses, and calms the skin at once! It kills 3 things in one use!

8.      Face Scrub: St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub is my holy grail! I use it about 4 times a week; I like to use it at night. It really just deep cleans and gets all the buildup in my pores out. Apricots are great antioxidants that gently clean and nourish skin! This product brightens the complexion of your skin.

9.      Body Scrub: Ocean Salt from Lush is a great scrub. It really deep cleans your skin; it also isn’t so harsh on the skin which is also an advantage. The sea salt is perfect for really getting into the pores and zapping all the dirt, makeup, and oil build up to reveal fresh skin! It is also a face scrub! This product has avocado and coconut which is perfect for hydrating your skin; the vodka and lime works as an antibacterial property.

10.  Face Mask: My favorite right now is the Freeman Facial Clay Mask. Avocado and oatmeal (which is in the mask) are ideal for deep cleaning and softening the skin.

11.  Self Tanner: (1) St. Tropex Tan Bronzing Mousse is amazing! I love the way it gives such a natural tan and it isn’t streaky for me, they also have a mitten for application so that your hands don’t get that unruly irregular color between the fingers (self tanner’s worst nightmare!). (2) But if I want a gradual tan then I will use the Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Self Tanner.

12. Makeup Remover: I love the Mac Cleanse off Oil and Tranquil. I will use this then right after I wash my face, all my makeup will vanish, this really gets everything off. It also soothes the redness from irritating your eye area from the tugging of the lashes and eyes. It gets off waterproof mascara also, which is a major plus!

13.  Hand Cream:  Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is a great hand cream. I apply it in the morning and at night and my hands are always smooth. I hate when my hands are even a little dry and with the use of this hand cream I don’t have that problem, ever (especially since I am a germ phoebe).

Thank you!! Come back soon for a complete look for NYE (New Years Eve)!! Have a great day!!

- AM

https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA