The Color of 2014: Radiant Orchid

Need a quick spring pick-me-up during the Polar Vortex of January? Try out Radiant Orchid, the color Pantone (the color authority) has declared as "the" color of 2014. Ready to go all out? Try a bold lipstick or dress. Need to take baby steps? How about a pop of color in an earring or a throw pillow for your bed? Let me know what you decide to try!

Splendid Stretch-Jersey Mini Dress, $150

J.Crew Ruched Halter String Tank, $88

Equipment Signature Silk Shirt in Mulberry, $208

J.Crew Darby Suede Loafers, $150

Jeweliq Orchid Spiked Bloom Necklace, $25

Baublebar Cushion Cut Studs, $40

Stella McCartney Eco Faux Nappa Clutch, $299

Nordstrom Tissue Weight Wool and Cashmere Wrap, $98

Sephora + Pantone Universe Radiant Rush Matte Lipstick, $18

Make Up For Ever Powder Blush in Lavender, $21

Essie Nail Polish in Splash of Grenadine, $8.50

One Kings Lane Floral 16x16 Cotton Pillow, $45

One Kings Lane Bold 18x18 Pillow, $65

One Kings Lane Patchwork 20x20 Cotton Pillow, $119

Gibson ColorSplash Aluminum Cookware, $50.49

Moleskine Classic Soft Colored Notebook, $18.95

Koziol Silk Clock, $49

Kate Spade New York Toast in a Pinch iPad Mini Case, $65

The Fashion World Finally Realizes That My Nude Is Not Always Your Nude

Thanks to Kate Middleton and her L.K. Bennett nude pumps, most women (not just those with a fashion stylist advising them) now know that the nude pump has become a classic wardrobe staple. No other shoe can elongate your legs and match every color dress in your wardrobe. 

For years I have been frustrated by my inability to recommend this problem-solving shoe to all of my clients due to a lack of "diversity" in the nude pump arena. My quote has always been, "My nude is not your nude!" Imagine my delight when I saw a Washington Post article (thanks for sending Rachel!) announcing a new line of "Les Nudes" shoes with that exact sentiment.  Welcome to the year 2013! Christian Louboutin has become the first major designer to place pumps in a range of colors under the “nude” label. There is even a "Louboutin Shades" app for the iPhone that will match a shoe color to a picture of your foot! Most of the line has already sold out so call your local store to see what they've got left or get on the waiting list.

Christian Louboutin's Sold Out Nude Collection

Another important wardrobe staple, just like the nude pump, is the nude bra and panty. MySkins offers 20 different colors in their underwear and bra lines, meant to appear invisible with your skin tone. All the panties are 100% cotton and completely seamless to ensure that no one will ever see your underwear through your clothes. To find your perfect nude, you can either download a PDF version of their Skin Tone Color Card or request to have a version mailed to you. 

Major makeup lines have also discovered the demand for products ranging in more than just a few skin tones. Urban Decay's Naked Skin Liquid Foundation comes in 18 different shades, from very light to dark chestnut with both warm and cool skin tones in mind.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Liquid Makeup, $39

However, if you're looking for a liquid foundation at a drugstore price point, Loreal's True Match Blendable makeup is also available in 33 neutral, cool, or warm shades to match your skin perfectly. True Match is also full of Vitamins A and C to keep your skin nourished. I still swear by my Youngblood Primer and Foundation to keep my makeup on perfectly for an entire 18 hour day, but True Match is what I reach for on other, more low key days. It is amazing what a match this foundation can be to your skin!

Loreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup, $10.95

Most of you probably think bright and Lady Gaga when referring to Mac makeup, but a client (with the hardest skin tone to pinpoint of anyone I've ever worked with!) turned me on to Mac's Tinted LipGlass years ago. Among the 43 different shades are many that can serve as "nude" lipgloss for every skin tone. It lasts for hours and looks amazing on its own, over lip pencils or lipsticks. 

Mac Tinted Lipglass, $15

Happy Matching!

A Fab New Store and Beauty Galore

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the re-opening of Saks Off Fifth Outlet at Potomac Mills in a brand new space with other area fashion bloggers. Full disclosure: I've styled some great events at Potomac Mills.  As much of a fan as I have always been of the mall, especially the Last Call by Neiman Marcus (they get direct shipments from Bergdorf Goodman!), I was never that enthused about the mall's Saks Off Fifth store.   After receiving a tour of the new store and being treated to an incredible beauty box of goodies (see below!), I have a whole new outlook and will be taking clients to shop the store ASAP.

Lip Gloss Set in Gold Dune, Plum Kisses, and Starlight Snow, $18.89

Body Wash in Spring Grass & Lotus, $10.49

Cologne in Spring Grass & Lotus, $27.99

Nail Polish Set in Pure Mercury, Mauve Intense, and Fairy, $17.49

Now light, bright and with INCREDIBLE deals on major designers (can we say Derek Lam and Ralph Lauren Collection?) the store is irresistible. I picked up a black fur collar to mix into my fall wardrobe and my husband (can we say furlough shopping?) scored an incredibly well-fitting suit from one of the store's new private labels. See me below with the dream Derek Lam outfit I put together during the event. In case you are interested, that outfit was 70% off! Really good thing I am pregnant and can't buy any real clothes...

New Barneys Beauty Floor

In other exciting store news, I happened to be in New York for the recent opening of Barneys' newly renovated beauty floor. Barneys made big news when they first moved their beauty floor to the lower level (i.e. the basement) years ago. On October 4th, the Barneys flagship store in New York, as well as the store in Beverly Hills, unveiled the new format, meant to emphasize the Barneys environment over the individual brands. In short, it is a stunning presentation and a total retail game changer. And just in case you mess up your hair while trying on clothes upstairs, there is now a Valery Joseph-helmed blow dry bar: Barneys Blow Bar.

Fall Beauty Trends

Orange and purple. Seriously, keep reading! If you happen to be near the Henri Bendel store in New York City, I highly suggest you stop by the Giella beauty counter. I've written before about my favorite all-in-one bronzer/highlighter/blush in the world, EYE M GLAM. This season Giella sent me some new updates for my fall beauty routine, a few of which mix fabulously with my favorite beauty product.

EYE M GLAM Sheer Highlighting Powder, $35

I love the in-between pink and orange hue of Giella's latest blush color: Bashful. It is so new that it isn't even on the website yet! It is soft and pretty on its own and a great addition to your usual bronzer for a more impactful look.

Bashful Blush by Giella, $38

Can one be in love with a lipstick? Actually, Glum Plum is too good to be called just lipstick. It has a lightweight, but somehow long-lasting, gel texture. I was a little freaked out at how dark and well, plum, it was when I initially opened the tube. Imagine my surprise when it went on as a gorgeous stain. I've been seeing the strong dark lipstick look on the runway and thinking I could never pull it off. Well now we all can! This color is also hot off the makeup presses for fall.

Plum Lipstick as seen at Vera Wang Fall 2013

Glum Plum Lipstick by Giella, $28

The copper eyelid is a twist on the orange color story for fall. I would NEVER have tried this if Giella hadn't sent it to me personally. It is sooo fun!!! She shows it with a beautiful matching copper lipstick, Manic, but I liked it on my skin tone best with a more true, sheer orange like Candy Apple Revlon Lip Butter.

Orange Eyeshadow as seen at J.Mendel Fall 2013

Copper Loose Eyeshadow, $28

How are you having fun with your beauty routine this fall?

Lani's Most Recent Buys!

This week I thought I'd show you a few of the things I've bought myself lately, starting with the iPad sleeve highlighted in my Tech Accessories blog. I did finally give up on the anonymity of a plain black case and give in to my inner Rainbow-Brite. And can I tell you how happy this one accessory makes me?!

PS. Scroll to the bottom for the perfect Mom accessory!

Kate Spade Glitterball iPad Sleeve

As much as I hate being accosted in the cosmetics department, I can never resist trying a new concealer. Veil's Illuminating Complexion Fix is a new concealer that actually seems to live up its promise of covering and brightening my black under-eye circles while also moisturizing the eye area! Although it isn't available on their website, I picked mine up at the Henri Bendel store in NYC, home of all cool new beauty products.

Veil Illuminating Complexion Fix for Face and Eyes

Don't you hate when you design your outfit around rain boots, then it doesn't rain that much so you are stuck in a non-optimal outfit and hot boots? Now you can match your shoes to the outfit you want to wear! I was grabbing a pair of pedicure flip-flops for a client at ZChemist on 57th Street when I ran into THE PERFECT RAIN SHOE. They only had my size in black but I've decided that everyone should have them in nude, black, and a fun color such as fushia or a neon. They are so comfortable they could even double as comfy commuting shoes instead of the dreaded flip flop...

OKA b. Taylor Ballet Flat

These Uniqlo light denim legging pants are THE PERFECT SUMMER JEAN. Lightweight and stretchy, I'll be wearing them all summer with neon tees.

Uniqlo Women's Demin Cropped Legging Pants

I am officially obsessed with Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook, chock full of "clean" versions of what we would like to be eating, not just what we should be eating. The best part is how kid friendly most of the recipes are. Max is a huge fan of the Sweet Potato Muffins and has eaten two in one sitting.

It's All Good: Delicious, Easy Recipes That Will Make You Look Good and Feel Great by Gwyneth Paltrow

MOMS WITH NO HANDS, THIS ONE'S FOR YOU. Something I've been searching for seemingly forever is a wristlet/iPhone wallet. I featured this Michael Kors  one in my Tech Accessories blog and intended to purchase it once I decided upon a color. However, leaving behind a leopard print wallet, solid colors just weren't doing it for me. Enter Kate Spade's gold heart version, available for a steal at her outlets. Excuse the bad eBay picture but it is no longer available on her website and I just had to show it to you!

Kate Spade Metro Spade Jazzy Perforated Phone Case Wristlet

Get Your 15 Minutes of Fame with the NARS Andy Warhol Collection

You know how I promote trends in fashion because they are a great tool to get one excited to get dressed every day? Well, an eyeshadow palette is what is getting me excited to put on makeup these days! Beauty is literally art with the Andy Warhol-inspired collection from NARS Cosmetics. This collaboration was a natural match for Francois Nars, who said that he has been very influenced by Warhol's sense of rebellion and playfulness with color even before this collaboration.

The collection includes eye shadow palettes, lip gloss, nail polish, and beauty sets--and they sell for no more than regular NARS products! Each item is named after Warhol's factory, quotations, or creations, which makes them extra glamorous. So really, the only problem is that the products are so beautiful that I don't want to use them! Last month, Sephora and narscosmetics.com launched part of the line, and now the full line will be carried in department stores until January 15. Each department store carries exclusive products from the line... as if we needed another reason to keep shopping around! Check out some of the amazing pop-art make-up and channel your inner Superstar:

Warhol in the photobooth: classic. This set of nail polishes would make a great holiday gift for any glamour girl. 

Photo Booth Nail Set $35



 

NARS perfected this self-portrait eye shadow palette (which comes in three colors) by making sure that the design goes all the way to the bottom--can we call that "art preservation"?

Eyeshadow Palette $55


This amazing beauty set is one of Saks' exclusive products. No, the case isn't big enough for your iPad... I already checked!

Silver Factory Set $200

The flower palette is exclusive to Sephora. It comes in three colors, like the self-portrait, and each color set has its own awesome Warhol quote etched in the mirror! This one is my favorite...

Flowers Eyeshadow Palette $55

Debbie Harry's silkscreen portrait is one of Warhol's most iconic works, so it makes sense that it gets an entire eye and cheek palette. This is also one of Sephora's exclusive sets.

Debbie Harry Eye and Cheek Palette $65

Warhol worshipped Marilyn Monroe's lips. With these lip glosses, everyone will envy your lips!

Kiss Mini Larger Than Life, Lip Gloss Coffret $55

Be a "Superstar" with this on-trend teal polish. 

Superstar Opaque Nail Polish $18

The line wouldn't be complete without the Factory Girl herself. This beauty set mixes thin & dark, shimmery & light, and flirty & innocent--just like Edie!

Edie Set $75

And if you want the whole "Factory Look," check out these Get The Look videos on narscosmestics.com!

Get The Look Video