Sale Alert!: old navy layering basics

Just a heads up, Old Navy has layering basics on sale!  Stock up now and save your money for trendy accessories that can spice up and extend your wardrobe.  Camis, tanks, t's, and hoodies are all on sale through the old navy website.



Xx

Kris

Quick Tip: Skin Care Solutions: homemade acne remedy

Instead of picking at your face more than a meth addict or buying countless ineffective acne products just grab some fresh garlic!  Garlic has many anti-bacterial properties and can do a lot more than flavoring your food (or keeping away vampires.... if that's a concern of yours)!

Take some fresh garlic, smash it down into a paste (this releases all the zit fighting powers) and put a hearty amount on the nasty pimple(s) keepin' ya from waltzing through life with perfect skin.  Let it sit for about 15 minutes and rinse with warm water.  ADIOS SUCKER, pimple be gone....No, really, this will help clear up your skin in a day or two.

How to mash garlic into a paste without hurting yourself:
1) Gather a few supplies: garlic cloves, kosher salt, cutting board, and a chef's knife

2) Cut off the ends (ya know the semi-hard brownish part at each end)

3) Carefully place the side of knife on the garlic and with the heel of your hand press down on the knife; this will help to remove the peel and loosen the pimple fightin' gem underneath

4) Chop it up....as fine as you can

5) Sprinkle some kosher salt on the garlic (the grit makes it easier to turn this into a paste)

6) Lay the knife flat over the garlic and salt and mash it all around

Voila!  Now, you can go from this: a pimply prepubescent character on a highly inappropriate cartoon

To this: A fresh faced, zit free skincare ad goddess

And possibly have some leftover for a delicious meal afterwards.

Xx
Kris

Quick Tip: homemade lip and body sugar scrub

A lip and body scrub once a week can really help keeping your skin looking fresh and lips kissable.  Unfortunately most scrubs you buy at the store are expensive and don't really taste all that great.  Here's a quick recipe you can use to help exfoliate away all that dead, dry skin and feel silky smooth.

You will need:
3 tbs. brown sugar
2 tbs. raw sugar
2 tbs. honey
1 tbs. olive oil

Combine together (I like making it in a Tupperware container so I can store any leftover) until it forms a paste like consistency.  Rub it all over your body and lips (avoid your face, this is a little too rough for that pretty little head of yours) in small circular motions and rinse away to glowing, healthy skin and lips!  You can store your sugar scrub in the fridge, in the shower, wherever suits you best...just make sure it's well sealed and no where too hot.  When going back to scrub again, add just a tiny drop of olive oil to get everything moving and back to the proper consistency.

Xx
Kris

Product Junkies on a Budget: beach hair edition

Product Junkies on a Budget feature beauty products I have purchased with my own money.  I am a college student and broke.... I can't afford YSL's Touché Eclat or La Mer face cream (as much as I wish I could) BUT I can gather my pennies and hit up the local drug store and feed my product fix.

I don't know about any of you ladies outside of New York, but here in the big apple, it's gotten pretty darn cold in what felt like a couple of seconds.  With the dry, static-y hair from the chilly air and flat, matted hair from the addition of hats to my daily wardrobe I was really missing that sexy, I just spend a day at the beach and I haven't washed it, there may still be sand in there but have no fear its gone from everywhere else, tousled hair.  Without having the time to sit and use a curling iron, (and risk it being gone after I take off my hat...) how could I possibly achieve that look I so craved?  The answer ladies, is Garnier Fructis Surf Hair Texture Paste and I got it for $4.39 at Rite Aid. 

The back label says to either use it on damp or dry hair for different effects.  I tried it out a few different ways and my favorite was using a TEEEENY TINY bit at the root while my hair was damp and then kind of scrunching my hair a bit all over.  I usually go to bed with a wet head so I let my hair air dry while I sleep, I am sure you could blow dry as well, then when I woke up I put about one small taco's worth of sour cream of the paste in my hair and rubbed it between my palms.  The paste has a matte finish is not oily so you don't have to worry about getting greasy hair if you use a little too much.  After both hands were sufficiently coated in the paste, i flipped my head over and started scrunching, shaking, and twisting away.  Flip over and repeat on top.  The finished effect is that surfer girl, slightly messy soft wave.  I put a hat on before I made my way to work and when I arrived I was able to just shake out my hair a bit and it looked great!  Even better, the second day I just spruced things up with a little more product and my hair looked so good, I think I liked it more than the first day!  For $4.39 and a nice big jar of beach hair waiting to happen, I'd say this is a great buy for anyone looking for that special something to make their hair winter chic.

Xx
Kris

Product Junkies on a Budget: long wear lipstick edition

Product Junkies on a Budget feature beauty products I have purchased with my own money.  I am a college student and broke.... I can't afford YSL's Touché Eclat or La Mer face cream (as much as I wish I could) BUT I can gather my pennies and hit up the local drug store and feed my product fix.

During my daily homework procrastination I regularly browse the aisles of the nearest drug store looking for bargains and probably looking like a creep who has nothing else better to do as well.  I pace up and down the make-up rows with my hand on my chin (if you look like you're in serious thought no one will bother you) and examine every product and sale tag carefully.  On my most recent trip, I came across Wet n Wild's Mega Last Lipstick, a matte lipstick for $2.99 that promises to stay on for at least four hours.  It sounded intriguing BUT could the brand that provided my inner 8 year old diva with gold glitter eyeliner for 99 cents that came off in 10 minutes and loads of funky colored nail polishes and various cheap makeup products for $2 make a lipstick that not only looked good but did what it promised??  For the sake of product junkies on a budget everywhere, I gave it a shot!  I selected "smoking hot pink - 905D" and made my way to the cash register.

I walked in the door, thew my stuff on the floor and immediately pulled out my new lipstick.  The first thing I noticed is that there is a dry film on top of the actual lipstick...I'm not quite sure what that was about but I ran a tissue over it and it was gone and revealed a creamy, hot pink, flat topped cosmetic wonder.  Be warned, this is highly pigmented and a lot goes a long way so if being all OMG IN YO FACE COLOR is not your thing, just dab a little on....otherwise, slap that baby all over and enjoy an ultra matte hit of color that will actually last as long (if not longer) than what the package says.  As with all matte lipsticks, it is dry BUT not that uncomfortable dry that normally occurs with most long wearing lipsticks.  I did not personally mind but, a balm or gloss could definitely be applied on top.  I drank a refreshing Snapple, ate some pita chips (Parmesan and herb in case you want to eat like me too!) with hummus, and kissed my sexy boo (heyyyy baby!), and my lips remained pretty in pink.  So, in conclusion, Wet n Wild makeup is steppin' their game up and I'll be steppin' back over to the store to get some more and see what other products I can overload my makeup kit with.

Xx
Kris

Crimes of Fashion: Clothing so bad, it should be considered a crime!

“Crimes of Fashion” is a regular feature here on Fashion and Beauty in the Real World. These pictures are not altered or found on Google Image Search. I put my life on the line for you, my dear readers, to bring you some of the most ridiculous, hideous, and downright funny so-called fashion on the wild streets of New York. Again, these were all taken with my scratched up Motorola Blur for the sole purpose of your entertainment...as well as a hope of education. Education for those who make Crimes Of Fashion possible.

Now onto the goods...

I was on my way home from a long and obnoxious day at work and I was hoping and praying there would be an available seat on the subway.  Little did I know that not only would I get a seat BUT I'd be getting a free show as well.  Ladies and gents let me just say this; whatever it is you are wearing (good or bad), the most important part to looking your best is how you carry yourself.  Hold your head up high, put a smile on your face and keep your legs together! 

The lady in red sitting across from me must have known I was coming.... her dressy, yet comfortable, outfit really shined from head to toe.  The puff on her gorgeous red bubble jacket perfectly matched her denim skirt which picked up the red stripe in one of her super fun tote bags.  Feeling extra lovey dovey and Valentine's Day inspired, the subway vixen decided to throw on a fab pink scarf and since she really enjoys those tote bags, a second breast cancer awareness one was added to the look and tie the pink in to that hot ensemble.  Moving down the look, we hit the mother load.  I'm assuming the run in her pantyhose close to her crotch was strategically placed because why else would lady in red be sitting in such a seductive manner?  With a pose like that and an outfit so chic, I would have expected some kind of lucite stripper heel fun on her feet BUT no, no.....white sneakers for this girl.  She keeps it real, and eventhough she used to have a little and now has a lot (and wears it all at once), she's still, she's still lady in red from the block.

Xx

Kris

Beauty Quick Tip: the perfect nude lipstick

Having trouble finding the right shade of "nude" lipstick??  You're not alone!!  While I was working for MAC cosmetics, one of the biggest requests I got was for a smokey eye and nude lip BUT finding a lipstick that didn't wash out too much or had the right undertones isn't always the easiest thing.  For a quick nude lipstick, take some of your concealer and mix it with a clear gloss and voila!!  Not only are you custom blending your perfect lipstick, you are saving money by using makeup products already in your cosmetic arsenal. You are Good. To. Go.

Xx
Kris

Jeggings?!? Fashion Do or Don't??

Jeggings.  That interesting hybrid of pants and leggings that has been plaguing fashion mavens for quite some time now.  Are they a do or a don't?  An easy way to look put together yet still be comfortable or a sad attempt coupled with the fact that you are now walking around all day with a camel toe (mm-hmm that's right, uh-huh, oh no! fix yourself girl, you got a camel toe seeming to blare from all the headphones around you?).  I am here to solve your dilemma and prepare you to properly and safely enjoy the fashion trend known as jeggings.

As I mentioned, these little rascals are part leggings...meaning, they are not actual pants.  9 times out of 10 they will feature a very unrealistic (and un-functional) "button and fly" or a super attractive elastic waistband.  Not really the perfect candidate for that new crop top ya wanna wear.  BUT these are absolutely perfect for tucking into all the boots we're about to be wearing without the obnoxious bunching that occurs making you look like you have some kind of weird lumpy calf disease.  Sure, you can wear super skinny cut jeans but A) when jeans are that tight around the ankle, unless you have no shape, they are probably super tight everywhere else and probably a fashion DON'T in and of itself B) who wants to wear real jeans and deal with buttons, zippers, and wiggling to make em fit when you could just slide on a pair of jeggings with ease?!?  Not me, that's who!  The key to making these work is wearing a loose fitting top that is a little bit on the longer side and recognizing them for what they are.

I actually own these Romeo & Juliet Couture jeggings and I love them.  They are super comfy and I especially love them in the winter with some tall boots and a big ol' cozy sweater.  (I found this one @ Macy's on sale for $17.99!)  If you click on the link for the leggings, they are on sale at Bluefly.com for $22.99 (orig. $64) but hurry up because the sales are for a limited time on BlueFly.  Go ahead, embrace the jegging trend and show all those ladies displaying the outline of their ladybits that these can be a fashion DO.

Xx
Kris

Fantastic Fashion on the Street: Everyday people walking the streets like their own personal runway

The New York City Subway provides a shmorgishborg of fashion for everyone to enjoy.  There are all kinds of people on the very un-glamorous public transportation everyday and at all times.  That's good news for people like me (who like to capture the good and bad fashion making their appearance) as well as people like you (who enjoy looking at said capturing)!  The other day, I was on my way to work and the 7 train was being a bitch and a half, taking forever, and making me late...I was not a happy camper.  BUT THEN! These two fabulous Gaysians (gay-asian for all those not hip to the lingo us kids are using these days... FYI: In my experience, Gaysians are always very fashionable and funny in that bitchy sarcastic kind of way. +1 for the Gaysians of the world!) pranced onto the train and brightened up my miserable train ride.  They looked good, and they knew it.  Keepin' things classy with a monochromatic take on the suit and color blocking with black and white, both decided to add ankle booties to complete their fantastic fashion on the street looks.  Go 'head, do your thing boys.

Xx

Kris

GET THE LOOK FOR LESS! paris fashion week, spring 2012 rtw edition

As I continue to review some of the shows from Paris Fashion Week, I will also be bringing you sexy fashionistas our very own version of The Look For Less! (cue corny game show music....now)  Today, I bring you one of my favorite looks from the Chloé collection:

Now, I unfortunately don't have thousands of dollars to buy the real thing so what I do when I see looks I want to replicate from the runway, I try and find things that are more inspired by the look rather than, "OMG this has to look EXACTLY like the original."  I feel when you try and go for an exact knockoff, it ends up looking just like that... a cheap knockoff.  Get creative and you'll look fabulous! My Chloé inspired look will set you back $130 from head to toe (and I even threw in a necklace and earrings!): High fashion on a budget, it CAN be done.

Necklace: $9.80

Earrings: $1.50

Shoes: $35.20 (also available in a pretty blush color, black, and brown)

Pants: $61.11

Button Down: $17.12 (in white)

Belt: $4.80 (subtle changes like, adjusting the belt color, can transition this to more of a fall look)

= $129.53, that's what's up.

Xx

Kris

Paris Fashion Week, Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear: Chloé

Chloé has always been one of my favorite lines and this season brought in new designer, Clare Waight Keller.  Previous designer, Hannah MacGibbon really did a great job re-reviving the brand (although no one seems to be able to capture that fun, flirty, innocence that Phoebe Philo did.)  Was Clare up to the challenge?

For the most part, this show brought everything I love about Chloé; airy, pretty, yet subtle sex appeal. I could see myself and plenty of other women wearing all of these looks and feeling great.


The blue on both of these is gorgeoussss.  The first look I can see being worn year round with different variations, so chic and simple...so much room to make it your own! As for the second dress, set me up with a big ol' whiskey lemonade, some outdoor time and possibly a wide brimmed hat and I'd be good to go.





As for these two ladies, all I have to say is this: Work. 
 


Really, there were only two things I didn't like from the entire show.  This ill fitting dress could be a really cute top!  Just cut that horrible skirt thing off and it can go from beach to dinner easily!  This floral cowboy shirt cannot be saved though.... burn it. Fast.

Paris Fashion Week, Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear: YSL

I was sitting front row for the shows at Paris Fashion Week yesterday (or clicking through style.com, either way...) and I thought I'd do a little wrap up for everyone who couldn't be there.  There were ups and there were most certainly some downs and I'm here to share them with you.  The reviews for today come from the Yves Saint Laurent show. Let me just say this, I loved all the colors at YSL. So rich and delicious, definately looked like luxury.

Let's start this on a good note, it's always best to start things with a glass half full kind of outlook.  All of these are extremely wearable and the purple...I love it, I'm glad to see designers moving away from neutrals.

Unfortunately, they didn't have a completely perfect show over at YSL.... two major WTF?! moments came from a "punk rock" five year old and the other, well....I'm not really sure what happened with this jacket... there really are no words except: Whatever you were taking when you thought these proportions would work, I want it.

  

And now, my two favorite looks from YSL's colorful runway.  This first look I wasn't completely sure of at first, I thought it was pretty and basic but nothing worth lusting after.  Then, I saw the back and O.M.G is that fancy!  So understated sexy, I love it (and again...the colors!!).  This coat is also pretty darn cute.

                                                                                                                                                                           

Beauty Quick Tip: cold sore remedy edition

My sister got the herps!!  Not the sexually transmitted kind....this isn't that kind of blog, kids.  Cold sores, fever blisters; whatever you want to call them (obnoxious pain in the ass, maybe?), are very common yet no one wants to talk about them.  My sister called me last night (after she bought and loved her NYC CoverStick) and she needed some advice on how to attack the situation.  There are many triggers that cause people to get these nasty little buggers; stress, change in weather, lack of sleep, chapped lips, etc, etc but prevention is not always easy when you're a busy lady.  So what do you do once its too late?  While I will say Abreeva works very well, it is $20 and the size of a pea.  I usually lose it somewhere in my bag either a) before the cold sore is gone or b) right as I get another one and 20 bones is a lot to spend per "session".  Same story for prescription options.  CarMax is ok and so are all the other Blistex-y choices but they really don't get the job done as quickly or efficiently as I would like.  Welcome Tea Tree Oil to the equation.  It comes in a larger container (easier to find) and smells fantastic!

The sooner you act on the cold sore the better... dip a fresh q-tip in the oil and gently apply to the affected area.  These bad boys are contagious so no double dipping and make sure to not let the "dirtied" q-tip touch the unaffected area (same goes for the chapstick you should be using to keep the rest of your lips hydrated - don't let it touch the sore).  I found this Tea Tree Oil at Walgreens, $7.99 for a 1oz bottle, a little goes a long so that should last ya a while.  Although, with all the great uses (acne, clearing sinuses, antiseptic for cuts, aromatherapy, in all purpose cleaner and lots lots more), you may want to grab two bottles! 


Xx
Kris

Product Junkies on a Budget: concealer edition

Product Junkies on a Budget feature beauty products I have purchased with my own money.  I am a college student and broke.... I can't afford YSL's Touché Eclat or La Mer face cream (as much as I wish I could) BUT I can gather my pennies and hit up the local drug store and feed my product fix.

Well, well, well...what do we have here?  A magic, pimple covering, dark circle hidin', red cheek evening concealer cleverly disguised as a tube of lipstick for only $1.99!?!?  Yes, yes it is!!  Helloooo NYC CoverStick and welcome to the basket of makeup regulars on my vanity.  This little guy/gal (whatever sex you refer to your makeup as) covers perfectly and fits into little curves and crevices because of its contoured shape...and let me remind you, it's $1.99!  Two tips; 1) Apply lightly and gently dab (rather than rub or blend) onto select areas before applying foundation and it will stay in place and 2) Go fast and use your Rite Aid card and this magic concealer stick is only $1.00. That's right.  Now let's all say it together: Wham-may.

Xx
Kris

Beauty Quick Tip: undereye circles, bags, and puffiness

Feeling (and unfortunately looking) tired??  Take a couple of q-tips and dip them in cold water, let them sit in the freezer for about half a minute and then gently roll from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.  Focus on underneath your eye where bags usually occur.  Not only will this litterally wake you up, it helps get rid of puffiness as well!


Xx
Kris

LEOPARD TRENDS MAYHEM!!! cheap and chic shoes edition

Everyone, and I mean everyone is embracing this fiery trend but, not everyone can (or wants) to pull off head to toe leopard.  So, how are we supposed to still be on trend without going overboard and without spending all of our hard earned cash??  I'm glad you asked.... feast your leopard print cravin' eyes on these bad ass shoes.

These velvety smooth loafers would make Hugh Heffner proud as well as your inner fashionista beast waiting to come out and play!  I would pair these with something simple...  A pair of black ankle grazing skinnies and a black shirt (maybe blazer?!?) and possibly a gold watch or ring.  Tres Chic!

Get yourself a pair at Go Jane for only $19.40.  Now that's a trend I can get on board with.

Xx

Kris

Product Junkies on a Budget: Winter Moisturizer

Product Junkies on a Budget beauty feature products I have purchased with my own money.  I am a college student and broke.... I can't afford YSL's Touché Eclat or La Mer face cream (as much as I wish I could) BUT I can gather my pennies and hit up the local drug store and feed my product fix.

As the weather starts to change, a good moisturizer is key to not only keeping your skin at it's best, it is also critical to getting the most out of your makeup application.  Think of your face like a sponge; all the little holes in the sponge soak up all the water it can before it reaches it's full plumpness and does not let anymore water in.  Your skin needs moisture and without a proper moisturizer, your skin will soak up whatever you put on it first (foundation, powder, gross air elements) and the end result of that is splotchy, uneven makeup/skin and a makeup application that fades away.

Finding a good moisturizer can become very costly but, it doesn't have to!  When my summertime cream ran out last week, I went to the DrugStore in search of something more substantial.  After much consideration (maybe too much), I decided on Pond's Cold Cream. At $5.99 for a 9.5 oz container I figured it couldn't hurt to try (plus, I do remember my Mom always having a jar on her sink). 

Let me tell you, this stuff is good.  I have fairly dry skin year round and am prone to breakouts in the T-Zone and this kept me completely hydrated throughout the entire day without feeling greasy.  The key is knowing that a little goes a loooong way...really, just a tiny smidge, no more.  At night, a heavier application helps you to wake up with refreshed looking skin that doesn't need foundation.  Another added bonus, it doubles as a phenomenal makeup remover and smells like dancing through a sea of freshness.  2 for 1 at only $5.99...yes, please.

Xx

Kris

Crimes of Fashion: Clothing so bad, it should be considered a crime!

“Crimes of Fashion” is a regular feature here on Fashion and Beauty in the Real World.  These pictures are not altered or found on Google Image Search.  I put my life on the line for you, my dear readers, to bring you some of the most ridiculous, hideous, and downright funny so-called fashion on the wild streets of New York.  Again, these were all taken with my scratched up Motorola Blur for the sole purpose of your entertainment...as well as a hope of education.  Education for those who make Crimes Of Fashion possible.

Now onto the goods...

I was walking inside the Times Square subway station when all of a sudden I started seeing bright flashes and hearing this obnoxious scraping noise.  It was hot deep down in the tunnels of 42nd street  and as the bright yellow flashed bigger and brighter, I was worried I was 23 years old and about to have a stroke.  Luckily, Heather Locklear’s 80s body double came closer and I realized I was fortunately not stroking; it just took some time for my fragile eyes to adjust to this gem of an ensemble.  Ladies and gents please remember, head to toe monochrome outfits only work in black (sometimes nude/cream/white BUT it is a tad bit more tricky).  Now, if for some reason you decide to go balls to the wall color…make sure the shades atleast match.  And last but not least, keep accessories to a minimum, (palm tree tote and crocheted grandma poncho NOT necessary) please.

Xx

Kris