My recent obsession with Jane Birkin and 60s glam is only intensifying as summer draws near. Her wispy bangs, thick lower lashes and pinched-rosy cheeks are beautiful, enviable qualities that I can only hope to emulate in the coming months. I’ll spend hours in the mirror trying to achieve the look that comes nearly natural to Jane. And I can’t wait for every minute of my Jane-ridden desire to push me into a carefree, poetic season of music festivals and love at first sights.
xoxo
Natasha
Winter is one of the best times to try a new make-up trend – you don’t have the sun melting off your face, and bold faces are the centerpieces for potpourris of classic [faux] furs, pea coats and boots. I’ve rounded up my favorite make-up trends to try this season – all of which I’ve tried AND loved!
My first and favorite look is a big, wide-eyed face. It doesn’t matter how small or big your eyes are – it’s all about drawing the focus to them and making them pop! Plus, guys dig this look because it’s somewhat natural and makes you look all doe-eyed and sweet (even though you may very well be evil…muahahaha)!
How to get the look: Use a light eyeshadow that is just a bit darker than your own skin (I actually use my NARS bronzer) and cover your eyelid and just above your crease. Apply dark, thick mascara and focus on the bottom lashes – press the wand onto your eye lash line so it smudges onto your eye line (almost like eyeliner). Now take a white or off-white eyeliner pencil (my favorite is NARS) and line your bottom water line so it is no longer pink but white, making your eyes bigger and bolder. Final touch is taking a brightener and applying it on your brow-bone to add a bit of sheen and brightness to the area.
How to get the look: You need black or dark brown eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara, as well as some sort of brightener (the best in my opinion here). The trick to a flawless smokey eye is to do the eye makeup first THEN concealer, so you can flawlessly cover up the eye shadow dust and residue around the eyes. Start by covering your lid lightly in the dark shadow. Focus on the outer-half and crease. Now take your eyeliner and make a very thick line that covers 1/3 to 1/2 of your lid (you can add the winged-tip if you’re feeling flirty like below as well). Line the bottom of your eyes as well – and then dust powder over the bottom lash line where you applied the liner (this will keep it from smudging or fading away and create a messy-smokey look). Use a brightener around the brow-bone and around the eye where you don’t want dark/shadow. Apply concealer then mascara. Finish the look off with your favorite matte/satin (not too shiny) natural pink or nude lipstick (think creamy, kissy, poofy lips).
Oxblood is a big trend right now – but I love a dark red oxblood lip and haven’t seen enough ladies trying this look! Now while this look may not be kissable, it’s seductive enough to bring the boys to the yard.
How to get the look: Apply a dark, blood red lipstick or lipstain (my favorite is YSL in Brun Glac). The only other make-up you need is your base concealer, light bronzer and black, full mascara! A bold eyebrow looks amazing with this look as well.
The last look is simple – no make-up at all! HA! Just kidding. The last look is wearing make-up that LOOKS like you’re not wearing make-up (so tricky, I know). Men and women alike love this look – and it allows your natural beauty to shine through (and slap haters in the face, which is a bonus).
How to get this look: Do your normal moisturizer and concealer routine – and make sure you put enough on to give you flawless-looking skin, but so it does not look cakey. Now use a bronzer with a hint of shimmer and starting on top of your brow, brush a number three (brow to inner cheek to chin in a 3-shape!). On the apples of your cheek, apply a light, bright blush (enough so you looked flushed but not 80s-Madonna). Now rub some brightener on your cheekbones and eyelids (giving your eyelids sheen). Finish with some dark but not-clumpy mascara and a bit of lip-stain that brightens your natural lip color.
xoxo
Natasha
The dust (or glitter) has settled and New Years Eve has once again come and gone. We have arrived at 2013. The world didn’t end (but there were some awesome parties anyway) and now it’s time to figure out your New Years Resolutions. You know – those things you write down every January but usually forget about by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around.
So this year – let’s keep it simple. In 2013 it’s time to step up our game. Put some effort into our daily outfits (or more effort anyway) and try new things. Below are my simple yet fabulous New Years Resolutions for the fashionably inclined.
Let’s see how long we can stick to these – how about aiming for at least March? Good luck!
xoxo
Natasha
I don’t know about you – but I’ve seen so many street-style shots of models lately, with New York Fashion Week in full-force. The city is crawling with models grabbing coffee, sitting outside in quaint Manhattan cafés and walking the streets looking utterly fabulous. Yet most models I see on blogs like The Sartorialist or STREETFSN look so casual and comfortable yet extremely stylish and chic.
How do they pull of this look? And why do they go so casual? Perhaps they get tired of being so dressed up all the time in sky-high stilletos and binding couture that when they are off-duty they go the complete opposite direction. Reguardless of why these giraffe-like creatures dress down, I’m envious of their cool, carefree style, and I’m assuming that you are too.
I’m also assuming that you are not a model, don’t look like a model and don’t have the body of a model (though if you are a model – I’m both confused and flattered as to why you are reading my blog…and feel free to critique my critique of you, you beautiful thing!). But who cares if we don’t all look like models? We can still dress like them – and this post will tell you exactly how to do so without breaking the bank or needing to be a Size 0!
Now that you have the confidence to dress like a model (need a confidence boost? read this first), let’s begin. Before I go on – let me just mention that I don’t consider myself to be a “model expert” or a model myself – I’m just an admirer of that cool, confident vibe given off by the hundreds of street-style shots I’ve looked through. And now that I’ve assured you of my humbleness, let me give you a lesson in chic. I’ve distilled down what I consider the key elements of a model’s casuals style to 4 main points: Low-Key Locks, The Fresh Face, Limited Pieces & Simple Solids.
Perhaps models just get sick of having their hair so perfectly done & tightly pinned up during shoots & shows, and that’s why they wear their locks freshly washed, loose and easy. So start your look by taking a shower (hopefully you were already planning on doing this…), and either blow drying or air drying that gorgeous head of hair. Most models this season are going with the side part – so try that out (though if you think a different part flatters your bone structure better, go with that instead). Either wear your hair down after air drying, and spritz a little sea-salt spray or oil-free hairspray and tousle a bit, or gather your hair loosely at the back of the neck and wrap in a messy bun or pony. If you are wearing it up, pull at the base of the pony to loosen your hair up, and even pull out a couple strands near the tops of your ears/hairline.
Models don’t wear much visible make-up when they are off-duty. Obviously your first-first step is to have amazing skin, which comes with using a quality facial care line both morning & night and drinking tons of water. But I’m not here to lecture you. Start with a moisturizer to give your face a natural glow. If you need to cover up a couple blemishes or under-eye bags, do that. But wear a very light, natural looking layer of foundation if any at all (like my favorite line here). Make sure your eyebrows are looking flawless – meaning using an eyebrow brush to shape them, and some light powder to fill them in if you need. A thick but shaped natural brow is all the rage for fall – I’ll be rocking some thick ones, so watch out! Follow with a couple layers of mascara. And you’re done. No blush or bronzer – just let your inner radiance shine through (no really, shine on my gorgeous reader).
The third thing I noticed about most of the models walking around the streets of NYC is the limited number of pieces they are wearing – meaning how many different items of clothing they have on. Many of them just go with a simple but stylish top, narrow-legged pants and flats or boots. I also like some light layering as well, like a simple loose tank with an interesting, oversized cardigan, skinny jeans folded at the ankle and flat booties. Also, notice how most models don’t wear high heels off-duty – maybe because they giant 6″ ones they wear for work get tiring? Anyway – think casual with interesting details. The loose sweater and cropped skinnies may look simple – but upon further inspection, you see interesting stitching on the top and monochrome leather panels on the bottoms, etc.
And last but not least – a trend I noticed is simple, solid colors schemes. No crazy brights, no wacky patterns and no bold florals (though I admire all of those & think we all need these pieces in our closet!). They let their face be the most interesting part of the outfit, and stick to neutral colors and earth tones, with minimal or no patterns/prints. So think basics with a twist – a well tailored pair of black trousers and a gray oversized knit sweater rolled up to the elbow. Or try something a little more fun – a plum skinny jean with a cream, loose t-shirt and dark gray open knit shrug.
Have fun being like New York Fashion Week model!
xoxo
Natasha
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They did it again. And I’m saying, freaking yes. You better believe I’m obsessing over the fall colors for the classic Cambridge Satchel. My only problem is…how will I decide between mustard yellow, brown or maroon? Because buying all three would be overkill…right? Or would it? Maybe not? I’ll sleep on it.
xoxo
Natasha
I recently discovered and starting using a new make-up line (which has been around for a while!), Bare Escentuals. A friend of mine had been speaking it’s praises, and I decided to go in and test it out. Well, I ended up leaving with the Bare Minerals starter kit and I’m still absolutely in love with it. I get compliments constantly, people saying “You have amazing skin” and I always roll my eyes to the back of my head – I’ve never thought of my skin as anywhere near amazing (and of course I tell them my beauty secret).
So when Bare Minerals called me telling me they wanted to throw me & 2 friends a little make-up party – of course I gladly accepted! I brought along my younger (gorgeous) sister Christina and my best friend (and photographer) Chelle. We had a blast – the make-up artists were fabulous! Since I was already familiar with their foundation make-up line, we decided to try out some new eye looks – all mineral based powders & liquids.
I rarely do posts about just one brand or one product (and no, this is not a paid post) – but when something is this good, I just had to share with my wonderful readers. The only downside that I’ve had friends mention about Bare Minerals is that there are some skin-tones which are really hard to match with their foundation (most skin-tones will match perfectly, but if you’re skin tone doesn’t then the foundation won’t really work). If you are worried about the foundation not matching, just try one of the other products below that don’t require that perfect match! If you are a first-timer and want to try out the Bare Minerals system, below are my recommendations:
xoxo
Natasha
Being a woman can be oh-so-sweet sometimes, especially when we have the power to transform our everyday look into something out of a 1950s Cary-Grant-and-some-bombshell movie. There is something so seductive and naively sexy about pouty red lips, pin-up waves and cat-lined eyes, men really don’t stand much a chance. The modern classic movie star – she’s within all of us.
So when is the last time you rocked this look? Have you ever gotten all done up for an event and stole some style tips from the Gina Hayward or Caroll Baker? Send me pictures of your bombshell style at chiccurve@gmail.com (with a link to your blog if you have one) and I may post it on the blog.
xoxo
Natasha
The Chic Curve does not claim any ownership or rights for the photos above. All have been borrowed from Pinterest.com
Okay, okay…I know what you are thinking. Isn’t Olivia Palermo that rude chick from The City on MTV? Yes, she is. The awkwardly snobbish girl who worked at Elle with Whitney on the show.
BUT – who cares if she’s a trust-fund brat? She’s freaking fabulous. And she has taken over Pinterest (if you haven’t noticed yet)…because her outfits are unique, stylish & inspiring to fashion loving gals everywhere. In fact, in preparation for the blog post, I created an entire Pinterest board on Olivia.
I love how she has this effortless yet put together style – she’ll mix prints, wear bright colors and try new trends. At the same time, she sports classic, simple looks that make her look chic & casual.
And take note, that at the bottom of the post, there is a little treat: her HOT boyfriend. (Dang, where can I snatch one of THOSE up?)
Side note: Blog Posts by Email is now officially working! To get new blog posts sent to you by email (only when there are new posts), sign up here.
xoxo
Natasha
Recently, like every other digitally-inclined female, I have been completely obsessed with Pinterest. One of my favorite boards is the “Outfit Envy” pinboard – where I find outfits that I am absolutely in love with, pick apart the elements that make it so great – and then create my own outfit using the inspirations.
So I took a new trend that I love – pairing neons with nude – and put a little “Natasha” spin on it! My Nude & Neon outfit below is simple & casual – yet has the same stylistic feel as the outfit inspirations above. Anyone can pull off this look – just buy a great, comfy neon piece & start styling away!
About the clothes: Chartruse sweater: Nordstrom (similar here), Blazer: H&M (similar here), Lion necklace: H&M, Wrist candy, H&M, Loafers: ASOS
xoxo
Natasha
I get lots of emails of ladies asking for fashion & styling advice, so I’ve decided to start answering them publicly on the blog in case others have similar questions! If you have a fashion or style question you want answered here on The Chic Curve, email Natasha at chiccurve@gmail.com
Hello Natasha! Glad I found your blog. I need some fashion advice.
[I'm curvy and] I live in the tropical country Indonesia where it is always sunny. I have difficulties on choosing what I should wear to college. My campus regulation requires me to wear collared shirt (like a blouse or some polo shirt) everyday. T-shirts are not allowed.
