Going to Great Lengths: Achieving Luscious Lashes

Whenever I talk “beauty” with women we always somehow arrive at discussing eyelashes and how much we hate to love them. Let’s face it, great-looking lashes enhance every look from day to night or from sultry to sweet, which explains why so many women spend so much time and money attempting to lengthen and thicken them. I've done some research for you and have provided a few solutions to aid you in your quest for luscious lashes (and even a few solutions for summertime lash issues).

Waterproof It

(l to r): Maybelline one-by-one volum' express; YSL mascara aquarésistant; Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara

Sweat, pools and beaches all seem to conspire against your eye makeup; keep your lashes safe with the waterproof mascara of your choice.

Tint It and Quit It

Eyelash tinting is great for anyone with light-colored lashes or anyone that just loves to stay in the sun. The process lasts 4-6 weeks and simply makes lashes darker. If you still want thickness or want to turn up the drama, you can still use mascara. The process is safe, but do your research. Find out what type of dye your salon uses (I hear rave reviews about dyes that are vegetable-based and made especially for lashes). Also, find out if the process is done sitting up (so the product doesn’t get into your eyes) and what they use to flush eyes (there are sensitive formula saline products on the market) to ensure that you are cleaned up and ready to go.

Semi-Permanent Coating

This is an effortless way to add bold definition, color, volume and length to lashes. With a pricier tag attached (approximately $250), the process can last up to 6 weeks. LashDip wraps an extra dark, waterproof coating around each lash. It works like mascara, adding length, curl and volume to lashes. The best part is that it’s buildable, so you can choose the level of intensity that your lashes will have. LashDip doesn’t contain formaldehyde or aniline, so it’s safe. The best part? It requires very little upkeep. All that is necessary is touch ups with a bottle of take-home sealant.

Fake It ‘Til You Make It

That’s what my grandmother always told me, and I treat my lashes no differently! When I need to punch up my lashes in a pinch, I head straight to my drawer of falsies. Winks by Georgie are amazing if you don’t currently have a favorite of your own. They come in refillable compacts and the adhesive is great, free of formaldehyde, paraban and phthalate. It also has botanical ingredients like skin soothing blue chamomile. Plus they smell great; lavender, mmm!

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Mulberry’s Profits Multiply

In 1971, Roger Saul and his mother Joan started the British lifestyle company Mulberry. The luxury brand has seen much success and growth over its 40 years, but this has to be one of their largest year's yet, reporting their sales have quadrupled over the last 12-months.

The company's fame started with their handcrafted leather goods - handbags expressly - but now includes womenswear, menswear and most recently women’s shoes. They now have stores in the UK, all over Europe, America, Australia and Asia - where a lot of demand for the brand is being seen as of late.

In 2009, Emma Hill debuted her first collection with Mulberry as Creative Director. She was living in New York working with big design houses such as Calvin Klein, Gap, Chloe, Marc Jacobs, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. She told the Sunday Times in February of 2009, “ I can tell when a bag has been designed by a man, because it’s usually too heavy. Women design lighter bags because we know what it’s like to carry them.”

This year, after their 40th anniversary, Mulberry announced that their profits have quadrupled over the past year. The increase in sales came from opening 9 stores around the world, and just an accelerated growth internationally and online. Many credit the rapid growth with the company's new "It" bag, the "Alexa" satchel, seen above with the design house's inspiration for the bag and name, Alexa Chung. Another bag deserving much credit for the company's boost in sales is the Bayswater handbag, seen carried by many a starlets and socialites.

Godfrey Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the company told Women’s Wear Daily “Strong demand in all markets has continued into the new financial year and the outlook for the Mulberry brand is positive. While we remain cautious about the global economic environment, we are focused on accelerating our international expansion."

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My husband has a job interview coming up. It is the middle of summer and super hot outside. He is a business professional. What do you recommend men wear on a professional job interview during the summer? Is it appropriate to just wear a shirt, tie, and pants? Or, should he wear a jacket too? Are separates okay? Or, should he wear a suit? Help!

Signed,

Suited for Summer

------------

Dear S.F.S.,

The summer heat shouldn't deter your husband from wearing a suit on his interview, just a suit made of wool - cashmere, tweed, flannel, etc., polyester or any other synthetic material. And this is true for all professional men. Suits made from the aforementioned materials should be put away for warmer weather and lighter weight suiting should be worn to manage looking cool in a suit during the sultry summer months.

One of these suits would work well for any interview he has, in their respective order. For example, he may want to start out by looking at navy suits made of cotton for the best breathability and versatility as far as interviewing is concerned. If you happen to come across a cotton/linen blend, be sure that the cotton percentage outweighs the linen so that it won't wrinkle as easy.

The next viable option, the khaki suit, is a little on the unconventional side for interviewing, but paired with the right accessories and his individuality could be what separates him from the pack - and in a good way. The first inclination may be to incorporate black shoes, briefcase and tie, but a great pair of chocolate brown oxfords, coordinating bag and belt would really compliment this suit well.

Only if he knew he were a shoe-in for the job would it be recommended to wear something deemed as casual as a seersucker suit. Once he has the job he can feel confident in wearing this to work - preferably with a pair of suede bucks - but not for an interview. Not even for any follow up interviews.

Separates (such as a navy blazer with khakis) work for entry level positions or again, as an option for work once he has the job, but may not send the strongest cohesive message to his potential future employers.

If he doesn't have any of the aforementioned suits at his disposal - nor the disposable income to invest in one of quality - then his darkest suit, i.e. black, would be his next, albeit, last option. Just note that if 5-minutes early is considered on time, he may want to show up 10-minutes early just to find a bathroom and have a chance to cool down/give himself a once over. Its true what they say: in business, never let 'em see you sweat.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Prepare to Romp in Rompers

Last spring, the trend that hit the celebrity world and the general public with a bang was the jumpsuit/romper. This one-piece outfit is so comfortable and can vary in length and styles, making it something every girl should own. What makes them so special is that they are sewn underneath to turn what would be a dress, into shorts. Listed below, with the help of celebrities modeling the styles, are the most popular types of rompers of late.

This strapless romper worn by Kristen Cavallari has a casual, almost beachy look to it. It looks good in solid colors and in prints. It’ll look great accessorized with stylish flats, gladiators and even a cardigan/cover-up for night.

Kim Kardashian is wearing another casual romper but it has thick straps. This style would flatter most body types, but again, flat sandals work well with the length of the shorts and have a cardigan or cover-up on hand in case you get a chill.

Blake Lively is wearing a version of the romper with “spaghetti” straps. This sexier version could be worn with heels or wedges because of its dressier look and feel.

Here is a sleeved-romper that has more of the “safari” look. It can be worn casually or with a heel/wedges like Nicole Richie in this photo. Be cognizant of how the pleats on the shorts fall because you want the romper to have a slimming effect and not a "pulled" look to it.

Vanessa Hudgens is showing off another romper with sleeves but again, because it’s not cotton, it tends to look dressier so heels/wedges would be more appropriate. Also, because the sleeves are fuller, the short shorts help balance out the proportions so you don’t look like you’re wearing a parachute.

Sienna Miller is seen wearing a “jumpsuit” romper. The jumpsuit gets its name because of the full-length pant. This particular jumpsuit incorporates another trend, the harem pant. This style looks best when the harem pant is loose enough to fall and fold without clinging to your body. Wear heels/wedges with this look to further emphasize the slimmer you underneath. Also, if you do purchase one of these, stick to solid colors. Because of the draping affect a pattern would take away from the outfit. Use accessories to add pops of color.

Padma Lakshmi is wearing a jumpsuit that will look good on every body type. Because of the wider pant, you will be able to wear this for casual or dressier events. Any shoe would look great with this jumpsuit.

Chanel Iman is seen here wearing an extremely dressy - and sexy! - jumpsuit. Because of the material's sheen, there is little need for jewelry. If you're going to add accessories, limit it to studs, a dainty ring and clutch, as seen above. Heels would look best to play up the dressiness of the jumpsuit.

Hopefully, with help from these looks, you will be able to rock a romper with confidence and stay on trend for this summer - and possibly next!

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Savage Style

What do you get when you combine 'Saks', 'Sex' and 'Paris'? If your answer is Saks in the City then you're familiar with Sakina's blog. The Parisian site geared towards plus-sized women's fashion has picked up much momentum - and many followers - over its two years. And Sakina's insatiable readers can't help but eat up all of her wicked personal style, ideal for the woman who embraces her curves and isn't afraid to flaunt them through fashion.

Tunic: COS

Boyfriend Jeans: ASOS CURVE

Shoes: JONAK

Bag: CHRISTIANSEN

T-Shirt: ASOS CURVE

Jean shorts: TORRID

Bag: ASOS

Necklace and Bracelets: H&M

Sandals: ZARA

Oversized linen Top: COS

Boyfriend Jeans: ASOS CURVE

Big Bag: MONOPRIX

Wedges: ZARA

Cuff: H&M

Vest: CARMAKOMA

T-shirt: FOREVER 21

Pants: ASOS CURVE

Tights: H&M

Shoes: ZARA

"I am Parisian - though a New Yorker [at] heart - I have curves and I love fashion. I created this blog to show curvy ladies like me that the supposedly plus size fashion rules are not always true. We can go way further than you can imagine in fashion and I really hope that sharing my outfits will help things and mentalities change a little bit. Shopping everywhere is absolutely possible even when you're a plus size. You must have more than one trick up your 'wardrobe's' sleeve to be trendy when you're curvy!"

Blazer: ZARA

T-shirt: ASOS CURVE

Pants: DOROTHY PERKINS

Necklace: EVANS

Bag: BETH DITTO for EVANS

Shoes: CONVERSE

Watch: SWATCH

Blouse: COS

Jegging: ASOS CURVE

Boots: PATRICIA BLANCHET

Top: ANTIK BATIK for TAILLISSIME

Pants: NANA BELLE

Vest (in hand): ETAM

Dress: CARMAKOMA

Jacket: 3 SUISSES

Bag: ZARA

And even if you don't speak French (the site is mostly in français) its clear that fashion does not get lost in translation. Magnifique!

Think you've got enough style to be considered a shopping savage? E-mail your photos to dwaun@shoppingsavage.com with a breakdown of your outfit and your photo may be our feature of the week!

How to Pack the Perfect Beauty Travel Bag

It’s that time of the year when everyone becomes a jet-setter. Destination? Everywhere. In the midst of packing, every woman has a moment where she either wonders, “Do I have everything?” or “I can’t carry all of this!” Well have no fear ladies, I am here to rescue you with a guide to packing the perfect beauty bag for your travels!

Beauty Bag of Tricks

The perfect bag is essential to carrying your precious beauty items. It seems insignificant at first - a bag is a bag, right? Wrong; just ask Mary Poppins. Everyone has their favorite, and if you are one of those looking for a new makeup case, or just haven’t found one that you’ve fallen madly in love with yet, here’s an option: try Pat McGrath’s bag for Le Sportsac, the Pucker Up case. It’s very spacious without taking up much room in your carry-on or suitcase and it has a nifty pocket on the outside for those items you would like to keep separate.

The Basics

There are just a few things that EVERY bag must have: shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, facial cleanser and moisturizer. If you have the patience, grab a few empty bottles in the travel size section of your nearest pharmacy to fill with your own products. But for those of us who lack the time to commit to such things, Malin + Goetz has the perfect pre-packaged Essential Kit for you – carry-on approved and it comes in a sweet clear bag with zip closure. Perfect, right? You’re welcome.

Turn Up the Drama

What is a makeup bag without makeup? Merely a bag of stuff, that’s what. No one wants to travel with enough makeup to supply Pat McGrath for Fashion Week either. The happy medium is found in the Too Faced Glamour 2 Go Pocket Palette. This sweet little pocket palette has a great array of colors for eyes, lips and cheeks that can take you from day to night.

Benefit’s BADgal Lash Mascara is the perfect, compact mascara to carry to your destination.

Brighten Your Smile

Since cameras will be clicking and memories will be captured, make sure your pearly whites are as white as can be. The Supersmile system has received rave reviews and now the Supersmile Quikee system is available in the perfect size for the girl on the go.

Protect Yourself

Vacations are fun. Period. But sunburns and skin cancer are not. Period. Don’t forget to pack the ultimate vacation essential, sunscreen. Australian Gold SPF 30 Invis Dry Sheer Coverage Sunscreen is a great, inexpensive way to protect your skin, without leaving a filmy residue.

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The 2011 CFDA Awards

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), is a non-profit trade association of over 350 of the nations top apparel and accessory designers. It was founded in 1962 and its goal is to advance the status of fashion design as a branch of American art and culture. Diane Von Furstenburg was elected as president and Steve Kolb is the executive director. Each year, the CFDA hosts an awards ceremony for the top designers of the year. It’s like the Grammy’s or the Oscars for fashion. This year it was hosted in New York at Lincoln Center. Swarovski underwrote the event for its 10th year in a row.

Celebrities and fashion icons alike came together to attended the event:

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson

Diane Kruger

Chanel Iman with designer Lubov Azria

Chloë Sevigny

Michael Kors with Ashley Greene and Miranda Kerr in his designs

Kanye West, who as previously reported, presented the International Award to Phoebe Philo of Celine

Liv Tyler in Proenza Schouler with Jack and Lazaro of Proenza Schouler

Marc Jacobs after winning his Lifetime Achievement Award

Lady GaGa went on to win the Fashion Icon Award of the evening

The winners of this year’s ceremony are as follows:

• Womenswear Designer of the Year - Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler
• Menswear Designer of the Year - Michael Bastian
• Accessory Designer of the Year - Alexander Wang
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Marc Jacobs
• Fashion Icon Award - Lady GaGa
• International Award - Phoebe Philo of Celine
• Founder’s Award - Hal Rubenstein of InStyle
• Media Award for Excellence in Journalism - Hilary Alexander of The Telegraph
• Board of Director’s Award - photographer Athur Elgort
• 3 Swarovski Awards which honor emerging talent: Womenswear - Prabal Gurung, Menswear - Robert Geller and Accessories - Eddie Borgo

It’s great to know that there is a committee dedicated to keep fashion design as a known art form and we thank the winners and all the nominees for contributing to the great world of fashion.

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