Summer might not officially be here, but it’s really all we’re thinking about, right? One thing I love about the summer season is the turn to a lighter touch with make-up. Being a self-admitted beauty novice, I’m a big fan of less is more!

That’s why I was loving the make-up trends on the spring runways! Clean faces and red lips seems like something I could actually handle. It’s always an easy way to dress up an office look without feeling overdone.

I have a lot of friends who are intimidated by red lips, but I’ve recently embraced their power! Wearing red lipstick accents your eyes {especially blue or green}, brightens your face and masks fatigue! It’s like a little miracle in a tube.

And yes, everyone can find a red that works on them! I recently spied this tip: Women with cool undertones should wear blue-based reds, while more orangey-brown shades will work on warm skin. How do you know which tone is yours? If the veins inside your wrist look blue, your skin tone is cool; if they’re green, it’s warm.

By keeping the rest of your make-up minimal, with a fresh face and barely even a hint of mascara, red lips still feel light, fun and completely summer-appropriate.

These are some of the best shades out there right now!

I’ve been wearing Estee Lauder Red Velvet since last fall nonstop. It’s a matte, long lasting formula, but it doesn’t leave lips looking dry or cracked. It can literally stay on for an entire day. The shade of red is also perfect, not too orange and not too blue. It’s just right. Sadly, I’ve only just learned that this formula is no longer available!

While I ration my last few tubes, I’m curious, do you have a red lipstick you love?

images via harpers bazaar

Today I wanted to visit a too-often ignored component of your work wear. Your hair! Who can admit to wearing basically the same hairstyle everyday?  {I can, I can!}

When I spied this mini editorial by JCrew, it wasn’t the necklaces that caught my eye, but rather the messy up-dos! I think they’d be the perfect work-hair solution for those of us, such as myself, who lack sophisticated hair-styling skill.

This hairstyle is broken into three parts. You start by pulling a chunk back off your forehead with a nice bit of volume and a good deal of messy texture. This is when a bit of frizz is a good thing!

Your next step is to twist and pin random pieces toward the back, anchoring everything around the third component – a messy bun that sits about ear-height. That height feels a little more professional than the top-knot and less severe than a low chignon.

The critical component to achieving the perfectly undone hair is the texture. You can get away without washing your hair for a day or two, but product is most definitely required. I only recently discovered the joy of texturizing sprays and the amazing things they do to my extremely fine hair. Suddenly it’ll stay where I want it to rather than fall flat!

You just want to be sure to not over do it. I’ve found flipping my head upside down and giving a quick all around spritz works great. You want to work everything into the scalp at the roots to build in the height we’re looking for.

After doing a bit of research, here is a handfrul of the most-recommended product options:

shop 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 //

The one thing I’m still on the hunt for is the very best dry shampoo. Everyone sings its praises, but I’ve yet to try one that I really love. If you have any recommendations please do let us know in comments! I’m ready to do some serious product testing.

So what do you think friends? Would you wear the un-done look to the office or do you think it needs to be reserved for the weekend?

Regardless, here’s to feeling fabulous and un-fussy this week!

Today you’re getting a workwear double whammy. We’re tackling spring’s latest fashion and make-up trend! I hope you find them as inspiring and wearable as I do. So let’s dive in.

This spring the definition of “sexy” is giving way to subtle sophistication and I couldn’t be happier about it. Long a fan of more androgynous dressing, I find a real power and steely confidence in these looks. I think this quote from a T Magazine article I read over the weekend says it best:

“There is a a sweet poetry in clothes that are womanly without being sexually provocative.”

Amen to that.

I’m loving this editorial from Vogue China, as it completely epitomizes that sentiment. These looks also couldn’t be better suited {excuse my pun}, for the office!

These styles exude a boyish charm, but also a chic, sophisticated edge. You can break these ensembles down into three keys to creating this effect:

One: Finding the perfect fit. You want a crispness to your buttoned up shirt and snug fit to your boy-style blazer, but a nice slouch to your trouser.

Two: Fabric makes a difference. Texture and quality make this style of dressing deceptively simple. This isn’t about raiding the men’s shelf at the Gap. Instead, look for pieces that are designed for a woman’s body. You’re going to find a lot of silk trousers,  blazers in thick creamy cashmeres and strong cotton twills. Thankfully, these are classic basics that will stick around for years to come, so an investment is advised.

Three: The oxford loafer is king for spring. I long avoided them, but have suddenly found myself gravitating to them like there’s no tomorrow. Especially the d’orsay variety. My favorite local san francisco shoe designer also has a killer pair here. 

Bonus point: Have a bit of fun! As much as I idolize Diane Keaton’s style, I’m not sure I could ever get away with wearing a bowler hat, but I’d sure have a ball trying!

Now, another significant part of putting together a killer look is how you decide to dress your face! A self-professed make-up dork, I’m super excited to see clean, simple make-up accompanying the sophisticated spring style. This is something I can handle. I think.

Looking at the examples of spring’s neutral face below, I know this is more complicated than it looks, so I’ve called in some reinforcements to help us out!

Thankfully, my friend and make-up artist extraordinaire,  Erin Dudley, shared her top tips and must-have products with me! Here are the suggestions I made sure to write down {and I recommend you do too!}:

One: A fresh, clean face begins with beautiful skin. I recommend exfoliating 2-3 days a week with an enzyme or scrub like ExfoliKate by Kate Somerville or the Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross. ExfoliKate actually doubles as a facial mask so you not only resurface your skin but you treat it as well. The patented, two-step Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel evens out the skintone and texture, restores a youthful glow with alpha hydroxy acid and anti-aging boosters for accelerated results. If you are up for a splurge, the Clarisonic is a wonderful way to resurface your skin. This hand-held device cleans your skin six times deeper than hands alone and is safe to use every day. Have sensitive or acne prone skin? No problem! There are brush heads that are specific to your skin type.  It’s also a Dr. Oz and Oprah Winfrey recommended product!

Two: This spring is all about complexion and that “lit from within” radiance. The Optimal Brightening Concentrate by NARS is my secret item I love to use to cure lack-luster skin. Use it like a serum under your moisturizer. NARS’ exclusive Light Reflecting Complex and multi-action vitamin C clarifies the skin as well as works long-term to lighten dark spots and help reverse the signs of aging. It’s opalescent sheen gives you that instant luminescence.

Three: I am a fan of tinted moisturizer because it lets your skin shine through for a natural finish. I am obsessed with NARS’ Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Francois Nars said,  ”Foundation is the key to modern makeup. By balancing color without masking, skin looks flawless and healthy. Nars is about translucent looking skin.” This oil free, sun protecting product improves your skin as you wear it, reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation in just four weeks!

Four: A strong brow helps give structure to the face and frames the eye area. A bolder brow does not mean overgrown. I definitely suggest cleaning them up either with a brow artist or just tweezing any extra hairs between the eyes or on temples yourself. Anastasia Beverly Hills makes the best products for a flawless, full brow. I love the shade selection because they naturally fill in your brow without being too warm or dark. The stencils are a useful tool you can use to help guide the shape. New to Anastasia? The Brow Genius Kit is a good introduction to the line.

Five: A soft, neutral lip for Spring is the perfect way to keep you looking fresh and bright. I love Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Lip Colors. All the shades are very wearable and the emollient texture lasts all day long. The NARS Multiple stick is also a go-to, multi-use product of mine that gives your basic blank canvas a multi-dimensional quality.  Fave tip -> To complete your look in 2 minutes, apply the same product to your eyes and cheeks.

Got all that? No worries – consider this week’s Get the Look as your ultimate cheat sheet for what I’m deeming “Spring-Chic” style!

shop // watch, trousers, blazer, top, sweater, hat, shoes, clutch

 

Spring Beauty Best Bets by apartment34 on Polyvore (follow me here!!)

Here’s to simply fabulous week!

fashion editorial photographed by Lincoln Pilcher for Vogue China // make-up images photographed by Nina Westervelt for T Magazine