Are You Loyal To Your Makeup?

You've finally hit puberty and the awkward stages are only just beginning. You start to notice girls talking about periods and training bras. Every now and then, you catch your friends using terms like "PMS" and "Brazilians" in every day conversation, but you're still slightly confused as to their definitions. Suddenly, their eyes are getting bolder, their lips are getting sultrier, and their cheeks are getting redder. It's not the sun. They've simply discovered the magic of makeup.

As a young adult, you begin by stealing your mother's makeup from her closet as a means of experimentation. Once she catches you in the act, you have the "talk" and agree to ask her before you decide to borrow her lipstick. At a certain point, you realize that it's time you own a makeup product and fill your own makeup case. Depending on whether you're a little alternative or a pop princess, you opt for a no name brand eyeliner pencil or the new L'Oreal lip gloss you spotted at the pharmacy while your mom was checking out face creams. It was your right of passage, a symbol of your adulthood. As a wise woman we call Britney Spears once said, "you were not a girl, not yet a woman."

via hotttcoco.tumblr.com

But your coming of age is not exactly what this post is about. I'm here to bring to your attention the concept of brand loyalty.

Does it exist? 

There are different types of female consumers. 

The one's who stick to one brand of makeup and buy every product from that company.

The one's who choose specific brands based on the product.

The one's who experiment with different brands to find the perfect fit.

The one's who couldn't care less.

I'd have to say that I fall under the third. An obsessive reader of makeup reviews, it often takes weeks for me to choose my brand of choice. Once upon a time, I would only buy drugstore brands. As soon as I started reading magazines, I became a self-proclaimed makeup snob and decided that Sephora was my new destination of choice. With the abundance of incredible products, choosing one is often a challenging process. 

I know what you're thinking. Do I have the time or patience for any of this? Aren't drugstore brands just as good? Does it even matter?

The answer? Yes. While the au natural look is de rigueur for spring, that only makes it more important to find the right products to ensure you don't look like your makeup is painted on. You may not need to invest in the gazillion products on the market, but choose your top three and take the time to read some reviews. I guarantee that this process will be worth your while. Once you've determined your top 3 most important products (mine are: lipstick, mascara, and blush), you can proceed to purchase any other items at the drugstore. Makeup is about play, so have fun ladies.

Bella

The Power Of A Woman In A Tux

It's no secret that androgyny is a popular trend amongst fashion designers like Maison Martin Margiela and Saint Laurent Paris. What was once a power suit comprising of a classic pencil skirt in a chic pastel colour combined with a form-fitting blazer is now a head-to-toe tuxedo with an optional pair of killer stilettos. Last Sunday, at the 2014 BAFTA Awards, Angelina Jolie added herself to the list of statement-making celebrities who've opted for a suit rather than a flamboyant gown, the traditional garb for women in Hollywood at extravagant events. Though our fantasies generally involve elegant gowns by Oscar de la Renta and Elie Saab and dominate our best-dressed lists, it is always refreshing to see a female celebrity in a tux. Though it may radiate masculinity, for some mysterious reason, it can be even more seductive than that full-skirted dress. So in honour of Angelina's bold move, here's a list of some of the best female tuxes that have made their way down the Red Carpet.

ANGELINA JOLIE

BAFTA Awards 2014

Saint Laurent Paris

via Elle Canada

DIANE KEATON

Golden Globes 2014

Ralph Lauren

via Hollywood Reporter

MADONNA

Grammys 2014

Ralph Lauren

via Hollywood Reporter

LEIGHTON MEESTER

Gotham Independent Film Awards 2010

Thom Browne

via metro.co.uk

ALEXA CHUNG

Met Ball 2010

Phillip Lim

via raindropsofsapphire.com

These are some of my personal favourites. Who are your favourite female tux-wearing celebs?

Bella

A Landslide of Shoes

Good Morning Snow Angels!

Let's talk about shoes (and don't pretend those words didn't make little bits of confetti sprinkle inside your body). Allow me to state the obvious: winter has arrived full throttle and we're all knee deep in snow. At least I am. Unfortunately, that implies that it's time to take out my Sorels and disregard my fashion instincts for a moment (or 5 months). There is nothing less chic than a pair of chunky winter boots covered in shit-coloured slush (pardon my French). Some of us choose to ignore the snow and wear our leather boots anyway. Prepare yourselves because I'm going to be blunt. This is a terrible decision. Do you really want to ruin your 400$ Michael Kors riding boots? I didn't think so. The only thing less chic than Sorels is a pair of washed out, salt-stained leather knee-high boots. If you want your precious boots to remain intact, my little bit of advice is to stick to those Sorels.

Living in Canada, we are all accustomed to the heavy snowfalls contrasted by humid summer days (what is this "summer" you speak of?), which is why we have a closet full of shoes (amongst other reasons). Realistically speaking, you need those Sorels to endure the snowstorms. You also need a pair of knee high boots with a stiletto heel for a night on the town in the Fall. Don't forget that flat pair reserved for boxing week (you don't want to tire yourself out, do you?). And, let's face it, booties are ESSENTIAL to your fall wardrobe whether with a heel or without (though one of each is preferable). Oh, and let's not forget that you MUST own a pair of sneaker wedges if you know anything about Fall fashion trends. You also need a pair of convenient gym sneakers for those treks on the treadmill (especially after you promised yourself you would start going to the gym in the new year). You can't possibly live without that adorable pair of flats to pair with just about EVERYTHING in your wardrobe. For a fancy sortie, who doesn't require a pair of classic pumps to accentuate that gorgeous new peplum dress. When pedicure season comes around, a pair of wedge sandals are CRUCIAL to your survival. However, you also need a pair of flip flops for those lazy days. Sandals are a MUST for your summer vacation because frankly, who wants to wear heels in Cuba when we're all feeling a little light headed from all that alcohol?

Now, I'm not very good at math, but if I calculated correctly that adds up to...12 PAIRS. And those are just the black ones. Once you've accumulated enough black pairs, you can immerse yourself into the world of colours and nudes until your closet becomes an endless abyss of shoes and some pairs get consumed in a dark hole, only to surface once a year upon spring cleaning. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

It seems as though 12 pairs of shoes is the bare minimum. SAY WHAT? Now, I'm going to go out on a limb and ask the question that's circling around in all of our minds right now: are we all just spoiled? Is this a curse placed upon women to promote consumerism? Do we even NEED all these pairs? Has the 21st century created a new need by exploiting a woman's love for shoes? Are we victims of marketing tactics or guilty of adhering to an unfortunate stereotype? Raise your hand if you own more than 20 pairs. I urge you to dive into your closet, grab a pen and paper, and get counting.

Happy Friday!

Bella