Affordable luxury: Booties

You don’t have to spend a small fortune to be fashionable and wear the latest trends. You just have to look around and spot worthy products. I love expensive shoes and bags and most of the times believe that they can make all the difference in the world when it comes to smart outfits. It is often said that one can dress up in very cheap clothes as long as the bag and the shoes are of good quality - since they can upgrade the whole outfit. And although this is partly correctly, I recommend paying money only for those items that will stay in your closet for a while, like a black leather bag (Chanel) or a good quality pumps etc. Now for those products that highlight a fashion season try to go cheaper... A couple of years ago fluo accessories were hot, and although they may be again in the near future I wouldn’t spend 500 euro on a pair of shoes because a) they wouldn’t be as wearable and b) they would be stigmatized by the specific season. Same stands for this year's hot shoes, the booties. And although they are definitely more wearable than the previous example, chances are they will not work for next year.

Tips for choosing cheaper shoes:

1. Avoid faux leather, especially when it is too shiny.


2. Avoid buying bright colors. Cheaper shoes always look better in black.


3. Be very careful with the shades of brown, they often reveal the price of the shoe.


4. Avoid choosing very complicated designs. (straps, zippers, braids etc.)


5. Pay attention to the glue tha connects the main body of the shoe with the heel. If you are able to notice it from day one, chances are it wont last you a long time.


6. Be sure they are comfortable. The last thing you want is to get a knee or back ache just by wearing a poorly designed shoe.

Searching around the internet I found a few cute booties under $200. Trust me there are so many out there, you only have to discover them!

TOPSHOP

Strappy ankle booties

Studio tmls cindy

FOREVER 21

Sexy peeptoe booties



Cut out booties



ASOS

Alto leather animal booties

Ava suede lace up booties

   Endless.com                                     

Michael antonio Mckey booties



Max studio Crotia booties

 

Pelle moda Wager booties



Rosegold genie booties

Steve madden chelseey ankle booties



Makeover #1

I am so excited!!!

This is my blog’s first makeover.

My sister –who is a photographer-, asked me to do Katerina’s makeup for the photoshoot. Katerina (K.atou) is an electronic music DJ with international status. Every year she tours around Europe and the US and performs in some of the biggest festivals and clubs around the world. Sooo exciting! To learn more about K.atou and listen to her great music visit her page:

http://www.myspace.com/katoumuzik

Katerina, hardly wears any makeup in her everyday life and usually avoids lipsticks. For this reason, it was a great challenge for me to create two bold lip makeup looks for her, a pin-up and a glam rock.

Katerina all natural

During the process



Pin up look

As if she belongs in a different era

Sexy rock glam look

PS: Poor Katerina was a little sick on the day of the photoshoot and we tortured her quite a bit by exposing her in the cold for such a long time! Sorry Katerina!

But, I must say that the photos turned out amazing!!!

Winter Obsessions

Winter is just around the corner.

The weather in Athens is getting colder, it has been raining for a couple of days now and it is time to remove our sandals, our cute floral dresses and let go of the beach outfits.

Never mind, winter is lovely too.

Cold days, long coffees with friends, fireplace and hot chocolate, deep and spicy perfumes, dark lips and nails, soft sweaters and boots.

Black Nails

Booties

Leather Leggings & Pants

Leather with Gold Bracelets

Cashmere Sweaters

Rosary Necklaces

  

Prize Giveaway #1: Win 2 Seventeen Ultra Glosses!

Today I purchased two seventeen ultra glosses as a prize for my very first blog contest. Having to choose among many different brands was hard, but I chose Seventeen because it is a Greek company that creates and launches a few amazing products plus it is quite hard to find in other countries, so you will have the opportunity to try something new!!!!. The Ultra gloss is a long-wearing gloss with a very liquid (non sticky) consistency that has nice color pay off plus it is enriched with UVA-UVB filters.

One (1) lucky winner will win two neutral shades of the ultra gloss, the 45 (golden rose) which is a shimmery darker beige with pink undertones and the 20 (starry pink) which is a light pink with pretty sparkles (as they appear on the picture). Both shades are totally wearable and suit almost every skintone.

Rules

This contest is open to everyone who wants to win! All entries must be submitted by October 21th, 2010 at 11:59 PM (EEST). The winner will be chosen randomly and notified via e-mail.

How to Win

It is really simple! If you are not a follower already then just become one and leave a comment on any of the posts.... and win the two ultra glosses!

I love Rouge Dior Lipsticks

A couple of days ago I purchased the new Rouge Dior lipstick in the color 296 (beige quadrille). I have to admit that I bought this lipstick because I loved the color rather than for the innovative technology behind it. But after applying it for the first time, I immediately felt the difference on my lips, a slight instant plump and a great hydration. A hydration unlike any I have ever tried, not the kind that offers a temporary smoothing effect that does not work deeper on your lips. This lipstick smoothed any lines there were and although my lips were not in their best condition, it seemed to help them appear hydrated. According to Dior’s official site, the secret behind is a new generation of plumping hyaluronic acid microspheres. Generously coated with pigments on the lip surface, they help boost the radiance and depth of color.

The lipstick had a great color payoff, the 296 is a nude beige with warm pink undertones that looks very pretty on the lips and suits most warm complexions. Moreover, it has a delicate shimmer to it and the result is so shiny and smooth there is no need for lip gloss!! Finally, I must confess that I absolutely loved the smell, a rose smell that used to accompany lipsticks in the old days.

Rouge Dior comes in 32 shades -inspired by colors of Dior Haute Couture gowns- most of which are so perfect, it is really hard to leave the stand with just one. I am sure that nobody will be disappointed in this collection because there is a wide range of shades. In the collection, pinks seem to rule, reds follow, beiges come after and dont let us leave out some pretty oranges and corals. I think that my next buy, since winter is just around the corner will either be the 862 or the 874 both of which are deep burgundy colors.

Best on-the-spot treatments

Just got a zit in your face two days before the big day? It is red, painful and to you it seems like everybody will focus on this point? Relax, I am sure it is not the only point of attention in your face, although I always feel the same way. Trust me a break out can often ruin my day!

Well, I guess there are no miraculous treatments that can make it disappear in a day but there are some on the spot treatments that can DEFINITELY improve the situation and give you a confidence boost up!

After trying a million different products from drugstore all theway to the high end brands I am sharing with you those that worked perfect for me.

1. Spéciale 5 by Payot

This product is probably my favourite on the spot treatment. It dries and purifies all imperfections and also helps them disappear more quickly. I usually apply it before I go to bed and for some reason I am always amazed by the results the next morning.

2. Drying Lotion by Mario Badescu

This lotion is really effective! It works miracles on whiteheads. I usually apply it overnight and by the next day I always see a difference, it is as if it has shrunk and it is not as red. Also, this lotion is supposed to heal and prevent the spreading of acne on your face or body.

3. Drying Cream by Mario Badescu

This is a similar product to the drying lotion although it does not dry the area as much. Some people find that the lotion dries their skin too much and so prefer this more gentle soothing aloe formula. This product too, promotes the drying and the healing process.

4. Acne Spot Treatment by Murad

This product doesnt actually dry the blemishes but rather speeds up their healing process. To me this product works best when the blemish is not fully developed and it is at an early stage. And although it clears active breakouts it doesnt work as fast as the MB lotion and cream.

5. Pâte Grise by Payot

Pate Grise is another favourite product. It works great on painful and red imperfections, in other words at blemishes that are at an early stage and speeds up their maturity process. It's scent I must mention isn't the best, but who cares!

Treat and Cover

These concealers are great because they conceal the red areas and treat them at the same time. Sometimes when we have a blemish we tend to use thick products that offer more coverage. Unfortunately, these products have more oil in them, making the condition of the blemish worse.

1. Acne Treatment Concealer by Murad

This concealer comes in three shades and so it provides a  long lasting coverage while it heals the blemishes with acne-fighting Salicylic Acid. Among its primary benefits, according to Murad official site, is that it controls and prevents acne breakouts.

2. Stick Couvrant Purifiant by Payot

This product too, masks the blemishes but without offering a great coverage. Since it neutralizes imperfections, it is great to use when the blemish is not at its pick but rather has entered the maturity stage.

3. Acne Solutions Clearing Concealer by Clinique

Finally, this product is also a medicated concealer that helps clear and prevent blemishes. Like the Murad concealer this also comes in three shades plus a green one which helps balance the redness in a blemish.

This serum actually works!

I have been using Loreal’s Double Extend Lash Boosting Serum for about three weeks now (I missed a few days) and I must admit that this product is really working. I can definitely tell a bigger difference in the thickness of my lashes and a smaller one in their length. They seem stronger and when I actually remove my eyemakeup I rarely see any lash fall out. My lashes definately appear MUCH longer as soon as I apply my mascara, then they look really big!!. Unlike Lilash, this serum does not guarantee to make you grow more lashes but rather to improve their condition, which it actually does. And the best thing? You have absolutely no side effects, no swelling, no redness....Nothing. To me, it is like taking extra care of my lashes and actually having results. Oh, at an affordable price too...

PS: Too bad I did not take some pics of my lashes before I begun using the serum