Monday, September 29, 2008

La Vaque Tweezers: The Best Tweezers Ever

Hello Divas!

I hope your weekend was fabulous! Today I have to tell you ladies about the best tweezers I have ever used, La Vaque Tweezers. I won these tweezers in a contest hosted by Mikeala's Jet Set Beauty. I have been using them for over a month now and they are phenemonal! I have the La Vaque Pointed Tip Tweezer. The beauty of these tweezers is the very sharp point. They can remove any ingrown hair or the tiniest little hair. They are great for removing any unwanted facial hair and for shaping your eyebrows! Unlike drugstore brand tweezers that are usually rounded and small with a shiny sleek finish, La Vaque tweezers are large and flat with a matte finish. So the grip on these tweezers are awesome! No more dropped tweezers while tweezing! And as a bonus, these tweezers come with a small plastic tip cover. So you can protect them from dust, dirt, and germs! La Vaque Tweezers retail for $14.95. I know that is a bit expensive. But guess what? They come with a lifetime gurantee! So if you break them or dull them, they will send you another pair for FREE! I love it! You can purchase La Vaque Tweezers online here.

Toodles!

Friday, September 26, 2008

Hautelanta Fashion Week: Founder and Creator Layla K.

Hello Divas!

Today is Friday! Yipee! What a week! I am wrapping up my coverage of Hautelanta Fashion Week with an interview and the fashion of Layla K. Layla K. is the founder and creator of Hautelanta Fashion Week. She took the initiative to create Hautelanta Fashion Week because as she states "Atlanta did not have one and I wanted to showcase the fashion and style of the Atlanta Fashion Industry." I had a brief interview with Ms. Layla K and this is what she had to say:

Luxetips: Layla, I looove your swimwear collection. How long have you been designing?

Layla K.: I have been designing off and on for 10 years now. I am also a graphic designer and I have a bath and body line. I just love creating! But now I am re-focusing on my love for fashion design.

Luxetips: Wow, you are a busy lady! What was the inspiration for your swimwear collection we saw tonight?

Layla K.: It is called Liquid Silk Swimwear. Yes the swimsuits are made from silk! But it is for the woman who goes to the beach to be fabulous...not to get in the water. This fabulous woman is going to wear silk and lounge on the beach or poolside shooting the breeze..so she is a true fabulous diva but also down to earth too.

Luxetips: My kind of woman. Thanks Layla! I can't wait for the next Hautelanta Fashion Week!

Layla K: You are welcome!

Of course Spring 09 Hautelanta Fashion Week would not be complete without swimwear. So ladies, check out the fabulousness of Liquid Silk.

Sexy one piece!

Fabulous halter bikini

Another hot bikini!

A throwback to the Roaring 20s! I loove this swimsuit! My favorite! And Royal Blue! Swoon..

This swimsuit is so creative! I love the criss cross top!

And a glimpse of the back..gorgeous!

Toodles!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Hautelanta Fashion Week: More Haute Fashion!

Hello Divas!

It is almost the weekend. Yes! I hope you are enjoying the posts on Hautelanta Fashion Week. Atlanta definitely has a growing fashion industry. There are some awesome fashion designers here! Check out some more fashions from the shows:

Designer Essence showcased her wedding couture line. I love how she put a eclectic twist on the classic wedding gown.





At the Runway Atlanta Show, Purple was Haute for Spring 09.


Designer Maria Harper showcased Denim. Oh how I love her interpertation of an american staple.



Next up..an inteview with the creator and director of Hautelanta Fashion Week, Layla K.

Toodles!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Hautelanta Fashion Week: Vivian Compton Show

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is beautiful! I am loving this new weather..no humidity, cool, sunny, and breezy. Today I am going to feature the designs of Vivian Compton. Vivian Compton is a fierce fashion designer here in Atlanta. Her work is artsy, but comfortable, stylish, and sophisticated. I LOVE her clothes. Ms. Compton hails from Germany and has been designing since she was a teenager. She told me that she designs "for everyone, especially the woman who wants to be a trendsetter and has the need to be different." As a teenager Vivian said "she was always taking clothes and cutting them up or altering them so that she stood out." She is definitely a true artist and trendsetter. And she is very down to earth and gorgeous! Check out her photo.

Here are a few pics of some of the pieces in her Spring Collection that I ADORE!

This black halter jumpsuit is perfect for a nite out on the town!

I love this artisitc halter dress. The splash of turquoise with the black and gray is just gorgeous!

You can wear this classy but funky jumpsuit having lunch with friends or dress it up for an evening cocktail party! Plus the splash of color makes it so versatile.

These colorful metallic dresses were a hit! Vivian used a stretch knit fabric to create the designs. I was loving the way the dresses were reflecting the light!


I love this flowing dress. Once again, Vivian used the contrast of black and gray with turquoise. I can see myself in this dress lounging at a sea side resort!


You can find Vivian's designs at Naoma Nerette Boutique. It is located in the heart of East Atlanta at 1267 Glenwood Ave., SE. Visit Naomanerette.com for more details.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Hautelanta Fashion Week: Sexy Updos are in for Spring 09!

Hello Divas!

I hope your week is off to a great start! Keeping in step with New York Fashion Week, Sexy Updos were a hit at Hautelanta Fashion Week. Ladies get your bobby pins and hair clips ready because Spring 09 is the season for care free, loosely held, sexy updos! Marion Summers of de'Amar Salon & Spa was the lead stylists for several of the shows. He told me he wanted to create a "couture feel with a victorian vibe" when he put a twist on the classic updo. He used lots of curls when creating the pin ups. Also, Marion exclusively used all Aveda products. Specificially he used Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid for smoothness and shine and Aveda Hair Control Hair Spray to hold the updos in place. Marion said that "Couture is his inspiration!" Gotta love it! Check out these Haute styles.

1. Purple Rain. This hairstyle is just fabulous! It is so Prince circa 1984! I call it rock and roll glam! You can create this look by using a medium barrel curling iron creating tight curls. Then take bobby pins and pin up each side of your hair making sure to let the curls loosely fall in the front.


2. Updos with side parts and side ponytails. This look is so girly and carefree.


3. Updo with a pouffy bang. This look is so utterly chic. Classy with a twist.


I hope you are enjoying these posts. I have more to come from Hautelanta Fashion Week. Next up: the fashion!

Toodles!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Hautelanta Fashion Week: Makeup Trends!

Hello Divas!

I hope your weekend was fabulous! I had an extremely busy weekend. I attended Hautelanta Fashion Week, cared for a teething baby girl, and worked. Whew! But lets get back to beauty! Here are a few makeup trends that Atlantans believe are hot for spring 09!

1. Smokey eyes using vibrant colors. I was granted backstage access during Hautelanta Fashion Week and I was able to capture up close the beautiful make-up for the shows. The MAC lead make up artist, Nicole Corbette, stated that the Glamourous decade of the 80s was her inspiration in creating the looks for the Maria Harper and Essence shows. Specifically 80s meet Hollywood. How fabulous! She created this look with smokey eyes using browns, blues, grays, and purples with a cute peach or nude lip. Check out the photos.


2. Peach lips, cheeks, and soft smokey eyes. I loove this look! So fresh and pretty. This look definitely puts me in the mood for spring! This look was used in the Vivian Compton show!

I have LOTS more from Hautelanta Fashion Week! So stay tuned...

Toodles!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Fun Fridays!: Barack Obama is Haute Couture

Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday is awesome! Today is just gorgeous here in Atlanta. I love the transition to fall! Well last night was the opening night for Hautelanta Fashion Week. Here are a few tidbits:


1. Apparently Barack Obama is Haute Couture. I am so in love with this gorgeous Graffiti Art Barack Obama inspired gown. This gown is designed by Vivian Compton of Naoma Nerette. HOT!

2. The Travel Channel was there. Samantha Brown host of Passport to Great Weekends was filming a segment on Hautelanta Fashion Week for her show! I truly wanted to be a groupie and run up to her and hug her, but I reminded myself that I am here to work! Check her out on the red carpet. So cute!



3. Check out this photo of me before fashion week. I chose a natural look with a smokey purple eye. What do you think? Tonight I am going for a more dramatic look for the Ed Hardy Show! I really had to wing it getting dressed. The kids were not having it!




Stay tuned beautiful people for more posts on Hautelanta Fashion Week. Also remember to follow me on Twitter for real time inside info!

Toodles!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

HANAE MORI BUTTERFLY PARFUM

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is fantastic! I looove parfums! So I am always trying new scents. My current favorite scent is Hanae Mori Butterfly Parfum. This parfum is so classic and sensuous. It has warm notes of Vanilla, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Almond, and Praline. What a great combination for a scent! I ALWAYS get compliments when I wear this scent. Plus I love the fact that it lasts all day long. I rarely have to reapply it! And the bottle is just so pretty! A 1 oz. bottle of Hanae Moria Butterfly Parfum retails for $65.00 and you can purchase it at Sephora or Sephora.com.

Toodles!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hot Drugstore Find of The Week: Wet N' Wild's MegaSlicks Lip Gloss

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having a beautiful day! My hot drugstore find of the week is Wet n' Wild's MegaSlicks Lip Gloss. As you know I am a true fan of Wet n' Wild cosmetics. I have been using this brand since my teenage years. Wet n' Wild is super affordable and the cosmetics are a good quality. I really like their MegaSlicks lip gloss because it has the same consistency of MAC's lipglass and the colors pretty much match any skintone. Plus it contains Vitamins A and E, so my lips are soft and moisturized all day long. I always purchase the Megaslicks lip gloss in Sheerly Cocoa. It is a PERFECT match for my skintone and it also creates the perfect nude lip for me. This lip gloss retails for only..$2.50! Of course you can always buy Wet n' Wild products at CVS or you can purchase this fantastic lip gloss on line here.

Toodles!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Laura Geller Spackle Under Make-Up Primer

Hello Divas!

I have a new make up obsession..primer. Usually I do not wear foundation, except for very big events and for camera ready moments. But when I do, I like my foundation to look absolutely flawless. Recently, I was given the opportunity to try Laura Geller's primer and it is just fabulous! After I apply my moisturizer, I apply this primer everywhere I am applying makeup..on my eyelids, under eye area, etc. The primer glides onto my skin and after application my skin is as smooth as silk. Then I apply my foundation and other makeup and it glides on beautifully. Seriously, all lines, creases, and blemishes are magically gone! This primer allows me to have a totally smooth flawless face. I love it! In addition, my makeup lasts for hours when I use this primer! This primer retails for $20 and you can purchase it here or at Sephora.

Monday, September 15, 2008

OPI's Cafe Cuties

Hello Divas!

I hope your weekend was relaxing! Guess what I did over the weekend? Shopping for beauty products of course. I went to Ulta for the first time. Can you believe it??!! I am such a beauty junkie, but I am a loyalist at heart. So Sephora has always been the end all to be all for me. But I had to go to Ulta to get OPI's La Collection de France nail polish. Umm I really really like Ulta, but I will save my fascination with Ulta for another post. Right now, I have to tell you ladies about OPI's Cafe Cuties. Cafe Cuties is a collection of 3 nail colors plus OPI's top coat for only $9.95! Each bottle of nail polish contains 1/8 fluid ounces of polish..just enough to try each color a few times. The La Collection de France Cafe Cuties set includes:

Parlez-Vous OPI, a smokey lavender

Louvre Me Louvre Me Not, a royal purple

Eiffel for This Color, My absolute FAV!, a dark shimmery wine and

I blogged about these three colors previously here and I was so prepared to buy about 6 bottles from the Collection, but I could not resist purchasing this set. Plus the RapiDry Top Coat is fantastic! It dries your nails in seconds! So Divas if you want to try several colors from this Collection without spending $8.50 per bottle, purchase this set! I am confident that you will love them so much, you will certainly buy the full bottles! And oh I am wearing Parlez-Vous OPI. What do you think?

Toodles!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Fun Fridays: Atlanta Fashion Week and other tidbits

Hello Divas!

I am loving that today is Friday! As you know Fun Fridays is when I talk about fun and miscellaneous things! Accordingly, I am very thrilled to inform you ladies about Hautelanta Fashion Week. Yes, Atlanta has a fashion week! Hautelanta (love the name!) Fashion Week will take place September 18-21. Hautelanta Fashion Week will feature celebrity hair stylists, make-up artists, and established and emerging designers in the Atlanta area! This is the second year that this fashion extravaganza has been in existence. I have been invited to cover some of the shows and events. I am too excited to share the fabulousness of the Atl with you beautiful people! If you live in the Atlanta area and want to attend any of the shows, click here for more information.

Also, I was able to participate in Bionic Beauty's "What is Powerful Beauty" article series. Jami of Bionic Beauty interviewed several beauty bloggers and asked them to give their definition of Powerful Beauty. How empowering! Check out what I had to say here.

Toodles!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Fashion Trends: New York Fashion Week

Hello Divas:

I hope your day is positive and filled with happiness! Well New York Fashion Week is coming to a close and I had the pleasure of getting all the inside scoop from my beauty blogging friends via Twitter! These ladies worked very hard to bring us the latest news and they attended some pretty fabulous parties too! I love it! Earlier this week, I talked about makeup trends for Spring 09 here. Today I am going to focus on fashion trends. Check them out below:

1. Elke of The Model Eyebrow states that sheer beautiful dresses were a hit for Spring 09. Apparently Tracey Reese's collection created quite a buzz. Check out Elke's review here.

2. Coutortue reports the label Milly by Michelle Smith featured luxurious bohemian clothes. I love this line! The colors in the collection are bright and vibrant and the clothes are free flowing. I am in love with the dress to the right. Fabulous! Check out the photo gallery from this collection here at Coutortue.

Toodles!

Photo Courtesy of New York Magazine.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hot Drugstore Find of The Week: Revlon Mix & Mingle Lip Palette

Hello Divas!

How is your hump day going? I hope fantastic! My hot drugstore find of the week is Revlon's Mix & Mingle Lip Palette. This lip palette is the bomb! It contains 3 lip gloss shades. You can apply one of the shades or you can use one shade as a liner and another shade as a filler. You can also layer all three shades for a multi-dimensional look. The gloss is super creamy and it has a nice fragrance. I purchased the Hello Honey lip palette that contains a bronze, peach, and sheer pink color. I love this gloss because the palette is pretty to look at and it looks great on my skintone. Revlon has several other color combinations, so regardless of your skintone you will find a color that looks great on you! The Mix & Mingle lip palettes retail for $8.99 and you can purchase them here or at CVS!

Toodles!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Fall Must Haves: Booties, Oxfords, and Mary Janes

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is awesome! Today we have a guest writer, Chamele. Chamele is a shoe fanatic and has the most fabulous shoes! Below she is going to tell us why we must have a pair of Booties, Oxfords, or Mary Janes! Check it out.

I am excited about this year's trends in shoes because they are the epitome of high fashion! Designer's have married classic style with a hint of edge and yet still a touch of feminism. Further, the trends all resemble- "big-girl shoes." Let me explain what I mean by "big-girl shoes." "Big-girl shoes" are the shoes you see walk in a room before you have a chance to identify their owners. Big-girl shoes announce themselves and say, "Hey, I am the raw deal, and the chick standing here is nothing to mess with." Well, this year's trends say all of that and then some.

The Bootie


Okay, I must admit, I was a little skeptical about the bootie trend last fall; however, I found the chicest pair of Steve Madden black booties with a folded cuff. This year, I have been won-over and I am super psyched about the bootie trend. Designers have varied the shoe, appealing to women with a wide array of tastes. I have spied at least half a dozen pair for which I am jonesin'.

The Oxford

"Men inspired" shoe wear is another burgeoning trend. The oxford styles are classy, sassy, and oh-so-very C.C (that's me). I love, love, love classic footwear and have since the tender age of 3. Every year, my mother purchased, at my request, a pair of black and white saddle oxfords. My style matured and by ninth-grade I was sporting a very classy pair of black patent leather oxfords with a square toe, enhanced with a tassel. I received compliments on those shoes for four or five years; and so, I speak from experience when I say,” The oxford will be long-lived!"

The Maryjane


I love the style of the Roaring 20's and early 30's as much as I loved my saddle oxfords. It should come as no surprise then that there are at least four pair of Maryjanes in my closet. A good pair of Maryjanes can be worn with a flirty dress, or soften up an edgy suit. The Maryjane says, "Ultimate Femme Fatale."

If there are three types of shoes that you must have this fall, they are the Oxford, the Maryjane, and the Bootie; and if you can only get one shoe, get an oxford style bootie. It is versatile and can be worn with anything!

Fashion Week: Spring 09 Makeup Trends

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is fabulous! As you know Fashion Week officially kicked off this weekend and I have been following my fellow beauty bloggers on Twitter and Inside The Tents to get the inside scoop! Of course, makeup is a hot topic and here are a few trends for Spring 09 that I just love!

1. Totally nude makeup. Erin of Scandalous Beauty reported that the not made-up look is hot for 09. The models in the BCBG Spring 09 show rocked this look. Thanks Erin!

2. Black eyes and pale lips. Elke of The Model Eyebrow reports that black eyes and pales lips with no blush is a makeup trend for Spring 09. I would modify this with a gray smokey eye and nude lip.

3. Pretty Peach. Apparently, peach eyes, lips, and cheeks are in for Spring 09. Mischo of Mischo Beauty reports that peach makeup was the theme at the Tracey Reese show. I LOVE peach. It just works on my skintone. But I think peach looks good on everybody. It is warm, fresh, and feminine. Visit MischoBeauty.com for pics!

Toodles!

Photo Courtesy of New York Magazine

Friday, September 5, 2008

Fun Fridays! New York Fashion Week!


Hello Divas!

I hope your Friday is so much fun! It is sunny with a nice breeze here in Atlanta. A great break from the humidity! Well today Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week officially kicked off in Bryant Park. Whoohoo! Unfortunatley, I will not be there, but a few of my blogging friends are attending and will provide us with daily pictures, videos, and interviews from fashion week. What I love most is that we will get the "real deal" of what happens in the tents. How cool is that? I will be checking the site, Inside The Tents , every hour for real time fashion week information. Inside The Tents is a website that will provide fashion week coverage from independent bloggers. Click on the Inside The Tents icon to find out more information and to get your daily Fashion Week fix! I know I will!

Toodles!