A Holiday Classic

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Sunnies: Ralph Lauren | Jacket: H&M (old) | Pearls: Bloomingdales
Top: Zara (old) | Dress: Vince Camuto


Nothing spells holiday quite like a little splash of red. A beautiful color that'll always be synonymous with the cheerful qualities of the holiday season, red is a color I tend to gravitate towards during this time of year. 

Whether it be a swipe of lipstick or a rich red manicure, incorporating this flattering shade into your style routine during the winter season offers a lovely pop of color without looking seasonally inappropriate. 

While I'm still on the hunt to find the perfect LRD (little red dress), pairing this fun tone with my favorite lady-like ensembles will do until then. 

Here's a look I wore earlier this week. And although I was traveling by car, stepping out bare-legged on a NYC winter day was not a wise move--I've been sick since. I know, the things we do for fashion. 





What did you wear this holiday weekend?



A Note To My Dear Readers..

Thursday, December 18, 2014







Ask & Tell Beauty has always been a sweet place for me to share my latest beauty findings and pretty pieces that have caught my eye as of late. While I love bringing the best to you all, I've been lacking with updates. Sadly, life got in the way and pulled my attention to more pressing matters (professionally and personally).

I'd just like to express my greatest apologies for not posting much in recent months. 
Thankfully, I've written up some fun posts on reviews, a little style stuff and exciting projects I've been working on. 

So thrilled to be back with regular programming and as usual would love to hear your thoughts. 
Stay tuned.. 



If you're a social butterfly (as I know you all are!) 
Keep up with with me on beauty, dating horrors and all that good stuff on twitter:

OR 

If you just love photos and want a little beauty or style inspo, head over to instagram: 


Also, with holiday season in full swing, you might have a beauty question or two, email me, I'd love to hear from you.
Love you beauties! 



Image via Instagram

NYFW Wes Gordon SS 2015 - Nails

Friday, September 5, 2014

New York Fashion Week is back and bolder than ever. However, just our luck, summer finally made its humid and sticky comeback this week with high temperatures and lots of (HOT!) sunshine. While this spells trouble for attendees, a little harsh weather has never been a reason to slow down style.

As usual, things are heating up backstage at the shows (I'm not just talking hot hair tools!) and the pro's are delivering some major looks. As one who loves all things nails, it's no surprise that I start my NYFW coverage with a nail post. 


New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014
Designer: Wes Gordan
Manicurist: Rita Remark
Brand: Essie


Drawing inspiration from the muted tones of Gordon's SS 2015 collection, Rita created a look that was both elegant and and unexpected. Designing a delicate lined pattern on the nails emphasized the feeling of the collection and appeared as if linen was resting against the skin. 

Offering a creative twist on a classic, sophisticated manicure, Rita's designer manicure reworked a staple look in the best way. Here's how you an recreate this manicure yourself: 

PREP: Like all great manicures, a proper foundation is needed. Neatly coat a single layer of Ridge Filling Base Coat to clean, shaped, polish-free nails. 

COLOR: Once dried, dress nails in a single coat of Cocktails and Coconuts, following with a layer of Imported Bubbly atop the previous color. Layering this slightly iridescent and sheer gives nails an almost dewy skin-like finish. 

DESIGN: As the foundation color dries, it's time to start on the linen design. With a striping brush, dip into Essie's Blanc (the brand's whitest shade) and whip away the excess. Draw the lined pattern by pulling the brush from the cuticle to the tip in one motion, continuing with two more lines. Each should be evenly spaced and look tapper away at the tips. You will use the same method with the lines across the nail, neatly moving to either walls of the nail. 

FINISH: To diffuse some of the stark whiteness of the shade, Rita suggests layering a coat of Allure on top of the design. Finish the look with a luxurious top coat (Good To Go Top Coat) which will leave nails looking glossy and luxe. 



PEDICURE: To keep the look uniform, Rita picked an neutral shade that works well with a multitude of skin tones and features just enough of a creamy base tone (Sand Tropez). 




Images: Courtesy of Essie

Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen Beauty Looks

Friday, June 13, 2014

If you're a 90's girl, you pretty much grew up with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Growing up in those golden years, my friends and I idolized these two blondes, loving everything from their perfectly tousled waves to overly glossed lips. We all rushed to each other’s homes to watch their latest straight-to-video movies and never missed a single episode of their shows. It’s safe to say that the Olsen sister’s were a major source of beauty and style inspiration.

  

Looking back now, the looks we once loved are clearly very dated. However, as the girls (and their devoted fans!) matured, their beauty routine appropriately followed. As an adult, I find myself looking to this stylish duo for beauty inspiration once again. Their signature wide, bright eyes are often smoked with earthy brown shades with copper and gold under tones. As a major fan of brown and neutral shadows, it is no surprise that their effortless and “undone” smoky looks draw me in time and time again.

In honor of their 28th birthday, I thought it was only appropriate to round up some of my favorite brown and taupe-y eye shadows that very Olsen-worthy.



Charlotte Tilbury – The Dolce Vita Palette
The Queen of the undone and simple smoky eye, celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury has finally launched her dreamy cosmetic collection in the US. While she amazingly knocked it out of the park across the board, it is her Dolce Vita Palette that is truly extraordinary. Featuring four shades, this universal palette is ultra-flattering and mistake proof. The colors offered in this palette can take eyes from dull to mesmeric. Much like those worn by the Olsen’s, the Dolce Vita palette can help you create a seductive layered or a dimensional smoked and smudged look.


NARS Eye Shadow – California & Fez
If you’re more a simple shadow girl, I’ll have to suggest reaching for a NARS shadows. Consisting of softly blended formulas, NARS expertly created a smooth shadow that glides onto lids. California features more coppery under tones whereas Fez is a soft brown with a subtle gold iridescence blended throughout. Both of these colors look lovely on the lid and blended along the lower lash line. For a more dramatic look, apply a chocolate liner along the waterline and smudge along the upper lash line.


Tom Ford – Golden Minx

This luxurious palette is must-have for any brown shadow lover. Featuring lovely neutral shades in matte, satin and shimmered finishes, this quad has got something for every smoky eye enthusiast. A favorite on the Tom Ford runway, this collection of shades also happens to be the perfect shades you need to create that layered Olsen eye look. Best of all, these creamy shades can easily be layered without looking excessive. 




Images: WWD, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Neiman Marcus

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