5 Street Chic Ways to Style a Scarf For Winter

Wednesday, January 27, 2021



I get it, it's pretty hard to look chic in winter. With a typical winter wardrobe consisting of bulky coats, heavy knits and layering up like a crepe cake, warmth often times trumps style. We may feel cozy with our coats buttoned and zipped to the tippy top but end up feeling more like fluffy marshmallows with legs. Thankfully, winter accessories, especially scarves, help jazz up our weighty outerwear with a punch of color and style. As one of my favorite year-round accessories, here are five street chic approaches to styling a scarf this winter.  


COLOR PLAY WITH SILK
Vibrant Tones
Perhaps my favorite type of scarf to wear, boldly colored silk scarves in eye-catching patterns offer an elegant and chic accent to a multitude of looks. Color is often reserved for warmer months and is shied away from during the winter season. Breaking the mold and opting for a poppy silk scarf not only helps break up a muted winter ensemble or outerwear, but provides an elegant element to bulkier styles. Silk provides warmth without weight and looks lovely wrapped classically around the neck. 



Tonal Print 
If you enjoy the fabric and feel of silk but are not yet ready to jump into full color, try reaching for a silk scarf with a print in complimentary tones to your wardrobe or coat. Slinging the scarf around your neck without traditionally wrapping around allows the colors and print to peek through from under the coat and offers a chic accent without creating too much of a competing contrast. I like to diagonally fold in half with the pointed triangle falling towards back and the tapered tails fall in the front which creates a more elongated look. 




BELTING CLASSICS  
Classic Wool Styles 
Perhaps the most common style in our winter wardrobes, rectangular wool scarves are a standard warm accessory that doesn't require much effort. Elevating this seasonal classic with a belt gives a more polished appearance. Whether your belting your favorite wool scarf over a knit dress or coat, this style draws the eye to the waist and creates a flattering shape and dimension to your overall look. Opting for a belt with a fancy buckle in a sturdy metal (brass/silver) further upgrades this simple styling tip. 



Faux Fur Accents
While fur garments and accessories look and feel luxurious, many brands are designing beautiful faux alternatives which are both ethical and modestly priced. A great way to dip your toes in this faux trend is by trying a stole or scarf with your choice of outerwear. Due to their voluminous quality and stiffer design, tucking a faux fur scarf under the tie sash of your coat or favorite belt helps keep this chic accessory in place while giving a slimming look.  



FRESH TAKE 
The extravagant quality of cashmere makes it the reigning champion of cold weather garments and stylish extras. A beautifully soft and lasting fabric, cashmere shawls and scarves make excellent wardrobe staples. These versatile pieces can be effortlessly worn but experimenting with fresh wrapping and tying techniques can offer a new perspective to this classic style. Whether it be a half or full large bow design, tying your cashmere favorite in an eye-catching fashion can offer a whimsical feature to your winter look without sacrificing warmth.  






How to Get The Look 
Classic Wrap 
Begin with a square silk scarf. Take one corner and bring to the opposite corner, folding into a symmetrical diagonal triangle. Holding the two corners on the folded edge, bring the scarf up to the neck. Tie the scarf once at the back, comfortably securing at the neck - the scarf should appear with the pointed portion of the triangle in the front . Once tied, bring the two tails to the the front and knot twice in the front to match the point. 

To achieve a more voluminous wrap, follow the steps above but instead of working with the triangle we will create a neat pointless shape. Simply fold the point inwards towards the end, creating a lengthy rectangular scarf with pointed tails. Follow above and knot off-center in the front for a chic look. 

Large Bow 
Gather large scarf or shawl evenly at the middle and hang around neck. Neatly tie once in front and continue into clean bow. Adjust tie and tails to symmetrically sit at the neckline of the coat and make sure the tie is secure. To finish, fluff the bow's curves to accentuate the design. 


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How to Remedy Maskne

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Face Mask: Bloomingdale's



With most of us hidden behind protective face masks for extended hours daily, our skin is understandably beginning to behave differently. While protective and effective, face masks are introducing a new environment to skin which is causing dreaded blemishes and acne (maskne). My inbox proved that I was not alone in this new struggle, as many readers are sending in emails seeking solutions to this new skin woe.

UNDERSTANDING MASKNE
Upon examining my own skin and maskne, I realized it was occurring in the same places and is caused by three important factors - friction, pressure and heat. My breakouts were targeted to my chin/mouth area due to the heat, below my jaw and upper cheekbone area due to the friction by the mask straps and finally, the bridge of my nose because of the pressure caused by the firm nose wire.


ACTIVE MASKNE
In my quest to remedy my active maskne, I've found products featuring acid exfoliants to be greatly effective. A chemical acid exfoliant like salicylic acid, a very commonly used beta-hydroxy acid, helps regulate skin and rids excess oil from pores all while featuring anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, opting for skincare products with such exfoliants helps skin in a wealth of ways including the removal of dead skin cells, hydration and pigmentation correction. 

To help heal my sometimes painful maskne, I turned to Caudalie's Vinopure range which is formulated with a balanced cocktail of natural salicylic acid, antioxidants and essential oils. Using their Vinopure Purifying Toner in tantum with the Vinopure Skin Perfecting Serum has not only aided in expelling acne-causing impurities sitting in my pores caused by the heat and steam from the mask but has improved the overall condition of my skin. 

For those pesky maskne blemishes, I love using a targeted treatment, like Clarins Clear-Out, which works wonders overnight. This direct solution gel is applied right on the breakout, calming it and infusing the inflamed bump with a healing concoction formulated with salicylic acid, meadowsweet and purslane extracts. Best of all, the nozzle tip design creates a mess-free application and the formula dries down clear. 

Finally, to minimize the maskne caused by friction, I've picked up the dermatologist-favorite MedZone Face Balm. Mimicking the same protective qualities of the friction-balm I use for high heel use, applying this on my high-friction areas (jaw and upper cheekbone), has created a protective barrier that has provided comfort and prevented new breakouts. 


MAINTENANCE 
Overall, face mask use is looking like a  long-term reality and seeking a lasting solution is a must. I've found that adding a skin care product rooted in balancing skin to my current maskne healing routine has proved to be beneficial. Kiehl's Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate has helped keep the redness at bay and greatly helps rebalance my congested and angry skin when maskne or other uncomfortable factors occur. This weightless oil assists in strengthening the skin's barrier which helps hold its moisture and fight active breakouts. The purifying properties of oregano oil coupled with the calming agents of the cannabis sativa seed oil make this concentrate an excellent long-term remedy to maintaining healthy skin. 



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Enticing Autumn/Winter Fragrances You'll Want to Wear All Season Long

Monday, November 30, 2020



It's always exciting to switch up my scent with the turn of the new season. As soon as fall arrives, I look forward to shelving my light and bright fragrances of summer and reach for deeper, more complex scents. This year's autumn/winter launches certainly didn't disappoint, as some of my favorite luxe brands delivered some incredibly intoxicating perfumes I will reach for the remainder of the year. From punched up florals to beautifully blended spice notes and beyond, here are the top fragrance launches you'll want to wear well into 2021.

Sophisticated Classics 
A scent for women, created by women, Idôle is a sophisticated and polished scent that earns a revisit time and time again. A timeless blend created by three expert female perfumers, Idôle is a symphony of notes including bright citrus elegant florals and a pop of fresh spice. This refined yet modern scent is one I've been reaching for quite often and its inviting aroma is soon to become a fast favorite on your fragrance shelf as well. 

A beautiful story told through an arrangement of elegant notes, Ilsa's Infinite No 1 is truly a love letter to women. The inspiration behind this fragrance and this wonderful brand emphasizes the courage, strength and bold determination of all women. Founder Ilsa Manning was motivated to start this brand after the birth of her daughter and this special blend serves as a lovely reminder to all those women working towards achieving their dreams. With a fresh floral opening which mellows into an alluring warm amber scent, Infinite No 1 is the perfect final touch that'll boost your confidence before stepping out your front door. Best of all, Ilsa's brand focuses on quality over quantity, concentrating on creating small batches to assure every element of this scent is expertly formulated. 




Sweet & Sexy 
Leave it to Tom Ford to take a usually sweet peach note and elevate it to a more developed and sexy scent. Bitter Peach blends classically warm patchouli and davano oil with fresh Sicilian blood orange and pêche de vigne which creates a graduated, full-bodied fragrance that presents sweet and melts into more deep, delicate spice. 
 

Floral Fusion 
As a long time fan of Armani fragrances (Si Passione, Acqua di Gioia are SO yummy), I was so excited to try their latest launch, My Way. This beautiful poppy and classic floral scent is one that features lovely sparkling notes like bergamont, Egyptian orange blossom, Indian tuberose and builds with Madagascar vanilla and soft white musk. Like an international journey bottled to perfection, this exquisite fragrance is not to be missed. 


Date Night Pick 
Fancy fragrances with unique ingredients are usually reserved for date nights. These special scents consist of a polished collection of aromatic notes that blend beautifully when combined. Gucci Mémoire d'une Odeur, the fashion house's newest perfume offering wonderfully fits the bill. This intricate yet light fragrance is a fusion of warm and musky notes (sandalwood, cedarwood) with rich botanical scents (Indian coral jasmine, Roman chamomile), which makes for an airy and elegant fragrance that wears beautifully and yields many compliments. 

Ultra Luxe 
For a truly luxurious scent experience, look no further than Bond No. 9. This iconic brand's meticulously blended fragrances are always a feast for  your senses and My New York is no exception. This aromatic scent expertly blends an array of spicy and elegant floral notes like ginger, pink pepper, rose and sandalwood which becomes a unisex creation that is as lively and striking as the city it's named after.


Holiday Must-Have

There are a handful of familiar scents which mark the holidays, some of which include pine, cedar, balsam and aromatic spices. Warm and inviting fragrances are usually abundant during the wintery holiday season but Jo Malone offers a modern and merry take on holiday fragrance with their Green Almond & Red Currant blend. The hero notes in this fragrance offer an interesting interpretation of the freshness and warmth seen during this festive season. Green almond presents a sharp earthiness, whereas the subtly sweet red currant and cedar extends a familiar coziness in this unique perfume. A few spritz of this delectable scent will make you feel merry and bright with every use. 


Images courtesy of brands


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Nails Inc. Freshly Juiced Duo Review

Wednesday, August 12, 2020


Nails Inc. Freshly Juiced Duo
Polish - Not From Concentrate

If you've browsed social media or skimmed beauty news lately you may have noticed Nails Inc. really knocking it out of the park with their recent nail varnish releases. From daring neons to cool tone-altering polishes, and crystal-inspired sets, Nails Inc. is really injecting a major dose of excitement and fun into traditional polish usage. With summer in full swing, I'm certainly in the market for some punchy, poppy hues and was instantly drawn to the Freshly Juiced Duo, one of the brand's newest polish launches.



These yummy Vitamin C-infused, fruit-inspired polishes are beautifully pigmented and offer a rich wash of streak-free color with two easy coats. With such intense shades, I find a few layers are needed to achieve the color present in the bottle. Luckily, that wasn't the case with both of these polishes, While the colors alone are enough of an attraction, these warm weather shades are scented with the exact yummy fruits by which they were inspired.




NOT FROM CONCENTRATE 
This beautiful shade is a true orange tone which doesn't fade or turn yellow with extended wear. Additionally, it features the same impressive lasting quality of standard Nails Inc. polishes and doesn't chip or crack along the tips of the nails. The scent of this was more a creamsicle orange rather than a punchy orange and wafted up as I was painting my nails. A welcomed change from the familiar chemical smell I'm used to, this subtle fruity scent lasted well after a layer of top coat and several hand washes. 



LOOKING SUPER JUICY
This sweet poppy pink polish indeed reminded me of the summery fruit after which it was created However, the scent of this polish was nothing like the watermelons I imaged. Unlike the sister shade in this set, the fruity scent was not as present or pleasant. It smelled of classic nail polish with a hint of something else. While the color was beautifully pigmented and displayed the same successful wear as the orange shade, the scent was certainly lacking. 

With such a lovely wear and beautiful color payoff, I'd repurchase this set once I run out. As a major fan of both these shades, I predict I'll be getting lots of wear out of them this summer season. 



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