2015 Fragrance Foundation Awards: the finalists

June 18, 2015

On Wednesday, June 17 at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, New York the hottest new scents to launch in 2014 were honored tonight at the annual Fragrance Foundation Awards in New York and here are the finalists for this year's awards:

In the category of women's Luxury
Dolce Eau de Parfum by Dolce & Gabbana
Velvet Orchid by Tom Ford
Bonbon by Viktor & Rolf
Rosa Nobile by Acqua de Parma
Knot by Bottega Veneta

In the category of men's Luxury
Mandarino di Amalfi by Tom Ford
Oud by John Varvatos
Colonia Leather by Aqua di Parma
At the Barber's by Maison Martin Margiela
Brioni by Brioni

In the category of women's Prestige
Blooming Bouquet by Dior Miss Dior
Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone
Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs
Parfums Narciso by Narciso Rodriguez
Sì by Giorgio Armani

In the category of men's Prestige
Essence by Drakkar
Eau for Men by Dior Homme
Gentleman Only Intense by Givenchy
Michael Kors for Men
Invictus by Paco Rabanne

In the category of women's and Men's Popular
Eau de Toilette by Valor
Luck for Him by Avon
Modern Woman by Banana Republic
Incredible Things by Taylor Swift (Elizabeth Arden)
A Thousand Wishes by Bath & Body Works
Modern Man by Banana Republic
Scandalous by Victoria's Secret

Text Miles Socho

"The Poor Girl's Guide to the Aesthetic of Summer"

June 9, 2015

Nothing is more influential in fashion than what you see on social media. One of the biggest websites that brings new flavor into fashion every season is Tumblr. Since the blogging site became popular, girls have strove to dress like a "Tumblr girl," a feat that can seem impossible unless you can afford the crop tops and flower crowns from Urban Outfitters.

The overly-sought "Tumblr girl" image has grown into a trend that street style and stores alike are picking up and marketing in the form of of breezy fabrics and pattern. Draped cardigans or jackets over tight crop tops, loose-fitting dungarees striped with tribal marks and florals, and the revival of the Birkenstock as an item of fashion rather than a shoe that your grandma wears.

The growing popularity of midi skirts, jumpsuits, Birkenstock-style sandals and 70's-style bell-bottoms is creating a brand new style that fashionistas from every class and color are eating up like summer sorbet. But, as mentioned before, there is always one obstacle that many cannot pass: cost. The popular clothing brands that sell the most sought-after of drool-worthy fashion pieces are also the most expensive. But why should that inhibit your dreams of dressing to a T?

Text Sam Ohare

Summer Beauty Trend: Minimalism

June 9, 2015

It’s no secret that this year in fashion has been chalk-full of ornamentation; however, there was one trend that went against the norm and I’m happy to say it popped up just in time for summer. This trend is the minimalist make-up look. The runways were filled with models sporting very mild tans, glowing complexions, and practically no make-up… or so it seems. Granted, it may take some time to master the finesse that is required to pull-off the no make-up look (ironic, I know), but when you do, it will save you time, money, and the fear of getting raccoon eyes on those sweltering summer afternoons. So slap on that sunscreen, sprinkle on some foundation, maybe throw on a hat while you’re at it and get ready for a summer full of (practically) make-up free bliss.

Text Mackenzie Stone Images Vogue.com

The 9 Bags All the It girls carrying

May 28, 2015

As much as Chanel is admired by many, let's admit it it gets a bit tiring to see the same bag in different colors over and over again. There always comes the time when you see a street style photo of that "I want" bag. Fashionista in us begins to browse the net, call our sales rep in search of the bag, ready to carelessly spend 2,500 grand. Well, we gathered 9 bags for you here that all the It girls are carrying today. Click the image to SHOP your favorite bag.

Text Maria DeSilva

Customize any product in your beauty regimen with Cover FX!

May 26, 2015

Pure pigments are concentrated doses of color, add those to your makeup routine and you have options. Whether you’re using MAC Pigments, or Cover FX’s Custom Cover Drops pigment makeup is multi-functional and a must-have for anyone’s makeup bag. Cover FX offers something different though, these drops of pure pigment can be mixed with moisturizer, primer, even foundation to create the perfect match to your skin. Every drop provides more coverage, until you can use this pigmented color as full-coverage foundation.

Here’s the even better news: this makeup doesn’t contain Parabens. It doesn’t contain Sulfates, Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances, and it doesn’t contain GMOs. In fact, Cover FX claims that they formulate this pigment with non-comedogenic products, meaning their products are formulated so that you don’t break out; specifically, they do not strip your skin of it’s natural moisture by breaking down your skin’s natural oils in order to work it’s magic.

Cover FX’s Flash Fusion Technology is what turns your favorite skin care product into your new favorite makeup. The best part about these pigments are that you can mix them to make a color that matches you, meaning that if the 25 colors Cover FX offers don’t match you perfectly, adding them into moisturizer or your powder foundation can make this pigment suit you perfectly. Cover FX’s website also offers a Shade Finder, meaning that if you do not have a Cover FX makeup bar near you there are still options for finding your match.

This pigment is the real deal. You can mix it with anything liquid, it doesn’t contain parabens or GMOs, and it will give you the coverage you want with just an extra drop. This makeup is groundbreaking, and worth the trip to the makeup counter for.

Text by Katrina Elizabeth Duran

Stella & Dot Family Brand on Top of Its Game with Latest Additions

May 20, 2015

Remember Stella & Dot? That cute little multi-million dollar jewelry company that epitomizes female entrepreneurial power? After about 8 years of success, they decided to spread their wings and open a charm bracelet company in the September of 2014 and, more recently, a line called Ever Skincare in the February of 2015. While the charm bracelets appeal to the younger demographic with a lower price point and a more playful take on design, the skincare line boasts top of the line, all natural products geared towards the original Stella & Dot woman. The successful brand family remained consistent with their business approach too: all of their lines offer customers the chance to be brand ambassadors. Proof that this incredibly successful San Francisco Company embodies girl power from start to finish.

The original power house came out with its summer line most recently. 8 years into the game, they’ve added bags, scarfs, and (most recently) tunics to their product list.

The middle child of the brand family offers everything from time pieces to Greek letters in their constantly growing collection of charms.

The latest and greatest in the Stella & Dot brand family promises a product that is “free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances and colors, chemical sunscreens, and hydroquinone.” In other words, its products exclude all the artificial stuff found in most off-the-shelf brands to save your pores some serious damage.

Text by Mackenzie Stone
Photos and Information provided by www.stelladotfamily.com

Clean up your Makeup bag, H&M launching a new Beauty line

May 12, 2015

When at H&M you probably see a few of the cosmetic items in the Accessories section. Well, H&M is launching a new beauty line to replace the old one. The line is planning to release in Fall 2015 and will be named simply H&M Beauty. The line will feature makeup, hair and body products, with H&M’s philosophy behind it “value-for-money products in a specially produced design". The line will be available online and in 40 different markets. Mark those calendars!

Text SHOPGIRLSF

Luigi Scialanga for Giambattista Valli S/S 2015 Jewelry

May 11, 2015

“I love this eclectic approach to jewelry; combining unexpected materials together,” “It’s the kind of spirit one finds in Rome, where Fascist architecture rubs shoulders with Renaissance palaces. Mixing the historic and the contemporary has always been a part of my style and also reflects the way I collect art and decorate my home,”

— Giambattista Valli