SPRING FORECAST
Okay, okay, it's hardly feeling like spring outside but this is the time of year when I usually get fed up with wearing fleece leggings and big bulky sweaters and start thinking about spring - pretty dresses, strappy sandals and cute tops.
With "weather denial" on my brain, I stopped by Forever 21 to shop their latest collection. I immediately gravitated towards this ivory mini dress with ruffled armholes. I would have gone for the typical black but sometimes, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zones and try something new. Since it's not exactly spring yet, I wore my dress with textured tights, an emerald suede jacket and my Isabel Marant booties. Once spring rolls around this dress will feel brand new again when I ditch the tights and the jacket.
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
FOREVER 21, ruffled mini dress (exact)
OBEY, suede emerald green moto jacket
ISABEL MARANT, buckled suede ankle boots(similar here)
THE KOOPLES, fringe leather bag (similar here)
JENNY BIRD, necklace and ring
MICHAEL KORS, sunglasses
Winter Layers
Sometimes I think it's hard to look chic when it's so damn cold out. My solution, layers and a big cozy scarf. Luckily there wasn't much snow on the ground when we shot this so I was able to wear my favourite 3.1 Phillip Lim kitten heels. I also took my Helmut Lang bag out of storage for this post. I haven't worn it in some time but I still love it.
Hope you guys are keeping warm and cozy because damn, we still have a few more months of winter left and I'm so over it!
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
ARITZIA, Wilfred black cocoon coat
THE KOOPLES, leopard print scarf
FRANK & EILEEN, Barry shirt around waist (similar here)
RAG & BONE, jeans
3.1 PHILLIP LIM ANKLE BOOTS, kitten heeled ankle boots
TOMS, Bellevue sunglasses
JENNY BIRD, Lezark earrings
HELMUT LANG, nappa leather satchel (circa 2013)
COLOUR POP, matte liquid lipstick in Avenue
10 MINUTE MAKEUP
So here’s the deal, sometimes I’d rather spend an extra 30 mins in bed catching up on my beauty sleep than actually working on my beauty (aka. makeup). When I’m short for time, I take a 2 min shower, put my face in 10 mins, tousle my hair, set it with hair spray and run out the door.
The look I'm suggesting here might sound like a lot of makeup, but I find this is the best combo to help me feel and look pulled together. I could skim it back even more but I find doing so means my makeup fades by day or that I don't feel like myself. Hey - I'm just a full face of makeup kind of girl!
You'll see that I use a lot of light colours to brighten my complexion but also because they’re more forgiving and require less blending time. I should also mention that practice makes perfect with speedy makeup and if you don't get this look down in 10 minutes the first time, keep trying and modify it to suit your needs.
Xo, Nathalie
1. MOISTURIZE
I like using a fast absorbing moisturizer in the morning because I don’t have time to wait for it to soak into my skin. Consonant Skincare makes my all time favourite one - it’s natural and organic and absorbs in no time!
2. PRIME
Nivea’s Post Shave Balm for men (sensitive skin formula) is the new holy grail of primers. I slather it all over my face, eye lids and neck, even if I’m short on time because it helps my makeup last. Otherwise, what’s the point in even wearing makeup if it’s just going to fade? (Don't worry, that manly scent will fade so you don't have to smell like a like a dude's armpit all day.)
3. COVER, CONCEAL & SET
If I'm in a rush I ditch the Beauty Blender and reach for a foundation or BB cream that I can apply with my fingers. If I want more coverage I go for the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water. For sheer coverage I like Kiehl's Skin Tone Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream with SPF. Both are excellent. For my severely dark under eyes, I always use Becca’s Under Eye Brightening Corrector. The light reflecting salmon shade erases the blue under my eye and preps the skin for concealer. Then I use Kat Von D’s Lock-It Concealer, which has excellent coverage and looks natural. Again, I just pat it in with my fingers. Finally to set my face, I lightly dust the best powder I've ever used, Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder, with a large fluffy brush.
4. EYES
I like using light pinks and sheer purple shadows to help brighten up my tired face and have been loving Pixi's Mineral Palette in Amethyst Aura. I have olive skin and I never thought I could wear cool shades, but I tried it after watching a tutorial from Jaclyn Hill. It totally brightens the complexion so give it a try! For eyeliner, I use a waterproof black pencil, which is easier to apply and more forgiving than reaching for liquid liner if you make a mistake - Lancôme and Marc Jocobs make excellent highly pigmented, smudge proof liners. After, I curl my lashes and add a coat of mascara. Finally for brows, I love the NYX pencil in Chocolate for speedy arches.
5. CHEEKS & LIPS
Here I skip the contour and add a light dusting of bronzer on the hallows of the cheeks and forehead for warmth. On my cheeks I like a pop of pink blush for some colour. Finally lips - a cocoa pink lipstick like KVD's Double Dare will pull the look together for that fresh-face glow. And that's it! Now you're ready to conquer the day!
THE MONOGRAMMED BLANKET SCARF
When you receive a surprise parcel from one of your favourite brands containing a monogrammed scarf, you freak out a little bit! I bought this scarf in black waaaaaay back when they first came out, and wore it a non-stop for the first couple of years but now I don't really wear it anymore. But hello (!!!), how stunning is this emerald colour with my initials on it? I don't really see people wearing this colour so I'm totally embracing!
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
ARITZIA, Wilfred Diamond Mosaic Blanket Scarf (mine is grey/ evergreen)
RAG & BONE, zippered distressed jeans
THE KOOPLES, moto leather jacket, leather gloves and bracelet
GIVENCHY, small black Pandora bag
ALEXANDER WANG, black ankle boots (circa 2013)
MICHAEL KORS, silver mirrored sunglasses
JENNY BIRD, slant ear cuff
KAT VON D, Studded Kiss Lipstick in Chula and Shade & Light Blush in Samson + Delilah
PHOTOGRAPHED BY: Michael Biro
DISCLAIMER: My custom scarf was a gift from Aritzia and their PR company. I'm not sure they offer monogramming but I'm sure you can always take your scarf to a professional to have it done.
The Uniform
Honestly, there is something about winter that makes me want to wear pj's all day, everyday and not want to give a f**k. But I can't and I won't because being well dressed is a form of good manners after all and how you present yourself counts for a lot. I plan on doing the ultimate lazy girl's guide on getting dress but for now, let's just have a look at my uniform. My go-to pieces when I'm lazy or in a rush are always the same - a pair of skinny jeans, awesome shoes and a t-shirt topped with a leather jacket. Depending on my mood, I can dress it up with heels and a clutch or an ankle boot and a beanie like in this post here.
I kind of settled on my uniform by accident when I started subconsciously reaching for the same pieces over and over again. It's a matter of finding what items make you feel good and compliment your personal style. I love skinny jeans because the elongate my short legs. Also my leather jacket collection is something I'm happiest about in my wardrobe and I wear them with everything, jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, gowns. You name it and I'll top it off with a little moto jacket (LMJ!). That's just my personal style and my comfort zone.
If you don't have a uniform already, I urge you to take the time to find the items that compliment your body shape and personality and make you feel good,. You'll be happy you did, especially on the days you don't know what to wear.
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
MACKAGE, Mary A leather jacket (similar)
RAG AND BONE, zippered jeans (exact)
ARITZIA, burgundy beanie (similar)
THE KOOPLES, t-shirt
ALEXANDER WANG, ankle boots and oxblood Rockie (circa 2013)
ARMANI, sunglasses (similar here and here)
KAT VON D, Chula lipstick & Tijuana nail polish (in collab with Formula X)
JENNY BIRD, snake ring (similar-ish here)
PHOTOGRAPHED BY: Michael Biro
Seeing Red
Going with the colour theme of my last beauty post, I felt inspired to add a splash of colour to my outfit and went with these brick red Jbrands. I've had them for a while and the wax coating came off ages ago but I still love them. Is there a colour you guys can't get enough of these days? Clearly I've been seeing red. ;)
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
MICHAEL KORS, sunglasses
THE KOOPLES, blazer with leather lapel and chain
ARITZIA, graphic muscle tee (worn backwards)
GIVENCHY, Favelas 74 pouch (borrowed from Global Garçon)
JBRAND, brick red skinny jeans
ALEXANDER WANG, ankle boots
KAT VON D, Chula lipstick & Tijuana nail polish (in collab with Formula X)
COLOUR CRUSH: BURNT SIENNA, CRANBERRY & NUDE
Maybe it's the new year or maybe it's my daily YouTube watching, but I am obsessed with bold makeup right now. I'm particularly into burnt sienna lips, cranberry eyes and grenadine blush. I have olive skin and it's sometimes challenging for me to find colours that work well, but these shades are super flattering. The finished look will warm up pale winter skin and make you feel more alive and glowy. Keep reading for some colour inspo!
xo, Nathalie
KAT VON D, METAL CRUSH EYESHADOW IN RAW POWER
I love this metallic cranberry eyeshadow so much that I'm convinced everyone needs it! The colour pay off is excellent when applied with a brush but if you really want to amp up the colour, pat it on your eyelids with your finger. To make this colour daytime friendly, I pair it with a taupe shadow, NYX Underneath It All, on the crease and finish the look by adding a touch of NYX Liquid Gold to the center of my eyelid. To brighten the look, I add a touch of sheer shimmery pink, NYX Girl Talk, to the inner corner of the eyes and brow bone. Finish off the look with black liquid liner and a coat of mascara.
KAT VON D, STUDDED KISS LIPSTICK IN CHULA
Where has this colour been all my life? It's a rich, warm sienna brown with orange undertones that are super flattering for olive skin. The name of this lipstick always makes me chuckle (hey I'm a Latin chick wearing a lipstick called Chula. Seriously?!), but the colour is far from funny and 100% flattering. I can wear this lipstick with any look and always look put together. LOVE.
KAT VON D, EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK IN LOLITA II
The iconic Lolita has a kid sister named Lolita II. The shade is a beautiful terracotta shade that compliments this look beautifully. Substitute it for Chula if that's what you have in your makeup bag and you won't regret it.
MAKE UP FOR EVER ARTIST SHADOW & POWDER BLUSH IN S800 Grenadine
Because my eyelids and lips feature more burnt colours, I want my cheeks to really pop in contrast. Grenadine is a warm pink shade of blush that's buildable and adds a nice flush of colour to my cheeks.
BECCA X JACLYN HILL, SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR HIGHLIGHTER IN CHAMPAGNE POP
I'm so happy I got this for Christmas because there's no way I would have ever shelled out $60 on a highlighter. Since getting this warm gold shade, I've been wearing it every single day. It's sold out online but you can still find it at some Sephora stores. If not, I hear that Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminators are awesome!
FORMULA X AIMEE SONG, #COLORCURATORS NAIL POLISH IN NUDE FOR YOU
I wanted to keep my nails low key in order to compliment the colours on my face. I went for Nude For You, the most perfect nude shade ever from Aimee Song's collab with Formula X. The first coat was almost entirely opaque and the formula dried quickly. If you're still not convinced, the longevity of Formula X is better than Chanel nail polish at a fraction of the price.
Almost Black on Black
I've been playing around with bits of colour in my outfits here and there but it's funny how well you guys resonate to my wearing black. Seriously, your comments on Instagram get me every time! THANK YOU! Here's another all black look where I'm finally wearing my cute vegan leather mini from Blank NYC. Technically the Chaser tank I'm wearing here is charcoal, but I think it's dark enough to appease you guys. Black is my comfort zone and I'm thrilled that you guys love it too!
xo, Nathalie
WHAT I'M WEARING
BLANK NYC, vegan leather mini skirt
THE KOOPLES, Blazer and leather gloves
ARITZIA, wool coat
CHASER, vintage tank
ALEXANDER WANG, black ankle boots and Rocco bag
ARMANI, sunglasses
Kat Von D, Bachelorette liquid lipstick
NAILS: ESSIE RETRO REVIVAL
When I was a young girl there was two things I was obsessed with; 1) collecting fashion magazines, in particular Vogue and Bazaar and 2) nail polish. At one point I had over 50 bottles in my collection and went as far as creating my own colours to get the shades I wanted. It was all fun and games until I counted the bottles on day and realized that my love for nail polish was turning into an hoarding issue. Then I stopped cold turkey.
I recently received the Essie Retro Revival collection, only to refuel the fire of my nail polish obsession. (Yikes!) The brand is celebrating 35 years and relaunched 6 of their most coveted colours:
- Birthday Suit – cheeky delicate nude, 1981 – part of the original 12 Essie colours
- Cabana Boy – ultra-cool pearly white, 2005
- Sequin Sash – sheer glittery bronze, 2005
- Bikini With A Martini – frosted iridescent pink, 2006
- Life Of The Party – pinot noir pearl, 2002
- Starry Starry Night – twinkling midnight blue, 1997
I feel like it's rare, but there isn't a single colour in this collection I don't love. If I had to choose my top 2 they’d be Life of The Party (red) and Starry Starry Night (sparkly navy). Essie’s polishes are pretty good quality but I’d still recommend a base and top coat if you really want your manicure to last. Right now I’m really digging L’Oreal’s One Stop Base. It’s almost as good as Dior’s Gel Coat in terms of staying power but it doesn't have that super high gloss shine. Fine by me considering it's a fraction of the price.
The Retro Revival collection dropped in stores yesterday and if you're interested in any of these colours make sure you don't wait to long. In the past Starry Starry Night has been known to go for hundreds of dollars on eBay so make sure you pick up your own bottle before history repeats itself.
xo, Nathalie
Sequin Sash (sheer glittery bronze) & Starry Starry Night (twinkling midnight blue)
Life Of The Party (pinot noir pearl) & Bikini With A Martini (frosted iridescent pink)
Birthday Suit (cheeky delicate nude) & Cabana Boy (ultra-cool pearly white)
*DISCLAIMER: Sorry guys but the kit I received isn’t for retail. You can purchase the individual bottles at stores nationwide that carry the Essie brand. This isn’t a sponsored post but I did receive the kit as a gift. I wanted to share my thoughts with you guys here because I really truly love the Retro Collection and Essie brand.