10 MUST HAVE PLATFORMS FOR SPRING
Having come across a pair of Saint Laurent Bianca sandals on sale the other day, I can't seem to get platforms out of my head. I put together a list of my current spring faves that have me drooling like crazy. Which do you have your eye on?
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Between traveling and Toronto Fashion Week, I've had little to no time to spend at home. This weekend, Geoff and I finally had some time to take some street style shots. I was channeling my inner Dorothy from Wizard of Oz and busted out my sparkly Saint Laurent ankle boots for fun.
xo, Nathalie
GLOWING SKIN FAVES
I just posted this pic on Instagram and got a ton of positive feedback right away so I thought, why not make it into a post? Keep reading to find out why I'm loving these beauty products that make my skin shine bright like a diamond. (LOL).
xo, Nathalie
I like the Dr. Jart Black Label Detox O2 Cleansing Foam because it's gentle and doesn't leave my face dry. I use it either in the mornings or a couple of times a week but not everyday because I still love my Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash. Then I go in with the Fresh Black Tea Age-Firming Serum. Honestly, running the beauty section of WoahStyle means I get to try a lot of skincare and I wasn't really expecting results from this serum but it is amazing! It leaves my skin plump and glowing. It's pricey but all you need are a couple of drops and it goes a long way. Another item I love for glowing skin is the Snake Booster Oil from Rodial. It doesn't feel like a traditional oil and it absorbs into the skin immediately. I love how it feels before I prep my skin for moisturizer.
On the days I go light with makeup, I like to keep it simple with a tinted moisturizer and some concealer. Rodial's Airbrush Concealer (in Malibu) covers up my dark under eye circles and any discolouration. I find it's best when I apply it with Sephora's #67 brush for a flawless finish. This brush basically gets into all of the areas that my holy grail Artis Oval 7 brush can't get into. (Both of these brushes have replaced my Beauty Blender. They're that good!)
For a healthy glow, I always, always, use blush. A pop of pink looks super pretty and gives my olive skin a natural flush. You can apply it with a brush blush, like Marc Jacobs #15, but the Arits Oval 7 does an excellent job at blending blush as well. (Yes, even after you've used it on foundation!)
Almost done!
Now curl the lashes to open up the eyes and apply a coat of Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir mascara. Finally dab on the Agave Lip Mask from Bite and you're all set with natural, glowing skin!
TFW STREET STYLE: THE SHOE EDITION
I think we can agree that part of the fun of Toronto Fashion Week is seeing what everyone is wearing. Right?
I gathered up some of Instagram friends and had them pose for me in their fun and, dare I say, sensible footwear.
Honestly, I started fashion week with a pair of 4" heeled ankle boots and by the end of the night, I was limping to my car wondering why I had made such a foolish shoe choice for an evening that requires so much standing. As the week went on, my heels from 4 inches to 3" to 1.5", until I eventually ended up in my Converse high tops on Friday.
There's no shame in ditching heels during fashion week. Just have a look below for some inspo and to shop the look of my very stylish friends.
xo, Nathalie
SHOP MY LOOK @woahstyledotcom
Converse Chuck Taylor High Top
SHOP ANEY'S LOOK @allureofsimplicity
Steve Madden's Lecrew lace-up flats
SHOP MICHAEL'S LOOK @globalgarcon
New Balance Sneakers
SHOP DUSTIN'S LOOK @dustincarrington
Puma Eskiva Sneakers
All shoes for SHOP THE LOOK can be found at Town Shoes.
THE RETURN OF DENIM
Alright so denim was never gone nor will it ever go away, but if you look at the seasons past it's been all about dark denim. At least for me anyway. Recently I've been seeing light wash jeans all over the runway and all over street style pics everywhere. Fashion editors and stylists alike seem to be preferring traditional denim like Levi's 501 or mom jeans over skinnies.
As for me, I'm still looking for the right pair because I'm short and hippy and to be honest, high waisted, tapered legged jeans make me look even shorter. For now I'll stick to light washed denim jackets like this little number from Zara. It reminds me of 80's rock & roll chic à la Blondie. I paired it with this Mackage mini skirt from their SS16 collection and my Zanotti combat boots for an edge.
So, will this season be the death of black skinny jeans? I don't think so. Not for me anyway.
xo, Nathalie
FROM MY CLOSET TO YOURS WITH MCOUTURE
Once upon a time I saw a beautiful Marc Jacobs dress on eBay. I was young, naïve and thought, “OMG it’s $27, there’s no way I can pass this up!”
So I pressed BUY NOW and waited 6 weeks to receive it. It looked fantastic on me and I wore it for almost a year. I eventually grew tired of the pattern and took the dress, along with other designer pieces, to a local consignment shop. They authenticated everything except the Marc Jacobs dress WHICH WAS A FAKE. How could it be? It looked and felt like silk. It had a tag that looked just like the ones in my other Marc Jacobs pieces. It was devastating, and that was the last time I bought a used designer piece.
Diana, my BFF, business manager and contributing editor at WoahStyle has had much better luck. She owns a few pre-loved Louis Vuitton pieces, which she purchased for a fraction of the cost. AND THEY’RE REAL. I asked what her secret was, and she said that you only buy from consignment stores you trust. She’s an avid online stalker, so she does all the necessary research before buying and selling from any consignment store.
When Mcouture approached me about selling my gently used designer items through their online store, I got Diana to dig deep and see if it would be a good partnership for me. She came back and told me that Mcouture is “super legit” and encouraged me to sell my items because, as she likes to constantly remind me, I need to simplify and edit everything. My wardrobe, my blog posts, my life. The process was seamless. I sent them my items, they authenticated them, and then we negotiated how much I would receive when the items were sold. Here’s what I decided to sell on Mcouture:
VALENTINO ROCKSTUDS, Size 37
Rockstuds are one of the brand’s most sought after styles. I was drawn to them because of the burnt orange colour that casts off a pretty shimmer every time I walked by. They have an easy to wear kitten heel, are so very comfortable and delightfully feminine.
3.1 PHILLIP LIM CASH ONLY BAG, In black
I pinned this bag on Pinterest so many times that it was pathetic. I was first in line to buy it when it became available. It’s unique, edgy and makes a statement – one side says ‘CASH’ while the other says ‘ONLY’, which is my shopping motto. LOL.
This is just a sample of the amazing inventory they have at Mcouture.com. They also have pre-loved goods from brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Isabel Marant and more and they’re up to 80% off. There’s a few pieces I’ve got my eye on – and I won’t buy new things until I sell something I don’t use anymore, so this is really the perfect site for me.
I’ve teamed up with Mcouture for an amazing opportunity for my readers. If you are looking to sell your used designer goods, you can qualify to win a $100 store credit to use towards a future purchase when you send your items with the mention WoahStyle on your discharge.
Check out full details here.
Happy selling and shopping!
xo, Nathalie
SIMONS OPENS IN THE GTA
I remember the first time I went into Simons. My friends and I packed into my Volkswagen Beetle and we drove to Montreal for a long weekend. The entire time we were there it rained so bad that my umbrella ended up breaking. Looking for a new one, I walked into Simons and became so memorized by the clothes that I forgot to buy an umbrella. For the remainder of the trip I was a sopping mess but that was fine because it was the trip that started my love affair with MTL.
Lucky for us in the GTA, Simons has just opened their first store in Mississauga. Road trips to Montreal are no longer mandatory to get our fill of cool, on trend clothes. With a range for women and men, their brand extends to their own private labels like Twik and Icone, as well as contemporary lines like Acne Studios, Carven, Comme des Garçons PLAY and, Vivienne Westwood, in addition to home goods like linens, bathroom and kitchen accessories. Basically shopping mecca for the likes of people like me.
Even though the store just opened, I'm looking forward to visiting again but with Geoff in tow this time. I introduced him to the brand last year and he hasn't stopped talking about it since.
xo, Nathalie
This post is sponsored by Simons but all opinions are my own.
White tunic and long bomber from their private label Twik for spring 2016.
All in store photography by Jeremy Kohm.
I WHIP MY HAIR BACK AND FORTH: NEXXUS EDITION
Off to get my hair did pre-ballet.
I love dance, but don't confuse that with dancing, because I can't. Sometimes I'll try and it genuinely upsets Geoff and the cats. : S
When I was asked to attend The Four Temperaments & Rubies & Cacti at the National Ballet of Canada presented by Nexxus Salon Hair Care, I was excited for a few reasons.
"Funny, ironical and outrageous" is how this mixed billed ballet has been described. How crazy compelling is that?!
Getting to see Principal Dancer Heather Ogden in action. She's amazing!
A night out on the town is the perfect excuse for getting my hair DID and my outfit ON.
Having an opportunity to put the Nexxus' Oil Infinity Oil Infusing System to the test.
In case you guys are wondering, Nexxus and The National Ballet of Canada have partnered together to represent "Hair That Lives to Move". It makes so much sense when you think about relation of hair and dance when it comes to movement and fluidity.
With that being said, I have thick, unruly, Latina hair. Aside from liking the way it looks, the reason I have short hair is because I just can't deal with the maintenance of long hair. I have the kind of hair that doesn't care if it's the most important day of your life, it's gonna turn on you and bust out frizz at the slightest hint of humidity or rain. That's why quality products are key, and guys, the Nexxus Oil Infinite line is KEY.
The Nexxus Oil Infinite line is designed to help regain control of unmanageable hair with pure, renewing ingredients. The line consists of an Oil Infinite Shampoo, Oil Infinite Conditioner and the Nourishing Hair Oil. You can read more about the formulations here. They're available mass, drug and grocery retailers between $13.99 and $19.
WIN A SET OF NEXXUS HAIRCARE!
For a chance to win some Nexxus goodies of your own, simply leave a comment below or check out my Instagram post and leave me a comment. It's that easy.
This post is sponsored by Unilever. All images and opinions posted here are my own.
Colour Me Tan with Jergens® Natural Glow®
Confession time: I used to love tanning. As a kid, I'd spend summers in Miami and I would spend hours baking in the sun, sometimes without sunscreen. I'm lucky because I have olive skin that doesn't burn, but I cringe when I think of all the permanent damage under the surface. Ugh.
That's probably why I'm so obsessed with skincare now. I make sure to take care of my outer layer from head to toe. But I can't lie - I still love the look of a tan, but I'm not willing to do anymore damage to my skin. Over the years, I've tried dozens of self-tanners and I've always been disappointed. Sometimes they're sticky, or they smell weird, or worse - they leave you orange! Not sexy.
When Jergens® asked me to be part of their Natural Glow® influencer program and participate in their #GlowAndShow campaign, I was super excited. I grew up with the brand, and I still use a lot of their products regularly (love you Soothing Aloe Moisturizer). I've heard great things about their Natural Glow® line and was eager to try it out. Well, I've been using it for a few weeks and you can see the results for yourself. Pretty awesome, huh?
BEFORE
AFTER
Application was seamless and the smell is none offensive, which was a huge relief because the self-tanners I've tried in the past have always been iffy in this area. And it's subtle but noticeable, like I spent 4 straight days chilling at that Mandarin Oriental pool in Las Vegas drinking margaritas as they play Calvin Harris all day long. A girl can dream.
A plus that came out of this that I didn't expect is that my clothes look more vibrant. Now that it's spring, I find myself wearing a lot of stark white outfits and lighter colours. Now that my skin is a little tanned, my clothes just pop. I also look healthier, which hi, everyone wants.
I've tried "high end" self-tanners in the past, and I can't say any of them have justified the price point. Jergens® Natural Glow® usually retails for under $15 and lasts for quite some time, so it's definitely worth picking up. I'd argue that it's even better than some of the self-tanners that I've tried that cost two, even three times more.
You can pick up entire the Jergens® product line up at Well.ca (who I've been shopping with for years - one of my fave online retailers).
Make sure to check out my posts on Instagram and make sure to check out @JergensCA for new products and amazing offers.
xo, Nathalie
[This blog post was sponsored by Jergens® but all the opinions are my own]