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Why Did You Wear That: Crop Top Ya Don’t Stop

By |August 15th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

crop top day to night how toWe’ve all awoken as the morning sun manages to creep through the black out shades rendering us nearly blind to the startling realization  that the water glass on the nightstand is empty and that nightstand is not our own.  The second pang of panic comes barreling through shortly after groggily recalling that what we deemed appropriate attire for a late evening dalliance may not exactly translate to daytime, let alone during the morning commute with other responsible, gainfully employed adults.  I was not a Girl Scout, but I am always prepared.  98% of the time, there is a pair of sunglasses stashed safely in my bag (I painfully learned this lesson during that other 2% of the time).  Sunglasses are essentially a real life force field.  Whether they actually prove to disguise your appearance from curious onlookers or not is irrelevant so long as you feel like they do.  As you carefully tiptoe your way to the restroom only to discover that your previously perfect blowout more resembles Bob Marley’s dreadlocks, you breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you have a hair tie on your wrist and a collection of bobby pins in the bottom of your bag.  This is when when a top knot comes in handy (tutorial here).  The only problem left is somehow making that tiny crop top look less Pretty Woman and more Carrie Bradshaw.

One of my favorite outfits and favorite shoots (which you can see in totality here) is a perfect example of something that would garner compliments post sunset and could attract clientele come morning if you’re seen standing on the corner too long awaiting your Uber.  Whether your evening prior to sunrise had been raucous or rather innocent, sometimes you’ve got to borrow from your boy’s closet to save some dignity, but how does one do so without looking like a total shacker?  In this instance, wearing a belted pair of shorts with your crop top and pulling your hair into a squeaky clean top knot will certainly fool any innocent bystander into believing that you did, in fact, wake up like this.

whydid blog nyc kirsten smith

kirsten smith whydid blog

kirsten smith why did blog

kirsten smith whydid blogtop: American Apparel, shorts: Hurley, belt: similar by Rag & Bone, shoes: Jimmy Choo, bag: vintage, similar by Barney’s, sunglasses: Ray-Ban

xx,

WhyDid

photography by Michael Stiegler

Beauty Buzz: Gym Class Heroes

By |July 23rd, 2014|Beauty Buzz|

workout fitness beautyI think most women who actually take their physical fitness seriously can attest to the fact that one of our biggest eye rolling moments at the gym is upon spotting a perfectly made up, coiffed, push up sports bra clad babe texting in between turning pages of Cosmo on the elliptical.  I also suggest that you always tie your body with a weight lifting belt when lifting weights to exercise properly without having strains. Speaking of which, I always cringe when women’s magazines suggest meeting men at the gym because I promise you the last thing I want is for a juiced up bro to approach me while running interval sprints on the treadmill.  That’s a surefire way to get a dumbbell straight to the dome.  Besides, I tend to be a bit of a sweaty mess and believe this is why women only gyms were invented. I would be become gym trainer if I go this much consistent for working on fitness. Well at that time I wouls start my own gym and chances high I will have to go for gym or fitness instructor liability insurance too. So how does one recover beautifully post workout?

Just like I mentioned about there not being some magic way to acquire abs of steel, there are, however, a few products that can certainly contribute to the cause:

  • I love dry brushing before the shower or you could use the Skinesis Bodylift from Sarah Chapman to help with pesky cellulite.
  • Tossing your hair up into a high ponytail or messy bun atop your head can actually cause quite a bit of damage as you move.  Definitely opt for softer rubber bands sans metal closures to avoid breakage and if you can, wear a braid (French, fishtail, rope- take your pick).
  • After your sweat session, you may only have time to rinse and head back to the office or hopefully happy hour. No full swing shower, massage and chiropractor session (more about the services here).  If you’re like me and a full on blow out isn’t even in the realm of possibility, then meet your new best friend, dry shampoo.   The trick is finding one that won’t  leave you looking like Martha Washington with a powdered wig.
  • You can also have  prostate massage which is an exciting and highly pleasurable erotic experience that boasts a wide variety of benefits. For experience best massage you should try tantric massage.
  • If you like running outside when humidity is less than that of a tropical rainforest, then sunscreen is a must.  For so long, I didn’t bother.  Partially because I’d had a few sour experiences of blindness once sweat swept my SPF right into my eyes, but basically out of sheer laziness.  Guess who doesn’t want knees that look like a vintage leather handbag?
  • The biggest favor you can do for your skin pre-workout is wiping your makeup off.  Your skin needs to be able to breath in order for toxins (that bottle of Sauvignon Blanc you shared last night) to be released.  Stash makeup wipes in your gym bag for a quick cleanse before you feel the burn.
  • I can’t lie.  My feet are gnarly from miles logged on the treadmill and on the road.  Be sure to take some time to soak those tired toes and give them a little TLC so you won’t be ashamed to bare them in open toe shoes or plop them up on the chaise lounge poolside.

workout beauty

1. Fresh Sugar Deodorant Antiperspirant, 2. Alterna Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo, 3. Sephora Collection Tropicolor Ribbon Hair Ties, 4. MED e TATE DERMAdoctor, 5. This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle, 6. Samudra Coco Palms Pouch, 7. Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes, 8. Sarah Chapman Skinesis Bodylift, 9. Bodyism’s Clean and Lean Serenity Shake, 10. Margaret Dabbs Hydrating Foot Soak, 11. Hampton Sun SPF 35 Continuous Mist Sunscreen

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Find the Light

By |December 18th, 2013|Beauty Buzz|

metallic eye makeupDuring the holidays and especially with New Year’s Eve quickly creeping ’round the corner, some of us look for ways to amp up our standard makeup routines for swanky evenings out on the town and special seasonal celebrations.  Some may opt for the classic statement making bold lip (good choice) and others go for the more “Golden Girl” approach (also a great choice).  But beauty beware: there is a big difference between glowing like the lights of Paris (the city, not the socialite) and glaring like the neon signs of Las Vegas.  Let’s keep glitter where it belongs: on art projects, Halloween costumes and strippers.  Strippers can wear glitter.

Come to think of it, a guy I was dating once showed up late one night after work, which should have been reason enough to dump him, but he was covered in glitter.  Seeing as he doesn’t work at a Michael’s craft store, he must have procured his shimmering accents somewhere.  Hanging out with another lady is bad enough but, hanging out with another lady who dons glitter is grounds for permanent exile.  But I digress…

To achieve a glowing holiday look, invest in a few beauty products with flecks not flakes of shimmer in them.  You could go for a dramatic foil for your lids, a metallic manicure or something as simple as adding some extra shine to your tresses.  Be sure not to go overboard with your gilded look though.  A gorgeous glow is one thing, but looking like a greased up walrus won’t get your dance card filled up any faster… if at all.

nye makeup1. Caudalie Divine Legs, 2. ELLIS FAAS Light, 3. Ulta Metallic Automatic Eyeliner, 4. Kevyn Aucoin Set of Four Loose Shimmer Shadows, 5. Philip B Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo, 6. Ilia Gold Box Illuminator and Lip Gloss, 7. Formula X for Sephora Sparklers in Light My Fire, 8. Illamasqua Liquid Metal Cream, 9. RMS Beauty Living Luminzer, 10. Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow, 11.Leighton Denny Hynotic Nail Polish

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Beauty Buzz: Beauty Bamboozle

By |November 13th, 2013|Beauty Buzz|

fake eyelashesSociety basically demands perfection from women these days.  That’s a lot of pressure and I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for all of that.  So in order to cut some corners and fake the beauty funk, there are a few tricks of the trade that will have you looking effortlessly beautiful in much less time, pain, and money than one might think.  Be a beauty magician and pull some tomfoolery on these fools.

  1. Bumble and bumble Spraychalk: Adding a pop of color to your coif became a whole lot easier with this spray on chalk.  You could always do it the old fashion way though…
  2. St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Kit: The best thing you can do for your skin is not fry it with UV rays.  This kit makes it possible to be sunkissed without wrinkling.
  3. Buxom Full-On Lip Cream: Rather than suffer through painful needles, pucker up with a lip plumping gloss first.
  4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo: There’s a reason Brooke Shields and Cara Delevingne are beauty icons.  Those brows.  Fill yours in and transform your face.
  5. Color Wow Root Cover Up: Save time and cash by covering up unsightly roots with a temporary touch up ’til you can get to the salon.
  6. Sephora Collection Day, Night, and Glam Lash Set: Nothing adds drama like a pair of false lashes.  Be sure and watch this video pre-application so as to avoid any accidents.
  7. Sarah Chapman Skinesis FacialiftBefore going under the knife, try this at home tool that claims to sculpt facial contours, reduce puffiness, and even prevent jawline breakouts.
  8. Batiste Dry Shampoo: The best way to disguise an overdue blowout is with dry shampoo although there are a few other clever ways to disguise a bad hair day.

Abracadabra!

xx,

WhyDid

 

image via

Beauty Buzz: Go Naked

By |July 18th, 2013|Beauty Buzz|

artistic nudeWe’re all already obsessed with Urban Decay’s Naked Palette (and Naked 2 Palette) with good reason.  And if you’re not, well, get obsessed.  One day, while picking up some essentials from Sephora, I got sucked into the sample section.  It’s like the Bermuda Triangle for beauty junkies.  Steer clear or risk having no groceries for the next week.  Along with a purse size tube of L’Occitane Hand Cream, I snagged a sample of Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Beauty Balm.  I mean, why not?

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

The claim is that it’s an “instant retoucher in a tube.”  With five different skin benefits including SPF 20 and anti-aging ingredients, this balm is like one stop shopping.  As mentioned, I don’t love a lot of makeup on my skin and this beauty balm, goes on so smooth and light that sometimes I feel like I haven’t put enough on.  However, when I peer at my reflection in the mirror, my skin literally does look like it’s been photoshopped.  It quickly evens skintone and reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines,  although you will probably still need a concealer to hide any unsightly behemoth blemishes, like the one I use from Miracle Skin Transformer.  The only thing I found a bit odd about this formula was the slightly minty scent.  It’s not offensive.  It just sort of seems off.  If you’re looking for the perfect lightweight summer skin smoother, grab a tube… but steer clear of the samples.

xx,

WhyDid