Beware Knock Offs – How Not To Get Ripped Off

Designer duds are expensive, plain and simple. If you are in the market for superb items straight off the runway but do not have the budget for buying items straight from the store, there are alternatives. However, you should be warned that buying designer items from anyone else that the original manufacturer leaves you open to possibly purchasing fake goods. Designer knock offs are sold on the street, in stores, and most popularly, on the World Wide Web. Protect yourself from spending hard earned money on items that have been poorly made from sub par materials. Just because the item in question possesses a brand name that is no guarantee you are dealing with the real McCoy!

Most of those items that are claimed to be designer goods sold on the street are just plain fakes. Use a bit of common sense when buying any type of goods from any type of seller. If you buy a fifteen dollar Louis Vuitton signature purse, there is a strong chance that item is indeed a fake. Remember the old adage, “if it is too good to be true, then it probably is.” This cannot be truer than individuals looking super deals on authentic designer duds. Pictured here: Valentino Long-Sleeve Layered Ruffle Hem Crepe Couture Dress

Regardless where you choose to purchase your cut rate designer goods, be sure the seller is reputable. If you are purchasing items from virtual stores on the World Wide Web, look to see if there are any complaints lodged against that specific company. Also, if you choose to purchase designer items from online auction sites like Ebay or Yahoo! Auctions, carefully evaluate the seller by searching the feedback responses. As always, go with your gut instinct—if you think something is a fake, and then avoid buying the item. No matter how great you are at sniffing out a deal, there is not way that bag you are buying for fifty dollars is a genuine Hermes Birkin bag.

The best way to avoid buying faked designer goods is by feeling the items. If the materials seem cheap, rough, unevenly dyed or woven, or poorly made, the item is probably a fake. Furthermore, take a close look at the craftsmanship. Check the seams, buttons, zippers, and any other items that can give an item away as a fake. With bags and shoes, look at the quality of the leather. Furthermore, the lining of a bag can tell you more about the quality of that particular purse than anything else, so be sure to take a peek inside.                                         

                                                                            Fashion Couture Magazine

5 Simple Tips To Fix 5 Makeup Mistakes

Have you ever been putting on your makeup and when everything is going well, you suddenly make a mistake that ruins all of your effort? Have you had to take off your makeup some time because, without meaning to, you’ve ruined your makeup? Surely you have; it happens to all of us.

In this article, you will find five of the most common mistakes and the best tips to quickly fix them without having to take off all of your makeup…

We hope you’ll like them and that they’ll help you easily improve your personal image…

“I’VE PUT ON TOO MUCH FOUNDATION”

This is a very common mistake that we all make when we put on makeup. If you are totally made up, to take off any excess foundation, do the following:

• Lightly moisten a clean sponge with water (the sponge should be almost dry and without any makeup residue) and sponge all of your face with downward movements.

TIP: It’s very important, most of all, to avoid excess foundation and concealer around the eyes. To eliminate any excess in this area, perform the same step and afterwards use your fingertips to softly blur the product in that area.

“MY EYESHADOW LOOKS TOO DARK”

If you’ve put on too much eyeshadow, or it looks too dark, follow these steps to quickly fix the problem:

• If it happened on your upper eyelid, blur the eyeshadow toward the edges with a clean brush to reduce the color. If it still looks very dark, apply a little bit of matte cream eyeshadow with a brush (if you don’t have cream eyeshadow, you can use translucent powder) and blur the eyeshadow.


• If it happened on the lower part of your eye, use a fine, clean brush to blur, or pat it softly with a Q-tip.

• If as you were blurring, you’ve left the contour of the eyelid and the shadow looks very dark, blur it with a clean sponge and afterwards apply a little bit of foundation, patting lightly to fix the foundation.


“I’VE PUT ON TOO MUCH BLUSH”

If you applied too much blush, try the following tip:

• Stroke your cheek with a thick, loose powder bush—the brush should be completely clean. If you still have too much blush on, apply translucent or clear powder with the same brush, just over the blush. That way the two powders should mix, clarifying the original color.

“I’VE PUT TOO MUCH MAKEUP ON MY EYEBROWS”

When we put too much makeup on our eyebrows, we look harsh and we can’t even recognize ourselves. Follow the following tip to quickly solve this:

• Simply brush the eyebrow with a clean Q-tip, going against the grain of your eyebrow. You will see how quickly the color you initially applied disappears.


“I’VE SMEARED MASCARA ON MY EYELID”

That’s all right. Just follow these next steps and you’ll see how you can quickly fix the problem:

• Continue applying makeup and when you have finished, allowing enough time for the mascara to dry, apply a Q-tip right over the smudge. You’ll see how it quickly disappears and you don’t need to remove the makeup from your whole eye.

TIP: A good trick to avoid smudging yourself is applying makeup first to your inferior eyelashes and then to the superior.


                                                                          Fashion Couture Magazine

Seventies hairstyle – Do you Have it?

The seventies hairstyle also coincides with the hippy era wherein the girls can be seen in wild flowing hair that provide a natural look to the hair. The era involved a lot of use of hair irons as straight hair was the fashion of those days.

The era of the seventies was dominated by the punk Hairstyle. It was the short spiky hairstyles that ruled the roost in that era. In the case of women, the shag and bob hairstyles were the ones that were the craze of the era. The era is famous for its hep style statements.
The seventies hairstyle also coincides with the hippy era wherein the girls can be seen in wild flowing hair that provide a natural look to the hair. The era involved a lot of use of hair irons as straight hair was the fashion of those days. During the seventies a lot of emphasis was laid on glamour, this is the reason whywe all could see shony and styled head bands being used in that era.
During the sevent

ies even the 60s plaits were been carried over. There was a craze of hair dos in that era, the most famous being the Afro hairdo. The afro hairdo was considered to be frenzy at that time. It is also known as the disco era wherein the people were fond of flaunting their style. Style was the mantra of the time.
The shag hairstyle was considered as one of the most happening hairstyles. The style involved irregular layers of hair that provided a shaggy look. The other hairstyle that had gained popularity was the pageboy hairstyle. The hairstyle was done by inward curling of the hair. The style gave the hair a fluff. The mulled haircut was another hairstyle of the seventies that worn by both men and women.

                                                                                Fashion Couture Magazine

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7 Steps to Great Makeup

7 Steps to Great Makeup - - -

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:

i) Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.

ii) Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

iii) Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

iv) Powder:The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lineS

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup
Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.


4. Too little or no makeup

Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look

When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.


6. Hair color

Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.

7. One last thing

Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!
                                                                                  Fashion Couture Magazine

7 Tips For Beautiful Skin

For most women, part of the morning and evening routines involve a skincare regimen of applying creams, moisturizers, tonics, lotions, and the like. Why do women put themselves through this? They do it primarily to combat the signs of aging, and to maintain youthful looks and beautiful skin! It is a safe bet, however, that most women haven't put much thought into what is in the products that they are using.

Some women probably do not realize that what they are putting on their skin may actually be undermining what they are trying to prevent to begin with. In fact the average woman puts twelve products on her skin daily, most of which contain harmful chemical preservatives. Dr. Myron Wentz, founder and chairperson of USANA Health Sciences, has this to say about beauty in the company magazine's June/July 2005 issue: "Some say that beauty is only skin deep. Nonsense! I believe that true beauty is a reflection of true health, and true health begins deep inside each and every cell in the body. But true health and true beauty have an outer component, which is why we require protection from environmental insults such as solar radiation, pollutants in our environment and the drying effects of air. . . The fact is you simply cannot contain a healthy body if your skin isn't healthy. And your skin can't be healthy if your are subjecting it to toxic substances that are ultimately absorbed into your body."

Evening Wear Shopping Tips

Don’t let shopping for that special evening dress intimidate you! With a little help, you can start early and find the perfect dress for evening out. Here’s how:

Decide on the formality. Is it cocktail or evening attire? Cocktail and evening attire is dressier – think little black dress. Long dresses are reserved for formal black-tie affairs.

The most important feature of your new dress is its style and color. Not every dress works for all body types. Dress to flatter your figure. If you aren’t sure what your best asset is, ask a friend or salesperson.

Once you know the type of dress, now choose a style. Instead of going trendy, select a dress that reflects classic, timeless elegance. Here are some styles to choose from.

Halter Dresses are one of the sexiest formal looks around. Several versions exist including a tie-behind-the-neck look. Straps vary in size, width and fabrics. A halter dress draws attention to the upper half of the body including the face, shoulders and bust line. This is great to draw unwanted attention away from the hips and legs. Skip the necklace and opt for earrings when wearing a halter dress.

Cocktail dresses are the most versatile for special occasions. Most opt for the little black dress which is the most popular look for a cocktail. Today, jewel-tones, bright and rich fabrics do well for a short evening dress. Most cocktail dresses can be easily accessorized with pearls, diamond, gold and silver. If you want to hide wide hips, opt for a dress that is strapless or has cap sleeves.

For simplicity, nothing beats a sheath dress. They are flattering with clean lines to keep the dress from overwhelming your figure. The sheath dress can be dressed up or down as the situation dictates.
The jacket dress provides more coverage without the fuss of a wrap. The matching dress and jacket is perfect for anniversaries and weddings. Not every figure looks best in a one piece dress. For those hard-to-fit bodies, a dressy separate can do the trick. Choose one special piece and mix it with a solid piece for that special occasion.
Off the shoulder dresses instantly shows off lots of skin but not in areas that make you uncomfortable. Accentuate the look with a great necklace piece or brooch.

Tips On Pulling A Fabulous Fashion Act Together

Stylist Stephanie Shepherd glaming Kim Kardashian West

Girl, are you intelligent, funny with a fab personality and an eye for the newest fashion trends but need a little help pulling it all together? Look no further, here are some tips on pulling together the right look.

Your personal style speaks volumes about who you are so let’s not blow it after you’ve spent your hard earned money on the latest new trends!

The key to putting together a great outfit is risky and simple. The rule of thumb is balance and “less is more.”

Choose one “wow” item and build around it. For example, if you have this absolutely fabulous piece of jewelry that you mush show off, try wearing it with a simple black dress. Black flatters just about all figures without overwhelming the look of your jewelry.

Want to show off your new elaborately stitched jeans? A solid shirt paired with heels works well with decorated jeans. If the design on the jeans is too busy the shirt will tone it down some.

How about those new bright pink pumps? You can’t go wrong by complimenting the shoes with a pair of solid black jeans and white shirt. Black jeans and solid colored shirt matches well with any brightly colored pumps.

And what about those gold sequin flats that you just couldn’t pass up? Petal-pushers and a simple shirt are ideal compliments for your golden feet.

The key is to pick one item and build around it. Don’t just stick with one look. Be glamour one day and urban the next.

Take the time to educate yourself on different styles. Learn how to draw inspiration from your favorite looks of past eras.

Fashion is about confidence. If you feel great in an outfit, others will feel your vibes. And if you don’t feel confident, fake it! Whether you are 18 or 50, take pride in your appearance and it’s important to feel comfortable in your style.

Holiday Party Makeup

Holiday Party Makeup by lacas featuring canvas wall art

Palette eyeshadow
elfcosmetics.com

Mac cosmetic
knittedbelle.com

ICanvas canvas wall art
nordstrom.com

Backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016

Backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2016 by kusja featuring a body moisturizer

Victoria s Secret victoria secret perfume
victoriassecret.com

Body cleanser
victoriassecret.com

Body moisturizer
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret toiletry kit
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret bath robe
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret lip gloss
victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret lip gloss
victoriassecret.com

Electric Youth!!!!! BEAUTY

Electric Youth!!!!! BEAUTY by alves-nogueira featuring metal home decor

Smythson bags case
modaoperandi.com

Topshop nail polish
$7.44 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge beauty accessory
missselfridge.com

Miss Selfridge beauty accessory
missselfridge.com

Topshop nail polish
$6.20 - topshop.com

Beauty product
dolcegabbana.com

Jouer blush
$26 - montaignemarket.com

Bobbi brown cosmetic
saksfifthavenue.com

Jeffree star lipstick
princesspolly.com

Butter London lip gloss
nordstrom.com

Nars cosmetic
net-a-porter.com

Lipstick
maccosmetics.com

Facial brush
$9.92 - thehut.com

MAC Cosmetics eye pencil makeup
belk.com

Estée Lauder eye pencil makeup
belk.com

Metal home decor
backgroundsy.com

So Sparkly: Glitter Lips!!!

So Sparkly: Glitter Lips!!! by alves-nogueira featuring yves saint laurent makeup

Clava travel bag
ebags.com

Nails Inc nail polish
$19 - net-a-porter.com

Nails Inc nail polish
$17 - net-a-porter.com

By Terry palette makeup
$105 - veryexclusive.co.uk

Makeup
wetnwildbeauty.com

Yves saint laurent makeup
barneys.com

Tips For Changing Your Hairstyle

Messy Fishtail Hairstyle

Change is good, but it's even better when it takes only moments to make one. If you like your hair do but it's looking a little dated, there's no reason to agonize over making major change. Hairstyles for the year 2008 come after a year where shorter hairstyles ruled, longer hairstyles still flourished, and everyone just loved the bob. Some celebrities went for medium and shorter lengths and the fashion runaways brought in many unique trends like the pony-loop and the high ballerina bun. Instead of opting for a complete hair reinvention, small changes to your current look can modernize your style. Without appearing too trendy. Fortunately, some of today's hottest styles are easily adaptable and require little commitment for those wary of a dramatic change.




    How to Update Your Hairstyle

If you hair is chin-length or loner, comb it straight up, twist a few times, then coil up and pin high on your head. Use bobby pins to clip up shorter strays at the nape or iron curl them for a softening effect. If you're good at working your mane, you can leave some strands out for a freedom feeling.

Poker Straight Curls and waves will be transformed into straight and smooth flowing hair. Even if you love to keep those waves, make sure they just gather at the ends of your hair and the rest of the hair is absolutely straight. Sleek and smooth texture is the keyword for 2008. So, get prepared to straighten out those curled locks for a sleeker and newer you!

Long hair is ensuring that it's lean, as opposed to thick and out of control (basically, you should avoid the thickness often seen.

Don't worry about making your hair look its best while trying to grow it out -- I have tips on dealing with that awkward stage, on the next page.

Temporary colors are great for reflecting moods of the moment - just remember that the lighter your hair and the brighter the artificial shade, the less likely it will be truly temporary.

Enhancing your natural shade or going for a totally different color are great ways to update your look. Choose the right hair color and hair treatment so you can create an exciting new look for every occasion.
Another hot hair style trend for 2008 is the soft wedge haircut. This short hairstyle adds much sparkle to your face and shows the playful side of your personality. Since a lot of texturing and layering is used, your hairstyle looks soft and very smooth, in case of cut-style. Even people with thin hair can go in for this short cut, as it adds volume. It is suitable for almost every face cut and adds charm and confidence to the personality.
For those who want a slightly more dramatic update, bangs are excellent options. The style can be altered depending on your face shape or lifestyle. Long wispy bangs are a good choice if you want a style that is low-maintenance and easy to grow out.
A more daring option is to try the newest variation on the mod look, with long blunt

bangs that fall just above the eyelashes.
                                                                                             
                                                                                                             Fashion Couture Magazine

Check out this Annabelle Cosmetics Video!

Teaser For July’s Magazine Issue Starring Lush Cosmetic!

Lush is a fresh handmade cosmetic line that does not conduct animal testing, uses only vegetarian ingredients, and their products are from fresh organic fruit and vegetables, etc. Lush’s handmade cosmetics range from bathing products to makeup and even perfumes.
When I began talking to Lush’s public relations team I was very excited for their products to be starred in our July issue.  One of the products I was given was the liquid red lipstick called Ambition.

The color alone is a gorgeous bold red and right away I knew this is the product I wanted to showcase as a teaser before July’s issue. Lush’s lipsticks have jojoba oil, rose wax and candelilla wax base, which I found out, soften dry lips. Not only that but I found out that the lipstick can be used as a blush also, amazing right?  Just a simple dab on your fingers and rub it in!

I called up a few friends and together we had out own little photo-shoot! Katherine McFarland is the talented photographer and the gorgeous model is Erin Peters.

Since the color is so vibrant I knew I wanted to keep the eyes simple by using an off white eye shadow and black eyeliner as the cat eye. Instead of using lip liner I traced her lips with an eyeliner brush to keep the lipstick in place. This look is so gorgeous and simple I strongly recommend this product to anyone! This look is for any age and is perfect for this summer.

Start the weekend off right and try this look tonight! Tell me what you think of the trend and of course any questions I will be glad to answer!

Denise Ferguson
Beauty Editor