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Author Archives: Karen
What’s in my Beauty Bag? Everyday Makeup Essentials
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BARE MINERALS Matte SPF 15 Foundation, All-Over Face Color in Warmth, Mineral Veil, Full Coverage Flawless Face Brush | SMASHBOX Single Eye Shadow in Bliss and Shell | SMASHBOX Jet Set Waterproof Gel Eyeliner | SEPHORA Classic Precision Liner Brush #92 | COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner | COVERGIRL Professional Start Waterproof Mascara | HENRI BENDEL Small Signature Stripe Canvas Dopp Kit
I thought it would be fun to start a new monthly feature all about BEAUTY products! Fashion and styling is my first love, but I also love talking makeup, hair products, and beauty secrets too. I hope to use this monthly feature to share products that are old favorites and new loves. I thought for my first feature, I would share some of my everyday makeup essentials. I have used the Bare Minerals system for years!!! I can’t even tell you how long. I have never been big on wearing liquid foundations for everyday wear, so I wanted a powder that also provided good coverage. I start by applying a daily moisturizer to my face, and concealer for any trouble spots or blemishes. Then, I apply a layer of the Matte Foundation. I always get the SPF version to add a little sun protection. I follow up with just a touch of the Warmth color. Be careful on this one, a little goes a long way!! I finish up my foundation coverage with a light dusting of the mineral veil which just kind of gives a nice finishing look.
After that it is on to eyes. Eye makeup is probably one of my favorite things. I remember when I was young, my dad gave me an eyeshadow box with like 100 colors for Christmas. Thirteenish-year old me was in heaven!!! For my everyday eye makeup, I keep things a little simple. I stick with a neutral cream color for under my eyebrow, and this shimmery tan color for on my eyelid. For my lower lash line, I use this Covergirl liner in gray. I think the gray helps the eye pop without the intensity of lining my whole eye in a dark black color. I do also have it in black to transition my eyes to a night look, plus for touchups of my upper lash line. I used to love liquid eye liner until my Sephora salesperson introduced me to the Jet Set eye liner. This is another product I have been using for years!! You do have to use a brush to apply, and my favorite is the pointed liner by Sephora. This eye liner is a thick gel that goes on smooth like a liquid liner, but you have a little more flexibility than liquid if you make a mistake and no drying time. The color lasts all day on my eye, unlike a pencil which can fade a bit throughout the day. This small container lasts me for what feels like forever or at least about 4 months. I only apply it to my upper lash line. I finish up my eyes with waterproof mascara in a dark black color. I started wearing this Covergirl mascara in college when I was usually broke from shopping too much. I still love it, and have never really looked into a fancier mascara.
I hope you enjoy this new monthly beauty feature! If you have any other questions regarding any of these products, feel free to shoot me an email at karen@ladyinviolet.com.
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Print Mixing 101
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EXPRESS Striped Blouse, Old [SIMILAR | SIMILAR SPLURGE!] | CLASSIQUES ENTIER Print Pleat Skirt*ON SALE | BAKERS Patent Pumps, Old [SIMILAR | SIMILAR] | ELAINE TURNER Drew Black Clutch*ON SALE | GORJANA Chloe Large Stud Earrings, Zion Necklace, Mika Necklace | BAUBLEBAR Gold Ladder Cuff, Slim Hinge Bangle, Old [SIMILAR] | RAYBAN Original Aviator Sunglasses | MAC Lipstick in Faux | ESSIE Limo-Scene
I had another amazing weekend. While last weekend was all about relaxing, I felt this one was more about going back to my roots so to speak. On Saturday, my dad, sister and I headed to the Kolache Festival. My mom had to unexpectedly go into work, so we turned the day into a daughters/dad day date. We ate our fair share of kolaches, listened to my dad’s favorite polka music, and even took a few spins on the dance floor. This was an event we attended when I was a kid, so it was fun to go back and reminisce on the good old days. Sunday was all about old friends! My college best friends and I gathered for lunch and girl time. Even though we all live in the Houston area, we don’t see each other as much as we used to, so any day we can all get together is a special one.
I fell in love with the print of this skirt at first sight. I could not place my finger on exactly what it was that drew me to it. My sister saw it and felt it reminded her of a print our grandmother would wear, so maybe a bit of nostalgia struck when I saw this skirt. I love the different colors in the skirt, because it gives you multiple options of what color top you can wear with it. I decided to stray from my solid color route, and try a printed top. One of the shapes in the skirt is black and white stripe, so I decided to play off that print with a black and white striped top. The stripes on this top are super thin, so from a distance it almost looks like a gray top. I really love how the two prints work together, and play off each other. Print mixing can be very tricky. I ‘m still working on my basic skills of this art. If you are a novice print mixer like me, stripes are a great place to start. I think they blend more easily with other prints to create a nice cohesive look. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Monday!
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Summer Casual Style
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LOFT Lace Edged Shell | LOFT Linen Utility Skirt | BELLE BY SIGERSON MORRISON Wedges, Old [MORE WEDGES HERE] | LISI LERCH c/o Tassel Earrings | BURDLIFE c/o Black Sheep Necklace | GORJANA Chevron Pendant Necklace | BAUBLEBAR Slim Hinge Bangle, Old [SIMILAR], Pave Links Bracelet, Old [SIMILAR] | RAYBAN Original Aviator Sunglasses | MAC Lipstick in Faux | ESSIE Limo-Scene
The heat, the humidity, it is officially summer in Texas! Summers in Houston are HOT like 100 degree hot, so sometimes my summer casual outfits are just about how to not look like a sweaty mess by the end of the day! I wanted to add a couple casual weekend skirts to my closet this year. Something I could throw on with a tank top and flip flops or wedges and head to brunch or the grocery store. I found this skirt kind of by accident, and it was definitely a happy accident! I was looking through some similar colored skirts on a table at Loft, and this one was mixed in. I love the light breathable material and the cargo look of the skirt. I don’t own any bottoms in this army green color. I knew that was going to open up a whole can of outfit possibilities. I originally picked up this top to just try on with the skirt, but I loved how well they paired that I ended up buying both. This top is thin, so I have a white camisole underneath. I like the lace detailing on the sides to kick it up a notch from the average white tank top. I actually wore this outfit to a party where we spent a majority of the time outside. It definitely passed the test of the early 90 degree weather. This is just the type of outfit I need for this weekend. My family and I are heading to the Kolache Festival in East Bernard, TX. Kolaches, BBQ and Polka music! The event is both indoors and outdoors, so I’m defintely going to need a heat approved outfit! Have a great weekend ya’ll!
RESTYLED & REMIXED
BELLE BY SIGERSON MORRISON WEDGES: Time to Buy Wedges
BURDLIFE NECKLACE: Orange and Fabulous
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What I Wore: Blogger Event
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TOPSHOP Sleeveless Mixed Stripe Shirt | PAIGE DENIM Skyline Skinny Jeans | ENZO ANGIOLINI Brodee Sandals | HENRI BENDEL c/o West 57th Satchel | BAUBLEBAR Gold Ladder Cuff, Crystal Dandelion Drops, Slim Hinge Bangle, Old [SIMILAR], Pave Links Bracelet, Old [SIMILAR] | HOUSE OF HARLOW Sparkling Periphery Necklace | GORJANA Mika Necklace | RAYBAN Original Aviator Sunglasses | MAC Lipstick in Faux | ESSIE Limo-Scene
Yesterday, I shared a recap of the Green with Envy Blogger Event I attended last week. Today, I wanted to share a little about what I wore to the event. When I head to a networking event, I try to keep in mind that I am representing my blog, so I try to put a little extra thought into my outfit. My blog is all about my personal style, so picking an outfit that represents Lady in Violet is pretty easy.
I recently returned to our new Topshop in the Galleria and immediately grabbed this gorgeous striped top. I like that the stripes are going in different directions. I feel like the vertical stripes on the side with the horizontal in the middle creates a bit of a slimming effect. I also really like how it was longer in the back. You have probably figured out from past posts, I love clothes that move. The longer portion on the back of this top kind of waves in the wind when walking. It reminds me a bit of a cape effect! Since I knew this event would include touring the new space and styling outfits, I decided to wear a pair of cute but comfortable jeans. The dark color of these Paige jeans works perfectly with my striped top. I went to this event straight from work, so I was still carrying my new favorite everyday bag from Henri Bendel. I decided to wear my new Baublebar earrings to play off the teal undertones of my purse. For shoes, I wanted something simple, so I went with what is quickly become my most worn summer shoe, my Enzo Brodee sandals. I love this outfit, because it is polished and put together, but still has a laid back feel to it. A perfect outfit to represent my personal style! Thanks for stopping by! You can read more about my night at the event in my recap post!
RESTYLED & REMIXED
PAIGE DENIM: Bright & Layered
ENZO ANGIOLINI SANDALS: Modern Vintage
HENRI BENDEL SATCHEL: How to Choose a Colored Satchel
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