Fashion, Faces and Fabulous (Month Two)

Every month, beauty expert, Courtney Rogers, and myself will be giving you the very best advice on how to model the latest fashion and makeup trends. We agree it can be a little challenging to find a balance between style and beauty. Here, we will give you the latest insight on how to choose the perfect outfit while also incorporating your basic beauty necessities. We hope that with our help you feel more fabulous than ever before. Stay stylish, dolls. 

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."

 -Sophia Loren

Hannah (Style): Growing up with a mom like mine, Halloween is kind of a big deal. Sometimes, I feel like its more important than your typical celebration. Don't ask me why, but my mom is obsessed with Halloween, it's her favorite holiday. It's almost as big of deal as Christmas (for real!) She decorates the whole house with amazing decorations and goodies. So, for me it has always been crucial and it's also the holiday that provides us all a little time to dress up and have some fun. The three looks below are some of my favorites while also essential styles you can absolutely rock without too much effort.

Courtney (Beauty): It is a great excuse to get dressed up and to do some extra fun makeup looks, too!!! I am so excited to find the perfect costume this year! My bestie is going to be in from Southern California and I have already insisted upon doing her makeup as well. We are trying to choose a fun twosome costume, or something that goes well together! If all else fails I will opt for the ever-traditional Fairy Princess!!! The three looks featured are so much fun and they all offer different pieces of makeup creativity! I just want to highlight three main tricks to achieving each look.

Hannah (Style): The look that Anne Hathaway models above is the classic Cleopatra. The perfect way to get this look is from a few basics. Grab your long white gown, a bold and stylish stoned belt, lots of gold bracelets and bangles (some that are big enough to go all the way up your arm like Anne's.) While out and about, look for a short, gold necklace. Something Egyptian looking. Last, go to your local Halloween store for the perfect Cleopatra headpiece. 

Courtney (Beauty): The first look is the traditional Cleopatra with a modern twist. Her eyeliner is what really makes this look. To achieve this you need a black gel liner and a liquid liner to put over top. Start with the gel liner and a very flat eyeliner brush. I like to start in the outer corner of my eye and do a thin line along my lash line. I just keep building onto that until I get my liner as thick as I desire. Then, make the angle using the outer corner of your brow to help guide you. For this look, you can make a very dramatic angle and still look classy! Once I have the liner the way I want it, I go over it with my liquid just to enhance it a bit!

Hannah (Style): To grab the sexy flapper look like Lauren Conrad, you totes need to run to the Halloween store. Unless you have a fringy, short dress you in your closet, you most likely will have to find it at your local costume store. Make sure you add a boa, cute clutch or shoulder bag, dazzling headpiece (with a feather of course!) and obviously those amaze long strands of pearls, which are an absolute must! Add short and sweet little heels to touch the look with the perfect twist.

Courtney (Beauty): To achieve a bold lip like Lauren that is rockin, it is important to prep your lips correctly. This will ensure that the color will stay through your Trick or Treating adventure, or your Halloween party! Start with a  lip primer (I love Smashbox's), or you can use a concealer if you don't have a primer. Literally seal your lips with the primer, and then choose a lip liner to apply to the entire lip. Now, my preference is to put on a liner that is close to my natural lip color, as opposed to trying to match the lipstick color I am going to sport. Once you line your entire lip and fill it with the liner, apply your lipstick color. Be very diligent to stay within the lines and do two coats. Now, the secret to getting your color to stay, stay, stay is to then dab on a coat of High Definition powder to seal the color. You can add a third coat of lipstick or finish with a gloss and I promise, your lipstick will not move all night long!!!

Hannah (Style): Argggh matey! Kourtney Kardashian rocks this cute pirate costume while she holds her sidekick and little frog, Mason. The best way to develop this look is by providing yourself the basics. Find a colorful dress with puffy long sleeves, corset, black booties and a pirates hat. Throw on your dress, add the corset and wah-la! Grab your booties and pirates hat (which can be found at the Halloween store as well,) add some bangles if you choose and out the door your go! Trick-or-Treat!

Courtney (Beauty): Applying lashes is a must do for any Halloween look. This can be a little tricky doing it on yourself because it is easy to get mixed up and turned around in the mirror. Just be patient and leave enough time to do it again if need be! I like to take my strip last out of the package and bend each one bit to get some flexibility. I then take one of the strips and apply a very thin amount of adhesive to it. Blow it to a tacky dry, and then apply the strip starting on the outside of your lashes and work in. Once you have the lash placed exactly where you want it, you can hold each end down and let it dry for about 20 seconds. When both lashes are on secure, apply a coat of black mascara to blend your lashes in with the strip. This will seriously amp up any Halloween look you are trying to achieve! Don't be afraid to rock some feather lashes, or ones with some bling on them and the hot thing to do this year, is to double up on your lashes.

Hannah (Style): Surely these beauty and style tips provide you some kind of help for your Halloween costume. If you need any style advice or have any questions concerning your Halloween wardrobe, please feel free to ask me. You can find me on twitter @hannahkooc or on facebook at facebook.com/Doll Maison. Enjoy a careful and fabulously fashionable Halloween!!!

XOXO your personal stylist,

Hannah Cook - Doll Maison

Courtney (Beauty): This holiday is an excuse to go all out and have fun! Hopefully you will be able to use one or all of these tips in your Halloween look. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to tweet me at humanybeautyinc, or you can find me on facebook at humanbeauty! Have fun, play safe and be beauty!!!!

XOXO your makeup artist,

Courtney Rogers - Human Beauty

Sassy Simple Sweats

The cold and crisp weather puts most of us in a mood. The kind of mood where you just want to snuggle up in a ball on the couch and watch your favorite movie. You dream about comfy sweats at work and can't wait to get home so you can dive into a pair. On the weekend, you lounge and go casual. Sometimes, it can be a challenge finding cute sweats though. I promise with the selection of sweats below you can look careless yet charming. Start shopping! 

Check out these Lightweight University Pants ($45) that are sweet and by PINK for Victoria's Secret! You can't go wrong. Pair with a white top and tennis shoes.

I adore Juicy Couture. Who couldn't! I gush over this gorge purple track suit with gorgeous sparkly silver detail on the back of the jacket. Get the JC Eagle Velour Hoodie ($198) and JC Eagle Velour Pant ($118) and pair these girly sweats with cute black flats.

This Hard Tail 'Girly' Hoodie ($88) is super chic and fun and goes great with black leggings or yoga pants. Accompany them with a pair of sneakers or cute flats to give the look the perfect effect.

Coming in a variety of colors these Women's Sweat Pants ($25) would look great with your favorite baseball or football team shirt. Add a pair of tennis shoes and toss your hair in a pony tail while you get ready to cheer on your team.

Tory Burch Resort 2013 Preview

While I sit here gushing and obsessing over the Tory Burch Resort 2013 collection, I must admit that this is by far my favorite collection, which is why I chose to do an individual piece on her designs. I hold a very special place in my heart for Tory while she is one of the most creative women in the fashion industry and I own several of her pieces. She knows exactly what she is doing and designs the most magnificent ensembles while constructing them with the best quality fabrics and exquisite patterns and prints. (Maybe I am biased because she wished me a Happy Birthday last year!) Every time I walk into one of her stores my heart flutters and I feel like a kid walking into a candy shop. As I view these outfits, I seriously want to scream with excitement. Tory Burch has done it again and I cannot wait for these pieces to hit stores! For now, check out my favorites below. 

XOXO

NYFW Spring 2013 Preview

While New York Fashion Week has come and gone, I took some time selecting my favorite pieces from seven genius designers. While the elimination process was crucial and insane, I have finally selected the most beloved styles. The collections featured at NYFW were absolutely incredible and I wish that they would fill my closet by Spring. Check out the most adored looks below. 

Michael Kors chose to add a touch of sparkle and gold with white shorts and metallic heels. The blouse is super glimmering and an incredible way to add spunk to any outfit.

Jason Wu goes classy with a black and white fitted top, black skinny ankle pants and black heels. He chooses to pop the outfit with a white and leopard tote.

BCBG opts for a flawless sheer, lace black and creme frock with black heels that wrap around the ankles. Flawless and perf! Crushing over the wavy locks and simple black clutch.

One of my fav designs was composed by DKNY. I love this simple and carefree gown that fits the body completely. I admire how creative the design is while it also offers a collective feel.

DVF chooses bold and funky colors and patterns (per usual) which I totally gush over! The gorgeous dress above showcases a coral hue, white and turquoise. I love the bit of sparkle at the bottom of the frock that totally adds something special.

Kate Spade has proven that 50's inspired fash is what is going to be hot! Grab the mint collar blouse, checker capris, pointed toe flats, cat eye sunnies and nude tote. So Mad Men!

Victoria Beckham creates this chic and hip white mini with a clean and effortless cutout. Paired with the sassy nude knee high gladiators, this is totes amaze! I die!