Suck it in, we’re talking swimwear
Pistol Panties. How’s that for the name of a swimwear company? Insired by timeless styles, the young UK brand is known for retro chic and glamorous swimwear that smacks of 1950s pinup girls.
Pistol Panties showed its spring ‘09 collection during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week swim event in Florida.
Here’s a peek at what will be showing up in stores in about eight months. The good news: We’ve got plenty of time to shape up. You start first, I’ll follow.
Be nice to your makeup brushes
Makeup brushes are expensive. Treat them with care.
If they’re not cared for properly they can become a magnet for bacteria. And no one wants to apply makeup with an icky makeup brush. Think of your skin.
Shana King, founder of adesign brushes, www.adesignbrushes.com, knows how to work a brush. She also knows the importance of keeping them clean and in good shape. Here are her tips:
1. Store properly. Store brushes in their custom pouches to assure they stay safe, so that the bristles will not be crushed.
2. A clean brush is a happy brush. Once a month use mild soap or shampoo and water. Gently work soap or shampoo through the bristles. Swirl the brush in circles in the palm of your hand and rinse under water, until water is clear.
3. Dry dock. If possible, brushes love to be hung up, bristles facing to the floor toassure all moisture is removed.
4. Quick clean. As needed, use an alcohol-free swab to remove excess makeup in between big washes.
Get the point
Giuseppe Zanotti multicolor pump
Get ready, ladies. Pointed-toe shoes are showing up in the stores.
The round-toe styles we’ve enjoyed for a few seasons aren’t walking out the door yet, but the new kid on the block begs for attention. Look for pointy toe pumps, lace-up booties and stiletto Mary Janes.
Take a peek.
Nine West pump
Miss Sixty suede oxford
Cole Haan pump with Nike Air
Prada bootie
Jean Paul Gaultier t-strap
Implants for eyebrows?
Eyebrow implants are becoming more popular.
Who knew such a treatment even existed? The procedure requires a graft from the scalp area. The graft is then divided into single hair follicle grafts and implanted one by one on the brows.
Implants are now being touted as a solution for thinning brows caused from overplucking, a genetic predisposition, physical trauma or a medical condition.
Usually women fill in thinning brows with a brow pencil or shadow; some opt for permanent tattoos.
Hair transplant surgeon Dr. Antonio Armani says many people are now turning to eyebrow implants for a longer lasting, natural looking fix.
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery Practice Census, of the 7.1 percent of hair restoration procedures performed on areas other than the scalp in 2006, 3.4 percent of those were done on brows, the highest percentage of all non-scalp procedures.
Beauty tip: wrinkles a go-go
Who says you can’t have a spa experience with ingredients found in the kitchen? Here’s a recipe for a wrinkle-softening mask from “Age-Defying Beauty Secrets” by Diane Irons.
Mash half a cucumber and apply to clean, dry skin. Leave on at least 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water.
Give ‘em the boot
So I’m browsing the Saks Web site and I come across these boots. Now I’m all for creativity and pushing the style button, but these gave me a flashback to jumpsuits, Afros and the ’70s. What do you think?
The Yves Saint Laurent Studio Wedge Ankle Boots feature a hidden platform, a five-inch wedge and a curved heel. The price: $1495.00.
Meet Carmindy … in Dallas
Carmindy, the makeup artist on television’s “What Not to Wear,” is making appearances at a few cities for free consultations for her new line, Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy.
Dallas is as close as she’s getting to Oklahoma City, at least right now. If you’re up for a road trip, here’s where she’ll be:
Friday, July 25: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., CVS, 10455 N Central Expressway. (214) 369-3872
Friday, July 25: 3 to 5 p.m., Ulta, 5301 Beltline Road, Prestonwood Town Center. (972) 788-4071.
Saturday, July 26: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., CVS, 5702 Lavon Drive, Garland. (972) 495-5595.
Happy Monday, here’s a freebie
I can think of no better way to start off the week than with two free products.
This week’s bounty — Olay Total Effects Revitalizing Foaming Cleanser and Olay Total Effects Nourishing Cream Cleanser. One cleanser per winner.
If you’re interested, e-mail me with your name and address at fashionmatters@oklahoman.com. I’ll draw two lucky winners at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. You should have the products by Thursday or Friday.
Get checking back. You never know when we’ll have more freebies.
Get your hands on “The Closer” tote
A great tote is tops on most women’s must-have list.
Now comes an opportunity to score not just a great tote but a specially created version of the trademark black bag carried by Brenda Leigh Johnson on “The Closer.”
The Closer tote will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday on QVC during the shopping channel’s Fall Fashion Designer Gallery segment.
The Closer bag sells for $59.
The QVC broadcast will include highlight clips from “The Closer,” plus behind-the-scenes footage from the series promoting the new season, which started July 14 on TNT.
“Brenda has become an icon to her diehard fans,” said Tricia Melton, senior vice president of marketing for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies. “They’ve asked for a chance to buy a copy of her bag, and we listened.”
QVC also is offering a chance to win the bag and other items. For information, click here.
Brenda, played by actress Kyra Sedgwick, is a former Atlanta detective who moved to Los Angeles to head a special Los Angeles Police Department unit that solves sensitive, high-profile murder cases.
UPDATE FROM LINDA: From what I’ve read, the original tote was custom made based on a Furla and Prada bag. There’s a similar style — and it’s on sale — on the Wilson leather web site here. Let me know what you think.
The Wilson Leather “Grab & Go” tote … it’s on sale for about $50.
Target’s new accessory collection
Botkier for Target faux python shoulder bags, $29.99
Designer Monica Botkier’s limited-edition accessories land on Target store shelves July 20. The collection, a marriage of luxury and utility with a downtown edge, shows off the designer’s philosophy of using hardware as the jewelry of the handbag while keeping focus on functionality.
Hobo in crackled silver or gold, $49.99
Look for clutches, satchels and hobos in black, fuchsia and metallic. As an interesting twist, Botkier incorporated the Target bullseye logo as a signature hardware piece, which doubles as a removable key chain.
The pieces range in price from $19.99 to $49.99. The limited-edition collection will be in stores through Sept. 14.
Botkier, a native New Yorker, began her career in the fashion industry working as a photographer for several fashion magazines. She produced her first handbag collection, which became an instant success, in 2003. Since then, her collection has grown to include footwear and continues to have a cult following in the fashion industry and among celebrities.
