Which Sex and the City Girl is Your Style?

As a faithful fan of the TV series and now the Sex and the City movies, I am always in awe of how great Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte look. They always are in tune with the latest trends but at the same time have such individual style.

I'm sure a small army of stylists are at work to create each look we see on screen. Most of us don't have the time to analyze and research the specific items that might help us look like our favorite. But we do have a local DC stylist who can help us zero in on some key features of each one and incorporate these tips into our wardrobe and makeup.

Margaret Lilly, who has a consulting and styling service called Lilly's Closet, put together a segment for the local Fox station for each of the movie launches. She recreated the look of each character on local women and is an excellent source of knowing how to channel our inner Sex and the City gal or just help us add some fun and fresh looks to our repertoire.

Here's what Margaret suggests:

Common Denominators—Neutral/nude platform stiletto’s, natural/nude makeup (super fresh!), Hats!

Carrie:
Must Haves: Accordion pleated 70’s blouson dress (vintage), Head Scarf, Nude Platform Stilettos, Short Clover (Charm) Necklace, Aviator Sunglasses

She's all about mixing high with low---and luxe materials with cottons: "t-shirts and taffeta"!!

Hair/Makeup: Nude Lips, Heavy eyes (tons of black eyeliner!), tousled hair and/or BIG up do!

Miranda:
Must Haves: Tribal and/or Graphic Print Jersey Dresses, Eveningwear with Plunging Necklines, White Straw Fedora

Hair/Makeup: Sleek, angular hair and super natural makeup!

Samantha:
Must Haves: 80’s inspired Statement Earrings, “Skin-baring” dresses (preferably spandex), Vintage Gold Belts, Harem Pants

Hair/Makeup: Sleek Hair, Heavy foundation, Pinky Lips

Charlotte:
Must Haves: Jewel-toned Suits with ruffle details, Match your bag to your dress color, delicate to no jewelry

Hair/Makeup: Super Natural Make-up, Flowing Long Hair (never pulled back)


For further information about Margaret and the services she offers you can visit her website at www.lillysclosetonline.com.

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

The Right To Bare Legs

It's the season to wear bathing suits and shorts and show a lot of skin--and maybe some little flaws and things you would rather keep under wraps.

There is almost universal agreement that having a tan, real or otherwise, is a great way to mask any small marks or things we'd prefer to keep to ourselves. But sometime there are bigger issues or imperfections that tanning alone won't hide.

Things like spider and varicose veins, stretch marks, birth marks, scars and all those things that you'd rather not show off. Some products actually help prevent further problems and some can camouflage areas where the damage is done.

A few of the cover up products include one by an unlikely creator...Joan Rivers of all people! But she does have a beauty line she sells on QVC and I just happened to see her promoting it one day and was rather intrigued.

Joan Rivers Beauty Right to Bare Legs is a corrective concealer that can cover up veins or marks on your legs or anywhere you want to conceal an imperfection. It's $22.50 and comes in 3 shades but some are waitlisted so you probably have to order soon if you want it before the end of summer. It's gotten pretty good reviews on the QVC site (www.qvc.com) with just a few issues regarding the application. Apparently it dries quickly and so can be hard to spread and it requires some moisturizer on the skin. But it is waterproof and supposed to stay put until you wash it off with soap and water.



Along the same lines but probably a bit less of a cover up and more of an enhancer is Per-fekt Beauty's Body Perfection Gel. It's described as a multi-functional "skin perfector" that also adds a bit of a glow to the area it's applied. The product has Hyalauronic Microspheres that hydrate the skin and help firm, tone and improve the skin's elasticity. It is also water resistant and transfer proof. You can buy it at Sephora stores or through www.sephora.com.



If you have legs that sometimes ache from poor cirulation due to spider or varicose veins you might like a product that addresses that problem, plus helps their appearance from within.
Eminence Organic skin care line has a Lychee and Chestnut Firming Leg Treatment that improves circulation and stimulates skin and reducing the visible signs of varicose veins. Cost is $64.00 but Laser Plus in Vienna, VA www.laserplus.bz is offering a special on the product till 7/11 and you can buy it for $55.00. They also have a tester in their office if you want to try it out first.



http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Summer Makeup Palette and Trends

There are always new colors and makeup trends for each season and I recently went to a pro to to find out what the hot looks are for this summer. Lindsay Ebbin, National Makeup Retail Director for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas has spent his career in beauty, hair and makeup and shares his expertise with BeautyInDC.com.

Q: Lindsay can you tell us about your background?

A: I was discovered in high school by a modeling scout and modeled for 5 years professionally. I then became interested in the fashion arena and mentored under a celebrity makeup/hairstylist in Toronto, Canada. I continued learn as I began to work with woman who needed makeovers after having chemotherapy to help them look good feel better. In the early 90's a new makeup line was being formulated in Toronto and I learned color theory from that company. It went on to became one of the most successful cosmetic brands in the world known as MAC. 4 Years later Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas recruited me to lead their creative styling and makeup team in Canada as well as doing hair shows in US for Wella and Paul Mitchell providing seasonal forecasts. I was transferred to New York City as the National Makeup Artist on Fifth Avenue working with everyone from celebrities to supermodels. I am now the National Makeup Retail Director in the U.S for Red Door Spas Elizabeth Arden.

Q: What are the hot makeup colors for summer?

A: Trends for summer are blues hues for eyes from baby to indigo blue. Highlights of shell pink and warm browns. Those who want an edgey look they will want to use colors of the rainbow. Eyeliner is thick but comes in different colors like blue, teal, black and golden brown. Skin is glowing with tinted foundations & a natural mineral bronzer that is used as a contour to highlight your best areas of the face. Elizabeth Arden launched an innovative mineral technology that creates this beautiful natural look on the skin. Lipstick is pink with a brown base tone or coral and Orange Reds.

Q: Should we change our foundation and other makeup if we have a tan?
A: Yes, at Red Door we have computerized custom color makeup from super sheer finish to heavy coverage. It mixes it like paint and is water based, hypo allergenic and non comdegenic. We can also create a mat finish as it makes over a million shades customized to your skin tone. Many women have switched to mineral powders that grind, so it is freshly milled to give you that natural flawless finish. Any foundation should be accented with a primer first and or SPF of your choice that is not clogging. I would recommend if you know you will tan or will be in the sun going 2 shades darker than your skin tone and match against your chest or arm area since they are hit by the sun

Q: Are there any specific products you would recommend that would help women look good for summer weddings or a class reunion?

A: Prevage advanced anti aging treatment moisturizer is one that wards off free radicals, helps to minimize discolorations, spots, freckles, lines and wrinkles. It also comes with an SPF 30 and has been in endorsed by the American Cancer Association. You will feel protected and your skin will feel regenerated and look more youthful as you continue to use it.

Q: How can we keep our makeup fresh in the summer heat and humidity?

A: Use matte based skin products, water based only with pore tightning primers that don't block the pores but help minimize them. Have a some of your favorite lip gloss in your bag, a pressed or mineral powder to touch up throughout the day, and a concealer that does not crease, is liquid and dries down to a powder finish. If want a glow use cream blushes because they do not shift or move in the heat when you perspire and apply using a brush. A sponge or your finger will not give you the same finish

Q: Even if someone doesn't like to wear makeup are there a few basic things they can do to look polished?

A: Use a moisturizer on freshly cleansed skin and a good eye cream to protect with an Spf or anti-aging formula first (SPF 15 and up). Apply one or all of concealer/mineral powder/bronzer if needed. Mascara to bring enhance your eye color or colored eyeliner. High shine color tinted lip gloss or sheer lipstick.


http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Be A Beach Beauty In Vienna!

At the Beauty On The Beach Bash in Chevy Chase, MD this past Tuesday and everyone was able to rise above the rainy weather and enjoy a night of beauty tips and treats. As one attendee wrote:

"I loved the event last night. I visited nearly every table and got great tips and signed up for everything there was to win."

If you missed the Maryland event you have another opportunity to get in on a fun night of beauty, networking, shopping and pampering all in one! BeautyInDC.com presents Beauty On The Beach Bash at the Westwood Country Club in Vienna, VA tomorrow Tuesday, May 18th from 6 to 9pm. The ballroom overlooks the golf course and is the perfect setting to think about getting ready for summer, the beach and all of the events you might be attending. If you have weddings or a class reunion wouldn't it be nice if everyone told you how fabulous you're looking these days!

Some of Northern Virigina's top experts in plastic surgery, dermatology, skin care, body sculpting, nutrition, tanning, makeup, hair and just about every aspect of looking good will be there. If you love to shop you'll also have gorgeous jewelry and hot summer fashions to check out. Saks Fifth Avenue of Tyson's Galleria will bring some of the latest beach wear and share summer trends and style tips. And Lifestyle expert Toni Leinhardt will show you how to accessorize your outfits to make the most of your wardrobe.

The event will be interactive so you'll be able to get your makeup done, watch a spray tanning demonstration or receive a Visia digital skin analysis so you'll know what products will be most effective.

And there will be tons of giveaways of pampering and beauty treatments that will make you look and feel your best.

It's really the ultimate girl's night out with everything you could want in one place including a chance to win passes to see the movie we all want to see with our girlfriends, Sex and the City 2!

And when the night is over you'll leave with your gift bag overflowing with Dr. Michelle Copeland and Apriori Beauty products, discount coupons and even Serendipity 3 frozen hot chocolate packets.

Get your tickets now at www.beautyonthebeachbash.com. They're only $25 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes.

Champagne & Makeup Evening at Parma

At the Sparkle at the Ball event in March at Mervis Diamond Importers some of the guests were treated to the kind of makeup application you would expect for models or celebrities. International makeup artist Karen Byers shared her would apply makeup as only an expert of her caliber can and the results were immediate. Karen was with Estee Lauder for 8 years and more recently with Bobbi Brown and Chanel. She has over 12 years of experience doing shoots for magazines and really knows her stuff!

On Wednesday, April 12th from 5 to 8pm you can attend a champagne evening at Parma Spa in Vienna to meet Karen. This will be a chance to bring your makeup and have some time with Karen in an intimate setting as the event is limited to 15 participants. The charge for the evening is $50 and that can be used towards any product purchase that evening. Parma will also be offering 20% off Intelegent Skincare.

So many times I hear women say if only someone could show them how to hide their flaws and bring out their best features. Most of us use makeup everyday but may have never been shown the proper way to apply it to really get the full benefits of wearing it. So here is your opportunity and what a great Mother's day gift--you can turn it into some quality mother/daughter time!

To RSVP to this event call 703-506-8401.

Parma Spa

8212-B Old Courthouse Road

Vienna, VA 22182

www.parmaspa.com

http://www.beautyindc.com/ is your local resource for information and deals on beauty services in the Washington Metro area.

Making Mother's Day Beautiful For Everyone

Mother's Day is almost here and maybe you're counting your blessings for having a wonderful Mom who was always there for you. And hopefully you can open your heart to some less fortunate Moms in the DC area.

A dedicated group of local women and students will be delivering 300 gift bags called Beauty Within to homeless mothers temporarily residing with their families at Miriam's House and N Street Village.


If you would like to help they are soliciting donations of beauty products found in swag bags, hotel bath toiletries, gifts with purchase items, and any full-sized unused beauty products to be given to the women. In addition, books, magazines and gently used accessories are appreciated. The deadline to receive items is Thursday, May 6th.

Beauty Within was created 10 years ago by Lynda Erkiletian, president of THE Artist Agency, and the DC chapter of Fashion Group International as a community outreach program to recognize women who are often forgotten. Together with fashion merchandising students from Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, items are solicited, gift bags are embellished and stuffed with items, and then delivered to the shelters in time for Mother's Day.

Donations Dates & Times:

T H E Artist Agency will be accepting any mailed or delivered donations:
Monday - Friday between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, until Thursday, May 6th

Langley High School will be accepting mailed or delivered donations:
Monday - Friday between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, until Thursday, May 6th

Delivery Locations:

T H E Artist Agency
1207 Potomac St, NW
Washington, D.C. 20007
Attention: Heather Halsey, Marketing Director

Langley High School
6520 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101
Attention: Tricia Wenzel-Poythress, Fashion Marketing Dept.

http://www.beautyindc.com/ your local resource for specials on beauty services as well as the latest information on beauty, health and fitness.

The Beauty Apps For The Beauty On The Go

If you like to use all the latest tech tools to make your life easier here are a few that you can add to your arsenal.

Do you wish your teeth looked whiter in your Facebook photo--well they can with a few clicks. Got to the Crest Whitestrips 3-D Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CrestWhitestrips and click on the Whiten It tab and it will take you through the process and voila...a more beautiful smile instantly!

Do you find it hard to decide among the thousands of beauty products for your face and body? Go to myskin.com and enter information about your beauty history as in things you liked or disliked, lifestyle, diet etc and they'll recommend skincare from a database of 4500 brands and give suggestions from what other users with similar characteristics are using.

Coming soon a mySkin app for iPhone and Windows Mobile as well as a Beauty Store Buddy app to help you pick out products in the store.

If you have a beauty problem very soon there will be a beauty app to solve it!

http://www.beautyindc.com/ your local resource for specials on beauty services as well as the latest information on beauty, health and fitness.