Coquette

March Favorites: Dior Skincare, Clinique Makeup + Big Little Lies

Hi Lovelies,

I have lot of favorites to share with you this month since I'm merging both my February and March favorites together here. For skincare, I have been absolutely loving using both the Dior One Essential and the Dirt Capture Totale Dream Skin. I have been using them everyday for two months and my skin has been looking radiant.

I'm now looking forward to April as spring is here and the weather has been getting nicer around SF!

Enjoy this month's favorites!

1. Cocokind Organic Rosewater Facial Toner ($16.99 at Cocokind)
This is one of my absolute favorites to use everyday because it's so light and refreshing to the skin. It now comes in a spray glass bottle that you can easily spritz onto your face after you cleanse it.

2. Pony Effect Conceptual Eyes Quad #BeRomantic ($29 at Memebox)
This eye quad from Korean Beauty brand Pony Effect makes me so excite for spring weather. I love the rose gold tones here and I usually mix the top two colors to create a soft wash on my lids. Then I line it with a dark brown liquid liner. The look is that fresh, modern peachy, gold warm look on my lids that I love right now. The colors all blend really well together. This makes me want to get another Pony Effect Eye Quad because the shadows are really finely milled and the price is just right at $29!

3. Clinique Crayola Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm ($17 at Sephora, limited edition)

I've been addicted to carrying around my adorable Crayola Chubby Stick in Wild Strawberry. The color is just perfect on my lips to give a soft wash of tinted color. Grab these in as many colors as you can or pick up the mini box set of four colors for $25.

4. Clarins Fix' Make-Up ($29 at Clarins USA)
I don't like the idea of using a setting spray filled with chemicals to just keep my makeup fresh. Instead, I am loving what Clarins has come out with. This is a new formula that not only helps to set your makeup, the spray is enriched with grapefruit extract, aloe vera and allantoin. The organic rose water scent is so refreshing. I also love that it has Clarins' anti-pollution complex so it protects your skin from all the pollution in the city. I'll do a full review of this soon but with spring and summer coming up, this is going to be one of my must-haves!

5.Dior Capture Totale One Essential ($125 at Sephora, 1.7 oz)
I remember getting a facial at the Dior Institute in Paris around four years ago and the facialist I had recommended I use this serum. For some reason, I didn't want to give into the hype. Years later, I don't know what I would do without this serum! I have been using it twice a day, everyday for two months now and it's really made my skin great. When I recently had a facial at the Dior boutique in Santa Clara, Sarah my facials told me it prevents blackheads. It's true! I haven't had one since I started using it and the pores around my nose are really clean. I have the 1.7 oz bottle and it definitely lasts. (I use two pumps each time I am using it.)

6. Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Advanced ($150 at Sephora, 1.7 oz)
This is such a wonderful primer to use before your foundation or for something to wear on your skin when you don't want to wear any foundation. I find it really evens your skin tone and gives your face a smooth, blur-like effect. I honestly wear this everyday when I am not wearing full makeup and it just makes my skin look wonderful. What I love about getting the larger 1.7 oz size is that you can just buy the refill bottle when you are finished for only $128.

7. Clinique Cream Shaper for Eyes in 103 Egyptian ($17 at Clinique)
This is one of my favorite eyeliners. I wrote about it two years ago (review here) but I just wanted to bring it up again for any of you new readers. I read about this in a Refinery 29 post about American beauty products that Korean girls go crazy for. It is true - the eyeliner is just such a flattering color brownish-dark green color with gold flecks that bring out your eyes.

8. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty ($9.93 on Amazon)
If you are loving the HBO TV series staring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, you have to pick up this book to read the original story. Pick it up, even if you are not watching the show. I read the book first and they are somewhat different. The TV show takes way more liberties in changing some of the story. The TV show takes place in Monterey, CA while the book takes place in a coastal town near Sydney, Australia. I love that the book gives you insight into all the main characters so you really know why they are feeling *what* they are feeling, plus all the gossip and backstories. This is such a fun book to read I devoured it within a week. If you're a mom, you'll love this book even more! I also really recommend watching the HBO TV series. It's soooo good!

September Favorites: Chanel Eyeshadow, Acure Argan Oil + Outlander

I'm a little late this month with my favorites from September but I am happy to post them now and get myself going on this monthly routine. I skipped August because I was mostly in Europe so my favorites from last month will also include a couple of things I really loved from my trip (Chanel palette and Maybeline concealer). Enjoy!

1. Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow ($61 at Nordstrom)
On my summer trip, I only brought this eye shadow palette and a few eyeliners to take me through three countries and multiple evenings of dinner in Paris. I even some times apply it with the applicators it comes with because according to makeup genius Lisa Eldrige, these new velvety applicators can give you a different look. I love how buildable the shadows are and I don't get a lot of powder fallout under my eyes. The palette I bought was 204 Tisse Vendome which looks darker in this image here so check it out in person. I love the soft coral color on my lids that works well with the onset of fall. Major love!

2. Acure Argan Oil ($12.99 at Drugstore.com)
I picked this wonderful argan oil at Whole Foods and it's a much cheaper than Josie Maran's. (I could swear the price there was around $11.99 there.) Filled with rich Vitamin E, this is super food for your skin! With essential fatty acids and proteins, argan oil is said to be "liquid gold". It can repair skin, minimize scars and stretch marks, while restoring skin tone and elasticity. I use it at night on top of my whole routine to "set" it all in. It's left the usually dry skin on my forehead incredibly soft!

3. Radical Skincare Instant Revitalizing Mask ($65 at Sephora) Anything that bubbles like champagne is a good thing, no? Especially when it bubbles on your face so you can see where it's working to clean your skin. My face feels refreshed and hydrated after. I love doing this a couple times a week now!

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Treatment Concealer ($7.39-$7.99 at Target)
I love this drugstore find for its spongy tip that lets me dab concealer under my eyes like a 5 year old art project. j/k! Seriously, the wide sponge is great to just take away those dark circles and eliminates me from having to have an extra step with a brush. I simply pat it through lightly with my fingers to blend it in after. I picked a lighter shade 215 Fair/Light to have a brightening effect on my face.

5. Outlander on STARZ
If you need a good TV show to get addicted to look no further than Outlander on the STARZ cable network. It's sci-fi meets period romance, if that even makes sense. Ok then how about hot men in kilts? The story centers around Claire Randall a former WWII combat nurse who travels back in time to 1743 Scotland thanks to touching an ancient stone circle. Yes it makes no sense but the story somehow does and you will get sucked in. Plus, you'll love her chunky knits she wears on the show. See if you can catch the first eight episodes via On Demand since the rest of Season 1 resumes on April 4, 2014. Of course the TV show is based on author Diana Gabaldon's series of books in the 90's so you can pick up the Outlander novel to tide you over to April.

A Journal for Shoe Lovers by Samantha Hahn

I am so excited that I just updated my tote bag with a new notebook. This beautiful lined journal by my friend, artist and illustrator Samantha Hahn. Her Parade of Shoes Journal ($11.01 on Amazon, published by Potter Style) features a bevy of fancy watercolor painted shoes from Louboutins to vintage Dior. Artwork for the journal is from the fashion/astrology gift book, Shoestrology.

The 128 page journal also features many more beautiful shoe illustrations inside, giving you that extra eye candy inspiration as you write. The hot pink elastic band is also a great colorful bookmark that keeps everything in place. It's been fun to spot the various designers shoes like the studded Valentinos, alligator Gucci boots, and more. The blank journal is the perfect gift to a shoe lover in your life!

See more photos of the journal on Samantha's blog, Maquette.

Note: A journal was provided by Crown Publishing for this review.

Winner of the Give Books Giveaway

Congratulations to Heather from Lena, IL for winning my 10 book picks in my recent Give Books giveaway from Chronicle Books. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Shop for all your holiday gifts with this special 30% off promo code from Chronicle Books:
Now through December 31, enjoy 30% off + free ground shipping on all holiday orders at ChronicleBooks.com. Enter discount code GIVEBOOKS at checkout.

Fashion Book: Stars in Dior

A new fashion book, Stars in Dior by Jerome Hanover ($65, published by Rizzoli) will be available this May in France and later in September in the U.S. From old Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich to today's celebs like Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman, few knew that in 1942 Christian Dior himself got his start as a costume designer before his couture house was created in 1946. This book features 250 photos of film stills, location shots, photographs and portraits of actresses – all dressed in Dior.

Natalie Portman, photographed by Alexi Lubomirski, in an embroidered silk dress, Christian Dior Haute Couture collection by John Galliano, Autumn–Winter 2009. © Alexi Lubomirski.

Charlize Theron photographed by Patrick Demarchelier in the Galerie des Glaces at the Château de Versailles, 2012. © Patrick Demarchelier.

In Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright, Marlene Dietrich imposes her friend and couturier Christian Dior: “No Dior, no Dietrich!” Hitchcock, well known for the care he takes in developing his heroines’ style, will have to give in to the star’s demands. Her contract requires a Dior wardrobe (which she was allowed to keep after the end of shooting). With no hard feelings, the director will admit: “Miss Dietrich is a professional. A professional actress, a professional cameraman, a professional dress designer!” © Rue des Archives/BCA

Winners of the Secrets of Stylists Book

Congratulations to Kira from Pittsburgh, PA and Ria from Glen Allen, VA for each winning a copy of Sasha Charnin Morrison's Secrets of Stylists: An Insider's Guide to Styling the Stars (published by Chronicle Books). Thanks to everyone who entered! More giveaways to come soon.

If you missed it, check out my interview with Sasha here and her mom fashion advice here.

Secrets of Stylists: Exclusive Interview with Sasha Charnin Morrison + Givaway

Fashion industry veteran Sasha Charnin Morrison gives you a glimpse inside the world of fashion and stylists with her amazing book, Secrets of Stylists: An Insider's Guide to Styling the Stars (published by Chronicle Books). As the current fashion director at US Weekly, Morrison has over 20 years experience working in the biz for such publications as Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Allure, Vanity Fair, and more. She has her finger on the pulse of trends and celebrity fashion, all with an amazing sense of humor. She loves a very high heel and if you follow her on twitter or tumblr, you'll see the many nuggets of fashion eye candy she'll share each day.

What I love about Secrets of Stylists is that it goes deeper into what it takes to be a stylist. As an addict to the Bravo fashion stylist reality TV shows of Rachel Zoe and Brad Goreski, this book is a godsend. From the nitty gritty details of inventory to the drool-worthy trays of high-end jewelry and racks of gowns, Morrison gives you a complete in-depth look into this glamourous as well as tough as nails world. Even if you aren't looking for a career in fashion styling, the book gives you plenty of tips and advice on how to carve out your own personal style. I love, love, love all the photos of celebrities but what I love the most is the detailed photos she includes featuring sketches, supplies, array of outfits, and scribbled detailed notes – a true behind the scenes peek at this fabulous world.

Book Giveaway
Just in time for fashion week! Two lucky Coquette readers will win a copy of Secrets of Stylists! Just leave a comment to this post. The giveaway ends on Friday, February 10th at 5pm PST Monday, February 13th at 5pm PST. Good luck!

I also got a chance to talk to Sasha Charnin Morrison and ask her some very important fashion questions. Click for the interview after the jump!

Winner of the People StyleWatch Magazine Giveaway

Congratulations to Danielle from Baton Rouge, LA for winning a one year subscription to People StyleWatch magazine in my recent giveaway. Thanks to everyone who entered. I will have more giveaways soon! xo

Holiday Shopping Tips from People StyleWatch + Enter to Win a Free 1 Year Subscription

Are you feeling stressed over your holiday list? Never fear! People StyleWatch Magazine's Deputy Editor Leigh Belz took some time to answer a few of my questions on holiday shopping and holiday parties in the video above. She has lots of great budget-friendly picks - just what we need!

Coquette Giveaway

One lucky reader from Coquette will get a free one year subscription to People StyleWatch magazine! (Must be a U.S. resident.) Just leave a comment below to this post by Noon PST on Monday, December 19, 2012.

NYFW: HP Project Runway Designer Reunion Party

(Photo: HP)

I love Project Runway! The challenges, seeing the design process, the cast and THE DRAMA. Getting the chance to attend the HP Project Runway Designer Reunion party during New York fashion week was a dream.

Seeing all the designers in one place and the camaraderie amongst the casts between the seasons was fantastic. They do really like each other! I tried to mingle and talk to as many of the designers as I could.

Here are the highlights:

Becky, Season 9
"Project Runway was emotionally draining, but I'm thankful for the opportunity. Life after Project Runway is weird, everything about me is on the Internet. I have an avatar! But, life is just beginning. I want to design for the average woman, a woman with curves who likes good design. I would love to [eventually] sell my line at Target."

Michael, Season 8
"Life after Project Runway is really great! I've been working on my own line Michael Costello Couture and having fun doing it."

Bert, Season 9
"Project Runway allowed me to get back to design after 20 years and it felt good. There was an age gap with the other designers and I have not really used technology to design before, but I want to. I'm learning!"

Mondo, Season 8
"I'm really happy. I've been focusing on activism. A lot of people expect a lot from me and that is hard. I just want to make an impact!"

Danielle, Season 9
"Project Runway was a hard balance of staying true to my design and making good TV. I learned a lot. I love being back in Minneapolis where there is so much design inspiration. "

I really like the integration of technology in to the planning/sketching phase so it was fun to try out the HP TouchSmart computers and create my own design – just like a Project Runway fashion designer!

You can see photos of the party on HP's flickr set and video below.



Who do you think will win Season 9? Leave a comment with your vote!

~Leigh