- Round, thick brushes are great for achieving flawless coverage with concealer and foundation
-Do not let water get into your brush base, as it will loosen the glue and cause bristles to shed
-Clean your brushes daily with a cleaner and wash weekly with a shampoo
-Use a circular motion with round tip brushes when rinsing on a lint free cloth
-Use back and forth motion for flat brushes

I’m a full advocate of getting designer clothes and accessories for less but I’m not in favor of compromising quality and disguising it as a bargain. The materials were flimsy, the silhouettes were difficult to make out and the taste was definitely in question. The prices were definitely high for Target customers and simply didn’t merit the cost. Needless to say, everything was in full stock and no one gravitated to the display. I don’t mean to pick on fashion icons who put their names on clothes that are sold in more accessible stores. I simply am a bit disappointed that they wouldn’t work a little harder to ensure that the quality and design still embody the image that their good names were built on. I’ve purchased a few items from the designer collections and love them and definitely feel they’re worth the price I paid, especially when you think about how much they cost in high end dept. stores. I hope this is just a one off, as I love how Target leverages exclusive designer alternatives with everyday value. I’ll be keeping my eye on it.

I also love, love, love Stella & Dot jewelry. With half of the line under $50 and breathtaking statement necklaces, you can’t go wrong. They also sell beautiful scarves, wallets, and bags. I especially love the snakeskin Mercer wallet and the Estate Bib necklace. The pieces are so timeless and versatile.

Another great gift that might be a little tough to find, is the Chanel holiday collection limited edition lipstick, L’Impatiente. It’s currently out of stock on the website, but you can hunt around (true fashionistas, like myself, are no doubt up for the challenge)various department stores. I was immediately shot down by a Bloomingdales Chanel girl who was convinced that they were sold out everywhere, nationwide. However, me being the fashion optimist who will never be denied fabulous (even if it’s limited edition), persisted. A few days later I found it in stock at a local Macy’s. If you don’t get as lucky, do not fret! Anything Chanel is divine. I might also recommend asking to make your own gift set as they will provide you with a lovely Chanel makeup bag, box, and ribbon to gift your goodies in. I did this for my mother’s red lip kit that I made for it. It’s glamorous and decadent, just as the holidays should be.

For hard-to-buy-for tweens, might I suggest checking out Urban Outfitters or even South Moon Under. I especially love SMU because they’re in my town and they have such a fun selection of scarves, shoes, quirky fashion six products, and cosmetics. I picked a fabulous Stila trio of natural blushes, perfect for any tween who is just beginning to use make-up. I also got some of the Stila gloss packs. All versatile and affordable!

Now…how to package these gifts in a re-useable and glamorous way is simple! I discovered Ted Baker’s re-usable Ikon bags. I bought mine at Bloomy’s and at a great price because they’re on sale! They come in various color combinations and even have matching make-up bags (also on sale) if you’re looking to coordinate your gift. These bags are just so useful and so chic.

Have a very Happy Holiday and a fashionable New Year!

xoxo

Both classes I attended were fantastic. In order to enroll, one simply had to purchase a Bloomingdale’s gift card for $50 and spend that at the counter after the event. Each class has at least one MAC make-up artist who leads the class. The subjects revolve around the celebrity looks and trends that most women wish to emulate at the moment. Attendees are used as models and also given notebooks and a light breakfast with beverages. There is music, tons of products, and the typical MAC vibe where artists have tattoos and funky hairdos. Even the everyday girl who rolls out of bed in her sweatpants and flip flops to attend comes out feeling glamorous and inspired. By sharing information about different make-up techniques and trends, they provoke their customers to buy more and feel empowered while doing so. In other words, they feel that they have been given the skills to achieve the look because they trust the artists and their recommendations. Trust leads to purchases and ultimately satisfied customers. Satisfied customers stay loyal to the brand and consequently stay engaged. You know you’re doing something right when the only downside to an event is having to wait in line to purchase the products because all the attendees have bum rushed the counter.

I have been a fan for years and probably spent far too much money in the process. But Anthro has never given me a reason not to. The retailer is on top of its game when it comes to reaching its target audience and reinforcing its brand image. The website has a fully integrated site where customers can purchase items, sign up for an Anthropologie card, track purchases, create wish lists of coveted items, and even shop the catalogue. Shoppers can also download the Anthro widget, check store locations, shop internationally, and most importantly tap into the social networks that Anthro is featured on. It is this social media aspect that really impresses me as they have successfully integrated the relevant content that their fans crave with a purpose. I became a fan on Facebook and discovered a whole new way to shop and stay in the loop. Fans can post questions and even request hard-to-find items on the wall of the fan page. I decided to give it a try and received a prompt response that yielded the exact results I was hoping for. My Floating Lace Blouse was still available, in a size small, and it was half-priced. Even better, the representative who contacted me via email informed me that the ribbons on the blouse were a bit worn so I would receive an additional half off the sale price. So I arranged to pick up the blouse at the Rockefeller Center location the next day. I walked up to the first person I saw and told her my situation. To my utter amazement, she already knew my name and directed me to the cash rap. I had become infamous due to the Facebook request connection. Now that’s what I call customer service and brand consistency across the board. The message, the content, the service, the prices all make for an experience both of the senses and the superficial. I also have to mention that they have a microsite on the main page called the Anthropologist where figureheads for inspiration regarding the items they carry are explored. This outlet adds a whole new dimension to the found objects and various themed clothing that they carry adding a “history” so-to-speak to the brand image. If only more retailers were as adept at knowing their audience and knowing how to cater to them.