Viva La Curl

All of my bunkmates from my days at Camp Shalom know that curly-haired girls never have good hair days. We have a good few hours before our tresses absorb whatever epoxy we grease our curls with.


Not anymore.


I got my haircut at Rudy's on Sunset last week and my stylist let me try the new Bumble and bumble Defining Creme that is part of the new Curl Conscious line. I'm not going to lie; this product is amazing. My curls were so soft and moisturized I wanted to put them in my mouth and chew them. Most importantly, my hair felt shiny and didn't frizz up after two and a half hours. The product dries soft and this is great news for any curly girl who wants frizz-less locks without looking like overly gelled Bon Jovi enthusiasts.


The most important product, i believe, in the Curl Conscious line is the Reactivating Mist. This product is especially important for curly girls who enjoy taking midday naps and need to revitalize the locks before re-entering the outside world. Again, this product dries soft and you don't need to add any additional gels or creams.


Finally, I was able to try the Holding Foam. This mousse dispenses as a thick liquid so you don't need to use half are bottle every time you style.


Head over to the paisley-designed curlconscious.com. This is a new site, but the coolest part is that you can click on a picture of a model and see how to get their style. If you're curious about this look...






(because I know all of you are because I'm so important)


I applied the Holding Foam generously from root to end.

The 80's With a Bow on Top

(Photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD)

So far we've seen neon, leggings, Billy Idol jackets, paint splats, ripped jeans, oxfords with socks and even suspenders make a comeback this year in an unquestionable surge of 1980's style worship. So what's left?

Sunday at the Topshop Unique fashion show (it's London Fashion Week, y'all) they showed a great one we've totally missed: Half-crimped Madonna hair tied up in a big ragged scarf (although back in the day Madonna actually used ripped stockings... she used to be SO punk rock...sigh.)

What you need to get the look:
1.) A triple barrel waving iron (try this one from Hot Tools, $36.95)

2.) A can of aerosol hairspray, flexible hold (like this one)
3.) A scarf, an old pair of tights or a long strip of fabric

Too Faced Makeup 20% Off

If you like Too Faced cosmetics (I love their now-discontinued-but-I-still-have-some After Glow shimmer powder, and the eyeshadow duos) you need to get on this.
'Till Wednesday get 20% off your entire purchase with code MSBEAUTY - via their site only.
How cute is Katy Perry as their main babe? I want to know where she gets these retro booty suits...

The Sound of Fashion

Below is a list of whose models strutted to what at New York Fashion Week
(via Women's Wear Daily)

• “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie (Trovata)
• “L.E.S. Artistes” by Santogold (Erin Wasson + RVCA)
• “Breaking It Up” by Lykke Li (Lela Rose)
• “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings (Rag & Bone, Preen, Missy Sixty)
• “Gobbledigook” by Sigur Rós (Zero + Maria Cornejo)
• “Let the Music Play” by Shannon (Proenza Schouler)
• “Rhapsody in Blue” composed by George Gershwin, performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Marc Jacobs)
• “Wild Thing” by Tone-Loc (Betsey Johnson)
• “Repetition Kills You” by The Black Ghosts (MaxAzria)
• “Gone Daddy Gone” by Gnarls Barkley mixed into the original by The Violent Femmes (MaxAzria)
• “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys (Michael Kors)
• “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears (Richard Chai)
• “Electric Feel” by MGMT (3.1 Phillip Lim)
• “I Want Candy” by White Williams (Vera Wang)
• “That’s Not My Name” by The Ting Tings (G-Star)
• “Jungle Drum” by Emilíana Torrini (Zac Posen)
• “You Run Run Run Me Ragged” by Mick Jagger (L’Wren Scott; see Eye Scoop)

- Playing MGMT wins Lim the hipster award; trying to be fresh by using The Ting Tings was totally obvious and unimpressive because of that stupid iTunes commercial.
- Now, I want you to try something at home. Put on "Good Vibrations" and just TRY to do a Miss J. sashay down the hallway. Impossible! Those poor Kors models, without a beat to guide them.
- Betsey Johnson's pick was as always, adorable and cute. So suited for her looks.
- L'Wren Scott got the dude she was banging to write her two songs specifically for her collection. Fortunately that dude is Mick Jagger, and word is he won't even be recording those songs. She wins the rarity award (but I hope someone snuck in a tape recorder and bootlegs that shit - people at the show LOVED the jams.)

Back That Ass Up!

Hi I'm Liz, a new contributor to this sweet blog. So, I've been wondering...where are all of my tall girls with big asses? Shut up, it can't just be me. There's got to be some more of you out there. Oh, there you are! Hey, what's up?

I recently stumbled upon the most amazing thing in my life: Baby Phat jeans. Don't look at me like that; I'm serious. I know it's hard for most women to find jeans. We've all got our own body issues and for whatever reason no one makes jeans for any of us. Instead we put on jeans that don't compliment us exactly how we wish they would. Well, my search for the perfect pair of jeans may have just ended.

Now you may be wondering, "Liz, haven't you heard of Apple Bottoms? I mean, c'mon, countless hip hop stars including Nelly and T-Pain have sung about them. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought they were made for big booty girls." Hey there dear reader, I appreciate the thought, but Apple Bottoms just don't do it for me. I've tried them on time and time again and they are never long enough for me. While I was perusing Apple Bottoms at Macy's is actually how I came across Baby Phat jeans. I noticed that lot of Baby Phat jeans are too flashy for me, but I tried on a low key pair and I was instantly in love.

So, my ladies with junk in the trunk - I'd suggest trying your luck with some Baby Phats. And for the rest of you, I wish you the best of luck in your quest for the perfect jeans. Keep me updated if you find some that fit your body just right!

Topshop Taking Its Sweet Arse Time

According to Women's Wear Daily, the SoHo NYC Topshop flagship store will be opening its doors later than expected (boo! And I was already planning an excursion!) They had planned for mid-October, and now it's looking more like November.

But to tide us Yanks over, a US version of the Topshop website launched yesterday. Now you can see how much stuff costs in dollars (exchange rate=still a huge bummer). But it's still shipping from across the pond for at least a $15 charge, so all they really did was assist those Americans who can't multiply a figure by two. Which sadly, is probably a lot of us...

As soon as they nail down a real date for the shop opening, I'll let you know.

End Of Summer = Bummer. And Cheap Sandals!

Nordstrom is having a kick-ass shoe clearance right now. The deepest cuts are on summer styles, so score yourself some sandals and pack them away for next year. They've got tons from Dolce Vita, Jeffrey Campbell and BCBGirls.
The above are on sale too, but totally rockable for the cooler months ahead.
Steve Madden Maxii - Was $100, now $58. This is a wearable iteration of the super-domme style pumps you've seen on the red carpet as of late.
L.A.M.B. "Devin" flat - went from $225 to $134.90

Origins Lipstick Has Flower Power

I'm usually not a lipstick girl- or not a vivid lipstick girl, anyway. But I kept seeing these hot magenta shades showing up on models all over the place this year, and it inspired me.
After a few misses, I found a shade I really love - Origins Flower Fusion Lipstick in Peony. Dab it on with a finger over lip balm to get a subdued shade like above.
Why it's great: It's super-moisturizing. Unlike others that claim the same, it's not goopy or sticky. Straight from the tube its gorgeous and rich, and as I said, dabbed on it's wonderfully subtle. No gross lipstick taste. (Plus I'm a sucker for pretty packaging- the pink metallic tube won me over.)
Cost: $16. A splurge, but rich jewel tones are going to be "in" beyond the new year, so it's a worthy one.

Big Hair? Yes, Please.

As I've mentioned about a million times, I have the wispiest, most annoying fine hair on earth. All the volumizing shampoos, thickening lotions, and upside down hair-drying in the world just doesn't seem to fatten it within remote range of the Bardot bouffant of my dreams. But I can't stop trying.
That said, I recently made a great advance in the right direction. I discovered PureVolume Thickening Mist by Pureology, a color-safe non-aerosol spray which packs a powerful dose of "oomph" for limp locks.

How: Spritzed on almost dry hair, I blasted it with the blow-dryer (head upside-down of course) and then wrapped it in a high, loose bun for an hour or so.

Verdict: All-day, non-sticky, BIG hair. Scent is light, pretty negligible.

Bonus: It's alcohol free, so your hair stays soft and conditioned by the organic extracts (papaya, lemongrass, etc.) And it contains sunscreens to protect colored hair. It's also vegan and animal friendly.

Price: $21...but you can fall in love with a travel size first for just $5!