Friend Friday: Beauty Products

It’s Friday!  And that means that once again, the lovely Katy of Modly Chic has put together some questions for us.

Unlike my first FBFF post (Color Wars), I’m afraid today’s post is not near and dear to my heart.  I’m not a make-up kind of girl and I really never have been.  But, I will do my best!

1.      What's your favorite drug store makeup product and your favorite higher-end product?

My favorite drug store makeup product is L’Oreal Revitalift Face Cream, especially in the winter.  My face gets very dry in the winter, and riding my bike doesn’t help at all, but this cream works fabulously for me.

I have two higher-end makeup products that I absolutely love.  The first is Lancome ‘Oscillation Powerbooster’ which is a lash primer with a vibrating brush.  And yes, it really does work. 

The second, and if I had to pick one, it would be this one, is Clarins ‘Colour Quench Lip Balm’ in 02.  It’s my all-time favorite lip gloss, and I have tried tons.  It’s the perfect color for my lips, it’s not sticky and it’s not overly shiny.  I love, love, love it.

2.      Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?

Mascara.  I never, ever leave the house without mascara.  I have very average lashes.  They’re not particularly long, thick or curled so they need help.  I give them that much needed help with at least one coat of mascara everyday, but usually two. 

And on fancy occasions, I use my oscillating primer to make them super-long and fabulous.

3.      What's the best hair product you've ever used?

Okay, this question makes me laugh.  I’m probably even less of a hair girl than I am a make-up girl.  I have no secrets to give you messy, curly hair like I have.  Right now I’m using Nexxus Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner and it seems to work fine.  I do use a leave-in conditioner – I think that’s working fine too.  Really, I probably should have left this one blank – I can’t even begin to answer it.

4.      Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?

Ah, yes.  I had the Eyebrows of Perpetual Surprise for awhile.  Skinny, high, and very, very surprised. 

I don’t look back with shame, I’m actually just sort of surprised (hee) that I did that given my propensity for full brows now.  Although, now that I think about it, I think that propensity might come, at least a little, from laziness – it’s easier to maintain a full brow than a skinny one.  And I like to do as little work with my face as possible.

5.      When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flare and personality?

I’m afraid that I show absolutely no flare with my beauty products.  I rarely wear anything other than mascara and a neutral lip gloss.  I will occasionally wear a bright lip gloss or even lipstick, and some eyeliner, but I usually try to stay more natural.  All of my flare is reserved for my clothing and accessories. 

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Switzerland Week Continues

Daily Outfit, 3/3/11

I know I said there would probably be more color in today’s outfit, but I wore this instead:

I know, I know.  But, hey, it is Switzerland Week after all (something has to explain these neutral outfits) so neutrals it is.  You may have noticed I’m wearing brown pants.  Yes, these are the brown pants that had me so stymied a couple of weeks ago.  I finally decided on this outfit and I think it turned out pretty well.  Sure it needs more color, but everything I’ve worn this week has needed more color.

The pants are from the Banana Republic Outlet (they are the Jackson fit), the tiered top is Madison Lilly (via Nordstrom), the cardigan is a.n.a (JC Penney) and the booties are Miz Mooz (via Nordstrom).  I think this outfit works, but was a little concerned about the shoes.  I don’t own brown shoes – at least not pumps or booties – so I wasn’t sure what shoes to wear, but I think these are okay.  What do you guys think about my first effort with the dreaded brown pants?

Happy Thursday, All, and thank you so much for reading!

Gracey

P.S. I’d like to give a special thank you to my Swiss photographer, Ferge.  Okay, she’s not Swiss, but we’re pretending for Switzerland Week, much like we're pretending that Switzerland Week is a real thing at this blog.

SWF for Giants

This is not me…



Photo by Sara of sarazucker.com



This is the lovely Terra from SWF (Stylish White Female), whose blog I adore because of her unique and interesting way of putting outfits together in a way that is still accessible to me.  She’s also fearless in her use of color, which I always appreciate.  If you don’t already read SWF, pop by and take a look – it’s definitely worth it.

I chose to recreate this outfit of Terra’s because it’s simple but not boring, and it’s also long and lean and figure-flattering.  It’s also a good outfit for those of use who are still in the throes of winter where it’s still necessary to layer.

Black/white striped tee – Dorothy Perkins

I know most people probably have a black/white striped tee in their closet, but if not, this one is available up to size 22.

Cropped gold sweater – Eddie Bauer

I wanted to keep the cropped feel of the sweater, but because I’m obsessed with subtle shine (initially written as subtle shite) this week, I chose this gold sweater which is also available up to size 22.

Navy Trousers – Long Tall Sally

These crepe, wide-leg trousers are available up to size 18, and I think they’re fabulous.  But if you’re more comfortable in jeans than trousers, both Gap and Old Navy have good trouser jean options.  Or a pair of dark-rinse bootcut jeans would work just as well.

Camel Pump – Fitzwell “Preston” – Zappos:

This pump is not as dark as Terra’s, but I really like the stacked heel, and it’s available up to size 14!

Skinny Leopard Belt – The Limited:

I love the addition of leopard into this outfit with a skinny belt, and I think this one from The Limited is just purrfect (see what I did there?).

Blue Cross-Body Bag – Magid “Christiana” - Endless

I don’t usually include bags on my Blogs for Giants series, because I don’t trade my bags out.  But, I realize that others do and I really think the blue bag adds an element of the unexpected to this outfit.

Studded Black Gloves – Nine West – Macys:

Like the other accessories, the studded gloves are unexpected and add yet another layer of interest to this outfit.


So, what do you guys think?  Is this something you'd wear?  Also, if you have any posts you'd like me to recreate, send me an email at fashionforgiants at gmail dot com with a link to the post and I'll do my best.

Gracey

It's Switzerland Week at Fashion For Giants

Okay, okay, not really.  Unlike National Pancake Day, Switzerland Week isn't a real thing here at Fashion for Giants.  Although...I suppose it could be.  It is my blog, after all.  Really though, the title refers to my excessive (for me) use of neutrals this week.  Maybe I always wear neutrals this often, but I don't think so.  It feels like a lot.  And today was no exception.

The 'dress' has a kangaroo pocket!

Random back view, in case anyone was curious about that.

Close up of the awesome orange scarf.

Today's outfit was just going to be olive and black, but I realized that would be three days in a row without any real color, so I added the orange scarf.  And I love olive and orange like nobody's business, so it was a no-brainer. I layered this black 'dress' (??? via Nordstrom) over my olive long-sleeve tee (Gap) and black leggings (INC via Macy's).  I accessorized with my trusty cashmere scarf (Nordstrom) because orange goes with everything, but goes especially well with olive, and my slouchy boots (Chinese Laundry via Piperlime).

Sorry for the short, late post.  I was busy, busy, busy after work.  I hung out with my little sister and my baby niece who loves strangers but refuses to talk to me.  Babies are awesome.  And because I was out that way, I stopped by the Goodwill by her house and got a whole bag of goodies, including my first ever DVF find!  I'm very excited to show you guys once they get out of the deep freezer and get cleaned.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Wednesday and I promise more color tomorrow (probably).

Happy Wednesday!

Gracey

Shiny, Happy People

Daily Outfit, 3/1/11

Well, shiny, happy Gracey at least.  Today was much, much better than yesterday although I think it would have been hard-pressed not to be.  It was still rainy and windy (it's March in Oregon, after all), but less so than yesterday.  I was able to take my pictures, get to work without drowning in a puddle, and didn't have any two-hour meetings.  And?  Best of all?  I'm wearing something shiny again.  Yeah, that's right, two days in a row.  Subtle shine, but that's okay.  I just don't see myself going to work decked out in sequins.

This is a close-up of the sleeve.  See?  Shiny.

I layered my new cream and gold sweater (BR Outlet) layered over my thin black turtleneck sweater (Hinge via Nordstrom).  They're both fairly thin layers, so they kept me warm without being bulky.  I also wore my black skinnies (Gap Generation) and my riding boots (Born Crown "Sosie" via Nordstrom).  The polka dot umbrella is from Target.

Also, did you all know that today was National Pancake Day?  We celebrated by having breakfast for dinner and it was delish.  Definitely a much better day.

What about you all?  I know that some of you had equally rough Mondays - was today better?  Did you get pancakes?

Happy Tuesday!

Gracey