Toast to a Wedding Look that Lasts!

As you are well aware, I have been very absent from my little bloggy.  I have been busy enjoying wedding season- sending off 2 of my 3 closest friends to become wives!  To close out wedding season, my Best will be getting married this fall, come October.  We have had a blast 'talking wedding ideas' for the past year & it's crazy how quickly time passes!

She is well aware of my addiction to products & beauty trends, which is why I was honored that she asked that I do her makeup for her big day!  This is not something I take lightly, more or less it is an excuse to go buy more products an opportunity to research trends to make her the most beautiful bride possible!

I want her to relax without a care in the world...

... not be worried if she'll turn out looking like a creature...

So there's a couple things that I am taking into consideration.  Most important: Longevity. Let's be real- this day is huge. I want my best friend to look incredible the entire day into the night.  I want her make-up to look flawless from start to finish, all while photographing beautifully.

First up to research: Water-Proof...

Next up to combat: Heat/Sun/Outdoors/Sweat...

Lastly & most importantly- how can I capture her true beauty ALL while enduring sweat & tears without looking like the caked on black swan!?

Luckily, my Best is one of the most naturally beautiful friend that I have ever met- with copper hair & fresh freckled skin (she puts this model to shame!)...

So believe it or not, my dear friends at First Floor Nordstroms (Cheeky Chic weak spot) actually know what they are doing! And they don't mind that you ask for tips & trends! In fact they love the attention you give them & that you trust they know their shit stuff!

So we started by playing with the color palette that the bride preferred & matched her skin tone best...

For a fall wedding, I don't think we could get a better combo...

We then decided to incorporate the neutral, golds, plums, & blush into her lip color by playing up the plum accents.

*Tip: What bride wants to constantly worry about if their lipstick is on their teeth, if the gloss is stuck to their hair or if the color is even picking up in the photos? No one.  Which is why we opted for a chubby stick aka chapstick with a boost of color.  She can apply it herself without needing a compact & it's the perfect amount of color... how easy is that??

We then moved on to give freshly freckled cheeks a pop of color as well.  Sticking with theme, we went with a plum as well.  So I know this color seems extreme, but did you know that although a color shade may look dark, the denseness of the brush is what makes the color appear light or dark on your cheek bones?? Who knew!

Speaking of brushes... learn what each are designed for!  Being the product junky I am, I am dozens of brushes & I kind of just played around/winged it on which brush to use where.

*Tip: Talk to the girls that know their stuff at the Nordstrom make up counters!!  A 5 minute conversation with the lady at MAC, introduced me to a whole new world of how to use my brushes & where to use them!  

So after I learned proper technique with brushes, the beauty consultant showed me an awesome new trick!  If you are looking for a more natural, subtle look (which we are) use a darker shadow as your liner... Who knew!  She taught me how to dampen my angle brush & apply it using dark eye shadow...

Most importanly (and frankly back to the reason why I developed this post) talk to those hidden gems at Nordstrom make up counters! They know about all the new products out there, they know about which ones capture best on photography, which products last through tears & which last through hours of pictures taken outdoors!  They are more than willing to help!  And while you're at it, you'll find new products to add to your hoarding  collection!

Exhibit A: Laura Mercier Highlighting Pen

aka good bye under eye bags, hello beautiful pictures that reflect light perfectly!

Exhibit B: MAC Finishing Spray

aka we did not work this hard to make you even more beautiful for it to melt off of your face after an hour! Stay put pretty face :)

Much Love & wedding photos to come,

xo kjl



Life...

To say I have been absent from Cheeky Chic, would be a complete & total understatement! I have been completely distracted & absorbed with life that I have neglected my little bloggy! I do miss sharing fun fashion things with you all & I have promised to give myself more 'me' time to do things like blogging, in which I Love! With that said, I wanted to share with you all what I have been up to the past month & a half of summer...

1. My older sister graduated from Pharmacy School! 2. My younger sister graduated from undergrad! 3. I took an 'impromptu' trip to visit my best in California! 4. We enjoyed a lovely cafe in Laguna Beach. 5. She took me surfing in Santa Monica. 6. We hiked to the top of the Hollywood sign. 7. We prepped the cabin for this summer's festivities by finally putting the boat in the water! 8. I attempted to get my booty in shape for bikini season. 9. I enjoyed hours of laughter on the lake with another dear friend. 10. Met my childhood best friend's beautiful baby boy, Carter. 11. Met (& cuddled with) my college girlfriend's beautiful baby boy, Sully. 12. And last but not least, spent some relaxing time with my family & puppy, Lucy, up at our lake home.

Two of my favorite quotes from two of my favorite movies to help remind me that being away from my blog was all in perspective:

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't slow down once in awhile, you might miss it."

-Ferris, Ferris Bueller's Day Off

"What always happens? Life."

-Summer, 500 Days of Summer

Hope you all are enjoying the start of summer! 

xo, kjl

Trends to Try...

I love a new trend & I love even more to share them all with you! 

First Trend to Try: Harem Pants (Also known as 'Genie Pants'). When Harem Pants first hit the runway, I'll be honest, I wasn't too sure about the trend. But I tried them for myself & I thought it was a chic, fun way to spruce up my spring/summer wardrobe. I will admit that it takes awhile to get comfortable with the 'draping' so to say, but if you're confident in the trends you try, I can guarantee others will follow :)

So you're unsure of what to pair with the Harem Pant? Begin by finding a draping that best suits your body. I have a pair like these pink ones, where it drapes in the groin area & then turns to legging from knees down. Some Harem pants drape further, to about your knees & then at mid-calf they turn to legging. Although I adore these neon pink harem pants, I prefer to have the entire pant leg stop at about mid calf, as opposed to ankle. But play around, see what works best for your body style...

Some find a heel appropriate with a Harem Pant, but mine are cotton & made for casual days, so I love a great tan gladiator sandal. If you find a pair of Harem Pants that stop mid-calf, you'll want a gladiator sandal that wraps around your ankle to draw definition. These are my current fav...

 {Coconuts}

Next, pair with a  simple white razor back tank (I am going to trust you all have invested in a couple solid color razor back tanks)...

 {Oxygen Boutique}

And lastly, pair your look with a pop-of-pattern, leopard print adorned fedora.  A fedora is my go-to summer hat because I don't like to comb my hair they are definitely chic & perfect for blocking harmful rays from your face in the summer...

{Alexander Wang}

Next Trend to Try: Golds, Leathers, & Neons: Wrap, Stack, & Go!

Nothing looks better on summer bronzed skin like shiny gold! Which is why I love this trend! My style is very haute hippy, so I am ecstatic when a fun trend like this comes around. Layering bracelets is not only trendy, but easy to do too...

Start your collection with a few affordable gold pieced bangles...

 {Forever 21}

 {Forever 21}

Then, add a couple leather & woven pieces. Lucky Brand always has great leather wrist wraps & fun hippy accessories, but unfortunately, they don't like to embrace gold. But for now, this fun leather feather wrist wrap will work...

 {Lucky Brand}

Then, add some pops of neon! Nothing screams summer, like bright colors. Trust me, this is easy to get carried away with (thank you 1980's) so keep it chic & simple with little pops of neon...

 {Juicy Couture}

You guys know me- I love mixing polar opposites. Whether it be feminine with masculine pieces, or polka dots with stripes, I just love mixing stuff that normally isn't mixed! With that said, I love adding my classic time pieces with what I like to call my 'cheapies.' A classic leather Michael Kors band mixed with Forever 21 bangles is sophisticated, yet lighthearted...

 {Michael Kors}

 {Michael Kors}

And just because it goes with this trend, I wanted to share with you my love for Tory Burch (She can do no wrong in my eyes) Leather, Gold, Wraps... total love...

{Tory Burch}

Summer Beauty Prep: Miss Cheeky Chic's Favorites

Summer is right around the corner & I figured what better time than to share with you all, my tips & tricks when it comes to transforming into a bronzed goddess! One question I get asked so frequently what are my favorite beauty products & application tips- today I will share what I have learned for easy Summer Beauty Prep... 

First & most important- I know you guys love my hidden gem secrets to fresh, clear skin, so here is one that I cannot live without! This winter I introduced you to Coconut Oil. This summer- Apple Cider Vinegar. Plain & Simple. As the temperatures rise, coconut oil tends to be too heavy for my skin for this weather. Instead, I opt for a natural toner & use this stuff! Personally, I dip a q-tip in the vinegar & dab on to problem areas on my skin (blemishes, uneven skin tones, etc...). I have found it to be too extreme for my face to use as an all-over toner on a cotton pad, but try for yourself & see what works best for you.  When I first began using this, I diluted it to 1 part apple cider vinegar, 1 part water, but as my skin adjusted, I am now able to use it as is. *Another bonus tip- use with your shampoo once a week! It strips your hair of product build up & leaves you with clean, silky smooth strands. I use this on my hair, once a week on Sunday nights. Affordable, multi-versatile product....

Don't toss out your Coconut Oil yet! Like I mentioned earlier, it may be too heavy for your skin as the weather gets warmer, but keep a jar in your shower for days that you got a little too bronzed! I was recently in Colorado & forgot all about being closer to the sun which equals= pink, burned skin.  I was able to calm my burns by applying this liberally in the shower & letting my dehydrated skin soak in the oils. The next morning I woke up to not only my skin feeling relieved, but also the pink tones had virtually faded...

OK! Now on to the fun stuff! These 9 letters, this 9 lettered 1 word, this 9 lettered 1 word all in CAPS, seems to get the best of me every time I walk by it. But I like to believe I am 'purchasing & sampling to find the best stuff for my readers'...

Let's start at the very basic. Prep your skin the right way. I have been using a Clarisonic for about 18 months and I cannot imagine my skin nowadays without it. For those of you that are not familiar, a Clarisonic cleanses your skin with the deepest, most gentle form of exfoliation, which allows creams, serums, moisturizers, cleansers- ALL to do their job better when your skin is better cleansed & prepared for them. Make the splurge ($145-$225) you will not regret this lifelong purchase...

This LaMer Gel Cleanser is my ultimate favorite cleanser. It seriously deep cleans your pores & leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. Although on the spendy side ($65 per bottle) I have had my bottle for almost 2 years with 1/4 left still.  Ask for a sample & I can promise you'll be back the next day to buy the bottle...

Now that your skin is fresh & clean, the most important step of your entire routine comes next. Spf, Spf, Spf. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.  I love Laura Mercier tinted spf moisturizer ($45) because it's like 2 steps in 1 & I trust the level of spf that I am getting with it, which is very important to me.  If you attempt to prolong wrinkles like me, my mother would say, "well stay out of the sun!" But I would say, "then take very good care of your skin from early on!" Start here...

The best part about summer makeup is that it is so easy with a beachy glow! No more caking on the makeup- instead apply a light mineral finish to emphasize your golden hued skin! I really like MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Powder ($29).  It's lightweight, easy to blend, & contours to your natural skin tones.  In the Summer, I rarely use foundation because my mineral make-up covers so well on my already bronzed skin...

This little duo- I could not live without.  I have been a huge fan of Nars Casino Bronzer because it is seriously my go-to compact during summer.  But when they came out with this duo, I decided I would try the partner to the bronzer that everyone obsesses over, appropriately titled, Orgasm. So now they make this duo of Nars Orgasm & Casino ($41), and it truly is the best compact for summer.  Even out your tan with the bronzer & bring a pop of color to your cheeks with the blush! Buy.this.now.

Ok, so I spent a little time at the Nars counter, big deal. But she totally had me hooked & I was kind of distraught that I haven't been shown these products before!? This product is Nars Highlighter in Albatross ($28)- perfect for Summer! Lightly brushed under your eyes, above your cheekbones & along your hairline, which gives an all over glow & highlights the shape of your face. Find out what you have been missing out on...

I was also introduced to this product which is very similar to the Nars Highlighter, but it is liquid.  This is MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion ($45). My skin does not do well with mixing liquids & powders, so I tend to steer away from liquid makeup.  But I will admit to owning this & I keep it in my beach bag to dab on my cheek bones for a dewey finish while on the beach...

Now you have that Chic Beach Finish as your foundation for your overall summer look...

From here, I really like to keep my eyes & lips simple. No heavy eyeshadows, No thick cream eye liners, just 1 simple product for your eyes- Bobbi Brown Black Ink Liner ($28) which is the best that I have found while having it all in 1 AND with a super fine tip (which is crucial)...

I get it, you're probably thinking I'm girl crushing on LC, which I kind of am, because she does this whole beach chic look, flawlessly. So I did the homework for you guys & I figured out how she does the perfect simple black cat eye here!  Watch the quick tutorial- she really is my favorite go-to girl right now...

So I know I told you guys to keep your eyes & lips simple, but I am majorly obsessing over matte plum lips.  I recently bought this Nars Matte Lipstick in Valparaiso ($25) & I know it looks extreme, but after you apply it, blot blot blot & then you will understand my obsession. It leaves your lips with a pretty plumish-pink hued lip stain- perfect for days in & out of the water...

We are almost done with your Summer Beauty Prep Make-Over! What is summer without shaggy wavy strands?! I have stood by this product since my days in High School.  Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray is hands down the best when it comes to natural waves. My advice is always, after you get out of the shower, do NOT comb your hair, rather tousle it to your natural position & spray away with this beachy goodness & let it air dry! Perfect to add to your beach bag & to spray in your hair when you get out of the water...

Lastly, a few finishing touches.  Nothing screams summer more than bright nails & bronzed skin! Lucky for you, Essie's new summer collection, 'Poppy Razzi' ($8) has you covered with all the greatest bright pops of color for your fingers & toenails!

And of course, don't forget to add a little all over sparkle ;) Lancome Star Bronzer ($33) again, is perfect for your beach bag, but also a handy little all-in-one brush & bronzer in which I use to add bronzed sparkle to my neckline & chest...

Now that you have spent your entire paycheck your money wisely on quality products...

... get to work transforming yourself into a Beach Goddess!!

xo, kjl