Estee Lauder - New Beauty Ad Campaign

Estee Lauder has launched a new beauty ad campaign featuring models of varying hues & ethnicities. The purpose? To prove their new philosophy that "Every Woman Can Be Beautiful". Estee Lauder was once thought of as a brand that was formulated for a bit more "seasoned", lighter-hued woman. Well no more. Looking at models Joan Smalls (African American), Constance Jablonski (Caucasian), and Liu Wen (Asian) together definitely helps hammer home their point. Something we knew to be true all along!

Have another look at Joan Smalls below...

So pretty!

When I saw the new focus of the brand, I knew I had to share my viewpoint. I've been using Estee Lauder's foundation for about a year and a half now. I was tipped off by a friend/aesthetician who recommended it to me.

Because my skin is what I call "hyper" combination skin, I really need something that does what I need it to do - well. By "hyper" I mean, my oily parts (forehead, nose, chin) tend to get very oily. Especially in this tropical South Florida weather (Nice for the body/mind/spirit. Not so much for the face.) Because if that, I'm always on the hunt for a good oil control/oil absorbent foundation that's also a perfect match for my skin tone. Enter Estee Lauder.

So, I'm putting myself (face first) on the line in order to demonstrate my point:

Below is a shot of me sans makeup. (Only a tiny bit of eyebrow pencil, bit NOTHING else)...

...YIKES, I know.

Not so flattering. And the oily t-zone thing is quite evident...

...Well, below is my trusted Estee Lauder Double Matte Oil Control foundation in Warm Ginger. (It's also oil absorbent with spf 15.) LOVE...

...And this, below, is happy me after application.

See? Muuuuch better, right?!!

I realize that finding that perfect product that is just-right for you can be an ongoing challenge. Especially for women of color. If your skin is anything like mine, I highly recommend Estee Lauder's Double Matte line to you. It definitely does what it says it will.

Try it out and let me know what you think. Just not a fan? Tell me what your go-to product is. I love Beauty Chit Chat.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Estee Lauder & Moi!)

Type "T"

That's "T" for Tyra.

She really needs no formal introduction. Supermodel. Business Mogul. Super Genius behind America's Next Top Model. Inventor of the "Smize". {I know you all practice in the mirror - c'mon, admit it.} She's reached many great 'firsts' in her career, especially as a model of color. For that alone, I love her.

As if her stats that run a mile long aren't enough though, now she's gone and created another fashion-fused revolution. This ever-evolving Beauty recently launched Type F. It's a website that's more like a destination where fashion, beauty, style, and self-celebration abounds. I've browsed the site and find it to be really intriguing. I love the fact that it's purposed to tailor your fashion and beauty experience around what you naturally bring to the table - yourself! She's clear about it not being another fashion site where style, trends, and must-haves are dictated to you, and you then are expected to mold yourself into that box. On the contrary, the site takes you as you are and explains how to incorporate trends & looks accordingly.

And I cannot end without mentioning: as she's proven time and time again, Tyra knows how to take a genius photo...

On top of all that, Tyra is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School.

Genius move.

Now that's Type "F" for Fierce indeed.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via TypeF, Vogue Italia)

Just Plum Pretty

Confession: I'm feeling all excited & purple-y inside.

By that I mean, I'm feeling giddy all over. Why, you ask? Well just have a gaze below!

You know that feeling you get when you stumble across an amazing flea market find? An amazing sale {as I did here}? An amazing bakery tucked away on a pretty tree-lined street somewhere?

Well, that's exactly how I felt when I first saw the AMAZING website of Gemma Redux!

It's an amazing {yes, I've said that 5 times} array of jeweled eye candy served up on a silver platter. The home page: AMAZING {#6}! Beautiful gems are everywhere! I swear I almost clapped.

So enough of my chattering on. Have a look yourself of some of designer Rachel Dooley's genius.

There's necklaces:

...bracelets & cuffs...

...and earrings...

See?! AMAZING!!! {#7}

You know Dear Ones, you can trust me to bring the gorgeousness when I say I will.

Your eyes, ears, necks & wrists will thank me later.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(All amazing {#8 -hehe} pieces of jewelry via Gemma Redux. Top image via here)

Le Beaute...

...I'm baaack & with a true Beaute in tow! Her name?

Anais Mali

And I just about love her.

Who is she, you ask? She's an up-and-coming supermodel-in-the-making and she's gooorgeous. Not only is she pretty, but she's French. Me, a self-proclaimed Fanco-phile, {enamored with all-things-french}, I was super excited to learn that about her. Just seems to make her more interesting and a bit more "model-y" in a way.

Anyway, I've been noticing her and am happy to introduce her to you. I also found this video of her being interviewed by the great Bethann Hardison. Here she talks modeling, how she was discovered, the photographers & designers she wants to work with, and who her favorite designers are {YSL, Givenchy, Valentino, Gucci, to name a few. The girl knows perfection when she sees it.}

She also chats about the lack of Black girls being featured in huge campaigns & why she doesn't understand that unfortunate truth. Although she is seen below in Gap's Spring '11 ad, she's spot on about the larger, most coveted of brands usually not showcasing Black talent...

Well one thing's for sure, she is a beauty who's worthy to cover any campaign .

Have a look at the video.

Clearly, I approve, but would love to hear what you think...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via vogue the magazine & unknown. Video via youtube)

Shhhh...

...Don't ask me where I'm going because it's fabulous and only my driver knows...

I'm off for the weekend.

Have a lovely one Dears.

We'll catch up on Monday.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Image via here)

I'm a Fan

I really don't know a lot about her, but this Chinese pop star is the cutest thing eveerrrrr!

And get this - her name is Fan Bing Bing!

{Fantastic right?}

Seeing as how I speak, read, nor understand not a single word of chinese, I'm not even going to pretend to tell you anything about her expect that she's an actress and a pop star. Honestly, I just thought she was too cute to pass up. Love the name & I mean look at these pictures:

{gooorgeous!}

So would you not agree that she's absolutely adorable?

Chinese deficient or not, I'm a fan of Ms. Fan Bing Bing.

What do you think? You gonna join me in this fan club or not?

{And please tell me anything you know about her. She sure looks interesting!}

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via unknown)

Bold & Bright

What a perfect title for this Vogue Italia cover!

"Bold & Bright" is right! Love how the bright punches of color above & below dramatically wake you up & smack you right into a beautiful reality.

It's Monday. Let's start this new week off feeling fresh, energized & BOLD! There's no better Muse to get us in the mood than the always bubbly, always cheerful Chanel Iman.

Gorge.

Now, don't you feel revved up?

Ready. Set. Go.

Happy Monday!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Vogue Italia & Pinetrest)

Know Your A,B,Cs

...And colors, and shapes, too...

Kinda lovin' these looks from D&G Fall 2011.

They always seem to have such fun themed shows. This one, as expected, didn't disappoint in that area. With the letters of the alphabet splashed all over, not only the clothes, but the runway itself, it turned out to be quite "child's play"...

...And I'm having a ball!

*{Also loooovin' the platform Converse. When I do wear "sneakers", Converse are usually my choice du jour.}

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via style)

Cotton Candy...

Who doesn't love cotton candy? Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the fair {being hurled uncontrollably in the air & dropped hundreds of feet - not my idea of fun}, and cotton candy is a bit too sweet for me, but I think it's so pretty to look at.

The rooms below that I found on one of my fave blogs Coco Kelley remind me of this childhood treat. They're both light, pink and pretty - just like that huge swirl of cloud-shaped sugar.

As you may have figured out by now, I like to play creative games from time to time. Like the one where I use lovely spaces as inspiration for wardrobe pieces {reference here & here}. These 2 rooms are perrrrfect for that game. Kind of a "Room To Runway". Here's what I came up with:

Room #1:

{Philosophy Fall '11}

{Isaac Mizrahi Fall '11}

Room #2:

{Marc Jacobs Spr '11}

{Marc Jacobs Spr '11}

Fun right? I think it's a good thing to play around a little.

And I happen to love these spaces. {Pink isn't always an easy color to pull off in a room, but this works.}

Me likey! So tell me Dear Ones - likey too?...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Coco Kelley & elle)

...Daydreaming...

...Just happy, thinking about the weekend & the fact that it's Friiiidayyy!

*Sigh*

Hope your weekend is as beautiful as this photo.

Until Monday - Happy Friday Loves!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Image via??...Help once again)

The Wardrobe Report

So recently, I was in Bloomingdale's {under the guise of picking up some "much needed" makeup} and was happily distracted over to the contemporary section. Unbeknownst to me, Bloomies was having a HUGE sale {Yipee!!}. While browsing the racks and racks of clothes, I came across this amazing little playsuit. So cute & comfy. Well, I could not believe my eyes & had to do a serious double take when I looked at the tag. The price?

Wait for it...

$8.67!!!!

Yep, you got it. Just a mere 9 bucks! So you know I HAD to have it.

After holding back tears of joy in the dressing room, I skipped my way out to the counter to pay.

With the weather warming up some days here in South Fla, I thought it'd be fun to pull it out. I ended up pairing it with a leather belt I have from Theory and my all -time FAV work boots that I seem to be wearing with everything. {Trust me, you WILL see these again later.}

And to top it all off, I grabbed my favorite, favorite, favorite earrings that I snagged from my Mom years ago. She wore these beautiful little filigree numbers when I was little - so to me they're true vintage. They're fabulous, they have sentimental value, and I LOVE!

See how happy I am below?! {$9 bucks -I. Mean.}

So I realize we're currently experiencing the 'storm of the century' in most of the USA right now, but there's no harm in planning ahead, right? I also realize that this little gem I found smashed between 2 gorgeous dresses, will probably be near impossible to find, but you can still 'Get The Look' with these pieces I found below.

Unbelievably, Forever21 has an almost exact replica of my beloved work boots. {Worth a try} And yes, the shorts options are pricey, but as the weather warms up and spring arrives, I'm confident there'll be many options in stores, boutiques, and amazing flea markets everywhere.

Hope this inspires you to dig deep and be open-minded when making purchases. There's sweet little surprises all around.

Happy-Daydreaming-About-Spring!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via ME!)

(Clothing Clockwise from top left: Top, Netaporter, Earrings, Forever21; Tank, Netaporter; Shorts, Netaporter; Boots, Forever21; Boots, Topshop; Shorts, Netaporter; Belt, Topshop)

I'm Thinking About...

...Zebras!...

So cute, right? Well, I'm actually thinking about zebra prints. Something about those graphic black & white {or even better - tan} stripes makes it all so interesting. Although the trench above in this beautiful photo is really quite lovely, the look head-to-toe may not be the most desired.

Instead, I've pulled a few options that will give you the look in a more subtle, but all the more stunning, kind of way.

Sonya Rykiel dress. Love!

Diane Von Furstenburg dress.

Alice by Temperley tank.

Emilio Pucci dress. Gorgeous.

Let these pieces move you to take inspiration from these adorable animals. Add the look into your spring wardrobe or visit your local zoo when the weather warms up in your area.

Happy shopping. Happy watching!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via here, here, & Net-a-Porter)