Five Best Beach Lips ~ Your Five Best Lip Shades For August On The Beach

Are you stealing a getaway to the ocean this August?

On hot beachy days the last thing you want is a face full of makeup, but if you're not in the mood for an entirely naked face, these lip colors when paired with a soft brow and a little waterproof mascara will give you a fun and fresh pop of color, and keep you looking casually gorgeous!

I absolutely love fuchsia lips!This pencil format is ideal for the beach. Easy to apply and it won't melt in your beach bag. 
Nars Satin Lip Pencil in YU $26 at Nordstrom

Lipstick Queen Frog Prince $25 is an emerald green lipstick that magically transforms itself to your own perfect shade of rosebud pink, as soon as it hits your lips. With Vitamin E and Shea Butter it keeps your lips soft, hydrated and endlessly kissable. You can find Frog Prince at Space NK

The best red this summer just has to be Charlotte Tilbury's limited edition Matte Revolution 1975 Red $32. This is a perfect sunset red, in Charlotte's special formulation that not only makes lips look fuller, but also makes them look lit from within. Available at CharlotteTilbury.com

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey $17 has been around for decades. A slippery sheer hint of color, this one pairs with your tan beautifully, leaves your lips looking bitten and your teeth looking pearly white. You can find it at Nordstrom.

Nars Orgasm Lip Gloss $26 is universally flattering to all skin tones. It's fresh, pretty and goes with everything. 
Love it.

Six Summer Beauty Hair Saves ~ Beauty Tip Of The Week #22

Don't let the summer heat, sun, surf, sand and chlorine ruin your hair!

Whether you are fighting frizzy hair, battling heat induced deflation (is your hair just collapsing like mine is??) finding your color fading, your hair is drying out, or it's being stripped of it's luster, here are 6 summer hair saves that you can order online from 
Space NK.

Six Summer Hair Saves

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray $29. I love this for the gorgeous soft and shiny beachy waves it gives. Most salt sprays leave your hair feeling crunchy, this one leaves it feeling really soft.

Dry Shampoo is the absolute key to keeping your hair from collapsing when you are battling the summer heat/humidity/hat hair blues. R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo $17 comes in travel size, perfect for vacations, weekend beach trips or just to slip into your handbag.

I'm a huge fan of Oribe Gold Lust Nourishing hair Oil $49 (also available in travel size). Like all Oribe products it smells sensational, and I would happily buy it for that reason alone, but the product itself is amazing. It is super lightweight, so doesn't weight your hair down like some others do. It nourishes, protects, conditions and gives you gorgeous shine. And it feels luxurious.

I also always travel with travel sized Oribe Conditioner for Beautiful Color $15 partly because it almost feels decadent it's sol lovely, and partly because it nourishes and protects from dulling UV rays like no other.

Rainforest grown, gluten free, 100% organic Rahua Voluminous Conditioner $34 conditions, adds volume and bounce to hair that's had enough summer already, and can also be used when you're styling your hair to add control and prevent frizz.

The hair stylists I work with on shoots have taught me the value of flexible hold hairspray when you want bounce and movement in your hair. Shower steam plus R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray $17 and some velcro rollers can take you from hat head, flat hair to bouncy soft summer gorgeous hair in no time at all.
And it smells like heaven.

Space NK has an entire collection of high end hair products in travel sizes (under 100ml) perfect to put in your carry on luggage.
I have all the Oribe travel sized products, as well as some of the others. Check out all the Space NK hair magic HERE

Mission Impossible Rogue Nation Fashion

I was super lucky to be invited to a private preview screening of the new Mission Impossible movie, Rogue Nation.
It was fantastic. Spectacular in fact.

Tom Cruise's super spy Ethan Hunt, is back with his I.M.F. team, performing awe inspiring stunts whilst looking super chic in a custom built wardrobe. I say custom "built" rather than custom "tailored" because wardrobe designer Joanna Johnston had to build wardrobe pieces to withstand the crazy stunts Cruise was performing.

I read a fascinating article where she talked about the logistics of creating a suit that could withstand him holding onto an airplane, flying at great speed, 5,000 feet in the air. Regular clothing would have ripped off his body, and Johnston said that she was terrified during the stunt, which took 25 minutes to shoot, that he would come back wearing only his underwear. 
But her suit prevailed.
And Cruise, of course, looked totally dashing throughout.

The choice of a grey suit was interesting in and of itself too. Bourne doesn't wear grey suits. 
Bond doesn't wear grey suits.
They wouldn't be plausible in a grey suit and white shirt. 
But for Ethan Hunt it totally worked. And it served to put the stunt in context, added to the madness of it, at the same time defining who this character is, and has become, all in the very first scene of the film.

The action didn't stop from that point forward, and neither did the fashion.
It is the summer of  Oscar winning wardrobe designer Joanna Johnston, who hit it right out of the ballpark with The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (opens August 14th, read about it here ) as well as the Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation, opening everywhere today.

Rogue Nation is super action packed, so the wardrobe not only had to look good, but had to work in intense fight scenes.
My favorite piece was this chartreuse dress worn by leading lady Rebecca Ferguson. The moment she comes walking through the entrance of the Vienna Opera House is mesmerizing. She is stunning anyway, but the way she moves, and the way the dress moves is just sensational.

The way the dress performs throughout the scene, the fight sequence and the other stunts is every bit as effective as the grey suit.
I tried to find the designer - lets face it, the color of the dress, the movement of the fabric, the way it worked on camera meant that surely it had to be by one of the fashion legends, right? 
In a way, yes. It was designed by Joanna Johnston herself. It was actually 8 different dresses, each created with specific tasks in mind. For example the version of the dress she wore as she and Cruise escape from the roof of the opera house by rope was designed with extra fabric in the skirt so that it would balloon out as they dropped through the air. 

Essentially all of Ferguson's wardrobe was custom made, with the exception of her Burberry coat.

I haven't watched a Tom Cruise movie perhaps in years.
I had forgotten what it is that he brings to the camera and to the big screen.
With Rogue Nation I can see why he is the biggest movie star in the world.

My 8 Favorite Cities In The World

 I've been traveling the world for most of my life. I've lived in several different countries, in incredibly interesting places.
When you travel extensively you learn that some places are wonderful to see and you wouldn't miss that experience for anything, but you feel no reason to go back. Other places stick with you.
Here is a list of 8 cities around the world that have stuck with me.

Sydney Harbor shot by Sam Abell for National Geographic

My 8 Favorite Cities In The World.

Auckland, New Zealand.

Auckland is remarkable. It reminds me of Sydney and Seattle for its wow factor. Endless beautiful bays winding around the city, a gorgeous city center, cosmopolitan in its shopping and restaurant options. Walking around the city center and waterfront you are equally stunned by how fabulous this place is, and by how incredibly few people there are. Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand, with a population of 1.4 to 1.5 million, but it's land mass is large, so after a lifetime living in huge international cities it almost feels empty.

It's hard to imagine that a beautiful oceanfront city can still exist in the world and not be overpopulated.

Where to stay in Auckland ? Try the SkyCity Hotel
If you prefer vacation rentals, check out this fabulous Penthouse on Princes Wharf or this 2 Bedroom Waterfront apartment, also on Princes Wharf

Cairo Egypt

image via magazine.fourseasons.com

I spent a month in Egypt when I was 22.

Although I now will probably never return, Cairo remains one of my favorite cities. At least the Cairo I went to. It was spicy and exciting, a little scary but completely intriguing. One of the most important cities in the world archeologically and historically, I treasure the memories I built there.
Where to stay in Cairo? Enjoy your morning coffee looking at the pyramids from your window at the 2015 Travelers Choice Awards winning Pyramid View Inn

St Petersburg, Russia

As a child and teen I was obsessed with the Romanovs, and dreamed of going to this, one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and tracing their steps. If you want it badly enough you can make anything happen, so I found myself in Russia and fell in love with this beautiful city, called Leningrad at the time.

Throughout its violent history St Petersburg has always been incredibly chic, populated by the most fashionable crowd, and as such is resplendent with its endless stunning palaces.

The Winter Palace and Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo impacted me so deeply that I can still remember their smell, and minute details of the rooms I walked through.

The Church Of The Resurrection Of Christ, St Petersburg Russia

While in St Petersburg stay at the Pushka Inn Hotel

Paris, France

Paris is always a good idea. Always.

I'm a left bank girl and always have been, although next time I go back I might stay in the Marais just for a change.
Any way you shake it, Paris is amazing.

Where to stay in Paris? Vacation rentals are much more affordable than hotels in the City of Light. On the left bank in St Germaine Des Pres check out this adorable studio with roof terrace. In the Marais this studio on Rue Chanoinesse is lovely.

Rome, Italy.

I love walking cities more than any other, and Rome is one of the greatest cities in the world to walk around.

I feel a deeper connection to Rome than to any other city in the world.

See more about Rome HERE.

Looking for a place to stay in Roma? Try a B&B in the beautiful Trastevere like the B&B Ventisei Scalini, or this 2 bedroom apartment by the Vatican, Michelangelo Sistina

Copenhagen, Denmark

Walk or ride bikes around this picturesque and lovely city during the summer. The people are friendly, there are wonderful restaurants, great shopping, it's super clean and you can breathe in endless pure Scandinavian air.

Stay in Vesterbro in a 2 bedroom vacation rental condo like this one, or go for a big, bright beautiful apartment in central Copenhagen like this one 

Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona is pure magic. Stroll, eat and shop along La Rambla, take in all the amazing Gaudi, hit the beach, enjoy the nightlife.
Barcelona is so vibrant and exciting!

Where to stay in Barcelona: everyone loves the Hotel The Serras.
The Hotel Brummell is also super popular, and is a 15 minute stroll to La Rambla.

Sydney, Australia

Quite possibly my favorite city in the world, Sydney never loses it's "wow" factor. You can't beat the views flying in over Sydney harbor on a sunny day, even in dreary weather it's beautiful.
Sydney is incredibly cosmopolitan. It's artsy, the food is incredible, there is so much to see and do. One of the most international cities in the world, it is also one of the most chic cities you will ever visit.

Sydney is endless water and gorgeous bays. Just when you think it couldn't possibly get better, you turn the corner into yet another bay, that just takes your breath away.
Even the animals at the Sydney zoo are treated to the most spectacular views, and like the locals they are totally chill.
Sydney-siders know how to live. Lifestyle is everything here, the people are so friendly and happy, no doubt because their absolute essence is quality of life.
I love it.

Where to stay in Sydney? You really are spoiled for choice. Rent an apartment with a view, such as this 3 bedroom in Pyrmont or enjoy the endless sky and beach life near Manly in this beachfront apartment.
You will never want to leave.

xo

The Charlotte Tilbury Miss Kensington Look ~ Products And Tutorial

I love this look.
It is definitely a Kensington-girl look. Chelsea-girl too.

This is one of Charlotte Tilbury's new looks from her Norman Parkinson collection, inspired by his 1960's muses. It makes me think of a modern day Jean Shrimpton (check out my post on Iconic Jean Shrimpton HERE). It also is perfect for anyone wanting to channel the vibe from Guy Ritchie's fabulous new movie, 
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (I wrote about going to the movie preview and the stunning fashion in it  HERE)

MISS KENSINGTON

FLUSHED WITH THE GLOW OF YOUTH, MISS KENSINGTON CHANNELS THE SOFT FOCUS SENSUALITY AND DREAMY DIFFUSED LIGHT OF NORMAN PARKINSON’S ‘60S MUSES

Miss Kensington is a quintessentially English beauty, inspired by the haughty but naughty girls of the swinging sixties.

The look draws on the dreamy cascading light and pastel hues in Norman Parkinson’s pictures of his muses: Audrey Hepburn, Twiggy and his wife Wenda.

Her rose petal lips, perfect cashmere complexion, sultry golden eyes, fresh cheeks and sensational sixties lashes exude youthful innocence.

I have linked all the products Charlotte uses below. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the video tutorial.

To get this look start with Charlotte's world famous Magic Cream ($100) to transform your skin
Build the perfect cheek with Dreamy Glow Highlighter ($65) and
Color Of Youth Cheek Glow ($58)
The eye is created with  Eyes To Mesmerize cream shadows in Marie Antoinette and in Jean ($32)
Rock'n'Kohl eyeliner in Barbarella Brown ($27)
and Charlotte's amazing Full Fat Lashes mascara ($29)

The final touch is the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Miss Kensington. ($32). This beyond fabulous color absolutely will sell out in no time, so stock up on it while it's still around.
For those of you getting married this year or next, this is a perfect wedding lipstick, so make sure you get yourself one before they are all gone.

You can also shop the look with the Miss Kensington Gift Box
($270, see below)

The Charlotte Tilbury Miss Kensington Gift Box Set

Beauty Tip Of The Week #21 Makeup Tips For Humid Days

Mid- summer humidity can be a beauty nightmare - from melting foundation to frizzy hair, keeping the glam on point can be challenging.

Check out these makeup tips for humid days, and please add any tips that work for you in the comments section below.

Kate Moss for St Tropez self tanner

1. Avoid Foundation.


When the humidity rises here I try to avoid wearing foundation. The more you sweat and shine and melt, the worse your foundation sweats and shines and melts. It's a no win situation!
 If you plan ahead you can build up a faux tan with 
St Tropez Every Day Gradual Tan from Nordstrom.
Check out my blogpost for tips on how to use facial self tanners here

2. Prime Time.

Use a really good silicone based primer to even out your skin tone and texture. Koh Gen Do Maifanshi color correcting primers help to both correct imperfections and keep you a little more polished and matte.

3. Define Your Brows.
Giving a little accent to your brows can create the most impact of your entire look. 
Without overdoing it, define your brow with a waterproof brow product like Makeup Forever's Aqua Brow


4. Use A Paint Pot Eye Shadow Base
I swear by a sheer coat of MAC Paint Pot as an eye shadow base plus primer, to help your eye shadow hold all day as well as pump up the color and keep it vibrant.

If you have a cool skin tone try MAC's Paint Pot in Painterly, if you are warm toned check out Soft Ocher, both available at Nordstrom.

5. Waterproof Mascara
It's a  must.

6. Matte Lips

When your face is getting shiny, a glossy lip can make you look even shinier. Neutralize the gooey glow with a soft matte lip.
Try Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Miss Kensington

What To Wear (This Year) On Capri

I have had so many emails asking what I recommend to wear this year on Capri.
Here are 6 items that are on my packing list:

I love this Felicity and Coco Striped Maxi Dress from Nordstrom.
Strapless maxi dresses are so fresh and modern, and the detail in the back paired with the way the stripes curve over your derriere make it extra lovely. The skirt has enough movement in it to give you freedom to wander all over the island while still looking chic.

Rachel Zoe Chain Detail Halter Maxi Dress
Perfect for a dinner date or drinks on a terrace with a view. I love this dress in Marrakesh Blue.

Nic and Zoe Cool Breeze Linen Pants in white. Because white linen pants paired with jewel toned tops or pretty, summery sleeveless items are ideal on Capri. 

Diane Von Furstenburg 'Aubrey'Silk Top
Paired with white linen pants this top is perfect for chic lunches, apres-beach aperitifs, or casual dinners watching the sun hit the water.

Melissa Odabash Yellow Martinique Bikini

Helen Kaminski's Provence 12 Packable Raffia Hat looks lovely, shades you from the hot Capri sun and packs in your suitcase effortlessly.

Where should you stay on Capri? I prefer renting apartments and villas to staying in hotels. Next time I'm in Capri I'm hoping to rent this lovely home, just minutes from the plazetta.