Biore Pore Strips Giveaway!

Darlings, Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell looked stunning at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards Sunday night, August 16^th in Los Angeles. Shay’s makeup artist Patrick Ta shares the scoop on how to recreate her red carpet look! 

INSPIRATION:  “Shay and I have been working together for a little bit now and she really trusts me, so I am always able to play”, says Patrick. “We normally do a group chat prior to an award show to talk about the look and what she is going to wear. Shay loves fresh dewy bronze skin, which looks great on her! Tonight, the inspiration for her look came from her dress. It's white, modern and structured - we wanted to play up the eyes to go along with the dress".

GET THE LOOK - Here is Patrick's step-by-step breakdown:

·         I love to prep my clients' skin with Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimizer to get deep into pores and draw out dirt and oil. This allows the make up to lay smoothly on the skin. Then, I apply a Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal PoreStrip on the nose for blackhead removal and to keep shine at bay. 

·         Once the face was clean, I applied Hourglass Primer Serum to moisturize and help the makeup lay beautifully. Next I lightly used the Armani Designer Lift Foundation to ensure the complexion looked bright without appearing too heavy. Then I contoured the hallows of the cheeks to accentuate the cheekbones with Tom Ford Intensity One Contour Pallet.Next, I used Mac Select Moisturecover in NC30 to highlight and added Mac Cosmetics Golden Bronze to the apples of the cheeks. I then added the Balm Mary-Lou Manizer for additional highlighting. I finished the face off with a Translucent Powder from La Mer to help ensure long wear, and used a setting spray to give the skin a natural luminous finish”.

·         To create Shay's eyes, I used a Mac Pigment in Tan on the lid. Then added a dark matte brown hue to the outer crease and bottom lash line for drama and definition. I recommend curling lashes and applying two coats of waterproof mascara for long wear. Finally I added Esqido Lashes for some twinkle. 

·         To create a thicker brow like Shay's this evening, try an Anastasia Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette.

·         To complete the look, I used a Tom Ford bronze nude lipstick called Smoke Sable to compliment the blush. 

More About Bioré Charcoal Pore Minimizer ($8.99): With purifying charcoal & polishing micro-crystals, this formula gets deep into pores, to draw out and bind to pore-clogging dirt & oil. Instantly diminishes the appearance of pores in just 30 seconds, and also over time. To use: Just add water and rub. Available at drugstores nationwide - www.biore.com

Fabulous news, darlings! CC and Biore have three (3) of these amazing pore strips to give away to three (3) lucky Couture Carrie readers! Five Day Giveaway: to enter, simply leave a relevant comment on this post. Open to U.S. Residents.

Good luck, darlings!

xoxox,

CC

CC Loves...

Darlings, its' time to resurrect the (seemingly long defunct) tag! Here are some of the things that CC loves...

What shows/clothes/foods/sports/books etc. are you smitten with? CC is tagging all of her fellow fashionistas to post their loves!

Absolutely Fabulous! Other favorite shows include Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, 30 Rock, Scandal and the original Beverly Hills, 90210!

AcroYoga, Pilates and Barre ~ that's CC on the lower left of that triple down dog!

Bikinis. CC has over 100, including this Sauvage Swimwear Allure bikini, at sauvagewear.com.

Blueberry pancakes. CC's dad used to make them from scratch when she was a little girl :)

Bold beauty, especially gorgeous glosses.

Chic cocktails, particularly vodka martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives.

Cool cupcakes. CC's faves are red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting... Yum!

Haute hats; oversized fedora from riverisland.com.

NYC, where CC lived for six years when she was a public high school Spanish teacher.

Pretty party dresses.

 Three Floor Blue Noise Dress ~ CC just snapped up on sale at asos.com.

Setting personal goals and attaining them; CC ran her first half marathon in October!

The New York Times progressive crossword puzzle, especially on Thursdays... it's challenging but not impossible.

What do you love, darlings?

Can't wait to see your posts!

xoxox,

CC

CC Loves...

Darlings, here are just a few of the little lovelies that CC is currently smitten with!
TV show Pretty Little Liars. A guilty pleasure almost on a par with Gossip Girl... Have you seen it?
This Tory Burch print string bikini, at toryburch.com.
This Very Sexy bra bikini and waist cincher, at victoriassecret.com.
These McQ Alexander McQueen printed stretch-jersey leggings, at theOutnet.com.
These Blank Denim ankle skinny jeans, at shopbop.com.
This Smythe piped one button blazer, at shoptwigs.com.
This Honor polka dot top, at honornyc.com.
This Acne Baby dress, at acnestudios.com. CC adores the retro shape!
This Gareth Pugh dress, at thecorner.com.
This Zimmerman Floral Tender dress, at ausmode.com.
This Versus one sleeve colorblock dress, at intermixonline.com.
This Candy Store silicone wallet pictured via select2gether.com.
This Cheap Monday zip clutch, at shopbop.com.
This Shiraleah chevron clutch, at nanadc.com.
These Balenciaga shoes. Which pair is your favorite?
This Swarovski rainbow bangle, at swarovski.com.
This photo of Julia Stegner by Solve Sundsbo. So sexy!
This Ethan Allen striped chair and the ad in general... genius!
What are you loving these days, darlings?
xoxox,
CC

CC Loves…

Here are just a few of the things that CC is loving right now, darlings!

Ray-Ban Aviators. These ones are Ray-Ban Aviator RB 3025 LO205. Classic and chic ~ perfect for you or your BF!

TV show “How I Met Your Mother” ~ hysterical!
This Missoni geometric acetate bib necklace; this and next at net-a-porter.com.
These Marni geometric paneled leather sandals, at theOutnet.com.
These Camilla Skovgaard suede and metallic leather ankle boots.
These Giuseppe Zanotti ombre python pumps, at intermixonline.com.
These Rag & Bone high waisted bell bottom jeans, at shopbop.com.
This Splashed Palette dress, at anthropologie.com.
This Halston Heritage one sleeve pleated dress, at shopbop.com.
This Camilla long silk leopard print dress, at intermixonline.com.
This Tara Matthews geo ikat printed triangle bikini, at theOutnet.com.
Meeble Mail personalized email stationery. Check out meeblemail.com.
What are you currently smitten with?
xoxox,

CC

CC loves Armani Exchange! A/X Gift Certificate Giveaway!

Darlings, CC adores Armani Exchange! CC worked at the Phipps Plaza store in the late 90s, so A/X holds a special place in her heart, not just for the fabulous fashions but because it was during a very special shift at A/X in 1997 that CC met DG!
This Fall, Armani Exchange launched AX:TV, an online video platform, which will target the AX Generation. CC readers are fortunate to get an inside look at the hottest people, looks, and lifestyle of the behind-the-scenes of fashion with the new AX:TV from Armani Exchange. This new behind-the-scenes TV project launched in early October and CC's Fellow Fashionistas are among the first to get a glimpse of the original footage! Click here to check it out and be sure to tell CC what you think in the comments section!
Fabulous news, darlings! CC and Armani Exchange have a $50 A/X Gift Certificate to give away to one lucky Fellow Fashionista. Two Day Contest! To enter, simply leave a relevant comment on this post. For an extra entry, Tweet this and tell CC you have done so in a separate comment. Be sure to follow CC on Twitter @couturecarrie.com. As always, international Fellow Fashionistas are welcome! Good luck, darlings!
xoxox,
CC

3Gs: Gossip Girl and Gucci!!!

OMFG! Darlings, CC is in fashion ecstasy! If you haven't seen the Gucci Resort 2009 show yet, proceed immediately to www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/2009RST/review/GUCCI after reading today's Couture Carrie post! Though the majority of the looks were rather retro (think 70s: maxi dresses, long natural middle-parted locks and platform espadrilles), what stood out for CC were the echoes of the PREP SCHOOL vibe of which we have all become so enamored since the inception of TV and fashion phenomenon Gossip Girl. Witness the wonderful WASPiness of Gucci's grosgrain-striped trousers, see Jenny and pals below, and think: hybrid.

The key for the non-teenaged set is to create a sophisticated crossbreed of the Gucci & Gossip Girl vibes - CC calls it 3G!

How to dress accordingly without spending 3G:

1) girly plaids

Think Scottish princess, not Mary-Kate grunge.

For practically pennies, snap up a ruffled plaid shirt from victoriassecret.com.

Or sport some sexy stretch five-pocket skinny pants by Highway Jeans, at alloy.com.

Isn't this Ivy newsboy cap from delias.com adorable, B?

And how sexy school-girl is this fishtail hem bias cut tartan skirt??

Go to victoriassecret.com to buy!

2) smart tweeds

Take a cue from the GG girls (see Blair flanked by fabulous Chanel bouclé-swathed peers on the steps of the Met)!

Try this Nanette Lepore Sultry tweed pencil skirt with playful ruffle hem.

Visit shopbop.com.

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3) tights

Bright, opaque, patterned, thigh-high, knee-high, argyle, striped -- practically anything goes when it comes to 3G legwear!

CC is loving . . . Betsey Johnson's athletic-chic red thigh highs

Lacoste's 80s-throwback turquoise tights
Kate Beckinsdale goes naughty librarian in striped thigh-highs (photo courtesy hollywoodtuna.com)

4) ultra-preppy cardigans and blazers

The striped jacket hits the runway at the Gucci Resort show in Milan.
Little J, get the look for less with this sassy striped crested Victoria's Secret blazer.

The aptly named Blair Preppy Cardigan in heather gray from delia*s fits the bill, as does...

this long cardigan tee from Victoria's Secret.

CC adores how it's paired with a tailored striped button-down and cheeky necktie, borrowed from the boys but decidedly feminine!!
5) Accoutrements!
CC likes preppy decorative touches like this Candace Ang antique brass kilt pin, at etsy.com. Wear it on your skirt or your lapel!!

Are these Jean Paul Gaultier Couture herringbone double buckle boots not so fab, S?
And who could forget a ridiculously luxe handbag, like this Goldenbleu Lillian bag, currently half off at shopbop.com!

Until next time, Upper East Siders!

xoxox, CC
Fashion credits: runway photos in this CC post via style.com; Gossip Girl stills courtesy nytimes.com.