VOLUME IX

Friday, March 23rd, my NYC office:

                     

THE SPRING ISSUE

SPRING FASHIONS:

Spring is finally here! The sun shines brightly, the warm air stirs our souls allowing us to shed those extra layers, and the gotta have fashions beckon us!

Whether boldly neon hued, bohemian nonchalant chic, sophisticated and polished uptown lady like attire, it's time to have fun with fashion.


From flirty floral pastel prints, vibrant hi-tech color blocks, waist defining peplum detailing, sleeveless jackets, city short shorts, satchel type handbags, pointy toed slip-on mules, chunky heeled platforms, cascading embellished stone earrings, or statement making sculptural jewelry; be daring, and don't take yourself so seriously, after all you're not auditioning for the starring role, you already are the star!...so give it all you've got.


Here are some looks which I hope will inspire you to try something a little different, maybe a bit out of your comfort zone, and possibly a bit unexpected!

Garden Party

            

Lady's who Lunch

Spectator 

Sheer & Flirty

Eyelet Floral Lace

Edgy Lady

No Fuss

Patriotic 

Sheer Elegance

Color Play

Pretty in Pink

Downtown Gallery Girl

Mixing it Up

Plain 'ol Pretty

Green with Envy

Berry Chic

Simply Stripped

Classically Classic

Short Story

Seeing Double

Nautical

Funky Fuchsia

Red Hot

Mixed Abstracts 

Sorbet Delight

Color  Explosion

Re-Mix

For more 'Spring fashion looks' click on the link below and see my pinterest board!

http://pinterest.com/bellabrook/my-style/ 



HAIR AND MAKEUP TRENDS:
By Guest  Beauty Editor Maya Sablo-Tomlinson


'Spring forward'! How to transition into color.
We often don't get a lot of vitamin D (sun) in the winter months, and tend to lean towards neutral colors when it comes to our makeup. From fair, medium, to the richest of brown complexions I will walk you through some easy ways to bring back that healthy glow as well as incorporate color into your every day makeup regiment.


This look is inspired by the nautical scenery of 'Atlantic Beach' in North Carolina.

BEFORE

AFTER

Our model is wearing 'Beige 300 Medium Coverage' foundation by Mary Kay and bronzer, 'Light Bronze 'from the Covergirl Queen Collection. The blush ‘Candid Coral’ by ELF Cosmetics was applied lightly, which gives the cheeks just the right hint of color. The first eye color applied is snow, followed by sky blue. From the crease to the outer edge of the eye, a light application of blue lagoon was used. The eyes are lined underneath with 'Midnight Blue' all eye shadows by B.H Cosmetic (120 palette). Lips are glazed with ‘Lovely’ Ulta's super shiny gloss. Hair: When "on the water" who fusses over their hair? A lightly teased chignon makes for the perfect up-do for a ride on the yacht.

Spring 2012 is kissed with citrus ... Orange that is! 

BEFORE

AFTER

From Bobbi Brown’s ‘Citrus’ lip gloss, nail varnish in ‘Soufi’ by Eres to Kenzo's and Derek Lam's, colorful sherbert shades spotted on the runway. I know what you’re thinking..."orange" really? Yes! Why not? The look on our model is inspired by this trend and the the sunset, (with all it's different hues). Keep in mind playing up the eyes will always get them them noticed by your audience.

The model is wearing 'bronze 708' Mary Kay's full coverage foundation. Again a light bronzer is used for a nice finish ‘Covergirl Queen Collection light bronze' on the cheeks, and 'Afterglow' Ulta's cosmetics blush. On eyes, under the brow bone as a highlighter 'Stardust' is used with a light hand; below that '14k' is placed followed by 'Orange Crush'(from the crease to the outer corner) eye shadows by BH Cosmetics. For the lips I applied 'Wineberry Shimmer' lip gloss by Ulta cosmetics. Hair idea:'Chop! Chop!'...to the locks (that is, why not go short and sassy! It is always a fun and sexy look to transition into after the cold winter months . A pixi leaving a slightly longer front for an asymmetrical look gives versatility .


Everyone needs a 'fresh clean lady like look'; this is it! 

BEFORE

AFTER

From work to an early evening out, there is nothing like giving yourself a youthful glow. The model is wearing 'Dusk 19' foundation and      'Goddess' bronzer, both by Estee Lauder. Her cheeks were kissed with 'Apricot' blush by Lancome. For the eyes the palette 'Kissed by        Gold' by Lancome is used; first applying gold as a high lighter from brow to crease; following the crease with dark brown. A dark brown     liquid liner is applied to the top of eyelid. To complete this fresh look 'Timeless' lip gloss by Smashbox is applied to the lips. For her hair     the key word is transition! In the winter month we like to go darker. To transition to light I like to use the'T-foil' method (to safely break up the dark hair color). By summer you will be ready to be that blonde bombshell! Tip: When going dark and your hair color is naturally light,  find a Redken salon in your area and ask about their 'Demi' color line 'Shades Eq'. I love this line!It is rich and non drying to the hair.           Redken also has great hair care products for all hair types including color maintenance products.

Skin:

Moisturizing is always important! For your body, face, and hair. No matter

your complexion or skin type always use a sunscreen based moisturizing cream and or makeup. Exfoliate 1-2 times a week and maintain a healthy beauty regiment. Cleanse, (exfoliate), tone, moisturize. "Look good feel great"!

Trend: Extended eyeliner, giving the appearance of 'cat like eyes'.

Image from a D& G add

Hair:

When thinking of new hair styles ask yourself these questions. For color, do I have the time (every 6-8weeks) and budget to maintain it? For haircuts, am I a chin length flat iron, 30 minutes, still curling with the curling iron kinda girl? Or am I a pixi? Wash, moose,‘n go girl?  These questions are important. If you’re indecisive work with what you got! Long and straight? Try Jennifer Aniston's loose waves. For medium length hair, try a couple of caramel colored foils to frame your face like Jessica Alba. Did the big ‘chop’? and went ‘natural’? Try accessories like head bands, head wraps , braids ,twist or even look for a natural hair stylist in your area to give you more ideas. Do what works for you and your life style and natural hair!  

Trend: The French braid worn 'Grecian'style, wrapped around the head like a wreath; or as a loose plait making for a no fuss do!

Both images from a Vera Wang add

Maya Sablo-Tomlinson Freelance Makeup Artist and Cosmetologist 

from Westchester County, New York based out of Eastern North Carolina

SPRING CLEANING:


 

                        Image from internet search


It's time to clean those cobwebs outta the corner! Although we all clean our homes on a regular basis (or lucky you, if you have someone who does it for you) when spring is in the air it's time for a 'face-lift'. Following are some 'must dos' to give our humble abodes a fresh new look!...and you can do this over the course of a few weeks.


Start by cleaning all the windows (that will shine a new light on things). Now think about laundering those drapes and cleaning those blinds too or better yet why not shop for new window treatments to give a new look to the room...something a little unexpected maybe. Lets move onto the chandeliers and light fixtures about the house, make them glow with a little wipe down. Next clean the base boards, and molding with a fresh scented cleaning product, which will do wonders for the air throughout your home. It's time to touch up any areas which could use a fresh coat of paint...not a big deal, a little paint goes a long way. Don't forget to wash all the winter bedding and store them away until next season. If you have carpeting why not rent a carpet cleaning machine and make it look like new again; if not just sprinkle some carpet freshener when vacuuming!...don't forget to vacuum all those crumbs out of the furniture too. Take any area rugs to be professionally cleaned. Ceramic tiled areas in the bath or kitchen scrub down well to get them sparkling like new again, and don't forget the cabinets. And if you don't use your oven for storage like a lot of New Yorker's, don't forget to give it a good cleaning out, as well as your refrigerator and freezer.


Congratulations you've done it! Now doesn't it look and smell great! 
Light a gloriously scented candle put your feet up and pour yourself a little bubbly, after all that hard work, you deserve it! 
                                                                               
                       Images from internet search








Until next time…..”Work it”

ERB  

Contact: info@estherbrook.com
To purchase my booklet: http://www.estherbrook.com/

Esther welcomes opportunities to style individuals or interiors as well as promote fashion and design events.

All personal images are owned by "Esther's Essentials" and may not be used in any way without my consent. Please email me at info@estherbrook.com for any request.