Best Tutorials for Day of the Dead

Feliz Dia De Los Muertos. I know the aesthetic of this holiday has become trendy in recent years (we called it awhile ago). Remember first that it is a happy day that celebrates the spirits of our loved ones who have come back to join us. It has roots in Mexico, Aztec and Catholic culture.

Sugar Skull Makeup Tutorial
The most popular tradition for the style set is the sugar skull makeup. It is a particularly artistic look where you can get elaborate with all sorts of embellishments and motifs. Youtube is full of sugar skull makeup tutorials if you need inspiration.

via Tablespoon.com

I always loved watching artisans craft the actual sugar skulls. It looked so delicate and sweet. You can try your own with these sugar skull instructions. 

The women who participate in traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations don't stop at the makeup. The traditional Catrina Costume includes elegant outfits of long ruffled dresses, lace and a decorated wide-brimmed hat. You can style our own version with this Catrina costume tutorial.

Ofrendas
Part of celebrating your past loved ones is about enticing them to share festivities with you. This is demonstrated with extravagant ofrendas. This is an altar of offerings honoring them and that includes Pan de Muertos, a sweet bread decorated with dough bones, salt. marigold flowers, paper picado decorations and mementos of the deceased. You can create your own with these Dia de los Muertos altar instructions.

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Tarte Cosmetics NYFW Survival Kit

The style marathon that is New York Fashion Week begins now. If you are working the fashion shows you are expected look fabulous at all hours. This must be achieved through harsh NYC winter weather in heels while your skin takes a beating. To look and feel good, you can rely on tarte cosmetics a beauty haul to get you through the week.

My workday during fashion week usually lasts 14 hours at the end of the runway and another four when I get home. My eyes are TIRED! Tarte maracuja oil is a key ingredient of the Maracuja C-brighter eye treatment. Maracuja is a fruit high in fatty acids that help hydrate your eye area. Vitamin C brightens and rejuvenates.

While in the photography pit, my wardrobe is forced to be more practical than sartorial. The one area where I can go wild is my makeup. I love creating a dramatic eye look with a collection of my favorite colors. The tartelette Amazonian clay matte palette actually holds all of my favorite hues. They also contain vitamin E that act as an antioxidant and clay ingredients for a truer pigment.  For a great cat’s eye look, make sure you have liquid eyeliner. The Lights, Camera Action Lashes is packed with vitamin B5. Don’t forget good waterproof mascara that can fend off sweat and snow.

The other thing you can’t do without during fashion week is a good moisturizer. I barely sleep, so I really need a multi-tasking product. Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer should be the MVP of your routine. It is packed with good things like Amazonian clay, chamomile and vitamins A, C and E to nourish your skin. It is made without oil, so it will not feel greasy or heavy. While you run around town between fashion shows the 20 SPF sunscreen protects your face.

I know that tarte cosmetics are a trendsetter in colors and looks. What makes them more than a fad? They have a commitment to cruelty free makeup products that use intense natural ingredients. I like that their community of tartelettes share everything from makeup look tutorials to supporting health initiatives and the environment. This is a company that knows classic beauty that applies to you inside and out.
Presented by tarte cosmentics

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Summer Beauty Needs Aqua Sparkle

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Caress® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Caress®.

The coolest shades this season for summer beauty are a mix of blues and light purple.  I have seen bight and light shades of aqua on the nails of every one of my designer friends and fellow bloggers.  The pretty shade of pastel lilac and radiant orchid dominates every editorial and accessory when the sun is out.  

What is the easiest way to incorporate these colors into your own look?  My personal favorites are a bit of sparkle in my eye shadow.  You can mix a few shades of blue to create a dramatic look on your eye lids or add some lilac glitter for some pop.

Do you have a lawn party or beach soiree to attend?  You can elevate your outfit with a good piece of statement jewelry.  A big cocktail ring with amethyst colored jewels can look striking.  I like a turquoise studded bracelet myself.  If you want something more whimsical, you can incorporate a flower shaped piece around your neck or finger.

Before I head out for my day, I want to start my look fresh.  A hot shower with Caress® Aqua Sparkle™ lets you indulge in the trendiest scents before you even get dressed.  The rich body wash is a mix of clean water and lilac fragrance.  It’s cool and leaves my bathroom smelling like a spa.  I can’t think of a better way to begin a beautiful day.  Can you?

The Caress® Fresh collection wraps your skin in vibrant scents and hydrating lather, leaving it revitalized and delicately scented. Try the new Caress® Fresh Collection and revitalize your skin like never before.   

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Trendspotting: Dia de los Muertos

Celebrate the Day of the Dead.  While quirky bars and restaurants have always used Katrina dolls and dioramas to decorate their interiors, I have seen a huge rush of the Dia de los Muertos trend in fashion circles of late.

666 Photography had a gorgeous beauty editorial that mixed makeup, floral headpieces and elegant, burlesque corsetry that went viral over Pinterest.  Other beauty bloggers and stylists were also inspired by the embellished skull look with their own interpretations.  The not-so-macabre trend made its way onto the nail art circles with amazingly detailed manicures.

Accessories designers have always found the holiday to be a muse.  There a bunch of jewelry artists who make everything from earrings to necklaces to cufflinks.  You can find the motifs on ties, handbags, and elaborate headpieces all over Etsy.  You can even complete your look with bony pumps .

My husband has always had a fondness for this Mexican holiday as it was very close to his Halloween birthday.  We have purchased some great art pieces from galleries that specialize in Mexican art.  In the last decade, mainstream companies have increasingly incorporated the decorative, morbid aesthetic into their product offerings.   LucasArts even had a cult-favorite video game called the Grim Fandango that takes place in a Dia de Los Muertos world.  Over at the Offbeat Bride, this aesthetic has found a romantic hold on many couple looking for alternative themes.

Want to see what YOU look like with Dia de los Muertos makeup?  I found this fantastic Day of the Dead Me app.

Conclusion?  Whether you are living or dead, you have no excuse not to look fierce.

Credits: 666 photography, Viveros via lewdfox tumblr, http://cdnimg.visualizeus.com,

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Rock and Republic at Kohl's

Seven days and counting!  Fashion Week in NYC is almost upon us, and the event invitations are piling up… As part of the Kohl’s Rock and Republic blogger team, I am particularly excited to rock out at their launch event at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom. 

In preparation for said event, I experimented with the ever popular “smoky eye” look, guided by a playlist of makeup “how-to” videos on YouTube.  Hmm, there is definitely a "range" in the quality of programming.  As long as it’s more smoldering than smoke damage, I’m satisfied. 

The Kohl’s collaboration with Rock and Republic is officially available online today, and I chose my picks from the collection for fashion week.  I loved the skinny jeans in the dark wash that has some stretch. There was a skull print scarf/top combo that projected scary and sweet at the same time…Great for keeping people on edge.  I like a good blazer as a wardrobe staple.  The one from Rock and Republic makes it a bigger fashion statement with rhinestone tassel embellishments.  Très glam. 

The new collection also has some edgy shoes.  How much do these studded platform heels rule?  I'm going to do some serious butt-kicking in these (if I don't topple over first).  What I really love?  So far, I haven’t found anything that topped $100.  

Ok, now it's your turn, what show or event for New York Fashion Week are you most looking forward to?  And, of course, what will you wear?

Kohl's provided compensation to me as an incentive to blog about the Rock & Republic launch event.  The opinions expressed herein are those of this author, and they have not been reviewed or approved by Kohl's in advance.

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