Category: Beauty

My Favorite Makeup Foundations

k150_23SZDheel iconFinding the perfect makeup foundation is always a challenge. It has to be right for your skin tone, your skin type and perform in the way you want – giving you the desired amount of coverage and lasting through a long work day or dancing the night away.

And now, with Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, we all have cameras pointed at us all the time, so we need to be camera-ready just like a model or actress. The current focus is on HD Makeup – high definition beauty products, so the camera doesn’t pick up that you’re wearing makeup.

With so many expectations in one little bottle, how to do you know which ones work? I’m here to share the ones that work for me. Check out my video review of the best makeup foundations:

Products mentioned and where to buy them:

Stila Stay All Day® Foundation & Concealer* 

Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm (w/o SPF)* 

Clinique SuperBalanced Makeup* 

Make Up Forever Mat Velvet* 

Lancôme RÉnergie Lift Makeup SPF 20* 

CoverGirl AquaSmooth Compact* 

Let me know what foundations work for you in the comments below!

Picture perfect,
Kastle

This video is not sponsored. Products were purchased by me. Links above are affiliate links.*
* Disclosure

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Category: Beauty

How to Apply and Remove Press-on Nails

k150_23SZDheel iconHave you been loving the nail art trend but just don’t have the time (or like me, the skill!) to do it yourself? Then press-on nails are for you! Find out how to apply press-on nails for a flawless manicure or easy nail art in this quick tutorial video.  You’ll also learn how to remove them properly – hint, you don’t just rip them off your fingers!

How to Apply and Remove Press-On Nails

 

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Nails featured in the video, Heartbreaker from the House of Holland Collection

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Here’s to great nails!
Kastle

Nails provided by Elegant Touch Public Relations

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Category: Beauty

“Guest Blogger” Disco K.: What’s in My Purse?

k150_23SZDheel iconIntroducing Kassandra – but you can call her Disco K. We met at a Halloween party this week (wink! wink!) and she stopped by the Stiletto City Studio to film her take on the popular “What’s In My Purse” videos!

Want a pink Stiletto City pen like the one Disco K. has? Be one of the first 50 people to share this video on Twitter with the hashtag #IwantSCpen [contest closed.]

Happy Halloween!
Kastle

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Category: Beauty

Beauty and Fashion October Favorites: What I’m Loving this Month

k150_23SZDheel iconOctober is a time for transition from summer to fall. Some of the things I’m loving this month in women’s fashion include some layers to spice up your wardrobe and stay warm on chilly nights, bold accessories, and adding the color orange in my makeup look. Plus I have one big, rockin’ music favorite! Check out the video for my beauty and fashion October favorites and see where to buy these and similar items in the links below:

WHERE TO BUY IT:

I shopped my own closet for the items mentioned so here are links to some of them and similar items:

Black Lace Vest

Faux Fur Vest

Shrug

Comic Book Accessories

Avengers Scarf 

Cinema Secrets Powder

Orange Nail Polish

Orange OCC Lip Tar

Stila In the Know Palette

Statement Necklaces

Spiked Bracelet with Rhinestone Bling 

Spiked Bracelet, Black Leather

Clash Box Set

LOOK OF THE DAY: See how I wear my faux fur vest and statement necklace!

Read my review of OCC Lip Tars on Yahoo!

Subscribe to the Stiletto City YouTube Channel and stay tuned for more videos!

See ya next month!
Kastle

Filmed and edited by Kastle Waserman

This video/blog was not sponsored. All items featured in the video were purchased by the author (except powder). Some of the above links are affiliate links.  See disclosure.

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Category: Beauty

Stiletto City 2.0: It’s Coming!

k150_23SZDheel iconLights, camera, action! Stiletto City is getting an upgrade! It’s a very exciting time as I gear up to launch this blog 2.0 with more content on women’s fashion, vintage fashion, beauty product reviews, fashion trends, updating your look, hair how-to’s and makeup how-to’s.

PLUS regular VIDEOS and GIVEAWAYS!

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Be sure to follow Stiletto City on social media to be the first to know when new posts are up and the opportunity to get in on some fabulous contests and giveaways!

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Pinterest

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you in the City!
Kastle

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Category: Beauty

The Social Scene and Street Fashion of Social Media Week LA 2013

k150_23SZDheel iconIf you love social media like I do, a whole week of discussions, Tweeting, Facebooking and Instagraming with like-minds is like being dropped in a little connected oasis. And that’s just what happened when a major digital marketing conference descended on the westside of Los Angeles. See what happened when I checked out the social scene and street fashion of Social Media Week LA 2013

 

The Social Scene of Social Media Week

Most of the events took place at ROC’s collaborative workspace headquarters in Santa Monica as hundreds of mobile-device-carrying social enthusiasts went from panel discussions to masterclasses to parties. I attended every day and got a headful of ideas to take back to my social media efforts for world domination!

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Celebrity Faces of Social Media Week

Of course, some of my favorite events included those focused on the ever-exploding online opportunities in fashion and beauty online including:

  • Rodger Berman CEO (and husband) of Rachel Zoe on the transformation and disruption of the fashion biz with the mega success of Rachel Zoe, Inc.
  • A panel featuring blogger Aimee Song, websites WhoWhatWear, StyleHaul and brands BeachMint, ShoeDazzle  and Junk Food Clothing on who’s winning when it comes to brand marketing promotion – celebrities or bloggers. Answer: the bloggers!
  • A chat with Michelle Phan, one of the best known beauty bloggers out there, discussing her career and the launch of her new cosmetics line “Em.” Plus, even more projects she has in the works!

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As a journalist turned blogger, I was also excited to see one of my favorite interviewers, Larry King, interviewing Star Trek star turned social media icon George Takei.

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The Street Fashion of Social Media Week

I also hit a fashion and beauty soiree where a roomful of fashionistas flaunted their best outfits and learned how to grow their presence online. See my previous blog post. I had good time style spotting all week. Here are some of the fashionable folks caught on the Stiletto-cam!

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I loved having the opportunity to meet all the people at all the parties. And of course, I had lots of fun planning my daily outfits!

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1. Dress by Clever Vintage, 2. Pants by PinupGirlClothing 3. Dress by Forever 21All clothing purchased by the author.

Plus, I was excited to discover so many amazing companies who are doing so much with content creation on the web. You were nothing short of inspiring – and I’ll be contacting you! I see some partnerships in my future!

As I gear up to build up this blog and relaunch my YouTube channel (stay tuned for details!) I’m thrilled at the possibilities that await. Stay tuned. I have lots in store for you.

Thanks Social Media Week for the fun and inspiration!

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Category: Beauty

SMWLA The Style of Social Media: Fashion & Beauty Soiree

k150_23SZDheel iconSocial Media Week LA pulled in the city’s top talent in tech, social, entertainment, fashion and beauty to share, learn, snap photos and party for a week straight. My head has been spinning learning about all the amazing companies out there and exploring the potential of what can be done online. The sky seems the limit – especially when it comes to the fashion and beauty space.

I attended a very special panel discussion and evening soiree focused on just that at the Project Gallery in Hollywood. There I learned about best social platforms to be on, best times to post, and best practices for a successful presence online. Special thanks to the hosts Jackie Chambers, TGIF Guide and Bella Graham, Lipstick, Lace & Lattes and the panelists Style Fashion Week, Entertainment Reporter Nina Parker, Hello Society, 365 Hangers and Mark Quest of Forte-The Collective and of course, all the fashionable folks who attended who made for great style-spotting!

Check out the party pix!

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Click here for more party photos!>>>

Always dress to impress,
Kastle

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Category: Beauty

Take Your False Eyelashes On-the-Go

k150_23SZDheel iconPacking up your beauty products to get ready for an event on-the-go or for a trip can be stressful. Some products are bulky or fragile and just plain require putting them into a different container to take with. One of those products is false eyelashes.

I love wearing false eyelashes for evening events but I find when I have to get ready somewhere other than at home, I leave them behind because I struggle with how to pack them. But I recently found this super cute container from Lady Moss. It’s a gorgeous girly pink and holds three sets of eyelashes and a small tube of glue. It’s great for loading up with your favorite lashes and dropping into your to-go kit. Then you have a choice of what lashes to wear for the night. And it protects them from getting smashed.

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TIP: I found it helps to put a small dot of lash glue in the center of each lash to stick into the container so the lashes don’t slide around or get stuck to each other. When your night is over, just stick them back in place and put them to bed in this cute-as-a-cupcake storage compact!

I could also see this being great for makeup artists to take a variety of lashes for their clients.

Here’s lookin’ at you,
Kastle

Product purchased by the author.

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Category: Beauty

School’s In: Makeup Forever Mastery Classes

k150_23SZDheel iconI don’t think you can ever learn enough new tips when it comes to putting on makeup. Having someone show you how to use a product is a key selling point (look at how powerful YouTube videos have become!) One brand that seems to know this is Make Up Forever. I recently learned they offer Monday classes on how to use their makeup in various ways. I’ve loved the products I’ve tried from them and always see their products used by pro makeup artists, so I thought I’d try one out.

The class I attended was for “Ageless Beauty” and the goal was for skin to look lifted and dewy, no matter what your age. What I loved about the class is that you come with no makeup on (or wash it off there) and you get to put on a full face of makeup, trying Make Up Forever’s products and brushes. The Head Makeup Artist does a demo for each step on her model (another employee/artist there) and then you try it on your own face.

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In my class, Talia was our instructor and she helped us pick out the right shade of each product and the right brush to use. We were lucky that the new Make Up Forever line of artisan brushes just came in and we got to use those. (They are fantastic!) She also asked if there were any products we’d been wanting to try. For me, it was the Mat Velvet Foundation and Pro Finish Powder.

This is what I learned and used,

FACE
Start with HD Microperfecting Primer

FOUNDATION
When applying foundation to the face,  start at the center of the face — from the side of the nose out across the cheeks — when the brush has the most product on it for the most coverage. Then use a fluffy brush to buff it out. I use flat brush number 176.

For the demo, Talia used the Liquid Lift Foundation for an “ageless”, dewy look. It provides a sheer to medium coverage look. I used the Mat Velvet Foundation and fell in love with its creamy texture, full coverage and matte finish. Great for pinup looks that I usually wear!

CONCEALER
We used the Full Coverage Concealer, a product I have at home and love. It does just that – it will cover anything from blemishes to hyper-pigmentation to scars with a smooth, silicon-based finish.

For the demo, Talia suggested the concealer can be used under the eyes for dark circles and on the eyelids as a primer but I did not have good luck with this. It felt too heavy for those areas and went into the fine lines under my eyes.

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HIGHLIGHT DEFINITION
Talia explained that the concealer can also be used as a face-sculpting highlighter by choosing a concealer color that is a shade or two lighter than the face (I usually use foundation for this) and applying with a flat brush high on the cheeks near the eye, above and below the eyebrows at the arch, and on the bridge of the nose.

CONTOUR
When contouring, start at the top of the ear and brush in to contour just under the top of the cheekbone. Do not put contour at the side of the face, it will make the face look droopy. You want a lifting effect. I used brush number 152.

BLUSH
For a dewy look, cream blushes are better than powder. HD Microfinish Blush First Kiss number 12, which is a bright apricot color that I really loved. The creamy formula blended right in for a natural glow. I used brush number 140.

POWDER
Buff powder on places where the face tends to get shiny or all over for a more matte finish. I found the Mat Velvet Foundation really didn’t need much power but I got to try one of my wish list items, the Pro Finish Powder in number 117.

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BRONZER
Bronzer goes along the jawline and anywhere the sun might naturally hit. I used the Mat Bronzer in number 20.

HIGHLIGHT ILLUMINIZING
For an illuminating highlight to make cheekbones and other high-points pop, we tried the Uplight Face Luminizer Gel but I found the liquid broke up the mat foundation and looked splotchy. I repaired the foundation and decided to try a powder highlight instead, using the Star Powder in 940, which is a light iridescent white/pink/orange shimmer. That looked amazing! I used brush number 144.

EYEBROWS
We used Aqua Brow and Talia taught us to mark the darkest point first, which is at the arch, then extend the intensity of color out toward the temple. You will want a lighter hand closer into toward the nose.

EYESHADOW
We learned a “lift” technique when applying eyeshadow to create the illusion of “ageless” eyes. Pat a light shadow such as number 125 on the lid with a flat brush. Then use a black or brown Kohl Pencil liner and mark the center of the eyelid the outside point and the lower center point, then connect the dots. Pull the liner up to an outer “V”. Then blend in until the black line is buffed out but not so much that you lose the line. Use a brownish color to fill in the “V” a little bit, then pop of bright color in the center.

LIPS
Mark the cupids bow and the outer corners with a lip pencil and connect the dots. I used the Aqua Lip Waterproof Lip Liner in number 4c.

We got to try the new 5-lipstick Rouge Artist Palettes (available only in the Make Up Forever Boutiques). The color I used was number 25 intense, I believe from the Coral palette.  It was a nice creamy formula of highly pigmented color.

SET TO STAY
Set the face with Mist & Fix Spray – 3 light sprays should do it. This formula helps hold makeup without a lot of touch ups.

I was pretty happy with my final look and walked out of there with a few new goodies. You get a 20% discount on purchases when you take a class – can’t beat that!

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For upcoming classes, check the schedule on the Make Up Forever website. Classes are held Mondays at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Cost $25. Attendees get a 20% off shopping discount.
They also offer more personalized MakeUp School sessions to learn makeup just for you. Read more.

My school days were never this fun!
Kastle

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Category: Beauty

Vintage Hair Class: Learning to Get “His Vintage Touch”

k150_23SZDheel iconThere is an art to good hairstyling. And when it comes to vintage-era looks, it’s hard to top Tony Medina of His Vintage Touch, who creates sculptured looks with perfect waves that are authentic to periods from the ‘20s to the ‘60s. He did an amazing set on me recently, see the photo on Instagram.

And while everyone who loves retro-inspired looks wishes they could get their hair done by Tony every time they go out (he takes appointments at Pinup Girl Boutique in Burbank), most of the time we have to tackle this daunting task at home.  For that reason, Tony taught a class at the PUG Boutique on how to do a few different sets.

The sold-out, three 1/3 hour tutorial was packed with 50 eager learners, many who know of him through his work for the photo shoots for Pinup Girl Clothing. We were treated to Tony’s great hair tips and delightful, and sometimes naughty, personality. He did three different looks: victory rolls, side-swept waves and pageboy.

Here are the transformations

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Victory Rolls

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Side-swept curls

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Pageboy

Here’s what I learned:

What you need:

  • Curling iron – Tony used a ¾’ Hot Tool Curling Iron
  • Teasing comb
  • Teasing brush
  • Wide-tooth comb
  • Lots of hairspray

Every set starts with a proper pin-curl set. For time’s sake and the smoothest curls, use a curling iron – curl hair and pin with curls all doing downward. Let cool.

Curl with iron root to end, release then wrap around fingers and pin the curl standing for more volume.

Tony says he prefers curling iron sets over wet sets because they are faster and heat holds the set better. He says he’s not a fan of complicated wet sets that tell you to face the curls in all different directions. He uses this one set on all of his looks.

Sets work best on dirty hair (1-2 days since shampooing), clean hair that’s never been colored or bleached is harder to hold in a set – hair needs texture.

After you comb the curls out, if the roots are fizzy or you have naturally kinky hair, use a small flat iron to smooth the roots.

For bangs, use a small curling iron to curl them back into the shape of set.

After pulling out the curls, it’s all about the comb out, then massive teasing.

Teasing should start at scalp should go all the way up, except the very end to keep the curl. Sections should be teased so you can’t see through it. Mist with light hairspray.

Smooth the top of teasing with a teasing brush, then sculpt and smooth with your hands. Shape front curl with fingers and pointy end of teasing comb.

Sculpt curls and pin into them so you don’t see the bobby pin.

Top wave should be eyebrow arch to arch to be symmetrical with the face.

Duck clips are your friend – use them to hold the front waves and back “drop-crown” in place for a few minutes.

A good set can last for three days with three different styles like these. First should be a tight curl look because it continues to hold the set, next can be looser, then a brushed out wavy look.

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A little bit about Tony:

His looks are authentic to the era, not retro.

He went to beauty school but says it was the worst year of his life. He learned most of what he knows by looking at vintage magazines and practicing on his two sisters until he got the looks right.

He got started at Pinup Girl Clothing when Micheline Pitt saw the hairstyles he did for La Cholita on her tour with Dita Von Teese. He never wanted to work in a salon but he’s been working at the PUG Boutique ever since!

He doesn’t do haircuts so don’t ask. Just styling.

He LOVES Selena – and Gwen Stefani.

Tell Twitter to stop asking him to follow Beyonce. He does not want to follow her!

And while I can watch Tony do hair all day, my home sets are never quite as awesome. Luckily I live close enough to know I can make an appointment when I need a perfect do. That’s why he has His Vintage Touch!

Here’s to great hair days!
Kastle

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