#styleduchess

A few things before we get started. It's excruciatingly difficult to get quality shots of yourself when you have an iPhone and are also the photographer. A video would have been the smart choice, but I decided not to delve into learning that dance yet. 

Also, my  bathroom is tiny, and the majority of it overtaken by the large water buffalo shower curtain I have. If you are concerned and or/curious about the background of any of these photos, that is probably the culprit. 

And now we can proceed to the makeup tutorial. I frequently experiment with different colors and different types of liner techniques, and this particular day I chose to highlight my peepers with pinky mauve tones and a double winged cat liner. Keeping it freaky and classy at the same time, people. It's a hard balance to strike, but I assure you it can be done. 

For makeup, I used:

Quick tip: If you, like myself, cannot afford a multitude of fancy makeup brushes, go to an art store and buy the most basic set of paint brushes. My talented friend gave me this tip, and considering her makeup is perfected to on-screen cinema level at all times, I took it and ran with it. 

As you know by now, I always try my darndest to eat and wear eco-friendly, ethically responsible things, and my makeup isn't an exception. In this case, I used a L'Oreal liquid eyeliner pen, which is a big NO-NO because they are not on the list of companies that do not text on animals. So, when doing this yourself, I urge you to consult the list and use a brand that is in compliance with the list. If you don't want to click the link, here's the full list, via Beauty Fool: 

I'm aware that was a bit tangential. Sorry. Anyway, the most important makeup tools employed in this tutorial are from E.l.f. I used an 18 piece eyeshadow palette and all-over color stick in pink lemonade. 

To get a bit more specific, we will be using the following eyeshadow colors (numbered):

             Before I put on any of the color-washed shimmer, my face looked like this:

Natural, but boring. To remedy the bland, I took the following measures:

Use color 1 as an eyeshadow base, applying on lid from the lash line up to the lid crease. Use color 2 from just above the crease to under the eye brow, highlighting the brow bone. 

Use an angled artist's brush or makeup brush to apply color 3 into the crease of the lid and on the outer corner of the lid. 

Then use the eyeliner pen to create the cat eye, starting at the inner corner, working your way out. Because I foolishly yet purposely eschewed  the use of a video, here's a Youtube tutorial that will assist you in creating a cat eye look. After finishing the liner along the top lash line, I usually put a bit on the lower lash line, from the outer edge of my iris out to the corner, connecting it with the top lash liner. After this, apply a few coats of mascara, and don't forget to curl your lashes. 

Lastly, use the all-over color for your cheeks and lips, completing the pinky  hued face presentation. 

Your face, minus the strange green-tinged filter, should look something like the above photos. 

So there it is. Feel free to frolick about in the warm glow of feminine hues and the feigned look of innocence you exude with those pinched pink cheeks. Gets 'em every time. 

Bat Those Lashes,

As the first formal Style Duchess post, I feel it might be wise to lay a foundation regarding regal post templates. First and foremost, I rarely purchase new things. If I do, they're usually from American Apparel, as I've become increasingly more conscious of manufacturing processes and the (un)ethical nature of individual retailer's practices, and AA doesn't employ the use of sweatshops. I'm aware the store hires people who are skinny and have thick eyebrows and whatnot, but in this case I am choosing what I opined to be the lesser of two evils. 

Ignoring the fraction of my wardrobe which represents retail buys, the remainder can be attributed to the vintage or second-hand sector, which makes it more challenging to suggest specific retailers from which to (not literally) steal the look. Therefore,  I will strive to adhere to following script when dictating what to wear, etc.:

I will tell you what I'm wearing, although it's more often than not available for purchase in this decade

I will suggest two to three options containing similar items that are available in this decade and hopefully this season

The options will contain at least one ethically made garment and one "vintage" or secondhand item that you can buy now

I will always contain links to items when possible 

Glad that's out of the way. And one more thing: I peruse the editorials of Vogue, W, as well as ramblings of certain smart fashion blogs, but I by no means look to these sources for directions regarding dressing myself. I've been capriciously selecting my wardrobe since the age of two, changing clothes up to three times daily, and little has changed since. That was a lengthly, polite way of saying that you might not like what I wear, which is fine. In my sartorial world, I say "let it do what it do." Fashion is cyclical, so if it's not cool today, it might be in three years in which case I'm ahead of the damn trend. 

Now, off with their heads! Kidding. Channeling the Queen of Hearts for a moment. Let's transition into the other Queen of [Bleeding] Hearts character and examine some reused and responsibly made clothing. 

Like medieval torture it was, snapping these photos. The very green photographer, also known as my mother, projected the persona of a seasoned image captor, ardently declaring "Keep moving! Give me something…anything!" Clear in image and action that I'm no Coco Rocha (but we do share the same Tumblr theme, hehe), so the pictures are crap, but they'll get better, I assure you, as soon as my sheepish attitude diminishes due to inevitably becoming camera desensitized (jokes). After all, I'm posing for my mom, for Frank's sake. 

Anyway, I decided to throw on the equivalent of flourless chocolate cake with a caramel layer and peanut butter ganache, an outfit combination containing fabrics and prints that possess a deliciousness that is potentially tantamount to the gut-ache-inducing richness. AKA, things that can look boss together but can also be TOO MUCH. 

Too much aside, let's take a look at the detail before we get to the breakdown...

In this equation, I combined:

velvet vintage Jones New York blazer with gold sleeve embroidery + sheer white blouse + cheetah/bigscaryfeline print pants

This can be reduced to:

luxe fabric + neutral basic + print

Here's another scenario involving mix & match with items from my wardrobe, based off what would coordinate with a blue velvet American Apparel Dress (which I do own):

White Jacket: Mossimo for Target; Faux leather sleeve jacket: Zara; Leather hobo bag: Kelsi Dagger; Grommeted leather purse: Thrifted Cole Haan; Patterned pocket purse with long strap: Thrifted Banana Republic

Those are my general guidelines, but do with them as you wish. Choosing metallic or bejeweled accessories and/or jewelry might be nice as well, but again, it's up to you. 

And finally, I shall provide you with some real time, in season options for the print & luxurious material combo:

1. People Tree Striped Blazer 2. Zara faux leather lapel blazer 3. Vintage Scott McClintock cropped velvet blazer

1. Modavanti Vintage "Clueless" dress 2. Asos leopard cami dress 3. Vintage blue velvet shirt dress with *sparkles*

1. Asos Africa trousers with plaid trim 2. Black Milk Giraffe leggings 3. Asos Jilla and Jale wide leg sheen trousers

Welp, that rounds out the suggestions. For additional green or ethical suggestions, visit the Green Room at Asos.com or Modavanti.com. 

Happy Clothes Changing,