America needed a wake up call for our love of lavish lifestyles many of us couldn’t afford but still sought after with the help of exotic lending options available to anyone with a signature and a pulse. During the high times of lending even if you had a 550 credit score somehow, some way a loan officer could get you a mortgage even if it cost you an interest rate that mirrored your shoe size times two. And we all know what goes up, must come down. And down is about where we’re at now.

Chances are if you’re reading this you had to make some major changes to the way you spend. Perhaps you had to cut down on taking vacations because you haven’t had a raise in over two years. Or maybe you now work two jobs just to put food on your family’s table. Or what if you have no job at all.

Then there’s the unthinkable—what if you had to forgo your beauty upkeep or had no room in the budget for new clothes?

(Joking)

Now when we do turn around from this, do you think any of us now used to a lifestyle of penny pinching will go back to whoring out our debit and credit cards to every Neiman, Nordstrom, and Macy’s?

Hopefully we would have learned our lesson by then. I hear that at one point in history, Americans were actually able to live without credit and on a single income. Imagine that!

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the FSL Cosmetics Lipgloss Giveaway! Entries must be in by TOMORROW Thursday, March 11, 2010

The sparkly chignon was a chic look spotted at Carolina Hererra Spring 2010 during New York Fashion Week. Seventeen Magazine has the 411 on how to get the look (you don’t have to be 17 to try this out…lol). Check it out:

P.S. If you cant see the video, go here to check it out. If you’re at work and can’t view it, your job might block sites like YouTube.

Click on the images below to enlarge more pics of the sparkly chignon:

Beyonce tried a similar metallic look for the 2010 Grammys, but many (including me) weren’t fans…

…but I love the look at Carolina Herrera.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the FSL Cosmetics Lipgloss Giveaway! Entries must be in by TOMORROW Thursday, March 11, 2010

Jennifer Lopez wore one of my favorite makeup looks at the Oscars Sunday night. If you loved the look as well, Temptalia reveals the following NARS products were used to create her look:

Orgasm Illuminator
Enchanted Cream Blush (NEW for Summer 2010; try Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush for a similar effect)
Desire Blush (cotton candy pink)
Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (NEW for Summer 2010, Available May 1st)
D. Gorgeous Single Eyeshadow (a matte dusty lilac)
Brousse Duo Eyeshadow (sable and black violet)
Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara
Cruising Lipstick (nude pink)
Sweet Dreams Lip Gloss (pink with gold shimmer)

And here are my tips on how to get the look:
1. Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin and groomed brows, so cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin according to your skin type and make sure your brows are properly manicured.
2. Apply a foundation of your choice and set it with a loose powder (I love Becca Foundation Stick and Fine Loose Finishing Powder)
3. Apply an eyeshadow base (try MAC Paint or Urban Decay Primer Potion until NARS Smudge Proof is available) all over the eyes to ensure eyeshadow stays intact and doesn’t crease.
4. Apply D. Gorgeous eyeshadow all over the lid including the brow bone with a soft blending brush like MAC #224. Then apply the dark violet side of the Brousse Eyeshadow Duo in the crease using a heavy blending brush like MAC #217. Line your eyes with an eyeliner brush like MAC #226 with the sable side of Brousse. Finish with several coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara.
5. Apply Desire blush on your cheeks with an angled blush brush like MAC #168. Use either a foundation brush or your clean fingers to gently apply Orgasm Illuminator to the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the tip of the chin, and at the temples for a gorgeous peachy-pink glow for all skin tones.
6. Apply Cruising Lipstick to your lips with a brush like MAC #242. Then top it off with Sweat Dreams Lip Gloss.

Grab the products needed here:

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the FSL Cosmetics Lipgloss Giveaway! Entries must be in by TOMORROW Thursday, March 11, 2010

This chica was spotted by Elle’s Street Chic team in Paris during Fashion Week. You know the drill—You Be the Stylist. Tell me what you love (or hate) about this outfit.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the FSL Cosmetics Lipgloss Giveaway! Entries must be in by Thursday, March 11, 2010.

If you’re a sneaker gal with a glamorous side, you’ll love the Christian Louboutin Spiked High-Top Sneaker. Adorned with spikes and signature red sole bottoms, the sneakers are a splurge but can be a welcomed addition to your wardrobe if you love the rocker chic look.

Should you be so inclined, grab them at Neiman Marcus.

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the FSL Cosmetics Lipgloss Giveaway! Entries must be in by Thursday, March 11, 2010.