Friday, July 10, 2009

La Mode Modifier Has Moved!

Yes, you heard right. La Mode Modifier has expanded into it's very own domain! Stay tuned for the link, as I'm still learning how to work this whole HTML thing.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Gossip Girl: Hair and Makeup like Serena Van Der Woodsen

Welcome back to Part 2 on Serena Van Der Woodsen! In this post I will be covering Serena's signature beachy waves, and her makeup looks.



The legendary Serena beachy waves can be pulled off easily, is suitable for any hair texture, and if you know what you're doing, is the perfect quick go-to hairstyle.

"Wet" Waves Look:

1. Spray a texturizing spray onto damp hair.
2. Use a tennis ball sized amount of curl enhancing mousse, and scrunch it into your hair. To scrunch your hair, flip your head upside down and using the palm of your hand, squeeze a bunch of your hair upwards. I'm terrible at explaining it, haha. I strongly recommend Samy iStyle Curling Enhancing Mousse.
3. Twist hair into a bun, and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
4. Undo the bun, shake out your hair, and lightly spritz your waves with hairspray.

Dry Beachy Waves:

1. Follow steps 1 & 2 for the "Wet" Waves Look.
2. Blowdry your hair with a diffuser.
3. Smooth with anti-frizz serum.
4. Lightly mist with hairspray.




Serena's always wearing little to no makeup, but for this certain occasion she's sporting a fresh faced, feminine look.

1. Blend tinted moisturizer into your skin, and finish off with a pressed powder.
2. Sweep on a peachy pink eyeshadow onto your lids, and creases.
3. Use a black eyeliner, and trace along your upper and lower lashlines.
4. Sweep on two coats of volumizing black mascara.
5. Blend a rosy cheek tint onto the apples of your cheeks.
6. Finish off your look with a champagne coloured lipgloss.

I realize that this post is short, but Serena Van Der Woodsen sports the same hairstyle & makeup look in every episode, so I covered the basics.

Stay tuned tomorrow for "How to Dress like Jenny Humphreys".

What do you think of Serena's look? Have you ever attempted her "beacy waves" look?

Monday, July 6, 2009

Gossip Girl: How to Dress like Serena Van Der Woodsen

Hey readers! As you know, I'm doing a GG special on La Mode Modifier, and after finishing with Blair, I'm onto Serena! Serena Van Der Woodsen is sweet, laidback, and protective of her best friend Blair Waldorf. Her stunner looks and cool personality attract all the boys - including the likes of Dan Humphreys, Nate Archibald, and Chuck Bass.

Many girls envy Serena's classically cool looks, and her boho edge. I'm here to help you turn that envy into your own Serena Van Der Woodsen inspired outfits.













I created outfits above matching outfits Serena Van Der Woodsen has worn. In the first outfit I paired a mustard yellow pencil skirt, with a loose fitted red flutter tee, both from Urban Outfitters. Finish it off with layered gold beaded necklaces, and textured black tights.

For the second outfit, I paired a teal tunic, topped with a faux leather coat, and vibrant blue studded ankle boots. I finished it off with a pair of sheer black tights.

Serena takes classic pieces like a trenchcoat, or white button up, and accessorizes it to add a boho flair to it. She especially likes her leather jackets, and she optomizes for deep, rich colours such as mustard yellow, burnt orange, mahogany red, deep teal, and rich browns.




Serena Van Der Woodsen is also frequently seen sporting vests. Whether that be denim, or twill vests, she works them with style and class.





Serena also loves her boots. Whether they be leather, suede, short, tall, brown, or blue, she loves boots.



There you have it! Thanks for reading up on "How to Dress Like Serena Van Der Woodsen." If you haven't already, go check out my fashion and beauty posts on Blair, and stay tuned tomorrow on hair & makeup for Serena. I will be covering her signature beachy waves.


What was your favourite Serena moment on GG? Your favourite look? Post in the comments!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Gossip Girl: Hair and Makeup like Blair Waldorf

Hey readers! I'm back again with part two about Blair Waldorf. I'm currently in the midst of doing a Gossip Girl series, in honour of Season 3 premiering in the fall. I will be explaining how to dress and look like four characters in GG: Blair Waldorf, Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa.

Blair Waldorf is the epitome of social hierarchy. She's manipulative, glamorous and mischievous, but she hides behind her fresh looking face, and perfectly styled hair.








In the first picture, Blair is sporting perfectly sculpted ringlets and a daytime smokey eye.

Hair:

1. Spritz a heat protectant spray onto dry air. I recommend Sedu Smoothing Heat Protecting Boost. You can purchase this at folica.com for $12.99!

2. Section hair into 3-4 smaller pieces, and leave one piece out.

3. Begin curling 1" pieces of hair with a 1" curling iron. Only curl your hair to about halfway, because this look requires straight and smooth hair on top. I recommend Hot Tools Professional Curling Iron from folica.com.

4. Continue working through your sections until all your hair has been curled.

5. Use a tiny amount of smoothing serum to "tousle" your curls, and separate them. DO NOT run your hands through your curls, as you would do to a more relaxed hairstyle. The whole essence of Blair's hair is the fact that it is perfectly sculpted.

6. To finish off your look, slip in your favourite headband about 3" back from your hairline.

Makeup:

1. Blend tinted moisturizer onto your skin to reduce redness and even your skintone.
2. Lightly dust a pressed powder to set the tinted moisturizer, and provide a fresh base for your makeup.
3. Lightly line your top and bottom lashlines with a chocolate brown eyeliner.
4. Sweep a dark plum eyeshadow over eyelids and crease, and apply a SLIGHT amount of plum eyeshadow to your bottom lashline.
5. Apply a peach coloured cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
6. Finish off the look with a medium pink lipgloss.

For the next look, Blair is sporting a low side bun with wavy wispy ends.

1. Spritz a texturizing spray to hair.
2. Creat a deep side part with a rat tail comb, and gather your hair into a ponytail on the right side of your head. Secure with a clear elastic.
3. Twist hair loosely and wrap around the base. Secure with bobby pins. It's okay if there are pieces falling out; this look isn't meant to be perfect.
4. Take a few face framing pieces of hair and wrap around a large barrel curling iron. Don't clamp the hair inside the curling iron; literally wrap it around the barrel.
5. Finish off with a shine spray, and slip in a headband.

Makeup:

1. Blend a tinted moisturizer onto skin and finish off with a pressed powder.
2. Sweep a champagne coloured eyeshadow over the lid and crease.
3. Blend a rosy cream blush onto the apples of your cheeks.
4. Finish off with a rosy tinted lip balm.

For the last picture, Blair was stepping outside her beauty boundaries and sporting looser, crazier waves. They still have the essence of elegance, and poise, as Blair personifies these characteristics easily.

Hair:

1. Spritz hair with a heat protectant spray.
2. Divide hair into 3-4 smaller sections.
3. Using a 2" curling iron, take a 1" piece of hair and literally "wrap" the hair around the barrel.
4. Continue doing this throughout all the sections.
5. Gently and carefully run your fingers through you hair to loosen the waves even more, and separate them.
6. Finish with a spritz of shine spray, and slide a skinny headband 3" from the hairline.

Makeup:

Same makeup as picture two.

That's it for How to Dress & Look Like Blair Waldorf! I hope I've given you inspiration on how to look like Blair Waldorf, and stay tuned tomorrow for How to Dress like Serena Van Der Woodsen!

What is your favourite Blair Waldorf moment in GG? What is your favourite makeup/hair look? Outfit? Post in the comments!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Gossip Girl: How to Dress Like Blair Waldorf

In honour of Gossip Girl's 3rd Season airing this fall, I thought I'd post a GG special. As you may have noticed, I alternate on a daily basis between fashion and beauty. Today I will provide inspirations on how to dress like Blair Waldorf, and tomorrow I will show you how to copy her hair & makeup. Same goes for Jenny Humphreys, Vanessa, and Serena.

Gossip Girl is one of the top shows on the network, and there's no reason for it not to be. It's highly addictive, and models the lives of scandulous socialite teens attending a posh private school in Manhattan, NY.

Blair Waldorf is the queen bee. She's manipulative, but deep down, she has a sweet heart. Blair dresses very classy, and very preppy. All of her clothing items are very luxe, but you can recreate her looks without spending all the cash!



As you can see, Blair loves the colours red and yellow. They are both very bold, and very powerful colours, as is she. To add a splash of colour to your wardrobe, purchase a deep red or mustard yellow peacoat to finish off your looks, or top of your hair with a beautiful red bow headband.

Blair Waldorf has also been spotted wearing preppy collegiate blazers. These styles look best in a dark charcoal grey or black. Pair it atop of a feminine blouse, pendant, and a chic black pencil skirt to dress it up, or a solid tshirt and jeans to dress it down.



Another one of Blair's signature looks is her headbands. Blair probabaly has hundreds of headbands in her collection, all varying in different styles and colours. I don't blame her, headbands are effortlessly stylish and chic. Blair prefers red headbands and bow headbands, but any headband will do. My favourite places to buy headbands include Claire's, and Forever 21. These two places offer cheap options, and they have an endless choice of opportunities.



Look out for Anna Sui's Gossip Girl Line available at Target in September!

Come back tomorrow for Blair Waldorf makeup & hair how-to's.


What do you think of Blair Waldorf's style? Which GG character is your fave? Leave a comment below!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Beauty: Tinted Moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer is the ultimate miracle product. It's lightweight, evens out your skin tone, doesn't clog pores, and offers a fresh base for your makeup, but there are many tinted moisturizers out there on the market, and some do their duty better than others. Tinted moisturizers are better than foundation for the hot summer months.

You can apply tinted moisturizer with your fingers, a sponge, or a foundation brush. For a flawless application of tinted moisturizer, first dot it on your cheeks, forehead, chin, nose, and neck. Many people forget to apply it to their necks, but if you want the most natural looking application, don't forget your neck! Blend the tinted moisturizer all over your face, and be sure you haven't missed any spots. To finish, use a foundation brush to smooth any lines, or mistakes. There you go! That took less than a minute.

There are many tinted moisturizers on the market, but the products that have received the most rave reviews include Stila, Laura Mercier, and Smashbox.

Do you use tinted moisturizer? What is your favourite brand? Leave a comment!















Thursday, July 2, 2009

Items Everyone Should Own.

To start of Mode Modifier, I thought I'd post about items everyone should have in their closet. These items are the basis of any outfit. You build on these simple items to create a look that's uniquely you.

Jeans:

Jeans are versatile, can be dressed up or down, chic, comfortable and flattering. What more could you ask for? However, jeans are only hot if they fit well, and flatter your body type.

In my opinion, dark wash jeans are the most flattering on everyone, and bootcut jeans are universally flattering. However, that doesn't mean just stick to bootcut jeans! Switch it up, because depending on your body type, other cuts can be just as or even more flattering.

Some great places to purchase affordable, but gorgeous jeans is at American Eagle, Pacsun, Aeropostale, Urban Outfitters, and if you're Canadian, at Bluenotes! All of these stores include a vast array of jeans in every cut and wash, so it's easy finding the perfect pair for you!

Many jean lovers like to splurge in one pair of flattering denim from brands such as Rock & Republic, 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, and Lucky Brand Jeans.









A Pair of Dressier Pants:

You need a pair of dressier pants for work, job interviews, and other dressier events. You really only need to invest in one pair of dressier pants, unless you require to wear them on a daily basis. Your dressier pants should either be black or khaki. A great place to purchase dressier pants, without the high price tag is American Eagle Outfitters.







Camis and Tanks:

An essential basic in every wardrobe are camis/tanks for layering. You should purchase them in neutral colours such as black, white, brown, and navy blue. You should also purchase a few camis/tanks in bright, fun colours to liven up your wardrobe. You can purchase cheap camis/tanks at Aeropostale, American Apparel, Forever 21, and Charlotte Russe. You can also purchase lacy camis for a more elegant layered look.








White Button-Up Shirt:

Everyone should have a classic button-up shirt for the same reasons as owning a dressier pair of pants. It's versatile, and can be dressed up or down. It adds an element of sophistication to your outfit.



LBD:

The little black dress should be a staple item in everyone's wardrobe. It's sophisticated, classic, and like many pieces mentioned, versatile. You can buy an LBD pretty much anywhere, but for a cheap find, I like Forever 21. If you are looking for an investment piece, I like JCrew and Banana Republic.














Yoga Pants:

First off, I'd like to say I love sweatpants. They are comfortable, and in the case of my VS PINK sweat pants, cute. However, I don't believe that baggy sweats are acceptable wear in the classroom, or going out for dinner, etc. Yoga pants provide the same comfort as sweats, but with a more polished look to it. I prefer solid black yoga pants, and I like to pair it with soft knits and luxurious tops to dress it up. Great places to buy some cute yoga pants include Lululemon, Aritzia (TNA), Victoria's Secret, SoLow, and any other activewear retailers.





Flats:

Flats are comfy, chic, and incredibly versatile. They can be dressed up or down, and they come in a large variety of styles, textures, colours, brands, etc. You can never have too many flats!

I like to have a classic pair of black ballet flats, but I also like to have flats in various prints and colours to spice up my wardrobe. Check out Aldo, Spring Shoes, Town Shoes, Forever 21, American Eagle, etc.









Black Pumps:

A pair of chic black pumps are essential in every girl's wardrobe for those nights out, that last minute job interview, or for whatever event where you want to feel your sexiest. Check out Forever 21, Payless Shoesource, Town Shoes, Aldo, Spring Shoes, Town Shoes, etc.



Those are the essential items that I believe every women should own. They provide a basis for your outfits, and allow the creative expression process flow.

What do you believe every women should own? Post in the comments!