Monthly Archives: March 2011

Hand creams that work in every price range

 in Beauty / General Fashion / Shopping  tagged hand cream / tips by

There are so many hand creams on the market, that when it comes to choosing one, the task can be daunting. Many hand creams claim they will absorb and not be greasy; but most of those claims fall short when the hand cream IS greasy and does nothing for dry hands. So, in the quest for the perfect hand cream, Bay Area Fashionista tested several lines in varying price ranges and picked out the best, non-greasy hand creams we could get our dry little hands on. 

Luxury Hand Cream:

It is well known that La Mer creates some of the most coveted creams on the market. The reason they are so highly coveted is not because Jennifer Lopez can attribute her glowing skin to Crème de La Mer, it is because the company’s products actually work.

La Mer The Hand Treatment comes in a slim tube which is surprisingly long lasting. A tiny little drop of hand cream moisturizes and heals dry skin. Although the hand cream is $70 for a 3.4oz tube, the high concentration makes this hand cream last longer than expected; easing the $70 price tag.

Verdict: Best healer of severely dry hands.

La Mer The Hand Treatment can be found at Nordstrom.

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Mid-Price Hand Cream:

Sometimes it is not the price that tells you how well a product can work. Laura Mercier has created a hand cream that comes in the sweet, sugary scent of Crème Brulee. Laura Mercier’s hand cream is also highly concentrated, just like La Mer’s. This helps the small; 2oz tube last longer than expected since you only need a small drop to rub into your hands.

Laura Mercier’s hand cream actually creates a barrier against daily tasks which can dry hands. Wash dishes without gloves? We found if you apply Laura Mercier’s Crème Brulee hand cream first, the drying dish soap will not be able to ruin your skin. We also found that it works well on hands before lifting, playing tennis and swimming; all activities which can dry out hands.

Verdict: Best protector against daily activities which ruin hands.

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee hand cream comes in a 2oz bottle for $15 and can be found at Nordstrom. 

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Drugstore hand cream:

Burt’s Beas Shea Butter Hand Cream is a classic drugstore find that contains the always famous Shea butter; known for retaining moisture in skin. Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream has a nice scent and is only greasy for about three minutes after application. The hand cream eventually absorbs into the skin and provides a nice and soft barrier to the elements. At $12.99 for a 3.18oz tube, who can complain?

Verdict: Most “bang for buck” hand cream. Does the job without the grease.

Burt’s Bees Shea Butter Hand Cream can be found at Target stores.

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Do you have a favorite hand cream? Let us know by leaving a comment below! Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

The return of the Espadrille

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged espadrilles / spring 2011 / wedges by

The espadrille, in any of its’ many forms, was all the rage in 2003 and 2004. Wedge and flat espadrille’s were on the fashionable feet of women everywhere from Capitola Beach to the Manhattan streets. Espadrille sandals were glammed up by designers such as Christian Louboutin as well as in their raw form for $5 at a five and dime beach store. No matter what price range or style, the espadrille was the “IT” shoe of the summer; for two summers that is 

Summer 2011 is bringing the return of the espadrille to city streets and fabulous feet everywhere. Although not large enough to garner interest on the spring 2011 runways, designers have chosen to create the espadrille in all forms for summer 2011 whether in a city street wedge or beach-ready flat. The wedge and platform styles are working perfectly with the season’s 1970’s vintage trend.

Espadrille shoes and sandals are being paired with wide leg trouser jeans as well as summer dresses for 2011. The style is perfect for warm summer days since; in general, designers have chosen to use natural fabrics for the shoes which have a naturally cool feel on warm summer days.

Since bright colors and floral patterns are dominating the dresses for summer 2011, it is best to look for a more versatile and neutral espadrille. Colors such as black, white, beige and shades of brown will offer the most versatility this season. Designer shoe brands such as Jimmy Choo, Philip Lim and Mui Mui are offering several espadrille style for spring and summer 2011. Nine West is also offering several fabulous styles which are also easy on the wallet; fabulous!

When looking for the perfect espadrille for summer, look for a pair that are easy to slip on and off while at the beach. It is also important to make sure you can walk for miles in the shoes. You never know when you may walk to the beach from the city streets. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

Sassy spring scarves to cut the chill and add color

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged scarves / spring 2011 by

The spring 2011 runways gave Fashionistas a large range of bright colors to think about for spring and summer. In addition to bright colors blocked together, there were floral patterns, abstract patterns and, well, patterns! Bright colors and patterns can sometimes be difficult for everyone to wear. It has nothing to do with Color Me Beautiful; rather, not everyone has the personality to pull off a cobalt blue dress paired with lime green shoes and a yellow belt.

One of the easy and practical ways to add color or patterns to your wardrobe this spring and summer is with a lightweight scarf. Scarves for spring come in a variety of fabrications such as cotton, lightweight wool, jersey and silk. Of course Pucci has several classic pucci-esque styles on store shelves which include multi-color swirls as well as blue swirls. Marc Jacobs is offering small fringed edge scarves with abstract polka dots, scull prints and Frida prints.

There are also scarves that can double as a necklace. BCBG has a black scarf for spring 2011 which features small silver chains, giving the scarf a rocker-chic vibe. This scarf can be wrapped once or twice around one’s neck as well as twisted for different necklines or looks.

The fabulous thing about lightweight scarves for spring is that they are a casual way to add individual personality to an outfit without the fuss of a necklace when on the go. Holding small children? A scarf will not break if a baby grabs onto it, as a necklace would.

A scarf can also be used as a layering piece with a pendant necklace. A thin fabric scarf can be wrapped around the neck with a large pendant dangling out from underneath. This is an understated yet artistic way to show off a pendant while staying warm.

When the summer months approach and a scarf is no longer needed for added warmth, the scarf can become a belt! Scarves are a casual and sassy way to dress up a pair of basic shorts. A scarf can easily be weaved through belt loops  and will instantly add color and dimension to those khaki shorts from four years ago 

What to look for when shopping for a spring scarf:

1)      Color. Spring 2011 is all about bright colors. Find a bold color you would love to wear but are too shy to buy as a top or dress. You can instantly wear bright orange or bold yellow in the form of a scarf with a neutral or black outfit.

2)      Patterns: Why go solid? There are so many patterns that made it to store shelves from the spring 2011 runways. Take advantage of the pattern trend and find one suits your sassy personality 

3)      Add-ons: Not into patterns or bright colors? Why not find a scarf with chains, small studs or embellishments! Roberto Cavalli and Chanel showed a wide variety of embellishments for spring while Burberry showed rocker chic studs; why not subtly add one of these trends with a scarf!

4)      Length: A long scarf that can become a belt during the summer will give you most longevity and versatility in the coming months.

Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

scarves

Pile of Scarves: From top left; orange silk oblong scarf, pewter sequin oblong scarf I.N.C. Macy’s, pastel large square Pucci, green/yellow/blue plaid The Limited circa 1996. Across photo: spring 2011 BCBG black scarf with black and silver chain detail. BCBG Boutique Valley Fair Mall.