The Great Escape: An Easy Vacation Beauty Routine

When you are a product junkie, editing your beauty routine for traveling is sort of like a Rubik's cube. Downsizing has its appeal when you are like me though and have more lipsticks than fingers and toes!

Here are my picks for going on a trip and Zen-ing out your toiletries bag:

MAKEUP 

LIPS: One lipstick can work three ways: a lip stain, a regular lipstick and blush in a pinch. Eyeshadow Government loves Laura Mercier's new Bing Cherry lipstick ($22). For a more casual, beachy look, apply this hydrating lipstick to just your top lip and press your lips together for a pretty "lip stain." Then, blot with a tissue.

Worn as a solid lipstick, this shade is pure glamour. You can apply this sexy, red lipstick for a fancy meal by the waterfront or to dress up a lightweight, cotton dress in the afternoon. Also, it's naturally shiny, so you don't need to pack lip gloss.

FOUNDATION: BareMinerals Matte SPF 15 foundation ($28) is an easy solution for days spent sightseeing in the sunshine.  Just don't forget to pack a foundation brush or a cluster of cotton balls to apply the powder.

BLUSH: NARS multiple in Portofino ($39) gives cheeks a shimmery, coral glow. Blush with a touch of orange makes your face appear more vibrant and awake. Even if you're the tourist, that doesn't mean you can't be the main attraction.

SKINCARE

HONEY, I SHRUNK THE...: MUJI and the Container Store both sell a wide selection of travel bottles. Containers will make your toiletries bag lighter and less spill-prone. The Japanese store MUJI even sells a handy dropper and spatula kit for transferring your skincare products into little canisters. Pick one of these kits up at their SoHo location for just $1.50!

A great kit for travelers at MUJI.

MUJI canister ($1.50).

SUNBLOCK: Sun protection you can spray on makes getting ready for your day a cakewalk. Shop for a bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock in SPF 45 ($9) before you hop on a flight!

CLEANSE: Wash up after strolling the alleys of a remote village or exploring a dusty country road. If you don't have a regular facial cleanser in your bathroom, try out One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser ($29). I can attest this product improves your overall appearance, reduces breakouts and thoroughly cleanses without drying out skin.

SERUM AND MOISTURIZER: Even in humid weather, be kind to your skin and bring moisturizer! If the air conditioning is on full blast in your hotel room, slather on moisturizer before you doze off as well as in the morning. Celebrities like using Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum ($150). This serum contains a unique blend of menyanthes flower to tone, meadowsweet to lightly exfoliate, and jasmine and chamomile essential oils to moisturize and calm the skin. If your skin type is slightly oily, Nuxe Paris Creme Fraiche De Beaute Light Moisturising Emulsion ($44.50) hydrates and reduces shine.

Wishing you many fabulous adventures this hot, hot, hot summer!

XOXO,
Charlotte

Lady Gaga + Patyka

Style chameleon Lady Gaga enjoys the good things in life.

An eagle-eyed publicist alerted us that Lady Gaga posed for photos next to an array of Patyka beauty products for her new, exciting Tumblr blog, Amen + Fashion.

Patyka is a very exclusive, luxurious Parisian brand.  And the pop star Lady Gaga, decked out in a labyrinth of prints and a spiraling hat, appears to be quite keen on the line. In these photos, you will see Patyka's fabulous Precious Woods Body Wash, chic Mandarin Body Wash and sensual Neroli Body Lotion, as well as the Patyka Absolis Huile Absolue Face and Body Serum.

If you are a die-hard Gaga fan, I recommend trying the Precious Woods body wash ($45, Beautyhabit.com), which features lovely notes of vetiver and tonka bean.

Rain = Enemy of My Fashion Statements!

Golly, it's hot today! On a positive note, I managed to save my silk dress from near-destruction amid chance showers this afternoon. Phew!

If you are a city girl who likes to wear silk finery this time of year, I recommend toting along an alternative dress or a raincoat and umbrella when you do. A casual jersey frock that can fold into your purse is a good last-minute outfit and if you observe gathering rainclouds, it is most definitely time to change.

Traveling by cab isn't entirely a solution. Even standing on the sidewalk to hail a taxi was something of an ordeal this afternoon, and ultimately, I had to duck into a restaurant and wait until the sudden shower let up.

Silver Fox

Hello darlings,

Inspire a starry romance with glittering, silver eyes. This is an easy, four-step beauty look, perfect for sharing secret glances with your latest crush and causing a flutter wherever you go.

1. Grab Dior's Gris Gris 5-Colour Eyeshadow palette ($58) and dip an eyeshadow brush into the silvery-blue shade on the top left. Apply the shadow across your eyelids, stopping at the crease.

2. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder ($49) is shaping up to be one of this summer's hottest makeup picks. The shades in this range complement nearly every complexion. Although I'm quite fair, I use a pinch of the deep brown shade (#5) and it makes me look totally fab.  Just brush the color across your cheekbones for a healthy, becoming blush.

Of course, I always say I am super-picky. Rest assured these shades are a) not too orange-y and b) not a dull brown (makeup that makes you look dusty is a no-no-no-no, XOX).

3. Slide on a neutral pink lipstick, such as Laura Mercier Crème Lip Color in Rose ($22). This is an easy, go-anywhere shade.

4. Finish with your favorite mascara. Mine is currently YSL Mascara Singulier in Deep Violet ($30), which makes eyelashes appear thick and soft as velvet.

XOXO,
Charlotte

P.S. Now, don't forget to bat your eyelashes at least once a day. It's a form of exercise I strongly recommend.

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Manicure Monday: Layla Graffiti Effect Top Coat Polish in Gold

My nails remind me of a beautiful Japanese lacquered box today. I was wearing a very true red nail polish and I just added Layla Graffiti Effect Top Coat polish in Gold to the tips. The result is a chic two-tone nail look.

Do you like it? The golden polish leaves a "crackled" glaze, which I personally love.

My Midas touch.

This groovy gold polish creates a crackled "look," as imitated in the bottle cap.

Excuse me while I daintily claw a photo of an Alexander McQueen dress.

BUY IT:  Layla Top Coat Graffiti Effect Polish in Gold (about $8), sold at select Urban Outfitters.  I found this polish at Urban Outfitters on 521 Fifth Avenue at 43rd Street in Manhattan.

Fourth of July: Dress the Part

This All Saints flag dress is an easy solution for attending parties this Fourth of July weekend. The delicate coloring and old-timey calico underskirt offer a hint of nostalgia. Drink a cool glass of lemonade and strike up the band!

Buy It: Flag Dress ($250), All Saints, 512 Broadway, New York, NY or 140 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA.

Beauty Tip: Hold Onto That Lipstick, Girlfriend!

Treat your lipstick collection like a painter's palette.

Any gal who has gone shopping for lipstick knows that sometimes the color you thought was so "right" is sometimes quite "wrong." But is any shade of lipstick really "wrong"?

All lipsticks are in fact just colors and textures you can play with, so be original! If you bought a lipstick recently and you don't like the color solo, just pull out some other lipsticks (perhaps, shades you use regularly) and mix them together until you reach a pleasing and flattering combination.

It can take a few tries to create a harmonious shade, but you might just be blown away by the results.

Lately, I like blending pink lipsticks with orange undertones to create gorgeous, warm lip colors. (Honestly, the shades I use I thought would never look good on me but haha, I look more "meow" than ever.)

Be bespoke! Customize your lips according to your mood, and leave the world marveling at your myriad of beauty looks!

XOXO,
Charlotte