
Monday Mood | There She Glows

a lifestyle blog by Danah
It’s pretty clear by looking at current trends, street style, and runway shows that former decades have made a major comeback into the fashion world, particularly with inspirations from the 70s and 90s. For its June-July 2015 Music edition, NYLON Magazine takes a look back at famous female musicians throughout the decades with this totally rad beauty editorial. Models Anna Nevala and Merethe Hopland were transformed into iconic bad-ass women, including Gwen Stefani, Stevie Nicks, and Kate bush, all in eye-catching makeup looks inspired by 90s girl power. Which era do you like channeling the most?
2015 is right around the corner, and a new year means many things; in the art and fashion world, it means a new color chosen by Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries. Last year, I featured Pantone’s color for 2014 (and discussed the what Pantone is if you’re not already familiar), Radiant Orchid, which symbolized an invitation to innovation, and [hopefully] encouraged us to expand our creativity and uniqueness. A beautiful harmony of fuchsia, purple, and pink undertones, this past year has been filled with inspiring confidence and showcasing love and joy. How was it for you? If that doesn’t sound like your year, don’t worry, a new year also means new beginnings.
Okay, let’s get to 2015 already; introducing… Marsala. Pantone states the color as a “naturally robust and earthy wine red… [enriching] our minds, bodies and souls, exuding confidence and stability.” While the tone is rich and seductive, its versatility is great, equally appealing to both men and women along with being an excellent choice to decorate with in all sorts of ways from food to home interiors to weddings. I love the fact that it’s flattering against many skin tones and is sultry, yet subtle, enough as a great “go-to” color for beauty, providing beautiful highlight for the cheek and pops of color for nails, lips, and even hair. Take the hue even further with its texture; a matte finish highlights the organic and earthy and nature of Marsala while adding a sheen demonstrates glamour and luxury.
Confidence and stability are definitely what I need in 2015, with my recent new move to San Francisco and exciting adventures to come. I’m already a huge fan of Marsala and can’t wait to see the various ways everyone will be incorporating it throughout the year into home decor, beauty, fashion, and even food. Let’s see how various industries have already began using the color (below). For inspiration all through 2015, follow my Pinterest board where I’ll be pinning my favorite Marsala findings.
How will you be showing off this sultry, earthy hue?
This month’s July Birchbox finally arrived at my doorstep and I couldn’t be more excited, per usual! It’s near impossible for me to choose a favorite Birchbox thus far from the moment I first started my subscription in January of this year. Every box I’ve received is filled with samples that I’ve either used up (they’re just that darn good) or I’ve kept ’til this day to savor every drop, smudge, and squeeze.
For July, Birchbox partnered up with Women’s Health magazine to help us ‘Power Up!’, that is, amping up our summer, starting with our beauty-ful goods. On the Birchbox magazine we can learn how to snack smarter, master the “power brow”, style our hair sans blow-dryer (wait, what? my dream), and much, much more!
My box is filled with fantastic samples to keep my locks lovely, skin super smooth, and myself feeling overall great. My favorite addition is definitely a little booklet – shown below amongst the other samples – of 12 challenges aimed to inspire positive changes in our lives. I’ve started today with challenge #2 below; take a look at that along with my thoughts on the other samples!
Next, we have the exfoliate foaming cleanser by suki. The 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator is meant to rejuvenate skin. Upon first application, the beads felt like they were doing their job without irritating my skin. After massaging into my skin, they melted away, creating a thick, lush lather onto my skin. I continued to massage until the foam disappeared, rinsed my face, and was left feeling super smooth. I’m in love with this scrub. It’s difficult for me to find a scrub that doesn’t irritate my skin with harsh beads, so thanks Birchbox!
Despite the fact that I don’t wear lipstick on a regular basis, I find myself reaching out for new colors every time I hit Ulta or CVS. There’s something about a bold lip that really sparks my interest and when I’m feeling a little spunky, I know I’ll have tons of options to choose from. So naturally, I was super excited to see this incredibly fun color by Laqa & Co in my Birchbox! The Sheer Lip Lub Pencil in Menatour (Purple) is a high-gloss, semi-sheer color that’s perfect to amp up any simple look. Above, you’ll see it on my bare hand in natural sunlight as well as atop my Baby Lips Lip Balm by Maybelline. I’m really loving this bold lip color!
Like with my lips, I don’t tend to switch up my nail-do often, yet I have this (probably bad) habit of snagging pretty polishes whenever I stumble across one that I just have to have (you get it, right?). Ruffian’s Relic polish is a streak-free metallic polish, perfect all-year-around. As a bonus, Birchbox included an acetone-free polish remover. Before applying my new shade, I removed my Gold Struck by Gala polish with the towelette. I’ll admit, it took a few wipes on my nails to really get it off but I like the fact that absolutely nothing is left behind, especially that icky acetone residue and smell. As for the new polish? I’m loving the metallic gunmetal hue and feel it goes with the majority of my wardrobe!
Oh the wonders of eye cream… I wonder if they work, I wonder how they work, I wonder when they’ll work. I’ve tried so many eye creams ever since I first realized how important they were, but have yet to come across one that’s actually done anything for me. Let’s hope that this really lives up to its name – the Wonder Eye Cream by Balance Me is an anti-aging multi-tasking eye cream meant to combat wrinkles and dark circles. I’ve only used this twice so far so I can’t tell if it’s helped, but I will say I like the smooth application and feel a bit of tightening, not too much to the point where it’s irritating my delicate lids.
That’s it for July! Like what you see? Use my referral link and subscribe now – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed! Subscribe to Birchbox
Despite loving nail art, you won’t find me painting my nails often, simply because I’m not exactly the best at it. However, when I do find a polish that I absolutely adore, I’ll rotate between my few favorites every so often. That’s the case today with a pearly gold polish by Color Club, who teamed with fashion blogger Gala Gonzalez. This past Spring, the Spanish-born blogger, stylist and DJ collaborated with Color Club to launch a four-piece nail polish collection. Simply perfect all-year-around, the pastel, pearly hues are inspired by the retro lacquers of the 70s and 80s.
I received my sample “Gold Struck” a few months ago in a Birchbox (told you in my last post how amazing they are). Gold Struck is an understated, yet showstopping, soft gold that’s subtle enough for daytime wear but luxe and glam enough for nighttime. Directions say to use two coats but I don’t think I need to; the application is strong and smooth! Look at how pretty it is below and snag the four-piece collection on Birchbox’s site for only $13!