// More everyday wear

Posted on | February 18, 2010 | 6 Comments

The snow levels are still very high and temperatures low. I feel that my outfits are mostly like this… …some thickish pants (there are not actually too many of those), one pair of my flat winter shoes, some wool and scarves in the upper part. Nothing too creative.

Familiar stuff, A.F. Vandevorst shrug, American Apparel circle scarf (oh how I love the draping of this), DIY mitts, 2or+ viscose tunic, really old Stefanel dress underneath (this had actually two layers, I have probably ditched the nasty polyester slip), Lee Norma jeans and my old post apocalyptic boots for lazy ass winter nomad-warrior look. The second hand lamb vest has given extra mileage for my old, old Filippa-K coat — I prefer this monochromatic look when I’m wearing it over outerwear.

Posted on | February 18, 2010 | 6 Comments

// Darling, you look a bit pale

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 2 Comments

Couple of neat vintage dresses from Reanimated Rags. Just for fun!

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Diesel Black Gold

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 2 Comments

I was really eager to see what would Sophia Kokosalaki do in charge of Diesel Black Gold label. I’m not too surprised — and I would have loved to see more Sophia in it… …but on the other hand there were few fresh looking styling ideas to borrow. Like sheer black layers combined to denim, two very similar splash prints with different scale used next to each other and lovely cognac colored leather paired to black boots and cool toned neutrals… I need some cognac colored leather in my life.

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 2 Comments

// Make me up, part two

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 3 Comments

Ok, here I’m continuing the marathon post about my favorite make up products. See the first part here. This is going to be a bit MAC heavy — sorry about that — but with make up I like extensive shade selection and no-fuss packaging. Make Up Store is often a good option — but they don’t have the palette options MAC pro stores offer.

Liner

Gel liners definitely! The gel liner magic comes really evident with age. My eyelids are not as smooth as they used to be — but a gel liner applied with soft brush still applies with precision — without pulling and tugging the skin too much. It is also tremendously easier to apply than fluid liners — plus when the gel is still moist you have the option to smudge the line. And it lasts extremely well.

Products: Mac Fluidline is great — and the best budget option might be Indelible Gel Eye Liners (several online retailers, just Google!). A good brush is essential for these — MAC #209 is a true workhorse — and you can get a fine budget option from online again, my favorite is Kileng Line & Smudge brush. Don’t be afraid of the slightly unusual shape, it actually gives a great freedom from very thin line to more heavy strokes — and works also for smudging hard lines to soft ones. For tightlining (a very natural lining on the roots of upper and/or lower lashes) you might want to get a firm, slanted or straight, flat brush. Tightlining is very easy with gel liners!

Gel liners are not the best option for under eye lining — they give so precise and hard line that without smudging it is hard to combine to soft everyday looks. And smudging window for gel liners is relatively short, they dry so fast. When I use liner under eye I opt for eyeshadow lining — or pencils. Gosh is a supermarket brand with good color selection — and their eye pencils are outstanding. They have traditional pencils with colors ranging from classics to beautiful brights, mechanical pencil liners with less color options and basic colors in softer kohl pencils for inner lid lining.

One classic makeup trick is to use white kohl in inner lid to make eyes look larger and remove the signs of tiredness — but it can look a bit harsh, especially in day makeup. Isa Dora has a great, peachy skin colored kohl (Blonde), an instant pickup for tired eyes.

Eye shadows

I use cream eye shadows as an eye makeup base. Mac has two great options, Paint in small tube and Paint Pot — eh — in a small pot. They have a stick, too, but it is too hard for my taste. I prefer the Paint for hygiene reasons. You can get a different shade for different makeups, if you want to. Personally I use only one shade: Bare Canvas. It lightens the lid a bit and that helps especially bright colors to pop. I’m considering though getting a dark toned Paint Pot (Blackground), dark base would be great for smoky eye — and some brights look good — and very different — on a dark base. Base really helps the eye shadows to stay in place. There are several products meant solely for that — I have tried some but I’m always getting back to Paint — the base pigment is really good boost for eye makeup. If you have greasy lids, Paint would probably be the better option — on the lid it gets a powdery like finish pretty soon. Paint Pot is more moist and sticky.

For actual colors I have opted for minerals for a while. They are inexpensive, hygienic (no organic ingredients means really long shelf life) can be very intensive and come in multitude of shades. Most mineral companies offer inexpensive samples — and for color I don’t use often the sample can be enough. Applying loose powders needs a bit practice and is slightly more time consuming than applying pressed shadow. The absolutely worst thing with these is storing them… …the jars take space and create some mess eventually. I have considered getting rid of all others except my favorites — most of them come from awesome indie brand Fyrinnae. They have the most intensive pigments with multitude of finishes — and colors ranging from not too boring everyday shades to wild accent colors.

Great Fyrinnae pigments! Bright chartreuse is surprisingly flattering color for many skintones, try it for example as a summer liner. Fyrinnae OMGWTF is perhaps the most intensive one I have seen — and the silky texture is awesome. On the backround few great everyday shades, peachy creamy Taurus refreshes the look with the subtle shade and understated shimmer — in a hurry I use this color only. Accentuates blue eyes, but goes well for other colors, too. Leshii is an unusual mix of muted purple and taupe, great everyday shader. Angel’s Tale is yellowish taupe, a staple for my nude eye.

My traditional option is — again — MAC. The only thing I wish for them is that they would bring the awesome professional palettes and filler pans to consumer stores, too. The palettes are so handy and nice to store. I dislike readymade shadow palettes — but when I get to pick the colors it’s all different!

In my large Mac palette from bottom to up, left to right, Phloof, Copperplate, Carbon, Shroom, Warming Trend*, Espresso (?), Stormwatch*, Freshwater, Steamy, Arena, Woodwinked, Filament, Evening Aura*, Patina, Purple Haze. Starred ones are limited editions, you might find them from eBay.

The best overall trick I have learned with eye makeup — do it before the base! I always get some under eye stains, especially with darker shadows — removing them from clean skin is so easy. Beats the old loose-powder-under-eyes –trick 6 – 0.

Brows

For brows I use both powder shades and pencil. Make Up Store has a great three color palette with pale filler shade (or for blondes) — very natural cool brown for universal accents — and grayish brown black for dramatic look. On a travel I tend to use Mac Copperplate from my eye shadow palette, it is a perfect dark taupe matching my mouse brown hair.

For pencil I use Rimmel Brown Black — it’s not all perfect shade, but the consistency is very good (not too soft, not too hard) and the little brush in the lid is handy. It lasts better than powder colors — but I prefer the look I can achieve with powders. Sometimes I use Mac Brow Finisher colored wax for setting and finishing.

Lips

I threw away all my lip glosses recently (I dislike the lipgloss feel on my lips plus they go bad so easily) — but I have a decent selection of lipstics, mainly from MAC and Clinique, with some selective ones from my better paid days (when money evidently burnt in my pockets ). If I’m after a glossy finish I will apply a topcoat of clear Clinique Superbalm. MAC is a definitely winner for me in lip products. The color selection is awesome and there are several options for finish, too. Opaque options are truly pigmented — but dabbing them lightly on top of the Superbalm gives nice transparent finish.

MAC Blankety and Politely Pink are great cool toned nude shades that don’t make the lips totally vanish. I use bright colors quite often, but usually just lightly dabbed on clear glossy lib balm, these are classic red Russian Red and blindingly bright Impassioned (it has more pink in it than in this picture).

My lip line is still quite defined — and I really dislike overlining lips in the hope of fuller lip look. So I use lip liner quite seldom and don’t have too many of those. But a lip brush is a staple, don’t have definite favorite, supermarket ones do the job very well. I’m looking for a perfect nude liner though. The problem is that my natural lip color is rather red mauve than red brown — most nude liners tend to be brownish. And I don’t want the liner be too pale, I don’t want to make my lips vanish. Previously I used Chanel Mordoire (if I remember the shade name right) — but I’m afraid that it has been discontinued.

My favorite trick for slightly fuller lip look is lightly outlining the cupid bow with skin highlighter color, dabbing a light dot of skin contour shade below the bottom lip — and using a dab of lighter lip color in the middle of the lip.

Extras

Silicone wrinkle fillers got popular few years ago — but like with all anti-aging products the prices tend to be outrageous. Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector is exactly same stuff with more reasonable price tag. Silicone paste can be bit tricky to use, it can make some other makeup products to ‘roll’ — and use too much of it and you end up with dry and flaky looking skin. Personally I tend to use it very sparingly over a finished makeup base when I’m after a super smooth finish. Of course you can minimize the pores too with it — it can even smooth some indented scars to less detectable.

Mixing medias can be very handy with powder eye-shadows. I use Make Up Store Mixing Liquid or Blend&Fix for intensive and lasting eyeshadow liner and totally opaque, lasting color effects. Especially at summertime a fresh, bright shade foiled on the lid with mixing medium can look very good.

Stuck in a rut?

There are so many great makeup blogs there for new ideas — just mentioning few. For all Finnish people I warmly recommend Karkkipäivä — great, quality images and awesome tutorials from beautiful Inkivääri (Ginger). Killer Colours is in Swedish and English — and the looks are strong, interesting, varied, sometimes experimental — and the writer is super beautiful. Writer of Purity is skilled Mac fanatic who draws inspiration from movies and such — and recreates the looks with ease. For classic looks and product reviews try Shades of U.

Posted on | February 17, 2010 | 3 Comments

// Please don’t tease!

Posted on | February 14, 2010 | 4 Comments

Ah, I can’t wait to see a decent view of these Alexander Wang boots for fall 2010. They look delicious!

Posted on | February 14, 2010 | 4 Comments

// My regulars could be irregulars

Posted on | February 13, 2010 | 5 Comments

I’m getting more and more into the cleverness of Irregular Choice shoes. Their collection as a whole does not speak volumes to me, so much noise, so much craziness… …but when I’m taking individual pieces out from that cavalcade of wild shoes I’m starting to see the possibilities. My latest crush is Shimmy… …in green. Unfortunately (or fortunately) there is only size 41 left. The same heel was introduced in Diamante boot this winter, saw that in few blogs and liked it. From the plain product image I thought that the heel is out of proportion in a pump…

…but then I clicked open the following image, where the shoe is actually on. Now I can fully appreciate their sculptural beauty.

I’m definitely keeping my eye on them from now on.

Posted on | February 13, 2010 | 5 Comments

// Under the influence

Posted on | February 12, 2010 | 5 Comments

Remember the peek of this crochet jacket from a while ago? I found it from local charity shop and despite of it’s few flaws I was so fascinated byt it that I had to have it. The worst thing of it was that it was covered with all sorts of fabric tags, extra buttons and random sequins. Ok, most of those were easy to detach, but some of the fabric tags were glued on, not sewn. I got most of them out but the damn butterfly had different sort of glue… …and there it is. And I actually did not mind the few random sequins after all…

The other problem is the lining. Both the color and the material are awful — plus it has been sewn on really carelessly, it curls to the top from the front side when the coat is worn open. Don’t like the snap-on plastick buttons either.

But I could not resist to try it on with the Black Milk lace leggings for 100% lace look. Scary! What I’m actually admitting here is that I was so fascinated about the Prada lace collection few seasons ago that I’m probably still influenced — and I got my memory refreshed on my Berlin trip: Departement Store Outlet had one awesome piece of Prada heavy quipure lace peplums left…

Silk turtleneck tunic is from H&M, mesh dress from American Apparel, Rützou wedges, narrow silk-sequin scarf on my hair from Day Birger & Mikkelsen.

Posted on | February 12, 2010 | 5 Comments

// Wardrobe confessions

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 9 Comments

The weird thing of my wardrobe is that I have outrageous amount of dressy dresses — athough I never go out . I guess that I’ve always had soft spot for them… …but then I had a longish period in my life with very, very pared down clothing and when ‘healing’ from that I had a bit deranged understanding of my wardrobe needs.

Anyway, I experimented with the leggings also combining them to dressier outfits. This Rodebjer silk number is probably one of my favorites — although the cut of the body is not best for my build (it’s open to the navel). I have figured out different solutions for that, one of them being this old Zara feather cape worn over it — I purchased that for a theme party several years ago.

I feel like an ice skater… The leggings are from Black Milk, shoes those Rützous and the silk organza jacket I’m adding is from H&M.

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 9 Comments

// Heja, Sverige!

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 5 Comments

I try not to browse Internet all the time to find new temptations (the shopping restriction is still on!) — but I can’t help myself for visiting some of my favorite brands. I have to say that I’m seriously coveting this blue cat print from Acne — it looks a little bit like toned down version of relatively recent Lanvin colorful animal prints — and that is definitely not a con in my books.

But in the shoe department Whyred is clearly a winner for me this spring. In addition to that awesome green lucite heel (oh, I’m feeling dizzy!) they have an great black ankle boot with a clumpy wedge (in the middle on the lower pic), killer stiletto heel, zipper and metal details (which you really can’t see in that picture — but they are awesome). Dear shoe gods, what do I have to offer?

Images via Fashionista Diary. Hint for Whyred — by getting rid of that annoying Flash viewer on your site you would get so much more Internet publicity — for free.

Oh do I have to say that I’m also coveting those amazing mirrored leggings!

Posted on | February 11, 2010 | 5 Comments

// Skin colored

Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 6 Comments

Talking about the basics, I have to admit that I have been one of those lazy leggings and tunic wearers last years. The combination is probably seen more often on me than jeans and t:s — although this very wintery winter of ours has forced me into some heavier options. But I’m dreaming about spring here and allowed myself to play with some lighter stuff I actually can’t use right now.

The starting point of few outfit experimentations was this awesome pair of Black Milk leggings. Yeah, I have the shopping restriction going on still, but leggings are one of the basics I’m allowed to with a good reason — I broke a pair of lightweight ones last month, plus I followed my fitness regime pretty well on the January and felt like a small reward would be appropriate . The leggings are like nothing I have owned before. The lace is quite heavyweight and very soft. They are less stretchy than any other pair of my leggings — but how well do they fit when I get them on! No bags on the knees, no creases. I also like that they are relatively opaque. I will definitely go for more James’ designs later… …I’m especially waiting for to replace the empty hole of my heart left by the H&M PVC panel pants I had to return (Hi guys there at Black Milk, what about side panelled PVC legging version?). The prices are not bad, remember that they are Australian dollars.

First I wanted to go for a soft and simple look — maybe not all romantic but… The tunic/dress is Sonia Rykiel for H&M and it’s totally unlined meaning it’s all transparent. This time I solved the requirements of modesty (haha) by layering two lightweight white knits on it, old long sleeved cardigan from AllSaints and almost equally old silk cotton knit vest from Tiger of Sweden. This is also a trick I’m using (probably overusing) all the time, wearing two or more very similar garments on top of each other to create just a bit more interesting layers. COS lightweight striped scarf looks delightfully out of place — and yes I should use other shoes than these Rüzou wedges but I was too lazy to dig my closet. I have been in a jewel rejection mode lately, but this outfit could easily take some adornments — although I kind of like this slightly eerie, nightgownish look without any.

Ok, it was an unusual photoshoot — I took three sets with these leggings and shoes, changing just the top part. The other two are coming eventually.

Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 6 Comments

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About

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com

I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!

You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.

You might be also interested in DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

More about me and this blog.