5 Beauty Favourites for Fall 2015

{Guest blogger Micaela Armstrong} 

           September is flying by, and with Fall fast approaching, it's time to put away the summer clothes and bust out the Fall fashion. Along with rocking autumnal clothing and accessories, don't forget to vamp up your beauty routine! If you're in need of some new products, fear not - I've got a quick list of my five Fall beauty must haves for you.

1) Broad Spectrum Sunscreen by Clinique ($23.00 USD): Just because the sun is starting to set earlier in the day doesn't meant that it's any less harmful to your unprotected skin! I think a lot of people forget that sunscreen isn't just for hot summer days. The sun's rays can cause damage every day of the year and it's important to cover up! This sunscreen by Clinique is non-greasy, oil free and great for sensitive skin.

2) Buxom Mascara - Sephora ($24.00): This mascara is a godsend! I use it daily and it's beautifully volumizing, giving my lashes - and my confidence - a huge boost. Use as little or as much as you want, depending on how dramatic your look is for the day. It layers very easily and is clump-resistant so there's no worry about developing clumpy spider lashes...

3) Moroccanoil Hair Treatment ($47.00): When the weather starts to get rainy and cold, it definitely takes its toll on my hair. In order to repair some of the damage, I use Moroccanoil before styling. A small amount applied to damp or dry hair has amazing effects - shine, strength and protection. Personally I use the light treatment because I have fine hair, but there are numerous other Moroccanoil products to choose from. Check out their website or go to a local salon because I can almost guarantee they carry Maroccanoil products!

4) Lipstick by Mac Cosmetics ($20.00): Lipstick is one of those things that takes a lot of confidence to wear. That being said, wearing lipstick actually gives me more confidence! I can have a totally average morning, getting ready for school or work, feeling so-so, then I throw on a bold lip shade and I can conquer the world! In my opinion, Fall makeup is incomplete without a warm autumnal lip shade so I chose "Spice It Up" by Mac. It's described as a "mulled brown berry" and can complement a smoky eye or stand out by itself for a simpler look. Don't be afraid! Mac lipsticks are amazing and worth a try, even if you're a lipstick newbie.

5) Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette ($64.00): For a bit more of a splurge, I included Urban Decay's NEW Naked Smoky Palette. The colours are super pigmented and are perfect for creating a dramatic smoky eye. You can also just stick to the neutrals for a more low-key look! Edgy or simple? You decide.

Fall is full of change, from adjusting to a back to school schedule or getting used to the changing temperature and fewer sunlight hours per day. It's also a great opportunity to shed your summer wardrobe and pick up a few new beauty products. Do you have any Fall beauty faves? Feel free to share them with us!

 

Micaela Armstrong is Executive Assistant at Brooklyn Designs and a part-time student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

New Spring Hairtie Collection

 We've been busy creating new Spring hair tie packs for you!

Inspired by fresh tropical vibes, and pastel prints. We're loving our new collection.

Look for all new 6 packs and headbands next week!

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BEAUTY: Makeup Must Haves

Every girl wants to look her best and what better way than with a little help from our favourite makeup must haves! I've never been a big "makeup" girl, but I do love to have a few beauty essentials on hand to help brighten my skin and add some colour to my face, and I try not to leave the house without some loose powder and blush! Here are my personal makeup must haves!

1. Smashbox Full Exposure Eye Palette $58: Sephora

I purchased this set earlier this Spring and have been in love ever since. The set is split up in 2 different ways, the top row features shimmery shades and the bottom row is the same colours in a matte finish. They also have warm shades to the left and cool to the right. It comes with a great mascara as well that you can throw in your purse for touch ups!

2. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Blush $36: The Bay

The pigment in this blush is unreal! Blush is my #1 beauty item and you can't go wrong with this specific brand.

3. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara $6-$8: L'Oreal (purchase at any Drug Store)

Hands down this is my go to mascara and has been for the past 20 years. This mascara will make your lashes look full and lush without breaking the bank.

4. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer $40: The Bay

Bronzer is a great way to add a little "glow" all year round. Make sure to brush a little on your neck too for an all over natural look.

5. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Flawless Wear Concealer $28: The Bay

If you're a mom like myself, you can totally appreciate a fantastic concealer and this Estee Lauder product helps keep me looking well rested (eye glasses are also a great way to hide under eye dark circles!!).

6. Estee Lauder Pure Colour Gloss $26: Sephora

Estee Lauder has nailed this gloss in both colour pigmentation and staying power. Glossy but not sticky is what I like best about this gloss, and they have a large selection of colours to choose from as well!

What are some of our beauty essentials?
Leave us a comment below about what makeup items you can't live without.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Bohemian Babe

I've always been a boho babe and am in fashion heaven right now with all of the bohemian inspired clothing and accessories that are availble. Do you have a boho babe on your gift giving list? 

We're here to help with this amazing gift guide that's sure to excite your hippie chick!

1. Stevie Nicks Art Poster $16: Media Graffiti Studio

The ulitimate boho babe is Stevie Nicks (we named our Stevie necklace after her!) and therefore this is really an essential for your girl. Trust me, Stevie is her style goddess and she will be extatic to receive this print under the Christmas tree.

2. Autumn Aztec Hairties $8: Brooklyn Designs

Your bohemian babe will love this set of hair ties from our collection. Aztez? Yes please! Tie dye? It's a must! She can also use these fun & functional hair ties as cute bracelets for her amazing arm stack.

3. Magic Hour Crossbody $68 : Free People

Free People do boho so amazingly and this bejeweled bag has her name written all over it.

4. Ellie Feather Earrings $65: Brooklyn Designs

Our Ellie Feather earrings will look amazing with everything in her wardrobe. Every bohemian soul loves feathers and what better way to wear this gorgeous boho symbol than dangling freely from her lobes.

5. Alexa Panama Hat $69: Urban Outfitters 

The hat. This is a MUST-HAVE for all the wanderlust souls out there. She will accessorize everything she owns with this gorgeous hat and people will envy her rockin style.  

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: The Glamour Girl

Do you have a glamour girl on your gift giving list this year? We've selected 5 of our favourite gifts to give our glamour girls this year for the holidays and we might have to pick up a couple of these for ourselves too!

1. Talula Park Slope Vest $110: Aritzia
What glamour girl doesn't love faux fur? This gorgeous vest from Aritzia will not only keep her warm & toasty this Winter, but super fashionable too!

2. Fresita Strawberry Infused Sparkling Wine $16: Fresita
If you've ever tasted Fresita before, you'll know why we put this tasty beverage on our list! Made with strawberry infused sparkling Chilean wine, your glamour girl will love celebrating this holiday season with a bottle or 2 of Fresita. "Pop, Clink, Cheers!"

3. Estee Lauder High-Shine Gloss Collection $38.50: The Bay
Estee Lauder makes the perfect lipgloss. Shiny, the perfect amount of pigment & it's NOT sticky! Your glamour girl will get lots of use out of this lovely little collection of sparkly glosses.

4. Cece Green Onyx Stud Earrings $74: Brooklyn Designs 
Every glamour girl needs a great pair of stud earrings and our Cece studs fit the bill perfectly. Made with gorgeous faceted Green Onyx gemstones, these delightful studs will look amazing on your glamour girl.

5. beautyblender micro.mini Sponges $24: Sephora
We all know glamour girls LOVE makeup, and what better gift to give than these cute little blending sponges by beautyblender?! Her holiday look will be flawless with these tiny sponges.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: The Fashionista

Can you believe there are only 35 days until Christmas?!

It seems so soon doesn't it? Well, I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE Christmas! The warm fuzzy feeling that it brings is what I crave all year long. Not to mention After Eight chocolates, spending time with family and friends, and of course Bailey's Irish Cream.

Not sure what to buy the lovely ladies in your life? We're here to help! We've created some great gift guides that we'll be sharing over the next couple of weeks and today we're starting with The Fashionista.

1. Plaid Blanket Scarf $38 : Asos

Every girl needs a plaid blanket scarf this year especially the fashionista in your life. Trust me, this is a MUST HAVE for sure! We love this oversized scarf from Asos and think it would make the perfect gift to give. 

2. Black Onyx Cameron Necklace $155 : Brooklyn Designs

Perfect for layering, our Cameron necklace features a bold geometric cut gemstone pendant that will also double as a stand alone piece. Every fashionista needs a bold black & gold piece of jewelry this year.

3. Leopard Print Phone Case $40 : Sonix

What's not to love about Sonix cases?! They have so many great prints to choose from, it's hard to decide. But, you can never go wrong with leopard print when it comes to the fashionista in your life. These cases are super fun and I get nothing but compliments on mine (I bought this one)

4. The Best of Sephora $59 : Sephora

Makeup essentials are always in style, and your fashionista will thank you for stocking up her makeup case with these tried and true best sellers.

5. Glitter Hair Ties $8 : Brooklyn Designs

We love this cute little 4-pack and we know your fashionista will too! Arm your glamour girl with our special glittler hair tie pack this holiday season.

SUMMER STYLE: The Perfect Pony

Summer is here!  Loose fit tanks, cut offs, maxi dresses, and of course the perfect ponytail are a few Summer style essentials we'll be sporting over the next few months. When it comes to Summer hair, casual is always the way to go. Nobody wants to spend time on their hair just to have the humidity ruin all of your hard work, and those Summer breezes might be a welcome cool down, but they are not good for perfectly executed updo.

The ponytail is a must this Summer, whether you're relaxing at the beach, camping (yay!) or spending the day at work. We love the idea of putting a touch of your personality into your ponytail too by choosing one of our fun hair tie packs. Whether you love the beach, geometric shapes or anything sparkly, you can easily show off your personal style and look good too with our fun hair ties.

We have lots of new packages coming with our latest patterns and design colours!

Don't feel like wearing a ponytail all day? Wear your hair tie on your wrist for a cute addition to your bracelet stack!

Wrap one of our hair ties around your topknot for a cute look!

What are your favorite Summer style essentials? Let us know in the comments below.

Shop all of our hair tie and headband packages on our site here, and look for them in store too at Wish On A Star, Violette Boutique, YYoga locations and La Belle Vie.

New Hair Products

My love hate relationship with hair elastics has been ongoing for decades. If I'm not breaking them (hazard of having very thick hair) I am forever losing them. They were always too tight to fit around my wrist which made them very easy to lose and never around when I needed them most. Don't even get me started on hair bands. My hair has always been too thick to wear a hair band, they would either slip forward or wouldn't fit properly on my head because there was too much hair. I have been on the look out for the perfect solution and I have finally found it. Enter our latest creations, colourful and cute hair ties & headbands! These are not only fashionable but very functional and work for every hair type.

We have lots of gorgeous colours and prints to choose from in every colour of the rainbow!

Shop online and follow us on instagram for all of the latest styles and sets.

You can find our hair ties & headbands in store at Wish On A Star, La Belle Vie, Sartorial Boutique and Front & Company. Our list of stores is growing and you can always shop online too! Our hair ties and headbands are soft and gentle on your hair, no more snagging and deep hair kinks anymore.

Don't worry about losing your hair ties because they look great as a bracelet. Just add it to

your favorite stack for an extra pop of colour!

Look for new packages coming to our website this week! We have lots of new print/colour combos and we are working on some custom patterns that will be exclusive to Brooklyn Designs.

Brooke xoxo