The Lipstick Index

During economic downturns, retail sales suffer and consumers opt for less expensive lifestyles.  But the truly fashionable always have a way to cope with a downturn and we all want to be beautiful.   So, what is the easiest and most cost-effective way to look hot?  Lipstick, darling.  That’s right ladies– go out on a shopping impulse and find the perfect shade for your pout, and the existence of financial troubles would be invisible.  It’s the new way for women to cope with the recession.  (Hmm… is THAT right?)

According to Estee Lauder’s Chairman, Leonard Lauder, lipstick sales increase during hard economic times.  He termed this phenomenon as the Lipstick Index, the economic indicator of a depression.  Lauder affirms that “In stressful times, many consumers are reaching out for those small indulgences that provide momentary pleasure.”  Basically, the premise behind this concept is that when lipstick sales sprout we are suffering from financial despair and we purchase lipstick to mask the melancholy that overwhelms us; we want to plaster the underlying need to feel beautiful by applying lipstick. Let’s call it a financial/beauty pick-me-up if you will. 

To be honest, I’ve never been much of a makeup girl – That is…I don’t get the same adrenaline rush/impulse that I get when I crave a handbag!   My exception to this is my lipstick and my mascara, especially when the lipstick is a Liptini stain (which I was introduced to by the makeup goddess and celebrity makeup and hair artist Terri Apanasewicz) or a luscious Christian Dior.

The beauty of beauty products other than the obvious is that they are some of the most accessible fashion items in a recession.  A tad more affordable than indulging in a Fendi Spy Bag, wouldn’t you say?  Ah, and strategic substitution can also be a girl’s best friend in these trying economic times.  Normally use Lancôme mascara?  Maybe opt for Maybelline mascara instead.  Normally use Smashbox lipstick? Check out your lipstick options at your local RiteAid.  They are almost always aggressively priced and these days they run more sales than your local used-car dealership. Everyone has a take on the lipstick Index. 

Jessica Bennett states in her article, What Does the Lipstick Index Really Say?, “ This recession around, it’s flawless skin—not rosy lips—that has become the female pick-me-up.”  Each to their own…but I must say that a skincare routine is a much pricier investment than 1 lipstick- I’m going on record by saying that taking care of your skin is not only a fashion must, it’s also healthy…Are you wearing SPF by the way?

Glossy, glossy, glossy!

And don’t forget the sage advice of Jerry Seinfeld, “Where lipstick is concerned, the important thing is not color, but to accept God’s final word on where your lips end.”

How do you look gorgeous and chic in this economy? I was thinking about that as I read a VOGUE article. It featured a group of Manhattan “It” girls and their “swap party”. Which by the way, this is one awesome way to save money for Girl’s Night Out – Grab 10-15 friends, set a theme for the food (like Italian or Tapas), and ask the girls to bring food and wine for a potluck dinner. Then ask each friend to bring a seriously viable fashion piece that they are willing to swap out. Ladies, this excludes the platform shoes that you wore in high school and you want to ditch after you did your closet Spring cleaning this year. I’m talking truly fashionable and viable. Consider setting a price point as well. This is best to do with friends with wardrobes that are fairly well-stocked and who happen to have similar lifestyles, otherwise you run the risk of no one swapping anything out!

Anyhow, after reading this article, I was struck by the incredible difference in how people view saving money, or cutting back in this economy.   For instance it seemed like such a “wow” factor to the “It” girls that they were swapping out a Balenciaga for a Maison Martin Margiela versus most women cutting back on a weekly man-pedi.  It all comes down to your individual hedonistic barometer I guess!

Balenciaga Jacket

In general I’m always so appreciative of the lengths that women will go to preserve their beauty and fashion regimens. Another funny result of the recession – Did you know that plastic surgery is down but dermatologist procedures such as Botox are up? Makes sense – It’s cheaper to get stabbed by botulism in a syringe than get a facelift. Hmmm…they are really roughing it. At the risk of continuing this thread and sounding judgmental (odd for this blog, right?), here are my top ten tips to save money a la Recessionista:

1. Facials: Rather than spending $150+ at the local beauty salon, buy a mud masque from your favorite brand. I love the Intelligence Exfoliating Masque from Arbonne, Borghese’s Fango Active Mud mask and The Body Shop’s Warming Mineral Mask. Or make one at home:

a. General Moisturizing: To moisturize, take half an avocado, half a carrot (cooked and shredded), three tablespoons of organic, unsweetened yogurt, and a teaspoon of finely chopped parsley. Mix all the ingrediants, let them sit for 5-10 minutes and then apply for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water, apply a toner and moisturizer.

b. Oily Skin: Mix ½ cup of crushed strawberries with ½ cup of organic, unsweetened yogurt. Let sit in the fridge for a ½ hour. Apply for 20 minutes and rinse.

c. Dry Skin: One banana, one tablespoon organic honey and a few drops of fresh lemon. Blend together and apply for 15 minutes, then rinse.

OPI Cuticle Oil

2.  Nails: Yep. It’s a no-brainer, and super easy. Do your own nails. Just fit it into your TV schedule – TIVO and nails baby! I recommend the cuticle oil from OPI and their Avoplex hand and foot cream.

3. Spa Experience: Rather than going to the spa, do your own body treatments. Grab some salt, mix with almond oil or your favorite lotion – Voila! You have a salt scrub. You can do the same by the way with sugar. I like to mix a little bit of sugar in my Philosophy liquid soap. Want something more relaxing? Soak in the tub. This seems to have become a lost art. Find some candles, put on some awesome music and soak until you prune sistah! I love to do this with an engaging book. Only problem is that my cat keeps interrupting me by falling into the tub…what is it that they say about curiosity killing the cat? Was curiosity’s name Viviana Rueda by any chance?

4.Facial Peels: I can’t go without my exfoliating peel. Not only is it insanely reasonably priced but it keeps any breakouts at bay and keeps my skin looking fresh. I also like Clinique’s Turn-Around Radiance peel.

Clinique Turnaround Radiance Peel

5. Hair Cuts and Color: If you’ve a $250/per month highlight habit, well this may be a tough one for you. The rest of you can consider color out of a bottle (oh my God! How 1960’s!). Seriously there are some great products out there and they are mostly under $15! Consider visiting your local Vidal Sassoon or Paul Mitchell school. Did you know you can get a haircut for under $25 from a stylist with YEARS of experience? I know who you can do this with….Just email me if you are interested because if I put his name on the world wide web he’ll probably kill me!  Contact me via our “About” page on our blog.  Needless to say, there are many talented individuals teaching at these salon schools and they can cut just as good as your $175 person.

6. Staying in Shape: Not everyone is a runner. If you are…well, it’s free, get out and hit the pavement, what do you need a $100+ gym membership for chickie? Not a fan of running? Hop onto Amazon.com and buy yourself some yoga, mat pilates or weight lifting videos. You really can workout at home, and you won’t need to “look good” while working out at home so don’t worry about blowing money on your workout clothes!

7. Shopping: Rule number one – never buy something that isn’t on sale. In this economy you have to be patient. Just sit back and wait. It’ll go on sale. And hop onto sites like Ideeli, and Gilt. If you are fashion obsessed and really insist on that level of shopping, why on earth would you pay full retail? You need to be invited to get into these online shopping communities.  So suck up to your favorite fashionista for an invite.  She’ll be a member, I promise you.

8. More on Shopping: Work it online girls! There are so many online sales going on right now! Make sure you check out coupon sites like Retail Me Not.

9. Shoes: Do you live in Los Angeles? Hit up Santee Alley for cool and trendy shoes. Don’t pay fashion designer prices for goodness sake, they are TRENDS, aka those shoes won’t stay in style for the long term so why invest in them? But please stay away from the fakes, buying fake brands is bad Karma girlfriends.

10. Dry Cleaning: If you are on a budget stop buying fabrics that are “Dry Clean Only”. There are billions of fabulous fabrics out there that you can hand wash or machine wash and they look chic too.

Have an awesome Recessionista tip or trick ?  Share your favorites in our comments box – Giving is getting – Pay it forward!

How to Use the “Bag Inside the Bag” Concept

Have you ever stood patiently (or not in my case) behind a woman at the checkout stand while she rifles through her purse desperately seeking her wallet, or seen a woman dig through her purse for a business card, phone, etc, etc, etc. Been there – Annoying as it can be I feel like pulling her aside and saying “bag inside bag, lady!” What does this mean you ask? Well, since we women have a penchant for carrying fabulous bags that sometimes happen to be the size of trash bags, well then you must find an efficient form of organization to make that bag work it! So, my recommendation is the “bag inside the bag”. Anything smaller than a book, needs a bag is the basic theory.

Empty everything out of your big purse (handbag) and see what needs to be organized. Ever lose your keys in your purse? Well, if your bag doesn’t have key hooks or key clips (which the best ones in my opinion are Bartucci and JAMAH), then either always place your keys into the small zipper pocket or designate another small bag for the keys. Make this a habit and you’ll never dig for your key, which by the way is one of the first things a mugger looks for when a woman is walking through a parking lot, oh and long hair. I know, sad, but I guess it’s easier to hold a woman by her pony tail when mugging her.  I digress. Back to bags. Need cool key holders? Check out the Monogram Vernis at Luis Vuitton-the Red is HOT.

JAMAH Interior w/2 large side pockets & key ring

Next, what else do you have roaming around in your bag? Your iPhone? Your Blackberry? Darling, if it’s not a vintage bag it should, I repeat, should have designated pockets for these life treasures (the iPhone and Crackberry that is). Now if you happen to have a fabulous bag from the eighties you are out of luck and what I’d recommend is that you protect your iPhone and Crackberry with a nice (I mean not Barbie glitter-studded) protective cover or phone case to keep it from getting ravaged as it free flows through your purse. Most high-end designers have a multitude of phone cases to choose from as do the manufacturers themselves.

Cosmetics – Time to update your cosmetics bag. First, make sure that it has plastic lining so that when makeup splatters, spills, etc. (because you know it does) then it doesn’t ruin everything in your bag. Every high-end handbag designer line has a multitude of cosmetics bags. Want a Recessionista tip? Scan the cosmetics departments for the gift with purchase promotions.  Everything is on sale these days so charm one of the cosmetics girls and get yourself a lovely free or practically-free cosmetics bag. Can’t be bothered to go into the department store? Hit up your local Riteaid or SaveOn. They’ve a ton of cheap and functional cosmetic bags. Personally I like the heavy duty see-through SOHO acrylic bags because they are awesome for travel.

Loose change – I’m going to go loose-change Nazi on you. For goodness sakes, get a little change bag.

Michael Kors Coin Purse

You know you need it. Especially if you live in the Westside of Los Angeles and you are often caught digging at the bottom of your car floor for change in order to avoid the Republic of Santa Monica meter maid. In fact, purchase at least three cute little coin purses. One for the car, one for the handbag and one for when you forget those two – Michael Kors has some really cute ones for the summer.

Other loose “stuff” – Again, if it’s smaller than a book then it needs a bag! One thing that will help you is to find a cute leather envelope. That’s a bag that acts like an envelope and is chic. If I catch you walking around with a regular envelope in your handbag, we’re gonna fight (love you, mean it). These my children are very hard to find I admit. Look for them at high-end leather goods stores and at stationary stores. Luis Vuitton has a gorgeous paper parcel but it’s too big for a handbag. Still I mention it because it’s a chic alternative to carrying an ugly file folder. Another cool thing to look for is the “Market Purse” that you’ll find in most MZ Wallace bags. This little pouch fits a Crackberry and other “little” items.

MZ Wallace Clara Bag & Market Bag

Pens – A woman should never be without a pen and a pen should never be without a pen case – and I mean NEVER. Pen cases, carriers, bags, etc also act as a great lipstick holder.

Last but not least, try to find designers that have lighter interiors to their purses.  Oh yes, if your mother was from the Depression era she would have instilled in you a desire to buy all black interiors because they don’t show dirt or wear as much.   Good point, but if you can’t see inside your bag….well then you may as well leave the recession and head to depression because how will you find your wallet to pay the bill?  If you are following the basic tenets of the “bag inside the bag” concept then your bag won’t be getting sullied because anything that can cause that is safely ensconced inside another bag. And the lighter the interior, the more you can find things!  Voila!  My favorites for this sort of thing include JAMAH (all their bags are lined with luscious pastel blue suede), and Bally (lighter fabric interiors).  If you can’t find a bag that you like with a lighter-colored interior then buy a bag with lighting.  That’s right, Solas Fashion makes bags with interior lighting.  Great for when you need to look for stuff at night, not so great if you open it up in the movie theatre…trust me on this.

Next time you’re behind the “slowing me down because you’re digging in your purse lady”, send her this blog.

Ciao Bellas!

Slouchy boots, peek-toe gladiator boots, bold jewel-toned colors in the Fall/Winter collections, navy blue nail colors and electronic beats with a tangy after-taste.  Envision a time when nightclubs actually enforced a dress code.  When no man would be caught dead going out at night wearing a suit and tennis shoes – Which by the by, this look is only generally carried off by billionaire types such as Howard Hughes or “I could get a ticket by thinking you’re hot” boys such as Justin Timberlake.  When women’s hair was big and the suits (men and women’s) screamed power and women’s makeup…looked like makeup (who wants natural anyhow?).  A time when “goth” didn’t’ exist but the words “new wave” conjured an image of chic, edgy and underground.  The kind of cool you wanted to play with but were sort of scared to.

If you are tracking with me, then you too may be feeling like you’ve been transported back to the 1980’s (hello Buck Rogers, bidi-bidi-bidi).  From fashion to music it’s a flashback of the glorious 1980’s.  And they were glorious. Bring on the power suit, the big, chunky jewelry (also back in fashion).  And either my imagination is getting the best of me, but even the boys in hip-hop are getting into the ‘80s groove.  Just listen to the beat of Love Lockdown, drop in a dance beat and you’re back in a neon-lit nightclub breaking it down next to a leggy siren in a mini-skirt, tight leggings and hair all spiked up courtesy of AquaNet.  And on the subject of the leggings trend – Ladies, I’ve three words for you “danger Will Robinson”.  Unless you are uber hot or uber Fashionista cool don’t go there.  Additionally, there is an age-expiration date to this trend.  If you happen to be one of those who sashayed across a tabletop dancing to “I don’t want your love”, you may apply for the age-expiration category at this time.   So…unless you plan on making an impact with your image as an “eccentric”, don’t even step into your living room in leggings.  These puppies should have the words “handle with care” stamped all over them.  Especially the liquid leggings. Latex-like Batman leggings- So shiny that your friends can find you at the club to hand deliver you your sugar-free Red Bull and vodka.  Party-on.

What’s my point?  If you lived in the glorious days when techno was born, when most women spent a few hours tweaking their hair to get just the right height to complement their ripped fishnets and Max Headroom-esque shoulder pads and when having deep purple hair color meant you were going through your “teen years”, then you’ll get a giggle out of this.  And you’ll gain a new appreciation for the distinctly 1980’s-inspired trends roaming the fashion magazines, streets and airwaves.  And if none of this resonates, mix yourself a sex-on-the-beach cocktail and rent Miami Vice (the real one, not the Collin Farrell one).

I’m off to find my overly-long strands of baroque pearls - Yet another trend from the 80’s, stolen out of another era, courtesy of the killer chic Ms. Coco Chanel.

Viviana M. Rueda
Fashion Fury

Ps. Seeing lots of hot colors for future trends. Think patent-leather heels in peach and strawberry pink. Sheesh, maybe I can find my Body Glove neon green bikini too.