eye4style

The Grass is Always Greener...

2015-10-28T10:16:00.000-04:00

"...once or twice a year, I throw all my regular beauty products away (from the body wash to my toothpaste, except for my fragrance) and I replace everything with cool American products I get at Whole Foods or some other place from the U.S. (or super-strong skin care from SkinCeuticals, or something with a super-chic Fifth Avenue vibe like La Mer, or a super-cool cream like, "Oh, that? I've just found it in a tiny confidential shop on the LES."

http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/10/how-the-french-perceive-american-beauty.html

Shop This: The Kooples Sample Sale

2015-10-20T14:46:00.000-04:00

Cleaning Out Your Closet? 3 Places I Sell Clothing + Accessories

2015-10-18T18:17:00.000-04:00

Like so many of you, I've spent much of the past year on an endless #KonMari-induced purge. And like many of you, while I was happy to throw away and donate plenty of clothing, shoes, and accessories, I've also tried to maximize the purging experience and make a little dough from my fashion mistakes. I've had a lot of friends in real life ask me where to sell, so I thought I'd recap for readers as well.

eBay is where I go to sell electronics, and also designer merchandise including handbags and shoes (I've been selling a LOT of shoes since I started working at Christian Louboutin). While the experience on eBay can be tedious (ughhghghgh eBay buyers!) and the final selling fees a bit high, I find that almost everything I expect to sell on eBay does, and sometimes for more than I was expecting. For example, I always list my iPhone when I upgrade to a newer model and they'll generally sell within an hour (yes, an hour) at a Buy-it-Now price that negates the price I paid for the upgrade. Boom! Just ensure that you include high quality images and a detailed description of your item, including any flaws. This rule applies to selling on any online forum.
Poshmark is a fashion-specific app, with an active and engaged community of "Poshers." On Poshmark, I list primarily accessories including shoes, handbags and jewelry from more contemporary brands. I've listed a few items of clothing as well, but stylized, on body images tend to work best for clothing and I'm a little lazy for that. I've had a great experience on Poshmark overall - the selling experience is easy peasy from listing to shipping (you'll use the prepaid Priority Mail label Poshmark delivers to your inbox immediately following a sale). They take a 20% fee on all final sales, and Poshers DO like to bargain. Expect to negotiate and pad your asking prices accordingly. The online consigment space overall is hot - there are a LOT of sites that specialize in everything from designer (Vaunte or Tradesy) to more mass brands (think Thred Up) but I've found that Poshmark has the most active community. Follow my closet here, if you're so inclined!
Buffalo Exchange is where I take items that I deem too complicated to sell on the internet (again, I'm lazy). I sell at the East Village store (it's on East 11th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues) regularly and have come to know the buyers and vice versa. This helps! My attitude walking into Buffalo Exchange is essentially "something is better than nothing." This is where I take items I'd otherwise donate, for the most part, and anything that they don't buy, I leave with them to donate or walk to East Village Thrift around the corner on 2nd Avenue. Buffalo Exchange pays out 50% of THEIR selling price in store credit or 30% in cash. So, for example, if I sell them a pair of used designer denim in a still-current silhouette, they're likely to tag them for about $20 - meaning, I'll take away only $6 from the sale. Keep in mind that items must be in season and on trend - I'll be taking in some boots and winter coats soon.

ICYMI, Abbi and Ilana from Broad City did a killer skit on selling at Beacon's Exchange (a competitor to Buffalo Exchange, for those of you non-New Yorkers) last season - it's not to be missed:

I May Actually Have PTSD from Tracy Anderson AtTAin Definition

2015-10-12T19:07:00.000-04:00

I had high hopes for Tracy Anderson. Long a (very expensive) member's only studio, there are now a few select classes open to plebes like you and me. So, when I spotted a sale on Gilt City recently, I snapped up a 5-class package and was easily the most excited I've been about a fitness class in recent memory. Things went awry quickly, however, the moment I stepped into the studio, to be exact.

First, let's discuss the temperature. You'll want to prepare yourself mentally because for all Tracy Anderson Method classes, the studios are heated to 86 degrees and, HOLD UP NOW, 65% humidity. So, it's hot. HOT. You'll need water, and copious amounts of it.

Now, for those of you who haven't read prior fitness class reviews here, I'm not an athlete by any measure, but I am a relative pro at boutique fitness classes. Even so, it's helpful when an instructor greets new clients, asks about injuries and advises on necessary equipment - perhaps I've been coddled by studios like Physique 57, ChaiseFitness and SLT, but I do now expect that level of attention, particularly when I'm paying $35+ a class. This is not the case at Tracy Anderson across the board apparently, and it was certainly not the case for my packed AtTAin Definition class.

The instructor was located in the front of the room, while I (perhaps sensing shame ahead) was located in the back. A regular student helped me get set up in terms of mat, ankle weights and hand weights, but the entire class, fast-moving and heavy with rather specific choreograpy, was taught with nearly no verbal instruction. Instead, you're expected to follow the physical cues of the instructor, or in my case, the clearly insane but more conveniently located Tracy Anderson devotees in front of me.

AtTAin Definition was an intense workout, make no mistake about it, I was sweating like an animal even during the warmup. In fact, people were sweating so intensely, they were dripping onto their mats and even the floor - consider this a reminder to grab an extra towel, you'll need it. The movements were unexpected (and in some cases awkward) with a high number of reps to ensure impact. But leaving the studio after class, I felt shell-shocked as opposed to accomplished. And while I still have four unused classes, I find myself DREADING a return to Tracy Anderson Studio.

If you're mildly masochistic or simply still curious, you can get a taste of the Method and also book classes online at Tracy Anderson.

Shop This: Gilt City Warehouse Sale Event

2015-09-25T10:59:00.000-04:00

Who: Gilt City
What: Warehouse Sale, where you'll find luxe clothing, accessories and home décor from designer brands, at up to 80% off retail. Think Prada, Lanvin, Chloé, Valentino, Miu Miu, Balenciaga and Dior to Brian Atwood, Jimmy Choo and more. Enjoy complimentary cocktails, snacks and music by a live DJ while you shop.
When: October 2-4
Where: 135 W 18th St, b/t 6th and 7th Avenue

Purchase tickets to shop Saturday at gilt.com/NYWarehouseSale. And for the first time ever, the Sale will be open to the public and free on Sunday!

They're Here, The Leather Joggers You've/I've Always Wanted.

2015-09-16T20:34:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, I cleaned out my closet in advance of fall. Out came the boots, the cashmere sweaters and, yes, the leather pants. Pants, plural, in my case, as I had at that particular moment, no fewer than seven pairs. One day later, these glorious leather joggers arrived from Athleta, and that number had risen to eight.

Part of the really exceptional Derek Lam collaboration that released just last week, these ultra-soft leather joggers are slightly cropped and thereby perfect for shorties like me. They're also, and yes I am self-aware enough to understand how ridiculous this sounds, a total steal at just $398. Now, $398 may be a lot for a pair of pants, but it's NOT a lot for a pair of leather pants - in fact, I had long been eyeing this pair from Vince at a cool $1,150, but when I tried them on, I looked like I had a serious case of FUPA. Not the case with the much less expensive Atheta pair - hallelejuh!

You can fully expect to see me wearing these at least once a week all fall and winter, and with everything from oversize cashmere sweaters to boxy silk tops like this girl from IRO. If you're so inclined, shop here - size XS is already sold out, so I'd suggest moving fast.

Now's the Time to Shop Space NK

2015-09-11T13:32:00.000-04:00

Now that I've reentered the world as a beauty consumer as opposed to a "beauty blogger," I've been strategically timing my pricier product replenishment to best captitalize on the best gifts with purchase. Barney's and Bergdorf Goodman both have great ones, but my favorite of the bunch is found at Space NK.

Part of their seasonal "Beauty Edit" event, Space NK's GWP comes just twice a year and and is not to be missed. Available with any purchase of $250 or more, the gift includes an assortment of mini, travel-sized and full-sized must-haves from 33 of their featured brands. And, hot tip: their featured brands are nothing short of awesome. The gift with purchase itself includes products from Hourglass Cosmetics, Tata Harper, Juara, Ren, Hampton Sun, Lipstick Queen and so many more. You can explore all the products included in granular detail here.

The GWP sells out every season, so you'll definitely want to move fast. Reserve your space at a store near you, or shop online tomorrow morning at SpaceNk.com.

Shop This: Calypso St. Barth Sample Sale

2015-08-17T10:09:00.000-04:00

Finally, a Subscription Box That Makes Perfect Sense

2015-07-31T11:41:00.000-04:00

Image via Into the Gloss

While you wouldn't necessarily guess it, I went through a bit of a subscription box phase a year or two ago. Unlike many, my gateway box wasn't Birchbox, but instead the Fancy Food Box (now discontinued)...which let to Quarterly's Nina Garcia subscription, PopSugar and perhaps others...my memory is fuzzy and I'd like to keep it that way, considering how much I spent.

I learned (not as quickly as I might have liked) that while it's fun to open a box of surprises - it feels like a gift you've given yourself - you wind up with an awful lot of crap and clutter you don't need, and wouldn't have purchased, regardless of the "great value" a subscription box provides. Start-up Lola, on the other hand, is all about utility, and for that reason, I find it pretty darn brilliant.

Tampons. We all need them (well, 50%+ of us need them), and when you run out, it's near disastrous. Lola lets you build-your-own box of 18 tampons choosing from Light, Regular or Super. The box is then delivered when you like. No more frantic drugstore runs required, hallelujah! Best of all, their tamps are 100 percent cotton that's natural and biodegradable. God knows what giant behomoths Kotex and Tampax are putting in their product; rest assured it's not natural.

Learn more about Lola and subscribe here!

Shop This: Alexis Bittar Sample Sale

2015-06-02T13:31:00.000-04:00

fitBallet, Reviewed

2015-05-31T16:02:00.000-04:00

Deodorant was not the thing to forget in a fitBallet class, this I learned very quickly today. Don't let the name fool you - it lulled me to a safe place, evoking images of sweat-free spaces - plush barre studios and ModelFit-style lofts. Instead, fitBallet is a wildly challenging circuit training class that takes inspiration from the classic positions and the precise form of ballet.

The hour-long workout itself focuses on full-body movements like burpees (hell), plies, squats and push ups. I knew I was in trouble when, already dripping in sweat and flush-faced (seriously, guys, I get so, so pink), my instructor Marc announced that the warm up was over and circuits to begin. While I found out later, in chatting with another student, that Marc is widely considered the toughest of fitBallet's team, I'm inclined to think that any class would be nearly as challenging. Most of the work is done on your feet or on the floor, with a particular focus on arms, abs, legs and obliques.

Frills free, the studio offers few comforts for big babies like me, accustomed to the plush spaces of overpriced fitness classes. At $32/class, I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't wished for an elevator or teleportation system to take me up to the 5th Floor, blasting AC and (sorry, y'all) cleaner floors. Fitballet is done barefoot, in slim fitting clothing that shows the body's lines. The studio, at the cusp of TriBeCa and Chinatown, offers mats or you're welcome to bring your own (I did). Whatever you do, don't forget a large bottle of water, or a towel. The men in my class literally had puddles beneath them.

To learn more or to book a class (new students pay just $20 and the studio is also on Classpass), visit fitBallet.org.

Shop This: Rebecca Taylor Sample Sale

2015-05-18T12:19:00.000-04:00

The Nike Air Rift is Back

2015-05-10T10:08:00.000-04:00

Little known fact about me is that I was a real sneaker girl back in the day. Long before I collected heels and quirky flats - in my late teens and early '20s - I collected quirky sneakers, and among my favorites were the Nike Air Rift. Debuted in 1996, the split-toe design was inspired by the barefoot runners of Kenya's Great Rift Valley and while I never wore the Air Rift to run (the horror!), I was never without at least two different colorways in my collection for casual wear. The open, Mary Jane styling and breathable mesh were a particularly great choice for summer, so I'm super excited by the perfect timing of the Air Rift's rerelease this month. Shop two colorways now - one being a (too quirky for me) print from Liberty of London's archives - and stay tuned for additional, single color styles debuting on May 15.

Read This: Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media.

2015-04-20T09:10:00.000-04:00

There's something inexplicably special about holding a book written by a friend. And while I wouldn't exactly call Aliza Licht - better known as @dkny - a "friend" (we've only met a few times), she feels like one via the magic of Twitter.

Aliza would agree. You see, like me, Aliza's native social platform, if you will, is Twitter. Her 140 character bytes, funny, honest and wise, have made her famous within the fashion Twittersphere and beyond, give those aspiring to work in the industry an eduction and those who already do, a reality check.

Her new book, Leave Your Mark, takes that to the next level. Part memoir, part manual, it's a book on mentorship shaped by Aliza's experience. With graduation season fast approaching, I can think of no better gift to give than the gift of some real talk on getting your dream job and slaying it, courtesy @dkny.

In bookstores on May 6, Leave Your Mark is available for pre-order now at Amazon for under $20.

On KonMari + Spring Wardrobe Wishes

2015-04-13T14:47:00.000-04:00

Like many other fashion people susceptible to media brainwashing, I've lately been KonMari'ing my home and my closet. For the uninitiated, "to KonMari" – verb – references Japanese organizational guru Marie Kondo and her methods, best recapped in her best-selling book, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing."

Joy is at the center of Marie Kondo's advice – she advises that you handle every object in your home and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy?" If the answer is no, you must thank the object kindly for its service (really), and then send it off into the world/garbage. It's easier said than done, particularly for those of us who keep more, after having grown up with less (me).

I tackled the easy stuff first, the kitchen, and saved the really loaded assignment, the closet, for last. And in recent weeks (sorry, Marie, I wasn't able to tidy all at once, as per your advice), I've made real headway and KonMari'd everything from a Clarisonic to a 10-year old fitted sheet (the matching flat sheet and pillow cases were inexplicably nowhere to be found), 150 bottles of nail polish to a malfunctioning Dyson vaccum. From my closet, I've exported everything that I didn't love - trends gone by like colored denim, ratty cashmere sweaters I would have once demoted to loungewear (a Kondo no-no), and multiples of once staple items like American Apparel Deep V-Neck tees (sadly for my wallet, I've progressed to Iro). The difference is stark. All the clichés are true – getting dressed in the morning is easier, I look better, and I feel, inexplicably, like there's more room in my life, having freed myself of some unnecessary things.

But make no mistake about it, I'm no minimalist. I do like things, and so, while I hope to continue to make do with less, I will be making some thoughtful additions to my closet this Spring. On my list:

A dress or two from The Reformation, including the Sandy seen above
A pair of white leather pants from J. Brand because I can never get enough leather
A crisp short like these from Babaton
A breezy floral blouse from Joie – this one's so good, I'd buy it in both colors

Oh, and in case you were wondering, while Marie Kondo's book may have sparked a small transformation – it did not, at the end of the day, spark joy. So accordingly, I passed it along to a new home with my friend Marina, who wrote her own post on KonMari today.

On Vacation Planning and the Beauty of a One-Piece

2015-04-02T15:33:00.000-04:00

As I was typing on my iPhone this morning, auto-correct took the liberty of amending my name, "Dina," to..."Aruba." Okay, iPhone, I get the hint. A vacation is indeed in order, and while I'd been dreaming most recently of the Southwest, I'm planning a May trip to Thailand instead, which just so happens to be home to some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

Given that I'll be hitting the sand before beach season officially arrives, I have that much LESS time to feel swimsuit-ready. Truthfully, it's has been a winter full of Netflix and carbs kinds of nights, so this season's splurge is looking more and more likely to be a one-piece. While they once got a dirty rap, I actually prefer a sleek one-piece - they can be super chic and sexy in a way that bikinis rarely are, and truth be told, I'm often grateful for the added coverage.

While I'm still a month+ away from travel, I've already been perusing online and this morning, landed at an online boutique offering a well-edited mix of designer swimsuits from brands like Aqua Bendita, OndadeMar and Le Mar. The site offers a LOT to love leading into summer, including swimwear, coverups and fun, easy resortwear.

On my list for Thailand?

Agua Bendita one piece swimsuit

Swimsuit by Peixoto (I always travel with at least two suits to allow time for hand-washing and drying)

Cover- Up by Le Mar

Open Back Maxi Dress by OndadeMar (more beach-ready dresses here!)

Will you be snagging a new swimsuit this season? Leave a comment and share!

This post was created in partnership with Sunbain;all opinions expressed are my own.

This Jacquie Aiche Sale Could Bankrupt Me

2015-03-27T10:52:00.000-04:00

As I was leaving my workout this morning, I was barraged by a series of texts from a coworker - one who shares my obsession with jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche. Aiche is having, you see, another one of her rare but recurring sales - this one 30% off. And while even on sale the collection isn't inexpensive, the discount feels too good to pass up. Here's what I've deludedly added to my shopping cart:

Emerald Teardrop Ear Cuff, $2,940 (above)
Pink Tourmaline Cluster Ring, $2,500
3 Diamond Finger Bracelet, $715
Gemstone Rounded Wing Ear Jacket, $1,415

If you're in the mood to splurge, the code "SPRINGCLEANING" will get you 30% off all purchases at Jacquie Aiche, from now through March 30. Go forth and conquer!

Seduced by Byredo Mojave Ghost

2015-03-16T09:49:00.000-04:00

It's quite hard to write about fragrance, which is why it's something I've done rarely throughout my nine (NINE!) years of blogging. Equal parts art and science, perfumers are sort of the rock stars of the beauty world (anonymous or not) and scent itself is highly individual, to say the least. I'm a fragrance snob of sorts, but by no means the worst of them – for those extremists, visit some of the niche fragrance sites around the web. But I'm a snob in that I refuse to wear, for example, a mass market or designer fragrance, with rare exception, preferring niche fragrance houses with limited distribution.

I've needed a new fragrance for some time now, and tested many in the process. There are scents that I keep in my rotation – Frederic Malle Carnal Flower, Kiehl's Musk Essence Oil and Child Perfume – but I wanted newness, and a scent that could transition more easily from day to night.

Enter Byredo. The uber clean packaging and mysterious fragrance names from this Stockholm-based house seduced me, so while in Paris, I stopped by Colette (THE HOTTEST NIGHTCLUB IN PARIS IS COLETTE, she said, a la Stefon) to sniff and to explore their small but thoughtfully curated beauty level.

Of the Byredo scents, it was hard to choose a favorite - and I admittedly overwhelmed myself by smelling too many perfumes in succession. Regardless, I fell in love with three - La Tulipe, Gypsy Water and Mojave Ghost, which as you can see above, came home with me. It's a mysterious scent, as mysterious as its name, and unlike anything I've ever smelled before. I'd describe it as a skin scent, warmed with floral notes of violet and magnolia, that smells almost like a gorgeous Southwestern desert breeze.

In retrospect, given that Byredo is about 30% less expensive in France (my 50ml bottle was just 90E, as opposed to $145 - and the exchange rate is very favorable at the moment), I should have purchased the trio. Regrets, I've had a few/two!

Explore the world of Byredo, visit their site or Barneys New York.

Chic + French Meets Chic + French: Kusmi Tea and Jean-Paul Gaultier

2015-03-13T12:48:00.000-04:00

I just returned from another trip to Paris, and one of the things that continues to strike me about Europeans is how much they love their hot beverages, be it coffee or tea. Among the tea to be found in Paris, Kusmi Tea is widely considered the chicest, and certainly a favorite of the fashion world, so it makes much sense to see that they've sponsored the upcoming Jean-Paul Gaultier exhibit, to be held at the Grand Palais in Paris, April 1^st through August 3^rd.As part of that sponsorship, they'll unveil a collection of five products designed by the iconic JPG himself. Given that the designer is perhaps best known for his fetishization of sailor stripes and tattoos, those elements play largely in the designs you'll see for Kusmi.

Packaging nerds like me, take note that the Kusmi Tea Collection by Jean Paul Gaultier will be available exclusively April 1^st through December 31^st in Kusmi boutiques and in the Kusmi Tea e-shop in France and abroad.

Back in Black with Citizen's Axiom Watch

2015-02-25T16:05:00.000-05:00

Sleek and sexy aren't necessary descriptors I'd leap to when describing a watch, but Citizen's black ion plated Axiom ($250) is all of that and perhaps even a little bit more. Comprised of stainless steel with a flash of gold accents, the simple yet refined style seems to suit whatever I'm wearing effortlessly. Given that I've been living, nay LIVING, in chunky knit sweaters this hellish New York winter, I've been stacking it with a bracelet or two for some added flash.

If you're in the market to add to your watch wardrobe, explore Axiom styles and more online at citizenwatch.com.

Shop This: Calypso St. Barth Sample Sale

2015-02-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Shop This: Space NK Spring Beauty Edit

2015-02-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

I've been on a shopping buy-atus of sorts, New Year and all, but the Space NK Spring Beauty Edit is enough to drive me off the wagon.

Today - Wednesday, February 18 - visit Space NKand you'll leave perfectly prepped for the new season - spring, by the way, where are you?! - after meeting with experts from some of the best brands around for makeovers, advice and tips. Exclusively for the event, and only while supplies last, spend $250 or more and you'll receive a gift chock full of must-haves from 28 featured brands (including deluxe, travel and full-size items).

My favorite products include a Diptyque Scented Candle (70g - a $38 value alone), Verso Day Cream (15ml) and Oribe Shampoo + Conditioner for Beautiful Color minis - all of which will be perfect for my trip to Paris next month.

This GWP sold out fast last year, so visit spacenk.com or one of the US locations to snag one of your own.

Volume on Demand: John Frieda's Dream Duo

2015-02-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

In public facing forums, I generally like to proclaim my love for the Frenchmen of hair - think Oribe and Serge Normant. And while I do have many favorites in each line, there's also room for an Brit in my heart - namely, John Frieda, whose new Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment and Dream Curls Air-Dry Waves Styling Foam deliver volume and perfect waves as promised, and like whoa.

The magic starts in the shower, post-shampoo, with 3-4 pumps of the 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment. This unique treatment penetrates each fiber and amplifies strands for lift that lasts through multiple washes - 3-4 - so essentially a week for those of us who shampoo every other day. The Air-Dry Waves Styling Foam is a perfect follow up for lazy types like me - I never heat style (I flat iron only my bangs, and never blow dry) so thereby never see the intended results from so many styling products, but this lightweight foam, infused with Moringa Oil, leaves hair frizz and crunch-free with easy, better defined waves.

Both products are available in drugstores nationwide or online at Ulta, for about $9.99 each.

Your Valentine's Day Manicure: Paintbox Retro Grade

2015-02-03T10:18:00.000-05:00

I love Valentine's Day, despite the fact that I'll this year again have something that more closely resembles, er, 'Galentine's' Day. Regardless of your date status, a cheery manicure is an essential and the new, limited edition Retro Grade from snazzy soho manicure studio Paintbox fits the bill.

The Retro Grade is sweet and strawberry-inspired, with a bit of a modern twist. Available in red or pink with perfectly-placed white polka dots, it can also be recreated in other colors (I'm thinking navy would be pretty spectacular) for a look that feels a little less throwback and a bit more mod.

The Retro Grade manicure is available in gel only, and is a limited edition, booking now through February 14. For more deets or to book an appointment, paint-box.com.

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Caroline de Maigret at FIAF

2015-02-02T10:54:00.000-05:00

UGH, the FRENCH. What is it about them? I just returned from Paris a couple of weeks ago (I hadn't been in years) and I can attest that French women have something magnificently special about them - a certain confidence, a certain ease, a certain willingness to eat dessert (really!) that's just so, so sexy. It never feels like they're trying too hard. Maddening, I tell you. Maddening.

In an effort to better channel the appeal of a Parisian, on Friday, February 13th, you'll find me at FIAF - the French Institute Alliance Française - to absorb all of the wisdom that Caroline de Maigret - style icon, music producer, muse and author of the bestselling How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits - is willing to offer up. Maigret is impossibly chic, of course, and How to be Parisian Wherever You Are is a fun and irreverent read.

The talk, part of FIAF's ongoing Creative Leaders series, will be followed by a book signing; more information and tickets are available here!