It prompted a lot of great conversation in the comments, with some readers saying they’d try it, others saying, “No way.” A few guys even pointed out that a BB cream for guys is already on the market. But one comment that was made, then seconded and thirded, was the preference for a woman to skip makeup altogether, in favor of a “natural” look.

I said this in the comments that day, but it bears repeating – you may think you prefer a woman sans-makeup, but what you really prefer is a woman wearing natural-looking makeup.

It used to make me laugh when guys would say they like girls who “don’t wear makeup” but it happens so often that now I feel it’s time to pull back the curtain, Wizard of Oz-style, to let you in on this secret that shouldn’t be a secret: Women wear makeup.

All of us.

Almost all of us anyways. And certainly the ones you guys think “look so great without makeup on.” Because that natural look? That takes a lot of work. Sometimes more than the garish, colorful looks that make you guys think you don’t like makeup on a girl. It also involves a considerable amount of powders, gels, pencils, brushes, along with a skilled hand and a dash of smoke and mirrors.

Think about it. If natural skin looked better than made-up faces, movie makeup artists would be out of work. You’d never recoil at an image of yourself captured by an HD camera. Acne wouldn’t be feared by teenagers and adults alike.

I recently fell into a YouTube sinkhole of beauty tutorials about “contouring.” It’s a makeup technique that’s intended to imitate the shadows that naturally fall on your face, defining your face and making it appear more “sculpted” – your nose skinnier, your cheekbones more prominent, your chin…I don’t know, sharper? Chinnier?

After ten minutes of contouring, I look in the mirror and can tell I look better, but if you saw me at that moment – before eyeliner, before mascara, before lip gloss – you’d have no idea I even had any makeup on.

Meaning, makeup is not just blue eyeshadow and fire engine-red lipstick. It’s concealer, it’s foundation, it’s bronzer, it’s highlighter (no, not the sharpie kind), and not only do I look more put together when I leave the house wearing it, I also feel more confident.

Here’s where I agree with men’s “natural” stance. I think the best looks – whether a made-up face on a woman or the clothes on a man’s back – are those that appear effortless. That, however, is not the same thing as saying these looks are effortless to achieve. It’s why a guy might roll and re-roll his sleeves three times before leaving the house. It’s why that “messy” top knot I wear my hair in actually takes 15 minutes and eight bobby pins to execute. Why we get our teeth whitened. Dye our hair. Get hair plugs. Breast implants. Drink protein shakes. The list goes on. For all of us.

My point is this: from my female perspective, it’s perfectly acceptable to put some elbow grease into looking like you simply wake up looking the way you do – your hair, your clothes, your accessories. All I ask is that men do us ladies the same courtesy of suspending disbelief in the same way.

Let’s just all agree to show some grace in how we speak about one another’s appearance. Not to say men and women should keep secrets, but a little more understanding that others get dressed and put effort into their appearance for themselves and for you. Appreciate it. Don’t question it. Don’t make that person feel embarrassed or like they have to defend themselves.

I am fine with you taking ten minutes on your hair and simply appreciating that you look great, even if I can’t place exactly why. Even if the tiny pot of pomade that lends that artfully tousled ‘do set you back fifty bucks.

So maybe just be more careful with your words. I promise not to ask you how much fussing it took you to get that tie tied just right with the dimple in the middle, and you don’t ask why I have three different blushes in my makeup bag.

Tell me: Are you guilty of telling a woman you prefer a no-makeup look only to get an eyeroll in return? Is there anything you wish women knew about your morning routine?

The post Style Girlfriend Girl Talk: Why Women Want to Stop Hearing About Your “Favorite Makeup Look” appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

One of those pieces? The Oxford cotton button-down shirt. The OCBD.

A staple in any guy’s closet, they’re so versatile, and look s-o-o-o-o-o good on you. Really, trust me when I tell you that every girl swoons for a guy in a well-fitted OCBD. You somehow look dressed up and totally relaxed at the same time.

If you don’t have one in your closet yet – or if you just want a few more to round out your selection – see the versions below.

1. Everlane, $55

2. Burberry Brit, $195

3. American Rag, $19

4. Band of Outsiders, $230

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs, $190

6. Brooks Brothers, $80

7. J.Crew, $50

6 (whoops!). Everlane, $55

9. Gant Rugger, $125

 Tell me: How many OCBDs do you rotate in your wardrobe? What colors/brands/styles do you favor?

The post Women Want to See You Wearing… Oxford Cotton Button Down Shirts appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

You get to add to your (already amazing) accessory collection courtesy of The Knottery!

Here’s some background info on Brandon’s style:

The colored chino thing started for me because of my teaching, where I had an older teacher tell me that developing a brand with the students will help you in the classroom and in the hallway when dealing with students you do not teach as it makes you approachable and relatable but not in a way that is “friendy”.

Additionally, every teacher has a brand if they know or not (the gag tie guy, or the button on the blazer guy being well aware of their brand where the bad breath teacher, the close talker, or the cat lady teacher unaware of theirs) – I know I labeled my teachers, so this mentoring teacher told me to own your brand.

I quickly decided I did not want to be the matchy tie to poly-shirt guy this is so common with male teachers that when I stumbled on to a pair of Carolina blue pants that got a big reaction from students I knew I had something.

Now for the record, I am not arguing that my colored pants are the key to successful teaching, but the color is fun and it is a just a small piece that helps get students on my side and when students have buy in then learning becomes so much easier. 

Gabi’s Take:

Brandon really nailed it. I love how the patterns work together in a way that say “I tried, but nonchalantly.” Purposeful contradiction? I don’t know but, whatever it is, it’s working. And the best part? His look is rich with visual interest, but easy on the wallet. I support smart shopping!

Megan’s Take:

I love Brandon’s enthusiasm for developing his personal style. I know what it’s like to want to dress well on a budget (uhh, don’t we all?), and like Brandon, I know that a fat wallet isn’t a prereq to looking good. And I love love LOVE what he had to say about cementing for yourself a brand of sorts. It’s not just teachers; I’ve heard plenty of stories from readers who are “that guy who wears a tie and sportcoat at the office when everyone else is in t-shirts.” Having others recognize your personal style for the extra effort is always a good thing. Way to go Brandon!

The post Outfit of the Week: May 17, 2013 appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

I’m excited to be reporting back to you on all the celebs in black tie both here on SG, and on La Société, Stella’s blog and online community of enthusiasts.

The Belgian beer brand is one of the iconic film festival’s primary sponsors, so I know there’ll be lots to show and tell you from my old stomping ground (Aix-en-Pronvence is just a short train ride away from the French Riviera, so I got to bake on the lovely town’s beaches a few times that junior year abroad).

With the number of films premiering, and the pull of those sandy beaches, this next week is sure to be a solid mix of work and fun. Sleep? That’s another story…

Of course, this isn’t my first time hanging with the Belgian brewers; last fall I trekked north, to Montreal (my first time in Canada…I still can’t believe it took me so long to get up there) for the World Draught Masters competition. The event was held in a beautiful castle overlooking the city – views for days from that place, I’m tellin’ ya – where men in suits and women in long gowns cheered on competitors from around the globe, all attempting “the perfect pour” of a Stella Artois.

The night was amazing and exemplified what I love most about Stella Artois – they take every occasion and elevate it. It’s not about dumping a beer into a glass, it’s about achieving the “perfect” pour. It’s not even a glass, it’s a chalice. I think we could all use some more “chalice moments” in our lives, don’t you?

Tell me:

What do you want to know about style from Cannes? Stella Artois is giving me pretty great access, so I want to find out what you want to see me posting here, and on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook over the next six days.

Do you want to find out what celebs are thinking as they get dressed for black tie events? Which designers they’re wearing? Why they went bow tie vs. long tie, cummerbund vs. suspenders? Should I ask the lady celebs what they think of what the guys are wearing?

I know what I’m curious about (mostly how I’m going to handle wearing heels like, every day for a week), but I want to hear from you.

So, tell me: What do you want me to report back from Cannes?

The post Red Carpet Fashion: Style Girlfriend Goes to Cannes appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

A few months ago, I shot a video for G by GUESS for their Summer 2013 collection, which I’m psyched to show you soon. It’s all about styling one piece of clothing, two different ways. Getting more mileage out of your wardrobe? I’m into it.

Checking out all the warm weather clothes got me amped up for shorts, sandals, and saying goodbye to sleeves, especially considering that two days before the shoot, it was snowing in NYC…the day before was rain – by the time the shoot rolled around, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the weather report called for locusts…

Even better than summertime daydreaming? The LA-based brand is unabashedly pro-color for both girls and guys, which obviously I love.

And you know I’m going to be in every shade of their skinny jeans this summer, along with comfy-but-cute sandals and an obnoxiously hi-vis pedicure (probably in pink).

Oh, and in case you’re wondering how a shoot featuring summer clothing happens in the dead of winter? Very quickly!

The day we shot it was fuh-re-e-e-ezing out! Of course, what else can you really expect from early March in NYC? But still! Imagine me in a lightweight t-shirt on a hotel terrace five floors up, having to pretend I’m casually enjoying an afternoon picnic with a friend! Can you say bone-chilling? It made me feel for Kate Upton posing in a bikini in Antarctica for this year’s Sports Illustrated cover – modeling gigs aren’t always on beaches (hmm, though maybe they should be….)

It was great pulling together two distinct looks that I think you guys will really like. The “Gabe” jacket I chose (sneak peek in the behind-the-scenes pic below!) is so versatile, making it easy to style for looks that are appropriate for lots of wear-time in your wardrobe. For anyone that’s had to go right from the office to drinks with the boys (or out on a date!), this post will be for you.

{Thankfully, at least part of the shoot took place indoors}

Personally, I’m always curious about how campaigns like this one for G by GUESS come together, so now you know!

Check back for the video from G by GUESS featuring my Summer 2013 pick, styled two ways, AND a discount exclusively for you, my handsome and sale-savvy Style Girlfriend readers.

Coming soon!

This post is sponsored by G by GUESS and Style Coalition.

The post Style Girlfriend x G by GUESS: Summer 2013 (Part 1!) appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

The easiest (and least committal) thing to change is your hair. Personally, I’ve done something drastically different with my hair the past few summers. I dyed it blonde, I cut it short, I shaved part off, I got bangs.

I know hair isn’t as big of a deal to you guys as it is to women because I’ve never seen men bawling after getting half and inch cut off {SG: Yep, been there}. I do know PLENTY of guys, though, who have complained about their haircuts after the fact. “She took too much hair off on top.” It’s too short on the sides!” “The part is totally uneven.” “He cut my off part of my ear…” And on and on.

I know that one bad haircut can be discouraging and make you never want to change your barber or your regular “5 on the sides, scissor on top” directions. But guess what? I’m going to say STOP THAT and TAKE A RISK!

Really, if you don’t change, you’ll be the guy with the equivalent to pleated pants on your head, and I know none of you want that title.

So what kind of haircut am I talking about? If you hair is usually long, try it a little shorter or even shaved! You have swoopy Bieber bangs? Ditch ‘em! It’s hot in the summer, and I know (as a girl with long, dark hair) it’s a lot cooler once you chop it off.

And remember: if you don’t like it, it will grow back soon enough.

So what haircuts exactly would I like to see you guys try out this summer? Here’s some celeb-spiration:

Still afraid the barber will mess up? Bring a picture! I never don’t bring a picture of what I want, because then I know it’s not my explaining that was wrong, it was their eyesight.

Tell me:

Do you usually change up your hair for the summer? Are there any other changes you like to make in the warmer months, besides your wardrobe?

The post Guys, Here is Your New Summer Haircut appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

One day, I paired my high-waisted, black Naked & Famous skinny jeans with wedges and a button-up. The next, with gray heels and a white sequined top from Madewell (a steal after Christmas at half off!), and the day after that with a blazer and scoop-neck tee.

At no point did I hear, “Um, Megan…didn’t you wear those jeans yesterday?”

Because as much as we all like to assume the world revolves around us and our sublime wardrobe choices – no one actually thinks about what you’re wearing as much as you do.

I noticed this phenomenon when I lived in France my junior year of college. My French friends always looked chic, though I knew none of them had many extra euros to spend on clothes. Was it just because I lived in the south of France yet couldn’t bring myself to give up my navy blue Penn State sweatpants? You know, the ones every girl in college had, the ones with the animal mascot’s paw prints on the butt? Yeah, those.

Sure, that was part of it.

One friend would bust out this très chic leather blazer for class..maybe once on Tuesday, and again on Thursday. Always in different outfit combinations. Another had a pair of tall boots that looked great tucked into jeans, or worn with a skirt, or dress.

Am I suggesting you invest in riding boots, a leather blazer, and high-waisted skinny jeans? No, but I am saying that if you want to wear that blue OCBD twice in one week – once under a sweater, once with jeans and sneakers, go for it. Women will notice that you look nice, not that you’re repeating basics.

This doesn’t mean I’m letting you off the hook for putting thought and care into your outfits each day – quite the opposite really. I think it’s better to repeat clothes in your closet – really great, quality clothes that you know you look and feel great in – rather than rack your brain to pull together a totally new outfit each day of the week.

Tell me: What quality basics gets repeat wearings in your wardrobe each week?

The post Dress French: Why You Should Own Fewer Clothes, and Wear Them More Often appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

After my recent post on colored chinos, I got not one but several emails from readers saying, “Okay, those yellow khakis are pretty cool…but what do I wear them with?”

I get that yellow can seem like an intimidating color to work into your wardrobe; it took me like two months to wear the yellow dress I got last summer. And I didn’t even have to match it with anything but shoes!

But I promise, it’s not as hard as you think. Below are three great outfits incorporating the sunny hue that won’t leave you feeling like a big ol’ bottle of French’s.

A few things to keep in mind:

Find the right yellow for you.

Especially if you’re wearing yellow on top, make sure the color you choose doesn’t wash you out. If you’re kind of pasty, post-winter (and really, who isn’t), you may want to stick to yellow on the bottom til you get a bit of a tan.

Yellow is a great go-to for spring and summer.

Rock it with blue and white, like in Outfit #1 above, for a nautical vibe that’s perfect for warm weather. Don’t worry, you won’t look like an old-timey sailor unless you’re also carrying nets and sporting a peg leg. Otherwise, round out your outfit with neutrals like gray and brown to keep from feeling too “out there.”

Don’t get matchy-matchy.

Wear just one yellow piece at a time, or you’ll look like the man in the yellow hat from Curious George.

Yes, you can wear other colors.

Once you’re feeling bolder with your yellow, you can add other actual color-colors as accents. A pocket square or tie in shades of blue, purple, or green, would look great with yellow chinos, or a yellow sweater. But I know that sounds scary now. We can start slow.

Be loud, be proud.

At the end of the day, yellow is just like any other color. Wear it with confidence, and you’ll look great.

Outfit #1

OUTFIT #2:

OUTFIT #3

Tell me: Do you own any yellow yet? How do you wear it?

The post Guy Style Question: How Do I Wear Yellow? appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

This week’s winner will get a $100 gift card to The Knottery for an accessory shopping spree.  Here’s a bit about The Knottery from the guys themselves,

Back in the dark ages when the luxury brands roamed the wild people were well dressed but penniless and starving. They understood the odds. Eat or dress. That was the fact of life; for better or worse…We (first got a coffee and then) set out to bring style and value together as an attainable reality.

So what can you get with your hundred smackers if you win? Choose from ties of all kinds, pocket squares, belts, caps, and “more”, including lapel pins, shoelaces, and watch straps. So get on with it! Throw on your best extras and get to Blue Steel’ing!

You guys know what we like to see. Head to toe shots, natural lighting, and a smile. Preferably not as a selfie.

Send your best look to megan (at) stylegirlfriend.com, along with any other info you think is important to the outfit’s explanation (“This jacket is an exact replica of the one made famous by Paddington Bear”). Get your pics in by Thursday at noon to be considered for the week.

The post Outfit of the Week Giveaway: The Knottery appeared first on Style Girlfriend.

Get ready to be suited up by Evolution of Style!

{Looking good!}

Here’s what Robert had to say about his Outfit of the Week:

It’s HOT here in California! So why am I wearing a suit? Luckily, the clouds have rolled in for the past two days, and cooled things down a bit. I felt like this might be my last chance to say farewell to my wools for the next few months so I decided I might as well go with the three-piece.

Gabi’s Take:

I love the little details in Robert’s look: the shaved ice boutonniere, the blue laces, the subtle striping on the suit. I also love that the suit is vintage, because as a vintage shopper, I know how great it feels to find something that fits AND looks amazing.

Megan’s Take:

This win was for sheer grit alone. I can’t imagine how hard it must be to find a three-piece suit that‘s even in the vicinity of fitting properly at a thrift store. Shoes, sure. Maybe a blazer here or there? But a full-on, three-piece? Wow.

Unlike Intern Gabi, I am not a big vintage shopper; I get discouraged when things I find and like are nowhere near my size, or when they’re perfect…but have a stain that you know won’t come out no matter how much oxiclean you throw at it. So props to Robert – and to Gabi! – for putting in the time and effort it takes to be a successful thrifter. And I’m excited for Robert to show us his new, custom suit after being fitted by Evolution of Style!

Tell Us:

What’s your favorite part of Robert’s look? What details do you take into consideration?

The post Outfit of the Week: May 10, 2013 appeared first on Style Girlfriend.