Glam Damn It Atlanta

Memorial Day Picks

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:10:00 -0400

Memorial Day not only marks the start of summer but the beginning of a brighter wardrobe. In case your wondering what to wear around these late weeks in May—turquoise, neon, cotton tees, and decorative sandals are key. We've showcased a round up of our favorite picks to get you started on your summer wardrobe items!

SHEBEE Jewelry: Nothing is more reminiscent of a summer holiday celebration than this Mega Mini Turquoise necklace. This long necklace in pressed with stone and adorned with mini stars will have you as the subject of compliments all weekend long. SHEBEE is Ann Spence's unique collection of pressed stone, Swarovski crystal and oxidized silver fine jewelery.

Loomstate: Known for their easy breezy and environmentally concious bright cotton tees, Loomstate is a fashion brand to have your eye on for the summer. Decently priced and universally flattering, like this two in one soft colorblock Akamai dress that transforms into a top and is reversible for multiple looks. This item is a staple you'll want to have in your closet from summer to late fall months.

Tori Praver Swimwear: We've spoke to the swimsuit gods and they've spoken back with this Cactus one piece by Tori Praver. Known for her unique swimsuit shapes and intricate designs, every woman should at least take a dive once in their life wearing one of Ms. Praver's pieces.

Kangol: No look is ever complete for those sunny days without a fedora hat. The Glossy Siren wide brim straw fedora hat is a fashion statement all on it's own. Wear this accessory with a plain white tee and the bluest jeans for a style that spells out effortless.

M.PATMOS: Marcia Patmos proves she has design in her blood with this spring green combo cashmere crewneck sweater. Everyone needs a sweater essential for those late summer nights when the temperature drops. The special thing about this item is the contrast of the light green sweater with the sky blue cuffs at the sleeves.

New Balance: Lastly, if your traveling this holiday weekend to various destinations like the Hamptons, be sure to pack comfortable sneakers like these New Balance blue and reds from the Yacht Club Collection.

Summer Ready Style Advice from Eric Daman

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:21:36 -0400

With the holiday weekend and summer finally about to kick off, many a fashionista and man about the city are thinking about what to wear. Whether you're off to a tropical destination, heading to the Hamptons, New Jersey beaches or planning a stay-cation. Joonbug has the scoop on the latest looks from Century21 stores and Emmy Award-winning fashion stylist Eric Daman!

Eric is the stylist behind all of the uber-cool looks you see on the CW's The Carrie Diairies and he's the style genius that kept the iconic cast of Gossip Girl in fabulous frocks episode after epsiode. Joonbug had the opportunity to chat with Eric at the Century21 location in downtown Manhattan (across from the new Freedom Tower) and get the scoop on the best looks of the season. You can also tweet Eric Daman at: EricDaman_Style to keep up to date on the latest!

Eric, I see so many bright pops of color here. I really love it. After this long winter, I feel New Yorkers really will love the looks you put together.

Yes, color is a great way to keep your look fresh. Orange crush, is a way to add something to your look that enables you to stand out. Just like this motojacket from Theory. It's one piece that changes this whole outfit. Also, very versatile, you wear it over anything in your wardobe.

What do you suggest for men? I see a bow tie here—I like it. What's your advice for first time bow tie wearers (for the men out there that might be shy about trying out this trend).

Here, I have used some color. For men that may be apprehensive about wearing the look—go more traditional. The Great Gatsby and a polished look are the influences. Any man can wear it and by going for traditional colors, you'll look really put together.

Many fashionistas out there want to mix florals with checks or patterns with other patterns. It's such a cool look, but many of us are apprehensive about trying it! We need your advice!

Pick a color and make sure all of the patterns have that unifying color. I'm wearing blue today, but there are different patterns/textures as accents seen in my look. Go with a unifying color to tie your ensemble together and try it!

What's one of your favorite looks of the season?

I love the boho-chic look. It's effortless yet is alluring. Add a wedge for the evening, or wear a sandal for the day-time. Have fun, add a hat and layer on jewelry, add a pop with a tote. It's really the time to express your own style. If you're wearing neons, you can tone it down and balance it with a nuetral shoe.

From Tokyo, With Love

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:23:00 -0400

Japanese cosmetics brands have long had a presence in the high-end American beauty market. Shiseido and Shu Uemura products have been widely available in the United States since the '90’s and have many adherents who appreciate the high quality of these brands. A few years ago, cosmetics retail giant Sephora introduced us to Imju’s Fiberwig Mascara, which promised to create as-long-as-fake lashes with its high-tech formula. Since then, interest in Japanese cosmetics and skincare brands have expanded rapidly as beauty enthusiasts spread the word about favorite products via blogs and message boards. Most of this hype is focused not on high-end cosmetics, but on drugstore and youth-market brands not normally sold outside of Asia.

In Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo neighborhood, Japanese beauty products have always been available at ethnic markets and variety stores, but it was not until the opening of Make Asobi one year ago that a wide selection of imported brands could be found in a single boutique. Make Asobi also stocks a variety of exotic skin and haircare products and gadgets.

Immediately, my attention was drawn to the bright, feminine packaging of the Fairydrops brand mascara, which features cartoon drawings of dolly-eyes and silhouettes of Hollywood and Las Vegas . According to Kayleen Schaffer’s New York Times article "Makeup from Japan to Your Mailbox," the highly competitive Japanese beauty industry and the perfectionist attitudes of consumers drive the development of higher quality, well-engineered products with elaborate packaging. While the majority of these are pricier than American drugstore brands, they are more affordable than upmarket cosmetics sold in the United States.

Browsing the Palty hair color display, the image of impossibly cute doe-eyed spokesmodel Tsubasa Masuwaka caused me to briefly consider dyeing my bleached blond hair a sultry auburn called “Raspberry Macaroon.” Masuwaka, a former model associated with the Gal subculture, is still a powerful media presence in Japan. She also promotes her own line of cosmetics, Dolly Wink—a top seller at Make Asobi. Most of the brands sold at Make Asobi are formulated to create a subtle version of Ms. Masuwaka's dolly-chic; flawless skin, pink cheeks, and long, dark lashes. The dewy, youthful Gal look is wearable in any situation and simple to create, factors that contribute to the cross-cultural popularity of the Dolly Wink line and others like it.

I am a creature of habit when it comes to cosmetics and my skincare routine, so I was very skeptical about trying some of Make Asobi’s most popular items. For one week, I swapped out my go-to products for their Japanese counterparts, and found some keepers. If you don't live near Los Angeles, don't despair—these brands can be purchased through Internet retailers and shipped worldwide.

Toyo Life Service—Cure Natural Aqua Gel ($37)

Cure Natural Aqua Gel, a combination cleanser and exfoliator, has the honor of being the top-selling skincare product in Japan, with one bottle sold every twelve seconds. On first glance, Cure resembled a large bottle of hand sanitizer, but a product with this kind of cult following was just too exciting to pass up . Unlike acid peels, Cure exfoliates using activated hydrogen and contains no abrasive particles, dyes or scent. Cure felt a bit like watered-down aloe vera gel when I applied it to my face. As I rubbed the liquid into my skin, the layer of dead skin began to slough off, forming little white balls. After rinsing, I noticed a marked improvement in skin tone. Continued use has helped reduce the appearance of a small scar on my cheek. Although this product is not a panacea for all skin problems, it is a gentler and cheaper alternative to acid-based peels and abrasive scrubs, and is appropriate for use on other areas of the body in need of exfoliation such as elbows and feet.

You can purchase Cure Natural Aqua Gel from Toyo Life Service here on Amazon.com.

Naris Up—Pore Clear Pack ($8)

The Pore Clear Pack mask is one of the oddest beauty products I've ever tried. The small blue tube, featuring a mustachioed Humpty-Dumpty character names "eggshell essence" and "charcoal" as the featured ingredients. The mask looks like black slime and looks rather gross when applied to the face. The mask dries in fifteen minutes, and the shiny black "skin" takes blackheads and dirt along with it. While decidedly strange, the mask is certainly effective—the dark color of the product allows you to examine the light-colored material that has been extracted from your pores after use. If the slimy texture of the Pore Clear Pack turns you off, Make Asobi also stocks the Japanese version of Biore Pore Strips, which are also colored black.

You can purchase Pore Clear Pack here, at imomoko.com.

Fairydrops—Platinum Mascara—Film Type ($24)

Fairydrops was founded by newscaster Aya Yasuda, who created an undulating mascara wand that produced the appearance of a wider and more dramatic eye on camera. Fairydrops Platinum Mascara—Film Type, uses a combination of this patented wand and lash-enhancing fibers to create the illusion of length. Unlike some other fiber-enhanced mascaras that I've tried, Fairydrops Mascara applies smoothly, and the lengthening effect seemed natural. While this mascara is water-resistant, not waterproof, it did hold up through an hour-long cardio blast at the gym. Although Diorshow Waterproof in Chestnut Brown is still my first choice for everyday wear, I will certainly use this to create a more dramatic evening look.

Another variety, Fairydrops Scandal Queen, is now available at Sephora retail locations.

You you can purchase Fairydrops Platinum Mascara—Film Type here, at imomoko.com.

Koji—Dolly Wink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($15)

One of the top-selling products from Tsubasa Masuwaka's Dolly Wink line, this no-fuss liquid eyeliner pen is perfect for creating the perfect "dolly" eye, or retro glam looks that requires a precise line on the top lid. This is by far the most waterproof formula I have ever used—it passed the swimming pool test with flying colors, and can only be effectively removed with an oil-based makeup remover.

You can find Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner here, at imomoko.com.

Make Asobi is at 130 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, Los Angeles, California—213-620-0181

Runway Report: Resort Collection 2014

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:34:49 -0400

If you're planning a trip to Turks and Caicos then you might want to browse the most recent cruise collections that have just come out. Putting together a Resort Collection is always a fun and interesting time in ready-to-wear high fashion. This season, brands such as Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Dior and Oscar De La Renta are in full bloom. We’re seeing some special peplum dresses, cropped leather jackets, and one piece swimsuits in the mix! Our editors weigh in on their favorites here.

Chanel: In the spirit of cruise, Chanel reinvents its signature black and white fabrics for summer. Karl Lagerfeld puts a new twist on swimwear with this black and white one piece bathing suit (insert). Definitely one of the edgier pieces in the collection. Lagerfeld pushes the envelope even further with a black and white airy blouse and pantsuit, proving that the fashion maison’s work is always evolving.

Bottega Veneta: Detail was the word for Bottega Veneta—loafers with woven raffia uppers, cotton poplin dresses, and pleated skirts with embroidered lace and block prints made up the show. Though, the extraordinary thing about the show was that the pieces looked so effortless. Like this cream collared shirt and pleated skirt—we almost hope Princess Kate dons it on a trip to Monaco.

Oscar De La Renta: De La Renta opted to do a small private showing for journalists instead of a huge show for his Resort Collection. Stating, “Eighty percent of people at a show go because it's a happening, which makes your work more difficult," he said. "This is a more humane way to see clothes." Journalists were able to catch a glimpse of his colorful flowers blossoming on a Prince of Wales check skirt-suit as they tried to figure out whether it was printed or embroidered. Turns out it was a bit of both. They also admired his one of kind peplum dresses.

Diesel: Now that summers here, we can all certainly start wearing white again, which was the main color headlining Diesel’s Resort show. White pants with funky patterns infused in them and rugged black motorcycle jackets for those summer nights.

Dior: Dior’s Cruise Collection was brilliant this season because it was all about bright colors. The fashion maison worked in hues such as fuchsia, midnight blue, and red that’s still appropriate for the workplace. Like this blue suit that’s accessorized with a pink and white ombre clutch.

Maggy London is Packing for MDW

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:29:00 -0400

If you’re planning a MDW in the Hamptons and really want to make a statement, Maggy London’s Scarf Print Blouson, in flirty pink hues, will get the attention of your fellow weekend warriors and more. The effortless silhouette is easy to dress up and down making this the go-to dress in your closet for any spring and summer event you have on your social calendar. For all your stuff, and ladies we tend to have way too much stuff, the Solana Drawstring Shoulder Tote is ideal for your shades, lip gloss, wallet, and more. Ornately crafted with crochet details and sepia leather drawstrings this natural raffia bag easily matches your favorite jeans and tee, your Scarf Print Blouson dress, as well as your entire summer wardrobe. Accessories are a must no matter the season—especially arm swag! For a pop of playful color, we suggest pairing the Scarf Print Blouson dress with the New Wave Bracelet in turquoise made of fifteen rows of antique glass beads. To round off your MDW look wear a classic pair of Ray-Ban wayfarers. We love the retro woodgrain look from the limited print, Surf's Up Collection. Nothing pulls together a summer outfit like a pair of peep toe wedges, try these NastyGal Summer Behavior Wedges on for size. The color and brass accents matches the Scarf Print Blouson dress and practically anything found in your closet!

Now that you're all dressed up and ready to head to the Hamptons for Memorial Day Weekend, pack up your iPad for some summer reading (or to keep your Candy Crush addition satisfied), grab a bottle of Clinque's Sun with SolarSmart SPF30, and a few bottles of Vita Coco to keep hydrated in the sun and after a night of drinks with friends!

See below for contest details!

Maggy London's "Pack It Up" Memorial Day Weekend Contest

When: Tuesday, May 21st through Friday, May 24th

What: Fans can enter to win a $500 Maggy London gift card to style the ultimate MDW wardrobe by signing up for Maggy London email updates on the online contest page found on the ML homepage.

Why: Maggy London's timeless and accessible looks include classic vacation and cocktail dresses, handbags, and accessories that will have you on-trend for a glamorous Hamptons-ready, holiday weekend.

Steal This Look: Carey Mulligan at Cannes!

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:58:00 -0400

NARS worked with makeup artist Georgie Eisdell to create the beauty look for Carey Mulligan who attended the opening ceremony and premiere of The Great Gatsby at the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival. Beauty editors and makeup artists alike would agree, a bold red lip with minimal eye shadow is always in.

“It’s a big statement for her and we wanted to keep this look as modern as possible,” said Georgie Eisdell about the NARS look she created for Carey Mulligan. “I’ve only once created a red lip with her, but I loved the idea of contrast with the pale pink dress. I felt strongly about that being the focus of the look. I knew I wanted to go bold when I saw the dress. I thought a red lip would be so striking.”

To get the look, use a nude lip pencil around the edges of your mouth for precision. Swipe one coat of NARS semi-matte lipstick in Jungle Red to your pout, blot with a tissue, then swipe one more coat of lipstick on for staying power. Brush some loose powder around your face and rub NARS blush in Sex Appeal to the apples of your cheeks then—voila!

Step Yourself Into A Garden

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:25:22 -0400

With spring in full bloom and the summer months just around the corner, it is the perfect time to satisfy your dressing with the favorite print for this time of year. Modern florals is what fashion is all about in the warmer seasons and we just can't seem to escape it. Bold, strong and graphic is the best way to harness this print and we are ready to try it out on our feet.

Step yourself into a garden with these fresh floral footwear.

The Vixen Shoe by Dolce Vita is the ultimate floral party shoe. You cannot deny that stepping out in this shoe will not cause all eyes to gravitate toward your feet. Pair it with a white pleated dress, a gold statement necklace and you are ready to go. (On sale now for $59.95)

The Malene Floral Booties by Betsey Johnson is one of our favorites. Never can you go wrong with a neutral tone shoe. The lace print on this bootie keeps it ultra romantic and the shoe can be worn with just about anything. Whether you go for a white dress, a pastel colored skirt or even denim cut-offs—you will hit this trend spot on. ($79)

Tabitha Simmons's Floral Mirror Pump is super classy and right on trend. The metallic peep toe and the not so sky high heels makes us even more attracted to this shoe. From stepping into the office or stepping out for the night, this is the perfect floral shoe. ($745) The Floral Mirror Pump also comes in gold, check them out, here.

Enough of the fabulous floral heels, we know not everyone's feet can handle a heel most days, so we bring you the Jefferey Campbell Jardin Floral Ballerina shoe. The white and tan daisy textures allow this shoe to be worn with any shade in your wardrobe. This is the perfect slipper to slip on for floral comfort. ($199)

Menswear with a Twist

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:48:08 -0400

A blog which seeks individuality and diversity of ways of channeling strong unique qualities is a blog that stands out. We sat down with blogger Sean Santiago, who runs a lifestyle blog for gays and their friends called *fruitpunch. With heavy fashion images that can keep us scrolling for days from a remedy of style inspiration from all corners of the street, take a look of what Sean had to tell us!

What is the motivation behind your blog ?

I started *fruitpunch as a lifestyle blog for gays and their friends two years ago while I was still living in Virginia. I wanted to have a creative outlet and a platform for discussing things that I really loved. Over the last two years it's become more of an outlet for my writing, as I've found my essays are well-read, and the focus on "embracing gayness" in my unique way and being queer positive has increased as well.

What will be your ideal summer look for when the sun finally stays out?

I'm dreaming of that day! I just bought a pair of vintage French workwear overalls, and I think they'll be great with just a vintage tee underneath. I'm also looking forward to wearing my Ksubi jorts (jean shorts) once again, because I've been meaning to DIY some personality into them with patches. But I'm having a hard time finding patches!

Who inspires your style?

The Olsen twins, Ruby Aldridge, Milan Vukmirovic, Marina Muñoz, anyone who layers like a boss, people who wear wide-legged pants, Bae Jung Nam, Pharrell, random European tourists and always Japanese guys—and my friends Izzy and Brandon!

What is the most exciting opportunity that has come out of your experience as a blogger?

To be an eternal +1! Just kidding, but really, I think the best part of having a blog is when you write something that matters to you or that you think is important to have heard and then it really gains momentum. There's that opportunity with every post and when something takes off via social sharing or you see a friend writing about how much they love it on Facebook—that's the best!

What is the main message you want your readers to receive from your blog?

That getting dressed is FUN! To take chances and find a way to make style personal again. :)

We promise you will not regret adding *fruitpunch to your bookmarks.

Pierre Hardy Joins Forces With NARS

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:23:00 -0400

Iconic French fashion designer, Pierre Hardy famous for his accessories and architectural shoes has recently teamed up with NARS for a summer beauty collection. The collection will include an assortment of blushes and nail polishes. The nail shades will invlude lilac, lemon, peach, orange and navy- all in which have been evident colors in Hardy's 2013 Spring/Summer Collection.

Our favorite product in this beauty line is the blush as it has an imprinted overlay of gold, channeling Hardy's signature geo-cubic print. In Marie Claire Magazine Hardy says, "My favorite game is to play with shapes and colors."

The clever packaging for this beauty line is a mini version of a shoe boxes with tiny dust bags in the center.

You can officially buy the product on Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Barneys, as well as Neiman Marcus.

Total Balayage

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:34:00 -0400

One step into Dana Ionato’s chair at Sally Hershberger Downtown and you’ll say goodbye to foils. Balayage, a French method of hand painting hair is the new up and coming process being used by hair colorists across the globe. It’s a more natural process for your locks and less harsh than that '70s foil look. There’s no one who does balayage better than Dana Ionato. Ionato, initially studied under a French hairdresser where she learned to perfect her craft. If you’re looking for a chic yet relaxed city vibe and to experiment with different hair color then Sally Hershberger Downtownis a rare gem in the trendy Meatpacking District. Ionato gives us the low down on the science behind balayage, how to maintain your hair color, and what the best products are for color treated hair!

Dana works on a various spectrum of clients, each unique in their own respect and wanting different results. This season, blondes are taking more risks by going cooler blonde and less natural. You’re going to see a brighter base with more white (a la Miley Cyrus). Dark blondes want a more muted tone. Brunettes are going to have more copper in their hair this summer and more modern versions of ombre. Ionato suggests it’s quite difficult for red heads to maintain their color and they should stay out of the sun as much as possible. There are two looks for redheads, either a natural tone or a more drastic brighter red.

“Everyone looks better with highlights, it gives your hair more dimension,” says Ionato. Dana wants us to understand that every level of hair has underlying pigments and the type of hair you have makes a huge difference in maintaining your color. Fine or straight hair holds color better because the cuticle is tighter. The cuticle tends to be more shattered on wavy or curly hair. “So figure out what kind of hair you have and it’s density and periodicity,” says Ionato.

Dana also suggests the best way to maintain your color is by using the right shampoo and conditioner. You can’t skimp on these two products. Shampoo is based on a scale of acidity. Shampoo that doesn’t contain sulfate isn’t always the best thing to buy for color treated hair. An anti-fading shampoo is what matters on color treated hair. Dana recommends Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Shampoo from Sally Hershberger’s Hyper Hydration Line. Infused with argan oil and keratin for frizz free locks, this shampoo also contains UVA and UVB protectants to keep hair healthy from harsh exposure to the sun.

A brilliant conditioner that contains color pigment in it is the Italian brand, Davines' Alchemic Conditioner. Dana recommends the Alchemic Red Conidiotner for redheads. In addition to using this conditioner for everyday use, you can also use it every other week for 20 minutes on your hair as a gloss to make the color brighter and withstand the test of time.

“I love the creative aspect of hair color. I can hand paint big sections of color on hair or smaller ones. I can also customize section to section. The most important thing I tell my clients is don’t wash colored treated hair too often and stay out of the sun!”

Book your appointment with Dana Ionato now!