The Red Lip: Rules of Application

Backstage Valentino Fall 2007

1. Prep your lips

If your lips are chapped or peeling coloring them red will just draw attention to that. So exfoliate first. Soap them up and buff off dead skin with a facial puff, a damp washcloth or a soft toothbrush. Moisturize with a lip balm.

2. Wear lipliner

If you define the parameters of your mouth before picking up a lipstick tube you're simply less likey to go awry and get a mess. It can also can protect you from looking clownish after lunch because it prevents running and bleeding.

3. Apply uniformly

4. Stay in the lines

Now that you've made use of the lipliner all you have to do is stay within the parameters you've set. We're sure you learned this way back in grade school art class but everyone needs a little reminder now and then.

If you apply your lipstick straight from the tube make sure you always use the same side of it for application. Random use wear the tip round and makes it imprecise. If that's too much work you can always cut your lipstick at a slant or use a lip brush instead to ensure precision.

5. Blot and reapply

This gives the color staying power.

The Red Lip: Finding the Right Shade

A few good reds to check out:

If you're fair like Jaime King try Dior Red Premiere and Dior Liner in Holiday Red.

Medium/Olive skin tones find a good match in the much adored MAC Viva Glam I as well as MAC Lady Bug

Someone with dark skin might try L'oreal's Colour Riche in Drumbeat Red for a mere $8 or NAR's slightly pricier rendition- The Fire Down Below.

Rihanna

If like Rihanna you really feel like kicking things up a notch. Put on a few slicks of NARS Diablo or another red gloss over the liner/lipstick for an intense look that really pops.

The Red Lip: Introduction

Jessica Stam for Valentino Fall 2007

Roberts, Dunst, Stiles and Gyllenhal

Jillian

Mulberry Spring/Summer 2007 Ad

Rachel McAdams in the Notebook

A good look encompasses not only clothes but hair and makeup. It doesn't do to be splendidly arrayed if your eye liner looks like it was applied by an epilectic and your hair is a hay stack. That is why the good-hearted, altruistic folk at Haute Spot have taken it upon themselves to educate the masses about beauty. Today's lesson: The Red Lip.

The red lip is quite possibly the most classic makeup look around. It's been helping women look pulled together, polished and powerful for decades (i.e. Marilyn Monroe, Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth).

Afraid you can't handle it? Well once mastered the red lip will be one of your most powerful assets so the Haute Spot says you owe it to yourselves to at least try. You CAN own it! It's all in finding the right shade, knowing the rules of application and determining what other makeup, hair styles and clothes to pair with it once you get it right. We're going to walk you through each of these three points in posts to follow so get ready! Our chronicles on this classic look have just begun!

High Waisted Pants

Christina/Keira Working the Sailor Look

Amerie in High-Waisted Shorts

Eve in High-Waisted Corset Jeans

Beyonce channeling Kat Kepburn

Victoria Secret's Version of this Trend

If you haven't tried out this trend we here at "haute spot" think it's high time. Corny pun aside it really is something to spice up your wardrobe if you're in a rut. Heres why we love em.

1. They're figure enhancing.

Eve's jeans are proof of that. High-waisted pants accentuate a small waist and suck in the gut like a corset. When coupled with curved stitching at the waist they become even more figure enhancing and can help create the illusion of curves for those who have none. If you like Eve's look these Guess jeans are almost identical and not that pricey.

2. Variety is the spice of life and high-waist trend comes in oh so many forms!
Skinny high-waisted denim is trendy but when made of a nice wool or silk high-waisted pants can be classic and work appropriate like Beyonce's. Try these satin ones by Bebe, the Victoria's Secret ones shown above, or these at Shopbop. They're also great for evoking a retro nautical theme as in the case of Knightley and X-tina. the possibilities are endless.

3. Good for any shape.

As we mentioned before those with skinny pant legs and curved stitching can make a bombshell out of a boy shape. If you have big hips balance your proportions by going for high-waisted pants with a wide leg. If you're short this style will naturally make your legs look a mile long. Gut? This nips and tucks.

There ya have it. We just love it. Happy buying!

How to Wear a Beret

Ralph Lauren Fall 2007


Beyonce Rocks Leather Beret in Concert

Penelope in Cream Beret

Cute Cafe Girl

Jennifer Lopez

Various Other Hot Folk

Overgrown Lawn Gnome Lady

Hmmm....something is amiss! Here at the Haute Spot we put our flesh and blood into gathering shots of various people wearing the beret right but to keep you on your toes we threw in a dummy, a vile imposter and disgrace to the fashion race! Can you guess who it is?

That's right! BLOODY BRILLIANT HOLMES! It's "Overgrown Lawn Gnome Lady" who's guilty of working this trend all wrong! Need we expound upon the reasons? No, but we've made a list anyway.

Why this hurts our eyes:

1.First off she's wearing no makeup. Pssssst!!!! I'll bet she thinks she's a natural beauty. *Laughs riotously*

2. Second, we strongly suspect she's using that poor hat as cover for her unruly, greasy, hot ass mess of hair. Somebody call the police! We've got a hostage situation here! Do it quick!!!! Before she hurts someone with that thing!

3. Coveralls which cover naught.

4. That roll is talking to us.

That being said....

The Rules on How to Wear It:

1. Small diameter. Never exceed a diameter of 12 inches for a beret or else you'll look like a pancake or mushroom head. Take your pick.

2. Pull it down a bit so that you get rounded not sharp edges. That makes for a much softer, less severe look that's easier to pull off.

3. The side-cock. Practically fool proof way to look stylish, cosmopolitan and in the know.

4. Either with a wintry fabric or a wintry color. If your outfit doesn't have one of those things people will be baffled as to how it fits in at all. (See coveralls photo) So don't try and pair it with Summery items or you'll look like a crazy cat lady.

5. Attitude. If there's any doubt about whether your beret works your confidence can sell it to others. You believe it works...so automatically they do too. So wear it with pride .

Suggestions on What to Wear it With:

1. Fifties inspired stuff (See photo of Dita in previous post)

2. Black tights. *Snaps fingers* (See Cafe Girl")

3. Trendy outfits with street-wise vibe + black leather beret= hotness.

4. Anything sleek and form fitting. (See Penelope Cruz)

Where to Find it

1. GreatLookz despite the dopey name offers the right size and fabric in an astounding array of colors.

2. Kangol Anglobasque. A favorite of many.

3. Thrift Stores

4. Ebay. This is the best way really. Just a couple clicks. No diving in dusty thrift store bins day after day till one turns up. You can easily find high quality berets on there; the genuine article- french basque. They will be old but they are high quality, silk lined, leather trimmed berets for under $20. Can't beat that.

So can you wear a beret?

Oui. Oui.

Good. Get out of here. Make us proud.

Bootie Bonanza!

Jean-Michel Cazabat Ciara Bootie $515

Victoria's Secret Buckle Bootie $89

Steve Madden Notting $90

Target Slash-Front Heels $27-30

Dita in Slash Front Booties

D&G Silver Python Bootie $465

Target Sandy Ankle Boots $36.99

Steve Madden Chap $150

What haute-footed female isn't indulging in the bootie trend this season? Yes, there is a slight risk that one could end up looking like Robin Hood or the Pied Piper but who wants to be perfectly safe all the time? Here at The Haute Spot we see this as quality of life issue. If life's gonna be worth living you need to take occasional risks in every aspect- including fashion.

Consider Neiman Marcus' silver D&G booties. The basic, clean lines make it easy to style while the silver color and python print add just a touch of the wild. Perfect for those of you ready for $465 worth of risk. Likely I've lost a few readers right there. I can recommend a cheap alternative for those of you still with me. As for the rest of you- best of luck with your new pacemakers.

Budget fashionistas should consider Lulu Guinness' version of the D&G boots recently spotted at Loehmanns. For only $100 they feature snake skin in either electric turquoise or red. Those interested in Dita's shoes can find a good replica on Amazon.com or in Target stores for $27- 30. The style is Mossimo's Debra and comes in grey, purple and black suede. Payless and Aldo sell almost identical pairs for $30 and $100 respectively. Target's Sandy Ankle Boot is another cheap fix at $37. Comes in black patent, winter white and maroon.

Lastly, I recommend Steve Madden Chap for you fashionistas with a mod streak. I couldn't include them all but be sure to check out the rest of Steve Madden's booties (especially the $90 Notting), and Cazabat's Ciara, as well as Victoria Secret's Buckle Bootie while they're still 20% off.

How do you wear these? They are especially good with either skinny jeans, leggings, or pencil skirts but you really can go wrong with any kind of close fitting bottoms

Until next time fashionistas!

How to Rock Patterned Stockings

Katie in Fishnets

Heather Graham Rocking Striped Stockings Right

Fishnets- A Polyvore Interpretation

Stripey Stocking- Tracy Reese Fall 2007

So it's Fall. That's still no reason to let your short skirts and shorts face cruel consumption by the dastardly dynamic duo- moths and dry rot.

My solution? Stockings and I don't mean your granny's kind. There's such variety out there. Stripey, dotted, fish net, florals and in every color you might conceive!

Afraid of looking like a mentally challenged mime or a streetwalker? Well worn correctly I guarantee this will work. Here are some tips on how to wear it well:

1. Keep makeup and all other adornment minimal.

2. Stick to one muted color such as black, white, cream, tan.

3.Balance the shortness of the skirt with tall boots allowing only a peek of patterned stocking to show. I'm also a fan of fishnets peeking through a peep toe shoe. Very sexy in a Marlene Dietrich kind of way.

4. If you intend to do fishnets search for ones with small diamonds. It makes a difference. Faint of heart? Nude fishnets are also an option.

Fall's High Collared Dresses

Alexander McQueen Silk/Tulle Dress



How knockout is that black dress from Chaiken's Fall 2007 line?! Just add a beret, a pair of red velvet pumps and some heavy gold bangles and you have instant femme fatale. The novel little pockets, coupled with the v-notch and the especially high collar make it the perfect little black dress for fall. What I really like is that the rakish high collar eliminates the need for a scarf. Just slap a coat over it and go.

Equally compelling is this grey, high collared dress by Alexander McQueen. Perfect for creating that curvy fifties look. The gold and leopard print belt adds just the right touch of opulance to a dress that's other wise relatively simple. It looks rich, refined and pulled together without trying too hard or seeming stuffy. Click here for the red McQueen.

Only one rule for wearing any of these dresses. Carry a big stick to beat the men back with.