Skitch-I-Y: 4 Different Ways to Wear Blue

If you've ever found the most beautiful blue eye product, bought it and got frustrated because it seems that whichever way you apply it makes you look like a clown, don't feel bad. It's happened to all of us. Although blue seems like an easy color to pull off, it's very hard to do sometimes because overdoing it or choosing the wrong blue may go from spectacular in the package to clown-tastic on your face! Alike lots of colors, it's all about what tone of blue you chose and how you wear it. It all comes down to balance.

photo via style.com

I must admit I wasn't too keen on wearing blues because somehow I always ended up looking kind of sick because I've got deep set eyes and quite a bit of dark circles under them, so I used to stray a bit from blue and shun it with fear and you all know that I do not fret when it comes to wearing bold colors with my makeup. It's a little strange because blue is actually the color that best suits my eyes. Well, lately I've been kind of obsessed with the color and I've recently gotten some super sweet blue hues for my lids. I decided to give blue a try and boy, I'm not going back! I've gone from hesitant to bold! Also, I'm really excited because it's a color that was featured on many runways for fall.  Prabal Gurung had his heaven and hell models with bold cobalt smokey eyes. So believe me when I say, I'm VERY excited for fall makeup trends.

Here are the 4 different way's I've used to solve my blue-eyed dilemma:

 Cobalt Waterline

This is the look I wear the most being as I'm a sucker for cat eyes. The easiest way to play up a simple look is with bold colored eyeliner. This is the most moderate way to add a touch of color that impacts enough to make a statement. You can actually play with any tone of blue here since the rest of the look is so toned down. Same goes for the rest of the face. Since this eye look is demure but just the right amount of bright, you can play up your lips. 

For this look I used Wet n' Wild's Mega Liner in Black, NYX's Retractable Eye Liner in Deep Blue, MAC's Sea and Sky and on my lips I went with Lanvin x H&M's Red. On my cheeks I went with Gosh's Cheeks and Lips in Back to Nature. 

            Blue Wing

This one basically keeps the same principle as the Cobalt Waterline look: simple but bright. Instead of doing a typical black wing, turn it blue! But be warned, if the tone is too light, well... it might look just plain bad. You want to keep it classy. Go for a deep navy for a classic look or a cerulean for a playful look. Anything lighter and you've eliminated any tastefulness for this look. With this eye, you've got space to play around with the rest of the face since it's quite toned down. Add a bright pink lip or a beautiful coral for summer. For more formal affairs, go with a blush lip tone.

I kept mine playful because I wanted something suitable for the bright summer trend so I went with NYX's R.E.Y. in Deep Blue with a light dusting of Warpaint's Totes Turq over it and MAC's Pfloof! for inner eye highlighting. For cheeks I used Gosh's Cheeks and Lips Back to Nature with a little bit of Nars' Sin and for lips I went with Sephora's Hot Hues Lipbalm in Paradisso Purple with Covergirl's Eternal layered over it.

                      Blue Slate

This is probably the hardest one to pull off since the color borders on what could go right or wrong, but done right and it can play up any eye color (at least in my opinion it can!). Go for a more silvery blue and a soft navy crease with a simple liner for better eye definition. Apply some of that navy underneath you bottom lash line and keep the waterline either dark for a look that smolders or light for a bigger looking eye. A tip I learned from Marlena of Makeup Geek: if your eyes are cool, keep the rest warm to balance out the look and vice versa.

For this look, I used MAC's Sea and Sky, the blue shadow in Mark.'s On the Dot compact, and MAC's Pfloof! I also used my NYX Deep blue liner. For cheeks I went with Nars' Orgasm and on my lips, some NYX Matte Lip Creme in Stockholm and Hot Topic's Foil Lip Gloss in Batch #F1711.

       Smokey Jewels

Save this look for the extra special events, although if it were me I'd use it for everyday. To get extra pay-off always start off with a dark base color. Any cream shadows (in moderation to prevent creasing!!!!) should do the trick. Layer over it a deep blue and take it all the way up to the crease. You can choose to use a lighter blue to blend it out or neutralize the brightness like I did with a orangey-brown color. Highlight the brow bone and inner eye corners. Take a bit if that dark color to the outer corner of your lower lid. Remember to keep the rest of the face soft as this eye look is very strong. Balance, my loves, is key.

For this look I used Tarina Tarantino's Creme Shadow in Meteor Night, MAC's Sea and Sky (you can tell I love it), both MAC's Blue Brown and Saffron on the crease and MAC's Amber lights for a jewel toned effect and contrast on the inner corner highlight. On the rest of the face, I stuck to Gosh Cheeks and Lips in Back to Nature and NYX's Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm and Hot Topic's Foil Lip Gloss in Batch #F1711.

I invite you all to give blue a shot and be wise on your color selection and balance. Blue is a challenging color for eyes, but nothing anyone can't master. 

Also...

... if you're wondering about my jewelry, I want to thank the amazing Miss Erika Peña for creating such AMAZING pieces. I am literally obsessed with these earrings! These are hot off the oven and they've just arrived to the boutique!  Love the geometrical shapes and structure! They go perfectly with the kasar finish of my Ulan ring. Shop 'til you drop for more of her amazing accessories at www.erikapenashop.com or stop by her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/erikapenaboutique for more details.

Also, don't forget to enter my Big 100 Giveaway if you haven't for your chance at some sweet swag! Stop by my Facebook page and follow me on Tumblr and Instagram. I'm LilaLane! See you guys next time! 

Skitch-I-Y: Tribal nails!

Since Mother's Day is this weekend and I did post on giving your mom a mani/pedi treat, I think I should post the tribal nail DIY I promised. It's really easy. Might require a bit of skill though. Anyways, it's fun and quirky so get your nails prepped to bring in the summer colors with this nail pattern! I remembered that a while back when I was working with Erika Peña, she had a tribal nail pattern done on hers for the launch of the Carnaval collection and I absolutely loved it so I got my things out and went for it!

You'll need:

A white color base polish
3-5 bright color polishes
Black nail art pen or thin brush polish
Clear top coat

Step 1: Prep your nails. I always like to start off by buffing them and pushing back the cuticles. Apply 1-2 good coats of your white base color so the other colors will pop. 

Step 2: Grab your colored varnishes and draw thick lines across your nail. Depending on your nail size, about 4-6 stripes should do. Alternate the colors. Play around with each nail. They don't have to be all the same. It's better if they're not. 

Step 3: With your nail art pen or thin brush polish, draw a black line dividing each color. This will make the tribal design stand out. 

Step 4: With the same pen, start drawing geometric patterns on each band of color. It's fine if you leave some stripes without any design. It balances the look. Alternate patterns and have fun with it! 

Step 5: Apply a good layer of Top Coat and you're done! 

(pics from my phone and Photobooth. Sorry for the quality! Erika Peña Ulan Ring)

This is a really fun and festive nail art perfect for you or for anyone! I really enjoyed my tribal nails! If it's a little difficult doing it on both hands, maybe get some help from a friend and help each other with your manis respectively. Maybe play around with neon colors. Have fun with this one! 

Last Minute Gifts for Mom under $50!

My beautiful mom and I

If you're like me, you probably spend weeks and weeks thinking about the perfect gift for Mom and don't come up with anything special enough until the last minute. It's not easy finding a gift that matches the amazingness of Mom and of course, Mother's Day should be every day of the year but it's nice to get her a little something special that one day too. Usually I do a mix of something I create with a little bought treat.

I always prefer gifts that my mom could really enjoy, things she can love accordingly to her taste. This year, I've got a few things rounded up for my Mother's day gift but I wont point them out here because my mom reads my blog so my lips are sealed!

Here are my picks for last minute gift ideas under $50.00 (for those who run a tight budget like me) and they're just a one stop trip to the store being as Mother's Day is this weekend. What's better? A few DIY ideas that will be even cheaper and easier to get because you made them yourself!

Estée Lauder Mad Men® Collection Limited Edition Crème Rouge in Evening Rose

$40.00

My mom is a huge Estée Lauder fan. She's been using it ever since I can remember. What I love about Estée Lauder's products is the quality and elegance. This blush is a lovely neutral rose toned pink that suits many skin tones. They slide on the skin so smoothly and a little goes a long way. I know my mom would use a color like this every day! The design is vintage inspired so every time she pulls out that compact, it's a beautiful thing. You can get this compact at your local Estée Lauder counter.

Clinique Color in Bloom Set

$43.50 (a $73.00 value)

I get really excited when I see Clinique sets like this. I've been using Clinique since I was fifteen and I know this is excellent quality for your buck. This set includes a Colour Surge Eye Shadow Compact, a High Impact Mascara, a Blushwear Cream Stick, Long Last Glosswear SPF 15, and a Take The Day Off Makeup Remover. All of these fantastic products con in a really cute flower print cosmetic bag. This set has all the essentials for a great every day makeup look. The shadow compact has a beautiful selection of colors. Also, I'm a die hard fan of the High Impact Mascara. After 4 years, I always go back to it. You can get this set at your local Sephora.

Korres Rose Collection

$19.50

My mom and I share the same love for rose scents. When I saw this Korres Rose collection for that price, I squealed. This set includes one of my all time favorite lip products, the Wold Rose Lip Butter. It also includes a Rose Body Butter and a Rose Shower Gel. I cant testify for the quality of the body butter and shower gel because I haven't tried those personally but I cant attest to the amazingness that are Korres products so I think it's a good bet getting this set. As for the Wild Rose Lip Butter? I have nothing but the best things to say about it. It gives a beautiful sheer, pink tint to the lips, it smells divine and it's incredibly nourishing and hydrating. A must pick up item from your local Sephora.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Fragrance Travel Duo

$30.00

Seriously, how more perfect can you get? This is one of my all time favorite fragrances and it just so happens to be Sephora's #2 top seller I believe. It consists of notes of Sambac Jasmine, Centifolia Rose, Cattleya Orchid, Ballerina Freesia and Patchouli. It's a delicate smelling fragrance, quite sweet and elegant. I promise it's a scent that will appeal to any nose. Everyone I've smelled it on has had fantastic results (due to everyone's corporal chemistry varying).

Swarovski Elements Harley Pierced Earrings

$45.00

This Swarovski solitaire set is just simple and very chic. It's an earring set that can go from everyday casual to special occasion. I actually got these for my Mom a few years back for Mother's day and she loved them. It's surprising the little treasures you can find at a Swarovski store that are within budget. You just have to really look to find them. They come with a certificate of authenticity. The plating is rhodium.

Erika Peña I Heart Rings

$28.00 (small)

$38.00 (medium)

$48.00 (large)

I think these rings are adorable. They'd be a really cute gesture to get one for your mom and one for yourself and keep them as mother/daughter rings. These are from the I Heart Collection. These gold and silver plated rings are adjustable and they pretty much just are the chicest accessory. You can order them online or visit the Erika Peña Boutique at Galería Suchville in Guaynabo, PR.

Deep Facial Cleansing, Thermal Gloves, Firming Neck Masque and a 20% Discount on L'Bel Products

$35.00 + tax (a $100.00 value!)

I'm always on the lookout for a good Gustazo. For Mother's day, they didn't disappoint. Mom needs some R&R every once in a while, so why not treat her to a relaxing session at L'Bel? The good thing about Gustazos is that you can purchase the Gustazo for yourself or you can gift it as well. They're redeemable up to a year but hurry, the opportunity to get your Gustazo is limited! It ends this Saturday. You can redeem it at L'Bel Boutique at Plaza las Américas, Hato Rey, PR.

Now, let's head on to the DIY ideas:

I Spy DIY: DIY Chain and Rhinestone Bracelet

I just recently discovered the magic that is I Spy DIY. *tsk tsk tsk!* I pretty much adore every DIY project Jenni Radosevich takes on. She's InStyle magazine's craft expert. Her DIY's are very simple to achieve and the best part is that her DIY's don't end up looking like DIY's (if you get my drift). They really look good. I thought this DIY was super fun and it's a simple gift that will be light on your pocket. You can make this with chains from old necklaces you have lying around!

Give Mom a Mani/Pedi!

Gilded Nails Skitch-I-Y

Animal Print Nails Skitch-I-Y

Tribal Nails (Skitch-I-Y coming soon!)

Striped Nails (Skitch-I-Y coming soon!)

Treat mom to a masterpiece of your creation by hitting your polish stash. You can give her a very easy mani/pedi with things you already have in your home. You can start off by soaking her feet in lavender oil infused water, exfoliating her hands and feet with homemade sugar scrubs, moisturize and work you mani/pedi magic! Let her pick out the colors she likes and let her sit back and relax.

Dinner, Dessert and a Movie!

Let mom sit back and you do the cooking. For desert, surprise mom with delicious macaroons or cake pops! Head on over to Bakerella.com (the creator of Cake Pops) to get inspired by her many ideas for recipes and decorations! You do all the cleaning and afterwards put on a movie of her choice. Stock up on her favorite movie treats for the show!

Well, those are just a few ideas off the top of my head. These are all definitely things I'd gravitate towards to show my mom how much she means to me. Give them a shot and surprise your mom on her special day! To all the mothers out there reading, I wish you a lovely Mother's Day filled with love and happiness! To my mom: Te amo, mami!

Skitch-I-Y: Turban Head Wraps (Anna Sui s/s 2012 inspired)

Anna Sui

Marc Jacobs

Turbans made quite an appearance during a few runway shows for spring/summer 2012. The girls at Anna Sui flaunted them like it was the seventies à la Antonio López. Marc Jacobs' models donned them too in a more sportswear vibe. I think this is a really chic accessory perfect for the summer time. It can glam up any look to give an exotic feel to your outfit.  These are really easy to make.  I'll show you how to make a really well made turban head wrap that will last your for seasons to come. After all, it is a classic and we all know how I feel about classic pieces.

You'll Need:

• About 1/4 of a yard of stretch fabric. I recommend lycra or any stretchy cotton fabric. You could use any old t-shirt and recycle it. 
• Thread
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Needle or a sewing machine
• Fabric chalk (not shown)
• Embellishments (optional)

Step 1: Fold your quarter of a yard in half and cut out two 8" x 24" rectangles. 

Step 2: Fold your rectangles in half. If your fabric has a print, make sure the print is on the inside of the folded piece. With your fabric chalk, mark off 5/8" for your seam.

Step 3: Sew along the line. You should also sew along one of the shorter sides to shut off the opening. 

Step 4: Invert your sewn pieces so the seam allowance is in the interior of each fabric tube. 

Step 5: Grab both tubes and interlace them by the center as if two V's were crossed. 

Step 6: Take one of the open endings and push the edges inwards. Then take both endings from the opposite side of the head wrap and stuff them inside neatly. Make sure everything's flat.

Step 7: Take the remaining ending (the one that is sewed shut) and align it behind the stuffed ending. Sew along the center of the bunch to secure all four endings in place. 

Step 8: Cut off any excess thread and you're done! You can add any embellishments if you wish. I always keep a lot of beads, feathers and pins and miscellaneous pieces on hand for projects like this. 

You can wear this with practically any outfit. I invited a friend along so I could show you guys how you could style your outfits accordingly with your turban head wraps. You could wear these for the daytime, for any casual look, for special occasions and even to work!

Go casual!

For this look we went for something really casual and relaxed. Docs are one of our fave must do's for all times. Pair them with a skirt for an edgy look. They're always fun and perfect for the summer heat. We kept the turban simple to keep the look easy. I added my favorite vintage belt from the 80's that I love to use as an oversized chain necklace from Ouna's Closet and my Ulan ring from Erika Peña.

Sultry, yet simple

Here we went for a more dressy look. Maybe for a nice night out in town. A beautiful white, sleek dress is the perfect backdrop for a bronze colored turban. A statement bracelet completes this look. You can play up this look with a nice pump or maybe be grecian inspired with some pretty sandals. 

Resort chic

For this we wanted to play on the whimsy of the turban. What better look to play up than resort? It's summer time and that's what it's all about. I wore my favorite dress. It's an animal print maxi that is just about the flowiest thing I own. I also got it for only $20 at Marshalls. I accessorized with Erika Peña Abebi earrings, Moni necklace and José María ring (courtesy of Ivonne). I also added my new linking cuff bracelet from Electroshock. Just to show you guys how the turban looks with embellishments, I added this old gold leaf pin I had lying around. I probably wouldn't add it being as I'm already using so many accessories, but it's just so you guys can get an idea. It looks very chic!

Girl on the go!

For this look, it was essential to maintain everything easy and transitional.  Pair your accessories accordingly and you can go from work to casual date night in no time. Some nice jeans and a cute peplum blouse are a quick way to look chic. Don your turban head wrap and a streamline envelope clutch and you're set! 

Try out your own turban head wrap for the summer. It's a great way to make use of your old t-shirts  and adds a really cool touch to any outfit!