Face Laced (A Skitch-I-Y)

Well, hello! A bold return! Last time I dared look at my blog it was February. Woah! A LOT has been going on. Finished my internship, did some work, now I'm back on the job search cycle again, my plans for Parsons are rounding up, etc. Since I'm in between jobs, I have quite a bit of free time on my hands. Not that that's a bad thing, but I did realize I can't go back to my lazy ways. I enjoy having something or too much to do all the time. These past few days have been bugging me. I mean sure, I'm a very creative person and I've got plenty to make but somehow I've found myself waking up and sticking myself to my bed with my lappy on hand and a good cup of joe and lo and behold... there goes my day! It sucks, I know. Maybe I'm in a bit of a rut but let's just face it, these past few weeks have been a bit hard on my soul, my head, and my pocket. Leave it to me to find an expensive outlet for my woes. I head towards the makeup department, maybe more so than the fashion one. It's like child's play to me. It's art but practical and direct. Slap that on and walk out the door easy. Problem? I'm broke. So I decide to do something about it. I lay out all of my stock of makeup in front of me and I think, "If I can't get myself anything new, I'll work with what I've got and make it new.". It's just a matter of techniques, I suppose. 

Oh boy, was I right! I'm always really into graphic patterns and designs, so it's no surprise I also reflect that on my makeup aesthetic. I've always loved a good, lacey pattern too so I took it upon myself to spontaneously work that into my eye makeup. Here's the how-to on getting this really cool stenciled lace work on your peepers or any place on your face and body. It's so intricate, it's actually too easy to achieve.

You'll need:

A primer. Depends if you're doing this on your eyes or face, you'll either use a face or eyeshadow primer. My reccomendation is Nars' Eyeshadow primer or Make Up Forever's HD Face primer.

A white base. Leave it to NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk to transform your old, boring eyeshadows into an "OMG THIS IS AMAZING PAYOFF!" product.

Any good, flat shadow brush. Flat as in not paddle-like, but flat as in not tappered. Or just about any good blending brush will do. These are from Estée Lauder.

Eyeshadows and pigments of your choice. This technique I find works best with dry products, so I'd leave the cream pigments and shadows out unless you work them with a sponge but I fear that'll blend in too much with the NYX Eye Pencil base and you'll loose the effect. 

Lace or ribbon of your choice. This is my absolute favorite ribbon. I use it for absolutely EVERYTHING! I love that it's so organic.

How to:

Step 1: Prep and prime your skin. I didn't do it  for this tutorial because I'd be wiping it off as soon as I'd finish it so I didn't want to waste my primer on it but if you're going to use this for an event or costume, it's best you do.

Step 2: Take your white base and distribute it evenly on the surface you want to place your design on. Don't put on too much, because this can crease if overdone.

Step 3: With your finger, blend out the product until your get a nice, even coat. This will help the colors stick and the contrast between the colors and the stencil outlines pop.

Step 4: Place the lace over the white base. Hold it firmly in place.

Step 5:  Take your brush, dip it into the color of choice and start stippling it over the area. Remember to keep the lace steady in place or your design will shift and you'll loose the effect! Be as creative as you want. You can blend in different color variations or play with shine!

Step 6: Remove lace... 

And you're done! 

You can play around with this technique however you wish. It's great for a reptile effect or scales. This is how I used it. I didn't realize it was a bit of Black Swan-ish until after I finished the look but whatever. I didn't plan it so this is how it turned out and I loved it! I kept the lips nude because of course, there was so much going up on the eyes that I didn't want it to turn out like a face fiasco.

Products used: 

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC30

Sephora Mineral Foundation

Nars Blush in Sin

Nars Blush in Desire

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle

Nars Bronzer in Casino

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

MAC Eyeshadow in Beauty Marked

Crown 88 Palette

Wet N'Wild Eyeshadow in Envious

Makeup Forever Starpowder in 44

Milani Liquif'eye Eyeliner in Black

Benefit Bad Girl Lash in Black

EOS LipBalm

DUO Eyelash Glue

Black Feathers

I also did this technique on my lips!

Products used:

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

MAC Pigment in Blue Brown

The Skitch: Givenchy Spring Couture 2012

If there's something I wait for all year long is couture season and Givenchy pretty much tops the couturier list for me. Of course, this season was no disappointment. Tisci woos me once again! I wanted to make emphasis on what could be the most stand out detail of the whole collection and something that's been catching on with the fashion industry for a bit now: body mods. The bull rings and exaggerated earrings on Givenchy's couture line for spring were the definitely the clincher between outfit and accessories. The earrings were so large, they had to be connected by hidden headbands on the models' heads. 

Givenchy picture via Style.com

Reserved rights D. Velázquez 2012

Skitch-I-Y: Prabal Gurung s/s 2012

Photo via MAC Cosmetics.

With winter gracefully fading away, spring is here and it's time to pull out some color here and there. I'm more of a winter gal because I can't get enough of chunky fabrics and wrapped up looks, so when it's time for spring and summer I usually show off with makeup and accessories instead of my clothes. My wardrobe pretty much stays the same hues all year long but my makeup gets experimental. I absolutely loved Prabal's s/s 2012 collection (and don''t get me started on pre-fall!!!). It's strange that I was so intrigued by such a colorful collection but it's really pretty fantastic. The color schemes are well... delicious. And the makeup doesn't fall behind either. 

The inspiration for this season's makeup was flowers beginning to wilt and bursting orchids. MAC's Charlotte Tillbury was in charge of this look. The focus was on the lips. She opted for ombré colored lips in fuschia and burgundy and kept the face clean with just a sweep of silver on the eyelids. Since they used MAC Pro products and these are limited only to professional makeup artists, I'll show you guys how to recreate this look with other similar products and dupes. Let's get started!

Avon Intense Lip Color Conditioner

Nyx Matte Lipstick in Sweet Pink

 I used:

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
in NC30

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
Highlighter in Soft and Gentle

Clinique High Impact Mascara
in Black

MAC Satin Lipstick in Cyber

Sephora Mineral Loose Powder
Foundation in Light

Makeup Forever HD Powder

MAC Eyeshadow in Phloof!

Nars Bronzer in Casino

Backstage at Prabal, Tillbury used MAC Pro Process Magenta Chromographic Pencil with a blunt tip to draw in the pink lip with a soft border and then mixed MAC Pro Lipmix in Black, Burgundy and Fuschia to achieve the dark ombre color. Being as those are Pro colors, only professional makeup artists have access to those. 

I found that NYX's Matte Lipstick in Sweet Pink and MAC's Cyber are dead on dupes. They both have a satin finish (regardless NYX's says matte) and easier to find. Cyber is part of MAC's permanent collection and NYX is found at any Walmart or at your local drugstore. Plus, it goes around $6 so that's way cheaper too.

Step 1: Prep and prime your face. Remember the look should be dewy and soft. I have really dry skin so it's difficult for me sometimes to get that result. I like to spritz som MAC Fix + Before and after applying my foundation. Since I'm using a loose powder mineral foundation, I like to put on my concealer first where I need it and then apply the powder foundation. After that I sweep some MUFE HD translucent powder on my t-zone which usually turns into a shine fest.

Step 2: Prime your lids. With a soft, fluffy brush gently sweep some Phloof! eyeshadow all over the lid. Take it a bit above your crease so the color shows when your eyes are open. Don't overdo it. Just put on enough to give a little shine when the light hits.

Step 3: Apply just one layer of mascara. The lashes need to look almost bare but still noticeable. If necessary, take a lash groomer and brush though your lashes to remove any clumps the mascara might add. 

Step 4: Contour and highlight your skin very lightly. Add the highlight to the top of your cheekbones and contour right under them ever so softly. Also, contour under your chin and on your temples if needed to make your face look thinner. 

Step 5: Condition your lips. This will help with the ombré effect and will also keep your lips looking soft. 

Step 6: Take the Cyber lipstick and apply it to the inner part of your lips. Take it about 1/3 of the way down. Smack your lips together a couple of times so it'll fade out nicely.

Step 7: Take NYX's Sweet Pink and using the pointed tip along your outer lip line, sweep it across your lips while blending it with the Cyber. If necessary, take a lip brush and touch up the borders. Smack your lips again a few times and the colors will blend themselves out. No need for messy fingertips! 

And you're done! A simple and easy look that will definitely cause heads to turn and will welcome the spring season nicely! Here's the finished look: 

The Intern pt.2

October, November, December, January... I'm almost done.

Nearly four months have gone through and my internship approaches its end. Four months that mark the ending of this opportunity but also the beginning of something bigger . Now more than ever am I sure that I am clearly heading towards the right direction in my career path. "All that hard work and no pay?" Some people might think that, but the answer is I do get paid. The reward is not monetary, but in the long run I already have so many other opportunities because of this. The rewards take form in other venues, more along the lines of professional and personal growth. I've felt I've matured even more in the past four months than in many other jobs I've had. I've produced my own set of personal rules and tips that will be forever in my own little notebook of life lessons.

If I had to point out the best part of my internship, it would definitely have to be my freedom to use my artistic creativity. I don't think I have ever been allowed to work first hand with art in any other job before (aside from my artistic career that is) and in comparison to other jobs, I feel thankful that it has been acknowledged. It doesn't feel like I'm letting a degree in Fine Arts go to waste here. Another thing that I have loved from the beginning is my fellow internship friends and co-workers. We've really gotten along and it feels great to go to work every day regardless if I'm not being paid because I genuinely like it. It's a good place to be around. I don't mind if I end up dog tired every day to then go work at another job. I honestly don't because I enjoy it so much. Every day is filled with new ideas, news, surprises, challenges and memories.

Christmas display. That lettering was a pain to cut!

"I need a "Sale" sign. There are plenty of magazines upstairs.
That's your medium for this window display."

It might seem a little "The Devil Wears Prada"-ish, and I guess that's the best pop culture reference to go by because honestly it is like that. I could say I am one of many, many Andy Sachs out there. When you look at it that way, it does seem pretty neat, doesn't it? Yeah, I guess it is.

Let the measuring and spec sheet fest begin!

I've had so many big tasks appointed to me and the easiest way to deal with the load is just simply doing what you're told. No whining. Laugh it off later. You always end up doing so anyways. Just head every challenge forward and with a good attitude. I promise, it'll make everything better. Super inventory count? "Okay, let's do it!" Merchandise measurements for an endless amount of spec sheets? "Let me get working on that so I can finish it as soon as possible!". Call twenty pages worth of clients to personally invite them to next week's event? Well, okay. You got me there, but to be positive it's a good way to get to know the business' clientele that you're catering to. You can laugh of how repetitive you sound and how you put on your "professional phone voice" later. See? It's not that difficult, really. It's not impossible. It all goes down to good time management, a positive attitude and staying focused. It's the small details that make it all worthwhile in the end and get you a good feedback once you've done your job.

Manuel and I goofing off during our lunch break!
We'll miss you, hun!

To make your task much more simple,  it's also really good when you give ideas and suggestions on how to improve your task, of course if it's the right place and time to do so. Never speak out of place, but your employers might like it when you give positive suggestions on  how to make everybody's task a little bit better. Suggest organizing the line sheet binders this way or suggest creating the new window display that way. See something that needs to be done? Volunteer or suggest getting it done. I promise, those little details do not go unseen. It shows you're really into it and you want to improve. It's always important to keep in mind that you signed up for it so it's your job to resolve the problem given. Be alert, positive, responsible and always remember to be an asset and not a liability to the company. Take notes. You are after all... the intern. There are loads more where you came from so do the best to stand out from the crowd if it really means something to you. It does to me. The most important thing to me was learning how a business in the fashion industry works. If I want to be a designer, this is where I must move along.


So yeah, the intern. I think that's the bottom tier of the fashion industry or any industry in general. Like Charleen would say, "WOOOOORK!". Now it's all about doing just that . I'll be leaving for Parsons in August and I can wholeheartedly say that this has been an excellent way to spend that vacant time between studies. Not only am I strengthening my professional life, but I've also made great friends, built great memories and polished my hard shell. I feel like I've gained all the tools necessary to face any other job or internship for that matter. I feel like I can face New York and just go with it a lot more prepared. I wont jump so blindly. At least, when it comes to the industry! I have absolutely enjoyed these past four months interning at Erika Peña. I truly recommend trying out an internship and giving it a shot. It's the best way to build up your creds and get noticed. It could lead to greater opportunities. I know firsthand. I look forward to keep contributing as much as I can because I believe it is where I should be. I'll keep you guys posted for any upcoming news regarding my future in fashion!

Erika in the press!

If you want to know more about Erika Peña Designs and her amazing creations, head over to the Facebook page or follow on Twitter!

Pics via Erika Pena Boutique Puerto Rico, Yara's Instagram, my phone and Fashion Blackout.

Skitch-I-Y: Chanel s/s 2012

Wow! It's almost been a month since I last blogged and I am deeply sorry for that. I blame the holiday season. Handling a job in retail and an internship at the same time barely leaves me with any free time on my hands anymore and when I do have it, I catch up on my rest. I mean, holiday season meant literally 17 hour days for me, barely any breaks. So now that the holidays in Puerto Rico have come to an end, I can finally rest and catch up on my personal life, and you guys!

Now, where did we last see each other? Oh, yes! The Chanel Skitch-I-Y pearl hair pins I promised months ago! Tsk, tsk, tsk. Shame on me, but a promise done is a promise kept! Today while my hubbs took me on a date to Old San Juan, we stumbled along the most awesome bead shop and I finally found the pearls I've been looking for. I've been searching for them forever but I always found really expensive strands of dozens of pearls or they were plastic and cheap looking. In this store I found inexpensive freshwater pearls on their own so I could purchase a just what I needed without breaking my budget. I found so many different types of pearls in many different shapes, colors and sizes. For this Skitch-I-Y I decided to keep it simple and stick to traditional white pearl, but it's up to you guys to make your hair pins the way you choose. After all, I just give you some guidelines here. You guys can modify it however you wish and make your creations unique! Also, this is the absolute easiest do-it-yourself project. I mean, this actually took me like 5 minutes to make 3. So, if you're short on time or just simply like to get things done easily and still look chic, this is the project for you!

Also, I apologize for the picture quality. I have the worst lighting in my apartment and my DLSR has no battery so I had to use my old point and shoot for this. Ugh.


You'll need:

• pearl beads
• bobby pins
• thread
• a needle
• glue
• scissors

Step 1: Take your thread and prep your needle with it by stringing it double and making a knot. Take your thread and knot it around one of the bobby pin legs and securing it with a bit of glue.












Step 2: String the pear onto the thread and loop it around the bobby pin leg several times. Make sure it is centralized on the pin leg or else it will look wonky and will be a pain to centralize later on. Loop the thread through the pearl and pin as many times possible.

Step 3: Secure the bead and thread in place by knotting the thread and dabbing a bit of glue to the thread once you cut off the excess. Make sure to knot it tight!

And you're done! See? Easy! Place them all over your hair as you wish. You could try the wet hair look and dot your hair with the pins just like they did at Chanel or your could even let your hair down and place some of these all over! I'm thinking playing with sectioning my hair and dotting these along the lines too!

Chanel photo via Style.com