Beyond Beauty Basics » Accessories

Editor’s Picks: Must-Have Bags for Fall

Jennifer Long-Levy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:10:07 +0000

I like to play with accessories just as much as I like to play with cosmetics, and handbags are a close, close second to my growing collection of shoes. It’s been so hard to narrow down my favorites, so I thought I’d share a few on my wishlist.

The Nikki Hobo by Rebecca Minkoff is one of my favorites and on my wish list for this fall! I love this sort of oxblood color. It packs as much punch as a red, but is far more versatile and neutral. Bags by Rebecca Minkoff always make a statement without in-your-face logos. The materials are great quality and the bags are definitely an investment piece.
For a shot of color, I love the James Leather Satchel in purple from Botkier. Purple is everywhere from Fall cosmetics collections to sweaters, dresses, and shoes. I’d like this to go with an outfit in a neutral palette and maybe some great patterned peep toe pumps. Like Rebecca Minkoff, Botkier is definitely a fashionable investment. The leather wears nicely and the bag holds quite a lot. I feel like Botkier bags look better the longer you own them!
Everyone knows that here at Beyond Beauty Basics we love products that are green! One of my favorite new finds for handbags is the collection from Apple & Bee. My absolute favorite bag by Apple & Bee is the wooden handle clutch. I love it in black and white and the flowered pattern is perfect for dressing up a daytime look or for a nice date night. All of their bags are made with organic materials, and this clutch is lined with beautiful bamboo silk and includes and inner pocket. This bag is great for a date because it has room for makeup to do touch-ups, but I was able to carry my wallet in there as well! It’s so hard to find a clutch that can hold so much. The Apple & Bee collection is also available at www.VitaminShoppe.com.
For great quality, affordable leather bags, I love the collection that Banana Republic carries. I love the Flatiron cross-body satchel in black for this Fall. The leather is very durable, and I love that the company signature logo is inside the bag on the lining instead of plastered all over the outside! This bag is big enough for my work files, but also big enough to carry my notebooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books for school!
For fun and affordable bags, I always love to see what Express has to offer. When I know I am going to be out on the town, I don’t want to spend a fortune on a bag I may spill drinks or food on, or that I might drop while dancing. My favorite clutch at Express, the Stripe Foldover Clutch has great colors, fits everything I need for a date night or a night out with the girls, but it can easily be wiped clean just in case. The colors are absolutely gorgeous, and the bags from Express are fun and fabulous!

Special Offer: Our Readers Save 20% on Rachel Abroms Jewelry

Kate Monahan — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:50:36 +0000

Lately I’ve been rocking my Rachel Abroms‘ leather wrap bracelet. It’s perfect for spring—I love the idea of the chunky beading and cuff like quality in contrast with a sweet, innocent dress. The other day someone actually said: “Where did you get those bracelets?” As in Plural. That’s the great thing about the piece, you can wrap it anyway you want and make it look like you’re either wearing many bracelets or one large, funky bracelet. I heard some people even wear them as necklaces.

As a spring treat, Rachel is giving all our readers a 20% twenty percent discount off her entire collection. Check out her web site: www.rachelabromsstudio.com and enter Beyond Beauty Basics at checkout to save. I took advantage of this deal and bought my mother a wrap bracelet for her birthday, but one of the smaller stoned versions because she has tiny wrists. I’ll let you know if she likes it!

New Essie Neon Collection Has Arrived!

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:39:07 +0000

What’s the perfect accessory that goes with all of your gladiator sandals this summer? Color, color, color on your toes! And even more color on your finger tips! Essie has launched its summer collection and I am loving all of the bold and delicious bright neon color!The summer calls for bright colored dresses and even brighter toes. The new Essie Neon Collection will rock your summer with color and attitude.

With names like Bermuda Shorts, Short Shorts, Mini Shorts, and Shorty Pants… your toes will definitely get the attention they deserve. I also love these colors for your nails. Bermuda Shorts is my favorite! I love the depth of the purple and it’s the pop of color I need for all of my summer wardrobe.

Get creative with your nails, that old pink and white French is so last year, try to add your own flavor by mixing and matching your faves. I love Short Shorts as a base color all over the nail and use the Short Pants yellow as your line at the end for the hottest new French manicure of the season!

Just have fun, your nails are an accessory to your outfit and moods so let your individual style shine through. Enjoy!

Keep Your Skin Protected with a Fabulous Hat!

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:47:41 +0000

The summer is here and the sun is stronger than ever! Not to worry, hats are making a huge comeback this season and the trend is the bigger the better. I think Samantha on Sex and the City proves it in her huge woven sun hat on her deck she used to cover her face while checking out her gorgeous neighbor.

Hats are your summer accessory must have, but are a totally personal choice to how you want to show off your style. Here are some of our favorites that help give you some ideas.
The Kokin Floppy Ribbon Hat comes in black or white trim and you can find it at Bergdorf Goodman. It is absolutely fabulous and extremely durable, this will last all season into next!
The Juicy Couture Visor is so cute and can be worn with just about anything! You will definitely be the cutest girl out on the golf course with this sassy pink hat. Remember, hats are very personal, so style it up the way you want to show off.

Don’t forget about the summer must have! The Fedora Hat! All the celebs are sporting this one on set, off set, shopping, whatever! It is such a great way to cover up a bad hair day!

…and with Indiana Jones being all the rage among the guys, a fedora for him isn’t a bad idea at all!

Madeline Beth Designs: Leopard and Charcoal Atomizers

Beyond Beauty Basics — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:05:31 +0000

I know that I, personally, don’t think that everyone needs to know everything about me. If I’m wearing my signature scent, I would like to keep it MY signature scent! Here’s the perfect way to keep it that way. With these atomizers, you can fill them with whatever you’d like and be on your way. When you’re in the ladies lounge and

someone asks what fragrance your wearing (because it’s not on any label), you say…It was made for me, personally.

The other idea that they’re giving for these atomizers that I love is to carry them filled with your favorite mouthwash. How cool would it be to pull out this pretty atomizer for mouthwash?

One for you, two for me.

$75.00 each

Available at Nordstrom.com

Brushing with History: Mason Pearson

Beyond Beauty Basics — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:57:09 +0000

Most women, up until the 1960’s brushed their hair daily before going to bed. Because styles changed and more people started to wash their hair more often, brushing went out of style.

Brushing your hair actually does serve a purpose; it cleans and stimulates the scalp and takes the sebum (your own natural oil) from the root of each hair follicle through the strand keeping the ends of your hair as shiny and supple looking as the root.

Mason Pearson has been making the BEST brush (for brushing, not for styling) since the 1860’s in London.

Everyone should actually brush their hair 15 times in each direction (front, back, left to right and right to left) before going to bed each night. You’ll find that once you start brushing you won’t need to wash your hair as often and it (as well as your scalp) will become much healthier over time. It also feels great.

You’ll want to choose the correct brush for your hair type and length.

Pure Boar Bristle is for Fine to Normal hair
Mixted Bristle and Nylon is for Thicker Waivy hair
and Nylon is for Thick Course or Curly Hair

The Sizes of the brushes are determined by the length of your hair. The shorter the hair, the smaller the brush, the longer the hair, the larger the brush.

They also make a Detangler brush that’s excellent.

Once you try it you’ll be hooked.

The brushes are on the expensive side but worth every cent.

Available at folica.com

Ultimate Luxury: French Goose Down Powder Puffs

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:09:08 +0000

After your morning bath, you’ve generously applied your favorite body lotion…you wait a few moments for the lotion to go into your skin and you reach for the goose down puff that awaits you in the crystal tray. Next, you pick up the crystal shaker of powder and gently shake some of the powder into the puff. When you touch the puff to your skin, you know that you’ve arrived at the pinnacle of femininity. The touch of the puff is pure heaven. Could it be any softer…I think not.We don’t often take enough time for ourselves. When you do take the time, why not give yourself some self indulgence. My grandmother still uses powder every time she takes a bath. It gives your skin a silky feeling and leaves behind a pretty, feminine scent that nothing else can.

Lady Primrose has some exquisite powders, lotions, creams and accessories for the luxury bath that you’ve always dreamed of.

Here are some of my favorite pieces (if you have the room for them) for the bath from Lady Primrose:

Bath Salt Urn – $260.00
Soap Jar – $44.00 Short Crystal Candle
Pedestal – $90.00
Decanter – $42.00

These are just a few of the many beautiful pieces from the collection. Take a look for yourself.

By the way, Lady Primrose was started ~~and (I believe is still owned by)~~ by Caroline Rose Hunt and owned by Mrs. Pieratt and Mrs. Fowler. Caroline is of the Texas based, Hunt Oil Hunts, founded and is the Honorary Chairman of the ~~Rosewood Hotel group~~ Rosewood Properties ~~(most famous for the Mansion at Turtle Creek)~~ and the Crescent Court Hotel and knows a thing or two about living well and luxury. (Caroline Rose Hunt, right)

Puffs are $32.00 at www.beautyhabit.com

and the Celedon Dusting Silk Shaker is also $32.00 at www.ladyprimrose.com

Update: Thanks to Susie for the corrections!

Luxury Hair Accessories: Blue Heron Woods

Beyond Beauty Basics — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:16:49 +0000

If you have long hair and the kind of lifestyle that you need to look sophisticated more often than not, then why (when you put your hair up) are you using plastic barrettes or scrunchy’s to hold your up-do in place?Here are some elegant products to hold your hair perfectly with more than enough sophistication for any occasion. Exotic wooden hair pins (stay all day in even the finest hair, left)

Exotic wooden barrettes (right)

Art Glass hair sticks (below)

This company makes hundreds of different handmade styles of pins, sticks and barrettes in either plain or with inlaid metals or gemstones for your hair. Some of them are a bit over the top for me, but if you keep it simple, they can be quite elegant.

Check them out at Blue Heron Woods

Revlon Bejewel Lashes: Lash it like a Prom DIVA!

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 04:51:11 +0000

Calling all prom diva’s… are you ready to have the look that is going to make heads turn and keep all eyes on you at prom this year???

Here are some of my favorites that will glam up any look and bring out your own personal style! From tips to toes and lips to lashes, here are some must haves to make prom extra special!

Revlon has just launched an amazing product, I like to think of it as lash jewelry, that’s right, eye lashes get ready for

some glamour without the look of glitter or thick jems.

Revlon’s Bejewel Lashes is a liquid formulation that

will crystallize on the tips of the lashes giving a jewel-like, multi-dimensional look. The best part is that Bejewel Lashes comes in 4 eye catching colors so you can create and customize a look of your own. Not only are Bejewel Lashes perfect for prom, but they can easily glam up any night out! Don’t forget, this is limited edition so be sure to pick up more than one!

Available at your local drugstore, Revlon.com, Target.com

Shu Uemura and Sephora Eyelash Curlers For The Curl Girl

Beyond Beauty Basics — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 14:48:37 +0000

Not all lash curlers are the same. If you’ve never used one (and you have straight lashes, it’s the easiest way to make your eyes stand out without a lot of other make-up. If you’re using the conventional type, you need to find one that fits the length and curve of your eye. Most people find that the best one is from Shu Uemura.

$18.00
Available at Barneys, and shuuemura.com

If you’re the techie-type, try the new battery powered lash curler from Sephora. (I haven’t tried this yet, but it looks cool) Their blurb says, “Simply turn on, wait 15 seconds, place comb directly onto lash line above lashes, gently lift and comb lashes into the desired shape (as you would with a mascara brush), hold for one or two seconds, then release. Repeat across lash line until the desired effect is achieved.”

$16.00

Available at sephora.com