Congrats to Our Modella Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to the winners in our Modella Cosmetics Bags giveaway:

seraphinajj

North Carolina

meeyeehere

Mississippi

Helena D.

New York

Thank you to all who entered! If you didn't win this time, don't worry... we have more contests on the way. Check back early next week for a new contest we have planned!

Review: CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner

This is part 3 in a 3 part series reviewing the new CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look trio of products.

CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner
$6.79
Available at: drugstore.com

For part 3 of my review of the CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look trio of products I tried out CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner pen. I'd need to caveat this review with the fact that I do not like the look of liquid liner on me. I typically use a cake eyeliner, and may use a pencil eyeliner in a pinch, but liquid eyeliner has never been my cup of tea. I pushed aside my prejudices to give CoverGirl Line Exact a try. Keeping with my attempt to do a scientific evaluation of these products, I switched out my normal eyeliner product with CoverGirl Line Exact, keeping the remainder of my eye makeup just like my normal routine. This is my review:

Packaging and Instructions

CoverGirl Line Exact comes in a pen format that reminds me a lot of a felt tip marker. I have to say, the instructions are woefully incomplete. The outer packaging does not contain even a hint of instruction -- I big negative for this liquid liner novice. The actual product packaging was also devoid of instructions, save for a very small admonition to "shake well" -- which I didn't see until after I attempted to use the product without shaking and got a kind of separated mess of product. I learned the hard way that shaking is very important to getting a well-mixed liner product. While the felt tip pen approach did seem user friendly, the lack of instructions was a big turn off.

Texture and Feel

Once I figured out that shaking the pen was a big, important step, I was able to properly test the CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner. The product did glide on very well, without skipping or tugging. Consequently, I was able to product a clean line without much effort. The color I tried -- Black Brown -- was true to what I was expecting, and dried quickly without affecting the depth of the color. Once on and dried, the Line Exact was comfortable.

Results

Overall, I felt that the CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner produced a clean, precise line fairly easily. I was dismayed with the lack of clear instruction, but I feel I was able to overcome this set back with a little extra practice. I'm still not sold on liquid eyeliner as a look for me, but I think the CoverGirl liquid liner was much easier to use than I was expecting and would likely make a good, affordable option for fans of the liquid liner look.

Part 1 - Review: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Part 2 - Review: CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Eyeshadow
Part 3 - Review: CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner


Disclosure: Review samples, promotional information and giveaway items were provided by CoverGirl via Blog Spark; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

Online Sample Sales: Camilla Skovgaard, M Missoni, Coach and More!

Check out today's amazing Online Sample Sales, featuring the best in designer clothing, shoes, handbags, beauty, home goods, and more!

As you can imagine, online sample sales are just as exclusive as the regular old Sample Sales you'd hit up in NYC or LA... you gotta know the right people to get in the door. Don't worry, Stiletto Jungle has you covered. Click on the linked text to score your insta-invitation, or to login to your account if you are already a member. All links open in a new window, for your shopping ease:

Friday, September 3, 2010

HauteLook {get invited · login} • Monique Leshman Blowout • Watches Under $50 • Sunglasses Under $50 • Vicarious by Nature • Nina Nguyen • KareCo • A&G Rock Blowout • DEPT Blowout • Park B. Smith Watershed • Cupcakes & Pastries • Sunday Rocks Gilt Groupe {get invited · login} • Baby Shower Event: Best Gift Ideas and Baby Essentials • Barely There: Swimsuits and Lingerie at up to 70% off • Clu • Cynthia Rowley • Dolce & Gabbana, Camilla Skovgaard, Jonathan Kelsey,Cesare Paciotti and More • Eclectic Treasures: Must Have Jewelry Gilt Man {get invited · login} • Hyden Yoo & Loden Dager • Icebreaker and CW-X • K-Swiss • Livio featuring Pandora • R & Y Augousti JetSetter {get invited · login} • Tour South Africa Gilt City {get invited · login} • City-Specific deals in: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Enviius {get invited · login} • Sienna Ray & Co. One Kings Lane {get invited · login} • Knomo Travel Bags • MapEasy Travel Maps • Amity Home Quilts & Shams • Dana Gibson Decorative Accessories • Vera Bradley Accessories

Rue La La {get invited · login} • Isabella Fiore • Murano by Venetiaurum • Merida Beauty Story {get invited · login} • Rani Spas Lot 323 {get invited · login} • TBD Billion Dollar Babes {get invited · login} • Wilson The Top Secret {get invited · login} • Blowout Sale **take $15 off $74+ with code SHHH! RowNine {get invited · login} • Amrita Singh • Viroy Fine Jewelry Ideeli {get invited · login} • M Missoni • A Fashion Week Treat Beyond the Rack {get invited · login} • Kate Spade Sunglasses • Ariella • Siluet • Hanna G • Diana Warner • Rampage • Elizabeth Gillet • Girls Boutique • Boys Boutique

Ivory Trunk {get invited · login} • Swiss Watch Blowout Biva {get invited · login} • Econscious • Gucci Sunglasses • American Crew Editor's Closet {get invited · login} • Labor Day Sale • Watch Blowout TheSampleSale.com {get invited · login} • City of Dolls Modnique {get invited · login} • California Caviar Company • Krementz Jewelry • Haurex Italy Watches • Swiss Army watches • Labor Day Weekend Sale ** Take 10% Off with code 10PERCENT through 10/31 Snappy Tuna {get invited · login} • SengWare Kitchenware Reverse {get invited · login} • Kelsi Dagger, LnA and more Gomatta Girls {get invited · login} • TBD Portero / Portero Private {get invited · login} • Pre-Owned Luxury Goods Seen On! {get invited · login} • Wilson BBOS Private Sale {get invited · login} • 4-Day Coach Event

Want tips on how to shop online sample sales like a pro? Check out our video guide.

Online Sample Sales: Jimmy Choo, Dolce Vita, Michael Michael Kors and More!

Check out today's amazing Online Sample Sales, featuring the best in designer clothing, shoes, handbags, beauty, home goods, and more!

As you can imagine, online sample sales are just as exclusive as the regular old Sample Sales you'd hit up in NYC or LA... you gotta know the right people to get in the door. Don't worry, Stiletto Jungle has you covered. Click on the linked text to score your insta-invitation, or to login to your account if you are already a member. All links open in a new window, for your shopping ease:

Thursday, September 2, 2010

HauteLook {get invited · login} • Amrita Singh Jewelry • William Rast Men • EcoSkin • Dolce Vita • Collective Concepts • Steve Madden Bedding • Hairmax • Wry Baby Gilt Groupe {get invited · login} • 70 Park - New York City • Accessories Final Sale • Jewelry Final Sale Gilt Man {get invited · login} • 70 Park - New York City • Antonio Maurizi & Elia Maurizi • D.L. & Co. Fall Sale • Dylan George Jeans • LOVA, Drifter and Juma • Odyn Vovk • Truzzi, C'e Luca! & Personality Ties JetSetter {get invited · login} • Hansar Samui - Thailand • Serene Pavilions - Sri Lanka • LeBua - Bangkok Gilt City {get invited · login} • City-Specific deals in: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Enviius {get invited · login} • Stupell Kids Wall Art One Kings Lane {get invited · login} • Rug Art Pillows • Spectrum West Collection Acrylic Furniture • Sony Icon Collectibles Limited Edition Music Photography • Roubini Rugs Tribal Motif Rugs • Lothantique Room Sprays

Rue La La {get invited · login} • MICHAEL Michael Kors • MICHAEL Michael Kors - Men's • Glam Rock • HP • Bailey Street Beauty Story {get invited · login} • Rani Spas Lot 323 {get invited · login} • Michelle Jonas Travelwear Billion Dollar Babes {get invited · login} • Head Racquets & Bags • Fila The Top Secret {get invited · login} • Blowout Sale **take $15 off $74+ with code SHHH! RowNine {get invited · login} • Amrita Singh • Viroy Fine Jewelry Ideeli {get invited · login} • Julie Brown • Emile Henry • Nourison Rug • Blank NYC • Big Buddha • March in Time • Da-Nang • Paperless Post • Buco Beyond the Rack {get invited · login} • Premium Watch Event • My Tribe • Timo Weiland • Handmade Rugs • Scout • MR • Dissizit • Sony Music • Philips MP3 Player • Sapir Sensations • Xandra Accessories • Shop by Price Dresses & Tops

Ivory Trunk {get invited · login} • Roberto Cavalli Biva {get invited · login} • Invicta Watches • Versace Fragrance Editor's Closet {get invited · login} • Jimmy Choo TheSampleSale.com {get invited · login} • One Life Modnique {get invited · login} • Claire Chase Leather Handbags • Liberto Watches • Joshua & Sons ** Take 10% Off with code 10PERCENT through 10/31 Snappy Tuna {get invited · login} • Meni Scandinavian Design Reverse {get invited · login} • Eugenia Kim Gomatta Girls {get invited · login} • TBD Portero / Portero Private {get invited · login} • Pre-Owned Luxury Goods Seen On! {get invited · login} • Fila • Head BBOS Private Sale {get invited · login} • Kate Spade, Kooba, L.A.M.B. & More

Want tips on how to shop online sample sales like a pro? Check out our video guide.

Review: CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Eyeshadow

This is part 2 in a 3 part series reviewing the new CoverGirl Smoky Eye Look trio of products.

CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast
$8.49
Available at: drugstore.com

As I mentioned in Part 1 of this review series, I'm a bit of an eye makeup snob. But, when CoverGirl came knocking with a chance to try out their entire Smoky Eye Look trio of products, I couldn't resist the chance. In an effort to be super scientific and unbiased, I systematically traded out one product in my normal eye makeup routine with a CoverGirl product each day. For my second review, I traded out my normal eyeshadow for CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast. This is my review:

Packaging and Instructions

Unless you've been living in a style-free hole in the ground, you've likely seen the CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast commercials or print advertisements. The selling point is clear: one product, two easy steps, perfectly smoky eyes. It's hard to resist that kind of sell. The Smoky Shadow Blast is packaged in a compact double ended stick, with the step 1 side and step 2 side clearly labeled. The outer packaging has clear, yet succinct, directions on how to apply the two colors to achieve a smoky eye look. It's kind of like paint by numbers.

Texture and Feel

CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast is a cream eyeshadow in stick form. While you do apply the shadow with the stick, it must be blended with your finger, just like any other cream shadow. I personally like cream shadows because of the ease of blending and the way you can build color, but some women are uncertain when it come to using cream shadows. If that sounds like you, you'll probably want to experiment with CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast when you aren't going anywhere so that you can get the look down without any time constraints. Cream shadow can be tricky and it's easy to accidentally rub it off while you are trying to blend.

Results

Overall, I enjoyed using the Smoky Shadow Blast. I don't feel that the two step application process is nearly as easy as it is billed to be, but the pre-matched colors and compact wand packaging are definite strong points. Also, the color I tried -- Bronze Fire -- was very shimmery. Almost too shimmery for daytime, despite the fact that this color combo was presented to me as the "natural" option. Finally, I've read some reviews that complain that CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast creases and wears off. As part of my super-scientific approach to this review, I wore Smoky Shadow Blast with my normal eyeshadow primer and I did not have any issues with creasing or wearing off. In fact, my eyeshadow was completely intact at the end of a 10-hour day at the office. Bottom line, if you can handle the shimmer and the cream consistency, the pre-matched colors and compact wand make CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast an easy option for creating a dynamic eye look and it is particularly well suited to travel.

Part 1 - Review: CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara
Part 2 - Review: CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Eyeshadow
Part 3 - Review: CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner


Disclosure: Review samples, promotional information and giveaway items were provided by CoverGirl via Blog Spark; no compensation was received in exchange for this review.

Fashion Cents: How To Alter Clothing

--By Kimberly Turner

Recently I did a closet analysis (a.k.a. closet clean out) for a new client. I was amazed at how many pieces in her wardrobe did not fit her well despite how much she spent on her clothing. I had to teach her that just because items on the rack are described as "ready to wear" they are not always ready to wear. So here are 5 common ready to wear assumptions that can be easily altered:

1. Pants are meant to be that long.


2. Pants are meant to be that short.


3. Shoulders on a jacket should hang off of your natural shoulders.


4. A huge gap in the back is natural.


5. Buttons are supposed to pull across the breast.

Now watch the video to learn your options for fixing these issues and the possible costs. I promise you, it makes fashion cents.

_____

Kimberly Turner, your personal style guru, is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Kimberly has an MBA from the University of Michigan and an Image Consulting Certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Kimberly lives in the Windy city of Chicago and is the host of FashionCents.tv.

Online Sample Sales: Nina Ricci, Yohji Yamamoto, Sonya Dakar and More!

Check out today's amazing Online Sample Sales, featuring the best in designer clothing, shoes, handbags, beauty, home goods, and more!

As you can imagine, online sample sales are just as exclusive as the regular old Sample Sales you'd hit up in NYC or LA... you gotta know the right people to get in the door. Don't worry, Stiletto Jungle has you covered. Click on the linked text to score your insta-invitation, or to login to your account if you are already a member. All links open in a new window, for your shopping ease:

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

HauteLook {get invited · login} • HYPE • HYPE Girls • Fluxus • Melissa & Doug • Stuhrling Blowout • Built NY • Imoshion Jewelry • Imoshion Handbags • Sonya Dakar • MG Black Label Gilt Groupe {get invited · login} • "The American": Featuring Merchandise from the Film • Frette Bedding • Morgane le Fay, Ann Demeulemeester and Yohji Yamamoto • Women's Final Sale Up to 80% Off • Kathryn Amberleigh • Sheila Fajl Jewelry • Shop for Him: Property Of.., Cross, Monteverde, Visconti and Waterford • What Goes Around Comes Around Gilt Man {get invited · login} • "The American": Featuring Merchandise from the Film • Adidas Porsche Design Sport & Ted Baker • Billionaire Boy's Club & Ice Cream • John Varvatos • Pre-Labor Day BBQ with High Plains Bison, Robinson’s Prime Reserve and Sir Kensington Ketchup • Tuscany Cycling Tour • After Hours: French Connection • After Hours: Oakley and Hurley • Kitchen Essentials • Nachtmann Stemware & Barware JetSetter {get invited · login} • Hike the Amalfi Coast - Italy • Tuscany Bicycling Tour Gilt City {get invited · login} • City-Specific deals in: New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco Enviius {get invited · login} • SK1N One Kings Lane {get invited · login} • Totally Bamboo Serveware & Tabletop • Xochi Table Linens • Casa Bugatti Kitchen Tools & Appliances • Antheor France European Bakeware • Keane Collection Aluminum Serving Pieces

Rue La La {get invited · login} • THE FINAL SALE: ACT 2 • Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts Beauty Story {get invited · login} • Verikira • Cargo Lot 323 {get invited · login} • TBD Billion Dollar Babes {get invited · login} • Men's Quicksilver Performance • Roxy Athletix The Top Secret {get invited · login} • Blowout Sale **take $15 off $74+ with code SHHH! RowNine {get invited · login} • Amrita Singh • Viroy Fine Jewelry Ideeli {get invited · login} • Central Park • Carolee • Lucky Brand • Ed Hardy • Lovestitch • Swiss Tradition • Lil' Mo kids rugs Beyond the Rack {get invited · login} • Chanel sunglasses • Terra Plana • Philips Portable Television • Chelsea Flowers • DeGroot • Cobalt Chromo • FIFA toddler & boys • NHL / MLB / FIFA / NFL

Ivory Trunk {get invited · login} • Secret Trunk Biva {get invited · login} • Lacoste Fragrance • Swiss Legend Editor's Closet {get invited · login} • Nina Ricci TheSampleSale.com {get invited · login} • Queen Esther Modnique {get invited · login} • Fendi Sunglasses • Glam Vintage Soul • Fluxus • Blue Sapphire Jewelry Sale • Swiss Made Designer Watches ** Take 10% Off with code 10PERCENT through 10/31 Snappy Tuna {get invited · login} • Outset barware Reverse {get invited · login} • Eugenia Kim Gomatta Girls {get invited · login} • TBD Portero / Portero Private {get invited · login} • Pre-Owned Luxury Goods Seen On! {get invited · login} • Quiksilver Performane • Roxy Athletix BBOS Private Sale {get invited · login} • Practical Posh Totes

Want tips on how to shop online sample sales like a pro? Check out our video guide.

The Top 5 Fashion Inventions

Sponsored by:

We talk a lot about fashion classics here at Stiletto Jungle. Those indispensable items that belong in every wardrobe, and inevitably get reworked each season into new takes on the same old (yet fabulous) story. In fact, we talk about fashion classics so much that we often forget that what is now a classic was once an innovation.

When Sprint -- the first carrier to introduce 4G technology, which has revolutionized the mobile space -- asked me to write a post about fashion firsts to help commemorate the introduction of Spring 4G technology, I jumped at the chance. What a great opportunity to share with all of you some of the amazing fashion firsts that now influence nearly every amazing fashion find we talk about.

Picking the five best fashion inventions was incredibly hard. There are just so many fashion innovations to choose from, and each has such a fascinating story to tell. But, after weeks of agonizing, I narrowed it down to the five fashion innovations that continue to influence me most.

Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dress
$298.00
Available at: saks.com

1. The Wrap Dress
While there are many inventions that have revolutionized fashion, few have also risen to the level of creating a social movement. The wrap dress did just that. Created by Diane von Furstenberg in 1972, the wrap dress instantly became a wardrobe staple for legions of working women and came to symbolize "female power and freedom to an entire generation." The wrap dress now has a permanent home in the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

2. The Stiletto Heel
Although there is some dispute as to whether the stiletto heel was invented by Roger Vivier, Salvatore Ferragamo, or a now lesser-known shoe designer, it remains that the stiletto heel has transformed the footwear landscape and become a symbol of female power dressing. Without the stiletto heel, would we have women with hundreds of pair of shoes, half the puns in SATC, or the current Louboutin craze? I think not.

3. The Little Black Dress
No listing of the top fashion inventions would be complete without a reference to Coco Chanel, it's just a matter of picking which of her amazing contributions to highlight. The Little Black Dress made its debut as a drawing by Chanel in the May 1926 issue of Vogue magazine. Before Chanel exposed the fashion world to the LBD's simplicity and versatility, black as a clothing color had been used almost exclusively by servants and the clergy. Thanks to Coco Chanel's foresight, we now praise the Little Black Dress and proclaim anything and everything "the new black."

Sergio Rossi Platform Stiletto
$695.00
Available at: nordstrom.com

4. Le Smoking
Yves Saint Laurent has contributed much to the fashion world, but if we're going to talk about fashion inventions that have really changed the status quo, we have to talk Le Smoking. YSL's androgynous tuxedo pant / smoking jacket combination for women, introduced in 1966, not only became a forefather of the minimalist clothing style that we're still loving for Fall 2010, it showed us that pants on women can be sexy. Beyond that, without Le Smoking we wouldn't have the pantsuit, which dramatically altered the balance of power when it comes to women in traditionally male professions.

5. Denim Jeans
Denim the fabric, by most accounts, has been used continuously since the 17th century. But, it took a 23-year-old Bavarian immigrant to start the denim revolution. Levi Strauss's riveted blue denim "waist overalls" became the official uniform of working-class America and went on to play an important role in the myth of the American individuality. These days, many a fashionista has a closet full of $300+ designer denim...and we owe it all to Levi Strauss and his desire to outfit the working man.

Did I miss something big? Is there a fashion innovation you feel should be in the top five? Tell me all about it in the comments!

America’s first 4G phone is also the first to deliver download speeds up to 10x faster than 3G and be a mobile hotspot for up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices. Not to mention front and rear-facing cameras and the ability to stream live video to the Web. And you get access to over 65,000 apps you’ve come to expect from an Android. So the only question is, what will you do first with EVO? sprint.com/firsts

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Sprint via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Sprint.