I'm heading into retro glam!

In preparation for an upcoming shoot I thought I'd give the burgundy lip color a test run. The shoot is a 1930's style look at a "Grand" Pittsburgh location! Do to limited time that I will have to change between an authentic 30's look and a more modern take on 30's glam, I need a way to quickly update it. The solution? A dab of Moth to Flame dazzleglass by MAC applied to the center bottom and top lip.

The key is to get the line very crisp since it's such a dark color...and here's how it goes!

Cover the lips and slightly outside lip line with concealer or medium coverage foundation.

Outline lips with Plum lipliner from Bobbi Brown (make sure its even and symmetrical)

Apply L'Oreal #746 Pure Burgundy* all over lips, blot and apply again.

Go back with your concealer/foundation with a small brush and define the outer lipline.

(this will help clean up and even any 'mistakes')

To finish and bring this lip up to date apply the gloss to center of lips.

*This is on the lighter side of burgundies since myself and the model are blonde. Darker hair and skin tones can go even deeper into the raisin family of colors.

So go retro glam for your next night out with the girls or for that hot date for Valentine's Day!

Come back for the all the looks from my shoot in the next few weeks!

XO Kate

You know Andy....

Because every Pittsburgher should have this book! Andy Warhol is one we claim as our own. We bread him in this town so on my coffee table he will stay!
I am truly inspired by his work and life on so many levels.
Let him inspire you too!

Kate XO

Pittsburgh makes an appearance in WWD!!!

I was way excited today when I opened my Thursday issue of Women's Wear Daily and saw that Pittsburgh had made an appearance in it! While Pittsburgh is an amazing place for art and history sometimes we get swept up in the category of a "fashion-lacking" city!
It was great to see that the article was covering denim and pricing, which is thought of for the young and fashion conscience crowd!


While the denim industry is listening to us by what we are willing to pay for a great pair jeans, local denim store owners are speaking up!


Lawrence Scott, owner of Pittsburgh Jeans Company and Candice Gallagher owner of Billie Jeans in Cranberry Twp. are interviewed as saying "When the customers are refusing to pay over $250 for jeans, (especially ones that are torn and shredded and look like they need to go straight for the trash!) we don't keep an inventory like they used to. And manufactures take notice!'



So what price range will get you a noticibly great pair of jeans? Scott and Gallagher agree it's in the $100-$175 range.



As for me...my favorite brands are J Brand and William Rast. You can immediately feel the quality of the denim and the fit couldn't be more flattering!



*High five to the Burgh!!!*



XO Kate

My First Magazine Ad!

I'm so excited to have my very first ad running in Pittsburgh's Maniac Magazine!


XO Kate

Some Favorite Things for Winter!

This past weekend we finally got our first real snow fall! While I love this at the holidays I'm always over it come January 1st. I wanted to share some of my favorite things that will help me get through the long Pittsburgh winter.

As we all know leggings are a must. They have lived through all the decades and through all age ranges. I will be the first person to hand over good money for quality I think when it comes leggings I tend to go for bargain. In the case of leggings I found both! The black leggings from Mossimo at Target are amazing! SUPER comfy and at only 6 bucks, a great bargain too!

To keep my makeup looking fresh I always use a highlighter for my cheekbones and center down on nose. Then use a nice pinky blush on the apples of my cheeks. My faves for all skin tones is MAC emphasize powder highlighter. For blush is Nars orgasm. Apply the blush first on your apples then lightly sweep the highlighter under the eyes/ on upper cheekbones and down the center of your nose. I always do this whether I'm keeping it light for day or glam for night.

Lipgloss I'm loving at the moment is Pink Cami by Revlon. Perfection!

I suffer from terrible dry skin in the winter like many of us do. It seems no matter how softly I pat dry in the shower, how much lotion I apply, water I drink, that dry skin is always around! I recently learned that your shower "gel" is a "oil absorber"! So the hunt for a great moisture soap was on. And through my research I found an olive oil soap! I gave it a try and to my wonderful surprise was soft, fresh skin! Savon de Marseille soap is a great price from $7-$20 at Amazon. They have a few different scents to choose from that come from herbs and flowers. It was strange at first getting used to less lather but the way my skin felt quickly erased that. I still pat dry and apply lotion while still in the shower but this time all that work pays off! By the end of the day now I'm not itchy and dry. These would also make great hostess gifts for all the holiday parties this season too!



Merry Christmas All!



XO Kate

Feather in my cap...er... dress!

Two weeks ago I had a "brilliant" idea to design and make my Christmas dress! I mean I've watched enough of Project Runway and YouTube videos that it should totally be a piece of cake! Haha...not so much! I had the design but then it came down to actually executing it.

Well after 3 trial muslin dresses my mom and I finally got a pattern down that I was happy with. The result is a white silk sleeveless dress with a black lace overlay with sleeves. And as the final touch...feathers for the collar! It wasn't a perfect dress but I was proud and excited to wear it for my hubs company Christmas party. The best part was no one could tell I made it! lol Whew!

Needless to say I'm over my clothes making phase!

Merry Christmas!

XO Kate

The homecoming look!

My niece had her homecoming dance this past weekend and as with all her special events, I am her hair and makeup girl! I love it! Not too mention I am always honored that she puts all her trust in me to make her beautiful! This year since she is a year older and a junior now I thought it was finally appropriate to really go glam with her! It was so much fun!


First a applied MAC phloof all over lid, brow bone, and in through corner. Next with a light hand I applied MAC pigment in full force violet. I then applied a heavier application of the pigment on the outer "V" of the eye and blended inward. I also swept this on the lower lashline. Then with a small angle brush I made a thick line with MAC gel liner in black (because of her hazel eyes!) on the upper lash line extending out and up. To finish I lined the lower waterline with a black kohl pencil. Apply 2-3 coats of mascara making sure to add a concentration on the outer lashes.








For the rest of the face we kept it pretty neutral. I contoured all over to give her dimension. I then used a blend of MAC margin and cheek blush on the apples and lightly on her forehead and chin. Lips were MAC liner in subculture with lipstick in a blend of cherish, brave and faux.

Needless to say she loved it and the smile from ear to ear was all that was needed!

Love you Riss!

XO K!