Follow Us!
Be sure to follow our new blog over at Clairsse.us/blog!
#ManiMonday: 5 Great Coco Chanel Inspired Manis
For this #ManiMonday post I thought I’d share some of my favorite Chanel inspired manis! I just love Coco Chanel! Everything about her fascinating! Note: Most Chanel mani’s are black and white since they are her signature colors, but feel free to change it up, have fun and show off your personality! 
Our first Chanel Mani is for the girlie girl! She loves simple things and all things polka dots! I just how simple this design is but how every nail is different! If this is to much for you you can chose to just have the CC’s on one nail if you like! 
If you love glitter this mani is for you! Glitter ombre is one of my favorites and with the classic CC mark it gets even better! If you aren’t a fan of the gold try out silver or any other color of glitter nail polish! 
If you love stripes this mani is for you! It’s simple, clean and chic! This is great for the summer weather to come! If you’re doing this mani at home, paint the nail white, get pieces of stripe tape and place them on the white after it dries. Next get your black paint over the tape and then peel the tape off. Top it off with a top coat and there ya go! 
If you love all things girlie and want to go over the top with your nails this is the design you must try! The rhinestones on this designs are just perfect! If you have shorter nails but still want to this design you can try smaller rhinestones or use glitter mimic the stones! 
This last design is for all those edgy girls out there! This is great because you get that negative space look that is really popular right now and a great Chanel mani! Best of both worlds! If the drip looks is too much for you just go with it on the CC nail and make the other nails all black or another solid color! Those are my favorite Chanel manicures! What are your go to mani designs?
When you’re trying to get your look just right for prom night you want to look your absolute best! But sometimes you don’t want to break the bank and guess what? You don’t have to! I love all brands when it comes to makeup and drugstore brands are included! I show you some of my favorite dupes that will get the job done for your prom look! All drugstore dupes will be. My go to brands when shopping at a drugstore are Maybelline and NYX.
We’ll start with the face.
Primer & BB Cream
We’ll first start with our Primers and BB Creams. To save some money you don’t actually need a primer and a BB cream unless you want super heavy coverage. If you just want moderate coverage just get a BB cream and this can double as you primer.
My usual go to for a great BB Cream is from Urban Decay called Naked Skin Beauty Balm. This BB cream goes on clear matching your skin tone but still giving you great coverage. This product is $34.00. You can something that is just as good from Mayballine with their Dream Fresh BB Cream. This has the same idea of changing to fit your skin tone.
Foundation
Next comes the foundation. You can go with powder or a liquid.
My go to for a liquid foundation is from Benefit and is called Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow. I love this liquid foundation because it is oily free but hydrates my skin while keeping it smooth. You can get all those things I love with Mayballines New Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation. $36.00 vs $7.99!
With a powder foundation I used go with Too Faced’s Cocoa Powder Foundation for it’s light weight feeling but full coverage effect! You can get this great coverage with a light weight feeling from NYX’s Define and Refine Powder Foundation. $34.00 vs $12.00.
Concealer
When it comes to a great concealer you want something that is going to cover imperfections and dark circles.
To cover imperfections I love Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage to get the job done. You can have this same great coverage with NYX’s Concealer Wand! $28.00 vs $5.00.
When it comes to dark circles I swear by Benefit’s Fake Up Concealer, but Mayballine has a great Dark Circle Concealer as well called Instant Age Rewind that gets the job done! $24.00 vs $9.99.
Contouring (Highlighter and Bronzer)
This is completely optional but if you want a contour kit that is comparable to Smashbox’s Contour Stick Trio you want to go with NYX’s Conceal, Correct, Contour Palette. $45.00 vs $12.00.
Blush
I usually always go with Tarte’s Cheek Stains for my blush, but NYX has Stick Blush that is just as great! They don’t have as many shades to choose from, but you can’t beat the price! $30.00 vs $6.00
Powder
My new favorite makeup setting powder is from Marc Jacobs called Perfection Powder has become my all time favorite powder! But this can be a little pricey for most people so a great dupe that I love is Mayballine’s Shine Free Oil Control Loose Powder. $48.00 vs $6.30.
For this next section let’s talk about the eyes!
Eyeshadow
When I need a palette where I can create a classic smokey eye and a neutral look I always whip out my Smashbox Full Exposure Palette. This has everything you need and the shadows go on great and last forever! The new Maybelline The Nudes Palette is a great contender! $52.00 vs $11.99.
Eyeliner
My go to eyeliner pencils are always with Urban Decay. Especially the new Velvet 24/7 Glide On line that comes in 6 different shades. If you want a dupe NYX has their Slide on Pencils that won Self’s Health and Beauty awards in 2012. $20.00 vs $8.00. (Both are Sold Out online so you know these are a fan fav!)
Mascara
At the moment I am loving my Tarte Gifted Mascara because I get great volume without clumping and Maybelline’s Volum’ Express is just as good! I always keep this dupe down the shore incase I forget my makeup bag!
Well ladies, that is the end of my drugstore dupe list! There are plenty of great drugstore makeup that can compete with the big guys over at Sephora that sometimes even beat them out! If you want to the big names at a cheaper price you can always try and look over at QVC and HSN! They always have great deals going on!
It’s almost wedding season so for this weeks #FashionFriday it’s all about the best alternative bridal selections Clarisse Designs has to offer! We have everything from traditional, simple, elegant and we even have something for that daring bride who wants to be totally different from everyone else!
First on our list is a style that is more for the traditional bride. If you want something that isn’t your typical bridal gown but still traditional, than you want Style 2505. This gown is full and has so many great details in the bodice! The illusion back creates a sleeveless look that will be comfortable all night! No worrying about having to tug on your dress all night when you should be having a great time dancing with your husband, friends and family!
This next style, Style 4502, is for that bride who wants something that is a mix of tradition, edge and glamour. This gown will definitely be showing off all the right curves and highlight all of your best features.
Style 4501 is a great gown for the sophisticated bride who wants a little glamour. The lace detailing is absolutely breath taking and is complimented by an amazing illusion back and neck that shows off just the right amount of skin. Just be sure to wear your hair up or to the side so everyone can see that amazing back detail!
Style 2501 is for the simple bride who wants to go for an effortless look. If you’re doing a beach wedding or want to go for a simple boho look, this gown if perfect! The lace detailing is just divine and the v neck always for endless hair possibilities! You can go for an all down wavy look with a flower crown and you’re set! If you are going for a flower crown, don’t think your flower crown has to match your bouquet, as long as the colors complement each other you’re fine! Have some fun and show of your easy going style!
Style 4504 is perfect if you want a gown that is not your typical bridal dress but still has a full skirt. Add some pops of white if you want to add some traditional touches to the gown!
If you like how different Style 4504 was but want a more traditional feel, then try out Style 2503. This is the perfect mix of edgy and tradition! You have that great white but you have an intricate bodice that is just so unique and different from what most brides are wearing.
If you don’t want the color white for your wedding dress but are too scared to shy away too much from white you should give Style 2522 in Bronze. It gives off the appearance of a great champagne color with some sparkle that will great for your wedding day! You also get the look of a strapless gown, but again with this gown you don’t have to worry about pulling it up all night because of the illusion neck and back!
Style 4506 is another great gown that doesn’t go too far from the traditional avenue but is still something very different than what you what you would normally see for a bridal gown! The beading is so amazing and intricate on this gown you have to see it in person! A photo doesn’t do this gown enough justice! It is that amazing! Add some pops of color with your bouquet and you’ll be the bride people can’t stop talking about!
If you really want to stand out and step outside of the box for your wedding you’ll want to try Style 2530 in Coral! This gown is just so gorgeous and elegant! The mermaid style is just so elegant and the beading is amazing! This is another gown that you have to see in person! The lighting that just bounces off the rhinestones is impeccable! This is the perfect color where you can have your something blue in your shoes! Baby blue is the perfect shade to compliment this amazing gown!
If you like the idea of a pink but you aren’t brave enough to try for such a bright shade of coral, then Style 4507 in Blush may just be your perfect match! You have the wow factor of Style 2530 and the glamour of 4502!
Those are our choices for our favorite alternative bridal gowns! Stay tuned for more wedding posts as wedding season comes closer! You won’t want to miss it!
xxTara
When it comes to prom, you everything can so hectic that you wind up picking a hairstyle that doesn’t work for your gown. Here are 6 different style gowns and what hair would look great with them! Don’t be afraid to have fun and try something new!
When you have a scoop neck or an illusion neck like Style 2532 you can pretty much go with anything. My two picks for this style is either have your hair down in glamour curls or have an updo that is leaning towards the side.
Having a one shoulder gown like Style 2375 it is a different story. You want to pull you hair to side with the open shoulder. My favorite go to side hair style is a side braid. There are so many great options that you will love! The side pony also allows you to see any great back detail that is going on!
When you have a strapless gown like Style 2572 you can wear you hair all down! A great hairstyle that looks like you hair is all down but has something a little extra going on is the one shown above. You get a little poof and a fabulous braid with the loo that you hair is all down because the front part isn’t pulled up and is left down. If you have boho strapless style gown like Style 2588 you can throw on a great flower crown!
When you have a higher neck or a v neck like Style 2513 you want to go with something that is half up half down. I love a great braid style that is half up half down like the one above! This hairstyle is different because all the hair in the front is pulled back.
When you have amazing back detail, and illusion back or and open back like Styles 4507 and 2503 you want an amazing up do like the one above!
If you have a plunging neckline like Style 2501 you can do almost anything that was mentioned above, but my favorite is pulling one side up and clipping it to the side. That’s what I did with my plunging neckline dress and I loved it
Those are my tips for choosing what hairstyle to get with your prom gown! Hope they help!
xxTara
#MakeupMonday: Clarisse Designs Makeup Tips for Body Makeup
This weeks #MakeupMonday is all about body makeup. You many think your face is the only thing that needs prep and makeup but your body is just as important and needs some prep and makeup.
Step 1: Exfoliate
Before you do anything you want to make sure your skin is prepped by using a gentle exfoliator. As I mentioned last week, Ocean Salt from LUSH is my all time favorite exfoliator. It is gentle on the skin and smells fabulous! This can not only be used on the face, but it can be used on your body as well! Another great exfoliator I forgot to mention last week is from Philosophy called Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash. This can also be used on both the face and the body. If you looking for something that is for the body only, Philosophy makes some exfoliating body washes as well that can be found on QVC every so often.
Step 2: Moisturize
Just like your face you want to start with a soft smooth canvas so you need to use a moisturizer. Some great tanners that double as moisturizers are St. Tropez Essentials Self Tan Dry Oil, and tarte Brazilliance™ Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Face And Body Self Tanner.
Step 3: Apply Body Makeup
Next you want to apply the “foundation” to your body. This is so the skin becomes even and seamless! You want your body to look gorgeous in photos too right?! My number one pic is Urban Decays’s Naked Skin Body Beauty Balm. One it’s shorts season I whip this baby right out. It is just like the beauty balm for your face but is specialized for your body. It also has a little shimmer in it to make you skin luminous! Another great option is from NARS called Body Glow. This is great if you want a product that does multiple things. You an skip buying a separate moisturizer, tanner, body makeup, and illuminator. This baby has it all! It’s a dry tanning oil that moisturizers, tans, evens skin ton and has a shimmer!
Step 4: Coverage (Optional)
This step is optional but if you have an imperfections on your body that you don’t want showing or have any blemishes on your body, you can opt for a high coverage concealer. My favorites are from Urban Decay and Kan Von D. They are Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage and Lock It Tattoo Coverup. Both are great for covering anything on the body.
Step 5: Contouring and Highlighting (Optional)
Contouring is another great step that is totally optional. If you want to make your cleavage and collar bone stand out you can contour and highlight with powder bronzers and highlighters. My favorite kit to contour on the body is from Too Faced called Cocoa Contoured to Perfection. This has everything you need to be a contouring queen! Stay away from liquids because it will just melt and get all over your gown.
Tips for Where to use Body Makeup:
Apply after you put your dress on and be extra careful if your gown is white.
Rule of thumb: Only apply to the areas that are showing.
Strapless Dress: Apply onto the arms, chest and the back.
Halter: Apply to the arms. If your back is out then apply to the back. If there’s any key holes you can apply to open ares if you want.
Open Back: Get a friend to help you out and apply to the back.
High Slit or Short Dress: Apply all over the legs. Apply after you put on your gown so it doesn’t get all over it. Wait for everything to dry before you lower your gown if you have a slit.
Sleeveless: Just apply to the arms.
If there’s not a high slit you can skip applying to your legs.
Now not only will your face be makeup and photo ready, but your body will be too!
Happy #MakeupMonday!
xxTara
This weeks #FashionFriday is all about the iHeartRadio Music Awards! There were so many great performances, but we can’t forget about the fabulous fashion seen on the red carpet! Here are my top picks for best dressed!
My number one pick for the night was Taylor Swift! She looks absolutely stunning in this LDB! Everything about her look just screams perfection! If you want to recreate her look for prom you should give Style 2454 a try! This dress has the look of cutouts without you having to show your skin.
My second favorite for the night was Zendaya! Her dress is colorful and playful and really makes a statement on the red carpet! My favorite part of her dress was that fabulous green color. A great style for that radiant green color is Style 2617. You get that bright color and the look of cutouts with this jaw dropping dress!
Another favorite look of mine was from Ariel Winter. Her look was just so clean and polished how could you not love it?! A great style that exudes sophisticated glamour is Style 2588 in Ivory.
One of favorite non dress looks would deff have to be from Iggy Azalea. She just rocked that look from head to toe! If you want to recreate that sexy sophisticated look give Style 4513 a try! You get all those fabulous colors from her outfit and the sheerness of the dress is just breathtaking!
My last must see look of the night was from Brittnay Snow. I am just loving those diamond cutouts! She just looks so put together and glamour! Style 2630 is breathtaking with that same diamond cutout on the back! This dress is just so gorgeous, especially with the intricate lace detail.
What were your favorite looks from the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
xxTara
#ManiMonday: Negative Space Mani’s that are Perfect for Prom
It’s Monday and that means another #ManiMonday! One of my favorite Spring Nail Trends is the Negative Space trend! Here are 5 great designs that will be great for your prom look! Prom is getting even closer so best to start planning your nail ideas now!
This first design is just darling and will look fabulous with any gown! Instead of the black you can go with any color that will match or go with your gown!
I love this design! You can use just about any color and you can add rhinestones or glitter!
Tip: If you want to add rhinestones and glitter and you’re getting your nails done at a salon make sure you don’t go too early if it’s your natural nails. The glitter chips easily if it’s loose and the rhinestones come loose easily as well.
When it comes to negative space nail art, there are many triangle design you can go with. There is the one above that makes a great choice for prom. Of the design is too much for you, you can do 4 of your nails solid and the design on your ring finger. You can even add some glitter to your pointer finger to add some sparkle!
Here is another great triangle design with the negative space! This is great if you have shorter nails since you don’t need a lot of space for the design!
Tip: When you find a design and you don’t totally like it, just change the parts you don’t like. Get creative and have fun. You don’t have to use the same colors and mix and match different designs.
I’ve been a fan of this design when Ashley Tisdale posted it on her instagram, and now here it is again with negative space and I love it even more! You can even do the design with glitter instead of a solid color to add a pop of sparkle!
Show us what mani you’re rocking with the #ClarisseBlog on Instagram !
xxTara
#MakeupMonday: Clarisse Designs Makeup Tips for How to Get Your Skin Makeup Ready for Prom
It’s #MakeupMonday and this week I am going to give you some tips for how to get your skin makeup ready for prom!
I know I am guilty of not washing my makeup off every night but this is must for makeup ready skin for prom night. If a wash cloth is too hard on your skin try using it once a week or every other night. My go to makeup remover wash is Philosophy’s Purity.Another great pick is Bliss’ Lid+Lash Wash Makeup Remover.
2. Wash your skin with an acne fighting face wash after you remove your makeup.
Even if you aren’t showing signs of acne you always want to prevent them so you can feel your best the night of prom. My all time favorite face wash Neutrogena Oil-Free Stress Control. Another favorite of mine is from Philosophy called Clear Days Ahead.
Tip: Use an oil free face wash and makeup remover if you have oily skin. If you have dry skin use an oil based remover and face wash. A great option for an oil wash is from Josie Maran.
Use toner water on your skin after you wash.
This is step I never used to follow until I found Tea Tree Toner Water from LUSH. This toner helps brighten my skin making it look awake while helping to fight my acne, especially whiteheads. Toners help prep the skin for a moisturizer and takes off excess facial cleanser. LUSH is the only brand that has toner water I like Their toners are great for when you don’t want to fully wash your skin before going to bed. You can just remove your makeup and give your face a few squirts, wipe it off and hop into bed! Another great toner water I like from them is Breath of Fresh Air.
Moisturizing your skin is so important. I can’t stress this enough. Even when your skin is oily you still need a moisturizer. My new favorite oil free moisturizer is from Philosophy called Clear Days Ahead™ Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment & Moisturizer. If you need oil in your skin try Joise Maran Argan Oil.
5. Exfoliate once a week.
Exfoliating is just as important as washing your skin because exfoliating takes off the dead skin and allows you to start with fresh skin. Sometimes exfoliating once a week can be too much so if this is the case try it every 2 weeks or once a month. My all time favorite exfoliator is from LUSH called Ocean Salt. It can be used all over your body as well!
Popping pimples might seem like a quick fix but in reality you are just spreading the bacteria. By spreading the bacteria you allow more pimples to surface as well as scarring.
Just follow these 6 tips and you will not only be makeup ready, but picture ready! Happy #MakeupMonday!
Clarisse 