Category: Features
Beauty Products that are Worth the Splurge
I live for my Revlons, Maybellines, and L’Oreals, but sometimes, when it comes to beauty, you really do get what you pay for. Now, I’m not telling you to go spend $115 on a Tom Ford brush – which is a real thing, we might add – but there are products out there that really will transform you like no drugstore brand can. Stock up on these essentials, and let CVS take care of the rest.
Fresh Crème Ancienne Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask – $130
Okay, so this isn’t technically makeup, and I know it’s ABSURDLY expensive, but I had to list it because it will make your foundation glide on flawlessly. It’s a super moisturizing, pure honey mask that sinks into the skin like butter – and it smells absolutely delicious. Plus, you only need to use it once every week or two, and the jar seems to last forever.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer – $24
I’m not exaggerating when I say you could get no sleep for a week and still look wide-awake using this concealer. Apply with a brush or your finger, and watch as it blends in flawlessly thanks to infused skin softeners. I advise buying a shade lighter than you would for foundation to really brighten up your eyes.
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base – $25
I thought I’d never break up with my Urban Decay Primer Potion, but alas, I’ve found something new. This stuff might as well be glue, it makes your eyeshadow last so long. We’re talking 14 HOURS long. I’m also obsessed with its stick applicator, which allows for a totally precise application, sans messy fingers.
Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow – $32
When I went to Ulta to check this product out, I put it down three times because of the price before ultimately deciding to buy it. Boy, am I glad I did. The included liquid primer makes the glitter really pop, offering a sexy, wet eye look. I got the shade “Comex Gold” – just a little bolder than my typical taupe, and perfect for a night out.
Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer – $24
You may think you’re bad at putting on nail polish, but the more likely culprit? The polish you’re using isn’t very high quality. Dior’s polish brushes make having pretty nails a cinch, and the formula glides on seamlessly in one coat. The shade “Trafalgar” is the ideal red, “Bouquet” is a perky pink and “Blue Label” is a bolder, navy blue option.
NYFW: Street Style Edition
Fashion Week is pretty much a 2-for-1 special, thanks to the to-die-for street style that consistently graces the sidewalks. The Fall/Winter 2014 Ready-to-Wear shows are no different, offering us a glimpse into the impeccable, real-life closets of the world’s most coveted models, designers and bloggers. And what better place for wardrobe envy than New York? Take a peek at the city’s finest right here.
Prints, prints, prints!
From florals to stripes and everything in between, bold prints were a NYFW favorite. The difference between this set and your typical houndstooth wearer: their ability to mix and match patterns flawlessly. We’re taking mental notes; what about you?
Foxy Furs
Something about fur just screams old Hollywood – and we can’t get enough. Start slow with a subtle fur collar, and work your way up to full-blown coat. Don’t worry: faux is just as fabulous.
Grungy Leather
Okay, the typical black leather jacket can get a little tired. But these fashion gurus know how to mix it up, whether it’s with a pop of color, a girly tutu or even a simple sundress underneath. Oh, and studs are ALWAYS a plus.
Pretty Pastels
How refreshing! Amid a sea of black, these girly pinks and blues managed to still look winter-y. Stick to wool, fur and other thick materials to stay in season, and dodge chiffon and silk like the plague.
Street Style Profile: Powerkompany
Marie Davon and Andrew Heaton are the magic behind Athens based band Powerkompany. Scientists by day, musicians by night, this dynamic duo also happens to be the perfect subject for this weeks edition of Vinyl Mag’s Street Style Profile—seeing as they are each other’s Valentines! Though Powerkompany is currently on tour and enjoying Fashion Week in the Big Apple, they were happy to share a little with us about how they approach style and what influences their music making. Also click here for a link to their awe-inspiring music, and be sure to scroll down for a very special Valentines-day inspired playlist—chosen just for you by Powerkompany.
Can you tell us a little about how you started making music together, or how Powerkompany was born?
I started playing my songs around the house, and Andrew would hear them and start playing guitar or violin along. Then we started recording them, just for fun and the production evolved organically over time.
What are your musical or artistic influences?
That’s such a tough question, because nearly every single person, place, thing, sound, smell, experience influences us.
Does your scientific background affect or influence your music making? If so, how?
We approach everything like it’s an experiment.
Tell us about how your personal styles influence each other; what is your favorite thing about how the other approaches dress- who styles who?
[Marie] I’m the main stylist of Pk, meaning that I choose the themes and colors. I usually get dressed first, and once that’s chosen, Andrew can usually come up with a really creative and great complimentary outfit from the basic guidelines I set. We both appreciate comfort expressed with beautiful little details, which is how we dress… or at least try. We also love working with up and coming designers and picking favorite pieces to incorporate in our everyday life, like what we did with Lindsey Simunec and our album outfits. We wear some and all of the pieces she made for that shoot.
What is your position on Valentine’s Day – yay or nay?
Meh…we’re everyday lovers.
Which of your songs has the best backstory?
The best personal backstory, I guess would be for “Another One Born in New York,” based on a beautiful girl in NY that Andrew and I grew close to and had strong feelings for. Love can show up in unexpected ways sometimes…
But who can beat the story of the Little Mermaid? Our song “Mermaid” is based on that story.
*Don’t forget to check out Powerkompany’s Valentine’s playlist below!
Powerkompany Valentine’s Playlist:
Winter Wren Grand Opening
Atlanta’s newest fashion boutique, Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands, celebrated its grand opening Thursday night with a chic evening of great food and drinks, while offering 20% off all store merchandise. The soiree, which lasted from 6-9 p.m., was an opportunity for the retailers to show their appreciation for the neighborhood, which has already embraced their new addition, as well as their other boutique, 310 Rosemont.
Complimentary Sushi was provided by Genki Sushi, a local staple located just a few steps from Winter Wren in Virginia Highlands. Refreshing cocktails made with Cathead Honeysuckle vodka mixed with lemonade, mint and cucumber, combined with warm spring fashions almost made the crowd forget it was February. A jazz trio comprised of bass, saxophone, piano, and beautiful female vocals complemented the store’s elegant atmosphere.
Complete with a Free People shop-in-shop, the boutique also carries designer fashions from Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff and 7 Jeans, just to name a few. There are presently numerous sales throughout the store including some as high as 50% off on Michael Kors bags.
Store Manager Carrie Cala said, “Winter Wren comes in at a lower price point than 310 Rosemont and includes designs targeting younger customers, while maintaining sophistication. It will be a good opportunity for women in the area to get the brands they want without having to drive to Lenox Mall.” Besides factors of convenience, Winter Wren can also offer young women something most other design retailers do not; a student discount. Show your student ID and receive 10% off!
Winter Wren looks like the closet every girl dreams of having. With an eclectic variety of designs there is truly something for everyone, at prices everyone can celebrate.
Fashion Night Out ATL 2014 Industry Mixer
The third edition of Fashion Night Out ATL was held last Wednesday night at The Loft in Castleberry Hills to celebrate the kick off of New York Fashion Week. The event, which included a fashion show featuring some of Atlanta’s most talented designers and a silent auction, was an opportunity to raise money for two non-profit organizations.
The host for the evening, Renee Knorr of My Beauti Network, was decked out in a flowing black gown worn previously by Rihanna. Knorr’s dress, as well as others in the show, was donated by CAUSE For Elegance, a non-profit organization that accepts used garments at low or no cost for re-sale to fund charities like the United Negro College Fund. Knorr explained that events like these are important for Atlanta to “empower fashion through sharing” and thanked the audience for participating.
As the show began, models wearing Baba G’s gold winged earpieces and large collar necklaces walked the runway. His “wearable art” is a nod to African tribal fashion and has been worn by the likes of Lady Gaga, Erykah Badu and Willow Smith.
2013 Fashion Showcase Winner Alex Holliman’s designs were graceful displays of eye-popping sequins and unique pleats. They included a flirty black party dress with a leather bustier and a grey sequined gown with a mesh top and open back. The crowd applauded as his final piece, a red off-shoulder gown that flowed down the runway.
Designs by Linda Bezuienhout and H2G menswear were also featured in the show, as well as numerous donated red gowns from CAUSE for Elegance. The red dresses were part of a theme for February’s American Heart Disease Awareness Month. Funds from the auction also went to Easter Seals, which provides financial assistance to disabled and special needs adults and children.
For more information about Easter Seals please visit here. To purchase these red carpet looks, check out the Cause for Elegance Facebook page.
For more photos of this event, check out the album on our Facebook page!
5-Minute College Makeup
“Forget makeup,” you may be tempted to say as you hit the snooze button yet again before getting up for class. Believe it or not, though, looking polished for school can be really important: who knows what kind of connections your professors may have? Who knows who you’ll meet? But doing your makeup for class doesn’t have to be a 45-minute drag. Got five minutes? That’s all you’ll need, if you’ve got the right products on hand.
1. Use a Beauty Blender Sponge to quickly stipple a BB Cream (or tinted moisturizer) into moisturized skin focusing color under the eyes to look more awake. We like Bobbi Brown BB Cream with SPF 35.
2. Apply Maybelline Master Glaze Blush in your preferred shade from cheekbones to temples, making sure to blend it in.
3. Dot and blend a shaded eyeshadow primer, like Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, all over the lids. This product cuts out a step, so you don’t have to apply primer and then shadow.
4. Use Covergirl Bombshell Intensity Liner – in brown or black, whichever you prefer – to line the top lid and wing it into a subtle cat eye. Liquid liner is usually a little tough on a time crunch, but this product’s short handle makes it easier to maintain control.
5. Finish up the eyes with a thick coat of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara on only the top lashes – you don’t want to spend the day worrying about smudging.
6. Swipe on a sheer red lip stain, like Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Romantic.
And voila! A quick, classic look for class. That wasn’t so bad, right?
Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Week Preview
It’s hard to believe that, before even a single flower has bloomed, Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Week – er, month – is upon us. But we’ll forgive the fashion industry’s obsessive compulsive need to work ahead, and just revel in the colossal beauty and artistry that’s certain to be present on the runways. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done when there are hundreds of shows each season, so we picked the ones we’re looking forward to most. Tom Ford, Versace, and Lanvin: here we come.
NEW YORK
Oscar de la Renta (February 11, 6:30 p.m. at 11 W 42nd St (25th Fl)): Expect Oscar’s usual sophisticated uniform, but with a twist. We’re thinking glitter, pops of color, and major hardware on his always-figure-flattering sheaths and separates.
Jeremy Scott (February 12, 1 p.m. at Milk Studios, 450 W. 15th St.): To be honest, you can never know what to expect at Jeremy Scott, but we know it’ll be interesting, to say the least. Last fall, the show featured bright checkered boots and punk-y message sweaters.
Marc Jacobs (February 13, 8 p.m. at 69th Regiment Factory, 68 Lexington Ave (25th/26th St)): We’re crossing our fingers that Jacobs will continue his adoration of 50s silhouettes with a grunge flair. High-waisted shorts and black leather, coming right up!
LONDON
Mary Katrantzou (February 16, 6 p.m.): Prints, prints, and more prints – and a whole lotta color. Get your dose of funky at Mary Katrantzou, where structured, patterned pieces reign supreme.
Christopher Kane (February 17 at 10 a.m.): Kane quite literally makes fashion a science. Who else could turn heat maps of the brain and flower anatomy into something uber-cool to wear? Trust us, you don’t want to miss his next experiment.
Tom Ford (February 17 at 7 p.m.): Tom Ford’s pieces used to be a little on the safe side, until a few seasons ago when he premiered sequined KABOOM explosions on minimalist gowns. We can’t wait to see if he keeps pushing the envelope.
MILAN
DSquared2 (Date TBA): Holy chic! DSquared2 has been having a total Parisian moment the past few seasons, complete with berets, pencil skirts, and lace. We’re hoping the streak will continue, because damn, it’s good.
Dolce & Gabbana (Date TBA): D&G is quickly becoming everyone’s favorite design house, thanks to their fabulous looks incorporating Italian history. We’ve adored everything from their Byzantine-era frocks to their Roman coin earrings. This season may be simpler though, as foreshadowed by their new fragrance, Dolce.
Versace (Date TBA): We’re usually a fan of more ladylike getups, but sometimes being bad feels so, so good. Maybe Donatella’s leather, dominatrix-loving side will come out to play yet again? We can only hope.
PARIS
Lanvin (Date TBA): Lanvin has been charming our pants off recently with some adorable tea-length skirts and quirky jewelry galore. We want more!
Miu Miu (Date TBA): Again, total Parisian-chic. What we’ve been loving most about Miu Miu lately, though, is the figure flattering direction they’ve been going in. Who doesn’t need a waist-skimming LBD? Hopefully they’ll feature more of their unique accessories too, like polka dot scarves and zippered heels.
Saint Laurent (Date TBA): Say what you will, but ever since “Yves” was dropped from their name, Saint Laurent has been flirting with our inner 90s child. More plaid, studs, and leather, please!
The GRAMMYs Debunked
It seems everyone in the United States of America and then some watched the GRAMMYs. Twitter was bursting at the seams with social commentary regarding Taylor Swift dancing like a wacky inflatable man and Ozzy Osbourne’s convoluted and baffling introduction to the remaining Beatles’ performance. But do people really understand how the GRAMMYs work? How do artists get nominated? Who decides the winner? What is the difference between the record of the year and song of the year? Well look no further, my friends, your questions will be answered here.
The GRAMMY awards are put on annually by The Recording Academy, an organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievements and powerful accomplishments in the music industry within the past year. However in the past decade or so, the Academy has become very involved in advocating the arts and contributes to multiple outreach programs in the United States. Not to worry; they are not just a group of music snobs sitting around with cigars criticizing music.
Well then, who exactly is in The Recording Academy, you ask? Wonderful question. The Recording Academy is comprised of “creative and technical professionals….. and other recording industry professionals such as executive producers, writers, publishers, attorneys, record label staff, music merchants, music educators, and artist managers who are directly involved, on a professional basis, in the music business,” according to the Grammy 365 website.
HOWEVER not just any old person that considers himself an “industry professional” can vote. Now, now, we wouldn’t leave the outcome of the most prestigious American music awards in the hands of Bob next door with a YouTube account and a few T-Swift covers would we? No way. In order to be a VOTING member of The Recording Academy, you must apply. There are a series of qualifications you must meet under different categories, such as having a particular amount of recorded and released music or being endorsed by an existing voting member. Hey, if you were nominated for a GRAMMY though, that will certainly put you on the fast-track to becoming a voting member. Well, if it was within the past five years.
SO how does one get nominated to win a GRAMMY award? Well, a registered Recording Academy member or an artist’s record label submits their recording electronically. Then, the voting members do what they do best: vote!
Now, you ask, what is the difference between the song of the year and record of the year? How is “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk the record of the year, and Lorde’s “Royals” is the song of the year? Aren’t those the same thing? Well, it is rather simple. According to the GRAMMY website, the song of the year recognizes just songwriters while the record of the year takes into account the artist’s performance as well as the studio work that went into the album, including any producers, mixers, and recording engineers. Makes more sense why a million people we didn’t recognize were up on stage with those two crazy robots. A lot of work goes into a recording, and The Recording Academy recognizes those contributions. I mean look at their name… it is kind of a given.
Last of all, that ever-enduring GRAMMY question that everyone is racking their brains for an answer to, the question that haunts us in our sleep and everywhere we go on the internet: why do they let Taylor Swift stand up and dance during the show? Ladies and gentlemen, I may never ever have that answer. I sincerely wish I did, however, you are going to have to take it up with The Recording Academy yourselves.
Street Style Profile: Kristine Leschper
On a recent snowy day in Athens (I’m sure those of you in town remember it well), we met with local musician and art student, Kristine Leschper. Kristine is the irreverent and mysterious vocalist behind Mothers, and she’s just as interesting as her music. For this weeks street style review, we asked Kristine to wear an outfit with a story:
The Jacket:
“The jacket was my grandmothers in the 1940’s/50’s. I was at her house a few years ago looking through her incredible collections of clothing, art, and trinkets that she had gathered over the years. I told her how incredible the leather coat was, and she said, ‘take it – looks better on you!'”
The Ring:
“When I was eighteen my father gave me this ring, because he wanted to be the first boy to give me a diamond. “
I have to admit, I almost teared up a little when Kristine told the ring story…but I held it together for a short conversation to find out a little more about Kristine’s style and inspiration:
Vinyl Mag: First, what are a few of your favorite things?
Kristine Leschper: Bones, ivy plants, teeth, and winged insects.
VM: What/who influences your style, or what kind of things inspire the way you dress?
KL: I joke that I dress like a teenage boy in the 90’s. This outfit is pretty put together for me – I usually end up wearing a lot of corduroy shirts and denim jackets.
VM: What are you currently listening to?
KL: Angel Olsen’s “Tiny Desk Concert” on NPR… over and over.
VM: Are there any shows you’re excited to go see in the near future? (local or otherwise)
KL: I’m really stoked about Real Estate in March, and Daniel Rossen in April.
VM: Lastly (and most importantly), If you could pick a superpower what would it be?
KL: Invisibility!
If you haven’t had a chance to check out Kristine’s music or amazing prints, follow the links below!
Thanks for visiting Vinyl Mag for this weeks Street Style Profile.
In Memoriam: Philip Seymour Hoffman
- In a Sunday, March 5, 2006, file photo, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman poses with the Oscar he won for best actor for his work in “Capote” at the 78th Academy Awards, in Los Angeles. Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his apartment on Sunday Feb. 2, 2014. He was 46 years old. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File).
“Not mine, sir” the Count replies, after being told that his work on the pirate radio ship is finished due to British laws. “I’m an American citizen, and I don’t give a hootenanny g*ddamn about your nitpicking limey laws. I intend to broadcast from this ship 24 hours a day until the day I die. And then for a couple days after that.”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, as the Count in Pirate Radio (released as The Boat That Rocked in the U.K.), electrified the screen, yelling into the microphone, refusing to stop broadcasting rock and roll to all of England even as everything from the British government to jagged rocks threatened to sink their vessel into the North Sea.
Pirate Radio was merely a movement in the symphony that was Hoffman’s acting career. Before the age of 40, he had won an Academy Award for his performance in Capote. From The Big Lebowski to Almost Famous to The Hunger Games, Hoffman never failed to invigorate the audience, completely morphing into each character he embodied, losing himself in the role. Consequently, the audience continuously lost themselves in him.
Born in Rochester, New York, in 1967, Hoffman’s love for acting found its roots as early as high school. He attended the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University to further nourish his passion, and after landing the role of Scotty J. in Boogie Nights, his career took flight. From that moment onward, he became a symbol of out-there movies, often playing quirky roles with vibrant characters and exuberant emotion.
Hoffman truly believed in the importance of his job and the solemnity with which he approached each character was the mark of a truly dedicated actor. As he told TIME’s Michael Krantz in a 1999 interview, “Actors are responsible to the people we play.” But Hoffman did not just “play” people; he completely transformed into them on both the stage and the silver screen.
As is often the price of fame and fortune, Hoffman struggled with a drug and alcohol addiction. Although he sought treatment multiple times, he relapsed in 2012 and was found dead in his Greenwich Village apartment on February 2, 2014, from an apparent drug overdose.
As an aspiring music writer myself, I will never forget the way Philip Seymour Hoffman portrayed Lester Bangs, legendary music critic, in Almost Famous. His brash, bold demeanor and cheeky, impertinent attitude lit up the screen as he gave advice to Will, a hopeful young music journalist. I guess in a way, I imagined him talking to me, advising me as he did Will, about rock stars and the lifestyle they lead. He called it the “industry of cool” and gave some of the best advice I have ever heard: “you have to make your reputation on being honest, and…unmerciful.” His words resonated with the journalist inside of me.
“Music, you know,” Hoffman says, playing Lester with vivid expression, “true music – not just rock n roll – it chooses you.” Gesturing wildly with every word as he speaks into a radio microphone, Hoffman continues, “It lives in your car, or alone listening to your headphones, you know, with the vast scenic bridges and angelic choirs in your brain. It’s a place apart from the vast, benign lap of America.”
The world lost a magnificent individual who possessed a remarkable ability to evoke from the people who watched his films every emotion from smirking laughter to woeful tears. In a world of fakes and temporary fads, his authenticity and timelessness will be greatly missed but not forgotten.