March 14, 2011

Guest Post: Dwelling & Telling

I interrupt your normal 26 and Counting jibber-jabber to bring you a series of guest posts. While I am away at a conference for work, let me introduce you to a few of my favorite bloggers. Today's guest post? One of my bloggy besties, Linley from Dwelling&Telling. Take it away Linley!

Hello 26 and Counting readers - so nice to meet you! I'm Linley from Dwelling&Telling and I'm so excited to be guest posting for sweet Liz (isn't she the cutest?)! Since Liz's blog focuses on work-appropriate attire, I thought I'd share something similar. Work wear to me should be many things - including conservative, comfortable, stylish, and fun. These words have different meanings to everyone, so in a nutshell, when you are heading to work your look should completely incorporate your personal style while staying appropriate for the job at hand.


Below I put together pretty much my ultimate, go-to work look. I'm cold by nature, so pants and a cardigan were a no-brainer. Since spring is right around the corner, I went ahead and threw on my wide-leg, white trousers (I hate those "white" rules - I wear it when I want!). I kept my look neutral, but not necessarily with the typical neutrals. If you like more color a red tote, some yellow bangles, or a teal necklace would be a perfect addition.


Work Ready

Banana Republic Trousers: similar
J Crew Ruffle Tank: similar
Merona Grey Cardigan
Simply Vera Gladiator Heels: similar


In addition to wearing the right look for you, your face and makeup should be flawless and natural. Below are some products I would recommend (and that I use daily) to achieve a look that's natural, but still accentuating your gorgeous face!


workmakeup


I'm talking about these products in the order I would apply them:


1. & 6. - MAC concealer and Bare Minerals Foundation. I love MAC's select cover-up concealer because it's matched to my perfect color (thank you MAC makeup artist at my local counter!) so it takes care of anything uneven and then a light dusting of the mineral powder finishes off the face without being cakey and too thick!


4. Smashbox Blush Rush in Passion. One of my favorite basic blushes. It's a true pink and it's matte so it's perfectly work-appropriate. It's also great because you can use a light dusting of the product for a tiny bit of color to your cheeks or you can really built it up for a true pink-cheek look - whichever you prefer.


7. Urban Decay Primer Potion. If you're getting up early, working eight hours, and don't feel like touching up your eyeshadow every other hour - get some primer! This is one of my favorite products ever and I refuse to put on eyeshadow without it. It keeps your shadow from creasing all day long and when you leave work, your shadow will look just as good as when you applied it earlier that morning.


3. Urban Decay Naked Palette. I've raved on my blog before about how much I just love this palette. But that's not the point here. The point here is that you should stick to neutral colors because a.) your job is most likely during the day and b.) it's for your job and you don't want your eye shadow to take away from what you actually do at work (crazy and dark colors can be very distracting). The two colors I would recommend from this palette are Naked and Buck. Naked it a very neutral tan, so apply that on your lid. Buck is a true brown, so apply a tiny amount of that to your crease and blend so give a gradient effect (which looks natural). You could also switch the colors and put Buck on the lid and Naked in the crease - which would still be natural, but give a slightly more dramatic eye. Whichever you prefer!


5. Almay Triple Effect Mascara. This is a great mascara that offers fullness, length, and lift all in one. It does the job so well! Curl your lashes a few times before applying, give a couple coats, and your eyes are ready to go! I'd recommend the brown or black-brown color for day time.


2. NYX Lip Liner in Natural and MAC Viva Glam V Lip Gloss. I think a lip liner and lip gloss combo is great for day time/work wear. The lip liner is going to last longer throughout the day, thus less applications for you! Again, staying neutral, pick a liner that's close to your lip color (I love this NYX color!) or you could pick a pink or red if that's what you prefer. Before applying the liner, give your lips a couple coats of lip balm, then line and color in your lips. The balm helps the liner to apply better. Then finish off with a lip gloss of your choice. And you're ready for work!


If you don't know what to do with your hair, I have a classic, wavy hair-do tutorial you could try.


I hope this look and the makeup suggestions are all helpful to getting you ready for the job! Good luck with your work-appropriate attire and makeup!

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14 comments:

  1. Hello Linley......awesome guest post sweets!!! Fab work attire outfit and I too, love MAC makeup.....:)

    Stop by and say Hello:)
    Enter my Free People Giveaway!!♥

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  2. Looking great! I would wear that in a heartbeat :-)

    Relatable Style

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  3. Yay, what a fabulous guest post. I love Linley from Dwelling&Telling, she always manages to look chic & oh, so fashionable. AND she's adorable. xx veronika

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  4. I love Urban Decay's Primer Potion! It's keeps eyeshadow so firmly in place. Amazing!

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  5. Awesome pick for a guest blogger, Liz! I just love Linley's blog...definitely one of my favorites too!

    Lidi @ Eclectic Flair

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  6. Lookin lovely Linley (k I could barely type that let alone say it) ! Thank you so much for pointing out how lame the white rules are. You're awesome. ALSO AWESOME - the makeup recs. Gotta try the naked palette. I love neutral shadows!

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  7. God bless mac's concelear that keeps me from looking like a raccoon! Your go to work outfit is so pretty youthful yet professional, have a lovely week!

    <3 Cess O.
    http://blog.cessoviedo.com

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  8. thanks for having me as a guest poster today, Liz!! Hope you've finding time to have some fun down in FL!!

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  9. Already an avid Linley follower, but love the new makeup suggestions since I'm such a novice. Very cute work outfit as well!

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  10. Cute post Linley! Love the makeup suggestions!

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  11. Wearing white whenever you want is my kind of rule! You look great and the naked palette is going on my birthday wishlist! :)

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  12. Great guest post, L! I love those pants on you. This would be a perfect outfit to wear to my office.

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  13. If you are looking for a good powder, the Palladio rice powder is inexpensive but feels super light weight. In addition to the Urban Decay Naked palette, I use the Wet 'n Wild Walking on Eggshells eye trio almost everyday. Its so neutral yet so pretty.

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  14. i love Linley and think you so much for letting her guest post! great tips too on creating a nice work outfit!

    cute & little

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