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Observations in Fashion

Less Might Be More When It Comes To Good Skincare

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With over 25,000 skincare products to choose from no wonder most of us are confused about which products to use. Considering all of the choices there are it’s inevitable that our cabinets are full of products we probably don’t need. According to an article in The Telegraph the average woman uses 16 beauty products everyday! I can’t imagine the amount of time it would take to wash, exfoliate, tone, rub, protect, and make up your face by applying all 16 products. But I can relate to the confusion over what products are best for our skin.

More and more products are being produced every year that promise to reduce fine lines, create glowing skin, eliminate dark spots, and tighten our sagging faces. And it’s no surprise that the growth in the skincare industry is largely in the anti-aging category.

Here’s another interesting fact. Almost all of these products are owned by 7 corporations. Which begs the question—do expensive products work better than less expensive products?

In an article from the New York Times, The $20 Luxury Face Cream, the author opines that beauty brands are changing the way they market through more transparency. According to the author, Chrystal Martin, there is still a lot of misrepresentation in the beauty industry. However, with insiders spilling the beans on the efficacy of claims made by brands it is becoming easier to research these claims. Insiders like Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu who founded Chemist Confessions attempt to unpack the enigma of products in laymen’s terms. In their blog and podcast they reveal how ingredients work. Further, they help to demystify the proprietary formulas claimed on the packaging.

There were some interesting new products that were recommended by Crystal with notes on what ingredients are worth placing on our skin. Ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide can reduce pigmentation and tighten pores. It also mentions hyaluronic acid which helps our skin retain moisture. And then of course there is the holy grail of ingredients. Retinoids and rentinols have been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

The article was informative enough but what I found much more illuminating were the comments (and I read them all). These comments were quite broad from favorite products to quips on aging. However, there was a consensus from the commenters regarding the subject of skincare.

~Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary are two very popular websites for good recommendations. In addition these will websites explain the benefits of ingredients used.

~We don’t need to spend a lot of money for great products.

~Good genes trumps great products.

~CeraVe is a drugstore gold standard for skincare.

~Sunscreen and retinols (or retinoids) are the 2 most essential products for good skincare.

Eat well, laugh alt, and be chic!

The Easiest Gadgets to Organize Your Closets And Drawers

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I’ve written extensively on the subject of how to organize your closets but what I have failed to focus on are a number of great gadgets and things that will help you manage your closets and drawers in a more accessible and harmonious way.

The science is in! Less chaos promotes a more tranquil mood and chaos can manifest itself in many ways. One way is a disheveled closet. Don’t be discouraged if the thought of getting organized just seems too distressing. It’s actually easy with a little help from the Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond or even your local hardware store.

The first rule of closet organizing is to use the same hangers. The reason is that there is so much to focus on when you are looking for something to wear and different hangers just complicate the picture making dressing more difficult. If you have limited space in your closet choose a slim hanger as they will free up more room than the thicker ones.


Real Simple Flocked Hangers $19.99 for 50

It’s easy to forget what scarves and wraps you have to choose from if they are folded away in a drawer. In the event you prefer folding them don’t store them stacked onto one another instead of arranging them using a side-by side approach. This method allows you to see what you have without destroying a neat pile. 

If you have smaller and lightweight scarves or simply prefer to store them in your closet use a hanger that is made specifically to accommodate many.

iDesign Classico Graphite Scarf Organizer $7.99

If you have a large drawer it’s easy for it to become messy even with the best of efforts. Try using a divider to keep your things in order.

Drawer Organizer Set of 2 $12.79 Set of 4 $23.99

If your drawers are deeper simply stack the dividers onto of one another.

In addition there are so many wonderful gadgets to help you manage your shoe collection. For everyone with limited space my best recommendation is to hang them on your closet door.

20-Pocket Eco-Fabric Over the Door Shoe Bag $24.99

If you prefer to arrange your shoes on shelves this gizmo will save you a lot of space.

Shoe Space Savers Set of 6 $17.99

Whether you use your closet shelves for sweaters or handbags these smart dividers will help you keep your things neat.

Lynk Small Chrome Solid Shelf Dividers Set of 2 $8.99

Your closet doors are underutilized and the perfect spacer hanging more than just shoes. The wall-mounted rack is perfect for belts.

iDesign Axis 8-Hook Wall-Mounted Rack $14.99

Last but not least I would like to give you some solutions for your drawer that are designed for all the little stuff like underwear and camisoles. These neat organizers can be arranged or stacked in a number of ways.

Linen Drawer Organizers $14.99-$19.99

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!

What You Need To Know About Real Cashmere

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Have you ever purchased a sweater that is labeled 100% cashmere because of its insane low price? Have you ever purchased a cashmere sweater only to find it itches like crazy? Chances are those sweaters are not the real deal.

Real cashmere is very special because the fiber from the cashmere goats comes only from the neck region of the goat. In addition the processing of that fiber is expensive as the fine hair which is the defining characteristic of cashmere must be separated from the coarser hair.

Real cashmere has some amazing properties;

~Cashmere can take 3-5 goats to produce one sweater. 

~It will keep it’s shape and last for years.

~It does not require special care. The best way to care for a real cashmere garment its to hand wash it.

~It is 6 times finer than human hair.

~If you take proper care of your cashmere garment it will not fade or stretch out.

~Cashmere is naturally insulating. Even when it is thinly woven it will keep you warm in 40 degree temperatures.

~It does not itch unless, of course, you have allergies to wool.

Cashmere has become so popular that it is being overproduced to meet demand. 

The demand for the fiber has caused some manufacturers, knowingly or unknowingly, to sell textiles or clothing containing little to no cashmere. 

Wool and other fibers have been mixed in by less than honest manufacturers, deliberately selling mislabeled items to well-known department stores

What can you do?

Here are 3 rules to follow to ensure that the next time you purchase cashmere it is real.

~If it’s cheap at the regular price it’s either not real or has very little of the precious fiber in it and should not be labeled 100% cashmere.

~Try it on. If it irritates your skin and you are not allergic to wool then it’s probably not the real deal.

~If you can’t afford the real thing at the regular price keep your eyes on sales or shop at your local secondhand store.

Eat well, laugh a lot, and be chic!