Tag Archives: beauty

Why I Couldn’t Be Happier to be Turning 30

30th birthday Aspiring Socialite J.Crew Dress

What’s even better than a 30th birthday party? A 30th birthday photo shoot of course! This Labor Day weekend (September 4th to be exact) I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday. While many of us lament the loss of our 20s as the end of our youth, I personally couldn’t be more excited to be leaving my 20s behind. While I learned a lot from my mistakes and had some great accomplishments like graduating from college, starting this blog, moving to New York, meeting my amazing boyfriend and getting my first real job, the truth is it was a sad decade filled with uncertainty and the struggles of being broke. It was basically like being 13 again only you have to pay your own bills. The further I got into my 20s, the more Britney Spears’ 2007 breakdown made perfect sense. That basically sums it up, but everything good or bad must always come to an end.

Today at 30 I feel younger, happier and more vibrant than I ever did in my early 20s (mush of that is because I’ve replaced drinking with fitness and feeling sorry for myself with taking action). As I look toward the adventures to come I often wish to be richer, skinnier, prettier or smarter, but I don’t wish to be younger. It took me almost 30 years to get it together. So in many ways my adult life has just begun and I look forward to embracing the coming years as a smarter, happier and humbler person. For once in my life I truly love who I am because I’ve fought, failed and failed again to be her. While I don’t know what the future will bring, I know that I’ll continue to fight for the person I am and want to be.
Aspiring Socialite 30th Birthday

At the end of my aerial fitness classes they often share a quote from Antigravity Founder Christopher Harrison. It goes, “Hidden in the forces that bring us down, is the energy to lift us up.” If anything my 20s gave me that. In the spirit of feeling and looking great, I decided to pose in front of the Goddess Wall in Soho. I recently discovered this work of street art and it really speaks to me. Many thanks to artists @jeremypenn and  @lambrosart for creating such an inspiring mural.

If you’re a struggling 20 something, I know exactly how you feel because not so long ago I was you. We all have our own paths in life, so the only real advice I can give you is that it doesn’t matter where you’re going or how you get there as long as you continue to move and look forward. The path is almost never straight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving forward. And when you turn 30, celebrate the amazingness of being 3 decades old with a 30th birthday photo shoot! If you’re in the New York area, Zarif Taufiq would be happy to do yours too.

Party City Balloons J.Crew Dress

Speaking of 30th birthday shoots, I know you’re dying to know how I got this amazing look. The dress is a J.Crew Spaghetti-Strap Dress in Colorful Brushstroke Print. I paired this happy birthday dress with Swedish Hasbeens Ornament Clogs in Black (my fav summer shoes) and my Mighty Purse Gold Stud Wristlet that has a built in phone charger.

30th birthday party

Many thanks to Valerie Star from Caravan Stylist Studio for doing such a beautiful job on my hair, makeup and nails. I really felt like a movie star! If you’re looking to recreate this look or just get your hands on some fab beauty products, I’ll tell you what she used. She styled these beautifully modern curls using OGX Anti-Gravity + Hydration O2 Weightless Oil & Lift Tonic, OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Elevated Finish Spray and OGX Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Weightless Hydration Oil. For my makeup she made my eyes really pop with Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral PalettePixi Endless Silky Eye Pen, POP Beauty Pow Wow Powder, Pixi Mattelustre Lipstick and POP Beauty Brow Shape & Shade. Manuka Secrets was used on my skin and I wore Color Club’s It’s a Sauna Out Here Nail Polish.

Photos by: Zarif Taufiq

J.Crew Dress Birthday 30th Birthday

30th birthday ideas

How to celebrate your 30th birthday

Aspiring Socialite NYC Street Art Soho

birthday ideas 30th birthday

birthday party 30th birthday Aspiring Socialite Fashion Blogger

Fashion Blogger Aspiring Socialite 30th birthday

birthday girl birthday balloons 30th birthday

Georgetown Cupcakes Birthday Balloons

30th birthday milestone birthday

birthday party 30th birthday

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TechStyle NYC’s Urban Oasis

Summer Hair Aspiring Socialite

I recently spent some quality time hanging out at an amazing house in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan checking out some awesome products with some of NYC’s most fabulous bloggers. Complete with an indoor pool, this house was truly an urban oasis in the concrete jungle we know as New York.

Aside from meeting some really compelling people, I got my hair done by Caravan Stylist Studio, checked out the cutting edge Velvet Eyewear line and got a true feel for Lifetherapy’s mood-changing body creams, lotions and scrubs. I love how Lifetherapy allows you to choose your mood just by choosing a scent. No matter which you choose, all of their scents will help you escape into a relaxing, happy place.

Many thanks to TechStyle NYC for the invite. It was good vibes all around and truly one of the highlights of my summer.

Velvet Eyewear sunglasses

Sporting my Velvet Eyewear Zoey Sunglasses in Nude and Light Blue. I love them!

Velvet Eyewear

TechStyle Indoor Pool

Lifetherapy body wash

Lifetherapy Fragrance Body

Bath tub Lifetherapy

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New Year, New Beauty!

2016 is just around the corner and one of the best ways to celebrate a New Year is to treat yourself to something nice. I’ve always found that buying yourself a new beauty product is one of the most affordable and glam ways to ring in the New Year.

red lipstick beauty makeup tips

Since New Year’s Resolutions often involve eating less, spending less or depriving yourself of one thing or another, doing a little something for yourself is a great way to offset a less fun resolution. So hit up your local Sephora, Ulta or drug store and get yourself something nice.

Getting your New Year’s beauty on doesn’t always mean splurging or going over budget. I’ve found lower priced products that are almost identical to their higher end counterparts. For example, Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara priced at around $9.49 produces similarly fabulous results to my all time favorite Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara that goes for around $23.00. If you can’t afford to pay $54 for the Urban Decay Naked3 eyeshadow palette, simply pick up a Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette for just $9.99. I’ve used both mascaras and both palettes and know from experience that they will give you similar if not identical results.

Even just getting yourself a new nail polish or a Birchbox subscription can get your year off to the right start.  If you’re happy with all the new products you got for the holidays, then why not get yourself a new makeup case to help you move forward with your New Year’s Resolution to travel more? Get ready to get glam!

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Guest Post: The Dos & Don’ts of Bridal Makeup

You’ve always dreamed of your wedding day. So when it comes to the biggest day of your life, your makeup better be perfect. Follow these simple rules straight from a bridal makeup artist and your wedding day makeup is sure to be stunning.

bride

DO have pictures to inspire your artist

Time and time again I get asked for a “smokey eye” or have people say “you’re the professional – you do what you think.” Everyone is so different, and rightly so (my job would be very boring if that weren’t so) but go Google “Smokey Eyes” and you will see my point – there are so many variations. So, get some inspiration pictures for your artist of looks you like. Even photos of something you don’t like can be helpful too.

DON’T use tons of under eye concealer

Some under eye concealer buffed out will be invisible and then a small amount of a slightly warmer than normal concealer applied to the very blue line under the eyes can help to hide those dark circles. You want it to be light though. Applying lots won’t hide dark circles, it will just make them more prominent.

DO use a mirror in good light

When checking your look do make sure you are in good light. Have a wander around your house and check your makeup in different rooms.

DON’T be afraid to say what you think

Your wedding artist will be used to tweaking looks and adapting them to suit each client. So speak up if you don’t like something . You are paying for her to be there and it’s better to do the fine tuning now than have you hate it later.

DO Be Yourself

If you are used to a strong makeup or a natural no makeup look on a day to day basis then be yourself and go with how you will feel comfortable. There are no rules to what you have to be. This is your day. So be yourself only better.

DON’T go all one color

A little color works in pictures and the last thing you want is your face to have disappeared when you get your photos back. Add in a hint of pink or peach lipstick or blush because once you are head to toe in a wedding gown the color can drain from you.

DO take your time

Once you’ve had your trial, be sure to take your makeup for a test drive before making the commitment for the wedding. Go out with your girlfriends or to dinner with your fiance (if you don’t mind him seeing it). Anything to get out and make sure you love it.

DON’T go crazy topping up

If you’ve picked a good artist, your makeup will last. Lipstick should be the only thing you really need to top up. Unnecessary touch ups will only ruin your look.

This guest post is by Clare Ardern of Harry Jon, a leading hair and makeup artist with over 10 years experience. As a specialist in wedding hair and makeup, Clare prides herself on her diverse skill and portfolio to suit every style.

My bridal beauty picks:

New York Fashion Week So Far!

We’re halfway through New York Fashion Week (At least I think we are. It gets hard to keep track of time when your life is this crazy). So far I’ve had such a great time adventuring around the city with Kristi of Currentlycrushing.com and going to fab shows like GEORGINE and Herve Leger. Can’t wait to see what fab shows and parties are to come. Follow @Aspiringsocialite on Instagram for the latest from #NYFW!

New York Fashion Week Street Style

Striking a pose outside the Vogue Lounge

Pamella Roland SS16

The 90s chocker takes new life at Pamella Roland SS16

Pamella Roland final walk SS16

Pamella Roland Final Walk

nail art

Getting my nails done at the Vogue Lounge

The Blonds

A retrospective of The Blonds’ collections at the Rootstein Launch Party

Zang Toi SS16

Zang Toi SS16 inspired by the splendor of Santorini

Zang Toi Final Walk

Zang Toi final walk

coffee break

A much-needed coffee break at the Maybelline Lounge

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