Bust Out of that Style Rut

New York Fashion Week Fall 2014 kicks off this Thursday and that means stellar style snaps on AND off the runways!

We thought we'd take some current street pics as inspiration for all of us to try out some simple, chic new looks.


1) 9-5 AND THEN SOME: Make your office attire weekend brunch appropriate and pair it with a crisp white tee and cute patterned kicks. A cross body bag adds the perfect casual cool finishing touch.

2) WHIMSICAL WHITE: Beat those S.A.D. blues and grab a fresh white beret instead of your old black beanie. Super cute and functional = win win!

3) BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR: Skinny jeans have reigned supreme for the past few years, but now, more loose and relaxed boyfriend cuts are ready to take over. It's easy to veer into sloppy territory when you go baggy on bottom, so make sure you keep the rest of your outfit structured (like the dope coat here) and definitely opt for a heeled shoe.

All photos courtesy harpersbazaar.com

Heads Up- Giveaways Coming Up!

Fall means amazing colors and transformations... in nature and for you!

Anybody else remember playing "Heads Up, 7 Up" back in the day and how it was such a nice reprieve from the extreme rigors of simple math and spelling?

BrainyBeautys does! In the spirit of Back to School and Fashion Month, we are going to do our own take on giveaway game fun! Keep a close lookout in the following week- we'll be hitting you with some fab posts on new fall-perfect products and how you can win some of the most covetable items!

Back to Beauty

It's that special time of year... when commercials start pushing notebooks and pens, ten pound September issues overfill our mailboxes, football season gets underway, and we all start trying to undo the sun damage of the previous three months (or thirty years... sunscreen, schmunscreen!)

I myself have found a most fantastic facial regimen that leaves my complexion feeling soft, looking luminous and ready to take on my favorite season. Step right up dear readers! It's right this way!

Summer Skin Saver Product #1: LUMENE Pure Radiance Day Cream SPF15

This Vitamin C+  moisturizer with Arctic Cloudberry is the bomb. It smells great, goes on and sinks in superbly, doesn't clog pores and leaves my skin feeling noticeably glowy.  I start every day out with it.

Summer Skin Saver Product #2: JOEY New York Quick Results Line Up for Wrinkles on Face and Eyes

The scent of this product is like a spa in a bottle. After moisturizer, I apply it under make-up every morning around the eyes, nasolabial folds (or smile lines for you high class folk), and then tap the remainder into the middle of my forehead. This serum contains young tender green coconut water with Indian Ginseng Extract Complex and Hydrolyzed Collagen to help smooth the appearance of individual wrinkles on the face. You really can feel it sinking in and plumping. Ain't no lie— Wrinkles bye bye bye!

Summer Skin Saver #3: Biopelle Retriderm Serum Mild
Every anti-aging skin care regime needs a retinol. This is definitely one of the best ones I've ever used. Although it has a somewhat egg-yolky look to it, it sinks right in, smells great, doesn't leave skin flaky with daily use (only 0.5% retinol) and definitely improves the overall look and feel of your complexion. Just a reminder- make sure you use adequate sun protection when using any sort of retinoid, as it majorly ups your skin's sensitivity to the sun!

I honestly can't tout these three wise wonders enough... They've taken over my routine and I would be lost without them. 

The Ultimate Brow Job

There's an old family picture taken around Christmas circa 1997 and I am sportin' some mighhhhhhty bushy brows.

Oh what I would give to get those back! 

Thanks in part to model of the moment Cara Delevingne as well as spring and fall runway beauty looks, bold, beautiful brows are IN. 

                      Current fashion it-girl, Cara Delevingne

If yours are like mine and in need of a little rescue, Boom Boom Brow Bar has your solution: Brow Job. This tube promises to take your overtweezed, skinny eye-caterpillars from drab to fab. And with its natural ingredients of vitamins, peptides and amino acids, it's safe to use around the peepers. Simply swipe Brow Job onto the eyebrow area every night after washing your face, concentrating on sparse spots. Results should start sprouting up in 4-6 weeks, with full results in four months. 

I've been using this gem twice a day for almost two months now and I definitely see the difference! Skimpy areas appear fuller and their overall shape is more complete. 

I'm comin for ya Cara!

Boom Boom Bar Brow Job retails for $49 for a 3-month supply and can be found at www.boomboombrowbar.com

Heavenly Helena Quinn

Even though we here at BrainyBeautys focus mainly on the cosmetic side of fashion/style, when something sartorial comes our way that's just too good not to share, we are more than happy to deviate. 

Case in point: On Friday night I had the utmost pleasure of attending fashion designer Helena Quinn's homecoming cocktail and trunk show event at Complex in Birmingham. 

Designer and Huntington Woods native Andrea Racey created the line in 2011 with the ethos, "No matter how you're feeling in any given moment, fat day or frizzy hair, the right coat can always put a smile on your face."

Her toppers have been featured in US Weekly, Daily Candy, Refinery29, and have even spotted on Selma Blair and Mrs. Ben Affleck herself, Jennifer Garner.

As I wandered the gorgeous offerings I literally found myself TALKING to them (seriously) they were soooo pretty and felt unbelievable to the touch! A few of the styles that put a wobble in my knees were: 

1) The Isle: Delicously drapey, I literally gasped when I touched this baby. Come to find out, it's a limited edition cashmere piece designed through Helena Quinn's first collaboration with Closet Rich. Yummmm... You had me at cashmere!

2) The Carolyn: This sharp colorblocked style is right on trend! It features an invisible button at center front, silk lining and always essential side pockets. 

3) The Patty: So fresh and crisp for spring and a wonderfully updated office option. And that pop of green lining- gorge! The Patty is a new Spring 2013 blazer created in collaboration with the Edith Hart boutique in Chicago. Andrea will actually be there in store for its big party debut on March 23rd. So all you Chicago-ans better pencil that into your calendar stat! 

4) The Naomi: The stripes, the drape, the leather... This beauty drew me in like one badass tractor beam. So  incredibly cool and easy, this new Fall 2013 option was made for the slick model off duty styles of Ruby Aldridge or Joann Smalls. 

5) The Twig: Another hot new Fall 2013 look, I like to think of this ladylike moto style as a sort of "biker babe goes to brunch." It's also available in red, black/camel, black/white stripe and slate/black.  

These are but a few examples of the mad style buffet Helena Quinn has to offer. There are truly so many more amazing closet staples in fab fabrics. And beyond her obvious talents, Miss Quinn herself is such a doll. Even as the lady of the hour, with family, friends and new faces clamoring for her attention, she still took time to chat and welcome me to the event. Personality, talent and chicness to boot! Andrea and her Helena Quinn are most definitely on the up and up. 

                                         Why hellooooo ladies!

                                          Party in full swing!

                       With the talented and delightful designer, Andrea Racey.

Visit helenaquinn.com for more info and to shop select styles. She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter @Helena_Quinn

Editorial images of the Naomi and Twig courtesy Helena Quinn.