Wonder Woman does it. So should you.

Some women are superheroes.

You know who I'm talking about. Maybe you are who I'm talking about.

Either way, you know her - the woman who gets up before the sun every morning, and spends her days running meetings, running a business, running after a two-year-old. By night, she throws a dinner party, a fundraiser, a tea party for her little girl. She cooks, she cleans, she wipe away tears and sniffles and spilled drinks. Her calendar is filled from end to end, but she always has time for friends, for family, for last-minute deadlines. And on top of it all, she looks like she stepped from the pages of Vogue: fierce, fashion-forward, and just plain FABULOUS - every single day.

Every superhero has a weakness, though, and for many women, breast cancer is the kryptonite to their superhuman powers. Each year, thousands of women, each of them extraordinary in their own right, are stopped by the cruel reality of this disease.

That's why this breast cancer awareness campaign is so captivating:

Produced by an ad agency in Mozambique for the organizationAssociação da Luta Contra o Cancer (Association for the Fight Against Cancer), each ad's text reads:

When we talk about breast cancer, there's no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against the enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor.

The message is clear: if Catwoman, She-Hulk, Storm, and Wonder Woman are vulnerable to breast cancer, so are you. And if they can take a few minutes from fighting their nemesis each month to do a breast examination, so can you.

Self-examinations are key to early detection, and the earlier you can begin fighting breast cancer, the better your chances are for survival.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. provides a great how-to guide for a thorough self-examination. If you've never done it, start now. Put it in your calendar for every month, and don't miss a single date.

Trust us, this appointment is more important than anything at the salon. It's more important even than that big meeting with your boss (and you can tell her we said so). This is your life we're talking about, and we want to see you live a long, happy, healthy one.

After all, nobody likes to see a superhero lose. So fight, even before the battle begins.

Luxe Luv,

XOXO

Finding Your Best Look with Color Theory

Color. Designers love it. We love it. We all have a favorite. And while we'd love to wear every color under the rainbow, there are certain hues better suited for some individuals than others. Color, whether in the clothes you wear or the eye shadow you carefully apply, has a remarkable affect on your look.

The right colors can enhance your natural beauty, minimize imperfections, and give you that radiant glow we're all looking for. Choosing the wrong colors leaves us sickly, washed out, with every imperfection on full display. Gross.

The question is, how do you choose? There are thousands - even millions - of colors available, with all their subtle nuances and shades; how do you pick the hues that best suit your complexion?

Bring in Reachel Bagley, fashion consultant and author of the blog Cardigan Empire. Realizing that this is a problem for a LOT of women, Reachel created a basic chart to get you started:

(via)

To choose your look-good color palette, you have to first take a good, hard look at the colors you look best in. This isn't about what colors you like. It's about the colors that make your eyes pop, that make your skin glow, and that make your face look bright and fresh.

Starting with her four basic colors, stand in front of a mirror and compare what effects each shade has on your look (you might need a few honest friends and a glass of champagne to help*). Does brown make you light up while gray actually diminishes your beauty? Follow the track on the right. Does blue pull out the color in your eyes and make them dance like an Irish jig? Follow the track on the left. 

After you get over that first challenge. Reachel's chart shows that you'll fall into one of four color complexion categories: Cool & Delicate, Cool & Brilliant, Warm & Fresh, and Warm & Rich. You've probably heard about these before, but named by the seasons: Summer, Winter, Spring, and Autumn, respectively.

Luckily for us, Reachel also put together these charts, which explain each of the color families in more detail. So if you couldn't figure out your category using the chart, you may find it here.

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Finding your colors isn't easy. And every change to your appearance - whether a visit to the salon or a weekend outdoors, can affect it.

But once you've nailed it down (or at least become adept at identifying it) - you'll have a veritable palette of look-good colors to enhance the natural beauty we already know you are. Now you can walk into a store or up to a makeup counter with confidence, not feeling overwhelmed by the selection, but knowing exactly who you are on the color wheel, and knowing exactly what will make those gorgeous eyes of yours pop and twinkle.

For more on Reachel's color theory, check out her blog at www.cardiganempire.com!


*We're not really sure how champagne helps the process. But it sounds wonderful. And what's better than a girly night, deciphering colors with your besties and sharing a bottle of bubbly? Case closed.

Runway to Aisle - Spring 2012

We'll admit it, we love fashion. I'm sure it wasn't much of a secret to begin with, but at least we're clear. So we fell in love with about a thousand of the styles shown last week on the runways in New York. The problem is, not many of us on the Luxe team (okay, none of us) actually have the budget for a $10,000 sheath dress - even if it is hand sewn by Jason Wu himself.

The great thing about getting married is that you get to splurge - really really splurge on an amazing dress. So for all you brides and brides-to-be out there, here are a few of our favorite looks and trends from the Spring 2013 showings of New York Fashion week - plus some of the gorgeous bridal looks they inspire.

Go Soft

Iconic designer Calvin Klein's models sauntered down the runway in sultry, soft silhouettes cut from barely-there shades.

Calvin Klein

Trade the nude tones for soft whites and ivories, and bring CK's easy style and sensual elegance to your aisle in one of these delicate gowns from Once Wed:

Once Wed

Make a Statement

Nobody does gowns like Oscar de la Renta, and this dramatic lace and taffeta number makes a bold statement. Classic wedding dress designer Monique Lhuillier matches his vision in a beautiful white ballgown to ensure that all eyes are riveted to you on your wedding day.

Oscar de la Renta & Monique Lhuillier

Evoke the Golden Age

The 20s were raging on the New York runways, with Gatsby style in full swing. From easily draped cuts to surprisingly sexy fringes, these gowns are perfect for a glamorous party out on West Egg, or wherever you may find yourself.

Ralph Lauren & Marchesa

Luckily, wedding dress designers have gotten the memo, and they're fully on board. Check out these swinging styles from Amsale and Jenny Packham:

Amsale & Jenny Packham (x5)

Get Back to Basics

Designers proved that less is more - much, much more - on the runways, showing off sleek, understated styles that required no additional details to be beautiful.

Temperley London & Derek Lam & Oscar de la Renta

 Create your own understated glamour on your wedding day with one of these beautiful gowns from J.Crew, Amsale, and David's Bridal:

J.Crew (x2) & Amsale & David's Bridal

Visions of White

Okay, we'll admit it - we couldn't find a bridal gown that even came close to this gorgeous piece. So we're just going to post it, and hope that some day it shows up in white. Or ivory. Or champagne. Or, well, pretty much anything in our budget.

Naeem Khan

XOXO,

Luxe

...and they all lived happily ever after!

Around here, we're in the beauty business. Every weekend, we apply makeup, tease hair, and paint nails. We make already-lovely women feel like princesses. And we love what we do.

We know that when people look good, they feel good. They feel like they can take on the world, that nothing can stop them. That confidence overflows into every aspect of their lives - relationships, work, even just walking down the street (work it, girl!) - and it's the same whether they're 60 or 16!

That's why we're sponsoring the 2012 Austin Fairy Godmother's Royal Black & White Ball this Sunday evening. The ball is a fundraiser for Austin Fairy Godmother, a nonprofit organization that gives girls a chance to create their own Cinderella story and attend formal events in full style, without the expense.

The AFG boutique is stocked full of gently-used formal gowns of every style and color, plus all the accessories a girl needs to put together a complete look for the homecoming dance, prom, quinceaneras and other formal events.

Women of all ages can visit the shop (no appointment necessary!) and rent a head-to-toe formal look for the evening at just a fraction of the cost of buying the pieces new. 

The Black & White Ball is an event that invites supporters of Austin Fairy Godmother to come out for a night of fashion, glamour, dancing, dining, and music. Guests will be invited to participate in a silent auction while they enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a seated dinner.

Then, in our favorite part of the evening, the Dell Children's Hospital Hungry Bunch Teens will model fashions from the AFG boutique, with hair and makeup styled by our team! The Hungry Bunch is a group of teens who are on or off treatment for cancer, blood disorders, and dialysis. Through the group, they have the opportunity to build friendships with other teens dealing with similar issues, and to enjoy normal teen experiences together.

Tickets for the Austin Fairy Godmother's Royal Black & White Ball are available for just a couple more days - sales close at noon on Thursday, September 20. We hope that you will come out and join our team in celebrating and supporting this worthy cause!

Austin Fairy Godmother's Royal Black & White Ball

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Kindred Oaks

2100 County Road 176

Georgetown, TX 78628

http://vcevents.ticketbud.com/afgroyalball

P.S. Can't make it to the ball, but want to help? You can support AFG by donating gently-used formal gowns and accessories, volunteering in the shop, or donating to support their annual budget. Visit their website at www.austinfairygodmother.org to learn more!

Things to Come!

Good evening Ladies & Gents! 

I can hardly believe it's already September - and a week in, no less. At Luxe, we've had a whirlwind of a summer, with the Austin Fashion Week event last month, making already-gorgeous breathtaking for a walk down the aisle, and continuing preparations for a launch of our cosmetic line later this year.

We couldn't be more thrilled about everything that's happening here. To stay on top of what we're doing, make sure you're following us on Twitter and Facebook, and check back in here for more regular posts. We're so excited about everything that is to come - I hope you'll come along with us!

Luxe Luv,
XOXO