Gindi Vincent

The Dish on Career, Fashion, Faith, and Family

Fashion Fridays

Fashion Friday: Mascara Mama

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I’ve been mulling over what to do with Fashion Friday. 

It seems like everyone is starting to look the same.  You scroll through social media and there’s a kind of style that catches on and then that’s what women look like. 

I’d love this to be a place where, when we talk about fashion or style or cosmetics, we talk about tips and what works, but it’s not talking points on the “one” thing you have to wear to “fit in” – whatever that is. 

So until I’ve settled on what that looks like, I decided to post on a topic where it utterly does not matter if everyone uses the same product: MASCARA. 

That’s right, let’s talk about our lashes.  Now I don’t go and get fake lashes and I just have average lashes. Not short. Not long. Just perfectly fine lashes.  But I love for them to look darker and full. 

If I leave the house with nothing else on, I have cover up and mascara on.  I guess because I’ve always really liked my eyes, I keep them ‘done.’

For the longest time, over a decade, I wore Voluminous by L’Oreal mascara.  It kept them full but it didn’t flake like some mascaras.  And I usually kept Great Lash mascara by Maybelline in my purse in case I needed evening touch ups.  That was it. 

Periodically, I’d get some tester from MAC or Estee Lauder or Mary Kay or something, but I never liked them better than Voluminous. 

Last year, I decided to branch out.  As any good consumer would do, I asked Dr. Google about the best mascaras on the market.  And that led me to research from Elle and Glamour to Business Insider. 

I did not try any of their super pricey nominees, like Chanel, so I can’t compare those products for you. 

Plus, there were a ton of different makes and models from L’Oreal I didn’t try because Voluminous was already my go to.  I did try one called Voluminous Lash Paradise, not to be confused by L’Oreal Paris Voluminous (the original and one I love). I did not like it nearly as much.  Even though the reviews said such good thing.  Just like a movie remake – the original is always better.  (Let me know if you have another L’Oreal mascara you swear by – totally willing to give it a try.)

Then I decided to go a little higher end.  Not Chanel higher end, but in the $20-$30 price range given how long my mascara lasts. 

I narrowed it down to two mascaras: Better than Sex by Too Faced and Urban Decay’s Perversion.  The pros on them were similar and the price was the exact same so it was basically a coin toss when I walked into Ulta to choose.  I went with Perversion. 

I loved it.  My lashes looked better than they ever did with Voluminous.  Very full and rich looking.  BUT.  And this is a big one.  Almost daily I ended up with black under my eyes.  It hadn’t happened before Perversion and didn’t happen when I stopped wearing it, so clearly it was the mascara.  I loved it so much I tried to compensate by powdering under my eyes at lunchtime.  But given that I’m already battling dark circles, I just can’t have it from my mascara too.  So I took a break.  


Which is how I ended up trying Maybelline Snapscara.  I had low expectations after my L’Oreal change.  I don’t love Great Lash to begin with, though all the movie make up artists swear by it, and that had been my only Maybelline experience.  Well, let me tell you, I was in for a pleasant surprise. 

I love this mascara.  It gives me these lovely long looking upper lashes which are very well defined, and not clumpy, but there’s not a bit of smudging or flaking.  No under eye blackening with this number.  And here’s the best part: it is $5.99.  That’s right, department store results on a dime store budget.  This is now my go to mascara. 

I will always keep Voluminous around (the original).  It’s been good to me and will probably become my purse mascara. 

Also, I’m willing to continue the hunt if you have found the greatest mascara since sliced bread.  Comment so we can all try it out!

But if you’re looking for a new one, I definitely give the nod to Maybelline Snapscara.  An affordable home run. 

Fashion Friday: Super Skinny Saga

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There is an epidemic sweeping the U.S. You’ve seen it if you’ve ventured into a store or shopped on-line this year. It is SKINNY jeans. And if that’s not enough for you, then there’s SUPER SKINNY jeans.

Which brings us to today’s Fashion Friday. For those of us who sigh in collective horror, let’s tackle the Super Skinny Jean epidemic in fashion.

Why am I up in arms over this fashion? Well, first of all, both little bit and I have been jeans shopping this month. She’s a girl’s size 10 and I’m a ladies size 12. She is super skinny and I am super not.

So arguably, if the fashion was going to work for someone, it would work for one of us on either end of the size spectrum.

It does not.

She will tell you, she hates super skinny. Regular ole skinny isn’t much better.

Where will you find this trend? The better question is where won’t you. Thus far, the super skinny look is dominating the following stores which we regularly frequent: Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Target, Abercrombie, Levi, Express, Nordstrom, Macy’s, J. Crew, Justice, and on and on. It doesn’t help if you go to a department store. I tried Seven for All Mankind, Joe’s, Lauren, etc., and they were all skinny fit. And, I might add, they are running SHORT which is a crime if you’re 5’10 and don’t want to look like you’re wading through a river! (Or worse than super skinny, the jegging. Y’all, this is a legging not a jean!)

Seriously.

(From top to bottom, Justice, J. Crew, Old Navy, and Joe’s from Dillard’s. This is just a VERY small sample size of the skinny epidemic! And note, they’re not just SKINNY but they are often also high-waisted and ankle length – these are all bad things if you just want a normal pair of jeans!)

So what is a girl to do if you don’t actually want jeans plastered to your thighs, be you skinny or curvy? My girlfriend and I were discussing this over breakfast and have come up with a few options for all of you suffering under the same skinny jeans oppression as the Vincent girls.

One of my favorite brands, hand’s down, is Kut from Cloth. I love their fit and their longevity. I’ve had my first pair for years and finally bought my second pair. They’re a little pricey for me, they run close to $100, but in the normal sized jeans desert, I splurged. These are their Natalie bootcut jeans, but they have tons of styles and they run $89 at Nordstrom. (I also tried Lucky, similar cut, and I liked them but the color was too bright – I like my denim darker.)

J. Crew is not ALL skinny. They have straight, wide leg, curvy, boyfriend… My friend swears by boyfriend for her figure, but they don’t fit me right and I don’t care for how most of them are cuffed. Here is the straight trouser and their curvy boot cut. Normally these run over $100, but they’re on sale for 35% off.

If you’re looking for a bargain, then I’d typically send you to Old Navy. However, I have found they are the worst offender of the super skinny. Some of my fav jeans are their curvy style. Well they are out of that style for now, but I just found a gorgeous straight-legged style which I’m wearing today and they’re soft, stylish, and a bargain at HALF PRICE for $18. Can you believe it? (Plus we should all buy from Old Navy because they give you the option of seeing the jeans on a size 4 model or a size 10 model – this is the size 10 model, thank you so much Old Navy!)

There are others. You have to hunt. I tried on OVER 20 pairs of jeans just to find two pair that worked. Little bit is STILL on the hunt because the epidemic is even worse for girls (plus she is super freakish about fabrics – send help!). Sigh. Between skin tight jeans and micro-mini shorts and skirts, I am disgusted with girls fashion right now. But you already know that.

What say you? Do you love the super skinny? Don’t worry, I’ll still be your friend if you do 🙂

Fashion Friday: Hear It Roar, Animal Prints

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I have been in malls too much lately. It’s a whole other post. About how I’m incapable of dressing in cute casual. I always need help. Maybe you’ll get that post next week.

So… that led me to observe a TON of fall trends. But there is one far more obvious than any other.

As a result, today’s Fashion Friday: Hear It Roar, Animal Prints. Mercy me. Animal prints are everywhere. There are cheetahs and snakes and zebras and leopards. Oh my. But let me tell you, it is lovely. And I’m digging it all.

Where do you put these animal prints, you ask? Well, apparently this season, you wear it everywhere. Literally you can wear it head to toe (though I don’t recommend it).

One thing that’s new in all over animal print is DRESSES.  They are EVERYWHERE.   I saw one at work last week, which was gorgeous, and then boom, they were in every store window.  This one from Loft, at 40% off today, is less than $50 – that is crazy!  Banana Republic has animal print dresses in all sorts of prints and styles but my fav right now is this zebra midi dress.  There are a TON of animal print midi dresses, BTW.  Just search for them on Nordstrom’s website.  Here’s one that comes in under $150 from Eliza J but they come in every cut and print imaginable. 

Of course, I think it’s usually easier to pull off a print this bold in pieces.  And mercy are there pieces.  Try infusing your fall wardrobe with a little animal print in any of the lovely sweaters and blouses on the market right now.  Including this really interesting pin tuck cheetah print from Banana, a nice casual long sleeved tee from Nordstrom, and this super cute blouse from Target (love how it’s styled too!)

My all time favorite spot to throw an animal print on is a shoe.  And everyone has an animal print shoe this season.  I have a snake skin one now and a new block leopard print (remember, blocks are back). 

Here is a Snake Print ankle boot and cheetah pump from Banana Republic.  But DSW has plenty if you want to stay on budget.  Even Loft had a fun flat.  These Sam Edelman kitten heel boots will add a splash of interest to any fall outfit and they don’t break the bank at $80.   Now Target had this style of sandal, but I don’t know if it’s still in stock; it’s more expensive in Steve Madden from DSW but I bet you can find this style in lots of spots.  These are the block pumps I picked up a couple weeks ago and I love them.  Super comfortable and versatile.

It’s not just tops and dresses and shoes.  Animal print is on everything.  Check out this leopard reversible poncho from Loft and calf hair belt. I’m loving Loft this fall.  Heck, Banana has prints on everything from belts to bras – I can’t even show you everything they have in their animal print game.  Target’s not going to miss out on the party. You could add their animal print tote to your fall wardrobe.

What say you? How do you do animal prints? What’s your favorite?

Fashion Friday: The Block Heel

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Hello Fashion Friday friends!  I’ve missed you.  I have all these fashion posts running around in my head and no time to write them.  But today we’re talking shoes.  One of my favorite topics.  I won’t even tell you how my daughter is growing to love shoes.  Uh-oh.  I can’t get her to buy clothes but shoes she is 110% there!  This could be a problem. 

But the shoes we’re talking about today, she doesn’t really have a need for yet. 

For today’s Fashion Friday: The Block Heel.  I used to hate block heels.  But they are coming in with a vengeance, they even have their own category on some shoe websites, and there are some super cute ones.  Not to mention they are massively easier to walk in than my old school spikey narrow heel!

I work on a corporate campus that is large and involves a lot of walking.  As a result, I’ve resorted more and more to flats (sigh) and wedges.  Now that the block heel is sweeping the fashion pages, I have a fun new alternative.  I just purchased my first pair, a pointy snake print that I adore, and I have no problem hiking all over my campus in these nearly 3 inchers. 

So what am I loving in the block?  Well, it isn’t just heels.  But it definitely starts with heels. 

For work, I love these Tahari pumps in baby blue. I’m about to write a post on why you should be buying shoes in all colors, but this will get you off to a smashing start.  If you must stick with black, then do it in a fun way.  And these Adrienne Vittadini black blocks are all fun.  Absolutely work appropriate but more interesting than a standard black block heel!

On the sandal front, you know I’m living in Texas where it is 101 degrees in September so you can absolutely have fall sandals here, you have OODLES of options. 

These “mauve” (I can’t believe I’m recommending mauve – does anyone feel the 1980s?  Not with these!) sandals are the priciest on my list, the only ones coming in over $100, but they’re Marc Jacobs and really fun.  If you have a birthday gift card to DSW, this might be a fun place to spend it.  And in suede, they’re CLEARLY a fall sandal! Can you believe these cognac ones are Clark’s?  I really didn’t know they had cute shoes and these would be comfy to boot. 

Speaking of boots, if you don’t live in a place where it is triple digits in the FALL (don’t judge me for being bitter), then there are some fabulous boot block options too. 

My first offering is an ankle boot from Steve Madden in a fabulous snake print, the same print as my block heel, that will go with everything you wear and add a little spice (and not of the pumpkin variety).  This rich chocolate brown Franco Sarto bootie would be a classic addition for any fall wardrobe.  If you’re uncertain about the pointy toe, I love a good point, go up a half size to give you wiggle room (literally).  And while I usually veto a brown flat, I love me a good brown boot.

A word of caution: if you tend to have thicker ankles and lower leg, then just be careful on the block heel. Some can result in a look that is even thicker. But certain styles definitely work – just check it out in a full length mirror. This is true for everyone trying on shoes. Don’t rely on those little foot mirrors! Find a full length mirror, and also pick up your trouser if you’re not in a skirt to get the full look.

What about you? Are you loving the block trend? How do you wear them?

Fashion Friday: The Do’s and Don’ts of Headshots

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This week at work some colleagues and I were planning a panel discussion for a women’s event.  The focus was on enhancing your social media profiles (LinkedIn, etc.) to obtain career results.  Maybe you want to develop more expertise in an area or you’re looking for speaking engagements or you need to build your external network.  There are ways improve your opportunities with social media. 

Over the course of the conversation, one subtopic that really sparked discussion was how to get the right headshot.  Oftentimes, when you’re not actually seeking a job, you forget about your career profile, and then suddenly you’re asked to speak or write and are scurrying to get a professional picture taken.

For today’s Fashion Friday, let’s discuss the do’s and don’ts of headshots. 

Just this week, I received a newsletter from a large women’s organization of which I’m a member.  It advertised a couple of upcoming events and the featured speakers.  There were three different women’s headshots featured for the events and I was surprised by the wide disparity between them.  One woman took what appeared to be a selfie on her sofa.  Another one used a grainy image standing against a beige wall in rumpled clothing.  The final shot was of a women smiling confidently at the camera in a dark blazer with simple jewelry in high resolution. 

People make first impressions off of, well, their FIRST impression.  It’s human nature.  They make assumptions based on what they first see. 

When we are speaking or joining a board or looking for a job, it is utterly within our control to make a strong first impression.

This is not about vanity.  It is not about a beauty pageant.  It’s about executive presence.  Polish.  Confidence. 

So I went through hundreds of headshots of my connections on LinkedIn and jotted down a few takeaways. 

Here Are Some Do’s:

  1.  Smile.  Smiles welcome people and exude warmth. I loved staring down at a little picture which smiled back at me. I hate my teeth, always have, but a smiling picture of me is still far better than one where I look apathetic or glum.
  2. Stick with the classics.  Donning a blazer polishes a photo.  For some jobs it would look utterly out of place, but even those career women with winning headshots had simple bold blouses that looked polished.  Simple jewelry.  Gold or silver or pearls – earrings and (or) necklaces. 
  3. Use your head.  This may not be true if you have a website where you can take up more photo real estate, but in spots like LinkedIn and conference publications where you’re speaking, there is very little space for your photo. Make it an actual “head” shot. 
  4. High resolution.  In an era when everything is shared and copied and snapshotted and emailed, use a high resolution image.  A good picture looks less professional if it’s grainy or off-color as a result of an old or low res base photo. 

I ran across a truckload of beautiful head shots, but these were some of my favorites (just screenshots from LinkedIn).  You can see some went with traditional backdrops and others used outdoors. As long as the background isn’t overbright or distracting, you have flexibility with the venue (and formality) you’re most comfortable in.  

(And I will tell you, these woman also look incredibly polished every time I see them in person too.  So they carry their executive presence with them well beyond a headshot.)

Here are the Don’ts:

  1.  Selfies.  Do not take a selfie.  I don’t know what else to say. 
  2. Look like someone else.  This is not the time to get a glamour shot that makes you unrecognizable. Yes, fix your hair and make up but not in a way that doesn’t look like you on a day-to-day basis.
  3. Use it to attract a romantic relationship.  There is nothing that will undercut people taking you seriously more quickly than thinking your career headshot can double as your Tinder photo.  Don’t wear tight or low cut clothing, heavy make up, or pose suggestively.  Women are judged particularly harshly on this but women can be the primary offenders.
  4. Have others in your picture.  This is not the time to show off your spouse or children.  And it doesn’t help if you half cut them out so that it’s primarily you but you see someone’s arm in the photo. 
  5. Go bright or dark.  Some of the photos I saw, while otherwise professional, were either on very bright white backdrops or in bright sunlight such that it blinded the photo, or they were black and white or very darkly lit so it was difficult to see the person clearly.  Remember lighting when you decide what headshot to use. 

Go look at your LinkedIn profile or Twitter account or website – whatever you use for your business.  Ask a friend or colleague (or two or three) to give you honest feedback on your headshot. 

Does it need to be updated? 

Does it need to be more professional? 

Consider investing in a photographer to really give you a couple of great images you can use for all career purposes.  It will pay dividends.