I’m still working through a seemingly unshrinkable number of Ask Belles, so let’s get started.
Dear Belle,
I am the maid of honor is my best friend’s wedding this August. One of my charges is helping to find the perfect pair of bridesmaid shoes for an outdoor wedding (it will in a field at a barn- no animals though). She wants tan, beige, cream, or nude in color, preferably wedges since the majority of time we will be on grass (I read your blog enough to know wedges aren’t your favorite), and peep toe. Like any wedding, expenses are adding up quickly, so we would also like to keep the cost under $70. Any suggestions on pairs of classy shoes that fit this order?
Thank you!!
First off, I don’t hate wedges. Just ugly wedges, like these…and these…and these. Shudder.
Secondly, your friend is right. Wedges are the best choice for most outdoor weddings. If the wedding is on the casual side, I like these twisted suede wedge sandals for $35. If a standard peep toe is what you’re after, these Bandolinos are low for comfort but if you want higher ones, these Ivanka Trumps might be it. These twisted D’orsay-style wedge also caught my eye.
Should you change your mind and go for closed toe, I have some suggestions for that as well. These Chinese Laundry wedges aren’t bad, though I’d want to see how round the heel of the wedge is in person. These patent Madden Girl shoes are a good color and the right price, but have limited sizes. And these Franco Sarto wedges have a wood heel and a classic shape.
Hello again, Belle,
This time I had a question on identifying a gorgeous pair of boots I spotted on tumblr. Would you know what brand they are ? At first I thought they were wellies but at closer look I think they’re leather so now I’m totally lost. I’ve tried searching for 3-buckle leather boots, triple strap leather boots, etc etc but so far no luck. So thought I’d try asking you while continuing to search!
Thanks, Shuchita
You were right the first time, they’re Wellies. And they’re Burberry. They’re also over-$350. These Burberry Wellies with buckle detail are a bit less at $285. If you want a similar look for drastically less, these rain boots from Macy’s are just $59.
Hi Belle,
Thanks for your blog, which I really enjoy! You posted about lip care in winter the other day, but I am wondering about your recommendations for lipstick that doesn’t make winter lips worse. My lips get really chapped during the cold season, but I don’t want to give up my lipstick habit. Do you know about any products that combine lip care with good colours?
Bettina
I don’t wear lipstick every day, but I do like a bit of color. Fresh’s lip treatments have a hint of color and they moisturize. The Sugar Plum is my favorite, but the Sugar Passion is nice for lovers of red.
If you’re looking for a traditional creme lipstick with moisturizer, 29 Reserves makes one with grapeseed oil and SPF in some lovely colors. I’ve also heard good things about Lola Ultra Drench lipsticks. And last but not least…
I was flipping through this month’s Real Simple when the Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Gemma caught my eye. It looks purple in the tube but goes on a deep berry with pink undertones. The new Color Balms have the rich color of a lipstick, the moisture or a balm and the shine of the gloss. The Color Balm is the first lip product since Clinique’s Almost Lipstick Black Honey that has set my makeup bag aflame.
On the lipstick, I've had good luck lately with Aveda Sheer Roseleaf lipstick (semi-sheer coverage but still significant color and pretty moisturizing) and the Fresh balm in Passion over the lipstick. Feels nice in the dry weather.
I am also obsessed w lip products (but do NOT like a lot of color). This was a life change. Its a stain w a gloss (that isnt Mac lip glass like OR aquaphor-ish) and it literally stays on for hours and hours. https://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipstick-ROUGE-DOUBLE-INTENSIT%C3%89-88831?sku=88838
For the letter-writer looking for lipstick, Amy Head Cosmetics (stores in limited locations in the South, but they have an online store: https://www.amyhead.net/studionews/index.shtml) makes some of the best lipsticks I've ever tried. I've had issues with chapped lips for years, and the lipstick from Amy Head is so moisturizing that it works great for me. It also lasts really well — I apply the lipstick on top of chapstick in the morning, then reapply a little at lunch and that gets me through the day.
The fresh balms destroy my lips- as does most lippy, but the Laura Mercier glosses have been fantastic.
Is it horrible if I thought the only acceptable pair of wedges were the ones Belle posted first as the ugly ones? I loathe wedges, they're so bizarre looking.
I'm in love with the original and the drastically cheaper boots. Gorgeous. I really wish Tumblr and Pinterest would make you link back to a store posting for standalone items. There's so many things I like but have no idea what brand they are or where to find them.
As somebody who has spent more then enough hours studying for nutrition exams in college, chapped lips can be the sign of a nutrient deficiency. Make sure you're eating enough saturated fat (yep!) and green leafy veggies – they're good for cell regrowth and turn over of dead cells. If you take care of the root of the problem, no band-aid lip treatments are needed and you can wear your regular lipstick. Plus, chapsticks can increase chapped lips because they seal out moisture and have chemicals such as phenol in them which destroys the top layer of your skin, leaving you more susceptible to cracked lips.
I have a different solution for the writer on options for winter lips. I really love balms and hate reapplying lip colour. So my strategy is to seek out a matte lip stain (covergirl has some of the felt-pen style ones, but I think stila has a lip and cheek option). At the start of the day I use a lip scrub if necessary and apply a statement stain to naked lips. Then apply balm liberally throughout the day. You may need to touch up the colour at lunch. Otherwise, you get the low maintenance colour and all of the moisture necessary as your lips start to feel a little dry.
I, too, have been considering a good pair of wedges for the upcoming wedding season. I found these at Talbots and they aren't too tall, come in fun colors as well as neutrals, and have a fun peep toe: https://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi30219&rootCategory=cat70016&catId=cat80032&sortKey=Default§ion=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70016
Oh wow, I wasn't expecting such a prompt reply (honest-to-god, I spilt coffee when I saw my name in your feed !)
The Burberry originals look better in that tumblr feed 🙁
Besides, I just shelled out for a new bag (took your advice and bought an “investment” piece rather than plasticy things that go in the trash in a month) so I will have to wait till my birthday before even clicking on the Burberry link..
Thanks once again !!
One thing all the ugly wedges have in common (and the others do not) is that they have gigantic platforms. That's what makes a wedge hideous, not the wedge itself. Unfortunately when I needed tan wedges for my sister's wedding two years ago the market was flooded with platform wedges and I was forced to buy a pair that I absolutely hated.
I bought the second pair of Burberry Wellies a couple of months ago, and while they're one of my most expensive purchases ever I am SO glad I did. They're amazingly chic for rain gear and I get compliments constantly. Plus, when I woke up this morning and heard rain I was excited to wear my boots instead of depressed like I would be normally. That feeling alone is absolutely worth $300, if you can make it work with your budget.