So, how do I use a flat iron?

Before.



After.



Yoshi's magic tools.



With Yoshi Hagiwara himself.

When I walked into Yoshi Hair Studio the morning after Thanksgiving, I was not looking too hot (in truth, I looked quite terrible). I'd just eaten up a storm the night before (turkey, cake, beer, the usual T-Day suspects) and I was tired from the holiday festivities. I did what I usually do when I'm in that kind of mood: I threw on my trusty denim button-down, pinned my bangs away from my face and ran out the door.

Thankfully, hair guru Yoshi Hagiwara rescued my look. A veteran stylist with an intimidating amount of experience in the biz (over 25 years), Yoshi now offers one-on-one individual styling classes, which include a restorative conditioning treatment and styling session, at his Beverly Hills studio. During my 60 minutes of Yoshi's undivided attention, I peppered him with questions about my hair troubles ("Um, I'm not sure how to use a flat iron?" and "Volume, please?"). He spent time styling my hair various ways, then explained each step to make sure I could replicate the look at home. Best of all, he introduced me to his specially developed product, Magic Water, an amino ion mist from Japan that works wonders to give your hair instant luster (and when I say instant, I mean it - I saw it work with my own eyes).

After class, I sauntered out of Yoshi's studio with shiny, freshly blown out tresses, a bottle of Magic Water, and a teeny bit more hair confidence. Thank you, Yoshi!

My first pair of ecofriendly earrings

(Cynthia Steffe cardigan, Madison Marcus top, Madewell skirt, vintage Moschino belt, Sam Edelman boots, Giles & Brother cuff, gold earrings courtesy of AmaraGold)














Photos by Morgan Olsen.

I've got a thing for earrings. Big, small, hoops, chandeliers, studs - it really doesn't matter, I love 'em all. So I was pleased as punch when AmaraGold, a company based near Boston that operates out of their ISO14001-certified facility, sent me a pair of hammered bead drop earrings (quite possibly my first pair of ecofriendly earrings ever). Amara crafts jewelry that's environmentally and socially responsible, using recycled metals and a patented formula to create beautiful, classic pieces. My 14K yellow gold bead drop earrings are no exception. These little gems have so much sparkle they give off a subtle shimmer in the light. They're also the perfect size and length: long enough to stand out against my dark hair, light enough so that my ears aren't weighed down, casual enough for everyday use, elegant enough for a night out. Best of all, whenever I wear these glistening golden beauties, I feel proud about wearing ethically sourced jewelry.

And that feeling is worth its weight in gold.

Some of my other Amara favorites:
14K gold spiral drop earrings, $425
14K gold silk hinged bangle, $315
14K gold leaf eternity ring, $325

L.A. Denim Lovers, Come Out To The Henry & Belle Launch Party!

I'm so bummed that I won't be in town for this event, but I highly encourage all you Los Angeles-based fashionistas to attend the Henry & Belle launch party on Saturday, October 1st, at Blues Jean Bar. If you haven't heard of Henry & Belle (the brand counts Jessica Alba and Megan Fox among its loyal following), let me just tell you one dirty little secret about myself: I haven't taken off my Henry & Belle Ideal Super Skinny jeans for at least three weeks.

If you try on a pair of jeans at the party, let me know what you think! As an added bonus, the event supports a non-profit center for South Central Los Angeles at-risk youth called A Place Called Home. A $25 donation to the organization gives you 20% off a pair of Henry & Belle jeans.

Orange you glad?

(J.Crew shirt, Zara skirt, BCBG shoes, Michele watch, Elizabeth Wahyu earrings)









Photos by Maricela Correa.

I barely resisted when I saw this little orange skirt with flared pleats on sale at Zara. $19.99? Yes, please. I know summer's over and I'm fully aware that this isn't a piece I'd wear everyday (mostly because it's very short). But giving into small desires and wants - Magnum ice cream bars, a third pair of gold hoops, a popsicle maker, late night movies on a weekday, a bright orange mini - is sort of what makes life worthwhile to me.

Blown away

As previously mentioned, I'm not extremely beauty savvy, but I'm on a quest to change that! Take blow dryers for example. Up until recently, I thought all of them were one and the same. When Misikko offered me their HANA Air Premiere Hair Dryer, one of their best hair dryers, I shrugged, thinking it was just another fancy-looking tool that wouldn't make a difference in my daily hair routine (15-second shampoo, 20-second rinse, hasty blow dry into a semi-presentable state, dash to work, repeat next day).

Then one morning, in a hurry to get to the office, I plugged in the HANA dryer, flipped on a switch and after 10 minutes of the sleek black machine purring and whirring away, found my hair was almost completely dry. I have never - and I mean, never - dried my hair so quickly since growing it long in high school! And miraculously, my tresses looked shiny and smooth, bouncy and full of volume. Today marks my two-month anniversary using this elite salon blow dryer, and I've since thrown out my old one (no offense, Conair, but you didn't stand a chance).

Thank you, Misikko, not only for the dryer, but for forever changing the way I look at beauty tools!

A Dior & Lucky crash course

I have a confession: As much as I know about fashion, shopping and clothes, I know very little about beauty and makeup. My friends berate me when they discover that hairspray remains an enigma to me and that I'm clueless about how to apply eyeliner.

So when Lucky magazine and Dior asked me to host a Dior Pretty Party, I was thrilled, but also nervous. I mean, who was I, a girl who could barely tell eyeshadow from bronzer, to host a beauty party? Turns out I needn't have worried at all because that evening, I learned everything I ever needed to know from celebrated Dior makeup artist, Kevianno Guerrero.

As our party of 10 girls gathered at the Dior counter in Bloomingdale's Santa Monica, a psychic, Dora Blackman, read our cards - with impressive results!

Then, we were ushered into a private room by Juan, one of several lovely and accommodating Dior team members, for our master class with Kevianno. After digging into frosted cupcakes (a must for a girls' night out!), we sat down at our own individual makeup stations.

Class was in session! Kevianno patiently guided us through a step-by-step tutorial of how to get a youthful, glowing day to night makeup look. We learned how to prep our skin with soothing serums and creams, how to use Dior's new Airflash Spray Foundation (it's magic, I'm telling you!) and so much more. I was maniacally jotting down notes as if preparing for a final exam. As the hours passed, I saw my friends, all pretty girls, transform into gorgeous BOMBSHELLS in the best, most natural way possible.

"Radiant" is really the only word to describe my friend Wendy of Too Poor For Couture. Psst... her cool cross necklace is from F21!

Chic bloggers Rebecca and Melanie looked cute (but then, what else is new?!) as they chatted by the Dior counter.

I knew right away that I'd purchase the Dior Airflash Spray Foundation (color 200) after class was over!

Post-makeover, my good friend Mary was at supermodel status, especially with that million dollar smile!

Morgan's eyes were definitely enhanced by the Dior mascara; I could see her lashes from miles away.

Christine and Mary. Glowing.

Almost all the girls, plus Kevianno!

My lovely new friend from Dulce Candy, who reminds me of Jessica Alba and is extremely knowledgeable about all things beauty!

Last two photos provided by Dulce Candy.

While I'm by no means a beauty expert now, I know the next time I encounter an eyeliner pencil, I'll have some idea of what to do with it! So thank you to Lucky, Dior and all my friends and fellow bloggers for coming to my Pretty Party for a truly fun, fabulous Friday night.

Lady in red

(vintage dress, Armani Exchange belt, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, Blair's Bow headband from Etsy)

You know how some girls are just born vintage-shopping wizards? They're either vastly patient, able to sift for hours through piles of musty, smelly clothes until they unearth an exquisite find, or very lucky. I'm neither when it comes to vintage treasure hunting.

So I was shocked when an idle Sunday at the Fairfax Flea Market rewarded me with this $15 dress. At first, I was hesitant: the zipper was rusty, the material scratchy and flimsy. But as soon as I heard the price, I knew I was taking it home. I mean, it's a red dress with a cascade of ruffled tiers down the front and a skirt that shines in the sun. There was no way I could say "no."

And I'm so glad I didn't!

GIVEAWAY: Win $50 To Spend At Shop Moderne!

(Wildfox Couture T-shirt, Gap belt, JET jeans, BCBG shoes, Topshop cape)







Photos by Catharine Acurso.

I swear to you I'm not a royal pain, but when ShopModerne.com offered to loan me this Wildfox Couture oversize tee to style and photograph, I couldn't say no!

The top, in military green, is 50% cotton, 50% polyester and 100% fabulously, wonderfully, unbelievably soft. When I first slipped it on, I felt as if I were at home wearing pajamas. That's why, even though I'm not an everyday jeans girl and rarely feature denim on this blog, I decided to stick to a slightly more casual theme in a ripped pair of JET jeans and a loose, flowing cape.

Now I'm teaming up with Shopmoderne.com to give one reader $50 to spend on the site. Trust me, it won't be difficult! The site now carries Naven dresses, including this exquisite bombshell dress in pop pink, one of the most difficult colors for me to resist.

To enter to WIN $50 at Shopmoderne.com, please:

1) Follow my blog!
2) E-mail me your entry at tiffanylingtse[at]gmail[dot]com.
3) Score an extra entry if you follow Shop Moderne on Twitter or add them on Facebook. [Just indicate in your e-mail entry that you have done so.]

The winner will be chosen randomly and the deadline for the contest is 7/1/11. This contest is open to international readers. Best of luck to all the fashionistas out there and thank you for your continued support of my blog!

The hamburglar

(Loaned New York Couture skirt & necklace, Kelsi Dagger shoes, F21 tights, Zara shirt)











Photos by Catharine Acurso.

Thanks to my job, I often stumble upon amazing designers that I otherwise may not have discovered. Such was the case with Cassie Kogler of New York Couture. The lovely Cassie sent me several pieces for a photo shoot, and this hamburger skirt (with pockets!) was my favorite of them all. My first instinct was to try it on - immediately. The skirt, and its accompanying glittery burger necklace, attracted stares on the street and plenty of "Can I get ketchup with that?" calls, but I've never been happier wearing my food, instead of eating it!

Get lucky with 7 For All Mankind! (Psst... I'm hosting)

If you're not into free cocktails, sick beats and complimentary gift bags, 7 For All Mankind's summer soiree probably won't interest you. But if sifting through racks of slouchy silk shorts and summery cropped pants on a Saturday afternoon appeals to you, stop by 7 For All Mankind's Robertson store next Saturday, April 30th. The premium denim brand, along with Lucky magazine, kindly invited me to help provide styling advice and host the soiree, where their freshly arrived summer collection will be available. Please come by, shop, sip a tasty libation - or three - and say hello!

When: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 7 For All Mankind, 100 S. Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles

Sequins and sunlight

(Priorities vest, Alice + Olivia sequin dress, J.Crew belt, Kenneth Cole boots, F21 glasses)

From that sharp bob cut she rocked in her "Umbrella" music video to the crimson corkscrew curls she sports today, Rihanna remains one of my all-time favorite celebrities who's constantly pushing the envelope, reinventing herself, taking risks. In the April 2011 issue of Vogue, she said,

"When I am putting looks together, I dare myself to make something work. I always look for the most interesting silhouette or something that’s a little off, but I have to figure it out. I have to make it me. I think that’s the thrill in fashion."

Rihanna has cobbled together looks that are inspiring and wildly creative, ones that make me think she's a kind of fashion genius. And then there are outfits that have left me confused or disappointed. But while another starlet strutting down the red carpet in a pretty LBD may look perfectly polished, Rihanna's never bored me with predictable style. So when I threw on this crazy ensemble - sequin mini dress, combat boots, a skinny fluorescent orange belt - I made sure to keep RiRi's words of wisdom in mind, daring myself to try and make it work!