Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

In the fashion industry, there are a few simple truths: something better is always around the corner, money matters, and a famous face or name can get you anything— actually, this is true of most things in life.

Oddly, in fashion, these truths are terribly kept secrets, like Uncle Jim-Bob’s problem with the bottle (no, I don’t have an Uncle Jim-Bob).

Those in high-fashion, who consider themselves “style crusaders” will denounce the word trends and say they are true to themselves, only wearing classic pieces. However, the $300 leather leggings they’re sporting say otherwise. Magazine editors will gasp at the notion that their editorial integrity is even slightly compromised by the magazine’s advertising profits, but we all know the truth. However, the dirtiest secret of all is the most obvious— celebrities rule.

There was recently an article on NY Magazine’s Cut Blog— Has Reality TV Made Rachel Zoe More High-Fashion?— detailing Rachel Zoe’s ability to walk the line between elitist high-fashion and celeb-centric low-brow duds, but in this day and age, if you can’t balance the high and low brow, you’ll get nowhere.

Fifty years ago, celebrities were intangible. They were the epitome of class and maybe even decadence. They were high-fashion in every sense of the word. Today, celebrities are accessible. They strive to seem like your best friend. They have to make you feel as if you can relate, or we, the general public, bitch and tear them apart for being secretive and snooty.

What does this have to do with fashion?

MICHAEL Michael Kors; michaelkors.com. Simply Vera; kohls.com. Modcloth; modcloth.com [Affiliate Link]. Forever 21; forever21.com. Hilary Radley; endless.com.

I’ve spent the last 10 years avoiding a normal backpack. At this point, I couldn’t tell you the appropriate way to walk whilst two straps are latched to your shoulders. I have, however, become an expert on the perfect non-backpack school bags. Kitschy totes are always fun, but as you get older, a more professional bag for lugging around books at school and to carry extra shoes to an internship becomes necessary.

When on the hunt for the perfect school/work bag, I look for the following attributes:

Spaciousness - Bags have to be wide enough to fit my laptop and tall enough to hold folders and notebooks.

Structure - I love hobo bags just as much as the next girl, but a bag with too much slouch becomes bothersome when digging for pens or a cell phone carelessly tossed in the sack.

Universality - I never expect my bag to match perfectly with every outfit, but I do like them to “go.” Choosing neutral colors (dark hues and metallics count) enables me to wear almost any outfit without having to change my bag.

Durability - I plan on throwing lots of books, and the like, in my school bag, so finding a handbag that won’t fall apart at the first sign of stress is a must.

My dream school bag is the MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton bag, but I’ve yet to decide whether I want to spend almost $300 on this bag or on a potential plane ticket to visit friends in other states. I really love the bag, though!

As those who have followed Pink Rock Candy for a while have seen, I’ve recently been including beauty in my repertoire. Let’s just say, I’m very much a subject to my surroundings— having interned in the beauty and fashion departments of a women’s magazine all summer.

Yes, I get to see new beauty releases months before they hit stores, but I also have realized how little I cared about makeup until now. I’m a changed beauty.

When I read the article “What Beauty Products Would You Splurge On,” on the Allure Beauty Reporter Blog, I started to think about how my beauty budget has changed in the past few months.

No longer do I simply shop the drugstore aisles with indifference, I’ve expanded my makeup cache to products that actually work no matter where they’re sold. I’m still religious to my cheapo eyeliner pencil and MAC has had my blush business for as long as I can remember, but when it comes to the rest of my face, let’s just say, my taste has greatly improved.

So, what would I splurge on, now? Mascara, fragrance, and lipstick.

Right now, my mascara is a Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara ($22), which doesn’t come out until the fall. It volumizes wonderfully, but still looks natural and clump-free. For extra drama I use, Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care Mascara ($15).

My fragrance is Marc Jacobs Lola, but I want to get Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Toilette. I love fragrances with a little musk and vanilla. Do you know any scents I should try?

Last, but certainly not least, is everything that has to do with lips. When I want a bit of shine, I sport Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick ($26), while my go to red is Rimmel London Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Temptation (under $5). My daily lip routine usually consists of applying a sheer layer of Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stain in Lively ($24) and swipe Jane Be Pure Mineral Lip Balm (under $5) on top.

Talk Back: What are your favorite beauty/makeup splurges?