What women in their 20′s want

April showers supposedly bring May flowers. On the East Coast, however, April showers often bring a continuation of questionable precipitation (is that rain or – gasp – snow?), flooded sewer grates and a miserable congregation of New Yorkers who would give anything for a healthy dose of sunshine and relief from their respective Seasonal Affective Disorders.

The bright spot in any rainy day – no pun intended – is the selection of adorable, “Not your grandmother’s rain slicker” wet-wear accessories available to turn even the heaviest downpour to downright darling. And, dare we mention, dry?

Pare*Umbrela, an online specialty boutique that specializes in – you guessed it – fancy umbrellas, uses the motto “Stylish outfits meet stylish umbrellas.” Their Mod Battic umbrella, $65, available in purple or orange undertone, is sleek, cheerful – and bears a striking resemblance to a certain Italian design house’s (cough, Missoni, cough) signature print. I think the intent to knock off our favorite horizontal design maven is unintentional, though question the double digit price tag of an item meant to protect a girl from the elements that’s described on their website as “fragile and delicate.”

Hunter’s Wellington boots, $115 at J. Crew, are perfect for splashing in puddles, fly fishing and reminiscing about the days in the bayou.

Okay, fine – maybe I have a secret agenda against girls who rock ‘Wellies’ over elasticized skinny jeans on days where there’s not a single drop of rain in sight (save for the crocodile tears I cry at witnessing such a fashion faux pas). Trendy or not, these boots will keep your feet dry and happy. And while I’m not one for copycats, I give replicas – available everywhere from Target to department stores – the green light on this style.

Crisp, clean and structured, this white cotton trench by JCPenney’s in-house brand, east5th, will have you singing in the rain, on sale now for $89. The best part about this coat, aside from its cut and detail that suggest a much steeper price tag, is that it’s machine washable. Just don’t blame us when your dry cleaner serenades you in the street, begging for forgiveness and bi-weekly cleaning fees.

Looking stylish while springing forward no matter what the weather brings – now, that’s what we call a bargain.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

 April showers bring May flowers – and with them, floral prints on gauzy skirts, perfectly prim tops and a host of other fashionable, adult-friendly florals. Whether you’re on a long-stemmed budget or that of a mixed bouquet, The Vogue City will pluck a basket of fashion picks that will bring your wardrobe into full bloom – while nipping overpriced duds in the bud.

Spring wouldn’t hold such a mild temperament without picnics, bike rides, and the epitome of preppy prints, Lily Pulitzer. Their Ollie dress, $248 at LilyPulitzer.com, is a fresh blend of white and yellow:

The ruffle at the hem adds a demurely sweet-yet-age appropriate touch (is there anything worse than a woman over the age of 5 stricken with ruffle overload?), while the combination of yellow and white looks crisp and fresh. Pair now with a lightweight cashmere cardigan in a contrasting color, like a light plum or kelly green, neutral peep toe pumps and a silk clutch for dinner downtown; transform it into a summer staple come June with strappy metallic flat sandals and an oversized straw tote.

Missoni splays a delectable blend of sunwashed floral plus the eponymous Missoni hexagonal signature print in their silk Ethel dress, $1975 at Neiman Marcus:

Nevermind picnics and bike rides – with a dress (and price tag) like this, you’re better off spending April on a yacht off the coast of Capri with men named Carlo and Maximo feeding you prosciutto-wrapped melon by hand. Buon giorno!

Old Navy hits a home run with their maxi dress, $32 at Old Navy stores (a steal like this is not surprisingly sold out online), in hues of mixed cobalt, aqua and cream:

Add flat sandals of your liking (heels with a maxi dress spell trouble, unless you’re Diana Ross and it’s 1975) and top with sprinkles, and you’ve got yourself one tasty springtime treat.

As a rule of thumb, small prints – whether they be floral, herringbone or polka dot – work best with small body shapes, while larger prints help to balance a fuller frame.

-Karyn Polewaczyk

Your 401k has hit the skids.  Your job security is about as certain as finding a needle in a haystack.  And your forehead, once a marked beacon of smooth-skinned bliss, is now wrought with worry lines. 
 
With the economy deflating faster than you cay say “Recession,” a girl deserves a pick me up – or in this case, a plump me up.  We’ll review a handful of the latest and greatest plumping glosses – from tinted to clear, vitamin-infused and downright addicting – and spill the skinny for The Vogue City readers.

Huge Lips, Skinny Hips, $20 at Scoop and Space.nk (available mid-April) 

Purple Lab, founded by beauty expert Karen Robinovitz, launches their Huge Lips, Skinny Hips gloss line mid-April at Scoop and Space.nk.  Infused with Vitamin B3, your lips will pout without the bite of traditional plumping agents; hoodia, an appetite suppressant, will work its magic on your metabolism.  I tried all six colors – which slicked on smoothly and without the ineffable gloss gunk that can build up with some plumpers – and swear by Worship Kate, a gold-flecked mauve that looks great alone or paired under a lipstick. 

Du-Wop Lip Venom Second Sin, $27 at Sephora 

Those who dare wear Lip Venom; those who take it to the edge wear Lip Venom Second Sin, a more potent formulation of its lip loving predecessor.  Packed with pomegranate, white tea and cooling extracts, Second Sin promises to deliver more antioxidant-derived benefits to in turn, deliver a healthier looking pucker.  Even tough-lipped gals will have trouble ignoring the tingling effects (as in, is my mouth set on fire?) after application; test a small area for sensitivity before taking the plunge. 

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Full Color, $18 at Bare Escentuals 

A one-two punch of pigment and pout, this third variation of the Buxom Lips line eradicates the need to layer a plumper with color.  While mineral formulations guarantee bold, intense hues – no small feat for any lip gloss – they’re all loaded with shimmer, and can turn a lunch meeting into a disco brunch without proper discretion.  Carmen, a golden plum, looks especially fresh with spring’s lilac eye.

A beauty boost and a boost to our wallets by avoiding complicated lip enhacing surgery?  We’ll take it any day. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk

As a Taurus, I’m a creature of comfort.  I like my sheets with a high thread count; my cappuccino with extra foam; and my fat jeans with extra stretch in the hips for the times when the likelihood of heading to the gym is about as likely as the possibility of me saying ‘no thanks’ to the tiramisu that followed the filet mignon, foie gras and three glasses of pinot noir.  Likewise, my eye makeup routine is somewhat predictable, with some variable shimmery brown shade on the lids and gobs of DiorShow mascara on my lashes. 

When presented with the opportunity to test a host of products that were anything but predictable – and blue – I was tempted to run back to my vanilla-flavored corner.  Sure, Gucci’s models can rock a major aqua eye and get away with it:  they have genetics – and master makeup artist Pat McGrath – on their side.  Could a real, grown woman get away with such a feat – while looking fabulous?  I invite The Vogue City readers to throw caution to the wind and find out.

Sue Devitt’s Microquatic mineral eye palette in Blue Waters, $37.50, blends hydrating marine substances with vitamins and minerals in a cobalt, cerulean, turquoise and cream-colored quad. 

I was impressed with how effortlessly the powder shadow – almost creamy to the touch – swept onto my lids with nary a tug or pull, and with how well the richly pigmented formula lasted throughout a particularly tipsy Saturday night. 

Elf’s waterproof liquid liner in Midnight, $1 (yes, you read that correctly), is the newest product in Elf’s ultra-wallet friendly line of cosmetics. 

The formula is a bit inky and can smudge easily if not applied with a steady hand, but does the job as well as any of its drugstore counterparts.  To perk up tired eyes for less than the cost of a morning cup of coffee is simply divine.

Laura Geller offers a one-two punch with her Eye Rimz baked shadow liner in Crystal Cobalt, $23, and Marble shadow duo in Moonstone/Blue Heaven, $25. 

Both shades are formulated from a liquid base that is quite literally “baked” into a hard shadow.  I found both products worked best when applied with a wet liner brush, though wasn’t particularly fond of the accompanying glitter that was a bit too Material Girl for my tastes. 

  100% Pure Ultra Lengthening mascara in Blueberry, $25, smells as delicious as it sounds thanks to natural fruit pigments.  My skepticism admittedly swirled around a QVC-endorsed product, but after two coats (try a primer for extra staying power) and irises that popped against the subtle navy tint, I was hooked. 

The verdict is in:  blue-hued eye makeup is fun, fresh and most importantly, wearable.  And if the thought it has you seeing red, take it all off with L’Oreal’s eye makeup remover, $8. 

-Karyn Polewaczyk