i swear to goth.

[Fashion] Fall Fashion Trends 2013 – All Cats are Gray

Ah yes, gray as a neutral. Love it. The black/white contrast is just too drastic, but gray instead? Solid. A big, comfy gray cashmere (or acrylic for vegans) sweater with some black leggings is where my mind first goes, but there are numerous style options to lighten up the dark abyss that is a solid black wardrobe:

One of my favorite uses of gray is to make a rather dramatic evening outfit more daytime or casual. For example, a gray scarf with a black dress. There is this myth that to be goth you should only wear black, but I refuse this theory. Yes, the dark and macabre are enticing to us, but living in complete black isn’t the only way to express yourself as sinister and mysterious. Some examples:

Also, that whole “graphic tee under an open cardi with jeans” that Robert’s got going on is pretty much my casual state of being.

[Events] Strangelove Presents: Villainy

Looks like Strangelove is hosting a dark dance party this coming Saturday:

Wouldn't have gone with a Dr.Evil theme, but hey, that's just me. — Wouldn’t have gone with a Dr.Evil theme, but hey, that’s just me.

Saturday, August 24th
Strangelove presents:

VILLAINY: The Dance Club with a Dark Side

In the Back Room:
Electro/Dance/Pop
with DJs TOMAS DIABLO (Strangelove)
MYKILL (Solid Bump Records)
and STARR (Club Drama)

In the Front Room:
Goth/Alternative/80s
with DJs MELTING GIRL (Death Guild)
and LOW-LIFE (New Wave City)

featuring
Fembot Go-Go Dancers
from ILL REPUTE

9:30PM-3:00AM
$5 before 10PM, $8 after
21+ with ID

EVERY 4TH SATURDAY!
at the CAT CLUB
1190 Folsom at 8th

Check out their Facebook page here.

[Cosmetics] Villainous Limited Edition Shadows

Remember that night I had to rush into Walgreen’s and grab make-up in a flash? I would have just settled on no eyeshadow at all (desperate times, people) but this Fall Fashion Week Limited Edition palette from Maybelline in Autumn Dream caught my eye.

Perfect shades for all your sinister deeds!

Can you say, “Maleficent”? Seriously, the green, the purple, the navy? This is the color scheme Disney villains dream of. The shimmer isn’t too sparkly, and the shade are very creamy. You don’t need to overly-apply either: They have great coverage. I suggest a primer, because without it looks like a grey mess by the end of the day. If you’re uncertain how to use all four colors at once, I suggest the light gold from right above your eye’s crease to the bottom of your eyebrow, followed by the purple for the entire lid. Use the green for the eye’s crease, and the navy for the corners of the eye.

[Fashion] Fall Trends for 2013 – Leather

The reports back from Fashion Week in NY have been heard loud and clear this month, and I’m actually very excited about the trends. I’m usually more of a classic-style girl: lots of basic and structured dresses that don’t really ever go out of style. The announced styles and trends this coming season are actual ones I already follow. I will go into each trend separately and offer some insight on how to follow trends while still being dark and mysterious. I would like to state for the record that I don’t follow fashion advice from designers. I strictly follow what looks good on me and what I feel comfortable in. I suggest you do the same, but in case you were wanting to incorporate both, read on.

The first one I will cover is leather. Now, if you’re a vegan, there are options! I own this one by French Connection and it’s completely pleather. I get so many compliments on it, and the best part is how easy it is to clean! You seriously just take a damp cloth and wipe!

Now if you don’t mind dead animals, might I suggest this awesome wool/leather blend by All Saints? That cowl neck is just great for the brisk winter that is coming.

Wool and leather? Perfect for SF! Just get a cashmere scarf.

Some more leather ideas (love the collars and boots that coincide with the trend):

[Cosmetics] Bold Fuschia Lipstick

A few days ago I had to grab make-up in a flash because I was lazy and didn’t wear any to work, but then was suddenly invited to an event that night. I left work at 9:30, the event was at 10 – you see how there was no time to rush home, get ready and then leave? I rushed into Walgreens where I spent $44 on the basic essentials for my face. Most of it was cheap Wet N’ Wild crap, a little bit of Maybelline, and L’Oreal’s mineral make-up foundation. You would be shocked what ended up being the best item of the purchase.

First off, someone please suggest to me a mineral make-up that isn’t powder. Seriously. It gets all over my (obviously) black clothes and I honestly feel like I’m inhaling most of it. Regardless of the great coverage the L’Oreal True Match Naturale mineral make-up has, it gets everywhere and essentially pisses me off most the time. If you have time and patience, and are constantly putting make-up on over a sink, you might really like it! As for me, I need something less messy. Seriously.

Moving on, the biggest unexpected hit was the Wet N’ Wild Fergie edition lipstick. It stayed on all night, and I was eating a lot of garlic knots. It will get all over your chin when your lips folds down as you eat though, so be aware of that. The color “Fuschianista” has a translucent blue shimmer over it, and it’s super hot with black, smoky eyes and minimal blush.

You can't tell, but it's way more vivid and rich in color. — You can’t tell, but it’s way more vivid and rich in color.

I know, goths are “supposed” to love black and rich purples, but this hot pink made such a statement with my all black attire. Think Siouxsie:

Took this photo from the linked article. — Okay, weird with the caution tape and flower, but she still looks amazing!

[Event] Trannyshack: Depeche Mode Vs. Siouxsie

Siouxsie Sioux projected on the side wall of DNA Lounge last Friday. Photo by xtine noir.

Went to my first ever Trannyshack on Friday night. It was Depeche Mode vs. Siouxsie and the Banshees, how could I resist? Though I was slightly disappointed that no one performed “Christine” (not only my namesake, but a song clearly about a transvestite), the show was pretty spectacular. Despite the popular misconception that drag shows are all fluff and gags, there was some real depth to the performances that night. Granted, there was a drag queen dicing up her husband and shooting girl scouts to Siouxsie’s “Happy House”, there were also heavy portrayals of the saddest parts of history, including the Native Americans exploited by the white men and the struggle for equality in the gay community. Intense stuff, but ridiculous amounts of fun nonetheless.

Check their website for upcoming shows, though I will warn you that dark themes are few and far between.