The Perfect Maxi Dress

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THE PERFECT MAXI DRESS

ByJonica Wildes

When shopping for the perfect maxi dress for the summer months or warm weather vacations, look for bold, fun prints and material that is light and breathable, such as this maxi found at Kariella in Ventura, CA. If the bold print of this maxi dress doesn’t scream summer, then I don’t know what does!
Bold patterns are so fun, and a tropical vibe is the ultimate summer print. It’s adorable for summer brunch, beach days, warm weather vacations, and transitions well for date nights too. When looking for a wardrobe piece such as a maxi that will transition from day to night, look for unique styling and detail. The strappy top and neckline detail of this dress is stunning and stays cool on really warm days. The print creates a cool, laid-back, tropical vibe, which is great for beachy moments, while still being dressy enough for nights out.
UGG’s Audra Metallic Sandal
I paired this maxi dress with the new Audra metallic sandal by UGG to create a boho beach look. Wearing strappy, braided sandals to the beach is my favorite because I can still protect my feet while feeling the sand and water on my toes.

Steps ahead of the standard flip flop, the Audra features mirror patent leather and a braided strap for a chic, casual look that doesn’t skimp on comfort.

Along with quality craftsmanship, UGG’s sandals are styled with comfort in mind. The soles are constructed with extra cushion for wearability and leather is flexible with soft stitching.

For an evening look, try a cute wedge sandal for added height and drama.
Natural Beach Waves
I styled my hair to create natural beach waves, which is my ultimate beach-casual look. To get beach waves, I use a curling wand and lightly curl big chunks of hair in sections. I then softly comb through my hair with a large comb, and add a little bit of hairspray to hold the curl. The trick to creating beach waves is to use bigger chunks of hair instead of smaller sections (smaller sections creates tighter curls). Beach waves are meant to be soft and natural looking, almost as if you didn’t even use a curling iron or wand to create them.
Natural Makeup
For a natural boho beach vibe, I apply neutral makeup. I recommend natural tones, nudes, and lighter application of each product when styling for this look. For the boho vibe, I wanted to draw attention to my eye makeup, keeping the rest of my face looking natural. Bold eyes help add that extra pop to stand out amongst the bold print of the maxi dress.

When pairing a beachy look with a bold pattern, I always recommend using a neutral eye shadow color, such as gold or beige.
Try Lancôme’s Color Design Sensational Effects eyeshadow, in Filigree (shimmer), or Latte (matte).

This product is available in a variety of shades and finishes, from shimmer to sheen and metallic to matte, which complements almost any wardrobe. Lancôme's Micro-aired technology promises effortless application and smooth-gliding color that's beautifully blendable. This shadow is long-lasting, and packed with pigmented color to stay true for all-day-long wear.

Benefits:
  • The color glides on smoothly and blends easily for a very professional finish
  • Color stays true and looks beautiful all day
  • The micro-aired powder feels light on the eyes
  • An ergonomically-designed slide compact with see-through cover makes application that much easier
Volumizing Mascara
For a natural look, apply minimal eye liner, but make your lashes pop by using a volumizing mascara such as Lancôme’s Hypnose Drama instant full body volume mascara. Emphasizing your lashes with a volumizing mascara draws attention to eyes, while still maintaining a natural look.

Lancôme Hypnose Drama Volume mascara's uniquely designed brush, thickens lashes from root to tip with volume that is easier to control to avoid unwanted clumps. A unique formula, enriched with Vitamin B5, was developed to wrap individual lashes one layer at a time, while preventing smearing, smudging or clumping.

Benefits:
  • Increases lash volume
  • Leaves lashes feeling soft and supple, rather than hard and crunchy
  • The special brush allows for controlled application to customize the amount volume to each lash
  • Provides lash separation without clumping
Nude Lip
I finished the look by using a soft subtle color on my lips. When creating a beach look, it is important to look as natural as possible. Bold lip colors should be avoided as they draw your attention to your mouth. Nude lip colors are the way to go, and only try to avoid going any darker than one shade from your natural lip color. Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes in Purely Nude, by Maybelline, is a great color choice. This matte nude lipstick features warm, golden pigments that enrich your natural lip color with a nude that compliments.

How to apply
Step 1. Apply lipstick in the center of your upper lip and follow the contours of your mouth.

Step 2. Glide the lipstick across the entire bottom lip.

Benefits:
The creamy, matte nude compliments all skin tones and highlights natural beauty. My advice to style any beach outfit is to choose patterns that will be enhanced by the scenery around you. Although the print on this dress is bold and stands out, it looks even better when surrounded in the beautiful ocean scenery.
SOURCES

Ugg 
Maybelline
Lancome 
Kariella
Stacee Lianna Photography 
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