There are some things in life that define us. We are proud of them and with great appreciation we wear this badge of honor. For me this defining piece is my background and where my family is from. Our culture, rich history and love of food is what makes me me. In light of our New Year this Saturday (first day of Spring!) I thought it would be nice to do something different as homage to my ancestors past and present.

So have you figured out my ethnicity? Well Chanel has spoken not only to me but my fellow Iranians with their new makeup look appropriately name “Teheran.” For those of you taking a hiatus from geography or Middle Eastern politics in general, Tehran is the capital of Iran. This look brilliantly created by makeup artist Peter Philips captures the essence of the modern Iranian woman. Televised and photographed a million times during the global Green Movement protests, the world saw the freshness, modernity and sophistication of the Iranian woman. What I love about this Chanel makeup look is that it many senses it is dead on. We are mysterious and enticing with our smoky yet sheer eyes that keep you guessing with the unexpected hint of peach. We embrace a rosy, healthy glow as a symbol of our energy and ambition. And our coral, peachy lips spell boldness, timelessness and tastemaking tendencies. Chanel must have aptly known these traits because they have rightly named this limited edition lipstick color, Teheran. Thank you Chanel for recognizing the beauty not only in Iranian but of all women.

Usage tip: Recreate this look at home. The lightly dusted smoky eyes transition from morning to evening (according to British Vogue smoky eyes are the AM look sported by all Brits) and the pop of controlled bright lip color is what spring/summer is all about.

The result: I wish my fellow Iranians a very happy Norouz, Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak!

Cupid's Arrow

From the womb to early childhood right up to becoming an adult we are taught, preconditioned and dream of meeting that special one. You know the soul mate that is your other half. The one that makes you complete - the ying to your yang, the bread to your butter, the beat to your heart. So we walk through life with our eyes wide open and our heart's brimming full of hope and enthusiasm that Cupid will stike us with his/her (do we know if Cupid is male or female?!) lucky arrow. But like all ironies in life did you know that there's a certain "look" men subconsciously seek in selecting their mate? Studies have been done showing that their are certain physical attributes men are preprogrammed to seek in their partner. So while it's no guarantee that by wearing a certain lipstick you will meet your soul mate the minute you step outside of your house, why not up your chances of meeting the one by catering to or playing up some of these attributes.

The Look that Finds that Special One

Skin: Men are drawn towards a women's natural glow, a tell tale sign of her fertility (it's all about spreading the seed after all!), and femininity so glowing, radiant skin only helps play up your inner luminosity. Skip the heavy, cakey foundation and instead opt for a luminizing sheer foundation like Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation or mix your daily SPF moisturizer with a radiance boosting lotion like JK Jemma Kidd Mannequin Skin.

Eyes: When polled over 70% of men say the first thing they notice about a women is her eyes so it's time to play up the windows to your soul with soft, neutral hues and light contouring. Definitely more natural than smoky. My favorite technique is to create that twinkle in your eye.

Cheeks: Rosy, rosy, rosy! Flush cheeks equal health, youth and yes our favorite fertility. I recommend a cream/gel blush like the Tarte Cheek Stains to give your cheeks that color yet keeping skin dewy and glowing. Powder blushes can look streaky and synthetic.

Lips: Again it's about pink-esque natural shades so look for creamy lipsticks or tinted balms in the berry and rose family. And of course what man is going to say no to big, full lips?! So just add a dab of clear gloss to the center of the lips for a juicy, kissable look.

Hair: Nothing makes men run faster than hair they can't run their hands through so think softness and natural. Men don't love the pin straight look or tight up do's. Instead soft curls and touchable tousled hair should be on the menu. And of course shiny, thick hair spells what? Yes you guessed! Baby material. So before styling add some volumizing mousse to wet hair and when your done make sure to add a few drops of a shine serum through your strands!

The bottom line is men like a more natural, relaxed look so play up your assests with a light hand and a few beauty essentials. Cupid's arrow is looking for you!

Usage tip: Less is more and after all men can't tell the difference between 5 minutes of getting ready versus 20 minutes of work!

The result: Finding the person who makes you gets your silly jokes, kisses you while you sleep and whispers of his hopes and dreams for a life with you in your ear. And I guess there may be a baby or two in the future? :) Happy Valentines Day!

A Twilight Halloween

Whoever tells you that they don't like the movie Twilight is either

A. Lying (they're in the closet fan)

B. Jealous of Rob Pattinson (in the guys case) or Kristin Stewart (cause who wouldn't want Edward Cullen lusting after them?)

In my case after many months of protesting to my sister that there was no way I would ever watch a vampire movie, I finally succumbed to the Twilight fever and like most other viewers was totally paralyzed by the sheer force of Bella and Edward's young love (I'm not going to lie staring at Rob P is a nice bonus with that chiseled face and soul searching eyes). Now I'm going to put myself out there and tell you a secret- I rented the movie from Blockbuster.com and kept it for at least 3 weeks watching it at a minimum once a week...odd for an adult who never wanted to watch it in the first place! So when it came time to select my Halloween costume this year it was a no brainer...a vampire, but Twilight style! I figured from a cost perspective this was a good choice as I could save myself the money and put together an outfit from my closet (Twilight vampires are after all modern fashionistas like me and you). I could rely on my makeup to pull the whole look together and who knows maybe I could meet my very own Edward Cullen (a girl can dream can't she?).

Twilight Vampire Makeup

Face: Vampires are of course quite pale but unlike traditional vampires that have a chalky white complexion, Twlight vampires have more of an iridescent glow to their skin. So get foundation 2 shades lighter than your skin tone that has some light reflecting particles. Not sure if your foundation has this glow-like finish? Look for words like "brilliance" or "radiance" on the packaging. You can also improvise and mix the foundation with a shimmer powder like Laura Mercier Shimmer Loose powder in Star Dust. Apply the foundation all over your face in circular motions with either a brush or sponge for even coverage. Be sure to cover your neck, ears and decolette so your skin tone is consistent with the pale vampire complexion.

Eyes: Apply a light lavender eyeshadow like MAC Crystal on the upper eye lids working the color into the crease and toward the brow bone. Then work the lavender eye shadow onto the lower lids, tracing the lash line. Coat upper lashes with a black mascara.

Lips: This is a no brainer. Blood red lips! If you're not sure how to apply a foolproof bold red pout go back and relook at my old post!

Usage tip: If you will be out and about in your costume during the day remember to apply body glitter to exposed skin. Twilight vampires' skin sparkles like diamonds in direct sunlight unlike traditional vampires who burn. Remember it's Halloween so have fun with your makeup! This is the one time that more may actually be better!

The result: A smokin' hot, Twilight vampire! To the pale skins (how they refer to normal humans in the movie): you're forewarned and beware, we are on the prowl for our first victim!