Luxury Hair, Airbrush Makeup and Styling
Picking a perfume can be difficult and overwhelming. There are so many different bottles and scents to choose from! The process of choosing can take a while especially when you are trying to figure out what sort of scent you are looking for. The Beauty Department had this awesome infographic that helps connect what things you are attracted to with the sort of scents that fall in that category.
People love that “glow” and the way their skin looks in the summer, and there is a healthy way to get that look without exposing yourself to harmful UVA and UVB rays. Self tanners can seem scary if you have never tried them before – there are so many to choose from! Here is a breakdown of a few formulas on the market and their pros and cons.
Creams and Gels
Creams and gels generally take longer to dry than other formulas. This can be a plus for anyone trying self tanning for the first time because it allows for more time to rub in the product. The key to applying creams and gels is to exfoliate well beforehand. If you are inexperienced with applying self tanner pick a cream or a gel that gives a gradual tan. Once you get more experience you can buy a quicker developing formula.
Sprays
Sprays can give a great, even tan – but the spray formulas tend to dry really quickly. Another drawback is that it is really difficult to spray your own body evenly (and to get everywhere.) If you have someone to help you out, you can try a spray – but we still suggest to start with a cream until you feel comfortable.
Foams
Foams are a sort of cream and spray hybrid with a very unique texture. Many people are drawn to this formula because the foam is visual, which makes it easier to apply. Foams dry quicker than creams and gels, but because it is easier to apply, for people with a little more experience this isn’t a problem.
Towlettes
Towlettes are a great products for touch-ups. Due to the fact they tend to have less product per towlette and can dry out quickly they are hard to apply your whole tan with a towlette. Also, if it is a clear formula, sometimes it is hard to tell where you have already applied which could lead to over-application in certain areas and would prevent an even, natural-looking tan.
What products or formulas do you love – let us know via Facebook, Twitter or the comments box below!
1. Avoid Fading by Reapplying Blush Throughout the Day
Instead of that, layer different formulas and textures for longevity. For example, start with a cream blush and dust a layer of powder blush on top. This will work as a sort of setting powder without losing pigment!
We love the look of flushed cheeks and a bold lip! Just ensure that you use shades that compliment each other. A good rule to follow is to stay within the same spectrum of undertones. For example, if you have coral lips, choose an orange-based blush like an apricot.
3. Pick One Shade that Looks Good and Stick with It
Pick a shade that scares you and try it out! If you read the reviews for Nars blush Exhibit A most people will talk about the fear of buying such a vibrant red shade, but almost everyone loves the natural flush that this color gives. How it looks in the package won’t always be the way it looks on your skin.
4. Only Apply Blush on the Apples of Your Cheeks
When considering where to apply blush, take your face shape into consideration. Do you want to elongate your face, narrow it? A blush trend is to blend the color up on the cheek bones and blend it into the hair line.
5. Never Wear Blush and Bronzer at the Same Time
This old rule has become less popular as blush and bronzer have become a sort of hand-in-hand duo. Apply bronzer in the contours of your face such as your temples, forehead and the hollows of your cheeks. Just be sure to blend well!
What are your breakable blush rules? Let us know via Twitter, Facebook or the comments box below!
We’re well into sandal season – are your feet starting to feel the beating? Sun, sand, grass, water and bare feet can cause your feet to get dry and flaky. Here are some great foot soaks that will keep your feet looking good all summer long!
1. Mix 1 Cup of Baking Soda with 1 Cup of Epsom Salts and then steep 2-4 Peppermint Tea Bags and add the warm peppermint water to the mix.
2. Mix 1/4 Cup of Lemon Juice with 1/4 Cup of Milk. Then add a 3/4 of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and mix well.
3. Mix a 1/2 Cup of Mouthwash with 1/2 Cup of White Vinegar and 1/2 Cup of Warm Water.
Once you’re done soaking, take your feet out and pat them dry. Then use a foot file or pumice stone to get rid of any flakey patches. Slather on a moisturizer and then put on socks.
If you do this once a week then your feet will be moisturized and look good all summer long!
1. Technique Matters!
Regardless of the shampoo you buy, you won’t reap the full benefits if you don’t wash your hair correctly. Using your fingers, you need to massage the shampoo into your scalp and then rinse it. This will get rid of any sebum or product build up so that your hair can grow and be healthy from the scalp.
2. Less is More
If use too much shampoo and it foams up a lot then it is more difficult to wash your hair correctly and get the product right to the scalp. Use about a quarter-sized amount of shampoo and be sure to get it right to your scalp.
3. Good Ingredients Don’t Always Get the Job Done
All products claim to do something; whether it is to moisturize, create volume or fight frizz. Argan oil is a very popular new ingredient to hit the market, but unless the product contains at least 1-5% of that ingredient, it won’t make a difference for your hair.
4. Blondes Need to Use Clarifying Shampoo More Often
Chemically treated hair becomes very porous and can absorb hairspray, persperation, city polluion and minerals from shower water. This can cause blonde hair to pick up yellowish tones. To avoid this, clarifying shampoo should be used at least once a week to help dissolve natural build up and to neutralize unwanted tones.
5. Immediate Results May Be Deceiving
If your hair is in serious need of moisture, volume or anything else – be willing to wait. Any shampoo that promises immediate results may work well the first few washes but end up causing build up and becoming less effective. If it is a good product it may be 2 weeks to a month before you see real results, but they will last!
Check back tomorrow for a list of ingredients to avoid in shampoos. It is more than likely that you will have at least one of them in the shower!
Just as BB Creams started to take off and become mainstream, whispers of CC Creams started hitting magazines and blogs. So what is the difference and which one is right for you?
CC Creams stand for Color Control (or Correcting) Cream. Like the BB (Beauty Balm) Cream, it is meant to be an all-in-one product. The point of a CC Cream is to take all of the benefits of a BB Cream, which was originally created as a skincare product and add more makeup-like ingredients to help with redness, dark spots or uneven skin tone.
When Hollywood It-Girl Lauren Conrad showed up as Marie Claire’s July 2013 covergirl debuting bangs, it reminded us of all of the great hairstyles she’s had in the past. We took a look back and wanted to share some of our favorites.
Have you ever, or would you ever ombre your own hair? We would love to know what you think of this hair trend via Twitter, Facebook or the comments box below!
Frizzy hair is caused by a number of things, including humidity, split ends, dryness, brushing incorrectly and using the wrong products. Once you understand all of the factors of hair frizz, it is easier to fight it to achieve a smooth look.
First the easy stuff. You have probably heard this said once or twice, but trim your hair every 6 weeks. This will get rid of the split ends and give your hair an overall smooth and healthy look. Another simple trick is to avoid brushing your hair when it is dry. You will want to comb your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers once you are out of the shower to help prevent frizz.
Choosing the right products is a big part of dealing with frizz and it starts with the shampoo. Many shampoos and conditioners contain ingredients that will dry out hair and cause it to be more frizzy – such as Alcohol and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Be sure to read the labels of your products carefully.
Dryness is something that almost everyone deals with at some point. Whether you color your hair, treat it or use heat styling tools often – you know how dry, dull and lifeless (and frizzy!) your hair can get. Using a deep conditioner once a week will help restore moisture and the the hair’s natural oils which will make the hair healthier and smoother. Also, using a heat protectant spray before styling will help lock in the hair’s moisture and prevent some (not all) of the damage.
What sort of products or tricks do you use to fight frizz – we would love to know! Let us know via Twitter, Facebook or the comments box below!
The annual MET Gala is always crawling with celebrities in the most incredible designer getups. As much as we love their outfits, we love seeing their hair and makeup even more! This year’s theme was “Punk: From Chaos to Couture.” We were immediately excited to see how grunge/ punk rock these otherwise glamorous celebrities would get for the occasion. Here are some of the most memorable looks of the night.
Nicole Richie definitely made you look twice to make sure you were seeing things correctly. Her blonde locks were a grey/lilac color. Her hair was extremely textured and pulled back with lots of volume. Her lips picked up the subtle purple hue in her hair with a wine-colored lipstick. Her eyeliner was kept simple. We also thought her eyebrows looked great. For this occasion, we would give her look an A+. Her dress was also gorgeous.
Makeup for Your Day 