The metallic trend is definitely at the top of our to do list this Fall. We’re both dying over the wearable colors that so many brands have on the table for the season ahead. We emphasize the word wearable because neither of us wants to be that woman at the preschool drop off with the really overdone makeup. You know the one we mean…too much eye shadow, too much lip stick, too much of everything…at like 8am. Not good. Not good at all.

One way to keep the look subtle and do-able for day is to pick one part of your face to apply the trend. Maybe wear a cute metallic color on your eyes, but then do a natural looking lip and cheek. Or try a fabulous lip color and then go lighter (think nude colors) with your eyes, maybe adding a cute sweep of blush for a finish.
But for us…either way…it has to be fast. We generally have zero time to get ready in the mornings with our little ones tearing up the house.

So here’s a quick five minute look that we love, starting with eyes and ending with lips:

A lot of the new eye shadow colors being offered by Bobbi Brown, for Fall 2008, are to die for gorgeous. They are the epitome of wearable in their sheer-but-buildable metallic splendor. Choose one of the lighter tones (like our fave Golden Peach) and apply with a fluffy eye shadow brush, from the lash line to the crease. We like to just add a sweep of mascara to the upper lashes and call it a day on the eyes.

For blush, we would probably keep within the same tones, but go for something that doesn’t have a lot of shimmer…Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in Honey Blush will give cheeks a nice pop of color and not compete with the peachy eye.

Finish off the look, with some L’Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Lip Conditioner in Soft Peach on your pout. It’s a perfect way to top off your weekday metallic look.

Throw your hair in a low pony tail and you are done. Fabulous!

With love (always),
Jennifer and Christine
http://beautyinreallife.blogspot.com

Popularity: 3%

No one is innocent, not even Paris Hilton. Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles tells which beauty crimes to avoid Before you make up your next face, there are 10 crucial no-nos you need to know. (Chances are you’re guilty of at least one of them.) To ensure that your best efforts aren’t wasted, we asked celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles to explain why these common mistakes really are that bad … as if fear of looking like one of these celebrity offenders isn’t enough …More at Total Beauty

Popularity: 3%

That is the (beauty) question.

Fall is nearly here and you want a quick style fix? Thinking bangs? Trends – even ones we love – just aren’t for everyone. Bangs are everywhere, Glamour Magazine even recently devoted a feature to our new favorite. Check out their Bangs Dos and Don’ts!

Some say it started with the Heidi Klum look, but suddenly everywhere you looked – from the Red Carpet, to fashion magazines, the SoHo girls whose style we so admire – bangs were on every face. Bangs can give ho-hum hair a little rock and roll punch; disguise those lines developing on your forehead (skip the Botox!); and might even make you look younger.

The best part about bangs is that you can drastically change your look without losing length or changing your color – good for someone like me who gets bored about a day into a new hairstyle.

Before you dive headlong (clever pun intended) into a haircut commitment, think about what style you’d like. Bangs can be cut and styled in a variety of lengths and shapes. Short bangs may not suit a long face; blunt bangs work best on oval faces. My personal favorites are bangs that are angle around the brow bone or side-swept bangs. Side-swept bangs can elongate a round face and soften square-shaped faces. They’re also a great way for ladies with hairstyle-cold-feet to get used to the idea of bangs.

Never cut bangs yourself (ask me how I know!). You may be able to tackle a trim on your own here and there, but if you’re not a stylist, cutting bangs on your own is treacherous territory.

Remember, the same cut won’t work for everyone. Here are a few factors to consider before you try out bangs:

• Hair Type and Texture - Straight and wavy haired girls rejoice! Bangs work the best on your hair type. If you’re hair is thick and tends to curl, stay away from super short bangs. Shortening your hair can lighten it, resulting in tighter curls and short short bangs! You might want to try layers and angles instead of bangs. They’ll give you a fresher, edgier look without the pitfalls of bangs-gone-wild.  Super fine hair? You may want to stay away from bangs that are too wispy or short. Fine and thin hair works well with side-swept bangs that give you more volume and texture.

• Skin Type - Is your skin really oily? You may want to think twice about styling your hair across your forehead. Your hair also produces natural oils and the two together can cause a skin breakout of epic proportions.

• Growing Pains -Bangs are, for the most part, a temporary style update. They can grow out in as little as two weeks. When they start poking you in the eyes, it’s either time for a trim or time for the growing pains! If you work with your stylist, you can have them trimmed so that they start going to the side. I do this in between trims. It’s fun because it’s like two haircuts in one! Trendy bangs across the brow one week, and sexy side-swept locks the next.

While styling products, a great brush and blow-dryer can help you through the growing out or in-between phase, I find that accessories (and there are a lot out there to choose from) can be a girl’s best friend!

Headbands, scarves and wraps are so hot right now and can disguise even the most unruly bangs as they grow out. I like to part my bangs to one side, twist slightly and pin them back for a sophisticated, stylized look. No one would guess you were growing out bangs!

Are You Ready?

Before you sit in your stylists chair, find some pictures (Heidi Klum, anyone?!) of styles that interest you. Being prepared might mean the difference between getting those perfect side-swept layered bangs a la Jessica Simpson, or getting blunt bangs that don’t suit your round face.

I tried full bangs across my brow bone and I am loving them! I have a lot of fine, straight hair; and this type works really well on my oval face. The best is - I instantly turned up my style factor. I find that I can just blow out my bangs and rush out the door. Instant hairstyle. Good bangs will always make you look finished and polished.

If you’re going to try them, now’s the time… although… I hope they never go out of style!

Popularity: 19%

The brisk weather of fall typically brings heavier clothing and makeup. The first sign of a fallen leaf rings an internal signal to break out our deepest darkest black eye liner. For Fall 2008, the trend remains smokey but with a surprise twist of vivid color. Brace yourself for the change of season and as the leaves turn color so should you! The classic grey and black smokey eye is a thing of the past. Welcome this fall with bold smokey eyes of indigo blue!

For the new vivid indigo look, try Givenchy’s Magic Kohl Eye Liner Pencil in Indigo Blue (Sephora.com $21.50). Start off lining the upper lids with this soft pencil and smudge the color up to the crease using a sponge tip applicator or firm blending brush. For an extra boost of radiant color, try Yaby’s World of Paint in Butterfly Blue (Yabycosmetics.com $3.15/palette fill) swept gently over the eyelid. For depth, blend a deeper shade of blue in the crease and along the bottom lash line like Nars eye shadow in Night Flight (NarsCosmetics.com $22.00), a blue-black shade with cobalt pearl. Add even more depth and definition by lining the upper and lower rim of eyes with Cargo’s Eye Pencil in Black (Sephora.com $14). Finish off the look with a fiber building mascara for extra length and drama like Fiberwig Mascara in Pure Black (FiberWig.com $22.00).

This trend is a high intensity eye shadow look. Maintain focus around the eyes by keeping the face soft and natural. Smokey indigo eyes is the hottest trend for this fall season! Break the vicious cycle and don’t make this fall just another carbon copy!

Photo: Nicholas Jbara

Popularity: 5%