Up ‘dos mere mortals like us can actually replicate at home

Who has enough time to get the perfect up-do hairstyle anymore?  I’m sure every woman would love to have their own personal hairdresser to be armed with a blow-dryer and ready to take on the tough task of getting your hair perfect the way you want.  Those that don’t have this convenience may need some helpful tips to get the look they want in only a few minutes, and be out the door!  Here’s 17 hairstyles to try out that won’t take up much of your time.

 

With a few (and only a few) key products and styling tools, you can quickly give yourself a salon-worthy ‘do. And hey, if you hate it, try a different one — at least you haven’t blown 60 bucks and a hour of precious time on it. …More at Total Beauty

.

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

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!

I have found your answer ladies and gents. New L’Oreal Vive Nutri Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner collection is perfect for all of us that are stressing out our hair daily from blow-drying to styling. I know I am the hair product junkie and when I came across this hair care line I was a skeptic, until I actually tried it.

This is the most lightweight yet effective hair care line I have found and trust me, it hasn’t been easy. What I love is the scent of course. There is a lightweight fresh scent that will only enhance your hair and not leave you oily or full of fragrance.

What I love most is that I hate to wash my hair everyday. I prefer every other day, and with this collection it only helps your hair stay shiny, healthy looking, and full of body without leaving you weighed down or dry. Remember, I love conditioner, but only use conditioner on the hair about half way down the head, this way you don’t weigh down the hair and keep it full of volume.

L’Oreal is known for a lot of fabulous products, but I am truly impressed with this line of hair care. Don’t be a skeptic like me, just give it a try and you won’t be disappointed.

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

Guest Contributor

Victoria Stiles is a professional Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Washington, D.C. and owner of Victoria Stiles Makeup (http://www.victoriastilesmakeup.com) providing services worldwide for publications, events, television, film, fashions shows, celebrities and weddings.  Working closely with hair and makeup agencies in D.C, New York, and Los Angeles, Victoria frequently travels for publications such as Glamour Magazine, The Washingtonian Magazine, Virginia Living Magazine, and JCK Luxury Magazine.  Her celebrity clientele has included Emme, Star Jones, Olivia Thirlby, Jordin Sparks, and Gary Sinise.  Her film credits include key makeup artist for feature film “Aduri” (www.adurithemovie.com) and has worked with television channels  such as National Geographic Kids Television and Fox News.

PedEgg is small enough to take with you wherever you go, and it is completely clean, no mess whatsoever. As you can see, it is in the shape of an egg so you simply remove the top and scrub away. It fits in the palm of your hand and any mess is caught in the container so there is absolutely no clean up! It is that simple. PedEgg has precision micro-files that gently remove calluses and leave your feet baby soft. There are also two high quality emery buffing pads included for the perfect finishing touch.

With gladiator sandals being all the rage this summer, you definitely want to have smooth sexy feet when you are wearing the latest trends! You can find your PedEgg almost everywhere. I picked mine up at my local drugstore or you can always check out www.PedEgg.com for more information and where to find your new favorite beauty aide.

I know what you all are thinking, how do I get those seductive and sexy smokey eyes like Angelina? Believe it or not, it is actually one of the easiest looks to do yourself. When you are going for the smokey eye, all you need are three basic none shimmer eye shadows, a waterproof eyeliner, and your favorite mascara. Oh, and don’t forget a little foundation, blush, and nude lip-gloss.

1. First, you want to work from the lash line up. So, you want to place your darkest color first. I love MAC Swiss Chocolate as my darkest color. This is a dark brown with a deep red tone to really help smoke out the eye without using black.
2. Next, use a shade lighter in the crease to help blend up the smokey brown. Always use a light highlighter along the brow line to give a contrast of light and dark of the smokey eye.
3. Then, be sure to use a waterproof black liner all around the eye, top and bottom. You can smudge out the corner of the eye along the bottom to give the true smokey eye effect. Two coats of mascara is a must!

Remember, your focus is on the eye so the rest of the face is minimal. Just a soft foundation to even out your skin tone and a wash of color on the cheeks is all you need. And don’t forget the perfect nude lip-gloss. I love LipFusion Velvet Bling Fusion.
Not only will you get the perfect nude lip, but you also can plump up with Lip Fusion technology to give you fuller more kissable lips.

The smokey eye look can be achieved with any color combo and if you need extra help, you can always try Smashbox eye shadow trios.

This way, you will always have a blend of three colors that work well together to achieve the perfect smokey eye.

Have fun! Remember, your makeup is an extension of your personality and we all want to look sexy and seductive some time! Especially like Angelina Jolie!

Here are my must haves for any summer get-away flight:

Claudalie VinoGo Weekend KitThe Caudalie VinoGo Weekend Kit is your complete beauty regimen in petite travel size bottles perfect for any travel bag. You will get a Foaming Cleanser, Beauty Elixer, Contour Cream Eyes and Lips, Energizing Cream, Lip Conditioner, Shower Gel and Body Lotion all for only $32 at www.Sephora.com.

For all of us make-up junkies, Cargo Color Cards are incredible! One box contains 28 cards of single use eye shadows, which you can apply with your fingertip or brush. This gives you the perfect wash of color on your lid to keep you looking fabulous poolside. What I love most is that the cards are almost weightless and can be tucked away for a quick pick-me-up whenever or wherever needed.

Benefit’s Just In Case is another must have for any travel bag. This mini kit contains just what you need to keep you looking fresh and new all weekend long, no matter how late you plan on staying out.

This is perfect to keep with you at all times for a quick touch up and contains your favorite one hit wonders from Benefit. Some Kind-A-Gorgeous for a glowing complexion, California Kissin’ to brighten up your smile and freshens your breath, Benetint for rosy lips and cheeks, and Eyecon to help brighten the eye area.

For added lip gloss which I am actually addicted too, you will love Sugar Mini Sticks. Just throw your favorite in your bag and glam it up all day and night.

Don’t forget your sunscreen! I love the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30. You can apply over your makeup and keep reapplying all day long. This is a definite must have for any summer outing!

Roll on fragrance is the way to go when it comes to traveling. This way you will never open your luggage to a spilled bottle or a broken glass. Fragrance is very personal and there are so many to choose from, but I love to smell soft and shower fresh when I am out and about so I love the Clean Fragrance line.

The Clean Shower Fresh Rollerball fragrance is amazing! You will smell like you just stepped out of a shower all day and I always get a ton of compliments when I wear this one.
Now it’s time to grab a bag and start packing! Summer is here and we all need a little weekend get-away to take a break and unwind! Remember the less you pack, the more you can shop when you are away so have fun, be safe, and look and feel gorgeous on your get-away!

I am talking about the Bliss/Philips Bikini Perfect Deluxe Spa Edition. This is the next generation in at home hair removal. When the luxury spa brand Bliss partners up with the electronic grooming guru Philips you know you are going to get a fabulously effective tool. The package may say Bikini, but the options are limitless. You can really use this on area of the body that you want the hair gone.

You will get six attachments for every level or precision hair removal you need. You will also get a trial-size of Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter and Body Scrub as well as five Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads. This is the perfect way to get the at home spa experience without spending a lot of money.