Steal Kate Middleton’s Headwear Trend
Kate Middleton has a subtle, graceful fashion style. She has become one of the world’s most watched women, so it’s only natural that she would wear pieces that not only flatter her, but can also become a trend among other women. Take the hat pieces she wears, for example. They are a stylish fashion statement that she has managed to pull off with casual and elegant attire. You don’t have to be a future princess to follow her trend. Here are a few stylish pieces that you can add to your next hair-do, so you can feel like a princess.
Tasha Birdcage Feather Flower Headband - $27.90 at nordstrom.com
Feather Flower Headband - $5.80 at Forever21.com
Black Sequin Mini Top Hat Headban - $19.95 at Amazon.com
Crystal Feather Headband - $6.00 at mandee.com
Easter Fashion
When I think of Easter and fashion, I think of soft pastel colors, bright florals, and free-flowing clothing. Easter dresses capture the nostalgia of springtime, and usher in feel-good vibes of the summer to come. Here are some tips on picking out your perfect Easter outfit:
1. You can be sexy on Easter. Choose form-fitting dresses with floral patterns such as the White/Turquoise Floral Print Strapless Dress or Bisou Bisou® Scoopneck Allover Pleated Print Dress (both pictured below). You can evoke the colors of springtime and the innocence of youth by picking a dress with beautiful patterns; your dress does not need to be covered in little bunnies and yellow chicks.
Bisou Bisou® Scoopneck Allover Pleated Print Dress - $59.99 (left) and White/Turquoise Floral Print Strapless Dress - $54.90 (right)
2. Let the Breeze in. There’s nothing more sensual than the gentle kiss of a soft, springtime breeze. By wearing light, freely-flowing clothing, such as the Turquoise Floral Twist Strap Empire Waist Halter Dress or Halter print dress, you are able to celebrate the breezy days.
Turquoise Floral Twist Strap Empire Waist Halter Dress - $34.99 (left) and Halter print dress - $39 (right)
3. Add some Spring to your step. Wedges are a very popular accompaniment to a fashionable Easter outfit, but you can wear any type of shoe. Pick shoes with floral accents, patterns, pale or vivid colors. I adore the below floral pumps, available at Payless and Forever 21, respectively.
L-R: Inlove Flower Pump ($27.99) and Floral Mary Jane Heels ($24.80)
It’s Time for Makeup Spring Cleaning
Winter doesn’t last forever (thank goodness!), and neither does your makeup. At the beginning of spring, a lot of people begin to channel their inner Martha Stewart and perform housekeeping chores. It’s important to remember that you also have to do spring cleaning when it comes to your makeup, because all cosmetics eventually expire. Here are some commonly accepted guidelines that you should follow; however,if any product you are using changes color, develops a smell, grows mold, becomes runny, or changes consistency before these time frames, throw it out.
Mascara – 3-6 months
The chances of you going blind from using mascara that’s almost two years old is very slim, but your eyes are too important for you to risk a nasty eye infection because there’s just a little bit left in the tube. To prevent your mascara from drying out, don’t pump the wand in and out; instead wiggle it from side to side as you pull it out.
Eyeliner/Lip Liner – 3 years
If you sharpen your pencils regularly, they can last up to three years.
Eye shadow/Blush – 2 years
A good quality powder can last up to two years; cream based eye shadows and blushes should be tossed after one year.
Foundation – 1 year
Cream and liquid foundation can last up to a year. If you use a water-based foundation, you can add toner and shake it to extend its lifespan. Oil-based foundations can last up to eighteen months. Powder foundations can last up to two years.
Lipstick/Gloss – 18 months
If you sanitize your lipstick by wiping it regularly with a tissue and a few drops of alcohol, it can stay fresh for over a year. Also, if you store it in the refrigerator, it will last longer.
Nail polish -1-2 years
I am guilty of keeping nail polishes that are at least 4-5 years old. Always store your nail polishes in a cool, dry place. If the color in the bottle no longer blends properly, and you can’t hear the metal beads mixing the polish, it’s time to part ways with it.
Tips
*Always smell your products when you first open it, so that you will recognize when the smell changes.
*The day you open a new product, write the date on it.
*Avoid double-dipping your sponges to prevent contamination. Spread foundation on the back of your hand and collect the product with your sponge from there.
*Make sure your hands are always cleaned before using your fingers to apply any product.
*Have a ton of unused makeup products? Learn how you can donate them here»
Bottom Line- When in doubt; throw it out.
Get Chiseled Cheeks
Angelina Jolie has high cheekbones and a strong jawline.
Not all of us were lucky enough to be born with naturally defined cheekbones like Angelia Jolie, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel. You can however, “fake it” or give the illusion of a sculpted, slim face. To get the look, you will need a contour palette. Most contour palettes come with step-by-step guides and supply you with everything you need to achieve the look.
If you don’t have a contour palette, no problem! You can create the look of fabulous cheekbones with makeup products your probably already have:
1. Blush
2. Bronzer – Choose a bronzer that is matte, not shimmery. If you don’t have bronzer you can also use a blush that is about three shades darker than your natural skin tone.
3. Highlighter
But, much more importantly than the products you need to achieve the look, is the technique.
1. Suck in your cheeks or create a “fish face” so that you can clearly see where the hollows of your cheeks would be if your cheekbones were naturally high.
2. Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks (above the crease of your face) towards your ears.
3. While still maintaining your “fish face,” apply the bronzer below the apples of the cheeks along the hollow.
4. Release the fish face, and use a large brush to blend the colors so it looks natural.
5. Add a small dab of highlighter along the top of the cheekbone and blend. This will help your cheeks catch light. You can also add the highlighter down the center of the face.
6. You’re done! And if anyone asks, tell them you have great genetics…
One-Shoulder Trend
One trend that’s sure to be hot this summer is the one-shoulder look. The style is popping up in this season’s prom dresses, is easily findable in clothing stores, and was a major hit on the red carpet of the Golden Globes this year. What makes this looks so popular is that it offers you the chance to look a little sexy, while still being covered or feeling exposed. And, with summer just a few months away, there’s no reason not to show a little shoulder…
(click to enlarge)
Help an underserved teen go to prom: Donate your old dresses
The highlight of my high school existence was getting ready for prom. Months before the big day I went shopping and found the perfect dress: a pale pink mermaid style gown with black bows adorning the bottom. Now, years later the possibility of me ever attending another prom is pretty much zero. Even if I had to go to a formal or charity event that required me to dress up, I don’t foresee myself pulling out my prom dress from eight years ago, as my style has since evolved. Plus, there’s also the chance that the dress no longer fits me. So, instead of throwing it away or allowing it to collect dust in the back of my closet, the best solution is to donate the dress, which I only wore once, and will never wear again.
Every year, thousands of girls look forward to their prom; but, in these tough economic times some girls may have to struggle in order to be able to afford the cost of the big day. They have to pay for tickets for the event, transportation, an after party, and most importantly, the dress. For some girls, finding the gown of their dreams is the most exciting part of getting ready for prom, and there are many organizations out there that give undeserved teens the opportunity to find beautiful dresses free of charge. Help make their dreams come true by donating formal wear that you no longer want.
I’ve compiled a list of organizations that accept dress donations. This list is not exhaustive, and please feel free to suggest additions.
Under my umbrella (Ella ella, ay ay ay)
April showers bring May flowers – we have all heard this rhyme at some point in our lives. So, now that April has begun and the rain showers are looming, I thought it was best to seek out the most beautiful and stylish umbrellas, worthy of a Rhianna music video.
1. MOMA Sky Umbrella – $48.00
2. Pink Gerbera Daisy Flower Umbrella – Folding Compact Art Umbrella with Automatic Push Button Opening & Close – $18.99
3. Felix Rey “Rain Rain Go Away” Clear Bubble Umbrella- $65.00
4. Antique Rose Umbrella 46″ arc, 100% Pongee cover Galleria – $19.99
5. Hummingbird Stick Umbrella – $22.98
Learn from Lady Gaga’s beauty mistakes
In the latest issue of People Magazine Lady Gaga revealed some of her beauty secrets. Here’s a breakdown of do’s and dont’s we can learn from what she divulged:
GAGA BEAUTY DON’T
The singer revealed her hair is falling out due to years of bleaching her naturally brunette locks, blonde. According to the magazine she said, “[I have to] get a chemical haircut because my blonde hair is falling out.” Her sylist Aura Friedman explained, “We have to do a double process to make Gaga’s hair the right shade, which means removing her natural color with cream bleach and then applying a high-gloss dye that actually contains pearly pink, sparkling tones….We have to do it every three weeks, which is extremely damaging.”
DO
Embrace the beautiful hair color you were born with. You may also want to consider simply going a few shades lighter, so your hair looks more natural and your locks won’t have to suffer from the harsh effects of chemical bleaching. If you do have blonde ambition, seek out a professional hair colorist to bleach your hair, and only get your hair colored every six to eight weeks. Unfortunately, if you are not a natural blonde, your roots will start to show through after about one week, but resist the temptation to bleach every week, or you could end up like Gaga.
GAGA BEAUTY DON’T
Lada Gaga also told People that she goes to bed wearing makeup every night. “That is not good for your skin,” she said, “but I’m blessed with good genes.”
DO
It is important to remove makeup before you go to sleep to give your skin a chance to “breathe.” Nighttime is when your skin has a chance to repair itself, and even thought Laga Gaga believes she has good genes, wearing makeup to bed could age your skin seven times faster than average. And, unlike Gaga, we don’t have the hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend on the anti-aging skin procedures she will need in a few years when this bad habit catches up to her.
The one beauty tip of Gaga’s that’s worth following is to “just go with your gut…whenever you try to be someone else, it’s boring.” But, please don’t follow you gut when it tells you to bleach your hair weekly and sleep with makeup on.
