5 Major Beauty Blunders You Don’t Want To Fall Victim To

May 1, 2012

All girls take pride in their appearances. Otherwise, we wouldn’t spend our time doing our makeup, spending money on beauty products or doing any kind of daily beauty regime. However, no matter how hard we try there are common faux pas most people encounter that can actually be avoided. We have found five major blunders that we have seen or encountered ourselves and come up with solutions to stop them happening again. Simple tricks can keep you looking your best, no matter what problems pop up!

Skincare

Having a shiny face can really ruin your look. It is all about preparation of the skin before applying your makeup. If you have oily skin you do not need to apply a daytime moisturizer before putting on your makeup. Most people seem to add a moisturizer to their skin as part of their daily morning routine but with this specific skin type it is a big NO NO! All you should do is cleanse the skin and put on a good skin primer e.g.  M.A.C Prep + Prime which specifically absorbs oil and is SPF 15.

Eyes

Fake lashes can really make a statement and compliment a night time look. There are different thicknesses of lashes depending on the look you want to go for. The major blunder here which is seen so much (mainly at the end of an eventful night) is the lashes peeling off to give a less than glamorous look! To avoid this it is all about great application and sealing the line of the lashes. To apply you must use plenty of the glue provided. Do not be glue shy! The glue is designed to dry clear so don’t be afraid to get glue happy and ensure those lashes are secure. Then use a good eye liner and go over the line of the fake lashes to not only disguise the lash line but also seal the lashes and avoid that unsightly peeling!

Hair

Everyone loves having beautifully coloured locks, but no one likes the look of roots growing out. They are inevitable if you permanently colour your hair, but when they are over an inch grown out, and you don’t have time to hit the salon before a big night out, we have a great solution. There are at-home solutions that will help you can bide your time before you make your appointment. Clairol has a Nice and Easy root touch up product with a simple brush to apply to the roots which means you save money by getting your touch ups at home. There are no excuses for exposed roots…it takes 20mintes and then you are back to your glamorous self!

Lips

Red lips are back on the scene this season as seen in my previous post about Autumn/Winter NYFW Runway. Red lips are the final piece to make an outfit look red-carpet worthy and elegant. However, we all know the makeup blunder here…lipstick being stuck on your teeth due to over application! Wearing lipstick means you have to keep it perfected throughout the night, and you would never want to be that girl who has it smeared on her teeth. Follow these simple steps to ensure your pearly whites stay, well, white…

  • Apply your primer and your foundation to your lips as part of your makeup regime to make sure the colour stays put
  • Then apply a good lip liner so there is no smearing of the lip colour
  • Then dab with a tissue or use your finger, put your mouth in an ‘O’ shape and pull the finger out, collecting the residue

Body

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Having your beautiful summer tan disappear during the winter months is always disappointing! Most ladies tend to opt for fake tan to keep their summer glow all year round. I highly recommend doing this rather than using sun beds as it is much safer and cheaper if you do it at home! There are two potential blunders here, your tan looking too orange and the tan becoming patchy. To avoid the first blunder, it is all about choosing the right colour for you and not over applying the tan. Remember tans develop over an 8-hour period so people tend to over-apply because they think they do not look dark enough at first. If you are pale go for a lighter tan colour. Even if you are tempted to go extra dark, the color won’t absorb well on your skin and you risk being patchy. To avoid the patchy effects as your tan fades you must:

  • Exfoliate before you tan. Have a shower and use a sponge or exfoliating glove to get rid of any dead skin
  • Apply the tan with a glove so you don’t get orange hands (yet another blunder with self-tanning) and make sure you get your knees and elbows! Get someone to help you do your back as this is a missed spot frequently!
  • Wear loose fitting clothes, don’t head out partying and sweat it off. Stay cool and allow the tan to develop for at least 8 Hours
  • Have a shower the next day and you should have a lovely, natural looking glow
  • Moisturise daily using cocoa butter as this is very creamy and hydrating

Now you have all these tips to avoid beauty blunders you do not have to be a victim to them anymore!

10 Wacky and Wild Makeup Ideas for Halloween

May 1, 2012

It’s that time again – Halloween. With all the different options out there, finding the right costume seems to get more overwhelming each year.  You’re usual choices range from scary to funny to downright vulgar. So what’s a fashionista to do in the midst of Snooki wannabe’s and cliché costumes? Keep it glam! There are so many looks you can do that will not only suffice as a great costume, but still guarantee you to be the most fab attendee of any Halloween event.

Here are 10 Halloween inspired looks that will make others stare, scream, or just wish they thought of it first…

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Look 1. Killer Cat-eye

Pretty sure most of us have been the kitty for Halloween. Well this year you’re not going for cutesy. If you show up in a fierce get up topped off with a killer cat eye you’re sure to turn heads.

What you’ll need: Black liner and a liner brush (Tip: avoid using pencil for this, gel liner lasts longer and with a precision brush you’ll get the ‘purrrfect’ angle.)

Look 2. Extreme Smokey Eye

This look is great because it’s instant drama. Perfect if your going for a (glammed up) zombie look.

What you’ll need: A range of ‘smokey eye’ colors. Mostly shades of gray and black. (Tip: since it’s Halloween, take it up a notch. Around this time local drugstore should have some extreme options. Be daring and go for black that has shimmer or glitter mixed in!)

Look 3. Vampire Kiss

We all have been affected by the vampire trend that’s been going on! Even if you’re not a fan of the endless movies and shows on vampires, you have to admit, they look good. Vampires are known to be mysterious, daring, and sexy! Perfect costume choice if you ask me. But with all attention on faux fangs, you better have pampered your lips. Take it up a notch with red lipstick.

What you’ll need: A shocking shade of red. (Tip: be sure to play up your skin tone. Not all reds are created equally! Lighter skintones – go for bright red. Darker skintones – find reds that have a orangey tone!)

Look 4. Fairy False Lashes

Looking to be something magical and whimsical this year? You’re best bet would be to get dolled up as a fairytale fairy. During Halloween there are tons of creative and unique false eyelash options. From feathers to glitter to a whole rainbow of colors, you’re eyes will alone will be a killer costume – fairy wings optional!

What you’ll need: A set of false eyelashes (Tip: The longer the better! Now is your chance to go all out! Also, check ahead of time to see if adhesive glue is included!)

Look 5. Pin Up Girl

It won’t be hard to channel your inner bombshell with the right tools. Think: all american beauty.

What you’ll need: The classics: Red lipstick, mascara, and blush.

Look 6. Wickedly Hot Witch

This isn’t your average wicked witch. Give yourself a full face of makeup but as a finishing touch, ditch the traditonal witch wart and upgrade with a faux beauty mark.

What you’ll need: a black liner pencil to dab on your faux beauty mark. And if you’re really into it, use the pencil to try to draw some spider web designs on your lids!

Look 7. Bollywood Babe

Bollywood is known for over the top colors and accessories, and most of the bling is on the face! So go crazy with adhesive crystals!

What you’ll need: A pack of crystal adhesives to make a design on your face. TIP: Play up the eyes!

Look 8. Glittery Butterfly

There is nothing quite as fun as being covered in glitter. The eye is trained to be drawn to shiny things. So it won’t be hard to be the center of attention. Strap on some wings and you’re all set.

What you’ll need: If you’re brave (and careful) you can use real glitter. If not, plenty of beauty products have glitter already in them…liners, shadows, glosses, and body lotions! It’s Halloween, go for it!

Look 9. Gorgeous Geisha Girl

There’s so much you can do with this idea. You can play around with different colors and designs, but no matter what you decide, this will definitely be a unique and fresh Halloween idea.

What you’ll need: Plenty of color options! Make sure you have a wide range of shadows and blushes!

Look 10. Elegant Egyptian

This look is all about the eyes. Playing up your eyes and making them look as strong and bold as possible. The more straight lines and angles the better!

What you’ll need: A nice precision brush and the long lasting gel eyeliner!

So there you have it, now you have ten fabulous Halloween inspired makeup ideas to choose from this year. And the best part is, you didn’t have to sacrifice your usual beauty routine in order to show your holiday spirit. With these options, you’re going to want to try them all! (If you need to build up your beauty stash, check out – Beauty Spotlight: Benefit Cosmetics) So i suggest you use the time you saved stressing about finding a costume to plan on finding some places to show your costume off. Because chances are you’re going to want to make an entrance with all eyes on you this year… at least ten times.

Nicki Minaj’s OPI Line – We’re Obsessed!

May 1, 2012

Turn that “Super Bass” into a super manicure with Nicki Minaj’s OPI collection, available in January. The six-shade line includes neon hues inspired by the pop singer’s debut album, Pink Friday, and her love of bright colors.

Photo Credit: OPI

The line is one of OPI’s many celebrity collaborations – their work with Katy Perry was the first “shatter” nail polish release, and OPI has also done collections with Serena Williams, Justin Bieber and most recently, the Kardashian sisters. OPI celebrated their 30th anniversary this year, and these high-profile collaborations prove that the brand is as strong as ever. It’s not Minaj’s first beauty venture, either – when her album was released, Minaj created a lipstick with MAC cosmetics, also called Pink Friday.

In the official OPI press release, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP and Artistic Director, said she was excited to work with Nicki Minaj because she’s such a great presence in the fashion world. “Nicki has taken the hip hop world by storm, but her music is only part of the equation,” Weiss-Fischmann says. “She’s also become a fashion inspiration, noted for her daring costumes and hair color both on and off the stage.”With colors ranging from bubblegum pink to neon green, the collection doesn’t disappoint fans of Nicki’s bright style. In addition to five neon hues, the collection also includes “Super Bass Shatter,” a graffiti-inspired purple that creates the now-famous shatter effect.

The Nicki Minaj line will be available at beauty retailers beginning in January 2012, and polish bottles will retail at $8.50 each.

Glossy Fall-Inspired Nail Shades Backstage at NYFW

May 1, 2012

You saw the ads about Maybelline being the official makeup sponsor of New York Fashion Week, and if you watch Project Runway, you’ve been saturated with advertisements for L’Oreal and Garnier. But did you know that OPI nail polishes were featured in four NYFW shows?

Photo Credit: OPI

While fashion weeks are undoubtedly about the clothes, the beauty trends are essential too – styling can make or break a designer’s work. Bloggers love writing about hair and makeup trends seen on the runway, but one of the most-covered beauty looks at fashion weeks is nail polish. (more…)