The 5 Commandments of Looking Gorgeous on a Budget

Here's how to save money on your hair, makeup, and nails.

 

 

 1. Thou shalt use multi-tasking products.
One very straightforward way to minimize your beauty expenditures is to use fewer products. Fortunately, more and more products are multi-purpose, so they slim our cosmetics cases without breaking our budgets. Instead of using SPF, moisturizer, anti-aging product, and foundation, try a BB Cream (Beauty Balm Cream), which is a combination of all four.
2. Thou shalt try store brands.
A little while back we tested generic-brand beauty products to see how they compare to some name brands. We found that when it comes to body lotions, consumers like the generic kind just as much as big-name brands. Try making substitutions with other simple products like body wash and facial cleansing wipes. But keep in mind that when it comes to products with specific functions, like reducing wrinkles or getting rid of age spots, you're better off sticking with the household names.

3. Thou shalt let other products double as thy eye makeup remover.
I wear eye makeup every day, so I go through eye makeup remover pretty quickly, but I hate constantly shelling out money for it. My mother taught me that any basic face cream swiped on with a Q-tip works just as well, and it's a tip I rely on. (It's also a great way to get rid of mid-day eye makeup smudges.) Lately, I've been using store-brand baby shampoo and a washcloth, and it really takes everything off, and quickly, too. Since baby shampoos are "tear-free", I don't get any eye irritation.

4. Thou shalt color thy own hair.
Sure, we all love the way we feel when we leave the salon after getting our hair done, but regular visits really add up, especially when it comes to coloring. Luckily for you, we've done rigorous testing at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute to identify the best at-home coloring products. You don't have to convert completely: If you really love the salon pampering, try saving a couple of bucks by using a root touch-up between visits or a demi-permanent color to replace a professional glaze.

5. Thou shalt polish thy own nails.
Weekly manicures can make a dent in your budget, so try doing your own nails more often. Once you've mastered the process, you'll wonder why you ever spent time and money at the salon. I polish my own nails about 90% of the time now, and practice has made me almost as skilled as a pro.
 

From Goodhousekeeping.com/ Posted by Mags

DIY Make- Up Storage Ideas

Make your life easier by creating these amazing DIY projects. The mess in the basket with make-up can be gone now by following our DIY Make-up Storage Ideas. They are fun to do. I’m sure that you’re going to love them. Your daily make-up routine will become shorter for sure, believe me!

Magnetic Board

Now you can easily find what you’re looking for without having to dig in the bags. Organize all your stuff so that it can be visible and accessed easily. Find an old frame, buy some magnets and glue them to the back of every eye shadow, bronzer… To organize all that brushes, eye liners and lipsticks find a container and glue more magnets to it in order to hold the things strong and secure.


 

Beads In a Jar

This tutorial is very easy. All you need to store your make-up is jars, cut-out letters, glue and beads to hold the brushes upright. You will have a quick access to your brushes and they will be easy to find.



 

Hanging Jars

This is a great way to upcycle the jars you have at home. Attach string on both sides. If you want you can decorate the “naked” jars by wrapping around some colorful paper and putting on some ribbons. Put your make-up in the jars, buy some hooks and hang them on the wall.


 

Brush Storage

It is a very easy DIY project. You will need a piece of wood and a drill. You won’t have to spend any money on it. Make as many holes as you need and your brushes will stand upright.

 

Roll Make-up Brush Case

Find your favorite materials and make this wonderful case for make-up storage. You will need to use a sewing machine and you can easily create pockets as you desire. You can make a good use of it when you are traveling too.

 

Hanging Pockets

Instead of having your make-up crowded in a small bag organize it this wonderful DIY project. You can choose the materials you want to use and also the shape of the pockets. What is more, you can make it in such a way that it can be easy to roll and take it with you while traveling.

From: FashionDivaDesign/ Posted by Mags

Simple Little Ways To Feel Sexy

http://www.redbookmag.com/_mobile/beauty-fashion/tips-advice/feel-sexy?link=msn%3A50%20Simple%20Little%20Ways%20to%20Feel%20Sexy%5FBounce%20Back%20From%20a%20Sex%20Slump&dom=msn&tpc=Relationships&src=syn&con=art&mag=rbk#slide-1

Posted by Smooches

Food For Gorgeous Hair

http://www.realbeauty.com/_mobile/hair/elle-foods-for-gorgeous-hair#slide-1

Posted by Smooches

Reasons you need to keep up with your pedicures in the winter

Although the weather's running hot and cold here in NYC, it's safe to say that boot season is in full swing—and with our feet safely hidden inside, it's only natural that pedicures become less of a priority.
Although the weather’s running hot and cold here in NYC, it’s safe to say that boot season is in full swing—and with our feet safely hidden inside, it’s only natural that pedicures become less of a priority. However, having just treated myself to a professional pedi in the prettiest shade of hot pink, I am reminded what a difference pretty feet can make to your overall happiness (it might not be rational, but I know you know what I mean).

On that note, allow me to present 5 more very good reasons to keep up with your pedicures during non-sandal season:

It makes your life easier in the long run. While we all secretly delight in seeing that pile of grated foot cheese pile up during a professional pedicure (gettin’ the money’s worth!), it’s a LOT more effective to simply use a foot file or pumice stone for a minute in the shower each day.

No cringing every time you pull on socks or slip between the sheets and feel patches of dry foot skin catch on the fabric. Nails on a chalkboard have got nothing on this unsettling sensation.

You get to feel like the super-pulled-together girl at Bar Method, or yoga, or Pilates, or whatever barefoot workout you’re into. Even if you still struggle through the actual workout moves.

You can go cozily barefoot inside your Uggs and not be caught off guard when you enter a house where you are expected to remove them (don’t give your mother in law the satisfaction of judging your heavily chipped black toenail polish).

It’s just sexy. See Katy Perry’s feet above. Let’s face it, if you’re going to let your feet get hideous, you might as well also stock up on granny panties too. Not everyone sees these parts of you, but the one who does appreciates when they’re pretty.

Bonus reason: The nail salon is a great place to escape and relax when the weather is crap. Get a chair massage while you’re there!

From: Glamour.com/ Posted by Mags

101 Lazy Girl Makeover Tips

http://www.realbeauty.com/_mobile/makeup/lazy-girl-makeover-tips#slide-1

Posted by Smooches

Flawless Skin Secrets

http://www.realbeauty.com/_mobile/skin/flawless-skin-secrets#slide-1

Posted by Smooches

Halloween Makeup

Evil Queen

Sorceress

Skeleton

Vampire

Black Widow

Cat & Kitten

Human Spider

Mommy

Exotic Cat

From: www.Marthastewart.com/ Posted by Mags

Ways to Relish Fall Living

Let your body and mind ease into the seasonal slow-down that comes with winter.

October is here, and with it, the morning chill. Yum.

Most of us from Tucson love the welcoming coolness that comes with this time, especially after a long summer. In addition to the temperature adjustment, a whole host of modifications come with the change in seasons.
Being the parent of school-age children, fall break gives my wife and I time to come up for air after eight weeks of homework, practices, games and parent-teacher conferences. As I walk my dog around the neighborhood, I’m beginning to see decorations for Halloween, which means future parties, costumes and candy.
The holiday season has begun. How did it get here so fast? I don’t know if I’m ready for it. If we aren’t careful, any positive efforts we’ve made to improve or maintain our health may go by the wayside in a heartbeat.
Last month I offered a list of supplements to arm your medicine cabinet to boost digestion, mood and overall health as you face the winter months. Let me talk now about what to do to live optimally during this season.
As the energy of the year winds down into a time of cold, slowness and hibernation, we are all expected to celebrate even though our bodies are going in the opposite direction. Think of what you’re doing as winterizing your home or car. This is a time to prepare your body, mind and spirit for the seasonal slow-down that is on its way.

• Eat right: There’s a reason we crave hearty dishes during this time. In the past, we built up a layer of protective fat to shelter us during lean times when food was scarce. Not so much these days. Instead of feeling guilty for wanting to eat soups, stews, chili, roasted meats and veggies, my recommendation would be to eat all of that and avoid the food-like substances we are exposed to during this time. Give yourself a day for Halloween and then throw the candy out. Same goes for the party food—switch out chips and mini hot dogs for homemade split pea soup or seven-bean chili with bison. Fill up on veggies before you go out and then splurge on meat and cheese without binging on low-quality starches and sweets. Have fun, but be smart.
• Move Outside: It’s easier to do this in Arizona, as the weather here stays much less intense. Having said that, my kids get into great shape with football, gymnastics and horseback riding. There is no reason not to stay that way as well. I love hiking outside, as nature really calls to me during fall. Whether it’s getting into the mountains, hitting the hiking trails or taking the kids to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, playing outside allows me to stay active and appreciate the changing world. Remember, there is nothing you can’t do with the right gear and clothing.
• Spend Quality Time With Good People: This can be a great social time for some and an overwhelmingly difficult one for others.   Before holiday commitments take over, make a priority to put time in your calendar to spend with people who matter most in your life, not just those folks you’re forced to be with. Maximize moments that are more laid back and less pressured, maybe paired with an outdoor activity, such as a picnic at a park or potluck feast after a hike. If you schedule it now, you can say “no” to those commitments you don’t really want to make later on.
• Rest: This really is a time to enjoy the energetic ebb that comes with the season. In our culture, the pressure to keep moving, bouncing from one event to the —and doing it with a smile on our faces because it’s the holidays—is such a load of garbage, in my opinion. Settle into the flow of less light and colder evenings by sleeping more and better, spending time by the fire cuddled up with a good book or movie and the ones you love. Fight the pull of doing more and enjoy the comfort of flannel pajamas and a cashmere blanket.

From: Youbeauty.com/ Posted by Mags

Five Crops, Five Different Ways

The choppy, gamine angles of Pixie Geldof’s boyish cut in this week’s Beauty Staple look as fresh and timeless now as they did when actress Jean Seberg first catapulted the look to fame in Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 film, Breathless. Since then, short hair—reimagined in a range of varying lengths and proportions—has become a beacon of cool-girl style. Slicked back tight to the head or teased to gravity-defying heights, it’s also surprisingly versatile. Here, a few of our favorite abbreviated above-the-neck looks—and the cult products you’ll need to get them.









From: Vogue.com/ Posted by Mags

Reverse French Braid

Check out this cool braid.

Posted by Mags/ From YouBeauty.com

Some of the Fall Trends

It’s fall—the time of year when makeup palettes turn rich and hair makes a statement as our wardrobes transition into sumptuous layers. “To see what’s happening next in hair and makeup trends, you have to look to the runway—the clothing determines the beauty looks we create around the collections,” explains celebrity stylist Patrick Melville, who was a fixture backstage at Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week.

Creativity may be in full force, but so too is science. From polished ponytails to army green nails and diffused lips, even the most artistic beauty trends are grounded in science. Read on as we dissect and illustrate.

Fashion sure loves a bright, bold lip—and this season, pouts diffused from dark edges to vibrant centers for a creative rendition that resembled the colorful aftermath of eating a popsicle. At Kenneth Cole, MAC makeup artist Romy Soleimani lined lips in black burnt burgundy and finished the center in cherry for an “edgy, hard” take on the classic seduction shade. “The ombré affect makes your lips look super luscious and full,” Soleimani said.

It’s no wonder the bee-stung look has remained iconic, from Marilyn Monroe’s red to Angelina Jolie’s nude; turns out, the fuller your lips, the higher your estrogen hormones, which means you’re more fertile. This is also why lips lose volume and thin with age as youth slowly fades. But today, you need not despair: There’s an endless array of lip products on the market that claim to plump your pucker instantly.

     

 

Trend: Coiled Chignons Take note: Chignons are a secret anti-aging weapon. Unlike ballerina buns and other tight updos that can appear rigid and make an aging face look harsh, chignons are loose and forgiving—and even lend themselves to teasing volume at the root and pulling a few age-defying wisps out around the face.

Trend: Bangin’ Braids
Research has shown that people find symmetrical facial features to be most attractive. If you have areas of disproportion (and just about everyone does!), styling braids into your hair can actually make your features appear more compatible since the alternating pattern won’t draw attention to asymmetry in the same way a center part or round bun does. “If you have large features, try thicker braids, and smaller features look best with more delicate braids,” says New York City salon owner and stylist Mark Garrison.

 

 

 

Trend: Grape Lips

Seen at: Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Anthony Vaccarello
From a nearly black-like vamp shade to a luscious berry stain, grape was the statement lip color of the season. “It’s a combination of a chic retro lip and a punkish look,” said Chanel Creative Director of Makeup Peter Philips backstage at the Fendi show, where models donned a Marlene Dietrich-like lip that competed for attention with fox fur Mohawks; this trend is not for the subtle-minded.
Provocative lipcolor with deep blue undertones like grape, red and fuchsia, are known for making teeth appear whiter. Yet New York cosmetic dentist Lana Rozenberg, D.D.S. says our cultural obsession with white teeth has only to do with its association to youth, and that like wrinkles, yellow teeth really have no connection to well-being. “Yellow teeth can be just as healthy if not even more healthier than white teeth—it’s just our perception,” she explains.

From: /www.youbeauty.com/ Posted by Mags

The Science of Fall 2013 Beauty Trends

It’s fall—the time of year when makeup palettes turn rich and hair makes a statement as our wardrobes transition into sumptuous layers. “To see what’s happening next in hair and makeup trends, you have to look to the runway—the clothing determines the beauty looks we create around the collections,” explains celebrity stylist Patrick Melville, who was a fixture backstage at Fall 2013 New York Fashion Week.
Creativity may be in full force, but so too is science. From polished ponytails to army green nails and diffused lips, even the most artistic beauty trends are grounded in science. Read on as we dissect and illustrate.

Ways Makeup Can Instantly Make You Look Younger

Anti-age your face with these simple, insider makeup tricks.

You can subtract years off your face with the right products and application—that’s proven. Take, for example, concealer. Studies reveal that skin with even tone and texture appears younger and healthier. Or that rosy blush? Flushed cheeks have long symbolized vitality (hint: that has to do with blood flow and fertility). Nobody knows this better than Emily Kate Warren, a celebrity makeup artist (who writes a monthly column for us). Here, she picks products that will have you appearing more dewy, rosy and bright eyed (aka youthful) in minutes.
1. Start Blushing
“The quickest way to wake up your makeup is with a swipe of a warm-toned blush. For centuries, flushed cheeks have always been a sign of good health and the rule still stands!”

2. Brighten Up
“A tap of a subtle highlighting cream (make sure it’s not glittery!) will bring the planes of your face forward, creating definition and a youthful glow. Apply in a “C” shape from your brow bones to your cheek bones, then a touch at the bow of your lips and across the bridge of your nose.”

3. Give Some Lip“As we age we lose moisture, everywhere. Chapped and cracked lips are not only unsightly but also uncomfortable. So keep them dewy and fresh with a quick swipe of no muss no fuss lip balm—low to no tint is ideal because there are no worries about smudging or applying sans mirror. Touch up when they start to dry out throughout the day."

4. Lash Out“Lifted lashes are a way to defy gravity. But almost all of my   clients tend to stress over dark circles—and many mascaras add to their battle. So keep your color your where it belongs (on your fringe) with a tube technology mascara. One to two coats should do the trick.”

5. Conceal the Deal“Hiding redness, dark circles and blemishes is the key to youthful skin. And if you do it just right, you can probably skip foundation and extra powdering all together. I suggest you use a dry, fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply a pot concealer only where needed, and not too close to lash lines so it won’t settle in your ‘happy crinkles'."

From: www.youbeauty.com/ Posted by mags

Beauty Tips Learned from Backstage Fashion Week

http://www.glamour.com/beauty/2013/08/hair-makeup-and-nail-lessons-we-learned-backstage-at-fall-fashion-week

Posted by Smooches

DIY Food Masks for Radiant Skin

Here are some natural ways to have beautiful skin. 

Use egg whites to tighten and tone skin. Beat an egg white and smooth over skin for 30 minutes. Remove with a wet washcloth.

 For a beautiful glow, mash one avocado and leave on your face for 15 minutes. Remove with a damp washcloth.

Can a banana replace Botox? Banana’s can leave your skin rejuvenated and smooth. Mash one banana into a paste, leave on for 10-15 minutes and remove.

Oatmeal is good to use for acne, reduce redness and is a natural exfoliate. Cook 1/3 cup of oatmeal. Mix in honey (a moisturizer) and let the mixture cool. Apply to infected areas for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

A yogurt mask is loaded with lactic acid that can help with age spots, fine lines and rough skin. It also has alpha hydroxy acid, which can help close pores. It can fight discoloration and help acne. For premature aging, coat the face with whole yogurt for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

From Beliefnet.com/ Posted by Mags

The Busy Girl's Guide to Makeup

These multitasking products will have you looking flawless with very minimal effort.

 

All of us want to look good every day—but not all of us have the time or energy to apply our “full face” on the daily. For those feelin’-lazy days, multitasking makeup is your time-saving grace. Whether they offer tons benefits in one swipe or boast convertible formulas to liven up multiple features, these products streamline your primping process without skimping on the results. In fact, they’re so effortless, you may just want make them a part of your regular makeup routine.

Natural Do

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LToDjAgmdII&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Posted by Smooches

The Bright Stuff

There’s no need to be intimidated by bold, colorful makeup. These simple tips will have you finishing out the summer with a bang.

In an irony similar to the contractor with the unfinished house and the hairstylist who never cuts her hair, I am lazy with my own makeup—just ask my friends and family! But in my defense, sometimes it just seems like so much work to get going on my own face after I’ve used up so much of my creativity on everyone else’s.

However, I’m my own walking business card, so I have to do better than just rolling out of bed.

This summer, try my trick, which literally takes all of five minutes and will get you many (genuine) compliments. It’s easy—just keep it simple and wear one bright color on one feature. Here’s how:

First, spot conceal as needed but skip foundation (too time consuming!). I use Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind The Eraser because, thanks to the handy sponge applicator, I don’t even need a brush to apply it. Tap it around your nose and in the darkest areas under the eyes, then blend out with your fingers.

Now set with powder, curl your lashes and choose the feature you want to brighten up.

If you choose lips:Pick a matte long-wear shade that you won’t need to touch up constantly (really shiny or glossy is too fussy for this look). You have two choices for application: apply full-on and perfectly line your edges, or apply to the center of your lips, then press and roll to distribute the color. Now use a small eyeshadow brush to soften the outer edges (it should look like you ate a popsicle!).

Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Intriguing is my favorite hot pink, and the stick is slim so you can do either application method quite easily.

If you choose eyes:Use a teal liner to create a strong line along your upper lash lines and leave your lashes bare—for extra emphasis, use a black or dark brown liner to line your upper, inner waterline (beneath your lash roots). I love teal because it does something for every eye color. If you have blue or green eyes, it intensifies your irises. If you have brown eyes, your irises intensify the liner!

Urban Decay Vintage 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Flipside is so creamy it glides on easily and is easy to sharpen for a graphic top edge.

If you choose cheeks:A bright pink formula will, in seconds, make you look healthier and wide awake … a trick I often need. I’m a new mom and my eight month old doesn’t yet understand that Mommy needs to look decent for work! A cream formula is best for quick and natural application. Use a fluffy blush brush to apply the product to the center of your cheeks then blend out in circular motions to buff away the edges.
Stila Convertible Color in Fuchsia looks beautiful on everyone. It’s dewy without shimmer so it works on any skin color from the lightest of light to the darkest of dark. Just adjust the amount you use accordingly.

From: Youbeauty.com/ Posted by Mags

Feed Your Face: Summer fruits to slather on your face

Take advantage of all this season's produce has to offer—not just the internal benefits, but the external ones, too!



You don’t have to venture to some fancy schmancy spa to get your summer glow on. Scoring healthy, beautiful skin could be as simple as opening your refrigerator and whipping up a homemade cleanser, mask or moisturizer. That’s because seasonal fresh fruits—which are chock-full of all sorts of yummy nutrients—can be just as tasty for your face as they are for your taste buds.

So head down to your local farmer’s market, gather up some of the season’s best produce, and get ready to mash, slather and scrub your way to more beautiful summer skin.

Honey & Blueberry face scrub
Tropical Facial Peel
Summer Evening Pineapple Cleanser
Cucumber, Green Tea & Rosewater Toner
Papaya Mask
Lemon Salt Scrub
Cucumber Winkle- Smoother
Berry Sunburn Soother
Peachy Peppers (For Eyes) 

From: WWW.youbeauty.com/ Posted by Mags