FUN IDEAS FOR NYE

Sometimes finding the perfect dress for New Years Eve can be stressful. If you go to the malls after the holiday season the stores can be picked over. The sale items aren't cute, hence they are on sale. What's a girl to do? Maybe try something new or different to spruce up your LBD(little black dress). Here are some festive ideas to make your NYE outfit a little more memorable.



Red lipstick is one of my favorite makeup trends of the season. If you are going to be wearing all black, it is the way to go. It can be hard finding the right red to match your skin tone so don't be afraid to ask for assistance at the makeup counter. My sister recently found a good one by Giorgio Armani that is made to be hydrating and last for 8 hours. She swears by it and I have seen the color last on her all day.


If you are tired of your same old black mascara, try something new! Blue mascara may remind you of the excess of the 80's, but when done right it can look amazing. Make sure to wear it with light and neutral eyeshadows. Also, it is best paired with a neutral lipstick or gloss. Stay away from red lipstick and dramatic eyes. A great option is the YSL Everlong Mascara in blue available at Neiman Marcus.


Updos with sparkle are a great way to make a statement. There are two things you need here. The first is one of my favorite hair accessories, the Bumpit. The second item is a rhinestone barrette. Bumpits can be found at CVS and Bed Bath and Beyond. You can find fun and inexpensive barrettes at places like Forever 21 and H&M to complete the look.



Sequins are always a good option to dress up your outfit. You can wear a blazer like this one with skinny jeans or your LBD. You can get this sequin blazer at Free People for $168.00.


Try decorative nails for some extra bling. There are places all around Los Angeles. You can go on Yelp.com to find one in your neighborhood.
Marie Nails 8616 W 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 550-5925

www.marienails.com

HAIR TRENDS OF 2009

2009 has had some memorable trends, especially when it came to hair. What was old is now new. The inspiration has been pulled from various decades. Celebrities have been sporting 50's updos, hippie head bands from the 60's, and new wave styles from the 80's. Here is a look at some of the most inspiring hair trends of 09'.

Bold Hair Accessories

Hair Bows

Volume

Retro Updos

Retro Waves

Hats

Loose Bangs

Hippie Chick Head Bands

Braids

Short Hairdos

MAIRE CLAIRE'S 2010's TOP 10 BEAUTY INNOVATIONS

Wondering what new inventions are in store for the beauty industry in 2010? Here are Marie Claire's picks for the top beauty innovations for the next decade. I am personally excited about # 8. I can't get a tan to save my life unless it comes from sunless tanner. Check out the website for more details.

http://www.marieclaire.com/hair-beauty/trends/articles/2010-beauty-innovations

1. Runway Lipstick
2. Stem-Cell Face Lifts
3. Beauty Apps
4. Keratin-Crazed
5. Sculpting Lasers
6. Gel Nails
7. Online Experts
8. Pale is Pretty
9. Lash Growth Makeup
10. Blood Fillers

KEVIN AUCOIN

He has always been an inspiration to me. I have had a perpetual fascination with the super models of the nineties ever since I started wearing lipstick in the 8th grade. He reigned during the era of Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. The signature makeup artist of that time was Kevyn Aucoin. I remember once hearing a quote from him saying "there are rules when it comes to makeup." It always stuck with me because I thought if it works for you, why give it up? He published 3 highly successful books including The Art of Makeup, Face Forward and Making Faces. After his untimely death in 2001, his name still lives on as one of the most infuencial makeup artists in the fashion world. Here are some quotes from him.

-"Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction."

-"I'd rather have huge success and huge failures than travel in the middle of the road."

-"Life is too short to spend hoping that the perfectly arched eyebrow or hottest new lip shade will mask an ugly heart."

-"Perfection is boring. If a face doesn't have mistakes, it's nothing."

-"That's why I began doing makeup in the first place: I was hoping that through helping people see the beauty in themselves, I could try and find it in me."

-"The faces I see in the modeling industry can get dull."

BEST NUDES

Looking to find the right shade of nude like Mila Kunis is wearing? It's not always easy to find the right shades to work with your skin tone. Here are some options that might be helpful in your search for the perfect nude.




Origins sheer stick in Orbit $13.00 available at origins.com
This color is designed to be long lasting and moisturizing. This beige/brown stick is supposed to softly color lips and is 100% natural. This color compliments women with golden and warm skin tones.





Babydoll lipstick by Lorac $19.00 available at Sephora
This nude is a pale salmon color. It works well for women with light hair that have a more pale complexion. This lipstick gives you moisture and is long-lasting.





Myth Lipstick by MAC $14.00 available at MAC
This pale nude has a peachy-beige tone. It is best used with a liner that has some pink tones. Also to pull off this nude lip, try it with a gloss on top.




Sabrina Lip Balm $25.00 at Narscosmetics.com
You can treat, protect and color your lips with one lipstick. This shade conditions and smooths your lips with vitamin E. It protects you from sun damage with SPF 20. It also has a pink natural shimmer that is probably best paired with a nude liner. To top it off, Nars added a melon scent.






Chanel Glossimer in Iris $27 available at Saks Fifth Avenue
This gloss is the perfect peachy nude and also has shimmer that reflects light and makes your lips look fuller. Chanel is my personal favorite lip gloss brand.

CURLY VS. STRAIGHT?

Here is a picture of Taylor Swift with her natural curls and one with her signature locks straightened. I prefer the curls. I think they are much more flattering to her features. I can barely recognize her with her hair straightened. What do you think is the best of these two looks?

A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR SMOKY EYES FROM SEPHORA

SAINT NICK'S HOLIDAY PICKS

Oh, the holidays. Shopping at this time of the year can make you want to pull your hair out. Gift cards are easy but these ideas will prove that there was thought behind your purchase. During this Christmas season you can depend on special addition beauty products and discounted makeup kits. Here are some that might work for you.






























NARS PLAIN ETE MINI MULTIPLE SET $45.00
3 best selling blush sticks in mini sizes. This set includes NAR's best selling shades: Copacabana, Orgasm, and South Beach.

BARE MINERALS GET STARTED KIT $60.00
For medium skin with neutral-to-golden undertones

• Two shades of bareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, size Medium
• Original Mineral Veil, size Medium
• Warmth All-Over Face Color, size Medium
• Full Flawless Face Brush
• Flawless Application Face Brush
• Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush
• How-To DVD shows you how to Swirl, Tap, Buff® your way back to the skin you were born with
• Bonus Gift: Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo, Full-Size

ESSIE WINTER COLLECTION MINI 4PC $17.00
The winter collection includes:
mint candy apple - creme de menthe mint
lollipop - candy cane red
rock candy - sweet treat pink
3 way glaze - all-in-one base coat, strengthener and top coat

MAC EYESHADOW COMPACT IN "6 DEVIL MAY DARE WARM" $36.00
The 6 warm toned colors include: Dare Ya, Devilishly Dark, Oh My Darling, Prankster, Sorcery and Gold Tease. This palette is a holiday limited edition.

BUMPITS $9.99
My new favorite hair accessory. It's really easy to use. To get the height you want, just tease and hairspray your bump accordingly. The kit includes 3 different sizes and a teasing comb.

COCO CHANEL

After watching Coco Before Chanel, I felt compelled to do a little research on the woman that had such an influence on beauty and style. From perfume to suits to purses, Chanel is still one of the most coveted labels of women around the world. This pioneering French designer was named one of "Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century." Agree with them or not, here are some quotes from the woman who helped build a fashion and lifestyle empire that lives on to this day.

"A girl should be two things, classy and fabulous."

"A woman has the age she deserves."

"A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future."

"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."

"Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress."

"Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future."

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

DRUGSTORE COWGIRL

Has the economy been leaving you with less cash to spend on your beauty regimen? Well don't be afraid to try your local drugstore skin care and cosmetic selection. You can pull off the latest makeup trends without having to spend a fortune. These are a few of my personal favorites....

1. Clean and Clear Persa-gel $6.49
This spot treatment can zap even the most stubborn zits. It contains 10% benzoyl peroxide which is the strongest available outside a dermatologist.

2. CVS Cleansing cloth towelettes $5.99
Have you ever come home from a late night on the town with the girls and just wanted to pass out without washing your face? These makeup removing towelettes will even get rid of your waterproof mascara.

3. Jergens Natural Glow Foam $8.99
Feeling a little pasty under your skinny jeans? Looking for a tan that can only be achieved by a tropical vacation? Well you are in luck! This tanning foam is moisturizing and gives you a streak-free tan that looks natural.

4. JASON Super C Cleanser $12.19
I love this gentle facial cleanser! I use it every day and love the fact that it doesn't make me go broke in the process. It removes makeup and excess surface oil without making your skin dry.

5. Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer $4.99
These luminescent lip balms are 100% natural and come in 11 different shades. It's ingredients include vitamin E and sunflower oil that help your chapped lips look softer while giving them a natural color boost.

6. Cover Girl Pressed Powder $6.19
When I am in a jam and don't have time to go home to fix my face, I use CG powder to conceal my uneven skin tone. It is lightweight and has a natural finish. I love it because it is dermatologically tested and doesn't clog your pores.

7. Fashion Lashes $3.99-$4.99
As far as I'm concerned, the more lashes the better. This is my favorite accessory for when I'm in the mood to take things up a notch with my makeup. A lot of these come with adhesive included. I like the #110 for a more natural lash and the #101 for a fuller more dramatic look.

8. Maybelline Full' N Soft Mascara $7.29
This is one of my absolute go to drugstore mascaras. It works wonders for my less than impressive lashes. It contains vitamin E that helps nourish and aids in preventing lash loss.

9. L'Oreal Color Juice Lip Gloss $8.49
From Berry Burst to Raspberry Smash, these colors make your pout standout. If you are as obsessed with lip glosses as I am, you will be addicted to all these shades. They come in a variety of colors. Just squeeze and apply for a shiny finish that moisturizes too.

10. Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Blast Collection $5.49
This 4 shade kit gives you colors that blend well together while making your eyes look exceptional. They come in various color combos that work well with different skin tones.

*These products are all available at CVS

MY 10 FAVORITE BEAUTY ITEMS OF THE MOMENT

1. Quelques Fleurs perfume by Houbigant
Available on Amazon.com for $82.22 for 3.30 oz
The blend of soft, sensual florals uses over 250 different raw materials and more than 15,000 flowers to create just one ounce of Quelques Fleurs eau de parfum. To this day it is still produced in Grasse, France, where Jean Francois Houbigant first created his perfumes in 1775.
I always get compliments on this perfume. It is great for the evening.

2. Prestige Cosmetics liquid eyeliner in black $5.49
Available on Metrobeauty.com in different shades.
This just shows you that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good product. I am often allergic to most liquid eyeliners, but with this one I have no problem.

3. MAC Cream Colour Base in Black $16.50
Available at MAC Stores and at maccosmetics.com
Versatile and multi-purpose, Cream Colour Base can be applied directly to bare skin, or layered over foundation, moisturizer, or powder. Apply with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Colour effects range from a light veil to highly dramatic, depending on method of application. Fragrance-free. This product is great to use for a dramatic eye. I like using this for a smokey eye in the evenings.

4. Pratima Rejuvenating Pearl Cream $32.00 for 2 oz
Available at pratimaskincare.com
This skin cream promotes skin renewal, protects against environmental radicals, helps retain moisture and boosts skin natural radiance. I love using this product at night because it always leaves me feeling hydrated in the morning. I usually have to change products every couple months because my skin gets used to them. With the Pearl Cream I have not had that problem.

5. Ren Omega 3 Overnight Lipid Renewal Serum $60.00 for 1.7 oz
Available at Sephora and sephora.com
This complex's bioactives stimulate the skin's natural renewal and regeneration processes, helping to restore suppleness and elasticity. It bolsters innate protection mechanisms, fighting moisture loss and free-radical attack. I mix this serum with my Pearl cream from Pratima and it helps increase the moisture effect.

6. Arcona Eye Dew repair/protect $32.00 for 9 ml
Available at arcona.com and Vert
Nighttime regenerating eye treatment strengthens and rebuilds skin to leave eye area firmer, brighter and younger-looking. Reduce fine lines and wrinkles with our proprietary Glycolymer Complex™. Increase elasticity of thinning, damaged skin with collagen-building pentapeptides. Hydrate and restore depleted skin with vitamin E, beta-glucosamine and borage oil.

7. OPI in Over The Taupe $7.00-$12.00(prices vary)
Available at nailpolishdiva.com
I have looked everywhere for the perfect neutral taupe that doesn't make me look like a corpse. This matched very well with my skin tone.

8. Klorane Dry Shampoo $18.00 for 3.2 oz
Available at Sephora and sephora.com
Klorane Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk lets you clean hair without water. This dry shampoo is based on softening, protective oat extract, cyclodextrins, and natural polysaccharides (micronised powders with very oil-absorbing properties) to clean the hair without washing, as often as required. The hair regains volume and lightness within minutes. I have tried a few dry shampoos and this one has seemed to work the best if your hair tends to get really oily.

9. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler $19.00
Available at Sephora and sephora.com
This Instyle award winning curler is known for being one of the top eyelash curlers. I have used this brand for more than 10 years and it is simply the best. It is recommended that you purchase a new one every 6 months.

10. Curel Hand Cream $3.63 for 3.5 oz
Available at CVS drugstores and Target
Winter is upon us and the weather has been dry. There are many lotions out there but this one is inexpensive and effective. Curel hand lotion seems to cure my cracks and dryness. I keep it in my purse for when I need it and apply it at night before I go to sleep and my hands stay moisturized.

FAKE & BAKE BRONZE POWDER

Fake Bake Bronzy Babe Pressed Powder Soft Sheer Bronzer 11g/0.39oz $17.50

I have tried multiple bronzers that have left me less than satisfied. Sometimes they deposit too much color or not enough. They can appear too pink or too brown. This one works with my skin tone just right. It spreads evenly and I can use it to contour as well.

VINCENT LONGO LIQUID CANVAS

Vincent Longo Liquid Canvas Healthy Fluid Foundation (Original Price $48.50)

The healthy glowing summer skin of Mediterranean women has remained the inspiration for this remarkable foundation's finish and formula. Cucumber, aloe, and wheat germ are combined to hydrate and soften the skin, and chamomile soothes, while vitamin E and an SPF 8 provide protection against free radicals and sun exposure. Natural oils and silicone are mixed to create a light-as-silk yet incredibly cushiony texture that blends effortlessly and perfectly matches your complexion to achieve an unparalleled radiant matte look.

This is one of my favorite foundations. It goes on smoothly and the coverage is great. It gives you an even skin tone without looking too caked on. It also feels hydrating and makes it easy to apply any type of bronzer or blush on top of it. Also, I recommend applying it with your fingers instead of a brush. That way you use less and the bottle lasts longer.

GIORGIO ARMANI MASCARA

GIORGIO ARMANI $26.00

Eyes To Kill Mascara
Dress the eye with powerful, plush, separated, voluminous lashes. Fine, fluid Microfil™ technology creates intensely captivating lash texture. Micro-waxes combined with a "fineness agent" allow for smooth and easy application, revealing weightless volume.

I LOVE this mascara! I actually prefer this over the highly popular YSL mascara. It separates your lashes while giving them volume and length. I have experienced that the YSL mascara can dry up very fast where as Giorgio Armani stays fresh longer.