Simple and Pretty

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes a ponytail almost every day is all we can do… especially us moms in the world. In an effort to jazz things up, we were happy to come across this idea of using a piece of fabric instead of a hair tie. Simple and pretty, don’t you think?

Get Hired Hair.

Fifty-seven percent of managers believe an unattractive (but qualified) job candidate will have a harder time getting a new job, and 68 percent feel that looks will continue to affect their job-performance rating once they’re hired, according to a 2010 Newsweek poll. One simple way to look ultraprofessional: having the right hair.

Go Sleek and Straight

Unless you’re going for a creative job, Olsen-twin hair won’t earn you any points. Wash your hair, apply a shine-enhancing volumizing spray to the roots and blow-dry carefully with a large, round brush from roots to ends. (For the best results, get a trim the week before to clean up any raggedy ends.)

Wear It Loose and Wavy

The trick here is to look effortless. It shouldn’t look like red-carpet hair with sausage curls from hours with a small curling iron. A large-barrel iron will give you soft, easy waves. If your hair is frizzy, condition it well and use an anti-frizz product like Kerastase Nutritive Oleo Relax before drying. Wild hair can give the impression that you are unpredictable.

Try a Professional Ponytail

Run a flatiron over your hair. The ponytail should be smooth—not a mix of curly and straight hair. Gather it at the nape of the neck and use a tortoise clip to secure it, or wrap a half-inch-wide section of hair around the elastic. Don’t curl the ends, or you’ll look like a cheerleader.

Bring on the Bun

A bun can make you look powerful, positive, and proud—plus it’s great for frizzy or fine hair. Brush front sections back to cover your part and fasten hair in a low ponytail. Twist it around the elastic and use bobby pins to anchor the knot. Finish with a mist of soft-hold hair spray.

Trim Your Bangs

If you have bangs, definitely get them trimmed within a week before a big meeting so you’re not constantly pushing them out of your eyes. Don’t have them cut straight across your forehead—they can look thick and heavy, like a paintbrush. Instead, ask your stylist for a piecy, face-framing look. We like a technique called point cutting, which is basically snipping little sections off the straight edge of the line.

Consider Camouflaging Grays

We would never tell anyone with gray hair to color it or not—it’s their choice. But gray hair does have certain negative connotations—people may see a woman with grays and think, Wow, she let herself go. Visit the salon three to five days before an interview.

Shine On

Gleaming hair is a sign of youth and vitality. To keep your hair healthy-looking, avoid styling products that ruffle the cuticle and rob hair of shine; volumizers, texturizing sprays, and salt sprays are the biggest culprits.Instead, look for a silicone serum or spray, which keeps hair sleek while it controls flyaways.

Makeup Tips for NYE…

One thing is for certain: When the clock strikes 12, you shouldn’t be worrying about smeared eye makeup, shiny skin, and parched lips.  We are going to reveal our best secrets so that you can toast friends (and steal a midnight kiss!) with confidence.

A liquid liner is a great choice for New Year’s because once it’s set, it won’t move—it’s also good for parties because it really accentuates the eye!

Misha suggest starting in the middle of your upper eyelid and sweeping out toward the ends (“Deal with your wings first”). Then you can go in and finish the other half of your eye, staying as close to the lash line as possible.

When it comes to mascara we like a  lush formula because it’s gentle and doesn’t clump or flake. Waterproof mascara is probably most appropriate for New Year’s Eve…but be careful because we find that it sometimes makes the lashes brittle, and unless you use an oil-based remover, taking it off can cause breakage.

If you have a little time before the party, use cold chamomile tea bags on dark, puffy eyes. Chamomile is calming and soothes the nerves underneath the eye area. Like all teas, it’s also high in skin-brightening antioxidants. For puffiness, there’s no better cure than cold cucumber slices.

For sweet cheeks we love either a neutral pink or peach.  You really can’t go wrong with either. The perfect flush color but goes into the skin looking like it belongs to you.

For a perfect pout on NYE, we suggest a stain. Whether used alone or underneath lipstick, gloss, or balm, a stain will ensure your pout is never caught naked.

 

The Daring Undercut

Not feeling as adventurous as Keri Hilson? You can still rock an undercut with swooping bangs. Just keep the color to one tone or add subtle highlights on top.

Proper Lighting

Ever wonder what kind of lighting is best for applying makeup? So did we… read on sister, read on.

The first thing to consider:

• It’s a sunshine day: The best kind of lighting mimics sunlight since it’s the purest light. It’s also the most unforgiving — perfect for makeup application so that you don’t miss a thing. For the easiest way to get this crisp, bright effect, purchase a natural light makeup mirror. (Brookstone carries a great one)

Other things to consider:

• The source: Overhead lighting, or lighting from behind, will likely cast unwanted shadows on the face. When applying makeup, the light source should be straight in front of you so that it illuminates the front and sides of the face without any glare. Almost all makeup mirrors (including vanity mirrors) are designed to eliminate this problem.
• If you’re buying bulbs: Look for ones labeled “daylight spectrum” or “natural light.” And if you really want to get into lighting a room correctly for applying makeup (wattage types, shielded fixtures, and all), talk to a lighting expert.
• Think about where you’re going: Office lighting is different than, say, candlelight dinner lighting. Remember: natural light is the go-to for the purest results.