The Ombre Hair Color Trend: Would You?

I’ve been seriously contemplating on whether I should jump on the ombre hair color trend, but I just haven’t been able to make the leap yet. I have pretty light blonde hair, and I’m just not sure my dry, brittle ends could take a coat of red, black or brown color on top of already damaged strands.

While going ombre isn’t for everyone, it is a fun little experiment to try with you hair, especially if you have dark hair. I find that the ombre hair color trend works best on those with darker hair – I think it just looks better. So if you have brown or black hair, try going a little lighter at the ends!

One thing I would not recommend though, is doing it yourself. I have seen plenty of DIY ombre mishaps, and a salon really wouldn’t charge you as much as you think. But don’t forget that the ombre hairstyle also looks really good with other, more unconventional colors, such as blue, pink, purple, and whatever else you can think of. Just remember to get it done professionally!

Here are some of my fave ombre hairstyles. Let me know what you think and also if you’ve done it or you think you might!

Fall 2012 Makeup Looks

Check out some of this season’s hottest makeup looks and get inspired!

Full, Defined Brows

Dark, Bold Lips

Bold Eyeliner

Colorful, Two-Toned Shadows

Defined Cheeks

Fresh, Natural Faces

Revlon Nail Art Neon Polish Review

I know it’s a little late in the season to be writing about neon nail polish, but I feel like I really must give a little review about Revlon’s new Nail Art Neon polish.

Revlon Nail Art Neon comes in a tube-like container with two colors: white for the base, and another color of your choosing (whether it be pink, blue, yellow, green, purple, etc). The white is supposed to make the colors pop, so that’s why you need to use it as a base coat.

So I bought the Revlon Nail Art Neon polish in Fuchsia Shock because I’m a huge fan of pink, and frankly, I just wanted to see what this new gimmick would be like. At first I was super excited, thinking that this would be the brightest neon shade I would ever try, but let me tell you – I was very very disappointed!

First off, I would like to let you know that my nails were perfectly clean and perfectly polished. I was in no rush, and I consider myself a pretty seasoned nail polisher. Needless to say, the application of Revlon’s Nail Art Neon polish was just grueling.

The white base coat went on extremely streaky. You only have to use one coat, but that one coat you do use is just really bad. Regardless, I didn’t think that mattered much since the color would go on top anyways.

After applying the base coat, you must wait about 1 minute for it to dry. You can then proceed with your color; in my case the Fuchsia Shock. Directions say to apply two coats (and remember you must work very quickly!), but I found I actually needed three coats! What’s worse is that the brushes are super tiny and really bad quality which makes the application very difficult, streaky, cakey, and just overall messy. You also have to be very careful of how you apply your color coat, since the white undercoat tends to be seen underneath if you don’t do it perfectly.

So in total, I had to apply SIX coats of polish – my base coat, the white polish, three coats of color, and top coat. But what I found really annoying was the the more coats you put on, the less neon-y it would be. But without extra coats, it looked very messy and unfinished. Also, since neons tend to be matte, you usually have to apply a top shine coat to give it a little lustre.

In the end, neon was definitely NOT what I ended up with. At best, it was a meek attempt at a pinkish neon (which actually looked more orange than anything). Nice try from Revlon, but I will not be purchasing any other shades – I think I’ll just stick to regular neon shades instead!

PRICE - Around $7.99 (depending on your location)

PACKAGING- Convenient, Small, Portable

BRUSHES – Small, Bad Quality – Made for Very Difficult Application

POLISH COLORS – Not vibrant enough

OVERALL RATING – Not worth your money – stick to regular neon polish

Get Rid of Acne Scars With This DIY Mask

If you’ve ever suffered from acne, you know that the toughest part is getting rid of the scarring. For some people, the scarring can last a lifetime (depending on the severity of the acne), but there ARE ways you can minimize the scarring and even get rid of it completely. Yes, there are a ton of acne scar minimizers on the shelves, but they can cost a lot of money, and not all of them will work for you. So before you shell out the big bucks on something that might not even work for your skin type, why not try a DIY mask that I guarantee will give you results?

I’ve suffered from acne ever since I was a teenager, and just now (at 26) my acne has finally decided to pack its bags and go back to wherever it came from. Unfortunately, it has left me with a few reminders on my skin that I just cannot get rid of. I’ve tried a few products like Bio Oil, which is supposed to be great for scarring, but that only made me break out. Finally, a friend of mine suggested this DIY mask that she swore by! Not only is this mask perfect for sensitive skin, but it really does make a huge difference.

Put this mask on once or twice a week, and within the first few uses, you’ll see a noticeable difference in your skin.

DIY SCAR REDUCING MASK

What you’ll need:

1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mixing:

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together until they form a paste. Adjust ingredients to get desired paste-like consistency. Apply to your face and let sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Hottest Fall Polishes

Time to ditch the neon, and start off the fall season with some more sophisticated, classic nail polish hues. But just because colder weather is around the corner, doesn’t mean you completely have to abandon your brights. This season we’ll see plenty of matte, muted colors, which can be super pretty, but we’ll also see tons of bold, jewel toned polishes that will pair perfectly with those new fall boots of yours! And don’t forget : for the perfect manicure, keep your nails short and square with rounded squares.

Soft Satin Shades

If you’re looking for a more subtle nail polish, you’ll love the new satin finishes this season! Think soft, subdued pinks, satiny nudes, and shimmery roses. These are the perfect during-the-day shades as well as at the office.

Dark and Dreamy

For the later fall months, go dark with deep burgundys, midnight blues, and deep purples. These shades will make you feel strong, empowered, and ready to take on the day (or the night) !

Pales and Nudes

You don’t have to go all dark this season; pale and nude polish is also big this fall, so make sure your nails are perfectly polished in order to pull this nail trend off perfetly. It will give you a soft, sultry look you just won’t be able to resist!

Prints

Printed nails were all the rage on the 2012 Fall runways. But instead of going the usual summer route with bright hues and florals, think darker prints like snakeskin, dark tribal, and metallic prints. Perfect for a wild night out!

The Twisted French Manicure

Forget your usual French mani – it’s outdated and a little blah. Instead, go for the twisted French mani and do a muted, creamy base coat (something nude), and line your tips with a dark red, midnight blue, or just black for a super cool effect.

Best Fall Shoe Trends – 2012

Sad to say girls, but it’s that time of the year again. Leafs are falling, and so are our sandals and flip-flops. Time to put those comfy, toe-freeing tootsies away until next year. But, don’t fret, because this fall 2012 season, we’re seeing a more subtle transition from summer to fall. No, we will not jump straight into our warm boots, but rather opt for a more fall-appropriate shoe that won’t leave us crying for a longer summer.

This year, the runways were packed full of some really cute shoe styles that we actually haven’t seen in a while. And shockingly, these styles are super wearable, comfortable, and to be honest with you, once you see them, you’ll be kicking off your flip-flops and trading them in. So I present to you, the new 2012 fall shoe collection!

BEAUTIFUL BLUES

Did you really think we were going to go from neon brights to sullen browns? Not so fast! Like I said, this season, things are happening slowly and subtly – we don’t want to shock our fashion systems here! Bright, bold blue shoes were seen all over the runway, and they really held their own, giving an otherwise toned-down fall outfit a much needed punch of color. Wear a pair of these babies with dark pants such as black, browns, etc. But just because you’re blue on bottom, doesn’t mean you need to keep it dark all the way through! Try dark green tops with your dark bottoms to really complement the blues. And if you’re contemplating on a shade, I suggest you go with a cobalt blue – it really stands out! So look for pumps, flats, and short boots to go with this new blue trend!

ANKLE STRAPS

Ankle strap shoes are making a huge comeback this season, as they were probably the most predominant trend on the runways. Although I do not like ankle strap shoes for the summer (since I don’t have very long legs, and the straps make your legs look shorter), I think they are absolutely perfect for fall. They’re classy, statement making, and look good with practically anything. Pair them with dress pants, jeans, pencil skirts – whatever! They will instantly add a touch of class to any outfit.

LACE-UPS

If you really want to make a statement this fall, go full in for lace-up boots and booties. They’re sexy, comfortable, and really give your outfit a pop like no other shoe. Wear them with jeans, skirts or tights. To really make a statement, combine them with a sexy cocktail dress and a blazer. Look for lace-ups in short, booties form, or even knee-length boots and pair them with tights or jeggings. And don’t be afraid to get these sexy lace-ups in bold colors too, like the cobalt blue I mentioned above!

PRETTY IN PRINT

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you have to completely abandon your pretty prints. Sure, you may want to stash your frilly, printed sun dress away, but when it comes to shoes, it’s all in! Look for fun, statement-making prints such as flowers, tribal, animal print, and whatever else. The bottom line is to bring a strong statement to an otherwise muted fall ensemble. My favorite take on the printed shoe trend? A pair of dark, skinny jeans, flower print flats, loose tee, and a cute, fitted blazer. Add a brown leather satchel and you’ve got a super cute day outfit. Switch it up for the night-time by replacing the flats with a pair of zebra print heels.

THE CHELSEA BOOT

The Chelsea Boot is back and better than ever! Although this boot is not new to the scene, it does offer a few noticeable differences. You’ll see more brazen colors, heights, and finishes too! Best way to wear a Chelsea Boot? Skinny jeans, ankle cut skinnies, leg warmers or scrunched up socks, a layered sweater, and a light jacket. These are perfect for every day running around, and let’s face it – they look a little badass. Not only that, but the Chelsea Boot will keep your tootsies nice and warm all throughout the winter.

EMBELLISHED

The embellished shoe trend comes but once in a while, so that’s why I was super stocked to see it on the runways for this fall! I love embellished shoes simply because they do all the work for you – and here’s why. When opting for an embellished shoes, you must keep everything else minimal. Basically, your embellished beauties need to be the star…the focal point of your outfit. So pair them with a low key top and jeans, or a simple LBD and they will work very hard for you in return! Too bold for you? Start off with just a few, simple embellishments that aren’t so “in your face” like little tiny studs along the heel – it’ll make all the difference!

LACE

Lace ruled the runways at Valention and Dolce & Gabbana, so why not let them rule your closet? But maybe opt for a cheaper, knock-off version. Lace shoes add a touch of class and intrigue to any outfit, so don’t be afraid to don them with prints, dresses, shorts, skinny jeans, and anything else that pops into your mind. Though they can be a little tough to pull off, remember that just because they’re lace, doesn’t mean you have to downplay the rest of your outfit: these will work with most anything.

STACKED LOAFERS

Borrowing something from the men this season (it can’t just all be flowers and lace after all!), the loafer is taking on a new meaning – a stacked one to be precise. The stacked loafer was a popular choice for designers this fall, especially for designer Derek Lam, who really took on this men’s inspired shoe and transformed it into something drool-worthy. I don’t know why, but I absolutely love this shoe. There’s something empowering about it, but also something very subdued and sexy all at the same time. These are a great choice for work-wear if you work in an office, or just for day-to-day. Pair them with trousers and a tucked-in blouse at work, but keep it cool on your off time with boyfriend cuffed jeans, a slouchy tee, and a blazer.

How to Get Over a Bad Hair Cut

Its happened to all of us at some point in our lives; we go to the salon, ask for a trim or some layers, and come out looking completely ridiculous- not what we had in mind!

Thankfully, there are ways that you can actually get over a bad hair cut with some very basic tricks. Here’s how to deal with a bad hair cut:

Accessorize:

During this time, accessories will be your best friend. So go and pick up some cute bobby pins and start experimenting. If your hair has been cut too short, twist some strands at the front and pin them back. Get cute, sparkly pins so they stand out and draw attention away from your bad cut. Also, headbands can be your best friends at this point in time, so make sure you stock up on some really cute ones!

Irons:

Grab a curling iron, a straightener, or even a crimper and start experimenting. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with your hair if you just set a half hour aside and use some tools. Try straightening your hair by dividing the hair into four parts: 2 parts at the back, and 2 parts at the front. Straighten each part one by one, to get super straight, sleek strands. Use different sized curling barrels. My favorite is the no-clamp curling iron which makes much better curls, allowing you to start at the top, instead of at the bottom. Try big curls, and try little curls – you never know what’ll work best for you!

Braids:

If done right, braids can be a girl’s best friend. I always do a side braid when I’m having a bad hair day. Just take all of your hair and bring it over to one side (try choosing your best side!). Then, just do a regular braid. Takes no more than 5 minutes, and you’ll instantly see a difference. Plus, side braids or ponys, are universally flattering so you really can’t go wrong. If you have really short hair, incorporate a few tiny braids into your hair and clip them back away from your face.

Ponytails

Whatever your length, experiment with ponytails. Whether you’re making a high pony, a low pony, or even a bun, these styles will definitely hide your bad hair cut. Try incorporating some volume into your do by teasing the crown or even the sides. Then, pull your hair back as high or as low as you want. Again, experimenting with these different styles can shed a lot of light on what looks better on you.

If All Else Fails…

If your hair cut is really just that bad, and there’s nothing you can do, most salons will actually offer complimentary “touch-ups”. Call your salon and explain to them that you are not happy with your cut. Most will be happy to work on your hair, absolutely free of charge. After all, they know you could be a repeat customer, and if you’ve already been there for a while, they won’t want to loose you.

Lastly…

Wait it out. If we’re talking just a bad bangs job, you might as well wait it out. At this point, there is not much you can do but just twist back your bangs and wait for mother nature!

How to Wear the Nautical Trend

The nautical trend is super hot this season, but it can be a little hard to pull off, especially since there are sooo many navy inspired trends ranging from accessories to pants and shirts. So here are some basic rules you can follow for this season’s nautical looks.

1. One Item at a Time

Skip the tackiness and keep the navy trend minimal – if you’re going to wear anchor earrings, skip the anchor necklace – this isn’t a Halloween costume! You CAN however, pair those cute anchor earrings with a blue stripped top and a pair of skinny jeans.

2. Embrace the White Pant

White pants – whether they’re skinny, high-waist, or wide-leg- are a nautical staple. So get yourself a pair and pair them with a blue stripped top, a red and blue top, or a tank with braided straps. Keep the anchor/navy accessories at bay, and instead wear some gold bangles or a long gold chain necklace.

3. DO Add a Bright Accessory

Since the navy trend stays within just 2-3 colors, don’t be afraid to pull out a bright bag, like a bright yellow one. It will give your outfit a pop of color and will make a big statement.

4. DO Embrace Stripes

Stripes are all the rage this season, so pick up a few stripped tops and wear them with skinny jeans, wide-leg pants, and even high-waisted pencil skirts.

5. Get Creative With Your Nails

If you’re still unsure about the navy trend, you can always start off slow by incorporating some fun nails. Grab a navy blue hue or a crisp white color and get creative with your nails. P.S. – Crisp white nail polish looks amazing against tanned skin.