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Depending on where you live, winter weather can wreak havoc on your hair and skin. Stay summer-gorgeous all year long with these boosters.
MAKEUP
Boost your glow factor with a cheek stain, like Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint in Peony (A, $10, target.com for stores) — but put the color under your foundation, not over it.
To make your darker lipstick colors more luminous, swipe a sheer gloss in a gold shade over them. Try Estée Lauder Limited Edition Opulent Shimmer Gloss in Gold (esteelauder.com).
The eye area is delicate and prone to dryness and windburn. Use a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay redness, and apply it with a damp brush for a dewy look that will stay put longer.
We scoured the globe — see the beauty secrets from the world's most beautiful women.
Camouflage dark circles with a light-diffusing concealer, such as Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Concealer (sephora.com). It provides heavy-duty coverage and also contains light-reflecting particles to brighten the eye area.
SKIN
To slough away the dry skin cells that make your complexion lackluster, exfoliate your face with a gentle scrub, such as Neutrogena Deep Clean Relaxing Nightly Scrub (drugstore.com), twice a week.
Dry skin also makes fine lines more visible, so in the winter try a thicker face lotion with firming benefits, like Soap & Glory Catch a Wrinkle in Time Day Moisturizer, to tighten skin and iron out creases. Or opt for a hydrating facial oil like Josie Maran Argan Oil (josiemarancosmetics.com), to not only nourish but also combat dryness by sealing moisture into the skin.
Add instant radiance by using a body wash with light-diffusing pigments. Olay Body Wash Plus Tone Enriching Ribbons (drugstores), gives your bod a bit of sexy shimmer.
HAIR
Inflate drab winter hair by adding volumizing mousse to your styling routine. Distribute one or two golf-ball-size dollops of mousse, like Rene Furterer Volumea Volumizing Foam (beauty.com), through your hair and blow-dry, lifting hair with your fingers and blasting heat at the roots as you go.
To fight dullness, rinse your hair with a cup of apple cider vinegar after shampooing. Then apply a hot-oil treatment such as VO5 and pop on a shower cap for 30 minutes. Your hair will emerge shiny and healthy-looking.
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Tired of wearing the same old black smokey look for every holiday party?
This festive season, try out a bronzey-brown smokey eye that wont overpower your outfit while still being totally smoldering like Evan Rachel Wood’s. “We wanted this look to be classic and metropolitan — something very evening but soft and subtle,” says makeup artist Toby Fleischman who created this look for Evan.
Want to copy Evan’s party perfect eye? Here’s how!:
- “I used Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Khaki as a base all over Evan’s lids,” Toby says.
- “I lined both the top and bottom of her eyes with Mac Eye Pencil in Coffee. Then, I smudged the line into the lashes to diffuse the color a bit,” she says.
- “I blended Max Factor Vivid Impact Duo in Irish Coffee into her crease, outer corner and smudged it into the lower lash line too.”
- “To keep Evan’s look warm and soft, we didn’t want to go too dark on the lips. Sephora Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss in Bronzed Beauty is one of my absolute favorites because of its sheer color and gorgeous gold flecks. It’s versatile enough to go with red and brown clothes. It doesn’t overpower the rest of the face,” Toby says.
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Tired of wearing the same old black smokey look for every holiday party?
This festive season, try out a bronzey-brown smokey eye that wont overpower your outfit while still being totally smoldering like Evan Rachel Wood’s. “We wanted this look to be classic and metropolitan — something very evening but soft and subtle,” says makeup artist Toby Fleischman who created this look for Evan.
Want to copy Evan’s party perfect eye? Here’s how!:
- “I used Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Eye Mousse in Khaki as a base all over Evan’s lids,” Toby says.
- “I lined both the top and bottom of her eyes with Mac Eye Pencil in Coffee. Then, I smudged the line into the lashes to diffuse the color a bit,” she says.
- “I blended Max Factor Vivid Impact Duo in Irish Coffee into her crease, outer corner and smudged it into the lower lash line too.”
- “To keep Evan’s look warm and soft, we didn’t want to go too dark on the lips. Sephora Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss in Bronzed Beauty is one of my absolute favorites because of its sheer color and gorgeous gold flecks. It’s versatile enough to go with red and brown clothes. It doesn’t overpower the rest of the face,” Toby says.
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Here’s a confession that should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me: I love a good party. But I’m less enthusiastic about after-work parties for one simple reason: I hate getting ready to go out at the office!
Digg It!On Saturday nights I like to take my time – soaking in the tub, blow-drying my hair, getting dressed, doing my makeup (can you tell I’m a girly girl?). But there’s something about getting all gussied up at work – is it lugging my beauty supplies with me? The fact that my face is all shiny and my day makeup is as distant a memory as my morning coffee break? Having to spend an extra second in the office bathroom – that usually makes me go out as is. Not exactly a festive look.
Which is why when Toronto makeup artist and founder of Pandora’s Makeup Box cosmetics Susan Kirsch offered to show me some holiday makeup techniques, I jumped at the chance. And issued her a challenge: give me a look I can create in the office bathroom without having to start with a clean, fresh face. Oh, and make it a look I can recreate in less than 10 minutes. Mission impossible, right?
Actually, wrong! Kirsch gave me a fun, sparkly night look and got the time down to seven minutes. Here’s how you can do it too:
1. Use a soft brush to apply a creamy (good for flakey winter skin) finishing powder (Kirsch used Pandora’s Box Perfect Powder #3) to entire face. Use a not-too-puffy brush for better control (i.e. faster blending). Time: 1 minute.
2. Apply eyelid primer all over the lid to even out leftover eyeshadow and give your fresh shadow something to stick to. Time: 30 seconds.
3. Now for the dramatic, sparkly holiday eye: Kirsch used Champagne, a lightly sparkly beige-gold from my crease to my lashes and shimmery Spun Gold from the crease to the brow. But if you think sparkly eyes are 100% about the sparkle, you should think again. Kirsch recommends sweeping a matte colour (she used Slate Brown) in the crease using a windshield-wiper motion to help give eyes a lift. Be careful not to get too close to the inner corners of your eyes, which can make you look tired. You can use a stiff angled brush to fill in brows with Slate Brown, but you’ll save time if you do it at home in the morning (it won’t fade). Time: 1 minute 30 seconds.
4. Now for liner. Kirsch used a couple of drops of water to mix a matte black shadow into a paste, and then used a thin black liner to apply to the top and bottom lash lines. 1 minute, 30 seconds.
BONUS TIP 1: Give tired, droopy eyes (like mine!) a lift by painting the upper, outer corners of the eye slightly thicker – the height of the outer part of the line should be the same as the widest part of your eye.
BONUS TIP 2: Prevent lower liner from running by lining just above the lower lashline.
5. Mascara: “Grab lashes at the root and slide outwards,” says Kirsch. This leaves a little mascara at the lashline, thickening out your top and bottom liner (making your eyes pop even more!). Time: 1 minute.
6. Cheeks and lips: Use a small brush to sweep a peachy-coloured blush like Pandora’s Classic Pink from the hairline to the front of the cheek. Line lips with nude liner and use a lip brush to fill in with peachy gold lipstick. Top with a coat of peachy-gold gloss (Kirsch used Chic lipstick and Smile gloss). Time: 1 minute 30 seconds.
Total elapsed time: 7 minutes.
Now smile and have fun!
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Ever wonder why celebs look amazing all the time?
Here’s their secret: fake lashes! Just ask Kim Kardashian, Olivia Wilde and Jessica Lowndes. These three beauties show you how a set of falsies can transform a look from great to glam. “If you’re going out, adding fake lashes is the best thing in the world!” says DuWop cosmetics creator, Christina Bartolucci. “It’s so worth the effort.” For a perfect party look, Christina recommends pairing lashes with a bold, red lip, or, if you’re too shy for red, try a smokey eye with a nude lip.
Check out Christina’s tips and trick for applying your own set of party worthy lashes!
- “Trim the very edges off, about 1/8 of inch of the Ardell demi wispies lashes for a more natural look,” Christina says.
- “Put a small dot of lash glue on your hand and run the lash strip through it from left to right so just a little glue is on the strip,” she says.
- “Place the strip so it goes right past your natural lash line. Tilt the lash up so it just blends in with the natural lash. You might have to hold your eyebrow to steady the eye and make applying easier.”
- “Once it gets on you can adjust it. You can pull it left or right but not up and down. Give it a few minutes to dry so eye shadow doesn’t get stuck to the wet glue,” Christina says.
- “Use a mascara wand to blend your natural lashes into the fake ones. You want to try to make the lashes stick to the false lashes so they become one. That’s the way you’ll get that totally look,” she says
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With just two weeks left until Christmas the holiday party circuit is in full swing. And with the packed schedules that lay ahead for all of us in the coming weeks, a flawless makeup look that can take you from office party to New Year’s Eve without a worry is in order. Lucky for us, Natalie Portman was recently sporting a twist on a classic look that fits the bill to perfection—this look is so pretty! Find out how to get her bold pink lips and soft smoky eyes after the jump.
Digg It!I caught up with Adi Lando, one of Sephora’s Pro Experts, to get the low down on Portman’s look. Using unexpected shades like deep greys and greens to create a sheer smoky eye and a deep pink berry shade instead of classic red will certainly turn heads for all the right reasons. This look is effortless, but still playful and fun—exactly what the holiday season should be all about.
FACE:
-Start by applying the right moisturizer for your skin type allover the face, and an eye cream to keep you hydrated.
-A liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer will allow you to create a soft and youthful glowing canvas to build upon (Adi likes NARS Sheer Glow foundation).
-Conceal as needed under the eyes and any imperfections (Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer is top notch).
-Apply a lightweight powder to the t-zone to prevent excess shine and set the makeup (try Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder if you are in the market for a new powder).
EYES:
-Always start by priming your eyes, this will keep your shadow in place and allow you to blend flawlessly (Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer is amazing).
-Generously apply dark green eyeliner to the lash line (Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner in Covet is a seriously sultry shade).
-Using a smudge brush, start to wiggle the brush up the eyelid, to diffuse the colour (try Sephora Collection Double-ended Every Day Eye Brush). Try to keep most of the colour at the lash line and do not extend past your natural crease.
-Using a soft all over eyeshadow brush softly sweep a grey-green across the lid (Sephora’s Mono Eyeshadow in Python Bag is a deep olive with silver flecks) to soften the liner. Don’t forget to smudge a little bit under the eyes.
-Apply black eyeliner pencil to outer corners of the eyes and smudge with brush (try Sephora Collection Nano Eye Liner No. 01).
-Finish with several coats of a defining mascara to keep the look soft (both Adi and I love Dior Show Iconic).
LIPS:
-Use your fingers to lightly apply a berry coloured stain to the apples of the cheeks. Try Stila Pomegranate Crush for a soft wash of coulour.
-Lightly apply the same stain as a base for your lips to hold the colour and give more depth.
-Frame the lips with a dark berry liner (try Sephora Nano Lip Pleasant Plum No. 9), and feather it with your fingers to prevent harsh lines.
-Finish the look with a creamy raspberry lipstick (Sephora Collection Rouge R10 Mr. Lover is right on the money) and voila! You are now the image of modern elegance.
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By Dr. Maoshing Ni - Posted on Tue, Dec 08, 2009, 3:44 pm PST
It seems that the U.S. Presidency comes with an unpleasant side effect: gray hair. Less than one year into his term, President Obama's hair has turned visibly gray. It happened to his many predecessors, too. Did you know that the condition of your hair actually reveals a lot about the level of stress in your life? Chinese medicine attributes many hair issues to a decline in your vital essence, brought on by stress, overwork, physical and emotional strain, an unhealthy lifestyle, and too much alcohol.
While stress reduction is at the forefront of most of our minds these days, what can you do if your hair woes are already showing up on your head? Read on to find out the best ways to remedy graying hair, hair loss, and dandruff, and learn how to get a shiny, healthy head of hair!
GRAY HAIR
Here are recommendations for graying hair:
- Eat for hair health. The Chinese have long discovered that black sesame seeds, black beans, and walnuts reverse graying. For healthy and shiny hair, eat foods everyday that are rich in essential fatty acids and omega-rich nutrients: flaxseed oil, sesame oil, olive oil, virgin coconut oil, avocado, beans, nuts and seeds.
- Chinese herbs for graying hair. "Shou wu" (also called "fo-ti" or polygonum root) is a hair nurture supplement available in Asian herb stores, used to restore hair growth and reverse graying. Rich in vitamin E and the B-complex vitamins, Shou wu has many other health benefits: It supports healthy estrogen profiles in women, stimulates red blood cell production, builds your immune system, maintains healthy cholesterol levels, and improves intestinal regularity.
- Color your hair naturally. If you want to dye your hair, use the following natural colorants: Henna works well for shades of light brown and red, coffee or black tea may be used by brunettes, and chamomile and lemon juice can color light hair.
HAIR LOSS
Hair growth is affected by the hormonal system, in particular the androgenic hormones, which include testosterone and a derivative of testosterone called DHT. It is normal to lose around 100 hairs each day, which are replaced within days. However, as we age, our hormone levels fluctuate and start to decline. This reduces the stimulus to the hair follicles and results in hair loss. In Chinese medicine, hair loss is thought to be caused by activities that deplete your vital essence: stress, physical and emotional strain, an unhealthy lifestyle, and alcohol--all of which hasten your hormonal decline.
Here are some hair replenishing remedies:
- Ginger juice helps hair loss. Massage your scalp with fresh ginger juice. Squeeze a 1-inch chunk of ginger root in a garlic press to yield juice. Rub the fresh ginger juice into affected part of scalp. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse it out--or leave it on overnight to stimulate the hair follicles.
- Arbovita replenishes hair. Apply the Chinese herb arborvita to stimulate follicles, improve blood flow, and strip away root-clogging oils. I have used this herb for my patients over the last twenty years with very good success. It is found in Hair Tonic, a topical solution. Other Chinese herbs traditionally used for hair loss include eclipta, shou wu, ginger, and sesame. For a natural herbal blend that combines all these herbs to nourish hair follicles and promote healthy hair, try Hair Nurture Formula.
- Stimulate blood flow. Try this Dao In Massage exercise, which I recommend to all my hair-loss patients. This local stimulation can help invigorate blood circulation. Sit comfortably on a chair. Using the tips of all 10 fingers, gently tap the head all over, stimulating the scalp for about one minute. Begin with light force and gently increase to moderate strength. Then massage the scalp with both hands for 2 minutes, gently at first and then more vigorously taking care not to pull out hair. Straighten the fingers of your right hand, and with the palm side of fingers gently tap all over the scalp 36 times. Repeat with your left hand, another 36 times. To get the best results, do this exercise twice a day.
SCALP PROBLEMS
It's normal to have some degree of dandruff. Your scalp undergoes regular regeneration and dead skin is shed to allow new skin to grow. This flaking can become worse when hormonal imbalances, stress, and improper diet come into play. Dandruff is at its worst during winter and fall, when the air tends to be dry.
Remedies for scalp issues:
- Apply aloe gel. Squeeze aloe juice directly from the stem of the plant and massage into the scalp once a day, preferably before bedtime, for an entire month. You can get better results by leaving the aloe on overnight and rinsing it out in your morning shower.
- A baking soda head scrub. In the shower, wet your hands and scrub baking soda vigorously into your scalp. After rinsing it out, massage Tonic Oil- containing the oils of wintergreen, eucalyptus, and menthol-into your scalp. Leave this on for 10 minutes before shampooing.
- Soak your scalp in green tea. Prepare a mild green tea, and soak your scalp in it for 10 minutes, shampooing out with olive oil, avocado oil, or hypoallergenic shampoo.
For extremely flaky dandruff and dry skin, I often recommend to my patients our Exquisite Skin Chinese herbal formula.
TIPS FOR SHINY, HEALTHY HAIR
Whatever your hair issues, these will boost your overall hair and head health:
- Nourish your hair. For shiny hair, mash a ripe avocado, massage it into your hair and scalp, and leave it on for 1 to 2 hours once a week.
- Brush bad hair days away. Be like a renowned Chinese empress who had a full head of beautiful hair at the end of her long life, the result of a daily 500-stroke hair brushing. Using a natural-bristle brush, spread your hair's natural oils with full strokes from the scalp down the to tips, 100 strokes every evening. Studies show steady massage and brushing over time stems hair loss, promotes hair growth, and generally improves hair quality.
- Less stress. For all hair and scalp problems, a daily program of stress reduction exercises and meditation can help regulate your energy and strengthen your essence.
- Go natural. Eliminate hair care products that contain harsh chemicals, which can damage hair roots and strip vital nutrients from the follicles. Use only products with natural ingredients.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
--Dr. Mao
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For a look that's flattering, warm, and a bit on the softer side, a cheek tint is always a great option. Cheek tints have enough punch to be noticeable but are light enough so you don't feel as if you've overdone it. Take Ali Larter, for instance, who looks as though she's blushing naturally. For that glowing-from-within effect, a sheer cheek tint is the way to go. Makeup artist Mai Quynh used Mark's Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Nude ($7) on the apples of Ali's cheeks, sweeping a mattifying powder over the blush to set. Generally speaking, tints that come in push-up sticks are easy to apply — you just swivel the product up, blend it into skin, and go — but brush-on liquid versions such as Benefit's PosieTint can come in handy, too. (Here's a tip if you go for that version: apply the liquid tint with a cosmetic sponge for lighter coverage.) Need ideas for getting cheeky? Check out some options in the widget below.
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How much do we love the new Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign featuring Scarlett Johansson?
Digg It!She smoulders in front of the camera, all bust and hips and pale flesh, looking unapologetically curvy - and boy, does she look sexy.
This return to form marks the start of a backlash against the waif-like models who are used in most fashion campaigns and harks back to an era when women looked glamorous when they went to the shops.
Scroll down to watch the ad
Curvy: Scarlett Johansson looks classic but modern in the advert for Dolce & Gabbana's One fragrance
The style is nostalgic, but Johansson makes it look modern. We've become so used to androgynous looking bodies that her curves - and that waist - look truly striking and womanly.
It's not just her natural, healthy figure that's so refreshing; we're swooning over the loose, side-swept blonde bun, grey eyes and nude, pouting lips.
Recreate the understated sexy look in a slip from M&S, Wolford or Spanx.
Ad girl: Scarlett featured in a Dolce and Gabbana campaign earlier this year
On the eyes, opt for a dove grey eye shadow with charcoal colour along the eye-line and lashings of black mascara, keep your skin porcelain and add a pale shade on your lips.
Pass the cupcakes: Scarlett isn't afraid to show off her curves
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