Easy but Awesome Fall 2012 Makeup Trends

Cherry Red Lips

Left- Rochas (Imaxtree) Right- Sammi Putnam for Don Bothem Photography

This statement lip has proved that trends CAN be repetitive. The same trend that ruled the 'hot' list of Fall 2011 is BACK and better than ever. Whether you choose a matte color like Rochas on the left, or a more glossy version like Ms. Putnam on the right,  red lips are here to prove they are the best at making a statement!

Imaxtree

Thick, Defined Brows

I love the natural feel of this look by J. Mendel. The brows look thick, strong and healthy, not over-plucked and drawn on. This is the simplest trend.. just stop tweezing too much! Only in between the eyes and any hairs that grow outside your brow line. Using a magnifying mirror only makes you go tweeze-crazy, so use a regular mirror instead. If you need a boost, use a brow pencil, but don't over do it!

Fresh, Natural Faces

Valentino (Imaxtree)- Trina H for Badkins

 Usually, this trend pops up
spring, when everything is supposed to be light and fresh. But this year, is makes a surprising apperance on several different Fall runways. Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Valentino were a few big names hosting this trend on their models. Nude tones, nothing overdone, and a little pop of blush & you're all set to rock this!

Smoky Browns

Trina H. for Badkins

Blumarine- Imaxtree

I adore this color for its versatility. It can be worn on pretty much any skin tone, and can be layered lightly for a small glimmer (see left), or heavily for a more intense look (see Blumarine right).

3 Timeless Items for Every Woman's Closet

A Nude or Black Pair of Heels

Timeless, Versatile, Classic and Sexy - Black and Nude Heels go with pretty much everything. They can be worn to work, worn on a date, worn to the club. No matter in what frame of time a woman must put an outfit together, these can make a perfect fit.

 A Plain White Tee

Original found at http://www.collegefashion.net

The basic plain white tee is the ultimate way of saying "I'm Simple but Sexy". The cut and material can vary depending on your personal style and weather conditions. Keira Knightley adds the menswear trend with her flowy, long sleeved white button down, Rachel Bilson adds a little edge with lace-ups and a dark cardigan, and Lauren Conrad does the girlie/preppy thing with her tee, belt and bag. (all on left). Try out different styles to find which one is right for you! Oh, And nix the whole "After Labor Day" thing. White is Classy all year round!

A LBD (Little Black Dress)

(Top to Bottom) Autumn Roberts and Rebecca Tyler for Badkins; Yours Truly for John Sloan

This article would not be complete without mentioning the Little Black Dress. They come in many styles, and these days there's a great fit for any shape and size. Started in 1920 by the very memorable Coco Chanel, the LBD is meant to be long-lasting, affordable, and versatile. It can be played down for work with a blazer, or played up with hot pumps and jewelry for a nighttime activity. You can add trendy items to it too! Add a POC (pop of color) my making your shoes a color that stand out. (I LOVE hot pink heels, they make everything sexier!) 

 

Keep Your Coins, I Want Change.

Four Steps For Committing To Personal Change

CHANGE. 

An action most people think about, but rarely follow through with. How many times have you thought,

If I did this, or changed that it would be nice..

but you don't follow through with it because when we think about change, we also relate it with the fear of what others will think, what the possible issues could come up, basically all the negative possibilities that come along with any change? When will you ever REALLY have TIME for change, unless you make time for it?

Another reason we don't follow through with changes is because we have lack of COMMITMENT to the change. The hard work and constant effort in order to really create a change is enough for many to shy away.

Below are four tips to help you commit to change, I hope they help you in whatever personal commitment you are trying to create. I myself use these to help me change my habits and create new ones. Many Blessings All<3

1. IDENTIFYING YOUR CHANGE

 Identify the change you would like to make, or the habit you would like to create. If your goal is to get rid of a bad habit that already exists, be sure to identify a positive action as a substitute for the negative action. Be as specific as possible. Instead of saying "I will exercise more", say something like, “I will go running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm and On Saturdays from 6 to 8pm” is more
specific and will help you hold yourself to your commitment.

2. DISCOVER YOUR REASONS FOR CHANGING

This will be your power for fighting for change! Write down all of your reasons for changing or creating a new habit. We all have different reasons. My Grandpa's reason for going to the gym may to get healthier, my cousin's reason might be to pick up chicks. Look at how this habit will help any and all aspects of your life. How will changing positively affect all those aspects? Think about your personal life, as well as your physical health, social contacts, emotional being, ect.. The more in depth you are when writing all these things down, the easier it will be for you to really follow through with change.  Keep writing these things down until life without this change is hard to imagine.

3. LOOK AT THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DON'T CHANGE

Next, write down all the aspects in your life that will be affective in a negative way if you don't change the habit. Remember to again include ALL aspects, socially, physically, emotionally. Will not changing effect your relationship with your spouse, children, family, co-workers, income? List all these negatives, and take time to examine what the consequences of not changing will really be.

 

4. TIME TO COMMIT

Take the lists you have created, and prepare to truly commit to building your new habit for at least three weeks, because research tells us that it takes no less than three full weeks to change or create a new habit. During this time, examine the lists from the last two steps, your negative and positive lists, and add to them on a daily basis. Habit changing or forming is not easy, unless the reasons for doing so are important. When we say we can’t change a habit, what we say really is we don’t have a big enough motivation or reason to change. Make sure you want to change for YOURSELF, because that is what is going to make the change truly help.

Top 4 Fall Hairstyles - From Runway; To Your Way

#1-The Sleek Ponytail

The ponytail is a simple, easy style to pull reproduce, which is why it always seems to play a part in fashion week. Summer was about super-slick-and-polished, damp-at-the-roots ponytails. This Fall it's all about concise, perfectly pulled back looks, like the one Ralph Lauren showed to left. 

From Runway to Your Way

• Prep with a styling serum to prevent frizz and add shine, then flat-iron small sections at a time until all your hair is straight.

• Pull into a pony. Placing it lower is for a nod to minimalism, placing it higher shows a perky and fun, almost youthful variation.

• Secure the base. Stylists used everything from shiny black tape for Jason Wu to even the most simple elastics carefully concealed with a few loose strands at  Ralph Lauren and BCBG.
  
  
  
  
  
  

    #2-The Low-Volume (and Low Maintenance!!!) Style

  

  Marni

  Street-inspired hair, (imperfect texture & low-key appeal)—had its run backstage. Hairstylists emphasized sleek, flat  looks instead of the usual full-bodied and volume styles we've been seeing recently. Stylists even went as far as pinning under-sections of hair up against the head to emphasize a sleeker silhouette. Fine hair has its heyday... finally!!
  
  
  From Runway to Your Way
  
  
  Condition, use the styling serum from #1, straighten (if you want) and go!

  
  
   

   

   

   

  #3- High Volume Bouffants

   Retro Fab!!! Bouffants are back and trendier than ever! To lend a current feel, hair was rolled and tucked for extra dimension, and the my examples were framed by a simple band or sparkly ribbon.
  
  

  

  D Squared        -      Photo Credit:Imaxtree
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
   From Runway to Your Way
  
  
   This style works because it's not weighed down with products. You want the hair to stay up, which means keep strands squeaky clean before trying this!
  
  
  •Apply a volumizing spray on damp hair, then blow-dry for volume. This will create a base.
  
  
  • Set hair with hot rollers for extra body and texture. Start with the crown and go all the way back to the nape, moving from the front side to side, then the back. Spray lightly with a flexible hairspray and let cool. 
  
  
  • Section hair front to back and tease everything at the roots. (ONLY at the roots!!). The more you tease, the bigger your hair will be. 
  
  
  • After your hair is teased, you can try a number of variations. Smooth the unteased hair over and secure it into a ponytail or half-up style. Pay attention to the shape you create when pulling it back. From the ponytail you can put your hair into a loose bun or French twist using bobby pins. Add a ribbon or headband for added dazzle. Top off with hairspray!
  
  

  #4- Awesome Add-Ins

  

  Tory Burch-  Photo Credit: Imaxtree
  
  

  Statement hair accessories turned up at several different shows, often stealing the spotlight (or sharing) from their accompanying hairstyles. From hairpins to floral headpieces, adding a little embellishment is a very good thing this fall.
  
  
   From Runway to Your Way
  This is anything but a fussy style! Tory Burch added cute flower pins, Oscar de la Renta added 'blinged' out ribbon, Dolce & Gabbana added a embellished headband. Add whatever embellishment you'd like, and BAM! you're in style <3 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

A 'Trade' For the Better

A 'Trade' For the Better

You know the commercials you see on TV of the starving child, the orphan with the disfigured lip, the incurable disease? The ones with the sad music that end of making you feel like you want to cry? 

Of course these matters are of extreme importance as well. But one thing that seems to receive a lack of media exposure, is one thing that not only occurs abroad. It happens right here at home, in the United States as well.

 Physical violence is at an all time high, and some women don't even get a chance to make it out alive. And in cases that they do, they suffer long-term, if not permanent damage. Physically through nerve damage, brain damage, dental issues, headaches, the list go on and on. Mentally though, the results vary from mild depression and anxiety to trust issues and feelings of incompetence. In the United States, a woman is battered every 15 seconds. In India, 40 percent of adult women reported physical assaults by a male partner. In Sweden, one of every six murders is committed by a man murdering his partner. In Nicaragua, nearly thirty percent of women reported partner abuse.In South Africa, one women is killed approximately every six days by her male partner. (People Opposing Women Abuse) 38 percent of Korean women reported battering by their spouse in the past year.In places such as Mexico, Brazil, and Kenya though, 6 in 10 women are abused in their lifetime.

But then came The Trade. The Trade is a charity that teaches 'The Trade' of hairstyling to victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and poverty who have been put in protection from their abusers. Why bake a man a loaf of bread, when you can teach him how to make it? The idea is to give these victims a skill to not only help them earn a living, but give them pride. Empowering them.

So how can you help The Trade? If you attend an appointment with a participating salon or stylist on September 16th, all the proceeds will go to The Trade. No depressing slide show over "I Will Remember You" or some other slow, sad song asking you to send money. How's that for a "Help The Cause" pitch? 

It's not like you didn't need an excuse to get a cute new 'do for fall anyways. Get your hair cut- do a good deed. Now that's a Fashion Do in my book :)

Support The Trade <---- List of the 100+ participating locations and stylists. <3