Get the Look: Selena Gomez at the 2011 VMAs

Nicole    Celebrity, Look For Less, Makeup, Style

Selena Gomez looked great and decidedly grown up at the 2011 VMAs.  I love her sultry and neutral makeup palette, hair swept back and gothic feel dress.

Want Selena Gomez’s makeup look?  Check out the tips below:

1. Start with a clean, fresh face.  Cover up any blemishes with concealer and lightly apply an illuminating foundation.  You can make your own by mixing a shimmer product (like Benefit High Beam) with your favorite foundation.
2. Fill in brows with your favorite brow pencil or powder
3. Apply your eyelid primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion, or my new favorite, LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer) and sweep on some muted brown shades.  I like NYX Nude/Taupe/Dark Brown Eyeshadow trio.  You can also use a shimmery champagne color (like NYX Ultimate Pearl Eye Shadow in Sahara Pearl) to highlight your lids.
4. Follow with your favorite black liquid liner and heavy black mascara.  Don’t forget to line under your waterline (or get close to it) with a regular black eye pencil.
5. Next, finish the look with a soft peach blush and a glossy peach lip.  Benefit Cosmetics Ultra Shines in Spiked Punch does the trick nicely.

What do you think of Selena’s VMA look?  Would you rock it?

Image Credits: Celebutopia.net

Fall 2011 Nail Color Trends – Tips from Aija Vilemsonne

Nicole    Fashion, Nail Polish, Nails, Style

Each year, fashionistas around the world eagerly await the trends that will grace the runways of New York Fashion Week. From head to toe, we take note as the industry’s top designers tell us what will be stylish for the coming season. Nails are no exception to this rule. Just like the other elements of a show, the nails of the models tell a story and offer a defined point of view. Creative Director of Pretty Woman USA, Aija Vilemsonne, offers her take on the forecasted nail trends for Fashion Week 2011, and gives advice on what skin tones look best with what colors, so that you can make an impact while keeping up with fashion’s elite.

A Note on Skin Tone

Knowing your skin tone is essential to maximizing your look, from clothing to makeup. Armed with this knowledge, we are able to make subtle changes to enhance our best features. Most of us are familiar with the old adage that skin tone can be defined in terms of seasons. Here, Aija provides a quick refresher course for determining your skin tone:

• Winter skin tones range from pale, to olive, to dark. Undertones are typically blue or pink, with dark eyes and hair.
• Spring complexions are pale, with pinkish or bluish undertones. Spring skin tones are often blondes, or brunettes with light eyes.
• Autumn skin tones have golden undertones. Most women who have autumn skin are red-heads or brunettes with brown eyes.
• Summer complexions have golden undertones, with peachy skin. It’s common to see straw-colored or red hair with light eyes.

Now, onto the trends!

Still Got the Blues

As more and more celebrities show off their “blue crushes” with everything from navy to sky blue, and fashion’s top designers crank out denim-themed collections, it’s become apparent to the beauty world that these hues are full steam ahead for fall. Aija cautions, “Choosing the right blue for your skin tone can be tricky; not every blue is flattering for every individual.”

• Winter: Go for high-impact colors like a deep navy or an icy-tinged pastel for the most flattering look.
• Spring: Stick to something defined like bright navy or a light whitish-blue to help make nails more striking.
• Autumn: With golden undertones, blue isn’t your most flattering color. Understated is the name of the game.
• Summer: Go with a soft blue pastel for maximum impact against your peachy skin. Go bold: you can afford it.

Shine On

It appears that the fashion industry wants you to keep on blinging: fall metallics have hit the stores with a vengeance. It’s become clear that it doesn’t really matter which shade you decide on, because if it’s metallic, it’s in. In that case, Aija suggests taking advantage of the fact that this trend is colorless: “You can customize the trend to work for you.”

• Winter: This is your chance to go bright! Whether an orange-red or shocking pink, take the plunge.
• Spring: Avoid dark colors and embrace something soft in the lavender or rose-brown category.
• Autumn: Go with gold or a color that has golden flecks. Orange and brown work best.
• Summer: From lavender to plum, the purple family is the way to go to maximize your look.

Go Nude

Nude nails can be difficult. Finding the right hue can be challenging, and though you’ll generally reach for a color that’s closest to your skin tone, even if something seems perfect, it might clash with your skin once it’s applied. Aija explains, “Here, you should focus on your own undertones and those of the color you choose.”

• Winter: Subdued tones are not your most flattering, but sticking close to your skin tone will help.
• Spring: Go with a camel or a peachy color. Also, zero in on the brown family to complement your complexion.
• Autumn: Golden undertones are the name of the game. Particularly, beige and camel will work well.
• Summer: No matter what shade you decide, stick true to your skin’s undertones. Go with a rose-tinged nude.

“The most important thing to remember about nails is to have fun with it. Make mistakes, test out new colors, and see what you think works best for you,” says Aija. After having read these tips, you’re already ahead of the pack!

For more tips on nail care and trends, or more from Aija Vilemsonne, visit Pretty Woman USA at www.prettywomanusa.com.

Trendy Summer Hairstyles – Andrew Dale’s Tips for Great Summer Hair

Nicole    Hair, Hair Styling, Summer

Looking for a new summer hairstyle?  It’s not too late!  You, too, can get Kim Kardashian’s Playful Ponytail or Selena Gomez’s Side Braid before the summer is over.  Check out the great tips from UNITE Hair Care below:

According to UNITE Hair Care Founder and Stylist, Andrew Dale, these three looks have become increasingly popular because women are always looking for chic hairstyles that look natural and are easy to do.   All products mentioned are available at unitehair.com.

Tousled Beach Waves: “Starting on damp hair, spritz a detangler throughout strands from root to tip. Look for a detangling spray that will nourish and protect hair from UV rays and damage from heat-styling tools. Try, UNITE 7 Seconds ($26.25) and allow hair to air-dry. Next, create volume and texture that will produce the ‘tousled’ and ‘undone’ look, by using a volumizing product that will not add weight to hair, try UNITE Expanda Dust ($26.25). This translucent powder will dissipate into hair and thicken it, giving body all over. Using a 2 inch curling iron, take random sections and curl alternating from front to back, for a piece-y look. Finish off by using hands to separate the curls so they’re slightly undone, and spray with UNITE Tricky Lite ($31) that will give hold and shine.”

Playful Ponytail: “I love turning up the volume on a basic look like the ponytail because it’s so simple but makes such an impact. To get the look, spray damp hair all over with UNITE’s Boosta Spray ($26.25) that builds overall volume but without residue. Next, blow out hair using a round brush that will continue to build the volume. Once hair is dry, use hands to pull hair up into a ponytail (a brush will only flatten the volume you created), aligning it with the tip of your ears and securing with an elastic band. Smooth any flyaways with the UNITE Go365 Hairspray ($31) that offers 3-in-1 levels of hold.”

Side Braid: “This look is a great alternative to wearing hair up for those who have long hair. The braid needs some grip so it doesn’t slip out and come undone. To do this, simply use some of UNITE’s Second Day ($25) to dry hair, which will give a ‘worn’ look while delivering hold for the braid. Next, using fingers, pull hair loosely to the side and separate into three sections. Braid off to the bottom and securing with an elastic band.”

What do you think of these looks?  What is your go-to summer style?  Let me know in the comments.

How to Pack for Summer Travel – Travel Tips from Christina Luhur

Nicole    Fashion, Shopping, Style, Summer

Summer days are flying by, which means that we have fewer weekend getaways on our calendars.  Personally, I have been planning a few days of trips to take with the boyfriend, but since he may be starting a new job shortly, my plans are in limbo.

Rushing to fit in travel arrangements and packing sometimes can’t be avoided, but Christina (Chris) Luhur, founder of e-retailer Scarpasa.com, is here to offer advice on how to pack most efficiently (and fashionably) for sunny destinations.  This advice is great for people, like myself, who procrastinate packing and then make big lists of tons of stuff to take.  Check out Christina’s tips below:

1. Opt for quick-change friendly separates. We know it’s warm out, but here layers are unmatched: A camisole underneath your blouse, a stretchy tube which you transforms into a sexy skirt, or a mini dress worn tucked in as a shirt and pulled out for after-hours.
2. Stick to basics, particularly if you’re traveling. Consider your Friday outfit an extension of your suitcase, which means packing on layers which you’ll be bound to wear once you arrive.
3. Choose a versatile shoe. By opting for a pair of gentle heels, you’ll be comfortable, yet able to glam up when the quitting bell sounds.  For example, all of the shoes on Scarpasa.com are hand selected by Chris for comfort, and are under 3” in heel height. Ranging from sandals to boots, flats to wedges, Scarpasa.com curates an international collection of the hottest wearable footwear from independent designers.

What do you think of Chris’s tips?  How do you pack for summer trips?

Let me know!

Annalynne McCord and Maria Menounos in Maxi Dresses

Nicole    Celebrity, Fashion, Shopping

Maria Menounos was spotted in Baby Phat while walking the streets of NYC this week.  The TV beauty looked summery in her pink maxi, only $69!  90210′s Annalynne McCord is also a fan; she wore the same Baby Phat dress in green while filming scenes for the upcoming season of her hit show last week ‘Who Wore it Better?’

So, who do you think wore it better?  Let me know in the comments below!

Jessica Alba vs. Helen Mirren – Who wore it better?

Nicole    Celebrity, Fashion, Reader Feedback, Shopping

Check out this Dolce & Gabbana animal print maxi dress worn by two very different celebrities.  Jessica Alba was caught on Wednesday evening at the Lucky Magazine/ThisNext.com private party Hosted by Mary Alice Haney, wearing the same Dolce Gabbana leopard print dress which Helen Mirren originally wore to the London premiere of “Arthur.”

The only difference is Helen bumped it up a notch and accessorized with a hot leather jacket for a more rocker look.  Although Jessica Alba bumped it up a notch too with her baby bump!  Personally, I’m preferring Helen’s style over Jessica’s on this one.

What do you think… who wore it better?