How to: Fishtail Braids

Mary-Kate Olsen sat in the front row of Proenza Schouler's show. Her braided hairstyle has been seen everywhere lately, from spreads in magazines to fashion runways. I decided to research a bit about this hairstyle and found out that it's called a Fishtail or Herringbone braid. Here's some steps that can teach you how to wear your hair like Mary-Kate's:

1. Once you have separated the ponytail, you are going to start out by holding the 2 strands in your left hand.











2. Now you are going to take a thin piece from the outside of the right strand and join it with the left strand.









3. Reverse how you are holding hair and switch hands.













4.With your left hand take a thin piece from the outside of the left strand and join it with the right strand.









5. You are going to repeat steps 2 and 3 until the braid is as long as you desire. Then finish with an elastic.

Review: Clinique Super City Block SPF 40

Pros: Applies and absorbs well, the tint disappears quickly, broad spectrum UV protection.
Cons: Even though it's oil-free it feels a bit greasy, sunscreen fragrance

I believe this is overall a very good product. I was looking for a face sunscreen to wear daily and found this one by Clinique in Sephora. After reading a few reviews online, I decided to give it a try.
The product has a slight tint that disappears very quickly so it's not a problem. It is a bit greasy but it definitely doesn't turn my face into an oily mess like other sunscreens. It also has a high UV protection which is obviously the most important thing.
Now, it's advertised that this is a fragrance-free sunscreen, but truth is it does smell a bit funky. Maybe not as overpowering as others out there but definitely NOT fragrance-free.
SCORE 1 - 5 = 4.3

Washing your hair everyday?

Unless you have really oily hair, it is recommended that you give hair and scalp a rest for at least a day between shampoos. For those of us with oily hair who don't want to wash every day, consider a dry shampoo, like Bumble and Bumble's.

Since washing hair too much strips hair of oils and even color if you've had a dye job, you're better off washing every other day and sprinkling a bit of dry shampoo at the roots and hairline.

Now, if you want to save money, you've probably heard about skipping the fancy dry shampoos and trying baby powder. Instead of baby powder, I would recommend using cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch. Here's why:

Baby powder's primary ingredient is actually cornstarch. It is also one of the most important ingredients of the expensive dry shampoos. The only notable difference between them and cornstarch is the price, and the variety of colors (red, black, brown and white). Cornstarch is obviously white.

So, if you don't want to spend $40 on a bottle of dry shampoo, try using cornstarch: just sprinkle some on your roots, and brush your hair until the powder is worked in really well.

Source: About.com

Skincare Routine

Here's a list of the products I talk about in my video:
- Effaclar Foaming Cream by La Roche-Posay
- Effaclar Foaming Gel by La Roche-Posay
- Clidets gel
- Clean-Ac by Avene
- Hydraphase by La Roche-Posay
- Q-10 Creme by Eucerin
- Hydrating Eye Cream by Bobbi Brown
- Super City Block by Clinique

Small MAC Haul

Hey guys! So I just got back from my favorite MAC store around here (you know how MAC sales people are usually stuck up? Well everyone on this store is absolutely lovely!). I got some goodies, but I wouldn't really consider this a "haul".
Anyway, I want to tell you what I got!
- Electra E/S
- Dazzlelight E/S
- Rubenesque PP
- Bare Slimshine
- Brave Lipstick
- 222 Brush

Hairstyles back in fashion

Here's some popular hairstyles that keep coming back in fashion through time and hot celebrities flaunting them at the moment.

The Bob
Katie Holmes
The bob's one of those styles everyone's getting again. It's sometimes defined by its blunt ends and straight-across fringe, and I guess you could probably trace it back to Louise Brooks, a star of cinema classics such as Pandora's Box.

The most visible example of the bob today would have to be Katie Holmes'- and that's not because of anything her husband's getting up to, but because it suits her so well. The secret to the bob's continued reinvention is the fact that it's got so much to offer. It's a style that most people can have, yet it looks unique on everyone.

Curls
Leona Lewis
Since Shirley Temple, curly hair's been in and out of fashion. Meg Ryan's always been hanging in there, and Kate Hudson in Almost Famous reminded us of the popularity of the curls.

But it's not until most recently that curls have had their biggest comeback. Everything from tight ringlets to loose waves are the go, and great styles have been flaunted recently by celebrities like Kate Winslet, Leona Lewis, and Thandie Newton. For the most contemporary twirl though, try using a straightening iron for a flatter and more flicked curl.

The Crop
Rihanna
If you opt for the crop- another big comeback style- then you won't be going too close to a set of rollers for a while. Think of the lovely Jean Seberg in Godard's classic A bout de souffle, or Dolores O'Riordan when she was in The Cranberries. For something similar today, check out most photos of Elisha Cuthbert and Rihanna.

The crop's definitely returned again with a passion: you're likely to see the über short 60s crop, a soft sweeping fringe crop like Elisha's, and the more "out-there" asymmetrical crop. Similar to the bob, the crop's staying power is its versatility. It's got a strong basic structure that can be adapted, changed and appropriated easily.

The Afro
Tamika Ray
It's a style that just screams VOLUME, and in one way or another I guess its tight curls hark back most obviously to the funky diva styling of the 70s. Today, the latest Afros are likely to have areas rolled under and molded into more dramatic shapes).

The secret with the Afro, and with all of these styles that keep coming back- going round and round in history- is simple. It's partly that "there are no new ideas," I'm sure, but that's a narrow minded way of looking at great fashions. The real secret lies in the adaptability and versatility of these styles.

Source: The Hair Style.com

Basic MAC Brushes

How to trim your own bangs

Save money and time by eliminating a trip to the stylist.
With these step-by-step instructions you’ll get great bangs in no time! 1. Quality scissors are important. The best kind to use is sharp, pointed ones no longer than 5 inches long. You can find these kind of scissors in most beauty stores.
2. Always cut your bangs dry, so you know what they will look like when you style them. If you cut them wet, they will shrink when they dry and end up too short.
3. Pull all your hair back that you won’t be trimming so it doesn't get in your way. Only your bangs should be loose.
4. Divide your bangs in half. Comb downward. Rest the comb on the brow bone and don’t cut your bangs any shorter than where the comb hits your face.
5. Start ‘point-cutting’ or snipping the hair at a 45-degree angle. Go slowly, only doing a bit at a time. Don’t ever cut your bangs straight across since it’s impossible to keep a perfectly straight line.
6. Repeat the cutting to the other half of your bangs.
7. When you’re done, check to make sure each half of your bangs is even.

Lancome Mascara Review Video

Hypnose by Lancome













L'Extreme by Lancome













Fatale by Lancome














Cils Booster XL by Lancome with L'Extreme

Easy Bronze Tutorial

FACE
Corrector - Bobbi Brown
Hydrating Concealer - Dior
HD Powder - MUFE

Charcoal brown - MAC
Warm Soul - MAC
Shimmer Brick Compact - Bobbi Brown

EYES
Constructivist PP - MAC
Brun E/S - MAC
Bronze E/S - MAC
Amber Lights E/S - MAC
Shimmer Brick Compact - Bobbi Brown
Blacktrack Fluidline - MAC
Faux Cils Mascara - Yves Saint Laurent

LIPS
Lust L/G - MAC

Natural Foundation Tutorial

Mat Velvet + - MUFE
Corrector - Bobbi Brown
Hydrating Concealer - Dior
HD Powder - MUFE

Charcoal brown - MAC
Warm Soul - MAC
Shimmer Brick Compact - Bobbi Brown

187 MAC brush
195 MAC brush
Angled blush Sephora brush
129 MAC brush

When to throw out make up

Be careful! Most beauty products don't have an expiration date, but they do go bad. Periodically purge your medicine cabinet, your bag or wherever else you have makeup tucked away. Here's when to throw it out:

Mascara - after 3-6 months

It's especially important to change mascara often (even if you have some left). Air can push bacteria into the tube and cause an eye infection.

Eyeliner - after 6 months

Even if you sharpen your eyeliner every week to keep it fresh, bacteria can still grow around the tip. You'll know it's there when the pencil starts to crumble as you're sharpening it.

Foundation - after 6 months

Water-based formulas last a few weeks longer than oil-based ones.

Eye Shadow - after 9-12 months

Old shadows get chalky and difficult to apply.

Blush - after 1-2 years

If your blush breaks, throw it out right away -- and don't salvage the chunks -- they'll be difficult to blend and will look caked on.

Lip Color - after 2 years

Replace lipsticks earlier if you notice oil beads on the side or the color looks different when you apply.

Posietint by Benefit Review

(Me wearing Posietint)-
I LOVED this as a cheek stain! I liked Benetint before, but the color was a little too strong for my pale skin.
The pink color of Posietint is perfect, and lasts for a very long time, a lot more than powder blushes do. The formula is a lot thicker than Benetint's, and therefore easier to apply on the cheeks.

I did not like it that much as a lip stain though. The color is bearly visible, and it doesn't last as long as I would like it too.
Still a great product however, especially if you have pale skin and want a subtle color that gives you a glow that lasts forever.
SCORE 1 - 5 = 3.5