Are you looking for a new hair style in 2012? Do you follow the “trends” or just pick what you want and GO with it?

Personally, some of these trends are a bit whack-tastic. Such as the messy bob shown below. I adore bobs… but this one looks like it could use some serious deep-conditioning!!

10 New Hairstyle Trends to Try This Year

Ombre tips and faux bobs are so 2011. See the trends that stylists say will rule in 2012

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article If you’re itching for a change this season, these new hairstyles will inspire you. Hint: The faux bob gets prettier and the ombre look gets a more natural-looking makeover for 2012. If you’re looking to change up your hairstyle this season, read on. Get trends

Have you spotted any other hair trends on the streets?

As you’ve probably noticed, crackle nail polish is everywhere this fall. It provides texture, peek-a-book color, and easy application. Plus you can mix and match color to your heart’s desire. The latest addition to my crackle “collection” is from Jessica Cosmetics… it’s their new Party Chic collection.

The Party Chic nail polish collection features five creamy, neon colors: On the Rocks (white), Pretty in Purple, Mint Mojito Green, Orange You Glad to See Me and Pass the Pink-tini. Wear them alone or apply a coat of the black crackle “Top It Off” top coat for a slightly punky, shattered look like in my swatches below.

I recommend applying a thick, clear top coat (such as Seche Vite) to seal things up and even out your crackle-finish. Or… since all the new crackle top coats dry to a matte finish, leave it as-is and enjoy the duality of gloss versus matte!

Want to know what’s even better?  This entire collection is absolutely perfect for Halloween!

I know, I know… zombies don’t get their nails done.  But if you are one of the many dressing as a zombie this Halloween, here’s a simple way to make your nails match your rotted makeup.

I started with one coat of Essie’s Merino Cool nail polish.  You could swap in any taupe, light mushroom, tan, light gray, or creamy skin-toned color (Sally Hansen’s Commander in Chic is another great polish for this manicure!).  I recommend only one coat so your color looks a bit uneven and streaky.

Next apply a coat of a gray “crackle-finish” polish, such as Cracked Concrete by China Glaze.  Sally Hansen also has a gray crackle top coat that you can find at most drugstores.

Once the crackle finish dries, use a deep red to apply bloody accents to your nails.  I chose Berry Hard by Essie.  Don’t be afraid to get a little messy.  After all, zombies aren’t running around with polish remover.

Happy Halloween!

What’s your current favorite mascara? Have you tried any of the new varieties and loved/hated them?

Welcome to another Freebie roundup by yours truly.  Let me know what you request and feel free to post any other freebies you find in your internet hunts – just use the comments section below!

Head over to Costco’s website and grab your very own freebie of Dove’s Go Fresh Revive deodorant.  It’s the perfect size for traveling, and this new variety is scented with Pomegranate. P.S. You do not have to be a Costco member to request your sample.

Snag a free trial pack of o.b. tampons… you do have to register first though.

Test out Dove’s new Nourishing Oil Care Leave-In Smoothing Hair Cream with a free sample!  It’s easy to register at the Dove website, or you can sign in using your Facebook account.

Get a free supplement pack from Nordic Naturals.  You can choose one of three packs: Wellness, Sport or Pets!   Just click free sample at the bottom of the page.

Head over to L’Occitane’s Facebook page, “Like” it, and then grab your coupon for a FREE 30ml hand cream lotion!  Offer is only valid until October 23rd, so you need to hurry.

Planning a vacation soon?  Trial sizes are awesome for traveling!  Tom’s of Maine is offering a freebie of their all-natural Silly Strawberry toothpaste!  The new flavor is geared towards kids, but I’d venture to guess it will be pretty yummy for anyone.

And finally, try out a new (to me, anyhow) skin care line…  Grab some free samples of Pristine Skin Care!

Stay Bionic,

I’ve launched a new poll on Bionic Beauty: “What topics would you like to see more in Bionic Beauty’s future?”

The new poll is available in the right sidebar of Bionic Beauty (under the appropriately labeled “Vote Now!” section).

I have set this poll up to allow you to vote for as many of the subjects as you’d like.  I really want to get your ideas on what you want from Bionic Beauty in the upcoming year!

Please also feel free to elaborate on your vote in the comments section below.

Below are the results of the previous Bionic Beauty poll…

What is your favorite eyeshadow color?

• Brown/Taupe/Tan (44%, 201 Votes)
• I wear and love ‘em all! (18%, 82 Votes)
• Black/Gray (16%, 75 Votes)
• Purple/Lavender (16%, 75 Votes)
• Greens (9%, 40 Votes)
• White/Pearl (8%, 36 Votes)
• Pink/Mauve (8%, 35 Votes)
• Blue/Navy (6%, 26 Votes)
• Orange/Coral (3%, 15 Votes)
• Yellow (1%, 5 Votes)
• Red/Magenta (1%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 460

Thanks for voting, everyone!

Another formerly spa or high end beauty store brand is now more accessible to the masses. I’ve spotted Essie nail polish displays at several Walgreens and Target stores in both large and small towns. If they aren’t in your area yet, they should be coming soon.

Essie polishes spotted by Bionic Beauty at Target!

Both stores seem to have the Essie polishes priced around the $7.00 range.  I picked up Merino just last week – it’s a cool-toned suede brown color.  I’ve been wanting that polish for over a year now and finally splurged.  I will post swatches soon!

Do you have any plans of trying out some Essie nail polishes now that they are easier to find?

Well it seems like it’s been a decade and a half since I went freebie hunting.   Thankfully I found a nice, long roundup of beauty goodies for you to request.  Some of these are just plain awesome and will go darn quick… so hustle up everyone!

Ready to soothe your dry skin?  I am!  Here’s a new product to me… Get three free sample packets of TriLipiderm “All-body moisture retention creme” – Keep them for yourself or share ‘em with friends! (US only)

Nab a free sample of Hugo Boss cologne for yourself or send a personalized postcard with the sample to a friend!

Try out Aveeno’s new Nourish hair care shampoo and conditioner with this freebie. Answer a few quick questions and select your hair type so they can match you up with the proper version of Nourish hair care. (US only)

Keep smelling nice this summer  with free samples of Gucci Guilty fragrance and/or Gucci Guilty Pour Homme cologne. (Open to USA, Canada and most international countries)

Snag a freebie trial size of Avon Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Face Lotion with SPF 45. Scroll down the page a bit to enter your information. Hurry, these will go quickly!

Get a free sample of Murad Oil Control Mattifier face cream with SPF 15! Simply click on the thumbnail image below and the full size coupon will open. Print the coupon and take it to your local JCPenney store with a Sephora counter inside. You can also get a complimentary skin consultation while you’re there! Offer expires July 13, 2011.

And because you can never have too many… here are some new freebies of CareFree Acti-Fresh Body Shape liners. (US only)

While not a freebie, you can get a coupon good for 35 cents off your next purchase of Carmex lip balm by filling out a short form on their website.

Stay Bionic,

I know y’all have been wondering where the *beep* I have been for these past months… well, I have a ton of excuses I could dish out, but mainly I have been working offline on getting fresh ideas for Bionic Beauty. There are so many beauty blogs out there, and I want to get back to BB’s fun roots. Offline life has been hectic too. I’ve been having some small difficulties (money, like most of us these days), writer’s block, and new websites to design for clients. I have done some blogging at my dog’s blog, and my “fun blog” so be sure to stop by there occasionally too!

Anyhow, it’s definitely not fair to just let my baby sit here unloved. So I’m going to start posting some short articles to get back into the swing of things now that life is settling down a bit.

So here we goooooooo….

How to Get Healthy Color-Treated Hair

Colored hair can be synonymous to damaged hair. See how to change that now

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair color article You aren’t doomed to choose between having healthy hair that’s a boring color and having fabulous color with damaged ends. According to the experts, it is possible to have glorious color and shiny, healthy hair. See how here. Find out