Beautylish Articles

The Best of London Fashion Week

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Color-Correcting Your Complexion

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Before re-touching and airbrushing existed, top makeup artists achieved complexion perfection with Technicolor powders and creams. Brightly-hued concealers camouflage uneven skin tones in a snap. While the effect seems magical, the trick is simply a matter of understanding how different shades in the rainbow cancel each other out. If you’re looking for an easy way to perfect your skin without piling on cakey layers of foundation, check out our guide to color-correcting makeup.

GREEN

If you’re acne-prone or have a ruddy complexion, opt for a mint green corrector to neutralize too much flush. "Green is great for covering any redness on the skin such as a blemish or rosacea," says L'Oréal makeup artist Collier Strong. Lightly dust the color over trouble spots such as the T-zone and cheeks, then apply foundation.
Beautylish recommends: L'Oréal Studio Secrets Color Corrector in Green

LILAC

During the winter your skin loses its sun-kissed glow, and your face can appear sallow and dull. Collier suggests a lilac primer, which mutes these yellow undertones. Just like bronzer, you should apply the lavender tint to areas where the sun would normally hit your face: cheekbones, nose, and chin. Then apply tinted moisturizer or foundation normally.
Beautylish recommends: Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Balance

PINK

While many factors contribute to dark under-eye circles, naturally thinner skin around the eyes reveals noticeable veins we’d like to cover up. "A peachy-pink corrector is perfect for brightening the eye area," says Collier. If you have more yellow or green-toned shadows, opt for a pastel pink corrector. First apply a base concealer, then dab a rosy hue directly over bags to erase bold, blue capillaries and reflect light like a highlighter would.

Beautylish recommends: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Concealer Trio

APRICOT

"I use apricot-correctors on medium to dark complexions to add luminosity to the skin," says Collier. "But if brown spots or freckles are your primary concern, a color corrector will not give enough coverage. I’d suggest a concealer the same color as your skin to cover these issues." Swipe the apricot primer shade along cheekbones or all over your face for a radiant base.

Beautylish recommends: Koh Gen Do Foundation Color Corrector Dark Apricot

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Cupcake Nails!

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

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Diet Foods That Don't Work

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Nonfat, sugar-free, zero calories. You may think that diet foods with these labels are shortcuts to slimming down, but this isn’t always the case. Just like diet drinks, diet foods often do you more harm than good. We spoke with Washington, D.C.-based nutritionist JJ Smith, author of Lose Weight Without Dieting or Working Out, to find out why we should stay away from these weight loss traps.

When you're perusing the supermarket aisle, foods with nonfat and calorie-free labels can be extremely tempting. The promise of being able to eat what you want without putting on weight is a dieter’s dream. However, these weight loss products aren’t as healthy as they sound. "The main problem with diet foods is that they still contain ingredients that are bad for you, even if the label says there’s no fat. Manufactures don't want to make food that doesn't taste good, so they add sugar to give it flavor," warns JJ. Conversely, if a product claims to be calorie or sugar-free, it will probably contain more fat, salt, or artificial ingredients. According to JJ, companies make one claim and then use other ingredients to add flavor and ensure that people will continue to buy the product. It's a tricky cycle that traps people into purchasing the same product over and over again, especially because they’re not losing any weight and still need to diet.

"Sugar-free cookies, fat-free dressings, and nonfat yogurt are some of the worst offenders," warns JJ. Sugar-free cookies became popular through brands like Weight Watchers. If you check the label, these “guiltless” treats contain ingredients such as fructose, glucose, and corn syrup (all of which are sugar and turn into fat if they’re not burned off). "Because of the sugar-free label, people assume that they can eat as many as they want. Then after finishing a whole box, they wonder why their pants are too snug," says JJ. Nonfat dressings and yogurt are also diet sabotagers in disguise because they typically contain an extremely high amount of preservatives. "While the yogurt may not contain any fat, there are so many artificial flavors added to make it taste good that the probiotics—which is the good part of yogurt—are basically useless.”

Many diet foods also claim to be low calorie, which JJ describes as a label trap. "Calorie tables are extremely misleading," cautions JJ. "The important thing to look for is the type of calorie, not the amount. While the table says there are only two grams of sugar, there may be six grams of bad fat." A healthy diet depends on a variety of foods that help your body to function. By replacing whole, raw foods (such as fruit and vegetables) with diet foods, you are cheating your body of essential vitamins and minerals, and filling it with artificial flavoring that will clog up your body and turn into fat.

JJ's advice? Swap all of your diet foods for fresh fruit and vegetables. Eat Greek yogurt with no extra flavoring and fresh berries, and make your own dressing from lemon and balsamic vinegar. By cutting out the diet foods and eating whole-fat foods moderately, you'll not only improve your chances of living longer and looking better, you'll find that you lose weight without having to work out! "Be mindful of what you're putting in your body, and always read the ingredient list!" she adds.

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How-To: Mardi Gras Makeup

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

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Make Your Eye Color Pop!

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

It’s easy to get stuck wearing the same color palette on your eyes every day, and one the most common questions we receive at Beautylish HQ is, “How do I make my eyes pop?” If you’re tired of typical eye color pairings, we’re here to show you some alluring and unexpected shades that will give your peepers the attention they deserve!

For Green Eyes

Sunset tones glow on verdant eyes! Red undertones in a bold amber hue bring out the yellow and teal nuances in green eyes. Green and orange are split complementary on the color wheel, so they intensify one another without clashing. These colors look best in metallic textures, so blend a copper cream eye shadow all over the lid and in the corners of the eye.

Beautylish recommends: MAC Metal-X Eyeshadow in Red Hot Copper

For Hazel Eyes

Because of their rich combination of blue, green, brown, and amber, hazel eyes can pretty much rock any color with confidence. But our favorite vibrant pairing? A royal blue hue! A clean blue liner brightens up your muted, camouflage-colored peepers and brings out any exotic amber and yellow undertones when smudged on the bottom water line.

Beautylish recommends: Barry M Kohl Pencil in Electric Blue

For Blue Eyes

Since sapphire eyes are such a statement on their own, many blue-eyed Beauties don’t often venture into the world of vivid eye makeup. But if you’re looking to give your baby blues a subtle splash of color, try a wash of magenta or fuchsia shadow. The purple-pink pigment enhances any natural violet undertones in your eyes. Think Elizabeth Taylor, electrified!

Beautylish recommends: Lorac Eye Shadow in Delight

For Brown Eyes

Brown-eyed Beauties can pull off any color from brights to pastels, but let’s take a step back from the rainbow and desaturate. Gray gets a bad rap as a dull makeup option, but the slate shade transforms on brown eyes! What makes this neutral pairing so magical? The silvery tones contrast with the warmth of chocolate eyes, intensifying their amber tones. Keep the look multi-dimensional with a shimmering pewter smoky eye.

Beautylish recommends: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Chrome Patina

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No More Creasing, Caking, and Flaking Makeup

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Finding it hard to apply your makeup during the chillier seasons? Cold air, winter sports, and indoor heating can make your foundation look cakey, lipstick flaky, and eye shadow too powdery. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to counteract the harsh conditions, and it all involves moisture. We spoke with New York City-based celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose (he works with Hillary Duff, Anne Hathaway, and Vera Farmiga) for some tips on how to keep your makeup flawless right now.

1 Skin

During wintertime your skin dries out extremely quickly, and can make foundation application tricky—even if you've moisturized! For beautiful, dewy coverage, Nick advises tailoring your foundation to your skin type. "When you've got makeup on, your skin dries out even faster than normal,” he says. "To combat dryness, mix face cream with liquid foundation for a healthy glow.” It's also a good idea to apply a serum or moisturizer after your makeup. "Powder blush can look pasty on winter skin, so adding a little cream or serum on top will give you a sheen that looks fresh," explains Nick.

2 Eyes

While your lids may smear in the summer, they're likely to produce less oil in the winter, causing shadows to look too powdery. "Opt for a cream shadow in winter," suggests Nick. "The formula won't run or get greasy, and it won't look too powdery." It's also important to pay attention to your lashes. "Eye lashes do dry out in the cold weather, and they take a lot of abuse from curling, mascara, and eye makeup remover," says Nick. Try and use a lash serum before bed to give them some extra love.

3 Lips

Your lips are the first place to age and dry out (as they don't have any oil glands) so it's extra important to pay attention to them in the winter. Always moisturize your pout with a lip balm (use whatever formula you prefer) but opt for conditioning and gel formulas when picking a color. "The best lip products in winter are gel formula pencils," says Nick. "A regular lip pencil can be too opaque and can make chapped lips look even worse, but a gel formula will glide on smoothly."

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Fight the Frizz!

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Beauties, are you sick of looking in the mirror and watching your blow-out go from fab to frizzy? We know how frustrating that is, so we spoke with New York City-based celebrity hairstylist and owner of Cutler salon, Rodney Cutler (he gave Emma Watson her incredible pixie cut!) to get some insider tricks and tips on how to prevent extra fluff and flyaways.

The first step to smooth, silky locks starts in the shower. "During wintertime your hair gets frizzy from lack of moisture, whereas in the summer it's the opposite," explains Rodney. This means that it's extra important to keep your hair hydrated in the colder months—either with a hair mask or leave-in conditioner. "When you've finished washing your hair, give it a final rinse with cool water," advises Rodney. "The cool water will help to seal the cuticle and lock in the moisture." Leaving the cuticle open and exposing it to cold winds and hot air from indoor heating is what dries out your hair and lifts the cuticle higher, making it look frizzy.

It's also extremely important to ensure your cuticle stays sealed during your blow-dry. "Always—even in summer—use the cool setting at the end of your blow-dry," explains Rodney. "And use a small nozzle! You may think that it's too time consuming, but without a nozzle you splay the hair, instead of smoothing the shaft downwards and forcing it to lay flat." Another important factor is product, and while there are plenty on the market, it's important to know the best way to apply them. Smoothing serums are ideal for taming frizz, but for the best results, blend them in with another product before applying. "Mix your smoothing serum in with your heat protectant and apply it as soon as you get out of the shower," says Rodney. "This way you’re more likely to apply the product from your roots up, rather than putting a dollop straight onto the top of your head, which can make your hair look oily!”

If it’s chilly or rainy outside, Rodney offers one last piece of advice. “Look for a beanie or hat with silk lining—materials such as wool and mohair can create static in your strands!” It’s also a great idea to wrap your hair in a silk scarf if it’s raining when you leave the hair salon. The headwrap will prevent your locks from frizzing up due to the humidity.

Beautylish recommends:

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Double-Winged Eye Liner

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Twice as nice! We've already shown you extreme cat eyes and fairy-winged effects, but there's another popular eye liner trend: Double wings! Beauties, many of you have already mastered a slew of creative ways to rock the eye-catching flourishes, so we rounded up a few of our favorite inspirational styles.

Bec W.

Bec rocked a neon rainbow effect complete with the most popular double-winged effect, which features a white shadow in between the two wings to highlight the small gap.

Tereska H.

Instead of opting for a split effect, Tereska connected her lower blue liner and upper eye liner yellow liner in one seamless swoop. We adore her use of eye-popping primary pastels!

Britney R.

Britney sported a mirrored wing effect. She replicated and reflected the classic bold cat eye on the lower lash which created a fish-like shape. For more wow factor, she added small dots and a third wing in a vibrant orange hue.

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Is This A Salad Or Skin Care?

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

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Body By Kit: Stand Up For Yourself

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Body by Kit

"Stand Up For Yourself" by Kit Rich

First impressions are always important, but at a job interview or in the dating world, they become critical. The other night I went on a blind date and my first impression of my set up—with his snug, sequined shirt, perfectly coiffed hair and wink of the eye—told me he was pretty self-absorbed and, quite frankly, just gross. Although initial impressions don’t always hold true, when he ended up talking about himself the whole night and didn’t ask any questions about me, my gut feeling turned out to be correct. I did take note, however, that he had great poise and that his good posture made him seem confident. Delusional, but confident.

While on the date, out of the corner of my eye, this woman in a killer dark blue dress passed by. The dress was so beautiful, I had to take a second look. I completely turned my head away from my date who was talking about blah-blah-blah. But I was quickly disappointed when I noticed the girl wearing the dress walked as though she had been sitting at a computer for 10 hours. Her shoulders were rolled forward and her head was hunched over as though she had a huge weight on the back of her skull. As beautiful as the dress was, she wasn’t doing it any justice, and more importantly, her poor posture wasn’t doing her any justice!

So for the rest of my date, I got to thinking about the significance of posture. Obviously, I was a bit bored and Mr. Sequin Shirt wouldn’t stop talking about himself.

Like my date, good posture can send a positive first impression to the world. Poor posture, however, gives off the impression that someone may be closed off, or that they don’t deem themselves worthy of good things. Imagine giving that impression on a dream job interview! Studies have shown that an upright spine, open chest, and eye contact give off the vibe of power, self-confidence, attractiveness and, yes, intelligence. The brain picks up messages from the body, and if the chest is open, with the spine erect, the viewer’s brain reacts positively. On the other end, if the shoulders are slouched and head is down, the person looking at you gets the opposite signal. Good posture also creates the illusion that a person is taller and slimmer. Who wouldn’t want that, right?

Poor posture can also contribute to digestion problems, back pain, back aches and poor blood circulation. But with proper posture, your muscles work properly to keep bones and joints in proper alignment. It decreases the risk of strains, arthritis and prevents fatigue since the muscles are being used more efficiently. Lastly, it prevents the risk of irregular breathing patterns that can cause anxiety.

So do yourself a favor. If right now, you are slouched over your computer reading this article, then follow this guide to bring yourself back to an upright position and discover a more confident and vibrant you!

What is your IDEAL POSTURE?
Ideally your spine should look like the letter “S,” where your ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles are all in one line with 3 natural curves of the spine. When standing against a wall, your head, back of your shoulders, backside, and heels should touch the wall. You will notice there are natural curves between the neck and the lower back.

HOW TO PREVENT POOR POSTURE:

Recognition and Determination

The first step is to recognize that you have poor posture. When sitting, does your back look like the letter “C”? When driving, are your shoulders rolled forward and head tilted? Are you leaning into your right side with your left leg up on the seat? Only through conscious awareness can you change your body. However, it takes everyday determination and discipline to correct and improve your posture. So stay on it! Over time, you will feel the difference.

Sleep On Your Back

For many of us, this is extremely hard to do. But sleeping on your back with a pillow underneath your knees helps to keep the spine in proper alignment. If you must sleep on your side, make sure not to pull your knees all the way into your chest. You should have a slight bend of the knees, and place a pillow in between your knees. Always make sure to have a pillow underneath your head so that it is in the same alignment as your neck. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach as it can aggravate both the neck and back.

Make eye contact when talking and listening

Making eye contact with a person helps to keep your head up and shoulders back. It’s also great practice for improving self confidence! You deserve to be heard, so focus on the person you’re speaking to.

Conscious Sitting and Standing

At the computer, make sure to sit at the back of the chair so that your backside is touching. Make sure both feet are placed on the floor. Do not cross your legs. Pull your shoulders back and down and make sure your ears are right over your shoulders. Try to avoid sitting for more than 30 minutes. Every half hour, get up, walk around, and then return back to your chair.

When standing, try to keep your weight evenly distributed on both feet, with the weight more on the front of your foot, instead of on the heels. Also try to keep your shoulders back and down and ears over your shoulders. Try to engage your lower abdominals and feel them pull in and up as though they are zippering up your spine.

Be mindful when lifting heavy objects

Most people hinge forward with their legs locked straight when reaching for a heavy object. The best approach is to bend deeply as though you are in a squat position. Keep your chest upright and bend down so much that you can pick up the object using the power of your legs to lift, instead of your back. Always remember to keep your abdominals engaged.

Core Strengthening and Stretching

If you are weak in your abdominals or tight throughout your body, improving your strength and increasing flexibility can help improve posture and relieve back pain.

Watch this video to learn some exercises!

Kit Rich is Los Angeles-based fitness trainer with endless exercise and nutritional know-how. Hollywood's hottest stars are addicted to Kit's unique, multi-disciplined approach that combines cardio, yoga, Pilates, and weight training. Kit's clients are immediately taken by her funny and honest approach to health and fitness. She treats her clients as she treats herself, "with a hard challenge, sensibility, sensitively, and a good laugh." Follow Kit on Twitter @kitrichfitness

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Counter Confidential: Unintentional Shoplifting

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Counter Confidential

"Unintentional Shoplifting" by Undercover Beauty Agent

The hardest part about working in a department store is knowing that you are always being watched. There are cameras everywhere, and a security guard stands at every corner. My store fully believes in prosecuting “criminals” to the fullest extent of the law, but sometimes these so-called criminals aren't even aware that they are breaking the law.

On slow nights, my counter focuses on cleaning and putting out new testers. Testers are easily contaminated or broken, so we need to change them frequently. Every store has a different way of making testers, but most of the time there’s a policy to account for lost merchandise. This means we input testers into a computer as damaged goods. It’s our way of knowing how much stock we have left, and to make sure that no one steals product.

One night, a customer was looking at eye liners. Many of the testers were missing because we were in the process of putting out new liners for people to try out. After I explained this to her, I asked if she needed help. She seemed a little annoyed that I was talking so much, and said she knew what she was looking for.

Not wanting to crowd the eye liner client, I went to help someone else. Less than five minutes later, three huge security guards came out of nowhere and escorted the lady to security. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but I noticed a few eye pencils had gone missing.

I quickly ran up to the security office to ask for our product back since we were running low on stock. The woman was in a seat, crying. She claimed that she hadn’t taken anything. She was just swatching colors. The security guards told me that I couldn’t get the products back because they were damaged.

The woman had wanted to test the quality and color of the liner. Since the testers weren’t out, she grabbed and opened a new box to try the pencil on her wrist. Technically, this is considered stealing. She was damaging and contaminating brand new product without buying it. The woman had unintentionally ruined over a hundred dollars worth of merchandise. If only she had asked for a tester!

I’ve noticed a few customers open new boxes to look at products, and then put them back. When you really think about it, it’s a little gross. What if they touched it with their fingers? I wouldn’t want to buy products that could have been contaminated, which is why this security precaution is important.

Always keep in mind that artists are there to help. If you can’t find something, ask us. It could mean the difference between freedom and facing fines, embarrassment, and serious criminal charges.

Undercover Beauty Agent is just an average makeup artist at your local beauty counter who's reporting true stories exclusively for Beautylish: "I love what I do because I get to make people feel beautiful on a daily basis. I'm a beauty advisor in New York City by day and a secret beauty agent by night, totally ready to share all my insider secrets and gossip."

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DIY Milk Beauty Recipes

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Milk is an amazing topical skin care ingredient found in many lotions, bath mixes, and cleansing milks. An ancient beauty secret that spans back to Egypt and Greece, Cleopatra was known for bathing in the stuff, and ancient Greeks used yogurt (a milk by-product) like Americans use Vaseline—on just about everything! Milk contains high levels of vitamins A, D, E, which is why dairy products are fantastic anti-inflammatories and great for soothing burns. Milk also contains lactic acid, which is a natural skin exfoliant. Since the extraordinary liquid is already sitting in your fridge for your morning breakfast, give these time-honored milk beauty recipes a try!

ROMANTIC CHOCOLATE MILK BATH

3 cups whole milk (if you prefer powdered milk, use 2 cups)
5 Tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
3 Tbsp raw cacao powder Available at health-food stores
½ cup epsom salts
1 cup cornstarch

Nothing says romance like the sensual scent of chocolate, and this saccharine milk bath will leave your skin feeling touchable and soft for any encounter! Fill up your bathtub with hot water until it’s 75% full. In a separate large bowl, mix all of your ingredients together. Then, pour the liquid mixture into your bathtub and enjoy your soak for at least 20 minutes!

NOURISHING MILK & HONEY FACIAL SCRUB

3 Tbsp milk (choose whole milk for drier skin)
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tsp raw oatmeal, crumbled

Mix all your ingredients together in a bowl until they form a thick paste. Apply the mixture onto clean skin and massage for a few minutes with your fingers. Rinse the scrub with lukewarm water and a washcloth and pat dry.

SOOTHING HONEY CUCUMBER CLEANSING MILK

1 chamomile tea bag
2 Tbsp clear honey
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 Tbsp whole milk

Boil a cup of tea and leave the chamomile bag in the cup to steep and cool. Peel, seed, and mash your cucumber, then strain out the pulp with a fork to retain the juice. Stir the honey into the cucumber juice, and add the milk. Apply this mixture onto your skin with a cotton pad or washcloth, and use your cooled chamomile tea or water to gently wipe off the milk.

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5 Ways to Get Out of Your Color Rut!

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

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The Best of New York Fashion Week

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

View this slideshow on Beautylish

Beautylish Articles

The Best of London Fashion Week

Color-Correcting Your Complexion

GREEN

LILAC

PINK

APRICOT

Cupcake Nails!

Diet Foods That Don't Work

How-To: Mardi Gras Makeup

Make Your Eye Color Pop!

For Green Eyes

For Hazel Eyes

For Blue Eyes

For Brown Eyes

No More Creasing, Caking, and Flaking Makeup

1 Skin

2 Eyes

3 Lips

Fight the Frizz!

Double-Winged Eye Liner

Bec W.

Tereska H.

Britney R.

Is This A Salad Or Skin Care?

Body By Kit: Stand Up For Yourself

Body by Kit

"Stand Up For Yourself" by Kit Rich

Recognition and Determination

Sleep On Your Back

Make eye contact when talking and listening

Conscious Sitting and Standing

Be mindful when lifting heavy objects

Core Strengthening and Stretching

Counter Confidential: Unintentional Shoplifting

Counter Confidential

"Unintentional Shoplifting" by Undercover Beauty Agent

DIY Milk Beauty Recipes

ROMANTIC CHOCOLATE MILK BATH

NOURISHING MILK &amp; HONEY FACIAL SCRUB

SOOTHING HONEY CUCUMBER CLEANSING MILK

5 Ways to Get Out of Your Color Rut!

The Best of New York Fashion Week

NOURISHING MILK & HONEY FACIAL SCRUB