Beautylish Articles

The Next Wave of Eco-Friendly Nail Color

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Harmful chemicals can destroy your nails, and while most nail polishes claim to be 3-free, there are some brands focusing on removing even more of the nasty stuff from your beloved bottle of color.Eco-friendly 'green' nail polishes are getting more and more popular, and they aren’t lacking in the color, texture, or quality departments. We rounded up our three favorite earth-friendly lacquers.

USLU Airlines

These Berlin-based, 5-free nail polishes are available in super-vivid, pop-tastic colors, and don't contain any of the nail nasties: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde resin and camphor. The formula is thin but extremely pigmented, and provides an opaque wash of color after only two coats.

NailEzee

With some of the best color options we've seen, (everything from neon yellow to cement gray) Nailezee's polishes are completely free of harmful chemicals (in other words, 5-free). Their special effects line certainly doesn’t disappoint, either,—sparkle, shimmer, and metallics—so get painting!

Peacekeeper

Peacekeeper polishes are, like our other picks, 5-free, cruelty-free and vegan, so they're perfect for earth- (and animal!) conscious nail painters. The silky formula applies smoothly sans streaks, and lasted nearly a week without chipping!

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Bold Beauty, Down Under

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Australian Fashion Week has wrapped, but it wasn’t the clothing we swooned over, it was the beauty! From traffic-stopping lipstick to Egyptian-inspired eye makeup, models walked to a different kind of beat Down Under. All of the vibrant looks got us thinking—why are designers from Oz more willing to experiment with bolder beauty on the catwalk, rather than the mainstream, minimalist approach we see on runways at Milan, Paris, and New York fashion weeks?

Makeup artist (and fellow Aussie!) Napoleon Perdis created looks for 15 of the shows this season, and credits Australian designers with a freshness and nonchalance that others designers around the world just simply don’t have. “Aussies don’t care what anyone else thinks of them,” explains Napoleon. “They’re surrounded by incredible beauty and light, and they want the clothes and makeup to reflect that. They want the models to look happy, fresh and cool, and Aussie women aren’t afraid to try something new!”

Designers such as Magdalena Valeska and We Are Handsome weren’t afraid to push the boundaries, and painted models lips in traffic-stopping shades of electric yellow, hot pink and red. “With Magdalena’s show, there was almost an aquatic feel, so we wanted the girls to look really fresh, but still pretty. Those lips just scream hello!” says Napoleon. “Just like with their fashion, girls in Australia see beauty as more about creating art than just making themselves look pretty.”

Toni Maticevski and Camilla were also favorites of the Beautylish team, each show sporting variations of dramatic eye liner effects. “I love Toni’s style!” exclaims Napoleon. “He’s another example of a designer that represents the mindset of Australians. He has his own style and he isn’t afraid to create what he wants, no matter how crazy it is!” The Nefertiti-inspired eyes were a mix of Old-Hollywood and Egyptian glamour, while Camilla’s gypsy, jet-set chic saw red eye liner elongating eyes. “Both of those designers have very specific styles and are willing to push the boundaries,” says Napoleon. The creative, imaginative mindset found at Australian Fashion Week reaches the makeup counter as well. “I sell a lot more color from my line in Australia rather than the US,” says Napoleon. “My Aussie consumers aren’t afraid to experiment and love to try a bright shade, whereas the US consumer is more focused on primer and foundation.” Whether it harks back to the incredible, lush landscape of the island continent, or a carefree attitude in general, Aussie gals know what they want, and aren’t afraid to try it.

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Music's Beauty Inspirations

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Music soothes your soul, but the artists who create it are inspiration for hair, makeup, and wardrobe! From Nicki Minaj’s candy-colored locks and pop-tastic makeup to Florence Welch’s boho-chic style, these Top 40 favorites can inspire a new eye shadow shade, vivid hair color, or pop of lipstick.

Pop-Tastic Princess

Nicki Minaj makes us want to wear all the colors from the rainbow, all at once! Whether she’s rocking pink hair, green hair, blue eye lashes or cotton candy colored lipstick, the feisty songstress always has fun with her look.

Harmonic Heroine

We’re in love with her melodic vocals, her red locks and her vintage gowns—is there anything Florence Welch can’t do? For all the girls who prefer to let their natural side show, this indie rocker is one to watch.

Hip Hoppin’

Azealia Banks’ shocking lyrics and downtown style may be taking the music world by storm, but we’re anxious to see what her beauty statement will be. She currently mixes street style with Mickey Mouse and previously rocked fiery red locks, but really, who knows what will be next?

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Summer’s Most Coveted Lip Look

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Firecrackers. Big Sticks. Push Pops. Do we have your attention? Come summertime, the holiest sound on the street comes from the ice cream truck. The entire neighborhood clamors to the man dressed in white, eager to dish out his frozen, artificially dyed treats. Ah, sugar-bound memories. Colorants aside, have you ever really noticed a little kid eating a Popsicle? Besides the sticky mess and huge, brazen smile, we observe the effect of the actual pop. Subtle ombré tints, practically fluorescent stains, and a perfectly supple, wet texture emerge from a simple summer tradition: noshing on flavored ice. For us adults, it's difficult to sneak in an Otter Pop midday, but these grownup-friendly beauty alternatives will let you relive one of your most delicious childhood memories.

SMASHBOX Limitless Lip Stain & Color Seal Balm in Sangria

Nothing's worse than dry, darkened lips on a hot summer day. To preserve a temporary stain—from food or otherwise—look to Smashbox's ingenious stain and seal system. Pairing a felt marker-tipped tint with a complementary emollient balm, use this double-ended wonder to lock in any lip dyes. Dab the marker in the center of the lips and blend out with your finger, then slather the balm liberally on top.

CLARINS Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Violet

These hybrid pigment-gels are utterly genius! Housed in a elliptical silver lipstick case, the pigmented center of the bullet is encased by a thick layer of solid, hydrating gel (envision the Earth's mantle surrounding its center). Upon application, the center of the tube deposits the most pigment onto your inner lips, and the translucent gel diffuses the color outward, creating a naturally ombré neon violet tint.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Super Lip Gloss in Electric Orange 26

We've never quite been able to reproduce the dewy-lipped finish of a Popsicle until we met this runway staple of glosses. Make Up For Ever’s cult-favorite tube has been a model favorite for years, but we just got our hands on the tangerine hue that's taking the beauty world by storm. Apply a slick layer of this stay-put lacquer for supple, wet, and long-lasting shine.

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Beauty Inspiration for the Daring Bride

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

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Loathe or Love: Brow Art

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

There are plenty of ways to decorate your face, (and body!) but have you paid much attention to your brows? Not just the perfect face-framers, your arches are another outlet to let your creativity shine. We were in awe of the brow-dazzling at Chanel’s fall/winter show where tweed, crystal-covered strips of fabrics replaced models brows for an awesome statement-making look. Gone are the days when artistic flair was limited to a tweezer—now we’re seeing shaved, dyed, pierced, even bejewelled brows! (check out Catherine G!). From punk rockers to the girl next door, it seems everyone is giving the A-ok for embellishment! Vote and let us know in the comments below, do you loathe or love a creative brow?

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Super Summer Breakfast Smoothie

Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to eating healthy. Knowing which ingredients to buy and meals to prepare can be confusing and time consuming, not to mention costly! So to help you out, we spoke with nutritionist and author of The Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous Project: 3 Months to a New You, Esther Blum, for a recipe that will give you plenty of fiber to jump-start your day, curb sugary cravings, and help burn fat.

Full of good-for-you ingredients, a homemade smoothie is one of the easiest ways for a beginner to start a new healthy lifestyle plan. “Although this drink may look a little gross, it tastes delicious, almost like a chocolate milkshake!” exclaims Esther. “Kale is one of the best detoxifying vegetables out there, so it’s going to help clean out your system, and paired with the cocoa powder, you can’t even taste it.” Whey (or rice) protein gives you energy to start your day. It also helps keep your mental focus steady, and curbs any saccharine cravings. “If your breakfast is sugary, you’re setting yourself up to want sweet things all day long,” explains Esther. This smoothie also cuts out yogurt and milk, as dairy can have an inflammatory and fattening effect—causing weight gain around your middle. “If you want to power up your smoothie even more, add a tablespoon of coconut oil,” suggests Esther. “The oil bypasses your stomach and goes straight to your liver, so it helps to burn fat. It’s also incredibly moisturizing for your skin and hair!”

Super Summer Smoothie Recipe!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw spinach or kale
2 scoops of whey or rice protein (or a mix of both)
½ cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 Tbsp of organic cocoa powder
Cup of unsweetened almond, rice, or coconut milk
½ cup water

DIRECTIONS

Place all of your ingredients in a blender (Esther recommends a Vitamix), pulse until smooth, and enjoy!

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Paint, Pour, Polish

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but leave it up to artist Holton Rower, and you’ll find it flowing along the floor. We have been mesmerized by Rower’s multi-tonal, sinuous creations, which he achieves by pouring paint onto flat surfaces in multiple layers. And when the artist paired up with an iconic beauty brand, it was a recipe for magic! Rower was recently in New York to collaborate on a special artwork with Dior to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brands nail polish, Le Vernis. With the inclusion of five Dior nail polishes, Rower hand-poured the installation below, live, using the actual lacquers to form an abstract psychedelic pattern. Somewhat reminiscent of Jackson Pollock’s splattered, organic style, we are in awe of the color, technique, and beauty of Rower's work. Whether you create your art with a makeup brush and shadow palette, or pour your polishes on the floor, beauty is around us in every direction.

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My Little Pony Meets Melrose Avenue

Sat, 12 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Few people who grew up in the '80s and '90s can deny owning at least one My Little Pony. Even though it's one of the original cult-favorite toys (before Furby and Beanie Babies), MLP's style fits in with the colorful looks that are all around us today. Hasbro recently launched My Little Pony Project: Friendship is Magic, a charitable art exhibition in Los Angeles, and asked a number of our favorite artists to interpret Pony sculptures with their own unique flair.

On May 5th, Melrose turned magical as numerous galleries and shops participated with opening receptions for their My Little Pony exhibitions. We spotted Beautylish besties Sugarpill Cosmetics and artist Malcolm Stuart, each with their own interpretations of the magically maned creatures.

At Toy Art Gallery's event, curated by Sweet Streets, Sugarpill Cosmetics co-founder and creative director Kevin Marburg displayed his gorgeous digital My Little Pony collage. The Lolita-esque piece was so well-received that it was chosen to promote the exhibition!

Meanwhile, more MLP fans gathered outside of Joyrich L.A. for the unveiling of the shop's own My Little Pony, created by artist Malcolm Stuart. He collaborated with Joyrich to design the amazing La Ponique Magnifique. "I’m an artist who employs a measured and selective dose of pop culture, but with a strong leaning toward the wild and strange," said Malcolm that evening. "With Joyrich, I feel like I get to be myself, which is super cool."

With a pink-to-sky blue curly mane and a beaded, braided tail to match, this Pony is on point! For accessories she has a thick gold chain with a Joyrich nameplate and is adorned with roses and other citrusy, summer highlights to match a print from the latest Joyrich collection. La Ponique Magnifique's eyeshadow look is inspired by a tropical sunset statement eye that Malcolm found on Beautylish!

Check out more photos from Joyrich L.A. My Little Pony event below!

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Every Mother Counts

Sat, 12 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

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Nail Filing Fundamentals

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Okay, you're probably thinking: Nail files—is there really more to know? The answer is a resounding YES! Like the products you use on your fingertips, the nail file you choose can have direct impact on the health and look of your next manicure. We tracked down Manhattan-based nail goddess Jin Soon Choi for even more filing know-how.

ROCK VS. PAPER

With glass and ceramic materials gaining in popularity, what's really the distinction between these delicate files and the sandpapered norm? "The biggest difference is that emery nail files can't be sterilized, while ceramic and glass files can be washed and soaked in a liquid solution," explains Jin, who works backstage with Revlon at Fashion Week. Emery files work faster—conversely, you can't work with ceramic files as quickly, and they can break easily. "I'm used to using emery nail files because they're so diverse: size, thickness, degree of grain—so I can select the best one for the nail I’m working with, which ranges from real to fake," admits Jin. "But because glass and ceramic nail files are the least abrasive, I use them on very thin and weak nails."

THE GRITTY TRUTH

Emery boards are not all created equal, as grit sizes range from ultra-fine to coarse. "Stick with a grit size of 180 to 280 [the higher, the finer]—it's best for basic filing and shaping on natural nails," suggests Jin. Whenever possible, use a long nail file for extra dexterity—mini files are handy for purse touch-ups, but a long nail file is much easier to use. And what about buffing? Sometimes it’s hard to resist the urge to erase obvious ridges and an uneven surface texture using the first filer you find, but is it doing more harm than good? "If you buff, use the finest grain [900 to 12000 grit size] and rub gently—a hard, coarse-grained buffer will destroy your nails," advises Jin.

THE SHAPE OF THINGS

"Filing nails one direction to the other used to be the nail school standard, but it's okay to gently rock back and forth from corner to corner using a very fine-grain nail file," says Jin. It's a pressure balance, however, and with too much force you risk splitting the nail at the tip.

"For a square shape, I like to file the tip of the nail first; this establishes the final length of the nail," explains Jin. "Then I continue on to the edges of the nail to balance out the square." For a round shape, Jin starts at the sides, gradually segueing to the tip because a round shape nail is more of a gradual taper. "The key is not to rush," she adds. "If you try to work too fast, you risk removing too much nail material on one side which forces you to remove a matching amount on the other side. Filing nails is not much different from cutting hair."

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3 Ways to Wear Schiaparelli's Pink

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

Anyone with even an inkling of fashion interest has already seen the press surrounding the Met Gala. "The Oscar's of Fashion," as it’s fondly referred to, celebrates the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s annual spring show. This year, the museum chose to honor two leading ladies of 20th- and 21st-century Italian design: Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, in an exhibition titled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. Met Gala attendees—everyone from Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna to Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford—pulled out the stops on Monday night. Wearing peplum gowns, swathed sequin numbers, and vibrant neon prints, fashion and entertainment’s elite dazzled on the steps of the grand New York landmark. But it was Coco Rocha who truly embraced the theme of the evening; wearing a vintage lemon Givenchy pantsuit owned by Elizabeth Taylor, a huge smile, and the honored guest of the evening on her lips, locks, and tips: Schiaparelli's shocking pink.

Elsa Schiaparelli was known as many things in her lifetime,—Chanel famously referred to her rival as "that Italian artist who makes clothes”—but boring was not one of them. One of fashion's most daring pioneers, she took the art of clothing to a quasi-philosophical level, collaborating with early 20th century Surrealist and Dada artists such as Salvador Dalí on unheard creations painted with fantastical creatures—their 1937 “Lobster” dress is among Schiaparelli’s most well-known designs (and was reinterpreted by Prada as a custom gown for Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour).

Prominently celebrated for her elaborate prints and previously unknown silhouettes, Schiaparelli also dabbled in the world of beauty, launching eight perfumes in her lifetime. Her first, 1936's "Shocking," was best-known for its sinuous, torso-sculpted bottle (a precursor to Jean Paul Gaultier's iconic bottle, perhaps?) and its vibrant, energetic pink packaging. Her design inevitably became synonymous with the color, reflecting her fascination with the dynamic and unexpected. Today, we know this hue as Schiaparelli's signature.

A woman truly ahead of her time, the pure and resonant tones of this particular pink reflect the zest and imagination of any who dare to challenge the senses. Even legendary makeup artist François Nars named his best-selling shade of jilted pink lipstick and nail polish in honor of Schiap, as she was nicknamed. So it's with this inspiration that we come back to the present. While the legacy and spirit of Schiaparelli’s pink lives on in the beauty world, we want you to push the limits even further. Here are three ideas to shock your senses.

LIGHT

There’s nothing quite like the pop between pale skin and a crisp, semi-matte pink lip. Line your lips with a coordinating lip liner, then layer and blot a few coats of color until application is perfected. Keep your complexion ultra-glowy with highlighter, and load on black mascara for balance.

Beautylish recommends:

Nars Lipstick in Schiap (how could we resist!?)

MEDIUM

The eyes have it! Sharply wing a thin line of hot pink along your upper lid, and coat your lashes with violet-tinted mascara for a vivid play on color-contrast. To play up the color at the lash line, keep your crease and brow bone bare and gleaming with a shimmering champagne shadow. Finally, powder your cheeks with coral blush for a subtle, refreshing pop.

Beautylish recommends:

Sugarpill Cosmetics Pressed Eye Shadow in Dollipop

DARK

Your complexion was made for a flush of flaming pink. Use a stippling brush to layer on a clear, not muddled, color. The hue should appear as bright and translucent on your skin as as possible. Keep the eye and lip drama to a minimum, so the focus stays on your glowing-hot skin.

Beautylish recommends:

NYX Cosmetics Rouge Cream Blush in Hot Pink

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Beauty Detox: Skin-Plumping Lunch Plate

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Easy to make, nutritious lunches are hard to find—especially when you're traveling, trying to get to school, or make it to work on time! Luckily, celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder's recipe for an avocado tomato lunch plate mixes nourishing good-for-you beauty fats with delicious flavor. "Avocado is one of the best types of heart-healthy fat that you can put into your body," says Kim. "It provides moisturizing monounsaturated fats that plump and nourish skin with fiber and potassium—a mineral that balances the sodium in your diet, which in turn prevents high blood pressure.” Tomatoes also contain plenty of benefits, and are especially nutritious when eaten with avocados. “Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene—a potent antioxidant that prevents cancer, heart disease, and high cholesterol,” explains Kim.

Avocado Tomato Lunch Plate

INGREDIENTS

1 large roma tomato or 2 small plum tomatoes
1 medium avocado
Handful of basil leaves
Black pepper to taste
Celtic sea salt to taste (optional)
½ Tbsp olive oil (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Cut the tomato into thin slices, and arrange over a plate. Then, cut the avocado in half lengthwise using a large, sharp knife, and twist the halves to separate them. Lift out the pit with the knife and spoon the avocado out from each half of the peel. Carefully slice the avocado into strips.
Place the avocado strips on top of the tomato slices, and sprinkle the basil leaves on top. Drizzle the plate with olive oil and seasonings to taste.

Kimberly Snyder is a Los Angeles-based celebrity nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution. She began her work after journeying through 50 countries and six continents, learning about health and beauty from many different cultures. With a philosophy rooted in the belief that outer beauty is a reflection of inner health, Kim now works with clients such as Hilary Duff, Olivia Wilde, and Drew Barrymore. Get lots of health and beauty tips by following her on Twitter at @kimsbeautydetox.

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How-To: Dark Shadows-Inspired Makeup

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

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Sleeping Beauty’s Skin Care Secret

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Ever wondered why Sleeping Beauty had such healthy, glowing skin (at least in Disney movies!). A good—and long—night’s rest for sure, but maybe she used our newest skin care obsession: Overnight face masks! Created specifically for your snoozing skin, these masks are designed to be applied right before you hit your pillow, and supply a much needed boost of moisture (and plenty of other skin-enhancing ingredients) while you doze. But what makes them so special compared to overnight serums or facial treatments?

While all masks contain a distinct cocktail of different ingredients, overnight mask formulas are designed to penetrate the skin and disperse large quantities of good-for-you ingredients while you snooze. Your skin heals and repairs itself faster during sleep due to hormonal fluxes and higher cell turnover, and as a result, it’s highly reactant to product and heavily absorbs whatever you slather on before bed. This is why an overnight mask can work so well nocturnally. Your skin also loses a ton of moisture while you sleep as your body temperature rises, and overnight masks work to replenish the loss.

Beautylish recommends:

Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

Our skin lapped up this tropical drink-scented mask! Ingredients such as orange peel wax, avocado oil, mango butter and apricot kernel oil deliver hydration and permeate the skin's surface, and your face will feel incredibly soft and plump upon waking.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

The delightful scent and soft, creamy texture feel like absolute luxury when applying this mask to your face, and you'll notice an immediate difference come sunrise! Concentrated vitamin C works to brighten skin, and Imperata cylindrica root extract (a desert plant) helps to regulate moisture levels. Use the sleeping facial nightly for a noticeable improvement in your complexion.

Caudalie Moisturizing Cream Mask

Caudalie's key ingredient is the purest of grape water, intended to provide an intense boost of hydration and antioxidants to the skin on a cellular level. The thick, creamy formula needs extra time to penetrate the skin, so even the deepest layers are taken care of.

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