The Wisdom Of Young Ladies

The Best and Worst Makeup I've Bought This Year

2010-09-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

So I've spent a bit of money this year trying out different drugstore makeup and I've found some products which I absolutely adore, while others have failed to impress me. So let's start off with with foundation products (I'll do another post for eye makeup).

L'oreal Bare Naturale foundation: 9/10

This product I've used for a while now. I find it gives good coverage and a very natural looking finish. I use it by itself or to set liquid foundation, and I even use it as a concealer by taking the powder on a small brush and dabbing it over hard to conceal spots. The product design is just as good as the actual product itself. The kabooki brush fits nicely inside the dispenser making it easy to get enough product without making a mess of everything. This is a major issue I have with other mineral foundation I've used, and none of those even begin to compare with this one.

L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation: 3/10

Now, I know this is a liquid foundation that most people adore, but I hardly want to use it. For the $9 I spent on it, it was a complete waste of money. I dislike the bottle design because it's hard to get the correct aount of product. I either pour too much or not enough and it just makes a mess. It was extremely hard to pick my shade. I ended up buying C3 which seems too dark, but C2 was way too light for me. To get a perfect shade I'd probably have to buy a botle of each and mix them together, and I'm not willing to spend $18 on a foundation like this. The product claims to be "all day wear" but I found that it just smears off on everything. I usually put my foundation on first, then do my eyes, and when I take a tissue gently to wipe any fall out off, the foundation just wipes off. You may say I'm wiping it off with the tissue, but I don't even put any pressure and it comes off. I don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but this just makes it an awful foundation to me. I've gotten better products for half that price.

Maybelline Pure Makeup Foundation: 7/10

I've used this product for a long time as well. It's very easy to get my correct shade and it goes on easy. The product comes in a tube which you squeeze the product out of. I always get just enough and it doesn't make a huge mess. It's a slightly thinner formula which goes on very smoothly with a foundation brush. It gives good coverage and has a pretty matte finish, which is great for those of us with oily or combo skin. I would not recommend it though if you have dry skin because it'll just make you look drier.

Maybelline Mineral Powder Natural Perfecting Powder Foundation: 5/10

After using the L'oreal mineral powder, this was just unimpressive. It doesn't give near the coverage that the other powder did. The brush is small and feels rough on my skin and doesn't give a good application at all. Plus, the dispenser is so much larger than the brush, so no matter how you try to get product on the brush, your hands end up covered in powder as well as your clothes. As a foundation, it just doesn't work for me. I ended up using a different brush and using the powder to set other foundation for photoshoots to cover up oily spots. I've used it on top of my Maybelline liquid foundation, and it might just be my skin, but the combo made my face very itchy, but it's fine if I use either of the two by itself.

Maybelline SUper Stay 24hr Concealer: 7/10

As a concealer, it's alright. It covers, but maybe I'm using it wrong because it doesn't stay 24 hours. I use it under my liquid foundation and it always wipes a bit away during application, but if I apply it after my foundation, I can't blend it and it looks bad (could be wrong shade now that I'm a little tan). I use this as an eye primer rather than a normal concealer. I dab some on my eyelid and blend it up to my eyebrow and my under eye. It leaves my eye looking really light, but it covers up any darkness and it looks good once I apply my eye makeup on top. Plus it keeps my shadow in place all day. I would definitely recommend this as an eye primer, especially if you have oily lids like me.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation: 8/10

ANother tube foundation which applies smoothly. I find it easier to use with my fingers than a brush, but it gives good coverage and has a dewy appearance which looks good on a dry to normal skin, but would just make oily skin look oilier. I haven't worn it for 25 hours, so I can't confirm it's claim, but I have worn it all day and it lasts a very long time which is great for only costing me $6. I would recommend this one as well.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder 720A Sunny: 9/10

This bronzer is amazing to me. It's a matte color and works well for building up a natural glow and contouring your face. I use it on my temples and my cheek bones to slim my face and it just add a nice dimension to undo that 2D appearance your foundation gives your face. It really slims your face and makes you look very healthy. I have heard that NYC discontinued it for a while, but they DID bring it back, but I can't guarantee that it's here to stay forever.

Well I hope this was useful to you, and I'd love to hear feedback about any of these products and your personal experience or other products you'd like to review.

Have a great day!

Victorious

2010-03-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

So, lately I've been mildly obsessed with pin up styles. You know, cat eyeliner, red lips, and especially the hair. So I'm gonna do a quick step by step on creating the perfect Victory Roll. Personally, I part my hair on one side and have one victory roll made of a large chunk of that hair, but you can do as many or as few as you like.

There are a few different ways to achieve Victory Rolls. Which method you find easiest will probably depend on the length and texture of your hair. Victory Rolls can be worn as “wings”, one on either side of a centre part; asymmetrically, with one smaller and one larger roll on either side of a side part; or with an extreme side part for a daring evening look.

Method One – Making Victory Rolls With the Pin Curl Metho

1940s hairstyles often featured pin curls – round curls made by coiling strands of hair up into hollow circles. This method uses the same technique to make Victory Rolls.

Begin by parting your hair as desired – a centre part, side part or extreme side part. Generally women with round faces are better suited to side parts. Whichever part you choose, section the hair off from the part to behind the ear on each side.
Use a boar bristle brush to smooth one section of hair. Hold the section of hair by its ends and carefully roll it up, catching any stray hairs and incorporating them into the circle of hair as you roll. Make sure the hair is rolled flat, not twisted, and roll towards the centre of the head.
When the circle of hair has reached the scalp, arrange it next to the part and use bobby pins to secure the curl. A little primping and the use of some hair spray may be required to get the desired upsweep from the face.
Repeat the method with the hair on the other side of the part. Try to position the second curl evenly with the first.

Method Two – Making Victory Rolls With Hair Rats

If your hair is long or has a lot of taper towards the hemline, you may find the pin curl method tricky. Using hair rats helps make the rolling process easier, and produces Victory Rolls that are longer and more sausage-shaped than the curls of the previous method.

Part hair as in previous method. Hold the section of hair by its ends and roll up around a short hair rat (you can make your own or purchase foam or net rats from beauty supply stores). Smooth any loose hairs over the roll as you go.
When the hair has been rolled up to the scalp, position the rat and use bobby pins to secure. Make sure you arrange the hair so the rat is completely covered and not visible.

Repeat with the hair on the other side of the part.

Method Three – Making Victory Rolls With the Loop Method

This method is handy for hair that just won’t roll up, even with rats. Very long, tapered or layered hair may benefit from this method. The loop method is also handy for 1940s hairstyles that require a lot of back hair.

Part hair as in the other two methods. Use a boar bristle brush to smooth the section of hair for one roll.
Then twist the strand of hair gently, close to the scalp, in the direction away from the part. Form a loop with the hair close to the scalp, and pin in place like a regular Victory Roll, leaving the remaining hair hanging down under the loop. The loop should face towards the part.
Repeat with the other side. These rolls are smaller than in the other two methods, as the rolls contain less hair (one loop instead of the whole length). To compensate, the sections of hair used can be larger, or the loops can be “poofed” out higher with hairspray.Using a leash / harness in no way implies bad parenting.

Tips for Making Victory Rolls

Lightly spray the rolls and hold your hand at the side of your head, gently cupping and pushing the hair upward, while the spray dries. This prevents the rolls from sagging.
Use a boar bristle brush to sleek the front hair before making the rolls.
If Victory Rolls don’t seem to suit you, experiment with different parts. Angle the rolls differently, try placing them further back on the head, closer together or farther apart. Make the rolls higher or lower. Most women will be able to find a style which flatters their face shape.

Here's a quick video tutorial on how to do a "cheat" for victory rolls if rolling the whole strand of hair is too difficult. This vid is quite like Method Three.

Enjoy!

Quick Update

2010-01-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry lovelies. I've been out for awhile. I've been having a rough past few months, and am currently going through an nasty breakup, starting fresh at school, and dealing with lots of dental work! I had my wisdom teeth out 2 weeks ago and could barely eat again before I got braces put on today. Ay ay ay! So I'm hoping that once some of my drama settles down, I'll be able to get on more and post some wonderful new tips for you guys. If anyone can throw some ideas for my next post at me, I'd really appreciate the help.

Have a wonderful day ladies!

Feeling 40s?

2009-11-10T16:15:00.000-08:00

I think I have a recent obsession with vintage. I've been looking online for how to do the perfect vintage hairstyles, and the best online stores to get vintage(or recreation) clothing. Here's some of what I've found!

Unique Vintage:

http://www.unique-vintage.com/

This online store has some amazing clothes that aren't vintage, but still look the part. A little on the pricy side (most dresses range from US$80-200), but definitely worth it to recreate the look.

Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com

A great place to find real vintage clothes and accessories, especially if you can't get to an actual store. You can find all sorts of pieces in any price range, and most of them will fit into the average girl's budget.

Youtube Tutorials:

StrawberryKoiVintage

BerlinHairBaby

These are just a few quick things to get you started. I'll come back later with more of my wonderful finds!

Oh Wow!

2009-10-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

Oh man, I think for a second I almost forgot I had this blog running! Oh geez! My bad! So I think I'll do a quick post, and what could be quicker (and a more fun way to cure my insomnia tonight) than to do a music update! Woot! Haha.

The Sounds:

I swear, I must have some subconscious prerequisites when I listen to music. It's kinda rediculous. But this band is AWESOME! Not to mention I have a little crush on guitarist Felix Rodriguez (guy in the black tank).

Sophie Ellis Bexter:

This is just an amazing dance song. All of her songs are. Just plain amazing.

Spinnerette:

Brody Dalle is hot. She was amazing in The Distillers, but I also love her new sound with her new band.

My Tunes!

2009-07-31T22:59:00.000-07:00

So music is a huge part of my life, and I probably say it way too many times! I get questions about my favourite types of music and there are so many genres I listen to that I can't just pick one. Everything is my favourite! SO I thought as a treat to my readers, I would post some of my latest favourite artists in a blog! Let me know if you guys like me doing this! I would love to have a weekly or monthly thing where I post my fave new music for you. (By the way, my normal music player is at the bottom of the page, so head there to shut it off before you play the videos).

So here's what I'm currently listening to (non stop):

METRIC: Possibly the most amazing modern band I can possibly think of. I've never felt so good listening to music, as when I listen to theirs. Based in Canada, these guys have created a sound so unique that I can't compare to anything I've ever heard before. I never get tired of their songs, and have gotten many friends of mine hooked on them as well. This song is "Freddie."

LIGHTS: Another amazing Canadian artist! I just discovered this gem a few weeks ago, and I'm addicted to her songs! I find myself dancing in my car, at work, and anywhere else you could imagine! It's ridiculous how much her music will get stuck in your head! Also, check out her blogs on Youtube! She is the sweetest, cutest person ever! The song is "Ice."

NO DOUBT: Possibly another one of the bands that have made it onto my "Greatest Bands Ever" list. Enough said. But I'm in love with this song right now because of how much it relates to the situation with my love life right now. Everything they sing just makes me feel so much better. The song is "Simple Kind of Life."

THE KNIFE: Ok. I admit. I do have a thing for foreign music, but with good reasons! The Knife are just amazing! If you've read my blog, you've prob noticed that I use a lot of videos provided by Kandee Johnson. Well, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gotten into this band, and I can't imagine what that would be like! Ah, so good! Song, "Pass this on."

I hope you guys enjoy!

Get The Look: Emily Haines of Metric

2009-07-28T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly on the hunt for new music. Music is my life. It's an escape, a realease, a warm heart-felt place, and anything else you could possibly need. A few months ago I stumbled upon a Canadian band, Metric. I immediately feel in love with their music, and with their lead singer, EMily Haines. Not only is this woman stunningly beautiful, she has an amazing and unique style. So I've decided to create a blog on where you can find different style pieces to achieve an EMily Haines inspired look.

The look I'm going for is from their video for "Gimme Sympathy" off their latest album, Fantasies. If you get the chance, check out their full album. You'll love their sound.

I've found two dresses that I really love for recreating this outfit. The first is from Urban Outfitter's, and is a solid coloered, one shoulder dress available in black, raspberry or seafoam. For this look, I would choose black, but it's up to you which color you want to work with since we're not duplicating the look, only creating a style based off of EMily's.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&startValue=121&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=16777344&parentid=W_APP_DRESSES&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=456&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=W_APP_DRESSES&popId=WOMENS_APPAREL&prepushId=

(I'm not enitrely sure if my images will show up, so use the link if they don't)

The second dress is from Bebe, and is more similar to the pattern of the dress in the actual video.

http://www.bebe.com/bebe-Snake-Sleeveless-Sweater-Dress/dp/B001SZTXCC?ie=UTF8&asinSearchPageIndex=92&pf_rd_r=0560Q4QTS8C5RYAQBE9S&navAsinList=B001TN9SV4%2CB0027QLT14%2CB0028I0SHW%2CB001RC164O%2CB0029ZWW4Q%2CB0029415T0%2CB00281BAEE%2CB0028YWK8G%2CB0024QWI3K%2CB0022693X0%2CB00284E67E%2CB0027DCG7S%2CB0025L3HRU%2CB0025ASD7K%2CB00265SUVS%2CB00265N9D2%2CB0027DCF42%2CB001PCPVWY%2CB0026V3896%2CB00288XWKC%2CB001R7OTZ2%2CB002A85QFY%2CB002AL7V1S%2CB001TH2EYI%2CB0027DCI6W%2CB001O8G5M4%2CB0027DG60Q%2CB001V0V3O0%2CB002APW97A%2CB0022Q4402%2CB0029CU6WE%2CB001UAC1ZQ%2CB00243QXO8%2CB001URN63K%2CB0026RK91A%2CB0021CAMNU%2CB001URL59C%2CB001XP3C60%2CB00288ZWIC%2CB0027HFRG6%2CB0028I84C8%2CB00265N4YQ%2CB001U3T3UE%2CB001SZTXCC%2CB0027DK3MS%2CB00288QV6E%2CB0021UGQ7S%2CB002265XD4%2CB00265JUYE%2CB001UX1N3Y%2CB002817CD2&node=675941011&pf_rd_s=search-results&field_browse=675941011&searchSize=100&navAsinListIndex=49&pf_rd_t=101&field_availability=0&id=bebe%20Snake%20Sleeveless%20Sweater%20Dress&searchBinNameList=null&store=core&pf_rd_p=482133391&ref=search_results_93&searchNodeID=675941011&pf_rd_i=675941011&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=-custom-rank&searchPage=1&pf_rd_m=A2FMOXN01TSNYY

(I can't get a picture to post for this one)

My favourite part of this particular look is her shoes! I'm in love with these red ankle boots! Zappos carries a very similar ankle boot for $175 if you're willing to shelf out the money for a nice pair of shoes.

http://www.zappos.com/product/7573867/color/594

However, if you're on a tighter budget, you can find other shoes for a much more affordable price. DSW has some amazing ankle boots in all sorts of colors for almost any price range which would work for this look (unfortunately, not all come in red). Most ankle boots from DSW will run you anywhere from $40-$80.

Head on over to your local Hot Topic store and pick yourself up a pair of arm warmers. You can go fancy and get silk or lace, or make it more casual. These black fingerless arm warmers would work great.

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Accessories/GlovesArmwarmers/Black-Lace-Fingerless-Gloves-873958.jsp

Now for your hair. A simple low ponytail, leaving some of your bangs out to give a messy look will complete your Emily Haines makeover. Keep your makeup really simple, and natural looking, using really neutral colors. Have fun and experiment. CHeck out some more pics of EMily to help out your own version of her style! Oh, and a nice pair of aviator suglasses (not in the video) will add a bit more edge to your version of her look. Good luck!

Product Review: Covergirl Exact Eyelights Eye Brightening Eyeshadows

2009-07-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's great to finally be back on here! I've been super busy the past few weeks at work and trying to find time to make the most of my summer before it ends. Since I have a few minutes today, I thought I'd do a product review of some new makeup I've been using the past few weeks.

So I went shopping after work with one of my best friends and decided to get some new eyeshadow. Since I work in the makeup department of my store, I've been eyeing the Covergirl Exact Eyelights Eyeshadows. I've been using the Eyelights mascara for about 2 months now and I love the stuff, so I thought I'd probably love the eye shadows, too. Each set comes with four perfectly selected eyeshadow colors to compliment brown, green, blue or hazel eyes, and includes an eyeshadow brush and sponge applicator.

I LOVE this brush! I use it with all my eye shadows now. It's ridiculous. It applies just enough eyeshadow without looking sloppy or messy. It gives a very professionally done eye, even if you're a beginner in makeup.

I have brown eyes, and bought the set for brown eyes, which includes a black, a grey, a goldy bronze and a light nude color. It also comes with instructions on how to use each color to really brighten your eyes. For work, I use the nude, gold and grey colors which give a very soft, natural, glowy look, and if I plan on going out I add a little black in the corners to achieve a smoky eye. I also dab a little of the black over my eyeliner using an angle brush, which helps set my eyeliner for the rest of the day.

I love this product. It's great for people who are new at using makeup, and haven't quite gotten down what colors work and don't for them, so I recommend this to anyone who needs a little help in that area.

Have fun, and enjoy! I'll try to write more soon!

Update: Help Me Out!

2009-06-28T13:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! I've been so busy lately! I feel like I'm currently living at my job! My hours have gone sky high lately, and I barely have time for myself! Between working 5 days a week, helping out friends, and finding some me time, I've barely had a chance to get on and write a new blog, let alone come up with an idea for one! Ah!

Speaking of the blog, I'd really appreciate some ideas of what YOU guys want to read about! If there's a certain fashion style you want to learn to create, makeup you want to learn how to do, health and beauty tips, product reviews, life lessons, whatever it is, just drop me a line, leave me a comment, send me an email, or twitter me (I'm still really confused on twitter...help me out there if you can). All my info is in the sidebar for how to reach me. I love your feedback and suggestions; it really helps me make this blog more interesting for everyone who reads! If you're reading my blog for the first time, please subscribe! I promise there will always be good things to come in the future!

Thanks to everyone!

Love Always,

Young Lady

Retro Cool Circa 1983

2009-06-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

The 80's were a time of some scary fashion choices. I think we've all seen pictures of neon spandex ensembles with big teased hair, cut-up sweatshirts and headbands. But the 80's also had some things going for them. Bright colors make a statement in fashion, and can be a good start to a really cool wardrobe. Here are some tips on achieving a vintage 1980's style without looking like a fashion disaster, or like you've been raiding granny's closet!

Mix and Match:

Don't go all-out retro at once. Pick one or two retro pieces in one outfit and then make sure that the rest of your ensemble is something so 2009. For example, if you're gonna do a risky retro trend — a chunky beaded necklace and a tie-dyed tunic — keep the rest of the outfit simple. That means plain jeans (not super-big bell bottoms!) and no funky footwear. Clashing trends is always a fashion don't, no matter what decade you're decking yourself out in.

Don't Go Overboard:

When rocking the 80's, don't over accessorize. Resist the urge to throw on loads of bright neon jewelry, or hairspray your bangs a mile high. If you over do your look, you run the risk of looking like you're wearing an 80's costume, rather than a vintage look.

Shop Vintage:

Head down to a vintage clothing store and pick up some faded tees, jewelry, skinny jeans, etc. A lot of 80's trends are coming back in style and you can find new clothes at retail stores which have a vintage, retro look to them. Try cutting up some t-shirts for a more unique, customized look.

Makeup:

DOn't go too overboard on makeup. You might be tempted to cover your eye completely in teal eyeshadow, but you can still get an 80s look without covering yourself in clown makeup.

Rockabilly Style

2009-06-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

Rockabilly is one of the earliest forms of rock music, emerging in the 1950s. It's popularity waned in the 1960s, but has enjoyed a revival which now has given birth to an entire subculture. While I personally love rockabilly music, I love the style even more. I grew up listening to No Doubt, and Gwen Stefani's style has inspired so may looks for me, and she pulls a lot from the Rockabilly style. So this post is gonna give a few tips on how to get that rockabilly chick style. I hope you enjoy, and I'm hoping to get a lot more posts about different styles up soon!

Rockabilly is the reflection of rough sensuality, tough sexiness which is inspired by ‘40s pinup model, Bettie Page. In an era of repression, she brought a "bad-girl" sensuality that is reflected in the rockabilly lifestyle and music. Her trademark hairstyle – long dark hair with shorter temple-to-temple bangs – is very popular among retro lovers.

Hair is styled with volume on the top of the head and styled close at the sides, cascading in waves or curls along the crown and down the neck. Bangs are kept straight and smooth.

Styling the Pin-up Hairstyle

First, apply a good-quality setting lotion on your freshly washed hair to make your curls last longer. Then pin curl the ends of your hair. To make the pin curl, segment the wet and product-laden hair with your comb and comb it into a ribbon. Using your fingers, shape the ribbon into a circular curl and overlap the hair as needed depending on the length of the hair.

Step By Step:

1. Start by using a comb with a rat tail or if you prefer, use a fine toothed comb. From personal experience I can tell you that creating pin curls can be difficult without the proper comb.

2. Using the tail of the comb create a clean, deep part in your hair.

3. Carefully section off a 1" inch section of hair for a medium sized curls. Section on a smaller section for tighter curls and larger sections for looser curls.

4. Comb the new section until it is completely smooth.

5. Spritz the section with a spray bottle filled with water or you can experiment with a hairspray or super volumizing tonic.

6. Hold the section of hair flatly against your scalp with one finger.

7. Take the end of the section and wind in a clockwise position around the opposite index finger forming a complete circle. Keep in mind that for the best style, form a round curl and not an oval one.

Note: Be sure not to twist the hair as you wind it. Make sure that the ends are tucked inside of the curl, and curl is pinned right on top of it natural hair base. Do not pin the curl away from the base of the curl.

8. Holding the end of the curl with the thumb of the same hand, slip the curl off the index finger letting the end naturally fold inward.

9. Continuing to hold the curl between the thumb and forefinger, finish winding it. Place it flat against the scalp. Clip it with a hair clip or two through the middle of the curl.

Note: If you prefer, you can use more than one clip on each curl. When using more than one clip, crisscross the clips to form an X configuration.

10. Press against the curl to make sure that the ends don't escape.

Note: You may wish to work with end papers available from most large beauty supply stores.

11. Once the curl is formed according to your desire, use a single or double pronged clip and slide it carefully over the newly formed curl to hold it in place.

Note: Keep in mind that many people prefer the double prong clips for sleeping comfort. Under no circumstance should you use bobby pins which will form dents in the hair and may add to overall frizziness.

12. Make sure that the curl is anchored tightly by the clip, especially if you plan to sleep in the set overnight.

13. Work in a uniform pattern when creating the curls working from side to side and from top to bottom of the head.

14. Spray well with hairspray or styling spray. Sit under a hood dryer to set the style or sleep on the style overnight.

After your hair has dried, brush the curl out carefully for a more natural look. Make sure your front has a natural look too, by combing tresses smooth when dry, this way it won't look stiff and plastered. Take front locks and divide them in two separate pieces which you roll into two victory rolls and secure with bobby pins. Finish the look with hairspray; mist more at the base of each swirl end if needed.

Styling pinup girl updos is almost the same. Keep the sides close to the head, and the crown area gathered in a big swirl. You can even braid or twist some locks for a extra interest.

An easier hairstyle is a simple quiff with a ponytail, which can be achieved in just a few minutes. To achieve this, pull your hair into a high ponytail and wrap around a large-barrel curling iron for thirty or so seconds, so that it will spiral. Then, back-comb your bangs and pin the ends down near your ponytail to create the quiff. If this doesn’t appeal to you, you can try curling hair with a quiff and add a large flower barrette to finish it off.

Here's some videos by Kandee Johnson of other hairstyles which you could use when creating your rockabilly look:

Makeup:

Again, I turn to my favourite makeup artist for a tutroial on makeup. I'm choosing a few of Kandee Johson's videos depending on which style of makeup you prefer.

CLothes:

Go for - halter dresses with sweet-heart necklines, bust ruching and fitted waists, high waist pencil skirts in either black or red, cardigan sweaters, sweater sets, full gathered skirts in floral prints or bright solid colours, high-waisted ankle length pants and men’s striped dress shirts (roll up the sleeves and tie a knot in the front). When it comes to shoes, look for Mary Janes, retro flats, saddle shoes, Converse All Stars and boots. You may want to try wearing bobby socks with your flat shoes. Finally, when it comes to accessories, wear tattoo-inspired necklaces, leopard print or hounds-tooth purses, headbands, hair nets and small classic earrings.

All About Bras

2009-06-14T23:38:00.000-07:00

I think every woman remembers her first bra experience. It's one of those pinnacle moments in a young girl's life when she begins to feel like a woman. Even if you're not buying your first bra, it's still important to know what your looking for. How do you determine your size, what style to you need? When is it okay to wear a push up? About.com has supplied an article just on this sort of topic:

The Importance of Knowing Your Bra Size

A poorly fitting bra can cause back problems, muscle tension, and even headaches. Since teens are still growing the strains caused by an improperly fit bra can lead to life long problems with posture and back pain. To ensure that you are wearing the right size bra you should be fit by a lingerie consultant once a year or after every noticeable growth spurt.

Different Bras for Different Reasons

After you have the right size the next thing to think about is why the bra is needed. Is it for support, coverage, comfort or athletics? Bras come in a variety of fits and fabrics. There are different styles of bras designed for specific body types, fashions and activities. No one bra can do it all!

First/Training Bras

Training bras are for young girls who have started to develop breasts but do not yet fit the standard bra sizes. A young girl who has started to develop breasts should wear a training bra but there is no harm in letting a girl get one before there is a real need. Remember, training bras are intended for girls of any age who have started to get breasts and who are not yet able to be fitted with a regular bra. If your breast size warrants a full fitting bra you should wear one, even if you are very young.

Light Support Bras

Light support bras usually have no under wire and are good for girls with smaller breasts. They are less constricting than full support bras and many girls feel that they are more comfortable. Because they are wireless they offer less shaping than other bras and are most flattering on trimmer figures. These bras come in padded and unpadded versions, which you choose is really a matter of personal preference.

Full Support Bras

Full support bras usually have an under wire or plastic boning holding them up. They can be worn by girls of any breast size and are a must for those with larger cup sizes. These bras offer a shapely cut and have a structured build. These also come in padded or unpadded version and are flattering on any figure type.

Push Up Bras

Once called padded bras, push up bras are designed to show off cleavage. These bras lift the breasts and add shape to them with extra padding. Some more innovative push up bras use silicone inserts or water sacks to imitate the fullness of a natural breasts. They are said to lift and separate creating a full cleavage look on breasts of all sizes. These bras always offer lots of support.

Sports Bras

Of all the bras the sports bra is probably the most important one for growing teens to have. Sports bras stop the breasts from moving during athletic activity. Breast tissue is very delicate and growing breast tissue needs to be protected during high impact exercise. Even girls with smaller breasts should invest in a good sports bra if they take physical education or participate in sports.

How to find your size

Sizes mean nothing!! One manufacturer's size 8 is another one's 12. UK sizes look the same as US, but they're not. Because US sizing has changed over the years, finding your size in vintage clothing can be a challenge. But armed with your accurate measurements, you can decipher any sizing system.

What you'll need - A cloth tape measure and a full length mirror. Take measurements undressed or in lightweight clothes. Pull the tape measure snug, but not too tight. Keep your arms at your side and have a friend take the measurements, for the best results. And don't slouch! Stand up nice and tall.

Bust
Measure around the shoulder blades, under the armpits and over the fullest part of the bust.

Waist
Find your natural waistline and measure.

Hip
Measure the fullest part of the hip (usually about 7-9 inches below the waist)

Bra Size
1. Wear a comfortable bra and measure the rib cage just below the breast. If the number is 33 or less, add 5 inches to that number and that is your bra size. Over 33 inches add 3 inches to get you bra size. Both ways, rounding odd numbers up to even.

2. Then take measure the bust around the fullest part. When you subtract the last number (fullest part) by the among of your bra size, you'll come up with a number used to determine cup size by using the chart below (the A,B,C, etc. cup chart) For example if your bra size was 36 and your cup measurement was 38, the difference is 2" so you would wear a 36B.

Use this chart:

AA = 1/2"
A = 1"
B = 2"
C = 3"
D = 4"
DD or E = 5"
F = 6"
G = 7"

Slimming Your Nose

2009-06-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

I have a large nose, and I'm not proud of it. It's been one of the things I've always been extremely self-conscious over. I've been receiving questions asking if I know any ways of using makeup to make your nose look smaller. And until recently, I'd had no luck experimenting on my own, but my favorite makeup artist, Kandee Johnson, has made a video tutorial on how to do it. I love her videos, and this one really helps! Good luck, and enjoy!

Does He Like You?

2009-06-07T13:34:00.001-07:00

Here are five ways to tell if a guy is into you or not:

1) He smiles at you- a lot! If a guy likes you, he will make more effort to smile around you than other people. If his smile seems to be inviting you to have a word with him, then he probably likes you.

2) If he looks for any reason to talk to you, he probably likes you. He'll be willing to talk to you anytime, and will try to get your attention whenever possible. If he likes you, he might drop small hints in conversations about how he would like to go out with you.

3) Catch his stare- this is the best way to tell if a guy might be into you. If he stares at you differently than he would with other people, or his friends, he probably has a crush on you.

4) He keeps looking. Even after you pass by, he'll keep watching you. The best way to tell this is to turn your head for a quick look when you walk past him. If he's looking, it might be because he likes you.

5) If the guy is constantly trying to impress you by dressing nicely, acting his best, etc. then he probably likes you and is waiting for you to give him an indication that you're showing interest.

While these aren't true for 100% of guys, they can help you to pick up on small things he's doing to let you know he's interested. Here are a few tricks to go along with these:

The Clock Test:

To see if a guy is staring at you from across the room, glance quickly at the clock and then back to him. If his eyes darted to the clock, he was probably watching you and was startled by you suddenly looking at the clock.

Dilated Pupils:

This is much harder to pick up on, but when someone sees something or someone they like, their pupils dilate (get larger).

Eye Contact:

Studies show that couples who are i love make eye contact with each other in conversation 70% of the time they are talking. If you want a guy to start feeling a deeper connection with you, make eye contact with him for longer moments than you normally would.

Touch:

He might touch your arm when he laughs, or not move his leg if it touches yours. All of these, plus others, are good signs that he likes you. But pay attention to see if he does this with other girls; he could be a player.

The Friend Test:

This is a fun one. If his friends know that he likes you, they might tease him when you're around, hint to you that he likes you, or even try to see if you like him. Study their reactions to your presence. Do they smile? Do they turn to him? Do they do anything that suggests that they know something you don't?

Good luck!

Ten Tips To Looking Great In Photos

2009-06-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

How do some people take great photos while making it seem effortless? Celebs do it all the time on the red carpet, concealing flaws we never knew existed, until paparazzi caught them in the most unflattering of all pictures. There are ten easy tips which I have found to looking amazing in photos, which anyone can learn quickly, and put to good use for the next family photo session (boy, have I seen lots of bad pictures of myself from those things).

1) If it's a standing photo, you know you're not supposed to slouch. But do you know how to ensure it each and every time? The trick to good posture for a photo is to put one foot slightly back, centered with your spine.

2) If you want to look thinner, point your legs about 45 degrees to the camera, and then twist at the waist towards the photographer. It's what the stars do on red carpets, and they do it for a reason.

3) For seated shots, extend your neck and then tilt your head down slightly to get rid of double chin actions, as well as views up your sinuses.

4) Pimples just know when the worst possible time for them to appear is, and then they plan it out, tingling for days in advance to let you know they're coming and there's nothing you can do about it. Try not to pop them because the red mark that will be left behind is more noticeable in a photo than an actual zit. Two corollaries: 1) If you resist my wise advice and pop a zit, put Visine on it. It gets the red out, seriously. 2) Pop all whiteheads without abandon. They do show up on film in all their pus-filled glory.

5) If you wear makeup, avoid dark colors which get darker in photos.

6) Flash does not flatter. If you can possibly get away with it, don't use the flash. It leaves harsh shadows on your face that make you look like Nosferatu instead of Norbert, or whatever your name happens to be.

7) Remember Catherine Zeta Jones in Zorro? How her eyes sparkled in every shot? That was fake, but the point is that eye sparkle comes out looking great in photos taken outside or with a bright source. To get it, move your head so your eye catches the light. You know you have it when it's a little uncomfortable for your eyes. Your photographer can help, but watch out that you don't go too high or we'll see up your nostrils.

8) Cloudy days are gloomy, but they're the best for outdoor pictures (of you, scenery be damned). If the weather is, sigh, sunny, then take the picture in the early morning or late afternoon. Both provide soft lighting, and by all means, avoid high noon!

9) Please leave sparkles at the store. Seriously, this is never a good look. But it's especially ridiculous with a flash photo that reflects off each piece of sparkle matter. Beyond that, everyone you touch has sparkles on them for weeks.

10) Wipe off that face, leave the grin. Make sure to wipe down your face and neck before a photo, particularly if you might be sweating. And be especially careful if the picture will be taken with a flash, which will catch the light off your emulsions like a prism.

These ten tricks should help you to look as beautiful in photos as you feel in person, maybe even better! Photographers know they work (trust me, I am one!), and you'll soon be the best looking person in photos that you know.

Home-Made Face Masks: Brown Sugar and Milk

2009-06-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Brown Sugar and Milk Mask

Ingredients:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 - 2 tbsp milk, anything but skim

Instructions:

Mix the two ingredients well. Apply to freshly cleaned face and massage gently for a full minute - leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Home-Made Face Masks: Banana and Vitamin E

2009-06-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

Banana and Vitamin E Mask

Ingredients:

1 medium to large Banana; soft and peeled
4 Vitamin E gelcaps

Instructions:

Vitamin E can help heal the skin while the banana will energize the face. Mash the banana and squeeze the liquid out of the gelcaps. Mix well with the banana. Avoiding the eye area, apply the mask and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Home-Made Face Masks: Exfoliating Banana Avocado

2009-06-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

Banana Avocado Facial Mask

This mixture with exfoliate and nourish your skin at the same time. Great for combination skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 banana

1/2 avocado

2 Tbsp full-fat yogurt

1 tsp olive oil

Instructions:

Puree all ingredients in a blender. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Home-Made Face Masks: Avocado Face Mask

2009-06-05T22:25:00.000-07:00

Avocado Facial Mask

Ingredients:

1/2 Avocado

Instructions:

Mash avocado and apply evenly to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water or soft wash cloth.

Home-Made Face Masks: Remove Dead Skin Cells

2009-06-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

Autumn Apple Facial Mask

Just because the leaves on the trees are falling down dead, doesn't mean your skin has to. Get rid of those dead skins cells with this mask.

Ingredients:

1/4 of an apple

1/2 tsp Half and half

1 Tsp honey

1 T oatmeal

Instructions:

Mash with a fork in a small bowl and mix it together well. Then apply it to your face. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

Home-Made Face Masks: Acne Prone Oily Skin

2009-06-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

Apple Zinger Facial Mask

Use this on acne prone oily skin.

Ingredients:

1 medium size apple; grated

5 tablespoons of honey; warmed

Instructions:

Stir ingredients together. Apply to freshly cleaned face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.

Soft And Silky Hair

2009-06-05T19:50:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for ways to get more beautiful hair lately. I've been experimenting with shampoos and conditioners, as well as how often to wash, what ways to style it, what causes damage, and anything else I could think of. I've come across 12 ways to make your hair look and feel more luscious and well nourished.

Tip #1:

Avoid using plastic bristle brushes. Stylist Edward Tricomi of the Warren-Tricomi Salon in New York City suggests a combination of natural boar bristles on either a round or flat brush for dry hair. For use on damp hair, he suggests a soft, rubber toothed, wide-paneled brush.

What's the difference or is it all hype about boar's hair brushes?

Boar bristles are easier on the hair than plastic brushes are and also redistribute the natural oils in your hair, which gives you an automatic shine boost.

Tip #2:

Brush your hair before shampooing. A few gentle brushes before a good wash will remove excess product buildup, scalp flakes and also helps to stimulate the scalp and promote blood flow (which delivers nutrients such as oxygen) to the hair follicles.

Tip #3:

Know what kind of water you are using when you wash your hair. Well water contains natural minerals (called "hard water") which can leave hair looking dull and lusterless, hard to manage, and can even give it an orange, brassy hue. Soft water has fewer of these damaging minerals, or you can purchase kits designed for use with hard water.

Tip #4:

When coloring your hair at home, lightly mist the ends. The ends of your hair are more porous and will absorb more pigment than the rest. By misting, you prevent this from happening.

Tip #5:

Cut the ends of your hair (on average) half an inch per every 4-8 weeks. As hair grows and becomes older, the ends become more prone to damage and splitting.

Tip #6:

Use color protective products. Chemical treatments like color damage hair because the chemicals have to penetrate the outer layers of the hair (or cuticle) to allow for the hue to be absorbed. Color protective products are specifically designed to minimize dryness, keep true color, and prevent damage.

Tip #7:

Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair. It stretches and snaps more easily than dry does, so be extra gentle with it. Use a wide tooth comb while hair is wet, and switch to a good brush after it has been towel dried. Also, avoid wooden combs which may have microscopic divots that can snag your hair.

Tip #8:

Deep condition once every two weeks. Adding heat while deep conditioning can intensify the conditioning by opening the cuticle up, allowing ingredients to penetrate. This will help strengthen the strands and prevent breakage.

Tip #9:

Use an ionic dryer. These dryers use negatively charged ions to dry out hair faster, while also canceling out hair-damaging positive ions.

Tip #10:

Use the nozzle on your dryer. If it does not have one, invest in one now. It concentrates the air flow on sections, which is the best way to prevent frizz. Without a nozzle, the dryer's grill gets very hot, and can damage hair if it gets too close. If you have curls, use a diffuser attachment to gently surround your hair with air.

Tip #11:

Give textured or relaxed hair a break. African-American hair tends to be more coarse due to a lack of natural oils (even more so if chemically processed). Opt for gentle color choices like semi permanent, or vegetable color. Spacing processing treatments at least two weeks apart, with weekly conditioning treatments for shine maintenance helps a lot.

Tip #12:

Use the right accessories. Ties and clips which pull the hair cause damage. Choose claws over barrettes, and soft braids rather than tight ones. Many companies make elastic hair bands which will not pull out hair. Goody makes "Ouchless" elastic bands which work nicely.

Have a god hair day!

Beautiful Skin

2009-06-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

I keep getting asked about what is the best method to get rid of pimples and zits. Should I pop them? Should I put toothpaste on top? Do I need to buy high end products to get rid of them? I'm getting all sorts of questions, and I'm going to try to get to the root of the problem right now.

Inside the pores are sebaceous glands which produce sebum. Sebum lubricates the hair and skin in people and animals. When dead skin sheds off of our bodies, especially our faces where there are more sebaceous glands, the skin cells may become glued together with the sebum. This becomes a blockage in the pore, especially during puberty when the skin becomes thicker. More sebum is produced behind the blockage and begins to harbor bacteria, which produces a pimple.

So what ways can we prevent this from happening?

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and clear them up as fast as possible:

Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don't scrub. Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-the-counter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide. This will decrease oil and bacteria.
Don't pop pimples. It's tempting, but here's why you shouldn't: Popping pimples can push infected material further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event, like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.
Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like the telephone receiver. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become inflamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams or makeup.
If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.
If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes, which don't allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. You also might want to stay away from scarves, headbands, and caps, which can collect dirt and oil, too.
Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic" on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.
Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.
Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it's only temporary. A tan can cause the body to produce extra sebum, which may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you are concerned about your acne, and the treatment of it, make an appointment to talk with a dermatologist. They can reccommend the best ways to help your sepcific case of acne.

The Best Kept Secret To Living Healthier

2009-06-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

Is Water, of course. Our bodies are made up of 55-75% water, and we need it to survive, but it also has benefits.

Water can prevent fatigue and hangovers. Alcohol dehydrates our bodies, which contributes to our hangovers the next morning. If you have a glass of water between alcoholic beverages, your chances of getting a hangover the next morning are greatly reduced.

Water inhibits fat loss. Drinking water curbs your appetite and is a good substitute to eating, whenever you get those midday munchies. Sometimes your brain confuses thirst for hunger and all you really need is a glass of water. So the next time you feel hungry in between meals, have a glass of water, wait fifteen minutes and see if you still are hungry. Chances are that your hunger pains have gone away.

Your muscles are made up of 70% water, and drinking the recommended 8 glasses a day will help them look healthier and fuller, making you look more fit!

Drinking lots of water helps flush toxins from your body. Your body tries to secrete these toxins in other ways when you don't get enough water, such as that white scum on your tongue when you wake up in the morning. By drinking water, your body flushes these toxins out in your urine and sweat. This will help even out your complexion and give you a more natural, youthful look, with no chemicals necessary.

If you're trying to bulk up, drink even more water! As you consume more food, you need to drink more water to help your kidneys to function properly.

Looking to drop excess water weight? Drink more water! Confused? When you don't drink enough water, your body will begin to store water in extra cellular spaces, which will cause your skin to look puffy and soft.

If you suffer from constipation, it most likely means you aren't drinking enough water! When you don't have enough water in you, your body is forced to take it from places such as the colon, which gives you constipation later. Water also aids in digestion of your food.

Water plays a key role in the removal of excess body heat. If you don't have enough water when you're feeling overheated, your body will begin to suffer from fatigue and dehydration.

Speaking of fatigue and feeling tired, stop drinking all that caffeine! Caffeine dehydrates you and leaves you feeling tired later, whilst water leaves you feeling naturally re-energized! The main reason people feel tired is dehydration, so drink more water!

So what's the best way to tell if you're drinking enough water? The next time you go to the restroom, take a glance at your urine. If it is a dark yellow, you need to drink more water. If it is very pale yellow to clear, then you're drinking enough. The standard amount of water is 8 glasses a day, but it varies depending on your lifestyle. If you are more active, you will probably need more than 8 glasses.

Bikini or Bust

2009-06-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Summer is on its way, and as the weather starts to warm up, we find ourselves pressured to take off the layers and expose our bodies to the world for judgement. While putting on a bikini for that first big party or trip to the beach seems like the hardest task in the world, knowing a few simple tips can help you choose a swim suit that is the most flattering for your body, without having to drop all those pounds first!

Large Breasts:

Women with large breasts already know how hard it is to make them look nice in a bathing suit: they are heavy, awkward, and unappealing in most of the bikini tops out there. If you are large busted, look for tops that have padding, under wires for support and thick straps. Halter top styled bikinis work great, adding extra support with less risk of falling off.

Small Breasts:

Picking out a bikini is easier for small chested women because you are less concerned with support, and more concerned about what looks great on you. Less is more for these women because more fabric covering your breast will make them appear smaller than they actually are. Triangle-shaped tops and halters are great choices. Tops that have padding, ruffles, etc. will add extra "umph" to your chest while giving you extra lift. Try pairing a lighter top with a darker bottom for a more balanced look.

Problem Tummy:

If you don't have the world's flattest abs and are feeling a little self conscious, opt for a tankini, which will cover up your stomach without making you look larger than you are. Tankinis allow for a few inches of skin to be shown, too, giving you a bit of a sexiness. One pieces are also coming back in style and there are tons of cute styles to choose from. Pick a style with cut out sides to give the illusion of a slimmer frame.

Flabby Thighs:

If you're feeling self conscious about your thighs, there are tons of boy shorts to choose from as well as bikinis with built in skirts. If you want your legs to appear longer, purchase a bottom with a high rise side. This will help create the illusion of long, sexy legs.

Tiny Butt:

Triangular bottoms and thongs (if you choose to wear one) will make your butt look larger. Too much fabric will make it look like its disappearing in you bottoms. Large designs, bright colors, beads and ruffles will all add the illusion of more junk in your trunk, too. If you have a thin figure and want to show it off, opt for a string bikini.

Lots of Junk In the Trunk:

Stay away from revealing bottoms, such as thongs. Avoid bright colors and designs which will draw attention to your butt. Full coverage bottoms in a dark, neutral color will minimize the size of your bum, while giving you a sleek look.

A Few Tips:

Try on your bikini before you buy it. Study it in front of the mirror and move around while wearing it.

Fit is more important than style, when it comes to bikinis. If your size feels small and uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to try the next size.

Stretchy one piece swimsuits give you an overall slimmer appearance.

Whatever you're trying to flaunt or hide, there is a bathing suit out there that will look great on you. Have fun this summer, and don't be afraid to show off your body!

Easy At-Home Teeth Whitening

2009-06-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

So I began to notice the other day that my teeth were getting really yellow around the gums. My teeth have never been super white, but they weren't at a point where it was bothersome enough to try any whitening products from the drugstore, or to head in to my dentist and dish out all my money to have them professionally whitened. But this was finally the last straw for me. My teeth were beginning to look like my mother's teeth, that is teeth which were never cared for, are completely yellow, and most have rotted out from the insides! Gross, right?

So I started doing some research on the best way I could whiten my own teeth, and I've come up with some interesting techniques and tips to get a bright, white smile.

Method One:

Mix a few teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide with a few teaspoons of baking SODA until it reaches the consistency of toothpaste. If you want to make the taste a little better, add a small amount of toothpaste. Brush with the mixture, leaving it on your teeth for approximately TWO minutes. Rinse and brush with toothpaste to remove excess of the mixture.

Brush with this method no more than once a week to prevent damage to your tooth enamel.

Method Two:

After brushing, rinse your teeth with a capful of hydrogen peroxide, concentrating on your teeth (mostly front).

Method Three:

This one is a video courtesy of my favorite makeup artist, Kandee Johnson. She has amazing tutorials on make-up, hair, beauty, and all sorts of goodies on her Youtube channel, so check her out. Here is her video on how she whitens her teeth:

I hope these methods work for you guys! I'm gonna be trying them out and keeping you posted on how they are working for me!

How Do I Get A Hairstyle That's Right For Me?

2009-06-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing from a lot of girls lately who are interested in finding a new hairstyle to freshen up an old look, change their style or make themselves feel prettier. Now is the perfect time to try on a new look and experiment with styling your hair in different ways because its the beginning of summer and most schools have let out or are about to let out for summer break. By changing your hair at the beginning of the summer, it gives you time to practice your new style and figure out what is working best with your hair before that big day: the first day back at school.

The best way to find out which hairstyles will look the best on your face shape and type of hair is to consult with your stylist about options you have. If you have a certain celebrity's style or just a certain look you'd like to go for, take as many pictures as you can find to your stylist, and ask them how you could make that style fit you. Don't ask for the exact haircut because most of the time, your face and hair type won't match the person's in the pictures. By adjusting the style for you, you and your stylist will be able to create a look that is the most flattering it can be.

Knowing your face shape before you head into your stylist is also a great way to begin choosing what style you want to go with. Hairstyles are a great way to minimize your least favorite features or play up those you want to show off. Here's what I've found through research on the best ways to determine your face shape and a style that will work best for it.

To find out the shape of your face measure it with a tape measure or ruler. You will take the following measurements.

1. Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper.

2. Measure across your jaw line from the widest point to the widest point. Write down the measurement.

3. Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline. Write down the measurement.

4. Measure from the tip of your headline to the bottom of your chin.

Most people will fit into one of the major categories which include:

Oval Face - Length equal to one and a half times width. An oval face may change according to weight gain or loss and age. It is common for people who have a classic oval face to have small features. ex. Brittney Spears

Round Face - If you have a round face, your face will be as wide as it is long. This may vary a little where your face is not quite as wide as it is long, but within 1/4 to 1/2 inches. ex. Drew Barrymore

Long/Rectangular - Longer than it is wide. ex. Sarah Jessica Parker

Heart - Narrow at jaw line, wide at forehead and cheekbones. ex. Reese Witherspoon

Square - If you have a square shape, your forehead, jaw line and cheekbones are almost equal in width. ex. Sandra Bullock

Triangular - Wider forehead that narrows gradually to a slightly pointed or rounded chin. ex. Liz Hurley

Diamond - Wide cheeks, narrow forehead and jaw line. May have a pointed chin. ex. Madonna

Pear - Wide chin with a narrow forehead. ex. Halle Berry, Bette Midler

Here are some Hair tips for the different shapes:

Oval

Only slightly narrower at the jaw line than at the temples, with a gently rounded hairline.

Try

A variety of styles. Just about any hair shape looks good on you. Your "perfect" features allow you to wear a wider range of styles than any other face shape. Have you ever noticed the majority of models fall into this shape? Have you noticed how many different hair styles they can wear?

You can wear short, medium and long hair styles. Your face shape is well "balanced", or in even proportion. You will look best when styling your hair off your face. Most oval face shapes can wear slicked-backed looks as well.

Avoid

Hair styles that cover up your "perfect" features with heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles.

In wearing your hair style on your face, you'll lose your face shape behind the hair. This may appear to add weight to your face.

Rectangular or oblong

Long and slender, about the same width at forehead and just below cheekbones. May have a very narrow chin or a very high forehead.

Try

Styles with short to medium lengths. Fullness at the sides of your face and wispy bangs soften the look of longer face shapes. You'll want to balance the look of a long and slender face. Soft wispy bangs will shorten the appearance of the length. Fullness at the sides of your face will add width to the look of your face shape.

By cutting the hair into a short or medium length, the outline of the cut will also shorten the look of the length of the face. Layers work great with your face shape, as they will add softness to the straight lines in your face. Try side parts, and you may be able to wear straight back styles.

Avoid

Too much hair length . . . this will make your face will look even longer! Too much height lengthens your face. Center parts look great on people with a rectangular or oblong face shape. When your hair grows past your shoulders, there is a good chance it is doing you more harm than good. The models with rectangular face shapes and long hair get by with it only because they have an "on call" hairdresser. This professional is at the models disposal and can usually be found busily primping and teasing, setting and styling to add fullness to the hair. Since most of us don’t have this luxury, my suggestion is keep it above shoulder length.

Round

Full-looking face with a round chin and hairline. Widest point is at the cheeks and ears.

Try

Hair styles with fullness and height at the crown. Off center parts help reduce the roundness. Short hair styles with a swept-back direction or hair styles that are longer than chin length. By layering the top to achieve fullness and keeping the rest of the cut relatively close to the face, your round face shape will appear longer and narrower.

Avoid

Chin length hair with a rounded line that mirrors face’s round shape. Center parts tend to accentuate roundness. Also avoid styles with short-short crops, or straight "chopped" bangs. Fullness at side of ears also accentuates the round shape. A rounded haircut ending at the chin will certainly add weight to your already round face shape. Because the widest part of your face is at the cheeks and ears, you need to avoid having the fullness of the cut here, as it will make your face appear wider.

Square

A strong, square jaw line and usually an equally square hairline.

Try

Short-to-medium length hair, especially with wave or roundness around the face. Wispy bangs will soften the angular shape. Off-center parts with height at the crown look great on square faces. You want to soften the square look of your face with layers and wispy looks around the face. Height at the crown will elongate your symmetrical shape. If your hair is straight, you may want to consider a body wave, as some curl or wave to the hair will achieve a nice balance to the straight features of your face shape.

Avoid

Long straight styles that accentuate the square jawbone. "Linear" straight bangs or center parts aren't the best choice. A straight bob ending at the jaw line is the wrong thing to do for your face shape. You can wear a layered bob, however it should end above or below the jaw line, not at the jaw. Make sure in styling that you achieve some roundness to the shape and some height at the crown or bangs, and you will be on the right track.

Heart

Face is wide at the temples and hairline, narrowing to a small delicate chin.

Try

Chin-length or longer styles work well with a heart shaped face. Other styles to try: side-parted hair styles or swept-forward layers around the upper face, with gently wispy bangs. A chin length bob is great on your face shape! This creates a balanced look by giving fullness where you need it. You can wear shorter styles; however, if you are a dramatic heart shape you need to leave weight in the back nape area. This will achieve more balance between your dramatic cheekbones and more narrow chin.

Avoid

Short, full styles that emphasize the upper face. Stay away from styles with too much height at the crown. Severe, slicked back looks are too harsh for this shape too. If you are a dramatic heart shape, the short, full styles with tapered necklines, which emphasize the upper face will make you look top heavy. Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin. Just remember if you have a dramatic heart shape face, you have great cheekbones to emphasize! Don't miss the boat by getting a cut which is too top heavy.

Triangular

Reverse of the heart-shape . . . a dominant jaw line with narrowing at the cheek bone and temples.

Try

Shorter hair that balances prominent jaw line. Styles that are full at the temples and taper at the jaw are perfect for triangular shapes. Off center parts, wedges and shags look great on you, too. You need lots of layers to achieve fullness through the upper part of your face. By wearing styles which are full at the temples and taper at the jaw line, you achieve a balance that can be striking in accenting features otherwise understated. Try tucking hair behind your ears, as this will draw attention to your eyes and add the illusion of width in this area.

Avoid

Long, full hair styles that draw attention to jaw line. Center parts—off-center is more flattering to triangular shaped faces.

Stay away from styles with too much height at the crown. You also want to avoid putting most of the weight of a haircut at the jaw line and below. This will give the appearance of added weight to the face.

If going with long hair, it should be kept tight at the nape.

Diamond

A cross between heart and a dramatic oval. Widest at the cheekbones, and narrow equally at the forehead and jaw line.

Try

Your face shape is balanced and dramatic. Experiment with a variety of styles. Almost everything works with your face (as long as you are a true diamond). You can wear shorter styles. However, if you are a dramatic diamond shape, you need to leave weight in the back nape area like someone with a heart shaped face. This will achieve more balance between your dramatic cheekbones and more delicate chin line.

Avoid

You can do just about everything, but try not to wear too much hair on your face, thereby hiding your great features.

Teen With Stretch Marks?

2009-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

I received a question the other day regarding the possibility of having stretch marks in your early teens. Is this normal?

The answer is quite simple. Yes. It is perfectly normal. As we head into our teenage years, our bodies begin to grow and change at a remarkable rate. For girls, our hips widen, our breasts get larger, and we start to transform into curvy women. As these changes happen quickly, our skin stretches, thus, causing stretch marks.

Most women and men associate stretch marks as a sign of pregnancy, but stretch marks are extremely common among all people. Stretch marks signify a part of your body that is changing, so you don't need to worry about them.

If you're feeling self conscious about possible stretch marks you have on your body, go out and buy a bottle of stretch mark cream or Vitamin E lotion and begin applying it everyday.

Embrace your body and its changes, and begin to feel beautiful in your own skin.

The Truth About Shaving

2009-05-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

Most of us girls have heard the myths: if you shave it will only grow back thicker and darker. And most of us are afraid of that, but it's just a myth and there's nothing to worry about.

When you shave, you cut the portion of the hair off that is above the skin, leaving a blunt edge, rather than the natural point of the hair. When the hair regrows above the skin, we see this blunt edge and think that it is growing back darker when it's really not.

What's the science behind this one?

When you shave you are only cutting the hair off above the skin. Since hair is dead, it does not affect it. Also, you are not changing the follicle when you shave. You're not causing the follicle to get any larger, so how could the hair getting any larger.

What about getting darker?

Just another trick to fool your eye. The blunt edge looks darker, but its not. The hair will always grow the same color. Just like the hair on your head. That hair doesn't get darker with every haircut! Just imagine what we'd look like if it got thicker and darker every time we cut it!

So don't worry about whether or not shaving will make unsightly body hair look worse than it already seems!

Can Everyone Tan?

2009-05-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

I was asked this question today, and I actually have a good answer for this one. My friend wrote a paper for her class on tanning. I know it sounds pretty silly, but her paper went to the scientific roots of what it means to get a tan, and I think it answers the question pretty well.

How tan you get is related to how much melanin your body produces. Melanin absorbs harmful UV rays and transforms them into heat energy. When exposed to UV rays in sunlight, the melanocytes in your epidermis (skin) begin to produce melanin. When your skin is exposed for a long enough period of time, your body does not have enough melanin to prevent your skin cells from dying. This is when a tan begins to appear. A tan is essentially just how much of your skin cells are dead from UV exposure. If you expose your skin to UV and kill of a lot of skin cells, you get tan, and as the number of dead skin cells increases, your tan gets darker. So those people with more melanin tan slower, and those with less burn quickly. There really is no way to tell how much melanin you produce other than just judging how long you can normally stay out in the sun before you get a burn.

Another thing I learned from my friend was about SPF. Have you ever wondered what the number following SPF means? What is the difference between SPF 15 and SPF 75?

The number following SPF is, in a sense, a measurement of time. It works something like this:

If, without any SPF protection, your body can produce enough melanin to protect your skin cells from damage for X amount of time, then with SPF 15 protection, your body can protect your cells for 15X amount of time.

So if you were to put on SPF 75, you're skin would be protected for 75 times the amount of time that is stated by X.

Unfortunately, X is a variable and changes from person to person, and there is no way to find out how much time X is equal to for anyone person, so you need to be the judge and decide when your skin has had enough. If you burn easily, wear a high SPF and reapply as needed. If you never burn, you can choose a lower SPF and reapply as necessary. Whatever SPF you choose, remember to take good care of your skin to prevent early signs of aging.

Before you head out into the sun, remember to leave your sunblock on for at least 30 minutes prior to going out, allowing enough time for the SPF to absorb into you skin, or it won't be as effective.

Happy summer!

The Philosophy of Charles Schulz

2009-05-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." (Charles Schultz)

Tape This To Your Bathroom Mirror

2009-05-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

Getting Over Being Shy

2009-05-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

I was incredibly shy when I was younger. I was terrible at making new friends, and every friend I ever had in school I knew from another friend first. All my friends were girls, too. Which made it so much harder for me to learn to make friends with guys. I remember when I started to like guys the first time, and I was so intimidated by them, that every time I tried to talk to any of them, I would get extremely nervous, sweaty palmed, and I could never think of anything to say, so I would just sit there awkwardly.

In high school my friends would ask me why I never was part of the dating scene. I would always tell them that I thought the guys at our school were lame, and I didn't like any of them. While I actually didn't like a lot of the guys I knew, it wasn't because I thought they were lame. It was because I was too scared to talk to them, which made them not want to talk to me, which in turn left me single all of high school. I was too shy to put myself in the line of fire, letting a guy judge me.

How did I get over being shy?

I haven't completely gotten over it. If you put me in an uncomfortable social situation, I'm still the quiet girl in the corner of the room. But I am a lot more outgoing since I got a job at a retail store.

How does working retail help me become more outgoing? Does it have to do with helping customers everyday?

No, the customers didn't help me at all. Okay, maybe just a little. I'm more comfortable talking with strangers and creating small talk when necessary, but the main way my job helped me was this:

I became part of a group of employees, many girls and many boys, and everyday I was put within a new group of these people. They would all start talking and you would just begin to feel more comfortable around them to the point where you began talking to them, too!

I was amazed with myself. I was holding conversations with not just one or two guys I had just met, but 4, 5, sometimes 6 guys! As I got more comfortable around these guys I began to realize that I had no reason to not talk to them. They were people, just like me, and they loved to have a good time, too.

In a matter of 10 short months at this job, I went from the quiet new girl to the social butterfly who everyone gets excited to work with. And I think the best part is that I found I guy I truly have feelings for, and he likes me back. Before I figured out he liked me back, the best thing happened: he told me that I was one of the few people he actually liked working with.

Me! The shy, quiet girl! A guy actually liked being around me! I never thought it would happen! I never thought I could even talk to a guy long enough to hold his interest, let alone make him like being around me!

Why am I sharing this?

Because I think every girl, no matter what age, needs to know that its not too late for them to overcome their shyness, that it's not too late for a guy to ever like them! That it's not too late for anything!

I've been talking to girls for the past couple hours, and most of them were complaining that they were 15, 16, 17 and had never had a boyfriend, never been kissed and how they thought it was too late for them to find love, and that they would die alone. You guys are still young and it's never too late! Everyday, take a step towards branching out. Say hello to someone new, make a new friend, try out a new hobby. There is a whole world out there waiting for you to come join them, so what are you waiting for? Vivez votre vie!

How To Install Love

2009-05-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

I found this just now, and knew I had to share it on this blog. I feel that this blog should be a way for me to inspire other young women as well as anyone who stumbles upon these posts. I also want anyone who comes here to feel like they are contributing, so if you have something positive to say to the world, something you want to share, or just words of encouragement, please feel free to post them as a comment, send me an email, or any other way you can think of. I might even add some people as authors on here, too! Anyways, here's a quick look at how to install love.

How To Install Love
By: Author Unknown

Customer Service (CS) Rep. : "Yes, Ma'am, how may I help you today?"

Customer: "Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install LOVE. Can you guide me through the process?"

CS Rep. : "Yes, I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?"

Customer: "Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install now. What do I do first?"

CS Rep. : "The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART ma'am?"

Customer: "Yes I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?"

CS Rep. : "What programs are running ma'am?"

Customer: "Let's see, I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running right now."

CS Rep. : "No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ma'am?"

Customer: "I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?"

CS Rep. : "My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM have been completely erased."

Customer: "Okay, done. LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?"

Cs Rep. : "Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?"

Customer: "Yes I do. Is it completely installed?"

Cs Rep. : "Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTS in order to get the upgrades."

Customer: "Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?"

Cs Rep. : "What does the message say?"

Customer: "It says "ERROR 412 - PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS. What does that mean?"

Cs Rep. : "Don't worry ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTS but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in nontechnical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others."

Customer: "So what should I do?"

Cs Rep. : "Can you pull down the directory called"SELFACCEPTANCE"?"

Customer: "Yes, I have it."

Cs Rep. : " Excellent. You're getting good at this."

Customer: "Thank you."

Cs Rep. : "You're welcome. Click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete VERBOSE-SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely and permanently gone erased."

Customer: "Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?"

Cs Rep. : "Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. One more thing before I go."

Customer: "Yes?"

Cs Rep. : "LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will share it with other people and then return some similarly sacred modules back to you."

Customer: "I will. Thanks for your help."

Being Young

2009-05-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

I'm only 19, but I feel compelled to let everyone know that there is so much more to give than what people see on the outside. I may be young, but I'm human, too. As humans, we all make observations, and we make decisions. Some of us are thoughtful, some intuitive. We have intellectuals, lovers, haters, etc. There are many different things we can all be as humans. And every one of us is entirely different, but we all bring something new to the table.

With age comes wisdom. I beg to differ. Wisdom comes with the ability to open ones mind, and to let others speak their opinions. Once we learn to do that, we can finally begin to learn from not only our mistakes and observations, but those of all other humans on this planet! Now isn't that amazing?

So what can I offer to the vast pot of humankind?

As I stated above, I'm only 19 years old, but I've come far in a few short years. And I'll try to sum up that distance in a few short words, but there is no possible way to express a lifetime's worth of knowledge in that little space.

I've spent most of my life growing up in a sheltered neighborhood in the Valley of the Sun, otherwise known as Phoenix, Arizona. I was born an Aries, which makes me a bit of an aggressive, go-getter. I have big dreams, but I somehow seem to abandon them for the next great idea.

Growing up I wanted to be a musician, an artist, a writer, a special education teacher, and probably a million other things. I always wanted to make everyone else around me happy before I could begin to make myself happy. I had too many people I thought I needed to impress that I began to throw away what I wanted in search of what everyone else wanted for me.

By the time I reached high school I had set my mind on becoming an engineer, a mathematician, or a forensic anthropologist, focusing my drive on a career that would make my parents proud and provide a good future for myself.

Somehow my plans were intercepted by my own wishes, and I realized that I only needed to follow my own dreams.

As I filled in my application to the colleges of my choice, I was forced to decide what path I was going to take: did I want to make everyone else happy, or did I want to find my own dreams to chase?

As I checked the box to become a Photography Major, my path was chosen. I wasn't going to try to make the world happy, I was going to start living for myself.

Ever since I found my calling in Photography, ad was able to pursue a dream for myself, I have been trying to inspire people my age (as well as people years older than me) to go after that dream they've always had.

If there is only one thing I could say to every young person in the world, it would be this:

You only get one chance at this life you're in right now. I don't know what comes after we die, but this life, the one you have right now, only comes once. Who are you going to live it for? It's your life, live your dream NOW.

Wisdom of Young Ladies

2009-05-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Wisdom of Young Ladies

By Billy Rob Hopkins

Ladies are born with wisdom, but ignore it in tender years,
a heart can rule a ladies mind and often bring hard tears.
When a woman really loves a man it opens up her soul,
yearning for a deep true love to fill in that empty hole.

Often, they see inside a man those things he just won't share,
lessons learned in childhood to hide how much they care.
Sometimes, they see inside his heart past that tall brick wall,
to sadly find he is not the kind to really love at all.

Each time her heart is broken it leaves behind deep scars
and brings a vow never again to let things go that far.
For awhile, all hope is killed as the doubts begin to roam,
like echos in a vacant house that used to be a home.