Category Archives: BEAUTY

Maybe Ombré Just Isn’t for You, And That’s OK

If you walked down the street in the West Village or perused the feeds of style bloggers on Instagram Pinterest or Tumblr, you would notice one, inarguable thing: the ombré hair color trend. It’s everywhere. Your best friend is sporting this look, your sister is about to sport this look and your coworkers are deciding if they want to take the plunge. This is one of the “it” hair color trends of the year.

Young girl with ombre hair

For the more daring lady, the lavender gray color trend has been gracing the boxes of instagram. Every other selfie displays long billows of silvery purple hair with a caption like “yay or nay?” Well it’s clear that the answer is a resounding “Yaaaas!” from the throngs of other IGers sporting the exact same hair color.  So, you ask yourself, am I next? Do I like these looks? Are they me? And the answer is, strangely, unclear, simply because you’ve seen the look on so many women that even if you originally believed it to be the ugliest trend you’d ever laid eyes upon, the mere frequency of it has allowed it to grow on you.

Kelly Osbourne Hair

Now, rather than professing your opinions about how downright ugly this trend is, you begin to hear yourself saying, “it’s not so bad,” and then “it’s pretty fashion-forward, actually,” and then there you are sitting in the salon requesting, “One ombré hairstyle, please!” Somehow the most intelligent of us, gets pulled into letting trends make style decisions for us. These “everybody’s doing it” moments conjure up the age-old question that a parent used to put to you when you had already made a terrible decision that had been influenced by a friend’s: “if she jumps off a bridge would you do it too?”

Unfortunately (or fortunately), their wisdom has followed you into adulthood and how appropriate this universal question still is.

So how do you stay true to what you truly love and get rid of all the trend-crazy noise?

Listen to your gut, ladies and gentlemen.

Get in tune with yourself and ask yourself some soul-seeking hair trend questions:

1. Would I feel proud with this haircut/hair color?
2. Do I feel “un-chic” if I am not sporting this hair color trend?
3. Do I enjoy having the same hairstyle as everyone and their mothers?
4. Would I make this decision if I hadn’t seen thousands of pictures of the same look on thousands of other women?
5. Is this look even a possibility for my hair?

Sometimes checking in with yourself is a great way to learn what works for you and what truly doesn’t. And don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with following a trend. Trends can provide structure and ease for the person that loves style, but doesn’t know where to begin. A trend can act as a much needed starting point in a world where there are an absurdly large number of style choices.

So what will it be? Ombré? Or a jet black pixie cut? The beauty of it all is that nothing is forever in the word of hair. You can choose emerald green today, and don an auburn bowl-cut tomorrow.

Health and Beauty Do’s and Don’ts from Vintage Educational Videos

Meet Don and Sue. They’re neat, attractive young adults who’ve got it all figured out. They’re the kind of people you’d like to know, at least according to the narrator of “How to Be Well Groomed.” Produced by Coronet Films in 1949, this vintage educational video was part of a new wave of “social guidance” films that were meant to teach the public how to be well-adjusted, attractive, healthy and even popular.

They’re funny little time capsules of social norms from another era. Maybe it’s the perky background music, stiff acting or the outdated advice, but we laugh every time we watch them. Yet, maybe there’s something to be learned from them? Have standards of grooming and self-care changed all that much since the 40s? We took a closer look at “How to Be Well Groomed” to see if it stands the test of time and pulled out some “dos” and “don’ts” that you can apply to your own life in the new millennium.

 

“How to Be Well Groomed”

DO: Keep your clothes pressed and mended.

Our hearts melted a little when Don starts ironing. This un-heteronormative expression of self-care was completely unexpected in a film made in 1949. Whatever your gender, clean clothes make a difference, and getting them ready the night before helps make mornings less stressful.

pressing clothes

DON’T: Only stick with clear nail polish.

Poor Sue. Sue thinks she has “stubby hands.” She avoids red nail polish so as not to draw attention to them. We disagree! Sue, your hands are beautiful. You should wear whatever color nail polish makes you happy, whether it’s red, black or none at all. Today, women (and men) are expressing themselves through elaborate nail art more than ever before. It’s a relatively inexpensive and temporary way of trying out a whole new style.

 

get your beauty sleep

DO: Get eight hours of sleep.

While every body is different, the National Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested and stay healthy. Sticking to a sleep schedule (even on weekends), practicing a relaxing bedtime routine and sleeping on a comfortable mattress all help with sleep hygiene. Don and Sue don’t need to think about turning off their smartphones at bedtime, but we all should. The light from electronic devices can affect your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

beauty sleep 2

DON’T: Stick to conventional fashion choices.

Check out the fantastic print on this buttondown! Sadly, Don chooses a rather dull version to pair with his trousers instead. We think he should embrace the idea of “jolie laide,” the French term for “pretty ugly” that means taking fashion risks and even wearing clashing prints. Why not? Life is short. Make a statement.

fashion choices

DO: Clean your fingernails in private.

Absolutely. There’s no excuse for clipping nails in public. Ever.

clipping nails

DO: Choose a hairstyle that looks right on you.

The “right” hairstyle doesn’t have to be conventional or boring, though. Sometimes going blue is just as “right” as staying natural.

dying hair

DON’T: Stress over breakfast. 

Recent research has debunked the modern belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Based on the results of two new studies, it turns out that eating first thing in the morning has inconclusive impact on weight loss or general well being. Some people are breakfast people and others simply aren’t. Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times, sums it up nicely: “if you like breakfast, fine; but if not, don’t sweat it.”

 

hearty breakfast

Ask a Pro: What’s the Deal with Makeup Brushes?

They come in all shapes and sizes and cover all price points. You can find them pretty much everywhere and you likely use one or more in your daily makeup routine. But how much do you really know about makeup brushes? We wanted to get the scoop on which brushes are the best and for what uses, so we consulted professional makeup artist Tiana Holiday and here’s what she had to say.

You must have good quality brushes and they must be clean. You can invest in a brush cleaner and use it with a paper towel daily, but along with that, cleaning them weekly with warm to hot water and a gentle liquid hand soap or baby shampoo will do the trick.

I am a huge fan of MAC brushes, although they have a steep price. Just know that I have had some of my favorite brushes for over 15 years. Remember, the better the bristles, the better they apply the products. And in general, when it comes to selecting brushes, the darker the color, the smaller the brush you should use.

girl makeup brushes

I prefer the Fluffy brushes, like MAC #217, which is my eyeshadow holy grail. I use it in a circular motion to blend the colors and I use a different brush for each color.

Other main eyeshadow brushes are the MAC pencil brush #219 to smoke out the bottom eyeliner and apply a crease color.


For foundation and concealers, I love the Beauty Blender. You can get one at Sephora, or even online from Amazon. MAC brush #168 is my go to for highlight and contour powders. Stila has the best powder brush that I use for bronzer. You can find it online . I also love MAC #182 Kabuki Buffer brush for powders.

MAC #208 is my favorite eyebrow brush. Lastly, as an Artist, I have to use MAC mascara brush #205 on my clients.

 

Tiana Holiday is a professional makeup artist with 17+ years experience in the industry working with celebrities, on music videos and commercials, weddings, private clients, photoshoots and fitness models. She is the owner of Tiana Rae Artistry.

Is a Fringe Haircut Right for You? 9 Things You Need to Consider

From Louise Brooks’ iconic blunt bangs to Alexa Chung’s curtain-style ‘do, there’s nothing quite like a fringe haircut to get us all in the mood for a makeover. But before you run off to the nearest salon with a photo of Zooey Deschanel, here are nine things you’ll want to consider before you make the chop.

To Chop or Not to Chop: What to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Fringe Haircut

1. Are you a wash-and-go kind of girl?

The first thing to know about bangs is that they’re very high-maintenance — especially at first. They may want to part in a weird spot, or they might cling to your forehead. At the bare minimum, you’ll likely need to blow them dry each time you shower, and you may even have to straighten them with a flat iron. In other words, bangs could put a serious crimp in your laidback beauty routine.

Try:

flat iron for a fringe haircut

Drybar The Tiny Tress Press, $49

2. How often do you visit the salon?

Bangs don’t actually grow faster than the rest of your hair, but it certainly seems like they do. If you want your bangs to look good and behave themselves, you’ll need to schedule regular trims from a professional. Plan on visiting a salon once every two or three weeks to keep your fringe in tip-top shape.

3. What’s your shampoo schedule?

We all know by now that we shouldn’t be washing our hair every day, but getting a fringe haircut can complicate things. Bangs are closer to the scalp and forehead, which means they’re naturally oilier and will need to be washed more frequently.

That doesn’t mean you have to shampoo on a daily basis. Instead, just rinse them in the sink to keep them looking fresh (or use dry shampoo when you’re short on time).

Try:

dry shampoo for fringe haircut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo, $23

4. Is your hair curly or straight?

A lot of people mistakenly assume fringe hairstyles only work on straight hair. Fortunately for all you Curly Sues out there, this assumption is a straight-up myth. Just make sure your stylist does a dry cut — you don’t want to end up with super-short bangs once your curls dry. Also, anti-frizz styling products and diffuser attachments will become your new BFFs.

Try:

curly hair cream for a fringe haircut

Kerastase Discipline Cream for Curly Hair, $32

5. Is your hair fine or thick?

lesley with a fringe haircut

Different hair textures require different types of bangs. Really fine hair (like mine, pictured above) is better suited to side bangs or wispier styles, while thicker hair can better accommodate a heavy, blunt fringe. Talk to your stylist to discuss your options, and work with your texture — not against it.

6. Do you work out?

Bangs are all fun and games until it’s time to break a sweat. That’s when those pretty face-framing strands become an absolute nightmare. If you exercise on the regular, then you’ll need a strategy for dealing with your fringe. Headbands and clips are obvious must-haves, but you’ll also want to consider the aftermath of these styling solutions. Your bangs will probably need to be re-styled after your workout sesh to keep them in proper shape themselves.

Try:

headbands for a fringe haircut
H&M 2-pack Hairbands, $5.99

7. Are bangs a commitment or a fling?

Hairstyle chameleons, listen up. If you’re pretty sure you’re going to sport your new fringe for just a season or two, you may want to steer clear of a blunt cut. Side-swept bangs are much easier to grow out, and they blend better with longer hair.

8. What’s your face shape?

Bangs can work with any face shape — as long as they’re the right type of bangs. The goal with most hairstyles is to make your face appear more oval. Round faces look great with thick, choppy bangs that create the look of angles, while angular heart- and diamond-shaped faces are softened by a side-swept fringe.

9. If you’ve had bangs before, did you like them?

Your previous experience with bangs is probably the single best indicator of how you’ll like a fringe haircut now. If you loved them before, then you’ll probably love them again. If you couldn’t wait for them to grow out, then it may be best to leave that Zooey Deschanel picture at home

Are you considering rocking a fringe haircut this fall? Let us know in the comments!

Our Favorite Celebrity No-Makeup Selfies

Check out these babes for some natural, no-makeup inspiration and a reminder that true beauty has nothing to do with fake lashes or the perfect contour (although, we love that look, too)!

 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

A post shared by Rosie HW (@rosiehw) on

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley just might be one of the most beautiful human beings to ever grace this earth. Between her big, beautiful lips and her stunning bone structure, she totally doesn’t need any makeup to enhance what she’s already got. Rosie posted a stunning makeup-less photo of herself in support of the Elephant Crisis Fund.

 

Zendaya

A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya) on

Zendaya posted a stunning makeup-free selfie wearing a plain white t-shirt. Seriously? Who looks that beautiful undone? She captioned the photo, “Yes for my white shirt being the perfect light bounce,” although we’re sure she’d still look amazing, even without that amazing lighting.

 

Cardi B

Cardi B is known for her incredible self-love, so it’s no surprise the rapper often shares makeup-less photos on her Instagram feed. Just a few short days after welcoming her baby girl, Kulture Kiari Cephus, Cardi posted a gorgeous barefaced photo with her boo, Offset, at a doctor’s appointment. Although she always looks beautiful, she’s totally got that special new mama glow!

 

Chrissy Teigen

Speaking of that glow, Chrissy Teigen absolutely has it! Chrissy and husband John Legend welcomed their second child, baby boy Miles Theodore Stephens, to the world in May. Chrissy shared an adorable makeup-less photo with new baby Miles and her daughter, Luna, enjoying a day in the sand. Chrissy captioned the photo, “guess we’re really doing this kid thing!” Ugh – she’s funny AND gorgeous.

 

Sara Sampaio

A post shared by Sara Sampaio (@sarasampaio) on

Victoria’s Secret Angel and all-around bombshell Sara Sampaio often rocks the barefaced look – in fact, even when she has her makeup done, she often opts for a more natural look (except when she wears her signature red lip)! Sara’s big lips and bold brows perfectly frame her face. It would almost be a shame to cover all of that up.

 

Lindsay Lohan

A post shared by Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) on

Lindsay Lohan has always been a proponent of freckles and hers are often on full display in her makeup-free Instagram pictures when she’s not rocking her go-to old-Hollywood glam look. Lindsay looked especially fresh-faced in a recent selfie at her beach house in Mykonos.

 

Kylie Jenner

A post shared by Kylie (@kyliejenner) on

While we’re on the topic of freckles, Kylie Jenner might just have the cutest ones ever. Also a new mom, Kylie has been opting for a more natural look as of late and she still looks as beautiful as ever – even more so, if that’s humanly possible. In June, Kylie shared a stunning no-makeup selfie featuring a peek of her baby girl, Stormi.

9 Summer Hair Products Every Beach Babe Will Love

The good news? Summer has officially arrived! The bad news? Summer is so hard on your hair. From chlorine encounters to high-humidity frizz, there are countless ways for a bad hair day to turn into a bad hair season. But have no fear. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite summer hair products to turn those scorched strands into the mermaid waves of your dreams.

The Best Summer Hair Products Under the Sun

1. Hair & Scalp SPF

coola scalp and hair mistYou layer sunscreen underneath your makeup or wear an SPF-infused foundation religiously. Great – just don’t forget to protect your hair and scalp while you’re at it. Try an antioxidant-rich hair mist that blocks the sun’s harsh rays while also boosting your overall hair health. This organic option from COOLA actually locks in your hair color, diminishes dullness, and deeply moisturizes for glossy locks from root to tip. Even better? It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30, $26

2. A Detoxifying Shampoo

summer hair productsGoing for a dip in the pool is pure bliss, but dealing with chlorine buildup is anything but. Get your tresses squeaky clean with a color-safe shampoo formulated to remove buildup along the scalp. O&M’s Original Detox Shampoo is infused with vitamin C and smells like peppermint oil. (Ahhhh.)

O&M Original Detox™ Shampoo, $31.90

3. A Protective Oil

klorane summer hair productsDreaming of white sandy beaches, saltwater oceans, and plenty of sunshine? A beach getaway may sound heavenly, but salt, sand, chlorine, and UV rays can leave you with hair that’s dry and brittle. Fortunately, a lightweight oil treatment helps you nourish and protect your hair while still enjoying the tropics.

This waterproof option from Klorane harnesses the power of ylang-ylang wax to shield your strands against the elements.

Klorane Sun Radiance Protective Oil with Ylang-Ylang Wax, $18

4. A Salt-Free Wave Spray

Ouai summer hair productsSalt-based sprays are known for creating perfectly tousled waves, but salt isn’t good for color-treated or keratin-treated hair. OUAI’s Wave Spray is formulated with rice protein instead, so it gives you the textured beach waves you love without those harsh salts.

OUAI Wave Spray, $26

5. A Color Life Preserver

DPhue hair care productNot only does chlorine strip the hair of its natural oils and make it more prone to breakage, but its drying effect can turn blonde hair green and cause brunette strands to look brassy. Purple-toned shampoos and conditioners keep blonde cool and bright, while blue-toned formulas like dpHUE’s Cool Brunette shampoo and conditioner help eliminate brass.

dpHUE Cool Brunette Conditioner, $24

6. A Refreshing Hair Rinse

apple cider vinegar hair care productIf product buildup has you down, try a hair rinse that deep-cleans your scalp and conditions your strands. This spa-like apple cider vinegar formula is made with color-locking technology, and it even strengthens your hair with continued use.

dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse, $35

 

7. A Daily Detangler

prep rallyA lazy day at the beach can quickly turn into a tangled hot mess. Try a biotin-formulated spray to smooth, strengthen, and detangle your locks. Drybar’s Prep Rally spray is cruelty-free and smells like sandalwood.

Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep Detangler, $23

 

8. A Smooth Brush

pink flamingo brushWhen it comes to detangling your hair, you’ll also need a comb or brush with its own smooth moves. This palm-sized Tangle Teezer slides through wet or dry hair for ultra-glossy strands – and it comes in a limited-edition pink flamingo print.

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Summer Edition, $16

 

9. An All-in-One Travel Companion

sephora summer hair care product colllectionDesperately want all of the above but short on cash? Score bombshell waves without blowing your budget with a giant set of summer hair products. This Sephora collection lets you try 12 different products that condition, nourish, and protect your hair all season long.

SEPHORA FAVORITES Summer Hair Saviors, $38

What are your go-to summer hair products? Let us know your favorites in the comments section below!

Nutrition for Healthy, Glowing Skin

It’s true, the skin is the biggest organ in the human body. It also plays a key role in detoxification. Dealing with skin problems, particularly as an adult, isn’t just frustrating; for many, it’s embarrassing and can have profound effects on our self-esteem and confidence.

Acne is a major problem, and not only for teenagers. I see an increasing number of adult clients complaining of skin issues and desperate to find solutions. Aside from acne, other common and troublesome issues include psoriasis, eczema, rashes and hives, and athletes foot. Unfortunately, the conventional mindset for addressing all of these skin problems is often missing the mark. While topicals, ointments, gels, lotions, and cleansers might be able to help with symptoms temporarily, the real goal must be getting to the root of the problem.

So what is at the root of poor skin health? It is important to understand that if you are experiencing a skin condition, this is a sure sign of another underlying problem.

Some common triggers of skin conditions:

  • Undiagnosed food allergies/sensitivities
  • Excessive past or current exposure to environmental toxins
  • Reactions to personal hygiene products
  • Excessive sugar in the diet
  • Dehydration
  • Lack of healthy gut flora

Here are seven essential steps to treating skin from the inside out.

Hydrate!

Simple hydration is not to be underestimated in both causing and treating skin conditions. Simply put, we cannot detox properly without adequate hydration. Water flushes toxins from our body, and if there isn’t enough of it, skin problems are far more common. Shoot for half of your body weight in ounces per day, and opt for clean, filtered water whenever possible. If you are a coffee/caffeine drinker, your quantity of water should be increased, as these beverages act as diuretics, which are substances that increase urine production in the body, which promotes dehydration.

girl drink water

Discover Hidden Food Allergies or Sensitivities

Acne is a very common symptom of a food allergy or sensitivity. The foods to which we most often react include gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs and grains, although an individual can be allergic to just about anything. A food elimination diet is the best (and least expensive) way to begin uncovering potential sensitivities. This involves eliminating commonly allergenic foods for no less than one month, and systematically reintroducing them in order to pinpoint which might be problematic.

raw egg in plate

Eliminate Dairy

Particularly if you’re dealing with acne, eliminating dairy in the diet should be step number one. A 2005 study released by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found a positive correlation between dairy intake and teenage acne, but this goes for adults, too. Dairy includes primarily milk, cheese, and yogurt, and some may or may not do well with butter. (Ghee, a clarified butter, is a great alternative.) Eliminate dairy completely for at least one month, and see if you notice changes. If not, move on to the more extensive elimination diet described above.

Cut Out Sugar

A close runner-up to dairy, refined sugar is a major player in skin issues. The main reason for this has to do with hormones, as excessive sugar in the diet leads to blood sugar imbalance, which negatively affects our hormone levels. Instead of refined (table) sugar, opt for maple syrup, raw honey, and naturally sweet foods such as whole fruit.

honeydew

Focus on Fats

Fortunately, our society’s obsessive fear of fats is slowly but surely dissipating, which is great news for our skin. It is true that commonly used cooking fats such as canola, soy and corn oils, along with deep-fried foods, are oxidized (rancid) before even leaving the supermarket. These fats can wreak havoc on our body systems and skin, as they create free radicals that are damaging to cells and a leading cause of systemic inflammation. However, a focus on nutritious and skin-healthy fats such as coconut, olives, flax, walnut and avocado oils, avocado, grass-fed butter, ghee, and raw nuts and seeds can be very beneficial.

coconut oil

Go Easy on the Alcohol

This can be a tough one but is extremely important in order to achieve healthy skin. Since alcohol converts to sugar when consumed, it creates problems similar to those described above with refined sugar consumption. Furthermore, alcohol congests the liver, which is our primary detox organ. Proper detoxification is essential to clearing up skin problems.

Include Probiotic-Rich Fermented Foods

Every qualified nutrition professional knows that healthy digestion is at the root of most skin problems. If our digestion is impaired for any reason — leaky gut, undiagnosed food allergies, lack of digestive enzymes or sufficient stomach acid, or an improper balance of gut flora — this can have profound effects on our skin health. Including probiotic-rich fermented foods on a daily basis is a great place to start, and the best options are raw sauerkraut, kimchi, coconut kefir, and kombucha tea.

sauerkraut

While some skin conditions might not respond to these dietary changes and could require the guidance of a nutrition or integrative medicine professional, many of my clients find that their skin issues, especially acne, clear up after several months of these changes. Remember, skin issues are rooted in an underlying problem, and discovering which problems are affecting you is the key to achieving healthy, glowing skin.

Ask a Pro: Is Drugstore Makeup Just as Good as Expensive Brands?  

With a lot of makeup products, there is a huge difference between higher end and a drugstore brand. But in the last four years, drugstore brands have been stepping up their game. They are closing the quality gap and are still charging a lot less. The question of whether designer makeup is worth double or triple the cost of its drugstore makeup counterpart – products sometimes called “dupes” in the industry – comes down to more than just one factor.

Knowing when to splurge on high end products and when to try out a drugstore brand is becoming easier with social media. Youtubers are pretty honest about comparing the top products and their dupes. Also, Instagram is a huge resource for beauty product reviews. If you want to know more about one, research the hashtag of that product. (Just be cautious of people pushing products because they are getting paid to “review it”.)

Here are some of my favorite products, both high end and drugstore dupes.

Blush

I love MAC blushes because they have great colors, great pigments and last long. My favorites are Melba, Warm Soul and Dainty. I also love Nars Orgasm blush, but I don’t like the packaging – it gets sticky for some reason. The drugstore brand Milani has amazing baked blushes; Luminoso is unreal but all of them are great tones.

 

Mascara

I would say go for a drugstore brand of mascara because they’re cost effective and there are so many options. Also, mascaras should be thrown out every one to three months. Period. I love Maybelline Great Lash and Loreal. My favorite high end mascaras are Dior Show and MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash.

 

Lipsticks

Choose higher end lipsticks because the color payoff is better, they smell better and they last longer. MAC matte lipsticks are my favorite but I love the new line Melt lipsticks. Also, Jefferey Stars Liquid Lipsticks beat everyone on the market. I want my lipstick to stay on and with these brands, it does.

 

Lip Gloss

I love certain companies’ lipglosses but as a whole, I would push drugstore brands lately. NYX Butter Glosses are giving me life right now. Revlon Balm stains are used daily in my kit.

 

Concealer, Powder, and Foundation

I would go with a higher end concealer and foundation because of the artist’s ability to match you and get you exactly what you need and want when you purchase. In this case, you are paying for quality products and the companies’ makeup artists’ training and knowledge of the products. I use MAC, Armani, Loreal and Burts Bees.

 

Eyeshadows and Eyeliners

This is a true toss up! I can blend anything if I have a good base product and the right brushes, but I mainly use MAC, Melt stacks and Armani. I like them matte and with a lot of pigment.

 

If you’re a diehard fan of your favorite designer blush, that increases the product’s worth to you. Still, just because you purchased something at a department store counter doesn’t automatically make it superior to something you could purchase at a drugstore. You might just be paying for the pretty packaging when a drugstore dupe would work just as well.

 

Tiana Holiday is a professional makeup artist with 17+ years experience in the industry working with celebrities, on music videos and commercials, weddings, private clients, photoshoots, and fitness models. She is the owner of Tiana Rae Artistry.

tiana holiday
Tiana working with a client.

5 New Eyeliner Styles You Need to Try This Summer

Bored to tears with your everyday cat-eye? Tired of alternating between black and… jet black? We’re helping you switch things up this summer with five ultramodern eyeliner styles (and the exact eyeliners you need to recreate each one).

5 Summer-Ready Eyeliner Styles That Will Redefine Your Look

1. Graphic Art

eyeliner styles

What’s better than a classic wing? A classic wing with a twist. Graphic eyeliner is a huge beauty trend right now, and there are countless ways to make it your own. Try a rainbow effect with multiple hues, define a cut crease with rich black lines, or create your own original artwork with a fine-tipped micro liner.

Pro Tip: Nervous about attempting such a bold look? Top your go-to black wing with a clean white line for an understated but mod accent.

TryTarte So Fine Micro Liner – Rainforest of the Sea™ Collection, $22

black eyeliner

2. Color Pops

eyeliner styles

Save those muted eyeliner looks for fall. Summer is the perfect time of year to experiment with bright, bold hues and sizzling color palettes. Tightline the upper rims of your eyes in cobalt for an electric nighttime look, or use shades of lavender, pink, turquoise, and yellow to jumpstart your day.

Pro Tip: Feeling especially daring? Apply two different hues along your upper and lower lash lines, and then connect them at the corners with a black wing.

TryDior Diorshow On Stage Liquid Eyeliner, $30.50

colorful eyeliner

3. Naked Eyes

nude eyeliner
Prefer a more natural makeup look? Go nude in the most socially acceptable way possible with a cream-colored eyeliner. Ideal for faking a full night’s sleep, this makeup bag essential makes your eyes look bigger and brighter in a flash. Apply it to the inner corners of your eyes and your waterline to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed any day of the week. (Yes, even Mondays.)

Pro Tip: Use a cream-colored liner beneath your brow bones to lift and frame your arches, as well.

TryTarte Fake Awake Eyeliner, $20

fake awake eyeliner

4. Peel-Off Glitter

eyeliner styles
Shimmer in the sunlight with glittery eyeliner that stays right where you want it (and peels off with zero fuss). Finally, you can embrace your inner mermaid without worrying about your eyeliner running down your face.

Pro Tip: Build up these glittery shades for a vivid finish, or use a single flick on each eye for subtle sparkle.

TryToo Faced Glitter POP! Peel-Off Eyeliner, $20

glitter eyeliner

5. Monochromatic Tones

simple makeup

Summer is all about keeping things simple (i.e., being super lazy), and there’s nothing simpler than a multi-tasking eyeliner that does it all. A matte liner in a natural shade of brown can double as your eyebrow pencil, lip liner, contour, or even blush.

Pro Tip: Use this all-in-one eyeliner to fill in your brows, add freckles, or create the perfect lip stain with the help of a little gloss.

TryMake Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Eye, Lip & Brow Pencil, $18

nude eyeliner

What do you think of these new eyeliner styles? Will you give them a try this summer, or will you continue winging it instead? Let us know in the comments!

5 Hair Mistakes You’re Making and How to Fix Them

Somewhere along our hair journey, we’ve been given advice left and right about proper hair care and the “right” way to manage our manes. The beauty industry is, after all, known for throwing us curveballs. However, many of these common hair practices are doing more damage to our locks than we think.  Reclaim your hair’s glory by avoiding these five big hair mistakes.

 

Washing Daily

Nothing beats the look of freshly washed hair — we get it. But if you’re a daily washer, consider yourself an over-washer. When you wash your hair every day, you irritate your scalp by stripping the hair’s natural oils. This causes your scalp to overproduce oil to make up for the amount that was lost. Ever wonder why your hair looks greasy the very next day, begging for another wash? Now you know.

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Avoid this harmful cycle altogether; re-train your scalp to produce oils naturally by skipping a couple of days in between washes. We promise you won’t have to rock the greasy look forever! Tip: use a good dry shampoo in between washes to make this transition a less painful one.

 

Not Giving Those Roots Some Love

If you have fine, thin, or naturally oily hair, you were probably told to avoid using conditioner on your roots so you don’t risk “weighing your hair down” even more. But a healthy, moisturized scalp encourages hair growth and the moisture ends up transferring down to the rest of the hair shaft, creating softer ends.

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When applying conditioner, massage the majority of the product in from the ends up, focusing on nourishing your hair’s most damaged areas first, while leaving a small, even amount for your roots. The key here is not applying too much product to your roots, but just the right amount.

 

Skipping a Pre-Wash Treatment

Speaking of our hair’s natural oils, we want to protect those bad boys. Many shampoos that do a great job of getting our locks squeaky clean often contain harsh ingredients that irritate our scalps and strip out many of these oils. To prevent this, start putting a pre-wash treatment into your hair routine. Look for products that are specifically labeled as a “pre-wash treatment” or simply massage coconut oil into your roots and let it sit 10-15 minutes before you wash your hair to do the trick.

 

Recoloring Hair Completely to Correct Tone  

There are a lot of factors that can affect a good hair dye job. And whatever the cause may be, those pretty blonde and caramel strands might be looking closer to the dreaded brassy yellow and orange tones that everyone wants to avoid. For some, the impulse may be to dye over their color completely to fix the issue, but dyeing over color often tends to leave you with a mixed result and over-processed hair.

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Instead, use a toner to color correct, or wash your hair every few weeks with a tone-correcting shampoo. A purple shampoo works best for those with blonde or silver hair, eliminating yellow undertones, while a blue shampoo works best for brunettes who are looking to cancel out brassy orange undertones.

 

Sleeping With a Wet Head

True story: Our hair is at its weakest when it’s wet. When you combine cuticles that aren’t fully sealed with all the moving around we do at night, you have a recipe for “frizz and breakage”. While it might seem more attractive to trade in the extra time it takes to dry your hair before bed for some shut-eye, you’re truly doing yourself a disservice. Unruly bedhead always requires more time and attention in the morning.

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Pull out the ol’ hair dryer if showering at the end of the night is your thing, or simply wash it in the morning when you know you can’t be trusted to hit the sheets without a wet head.

Which one of these hair mistakes surprised you the most? Are you guilty of any of these? Share with us in the comments!