Party Perfect
Be party perfect and party ready at a moment's notice by staying up-to-date with the latest fashion, beauty and hair trends.
Hot Hair Style Trends of 2006!
Looking to experiment with new hair style trends in 2006? Your choices abound! There's an absolute feast of looks to choose from. Update your hair style with one of these hot trends that dominate the hair scene this year.
Bobs With Bang
Precision cut bobs are huge this year, coupled with smooth, sleek styling, a blunt fringe and heaps of shine. Your bob should be carefully crafted to accentuate your unique facial structure, or highlight a long, beautiful neck. Bob hair styles range from ear level to shoulder skimming and are best for straight or slightly wavy hair. If your hair is too curly, a bob can take on the look of a triangle, widening at the bottom in an unflattering way. Only opt for the bangs with this hair style if it works with your facial structure. And if you're feeling a little more groovy baby...incorporate a mod feel into your bob.
Mad For Mod
Heavy, side-swept bangs and blunt lines characterize this cut. A mod hair style is similar to a bob, it's texture and direction that add a mod feel. This cut has a generous amount of slicing or texturizing to lighten up the bluntness. Your hip, mod hair do should be styled with a swooping motion, directing the hair around the head from the crown or a deep side part. Using hair products like waxes, clays, or muds add texture and a bit of grungy-funk to a mod hair style.
Asymmetry in Action
This edgy look just keeps getting more extreme! Bold exploration is the name of the game. Unexpected texture and length differences. The asymmetrical look can be done on a range of hair styles from a short cut, a bob or a longer, layered style. And the angles can range from soft and gently sloping to an extreme plunge. This year, asymmetrical bangs are hot, and whether they're cut blunt or heavily textured, a sloping bang adds interest and can highlight your features nicely.
Strategic Layers
Carved throughout the interior of the hair, strategic layers bring out the authentic movement of each individual head of hair. Cutting techniques are advancing, and hair styling is becoming more bold and unique to each person rather than a universal one-size-fits-all hair trend like back in the "Rachel" days. Strategic layering allows you to capitalize on what YOU have, not just mimic "The look of the day." Find a good hair stylist and listen to their ideas about styles and techniques that'll work best on your hair, while complimenting your features.
Peaks, Swirls, and Waves
Directional styling, if you want to sound technical. This look is funky and daring, and offers alot of room for individuality. Since every head of hair is different, your unique character can shine within the peaks of this hot new hair style. Use a wax, clay, or mud hair product, something with a little grit, and a little hold. Emulsify the product in your hands so there's a thin veil of product all over your palms and between your fingers. Then plunge right in there and move the hair around with an eye out for an appealing shape. Swoop it, swirl it around, change directions suddenly. Coiffe with reckless abandon! And when you've achieved the start of a good look. Grab you blowdryer (on a low setting) and maximize the peaks and waves using your most important hair styling tool...your hands. Do not strive for perfection, but do aim for an "artful" feel, and some sort of discernible shape. Then set about your day and go forth with confidence knowing you're the baddest hipster on the block!
Color for Character
Hair color can have a dramatic effect on an otherwise plain hair style. Rich dark colors are ultra-hot this year, sprinkled with a few equally rich highlights peeking out from underneath. Deep tones of eggplant, burgundy, and mahogany are a great compliment to a dark brown or black hair color. Strategically placed highlights, lowlights, or panels can accentuate texture and add tons of character to your style. Compliment your features and skin tone, and add an edge to your haircut with some artful hair coloring.
About the Author - Michelle Schill is the founder and webmaster of Style Hair Magazine -- Professional hair styling and coloring techniques in simple terms. The must-know's for using hair products and tools and staying up to date on the latest hair style trends.
10 Beauty and Health Resolutions Every Woman Can Keep!
So you can't lose those extra 20 pounds in 30 days - or hit the gym three days a week like you wish you could. But that doesn't mean you can't face the New Year with some resolve to be a better, healthier, even prettier you in 2006.
In fact, Yale professor Dr. David Katz says we should lighten up on strict resolutions and approach the New Year with reasonable expectations. Doing so will not only help you stick to your resolve, but the small changes you make can lead to bigger changes down the road - and an ambitious desire to improve your life in many more ways.
"If you let the small things add up they will add up to meaningful changes in the overall pattern of your life, " says Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, and co-author of "Stealth Health: How to sneak age-defying, disease-fighting habits into your life without really trying!"
To help get you started on those small but meaningful changes, here are 10 fast and easy health and beauty resolutions - little things you can do to positively change the way you feel -and the way you look - in 2006! Try one - or all ten - and I promise you'll see the difference way before spring!
1. Never go to bed wearing make-up.
No matter how tired you are, no matter how late it is, take just 2 minutes to slather on and tissue off a facial cleanser and your skin will thank you. Not only will it help remove surface bacteria that could encourage breakouts, most make up is drying to the skin so removing it will help reduce wrinkling while you sleep. If you can squeeze in 30 more seconds for a quick application of moisturizer, you'll see a definite difference in your face in 7 days or less!
2. Never leave the house without sunscreen on your face.
I know . . .you've heard it all before. But I promise you that taking this two minute step will not only yield enormous health benefits (like reducing your risk of skin cancer) it's also the single most important anti aging skin care step you can take. It's true - the sun IS the number one cause of wrinkles and aging skin. And sunscreen - well it's the biggest gun in your wrinkle defense arsenal! To make using it easy and automatic, look for either a moisturizer or a foundation with an SPF 15.
3. Protect your lips - and look younger and sexier!
Want those juicy, sexy, full Angelina lips? You can have them without a lot of muss and fuss IF you protect your pucker with a lip gloss or balm containing sunscreen. When lips are hydrated and protected they will automatically look fuller - and you'll look younger! You can capitalize on the protection if you swap out a matte lipstick for a high wattage gloss in a medium warm pink tone.
4. Whiten your teeth.
If you haven't done it yet, this is the one resolution you MUST try! Not only is it the quickest, most inexpensive way to take years off your appearance, it can boost your confidence and give you that polished, well groomed look rich girl - for just pennies a day.
5. Clean out your make-up bag/ bathroom drawer/ vanity -
and toss any products you've had more than a year. Not only can this help prevent potentially serious eye or skin infections, it will force you to re-evaluate your make up needs - and every woman needs to do that at least once a year! When you head out to the stores to buy items, step out of the box to try a new color or a new make up product. If you always wore lipstick, try gloss, if you only use neutral shadows try a deeper shade for a smokier look. Mix it up - and have fun finding a new look!
6. Keep up with your hair coloring.
The 2 inches of "roots" look popularized on "Sex and the City" is going, going, gone! In it's place is more natural, highlighted color . If you're wearing a shade you just can't bear to change, make sure you touch up those roots every 4 weeks. If the time - or the expense - doesn't permit that kind of attention, then think about having your hair professionally highlighted and low lighted - a mixture of many shades and tones of basic colors like honey blonde, or chestnut brown. The look lasts for up to six months without a touch up.
7. Trade in your shower gel for a moisturizing bar of soap.
Did you ever wonder why the ingredient label on your shower gel is 2 inches long and filled with chemical terms you can't pronounce - while the ingredients on an average bar of beauty soap is just one sentence? Most gels contain chemicals, dyes, foaming agents, and lots of drying alcohol - all things your skin doesn't need. Try a daily shower with a moisturizing soap instead - and see your entire body complexion come alive in just 14 days or less. And - you'll save a ton of money too!
8. Wear a bronzer all year long.
Most gals think of a powder bronzer as a summertime treat. But it's also the Hollywood secret that keeps many an aging starlet from looking her age - or letting on how little sleep she really gets! Just a quick pouf of powder on the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheers, and round the outer rim of your forehead will give you a glow that will leave everyone wondering . . .is she in love . . . again ?
9. Take a calcium/vitamin D supplement every day.
While many women believe calcium is only important if you're pregnant - or post menopausal - the truth is gals of all ages need this vital mineral to maintain a strong and healthy skeleton - and protect against broken bones. What you may not realize: Studies show women in their 20's need this protection as much as women in their 50's! But that's not all! The latest research shows getting adequate calcium may also help keep skin looking younger longer! And since we're all staying out the sun, the vitamin D is essential to make sure the calcium you take is absorbed. Try it for a month - you'll see a difference!
10. Wear fragrance every day!
Even if you're just spending the day doing laundry or cleaning the bathroom, studies show that wearing your favorite fragrance is a great way to lift your mood and keep energy levels high. Starting your day with a dousing of fragrance will also make you feel special - and that can affect how you act and react during the entire day. If you can't afford to use your favorite pricey designer fragrance every day, look for scented body lotions or anoint your pulse points with a fragrant bath oil. For an inexpensive scented body powder purchase any corn-starch based baby powder, pour into an air tight plastic container and spritz the contents several times with your favorite fragrance. Close the lid, shake it - and voila - when you open it you'll have a whole container of perfumed talc for pennies!
Victoria Winston is a former runway model and now the style director of http://www.CountryDutchess.com - a fabulous fashion jewelry and beauty outlet.
7 Top Fashion Tips
The clothing choices you make tell people about you. Are you sending the message you want?
1. What you wear under your clothes is just as important as the clothes you wear. Bras or panties that are too small or tight will create bulges; as well, underwear that is worn out will not give the correct amount of support, creating a saggy look. To look fabulous on the outside you have to wear the right undergarments.
2. Don’t draw attention to an asset if it exposes a liability. For example, if you have a small waist and large hips you might like to wear belts to show off your tiny waist. Don't! A belt will draw attention to the difference between your hips and waist, and make your hips appear larger. A better solution is to wear shaped tops that flow over the waist.
3. When you update your wardrobe at the beginning of a season have the needed repairs done on your shoes. Also, remove clothes from your closet that need mending or altering and get them ready for the coming season.
4. Thin fabrics like crepe, linen or wool jersey fall better and are more slimming than wool, tweed or suede.
5. Don’t shop for an outfit the same day you have to wear it to an important event. You could end up with an outfit that just does not work, and I don’t need to tell you the stress shopping at the last minute or ending up with the wrong outfit will cause.
6. Proceed with caution when you choose a top, skirt or dress that is made from a clingy material. Stretchy, lycra materials that are too tight will show bulges and bumps that can be easily hidden in a similar top, skirt or dress made from a heavier, different type knit.
7. A cardigan can be worn in place of a jacket if it looks great. A great cardigan fits well and keeps its shape. Don’t wear cardigans to work if they are stretched, or just plain worn out.
©2005 Sheila Dicks
Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women feel more confident by dressing to suit their body type. To get tips on how to dress slimmer and find your best styles go to http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to get the Free Report “7 Things Your Girlfriends Won’t Tell You About Beauty and Fashion”.
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