Aug 20

Be Your Own Makeup Artist With These Instructional Beauty Buys!

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imageNo matter how many cosmetics ads you rip from your magazines or grainy tutorial videos you try to study on YouTube, replicating the exact makeup look you see done by the pros is not often an easy feat. Not everyone has the skill, time, or coordination required to be as creative and as beauty-dexterous as the trained makeup artists of the world, and even if you’re pretty gifted with an eyeshadow quad and brush, chances are there are loads of makeup tricks you just can’t seem to master on your own. Luckily, more and more our favorite big-name beauty brands are making their collections more novice-friendly with product intro kits and how-to instructional sets that are sure to make Hollywood-worthy glamour accessible to even the most easily intimidated. Have a huge array of shadows but don’t know how to apply them to achieve the perfect smokey eye? Maybelline can tell you where on your lid each shade belongs! Got the eyes down pat but need a little help with the brows? Anastasia’s at-home brow kit even provides the stencils! Take a look at the slideshow for a few of my favorite instructional products and sets!

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Aug 20

Disco Fever On The Runway!

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imageGet ready to throw on some shimmer and shine and hit the dance floor with disco inspired clothing! Sequins, beads, and lame were all over the spring runways and are still going strong for fall. The 2009 sequins trend isn’t about prom dress type sequins and formal glamour, but rather scattered and broken sequins and beads that add a touch of luster. There are so many ways to get the look– from clothing to accessories, your options are endless. Don’t be afraid to pair them with pared down pieces for a cool juxtaposition of dressy and casual. Throw on a pair of sequined leggings for a sporty futuristic touch or a sequined t-shirt instead of your usual cotton tee. Diane von Furstenberg’s slouchy “Stephanie” bag is the perfect daytime option, balancing shine and shimmer with its slouchy boho shape. Check out the slideshow for some more glittering choices.

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Aug 20

Go Bold This Fall With Oversized Jewelry

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imageObviously a lot of us are trimming down the fashion budget in the interest of saving money, and outfits are pared down to the basics. So how do you dress things up without breaking the bank? Accessorize, of course. It’s no secret I LOVE all things big and bold, so it’s not surprising that I’m especially excited that this season oversized cocktail rings are all the rage. Personally I’m not much on necklaces, but I do love me some cocktail rings, so I’ve been trying to get a few pieces together to complement some outfits I bought for the fall and winter. I’m a big fan of this pearl-center flower ring by Kenneth Jay Lane, and this sparkly aubergine ring (also by KJL) is great for a little flash! Head over to TheFind for more ways to spice up your fall wardrobe!
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Aug 20

Get Organized For Back-To-School (Or Just Life) With A New Planner Or Notebook!

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imageEvery year when back to school season rolled around, I would vow to be a different, new and improved me. I vowed to always have my make-up done, my outfits coordinated, and my schedule organized. Yeah, right. I rolled out of bed with 10 minuted to spare and threw on whatever was clothes. I usually didn’t have time for even mascara, and forget packing a lunch! One thing that I always did do right? My daily planner! I would go weeks before school started and start browsing bookstores and retail shelves, searching for that one daily planner that would contain me and all my plans within it in a neat rectangle while at the same time proclaiming my individuality and self-expression to the world through its cover art. I would fill out the information in my neatest handwriting and, for the next month, take the extra time out to jot down assignments or swim meets and weekend plans. Then, inevitably, I would forget to use it, fall behind on the dates, get frustrated and throw it under my bed for the rest of the year. It wasn’t until I was a little older and out of school that I discovered the notebook. Ok, I didn’t discover the notebook that late in life. I just realized that a large part of my daily planner refusal problem was the fact that the dates were already printed out for you in predetermined squares. While that might help some people, it discouraged me. I realized that a small notebook, lined or not, was what I actually needed. No pre-set dates that demand you to find something interesting to write in them (in case I ever lost it and some stranger found it, flipped through it and decided I was boring) and no pages allotted for random notes that, if you went over, you felt like a textual version of a blabber-mouth. The only thing that stayed the same? Browsing numerous bookstores to find the one that said, “Hi! I’m unique and spontaneous, but am also responsible and reliable!” So whether you prefer a daily planner to a notebook, check out our slideshow to find one that expresses who you are!

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Aug 19

Fekkai Shampoo Swap: September 17th, 2009!

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imageRenowned hairdresser Frederic Fekkai is launching his Fekkai Advanced collection and he wants you to experience the luxury of his new hair care line with a shampoo swap. On Thursday, September 17, 2009 visit any participating Saks Fifth Avenue store and exchange any full-sized shampoo you currently use for one full-sized complimentary bottle of Fekkai Advanced Shampoo — a $23 value. In store only and while supplies last. Visit fekkai.com for a list of participating Saks Fifth Avenue stores, then click over to ShopDiary for more beauty news and tips!
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Aug 19

Hot In The Hive: Nail Airbrush Kit

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imageDuring these tough times, it’s easy to feel guilty about spending money to get your nails done on a regular basis. Sure, you may consider manicures about as important as meals, but still — the costs add up. So when it comes to splurging on fancier polishes and treatments at the salon, say airbrushing for example, the costs add up even faster. Give your wallet a rest and opt for an at-home Nail Airbrush Kit! (Okay, so it’s kind of a splurge in the beginning, but you’d be saving money in the long-run!) The kit comes with a collection of colors and laser-cut designs so you can get the glamour of salon-done nails without needing to tip the chatty technician. Plus, you can polish while staying in your pajamas and spare yourself the judgmental looks from other customers!

Price: $180
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Nail Airbrush Kit to the Hive.

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Aug 19

In Love With L’Occitane Shea Butter Cream!

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imageMy poor dry skin can’t seem to get enough moisture so I decided to try out the shea butter cream from L’Occitane. I’ve been using it right out of the shower and finally my arms and hands aren’t feeling dry anymore! Did you know that shea butter is a natural fat extracted from the fruit of the shea tree and is a wonderful natural moisturizer and emollient? You can pick up a limited edition shea butter body set ($88) to get the hand cream, foot cream, body cream, and mini hand cream! I also want to pick up this shea butter soap trio ($21). Head over to Coquette for more beauty must-buys!
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Aug 19

Shop In Style With Splendicity’s Fun Fall Fashion Ideas!

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imageFall is a fun time for fashionistas — slouchy sweaters, pretty coats, cozy boots and warm, textured fabrics highlight the season. Let’s take a look at some of the latest fashion trends and shopping deals for fall.

Hot Handbags: You don’t need to spend a small fortune to get into the fall trends. These handbags for under $100 are on trend for the season. Look for bags with lots of texture — studs, fringe, ruffles and pleats.

Sensational Shoes & Boots: When it comes to footwear, look for these warm colors that are perfect for cool weather. My favorite is definitely cranberry red — a staple in my fall wardrobe. Velvet vampy shoes are also hot this season. If you are looking for boots, check out the coolest choices in fall boots, from flat riding boots to dramatic over-the-knee styles.

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Aug 19

Short Wedding Gowns Add A Playful Twist To Your Summer Ceremony!

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imageBeing glam for your wedding doesn’t mean you need a ball gown. Since it’s summer, why not embrace the warm weather with a short, sundress-looking gown? Having a short gown is definitely a more modern choice, as well as trendy, and may even be an easier pick to match with your flower girl. The long lines of your legs will elongate you where your dress falls short, making sure you are still the star of the show. Instead of keeping the heat in underneath a textile tent, you’ll stay comfortable and cool in less fabric. The sundress look brings back a bit of youth to your style, complimenting your fun and carefree personality, and perhaps also gives your inner child a chance to relive her marital dreams. Love on those legs a little with a high-hemmed gown and you’ll certainly enjoy an adorably wholesome and debonair summer wedding. Check out this slideshow for some suggestions!

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Aug 18

Married To The Mob Smells Like Teen Spirit At Karmaloop!

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imageBadass female streetwear label, Married to the Mob, is back to school this fall with a fresh ripened attitude – new logo, new campaign and a completely new array of clothing! Mob’s Fall 1 collection, Smells Like Teen Spirit, is now available at Karmaloop.com. From tees to hoodies, to denim, dresses and outerwear, the MOB ladies are continuously expanding their line and making strides in the world of street-inspired fashion. With every new drop Married to the Mob looks for the right face and attitude to rep the collection in their look book. For this particular series, they went with 18-year-old Harlem bred triple threat, Teyana Taylor. Creative director, Leah McSweeney, was immediately drawn to the musical fireball. “Teyana has always intrigued me. People can’t stop talking about the girl no matter what she does. She’s controversial… she is a fearless young lady with lots of style who isn’t afraid to be exactly herself. That is what MOB is all about,” says Leah. Teyana most definitely embodies the MOB aesthetic – her swagger, offbeat edge, to-die-for ‘fro and motley musical style are what make her the new queen of hip hop. Check her out in their new Fall lookbook. Unleash your inner bitch with The Lipstick Cardigan, The Cool Clique Pullover Hoody, The Attention Whore Sequined Jacket and The Cali Dress. For other styles, check out Karmaloop.com.

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