Men Hair Trends for 2012

Autumn is a perfect time to consider a change, leaf through the fashion magazines and catwalk photo galleries, and put yourself in the hands of your stylist.

This season, you'll find chic and innovative cuts that push the envelope of the classic male styles, so why not take a chance on a new look for your locks?

The trend is clear this autumn: the return of a sophisticated style with strong side partings and deep waves over the forehead that takes its inspiration from some of the most stylish vintage screen successes.

Trendsetters and fashion bloggers are looking to the Hollywood stars of the Fifties and Sixties for inspiration, and coming up with elegant business styles such as those featured among the guys in the award-winning TV series Mad Men.

If you like to appear without a hair out of place, you'll be glad to see the short sleek look is well on-trend this season.

Gel or pomade gives a flawless finish with a healthy shine and keeps everything under perfect control.

The key to success: keep it light and don't spend too long over marking the wave on the forehead.

If you're looking for a style that's youthful but sexy and sophisticated, the long fringe comes into its own. Keeping the hair clipped short at the nape of the neck, and allowing it long in the front, a slightly angled cut will add volume at the top of the skull

Classic Red Lips

Get the Look:

1. Drag a black liner along the upper lids, going just past the outer corners of the eyes. Use gel liner, "doesn't move and looks great." Top with black mascara.
2. Swirl a pink-y brown powder blush on the apples of the cheeks, then highlight: Rub bronze shimmer powder into the cheekbones and champagne shimmer powder just above them.
3. Paint on a coat of deep cherry lipstick. For a bold mouth, bust out a lip brush; for a softer approach, pat the lipstick on with your finger.

Our Product Picks: Maybelline thickening mascara, Gel eyeliner in black, Bobbi Brown Blush in Desert Rose, and Dior Rouge Dior lipstick in Rouge Ara.

Spring 2012 Nail Trend to Try:

Ombré Manicures

Deciding on a manicure hue is always tough. (There are just so many good options out there!) But thanks to stylish folks like designer Jen Kao and her ombré manicures, we may not have to choose just one! The increasingly popular one-color-merging-into-another trend (first on hair color, now on nails) offers a subtle option to spring’s

Manicures With Racing Stripes

Need a quick pick-me-up? The speedy, sporty patterns that manicurist Yuna Park created for Ruffian’s spring 2012 show are totally energizing to look at.

  

Monotone-Print Manicures

While not exactly DIY-able at home (unless you’re handy with plastics and hot glue), the OMG-worthy lattice-patterned Lucite nails that the CND team created for Joy Cioci’s spring show gave us one easy-to-steal idea: When you’re doing intricate prints on your nails, stick to one color instead of rainbow brights. It makes the trend a little more wearable and workplace-friendly.

Reverse French Manicures

An adventurous, exotic manicure—like those seen at Pamela Love’s Moroccan-inspired jewelry presentation—is the ideal way to travel without going too far. For an update on a tried-and-true nail polish classic, a plum and cream mix makes for a surprisingly fresh look!

Via Glamour Beauty 

Autumn 2011: new season, new makeup trends

These are the cosmetic looks that stepped out on the autumn catwalk

Autumn is with us, so why not turn over a new leaf with your makeup and take some inspiration from the looks that were seen strutting their stuff on the autumn catwalks? Get on-trend with the latest looks for lips, eyes and cheeks:

Brows are back
Eyebrows are taking centre stage again. Emphasise the way the eye is framed, paying special attention to brows to ensure a flawless finish for face and makeup. For that catwalk look, we recommend using powders and pencils specifically designed to define and fill, making the brows look full and natural, powerful but well defined and tidy, never ragged or straggly.

The eyes have it
This fall it's back to a retro look, framing eyes with monochromatic-effect makeup, precision lines and heart-stopping lashes. Take your inspiration from the looks that Anna Sui, Stella McCartney and Bottega Veneta put on the cat-walk this season. And to help you get real retro glam, we recommend Max Factor's Liquid Effect Pencil and False Lash Effect mascara.

Spring-fresh cheeks for autumn
Set off a fresh, light, minimal look by highlighting cheek contours in subtle shades. Apply blusher in shades of pink, peach or taupe and use cream rather than powder to achieve a more natural look. Apply colour in a sweeping C down from the cheekbone to surround the entire cheek, or start from the temple for an even more glamorous effect.

For lips, it's all or nothing
Looks for lips this season are at both ends of the spectrum, with both natural nude effects and full-on colour. On the catwalks, J. Mendel and Givenchy favoured the less-is-more effect, while elsewhere lips were emphasised by combining layers of different colors of same intensity and brightness, making mouths an eye-catching focal point of colour.

Via Hello Magazine

Beyonce cover shoot for Harper's Bazaar

Queen B couldn't have looked more beautiful and easy going behind the scenes for the cover of Harper's Bazaar. Photoshoot by Alexi Lubomirski

want bigger expressive eyes?

Stay away from dark eyeshadows. Start applying an eyeshadow base with a concealer brush then apply shadow two shades darker than your base to your crease use a large shadow brush or your finger to blend the color up toward your brow. To get the look try "it girl palette" available at stilacosmetics.com

 

How to keep your eye shadows in place:

To keep your eye shadows from creasing, eliminate as much oil as possible from your lids. To do it, use an eye shadow base like smashbox photo finish lid primer before applying your eye shadows. Your eye make-up will stay-put all day long.

Refresh your Make-up

Spray a mist of water on your face. While your face is still wet start re-blending your foundation, and the rest of make-up you already have on. Use a cream or gel blush for your cheeks and a bit of gloss on your lips...no powder need it. The result a fresh and glowing looking skin!

Best skin care for your eyes

The skin around your eyes can be 10 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. Because of the slighter amount of oil glands around your eyes, this part of your face is more likely to show premature signs of aging if it is uncared for. Your eye area can show everyone your lack of sleep, overindulgence of food and alcohol and just pretty much how good you are feeling or not so pay special attention to your eye area and treat it carefully and constantly.

Some of the best eye creams for your specific skin type: 

$ 18 - $ 165

Lashes and more lashes

False eyelashes are the totally ultimate pick me up beauty trick. Here is a selection of few lashes for different looks from very natural to super glamorous. You can find them online at ardelllashes.com or ulta.com

The most popular are the individuals knot free by ardell lashes

for the most natural effect. 

If you are more of the glamorous type demi wispies or wispies by ardell lashes

are the way to go

Summer Mascara talk

Racoon eyes no more! Feel free to swim and be active, looking absolutely fab. Waterproof mascaras are the way to go during hot summer days without worries of running, smearing or  smudging around your eyes. Five great choices for you to have fun for every budget.

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara Ulta $ 6.99

 Loreal Voluminous Mascara Ulta $ 7.29

Covergirl LashBlast Mascara Ulta $ 8.99

YSL Mascara Singulier Nuit Blanche YSL $ 30

Lancome Hypnose Mascara Lancome $ 25

Eyelash Extensions Ease Wedding Stress For Brides

Say Eye Do

If you’re getting ready to say “I do” to your man, we’ve got some news to share on why you might want to think about “Saying EyeDo™” to the addition of eyelash extensions. Eyelash extensions offer a bevy of benefits for any bride-to-be and it’s tough to narrow the list.

The top 5 reasons eyelash extensions are indispensible additions for busy brides:

 1 – Save Time (Pre-wedding):

Wedding preparation is hectic! There’s so much to accomplish and there never seems to be enough time for the bride to get to everything. Eyelash extensions are a great time saver! Brides can skip the morning makeup routine and make it to all their errands that much faster all while still looking fabulous!

2 – Save Face (Pre-wedding):

Stress and lack of sleep plague many a bride-to-be during the weeks leading up to the wedding. Eyelash extensions can create a well-rested, wide-eyed appearance and help disguise any signs of stress or sleep deprivation that often show on the face.

3 – Stay Fresh (Day of):

The actual wedding day is typically quite long for brides. Preparations begin early in the morning and celebrations last late into the night. With eyelash extensions, brides are photo-ready throughout the entire day with no need to stop for cosmetic touch-ups!

4 – Stay Flawless (Day of):

There’s nothing worse than a beautiful bride sporting raccoon circles of mascara around her eyes. Since just about every bride tears up at her wedding, eyelash extensions are the ideal solution to prevent any mascara mishaps!

5 – Set Sail (Post-wedding):

Starting out a wedding in eyelash extensions extends into the honeymoon. For brides planning any post-wedding trips, eyelash extensions are the perfect travel companion. New wives can enjoy all the extracurricular activities at their exotic destination of choice with no fuss & no muss and still look absolutely fabulous!

* Make sure your eyelash extensionist uses Xtreme lashes the best lash extensions in the beauty industry *

The art of the brow

1. First, start applying loose powder to the brow with an all over shadow brush. The powder helps the pencil go on smoothly and evenly. Pencil the brow following their natural line.

2. Apply a brow groomer to hold brows perfectly in place.

3. Use a concealer for a better defined brow.

4. Choose a highlighting matte shadow 2 shades lighter than your skin tone and apply to the brow bone to create a higher arch.

My brow checklist

Loose powder @ lauramercier.com $ 34

Brow Tech to Go retractable angle pencil and groomer @ smashbox.com $ 26

Cover-up stick @stilacosmetics.com $ 20

Colour Design eyeshadow @ lancome-usa.com $ 17

Skin clean

If your skin needs a clean sweep this 5-minute purifying facial removes excess oils and helps reduce the appearance of pores.
Leaves skin looking perfectly clean and refined.
Available @ lancome-usa.com $ 28.50

Helping Men to stay clear of sun damage

Two great choices to stay protected from the sun without feeling your face oily or sticky.

TiO2 Sunblock SPF 30

Moisturizes, nurtures and protects

Absorbs invisible, matte and non-greasy

Broad UVA/UVB sun protection

www.menscience.com  $ 31 

Clarins Men UV Protection SPF 40

Oil Free

UV Plus SPF 40 for Men protects skin from the sun and pollution when playing sports, when in the city, or during the weekend. Its incredibly fine oil-free texture leaves no traces on the skin while the micronized, microdispersed 100% mineral screen ensures perfect protection and guarantees optimal tolerance.

www.clarins.com $ 42  

Brushes are important beauty tools!

Some Essential brushes to achieve the look you want. 

It is best to go with natural hair. Depending on the task they are meant to perform, they may be squirrel, sable, goat or pony. Most every company now realizes that cruelty-free products are the only way to go. For foundation and concealer, synthetic brushes are best. For an even and smooth product application. Synthetic brushes also work best for brows, where you need a short, firm brush to achieve that perfect arch.

My favorite brushes are available at

www.maccosmetics.com from $19.50 - $52

www.smashbox.com from $20 - $52

www.stilacosmetics.com from $20 - $50

The Eyebrow Corner

How to fix highly arched eyebrows to undo your permanently 'surprised' look?

To create a natural and more balanced arch:

1. Thicken the eyebrow with pencil or eyeshadow

 that complements your brow color.

2. Add width incorporating the pencil/eyeshadow color

to fill in under the brow following their

natural line

SMOOTH OPERATORS "FOR MEN ONLY"

Plenty of hours under the sun & using and abusing the razor will do the damage increasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Here are some great products for your skin without breaking the bank:

1. Clarins Men Super Moisture Gel $ 25; clarins.com
2. Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum $ 55; labseries.com
3. Wrinkle Smoother Serum $ 60; vitaman.com.au
4. Cellular Renewal Cream $ 90; malinandgoetz.com
5. Lift & Moisturize $ 125; theliftlab.com
6. Anti-Age Global Revitalizer $ 265; sisleyumformen.com

Liz & Eddie's Wedding day

Dearest Liz,

Just wanted to thank you for letting my team and I be a part of your very special day. It was truly a pleasure enhancing you and your maids beauty on your wedding day. What a great group of friends and family you have! It was a delight to be around them and I hope you were pleased with the final results. We did our utmost to make everyone happy.

Hi, Fabiola.  Thank you so much for all your help and expertise.  Everyone looked great and were very happy.  I was stressed and felt really self conscience that day, but you made me feel great after all you did.  Thanks again.

 Liz

Studio Millet

Professional Photography Service Studio

www.3pointimage.com

Special Thanks to the crew:

Nedjetti Harvey

Diana Calle