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