Short and Sweet

Spring is just around the corner, and summer will be here before we know it. I definitely let my hair get too long and out of control during the last few months, so I recently got a super fresh, springtime trim. I told Joy, my fabulous hair stylist “Chop it. Get rid of it. Hair must fly because it’s driving me bonkers!” I’ve worn varying lengths of short hair in the past, so this did not faze Joy at all.

I love my cropped bob. It’s easy to style and maintain, and it makes me feel edgy and cute. This got me to thinking about women who may want to try a shorter look but aren’t as comfortable with the change as I was. Short hair is sexy and chic, but for some timid trimmers, the risk of losing inches of hair for a new do is too high. Here are some tips to think about when considering a short cut.

First, ask yourself why you want to cut your hair. Did you see a celebrity you love send their locks to the chopping block? Do you want a style for summer that is literally cooler? Does long hair maintenance have you ready to try something new? You should really think about the implications of going short and never do it on an emotional whim. Let the idea simmer in your head before making such a drastic change. Your hair will grow back, but it can take time. Going from long hair to short can be a shock, so you don’t have to lose all your length in one salon visit. You can go shorter gradually.

Next, think about your hair texture. Is it thick or fine? Straight, wavy or curly? Certain cuts may not work well with your hair,  or it could require much more work to get (and maintain) the look you desire. Thin hair may need more volume, or wavy hair may not lay the way you wanted. Nothing is worse than envisioning yourself with a wispy pixie crop and ending up with a poodle poof disaster. Talk to your hairstylist about your new idea. He or she should be able to determine how your shorter hair would fare and what kind of upkeep and styling would be required. Your stylist may recommend a few changes or a completely new cut all together.

Also, if you color or highlight your hair and haven’t had it done in a while, you may want to retouch and refresh. Losing length also means losing inches of already colored locks, leaving your roots to shine in the spotlight.

Research short styles and bring images to the salon with you. If you see a picture of the cut and style you want online, print it out. Did you see something intriguing in a magazine? Bookmark it or cut-out the page. Pictures give your stylist a direct, visual representation to work with, so there will be no ambiguity. Finally, if you absolutely love your new, spunky, short style, take a photo of it. That way, your stylist can try to replicate it again next time, keeping you short and sweet through the summer.

Perfectly Natural – The Secret to Shine-free Beauty

While all of us long for a flawless finish to some degree, for those with oily skin, the path to perfection is often fraught with more pitfalls than most. The result of overactive sebaceous glands, oily skin produces more sebum—or natural oil—than normal. As a result, the skin frequently appears shiny, making makeup application difficult. Against this slicker surface, non-mineral makeup often struggles to adhere, and where it does, it runs the risk of clogging pores and causing breakouts.

If you have oily skin, you’re no doubt familiar with the exhaustive array of skin care products promising a clear, shine-free complexion. However, have you ever considered how your makeup could help control that oily excess? With Pür Minerals’ Perfectly Natural Everyday Balancing Makeup, getting that enviable matte finish is easy, thanks to a unique blend of oil-balancing ingredients.

In addition to the pure mineral pigment that gives Perfectly Natural its hue and breathability, this unique formula is infused with a carefully crafted mixture of ingredients—including niacinamide, biotin, panthenol (all forms of vitamin B) and caffeine—shown to balance oil overproduction and help mattify oily skin. Used alone or in conjunction with Pür’s 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup, this unique mineral powder works to fight facial shine and help minimize those midday touchups so even oily skin types can enjoy everyday flawless coverage.

Oscars 2010: Red Carpet Fashion Report

While Kathryn Bigelow’s gritty war thriller The Hurt Locker may have swept the Oscar count (including the first ever female Best Director), as far as the red carpet was concerned, it was anybody’s game. From perennial favorites like Meryl Streep to first-time nominees like Sandra Bullock, Hollywood’s hottest stars lit up the night with bold statements and classic sophistication. Here’s a look at some of 2010’s top celebrity standouts.

Best Dressed
Jennifer Lopez is no stranger to taking bold fashion risks, a fact that paid off big on this year’s red carpet. A fashion maven in her own right, J. Lo took to Armani for her Oscar night look and dazzled audiences with an elegantly textured strapless gown in a pale lilac with a long, cascading train.

Most Improved
Two months after being universally panned for her less-than-flattering Zac Posen ensemble at the Golden Globes, Tina Fey stunned the Hollywood set in a glamorous one-strap gown by Michael Kors that featured glittering, jet-black leafing over a form-fitting lacy frame.

Fan Favorite
With her charming wit and all-American-girl good looks, Sandra Bullock has long been a darling of the Hollywood scene. Fresh off of receiving a Razzie for worst actress in All About Steve (in which the good-spirited star poked fun at herself in a tongue-in-cheek acceptance speech), Bullock took home Oscar gold for her role in The Blind Side and wowed the audience in a fitted, metallic silver gown with floral embroidery by Patricia Field.

Put Some Pride in That Stride

Do you have Happy Feet but sad shoes? One of the best parts about spring is the footwear, but those sexy, knee-high boots and classy, leather pumps can look drab after a while. Unless you’re looking for an excuse to go shoe shopping, don’t retire your favorite pair just yet. You can easily revive that glossy sheen with a little polish. Shoeshines are not just for men, nor are they just some outdated thing your dad use to do. Polishing your shoes is a simple and inexpensive way to make them last, and you owe it to yourself (and your loyal loafers and heels) to help your footwear go the extra mile.

You can buy shoe polish and supplies at any shoe shop or convenience store. Purchase a color that best matches your shoes. (There's even neutral polish for those funky, hard-to-match colors.) Do not use polish on patent leather or suede! You will need a couple rags or special brushes. When you’re ready to shine, create a workspace, spreading out a newspaper or old towel to protect your work surface. While shoe polish is great for your shoes, it's terrible for most other surfaces and fabrics.

Remove any laces if your shoes have them. Clean dust and debris off the surface with a damp cloth or cleaning brush. Then wrap a dry rag around two of your fingers, dip it in polish and apply liberally in small, circular motions. Use separate cloths for each step and for different colors. Don’t forget to cover the back of the heel and straps.

Give the polish a few minutes to dry, and then buff your shoes until you are satisfied with the luster of your leather. After that, you’re done, and your shiny shoes are ready to take you anywhere!

Nail the Look

When it comes to runway fashion, most of us look at the big picture—the outfits, the makeup, the hair—but often it’s the attention to detail that really nails the look. With this spring’s less-is-more attitude, it’s the little things that really make the difference. And if the view from the catwalk is any indication, fun, fresh nails are the finishing touch du jour.

In the Nude
Nude and neutral polishes are a springtime no-brainer. While still fresh and fun, they’re the least in-your-face and go with just about anything. Find the perfect shade for your skin type (or outfit) at RescueBeauty.com, home of New York’s premier nail boutique, Rescue Beauty Lounge.

Mad for Mint
Mint green made serious inroads into this spring’s designer palette. From the catwalk to the boardwalk, expect to see this cool, crisp shade in everything from jackets and cardigans to beads, bags and beyond. The best accessory? An equally cool polish, like Essie’s Mint Candy Apple or the NYC landmark-inspired Liberty from Knock Out Cosmetics.

Lavender Love
Pastels have long been a mainstay of spring fashion, and this year looks to be no different. Save the peach and coral tones for the summer and slip into something a bit more sophisticated like lavender. Color connoisseurs will love Wink, a soft lilac gloss from London-based Illamasqua. Gorgeous in its own right, this cool, confident color is a must-have for the months to come.