Hot Summer Hairstyle: Chic Chignon

July 11, 2013 at 8:00 am , by Maggie Niemiec

Can Emma Watson do no wrong? Whether walking the red carpet or strolling the city streets, our ultimate girl crush nails it time and time again. We’re obsessed with the simple twisted chignon she wore at the Cannes Film Festival and love that she let her natural beauty shine through with a luminous makeup look. Her easy updo is the epitome of chic, and believe it or not, you can do it, too! Recreate Emma’s stunning hairstyle for your next summer party in just a couple of steps.

First gather your hair at the base of your neck and pull into a ponytail. Smooth out any frizz on top of your head. Back comb sections of hair in the ponytail to add volume. (FYI: The more you tease the ponytail, the bigger the chignon will be.) Then bunch up a piece, twist it up and around, and bobby pin it into place. Continue teasing and pinning small pieces of hair until you’ve created a balanced bun. Spritz with a light-hold hairspray to keep your style in place.

This low updo also looks fab when worn off to the side. Follow our how-to video to see exactly how to do it. Emma’s hair is fairly straight, so her style looks sleek and polished. But you wavy and curly-haired girls can wear it just as well! Use a salt spray to enhance your natural texture and then follow the same steps as above.

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Hot Summer Hairstyle: Braided Bangs with a Bun

July 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm , by Amanda Wolfe

Ahh July 4th weekend: Backyard BBQs, pool parties, beach days… and bad hair because the heat and humidity will just not cooperate with your look. We can’t wait to have some fun in the sun this holiday weekend, but (don’t judge) we’re already sad about the gross, greasy-looking ponytail that will inevitably end up in every Facebook photo or Instagram of all this festive fun. (To be clear, it’s not cute in person either.)

That’s why we’re loving AnnaSophia Robb’s braided bangs with a twist. It’s the perfect no-fuss updo: You’ll get your hair off your neck but the easy braided bang is fun and fresh from the front.

Here’s how to steal this hairstyle: First, part your hair to one side. Section off the hair in the front (your actual growing-out bangs if you have ‘em, or what would be bangs if you don’t). Braid your “bangs” along the crown of your head, down to your ear, and then all the way to the end. Follow our how-to video if you need some help. Secure the braid with a clear elastic. For extra credit, take the front section on the other side of your part and twist that back. Now gather all of your hair, including the braid and twisted section and pull it back into your favorite bun or twist. Done! We promise the braid is super-fast once you get the hang of it, and you’ll be able to rock this way-cuter-than-a-pony style all summer long.

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Win a Haircut with Jennifer Aniston’s Stylist (& Meet Jen!)

May 9, 2013 at 1:16 pm , by Bethany Porter

We sat down with hair icon Jennifer Aniston this week to talk all things hair—especially about why women battle with their locks (we’ve all done it!) and what she’s doing to change that. Aniston recently became part owner of the Living Proof hair care line and produced a mini documentary with the Living Proof team and her long-time stylist, Chris McMillan (he’s the man responsible for the famous Rachel cut) to explore our collective obsession with hair, and the lengths we all go to get our dream styles.

“I had great hair as a kid. My mom actually said you’re not allowed to touch your hair until you’re thirteen and she was right, I should not have,” Aniston says. “The first thing I did was cut it all off…I actually learned what my hair really was (which was not long and sort of cute) it was wide and unmanageable and a pain in the butt. I learned all my lessons in my younger years about what not to do.”

Aniston understands the desire for the latest gorgeous hairstyle but you won’t find her making any drastic cuts these days. “I usually just get a trim. I’ve always thought of going back to brunette but I think it’s more fun to play with it in movies.” (She admits her favorite movie look was the beachy, natural, long blonde look from Along Came Polly). “I think because of all the disasters I had as a kid. I don’t go to the ‘let’s cut it off or color it or shag it’ place. I’ve learned those lessons,” she says.

Now that she and McMillan have cracked the secret to those perfect, smooth locks we love so much on the red carpet, they’re sharing it with the rest of us (yes!). Aniston says Living Proof’s Nourishing Style Cream and Restore Mask have totally turned her hair around. She also says drinking water, getting enough sleep, and getting omega fatty acids in her diet help her iconic locks stay healthy from the inside out.

We also love that Aniston used the Living Proof products for several months before signing on to be a part of the company. She wanted see if the promised results would come through. “I gave it to my girlfriends, they love it. I gave it to Chris and he used it on his salon clients and they love it. So that was like, OK I will stand behind [this],” she says.

Next on Aniston’s beauty agenda is working with the company’s scientists to produce her fantasy products. “I can’t talk about it just yet!” she says. “It’s so exciting, being able to get in there and solve all the problems that girls have with their hair.”

To get a little of Aniston’s hair magic for yourself, enter by May 24^th to win the chance to have your hair cut by her stylist, Chris McMillan. You’ll even get to meet Aniston herself! You can check out the first video in Aniston and McMillian’s Good Hair Day series today—and check back May 13^th and 15^th for more of the documentary.

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How To: Have Smooth Skin All Winter

December 10, 2012 at 3:38 pm , by Nykia Spradley

It’s human instinct to want to hole yourself up in a hot-hot shower for five hours when the temps outside get chilly. Warm water hitting cold skin just feels lovely (add L’Occitane Ultra Rich Shower Cream) to the mix and you’re in heaven). But according to Beverly Hills based dermatologist Stuart Kaplan, M.D., long, hot showers could be doing more damage to your skin than good. The longer and hotter a shower is, the more natural oil it removes from your skin, making it dry and itchy. Instead, take 10-minute (MAX!), luke-warm showers. Pat (do not rub!) your skin until it is just moist, and put on an emollient cream like Eucerin on to seal the moisture into your skin.

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How to Look Gorgeous in Glasses

October 22, 2012 at 11:26 am , by Nykia Spradley

Now that cute frames are a veritable fashion accessory (thanks, J. Crew!), we’ve been taking a break from our contact lenses and embracing the look. We’ve racked up enough compliments from coworkers and friends and yes, even our guys, to make us wish we could jump in a time machine and share the love with our fourth grade, four-eyed-self. Our one complaint, though is how glasses throw off our regular beauty routine. It’s as if there’s a whole different set of beauty rules that go with wearing glasses. We had a chance to ask Natalie Coughlin, Olympic athlete and new LensCrafters lifestyle expert, some of her favorite spec-techniques.

Do you apply your makeup differently or use different types of products on the days that you wear glasses?
If I’m wearing glasses, I want to be able to see my eyes, so I’ll use Sephora’s retractable eyeliner in Slate followed by Givenchy’s Noir Couture mascara in Black. To balance out the glasses, I’ll wear a sheer lip stain.  My two favorites: Tarte’s Lust or Tarte’s Enchanted.  If I want to dress up the look I’ll wear a stronger lip: Chanel’s Rouge Allure in Inimitable.

What are you biggest pet peeves when you wear glasses and have you learned any good trick to fix them?
I hate getting smudges on my glasses! Even though I try not to touch my lenses, they inevitably end up getting dirty from fingerprints or makeup. I keep disposable eyeglass cleaning wipes from LensCrafters in my purse to easily clean my glasses on the go.

Brows are big beauty trend and they make a big difference for your face. Do you find that wearing glasses calls extra attention to your brows?
I always make sure my brows are in shape, especially when I’m wearing my glasses or sunglasses. You’re calling more attention to your eyes so you want to make sure everything looks good. I make sure that my brows are well defined and groomed. I groom my brows myself using a slanted Tweezerman’s and brow scissors, Estee Lauder’s 2-in-1 Eyeliner/Brow Color to define my brows, then Anastasia’s clear brow gel to keep them in place.

You have such thick, beautiful hair! Do you favor certain hairstyles on days you wear glasses?
I have two go to looks on days that I wear my glasses, either soft waves or a simple chignon.  For the soft waves, I’ll use Pantene’s Moisture Whip when my hair is still damp, then will let my hair air dry.  After it’s dry, I’ll use Amika’s hair wand with the 1’’ barrel to define my waves.  For a chignon I’ll dry the crown of my hair to smooth any flyaways, then pull my hair into a low ponytail.  Then I’ll lightly tease my ponytail, then secure it in a chignon with two spin pins.

Are people often surprised when they find out that you wear glasses?
People assume that when I’m wearing my glasses, I’m taking advantage of the fashion frames trend and that they’re not prescription.  I’ve needed glasses since the 7th grade and luckily my prescription has remained relatively stable. My eyes are really sensitive and I like to wear glasses, but need to wear sunglasses when I’m outside.  Having a separate pair of prescription sunglasses helps protect my eyes, but is also another accessory!

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How to Wear the Trend: Dark Lipstick

October 8, 2012 at 4:48 pm , by Nykia Spradley

A year ago we did a “How to Wear It: Dark Lipstick” post. Maybe we’re having deja vu because the deep berry trend is back this fall. It is the perfect shade for autumn after all, right?

Target beauty design partner and celeb makeup artist Napoleon Perdis took a break from prepping for his LA LIVE pop-up makeup station (stop by the Nokia Plaza on Wednesday Oct. 10th if you’re in the LA area) to weigh in on the trend and share a few tips for getting the dark lip look right:
How would you describe this latest version deep dark lips. Is it vampy?

The deep lip trend that we are seeing now is not vampy and not quite a classic red, it is more of a mood-driven, sophisticated deep berry pout.

Who can realistically pull off this looks?

Anyone can pull off a dark lip look, it just has to be the right shade and the right depth.

Does skin tone matter?

Skin tone plays a big role in how your dark lip look will read, or what mood it might create for your overall look. Aim for a dark lip that is not too dramatic a contrast to your skin tone. Anything that contrasts too much will lend itself to a washed out skin look and this can start to look a little goth. You still want to balance your dark lip with warm, soft skin textures.

Does the shade of berry matter?

Yes. Fairer skin tones look great in shades of wine and burgundy, medium skin tones are sophisticated in deep scarlet and cranberry, and deeper skin tones look amazing in shades of mulberry and blackberry.

Do dark lips make you look older?

They can do that if you work the wrong color and texture. To keep it looking fresh, modern, and flattering, go for textures that are more of a velvet feel in a semi matte finish, and steer clear of deeper shades that can be too brown based – you want to keep the warmth of a berry undertone to soften the lip look and not have it look harsh.

How should you prep your lips before wearing a dark shade?

I say line lips first, and last, when working with dark shades. By lining the lips first, you establish the boundaries of lip before you saturate your lips in intense color, but you also finish the lip with the ability to perfect the lip shape further and keep the color in place with the texture of your lip pencil as a barrier to ensure it stays put. Dark colors can make the lips appear smaller as it absorbs light not reflects it, so for those women that want to wear the trend but maintain beautiful pouty lips, pop a dab of gloss on the center of the bottom lip to reflect the light and give the appearance of a fuller lip. Additional tip: Before you start a deep lip, always conceal your lip line first to even out any uneven natural lip pigment, ensuring you will always get the cleanest lip look possible.

Are bright shades still acceptable to wear into the fall and winter? If so, how?

Of course, I say adding lipstick is an instant image adjustment so be driven by your mood, or wear a bright color as a quick pick me up.

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How To: Choose Between a Salt Scrub and a Sugar Scrub

October 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm , by Nykia Spradley

Surprise! You don’t have to choose between the two stellar skin polishers, because we found a product that uses both salt and sugar (and it’s DIVINE!). Mor’s Salt & Sugar Body Scrub harnesses the powers of smaller sugar particles and larger salt particles to buff away every manner of dry, flakey skin. Plus, it contains hydrating avocado and jojoba oils and elasticity-boosting vitamins just because. Oh, and the scent!? We’ll just say that we really wish smell-o-internet existed because you guys would die!

Do you prefer salt or sugar scrubs? Or, could you care less—as long as it leaves your skin feeling like silk?

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