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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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Make It Work

July 10, 2013 at 8:00 am , by Maggie Niemiec

We’re halfway through summer, and, boy, is it hot. As much as we wish we could  lounge by the pool all day, we still have to go to work. Bring summer fun into the office with this easy ensemble. The classic pencil skirt gets a nautical-inspired update with this chic navy-and-white wrap version from Madewell. Pair it with a bright pink sleeveless blouse and you’re sure to stay cool. (Is the A.C. blasting in your workplace? Ditch your usual cardigan for a soft patterned scarf, which doubles as a shawl when you get cold.) Every working woman needs a fashionable yet functional bag, like this leather satchel, to tote her essentials to and from work. Slip on some Toms for your commute but step into these raffia-trimmed metallic sandals as soon as you arrive at the office. They’ll add a little edge to your look while the platforms make them easy to walk in.

 

blouse, Target, skirt, Madewell, scarf, Target, bag, Shopbop, earrings, J. Crew, watch, Nordstrom, bangle, BaubleBar, shoes, Nordstrom, sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue

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Summertime (and the Dressin’ is Easy)

July 3, 2013 at 8:45 am , by Bethany Porter

Every summer morning I wake up with the best of outfit intentions. I imagine myself in a breezy ensemble strolling the streets with an iced coffee, a canvas bag full of farmers’ market goods, and my guy on my arm. Then, I promptly reach for cut-offs and a tee and head to the grocery store. In an attempt to reform my uber-casual summer weekend ways I’ve been incorporating maxi dresses into my wardrobe. They are quick, stylish, and basically a full outfit in one garment. The key is to stick to a style that has a nipped in waist to give you shape. I love the patterned number above–it’s effortless chic to the letter–and you get extra credit for cool-girl accessories like a fedora and circle scarf.

dress, Nordstrom, sandals and hat, Modcloth, scarf, Sole Society, bag, Nordstrom, sunglasses, Ray-Ban, bangles, Dorothy Perkins

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Wedding Season Wear

June 26, 2013 at 9:00 am , by Bethany Porter

Wedding season is in full swing and that means you need a dress. Not just any dress–mind you–a dress that can transition easily from a day or early evening ceremony to a rocking all night party fest. Done and done. This little strapless number is quite the eye-catcher and with party-worthy metallic accessories it’s a fool-proof wedding season pick. This frock could even work for a beach wedding with some embellished sandals. Ah, our styling work here is done.

dress, Modcloth.com, heels, Dillards.com, bracelets, Baublebar.com, clutch, Aldo

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The Best Target Collaboration Yet

June 21, 2013 at 8:00 am , by Maggie Niemiec

We’re super excited about Target’s latest collaboration, this time with FEED Projects, the humanitarian organization founded by Lauren Bush Lauren, to create the FEED USA + Target collection. The limited-time-only collection includes more than 50 products, from home goods to clothing to accessories, which will benefit Feeding America and fight hunger in the U.S. Each product displays the number of meals that will be donated to children and families through Feeding America when purchased.

You can bet we have our eye on this comfy and totally cute red fleece zip-up (above). At just $25, each fleece’s purchase provides 20 meals to Americans in need. Now that’s a shopping initiative we can get behind. Get yours, and other FEED USA + Target collection products, starting June 30 at Target stores and Target.com.

 

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How to Assemble the Perfect First-Aid Kit

June 19, 2013 at 3:37 pm , by Allison Pohle

Each morning, when I step into the jam-packed subway car to get to my job as the newest Ladies’ Home Journal editorial intern, I learn something new by watching my fellow commuters. The woman who almost pulled out the top row of her eyelashes with her eyelash curler taught me that makeup should always be applied at home. And the aspiring opera singer busking at the 6 train entrance showed me that a screeching soprano isn’t pleasant if you’ve missed your morning coffee. But perhaps the most notable thing I’ve learned is to pack a change of shoes. The women who pair their polished pencil skirts with sneakers aren’t unfashionable. They’re smart.

After tackling escalators and uneven pavement in heels, I learned the hard way that I should follow their lead. I now know I should wear what’s comfortable and wait to change into cute summer shoes at the office, but my feet are already covered in blisters. That’s why my first assignment—to cover the 125^th anniversary of first-aid kits—was not only a cool opportunity but also a fitting reminder to always have Band-Aids and other supplies handy!

While at the event, I picked up a few tips from the pros at Johnson & Johnson on how to assemble a first-aid kit. Oh, and I got to meet actress Maggie Gyllenhaal (that’s her, in white, with me), who served as a celebrity spokesmom on behalf of being prepared for emergencies.

1. Start with the essentials: Every first-aid kit should include plenty of bandages in different sizes, surgical or nonlatex gloves in case you want to protect your hands from blood, gauze pads, a thermometer, scissors, antiseptic wipes, pain-relief medication and tubes of antibiotic and hydrocortisone ointments.

2. Now personalize: Whether you’re an athlete, gardener, fashionista or mom (or even all of the above), be sure to include items that will help heal potential injuries specific to you. If you spend a lot of time in the yard gardening, for example, you might include aloe for sunburns and ibuprofen for back pain, while a strappy sandal enthusiast (like me) might throw in a friction block stick and moleskin to soothe blisters.

3. Keep allergies in mind: If a family member has seasonal allergies, keep a supply of over-the-counter meds like loratadine. For skin rashes or hives, stash some calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream and diphenhydramine antihistamine pills.

4. Create a list of contents: It’s easy to throw health-care supplies inside a container, but labeling every item and creating an inventory will help you find the essentials when you really need them. Tape the list on the inside of the lid and keep it updated as you replenish supplies. You should also include the phone numbers of your doctor and specialists so anyone who uses the kit can reach help if needed.

5. Have more than one: Assemble one first-aid kit for the home and think about doing a smaller, portable one to take in your purse or keep in your car—especially if you have active, accident-prone kids. (Aren’t they all?) You’ll feel more confident if you’re prepared, says Gyllenhaal. “Having a bag ready and filled with supplies makes me a more chill mom when things come up.”

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The Prettiest New Summer Lingerie

June 19, 2013 at 11:42 am , by Bethany Porter

There’s a whole crop of pretty new underpinnings for the summer season and we can’t resist stocking up. Check out our gorgeous picks:

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