Freshening up your cut

With April coming starting in less than a week, the weather is really going to start getting to the point of warmth, humidity, and of course frizz due to rain. But how do you keep all those hairs from being gross, dead, and frizzy? Getting a hair trim or cut! It has been said that we need to get a hair trim at least every 6-8 weeks which could make sense. I have noticed, though, for myself that as long as you keep your hair healthy and do not style it too much, it can really grow!

If you are looking for an awesome new cut for your hair after the past brutal winter, there are some really cool looks out there that people are styling! One popular look is the "Bob Cut" which is longer in the front, shorter in the back. I like this style for the main reason that it keeps the hair off your neck when its super warm and humid, but it can also be a struggle to put up depending on how short your hair really is cut. Pixie cuts are becoming very popular around the world because they are very simple and can be very cute! We can see these cuts on celebrities such as Michelle Williams and Charlize Theron. If you have medium and longer length hair, it has been noticed that layered cuts are a lot more easier to style because it is sectional, not just one length to leave you a big bulk of hair. If you are looking to completely change your look, I highly suggest you go to a professional stylist due to their advanced knowledge compared to a place like Super Cuts. No matter what the style is, keep it fresh and beautiful like you!

Stealing the Prices!

Shopping can be like a girls own heaven at times, but when she runs out of money from buying overpriced items, that's when it can turn into hell. Since money is turning into something very valuable today, making sure you use coupons to make effective purchases for your wallet! 

In magazines such as Seventeen and Lucky, you are able to find amazing steals for your wallet as well as coupons, giving you the opportunity to buy what you need at a lower price! If you are unable to find coupons for your likings, you can most definitely look up coupons for your favorite stores and most likely some amazing results will pop up! Although not all stores have these coupons, the manufacturer tends to keep them hidden for the protection of their profits. However, I feel as though if they made them more available, they will actually gain more profits and purchases due to the opportunity the buyer has to save money. If you are looking for a site with some awesome coupons and deals, try retailmenot.com. They have some great offers that are very reasonable and leave the customers happy with the money they could save otherwise. 

No matter what you save with coupons and deals, make sure you always keep your style super chic, comfortable, and totally you! 

Basic Makeup Application

If you could not tell by now, I love beauty tips and trends! Makeup is something that I literally have an obsession with, and I could not go a day without it (with the exception of being home sick all day). So, I am going to share with you my basic tips that help me get ready for the day!

First thing is first: primer. Makeup primer is the one thing that is the main base for the makeup application process and is deeply needed when applying any type of foundation. Out of the many, many foundations I have tried in the past I have come to find that the 'VS Pro Airbrush FX' with spf 20! The thing that I love about this specific primer is that it leaves me with a flawless finish with my foundation and it has an spf included! With the damaging sun rays these days, it is definitely important to have. You can purchase it as Victoria's Secret with many different varieties such as bronzing primer, oil free, and anti-redness. The second step to my makeup routine is my concealer. I use 'True Match' concealer from L'Oreal. It is good coverage without being too thick to wear. After I use my concealer, I then move on to my bareMinerals matte powder which you can find at any bareMinerals store as well as Sephora. The thing I like about this mineral powder is that it is nice and fresh, not messy to put on, and leaves you with the coverage you want! If you use liquid foundation, it is best to make sure you place the concealer on AFTER the liquid foundation for the main reason all the coverage from the concealer will just mix with the foundation, leaving a mess.
After my application of my bareMinerals foundation, I use my bronzer with a bronzer brush in a circle motion as I apply it around my face. In my personal opinion, it is easier like that because if you whipe the brush up and down, it could look streaky and could leave too much color, turning you orange! (I've learned that the hard way).
 Once all of my face makeup is done, it is finally time to apply eye makeup! I simply use my eyelash curler to curl my lashes once or twice then add one or two coats of mascara. As you are waiting for your lashes to dry you can apply your eyeliner in the manner that you wear it, if you usually do. One eyeliner I really like is called 'Define-A-Line' from Maybelline. When you are using it on your eyelid to draw a design such as a cat eye, it is so simple to use and can actually sometimes be easier than a liquid eyeliner! After I use my liner, I just go back to my lashes, apply one last coat, and I am finished!

Spring Polish

This spring is all about fantastic colors and patterns. It is not just on our clothes that this is happening, we are seeing it all the time with nail polish these days! As the sunshine proceeds to get warmer and warmer, we are adding pops of color to our nails to keep it trendy and unique. Literally, look all around you and you will be able to see any pattern that the other person is currently presenting, and guaranteed it is subtle yet awesome. As base colors, though, since the air is warmer try wearing colors that are on the warmer side. One color I am really loving is called "Turquoise & Chaos" from Essie. It is a blue/turquoise color that really leaves with a statement. It also looks really awesome with a design on top with a white polish. Other colors we are seeing are a lot of lighter pinks, neutrals, and some reds even still. Obviously, keeping the dark colors around such as black or a deep red will be in style because nail polish can be worn all year around. However, if you are looking to freshen up your look with newer colors and keeping it simple yet beautiful just for spring, going for the lighter colors is the way to go! Designs are also very popular these days. We can see all over the internet that there are people creating these cool designs with things such as sparkles and paint designs. Creating these looks are not as hard as they may seem! It takes patients but in the end it is worth it. If you are looking to create a look with glitter they have nail polish that already has glitter in it that you just add on as a top coat! If you would also like to create a delicate design on your nails, using a toothpick is the easiest way to create the look you desire!

Spring shoes !

It is that time of year again: this week begins the start of the Spring season 2013! As the temperature begins to rise, the fabulous clothes come out into show and what better way to accessorize an outfit with shoes! There is a rule, however, to what shoes should be worn and which one's shouldn't be seen once it starts to be 50 or 60 degrees outside. 

Boots are one thing that we begin to see fade away fast: winter boots that is. Winter boots such as UGGs and heavy leather boots shouldn't even be thought about when it begins to get warm for the main reason is that they do not dress the part! Spring should be a time of freshness and warmth, not smelly and snow-ruined boots. Another shoe to leave for the winter, slippers! We can see during the cold winter months that slippers are worn around in addition to fur boots, but the main reason to stop wearing them is that they do not give you any support! 

Since it is going to shortly turn into humid, rainy, and warm weather, let's start thinking about what we should be wearing! Rain boots are going to be a very popular thing to have during the month of April, with the main idea that it rains a whole ton up here in northern New England. Rain boots can be very fun with awesome pops of color, or they can be very basic and classic looking. Personally, my pair of black Sperry rain boots work just fine for me in my day to day activities. In addition to rain boots, we also are seeing ballet flats and oxford shoes that can be fashionably worn during the warmer weather! Ballet flats and oxfords are awesome for being casual yet chic looking. If you were to wear a pair of oxfords, they would look awesome with a pair of relaxed boyfriend jeans, rolled up or cuffed on the bottom to show the shoe off. No, ladies, this is not just a men's shoe anymore! Ballet flats are more universal, as in they can match with basically anything you want to wear! One look that I personally like is TOMS. These shoes are so comfortable yet reliable. 

No matter what weather comes your way this spring, make sure you keep it comfortable, casual, and totally you! 

Colors, Patterns and Textures!

Colors are everywhere, as well as patterns including polkadots and animal prints. In fashion stores, we can see today that the styles that women are wearing, and even men, are styles that include some type of pattern or textile in some way. During this time of year- especially as we move in more towards the summer- we can see some amazing print designs and colorings.
In a store such as PacSun, we can notice that there is a lot of aztec designs as well as big name beach brands (like Billabong). Most of the clothing in PacSun is made for the beach life, which involves shorts in a variety of colors and patterns as well as comfy tees and tanks that have some cool graphics. If we go into higher fashion stores such as Guess, we see similar styles, but with higher prices and possibly more risque clothing. It all depends on where people like to shop to really tell where the patterns and textures are coming into play.
In addition, we notice in magazines recently that the ads placed by companies and "fashion information" pages can really tell us what is in style for the upcoming season. In some ads, we can see a lot of leather for the beginning of the spring season as well animal prints with colors, including cheetah and red. Most stores do very well at providing shoppers with an excellent selection of what is to be worn in the future months to come. In a store such as Forever21, the variety is very massive of what you can find there but can have a good selection for most times. However, if you are looking for something you can wear for years to come, you could also try H&M. H&M is a practically inexpensive store that provides what Forever21 has in stock, but with more reliable materials.
Clothing is something that everyone must have, in all obviousness. We have our own unique style that we can dress up or play down whenever and however we may like.
It is up to you to make it as unique and personal as you desire!

(outfit ideas soon to come!)

Keeping Your Hair Healthy

Accessories are always important to have: one particular thing you should always have on your mind is your hair! Although this blog may be about New England fashion, the type of weather we have in the Northern states can really lead to damaged hair and split ends. So to help protect your hair, there are a few ways to keep it healthy, shiny, and spectacular!

Depending on what your hair type is, it is important to know what kinds of shampoos and conditioners you use. For myself, I have thick and curly hair. When I wash it, I like to use sulfate free shampoo and keratin rich conditioner to keep it healthy, but not frizzy. I personally use a brand called Carol's Daughter (as shown). It keeps my hair nice and smooth, and doesn't leave it with any gross residue afterwards. Another tip that I have come to use is that before you wash your hair, brush it out and once you are done with conditioning it, put the water on a cold temperature and leave it be! Do not brush it! I know that may sound kind of weird, in a sense that we have been taught to de-tangle our hair after we wash it; this will leave you with tight smooth curls. After doing my research, I know that sulfate free shampoos/conditioners as well as keratin systems are counted on for all hair stylists. If you have color treated hair or is more bound to breakage and heat styling, I would definitely use the keratin systems available on the market, as well as repairing shampoo and conditioner from brands such as Garnier.

Another good idea to keep hair healthy and shiny during this winter to spring transition, is to use some type of Moroccan oil. This nutrient rich oil helps absorb the dryness and helps keep your hair looking moisturized and sleek. Usually when you put it in your hair, your hair should be either damp or it could be completely dry. If you are planning on using a heat source, it is more useful to put the moroccan oil in before you begin styling. This will leave you with smoother, as well as better results for what kind of style you want.
When you are styling your hair, it is important to have the correct tools. If you have thick, coarse, and/or frizzy hair, an ionic blow dryer is the way to go! The main point for these blow dryers is keep your hair smooth as you are creating your desired look. In addition, hair straighteners are something that most of us girls depend on. If the flat iron doesn't work correctly, then your hair won't look as good as you want it to. There are many flat irons with keratin in them. Keratin is proteins that your hair craves for, as it is the main structure for hair and nails to keep healthy.

In addition to keeping your hair free of frizz and keep it shiny, make sure you use a good round brush! It is recomended by stylists that you use a natural bristle brush for the main reason that the plastic in some brushes can really rip your hair particles to pieces: dry, damaged, and frizzy.
In order to make sure your hair is protected correctly, USE A HEAT PROTECTANT. Your hair will literally die if you choose not to use one. Most systems (such as TRESemme) can protect up to 450 degrees.
No matter what it may be that you desire for your hair style, make sure you take good care for your hair. It is something that you can loose very easily if you take advantage of it and don't take care. Keep it shiny, stylish, and completely you! 

5 Beauty Must Haves!

Feeling beautiful is something every woman should have in their own self confidence. Along with that is being able to have the things that help you back up that self confidence for everyday adventures. Owning a purse, of course, is one of the main things in feminism. It is a piece of power that shows our self expression and allows us to bring with us whatever we desire. Although men could use these fabulous accessories, there is a difference between carrying a Marc Jacobs bag and a "man purse".
There are a few things every lady should have in these bags whether you are planning to either go casual or look dressy.
Firs thing is first, makeup: mascara. Wearing mascara is one thing that every woman looks good in, with the obvious reason it emphasizes our lashes and gives us our desired look we want. Personally, I use Scandaleyes Mascara from Rimmel London. What I like about this product is that is brings my lashes from blah to BAM instantly and adds definition. One thing that can really help increase the look with the help of mascara is, of course, eye liner!
Eye liner is a magical thing. You can not wear it and have an all natural look or you can use it for a dramatic scene. It all depends on how you wear it: if you line your eyes lightly, you'll still have a pretty natural look, but will be a little more defined. If you decide to put it on at night for an event, your look can be dramatic but yet beautiful and elegant, depending on how you use it. A look that I find to be nice is the cat eye. You simply just line your top eyelash with your selected liner and wing it out at the end. However, I actually find it easier to just have a liquid liner for the top and regular pencil liner for the bottom lashes.
Perfume is a good way to leave a lasting impression; who doesn't like to be told they smell good? A scent that I personally find to smell very good for this transition from Winter to Spring is called "Victoria's Secret Angel:Gold" from Victoria's Secret. The thing that I like about VS perfume is that they have little 2.5 oz bottles that are quite a deal, about $10! This particular scent is pretty bold but smells fantastic! Another scent I have recently discovered for this Spring season is called "Wild Berry Tulips" from Bath & Body Works. The set is a pretty floral scent and leaves you feeling fresh and feminine.
Everyday, we see that the weather is constantly changing and we do so much to our hair to keep it looking good! To help with the frizziness and craziness, keeping a small container of hairspray is the way to go! This will help you when you really need it, especially on those nasty, rainy days. There are so many products of hairspray that work well on the market, but one particular hairspray that works well is TRESemme. There may be different types, but it all depends on the thickness of your hair and how much support you want from it. It is definitely a good thing to have accessible!
The last item that is good have available at all times is lotion! Throughout the winter, our skin (not just women, everyone!) tends to get very dry and vulnerable to cracking. To help with this problem is to always have lotion accessible when you need it! If your skin is clearly dry and you want fast relief, using a cashmere cream or cocoa butter formula will help with rejuvenating the life of your beautiful skin. To help prevent dryness on your face, try to find a moisturizer that you apply before you put your makeup on with a built in SPF. This will help with protecting your face from future sun damage and aging.
Everyone has different looks and styles but these particular five items are items that can contribute to your beautiful, unique look!

Baithingsuits all around!

Here we are, beginning of March, finally! With Spring Break just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about swim suit season! Even though most of us dread going to the gym, this is the time to really make your start on that new years resolution that we made 2 months ago! Although spring clothes are super exciting to be buying, bathing suits are harder to shop for, as well as finding one that actually fits correctly! So, whether you are just laying low at home or heading out to a place such as Florida or the Bahamas, bathing suit season is fast approaching! 
Ladies, everyone has their own body shape and type. If you feel the pressure that you need to be stick thin to look good in a baithingsuit, that is not true! All you need to focus on is eating well, getting the correct exercise, and making sure you find a suit that actually fits you! Nothing annoys me more than seeing someone wearing a baithingsuit that wasn't made for them! There are a few different styles that anyone can look stylish in but most importantly be comfortable in. 
All of us ladies know how much of a struggle it is to find a bathing suit top that fits us well. There are a few ways to resolve this issue: find a bikini top that has a lot of coverage and support to make sure you're not falling out; you could also find a supportive one piece suit which, in my opinion, is a lot easier (and cheaper) than buying a two piece set. If you want to find a two piece set but are not comfortable wearing a bikini, try a tankini! It is the same two piece system but has the tummy coverage,if you prefer it.
To help find these pieces that allow the correct amount of coverage and comfort, even though it may be a little pricey, make sure you find a suit that has reliable material and will last for years. 
If you are someone who likes to embrace their curves and loves wearing bikinis, wearing a padded bathing suit with some wire in it will definitely be worth the money! It helps with keeping your body looking put together as well as giving you the support you need.

No body is ever perfect, and embracing yourself as you truly are is the most important thing! Don't change for anyone else and, most importantly, dress to express yourself!