RunwayDaily.com

Beauty Buzz: DIY - Party Ready Braids

I love braid hair and I think it's one of the chicest/easiest ways to accentuate your mane during the holiday season. Why not opt for an up 'do and compliment it with a headband braid? Or how about a large loose braid with massive amounts of tousled volume or a huge bump?You really can't go wrong when you experiment with braiding.

I love the video tutorial above and all the gorgeous imagery below too. Just google/search in Youtube for braiding tutorials and you'll surely find something that tickles your fancy. Make sure to try your hand at braiding, pronto...as it was all over the spring 2012 runways, so you'll be one step ahead. And if you don't like the look, undo the braid and throw on your favorite hat. But something tells me you'll be all over this beauty trend!

Beauty Buzz: 5 DIY Face Mask Recipes to Try Now!

So we're totally on a Pinterest pumpkin kick today! First we featured THIS great Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe that we whipped up this morning over on CasaCullen...yummers! And now we're featuring a DIY pumpkin mask below, love it! I actually just purchased THIS Mychelle pumpkin peel mask. It's one of my all time favorites and it's the perfect size for about four masks...one month of glowing fall skin!

But it actually got me thinking about all the great DIY mask recipes that are floating around the internet. I mean, at that price above, I can totally handle purchasing but I did some Pinterest research (keep up with me HERE) and found some real deal recipes. I've rounded up my top 5 easy recipes below. Can't wait to try these out over the next month...have a great weekend, readers and let me know if you try your hand at one of these super easy concoctions!

Nutmeg, Honey and Cinnamon Face Mask

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preparation:

Mix all and the consistency should be like a thick paste. After it’s all mixed, apply the mask to your face and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wash it off with warm water, scrubbing softly in circular motion for exfoliation.

Source

 

Oatmeal and Yogurt Face Mask

Ingredients:

1 tbsp oatmeal, finely ground

1 tbsp live, organic yogurt (skip the flavored stuff)

A few drops of honey

Preparation:

Add the yogurt to the oatmeal in a small bowl and mix together. Warm a few drop of honey. To do this, warm a spoon under hot water for a minute, then add a few drops of honey to the spoon. Stir the honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture. Apply the mask to the face. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse off with several splashes of warm water. Follow with a warm washcloth. Apply moisturizer.

Source

Pumpkin Face Mask

Ingredients:

2 tsp canned pureed pumpkin

1/2 tsp honey

1/4 tsp heavy whipping cream

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients and apply to face. Leave on for 10 min and rinse!

Source

Spirulina Face Mask

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon spirulina powder

1 teaspoon Castor oil

1-2 drops of rosemary or other essential oil

Preparation:

Add the powder first to a little bowl and then slowly add the Castor oil. You want to make a paste like mud. Then add 1 or two drops of your favorite essential oil. Wash your skin and lightly exfoliate. Smear the mask on thickly and leave it for at least 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and a washcloth and use a dark one as it may stain. Finish with toner and moisturizer.

Source

Balancing Facial Mask

Ingredients:

1 small avocado, mashed (about 2/3 cup)

1/2 small cucumber, finely grated (about 1/3 cup)

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons green clay powder (sold at natural-foods stores)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using a fork to blend. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Apply a thick layer of the mixture to clean, dry skin on your face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Keep fairly still for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the mask to dry in place. Wipe skin clean with a damp cloth; splash with cool water, and pat dry.

Source

Images from HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE

Beauty Buzz: Fall 2011 Makeup, Hair and Nail Trends

MAKEUP:

Bold Red Lips - Ralph Lauren

Clumpy, Piled-on Mascara - Gucci

Metallic Smoky Eyes - Derek Lam

 

HAIR:

Sleek, High Ponytail - Marc Jacobs

Messy, Loose Braid - Emilio Pucci

Classic French Twist - Bottega Veneta

 

NAILS:

Canary Yellow Nails - D&G

Yellow Tipped Nails - Jason Wu

Moon Manicures - 3.1 Phillip Lim

Images from HERE

Sweet Site: Beauty Buzz - Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep Cosmetics Database

Just read this and you'll realize why this site should be bookmarked and one of YOUR essential tools when purchasing any type of cosmetics!

It's our mission at Environmental Working Group to use the power of information to protect human health and the environment. EWG's Skin Deep database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals. We launched Skin Deep in 2004 to create online safety profiles for cosmetics and personal care products. Our aim is to fill in where industry and government leave off. Companies are allowed to use almost any ingredient they wish. The U.S. government doesn't review the safety of products before they're sold. Our staff scientists compare the ingredients on personal care product labels and websites to information in nearly 60 toxicity and regulatory databases. Now in its eighth year, EWG's Skin Deep database provides you with easy-to-navigate safety ratings for a wide range of products and ingredients on the market. At about one million page views per month, EWG's Skin Deep is the world's largest personal care product safety guide.

Once again, my sister is the cool one (probably one of the best online researchers I know) and told me about this site. She said that my facewash HERE didn't make the best score, by any means (0 is the best you can make!) Dang, I am so annoyed and sad because it gives me glowing and gorgeous skin. But once I read some of the health concerns I knew I could no longer put this on my face, twice daily.

Now I'm on the search for a cleanser and I'm truly freaked out. I will be checking all of my beauty regimen products throughout today and really making sure that nothing has any huge red flags. If it does, into the trashcan it goes, right away! Leading a healthier and as close to a chemically-free home as we can is really important to RWD Hubby and I. One of my biggest non-chemical uses in our house? Dish soap, laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. Where do you absolutely go green every time in your home? Hope this site helps you better green your beauty routine too!

Beauty Buzz: Charity Under $20 - ARTISTRY's Light Up Lip Gloss

Rarely do we find a lip gloss that we just have to mention on RWD. I mean, we're devoting an entire post to one little thing of lip gloss. With that being said, listen up...this lip gloss is sure to be one of your favorite go-to beauty products. So what makes this lip gloss so special? This ingenious gloss makes achieving lip perfection effortless with a built in mirror and LED light. Yep, even when you're in a dim lit room and need to touch up that pout, it's a one-touch wonder!

With three versatile shades to complement every skin tone and a minty-fresh flavor, you’re sure to add brilliant shine to your lips with every glossing. I have Glitz and absolutely love the color. It's neutral, shiny and smells minty fresh. Here's the best part...for every lip gloss sold via THIS link (search light up lip gloss) $5 will go towards the Pearl Alliance which is an organization to combat the trafficking of women and children. They are in alliance with SHE Rescue Homes in Cambodia...sheltering precious babies in rescue homes. Get your gloss on HERE, pronto!

Personal Peek: Beauty Buzz - I'm About to Cut and Donate My Hair...for the Third Time!

Guess what amazing readers? I'm finally cutting my hair again! For the hardcore readers, you'll remember a little over three years ago when Nick Arrojo (of What Not to Wear fame) chopped it HERE. Three words for you: loved...that...cut! But ugh right now as it's gotten so long and annoying. No joke, I was  seriously tempted to take my office scissors to it last week. It gets wrapped around me every night when I sleep. Then when I try to readjust myself, I actually put my elbow down on top of it and yank my own head...ridiculous! So yeah, no more Tangled for me, Disney can keep that idea, ha!

So I recently purchased a Groupon (if you don't know that that is yet, click the link now) for a local Austin salon and this is the option I opted for:  

For $45, you get a women's precision cut, Kevin Murphy deep-conditioning treatment, shampoo, blow-dry, and style (a $90 value).

Sweet readers, I'm giddy with excitement and can't wait to a) donate my hair again to Locks of Love (more on that later) and b) have shoulder length (and manageable) spring/summer hair.

And what I'm most excited about is the amazing salon description Groupon used to explain what's in store for me. People, I'm so bonkers excited:

They specialize in precision cuts and inspired styles for all follicular floras and faunas. Mangled manes in need of a meticulous pelt pruning will first be luxuriously lathered in a conditioning treatment courtesy of the Kevin Murphy. A rich, botanical mask packed with key conditioning ingredients, it nourishes and strengthens strands.

I've never dyed my hair so excuse all the differences in color hues above. Real Simple's Beauty Makeover program (more on that HERE) is how I created these cool self images. They're color choices are hard to manipulate...trust me, I did my best. I'm going to keep my little virgin hair color the same. Why? I can't even imagine doing quarterly color updates because I can barely drag myself to get a hair cut. I'm totally not a hair person so yeah, same color...but a fun and drastic cut for sure.

I polled RWD Hubby and he gave his thumbs up on numbers 3 and 8. Which are your favorites? Really, do tell me...because I'll be taking the top three cuts to the stylist and will ask him/her which is best for my face shape and hair texture. So please share in the comment section below which choice you like for me.

My fave picks? I love looks 1 and 3 and I think they're a very similar cut, just styled differently! I think look 4 can also fall into this category as it's most similar to my natural hair texture. I love the idea of blunt bangs so 5, 6 and 8 caught my eye too. And those wispy layers in look 2 are so sexy but I know I'd need to bust out the curling iron or round brush for such tousled and pretty tresses.

I'm just trying to be realistic here because my fancy new hair dryer HERE is even pushing the limits during my busy work week. Plus, I've already had the cut in option 7 HERE so I'm game for something different. But man oh man, I totally loved that cut! Ok, I need your help. Give me any insight, insider scoop, etc on any of the above cuts! Can't wait to hear what you think and of course I'll be donating my 10+ inches to Locks of Love again...unless you know of another hair campaign that rocks your socks off?

Personal Peek: Beauty Buzz - My Lymphatic Facial and Phytomer Products from Venus DeMarco

I can't even remember the last time I had a facial. I think it actually might've been in San Francisco, with a visiting friend, around three years ago. Yep, t-h-r-e-e! I was long overdue and in desperate need of some face TLC. Knowing I didn't want to just purchase any old Groupon facial, what I really wanted was to splurge on an amazing aesthetician. So where did I go? I went to Venus DeMarco right here in Austin.

I've been purchasing my Jan Marini product(s) from her for over a year now. Every time I pop by to grab my facewash or sunscreen, she always reminds me that her facials are her specialty and what she's known all over Austin for. I finally took her up on her offer and laid back to enjoy an hour and a half of pure facial bliss.

Then I picked her brain about which facial would be best for me. I told her I'd been a big slacker with moisturizer lately and she told me she could tell from just looking at my skin. We chatted about my routine; everything from eating, sleeping, stress to the supplements I currently take. We also caught up on everything new with her business, including a Facebook page HERE (which I've been telling her to do) and her additional website HERE. If you're battling breast cancer or know someone that is, please direct them to her site. She's a survivor and her story, wisdom and research will amaze you.

Ok, ok..back to the facial. So I'm a huge believer in getting a facial from someone who really knows what they are doing and has been in the business for years. Understandably, everyone has to start somewhere but this level of splurging happens only occasionally for me so when it does, I splurge on the best. Venus is the best! Her product knowledge, skincare know-how and all around wellness make her an extremely respected expert in her industry. I knew I was, literally, in good hands.

During my entire facial, Venus used only Phytomer products. I had vaguely heard of this line but had never tried them. Can I just say, one whiff and I was sold. This is some good smelling stuff and personally, that matters to me. I had creams that smell old lady creamy and sunscreen that just wreaks of chemicals. Nope, I want natural ingredients and pleasent aromas. Phytomer is a great combo of both...done and done!

After my lymphatic facial (find out more on that service HERE which was a first for me and exceptionally lovely) we then sat back down and talked about a few products that would provide a better moisture barrier for my skin. I told her what my budget was for skincare and she really tried to give me the best combo for my skin type. She said this first found of products would be more expensive just to get my skin's moisture back on track. Once that happens, we can tailor my routine back and make it more affordable. I don't mind spending a good amount of money on skincare (it's the accessory you wear all the time) but I'm a budget minded lady.

So the three products I left with; Douceur Marine (Velvety Smoothing Cream - above), Oligoforce (Purifying Enforcement Serum with Oligomer) and Peeling Vegetal (Vegetal Exfoliant with Natural Enzymes) and I'm hooked on all three! The cream smells so good I want to eat it and Zola is constantly trying to lick my face. The serum feels like this amazing barrier on my skin and has toned down my breakouts. Lastly, the peel/mask reminds me that twice a week I need to think of me!

If you're in the Austin area I highly recommend popping in to see Venus. HERE's her contact information and HERE's her Facebook page. She's running a great special on Phytomer and Vie products for all her Facebook fans so head over there and get the details on that. If you're not in the Austin area, I highly suggest googling skincare specialists/aestheticians and reading all the reviews. Venus has 35 reviews on CitySearch HERE and an overall five star rating. Don't spend your hard earned cash on some lackadaisical treatment...splurge on quality. Go on and treat yourself, gorgeous readers, you deserve it!

Beauty Buzz: Misikko's HANAair Professional Hair Dryer

There comes a time in a girl's life when time is money and anything time saving is worth its weight in gold. Insert exhibit A, today's post! This dryer will cut your drying time by a miraculous 60% so believe me, you'll want to keep reading. I recently got the HANAair hair dryer from Misikko and can't even put into words the difference/change in my hair. Drying time decrease just scratches the surface...keep reading for all the juicy details.

Firstly, have you even checked out Misikko? It's pretty much your one stop shop for all your beauty needs. Three words about Misikko: love...that...site! Ok, so back to the hair dryer and why I think it's totally worth an entire post. As you already know, I have super duper long hair (see it HERE) and yes, I'm in need of a haircut. Usually, I forgo the 20-30 minutes drying time (depending on how dry I really want my locks to be) and just throw it up in a bun and then sleep on it. My poor little ghetto dryer takes forever and I truly just have better things to do with my time.

So when I read all the awesome reviews HERE (scan to the bottom) about this dryer, I knew my crazy long hair had met its match. My drying time is NOW somewhere around 7-9 minutes and I can't even imagine what it would be if I had my Victoria Beckham bob again (like I got HERE)...maybe 2-3 minutes? Take note that your hair is likely shorter than mine so imagine your drying time! Seriously, that's primp/prep heaven. I don't like to spend a huge amount of time getting ready unless it's an uber important occasion and then I just want to spend hours getting ready. No joke, hours and RWD Hubby is totally fine with it. I married the right man, that's for sure!

The other thing I just have to highlight about this megawatt dryer is how shiny and straight it gets my hair. Ok, let me rewind a minute and just point out that fact that my old dryer/straightener time combo would clock in somewhere around 30 minutes or more, no less. Guess what? Since getting the HANAair dryer I haven't even plugged in my straightener! Shiny, straight, body filled hair is what I get so there's no need for a straightener. I have no idea how thing thing does it, but again, read all the reviews over on the site HERE to see what other people are saying.

RWD Hubby has been hearing me sing its praises for the last couple weeks. My description has continually included such descriptors as; bonkers good, hair magic, dryer insanity or crushology. I'm glad I've written almost 500 words on one hair dryer because I'm quite sure Hubby is tired of hearing how great it is. I've told him to try it but he just laughs at me. I keep telling him he'd be a believer, a HANAair junkie, a complete devotee with only one round of drying. I've yet to hear him give it a go. I secretly think he busts it out when I'm away on my girls nights, ha!

Well listen up readers, I don't get any kickback for this post, I just think this dryer is some of the best moolah ever spent. The kicker? You won't even believe how elegant, fun and fancy their packaging is and they send such great little freebies in the box too. Talk about customer service, we're now forever fans of Misikko! Hope you enjoy!

Beauty Buzz: Three Must Have Products from NUDE Skincare

I've recently been dabbling with new skincare lines and am really loving the results that NUDE skincare is giving me. We mentioned the line a while ago HERE but that was before we put in the leg work and really started using their products. Supple, moisturized and glowing, NUDE is a probiotic boutique line that you're sure to love too. Check out more information on their products offerings HERE and also know that your local Whole Foods will likely carry many of their products too. That's how I learned about them, picking the ladies brain at the Whole Foods headquarters here in Austin. She said the line is amazing, gave me some samples and here are three products I'm now totally working into my daily/weekly routine.

We also love their tagline:

Beautiful without parabens, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, propylene glycol, phthalates, GMO, mineral oil and silicones.

Here's a bigger snippet, from their site, about the brand: Biocompatible Skincare NUDE is a luxury, natural, high performance skincare brand which works intelligently with the skin to correct the signs of ageing. Key elements define the range: Probiotic Technology NUDE's Probiotic Technology is used throughout the NUDE range to optimise how the skin looks and how it functions at a cellular level, helping repair cellular damage and stimulate cellular renewal. Biocompatible Formulas NUDE uses natural high performance, bio-available ingredients the body can recognise to deliver incredible anti-ageing results. Visible Results NUDE uses bio-available technologies the skin recognises to deliver visible results.

NUDE Skincare's ultimate foaming cleansing gel for normal and combination skin. This delicately fragranced natural cleansing gel effectively removes make-up and pollution without stripping, leaving skin feeling immaculately clean and balanced. The refreshing blend of antioxidant moringa, organic aloe vera and prebiotics hydrates and soothes for a smooth and clear complexion. Massage Cleansing Facial Wash onto wet face and rinse clean. For normal and combination skin types.

NUDE Skincare's delicate, non-drying mousse contains kaolin clay to absorb excess oils and gently exfoliate skin. With naturally active propolis and organic buriti, this effective treatment visibly cleans pores and purifies skin to reveal a beautifully clear and silky smooth complexion. Apply Deep Cleansing Mask to a clean face. After 10 minutes, remove by massaging with warm water. Use twice weekly. For oily and congested skins.

This clever anti-ageing gel perfectly balances and hydrates the skin while controlling excess oils. Prebiotics and Probiotics and Hyaluronic Acid protect, firm and smooth, while Laminaria Seaweed and Liquorice balance and soothe the skin.

Beauty Buzz: Beauty DIY - 4 Great Homemade Bubble Bath Recipes

You already know (via this post HERE) how much we love to make our own bubble bath and since bath season is back in full swing, we thought we'd add a few more great recipes to our repertoire. We've been wanting to try out a few more so we decided to share our research with you. Read below for four great recipes!

Sweet Dreams Bubble Bath

This bubble bath has lavender and patchouli oils to relax you before bedtime. Use soft music and lighted candles in your bathroom for a soothing effect.

Ingredients: 6 drops of lavender oil / 3 drops of patchouli oil / 1 quart of distilled water / 1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar) / 4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: Mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Cold Season Bubble Bath

This bubble bath will help you breathe easier, with eucalyptus oil to ease the cold congestion. This is perfect for the cold season.

Ingredients: 6 drops of eucalyptus oil / 3 drops of spearmint oil / 3 drops of peppermint oil / 1 quart of distilled water / 1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar) / 4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: Mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Pure Sunshine Bubble Bath

This citrusy bubble bath will cheer you up and energize you. Perfect for a morning bath or use after exercising.

Ingredients: 6 drops of orange oil / 4 drops of grapefruit oil / 3 drops of lemon oil / 1 quart of distilled water / 1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar) / 4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: Mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Love Potion Bubble Bath

This bubble bath will put you in a romantic mood. All of the ingredients are considered known aphrodisiac – so look out!

Ingredients: 6 drops jasmine oil / 3 drops rose oil / 3 drops vanilla oil / 6 drops ylang ylang oil / 1 quart of distilled water / 1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar) / 4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions: Mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.

Recipes from HERE

Beauty Buzz: Under $100 - 5 Great New Products I Adore

1. Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel

Why I love it?  

Silky smooth amazingness, this gel is perfect for daytime wear under makeup or powder. It smells intoxicating and is light and not sticky!

More info and buy it HERE for $67

2. Miss Dior Cherie Perfume by Christian Dior

Why I love it?  

It was my freebie gift from all my Sephora Beauty Rewards I've earned and it came at the perfect moment. We were in Miami, I had forgotten my perfume for our cruise and magically THIS was my free gift. Divine intervention and a lady that smelled like heaven (hubby approved) during our entire vaca! Cha-ching, this scent is money!

More info and buy it HERE for $67.50

 

3. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Sampler Pack

Why I love it?

Get ready for your newest obsession! I use their clear skin cleanser and adore all of their masks. This line is amazing and will virtually change the way you look at natural skin care!

More info and buy it HERE for $16.90

4. Dr. Hauschka Daily Revitalzing Eye Cream

Why I love it?

The eye cream of all eye creams, Hauschka is not foolin' around with this potion. My Momma has always said to spend more on eye cream, it'll matter in the long run. This is an investment but hopefully, just by looking at the skin around my eyes later in life, you might not now my real age. PS - It does a bangin' good job under makeup too!

More info and buy it HERE for $51

5. Tarte Provocateur Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 8

Why I love it?

Let me count they ways! First of all, it's natural, which rocks my makeup loving world. Just to give you an idea, this is what it is formulated WITHOUT: What it is formulated WITHOUT: parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, petro-chemicals or phthalates. Yepper, numerous drugstore brands have all that gunk in it...gross! Love me some Tarte!

More info and buy it HERE for $30

Beauty Buzz: Top 5 Hair Masks

Fall is a great time to jump-start your beauty regimen and a wonderful time to invest in a great hair mask after all that summer sun. We've hand picked 5 of our fave hair masks (all tried and true) and know you'll find the perfect one for your hair type. We've even added a small blurb about why each mask rocks our world! Enjoy!

Rene Furterer Carthame Gentle Hydro-Nutritive Mask 3.4 oz for $23

"Boasting a high content in carthame and hazelnut oils, and a unique moisture-retaining complex, this intensive, hydrating mask protects dry hair instantly. It naturally smoothes and softens the hair, while the lightweight texture leaves hair perfectly detangled, light and radiant. "

Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask 6.7 oz for $38

"A staple at top salons, this aromatic formula, enriched with jojoba oil and guar gum, that instantly moisturizes, softens, and detangles without weighing hair down. A unique concentration of angelica root extract (75%) and essential oil of sweet orange impart shine, vitality, elasticity, and manageability."

Rene Furterer Myrrhea Anti-Frizz Silkening Mask 3.37 oz for $23

"Truly a conditioner dedicated to unruly and rebellious hair. This mask smoothes hair and provides in-depth nourishment. Softness and shine will be restored to hair, leaving it polished, supple, and easy to style."

Phyto Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Mask 6.75 oz for $28

"Repair strands all the way down to the ends, improving strength and elasticity. An exotic cocktail of plant marrow, illipe butter, and mango seed and quinoa oils hydrates and fortifies while hibiscus, elder, euphrasia, plantain, and vitamin E sooth the scalp. The addition of wheat amino acids and wood cellulose helps lock in moisture and detangle. Hair is left hydrated, softer, and stronger."

Rene Furterer Tonucia Toning and Densifying Mask 6.81 oz for $42

"Achieve great fullness, bounce, and vitality with this deep penetrating mask. Cimentrio works as an intercellular "cement", repairing and fortifying the hair fiber. At the same time texturizing micro wheat proteins coat the hair without weighing it down. Hair looks thicker after the first application, with regainded body and strength."

Beauty Buzz: How to Wear It - Chic Summer Hair Ideas & Braids

I love that summer is always a great time to experiment with new hairstyles and makeup trends. I also love to wear my hair in a side braid or plop a huge bun on top of my head too. My hair is getting longer (contemplating ANOTHER Locks of Love donation) so I find that I love to style it in different ways. For my fellow longer haired gals, I've rounded up some great images below for you to try. I'll give a small snippet below of either why I love it or how I think the look can be emulated. One thing's certain, try something new this summer...even if it's a sparkly headband or colored bobby pins, stretch those hairstyle horizons, pretty ladies! Enjoy!

Click Images to Enlarge

"I'm totally trying this today! I love how two front sections are bobby pinned back and under for face framing sweetness! When I lived in Australia, Miss Delta Goodrem was all the rage so it was actually nice to stumble upon this great pic of her with a perfect summer 'do!"

"I mean seriously...can Kruger ever do wrong? Nah! Her adorable and messy, double sided french braid is something that would be very impressive if done on your own. This might be a look that's better to try when with a friend that has supreme braiding skills. I love this look, though!"

"Don't even try to forget about an easy, sexy and messy pony! We love the soft pieces that fall in front and Miss Biel's golden jewelry brings out her auburn highlights. This is a great look for day or night!"

"Taking a cue from Rachel Zoe...I DIE!!! This is about the length of my hair so I'm pumped to try this look. I remember rocking something similar in my early childhood but this messy, sexy and easy version is right up my alley!"

"Again, if you can accomplish this 'do without an extra set of hands, I tip my hat and tell you that you have a future in hair styling, ha! Love this loose, side french braid with soft strands floating out too!"

"I'm quite certain everyone, and their Moms, have tried this fantastic look! You can either do a loose braid and pull it back with a messy bun (like Nicole Richie above) or you can french braid a front section and tuck it into your messy bun (like Jessica Alba). We love this grecian-esque look for day or night!"

PS - Are you totally lost with trying out a side part braid like above? No worries! We've got this great Youtube video tutorial for you to check out:

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Beauty Buzz: What to Buy Now - Our Top 10 Lip Stains

Laura Mercier Lip Stain Shy Pink for $20

Benefit Cosmetics Benetint 0.4 oz Benetint for $28

SEPHORA COLLECTION Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain 01 Red Wine for $12

Tarte LipSurgence™ Natural Matte Lip Stain Exposed for $24

DuWop Pure Venom Plumping Lip Stain Pure Berry for $24

Stila Lip & Cheek Stain Raspberry Crush for $24

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain Jitterbug for $19

tokidoki Fantastico Lip Stain Peperincino for $15

Extreme Wear Lip Stain for $8

TheBalm Stainiac ( Cheek & Lip Stain ) for $15

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Beauty Buzz: Our Top 10 Fave Smashbox Products for Summer

Click Images or Links for More Info:

PHOTO OP UNDER EYE BRIGHTENER for $18

HALO HYDRATING PERFECTING POWDER for $59

LIMITLESS EYE LINER for $19

O-GLOSS INTUITIVE LIP GLOSS for $22

PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER for $36

HIGH DEFINITION LIQUID CONCEALER for $18

BAKED FUSION SOFT LIGHTS for $30

CREAM EYE LINER for $22

DOUBLETAKE LIP COLOR for $22

O-BRONZE INTUITIVE CHEEK BRONZER for $26

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Beauty Buzz: Real Simple's Beauty Makeover in Minutes

All Images from HERE

Oh my gosh, oh my goodness gracious! This might be one of the coolest sites I've ever stumbled upon. I'm a piggyback Real Simple reader. What does that mean? A close friend of mine here in Austin swaps her Real Simple's for either my Glamour or Women's Health. It's a great way to save money when buying a subscription and it's something I've been doing for years with close girlfriends. So back to today's story...

This site is amazing. Upload a pic and just start your own personal makeover magic! Here's just a brief list of some of the changes you're able to make via Real Simple's Beauty Makeover:

- hair style

- hair color

- lip color

- eye color

- blush or bronzer

- mascara color

I mean truly, the list goes on and on. I had so much fun playing with different makeover scenarios that I just had to share some with you! I spent the time uploading an image an adjusting it, via Real Simple's easy to follow directions. I've taken a snapshot of that screen below just to give you an idea. The closer you get to really outlining your features, the more realistic the virtual makeover will seem. And yeppers, those are actually my own lips below.

If you're in the market for a new summer 'do or are gearing up for that perfect fall cut, I really suggest you check out this site first. Without further ado, let's see RWD in all her makeover glory below...

Here's RWD toying with some blonde hair color. I've always wondered what it would feel like being a striking blonde lady. Truthfully, I don't know if it's for me, plus I've never died my hair (virgin hair is so much more affordable...maybe one day!) I loved the top two images with bangs but RWD Hubby gave them a vote of 'so-so.' I love my honest man. He said he liked the bottom right which reminds me of Lauren Conrad and is most like my own hair. I guess that's a good thing! Moving along...

   

My second favorite feature of this splendid makeover site is that you can toy with makeup ideas. You can see on the left photo that I'm rocking some everyday makeup. In the right image, I have everything from contacts to blush to bronzer to purple eye shadow...but surprisingly enough, it kinda just 'works!' 

Lastly, here's are the hubby's top two hair style choices! Is anyone else out there as surprised as I am? Oh my gosh, first of all, hubby is a big Angelina Jolie fan (looks, not life) so the left option came as no surprise. The right option...the short bob, about knocked me off my office chair. I kept saying, 'Really? No, really?' He just laughed and laughed! It's totally Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, right? Also, check out the makeup job on the left photo. I'm loving the green eyes and green shadow. The kicker? Real Simple supplies you with a direct link to purchase any of the products you use in the makeover...cha-ching!

Well, hopefully you have as much fun with this site as I did. I literally just spent the last hour playing with different hair styles and makeup colors and am sad to say it's time to get back to work. Let me know how your makeovers go because I'm sure we can all attest to the fact that a free makeover is a great makeover! Cheers and enjoy!

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Beauty Buzz: Top 10 Beauty Products for Your Splashtastic Summer Gorgeousness and Some Freebies Too

RWD's TOP TEN Summer Beauty Buys:

(Freebies way below and...per our usual, we're providing some deets on why we think these are all worth your hard-earned moolah!)

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation Fairly Medium for $25

Where would I be without my Bare Minerals? Not looking picture perfect and camera ready, that's certain! A mineral-based powder miracle concealer and eyeshadow base, this versatile product for a variety of skin enhancements. You can apply this product directly onto brown and red spots, blemishes, broken capillaries, scars, and other areas of skin imperfections. Pssst! Don't worry about falling asleep in this makeup! Rumor has it, it's great for your skin too!

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Black Honey for $14

Dip right into this lip balm! With a colorful twist and numerous gorgeous colors (black honey is a fave of RWD's momma) treat your most under-moisturized skin to helpings of soothing shine. Instantly relieve dryness, protect with antioxidants and more.

Tarte EyeQuatic Waterproof Summer Essentials Set ($53 Value) for $15

A limited-edition set that contains all your waterproof eye essentials for summer. We love our Tarte duos and had to share this awesome product with you, dear readers! This colorful eye-quatic collection has everything you need for balmy summer days. It includes three new, mermaid-inspired lock & roll creaseless cream & powder shadow duos, a deluxe mini lights, camera, splashes! 4-in-1 natural waterproof mascara, and a free mod-chic head scarf. These basics are sure to make a splash in your beauty routine this summer.

NARS The Multiple Orgasm for $38

Nars The Multiple is the original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick. With fingertip application, The Multiple highlights, sculpts, and warms eyes, cheeks, lips, and body in an array of shades from sheer accents to mauve and bronze. Orgasm is our personal fave but we are also adoring our Riviera stick too! This is your one must for summer skin that glows!

Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLATRadiant Touch 1 Luminous Radiance for $40

A luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion. Who doesn't want that? Loved by models, makeup artists, celebrities, and women everywhere, this award-winning product is like eight hours of sleep and an instant pick-me-up in a magic wand. Your complexion will immediately looks rested, rejuvenated, and radiant.

Philosophy Beach Girl™ for $28

Inspired by hot summer days on the beach and strolling along the boardwalk, Beach Girl is a refreshing pick-me-up that will make you smile. This set is designed to leave skin feeling super clean and soft and lips looking glossy and beautiful. The orange crush slush scent is so delightful, refreshing, and energizing, you will be reminded of summer days packed with sun, sand, and play.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo 1 oz for $11

A fast fix for dirty hair, you're gonna love this product! It's the ultimate time saver as it refreshes, revives, and rejuvenates the hair in a matter of minutes. Nope, no water or blow dryer required. Voted Best Dry Shampoo and Best Quick Fix by Allure magazine, it effectively soaks up oil, removes product build-up, and boosts volume. Hair looks, feels, and smells freshly shampooed with a clean, lemon verbena scent. Go ahead, hit snooze!

Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste Medium for $26

A brightening camouflage for the eyes and face. This is a concentrated, creamy, blendable concealer that instantly brightens and camouflages all-in-one. It has an innovative formula which makes sure signs of stress and fatigue are a thing of the past. These three brightening neutral shades give every gal correction perfection. For those late summer nights partying, this is your quick-fix for the following early-morning office day!

Pacifica South Pacific Solid Perfume Trio ($27 Value) for $18

I've been sporting solid perfume in my purse since my teen years traveling through Europe. It really made me feel so worldly and cool. Now, I just use it when I need a floral quick fix to boost my mood and smell pretty throughout the day. Natural, solid, soy-and-coconut-wax-based perfumes in three of Pacifica's signature blends: Waikiki Pikake, Hawaiian Ruby Guava, and Tahitian Gardenia...this trip will entice and delight!

 

Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel 1.7 oz for $52.50

The older we get, the less sun we want! The best self tanner we've ever used...with one sweep of the hand, you'll be that gorgeous bronze goddess this summer! Giving your complexion moisture, vitality, and a subtle, sunless tan...this product rocks! Extend the radiant glow of summer, or brighten a tired-looking complexion all year-round, with this innovative moisturizer that enhances skin's radiance, just like an afternoon outdoors!

The sweet folks over at Sephora are also offering some awesome freebies for our readers too! Check out the stellar codes below for some added summer deals:

Get a free sample collection of 3 Bare Escentuals best sellers with any purchase on Sephora.com. Enter BEMATTETRIO at checkout!

Free Kat Von D eye primer sample at Sephora.com. Enter code KVDEYE at checkout!

Free MD Skincare Trifix acne clearing lotion sample at Sephora.com. Enter code TRIFIX at checkout!

Oscar Blandi Hair Protein Mist for $5 at Sephora.com. No promo code required!

Get FREE Shipping over $50 at Sephora. Enter code SHIPPING50 at checkout.

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Beauty Buzz: How to Do a Quick Manicure for Short, Blunt and Stylish Nails

We love sharing some Beauty tidbits, the buzz on the street and some great how-to advice. We love trying new beauty products and sharing pointers on what works in our life too. Today's post covers a speedy quick short nail manicure. Light hues on spring/summer nails are uber chic and completely transitional from daytime office work to nighttime soiree. 

Choosing a lighter shade will allow you the flexibility of feeling supremely feminine and totally on-trend. Plus, it's much more forgiving of a shade than, let's say, a dark stormy red or navy blue. Plus dark hues have had their time to shine...I say bring the lighter colors back, now! I've included a step-by-step tutorial on how to do a speedy manicure in 20 min or less. Enjoy and hope this inspires you to treat yourself to a lil' at-home pampering!

Click Images to Enlarge 

(these images were taken with RWD's iPhone so please forgive the lack of quality)

So first up, I started with a great Express Finish Advanced Wear polish from Maybeline. The color I chose was Blush Twinkle. I've found this series of polishes to be very fast drying and also withstand the test of time. I did two coats of polish on each hand and then covered those coats with Sally Hansen's Salon Nail Care Speed Shine 10 Day Top Coat. This keeps the polish shiny. Did you know one of the best things you can do to keep a manicure looking shiny and new everyday? Add a new coat of top coat every few days. Believe me, it works! PS - You can also purchase/apply a base coat if you have more time on your hands!

 

So here's the finished product after two coats of color and one coat of top coat. Not too shabby...but now the trick is coming up! Let your nails air dry for a few hours or even overnight then do the next step! This is what separates the good at home manicurists from the amateurs, ha! No seriously, it does!

 

Using a pair of cutters, trim your nails as short as you like them! I trim mine very short and I love how blunt and perfect the polish looks after this step! Did I think of this myself? Nope...can't say I did! A girlfriend from college always had the prettiest fingers and toes and we all played Division 1 soccer so this was merely impossible. One day I asked her, "How in the world do your nails always look so perfect?" I was secretly hoping she's give me the name of a great and inexpensive salon. Nope, she told me this trick and I was astounded! You cut AFTER you polish!

Make sure to add another coat of top coat after cutting your nails. This will keep the ends super strong and durable. If you skip this last stop of a secondary coat of top coat...your nails will look TERRIBLE and break right off! This is muy importante...another coat of top coat to seal the deal!

Here's the after!!! You can glance above at the first image and see my pointer finger? Yeah, it's totally pointy and this longer nail length is NOT very attractive and on-trend right now! Short, straight, blunt nails are what's in style so no more sporting those long nails, ladies! This is a great way to emulate that perfect spa manicure without all the cost.

 

Another sneak peek at the after! This isn't a huge discovery but I have had many friends ask me where I get my nails done and 99% of the time, I've used this trick to get the perfect short and blunt looking manicure. Totally hoping this helps a pretty nail loving reader out by saving a pretty penny to possibly by spring/summer's best transition piece: a maxi skirt! More on that HERE and enjoy!

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Beauty Buzz: Re-cap DIY Homemade Bubble-Bath Recipes

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Mmmmm, what is there not to love about Homemade Bubble Bath? In our previous post HERE we mentioned that we thought it un-fair that CasaCullen (our sister blog for all your home design and cooking curiosities) gets to have all the fun with their recipe of the week. So over here on RunwayDaily, we've decided to incorporate some Beauty DIY recipes to give them a bit of friendly competition. Our first try at a beauty recipe was Homemade Bubble Bath HERE and it turned out amazingly awesome.

Of the two recipes posted, we've only tried the Foaming Vanilla Honey version. We'll wait till that's all gone to try the Old-Fashion version. We are beyond impressed with how amazing this turned out and just knew we had to share. I have a problem with store-bought bubble baths as they make my skin itchy and dry. Not this homemade version...no way, dear reader. Supple and moisturized skin is what I got!

Did you get a chance to try the recipe too? What did you think? If not...I suggest you jump on this bandwagon. I save an old hand soap container...but I now wish I would have bought a pretty lady-like soap pump instead. I'll keep my eyes peeled for one and transfer the mixture into something a bit more aesthetically appealing now that I know this concoction is totally legit! Enjoy!

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Beauty Buzz: Sephora's Give Me Some Lip - Valentine's Day Gift Set

 

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You know I love me a good beauty find so I just had to share the buzz on this here Sephora set. Oh...my...gosh! So many of my favorite glosses and colors in one $25 Valentine's set. Can someone please let RWD Hubby know that I'd love this, tee hee! What is it? A deluxe lip sampler packed with 7 of Sephora's most sought out shades of red and pink with a full-size Korres lipstick included! Enjoy and check out what's included in the set, yummers!

Included in the set: 

- 0.07 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pout (true color/ sheer pastel pink) 

- 0.08 oz Tarte Double Ended Lip Gloss in Danny / Sandy (sheer candy apple red & pink with sparkle) 

- 0.08 oz Benefit Posietint in Poppy Pink (poppy pink) 

- 0.1 oz Laura Mercier Lip Gloss in Rose (light red pink shimmer) 

- 0.07 oz Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in April (diamond/ glimmering icy pink) 

- 0.09 oz Urban Decay Pocket Rocket in Doug (sheer medium pink with iridescent sparkle) 

- 0.12 oz Korres Mango Butter Lipstick SPF 10 in Pink 14 (vibrant rose) 

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