Posts archived in Beauty

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January 30, 2012

Pain is Beauty

Tips For Waxing Beginners

If you’re tired of shaving every day, waxing may be for you — but it can be intimidating for beginners. No worries, this guide is here to help you every step of the way!

The Hair “Down There”
Maybe you don’t mind shaving your legs every day, but the thought of maintaining a clean bikini line while on your beach vacation is enough to send you to waxing salon.

What is a bikini wax? Your salon may come up with its own names for the different types of bikini waxes, but there are essentially three levels of waxing. The most common names are the American, the French and the Brazilian. Here’s what you get when you ask for these services:

Ask for an “American” wax and the esthetician will follow the line of your underwear or bathing suit bottom and remove any hair that spills out. If you’re going away on vacation it’s a smart idea to bring the skimpiest bathing suit you’re planning to wear to your appointment.

A “French” wax removes a little more than the American, but does not include hair removal from your backside. Hair can be left in a “V” shape or “landing strip” and you do not need to bring your bathing suit to your appointment if this is the type of bikini wax you’re planning on getting, because the technician will need you to remove your underwear in order to work. In other words, this is not for the shy.

When you ask for a “Brazilian” wax everything is removed — including hair from your buttocks. You might not want to get a Brazilian on your first waxing appointment, but lots of women love it once they get used to it. Maybe you’re one of those women?

How to Get a (Relatively) Painless Wax
Preparation is the key. It sounds counter intuitive, but trimming your hair to about the length of a grain of rice greatly reduces discomfort. But be careful! Don’t trim it shorter than that or the wax won’t grip the hair.

Here’s a trick that works if you’re very nervous: Coughing as the technician pulls the wax distracts you from what’s going on. If coughing is a bit too weird for you, hold your breath as she pulls (but don’t forget to breathe the rest of the time!)

How Often Should You Wax?
Waxing for the first time can be very painful, but the good news is that since hair is pulled at the root it grows back softer and easier to pull. The more you do it, the easier it gets. In order to minimize pain, you should go back when your hair grows back to the length of a grain of rice — and while that depends on how quickly your hair grows most women enjoy a few weeks between appointments. So book your appointment or gather your supplies, and enjoy your smooth skin this summer!

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January 27, 2012

Ombré

If you checked out celebrity hair trends over the past year, you would know that ombré was one of the most popular trends. Everyone from Jessica Biel to Drew Barrymore to Ashlee Simpson was sporting the trend. Even my own college roommate dyed her hair to make her tresses go from brown to blonde. It’s such a beautiful, carefree style and became a popular trend quickly. Although many stars have gone back to classic colors, the ombré is still alive and kicking.

The most popular ombré trend today is with nail polish. If you check out pinterest, ombré nails are everywhere and there are so many different variations. We’ve compiled a few of the different ombré nail looks here along with instructions for you to try yourself.

 

This week, I shared a picture of my own pink ombré nails. It’s one of my absolute favorite nail designs because it’s simple and classy, but it still catches my eye every time I look at my nails. This is another trend that Lauren Conrad originated and I duplicated. It’s one of the easiest nail trends to recreate. All you need is five different colors of nail polish in the same hue. The key is getting different shades of the color so that your nails go from dark to light and look as though they belong together. For some reason, I have an obscene amount of pink nail polishes, so using pink was the easiest way for me to do this. LC has used browns and blues, however, showing that the trend is very versatile. If you can’t find five different colors that you think look perfect together, they’ve made the trend even easier to create: the nail polish line The New Black actually sells a set of nail polish in graduating shades!

 

One variation of ombré that I’m desperate to try is the full nail ombré. Pictured above, this trend has different shades of one color graduating on the nail itself. Again, this is actually an easy design to create! You need about three different shades of one color, a sponge makeup brush, and a clear coat or sparkle polish for the top layer. First get one color onto the sponge (I would probably start with the lightest color). Blot the sponge at the base of your nail, going about one-third of the way up. Next, add the middle shade to the sponge and blot this color in the middle-third of your nail, gently blending it with the lighter color until it seems graduated. Add the darkest shade to the top of your nail by blotting it with the sponge and again, blend it into the middle shade for graduation. When you are satisfied with the blending of the shades, paint a clear coat over the top, or, for extra pizazz, use a sparkle polish.

 

Another variation of ombré is one using glitter. Although I haven’t tried this method, again, it seems relatively simple. All you need is one color of nailpolish, some glitter, and a clear top coat. The first step is to paint one layer of nail polish on each nail. The next step is where it gets a little more difficult. Paint a second layer of polish on one nail. While the nail is still wet, grab a pinch of glitter in your opposite hand. Sprinkle the glitter from the base of your nail upwards, getting the heaviest concentration at the base and allowing the graduation to trickle down up your nail. Wait a minute or two and paint the clear coat. This will further blend the glitter up your nail, so the timing is important. If you do it too soon, the graduation will be ruined. Continue these steps on the rest of your nails, and your look is complete!

 

This look is similar to the one above, but instead of starting at the base of the nail, you start at the tip. There are a few ways to do this. One would be to use glitter, following the directions above but starting at the tip of the nail and gradually sprinkling the glitter towards the base. Another method is similar to the second type of ombré, using a sponge to create graduation. Use the sponge to really concentrate the color at the tip of the nail and gently blot down the nail. This look is great with glitter nail polish, like above, or a regular color, like below. As always, don’t forget to put a top coat to keep your ombré looking sharp.

 

On a rainy day like today, having different nail trends is a great way to pass the day indoors!


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January 17, 2012

Pretty Little Nails

Right from the Pretty Little Liars’ theme song, you know nail polish is something important to the liars. During the macabre but catchy song, images of curling hair and putting on mascara flash by. And then there are nails being painted.

Last week I wrote about getting inspiration from different sources. Pretty Little Liars is one of my favorites for many reasons. Each girl has her own unique style: Spencer- preppy and classic menswear-inspired; Aria- feminine, bohemian, and edgy; Hanna- glamorous and girly; and Emily- relaxed and chic. It’s easy for any girl to resonate with a character’s sense of fashion (or all of them, if you’re like me).

My favorite part of Pretty Little Liars, however, is the nail polish. These girls have every color under the sun. From brilliant, bold blues to soft, muted neutrals, the stylists make sure each girls’ nail polish is something the character would really wear. I find that I get the most inspiration for my nails from this show. The unique colors and different trends always keep me wanting more. While Spencer’s nails are usually something more classic, the other three girls aren’t afraid to mix it up. Emily experiments with colors, but Aria and Hanna are the ones to really watch out for. Here are some of my favorite PLL nail trends

 

Hanna's electric blue is one of my favorite nail colors. Try OPI's "Yodel Me On My Cell" or Sephora by OPI's "Skinny Jeans"

 

 

Hanna's color blocking is always unique. This red and metallic-gray combo is gorgeous. Try Sephora by OPI's "Fiercly Fabulous" or "Red" by Revlon with "Over the Top" by Essie.

 

 

This is my absolute favorite style. Ever. I've done this with pink and yellow, as shown, and with countless other colors! I'm currently rocking it with teal on my pinkie and ring fingers and yellow on the other three. For the best yellow nail polish, use "Solar Power" by China Glaze.

 

 

 

Aria isn't afraid of bright colors, but often wears deep classics like this. I have OPI's "Romeo + Joliet" which is really similar.

 

 

 

Both Emily and Aria have worn this minty green color. It's so refreshing and light that you can't help but love it. Try it yourself using China Glaze's "Re-fresh Mint," Essie's "Mint Candy Apple" or "Mint" by RGB.

 

 

 

Here Spencer is wearing OPI's "Polar Bare" but she sometimes does a deep, vampy, burgundy.

 

 

Next time you watch PLL, pause the TV when they’re texting or talking on their phones. The nail polish colors and patterns are guaranteed to catch your eye. After you notice the colors, however, it’s your turn to try something out. As I said, each character has a different sense of style, making it easier to know if the nail color is right for you. Or, throw the idea of nails having to match your style out the window and try something different! It would be like Spencer wearing hot pink nail polish; unexpected but fun.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

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January 11, 2012

DIY Cheetah Nails

I hate to honk my own horn, but I’m sort of a DIY nail guru. It’s not that I’m some great nail artist or anything. I just see a new design, fall in love, and simply must try to recreate the look myself. This past summer I was looking at my sister’s Sally Hansen Salon Effects (the stickers) in a cheetah print and thought, I can totally do that myself. Two bottles of nailpolish and an hour later, I had fabulous cheetah nails. I got stopped so many times about how great they looked and it made me so proud to say I did them myself. I’ve since recreated the look a few times, and I have to say that it’s one of the easiest designs I’ve ever done. Anyone could do this with the right instructions… And that’s what I’m here for.

 

What You Need:

  • Two complementary colors of nail polish (Mine are OPI Gargantuan Green Grape & OPI Cajun Shrimp)
  • Clear nail polish
  • A toothpick or fine paintbrush
  • Sally Hansen Nail Pen in black

If you don’t want to buy the nail pen (although I must say, it’s a great investment), you can use:

  • Black nail polish
  • An extra toothpick or another fine paintbrush

 

Step1:

Paint your nails a solid color. I did two coats for best color quality. Allow the color to fully dry.

 

Step 2:

Use your toothpick or fine paintbrush to paint polka dots on your nails. Leave some space around each dot. Wait for the color to dry.

 

Step 3:

This is the only hard step. Using the Sally Hansen Nail Pen or black nail polish, you are going to outline the polka dots. Looking at something cheetah print, like a shirt that I have, really helped me on this step. The best ways to outline the polka dots are either to go 3/4 of the way round the circle or to make two lines on opposite sides of the polka dot.

The best part about this step is that cheetah looks more real when it’s messy, so if you’re hands aren’t too steady, it’s okay.

 

 

Step 4:

Use your discretion to fill in any overly empty spaces by putting black dots or lines. Again, be a bit messy. You can look at the pictures above to see how I added the black spots. As always, wait for nails to dry before moving on to the next step.

 

Step 5:

Top your look with a clear coat so your nails remain fierce.

 

 

Voilà!

You are officially cheetah-licious and look fabulous. And now that you know how to do cheetah print, you can create your own variations: interesting color combinations, different shapes, a cheetah version of a French-tip. There are so many fun, creative ways to paint your nails but cheetah print is one of my favorites!

 

 

 

 

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January 4, 2012

Beauty Influence Awards

The beginning of 2012 marks the end of a fabulous era for beauty. From nail art to dip-dyes, the resurgence of lipstick to bold brows, 2011 changed the beauty world, bringing back some forgotten fads while also bringing others to life. While some crazes will stay strong in 2012, others may fade or make you ask “What was I thinking?!”. As for now, we have only the fondest memories of the trends and the year we’re leaving behind.

Many people are currently blogging about what happened in 2011 in terms of fashion, beauty, and the boring stuff like politics or world events. We, however, don’t want to talk about what happened but rather who influenced us. There are certain people out there, celebrities, bloggers, stylists, etc. who have the power to change the way we see things. Who says hair should be blonde, brown, or red? Who says nails have to be a solid color? Who says braids are for little girls? These people make us question whether or not the way things are is the way they should be. Here is our list of the top beauty-influencers of 2011.

 

Although LC's dip-dye didn't last long, it was certainly one of the most talked about beauty trends of 2011

Lauren Conrad

After launching her beauty website, this California girl became one of the biggest influences in the beauty industry. There isn’t a trend that Lauren didn’t try. From her short-lived teal and pink dip-dye to her fabulous manicures and signature braids, LC showed women how to change it up. Her website is one of my personal beauty go-to’s, with new trends and instructions on how to do the look yourself. On TheBeautyDepartment.com, I learned how to create a half-moon manicure, any type of braid I ever wanted to learn how to make, what shade of red lipstick is right for me, and everything in between. On her personal website, LaurenConrad.com, she also gives great beauty advice, including an article on office supplies that double as beauty supplies (thanks for that!). All in all, LC is the top person to watch for beauty trends and our Most Influential Beauty Guide.

 

 

Who else could pull off pink hair and Oscar de la Renta?

Nicki Minaj

This girl from Queens knows exactly who she is in terms of her goals, music, and her style. While she’s known for crazy colorful hair and garments, Nicki is also someone who’s influenced the beauty world. Nicki is almost as famous for her many wigs (which this year included dip-dyes, hot pink, green, checkered, blonde, and blue hair) as she is her music. Aside from her wigs, Nicki has also gained fame for her makeup and nail art. She’s dabbled with double eyeliner (a hot trend), bold colorful eyeshadows, and never goes out without her signature pink lips. On top of her own beauty image, she also collaborated with OPI to create her own collection, which is amazing. The world is being taken over by Nicki, making her our Person to Watch for 2012.



This modern-day princess is a gem. No wonder William fell for her.

Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge has had quite the year. After getting married in April, Kate has remained in the spotlight and her appearance always seems to garner attention (but I guess that’s what happens when you marry a prince). Her classic style and simplicity are a refreshing break from our “more is better” culture. Kate is responsible for bringing back the half-up hairstyle, one that I personally find beautiful. Her clean face and minimal makeup is also a great influence. In our minds, Kate Middleton wins the Most Radiant Beauty award.



Katy really committed and changed her look by dying her hair pink this year.

Katy Perry

Although Katy’s marriage may be ruining the beginning of her 2012, she had an amazing 2011. Somehow while making a multi-platinum album and going on a world tour, Katy managed to be completely unique in her fashions and kept us on our toes. Her nail art is something that will go down in history: sushi nails, Prince William nails (Kate better watch her man), rhinestones, you name it and Katy did it. Not only were her nails fabulous, but her hair changed as well. Known for her jet black locks, the singer went pink in August and then chopped her hair and went to her natural blonde with lavender highlights in December. Katy is someone who makes us question why we never had food on our nails or dyed our hair crazy colors. We predict that this is only the beginning of her beauty evolution, naming her the Ever-Changing Beauty Guru.

 

While these are our favorite people to look to for beauty trends, there are obviously many others who are just as influencing (hello, Lady Gaga). We look forward to seeing how these women grow and what new crazes they cause in 2012.

 

 

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June 14, 2011

The Haute PR Girls are obsessed with this aroma spray and serum combo from Intelligent Nutrients, fusing organic ingredients with function! Spritz or dab on the sesame-soy and castor oilbased blend; the formula comes off like a spicy floral perfume. In place of DEET, essential oils derived fromplants insects loathe — rosemary, geranium, lemongrass, clove, cedar, peppermint, and citronella. (Daily Candy) We love warding off insects with this woodsy aroma that lasts all day! Priced at $26-28, these are definite summer essentials for weekends in the Hamptons and hot days in NYC.

 

To find out more details, visit:

http://dailycandy.com/all-cities/article/104198/Natural-Insect-Repellent-from-Intelligent-Nutrients

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April 13, 2011

Must-Have Eye Liner

We are so excited to tell you about one of our favorite beauty products which is currently on sale. Sephora’s Long-Lasting Eyeliner is one of our personal favorites. It goes on smoothly in thin or thick lines-your choice! It also lasts all day for work and after a night of dancing! It’s normally $10 but is on sale for $5  in certain colors on the Sephora website! In our opinion, it’s better than even the most expensive of eye liners. It comes in dark brown, crystal, and glittering black! For $10, you can get  our personal favorite, black and other glittering colors! The line goes on smoothly and dries quickly. Better yet, it doesn’t dry up and crack or shed down your face. It will look just how it did when you put it on whenever you choose to take it off! If you want to add a dramatic smudge, you can do that too. It’s multi-functional!  Grab this perfect eye liner at Sephora before the sale is gone!

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April 7, 2011

Get Your Tan On!

It’s easy to see that here in New York, the spring weather just isn’t here yet. However, there’s no reason why you can’t start getting that summer glow we all love so much! We recommend Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer in its Summer 2011 Collection. It includes a unique blend of bronzing pigments in a pearlized, reflective base for a sheer, natural-looking radiance. It’s perfect for all skin tones and lasts for hours! It feels weightless as if you’re not wearing makeup. It’s oil free and goes on in a smooth application. Estee Lauder’s website even lets you try it on to see how it will look on you! This liquid bronzer is a great way to get the color you have been wanting despite the cold weather!

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April 6, 2011

Bridal Beauty

How many brides out there are up to their necks with wedding stress? The last thing you need is makeup that looks completely different than when you tried it on! We at Haute PR recommend The Guide to Bridal Beauty if you want to look perfect on your wedding day!

Our own Candace is getting married next summer and is loving tips like this one: ‘”If you have a summer wedding, don’t get your makeup trials done in January. Your skin tone will vary depending on the season. If trials are done too far in advance, the makeup may not look the same on your big day. Keep your trials close to 1-2 months prior to the wedding to avoid this.”

The guide is full of makeup suggestions, a bridal beauty calendar, common faux pas, and other tips that you wouldn’t think of with all the wedding stress! If you want the best advice for looking amazing on your big day, definitely check out The Guide to Bridal Beauty!

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March 30, 2011

Fall 2011 Beauty Trend: Minimalism

“No Makeup” Makeup is back! This fall, look for cool bronzes to bring out your natural beauty. Barely there makeup is sweeping designer’s collections for Fall 2011.  Michael Kors is working with soft bronze tones and peachy-beige cheeks. Marc Jacobs is simply using night cream to bring out natural complexions. He recommends, Shiseido Future Solution LX Night Cream (can be purchased at Bergdorf Goodman for $260) to give a natural, gorgeous sheen to your skin. Designers are also stressing that you work on your face’s natural contours. Golds, beiges, and peaches are the hot colors to look for! Keep your shades neutral and simply enhance what you have!

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