Tuesday, November 16, 2010

7 Ways To Look Younger In 30 Minutes

Tip #1
Keep your eye-cream in the fridge for quick under-eye depuffing.
The cold constricts blood vessels to help swelling go down-
and it feels extra refreshing.



Tip # 2
An at-home gloss treatment giving your face a happy boost.
Dramatically amps up shine and refreshes your highlights,
Try: L'Oreal Paris Colorist Secrets Shine Gloss, $9.

Tip #3
Define your eyebrows.
A pair of full, arched brows works like an instant eye lift.
Pluck errant hairs and fill in sparse areas with a fine-tipped brow pencil.



Tip #4
Apply a firming body cream.
Toned, taut skin is the age-defying holy grail (see: Demi Moore).
Try: Jergens Skin Firming Daily Toning Moisturizer, $5.


Tip #5
Have your stylist snip you some layers.
Hair that moves lifts your features and just looks fun and free.



Tip #6
Take a brisk 30 minute walk whenever you can sneak one in.
You'll jump start your metabolism and circulation and it'll give you a nice rosy glow.


Tip #7
Short nails, painted sheer and pink give off a young,
fun vibe and make your hands look effortlessly flawless.
Try: Essie's Ballet Slippers, $8.

by Redbook, on Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:48pm PDT

Saturday, November 13, 2010

5 Signs You Have Bad Fitting Jeans

                                                                                  
              

A flattering pair of jeans 
is a wardrobe staple that every woman seeks. 
Unfortunately, shopping for said amazing denim can be compared 
to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 
(This pair is too loose in the butt
this pair is too tight in the legs
and this pair is almost perfect—
if I didn't have to pay to get them hemmed!)

One tip that we learned from our days working at American Eagle 
is that you should always try on more than one pair 
of the same size, same style jean. 
Denim stretches, and if the pair that you grabbed has been 
tried on by a few women before you, 
they'll fit differently than a pair that was just pulled off the warehouse truck. 

With the expert help from New York-based wardrobe stylist Shatonia Amee,

Here are five signs that a pair of jeans is not for you:

1. There's bunching, wrinkles
or sagging in the crotch area. 
"You shouldn't have excess material in your crotch," Shatonia says. 
"Your jeans should be able to come all the way up and lie flat in that area. 
If not, your jeans may be too big, or your inseam may be too long." 
The solution? 
A lower-rise jean.


2. Your jeans are pulling and creasing in the crotch. 
"This means your jeans are too tight," Shatonia says. 
"You may want to try a jean with more stretch. 
Don't be afraid to go up in size, 
either — remember, your main goal is comfort!"


3. There's a large gap in the back of your jeans.
"If you can fit your fist in the back of your jeans, 
but they fit fine everywhere else, 
you need to opt for a lower-rise jean," says Shatonia. 
"Try a mid-rise; if there's still a little space, go for a low-rise. 
When changing rises, make sure the jeans fit comfortably,
and be sure your underwear is not visible.
Sit down in them to make sure you aren't revealing too much. 
If a low-rise is too revealing but there's just a little space in the mid-rise, 
you can always wear a belt or have them altered."


4. Your jeans are creating a "muffin-top." 
"There are a few reasons this may be happening," Shatonia says. 
"One reason could be that your jeans are too tight. 
Again, don't be afraid to go up in size — it's only a number!  
You want to be comfortable and look good
Another reason could be that you need a higher rise — 
your jeans should lie flat on your hips and waistline. 
When a pair of jeans is too tight or low, 
they can create that unwanted spillage, 
or muffin-top, on anyone, regardless of size."


5. Your jeans are either hitting the top of your ankle or
they're dragging, even when you're in heels
"The length of your leans is a big factor in fit," Shatonia says. 
"If your jeans only come to the top of your ankle, 
opt for a longer jean. 
Some designers indicate length in numbers, 
but some use S (short/petite), 
R (regular, for women of average height), 
or L (long, for woman who are over 5'6). 
Another problem occurs if your jeans have a lot of 
bunching at the bottom 
and are dragging on the ground. 
If this is the case, 
you need to opt for a petite style. 
If this is your issue, 
I suggest shopping at department stores; 
not many boutiques offer petite sizes, 
while most major department stores 
have a whole department for petite women." 

     By RealBeauty.com, on Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:23am PDT

Monday, November 8, 2010

5 Tricks For Longer - Lasting Jeans

by Piper Weiss, Shine Staff, on Mon Sep 20, 2010 3:34pm PDT

(Thinkstock Images)


If your jeans have been sitting in a drawer all summer long,
they could probably use a wash...in November.
Denims should only be thrown in the washing machine every six months,
according to Carl Chiara, Director of Brand Concepts at Levi Strauss & Co,
who shared his tricks for jeans care with The Wall Street Journal.
The reasoning behind this isn’t laziness.
In fact, Chiara's cleaning methods are far more meticulous
than a standard wash-and-fold routine.
Not only does he "freshen" his jeans on a hook outside
a steaming hot shower, he also bathes them bi-annually.
"Usually, he fills a bathtub to about six inches with
room-temperature water and adds two tablespoons of
Dr. Bronner's Magic Liquid Soap, which he likes because it is mild.
Then, he immerses the jeans in the tub, laying them flat,"
explains author of the Journal article.
After 20 minutes of soaking, he drip dries the denims with
a homemade scented satchel tucked in a pocket.
Not only do the pants come out smelling like roses,
they're guaranteed to last a lot longer than if they were taken for a weekly spin cycle.
If this seems like a lot of trouble for a pair of rugged 501's,
you've probably never found your perfect pair.


A good pair of jeans is like a trusty sidekick,
and that may be why they're hard to part with even when they're in tatters.
After all those trial-and-error hours in the dressing room in search of ‘the one’,
with no guarantee of an exact replica, starting from scratch can seem like a lost cause.

 
“There’s no way of knowing what jeans fit you best.
You’ve basically got to reserve time to try on a whole bunch
till you find one you like,” says Loren Cronk, owner of Loren,
a custom denim bar that opened this month in Brooklyn, New York.
Since sizes and fit can vary even within the same designer line,
finding your perfect pair takes a stroke of luck.
But once you've found your match, making them last is in your hands.
Consider these tried-and-true tricks from the pros for preserving your denims.


1. Choose a Durable Pair.
A long-lasting pair of jeans begins at the register.
Since fabrics vary by brand, knowing the markers of durability
can mean the difference between denims that live
for decades or die on washing machine impact.
“Check the inside of the bottom leg hem of the jeans for a colorful stitch,"
advises Cronk.
“That’s a sign it’s selvage denim.”
Made from old-school looms that impeccably stitched to prevent unraveling,
the over-sized machinery fell out of favor after 1969.
 But you can't beat the durability.
It's why vintage jeans last longer than a lot of newly made pairs.
Thankfully, a resurgence of the weaving technique has returned to the racks,
and even invaded lines at chain stores like The Gap.
If you can't find a selvage stitched denim,
Cronk suggest you weigh out your options.
Literally. "A longer-lasting jean is simply heavier,
because the fabric is thicker," he says.
“Any jeans that weigh over 12oz or 13oz will last you a long time
while the lighter jeans like jeggings weigh only about 8oz and are short-lived.”
 Some designer labels may include the weight,
and custom jeans bars may even provide scales,
but if you're at a loss, just hold a pair of jeans in either
hand and go with the one that feels heavier.



2. Spot-Clean First.
Jeans don’t always need an all-over wash.
Sometimes, targeting a spot will wipe away the dirt without wearing out the shape.
Levi's brand man, Chiara, keeps his secret weapon under the kitchen sink,
spraying a household cleaner like Windex on a tough stain.
Another method, is dabbing rubbing alcohol on worn-in grass stains.
You can also use a hand-wash soap like Woolite to keep the area
"behind the button-fly" smelling fresh and clean.

3. Keep the Blues Singing.
 To keep your color from fading in the wash,
make sure your water is cold,
and your denims are turned inside out to protect from bleeding.
If the damage is already done,
it can help to wash your faded jeans with a dark,
color-rich denim that will bleed.
Another trick, courtesy of Chiara, is adding 1/8 of clear vinegar to a wash.
The natural remedy adds an extra layer of color-protection.


4. Protect from Thinning and Rips.
If your jeans are due for a rugged machine wash set your dial to delicate.
For detergent, Cronk suggests non-abrasive,
environmentally friendly soaps that don't contain bleach or bleach-substitutes.
"Even just washing your jeans without soap sometimes can give them a decent clean
without wearing out their fabric," he adds.
And if you're noticing tiny holes poking through the material, act fast.
Patching up even the tiniest holes can protect the life span of
thinner jeans and prevent a tear from turning into a large hole.


5. Maintain the Original Fit.
The biggest culprit of shape-shifting is the dryer.
"If you're going to tumble-dry,
make sure the machine is set to low," advises Cronk.
Removing the jeans when they're slightly damp and then hang-drying,
will smooth out wrinkles,
prevent shrinking and
maintain the pre-washed relaxed shape.
Once the jeans are totally dry,
hanging them by a belt-loop in your closet,
 instead of folding them,
will maintain and "mimic their natural shape when worn",
says Earnest Sewn designer Scott Morrison in Allure Magazine.
Of course, stretch denim follows the opposite rules.
Forty minutes in the dryer on high heat will temporarily
tighten elasticity for a feels-like-the-first-day fit.
But don't leave well-worn stretch pants in too long,
warns the high-end denim designer.
"Keep in mind that this drying cycle will eventually reduce
 the elasticity in the fabric, so if you've had them for a while,
air-dry them most of the way and then
give them a quick blast in a high-heat dryer for 10 to 15 minutes."

Presto: like new, no matter how old they really are.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Eye Shadow For All Eye Shapes

Eye Shadow Techniques for all Eye Shapes

By CarolB at CompleteSkinCareTherapy.com, on Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:56am PDT


Identifying the shape of your eyes will allow you to apply 
specific makeup techniques to bring out their full beauty.
There are several shapes of eyes and below I have
outlined a few common shapes and
the makeup applications to enhance their natural beauty.

Close-set eyes 
As the term applies the eyes are set close together.
To give the illusion of more width between the eyes draw a pencil line
just above the natural crease about a quarter of the way out from the inner eye.
Then apply a dark shadow and blend.
Apply a highlighter just below the outer corner of the lower lashes.
You can also add a light color for the inner corners, if you like.
This technique sets the focus on the outside of the eyes thus giving
the illusion of more width between the eyes.


Wide-set eyes
are when the eyes have a generous amount of space between the eyes.
To minimum width there are a few options.
You can apply a bit of bronzer on the ridge of the nose.
You can also use an eyebrow pencil to extend the eyebrows a bit.
Dark colored eye shadow should be uniformly placed in
 the inner corners of the eyes and lighter or medium toned
shadows on the rest of the lid and under the brow.
This technique sets the focus on the inside of the eye thus
giving the illusion of less space between the eyes.

Small eyes 
There are several techniques to give the illusion of larger eyes.
First and foremost pluck your eyebrows thinner so your eyes will appear bigger.
Your overall eye shadow colors should be light and shimmery.
Use a highlighter in the inner corners and under the brow bone.
Never apply dark or thick liners to the inside rim of the eyes.
Finally, curl your lashes for the final finish.
Almond shaped eyes 
 are the most common eye shape and have an upswept lift at the outer corner.
They can go from smoky eyes to a light and natural look.
For those with almond eyes it is just a matter of your
own creativity and the right colors for skin tone.
 
 

 
Deep-set eyes
 are set back thus the area from the base of the lashes
to the brow bone seem to be hidden.
To bring eyes forward use light shadows over the entire eye lid to the brow. 
Add a dot of highlighter on the inner corners of the eye.
Use a contour color just above the crease and blend upward.
 
 
Prominent eyes 
are set forward and dominate the facial features.
The goal with the proper makeup application is to minimize their appearance.
Start with darker shades of eye shadow over the entire eyelid.
Apply a lighter color, highlighter, along the brow line.
Apply eyeliner along the top lid and smudge.
Also apply a pencil line in the crease of the eye and blend.
On the lower lash line draw a line on the outer corner and smudge.
Prominent eyes do well with a smoky look and dark colors thus minimizing their appearance.
Asian Eyes 
these eyes in general are spaced wide apart and have minimal eyelid space.
In order to bring the eyes forward use a light color over the eye and blend. 
Towards the nose.
Apply a thick smoky line along upper eyelashes,
thick enough so that it can be seen when eyes are open.
Draw a thinner line under the lower eyelashes.
Line your eyebrows with brown eye shadow or brow pencil. 
Apply two or three coats of mascara for the finished look.
Hooded Eyes
 with hooded eyes the natural crease in the eyelid is not apparent.
To enhance your eyes apply highlighter at the brow bone.
Apply a darker shade on the crease and hooded area.
Finally draw a very thin line along the top lashes and smudge.
 
Ageing eyes
 need soft contouring.
As we age, our eyes begin to appear smaller because the eyelids start to sag.
This is the time to consider a eye shadow primer to smooth the skin.
For eye color consider a matte cream based product in
soft toned shadows like olive or mossy greens, light browns or grays and
apply to the outer corner of the eyelid extending it up.
Also consider a light silver to brighten the eye area.
Apply eye liner close to the upper lashes and drawing it thicker along the outer edges. 
For the finishing touch apply a light coat of mascara.
Heavy coats of mascara and dark color all too often look unnatural.

Well I hope you found this post helpful for enhancing your eye shape.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Cheapest Days To Shop Online

We already know some of the best shopping deals are found online - but did you know some days are better than others to find the steepest discounts?
ShopItToMe.com, which scours sales at more than 100 online retailers, ran a survey for me showing what days of the week certain categories of items carry the biggest discounts. Their data was compiled between June 2009 and June 2010 and analyzed over 1 million sale items on the web. From sunglasses to bathing suits to handbags and menswear, they got me the inside scoop.
My advice is to read this through, click, print and keep the list stored by your computer as a helpful reminder next time you want to shop on the Web.
Sunglasses to bathing suits to handbags and menswear, they got me the inside scoop.
Mondays: Best for buying men’s and women’s dress pants. The average sale is about 48 percent off.
Mondays: Also great for purchasing sunglasses. The average discount is 55 percent.
Tuesdays: Best for buying men’s apparel. The average discount is 42 percent.
Wednesdays: Find lowest prices on shoes. The average discount is 38 percent.
Wednesdays: Also find best deals on kids’ clothing. The average discount is around 40 percent.
Thursdays: Best for buying women’s handbags. The average discount is 36 percent.
Fridays: Biggest sales on accessories like jewelry, belts and scarves. The average discount is 42 percent.
Saturdays: Best sales on intimates (37 percent off) and jackets/outerwear (51 percent off).
Sundays: Buy your swimsuits for an average 52 percent off!
Some other online shopping tips …
Search for More Discounts
Dozens of sites like RetailMeNot and Bargainist collect promotional codes for discounts on Web purchases. To find them on your own, try Googling the name of the shopping site with the words “coupon code”  or “promotion code.”
Avoid Shipping and Return Costs
Many retailers offer free shipping promotions from time to time or have thresholds at which they’ll ship for free.  But, some of my favorite online shops such as Endless, RevolveClothing, Shopbop, and Piperlime, always offer free shipping.
Search Twitter
Many retailers are announcing special deals to their Twitter and Facebook followers. Be sure to follow the retailers you frequent to find out as soon as a deal is announced.

By CBS MoneyWatch.com, on Thu Aug 12, 2010 2:41pm PDT
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/cheapest-days-to-shop-online-2301854/

Expanding

I've decided that I'm going to expand this blog to make it attract a larger and wider variety of people. 

So, rather than focusing just on jewelry, I'm going to be making additional post as well of stories, tips,  and tricks to everyday life, living, decorating, health and fashion. 

I've already started a collection of interesting facts that I can't wait to start sharing with everyone. 

I just hope that you all find these articles of information just as interesting as I find them :)