Skincare

Best Beauty Gifts 2014

‘Tis the season: for socializing, merrymaking, and, of course, finding the perfect gift for every person on that very long list of yours. I’ll admit that I’m not necessarily the best or most original gifter in the world — I mean, what does one get one’s beloved father-in-law who neither wants nor needs anything? — […]

The Long Bob

It almost always happens the same way: I’m growing out my hair, loving life with my long locks, when BAM! I’m suddenly hit by the irresistible urge to make a change. Maybe it’s the turning of the seasons (or the fact that it was suddenly taking me twice as long to blow my hair dry), […]

How to Fake Second-Day Hair

My hair is a sassy bugger, let me tell you. But, to be completely honest, I both love and hate that my hair is so finicky — as in, dry some days, flat on others, straightish and fine sometimes and wavy and thick-feeling the next minute — precisely because it’s given this beauty product junkie […]

How to Avoid Hat Hair

photographed by Cassandra Eldridge A winter perk is breaking out the cute hat collection, but what’s a girl to do when she has to remove the hat and confront the dreaded “hat hair” situation? Maritza Buelvas here, and I’ve developed a fun and easy technique for avoiding hat hair, keeping your hair in place from […]

Best Natural Beauty Brands

I’ll be completely honest with you: a die-hard chemical-eschewing natural-beauty maven I am not. After all, until recently, I was a full-time beauty editor, and trying out products (both natural and not) was in my job description. It simply wasn’t an option to decide to only sample chemical-free, paraben-free items. Plus, as a total beauty […]

Low Full Pony Tutorial

It’s one of the most common requests I get in the salon: “How to do I put my hair in a ponytail without it looking sloppy?” Martha Lynn here and I have great news for you — this is super easy and once you learn these quick tricks your ponytail will never feel boring again! […]

How to Look Awake

The summer sun is officially gone (well, not gone, but decidedly more elusive), the temperature has dropped, and our school/work schedules are officially in full swing. Fall is certainly an exciting time of year, but between the go-go pace and the chilly, overcast days, I admit that I’m having a harder time feeling energized these […]

Fall’s Best New Mascaras

If you’re like me, you usually slap on your mascara as the last step in your beauty routine without thinking twice. While we may swap out eyeshadows and lip products according to our moods and the changing seasons, mascara is one of those old faithful products that can remain static in our makeup bags once […]

Perfect Skin with Mineral Makeup

I thought I’d tried out every foundation on the market: from BB (and CC) creams to tinted moisturizers to fuller coverage liquids, I’ve had brief love affairs with them all. Recently though, I realized I was way overdue to try out mineral powder foundation, so I picked up the classic from the brand that brought it into the mainstream. I […]

From Flat to Full

When a new client is in my chair I always ask if there’s anything about their hair drives them crazy. Most everyone wants to go from frizzy to smooth or from flat to full — turns out we all want what we don’t have (sigh). This is important for me as a stylist because it […]

Decoder :: Fall Foundation Finder

I’ve never understood why women seem so hesitant to admit that they wear (and like!) foundation. In almost every beauty interview I read, the subject either denies wearing anything at all on her skin, or hesitantly admits to sporting tinted moisturizer or BB cream. (FYI: Most BB creams are essentially foundations with some bells and […]

Pretty Simple :: Updo for Short Hair

You did it. You cut your hair off and you’re loving it because it’s super healthy and sassy — but now you’re panicked that you can’t wear it up, ever. One of the biggest hair myths is that short hair can’t be worn up. Martha Lynn here, and I have some great news for you bob […]

Decoder :: Mani-Pedi Polish Duos That Are Meant To Be

I don’t know about you, but by this point in the summer, my hands and feet are looking… less than pretty. After a summer spent tromping around New York City in sandals, getting assaulted by mosquitos every evening, and sadly living without professional mani-pedis, my hands and feet have certainly seen better days. So, when […]

Pretty Simple :: French Braid Bun

French braids bring back so many childhood memories… I had hair down my back growing up and I pretty much lived in some kind of braid. I love how sophisticated and “grown up” this updated version of the french braid looks. Once you master this classic braid, you can really have fun by trying it […]

Pretty Simple :: The Subtle Shimmer

Don’t you just love it when a new eyeshadow or lipstick completely shakes up your makeup routine? As a makeup artist, even I can get in a product rut. We all need our go-to “five minute face”, but it’s good to try and stay open-minded to new products, too. You never know — you might […]

Decoder :: The Best Bright Lips For Every Skin Tone

Despite the fact that I love makeup and embrace trying new products with possibly too much vigor, I absolutely sympathize with women that shy away from wearing bright lipstick. First of all, poppy lipstick shades undoubtedly make a big statement — one that can make some women uncomfortable if they’re used to neutral makeup looks. […]

Pretty Simple :: Low Twist Chignon

With the temperatures rising (triple digits here in Texas), that means most of us just want our hair up and off our necks!  Martha Lynn here, and I love the idea of this braided updo as an alternative to a plain pony tail. While this look can work with casual daytime clothes, it’s sweet and […]