Skincare

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 […]

The Decoder :: Beach Bag Beauty Essentials

In my summerland fantasy, I make like Anne Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth’s character in Blue Crush, one of my favorite movies as a teen) and simply brush my teeth before putting on my bikini, grabbing my surfboard, and dashing to the ocean to hang ten. Unfortunately, my reality is a little more complicated (girly?) than that — […]

Camille’s Carry-On Essentials

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a pretty streamlined packer, and the same goes for my “personal item” bag that gets stowed under the airplane seat. The key is to strike that balance between feeling underprepared, and feeling overly laden down with a too-heavy tote (the opposite of a vacation mentality!) I actually used to bring […]

Pretty Simple :: Coral Lip

This summer I’m finding myself skipping the reds and pinks and going for a bright coral lip. As with any bold lip color, you can go lighter on other areas on your face and let the lips take center stage — that means high impact with a minimal effort (which is an A+ in my […]

The Decoder :: Summer Skincare 101

It’s the Sophie’s Choice of sun care in our new hyper-informed world: To tan, or not to tan? Of course, we’ve now all had the mantra of no sun, ever drilled into our heads for years now, with the threat of premature aging and cancer looming over our heads like proverbial dark clouds. On the other hand…well, […]

Pretty Simple :: Hair Flower

I think a pretty accessory in your hair can really bring something special to even the most basic style. Martha Lynn here, and this look is no exception: instead of adding an accessory, we created one using her hair! This style is easy to achieve and you don’t have to have hair down to your […]

Pretty Simple :: 5-Minute Sunkissed Skin

I may be a beauty product junkie, but that doesn’t mean I want to camp out in front of the mirror each morning! I think every woman should have a 5-minute routine that makes her feel great and gets her out the door quickly. In the summertime, I’m all about a naturally sun-kissed look that […]

Pretty Simple :: Camille’s Beauty Essentials

I’ve noticed that among beauty enthusiasts, there seems to be two major camps: those who love nothing more than to try out new products and switch up their makeup look based on their mood, and those who seek out their favorite products in each category and become die-hard loyalists, sticking to their tried-and-true beauty routines […]

Pretty Simple :: Spring into A Big Change

I probably have more clients coming in the door wanting to make a big change in the spring than any other time of year. There’s just something about those first weeks of warmer weather that makes us feel ready to embrace change and freshen up our hair and wardrobe. Whether you’re thinking of making a […]

Pretty Simple :: Effortless High Pony

With the temperatures heating up, it’s time to start thinking about the ponytail, an easy breezy go-to look for summer. Martha Lynn here, and I have all the details for taking your pony to the next level. I think the trick is to make it look a little special while keeping it effortless, so you […]

Pretty Simple :: Nailed Down

Nail artist Meghann Rosales of the uber popular Nails Y’all first fell in love with the art form when she was teaching high school history in the South Bronx. “My students had some amazing nails! The girls would come to class with fresh sets that blew my mind. That was the first time nail art […]

Pretty Simple :: Rocker Chic

I love a good transformation! We all have our “go to” day-to-day looks, but it’s always fun to transform ourselves by simply upping the glam for a special occasion. Martha Lynn here, with a special SXSW-inspired edition of Pretty Simple: When Lauren walked into my salon, I couldn’t believe she was the same girl I […]

Pretty Simple :: Eye Candy

Bright blues and greens were all over the runways at the NYFW Spring 2014 shows, and I think we will continue to see these oceanic colors all through the summer. Martha Lynn here, and if you are too timid to go full on 80’s with a bold eye shadow combo, a soft shimmer of color […]

Pretty Simple :: Put A Bow On It

Start date night off right with a classic look that is the perfect ode to the sweet romance that ensues on Valentine’s Day. Martha Lynn here, and we’ve got you covered for a timeless Valentine’s Day half-up, half-down style. In my opinion, nothing’s more romantic than cascading curls topped off with a pretty bow. The unexpected combination of […]

Editors’ Essentials :: Sarah

Girl crush. Lifestyle envy. Insane style. All of these hashtags and more apply to the uber-talented Sarah Yates, the chef/photographer behind the super foodie column here on the blog. Her cool minimalist California style makes her blog, A House in the Hills, one of our absolute favorites to read. Today she’s breaking down her essentials […]

Pretty Simple :: French Twist

It’s official: awards season is here! And there’s nothing quite like the red carpet to get the little girl in me to fantasize about cascading ball gowns, show-stopping high heels, and of course, trend setting hair and makeup. I love seeing how Hollywood starlets take classic, glamorous looks and give them a youthful, laid-back update. […]

Editors’ Essentials :: Carrie

If you’ve caught our monthly Little Things column, odds are you already know that Carrie Ryan is both a thoughtful and creative mother, and a killer photographer. The lady-behind-the-lens at Sweet Louise Photography has been a part of our team since last June, and I swear, every time I see her I love her more […]