Beauty411

The Beauty411 No stress-or-obsess guide to holiday hair!

You've got a lot on your mind...and on your calendar this time of year, without obsessing about how to get your hair in shape for the onslaught of holiday parties.  At Beauty411, we've done the work for you! Check out this easy, no stress hairstyle from Ted Gibson!

Super Stylist Ted Gibson of Ted Gibson Salons, reminds us that the holidays are a time when you can really have fun with your hair.  For a chic holiday up do, start off with a pony tail to save yourself time.  Depending on the look you’re going for, the pony tail can be on the top of the head or towards the nape of the neck.  Next, twist the hair around to create a easy beautiful chignon. Ted Gibson can be seen in TLC's “What Not To Wear” beginning again on Friday, January 8 at 9 p.m. EST.

Spring Break Beauty on a Budget

Are you getting ready to head out on Spring Break and wondering what beauty products to place in your makeup bag that won't break the bank?  I like to keep vacation makeup simple and uncomplicated.  Here are some great suggestions....

Sunscreen is a must!  I love Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunscreens and recently got a bonus "try me" size of the new Ultimate Sport Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 70 when I purchased the Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock Spray.  It absorbs into your skin, isn't greasy and provides great protection when you're out in the hot sun.  I really like that is oil-free and didn't break me out.  Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Face Sunblock Lotion SPF 70 retails at $ 10.99 and is available at drug and discount stores nationwide.

For years I've trusted Clinique for my after-sun care.  Now there's new Rescue Balm with Aloe.  Apply it after sun exposure to calm skin.  This formula also helps to "repair" skin from sun damage and helps to minimize peeling.  It's oil-free, so it can be used on the face, as well as body.  Available at Clinique Counters nationwide and at www.clinique.com.  $20.

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy Sun Glow Powder Bronzer.  I bought this product completely on impulse and really like it.  There are three shades of pigment: a warm bronze shade, a rosy pink and a touch of shimmer to help give a natural glow. Skin conditioners help skin to look refreshed and radiant.  Beautiful bronze glow at a budget price of $12.95!  Available at mass market retailers nationwide, as well as Ulta.

To make your eyes pop against a tan, use mark I-Sheer Hook Up Creamy Eye Shadow in Glacee, the shade that makeup artist Mai Quynh used on Miley Cyrus at the Grammys.  This cream eye shadow has gotten rave reviews and it retails for a mini $5.00 per tube!  Add a swipe of On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo.  mark products are available through an Avon representative, at meetmark.com or at amazon.com Beauty.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara is the first 100% natural origin mascara, featuring a formula designed to naturally boost volume without clumping or breaking lashes. Organic Orange Water, Organic Beeswax and 100% Natural pigments deliver healthy, nourished and naturally perfected lashes.   And seriously, could a mascara be any cuter?  Look for Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara in two shades, in mass market retailers nationwide.  

The hottest lip look on the market right now is from CoverGirl.  CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain delivers precision application and color that lasts, without the sticky, heavy feel of traditional lipsticks.  Lips look bare, feel beautiful and the formula smooths and conditions lips with an exotic flavoring.  CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains are available in 10 shades at mass-market retailers. 

Hair will look cute when you put it up or accent it with the Goody Full Bloom Collection, available exclusively at Target.  Pick from adorable hair clips, headbands, flowered bobbys, barrettes or hit up the plaid look.  A great way to change up your hair in an instant!

Don't forget the fragrance!  Spritz on Flowerific, from Flirt!  Flowerific is a fresh, irresistable scent that will make you feel as playful--or sexy--as you want to be.  Top notes of juicy Tangerine, Apricot Nectar and Blue Freesia start out tempting and bubbly; mid notes develop into a more floral bouquet, with Frangipani. Syringa Blossom and Lush Waterlily.  Sun-loving Magnolia and Rose Petals are at the heart, with a finish of rich, powdery warmth in Orris Absolute, Creamy Woods and Sheer Amber.  Flowerific is available at Kohls Department Stores nationwide and at www.kohls.com.

Holiday Hair: Time saving tips with glam results!

Between shopping for the perfect outfit to wear to the office holiday party, then picking out just the right makeup, who has time to worry about their hair?  Here are some tips to glam up your holiday hair, that will take your look from frumpy to festive in a matter of minutes.

Start by creating a messy updo; it's a modern and romantic look. Think Angelina Jolie--she owns the look.  Before you start, prep the hair with a root volumizing product, like BigWigg from AG.  Spray BigWigg into the roots of clean, damp hair, then blow dry for incredible volume support and shine. Another bonus?  AG products smell amazing!  Pull hair up into a loose ponytail with a Goody hair band then twist and pin, pulling out loose strands to frame your face. 

Spray hair with Nexxus 360.  This is an excellent finishing spray that allows you to go over, under and around your hair without the nozzle getting clogged.  And because it's from Nexxus, you know that you won't get product buildup.  It has a medium hold that is still touchable; it's one of my favorite hair sprays.

Complete the look by accessorizing your hairstyle with Holiday Jewels, from Goody.  This holiday hair collection includes head bands, metallic hair bands, barettes, pins, clips--they're all fabulous! And because they're from Goody, they're inexpensive.  This collection is exclusive to Target through February 2009.  My favorites are the barettes with stones that look like marcasites and the jeweled bobby pins. Love!

If your hair is too short for an updo or you want a complete change, have you ever thought about hair extensions?  Jessica Simpson and her celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves have collaborated on a line of hair extensions called hairdo, that just clip into your existing hair.  Super easy! Available in synthetic or human hair, you can choose from a variety of styles, lengths and textures.  For more information and where to buy, check the hairuwear website or HSN.

And short-haired gals, you're not left out.  Go for a Modern Bob this holiday season.  Recently seen on Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow, Fabrice Gili, Creative Director of Frederic Fekkai Soho Salon, recommends using the following to attain this clean, blunt style.  Start off with Fekkai Anti Frizz Creme Celebration of Style Kit to create a sleek. flawless look.  Saturate the roots and then blow-dry hair upside down to create fullness.  Then wrap hair around a 1" curling iron, making sure to leave the ends out to create a relaxed curl.  To soften this look you can add a slight wave and relax curls with Fekkai Finishing Creme.

Holiday hair doesn't have to be stressful if you follow some of these wonderful tips.  Work with what you've got, add in some great products to help out, wear a smile and enjoy yourself!

Photo of Angelina Jolie: credit to Evan Agostini/Getty Images

 
 

Hair: Look like your favorite Gossip Girl!

Need a quick, easy and stylish hairstyle fix?  Look no further than your fave Gossip Girl!

The second season of Gossip Girl starts off steamy at 8PM ET/PT tonight and it’s all about headbands this season thanks to Leighton  Meester and the rest of the cast of CW’s Gossip Girl.

Stay in style without breaking the bank with Goody^® Glamarama and Iconoclass collections!

    

From luscious silks to rugged details, Goody^® hair accessories are the perfect blend of rich fabrics, vibrant colors and embellished styles – all to let your most glamorous you shine through.

 

The Goody^® Glamarama and Iconoclass collections (SRP: $2.99-5.99) are available at leading food, drug and mass market retailers.