Tori Tutorial

I used a 5/8” curling iron to get these fabulous 80’s curls.  Best part—they lasted for days and went from 80’s to boho!

We can all pretend that February 14th is just the day that comes after February 13th and before February 15th, but we’d just be pretending. So for all of us that don’t want to live in a world of make believe February 14th is Valentine’s Day! 

It doesn’t matter if you are single or attached, you can have fun with your outfit/makeup/accessories on Valentine’s Day.

So my advice would be to pick a few bold pieces (playful shoes, romantic jewelry, kitschy purse) and pair it will an outfit that fits your personal style.  When it comes to makeup go bold in the Red and Pink family (whatever suits your coloring best) and as always keep your nails fun and flirty.

Finally, you don’t want to break the bank.  While the Miu Miu shoes above are TO DIE FOR—they’re expensive.  Check places like ASOS, Forever21, and Zara to find these key bold pieces on a budget.  

Front and Back

Julianne Hough’s Golden Globes Updo

1. Start with blown out hair.  It can have some texture to it, that will just result in a bit of a messier rocker look—which is awesome!
2. Divide your hair into three ponytails:From the crown forward on top (the hawk of the faux hawk if you will),the middle section and sides, and the bottom section
3. Next, take the middle ponytail and wrap it around in a bun, then continue wrapping the hair down and around the base of the bottom ponytail.  Like a figure 8 between the ponytail bases.  Use bobby pins to pin everything into place.  Don’t worry if it is messy at this point.
4. Take the bottom ponytail and wrap it to form a bun and figure 8 it up and around the top bun. Pin securely into place. This will create a kind of twisted fun bun roll. (actually my one friend called it a croissant!). If you want it to be looser and edgier pull on it a bit to make it more undone and messy.
5. Now we get to the top ponytail we’ve been neglecting.  Tease it out—and I mean really go for it!
6. Pin the teased hair down where the crown of your head begins.  If you have excess hair (like I do) just twist it into a bun and pin it down.  You can be done here if you want a more polished look.  If you’re going for edgier, take your teasing comb and pick at the poof and mini bun until it separates a bit and looks tres chic.
7. Spritz with hair spray and go party your booty off at the Golden Globes, or whatever your social obligation is for the night.   

Have you been Naughty or Nice? Which tutorial would you like to see?

Retro Ponytail

Updos, more specifically stylish ponytails, are my favorite “dirty hair” concealer.  They allow you to prolong your blowout which equals healthier hair and less work on your end. Win/Win.  

The retro ponytail is definitely having its 15 minutes right now.  In order to achieve the look you’ll need:

• Day/2 Day old hair
• Teasing comb
• Ponytail holder
• Bobby pins
• Hairspray

Once you brush out your hair do the following:

1. Take the top section of your hair, and tease it at the root to create volume.  If your hair is really greasy feel free to use some dry shampoo to absorb the oil.
2. Once you tease the section, comb the top hair smoothly over the section and begin to mold the retro curl.  It is very simple, just wind it up as if you were wrapping it around a large curler.  Make sure to let the volume at the roots stay there.  Don’t over mold it so that it is too rigid.  Pin to your head to secure. Spritz with Hairspray.
3. Pull the rest of your hair into a high ponytail.  Make sure to brush the sides smooth and tight.  This will create a juxtaposition between the poof and spiral which will look great.
4. Grab a small amount of hair form the ponytail and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to conceal the ponytail holder.  Fasten with a bobby pin on the under side of the ponytail.  
5. Spritz the whole look with hairspray.  Ass some red lipstick and winged liner to really play it up.

Retro Ponytail Tutorial to Come

My favorite makeup trend for the Holiday is a bold lip. With some shade variation, you can wear it throughout the season to create a big style splash with minimal effort.  

To achieve the look you need several items:

• Bold lipstick of choice.  I enjoy the red and berry shades, but you can go deeper into an oxblood, or lean to the orange side of the color family.  
• Nude lip liner, or a liner that will blend well with your lip shade.
• Loose powder.

Once you’ve gathered your materials it is time to get started.

1. You want to start with lips that are well moisturized, and unaffected by the chilly winds of winter.  To keep my lips soft I apply Origin’s Dr. Weil Conditioning Lip Balm in the morning and evening.
2. Start by lining the lip.  I like to use a nude lip liner, because it matches every shade and does double duty.  More bang for your buck.
3. Next choose your shade.  I find it helpful to swipe the shades on my hand and then  holding it up to my face to see which way the color pulls.  That way you won’t get stuck with a color that doesn’t look right, or a messy clean up in order to start over.
4. Apply shade to lips.
5. Blot the color using tissues.
6. Take your loose powder and gently dust it over your lips.
7. Reapply your lipstick over the powder. 

Voila—you’ve just applied your lipstick in the best way possible to ensure long wear.  Add a winged eye and you’re ready to conquer any Holiday get together!

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Tawny

Maybelline EyeStudio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara on Brows

L’Oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black

Geisha Updo

1) I started with damp hair since I was traveling without a blow dryer.  For updos I usually suggest starting with day or two old hair because hair is easier to work with and style.

2) Gather a section of hair in the front to create a poof out of.  Take more or less hair depending on how dramatic you want the hairdo to be.  Tease the hair at the root.  Comb to smooth the top, and secure with bobby pins.

3) Next, gather a slightly larger section of hair behind the first poof.  It works best if you gather this section primarily from the crown of your head.  Thoroughly tease section, and mold into a second poof.  Secure with bobby pins and spritz with hairspray.

4) Pull the side sections on the temples of your head tightly against your head.  Make sure they are smooth, and bobby pin them at the base of the larger poof.

5) Gather the remaining hair, and form a small bun just below the second poof.  Pin tightly, and spritz with hairspray.

Pair with rouge lips and liquid winged liner and enjoy!

Messy Braided Updo

1) Start with 2 day old hair that has some texture.

2) Separate your hair into pigtails.

3) Loosely braid each side.  To make it even looser/chunky pull apart braid when you are done.

4) Pull one braid up and fasted to your head with bobby pins.  Since this is a messy swept up look, don’t put too  much thought into it.  

5) repeat on the other side.

6) spritz with hair spray, and voila you have a cute messy fall undo!

It is October, which also means that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Show your pink in support!!

You’ll Need:

-Rubber Gloves

-Hair Spray

-Hair Flair Color Rub (Powder Based and washes out very easily.  Safe for use on children)

Step 1- Section off the pieces of hair you want to dye.

Step 2- Put your gloves on, and take your hair flair powder capsule and thoroughly rub it down your hair until the desired color is achieved.

Step 3- Spray streaked strands with hair spray to seal in powder.

Step 4- Style the rest of your hair as desired and rock on knowing that you’re showing support for Breast Cancer and looking great while doing so!

Rocker 1/2 Up Do

1) Start with day old hair

2) Section off from your hair line to the crown of your head.  Next take that into three sections 

a. The majority on top that will be poufed

b. The right side (to be braided)

c. The left side (to be braided)

3) French braid the left and right sides and fasten with elastics. 

4) Begin teasing hair at the grown in order to create enough volume for your pouf.  Bobby pin into place.

5) Take the remaining hair in front and gently tease, and comb smooth over the pouf created in the previous step.  Pin in place, and spritz with Elnett.

6) Take the left and right braid and wrap it back along the base of your pouf.  Secure with pins.

7) Finishing touches: Spritz with Elnett or a shine spray, straighten bottom hair if desired.