Beauty Tips

Like it? I was in a hurry to get to the Farmer’s Market before they ran out of fish (so glamorous, I know) so I reached for these little gems. I was so pleased with the results I had to share. Follow the steps on the jump for product info, and stay tuned for a future post that uses green makeup alternatives to get the same look! (more…)

Gossip Girl is back – and we seriously couldn’t be happier! Aside from the entertaining drama, we’re always watching for the fashion and beauty, too! Last Monday, we couldn’t stop staring at Blake Lively’s gorgeous updo and decided that we needed to know how to get Serena’s look.

We turned to the fabulous stylist Ricardo Rojas, the founder of Ricardo Rajos Hair Studio, for advice. He’s worked with some of the most notable fashion brands, including: Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. His list of celebrity clientele? Even more impressive since it includes Liv Tyler, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Heidi Klum, Amber Valetta, Gisele Bündchen, Natasha Bedingfield, and Carmen Kass — to name a few. (He was also Donatella Versace’s personal stylist before opening his own salon.) We thought he’d be the perfect stylist to tell us how to get Blake’s sophisticated, glam style.

“Without a doubt, from the hair to the dress, the entire look is Grecian Goddess with a modern twist,” says Rojas. “Serena’s hair looks very done and polished, yet fun and effortless at the same time.” He’s kindly provided step-by-step instructions and product recommendations, so you can re-create this look at home…just in time for tonight’s new episode! (more…)

Gossip Girl star Blake Lively looked every inch the glowing beauty at the recent Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 premiere. I especially adored how her trademark long blonde locks were done in loose waves with little braids tucked in here and there. To recreate her look, I turned to expert hairstylist Jet Rhys. Jet is the owner of Jet Rhys Salon in San Diego and was more than happy to take some time out of her busy day to share her tips with us. “Blake has stepped out of the box with this fun, flirty look,” she says. “And it’s so easy to do!” Read on for her step-by-step instructions and product recommendations…

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Self tanning is hard enough as is- so why even bother trying unless you’re armed with the best possible products to do so? For the past couple of months, a couple of us here at TDO have been testing out various self tanners available on the market and have narrowed down some of our favorites. So whether you are a tanning newbie or just want to upgrade your product for your next tan, keep reading for what we thought were the best!

1. Clarins Delicious Self Tanner: I have always associated Clarins with some of the finest sun care/self tanners on the market and their newest product does not disappoint. First of all, if you’re going to be smearing something all over your entire body, it might as well smell delicious. And this product with its peach bellini fragrance definitely tops the list. What I also like is that the product is colored and instantly goes on your body in a subtle bronze shimmer. Not only will you truly not miss a spot- but you’ll look tan instantly- and hours before the product actually does its job.

2. Clinique Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion is perfect for those who prefer their tanning process to be slow and steady. It takes a few days to build up a light tan but you won’t be surprised with a too-dark color right off the bat. Since the product builds, it is more forgiving of mistakes each individual time you apply. Since this is almost more of a body moisturizer than a self tanner, it’s appropriate to use on a daily basis. In fact some of my friends have replaced their after shower moisturizer with this Clinique product and have loved the glow in their skin. (more…)

Bobbi Brown’s new Limited Edition Bridal Kit ($75) has the absolute essentials that a bride will need on her big day. “On your wedding day, you should look like yourself at your most beautiful,” she says, and this kit works with all skin tones to create a natural look that accentuates your natural beauty. The kit comes in a sleek white case with a mirror and interior pockets, and includes:

• Ivory Eye Shadow
• Black Ink Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
• Black No Smudge Mascara
• Pink Sugar Shimmer Lip Gloss
• Short Handle Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush

Step-by-step instructions included with the kit will help any bride, bridesmaid, or mother of the bride achieve the beautiful look above. Check out bobbibrowncosmetics.com for more information, and be sure to view the video of Bobbi creating her bridal looks. Keep reading for Bobbi’s top wedding day beauty tips! (more…)

Even though I live in Los Angeles, I’m secretly convinced that I belong in London, circa the early 1900′s. It’s my favorite time period and my favorite city, so of course I’m dying to see the new movie that takes place there, “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.” Hopefully I’ll be able to see it this weekend, but until I find myself in the theater holding my popcorn and Diet Coke, I’ll have to content myself with recreating Amy Adams’ romantic look in the film in the privacy of my own apartment.

For those of you who’d like to do the same (come on, I know you’re out there!), here are the products from Stila that can be used to mimic the idea of British beauty in 1939. First, smooth on their Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, to give your skin a glowy, shimmering sheer coverage. Then apply the new Cherry Crush to both your lips and cheeks – the stain will adjust to your specific skin chemistry and create your ideal shade. (And it smells exactly like freshly picked cherries). Finish off your lips with their Apricot Lip Glaze to give them shine and moisture. On your eyes, use the Original Smoky Eye Palette to make them stand out with a combination of dark colors and a package that actually talks you through the application process – a genius idea. Top off your lashes with MAJOR Major Lash Mascara in black. To fully finish the look, apply the Brow Set to your eyebrows. Voila! You’re a British movie heroine.

And for all of you who love London as much as I do, if you go to Stila Cosmetics right now, you can enter a contest for the chance to win a trip there yourself, complete with afternoon tea and spa treatments. I’m not usually one for contests, but if it involves scones and facials? Sign me up!

Want to look like Angelina Jolie? Don’t we all! I usually think she looks beautiful (and I always covet her Louboutins), but I was especially enamored with her neutral makeup look at the Spirit Awards last week. So much that we consulted our friend and celebrity makeup artist Emily Kate Warren for tips on how to re-create the look. (Many thanks for the wonderful tips!) Then I tapped into my arsenal of makeup products to try to recreate the natural glow effect. (Sadly, no amount of makeup I ever put on will have me looking like Angie).

I think it’s tricky making this look work because you essentially have to put your face out there with very little color, but a lot of polish. When working with nudes and neutrals, it is also tricky to find shades that don’t wash you out, so I recommend testing out a bunch of products to get the ones that work for you. Below, I’ve listed the tools and tricks that did it for me. (more…)

There are 2 makeup trends that you will see over and over again this spring: neutrals and pinks. Luckily, these are trends that you can take off the runway and put into your makeup bag. However, though these are natural and pretty colors, it is still difficult to find those shades that don’t look too bright/ crazy or wash you out. In the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing with you some of my top finds in the wide range of pink and neutral products – starting with the 2 colors that I used to produce the sparkly pink lip you see above.

I have warm, fair skin with yellow undertones, but I feel like these colors would be universally flattering for fairer complexions, though perhaps a little too light for darker skinned beauties. For them, I would suggest something that packs in a little more pigment.

It’s no surprise that I started off by going straight to Prescriptives and MAC — 2 brands famous for their spot makeup. (more…)

How many of you are afraid to try at-home hair color? Perhaps you’re a hair color virgin or just tired of the expensive visits to the salon…well, we put together DIY guide for at-home color – with plenty of tips from the experts! Let’s get started, shall we?

WHAT COLOR ARE YOU?:

• You’re at the drugstore staring at rows and rows of boxes. Which box do you choose? Simply take part some of your hair and put it next to the color swatch on the box. We recommend choosing a color no more than two shades lighter or darker than your natural shade.
• In the past, you’ve colored your locks professionally, but now want to attempt it at home. What color are you? Here is what Marcy Cona, Global Director of Color & Style at Clairol recommends: Determine your current color by viewing it in the daylight. Fan out your hair at the bottom and then look at the shade guide on the side panel of the hair color box.
• If you are having trouble selecting the correct shade, stylist David Scott recommends speaking to staff in the beauty department at your local drugstore; they are often trained on the various lines that are available.

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The Rag & Bone Spring 2008 collection was influenced by the early 60′s era of James Bond, alongside their vision of “American worker meets British tailoring.” To mirror this expression, Serge Normant, celebrity stylist and International Creative Consultant for John Frieda, created sleek, sexy yet slightly disheveled “Bond Girl” hair. Want to get the look? Here is a break down of each step – and it’s so easy that you’ll be able to re-create it at home! (more…)