Look Thinner and Younger With These Makeup Tips

An oval face shape is considered to be the perfect face shape, so in order to make your face look thinner and more sculpted, you want to shape your face so that it looks more oval. And best of all, you can do this by using nothing more than foundation and powder. By thinning out the face using the makeup techniques below, you’ll be surprised at what a youthful glow your face will have and what a difference it will all make. Keep reading below to find out how to look thinner and younger in just a few simple steps.

The basic sculpting method involves highlighting and contouring the face. Basically, everything you highlight comes forward and everything you contour stays in the background. So in short, you want to highlight your good features and contour the ones you want to hide. To start, you’ll need three different shades of foundation/powder in three different depth levels:

• The first foundation shade should match your skin exactly.
• The second shade which should be your highlight color, should be one level lighter than the first, preferably with the same undertone.
• The last shade which is your contouring color, should be one level darker than the first, again preferably with the same undertone.

The diagram above should help you with the placement of the foundation. The most important thing to remember is to blend the foundations really well because the blending process is what makes the sculpting method work and look natural.

Step 1:

Apply the first foundation (your true shade) all over your face, blending it well. Start visualizing an oval face. The width of the oval is your eye sockets the height and length of your oval extends from the tip of your forehead to the tip of your chin.

Step 2:

Take the second foundation (your highlight shade) and apply it to the high points inside the oval. This includes your forehead, under the eyes, at the top of the cheekbones and the tip of your chin. So say your face is a little fuller, this will attract the attention to the narrow area to the middle of the face.

Step 3:

Lastly, apply your contour shade (the darkest one) to the areas outside the oval. This includes the the temples, along the hairline, the sides of your cheeks and down the jaw. By deepening these areas, your are making them visually recede and your face to appear more narrow and oval.

Step 4:

Now of course everyone will use different shades according to their skin tones so if you have ivory/beige skin, you’ll contour more than highlight – same goes for really pale skin. If you have bronze/ebony skin you will highlight more than you contour.

Step 5:

Finish up the process by applying powder to your face after you’ve blended all three foundations. For even more dramatic effect, use a different powder to match your three foundations. So use a regular one for your regular foundation, a lighter one where you highlighted and a darker one where you contoured. If you have just one shade of powder, then just use that all over the face. This will help ensure a smooth finish.

Step 6:

Find the perfect blush and then apply it to the apples of your cheeks for a youthful glow. And there you have it; a skinnier, younger looking face just take a few minutes!

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Big Hair, Big Lashes, Big Lips = Sexy

Don’t deny it…you know you look absolutely stunning when you go all out and amplify your three weapons to their maximum – meaning your hair, lashes, and lips of course! There’s nothing better than big, voluminous hair, long, flirty lashes and full, pouty lips. So next time you head out the door, think about that and get started on your mini makeover. Here’s how!

AMPLIFY YOUR HAIR

Big hair is a must-have so after you get out of the shower, work a thickening mousse through your hair to give your roots a nice lift. Blow-dry until almost dry. Gather medium sized sections of your hair, twist up and secure with a pin. Blow-dry again until completely dry and remove pins, shaking out the curls/waves. Give your ends a little lift by curling 2-3 inch sections of your hair with a large curling iron. Finish off by misting hairspray with hair upside down.

GREAT LENGTHS LASHES

Who doesn’t want to have full, long lashes? They are, after all, the classic flirting tool, and that is why you need to know how to get the most out of them! Believe it or not, start off by dusting your lashes with a loose powder before beginning. Why? This will help your mascara stick better to your lashes as well as absorb any excess oil. Use an eyelash curler, starting as close to the roots as possible. Hold for a few seconds, then gently let go. Apply a volumizing mascara such as Maybelline Volume Express and you’re done!

PRETTY POUTY LIPS

Want Angelina Jolie lips? Well maybe I can’t help you with that, but I can help you make your lips look fuller! Make your pout sexy and sensual so it stands out! Start with a clean slate and apply a moisturizer to your lips using a cotton swab. Gently swab it along your lips; this will loosen any dry flakes. Gently pat dry and line your lips with a nude lip-liner. You can even go slightly past the lip contour (not too much though), so as to give the illusion of bigger lips. Swipe on a creamy, rich red lipstick that will make your lips stand out. Make sure the shade of red suits your skin tone! Finish off by dotting a shimmering highlighter on your cupid’s bow, which will add depth to your lips and give the illusion of full, sexy lips!

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How to Determine Your Face Shape

Almost everything you read in a magazine or anywhere else, asks you to determine your face shape in order to determine which hair style looks good on you, which colors, etc. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out my face shape no matter how hard I tried! I wasn’t sure if it was oval or diamond shaped, so I decided to figure out exactly what each face shape entitled. So here is a little glossary on the different type of face shapes. Hope it helps!

Oval Face Shape

Curvilinear shape. Length is equal to one and a half times width, with forehead and jaw the same width. So think of the oval face shape as an egg.

Round face shape
Circular shaped. Length is approx equal to width.

Oblong face shape
Face is longer than it is wide with a long straight cheek line.

Square face shape
Strong and broad forehead with angular jaw.

Heart face shape
Wide at the forehead and cheekbones, narrow at the jawline.

Diamond face shape
Forehead and jawline are narrow with wide and high cheekbones.

Triangular face shape
Forehead and cheekbones are narrow with a wide jawline.

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New Hair...

I just had my hair relax. It's one of my comforts to go to the parlor and pamper my hair. I've been ironing it for quite some time and I felt that my hair needs to be done. Ironing everyday was not doing it any good. And it's a big hassle for my part.

I'm satisfied with the outcome of my hair. It was beautifully done. My friends appreciate it and it feels good. he he I just want to feel and look good. Our hair is our crowning glory, we have to take care of it. Besides, it's Christmas time. A lot of parties to attend to. It is better that I'm prepared for it. he he

I'm very loyal to my favorite parlor. I've been going there for so many years now and never switch. I like their atmosphere. They are very warm and accommodating. And besides that they offer good service which is very important to me. I love my hair! =)

Expert Tips for Getting the Short Haircut You Want..

That long, straggly hair is so seventh grade. Now, even models are getting chopped—so break out the scissors and lighten up.

Hairstyles are like hemlines: Everything that goes down must come up. “People get tired of long, long hair,” declares hairstylist Serge Normant of the Serge Normant at John Frieda salon in New York City, who created the looks on these pages. “The trend is toward shorter hair.” Here’s where we’d normally say that the trend is not just any short haircut, it’s this short haircut. But we’ll refrain this time. “Depending on where you started, short hair can now mean anything from shoulder length to two inches long,” says Normant, who rejects the idea that face shape or body type should factor into the decision. “Anyone can wear short hair—it’s a question of your personality, not the height of your cheekbones.”

If a major crop intimidates you, start at shoulder length and take it in stages. And if you are flirting with going to extremes, there are easy ways to figure out whether you’re really ready to lose a full six inches. Hairstylist Sam McKnight offers this advice: “If you wear your hair up in a ponytail or a bun more often than you wear it down, you’re definitely ready.”

THE CUTOFF

When model Siri Tollerod (pictured) wanted to chop off her hair, she turned to Serge Normant. He snipped it to collarbone level, made it shorter in the back, and layered it all around on the bottom inch. “The cut appears to be one length but doesn’t look heavy,” he says. Colorist Gina Gilbert added blonde highlights to play up the layers. “Now my hair has shape and swing, and it looks thicker,” Tollerod says.

GOING SHOULDER-LENGTH

Shape Up. Though most hairstylists, including Normant, are generally allergic to rules about facial structure and haircuts, they do believe that if you have an angular face, you should ask your stylist for soft, face-framing layers, and if you have a round face, you should try blunt ends. If you’re in between, get allover layers. “And avoid bangs if you have a tiny forehead—they make it look smaller,” says Normant.

Get Dirty. To avoid soccer-mom comparisons, try messing up your hair, suggests Chris McMillan of Chris McMillan, The Salon in Beverly Hills. “Don’t wash it every day. It looks best when it has a little roughness to it.”

Lower the Heat. The big mistake people make with a shoulder-length cut is overstyling—particularly with a round brush and a blow-dryer. “You have to be careful not to let this cut look matronly,” says Normant. “Unless you want a sleek, stylized look”—like the one on the opposite page—“don’t curl the ends under; instead, blow-dry them straight.”

Explore Your Options. Take advantage of the versatility of shoulder-length hair by trying new styles: “Tease volume at the crown, slick it back, change your part, do a low ponytail—you can really play
around with this length,” says Normant.

GOING CHIN-LENGTH

Study the Classics. If you can’t decide which particular cut you want, “try a bob without bangs,” says McKnight. “It flatters almost everyone.” To update it, ask for a cut with angled layers: “It’s softer than a regular bob and just long enough to tuck behind the ears—giving the look some variety.” If you have very curly hair, “leave a few extra inches to account for the curls,” says Normant.

Man Up. For an edgier look, keep the front sections chin-length, but trim the back so it’s no longer than your hairline. “Keeping the hair around the neck boyish and short is sexy,” says McMillan. “And you’ll still have long sections to style.” This shape makes fine hair fuller.

Go Big. The pros warn against loading products on short hair, but if there’s no weight or texture, it can get too puffy. “The best product for this length is a volumizer,” says Normant. “Spray a little at the crown when hair is damp, then blow it out or let it air-dry, depending on how polished you want the hair to look.”

GOING SUPER-SHORT

Bring Visual Aids. Tearing out a picture of the cut that inspired you is important with boy-short hair. “If you say ‘pixie,’ you might be thinking four inches while I’m thinking one inch, and that’s a big difference,” says McMillan. “But if you show me a photo of Jean Seberg or Agyness Deyn, I know what you’re expecting.”

Go Top-heavy. For a sculptural short cut, ask your stylist to trim the sides and back of your hair to no more than two inches long and leave the top section at six or seven inches. “It’s an update on the cut Linda Evangelista used to have—you can vary it even more by adding layers on top,” says McMillan. These long layers can be swept to one side or styled into the hair, so “if it doesn’t look good one way, try another.”

Flatter Yourself. To emphasize the cheekbones, “add layers that angle toward them,” says hairstylist Oscar Blandi of the Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City. “And highlights can thicken the hair so it’s easier to style.”

Know When to Grow. “If you have cowlicks, keep the hair at least three inches long, or it will get too spiky,” says Blandi. And if your hair is very curly, “make sure the longest pieces are at least two inches long. Any shorter and you risk looking like you have a head of broccoli.”

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Homemade Hot Oil Hair Treatment..

Hair treatments can get pretty steep in price, so I always try to find cheap and easy alternatives that I can do in my own home. Whether it be a hair treatment, a face mask, or a really good exfoliator, I can always find at-home recipes that cost me close to nothing! So here is one of my all time favorite homemade hot oil hair treatments.

Here’s What You’ll Need:
1/2 cup of dried rosemary leaves
1/2 cup olive oil

Here’s How to:

Combine oil and rosemary in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until warm all the way through. Remove from heat and strain, to remove leaves from oil. Coat scalp and ends of hair with hot oil, then wrap in saran wrap and cover with towel to retain heat. Leave on 15 minutes. Wash twice to remove excess oil.
This only takes a few minutes to do, it’s super cheap and it will leave your hair feeling soft, manageable and extremely shiny. I do this treatment about once a week to keep my hair healthy and shiny. Try it out, I promise you won’t regret it!

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Hair Makeover!

My hair is a mess! I need to have a hair makeover. I need to go to a parlor one of these days. But since I don't have a budget yet, ironing my hair will just do. They said that if I do it everyday, it would damage my hair. I don't have an option right now because getting my hair done is not yet my priority.

Our hair is our crowning glory. Having a beautiful hair is a big plus for us girls. So we have to take good care of it. I just use conditioner everyday after shampooing to keep my hair soft and free of tangles. It works for me anyway.

My mom has a beautiful straight hair. I haven't inherited it. But it's okay, my hair is not that bad. It is still manageable. I just have to fix it every now and then.

Perfectly Polished Toes..

A lot of us don’t pay attention to our toes and feet, but it’s very important that we take good care of them, especially during the summer. Plus, there is nothing more relaxing than unwinding on a lazy day and giving yourself the ultimate pedicure.

Start off by filling up a little basin or even the tub. Add some bath salts and some essential oils such as rosemary which will soften your feet. Soak your feet for about 15 minutes.

Clean and clip your toenails. Get an emery file and file around the rough edges until you get a straight, smooth line. Use a cuticle remover to rub it in to your nail beds. If you decide to trim your cuticles, make sure that your tools are sterilized. If not, simply bush back your cuticles with a manicure stick and clip off any fly aways.

Use a pumice stone to slough away dead skin and soften up the soles of your feet. Pay special attention to the heels and balls of your feet. Massage a good foot exfoliant onto your feet, going all the way up to your calves. Rinse off, and apply a thick, generous amount of foot lotion over your feet.

Dry your feet well, and apply a neutral base coat to fortify and protect your nails. Apply two coats of nail polish and finish off with a clear top coat. Let try for a good 20 minutes.

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Sheer Cover Makeup!

Do you want to have more confidence? Do you want to have a soft, flawless skin? Have you tried different make-up but it didn't give you enough satisfaction? Do you feel like giving up?

To all the ladies out there, worry no more! I would like to introduce to you tvtopten.com/sheercover.html! You are welcome here to know more about sheer cover. Sheer cover is different from any other make-up. It is light and weightless when applied. You can say goodbye to your skin flaws with just a simple brush! It gives you a different glow. You would feel beautiful every time you look in the mirror. Other people will also notice your beautiful skin.

Sheer cover has different tone colors that you could choose from that would suit your type of skin. They also have foundations too. You will surely not regret it. It would bring out the natural beauty in you. So what are you waiting for? Log on to their site now. There are a lot of things you would discover on their site. Visit their site NOW!

Stop Frying Your Hair!

All the straightening and blow drying can have a pretty bad effect on your hair, especially if you use heat often. The heat from the tools can damage your hair pretty bad, especially if you use them on a daily basis.

So what can you do to prevent hair damage? Try not using your straightener or your blow drier for once, and opt for something less damaging and more natural.

The Conair Ion Shine Straightening Brush, which is only $7.99 (talk about cheap) is your best option. Give your hair a break from that iron and use a clamped vent brush to get a glossy curtain of hair- without all the nasty damage!

Experts advise us to whip it through the hair when it’s already 90 percent dry. So not only do you have less work to do, but you also save your hair and you get lots of shine with it too!

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Top 10 Beauty Myths..

There is so much information out there on pretty much anything, but you also can’t believe everything you hear or read. Especially when it comes to beauty, there are a lot of weird do’s and dont’s out there that aren’t always necessarily true. So I’ve uncovered the top 10 beauty myths out there which should help you get a better idea of what’s true and what isn’t.

MYTH #1: RUBBING LEMON ON YOUR TEETH WILL GIVE YOU PEARLY WHITES

This actually does work, but it comes with a price. While lemons do help you get lighter locks, they don’t really work on your teeth since the citric acid in lemons wears away enamel. Save the lemons for the lemonade and instead brush your teeth with water and baking soda a couple times a week to get those pearly whites at home.

MYTH #2: FAKE NAILS WILL DESTROY YOUR REAL NAILS

Not true. It is not the artificial nail or the glue that ultimately causes nail damage, but improper removal—such as picking or prying off. So if you just take care of your nails and remove them properly, there will be absolutely no damage to your nails.

MYTH #3: LASER HAIR REMOVAL DOES NOT WORK FOR LIGHT HAIR

Who came up with that? Either way, it’s not true. Although laser hair removal does work better for darker hair, lighter does works just as fine. With lighter hair, you’ll see about 70-80% removal of the hair. So just go one extra time and you’ll be fine!

MYTH #4: YOU NEED FREQUENT HAIRCUTS IF YOU WANT YOUR HAIR TO GROW LONGER

Wrong again. Your hair will grow at the same speed with or without a haircut. But regular haircuts will help improve the overall health of your hair as well as getting rid of those pesky split ends.

MYTH #5: PETITE GIRLS CAN’T PULL OF LINGERIE

Another stupid myth made up by guys who like big-chested girls. There are so many different types of lingerie out there made for every body, including petite. So next time you wanna surprise your man but you think you won’t be able to pull it off, just go out and find a nice up-lifting water bra and it’ll do the job!

MYTH #6: BREAKOUTS ARE CAUSED BY OILY SKIN

Although breakouts are associated with oily skin, that is not always the cause. In most cases, breakouts happen because the skin is so sensitive that you might be using the wrong products, therefore causing more pimples. So if you have oily skin and you’ve tried everything, try sensitive formulas and you’ll start seeing some change.

MYTH #7: ORGANIC PRODUCTS ARE WEAK

Whoever made that up is seriously disturbed because organic beauty products are the best you can get! They’re skin friendly so they won’t clog your pores and they protect your skin from all the harmful pollutants out there. Plus, you don’t get all the chemicals so organic beauty products is really the way to go.

MYTH #8: YOU CAN’T PULL OFF ALL COLORS

If there is one thing I always hear from my girlfriends is that ‘I can’t wear THAT color!’, which is absolutely ridiculous. The one thing you have to pay special attention to is the shades of the color as well as the undertones. So while a hot, fiery red might not suit your complexion, a toned-down version might do you wonders!

MYTH #9: CHLORINE TURNS YOUR HAIR GREEN

So not true. Copper, not chlorine, will turn your hair green. If a pool is not properly maintained and cleaned regulary, it can have copper residue which in turn could turn your hair a greenish color. Now this is mostly for blondes since their pigment is so light, but all you have to do is switch to a low pH shampoo which will help combat against greening.

MYTH #10: CROSSING YOUR LEGS WILL GIVE YOU SPIDER VEINS

Very untrue. Most people that hair spider veins or vericosse veins have them because either their mother or grandmother had them. It’s all in the genes!

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Recharging..

I had a good sleep. I just woke up. I feel like I really needed it. I am recharge now. I always see my skin glowing every time I wake up from a good sleep. I feel beautiful too. It's been a busy week for me. I go home late. I sleep late. And I have to wake up early everyday because I have work. It's kinda exhausting. It's my routine. I have no complaints. I am grateful that I have a job.

I believe that having enough rest is a big help to my body system. My brain is functioning well after a good rest. I am full of life and energy. I can do my task to the best of my abilities. I am more alive and happy. I can entertain people with a smile on my face. And it's good so I can build a good relationship with them.

That's one of my secrets. Just give me a time to recharge and a time to sleep for at least an hour, then I'll be back to you with a whole me. I will be ready for the next fun and adventure you could ever think of. Let's go!

Miss Universe 2009

I've watched the recent 2009 Miss Universe pageant hoping that Miss Philippines would win. Of course I'm supporting the representative of my country. She is beautiful but I think that all the contestants are beautiful. Everybody has a chance to win.

The final show was brief unlike the pageants before but it was a good show. I personally like the song in the pageant entitled "I got a Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas. It made the show more memorable. It was really a big night especially for the Miss Universe 2009 big winner Miss Venezuela. She deserves the crown. I love her red gown. Her beauty really glowed and shine throughout the pageant.

Better luck next time for our country. Maybe we will win next time. That night is not our night. But Miss Philippines still made our country proud. She gave her all. Miss Universe pageant is really a big event that every people in the whole world looks forward to watch. Even if I'm a girl, I still love seeing beautiful women all over the world. Till next time...

Lipstick Tricks!

Lipstick can be a hard thing to choose from. There are always so many colours, so many shades, and so many brands. On top of that, they’re expensive and can wreak havoc in our wallets. Here are so simple tips and tricks when it comes to lipstick.

First and foremost, preserve your lipstick. If it’s a hot, humid day, don’t leave your lipstick in your purse. Instead, store it in the fridge while you’re home. It will last longer, and will be much healthier for your lips.

For a perfect pout, don’t forget to line your lips with a nude lip liner. Make sure that your lip liner is never too obvious, which can be very tacky. This will give your lips a little definition and make them appear fuller.

When you’re short on blush, use your lipstick. Dab a little onto your cheek bones and rub it gently until only a soft blush appears. It really works wonders.

Don’t waste your lipstick. When they’re almost done, scoop out anything left in the bottom and combine all the shades together in a palette. The colour will be amazing, and who knows, maybe you’ll even invent something.

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3 Tricks to Getting Gorgeous Eyebrows

Going to get your eyebrows done on a regular basis can empty out your wallet pretty fast, but if you know how to do them right, why spend a fortune and get them done by someone else? Here’s how you can do your own eyebrows in just a few simple steps. No money, no fuss, no pain!

Step 1

Start by brushing your brows upwards using a brow brush. Then snip off the long ends of any hairs that might stick out using a pair of brow scissors and continue brushing downwards. Doing this will ensure that you trim off the bulk of the hair, plus will reveal your natural brow shape.

Step 2

Hold a pencil parallel to the side of the bridge of your nose: that’s where the inner edge of your brow should start. To determine the highest point of your arch, place the pencil parallel to the outside corner of your iris. To find out where your brows should end, just hold the pencil diagonally from your nostril to the outside corner of your eye. You can also just look in the mirror and find the highest point of your brow. From there, you can tweeze right underneath the high point to maximize the arch.

Step 3

Using a brow pencil, mark the spots you just found and begin tweezing accordingly. Be sure to remove no more than 2 rows of hair so your brows still maintain a natural shape and look. You may need to remove just a few hairs from the top of the brows to make them look neat and shaped.

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Face Powders I've Tried..

I've tried different face powders. I am a Nichido face powder girl before. Their face powder is nice. Affordable too. I've used it for a long time. Then a friend of mine gave me a face powder from Taiwan. It was his gift to me when he went there for a vacation. It was also good. The texture of the face powder was smooth. It lasted for about a year to me. It smells good too. Right now, I am using the Maybelline Face Powder. It was recommended by Tew and i like it. It's true to its word. It has lasting oil control and has silky smooth texture. It has SPF 18. And it is affordable too. Although its content would not last that long, it is still worth the price. It gives my face a certain glow and a smooth even skin tone. I think i would stick to it for a longer time..

Powder Makeup

It is very important that when you apply your makeup, you don’t miss some important things that are crucial to the makeup application. For instance, you wouldn’t leave the house with your eyes all done, but without applying your mascara, would you?

This is why, most people forget that after applying your concealer, or cover-up, you should also use some kind of a powderto give your face a nice, smooth, matte finish. It also keeps your foundation in place, and leaves your face shine free.

Loose powder is best for oily skin as it doesn’t cling to your face that much. It also helps to keep your makeup in place, and doesn’t leave your face oily.

Pressed powder is best for touch ups during the day. If you have oily skin, try to steer away from the pressed powder as it can make it oilier. If you have dry, or normal skin, pressed powder is great because it also adds a little bit of moisture to your skin.

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Blonde vs. Brunette: What's Right for You?

By Genevieve Monsma

Having trouble deciding whether to go darker or lighter? Marie Claire makes coloring your hair easy with our definitive guide to finding your perfect shade.

Better Blonde
Go blonde if you...
Have lots of pink in your skin
A cool, baby blonde is gorgeous with rosy skin, says Matthew B. It freshens the face yet prevents the skin from looking too flushed. Conversely, rosy skin (or even just a face full of bubble-gummy makeup) will clash with warm, brown hair.

Want to cut your hair short
Meg's messy shag. Reese's bob. Jane from Melrose Place's chic crop circa '94. "When a short haircut is really hot, it's always on a blonde," says Matthew B. This is probably partly due, says Parvin, to highlights' ability to play up a style's shape.

Need a lift
"When I have a client who is going through a crisis or just feels down, I tell her to lighten up, "says DePalo. Blonde, she promises, adds brightness to your look—and your outlook.

Better Brunette
Go brunette if you...
Have very thin hair
Darker strands add dimension and the illusion of thickness to fine, airy hair, says Kristen DePalo, a colorist at the Insitu Salon in New York City. Tip: To add extra depth, she recommends coloring the under-layers a slightly richer shade than the top.

Have an olive complexion
No skin tone is better suited to chocolaty strands (or more poorly suited to light locks), says celebrity colorist Matthew B. of the Amato Salon in Beverly Hills. A rich brown will counteract your complexion's tendency toward sallowness, as well as make your eyes and teeth look whiter.

Can't deal with high-maintenance hair
Keeping up with lightened locks is costly and time-consuming, while going darker can require as few as two visits a year, says Nelson Chan, a colorist at the Estetica Salon in Beverly Hills. Brunettes also have an easier time coloring at home, says Matthew B., because they aren't removing pigment (as you must to go blonde) and don't have to worry about brassiness.

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Best Beauty Habits for Healthy Skin

Healthy skin habits include using moisturizer, preventing sun exposure, and not smoking. These beauty tips will preserve healthy skin that looks and feels its best.

By Melanie Winderlich

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD

"Skin is the most amazing organ in the body," says Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology, pathology, and public health sciences at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., and author of the book, Compartments. "All the other organs usually have the same day, every day. Skin suffers consequences of chronic abuse and can withstand trauma, heat and cold, UV exposure — your skin is pretty tough."

Even though your skin is resilient, it still requires daily care and attention. Healthy skin isn't just about beauty and aging well — healthy skin creates a strong and crucial barrier between your body and the rest of the world.

Healthy Habits for Healthy Skin

There are scads of products on shop shelves that promise youthful, healthy skin. Yet many of these items aren't subject to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and can be quite costly. Instead of dropping a small fortune on a product that may or may not work, here are a few easy habits to incorporate into your daily routine to maintain healthy skin:

• Wash your skin with gentle cleansers. Some soaps and cleansers have alcohol, dyes, and fragrances that can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it feel dry and scaly. Try mild soaps and body washes that moisturize, especially if you live in a low-humidity climate. Since hot water can also dry out the skin, use warm water for bathing. Set your timer: a 10-minute soak can help hydrate if you lock in moisture with lotion as soon as you get out, but lingering longer in the tub has the opposite effect.

• Moisturize daily. Moisturizers can help your skin stay supple; that lotion you slather on puts down a barrier that seals in skin’s natural moisture. Your best bet is to find a moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 15 for double duty sun protection. If you need to slough off dry skin, look for ingredients like urea or lactic acid. Using an emollient-based moisturizer consistently can also prevent flare-ups of eczema — swollen, red, and itchy skin.

• Use razor-sharp care. To avoid irritation, shave after showering and use a rich shaving gel or cream, not your bath soap. Minimize your risk of developing dry skin and folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicles) by shaving carefully. Use new razor blades or an electric razor and shave in the direction in which the hair grows.

• Protect skin from the sun. Even though the skin is a remarkable organ, it’s no match, in the long run, for the sun’s harmful effects. “The skin does have some protective measures built in, but they're limited," says Dr. Feldman. The sun emits ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, which can severely damage your skin, causing wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers occur on skin that's constantly exposed to the sun, and about one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives. Remember that indoor tanning beds aren't any better: They use ultraviolet radiation, which causes the same type of damage as the sun's rays. Using SPF 15 or higher sunscreen is one of the best ways to maintain healthy skin. Wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade, and avoiding direct sun exposure between late morning and early afternoon will keep your healthy skin even healthier.

• Don’t smoke. The detrimental effects of smoking involve most of your body, including the skin. A recent study showed that smokers are more than three times more likely to develop skin cancer than nonsmokers, and cigarette smoking can also cause wrinkles. "It always seems that people who smoke tend to get more sun exposure," says Feldman. "They almost always smoke on the sunny side of the building."

By following these tips for healthy skin, you can optimize the health of your skin for many years to come.

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The Perfect Interview Outfit

by Leah Bourne

Whether you spend a little (under $100) or a lot, the key is to mix day-friendly sophistication with a personal touch.

Just as the summer heats up, fall fashions begin their trickle onto retailers' shelves. But instead of buying the season's trendy leather motorcycle jackets (so chic!) or designer acid wash denim (rockin'!), many women are getting a start on fall with practical pieces for the office. Why now?

With the joblessness rate at 9.5%, a 26-year high, a share of that percentage are women who are either not working or hoping they don't end up on the "redundancy list."

These savvy shoppers are seeking interview outfits that will impress prospective (and current) employers and ensembles that set them apart from the throngs of others in search of new jobs.

In Pictures: Interview Outfits For The Right Price

Carefully constructing the perfect interview outfit is worth the effort: It can be a deciding factor in whether or not you pass muster with an interviewer.

"That first impression on an interview counts so much, and you don't want to be out of the race before the interview even begins," says Sherry Maysonave, who runs Executive Enterprises, an Austin, Texas, image consulting firm. "That [first impression] happens in less than 30 seconds and is based entirely upon your attire."

An interview means business

There are some fashion no-no's that should always be followed. Don't show too much skin (particularly cleavage), wear closed toe shoes and avoid sleeveless tops and dresses. Job hunters also shouldn't look too trendy or wear in-your-face designer labels.

Aside from these basic rules, Lauren Soloman, a New York corporate image adviser, says, "For the interview, tone down but don't hold back. Women should show an element of their personal style."

Your homework counts

All women should follow a basic checklist when preparing an interview outfit. Soloman suggests doing research on the company where you are interviewing. "You really need to know what the company stands for, what the company's dress policy is and how the current employees are presenting themselves," she says. This research should help you to find an outfit that fits with the company's culture.

But even if you learn that many employees dress casually, stay on the conservative side. You want to communicate that you respect the interview process and are eager to land the job you're applying for.

A polished look matters

Avoid looking frumpy. Make sure your attire fits well and is pressed. Adding a pop of color to your outfit--say, a scarf or earrings--will help you appear cheerful and positive to prospective employers. Remember, also, to wear minimal makeup and groom your hair neatly.

What you wear to a job interview can have a lasting impact, even if you end up with the job. "Your interview attire indicates your socioeconomic status and it can actually impact your salary offer," Maysonave says. "If someone looks like they need a job they are probably not going to get it. And they are definitely not going to get the same offer that someone with a polished look will."

Finding that perfect interview outfit that is put together and sophisticated doesn't have to break the bank. Here are few tips for dressing for an interview on a budget.

Under $100 dollars

Finding an attractive interview outfit for under $100 isn't as difficult as it may seem. The best strategy is to shop at several low-priced retailers to find chic basics that mix and match with more expensive signature pieces. It's worth the extra effort and you're savings account will thank you. Uniqlo carries stylish sweaters and tops, Forever 21 is a great place to pick up chic and inexpensive skirts and head to H&M for designer-inspired blazers ripped from the runways.

Under $250 dollars

If you have a bit more money to spend on an interview outfit, find a chic dress that you will be able to dress up or down to get the best bang for your buck. Pair it with a basic cardigan or blazer to complete your professional look. Not only will you score points with your prospective employer, you will have a cocktail outfit waiting in the wings. Stores like Banana Republic and J.Crew are great stores to start your search for a power dress, but don't forget to check out designer diffusion lines like Rachel Roy's collection for Macy's ( M - news - people ), which is debuting this fall, and Vera Wang's line for Kohl's ( KSS - news - people ), Simply Vera.

Under $500 dollars

Those who have even more to spend on that perfect interview outfit should avoid buying a suit and instead invest in a luxurious but understated accessory, like a bag or a pair of shoes--two of the hardest items to buy on a strict budget. Not only would either item jazz up a basic interview outfit, but both can be worn in numerous ways long after the interview is over. Slip on the same heels you wore in the afternoon with dress pants and pair them with jeans for a night out. Stuart Weitzman and Via Spiga are known for interview shoes with a trendy edge. And for bags look to designers Rebecca Minkoff, Botkier and Foley & Corinna.

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