Minx Nails – Hot Nail Trend for 2010

Nail art stepped to another level with the newest trends. Indeed more and more people choose their manicure as a medium to transmit different messages. The new craze called Minx nail art is one of the most popular accessories among celebrities. The red carpet and other prominent events offer an exhibition of the hottest manicure styles that will be huge for 2010!

The tiny sticker-like pieces flooded the market, making the newest design available for the great public. The process basically follows an ordinary nail care session. First the canvas for the nail art is prepared and spared form any nail polish residues or natural oils. For the successful sticking the cuticles are handled and the minx carefully selected.

The application method is simple and quick, the minx is a 2-4 millimeter thick film that is cut to the size of the nails. Then it is applied with the help of a heat-activated adhesive or warmed up beforehand under a lamp and then placed as a simple sticker to the nails.

The pattern and color palette are unlimited, raging from the portray of president Obama to famous brands and comic characters. The point is to find the one that reflect the personality of the wearer.

As the quintessential accessory of the year it can be paired with both casual and ultra-formal outfits. You can opt for the mono-colored as well as rainbow colored ones. Moreover nowadays more and more people engage into turning their own photos into stylish Minx nail stickers. Favorite pets, telling signs, polka dots and zebra stripes as well as artists glimpse back from the nails.

Besides the aesthetic pleasure this nail art has other benefits. You’ll more than probably avoid any smudging, or other damages. Moreover you won’t have to wait hours until you can touch anything. with your manicured nails. Those who prefer the green and more eco-freindly beauty tricks will find this technique perfect to have some a sophisticated manicure.

You can have voguish Minx nails probably even at your local nail salon, more you can even get it done at home if you have some mastery for nail art. Besides if you get bored of a pattern you might remove it after a time with simply using your blow-dryer.
The producers guarantee that without causing any damage to the Minx, these will last up to 4 months.

Tags: minx nails, minx nail art, minx manicure, celebrity nails, beyonce minx nails, what are minx nails, metallic minx nails, foil nails manicure, 2010 nail trends

Business meeting hairstyles or corporate hairstyles may have different varieties depending on taste of the wearer. These hairstyles can be categorized into three groups. The first group belongs to the 1980s crunch hairstyle that is complete with spiral perms and poof bangs. Such hairstyle does not bring a positive message to the people of the recent time especially during a business meeting. To achieve success in a business workplace, one must be prepared in dealing with the modern changes by having a fresh outlook. Even though you are a diligent worker, your hairstyle will provide that you are having difficulties keeping up with the changing times.

The second group consists of women who have the hair but do not have the sense of style. These women sport the same look everyday even though seasons change, their hairstyles do not change. Wearing the same look everyday may imply lack of ability for fresh and new ideas for the progress and success of the business. Such hairstyles also denote the “don’t care” attitude for the business and co-workers as well.

The third group consists of women who always have the fashion and style when it comes to their hair. In most cases, these women have their own personal hairstylist at home or even go to the salon to fix their hair. This kind of women can be impressive to other people but to some business or company, it may not since it represents devoting too much time to oneself and having maintenance on hairstyles.

How to Achieve Business Meeting Hairstyles

To achieve the perfect look of business meeting hairstyles, versatility is the right keyword. A flattering color, long layers, and clean cut will one to style the hair in many simple ways. Since you have a busy working hour, you can go for a neat bun or classic ponytail instead. Such hairstyle can create a quick and professional style. Long layered hairstyle with elegant curls is also perfect and elegant for a business meeting.

Here are some face masks you can try making at home:

Oatmeal Mask

This purifying oatmeal mask is for normal to oily skin.

1. 1/2 cup water
2. 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or sage
3. 2 tablespoons oatmeal
4. 10 raw almonds

In a small pot, mix water and dried rosemary or sage leaves. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and then boil for  5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm. In the meantime, add the oatmeal and almonds to the bowl of a food processor or blender, and grind until they are a fine powder. Add enough of the herb liquid to create a thick paste. Gently spread the paste onto clean skin, avoiding eyes and mouth, and allow the mask to dry completely. Leave on for 15 to 30 minutes and then remove with a damp face cloth and warm water.

Avocado Mask

This hydrating mask is ideal for normal or dry skin.

1. 1/2 avocado, mashed
2. 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

In a bowl, combine avocado pulp with plain yogurt. Apply it generously to your clean face and neck and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Wipe the mask off with dry tissues – no rinsing is necessary.

Hairstyles that exert traction on the hair, such as ponytails, cornrows, buns, etc, are not good for people with hair loss problem. Professional hairdresser can conceal hair loss by highlighting certain areas to divert attention from areas of thinning or advise on conditioner and thickener that give hair a fuller look.

Choosing a Hair Style and Hairdresser – Tips & Ideas

Here is my list of do’s and don’t’s in selecting, dealing with and keeping a hairdresser:

1. Find a hairdresser through a personal recommendation. If there is someone you know who has a haircut you admire, or you see someone on a street or at a party with a pretty hairstyle you think may look great on you, ask her where she gets her hair cut. Don’t be shy.

2. Make an appointment and walk in with confidence. Don’t be intimidated by a fancy salon or a preoccupied receptionist. Be gracious but firm; announce your arrival and ask when you may see the hairdresser. If you are kept waiting, ask why. Ask any other questions you like. Remember, hairdressing is a service-you are the client and the priority at any salon should be to serve you.

3. On your first visit, when the receptionist gives you a robe to change into, don’t do it. Meet your hairdresser with your hair the way you wear it normally, in the clothes that are yours, so he or she can see the whole you, the image you present. This will help him understand “who” you are and to create a style that will fit you. But this also means that you shouldn’t “dress to the hilt” or pretend to be someone you are not. Be yourself-but be your best self.

4. Notice if the hairdresser has the time to talk with you-not only to discuss the style that would be flattering for you (beware if he immediately tells you he knows just the perfect style for you) but also to find out what kind of life you lead, how much time you have to care for your hair, how skilled you are at using some of the tools and what kind of hairstyles you like. All this information will help him to create your hairstyle-so if he doesn’t ask, volunteer the information. If he doesn’t care-leave immediately.

5. If you see the hairdresser creating the same hairdo for all his customers-watch out. It may be the only one he knows, or he may be the kind who does only one “in” hairdo at a time. A good hairdresser creates an individual style for each of his clients.

6. Once you have chosen a hairdresser, talk to him honestly. Tell him what you like in a hairdo, and what you don’t like. I really believe that if you end up with a hairstyle you hate, you must accept some of the responsibility. To avoid such a catastrophe, keep saying to yourself, “It is my hair that’s being styled and I have something to say about it!” Any good hairdresser will respect that.

7. Don’t skimp on a haircut. The hairdresser you like may be more expensive than others, but if he is really good, it will be worth it. Remember, if you get a cut you hate, you are going to have to put out more money to have somebody else fix it. If you want to save money on a haircut, go to the stylist you like but have him or her cut your hair shorter than usual so you won’t have to return as often.

8. A good hairdresser will not make you dependent on him. He will give you a haircut that you will be able to take care of yourself, and he can show you how to do it yourself-so ask him! If you find when you get home that you can do nothing with your hair (and you find that the only person who can is your hair dresser ) tell him that the cut isn’t right for you. If he doesn’t understand, you may need to switch to someone who does.

How to Do Your Own Manicure

Manicured nails create the gorgeous hand aspect every woman desired and the best thing about it is that manicures can be performed in the comfort of your own home. Find out how you can perform your own manicure easily.

Manicured nails are one of the best things that could have happened since make-up and it is clear why. The hands well groomed appearance inspire confidence and style, so no wonder manicurists are trying to revolutionize manicure.

For decades manicures were done relatively simple: cut cuticles, filed nails and a simple coat of nail varnish, but nowadays, since the cosmetic industry has evolved the manicures can be performed a bit different. There are a variety of products destined for nail care, products meant to bring out the best out of each nail.

To do your own manicure one must understand the basic steps in manicure. There are certain steps that need to be followed in order to make the manicuring process much easier. To perform a home manicure you will need the following utensils before you begin:

To start your own manicure choose a place with plenty of light, next to a window or next to a lamp to ensure that you have a the best lighting to do the best job. Start by placing one of your hands in a bowl of warm water to allow your hand to soften and let it soak for about 2 minutes. Take your hand out and dry the water off using a clean towel. Apply the cuticle remover on the cuticles or used the cuticle pusher to to push back the cuticles.
Using the nail clipper clip your nails the desired length as they are less likely to break after they have soaked in water and use the nail file of buffer to gently smooth or shape the nails as desired. After obtaining the desired shape follow the same steps on your other hand as well.

As soon as your nails are done wash your hands with soap and rinse them with water to remove any residue from the nail filing and ensure a proper application of the nail polish. Apply your favorite nail polish on your dry nails in a uniform coat and wait for it to dry. You can use a quick dry spray if you are in a hurry, as they help speed up the drying process. The most appreciated and used colors are red, pink and obviously french style manicures.

Apply a second coat of nail varnish if necessary, let the coat dry and apply a top coat over each nail as it will help give a shiny finish to your nail polish. If you are looking for something more spectacular you can try to create your own nail art design using a toothpick. Use the toothpick to make small dots that connect to create a cute flower design. You can use any color you like for the flower as they all look beautiful.

Make sure your nail polish is dry before you perform a relaxing massage using the hand cream on each hand. This way the cream will offer your hands the hydration they need in order to have a gorgeous and smooth appearance. Your manicured nails will look beautiful with a minimum amount of effort and pay.

Tags: manicure, nail polish, manicured nails, french manicure, groomed nails, homemade manicure, nails, nail care, nail varnish

Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Acne

If your skin seems to suffer due to the inappropriate lifestyle you lead, then it’s about time to revolutionize your daily schedule and quit habits that ruin your complexion and get used to ones that would guarantee the spotless look of your skin. Learn these basic tricks on how to adapt your life to your acne-prone skin.

There are several treatment that were discovered to treat one of the most common skin problems of our days, acne. Indeed from the organic to the medical and more radical methods all are used to prevent the appearance and cure pimples and other unpleasant skin disorders. One of the chief causes why people struggle with this condition is an improper daily schedule that skips all the nutritive and beneficial rituals that can banish the occurrence of acne.

Other causes that can also contribute to the spreading of blemishes and whiteheads are poor nutrition as well as other harmful external factors as extreme weather conditions. The best way to offer a protective shield to our complexion while facing these toxic agents is to start practicing several rituals and habits that are able to ameliorate the state of acne. Do your duty if your dream of a ‘spotless’ look and adopt these lifestyle tips to reduce acne on a long term.

Healthy Diet

Healing Water

Cut Back on Stimulants

No-no Astringents.

Lukewarm Face Wash

Tags: acne and lifestyle, acne treatment, acne problems, how to fight acne, tips to fight acne, get rid of acne

2009 MTV EMAs Celebrity Hairstyles and Outfits

Check out the hottest celebrity looks from the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards! Here are the hottest 2009 MTV EMAs celebrity hairstyles and outfits.

The MTV Europe Music Awards 2009 super show was held in Berlin, Germany this Thursday, November 5 with big names and fab performances!

The hostess of the show was Katy Perry dressed in an array of crazy designer outfits. Her best outfit is the embroidered Marchesa dress she wore on the red carpet and looked stunning with Katy’s sophisticated updo – the nude one-shoulder draped tulle strapless gown is from the Marchesa 2010 Spring collection.

At the 2009 MTV EMAs the ultimate winner was Beyonce, taking home the honors for Best Video, Best Song and Best Female. On the red carpet the flaunted her curves in an Atelier Versace metallic bodice gown, that she pulled off to perfection.
She was wearing her long mane styled with defined spiral curls.

On stage, Beyonce wore a sexy red corset, suspenders and red gloves while performing her hit song “Sweet Dreams”.

Another show-stopping appearance at the 2009 MTV EMAs was Leona Lewis wearing a black Vivienne Westwood corset gown with her glossy curly locks swept over her shoulder.

Shakira rocked the red carpet wearing a silver shimmery mini dress, Versace Spring 2010 strappy platforms with her hair pulled back into a sleek pony.

Other hot fashion looks from the 2009 MTV EMAs was Asia Argento in Sophia Kokosalaki paired with a casual wavy hairstyle, Pixie Lott in a D&G ruffle dress, Joss Stone in a Blue Halo wrap dress and OTK boots and model Bar Rafaeli wearing a fringed peach dress.

Image credits: GETTY IMAGES

Tags: celebrity hairstyles, celebrity fashion, red carpet outfits, 2009 mtv emas, beyonce, katy perry, leona lewis, pixie lott, shakira

It occurred to me that I never shared photos of le condo with you. Bad blogger. Without further adieu, let me take you on a tour.

1) Living Room

Both the BEFORE and AFTER photos are taken from our bedroom on the 2nd floor (we have a 16 foot tall ceiling).

AFTER

As you may recall, the coffee table and rug are from West Elm. We found the Barcelona chair on Craigslist. The lamp is from Urban Barn.

AFTER

Here’s my baby – my 40 inch Sony Bravia. And yes, size does matter.

2) Balcony

No drastic changes to the balcony. We added in our own patio furniture plus bought a barbecue.

3) Kitchen/Dining Area

Unfortunately, I do not have any good photos of the kitchen before we moved in. We didn’t change the area too much. We did buy a new dining set from Ikea, hang new drapes and who can forget the drama that accompanied those cabinet handles?

There you have it. Le Condo! (Well I didn’t show you the upstairs b/c frankly it will never be tidy enough to photograph.) It’s still a work in progress. Many people have told me that I’ll never be done with Project Condo. Is it true? Does one ever really finish home improvement?

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the Stamp Yourself Happy Giveaway sponsored by Barbara Kua Calligraphy.

New Platinum Blonde Hairstyles

Were you always fascinated by the radiating effect of platinum blonde hair? Now, you are free to experiment with this fabulous shade to perk up your hairstyle. Those who limited themselves to the natural light tones might be surprised how flattering this almost supernaturally alluring shade really is. Take a look at these fabulous examples of platinum blonde hairstyle for some inspiration.

Millions of people experimented with this style all throughout the years, the ambition to reach the perfection of platinum with their hair coloring served as the perfect means to popularize the style. Indeed as the ultimate pure and almost fairytale-like shade won the heart of the style-conscious public that longed for a breath-taking look. Indeed as hair stylists claim by opting for a DIY and home hair dyeing session we might spoil the chances to achieve the radiance and groove that make platinum color so fabulous and almost unattainable. Those who contact a professional will have more chance to leave with the desired hairdo especially when deciding upon a similar drastic change. Find out some useful facts about platinum blonde hairstyles.

Tags: platinum blonde hairstyles, platinum blonde hair color, platinum blonde hair, blonde hairstyles, blonde hair color, blonde hair, hair color