The HOT New Color For 2014 Is Radiant Orchid: Great For Beauty + Fashion!

This is it! Radiant Orchid is THE color for 2014.

Last year it was emerald.

So, what does orchid represent to the world?

The Pantone Color Institute talks about it here, from their website:

"Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society."

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.".

Radiant Orchid by the Pantone Color Institute

 

Orchid is GORGEOUS for beauty + fashion!! And pretty baubles, too.

The shade which blends, fuchsia with purple + pink undertones is quite flattering to one's complexion and nails.

So look for orchid makeup to really hit the market soon.

The Spring 2014 runways featured Radiant Orchid. And you will see variations of this beautiful color wherever you shop in the new year.

Check out Glee's Lea Michele in a double-breasted trench coat by Ted Baker London back in early September. She was rockin' the orchid trend then. And we like the pretty pop of color!

 

 

We think Smashbox O Glow features a lovely orchid-shaded blush + gloss, $26 at Sephora.

Get Gucci Girl Curls Like Blake Lively For New Year's Eve Parties

Blake Lively, like Gisele Bundchen, has incredible, long, big hair!

So many women want those Veronica Lake curls, waves and volume.

We were surprised to learn that beautiful Blake, the new face of Gucci,  likes to do her OWN hair + makeup.

Yeah, right.

Well, according to an interview with the star by The Cut, this is what she revealed:

You’re known for doing your own styling for events. What is your approach to beauty?
I like doing my own makeup and hair for events. I think it’s fun.

Do you ever watch YouTube videos for makeup tips?

No. I actually didn’t know you could do that. I watch YouTube for lots of dog videos. Have you seen the hound and the orangutan? I want an orangutan so bad. It's so cute. [Laughs.]

It is so cute!

I didn’t know they did [makeup] on YouTube. But I’m luckily through doing photo shoots, I get to work with so many amazing hair and makeup artists. That’s my version of YouTube. How do you do Veronica Lake hair? And like, today, with Serge Normant, I get to ask him, How do you do that? What did you do?

Well, if you want those high glam Gucci girl curls like Blake's, we DO suggest, you look around YouTube for great how-to's.

Check out asksash88 for Blake Lively curls. And get ready for New Year's Eve parties!!

How To Get Rid Of Winter Callused Hobbit Feet With TLC

Oh, those dreaded Hobbit feet!

You know what we're talking about----callused, dry feet that seem to really come about in the dead of winter. Brrr!!

Some people just develop very dry, thick skin on the heels + balls of their feet. And it can happen at any age, ladies.

As we get older, our maturing feet also lose the cushions of fat. So if you're going to kill your little piggies wearing those sexy stilettos, well, you're gonna pay in the end, honey.

Toss in all the freezing, arid air, snow, rain and so forth, and thick calluses develop.

Such a frustrating problem for many of us.

There are a few TLC things to do for our adorable, but now Hobbit feet:

1. At nighttime, soak feet in warm water + Epsom salts. Then pumice away all those rough spots.

2. Smooth on a cream or lotion that contains salicylic acid to break down callus layers of dead skin. A good one to try is CeraVe Renewing SA Cream, at Walmart for $19.97.

3. Put on a pair of cotton socks to lock in the moisture from the Cerave cream.

Good luck! You are now on your way to smoother, softer, more lovable feet!

Save the Hobbit feet for the movies!

New Root Touch-Up In Plant-Based Formula From Japan Hits U.S. Market

If you have dark hair like ours, then you know what it's like when those pesky roots begin to pop up. In our case, grays! You can spot them from a mile away, so to speak.

Like most women, we try to touch up the roots on our own. Our preferred weapon of choice has ALWAYS been with a root touch-up in a tube with a mascara-like brush applicator.

Okay...Maybe not the best method, but we still get good coverage + control this way.

Well, there's something new on the beauty market from Japan, and it's called (Kiwabi) Root Vanish by Kazumi. By the way, Kazumi was developed and named after Zooey Deschanel's celebrity colorist Kazumi Morton.

It's a gel-type colorant that HIDES grays + other roots for longer than the touch-ups currently out there.

It's formulated with all-natural botanical stuff like---Japanese Black Sea Weed Extract, Ginseng Root Extract and Swertia Japonica Extract.

Here, it's ONLY available right now through Amazon.com for $48 + FREE Shipping.

Not cheap, but fans of Root Vanish by Kazumi say it's 'worth every penney!'.

The company is proud their root touch-up is the "first non-permanent coloring essential that is free of all things undesired":

・ Leaves no sticky, hardened or crusty residue
・ No color transfer, even in humidity or light rain
・ 100% safe & healthy for hair and scalp

Easy-to-use, too, with a click brush applicator.

Would you try this new root touch-up in the new year?

How To Get Your Skin To Glow Even In The Cold Winter Air

Who doesn't want skin that appears smoother, brighter + more refined with that healthy glow.....especially during the dead of winter?

Over here in New England you can feel the brittle, dryness in the cruel December air. And you can imagine what it's doing to your complexion each time you face the elements.

But you do need to get rid of those dead skin cells Yes...even in winter, EXFOLIATION is key

And for those of you with dry skin to begin with, well, you're looking for a hydrating cleanser that won't strip your complexion or leave it feeling as tight as a drum.

So, we recommend this drugstore fave:
RevitaLift^® Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser.

We found a 5 fl. oz. tube at Walmart for $5.97.

This stuff feels silky + luxurious when you wash your face with it. It's a foaming, creamy cleanser packed with revitalizing Vitamin C that produces a rich, soft lather that removes grease, grime, dead cells, impurities, etc.

You will notice your skin GLOW even in the cold, winter air....

Baby, it's cold outside!

Take care.

Make It MAC No. 217 For Best Blended Eye Shadow

When it comes to beauty tools are you cheap?

We admit, we are....

For instance, we have gone through so-ooo many eyelash curlers, because we don't want to invest in a really good one that might cost more than $7....The Kevin Aucoin Eyelash Curler costs about $21, but the makeup pros say it's WORTH it.

As far as eye shadow brushes, well, we use tons of cotton swabs to blend it all in, or those ghastly, cheesy, tiny foam applicator swabs that come in eye shadow compacts.

But that is so wrong. The best-n-the-biz suggest the MAC No. 217 Eye Shadow Brush. It retails for $24 at MACcosmetics.com. It's another excellent beauty tool investment. And this time--we ARE going to splurge.

It's JUST an eye shadow brush, you say. True, but there are favorites among the professionals, and celeb artist Anthea King says the MAC No. 217 is a must-buy, according to InStyle magazine.
:
'The slightly rounded shape + bristles (just fluffy enough) blend shadows like a dream so,' "you don't see any harsh lines."

A high-quality eye shadow brush really helps create a gorgeous smoky eye, and this expensive brush is made of the finest materials, so they say.

A good buy for 2014!

Baby #3 On The Way And Gwen Stefani Still Peroxide Perfect Chic!

It's no surprise that we adore Gwen Stefani. We write about her a number of times.

And we're blown away by her peroxide perfect hair, beautiful makeup + pregnancy chic. Okay.....the red lips might be a bit much, but they are Gwen's signature look.

The talented star is expanding her brood. We believe she might be about 6 months pregnant. That's what we hear. We just love her style, especially as a woman expecting.

 

 

We think if Kim Kardashian had adopted a similar, elegant look while pregnant, instead of trying to squeeze into non-flattering fashions + tight shoes, Kim would have been applauded and respected more. Just look at the difference:

What's even more incredible is Gwen's bombshell blonde locks. Not one root is showing. And she's crazy about the peroxide perfection. She touches them up with a Q-tip every 10 days, That's how Marilyn Monroe kept bleach-tastic, and Gwen says she is doing the same beauty routine.

If you're high maintenance for staying super blonde, then use the conditioner Gwen likes. Her stylist Danilo uses this stuff, and we found a bottle for just $6.27 at amazon.com!

Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Bb Creme 5.1 Fl Oz.

It's a beauty balm for your hair. It SMOOTHs away the roughness and keeps frizz + strays at bay.