It's Okay If You...

• pull off your finger nail polish bit by bit
• put on makeup to work out
• feel bad about eating that cookie...only to eat another one.
• laugh when you see your ex with someone else...and they're a downgrade.
• cry
• still don't like your in-laws
• try to photoshop your dream hair onto your face
• still can't get your eyeliner to be symmetrical 
• turn up the music really loud to drown out your own voice, especially when Adele is on
• laugh at a joke you don't get
  

Did You Know You Could: Other Blonding Techniques

When you go in to your salon and want to be blonder, whats the first thing you say?

"Highlights please."

Don't lie. I know you do. Because I do too. But there are other ways to achieve the look you want.

Balayage 
It's a French technique found a couple of decades ago. The technique uses a thicker bleach mixture that allows for the stylist to freehand where they want to place the highlight. It can be used on pretty much any hair length, pixie to super long.

It's a nice technique that can produces a lot of cool effects, from ombre and subtle highlights to extreme blonding. It's great because since it is placed freehanded, it doesn't produce a harsh line when growing out like normal highlights sometimes can.


12 series
Here at On Stage we use Wella color, which has a line called 12 series. Basically, there are levels of hair shades. The lower the number the darker the hair. 12 is pretty much as blonde as you can get. The 12 series is a high-lift color, which can help you achieve that look you want without the harshness of bleach.


These are a couple of other options that you have for blonding. Next time your in the chair and want to say, "highlights please," talk with your haircare professional about some other options. Change can be good.

How To Tuesday: Messy Hair Bun

Let's be honest...there are done we don't want to do anything to our hair. The last thing we want to do is get up early, fix your hair, and look presentable. I mean, I know I'd rather sleep that extra twenty minutes.

So this tutorial is for those days. For second day hair. Or third day hair. Or, hell, even fourth day hair.


Step 1: start will curled hair

Step 2: tease the heck out of it

You want really big hair.

Step 3: pull it back into bun shape

 I just pulled all of Amanda's hair back, then pinned it in a bun. I pulled a the bun to made it more full, and then pinned some stray pieces. 

All in all, it took less than 5 minutes.

Cute. Easy. What more could you ask for?

Friday Link Love 03/29/2013

• This double rope braid bun from The Beauty Department is ah-mazing. 
• Christina from Hair Romance never fails to create some really amazing styles. This one is truly beautiful. 
• Who doesn't want better skin, and who doesn't like saving money? Done. And done. 
• Some more acne tips. 
• Stinky shoes? Ew. Get rid of that. 
• In your 20s? LC (how I'm going to refer to Lauren "flawless" Conrad) has some great advice. 
• It's time to get tan. Sunless tan. 
• It's also time for spring cleaning...how about spring cleaning your mind?
• Are you a Downton Abbey fan? Check out these IRL pictures of the cast!
• Some more really awesome updos from ELLE. 
• Beauty tips from NYFW 2013!
• Remember that super cute musical festival inspired updo from last week? Well here are a couple more. 

What did you see online this week?

Friday Link Love 03/22/2013

• A live Disney fashion show? OMG yes. 
• I've talked about Spring beauty trends...but here's another list for ya. 
• Don't you just love a well-dressed man? Mmm I do.
• I love Hello Giggles, and this article about increasing your attention span is actually really helpful.
• Ever wonder about the history of blue jeans?
• SxSW may be over, but you can still rock this musical festival hairdo. 
• 15 nail salon nightmares and how to avoid them. Hilarious and informative. 
• Lauren Conrad is pretty much flawless, so I'll take any advice she gives.
• If you're an online shopper and don't know how to measure yourself...well...you should.
• Um...what?
• Makeup kit basics. From beginner to advanced!
• Cure your mind of negative thoughts. 

Spring 2013 Makeup Trends

With yesterday the official start of Spring I feel like jumping up and down for joy. Already bluebonnets are out and I can't help by drive down I-45 saying, "ooooo ahhhh."


When new Spring styles come out I always feel like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.

It just always feels the same to me. But I'm kind of excited about these trends, because well...they're sort of like the Fall trends and I was obsessed with those.

Red lips.

I'm mean...let's be honest. You know I'm obsessed with red lips. It's an instant confidence booster. 

Eyeliner and lush lashes.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. I've been all about eyeliner for years now. It's my signature look. I'm happy that society is finally catching up.

Big brows. 

I blame the beautiful Lily Collins. Just look at those lovelies. 

Other trends.

Blues and greens. Glowing skin. Things like that.

What are your favorite Spring trends?

How To Tuesday: Dewy Makeup

I like to start this post off by saying...

Ginnifer Goodwin is flawless. There has never been a time I looked at that girl and thought, wow, she could use a little work. I mean...she is freaking Snow White. 

You see how dewy she looks? Like she is glowing. Well...that look can be achieved very simply using some highlighter. 

Step 1: moisturize

It's arguably the most important step. If you're skin isn't moisturized, then the dewiness has no reason to look dewy. Does that even make sense?

Step 2: foundation

you can apply your foundation as normal. 

Step 3: cheek contouring

click here for tutorial. 

Step 4: highlighter

You want to apply your highlighter in these areas. It's okay if you don't have an actually "highlighter", you can use any light colored eyeshadow. That one that you always use to swipe across your brows? It's perfect for this. 

Do you have a moisture spray that sets your foundation? Make sure you use it!

Now...go be flawless like Ginnifer. I know you are.