Showing posts with label Beauty Xpose'. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beauty Xpose'. Show all posts

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Get Plucky - and Get The Best Brows Possible

    by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose

    To wax or to tweeze? Bushy brows or refined arches? Getting groomed eyebrows can be confusing with so many options at your fingertips. To help sort out the best approach, I consulted with some of the industry's best experts for their take on tried-and-true techniques for brow-taming. Check them out, and let me know how you groom your own brows in the comments!

    Confused about brows? We'll help!

    Confused about brows? We’ll help!

    Get Plucky. Which hair removal technique is best — waxing, tweezing, threading or electrolysis? Well, a lot of it has to do with your personal choice (and how permanent you want your look to be, in the case of electrolysis). That said, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Eyebrow Specialist Elke Von Freudenberg believes tweezing is your best bet for precision plucking.

    tweezers“Tweezing to me gives the most precise technique,” she said. “I can change an eyebrow with one hair if I need to. I use waxing to remove hairs that do not belong, like between brows, or way below or above the brow. But I always tweeze the shape and do all correction work with tweezing for the most accurate shape.”

    Eugenia Weston, founder of Senna Cosmetics and an Emmy nominated celebrity makeup artist, concurs, believing that wax is too harsh for the delicate eye area.

    “Eyebrow waxing pulls the delicate skin around the eye area and can cause sagging,” she explains. “The hot wax can burn or cause trauma — especially when skin-thinning products are being used like Retin-A, alpha hydroxy acids and Vitamin C. There is also the risk of taking too much out.”

    Eye up Your Shape. As women have gone from bushy brows to thinner curves to more refined arches and back again, it’s not surprising there’s confusion about what shape is best for eyebrows right now. But perhaps that’s because the best option is to skip the trends altogether and focus on the right shape for your personal look instead.

    eyebrow
    A classic brow shape

    Raychel Wade, makeup artist and founder of cosmetic consulting company Cheek to Chic, says for brow shape, your goal is not to change the shape completely but to work with the one you already have.

    “Well-groomed brows open your eyes and instantly erase a few years — and who doesn’t want that?” she said. “They are like the equivalent of curling your lashes — they actually give the appearance of brighter eyes, taking years off your appearance! The most flattering shape that enhances your eyes and frames the rest of your face is a clean brow that reach from the inner corner of your eye out a bit beyond the outer corner.”

    “The Brow Diva” Deanna Netti Cahill, owner of the Brow Diva studio and product line, agrees, explaining that the “classic” brow is always in style — a full brow that is thickest on the inner two thirds, climaxing to a soft arch, ending in a gradual decline to the end. (She actually had us feeling a little steamy with that description!) However, Cahill warns that when it comes to brows, less of them is not necessarily more. She says over-tweezing and over-trimming are two of the biggest mistakes women make when it comes to their brows.

    “Never use a magnifying mirror,” she instructed. “You are guaranteed to over pluck. And no one sees your brows that close up so what may look perfect magnified could look strange to the naked eye.”

    Other looks that we believe are never in style — the “fuzzy caterpillar,” the “puny paisley,” the “upside down Nike swoosh” and the “Joan Crawford curve.”


    You Can Do-it-Yourself…but Do it Right. You don’t always have to go to a professional to get a banging pair of brows, but just be sure you don’t end up being a brow beater in the process. Von Freudenberg says that you should start with a professional shape-up to get the baseline look, and then you can conduct maintenance on your own.

    “I always tell my clients to come in for a major shaping to get everything fixed up, and then keep an eye on them by cleaning up and tweezing every day as they come in,” she said. “By keeping an eye on them daily, it’s much easier to maintain for a longer period of time. I have clients that can go three months between shapings this way.”


    Photos: Confused brows – Jef Bettens; Tweezers – David Lat; Classic brow – Heidi Ecker

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Sunday, February 7, 2010

Get The Look: Katy Perry Goes To India and She Likes It

    Photo by: KGC-11/starmaxinc.com 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1/31/10 Katy Perry at the 52nd An
    By guest blogger, Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose

    While most of the 2010 Grammy Awards was low-key (or maybe just nothing shocks us anymore), there were a few, understated moments that had us scratching our heads. First, Britney Spears arrived wearing several layers of fishnet that somehow snarled themselves into a loosely-formed shape of a dress. Then, we noticed Katy Perry was wearing a random bindi under her bobbed bangs, though it was surrounded by a gorgeous, fresh makeup look.

    Before the show, Katy tweeted her excitement saying, “Today I’m channeling Indian Betty Paige [sic] princess!”

    But what inspired this look? After a recent trip to India, where Russell Brand purportedly popped the question, Katy Perry brought back a variety of bindis (and what looks like a gorgeous engagement ring as well). With celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey working his magic by her side, together they transformed Katy’s style into a “Bettie Page, Indian princess look” for the Grammy Awards. The best part? Most of the beauty products Jake used are budget-friendly, found right at your local drugstore.

    How to Get Katy Perry’s Award-Winning Look

    Katy Perry arrives at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

    To perfect her skin, Jake used Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation, and to set the look, he dusted Guerlain Les Violettes Matte Touch Powder all over the face.

    Jake then highlighted the apples of her cheeks with CORALista blush from benefit.

    Keeping with the exotic feel, Jake used a mixture of shimmery plums and golds on her eyes. “I was going for a more colorful version of the tradition smoky eye,” said Jake. Jake used COVERGIRL’s double-ended smoky eye stick, Smoky Shadow Blast in Purple Plume by first applying the angled end of the shadow stick, the deeper plum, over the entire lid and blending into a smoky halo. He then applied Smoky ShadowBlast in Bronze Fire, using the round, golden end to line along the lid and inner corners of her eyes to brighten the look.

    To complete her smoky eye, Jake created an ultra-long lash look with several coats of COVERGIRL LashBlast Length in black. “The best thing about this mascara is that you can apply coat after coat to get maximum impact without losing separation and elegance,” said Jake.

    To balance her dramatic eyes without overpowering them, Jake finished her look with a matte lip, using COVERGIRL Outlast Lipstain in Wild Berry Wink. “I love these Lipstains so much because you can line and shape the entire lip without sacrificing your own lip texture,” Jake finished.



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    Makeup, beauty, skincare reviews & more! Copyright 2010,Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Men, Are You Shaving Incorrectly?

    By Guest Blogger Anne Houseman, Beauty Xpose

    Lose the unwanted scruff without fear of razor burn!

    Intentional scruff may look sexy on your guy, but plain old stubble can be a huge turn off (not to mention harmful during a smooch-fest). So why do some men skimp on shaving when they know it may only increase their odds of getting some action? Well, many men we’ve spoken with cite nasty ingrown hairs and red bumps as the reason they’re putting it off (we also think laziness might have something to do with it…just sayin’). The true cause of this problem might be that these men are simply shaving the wrong way.

    Nicole Sommers, a licensed esthetician specializing exclusively in natural men’s shaving/skincare and founder of online men’s store Gents, says that most men will shave incorrectly some 20,000 times during a lifetime. So what exactly are they doing wrong? We sat down with Nicole to find out.

    BX: What do most men have wrong when it comes to shaving?

    NS: Nearly 80% of men say shaving irritates their skin, with razor burn being the most common complaint. Men often cause razor burn by applying too much pressure with their razor when shaving. In addition, razor burn is often “product” burn. Many of the products that are designed for men are poorly formulated and contain far too many irritating ingredients like alcohol. An aloe-based aftershave gel like Lev8 will ice you down in seconds after shaving, especially if you experience razor burn.

    BX: What is the best type of shaving cream to use and why?

    NS: The best products will lock moisture into your whiskers and do not foam up – foam is merely soap filled water. Massage a quality shave cream, like Earth Science Shave Cream into the skin with upward motions. Work that shave cream into the beard well to make sure whiskers are softened into submission. Dry, rough beard hair can easily get entangled into your razor. Leave on one to three minutes before starting to shave.

    Toss this!
    BX: How often should blades be replaced? Are there any benefits to using disposable razors versus disposable blades or electric shavers?

    NS: No matter how much you believe your razor is good enough for one or two more runs, any sight of rust is a bad sight. Always use a sharp blade. A dull blade is responsible for many shaving cuts, as it drags over the face and catches the skin along with the hairs of the beard. Replace the blade every three to seven shaves.

    Disposable razors are generally very lightweight and don’t’ give a man enough control. Some have heads that don’t swivel and therefore don’t address the fact that your face has contour to it, making it more difficult to shave. With an electric shaver you don’t need water or shaving cream, and it is more difficult to cut yourself, but you wouldn’t get as close a shave as with a traditional razor. You also must have a source of electricity.

    earth science shave cream

    BX: How can men avoid nasty red bumps and ingrown hairs? If they already have them, how can they heal them best?’

    NS: Hair bumps occur when your hair, whether it is on your face or neck, begins to curl and dig into the hair follicle adjacent to the hair. When this occurs, irritation and inflammation occurs. Then, a razor bump or ingrown hair is born. Shaving often causes an ingrown hair problem to occur and that is why it is also referred to as razor bumps.

    Many individuals have found that shaving with an electric razor reduces the occurrence of hairs that are ingrown or razor bumps. This is likely due to the fact that electric razors do not shave as close as a wet blade. With blades, the shave is much closer and there is a greater chance of the cut and sharpened end of the hair to re-enter the hair follicle. Also, make sure that you set your electric razor’s setting to high in order to avoid close shaving. The alternative is to practice proper shaving techniques consistently and to follow certain shaving tips.

    The best treatment is to moisturize the ingrown hair area several times a day and at night. Also, use a multi-tasking cleanser like Osea Ocean Cleanser that cleans and exfoliates (gets rid of dead skin), since dead skin cells trap ingrown hairs underneath the skin’s surface. The hair will eventually soften and liberate from the skin. Shave the hair as usual, and never tweeze.

    OSEA atmosphere protection cream

    BX: Should men alter their shaving routine in any way during colder winter months?

    NS: As skin can get dry and itchy in winter months, it’s even more important to finish up your shaving routine with a quality moisturizing lotion like Osea’s Atmosphere Protection Cream. Shaving can remove up to two layers of superficial skin, so you want to make sure that you’re protecting your skin from the elements. It’s a good idea to moisturize in the evening as well since the skin loses more moisture at night.

    Get more great shaving tips at the Gents Facebook page and by following the brand on Twitter (@GentsSkinCare).

    Photos: Man shaving – StockXchng user Dreamguy; Man with stubble – Ben Stirling; Shave cream – Earth Science; Razor – Ramasamy Chidambaram; Protection Cream – Osea

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Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Case of the Frozen Face Cream Caper


    Anne Houseman of BeautyXpose encourages readers to write in for answers for their burning beauty questions -- no matter how silly they may seem. This week, one of our readers had an unusual circumstance leading her to ask whether or not her face cream would work after being frozen for a couple of weeks. So we did a little digging to make sure our reader would get the full benefits of her anti-aging cream after its unexpected deep freeze. While this may never happen to any of us (fingers crossed!), it seemed like an interesting enough question, and you never know when this info may come in handy.

    face cream


    Dear BX,

    Through a random chain of events, my never-used-before anti-aging face cream made it’s way to a snow patch in my driveway. I thought it was lost until finding it under a snow bank while shoveling. It’s been frozen for a few weeks, so I’m wondering if it will still work the way it’s supposed to when it’s thawed.

    -Amy G.

    After learning about the Frozen Face Cream Caper, our gut instincts were that it should be absolutely fine, albeit a bit chilly (though that could have its benefits too). But then we remembered how some products have the “store at room temperature” instructions, so we thought we’d pull out the big guns to make sure. We turned to skin care expert, celebrity esthetician and spa owner Renee Rouleau for her words of wisdom. And it turns out, our initial suspicions were spot on — it should still work.

    “A frozen product should be just fine to use once thawed out,” said Rouleau. “Cold temperatures should not create any problems for the product. Extreme heat, on the other hand, can cause color, consistency and efficacy to be affected.”

    So there you have it. Simply thaw it out, then slather away. Just try not to leave it in your driveway this summer when temps are scorching!

    Do you have a random beauty question? Ask me in the comments!

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Holiday Makeup Tips by Celebrity Makeup Artist Sandy Linter

    By Guest Blogger, Anne Houseman from Beauty Xpose


    As BeautyXpose reader Amy Oxford noted, holiday parties are already beginning to rear their festive heads (next year, we’ll expect invites in August!). While the timing may seem too soon for some, we’re viewing these pre-season fetes as just more opportunities to show off stunning ensembles, sparkling jewels and dazzling makeup.

    Celebrity Makeup Artist Sandy Linter has just the plan for getting gorgeous for your big night out. The professional makeup artist on staff at the Rita Hazan Salon in NYC has spent 30 years working with some of the most iconic faces that have graced the red carpet, including Bette Midler, Elizabeth Hurley, Goldie Hawn, Gwyneth Paltrow, Diana Ross, Martha Stewart and many more. Now, she’s sharing some of her favorite party-prep tips to make your holiday makeup magnificent.

    Holiday Makeup Tips

    Get Glittery Lids:

    When using a glitter-based shadow, apply your eye makeup before your foundation. This way any residual glitter that falls will not ruin any previous applications. Any remaining glitter can be wiped away with a gentle eye makeup remover and Q-Tip.

    A trick to making glitter shadows stick is to apply a crème eyeshadow all over your eyelid. Then, with your fingertips or a sponge applicator, pat on the glitter. The crème shadow helps the glitter adhere to your eyelids.

    Sandy Application ImageLengthen Your Lashes:

    To transform your eyelashes for a more dramatic look, try Shu Uemura’s False Eyelashes. When applying, be sure to bend the lashes back and forth so the band is not stiff. After applying and once the glue has dried, clamp lashes with an eyelash curler to set the look.

    When wearing fake lashes, do not use colored shadows. Instead, use a neutral gold shadow on the lid, such as Lancôme Filigree, and contour the crease of your eye with a brown taupe shade, such as Lancôme Chic, making eyes look big and festive (but not cheap!).

    Show Off a Bold Pout:

    Brighter shades of lipstick always work for the holiday season. Check out Lancome’s new lipstick, La Laque Fever in Raze Red or Electric Pink. Designed to have a high potency of color and unprecedented shine, this full cover lipshine will offer you up to eight hours of vibrant color.

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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Holiday 2009 nail polish trends


    Zoya ULTRAGLITTER collection

    ByGuest Blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose'


    Whether you’re getting a manicure at the infamous Lauren’s Nail and Skin Salon on Newbury Street or grooming your own nails at home, pretty, polished fingertips are always in style. This 2009 holiday season, the choices are endless for new nail polish shades, ranging from bold, rich, jewel tones to more subtle, champagne hues.

    This year, in addition to tried-and-true glitter party polishes, a new texture has made its way on to the scene – matte. For some varnish-lovers, the new matte look is an acquired taste, as it is wildly different from traditional lacquers (think the flat look of wall paint). For other trendy polish princesses, that’s the whole point! Unfortunately, if you like the trend, be prepared to repaint your digits frequently, as the polishes don’t last as long as glossier counterparts, and they are not designed to be worn with base coats (most brands include a warning label that chipping occurs sooner).

    Whether you’re looking to dazzle with shimmer or make a statement with matte, try one of these new holiday polishes on for size:

    Zoya ULTRAGLITTER collection

    • Duri "Icicle" – This striking, translucent-white polish ($5) will have your fingertips glistening like freshly laid snow.
    • Zoya “Nova”– Make your holiday celebration supersonic with this intense magenta polish in the limited edition Zoya ULTRAGLITTER collection ($7).
    • Nubar “Emerald” – Get gorgeous digits dripping with this jewel-toned lacquer from the Nubar Royal Gems collection ($7.49).
    • China Glaze "Matte Magic" – Why limit your matte options to only a few colors in a collection? Transform any polish into a matte finish with this new, enchanting top coat by China Glaze ($6.50), available at salons nationwide.



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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Bundle Up in Cool-Weather Fashions

    By Guest Blogger Anne Houseman

    While yesterday, we experienced a nice, warm Halloween in Boston, longtime Northeast residents know that cooler temperatures are soon here to stay. Despite the dropping mercury, bundling up doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style (whatever your stance is on “The Great UGG Debate”). In fact, you can have even more fun as you pile on extra layers. We already explored the versatile, fall scarf, so now, here are a few other tasteful fashions to keep you cozy and chic.

    1. Elegant Gloves -- Whether you love classic leather, sumptuous cashmere or basic knits, a well-made pair of gloves can complete your entire ensemble. Don’t be afraid to think beyond basic black (or brown) -- a colored pair of gloves is always in style and brings an element of whimsy to otherwise-traditional outerwear.
    1. Chic Coats -- A shapeless, poofy coat may be warm, but it isn’t doing anything for your figure. No matter what fabric you choose, find a fitted coat with creative detailing (yes, even down!). A unique neckline, contrast-stitching, bubble sleeves, a bold, buckled belt – embellishments like these turn a ho-hum coat into a timeless statement piece in your wardrobe. (Tip: If you are short or are trying to hide a few extra pounds, avoid double-breasted designs – they only draw attention to these areas!)
    1. Classy Hats -- A cocked, wool beret. A bucket brim. A coquettish cloche. The sky’s the limit on selecting a stylish hat to keep your head warm without succumbing to the common “knit beanie syndrome.” Your headwear choice literally tops off your look, so make sure it’s in line with the style you want to portray.


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Sunday, October 18, 2009

Halloween Finds (That can be used 365 days a year!)

    By Guest Blogger Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose

    I’ve always found Halloween to be a magical holiday where you can dress up and let your imagination run wild as you walk a day in another person’s shoes (even if that “person” is a zombie). When I was a kid, that meant grabbing a mish-mash of items we already owned and transforming them into a costume before venturing out to scour the neighborhood in search of the elusive “full size chocolate bar.” These days, though, it seems we’ve all but lost our sense of imagination, opting to purchase pre-made costumes as a quick, easy fix before attending a Halloween party.

    This year, rather than spend big money on a cheaply-made costume you’re likely to wear once, why not create your own “costume” out of every-day items you can re-wear? Check out these three costume ideas for inspiration. Whether they move you to “shop your closet” for similar items you already have, or you decide to purchase a new item or two, let your imagination run wild this Halloween!

    Queen of Hearts

    Dress – Macy’s

    queen of hearts dress

    Clutch – Endless.com

    queen of hearts clutch

    Shoes – Shirise

    queen of hearts shoes

    Necklace – Etsy

    queen of hearts necklace

    Headband – Bloomingdale’s

    queen of hearts headband

    Ring – Zappos.com

    queen of hearts ring


    Flamenco Dancer

    Dress Unique Vintage

    flamenco dancer dress

    ShawlBuy.com

    flameco dancer shawl

    ShoesDSW

    flamenco dancer shoes

    Hair ClipEtsy

    flamenco dancer hair clip

    Sailor

    Jeans6pm.com

    sailor jeans

    Heels Unique Vintage

    sailor shoes

    Necklace CharmOverstock.com

    sailor necklace charm

    Shirt Nordstrom

    sailor top

    Bag - Target

    sailor bag



    Sailor

    Jeans6pm.com

    sailor jeans

    Heels Unique Vintage

    sailor shoes

    Necklace CharmOverstock.com

    sailor necklace charm

    Shirt Nordstrom

    sailor top

    Bag - Target

    sailor bag



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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Get Red-y for Fall: How to Get Perfect Red Lips

    by guest blogger, Anne Houseman, of Beauty Xpose

    From crimson to garnet to ruby to cherry, red lips are taking the runways (and the streets) by storm. Here at BeautyXpose, we believe red lips are the perfect transition to a new fall look without having to overhaul your wardrobe or makeup palette.

    Penelope Cruze has the perfect red pucker!

    Penelope Cruz has the perfect red pucker!

    Think red doesn’t work for you? Valerie Brooks, makeup artist for Beauticreams, Inc. in Palatka, Fla., says there’s a red for everyone and believes the hardest part to wearing red is being brave enough to do it — especially if you haven’t worn bright colors before. She contends that choosing your perfect shade isn’t really that difficult.

    “If you are a warm toned person, go for the more orangey or coral colors; for a cool complexion, try the blue toned reds and pink-reds,” Brooks said. “If you really want to dazzle or if you going from day to play, keep a matching lip gloss in your bag for a quick sexy change.”

    Brooks believes that those who try out red lips will see the benefits almost immediately. “I challenge you — walk around for one day with red and see what happens. How many heads will you turn?” Brooks said.

    Application Tips for the Perfect Red Lips

    While anyone can vamp it up with red smackers, it takes a little finesse to make sure you’re looking more “classic sexy” than “over-zealous cougar grandma” or “streetwalker.” Brooks gives us these tips for getting the perfect red pout:

    1. Go Neutral: If you are going to go red it’s usually best to take it easy on the eye make up. Use neutral colors like a soft liner/mascara and blush (once again chose a neutral color, or even just opt for a light bronzing). Try to draw focus to one facial feature. If you have a red undertone to your skin you want to make sure to conceal that well, or use a redness reducing product (like Redness Relief Soothing Cream SPF 25 from Avene).

    2. Exfoliate: Exfoliate your lips, and always use a lip moisturizer (not waxy sticks) — flaky, dry skin totally ruins a good lip. Also use a primer for your lips. There are several available on the market and this will help keep your color from bleeding out.

    red lipstick

    What’s your perfect shade?

    3. Line Away: Most people stretch their lips to put on liner — this is a no-no!! Once your lip goes back to it’s natural place, all that lip liner will bunch up and make any lines around your mouth more predominant. So keep your mouth in a natural position as if you are watching TV. Start by lining the “V” area on your top lip. Then work out towards the left and right side. Then line bottom lip by following its contour. Now look in the mirror — everything all even? This is when you want to correct any mistakes — you aren’t too far committed yet. If things look a little wonky, then use a q-tip and some make up remover to take away the areas that just aren’t right. Don’t rub back and forth or you’ll smear; use in a single direction.

    4. Apply Lipstick: A lot of people like to apply straight off the stick. I prefer to use a lip brush myself and recommend investing a little in a decent one; you can see more of what your doing and control the color better with a brush. So just pick up some color on your brush and apply to your lips. It’s easier to start in the middle of the top lip, work your way out, and then follow contour on the bottom.




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Sunday, September 27, 2009

Pretty Ponies: How to Get the Perfect Ponytail

    by guest blogger, Anne Houseman of Beauty Xpose'.

    Ah, the ponytail — a tried and true classic. But how do you keep this timeless ‘do from feeling too tired? Pony up! We’ve compiled five of our favorite ponytail hairdo looks sported by celebs and show you how to get the same results with minimal styling effort.

    1. The Cheerleader (Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale)

    Good for days you need a perky pick-me up (hangover help, anyone?). The perfect ‘do for dropping the digits in your real age.

    drew barrymore ponytailkate beckinsale

    catwalk root boost tigiTools/Products:

    Get the Look

    Before blow-drying hair, spritz volumizing root boost spray close to the scalp all over. Then dry hair in sections using a large round brush to create big waves. After hair is dry, gather the top section and pin back, leaving a small poof for volume. Gather the rest of the hair into a high ponytail. Grab a one to two inch section of hair and wrap around the base of the ponytail; secure with bobby pins underneath the tail. Finish with hairspray.

    Bonus Tip: For extra oomph in your pony, use Scünci’s Create the Perfect Pony tool; insert it in the middle of hair while creating the ponytail, and secure your elastic around it.

    2. The Sleek Siren (Debra Messing, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian)

    A look designed to stop ‘em dead in their tracks. The ultimate, polished updo.

    debra messingjennifer aniston ponytailkim kardashian

    Tools/Products:

    • kms hair play soft wax
    • Flat Iron (We love the Hana Elite)
    • Shine Serum
    • Molding Paste/Wax (KMS Hairplay Soft Wax works wonders)
    • Firm Hold Hairspray

    Get the Look

    Use a pea-sized amount of shine serum before blow-drying straight. After dry, run a dime-sized amount of shine serum over ends for additional shine (use less if you have fine, thin hair). Run flat iron over hair in two to three inch sections, root to tip.

    di manno python cuffSmooth on a small amount of molding wax over front section of hair, parting it to the side. Pull back into a low or mid-height ponytail, keeping her taut and close to the head. Spray on hairspray to smooth any flyaways.

    Bonus Tip: Hide the elastic for a chicer look. Try a leather ponytail cuff from Di Manno Designs, which come in a variety of options to suit your style (we love the python!).

    3. The Hot Mess (Carmen Electra, Blake Lively)

    A sexy look that screams “I naturally look this good every day; no effort required.” The perfect beach ponytail transformed into red carpet-ready locks.

    carmen elektraBlake Lively

    Tools/Products:

    • Curl-enhancing gel or mousse (We swear by Curly Sexy Hair Curl Power Spray Foam)
    • Texturizing spray (Try Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray)
    • Wax/molding paste
    • Bobby pins

    bumble and bumble surf sprayGet the Look

    Apply curl-enhancing product to wet hair, and “scrunch” in to distribute evenly. Blow dry with a diffuser, or let air dry. Spritz in texturizing spray and apply molding paste to create piecey look. Loosely pull back sides and pin back, leaving out strands framing the face. Gather the rest of the hair into a loose mid or low ponytail, and skew slightly to the side.

    Bonus Tip: For kinkier curls, put wet hair into a tight bun or a braid and air dry overnight.

    4. The Vamp (Eva Mendes, Carrie Underwood)

    These ponytails make you go “va-va-voom!” Classic, polished and whole lot of sex appeal. Create with a side or middle part for your own signature look.

    eva mendescarrie underwood side ponytail

    Tools/Products:

    • Large round brush
    • Root volumizer
    • Comb
    • Medium to strong hold hairspray (we adore Garnier Fructis Full Control Anti-Humidity Hairspray)

    Get the Look

    Garnier Full ControlJust like for “The Cheerleader,” begin by spritzing on volumizing root boost spray and drying hair in sections using a large round brush. Then, gently tease the hair at the top back of your head using a fine-tooth comb, and smooth the top over it, creating a high “bump.” Leaving the front section loose (either split in the middle like Eva, or side-swept like Carrie), pull the remaining hair back into a mid-height ponytail. After securing the elastic, gently pull it out slightly, and then tighten just by pulling the sides of the ponytail, to further boost your “bump.” Spray hairspray all over for hold.

    Bonus Tip: For a higher “bump,” try Bumpits. They work wonders!

    5. The Accessorizer (Paris Hilton, Debra Messing)

    Spice up that plain pony with a headband, flower, combs or other accessories. No rules, and no age limit for having fun with your ponytail.

    paris hilton headband ponytaildebra-messing2

    Tools/Products:

    • Hair elastics
    • Accessory of your choice
    • Finishing hair spray (flexible hold)

    Get the Look

    There are unlimited possibilities to creating an accessorized ponytail. For Paris’s look, simply gather hair back into a low ponytail (split slightly off-center), and add a headband. For Debra Messing’s flower pony, just pin in a flower clip to the side of the tail, hiding the elastic.

    moni poniBonus Tip: Kids have the ultimate fun with accessorizing their ponytails. Check out Moni Poni for a new twist on this old classic. They look fantastic and are easy to apply in no time at all!

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