Holiday Hair Tutorial

Christmas is almost here!  In celebrating and joining in on all of the festivities, I decided to play around a little to decide on what hairstyle I will be sporting to holiday parties and New Year's Eve!  I decided on a simple but unique style that is elegant, modern and most of all holds up all night!

This side pony braid is so easy to do!  It creates a fun holiday look in only a few steps.

1.  Part a deep side part and tease the top three layers of your hair, continuing with the crown of your head.

2.  Keeping the volume in the teased hair, brush and smooth out the top layer to eliminate any frizzy hair or knots that may have been created.

3.  Separate your hair into two sections at about mid ear and pull the top section of hair to one side a little below the top of the ear and secure with an elastic.

4.  Using the bottom section of the hair, braid a tight three strand braid all the way down and secure with a clear elastic.

5.  Wrap the braid around the top pony's elastic as many times until the elastic no longer shows, then secure with bobby pins.

6.  I chose to curl the remaining hair from the top pony, but feel free to leave it straight, curl it in, or whatever you'd like!

Video How-To:

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Bright White Cat Eye

Winter weather is finally here on the east coast!  Chilly winds, rain and a chance of snow have inspired me to create a wintry white cat eye!  Using just a few products, the eye appears much bigger and much brighter!

1.  Prime the lid and brow bone using any kind of eyeshadow primer.  I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

2.  Using a neutral colored eye shadow matching your skin tone, pack on the product using a large shader brush and apply all over lid, sweeping up to the brow bone and then dragging it down underneath the inner corner of your lower lash line.  I used Mac in Blanc Type.

3.  Using a medium shader brush apply a white shimmery shadow to the very inner corner of the lid then sweep along the inner corner of the eye dragging it out to where the bridge of the nose starts to form.  I used Mac in Nylon.

4.  Using a medium shader brush pack on a bronze shade to the outer lid.  I used Mac in All That Glitters.

5.  Line the water line with a white eyeliner from the inner to outer corner.  I used NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.

6.  Using a black liquid liner, line the upper lash line, creating a thick line, winging outward in the outer corner.  Connect the upper lash line with the lower lash line by dragging the liner down the lower lash line about half way through the eye.  I used Loreal Paris Felt Tip Liquid Liner.

7.  Finish it off with one coat of your favorite mascara!  Mine is Victoria's Secret VS Voluptuous Volume Mascara.

Finished product:

Video tutorial on this look:

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Fall Favorites

As fall wraps up and winter slowly rolls in, I wanted to do a recap on my favorite beauty finds for fall.  It's interesting how the colors and accessories change with each season.  Crimson red always makes a huge hit in the fall but then peony pink is right back in the second March 1st hits.  I personally love the change in seasons to mix up all the choices my closet and vanity holds!

5 Favorite Beauty Products
Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Light Plus
This product is a life saver!  I dust it on my forehead, cheeks and bridge of my nose for a finishing porcelain look.
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Cream Ivory
By far, my favorite foundation I've tried so far.  It provides a great amount of coverage while still blending flawlessly into the skin.
Sephora Attitude in Glamour 19
A great nude tone for any look.  I also like to blend it in with other lip colors.
Mac Eyeshadow in Sketch
This is the perfect crimson red for fall!  It's a warm, brick red with gold reflects that add a touch of shimmer.
NARS Duo in Tzarine
So, maybe I use this in all seasons besides just fall, but I cant help it!  It's the perfect smokey eye product.


Favorite Hair Product
Alterna Bamboo Smooth Kendi Oil
This product is perfect for keeping my blonde ends moisturized and prevent breakage.


Favorite Fall Nail Polish
Essie Trophy Wife
A rich, jewel tone emerald and turquoise mixed together.  


Favorite Fall Scent
VS Fantasies in Be Seduced
Nots of raspberry creme and sultry musk makes for a sexy fall scent.


Favorite Fall Accessories
Michael Kors Mid-sized Chronograph Gold Watch
My absolute fall essential.  It gives a touch of masculinity to tone down an ultra feminine outfit.  
Colin Stuart Riding Boot
A quick fix to complete any outfit for fall.  Goes with just about any outfit I'm wearing.

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Twilight Enthusiast

In the midst of this Fall season, one of the best love stories of all time has come to theaters. Bella Swan (now Cullen) officially walked down the aisle to wed her vampire fiance, Edward. As one of the most pivotal moments in the book and film, I wanted to recreate Bella's makeup that she wore in the wedding scenes. Bella is a very natural character, making it a quick and easy look by only using a few products.

 

1. Prime the eyelid using whatever primer you wish. I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance. 

 2. Pack on a light neutral shade all over the eyelid, brow bone and underneath the lower lash line. I used Mac Blanc Type. 

 3. Using a champagne hue shadow, apply product using a medium angled brush to the inner corners of the upper and lower lash lines. 

 4. Using a dark grey hue shadow, apply product to the outer corner of the upper lash line sweeping it into the crease. Only go about halfway of the crease on the lid, to make a more natural effect. *For steps 3 and 4 I used NARS duo in Tzarine. 

 5. Using a crimson red hue shadow, apply the product using a dome shaped brush to the outer corner crease. Make small circles blending the product into the dark grey color applied previously. I used Mac Sketch. 

 6. Using the remainder of the product on the dome shaped brush, drag along the lower lash line to define the area outside of the eye. 

 7. Using a small angled brush, combine the dark grey shadow with the crimson red, and run along the upper and lower lash lines. 

 8. Finish off the eye with one coat of mascara on the upper lashes. I used Victoria's Secret Voluptuous Volume Mascara. 

 9. For an extra detail to the look, dust a pale finishing powder across the forehead, cheeks, and nose for a porcelain look to the skin. 

 10. As for the lips, a little clear gloss will do. But I added a little bit of color combining a nude and pink lipstick, applying it to the center of the bottom lip. I used Sephora G19 and Revlon in Temptress.

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Spring Challenge!

With the spring weather just around the corner, I have proposed a challenge for myself and anyone else who wants to join in! A couple of weeks ago I had an epiphany; I noticed that every morning I wake up and spend about an hour pampering my face and hair. To some this is crazy that I spend this amount of time doing my make up and styling my hair, but I really enjoy it. It's a fun everyday task that starts my day off with a happy and positive energy. (As long as I'm having a good hair day!) So then I asked myself, "if I'm taking an hour out of my day to treat my face and hair like a temple, why not give the same treatment to my body?" Now, I know I'm not overweight or obese, but I definitely know that I am NOT in shape!

So the challenge....

I want to create and fulfill 3 goals for myself

1. Start eating healthier and in proportion to my body

Growing up with my mom has definitely been a lesson in eating whats healthy for me and indulging when I've had a bad day...and then also when I've had a good day. I was raised eating I Can't Believe it's Not Butter and drinking skim milk. As well as substituting any regular type of food or drink for the lowfat, nonfat, no sugar added and whatever other versions there are. And while in her house I ate whatever was in the fridge usually in the right amounts. Recently, it has seemed that I have created any excuse to indulge whether it was a good or bad day, and in large amounts. Instead of having a slice of pizza and some mixed fruit, I'll just have two slices. Or instead of having a burger and then some mixed veggies, I'll have a burger fries and a milkshake. So, I'm not saying I won't still eat my favorite foods. Because lets face it, to live in Manhattan and not try something new at least once a week (no matter the calorie intake) is just sinful. But, I am going to eat my favorites in moderation with other healthy meals and snacks.

2. Workout Plan

Living in New York City can sway my schedule to be a little more on the busy side. But that doesn't mean that I can't find just one hour a day, five days a week to treat my body the way it should be treated. So, five days a week for about an hour I am going to go to the gym and do a cardio workout for about 30 minutes, followed by some ab, leg and arm exercises.

3. Results

My long term goal in my spring challenge will be to see a difference in the way my clothes fit and my overall confidence in my body. I really don't view weight and size as a number. I feel that if your confidence level is high, you feel good about how you look, and you're comfortable in your clothes, then you are good to go! There is no doubt that I love the way I am, but I kno w that I can do better. I'm not going to say that I want to lose 10 pounds; because I don't want to lose 10 pounds! All I want to do is to tone up my jiggly spots!

So my spring challenge is set! Eating healthier and in proportion, treating my body better and feeling more comfy in my clothes!

Down With Love...and Kate Spade

If there was a fashion time period of which I would adore to be a part of, it would be the 60’s. The colors are bright, eccentric, and most of all powerful. Women of the sixties ventured out in the mini skirt designed by Mary Quant and left the poodle skirts at home. It was a daring time that took a youthful woman willing to take the next step for a fashion revolution.

Mini's even being used in a work day uniform.

Down With Love, a film centered around the 60’s brings out some of the most wonderful attributes the time has to offer.

With Fashion Week among us, it is no surprise that Kate Spade’s Fall 2011 RTW line is nothing short of extraordinary. Mixing punches of color with classical prints of plaid, check, and floral, leave me flourished with happiness and excitement. From neon tights to hot pink gloves, this collection is drawn from a classical time of powerful women on the search for beauty.

With love and color,
Charisse

A New Life with a Metro Card.

In a world filled with metro cards, skinny jeans, and blackberry’s; there is a comfort of knowing that all I have to do is step one foot out the door to feel right at home.  The city is full of high expectations, immense amounts of culture, and an unforgiveable impression that will last a lifetime.  I have found my days to be consumed with walking up and down avenues drowning with amazement of the different styles and fashions of Manhattan’s residents.  You can shop in SoHo with thousands of others, jump on the 6 train and walk up a few avenues and enter an entirely different world of peace and tranquility while strolling by the strawberry fields in Central Park. 

Three rules I’ve learned in my first week:

1.     Don’t apologize when your bag brushes up against someone in the sardine filled subway.---they will look at you like you are from planet Pluto.

2.     Carry cash on you at all times.  Whether it’s for an emergency cab ride or pretzel on the street.  You’ll wish you had it when you don’t.

3.     Make sure you stop every so often just to take in the fact that you live in the most fabulous place on earth.

It’s true what they say with every song ever written about New York.  Whether it’s the city that never sleeps or the concrete jungle where dreams are made of; it is filled with fascinating mysteries of people, places, museums, restaurants, shops, etc.  It’s truly never ending.  So I ask myself who do you want to be in this new found haven?  And to be perfectly honest, it is way to grand to choose just one.  My list will grow everyday I step outside.

Adventures of Exploration :)

Central Park Days of Winter