How to Brighten Teeth with Red Lipstick

How to Brighten Teeth with Red Lipstick

Lip Color 101 for Teeth Brightening

Did you know that you can make your teeth appear whiter simply by using the right shade of lipstick?

Red lipstick that has blue undertones, like cherry red, will help to offset the appearance of yellow teeth. Who knew that all you need is the right lip color?

Try your hand at a variety of shades to find your perfect match. If you're already a lipstick queen, another way to brighten teeth is by using an at-home system to whiten your teeth. When looking for a formula, find one that has gentle and effective ingredients. If possible, talk to your dentist about other options to whiten your teeth. 

How to Apply Face Toner Properly

How to Apply Face Toner Properly

To spritz or not to spritz, that is the question.

There are a number of ways to apply facial toner after cleansing; however, the best method to give your skin a super clean feeling is by using a cotton ball, pad or cloth to distribute product. I used to be a spritzer girl in the past, mind you, but I learned the following skincare secret and never looked back...

While misting the skin may be fun, cooling and convenient for a hydration spray [which is a completely different product all together] toning is an important step in your skincare regimen, and products designed for its job deserve a fair chance to work. 

It's important to know that toners are designed to wipe away residue leftover after washing your face. Things like chemicals, salts and chlorines from tap water can still reside on your skin and dehydrate it. By only spritzing your toner, and not wiping it off, you will not remove all of the residue.

That's why it's crucial to apply toner with a cotton ball, pad, or cloth. Always use a product formulated for your skin type. Follow up with an eye cream, antioxidant serum, moisturizer with sun protection and a hydration spray whenever your skin could use some light refreshment throughout the day.

What toner do you use? How do you feel about swiping toner versus spritzing it?

Gaucho Pants: Hot or Not?

Gaucho Pants: Hot or Not?

Today, I decided to rock long black and beige patterned gaucho pants with a black scarf, shirt and flats.

Scarf and Shirt by H&M; Pants by Urban Outfitters; Shoes by J Crew

What do you think? Comment Below if you think this look is HOT or NOT.

How to Dye Your Hair Darker: A Color Guide

How to Dye Your Hair Darker: A Color Guide

Dark hair is striking, there's no denying it. Sure, I may be a little biased being that I'm a natural brunette, but I think I would envy dark haired girls even if I had a different shade. Dark hair reflects the light beautifully. It looks stunning in ringlets and sleek after a flat iron. If you want to go brown or black with your hair color, the following guide should help steer you in the right direction.

If you have a light skin tone stick to dark neutral shades that sit on the deep brown spectrum. Going black may be too severe for what you're going for; however, it definitely is a look. Celebrities like Katy Perry and Dita Von Teese have very light skin and wear black hair. The right shade of dark brown may be just what need, though. Think of celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and  Kristen Stewart.

Medium skin tones look striking warm browns and black, ala the photo of Megan Fox above. Celebrities like Salma Hayek and Sofia Vergara show us beautiful shades of brown and black that look undeniably sexy on olive or caramel colored skin. Reddish black tones sometimes bring out yellow in this skin tone, so opt instead for a neutral or cool shade at the same level.

If you're blessed with beautiful dark skin then you can't go wrong with any dark shade of black or brown. The only color to avoid is blue-black, which can make the skin appear slightly greenish.

Dying your hair is a fun way to instantly perk up your look. If you've done highlights already, and you're looking for a change that will have heads turning, darkening your locks is a great option. For the best results, consult with a professional first. They can steer you in the right direction if you're still not completely certain. Dying hair at home is a less expensive route toward getting the color you want without spending too much money; however, keep in mind that a bad dye job could lead to an even more expensive color correction if you don't get it right! 

Goss Makeup Artist

Goss Makeup Artist

Recently I was surfing YouTube for makeup tutorials and I came upon UK based makeup artist Wayne Goss. After watching his videos on contouring and using concealer, I'm officially hooked!

I think that anyone who loves beauty and makeup should subscribe to his channel for honest opinions, flawless tutorials and great advice.

Get My Look: Wedding Hair & Makeup

Get My Look: Wedding Hair & Makeup

Hey Beauty Lovers! You helped me to choose bridesmaid hair for my brother's wedding, and now I have the first photo of how it came out.

This was the photo you chose from the original four:

For the makeup I used:

• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain - I LOVE this product. It goes on light, but has an impressive amount of coverage. There is no overwhelming fragrance, and a little amount goes a long way. I find this color to melt seamlessly into my skin. (Check out Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer)

• RMS Beauty Concealer (For a tip on applying concealer) I can't live without this product. If I had to choose just one makeup product to take with me, then this would be it. I love the consistency, the easy application, and the extreme breathability this makeup has. I have nothing bad to say about this concealer. It's perfect!

• Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Check out why it's my favorite!

• Smashbox Blush - This color ("Radiance") is fierce! It shows up without having to swipe the brush multiple times over the compact. But don't be afraid, you can easily tone down too much blush by blotting your cheeks with a tissue or adding some setting powder over it.

• Nars Lipgloss - I was so impressed with these glosses the first time I tried them that I had to buy two! This hot pink color "Angelika" is great for a retro vibe or a Katy Perry kind of pop of color. They last; they go on smooth; and the colors look the same on your lips as they do in the bottle. The one issue I had with this gloss was it's long-term consistency, as it tends to get a bit sticky after a while.

• MAC mascara - Clump-free, Precise, No smudges or flaking. What else could a girl possibly want in a mascara? A great wand, and a neat application. This is one of my most recent favorite mascaras. As a girl with dark undereye circles, I can't stand mascaras that flake off and leave debris under my eyes. With this mascara I had none of that nonsense, and someone even asked if I had applied false lashes to my lower lid!

• Jane Iredale Pencil Eyeliner - This dark brown liner is a standard beauty staple in my regimen. I really like the way Jane Iredale makeup goes on and this product is especially creamy and smooth. Be sure to sharpen your makeup pencils regularly, as it keeps them primed and ready to go, and it's the only way to sanitize them.

• Ardell Lash Clusters... lots of them! (Check out my before and after photos with false lashes!) You can find these at CVS, Walgreens, and even some grocery stores.

What do you guys think of my bridesmaid makeup and hair?

Zim's Max-Freeze for Pain Relief

Zim's Max-Freeze for Pain Relief

Pain free is the way to be. 

As a busy beauty writer and eyebrow artist, it's no surprise that my neck and upper back muscles are often tired and sore. When I was sent Zim's Max-Freeze Gel and Zim's Max-Freeze Roll On, I couldn't wait to give them a try. Both went on smoothly and left behind a cooling sensation that eased the tense feeling in my neck, shoulders and back. I would recommend the roll-on version for those who want an easier application without having to wash your hands, since you just roll it onto the necessary muscles and joints that need some cooling therapy and go about your day. The tube has to be applied by hand and then you must wash your hands thoroughly after. Both worked very well to soothe and cool, and they retail for just $9.99.

Natural ingredients:

• Menthol
• Aloe
• Arnica
• Vitamin E
• Tea Tree Oil

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Are you a cosmetologist who gets neck and back pain? Share your tips and tricks below.