My Everyday Look & Hair in Under 10 Minutes!

The look is simple and understated, the products are minimal, and the final look is perfect for the fall/winter months.

Whether it's school or work most of us have somewhere we have to be before 9:00 in the morning. And if you're anything like me you'd rather not waste those precious sleeping moments waking up twenty minutes early to put on a full face of makeup. Most of us have a signature look or an everyday routine that keeps us looking fresh and fabulous, but without killing the clock.

Since I am a makeup junkie (and darn proud of it! haha), I often switch up this signature look somewhat frequently. However, the products and final look that I outline below I've been sporting for over two weeks now; certainly a record for me in recent times! I made sure I gave you plenty of options to achieve this look! Lucky enough, most of my favorite products are under $15!

Face:
First, I put on Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer, SPF 30 and work that on my face. This is a tinted moisturizer and it's just enough coverage to make me feel comfortable and confident. The color is light and moisturizer is hydrating. I love the subtle shimmer effect. Don't worry, your face does not look like a glittery mess, I promise! 
Next I use large powder brush and sweep Revlon's PhotoReady Powder over my face. I love this light formula and easy application. After these two steps my face feels covered, but not heavy. Most days I skip the concealer, but for crazy dark circles or blemish days I use Sonia Kashuk's Hidden Agenda Concealer Set (this can also double as an eye primer).

Eyes:
For my eyes I begin with Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Next I use the earth tones from the NYX's 10 Color Palette in Secret World. About a month or so ago when I first got this palette I put a tutorial up here. Check that out for my exact eyeshadow application.The colors are fabulous and concentrated!
 If I'm really under a time crunch, I will sweep the 2nd to lightest shade across my lid and then work the darkest color onto my out corner; from there just Blend, Blend, Blend! *Slight warning - these colors do have a bit of glitter in them, if you want to opt out of that try MAC's Leopard Luxe Eye Shadow Quad. It's a similar color palette. In my opinion though NYX offers more bang for your buck. To finish my eyes I add a black eyeliner to my water line (the one I reach for a lot is L'oreal's Pencil Perfect Eyeliner).  To finish my look I coat on my absolute FAVORITE MASCARA to date, Maybelline's The Falsies Volum'Express Mascara. And that's it for your peepers!

3. Cheeks
Lately, I've been reaching for Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse Blush in Peach Satin or NARS' Powder Blush Cheek Color in Deep Throat. I love the mousse blush because it's light and gives just enough pigment, plus the super easy application is a definite plus. I only own the mousse in Peach Satin (I do need to try another color!), but I'm absolutely in love with this shade! I have been also reaching for NARS' shade in Deep Throat. It has the subtle quality that I really enjoy from NARS' Orgasm, but without the shimmery effect. It also is a bit richer in color, which I like for the fall and winter months. And the best thing about these two products? They really do last all day!

4. Lips
The combination I've been loving and that I shouted out & showed in my Fall Favorites & Disappointments Video is NYX's Pumpkin Pie Lipstick & Lip Gloss 129 in Beige. Absolutely gorgeous! I suggest heading over to your local cosmetics store or NYX.com to check out their glosses and lipsticks. I find that their glosses are not sticky and look beautiful over their super creamy and rich lipsticks. NYX is probably one of my favorite brands for lip products. if you're more of a MAC girl, I'd suggest checking out Myth; but that's a little more matte than NYX's Pumpkin Pie Lipstick. I love keeping my lips subtle, but put together for my everyday look.





Hair: Braids! Braids! Braids!

Braids take a messy mop on top of your head and transform it into a style you wouldn't be embarrassed to leave the house with.

For a super quick hairstyle in the morning I pick one of the three:
The Lauren Conrad Braid
The Double Lauren Conrad Braid
The Fishtail Braid

And that's it! That's all you need to achieve my Everyday Look!


Thanks for reading!
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Mad Men Hairstyles!

1. Peggy

This season Peggy begins to rock some serious volume with her 60's style. To begin, make sure you use a quality volumizing shampoo and conditioner, like for example Matrix Amplify's Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner Duo. Next blow dry your hair upside down and use a large (2in or more) round brush and split hair up sections. If you want to feel extra mod, try using the the The Marilyn Tuxedo Pro Round Brushes 2-1/2". This large brush will help to create the flip to the ends of the hair as well as create some volume at the crown of your head. If your hair is a bit fine naturally, make sure you set this look with some hairspray. And let's be honest, it's not really a vintage style without some Aqua Net Extra Super Hold Hairspray!


2. Joan

This style is the easiest to translate from mod to modern without straying too far from the original concept. With wet hair use a volumizing mousse, like Big Sexy Hair Humidity Resistant Volumizing Spray Mousse and then set your hair with XL rollers. You can find a set like Conair's Extreme Heat Jumbo and Super Jumbo-Sized Rollers for under $30! You want to keep them in for about 25 minutes. Once you take them out tease your crown a bit with a small comb, then twist it back into an understated updo. Your curls will help this process and keep your hair looking full. Use some bobby pins to hold this look in place. I recommend having fun with the bobby pins and use colored or accented ones (try Multi-Color String of Flowers Bobby Pins for example). Add a bit of Rusk Wired Flexible Styling Creme  to help your bangs stay swept to the side and you're good to go!

3. Betty

Betty style consists of controlled curls. You can go with a 1 or 1/2 inch curling iron like Conair Satin Finish 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron or a set of a set of hot rollers in a variety of sizes like Helen of Troy- Hot Tools Hot Roller Hairsetter- 20 Hair Rollers in 3 Sizes. I'd stick with the small and medium sizes. First, spray your whole head with a curl activator spray like TRESemme's. Next use the curlers to curl your hair to right below your ears. After about 20 minutes release the curls and pin them under. Make sure to pay attention to and play with the hair framing your face to maintain that soft polished wave. Set your look with Sexy Hair Concepts Big Sexy Hair Big Shine Spray and you've mastered Betty's subtle, but sultry retro 'do!

And there you have it -- go from 2010 to 1962 in less than 30 minutes!

Thanks for reading!
Want to tweet with me? Follow me @Makeup_Chic
Want to watch me chat? Check out My YouTube Channel

Recreate Three Fall 2010 Hair Trends With ONLY A Few Must-Haves!

Fall 2010 is buzzing with a variety of trends and styles that can work with all hair types and lifestyles. To me, the best part about these hairstyles are their simplicity. With under ten items, most of which you already have at home, you can achieve these three easy chic looks.

Must-Haves:

1. Blow Dryer

• Any type will really do, however if you're not going to use it often I suggest sticking with a tried and true brand at an affordable price. Test out Bedhead's Ionic Pink Hair Dryer for $29.99! It has a five star rating on Ulta.com and promises to "fight the frizz and give massive shine to your hair."

2.  Small/ 1" Curling Iron

• There are a ton of varieties and brands to choose from. If you don't already own a curling iron with a relatively small barrel, I suggest trying out Conair's Satin Smooth 1" Curling Iron for $17.99. This is a ceramic/non stick curling iron that will keep your hair smooth. It also heats up in 30 seconds; a definite plus for the girl on the go.

3.  Volume Styling Mousse

• Most girls with fine hair already have a few bottles of these stashed away. Even if you do have full bodied hair, a volume mousse will streamline your already luscious locks. I really like TRESemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse for $4.74. This light weight formula packs a huge punch! It also helps to give your hair that much needed lift, but without leaving your tresses at all greasy.

4. Heat Protection Spray

• It's so important to be kind to your hair, and adding heat is not so kind. However, you can avoid most major damage by first using a heat protection spray. There are a lot of different kinds out there to choose from. I've been loving Pantene Fine Hair Heat Protection & Shine Spray for $7.15. I really like using this because it is tailored to my hair type. They have a few different choices, so that you too can purchase the correct heat spray for your hair type.

5.  Hairspray

• Most great hair styles end with a bit of it, so I'm sure no one is shocked that it has made my list. Some people shy away from hairsprays because they feel that the spray makes their hair too hard, and it looks more like a helmet than a "moving piece of art" (I heard that line somewhere to describe fabulous hair). Dove's Extra Hold Hairspray for $4.62 may change your mind. This formula keeps my hair extremely soft and bouncy, while helping me to maintain the style that I'm going for.

6/7. Bobby-Pins & Ponytail Holders

• At the very least I'm sure you have these two items lying around your bathroom. Any brand will do, however try to stick with ponytail holders that do not have a metal band. This band will tug and damage/rip your hair. If you're looking for a new brand, try out Scunci No Damage Elastics for $3.69; they are affordable and comfortable.

If you have none of these items (of which I totally doubt! C'mon, bobby-pins?!) and decide to go with my recommendations, you could create the three styles that I outline below AND so many others for UNDER $70! And I'm sure with coupons and a few sales, you could easily lower that price!

Onto the Fall 2010 Hairstyle Trends...

From Fendi to Dior to Nina Ricci designers are showing retro motifs. One of the many styles was inspired by stylist Conrad Dornan and his team at the Dior fall show. To the right is the runway variety of the style, however you can tone this down and simplify for everyday styling. These 30's inspired waves can be easily copied with just a few tools.

• Begin sectioning your hair and applying the mousse. You want your hair a bit dirty, so that it'll better hold the curls. 
• First, use a heat protection spray.
• Use a small curling iron and begin making tighter curls at the bottom and then gradually looser curls as you work your way up. The tight curls on the bottom will support the looser curls around your crown.
• Once finished....brush. I know this seems terrifying and I wouldn't recommend using an actual hair brush. Use your fingers to "brush" out the curls.
• Tease your hair a bit to create extra volume if you so wish and use bobby-pins if necessary.

The second look that caught my eye, that I know you gals will love, is the Simple Sexy Ponytail! It's an updated version of that 50's feel!

• Use a heat protectant and volumizing mousse to first give your hair a great blow out.
• Use hairspray to tame down any fly-aways and begin to brush your hair back. The hairspray will also add a nice shine to your hair.
• Begin gathering your hair into the ponytail right below the crown. If you'd like, tease a portion of crown for added height and then secure it with a ponytail holder.
• Take a small section of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the holder. This will recreate a polished look.

And the last of my three favorites is the simple 70's straight and chic. This look creates bounce, sophistication, and can be worn for a variety of occasions.

• After you've added volumizing mousse and heat protectant, begin blow drying your hair with your head flipped over.
• Once your hair is almost dry, use a large roll brush (or even a paddle brush) and concentrate on your crown by breaking it up into five sections.
• Sparingly use some hair spray to tame fly-aways and add a little extra shine.

You should be left with an easy straight style full of bounce. You may need to run a straightening iron through your hair (not the crown of course), if you have extremely curly hair. However, I think this look would look just as beautiful with a bit of curl. I'm not one to go with the center part, but this fall I'm going to try!


And there you have it! What to buy and how to create Three Easy Retro-Inspired Fall 2010 Hair Trends!

Have fun!

If you'd like to see some of Fall Makeup Trends, click here!
If you'd like to read about some of the Fall Makeup Trends (and how to affordably recreate them) right here on my blog, click!