Braids and cornrows are easily some of the most popular ways for African woman to wear their hair. They require little maintenance and they offer a variety of versatility to a woman’s look. Braids also allow the hair to recover from rigorous products and chemicals in order to keep in silky and manageable. Both cornrows and braids are quite simple to do. Braids feature taking three sections of the hair and laying one on top of the other until the braid reaches its end. Cornrows are more complex because they braided tightly into the crown of the head to create a variety of patterns or sections. The following list represents the most common braids and cornrows to help you decide which look will work best for you.

1) Straight Braid

This braid is also known as the Bob Marley. It works great on thick and unruly hair because of the texture. There are many ways to do this braid such as creating many thick braids starting at the crown. You can also put in micro braids that look more like locks of hair then braids themselves.

2) Ghana Weaving

These braids are also ideal for coarse hair because these are very tight braids that will not damage the hair. Synthetic hair is often used with this braid in order to add more personality to the look.

3) Pick and Drop Braids

This intricate style can take many hours to finish. However, it is one braid that lasts a much longer time compared to other styles. This is one of the most popular looks because it is comfortable and durable.

4) Unisex Braids

Kinky braids are ideal for both men and women. They are made with original kinky braids or other hair pieces. Cornrows are also a viable option for a classic look.

5) Basket Weaving

These braids have been made popular by Alicia Keys. There is no need for a hairpiece in these style, but they can be used.

In conclusion, any of these braids, weaves or cornrow styles will transform your look from boring to sassy. In order to prepare your hair, you will want to make sure that it has been washed with a deep conditioner. Also remember not to use a heavy hair cream because this will cause and itchy and flaky scalp. You should never leave a braid in for more then two months. Any longer then this will cause the hair to break. At night, you should wrap a satin scarf around your head to avoid any frizziness.

Most hair schools will give you training in hair braiding. Go here to find out how to get started in hair school.

The cat eye makeup trend is one of those classic looks that always seems to find its way back into the spotlight. Magazines and red carpets are known for celebrities pulling off the cat eye, which is also known as winged eyeliner. It’s bold and sassy, and it’s even easy to do at home.

You’ve probably wondered at one time or another if you were wearing too much makeup. The cakey, clumped, overdone look is never hot, so by drawing attention to one area of your face and leaving the rest of the face au naturale, you can draw attention to your best attributes without overdoing your look. The cat eyes highlight your eyes, and allow for the rest of your face to remain nude. You could try using softer hues of lipstick and blush to spice up the look, while still allowing the eyes to be the main feature.

To add some pizzazz to the traditional cat eye—a look that uses black or another solid shade of eyeliner to highlight the entire eye and extending slightly outward—try adding some color. Eyeshades like bright metallics can highlight your eyes and really make your eyes pop. Teal works well for this purpose too, and it looks fabulous with blue, green or brown eyes.

You might want to play around with the winged eyeliner look by doing a double flick. This particular look occurs when you extend both the top and bottom liner out to the sides without touching one another.

Not all eyeliners are created equal. In fact, some clump to your eyelashes, peel off or wear off quickly. If you’re wondering which eyeliners work the best, we have a few suggestions for you. MAC Penultimate Eyeliner has an ideal formula that goes on smoothly. Additionally, the brush is just the right size to make a bold statement with your eyeliner. Another felt tip eyeliner is Dior Liquid Eyeliner, which lasts long, produces a thin and precise line. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner does what its name states, last a long time. The gel formula goes on like a liquid eyeliner; however, applying it is much easier. It doesn’t crease or smear, so your cat eye will be beautiful, bold and smooth.

Top 6 Spring Makeup Trends – TheBeautyElixir.com

So for the last few weeks I’ve been buying pops of color pieces to add to my spring wardrobe and a couple of colors my eyes have been drawn too are orange & teal. No matter what I’m buying those two colors seem to end up at the register rather it be clothes or jewelry. So they have been my inspiration for some makeup looks I will be rocking this Spring. Here’s a few looks sure to turn heads:

Wet and Wild: A Test-Drive of Spring’s Most Daring Hair – MakeUp.com

I’m always bemoaning how high-maintenance my hair has become since I stopped wearing it in its natural state—curly—and became an obsessive-compulsive flat-iron user. It’s at the point where my locks have the hair equivalent of hot flashes, going limp at the mere sight of any object heated to 300 degrees. My hair is tired, and so am I.

L’Oreal Introduces New Global Hair Research Center – DailyGlow.com

The cosmetics company inaugurated its new $137 million center in Paris featuring a research and innovation program dedicated to all things hair. Every day is a hair day at L’Oreal’s new research center in Saint Ouen, Paris. The L’Oreal Research Centre is the head of six regional centers around the world (including the Europe-focused center in Saint Ouen), the cosmetics company announced on Wednesday. The center’s research and innovation programs will be dedicated to hair care including shampoos, conditioners, stylers, perms, smoothing, and straightening.

Looking for information in order to help you begin training for a career in cosmetology, esthetics and skin care, nail technology, massage therapy or hair care? BeautySchool.com has all of the top cosmetology schools for you to pick from.

In these days and times, every woman is looking for a little bit of relaxation and bath bombs seem to be a common choice to unwind after a hard day’s work. At the same time, the price of the best bath bombs can be up to twenty dollars for a single ball. For many women, this is simply not within their budget and they either choose to go without out or settle for inferior products that don’t have the same calming and soothing effect as their higher-priced counterparts. However, the truth is that quality bath bombs can be made at home with only a little bit of effort and the results will be twice as sweet for a woman who knows that she has saved money and can enjoy the most relaxing bath possible.

The first step for a woman that wants to make her own bath bombs is to assemble the necessary ingredients. The basic components of a bath bomb are mostly household items and can be found at the majority of grocery stores. Baking soda, witch hazel and standard food coloring will need to be purchased, as well as citric acid. If citric acid cannot be found from a local supplier, there are several Internet companies that will deliver a five pound quantity that will make countless bath bombs and will probably last the whole year, all for less than the price of one store-bought bomb. The remaining ingredients depend on personal preference, but should include a fragrant oil as well as a favorite herb. The tricky part may be in making a mold, but rubber ice molds are a great purchase that will last a long time without needing to be replaced.

To start, two parts of the baking soda will need to be combined with one part of citric acid. The amount depends on how many bath bombs a person wants to make, but it is a good idea to make a large batch and then have them for many months in advance. After the citric acid and baking soda are well blended, the coloring and witch hazel can be added and more mixing should incorporate these elements as well as the fragrant oil of choice. When the witch hazel is added in short sprays, the mixture will start to harden. The mixture should be stirred as the witch hazel and any other herbal components are added and then quickly transferred to the molds. After three to four hours, the bath bombs will be dry and ready for use.

The secret to making quality bath bombs is to choose the right fragrance and herbal components. A combination of lavender essence and thyme is a common choice, but some women may prefer more intricate combinations. Another option is to use a peppermint oil and then add dried mint leaves that will bring a freshness and powerful aroma to the bath. In spending just a few hours in making a batch of bath bombs, a woman can be set for the year, with a product that is much better and much cheaper than those that are purchased in stores.

Get your daily dose of fashion and beauty tips with DailyMakeover.com. Find expert beauty advice, hairstyle ideas and try out your new look with the virtualmakeovertool.

It would be easy to make a case that braids never actually disappeared from the radar screen of hair trends over the past 50 years, but it is quite clear to see that they have recently made a resurgence. The variation of braids worn by public icons has run the gamut from neon weaves to naturally messy and wild creations, of which no two are alike.

After being spotted on the likes of Nicole Richie, Eva Longoria and Kim Kardashian, it is clear that the messy and wild side braid is currently the hottest trend in the North American fashion world. Here are a few reasons that a messy side braid might be the perfect new look for you.

Separate Yourself from the Pack

While it may seem silly to suggest that someone should follow the latest trend in order to separate themselves from the pack, the truth is that many women lack the gusto and confidence to rock this messy side braid look. Whether it is a result of a conservative approach or a job environment where co-workers would scoff, the vast majority of women choose to enjoy the latest trends by witnessing them on others as opposed to embracing it themselves. Go boldly in the direction of individuality in upcoming weeks with the messy side braid. Fortune favors the bold.

Get the Attention of Adventurous Peeps

Much like the male peacock spreads it wonderful array of feathers in an attempt at gaining the attention of the most coveted mate, side braids can be worn at bars and clubs in order to garner the attention of potential mates. Only those with an appetite for adventure and uniqueness will be drawn toward a woman rocking a side braid, and only the most confident and charismatic people will be comfortable approaching her. In short, you can scare off the riff-raff and lure in the Mr. Rights.

An In-Home Cosmetology Lesson

Creating a look such as the messy side braid involves a handful of steps, but you will become more familiar with your hair and how to manipulate it throughout the process. It begins with a light coat of spritzer or wax spray on a deep side part, which can be volume-ized with a quick blow dry while the hair is still damp with product. Next, divide the section of hair into three or four parts and simply weave them together, making sure not to be too delicate or consistent with your technique. A personal touch can be put on the entire braid and the loose hair below it by teasing or curling, which creates the signature look of messiness and confident disregard for detail.

If you are interested in a creative beauty career in which the possibilities for advancement are endless – a hair career may be perfect for you. And choosing one of the many reputable hair design schools to get your education is the first step!

Spring is here and with it comes warm weather, a little rain and a lot of color! While color is a sign that nature is gearing up for change, color can also help to update and modernized our look as well. As spring approaches, some women will want to complete their seasonal style transformation with a new and exciting hair color or stylish hair cut. If you’re wondering how you can infuse the spirit of spring into your day-to-day style, go bold with a brightly colored tress. Or, if bold colors aren’t your style, try muted tones of silvery blond or gray. Either way, you’ll be on trend and ready for spring!

Go Gray
One of the biggest hairstyling trends that has carried over into 2012 is color. Interestingly enough, the color for the day is gray. Whether you are young or a little more mature, gray is the “it” color of the moment. Gray tresses have been popping up all over fashion magazines and runways – proving that gray is not just for the Bing Hall anymore. Hollywood starlets like Katy Perry and Kelly Osbourne have been spotted sporting the Geriatric Couture hair colors. While Katy Perry is currently sporting an electric blue tress, she has been known to accent her baby blue locks with silvery blond highlights. Kelly Osbourne, on the other hand, is probably best known for her all-over blue-gray tress.

Get Some Color
Last year, one of the hottest trends in hair was ombre color blocking. The ombre trend was huge because it can be applied in a variety of color applications and works for women of all ages. One of the easiest ways to incorporate the ombre trend in your hair color is with darker roots and lighter tips. Several celebrities are sporting this look including model Kate Moss, actress Diana Argon, and television personality Kloe Kardashian. This trend works well with blonds or brunettes and involves blending darker-toned roots with honey, brown and blond ends. If you are looking to jazz up your ombre color, try adding a hint of vanilla blond to your tress or a bold, bright color.

Color isn’t just for blonds or brunettes, redheads can certainly get in on the fun too! This spring, redheads should think about turning up their color. Celebrities redheads like Christina Hendricks and Emma Stone have put redheads back on the map with their intensely rich shades of red. If you are really bold, opt for rainbow styling and try a shade of reddish/pink or a ombre design using red tones.

Go To New Lengths
One of the biggest hair trends for spring are short hairstyles. The pixie cut and the bob are back with a vengeance and have been revamped for 2012. Try a modern bob that is accented with color and textured with waves or curls. Or, leave your short style straight and slick it back with a styling gel for a carefree wet look. Australian actress Rachel Taylor and English actress Keira Knightley have both been spotted sporting this trend.

If you have a medium length tress, talk to your stylist about pinning your hair under for a faux bob without the commitment of cutting your hair. While short styles are on trend, women with long locks may want to take advantage of their length with elegant and messy updos that give the illusion of shorter locks. Add fun hair accessories like feathers, clips and necklaces to take your updo from fun to fantastic!

If you are looking for a start into the fashion trending industry, finding a beauty school or cosmetology school might be the best idea.

As the calendar prepares to turn to spring and the fruit begins to ripen on the vines, women all over the globe have been awaiting the next hot lip color that was to be revealed as the temperatures start to heat up. To the surprise of many, designers threw the fashion world a giant curveball in recent weeks as starlets and runway queens like Kim Kardashian have been spotted entirely devoid of lipstick altogether. Indeed, nude lips are going to be seen by the masses in the coming months.

The “nude lips” trend has exploded onto the International fashion scene and has been openly embraced by many of the most important figures in the industry. The look certainly conjures up mental associations of nakedness and purity that drive men absolutely wild, but there is a bit more to the experimentation with de-emphasizing the face’s most striking natural feature.

Companies have began to realize that keeping lips pure and often coated in nothing more than a thin layer of gloss is an excellent way to establish a sense of purity, innocence and even an angelic status in their models. While this can obviously garner attention and create visceral reactions in some, it also creates an immediate opportunity for a striking and visually memorable contrast with the wardrobe or with makeup applied to other areas of the face.

In recent years, the obsession with enhancing the look of the eyes through eyeliners and other tricks has taken on a life all its own, and it now reaches so far as to dominate the typical designer and makeup artist’s approach to creating a look. Many artists are choosing to keep the lips a natural color so that they can absolutely go wild with colors and designs surrounding the eyes without making a smooth and beautiful face look like an overly cluttered painting.

As is the case in the fashion world, trends move quicker than chartered jets from Milan to New York City.

Labels from Derick Lam to Tommy Hilfiger have already hopped on the nude-lipped train and are ready to ride it for as long as the public embraces the refreshing trend. The Hilfiger team recently trotted out a model to display their Spring 2012 collections that was adorned in only a clear gloss and light blush coupled with a swinging ponytail, and their minimalist approach was met with acclaim for hitting its mark in displaying the raw power of natural beauty unleashed.

Thousands of women that exist on the very cutting edge of style have already holstered their tiny red cylinders for the time being, anxious to embrace their natural roots and show the world their unaltered smiles within the context of being fashionable and trendy.

The next event in the fashion chain of evolution will be for manufactures to release a slew of products that are designed to enhance the look, shine and perhaps shape of your lips without using anything more than clear gloss.

If you are looking for a start into the fashion trending industry, finding a beauty school or hair school might be the best idea.

For those looking to embrace that “Bingo Hall” look, FunkyMacGirl Shows you how to go Lilac/Gray a la Lady Gaga, Kelly Osbourne and Pink.

With wavy hair, subtle nude lips, and dramatic eyes, Lana Del Rey is a vision of ethereal beauty. Her beautiful look has become the fantasy of both men and women. As an American singer and songwriter, Lana Del Rey enthralls audiences with her unique voice and stunning appearances. Her music video, “Video Game,” has received over 30 million hits on YouTube. She is poised to become the next hottest pop star in America.

Del Rey has already made her debut on the cover of the world’s leading fashion magazine Vogue. She will be appearing on the March 2012 cover of British Vogue. It is no wonder why the fashion mogul magazine chose to feature Lana Del Rey on its cover. Her lovely hair filled with bouncy curls is the look of the moment. Look at any fashion runway, and you will see models who have a similar look. Women on city streets try to emulate this look with big curling irons and hot rollers.

Lana Del Rey Hair

If you want to add this touch of Hollywood Glamour to your look, you can achieve it too. The easiest way to get this look with bouncy curls is by using curling tongs that have a large barrel. Curling tongs are not like a traditional curling iron. Curling tons differ, because they do not have a clasp on them. This allows you to achieve a more natural curled look in your hair. No “dents” will be noticeable in your hair with this type of curling tool.

After curling one-inch sections of your hair with curling tongs, the next step is to brush lightly through your hair once or twice. Do not completely brush through all of your curls. Rather, only touch a brush lightly to the curls that you have created. This will give you a softer and more feminine look akin to Lana Del Ray’s look.

Lana Del Rey Natural Make-up

The ethereal beauty of Lana Del Rey is not complete without some natural makeup, of course. You can achieve this look as well. In addition to making your look more feminine with soft and bouncy curls, you can also achieve a feminine look through your makeup. Simply use black eyeliner to create a defined eye. Creating a “smoky eye” look is the easiest way to emulate Lana Del Rey‘s beauty. Simply cover your lid with gray or charcoal shadow. Smudge eyeliner on the edges of your eyelids. This will give you a sexy and seductive look. For the lips, you can use either a nude lip-gloss or red lipstick. If you are feeling more daring, then go for the red lipstick. If you like a more innocent look, then choose the nude lip-gloss.

The look is then perfected with a touch of coral powder on the cheekbones. Adding a touch of blush to your cheekbones will make you look like an angel. You may even be mistaken for Lana Del Rey the next time you are out and about!

Lana Del Rey continues to inspire millions with her music and her unbelievably gorgeous sense of fashion.

O.P.I. is taking the perfect polish to a whole new meaning with its Axxium Soak-Off Gel Lacquer. Now you can have over 40 of your favorite O.P.I. colors, and have the color last up to 3 weeks with no chipping, no smudging and no color fading.

Unlike regular nail polish, Axxium is a gel based nail polish painted onto the natural nails with a brush, followed by drying under a UV lamp. The whole application process can take around an hour, because the nails have to be placed under the UV light after each coat is applied: base coat, two color coats and a top coat. Voted by Allure for a Breakthrough Award, Axxium’s benefits include the color lasting longer, the polish being dried before leaving the salon and the gel having the capability of being applied onto your natural nail bed.

The negatives? The negatives to the Axxium polish are the gel polish has to be soaked off (usually at a salon which can cost extra), the Axxium manicure is more expensive than a regular manicure and some of the nail bed growth will show.

New to many salons, O.P.I.’s  Soak-Off Gel Lacquer has made it easy to achieve natural nails, with a long lasting polish, in the colors we love. Make sure to get your practice with it in nail technician school.