The perfect dress is nothing without the perfect wedding hairstyle to complement it. Your hair is basically an accessory that you must plan for accordingly, so you look and feel beautiful on that special day. You can make sure you look amazing and feel confident by heeding a few suggestions.

Prioritize Your Pre-Bridal Appointment
Your pre-bridal appointment is a crucial step in preparing you to walk down the aisle. People think that it’s only for the hairstylist to practice, but it’s just as important for you to see the hairstyle in action and tweak what you do or don’t like. Ask your stylist for advice regarding which hairstyles will look best based on the neckline and other aspects of your dress. You’ll also want to inquire about how long you should grow your hair because longer doesn’t necessarily mean better. After your stylist finishes your hair, you can decide whether you like it or not. Even if you aren’t fond of it, you still learn what not to do for your wedding. Remember to bring all of your hairpieces and accessories with you.

Get Real
If you expect to bring in a picture of your favorite celebrity’s tresses and leave the salon looking exactly like her, you’ll probably be in for a little disappointment. Her style cost her thousands of dollars and may have taken all day. Not to mention, her look may have used extensions and other added features that your budget may not allow for. Instead, pick pictures as inspiration and allow for some flexibility based on your own hair’s thickness, length and texture.

To Wash or Not to Wash
You’ve probably been told not to wash your hair before you style it because it holds curls and other styles better, and this is true for most people – to a point. The natural oils in your hair can help to maintain a healthy shine and keep your hair in place, so you shouldn’t wash your hair right before your wedding. Instead, wash it the night before. Note: You’ll still want to consult your hairstylist for exact washing instructions in case you have hair that is prone to oil buildup.

Weather Isn’t Always Your Fair-weather Friend
Make sure you take into consideration the weather when you’re planning. If you’re not going to get married in your area, you may want to do some research. You’ll want to know what the average humidity is because curls and low-flowing styles don’t withstand high humidity well, especially if you’re having an outdoor ceremony.

Trending This Year
Each year brings new trends for wedding hairstyles. Updos are still very much in style, but nontraditional, softer looks are what’s in this year. For 2012, many hairdos are starting at the nape of the neck for a more laidback look. It’s not all about bejeweled tiaras and diamond-studded barrettes anymore. Many brides are opting for real flowers give their hair a fresh and whimsical look. You may opt for silk flowers, as well.

Leave the Crewnecks in Your Dresser
The absolute No. 1 tip for having great hair the day of your wedding is to wear a zip-up hoodie or a button-up blouse when you go to get your hair done on your wedding day. You don’t want to mess up your wedding hairstyle when you remove your tight shirt over top of your head.

• Salicylic acid — Sounds like a dangerous substance, but salicylic acid can play a key role in your skin’s health. Salicylic acid helps wash away dead skin cells which gives your skin a healthy glow. Look for salicylic acid in skincare products such as face wash. Or, smooth Pepto Bismol on your face. Yep, you heard us right. The stomach-soother contains a gentle form of salicylic acid that can make your tummy feel better and your face glow!
• Cinnamon oil — Angelina has genes to thank for her prized pout, but with the help of some cinnamon oil you can now have fuller lips, too! When applied to your lips, spicy cinnamon oil increases blood flow which causes the lips to swell temporarily. Apply a little bit with your lip gloss and enjoy a sexy smile!
• Exfoliaters — Stars have beautiful, flawless skin because they have make-up artists, amazing products, a ton of airbrushing, and they know to exfoliate. A lot. While most of those things probably won’t be available to you, you can easily (and cheaply!) exfoliate. All you need is a good loofah and products that can scrub away dead skill. Look for body wash and face wash that have little “scrubbers” or “beads.” Or make your own sugar scrub by mixing brown sugar, a little bit of olive oil and scented massage oil. Remember it’s not only important to clean your skin but to wash away the dead stuff as well.
• Dryer sheets — You probably didn’t know a secret beauty product was hiding in your laundry room, huh? Dryer sheets can quickly tame hair fly-a-ways. Just smooth over your hair and watch the static electricity and unruly hairs disappear. An added bonus—your hair will smell extra fresh!
• Homemade blemish repair — Got a pesky blemish? Many celebrity make-up artists recommend looking for the remedy in the kitchen. Dry it out by mixing a packet of dry yeast with the juice of half a lemon and pat over the blemish. Leave it one for about five minutes to reduce swelling and redness.

See our original post on five inexpensive Hollywood beauty tricks.

As you are preparing for the 2011 holiday party season, don’t forget the little details that bring together an outfit – like your nail polish. There are many possibilities of designs to both match and accentuate your holiday fashion.

Get in the Spirit with Holiday Colors
There are a lot of holiday nail colors associated with Christmas that you can use to add some festival cheer to your attire. Red is the obvious go-to, but also consider some other possibilities, like rich greens, gold, blues or silvers. If your holiday party schedule is a little more on the funky side (rather than, say, work functions), get playful with your nail polish execution. Have one color on the nails of the left hand and another color on the right or alternate from several different colors with all your nails.

Go Glitter
Adding a glitter polish either on its own or on top of a layer of color polish can really jazz up your look. Whether the glitter you choose is silver or gold or some other bright-colored glitter, your hands are sure to attract attention as you mingle among guests at parties this holiday season.

Dressing Up Artificial Nails
If your own natural nails are short, chipped or otherwise nothing to write home about, you can still have fun this holiday season. As a holiday treat for yourself, plan to go to a nail salon to have artificial or gel nails placed on your hands. You can ask the nail artist to take an impression of your cuticle shape so you can easily switch between designs for different holiday parties.

Embrace Holiday Nail Art
Want to get really into the holiday spirit? Nail art takes basic nail polish to a whole new level, creating everything from interesting designs to full out holiday scenes right on your nails. It may be easiest on those who have longer nails – either natural or acrylic – but don’t be afraid to experiment! A tiny Santa or presents on each fingernail? Go crazy! What about snowflake nails like the one in this tutorial? Perfect not just for the holiday season but for spicing up your whole winter wardrobe.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your holiday nail style is all your own. Even if you are not normally the artsy type, it doesn’t require a lot of work to dress up your nails at the same time you are dressing up the rest of the you. Think of your nails as an empty canvas just waiting for your own personal expression. With all of the comments that you are sure to get and the fun you are bound to have, you won’t regret having lived it up a bit.

The holiday season is officially in full swing and that can only mean one thing: holiday parties! We know, looking fab at all off those functions can seem overwhelming but don’t worry, we are here to help. We have compiled some of the best styles out there so you will be ready to hit every party looking your best.

Likely you’ll be hitting up a company Christmas party. Just about every company throws one, and it’s the best opportunity to show off your feistier side. For any company soiree you will be better off sticking to a knee-length number which a little sheerness in the sleeves, but don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to boring black. Go for red or green to jazz things up – just try to steer clear of any major cleavage when you’re hanging lose with your coworkers.

What if you’re going to meet the in-laws for the first time or maybe just attending a party with the family? Either way, you want to look your best, and a tea-length frock with a square-cut or asymmetrical neckline in your favorite festive color will help you do just that. Pair it off with a piece of statement jewelry and your favorite cardigan, and even your more conservative grandma will be squealing with delight!

Okay, so you have got the company dinner down and dinner with the ‘rents, but what about that night out on the town with the gals? A shimmery long sleeve tunic dress, paired with your favorite booties and opaque tights, will keep you toasty warm and comfy, while getting some much needed girl time with your pals. And you can trade the booties and tights for a bare leg and some peep toe pumps for when the girls decide they would rather dance the night away.

Sequins are so much fun that they should be an everyday staple, and the holiday season is the perfect time to bring out that sequined cocktail dress you have been storing in the back of your closet. Pair it off with some platform heels, a matching clutch, and you will have a look that is worthy of ringing in the new year.

The holiday season is the one time a year when you don’t have to worry about playing it safe when it comes to fashion. And no matter what kind of gala you are attending, these ideas for holiday party dresses will have you looking your absolute best. Top it off with a fun-loving attitude and a beautiful smile, and you will be the center of attention wherever you end up.

Like most women, you probably have invested in a number of pricey skin care products that aim to help women achieve healthy, clear skin. But have you ever stopped to think about how your makeup might be affecting the quality of your skin? If you are still using makeup from the last decade, you could be contaminating your skin. A recent study performed on British women revealed most women continue using their old makeup well past the product’s expiration date. Furthermore, the study also revealed that 89% of women were unaware of the fact that their makeup has an expiration date, although in many cases it is not listed clearly on the product.

While most women understand the risk of sleeping in makeup (although 81% of us regularly do so), few actually understand the implications that can arise from using expired makeup. Old make-up can cause a host of skin problems including skin infections, acne, sties and peri-oral dermatitis, a condition that causes the development of rash-like red bumps. If you are one of the 60% of women who shares their old makeup with friends, you are not only exposing yourself to harmful bacteria, but also exposing your friends as well.

Considering the staggering cost of most makeup, it is understandable why many of us, 68% to be exact, only replace make-up once it runs out, opposed to when the product expires. So the next time you get ready to apply that year-old mascara and eyeliner, think again. If you’ve been using old makeup, check out some of our recommendations for proper makeup usage and disposal.

Eye Makeup
Of all makeup items, mascara is the one you will need to replace regularly. According to the study, most women kept their mascara for a year, even though it should be replaced every two to three months. Mascara can breed icky bacteria that can lead to eye irritation, conjunctivitis and sties. While most women keep their powdered eye shadow for 180 months, it should be replaced each year. Cream-based eye shadows can grow bacteria more quickly than powders and should be replaced every 6 months. Liquid or pencil eyeliners should be replaced four times a year.

Foundation and Concealers
The study of British women also revealed that women tended to keep their concealer for two years, even though it should be replaced every 12 months. Generally, powder and stick concealers can last up to a year, while liquid concealers, which are more prone to breed bacteria, should be tossed after 6-12 months. If you buy your foundation in bulk, don’t worry. Unopened foundation can last for a few years.

Storage and Cleaning
Unfortunately, most of us store our makeup and makeup brushed in our moisture-rich bathrooms. You can extend the life of your favorite products by storing them in a dry, dark place. If you find you have frequent acne breakouts, you might be one of the 72% of women who never wash their make-up sponges or brushes. Be sure to wash these items regularly and you will surely see a difference in your skin.

Courtesy ElizaPeyton via Flickr.

There are a lot of sexy Halloween costumes out there for the ladies of the world – everything from sexy pirate to sexy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. But if you’ve got a taste for unique Halloween costumes, then we’ve got a brand-new kind of site for you.

TakeBackHalloween.org is solely dedicated toward costume ideas for women who want something different than the traditional sexy fill-in-the-blank model that has taken over.  It’s not a store – it’s better. It’s a resource guide directing you to all kinds of women from across the globe and throughout history who would make fantastic and unique Halloween costumes that will cause a stir.  They tell you about the woman and then give you quick and easy ways to collect the pieces you need for the costume.

Joan of Arc courtesy of dbking via Flickr

Searching the site is simple, too, because all of their costumes are divided up into four fantastic categories.

Glamour Grrls: Sure, there’s Marilyn, but what about other old school glamour divas? This section provides how-tos on transforming yourself into everyone from Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly to Diana Ross and Anna May Wong.

Goddesses and Legends: Taken from all sorts of cultural backgrounds, you can find costume directions for Hawaiian goddess Pele, Sumerian goddess Inanna, and Ghana earth goddess Asase Yaa, in addition to traditional favorites like Isis and Athena.

Queen Victoria courtesy of Biblioarchias via Flickr

Notable Women: This section is dedicated to women who made an impact on the world – for better or (as in the case of female ax murderer Lizzie Borden) for worse.  Imagine rocking it out as Joan of Arc or scientific visionary Ada Lovelace.

Queens: Almost every gal has thought about being queen for the day, so why not do it on Halloween by being a real-life queen? Make a statement with dressing up as African queen Nzinga; Jezebel, Queen of Israel; or the famous Queen Victoria.

Break out of the box this year with unique Halloween costumes that shake things up and celebrate fabulous women of all different types and backgrounds.

So Halloween is just around the corner, but you’ve got no idea what you’re going to be, right? Well relax, because these ’90s-inspired Halloween costumes will not only bring back some childhood nostalgia, but they’ll be the envy of the party as you’ll repeatedly hear, “Ahh, I should have thought of that!”

Used courtesy of SitcomsOnline.com

Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell

That’s right, Bayside High School’s most popular and mischievous student could be just the ’90s Halloween costume you’re looking for. The only thing better would be for you to get your friends to dress up and complete the whole SBTB crew: Lisa, Slater, Jessie, Kelly and Screech.

Things you’ll need:

• Blonde streaked hair – spray dye it if you need to
• Early ’90s neon colors and Nike pumps
• Acid-washed jeans
• Early model cell phone – this piece is essential for the part, as these original cell phones have been dawned the Zack Morris phones by Generation X

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Alllrigghhty then! Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the completely wacky, animal-obsessed pet detective graced our screens and our hearts in the mid-90s. He was making us LOL before anybody even knew what that meant. This homemade Halloween costume is sure to impress and get quite a few laughs along the way. Better yet, it’s pretty easy to pull off.

Things you’ll need:

• Lots of hair moose
• A ridiculous Hawaiian shirt
• White tank top
• Striped pants tucked into boots
• Tutu – for real authentication (if you can find one)

Used courtesy of SitcomsOnline.com

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will Smith was the epitome of cool back in the ’90s. Maybe it was the attitude, maybe it was the charm, or maybe it was the fresh threads (yes, pun totally intended) that made guys want to emulate him. Whatever it was, turning that style into a unique Halloween costume is sure enough to get a few good laughs and “that’s awesomes” at any party you attend.

Things you’ll need:

• Get that hair block-topped (just not as high as Kid from Kid N Play)
• Starter jacket windbreaker
• Pants/shirt with neon prints
• Bright-colored hat (preferably neon as well)
• Walkman tape/CD player
• Serious Nike pumps or related kicks

Vanilla Ice

It still boggles the mind to wonder how Vanilla Ice ever got so cool (no pun intended), but he did. Even more boggling is how he went from hero to zero so quickly. Anyways, his rise and drastic fall from fame in the ’90s now gives you a great idea for a Halloween costume.

Things you’ll need:

• Oversized clothes like parachute pants and a windbreaker (preferably sparkly)
• Bling on your neck and on your fingers
• Earrings
• Ridiculous greaser inspired hair with a blonde streak
• Tennis shoes
• Microphone
• And (if you’re really wanting to fit the part) shaved marks on the side of your head and in your eyebrow

Used courtesy of SitcomsOnline.com

My So-Called Life cast

My So-Called Life was one of the first gutsy teen dramas to explore the trials of growing up as a teen in the ’90s. Starring a very young Claire Danes and Jared Leto, My So-Called Life only lasted one season, but its effect and popularity still resonates today. Plus, it helps that it just recently go put on Netflix instant stream – so, it’s kind of a big deal again. Some tips for this homemade Halloween group costume:

Things you’ll need:

• Flannel and lots of flannel. Seriously, if you think you’ve got too much flannel, grab some more because you probably don’t have enough.
• Tights (for girls)
• Overalls
• Red hair dye (for those going as Angela a.k.a. Claire Danes)
• Baggy jeans with holes
• Basically every piece of quintessential ’90s garb you can think of

Cher from Clueless

Is flannel not really your style? Try a different ’90s style by dressing up as plucky shopaholic Cher from Clueless, the 1995 teen comedy that brought Jane Austen’s classic Emma into the modern age. Bonus? It made Paul Rudd and his adorable grin a breakout star, and it’s a Halloween costume that doesn’t require much effort.

Things you’ll need:

• Short skirt with a high waist, preferably in a pleated, school-girl type of fashion
• Slightly cropped top
• Clunky platform heels
• Barrettes or headbands for the hair
• Remember to keep the colors bright and happy - no grungy sighs here

Quailman from Doug

Do, do, do, do-do … well, it’s hard to sing the cartoon’s theme song via typing, but Doug was a huge hit back in the ’90s. Today, college kids and recent grads can bring back the awesomeness of Doug’s alter ego and comic book superhero Quailman for Halloween.

Things you’ll need:

• Belt on your head
• Red bath towel
• Green sweater vest with a red ‘Q’ stitched on
• Tan shorts with white underwear over them
• Grey converse shoes

What do you think? Ready to stand out from the crowd with these ’90s-inspired Halloween costumes?

Courtesy of binababy123 via Flickr

Going to a costume party this Halloween? If so, chances are you have some accessories to spice up your costume – maybe a witch’s hat, crazy jewelry or some festive makeup. If fun Halloween makeup is in your costume plans, you might want to read some of our tips before you go hitting the glittery eyes for that awesome Ke$ha costume you’re planning.

While glitter can add instant glitz and glam, it can also cause eye injuries, discomfort and infections if not used correctly. Big chunks of glitter that fall into the eye can scratch the cornea and leave your eyes bloodshot. Unless you’re going for monster or zombie makeup, you probably don’t want that.

Here are a few Halloween makeup tips on how to have glittery, yet pain-free, eyes:

• Never use glitter that isn’t intended to be makeup! Don’t think you can sprinkle craft store glitter on your eyelids. It is often cut in bigger chunks and made out of metal which could scratch your cornea or irritate your eye.
• Before you pile on a bunch of glitter, test it out on your skin. Does it irritate your skin? Does it fall easily into your eyes? Make sure you know before you wear it all night.
• Is it a loose glitter or liquid? If it’s a glittery “goo” that has to be applied with a brush or stick, it’s better to put on your eyelids than “loose” glitter. Loose glitter will fly into your eyes and irritate you – or worse, scratch your eyes.
• Read the instructions! If it says, “not intended for use around the eyes” or “avoid eye area,” don’t put it on your eyes! Some glitter is made to brush on your cheeks but not meant for eyes. Stick to the directions.
• Apply the glitter over a layer of liquid or cream eye shadow. If glitter has a “sticky” base to hold on to, it’s less likely to fall into your eyes throughout the night. A bonus is you can make some cool colors combinations!

Enchanting, sparkly eyes can really add to your magical Halloween costume. The trick is using the right kind of glitter and applying it correctly so your Halloween makeup looks beautiful from start to finish.

Deidra Rains, Rains Foto

Freedom, Art, Respect, Community, Unity
By Guest Blogger: Valerie Reed

A night of hair, makeup and fashion? Yes! FARCU (Freedom, Art, Respect, Community, Unity) is brining all of those and more for this one-night event. On September 30th, at the Beaumont Club in Kansas City, come see local hair and makeup artists showcase their passion and talent on the runway!

The stylists include Mitsu Sato Salon, Jason Finney of Xenon, Shannon Layton of Shannon’s Place, Kristi Darby of Pigment Pie, Jen Thomas of Last Tangle, Sharlene Henthorne of Inner Hippie, Jami Hamilton Jewelry Designs, Artistic Beauty, and more!

Aside from all the glitz and glam of the runway creative show, live, digital art, and a visual arts gallery will also be showcased, along with an Art of Culture Influence lecture.

Need more reasons?
• Network with salon owners and fellow cosmetologists
• Surround yourself with inspirations and opportunities to learn from seasoned stylists
• Encouragement to continue in your studies and to grow as an artist

If this sounds like the event you have been waiting for, contact Valerie Reed at vkreed@gmail.com for tickets. Tickets are just $10, however, one lucky reader will receive two free tickets.

How To Win Free Tickets

Leave a comment to this blog answering the following question:

Why did you choose to enter the field of cosmetology and what are your goals?

New to FARCU? Here is what you need to know:
Started by Angela Luttrell, is a haven for artists of all kinds; cosmetologists, musicians, stylists, designers, writers, painters, photographers, the list goes on and on.  Founded with a belief of strengthening the Kansas City arts community, it has done just that. Through events and networking, FARCU has become an artist-marketing tool.
“Our goal is to provide awareness of art and how it has made an impact in our past, present, and future cultures. Within the awareness we strengthen each arts community.” – Angela Luttrell
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