Carrie Underwood has a naturally glam appearance that wows, but does not over power. No one looks at her and feels like they are being ambushed, they see only simple grace that can keep up with the most glamorous of the glam. How can you get the Carrie Underwood look without a make-up artist and stylist? It is not as hard as it may sound if you follow a few simple tips.

First, let the neckline determine the hairstyle. A key person in the Underwood camp notes that generally, when Carrie wears a strapless top or dress she wears her hair down. An example is the pretty strapless number worn at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Carries soft curls were pinned to fall over one shoulder and it worked perfectly. By contrast, an up do is perfect for a higher neck or halter.

Eyes are where it’s all at. Carrie’s eyes pop with the smoky eye look. This look can easily be replicated with dark liner, volume adding mascara, and properly applied shadow. Cover the lid from eye to crease with a medium shade of the chosen color, the do a darker shade at the base of the lid and a lighter shade in the crease to easily replicate Carrie’s most glam eye look.

As for the rest of her face, it seems that a variety of bronzers and highlighters give her face that fresh, glowing look. A light bronzer on check bones topped with a dewy blush will work for everyday, and remember that the best way to get that glow is healthy skin. Eat right and drink plenty of water to give yourself a head start.

Lips are kept natural but not nude. If you go overboard they will compete with the eyes, but if you leave them alone they will blend in and disappear. Try a liner one shade darker than your natural lip color, and fill in with a clear or softly tinted gloss. For a mat look, fill in lips with the liner and move on.

Carrie’s look is both glamorous and timeless. In today’s over done world, it is a breath of fresh air and one that is well worth learning to replicate.

s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Are you interested in attending beauty school? If you’ve answered “yes,” then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re already a self-proclaimed expert with the subject, or you’re a complete newbie, there are a few tips you should know prior to even filling out a beauty school application. These tips will even help you to look better as well.

1. Learn to Match Foundation Properly
Foundation is a makeup that many women can’t live without, and many women can’t apply correctly. When someone botches their foundation, it ruins their whole entire look. Unless a woman is one of the few to be born with naturally flawless skin, then you’ll need to keep this in mind when you work with clients. At one time, the rule was to match the foundation with the person’s jaw line; however, this rule is quite outdated and has proven not to be true. With a proper skin care regimen of washing your face twice daily and exfoliation each day, the tone of your skin will fade. In other words, your face tends to be a little lighter than the rest of your body, so you should always match foundation with your collarbone. Remember to avoid translucent powder, because it makes skin look dry and gives it a dusty appearance.

2. Love Bright Lip Shades
This makeup trend takes a little time to get used to, but try it one day, and you’ll understand why it is so important. Use a shade like coral that matches both warm or cool skin tones. Fuchsia works well also, but try a sheer stain, so the color isn’t overwhelming. Remember, learning to love bright colors will help you understand the power that these shades have. They’re flirty, fun and fresh, so what’s not to love? Plus, almost anyone can pull this look off.

3. Messy Eyeliner
The straight lines that circle exactly around the eye are so last year. The stuffy look is definitely out! Instead, you should smear, smudge and blend eyeliner to form soft lines around the eye. Used in combination with eye shadow and a cotton swab, you can make a sexy, smoky eye that never goes out of style. Perfect is overdone, and a less than perfect appearance has become the new “black.”

Jennifer Aniston is a hair goddess. Whether she’s donning subtle brown lowlights or lovely blonde highlights, her hair always looks fabulous. Other celebs, like Adele, have a unique hair color that is to die for. With her auburn, rich color, Adele stands out from the crowd. You too can care for your hair color so that your hair retains its rich color and looks great without having to go to one of the top hair schools. With these five tips, you too will become a hair goddess like Jennifer Aniston with vibrant locks.

1. Stay Away from Harsh Shampoo and Conditioning Products

Listen to your hair stylist on this one. Paying a few extra bucks for a salon brand of shampoo and conditioning products can go a long way in making hair color shine rather than fade. Special shampoo and conditioning products for hair color have chemicals that prevent the oxidation of hair follicles. These products even have sunscreen within them to prevent the fading of hair color.

2. Invest in Protective Conditioner

You should also add a few minutes to your daily hair regimen by using a protective conditioner. A protective conditioner strengthens and moisturizes hair. If you fail to use a leave-in conditioner, then you risk having dried out hair. Colored hair breaks when it is not properly moisturized. Avoid damaged hair by purchasing a high-quality leave-in conditioner. Apply the conditioner in the shower and leave it in for twenty to thirty minutes. Your hair will be noticeably smoother after you rinse out the conditioner.

3. Purchase Clarifying Shampoo

In addition to your regular shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner, be sure to add a clarifying shampoo to your hair regimen. Purchase a clarifying shampoo and use it only once or twice a month. Clarifying shampoo will get rid of all of the built up minerals in your hair, such as iron. Iron can cause oxidation to occur in your hair, meaning that the color fades. Use clarifying shampoo to keep hair vibrant in color.

4. Avoid Heat

Using heat on one’s colored hair can cause hair to lighten. If you have a beautifully rich hair color like Adele’s auburn locks, then you do not want the color to lighten. Avoid heat styling as much as possible. To get a look with curls or waves, simply try using mousse and rollers.

5. Keep Hair Away from Chlorine

Avoid chlorine as much as possible. Chlorine can also cause oxidation in your hair and will result in a drab color on your locks.

Follow these five simple tips for maintaining hair color that looks great all the time.

DFree / Shutterstock.com

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.