Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts

Are You Down With the New Ombre Hair Trend?




I don't think it's for me, but it really is so 80s-fantastic (think Terri Nunn, lead singer of Berlin) that I can't help but love it. Marie Robinson, celeb colorist at Sally Hershberger Downtown gives us some tips on making the trend work for you.

Who can pull this off?
Teens and young fashionistas are perfect for this! It is also great for anyone in the arts and music industry. (Notice she doesn't say anything about 30-somethings who live in the 'burbs - that totally rules me out!)

Who should avoid this look?
Although the extreme color is beautiful, it is also a little distracting. Anyone that works in a corporate environment should avoid the look. (And they should also avoid green nail polish, which is what I'm getting ready to use right now!)

How do you get this look?
If you want to go for natural tones, then just lighten your mid length and ends at least three shades lighter than your base. Then go back to your last two to three inches and lighten again. If you want to make it a funky color, have your hair professionally bleached and tone with any desired pure pigment shade such as Manic Panic Color. Apply shade at the bottom two to three inches and let it process. Then dilute the remaining color with water and using your fingers work it into the mid-shaft. (Ladies, please, if you want to bleach your hair and use Manic Panic, please find a professional to help you with that. It's not worth it to do it yourself if you want funky color. Please heed my advice on this one.)

Is it hard to maintain?
If you go for natural shades, the color looks better as it grows - so it's very little maintenance! If you use a pure pigment color such as Manic Panic it will need to be refreshed every couple of weeks.

What is New and Hot in the World of Beauty

Whether it’s a wireless device, or an app that does it all, we’re always on the search for the latest and greatest. Beauty companies, of course, are no different; they’re constantly researching and uncovering new ingredients, technologies, and innovations that keep our beauty routine on the cutting edge. It’s safe to say that in the not-so-far future we’ll be seeing refrigerated vanities, robot hair washing machines and smarter ingredients that work with your specific DNA, says Jeanine Recckio, beauty futurologist and trendcaster for Mirror, Mirror Inc. Curious about what will be happening next year and beyond? Here’s a sneak peek of top trends in the making:

Hot Ingredients: Keep an eye on growth factors, such as TGF beta, TNS and PSP. These super-peptides are gaining more momentum, because they stimulate cells to produce collagen. “I believe they are only going to get better than what we’re seeing right now, once we learn more information about the types that are good for skin,” says Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at University of Miami. Another one to watch: Astaxanthin, an antioxidant that’s up to 1000 times more potent than Vitamin E. It’s found in algae, has similar benefits to a retinoid, and in one study, decreased hyperpigmentation by more than 40%.

Feed Your Face: More beneficial food ingredients, like probotics found in supplements and yogurt, will make their way into skin creams and serums, says Mintel, a leading market research company . Probiotics--the “good” bacteria that stunt the growth of “bad” bacteria –have been touted for improving digestion and boosting immunity. Now it’s possible that when applied topically, the bacteria can help skin too. Look for these microbes in skincare to prevent breakouts, infections and conditions like eczema. And a few beauty companies are testing probiotics for anti-aging benefits, such as improving skin tone, firmness and collagen production. The science is new, and dermatologists believe more research is needed to make the link between probiotics and youthful skin, but you may see more “bacteria” ingredient anti-aging creams as early as next year.

Look for the Light: The do-it-yourself trend is still holding strong, especially as the economy forces women to look for ways to include spa-only treatments in their beauty routine, minus the hefty cost. Following on the success of handheld LED devices that zap pimples or remove unwanted hair, beauty companies are exploring similar light and heat technology for aging skin. The devices claim to improve skin tone or firm up wrinkles by stimulating collagen, much like the lasers or LED lights you’d find in a dermatologist’s office. While some have already been spotted on store shelves, there are even more in development, says Baumann. “The jury is still out on how well they work, but it looks promising,” she adds.

Wear It Well: Once only popular in Europe, caffeine-infused shapers and pantyhose are gaining steam in the US. Right now, “cosmetic clothing” is limited mostly to undergarments that target cellulite, but new technology in France is bottling the concept. The lotions can be applied to any article of clothing, and aren’t restricted to cellulite toning. Here’s how it works: Add one of the three lotions that each have a different benefit (moisturizing, toning cellulite or refreshing tired legs) into a load of wash. During the wash cycle, the fabric becomes coated with microcapsules that are wrapped in silicone. Once you put on the clothes, the silicone breaks down (from the friction created by the fabric touching your skin); the capsules open up and spread onto your skin, which absorbs them like any topical cream or lotion. The lotions are only available in Europe now, but keep an eye out for them to reach US shores in the near future.

Still Spending: Good news in a weak economy-beauty products continue to be a must-have, according to Mintel. In turn, “cosmetic companies are quickly responding to the needs of the recessionista,” states Taya Tomasello, senior analyst for Mintel Beauty Innovation. “Effective and affordable multi-use products and products offering convenience allow women to continue using their favorite brands, but at a reduced cost.” Companies are zeroing in on makeup and skincare with multiple benefits and performances. What you can expect: Anti-aging ingredients, like peptides and rare antioxidants, will be in everything from blush to shadows. Already debuted in the past few months, are peptide-infused undereye concealers, anti-aging shadows that minimize lines and mascaras that help lashes grow thicker and longer. More multi-use makeup will reach store shelves and beauty counters this fall and next year.

Thanks to BeautyPress.com for the information!

The Maxi Dress Trend: Are You In?

Once again, maxi dresses are the season's hot trends. You can't go into any store without seeing a good collection of them.

I'm conflicted about them. I want to love them, and they look amazingly comfortable, but I'm not sure that they really do anything for me.

Get ready to see a lot of them, though. They were all over the runways for the spring and resort collections, and Old Navy has them on sale right now for $20.

What say you? Will you be rocking the maxi dress trend this spring and summer?

Here are a few great articles on the maxi:

Photo by New York and Company. City Style Sleeveless Print Maxi Dress in Wild Poppy. $52.95

It's Back! Hurry! YSL's Pur Black

It's back! Yes, indeed. YSL's Pur Black is back in stock at the YSL website. If you missed it the first time, now is the time to get it. Remember, it's limited edition and has already sold out once.

Be sure to comment and let us know if you get it. I missed it last time, so I think I'm going to have to go for it.

Total Beauty Byte: Fall 2008 Makeup, Nail, and Hairstyle Trends


Fall 2008 Makeup, Nail and Hairstyle Trends

How to use products from brands like MAC and Bumble and bumble to replicate the hottest runway looks, from dark lips to sleek updos


This fall, the biggest trend in clothing is texture, from the smoothness of varnish to the multidimensional surface of tweed. Look for the same trends to appear in makeup and hair on celebrities and in magazine ads, giving you plenty of fun new options to try. Pick your favorites here and start experimenting.

Best trends

More Dark Lip Trends: YSL's Pur Black Gloss Available for Pre-Order

So, do you all think I'll be rocking the dark lips this fall? I think so. I am somewhat obsessed with this trend, which isn't surprising after all the corals, bronzes, and pinks that I've stockpiled over the past year or so. Not that I don't love them, but I am ready for a change.

YSL to the rescue. Pur Black Gloss is ready for pre-order only and is a limited edition. Get your wallets ready, ladies, because I guarantee that this won't last long. From the description:
From plum to ebony, it dresses lips in an infinite range of shades, depending on how it is applied – feather light or rich and bold. Transparent yet intense, it plays on the depths of black and the pure shine of a sparkle-free formula.


It is expected to ship on September 19, and you will be notified via email when it's ready to go. I expect to see pictures.

Featured on Beyond Beauty Basics!

I'm a featured contributor over at Beyond Beauty Basics! You all head on over there and read my article Dark Lipstick is the New Trend, But Is it Wearable? and tell me what you think! A Stumble is always appreciated as well!

Just Say No to the It Bag

An interesting article in the Charlotte newspaper today: Tim Gunn discusses the idea of why the "it" bag is a bad idea. To sum it all up, he tells us that we're better off sticking with classic pieces that will last a lifetime and staying on the lower end of "trend" bags.
I think this is sage advice. I have a LV bag that I was given when I was in high school, and it still looks as beautiful today as it did back in the late '80's. It was the standard sack-style bag that was popular back then with the LV logo on the outside. This was before the LV logo was put on absolutely everything, of course. But it is still a quiet, stylish statement. And it didn't cost nearly as much as a $4000 Chloe bag that no one will be carrying in two years.
I think I'd like to have a classic Chanel or perhaps even a Gucci. I can see spending a fair amount of money on something that I will use for many years. I can't see spending tons on a bag that will be out of style before I even get it paid off.
Maybe a Prada. Yes, I think a classic Prada would fit the bill perfectly.

Read the article here.

NARS Cosmetics Spring 2010

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About Me

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Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is the founder of online lifestyle websites RetrodivasBeauty.com and RetrodivasCloset.com. She is also known as @retrodiva on Twitter. She specializes in drinking large amounts of espresso, shopping, and enjoying social media. In all of her free time she writes for StyleBakeryMom.com twice a week, and does various other freelance gigs involving writing, designing, and generally being awesome. While she believes that success is indeed a job in New York, she currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, two children, and two cats and has hung on to her day job.

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