Key Tips For Getting The Ultimate Messy Bun

Messy Buns. They are total life savers, aren't they? While everyone has their own take on what a messy bun should look like, I have compiled the vital tips needed to pull of the look in a chic, flawless and effortless kind of way. Although the hairstyle is definitely messy, you need to tweak it just right to ensure that you're pulling off the look exactly how you should be. You want to look effortless, and not like you just crawled out of bed. Here are the essential tips that you need to know to throwing your hair up into a ball of messy style.

You Need Texture
The first thing that you need for your messy hairstyle is texture. Products are perfect for adding in a little something-something to your hair prior to throwing it up into a flawless look. Choose a texturizing cream or spray and lightly run this through your hair with your fingers before starting your messy bun.

Forget the Brush
Now, you don't want to completely stop brushing your hair because then you would have a tangle of bird's nests in your hair and that simply isn't chic nor is it adorable. However, you can definitely forget about the brush and comb when you are physically pulling your hair back up and into the bun. Brushing it up will keep the hair too straight and perfect. Remember, this is a messy bun! Instead, use your fingers to pull your hair back and allow it to be a little out of place throughout the style.

Tease in The Mess
Teasing your ponytail prior to putting it into a bun is the key! It will keep your look effortless as opposed to ballerina-perfect. Teasing your ponytail will also enhance the volume and texture of the overall hairstyle.

Play With Twists
Messy buns are messy, but they also have to be chic. Explore the different looks that you can get from twisting your strands into this direction, and that direction, or tucking it here, or there. It all has to do with the way you fold your hair and secure it with an elastic, so twirl, flip and tuck your hair up, in and around to see what you like best.

Keep Your Hair Dirty
Yup! We said it. Dirty hair is perfect for messy buns as they hold in the hairstyle much better. While you never want to actually go out with dirty hair, second day hair is usually perfect for this look. However, if you find that your hair is still too greasy for public, take advantage of the possibilities that come with dry shampoo! Talk about a life saver.

Those are the only tips that you truly need to throwing your hair up into a flawless messy bun! Don't underestimate the effortlessness of this look.

Photo Credit: http://www.thehairazor.com/tag/messy-bun-hairstyles

Trendy Swimming Suits For Every Body Type

When you're walking around or lounging at the beach or pool half naked, you want to know without a second guess that you look pretty freaking good. That is exactly why it is important to know the perfect fit and style for your unique body type.

You don't have to have a specific body type to look good. Remember the mantra, we all come in different shapes and sizes. It's about finding the right style and design that complements your body and gives you maximum comfort, mentally and physically, while in your suit.

So lets find the suit that suits your body type!

Petite but busty

Do you sport a small frame but find that your golden globes should probably be an asset to a much larger person? Find a swim suit that offers support and coverage. Remember, its cool to show off what you got, but the last thing you want is to topple out.

Normal sized babe with big bust

If you find that your bust is your biggest asset but also your most troublesome, find a swimsuit with an underwire to help perk you up and keep your goodies in check. I also highly suggest a halter top swim suit.

Petite everywhere

Lucky you. Perfectly proportioned top to bottom. Are you looking to add some shape? Think ruffles for the top and pair that with cute cheeky bottoms. 

Soft tummy

Not everyone should sport a six pack. I find a soft tummy quite feminine (think Marilyn Monroe!). If you find that you have a little bit of a tummy and don't feel quite as comfortable in a bikini, opt for a cute one piece swim suit that features ruching. Today, there are a variety of cute one piece swim suits. 

For those of you who are looking for a slimming effect, find a fabric that provides built-in control panels. A cute option is Calvin Klein's Solid Shirred One Piece.

Fab abs and just a bit sporty

Do you have a nice middle with a sporty figure? Try out a rash guard to emphasize your toned physique! I absolutely love these new crop rashgaurds that are coming out. It's a touch of sporty, sexy and confidence. If it weren't for that darn tan lines I'd sport this at the beach all the time!

Baby got back

Have you been blessed with a luscious rump? Please don't hide it! Take advantage of your *ahem* bootyliciousness and find some bottoms that give you good support while still showing off your goods. I'm thinking cute boy shorts or hipsters. They call attention to your cut rump while still keeping it in the right place. Feeling daring with your booty? Dare to bare with a Brazilian style bottom! EEK!!! You are so confident!

Miss curvy and confident

Embrace your beautiful curves. To help emphasize your curves, think string bikini bottoms to help elongate your legs and bring attention to your beautiful curves below, and opt for a supportive bikini top.

For every type of body, make sure that whatever you choose that you are comfortable being in it. Be comfortable with what you are putting on and be comfortable while moving around in it. The ultimate goal is to be able to enjoy yourself. If you are spending your entire time worrying whether you look good or whether you're going to show a little bit more than you intended, the day is wasted. 

2014 Spring Hair Trends

If you are loving florals and feminine style for this spring season, then you are totally going to love the 2014 hair trends because they are just as chic and adorable. Oh, and it also helps that they can easily be pulled out! A flawless look that is fairly effortless? The perfect combination, right ladies? Here are the top 2014 hair trends that are perfect for kicking off this spring season with!

Messy Updos
Is there anything more effortless than a messy updo? The 2014 hair trends have really focused on a wind-swept appeal within the hairstyles. Whether you are putting your hair up into a pony tail or bun, make sure to leave the brush down and lift it up into a messy updo. Leave a couple pieces hanging down and let it be a little messy. You'll be pulling off this trend perfectly. Teasing your hair goes a long way with this look!

Double Textures
You usually pick a hairstyle that is either straight or curly,  but very rarely a combination of the two. However, it is different this season. Mix up your textures to get a runway look. Keep your roots straight and throw in a blast of curls at the bottom, or simply throw in some texture spray to bring in a little something-something.

Thick and Wild Braids
Braids are one thing that seems to always be in season, and this spring and the entire 2014 hair trends are all about the thick and wild braids. It's that messy look all over again. Keep your hair loose and let hairs stick out and pull in odd directions to achieve this hairstyle. You can braid your hair and then pull at it in different sections to ensure that the messy look is accentuated. Another idea is to crunch your hair prior to braiding.

Gold Accessories
Hair accessories aren't always popular, but they definitely are for this year. However, leave the scrunchies hidden and the plastic barrettes for the little kids. This season is accentuating gold accessories and accents for your hair. There are a variety of ways to play up this style, so channel your inner creativity and see what kind of gold elements you can throw into the mix.

Looping Pony Tails
Instead of simply throwing your hair back into a pony tail, you might want to add in some spins and twists because it is the go-to look for the year. Tucking your pony tail to the side or flipping it under is super haute to trot. Ordinary is not an option, and this is a fun, messy and innovative element to a classic hairstyle.

As you can see, the 2014 hair trends are loving the messy, effortless kind of styles this year! What is your favorite?

Photo credit: http://www.chicfactorgazette.com/hairstyles-for-long-hair/

Short Hair Do's and Don'ts

Hello ladies, I hope you are all enjoying this Good Friday, and may you all be getting your diva on. For today's blog I want to quickly talk about what kind of styles work and don't work with short hair. Let's take a look.

Ombré: Okay, I'm all for colour. However, If you're hair is above your shoulders, I highly suggest you only dye it one colour. Dying it ombré while it is above your shoulder will not be the best outcome. Why do you ask? Well, ombré needs to gradually fade, and if you dye it near the top down it will just look like you have bad roots growing. We're not trees ladies.

For curly or Wavy: Okay, many of you might have notice this before of you have had short hair. However, if some of you are considering cutting your hair, also consider the following. If you're planning to cut your hair short (at the shoulders or above) for the spring, but your hair is not naturally straight, it will take you longer to get that hairdo look. However, having short hair is the best for blow drying/ straightening. And using a round brush it will create a volumous hair style. The best part of it all is that your hair will look shiny and healthy.

Curls: When it comes to curling short hair, I highly recommend using the big rollers. They give the hair and incredible amount of volume while leaving it at similar length. Smaller rollers tend to give your hair a tighter look and make it look significantly shorter. But to each their own, you can do either or.

Okay friends, there you have today's tips. I hope you all get to enjoy this long weekend with your loved ones. Don't forget to treat yourself. Have a great Friday night.

Photo Citation: syerasite. Katie- Holmes-Short-Hair. web.18 April. 2014

Makeup Tips For Your Beauty Arsenal

Compliments of freedigitalphotos.net

In this day in age, we are constantly moving from one thing to the next: school, work, clubs, extra curriculars, and on and on. The last thing you want to worry about is whether you look good and presentable. Let's take a look at some makeup tips that will keep you looking fresh and beautiful all day without the fuss and worry.

Makeup Tip #1: Pay Attention To Prep Work

The last thing we definitely need is to have our makeup look like it's (1) melting off our face, (2) caking (...anywhere!), or (3) missing. Prepping your face for the makeup it's about to receive will help keep your makeup lasting from morning to night. 

Invest in a three products manufactured with quality ingredients: (1) Makeup Primer, (2) Translucent Setting Powder, and (3) Makeup Setting Spray. 

Makeup Primer: The primary purpose of primers is to create a smooth and uniform canvas for your makeup application. If your primer has some sort of SPF, even better! Do you experience oiliness? Look for primers that minimizes shine and neutrals the skin.
My favorite: Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The great thing about this primer is that in addition to creating a good canvas for my makeup, it is infused with a variety of vitamins and antioxidants that work to smooth my skin! 

Translucent Setting Powder: Unlike traditional face powders, translucent setting powders work to add a matte effect (especially helpful for my fellow readers who experience oiliness). Traditional setting powders tend to create a cake and dry look after a few hours of wear, settling into every nook and cranny on our face. Yuck!
My favorite: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. This powder is super light weight and provides a silky and sheer finish.

Makeup Setting Spray: This is your finishing touch after applying everything. The makeup setting spray works to well, set your makeup. Conveniently named! Your setting spray should apply like a fine mist. Remember, you want your setting spray to work with you not against. If you feel any sticky residue or heavy application, your setting spray is probably working to pull your makeup down with it!
My favorite: Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray.

Makeup Tip #2: Make Your Peepers Pop

If you can only fit in one makeup application, I highly recommend dedicating that makeup application to your eyelashes. Remember, people are constantly looking you in the eye. Well curled eyelashes and applied mascara (1) makes you look alert and awake, (2) frames your eyes quite nicely, (3) draws attention to your eyes, (4) acts as a form of eyeliner that enhances, and (5) adds lengths and thickness!

Gently curl your eyelashes in three locations: the base, mid-way and at the tips. Create a nice and natural curve from base to tip. Apply two coats of mascara, allowing the mascara to appropriately dry between coats. When I apply my mascara, I twirl the mascara brush at the base of my eyelashes to add insta volume at the base. This also works to separate my lashes and prevent clumping. Brush the mascara through to the tips making sure to brush away any clumps.

Life Saving Hair Tips

Every lady needs to have a set of hair tips that are total life-savers! Here are the best hair tips that you can rely on throughout your entire life!

SET ASIDE A PAMPER DAY
Boom! There's no need for convincing with this life-saving hair tip, right? Pamper days are the best, so set aside a portion of your pamper day specifically for your hair. Give yourself a deep hair repair therapy session and enjoy the rejuvenation that your hair will be enjoying. You'll be looking fly, and pamper days always make you feel just as amazing, right?

LESS IS MORE
Less is more for everything when it comes to your hair. Less heat, gives you more heat (literally) as it won't be breaking off due to damage, and less product gives you more style as too much can pull your hair down and make it dreary. Oh, and that's not to mention that too many products in your hair can make it smell, make it stick and worse, can make it extremely oily which is never a good look. So remember, less is more. A small glob is almost always suffice in the hair product world, and the less heat you're putting into your hair, the better.

MESSY IS SEXY 
If you are a snooze-button lover such as myself, then you need to embrace the messy look. Be careful though, because messy can look dirty if not done correctly. One of the easiest ways to achieve that messy hair style is to let your hair air dry! This is also a much healthier option for your hair. It needs a rest from all the heat, ladies! Although this may be against hair fashion rules, letting your hair air dry is also a great option to keep the moisture locked in your strands, but that's a no-no now.... Unless you want to wake up earlier and let's get serious, no one wants to do that.

BRAIDS CAN SAVE LIVES
The next hair life-saving tip goes hand in hand with the prior - the ladies who like to sleep in, or the ladies who like effortless yet flawless hairstyles. Braids are always trending, sometimes more than others. This means that you can always instantly give yourself a red-carpet ready look, or a chic casual hairstyle within seconds. If you don't know how to braid, youtube it! Braids are the easiest hair style that provide flawless style. Oh, and the varieties are even better!

CUT OUT THE SPLIT ENDS
I hate to say it, but the only way you are ever going to get rid of those split ends is to chop them off. While there are certainly products that can decrease the frizz and symptoms of split ends, they can't really 'sow' your hair strands back together. So, do not be afraid of trimming your hair. It will encourage your hair to grow faster and it will look much more fabulous!

Boom! Your hair life is going to be incredible from now on.

Photo Credit: The Luxe Maven

Top Benefits of Olive Oil

You've heard that natural oils are fabulous for your hair, but you find it hard to manage it into your budget on a constant basis. Well, I am here to release some incredible news for the frugal ladies. While there are certainly amazing products that incorporate natural oil into the mix, you can also find similar products right in your kitchen. In fact, it's probably in your kitchen right now! Olive oil is healthy for cooking, but it is also an incredible boost that can be applied to your hair care routine. Here are some of the best benefits!

Treat Your Dry Scalp
There is nothing worse than having a dry scalp which essentially results in dandruff. Gross, right? Since olive oil is a natural moisturizer, you can instantly start treating any dry scalp problems right now. When it is massaged into the scalp, it does all the fabulous things that special shampoos and conditioners do, only without any chemicals. Plus, you can use it as often as you need!

Tame Those Frizzes
Sometimes, it may seem like frizzy hair is inevitable. So, it is important to have an effective and affordable frizz-tamer because chances are that you'll be using a lot of it. As mentioned, since olive oil is a natural moisturizer, using it on your frizzy hair will tame those beasts while also adding moisture into your hair, which is the ultimate factor for created  frizzy hair in the first place. You can use the oil after styling, and enjoy the instant blast of control and style that it adds.

Adds Stunning Sparkle
Every lady needs some sparkle and shine, and adding olive oil into your hair will give it a natural boost of shine. It will only get better, because the healthier your hair, the more it shines, and olive oil will definitely repair and treat any of your hair flaws. You must proceed with caution because if you are loading any kind of oil into your hair, it can appear greasy. So, moderation is key. You can use it daily, but in small amounts.

Manage Your Style
With that said, since olive oil treats, repairs and maintains the healthy elements that your hair has, it is continually easier to manage your hairstyle. Your hair won't be limp or frizzy, dry or out of control. You can also use olive oil as a hot treatment which is also a type of deep hair repair therapy.


There are many more benefits that come from adding olive oil into your hair, so head on into your kitchen and see what it can do for you. As mentioned, there are many natural oils that are jut as amazing as olive oil. This is just one that the majority of people can find in their home at any given moment. Throw some oil in, but always remember that moderation is key.

Photo Credit: https://www.oliveoilexcellence.com/olive-oil-store/

Women's Health: Knowing The Warning Signals

In an attempt to continue our daily lives and commit to our grueling schedules, we sometimes forget to take a step back and see if some of our aches and pains could be caused by an underlying issue. While many of these symptoms are moments we experience here and then, there are accompanying signs that could mean something more serious.

Head Banging Headaches
Headaches are a fairly common occurrence in people's day to day lives and usually remedied by medicine. Halt for a second and consider any other symptoms you could be having.

If your migraine is not accompanied by the typical migraine/headache symptoms such as visual, auditory or olfactory "aura"; pain located near the eye; pain that worsens with physical activity; sensitivity to light/sound; nausea; etc, your condition may be a sign of a brain aneurysm. Brain aneurysms don't cause any trouble and most of the time, people don't know they have one until the weak spot leaks or tears. When the weak spot tears, blood can flood into the surrounding tissue causing the head banging headache and cutting off supply. In this situation, the lack of secondary symptoms is the real wake up call. Call 911 or a see a doctor immediately!

Naughty Tooth Ache
Do you feel a dull throb or a sharp twinge when eating something cold? This can be caused by nerve damage within your tooth because your tooth is cracked or rotting away. Get this checked out right away to fill the exposed nerve! If you continue to ignore it, you increase the amount of bacteria that can infect the nerve. If the nerve becomes infected, you can say hello to the root canal you will be having.

Side Pain
Side pain could just be a momentary muscle cramp or the result from a really good workout the day before. However, if your side pain is accompanied by nausea or fever, you could have appendicitis or an ovarian cyst.

Appendicitis forms when a foreign object (like a stray piece of poop-gross I know) moves into the space where the appendix meets the colon. This foreign object then blocks the opening causing the organ to become inflamed. Ovarian cysts, while for the most part are harmless and heal on its own, can be troublesome if twists or ruptures. 

For both cases, it is important for you to schedule yourself a doctor's appointment and confirm whether the symptoms are actually signs of a serious situation!

Swollen Leg
Do you find that your calf is tender in a certain spot and is swollen, red or warm to the touch? If you find that your calf is on fire, you need to check with your doctor of the possibility of DVT or deep-vein thrombosis. DVT is the medical term for a blood clot.

Blood clots usually start when blood clots in the lower body. As it grows in size, it can actually plug up your vein or artery and the surrounding superficial area will begin to hurt and swell. 

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, do not massage it to relieve the pain. You risk breaking the clot free from its current location and having it travel back to your lungs where it could cut off your oxygen supply. Have your doctor check it out. They will exam the area with an ultrasound.

Remember, your body is your temple. If something is nagging away at you, listen to it and take the time you need to remedy the pain. You only have one body and one mind. Make sure to take care of both and continue to check on yourself on a regular basis.