I suggested lipstick alternatives a little while ago for tomorrow’s big day of love, but sometimes the only real accessory for a true Valentine’s Day look is a pair of bright, perfectly painted lips. Lipstick is a tricky thing, however, often coming off just as quickly as it went on. Here’s a step-by-step on how to keep that just-painted pout looking crisp all night long.

1. Powder up
Before going anywhere near your lipstick you need to prepare a good foundation. This starts with a sweep of face powder across your pout. This layer acts as a primer between your lips and lipstick.

2. Line it up
With a lip liner is the same hue as your lipstick, line the edge of your lips and work your way in, using the liner to completely cover your lips. This step not only defines and gives shape to your pout, but helps to build the final vibrant color you’re after.

3. Mattify
Now is the time for lipstick. Using a matt hue (which are generally longer-lasting), sweep a thin layer of color over your lips, stopping before the very edge to keep within your liner outline.

4. Blott, paint and repeat
Blot your freshly painted lips with a tissue and reapply as before before blotting again. This step locks the color in and removes any product that isn’t stained onto the lips.

5. Finishing touch
Using the same lipliner from step 2, touch up the outline of your lips that may have become blurred during blotting.

And voila! A pair of hot red lips that should stay put for the night!

Image: source 

While Lana Del Ray’s extreme talons in Vogue UK (above) might not be for everyone, pointed nails are clearly on trend and make a perfect canvas for another new trend – the heart manicure.

Using the same two-tone scheme as a classic French, the heart manicure uses pointed tips to form the base of a simple heart on each nail.

With a white or pale pink base, the red heart tips are front and centre – making a quirky yet sweet detail to complete your Valentine’s day ensemble. Red not your hue? Why not swap it out for some fun tangerine instead? The bright color from 2012 makes for a great red and pink alternative.

If, however, these colors stray too far from your usual white painted tips, throw caution to the wind and give this unique spin on the French manicure a whirl. The white hearts and nude glossy base are a subtle way to sport the trend.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

Hot red lips may seem the obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, but unless you’re planning on a single night out, perfectly painted lips aren’t exactly practical for the most popular night of love.

The key to kissable lips is not about slathering them in drying, smudge-able lipstick, but coating them in nourishing natural balm instead.

Burt’s Bees is synonymous with 100% natural products and their range of lip balms and gloss not only make your lips look great, but feel great too. This February prepare your pout for a romantic night out with one of their moisturizing lips products.

Lip Shimmer $5 (left)
Available in a kaleidoscope of pink and red tints, these luminescent lip shimmers are filled with shea butter and antioxidant-rich fruit oils – helping to moisturize, nourish and soften your lips naturally. Cherry, Plum and Strawberry are just 3 of the 12 hues to choose from, meaning there is shimmer for every skin type. And because fruity flavors may not be to everyone’s taste, each lip shimmer has an invigorating peppermint flavor, a sweet surprise for your loved one post dinner.

Super Glossy Lip Shine $4 (middle)
The wet look may be out for hair but it always looks great on lips. Drench your pout in moisture and beautiful sheer color with these ultra glossy lip shines. There are six juicy shades including: Pucker Berry, Sweet Pink, Zesty Red, Nectar Nude, Sheer Lemon and Juicy Peach to choose from. And just like their racey names, the lip glosses are flavoured with citrus oils for a zesty kiss.

Tinted Lip Balm $7 (right)
If your makeup style is more about the eyes, keep things simple with subtle tinted lips. Burt’s Bees tinted lip balms give you just a hint of color but still offer a soft, sweet flavor and natural ingredients to moisturize and condition your lips. Despite their discreet presence, the balms are available in six pretty shades including Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Tiger Lily, Pink Blossom, Red Dahlia and Rose.

While you can shop all these products an more online here, Burt’s Bees are available from most local drug and beauty stores making it a cinch to pick up in time for the big night. Not sure what hue is for you? Why not try out their nifty Lip Shade Finder?

Images: source

Sephora is the ultimate one stop shop for luxury beauty fare and while most of their brands require a little dip into the savings, they just so happen to have a bunch of fabulous products on sale. Here’s a look at what you should hurry up and purchase before they’re all sold out:

Houndstooth Mini Brush Set ($15)  NOW $7
A chic case with four compact makeup brushes, this is a great little handbag addition for on-the-go touch ups or for the frequent traveller.

Doe Eyed 2 in 1 Felt Liner ($12) NOW $5
For just five bucks this is a must-have addition to your makeup arsenal. The liner’s chiseled tip makes swapping between thick and thin lines a breeze, perfect for going from Bardot to Winehouse in a jiffy.

Deco Daze Glitter Eyeliner Applique ($5) NOW $3
Can’t keep you hand steady for eyeliner? Then fake it with this nifty applique instead. The set comes with glue for multiple use so no need to buy in multiples.

Peacock Eyelashes ($19) NOW $9
Add some feathered drama with these unusual peacock eyelashes inspired by intricate Chinese paper cutting. Peacocks not for you? There are deer, butterfly, peach blossoms and “under the sea” designs to choose from.

Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for Her ($50) NOW $34.99
I featured this innovative product on Sparkle before and guess what? It’s now on sale! Snap up 10 fragrance samples in this kit as well as a voucher for a full bottle. It’s almost worth it for the voucher alone!

Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint ($9) NOW $5
This pretty blood orange lip tint not only leaves lips with a subtle fruity glow, but nourishes them too. It’s a great everyday product for literally a steal.

Chic Print for Nails ($15) NOW $5
Start preparing for warmer days ahead with this tropical set of nail appliques. The beachy/preppy print is just about ready for a luxe vacation abroad or a summer in the Hamptons.

My picks above are just a taste of what’s on offer so head on over to Sephora.com to see what deals strike your fancy.

Images: source

It’s all over the news. Just days before the presidential inauguration, Michelle Obama has gone where many women have gone before – bangs.

The stylish first lady celebrated her 49th birthday with a surprisingly rejuvenating new hairstyle. The usual short semi-bob that we’ve come to know has been replaced with a choppy blunt cut and some heavy-set bangs.

The new hairstyle was revealed in the second tweet on her new Twitter handle @FLOTUS, and it seems the twittersphere were unanimous in loving it.

Bangs are a great way to instantly update your look – and like Mrs O – they tend to shave a few years off thanks to their schoolgirl origins.

But not all bangs were created equal when working with different face shapes. Here’s a look at what bangs would suit you if you’re hankering for your own presidential chop.

Round
Your face: Same-width forehead and lower face and prominent cheeks
The bangs for you: A long, sweeping, angular bang

With a round face, you’ll want to try and create an oval shape with the addition of bangs. A long-cut fringe that sweeps across the widest part of the face will create this illusion. Use a spritz of hairspray to keep it in place.

Square
Your face: Angular jawbone and mirroring hairline 
The bangs for you: A thick and blunt bang

With no fear of overweighting the face, a square-shaped visage is a great canvas for blunt thick bangs like the first lady. To keep from making the face too angular, keep the bangs narrow, they shouldn’t continue past the eyebrows. Have the bangs meet the longer strands by tapering downwards into them. This will soften the hard edges of a square face.

Oval
Your face: Same-width forehead and lower face but with longer sides 
The bangs for you: Any style

If this is your face shape then lucky you! However if you feel your face is overly long, carry the bangs almost to the ear and taper them into the longer strands. The soft round shape will reduce the appearance of a potential narrow face.

Heart
Your face: Wide forehead and narrow chin 
The bangs for you: An ultra-long, thin messy bang or short blunt fringe.

This is the hardest face shape to work with as any addition of bangs will accentuate the widest part of the face. Combat this with short bangs that doesn’t pass beyond the eyebrows, or with long, thin messy bangs that cut the middle part of the face for some interest but don’t add too much weight.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

While they may seem a little old-fashioned, a makeup compact really is the most useful item in a woman’s handbag. On hand for last minute makeup touches and hairstyle repairs, these little mirrored gems always give you a chance to give a great first impression.

But unless you’ve been lucky enough to receive a vintage compact as a family heirloom, chances are they haven’t been high on your list of purchase priorities. But for all those caught-in-the-rain and windswept moments, it’s an investment every woman should consider.

While vintage is always a great route for pretty compacts, Lulu Guinness offers up some truly delightful contemporary options (pictured below). Boldly displaying perfectly painted pouts and other feminine silhouettes, these compacts are suitable for use with pressed and loose powder, a must-have for keeping oily skin at bay.

Perhaps one of the most common News Year’s resolution is to get in shape. Perhaps it’s the fear of displaying post-festive season bodies that have largely been hidden under warm winter layers, or just a desire to make the new year a happier and healthier one, but ultimately this New Year’s resolution requires a certain amount of dedication.

Dedication can be hard to come by on dark winter mornings, but investing in some good-looking workout gear will help keep you on track – you’ll want to get your money’s worth after all!

Thankfully Target hears your call for a healthier 2013 and have stocked their shelves with oh-so-chic exercise and yoga mats – perfect for channeling your inner yogi!

But while these mats are definitely wonderful to behold, they’re super functional too. Each of these patterned and printed foam mats provide comfortable support while holding yoga postures, or simply to soften the ground beneath you during sit-ups, pushups and other exercise moves. Thanks to their non-slip, absorbent texture, you can move more freely and confidently during poses and repetitions.

The mats start at just $19.99 and go up to $67.99. Many of the mats also come with a handy clutch to help keep your mat tightly rolled and easy to transport.

My top pick? The striking Diane von Furstenberg beauty above. At just R24.99 it’s an affordable, yet trendy, addition to your exercise arsenal.

All mats, as well as an assortment of other exercise accessories, are avilable from target.com.

Images: source

If you’re planning on going all out this New Year’s Eve, then you’ll want to bookmark these pampering homemade spa products for tomorrow – crafted from items in your very own kitchen.

For over-styled hair
If you’re going to be rocking a tease and hairspray hairstyle this New Years Eve, you’ll want to treat your over-worked locks to a nourishing avocado conditioning mask the next day. Simply mash two avocados in a bowl into a thick, paste-like consistency. Spread the avocado paste onto your hair, working it from the roots to the ends. Leave for 20 minutes before shampooing and rinsing. The homemade hair mask will leave your hair shiny and moisturized, perfect for when you get back to the office.

For tired dancing feet
After hours mixing and mingling, or cutting a rug on the dance floor, this revitalizing foot soak will return tired toes to their former twinkling selves! Mix 1 cup of honey, 1/2 a cup of epsom salts and 2 cups of brewed coffee in a bowl large enough for both feet. Soak feet in the mixture for 20 minutes before rinsing.

For element-worn skin
If you’re heading to a nightclub to ring in the new year, chances are your skin will be subjected to an assortment of unnatural elements like airconditioning, heavy makeup and the dreaded smoke machine. Return your skin to its former radiant glory with a simple oatmeal and honey mask. Add half a cup of oatmeal and a spoon of honey to a food processor or blender. Process mixture, adding more honey as needed to reach desired consistency. Apply the paste to your face and leave the mask on for 10 minutes. Let tired eyes get some pampering too with two chilled used teabags – the tea leaves and cool temperature will reduce inflammation. Rinse off the mask with warm water and dab your face with cold water to close your refreshed pores.

For a little post-party detox
Indulged in a little too much NYE bubbly? Get rid of unwanted toxins and other festive party season sins with a homemade body soak. Add 1 cup of sea salts, 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of epsom salts, 1 to 2 tablespoons of glycerin and a few drops of an essential oil of your choice to a piping hot bath. The hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface while the epsom salts assist in this detoxification by causing you to sweat. The glycerin will prevent you from losing too much moisture. The result is a fresh new you for a brand new year.

And that’s it for 2012! See you in 2013

Image: source

Christmas is tomorrow and with necks bundled in woolly scarves and coats buttoned up high, an updo is the hairstyle to don this festive season.

But because ponytails should be left for the gym and simple braids for bed, I’ve searched the web high and low for some easy-to-follow holiday hair how-tos. Here’s what I found and when to wear them.

Twists
If you’re a nervous hair twirler then these hairstyles will be a cinch. This is Glamorous shows us how to create and elegant side twist (left) while A Cup of Joe helps us master the Gibson roll (right). Both hairstyles have a little vintage flair and work well with blooms and hair pins. Wear these styles to Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch.

Click here for the side twist tutorial and here for the Gibson roll tutorial.

Braids
I may have said braids were for bed but these innovative takes on the simple style make them a-okay for a holiday shindig. Keiko Lynn feminizes a retro beehive with delicate mini-braids (left) while Elle UK transforms a traditional French braid (right) with a simple strip of festive ribbon. Wear these styles to a friend’s holiday cocktail party.

Click here for the braided beehive tutorial and here for the ribbon braid tutorial.

Buns
No upstyle roundup would be complete without a bun. If you’re going to do a classic top-knot style ballerina bun like the one by Wedding Chicks (left), alternatively shake things up with a quirky bow bun a la Mr. Kate instead. Wear these bun to a black tie New Years and the bow to a late-night disco countdown.

Click here for ballerina bun tutorial and here for the bow bun tutorial.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Perhaps one of the most tell-tale signs that it’s Christmas, other than the chilly climate and vibrant decor, is the smell. Suddenly the air is filled with the scent of mulled wine, candied apples, pumpkin pie and gingerbread cookies. It’s an overall aroma that’s almost edible.

While most of these aromas come from slaving away in the kitchen, these delicious scents have been recreated by the kingdom of body products, Bath & Body Works. Here’s a look at 8 of my favorites.

Merry moisturizer
I’ve encouraged the use of scented lotions over expensive perfumes before and there are few occasions where a seasonal scent is a must-have addition to your beauty collection. Christmas is the perfect time to indulge in a wintery new scent and Bath & Body Works lines up a mouth-watering selection this festive season.

The body lotions are priced at $11 per 8 oz bottle, or alternatively buy 3 and get 3 for free – a great solution for last-minute Christmas guests!

Winter washup
Whether you choose to pop one of these in your guest loo, or keep it to yourself in your kitchen, these anti-bacterial foaming hand soaps will add a little festive flair to clean hands.

If you generally prefer your scents fruity, then the cranberry and holly berry are the perfect update this winter. For those with a sweet tooth the iced gingerbread scent will have you feeling like you’ve just baked up a dozen delicious gingerbread men. And finally, for those with a more neutral taste in perfumed soaps, there’s a delicate sparkling snow-scented soap.

The soaps are priced at $5.50 per 8.75 oz bottle, or alternatively buy 4 for $15, or 6 for $20, with the Bath & Body Works’ Mix & Match promotion – the perfect way to stock up all the bathrooms in your home!

You can purchase these festively scented items and more from bathandbodyworks.com

Images: source