1. Pair white with leather

Image: WENN.com

There's nothing that screams fall more than leather. So why not do as Kim Kardashian did and rock a white turtleneck tank (also very autumn-appropriate) with a pair of black leather pants? This outfit is perfect for late September or early October, when the weather's just starting to cool off and you don't quite need a jacket.

2. Sport some faux fur

Image: Michael Carpenter/WENN.com

There's no denying the fact that white is one of Olivia Palermo's favorite colors. The socialite and style icon wears it very well here, tossing a brown fur vest over the top of her wintery white suit. Not a fan of pantsuits? Try a white faux fur vest styled with a plain black long-sleeve top (a la Palermo), a pair of skinny jeans and some pointy-toe heels or suede boots.

3. Slip into white skinnies

Image: WENN.com

No need to tuck your white skinny jeans away for the winter. Instead, break them out on a cold day, and style them with a snuggly sweater like Eva Longoria's. To look a little less summery, opt for a sweater in a dark, jewel-toned color (think purple or navy).

4. Wear white accessories

Image: WENN.com

We love how Kylie Minogue accessorized her light brown leather jacket and casual skinnies with a simple white scarf and matching white handbag. It's a fresh, fun take on an otherwise typical fall look. Plus, it brightens up her entire ensemble in a novel way, which we heart.

5. Pick heavier fabrics

Image: Apega/WENN.com

Despite its undeniable association with summer, white when worn in heavier fabrics, such as wool, is an extremely winter-friendly hue. Take Jessica Alba for instance. She's sporting a gorgeous, oversized white coat with white dress pants and a coordinating white top. Forget the flimsy silk shirts and cotton tees. This outfit isn't just warm — it's comfy and totally suitable for the season.

6. Rock a white graphic sweater

Image: Apega/WENN.com

In case you haven't noticed, graphic sweaters are seriously in for fall! Don't go with a cute knit in an expected color though — choose something that's light and fun and out of the box. We're digging Lauren Conrad's casual “Ho! Ho! Ho!” sweater. Dress it up with heels or keep it chill with flats.

7. Try off-white

Image: WENN.com

Still a little bit wary of donning full-on white? Experiment with creams and other off-white shades to give you the same effect but not as bright. Kate Middleton looks stunning in this coat, right?

More style advice

Best bras for busty broads
Accessories that instantly make you look smarter
How to find the right pair of shades for your face shape

Image design: Becci Burkhart/SheKnows

I found these three T-shirts at my local thrift shop for about $10 (for all three) and made three pretty headbands from them.

Simple DIY T-shirt headband

Let’s start with the simplest of the three in a coral print. You can throw this over a messy side pony like I did or pair it with workout gear for the gym.

Step 1:

Cut a strip of fabric from the body of the T-shirt — twice the width you want it and a comfortable length around your head.

Step 2:

Fold it end to end and sew ends right sides together by machine or hand.

Step 3:

Turn it right side out and fold. You’ve got yourself a chic little headband.

Next: Headband with a twist tutorial >>

Headband with a twist

Our second headband will be made from 2 strips of T-shirt material.

Step 1:

From the body of your T-shirt, cut 2 strips about 3 inches wide each.

Step 2:

Cut away the seams and fold each strip in half lengthwise.

Step 3:

Take each of the 2 strips and cross them together in the middle.

Step 4:

Fold the ends of 1 side over a ponytail elastic and sew in place. Sew the other end in place to form a ring.

Wear it with the folded-over section cocked a little to the side.

Next: The sailor's knot headband tutorial >>

Sailor's knot T-shirt headband

This last one looks a little more complicated, but it's actually a super-simple knot called a sailor's knot. I used a men's striped T-shirt for a slightly nautical flair.

Step 1:

Cut either 2 or 4 strips depending on how thick you want your knot. I doubled my strips for a nice chunky look.

Step 2:

Pull hard on the strips to turn your fabric into “yarn.”

Step 3:

Now make your sailor’s knot. Follow this diagram starting from the top left.

How to tie a sailor's knot: 

1. Make a loop with 1 strip and then lay the second strip like a smiley face on top.

2. Put the right end of the smiley under the leg of the loop.

3. Take the left side of the smiley and cross it under the top loop.

4. Take the right side of the smiley and loop it under just the bottom yarn under the top loop.

5. Now pull all 4 strands at the same time to tighten your sailor’s knot.

Step 4:

Check the fit, then trim the ends to the correct length and fold them over a ponytail elastic.

Step 5:

Sew them by hand or machine to secure.

This pretty little sailor's knot will make any hairdo look smart.

More fashion DIYs

10-Minute DIY blanket vest
Adorable no-sew poncho blouse
DIY designs to spice up canvas shoes

Last week, Australian model Genevieve Barker posed topless on a beach for photographer Brydie Mack. The image, to be published in Souvenir magazine, is sensual, lensed in black-and-white, with Barker lying on her side, looking away from the camera and leaning forward on her elbows. While her thighs and behind look muscular and sculpted, the 26-year-old’s torso is tiny, her ribs clearly visible through her skin.

Mack uploaded the photograph to Instagram last Thursday to promote the launching mag and gorgeous model, but the unexpected backlash it received was extreme. Followers claimed Barker was too thin; some even said the woman looked “skeletal.”

More: Is thin-shaming just as bad as fat-shaming?

Recognizing the all-too-real double standard women face when it comes to their bodies, Barker told Daily Mail, “I see articles all the time condemning 'fat shamers' and how appalling it is that a woman should ever call another woman 'too big.' However, it is seen as empowering and speaking out for 'real women' if people comment 'too thin,' 'eat something,' 'gaunt,' 'disgusting' about thin women. I am thin, I AM a real woman!"

Body-shaming has always been an issue, but in recent years it feels as if we cannot make it through a day without some headline discussing this and that woman’s scrutiny for how their body looks. The truth is, when it comes to weight gain or loss, as a woman, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

More: Since when is skinny-shaming OK?

To celebrate the return of E! Entertainment’s Fashion Police, my mother and I sat down to watch Monday night. The episode focused on the red carpet stylings seen at the 2015 Video Music Awards, and the critics zeroed in on model of the year Gigi Hadid. She was dressed in a yellow Emilia Wickstead bodysuit slit gown, and the officers had mixed feelings on the ensemble, however a comment was made comparing Hadid to the runway model that showcased this look, claiming Hadid wore it better simply because she looked healthier. I instantly cringed. I imagined the model sitting on her couch, watching her body be criticized on national television. Every body has a story, and I wondered what hers was.

There is no excuse for body-shaming of any kind. Telling a woman who is overweight to eat less is equally as cruel as telling a thinner woman to eat a sandwich.

"I used to feel embarrassed and guilty for being the way I am," Barker told Daily Mail. "I don't anymore. I work hard for my body. I am naturally slender, I work out most days... I essentially train like an athlete. I nourish myself with the foods that help me train and give me energy for the long days of castings and shoots.”

More: Horrible social media account was dedicated to 'fat-shaming' celebrities

For every woman who struggles with weight loss or binging or who suffers from an eating disorder, there is a woman who is naturally heavy or naturally thin. What our world needs to realize is that health is determined from a list of factors and that beauty comes in a variation of forms.

Twenty-year-old Stevie Miller from Suffolk, England, just got a brand-new, bright pink beauty blender for everyday foundation application. However, she had no idea that it came with some little black, wriggling accessories.

More: Beauty blenders: Why you'll never use anything else

Just as she was getting ready to use it, she noticed a small hole at one end and something black inside it. Thinking it was just a fleck of dirt or other makeup from her makeup bag, she grabbed a pair of tweezers to pull it out, only to find a sizable bug was the culprit. Needless to say she was pretty grossed out, but instead of just throwing the whole thing away and taking a shower to scrub off the nasty experience, she decided to make a video of it. Little disclaimer: There's more than that one crawler in there, and it may turn you off makeup sponges forever.

Anyone else feel like they have those things crawling all over them now? The only thing that makes this 11-minute-long video bearable for a fellow bug fearer is Miller's hilarious running commentary with her mum. While they're most definitely playing it up a bit for the camera, their natural rapport is quite endearing. And Miller's mum's interjections are by far my favorite part of the video. Here are some of her best one-liners:

While Miller's debating cutting open the sponge, "Do it, do it. It will teach you to be independent."

In reference to the baby bugs Miller finds, "Maybe they were trying to escape their country."

"Is it breathing?"

When Miller was sad about losing her beauty blender, "You should be sad about the poor insects."

When Mum discovered the blender came from America, "Be careful, because they have things that sting, bite, poison."

More: 5 Creepy-crawly bugs that could be living in your houseplants

This mother-daughter team should seriously consider getting their own Internet show on which they investigate possibly bug-infested things every week. Obviously their viewers think so, because the original video Miller posted on Facebook has already been viewed over 1.5 million times. In the end, there appear to be something like four bugs and pieces of large wings that Miller helpfully puts next to a penny so her audience can have ratio perspective.

I personally agree with Miller — she should absolutely send the sponge back to the manufacturers and demand her money back. That said, while bug infestations in beauty blenders are not common, you can see why bugs might make a home in one — it's warm, damp and filled with tasty face bacteria.

For anyone who's still considering using one after this (not me), make sure to take a quick look and feel of it before applications, and wash it thoroughly before putting it back into your makeup case. That way, your chances of putting an entire bug family near your face should be slim.

Now, in the words of Stevie Miller, "I need a shower, I need bleach, I need Jesus."

More: Woman catches paralyzing infection from sharing a makeup brush

I can’t say this year I am particularly sad to see the season come to a close. I’ve made it to the beach a total of three times, walked the boardwalk an equal amount and vacationed in Florida under the blazing, almost mocking, sun rays. It was a lovely summer, but I will welcome fall with open arms, and maybe even a new wardrobe.

According to money expert Matt Granite of USA Today, Labor Day weekend deals are looking better than those you’d find on black Friday, with consumers able to save up to 70 percent on clothing, appliances, and more. That’s quite a steal.

I'll be honest here, ladies. Shopping is my favorite form of cardio, and this Labor Day Weekend, I’m getting into shape.

1. Aldo: $25 off $75 purchases, $40 off $100 purchases
2. Amazon: 3% cash reward for women’s apparel
3. Ann Taylor: 50% off select items, 50% off all sale items with the code HAPPY50
4. Banana Republic: In store sale plus 40% off online purchase with code BRFall
5. Express: Up to 70% off Labor Day Weekend clearance sale and 10% off site purchase with code 9055
6. Gap: 40% off everything in store
7. G.H. Bass & Co: Up to 70% off entire store and $15 off entire online purchase with code LASTCALL
8. H&M: Free shipping off $50 purchase
9. JC Penney: 10% off $25 purchase (in store & online) or 20% off when using a JC Penny Card, online only, 15% off entire purchase using any other method of payment
10. Lands' End: Up to 65% off early Labor Day sale and 30% off $150 regular-priced purchase plus free shipping with code: NICE and pin: 7880
11. Macys: 60% off tops, 60-75% off swimwear, 25-40% off dresses and 25-40% off suit separates
12. Nordstrom: End-of-summer clearance event brings you 40% off through Sept. 13.
13. Old Navy: Up to 60% off entire store and 30% off women's styles online with code ENJOY
14. Target: 25% off online purchases and an extra 10% off with code LABORDAY
15. Tommy Hilfiger: $30 of $100 purchase or $50 off $150 purchase

You can never go wrong with a Cartier Love bracelet or a Tiffany heart pendant. But on days when you aren't content wearing a piece owned by thousands of other women, your salvation from fashion monotony can be found in accessories that creatively push the envelope. Here are 10 gorgeous bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that are not made from either gold or silver.

1. Hipanema Rainbow Bracelet

With colorful thread, shells, beads, two tassels and a Brazilian wish ribbon, this mystical bracelet matches everything in your wardrobe and — who knows? — might make you a luckier person (Ahalife.com, $98).

2. Kenneth Cole New York "Shell Brilliance" Shell Stick Necklace

If you love shells but expect them to look more polished than they did at the beach before you agree to wear them, this bold statement necklace packs a lime-green punch that will look amazing with your LBD (Amazon, $23).

3. Pearlz Ocean Abalone Shell Checkerboard Square Dangle Earrings

Abalone is a shell known for its powers to connect people and strengthen relationships. Deeper meaning aside, its iridescence and depth are so powerful you can't fault others if they lose themselves while staring at your ears (Overstock, $17).

4. MoJo's Jewelry Lava Rock, Rose Quartz & Pink Jade

Speaking of pieces that are mindful of body and soul, MoJo's bracelet is made from pink jade, which holds a "caring and calming energy that can help ease disruptive sleep," rose quartz, known as the "universal love, self love, and true love stone," and lava rock, which is said to "hold the Earth's healing mysteries and help the wearer realize her inner journey," according to founder and artist Josie Pavone. (MoJo's Jewelry, Bangles sold separately, $15-$35)

5. BurnedinBrooklyn Boho Style Wooden disk & Arrowhead 'Y' Necklace

Made from wood and birch, you can bet the farm no one will walk into the room wearing this same necklace because each pendant is burned by hand, meaning no two are ever identical. This beauty hangs from a 24-inch chain accented by bronze and coral beads and was made for layering (Etsy, $42).

6. Anni Jurgenson Green Dangle Feather Ear Cuff

What do you get when you take five goose wing feathers, dye them this rich shade of emerald, and let them dangle from an ear cuff? A luxe look that adds boho charm to everything you wear (Brazilian Bikini Shop, $50).

7. Ted Baker Kiah Metal Bow Bangle

This feminine, classy bangle bracelet stops short of being too precious, thanks to the fact that it's made from tough-as-nail metal (Ted Baker, $65).

8. '70s Chunky Modernist Copper Deity Panel Bracelet

We love accessories that tell a story and this vintage bronze charmer, which displays images of Siamese deities, could keep us talking (and inventing tales about it) for hours (Charish, $65).

9. "Burri" Leather Jabot Necklace

The best accessory is one that takes the place of clothing — and this sleek leather jabot necklace is the only thing you need to add to a white T-shirt and jeans to transform your entire look (Boticca, $135).

10. Maison Margiela Green Daisy Ring

Made from brass with an enameled finish in green, white and yellow, there is positively no way to wear this happy ring without feeling fresh as a — you know what (Luis Avia Roma, $450).

1. Give yourself a foot bath

Your feet need a day off. Give then a warm bath using black tea, which has tannic acid, a natural astringent that may help prevent athlete's foot. Use a pumice stone on your damp heels and calluses. It will make your feet look great in open-backed shoes.

First, soak your feet in water for about 15 minutes. This will soften the skin on your feet. Remove the thick skin using the pumice stone. Another effective way to exfoliate the dead skin on your feet is to use moisturizing scrubs made out of botanicals. After scrubbing, you can apply foot cream like shea or cocoa butter. Look for creams with salicylic acid or urea to soften those calluses.

2. Moisturize

Try medicated heel pads to soften your calluses while you walk. After exfoliating calluses, moisturize your skin with heavy cream. Look for the creams that have petrolatum, which is an emollient, or those with humectants like lactic acid to draw moisture to your skin. If your very dry, cracked heels don't respond to moisturizer, it's time to see an experts — a dermatologist or a podiatrist — to get a prescription for the right treatment.

3. Keep them healthy

Remember that prevention is better than cure. To prevent athlete's foot, maintain proper hygiene, make sure your feet stay thoroughly dry and make it a habit to wear fresh socks. Athlete's foot loves dark and damp conditions.

If you're already stricken, you can buy treatments over the counter — common ingredients include terbinafine, ciclopirox, miconazole, tolnaflate and clotrimazole. These are useful in removing fungus on your feet. You may already know the benefits of tea tree oil for skin. For mild cases of athlete's foot, you can use tea tree oil.

If you have sweaty feet, look for powder or spray with aluminum chloride hexahydrate. If you have dry feet, use a more emollient treatment, but make sure your feet are thoroughly dry before you apply any antifungal cream or lotion.

4. Protect and support your feet

If you wear open sandals or go barefoot at the beach, make sure your feet are protected. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. When you wear shoes, support your feet using insoles. This will make your feet feel comfortable, especially if you're standing for a long time. Look for the ones with hard plastic shells or cups at the heel.

5. Get a proper pedicure

If the pedicure technique your nail technician use is wrong, you could get hangnails and ingrown toenails. Make sure your nail technician will push your cuticles back, and not cut them. Cutting them often leads to infection. If you clean your toenails yourself, make sure you follow their natural curves.

Make sure your nail polish does not have the hazardous chemicals formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene. Also, make sure your nail polish does not have alcohol as part of its ingredients. This is crucial because your nails will become brittle, as you grow older. You can use petroleum jelly, cuticle cream or and vitamin E oil to moisturize your toenails.

I've learned the hard way that there is no point trying to impress a man with what I consider interesting or smart fashion choices — my husband is most flattering when I wear fuss-free dark denim jeans, a vintage-style baseball T-shirt and flats. If I so much as add a pair of dangling earrings that I consider the equivalent of wearable art, the compliments decrease. My poor partner is married to a woman who would wear a ball gown to go grocery shopping if possible.

Over the years, he has developed a healthy appreciation for trapeze blouses with jabot collars and totally useless (but adorable) shoes, while forever remaining amused by it all. But does he love my faux gray fur jacket — the one that sheds all over the house? He has merely learned how to weep in silence.

He isn't alone. Speaking with the boyfriends and husbands of fashion-forward friends, I've learned there are a few trends that they find universally baffling. Here are seven of the most "offensive" fashion choices that no woman should stop wearing because we will totally get them to come around on these at some point (I mean, obviously, right)?

1. Culottes

Image: Asos.com

They aren't pants and they aren't shorts — their refusal to commit is a positive thing for women because we can even get away with wearing these babies to the office, but it leaves men shaking their heads.

More: How to wear culottes to the office

2. Leopard print

Image: Asos.com

I always think of animal prints as powerful and assertive — which may be part of the reason some men have such a beef with it?

3. High-waisted jeans

Image: Modcloth.com

Confession: I own these exact pants. They take a little getting used to at first (the waist practically sits on your boobs) but they're amazing. Flattering in a butt-creating way. I get tons of compliments on them... from women.

More: 14 Fashionable sweatshirts that prove they aren't just for the gym

4. Interesting heels

Image: Aldoshoes.com

There are sensible high heels that are great for Monday meetings, and then there are interesting heels and shoes that are works of art. Guys don't always agree.

5. Rompers

Image: Lulus.com

Rompers have been around now for a few years and are far more mainstream than ever before. As a result, I found fewer men had nasty things to say about them, aside from the usual, "They look like onesies" remark. Still, it'll be a while before they make it to the top of the Men's Summer Women's Wardrobe List (where hot pants reign supreme).

6. Fur — even fake fur

Image: forever21.com

Fake fur is warm, chic and politically correct — what's not to love?

More: 18 Photos proving '70s fashion trends are still totally groovy

7. Trapeze dress or shirt

Image: freepeople.com

It's all about balance. What men don't take the time to understand is that a trapeze dress or blouse allows us to get away with wearing sexy, tight leggings and high heels — which are universally loved, right?

Supplies:

• Oven bake clay (I used Sculpey and Fimo brands)
• Cookie cutters in desired shapes, or glassware for cutting rounds
• Permanent metallic paint pen
• Rolling pin or piece of pipe

Directions:

Step 1:

Working with one color at a time, roll out your clay block about 1/4-inch thick.

Step 2:

Cut with a cookie cutter. I really loved my vintage crimped edge cookie cutter for this project because it gave a neat little rounded shape to my trays. If you’d like to stamp a design into the clay, now is the time. I used a crocheted doily to make a printed pattern in my pink heart, but you can use any stamp to create a design as well. A monogram or floral stamp would be pretty cool.

Step 3:

Bend the edges of each tray upwards, being careful not to make scratches in the clay with your fingernails.

Step 4:

I decided to make a couple of heart-shaped pieces, but had such a hard time bending the edges up I consented to turning them into hanging tags instead, so they needed a hanging hole, which I made with a toothpick. Be sure and make it large enough to slip twine or a ribbon through.

Step 5:

Blend your leftover scraps of clay together to make some tie-dye patterns — these actually turned out to be my favorites! Bake according to directions. Mine didn’t include any, but Google told me to bake at 220 degrees F for 30 minutes.

Step 6:

Let them cool completely before handling, as they come out of the oven still pliable. Decorate with a permanent metallic paint pen (I used gold) tracing around the edges, drawing a monogram or some of my Kate Spade-inspired polka dots. Geometrics would be fun too — triangles, arrows or even random lines.

Felicia Czochanski is just a young college student, but an essay she wrote is already making major waves. In it she says she is sick of being catcalled and judged for her looks over her brains. The piece is, admittedly, a bit over the top. Being "too pretty" is not a problem women often complain about. That said, the backlash against this poor woman has been way over the top.

Czochanski has been called everything from ugly to delusional and everything in between. The problem is, whether or not you find her concerns shallow or even vain, the urge to attack this woman's looks and make her feel shamed and less confident reveals everything that is wrong with today's society.

She says:

"Imagine how it feels to have heads turn and all eyes on you when you are simply trying to get to where you need to be. It doesn't make me feel beautiful or sexy. It makes me feel like there's something wrong with me. The scrutiny is never ending."

More: '100 Years of lingerie' video shows that confidence trumps all (WATCH)

Any woman who has ever walked down the street, especially in New York City, knows that scrutiny. But it's more than that too. Being attractive in the world, to whatever degree, can be difficult. It can feel like all eyes are on you. But then she gets attacked for saying it. Comments like "Newsflash.....you're not hot. At all" only prove that all eyes are on her. She's cute, but not "beautiful" enough to justify feeling attractive. She's pretty, but not "beautiful." This way that we categorize and judge women is utterly exhausting. Is it any wonder this poor girl feels like every move she makes is watched?

More: Retailer uses trans creatives to 'broaden the view on gender in fashion'

As the mother of two daughters, I want them to feel good and attractive and beautiful. But not so beautiful. Because then they are conceited. My, the line we walk is thin, indeed. Whether this woman is beautiful or cute doesn't really matter. She is telling her truth and being judged harshly for it.

In the end, it doesn't matter whether you agree (or you or you). It only matters how they feel. I support this woman telling her truth. We women need to hold one another up. "Hot" is a state of mind, and if she feels it, more power to her.

We should all have so much self-esteem.

I started working from home about a year after I graduated college once I racked up enough remote freelancing gigs that allowed me to write full time. The thought of going to my 9-5 in sweats with a stocked fridge at my disposal was definitely attractive after taking the early train to New York for the past three years. That said, it didn’t take long to miss dolling up for the day. As time went on, though, I still missed the fancy clothes but I did not miss caking on the cosmetics.

More: 8 Must-have beauty tools to simplify your beauty routine

Sitting in front of a desktop does not require a full face of cosmetic enhancement, but I felt completely naked without product. I admit to dabbing on a touch of foundation before logging on to chat with my editors. After all, it's instilled in us that this is what working women do.

But after a month of scribbling in notebooks at my dining room table and submitting articles in the comfort of my pajama pants and T-shirts, I had an epiphany. How ridiculous was it that I felt I had an obligation to adhere to society's beauty standards from my own home?

These days, my beauty routine resembles a man’s morning touch up because men have one thing right when it comes to their "beauty" routines and that is simplicity.

More: 6 Easy ways to save time during your morning beauty routine

Now my morning routine consists of a quick shower using either the WEN Fall Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner or TRESemme Shampoo. Monday through Friday I skip the blowout and straightening session and opt for a good brush through, allowing my hair to air dry and style as it pleases (quite a flattering wave that I've learned to love). If I know someone will visit, I apply the Almay Truly Lasting Color Foundation and cover up any unwanted blemishes using the Almay Clear Complexion Concealer. Most days, however, I skip makeup altogether.

It strictly has become a weeknight outing or weekend luxury for myself, and honestly, my skin has never felt better. Breakouts are (mostly) a thing of the past and not layering on product after product has improved my confidence because I have learned to love my face for all its natural beauty.

Do not misunderstand me. I still adore glamming up for a night with my guy or grabbing dinner with friends, but when it comes down to it, I figured out firsthand that women do not need makeup to feel beautiful. This is an illusion we've come to believe due to our obsession with celebrities and the all too persuasive media. It’s time more of us gave our bare faces the chance to shine, so next time you're not feeling the cosmetic craze, skip it. There's more to beauty than product.

The "water color tattoo" trend is so hot right now and anyone who has seen the genuinely stunning work of some of these artists would be hard pressed not to want one for their very own.

Beautiful, right? The colors are amazing and everything blends. It's like having a Monet on your body. And yet, it is a difficult technique. When it goes wrong, it goes very wrong. As tattoos mature, the ink spreads and blurs. Anyone who has one (or 10) knows this. It's part of the process and is generally OK. But with water color tattoos, it can cause a big old mess.

More: 8 Must-have beauty tools to simplify your beauty routine

Without dark and defined lines, the water color tattoo's abstract image could become a splotch, colors bleeding into one another and generally looking undefined and messy. So what do you do if you want a water color tattoo? It seems the first tip is this:

1.) Know your tattoo artist.

No matter how much you like the person inking your skin, it is vitally important that you see versions of their work. Especially if they have done similar work. As tattoo artist Gene Coffey said to Tech Insider: "It's just like anything else, if you haven't done it and aren't familiar with it, you aren't going to do a good job."

Flavia Carvalho is giving free tattoos to women who have been victims of domestic violence. The hope is that these beautiful and personal body art creations will help hide the scars left from these violent incidents and allow the scar owners to finally look beyond them.

More: Yes, domestic violence can happen to anyone — even lesbians

The project, which Carvalho calls "A Pele da Flor" ("The Skin of the Flower"), was inspired by a woman who came to her two years ago, wanting a scar on her stomach covered by a tattoo. The woman had been stabbed by a man she'd met at a nightclub in response to her rejecting his advances. The memory alone is a terrible burden to bear — it makes perfect sense that she would want the ugly reminder to be hidden under something pretty.

When Carvalho had finished the tattoo and the woman saw it, she was truly touched. Her reaction incited Carvalho to offer her services free of charge to fellow victims of violence. She told The Huffington Post, "Each tattoo would act as an instrument for empowerment and a self-esteem booster."

More: 11 Women turn their mastectomy scars into beautiful tattoos

She also volunteers this service to women who've had a double mastectomy, which, while not an act of violence, is an incredibly emotional procedure to experience. A personalized tattoo gives them something else to focus on besides a scar that signifies a loss. And Carvalho encourages the women to pick a design that really speaks to them and raises them up.

More: Stunning ads honor women after mastectomies to defy gender stereotypes

One of the most surprising things for her has been the impact her offering has had on the women who come to her. "The sense of affection, sisterhood and camaraderie is deeper than I ever imagined," She told the Huffington Post. The experience seems to be incredibly therapeutic for them, because she encourages them to share their painful stories, and then together they design an image to mask their scars.

"It is wonderful to see how their relationship with their bodies changes after they get the tattoos. I follow many of them on Facebook, and I see how, after being ashamed of their scarred bodies, they now post pictures in dresses, and they look happy, changed. It is transformative."

Carvalho, who works in an industry dominated by men, is thrilled her little project has received such significant media attention, although she never expected it. Her hope is to be able to help as many women as she can, and as such, she intends to partner with the Women's Police Station so that her services will be more readily available to domestic violence survivors.

More: The real reason tattoos are permanent is pretty amazing (VIDEO)

But as she says so eloquently, her work, while wonderful and inspiring, "is a grain of sand." Hopefully the media attention surrounding Carvalho's work will raise awareness and inspire more people to offer up a helping hand.

There are a couple of different ways to twist your hair using hair extensions but I've found that this is the easiest way to do it yourself, because who has time to spend hours at the salon?

1. Grab a portion of hair extensions

The thickness will depend on how thick you want your braid. Use less hair for skinnier, lighter braids.

2. Separate your selected portion into two sections

3. "Make" your braid

Lay one section of the hair over the other in a criss-cross pattern.

Pull one set over the other so they are interlocked.

The pieces should be even and the same length when held together.

4. Plant the braid

Grab a section of your hair. It can be as small or as big as you want — the bigger it is, the fewer braids you'll have on your head.

Separate the selected section into three smaller sections.

Then, separate your braid into three sections — two of the four pieces will be held together.

Match each of the three sections of the braid up with a section of your hair and then plait it into your hair.

Keep going until the braid is firmly locked into your hair.

5. Twist the braid

Split the three sections of hair into just two sections and then start twisting them around each other.

Keep going until you get to the end of the braid and then simply twist the end between your fingers until it reaches a point where it no longer unravels.

You can also apply anti-frizz gel to your hair at this time. I like this Smooth Edges anti-frizz conditioning gel by African Pride.

6. Seal the braid

This is an optional step to permanently keep your twists from unraveling. Simply apply heat to the end of your braids with a flat iron on braid sealer. You can also heat seal your braids with hot water.

And you're done!

More: How to style your braids

If you’re like us, you’re turning to your beauty bag to help get you through the last leg of summer with these 10 products that provide a much-needed cooling effect upon application. Literally.

1. Yes To Cucumbers Cooling Hydrating Mist

This latest mist from Yes To offers a burst of fresh air in one spritz, thanks to a blend of cucumbers, aloe, green tea, elder flower extracts and all-natural menthol for ultimate facial and body cooling (Ulta, $11).

2. Korres Yoghurt After-Sun Cooling Gel

Soothe skin after a day in the sun with this yogurt-based cooling gel. Safe for face and body, this gel calms and relieves hot skin on application.

3. Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Bronzer

Who says your makeup can't help keep you cool during the depths of summer? Stila's lightweight formula provides buildable coverage while providing a touch of relief thanks to the gel texture (Beauty.com, $32)

4. Lancome Miracle Cushion Liquid Compact

Inspired by the Korean beauty trend of cushion compacts, this uber moisturizing foundation is applied via a sponge applicator. Not only does the makeup provide coverage similar to that of a BB or CC cream, but thanks to the intensely hydrating formula, a cooling sensation is a welcome side effect of this nifty find (Sephora, $47).

5. HydroPeptide Perfecting Gloss Lip Enhancing Treatment

This high-shine gloss does more than just look good. Its lip-plumping hyaluronic acid formula delivers a more supple pout in merely seconds. Plus, the tingly effervescence is much desired during the hottest nights of summer (Nordstrom, $38).

6. Ciate Cooling Shadow Slick Eyeshadow Primer

This multipurpose, buildable cream can be used as a shadow or liner. But it's those vibrant hues that have us talking! Rich with color, these metallic shades are sure to amp up any look, while a cooling sensation leaves skin feeling wide awake and ready for any summer soiree (Sephora, $16).

7. L'Occitane Citrus Verbena Stick Deodorant

Don't hide from the sun any longer with this lemony fresh deodorant from L'Occitane. The French brand's odor-neutralizing deodorant not only keeps you smelling light and sparkling all day, but it's formulated with a touch of a cooling sensation for added relief (L'Occitane, $18).

8. La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Cooling Water-Lotion Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is a daily must during the summer, so you might as well choose an option that relieves on contact! This SPF 30 from La Roche Posay serves up broad-spectrum UV protection and hydration, so your skin gets the best of both worlds (Dermstore.com, $36).

9. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox De-Puffing Eye Cubes

Relax after a long, hot day in the sun or jumpstart your busy morning with these cooling cubes. Store these totable packets in the freezer and place on fatigued lids to ward off puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Not to mention the blend of aloe, caffeine and the cold sensation will boost any summer skin care routine (Sephora, $50).

10. Hansderma SkinCool Ice Roller

For those super scorcher days, find comfort from this handheld device. Complete with a water and gel-filled rolling head that's meant to be stored in the freezer, this roller can be applied anywhere that's suffering from major overheating (Hansderma.com, $29).

NYFW will kick off this year on Sept. 10 and bring us sweet styles until Sept. 17, when models and VIPs will then fly across the Atlantic to hit London, Milan and Paris runways, in that order. One big change you can expect this season: The location of the shows will be moved from Lincoln Center (its home since 2010) to two different venues: Skylight in Midtown and Skylight Clarkson Square in SoHo. Another biggie: Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci is moving his show — for one time only — from Paris to NYC.

You don't want to miss a hot red minute of incredible fashion, but perhaps you live in Ohio. Or, maybe you live in NYC, but the powers that be keep forgetting to mail your invite. There are still five great ways you can get in on fashion week fun and keep current with Kendall, Karlie and Gigi as they sashay down the runway wearing all the latest trends.

1. Follow a live stream

If you can steal an extra few minutes after your lunch break, visit newyorkfashionweeklive.com, where you can catch all of the shows in real time. If you're far too busy for that, no worries — the site features a section where you can replay videos from all of the shows.

More: 9 Apps that give you a front row seat to Fashion Week

2. Become an expert on Fashion Week

A few great photos and videos of clothing don't tell you everything you need to know about the designers presenting at NYFW, their new creations or the models making their wearable art come alive. FashionChannel Network offers opportunities to view way-back runway shows so you can see how a designer has evolved over the years — and even gives you short, fun, well-edited vids of stylish celebs and the models of the moment. For a real education in fashion and insightful commentary on the latest trends, you can't beat The New York Times' On the Runway, Women's Wear Daily and Style.com.

3. Follow a model

If you really want to know what's happening behind the scenes, the most reliable sources you'll find are the actual models who have been booked to walk in the shows. Oftentimes, these lovely ladies have little to do backstage while waiting to be primped for the shows, and many are tech savvy and love to share snippets of their interesting, fashionable universe with fans. Karlie Kloss is a favorite on Instagram because she posts photos on a regular basis — and many of those photos just happen to feature celebs like BFF Taylor Swift and fellow models Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn. Other fun, fabulous models to follow include Cara Delevingne and Joan Smalls, who's everywhere lately.

4. Fill up your Twitter feed with fashionable folks

Stay on top of the shows, second by second, by following accounts like @FashionweekNYC, which will be right there at every show, posting amazing photos for you to salivate over. Other Twitter feeds to follow include: Garance Dore, Cathy Horyn (fashion critic at The New York Times), Vogue Contributing Editor Andre Leon Talley, Editor in Chief of Love Magazine Katie Grand and ELLE Accessories Director Maria Duenas Jacobs, who will be paying special, close attention to the handbags, shoes and jewelry that make the outfit. Use the hashtags #nyfw and #mbfw to keep track of news and coverage.

More: 18 Photos proving '70s fashion trends are still totally groovy

5. Don't forget street style

Street style — the risky and fashion-forward clothing worn by the editors and bloggers who attend Fashion Week — is oftentimes even more interesting to view than the designer looks on the runway because we get to see how (sort-of) regular women style their pieces and mix high and low-end items to create a unique look. Download The Sartorialist app because photographer Scott Schuman has one of the best eyes in the business. If you want to check out other blogs that focus on "ordinary" extraordinary folks' fashion, but aren't sure where to begin, Chicfeed does the work for you by filtering the best street styles.

Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows

The fact that it's Balmain should be enough for most fashion fans but if you need convincing… it really, really looks like the main Balmain line.

In fact when models Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn rocked up to the American Billboard Awards back in May many fashion editors assumed they were wearing mainline Balmain, so similar their outfits were to items from previous years’ collections.

Kendall’s navy velvet jacket-dress with intricate beaded embroidery is a dead ringer for a piece from the AW12 collection, while Jourdan’s ruched skirt is identical to one seen on the AW13 catwalk and her top could easily be mistaken for part of the AW14 line.

More: Retailer uses trans creatives to "broaden the view on gender in fashion"

The official H&M announcement, made via Instagram as the models were walking the red carpet with designer Olivier Rousteing, revealed that their outfits were actually hot-off-the-rack pieces from the forthcoming Balmain x H&M line.

Balmain x H&M will be the 11th instalment of the store's hugely successful designer collabs. Previous collections include Alexander Wang, Versace, Lanvin, Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld.

In an interview with Vogue.com, Rousteing said: "My collaboration is different from the others. H&M really challenged themselves with craftsmanship, with the high couture level of France, and the results are great. Ten years ago, I was the one waiting in front of the window to get the pieces. So I feel like this time I have a double personality: One is the designer who created the collection, and the second is the one who remembers how it felt to wait for the pieces and fight to get them."

Courtesy: Olivier Rousteing/Instagram

Another sneak peak at the collection came from Elle France, which Instagrammed a black embellished dress with a baroque design, which is very similar to one Kim Kardashian wore to her 2014 hen party.

Courtesy: Elle France/Instagram

More: 14 Ways to rock a floppy hat like you were born for it

Readers of the October issue of Elle UK were treated to a glimpse of another three Balmain x H&M looks: Beetlejuice trousers and a fluffy jacket, an embellished pink dress and black hareem trousers and a sleeveless blazer.

Courtesy: Style.com Indonesia/Instagram

Courtesy: Victoria Mackenzie/Instagram

Courtesy: Jolie.hr/Instagram

More: 3-year-old fashionista has more Instagram followers than you

Balmain x H&M will include womenswear, menswear, accessories and shoes. It hits stores and hm.com on Nov. 5.

Imgur user Maxime has what she calls a "natural tramp stamp" on her left hip, or as it's more commonly known, a birthmark. Now aside from being on the large side, it's not terribly unusual, until you start to see what it very closely resembles — a little dinosaur.

Image: MaximeIndeed/Imgur

Pretty cute, right? Well, Maxime certainly didn't think so while she was growing up. She said on her Imgur page, "I have always hated it and since I can remember I've said 'when I'm older I'm having it removed.'" But wouldn't you know it, as she got older, the little dino birthmark grew on her, to the point where she felt comfortable sharing him with everyone on Imgur.

More: Teen with hundreds of birthmarks embraces being different

And for some reason, everyone on Imgur fell in love with it. Her post, which includes several different pictures of the birthmark, even one where she outlines its dino aspects, has been viewed almost 250,000 times, and currently has 821 comments. Some of the comments come from people who also have weird birthmarks in places, while others voice frustrations on why such an un-extraordinary thing would garner such attention. Even more enjoy pointing out that Maxime is incorrect in calling her natural tattoo a tramp stamp, because a tramp stamp usually denotes a tattoo on the lower back.

Image: MaximeIndeed/Imgur

However, whether they love or hate her, their attention is still counted in the Internet world. My personal favorites are all the photo offerings of other things her "tramp stamp" could be besides a dinosaur. Here are some of the best comments she's received.

INCEPTIONBWAAAAAMM: "Haha my bro has the same thing, the running gag is that the nurse spilt coffee on him when he was born."

SpringPixie: "Wait so if I post vaguely sexualized photos of my birthmarks turned into a cute animal I can get fake internet points too?"

More: Parents take support to the next level by getting birthmark tattoos

Image: Fluffaloo/Imgur

Fluffaloo: Goldfish dragon?

We live in a world where weird, perhaps slightly sexual, body things are what catch people's attention. While some very adamantly point it out as ridiculous, the fact that they still look proves my point. There's really no moral here except it's great to love all the weird stuff on your body, and if putting pictures of it on the Internet empowers you, then you go, girl.

More: Dancer embraces big, beautiful birthmark on her face and inspires us all

The Mattel doll look-a-like has apparently joined the makeup-free selfie movement. The verdict? She's beautiful, of course, but this does remind us to never underestimate the power of makeup.

From the moment Lukyanova surfaced as Barbie come to life, I was less interested in her plastic persona and more curious to see what this woman looked like behind the Barbie act (no matter how amazing her cosmetic artistry may be).

More: Human Barbie, Valeria Lukyanova: Most inane quotes

And to finally see the woman behind the cosmetic mask is humbling.

There is no such thing as the perfect woman, and while there is no denying Lukyanova is gorgeous when she's in character, she is also a natural beauty.

If we've learned anything from this woman, it is not what cosmetics can do for us, but rather that behind the enhancement, being our natural selves is still enough.

1. Chambray shirt and a short printed skirt

Stay cool and stylish by mixing a pretty top with a boho bottom. A combo like this works great dressed down with sneakers, or you can easily dress it up with a statement necklace and pretty sandals. On a colder day, add a sweater.

Shown here: Factory classic chambray shirt (J.Crew Factory, $60); Topshop Ikat Pemlet Skirt (Topshop, $68); Keds Double Up Linen Sneaker (Zappos.com, $55)

2. Pencil skirt and a cute, boxy tee

This chic mix of business and casual will take you anywhere, from a lunch date to a shopping trip to your desk. A pencil skirt is a great investment because they go well with a variety of tops, from tanks to blouses. Swap the strappy sandals for booties as the temps drop.

Shown here: ASOS Pencil Skirt In Printed Texture (asos.com, $68); Madewell Linen Bicoastal Tee in ivory (Madewell, $30); MICHAEL Michael Kors Lilah Flat Espadrille Sandal (Neiman Marcus, $99) 

More: 8 Fashion pieces to help you look effortlessly chic this summer

3. Jumpsuit with sexy wedges

Jumpsuits are awesome because they're basically an entire outfit in one piece. No thinking required! Add a cute pair of wedges and you've got a sleek, sexy and on-trend look. Again, add a jacket when facing colder weather.

Shown here: BCBGeneration Jumpsuit (Zappos.com, $118); Steve Madden Montaukk Espadrille Wedge Sandal in natural (Shoes.com, $61);  Panacea Long Arrowhead Pendant Necklace (Neiman Marcus, $75) 

More: 10 Jumpsuits that breathe life into your wardrobe

4. All white

5. Shift dress with booties

Shift dresses are the ultimate wardrobe staple: They're cool, comfortable and flattering. Mix it up by pairing a sleeveless shift dress with a pair of booties for an unexpected, fashion-forward outfit.

Shown here: Leith Tildon Racerback Shift Dress (Nordstrom, $48); Sole Society Perforated Suede Booties (Qvc.com, $67); Lane Bryant Gathered bangle bracelets (Lane Bryant, $25)