DIY sunset nail design

Supplies:

Instructions:

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We'd love to snap up every piece that celebrities wear. Sadly, many designers price their wares well into the high-figures, making it impossible for us to copy our favorite celeb looks.

Not anymore!

At $395, Monika Chiang's Power Knit Dress is actually a designer piece we can afford. You might not be familiar with the name, but celebs like Hilary Rhoda, Selita Ebanks and Maria Menounos have all rocked the dress over the past year.

It's easy to love this look — it's all business in the front, party in the back with a sexy cut out and low hemline. It transitions nicely from a daytime event to a nighttime party, though it's probably not something we'd wear to the office.

"This deceptively simple sheath is designed to gracefully enhance a woman's natural curves while adding a provocative element through a daring and unexpected cut out back detail," Chiang told SheKnows in a statement.

Available colors include red, hunter green, blackberry — and two with leather panels, black and gray. Menounos opted for the white while out in Los Angeles earlier this summer, while Ebanks wore the black version during a New York Fashion Week show in September.

We love it, mostly because it's timeless and will look amazing for seasons to come — and you know how we like to stretch our dollar.

That was the whole idea behind the dress.

"You can never go wrong with a classic," Chiang added.

More on our fave designers

Shoe chat with David Giordano, Creative Director of Pour La Victoire
Backstage with Whitney Port at New York Fashion Week
Rachel Roy's styling tips for "strong, working women"

Photo credits: Monika Chiang

Throughout my life as a celebrity makeup artist, I have never met anyone purposely trying to appear older than they actually are.

Aging makeup blunders

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have never been busier trying to turn back the clock for their patients. That’s why I am dumbfounded to see so many women unknowingly sporting makeup that adds years to their look. Are you a member of that not-so-exclusive group of ladies parading around town with a self-imposed look of superfluous maturity? I’m revealing the top four makeup blunders that can make anyone look older.

Stay away from heavy, cream/wax-base concealer

Not only does it take forever to smooth out into place, but it always ends up settling into nooks and crannies that definitely don’t need emphasizing.

Solution: Use a weightless, oil-free, liquid concealer with buildable coverage. It’s easy to blend and diminishes dark circles, dark spots and redness without alerting the entire neighborhood to its presence.

Do not “set” your makeup with powder

This step is just an old ploy to add one more step to your makeup routine. You may be simply using too heavy of a moisturizer or too thick of a concealer or foundation, but when the texture on your face is in perfect harmony with your skin type, you do not need to lay down an extra layer of powder that usually ends up settling into fine lines you didn’t even know existed.

Solution: Find makeup that seemingly disappears on skin’s surface, does not add a sticky appearance to your complexion and is self-setting. As the day goes on, reach for blotting papers instead of powder to soak up the shine-causing excess oil. Unlike tissues, blotting papers do not lift the makeup off your face, so your skin stays smooth and fresh-looking.

Ban dark bronzing powder

Some of you are probably saying “I don’t want to look pasty” or “I love bronzing powder.” Well, it doesn’t always love you back, especially if you’ve already applied concealer, foundation and powder — it may start to look more like cement than makeup. Your goal should be injecting your complexion with life and color that makes you look healthy, not orange or dull.

Solution: Try a silky, gel-based color that emulates the glow you get from having exercised or having pure oxygen running through your skin. Soft shades like rose gold, copper or coral-champagne exemplify this perfect mix of blusher/bronzer appeal while lifting your features.

Avoid very thin eyebrows

Thin brows might have been all the rage in the early '20s, '30s and a bit of the '90s, but unless you are a model experimenting for an editorial shoot, this style will only end up making you look way older. A fuller looking brow does wonders with shaving off the years and recalls a time when you were younger and had never given a thought to altering the natural frame above your eyes. Kim Kardashian, Lily Collins, Ashley Olsen and many of today’s top models sport the bushier, natural-looking eyebrow to great effect.

Solution: If you naturally have very thin brows or have gotten carried away with the tweezers, let the hair grow back or simply fill in the missing areas. When adding some fullness, make sure to use a very finely pointed pencil tip and try mimicking hair growth as opposed to just plainly coloring in large parts of skin surface. Always try penciling in from the top part of the brow to elevate and open up the eyes; never fill in going downward toward the eye socket.

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National Pomegranate Month

Pomegranate Perfection

Pomegranate season may be in full swing, but National Pomegranate Month is about to come to a close. So we decided to celebrate the antioxidant packed fruit this November with some beauty products beneficial for your skin . We’ve rounded up five that will have you feeling oh-so-fresh and alive.

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Dannielynn Birkhead is only six, but she's already following in mom Anna Nicole Smith's footsteps by posing for a new GUESS Kids ad campaign set to invade billboards and magazine ads in January.

"Dannielynn has the same playful spirit that her mother had on a set," Paul Marciano, Creative Director for GUESS, Inc., said in a statement. "She is a second-generation GUESS girl, which makes this campaign a first for us."

While we're not so sure it's wise to put the littlest Birkhead in an ad campaign already, it's hard to deny that she's completely adorable in the ads. It got us reminiscing about the voluptuous Smith and all the promise she had before the May-December romances and tabloid drama came into play.

Smith was a Playboy cover girl when GUESS pushed her into superstardom in 1993. The brand casted her to replace German supermodel Claudia Schiffer as the line's new "all-American" face styled after the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Mansfield.

It was actually her stint with the company that earned her the name Anna Nicole. Born Vicki Lynn Hogan, she took her first husband's last name and stayed with it while she posed for Playboy.

"Anna Nicole came from GUESS Jeans, Paul Marciano and me and one of his friends, we were sitting around coming up with a stage name, and that's where that came from," Smith told Larry King in 2002.

Despite the history with the brand, we're surprised that Larry Birkhead has opted to push his daughter into his mother's career. Well, he has an explanation for that.

"Dannielynn has always looked up to her mom's image and... I think that this is kind of Dannielynn's way of paying tribute to her mom in her own special way," he told Good Morning America on Nov. 27.

"To see her mom's picture next to hers as a GUESS girl and say, 'Hey, I was a GUESS Kids girl, my mommy was a GUESS girl,' that might be her only connection with her mom."

Sad.

More on celebrity style

Looking for a splurge? Celebs love Monika Chiang's knit dress
Friday’s Fashion Obsessions: Sophia Bush and the Victoria's Secret Angels
Lisa Ling dishes her beauty secrets from around the world

Photo credits: GUESS? via WENN.com

Skin care focus: Microdermabrasion

Get younger, smoother skin

We all know how important exfoliation is when it comes to keeping skin smooth, soft and healthy. Microdermabrasion offers a way to reap the benefits of a skin scrubbing session without having to open a bottle or shop for a product that works. Purported to take years off your face, we have the goods on how this skin treatment works.

Microdermabrasion: What is it?

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, almost 500,000 microdermabrasion procedures were done in 2011 alone, and it’s consistently in the top five most popular nonsurgical procedures. The painless procedure involves exfoliating the surface layer of the skin with a simple abrasive paddle, cream or crystals. Removing the dead cells allows the younger, smoother skin beneath to be revealed.

What to expect

A typical microdermabrasion session is fairly quick — it takes between 15 and 30 minutes, making it an ideal midday treatment. Whether you’re fighting fine lines, dealing with age spots or want an effective way to minimize discoloration or other superficial skin blemishes, this multitasking treatment might be a good option for you. Microdermabrasion can also be helpful with oily and enlarged pores, blackheads and even some acne scarring.

Microdermabrasion is also known to stimulate the creation of collagen and cell turnover, something countless anti-aging creams promise, but never seem to deliver. Immediately following a microdermabrasion session, skin often feels smoother and tighter.

What to consider

Thinking of taking the plunge? Microdermabrasion is a common, non-surgical procedure; however, there are people who should opt out — talk to your physician before booking an appointment. Other than that, microdermabrasion is effective on all skin types and colors, offers a great alternative to chemical peels for anyone with sensitive skin and offers another way to keep skin looking younger and healthier.

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Seen here: Jennifer Garner

Watch out for the fashion police

When does a hip mom cross the line between trendy and tacky? We've rounded up some of the worst crimes of fashion any mom can commit — are you guilty of any?

More and more moms are taking fashion cues from their teenage daughters, according to researchers at Temple University's Fox School of Business. The findings of the study, published in The Journal of Consumer Behavior, stated that mothers "doppelgang" their adolescent daughters' style.

If you're one of those moms, then it's time for an intervention. Let it go and embrace your own fabulous mom style. How do you tell if you're an offender? If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, then you are guilty!

Do you think it's sexy to show multiple bra straps?

Perhaps this generation of teenage girls is having some sort of strap contest. They layer a tank top over a camisole over a bra and the result is a collection of visible shoulder straps in every color of the rainbow.

The look may be trendy among teens, but it's downright tacky on moms. When you're airing all of your lingerie straps for the world to see, it just looks like you forgot to check the mirror before you went out...

Does your thong play peekaboo?

If all of the shoppers in the store get a glimpse of your lacy thong as you bend down to get a jar of pickles, then we've got a problem.

The thong itself isn't the problem — thongs are great when you don't want panty lines to show. The real problem is the fit of your jeans. Your undies shouldn't show every time you bend over!

Before you let the pendulum swing the other way and resort to mom jeans, why not try out a pair of nicely fitted mid-rise jeans... or a longer shirt!

Do you flaunt your ink?

For today's teen, getting a tattoo is every bit as common as getting her ears pierced. And tattoos can look tasteful and attractive on young, taut skin — a delicate flower on the shoulder, for example.

What our precious teens don't realize — and what we know all too well — is that skin doesn't stay firm forever. Gravity takes over with age, and that hummingbird looks very different on middle-age bat wings than it did on your 16-year-old cheerleader's bicep.

Do you pierce more than your ears?

Don't even try to keep up with the next generation's piercings. One hole in each ear is plenty. Trust us!

Take the money you have earmarked for piercing your nose, lip and eyebrows and invest in a classy pair of diamond earrings instead.

Do you wear shirts that don't reach your pants?

Back in the '80s, we wore short shirts called "cropped tops." Whatever they're called these days, they are off limits for anyone who's already graduated high school.

For moms whose abs are less-than-flat, a shirt that covers the entire torso is the only way to go. Muffin tops are very, very bad.

And for Pilates devotees with fab abs, a whole shirt is still better than half. Show off your physique with fitted tops and belted jackets instead.

More fashion

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Photo credit: WENN.com

Determine and embrace your body shape

Body shape is all about proportion, and fashion is all about dressing those proportions to look their very best.

When you think about body types, don't focus on height and weight... focus on shape. A slender gal can have the same body shape as a curvy gal, just as a short woman can have the same body shape as her taller friend.

Each of us is unique — and our bodies are, too! Nevertheless, our body shapes are generally narrowed down to five general categories: pear, wedge, rectangle, apple and hourglass. You might fall into one category, or you might be a blend of two or more categories.

Once you've determined your body shape, you can begin to consider which fashion trends to embrace and which to avoid. Spend some time in front of the mirror and do a fair and honest assessment of your body. Then put these fashion tips to work for you!

Pear-shaped celebrities: Kim Kardashian, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Katherine Heigl

• Pear body traits: Your lower body is wider than your upper body — in other words, your hips are wider than your shoulders. Your bottom is rounded and your waist is well-defined.
• Your best assets: Shoulders, torso and flat stomach
• Your fashion goals: Emphasize your waist and arms, add volume to your shoulders and upper body and minimize your hips.

If your body is pear-shaped like Kim Kardashian's, then you want to minimize your lower half and focus attention upward.

• DON'T wear clothing that draws attention to hips and thighs, such as cargo pants or print skirts.
• DO try a-line skirts, which camouflage wider hips.
• DO keep hems of pants, skirts and dresses wide to balance the hips.
• DO experiment with light-colored tops and dark-colored bottoms for contrast.
• DO look for boat neck tops, square and cowl necklines.
• DO wear strapless dresses to show off arms and even out proportions.
• DO try styles with ruffles on top.
• DO wear jackets that hit right above the waist.
• DO opt for pointy-toed shoes to elongate your legs.

Wedge-shaped celebs: Naomi Campbell, Demi Moore, Renee Zellweger, Teri Hatcher

• Wedge body traits: Also known as the inverted triangle, this body shape features a broad chest and wide shoulders which are large in proportion to a narrow waist and hips.
• Your best asset: Your legs
• Your fashion goals: Accentuate your lower body while softening your shoulders and upper body.

If you have a wedge body like Audrina Patridge's, then you want to draw attention downward to the narrower parts of your body, such as your waist and hips.

• DO wear bright colors on bottom.
• DO wear wide-leg pants.
• DO wear full skirts.
• DON'T wear spaghetti-strap tops.
• DON'T wear boat neckline tops.
• DO wear tops that call attention to your waistline.
• DO experiment with high-waisted styles.
• DO look for clothes that create the illusion of a waist.

Rectangle-shaped celebs: Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Hilary Swank

• Rectangle body traits: The waist, hip and shoulder widths are similar and are usually on the slim side. Slender rectangles have an athletic look about them.
• Your best assets: Your arms and legs — and you don't have to minimize any body features.
• Your fashion goals: Create curves and show off slender legs and arms.

If your body is rectangle-shaped like Natalie Portman's, then you want to create curves where they don't necessarily exist.

• DO wear scoop neck and sweetheart tops to create curves.
• DO wear long jackets to create a lean look.
• DO wear tops with collars, ruffles and details to flatter your chest.
• DO wear a good bra that will make the most of what you have.
• DON'T wear overwhelming styles.
• DO layer to add more dimensions.
• DO wear dresses with ruching. Cinches on sides are ideal.
• DO have fun with colorful bottoms... feel free to experiment.

Apple-shaped celebs: Drew Barrymore, Queen Latifah, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Hudson

• Apple body traits: Most of your weight accumulates above the hips, which are narrow. Your back, ribs and shoulders are broad, and you may feel wider than other body types.
• Your best asset: Those legs!
• Your fashion goals: Elongate the torso, show off your legs and use fashion to create the illusion of a waist.

If you have an apple-shaped body like Jennifer Hudson's, then you want to elongate your midsection and create the illusion of a smaller waist.

• DO go for monochromatic looks.
• DO go for v-neck tops to create the illusion of a longer torso.
• DO wear a bra that offers good lift and support.
• DO wear belts at the smallest part of your waist.
• DO conceal tummy bulge by wearing empire tops and dresses.
• DO wear boot cut and flared jeans to create an even line from the shoulders down.
• DO wear shorter skirts to show off your legs and draw attention away from your midsection.

Hourglass-shaped celebs: Beyonce, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Halle Berry, Vanessa Minnillo

• Hourglass body traits: Your shoulders and hips are similar in proportion and set off by a tiny waist.
• Your best assets: Curves, curves, curves!
• Your fashion goals: Show off your curves... without going overboard.

If your body is hourglass-shaped like Beyonce's, then you're a lucky girl! Your shape is all about tastefully showing off those curves: not too baggy, not too tight.

• DON'T hide your curves with baggy clothing.
• DO wear a good bra and showcase your bust.
• DO wear fitted dresses.
• DO wear a belt at the waist to enhance your hourglass shape.
• DO try wrap dresses.
• DO go for high-waisted skirts to show off your hips.
• DO pick thin, lightweight styles and fabrics.
• DO wear skinny or straight leg jeans.

More fashion

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How to tuck non-skinny jeans into boots

Photo credits: WENN.com

How to rock jeans and boots

All
tucked up

Don’t own any skinny jeans or just not a straight leg kind of girl? No worries! If you have the know-how, it’s fairly simple to tuck those bulky, wide leg pants into a pair of cute boots. We’ll show you not one, but two chic ways to rock the look. Get ready girls!

What's needed:

First, you’ll want to find a pair of boots that hit right below your knees or a bit higher. They should also be a little loose on your legs, in order to leave room for your pants to be tucked in.

As far as jeans go, opt for a pair that has some flare. Make sure they’re snug on your thighs and fitted at the knees though. Otherwise, they’ll get all bunched up and baggy when you try to tuck them in, which definitely isn’t a good look.

Last but not least, grab some thin, high socks to slide over your pants to hold that fold in place. You’ll see what we mean shortly — don’t fret!

How to tuck it:

Put on your slimmest pair of non-skinny jeans. Remember that the more fitted they are, the better.

Roll up the leg of your jean, as shown in the photo below, to create a nice, clean cuff.

Once you’ve created your cuff, transform your wide leg jeans into skinny jeans by pulling the extra material at the back of your leg out. Then fold it over, making a tight crease.

If you don’t have socks , you can roll up the leg of your jean again to hold that crease in place.

If you do have socks, however, grab your thinnest, tightest pair and slip them up and over your jeans to hold the material in place. Your socks should be high enough so that they cover everything you’ve done so far.

Next, pull on your boots, checking to see that no sock is visible if you chose to wear them.

All done! Now you’re ready to hit the town in style.

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The perfect black button down blouse styled 5 ways

There’s no better way to jazz up a summer dress than by pairing it with a tried-and-true black button down blouse, such as this chic MondayMarch tunic top. Class up the look with a belt and high heels, and don’t forget to choose a bold bag and jewelry!

We’re huge suckers for vests during the winter, so why not toss one over your little black blouse to give it a much-needed update? Using the same MondayMarch tunic top, we opted for a bold blue puffer vest paired with flashy and sporty accessories.

Transform your long black blouse into a cute crop top by undoing the last several buttons and tying it off. Or if you prefer, just pick up a pre-cropped top like this Alice In The Eve Stud Shirt pictured above. We love this look with bold, high-waisted leggings and contrasting-color ballet flats. If you're wary of wearing a crop top, you can get the same look without showing off the skin by layering the cropped top over a cami

For the fashionistas who live in hotter climates like LA, try styling your button down blouse with a pair of cute shorts, and be sure to tuck it in all the way around. Any black blouse will work for this look, but we love the sheer look of the blouse above. Pair it with nude tights or leggings to guarantee warm legs and finish the look with bold platform ankle boots.

Unleash your inner prep this season and layer your black blouse underneath a casual knit sweater. The contrasting collar and shirttail spilling out the bottom is right on trend for winter — trust us. Almost any color palette will do, but peacock hues are especially trendy.

Discover more fashion tips and tricks

3 Perfect outfits for running errands
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Discover more fashion tips and tricks

How to tuck non-skinny jeans into boots
The many lengths of pants and how to wear each
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Take care of your skin

The right
skin care
for your age

Skin isn’t static. As your body’s largest organ, it is a curious blend of strength and delicacy, both a fortified barrier and one of the first areas to show damage. Oily or dry, blemish-prone or dewy and clear, skin is constantly changing as you age, and what constitutes proper skin care for you at 20 won’t cut it at 40.

To best address your evolving epidermis, you should first understand the underlying causes. Use the following tips to identify your skin type by age and issue — then follow the corresponding advice to assemble a skin care system that changes as you do.

Skin care tips if you are in your 20s…

Problem: Acne Vulgaris

Forget what you’ve heard about pizza: Despite common belief, eating oily foods won’t make you break out. Instead, acne is related to hormone levels . This leads to the overproduction of sebum, an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands, which clogs and causes pores to swell, resulting in the characteristic red bumps we know as acne.

Cleanse face twice a day with a salicylic acid acne wash, and then apply benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient found in many over-the-counter products that unclogs pores and kills acne-causing bacteria. If blemishes persist, your dermatologist may recommend oral or topical antibiotics for a stronger treatment regimen.

Skin care tips if you are in your 30s…

Problem: Dull complexion, light wrinkles

Though you still feel young and chipper, skin can begin to show its age during this decade. Years of sun damage, aided by decreased cell turnover, can cause your complexion to appear dull and mottled. And look out for those first telltale wrinkles, usually showing up around the eyes and mouth.

The 30s are a great time to start a DNA repair regimen. The new frontier in skin care is all about addressing aging at the cellular source — and there are plenty of affordable products to help. Look for moisturizers with retinol and vitamin C to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and use a high SPF sunscreen daily to avoid amassing additional damage.

Skin care tips if you are in your 40s…

Problems: Age spots , dry and uneven texture

If you sunbathed, smoked and spurned good skin care for the first half of your life, this is the decade where that damage becomes evident. Even if you were meticulous in your preventative care, though, hormonal shifts and inevitable sun exposure can create brown spots and leave skin looking dry.

Whoever said that 40 is the new 30 must have been exfoliating. For older, drier skin, physical exfoliants can be irritating. Instead, reach for a chemical exfoliant containing an alpha-hydroxy or polyhydroxy acid to remove wrinkles and increase collagen production. Be sure to follow with an antioxidant-rich moisturizer and high SPF sunscreen to maintain proper hydration in a thinning epidermis.

Skin care tips if you are in your 50s…

Problems: Deep wrinkles, loss of subcutaneous fat

At this age, especially with the onset of menopause, you may begin to experience facial hollowing , which can cause skin to sag and wrinkles to deepen.

A class of cosmetic treatments, known as “dermal fillers,” can fill in wrinkles, lift and support sagging skin and even help promote the growth of new collagen, all of which will improve an aging complexion. Popular brands of injectables include Juvederm and Sculptra, treatment is non-invasive and results can last up to a year or more. Be sure to choose an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon for your procedure.

More anti-aging advice

Don't look 40 at 30: Skin care tips from a pro
Steal vs. splurge: Anti-aging eye treatments
The lunch hour facelift

Can peels make you pretty?

Getting pretty with peels

Have you ever wondered how your favorite celebs keep their complexions glowing? A lot of them rely on chemical peels. What are they and how do they work? We’re here to give you the scoop on this skin care treatment.

What are they?

One of the least invasive ways to improve the look of your skin , chemical peels are known to offer a whole host of beauty benefits, including removing blemishes, blotches and age spots, giving skin a youthful, glowing appearance and minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Why get one?

Everything from sun exposure and aging to acne and clogged pores can leave you with an uneven skin tone, fine lines, scarring and a dull, lackluster complexion. If you want your skin to look smoother, younger and more vibrant, a chemical peel can make a significant difference. Not to mention, depending on what you want to treat, they can be fast. Sometimes referred to as the “lunchtime peel,” depending on the strength of peel you opt for, the treatment requires minimal down time, making it easy to get one on your lunch break.

How do they work?

Although the word “chemical” might sound scary, it's not as frightening as it sounds. Fresher, smoother skin is achieved with a chemical solution which works to smooth the texture of your skin by removing the damaged outer layers. Chemical solutions are carefully applied to your skin in one of three strengths, and the formula used by your doctor can be adjusted based on your needs and skin type. The type of acid used also plays a key role since some are stronger than others.

Depending on what you want to achieve — clearer complexion, smoother skin, minimized scarring, etc. — there should be a peel to suit your needs. Peels formulated with alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are the mildest form of peels . Medium peels are stronger and treat skin with surface wrinkles and uneven skin tone or pigment problems. Varying strengths are used to adjust the depth of the peel, depending on what complexion concerns you have.

Deep peels require the use of the strongest solution but achieve the most dramatic results — think deeper wrinkles smoothed out and blotchiness banished.

More beauty tips and trends

5 Skin cleansing mistakes you could be making
Seasonal skin shift: Prepping your skin for colder weather
The secret to getting illuminated skin

stocking stuffer ideas

Beauty can
come cheap!

You know that saying "It's the little things in life?" Yeah, well I'm a big believer in the whole "less is more" area, especially when it comes to gifts. Whether you're looking for a little something to add to your loved ones' holiday gifts or want to stock your own stuffing this year, I've rounded up a few beauty goodies that won't break the bank!

Are you a mascara junkie? Then you'll love this fun and affordable limited edition eyelash curler and mascara duo from tarte! Prefer a bit more variety in your makeup? Check out this mascara, liner, lip gloss trio from bareMinerals .

Every year I get excited all over again to see what holiday products philosophy comes out with! This year, I'm totally crushing on their cinnamon buns shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath ornament . Another brand that's hopped on the adorable beauty-filled ornament trend? AHAVA. Each of their decorative holiday tubes contains two of the brand's top selling products, and they're totally perfect for the traveling gal in your life.

The holidays are the perfect time to have a little bit of fun with your nails! Nail art anyone?! This season, give yourself the gift of beautiful nails with the best in holiday shades. Our picks? OPI's limited edition Kardashian Kolor Holiday lacquers  or Jesse's Girl's JulieG Holiday Collection .

Winter is going to be here before you know it, and you know what that means? Cold and flu season is coming with it. Ward off the seasonal germs in style with Bath & Body Works' adorable PocketBacs in fun holiday flavors. Our fave? Vanilla Bean Noel  

And last but not least, if you haven't fallen in love with the brand behind the amazing and cute egg-shaped lip balms, now's the perfect time! This holiday season, EOS has released a limited edition Alice in Wonderland Collection featuring three fun flavors: Blueberry Potion, Sweet Vanilla Nonsense and Watermelon Wonderland.

More beauty gifts

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Gift guide: Fab holiday accessories for the fashionista
Gift guide: Holiday beauty product roundup

Trendspotting

Forgiving holiday outfits

Hello SK Style Watchers! Something that I look forward to every holiday season is hitting the party circuit, catching up with friends and family, and then of course, enjoying the rich, decadent food and drink. For most of us, this translates to a few extra pounds, which we'll aim to lose come January. So today, I'm going to share three great tips on how can you hide that extra goodness for the next few weeks, all while looking super chic and gorgeous!

Go monochromatic

Anyone familiar with Fashion 101 knows that black is slimming. But rather than go all black for the next few months, venture into some other neutral shades as well, such as gray, camel or navy. Wear the same shade head to toe, and then add a pop of color with your shoes, bag or accessories. For layering, start with your dark shade first, then add a jacket or cardigan in another color. With prints, remember, the smaller the print, the smaller and slimmer you'll appear.

Rachel Zoe Jumpsuit

Dresses instead of pants

While pants are unforgiving when it comes to size, many dresses can still be worn when you're packing extra cheesecake. Most women carry their weight in the waist, hips or thighs, so the last thing you want to struggle with when you've gained a few is putting on a pair of pants! Instead, opt for dresses that skim effortlessly over these areas, and wear with tights to magically shed that extra weight. V-neck dresses whittle down a waist, as does a belt worn at the smallest and highest part of the waist, just under your ribcage.

If you have to wear pants, choose a bootcut trouser or jean over the dreaded skinny pant, as these will balance your look and make your waist appear smaller.

Alex & Ava Jersey Dress

Accessorize to minimize

It sounds crazy, but bigger accessories give the illusion that the rest of you is smaller. A great statement necklace, a large man's watch, a medium to large bag, and most important, a chunky heel will all balance your look and help you to look slimmer. That being said, choose only one or two big pieces to keep your overall look in proportion.

Outfit by Kate Spade, Nordstrom.com

One final note: I've seen so many well-meaning women wear clothes that have no shape and are many sizes too big, thinking that they are fooling everyone and hiding their extra pounds. But this has the opposite effect, and truly makes you appear larger, shapeless and makes your outfit look sloppy.

So make sure what you're wearing still fits and flatters. Pick items that still show you have a shape, because tents are for the woods, people! Now, you can choose one separate item per outfit that is slightly larger, such as a boyfriend jacket or cardigan. Pick that one piece carefully, and don't expect to hide under an entire look that is several sizes too big.

More trendspotting

Trendspotting with Jill Laine: Adorn yourself with accessories
Trendspotting with Jill Laine: Fall blouses
Trendspotting with Jill Laine: Fall 2012 colors

Expert skincare

get Celeb-worthy skin

She tends to some of the hottest celebs' skin, and now Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salon & Skincare Collection, is sharing some of her hot holiday skin care tips with us!

SheKnows: The holidays are coming really soon, so what tips do you have for any gals who want to clear their skin up fast for all those holiday photos?

Joanna Vargas: Every girl I know wants clean, clear and glowing skin, especially for holiday parties and yes, the photos. My best tip is to start by eating a bit of avocado every day as part of your salad, or even throwing a half of an avocado into your morning smoothie. Avocado supplies the skin with healthy fats and phytonutrients to hydrate from the inside out and bring back your glow.

Eliminating coffee in the afternoon when you are dragging your feet at work and substituting that with a green juice will do wonders for your face. It will decrease puffiness in the eyes and will even improve dark circles. Green juice will also help to oxygenate the skin, which means the skin will be better able to rid itself of impurities and bring in nutrients.

Finally, there is no replacing a great skin care regimen at home. Washing the face every night before bed is essential. The skin repairs at night and needs to be clean to reset itself. Sleeping with a great serum on the skin really helps the skin to rejuvenate and repair so much faster. I have a serum in my line called the Rejuvenating Serum which is made from argan oil for vitamin C, jojoba oil for balancing oil production, olive oil, a skin softener, neroli oil for better circulation and rosehips oil for environmental protection. It improves your skin's ability to heal and improves the texture of the skin.

“When the body can't digest something properly, the next step is to try and push it out through the skin.„

SK: Desserts often get a bad reputation for causing acne. Since the holidays are filled with them, tell us: Are they really to blame for our breakouts?

JV: Some people can literally eat anything and have no repercussions, but many people these days have trouble with their digestion. When the body can't digest something properly, the next step is to try and push it out through the skin, hence breakouts after a sugary dessert. If you have something at a party that you will pay for later, try and do a quick fix: I keep liquid chlorophyll in the fridge and do a shot of it before bed if I had dessert. The greens in it will help my body digest better and my skin looks clean and clear in the morning!

SK: How far in advance before Christmas would you recommend getting a facial to make sure your skin glows in all those party pictures?

JV: If you are going to a party that you want to look perfect for, have a facial the week before. If you have had extractions, that gives them time to heal so your skin looks perfect for your event.

SK: You have a big celebrity following, so tell me: What is the most common question/concern your clients have?

JV: The most common concern from every client is the worry that their skin just doesn't "glow" anymore and looks lifeless. Everyone's life is busy and stressful and we never get enough sleep. Greens in the diet and greens in your skin care are a great solution.

My line has a serum, my Daily Serum, which is inspired by my love of green juices for the skin. It contains oat grass juice for the lymphatic system, chlorophyll for oxygenation, vitamins ACEF found in leafy greens and hyaluronic acid which holds 1,000 times its weight in water.

My favorite ingredient is galactoarabinan, derived from the larch tree, which causes more cell turnover than a glycolic but it’s also anti-inflammatory, so it doesn't cause irritation, even in sensitive skin. It's the top selling product in my salon because it works for everyone and it’s my secret weapon for dull skin.

SK:Any at-home remedies or recipes you can recommend for ladies who might get a pesky breakout around the holidays?

JV: Believe it or not, it’s very easy to use kitchen ingredients on the face. I like to make a mask:

•  1/2 cup yogurt
•  1/2 cup mashed strawberry
•  1/4 cup honey

Mix together and apply to face and neck for 10 minutes. It's soothing and tightens pores. If you want to add some extra exfoliation, put two tablespoons of almond power into this one and scrub it onto the skin with extra time spent on the t-zone, where most blackheads are found. Then, leave it on as a beauty mask. The results will be amazing!

More holidays

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Fashion & beauty gifts for the giver on a budget
Beauty and style gifts for the eco-friendly friend

Ah, the holidays. Beginning with Halloween, continuing through Thanksgiving and lasting through New Year's Eve, these three months provide more photo ops than any other time of year. Unfortunately, for many people, it’s also when skin looks its worst. Leftover sun damage from the summer months can leave skin looking red, mottled and dull — and leave you camera shy.

Also known as “IPL,” or intense pulsed light, a photo facial can even out skin tone, shrink pores and treat rosacea. Though by no means new, the treatment is receiving renewed interest for being fast and practically painless.

Here’s an overview of the photo facial, from start to finish, with hints to help you get a fresh complexion just in time for 2013.

Step one: Am I a candidate for IPL?

IPL is not for everyone. Skin color, health history and tendency to scar are important factors that will affect your eligibility, and a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist is a great place to start.

IPL can be used to improve the appearance of many skin conditions, but it’s not a catchall. Here’s what a photo facial can and cannot do.

Step two: How do I prepare for a photo facial?

If you’re approved for the treatment, make sure to stay out of the sun. Melanin is a natural photoprotectant and helps prevent DNA damage to your skin cells by absorbing light energy, but that helpful property interferes with the effectiveness of the treatment.

For best results, avoid sun exposure for at least two weeks before your photo facial and wear a high SPF sunscreen after.

For most people, IPL therapy is performed with a series of three to five treatments, about a month apart each. Results can be seen as early as your second treatment and skin improves on a continual basis for weeks afterwards, giving you a better complexion by New Year's Eve and on into 2013.

Step 3: What happens at the appointment?

One of the advantages of the photo facial is that it usually only takes around 30 minutes for a complete treatment. A topical numbing cream may be applied to the areas you are having treated, followed up with a cooling gel. The IPL is then applied to the skin, and the light acts on the tissue. The body’s natural healing process removes the affected tissue over the next few weeks, allowing the skin to rejuvenate itself for a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Most patients have no downtime, and makeup can be applied immediately after to cover any residual redness.

When you’re in the throes of holiday retail madness, it might be hard to justify spending money on yourself. Luckily, photo facials are usually considerably less expensive than their laser therapy counterparts. Treatments by a board certified plastic surgeon usually start at around $350 per session.

More cosmetic procedures

Lunch hour "facelift"
Ultherapy: A surgery-free facelift
The pros and cons of non-invasive procedures

If you have fair to light skin...

Try going red. No, not fiery red but a softer hue like the one seen above on Alexis Bledel. The natural warmth enhances fair skin to keep it from looking washed out and dull. It’s almost a strawberry blonde without looking overly beachy. Going red will add spice to your fall wardrobe and be a unique color among the typical fall espresso shades. Red can be a difficult hair color to maintain, so talk to your stylist about the best way to keep your tresses from fading and what the minimal upkeep will be.

Photos: Redhead hairstyles>>

If you have light to normal skin...

Try a muted brown. This hair color, like the one seen here on Keira Knightley, is a great way to go brown without being too overwhelmingly dark. It enhances light to normal skin tones and brightens the face.

Talk to your stylist about keeping the hues natural and almost ashy. Adding too much gold or cool tones will not add life to your skin, but instead could leave you looking rather dreary.

If you have normal to tanned skin...

Try a vivid chestnut. We can thank Princess Kate for the sudden trend of this classic color, and other celebs are following suit . The deep hue is incredibly popular and is actually very flattering on most skin tones. It’s not too dark or too brown or too light, but somewhere in between. The chestnut tones will enhance your complexion and leave you looking fresh all autumn long. Tell your stylist that you are going for more of a natural chestnut in order to avoid an overly dark color.

More hairstyle tips

Why dirty hair is better
The best of the best shampoo awards
Seriously, what's the secret to the perfect blow out?

Photo credits: Lia Toby/WENN.com, PNP/WENN.com, FayesVision/WENN.com

Pajamas

Leather leggings

Peplums

How to wear sleepwear to the workplace? That's a tricky one. This season we saw a plethora of printed silky pajama style pants and tops. The look is cool, comfortable, and in my opinion, a fun alternative to classic tailoring. Here is how you can rock this look without looking like you just rolled out of bed:

Your new wardrobe staple! Leather is everywhere right now and is one of the more wearable trends of the moment. From T-shirts to pencil skirts, leather is putting a new spin on wardrobe basics. Leather leggings are the most common piece we are seeing right now, and for good reason, as I think they are a versatile alternative to denim.

For day: Try wearing your leather pants with a T-shirt, oversized knit sweater and ballet flats. If you are a little more sporty, pair your pants with a cool heather gray sweatshirt, an on trend army jacket and high top sneakers.

For night: I suggest a silky blouse or lacy top to add a little softness and femininity. Pair with a high heel or bootie and you are ready to go!

Show off your waist with maximum impact. The peplum trend is actually one that can give you a slimming effect — something we all love. To avoid looking like you are straight out of the 1950s, choose softer fabrics to instantly channel a more modern vibe.

Forget shapewear. A well-placed peplum can hide a tummy and accentuate a small waist. Just be sure that whatever you pair with the peplum is streamlined to accent your shape. Also, be sure to choose less severe silhouettes, as too much of a peplum can not only look silly but give the illusion of added weight in your hips.

To wear a peplum top, choose a fitted pencil skirt or alternatively, choose a skinny, straight or tapered pant. To wear a peplum skirt or dress, make sure the top is fitted and that the skirt is slim or pencil.

Choose accessories in a punchy color or metallic, and add a statement necklace or piece of jewelry. The contrast will keep you looking fresh, feminine and on trend.

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Photo credits: Rob Rich/WENN.com, FayesVision/WENN.com, WENN.com