Holiday makeup tips

tried and true

The holiday party season is here and you’ll probably be heading out to some of these celebrations straight from work. The harsh reality is, even expertly applied and carefully maintained makeup will crease, fade, slip or smudge during the day. No worries, I’ve devised a foolproof strategy of touch-up tips to bring back that ‘freshly applied’ look you started the day with… plus some extra tips to make sure you look fabulously festive!

You can layer any of these tricks into the touch-up to give your makeup some extra party pizzazz.

• You glow, girl! Create your own “candlelight” glow by applying a highlight powder to the tops of you cheekbones and under the eyes to accent and brighten the center of your face for evening lighting.
• “Burnish” your face with bronzing powder by sweeping from you cheekbones back toward your temples, then across the hairline and finally just below the chin.
• Jewel lining! Turn your smoky eye into a standout eye by relining you entire eye with a jewel-tone waterproof eyeliner . Smudge it into a playful smoke or leave it sharp for graphic impact.
• Light up the sparkle! Lightly brush a glaze of shimmering metallic shadow on your eyelid directly over your existing eye makeup to add an unexpected spark whenever you lower your lid or blink.
• Greek goddess. Top your lipstick off with a dab of sparkling gold or silver iridescent gloss to give it some glamorous gleam.

Above all… remember it’s the holiday season, so have some FUN with your makeup. Now don’t just stand there, powder that nose so we can go party!

More on beauty

Fall makeup trends
The little things in beauty
Beauty tips from backstage

Dazzling holiday dresses

The holiday season means a few things: shopping, eating and most importantly, dressing up! That’s why this week on Pretty Little Things , we’re rounding up the cocktail frocks we’re coveting.

One-shoulder chic

If you’re on the lookout for a new LBD for party season, we suggest this chic one-shoulder mini in stretchy knit for optimum comfort that looks great all night . Black stretch lace covers a nude underlay for a flattering, form-fitting silhouette. Add some vibrant heels and lips to match for a pretty, party-ready look.

Check out more of our favorite Pretty Little Things>>

More style tips and trends

Fashionable flats: Get grounded with cute shoes for fall
Pretty Little Things: Lace-inspired jewelry
Vince Camuto's new line now in stores

how to treat brittle, colored hair

We're partnering up with some of the hair industry's top talents to bring you answers to your most pressing hair questions. Up today? Kyle White, lead colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon, is showing us how to deal with brittle, colored hair.

Kyle's answer!

One of the most common questions I'm asked when meeting a new client is, "Will this damage my hair?" The honest answer, depending on what you plan to have done, may be yes.

Here is a list of hair coloring options that do not damage hair:

• Semi-permanent hair color — These dyes are good for adding shine and tone, as well as covering up to 25 percent of gray hair. Vegetable and other semi-permanent dyes do not contain ammonia or peroxide, and also wash out of the hair gradually so there is no line of demarcation. At the same time, you cannot lighten hair with semi-permanent color.
• Glosses — These are a great introduction to hair color for the nervous first-time color client. Glosses coat the hair, sealing the shingle-like outer layer of the hair cuticle, which makes the hair reflect tons of light for incredible shine. They can also add tone, whether you want to add warmth or a hint of red to your color, they are quick and have no damaging chemicals. Simultaneously, they do not cover gray or lighten hair.
• Demi-permanent hair color — These dyes have no ammonia and very low levels of peroxide. They can lift hair one shade and cover up to 35 percent of gray hair. Demi-permanent hair color also lasts slightly longer than semi-permanent hair dye.
• Permanent dye — These dyes offer 100 percent coverage and grow out rather than wash out. You can lift hair up to five shades and completely change your color, like going from brown to red, for example. Traditional water-based permanent hair dyes use ammonia to open the cuticle of the hair, which allows the color molecules to be deposited in the hair shaft. Ammonia is damaging to the hair regardless of how small the amount, not to mention the odor and stinging it can cause when applied.

The latest technology is oil-based permanent hair dyes, like INOA by L’Oreal. These dyes use an ammonia substitute called monoethanolymide, which isn't damaging to the hair at all and actually leaves the hair in better condition. This technology is currently only available for professionals, but the exciting news is that it will be available for at-home hair coloring this December with the release of Olia, also by L'Oreal. The only limitation between oil-based and water-based dyes is that you can only lift three shades.

Unfortunately, when doing highlights or a drastic color change, ammonia and peroxide are necessary and can be damaging. Here are some tips to keep hair healthy while using these types of stronger chemicals:

1. The foundation for any hair care routine is a good shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for color treated hair, which contains low sulfates and high moisturizing elements.
2. If and when you use heat styling tools, be sure to use a thermal protector like the one from Infusium 23 that is also a leave-in treatment with protein and vitamins.
3. The sun fades paint jobs on cars and the cushions on your patio furniture, and it does the same to your hair color. You should use a sunblock for your hair every time you wash — even in the winter. If you’re going to be in direct sunlight, cover your head with a hat or scarf.
4. Salt water and chlorine will not only fry your hair, but they will also turn your blonde locks into orange straw. Fill the cuticle of your hair with an oil that contains SPF, like the product from Phyto Plage, before jumping in the pool or ocean so that your hair won't absorb the chlorinated or salt water. When you get out of the water, rinse your hair with fresh water from a hose or shower, and then reapply the oil and put your hat back on.
5. Cut back on frequent shampooing. Your scalp’s natural oils are Mother Nature’s deep conditioner. Try using a dry shampoo like the Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo. Dry shampoos really work, and using them will help to save your color, your blow out and the health of your hair.
6. As with everything else, healthy hair starts from the inside out. Try taking a hair vitamin like Biotin or a supplement like Viviscal which has a whole system that you can follow.
7. In winter months, I add Phyto Huile D'Ales Ampoules to the hair dye before application to help keep it feeling healthy during the coloring process. To lock in and maintain the integrity of your hair color, you can spray the Huile D'Ales throughout the hair the day before coloring.
8. During winter months, my clients with a dry scalp and psoriasis are faced with the choice between harsh medicated shampoos that strip and fade color or embarrassing itching and flakes. I found that rubbing vitamin E on the scalp before bed and then shampooing in the morning solves this dilemma almost completely in most people. Take two vitamin E capsules and pierce them with a pin. Then, squeeze out the oil and massage into the scalp and hair. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is also reported to increase hair growth.
9. If you must use medicated shampoos with tar or harsh shampoos like Head & Shoulders for your scalp condition, remember that this is not a hair condition so there is no need to lather up your locks and kill your holiday highlights. Try first coating strands with a heavy conditioner, and then rub the shampoo on the affected areas of the scalp only. Next, rinse everything and continue with your normal shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair.
10. Every winter I see an increase in breakage at the nape of the neck from high collars and heavy scarves. Silk, cashmere and softer fabrics will allow the hair to slide along the fabric without rubbing and breaking. Also try sleeping with a silk or satin pillow case for the same reasons.

More hair tips

Mane Event Mondays: How to prevent oily bangs
Mane Event Mondays: How to cure a flaky scalp
Mane Event Mondays: How to keep frizz out of your curls

Do implants increase your risk?

Breast implants & cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but our commitment to monitoring our personal health and working together toward a cure should never pause. After all, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In honor of women’s health, we're taking a closer look at the issue of implants and cancer.

Whether or not you have a familial history of breast cancer, it is an important factor to consider when deciding to undergo a breast augmentation. Do implants impede mammograms? What are the options for rebuilding the breasts after a mastectomy? I will cover the most frequently asked questions and uncover some surprising new research to help you stay happy and healthy before and after surgery.

Do implants increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer?

No — and newly developed implants may in fact be able to deter the growth of cancerous cells in breast reconstruction patients.

Earlier this year, researchers at Brown University created a new kind of implant that uses nanotechnology to deter cancer re-growth. The implant material, a polymer, has a microscopically bumpy surface, which reduces the growth of blood vessels that typically feed cancerous tumors and in turn attracts healthy endothelial cells.

This is a huge breakthrough for reconstructive surgery after cancer, as the implant may help banish any remaining cancer cells without the need for chemotherapy or other intensive and invasive treatments.

On the other hand, implants may delay initial detection of abnormal growth in the breast tissue, which can delay diagnosis. Cancer treatments are always most effective when intervention begins at an early stage.

If you have breast implants, the best way to ensure early detection is to undergo a mammogram before and after your breast augmentation surgery, and periodically thereafter. Women both with and without implants should receive annual physicals and perform monthly self-exams.

I want implants, but my family has a history of breast cancer. What can I do?

Although breast implants may decrease the accuracy of mammograms, they do not raise your risk of developing breast cancer, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

However, if you know that you are predisposed to breast cancer, the best thing you can do is undergo pre- and post-operative mammograms , see your doctor annually for check-ups and perform regular self-exams.

I had a mastectomy. What are my options for rebuilding my breast?

There are several options for rebuilding the breast after a mastectomy. There are a few different surgical methods that can be used for breast reconstruction, depending on the patient’s physiology and the desired results.

Autologous reconstruction — or reconstruction using the patient’s own tissue — is the preferred method. Muscle, fat and skin is removed from donor areas, like the abdomen or latissimus dorsi, and a flap is created over the breast area. This flap is then used to house and support a breast implant, which provides volume and shape to the reconstructed breast.

Alternatively, tissue expansion may sometimes be used in which an expander is placed under the skin and slowly filled over a period of four to six months, creating a pocket for an implant.

With either method, nipple and areola reconstruction is often performed simultaneously and can be achieved using tissue grafts, flap techniques and tattooing.

More breast health

How to perform a self breast exam
Can wearing a bra cause cancer?
Cookies and cupcakes for the cure

Discover more fun fashion reads

How to tuck non-skinny jeans into boots
10 Random style questions with Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet
8 Affordable brands that look luxurious

Holiday gift ideas

Give them
what they
really want!

Holiday gifts are great, but sometimes the gifts we receive cause more clutter than joy. In my experience, beauty gifts are often a pretty safe bet if you're stumped for ideas, as long as you know the person's tastes. In case you don't, here are a few fail proof options.

Your niece

More holiday finds

Beauty stocking stuffers that won't break the bank
Holiday gift ideas for the nail fanatic
Gift guide: Fab holiday accessories for the fashionista

More on winter beauty & style

Calorie-free beauty
Holiday makeup touch-up tips
Hot holiday party frocks

We asked: What's your favorite backstage beauty tip?

“Makeup artists, especially for early-morning shoots, they take a couple extra minutes to massage the face and get the blood flowing and get the puffiness away, and it feels good. So sometimes I do that at home when I wake up — just spend a couple of extra minutes with moisturizer.”

“There are so many good beauty tips that I’ve learned over the years. The best one is taking the makeup off after the shoot is done, because you get so much stuff on your face constantly, and it clogs your pores. So you have to always rinse, always go to bed with a clean, clear face. That’s my number one.”

"Sleep. Try to take care of oneself, especially with the sleeping... And just looking after your skin — I only just started doing that recently; I never used to wash my face or do anything like that, but it’s important from a young age to start trying to."

“Staying calm. And trying not to sweat backstage — because it’s so hot back here!”

“There are so many. I’m loving the Victoria’s Secret bronzer: It’s the Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder, and it has a little bit of shimmer to it, so we all have that on to contour our faces and give us that sun-kissed California-girl look. All the makeup artists are using it, and I’m like, ‘I need to get this! How do I not have this?’”

More Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Victoria's Secret 2012 show: Some things should stay secret
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: The weighty Angel woes
Body confidence tips from Victoria's Secret models

Photo credits: Jeff Grossman/WENN, Jeff Grossman/WENN, Rob Rich/WENN.com, Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com, Andres Otero/WENN.com

More holiday finds

Beauty stocking stuffers that won't break the bank
Celeb skin care expert Joanna Vargas offers holiday skin tips
The after outfit: Forgiving post-Thanksgiving styles

Supplies:

• A neutral nail polish
• A green nail polish
• A red nail polish
• A brown nail polish
• Thin paint brush
• Dotting tool
• Nail decals

Instructions:

Paint a thin coat of your neutral nail color. The light blue we used gives a nod to our wintry theme.

Use your dotting tool to paint two rows of green polka dots on nine of your nails. Make sure to leave room in the center!

Use your dotting tool to paint a row of red polka dots in between the pre-existing green ones.

On the bare nail of your choosing , use the thin paint brush to paint on a Christmas tree.

After your Christmas tree has dried thoroughly, place a small star decal on the top, then add small circle details such as Christmas ornaments.

More nail designs

How to create a candy cane nail design
How to do a chevron pattern with polish
How to create a glitter gradient nail effect

The skinny on looking skinny

Hollywood knows that you can dress yourself to appear thinner with a few simple tricks. Here's what every woman should know, but no one ever tells you, about slimming your appearance.

Dressing yourself slimmer is a skill. But once you master it, you have the ability to instantly look a size smaller no matter what the scale says.

Forget about fad diets — the key to looking fabulous is right at home in your own closet. Follow these simple tips and you can instantly feel better and look great. But be prepared — people might ask you what you've been doing to look so slim.

No need to starve yourself when you can easily alter your wardrobe to look and feel slim. The biggest slimming secret is confidence. If you feel good in your clothes, you’re going to look good to everyone around you.

More style tips

Anya says: What every woman needs in her beauty bag
Try our two coat challenge
"Flasses" for your face shape

Do your research

Proactive moms should research popular makeup brands to determine which would be a good fit for their daughter. If you know she favors a particular brand, find out what the names of the products are before shopping. For example, if you visit the NARS counter, you will find lip gloss names like Greek Holiday and Dolce Vita. However, you will also find names like Striptease, Super Orgasm and Super Vixen. Other examples include Benefit’s Barely Legal blush and Essie’s After Sex nail polish.

Adults might understand the aspirations and nuances, but most young teens won’t or they will get the wrong message. So be prepared to direct your teen to lines that might be more appropriate for her age group.

Look for makeup lines targeted at preteens

Lip Bliss™ by What’s Your Virtue was founded by a mother of teen and preteen daughters who was shocked at the explicit and suggestive names found on numerous brands of lip gloss. She didn’t feel it was appropriate for her 13-year-old daughter to put such messages in her pocket, much less on her lips.

According to the creators of the line, the message can even reach beyond preteens  “When Amy, Molly and myself started What's Your Virtue?, we wanted to create a product that gave a positive message to women of all ages,” says co-founder Sara Buntrock. “The message being a reminder that beauty starts from within. Unfortunately, we often lose sight of the positive when we are bombarded by the negativity in our day to day lives. The product result is Lip Bliss, our super hydrating lip gloss. We felt a tube of lip gloss with a positive message would reinforce our goal. With each application of Lip Bliss, we are reminding women of their innate virtue; whether it be Kindness, Devotion or Generosity.”

More beauty

Helping teens find their fashion sense
Teens and makeup: What's OK for school?
Boost your teen girl's self-confidence

Eva Lorenzotti's capsule collection

global meets street style

New York & Company has challenged traditional holiday spirit and given classic holiday chic the urbane twist it’s been craving for decades. Here is an inside look at the store’s latest capsule collection from Vivre.com's style icon Eva Lorenzotti.

Known as the leading curator of global style , Lorenzotti is known as one of the most chic women in the industry. Her New York & Company capsule collection is undeniably inspired by different parts of the globe while staying true to the high-end street fashions found on Manhattan’s sidewalks.

To our heart's dismay, this festive and fun collection is only available for a limited time — so get to shopping, fashionistas. The collection is available at most NY & Company locations and on the store’s e-commerce site. Here are the essentials that encapsulate the collection and winter 2012 trends:

They are a huge trend this holiday season — these two from Lorenzotti’s collection are essential styles. This bold puffer jacket is great for a night on the town with your beau and friends or simply a casual winter morning of running errands — being stylish is a full-time job, after all.

It isn’t the holidays without sequins — but don’t deny it, this trend needed some friendly, fashionable revamping. Lorenzotti’s holiday tops are sleek and irresistibly city-inspired cosmopolitan when paired with the right jewelry . If you feel like rocking all that edge we saw this year in trends, Lorenzotti’s of-the-moment animal prints will work perfectly with your attitude and style.

Our favorite part of this collection is admittedly the accessories — just take a peek. With all the family occasions and playing it safe with styles to keep your mother, grandmother and father pleased, we are thrilled to see a little festive edge. The bags work well from daytime to playtime and the accessories, with all their tassel-inspired and geometric glory, will help light up any outfit this holiday season.

More holiday fashion ideas

Lace-inspired jewelry
Heighten your look: Cute hats for cold weather
Color crush: Oxblood is the new black

The X Factor-worthy makeup

She's an international superstar and one of the four judges on The X Factor, so it's understandable that Demi Lovato's look is one coveted by young women everywhere. Eager to find out how Demi's always looking so great, we reached out to her makeup artist, Jill Powell, to get the scoop on how to steal Demi's signature look.

SheKnows: How often do you work with Demi?

Jill Powell: I work with Demi regularly now. I work on The X Factor show, red carpets, concert tours, photo shoots, music video, appearances, etc.

SK: What are some of Demi's favorite makeup products that you use regularly on her?

JP: She loves glowing skin, so I always use Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick on her cheeks. She also loves NARS Sheer glow foundation and Make Up For Ever Moulin Rouge red lipstick.

SK: How would you describe Demi's makeup personality?

JP: Demi loves to be glammed up when she is on camera but prefers [a] fresh face when she isn't working. She is a beautiful girl and looks great in so many different looks. She does experiment and welcomes new looks but also has her favorites that she likes to do consistently. She loves a classic red lip and we do that look often.

SK: Demi is so beautiful! How do you like to highlight her features? Any special tricks?

JP: She has flawless, glowing skin so I always make sure to keep her skin glowing. I use Bobbi Brown Shimmer brick on her cheeks and often use Smashbox Luminizing primer to keep her skin aglow.

Get the look!

Demi looked gorgeous at The X Factor season two premiere. Jill tells us how we can steal
her look!

1. Prep the skin with a hydrating moisturizer like Amore Pacific and then apply Hourglass Veil Primer. Using a dampened Beautyblender sponge, apply a sheer layer of NARS Sheer glow Foundation to the face, focusing on the center of the face.
2. Apply Bobbi Brown Concealer under the eyes starting in the inner corner and blending down and out under the eye. I try to create a triangle under the eye to bring light to the center of the face.
3. Next, I used Smashbox Contouring Palette to sculpt the face. Using an angled blush brush, sweep the medium shade from the center of the ear under the cheekbone, following the natural contours of the cheeks. Then sweep the same shade across the hairline and blend downward.
4. Then sweep MAC pink swoon blush on the apples of the cheek and Bobbi Brown shimmer brick just above the blush. Set the entire face with Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder.

1. For the eyes, I used Dior 5 colour palette. Blend the gold brown shade from the outer corner of the eye toward the end of the eyebrow. Then blend the same shade into the crease. Press the beige shade onto the lid and under the eyebrow.
2. Line at the top lash line with black liner and smudge the outer corner with a dark brown shadow . Smudge Bark under the bottom lash line with a small smudge brush for added dimension.
3. Curl the lashes and apply Benefit They're Real mascara and add individual lashes for a bit more fullness and length.

1. Since we were doing a red lip, I wanted to ensure that it would look perfect and stay the entire time. I start out by concealing the lip line with a concealer to ensure that the liner looks very precise and clean.
2. I used Too Faced lip insurance lip primer to make sure the color stays strong all night. I lined the lips with NARS Jungle Red pencil. The trick is to go over the liner multiple times so the color is rich and the line is clean.
3. Then using a lip brush I applied Kat Von D lipstick in Underage Red.
4. Finally, I set the lips with Make Up Forever HD Powder.

More Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato speaks up: Bye-bye bullies, hello beautiful
Demi Lovato denies One Direction romance
Demi Lovato battles back with anti-bullying campaign

Photo credits: Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Take the heat off

Think a serum has to be room temperature to work? Well, Votre Vu's cool child on the anti-aging block has you thinking again. Meant to be savored, this serum will not only help you erase your wrinkles but will help you stay beautifully cool wherever you are. See why we're loving it in our review below!

Serums are the new beauty blockbusters, no doubt, and Votre Vu's Les Sorbet Advanced Ice Care Pour Le Visage sounded tres appealing to us because of its differentiating feature: This is a serum which is frozen in order to preserve the efficacy of the formula. It comes in a convenient fat wand-like applicator that you can swirl and swipe over your face quickly.

Les Sorbet had already picked up a few snazzy beauty awards such as the Shecky's national beauty award, so we couldn't wait to put it to the test.

The solid wand is packed with anti-aging superstars: think marine elastin and collagen , organic muscle-relaxing vegetable peptides that also luxuriously nourish the skin, hydrolyzed collagen for that ultra-moisturizing and protective factor and a complex vegetable broth that soothes, revitalizes, regenerates, smoothes and stimulates.

What does it do?

What you'll have to do is definitely keep this in the freezer . We took ours straight from the freezer , so that the formula was at its best. The serum promises to protect your skin from free radicals with each application, and the result is a deliciously cool and glowing complexion with reduced pores.

How does it measure up?

Les Sorbet promises to contract fine facial musclee, tone skin, rev up circulation and renew cell turnover. Quite a lot of promises from a little frozen wand, right? What we found is that our pores were noticeably smaller, and the skin was glowing. The skin also felt firmer. I couldn't say with 100 percent certainty that it reduced my wrinkles visibly, however .

This iced serum can be used on the face, neck and decolletage and it's also compact enough to fit into a purse. BUT, because it absolutely needs to stay frozen, there's no way you can carry this around unless you pack it in dry ice or carry a large fridge strapped to your pocketbook, so beware.

The serum is also nice and thin and glides on your face beautifully. You'll need to use your fingers to make sure it completely sinks into your skin, but the sensation will be quite thrilling because it's unlike anything you've experienced before.

We recommend you use a toner for a more tingling effect and a rich moisturizer afterwards to make sure your skin is thoroughly moisturized because the serum will make your skin feel taut . It retails for $165 and is quite pricey, but because it's concentrated and packed tightly, it will last you a long time if you refreeze it after use.

Tip: Use it under your eyes as well as on the lips for a complete top to toe cooling effect.

More beauty reads

The best serums on the market
MAC Office Hours and Marilyn Monroe collections
Lip and lash perfection: Per-fekt Beauty review

For every woman from the on-the-move mommy to the trendy fashionista, Hipknoties is one garment that can be transformed into just about anything using elastic bands. No matter how you dress it up — or down — it’s an effortless way to make the most out of just one piece of clothing. Talk about a bang for your buck!

Temps are winding down and with Hipknoties, which are made out of 95 percent rayon, you can create a warm cover-up that is stylish at the same time. Pair it with J. Crew’s signature stretch jersey leggings , leather riding boots from Aldo and an infinity scarf from H&M . If you’re feeling extra chilly, top it off with a cashmere beret from Nordstrom, $58.

Take Hipknoties from winter to summer with this draped halter top and maxi skirt combo. Slip on your favorite pair of jeweled sandals like these ones from Michael Kors, $125. For some summer fun, have an arm party of your favorite bracelets. This set of beaded bracelets from Buckle adds the perfect touch and can be worn with almost everything — plus it’s only $12. Don’t forget the perfect pair of Ralph Lauren cat-eye sunnies to fight off the rays!

Going out for lunch with the girls or running a few errands? Using one long Hipknoties and a couple of bands, you can wear a maxi dress that’s both comfy and stylish at the same time. Tribal wedges, like these from Charlotte Russe , add flair and are easy to walk in. Grab this Olivia + Joy tote that’s large enough to hold everything you need for the day and add Francesca’s Time Will Tell watch, and you’ll be the chic girl on the go!

Transform Hipknoties into a fabulous pleat detail dress fit for your upcoming office party. Bring on the bling with rhinestone earrings or sparkling drop earrings and a rhinestone bracelet, all from Forever 21. Put some sparkle in your step with these Steve Madden DEEVAA pumps . Complete the look with a satin clutch from Ann Taylor , and you’ll be dazzling all night long!

Another way to take that Hipknoties to the next level is by wearing it as a fabulous one-sleeve dress. Be bold with a crystal statement necklace, like this one from Dillard's . Wrap the whole look up with a bow with these metallic platform sandals from Bakers .

Visit the Hipknoties site to learn more about this must-have closet piece!

More stylish stories

Trendspotting with Jill Laine: 3 Secrets for layering success
Beauty Beat: How to dress up your denim like a celebrity
The best boots on a budget

Live blogging at Anderson Live

Style tips & more

When we heard style maven Stacy London was co-hosting today's episode of Anderson Live, we were even more psyched to pop into the studio and get a firsthand look at the show. We couldn't dream up a combination of TV powerhouses that we'd rather see host alongside each other. And whether they were talking fashion or telling stories from their childhood, this duo didn't disappoint.

As we tried not to eat all of the cranberry scones in our green room, we contemplated the magnitude of seeing our favorite style guru, Stacy London, co-host of TLC's What Not to Wear and author of The Truth About Style, in person — and hoped that our outfit, a very carefully chosen fitted blue Theory shift dress, black tights and black patent pumps, was up to par.

As if there weren't enough beauty know-how in the house, we heard makeup artist Bobbi Brown was stopping by to offer up a few of her famous cosmetic tips and tricks. Then we caught a glimpse of her in the hallway before the show — and now we really want a pair of those cool-girl glasses she sports. We feel lucky: It's a great day to be an Anderson Live blogger.

Here are a few of our favorite topics discussed on today's episode:

Ugly sweater December:

It was festive on-set! Anderson Live staffers were sporting ugly Christmas sweaters — some including electric twinkling lights. Which begs the question: Are those battery-powered? Do they charge, like an iPhone? Inquiring minds want to know! One sweater featured a portrait of the terrifying Merry Krampus, a fictional demon designed to scare small children into behaving, which is a legend we kind of love, not going to lie. The show is sending the fan with the ugliest sweater on a trip to Hawaii, so tweet or email those pics. "Yeah, that's not her color," Stacy says of one viewer photo. We think that's the least of these sweaters' problems!

How about these fashionable sweaters for winter?>>

The secret to keeping your jeans looking new :

On the show, Anderson admits to Stacy herself that he's not terribly creative when it comes to fashion. "I have no style," he says. "In my real life, I wear a T-shirt — gray or white — and a pair of jeans, literally the same pair of jeans every day. They have these jeans you don't have to wash now, or so they say." The brand: APC— the idea is to go six months before you wash them.

But for those of us who do want to wash our denim? Stacy has a hot tip for you: "The idea with denim is to maintain the integrity of your denim, wash in cold water, no soap, and air dry it." Soap messes up the grain, she says.

Now, as for what to wear on top... Stacy came to the show bearing gifts: A black sweater emblazoned with a cat face for Anderson and a matching one for her. Yes, cats! They're so hot right now, Stacy says: "It's super-chic!" In case you're wondering what the cat sweaters looked like in person, they looked fantastic, because this is Anderson Cooper and Stacy London, and they are fabulous! Also, the laws of physics dictate that Anderson Cooper cannot look bad in anything.

Check out some more graphic sweater trends we love>>

Bobbi Brown says: Not into red lipstick? Don't bother!

We've seen all the cool downtown girls and hot celebs showing off a super-red lip lately, but makeup expert Bobbi Brown, author of Pretty Powerful, says it's not mandatory if you're just not that into that intense rouge. "You're either a red lipstick person or not," Bobbi says. "If you can't find a good red, stop looking!" It's nice to breathe a sigh of relief and know that you don't have to follow trends that don't suit you. We say, what Bobbi says goes: Embrace your personal brand of beauty!

Extreme foot makeovers!

Now this is serious surgery: Some women are having their pinkie toes removed to fit into their favorite high heels. Stacy hasn't gone that far, but she has had the cosmetic filler Restylane injected into her feet, courtesy of Dr. Suzanne Levine, of Manhattan's Institute Beauté. "It cushions your toe so that the corn isn't rubbing up against your shoe. It lasts for nine months," Stacy raves. "It was the most revelatory experience I've ever had. I wasn't in a bad mood for one day in nine months!"

One guest, Mariela Lucas, actually had three of her toes shortened and two bunions taken care of. "I was just unhappy with my feet... I just had ugly feet. I didn't feel confident or secure. I'm a woman — we like to look pretty and have our hair done." Would she do it over again? Abso-freaking-lutely. "I am so happy," she says. We overheard in the hallway before the show that she's even recommended the surgery to her friends.

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rock a holiday party & look chic

Stacy London is obviously a big advocate of style guidelines, but it's inner beauty that she's focusing on in her her new book. We caught up with Stacy backstage at Anderson Live and asked her for a few fashion tips — and some hints for how to accept yourself unconditionally.

Most of us know Stacy London from TLC's What Not to Wear, on which she whips unsuspecting ordinary citizens into stylish shape, but we're about to see her in a new light, with her new book, The Truth About Style. The revealing tome details everything from her battles with psoriasis as a girl to the anorexia and compulsive overeating she struggled with, partially while working on staff at Vogue magazine.

Suffice it to say, if you've ever felt unpretty or ungainly, Stacy understands. And it's not all about having a pair of killer heels or a fab pencil skirt — in fact, when she and I talked, she was sporting sneakers and a black knit beanie, downtown-style, but looked no less chic and put-together. Here's what she told us about being your best self, whatever shape or look you've got:

Holiday don't! Showing too much skin at an office party

"Whatever you do with your friends and however you want to be with them is one thing, but don't ever put your job in jeopardy by giving the impression that you're a whore."

"If you're going to show skin one place, don't show it another. So in other words, just limit the amount of skin. If you're going to show your legs, do a dress that's got a longer arm or a flowier top, so that it doesn't feel like you're just on show. If you're going to do something like show your back, well then make sure your arms are covered and your dress is a little bit longer. It's just being smart. Again, too much cleavage — if you really wouldn't show it at the office, there's no reason to show it at the holiday party."

Everyday don't! Novelty sweatpants

Throw these away now: "Any sweatpants with anything written on your ass. Not even for the gym. I don't wanna see it."

Before you reinvent your wardrobe, look at your life

"Before you buy anything...take a good long look at who you are — your age, your body, your lifestyle, your finances, everything — and why it is you feel a dissatisfaction, and then see if you can let go of the dissatisfaction. Like, if everything was perfect, it would still be a problem. Start from there."

"When I talk about reinvention, usually it has to do with a woman wanting to change circumstances. Get a new job, or find a new boyfriend, or whatever it is. You have to think about whether or not it's you who needs the reinvention or that it's the way you see yourself. I think having a very clear mindset to your image is almost the most important thing you can do before you start to play."

Don't go to the grocery store in your pajamas. And there's a really good reason why.

"Too many women are dissatisfied with their bodies, and they end up wearing clothes that don't fit. In an effort to feel invisible, people wear clothes that actually make them look embarrassed [and] ashamed, which is much more visible than dressing with pride."

"We don't take a lot of stock — especially in this country — in our image as people. We forget how powerful first impressions are... The fact is, you may think you're comfortable, you don't care, but when you have people thinking that you're lazy — a potential mate or a potential boss — you're closing doors, you're closing opportunities."

Bad body image day? Take inspiration from the humble snowflake. Stacy does.

The easiest way for a woman to feel beautiful? "Appreciate the fact that there's nobody with her genetic makeup in the world."

"I talk about snowflakes all the time on Twitter. And the reason I do is because I had a lot of very young girls contacting me, 'You're so pretty, you have so much confidence.' Meanwhile, I'm like, 'I have crappy days, and I've never thought I was pretty!' Different is nice, but it's sure isn't pretty. That's sort of always been my theme song. It really started to upset me that there were these girls who were heaping this idolatry onto me, when, one, I don't feel that that's appropriate, and two, they felt there was some magic recipe to feeling good or being perfect, when it's about being imperfect, and that is perfection... Just like a snowflake, what is the point of comparing yourself to something that can never look or be like you? And it takes a lot of the pressure off."

"I've found that a lot of the girls who follow me on Twitter have become like this little snowflake family, and they really rely on each other, and they're really supportive of each other, and that is how to feel beautiful."

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