I’m not much of a makeup junkie, but when our OTY Beauty editor, Emily, tipped me off about Zuneta, I was actually psyched. For someone like me who tends to stick to the basics (foundation, blush, black liner) it was cool to be able to watch a tutorial video as I was shopping the products to learn how to wear them correctly. And even if you’re still not sure after that, head to their “Ask” section to submit your own personal beauty Q’s. Now that’s online shopping.

I spotted a few of my favorite brands (Korres, Malin + Goetz) right away along with a whole slew of newbies. This is definitely the place to go the next time you want to make a well-informed beauty splurge.

Want more Style Radar? Check out my collection on OTY here!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Less Common Beauty Treatments series I’ve already told you about eyelash extensions, eyebrow tinting, so for the third installation I’ll be discussing how you can stash away your flat iron and get silky straight hair courtesy of a Brazilian blowdry.

About:  The Brazilian Blowdry eliminates frizz, smoothing curls and waves without damaging your hair, unlike strong relaxers and flat irons. It is suitable for any hair length or type including colored and damaged hair.

The entire process lasts a couple of hours. During that time a keratin-rich formula is applied to the hair, which nourishes and softens dry locks. The length of time the formula is left on depends on how curly and thick your hair is. Once a sufficient amount of keratin has been absorbed, your hairstylist will then blowdry your hair to seal the hair cuticle with a special keratin straightner.

Normally, you will have to wait a few days before you can wash your hair to ensure long-lasting results.

Cost:  Most salons will have different prices for different hair lengths and thicknesses, so the longer and fuller your hair, the more you will pay. Expect to pay at least $175 for the treatment. For a budget-friendly option you can choose to get the treatment on your most unruly areas, such as bangs or shorter layers.

Longevity: A Brazilian blowdry washes out over time, so the results depend on the frequency you wash your hair and your natural hair texture. Treatments can last up to three to four months, but the results will last longer every time you get a new Brazilian blowout.

Photos: style.com, gumtree.com, thecrunchychicken.com, wowcher.co.uk, bestmiamihairsalons.com, pulsd.com

 

Dias de los Muertos, aka the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday which remembers friends and family members who have passed on. Taking place the day after Halloween, celebrants in Mexico and other cultures around the world dress up in traditional garb and paint their faces with the holiday’s symbol, the skull. Of course, every culture celebrates differently, but the general idea is to honor the deceased.

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Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to red carpet style, and at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards our favorite celebs were all over the map, sporting everything from sky-high hair-dos to slicked back buns.  Yesterday our fashion editor gave out her Emmy style superlatives, so today I’ve decided to give out some awards of my own – in the beauty department. Below you will find the best beauty the Emmys had to offer, along with a look that one star should have, errm…left at home.

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Come the cooler months, we’re normally thinking about covering our heads with beanies and toques, but that’s not the case this season. From ornate headbands at Dolce & Gabbana to star clips at Rodarte, this fall the runways were adorned with hair accessories. Whether you want to add a little—or a lot—of extra sparkle, here are my suggestions on the best hair accessories for your hair length.

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If, like me, you’re looking forward to jetting off to someplace new during the upcoming long weekend, you are going to have to face the tedious process of airport proofing your dopp kit.  With the 3oz and under rule going strong, the last thing you want is to have to toss your favorite pricey products into the trash. Luckily, since mini containers became mandatory our favorite brands have stepped up their game, making the hunt for quality, bite-sized beautifiers that much easier. I’ve found the best place to hunt for these bad boys is your local Ulta beauty supplier. Of course, if you’re looking to save some cash, simply squeeze a bit of your favorite products into a set of smaller bottles, like these from Japonesque. Another tip: Sephora has a section reserved for travel sized goodies, so if you’ve got a little extra time, feel free to peruse this page for higher end products. Below are my own personal travel size must-haves, along with some perfect prepackaged sets.

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Now that you’ve chosen the best handbag for your lifestyle, it’s time to figure out what to stash in it. No matter the size of the bag, it’s tempting to fill it to the brim with so-called necessities. I know I am not alone when I toss items in my bag  just on the off chance I may need them. Before you know it, my purse is overflowing with various lip glosses, shadows and mini-products, and I’m never able to find anything. To prevent the dreaded bag overload syndrome, I’ve come up with a list of items to streamline your tote so you will actually be able to find that hand sanitizer when you need it.

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Ombre is one trend that’s evolved over the past couple of seasons, from clothes, to hair, to nails and now even our lips. The term ‘ombre’ is from the french word meaning shaded or shading, and has been used to describe the trend where colours fade from one to another, or gradually fade from light to dark.

Being the type of girl who likes to try different and new beauty trends, I have had a lot of fun experimenting with this trend. I’ve always been a huge fan of nail art, and ombre nails are such an easy alternative. I’ve also recently experimented with an ombre lip, and although I’ve not had the guts to wear this trend out during the day, it’s definitely something I plan to try next time I’m going out for cocktails with the girls.  The ombre trend can be worn no matter what your age – here’s how to get the look: Read More

So what comes after shaving and waxing? For part three of this series I am tackling Depilatory Creams, which are an easy, effective, and (for the most part) painless method of hair removal. Depilatory is the general name for hair removal creams like Nair. You apply a thick layer of cream to the area you want to defuzz, wait about 15 minutes, and then rinse away the product to reveal fuzz-free skin.

Pros: Depilatory creams work by burning the hair off at the root, so the results last awhile. They are quick to apply and easily rinse away in the shower. I am a fan of depilatories because they last longer than shaving, and are relatively quick to use.

Cons: You need to ensure you apply an even coat otherwise you will be left with patches of hair. Beware of applying too much, as it can drip and become a bit messy. Depilatories can also leave behind an unappealing odor, so choose a scent you like to avoid an unpleasant experience.

• Good for: Legs, upper lip
• Lasts: 1 to 2 weeks
• Pain: None, unless you have extremely sensitive skin or leave the formula on for too long.
• Try:Nair Shower Power Max Hair Remover Cream

Photos from www.wax-strips.com, www.hairremovalfaq.org, www.buzzle.com

When it comes to the our hair, there isn’t a product out there that seems to work quite as well as the beach. Sure, the sand and surf also offer our bodies an all-over glow and ample exfoliation, but there are few things that give your locks more texture and volume than good old fashion salt water. Unfortunately, once our time by the sea has expired we say sayonara to our perfectly imperfect waves. It’s true that everyone has their own preference for summertime waves, and I prefer mine to be piecey while still holding a bit of shape. If this sounds like your  kind of style, read on for a quick and easy hair how to.
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