When it comes to last minute shopping, my go-to gifts are almost always beauty related. Whether it’s stocking stuffers for mom or that secret santa you just can’t crack, a pretty little box o’ beauty is enough to make any girl swoon. Make no mistake – one size does not fit all. Would you dare give your au natural sister a set of artificial skincare products? I think not. The good news is that during the holiday season our favorite brands really lay on the loot, most offering stellar deals & discounts. The bad news? All those gift sets can be a real pain to weed through. I’ve pulled my favorite into one collection, as has fellow OTY Expert Heather. Don’t forget to check out what our community members are quick to pick when it comes to gifting. Read of for a taste of the magic.

1. For the Flower Child: Claudalie Divine Oil Set
If the aforementioned crunch rang any bells, try grabbing this gift set from Claudalie. The company prides itself on creating a natural and environmentally friendly product, and for each Divine Oil that is purchased a tree is planted in the Amazon.

2. For the Lipstick Lover: Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar
Beauty blogs are a buzz with this infamous product. Combining the “longevity of a lipstick with the easy application of a gloss,” this Lip Tar gift set is not for the faint of heart.

3. For the Beauty Beginner: Sephora Prestige Luxe Brush Set
If you’ve got a buddy who just needs to go back to basics, surprise her with this excellent brush set – it’s amazing what a great set of bristles will do. It’s pricey, so reserve this pretty prez for those you truly adore.

4. For the Hard Worker: L’Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet
Winter can be tough, and it’s even tougher on our hands. I never leave the house without (at least) one tube of hand lotion. Gift this yummy set of mini hand creams (in scents like almond, mango and rose petal) to keep her running smoothly.

5. For the Nail Art Enthusiast: Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Collector’s Set
You know that friend whose nails are always polished to perfection? Well I bet she’d swoon over these dazzling shades from Sephora by OPI, packaged in miniature bottles that help avoid the dreaded dry-out. Conveniently, OTY is giving this set away in our holiday nail art contest, so shoot us an entry and you just might win it for free.

 

It’s no secret that the holiday season takes a toll on our minds (helllllo relatives) and our bodies (helllllo Christmas cookies). If you’re a product junkie like me, you may find yourself digging through that suitcase you call a makeup bag in search of the few items that will keep you sane in the coming weeks. December comes chock full o’ cocktails and chaos, causing everything from under eye circles to a lack-luster complexion. Whether you’re suffering from flakey skin or stinging cuticles, there are a couple old standbys to help ease the pain. Personally, I’m not sure what I would do without Dr. Perricone’s Super Hyper Hydrator. This is the moisturizer to beat all moisturizers. Not only does it smell good enough to eat (coconut, anyone?), but what you’re smelling comes from naturally derived extracts and oils. And forget about greasy residue – after leaving its adorable glass jar, it sinks right into my skin never to be seen again.

So now that your skin is happy, how do we solve the aforementioned holiday dilemmas? Well, our OTY experts have gone on record with their most trusted products. I’ve also taken the liberty of assembling a little collection of the top ranking holiday-themed items from across the beauty board, incase you’re in need of some additional inspiration. Because, unlike the above image implies, it does not snow beauty products. But don’t worry – we’re working on it.

Happy almost Halloween guys and gals! To commemorate tomorrow’s festivities, we at Oh That’s You! thought a spooky nail tutorial would do just the trick (or treat). Whether you absolutely adore the holiday or would rather be caught dead than in costume, these nail art creations are for you as they add just the right hint of fun without going overboard.

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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 covered eyelash extensions, eyebrow tinting, and the Brazilian blowout. For the fourth installment, I’ll be giving you the lowdown on paraffin wax pedicures.

About:  The paraffin wax pedicure has all of the same steps as your regular pedi, but with the added bonus of a moisturizing paraffin wax treatment. It is well-suited for those with dry, cracked or calloused feet. As per normal, your feet will be washed and buffed and your toenails trimmed and filed. The paraffin wax is applied before the polish application. The technique used varies from salon to salon, but the wax is always heated so it turns into a liquid. You either dip your feet into a tub of wax to then be covered in plastic, or the wax is applied to your feet with a brush and you step into a plastic foot covering with a pre-measured amount of wax. Sometimes your feet will be covered with additional towels to keep the wax warmer, longer. You then get to relax and wait for the wax to dry, which generally takes about five to ten minutes. Once it’s dry, the wax is then removed and the polish is applied.

Cost:  A paraffin wax pedicure is more costly than regular pedicure because of the additional procedures. Expect to pay an extra $10 or so.

Lasts: The polish won’t last any longer than a regular pedi, but the wax treatment should keep your feet moisturized for a few extra weeks.

Photos: cellubeauty.com, bellanina101.wordpress.com, hairdressing.uk.com, european-spa.com, edentherapies.net

 

 

Let’s face it – it’s hard keeping up with the times. Now that our four favorite weeks of fashion have come to a close, we can finally sit back and reflect on the looks we’ve loved and can’t wait to try. But after dozens of runway shows and countless models marching down the catwalk, there are more than a few trends that stand out. Some designers chose subtlety, while others opted for attention-grabbing shades of color. Some stripped their models down, while other added volume and depth. Below are my three favorite trends to take from the runway to real life this coming spring. Click on the collages or check out my collection for info on where to find more runway inspiration.

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So – we’ve already given you the rundown of our favorite fashion and beauty moments from the Primetime Emmys, but this year’s red carpet broadcast added a little something extra to the usual flurry of lust-worthy gowns and Louboutins. Enter “The Mani Cam.” Thanks to E!, we were given a close up of our favorite celebs fingertips. While some starts opted for the classics (shout out to OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark!), others chose to have a little more fun. For this Emmy edition nail art tutorial, we chose to spotlight two of our favorite designs: Zooey Deschanel’s TV thumbs and Julianne Hough’s glittery tips. Follow our editor Calli’s list of simple steps, and you’ll have award-worthy nails in no time.

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Here at OTY! we are not rookies when it comes to polish play. Our nail beds have been spotted, dotted and glittered galore. Although I’d like to keep the radical nail looks coming as much as I’d love for summer to never end, I thought we’d start this fall out with more subtle looks (for now, at least). By subtle, I mean creations that even our most mature readers will want to wear. These nails are sophisticated enough for work or an elegant event, and mild enough to not clash with one’s outfit. Inspired by the minimal looks seen in fall runway collections like Rebecca Minkoff and Emerson, these two tutorials were created to get everyone on board of the nail art train.

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Well, here we are: September. Cliché as it sounds, I cannot believe we are once again rounding the corner of another autumnal season. But ready or not, here comes fall, and with it shorter days and nippier temperatures. While the need for bronzer and body oil fades a little further into our past, we find ourselves craving lotions over serums and rich plums over soft pinks. True – my beauty regimen remains relatively consistent when it comes to basics (Lancome concealer, Clinique moistuizer), but each month I like to audition a few newbies to join the ranks, perhaps even winning a coveted spot on my dresser. Though I do generally have a “less is more” beauty mentality, I’d be lying if I said the new Essie collection or Chanel shades don’t make me a little weak in the knees. That being said, I’ve decided to create a monthly beauty column spotlighting a handful of products that I’ve deemed worthy for the coming 29-31 days (and maybe even beyond.) So without further ado, here are the lucky six chosen for the September edition of my monthly must-haves:  Read More