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Archive for May, 2008

Sex and The City (Part 4 of 4): Get the Look of Carrie Bradshaw

Posted on: May 30th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Bubbly. Temperamental. Sensitive. Realistic. Dreamer. All of these words describe Carrie Bradshaw, our lovely leading lady of Sex and The City. So what exactly is it that makes us all love Carrie so much? Well, she is a character who represents a little piece of the woman in each of us. She reacts emotionally, but tries to keep a level head. She observes the world as it is, but constantly aligns these realities with her vision of how the world would be in a perfect situation.

But I think Carrie’s most loveable attribute is that no matter how many highs or lows she goes through – breakups and getting-back-togethers, fights with friends, trouble with work – she is entirely resilient. And at the end of each day, she holds on to the hope that her life will have its fairytale ending. Add a fabulous pair of shoes and a daring outfit, and you can achieve true Carrie-Bradshaw-ness, too!

Makeup
Carrie wears a fresh, natural, sweet face while facing the harsh realities of New York life. To achieve her look, use a light, tinted moisturizer to even out your complexion and give you a dash of color. Draw emphasis to your eyes by making them smolder. Apply dark liner and mascara, but make sure to smudge or blend the liner so you don’t have a dramatic line. Then play with the eye shadow color – use ones that are pretty neutral but have a splash of color for fun: light blues, greens and lavenders will help draw emphasis to your eyes. Complete your sweet look by using a rosy blush on the apples of your cheeks and applying a light pink lip gloss.

Hair
Hair is the accessory you always have on you – and Carrie knows it. She plays with her hair, often changing the style, texture and appearance. Don’t be afraid to change your style by the day when going for Carrie’s look. You can wear it short or long, curly or straight, down or up. Any style will do – just so long as it doesn’t require too much work. So, have fun and try out a variety of effortless styles!

Clothing
Her wardrobe is her signature, and it keeps us all guessing. What will she wear next? Well, we know that she has all of the wardrobe standards. What makes Carrie different is that she can dress up her staple clothing pieces to have a unique look each time. There are no boundaries of color, pattern or cut – Carrie is bold, and she dares to dress it!

The most important thing to remember when you’re modeling her style is that you don’t want to go over the top with everything all at once. Use your classic wardrobe pieces to complement your basic form and body shape. Then layer internationally trendy and funky pieces over it to add interest to your outfit.

Don’t know what the most current trends are? It’s probably a good idea to go ahead and subscribe to several high-fashion magazines so you can stay ahead of the fashion curve. And with Carrie, it’s all about keeping up with those trends, so don’t be shy about visiting your local H&M or other trend stores weekly! She knows that you can literally wear anything and look good… as long as you wear it with confidence!

Accessories
Shoes are obviously Carrie’s favorite accessory. She owns many pairs, and she can’t resist buying more. She loves sporting high heels in any color of the rainbow – particularly ones that have a small, funky detail that makes them just a little different from your standard stiletto.

When it comes to other accessories, Carrie knows that you can go over the top if you do it with confidence. She expresses her playful attitude with whimsical hats and attention-grabbing handbags. If you’re looking accessories that mirror Carrie’s style, try whatever draws your eye and makes you smile. You can pull of any look if you wear it with your head held high and are confident in the fact that you look good. Oh – and don’t forget to top off your entire look with the delicate gold necklace that has your name on it!

Sex and The City (Part 3 of 4): Get the Look of Samantha Jones

Posted on: May 29th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Samantha Jones is a brash, bold PR executive who knows what she wants out of life. Although she has a voracious appetite for passion, she is extremely loyal to her girlfriends and would never choose a lover over them. That said, she likes to know that she can still attract whomever she wants – men and women alike.

If you want to make sure that you’re the center of attention in every room, take some style cues from Samantha!

Make Up
If you’re going to wear revealing clothing like Samantha, it’s a good idea to pare back your make up for a more mature, classy look. Samantha’s make up is fairly natural and soft.

Samantha’s standout features have always been her eyebrows. They are meticulously groomed, the perfect frame for her beautiful face. If you don’t have the resources to get your eyebrows professionally shaped, don’t worry! You can do a great job at home. Just make sure that you are in a well-lit room with good slanted tweezers. The most important rule in brow shaping is to follow your natural eyebrow – don’t overpluck! Only tweeze hairs outside of your natural browline, and your face will look more open, awake and fresh instantly!

Hair
For much of Sex and the City’s run, Samantha was the epitome of a blonde bombshell. Her face-framing platinum bangs were feminine without being fussy.

That is, until Samantha received a bombshell of her own. She was diagnosed with cancer. Samantha took the diagnosis in stride, and with the help of her friends and boyfriend, she shaved her head.
From then on, Samantha either rocked her closely-shorn hair with confidence and a beautiful face, or she had fun with wigs – including long pink ones and others that mimicked her natural hair.
If you want to model your hair off Samantha’s, there is one important fact to remember. No matter how long your hair has been a certain style, or good it looks on you, your hair does not define you. So have some fun with it!

Clothing
Samantha’s outfits are not for the faint-hearted. Luckily, Samantha gives plenty of opportunity to imitate elements of her style, while remaining slightly more reserved.

For example, Samantha frequently dresses in one color from head to toe. Think bright red, orange, pink or electric blue. This monochromatic look is confident and sure to draw attention.

At work, Samantha gravitates towards slightly 1980’s-esque power suits that accent her figure.  For this look, choose structured jackets, pencil skirts and wide leather belts.

In the evenings, Samantha wears silky, skin-grazing fabrics, down-to-there necklines, and animal prints. Simple clothing without too many buttons, ties or zippers is perfect for a woman like Samantha.
Last, She never forgets that what goes under her clothes is just as important as the clothes themselves. Her undergarments always accent her outfits, and are never boring. If they’re there at all, that is.

Accessories
When it comes to jewelry, Samantha big hoop earrings and bold, chunky necklaces that draw the eyes downward.

Women like Samantha know that wearing high heels doesn’t just dress up an outfit. The right heel make your legs look longer, your tush look higher and your posture appear more confident. Samantha takes that knowledge to the extreme, and wears sexy stilettos everywhere – including to the beach.

Samantha chooses bags that can go from career to evening … and possibly even to the next morning. This means that her bags need to be sturdy and structured enough for work, yet large enough for everything involved in an impromptu sleepover.

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Sex and The City (Part 2 of 4): Get the Look of Charlotte York-Goldenblatt

Posted on: May 27th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

You’ll never see Sex and the City’s Charlotte York-Goldenblatt in a down-to-there halter like Samantha, or a tutu and t-shirt combo like Carrie. Whether this “Park Avenue Pollyanna” is at a wedding, jogging in Central Park, or summering in the Hamptons; she always looks sweet and feminine.

Charlotte’s dreams of being the perfect wife and ideal philanthropist are expressed through her preppy, proper style. Born a blue-blooded Connecticut princess, Charlotte takes her duties as an upper-class woman very seriously. It’s really an art to look like Charlotte – always expensive, but never showy.

Want to perfect the look before the May 30th premier of the SATC movie? Here’s how!

Makeup
A woman like Charlotte probably has a train case full of expensive cosmetics, yet looks fresh-faced all day long. Don’t you wish you could claim the same?

The most important element of achieving a sweet, Charlotte-like make-up look lies under your make-up. An impeccable skin-care routine ensures that your complexion will stay smooth and even, so you can get the put together make-up that blends right into your (seemingly) perfect skin.

Cosmetic essentials include naturally soft skin and rosy pink cheeks. Make your eyes stand out with soft liner and curled lashes, so that you look bright-eyed and awake, but never over-done. Finish off your look with glossy pink lips and rounded, natural nails polished in neutral and light pink tones.

Hair
Charlotte isn’t a woman to buy into trendy styles like short bobs, braids or bold highlights. In fact, her hairstyle will probably remain constant from now until the time she goes elegantly gray.

Achieving a polished coif like Charlotte’s doesn’t require much creativity, but it does call for regular maintenance. Charlotte maintains the health of her hair through regular trims that include face-framing layers for body and bounce.

To keep your long hair smooth like Charlotte’s, use a styling mousse and a round brush while blow-drying to curl your ends under. Looking to add a bit of preppy pizzazz to your hair? Stick with low ponytails, graceful twists, or wide printed headbands.

Clothes
Charlotte prides herself on exuding a feminine sex appeal. Her clothing is form-fitting, but not risqué. She shows off her rockin’ curves in understated ways. By wearing dresses and blouses that accentuate her décolletage and flouncy skirts that showcase her tiny waist, Charlotte is always in style but never a slave to the trends.

Want to look as effortlessly polished as she does? Look for classic cocktail and shift dresses in vintage floral prints and Lily Pulitzer brights. These preppy-chic pieces never go out of style.

If you’re going out on the town looking to attract some attention, your propriety doesn’t have to fall by the wayside! Choose a slinky black dress that accents one of your best features – not all of your features. Paired with some peep-toe pumps, you’ll look cute and classy.

Accessories
Charlotte knows that accessories make the outfit, but that too many accessories can overwhelm her natural beauty. So keep it simple! For everyday looks, a neutral bag and coordinating shoes are a must.

Pearls are a staple of Charlotte’s jewelry collection, but she isn’t afraid to put on some sparkly diamonds when she’s dressing to impress. Of course, even though Charlotte’s a successful gallery manager, it’s clear that her most prized accessory is her bling-ing engagement ring.

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Sex and The City (Part 1 of 4): Get the Look of Miranda Hobbes

Posted on: May 23rd, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Miranda Hobbes became one of our favorite HBO Original ladies of all time from the moment she uttered her first brash, realistic statement. What we love about Miranda is how hard-nosed she is. She’s a pioneer. A no-nonsense, driven businesswoman.

But no matter how hard she tries to hide her emotions, we know she’s got that soft, feminine side that we love to see come out from time to time. And her look complements her attitude perfectly. Do you want to achieve Miranda’s look just in time for Sex & The City to hit the big screen? Well, read on:

Makeup
To achieve her professional day look, use pink, neutral and shimmer eye shadows with a brown liner for a soft look. Keep your complexion looking fresh and natural like Miranda by using a lightly tinted moisturizer as your base. Add a splash of color by using a neutral pink or peach toned blush to highlight your cheekbones. Bring the whole look together with a clear or light pink lip-gloss.

In the evening, Miranda will tend to go a bit edgier, but not over the top. Take the intensity of your eye color up by applying a smoky eye technique. You can also turn up the dial of your evening look by applying a brown-based lipstick.

Hair
Miranda achieves her beautiful, timeless look by maintaining a timeless hairstyle – the bob! If you’re going for Miranda’s hairstyle, your hair should be shoulder length or shorter. Layers add drama, interest and body, as well as acting as a frame for your face. To style your bob, use a blow dryer and a large round brush to dry your hair so it is straight and manageable. Run over it with a flat iron to make sure you get your hair completely smooth and sleek. Finish by applying a small amount of shine serum to smooth down flyaways and give your hair a beautiful sheen!

Clothing
Miranda takes “dressing for success” to the next level. For her daytime work as a hard-nosed attorney, she sticks to classic, elegant suits. To achieve her look, hunt for the basics – a nice pin-striped pencil skirt and a silk blouse. Miranda’s fashion screams elegance and sophistication during the day.

After hours, though, Miranda’s personal fashion sense is unleashed. What we love about her is her ability to still look so put-together while having real fun with fashion. Her feminine side really comes out through her flirty outfits. She likes rich, earth-toned clothing with bold prints. And if all else fails, basic black is always a winner… with the right accents.

Accessories
Miranda’s true style comes out through her accessories – she’s not afraid to push the envelope. When you’re working toward achieving Miranda’s look, add interest through your accessories. Keep an eye out for brighter earth tones (pinks or purples aren’t her thing!) and geometric shapes on handbags. Go bold with funky jade or turquoise earrings or necklaces.

Miranda also likes to draw attention to her more muted outfits with chunky bracelets or interesting belts. And let’s address the most important thing last: The shoes. For your daytime look, make sure to wear classic shoes like pointed-toe black pumps. But put on the sexy, strappy, boldly colored shoes for an unforgettable evening look!

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Acupressure Massage

Posted on: May 21st, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Dating back 4,000 years to ancient China, acupressure is increasingly recognized as beneficial and therapeutic in the United States today. Acupressure can often cure various ailments, boost a person’s immune system, increase energy, and relax an individual. This form of massage uses channels (called “meridians”), which are present in everyone, to allow energy to flow evenly throughout the entire body. When this flow of energy is interrupted, it creates acute health ailments and many common problems. Acupressure is used to benefit the common ones by restoring the energy flow, thus relieving discomfort and lessening the ailment.

You can learn how to do this and other types of massage professionally at one of our massage schools

Celebrity Style – Nail Trends

Posted on: May 7th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

We at BSD like to make sure that we stay current on celebrity beauty trends. What’s in, what’s out, and who looks the craziest trying it?

So I was surfing the Internet earlier this week, and ran across a People Magazine Online slideshow on celebrity trends. It shows 13 celebrities and their “trendy” nail polish.

Here’s the run-down:

• Baby blue (Rihanna)
• Gold (Eva Mendes)
• Black (Debra Messing)
• Buff (Katherine Heigl)
• Gunmetal (Mischa Barton)
• White (Scarlett Johansson)
• French manicure (Victoria Beckham)
• Pale pink (Hilary Duff)
• Natural (Selma Blair)
• Orange (Fergie)
• Rose pink (Rihanna again)
• Dark red (Jessica Alba)

So … am I supposed to see a pattern here? I don’t see any sort of summer polish trend, other than ‘somewhere over the rainbow”. It seems to me that this summer (and maybe always) “trendy” polish is just about being true to yourself and your style.

Those of you in the nail and cosmetology business: what do you think? Are there any polish shades that are really “in” or “out” this season?

Dos and Don’t of Prom Hair

Posted on: May 5th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 7 Comments

It’s that time again. Everyone is getting ready for the big event – prom! So you have your dress, but what about your hair. It is just as important, if not more. You can tie in your theme with the right hair and make your prom unforgettable.

But how far should you go? You don’t want to turn your big night into a nightmare because of your hair. Here are some helpful tips for you and your hair.

Remember that simple is elegant. You can finish off your look with a graceful, sleek hair design.

It is a statement of elegance. If your dress is overpowering, it is best to go minimal on the hair. This hair design is easy and you won’t have to worry about your hair falling halfway through your favorite song.

If you want your hair to stand out more – then messy is in! Just remember not to go overboard. Here is a great design for your night on the town.

Rachel McAdams Prom Updos

Courtesy of jbach via Flickr

You don’t want to look like you stuck your finger in a light socket. Sometimes messy doesn’t equal glamorous.

 

If you want to try something that is daring and unique – try and be reasonable with your hair. You don’t want to look like a bird that has lost its way!

 

Try to find good ways to mix modern with the past. Grecian-inspired hair designs will always be flawlessly beautiful and classic.

 

Now that you have some dos and don’ts of prom hair, you can start looking for your own design.

If you want to save on some cash for your prom look, try getting your hair done by cosmetology student. Some schools offer a student clinic so future cosmetologists can practice their new skills and it can be more than half the price of going to a salon.

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