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Showing posts from December, 2018

Embrace the Winter Solstice with These Festive Colors

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Most people associate the winter solstice with December 21. However, according to the Smithsonian Science and Education Center, the winter solstice is actually a time rather than a specific day. Over the last century, the winter solstice has occurred on December 20, 21, 22, and 23, and the specific date is determined by Earth’s orbital plane. The exact moment of the winter solstice occurs when the Northern Hemisphere’s tilt is the farthest away from the sun. When this happens, those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere experience the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of darkness. The winter solstice is not just a time of darkness though. It’s a celebration of the seasons and the Earth’s changing position as it revolves around the sun. For centuries, cultures have celebrated the cold, dark winter days with festive colors found in nature, including evergreen and red from the holly and mistletoe plant, silver and white from the glistening snow, and de

Hanukkah and Christmas Gifts for the Makeup Enthusiast on Your List

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Hanukkah and Christmas can be some of the happiest gift-giving holidays. Unlike some holidays, Hanukkah and Christmas are not only steeped in thousands of years of traditions, religious celebrations, and powerful symbolism, but they’re also a dedicated time to gather with those you love the most. Although Hanukkah and Christmas are observed through different customs and traditions, they both include celebrations with food, gifts, family, and friends.  So, whether the Christmas tree is the focal point of your holiday celebrations;or you and your loved ones gather for eight days of lighting the candles on the Menorah; or you just enjoy a festive opportunity to celebrate the people in your life, it’s never too early to start thinking about the perfect gifts. Makeup can be a perfect way to surprise the glamorous gals in your life. You can customize your gift to match her skin tone and style with fun surprises like eye shadow palettes and lipsticks, or delight her w

Ring in the New Year with a Bold Lash Look

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New Year’s Eve parties are all about bringing the glam. If you’ve got a party to attend this year, you might be asking yourself, “What am I going to wear?” Black cocktail dress? Chic pantsuit? Formal floor-length? The better, or at least as important question, is “What look should I go for?” Bold, luscious lashes? A smoldering smoky eye? A colorful cat eye? Whatever your look, New Year’s Eve is definitely a time to glam it up and not be shy with your makeup. Follow this beauty guide to get an ultra-glamorous look that is sure to be as dramatic as the New Year’s Eve countdown. Go for Faux Fake eyelashes have made a dramatic comeback in recent years, and for good reason too. False lashes add drama, definition, and dimension while still looking chic and natural. Given this rise in popularity, wearing them on New Year’s Eve is a no-brainer. There are so many options when it comes to fake lashes, including style, color, length, and thickness, that you are su

The Complete Guide to a Flawless Holiday Travel Look

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With the holidays fast approaching, you might be one of the millions preparing to crisscross the country by plane, train, or automobile. Three of the busiest travel times take place in November and December, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Last year, nearly 51 million Americans traveled during Thanksgiving, the highest volume in 12 years, and about107.3 million Americans traveled between December 23 and January 1, the highest rate to date. You might be one of those savvy travelers who has your carry-on and 1-quart bag of liquid products perfectly organized in order to breezeright through the TSA. However, for the rest of us, traveling can be a little stressful and almost certainly takes a toll on your skin. Beat the winter travel stress with these high-performing skincare products, and the next time you’re stuck in a terminal or traffic jam, at least you’ll look cool, calm, and collected. Tinted Moisturizer Whether you’re combatting dry a

Tips for Maintaining a Sweat-Proof Look at the Gym

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Early bird? Night owl? Lunchtime warrior? Whatever your preference, there are well-established benefits for fitting in a workout at a time that works best for you.                                    Some fitness experts say working out first thing in the morning can boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories throughout the day. There’s also the added benefit of fewer crowds and less conflicts in the morning, since you’re less likely to have something come up at 6 a.m. compared to 6 p.m. On the other hand, an evening workout can be a great stress release after a long day at the office, and it’s likely easier to find a gym buddy to keep you accountable for an evening workout rather than at 5 a.m.  Regardless of when you workout, an exercise routine should leave you with that perfect feeling of exhaustion and satisfaction, and of course a little sweaty. Toned muscles and a healthy disposition are great by products of physical exercise, but sweat-clogged

Vegan Cosmetics and Skincare Products That Deliver the Exact Results You Want

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These days, women are inundated with hundreds, if not thousands of beauty brands pledging everything short of the fountain of youth. From miracle masks to healing hydrators, it’s sometimes hard to delineate what we actually want from the deluge of marketing campaigns telling us what we need. Fortunately, researchers are quite interested in that concept as well. A 2018 survey of female beauty consumers revealed some interesting findings about what women actually want from their skincare products. Most wanted benefits include: · Moisturizing/hydrating (44%) · Anti-aging (44%) · Contains SPF (28%) · Evens skin tone (28%) · Lightweight (23%) · Contains natural ingredients (18%) · Minimizes pores (17%) · For sensitive skin (15%) · Mattifying (11%) · Acne-treating (11%) · Brightening (10%) These stats indicate that women want (and should get) a lot out of their skincare products. For example, a simple moisturizer isn’t enough these days. We expec

Deciphering the Differences Between Matte, Liquid, and Creamy Lipsticks

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You’ve heard of the “statement lip” and you’re probably thinking of a bold, dramatic, puckered look. Every woman has a signature look, whether it be a pop of pink, a demure shimmer, or something else. Fortunately, the opportunities to play around with your lip look are endless, but it can be a double-edged sword.  On one hand there is no shortage of shades or coverage. On the other hand, it can be challenging to determine what exactly to expect from each product. And the last thing anyone wants is to purchase a new tube and be disappointed. Follow this guide to find the perfect shade and product to complete your look. OK, so what’s the breakdown? A creamy lipstick is one of the most traditional lip formulas. It delivers a touch of color but tends to be a little waxier in order to deliver lasting results. Look for a creamy lipstick formulated with sunflower seed oil; vitamins A, C, D, and E; and carrot root extract in order to hydrate lips while preventing dry