If I knew then what I know now… Here’s how you can avoid the boxing – look and get the glamorous star Smoky Eyes look instead! In just two easy steps, with tools and products that you may already have in your makeup case? (yeah – about that – remember to check the expiry date regularly and get rid of turned makeup. Not only it won’t beautify you, it may even give you allergies and serious side effects!) Back to the smoky eyes, let’s see the how to:

How To: Smoky Eyes Makeup

Yeah, so before I sound (too) weird, let me tell you how it actually went down: we had to run some errands, sign this and that and then we had lunch and… well, went to see a movie (we’ll get back to that later) and then scooped for some clothes for our eldest boy (who’s stick thin and growing like out of water) and I (blushing) finally got to try some bras I was eyeing for a while and now were on sale. Which brings us to the current topic: do you know how to pick a bra? I don’t think I know anymore… (check out the rest of the story right after the jump!)

I grew up being a B. Sometimes a C. Which is huge, for an otherwise lean structured body. Now something you hear a lot: being pregnant and heavily breastfeeding my babies (all four of them), I’m left with… an A, I think. Or to put it nicely: I have the breasts of a teenager! Who’s lucky, because she knows that she’s growing out her breasts. While me.. well. Moving on.

So – being the waif that I am, I absolutely wanted to cut out wires. Underwired bras have this nasty way of sticking into my skin, between the wires and my bones, there’s just this thin, sensitive layer of skin. I don’t like the feeling of underwired bras piercing through it. At all. So: no wires! As you’ll see, I wanted something really specific. I also wanted to give up padding. Push-up? Begone! Heavily lined bras? Out of my way! I’m a grown woman and I feel comfortable in my own skin – hence I wanted what they call a wireless, unlined, “triangle bra” – see what I mean by that below.

Long story short: I tried two (triangle) bras. I was horrified. Not only they didn’t fit, but it was worse than I could ever anticipate – the bras I wanted didn’t fit, the bras that could fit me, didn’t interest me. Did you ever feel that? What was the best solution you found?

Now, here’s something about bras and finding the right one: did you know that bras, worn by rotation, could last you up to one year, tops? And that, in order to care for your bras in the best possible way, you’ll have to wash them by hand? Yeah, but how do I know that my bra is the best possible bra for my constitution? Eaaaasy!

Stop buying bras just because the label reads that they’re your size! Bras sizes vary from one label to another, from one model to another! The only way to know a bra is the right bra for you is to try it on! The tighter, the better! You’d have to be able to run just one finger under the bra’s band. If the band is the right size but you’re spilling out of your bra, up the cup size! Remember: shoulder straps should only support 10% of your breast weight! So you shouldn’t have shoulder strap marks! Unless… you’re not having the right bra size! How about you: do you have any bra fitting secrets to share? (the bras included here came from: 1, 2, 3)

Are You Wearing The Right Bra?

Now let me tell you a bit about the story here, before I shamelessly go on and on about myself again (will do that after the jump, though – consider yourselves warned!). I was really happy because the Awards Season has rolled out its Red Carpet! I just couldn’t bear the thought of reading yet another diet, exercise, or losing weight tips! Busting some myths about all that not only brings me peace of mind, but also cleans the mess in this matter! Did you know that 80% of what you look like is based on your diet? So no use in exercising if you’re not changing a thing on your daily menu!

Toning your muscles = losing the body fat in order to make muscles visible! Men and women don’t need different workout programs, on the contrary – our bodies work in the very same manner and a 3lb weight is too light to work out with – it simply won’t challenge your muscles.

Don’t do exercise on an empty stomach – not only reduces your body fat, but also your muscle mass. What was the point of working out in the first place? Also – stretch after your workout, not before. That will reduce the risk of injury – do, however, warm up before starting the exercise routine.

You can’t spot reduce fat. Unless you’re losing the overall body fat too! Alternate your training to burn more fat – high and low intensity will burn more fat (although you only burn fats exclusively in your sleep)! Shakes will not keep you full as they lack fiber and they’re full of cheap protein – replace shakes with whole foods and also don’t stay away from egg yolks, they’re good for your health!

Why do I consider these more truthful than others? Because that’s what my heart tells me – plus, our bodies, although miraculous, should be treated with respect and care to return the favor. Depriving our organisms from this and that is something we might get away with (apparently) on a short term. On the long run, however – you take away something the body needs, the body will slow down one of the processes you need. I for one fully know that if I’m not giving the amount of sleep necessary to my body, I’ll get away with it for a day. If I continue, the day after that, I won’t be able to pull myself together to connect my synapses. I slowndown, I’m on “auto pilot”, mechanically doing the daily chores and nothing more. I don’t even have enough energy to be present and funny. I’m like a ghost. So that’s the most basic comparison I have to help you guys understand that the above really is an insightful and respectful approach of dieting and exercising. Thank you, Maik Wiedenbach, personal trainer and author of 101 Fitness Myths! (if you’re interested, the book is available here)

The Truth About Exercising And Body Fat

So I pulled myself together, did some research and this was my conclusion: Ombre is the new must! Anything you have is better in ombre! New fabulous hairdo? Biensur, it’s ombre! New gorgeous dress? Of course, it’s ombre! The curtains you found and stole your heart? Ombre aussi! The new must try cake? You guessed it right – ombre toujours!

So my daahlings, we have to ombre! Now let’s hit the jump for a closer inspection of Gradient nails! And anything else gradient!

I’m beginning to understand now – so gradient manicure can be obtain by either sponge or drop technique. What is which? Basically, you start by doing the same thing for both: applying your first coat. Which can be either mat color or your usual French base, it’s really up to you. Now, after it dries up, you can choose between the sponge or the other.

For the sponge – you can use your kitchen sponge if you have no makeup sponge at hand – damp it with a radically different (or not so much) color than what you already have put on your nail and tap lightly the tips of your nails (you can go as further up your nail as you wish). Let it dry, clean your fingers with nail polish remover if you’ve touched them with the colored sponge and now, for ze final touch – a heavy load of transparent top coat to seal the Gradient deal. Tadaaaam!

For ze other ombre thing – it’s a bit trickier than the sponge technique. I think: so after you dried out your color base, it’s time to drop a heavy load of clear top coat onto your nail. Know that you’ll be doing one nail at the time, so don’t hurry into emptying all the clear top coat bottle. So now that you poured a ton of clear coat on your nail, pick the other color you want to work for the gradient (usually a darker, very contrasting hue to what you chose as base). Drop a few drops on the clear coat (which hasn’t dried yet – that is essential and the very reason you’re doing one nail at the time!). Now it should work into the clear polish like watercolors when you were a child. Remember? Let it dry, that’s all it takes (now you can try a second nail if you don’t find it too difficult).

I don’t know about you, but Ima keep my French on, if you don’t mind! All that sponge / heavy drop thing has me head all spinning! I’m a simple girl and I like simple things. Nails. Well. You get it. Don’t you? (this short investigation wouldn’t have been possible without help from: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Ombre (Gradient) Nails, The New It Manicure

He recently published a book – Gay Men Don’t Get Fat in which he spells some of the secrets of the stylish, famous and all round fashionable! Among those, there’s the Kate Moss posing: all you have to do is say “Chin on the ledge”, stretch your neck a bit while looking straight at the camera! Now excuse me while I go practice in the mirror! Be back in a sec! (Simon Doonan’s book is already available for purchase here)

Want To Pose Like Kate Moss? Say Chin On The Ledge!

Either way, I cross my fingers and credit back, hoping that this is the rightful owner of them beautiful eyes! Now about what the picture is teaching us: that using eyeliner is not enough. We must also be aware of the effect this or that eyeliner trace has on our eyes shape! My absolute favorite? (and the one I will most certainly repeat on me own eyes) is the cat – eye (the one with the elongated finish just on the upper lid). If I add a touch of mascara, on the exterior corner upper lashes only, it’s glam all the way, baby! Retro, just how I like it (I only need that lovely party – dance outfit I was sharing a while back!). What’s your favorite? Or the one you see most suitable for your eyes shape?

Change The Shape Of Your Eyes With Eyeliner!

I don’t know what your preferences are, but either way, I included a video tutorial for each of the above mentioned looks, just in case you’d want to wear / be one of them. I’m not much of a Smurfette makeover fan, but I’d take the Black Swan or the Nicki Minaj (for fun) any Halloween day! (especially the Black Swan!) you? What are you going to be this Halloween (besides creepy scary, of course?)

Most Wanted Halloween Costumes This Year: Nicki Minaj, Black Swan, Smurfette

It takes you through every step of the process, teaching you how to get from your normal look to an over the top eye gorgeousness state with the help of them precious fake eyelashes! I have to say, I’m actually impressed by Lauren Conrad and her involvement in this Beauty department venture! It keeps growing on me, with every how – to! Come on, press play and tell me it’s not helpful? (I really had no idea I was supposed to let that glue wait for 2 minutes before applying it! Did you?)

How To Apply Fake Lashes. Great How To With Lauren Conrad

Here’s what I found and I’d love to have in my own wardrobe, to hold and to wear right from the pages of Vogue! Vogue Espana. Alla Kostromichova photographed by Jason Kibbler, styled by Brian Molloy, with hair done by James Pecis and makeup by Yadim for Tim Howard. With a Balmain black simple jacket (which comes with a Navajo belt – now wrapped around Alla’s neck) and a mini precious skirt by Giorgio Armani, this outfit is sheer perfection! The fierce hairdo matches the look, giving it the final masterpiece touch! I just wish I knew what shoes they proposed for this look. Platforms? Boots? Stilettos? (sigh) this is so beautiful!

Best Night Out Outfit. This Season.

Either way, I started digging deeper for styling routines that could help me out by showing me simple steps in dealing with unruly hair and taming the styling situation. Aaaand, because I found something I really liked, I ran back, excited, wanting to share the happiness! After having experienced with the styles myself and concluding that they work even for someone who has two left hands when it comes to doing my hair, ta daaaaam: my daaaahlings, here’s how you could style your own hair, easy steps with amazing results!

Take, for starters, the side pony tail! A messy, side pony tail!

I don’t think there’s anything to add, except, maybe, what I know from my own experience – my naturally wavy to curly, frizzy hair, doesn’t need more previous styling to add extra volume so I just mess it up a bit with my fingers and then put the side pony plan in action. Howeverrrr, I experimented a bit and mixed the side pony with the fishtail braid and the result, let me tell you, was Red Carpet ready! No, seriously! remember Diane Kruger’s messy side braid? yep, that’s how it was! Really!

My adjustments, as I do not own a curling iron, a flat iron or any other kind of iron hair accessory except for my hair pins: I side swept my hair to mimic long bangs and I twisted a small part of the said side swept bangs to add more weight and texture to my normally frizzy wavy hair. It worked fine, especially since I secured the section down with a bobbi pin. Take a look at the fishtail braid, now combine the two and try it yourself at home? Tell me how it looked / felt? (thank you, Reagan, for making my life easier!)

Easy How To Hairstyles