About.com 15-Minute Fashion

Emergency Makeup Kit

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:41:11 +0000

Of the many palettes I have in my beauty arsenal the Mom on the Go set from 3 Custom Color is my favorite. You don't have to have kids (I don't!) to appreciate the genius of this kit. It comes with everything you need to create a pretty, well-rested look in only minutes.

Apply the nude shadow from the lids to the brow bone to open up eyes.

Line inner eyelids with the flesh-colored clarifier pencil to make you look more awake. The pencil also doubles as a concealer.

Use the clear brow gel to tame unruly brows quickly for instant polish.

Add a pop of color to the lips and cheeks with the stain. Trae suggests finishing the look with an all over sweep of bronzer for a healthy glow.

The Mom on the Go kit also includes a face powder brush. It comes in warm and cool colors.

Emergency Makeup Kit originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 05:41:11.

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Multi-Purpose Laptop Bags

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:35:39 +0000

Whether you're traveling for business or need to bring your laptop to a meeting downtown, simplify your life with a laptop bag that doubles as your purse. Check out the website Cool Computer Bags for a range of stylish options. My pick is the Urban Junket t.o.t.e. Laptop Messenger Bag / Laptop Backpack, $143. It converts from a tote to a backpack to save your neck and shoulders. To help keep you organized, it has inside and outside pockets, plus one for your cell phone and a detachable key chain. Plus, the laptop bag is made of eco-friendly organic cotton dyed with organic dyes with a lining made of recycled plastic water bottles. Stylish, eco-friendly and smart--a definite winner all around!

Multi-Purpose Laptop Bags originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 05:35:39.

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Shower Body Conditioner

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:29:15 +0000

As the weather starts to get colder, now is the time to up your body moisturizing routine. You've probably heard that in order to save your skin, you should take shorter, lukewarm showers. But who wants to do that after rolling out of bed on a chilly morning? I, for one, am addicted to long, hot showers. Since I refuse to turn down the temperature, I make up for it by using moisturizing shower products.

Start by trading your bar soap for a creamy body wash, better yet, use one with moisturizer built in, like Dove Cream Oil Body Wash. It cleans and soothes skin at the same time. For an extra moisturizing boost in just seconds, incorporate a body conditioner into your routine. Much like a conditioner for your hair, these body conditioners go on after you've washed your body to soften and soothe. They're a super-timesaver, too, because you simply wash it off in the shower. That means no more waiting for a heavy lotion or cream to soak in before you get dressed. My favorite is Ted Gibson Body Conditioner in Transformation. It's scented with grapefruit and honey. What a delicious way to start your day!

Shower Body Conditioner originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 05:29:15.

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Find Your Personal Style

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:31:13 +0000

I must confess, I'm probably the only fashion writer in the world who is not a Project Runway devotee. I'm sure if I watched the show, I would fall in love, but I try to limit my reality TV watching. (No judgments if that's all you watch. I manage to find plenty of time for all my fave CW shows.)

Even so, you would have to live under a rock to have missed out on the fabulosity of Christina Siriano, winner of season tk from Project Runway. I picked up his new book, Fierce Style, and immediately regretted not watching him on the show. (I'll have to watch it on Hulu next time Gossip Girl is in reruns.) The book is hilar, fun and chock full of good advice--pictures, too!

I love his chapter on finding personal style. Christian recommends you look to your childhood hobbies/likes to uncover your own flair. See if you fit in one of these categories:

Painter = Boho chic

Horse lover = Equestrian flair

Actress = High impact look

Girlie girl = Romantic frilly dresses

Tomboy = Menswear inspired look

Throughout the book, Christian stresses that fashion doesn't have to be your life, but to look fierce, you do have to take a few chances. So go ahead and buy those green shoes, put on the extra necklace or mix a pattern or two. Now you're ferosh!

Find Your Personal Style originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 05:31:13.

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Get Aggressive With Your Microdermabrasion

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:23:31 +0000

Looking to get rid of wrinkles, brown spots and acne scars? A new study suggests that aggressive microdermabrasion is the way to go. The best part is, you can do it on your lunch hour and there's none of the downtime associated with an acid peel. (Remember Samantha's disastrous experience on Sex and the City?)

In the study, which was published in the October issue of the Archives of Dermatology, 40 participants were treated on their sun-damaged arms with medium-grit and coarse grit diamond studded wands. (For those who haven't had microdermabrasion before, it's a process where the top layers of skin are buffed away with grains of diamond or another hard substance such as aluminum oxide crystals. It feels like a cat licking you.)

The participants who had the more aggressive treatment showed greater levels of peptides and other compounds that lead to the production of the almighty collagen--a key protein to keep us looking young. Researchers say that's because the skin is slightly irritated during the treatment and all these good things are the result of the healing process. But we don't care how it works, just as long as it makes us look good, right?

Last Minute Halloween Ideas

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:13:59 +0000

There's still time to figure out a costume for Saturday. Check out my easy Halloween ideas for outfits inspired by your favorite TV shows. If that still seems to challenging, consider sticking with a face full of makeup. Each year, MAC Cosmetics creates different face charts. Check out the MAC Cosmetics Fan Page on Facebook for 21 ideas ranging from easy to advanced.

Watch the YouTube video first to get inspired!

Last Minute Halloween Ideas originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 06:13:59.

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Beauty Tips for Career Girls on the Go

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:22:55 +0000

I recently picked up the smart and hilarious Girl on Top career guide by Nicole Williams. The book translates traditional dating rules into career advice, with chapters including "Play Hard to Get," "Don't Bash Your Ex" and my favorite, "Put on Some Gloss."

Nicole points out that we don't have to be fashion plates, but to get ahead, women do need to pay attention to the details. "The real secrete to this grooming stuff is that people don't necessarily notice when you're groomed, but the notice when you're not," she writes. Her key grooming points are:

Brush your hair, cover up roots with mascara and have facial hair removed via laser.
Go to the dentist twice a year.
Paint your toenails when wearing open-toed shoes.
Polish your shoes.
Keep your handbag neat and organized.
Practice good posture.
Be polite.

I couldn't agree more. Well said, Nicole!

Beauty Tips for Career Girls on the Go originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 05:22:55.

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Boot Storage Tips

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:50:38 +0000

Here's hoping you took your boots to the cobbler last spring to have those nasty salt stains removed and any heels replaced. If not, it's not too late, but do it soon, before it gets really cold out and you can't manage without your boots for even a day.

When you need to clean boots on the fly, I like the Kiwi Polished Express Wipes. They fit in your purse or glove compartment and wipe off surface stains in seconds. I find them particularly useful on a rainy or snowy day when shoes are more apt to need some TLC.

As for storing boots, while it's tempting to toss them in a pile in the bottom of your closet (guilty!), a better way is to use boot shapers, like these from the Container Store. Boot trees protect your boots from flopping over which can lead to sagging and wrinkling--just as unattractive on your shoes as it is on your face. The pink versions even have a hanger so you can hang boots to dry after a wet day. Genius!

Boot Storage Tips originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 06:50:38.

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Best Tanks for Layering

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:07:50 +0000

A long tank is the easiest way to turn a simple jeans and sweater combo into a more fashionable outfit. It adds dimension and color and can rescue you from any potentially embarrassing underwear revealing when you're wearing low-rise jeans. A tank is also comfy under a sweater, especially itchy wool ones, and will help you save on dry cleaning bills.

For years I wore simple American Apparel ribbed tanks. They come in a rainbow of colors and are affordable enough to buy in bulk. But I found they shrunk too quickly and I had to relegate them to gym clothes more frequently than I would like.

Over fashion week, I was introduced to T Collection Tanks, which have knocked out American Apparel tanks as my faves. They are super-long, like to your butt long, so even if they shrink a bit, they still have a long way to go before becoming too short. T Collection creator, Tiffany Saidnia, previously worked at Ella Moss and Splendid, so she knows a thing or two about making a tank soft and comfy. The tanks come in 17 colors.

You should also check out her Triple Scoop Long Sleeve Tees for when you need additional arm coverage.

Best Tanks for Layering originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 06:07:50.

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Don't Pack Away Your Sundresses Yet

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:02:53 +0000

Even if you don't live in the sunbelt you can still get plenty of wear out of your lightweight dresses for the next couple of weeks--yes even your floral and pastel ones. Take a cue from this outfit from Cusp: Pair your dress with opaque tights. I like the model's gray ones, black and even burgundy would also work. Then trade your strappy sandals for closed or peep-toe pumps. When it's colder out, ankle or knee-high boots would provide extra warmth.

Of course our model's missing a coat. An oversized cardi coat or boyfriend sweater are smart toppers and make the look more weather and office appropriate.

Don't Pack Away Your Sundresses Yet originally appeared on About.com 15-Minute Fashion on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 07:02:53.

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