Okay, so you might be an “amateur” fashionista. So what? Isn’t everyone who isn’t making money off of fashion an amateur? Just because you aren’t a professional of fashion, it doesn’t mean you can’t pass for one. You just have to have your finger on the pulse of what’s hot (as well as what’s not) for each season. As the winter, 2012 season approaches, fashionistas are in a flurry to catch the latest trends, so that they are not left in the cold of the fashion world. And just where do you find the latest, greatest fashion must-haves and must-dos for this coming winter season? Your best bet is to start right here, with these winter 2012 fashion tips for amateur fashionistas.

Menswear. You don’t have to be a man to explore this hot fashion trend. Try blazers, trousers, button-up fitted shirts, suit-jackets, pin stripes, motorcycle jackets, and mannish accessories like boots and hats. The idea is to look androgynous (like, either/or gender), so try mixing and matching these menswear pieces for a winter power-look. You don’t have to spend a ton of cash on this type of clothing, either. Raid your man’s closet (or your dad’s) and you’ll find what you need.

The 1940s. If you want to see this trend in action, check out the hit television series, “Mad Men.” Think mid-calf skirts, flounced high-neck tops, and understated sexy. Try some natural waves in your hair and muted red lipstick to top off the look. You can find all of these trends in your local department store – or even in Goodwill – for very low prices.

Dance. We mentioned the 20′s in our article about upcoming winter trends, so of course I’m going to mention again that those 1920s-style flapper dresses, as well as ballet ensembles, have been very big on the runway this season. The great thing about these dance-inspired looks is that they are super-easy, and each in a different way: a flapper-style shift dress is just one simple piece that can be given multiple looks with a change of accessories, while the ballet look is composed of separates – wispy skirts, leotards, and wrap shirts – that can be combined with different pieces to create different looks.

Faux Real. This is a new term, coined just this season, that looks exactly as the name implies: real materials are made to appear faux, and faux materials are made to imitate real. For example, imagine a fur coat in a bright shade of purple, or fabric texturized to look like leather.

360 degrees. The tip here is to pay close attention to your look from every angle; it should be interesting from all 360 degrees. Think along the lines of a low-neck shirt that also plunges in the back, or a pair of high-heeled shoes with gem-encrusted heels.

It’s not hard to stay on top of this coming winter season’s hottest trends. You might already have many items in your closet that would work for several of these looks (that is, except for the bright purple fur coat). Already on a tight budget? Forget about fashion. Mobiloans offers great solutions for those who are in a rough financial situation.

As the season changes so do our wardrobe. The one thing that stays constant year round and year after year is our skin. Whatever your fashion sense may be you can be sure that healthy looking skin is and always be in fashion. With summer already we can expect more skin to show so that it is even more important that we get to make it look its best.

Here are a few tips to make sure that you have skin that is summer ready:

Hydrate – There’s nothing worse than dry and tired looking skin. Keep yourself hydrated and drink lots of water to keep your skin looking fresh all day. It won’t only help your skin it will also ensure that you don’t get a heat stroke in this heat! Need a quick boost for your face? Keep a mister handy and spray some on your skin when you get too hot.

SPF – Choose products with the high SPFs. This goes not only for sunscreens but facial creams, lip gloss, and even your clothes. You can get great fashionable summer wear (from hats to dresses and shirts) with built in SPF online. Remember a great tan is really nice but better safe than sorry. SO wear sunscreen and don’t stay under the sun for too long.

Hair – A full body wax is one of the best ways to go if you want smooth looking skin this summer but if you just opt to shave make sure you do it the right way. Always use a good shaving lotion for your legs and I find that men’s razors usually give a closer shave for the legs.

Exfoliate – Get a glowing and smoother look by exfoliating your skin before heading out for the beach. Exfoliating several times a week will ensure a clearer skin. You can buy a body scrub or just use your very own homemade scrub. Top ingredients for making homemade exfoliating scrubs include oatmeal (good for dry skin), papaya (good for skin whitening), crushed almonds (not for sensitive skin), coffee (anti-cellulite and varicose veins), and table salt (detox properties).

Now that you know how to get that clear glowing skin, it’s time to put on your best bikini and head to the beach!

Naturally, petite woman have a desire to look tall, it is not just about the clothes they wear, but the posture they hold.However, for women a sure way to create an illusion of being a little taller is to wear strips going down, never across. In addition, a good trick is to wear quite light clothes, for instance chiffon or cotton material, so when they walk they do not feel so weighed down, and therefore tend to walk tall with their shoulders and head held high.

A round neck I have always felt makes you look shorter and a little plump, go for a V-neck, or even try the Kaftans style tops could work wonders.

A very simple light jacket, nothing with patterns on or to much detail, a lot of detail closes a person in, you want people to see you for you, not be hit with to much detail, it would just be to chaotic for your small frame.

Putting on a bit of lipstick is probably the fastest and easiest way to bring some color to one’s face. It can instantly brighten up one’s look, but that doesn’t mean that it’s okay to take it for granted. It can, after all, also be the fastest way to ruin one’s overall look. This is why you have got to pay some attention to your lips – because they’ll probably catch everyone else’s.

It all starts with lip care

First things first: Never apply lipstick to dry, flaky lips. Chances are, you’ll end up with a very feathered look, or the product won’t be distributed evenly. Avoid clumpy-looking lips by using a lip scuff and some moisturizer on dry lips. If you want, you can even make your own recipe from ground oatmeal and honey. Use this mixture to exfoliate your lips gently before rinsing off.

It’s also a good idea to have lip balm with you at all times. You can either go for the colorless variety or pick out one with some sheen or color. There are so many varieties out there, and in yummy flavors, too! It’s also a good idea to pick out one which provides sun protection. After all, your lips get exposed to the elements, too.

How to use lip liner and lipstick

Now comes the tricky part. Many women underestimate the importance of using lip liner with lipstick. While it isn’t always necessary, depending on the look you’re going for, it can certainly help define your lips and give you a more polished look.

It’s usually a good idea to use a liner which is a shade darker than the lipstick you intend to use. If you have full lips, draw an outline within the lip itself. Thin lips will be given an extra boost if you line just outside the lip, while still following the contour very carefully.

You can then apply the lipstick within the outline you’ve just drawn. I would recommend using a lip brush to do this, just to make sure that you have applied the product evenly and precisely. To keep the color on for a bit longer, blot with a piece of tissue paper then reapply the lipstick.

Essential colors

It’s always a good idea to have a number of choices for your lip color, so that changing your look becomes easier. A few neutral shades are necessary, especially for the day and while you are in the office. Regardless of what you think, though, your collection can never be complete without a few darker ones. At the very least, you MUST have a red lipstick. MAC’s MAC Red is perhaps one of the most classic colors ever, but go ahead and see which variant of red you like best. You’ll never know until you try them, so don’t be afraid to test anything from red-orange shades to plum and blood-red hues.

Next to the eyes, it’s probably the lips that will define your look the most when you wear makeup. Make sure you make a good impression, whether you’re caught pouting or showing off that gorgeous smile!

Photos via maccosmetics.com and eyeshadowlipstick.com

The thing is (and as cheesy as it may sound), the eyes are indeed the windows to one’s soul. When we look at someone’s face, the first thing we see is a pair of peepers looking right back at us. The eyes can speak volumes and say so much about a person, so this is why we should learn how to enhance them. In fact, the rest of the face can be completely bare, but if the eyes are striking enough, then the whole look is made.

Beginning with beautiful arches

Before even applying your makeup, make sure that your eyebrows have been properly groomed. Never underestimate the importance of beautiful eyebrows! If your arches are well-done, look neat and clean, and are shaped appropriately to the rest of your features, then you automatically look more attractive. Bushy unibrows can be somewhat scary, and sky-high, ultra-thin brows can make you look perpetually alarmed. Overplucked brows can also make you look years older, so go easy on the tweezers.

To make sure that you have the correct eyebrow shape, you can use the good old pencil trick which requires you to hold a pencil against the adge of your nose to help determine the length of the brow. However, I would personally recommend that you go to a professional brow architect at least once or twice before you attempt anything on your own. Then, you can start plucking on your own once the tiny hairs start growing out.

Now that you have nicely-shaped brows, you can make sure they look neat and manicured with the help of cosmetics. If you have full brows, you usually won’t need to use anything other than a brow gel to make sure everything stays in place. However, if there are some sparse areas or if your brows are not exactly of the same length, you will need to color these areas in. Even if you have black hair, it is usually not a very good idea to use the same shade for your brows. Try going a couple of shades lighter for a more natural and less severe appearance.

One of the easiest products to use is the e.l.f. Brow Kit. The tinted gel gives you the color you need while keeping everything where it should be. The powder helps set it and gives a clean and polished look.

Seeing in Full Color

Now as long as you have a guide to follow, the brows shouldn’t be that difficult. What happens when you get to the eyelids? This just might be the most challenging part of applying eye makeup. There are so many colors to choose from, so a lot of women don’t really know which colors to choose, how many to use at one time, and how to achieve the desired effect. Well, first of all, the secret to applying eyeshadow is blending. You don’t want to make it look as if you just plastered on some color. What you want is a subtle fade-out effect from the area closest to your eye going up to your browbone.

So, if you have a palette with you, use the lightest color fro your brow bone. Apply it just so it serves as a highlight. You can then use the darker shade on the eyelid. If you wish, you can apply an even darker shade just around the outer corners of your eye, or you can use this to outline the shape of the lid. Think you’re done? Not quite. Take a soft brush and use this to blend and soften the delineation between the darker and lighter colors.

The smoky eye is one of the most popular looks, but this doesn’t really work well during the day. Try to use lighter, more natural colors first, then simply layer on the darker, more dramatic shades right before you move on to your evening rendezvous.

Shimmery colors are great, but you will need some basic matte colors to make sure your look stays classic and clean. Bobbi Brown’s Day to Night Cool Eye Palette is a great choice! If you’re not so used to using eyeshadow yet, you can be sure that this set is a great one to start with. It will allow you to experiment with safer looks and eventually get bolder as you become more confident. It’s a must-have for those who already wear makeup all the time, too.

Opening up with eyeliner

Now, the eyes can easily get drowned out with eyeshadow, especially if you use a lot of light or shimmery colors. Make sure that your eyes still pop by using a good eyeliner.

I always say that eyeliner is one of my best friends. True enough, I rarely leave home without it. It can really make a difference between a sleepy look and one that appears fresher and more alert. As such, if you want to go for a really barefaced and natural look, you can get away with just a light foundation, lip gloss, and eyeliner.

Eyeliner comes in a variety of forms. You can choose pencil, liquid, or gel eyeliner. My personal preference is gel eyeliner, because I don’t have to sharpen anything, and it’s easier for me to apply than liquid eyeliner. There are some liquid eyeliners which get really runny, and it can be quite hard to cover up the mess. If you want to use a gel eyeliner though, you will have to get a special brush. Eyeliner brushes pick up the product better and give a more precise and defined look.

When you apply the product, start from the inside going out. You may have to use your other hand to stretch your eyelid out to help you draw a clean and even line. If you want to open up your eyes a bit more, just go a tiny bit beyond the edge of the eye to create an upward curve. Don’t go too far, though! Subtlety is still the standard here. If you want to use eyeliner under your eyes, do so sparingly to avoid looking too harsh. Apply the product along the waterline of your eye for a more striking look. To soften things up a bit, use a brush to apply a tiny amount of eyeshadow along the outline. Just try not to spread it out too much, or you might end up looking like a raccoon.

If you want to try using a gel eyeliner that glides on smoothly and gives a clean outline, try Makeup Forever’s Aqua Creamliner. The consistency is just right. Of course, it’s not a good idea to leave the jar open fro extended periods of time. Aside from exposing the product to contaminants, you are also drying it out and making it difficult to work with.

Go ahead and bat those lashes!

Last but not least, remember that nothing makes a girl look more mysterious than beautiful lashes. You can choose to get extensions, but if you’re not up for all of the maintenance that comes with these, then just use good mascara or put on the occasional falsie.

The first thing you should do is use an eyelash curler. There are some brands which heat up to hold the curl, but I wouldn’t really recommend those, especially since the eye area is very sensitive. Shu Uemura has a really nice curler with a sturdy rubber pad. You can use something like this – just remember to release the handle and not to pull on your lashes!

There are many mascara brands and types out there, so choose one based on the effect you need most. Do you need length, volume, curl, or all of these? Try to get a brand and type which is easy for you to handle. For instance, Shu Uemura’s Ultimate Expression Mascara is great for adding curl and volume, and since the brush is tilted, it is easier to handle.

On the other hand, if you don’t want any smudges or if you’re up for a more dramatic look, then try using false eyelashes instead. I’ve found these really useful during weddings and occasions which present the possibility for a bit of sentimentality. No mess! You can get full lashes or individual accents. Just apply the lash glue on to the edge, let it set for a few seconds, and, using tweezers, stick them on to the base of your real lashes. It may take some practice, but it’s worth it!

Shu Uemura has an entire line of amazing lashes in different colors and designs. For a natural look, go for their Flare Eyelashes. People will barely notice that you’re wearing falsies!

The eyes are certainly the most noticeable of all our facial features, so don’t try to hide them behind too much product. Use the tools you have properly, and then just allow those beauties to sparkle and shine!

It may be because you are always in a rush and can’t be bothered to take this extra step, or it could just be because you’re not quite sure how to work with them, but you may be one of the many women who veer away from the use of concealers. Now unless you have incredibly luminous and flawless skin, you are missing out on something if you do not try adding a good concealer to your list of makeup essentials.

More often than not, we think that concealers are only useful for covering up obvious blemishes, such as pimple marks and redness. However, using a good concealer can also help hide the effects of those sleepless nights by diminishing dark circles under the eyes. This gives a fresh effect and helps avoid distracting raccoon eyes which can really take a lot away from the efforts you put into applying makeup on your face.

Just a dab goes a long way

One of the most important things to remember though, is that concealer can be your best friend or your absolute worst enemy. If applied incorrectly, it can make you look even more splotchy, which is exactly what you wanted to avoid in the first place. It is therefore important to use very little product with each application. You may want to use a concealer brush, as this picks up the right amount of product and is able to apply it precisely to the areas which need attention. An alternative, and one that I personally prefer, is the tip of your pinky finger. This is useful for blending, since your body heat helps incorporate the product more evenly.

If you are applying concealer underneath your eyes, start from the inner portion going out. Try not to use outward strokes, because it might spread the product unevenly. Instead, use a tiny amount each time and pat the area until the product has been well-blended into the skin. If you are using a cream product and intend to set it with a powder-based one, don’t wait too long, as the color may not come out very evenly.

If you are using a cream foundation, you can apply the concealer first and then layer the foundation over it. However, if you are using cake or liquid foundation, you will have to apply the concealer after. Personally, I always apply the concealer after foundation because I feel like I have more control over the evenness of the application and the final effect. I also don’t end up ponging or brushing away the concealer with my foundation.

Great concealer picks

The kind and consistency of concealer you buy will depend on your skin type as well as the kind of blemishes you intend to cover up. One of the most versatile buys is Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit. The product blends well and keeps the skin adequately moisturized, which helps avoid caking. It also comes with pressed powder to allow you to set the product evenly and quickly.

Another crowd favorite is Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage. It covers up minor discolorations effectively.

Perhaps the most popular of them all, Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat is not really a concealer in the conventional sense. If you use it like a regular concealer, you might not be able to take advantage of its benefits. It actually works more like a highlighter as it brightens the face and erases dark circles and shadows, making your skin look even and giving you that beautiful glow.

There are many other brands and types for you to experiment with. Don’t be afraid of using concealers, but don’t try to “conceal” your entire face with the product, either! You may find that a tiny, almost invisible dab is all that you will need to perfect your look.

Photos via bobbibrowncosmetics.com, lauramercier.com, ysl-parfums.com

This is probably why I have, for years, been left stymied by these two products. I had used a lot of guesswork in the past, and my old pictures are an embarrassing testament to that. After a few years of hits and misses, I finally understood how to make these products work for me. While I can’t claim to be the authority on cosmetics, I hope these tips will help you do the same… And since the simplest things can often be the most complicated, let’s focus on foundation for now.

Liquid, cake, and other dilemmas

With countless products in the market, it can be so easy to get lost. One of the first things you have to decide on is whether to get a liquid or cake foundation. Since liquid foundation started becoming popular, I have become a convert. I love how easy it is to apply, and how I don’t have to use a sponge dipped in water when I use it, but that’s just me.

There are some guidelines you may want to be aware of before you decide for yourself. Cake foundation, for example, is supposed to give more coverage. It is also more likely to give you a matte finish for a longer period of time. This makes it a better option if you have oily skin. Of course, with new products coming out every season, exceptions have been created, and there are now liquid formulations which promise to give a matte finish that lasts.

There are also products which offer different benefits, such as added SPF. While it’s great if you can find a good product which can double as a sunscreen, it’s not really wise to depend on this alone, especially since the effects won’t necessarily last for very long, especially if you are exposed to sunlight (yes, even through your office window) or bright lights for extended periods of time. The verdict? Go for it if you want, but use a separate sunscreen with the right SPF anyway.

The same goes for products which promise to double as foundation and skin treatment. They’re great, but they’re not really substitutes for getting actual treatment for any condition you may have.

Of course, there are always exceptions. If you have a very specific condition or allergy, then you simply MUST opt for a hypoallergenic product. Your dermatologist knows best when it comes to these things.

How do you know which shade of foundation is best for you?

One of the most common mistakes that women make when choosing makeup is testing the foundation on the back of the hand or on the wrist. Ladies, foundation is quite different from perfume, so don’t even try the wrist technique! Unless the color of your skin is perfectly even all throughout your body, which is highly unlikely, this won’t work. Chances are, the color of your hand or wrist is several shades away from the actual color of your facial skin. (Here’s a quick tip: If you’re Asian, chances are, you will need a foundation with yellow undertones. Don’t worry, it won’t make your skin look sallow – instead, it will lend your skin a nice, natural-looking glow.)

Now all you have to do is take a very small amount of the product and blend it along your jaw line. The product you want is that which seems to disappear completely into your skin. Don’t choose a color that seems a bit too light, unless you’re okay with looking like a china doll, and don’t choose a darker shade, because you just might end up looking burnt. If you want a bronze effect, well, you’ve got bronzer for that.

Some people have more acidic skin than others, though. Now this is the exception, because if you’re highly acidic, there will be a tendency for the product to darken on your skin after some time. If you think you might be acidic, try the product and let it sit for a few hours. If you notice that it has turned a bit darker than your actual skin tone, then you might have to test a foundation which is a shade lighter. Again, wait and see if the color changes. This may make foundation selection seem like such a pain, but trust me, it is well worth all the effort.

Less is more

Once you’ve chosen the right product, it’s time to put it to good use! Don’t rely on your fingertips for this task. Aside from the fact that it will probably take longer for you to finish, you could mess up your clothes and end up with a less-than-polished look. Depending on the product, you can choose to use a foundation sponge or a foundation brush. Some cake foundations work better with sponges, but the creamier formulations are easily picked up by the brushes, too.

If you decide to use a sponge, choose the triangular ones over the round sponges. The corners can be very useful whenever you want to blend the color on smaller areas, or when you want to clean up smudges caused by eyeshadow or eyeliner.

I am personally a fan of brushes, and I think a good foundation brush is the ultimate must-have (okay, good eyeliner is the ultimate must-have, but you get my point). It makes makeup application more pleasurable as it glides on smoothly on your skin. Of course, the shape allows you to reach smaller spots, as well.

When you apply foundation, make sure to use just a tiny bit with each application. Don’t pile on the product immediately, or else your face is going to look cakey in the end. Just like salt, it is easier to use just a little and gradually add more than to use a lot and find it difficult to reverse the damage. Apply the product using downward strokes, following the direction of facial hair growth (yes, you do have facial hair!) to allow the product to glide seamlessly on your skin. If you’re new to makeup, this may seem tedious, but with a bit of practice, you should feel more comfortable with it quite quickly.

A few of our top picks

Since there are so many products out there, it is impossible to come up with a definitive list of the best products. To help you get a headstart, here are some which have been tried, tested, and loved!

Who says liquid foundation is not for those with oily skin? Nars’ Sheer Matte Foundation is specially-made for those with normal to oily skin, and has been formulated to fight shine all day. This is a great product to use on a daily basis as it keeps the skin looking bright and fresh.

On the other hand, those with dry skin can take comfort in the fact that something has been created especially for them. One of the best brands ever when it comes to foundation, Bobbi Brown, has come up with the Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation. Aside from providing full coverage, it also contains oils from jojoba and avocado which nourish the skin all day long. It’s a great choice for young ladies who have naturally dry skin or who live in very dry weather conditions. It’s also excellent for middle-aged or older women who are starting to see some wrinkling.

The last one on our list, Shu Uemura’s Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation, helps you achieve the right balance because it provides a matte effect while keeping the skin hydrated. This product is so light, which makes it great for those who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing makeup.

So that’s my take on foundation. Do YOU have any favorites?

Photos via narscosmetics.com, bobbibrowncosmetics.com, and shuuemura.co.uk

On the other hand, there are those who think that makeup application is as simple as slathering some product on without much thought. They often end up either messing up their look or failing to take advantage of what they already have. How many times have you seen someone with a sloppily made up face? It’s hardly flattering, and it defeats the purpose of highlighting one’s best features.

This is why, no matter what your difficulty with makeup is, it is very helpful to be familiar with the different products available. This can help you choose the right ones for you, which means you don’t waste money on things you can’t use. You will also be able to make the most out of your makeup if you know how to use it, because you’ll be able to actually get it to do what you had originally intended.

Step 1: Cleansing

Before anything else, though, let’s talk about preparing your face. A beautiful painting must start with a clean canvas, and that’s exactly what your face should be. There are a lot of cleansers out there which you can use, but make sure that you choose one which won’t irritate your skin.

On days when you have a lot of dead skin or some stray flakes on your face, you might want to use a gentle face scrub to get these out of the way, especially since makeup makes these much more obvious.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub is one of the most popular scrubs in the market, and for good reason. The apricot stone grains gently exfoliate and brighten the skin instantly. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the product smells good, too.

Another very popular cleansing product, especially for those with sensitive skin, is Cetaphil. The formula has emollient qualities that soothe irritated skin while cleansing it at the same time. The product is known to be so mild that it is recommended even for babies!

My personal favorite is the cleansing oil created by Shu Uemura. They may be called cleansing oils, but they don’t leave the skin oily at all! In addition, they come in different varieties, so you can choose which one best suits your skin type. The “fresh” variant, which comes in a light pink color, is the one I use most often. It leaves the skin feeling so clean and soft, it’s no wonder that the cleansing oil range is the most popular line they have.

Step 2: Priming

After cleansing, the next step is to apply some makeup primer. While a lot of people skip this step, it is not a useless one. Using primer already has the effect of concealing some discolorations. It also provides just the right amount of moisture and smoothness to allow the foundation to glide on smoothly. With the right primer, one can expect the makeup to sit on the skin much better than it would without it.

Choosing a primer should be a lot easier than finding the right foundation, so don’t stress out! Makeup Forever, for instance, has an HD primer which does not only smoothen the surface of the skin, but also helps the skin tone appear more even. The great thing about this is that it comes in several variants. You are bound to find something that works perfectly, no matter what your skin type is. A sponge may be used to apply this product. However, for greater control, it is also all right to use your fingertips to blend the product in.

Shu Uemura has also come out with an easy-to-use makeup primer. The best thing about this product is that it comes in mousse form, making application oh-so-easy and allowing the skin to feel light and smooth. It can easily be applied with a sponge. Since it only comes in two variants – pink and beige – it is not really hard to make a selection, either.

There are a lot of other cleansers and primers out there. Feel free to look around for one which suits you best. Of course, it won’t hurt to try looking for hypoallergenic ones. Also, try to consider your skin type. If you already have dry skin, don’t go for cleansers that are too strong or abrasive. Of course if you have oily or combination skin, it makes sense to steer clear of products which are oil-based or which seem to have a very heavy formulation. If you have a particular skin condition such as rosacea or if you have had a history of skin allergy, you will have to be even more particular with the products that you use. When in doubt, consult your dermatologist.

Once you’ve found your cleanser and primer, things will start to get a bit more interesting. It’s time for “real makeup.” Let the creative process begin!

Photos via stivesbeauty.co.uk, cetaphil.com, shuuemura.co.uk, and makeupforever.com

Fall and Winter saw us painting on some pretty luxurious shades of caramel and darker jewels. These were excellent for driving away the cold and getting us to feel all warm and festive for the holidays. For Spring, however, these may be just a tad too overwhelming. For a brighter and lighter feel, you might want to think of transitioning from the darker, richer shades to those which resemble candied almonds and Easter eggs. It’s time for a change!

In Full Bloom

Spring is all about color bursting forth from the earth. Get into a brighter and more cheerful mood by painting on some sweet pastels and bright pinks. If you can pull it off, you might even want to combine colors or use different shades for a bit of nail art!

Remember how we told you all about the Color of the Year for 2011? Well, this season, you can certainly be in fashion by picking out a honeysuckle polish. OPI’s Flower to Flower comes very close to this year’s most happening hue.

For something a bit more subdued, Orly’s Chantilly Peach makes a great substitute. It gives just the right sort of gloss with a bit of sweetness. It’s a really good option for those who want to wear a bright color without being too loud.

On the other hand, Essie’s French Affair, which is a mix between lavender and pink, adds just a bit of mystery without losing the playful vibe of the season.

For a refreshing, citrusy boost of color, there’s Lemon Fizz by China Glaze. What’s great about this color is that it suits a lot of skin tones, because it’s bright enough to look alive, but the shade isn’t too dark so as to make it look gaudy. If you want to channel the energy of the first bit of Spring sunshine, this is a great color for you.

Chilling Out

If pink is not your thing, but you still want to go for something light and playful enough for the season, why not go for blues and greens in their more pastel hues? For instance, OPI’s Breathe Life is a silvery-blue polish. It’s a great color to wear if you’re going for a light, airy vibe.

Another cool shade to wear is mint green. Re-fresh Mint by China Glaze is definitely the way to go for those who like this color. It’s the best shade for those who’d like to welcome the green of Spring without succumbing to a grass-stained look.

Sophisticated Classics

Of course, there are just some colors that never go out of fashion, regardless of the season. Even as you go out and get those pretty pastels, make sure you still have a couple of bottles of the indispensables. Nudes and reds just look beautiful and classy, period. If you want a relatively neutral color that still suits your Spring mood, check out Essie’s Sand Tropez.

To distinguish from the deeper, more jewel-toned reds that were all the hit during Fall, try to go for a brighter shade of red with the tiniest hint of orange. Orly’s Haute Red might do just the trick.

Changing your nail color is one of the easiest, most effective ways to change your look and mood. In the coming season, make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to liven up your appearance by experimenting with some new colors. More importantly, don’t forget to have fun and flash those new nails with confidence!

Photos via orlybeauty.com, nailtechsupply.com, naildepot.ca, harpersbazaar.com, and essie.com

Don’t go easy on lotions and creams. The winter months are bad for the skin in that the cold dries it up even more. As such, don’t hesitate to use more lotion or facial cream than you normally would. Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more.

Don’t forget your sunblock. But it’s winter, right? Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that the sun is not emitting UV rays – that’s something that doesn’t disappear. So when you’re going outside, don’t forget to put on some protection.

Don’t forget your lips. Your lips are probably chapped because of the cold. I know mine are – that is if I don’t use lip moisturizer or balm regularly. In case your lips do get chapped, use an exfoliant to get rid of the chap. You can make one at home using brown sugar and olive oil (or honey if you wish).

Don’t give up on a glowing look. It’s winter and you think you look like a pale fish. You just might be right but that doesn’t mean that you have to go on looking like one. Put foundation on. Better yet, mix some highlighter in with your liquid foundation – you’ll see a world of difference!