Winter Series: Hats

Photo by: Rory M. 

This is a winter trend I wish I took more advantage of. Hats are a great accessory because so much heat is retained through the head, and hats come in more styles than just about any other accessory. For this chapter of our Winter Series, we're going to showcase some of the most common styles of the season:

The Pom-Pom

Photo by: Rory M. 

The Goofy/Animal 

Photo by: Rory M. 

The Headband

Photo by: Rory M. 

Photo by: Rory M. 

The Paperboy

Photo by: Rory M. 

Do you have a favorite winter trend? Share your secrets with us at: anewbeautyblog@gmail.com!

EOB

Winter Series: Scarves

Photo by: Rory M.

Photo by: Rory

To kick off our winter series, we're going to talk about scarves! I convinced my friend, Samantha, to play dress-up with me as we discussed our favorite scarves and how we like to wear them.

Scarf #1 is one of my personal favorites. I just love the idea of wrapping a heavy scarf around my face to keep warm. It's comfy, cozy, and carefree! To wear this scarf, you simply wrap it around your neck (Not too tight!) until it reaches its desired length and thickness.

To me, these scarves are the sweatpants of the accessorizing world. You can wear them with anything for instant comfort for a relaxed and informal feel. They are also fun to get in neutrals or bright colors (like Samantha's).

Photo by: Rory M.

Scarf #2 is my personal go-to for cold weather accessorizing (I'm wearing it right now)! It's perfect because the many colors go with anything, and it is a bright pop of color to go with winter's greys, browns, blacks, and other neutrals.

To wear it like Samantha, fold the scarf in half (from 6ft to 3ft), wrap it around the back of your neck so over one shoulder you have the tassels or ends, and over the other is a loop. Tuck the end through the loop and pull until it reaches its desired tightness. 

Photo by: Rory M.

Samantha is wearing Scarf #3 in the style of an ascot. It's traditionally a mens accessory, however, on women it looks sophisticated with a  dash of prep. Read Samantha's article from Lucky Mag on how to wear an ascot scarf here.

Scarf #4 is an accent scarf. It's purpose isn't to keep the wearer warm, but just to look fabulous. Samantha is a writer, so this scarf is the perfect accent for her! You can also have fun picking out specialty scarves that showcase your interests. 

Photo by: Rory M.

Remember, no matter what's in style, fashion is personal expression. Find a way to share your personality in what you wear, then you'll never be out of style!

One of our readers, Jen, sent us an e-mail about why she likes wearing scarves in winter, so we thought we'd share it! 

Scarves have come to be an always increasing love of mine all throughout the year, but especially in the winter since I get to wear my absolute favorite long, warm-knit scarves. My current favorite is a super long cream colored one that, like any go to accesory, I can wear with anything! I especially love wearing it as I walk down the street on a windy winter day, especially whn I feel rather stiff in the many warm layers protecting me from the chill. As the tip of it swings side to side I feel my step turn into a sudden sache, beginning to imagine myself as a heroine from a book or classic film, about to embark on the next big step in my own story. 


Just like being mood lifters, scarves can also be outfit lifters. As a pair of cute summer shoes or purse do, scarves can be that extra pop of color you could be looking for if you feel your winter could use some brightening up! They also make for a lovely, and timeless gift perfect for anyone this time of year, making them all the more splendid winter-time accessory for anyone in need of a simple addition to their ensemble, with the perfect added touch of warmth. 

Jen

Do you have a favorite winter style or accessory? We want to hear about it! Send your thoughts to anewbeautyblog@gmail.com.

Happy styling!

Rory

Winter Series

Photo by: Rory M.

Hello all you beautiful bloggers!

In the upcoming weeks, I will be writing about some of my favorite winter/cold weather trends. I used to hate the cold weather because I felt there was no way to look good and be comfortable. I'm pleased to say that is no longer the case!

I'm still in the process of discovering all the wonderful winter-time fashions, so if you have a favorite, send us a photo and/or information about why you love your cold-weather trend. You can e-mail us at: anewbeautyblog@gmail.com.

Rory

The Ten-Second Tailor

Problem:

Photo by: Rory M.

As a petite shopper, it's annoying when I find a pair of jeans that fit in all the right places, but the length is all wrong. I can't tell you how many jeans I've destroyed by doubling the hems as socks. Jeans are not meant to be walked on, especially over extended periods of time. So here are some tips if your jeans are too long!

1. Roll

Photo by: Rory M. 

2. Tuck

Photo by: Rory M. 

4. Raise

Photo by: Rory M.

5. Bootilicious

Photo by: Rory M.

These are the techniques I use most often. I highly recommend eventually tailoring jeans to your height, but in the meantime these tips will keep your jeans safe while you're having adventures!

Rory

Walking the Line

Photo by: Rory M.

Today, I'm sharing another product I absolutely love! Like my red lips post, I have certain criteria by which I judge liquid eyeliner. Here they are-

Easy to apply.
Create a dramatic line with minimal mess/smudge.
Come off easily with a Q-tip when I mess up, but must not fade throughout the day.
Can't bust the bank.

Photo by: Rory M.

I found all of these in the Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner. This liner is compact (comes in one piece) and has a felt tip that makes it easy-peesy to apply. And the best part? You can find it at any pharmacy or your local drug store. Yippee!

So if you're feeling some drama or a 1960s vibe, give liquid liner a try!

Rory

Unmask

Photo by: Rory M.

With Halloween (or "Halloweek", as they say it at my school) upon us, there are so many opportunities for costume and style-related posts. However, I'm taking time to write about something that's bothered me every Halloween for much of my adolescent/adult life.

Each year, I get very excited to put together the best, most creative, most cost-effective costume out there. (I secretly try to beat out everyone in the entire world for "Best Costume".) But each year, there's something that haunts (pun intended) my costume-related thoughts, and that is sex appeal.

It's pretty impossible nowadays to shop for a Halloween costume without seeing advertisements for "Sexy This" or "Sexy That", "Sexy Potato", "Sexy Carrot", etc. As for me, I take Halloween as an opportunity to express myself creatively, and it often isn't very sexy. The truth is, that just isn't me.

I spoke with a couple of friends on the matter, and they agreed. There is a social pressure to look "hot" or "sexy" on Halloween. The other night, I attended an event hosted by my school, and dressed up as a particular 1930s television star. It wasn't very sexy, and I felt unattractive, as if no one would appreciate (or even notice!) my costume because it still left much to the imagination.

Talking to my friends helped me realize that being myself was the sexy part. We agreed that the amount of skin you show doesn't make a difference if you look uncomfortable in it. This Halloween, we're challenging all you ladies out there not to dress the way you think you're expected to, but rather the way that makes you feel your best, whether that is a 1930s television star or a sexy potato.

This year, be the best version of you.

Rory

Our Daily Red

Photo by: Rory M.

I had always made excuses for why I couldn't do red lips. Too pale. Not the right lips. Not the right red. Recently, I'd started noticing Taylor Swift's red lips at nearly every red carpet event and thought, "She can't be much darker than me. If she can do it, so can I!" That started me on the quest for the perfect red. These were my requirements:

Shamelessly red.
Long lasting.
Easy to apply.
Mess-free.

I started trying everything, from stains to glosses, from sticks to balms, and nothing had those four rules.

A couple of weeks ago, I found Milani Lip Flash. These gloss pencils were everything I'd wanted in red lip color. The two I am featuring in the photo above are 05 Hot Flash (I'm also wearing this one!) and 03 Flash Light.

The pencil-top is perfect for lining the lips for a no-mess application, and they were as easy as coloring in a picture! As you can see, they are also quite red, and they last longer than any other red I've tried.

Do you have a recent beauty find? Send us your story at anewbeautyblog@gmail.com!

Just Kidding Around

Photo by: Rory M.

Petite.
Hobbit.
Fun-sized.
Vertically challenged.

They all mean the same thing- short. I stopped growing at the age of twelve, and it's had its perks and not-so-perks. The good things are that I still get hand-me-downs, and much of my old high school wardrobe still fits. The bad thing is that as a woman breaking into the professional world, hand-me-downs and high school band tees don't always work for a given occasion.

Recently, I discovered a shopping technique that has saved me both money and time. It's also a trick my mother (another petite lady) has been exploiting for the past twenty-something years.

Are you ready for this? The Children's Department.

Yes, I'm serious. Gap Kids, Crew Cuts, Abercrombie, '77 Kids- These are all name brands that I have bought children's clothes from in the past year. Obviously, I'm not going to be fitting my hips into a pair of kids jeans, and some clothes just look childish. However, outerwear, tops, tights, skirts, and even some dresses have fit, and you wouldn't even know they weren't petite! (The shirt I'm modeling in the photo is from Abercrombie Kids.) The benefit to this is that I can get some items that are proportionate to a smaller frame without paying extra to get them tailored.

I wouldn't recommend searching for your entire professional wardrobe in the children's department of your favorite store, but it's sometimes fun to poke around and see what you might find. Give it a shot, and send us your finds!

Rory

If the Shoe Fits

Photo by: Rory M.

Like most freshmen, my (Rory's) transition from high school to college was challenging in more ways than just the academic. During that time, the fashion scene went from headbands, ballet flats, and cafe cardigans to beanies, combat boots, and horn-rimmed glasses. It sounds silly, but the change in fashion caught me by surprise and left me very stylistically disoriented.

After graduation, my mother surprised me with the best pair of shoes I'd ever seen. The vibrant, multicolored, designer high-tops were the most elaborate (and expensive) shoes I'd ever owned. They were my babies, and I coddled them. On one of the rare days that I decided to wear these shoes in public, I found that they were missing. After a panicked search, I asked my roommate if she had seen them. "Oh yes," she said. "I hid them." When I asked why, her reason was, "I didn't like looking at them because they are so ugly." I don't remember exactly what happened next, but it wasn't pretty. When it was all over, I had my shoes back, and my roommate had come up with nicer ways to express her opinion.

As the year went on, we would frequently shop together and would hardly ever find something that we both liked. It was kind of fun. Although we worked things out, I found that I was gradually changing my style to fit more of what my peers deemed acceptable. An evolving style is part of growing up, and it's pretty common to experience a fashion-overhaul during the college years. However, I found that I was rejecting my go-to preppy style because it "just didn't belong".

As the new school year approaches, I want to encourage new freshman and returning students, whether high school, college, or beyond (We never really stop being students, do we?), to be challenged and open-minded, but to stay true to what makes you feel your best. The truth is, your peers really aren't judging you as hard as you are. People may say it's stupid to care this much, but fashion is a method of expression. So express YOURSELF! And protect your shoes.

Rory 

Challenge Accepted (Finger Waves)

Original Photo:

 

Challenge Accepted:

Photo by: Rory M.

Photo by: Rory M

Meet Kristin!! Kristin is an awesome lady with a fabulous pixie cut! 

We received a request quite some time ago for a finger wave style. I (Rory) was actually very nervous about this challenge. It seemed like a very difficult style, and it was one that I had never done before! We chose to do it with short hair because it seemed like a great way to add variation to a shorter style.

Photo by: Tessa M.

Step 1: Begin with wet hair. We sprayed dry hair with water, but it would have probably been better to start with drenched hair, and then patted it dry. We also used a lot of mousse. Mousse can be substituted for gel, or other hair-holding products.
Step 2: Part the hair. It seems simple enough, but the part is essential to the overall look, and its placement makes a difference. We gave Kristin a deep side part.

Step 3: Place finger parallel to the part, about a half-inch from the line.

Step 4:(While finger is in place)Holding fine-toothed comb perpendicular to the part, comb hair forward, towards the face. 

Step 5: Remove finger, and gently replace it with bobby pin. 

Photo by: Tessa M.

Step 6: While hair is still combed towards face, place finger a half-to-full inch below pin, and  begin combing hair away from face.

Step 7:

Gently secure bobby pin.

Step 8:

Repeat Steps 3-7.

After pins are all securely in place, begin drying hair. We used hot air on a low setting. Too much force will blow hair out of place.

When hair is at its desired texture, remove pins and spray lightly with hairspray (we used aerosol). 

Photo by: Rory M.

For more information, including how to extend the waves to fit longer hair: 

• http://www.wikihow.com/Style-a-1930%27s-Finger-Wave-Hairstyle

• http://www.ehow.com/how_7175571_do-finger-waves-short-hair.html

Got a hair question? Send us a challenge at anewbeautyblog@gmail.com! 

Rory

Tessa's Just-About-Any-Occasion Look

Today, we're featuring a beauty tutorial from my (Rory's) sister, Tessa! Last week, she went to an event, and was not sure how formal it was. These events can be so difficult because when it's summer, we want to be comfortable, but still be appropriate for the occasion. I think it worked out very well, and I wanted her to describe her look in her own words. So without further ado, heeere's Tessa! 

Skin:

First, I applied my liquid foundation all over my face. I used my fingers instead of a brush because I wanted my skin to look flawless, and when I use my fingers I am able to rub the makeup into my skin more easily. I also applied foundation on my eyes to act as a primer.

Eyes:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I moved onto eyes. The eye shadow palette I chose had soft pastel colors, which looks good on pale skin. I first applied the orange color all over my eye. I then applied the green color onto my lid. Using the same brush, I applied the purple on the inner corners of my eyes, and I put a little bit under my eyes in the inner corner. I took the darkest shade (brown), and put it into the crease to add some definition. I then took my plum-colored eyeliner and made a very thin line as close to the roots of my lashes as I could. I then took the brown color and, using an eyeliner smudging brush, I smudged the brown color into the eyeliner, very soft, yet still defined. Lastly, I applied my mascara. I did not curl them simply because my lashes don't stay curled. But I didn't want my eyes to be the center of attention; this look is all about the overall look, meaning that it's not about having one feature pop. The entire look should be the main focus.

Cheeks:

Photo by: Rory M.

Next, I applied a light layer of powder. I didn't want my face to look photoshopped, but I wanted it to look flawless in a natural way. Then, I applied my blush. I went with a rosie red-pink because it looked cheerful and youthful. I applied it on the apples of my cheeks, going up along the cheekbone. I then applied some bronzer a little below the cheek bones to add some contouring.

Lips:

I finished with chapstick. I felt that my natural lips went well with the rest of the look, so I didn't really touch them. 

Dress:

My dress from American Eagle was perfect for the occasion. It was a great day dress, but could easily be worn for a special occasion, or a night event. I felt that the style was mature, yet was not over-the-top. All-in-all, I believe this look is carefree and bright.

Photo by: Rory M.

66 Years and Counting

Did you know that the modern bikini is 66 years old? Well, it is, and it's never looked better! When first introduced July 5, 1946 by Frenchman, Louis Rèard, the bikini redefined summer fashion. So whether you love 'em, hate 'em, or just don't care, let's tip our hats to the bathing suit that is one of the most successful staples of beachwear.  


Happy Birthday! 

Bangspiration

Photo by: Rory M.

Recently, I made the decision to get my bangs cut.  Alert the media. Big deal, right? A friend of mine just cut her own hair in a bob. The point of this isn't to share a sensationalistic tale, because, apparently, stranger things have happened (No offense, Sam.). However, at the time, it felt like a much bigger deal than it really was. 

Like most people who are considering a change to their style, I asked the opinions of others. A lot. I had been asking and getting people's opinions on the matter since last semester. Even when I decided that I wanted bangs (and I wanted them now!), I still continued asking. I even considered posting a poll to see how the blogosphere felt about this, when I came to this realization: I want bangs, so who cares if anyone else likes it? 

Forget the fact that most people can't and will not be bothered by the subtle changes in my appearance, I was so focused on the opinions of others that I became disillusioned, and ignored these two facts:

1. No one is nearly as invested in my hair as I am.

2. I want bangs. 

Although it's beneficial to heed the advice of others, you can never please everyone. When it comes to personal beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder, and you're the beholder that counts. 

Rory

PS: I love my bangs! 

Summer Nights

I am a summer beauty nerd. It's the only time of the year where fearlessness is truly embraced. Case in point, summer cliff diving=crazy, but is socially acceptable, winter cliff diving=you have a death wish.

Now is the time to test out new looks! We've got cook outs, drive-ins, family reunions, road trips, romantic beach dates, summer flings, (insert the favorite summer activity of your choice), let's get fearless!

Turns out for gingers (or at least the only ginger in my life, Tay) summer beauty is daunting. Golden bronze glows are really seas of freckles, porcelain skin turns the color of lobsters and ginger hair turns carrot top orange. So, she really didn't share my summer-time beauty excitement but after some coercing, I convinced her to let me handle her make-up for her aunt's evening baby shower on Cape Cod.

Photo by: Alysha Marie

 TA-DA! Summer Nights was born! Inspired by summer nights on the beach, we focused on a bronze eye with glowing skin and rosy lips. Subtle enough to wear near your grandma but  interesting enough to attract the interest of your fashionable cousins. Did I mention that it's SUPER easy.......

Ingredients:

1. Flirt! Eyeshadow in Peach Champagne and Bronze Splash-Khols

2. Almay Ideal Lip Gloss in Berry Shimmer- CVS

3. E.L.F. Golden Bronzer-Target

4. Angled Eye Shadow Brush- Amazon.com

5. Small Round Eye Shadow Brush-Amazon.com

6. Big Round Blush Brush- Amazon.com

7. (not pictured) bowl of luke-warm water

8. (not pictures) Q-tips

Photo by: Alysha Marie

How To:
1. Dip Angled Eye Shadow Brush into cup of water; Get damp but not dripping water. Dip brush into Bronze Splash (the third color in from your left) and then draw a line from the inner corner of your eye to the end of your lash line. Now, thinly line the bottom of your lashes using the same method with the shadow and water. Repeat for your other eye.
2. Take a Q-tip and smug the bronze line you just created on your lid. I found rubbing it in a small circle motion upwards (about 1/8 of an inch), gives you the perfect smokey eye.
3. Using your Small Round Eye-Shadow Brush apply Peach Champagne (1st shadow on your left) to your  brow bone and extend up towards the arch of your eyebrow.
4. Take your Big Round Blush Brush and apply Golden Bronzer to the apples of your checks, along your hairline and along your jaw bone. This is an awesome highlighter that works for all skin types and didn't hide her freckles but gave her a nice glow.
5. Apply lip gloss and your ready to go!

Test it out and be fearless.
In fearlessness, we might find unexposed beauty within us.
OX Alysha Marie

Saving Face

Photo by: Rory M.

When I was a junior in high school, I participated in my school's production of the 50s-era musical, "Bye-Bye Birdie". I was discussing hair and makeup tips backstage when one of the cast members interjected, "I don't wear makeup. If you're not comfortable in the skin you're in, whose skin will you be comfortable in?" 

I respected her opinion, but the comment seemed judgmental. Apart from sounding like a Seussical catch-phrase, it also made no sense to me. It seemed far-fetched that applying stage makeup labeled me as insecure in my appearance. 


Although I disagree, I understand where this girl (and people I've encountered who feel similarly) are coming from. This is the reason that I've come up with:
A. People have faces. 
B. Makeup covers people's faces and can change their appearance. 
C. People who use makeup do not like their face, and want to change their appearance. 

I'm sure this reason applies to some people. In fact, I believe I've met some of these people. But I've also met people who do like their face, and choose to wear makeup. I also know people who don't like their face, and choose to not wear makeup. Therefore, this reasoning is not universal, and may only apply to a certain percentage. 

In fact, there are many reasons an individual may choose to paint their face. I once had a roommate who thought the amount of makeup I wore was morally wrong. To her, I was hiding my true appearance from the world, and lying about what I looked like. Months later, we met up and I complimented her on her well-applied red lip and eye liner. As it turns out, she was not hiding her face and lying about it, she just thought it was fun to experiment in a wearable art form. 

My sister describes it like this: Makeup is the paint. My face is the canvas. 

The truth is that a negative self-image is not fixed with the right tip, trick, or makeover. Also, telling someone that their beauty routine reveals their insecurity won't make them any more secure. If you truly want to help someone feel better about themselves, get to know the person behind the cosmetics. Meet the artist within. 


Rory 


"The makeup is simply an extension of the personality and colors, clothing, makeup all express something."(Gene Simmons)

The New Monday

The other day, I was at Starbucks and I noticed that one of the baristas had a great, glam, red lip. It was so neat and bright, and not too gooey or faded. As awkward as it felt to compliment someone on their lips, I told her how nice the color looked. She suddenly smiled and said, "Thanks. I decided that it was going to be my 'Monday thing'."

How cool is that?

Maybe I've taken this too far in my mind, but I think it's so neat that she chose to spice up a day that is especially difficult for most of us.

This semester, Tuesday is the new Monday. It's my most stressful day for class and work, and I often go into it overtired and mentally unprepared. But I've decided to take on the mentality of the "red lip". The I-have-a-say-in-how-my-day-goes attitude.

It may seem silly and trivial, but for me, it's saying, "My day is busy, but I can still make positive choices." Whether it's class, meetings, jury duty, or work- make today special because you can.

Ka'ai's Spring Style

Hau'oli Kupulau! 

My friend, Ka'ai channels the effortless beauty of her home, Hawai'i. These are some sweet accents that brighten up the Boston Common. 

What I love about Ka'ai's everyday style is that she balances comfortable clothes with fun and exciting accessories. It's a great look, especially for the warmer seasons. Just remember- too many awesome accessories can be overwhelming. Keep it simple! 


Rory 

Dance Style

I love Spring for many reasons: warm weather, beautiful flowers, spring fashion, my birthday, and it's dance season! Middle and high schools all over are holding semi-formals and proms, and I just love the excitement that goes with it. However, with the joy and excitement tends to come stress-

What should I wear?

Who can I bring as a date?

Should I go stag?

Limo?

Party? 

What the heck is a boutonnière?!!

But along with the stress comes opportunities to take some positive risks by daring to be different or stepping out of your comfort zone. 

This past weekend, my sister and brother attended a semi-formal, and I am proud to say took a few risks. 

Their good friend, Jess took a risk by letting me give her a subtle smokey eye. She also let me experiment with her hair. Although she wanted a classic waterfall braid, I was able to take some creative license by doing a soft boho wave, rather than sticking to the standard curl. Isn't she fabulous?

+

My brother, Tristan also allowed me to experiment with his hair. He is very particular with his style, so I felt honored that he let me have my fun. I think the crazy up-up-and-away-look suits his personality perfectly!

Lastly, my sister, Tessa was very brave to hand over her sceptor (aka makeup brush). She loves makeup, and it was quite the task to give her a natural look that accentuated all of her beautiful features. I like to go to the dramatic side, so it was very exciting to find a compromise that suited her. 

Do you have pics from your special night? Send them to:

anewbeautyblog@gmail.com. 

We'd love to feature you and share your beauty!