Makeup Must-haves for "It" Girls

Whether you’re a pro or just starting to explore the wonderful world of makeup, we’ll give you a rundown on the list of makeup you should always have in your purse.

Dior Forever Foundation

1. Tinted Moisturizer/Foundation

Tinted moisturizer, especially those with SPF for UV protection, easily hides minor skin imperfections and even out your skin tone. For everyday wear, you can use tinted moisturizer as this gives a more natural look over foundation.

For extra coverage however, use foundation and blend it on your skin. Make sure to ask the help of the sales clerk or a beauty professional whenever you can. This will help choosing the perfect shade of foundation for you that will complement your skin tone like honey does tea. 

Maybelline Mineral Powder Natural Perfecting Concealer

2. Concealer

These lovely little packages cover imperfections that foundation can’t. They’re the perfect tool to hide under-eye circles after pulling that all-nighter, redness, marks left by previous pimples and more. Concealers hide pimples and blemishes the best. No wonder they’re a total must-have, especially helpful when a big date or some other special occasion is coming up.
Tip: After applying eye cream, use your ring finger to dab a small amount of concealer onto the dark areas under your eyes and in their inner corners. Give the cream and concealer a minute to set then blend the edges into the skin. The key is to apply light pressure. Use your ring finger when you’re skipping the brushes. Our ring fingers apply the least pressure from all our other fingers which makes it perfect when touching our sensitive undereye area!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

3. Natural Blush

Finding the right shade of blush is essential in achieving that “natural glow”. Cheek tint is your best bet if you want to look “blushing”. To avoid looking like a clown or trying too hard, start with lighter shades of blush. If you want a summer glow, opt for coral pink and peaches.   

Shu Uemura's Award-winning Eyelash Curler

 4. Eyelash Curler

Invest in a great eyelash curler. You won’t regret the day you did! These handy tools open up anybody’s eyes instantly. Shu Uemera is the brand of eyelash curler that most makeup artists and celebrities swear by.

Benefits Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara

4. Clump Free Mascara

Long and thick eyelashes accentuate your whole eye area and give a very alluring look. If you are afraid of clumping, the best mascara choice would be lengthening ones. Thickening mascara on the other hand cause more clumpings than lengthening ones but they do make lashes look fuller than any other kind of mascara. Wiggling the eyelash brushes as you sweep from from the roots of your lashes to the tip will lessen the clumps.
Tip: After curling your lashes, press the mascara wand against your lashes, steering clear of the lids. Gentle wiggle the wand up toward the lash tips in a zigzag motion to ensure that every lash is covered.

Chanel Lipstick-Coated Lips

5. Lipstick

This is one of our favorite makeup. In fact, one of our beauty interns don’t go out of the house without wearing one. A lovely shade of lipstick alone can instantlly change your look. Gliding on red lipstick could sometimes be all you need to look ready for a night of partying.
For daytime looks, baby pink, nudes, and peaches will make you look sweet and fresh.
Invest on long wearing ones that contains moisturizer to prevent chapping. Don’t forget to apply lip balm first for a smoother application.

Like we always say here at popPRETTY.com, makeup rules are there as helpful guidelines. But you can break them. We expect you to follow only one rule when it comes to makeup: have fun! Makeup is an artist’s tool so go ahead and express yourself!

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Fashion 101: Top 5 Handbag Designers

Handbags are utterly essential in a woman’s fashion life, from a basic bag for the office to that luxuriously sexy purse for nights out with the girls. That one perfect handbag can pull the simplest of outfits together. Stylists cannot stress a handbag’s importance to top off an entire look- these items are definitely more than just accessories! 


Designer handbags are the cream of the crop and this mouth-watering list of the top five handbag designers will have brand aficionados imagining the finest leather dangling from their stylish arms.

The Orchid by Marc Jacobs

1. Marc Jacobs - Marc Jacobs knows exactly what a girl wants and gives it to her, hand-wrapped perfectly in golden paper and satin bows.  From apparel, footwear, to handbags, this American has been creating fashion items to die for since his early designer days in 1984. In charge of his own fashion line as head designer of Louis Vuitton as well, it is no small wonder Marc Jacobs comes out as number one in this list of top handbag designers.

Pre-fall 2011 Lambskin Evening Clutch by Chanel

2. Coco Chanel – Mademoiselle Coco Chanel is the queen of elegance. One of the most famous designers of the 20th century, Coco Chanel has produced pieces that are the embodiment of strong femininity, perfect for that independent woman. The French really are the one of the most fashion-savvy as Chanel continues to be one of the leading designer brands - both in apparel and handbags.

Tan Tote Medium Folk by Alexander McQueen

3. Alexander McQueen – When Alexander McQueen showcases his pieces, people stand and stare in awe with their eyelash extensions popping out. His handbags are beyond mere eye-candy, his shoes are levels above fantastic, and his fashion line is simply outstanding. This British designer takes fashion to a whole other world with fantastical ideas that are sure to be a treasure in any woman’s closet.

Red Africa Clutch Bag by Vivienne Westwood for Fall/Winter 2011-2012 Collection

4. Vivienne Westwood – The punk princess of the designer universe, Dame Vivienne Westwood is known for grungy, dark pieces that exude elegant individuality. Her cutting-edge fashion line tops lists around the world, making her apparel, footwear, and handbags definite must-haves for punk brand addicts.

2011 Clutch Bag by Prada 

5. Miuccia Prada – For the simple at heart, Prada defines basics. With handbags crafted from the most high-quality leather, Prada has become a household brand name. Pieces that are smart, sassy, and fun make this brand top handbag designer lists. And of course, it's quite difficult to miss how Prada's ads in the pages of Vogue are artworks by themselves


Through spring, summer, fall, and winter, these handbag designers have proven they provide the finest in utilitarian sophistication. Confused? It just means that they make the best and most coveted handbags in the world. Are you drooling yet?

Product review: Adorable Tokidoki Rollerballs!

Tokidoki Rollerball Scents

We are loving the packaging on these rollerball scents by Tokidoki! And the fresh sweet fragrance of all 6 kinds of course. But we still can't stop raving about the packaging. These adorable roller-balls will remind you of candy dispensers and put a smile on your face during the day as you take it out of your bag for a scent touch-up.

The Tokidoki rollerballs are available in 6 fresh scents:

1. Adieu has Black Berry, Strawberry, Juicy Orange, Tiare Flower, Water Lotus, Creamy Vanilla, Cashmere Woods.
2. Adios has Lemon Leaves, Pink Grapefruit, Cyclamen, Day Lilies, Pink Orchid, Lotus Blossom, White Musk, Peach Skin, Crystallized Woods.
3. Ciao Ciao has Water Hyacinth, Out of the Shower Accord, Muguet, Day Lily, Sheer Jasmine Petals, Musk, Sun-Drenched Woods.
4. Donutella has Raspberry, Bright Bergamot, Muguet, Jasmine Sambac, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk.
5. Sandy has Pear Blossom, Freesia, Honeysuckle, Gardenia, Hint of Vanilla, Amber Musk.
6. Siberia has Cool Aldehydes, Muguet Petals, Night Blooming Jasmine, White Orchid, White Musk, Soft Woods. 

Available for US $18 each at Sephora.

Fashion Designer Profile: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani, who has proclaimed admiration for Japan, dedicated his Fall 2011 Prive collection to the Asian nation

Giorgio Armani (born 11 July, 1934), Italian fashion designer, is no stranger to those who are tuned in to the world of style and fashion. One can say he revolutionized the fashion choices of today’s career women and re-defined the office attire.

Armani’s style has been widely accepted across the world. There is no doubt that this Italian fabric maestro has worked his way through blood and sweat with his undying passion and desire to dress the world with an Italian’s fine eye for world-class craftsmanship. The designer learned the tricks of the trade when he worked for Nino Cerrutti in 1964. 

Floral prints on silk were dominant pieces in Armani's Fall 2011 Prive collection

 Armani worked as a humble window dresser before he joined the Italian textile giant. It would probably come as a surprise to many that Armani had tried a short stint in medicine during his youth, only to realize fashion was his calling.

During his early years, the highlights of this multi-talented designer’s career included:

• 1961-1970: Designed for Nina Cerrutti
• 1970: Opened a freelance design studio
• 1974: Launched the Armani men’s collection
• 1975: Launched the Armani women’s collection

 

More floral on silk in Armani's Fall 2011 Prive collection

Armani’s unstructured jackets are much loved by the high-profile celebrity crowd. Armani went ahead to create a totally unique style of evening attire, a style which was lapped up by the likes of Hollywood A-listers Katie Holmes and Michel Pfeiffer. Who can forget the elegant Armani gown embellished with Swarovski crystals lace that Katie Holmes wore for her larger-than-life wedding to Tom Cruise? Armani wedding gowns are considered a luxury for the rich and fabulous.

Katie Holmes wedding dress by Giorgio Armani. The couple are good friends with the designer and the bride wanted a simple classic.

Armani’s reach goes beyond clothing and wedding apparel. His eye-wear collection has been ruling the fashion market since 1988. Now in the 21st century, these remain a fashion staple.

The prolific designer’s style with its unmistakable luxurious feel will remain in fashion’s hall of fame for decades to come. He, dare we say it, could arguably be the male Coco Chanel. Now if that compliment is not fashion royalty enough, we don’t know what is.

Top 5 Tips to look Hot Hot Hot this Summer

 Add a lot of sunshine into your wardrobe

Summer is the best time to splash some color into your wardrobe. Have fun! Mix and match different colors and accessories. This season is all about color and injecting more life into your everyday style.

popPRETTY brings you the top 5 hot looks this summer:

1. Stylish Hats

A cute hat with a wide brim will not only look good with floral dresses or bikinis, it will also protect your face from harmful UV rays.

Floppy straw hats are perfect to be taken to the beach while boater and fedora hats add fun and flair to your sundresses.

2.Keep it Short

Every girl needs a great pair of shorts– but please steer clear from shorts that can pass as underwear. Shorts are very versatile summer pieces. They can be worn with anything.

Pair denim cutoffs with a sheer blouse. You can also rock this summer’s latest trend: colored shorts. If you don’t like showing too much skin, you can go for boyfriend or Bermuda shorts.

3. Floral Party

Floral prints were a big hit last spring and they aren’t showing any signs of cooling down for summer. Rock a floral print sundress with knee-high boots or increase your cuteness level with floral oxfords paired with shorts plus an adorable sleeveless top.

Floral prints are popPRETTY! Alexander McQueen Summer 2011 Collection

4. Loose ends

While having a pair of perfect skinny jeans is a must, this summer is all about loose clothing. After all, tight clothes can be irritating in scorching hot weather. Loose buttoned down tops are perfect with shorts. Wide-legged trousers and maxi skirts are also making a comeback.

Loose and popLOVELY! Dior 2011 Summer Collection

5. Tribal Council

Along with floral prints, tribal prints are also gracing the runways this season. And we’re not just talking about basic tribal prints, designers are taking these classic prints and combining them with geometric elements. These are very flattering on all figures and make a bold statement. You can have this style on harem pants, maxi or sleeveless doll dresses.

These are the basic pieces every girl should have to be fashion forward this summer. Don’t forget to accessorize! Colorful sunglasses and nail polishes can amp up any old thing from our wardrobe. Summer is the perfect time to let loose and have fun with colors!

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How to find the perfect lipstick shade

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Are you confused with the sight of a wide array of lipstick colors? Read on to help you make one of the most common yet confusing makeup choices faced by women worldwide: choosing the right shade of lipstick!

Bobbi Brown, the famous makeup artist, said  it is important to test lipsticks on a clean makeup-free face and check if it matches your skin tone. The ideal shade should be two or three shades darker than your natural lip color.

Skin Tone

• If you have a fair complexion, go for nudes during the day and browns for night. 
• Dark complexion? Go for darker shades in plum and red, especially wine red; all dark shades of brown also look great on olive or tanned skin.
• Medium or tanned complexion goes best with shades likes fuchsia and light shades of pink, caramel, and peach with orange undertones.

Notes to remember!

1. Dark colors make lips look smaller and nude colors make them look plumper especially when used with a hint of lip gloss. Instant lip sexy!
2. If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, we advise on wearing nude or light-colored lipstick for balance. You can bring an instant sparkle in your eyes by using a lipstick with glossy finish if you are using light eye makeup.
3. Matte shades stay on longer than the shimmery ones. However, if reapplying is not much of an issue for you, then go for shimmery lipsticks as they are not drying compared to matte lipsticks. 
4. Rule of thumb, choose light shades for the day and wear the dark shades for night. But of course we are not stopping you from wearing bright red lipstick during the day if you want the attention!

Red Lipstick?

     Do you wish to wear the vibrant red lipstick that Sandra Bullock wore to the 2010 Oscars with the same grace and elegance? Red and its various darker shades look great on dark skin tones. 

     

     However, those with fair and medium skin tones can also wear red the right way by choosing lighter shades with different undertones or by just dabbing red lipstick with fingers on your lips and finishing with a lip gloss to get that dramatic effect.

     Like all makeup rules, these can be broken. Except for the golden rule of makeup: have fun and let your personal style shine!  

Tips on how to color your hair at home the right way

Jessica Alba colors it right - thanks to personal hairdressers of course!

Color it your way!
Having the right hair color is as important as a good haircut when you want to bring out the best features of your face. But salon hair coloring services can be a bit too pricey.
Well, good thing there are hair-coloring products you can buy off the shelves. Thankfully the color dyes these days are not as harmful as they used to be and are also more translucent. Gone are the days of monotones and very harsh chemical smells.
Following the easy and simple steps below will help you achieve a salon grade hair color for half the price...or even less!

Hundreds of hair color to choose from out there! Whew, enough to get heads spinning!

Take note of the following tools you need to get you started: 

• dark towels
• a bowl to mix up the dye
• clips to partition your hair 
• alcohol-based toner to help remove stains

Now that you’ve got the tools, let's start!

 
Find your brand
It’s important to look for brands that react well with your natural hair color and scalp. 

Choose your shade
If this is your first time coloring your hair at home, be conservative with your choice. Don’t go two to three shades lighter or darker than your natural hair color. If you have dark brown hair for instance, you can choose light blonde to light brown shades.
It’s best to understand the tone of your hair to know the base color that will add depth and attitude.

If you have fair skin, avoid deep browns as fair skin is prone to redness and dark hair will emphasize the redness.

Medium skin tones should stay away from red or copper since these shades make the skin look orange or washed out.
 
Those with dark skin on the other hand should not go a couple of shades lighter than their natural hair color as this can make dark skin tone look flat.

Call a friend
It’s ideal to ask a friend to come over and let her (or him!) do the coloring for you. This way, you’re sure all parts of your hair are covered. Plus, it’s more fun to do it together and have a little bonding moment in the process.

Skin Test
Before you proceed with coloring your hair, put a small amount of product on your arm and wait for a few minutes for any allergic reaction. If none, go ahead and put the color on your hair. Happy coloring!

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Top items to bring when traveling in uber style

Travel like a supermodel...or at least look like one!

It's so common for us fashion-lovers to end up packing more than what we need for a trip.  It is always important to pack effectively to avoid carrying excess luggage especially when your trip involves flying . 

Do pack according to the climate of the place you are visiting. Here are some excellent travel tips that will keep your fashion quotient high without compromising on style.

• Let us start with the basics – a white cotton-shirt mixed with some synthetic material (if you want to avoid ironing) and a classic little black dress. These are the absolute must-haves in your travel bag. Avoid carrying pure cotton fabrics to skip the chore of ironing.
• Pack in a pair of cotton shorts or bright colored harem pants, whichever suits your body type
• Don’t forget a pair of your best-fit denim jeans. They go with EVERYTHING!
• Be it the tempting pool near your resort or the beach, what you will need most is a bikini this summer. You can also carry a sheer printed sarong to wrap around your bikini when you are lounging by the pool or sipping drinks in style.The bright color of most sarongs just might catch the eye of the cute tourist nearby!
• Carry a warm jacket which goes along with all your outfits. You can purchase the hat you need from the place of visit rather than carrying one.
• Pack accessories that can be mixed and matched with each outfit. A stylish pair of sunglasses is a must-have.
• Two or three synthetic, sheer or polyester-mix tops- which will go along with both your jeans and shorts- are good to have as well. We would suggest a sheer black top, a tunic, and a tank top.
• Don't forget a pair of comfortable wedge heels. They can go along with a formal as well as a casual outfit beautifully. For those who are into flats, we would suggest packing a pair of sandals, a pair of colored comfy ballerinas and two pairs of light-weight flip-flops (one for your hotel room and the other one for walks as a tourist).
• A good-sized multi-purpose handbag is perfect for carrying your travel documents and basic makeup. Do make sure it is easy to carry around and also matches your outfits. You can fold and carry a tote bag along with it if you are into serious street shopping.
• Carry a good moisturizing lotion and sunscreen. Waterproof long-stay ones are the best choices when it comes to eye and lip makeup. Go for a tinted moisturizer with SPF, which will be real helpful if the place you are visiting is sunny. A small bottle of leave-in conditioner will keep bad hair days away.
• Lip balm and a small bottle of makeup remover are essentials in your makeup kit.
• Also, don’t forget to bring a small pack of wet wipes and hand sanitizer in your travel bag and you are good to go!

 

Remember that traveling “light” and leaving extra space in your luggage will reserve room for the shopping you are most probably going to be engaging in! Can you seriously say no to souvenir items and the cute exotic dress you are bound to find during your trip? We didn't think so!

Happy shopping!

xoxo,

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