Spring/Summer 2011 Makeup: Bare, Bright and Sexy

As we finally bid adieu to the frostbiting paleness of winter and holiday glam makeup, the warmer weather gladly brings us this season's Spring/Summer 2011 makeup trends that welcome the freshness of spring and the brightness of summer. Makeup and fashion are similar to Beavis and Butthead. They are in tandem. And so, before stocking up on your floral dresses, oh-so-sexy bikinis and bright prints, let us take a look at this season's makeup trends.

Spring/Summer 2011 makeup brings us back to the basics that accentuate the features without looking cakey. Recent fashion shows have showcased natural, barely there makeup, pops of color on the lips and on the lids, as well as soft, sensual eyes.

Barely There Makeup

One of this season's popular summer trends is the Barely There, or the Natural looking makeup. Now seriously, who can beat that? This is the kind of makeup look that best accentuates your features, and one that will be used over and over again. It is so versatile that you can practically use this makeup for any occasions, from shopping to work, and even at the gym, especially if there are a ton of hot guys around (Flirting at the gym with Lady Gaga-ish makeup definitely attracts attention, but sometimes not in the way you wanted it to).

There are tons of makeup products that are available for you to be able to create a Barely There Makeup Look. Whatever products you choose, you will still be able to practically get the same look. Remember that your face serves as a canvass, so living a healthy lifestyle will reflect on your skin. In order to achieve that, always drink 8 glasses of water a day, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Bright Lips

If you want to take your Barely There Makeup to the next level, instead of sporting nude or neutral lip shades, you can opt for brighter colors. This makeup trend will be a great transition from day to night. Colors such as fiery reds, bright pinks, and even ones that have an orange tinge definitely makes you stand out. Just add two coats of mascara to widen out your peepers, and then let your lips do the talking.

Soft, Sexy Eyes

Smokey eyes can never go out of style. A look that is ideal for nighttime, this makeup trend brings out the seductress in you. Your eyes are the windows to your soul, and therefore if you are going on a "manhunt", creating shadows on your eyes will make the next testosterone laced individual drawn to you. You can create Smokey Eyes by using shades of gray and black. For more fun colors, you can also opt for dark blues, purples and even greens! False eyelashes add to the appeal as well. A great tip is to keep on practicing this technique, and once you get the hang of it, doing this makeup look will definitely give more meaning to your peepers.

Indeed, Spring/Summer 2011 Makeup has definitely kept to the basics. The looks are such classics that they will be used time and time again. It's definitely fun being a girl!

Reena Mariel, author of Beauty Is My Duty, your online resource for beauty tips and tricks for the average girl.

View the original article here

Read more »

The Benefits of Online Shopping for Women

For most women, multi-tasking has become a must. The constant demands of work, childcare, running a home and many other commitments on both our time and energy can leave us feeling like there just aren't enough hours in the day. It is perhaps for this reason that online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular choice for women of all ages as they seek to find a better balance in their lives, and perhaps even have a little time left over for themselves! There are many reasons why shopping online should be an attractive proposition for women, here are just a few of them...

Spoilt for choice...

One of the best things about shopping online is the astonishing variety of items available. From hair accessories to household appliances, you'll find whatever you're searching for online at the click of a mouse. Whether you're looking for a new bag to complement your favourite shoes or a whole new outfit, shopping online can offer you more choice and variety than any store you can find on the High Street. You'll find items in every colour, style and size imaginable, and all from the comfort of your own home.

Give your feet a break...

One of the less enjoyable aspects of shopping is marching round dozens of shops for hours on end trying to find what you're looking for. Picture the scene: you've walked for miles (probably in the rain), possibly carrying heavy bags, going from store to store and eventually exhaustion, hunger or fatigue has got the better of you and you've returned home empty handed. Sound familiar? Or even worse, the seemingly never-ending trek has eventually led you to an item you love, only for you to discover that it's out of stock in the size or colour you want. The good news is that there's really no need to put yourself through that torture! Shopping online means no more sore feet or frustrating, fruitless journeys. Now that's got to be a relief...

Be kind to your purse...

Another benefit to shopping online is the potential to save yourself money. Not only is it quick and easy to compare prices on the internet, you'll also find that many stores offer special "internet only" deals that you wouldn't otherwise be able to take advantage of. You'll save yourself money on fuel and parking costs, and as many online retailers now offer free UK delivery it's easy to see how shopping online can be a very cost-effective option.

Speed is of the essence...

Shopping online for gifts is fast becoming the preferred option for both men and women alike. In addition to the huge selection of items available and the potential to grab a bargain, the option to buy a gift for a friend or family member and have it delivered directly to them, gift wrapped of course, is one now being offered by many online retailers. At last, remembering an important birthday or anniversary at the last minute doesn't have to be a disaster! And with many retailers now offering express (or even next day) delivery, the online shopping option seems like the obvious choice. So whether you're in the market for women's fashion accessories or the latest high-tech gadget, you'll find it fast online.

Shop in your pyjamas!

There's no such thing as opening hours when it comes to internet shopping and no dress code either! So if you decide that you really need those new hair straighteners at 2.30am, that's not a problem!

Jingle bells...

The crowds, the queues, the inclement weather, the stress: just a few of the reasons why shopping online at Christmas is by far the most sensible option. Why not stay warm and dry in the comfort of your own home? While those less savvy shoppers trudge through the snow laden down with bags, sit by the fire with your hot chocolate. Bask in the glow of your fairy lights and cross off those items on your Christmas shopping list with a click of your mouse.

No worries...

Internet shoppers are now more aware of the protection that comes with shopping online. Many retailers now accommodate PayPal payments for maximum convenience and security and of course all online purchases are covered by distance selling regulations meaning that you have peace of mind as you shop.

On your marks, get set, accessorise...!

Some of the most popular items purchased online are women's fashion accessories. Without a doubt the range available on the internet outshines those available in the High Street and with online savings to be made, there's never been a better time to treat yourself. Best of all, the internet not only offers you access to the big name women's fashion retailers, but to tens of thousands of smaller boutique style online retail outlets that you may otherwise be unable to access in your area. If you've an eye for women's fashion accessories and are looking for something a little more unique and exclusive, then online shopping is a must.

BagPurse offers an exclusive range of women's fashion accessories where all products are carefully selected to give you the quality and style you want at a price you'll like. With all orders delivered free in the UK, visit us at http://bagpurse.biz/.

View the original article here

Read more »

The Influence of Colors

The colors have a very big influence on clothes and on the person using it. Choosing the correct combination can give more harmony and a better aesthetic to the look. The color tones can emphasize the beauty of both the clothes and the person or make the person look like a complete disaster. So it's very important to know a little bit about how to combine colors before going shopping.

Does this match? Does this go well with that? What can I wear with this? Are just some of the questions we ask others and ourselves while we shop for clothes. Usually we go with the safe and boring, choice. Black goes well with white and practically every other color, but what about pink and orange? Do they go well together? The answer is YES!!

It is not easy to make the right combinations. To help with that, one can use the Color Circle or the Chromatic Color Circle.

The neighbor colors on the circle are similar and they have the same base color. Example: Dark Yellow and Dark Red have the color Orange in common.

The opposite colors are called complementary colors because they are contrasting each other.

So choosing the complementary colors right, has a huge impact to the end result and if matched improperly, can be a complete disaster. So please be aware of that before going out looking like a Christmas tree!

Even having and understanding the circle, the only safe way you will know if two colors match is by trying and experimenting them together. Usually the most personal outfits are the most original ones. But it is important to know that not all colors match and not all colors compliment each other.

An easy rule

An easy rule to remember and apply is that very similar shades of the same color almost never go well. Lets use two different shades of grey as an example.

A light grey and a medium light grey will look like a rainy day. Sad, boring and not creative (some may call that conservative or professional) but let's be honest, you can be both professional and conservative with shades of rouge, blue and even lilac. By using the same shades of the same color, it will only make you look like you have a bad dress sense. But if you choose two shades that are far apart it will have an amazing effect and still give you the matching look that you're looking for.

In order to make your outfit a bit livelier, dress the grey with pink or yellow.

This will allow you to dress for any occasion, whether professional, casual, smart or even sexy (think secretary).

So the rule is not to try to match two colors that are almost the same. The shades have to be far apart, which also means never to wear jeans on top and bottom.

View the original article here

Read more »

The Stories Of Nancy Ann Dolls

The Nancy Ann Dolls were famous for its storybook concept. The company began in 1936 and was founded by Nancy Ann Abbott who started her company with only $125 from her apartment. A year after, Nancy hired Allan "Les" Rowland to promote her products and handle her business finances. On February 23, 1937, the Nancy Ann Dressed Dolls was incorporated in San Francisco, California. The company then earned its million dollar income by the year 1942 and in late 1945, the company was renamed to Nancy Ann Storybook Dolls Inc..

The first batch of dolls that was made by the company measured 3 ¾ inches. The baby dolls were made of bisque but the doll bodies were initially made in Japan. In 1936, the Storybook series was launched with doll measuring 5 inches. By 1939, the dolls' bodies were then made locally in California. The facial features of the dolls were hand painted, thus giving the each individual doll its own unique look.

The company manufactured its largest volume of dolls in the US by the late 1940s. Yet it began to slow down by the 1960's due to the deterioration of Nancy Ann's health. In 1964, Nancy Ann Abbott passed away. In 1965, the company file for bankruptcy after Les Rowland's health also started to deteriorate. Eventually, Albert Bourla purchased the company along with other stockholders wherein they continued the company's production of dolls but now they were made in Hong Kong. However, the venture was short-lived and the company auctioned its last remaining doll parts and accessories.

Until Jesco started making storybook dolls which were patterned after Nancy Ann. Still having the copyright for the storybook dolls, Bourla reintroduced the 5.5-inch bisque doll series in 1998. The dolls were to be produced in limited numbers but only four dolls were produced prior to selling the company to sisters Delene Budd and Claudette Buehler in 2003. The new company had then hired doll artist and designer Dianna Effner and costume designer Londie Phillips to revive the Nancy Ann dolls. Their first creation was launched in 2005.

The storybook feature still remained as part of its offering and was still based on nursery rhymes. Nancy Ann's design consisted of 125 characters in 1943 but these were reduced to 77 characters due to some constraints in the costume materials. Nevertheless, the characters have different wardrobes every year since the 1900s. Now, the new doll collection available is still reminiscent of the classic designs and the legacy has still continued.

If you would like to get started in collecting dolls, or introduce a loved one to the tradition of doll collecting it might be a good idea to start with dolls that interest them and are of relatively low cost. Our Generation Dolls are great for younger girls while Monster High Dolls might be better aimed at pre-teen and teenage young ladies.

View the original article here

Read more »

Three Simple Steps to Achieving Your Properly Fitted Ladies Bra

In recent articles we were able to establish whether to go or not to go for bra measurement. It was simple; any woman including young girls who realise their bust has developed beyond wearing a camisole or cropped top needs more support.

This is mostly due to the back of the bra being too loose or cup size being too small. Most women would love to wear properly fitted bras, but not aware of what to look for or not familiar with the benefits. Achieving this is not as difficult as it often appears to be. Hence, we have suggested three simple steps to make it as easy as possible for one to achieve.

Step 1 Start by wearing your most fitting bra if possible, without a top on. Measure your back size in centimetres for accuracy, by placing a tape measure all around your body just beneath your bust. Starting from the gap in between your bust and finishing there. Make sure the tape measure is parallel and lies firmly flat against you.

Below is a measurement guide for your back size in a bra should be:

60cm-64cm 28 back 75cm-79cm 34 back

65cm-69cm 30 back 80cm-84cm 36 back

70cm-74cm 32 back 85cm-89cm 38 back

If your measurement is above 89cm, simply add on a back size of an additional 4cms following the pattern above and if your measurement falls outside any of the above, take the lower back size.

In following above, after fastening your bra on the loosest or middle hook (this will enable you to tighten the back which will stretch after several washes and wear), the band should be firm and parallel around your body. If your band is too loose, go down a band size. If too tight, go up a size.

Step 2 Place your busts into the cups of the bra which should fill out the cups completely. Where your busts may be of different cup sizes which is perfectly normal, use the bigger bust for measurement (the cup with the smaller bust may be filled out with a bra padding if desired).

If the wires of your bra dig into your busts, your busts overlap the cups or the cups are wrinkled only at the tip, you probably need to go up a cup size. This will also apply where the front of your bra where the gap in between the cups of your bra sits away from you. Also, if your bra cups are wrinkled in most parts due to the cups being too big, you would need to go down a cup size.

Step 3 involves stepping back and considering the final outcome below:

Start off by lifting up your arms to ensure the wires and cradle which is the band that runs under the bra cups does not lift away but sits firmly on you. Then check the straps of your bra do not dig into your shoulders. You may adjust this by loosening the straps. Hence, if you tightened the straps mainly to support your busts, your back size is probably too big and you need to go down a size.

The final check should be based on your personal judgment. At the end of it all, it's all about you and your personal opinion should have the final say!

Mind how you go!

Ib Okeshola, Media Relations Adviser - Buy comfortable Bras at chocnmint, plus many branded Lingerie to choose from. Free delivery too!

View the original article here

Read more »