My simple and easy steps are:

• Spray dry shampoo into your hair (the spray kind is more effective than the powder kind for this method) without forgetting to spray underneath by lifting up at the roots. Give it a good all-over spray to create texture all the way through.
• Blow dry your hair on the lightest setting and run a brush through it at the same time. This will disperse the dry shampoo evenly through your hair, while simultaneously giving it a bit of volume. It doesn’t take too long, just dry through until you feel that you’ve got the texture you need.
• Take a teasing brush and tease at the roots of the crown of your head for a bit of volume. For the bottom of your hair, I also like to do a little bit of “under brushing” where I quickly run the brush starting from the bottom of my hair and brush up. This creates even more volume and texture to work with.
• Give your hair a light misting of hair spray.
• Curl as you usually would.

When you first curl, your hair will be a bit more curly than usual because the dry shampoo will help hold the shape; however, running your fingers through your hair will help to relax the curls and, because you’ve added that bit of texture and hold, the curls will last all day!

Let me know if you guys try it out! It’s been my fool-proof method so I hope it works for you, too!

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If you’re on a budget, it’s hard to top essence Cosmetics. The quality may not be the most insanely amazing, but when a lip liner costs less than $1 and a gloss costs less than $2, who’s anyone to complain? To boot, all the products are adorably packaged and are offered in a slew of colors. Even more impressive, unlike many luxury products, these are actually NOT made in China but in Germany (the brand is German, but it wasn’t until last year that they launched in the USA and Canada).

Again, you can’t compare the feel of these products to something from say, Chanel or YSL, but when it comes to long-lasting-ness they are light years ahead of comparable drugstore brands and they’re way cheaper, too! I was particularly impressed with how long lasting the lip products were. Essence just launched a slew of new products for Spring/Summer 2012, and makeup artist Sarah Appleby shared some insight into a key eye look for the season that we can achieve using this cosmetic line. See below!

Spring into a Smokey Eye

1. Start with essence’s new long-lasting eyeshadow in back to khaki, which has built in crease-resistance. Apply to the base of the lid, through the crease and under the lash line, smudging towards the inner and outer corners.

2. Next, using the new essence eyeshadow brush, apply a slightly darker shade from the quattro eyeshdow in over the taupe to the base of the lid, starting close to the lash line in the center of the lid and dragging towards the outer corner of the eye to create a “sideways V.”

3. Once you’ve achieved your desired shadow look, use a smudge-able jet black eyeliner such as the essence I love rock gloss eye pencil to rim the water and lash line of the top and lower lids. Make sure to blend and avoid strict lines!

4. Finish the look by cleaning up the brow and applying two coats of carbon black mascara like the new I love extreme volume mascara.

**For a more daring take on this spring look, Appleby suggests replacing the shades of khaki and taupe with boldly pigmented shadows and liners like the new essence mono eyeshadow in olive garden or hyped up and the new essence kajal eyeliners in feel the eclipse or scream green.

Image: essence Cosmetics

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Next is another outfit from last summer. Usually with floral patterns, I try to stick with solids for the rest of my outfit, but for a floral pattern like the one on the skirt I’m wearing below (which is actually a dress), I layered a top that had a bigger pattern and worked well with the smaller floral pattern. When mixing patterns, you want to make sure that you stay within the same color group in order to keep the overall look cohesive. In this case, the black and white top was the perfect complement to the red on black floral print!

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to wear floral patterns! I find that they are probably the easiest pattern to wear because they don’t make you look wider (like stripes sometimes can) and can be worn with just about everything!

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Wyatt nude and black blouse
Paige Denim Adrenaline Jeans
Essie Really Red
t+j Designs Colorblock Cuff
Classiques Entier ‘Regan’ Pump

I like animal print shoes as the main focus of an outfit, so here I brought in some great looking neutrals, a classy black and gold cuff, and just a tiny bit of color via nail polish. Red looks great with most animal prints — such as leopard — and just a little bit of the color on your nails can really pull the outfit together. To make it a bit more business friendly, add a blazer on top, or wear as is with a fun clutch for a perfect happy hour outfit!

Classiques Entier ‘Regan’ Pump
t+j Designs Luxe Link Necklace
Pim + Larkin Colette Dress
Sephora by OPI gold nail polish
Vince Camuto Curve Hem Trench Jacket

I’m definitely looking forward to spring and wearing bright colors, so it’s no surprise I’m loving this shift dress in a bright coral, almost orange color. The leopard is definitely a bit unexpected with this color, but they really work well together, especially when you add a few classic pieces, such as a trench coat and link necklace. Add some extra fun to this outfit with some gold glitter polish. The look is subtle, but when people notice it, it’s a fun surprise!

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I have tested more than one type of dry shampoo to get the perfect style volume, but out of all of the dry shampoos that I have tried, here are my top favorites:

Stila Jade Blossom Hair Refresher – I have been using this one the longest and it’s been the best, not only because it’s got a pleasant smell to it (a bit floral-y), but because it gets the oil out just right with only a few shakes and it’s the easiest to comb out so you don’t have a white powder residue in your hair. It gives just a light amount of texture, so it’s good for a little teasing at the roots.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo – This is a recent favorite and I like it because it’s a bit more substantial than the Stila one, so if you are needing more texture and hold, I’d recommend this one. It also has a nice scent, but this one is a bit more citrusy. The bottle and nozzle are a bit messy so watch out when you apply it. Also, with the thicker consistency comes the fact that it’s harder to brush out of your hair, so my tip is to put a little in, brush it out and repeat until you get the texture you like. Don’t just pile it all on, otherwise you’ll end up with a weird gray-ish tint at your roots because of the powder.
Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo - it just so happens that both of my drugstore buys are the spray versions, but I have found that the spray versions are more effective in styling/giving texture than soaking up extra oils like the powder versions do. This one you only need a few sprays at the crown and you’ll be able to tease your hair into an updo.

Psssssst Volume + Color Instant Spray Shampoo – this one is fantastic because it comes in blonde and brunette so, unlike the other sprays, I don’t have to worry about the product leaving a white or gray tint on my very black hair. This one blends in beautifully and gives great texture and hold.

So, if you haven’t been able to achieve amazing volume in your hair, I suggest giving dry shampoos a shot. It really works!

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Think lace is only for spring and summer? Think again! Make use of your lace pieces in the winter by layering them underneath cozy sweaters and wearing them with edgy jewelry to toughen up an overly girly look. Want to try something different? Try a lace skirt! I love these three pencil skirts — they’re classy and lady-like but would stand out in a crowd. For the best look, pair any one of these skirts with a neutral top and sleek pumps.

River Island Lace Skirt | Metallic Lace Pencil Skirt | French Connection Lace Pencil Skirt

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For the winter, instead of the colorful shorts, a pair of colorful jeans is the perfect pairing. And the easiest way to dress up your plaid shirt? Just add a pretty necklace and bangles! Another one of my favorite ways to wear plaid lately is with boots. But once it warms up, I’ll be trading my boots for a pair of pumps to make it super easy to transition my plaids into the spring.

Caslon Boyfriend Shirt | Forever 21 Skinny Jeans | t+j Designs Luxe Chain Crystal Necklace, Silver Link Bracelet and Twisted Silver and Gold Bracelet

Are you plaid obsessed as well?

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The best fashion elements never scream. Instead, they whisper in such a way that everyone turns notices, wondering just what it is you’ve done. You don’t need to wear a ball gown to turn heads. You don’t need a tiara to captivate a crowd. You simply need a few strategic ideas you can consistently turn to for a style lift, every day. What are these magical additions? I’ll let you in on a few of my favorite secrets.

1. Wear booties with a chunk heel. It’s not practical for me to wear high heels everyday. I have to trudge all over town…so no-can-do! However, I have found that wearing ankle boots with a chunk heel about one-and-a-half to two inches high can do wonders for your outfit. If you’re wearing dark-wash skinny jeans, opaque tights or thick leggings, a black boot will instantly lengthen your leg – without the mega-pain of wearing heels. You’ll look more sophisticated, even if no one can pinpoint the cause.

2. Add a flash of red. Red instantly says “confident, daring and stylish,” so find a way to work just a dash into your look. Have a black winter coat? Wear red gloves. Looking for a new bag? Snap one up with red piping. Fighting through snow? Try red patent rain boots. Pair your red with neutrals and you’ll really stop people in their tracks.

3. Mix the casual and the classy. Your favorite worn-in boyfriend blazer will look great with that maxi dress you save for special occasions. Just add tall boots and a pair of nerd glasses. Or what about that dazzling sequin top? Pair it with simple skinny jeans (preferably ones that are a bit frayed) and black flats. No jewelry. Simple, sleek bun. Master the art of the “one fantastic item” combined with all your old favorites. It’s a winning formula.

4. Paint your nails blue/yellow/hot pink… The polish instantly adds polish (and if you chip those nails, take the polish off!). Plus, the bold color makes the statement that you will be noticed, but you will never try too hard.

5. Leather, sequins, lace. All three of these fabrics are statement pieces. Try a lace blazer or cover-up instead of wearing a cardigan. Instead of layering a plain tank under that oversize sweater, why not let a sequined tank peek out? You can never go wrong with a leather jacket (or leather belt cinched at the waist… or leather gloves with stud detailing…) and basic jeans or leggings. So, play with standout fabrics and textures. It’s a major statement without having to do too much. Only one word of warning: Don’t pair all of these together. Too much is too much!

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Personally, I think we should all sleep as much as possible. Mostly because peeling myself out of bed in the morning is nearly impossible. That’s why I often find myself getting up and out the door in about 20 minutes. (I can’t help it – I love my sleep!)

You can catch more zzzz’s, too. You just have to learn a few shortcuts for keeping your morning routine simple. You don’t want to sacrifice style for sleep… but you can have both!

Hair
Method: Master blow drying your hair so you don’t have to take a flat iron or curling iron to those locks. Flip wet hair upside down and blow dry to get major volume at the root. When the hair is nearly dry, flip back over and use a paddle brush to smooth while drying at the same time. Point the dryer down the hair shaft to keep your strands sleek not frizzy. Set with hairspray. No irons necessary!
Time saved: 15 minutes

Clothes
Method: Pick out your outfit at night. I like to choose a pair or pants or skirt, and then two top options in case you’re just not that into one of them in the morning! If you’re a girl who really likes to dress on instinct, then leave accessory options until the last minute.
Time saved: 10 minutes

Eyes
Method: Swap eye shadow for eye liner. You don’t have to be nearly as precise. Choose a color that’s a shade or two lighter than your liner, because shadow tends to look extremely dark on the eye if you’re not careful. Then, cover from lash to crease.
Time saved: 3 minutes

Lips
Method: Instead of messing with lipstick and/or liner, try this: Apply chapstick to the entire lip, then use a lip stain over top. The chapstick keeps the color from looking too severe, and the lip stain easily glides over top of the chapstick for nearly sheer coverage.
Time saved: 2 minutes

All in all, with these tips, you’re sleeping for an extra half hour every morning! I think that’s totally worth it, don’t you?

What are your quick-fix morning tricks?

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A fabulous brow should be understated and nearly unnoticeable. But if you have bad brows, they’ll definitely be noticed. As a Wednesday treat, let’s make sure that your brows are streamlined, fabulous and under-the-radar.

1. When in doubt about brow size, go bolder. Bolder is better than too thin. When you overpluck, your brows thin out and won’t grow back. This is always bad, and you’ll regret it as you age. Bold and skinny brows each go in and out of style, but as I always say, it’s better to be bold.

2. Follow the outline. You should be able to see the natural curve of your brows. Anything outside that natural curve, you can feel free to pluck. But try not to thin your brows intentionally. It always ends up going awry… and growing back your brows is a pain.

3. Don’t pluck after a shower. I know so many people have said you should totally tweeze while your skin is soft, I disagree. It’s too hard to grab hold of those tiny hairs when they’re warm, soft and slippery! It’s much easier to pluck in the evening before bed.

4. Color! Pick an eyebrow pencil one to two shades lighter than your hair color and fill in your brows to create a defined arch. If you’re not comfortable with a thick, bold brow, then here’s another trick: To remove makeup residue, dampen the end of a Q-tip and run over your eyebrows. Use the other end to wipe away any tiny water droplets. This trick will smooth and bring out your natural color.

5. Watch the edges. Your brow should extend from the inner corner of your eye to just beyond the outer corner. If you tweeze too far, your eyes will look unnaturally far apart… so be careful! (In my inexperienced youth, I did this frequently. Took years for me to finally get it right!)

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