Ever since seeing the bright purple eyelashes at Stella McCartney’s fall 2012 runway show, I’ve been dying to get my hands on tinted mascara. Packing more punch than everyday black, colors like plum, cobalt, neon green, and even red have been popping up everywhere – and leaving a lasting impression in their wake.

My personal color of choice was a vibrant shade of blue from Physicians Formula (which is actually quite subtle if you only put on one coat – I ended up doing two heavy coats and it made my lashes noticeably blue). Not quite sold on the look just yet? Read on for some tips on how to pick the best bold mascara shade for your eye color.

Blue Mascara
If you have blue eyes, blue mascara is the way to go. Adding depth to lashes and brightening eyes (which makes the whites look even whiter), cobalt shades emphasize the blue pigments and make eyes appear clearer.

Purple Mascara
While purple mascaras tend to look brighter on the brush than they do on your lashes, this shade works well with almost any skin tone. Redheads can pull off bright purple shades best, but the hue also deepens brown eyes and brings out green and amber tones in hazel eyes.

Green Mascara
A neon green shade was popular on Dior’s fall 2013 runway, but the color can be worn in real life – just more subtly. It brings out warm brown and violet tones in eyes, according to beautylish.com.

Red/Pink Mascara
Also spotted on the runway at Dior, red mascara is definitely not for the faint of heart. Beautylish.com suggests pairing this bold mascara with a matching shade of liquid liner on the upper lashes. Bonus: If your eyes are blue, the red pigments will bring out the tones flawlessly.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

Would you try colored mascara? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Minimizing paint splatter is high priority when painting a house or room, but when it comes to this DIY paint splatter manicure, the messier the better. Show off your creativity using the steps below.

What You’ll Need:

• White nail polish
• Two contrasting nail polish colors (I used Milani’s “Fresh Teal” and Sally Hansen’s “Fuchsia Power”)
• Paper plates
• Scissors
• Plastic drinking straw
• Clear top coat
• Cotton swabs
• Nail polish remover

The How-To:

1. Paint on two coats of white nail polish and let dry completely.
2. Choose the colored polish you would like to “splatter” on your nails first. Drop a small amount onto a paper plate, as shown above.
3. Cut a straw in half and dip one end into the polish, making sure to coat the entire hole of the straw.
4. Take a deep breath and blow into the straw. Don’t be alarmed if the polish gets on your skin – it happens.
5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 with the second colored polish.
6. Apply a clear top coat.
7. Clean off the excess polish around your nails and on your skin with cotton swabs and nail polish remover.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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While the whirlwind that is New York Fashion Week has come to a close, the beauty trends (and street-style photos) are definitely some of the most memorable. The slightly messy, undone looks that we saw on the runways at the beginning of the week were present until the very end. Straight, unfussy hairstyles and minimal makeup (aside from a sweep of copper eyeshadow or a red lip) were at the forefront of almost every runway. So whether it’s the burgundy pouts at Derek Lam and alice + olivia, or a love for the ever-chic ponytail at Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Jenny Packham (tied with a silk ribbon), and Alexander Wang, one thing’s for certain – fall can’t come fast enough.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

What were your favorite beauty trends from NYFW? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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I’ll admit it: I’m clearly not a morning person. I like sleeping in more than anything else, which means it’s always a sprint to get out the door on time. So when I only have ten minutes to spare – with my hair in a messy bun on the top of my head and my makeup undone – having a go-to, super-quick beauty routine is a life (and time) saver. Below, some tips for a flawless look – sans hours of prep.

1. Do some of the work at night.
Allure suggests washing and conditioning your hair before bed, so it’s ready to go in the morning. If it needs a little extra help, use dry shampoo at the roots to refresh strands. And if you have dry, sensitive, or normal skin, they also advise only washing your face at night, then using a facial wipe before applying the day’s moisturizer with SPF.

2. Ten minutes is all you need in the morning.
Figure out what your must-have beauty products are, then decide which ones will make the biggest impact within the littlest amount of time (ten minutes, tops). Five products I swear by? BB cream (moisturizer, primer, and foundation all in one!), bronzer, eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss.

3. Keep your everyday makeup accessible.
If you’re prone to the early-morning frenzy, keep your everyday makeup in a separate spot or pouch. It will eliminate minutes spent rummaging for the eyeliner you’re looking for. Allure also suggests trying creamy formulas that can be applied without using a brush, or stocking up on multitasking products that can be used on cheeks and lips (like stains and cream blushes).

4. Bring your beauty bag to the office for touch-ups.
Once you’re done applying your makeup, zip up the pouch and toss it in your work tote. That way, if you need any touch-ups during the day, you’ll be all set.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

How do you get ready on busy mornings? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Whether you’re going out to dinner or cuddling at home with your special someone, they’ll fall head over heels (or hands) for this fun DIY Valentine’s Day manicure. Just follow the steps below:

What You’ll Need:

• Three nail colors (Pretty pink colors preferred! Mine were Sally Hansen’s “Bubblegum Pink,” “Fuchsia Power,” and “Red Carpet”)
• Three-ring binder reinforcement stickers
• Clear quick-dry nail polish
• Steady hand

The How-To:

1. Paint two coats on your nails with the nail color you would like for the layered heart closest to your cuticle.
2. Once dry, take the reinforcement stickers and stick two together (making an infinity symbol, or a sideways “8”).
3. Place the stickers over the bottom half of your nail to create the second layered heart.
4. Paint above the reinforcement stickers with your second nail color and let dry completely.
5. Remove the stickers very gently, making sure the design stays in place, and apply a clear quick-dry top coat.
6. Once dry, repeat steps 2 – 5 using the third nail color. (Note: To achieve the third layered heart at the top, place the stickers at the center of your nail.)

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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New York Fashion Week has seen its fair share of new fashion trends, and right along with them are the fresh beauty looks. So what can we expect to stock our makeup bags with this fall? Between the barely-there makeup at BCBGMAXAZRIA; blue and purple eyeshadow at Jason Wu; nude manicures at La Perla and DANNIJO; and graphic nail art at Rebecca Minkoff, Nicholas K, and Degen (just to name a few) – it’s safe to say that bold and understated will live together in harmony.

And the hair? Put those curling irons away, because straight blunt cuts and messy, undone styles – from the grunge look at BCBGMAXAZRIA to roughed up ponytails at Richard Chai and Tadashi Shoji – are back.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

How will you be watching NYFW? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Awards season is well underway, and if you were slightly more obsessed with the red carpet arrivals than the actual shows (guilty), then you’re in good company. From the hair and makeup to the sheer nail polish, both the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards saw four distinctly similar beauty trends – and bonus: they’re all easy to mimic (without a team of experts).

1. Barely-There Makeup
Celebs like Kate Hudson, Sienna Miller, and Rosario Dawson rocked a fresh, clean face at the Golden Globes with minimal makeup and glowing skin. Less time spent getting ready in the morning to achieve a red carpet look? I’m in.

2. Retro Waves
This is probably the biggest trend of awards season so far. With deep side parts and bouncy waves, stars like Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey, and Jessica Alba all flaunted healthy-looking, no-fuss strands. Sport loose curls like theirs and your typical Friday night outfit pays homage to old Hollywood glamour.

3. Deep Lipstick
A bold pout was a major trend last fall (remember the burgundy lip?), and celebrities like Jessica Chastain, Isla Fisher, and Claire Danes carried the look straight on through to 2013. The quickest way to an A-list look is accomplished with a simple swipe of lipstick.

4. Neutral Nails
Bright nails have been a staple on red carpets past, but this year it was all about the pale pink and sheer polish. Jennifer Garner, Kerry Washington, and Jennifer Lawrence all flaunted nude polish at the SAG awards and proved that bold isn’t always best. Paint your own nails in a light hue and you’ll be a total convert (chips won’t show!).

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

What are your favorite red carpet beauty trends? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Khloe Kardashian and Lauren Conrad helped make ombre hair a huge trend for 2012 and 2013, but some of us might not be ready to commit to dyeing our locks. Much like the carefree essence of the hairstyle, ombre nails are an even easier at-home project. Dip your tips into this trend with a DIY ombre manicure – just follow these steps.

What You’ll Need:

• White nail polish
• Three of your favorite colored nail polishes (I used butter LONDON’s “The Full Monty,” essie’s “turquoise & caicos,” and Milani’s “Dude Blue”)
• Makeup sponges
• Clear nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton swabs

The How-To:

1. Paint two coats of white nail polish on your nails and let dry completely.
2. Remove the tops of all three colored polishes.
3. With your first color, paint a thin line on the angled part of the makeup sponge.
4. Repeat step 3 for the other nail polish colors, as shown above. (Steps 3 and 4 should be done rather quickly, or the sponge will absorb too much polish.)
5. Dab the nail with the painted sponge about 5 – 6 times (or until you achieve your desired color).
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each nail to achieve the best results.
7. Apply a clear coat of polish.
8. Remove excess polish from skin with nail polish remover and cotton swabs.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Confession: I rarely wash my hair every day. I’ve experimented with a few different store-bought brands of dry shampoo over the years, and while I’ve enjoyed the results, I could definitely do without the price tag (as well as all the additional chemical ingredients). Forgo washing and blow-drying your hair on day two and cash in on some extra minutes of beauty sleep with the help of a few common household supplies and this homemade dry shampoo recipe.

What you’ll need:
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup whole grain oatmeal
• Sprig of dried lavender or 10 – 15 drops lavender essential oil (or any scent of your choice)
• Food processor
• Small jar with airtight lid
• Old makeup brush
• Fine-tooth comb

How to do it:
1. Combine the baking soda and oatmeal together in a food processor and grind until they form a fine powder.
2. Add the dried lavender or essential oil and mix well.
3. Scoop mixture into a small jar for storage.
4. Part your hair into three sections and use the makeup brush to lightly dust the mixture onto each section’s roots.
5. Work the fine-tooth comb from root to tip to brush out any excess powder.

By Grace Romanowsky of Valenki By ACE, Staff Writer

How did your road test fare? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Determining your skin type isn’t something that comes easily. How do you know if your complexion is oily, dry/sensitive, normal, or a mix of everything? Chances are, you’re miscasting your own personal skin type. Read up on these skin classifications (and take this quiz) to figure out where your skin falls, once and for all.

Oily
Your face looks and feels oily, mainly on your chin, nose, and forehead. You notice a shiny complexion right when you wake up and in the afternoons (when oil production is at its peak, according to Women’s Health magazine). You also have larger pores, which makes you more prone to acne.

Tips:
Real Simple states that moisturizing is key for oily skin types (contrary to popular belief) because it keeps your skin from overproducing oil. Elle UK recommends oil-free moisturizer: slather it on at night, then use one with SPF in the morning before applying makeup. They also recommend cleansing your face with a creamy cleanser (to eliminate excess oil buildup) and keeping your pores clear by using products with salicylic acid.

Continue reading “Pretty Talk: How to Determine (and Perfect) Your Skin Type” »