I’ve discovered the easiest way to make your own uber-moisturizing, inexpensive, and shiny-as-the-department-store-brand lip gloss. All you need? A few items from your makeup arsenal and a tiny bit of patience. Here are the details:

Rummage through your makeup and pick out a pot from an old powder or lotion sample – one that you won’t mind cleaning out. Can’t find one? There’s a space on almost every eye shadow compact with a small applicator brush (looks like this) that almost no one uses. This, my crafty friends, is the perfect spot for lip gloss.

What you’ll need:

• Makeup pot
• Petroleum jelly (or alternatives)
• Old or inexpensive lipstick
• Knife
• Blow-dryer
• Toothpicks

How to do it:

1. Wash a makeup pot with soap and hot water. Dry thoroughly.
2. Scoop about a teaspoon of petroleum jelly into the pot. If you are using the brush space next to an eye shadow, it will likely be less. Use your best judgment.
3. With a knife, cut about 1/4 inch of lipstick and place it directly in the petroleum jelly. The lipstick is mainly for color. Use more or less depending on how opaque you prefer your gloss.
4. Set your blow-dryer on low strength and high heat. Aim the air at the pot with 6 – 12 inches of space between the dryer and the gloss. This is where the tiny bit of patience comes in. Rotate the pot in your fingers as it heats for about 30 seconds, or until the materials begin to melt.
5. Using a toothpick, stir the lipstick into the petroleum jelly. Blow-dry for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Repeat this process until smooth.
6. Place the pot in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
7. Cap it, and you’re done.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

Do you have any DIY lip gloss recipes of your own? Tell us in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Those warm spring days are still a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t welcome new trends now. The easiest way to get your springtime fix (without having to rock open-toe shoes in snowy weather)? With a revamped beauty routine, of course. Whether your style calls for bold makeup or nude nails, either is fair game this season.

Top Trends to Try Now
1. Seen all over the spring 2013 runways? The bright red lip. From fiery red-orange to candy-apple red, it’s safe to say that a look-at-me pout is here to stay.
2. Long gone are the days of over-tweezing – strong, dark eyebrows are a go.
3. Remember the colored mascara trend? Try it out now in shades of blue and green or go all-out and pay homage to the 80s by lining your lid in a cobalt blue.
4. More praise for the 80s? Why not? Crimped hair made an appearance on Badgley Mischka’s spring 2013 runway in romantic, soft updos.
5. Lush lashes are always right in my book, but now the trend gets even more amped up with Twiggy-inspired fringe.
6. Take a break from bright nails and opt for a fresh nude polish.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

What’s your favorite spring 2013 beauty trend? Take the poll (then share in the comments below), or tweet us at @ruelala.

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From purses and shoes to stationery and iPhone cases, Kate Spade has monetized her brand with her classic and elegant signature black-and-white stripe design. I decided to pay tribute to the iconic pattern with this DIY striped manicure. For your own designer-worthy digits, check out the steps below.

What You’ll Need:

• Two nail polish colors (I used Sally Hansen’s “White On” and OPI’s “Siberian Nights”)
• Scissors
• Tape
• Clear quick-dry top coat

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of the polish color you would like for your base, then let dry completely.
2. Cut thick and thin strips of tape and place them on your nails horizontally and vertically. Make sure the tape is secure and long enough to hang over the edges of the nail – this will make it easy to remove.
3. Paint over the whole nail (tape included) with your second nail color.
4. After your nails are dry, gently peel away the tape.
5. Finish by applying a clear quick-dry top coat.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

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

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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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