The beginning of spring is just one day away, and even though there’s still a chill in the air (or a few inches of snow, if you’re in Boston), I can’t wait to say hello to a new season of hair trends. From loose waves to sleek ponytails, these are the styles to try out over the next few months.

1. Braids
Whether it’s a slightly undone fishtail or a few small plaits tied into a ponytail, spring is all about the braid. Try it on busy mornings for a put-together look in about 10 seconds flat.

2. Low Ponytails
The most low-maintenance look of the season (or, ever), the low ponytail was all over the spring/summer 2013 runways. Part your hair down the center and keep it sleek, or leave it loose all around.

3. Super Straight
Fine-haired girls, rejoice! Your naturally pin-straight locks are in for spring. For those of us without sleek strands, warm up those flat irons (not before spraying your hair with heat protector, of course).

4. Loose Waves
There’s nothing more romantic than soft, loose waves, and thankfully this style is here to stay. Let the salty ocean naturally wave your strands, or curl your hair then brush it out before spritzing (lightly) with hairspray.

5. Hair Accessories
Seen on the runways of FENDI, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana, hair baubles are a total must-do. From oversized pearls that amp up a low bun to colorful head scarves perfect for less-than-stellar hair days, this trend brings the fun back to hair styling.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

Which hair trends will you be trying? Take the poll then share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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From girl crush Blake Lively to the models of Houghton, lace nails are the latest mani must-have. So I, of course, just had to try it out. To achieve your own lacy nails, follow the simple steps below:

What You’ll Need:

• One nail polish color
• Black lace
• Scissors
• Toothpick
• Sally Hansen’s “Dries Instantly Top Coat”
• Sally Hansen’s “Hard as Nails”

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of polish, then let dry.
2. Measure and cut 10 pieces of lace, one to to fit each nail.
3. Apply Sally Hansen’s “Dries Instantly” Top Coat.
4. Immediately place the trimmed lace onto each nail.
5. Use a toothpick to smooth out the corners and edges of the lace.
6. Apply Sally Hansen’s “Hard as Nails” to keep the lace in place (pardon the rhyme).

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

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

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Life moves fast (deep, I know). Chasing the bus down the street and getting to work on time is a daily challenge in itself. In an effort to slow the pace, I encourage you to rediscover the magic that is a bath. Spoon in a few scoops of these vanilla eucalyptus bath salts, light a candle or two,  and inhale the soothing aromas.

A few helpful tips: Skip the first step and pick up a large jar of combined Epsom and Dead Sea salts at the craft store for only a few dollars. Also, if you don’t love the smell of eucalyptus, use any type of dried herb or flower (like lavender or rosemary). Finally, I used the same coloring and fragrance as I did for this DIY soap, so if you have any left over, save yourself the extra trip.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

How did your bath salt scrub turn out? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala, then check out our Rue How-To column every Wednesday.

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Spring is all about renewal, and trickling that mantra down to your makeup bag is a must. Whether swapping out dark lipstick for sheer gloss or adding a pedicure kit and moisturizer with SPF to your arsenal, these beauty picks have your prettifying needs in the bag.

1. Moisturizer with SPF
Because you’ll likely be upping your vitamin D intake, make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF every morning for healthy, glowing skin (sans future wrinkles).

2. Pedicure Kit
Open-toe season has arrived – and keeping your feet in tip-top shape is of utmost priority. Just buff, swipe on your favorite spring shade, then flaunt.

3. Lip Gloss
Switching your lip color to something a little lighter and glossier has an oh-so-springlike effect. All that’s left? A little swipe of mascara and dusting of bronzer for a sunny update.

4. Tweezers
Bold brows are in for spring, but so is keeping them groomed (just be sure not to overpluck).

Our Hello, Gorgeous: Face, Hair, & Makeup Essentials Boutique opens Friday, March 15, at 11AM ET.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

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Generally, I’m a liquid soap kind of person. But there’s something about these artfully designed bar soaps that spruce up a space. They also make an impressive gift in a pinch (just tie them with a ribbon). All you need are a few key ingredients. Choose your favorite colors (or ones that complement your wallpaper), any fragrance (from chamomile to peppermint), then melt the soap, stir it, pour it, cool it, and you’re done.

Makes one 4-ounce bar of soap

What you’ll need:

• Sharp knife
• Opaque white soap (I bought a 2-pound pack of shea butter soap from my local craft store. You can also find it online.)
• Glass bowl
• Spoon
• Food coloring
• Vanilla fragrance or essential oil
• Soap molds
• Soap stamps

How to do it:

1. With a sharp knife, cut a 4-ounce block of soap and place it in a microwaveable glass bowl.
2. Melt on high for 30 seconds. Stir, then place soap back in microwave for three to five 10 – 12 second intervals, stirring in between each interval until soap is completely melted.
3. Remove soap from microwave. Add food coloring to soap one drop at a time, stirring between each drop, until desired color is achieved.
4. Add fragrance or essential oil. A good rule of thumb for fragrances is about 5 drops per ounce. Mix thoroughly.
5. With your stir spoon, put 3 – 4 drops of soap on the bottom of the soap mold. This will act as a glue for the stamp.
6. Firmly press the stamp into the mold with the design facing up. At this point, if your bowl of soap has hardened at the surface at all, give it one last stir, or place it back in the microwave for a few seconds.
7. Pour the soap into the mold.
8. Leave the soap out to harden for 40 minutes to an hour, or place it in the refrigerator for faster cooling.

Continue reading “Rue How-To: Make Your Own Hand Soap” »

Trying to figure out which makeup brushes to use? From contouring to defining, our makeup artist, Rachel, weighs in on the must-haves to add to your beauty arsenal ASAP – because having the correct brushes for application can make all the difference.

1. Concealer brush
Used for precise application and blending of all concealers around the eye, or to cover blemishes and red marks.

2. All-over eye color brush
A loose-bristle brush meant for applying eye shadow all over the lid.

3. Crease brush
Meant for defining eyes and creating depth in the creases.

4. Flat liner brush
The best way to get a perfectly straight line with gel or powder liner.

5. Foundation brush
Used to apply foundation evenly – without the added oils from using your hands.

6. All-over powder brush or Kabuki brush
Perfect for applying a powder foundation and bronzer.

7. Angled blush brush
The ideal size and shape for applying blush to your cheeks.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

What are your go-to makeup brushes? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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If CÉLINE’s head-to-toe ensemble for the Resort 2013 collection is any indication, the polka dot trend is set to pop up all over this season. To give your nails a piece of the spotted fun, check out the tips below on how to achieve a fashion-forward polka dot manicure:

What You’ll Need:

• Two polish colors (I used essie’s “Lady Like” and Sally Hansen’s “White On”)
• Scrap paper
• Mechanical pencil
• Clear top coat

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of the color you would like for the base. Let them dry completely.
2. Put three large drops of your second color on a piece of scrap paper.
3. Dab the tip of the mechanical pencil into the puddle of polish and gently dot each nail until you get a design you like.
4. Let polka dots dry for a few minutes.
5. Apply a clear top coat to finish.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

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

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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.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now. 

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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