Top Ten Beauty Must-Haves 2010

Moisturiser

One of the simplest ways to protect and nourish your skin is to use a good moisturiser every day. This is not only important for your face and neck but the rest of your body too! Invest in a good quality night and day cream for your face and neck, and separate creams for body and hands. Don't forget to moisturise your feet too, cracked heels are not a good look!

Bottled water

Water is a beauty staple and it's a great idea to get into the habit of keeping a bottle of it close by, particularly at work where it can help to control snacking too. We would recommend investing in a water filter; that way you can refill your bottles without breaking the bank.

Vaseline Lip Therapy

We don't often endorse products but we love Vaseline's 'Rosy lips' Lip Therapy and it has won it's place into our favourites. It smells gorgeous, protects and softens lips, lasts for ages and is very affordable. Brilliant!

YSL Touché Éclat

Another product that we are happy to mention by name. Touché Éclat by Yves saint Laurent is known in our office as the beauty industry's magic wand. The fabulous formula reflects light, concealing dark circles, highlighting where needed and softenning flaws.

Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara

The last product that we will specify by brand, Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara was a recent winner in the Marie Claire Prix D'Excellence beauty awards and we agree that it lengthens, plumps and separates lashes effectively, leaving you with stunning eyes.

White eyeliner

We recommend adding a white eyeliner to your eye makeup collection so find one in your favourite brand and keep it handy. White eyeliner is fantastic for brightenning tired eyes, apply a little to the inner lower eye lid for a photo shoot or evening out and you'll see what we mean.

Red lipstick

Every girl must have a red lipstick and it couldn't be more fashionable right now so find a shade that suits your skin tone and go for it! Don't forget the eyes/lips rule; if you wear red lipstick keep your eye make up simple.

Perfume

Keep a small or tester size bottle of your favourite perfume in your handbag, you never know when you may want to use it and it's nice to have that 'signature scent' that people recognise as you walk by. Follow our advice here and keep it subtle, spritz the air and walk into the cloud of perfume rather than applying direct to the skin.

Deep conditioner

All year round your hair feels the force of the elements and a regular deep conditioning treatment will really help to keep it soft and smooth. Buy a good one that suits your hair type and use it at least once a week.

Electric toothbrush

Nothing finishes your look like a bright smile so invest in an electric toothbrush to give yourself a head start, we promise you won't go back!

What Hair Color Is Right For You?

So, you decide you want to change your hair color because either you are bored with your current hair color or you have begun to notice those grays coming in. You then run to Target to pick up a box of hair color, come home and use it and as to the results...you hate it! Why is that? Because you have to take in many variables about yourself before choosing a color. The best place to do this is at a hair salon.

One of the first things a hair stylist will take into consideration is your skin tone and whether you fall into the cool or warm categories. The color of your eyes are important as well. The current shade of your hair color is what is the last deciding factor on what shade to go with. The color of clothes you wear is also taken into consideration. This is when a color chart comes in handy. The hair salon can give you a hair color chart upon request. There are also many places on the web to find a good color chart if you want to be prepared before going to the hair salon.

If you are a brunette it is particularly difficult to choose a color because if you go too dark your face will appear pale and if you go to light your hair can turn red. It is also difficult to know whether to use highlights as a brunette. If you are blonde you do not want your color to turn out muddied in appearance or too white. If you are a redhead you do not want your color to appear brassy.

Again, a professional hair stylist can help you with all these decisions. Especially a hair salon with a salon color bar which are becoming a popular trend popping up in cities all over the U.S.

When choosing a hair color your best bet is going to a hair salon to guide you into making the right choice. Even if you decide after to go home and color your hair.

credit:Annie Miller

Eyebrow Piercing - To Pierce Or Not To Pierce?

Eyebrow piercing is not just for the rock stars of the world anymore. The punk/alternative rock scene was a haven for it in the past. Nowadays it has become fairly common for teens and even adults to sport eyebrow jewelry.

The most popular eyebrow jewelry tends to be the barbell or the simple ring. Most people I knew who had their eyebrows pierced when I was growing up, were cast as the "weirdo's" or alternative crowd. Really it comes down to what makes you as a person most comfortable with the way you look. Some people use piercings or tattoos to make some sort of statement. I have heard arguments for social, political, and even religious statements for the piercings.

Piercing seems to be a much wiser choice than getting a tattoo, if you are prone (as I am) to change your mind. People change their minds and that is just a fact of life. What it really boils down to is personal choice. Your body is your temple and you should be free to "decorate" how you seem fit.

Certain eyebrow piercings can look great. Sometimes an individuals face shape can play a role in how good one or two eyebrow piercings might look. As with anything, if done tastefully, eyebrow piercing can be a good way to express your self.

With any piercing it is important to take proper care and sanitary precautions. There is always the risk of infection and complications so be sure that the person performing the piercing has ample experience in doing so.

credit:Kristina Mathews