As the sun starts to disappear around this time of year, we notice that the shades of our nail polish follow suit. The sunshine yellows and pops of bright pink are traded in for much murkier colors, but there are plenty of shades throughout this year’s collections from our favorite brands that are in no way dimmed down.

OPI

OPI’s Swiss Collection contains an array of shades of muted blues, reds and pink with the few frosty additions of Glitzerland and Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous to buck the all-neutral trend that many other brands are distributing this season. These colors are perfect to blend in with every piece of your fall wardrobe, and with the frosty polishes especially, already thinking of a white Christmas (since it’s right around the corner).

Essie

Essie’s autumn offerings are making us think about our next trip to Starbucks. Little Brown Dress and Merino Cool remind us of how different people take their coffee while the rest of the polishes look like vibrant colors that have been mixed with a touch of gray which is perfect for those extra chilly dark days when the best place to hide in the warmth is a local coffee shop.

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It’s not easy having melanin. The more pigment we have, the more complications we get when it comes to clear skin, since many things can cause hyper pigmentation and create dark spots. We’ve done our research to find the overall best regimen to help ensure blemish-free, even-toned skin.

Cleansing

The first step to any skin care regimen should be cleansing, but for any woman of color there are a few ingredients we should be wary of when choosing the right cleanser and toner for your skin type. Ingredients such as alcohol, propylene glycol, fragrance, or dyes should be avoided for something with more natural ingredients like Burt’s Bees’ line of cleansers and toners.

Moisture

This is another matter where the color of your skin doesn’t matter, but the type does. Not matter your skin tone, moisture is the most important part of any skin regimen that should be done twice a day. If you have oily or combination skin, it’s best to go with an oil-free or mattifying moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated without looking shiny, and for those with dry skin, a creamy moisturizer will easily work well.

Sun Protection

Our skin naturally has a sun block in it that equals about SPF 13, according to Dr. Susan Taylor of Brownskin.net. But that doesn’t mean we should neglect putting on regular sun block like everyone else.  Be sure to buy one that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, like Neutrogena’s  Ultimate Sport Sun block with an SPF of at least 30 and remember to put it on daily 20 minutes before heading outside. The sun can also be devastating for acne scars and other dark spots that are already on the face, Bio-Oil can help hydrate the skin while helping to fade scars and can go underneath sun screen.

Makeup

Finding a shade of foundation or concealer that matches closely to our skin tone can be difficult since many of the major brands do not go darker than a certain tone. There are brands like Black Opal that cater to women of color, but International supermodel Iman has created a line of makeup and skincare products are available in stores and online and made for those who feel left out of the market just because they happen to be at the darker end of the color spectrum.

~ by Valis Vicenty

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We can hear September and the cold weather it brings knocking on our door. Even though we dread the chillier temperatures, it gives us the best excuse to change things up in our beauty regimen for the upcoming season.

Michelle Larner of Makeup by Michelle in New York City has been in the beauty industry for over ten years and talked about the importance of skincare when the temperature begins to drop.

“Cooler weather brings drier skin, for face and body,” Larner, who grew up with family already involved in the beauty industry, said in an e-mail. “[It’s] probably a good idea to swap the mineral powders, for more hydrating formulas, tinted moisturizer, creamy textures.”

In terms of makeup looks for the upcoming season, Larner believes bolder is better.

“Pale, pastel glosses probably look washed out without a summer tan,” she said. “Switch to sheer, darker colors to warm up the complexion. A great example, Clinique’s Almost Honey Lip Balm, looks great on all skin tones instead of bubble-gum pinks or summery nudes.”

The power of plum will be the most the compelling color to wear for the fall season, and many beauty companies such as NARS and Yves Saint Laurent are fully embracing it in their collections.

“Plum and purples look great on all skin tones,” Larner said. “It’s a flattering alternative to add to your favorite neutrals, as a dash of color. Try it as an accent color. [Use] one feature: lips (sheer), eyes (Great as a cream liner option), mascara, or for fingertips.”

For those of who believe they may have to empty their wallets just to stay on trend, you have nothing to fear! Larner believes in mixing both “Class” (department store brands) and “Mass” (drugstore brands) products in your makeup kit.

“I love them equally,” she said. “I love my Revlon, Maybelline and L’Oreal, just as much as my MAC, Laura Mercier and (Yves Saint Laurent) YSL cosmetics. Splurge on certain key things. A great brush will last ten years or more and is worth every penny. A great foundation is a good investment. Save on mascara, eye shadow and eyeliners.”

For more information about Michelle Larner, please visit: http://ws3.ewedding.com/v30/main.php?a=1575

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Whether you’re heading back to school or back to work after Labor Day weekend, you want to look fresher and more polished. Starting with clear, blemish-free skin. As for the most effective way to keep breakouts under control, there’s more to skin care than cleansing and spot-treating. In fact, over-scrubbing acne-prone skin can lead to more blemishes. Stripping away natural oils sends signals to your sebaceous glands to pump out more oil. The solution: Take a kinder, gentler—and more thorough—approach to skin care. Practice the basics of fighting blemishes: Cleanse. Tone. Treat. Then once or twice a week, go beyond the basics—treat skin to a gentle, dual-action mask that absorbs excess oil and exfoliates the dead skin cells that can clog pores.  And always choose a product that is effective yet non-irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Avène’s NEW Cleanance Mask gives you the perfect treatment to round out your anti-acne  skin care routine. Created to use after cleansing on dry or slightly moist skin, and before toning, the formula offers a powerful combo of Kaolin clay to absorb excess oil and rounded microbeads to gently slough off dry, dead skin cells, along with Avène Thermal Spring Water for soothing and softening. Beyond a pampering treatment, the mask provides proven therapeutic benefits, helping to reduce acne and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, leaving skin looking smooth, clear and healthy. All without irritation.

Avène’s complete Cleanance range for oily skin keeps excess oil in check around the clock with Soapless Gel Cleanser for daily cleansing; Anti-Shine Purifying Lotion for toning; and Anti-Shine Regulating Lotion, for daily moisturizing.

Avène’s NEW Cleanance Mask ($20 for 1.50 oz / 40 ml at www.aveneusa.com).

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It seems like only yesterday that we were drooling over the amazing collections from our favorite designers and wishing that the fall would come just a bit faster, not just for the clothes but also for the amazing makeup that accompanied the models down the runway. We’ve dug through the old photos with fervor to remind you all of what to expect in beauty this season.

Nearly Nude Nails

Deborah Lippman - Waking Up in Vegas

It’s not just Lady Gaga redefining the term “Gray Lady” on a cover of Vanity Fair, but models from Brian Reyes show wore a similar nude color during Fall Fashion week back in February, prompting celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow to top off her tips in taupe. But while the ladies and Gaga’s polishes cost a pretty penny, we were able to find an affordable substitute with Sally Hansen.

Berry Colored Lips

We personally love a dark lipstick anytime, anywhere, no need for an excuse (especially when it’s such an easy and relatively cheap way to make your teeth look whiter). So we were ecstatic to see designers like Antonio Berardi, Missoni and Proenza Schouler feature them in each of their shows. From deep red, to raspberry, to even black, a pretty, dark pout will be on many girls’ lips this season.

Heavy Eyeliner

The vampire phenomenon refuses to die and has begun to take on a life of its own on the catwalk. Gwen Stefani’s L.AM.B., Mackage, and Dolce and Gabbana all had vivacious vamps strutting their stuff with very heavy eyeliner and eye shadow, easily achieving a fun night of the living dead look. With Halloween right around the corner, we expect to see kohl on as many peepers as possible!

Bronze Shadow

One would think that bronzed lids would only be appropriate with a tan (or a good amount of self-tanner) but not so! Cushine Et Ochs, Daniel Vosovic and Brian Reyes kept every models’ eyes shimmering in shades of copper and bronze to light up the catwalk. So even though summer’s ending, this look will help ease the pain of the loss of heat and excuses to wear next to nothing.

Glowing Naked Skin

There’s nothing wrong with going bare-faced if you’re not privy to don such dark colors or don’t have the time to pull off some of the other complicated looks. Jason Wu, Preen, Rag & Bone and Alexander Wang wanted their models to show off their inner beauty by letting their faces go nearly naked.  If your skin isn’t absolutely flawless, a good concealer and a medium coverage foundation will be your best friends for this look.

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We love getting away to the beach as much as possible. If that’s not an option, there’s always someone who has a pool. Getting a tan and splashing around in the water are a blast, but not so much for your hair. The salt in the ocean and the chlorine from pools can severely dry out your locks and can lead to split ends and other damage, but we have found a few ways to rescue your hair from such a fate.

Hot Oil Treatments

Scrubbing the summer vacation you just had out of your hair can leave it looking dull and lifeless. Hot oil treatments like, Luster’s Pink Hot Oil Treatment, are good ways to breathe life back into your hair. It contains vitamin E and jojoba oil that rinse clean in the shower to help soften and add shine in a quick pinch.

Deep Conditioner

A deep conditioner should be used on a weekly basis to give hair that extra bit of moisture it may lose when washing out other hair products throughout the week. Ojon’s Ultra Hydrating Conditioner contains their signature ojon palm nut oil and shea butter to help moisturize and detangle matted beach tresses without weighing them down.

Hair Masks

Sometimes the damage can become very intense and leave your locks feeling brittle and looking wild – that’s when a hair intervention is needed. Moroccan Oil’s Restorative Hair Mask works wonders like its sister, the Intense Hydrating Mask. With their keratin-enriched formula, both products help to restore elasticity and rebuild the hair’s strength.

Hair Trimming

Split ends can’t be saved with conditioners like the rest of your hair can, and it’s best to cut them loose! Hair is supposed to be trimmed every eight weeks to maintain its health and keep split ends at bay, but summer fun definitely speeds up the damage process. A trim can offer you a fresh start for next season that is right around the corner (eek!).

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Celebrities are usually the first people we look to help us define what works and what doesn’t when it comes to our hair. We’ve scoured the web for some of our fave celebs to find some lovely looking hairdos that you can pull off and make you own.

Janet Jackson (cropped/pixie cut)

Ms. Jackson has pulled off a look that is a perfect way to beat the heat. Sometimes it is best to just cut it all off and let your scalp breathe without the weight of long locks, as long as you’re brave enough to take the plunge. Pixie cuts like this don’t have to be boring and can be manipulated in multiple ways: you can add waves or curls or even straighten the hair to give it more versatility.

Naomi Watts (blunt cut)

The blunt cut has grown in popularity over the past few years, and Naomi Watts made a big splash with hers. This cut can easily be used to update a long look or start anew at a shorter length. If it’s a chop at the end of long tresses or a cropped bowl cut, with the help of a good hair stylist to figure out what will look best with your face shape, a straight edge will definitely make a statement.

Zoe Kravitz (bangs)

Lenny’s little young lady has been making waves in social and fashion circles, and with bangs like hers, how could she be ignored? It’s like a light version of a blunt hair cut that can certainly make a statement all on its own. Depending on your face shape and what you’re comfortable with, bangs can dust lightly across your forehead or can touch your eyelashes, so definitely speak to your hairstylist beforehand to make sure you’re both on the same page.

Salma Hayek (bob)

Bobs are back in a big way this season with everyone transforming this simple cut to make it their own. Salma’s curly bob is a version we can appreciate since curly girlies are always trying to avoid the dreaded triangle head. No matter your hair type, everyone can carry this look well with a good anti-frizz serum and, depending on your hair type, a gel or mousse to keep your style in place.

Beyoncé (wild child waves)

We usually only see Beyoncé with her curls out when she’s on vacation, and we don’t blame her! Wild waves like that are a definite sign of a girl who’s carefree and just ready to have fun. Whether your hair is curly, straight, or somewhere in between, a good scrunching gel or mousse, and a blow dryer go a long way to make it look like you’ve just come back from an amazing vacation.

Cassie (the under cut/shaved head)

We must say, we were shocked when Cassie originally debuted this look last year; but the truth is it’s really grown on us. For those of you who may be afraid to take a pair of clippers to your noggin fear not! All you have to do to replicate this look is pull the hair on the side of your head that you want (similar to a ponytail), pin that section back with bobby pins and hold down flyaways with hair spray.

January Jones (Twisted updo)

This updo looks a lot more complicated than it actually is, and it is a great look for spending the day lounging by the pool or heading out to a night on the town. All you need to do to get it is, while your hair is damp, comb in some anti-frizz serum, then part the hair with how many twists you want, and slowly twist from front to back, and add a little hairspray to keep the flyaways at bay.

Eva Longoria (highlights)

Usually when we hear the word highlights, Kelly Clarkson’s old-school chunky blonde streaks come to mind, but seeing Eva’s gorgeous tresses with small highlights mixed in gives her hair so much more dimension. While there are kits that you can buy at the drugstore, this look is best left in the hands of professionals who will know what color and how much of it to put in to make you look fabulous.

Rihanna (extreme color change)

Who wants to be a just a blonde or brunette anymore? We love how easily Rihanna makes changing your hair color, especially since going candy apple red. They have kits for these colors in your local beauty supply shop, but we recommend having your hair bleached first by a professional. Another thing to note with these kinds of dyes is that they aren’t permanent and need to be maintained every week or so. If you’re willing keep it up, red isn’t the only choice out there.

Wendy Williams (Wigs)

We love Wendy and we adore how much she loves her wigs! Wigs are such a great way to try on a completely new look without having to suffer the agony of dyeing  your hair back to its normal color or worse, waiting for a bad cut to grow out. There are so many types, colors and lengths that come in a range of prices available to consumers, but keep in mind that the really good ones can get quite expensive!

Have fun with your own unique versions of these hot celeb hairstyles!

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Whether it’s caused by open-toed shoes or you’re trying to match your favorite outfit, nail polish has the ability to take an ensemble to the next level. We’ve dug around to find tips, tricks, and tools to create seven different looks to make your nails — and the rest of your summer — sizzle!

1. Bright Colors

We’ve mentioned this before, but we just can’t help ourselves! Then again who wouldn’t want a little sunshine on their nails if they could?

OPI’s Brights – $8.00

OPI’s Brights collection truly brings out the beauty of color by making it extra noticeable, no matter if you’re pairing it with a bikini for a day at the beach, or your sexiest dress for a dark nightclub. With over 40 shades in this collection, we’re sure you’ll find a couple of favorites instantly! Available in drugstores and online at amazon.com

2. Stick-On Polish

We’ve all become such busy little bees nowadays; who has the time to actually sit down for a manicure anymore?

OPI by Sephora’s Chic Prints – $15.00

Stick-on polish or nail designs like OPI by Sephora’s Chic Prints give you the look that you want without having to spend an eternity in the salon waiting for it all to dry. All you have to do is wipe down your nails with alcohol, stick them on, rub them in a little (so they’ll stick properly), trim off the excess (which you can save to make a French manicure extra fun), and you’re out the door! Available at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

3. Stamped Designs

Konad Stamping Nail Art – Varying prices.

There are some pretty patterns that you can get your hands on without having to head out to the salon, as long as you have the right tools. The decadence is in the details with Konad Stamps that use plates with images etched onto them where you can place nail polish and stamp it right onto your mani/pedi to give it a more unique look. They have different sets of plates with various images and patterns that you can choose from that come with a few polishes to try them out with. Available online at konadnailart.com

4. Matte Polish

China Glaze Matte Magic Flat Finish Top Coat – $5.80

Essie’s Matte About You Matte Finisher – $10.00

With a more subtle appeal, last year’s matte polish craze has carried over into this one. With many brands releasing matte polishes in various colors, many believed they would have to buy multiple bottles to get the looks they wanted. China Glaze’s Matte Magic and Essie’s Matte About You topcoats easily turn any polish in your collection into a matte instantly, keeping you in style without having to break the bank, and finding new places to keep your new polishes. China Glaze Matte Magic Flat Finish Top Coat available online at amazon.com. Essie’s Matte About You Matte Finisher available at essieshop.com. Both also available in drugstores.

5. Glitter Polish

Zoya Sparkle Nail Collection Sampler – $36.00

Zoya Sparkle Nail Collection (individual shades) – $7.00 each

The last time we saw glittery, shimmering polishes this bold was back when we were in middle school and glitter was incorporated into everything (from nail polish, to body glitter, and even t-shirts with glittered lettering — oh my!). Polishes like Zoya’s Sparkle Nail Collection, incorporating shimmer, and many other brands’ glitter topcoats have graduated to give your color collection a sparkling update and bring back a little nostalgia. Available at zoya.com

6. 3D Nail Art

Artisan Color Acrylic Powder – $6.00

It isn’t just movies that are making the move to 3D — your manicure is too! This look is mainly created by nail salon stylists who mold acrylic powder, like Artisan Color Acrylic Powder, with brushes dipped in acrylic monomer to make 3D shapes that go on top of the nail. It may take a while to not only make sure that it’s perfect, but that it also dries that way. Any shape they can make will certainly give your nail design a whole new dimension. Available through the Nail Superstore by calling 800.669.9430 or 847.260.4000, or through use at a nail salon.

7. DIY Nail Art

Instant Artist Starter Kit by Orly – $32.00

Not everyone can afford to get a fantastic new design every week at the salon, and some have ideas that may not translate well with someone else doing the work. Orly has come up with a way for the painter in us all to spring forth with their Instant Artist Nail Kit. It comes with five colors and a dotter duo tool to help place the polish exactly where you want it to go and get those little details perfect. They even have video tutorials and instructions on their website to help give you some inspiration. Available at orlybeauty.com

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A report came out this week that said women will change their hairstyles more than 100 times over the course of their lives. Depending on whether you go to a fancy salon, or do it yourself at home, your hair style habits could make quite an expense.

Stylelist.com said women spend an average of $520 a year for haircuts alone. This doesn’t include the upkeep to the new style, including special shampoos and coloring treatments. But whether you’ve gone through the Victoria Beckham bob and the Rachel from Friends style all within the same year, you are not alone. Women change their color and style, and they do it often, usually when they undergo a life change, like the birth of a new baby or the loss of a relationship.

“The most common reason for a change of hairstyle is because women “just want a change” but a third do it to boost their morale after a relationship break-up or divorce,” Express.co.uk said.

Another common reason is for a boost of confidence.

“Hair is also one of the best forms of therapy you can invest in. Trying something new can sometimes be all you need to pull you right out of a funk,” Robyn Stark wrote on Fashion News Live. Women also change the color of their hair about three times throughout life, meaning one decade you could be a blonde, the next could see you with chestnut brown hair and another decade you could be a rare redhead.

The Daily Mail listed ‘long hair with a fringe’ and the ‘bob’ as the top two most popular haircuts. The ninth most popular style was the perm, proof that the eighties are still rolling. According to the paper, dark brown was the number one color most women ask for at the salon.

But have you ever regretted a fashionable cut you got?

Express.co.uk says almost 75 percent of women have regretted a cut they got at one point. Stories of Shirley Temple look-alike haircuts, mistakenly shaved heads and hair of mismatched lengths can be found all over the Internet. A common theme seems to be women who ask for celebrity haircuts. While some celebs look good with certain styles, it is important to keep in mind that they may have a different hair texture than you. Some shorter, sleeker styles look better on straight hair, whereas longer hair may look better if yours is particularly thick and curly.

If you feel like you are stuck with a bad haircut, try NightmareHair.com, which can tell you what to do when your highlights go wrong and your hair starts falling out from overprocessing. The site even gives you advice for bad hair days.

Overall, HairBoutique.com says the best thing to do when you get a bad cut is to “make lemonade out of lemons,” and take some time out to see if you can work your new style into something you can feel good about.

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The heat and humidity of the summertime can make you sweat like no other and ruin in seconds the time and effort you put into your favorite beauty look. At GGG, we have found some solutions to keeping your looks hot and fresh, instead of a hot mess.

Primer

Primer is definitely a must in muggy weather. Apply the primer, even before you put on a single glob of makeup, to help prep the skin and keep everything where it should be.

Use eye shadow primer, like Too Faced’s Shadow Insurance to keep the color from creasing.

Using a primer for the face, like Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer, will keep the bronzer, powder, and other parts of your final look from sliding around as well.

Mineral Makeup

During the summer season, it’s easy for any liquid foundation to feel like mush sitting on your face. Mineral makeup is a great alternative when you want to look good in spite of the summer heat. Bare Minerals’ Matte SPF 15 Foundation will give you the same coverage as regular foundation, will help minimize your pores without clogging them like liquid foundation, and will keep shine and UV rays at bay without that melting feeling.

Setting Spray

Summer nights are meant to be memorable and with everyone toting a digital camera around these days, you never know when you may need to look picture perfect. Urban Decay has an All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray that you can put on once you have perfected your look to keep it in place for up to 16 hours. This is due to the spray’s remarkable temperature control technology, and won’t leave your skin feeling sticky or tight.

Blotting Paper

No matter which looks and products you choose, oil slicks are bound to show up sooner or later, and no one wants to lug around her entire makeup kit just for a touchup (no matter how big your handbag may be). NYX’s Blotting Papers can sop up excess oil easily, no matter where you are, without taking up too much extra space in your purse.

Sunscreen

It’s okay to bare it all once in a while! Whether it’s because you don’t have the time for a finished look or you have nowhere to keep your makeup tools, sometimes you have to go without, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep the delicate skin of your face protected. Aveeno’s Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion for Face has an SPF of 70 and is both waterproof and oil-free, so your face won’t look greasy, no matter how much you sweat.

Stay lovely, Ladies!

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