Add some color to any outfit with this  purse in vintage red

Valentino satin bow clutch

This super chic clutch is perfect for special dinners and events.

Style&Co jet setter satchel

Cute and extra roomy. Perfect for travel!

Nine West rockin out clutch

The color and removable chain strap give it a metal look.

Juicy Couture chic terry wristlet

Perfect size for a night out! Black with crystal accents.

This universal saying is meant to ease stress some women experience when dealing with everyday pressure to be “perfect” by media standards. So many cases of women starving themselves thin, or re-constructing themselves with surgery to achieve their definition of beauty, we see this daily and completely forget men face unrealistic standards also…

I recently received an e-mail with a link  http://www.seattle20.com/blog/Hey-Guys-It-s-Totally-Okay-If-You-Don-t-Get-Rich.aspx# to an awesome article about a source of pressure men deal with silently.  Successful men are associated with wealth and women. Check out any show or music video on popular channels on television and what do you most often see men doing??? Surrounded by beautiful women, dressed in labels, driving a new shiny car, hardly working but somehow filthy rich… Money talks, but it does not buy happiness. How many men do you know who strive to be entrepreneurs? Talk about great achievements they want to accomplish, and worry about bringing a paycheck sufficient for themselves and their families? When you’re a man you’re automatically expected to work hard and achieve a fortune, but that’s easier said than done.  Especially with our ever changing economy. How many stories have you heard of men loosing their job and and the pressure they dealt with after? This sad reality is shadowed by the fact so many men ” wanna be billionaires so freakin bad” they’ll do anything to attain it, even if the stress of getting there leaves them with nothing.

I’m not saying women don’t face pressure to be successful also, of course wanting a good career and climbing the corporate ladder is a universal goal shared by men and women alike. But most women aim for this to feel satisfied and accomplished with themselves , or to pay bills, not necessarily to get very rich. When you’re the man of the house sometimes satisfaction is put aside to worry about bills and ways to increase income, especially when children are in the picture. Men shouldn’t feel pressured to only think about lots of money and worry more about time spent with loved ones, but is this really possible when we live in a society driven by money…

Everyone who has applied makeup has made at least one mistake, whether wearing too much makeup out or uneven blending. Here are the top ten mistakes commonly made by women and how to avoid making them again!

Top 10 makeup mistakes and fixes

1. Mascara is a great way to enhance your lashes when applied correctly. A common mistake made when applying it is clumping. Mascara clumping is easy to avoid by tossing out old dried mascara and buying a new one. You can help extend your mascaras life span by washing the wand at least twice a week with makeup remover and rinsing it off with water. It also helps to apply a bit of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to your lashes before going to bed for a smoother mascara application the next day, just don’t use too much and be careful of getting any in your eye.
2. Incorrect blending can make your makeup look like a mask with visible layers. When blending foundation be sure to apply it starting from your forehead and working your way down your face in circular motions. Use a new sponge, foundation brush or your middle and ring fingers to apply  and be sure to blend well around your hair and jawline to avoid visible lines. Apply foundation to your neck as well to get an even tone and even to your shoulders and décolletage when wearing a strapless dress.
3. Runny or creased eyeshadow. This one is hard to avoid throughout the day, but  wearing Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion before applying your makeup will help prevent fading and keep makeup in place. It also helps to lightly dust translucent  powder over your whole face including eyelids after your makeup application.
4. Over plucked brows happen to many, the easiest solution- Stop tweezing until they grow out completely to find a shape suitable for you. Until they grow out fill in your brows with Anastasia Brow Powder Duo II Brow Color .06 oz (1.6 g) in a color that matches your tone.
5. Too dark or light foundation. When matching your shade test it on your jawline and remember that your skin tone won’t be the same around summer as it was in winter so consider purchasing foundation in two shades.Bare Escentuals bareMinerals foundation medium 9g is easy to blend and gives fair and medium tones a sheer finish.  Applying translucent powder after your foundation will prevent color fading throughout the day.
6. Too much makeup. Check out the picture above, looks cute on the mannequin but makeup overload is not very flattering on most women. If you’re going to play up your eyes with a smoky look, don’t bring out a matching lipstick try a nude or peach shade instead. A good makeup application is about balance. Emphasizing your best features and concealing your flaws.
7. Ever popped a zit that left an even worse mark than the pimple itself? Before you run for your concealer, apply pressure if bleeding and place a cold compress to minimize swelling for about three minutes. Simple solution- Don’t pick or pop zits especially when they’re not even ready. Apply Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Redness Concealer or a similar product to conceal the redness instead.
8. Too much blush. Blush should look natural giving off a dewy glow or a sun kissed look. When too much is applied it can look like there’s nothing but blush on your face. A quick fix is to dip a cotton ball or tissue in Organic Wear Loose Powder .03 oz and gently sweep it over to tone down too much color. Be sure to always apply blush with a clean brush on a dry clean face.
9. Big fake lashes= Save them for Halloween. Instead try single lashes and coat with mascara for a still fake yet natural looking length. Check out this video for application of single false lashes!
10. The last mistake made by many women throughout the world is falling for fads. Makeup should make you feel like yourself, not like you’re wearing a mask. If you prefer the minimalist look stick to neutral shades and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If you love colorful eyeshadow during the day, wear them proud. Makeup should make you feel comfortable, stick to what works for you =)

There are many massage styles involving aromatherapy, hot stones, deep tissue, and Shiatsu, to name a few, but have you ever heard of getting a massage by snakes?!?

Would you be willing to put your fear aside and let those snakes slither down your back?

Can you imagine that scaly-dry skin slithering down your back, or that split tongue licking your face?

Those who have visited ADA BARAK’S CARNIVOROUS PLANT FARM in Israel and have experienced the $80 spa treatment find it soothing and relaxing. Some patients say the snake therapy can even treat migraines. The snakes used are all non-venomous. Small ones are used to massage the face and neck areas and the larger ones focus on your back.

If you can’t stand the thought of snakes sliding down your body…

How about a rodent foot massage?

Ada Barak offers a rodent-style massage. In which rats and mice are placed on your feet and they work their fuzzy little bodies to rid you of stress.

ADA BARAK’S CARNIVOROUS PLANT FARM started as a way for Ada to display her pet snakes as well as her carnivorous plants which eat anything from insects to small mammals. She decided her snakes would be great masseurs when she started getting positive feedback on her snakes relaxing visitors and friends who held them.

What do you think of this different massage technique? Would you prefer the snake massage or the rodent one?!? Check out the video below for a snake massage being performed.

Lipstick comes in various shades and textures, you can pretty much change your lip shade as your mood does.

Lipstick trends have come and gone like blue or jet black lips, others like classic red lips stay forever. It sometimes goes unnoticed even though it’s universally worn by many women and men.

I don’t often wear lipstick unless I have an event or fancy dinner to attend, but it was my introduction into the world of makeup as a young child going through my mom’s stuff. That simple tube many of us carry around in our purse or store in the fridge has come a long way and has quite a story.

Lipstick is believed to have first been used in ancient Mesopotamia, where women would use crushed jewels to decorate their lips.

Soon after, Egyptian women started using bugs, plants and other objects to add color to their lips, as we have seen many paintings of Cleopatra with red lips. During the Elizabethan era, lipstick  became widely accepted and used. Queen Elizabeth’s black lips made history, but soon came the Victorian era and out went the love for lipstick. It became banned and to be used only by prostitutes and actresses. The roaring 20′s brought back the use of lipstick and went from women being ashamed of being seen with colored lips in public to women powdering their faces pale white, staining their lips bloody-red, and vamping out their eye makeup anytime of the day. Max Factor came out with a line of cosmetics which was only available to movie stars at first, but through much success later on went public. Hazel Bishop, chemist and founder of Hazel Bishop Inc, is said to be the first inventor  to create and sell the first smudge-proof lipstick, which became widely accepted and turned Bishop very wealthy.  ( Lipstick history source: Wikipedia.com)

Could you imagine going to your backyard to catch some bugs and rub their blood and guts all over your lips just before going out on a date?! Or even worse being called a prostitute for wearing lipstick in public. It’s pretty interesting how much history is bottled in a little tube of lipstick.

Liquid eyeliner won’t smudge and appears more intense than pencil.

The first time i tried applying liquid liner it got in my eye. The white around my eyeball was splotchy black and my eye started watering. I closed my eye shut and decided to use pencil liner for a bit longer… That was about a decade ago and now I can’t even go on vacation without taking my liquid liner. Even though I had trouble the first time, I kept practicing until I finally achieved that dark rimmed eyelid with a winged tip at the end.  One of the things I prefer about liquid liner is that it stays on all day even if it’s not waterproof , and the fact that it applies darker gives your eyes an intense and dramatic effect.

If you’re still using pencil on your top lid, I’d definitely recommend you trying liquid. Many women seem hesitant to try it since you have to be very precise to get that straight line over your lashes and avoid poking your eyes. These simple tips along with practice will help you rim your eyes with liquid liner like a pro.

-Some of the best liquid liners I’ve used can be bought at your local drugstore. NYC, Jordana, and Revlon are the three brands I have tried and still use because you can’t beat the price, the liner applies smooth with the enclosed applicator, and the color is rich and stays put all day.

-If you are having a hard time getting the line straight, it  might be easier to draw it with a pencil liner first then go over it with the liquid one.

-It’s recommended that you only apply liquid eyeliner to your top eyelid. It’s easier to poke or get liner in your eye if you line your bottom lid as well.

-Always make sure there’s enough liquid on the brush before applying it.

-Draw the line from the inner corner  by the tear duct of your eye to the outer corner.

-Instead of drawing the whole line on your lid, draw small lines and connect them. This will give you more control and help your line come out straight.

-You can also try using gel eyeliner instead of liquid.Gel eyeliner is similar in application as liquid but the gel is smoother and makes it easier to apply.  It comes in a little pot or tube. You will also need a flat eyeliner brush to apply it. Gel liner might be easier to apply since the texture is creamier and glides smoother with the brush. Some of my favorites are mac fluidline ($15.00 maccosmetics.com) and Sonia Kashuks’ Dramatically Defining Long Wear Gel Eye Liner ($8.99 target.com).
A really great brush for applying gel liner is Sonia kashuks’ bent brush($5.99 target.com ). It’s firm but the fine tip makes application easier, and the angle of the brush is also a plus.

photo credit: alancleaver_2000

At this time it’s pretty easy to spend more money than expected on daily necessities. This article will give you great tips on saving money when you go out shopping for groceries, beauty products and clothes. Keep reading!

Stay healthy with these money saving tips:

photo credit: MiiiSH

- Limit eating take-out and tv dinners, doing this will save you a lot of money.

- Generic brands usually have the same ingredients as name brands and will cost you much less. Compare products price, ingredients, quality, quantity, and whether it’s the right one for you.

- Coupons! Go to couponmom.com for great savings that will literally cut your bill in half.

- Buy things that you use a lot in bulk like: toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies..

- Avoid buying food in bulk if you have a small household, otherwise food goes bad and you throw money away rather than saving it.

- Instead of spending money on a gym membership buy a treadmill or elliptical. Or use workout dvds,  swim, or go for a run.

- Check out sites like allfreesamples.com for free samples on beauty products and more.

- Make your own breakfast, Carnation instant breakfast  ( around $4.99 at local drugstores) is one of my favorite fast and yummy breakfast shakes when I’m short on time.  And of course, brown bag it to work!

Stay fashionable with these money saving tips:

photo credit: David Blackwell (back to black)

- Shop with cash, this will make you think before you spend money you don’t have. Think about it, using credit cards or checks allows you the freedom to borrow and pay later, save that for things like groceries and gas. Using cash for clothes will make you get the best deals and keep track of your spending.

- Empty your closet of anything you haven’t worn and wont be wearing anytime soon, tell your friends to do the same and bring over their piles and have a garage sale. Afterwards, use your earnings to go shopping.

- Instead of spending a hiked up price for clothes, accessories and shoes check out discount chains like Ross, TJ Maxx, or Burlington. You’ll find cute and affordable findings at great values.  You’ll need is a couple hours, your best shopping buddy and some comfy shoes. Or consider shopping for clothes online! You will usually find better prices and similar return policies.

- Wait after new arrivals come in  to do your shopping, they lower the prices after. Don’t always trust a sale!

- Buy pieces you can match with items you already own to get various outfits. This is easier if you stick to neutral colors such as black, dark brown, gray and navy blue. Then buy a couple colorful accessories and pieces to make the outfits your own.

- Take care of your clothes by sewing when needed and following care tag instructions.

Being smart with your money can be hard with all the temptations tossed at us. Just remember, know how much you are spending and  avoid impulse buys.

I’m sure it’s happened at least once in your life, and it’s not a very happy moment. Getting a haircut you’re satisfied with can be possible thru good communication. Your stylists’ definition of not too short is not the same as yours.

Bringing a picture of the style you want is also a good idea. Be very descriptive when getting a haircut to ensure you get what you paid for. Ask the stylist what cut would best suit your facial structure and one which you can maintain at home. Realistically you don’t want a cut which would take an hour to style if you don’t have the time. Ask friends or family if they recommend any salons.
Is your face round, oval, square or heart-shaped?

Round faces have a fuller frame and cheeks. Good haircuts are those which include layers below the ear to balance the roundness. Medium to long is a better choice than short since it will make your face look rounder.

Square faces, are the most common. They have very strong features with the same proportion at the forehead, cheeks and jaw line. Volume will subtle the jaw line and forehead. Layers in the top crown can help achieve this look. Short to medium length works better. Add some curls or waves for face to appear less squared.

Heart-shape is not too common, it’s wider at the forehead and narrow at the chin. Like a triangle. Short to long hair will look good on this shape. Add layers below the cheekbones or try a choppy look.

Oval is considered as “the perfect shape” since it’s symmetrical. Wider at the cheekbones with a narrow jaw line and chin. Many options are available for an oval shape. You can go from a short bob cut to long beachy waves. Add side swept bangs, or even try an edgier look

Once you figure out your possibilities and what style you’re comfortable with, talk to your stylist so you’re both on the same page. They can also help by suggesting tips or different options. These are just a few tips and suggestions, remember good communication with your stylist is key in achieving that perfect cut

photo credit: Alex E. Proimos