The Do-It-Yourself Pedicure For Gals Who Are Terrible At Do-It-Yourself Pedicures

carrie-pedicure-finishedMany years ago, I picked up a practically fool-proof trick to polishing toes yourself that gives a completely professional look. Instead of spending time painting your toes perfectly, stroke-by-stroke, try this:

carrie-messy-pedicureStep 1: I know it looks gory, but trust me, it works! Take your polish and slather it all over your nail, and around the outside in one thick goop. Yes, that’s right, go outside the lines. This ensures that all the edges are covered.

Step 2: Add a second coat to get full color saturation. But skip the top coat (you can add that later).

Step 3: Let the polish dry completely. This works best with fully dry polish so I recommend letting it set overnight.

Step 4: In the morning or the next day, take a warm bath and soak feet in the hot water to soften the polish on the skin so it comes off easily.

carrie-removing-excess-polishStep 5: Take an orange nail stick and trace the shape of the nail, peeling off the polish on the skin.

Step 6: Add a clear top coat for protection and shine.

carrie-finished-pedicureWhat’s left is a perfectly pedicured nail. Voilá!

A quick word of caution, in my experience, this works best with dark or bright shades, so steer clear of nude and soft pinks.

Do you give yourself a pedicure?

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Twisted Tuesday: Side-Swept Fishtail Braid

Fishtail Braid

Fishtail Braid

I was seriously pressed for time this morning, but I managed to quickly create an OK-looking fishtail braid. To be honest, it should have looked more like this. Here’s how to create a fishtail braid, if it’s something you haven’t attempted yet…

Step 1: Part your hair and sweep it all over one shoulder. Note: You definitely need some length to your hair to create a fishtail braid. It doesn’t quite have the same effect on shorter strands.

Step 2: Split your hair into two sections.

Step 3: Pick up a very small section from one of the sections and add it to the outside of the opposite section. Tip: If you don’t keep the sections you pick up very, very small, your braid will look more like mine does here — you get less of a fishtail effect and more of a regular-looking braid effect. It’s much more time consuming to use smaller sections, but the result is SO much better.

Step 4: Repeat Step 3 on the opposite section.

Step 5: Continue picking up small sections from each side and adding them to the other until you reach the ends of your hair. Secure with an elastic.

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by | June 18, 2013 · 8:04 pm

Pretty Ways To Wear A Scarf In Your Hair This Summer

dolce-and-gabanna-spring-summer-2013Donning a scarf in your hair is one of the simplest ways to look totally chic in sweltering heat while perfectly hiding your frizz and flyaways. It’s been on my list of styles to master, and this summer I’m going for it. Tying a scarf around your simple up-do, a-la the models at the Dolce & Gabanna Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show (above) is on of the easiest to master. I love this silk gingham scarf by Kate Spade, $100.

marc-jacobs-spring-summer-2013Or you can follow the look from Marc Jacob’s Spring/Summer 2013 fashion show and try a twist. He makes it easy to replicate by selling the scarves in pre-twisted headband form, Marc Jacobs Twisted Knot Headband, $79.

fendi-resort-2014Another relaxed option is wearing hair down with a braided or twisted style like we saw recently at the Fendi Resort 2014 shows. I love how casual this look is.

Will you wear your hair in a scarf this summer?

images: nymag.com

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Hair Band-Aid

'Man of Steel' European Premiere held at the Empire Leicester Square - Arrivals.A black head band, whether elastic, satin or leather can be the perfect finishing touch to a simple hairstyle that needs a little somethn’ somethin’. Case in point, Amy Adams’ gorgeous shiny chignon. The elastic band takes it from ordinary to striking — and gives it a touch of fun. It’s adorable to pop on to a ponytail or updo, but it’s just as gorgeous with loose locks or in a braid.

valentino-head-band-braid-fall-2103The ultra-shiny side braid from Valentino’s Fall 2013 fashion show is another amazing go-to style. When hairstylist Guido, Redken creative consultant, wove the simple plaits adorned with a leather band, he was aiming for a luxe style that’s wearable. To get the look yourself, blow-dry hair smooth using a blow-dry lotion like Redken Satinwear 02 Prepping Blow-dry Lotion, $18, then create a center part and comb hair to one side. Tuck that side behind your ear and braid (not too tightly), then smooth on a few drops of shine serum like Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine, $40. Finally, add a leather headband to recreate the runway look, then mist on a finishing spray like Redken Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray, $16.

If you’re like me and your hairbands slip off the back of your head, try one with a silicone strip on the back, like Scünci No Slip Grip Head Wraps, $4.

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Filed under Celebrity Beauty, Hairstyles, Misc.