FASHION AND BEAUTY TIPS

Red carpet round table: The best and the worst of the Met Gala

Now that fashion week, the Globes and the Oscars are all done, we’ve been starved for serious red carpet action for the past couple of months. Last night’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Gala in New York at least promised to give us fodder for red carpet punditry. The theme was American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity–the exhibit currently on at the Met’s Costume Institute and the most awaited guest of the evening was the American fashion force Lady Gaga. She didn’t show up on the red carpet and the result was a mostly-expected line-up of dresses. (Though even Gaga wore an Armani bodysuit that was near-identical to the one she wore at the Oscars, so yawn.) Diane Kruger’s blazingly white Calvin Klein was the clear winner of the evening, but Gap’s “collaborations” with Rodarte, Sophie Theallet, Thakoon and Alexander Wang were an almost universal disappointment.
After the jump, features director Leah Rumack, fashion market editor Sarah Casselman and I dish on the best, the worst and the most, um, interesting ensembles of the night.
Topics: Anne Hathaway, Brooke Shields, Chanel Iman, Chloë Sevigny, Diane Kruger, Gisele Bündchen, January Jones, Katy Perry, M.I.A., Met Ball, Naomi Watts, Nicole Richie, Rachel Bilson, Red carpet, Vera Farmiga, Zoe Saldana

Wardrobe Basics - Items Every Women should have?

Weather you are just starting out in this world and need to put a foundation wardrobe in place or if you are giving your wardrobe a refresher here are some wardrobe ideas to help you get started.

Two pairs of dark slacks - either black or navy blue. Go with a slim cut in a wool crepe or a seasonless cotton.

One pair of dark slacks for the evening with a fuller cut. These can be a fabric that drapes either a light wool or jersey mix.

Two pairs of jeans -one hemmed for heels and the other hemmed for flats. Jeans that are hemmed for heels you should see just the toe box.

Three skirts - a pencil skirt, a A-line skirt which incidentally looks good on all body types and a skirt in a neutral fabric so you can mix and match with others items like tweed, wool or boucle.

Shirts - A white button front shirt and a few t-shirts.

Three sweaters - The fabric should be a lightweight, merino or cashmere.

• One should be black and match your black trousers.
• The second one should be more neutral like off-white, camel or taupe.
• The third sweater should just simple be a sweater that you love and feel great in. Nothing too dressy - one you can wear to the office and with jeans.

Two Jackets

• A tailored jacket that matches your black pants.
• A sporty leather jacket

Three coats

• A classic trench coat or raincoat with a zip -out wool liner for multiple seasons.
• A knee-length transition coat that works for day and night.
• A winter coat in a wool or cashmere blend or if you live in a warmer climate try tropical wool.

Dress

• A little black dress

Three Bags

• A classic leather style with clean lines that works for everything.
• A catch all fun tote bag
• A envelope shaped, bracelet style for the evening.

Shoes (5 pairs)

• A pair of black pumps 2.5-3.5 inch heel in a the current style.
• A evening shoe with a close toe in a black satin.
• A pair of tall black boots
• Bad-weather boots
• A pair of sneakers or tennis shoes.

What is Retin-A?
Also known as tretinoin is a prescription anti wrinkle treatment and has been shown to increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.

How do antioxidants work?
They destroy rogue molecules that break down collagen and make skin more susceptible to wrinkles.

What are peptides?
Peptides and retinol have been shown to stimulate collagen production.

What is genistein?
A plant hormone found in mainly soybeans and it has been know to protect skin from photodamage a that can cause wrinkles and skin cancer.

What are Retinoids?
They can reach the skin's middle layer where increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production which thickens the skin and helps smooth out wrinkles.

A combination of acids are applied to the face in varying strengths. The acid solution peels away layers of skin. Superficial peels increase cell turn over and are used to improve skin texture. It is unlikely you will experience significant wrinkle reduction.

A medium or a deeper chemical peel also encourage collagen production and are more effective for treating wrinkles. The deeper the peel the more painful and the longer the recovery time. Most people experience redness and flakey skin for at least a couple of weeks.

Dry Skin Relief

Does dry skin cause wrinkles? No, this is a myth.

Some causes of dry skin are:

Cold weather and low humidity

Central heating can make air dry which can cause dry skin.

Aging - Lower estrogen levels, thinning skin, and the fact that our skin can not produce enough oils are some of the reasons our skin is more prone to dryness as we age.

Dry skin affects people who have skin type I or II more frequently.

In some cases dehydration, malnutrition, diabetes, eczema or low thyroid hormones can cause dry skin.

Treating dry skin:

When you shower use lukewarm water and don't take long showers or baths.

Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to seal in moisture.

Use mild soap and avoid perfumed soaps.

Use a humidifier at home.

Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol.

Don't wash your face too frequently.

Use moisturizers which contain emollients. Emollients, such as urea and mineral oils, soften skin and provide a barrier to keep moisture in and harmful agents out. Your moisturizer should also have lipids (fat or waxes) such as cholesterol, lecithin or glycerol.

Dry skin can cause flaky and rough skin. To get rid of the layer of dead skin use a gentle exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid.

Wear sunscreen.

Apply moisturizer frequently.

Best lip gloss in a pot

Nars Lip Lacquer in Butterfield 8

Best tube lip gloss
	Mark Juice Gems squeeze on Lip gloss in Juicy pomegranate, - great gloss without a frost or glitter to it with and fuzzy fun applicator.

Best Lip Gloss for colorless shine
Wet N' Wild Glassy Lip Gloss in Reflection - feels great on the lips and is so easy to apply.

Best Sheer Lip Gloss

Clinique Glosswear for Lips Sheer Shimmers in the sunset. Superlight, nonsticky texture.

Best Tasting Lip Gloss

Shu Uemura Lip Gloss in Orange Marmelade -tastes like a creamsicle.

Best lip gloss with a wand

Shiseido the makeup lip gloss in Champagne sparkle.

Are you trying to deemphasize your full lips?

If your lips over-power your face be selective with your lipstick. Try neutral tones and don't wear any lip color that is too glossy or shiny.

Don't use lip liner, but if you like the look, soften edge with your finger or a Q-tip.

What Eyebrow Teezers should I use ?

Square Tip: Best used for removing coarse hairs or several hairs at a time.

More Eyebrow Tweezing Tips

Tweeze immediately after showering or apply a hot washcloth to loosen hair follicles.

The Pencil trick ---Hold a pencil vertically along the side of the nose. Eyebrow should start at outside edge if pencil.

Just a tip: If you leave a bit more space will widen close-set eyes

Hold pencil to outside of eye. This is where the eyebrow should end.

Smooth brows with a little moisturizer to help hairs slide out.

Brush brows up to find a natural arch.

Draw in the desired shape beforehand with a soft eye shadow pencil.

Just a tip: Don't use an eyeliner pencil. It will cause you to pluck too much.

Tweeze under the brow first, plucking in the direction of the growth.

Just a tip: If your plucking becomes too painful, apply a little anbesol (yes, that pain reliever for teeth also numbs the brows)

Using an eyelash comb, comb brows upwards and trim any hairs that extend beyond the natural top or brow bone.

After tweezing, soothe the area with cool, wet tea bags.

Eyebrow Waxing

All about waxing your eyebrows.

Waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows. Most beauty experts recommend getting your eyebrows waxed professionally but that can be expensive - up to around $10-$15 dollars depending on the salon. If you are confident and then here are some tips for waxing your eyebrows yourself.

Start by prepping the eyebrow

Brush the brush into place with toothbrush or clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to anesthetize the skin under the brow. Discover your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from a mirror, and following these simple steps

The length of the eyebrow

Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don't wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.

The curve of the eyebrow

You can assess where the highest point of the curve/ arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a dot.

Now line up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax. You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

What to consider when applying the wax

I recommend that you buy a professional waxing kit - basically a jar or tub of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin) removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure to read the manufacturers directions carefully

Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied. Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in the same direction that the hair grows in). Be careful a little goes a long way and make sure to avoid letting the wax dry

The hair removal process

Never wax above the eyebrow, only shape from below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes and help to get the line even. This will make you look younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth, (i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in). This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand, and pulling the muslin off with the other.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be surprised how much difference a little hair removal will make to your appearance.

The final step

Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.

To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Congratulations you have successfully waxed your own eyebrows!

While the primary purpose of eyebrows is to sheild our eyes from sweat and rain, they also serve as a powerful marker of expression. Beautiful eyebrows are one of the most crucial aspects of beauty care.

What to look for in mascara?

If your mascara has already started to dry out take it back for a refund or a new tube. To prevent your new tube from drying out, don't pump the wand into the mascara. This carries air down into the tube, speeding up the drying out process.

You should also avoid choosing a brand that offers a big brush. A large brush means that the tube has to have a larger opening, which allows more air to enter the tube, and means it will dry out faster.

What is normal? How many lashes should fall out weekly?

This is perfectly natural for a few lashes to fall out but remember to be gentle when you remove your mascara. Never wipe or pull at the lashes. It is also a good idea to pay attention to how much mascara you use. The more you use, the harder it is to remove and the wear and tear on delicate lashes can cause them to fall out.

Additional tips to avoid eyelash lost: Avoid waterproof mascara as they are the hardest to remove.