Trend Alert: Candy-Colored Nails by Obsessive Compulsive

Posted by: Sienna Orlando

March
19
2012

I have a confession: I'm wearing nail polish for the first time in a decade!

I can't help it, I'm totally smitten by the candy-colored palette I just received from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Not only is OCC 100% vegan and cruelty-free, but the color palettes are totally on-trend, and the quality far exceeds the price (just like LuLu*s!). When I brought these new colors out, the warehouse became a frenzy of nail painting and we discovered that these nail lacquers have a super-smooth coat that goes on really nicely, and dries quickly. What more could you want?

Obsessive Compulsive Nail Lacquer in Something, Pansy, and Pageant.

The Results: The warehouse favorite was undoubtedly Something, being a creamy almost-but-not-too-shocking shade of pastel blue. For me, though, it's gotta be Pansy, bearing an in-between shade of pinky-purple that is actually a little more subtle than pictured.

Check out their entire color palette here!

Hair Flair: Colette Malouf Sketch Style Tutorials

Posted by: Laurie Hartt

March
15
2012

If you're a visual learner, then these incredible hair tutorials by Collette Malouf are about to be your new best friend.

This New York born and bred hair flair fashionista has been making her mark on tresses everywhere since the early eighties, and you just might have seen her work on shows like "Sex and the City" and "Gossip Girl," as well as on runways of Michael Kors and Michael Lam. Colette is known for introducing easy yet classic styles to the public at large, including staples like the French twist, stick twist, and figure eight.

Two decades later, Colette is still helping the everyday lady stay chic and fashionable with her online hairstyle tutorials. Whether you're need inspiration for a down 'do or a fancy updo, simply head over to her website, where you can click on the various styles below for an animated sketch tutorial. (Sorry, the tutorials themselves wouldn't link to our blog, only the pictures. You'll just have to visit her site for yourself!)

Inspired yet? Head on over to her styles section to view your tutorial of choice! (I love the Grecian!)

I also love that you can pause the sketches if you need a little extra practice on one step or another; the pictures are engaging and clear so that you can avoid all the frustrations normally accompanied with teaching yourself hair styles.

Just can't get enough? Here's a great "in person" tutorial I found on Colette's YouTube channel.

Now get stylin'!

(All pics courtesy of colettemalouf.com.)

Capital LOVE for the Capitol Colours Collection

Posted by: Annie Roos

March
9
2012

The Hunger Games fever has officially set in here at LuLu*s, and with just two more weeks 'til the much-anticipated premiere of The Hunger Games movie, I think it's about time to get all gussied up for the reaping. Lucky for us, Lion's Gate and China Glaze have teamed up to bring us the "Capitol Colours" line of Hunger Games-themed nail polishes, inspired by the twelve districts of Panem, but clearly with a Capitol-worthy spin. Are you feeling the Hunger pangs, too?

Despite some serious controversy surrounding the production and the "original" names (which may or may not have been preferable), I think we can all agree that there are more than a few gems here.

Without further ado, allow me to introduce your nail tributes, ordered by district, with flawless applications by All Lacquered Up to show how they really look out of the bottle.

Luxe and Lush
Inspired by: District 1 (and The Capitol)

Industry: Luxury

Stone Cold
Inspired by: District 2

Industry: Masonry

(Okay, so I may have ordered this one for myself yesterday)

Riveting
Inspired by: District 3

Industry: Technology and Mechanics

(....and this one too...)

Hook and Line
Inspired by: District 4

Industry: Fishing

Electrify
Inspired by: District 5

Industry: Power

Fast Track
Inspired by: District 6

Industry: Transportation

Mahogany Magic
Inspired by: District 7

Industry: Lumber

Dress Me-Up
Inspired by: District 8

Industry: Textiles

Harvest Moon
Inspired by: District 9

Industry: Grain

Foie Gras
Inspired by: District 10

Industry: Livestock

Agro
Inspired by: District 11

Industry: Agriculture

Smoke and Ashes
Inspired by: Katniss's own District 12

Industry: Coal Mining

Who will you sponsor?

(Images courtesy of Us Weekly, All Lacquered Up, & The Hob.org)

Futuristic Fashion: Aeon Hair Rings

Posted by: Laurie Hartt

March
6
2012

Okay, seriously. How rad are these hair rings?

If rock and roll and future fiction had a kid, these Aeon Hair Rings from Regal Rose would definitely be what it looked like. With the option of silver or gold, you can also choose a short, medium, or long package, depending on the length of your hair.

And they're easy to boot! Just pull them apart, place strategically in your tresses, and pinch closed!

Want more? Regal Rose is the brain child of London fashionistas Rebecca and Louisa Warwick, and they have some really insane pieces you've got to check out. Read up on their blog, visit their Facebook page and Etsy shop, and then head on over to their site to snag some rings for yourself!

Beauty Review: Clinique Pore Refining Solutions

Posted by: Annie Roos

March
1
2012

Pores. I know, I know. You get what you get and you don't get upset... but, smaller pores would be really nice. So I can't actually shrink them, fine, but if some magical serum promises to make them look smaller, then really, what's the difference? Enter: Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions line. I've been using both the Correcting Serum and the Instant Perfector for almost two months now, and this stuff really works!

You'll notice I brought a few friends. I cannot gush enough about my Clarisonic Mia cleansing brush. This gadget is magic. The cleanser is up to you, but I like to use something acne-resistant, since I'm just barely out of that heinous skin phase. Also, you'll still need moisturizer, which I apply after the Correcting Serum and before the Instant Perfector. Now, on to the main event!

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions

The fine print: Clinique's innovative solutions work in many ways to create a poreless appearance---instantly, with optics, and over time, with multitasking formulas. Both use smart technology to absorb oil only where needed. Both are dermatologist tested.

Correcting Serum

The fine print: Lightweight, oil-free serum with Pore Resurfacing Complex helps skin renew itself more efficiently, bringing healthier cells to the surface for a tighter, smoother, younger look. Gently clears pores of debris and rough, dead cells. Pores instantly look 30% smaller. And in 2 weeks, clinical tests confirm a 58% smaller appearance. To use: Spread over face morning and night after 3-Step. Can be layered with other treatments, makeup, Instant Perfector.

The verdict: After the very first use, my skin felt and looked much smoother, and almost two months later, my skin has only gotten better! FYI: I did run into a mild reaction about a week into use, so I had to cut ties with my salicylic acid spot treatment. So, a word to the wise: stick to Serum, moisturizer, and Perfector and you should be safe. Or whatever Clinique's 3-Step system involves...

Instant Perfector

The fine print: Look smooth and virtually flawless---instantly. Pores seem to disappear. Natural-looking matte finish lasts up to 8 hours. Resists sweat, humidity. Two skin tone shades or Invisible Bright for subtle brightening. To use: Finger-dot and blend over pores---alone, over Correcting Serum, makeup, and for touch-ups.

The verdict: Awesome. This little tube is a lot like a makeup primer, leaving a smooth, matte finish that almost had me skipping the makeup. (Almost. I would never actually skip my beloved face paint). I used the "Invisible Bright" shade, but I'm definitely open to trying one of the tinted versions in the future. It's super lightweight and though the tube is quite small, you only need to use the tiniest little squeeze for big results.

To sum it all up: The Correcting Serum is the diet and exercise, while the Instant Perfector is your Spanx. Use them together and your skin will be looking smooth and tight! Happy cleansing!

Mood Board: Hair Accessories

Posted by: Laurie Hartt

February
28
2012

Ever woken up with your hair looking like a serious don't? Then check out some of the fab accessories below, just the right touch for a perfect do!

(Pics courtesy of Etsy, BHLDN, Style Me Pretty, Etsy, Sea of Shoes, Fashion Fame, How Does She, Glamour, The Beauty Department, Becky Higgins, and Pinterest.)

What's Up with Fringe Bangs?

Posted by: Sienna Orlando

February
23
2012

Sure, girls like Zooey have been rocking the fringe bangs for years, but with the brow-grazing looks sweeping across the red carpet, it's time to take a closer look. Stars like Jessica Biel, Liv Tyler and Rachel McAdams have most recently made the cut, following in the snips . . . er, steps . . . of celebs like Reese Witherspoon and Olivia Wilde.

(photos courtesy of zimbio)

What do you think of the fringe bangs? Who's got the best look?

Love It or Leave It: Quirky Cat Eyeliner from L.A.M.B. at NYFW

Posted by: Laurie Hartt

February
21
2012

Cat eyeliner has been around for decades now, so it's no surprise that Gwen Stefani decided to spice things up at the L.A.M.B. fashion show for the 2012 New York Fashion Week.

Check out this new twist on a timeless look:

Maybelline makeup artist Charlotte Willer created a really unique edge to go with the retro-inspired beehive hair and 60's-meets-rock 'n'-meets-very-Gwen ensembles.

Willer and her team used a colorful twist of the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Cream Pencil in Sapphire Strength winged out along the top, an extra stripe of liner across the crease, and bold dots of Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black. Very rocker-babydoll chic, don't ya think?

So what's your vote? Is this runway-only? Date night maybe? Every-day chic? Or just plain weird?

Tell us what you think below!

(Pics courtesy of Style.com, Beautystylewatch.com, and Glamour.com.)

Smoky Eye Tutorial: Celebrity Makeup Artist Christina Farrell

Posted by: Laurie Hartt

February
15
2012

Some of you may remember a few weeks ago when we posted a poll inquiring what you lovely ladies would most like to see in a makeup tutorial. The overwhelming result was a request for smokey eyes how-to, so that's just what we brought you today!

I give to you Christina Farrell, author of the popular beauty blog The Makeup Blogger.

Here's her bio:

Christina Farrell has spent over 15 years as a freelance makeup artist in the television and movie industry. Her work has led to diverse projects such as being an on-air makeup expert for E!’s popular morning show, “The Morning Show” and guest spots on TLC’s “What Not To Wear.” She’s worked on music videos, NY’s Fashion Week, CNN, the Emmy and Oscar Award ceremonies. She created TheMakeupBlogger.com in 2008 to bring her expertise to the everyday woman looking for advice on beauty, fashion, hair and product information. She's worked with companies like Jenny Craig and Gucci as well as celebrities like Carrie Fischer, Julie Christie, Valerie Bertinelli, Jason Alexander, Debi Mazar, and Emmitt Smith.

All that awesome celebritiness aside, Christina is such a sweetheart! When I approached her a while back about doing a tutorial for all you LuLu*s gals, she jumped at the chance! She is so friendly and open, and she was so excited to create this tutorial for you on an

Need some more help? Below are the tips she's written out specifically for you lovely ladies!

The typical smoky eye is usually associated with dark black and grey shadows. Although this rock star look is iconic, it is often impossibly hard to replicate. Trust me, I have tried and failed! The truth is that black and grey shadows are very hard to pull off (unless you're Lady Gaga). So, I created an easy method to create the illusion of a smokey eye by utilizing neutral eye shadows with a pop of color. The great thing about this smokey eye, is that you can play with many different variations of colors. My favorite smokey combos are bronze and navy, plum and mahogany, or deep bronze and gold.

Step 1: Start with a peach based eye primer. This will ensure that your eye shadow stays on all day, and that you get the most intense color payoff from your shadows.

Step 2: In the shape of a small crescent, blend a matte brown shadow along the lower crease of the eye. This application works best using a pencil shadow brush.

Step 3: Using a dark plum eyeliner (either liquid or kohl) line the upper lash line, especially concentrating near the lashes. A great makeup artist trick to follow is to blend the liner into the lashes to create a full lash effect.

Step 4: With a dark bronze shadow blend the contour and liner using back and forth motions. This helps to soften the initial color, and blend the two parts together. The dark bronze also adds dimension to look, and starts to give that “smokey” illusion.

Step 5: With a soft tan eye shadow and a medium sized blending brush, softly blend over the entire lid. This will help to blend out any harsh lines, and create a soft graduation of colors.

Step 6: Next, apply a dark mahogany eye shadow over the liner, and on the outer corners of the eye (in a horizontal “V”), and under the lower lash line. Add black mascara to intensify the effect.

Step 7: For a final touch, apply a purple shimmer powder to the inner corners of the eyes, and all under the lower lash line. This brightens up the eye, and prevents the darker shadows from becoming too overbearing.

Want to see more of Christina's work? Check out her portfolio, or head on over to her blog and website for more tips and inspiration!

Site to See: The Nail Pro

Posted by: Annie Roos

February
9
2012

I saw these fabulous Gatsby nails on the Out of Print blog, and they made me smile, so in my search for more smiles, I found that this talented nail artiste, Lauren, has a whole Tumblr dedicated to her awesome nail masterpieces. It's called The Nail Pro, and I couldn't stop scrolling until I had seen every single tiny work of art.

Aaaaand, she does YouTube tutorials for many of the designs, so you can, theoretically, recreate many of these little gems yourself. Not all of the designs are cartoons and such either. She has plenty of ideas that actually look quite doable. Though, silly me, I'm just here to look at cartoons.