Beauty Trends: 5 Fall Makeup Trends to Try

          It's so much fun to experiment with makeup colors you don't always wear. I usually fall into the same routine of four or five products to keep down on time. But there are a lot of cool, new makeup trends that I'm dying to try. Plus, most of them take no more than a couple extra brush strokes! I've put together the top five makeup trends that I'm going to try this season and if you can spare five more minutes during your beauty routine, I've given you tips on how to wear them.

 Amethyst Eye Shadow

Urban Decay in Fishnet 

A lavender-violet is just the thing if you're feeling daring. Pile it on your lids for playfulness, but keep the rest of your makeup neutral. A nude lip keeps the focus on your eyes and won't overdo your look.

Cobalt Eyeliner

 NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Abbey Road

A little cobalt can go a long way, so apply thinly to the bottom lash line and smudge for color that will blend with your mascara.

 

Chartreuse Eyeshadow 

 Make Up Forever in Chartreuse Satiny

The bright and peppy chartreuse isn't restricted to spring. A brush of this color on the eyelids and your snow days will be a little sunnier.

Rose Lipstick

 BITE Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Zin

Worn best with a warm, brown smokey-eye, this lip color is super sophisticated and makes for a sultry nighttime look. 

Galaxy Black Eye Shimmer

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Zeitgeist
Add a little to the bottom of your eyelids or layer on top of your liner. This glimmer can be incorporated into your regular makeup look oh-so subtly.

Nail Art DIY: Inspired by Lizzy Caplan's in Bachelorette

 

          Aside from the humor, one of my favorite parts about the movie, Bachelorette, was funny girl, Lizzy Caplan's manicure. For all 87 minutes, I couldn't stop staring at her nails, hoping the camera would get just a bit closer. What I loved about this simple, yet trendy, design was that it's an unexpected take on the popular burgundy red nail color. It looks sophisticated and elongates the nails for more delicate looking fingers.

           Of course, I had to do this design on my own nails immediately! Here's my quick and easy DIY for you to try her look!

Nail polish I used: 

NYC Long Wearing Top Coat

Circus by Andrea's Choice in "Reverso"

Spoiled in "I Don't Drink Cheap Wine"

Step 1: Paint one to two coats of burgundy polish, depending on coverage.

Step 2: Let nails dry completely. I actually waited a day for them to fully set, to avoid any possible smudging with the contrasting polish. Cut round silvers of tape and place them on your nails just above your cuticles. 

Step 3: Paint the white polish only on this bottom section of your nails. If needed, add another coat of white polish.

Step 4: Let nails dry completely. Apply a top coat and you're finished!

A Not-So-Sweet Sugar Coat

In this picture, Sally Hansen Bubble Plum from the "Sugar Coat" collection.

      As the nail art craze continues, I've kind of been behind the curve. I like experimenting with new techniques and polishes but I never got into textured nails. This week I tried it out for something different. I've acquired two Sally Hansen "Sugar Coat" polishes in Bubble Plum (100) and Cotton Candies (700). Both are sweet pastels, typical of a candy shop, with a grainy texture finish. 

     This polish was a good way to ease into textured nails. It goes on fairly easy -- my one suggestion is to put it on quickly or it gets clumpy. A couple coats works best for optimum coverage (some areas of the nail may not get completely covered in the texture otherwise). It dries pretty quickly, so that was a plus! Once I'd finished my nails it was a cool effect, unlike anything else I've tried before. The biggest downside is that I soon realized this texture wasn't all too pleasant for everyday wear. For the past few days, I kept accidentally scratching myself, or I'd be surprised when I felt something rough and then remember it was just my sandpaper nails. 

      Overall, this isn't the most practical polish. It's cool for a day or two, but it gets old very quickly. It also isn't easy to take off and requires much scrubbing with plenty of cotton balls and nail polish remover. I would suggest this for a special occasion that will last no longer than 48 hours. It's great for making a statement, but not for when you're shaking someone's hand or going on a hot date. This polish could also work for an accent nail. That way you get the trendy texture, but it won't make your nails overwhelmingly rough. 

My Beauty Rating:

Mani-festo

 

     When I think of ringing in the New Year the first thing that comes to my mind is sparkle. I didn't have any big party to attend this year, so unfortunately a sequined dress did not go on my list of recent purchases. A glittery manicure, however, was a fun way for me to add a little dazzle. Plus I'll be wearing it longer than the one night stand I would've had with the sparkly dress of my dreams. Designer inspired manicures are gaining popularity and I turned to Jen Kao's Fall 2011 nails for a new idea. I used three different colors--deep blue, multi-colored glitter, and gold polishes. I love the unique look I created and now I can't stop dreaming up possible nail designs for my next manicures! The gold tips from Yigal Azrouel, the two-tones of Jen Kao's latest collection...maybe I'll even recreate the candy stripes at Nanette Lepore's spring show.

Snow Man of My Dreams - Nicole by OPI

Gold Coin - Revlon

Saved by the Blue - Wet n Wild