Keep that Color

The best long-lasting lipsticks

Dear Beautyqueen,

My lipstick never seems to last. Can you recommend any brands that will stay on post-coffee?

Leila

Dear Leila,

I feel your pain! Lipstick has been around for centuries and women have constantly struggled to make the color last longer.

You may not know this, but Cleopatra had her lipstick made from crushed beetles for the red coloring and smushed ants for the base. And another little known fact…Cleopatra was one weird chick.

Luckily, lipstick has come a long way and these days we no longer have to resort to lunchtime insect muddling to freshen up our look! Check out lipsticks that really last all night long!

MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme, $17: Gorgeous color, an amazing finish and it lasts all night? This lipstick is definitely going in our beauty bag!
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Stars Collection Lipcolour, $6: If you are looking for serious staying power, this is where it’s at. I’m talking 16 hours of no-budge color that withstands coffee, cocktails, and even passionate kisses. 
Nars Lipsticks, $24: Enriched with Vitamin E, these lipsticks have true staying power and create a natural, stained-looking lip that won’t slip.
Rimmel Moisture Renew, $6: This super-hydrating formula is packed with vitamins and hyaluronic acid that create smoother skin for improved application and longer wear time!
Guerlain Rouge Automatique, $38: With a flip of a switch on this gold applicator, you’ll have a radiant pucker that will last all day!
Benefit’s Benetint, $20: Just a sheer tint of perfect, pretty color, this subtle stain is waterproof and kiss-proof. And you can even use it on your cheeks.
Sephora Collection Maniac Long Wearing Lipstick, $12: The secret behind this long-lasting lip wear is the hydration! It won’t dry out and won’t crack, giving you extra hours of luscious lips!
Urban Decay Lipstick, $22: Want to know what makes this lipstick special? Hyaluronic spheres (found naturally in the body) are added to stimulate cellular function, prevent dehydration, and fill in lines and wrinkles. You’ll never need to reapply!
Revlon ColorStay Ultimate, $7: With an ultra-conditioning topcoat, this one-step lipstick provides up to 12 hours of colorful coverage!

xx, Beautyqueen

9 Cute Hairstyles to Try

In case you were wondering how to snap out of same-old-ponytail routine, I've got just the ticket. I tracked down a few cute celebrity hairstyles that’d make any girl look pretty in a hurry. Now make me proud and test one—or all!

                              Twist your ponytail into a chic bun.

                             What makes Kate Beckinsale’s ponytail modern? A little poufiness on top. After pulling your hair back into a neat chignon, gently tug out and lift up the front, then hit it with hairspray.

                                                  SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE

Put away your flatiron for a day.

Got texture? Flaunt it! Weren’t born with it? Fake it! For pretty waves like Beyonce’s, apply a bit of leave-in conditioner to damp hair, make braids all over your head, then go to bed. Undo the braids in the morning and separate them with your fingers. 
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Add a bump to your hair.
If you squint, Gwen Stefani is a dead ringer for Brigitte Bardot in this picture, thanks to a strategically placed hair bump (the nude lips help too). If you don’t have a Bumpit handy, make a side or center part, tease your crown, then spritz it with hairspray. Pull back both sides around the teased section and pin into place.
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Show off your layered haircut.
A sleek blowout is the best way to do justice to a great cut like Anne Hathaway’s. Apply a few drops of shine serum to wet hair, then blow-dry with a round brush, section by section. Do a side part, then tuck a chunk of hair in the front behind your ear. Done!
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Don’t be afraid of the way-high bun.
No, this isn’t a dancer with the New York City Ballet—it’s January Jones! For her daring bun, make a ponytail way up on top of your head, then braid it. Wrap the braid around the base of the pony and secure with bobby pins. Pirouettes are optional.
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Slide on a skinny headband.
What to do now that we’ve officially retired the low-rider headband look? Take a cue from Scarlett Johansson and go with a thin headband in basic black. Tease the front of your hair first for volume and to give the band something to grab onto.
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Make friends with smoothing cream.
Got a short cutie-pie haircut like Ginnifer Goodwin? Apply a dime-size amount of smoothing cream to wet hair, then blow-dry as usual. Use a paddle brush to smooth hair to the side for a sleek looks-good-with-every-outfit ‘do.
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE!

Let some pieces hang loose on a casual updo.
Taylor Swift has the low-key-yet-glam thing down to a science—a few face-framing curls in the front keep this updo from looking stuffy.

And if all else fails…get a new dye job.
There’s nothing like a new hair color to make a girl feel like a new woman. Nicole Richie ditched her blond for a gorgeous chocolate brown—and boom…instant freshness. Love it!
SHOP THIS LOOK! CLICK HERE! ** I HOPE THESE TIPS HELP YOU FIND YOUR TRUE STYLE THIS NEW YEAR!! FOR MORE QUESTIONS, SEND ME A COMMENT BELOW OR EMAIL ME AT hairbymeganb@me.com!

Hangover Emergency Kit

Beauty tools to disguise telltale signs of a fun night out

With an overload of dinner parties, holiday events, and happy hours piling up this season, you’re bound to get the Charlie Sheen party face at some point. In other words: haggard, puffy, and dehydrated-looking skin. And this is definitely not a #winning look.

Aside from breath mints, eye drops, and coffee, we’re sharing our list of life-changing beauty products that will immediately disguise your lack of sleep and “too many cocktails” look. While I can’t promise you’ll feel like a million bucks, your face will totally look the part.

Perfekt Eye Perfection Gel: This wonder gel helps minimize the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles around the eyes. Bonus: the tingling sensation.


Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer: For healthy, dewy looking skin, forget about foundation and go with what all the pros recommend: a tinted moisturizer (especially this one).

Make Up For Ever Concealer Pencil: Apply this pencil on your bottom lids to hide signs of fatigue and to brighten your eyes.

Nars Orgasm Blush: The perfect pinky-peach shade of blush that literally gives you coloring as if you’ve just had an…orgasm!

Lipstick Queen Medieval: A sheer, universally flattering lip color that’s jam packed with Vitamin E. The cherry hue brightens up your face while it moisturizes your chapped lips.

Benefit BADgal Blue Mascara: A dead giveaway to your bottle popping night is red eyes. This fab blue colored mascara will make your eyes appear whiter and brighter.

Your hangover emergency kit is now complete. Cheers!

xx, Beautyqueen

A New Kind of New Year’s Resolution Make a promise you want to keep

Ah, dreaded new year’s resolutions. Every year we make them and every year we break them.

And let’s be honest — they’re almost always the same: hit the gym more, lose weight, find a better job, make more money, get on a reality show (OK come on, you know you wanna)…and while we do plan to accomplish all of that in 2012, this year we vow to create a new kind of resolution.

It’s a resolve to be happy. While money and fitness are important, we also want to feel good. So sit back, grab that glass of wine, try at least one thing on this list, and let the happiness roll on in.

Travel somewhere new. It doesn’t matter if it’s two or 20 hours away, just make sure you get there and explore. A new mall doesn’t count.

Single? Make the first move and ask that cutie out.

In a relationship? Don’t wait for your significant other to plan your perfect date. Make reservations at that new underground hotspot, rent a pair of snowboards, or buy tickets to a new play. Take your bf or BFF and have a fantastic night of fun.

Sing. Loud! In the shower, in your car, or out at karaoke.

Try a new position. It doesn’t need to be Cirque du Soleil, just make it a little different.

Turn off Facebook and go visit that friend in person.

Cut your hair a new way. Sure, we all remember the Felicity debacle, but it’s hair — it grows back. And who knows? It could be the first step to a fab new you. Or the first step to finding a fab new hat.

Play hooky from work. It will still be there when you get back.

Stop staring at the hot dress or the bright red pumps in your closet and actually put ’em on! You’re going to look amazing!

Play strip poker with your loved one.

Adopt a puppy. Several studies have shown pets help reduce stress and improve happiness. You’ll give a needy animal a new home and you might just meet that cute guy at the dog park.

Take a bubble bath. Music, candles, rose petals, and cute guy optional.

Pay for the person behind you at a parking lot or a toll booth. A small, kind gesture to someone you don’t know can feel surprisingly good.

Tell someone you like them, even if it’s a little embarrassing.

Dare to try a new dish or a new treat. Who knows? Grilled eel might be yummy after all.

Pick someone each week or each month who you love and write them a note of appreciation and thanks (especially parents, teachers, and mentors).

Eat two desserts without any regret (and fine, hit the gym a little harder tomorrow).

xx, Beautyqueen