Hair and Makeup...

Find the right hairstyle can really make an outfit. There’s nothing worse than picking out the perfect outfit and having a bad hair day.

I recently cut my long hair into a shoulder length bob (lob) and I love it. I always wear my hair down and curl it almost everyday, so I’m constantly on the search for different styles on how to wear it.

Here are some of my favourites:

Big, loose waves - to achieve this look, use a 1-inch curling iron and grabbing 1-2 inch pieces, wrap the hair wound the barrel of the curler going back (the “clip” should be facing the front). Keep curling the hair until you get to the root and hold for 5 seconds and release. Continue doing this around your whole head, then using your fingers, smoothen out the pieces of hair and play with it until you find you’re happy. Spray with hairspray if desired.

Allison Williams' hair showcases this style beautifully. One thing I love about this style is if you want bigger waves, simple curl larger sections of hair. So easy.

Messy waves - do the same as above only instead of curling the entire strand of hair, just curl the middle, leaving the end free and don't go to the root. Continue through your whole head and play with the pieces until your desired look is achieved.

Kate Mara's hair shows this look perfectly and the best part of this style, is when you go to sleep, you wake up with messy-bed head, which is totally chic right now!

**Note, if you find your hair looking greasy after the first or second day (depending on how often you wash it) use dry shampoo for a quick refresher**

Sleek ponytail-grabbing all your hair to the base of your head, use a brush to detangle then a comb to smoothen out the fly-away's. The great thing about this style is you can make a lower, or higher ponytail. To make it look sleek, grab a 1 inch piece of hair and wrap it around the elastic band, and secure using a bobby-pin. 

Messy bun-do the same as above for a pony tail only don't worry about making it look neat. Then, take your hair and wrap it in a knot securing it with bobby-pins.

Goody makes some great accessories. I love the Mini Spin Pin that really helps keep buns neat. Ouchless Thin Elastic...there's nothing worse than doing your hair only to have your elastic break, or catch your hair and these not only hold but work so well. They also come in clear.

An alternative to the basic hair tie is the Bungee, which I've recently discovered and holds hair amazingly. 

Now onto makeup...

Like hair, having a good makeup day (even if it's just not much) can really make a difference. I love wearing makeup that's natural, easy to do and doesn't take long on a daily basis, but playing it up with a dramatic eye, or lip is fun too.

For an everyday look like on Emma Watson, start with a foundation that matches your skin, then use soft metallic shadows, like bronze or taupe on your lids blending well. Use a shimmery brown or bronze liner and lightly smudge along the lash line. Curl your lashes then apply mascara, finish off with a soft shimmery power and pink-toned blush.

If you're going with a bold red lip like Jessica Alba, keep your eyes classic with black liner, mascara and using soft metallic shadows. Then, for the red lip, using a pencil in the same shade, lightly trace the outside lip line and use a light concelar to gently tap on your lip (this will help the lipstick stay longer). Use can use the lipstick directly on your lips and fix any bleeding with a small brush or use a brush itself. Blot with a tissue and apply a second coat for a more vibrant lip.

For a smokey eye look, like Charlize Theron use a combination of metallic grey, copper and champagne blending the grey and copper into the outer corner and softly on the bottom lash line, and a charcoal pencil/shadow on the upper-inner lash line and lower lash line. Use the champagne in the tear-dutch as a highlight. Finish the look with black mascara. When doing a darker eye, do a softer lip.

A few tips...

-if you find your eyelids get greasy, or as a primer, use a small dab of concealer and blend before using shadow

-for an even bolder red lip, apply a thin layer of red gloss or use a maroon coloured gloss/lipstick

-try lighter colours in the spring and summer; like lilac, shimmery mint...mix them with soft metallics for a natural-soft look

-for a "wide eye" look, use white liner in the inner eye rim

-to make your eyes stand out, use coordinating-contrasting colours; mix and match colours for a smokey eye, like purples, blues and greens to really enhance eyes

-to un-clump your lashes, use an eye lash comb or a clean mascara wand (wash it with makeup remover to remove excess dry mascara)

-bronzer should be used to give a "sun kissed" look, so apply along the hair line, cheek bones and jawline using a light shimmer or matte colour

These are just some of the looks I love. Hair and makeup should be fun and easy, whether it's for everyday or a special occasion.