For anyone who has ever wanted to try bangs without the commitment, or is regretting a recent hair cut, or just likes to change it up on a regular basis, just do what the celebs do…hair extensions. Ken Paves was on the Today Show this morning showing everyone how to use his hair extensions, Hair Do, that look so natural, you’d never know they weren’t real. The best part? You can get the red carpet look without breaking the bank. Hair Do extensions go from about $25 to $99 depending on what length you’re looking for. (You can get cash back on the extensions if you get them at Shop.com!)  Check out this video from the show:

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What do you think? Would you wear hair extensions?

This past summer I discovered the beauty of the boutique. I wandered into a little shop called Langford Market in the Heights and fell in love. The perfect clutch, the statement necklace, the shift dress paired with a great belt and blazer, I wanted one of everything. It wasn’t my first time shopping local, but it’s only recently that I’ve really appreciated the true uniqueness and personal shopping experience without the distractions of King Street or the French Quarter. A good boutique can be your go to shopping destination when you’re looking for a specific occasion or just looking! They often hold events that include champagne and cupcakes and you’ll often find you’re on a first name basis with the manager or even the owner. Probably my favorite aspect of the the boutique, though, is the fact that they offer only a few pieces of each style and when they’re gone, they’re gone, which means you end up with some fabulous pieces that are truly original! As the temps (finally) cool down and fall really starts to settle in, I’m excited to refresh my wardrobe with one of a kind styles from Langford Market and Ella Zane (another new favorite!!). How about you? Do you prefer Boutique or Department Store?

La La Anthony’s new makeup line, Motives for La La, just released a Fall/Winter Collection inspired by the Roaring 20′s with beautiful new eye and lip colors, a bronzing shimmer powder, and eyebrow pencils. A retractable lip and eye brush and a retractable powder brush makes on the go touch ups a breeze and a gorgeous emerald green nail lacquer is coming soon! Take a look at La La’s new collection here and tell me what you think!

Market America International Convention (MAIC) 2012 begins today in Greensboro, NC, which means new additions to the Motives family! I love MAIC and MAWC (Market America World Conference), because exciting new products always make their debut, like last February’s explosive Motives for La La collection! We’re only on day one, but already fabulous new colors have arrived on www.MotivesCustomLook.com, like the Fall/Winter 2012 Runway Collection, a compact of four pressed shadows in beautiful shades straight from the winter runways. A new lash primer is also available to help condition and strengthen lashes. More exciting news and products are sure to come over the next few days and I will continue to share as they are released! What would you be most excited to see from Motives?

Fall/Winter 2012 Runway Collection

I know we’re just coming to the end of May (wait, how did that happen, didn’t we just have Christmas??), but the weatherman promised a high of 94 today with no relief in sight, and with Memorial Day bringing the official start of summer next week, I’d say beach season is here. Some women scoff at the thought wearing makeup to the beach, and that’s okay. I certainly will take a break from my routine when I visit the sand and surf, especially if I plan to spend most of my time in the latter. However, for those of you that shiver at the thought of being seen in public bare-faced, even at the beach, you want to make sure you’re wearing makeup that will last the day. That being said, here are my recommendations on essentials for the beach:

1. Sunscreen. Makeup or not, everyone should wear at least an SPF 30 and reapply every hour. Period. (Reapply more often if you’ve been in the water or are sweating a little more than normal) Make sure you use a shot glass worth (about 1.5 oz) when you apply, and use a broad spectrum suncreen to keep out the UVAs and UBVs. Cellular Labs has a De-Aging Suncreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ that’s paraben free.

2. If you can’t go without a foundation, try a powder or liquid powder formula that will stay put a little longer in the humidity. Motives Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation has an SPF 15 and is infused with antioxidants.

3. Eye makeup should be simple and natural for the beach, make sure you use waterproof eye makeup to prevent runny eyes and keep your look clean and polished. A creme eyeshadow and a waterproof eyeliner like Motives Luxe Precision Eye Line   are not going anywhere without some cleanser or makeup remover. And, of course, waterproof mascara is an absolute must.

4. Finishing with a setting spray will help keep everything in place, and a lip balm with SPF will keep your lips soft and protected. Try Blistex Five Star Lip Protection with SPF 30.

I have a lot of clients that ask me how to get their makeup to last until lunchtime, let alone all day. Here’s my advice: prepare and prime. Lasting makeup starts with the condition of your skin. Cleanse and exfoliate, then apply your toner. Toner? You might ask, What’s toner? Why do I need it? Toner is what keeps the Ph of your skin balanced. Just the act of washing your face with water can throw your Ph off, which will keep your makeup from staying where it’s supposed to. So you MUST, MUST apply toner if you don’t want a melty face by noon. After you apply toner, you apply any of your specialty products that treat and nourish, i.e. serums, anti-aging treatments, etc. Finish up with a good moisturizure and you’re ready to prime. Using a primer keeps the foundation (liquid or powder) from settling into your fine lines and pores. It’s what lets the foundation glide across the skin and gives you a flawless finish. For anyone with larger pores or less-than-fine-lines, I recommend applying a product like Invisiline over the primer. It turns an orange textured skin into an apple textured skin. Now that you’ve prepared and primed, you’re ready to apply your foundation. Don’t forget to set a liquid or cream foundation with a powder to keep everything in place. And of course, a finishing spray will give you extra staying power.

Here are a few products I use to prepare and prime:
1. Skintelligence Cleanser, Toner, and Moisturizer (Skintelligence Value Kit $39.95)

2. Motives Perfecting Face Primer ($19.95)

3. Motives Invisiline ($14.00)

Happy Leap Day, everyone! As February draws to a close, it seems that spring has come early, and I am already itching to don my sundresses and sandals. Spring break is on the horizon and summer vacation is already in its planning stages for a lot of us. Motives recently released the Spring/Summer 2012 Collection called Destination Beauty, and the colors are gorgeous! Tangerine colored lip plumper (a hot color this spring and summer), Max Lips lipsticks in four fabulous shades, beautiful creme blushes (great for doubling as a lip tint in a pinch), and eye shadows that remind you of an exotic getaway to your own paradise with names like Mykonos Blue and Moroccan Spice. And I love the Destination Beauty Compact, it’s perfect for travel! Check out this video and be prepared to get bit by the travel bug!

LOVE this video behind the scenes on La La Anthony’s photoshoot for Motives for La La! Check it out!

After seeing this look on Pinterest (my new obsession) I decided to give the purple smokey eye a try this morning. I love this colorful alternative to the traditional smokey eye! This look can be recreated using Motives Plum Pretty Eye Shadow Palette with a little help from Motives Pressed Eye Shadow in Pink Diamond or Bedroom Eyes. Finish it off with a black or sterling gray khol eyeliner and a coat of mascara and you’re done! Try it out and let me know what you think!

Watch reality star La La Anthony talk about the launch of her new makeup line, Motives for La La. Try out her makeup HERE.