The holidays are all about dazzling. So why not dazzle your friends and your hair with a sparkly headband that's easy to create yourself? Inspired by the Oscar de la Renta runway, this whimsical piece looks just as pretty as an accent to a dramatic bouffant as it does with your hair down and tousled. On Kirbie: Shoshanna dress from Rent the Runway, necklace by T+J Designs.
Headbands are like red lipstick: with the right outfit, it's an extra touch that makes the look stand out. At Louis Vuitton's Spring 2013 show, designer Marc Jacobs took inspiration from the '60s, with models showing off deep side parts, thick lashes, and girlish headbands. Put your glue-gun skills to the test this holiday season, and learn how to re-create this chic hair accessory at home. On Kirbie: Rory Beca top.
Tubs get all the attention as bathroom relaxation stations. If you live in a small space that's shower-only, though, you can still create a beauty retreat at home. While you might not have the spare change to transform your shower stall into a Vichy palace, there are a few easy additions you can make to promote a spa-like experience. Get your construction-free renovation list when you keep reading.
This striking nail design looks a lot more complicated than it really is. Aside from two nail shades — we used Topshop Nail Polish in Heart of Gold ($12) and RGB Nail Color in Plum ($16) — all you need is tape and a pair of scissors. To learn how to create the look, read more.
Lip balm, a cold-weather staple, is surprisingly easy to make at home. Concocting the perfect recipe, though, means creating a balm tailored to your needs. See how you can get it to smell, taste, and feel exactly how you want it — and don't be surprised if you want to whip up lip balm for all of your friends, too. On Kirbie: Topshop.
Nail decals make it easy to get an elaborate, striking nail look. And now you can make them at home with this do-it-yourself technique. So grab some wax paper and your imagination. It's time to get crafty. On Kirbie: headband courtesy of ban.do.
Whipping up beauty remedies in the kitchen is cost-effective, but it also provides an easy way to get the spa experience at home. This DIY peel-off mask is easy to make, and it requires ingredients that you probably already have in your refrigerator or pantry. You'll want to try this recipe ASAP — and you'll have better skin for it too.
A lot more harm than good can come from not cleaning your makeup brushes regularly. Not only can you wind up with nasty breakouts, residue can breed bacteria, which wind up breaking down your brushes. To learn the steps to keeping your brushes (and complexion) squeaky clean, just keep reading.
YouTube star and beauty guru Michelle Phan always has amazing tips for making life easier. This week, Michelle tells us how we can make our own illuminator at home:
What makes tan skin look so beautiful isn't necessarily the color, but the glow. Illuminators are awesome and a great substitute for a tan in the Summer. If you're looking to create a natural glow in your under-eye circles and cheekbones, or if you're extra cautious about fair skin in the sun, then you can create a glow effect with illuminators instead. The best part: you can buy illuminators or make your own from a few key ingredients you already have at home!
DIY Illuminator
Take a little bit of your liquid foundation and add a nice shimmering eye shadow to it. I recommend a light gold because it will bring more warmth into the illuminator. Loose powder will work for this too. All you do is scrape a small amount — about the size of your pinky nail — into the foundation. Be careful not to overdo the shimmer, because this will lead to your skin looking oily. Too much glow isn't a good thing!
If you'd rather buy an illuminator to test out first, then here are some of my favorite brands:
More from Michelle Phan:
Many common kitchen ingredients are just as useful in the bathroom. In fact, L'Oréal hair colorist Christophe Robin turns to vinegar for many DIY hair and skin care remedies, his favorite brand being Santa Maria Novella ($52). But if you don't have the time to wait for this international beauty product to arrive (or are looking for something a little more practically priced), pick up a bottle of apple cider vinegar at your local grocery store. And to get Robin's tips — along with a few of ours — for using vinegar from head to toe, just keep reading.
