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A Sense For Beauty, Part III: Sight

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:00:11 PDT

Your sense of sight probably plays the biggest role in the beauty products that you purchase. For example, when you look in the mirror, you might not realize it, but you're deciding which features you want to play down or accentuate on that particular day.

Studies show that if you feel confident on the inside that you actually look more confident on the outside - so don't forget to smile or wink at yourself once in a while when you're primping!

Also, if you find yourself drawn to particular makeup colors because they are more aesthetically pleasing to your eyes than others, its no coincidence. These shades probably look better on your skin tone and eye color and you are making a subconscious decision to wear them.

For a few ideas about how to make yourself look better without having to apply tons of makeup,

Get a manicure. Even if you're not wearing makeup, you'll feel like you look polished if your fingernails are filed and painted.
Apply some mascara. This beauty item instantly gives eyes definition and makes you look and feel more awake.
Apply clear lip gloss. This will make your smile look brighter, your teeth look whiter, and lip gloss tends to add a sparkle to your eyes.

Source

You're Fired! 20 Signs That a Pink Slip Is Coming

Wise Bread — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:54:53 PDT

If something feels off at the office, you may want to brace yourself for the worst. Wise Bread shares signs to look for when a pink slip is coming.

There are two types of employees. One has a good idea of what they do, who they are, and what position they play in the company. They are savvy. They know the score. They are under no delusions, and will no doubt leave for another job long before they are ever considered as cannon-fodder.

And then there's the other kind. The guy who could get Gandhi to hate him. The woman who spends most of her day chatting on the phone to friends or doing online shopping. Or the nice chap in sales who is completely oblivious that the recent merger means his job is now obsolete. They all have Ostrich Syndrome. They couldn't see a pink slip coming if it was 8ft tall and glowing in the dark, screaming "you're fired!"

You want to avoid being in that second category at all costs. So I've compiled a handy list. If you can answer yes to THREE or more of these questions, you may want to think about sprucing up your résumé and dry-cleaning your best interview attire.

1. Are you no longer in the loop about, well, anything?

This is a huge telltale sign. Suddenly you're finding out about company news from the cleaning lady or the new girl in accounting. If you were formally in the know about all things business related, but now suffer from "the company's doing what??!" disease, the writing is probably on the wall.

2. Did you recently screw up big-time?

We're not talking a minor faux pas here. Did you lose money on an account that was previously bulletproof? Oh dear. Were you caught having sex on the boss's desk with the boss's spouse? That's probably not a career-enhancing move. Unless you're a real dope, you know if you have screwed up. And if you know, HR knows. It may not be the final nail in your coffin, but it's a nail in the coffin nonetheless.

3. Are people avoiding you at all costs?

Eye contact is difficult to make with someone if you know his or her head's on the chopping block. Small talk is just as tough. It's best just to avoid that person altogether. So if people are no longer doing that fun "stop 'n' chat" in the hall, or the coffee room empties when you arrive, then guess what . . . you may be a marked man or woman.

Read on for more.

American Reunion: A Yearbook of Bad Memories

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

In 1999, a raunchy comedy called American Pie became an instant high school movie classic boasting the tagline "There's something about your first piece." That line feels truer than ever upon the release of American Reunion, the third sequel in the franchise. The film tries to capture the humor and spirit of the original film, but all it does is make you wish the Pie films had quit when they were ahead.

Thirteen years after graduation, we find Jim (Jason Biggs), settled down with former band geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan). Their once-spicy sex life has dwindled following the birth of their first child, and he's mostly lost touch with his former BFFs Oz (Chris Klein), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas). To remedy the situation, the foursome vows to have a boys' weekend back in their hometown for their high school reunion. Of course, the weekend becomes a disaster complete with binge drinking, surprise sexual encounters, awkward moments with former classmates, and a relentless amount of incredibly obnoxious one-liners from Stifler (Seann William Scott).

To find out what else feels stale about American Reunion, just

Getting caught up with Jim and the gang might have been more fun if there hadn't been two more Pie movies between the original and this one; we already have a good sense of where the characters have been and how they've evolved (or haven't, in most cases). Plus, you can garner what's happened to each of them in the first ten minutes, and after that you're just trying to watch a bunch of 30-somethings relive their glory days. We already saw this movie, and it was called Grown Ups.

The Pie movies have always relied on objectifying women for laughs, but American Reunion takes it to a new level. The guys ogle teenage girls at the lake, where they're wearing thong bikinis and making out with each other in front of their friends, because according to the movie, that's what all high school girls are like now. It's not just the teens either: there's a full-on catfight between two of the female leads, and the weight gain of one of Stifler's former hookups is played for gross-out laughs that's not just unfunny; it's downright mean.

The best part about American Reunion is that it incorporates some awesome '90s hits like "My Own Worst Enemy" and "The Freshman," but even that only happens in the final 20 minutes of the film, when you're already so burned out on sight gags that you barely have enough attention span to notice the soundtrack.

The same goes for all the cameos: it's fun to point out the throwbacks to the original, and I appreciated that John Cho (aka "the MILF guy") has a much bigger role this time around, but it's not enough to justify a film that's overlong and over the top. It made me realize that when it comes to the Pie franchise, I've had my fill.

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

The 3 Things in Your Bedroom Keeping You Up All Night

Michele Foley — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:06:38 PDT

Getting quality sleep is tied to so many things: heart health, a healthy weight, and stress levels, to name a few. Yet people still struggle with getting a good night's rest and are often their own worst enemies. See what three items you may have in your bedroom that are keeping you from getting the quality sleep you deserve.

Ditch the tech: These days, people are tethered to their iPads, smartphones, and laptops - up until the minute they hit the hay. Unfortunately, using these devices at night can affect the quality of sleep a person receives. The light these devices emit stimulate the brain, making it harder for the body to unwind, relax, and sense that it's time for bed. If you need a nighttime ritual to send you on your way, opt for a book.
Say good-bye to the TV: While the light from a TV isn't as stimulating to the body as tech devices, keeping a television in your bedroom can still impact the quality of sleep in a negative way. Your body stays stimulated long beyond the time you need shut-eye, all in the name of a late-night movie marathon. Even if you do manage to fall asleep with the TV on, think about those nights you've been woken up at an odd hour from the lights or sound it continues to emit.
Your desk doesn't belong: The bedroom is a place to relax, and the idea of work is not conducive to winding down. Keeping a desk in your room may encourage you to work later than you should or create anxiety because it's a visual reminder of the unfinished project still hanging over your head. If space is an issue in your home, keep the bedroom workspace tucked away or out of your line of sight when lying in bed.

Chanel Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:53:56 PST

Both a reimagining and an homage to the label's signature aesthetic, Karl Lagerfeld plays in tweed, sporty silhouettes, and whimsical layers and texture (and bejeweled eyebrows) for Chanel's Fall 2012. Lagerfeld's all-star cast (minus a noticeably absent Freja), including Miranda Kerr, Joan Smalls, and Anja Rubik, took to the catwalk of a snowy white cave, done up in crystal embellishments that mirrored the life-size versions set on the runway. That in itself set the mood for whimsy, which only became more pronounced in Karl's colorful, metallic-embellished visions for Fall - shimmer reflected in slim pants, sparkly-tinged knits, and sheer skirts. Meanwhile, Chanel's tweed got the rainbow treatment, as did the offering of diaphanous frocks with a dose of soft brights. Outerwear maintained the label's sophistication, though the flair for drama was evidenced in roomier silhouettes, some that gave way to boxier shapes with sloped, rounded shoulders, but more that skimmed and highlighted curves in hourglass proportions. That's not to say that it was "ladylike" - very little here spoke to Chanel's ladylike sense. In fact, the feel was overwhelmingly sportier. Even when textures were dressed up in rich metallic detail, shapes were more nonchalant - tunics and dresses layered over pants and perfectly slouchy knits topped trousers. There was nothing too literal; even in playfulness, Karl never overcommits. Jewel tones and geometric details felt fresh, and proportional play felt casual, not overworked. He knows exactly how to draw us in with the theatrics of his runway, but never loses sight of what we've all come to see.

Trends: Dresses over pants, texture, sporty, brights, sheer, metallics.
Colors: Black, green, white, fuchsia, purple, yellow, gray, teal, blue.
Key Piece: The textured metallic trousers were amazing.
Accessories: Cutout buckled Lucite heels, oversize crystal pendants and matching bracelets, Chanel crossbody handbags and clutches in every hue.
Who Would Wear It: Karl's girls, Diane Kruger, Rachel Bilson, and Blake Lively.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Yes/No"

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:41:04 PST

Glee is back from Winter hiatus and makes a big splash this week with a genuinely awesome episode. It's super cheesy and full of multiple dance numbers and guest stars, which is essentially the recipe for Glee success, and I'll admit it gave me goose bumps more than once.

Nearly everyone's emotions and relationships are challenged in this episode: Mercedes is torn between two guys, Will contemplates taking the next step with Emma, and Finn's got big ideas for his future with Rachel. I can't believe how much happened! To get all the details on "Yes/No," just keep reading.

8 Ways to Motivate and Get Off Your Cold Weather Butt

Self — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:08:54 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

I got chills. They're multiplying. But they're not of the Grease Lightening variety. It's getting cold (nearly 75 degrees in LA) and I'm starting to see visions of couches, heavy meals, hot chocolate and layered clothing (to hide the blubber!).

What? You need fat for warmth . . . supposedly.

Okay, fine. Better nip this cold weather slump in the bud before I settle down for a five-month Snuggie hibernation. Luckily, I have certified trainer and owner of new BIA Strong Body Studio Rebecca Black (not that Rebecca Black) to motivate me. And now so do you.

And Black knows a thing or two about weight loss. Not only does the Columbus, Ohio-based trainer help other people get in shape (while participating in bikini fitness competitions), but she also experienced her own weight loss transformation. "I lost about 40lbs," she explains. "But it took longer than it should have because I didn't know what I was doing and neither did my trainer."

As we all know, it's easy to fall into bad habits, especially as the winter months approach. "This is when people pack on the pounds, especially in the Midwest and on the East Coast," laments the trainer. "As soon as the temperature starts to drop, people become hermits: Instead of going to the gym, they watch TV. They're back to school and super busy. And it's football season, so there's tailgating. I even fall into that rut and I'm a trainer. If I don't want to get up at 5am and train people, why would my clients?"

Luckily, Black has certain tricks for getting people up and ready to exercise. Here are her top eight motivational tips after the break.

Before Trail Running Alone, Read This

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:19:28 PDT

Running in the woods by yourself sounds a little dangerous - especially to your mom - but depending on where you live, your running ability, and your personalty, a solo run in the woods is the perfect idea. Here are some ways to ensure your safety when hitting the trails on your own.

Bring your dog: OK, so technically you're not alone if you bring your pooch, but if you're nervous about hitting the trails by yourself, a furry friend will offer you company and protection. Put a bell on the collar so the noisy jingle can help scare away critters.
Tell someone where you're going: If you saw the movie 127 hours, you know that the whole ordeal might have been prevented if he just told one person where he went. Pick up the phone on your way out the door and tell a close friend or relative where you're running and what time you should be back. Make a deal that you'll call, text, or email them once you return, and if you don't and they can't get in touch with you, they should seek out help. If you're heading out before anyone is up, leave a note with your route and ETA.

Keep reading for more solo trail running safety tips.

10 Things to Do in 10 Minutes (to Improve Your Finances)

LearnVest — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:15:10 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

You’re busy. We’re busy. And we’ve all got stuff to do.

It’s that feeling that gets to us: The longer we put something off, the more we continue to put it off. And those small tasks that will help our financial lives can sometimes be the ones that we put off the most.

The key is to keep moving, and pick the low-hanging fruit. To that end, we bring you a few quick wins to get you started.

If you have a spare ten minutes and wonder what you can accomplish in them, stop wondering–here are ten things you can get done.

Clean Out Your Wallet

A clean wallet leads to a clean mind . . . in a manner of speaking. Spend a few minutes emptying your wallet of old receipts and other junk. Here’s what you should keep in your wallet. And here’s what you shouldn’t.

Set Up a $5 Jar

We actually got this idea from one of our readers: From now on, stop spending $5 bills. Instead, store all of the fivers you receive as change, and let them accumulate. After a few months or a year, you could easily have hundreds of extra dollars. (You could do this with spare change, too, but the sums will be smaller and the coins will be a pain to count out.)

For now, pull out a jar or other container, put it on the counter, paste a photo of your dream goal on it (house, family, vacation) and start saving.

Read on for more things to do to improve your finances.

Buzz Blabber: You're Happy to See Haley Reinhart Go

BuzzSugar — Sun, 22 May 2011 03:05:00 PDT

It was an eventful week in TV since so many shows had their season finales, and as usual, you guys had a ton to say about them. And though American Idol didn't have its finale yet, this week's episode still brought about some heated chatter.

American Idol viewers were unimpressed with Haley's image

"Both Haley and Jacob overstayed their welcomes in my opinion. Their arrogance kinda ticked me off. I wish James or Casey were in the top two, but I'll be rooting for Scotty here on out." - ramenpancakes
"I've said it before. When Hayley isn't growling and hiding behind other accents her voice isn't very good. Her arrogance is too much." - GucciGuilty
"I am rooting for Scotty now since James is gone now. I have also noticed Haley's poor attitude." - nessa17

To find out what other TV shows got commenters all riled up, just

The Gossip Girl season finale disappointed fans

"Maybe it's old news to complain about the lack of Dair but wahhh. I'm really confused about the whole Charlie story, but I guess her being a fake makes more sense than her going crazy in a matter of hours after missing one pill. Anyway, is it bad that I'm glad that actress is returning just because I like her voice? Oh and I forgot that everyone went to Columbia in the midst of nobody seeming to attend school for the spring semester. It's not worth showing up to class unless an evil sorority chick is trying to destroy your life and your professor is a sexy womanizer." - genesisrocks
"I am optimistic, delusionally so, I am sure, about Dan and Blair next season. Eric's knowing comments and facial expressions give me hope he is going to push Dan in her direction while they hang in the Hamptons together. Also, Vanessa said that someone would like their depiction in his novel and it wasn't Serena, so that leads me to believe it is Blair. I really hope they do something with them next season. That coupling was the reason I watched this horrible season. Also, there is no way that pregnancy test is either Serena's or Blair's. I bet Eleanor is having a miracle baby with Cy." - bethany0403
"Not as amazing as I expected. I thought the whole Russell/Blair/let's light this place on fire drama was going to take at least 45 minutes (not 20), so I was a little disappointed. I was uber surprised about the Ivy/Charlie twist. I did NOT see that coming at all. As for Blair and Chuck, I'm happy/sad their relationship is over, but I have a strong feeling Blair and Louis aren't going to last (enter a new and improved C Bass). I can't wait for next season!" - Mandi Villa

Nora and Barney (pretty much) get your blessing on How I Met Your Mother

"I really don't want Barney and Robin to end up together again. Been there, done that! I really like him with Nora, she's such a cute girl and would be good for him. And I had heard too that Robin goes out with her crush guy. Am I the only one who thought this wedding scene (that they've showed before, just never the Barney part) was going to be Ted's high school buddy's wedding? Isn't Ted best man in that one too?" - gingirl
"I think Nora would be good for Barney. He and Robin really lost sight of who they were when they dated each other. It's probably not in the script, but I'd like Robin to marry Ted." - bryseana
"Robin. No question. Nora is too boring and turned Barney into someone he's not. Barney just needs practice being a boyfriend and then what happened to him and Robin the first time around won't happen again. Robin and Barney are amazing together! Nora makes Barney a sappy, slobbering shadow of his true, awesome self, and I don't think she'd fit well in the group." - Anonymous

Photo courtesy of Fox