NAILED IT! Photos + post by Kristin Ess If you’re a fan of pretty shiny things, you’re going to love our first spring mani of the season. We all know everything looks better dipped in gold, so we thought this should do the trick. I decided to use gold leafing sheets to accent the corners of these turquoise nails. Here’s how you do it: TOOLS: Turquoise nail polish, gold leafing sheets (available at your local art supply stores or see link below), clear top coat, nail file, q-tip (regular or pointed). Select a good turquoise polish. Related posts: BROWS 101. Photos: Justin Coit for thebeautydepartment.com post by amy nadine We’ve gotten tons of requests for a brow tutorial– how to shape them, how to fill them in, how to elongate them, etc… This is so great because the correct brow shape can really lift the eye and slim the face.
First let me share my #1 rule: DO NOT OVER-PLUCK!! Please! There is nothing pretty about thin overly-tweezed brows. Brows frame your eyes. Spooly brush or disposable mascara wand, cuticle scissors, angled/slant tweezers, pointed tweezers, brow shadow (taupe for blondes, brown range for everyone else), stiff brow shadow brush, pencil (to line up the angles). 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
XO Amy Nadine Tags: amy nadine, beauty, blog, brow, eyebrows, lauren conrad, makeup, the beauty department, tutorial Related posts: PRETTY POLISH IDEA. Photos + post by Kristin Ess First of all, sorry for the lack of posts this week. By now you know that Lady Conrad has a brand new book called THE FAME GAME. We joined her on her book tour and that busy schedule left little time for much else.
But we’re back and bringing you the ombre stain mani! We’ve seen lots of ombre techniques in the past, but this one is pretty cool because it’s done on your bare nails and has more of a stain effect than looking like actual nail polish. This was much easier than I thought it was going to be, but you should be prepared to practice once or twice before doing the actual mani.
You will need: 3-4 gradient nail polish colors (dark to light and all in the tonal family), a clear top coat, a triangle makeup sponge, a cup of water, a piece of paper for blotting the polish, a paint brush + nail polish remover for clean up. Unscrew the lids of your 3 or 4 gradient colors so they’re ready to go. Try it in other colors. Related posts: HOMEMADE BODY SHIMMER. Photos + post by amy nadine Temperatures are rising and prom, formals + weddings are just around the corner! Which means our skin needs a little help after a long dry winter! After giving your body a good buff with our D.I.Y. brown sugar scrub, add a little shimmer to your lotion to get that perfect glow (without having to spend any money!). Here’s what I made last week in 3 easy steps to use on my clients on talk shows (Brittany Snow with her gorgeous new red hair on her visit to Conan, stunning + raven-haired Krysten Ritter on her visits to both Jimmy Kimmel and Conan and our lovely Lauren Conrad on her visit to Chelsea Lately last night!)
That I thought you might like too: 1. Combine 4 parts lotion with ½ teaspoon gold shimmer (or measure by sprinkling the shimmer until desired shade is achieved). 2. You can do this with coconut oil, tanning oils and many sunscreens. Related posts: SHORT STUFF. Photos and post design: Kristin Ess This updo/chignon was kind of a random discovery for short hair. My gorgeous client Katie, who has a long bob, was sitting in my chair and this happened so we thought we’d snap some photos and share since we get a lot of requests for short hair styles!
TOOLS: bobby pins, accessory, hairspray. Prep: You’ll want the hair to have some texture before you pin it up. If you have curly hair, you’re all set. Take the entire left side and start twisting near your ear. Now using a hand mirror, check it out from the sides and back to make sure it’s well proportioned and balanced. Add a sparkly accessory and this will make a great New Years Eve updo for you shorties! Tags: accessories, accessory, chignon, DIY, hair, hair style, how to, kristin ess, new years, new years eve, short hair, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial, twist, twisted, up style, updo Related posts: PIN IT UP, GIRL. Our email box is literally flooded with requests for updos so here’s a fun one to get us all going! This is always a favorite for attending an event. This updo looks gorgeous on any hair color but particularly amazing with hilighted hair because it gives the hair lots of depth and dimension.
For lack of a better word, I love the way it becomes “swirly”. Best thing is; it’s easy to do, gorgeous and keeps your hair out of your way for the night. I made this a printable tutorial, so all of the steps are next to the photos. Tools you’ll need: curling iron (to prep the hair with waves), sectioning clips, teasing comb or brush, clear elastic rubber band, bobby pins, light to medium holding hairspray (to mist over at the end). Tags: bride, bridesmaid, date, hair, hair style, hair tutorial, how to, kristin ess, kristin ess hair, lauren conrad, prom, sister, special occasion hair, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial, twisted, updo, wedding, wedding hairstyles Related posts: BRAIDY BUNCH. Photo: kristin ess + thebeautydepartment.com post designed by kristin ess This week my little sister came to stay with me. Since we LOVE braids around here, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use her shiny brown hair to show you how to do this quick one.
It’s similar to the waterfall braid, but much faster and less confusing. Start this like a regular braid, but drop the top piece through to the bottom and leave it there.Gently twist the 2 pieces you’re left with upward.Add a new 3rd piece in between + drop it through.Twist again and repeat. Remember there are only 2 main steps to this braid: twist + add a new piece. Xx Kristin Tags: braid, easy, hair, hair do, kristin ess, lauren conrad, quick, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial, twist Related posts: MANI MONDAY (DOUBLE FEATURE!!) Hot date this Valentine’s day? Perhaps you want to try this mani! And even if you’re flying solo or hanging with friends, this manicure is bestie approved and the combination is really fun. Fully inspired by a pair of Louboutins– it’s like looking at them from the bottom.
The subtle hint of animal print + rich red = a fun, flirty vibe! TOOLS: cheetah print nail stickers (used OPI + Sephora in this tutorial), reinforcement stickers, red nail polish, clear top coat. Steps 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. AND… Next up is the sweeter side of the Valentine mani. TOOLS: base & top coat, dark pink, medium pink, light pink, reinforcement stickers. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Tags: DIY, how to, jenna day, kristin ess, mani, manicure, nail, nail art, nail polish, nails, pretty, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial, valentine, valentine's day Related posts:
PRIM + PROPER. Photos: post designed by kristin ess Today we’re introducing you to one of the easiest hair tutorials ever– the braided bun! It can be done on almost any texture or length of hair, using regular or fishtail braids! Luckily, we have our very own gorgeous/genius photographer, Angela Kohler, (in front of the lens for once) to show us how this is done… Before you start, know that this hair style is just 5 simple braids, made into a bun shape. It makes things a little less complicated when you think of it like that.
Ok, let’s get going: TOOLS: curling iron, 5 clear elastics, bobby pins, sectioning clips and hairspray is optional! Start by curling your hair. Xx Kristin Tags: angela kohler, braided, braiding, braids, braidy, bun, bun braid, fun, hair, hair do, hair style, kristin ess, kristin ess hair, lauren conrad, new year, new years, new years eve, NYE, style, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial, up do, up style, updo Related posts: BALLERINA BUN (REMIX) Photos by Post design by Kristin Ess Hello lovelies! Today we’re showing you how to create a hybrid of our two favorite things– a bun and a braid. Certainly you’ve racked up some mileage on Ballerina Bun Airlines. Perhaps you’re bored and want to put a new twist on things…? Photos by Post designed by Kristin Ess TOOLS: water based pomade, 2 clear elastic ponytail holders, a comb or teasing brush, bobby pins.
Flip your head over and put a little bit of pomade at the root. Xx Kristin Tags: ballerina bun, braid, braided, braids, bun, DIY, fast, hair, hair style, hairstyle, holiday, how to, kristin ess, kristin ess hair, lauren conrad, long hair, medium hair, michelle alley, michelle scott, quick, style, top knot, tutorial, tutorials, updo Related posts: