tutorials

MANI MONDAY


photos and posts by Kristin Ess

Let’s discuss the “accent nail”. It’s fun (and a lot easier) to do nail art on just one nail, but it can be hard to come up with a pattern idea. Here’s a suggestion: take a peek in your closet! Look at your favorite shirts, skirts and dresses for inspiration. When our recent STYLEMINT tops came in the mail and we opened the box, we noticed the patterns + colors were perfection. Doing every nail can be a bit much so we took the pretty patterns and came up with some custom accent nail looks. Here we go…

RED POLKA DOT MANI INSPIRED BY THE CHARLTON T:

  • Paint the whole nail white. Once it dries completely (I suggest leaving it to dry over night), use scotch tape to section off diagonally. Paint the side closest to the tip of your finger with a rich red.
  • Dip your dotting tool in red polish.
  • Dot the white using the red polish.

Note: You can also use the white polish to make dots on the red if you want to go opposite.

MULTI-STRIPE INSPIRED BY THE MADISON T:

  • Gather some different sized art brushes. They often come in packs or you can gather old makeup brushes that you don’t use anymore.
  • Paint the base of the nail white then make some small polish puddles with the colors in your shirt.
  • Use scoth tape to section off different stripes. If you’re really good, you can probably freehand, otherwise use tape! Dip different brushes and drag across the nail to make various sized stripes!

FINE STRIPE INSPIRED BY THE ARDEN PULLOVER:

  • Paint the base of your nail blue.
  • Dip a nail striping brush in white polish.
  • Lightly drag across the surface of the nail.

Here are some full view shots of the STYLEMINT tops that have were featured above. Have you become a member yet? When you first sign up, you answer a short series of questions about your personal style with their genius quiz, you can choose from one of four T Shirt styles, many of which are available in multiple colors, for only $29.99 each. If you don’t see a shirt you like, it’s no problem because there’s no obligation to buy. If you do find the perfect option (or two, or three!), you get free shipping, plus returns are easy. Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen design each T Shirt, and everything is extremely high quality with amazing fits. Membership is free, but the T Shirts do sell out! Bonus: the sweet peeps over at STYLEMINT are sharing the love and providing TBD readers a promo code–  DEPT20, which is good for 20% off your first T. First time buyers only, valid until 3/31.

(this advertorial was generously brought to you by STYLEMINT)

hair

FASHION FRIDAY

post by kristin ess + eunice chun

Before we get going on prom hair and makeup tutorials, let’s discuss the clutch. We all know what it’s like to stuff everything we possibly can into a small bag at the last second. Let’s try and avoid that this prom season. In this post we’re trying to keep you from a tight squeeze.

ONE: Go to a department store and ask the sales person for a sample of your favorite perfume. Tuck that into the corner along with some bobby pins for any hair mishaps that may occur. You could even wrap them together with using a ponytail holder just in case you want to throw all your hair up later. Having them in the corner of your bag makes them a lot easier to find.

TWO: If you think you’ll need hairspray make sure you pick up a travel size bottle. Put it in the very bottom of your purse along with a comb. Those are the two things you’re going to touch less than the others, so putting them toward the bottom makes the most sense.

THREE: Your phone, blotting papers, and a flat leather card case will sit flat, side-by-side. Plus having your ID, debit card and/or cash in one place will keep you from having to dig around.

FOUR: Take a fancy vintage-inspired lipstick + compact to keep it cute! You can check the back of your hair in the bathroom mirror using your compact. Dying over this beautiful gold “Mad Men” Estee Lauder collection.

FIVE: Trusty Tip- use a quick shot of spray paint to color match a safety pin (or two) to your dress for any emergencies. Tuck those into the other side along with some individual pieces of gum or couple of mints.

I know, I know… “What about my keys!?” Think ahead. Leave a hide-a-key or put a single house key under the mat to avoid more clutter.

(Clear clutch above by Charlotte Olympia)

 

hair

DIY HAIR NECKLACE

In this beautiful world of buns + top knots, we’re always searching for ways to mix it up. Today’s DIY helps us do just that! Making hair jewelry can be really fun & it’s very likely that you’ll have most of these supplies already at home! You can take apart an inexpensive multi-strand chain necklace that you don’t wear anymore, or if you don’t have that you can go to a bead shop where they sell chain and necklace making supplies. Here’s how I created this golden goodness:

photos+ tutorial by Kristin Ess

TOOLS: Wire cutters, flat-head pliers, thin gold wire, strands of necklace chain, a brass loop, a small hair comb + a bobby pin that matches your hair color. (FYI, all of the metal used here can be found at a bead store if you don’t have a necklace to take apart at home!)

  1. Open the brass loop.
  2. String your first chain on to the loop.
  3. Continue stringing chain until you have as many as you want on there. I only used 4.
  4. Use your flat-head pliers to close the brass loop back up.
  5. Slide your bobby pin through the brass loop.
  6. Cut your chains using your wire cutters. I cut each one about half an inch longer than the next. That way they have a draped look and fall about half an inch apart!
  7. Cut a piece of thin wire. You want to cut the wire about 3 times the length of your comb so you have enough to wrap. (see photo)
  8. Wrap your piece of wire around the first prong of your comb. I wrapped it three times to make sure it stays put! After you wrap it, tighten it using your flat-head pliers.
  9. String your shortest chain on the first loop.
  10. Now wrap your wire around the top of your comb and back under. Loop it around once or twice.
  11. Continue stringing your chain and then looping the wire around. You’ll want to go from shortest to longest so that the longest chain will hang the lowest.
  12. Once you’ve finished stringing your chains, tighten it off with flat-head pliers.

 

hair

SHORT STUFF

YES… spring has sprung! That means fresh, new short cuts will be on the rise. So many of my clients have been on a mission to go shorter this year and the very first thing I tell them is: short hair is all about learning different textures! It’s really easy to find updos, styles, braids + buns for longer hair lengths but not usually so easy for girls with mid-length hair or shorter. Here’s the thing… you girls with bobs & lobs have the advantage of creating new textures in a way that girls with long hair do not! Girls with longer length don’t get to utilize product the same way girls with short hair can. Here are 8 perfect examples of ways to keep your mid-length & short haircuts exciting:

  1. Romantic, soft texture- Try setting your bob with large hot rollers. Use a thermal setting spray before putting them in, then leave the rollers in until they cool all the way down. Allowing your rollers to set until they’re cool will make curls last much longer.
  2. Matte + messy- There are so many dry shampoos and texture sprays out there now. An even dirtier secret: If you work a little pomade into dry hair and then spray dry  shampoo it becomes even more matte! After applying, flip your hair upside down, “stir it up” with the blow dryer on the cool setting, flip back up and scrunch with your fingers. Don’t brush after that. READ MORE…