Nothing makes a girl feel more pretty and glamorous than getting her done exactly the way she wants it. Whether it’s sleek and glossy or big and full of body, a luxurious blowout is the easiest way to achieve that glorious feeling. While we may not have the luxury of getting a daily blowout  by your go-to hair stylist, you can always grab a few must-have products and get that lustrous look from the comfort of your own home, all you need are the right tools and products.

Here’s the skinny on getting great hair:

Protect:

Repeatedly using harsh heat and extremely hot hair tools directly on hair does quite the damage on your tresses; protecting the hair is crucial. Whether it’s a spray, cream or serum make sure to coat your strands in a heat protecting product to ensure a safe base for styling and can combat some of that damage (no one wants dried out ends!). I like to apply a protectant in my hair while it’s damp and shuffle/scrunch it onto the hair. GHD Thermal Heat Protect Spray ($17) has been my go-to product for years and never disappoints. It’s light enough to layer additional products and sufficiently protects hair from the damage and stress from hair tools and additional heat.

Prime & Fluff:

Once your hair is all washed and protected, it’s time to lather on your favorite hair products. Whether you’re aiming for the sleek, polished city look or want to be a few inches closer to god with big, glamorous locks, here is where you have to use styling products strategically. Choose a hair oil or serum (Keratin Complex Styling Oil, $25) if you want your tresses to remain extra smooth with silky sheen and a great mousse (Drybar Southern Bell, $25) for extra volume. I should also point out that since its launch, Living Proof’s Hair Primer ($20) has been a hair styling staple for me and makes hair extra smooth and ready for any styling ahead.

Hair Styling Tools:

I can’t say it enough; invest in a REALLY GOOD blow dryer. You’re going to get loads of use out of it, it will last you far longer than a basic one and nice dryers often times come with settings that reduce the amount of harsh heat on your strands and other goodies standard dryers skimp on.

Make sure your brushes are free of any loose, tangled hair from your last use and bristles are clean and ready for your next twirl.  Please make sure to replace any brushes with bristles that are overly used, burnt or broken. The lifespan of brushes varies from brush to brush and depends on its bristles and how often it is used (we all know when a brush is beyond saving!). 

With these must-have products and quick tips, you're sure to achieve that perfect blown out, just out of the salon look without ever stepping out of your home. Happy styling! 

Pantone, the world’s color authority, has announced this year’s color to be Emerald. This rich hue flatters any skin tone and dazzles in each and every light. While this gives me an excuse to bust out all my emerald jewels daily this year, I of course thought about how to incorporate this regal color into my beauty rotation. Being the nail polish enthusiast that I am, my mind immediately thought of nails. From strong opaque picks to shimmery stunners, an emerald manicure is a must this coming spring.

If last year was any indication, I am sure to exhaust this lovely color over many, many manicures. Tangerine Tango (last year’s color) was an absolute hit and I’m looking forward to numerous beauty and various other collections decked out in this luxurious green color.

In the meantime, I’ve rounded up a few beautiful polishes that will delight any girl seeking an emerald shade this upcoming season. Whether it’s a light green or a true sparkly shade, your emerald manicure will surely have others feeling green with envy. 

Starting from left:

Essie | Sparitual | Revlon | Sephora by O.P.I |

Essie | Sparitual | LMdB |

Deborah Lippman 

If you haven’t noticed already, it’s Valentine’s Day and if you’ve got yourself a cutie to smooch up to on this day of love, you have to make sure your pucker is in tip top condition. From smeared lipstick to chapped horrors, these tips are sure to keep you looking perfectly kissable for your Valentine festivities.

Exfoliate & Prep

Nothing says “please don’t kiss me” like a set of dry, unsightly lips. A good exfoliation the night before or a few hours before your night out can make all the difference when it comes to a beautiful pucker. In order to get a flawless foundation for lipstick application and pillow-y soft lips, use a lip scrub like Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (cannot get enough of this miracle product!) or mix your own Brown sugar & olive oil concoction at home for a DIY quickie. To get an extra oomph and va-va-voom factor try this natural lip plumper recipe here.

Prime & Line

I always feel iffy about lining directly onto lips without a proper coat of primer. Whether it’s your favorite lip balm or a quick swipe of a soothing lip treatment, make sure you have something on your lips before any color application. My go-to pout primer is DuWop’s Lip Venom Lip Plumping Balm – I love lip plumpers and yes, this does give a bit of that minty, tingly feeling once applied—for those who shy away from pouty lips or that classic tingle you may want to use this product sparingly.

Whatever colored lipstick you will be choosing for your sweet evening, choose a liner of a similar hue and line your pretty lips evenly & neatly.

Stain & Color

Choose a stain in a similar shade to that of your lipstick, and apply to your lips. You will thank yourself for this tip as the night goes on. After multiple sips of your drink, bites of food and quick smooches, your lipstick will begin to breakaway but your stain will provide just enough color to keep up with your full look and the wear will look really pretty as well.  

Make sure to apply your lipstick with a lip brush as it will be extra precise and look perfect.

Blot & Final Touches

After any lipstick application it is always, always recommended to blot with a tissue. It neatly takes off any excess product and leaves behind just enough color and sheen. Make sure to clean up the corners of your lip of any uneven lines and perfect your shape.

Hope everyone has a super sweet Valentine’s Day & if you’re single on this day of love, grab a few girl friends in the same boat, throw on your highest heels & prettiest lipstick and go out to dinner or drinks! There’s no reason to be alone on this stupid holiday.