Wishing you an angel

A Holiday Greeting from CountryDutchess.com ....

Wishing you angels whenever and wherever you need them!

With love from everyone at CountryDutchess.com 
(Turn on your speakers for the heavenly sounds! )


To send an angel to someone you love, cut and paste the link below

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d6a45314f4441344e6a673d0d0a&blogview=true

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Dressing For The Holiday Office Party: 10 Tips On How To Look Great!

Have an office party coming up - and can't figure out what to wear?  Not to worry! Herein are  10 tips for going from 9 -to-5  to   After-5   -  IN A FLASH !

By CountryDutchess.com

It’s 5 o’clock – but it’s not quitting time. Instead, it’s the holiday office party . And if you're like most women it's an event that can leave you shrugging your shoulders and wondering what in the world to wear.

Complicating matters further: When you don’t have time to stop home and change – and must go right from a day behind a computer to a night of champagne cocktails.

But before try to spend the day doing spread sheets in a sequined tank top and glittery tulle skirt listen up: With just a few well placed pieces of fashion jewelry and accessories you can turn any typical work outfit into a classy party look.

Where do you begin? By starting your day with the most basic wardrobe essentials - a black or other solid color suit or dress. Or, if you wear slacks to work, choose a pair of solid trousers and matching color sweater.

Now if you're thinking that so far, this doesn't sound very festive, hold on - because the magic is about to begin. Waving the wand is the power of accessories - the best way to go from daytime to nighttime in a flash!

To help you get started: Here are 10 super CountryDutchess fashion jewelry and acesssory tips that can turn any basic work attire into a glamorous night time look .The best part: You can carry the entire transformation in a plastic baggy stashed in your purse!

10 Tips For Looking Great At Your Holiday Office Party1.Never overlook the glam power of a great pair of earrings. And, the more dramatic the better. If you always wear nothing but small studs or tiny hoops, here’s a chance to wow colleagues with your style by choosing a dramatic pair of Boho chandelier earrings or a dressy crystal drop earrings. It's instant glamour for even the simplest dress.

2.Fill in your neckline with color and light, adding either a sparkly lame scarf, or better still, a crystal beaded necklace in a shimmering gold, silver or bright color. This will bring both light and color to your face and dramatically change your overall look.

3.If you’re not the beaded necklace type jazz up your look with several brightly colored crystal pins. But skip the Christmas trees, wreaths that light up when you pull the string and Santa Claus faces. Instead chose one, large glistening crystal pin reminiscent of a snow flake and surround it with several smaller styles in colors that match either your earrings . . .or your eyes!

4.Bracelets can also add instant glamour but this year the look is to wear them in multiples in different textures and colors. If you start with a few crystal beaded designs, you can then add a metal bangle or a dress watch into the mix for a look that is eclectic and casual, yet festive. Push up the sleeves on your jacket or sweater, to give bracelets maximum exposure.

5.Another great “glam” look this year is matching cuff bracelets, one for each hand. To create the look for less, skip the expensive precious metal and gemstones and opt for costume cuffs set with lots of sparkly crystals.

6.Remember those plain black pumps that carried you up the train steps and down the hall all day long? Glam them up as well with this year’s hottest new style accessory – shoe clips! From floppy chiffon bows, to glistening crystal flowers, to tailored, gold or silver insignias, you can quickly turn a plain pump into a designer shoe - and take your entire outfit to a whole new level in the process.

7.Finish off your look with one, fabulously large cocktail ring – a great fake won on any finger. Indeed, the look this year is “You've got it, so flaunt it” style – using large center stones to create a big presence on even the tiniest of hands. But remember, just one is all you need!

8.Nothing screams “day at the office” more than a clunky, large tote bag –and it can ruin an otherwise perfect evening look. To keep that from happening, pare down the essentials you normally carry and take only the things you really need - like a driver's license, credit card, cash and keys. Then tuck in a small evening bag. When party time arrives, transfer the essentials to the smaller bag and tuck the tote in a desk drawer or locker and retrieve it the next day.

9.When it comes to glamming up your makeup, nothing says glam like a sexy, smokey eye. And the best part: You can just add a dark, smokey shadow right over your day look, without having to remove anything.   Remember though,ygo with the smokey eye. Add a frosted lip gloss,  an extra coat of mascara, and just a hint of frosted powder or blush (not both) on the very tops of your cheekbones and around the perimeter of your hairline. Remember, you don’t want to look like Tinkerbell – so use a light hand

10.For instant party hair, pick up one of those fabulous new clip-on chignons – faux hair that attaches to your own hair with a secure butterfly clip. If you have long hair, pull it back in a bun or pony tail and clip on the piece. If your hair is short, tuck in the ends with bobby pins and clip the chignon at the base of your neck , Add those glamorous earrings and you'll have instant ballerina glamour - chic, sophisticated and stylish!

All jewelry shown available at CountryDutchess.com

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous! Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements. The owners and contributors to this blog may or may not benefit from the products or services mentioned.

Chandelier Earring Tips

By CountryDutchess.com

They're big, they're bold, and they're hard to miss! They're chandelier earrings and they're here to stay!

And whether it's with jeans and a peasant top or that little black dress and stilettos, chandelier earrings can turn any outfit into instant trendy chic - even take you from day to night with just the flick of some crystal!

And indeed, chandelier earrings are what you wear if you want to make a fashion statement!

Unfortunately, if don't wear your chandelier earrings in quite the right way, your fashion statement could be "I'm fashion clueless" !

Well, we don't want that to happen! So we asked our designers to come up with a few guidelines for making the best possible fashion statement with your chandelier earrings!

How To Wear A Chandelier Earring

1. Keep other jewelry to a minimum. And we do mean minimum! If you wear a necklace, limit it to a thin chain with no more than a small pendant. You can add a couple of bangles and maybe a ring - but you want the earrings to do all the work - so don't distract the eye with other baubles!

2. Chandelier earrings look best with simple outfits - like that little black dress or pantsuit or even jeans and a tee. If your clothing is garnished with lots of sequins, sparkles or other embellishments there's just too much going on for a chandelier earring to take center stage. You would do much better with a smaller dangle earring - like a small CZ drop style.

3. If your chandelier earring features colored beads or stones, choose one other accessory in that same color - and no more than two. If your chandelier earrings are red, for example, you can choose a red bag and red shoes - or red shoes and red belt - but not all three. Again, you want to keep the focus on the earrings.

4. Chandelier earrings look best when there's not a lot competing for attention - so try to keep necklines lower than your collar bone. The other option is to wear them with a solid color turtleneck to act as a "frame" for the earring. Neutral colors such as black, white, cream, tan, plum or navy form the most attractive frame for most colorful chandelier earring styles.

5. Put on your chandelier earrings before you put on your make-up. More so than any other style of jewelry, earrings are right next to your face, so it's almost like they are part of your cosmetic look. When the earring is large and colorful, it's even more noticeable. And that means you might want to tone down the glittery eye shadow or sparkly blush and opt for a cleaner simpler look. Having your earrings on while you apply your make up will help you build a total look without overdoing it.

6. Scale down your other accessories. If you're wearing a chandelier earring, skip the "statement bag" or "statement belt". You only need one outstanding accessory per outfit - so let your earrings shine!

For more round-the-clock beauty and fashion tips, visit CheapChicDiary.com - or for the best in chandelier earrings - including clip on chandeliers - and lots and lots of jewelry galore - visit CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by ElleMedia 2010 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements. The owners of CheapChicDiary may or may not directly benefit from the product mentions featured anywhere on this blog.

Save On! 7 Tips To Save Big On Beauty Products

Look Great - Spend Less!
By CountryDutchess.com

Who likes to look great? Okay, everyone. Now, who wants to not spend a lot to look great? Geeze ....a sea of hands!

Who wants to buy cheap cosmetics? NO ONE!

Well we're with you on this one - no one wants cheap beauty products but really, who wants to spend more than you have to get what you want, right? Which is why we were thrilled right down to the soles of our flip flops to see that Real Beauty.com has come up with yet a bunch more ways to get the most out of your beauty products and save money on popular cosmetic products. We're not talking cheap cosmetics - but instead tips to help you save on the items you already use! With over 3 dozen ways to save money on cosmetics you're sure to find something right for you! But to help get you started, we picked the top seven RealBeauty money saving beauty tips to pass along - and added a few of our own as well!

1. To Save on Foundation: Wet your make up sponge slightly before you dip it into your foundation. Why? The dampness will keep the sponge from absorbing more make up than you need - and that saves a bundle! Brilliant! What? You're not using a make up sponge? Run, run, run to the nearest drugstore and pick one up! You'll waste infinitely less product than if you try to apply with your fingertips!
2. To Save On Hair Masques: Hate spending a bundle on pricey hair masks? Us too. Which is why we loved the Real Beauty.com suggestion to do it all with an at-home avocado hair mask! Get one that's really, really ripe, spoon it out and add in one egg yolk and teaspoon of olive oil. Stir it up, smear it on hair in sections and wait 30 minutes. Wash it off - and voila! Fabulous, conditioned hair!

3. To Save On Zit Control - it's major big business. But you can swat those zits and pimples for just pennies by simply crushing an ordinary aspirin, adding just a drop of water to make it into a paste and apply it before bedtime. In the morning, zits be gone! It's the salicylic acid in the aspirin that is a major ingredient in most acne medications!
4. To Save On Mascara:Your very favorite mascara almost gone? Renew it down to the last few applications by standing it up in a glass of warm water or heating it up with a hairdryer. Genius!
5. To Save On Cellulite Creams: Love to try those pricey cellulite creams except that they are, well pricey? Then try this cellulite cream recipe: Mix some dry coffee grounds into some body lotion and rub it into your problem areas. Leave on for about 30 minutes then shower off. The caffeine in the grounds will help stimulate circulation and might make it easier for to break down those pesky dimples. Plus, it also helps tighten skin for a smoother look.

6.To Save On Skin Masques: Is your skin prone to acne breakouts? Try a honey masque! It has powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties that is perfect for soothing and calming dry or acne prone skin. Start with a clean face, spread on a thin layer of honey and let sit 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow with a light moisturizer. You'll love the way your skin looks!

7. To Save On Eye Liner: Any shadow will double as an eyeliner if you do it right! Start with an eyeliner brush with short stiff angled bristles ( try this one from ELF for only $3.00). Mist it lightly with water and run it over the shadow and apply like a liner. If you wet the brush too much you'll ruin the shadow and get a smudgy-not-in-a-good-way look! For a smoky eye, dampen a Q-tip and run it over shadow and then apply as liner. Perfect!
8. To Save On Fashion Jewelry: Visit CountryDutchess.com where you'll find designer jewelry always at outlet prices! And check out our new Glam Collection - jewelry to live for! :)

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright ElleMedia 2010 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements. The publishers of this blog may or may not directly or indirectly benefit from product mentions featured on this website.

Frangrances That Turn Men On: What To Use!

By CountryDutchess.com

What could more alluring than the sultry scent of a summer night? Oh, wait ...we know... it would be YOU wearing a delicious fragrance and creating your own brand of sultry on any night you choose!

There is no question that wearing fragrance can influence a woman's mood, making her feel sexier and more alluring. But did you know that fragrance could very well be the key to a man's heart .... or, well, at least his attention!

Indeed studies show that men clearly and definitely respond to scent. What's more depending on the type of scent you wear, you can actually influence somewhat the way he perceives you - up to the point of really turning his libido on!

So, what kinds of fragrances evoke the most reactions from guys? Well who knows that better than the sexy fashion experts at Cosmopolitan! According to their new book "Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets" , here's the rundown on what men love to smell! All fragrances available at SEPHORA Beauty Deals!

* Florals: The scent of roses, lilies, tuberose and gardenias have traditionally been associated with love and femininity. To men that means PURE ROMANCE!
To put him in a " I've -Just-Got-To-Marry-This-Girl- mood, try: L`air du Temps ; Joy ;
Beautiful (by Estee Lauder) and Rapture (Victoria's Secret).

* Orientals and Musk: These are intense fragrances with an exotic feel - and they can make you seem more mysterious and exotic too. To keep a guy guessing - and tease his curious, mystery seeking side, wear fragrances with notes such as sandlewood, musk and amber.
Try : Alyssa Ashley Musk; Jovan White Musk, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Stella McCartney Stella.

*Citrus and Fruits: These are the fragrances that put you in a good mood - and they can do for your man! To send out your best "happy vibes" and get him thinking " I really enjoy being with this girl!" use fragrances based in berry, apple, orange, tangerine and peach.
Try: Happy ( by Clinique), Falling In Love ( Philosophy), Burberry Brit Sheer, Fresh Strawberry Flowers.

* Gourmands : These are the delicious food fragrances - warm honey, chocolate, vanilla and sugar cookie! If you want your man to feel instantly relaxed, at home and like he's on familiar ground (even on a first date) wear fragrances from this heady "food group". He'll be nibbling on your neck long before the dessert course arrives!
Try: Vera Wang Princess, Missoni Missoni, La Vanila Pure Vanilla, Sephora Collection Vanilla Cupcake.

A few Cosmo Fragrance Shopping Tips:

While each of these fragrance groups is a good place to start, the truth is not every fragrance smells equally divine on every woman. So that means you'll have to do a bit of experimenting to make certain that yummy Boston Creme Pie scent doesn't smell like two day old pastry on you!

To help you find the right fragrance mix for your body chemistry, our pals at Cosmo offer these fragrance shopping and wearing tips:

1. Shop In The A.M. - Believe it or not your nose can get "tired" ... and after a day sniffing everything from other people's perfume to the off gassing of chemicals in your office to the smog in the air, you won't smell perfumes as accurately at the end of the day as you will in the beginning. When possible, do a weekend morning shopping trip and you'll likely find the fragrances you love a lot quicker.

2. Skip Spicy Foods The Night Before - Planning on fragrance shopping on Saturday morning? Skip the garlic pizza on Friday night! The reason: Spicy foods can affect the composition of your perspiration - and that means it affects how your skin smells. Ultimately a very spicy meal can change the way a fragrance smells on your - oftentimes making it more intense.

3. Ask for free samples - Most fragrance counters offer sealed packets of single use samples - but don't always have them on display. Ask about a sample - one or two if you can swing it - and then use the fragrance one or two times before you buy. Not only will you be better able to tell if you like it- you can actually try it out on Romeo and see what he thinks!

4. Perfume your lingerie! Don't save fragrance for only your skin! Mist your bras and panties (avoid the crotch area) before putting them on. Not only does fabric tend to hold fragrance longer, the warmth of your body will help it to linger longer.

5. Dab Your Torso - If you've been limiting perfume applications to your wrists and neck, the Cosmo girls say you are missing out! The scent of fragrance is usually more powerful when applied to areas where the skin is thin - because it allows blood to pulse closer to the surface. Experts say your torso is a natural "heat center" ( no kidding!) - so putting a mist of fragrance in your groin area and across your V zone will help keep you in a cloud of enticing , sexy allure a lot longer!

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright ElleMediaNetwork 2010 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements. Copyright owners of this blog may benefit directly or indirectly from some of the products featured on this site.

Make Over FUN! And Magic Too!

By CountryDutchess.com

Okay, let's see a show of hands:

How many of you have lusted after that too fabulous brunette Katie Holmes bob - but were scared to death to shore off your own long blond tresses?

And how many of you have secretly always wanted to be a beach blonde ...but wouldn't dare take the plunge for fear of looking like Baywatch 1985?

And finally, how many of you have spent HOURS and we mean HOURS online searching for the perfect make up shade, only to have it arrive and ...well, you know the rest. There's a drawer in your bathroom vanity overflowing with product and color mistakes!

Well...what if we told you there was not only a way to avoid all those color/product mishaps - but also find the absolute perfect shade of everything from foundation to blush to eye liner and shadow, lipstick and gloss .... AND try on a zillion new hair colors and hair dos ....ALL WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR COMFY BED????

Well you can do it! And you can do it for FREE at RealBeauty.com - the most sensational new website with a beauty tool so revolutionary it will 4Ever change the way you shop for , well, just about any make up or hair coloring ( or cut or style) around!

To play the new "do -it-yourself- make-up-maven" simply upload a photo to the site ( which by the way is super fast and soooo easy ). Or if you don't have one handy, just grab an image off your webcam or use one the images they provide that most looks like you.

Then, press one button and be presented with a dazzling array of NAME BRAND make up products in all the most popular colors - which, magically, mysteriously, almost downright mystically you can apply to your picture, with just ONE CLICK ! ( And by the way, make sure you notice the slider bars under the palette selections which allow you to control how much make up you want to apply!

Brands include MAC, Smashbox, Cargo, Estee Lauder, ELF, Covergirl, Olay, Almay, Stila - and many more - all in the newest, most popular shades!

You can choose eye shadow colors, mascaras, liners, blush, bronzers, lipsticks and foundations - and vary the coverage as well as the intensity.

Then when you're all done, select a fabulous new hairstyle - and, well, you'll hardly know it's you!

We tried it - and here is the results:



Can you Believe IT? We couldn't, so we tried it again!

And again!

TOO MUCH FUN!

Now if you're dying to jump right over to RealBeauty.com and give it a try, we don't blame you! But to make sure you get great results, here are few tips.

1. Think of your face as a blank canvas - so choose a photo where you are wearing the least amount of make up possible. If you can take one with a freshly scrubbed face you'll get the most true results in terms of choosing make up colors and foundation coverage.
2. If you choose a photo where your hair is pulled back off your face you'll have the widest selection of new hair styles to choose from. Hint: Only a few styles have bangs so if your photo has bangs they're going to be in every picture.
3. Photos which feature head and shoulders to about mid bustline work best in terms of spacing new hairdos and touches like lashes. If you find that the lashes are place too far off your face, choose a different photo.
4. Pictures where you are facing straight out forward work best for choosing hair styles.
5. Don't overlook the pink button that lets you resize your face when trying on hair styles. It's easy to use and keeps your new portrait from looking like your 5 year old niece went bonkers with crayons!

Now a few cautions:

1. The system isn't perfect and you may need to try a few different photos before you net the one that works best.
2. There is an ultra annoying pop up screen that appears on the lower portion of the make over page that continues to POP UP at maddening rate. The best way around this: Use your scroll feature to get your makeover picture as high up as possible so you can ignore the pop up screen. By the way, joining does not make it go away.
3. The makeover tool is not obvious when you first arrive at the site. You'll have to highlight "Skin and Make UP" first and then click on the first link : "Instant Make Up Makeover". You'll have access to all the tools including hair styles.
4. Skip hair color. This is the one tool that's not perfected. Instead of changing your hair color it just puts a murky funny looking shadow on your entire picture. That said, some head shots do work better than others, so it might be worth giving it a try.

So, there you have it! Instant makeover magic - and a way to finally get that "Should I be a platinum blonde" thought out of your head once and for all! Now you can be ....without getting all that stinky bleach in your eyes ! ;)

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous Fashion Jewelry & Accessories - on a budget!

Copyright by ElleMediaNetwork - 2010 All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Color Me Beautiful ...and SMART!

By CountryDutchess.com

Okay, let's see a show of hands : How many have squeeled with ecstatic delight on finding the PERFECT shade of make-up....only to come home and discover it makes us look like Morticia from the Adam's Family ( and no, you didn't really want to !) ? Uh huh...we thought so. That's because EVERYBODY makes this mistake!

The reason? Our make up experts tell us we are all caught up in the "pink vs yellow" corundum - a debate that, at least according to our favorite make up guru Daniel Chinchilla,
shouldn't really exist!

" Your foundation should always be yellow based. It is what looks most natural on the skin. Nobody is PINK, and when you wear a pink-based foundation, it looks too rosy or it makes you look sick instead of giving you a healthy ," says Chinchilla, creator of Beauty Perfecting Mineral Fluid one of our super fav foundations.

While you may have some pink in your skin, says Chinchilla, your undertones will always be yellow.

What you should do, however, is look for the shade of yellow that works best on you.

"Some yellows are are a little warmer than others so they are right for those people that have some pink in their skin, " says Chinchilla.

To find the best match for your complexion, Chinchilla says always look to try foundation on your jawline and not the back of your hand!

" It is best to choose a color that matches your jawline perfectly, or is a tad bit darker if you are planning on getting some sun," he says.

BEST COLOR TIP: DO NOT rely on bronzer to darken up your foundation, it will make your makeup look “muddy”.

Put The Pow in Powder!

When it comes to buying powder, however, the color rules change just a bit. If you have combination/oily skin go for a powder that is slightly lighter than your complexion. Why?

"As the powder absorbs your oils throughout the day, it will get darker and you will have your perfect match, " says Chinchilla.

If it's powder over foundation, choose a translucent shade with no color so you don't change the shading of your foundation. Remember, whatever color you put on your face last will be the color that people see first.

BEST TOUCH UP TIP: " Never use a foundation powder (dual powder) to touch up your makeup throughout the day. They are intended to be put on once and re-applying will result in your makeup looking dry and heavy," says Chinchilla. Instead, try a light dusting of translucent powder to refresh your look.

Finding The Perfect Concealer: Look For This:

When choosing a concealer, Chinchilla says look for peach tones to cancel out darkness under the eyes. Pink and yellow concealers can make the skin look ashy and unnatural. If you're looking to hide a few of those smile lines around your eyes, try liquid concealer instead of cream. Chinchilla says they blend better, look more natural, and are less likely to go into the fine lines and make them more prominent!

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous Fashion Jewelry & Accessories!

Don't Miss the new SUMMER EXOTICS COLLECTION Exclusively at CountryDutchess.com






!Copyright ElleMedia 2010 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Summer Nail Care Tips

By CountryDutchess.com

Nails looking a little ragged? Manicure budget now going towards the rent? You're not alone babycakes! When the going gets tough, the tough start doing their own nails! It's practically a fact!

But while it may be easy to swish on some polish and go, when it comes to summer nail care -including those sandal -baring tootsie nails - if you're like most of us, you're at a loss about what to do!(That's what you get for reading the National Enquirer instead of paying attention to what you nail tech was doing! )

But not to worry, we've got you covered! We've consulted with Dr. Dana Stern - one of our favorite New York City dermatologists - who has a slew of summer nail care tips for keeping your fingers and toes looking great even on a tiny budget!

Nail Care Tip 1: Use nail hardeners sparingly – or not at all. " The take home message here is that products used in salons are not miracle cures – and a lot of them do more damage than good, and this is particularly true of nail hardeners," says Stern. She reminds us that healthy nails are flexible nails, so to keep yours from breaking try massaging them with a natural oil ( like vitamin E) and skip the nail hardeners.

Nail Care Tip 2: Ditch the acetone-based polish removers – The one product that all dermatologists agree you should avoid if you have brittle nails are the acetone nail polish removers – it has been documented time and again that it strips the nails, causing them to become brittle. In fact, that's the finding of a new nail study jconducted at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City where Stern says she and her colleagues also found that women who have professional manicures have more nail breakage than those who do their own nails at home - mostly due to the harsh chemicals used by many salons.

Nail Care Tip 3: Avoid orange emery boards - They cause small cracks and fissures in nails that lead to breakage and tears. Instead, opt for a smooth diamond file – and never “saw” those nails back and forth. File in one direction only and do it slow and easy to reduce the risk of breakage.

Nail Care Tip # 4: Switch Shampoos! Yes you read right shampoo! What most women never realize, says Stern, is that shampoo can be the culprit behind nails that are dry, brittle and prone to breakage. This she says is true even if your hair looks great! The reason? Many shampoos contain detergents – particularly those for oily hair or the ones that add volume,. Both can strip oils in order to give hair more fullness - but in the process, also strip nails of vital oils necessary to stay strong! The solution? If you just love your shampoo, make certain to condition nails with a cuticle oil after ea ch and every hair washing. It will put back what you took out during the shampoo!

Nail Care Tip # 5: Take biotin supplements - In several studies researchers found that biotin supplements (a member of the B vitamin family) increased nail thickness and prevented splitting and breaking. In one German study of 71 people with severe nail problems, 2.5 mg of Biotin daily for several months benefited everyone in the study – with 91% citing significant improvement. Results are apparent in about two to three weeks.

Nail Care Tip # 6: To Avoid Chips, Wrap Nail in Color - Swoosh some polish under the nail tip allowing it to “wrap” your entire nail. .This will protect the ends from cracks and splits and help the color stay on longer.

Nail Care Tip # 7: Never Polish Nails Before Bedtime – While this applies more to toes than fingers, the issue here is cotton sheets, which can leave marks and dents in a nail finish. The key is to put at least two hours between the time your nails are dry and the time you slip between the sheets. You'll be amazed at how much longer your manicure will last if you do!


Earrings and Photo courtesy of CountryDutchess.com

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by ElleMedia 2010 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Making Your Foundation Look Last

Make up artist Daniel Chinchilla offers some fab tips for making your foundation last!

By CountryDutchess.com
There is nothing that eats up your make-up budget more than products that have to be continually reapplied in order to keep you looking good.

And never is this more true than with foundation.
In fact, we go slightly nuts every time we find a foundation that works great - but only keeps us looking great for like 40 minutes.

Even more irritating is when you spend ton-o-bucks on that foundation, only to find the look fades faster than your black tee on your pink thongs.

Which is why we were thrilled right down to our newly pedicured toes get some tips on how to make any foundation look last from none other than the foundation KING himself Daniel Chinchilla -AKA one of the hottest new make up artists on the planet.

In fact, if you haven't yet tried his amazing Beauty Perfecting Mineral Fluid then you are missing out on one of the best foundations you will ever use - at any price. Not only is it great for your skin, but it looks amazing and the look lasts and lasts and lasts .... without any help! But we'll tell you more on that in a future post. For right now, however, here are Mr. Chinchilla's top tips for making any foundation last longer on your skin - and make your beautiful self go on and on an on!

1. Prime It Up!
Using a make up primer will not only make your foundation go on a lot smoother and look a lot better, it will also help it stay on - all day or all night, or sometimes, both! Why does it disappear in the first place? Daniels says it's because it simply slips into our pores throughout the day. And of course, the bigger your pores, the more "slippage" you're going to get! But a good make up primer, he says, helps put a coating on those pores that, while it doesn't block them, keeps the foundation lying on top. And that ultimately keeps it looking fresh on your skin. And for all you over 40 glam dolls : Daniel says primer is the way to keep foundation out of those fine lines, giving you a smoother, more youthful look as well. And we're all for that! Daniels fav primer: MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microperfecting Primer Neutral

Or buy this special MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Travel Kit ($40 Value) HD Complexion Travel Kit for just $29.00!

We also love Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer To Go 0.5 oz Color Blend for just $17 bucks! A Cheap Chic Beauty Bargain!

2. Put It Where It Belongs!

Seems like such a simple concept, we know, but the truth is Daniel says most of us wipe our make up off while we are putting it on! "One of the most common mistakes I see in makeup application, is using brushes to “brush” your makeup on. What you really end up doing is wiping your makeup off," he says. Instead, he recommends “placing” the product where you want it to stay and always , always “pat” your makeup on. Believe it or not, this one little trick could help keep foundation and blush lasting all day long!

3. Set It Up Right!
We know, you've heard it all before - translucent power helps set your foundation. Well why do you think you keep hearing it? Because it's true, says Daniel! " Setting your foundation with powder helps 'solidify' it on the skin, and that makes it stay on longer," he advises. And what if you skin is dry - and OMG has a few fine lines? Not to worry. Daniel says use put your powder on sparingly using a brush not a puff. But if your skin is normal or even oily, he says set foundation with a sponge puff dipped in a fine, translucent powder.
For a great buy on a terrific translucent powder brush we love : SEPHORA COLLECTION Professionnel Kabuki Brush #50

So, there you have it - some fabulous tips for making your make up last. Now... don't let us catch you looking all streaky faced ! So go for the gorgeous - you've got what it takes! Until next time....

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by ElleMedia Network Publishing, 2010 - All Rights Reserved.In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. AllFormatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and ElleMedia Network Publishing and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Please be advised that clicking on any link featured in CheapChicDiary could benefit ElleMediaNetwork or it's owners.

Choosing Eye Shadow Colors: Tips and Tricks

By CountryDutchess.com

Spring is here - summer almost - and color is everywhere! Not only will Summer 2010 set the record for bright, lively hues, those shades are not limited to your clothing.

Indeed, colorful, bright make up is everywhere - particularly the eyes! Bright colored shadows are everywhere and they can be the quickest and least expensive way to update your look instantly!

At the same time, picking the wrong color - or using too much - can take your look from runway chic to circus tent tacky - and leave you looking less than stylish.

Which is why were thrilled right down to our Kabuki brush to find this very topic addressed in the brand new book Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Gorgeous

In fact, this incredible "little black book of beauty" is brimming over with so many secrets you definitely don't want to visit the cosmetics counter without reading it first!

But in the meantime we thought we'd pass along Cosmo's advice for choosing colored eye shadows and getting the absolute best results! The key, say those gorgeous Cosmo girls is using your eye color as a guide - and when you do you can be assured that the eye shadow you choose will always compliment your look.

To help get you started, here's the Cosmo formula for eyes that sparkle with color!

For Green Eyes: Make your eyes look piercing with plum or warm lavender shadow. Although these colors are on the "red" color wheel, you should avoid true "red" shadows such as burgundy or brick. These colors will overwhelm your eyes and compete with their color.

For Blue Eyes: To bring out the blue in your eyes go for the color opposite on the wheel - earthy shades with lots of copper undertones. This includes warm chocolates, golds, and bronzy colors - or if you want to be daring, go peach or tangerine!

For Brown Eyes: Sultry, brown "bedroom eyes" were made for blue shadow! From peacock to blue topaz, from French blue to baby blue, you can wear them all and look amazing ! You can also select any shade of violet or purple as long as it has a blue undertone.

For Lasting Color: Cosmo says look for a creme-to-powder formula. They go on creamy and dry down to a powder and have the best staying power of all shadow types.

For Lasting Eyeliner: Choose a product containing Nylon-12 - it's got the best staying power.

For more fabulous tips pick up a copy of Cosmo's Sexiest Beauty Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Gorgeous - it's fun, it's easy and best of all, every tip really works! :)

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by ElleMedia Network 2010 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.
Disclosure: Clicking on any links on this blog page may benefit the owners of this blog.

Save $$$ With Celebrity Stain Removing Tips!

From lipstick and foundation to wine, coffee, cola and more, we've got the best money-saving stain removing secrets ever!

By CountryDutchess.com

Nothing is more frustrating than slipping into that fabulous new designer top only to realize it's smudged with lipstick or foundation.

Oh, wait, yes there is something more frustrating. It's when your BFF borrows that new fabulous designer top you haven't even had a chance to wear ... and brings it back with a great big old wine stain smack in the middle.

Sigh. Stains ...they're a fact of fashion life. And whether it's an occasional "oops" from lipstick or foundation, or, well, you're just like us and can't seem to back away from the buffet table without dribbling something on yourself, learning how to properly deal with stains can be the difference between clothes that look good season after season ...or, end up on the bottom of your closet after just two wearings.

To help you extend your wardrobe time - and save big bucks in the process - our very good friends at MadamePaulette - the absolute premier dry cleaning center of the fashion universe - have been gracious enough to pass along a few of their priciest private stain-removing trade secrets. (The very same secrets used by all those celebs and their stylists to get out those red carpet/limousine dribbles and drips on awards night! )

Of course treating your duds to a professional dry cleaning on a regular basis is actually the very best way to extend the life - plus keep you looking ultra chic at all times! But in between - or for that immediate stain relief - the glorious Madame Paulette offers these amazing tips.

1.Lipstick Stains:
Use a small dab of clear nail polish remover applied with a cotton swap. To see how the fabric reacts, however, do test a tiny area of the fabric that won't show first - the under turned portion of the hem or an inside seam are great spots. Also remember - you don't want to saturate the stain with nail polish remover- just moisten the swab and dab until you loosen the stain. Traditionally, nail polish remover does not work well on rayon, modal, or some polyester fabrics, so be sure to do the test first. If you fabric doesn't react well, try tip # 4 ( for getting out ink stains).

2. Foundation/Moisturizer Stains:
Remove any excess staining matter from the surface by lifting it off - not rubbing it in . Tip: Use a spoon or even a butter knife to gently scoop it up. Once all the excess is removed, put a white absorbent cloth ( like a towel, or, in a pinch, a sanitary napkin, or for you new moms, a diaper) directly underneath the stained side of the garment, and mix together the following: 2 tablespoons of clear dish washing detergent such as Palmolive Clear, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Begin by dabbing the stained area lightly to break down the goo, then flush with warm water to pass the stain through to the cloth you placed underneath. Extra tip: DO NOT RUB. This will only push the stain in deeper. And by the way - this same tip works great on any oily stain, including pizza, french fries, or even butter or ice cream.

3. Wine, Latte, Tea or Cola Stains:
As soon as possible flush it cold water - which will help keep the stain from setting. For more complete removal try the following: Create a solution of 6 ounces of water and 2 ounces of a color-safe detergent ( like Ivory Liquid). Dip a cloth in the solution and apply to the stain - or if you can, soak the area with the stain directly in the solution. After swishing and rinsing several times the stain should be gone. If it's not, try Clorox 2 Color-Safe bleach diluted with 2 ounces of water and keep applying and rinsing until the stain is gone.

4. To clean dirty Uggs ( or any suede shoe, coat or handbag) .
First, avoid chemical stain removers on suede - they can spot and make the dirty area look darker and more noticeable. Instead, try the following "dry" cleaning technique : First, rub the entire surface area with a clean bath towel to gently loosen some dirt and bring up the nap in the suede. To remove a specific dirty mark, or small dried stain, use either a clean pencil eraser, an emery board or a piece of fine sandpaper and rub the soiled area. Finish with a good brushing using a bristle suede brush. Do not listen to Grandma who offers you a metal suede brush . Today's suede is much softer than what was used in the past, and the metal brushes can scratch the surface.

5. Ink & Marker Stains ( also waterproof mascara and eyeliner too!)
The most common of these stains come from oil-based inks usually found in those gel-based pains - and we have to warn you, they can be tough to remove! But that said, begin with a white absorbent cloth directly underneath the stained area. Mix together a solution of 5 ounces of water, 1 ounce of ammonia, 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide and 1 ounce color-safe detergent such as Ivory liquid. Dip a cotton swab into the solution and begin applying it to the stain. Remember - don't rub! Just gently drop small amounts onto the stained area and then dab it . Your goal is to push the stain through the fabric and onto the white cloth below. Remember to keep rotating the cloth underneath so that a clean area is always directly underneath the stain. ( This will help keep the stain from coming back up through the fabric).

In general, however,as we said these stains are difficult to remove at home, so if you can, use a professional stain removal kit ( see below) or bring in to your dry cleaner.

SPECIAL STAIN REMOVING OFFER!

Here at CountryDutchess.com we remain on vigilant stain alert ( especially during our fashion shows) by keeping one of Madame Paulette's Instant Stain Removing Kits on hand at all times. And now you can have one too - at a discount! Just click on the pink link above, and when you check out enter the code 15elle - and receive 15% off!

For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice get your FREE CheapChicDiary.com subscrption - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Disclosure: No income is made by CountryDutchess.com on the purchase of these stain removing kits.

Copyright by ElleMediaNetwork 201o - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.celebrity, stain removing, lipstick stains, coffee stains, cola stains, ink stains, foundation stains, oil stains, grease stains, food stains, clean dirty uggs