Haute Headbands

Headbands are my favorite accessory, hands down! I don't know what it is, but I just feel finished when I go all Blair Waldorf. Thanks in large part to the sassy Gossip Girl star, this accessory is an easy-to-find, and just plain easy, trend.

I scoured Etsy for some of the best designs, and perhaps even inspiration for a do-it-yourself project! Craft stores like Joann Fabrics and Michaels have added hair accessory sections for some easy DIY creations. Another idea is picking up a cheap base headband from Target or a dollar store and adding your own special touches!

Here are some of my favorites!

Nicole Ritchie rocks a sexy 60s inspired 'do by adding a scarf.

A flapper-esqe black bow design from ohmama's Etsy shop.

Bridal or just beautiful with a vintage feel from judithlaurendesign's Etsy shop.

Cutesy hearts to bring out your inner child from KristynAnn77's Etsy shop.

A flash of florescent from twolittlewren's Etsy shop.

A sophisticated starburst fit for a queen from thecrystalrose's Etsy shop.

Simple and pretty in pink from CastleMemories' Etsy shop.

This selection is representative of all price ranges, and a I chose to feature some Etsy because I love handmade items. I have had great luck finding adorable headbands at Forever21 and Target as well. My daughters have been begging me to make them some feathery hair goods, and I hope to make some fun things for myself as well!

Product Review Alert! TRESemmé Color Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner

I'll admit it; I'm a bit of a hair snob. I consider it to be one of my best assets, since I was blessed with a ton of super-thick hair that is generally in healthy condition. I have been a loyal user of Biolage products over the past three years, because it kept my hair soft and protected my hair color at the same time.


I was skeptical, then, when I was given the opportunity to try the new TRESemmé Color Revitalize Shampoo and Conditioner. I have never been impressed with any "drug store brand" shampoos or conditioners,  so I pretty much expected the same results from TRESemmé. When I first received the products, my hair was in desperate need of a color touch up. Since I have been growing it out over the past year or so, I had also noticed some split ends, so I wasn't really expecting miracle results.


The first use was definitely impressive! Even though it had not been colored in 6 weeks, my hair had that soft, silky, just-colored feeling and texture. I was happy just with those results, but figured I better reserve my actual opinion for when I had a chance to use it on freshly colored hair to see how the color protection worked. 


My color touch up was almost 2 weeks ago, when  I reviewed the Clairol Nice & Easy Color Foam. I have been using the TRESemmé since then, and I have not noticed any fading. My hair is still shiny and soft like I just colored it. Another thing I noticed is that I didn't get a lot of the color washout in my first post-color washing. For those familiar with hair color, you know that you usually see a lot of color in the water upon your first washing. I only had a tiny amount when I used these products.


I know we are all on a budget these days, so if you are a hair snob looking to shave your beauty budget, these are definitely worth a try at about $4.49 per bottle.


Disclaimer: As a member of BzzAgent, I did receive products to try. I always express my honest opinion and never recommend anything that I don't personally love. You can try out new products, too, by becoming a member!

No-Fear Swimsuit Shopping!

I've noticed a trend in fashion magazines like lately... There will be a guide to buyiing something like a swimsuit or a pair of jeans based on your body type (busty, boy-shaped, pear-shaped, etc). While I'm glad that it seems there has been more of an effort to include a "plus-size" option, this assumes that all plus-sized women are the same shape! Why can't plus styles just be incorporated into the different types they offer? Beautè Gras is here to help.

While doing some suit-scouring of my own, I found some super cute plus options that will work for an assortment of shapes. Here are my faves, and I have tried to include a range of budgets as well!

Busty:

$123.20 @ Lane Bryant!

I love the pattern of this suit from Lane Bryant. A suit with built-in undrewire gives you the ability and support to wear a sexy, slightly plunging neckline without spilling out of your suit! The muted pattern gives you an all over balance.

$34.80 @ Forever 21!

The sweetheart neckline on this cute little nautical number provides the cup-coverage that you need when you are blessed with a little extra on top. The cross-back straps give you extra support.

Apple Shaped:

$34.80 @ Forever 21!

 This stylish tankini from Forever 21 has the perfect splash of yellow to help the illusion of a curvier waist and the black bottom against the zebra print creates contrast for more separation and definition of a curvier figure overall.

$24.99 @ Target!

I know, I know, this is another zebra print, but it just happens to be perfect for apple shapes, too! The shape of the print/color blocking on the front of the top helps create the illusion of a curvier shape.




Pear Shaped:

$34.80 @Forever 21!

This tankini from Forever21+ has colorful stripes and a cute peephole and tie detail to draw the eye to the top, and the skirted bottom provides coverage for an ample bottom! This is a very youthful choice, which is nice to see in a plus style, where skirted bottoms generally look matronly.

$32 at Walmart!

How retro-cute is this?? I'm loving the teal, but it even comes in black, red, and leopard print too! (I have it in red AND leopard, ooh la la!) The detail at the bust line draws the eye upward and the ruching across the tummy helps accentuate a narrower waist. Flaunt those curves!

Hourglass:

$24.99 @ Target!

Of course hourglass shapes come in all sizes, but the commonality among them is that the waist is a the narrowest point with pretty balanced top and bottom. This suit from Target allows you to pull off a cute print while still accentuating your narrower waist with the strategically placed pattern/print.

$103.60 @ Lane Bryant!

The angled ruching on this adorable polka dot suit is perfectly placed to define an hourglass figure. This particular suit has underwire and slimming technology for extra support and comfort as well.

$48.30 @ Torrid!

Zebra print, again! The v-neck and fringe detail on this literally point to the place we want to most accentuate with this saucy suit!

Happy shopping!

Missoni for Target Musings

This may be old news to some, but Target recently announced that it's next designer collaboration will be with Missoni. Great news for those who love the designer's mod look and signature zig-zag graphics. The new line will be akin to the Liberty of London and Calypso St. Barth lines, as it will extend to items other than clothing, such as home decor and luggage.

The announcement had me curious as to whether Missoni for Target will offer plus size clothing. If you hadn't yet noticed, the recent Calypso St. Barth for Target line includes plus size clothing items, which if I'm not mistaken, is a first for the "designer" Target lines. This is great news, of course, but there is one caveat: plus sizes are only available online. Add this to the annoying list of retailers that only offer the plus sizes online. I do have hope, however, that the Calypso St. Barth line will sell enough in plus to convince Target to offer the Missoni items in-store. Personally, shipping charges and the inability to try garments on often prevent me from buying in the first place! I do think it's great news, however, that the extended sizes are beginning to be included in the designer collaborations, so let's hope Missoni follows suit either way.

A peek at what's to come, in stores September 13-October 22, 2011

Missoni for Target sneak peek

Leaked photo from shoot for Missoni for Target

Hot for summer florals!

If you're like me, the best part of being invited to a wedding is choosing what to wear! I've had my eye on the floral trend, but have worried about looking like Grandma's curtains. This season's florals are kind of all over the place, but the cute prints are out there if you are willing to look!

I picked up this fab maxi dress from Torrid over the weekend to wear to my brother-in-law's upcoming wedding (at a waterfall!). My goal is casual but cute, comfortable, and sexy enough to impress my guy, of course. I love the combo of floral and animal print (so me!) and it's very breezy and lightweight for summer. The top is even supportive; even *I* could go bra-less in this one!

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Clothing/Dresses/Floral-Lurex-Chiffon-Maxi-Dress-551482.jsp

I'm pairing it with these babies from the Miss Trish for Target collection:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/3bb9duy

What spring/summer trend can you not wait to try?

Product Review! Clairol Nice & Easy Foam Hair Color

Okay bargainistas! Is your color looking a little drab and in need of a pick-me-up before summer hits? I had the opportunity to try the Clairol Nice & Easy Foam hair color today and, well, why didn't I think of this? Non-drippy, easy to apply hair color that you can do yourself! Sounds great, right?

My raven tresses were in desperate need of a root touch-up, so I gave it a shot. I used the "Black" shade.

Pros:
-Foam is easy to apply and not runny.
-Color looks fantastic
-GOOD latex gloves included
-bargain over salon color
2 packets of after color conditioner included

Cons:

-the smell (I don't mind "normal" hair color scent, but they tried to make this smell good, and it just didn't work for me!)

-did not cover more hair than regular hair color, as I have read from other sources (I have uber-thick hair!)

I was pretty happy with my results! I think I would get this brand again! I think the foam definitely went a bit farther than a normal liquid/gel color, but if I were doing a full color job on my long, ultra-thick hair, I would definitely need two boxes, so keep that in mind if you're like me!

The result! Crow-head once again ;)