5-Second Makeup Tricks That Make You Look More Awake

Dianna’s Agron’s bright shadow really opens up her eyes.
Photo: Getty Images

Sometimes no matter how much sleep we get (or don’t get), we wake up with tired-looking eyes — under-eye circles, puffy eyes, and worse. The good news is that you don’t have to walk out the door looking tired. In fact, with a few quick makeup tricks, you can look way more awake than you feel in just minutes—no trip to Starbucks required.

Camouflage with Highlighter 
As much as we like to think of concealer as the “holy grail” of makeup, sometimes it needs a little help. Apply a shimmery highlighter under the eyes on top of your concealer to truly banish those dark circles.

Use White Eye Shadow 
Dabbing white or light cream eye shadow in the inner corners of your eyes makes you look instantly more alert and wide-eyed. If you’re suffering from serious insomnia, take the trick up a notch like Dianna Agron. Apply the color in the corner as well as on the lid and slightly above the crease. Now those are some open peepers!

Arch Your Brows
Bring attention away from under eye bags with bold, arched brows that lift the eyes. Use a brow pencil or taupe eye shadow to fill in the brows with feathery strokes. Finish by brushing them out and up with a spoolie brush for a natural-looking finish.

Curl Your Lashes
This trick seems simple, but it’s often overlooked. Curling your lashes before mascara makes them appear longer, fuller, and—most importantly—makes your eyes appear larger and more open. When curling, make sure to get all of the lashes in the tool at the root and squeeze with a light pulsing. Then turn the curler upwards (lining it up with the eyelid crease) and squeeze again. Continuing to pulse, move the curler up from the root to the tip of the lash. Longer lashes in seconds!

Swoop Your Eye Shadow Up
Want to wear a more subtle color? Pick any shade of your choice, but when applying, swoop the color up and out towards the sides of your face. This instantly lifts the eye, making it look more awake.

Bloggers Spill: “My Weirdest Beauty Tricks”

Photo: Getty

It’s the season of tricks and treats, so we asked some of our favorite beauty bloggers for their tips. From washing your hair with beer to a new use for toilet seat covers, these weird tricks are really, really good.

“Before I fly, I dab Los Poblanos Albuquerque lavender salve (which has antibacterial properties) on the inside of my nostrils. I have no proof, but I’m convinced it protects me from germ-infested airplane air!”
—Nadine Jolie, blogger and author, (NadineJolie.com, Beauty Confidential)

“I occasionally wash my hair with beer!  It sounds crazy but beer contains proteins that are proven to help repair hair that’s been damaged by the sun, chlorine, etc. and it also does an amazing job cleansing my scalp.”
—Jamie Stone (QueenoftheQuarterLifeCrisis.com)

“As long as I can remember, I have been using Vicks Vapor Rub for a multitude of beauty related issues.  I use it on my hands and feet to get rid of any nail fungus I may have contracted from a dodgy mani/pedi (it totally works).  I also dab it on my cheeks in the winter before I go out if it’s below freezing—it keeps my cheeks from getting dry in the cold!”
—Lianne Farbes (TheMakeupGirl.net)

“I use the Canadian version of Preparation H to smooth the crow’s feet!”
—Zippy Sandler (ChampagneLiving.com)

“I have very oily skin. Yet, I can never seem to remember to put blotting papers in my purse. If my skin gets shiny while I’m out, I’ll head to the bathroom and use toilet seat covers to blot away excess oil.”
—Sydne Summer (SydneStyle.com)

“I love my natural color in the summer. It’s a rich chestnut with auburn highlights, but in the winter it’s downright mousy. I add freeze-dried coffee grinds to my conditioner, let it sit for 10 minutes as I shave my legs and do other things, and then rinse. My hair is tinted a rich, chocolate brown by the time I’m out. The best part is it smells great and washes out in one to two shampoos.”
—Bryce Gruber (TheLuxurySpot.com)

“This sounds strange, I know, but immediately after applying lipstick I put one finger in my mouth, close my lips around it and draw it out (like a
lollipop).  It removes any pigment from my inner lips that would otherwise smudge on my teeth when I smile.”
—Jeannine Morris (BeautySweetSpot.com)

“For those drastic moments when acne rears its ugly head, look no further than your kitchen!  One of the best and strongest astringents/ acne fighting treatments is Apple Cider Vinegar.  Simply pour a little bit on a cotton ball and apply to the face as you would a toner.  It is very powerful, and a little stinky, but well worth it for the results! I will take smelling like a salad over a face full of acne any day.”
—Christina Farrell (TheMakeupBlogger.com)

Halloween Nails Inspired From Our Favorite Horror Films

Aside from the endless supply of candy and the excuse to play dress up, Halloween is the perfect opportunity to revisit some of our favorite horror films. (No joke, I watched AMC’s Monster Fest all weekend). To celebrate some of the cult classics this season, CND came up with these nail art designs you can recreate on the couch right in front of the TV—either with an at-home gel kit or regular nail polish, if you prefer.

The Redrum

Inspired by “The Shining,” starring Jack Nicholson, this look is a simple black nail with ‘redrum’ in red lettering. For those who haven’t seen the movie, ‘redrum’ is ‘murder’ spelled backwards. (Spooky, right?)

Created by Heather Reynosa-Davis, CND Education Ambassador

*Note: Reynosa-Davis told us how to recreate the manicure with gel. (This is actually the exact design and method they used for the Blondes Fall 2013 runway show), but curing the nails isn’t essential. That said, if you want to ensure the look lasts two weeks, you can purchase the CND UV Lamp at cnd.com. 

Step 1: Apply a thin layer of CND Shellac Base Coat ($15.95, cnd.com) and cure for 10 seconds in the CND UV Lamp.

Step 2: Apply two thin layers of CND Shellac in Wildfire ($15.95), a deep red. Cure each layer for two minutes.

Step 3: Apply a thin layer of CND Shellac in Black Pool ($15.95); do not cure.

Step 4: Use a stylus (or thin nai art pen) to etch the letters into the wet Black Pool revealing Wildfireunderneath. Cure for two minutes.

Step 5: Apply a thin layer of Shellac Top Coat ($15.95) and cure for two minutes.

Step 6: Wipe with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol to remove top film.

The Alien

This intricate alien on a night sky background is inspired by Steven Spielberg’s ’70s sci-fi classic, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

Created by Tori Bastian, CND Education Ambassador

Step 1: Apply two coats of CND Vinylux in Steal Gaze ($4.95), a metallic gray, and wait for it to dry (8.5 minutes).

Step 2: Using a striping brush, draw two large almond shaped eyes using CND Vinylux in Black Pool ($4.95).

Step 3: With the striping brush, outline the shape of the alien’s head and fill in the surrounding area with CND Vinylux in Midnight Swim ($4.95), a dark navy.

Step 4: For additional effect, use a sponge dipped in CND Vinylux colors of choice to create a nebulous, space-like-look. Let dry for one minute.

Step 5: Apply CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat ($4.95, cnd.com).

The Dracula

Of course, CND included the ultimate classic — Bram Stoker’s 1931 classic, “Dracula.” The nail is meant to mimic the vampire’s fangs dripping blood! Almond-shaped nails are an essential for this one.

Created by: Kris Kiss, CND Education Ambassador

Again, Kiss described the look using shellac (or gel) polish. For a speedier mani, use regular polish. 

Step 1: Apply CND Shellac Base Coat ($15.95) and cure for 10 seconds in the CND UV lamp.

Step 2: Apply two coats of CND Shellac in Cream Puff ($15.95), an off white. Cure each layer for two minutes.

Step 3: Apply CND Addictive n Black Pigment ($15.95) from cuticle towards the center.

Step 4: Apply CND Addictive in Red Pigment ($15.95) from the edge towards the center.

Step 5: Apply drops of isopropyl alcohol randomly on black pigment area.

Step 6: Lightly apply CND Shellac in Wildfire ($15.95), a deep red, over red pigment area and cure for two minutes.

Step 7: Lightly dust CND Additive in Steel Dreams ($15.95), a metallic gray, over black pigment area.

Step 8: Apply CND Shellac Top Coat ($15.95) and cure for two minutes.

Step 9: Wipe with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol to remove top film.

The Secret to Making Nail Polish Dry Faster, Last Longer

Photo: Getty Images

In our Q&A series, beauty experts address your most bewildering issues. Have a beauty-related quandary of your own? Submit your question in the comments below or via Twitter.

Q: I don’t have time to sit around and wait for my manicure to dry. What’s the best way to speed up the process?

A: We get it: We’re all in a hurry, and no one really has time to sit idly and wait for our polish to dry. What’s more, we also don’t have the luxury of touching up our manicures every few days—we need a polish that lasts! While blow dryers, ice baths and nail-drying sprays all work wonders when it comes to speeding up polish drying time, we asked Deborah Lippmann, Founder and Creative Director of the Deborah Lippmann luxury beauty line, for her best advice on making nail polish dry faster and last longer. The bad news is that the technique does require a bit of patience. The good news is that it really works.

“Allow lacquer to dry a minute or two between coats, says Lippmann. “This allows the lacquer to dry faster, adhere better and last longer on the nail.”

“During application, the tendency is to try to make it look like the shade in the bottle on the first coat, but you want to apply two thin coats and build the color. If you use too much lacquer, the polish will peel and chip. If you apply very thin coats, letting the polish dry in between each layer so that the solvents evaporate, it will wear better and last longer. If applied properly, you’ll get the appropriate shade on the second coat.”

Bottom line: Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to nail polish application—then once you’re finished, you can expect a shorter final drying time, and a longer-lasting manicure!

How to Wash Your Hair — The Right Way

Photo: Getty Images

You may do it practically every day, but do you really know how to wash your hair the right way? Using the correct techniques can make a world of difference in your hair’s health, bounce and shine — but if you’re making some common mistakes, you could be damaging your strands without even knowing it. We asked two of New York’s foremost hair pros, hair stylist Nunzio Saviano of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York and Kyle White, lead colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon, to share their best tips for lathering up, the right way.

1. Start with a rinse.
Just like your laundry needs a rinse cycle before you add detergent, hair should be thoroughly wet before you add your shampoo. “Hot water will open the cuticle, which is good for removing any dirt or product trapped in the hair,” says White. Another bonus: “When your hair is rinsed in warm water, it loosens the oils through the scalp and opens the cuticle so it is able to absorb the oil” in your conditioner, says Saviano.

2. If you have long hair, condition first.
Yes, really! “If you have hair beneath the shoulders, protect fragile ends from drying out and further damage by running a small amount of conditioner through them and lightly rinsing, before any shampooing. This will not only keep ends healthy, it will fill any holes in the cuticle with moisture, making it smoother and boosting shine,” says White.

3. Lather up — but only at the scalp.
“You only need to shampoo the hair at the scalp, particularly at the nape,” Saviano says.
White agrees. “The best way to lather up is from roots to ends. The hair closest to the scalp is the youngest and will inevitably be the oiliest, while the end of the hair is the oldest and usually driest, most fragile part of the hair.”

Don’t use more shampoo than you need; both Saviano and White say that a quarter-sized amount of shampoo is enough. If your hair is particularly long or thick, go ahead and double that.

4. Be gentle!
Friction can permanently damage your hair’s cuticle, leading to breakage and frizz. Think about washing your hair like you hand wash your delicates — very carefully.

“Start your lather at the roots,” says White. “Increase blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth by using vertical strokes with medium pressure.” Don’t use circular motions, which can tangle your hair.

Next, “Smooth the lather over the ends in a straight stroking motion,” White advises. “Do not scrub the fragile ends or use a back and forth motion like you’re washing a rag on a washboard.”

5. Don’t rinse and repeat.
Despite what the instructions on the back of your shampoo bottle may say, there’s no need to wash your hair twice. “Avoid stripping the hair by doing one shampoo only, which is usually sufficient,” says White. “Unless the hair is extremely dirty and the first shampoo didn’t produce a lather,” in which case, go ahead and lather up one more time.

6. Add conditioner from the mid-lengths to the tips.
After you’ve rinsed out your shampoo, “squeeze some of the water out of the hair before you put in the conditioner,” says Saviano. “Then clip your hair up and finish showering, leaving the conditioner rinse out for the final step of your shower.” The longer the conditioner stays on your hair, the better it absorbs. Don’t put conditioner at the roots of your hair; the natural oil from your scalp is more concentrated there.

7. Finish with a cold water rinse.
“Cold water will shut the cuticle tight, sealing the shingle-like outer layer, which will cause it to reflect the most light and give off the most shine,” says White.

More Hair Washing Tips

Use a shampoo and conditioner that’s made for your hair type. If your hair is dry, choose moisturizing products. If you color your hair, opt for color-safe formulas. “Volumizing” shampoos tend to leave hair drier, so they’re best for fine hair types that would be weighed down by more moisturizing products.

How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, too. If you have oily or fine hair, you may need to shampoo daily. Normal or dry hair can lather up closer to three times a week.

Filter your water. White recommends using a shower filter, such as the T3 Source Showerhead, since it “removes rust and minerals from water that can dull color, and deposit on blondes making them dark and muddy.” (We’ve tried it, and it also made our hair super soft.)

Allison Williams’ Hair & Makeup is the Perfect Easy Date Night Look

The best and worst thing about a night out is getting ready. We love trying new hairstyles and experimenting with different lipstick colors, but sometimes we want to be out the door in a flash. Allison Williams’ hair and makeup combo from last night is the perfect option when you want to look pulled together in minutes.

Photo: Getty Images

First, let’s take a look at that eye makeup. Williams’ bronze liner along the lower lash line takes her brown eye shadow from basic to bold. It’s not too hard to swap out your usual liner for a metallic shade. And the gold highlight in the inner corners brightens the eye and makes her look more awake.

Photo: Getty Images

Now for the hair. Ponytails are having a big moment. No longer only reserved for the gym, the pony can be chic and even sexy. Allison’s version is sleek, putting all focus on her gorgeous face and long neck.

Which Beauty Buys Are Worth the Splurge — and Which Ones Aren’t

Ever spend a pretty penny on a beauty product that promises to transform the way you look, only to find it does…well, not much? It's easy to get suckered into thinking you need to invest in pricey products and treatments, but more expensive doesn't always equal better when it comes to beauty. Here, we've narrowed down which hair, makeup and skin fixers are worth spending your hard-earned dollars on — and which ones aren't.

Spend: Everyday basics

Save: Trendy makeup shades

We apply the same cost-per-wear philosophy to makeup as we do to clothes. It's worth it to spend more upfront for a neutral shadow palette you'll wear down to the pan. For colors you're unsure about (this season's on-trend burgundy, anyone?), test-drive a drugstore version before you commit to a pricey shade that looks pretty in the package but doesn't flatter your face.

Spend: Balayage highlights

Save: Going darker

Natural-looking highlights really look better when a colorist handpaints them (a technique called balayage). Pros are trained in the proper placement of highlights, while DIY jobs can turn out streaky, and without the proper toner, turn brassy. However, taking your hair a shade or two darker all over is more or less foolproof, so try it at home with a semi-permanent box dye.

Spend: Treatment products

Save: Cleanser

Cleanser doesn’t stay on your face long enough for its active ingredients to make much difference, so stick with a simple, gentle formula and spend your skincare dollars elsewhere. Prescription retinoids like Renova are worth every penny, but over-the-counter retinols give a good bang for your buck, too. Both are among the few anti-aging ingredients that dermatologists universally agree to be effective.

Spend: Foundation and concealer

Save: Sunscreen

The ability to try on prestige foundation and concealer shades at a makeup counter is worth the price alone, considering how trial and error at the drugstore adds up, fast. More expensive foundation and concealer tends to come in a wider shade range and have smoother, more refined formulas. But the best investment when it comes to your complexion is sunscreen — and you don’t have to spend a lot to get good protection. Another benefit to using inexpensive SPF? You won’t skimp on slathering it on for fear of using up a precious bottle.

Spend: Makeup brushes

Save: Mascara

There’s nothing worse than a poor quality makeup brush that sheds all over your face, but a well-made brush, when cared for correctly, will last you for many years — and help your makeup go on smoother. On the other hand, we haven’t found much of a difference between drugstore and prestige mascaras, so if your affordable version suits you, there’s really no reason to upgrade.

Spend: Your haircut

Save: Your hairbrush

A great haircut is beauty gold: not only can the right style help you look younger, thinner and more pulled together, it changes the way you feel when you look in the mirror, which in our minds is basically priceless. On the other hand, not even an arsenal of fancy brushes can save a sloppy style. That $150 Mason Pearson may be a nice luxury, but there are plenty of similar brushes that work just as well (in fact, one of the biggest hairstylists in the business told us he only usesSonia Kashuk hair brushes, which retail at Target for under $20). 

Spend: Shampoo and conditioner

Save: Hairspray

While we’ve noticed drugstore shampoos and conditioners getting better and better, many of them are still made with cheap detergents that can strip hair’s moisture. Plus, salon shampoos tend to have more sophisticated scents, and that just makes us feel pampered. When it comes to styling products, though, inexpensive versions are often just as good. For example: tons of hair pros use L'Oréal Elnett ($14.99 for a massive can) on set, which is a good enough endorsement for us.