>>lip shades that rock the red carpet

[Ditch the clear gloss--your lips are tired of being ignored. Lipstick is the latest thing to hit the red carpet, and sometimes it makes a bigger impression than the dress. Time to pop out the clear lip liner, lick your front teeth, and show off those pouty lips.]

2010 is all about bright colors. Nothing pops more than this bright RED/ORANGE shade. You can pair most colors of clothing with this shade, so don't be afraid of what to wear with it. If you're going to be dramatic, lay low with the eye shadow and blush.

Light, FROSTY PINK lips are adorable. They're one of our favorite shades and they look great with any type of outfit. Try to avoid using your bronzer when wearing this shade so the colors don't clash, and wear a small amount of blush. You don't want dramatic cheekbones taking away from this color.

DARK RED lips are dramatic and classy. It never goes out of style, which is why it made the cut for one of this season's hottest colors. Try wearing it only to elegant or special events, because it can be too dramatic for street wear or wearing out in the sun.

PINK is perhaps the hottest color right now. With plenty of shades and blends, this color has been seen on Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Lauren Conrad. Pair it with dark clothes and a matching accessory, like your clutch or shoes.

Be dramatic with some PLUM. Although it's not exactly bright, it sure is bold--and that's good enough for us. Obviously, avoid wearing white with this color, unless you're daring and can keep the color off your clothes. Otherwise, opt for all black to really make a statement.

NUDE is still in. It hung around all last year, and it's still here to stay. It's elegant, beautiful, and makes your lips look classy. You can't go wrong with nude, especially if you pair it with a light gloss.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

REVIEWS ON TEETH WHITENING BRANDS

Plus White

You can purchase Plus White at any drugstore or supermarket, and they're affordable at only $5 for a bottle, or $10 for a box. It's best to only buy the bottle since the box comes with an unnecessary pre-rinse formula and a mouthpiece. The product works pretty well for most people and is one of the best because it only takes five minutes each day.

Crest White Strips

Crest White Strips is perhaps one of the best products to buy to whiten your teeth at home. Although the strips move around too much in some people's mouths, they're extremely effective and you'll notice a difference within within a couple of weeks. The price isn't always fun, one box costs roughly $33, but it's worth it when the new shade of your teeth will last about six months. Although I've tried many products, I always end up going back to Crest White Strips.

Rembrant Whitening Strips

Rembrant is another whitening product known to work effectively. The taste is a bit disgusting, but if you can get past that you'll definitely notice a difference. Rembrant is different because the strips stay on your teeth better than Crest White Strips, and you get quicker results than Crest. However, it's harder to get the gunk off when removing the strips; you have to brush your teeth instead of just rinse your mouth out, like Crest. A box runs around $20, which isn't too bad.

Aquafresh White Trays

Aquafresh White Trays are not as effective, even if it is affordable at $20 a box. The mouthpiece isn't molded to each person's teeth, so the product can't sit as well in the mouth. The product is known to be harsh on the gums and teeth, even if it does work in a few days. Another drawback is that it doesn't cover as many teeth as Plus White.

BriteSmile To Go Whitening Pen

Perhaps one of the cheaper ways to go, BriteSmile is only $10 for one pen. Although the price will make you happy, the product won't. It's known to only work only a little, and not to the effect that you'll want. The pens are easy to use, but again, you might not see much of a difference after using it for two weeks.

Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips

This product is a little more creative than the rest because the strips dissolve in your mouth after ten minutes--well, sometimes. They're known to leave residue and pieces of the strip still in your mouth, but they are still a bit effective. They won't make your teeth look brand new, but will brighten the shade. It's more gentle on your teeth than other products, and the taste isn't so bad. One box is about $35, which is more expensive than most of the products out there, but worth it if you have sensitive, yellow teeth.

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

STAY PRIMPED FOR HA / LF THE COST

 

Skip the Nail Salon

Surprisingly, there are better brands nowadays for fake nails, and you don't have to just get them from your local salon. You can get the best nails from any drugstore, or Wal-mart and Target. Believe it or not, there are even fake nails for toenails now, and they look real and professional!

Do Your Own Dye

The average customer at a hair salon spends on average $100 just to make their hair look fresher for a few months. Although highlights are harder to do at home, skip the salon and opt for one-color dyes. They look more natural and rich and the upkeep is not as intense. Purchase dyes that are semi-permanent--they're healthier than going to a salon and look just as good as permanent dyes. 

Skip Name Brands

When buying any type of beauty product, you'd easily find that store brands are just as effective. The same ingredients are used, so there's no reason to shell out extra cash just for a fancy label. Even if you buy only MAC makeup products, typical brands like Revlon have just as good of products that look the same on your skin. 

Whiten Your Own Teeth

Although going to the dentist to whiten your teeth is a good idea, it's also a costly one. Just one treatment can be hundreds of dollars, and to maintain this is a huge punch to your paycheck. It's easy to whiten at home with products like Crest White Strips and Plus White. They both work just as well as going to a dentist, without looking so fake.

Skip the Tanning Salon

Looking orange is so last season. Go for something safer and cheaper by applying tanning lotion. Either get a good bronzer or purchase SUN Labs self-tanner, a product used in celebrity tanning salons. It's effective and looks like you spent all day outside. It's only $39, which is cheaper than a month at the salon. 

Use Home Waxing Kits

Stop spending so much to get your eyebrows shaped and your bikini line waxed. There are plenty of safe kits to buy that can help you keep up the shape your local salon used to do for you. Go to Sally's for better waxing kits instead of opting for a cheap brand from your drug store. 

Work Out From Home

Although it may be hard giving up your gym membership, your bank account will thank you for it. You'll save at least $400 a year and can save the drive to and from the gym. Easily do cardio by jogging in your neighborhood for thirty minutes and build muscle doing exercises you can find online. It may take a little discipline, but it'll be more enjoyable than doing your same old routine at the gym. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com

GYM ATTIRE 

DOs and DON'Ts

DON'T wear a sports bra for your top. It's distracting to everyone around you and looks like you're trying to show off. Go to the beach if you want to prove you have a six pack.

DO wear the proper bra. You don't want to distract your gym mates with a chest that isn't under control as you work out.

DON'T wear leggings as gym shorts. Leggings weren't really made to run in, and besides that, they're skin tight. There are tighter pants/shorts you can wear. Instead, opt for track pants.

DO replace shoes that you've already run 300-400 miles in. They're harder on your muscles when they're worn out and will even cause shin splints and muscle fatigue if they're not fitting as well. 

DON'T wear muscle shirts that are so ripped up that it doesn't hide anything. If you want to wear something without sleeves, make sure it covers the rest of your torso.

DO wear clean gym clothes for every workout. Just because you're going to be sweating in a matter of minutes doesn't mean you can wear the same clothes you wore to the gym yesterday.

DON'T wear clothes that are too big for you. Although you may be hiding something you're trying to work off, it's restricting and harder to work out if you have heavier clothes on. Wear items that fit and you'll get a better workout. 

DO wear socks. You're likely to stink up your gym shoes a lot quicker when you don't wear shoes, and your feet will have better grip with some low rise socks. 

DON'T wear old shirts that have pit stains or tears. Just because you're not at the office when you go to the gym doesn't mean you can look like a bum. Look decent, even when you sweat and work hard.

DO wear something that you can keep cool in and is easy to move around in. Gym clothes aren't meant to be restrictive. 

DON'T wear shorts that don't cover your bum. Just because they make the cutoff  in front of a mirror at home doesn't mean they won't rise when you're working out. 

Katie Cervantes

Live OC Magazine

www.LIVEOCMAG.com