Even if you’re not looking to save a little cash (lucky you!), every girl should master the art of the at-home manicure. Perfecting your polishing skills is easier than you think. Our expert shows you how to get the ultimate must-have mani in just 5 fast steps.

Step 1:
Start with clean, dry, paint-free nails. Your first step is to file and shape your tips. Pick your shape: square, round, oval, or pointed (Hint: Oval is the universally flattering shape). Elle, a celebrity manicurist for Barielle Skincare – who’s worked on the nails of Angelina Jolie, Blake Lively, Cameron Diaz and Eva Mendes among others – recommends using a glass nail file, and to always file nails in one direction using short, smooth strokes. “This keeps split nails at bay,” she says. We love Sephora’s budget-friendly file ($8, sephora.com).

Step 2:
Soak your hands in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes to soften up your cuticles and then gently push them back with a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick. Never cut your cuticles. This is a guaranteed trick for ragged edges or worse – a bad infection. Not pretty. Try this double-sided cuticle pusher ($12, ulta.com)

Step 3:
It’s time to lay down your base coat. Even if you skip the top coat, never ditch your base. It gives polish something to grab onto. Added bonus: many newer formulas do double duty and can nourish your nails while helping prevent chips and peeling polish. Try Sally Hanson’s Double Duty Strengthening Base Coat ($4.49, walgreens.com).

Step 4:
Pick a polish! Using short strokes, start in the middle of the nail and work outward. To keep it uniform, try to get the same amount of polish on the brush for each finger. And don’t skimp: two coats are better than one. Try OPI’s huge selection of colors ($8, drugstore.com).

Step 5:

Finish with a high-shine bang: “Cuticle oil should never be skipped, and should be your last step!” says Elle. “It’s an instant manicure in a bottle and it also helps dry nail polish while finishing your cuticles.” Her expert pick? Barielle’s Intensive Nail Renewal Oil ($12.50,  barielle.com).

From my one of my favorite websites, Betty Confidential!

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Everyone really does have their own fragrance now, Even buildings are getting a signature fragrance! I am sure its a great smelling fragrance but when will the madness stop? Maybe a the fragrance from your favorite  restaurant  or Starbucks eau de toilette?

THE PLAZA INTRODUCES FRAGRANCE COLLECTION

New York – March 9, 2010 – The Plaza (www.ThePlaza.com), New York’s iconic hotel, recently debuted a signature fragrance collection, fittingly titled The Plaza. The collection includes an eau de parfum, a candle, and soap, all available exclusively at The Plaza Beauty at The Shops at The Plaza. The Plaza fragrance is the first perfume to be launched by The Plaza, with plans to introduce additional exclusive scents to the hotel’s fragrance collection later this year.

The fragrance was created exclusively for The Plaza by one of the world’s most celebrated perfumeries, Krigler, a 5th generation fragrance house. Krigler culled exceptional ingredients from around the world to craft the one-of-a-kind scent. The Plaza fragrance has top notes of bergamot, grapefruit, verbena heart, Texan cedar, oud, and iris, delicately balanced with undertones of amber, precious wood, and leather. The result of which is an elegant bouquet that evokes the very essence of the landmark hotel – classic, timeless and romantic.

“We looked to The Plaza’s rich history situated on Central Park and Fifth Avenue to seek inspiration,” said Kristin Franzese, Executive Vice President, Retail. “The Plaza fragrance captures a moment in time. We wanted to create a modern scent that appeals to women who share the same dreams and aspirations inspired by the romance and classicism of one of New York’s most iconic and glamorous destinations.”

The Plaza fragrance collection is available for purchase exclusively at The Plaza Beauty. The Plaza Beauty is located on the concourse level of The Shops at The Plaza. The Plaza fragrance will be available in two sizes, 1.7 ounce eau de parfum ($95.00) / 3.4 ounce eau de parfum ($140.00), as well as a candle ($65.00) and soap ($18.00).

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Makeup by Georgie Eisdell

“This was Carey’s first Oscars so I wanted to make sure she looked age appropriate but still embrace the glamour of the night. Carey’s dress was edgy and elegant so I wanted to keep her makeup looking fresh and youthful. I wanted to enhance the natural beauty of her skin so I used La Mer foundation lightly powdered with La Mer’s translucent powder over that. For her eyes, I used Chanel soft beige and pink shadows from their spice palette. I used MAC’s black track eye liner followed by YSL’s Faux Cils mascara in black. To finish off her eyes I sharpened up her eyebrows with Laura Mercier’s soft blonde brow powder duo. For her cheeks, I wanted to give them a pinched cheek look with Dior’s glowing color powder blush in fruit de la passion. For the finishing touch on her skin, I used Bobbi Brown bronzing powder in medium. And finally on her lips I used Dior addict lip polish 004. I used La Mer body creme on the way out the door to give her body the same glow.”

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Funny!

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Pink is in this Spring, and here are Make Her Up’s gorgeous Pink Picks!

Printed Lips Tinted Look Lip Stainer is a matte, richly pigmented lip tint with a felt-tip marker from Givenchy.

Printed Lips Tinted Look Lip Stainer is a richly pigmented tint that’s applied with a felt-tip marker. Providing a lip look that lasts, the marker allows for easy application and a vibrant, matte finish.

$24.50 – BUY IT HERE!

Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colors that stand out. The formula is hard wearing and chip resistant and contains individual finishes from matte to high gloss. Apply two coats for high intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish. Make a statement and talk with your hands!

Nail polish showing: Collide

$14.00 – BUY IT HERE!

I Love Sephora Brush Set – Pink ($120 Value) is a perfectly pink, portable set of top-quality brushes.

Made with the same peak standards as Sephora’s Platinum Brush Line, these essential beauty tools are perfect for creating your signature look, at home or on the go! These makeup-artist-tested brushes deliver built-to-last durability, and just as beautiful as they are functional.

$29.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Sparklicity Pure by beauty newcomer Tarina Tarantino is a touch of luxurious, crystalline sparkle for eyes, cheeks, and lips.

Complete your look with a unique, reflective finish, thanks to a formula composed almost entirely of pure-refraction reflex (unlike traditional glitters). Sparklicity Pure’s soft, muted background shade layers perfectly with the rest of your makeup to accentuate the arch of the brow, eye lids, cheeks, and lips.

$19.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Candy Cameo Fashion Collection by beauty newcomer Tarina Tarantino is a trio featuring a chic gloss-containing cocktail ring, an exclusive pressed eyeshadow, and an ultra-light lip gloss, inspired by a fantastical-yet-nostalgic vintage vibe.

Taking a colorful inspiration from her grandmother’s vintage jewelry box, Tarina designed Candy Cameo around neon-colored cameos with glossy hearts and bows, accented with black lacquer beads. This collection is playful, with vibrant colors mixing harmoniously.

$19.00 – $35.00 BUY IT HERE!

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Marc Jacobs: Theatrical Makeup
Clowning around is typically reserved for the circus, but at Jacobs’ show white-painted faces, dramatic eyeliner, and red lips ruled. “I wanted the models to look like characters—like ballerinas who just stepped off the stage,” says makeup maestro François Nars about the look. “It’s ’30s stage makeup with a modern edge. Dancers in theater and opera always had white faces, pointed lips, and an eye that was drawn outward, not upward.”

Rue du Mail: Gray Roots
Going prematurely gray is an unwelcome tress transformation for most women. But at Rue du Mail’s show, thanks to a liberal dusting of hair powder, models boldly walked the runway with halfway–down–the–head gray, making silver strands a dramatic do.

Tracy Reese: Clumpy Mascara and Penciled-In Brows
TV commercials have drilled the importance of mascara brushes that “separate each lash” into our heads. And Brooke Shields’ lush arches have long been coveted. But at Reese’s spring 2010 show, makeup artist Charlotte Willer was intent on creating stuck-together lashes and superthin brows. “It’s a modernized ’20s look,” says the Maybelline global makeup artist. “We hid the eyebrows with concealer and drew a line over each with pencil. For lashes, we wanted them spiky so that they stood out. After brushing mascara on, I pushed lashes together so they’d appear clumped.”

Ohne Titel: Uncovered Wig Wraps
What lies beneath a wig is typically not meant for public display—but at Ohne Titel’s show, stylist Jimmy Paul purposely left models’ wig-ready heads uncovered. Inspired by the age-old hair-wrapping technique, Paul misted strands with a strong-hold spray and circled them around the head. To secure, he wove sections together with thread and applied Bumble and bumble Hair Powder for matte texture.

Preen: Matte Hair
Shiny tresses are one of the most sought-after attributes, but to offset spring’s abundance of shimmering fabrics, this season, matte hair is a must. “If clothes are very light-reflective pairing high-gloss hair with them can be too much,” says Guido Palau, who says he uses dry shampoo or baby powder on blow-dried hair to dull it down. “The two–day–old matte look is cooler—it’s not like you’re trying too hard.”

Palau isn’t the only stylist opting for matte: To complement the metallic fabrics in Preen’s spring 2010 collection, Laurent Phillippon used Bumble and bumble Surf Spray. “Normally, you’d spray the product on your hair and let it air-dry. But for Preen, I’m blow-drying with a flat brush using the Surf Spray,” says Phillippon. “This gives the hair really nice hold and a certain amount of matte texture—it’s still light and clean but has an interesting matte effect.”

Find out what 6-10 are here!

More from Elle here!

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