Celebs Beyonce and Fergie think pink (source)

Couture in the City reader Shara asks:

Q:  Will hot pink lips be trendy for spring/summer of 2009?

A: Hmmm…that’s a tough one Shara. Hot pink lips were trendy in the spring of ‘07, and are making huge waves now (Rihanna is always softening her edgy look with hot pink lips), so it’s hard to say. If you are itching to try a hot pink trend, I would do it now, at the tail end of summer and before winter sets in. Check out your local pharmacy and grab a few different hot pink shades to see what works best with your skin tone. You can work a hot pink lip right now in a very fierce way with a smoky eye and a sleek but chic ensemble.

My most favorite hot pink lip gloss is no longer available (the MAC Fafi edition…so perfectly punk), but you can still snap up some great pink shades from MAC. For a very high fashion look, go for a paler hot pink like Wonderstruck or Ensign from MAC:

MAC Lustreglass, $14.00

The lighter shades of hot pink that were seen on the runway are the perfect compliment to winter florals, grays and muted shades of plum and navy. For a softer fall hot pink look, keep the rest of your color palette muted and make your lips the focal point.

My makeup trend forecast for fall calls for peachy lip glosses (just call it a hunch) so enjoy your pink lips now!

Got an insider tip on your favorite hot pink lip glosses? Leave a comment and let us know which is your favorite and why (not sticky, long lasting, tastes like strawberries, whatever…). Happy glossing!

Tell your winter makeup and hair to take a hike for a while…it’s spring and it’s time to lighten up that look! Black nails with a floral print sun dress? I think not. Check out these cute spring hair and makeup trends to update your look for this season:

Glossy Bangs/Hair:

Rachel Bilson (source)

Heavy bangs are SO Fall 2007…but I still love them anyway. Bangs are always good for masking a high forehead and are a great way to change up your look without making a drastic cut. Even if you hate the bangs, you gotta appreciate a glossy mane, so don’t skimp on the conditioner and go easy on products for a hi pro glow.

Side Ponytales:

Carrie Underwood, LC and Ali Larter (source)

I pretty much owned the side ponytale look when I was a kid in the mid-eighties, and I’m glad to see it making a comeback. This is a really cute look to pair with a spring dress and is super easy. Whether you air dry, curl or leave your hair straight, a side ponytale is a great spring look.

Pixie Cut:

Rihanna (source)

Short hair is so not for me, but if I were ever to make the cut, this is what I would do. I just love a pixie cut; it literally transformed Rihanna from a typical pop tart to a stylish divette overnight, and is a fresh look for spring. I much prefer this look to Beyonce’s myriad of weaves and bad wigs, so take note B, Rihanna’s got you beat in the hair department.

Navy Nails

Eva Mendes (source)

I just love the look of dark vampy nsils, but with birds chirping and not a cloud in the sky, it seems a little too goth for my tastes in the spring. You can still get that look for spring with deep navy nails. It will not only work with a cute nautical beach look, but is also great when paired with a spring dress or lighter colors.

Blue Eyeshadow:

Kate Hudson and Katie Holmes (source)

Blue eyeshadow is a great spring alternative to dark smoky eyes…it truly complements eyes of any color and is a surprising change. I was hesitant about blue eyeshadow until I tried some of the new paint pots from the MAC Fafi line (did I mention we are GIVING SOME AWAY?) .

This spring, give some of these simple trends a try…it’s as easy as buying some blue eyeshadow and throwing your hair in a side ponytale!

MAC wants to introduce you to a few of their new friends…Monoka, Ermine and Eriko are the three muses behind the MAC Fafi line. Bursting with color, life and edgy energy, these grafitti queens are the inspiration for this colorful new line. Check it out!

MAC Fafi’s packaging is emblazoned with images from the amazing artist Fafi for a cute and fun take on their classic black cases. These highly pigmented colors are available in paint pots (liquid to powder eye shadows), lip glosses, lip sticks, nail polishes and blush. MAC Fafi’s girly pearlescent hues, Easter egg blues and lots and lots of pinks are also just in time for spring.

Been dying to get your hands on some of the new goodies from the MAC Fafi collection? Read my MAC Fafi review to see why these spritely compacts and pretty pots need to grace your vanity:

My MAC-over with the MAC Fafi Collection

1) First, I started with the MAC Fafi lipstick in Utterly Frivolous, then topped it off with MAC Fafi lipglass in Totally It. As any makeup maven knows, a good lip gloss is hard to come by, and this one is one of the best. It stayed put without being sticky for hours and kept it’s bright hue.

2) Next, I brushed the apples of my cheeks with the MAC Fafi powder blush in Fashion Frenzy. This is the perfect blush for spring and is subtle and girly.

3) Finally, I used my beloved paint MAC Fafi paint pots (highly pigmented eye color) in Perky (pink) and Rollickin’ (turquoise) to shade my eyes. I’ve never used these two colors together on my lids and they truly made my hazel eyes pop!

4) Also great for spring is their pinky-pearlescent nail lacquer (I tried Girls will be Girls).

The greatest thing about the MAC Fafi line is that you can use the paint pots, lip glass and other goodies at the level of intensity that you want. I prefer a more subtle look, so for me, less was more; but I could have easily amped it up harajuko girl-style with a little help from MAC Fafi’s Eye Kohl eye pencils in white and black and a few more swipes of blush.

Snag these spring must haves from MAC Fafi here before your favorite colors sell out. And many already have…lucky for you, Couture in the City is hosting a fab MAC Fafi Giveaway!

Enter HERE to Win our MAC Fafi Giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive:

Powder Blush – Fashion Frenzy
129 SE Powder /Blush Brush and Fafi travel pouch
LipGlass – Cult Fave
Lipstick – Flash-N-Dash
Eyes 1
Fluidline – Blacktrack
Paint Pot: Layin’ Low
210 Precise Eye Liner Brush
Rectangle MAC Small Clearly Fafi

MAC Fafi Giveaway valued at $189.00

Don’t forget to ENTER our MAC Fafi Giveaway for your chance to win! Deadline is March 17, 2008 at midnight…good luck!

Sarah Michelle Gellar with one hot manicure (source)

Feelin’ a little blue? Stuck in a style rut, and have an equally stuck budget too? My favorite trick for giving myself a glam little lift is a femme and fancy manicure. For about $4, you can give your hands (and your attitude) a hot little pick me up thanks to a simple bottle of nail polish. You don’t have to spend tons on nail polish (but if you’ve got the cash, treat yourself to a nice bottle of Chanel, MAC or OPI) in a trendy color for instant glam.

If you want to splurge, then definitely go and see the professionals for a manicure, but in between, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it up on your own! Take a 30 minute break while you are watching “Gossip Girl” or whatever your guilty favorite is and start polishin’.

Here’s how to give yourself a manicure with these simple tools:

1) Nail polish (duh): Get a hot hue (right now deep purples are trendy) and a clear top coat.

2) Nail file, cuticle cutters and any other shaping/cutting tool you like.

3) Nail polish remover, cotton swabs and a towel to protect surfaces.

4) Your favorite lotion.

5) A free block of time and a glass of wine (optional, of course).

Start with clean, lotioned hands, being sure to cut and shape your nails and push back cuticles. SLOWLY and carefully paint your nails, ignoring mistakes until the end. Wait 15 minutes in between coats and finish with clear topcoat. When your nails are all dry, use a cotton swab to erase mistakes with nail polish remover.

Don’t get frustrated if you can’t get it perfect and trust me, resist the urge to fold laundry while you wait for them to dry!  A sexy manicure is the perfect way to give yourself an affordable little pick me up, so give it a try on your day off and enjoy effortless and easy glam.

Now that Santa has come and gone and 2007 is nearing an end, your thoughts may be turning to New Year’s resolutions. If you are like me, every year you resolve to lose weight/stop smoking/work on your debt/make new friends or whatever…but don’t really stick to it. But I’ve got a great resolution that is easy to stick with and just as easy to do; take care of yourself!

This may seem obvious, but if you really think about it, you may not be taking care of yourself like you should. Whether you are a new mom who has let yourself go a bit (ME!), a hardworking student who hits the books a little too hard, or just never learned to pamper yourself, then now is definitely the year to start. Check out these easy beauty and fashion New Year’s resolutions to get your groove back and start taking care of #1 again:

1 ) Hair: I’ve had the same old haircut for a few years now, and although I love it, sometimes it’s just so BORING. This new year, I resolve to do my hair more. I’ve already started actually…the Conair Infiniti Nano hair setter makes it really really easy to get fabulous Hollywood waves.

Conair Infiniti Nano Hairsetter at Target

2) Makeup and Skin: Sick of bad acne? Resolve to make that dermatologist appointment. Then take thee to the MAC counter and get thineself a makeover. Ask the cosmetologist for a night and day look that’s easy to apply and wear.

3) Health and Fitness: No more excuses! This is part of taking care of yourself…go to the doctor for an annual checkup, go to the “lady” doctor and get your Pap, and most importantly, start eating well and moving your butt. Need some inspiration? Queen Latifah just signed on to be the new spokesmodel for Jenny Craig…her message is more geared towards healthy living than squeezing your butt into a size six.

The Queen (source)

4) Mind and Soul: Been dying to learn Cajun cooking? Still have some unresolved issues about your mom? Wanna get back to some religious roots? Then do something about it! Whether you want to take a new cooking class, visit a therapist or rediscover a religion, then this is the time. Make time each week for your mind and soul; yoga is a great option for mind and body.

5) Fashion: Flats looking a bit scuffy? Only one dress in your closet? Jeans don’t fit quite right? Then resolve to make yourself look fab! Hire a stylist or personal shopper for the day if you are absolutely clueless about what looks are right for you, or just bring a fashionable friend to the mall for a day. My fashion resolution is to wear more pretty things (baby food stained tee shirts be gone!) and I’m going to start with this cute and versatile dress from Yu Clothing:

Yu Clothing, 10707

It may seem like a big order to fill, but resolving to take care of yourself is the best New Year’s resolution you can make. You owe it to yourself to ring in the new year right, and after all; if you don’t take care of yourself, then who will? Even if this whole package is too much, just pick one of the five facets of total well-being and you will be on your way to a happier, healthier you!