31 New Hair Ideas For Fall 2011

A TIGHT BRAID
Apply gel to your roots and use a brush to pull hair into a high ponytail. Then braid the tail, securing the ends with an elastic. "It's good for a party, because it looks great with a cocktail dress," says hairstylist Ryan Trygstad of the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City.

A BETTER PONYTAIL
This is, hands down, the sexiest ponytail we've seen—and it's simple to do: Make a clean center part with the tip of a comb. Gather hair at the nape of the neck, brushing it over your ears, and fasten. Gently tug out pieces of hair from around the elastic (but don't pull them out all the way); you want to create a bit of volume at the back of your head. Run a bit of serum over just the hair in the tail; try Citré Shine Anti-Frizz Serum.



SEXY WAVES
For this laid-back surfer-girl look, all you need if you have wavy hair is "some beach spray and a diffuser," says hairstylist Tommy Buckett of the Marie Robinson Salon in New York City. Saturate damp hair with a texturizing spray, such as Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray; then dry with a diffuser attached to your blow-dryer. For straight hair, twist dry four-inch chunks haphazardly around a big-barrel curling iron instead, then mist with the spray. (By the way, you can use actual salt water to create these waves—it really works!)



A BLUNT CUT
Long layers are unfailingly pretty—don't get us wrong—but updating your look with a more severe cut like this one is a quick way to add drama to straight hair. Here's what to ask your stylist for: A cut that's "blunt at the shoulders and has strong fringe," says hairstylist Garren of the Garren New York Salon, who created this look. "The sides and back are slightly layered to create the thatchy, wispy look." To style it, pull out pieces on the sides and mist all over with hair spray to hold the sharp, graphic shape.



SOFT FRIZZ
Frizzy waves can look good (really!)—just check out the fuzzy hair at the spring Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs shows. Now do you want it? If you have natural waves, "just let your hair air-dry without disturbing it," says Garren. "Then run a paddle brush over it to separate the curls and get some volume."



A MINI POMPADOUR
Not all poufs are created equal—and this one is definitely more sophisticated, less Snooki. For this half-up style, Buckett says to grab the section of hair on the top of the head between the temples and tease it at the roots to create height. Smooth it out with your fingers and pin down the hair at the center of your crown; let the rest loose.



A HIGH BUN
The key to this roughed-up bun is in the texture, explains Trygstad. Blow-dry hair while tousling it with your hands, then use your fingers to rake it into a high ponytail at the top of your head. Tease the entire tail, twist it, and then wrap it into a loose bun, pinning it into place. Finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hair spray, such as Pantene Pro-V Style Classic Flexible Hold Hair Spray.



A SEXY SHAG
These layers add some attitude to shorter hair. To style them, Garren recommends setting two- to three-inch sections of the hair at your crown with Velcro rollers. Blast them with hot air from your blow-dryer, then let your hair down after it's cooled. "Brush it with your fingers, then pull out pieces of hair and mist their ends with hair spray for a piecey, textured effect," he says.



SLEEK AND STRAIGHT
We love how polished this style looks, but it does require some patience: Whether you have straight or wavy hair, grab a flatiron and run it over two-inch sections. Create a clean side part with a comb, Garren says; then spritz hair spray over your roots. Twist the hair behind one ear and secure it with a small bobby pin.



A SCARF WRAP
Big, soft waves give this style a really romantic feel. If you have straight hair, wrap sections in figure eights around a double-barrel curling iron, such as Rsession Tools Nalu Waver, Garren suggests. Make a center part and pull hair into a low ponytail; secure with an elastic. Brush out the hair in the tail, then tie a thick, colorful printed scarf—or even a piece of fabric—around the elastic.



ACCESSORIZED UPDO
A seemingly simple chignon is suddenly dressed up when you add a jeweled comb or barrette. "Slide it in right above and behind the ear so you can't see it from the front," says Garren. "It's a good place for an accessory, especially if you're going to be wearing earrings."



ROUGHED UP
Sleek and shiny isn't the only way to play it straight; a slightly disheveled finish is irresistibly cool. Spritz roots with a volumizer (try John Frieda Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster, then blow-dry using a paddle brush. "Don't dry it 100 percent, though," says Buckett. "A little moisture left in the hair to air-dry will coax some frizz." Use your fingers to tousle your roots, too.



DEFINED CURLS
Some things in life are hard to define. Curls, though, are easy. Start by coating them with a moisturizing cream, like Redken Ringlet 07 Curl Perfecting Lotion for Medium Hair, then blow-dry with a diffuser while gently twisting them into coils. "I love the diffuser from Devachan that looks like a hand," Trygstad says. "It dries the hair without blowing it around." Apply a mist of shine spray (try Garnier Fructis Style Brilliantine Shine Glossing Spray) for that extra layer of gloss.



A MODERN FLIP
Want the glamour of a modern-day Betty Draper? Use jumbo hot rollers to secure two-inch sections of hair, making sure the ends are curved outward (this will give you that signature 1960s flip), says Garren, who created this look. Once hair is set, wait 15 minutes, then brush it out. Tease the front section at the crown, then pin it back.



A SLICK TWIST
This deceptively easy updo comes across as slightly androgynous yet totally gorgeous. First, create a deep side part, then slick hair with gel so it sticks close to the head. Brush it into a tight ponytail at the center of the back of your head. Divide the tail into two sections and saturate them with more gel. "The wetter it is, the better it will look," Buckett says. Twist them around each other until you get to the ends, then fasten with an elastic. "Roll the twist under and pin it to your scalp," he says.



PERFECT WAVES
The beachy look has its place, but these flawless waves can be worn much more dressed-up. Trygstad recommends using a curling wand (those are the ones without a clamp), such as Sultra The Bombshell One-Inch Rod Curling Iron to make styling easy. Mist dry hair with a texturizing formula (we like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray), then wrap two-inch sections around the hot rod; curl strands only from the ears down, Trygstad says. When you've finished, run your fingers through your hair and spritz it with shine spray.



SHORT CURLS
Thin hot rollers will give shoulder-length hair massive volume and sexy, springy spirals. Twist a one-inch section, then place a half-inch roller at its roots; wrap the hair around it. Once it's all been set this way, let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently brush it out.



AN ELEGANT PONYTAIL
Starting with straight hair, create a deep side part and mist all over with a shine spray (try Tresemmé Smooth & Silky Shine Spray). Sweep back hair to the nape of the neck, and secure with an elastic. Wrap a small sliver of hair around the band. "It immediately makes a ponytail look more dressed up," Trygstad says.



A SIDE BRAID
This style has a pretty finishing touch. Pull back wavy hair and shift it over to one side of your neck, letting face-framing pieces fall free. Begin braiding at the nape, Trygstad says; then tie it. Wrap a small section of hair from the ends over the cord to hide it; use a small bobby pin to fasten



BLENDED TEXTURES
At first glance, this ponytail is just a ponytail—but look closer: The style is actually a mix of two different textures (the top of the head is smooth and the tail is rough). "Smooth a bit of gel on top of the head, then brush the hair into a high ponytail," Trygstad says. "Flatiron the tail, then mist it with some beach spray; pull it apart with your hands to make it look edgy and rock and roll."



A NEW BUN
Sometimes, changing the shape of a classic style is enough to completely transform it. Pull hair into a ponytail slightly lower than the center of the back of the head, then tease the tail. Twist it once, then keep wrapping the hair around itself; the resulting knot should stick out about two inches from the back of your head. "It's more cone-shaped, rather than ballerina-bun," hairstylist Paul Hanlon told us backstage at the Jil Sander spring 2011 show. Lightly rub the finished bun with your hands to create a few flyaways for good measure.



VOLUMIZED BLOWOUT
To get loads of volume, run mousse through damp hair, then pick up your blow-dryer and round brush. "Start blow-drying hair to the side immediately," says Buckett. "Then wrap sections of hair around the brush, holding each in place for a few seconds so that you're using the brush as a Velcro roller, heating the hair on it instead of pulling it smooth." When you're finished drying, rub a dab of pomade, such as L'Oréal Professionnel Lumi Contrôle, over your fingers, then use them to tousle the ends.



DEFINED WAVES
Full, smooth waves are as hot as a 1940s starlet. Start with dry, center-parted hair; wrap one-inch sections around a one-inch curling iron, then gently pull out the iron, leaving the hair to cool in a coil. "Once you've finished, run a brush though it; that's how you get the wave look," says Garren. "Because there are so many pieces that lie on top of each other, you get that body."



CHIC HIPPIE
Pin-straight, center-parted hair "is a throwback to the '70s, but it's also very current," says Trygstad. Apply a styling lotion, like Fekkai Glossing Cream, to damp hair. Part it down the middle, then blow-dry it straight with a paddle brush. Wait—you're not done yet: Flatiron it smooth, working in one-inch sections. Now you're good to go.



A BOUNCY PONYTAIL
For an elegant take on the signature cheerleader high ponytail, Garren suggests center-parting the hair in the very front, then using hair spray to slick it over the head. Make your ponytail at the back of the crown. Flatiron the tail, then tease the hair underneath the base of the ponytail "to get that puff," says Garren.



A BIG UPDO
This particular style is a little extreme, but a tamer version would be perfectly appropriate anytime. "Pull hair back in a high ponytail, then tease the tail," Trygstad says. "Then make one big loop with it by wrapping it under itself, pinning down the ends at your scalp." Slide on a thick knit headband at the hairline as a bold finish.



PRETTY FRIZZ
Buckett believes there are two kinds of frizz: "Pretty frizz is evenly distributed throughout the hair, instead of just on the top of the head," he says. If you have naturally curly hair, use your fingers or a pick to muss up your curls when they're dry, making sure the texture is the same all around the head. "Mist hair with shine spray so it still looks polished," Buckett says.



RIBBON BRAIDS
Add a dash of color in an unexpected way: Spritz dry hair with a lightweight spray, then brush back side-parted hair low behind the neck. Separate into three or four sections. Tie a ribbon at the base of the neck where each section starts; then braid every one, incorporating the ends of the ribbon into each braid as you weave. Once all four braids are fastened with an elastic, flip them up toward the nape of the neck and pin the ends of each to the center back of your head.



A MESSY PONYTAIL
We've been obsessed with this ponytail since the second we spotted it at the Michael Kors fall 2010 show—and for good reason: It's fast, it's easy, and it doesn't require perfectly smooth hair (so put down your flatiron!). Blow-dry hair while roughing it up with your hands, then secure it in a low, tight ponytail at the nape of the neck. Tease the tail with a brush to give it volume and a rough-looking texture. Rake your fingers over the top of your head, from your crown to your hairline, to create haphazard flyaways. Finish by wrapping a section of hair around the elastic to hide it.



A FISHTAIL BRAID
Love a side braid but want to make it a little more interesting? Make it a fishtail, which requires weaving two sections of hair instead of three. Garren explains how to execute it: First divide the hair into two sections, then pull a few strands from the outside of one section and weave it over to the underside of the second section; repeat the same motion from the opposite side. Keep alternating until you reach the end, then secure with an elastic. To dress up the style, wrap a scarf around your head like a headband and tie it in a messy knot or bow.


A KNOTTED PONYTAIL

This is a style worthy of a Greek goddess. Create a deep side part with a rattail comb, then use it to lightly tease the hair underneath the nape of the neck, Buckett says. Pull all your hair into a ponytail at the nape, secure it with an elastic, and then slip in a couple large bobby pins near your ears to hold back any flyaways. To make it look as if you tied the tail in a knot, take a large chunk of hair from the tail and wrap it around the rest of the hair a couple of inches from the base, sticking the ends into the elastic—no pinning necessary.

Via Allure

The 6 Most-Requested Long Hairstyles

1. CLASSIC
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, might be royalty, but her cut is quite common. "This style is all one length that's been curled," says hairstylist Juan Carlos Maciques of the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City. The cut calls for thick, dense hair (otherwise the ends can look stringy) and works on pretty much all face shapes, except for long ones, which it can elongate even more. To create the big curls at the bottom, use a two-inch curling iron to clamp down on the ends of the hair, then roll it up, holding the iron horizontally.


2. LONG, BLUNT LAYERS
"Sofia Vergara's layers start at the collarbone and are cut bluntly and at random, rather than blended, which gives the illusion of thicker hair," Maciques says. The cut suits round and heart-shaped faces best, and it's ideal for straight or wavy textures, since tight curls require too much maintenance.


3. LONG, CHOPPY LAYERS
Minka Kelly's layers are also long, but there are more of them and they are less chunky than Vergara's, starting higher up and going from the chin down. "Minka's cut has more layers that are chopped into the bottom for lightness, which she can get away with because her hair is thick," says Maciques.



4. CURLY
"Since Beyoncé's hair is naturally curly, her hair is actually several inches longer than it appears," says Maciques. Her layers are still long and minimal, cut about two or three inches from the ends and thinned at the bottom to avoid a poufy cloud of hair. This cut is best for naturally curly or wavy hair; an iron helps smooth any frizz.


5. ANGLED
"Emma Roberts's short, evenly blended layers are angled down so they become seamless," Maciques says. "It's the perfect long cut for fine hair, because it gives body and movement without looking straggly." A side part and jaw-length layers in front help shorten her oval face well, but the cut also flatters just about anyone.


6. WITH BANGS
Adding bangs helps soften or shorten square, oval, elongated faces, as is the case with Olivia Wilde, who also incorporates long layers that start at her collarbone. Avoid too-blunt bangs; cut into them so they fall softly at your forehead. Your hair can be thick or thin, but unless it's naturally straight, you'll become a slave to styling.

Via Allure

4 Sneaky Reasons Your Back Hurts

YOUR CUTE FLATS

Some ballet-style flats can cause more pain than you'd imagine. Ultra-thin soles don't absorb the shock of your steps, explains Michael Hisey, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute: "The discs in your lower back are filled with cushiony fluid, but walking in flimsy shoes all day long wrings them out like a sponge." Use an insert for support .

KIDS!

If you have little ones, chances are you schlep them around more than they use their own two feet. That extra 20, 30, or 40 pounds can overload back muscles, which tighten up to keep you standing straight. The best way to tote any size tot? "On one hip, switching sides periodically to help keep things balanced," recommends Hisey.

YOUR CELL PHONE

Yammer all you want, just don't pin the phone between your ear and your shoulder. "You're forcing your spine to stretch to its limits, and that can make your upper back sore," Hisey says. If you typically need your hands to be free, switch to a headset.

SITTING STILL

Staying in the same basic position for eight hours (say, if you're desk-bound) can stress your back, says Ted Choma, M.D., associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Missouri. The fix: Adjust yourself periodically to allow alternate muscles to take over, so the same ones don't contract all day. Prop a phone book or a big dictionary under your computer monitor (it shouldn't be above eye level) and one under your feet. As the day goes on, remove one book, then, a few hours later, the other. And be sure to take a lunch break!

Read more: Causes of Back Pain - Why Does My Back Hurt - Redbook

A dermatologist, a chemist, and a makeup artist all weigh in on what to do about aging hands

A. THE DERMATOLOGIST SAYS: "Hands are the most sun-exposed part of the body after the face and chest, but most women aren't as diligent about protecting them — which is why they often show damage early on. Excessive sun exposure causes spots (from overproduction of melanin) and prominent veins (due to collagen damage that thins the skin). Loss of fat, which happens with age, also makes veins more visible." Skin-brightening products containing vitamin C or kojic acid can reduce spots after three months of daily use. "But you must also apply sunscreen every morning — and every three hours when you're outside — to prevent new spots," Fields says. No cream will fix bulging veins, but a moisturizer with light-diffusing particles can make them less noticeable. — Kathy Fields, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, and coauthor of Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change

A. THE CHEMIST SAYS: "When your hands are dry, lines and crepey-ness are more obvious, which is why it's so important to keep them moisturized: It plumps the skin so they appear more youthful." Most body lotions aren't hydrating enough to do the job, so use a hand cream that contains humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw water to the skin, plus ingredients that prevent moisture loss, such as petrolatum and cocoa butter. Reapply throughout the day — "especially with all the hand-washing you do during flu season," says Wilson — and wear leather gloves (which won't wick away moisture) when you're outside. "They keep hands hydrated while protecting against dry air and UV rays, which cause damage even in the winter." — Ni'Kita Wilson, cosmetic chemist and vice president of research and innovation at Englewood Lab in Englewood, NJ

A. THE MANICURIST SAYS: "Cracked, ragged cuticles make hands look worn. To rejuvenate them, exfoliate with a scrub, then rub a dot of cuticle cream into each nail bed. Give it a minute to absorb, then use an orange wood stick to push back your cuticles." Long, pointy nails look old-fashioned, so file 'em short and round, then either buff each nail with five strokes of a nail buffer labeled "240/320 grit" or apply a fun polish color. ("But keep in mind that blue-ish shades can make veins more obvious on fair skin," Logan says.) For something classic, try a warm-toned neutral polish. And if you're getting a salon manicure, "add on a paraffin wax treatment," she suggests. "It plumps the skin and makes hands incredibly smooth and baby-soft." — Lisa Logan, celebrity manicurist whose clients include Beyoncé and Madonna

Read more: Aging Hands - Hand Treatments for Aging - Redbook

Your New Breakfast Plan

Surprise your body in a good way with these delicious, filling, but low-calorie breakfasts. Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien has a new one for every weekday!

Smoked salmon 'n' bacon sandwich
A bagel with cream cheese and lox has an average of 575 calories and 25 grams of fat. Get the same flavor for less with this: Mix up 2 Tbsp fat-free cream cheese with 1 slice chopped cooked turkey bacon, 1 oz chopped smoked salmon, 1 Tbsp chopped red onion, and 1 Tbsp chopped cucumber. Layer with a slice of tomato on a toasted light English muffin. (206 calories, 5 g fat)

Tropical breakfast bowl
This takes just seconds to throw together but will keep you feeling satisfied for hours. Mix ⅔ cup fat-free cottage cheese with 1 to 2 drops coconut extract, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and 1 packet no-calorie sweetener (optional), then top with a sliced kiwi, ½ cup sliced strawberries, 1½ tsp shredded sweetened coconut, and 1½ tsp chopped dry-roasted pecans (about 3 pecan halves). (230 calories, 5 g fat)

Apple-icious oatmeal
Hungry? This helping is huge and has nearly 7 grams of fiber. Mix a cup of water, ½ cup old-fashioned oats, 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or skim milk, for 50 more calories), ½ apple (chopped), ¼ tsp vanilla extract, ¼ tsp cinnamon, no-calorie sweetener to taste (or 2 tsp sugar, for 35 calories), and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until creamy, 12 to 15 minutes. (246 calories, 5.5 g fat)

Quick turkey scramble
A protein-packed egg dish you'll flip for: In a large skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook 2 oz raw lean ground turkey with a dash each of salt and pepper. Then add 5 egg whites and scramble. Chop up 2 slices microwaved turkey bacon and add to eggs, then top off with ½ cup chopped tomato and another sprinkle of salt and pepper. So fresh, so good! (250 calories, 9.5 g fat)

Oat-rageous chocolate-chip pancakes
These little cakes fill you up without weighing you down. Combine 3 Tbsp liquid egg whites (or 1 to 2 egg whites), 1 Tbsp skim milk, 1 Tbsp water, ⅛ tsp vanilla extract, 3 Tbsp old-fashioned oats, 2 Tbsp whole-wheat flour, 2 tsp sugar, ¼ tsp baking powder, 1½ tsp mini semisweet chocolate chips, and a pinch of salt. Coat a skillet with nonstick cooking spray, warm over medium heat, and drop batter to form 5 cakes. Cook for 2 minutes, flipping once. Serve with a banana. (300 calories, 4 g fat)


Read more: Low Calorie Breakfasts - Healthy and Delicious Breakfast Ideas - Redbook

Men's Health Guide to Style: Fall 2011

Rule 1: It's more important to look good every day than to look different every day.

This is the genius of being a man.

Rule 2: Wear a tie when you're asking for money.

In the days of Mad Men's Don Draper, business attire was simple: Suit, tie, hat, and polished shoes. No wonder that generation was able to invent such marvels as space travel and the automatic coffee-maker: People weren't distracted figuring out what to wear each morning. Nowadays the office looks more like the cantina in Star Wars, with slackers and dandies breathing the same filtered cubicle air. Hence the ongoing confusion: Should I wear a tie to this meeting? It's simple: Wear a tie whenever you're trying to make money gravitate from another person's pocket into yours.

Rule 3: The rule of shoes: Black is basic. Basic is boring

If you're wearing black, then by all means wear black shoes. But if you're wearing gray, blue, tan, or a combination thereof, brown shoes will almost always look more sophisticated. There's simply more range, from caramel to chestnut to chocolate. If you wear a belt, it should (sort of) match.

Rule 4: Thin with thin, thick with thick

Narrow lapel? Narrow tie. Thick lapel? Thick tie. This is why Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky look good together. Arnold and Maria? It was never going to work ...

Rule 5: By the time you realize you need a haircut, everyone else has, too

Figure out how long you should go between haircuts. (Hint: This interval will shorten as you grow older. Just ask Gary Busey.) Schedule them in advance—every 6 weeks, or whatever works for your hair. If you wait until you need one, then you're walking around looking like you need one. And masculine style is about looking like you don't need anything.

Rule 6: A man wears a watch

Men used to wear pocket watches, round clunky things they stuck in their pockets and attached to their waistbands. A pocket watch was great for a guy, except when he was trying to discreetly measure the time between two job interviews or the time he had to finish up with the Dowager McMurtry and come a-calling on the Widow Jones. Then came the invention of the wrist-watch, and now a man could juggle employers and women with just a casual flip of the wrist, instead of having to yank a big clunky device out of his pocket. Sadly, this ingenious tactic is under siege: These days, many of us tell time not by wristwatch but by our cellphones. Great devices, unless you're, well, trying to be discreet while digging one out of your pants. So we're back to square one. Be a man. Wear a watch.

Rule 7: Vertical stripes make you look thinner

So guess how horizontal stripes make you look?

Rule 8: Good tailoring is job one

Rule 9: Don't try to dazzle

Stick to basics for an interview to ensure that your qualifications are the focus. "Minimize patterns and loud colors," Andre Johnson says. Choose a classic tailored suit in blue or gray, and add a pop of color with the tie or pocket square.

Rule 10: Be ready for anything—or anyone

Always have your A game on, Johnson says; in today's market, you're networking even in your off-hours. "When people first see you, they put you in a box, so you want to make sure you never look sloppy," he says.

Rule 11: Have a go-to suit

"If you're second-guessing yourself before an interview about whether something is too casual or flashy, don't go for it," Johnson says. Always make sure you're comfortable, and know you can't go wrong in your best suit and tie.

Rule 12: Be a road loafer

If you're on the road for interviews or work, "pack nice loafers that you can wear with a suit and tie but also put on with jeans at night," Johnson says. You'll travel light. And slip-ons help you breeze through airport security.

Rule 13: When in doubt, go pink

Beige, yellow, and light-gray shirts should come with a warning label: "Not for use by men lighter than Dwayne Johnson." That doesn't mean yellow can't look good on, say, Tim Pawlenty, but pale folks need to be careful because muted colors can make them look ashen or sickly. If you have a healthy tan, then by all means wear what you want. But if it's mid-November and you haven't seen the sun since Labor Day, be wary of wearing anything off-white next to your face. A great go-to color? Pink. Yeah, we know: In junior high, some jock made fun of you for wearing a pink shirt, and now you're all scarred and emasculated over it. Grow up. Pink does exactly the opposite of beige: It makes a lighter-skinned guy take on a healthy glow, and it attracts women because it shows confidence.

Rule 14: Ties run button to button

A tie should cover your collar button and most of your top trouser button. Anything shorter makes you look like you work for NASA. Anything longer makes you look like former congressman Weiner.

Rule 15: Dress up to go shopping

This may sound kind of silly, but trust us—what you wear while you shop impacts what you'll look like after you've shopped. It's impossible to tell what a suit really looks like when you're trying it on over your "I Hate LeBron" T-shirt. Similarly, it's impossible to tell how well an overcoat fits unless you're trying it on over a sport jacket. Wear a jacket, a white shirt, and a pair of formal shoes. Your tailor will thank you.

Rule 16: Square-toed shoes are just that

Perhaps you believe in always being prepared to kick a field goal no matter what the circumstances. In that case, opt for dress shoes with square toes. But assuming that you are not, in fact, Charlie Brown, the shoes that will last the longest and never go out of style should be a bit more rounded at the tip. Get the point?

Rule 17: Wear flip-flops only at home (okay—the beach, too)

What makes a man a man? He is strong. He is certain. He is prepared at any moment to meet a manly challenge with courage and fortitude. When a child wanders off the curb into traffic, when a date is hassled by a street tough, when a fire breaks out and someone needs rescuing, a man is there, fast and ready. He is not skipping cloppity-clop- clop down the street, squeezing his toes together so his flip-flops don't fall off.

Rule 18: Ties are for dressing up

Rule 19: A good suit can be dressed down

A suit's job is to make you look slimmer, fitter, stronger, and taller—that's the magic of the matching jacket and pants. If you have that going for you, who cares if you throw a casual shirt under the suit and pair it with some cool sneakers? Just avoid logos, numbers, ribbed tees, or anything you'd wear to bed.

Rule 20: Don't lace your wingtips like a sneaker

The crisscross lacing style you learned as a kid is fine for your canvas Chucks, not for a good pair of leather brogues. Try the more refined straight-bar lacing instead.

1 Thread the lace down through the pair of holes closest to the toe, making sure you have equal lengths of lace on each side.

2 Thread one end out through the next hole on the same side. Then string it across so it looks like a horizontal bar, and thread it in through the top of the opposite-side hole.

3 Lace it upward again, skipping one hole, and then pull the lace straight across. Continue this process, skipping one hole, all the way to the top.

4 Take the other end of the lace and repeat—thread it through the inside of the first free hole on the same side of the shoe. Continue all the way to the top.

Rule 21: Never match blazers with dress pants

In a blazer, white shirt, and dark jeans, you can go anywhere. You can push your kid on a swing. You can take a girl on a date. You can go on a job interview. You can drink at Le Cirque or do shots at a dive bar. You can even attend a wedding. A blazer is always safe when paired with dark jeans, gray flannels, or khakis. But DO NOT pair it with dress pants in a similar color; you'll look like you dressed in the dark.

Rule 22: An ironed man is a wealthy man

Prosperous men don't wear wrinkled clothes. Until you make it, fake it.

1 Set up shop

Fill your iron with distilled water. (Don't use starch, which can damage the fibers in the shirt.) Mist the shirt with a spray bottle.

2 Go easy on the collar

Always iron the back of the collar, never the front, and avoid ironing the tips, to keep them from fraying.

3 Hit the shoulders and sleeves

Position each shoulder around the rounded edge of the board, and iron. Undo the sleeve button and spread out the cuff. Iron the inside here, too. Straighten each sleeve, smooth out any creases, and iron both sides.

4 Finish it off

Spread out the left side of the shirt's body, smooth the creases, and start ironing. Work your way to the right side. Air-dry the shirt on a hanger for 5 to 10 minutes, so the fabric sets.

Rule 23: Dare to be noticed

Rule 24: Dress like you've made something of yourself in the world, even if you haven't

Don't try to look like you did when you were just starting out, Neil Strauss says. "Men stay stuck in their college style when it's no longer flattering for their age or body," he notes. "Let your wardrobe evolve with the times—and your title."

Rule 25: What you can't fix, feature

Strauss went through a long Rogaine period before deciding to shave his head. "I hid beneath hats," he says. "Once I made the decision to shave my head, I felt so much more self-assured."

Rule 26: When you find a look, go all in

Strauss had a buddy whose look was generic and nerdy. He had him grow his curly hair way out and wear thick black-framed glasses. "Women started treating him like a rock star because he stood out," Strauss says.

Rule 27: Match your belt to your belt loops

The guys who made your pants had a pretty good idea of what kind of belt would go well with them. If you wear a thin dress belt with pants that have big, airy loops, you will create an unfortunate sexual metaphor. So don't do that.

Rule 28: Neither a sausage nor a sailboat be

When it comes to weekend wear, men tend to fall into one of two categories—the sausages and the sailboats. A sausage guy wears everything tight, so everything's bulging—his belly, his junk, whatever. A sailboat wears everything loose, so every time the breeze blows, his clothes become as rippled as Jillian Michaels's abdomen. Avoid both problems by mixing tight and loose—baggy jeans with a fitted T-shirt or tight pants with an unstructured jacket.

Rule 29: Make a mark with your own pen

Having an elegant pen at the ready makes you look sophisticated and prepared. But it does something else that we love—it cuts down on the germs you casually pick up from those scuzzy ballpoints the waitress gives you to sign the check. (By the way, better to risk overtipping than spend time doing division in your head. So round up.) Impress your companions and prevent the flu at the same time? Works for us.

Rule 30: Bosses wear white shirts. Drones wear blue shirts

That's why they're called "white collar" and "blue collar." If three men in suits walk into a room and one of them is wearing a white shirt, that's the guy people are going to assume is the boss.

Rule 31: No Texas tuxedos

If you ever find yourself pairing jeans with a matching denim shirt, ask yourself, "Am I about to get very dirty?" If you're slopping hogs or going on a date with Snooki, then by all means double up on the denim. Otherwise, it's silly. Denim shirt? Khaki pants.

Rule 32: Don't saw yourself in half

If you're pairing light pants and a light shirt, find a light belt. Otherwise you look like the girl in a David Copperfield stunt.

Rule 33: If you want to get fit, dress fit

Coming up with reasons not to exercise is about as hard as filling out a page of Mad Libs: "The weather was too , my arms were very , and I had a hanging out of my nose." So don't wear clothes to the gym that make you look and feel lame. No John Stockton shorts, no Loverboy sweatbands. People are looking at you. You're looking at you. Buy a nice, well-fitted shirt that shows off your best parts and hides your flaws, and find shorts that come almost to the knee. And skip the groin stretches—do only exercises such as the pullup that look cool while you're doing them. (I know it's terrible exercise advice, but that's okay. This is the style section. The guys who edit our fitness stuff never look back here!)

Rule 34: Naked guys have the right-of-way

Speaking of gyms and clothing: If two men pass each other in the locker room, the most naked guy gets the right-of-way. I would hate to accidentally hit you in the shin with my privates.

Rule 35: Dark skies? Dark clothes

Dark clothes hide raindrops and splashes better. But your best defense against bad weather is a fresh set of clothes kept in your car or office, just in case. Like, maybe, I don't know—dark jeans, a white shirt, and a blue blazer? An extra pair of shoes and socks wouldn't hurt either. A good soaking can ruin your look—and your day.

Rule 36: Scarves are meant to be tied

If you think scarves are little more than decoration—something Steven Tyler wears to cover up his turkey neck—then you probably don't know the power of their insulating effect. A good wool scarf can even substitute for a jacket when temps are in the 50s. Fold the scarf in half so the two loose ends meet, forming a loop. Drape the scarf around your neck. Now pull the two ends through the loop and tighten. Onward!

Rule 37: Keep a secret grooming stash

Rule 38: Keep your t-shirt simple

Google-image George Clooney. Now do the same with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Leo DiCaprio. You'll notice something interesting: There's not a single shot of any of these men wearing a T-shirt that says "Metallica" or "Go Badgers!" or "I'm with Stupid" with an arrow pointing to their penis. In almost every photo, if they're wearing a T-shirt, it's either white, black, or gray. Why? Because men look good in simple, form-fitting T-shirts. If you are wearing a logo, you'd better own the company. Or someone should be paying you to wear it. Dig?

Rule 39: Don't be a tucker

You could say there are two types of men, Tuckers and Untuckers. It's okay to be a Tucker on occasion, but tuck lightly—too many men shove their T-shirt into their pants in the hope that it will obscure their paunch. But such measures only accentuate one's Galifianakis-like girth. True style falls loosely at the waist, showing a bit of belt.

Rule 40: Tailor your shoulders like a soldier

Did Teddy Roosevelt charge up San Juan Hill in a baggy tee? Did those Navy SEALs who offed OBL wear oversize jackets to make themselves look more "street"? No. Soldiers, sailors, and Marines wear clothes that square off their shoulders, not round them out. There's no excess material to snag on some errant razor wire. That's you, chief. This goes double when choosing a leather jacket, because you can't change your mind and have it retailored. The jacket's shoulders should sit squarely on yours, and not droop over onto your arms. Make sure the sleeves aren't too long and that the bottom of the jacket hits just below your waistband. Good. Now go kill something.

Rule 42: Plan ahead for messes

Fresh shirts and pants for yourself and your spawn are essential if you're more than 10 minutes away from home. Trust us.

Rule 43: Load up on pockets

Rufus Griscom finds himself favoring items with plenty of pockets for kid-related gear—binkies, face wipes, whatever. For easy access, always keep the same items in the same pockets.

Rule 44: Pack a tool kit

A multitool with scissors is something you'll use every day. For example, cutting a few inches off the kids' straws in restaurants makes it easier for them to drink.

Rule 45: Play up your shoulders

Throw on a sweater that has shoulder details. If you're not blessed with Vin Diesel's delts, a little pattern at the base of your wings can give the illusion of extra width.

Rule 46: Your pants are too short if you can see your socks as you walk

Trousers should meet the tops of your shoes with just a little break at your ankles. The exception: denim. Roll up the legs of your jeans if you want to—but only a couple of times, unless you want ankles that look like they have halos. And don't be too neat about it. A bit of dishevelment makes it look as though you've been around.

Rule 47: Your glasses should contrast with your face

The defining characteristic of "handsome" is symmetry: The better things seem to fit together, the better your chances of fitting together with someone else. Select eyewear that balances out the shape of your face. You'll eliminate a visual echo and bring your mug closer to the golden mean.

Rule 48: No elastic waistbands, ever!

Sweaters and sweatshirts with elastic waistbands cause material to bag up around your midsection. This would give even Nadal a No-Deal paunch. Yet manufacturers still insist on making them. Fight back. Buy one awesome cashmere sweater this fall, and search everywhere until you find one without elastic at the bottom. The difference will blow you away.

Rule 49: Pose in clothes that match your mug

If you know you're having your picture taken, plan ahead. Darker guys look best in whites and creams. People with olive skin look best in dark blue, dark green, black, and yellow. If your eyes are blue or green, wear a shirt that matches them. Brown eyes? Go with a color that complements your skin tone.

Rule 50: Kick the tires before you buy a cologne

The smell of a cologne when you first put it on is actually very different from what it will smell like an hour later, says Carlos Benaim, creator of some of the world's most successful fragrances, including Calvin Klein's Eternity for Men and the new YSL scent, L'Homme Libre. Most scents are divided into three "notes," he explains, each a blend of oils and essences that react to your body's chemistry. The top note is the first, fleeting part of the fragrance. It comes and goes in 15 minutes. The middle note lasts about an hour, and the base note remains for the rest of the day. "It's important to test the fragrance on your own skin," Benaim says. Don't try too many at once. Instead, hit the fragrance counter first, sniff a few bottles to find a scent you like, and give it a squirt on your wrist. Do the rest of your shopping while your sample has time to evolve, and save your final decision until you're ready to leave the store.

Rule 51: Your luggage is heading to Mumbai

Which is a bummer, because you're just flying to Miami. Matching luggage is a waste, especially since the airline loses half of it anyway. But invest in one great-looking carry-on: A nice leather bag will scratch and burnish and age as you travel about. It will look great today; it will look better in 2021. Carry in it at least one full change of clothes that can go anywhere. Like, oh, a blue blazer, a white shirt, some dark jeans ...

Rule 52: Look fitter instantly: Dress all in one color

A neutral hue, such as gray, black, olive, navy, or even white, will create a seamless line from head to toe, slimming you and making you look taller. Fuchsia, not so much.

Rule 53: Pack jackets inside out

To prevent wrinkles in a packed suit, turn the jacket inside out and push the shoulders through. Now place the jacket in a plastic bag from a dry cleaner—the plastic minimizes friction, which causes most wrinkles. Fold it in half lengthwise, then fold it over a second time, bringing the collar down to the hem. Wrap the pants in another dry-cleaning bag and fold them into thirds. Note: The enemy of packed clothing is movement, so use the straps in your suitcase to secure your suit.

Rule 54: Toss the old stuff

Here's the fastest way to bring order to chaos, according to Peter Walsh, a professional organizer on TLC's Clean Sweep. Start by eliminating anything you no longer wear, and stow off-season clothes in storage bins under your bed or in totes in your closet.Next, create a zone for each type of clothing ( jeans, shirts, suits) to easily locate everything and edit out duplicates. Finally, optimize your space by replacing bulky plastic hangers with slim, nonslip ones, and hang hooks on your door for belts and jackets.

Rule 55: Clear out the clutter

Rule 56: If you haven't worn it in 3 years, you don't need it

We all have items we won't wear again. Tossing or donating them costs you 3 minutes of nostalgia. Then you'll never think of them again.

Rule 57: Variety isn't critical

If you have a favorite cut, color, or brand of jeans, buy five pairs. Why mess with perfection?

Rule 58: Stuff can weigh you down

As Sam Worthington notes, men move around a lot. When you're considering buying anything, from a TV to a new suit, think about where you'll be in a few years. Do you want to lug this with you? There's your answer.

Via: Men's Health

Dirty Makeup Secrets

Quick ... do you know your expiration dates for makeup? And when's the last time you washed your brushes? You're not alone. A new, unofficial survey of British women found that their cosmetic bag is out of date by -- gasp -- four years!

Females are using makeup well past the use-by date, unaware products can be a magnet for germs, which could cause damage to their health and looks.

On average, women keep mascara for 12 months when it should be thrown away after six and concealer for 24 months when it should be binned after 12. They hold on to their eyeshadow and blusher for 180 months when it should be dumped after 24.

Despite European guidelines stating that brands have to state product shelf lives, 89 percent of women are unaware such information exists, do not understand what the symbol means or are unable to read the often tiny writing.

Make-up, perfume and skin-care products used after the expiration date carry a risk of irritation and infection due to bacteria and air infiltration.

Multi-use products carry a higher risk as they can spread germs from eyes to skin to lips. Bevis Man, of the British Skin Foundation, said: "Err on the side of caution -- if a product looks or smells strange, throw it away."

Sixty percent of women admit they share make-up with friends and family, multiplying the chances of infection.

Sixty-eight pe cent only replace make-up and skin-care when they run out. And 72 percent never wash their make-up sponges or brushes.

Eighty-one percent regularly (at least once a week) go to sleep without removing make-up.

Sara Stern, cosmetics director at Debenhams, said: "We wouldn't hesitate to chuck out mouldy or bacteria-ridden food and the same standards should apply to the lotions and potions we use.

Read more:http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/dirty-makeup-secrets-2600945/

Learn How to Start Dating After A Divorce

Remember to Take As Much Time As You Need

Recovering from a divorce can be devastating for some people. Others, though, may be glad to be out of a bad relationship. Either way, it’s going to be best for you and your future dates that you take a while after the divorce to have some “you time." Get to know who you are again. Once you do this, you will have a better of understanding of what you want out of life. The hiatus will also help you to determine what you’re going to want from your future companion. So be sure to take that leap only when you’re really ready.

Don’t Bring Up the Details

Even though it would be good for the person you’re dating to know that you are divorced, don’t go into the details about it. Nothing is more unattractive than rambling on and on about past relationships. The subject will come up eventually of course but when it does, keep it brief and focus your attention on your date and on having a good time, not on the past. You can be open and honest with your date, but do it without spilling your guts.

Be Yourself

Relax and let the real you shine. Dating is about getting to know the other person. The goal is to find out if that person has characteristics you like and if he or she is worth going out with on a second date. Keep in mind that your date is probably as nervous as you are and wants to make a good impression. Just be yourself and encourage the other person to be the same way. Enjoy the moment and smile a lot. You will soon notice that the smiling is contagious and before you know it, you both will be at ease with the situation.

It’s a Date, Not Therapy

If you’ve been through a divorce, especially after a long-term relationship, then it’s more than likely that you’ve been to therapy. While in therapy, you were probably able to get to know yourself better because of the treatment you received there. But this is not prime information to be sharing with your date. This is information you want to hold off on sharing until things get serious. If you start talking about the insights you gained in therapy, it’s almost a sure thing that your date will think you’re nuts and that you offer too much information. Keep most of your issues between you and your therapist.

Show Some Interest

Be sure to pay attention to your date. Get to know who the other person on the other side of the table is. Ask questions and listen to what your date has to say. Nothing is more flattering to people than knowing that what they have to say matters. The more questions you ask, the more knowledge you will gain about your potential partner. This is a great help in determining whether or not there will be second date.

Don’t Get Too Serious Too Fast

Just date for the sake of dating! Give yourself the opportunity to meet new people and have some fun before looking for your next serious relationship. This tactic will keep you from jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

Ending the Date

How the date ends is up to the both of you. Whether to kiss at the end of the date or ask your date to stay for the night is completely up to you. You’re both adults. But do what feels right for you and for your date. At the end of the date, if you want to head home, then do it. But if you both want to spend the night together and get to know each other some more, then do it. However the encounter ends, be courteous at the end. We’re all humans and deserve respect no matter how the date may end up going.

Read more:http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/YPHAPRBQ6C6ZFISCN5KUBG3ZBQ/

5 Dating-Profile Clichés and What They Really Mean

Here are some of the most common online dating phrases decoded.

He writes: I'm very sarcastic.
What it really means: I’m not sarcastic at all; I only think I am.
The reasoning: Much like people who claim to be laid back and easy-going, anyone who has to point out what type of sense of humor he has, doesn't have one.

He writes: I'm looking for an easygoing girl who likes to have fun and laugh. Intelligence is very important to me.
What it really means: I'm looking for a girl with a rockin' body who's not looking for anything more serious than a good time. Intelligence is not important to me if you possess any of the aforementioned qualities. I'm also the most boring person on planet.
The reasoning: Who doesn't like to laugh or have fun? Who doesn't want to be around someone who likes to laugh and have fun and who is easy going? Who doesn't think of themselves as at least moderately intelligent? If I ever find a profile that says, "I'm looking for a boring, unintelligent person who is down to be miserable and cry with me for extended periods of time," I will ask that person to marry me because I will have finally found someone who is actually sarcastic.

He writes: 30 Rock is one of my favorite TV shows.
What it really means: I like 30 Rock. I am also indistinguishable from just about everyone else on this site and I am trying to strike a desirable balance between mainstream and hipster.
The reasoning: According to OkCupid's data, 30 Rock is the most popular show for singles on the site. Either practically every eligible bachelor and bachelorette are watching 30 Rock week in and week out, creating some sort of collective, virtual laugh track, or something more cynical is at work here. We suspect the latter. Sure 30 Rock is a good show, but it’s also one of the shows you can proudly claim as one you watch, while also conveniently leaving out that you have The Bachelor Pad set to high priority on your DVR. It's quirky without being too weird (it is on primetime after all), and smart without being too pretentious. In other words it's perfect dating material. If 30 Rock had its own profile, it'd be getting asked out on the regular.

He writes: I'm not good at writing about myself
What it really means: I want you to think I haven't spent too much time on this profile. I'm going for a sexy stream-of conscious
The reasoning: The truth is no one's good at writing about themselves. Somehow in the time it takes for your thoughts to travel from your brain to the computer screen, they've taken on a slightly different meaning until what you’ve written appears to be just a shadow of who you really are—an approximation, really. In other words, if your online profile was a self-portrait it'd be in the abstract tradition. Still, if you choose to embark on online dating, you’ve got to know that it will require you to list your interests in a text box. That’s how the Internet works. Stop self-consciously commenting on the online dating process and just get on board. We’re all there for the same reason.

He writes: I love exploring (insert nearest metropolitan city)
What it really means: I want to give you the impression that I do cool things when in reality I go to the same bars and restaurants in between long bouts of playing video games.
The reasoning: Behind "I love 30 Rock" this might be the most common phrase ever typed into OkCupid. It's pervasiveness has ruined it for every person who actually means it. If someone really wants to convey their adventurous personality or urban knowledge, better to be specific. As any English teacher will tell you, show don’t tell!



Read more:http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/5-dating-profile-cliches-and-what-they-really-mean-2596397/