Waterstone Aesthetics

So thanks to our friends at Harper’s Bazaar, we’ve been able to equip you with the newest hair and makeup trends for Spring 2012.  But we won’t stop there!  Fresh from the Harper’s Bazaar newest article, here are the Spring 2012 nail trends.

Nude is the big news for nails this season.  However, that doesn’t mean that bold patterns and bright moments are out!  Classic reds, chic corals, soft pastels, as well as ombre and metallic designs are all mixed in for this spring collection.

New neutrals like creamy shades of gray, white, pale pink, and soft beige are a great contrast to printed clothing and accessories.

Lovely colors like lady-like reds, rich burgundy, demure pastels, and smart chartreuse are just more colors to add on to your nail polish collection!  Harper’s recommends to pick up hints of your shade on your eyes or lips for an elegant finish.

Have a fancy event coming up or want to do something crazy special for SXSW events?!  Fancy patterns are just what you’re looking for!  These artsy yet approachable looks will be sure to have people complimenting your nails left and right.

Chrome Hologram

Ombre Effect

Black Swan Graffiti

Your Waterstone Family has a plethora of OPI spring colors available for only $9.  From shatters, to glitter, to neutral tones, we have the perfect color for any occasion.  Stop by today and stock up on some springtime colors!

Want to know what colors we have before you stop by??  Welllll, we have in stock at this very moment:

• Steady as She Rose
• Step Right Up! (2)
• Hearts and Tarts (2)
• So Many Clowns…So Little Time (2)
• Second Honeymoon
• I’ll Take the Cake!
• Kyoto Pearl
• Who Needs a Prince? (2)
• Malaysian Mist
• Servin’ Up Sparkle
• White Shatter

Feel that you have too many nail polishes??  NEVER!  Just grab that old spice rack and morph it into your brand new nail polish organizer!

We hope this spring is off to the right start, and we can’t wait for you to “hop” on by! ;)

Spring Break is finally upon us!  …even though the weather has been quite warm since mm, well, December (see image below).

Anyway, whenever Spring Break comes to mind, it’s hard to forget the crazy South Padre or Cabo trips…at least if you’re about to be in college, in college, or just graduated from college.  However, if you’re looking for a more family-friendly vacation, you’ve come to the right place!  Your friends at Waterstone want to enlighten you guys with the Top 10 Family Spring Break Vacations! (according to the Travel Channel)

1. Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas
- This underwater world allows kids to choose their own adventure at the Atlantis Kids Adventure program.  “Aspiring chefs can twist pretzels or make pizza in culinary classes and budding architects can don their hard hats and get building in the Lego Construction room.”  There’s also perfect reading nooks, a life-sized Victorian dollhouse equipped with the highest quality in pretend kitchens for that special extravagant tea party.  There’s gaming systems, performance gallery complete with costumes and equipment to make movies, and arts and crafts!  If the kids ever choose to leave the club, parents can squeeze in a family meal before y’all hit the water slides, river rides, rock climbing, or marine habitat!

2. Smugglers Notch in Smuggers Notch, Vermont
- School’s out, but that doesn’t mean kids don’t want to learn how to ski!  “Aspiring snowboarders can learn the ropes on Burton snowboards equipped with a softer flex and beveled bottom that help with the learning curve.  Cross-country skiers can hone their skills on the bumps and play area at the mini terrain park.”  And don’t worry to invest in this program because if the participants don’t learn or improve, there’s refund in their future!  There’s also indoor pools, dog-sledding, ice-skating, and art classes to ensure the best family vacation ever!

3. Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona
- At this old-school dude ranch, families can get an inside look at the cowboy life since 1947.  The children’s club starts at 8 AM with breakfast before a ride on the trails.  Kids can also swim, do crafts, hike, take part in sports or scavenger hunts while parents relax or play golf.  After lunch, the family is reunited for some together time and horseback riding.  Then come supper time, the kids are back to the club and a campfire while mom and dad enjoy dinner in the dining room.  It’s the best of both worlds, and best of all, most activities in the children’s program are free of charge…that’s right…FREE!

Vacations 4-10 include Sandy Lane in St. James, Barbados; Steamboat Springs in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Loews Coronado Bay in San Diego, California; Kauai Surf School in Poipu Beach, Hawaii; Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; South Seas Island Resort in Captiva Island, Florida; and Club Med Dominican Republic in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Looking to stay in Austin for Spring Break??  Well, there will be PLENTY to do…especially with SXSW!  Click on the link to see what’s going on around Austin.

Perhaps you want to stay away from the mayhem of SXSW?  Not to worry!  Check out austin360 to see anything and everything going on in the great capital of Texas.

Have fun and be safe during your Spring vacation!  Bursting with excitement with your plans??  Well, we’d love to hear about it…post a  comment below or on our Facebook profile and/or page!

Your friends at Waterstone want you to look good and feel good all the time!  That’s why, just in time for Spring Break, we’re going to provide you with some killer workouts as well nutrition tips!

Need some good workouts for that area below the belly button??  Perform 2-3 sets of 10-20 repetitions of each lower-belly exercise on 3 nonconsecutive days of the week.
1.  AB PULLINS – this exercise works the muscles below the belly button and the upper abs and obliques.  Being in a pushup position with  your skins resting on a large exercise ball.  Your hands should be shoulder-width apart with legs together.  Keeping your back straight and your abdominal muscles tight, pull your knees towards your chest allowing the ball to roll forward down your shins.  Squeeze your belly muscles at the end of the movement, then carefully roll the ball back to the start position by straightening your legs.

2. INCLINE LEG RAISE – this isolates the lower-belly muscles.  Beginners should start with a bench that’s only slightly inclined.  Lie on an incline bench with your feet toward the bottom and grasp the bars or handles.  Raise your legs to horizontal, then lift your pelvis, rolling  your spine up as if to bring your knees to your head.  You should feel your lower belly start working as you lift  your pelvis.  Pause at the top of the movement, then slowly lower back to the starting position.

3. DOUBLE TOE TAP – this effectively targets the fat under your belly button, working mainly the transverse abdominis muscle.  Lie face up on the floor with your knees bent and your arms extended along your sides.  Lift your legs so your hips are bent to 90 degrees and your skins are parallel with the floor.  Contract your abdominal muscles and press your lower back into the floor.  Keeping your knees bent, slowly lower both feet to tap your toes to the floor.  Use your lower-belly muscles to lift your legs back to the starting position.

4. STRAIGHT LEG REVERSE CRUNCH – lie face up on the floor with your legs extended and arms straight along your sides.  Contract your abdominal muscles and, keeping them as straight as possible, lift your legs so the soles of your feet point toward the ceiling.  Pull your belly button into your spine, then carefully lift your pelvis off the floor while keeping your mid and upper back in place.  The movement of this exercise is minimal.  Squeeze your lower abdomen at the top of the movement, then carefully lower back to the floor.

*These tips were found at livestrong.com.  For more workouts, please visit their website!  Want a more total body workout, check out this link!*

Now it’s no mystery that just working out isn’t quite enough to reach your maximum potential.  Here’s a fun photo to help you with your pre-workout and post-workout!

Check back next week for some great easy and healthy recipes or travel tips!  Ooo…the mystery!  ;)

Spring break is just around the corner, and since we’re in central Texas, the only water relatively close to us is Lake Austin, Lake Travis…or Galveston (womp womp womp).  While those bodies of water are great, they aren’t quite the same as a tropical beach off the coast of Florida or even South Padre for that matter.  So even though we’re not able to drop everything and go off to an island getaway, we can look like we did!  Your friends at Waterstone want to be able to help you achieve beachy hair whenever, wherever in just 3 easy ways!

#1: B&b Surf Spray – this magical bottle of goodness will give you a sexy, salty, sun-dried, windswept style!  It’ll really amp up any type of natural wave to the hair, and it’s great for any hair type in general – from thin and straight to thick and wavy!  Surf Spray will also add volume and help get rid of frizz.  Spray a little directly on your hair and your roots or scrunch it with Brilliantine to add a touch of shine.  Less is more and the less you touch it, the longer it’ll hold!

#2: 3-Barrel Curling Iron – also called “waving irons”, this tool can  help you achieve the  beachy wave look as well!  If loose waves is the style you’re going for, get a 3-barrel curling iron with larger barrels.  Small barrels will get your tighter waves.  Before using this tool on your hair, be sure you use a heat protectant!  We recommend the B&b Spray de Mode Hairspray to give a flexible hold and maintain workability.  Just separate your hair into sections, spray the hair before you use the waving iron as well as after to keep the wave.

#3: Hair Buns – just step out of the shower and realize you want to try and get beachy waves??  Not to worry!  Just section your hair into equal parts and twist and wrap your damp hair into 2-4 low buns (smaller sections give smaller wave).  A spritz of Tonic or Styling Lotion will help give the right foundation for your hair before you even start that twist and shout!  ;)  After your hair dries, undo the buns and lightly brush through your hair with your fingers.  For extra hold and definition, add some Surf Spray or Spray de Mode.

So the next time you look outside and the weather looks perfect for laying out by the ocean or building sand castles, give one of these beachy hair wave methods a try!  Let us know how it works for you!

"Life is a beach, I'm just playing in the sand" - Lil Wayne

It’s award show season, and thanks to Cosmopolitan magazine, we’re able to let you know of eight looks that some of the biggest stars at the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards rocked that turn heads anytime, anywhere!

Lea Michele wore her brown waves with a soft side part and a slight wave throughout.  Emulate her bombshell locks at home with large hot rollers.  Once the curl is set, take out the rollers, brush the underside of your hair to create volume, and leave the top to fall as it may.  Use the B&b Shine On Finishing Spray to add extra shine and sheen.

Busy Phillips was all over the braid trend but kept it low-maintenance with most of her hair down.  Try parting your on one side and creating a small, loose French braid like Busy’s down one side.  Pin the plait behind your ear and curl the ends lightly for some bounce.  We still have some B&b Pin Tins!  Drop by and pick one up to ensure you have every type of pin for every do!

Ashlee Simpson wowed us with a 1920′s inspired style.  To pull it off, create a deep side part.  Slick the smaller side down and hold in place with two bobby pins.  On the larger side of your part, use a large barrel curling iron and roll up and under. Release the hair slowly and the curler turned vertically.  Add a bit of B&b Styling Wax to give it some extra hold and texture.

Sarah Hyland created ringlets with a medium barrel iron.  Pull the top half back, leaving plenty of volume at the crown.  Hold it in place with spray, letting at lease one tendril fall loose in the front.  Use the B&b Thickening Hairspray or Hair Powder to give some extra lift at the crown.

Zoe Saldana looked exquisite in this simple style.  To recreate it, gather your hair at the nape of your neck closer to the side than back.  Wrap it into a bun and secure it with bobby pins.  Tease it slightly in the front to make it look prettily undone.  Spray some B&b Does It All Styling Hairspray to really amp and hold the tease in the front!

Angelina Jolie wore her hair down and sexy with the front slicked back, achieving a perfect balance of pretty and cool.  Try this look on your next night out by applying volumizing mousse while your hair is half dry, brushing it all back and fixing the crown in place with plenty of firm hold hairspray.  If you need to, you can cheat the look with a few discrete bobby pins at the back.  Use the B&b Classic hairspray for a firm hold paired with subtle sheen and softness.

Sofia Vergara ditched her usual waves for a ponytail with attitude.  Leaving pieces down on either side of her face was a flirty choice.  The next time  you opt for a pony, keep it low.  Get the face framing look she has here by leaving one chunky section down on either side of your face and spraying each piece while twirled around your finger for a burst of body.  Use the B&b Spray de Mode for a finishing touch!

Michelle Williams rocked her cute pixie cut.  The fair-haired beauty wore her crop unadorned at the SAG Awards, showing off the ever-so-slightly strawberry hue she’s going for these days.  Thinking of adding a red tingle to your platinum fringe?? Bring this photo to one of our stylists today!  Add some B&b Sumo Tech or Grooming Creme to add some texture and hold to your do!

Try out one of these classic looks and tell us how it went!  :)  Happy Valentine’s Day!

According to a recent Yahoo.com article listing the best cities for dating, Austin is at the top of the list!  Ellissa Richard writes that “Austin’s music scene isn’t all that rocks – this city’s dating scene doesn’t skip a beat, with singles comprising more than half the local population (thanks largely to the University of Texas campus).  For a Texas-size dose of top-notch dating potential, try a toe-tapping night out at some 200 live-music venues (test your inner cowboy or cowgirl at The Broken Spoke honky-tonk), or hit up the nightlife hotbeds in the Warehouse District or on Sixth Street.  Plus, year-round sunshine and the great outdoors combine for date-worthy dips at Barton Springs Pool, hiking or biking the Greenbelt, or getting out on the water on Lady Bird Park (a kayak for two, anybody?).”  Other cities listed were Boston, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, New York City, Phoenix and Scottsdale, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Since Valentine’s Day is around the corner, your friends at Waterstone thought that we’d post some great date spots that you could check out with a group of friends or just that special someone!  The top ten restaurants that combine great food with an intimate atmosphere according to about.com are:

• Romeo’s – 1500 Barton Springs Road; serving Italian food with live piano music every night and an outdoor patio with candles on the tables.
• Driskill Grill – 604 Brazos Street; located at the historic Driskill Hotel, the dining room has a classic and historical feel.  There’s several tasting menus if you aren’t sure where to start since the food is always changing.
• Chez Zee – 5406 Balcones Drive;  an American bistro with award-winning desserts with dim lighting but decorated with Christmas lights and paper lanterns for a soft glow.  There’s always piano music and the cute patio has heat lamps and games such as Connect 4.
• Jeffreys of Austin – 1204 West Lynn Street; has a wide variety of innovative and creative dishes.  One of the most popular dishes is the crispy oysters appetizer and the desserts are “to die for!”  The dim interior, classy atmosphere, and decadent food make for a very romantic dining experience.
• Hudson’s on the Bend – 3509 Ranch Road 620 North; incredibly fresh and unique dishes, a gorgeous hill country view, an on-site herb garden, and nearly endless wine list!  The seasonal menu offers eclectic dishes with rich flavors and lots of game, including venison chops, wild boar, chicken-fried antelope, and seared elk loin.  They’re offering a six-course dinner for Valentine’s Day in addition to cooking classes that you can take with your partner!
• Chez Nous, Uchi, FINO, The Melting Pot, and Fonda San Miguel also made the list!

Already have your dining situation figured out??  Well, there’s also Glass Blowing Austin, Painting with a Twist, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Andrea Bocelli Valentine’s Concert on February 10th, Date Night with Keith Urban on February 10th, Parent-Child Valentine’s Dance on February 11th, or Dinner Detective Austin on February 11th.  Check out austin360.com for more ideas!

What ideas do you already have for Valentine’s Day??

Now that you know the makeup trends of 2012, let us tell you about the hair trends of 2012!  Try one of these looks at your next night on the town!

• Glistening hair: this look might be the most low-maintenance look of the season.  Wet, barely-wrung hair has a youthful innocence that’s also glamorous when paired with bold eyes or lips

• Ponytails a Plenty: the ponytail is back, but did it ever fall out of favor?  The versatile horsetail can be worn low and flat, tucked under and sectioned off, or super slicked and damp!

• The Urban Wave: the beachy wave has given way to the urban bend – a loose, louche curve in the hair that’s effortlessly cool and made to look like the models did it themselves.  The street-ready style only requires a rough blow dry, subtle curl with the iron, and raking through with the hands to create the right amount of undone-ness.  Pair this style with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray to really bring this look to the next level!

• Embellished Updos: imaginative touches defined the season’s most memorable updos.  Teased chignons secured with cage barrettes, hair pins, and errant strands look chic, feathers make a striking statement, and pearl-adorned knots steal the show!

• Bigger Blowouts: “light,” “gorgeous,” and “rich” were just some of the words stylists used to describe this season’s voluminous bouncy blowouts.  It’s a return to elegance that doesn’t require much in the way of high-tech tools either.  Simply apply a generous amount of mousse, set hair in pin curls, then release and tousle!  Use the Bumble and Bumble Holding Foam or Texture to give it that little extra somethin’-somethin’!

• Sophisticated Braids and Twists: braids got a graceful makeover for spring.  Create pretty plaits that swoop around the head playfully exposing the neck or cascade down the full length of the back.

Thanks to Harper’s Bazaar for the trends listed above!  Check out their website for more fun styles!

Your friends at Waterstone want to be able that you look your absolute best all the time, anytime!  With a new season just around the corner, there’s no better time to revamp your makeup and hair style!  Here are just some of the newest trends for 2012.

For makeup:

• Red lipstick: BeingTrue offers a wide array of red lipstick colors that range from starlet to muse to temptress!  Pair it with the perfect lip gloss to give it that extra eye-catching shine!

• Modern Cat Eyes: The familiar flick of liner returned to the outer corners of the eyes but this time fashioned with inventive, even playful, variations!  We carry the BeingTrue dual eye liner in both express/reflect and yin/yang colors!  Stop by and make sure your eyes are the “cat’s meow”!

• Extreme Smoky Eyes: This beautiful and daring look can really amplify anyone’s nighttime look.  Whether you want to do a traditional black and grey smoky eye or switch it up with navys, greens, purples, or brown, we have a huge selection of eye shadows to give you the perfect look!

• Sporty Cheeks: Athleticism inspired the dewy, sun-splashed cheeks that inspired makeup artists to mimic the effects of being out in the sun.  They contoured the high parts of the face with lush peace bronze.  BeingTrue  has several natural colors to help you bring about the sporty cheek look!

• White Silver Metallics: Reflective washes of white silver sparked up the eyes and brow bones.  Add some at the corner of your eyes to really make your eyes pop!

• Brilliant Pops of Color: Vivid bursts of color create a pretty, painterly effect that opens up the eyes and adds warmth to the skin!  Come by and pick out some new spring colors for your makeup collection!

• Doll Lashes: Whether curled or feathery, the precise lashes immitated the fixed fringe seen on painted, blinking eyelids.

• Glittery Eyes: Tin foil and fairy-dust went from the art supply aisle into the kits of makeup artists!  Striking a balance between totally eccentric and daring chic, the embellished eyes answer the question of how to stand out in a crowd this season!

• Rosebud Lips: Not feeling a bold red lip?  Well a rosebud lip brings a natural and romantic look!  The soft rose color blends in beautifully on all skin tones, especially when paired with similarly toned blush!

These tips and more can be found at Harper’s Bazaar‘s website!  Start Spring 2012 out looking fierce as ever, and check back next week for hair trends for Spring 2012!

Your friends at Waterstone wanted to provide you with some helpful tips to help you get the most out of your day…and night!  Here are some helpful bedtime musts to keep your skin and body feeling fresh!

1.  Remove your eye make-up.  If you’re using an oil-based remover for waterproof mascara, make sure you cleanse thoroughly to remove any oils that may clog your pores.  Amanda recommends the Neutrogena make-up remover towelettes…pick them up at your local convenient store for only about $6-$7.2. Hydrate!  In addition to using hydrating moisturizer on your face, make sure you drink at least 1 tall glass of water before hitting the sack.  You’ll feel 10 times better the next day!  The Priori Barrier Repair Complex is a perfect moisturizer with its combination of anti-oxidants and lactic acid to provide superior anti-aging skin benefits.  It reduces the appearance of fine lines and puffiness, strengthens and repairs barrier function, soothes and heals, and is suitable for sensitive and mature dry skin.3. Change your pillowcase!  This is one of the leading causes of breakouts because pillowcases hold on to bacteria.  Changing them once a week will ensure you really get your beauty sleep!

4. To keep your pucker irresistible, exfoliate before bed with a moist wash cloth or a light scrub.  Make sure to add a generous dab of lip balm before retiring.  We carry a great moisturizing lip balm from the BeingTrue make-up line – the Essential Lip Balm with SPF 15.

5.  And our last tip of the day…sleep!  Like the rest of the body, your skin needs rest.  Getting an adequate amount of sleep every night gives your skin a chance to repair itself so you can wake up feeling really refreshed in the morning.

We hope these tips help you make the best use of your beauty sleep (not that you need it)!

In regards to our make-up/OPI promotion, we wanted to provide some tips to take your daytime make-up to work at night!  These simple pointers are certain to brighten up any look for a night on the town!

• To make eyes more dramatic, smudge black eyeliner into upper lid at the lash line and add another coat of mascara
• Use oil blotting sheets (as opposed to using more powder) to absorb excess oil to avoid a caked-on make-up look
• Change your lipstick color to a bright red or intense dark shade for a more striking, evening look
• Touch up your concealer

Not sure about what colors work best for your skin??  Come in for a make-up application with Kat or Katy.  They’ll be more than happy to help guide you to the color choices that will enhance your natural beauty!

Below are some videos from Endless Beauty that featured Katy and some of her more dramatic looks…check them out!

Enjoy your evening!