EXPERT SECRETS | Find your best hair colour

YOUR HAIR colour is as much a part of your wardrobe as your clothing — although not as easy to change on a whim. That's why it's important to seek out the best hair color for your skin color. With a little research and reasonable expectations, you can have an absolutely flattering hair color, whether you color it yourself or go to a professional.

Continue reading about how to pick your hair colour >

If you color it yourself only to end up with brassy or muddy colour, the reason is that box dye simply doesn't work well. But going to the salon monthly is beyond many budgets nowadays. What's a girl to do? Luckily, there is hope — professional at-home hair dye. Find everything you need at professional beauty supply stores and then follow these instructions to guide you through the process.

Continue reading about how to do a professional dye job at home >

Originally written by Jessica Teas for Sears Inc. at managemylife.com. Image credit: flickr.com/photos/saffy_suppi/4213532846/sizes/z/in/photostream/ [Editor's note: I really dislike bratz dolls with their lollipop heads, alien eyes and trout pouts but like the way the hair is laid out here.]

TREND MILL | Top 5 beauty trends NOT to wear to work

BEAUTY TRENDS can look great when worn the right way. Gray and beige nails look sophisticated. Coral blush can perk up your appearance. But some trends, no matter how gently you tread, are best checked at the office door:

1. Nail art (even though I'm a fan) – In east London and on the Lower East Side, perhaps you can get away with nails covered in diamante or cute renderings of Hello Kitty. But nail art in even its most subtle form is a no-no for any other professional setting. Buffed, clear gloss, basic or muted shades of nail polish are best for those employed in traditional fields or, really, any fields except for fashion, music or magazines.

2. Burgundy lipstick – Under low lights in an osteria with gently mussed hair and minimal makeup on the rest of your face, burgundy lips (like Revlon Lipstick in Black Cherry, which is heaven) are downright sexy. It’s a great, bold color that has helped herald in the new era of lipstick after decades of wearing lip gloss. However, your boss will not be pleased if you show up to the boardroom in a killer pant suit, pumps and… burgundy lips. You’ll look more reformed female gang member from 1990s LA than sophisticated business lady. As with your nails, keep lip color at work understated and un-distracting. Nudes, pinks, gentle reds and beiges are all great to give your lips a color boost without looking out of place. 

Continue reading on the Smarter Beauty Blog...

5 WAYS TO | Dry shampoo

1 | Oscar Blandi has a powder, non-aerosol version that smells of fresh lemons. The powder ingredient is rice starch instead of the traditional talc so it's finer, doesn't cake on the scalp and is better for you. Rub a bit between your fingers, rub your fingers through your roots and you're set.

2 | Psssssst! is a throwback from the 70s. An original and it's back in circulation, being sold in pocket-sized containers at checkout in drugstores in the US. We can't guarantee an ingredient list as crunchy and wholesome as some of the others on the list but if you're in a pinch, it'll do the trick.

3 | Batiste is probably the cheapest of the lot along with the resuscitated Psssssst! brand. Works a treat in an aerosol can and reminds most women of younger days. They've recently created a colour dry shampoo range that would give Bb dry shampoo a run for its money. I loved the brown one although it smelled a bit like the Ojon dry shampoo (which smells way too much like Thierry Mugler's strangler of a scent, Angel).

4 | Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo is aerosol like Bb and Batiste but feels lighter than both. It leaves your hair softer and a bit less matte than the others. Good if you're not looking for a ton of volume (which dry shampoos handsomely provide).

5 | Lulu Organics has an ingredient list that reads like a shopping list for a baking experiment. It's pretty straight forward and, as the brand implies, organic. You could probably eat it if you wanted to: organic corn starch, white clay, baking soda, organic rice powder, organic horsetail powder, organic essential oils. And it's talc free.

Others we use: Bb dry shampoo can be good if you want to brighten up your hair or hide roots because of the coloured powder. However, don't wear it if you're going to be sweating or you'll have streaks down your forehead.