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If you celebrate V-day with your significant other and want to look your best on the big day…here are a couple tips for romantic makeup, hair, and outfits.  With just a little bit of effort, achieving the whole package just got a little easier!

MAKEUP

A great look starts off with your face – and what better way to find inspiration than a slideshow of different romantic looks from Refinery29?

The Head-To-Toe Guide to V-Day Hotness

HAIR

From Nicholas Penna, Jr., owner and lead stylist at SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham:

The Sock Bun: Start by blow-drying hair with a natural bristle brush; once hair is dry, apply a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum to the shafts and ends of hair.  Using a fine-tooth comb to smooth out bumps, slick hair back into a high ponytail at the crown of your head and secure it with an elastic.  Cut off the end of a clean, unwanted sock (where your toes would be), and roll it up into a donut shape, placing it around the base of the ponytail.  Tilt your head slightly forward and spread your ponytail evenly around the sock so that half of your hair is toward the top of the sock, pointing toward your forehead, and half is at the bottom, pointing toward your back.  Use a second hair elastic to wrap and secure hair around the outside of the sock, creating a ballerina-bun at the crown of your head.  Twist remaining hair in one direction and use bobby-pins to tuck and clip the ends underneath your bun.  Finish with a light application of hairspray.

Sleek, “Wet-Inspired” Hair: Start by combing through wet hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles, and add a walnut-size dollop of styling balm to the top half of wet, tangle-free hair. Brush your hair towards the back of your head with a fine-tooth comb and secure it tightly with an elastic. Twist hair gently, and wrap it into around the base of the ponytail to create a round bun.  Use bobby pins to secure the end of your ponytail and tame fly-aways.  Run a fine-tooth comb through the top of your hair up to the bun to smooth over any bumps, and finish with a generous amount of an extra-hold hairspray.

Bouncy, Volumized Hair:  Start with a classic blow-dry using a round, natural bristle brush and a palm-full of volumizing mousse.  Once hair is dry, add volume to the top of the head by teasing the hair using hairspray and a round brush.  After desired volume is achieved, curl hair away from the face from end to root with a large barrel (2″) curling iron.Using a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum, rub your hands together and gently run your fingers through the curls to separate them.  Finish the look with light hair spray and you’re red carpet ready!

Smooth and Sleek Hair with a Center Part: Start by parting wet hair directly in the center of your head using the edge of a fine-toothed comb.  Dry hair with the nozzle attachment of your blow-dryer, and a natural bristle brush, pulling hair and the dryer downward to smooth out hair.  Apply a pea-sized drop of smoothing serum from the shafts to the ends of your hair. Run a straightening iron through your ends to straighten out any waves and voila, you have a classic look for day or night!

OUTFIT

Need some ideas for what to wear on your hot date?  Want to go beyond “sexy and red?”  Try checking out looks that other stylish ladies on Chictopia have put together:

A Gallery of V-Day Inspiration Outfits

HANDMADE GIFTS TO GIVE

And if you’re still stuck for a gift, try out this handmade chocolate box from Delia Creates:

or this geek-chic Lego heart necklace from Iridium on Karmaloop (try a DIY if you have the parts!):

or a whole bunch of ideas of what to craft for your guy over at Dollar Store Crafts (heart-print boxers from ILoveToCreate.com):

Hope that gives you some ideas for the Day of Love!

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!:-D

xoxox
Carly

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