short hairstyles for round faces

Short hairstyles can look really great on round faced women. The key factor is to understand that the overall face is shaped more like a circle with the chin and jaw line gradually evening out with the forehead region. Key techniques to make faces look slimmer with shorter hairstyles include more volume, playful bangs, and good facial framing. Facial framing can really help create great looks for round faces. The three examples below are just a few of these gorgeous ladies' many great short hairstyles.

short hairstyles for round faces

short hairstyles for round faces

Giorgio Armani Beauty Finishing Fabric Second Skin Blush

Giorgio Armani Beauty has done it again. I bought, received, and swooned. I love the new Finishing Fabric Second Skin Blush ($38). The three shades are limited editions from the Radiant Fabrics Collection. I posted a first look a few weeks ago.

I'll confess that my first reaction when the box arrived was, "Wow, they are smaller than I expected!" At four inches long, I wondered if Armani was on an austerity kick. Then I used one. I can't begin to tell you - emphasize - how little of this product is needed to give you a rosy glow. I bought #1 and #2, and I suspect they will last for years.

The concentrated color blends easily due to the creamy formula. I follow the Armani directions and squeeze out the tiniest bit into my hand before applying the blusher in circular movements with two fingers. When I finish, I follow the Loyd Cassler school of blush and use foundation to blend and blur the edges or lighten any spots where I feel I have applied too much color. If you have never tried the foundation trick, it's the best! Just put foundation over any blush color that's too bright or dark, and it instantly and "permanently" lightens the color and softens the transition on your cheeks.

Another thing you can do with these Finishing Fabrics is mix them in your hand with foundation, moisturizer, or a product like Armani's Crema Nera Soothing Lotion or MAC's Fix + to blend them out. I find that this works really well for me with #2, the darker of the two shades I bought. The first time I applied it, even though I used very little, I applied too much. The second time, I applied less. The third time, I blended it down with a little lotion, and that worked perfectly. Remember, my skin is really pale!

The Finishing Fabric Second Skin Blush is extremely long-lasting. Unlike many powder blushers that need to be refreshed at some point in the day, Finishing Fabric doesn't fade. When I come home from work, I still have blushing cheeks!

No matter how hard I try, I can't get fabulous makeup photos for you. Each photo shows a drollop of the blush at the top and the blush blended at the bottom. The first photo, to the right, is #1. It's the lighter of the two shades I bought. The photo to the left is #2. Both work well for me, depending on what I'm wearing. I hope you can see that #1 is light pink with a bit of blue in it, and #2 is quite rosy. These photos were taken on different parts of my arm, the light outside was fading fast, and I applied less of #2 than #1 when I got these shots. They don't look very different in Blogger, but #2 is definitely darker. I did not blend the product down as much as I do on my face.

I will wait for them to show up at Saks and try #3 (which has more coral in it and is probably too dark for me) when they do. I'm told they shipped to the stores this week, so I hope that Loyd and I can play sometime next week.

Would I recommend that you try one? Absolutely! I don't think you will need two unless you are also a total Armani addict, but one will be a nice addition to your makeup wardrobe. You can purchase Finishing Fabric at the Armani Beauty Web site, and you will be able to find it at Saks and selected Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom counters as well.


Update 4/2 in full sun: Two more photos - this time taken with the advantage of sun. On the left is #1 blended a bit. On the right is #2 - a drollop and smudged (not actually blended).

Update 4/7: Turns out that #3 is the lightest shade! Go figure! I'm headed over to Saks today to pick up a #3. Armani Beauty has added descriptive names to their shades online, and they imply that #1 is peach. See for yourself to the left. :)

Photos courtesy of Armani Beauty or taken by BTiB

Gillette Venus Embrace Disposable Razors

I just started using Gillette's Venus Embrace Disposable Razors, and I am really impressed. Maybe you think, as I used to, that a razor is a razor - and a disposable razor is a disposable razor. Buy whatever you can get at Costco, and you're all set. Right? Wrong! The Venus Embrace Disposable Razors are the nicest razors I have ever used. Better than my other disposables (also from Gillette and Costco).

The Embrace Disposable Razors are the first disposable razors to have five blades instead of the typical three. As a result, they are really effective. They glide smoothly over my legs, and in one stroke, leave them soft, smooth, and perfectly stubble-free. With regular disposables, I have to be careful not to cut myself, and I can feel the sharp razor blades moving across my skin - even with a nice coating of soap or shave gel.

With the Embrace Razor, there is no sharp feeling, just the smooth "embrace" of what feels like a soft "paddle" running over my skin. The way these disposables are designed, I think it would be hard to cut myself. The head pivots to adjust to the bony parts of my legs. The first time I tried the Embrace Disposable, I couldn't believe the blades were even making contact and shaving - it was that smooth. I also like their soft-grip handle - makes it hard for the razor to slip out of my hands, another way I have cut myself in the past.

Does anyone use a disposable razor just once? I sure don't. Each razor normally lasts me a few weeks. These razors come in three packs. They are $7.49 at Drugstore.com, which also has a buy two save $2 offer. There are plenty of other sources. They are available at mass market drugstores and retailers like Walmart.

Am I raving? Yes! I think these razors are an advance in the razor market, and that's pretty cool. Gillette sent me these to test. I will be buying my next pack.

We have a Gillette Venus Giveaway Contest going, and I'm going to extend the deadline by a couple of days - until April 5. The winner will receive four great Gillette Venus products, and the Embrace Disposables will be in the winner's box. Because it's spring break, I think a lot of people are away and haven't seen this nice giveaway. By extending the deadline, I hope to give more of you a chance to win. Not only that, I want to have a bit more time to tell you about the other products in the package. If you haven't entered yet, just go to this link and leave a comment telling us how you stay cool and look your best during the summer.

Photo courtesy of Gillette Venus