Blog Posts by RealBeauty.com

The best way to get into the holiday spirit is by helping someone in need. Here, our favorite presents that support a variety of amazing causes.

Aveda Caribbean Rejuvenation Kit
This season, Aveda is helping support indigenous communities in northwestern Nepal. The packaging is a reusable gift box wrapped in special paper, made through a partnership with Himalayan families. (aveda.com, $32)

• See more gifts for the beauty-obsessed.

L'Occitane Soap Sets Moments in Africa
Every year L'Occitane launches its "United to Save Sight" campaign as part of its ongoing commitment to raise money for sight-saving organizations. One hundred percent of the proceeds from these scented, engraved, shea butter soaps will go to ORBIS, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting preventable blindness worldwide. (usa.loccitane.com, $8)

• Beautiful gifts under $20

The Body Shop Soft Hands, Kind Heart Hand Cream
Great for a last-minute co-worker gift that won't break the bank, this hand cream cares forRead More »from Gift Ideas: Charitable Beauty Buys

Yum. Our mouth is watering just thinking about the glorious spread that our families lay out for Thanksgiving dinner. More milk in the mashed potatoes! Pile on the gravy-I'm not driving! We tend to say to ourselves and others, "It's the holiday season! Splurge!" While that's all great, we forget that splurging means extra time and commitment at the gym in January.

For those of us who are nervous about messing up our weight-loss goals this season, these two upcoming holidays have us sweating a bit. Here are some tips that won't leave you starving at the dinner table with a plate full of steamed green beans and a glass of water. Also see: Want to drop five pounds?

Munch before you head out.
Eat an apple, a small salad with balsamic vinegar or a low-fat yogurt with granola-a small but nutritious snack should curb your hunger, at least through the hors d'oerves.

Choose a "better" alcohol.
Skip the punch with the foamy sorbet-a dessert within itself. Alcohol is already rich in sugar and

Read More »from 5 Tips for Having Your Thanksgiving—and Eating it Too

Does your hair seem to have a mind of it's own? We've got five how-to tips to switch it up and regain control over your beautiful Latina locks below.

How to Fake It
Tons of our favorite Latina celebrities use extensions, including Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, and Patricia Velasquez. But there are more options that just getting extensions for your hair. For a more temporary and less expensive method, try "clipping," which is when small wefts of hair are secured in your scalp using small clips, anchoring the extension to the shaft. The clips are very tiny, so you can place them almost anywhere on your head as long as you can blend with your natural hair. When you feel like switching it up or going natural, simply just take the clip out. This is a perfect alternative to getting a new look for the weekend, without breaking the bank.


How to Get Control on an Oily Scalp
The two most important things in controlling an oily scalp is what kind of shampoo and conditioner you put in your hair.

Read More »from 5 How-to Tips to Control Latina Hair

Asian hair has a lot to offer. It's thick, has great volume, and is very strong. See our styling secrets below to get the best hairstyle ever for your hair type.

For Short or Shoulder-Length Hair
To prevent hair from getting too oily, use a clarifying shampoo before styling to avoid product buildup. Keep product away from the scalp, applying only to the middle and ends of your hair. To dry hair, do it sans brush with a high powered setting and heat. For a perfect finish apply a small amount of pomade to the ends. See what other products we recommend.

For Long Hair
Get more volume out of longer hairstyles by only washing every few days. For even more boost run a curling iron through second-day unwashed hair, or flip hair over and blast with a cool shot of air from your blow dryer. When it is time to rinse your hair apply an overnight conditioning serum so you can skip the shampoo and still have manageable hair. Get more styling tips for long and layered hair.

For the Best Color
If

Read More »from 4 Secrets to Having Perfect Asian Hair

Traveling for Thanksgiving? Long lines at the airport, hyperactive or cranky kids, and family drama can take a nice holiday and turn it into a high-stress war zone. Keep these tips in mind as you get ready for next week.

• Get a head start on Black Friday with these gift ideas

1. Pack smart. If you can manage, try to pack a smaller suitcase. Bypassing luggage check and baggage claim will save you loads of time, not to mention money.

Check with your airline first and see what their dimensions are for carry-on luggage. Pack clothes that you can mix and match for multiple looks-that way you end up packing less material but will still have a variety of options. Also, buy some travel-friendly beauty products so you can breeze through security. Plus, you won't miss them if you leave them in the hotel bathroom.

• Learn beauty tricks for travel

2. Keep kid stress at bay. Traveling for the first time with your little one can be a whole load of stress in itself. Many airlines let Read More »from 3 Stress-Busting, Time-Saving Tips for Traveling

Looking to have a sun-kissed glow all year round? Slowly watching your complexion fade from the summer months can be depressing. All that hard work you put into your safe sun bathing practices goes right out the window once the sun starts setting at 4 p.m. Below we give you three steps from our favorite shows and movies that will keep you glowing straight through the winter without having to hit a tanning booth.

1. Illuminate. With the season finale of America's Next Top Model this week, we looked back at our favorite look from the season. Nicole's Hawaiian shoot was absolutely radiant, mainly because of her glowing skin. To get a luminous glow like hers, try an Illuminator, like Clinique Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator. Apply to the apples of your cheeks and the area above your brow bone to brighten your face, without obvious added sparkle.









2. Bronze. Katherine Heigl's hair in The Ugly Truth was a heated topic of debate in the battle of long vs. short, but what really would have made

Read More »from 3 Steps to Make You Shine Like the Stars

Do you want to know the best way to enhance your eyes? Need a new holiday hairstyle or have skincare questions?

We want to know your questions. Leave us comments below and tell us what you're dying to find out. We'll try to get you answers with the beauty expertise that you're looking for.

Need holiday hairstyle ideas or more hair maintenance tips for the winter months? Are you wondering what the best products are for natural hair? Or the best products to use on your weave? Send us your beauty questions!

Post your comments below and we'll try our best to get you the expert answers you're looking for.