Blog Posts by Lucky Magazine

Fairchild ArchiveElena Fishman, Lucky magazine

Read on to learn more about the Japanese straightening process-plus the other options that exist for us curly-haired girls who prefer to keep our hair on the straight and narrow.

Thermal Reconditioning (aka Japanese Straightening)

What is it? This permanent process relies on a chemical that breaks down the protein bonds within hair, transforming its texture. After hair is saturated with the solution for a specific period of time, it's washed, dried and flat-ironed in teeny-tiny sections. This part is the most agonizing to sit through-you'll want to have a good book or stack of magazines handy, trust me. Post-ironing, a neutralizer is applied to "lock in" the hair's new shape.

Read more: Secrets from Top Dermatologists

What happens afterward? For 48 hours following your treatment, you cannot-under any circumstances-get your hair wet or even damp. No sweating, no washing, no romantic strolls in the rain. Bring an umbrella everywhere, even if

Chanel Sublimage Ultimate Regeneration Eye Cream, $225, chanel.comElena Fishman, Lucky magazine

1. Stave off the onset of "you look tired" (a.k.a. aging) with sunscreen and sunglasses. It's never too early to start, nor is it ever too late: The minute your skin is protected from the sun, it goes into repair mode, which it can't do as well when it's busy fending off UVA and UVB rays.

Read more: Best Dresses For Your Body

2. Lines and crow's-feet are temporarily plumped and blurred with eye cream, which also helps concealer smooth on, making dark circles easier to minimize. Great creams are also packed with antiagers to combat puffiness, discoloration and lines long-term.

Read more: 8 Outfits Men Love on Women

3. Dermatologic procedures-lasers, injections, peels-can make a more lasting (though not permanent) difference. Maintain the results as long as possible with creams.

4. There's a vein just above the inner corner of your eyes, almost at the bridge of your nose. Hit that with a dab of concealer and your eyes will look significantly more

photo credit: AFP/Getty ImagesElena Fishman, Lucky magazine

Yesterday, First Daughter Malia Obama stepped out alongside her dad in one of the coolest coats we've seen recently. With its classic camel hue and black contrast sleeves, the topper's a perfect example of fuss-free color-blocking-and we love how Malia layered it with a casual hoodie, too. And while the stylish 14-year-old may have dressed down her outerwear with combat boots and skinny denim, we think the piece would look just as sharp over an office-appropriate black sheath or colorful pencil skirt.

See below to shop a few coats inspired by Malia's.

Sarah Ferguson, Lucky magazine

With the start of a new year comes my urge to get rid of all of my clothes and create a totally new look from scratch. But I suppose that's a bit drastic. So this year, I'll start by simply amending my beauty routine. The rest of my new "look" will fall into place.

More from Lucky magazine:

5 Drastic Ways to Change Up Your Look

15 Secrets from Top Dermatologists

50 Jeans Under $50
Michelle Obama's 100 Best Looks

Lucky magazine

1. Change your part. This completely reframes your face. Bonus: You get extra volume in the bargain!

Read more: Best Dresses For Your Body

2. Go curly. New curl-smoothing-technology shampoos, stylers, etc. make even major curls easier to control, shinier and softer. If your hair's straight, clipless curling irons create ultra-natural waves.

Read more: Secrets from Top Dermatologists

3. Give yourself highlights. Just five to seven brighten and lift your whole face. Go no more than two shades lighter, and keep them just around your face. The effect is subtle but utterly transformative.

4. Get more volume. New hair-product technology gives you a huge head start. Use volumizing everything, and apply your mousse in clumps at your roots. Blow-dry, set with rollers and remember, Dry shampoo creates incredibly body.

Read more: 8 Outfits Men Love on Women

5. Go straight. Use a round brush and angle your blow dryer downward. Once hair is dry, smooth a heat protector, then

Courtesy of brandsNathalie Matthews, Lucky magazine

The great thing about gift cards is that they let you buy whatever you want-except, you know, when you want cash. But it's pretty easy to turn them into that-or a present for someone else, which basically puts money back in your bank account-if you really don't want anything in the store. Here's how:

Read more: Best Dresses For Your Body

1. Sell it on a gift card exchange site: Sites like Plastic Jungle, Cardpool and Gift Card Rescue each buy gift cards at a percentage of face value-but the deals they offer vary by merchants. (Ann Taylor gift cards are currently bought for 55 percent face value on Plastic Jungle, but 66 percent on Cardpool. On the flip side, Cardpool only offers 70 percent of face value for Dean & Deluca cards, while Plastic Jungle buys them for 75 percent.) Before committing to one site, check Gift Card Granny-it's got a comprehensive list of what those cards are trading for across the major sites, so you'll be sure to get the best

Courtesy of NorthPark CenterJohn Januzzi, Lucky magazine

Over the holiday break, I spent some time in my hometown. Of course, we did the usual family dinners, catch-ups with friends and all kinds of wassailing. As anybody from a suburb will tell you, activities can become boring very quickly and you're left with the inevitable choice of going to the movies or going to the mall. Over the holidays, you're more than likely to do both, as I did. While walking through the mall I realized something-something that may have eluded my New York City snob heart: The mall is the greatest place on earth. Why? I'll tell you.

Read more: Best Dresses For Your Body

Bathrooms: There are bathrooms all over the place. Bathrooms in the stores, bathrooms in the hall, bathrooms in the restaurant.

Weird stores: Malls are full of the weirdest shops ever. There used to be one I loved called Natural Wonders. It had slinkees, statues of gargoyles and Pure Moods CDs.

Food courts: Oh, is this heaven? Nah, it's a food court. You want some

Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo; Alessandro Della Valle/EPA/NewscomJean Godfrey-June, Lucky magazine

Q: I work in a super-conservative office. Is there such a thing as professional makeup? How creative can I get? -Susan

Read more: Best Dresses For Your Body

A: Dear Susan,


Read more: 8 Outfits Men Love on Women

Don't get creative. Look at any CEO or otherwise-high-ranking operative's face in our nation: Do you notice makeup? You do not. To be sure, plenty of them are wearing makeup-none of it designed to be noticed. Sheer foundation, concealer where needed, unclumpy, clean mascara, neutral blush and lips. "Professional" makeup is you but a little more defined, a little more awake. That's it. No crazy colors! No sexy! No creative!

More from Lucky magazine:
5 Drastic Ways to Change Up Your Look
15 Secrets from Top Dermatologists
50 Jeans Under $50
Michelle Obama's 100 Best Looks