Blog Posts by Teen Vogue

Question: "I have brown naturally curly hair that is a little longer than my shoulders, and I wanted to try something new with my look. What I should do?" -Emily

Teen Vogue's answer: I feel your pain! Having naturally curly hair, it can feel impossible to shake things up and try something new. Go too short, and you wind up with the triangle hair--not cute. Wait for it to grow and, well, what's the fun in that? Lately though, the hottest style is a blunt, shoulder length bob, or "lob", which thankfully works both curly and straight! The look, as rocked by Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow, is "is very popular right now because it puts a modern twist on the classic bob," says top stylist Roman Kusayev of Butterfly Salon in New York.

Fekkai celeb stylist Adir Abergel, who apparently coined the look "the lob," says: "This is a great length that gives you a specific stylized cut but still lets you play with different updo's and textures. The length should just hit your shoulder blades at

Guys, my office looks like a Sephora/Ulta/CVS-combined blew up in it... And my apartment isn't much better! I have clutter EVERYWHERE! I've been reading some tips from a new book, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home: No-Nonsense Advice That Will Inspire You to Clean Like the Dickens, and it's been super helpful! (Mrs. Meyer is the founder of the eco-friendly line Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day).

I thought I'd share some of her beauty-related tips with you guys...

• To get hairspray off of mirrors: Pour rubbing alcohol on a cloth and clean in small circles. You can also use a baby wipe if you have them handy. Then grab club-soda that you've put in a spray bottle and give the mirror a spritz, wiping it clean with bunched-up newspaper

• Removing mascara from clothing: Mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups cold water, apply the solution to the stain, and then blot until it's gone. (Make sure to follow these guidelines for wearing eye makeup.)
  

• Makeup Expiration Dates: If you

I don't know about you guys, but my nails have been a WRECK this winter! It's been super-dry in NYC (and my office is like the Sahara!) and my poor nails are suffering. I recently got some nail tips from Claudia Vieira, a manicurist with over 14 years of experience who works at SalonCapri, in Newton, MA. Here, Claudia's top tips for nail health:

• Let your nails breathe and just buff them regularly to keep them healthy (both fingernails and toes).

• Look for nail polish removers that have low levels of formaldehyde (NO formaldehyde would be best!) since a lower level is less drying to your nails.

• Olive oil is best for your cuticles and is very accessible (check your local grocery store). Apply a small amount around your nails 1 to 2 times per week.

• Pedicures help to remove dead skin and moisturize the feet. Get a pedicure every 4 weeks and continue moisturizing regularly with a lotion afterwards. (3 tips for the perfect pedicure)

There's an amazing eyeglasses store around the corner from my apartment in NYC's Union Square called Moscot... I love going into the store some weekends just to try on their amazing selection of vintage, plastic-framed glasses (I heard the costume designer of Mad Men picks up the characters' glasses here!). I recently scored some tips from THE Dr. Harvey Moscot of Moscot Eyewear. Read on for his advice!

"The most serious problem related to the application of eye makeup is injury to the cornea (the clear surface in the front of the eye) from either scratching the eye with a fingernail or eyeliner device. Additionally, allergic reactions from preservatives that stop bacterial growth on makeup can also cause tearing, itching, swelling, and redness to the eyes - more commonly then you'd imagine.

Safety First: When to throw away your makeup

The below tips will help prevent any potential injuries, infections, or allergic reactions to make up applied around your eyes:

• Careful, Careful,

Celebs like Gwynnie, Blake, and Katie may be able to get to the salon for their fancypants haircolor every three weeks... But if you're like most girls out there, a little DIY is what it's all about! I asked Clairol's Color Director and celebrity colorist Jason Backe for some at-home tips. Here, his rules:

• The general rule of coloring at home is to make sure you are staying within two shades of your base color. If you are going any more drastic, be sure to seek professional assistance. (Hair colors to try for spring.)

• When selecting a shade, pay attention to your complexion and eye color. Fair complexions look great with gold and copper tones in their hair color. If your complexion is more olive or has pink tones, stick to cooler, ash hair colors.

• For younger gals, a demi-permanent colorant is a great way to add some sparkle to your look. Demi-permanents enhance your natural color and tone and are low commitment. Natural Instincts is my favorite product because it not only gives

Tool Time: When it comes to blowouts, girls tend to use the wrong tools and too much product," says Jon Charles, who owns a salon in Minneapolis. To blow-dry like a pro, first remove as much moisture from hair as possible with a towel, and detangle. Then distribute a small amount of volumizing spray at the roots. "The less product you use, the longer your blow-dry will last," Charles notes. "And for the best results, hair should be 80 percent dry before blow-drying. Point the nozzle of the dryer at your head, and starting two inches from the scalp, blow outward. Aiming it directly at the scalp causes frizz." Once hair is almost dry, pin up half of it and dry the bottom section using a round boar-bristle brush. For the softest, sleekest strands, stick to a dryer with at least 1,800 watts and tourmaline, ceramic, and ionic features.

Check out our favorite heat-styling must-have products.

Smooth Operator: If you covet a high-gloss mane, then a flatiron may be your best friend.

My friend Sarah once used a mascara she found, dried up and gross, on the bottom of her handbag. And what did she get? The GROSSEST, ooziest eye infection. Ew! With that in mind, I asked Philippe Chansel, Creative Director of Ready To Wear Cosmetics, for tips on makeup disposal. His thoughts:

"The first thing to remember is to keep your makeup and makeup bag clean. That means washing brushes, sponges and puffs regularly (every one to two weeks). Doing this is better for your skin and your colors come out truer instead of muddy. Anything that is liquid or cream can develop bacteria faster than dry products. Powder products can be kept for a few years if kept clean. All products are required by the FDA to have preservative systems in them and to use ingredients that are safe. If you keep your makeup clean, away from heat and sunlight, most products should have a two to three year shelf life. You should be able to keep your mascara for the length of time it takes you to finish a tube if

Superfine may be a desirable descriptor when it comes to your looks-but just not your locks. Unfortunately, lackluster hair is an irreversible malady for many women. "Fine hair is something you are born with!" says Ricardo Rojas, owner of the eponymous Manhattan salon. To get the most out of what you have-no matter how little-healthy hair is key.

"Breakage is a common concern for women with fine hair," says Rojas, who has given a boost to everyone from Natasha Bedingfield to Kate Moss. And it should be-weak hair not only looks lifeless, but constant breakage naturally results in hair loss. For proper strength straining, Rojas recommends bulking up with regular deep conditioning treatments and says to lay off the straightening irons and tight buns and ponytails. "These can easily compromise the integrity of hair," he adds. A flattering cut, on the other hand, is an easy way to get a lift: "Long or short, an angled cut is a must," he says. And while you're already in the salon, a