Hot bods, hot beaches and even hotter Basel: what else could you want? Miami has been a haven for East Coast travellers for decades, but in the last few years, its cool factor has risen off the charts. Partly due to the early ought boost by Diddy and JLo, Miami’s party scene went from fantasy to staple with the establishment of the yearly art festival, Miami Art Basel. Each December, the arts community and its stylish friends flock to the city’s southern tip for a weekend of stylish discovery, fine dining and debauchery.

And while winter may be a desirable time to head down south, Miami’s travel appeal is getting to such that it just don’t stop. Mid-summer, glitzy Bal Harbour beckons with its serene oceanfront views, its five star resorts and its endless designer boutiques.

We hit the town to suss out the very best of Miami travel, from designer and vintage shopping to ultimate cocktail offerings to its aforementioned five star resorts. And since we know locals know best, we hit up 5 of the city’s coolest It girls for the handle on Miami through the well trained eyes of its chic inhabitants. So sit back, click through and fantasize about your next trip.

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Miami It Girls: Discover the city’s hippest hotspots through 5 of its most stylish dwellers

Miami Hotels: The top 5 luxe spots to stay in Bal Harbour, South Beach and beyond

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We have one last holiday hair tutorial to share, and this one is a New Year’s Eve-ready twist on the rope braid. First of all, don’t be intimated by this braiding technique. It’s much easier than it looks, especially because you’re only working with two strands of hair, not three. So if you’ve ever felt like you could use a second set of hands while attempting a French braid, the rope braid may just be the hairstyle for you.

Our step-by-step rope braid tutorial was developed by Toronto-based hairstylist Margot Keith, and breaks down everything you need to know to master this twisted updo. Oh, and did we mention? The other excellent thing about this holiday hairstyle is that it works best on second-day hair—meaning you can skip the shampooing and the blowdrying and instead enjoy a well-deserved bit of holiday relaxation. Ready to try? Read on for the full rope braid updo tutorial.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES LOURENÇO. HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MARGOT KEITH. MODEL: MACKENZIE/PLUTINO GROUP

Holiday Hair Tutorial: Rope Braid Updo

1. This updo may look like a halo braid, but it’s actually two French rope braids that come together at the nape of your neck. Section your hair in half, pigtail style. Start each braid at the side of your head, above your ear. Take two 2-inch sections of hair, twist the pieces a few times and then criss-cross them over each other—you’ll want to criss-cross twice. Now, just like a traditional French braid, add some hair to each section. Twist both pieces and criss-cross again. Repeat.

2. Continue braiding until you reach the nape of your neck. Loosely rope braid the remaining hair and secure each braid with an elastic. Tip: Make sure not to tug too tightly on your hair—you want the braids to hang comfortably and no part to be visible at the back or top of your head.

3. Tuck the ends of your first braid under and coil it up like a bun. Pin it into place. Repeat this step with the second braid.

4. Pin any larger, loose strands of hair into the braid but leave any smaller pieces loose. Add a light mist of hairspray to hold it all in place and you’re done—bring on the holiday parties!

Source: Fashionmagazine.com

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BY POONAM KAUR BILLING | DECEMBER 10TH, 2013 | 11:00 AM

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question ? Email the fashionmagazine.com  at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

I have fair skin and light eyes, which I would love to accentuate with makeup but I find that a lot of eyeliner shades look harsh. What colour would you recommend I use?

The last thing you want is a dash of much-too-dark liner that overwhelms the face. Softer variations of brown, charcoal and blue (think: taupe, slate blue or light-grey shades) can be very appealing options for anyone with fair features. Clarins Crayon Khôl in “Taupe” ($26, thebay.com) is bound to become a favourite due to its soft texture and built-in blending brush—meaning you can diffuse the colour as much or as little as you like, making it flexible for day and night use. Also consider adding a bit of iridescence or shimmer: makeup with light-reflective properties is excellent at brightening up appearances.

I want to wear an orange lipstick for a holiday party, what’s a great shade for darker skin tones?

Orange is definitely a statement-making lipstick colour, so kudos to you for going for a bold look! There are many directions to go in when selecting an orange lipstick, but for darker skin tones it’s important to keep shade undertones in mind. Creamy pastel shades tend to appear ashy, so instead opt for an orange lipstick with red undertones. I recommend trying Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L204 ($42, sephora.ca), a gorgeous burnt-orange shade that is universally flattering but particularly stunning on darker skin tones. The formula is a liquid lipstick that also works as a stain, giving you long wear—which is ideal in a holiday party scenario!

I’m so pressed for time, but want to slow down and take care of my skin. What can I use at home to do so?

At this point in the year, we’re all overcommitted to a plethora of plans, be it holiday parties, family events, shopping for the perfect gifts or hosting guests. (Whew!) Being time-crunched doesn’t mean your skincare should fall to the wayside. There’s something to be said for the ritualistic nature of skincare and how soothing it can truly be if you slow down for a few minutes to enjoy the process. At the end of a long day, take a dollop of Eve Lom Cleanser ($55, murale.ca) and massage it into your skin. It will remove all traces of makeup and then continue to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Then soak an Eve Lom Muslin Cloths ($24 for 3, murale.ca) in hot water and place the cloth over your face, inhaling for a few seconds. Repeat this step a few times and finally buff your face with the muslin cloth to polish your skin and rinse off the cleanser. You’ll be left with ridiculously smooth skin that will be refreshed and ready to carry on the holiday cheer.

I have very fair brows that are barely visible on their own. I’d like to add some definition to them, but most brow colours are way too dark. What’s a good brow product for light blonde brows?

Similar to the eyeliner quandary above, it takes some trial and error when finding makeup for fair features, be it eyes, brows or lips, mostly because it’s so easy to choose a colour that will overwhelm skin. Blonde brows represent a challenge—and not just because there’s so many varying degrees of blonde hair. Instead of limiting yourself to the small range of shades available in brow-specific, turn to other forms of makeup.M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Omega” ($18, maccosmetics.ca) is a taupe-tinged beige shade that won’t overwhelm. To keep the application from going on too strong, avoid using an angled brush and opt for something a bit fluffier—even a light dab of product via your fingertip will help ensure a softer result.

What can I use at night to diminish undereye circles and fine lines that seem to have worsened since winter began? 

It’s no secret that the lack of moisture in winter air makes for uncomfortable skin, so it’s not entirely surprising that you’ve noticed a marked difference in the appearance of your undereye area. Keeping your entire face adequately hydrated is a big challenge, especially in the winter, so it’s wise to target individual problem areas. When it comes to the appearance of fine lines and undereye circles, try adding Kiehl’sMidnight Recovery Eye ($38, kiehls.ca) to your evening skincare regimen. It’s boosted with squalane and evening primrose oil, which work to restore moisture levels and repair skin in a way that our own bodies can’t actually do for us (isn’t science neat?). The formula also contains Butchers Broom, which is a plant extract that reduces puffiness by increasing circulation. That’s a lot of quality stuff for your skin in one tube!

Source: Fashionmagazine.com

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BY POONAM KAUR BILLING | DECEMBER 17TH, 2013 | 2:00 PM (fashionmagazine.com)

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question ? Email the fashionmagazine.com  at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

I have fair skin and light eyes, which I would love to accentuate with makeup but I find that a lot of eyeliner shades look harsh. What colour would you recommend I use?

The last thing you want is a dash of much-too-dark liner that overwhelms the face. Softer variations of brown, charcoal and blue (think: taupe, slate blue or light-grey shades) can be very appealing options for anyone with fair features. Clarins Crayon Khôl in “Taupe” ($26, thebay.com) is bound to become a favourite due to its soft texture and built-in blending brush—meaning you can diffuse the colour as much or as little as you like, making it flexible for day and night use. Also consider adding a bit of iridescence or shimmer: makeup with light-reflective properties is excellent at brightening up appearances.

I want to wear an orange lipstick for a holiday party, what’s a great shade for darker skin tones?

Orange is definitely a statement-making lipstick colour, so kudos to you for going for a bold look! There are many directions to go in when selecting an orange lipstick, but for darker skin tones it’s important to keep shade undertones in mind. Creamy pastel shades tend to appear ashy, so instead opt for an orange lipstick with red undertones. I recommend trying Ellis Faas Milky Lips in L204 ($42, sephora.ca), a gorgeous burnt-orange shade that is universally flattering but particularly stunning on darker skin tones. The formula is a liquid lipstick that also works as a stain, giving you long wear—which is ideal in a holiday party scenario!

I’m so pressed for time, but want to slow down and take care of my skin. What can I use at home to do so?

At this point in the year, we’re all overcommitted to a plethora of plans, be it holiday parties, family events, shopping for the perfect gifts or hosting guests. (Whew!) Being time-crunched doesn’t mean your skincare should fall to the wayside. There’s something to be said for the ritualistic nature of skincare and how soothing it can truly be if you slow down for a few minutes to enjoy the process. At the end of a long day, take a dollop of Eve Lom Cleanser ($55, murale.ca) and massage it into your skin. It will remove all traces of makeup and then continue to cleanse and exfoliate your skin. Then soak an Eve Lom Muslin Cloths ($24 for 3, murale.ca) in hot water and place the cloth over your face, inhaling for a few seconds. Repeat this step a few times and finally buff your face with the muslin cloth to polish your skin and rinse off the cleanser. You’ll be left with ridiculously smooth skin that will be refreshed and ready to carry on the holiday cheer.

I have very fair brows that are barely visible on their own. I’d like to add some definition to them, but most brow colours are way too dark. What’s a good brow product for light blonde brows?

Similar to the eyeliner quandary above, it takes some trial and error when finding makeup for fair features, be it eyes, brows or lips, mostly because it’s so easy to choose a colour that will overwhelm skin. Blonde brows represent a challenge—and not just because there’s so many varying degrees of blonde hair. Instead of limiting yourself to the small range of shades available in brow-specific, turn to other forms of makeup.M.A.C Eyeshadow in “Omega” ($18, maccosmetics.ca) is a taupe-tinged beige shade that won’t overwhelm. To keep the application from going on too strong, avoid using an angled brush and opt for something a bit fluffier—even a light dab of product via your fingertip will help ensure a softer result.

What can I use at night to diminish undereye circles and fine lines that seem to have worsened since winter began? 

It’s no secret that the lack of moisture in winter air makes for uncomfortable skin, so it’s not entirely surprising that you’ve noticed a marked difference in the appearance of your undereye area. Keeping your entire face adequately hydrated is a big challenge, especially in the winter, so it’s wise to target individual problem areas. When it comes to the appearance of fine lines and undereye circles, try adding Kiehl’sMidnight Recovery Eye ($38, kiehls.ca) to your evening skincare regimen. It’s boosted with squalane and evening primrose oil, which work to restore moisture levels and repair skin in a way that our own bodies can’t actually do for us (isn’t science neat?). The formula also contains Butchers Broom, which is a plant extract that reduces puffiness by increasing circulation. That’s a lot of quality stuff for your skin in one tube!

Source: Fashionmagazine.com

Learn more »

Curly and wavy hairstyles are, without a doubt, one of our favourite red carpet looks. From perfectly coiffed Old Hollywood ringlets to messy beach waves, there are endless ways to wear your hair down—while still giving it some style. Curly hair is easier to master than an updo, looks much more dramatic than a ponytail and definitely has an appeal that straight hair just can’t match. Need further proof? We’ve gathered some of the best curly hair and wavy hair looks from recent red carpets all in one place. (If you haven’t already logged into your Pinterest account, now’s the time!)

Jessica Chastain, Kristen Stewart and Rihanna are at the top of our list of stars who are most likely to walk a red carpet with wavy hair. While Chastain generally keeps it very glamourous, Stewart has perfected the art of pairing haute couture with a grungy hairstyle—for equally stunning results. Rihanna, on the other hand, is the queen of changing colour—her curly hair has gone from black to blonde and back again—its most recent incarnation is a trend-setting shade of grey.

Cropped cuts and long bobs also look best with the added texture of waves. Demi Lovato kept her curls messy when she was in Toronto last month for the MMVAs.Lily Collins ditched her long style for a shorter, beachy-wave style. And Jennifer Lawrence probably caused a thousand girls to request a lob when she debuted her new short cut—complete with loose waves—earlier in the spring.

Of course, we couldn’t talk about the best curly hair without mentioning Kate Middleton. Her bouncy curls are certainly her signature style and one we certainly covet. (Not a strand was out of place the day she debuted the Prince of Cambridge to the world!)

Source: Fashionmagazine.com

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