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Pantone 2012 Color Of The Year

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Dec• 26•11

2012 color of the year, HRO Fashion Report, Holly Ralston-OylerIn years past, when the world is in a dark place, color always seems to get brighter and 2012 is a prime example of that. We need encouragement, strength and energy not to mention a jolt of color. Leave it to Leatrice Eisman and her Pantone team to select the perfect color of the year for 2012 – Tangerine Tango.

“There’s the element of encouragement with orange, it’s building on the ideas of courage and action, that we want to move on to better things. I think it would be a disservice to go with a relaxed, soothing color now,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, the research division of Pantone Inc., which creates color standards for the fashion, beauty and home industries.

Not only will you be seeing this color in fashion and makeup, but also in home furnishings, cars, table-top accessories and possibly small appliances.

As always,  the annual forecast for the next year’s dominant color takes into consideration both what Pantone thinks shoppers want and need. Those are influenced by the designer runways, fabric shows, news events, pop culture and consumer habits. “Part of what we do is look at the zeitgeist,” Eiseman explained. “We have to look at everything in the world around us. It’s not an arbitrary choice.”

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

When it comes to makeup and fashion, oddly enough the color is a fairly universal one. Granted, the four-seasonal-color-systems would have you believe differently, but try the color on before  you decide. With the correct eye shadows, lip and blush tones, you could create a truly stunning look. In January the HRO Fashion Report will be introducing the Spring 2012 Pantone Color Trend and showing how to make Tangerine Tango work, no matter what season you are.

For now, pick up a scarf, hat, handbag or jewelry in Tangerine Tango so you can dance your way into the new year.

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Cold Sore Remedies

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Dec• 14•11

It is 11-days before Christmas and cold sore remedies are the only thing you can think about right now. You were all excited about the holiday weekend. It’s been stressful, but you have managed to avoided the dreaded yearly cold sore – until this morning. Things were great and then you started to apply your lip liner and crossed over an area inflicting major pain. Oh yeah…what’s not to remember about that feeling – it is here. Now that you know it is there you are experiencing the tingling, the throbbing and the cold sore burn. Now you are even more stressed than ever.  You are facing the holiday season with a cold sore that will most likely end up having it’s own zip code.

Of course we know it will go away on it’s own in 14 to 21 days, but who has that long to wait? Who wants to live with the discomfort for that amount of time?

I have had a long-standing prescription on file with my dentist for Acyclovir 800 MG, the generic for Zovirax. When I feel the first tingle or sting of pain, I immediately call for a refill, pick it up soon as possible and start taking the tables as instructed.

I also keep a tube of Abreva* by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare in my cosmetic bag all year round, and start using it right away. You will find a $2.00 coupon on the GlaxoSmithKline website. By signing up for the coupon you are giving them permission to send you additional information, but a $2.00 savings is $2.00 in this day and age. I suggest purchasing a tube in January and a new one in July or August  to insure freshness and product efficacy. *Abreva is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

As great as prescription drugs can be, you may be searching for cold sore remedies that are over-the-counter. If so, you’ll want to try the following:

Lysine – Lysine is an amino acid that your body doesn’t make on its own, but that helps your body to make protein. Protein is necessary for producing antibodies that help fight infections. Lysine is also helpful in inhibiting the cold sore virus, keeping it from getting out of control. Lysine can be found in foods such as milk, cheese, eggs, fish, red meat and fish. But there is another piece to the puzzle. Lysine needs another amino acid, arginine to work effectively.

Arginine is found in peanuts and almonds, peanut butter, chicken, turkey and chocolate, among other foods. The good news is that you can find lysine supplements in the health section of your favorite store, and also lysine ointment that can be applied directly to the cold sore. Combined with dietary changes, a supplement or ointment could be effective in shortening the duration of cold sores and helping to prevent future outbreaks.

Resveratrol – Resveratrol is a substance that is found in red grapes. Lately, it has gotten a lot of press as an anti-aging compound, but it has also been found to inhibit the cold sore virus in laboratories.  Resveratrol, when applied in cream form to the site of the cold sore infection has been shown to suppress the formation of extreme cold sores. The trick is that you have to apply it within a few hours of the first tingle or sting.

Self-Heal – Self-Heal is the Prunella vulgaris plant and has been shown to be effective against cold sores, reducing their duration.

Bee Propolis – Propolis is the substance that bees use to keep their hives germ-free. It’s thought that propolis works against cold sores by creating a barrier that keeps the virus from entering cells and also prohibiting replication of the virus.

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Holiday Stress

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Dec• 13•11

Holly's Holiday Stress Relievers

Holiday stress levels can be over-the-top.  All those parties, the shopping, the food, the late hours and, let’s not forget the TSA and the travel nightmares you may be facing.

Finding stress relievers is always a bonus, but who has time to do the research and find them – not you. AS only the Beauty Blog would have it, you are in luck. Over the next couple of weeks each post will be about all the things that cause us stress and how to over come them, quick and easy.

Take the time and start a list of the things that reduce your stress levels. Is it a 15-minute walk, a cup of your favorite tea, cuddling with your child or a pet, sitting in front of a fire place for even a short time, watching an old holiday movie, a spa-hour, reading, writing, etc.

Once your list is complete, put it on the fridge and promise yourself you will take at least 15 to 30 minutes a day and do one or two of the activities – longer if possible. When I suggest the movie thing, everyone always ask “how can I watch a movie in 15 to 30 minutes?” With a remote of course. Fast forward through the movie and concentrate on only your favorite parts. FYI-did you know you can watch Dirty Dancing in ten minutes, (even though it is not a holiday movie)? Remotes are one of the greatest inventions ever – when you can get your hands on one.

Plan ahead for the specialty items like the spa-hour, movie rental, books, a fancy journal, special teas and even the proper weather-appropriate clothing for your walk. If you have to hunt for the items, you will never do the relaxation method. I suggest having a relaxation basket or drawer so all your items will be in one place. That way you can grab and go.

Before heading out for that  shopping until you drop adventure, plan a quick high protein snack or drink for a not-so-quick break of 30 minutes or so. Get out of the maddening crown for your break, without losing your parking place. Pack your snack in a thermal bag along with a drink container containing your favorite beverage. Think about a book, your eReader, or an audio book and player to take your mind miles from the mall and shopping. If nothing else, just relax, go over your lists and check off the items you have already completed. There is nothing like the endorphin-rush of a check mark. Return to the mall with a relaxed and clear mind and the energy to face the rest of your day. FYI-carrot sticks are not a great choice for your snack – they are very high in sugar.

How are you planning on handling holiday stress this year? Share your thoughts and tips. Do you plan on using any of the tips above? If so, which one(s)?

 

 

Posted in Holiday Stress, Holly's Beauty Blog, Me-Time, Relaxing, Shopping , , , , , | No Comments »

Your Place In Fall Fashion

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Sep• 21•11

Lionel Hahn/AbacaUsa; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Fall Fashion:  When it comes to Fall Fashion, makeup and skin care there is definitely not one definitive answer or point of view. We all have our likes and dislikes based on a zillion different reasons;

~ Age

~ Background

~Personal style

~ Profession

~Purchasing power

~ What we want to spend that money on

~ If we are a leader or follower

~ If we must-have the latest color and/or style or if we are okay with what we currently have

~ If we like being a trend setter or following the classics

~ And the list goes on and one.

No one is right or wrong. (more…)

Posted in Autumn, Holly's Beauty Blog, Seasonal , , , , , , | No Comments »

The TSA Vs. CL Shoes!

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Aug• 16•11

-Getty Images

It has been “killer” month for Christian Louboutin,the internationally know shoe designer.

~ Kim K (Kardashian – for those of you out-of-the-know on such
things of importance) selected the designer to make her
wedding shoes.

Christian Louboutin Maralenas, Sexist Shoe Of The Year! -Getty Images

 ~ His shoe style, the Maralenas has been voted the Sexiest Shoe Of  The Year.

 A New York judge tossed out a lawsuit in which Louboutin was defending his exclusive right to the signature red sole – which appears on all of his shoes. He lost! The victory was handed to rival Yves Saint Laurent on a well-heeled silver platter.

 ~ A woman killed her live-in boyfriend by striking him in the head with a  stiletto  heeled  shoe

 ~ This week his Spiked-designed shoes were confiscated and declared a lethal weapon by the TSA. They finally relented and let traveler board his flight.

Getty Images

 

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To Die For Shoes

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Aug• 03•11

A few weeks ago while on vacation a friend mentioned the shoes I was wearing, laughingly pointing out the stiletto heels and pointed toes. “They could be a lethal weapon”.

I was born in heels. Okay, not really, but I remember putting on my  first pair at about age four. They were my mother’s black mesh and patent heels and they were beautiful.  I felt like a “woman of the world” when wearing them. No fairy princess wanna-be for me. I wanted to be a business woman like my mother and wear suits, shoulder pads and heels.  She was also the master when it came to the use of duct tape rolled over to be sure all puckers and plackets  were flat, connected and concealed.

My first official pair of heels arrived at age 13, along with the long line under garment and hose. After that I never looked back. If I could have worn heels to school I would have. That same year I started working in a department store fashion-office, not a healthy environment for any young woman with a passion for shoes, hats, accessories and clothes. (more…)

Posted in Holly's Beauty Blog | 1 Comment »

Summer Pet Care by Happy

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Jul• 23•11

Hi, I’m Happy, Corporate Dog and DOO (not what you think, it’s Dog Operating Officer, thank you very much) over of all the business adventures my mom  is involved in. I’ve been running the show around here for the past 11-years and quite frankly, I’m exhausted. But somedog has to keep things running smoothly and mom on point.

Since mom is down and out with a summer cold this weekend (my guess is that she just wants to lay around and read), I’m ready to woof-out my blog about summer pet care.

One of the really great things about Holly being retired is that I no longer have to walk on the hot pavement when she would forget to carry me to and from the car. Truthfully, that was not very often, I have trained her well over the years. In fact, you could say I have her at my beckon-call 24/7. (more…)

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Color Of The Year

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Apr• 11•11

The Spring 2011 Newsletter is now available.

Pantone* Color Of The Year ~ Honeysuckle!

Honeysuckle, a universal color, a feel great color – the perfect color!

Pantone*, the global color authority has officially named color “#18-2120 – Honeysuckle” the color of 2011.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

*Pantone is a registered trademark.

Tomorrow, I will be introducing you to the HollyCosmetics.com  “Honeysuckle Limited Edition Product Palette”.

Posted in Holly's Beauty Blog | Comments Off

Short Hair For Spring

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Mar• 16•11

Today's Woman Magazine Cover. Makeup and Styling by Holly

It’s warm and sunny in Louisville, Kentucky. Everyone is out in their yards cleaning up after the winter storms, except for those “on the hunt”.  Hair Stylist across the state are gearing up for the mad Kentucky Derby Hair Transformation race that will start this weekend and continue right up to Derby Day, May 7th. Hat-hair is not an option (more about that in later posts).

You can always tell who the newest hair stylists are by the hours they keep during Derby Week. All sane and veteran stylists learned long ago to close the doors at 4 PM on the Thursday before Derby and come back in the Tuesday after Derby.

I received a video today from Master Stylist Christopher Hopkins and just had to share it with you as the Video Of The Week. If there has ever been a reason to consider cutting your hair, this video definitely defines it. No matter what your age may be. You will find the video in the upper right hand of the website. This is also going to be a new feature on the blog, so let me know how you like being able to see the videos.

The Spring Slim-Down

Looking slimmer is always a goal of any woman, so remember these tips when it comes to executing your final hair style along with your stylist. (more…)

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The Classic Red Nail

Written By: Holly Ralston-Oyler - Feb• 12•11

Valentines Day is not the only time to wear a classic Red Manicure.  Red nails are a long time favorite of the fashion world.  If you choose a red color that goes with your skin tone (summer, winter, spring autumn, warm, cool, etc.), it will usually coordinate with the rest of your clothing.

Red polish will lighten and brighten the skin tone of your hands making them appear younger. To find the perfect shade of red for your skin tone (more…)

Posted in Anti-Aging, Hands, Holly's Beauty Blog, Nails , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off
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