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Trending Brand for Styling Tools: NuMe Style

This incredible line is making waves...and curls...with their amazing variety of styling wands. Providing a tool in any size, shape, and for any purpose is their mission. Totally worth the price tag.

Most Popular Treatment: Moroccan/Argan Oils

Hair oils have been popular for quite awhile but have recently been at the forefront of the "natural" haircare movement. There are a variety of brands you can get your hands on but the end result is typically the same. These oils smooth and tame even the coarsest of hair and are great to treat a dry scalp!

Favorite Drying Aid/Frizz Tamer: Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum

Not only does this gem add a gorgeous sheen to any hair type, but it makes the ever dreaded blowdrying experience much easier. In my experience it cuts dry time in HALF which is the ultimate asset for any daily beauty regimen.

Most Loved Shampoo/Conditioner Brand: Pureology

These amazing washes are the perfect choice for the rising "sulfate free" movement in hair care. There are a variety of products for individual hair types and desired results. Voted best natural shampoo and conditioner.

Most Wanted Hair Styling Gadget: Bun Formers

These little treasures are quite possibly the easiest way to achieve an expertly shaped bun without hiring the expert stylist! They come in a variety of sizes as well as three different colors to act as camouflage when used. Updos are huge this season, especially buns, so these are a style secret to seek out and take advantage of.

BB Creams & CC Creams - every cosmetics line this year has exploded with their own version of the Asia inspired skincare/makeup. If you're not the type to enjoy a thick coat of foundation for flawless skin, these miracle creams will wow you with a quick and light perfected finish. They are created to blur, skew, and diminish blemishes or imperfections as well as to even tone. My favorite so far? Dr. Jart's Black Label Beauty Balm. My suggestion is to do your research and try a few samples before committing to one in particular.

OCC's (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) Lip Tars - These amazing lip colors are long wearing and ultra vibrant, providing perfect opaque color pay-off in an extraordinary range of colors and textures.

MAC's Prolongwear Eyeliners & Paint Pots - Tired of creams that wear away in just a few hours? This year's launch of longwear eye products offer a much bigger variety in color and texture and ultimate durability. Creamy is always better for smoother and more "airbrushed" looking finishes. The liners glide like butter and withstand long days or even longer nights. The ever popular Paint Pots function as the perfect cream shadows or ultra-dependable eyeshadow bases.

Limecrime's Velvetines - These new matte lip color's prove that matte doesn't have to mean dry or flaky. With just on smooth sweep of the wand, these light and airy lipglosses dry to the ultimate of matte finishes. They are long wearing and come in a handful of striking shades.

Urban Decay's "Naked" Eyeshadow Palette - One of the most beautifully arranged neutral eyeshadow collections in one simple layout. This palette offers richly pigmented shadows in a variety of textures (although most are intensely shimmery). These colors are perfect for everyday or can be manipulated with liners and bases for a more dramatic look.

When I think of MTV, I always want to remember and acknowledge the creativity and the originality of fashion, makeup, and hair. From pop goddesses, to rock mavens I've always been inspired by the looks celebrities don at the Video Music Awards each year.

Sadly enough, this year (in my opinion, and you may strongly disagree of course) was a total flop for celebrity fashion as well as hair and makeup.

Of course there were the diamonds in the rough, such as the much raved about Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift, but all in all I feel a dark cloud of "dull" loomed over the guest list.

The trends that DID stand out however?

RED LIPS: From every shade and texture in multitudes of finishes. We saw Rhianna in her signature retro-matte red, Taylor in her demi-matte classic. Even Selena G's lip was a barely there red stain.

Modernly Classic Nails: Nails were very classically shaped, elongated but not quite to the "stiletto" intensity seen in recent years. There were flashes of red, slate grays, and all shades of neutral like creamy peaches and soft pinks.

Retro Inspired Hair: Taylor nailed it with her Gatsby inspired bob which was easily faked by her stylist, pinning the ends at the nape of her neck creating the illusion of a "flapper-esque" curly bob.

All in all, the makeup and hair was very simplified. I was hoping to see more variety in trend seeing as how MTV usually sets the bar for dramatic and risque -- but personally, I was extremely disappointed.

Here are my picks for best makeup and hair (as well as the most talked about besides Miley of course)

Taylor Swift with a classic smoky eye, soft contoured cheek and red lip as well as a beautifully executed retro, but modern bob.

Selena Gomez with sleek straight locks, classic oval/crimson nails, demure cat eyeliner and a berry stained lip.

Color:

- Playful focus on "Natural" tones such as strategically placed monochromatic highlights and lowlights in contrasting tones.

- Brunettes and deeper tones should stray away from the cooler undertones and try a hot glow of warmth.

- On the opposite end of the spectrum, blondes this season should avoid "yellow" or "platinum" depending on the skin tone. Blonde color is now trending in cooler undertones.

- Reds stay SOFT and WARM (think Lucille Ball and Molly Ringwald). If you're not a natural redhead, the goal is to fake it successfully. To do so, try to keep away from true crimson's and fiery burgundies.

Side note: When deciding on color, remember the importance of eyebrow color. Lighter brows promote softer features and darker brows create bold, prominent edges. Remember, NO black brows! For darker hair, try two to three shades lighter than your hair color. Lighter hair picks, try a shade or two darker to make your eyes really pop.

Styles:

As seen on runway AND causeway.

- Sleek/Glossy, "Wednesday Addams" straight locks. As an updo, slick straight locks into very refined shaped buns.

- Disheveled, Catherine Deneuve inspired 60's blowouts. (seen at Vivienne Westwood, London)

- Combed up, shaggy bangs. (Gucci, Elie Saab)

- 70's and 40's inspired, waves on sides with smoothly coiffed hair on top (Botega Veneta).

- BANGS, BANGS, BANGS! Different shapes, styles, textures.

- Sleek ponytails. Emphasis on SLEEK. Not a single hair out of place with an overdose on shine.

- "Naturalness" styles. Woke up with bedhead this morning? Throw in some gloss and be done with it. Hair should look effortless (even if it takes an hour to fake it).

- "Biker" or "Punk Rock" dos. We're seeing more and more modern takes on Mohawks and short spiked hair. The key to this is to keep it modern and fresh, not straight from the UK alleyway circa 1979. (for inspiration check out Fendi winter 2013)

- "Hitchcock heroine" type locks. This is a simple look with soft twisted curls that are combed away from the forehead.

Nails have never been more of an accessory before now. Sure, they've always been a fashionable curiosity, but in the past year or two, manicures and creative nail art have become just as important as a trendy pair of shoes.

From runway model to work day maven, there have been several popular nail trends to emerge for the season this year.

The exaggerated half moon: This trend has been seen in a variety of colors as well as textures. It is simplistic but with a bold preciseness to it. The cleanest of edges and sharp contrast of color and/or texture, make this trend easy to replicate and even easier to wear. Try a light metallic polish against a bold red one, or even a bare half moon against a bold, bright color.

Picture perfect: Another trend we're seeing a lot leaves a little bit more room for creativity. Nail artists are taking graphics to a new level by using nail appliques that are actual photos! With this new take on manicures, the sky is the limit. Have a favorite TV show? Why not sport your choice characters on your fingertips?! As everyone knows, accessorizing is a quick way to express your individuality. With this fun adornment, you can display any personal affinity you want with just a simple piece of paper. I find it easiest to achieve this by purchasing a set of press-ons and printing the proper sized photos and then applying them to the nails carefully with a light layer of nail glue. Trim the edges of the cut out and add a top coat. Voila! Picture perfect nails!!!

Matte black is back: We saw this trend emerge in recent years in every fall/winter runway show, as well as editorial images in high fashion magazines and even simple beauty images. This texture has brought about a whirlwind of experimentation by multiple polish companies this past year, but matte still reigns supreme. Don't be afraid to add a little contrast this season by offsetting a matte black nail, with a glossy black tip (another version of this trend spotted in multiple runway shows).

Mismatched madness: No one likes monotony right? Dress up that little black dress this season with a set of playful fingertips. Shake it up by choosing two to three or even four different colors arranged in a chaotic way. This trend is definitely for the beauty non-conformist. You can take it to another level by adding a metallic tip or two to select nails or even try alternating textures. Ditch structure and rebel against the monochrome!

Sheer white decadence: These nails were all over the red carpet recently. Celebrities are usually always the walking/talking art galleries for trend, especially when it comes to manicures. This trend is simple, classic, and really highlights nails in a very soft and demure way. Remember, it's the opposite of opaque and matte...you want sheer and shiny when trying to achieve this look.

Red Lips: We're not just talking your "classic" red lip. We're talking about the darker side of red. Think of deep wines, currants, maybe a tinge of oxblood. If you've ever dreamed of a wearable vamp look, this is your trend. Imagine Marilyn Monroe gone rogue. Ditch your cherries, divulge in your black raspberries. This is a more contemporary take on an ever recurring classic. This lip can be worn in any texture i.e. gloss, matte or satin and in any opacity from stained, to stamped.

For best wearability, leave your skin simplified. A soft contoured cheek and a slick coat of mascara and Voila! This season welcomes gothic influence on the red carpet, the beauty of the macabre to the every day.

  Playing with textures on skin: Think of strategically powdered and expertly highlighted. This trend is about experimentation. Don't be afraid of a glossy cheekbone underlined with a matte contour. On the eyes we're talking a sexy coat of high shine, not frost or glitter. Think of moisture on the lid complimented with a matte nude lip. This isn't your "dewy" summer skin, it's your winter glow in the snow.

Achieve this look using translucent powders, cream products for eyes and cheeks, as well as rich moisturizers. Stay in the monochromatic tones of nudes, peaches, and soft natural pinks.

Haunting meets sophisticated: Winter always reminds us of the grayness of the cold, the bite of iced cement. This look involves all things ethereal and sombre. The eyes are softly shaded in shades of slate, shale, asphalt and steel and set against perfected, porcelain skin. Skip the top eyeliner and grab your clear mascara. This trend is simple, soft, and perfect for that au-naturale winter beauty.

Try a bit of white pencil liner inside the water line and swipe a slate colored shadow all around the eye using your softest blending brush. Contour your cheek using a cool toned blush or bronzer and finish with a soft tinted lip conditioner. Stay in your matte or satin textures for that perfectly velvet look.

The imperfect smoky eye: Here you see the beauty in pure imperfection. You want to see the edges, the cracks, the worn out leftovers of last night's eye shadow. This is the time for unbridled and deconstructed blacks, emeralds, burgundies, charcoals and even midnight blues. There is no blended crease, no multiple eye shadows to meld together, just the sophistication of chic punk rock. This season's smoky is dirtier and grungier leaving an almost futuristic impression on the eyes. There is also a hint of a more graphic approach to eyeliner.

Rock this trend without rules. Try only using a single black pencil eyeliner, buffed out with a fluffy brush underNEATH the eye rather than on top. If you like a cat eye, try using a deep emerald shadow with a more sturdy and flat brush to create your pointed shape at the outside corner of the eye. If you're the type that likes quick and easy, sketch a quick line at the top lash line from the outside-in with a deep emerald pencil and load your lashes with your deepest, darkest mascara.

Welcome to your new beauty blog addiction! I'll be providing you with a consistent dose of form, function and fashion in all aspects of the beauty industry. Here you'll find the latest and greatest trends as well as product reviews for hair, makeup and nails. From the runway to the every day, you'll have all the information and inspiration you crave.

Enjoy your read and thanks for following!

Lacie Dawn

SalonSocial.com Community Manager and Professional Makeup Artist