Fancy Face Cosmetics

Too often, we get caught up in the beauty numbers that bring us down; our weight, our dress size, the amount of money we spent on our last haircut. But in the weird and wonderful world of looking fancy, there are hundreds of quizzical and quixotic facts that can make us appreciate the wonder of the human body (as well as some that just make us appreciate the resilience of our pocketbook). From the delightfully whimsical to the downright odd, how do you measure up?

1. Blondes Have More Hair
Blondes (natural blondes, that is) tend to have about 140,000 hairs on their heads. Brunettes average about 110,000, while people with black hair have about 108,000. Redheads have the least, with only about 80,000 hairs on average.

2. These Are the Days of Our Lives
On average, women spend fifty-eight days of their lives shaving or waxing unwanted hair.

3. Flipping the Bird
The fastest-growing fingernail is the one on your middle finger. The nails on your dominant hand also grow faster than the ones on your non-dominant hand, and all nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter.

4. Redheads Are a Rarity
Red hair is the rarest natural hair color for human beings, but contrary to popular belief, redheads are not going extinct. Although both parents must carry the recessive redhead gene to produce a child with red hair, evolutionary biologists agree that red hair won’t die out any time soon.

5. The Price of Beauty
A 2010 survey found that the average woman spends about $13,000 on makeup in her lifetime. She spends an average of 330 hours applying it.

6. Shopping ’Til We Drop
The average woman spends almost nine years of her life shopping.

7. Slouching Toward the Weekend
As the week drags on, both men and women spend less time getting ready in the morning. On Mondays, women spend an average of seventy-six minutes primping, but they spend only nineteen minutes by Friday. Men’s grooming routines start at twenty-eight minutes on Mondays and drop to eleven minutes by Fridays.

8. So what! We like shoes! Get over it!
The average woman buys seven new pairs of shoes each year.

9. The New Average
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the average American woman wore a size 3 1/2 or 4 shoe; by the 1960s, it was a size 5 1/2 or 6. Nowadays, a size 8 is the average. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could go back to the beginning of the twentieth century; we could shop in the kids department and save a ton of money!

10. Meeting in the Middle
Genetically, there are really only two types of hair: straight and curly. Wavy hair is the result of a person carrying one of each type of gene.

11. Great Lash, Great Sales
The world’s bestselling makeup product is Maybelline Great Lash mascara, which was introduced in 1971. Maybelline reports that a tube is sold somewhere in the world every 1.6 seconds. Clearly, every 1.6 seconds there is a person that doesn’t know about how amazing LashOut! from Fancy Face Cosmetics is…. Just sayin’!

12. No. 5 Is Number One
The world’s bestselling perfume is Chanel No. 5. The company first produced the scent in 1919 and estimates that a bottle is sold every thirty seconds. Fun Fact: It was also Marilyn Monroe’s favorite perfume.

12. Super Strands
When dry, a human hair has greater tensile strength than a strand of nylon of the same size.

14. A Vanishing Shade
Babies are born with blue eyes. Their real eye color develops over the first few years of life, as light triggers the production of melanin. Only about one in six adults have naturally blue eyes, and due to immigration and intermarriage, that number is shrinking.

Xoxo,
Nikki

We are all about the latest and greatest fashions trends for 2012. Here are a few we are still on the fence about…tell us what you think.

Unlaced Boots
Combat boots have been slowly trickling back in the closets of fashion mavens for almost a year now, but more and more people are clomping around with a pair unlaced.

The Hippie Headband
Wheter you love it or hate it, the hippie headband trend is here to stay – at least for a little while.

Four Eyes
Who would have thought that retro eye glasses that most people got teased for in highschool are going to be such a hot fashion accessory?

Bold Colored Suits
Banish black from your wardrobe and bring on the brights with Spring 2012′s trend for neon and bold colors.

Color Blocking
Color Blocking is one of the hottest trends this winter, shown on the runway by prestigious designers like Bottega Veneta, BCBG MaxAzria.

So what do you think about these…HIT or MISS???

XOXO
Amanda

Glitter shoes are all the rage right now and I’m loving it. Lets face the facts though, not all of us can afford the $600 Miu Miu Glitter peep toe pumps. Follow the quick and easy steps below and have an old pair of shoes with go from drab to FAB in no time.

1. Stuff shoes with newspaper and cover the bottom with painters tape.

2.Paint small areas of shoe with Mod Podge using a foam paint brush.

3.Throw some glitter and make it rain…ok so don’t actually throw the glitter but sprinkle glitter over the modge podge. Try to work quickly as the modge podge will start to set.

4. Let shoes dry over night and spray 2 coats of clear coat sealer the following day.

Here are a few before and after photos from some of our Fancy friends.

XOXO
Amanda

Eyes that Meow
Dramatic and mysterious, winged cat-eye liner has been favored by fashion icons for years. Use your index finger to pull your eyelid taut, starting from the inner corner of your eyelid slowly draw a thin line of liquid liner along the lash line. The line should get thicker as it approaches the edge of the eyelid.

Show me the Shimmer
You’ll often see models and celebrities sporting a lightly shimmering bronze or gold soft smoky eye, and for good reason. This look makes the eyes appear youthful and the lashes extra-long.

Pucker Up
The easiest way to brighten a dark and gloomy day…pop some color on your lip. I’m loving bright pink lips this season,I might be a little bit addicted to our Glam Lipstick!

Cheeky
The real trick is to apply a peach color first, followed by pink, on the apples of your cheeks. The 2 shades work great together to give you a healthy pop of color.

Foundation Free
Show off your natural beauty by ditching your heavy foundation and try a loose mineral powder to cover your imperfections.

Add Some Tangerine To Your Makeup
Fashion forecasters have declared Tangerine Tango to be the “it” color of 2012, so start infusing the hue into your beauty routine. Try this beautiful Shimmer Pigment on your lids, or mix with Vaseline for a Kick Ass Kisser!

Give Nails A Burst Of Color
Keep nails looking trendy with a bright shade of polish. Brights by OPI is a collection with tons of great colors, including this bottle of Teal The Cows Come Home.

Brighten Your Complexion
The most important kind of brightening is for your complexion. Through a good exfoliant and a moisturizing serum, like Dr. Dennis Gross’s Active Vitamin D Serum-Oil ($65, Sephora.com), you’re skin will be glowing in no time.

Lighten Your Locks
There’s nothing like a bad hair day to dull your outlook on life. Cheer yourself up with some balayage highlights. Unlike foils, balayage uses a painting technique that results in more natural looking color. Celebs like Drew Barrymore, Rachel Bilson, and Jessica Biel are all familiar with the popular salon treatment.

Kissable Color
A bright lipstick is the easiest way to wear 2012′s trendy colors. A bright pop of pink can go a long way. Try Red Audacity from www.fancyfacecosmetics.com

Better And Brighter Wardrobe
It’s hard not to feel happy in citrus-colored clothing. J. Brand is just one of many denim brands that has extended their array of jeans to more than just the basic blue.

A Cheeky Start To 2012
A vibrant swipe of blush will have heads everywhere turning. Put some bright pink on your apples with Dashing, from Fancy Face Cosmetics.

Xoxo,
Nikki

What helps one person shed pounds may backfire on another. Because we’re all so different, from our food preferences to our body chemistry, the only successful way to reach and maintain a healthy weight is to find what works for you. Below are ten simple and healthy ways to shed all those holiday cookies you snacked on.

Drink More…
Water! Many recent studies proved that dieters who guzzled plenty of H2O lost more weight than those who didn’t. Have a large glass before every meal, it helps fill your stomach forcing you to eat less.

Ditch The Sweet Stuff
Everyone knows sugar isn’t healthy, but when you start reading labels, you find it in unexpected places, like pasta sauce and frozen entrees. Cutting the sugar out of your diet will mean healthier meals overall.

Save $ and Calories
On average meals eaten away from home have 134 more calories then a home cooked meal.

Veg Out
Fill two-thirds of your plate with vegetables, which are less calorie dense and more nutritious than any other type of food.

Start Your Day Right
Those who enjoy a morning meal have been shown over and over to be slimmer than breakfast skippers.

The Buddy System
You know you are more likely to show up at the gym if someone is waiting there for you. Make a goal to meet each other for a workout at least 3 times a week.

Pay Cash
Shoppers who pay with plastic are more vulnerable to impulse buys, which tend to be the fattening snacks you know you shouldn’t have anyway.

Train for a 5K
Many people find that having an athletic goal motivates them to exercise regularly in a way that nothing else can.

Work Standing Up
Standing burns at least 30-percent more calories than sitting on your backside all day, try standing every time you are on the phone.

Free Workouts
Try downloading a fitness app on your smart phone…I’m addicted to the Nike Training Club. Its like a personal trainer coming to my house every morning! Best of all its FREE!!

The biggest parties of the year will be happening on New Year’s Eve. Here’s how to make an entrance in style.

Metallics
New Year’s Eve and sparkle go together like peanut butter and jelly. To turn heads, try a shiny metallic dress. Tons of styles are available in all different shades of gold, silver and gunmetal.

Perfectly paired with black tights and you are ready to dance the night away!

One Shoulder
This trend took off a couple of years ago and shows no sign of stopping. These dresses are great for people who don’t like to accessorize much and want an easy look that is still elegant.

Bright Colors
Bright colors such as jewel tones, are all the rage this season. What better way to stand out in a crowded party than to be wearing a bold, bright color?

Little Black Dress
The LBD will take get you trough all your holiday functions with style and ease. Look for a dress with details or a unique cut.

Party in Pants
You can still have fun in a tailored suit, make sure to pair with a sparkly camisole or colored corset top.

Happy New Year
XOXO
Amanda

Unless you’re permanently moving, you should never be seen hauling this much luggage through an airport. I am constantly traveling for work, so I quickly learned the importance of packing for function and efficiency.

Plan Ahead
Start your packing a day or two before you leave. Make a list of everything you want to take and try laying out outfits before you put it in your suitcase so you don’t forget any of the essential items.

Pack Basics That Can Go From Day To Night
Don’t waste precious suitcase room with outfits that can only be worn an hour at a time. Instead, take versatile dresses, like the one Rashida Jones is wearing. Dress it down during the day with a blazer, and dress it up at night with jewelry and heels.

Get Travel-Size Beauty Products
Now that airport security is tighter, full-sized beauty products aren’t allowed. But who has the time to spend hours squeezing your creams and serums into small, plastic bottles? Instead, buy your favorite goodies from 3floz.com. Their site sends you the products you want in TSA-approved sizes. Even if you’re not traveling, this site can be great for testing out expensive items for way less.

Dry Clean Your Hair
You could pack your shampoo, conditioner, a blow dryer and hair spray, OR you could bring a small bottle of dry shampoo. Keratin Complex’s Volumizing Dry Shampoo ($35, Keratincomplex.com) allows you to easily apply hair powder onto the top of your head, so oil and dirt are removed without weighing down your hair. Plus, now you’ll have extra room for another pair of shoes!

Ditch the Bulky Makeup Bag
I cannot live without eyeshadow, but my 20lb makeup bag took up so much space, not to mention always making my bag over-weight. So what would any girl do!? Create a way to carry all 28 of my favorite eyeshadows in a streamline protective case! Nothing is worse than opening your makeup bag to crushed pink eyeshadow everywhere, right? This Palette has literally been through the ringer with me, and if I can’t destroy it, no one can! Get yours today at www.fancyfacecosmetics.com.

Safe Travels!
xoxo,
Nikki

Well, if you’re like me and wait until the last minute to shop, don’t feel bad, Santa has all year to prepare and unlike Mr. Kringle, we don’t have a factory full of elves to do the dirty work for us! Here are some fabulous last minute gifts I’ve found, that are sure to impress(and fool into thinking you spent all year shopping for them) everyone on your list.

Sugar Plums Are So Last Year
Give your friends one last sugary hurrah before their weighty New Years resolutions kick in. This DC bakery’s menu includes seasonal sensations like chocolate eggnog cupcakes, Rudolph red velvet, and the Red Mitten Vanilla (Madagascar bourbon cake slathered with vanilla cream cheese frosting and a fondant mitten)! Build your own assortment of one dozen flavors for $29 or snag a pre-arranged cupcake collection, and tell Georgetown Cupcakes what day you’d like your sweets to arrive!

Send A Shot In A Snap
Create an entire photo album for a loved one in mere seconds with Kodak’s digital frame. Snag the hardware for less than $100 on Amazon (where you can order online as late as December 23rd for a Christmas delivery), and instantly add pictures via email. The digital frame also logs photos sent from your phone and connects directly to a computer for easy uploading.

Spread Some Holiday Beer
Now the man in your life doesn’t have to scram to the local bar to get great beer on tap. Heineken and Krups have teamed up to bring your kitchen a counter-top beer tender. For $149.99 this man-chanism chills a brew to the perfect temperature and pours a traditional foam-topped pint from the chrome draught. Order it from Zappos by 1pm on December 23rd and receive your man’s new best friend (sorry, Sparky) by the 25th.

Gifts That Keep On Giving
Give a gift that will give back. When you visit ChangingThePresent.org, low-priced gifts with a seriously high value can be made online in seconds. Adopt your pal an adorable Sea Otter for $25 from Defenders of Wildlife, help fund feminist movements in Afghanistan for $35, or feed a child for one month for $50 with a single donation to Action Against Hunger.

Instant E-Reader
For less than $100 you can walk in to a Barnes and Noble near you, and walk out with the hottest tablet on the market. Unlike the Kindle from Amazon, the Nook is available in-store, and each B&N has a fully staffed support center for all of your questions and repairs. The new model lets you read books and magazines in color, load movies and TV with Netflix and Hulu, and has a touch screen display with a battery that lasts for two months.

Haute Card-Tour
Unload your left over holiday cards and stationery impulse buys. Upscale stores like Papyrus and Kate’s Paperie sell gorgeous paper goods perfect for a hostess. Add a pretty pen or matching notebook and voila! A high-society gift with a low-budget price tag. (Christian Lacroix Haute Couture Note Card Set, $20 at Kate’s Paperie)

iLazy
You didn’t pre-plan holiday shopping so pay the sloth forward with this Apple remote, which controls iPods, iPads, and iPhones from afar. It’s the perfect present for the post-seasonal food coma. Order by December 20th and expect your Apple purchase to arrive by Christmas.($19 at Apple)

Send Some Holiday Ahhhh
How do you wrap a massage, or put a bow on a pedicure? Thanks to Life Booker, the website with fantastic salon and spa deals, you can buy a beauty service on the cheap and instantly email the gift card to a girlfriend. Plus, when your pal signs up to be a member of the site, Life Booker will give you a $10 kick back to use on yourself! You know, because gifting can be so stressful…

‘Tis the Season to Twinkle
Give the gift that Glistens, even after the Holidays are over. Fancy Face Cosmetics will customize a Makeup Collection, specifically for the “impossible to shop for” girl in your life, complete with a Fancy Makeup Bag, and custom card. Order by December 22, to guarantee holiday delivery.

Happy Holidays!
Nikki

December is flying by, but it’s not too late to get involved and help others. Here are a few simple things you can do to make someone’s holidays a little brighter.

Ring A Bell
The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign enables the Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nation wide.

Serve A Warm Meal
What better way to make someone else feel better than to provide a nice, hot meal? By helping out at the local soup kitchen, whether it be cooking, clearing tables, chopping vegetables or serving coffee, you will be helping many people avoid going to bed hungry for the night.

Toys for Tots
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

How I Give Back

I’m sure most of you spend Christmas Eve gathered around a big table with family and friends enjoying a hot meal, drinks,fun filled stories and the exchanging of gifts. My family and I spend this day just a little bit differently, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. About 4 years ago my mom had the idea to deliver care packages to the homeless downtown,we now call this day Operation Goody Bag. My family and I start buying a few extra items each time we grocery shop in early November. By the time December 24th rolls around we have enough supplies to make 20 bags. Last year the bags included homemade sandwiches, bottled water,juice, enough snacks to last a week, hand warmers, socks, blankets, gloves, winter hats, rain ponchos and even some baked goods donated by a local bakery. My entire family gathers early Christmas Eve to assemble the bags, we then take the train downtown and distribute these bags all across the city to those who aren’t even fortunate enough to have a warm place to stay. We’ve seen entire families living in dark alleys and even War Veterans living under bridges. Every year I wish I had enough resources to get all these people off the streets and into a shelter, times are tough and in the Chicago harsh winter the limited shelter resources are quickly depleted. I’m so grateful to be able to help a small portion of those in need during the holiday season and I encourage all of you to donate just a little bit of your time this year. The smiles and thank yous I receive from someone who has never been given anything is enough for me to strive to grow Operation Goody Bag each year.

Happy Holidays
XOXO
Amanda