The 4 Best Valentine’s Day Make-Up Looks: From The Ultimate Red Lip To Luscious Lashes

Just when you thought you’d recovered from the dizzying heights of sugar-laden Christmas treats, desserts and many a mulled wine, the New Year only goes and throws a whole new holiday right in your freshly detoxed complexion. Yep, that’s right girls, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and with it will come, as per usual, more clichés than a Cadbury’s Milk Tray. But fret not fellow Graziettes, as whether you’re single (or taken); we reckon V Day is the perfect opportunity to embrace a flirty beauty look. Whether you want to make the most of your lashes, cheeks, lips or hair, we’ve pulled together the ultimate kiss-me-quick make-up looks that’ll have you totally smitten.

1. Luscious Lashes

 Enchanting the opposite sex is much easier when you’re rocking a stellar pair of flirty lashes- trust us on this one. Transform stubby lashes into borderline falsies with a coat of L’Oreal Paris’ False Lash Flutter Mascara, £10.99 which seriously impressed us beauty ladies. L’Oreal Paris’ first-ever double-winged butterfly brush, together with special fibres to lengthen the look of lashes to a whole new level will guarantee some real fluttery volume. Got some cash to splash? Then stock up on Guerlain’s amazing Noir G Mascara, £36- the first-ever refillable mascara with an integrated mirror. We love!

2. Red Lips

Punch up your pout with a lip-smacking shade of red.  Guaranteed to turn some heads, this look is totally gorgeous and easier than you think to pull off- just keep the rest of your make-up clean and simple to really highlight your lips. Think a little blush, a thin sweep of black eyeliner and a coat of black mascara. The classic reds? We love MAC’s Ruby Woo, £15 and Lipstick Queen’s Sinner 90 Percent Pigment in Red Sinner, £20. Just remember the golden rule and prep your lips beforehand to ensure total kissability. Try Bliss’ Fabulips Sugar Lip Scrub, £16 which is a sure-fire way to a polished pout.

3. Get Cheeky

Nothing says provocative more than a rosy glow so make like the models at Caroline Herrera and arm yourself with a stellar blush to really make your skin pop. A cream formula will create the most natural-looking glow and the application is foolproof thanks to a sheer and blendable formula. To find your best shade, gently pinch your cheeks and match your blush to the colour you see. Try Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blush, £7.99- a real Grazia beauty fave.

4. Get Plaiting

Potentially the ultimate in romantic hairstyles, the effortless plait just oozes come-get-me-ness and will really highlight your cheekbones to boot. What’s more, with a whole host of ways to wear the style, it’s the perfect look for long and short haired ladies alike. The best bit? Come the following morning, simply unravel your plait to reveal naturally textured tresses- totally gorgeous!

Source: ph.she.yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

10 Best Valentine’s Day Perfumes

Grazia – Thu, Feb 6, 2014 9:46 PM PHT

When it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts, sometimes the classics are the best. Call us old-fashioned but us beauty ladies would be chuffed with a nice box of chocolates, beautiful bouquet of flowers and gorgeous new perfume. And there are plenty of fresh new scents to choose from to set the mood. Whether you prefer something sweet and feminine or rich and sensuous, click through the gallery above to see our pick of the ten loveliest perfumes for Valentine's Day…

By Sarah Royce-Greensill

Romantic Valentine Surprises

By Cecile Baltasar for Yahoo Southeast Asia – Mon, Feb 10, 2014 1:29 PM PHT

Nothing gives Valentine's Day an extra layer of cheese than perfectly planned and expertly executed surprises. Check out these six true stories, for example. They’re the very reasons that make Valentine season all about love.

High school harana
"There was a school event when we were in high school that required the boys to wear their Barong Tagalog.  After the event, I was asked by a friend to go with her to the restroom.  I was suspicious, but I went with her anyway.  When we got back to the classroom, I saw that the chairs in the middle had been pushed to the sides. Standing at the front of the classroom was a group of about 15 guys in their barong—plus shades—and one of them had a guitar at the ready. My not-yet-boyfriend, who was courting me then, gave a signal and the group began singing. Their song choice? "Harana" by Parokya ni Edgar. Yes, uso pa rin ang harana." -Camille, architect

Reversed roles
“On our first Valentine together, I made it explicitly clear to my then boyfriend, who’s 11 years younger than me, that I didn't want a fancy date. But secretly, I’d asked a florist friend to deliver a bouquet of blue roses to my boyfriend. The card simply said, "Just because it's a Tuesday." He was speechless and later admitted that it was the first time he received flowers from a girl. I knew he was expecting a date with me that night, but I told him we had to visit my cousin in the hospital. For my surprise, though, I’d conspired with the driver to drop us off a block away from the hospital, at a posh hotel. I’d reserved a table for two, where dinner and wine were waiting. I wanted to, even for a day, make him feel all the things he makes me feel every day. And that got him—hook, line, and sinker. Today, this 39-year-old woman is married to that 28-year-old. And she is still counting flowers he sends her, V-day or no V-day.” -Mayling, college professor

Also read: When He's Ready To Marry You

Bear-y love
“When I was in third-year college, my boyfriend gave me a surprise I’ll never forget. It has to do with teddy bears, which I collect. I was in the cafeteria with my friends when my boyfriend ran in, all sweaty, and asked me to go with him to the field. What I found there blew my mind—my boyfriend used hundreds of teddy bears to spell out a huge “I love you” on the grass. So sweet!” -Jennifer, customer service representative

Love in the time of Hunger Games
“I already knew that my girlfriend was a huge Hunger Games fan even before we went steady. So I used that to ask her to be my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day last year. I printed out clues using Hunger Games trivia and hid them all throughout her house. For the last clue, the instructions were to go outside to the garden. There, she found me under their mango tree (which I had strung up with Christmas lights). I was holding flowers in one hand and in another, I held up a sign that said, “Will you be the Katniss to my Peeta?” We’ve been together since then.” -Bryan, college student

Also read: How To Make Him 'Kilig'

Run, Forrest, Run
“I’d just finished a 21k run in Nuvali, and I wasn’t expecting my girlfriend to be there. We had plans to meet up for a late lunch in Makati. That’s why I was so surprised to see her at the finish line. She brought me to her car, which was parked under some trees. She had laid out a breakfast picnic inside. She folded down the back seat, spread out a picnic blanket and filled it with all my favorite breakfast food. She even brought out folding chairs so we could use the open trunk as a table. That’s been my favorite run, so far.” -Quito, entrepreneur

The ultimate Valentine
“Three years ago, on Valentine’s Day, I was surprised and a little confused when I found a small red envelope in my bag that had a card inside with a single word on it: “Will.” When I went down to my suki Starbucks that afternoon for my usual mocha frap, the barista there, who already knew me, gave me another red envelope with my order. In the envelope was another card that said, “You.” I called my then-boyfriend to ask if he was behind the cards, but he never answered. When I was getting ready to leave the office, my boss walked to my cubicle and handed me a third red envelope. The card read, “Marry me?” I screamed when I read that and when I looked up, I saw my boyfriend walking to me with a long-stemmed red rose. He got down on one knee, held out a ring box, and asked me, “Please?” Of course, how could I say no after all that?” -Marilen, copywriter

Source: ph.she.yahoo.com

What is love for you guys? For me, love is a feeling that sometimes you cannot explain. It cannot be sold or bought. Love is everywhere. Love is in the air. Some people say love is powerful to us. Its magically generates to us when Mr. or Miss right appears.

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Am I In Love? (source: http://dating.about.com/od/intimacy/tp/amiinlove.htm )

How Can I Tell If I'm In Love?

Wondering whether or not you've found true love? For some relationships it can be hard to tell, especially if you've never been in love before. Ask yourself the following questions so you'll know. 

Am I In Love Clue #1 - Physical Responses

One of the ways to know its love is by the physical responses you have to your partner when in their presence or thinking about them. Do you shiver? Get goosebumps? Blush? Sweat? Feel tingly all over? Cry when saying goodbye? Get stomach flip flops or butterflies? Feel like there is a lump in your throat? Can't stop smiling? Feel warm and fuzzy? All of these physical responses are indicators that you may have found true love, but only when paired up with the other clues in this list.

Am I In Love Clue #2 - Non-Obsessive Worry

You'll know when it's love by the way you worry about your parnter. Did they make it to work okay? Are they late because they were in an accident? Will they enjoy the dinner you painstakingly made for them? Of course, we all worry about our loved ones, but when you're in love with someone the worry takes on a different quality. At no point is it obsessive or negative however; rather, you are truly concerned for their well-being when in love.

Am I In Love Clue #3 - Wanting the World To Know

A common trait among couples who are in love is that they feel compelled to tell the world that they love one another. Whether it is wanting to yell at the top of your lungs from the rooftops, "I love you," or taking the celebratory nature of love towards a more traditional route (marriage), true love is characterized by wanting everyone to know just how happy you are together.

Am I In Love Clue #4 - Constant Reminders

You know you're in love when almost everything you experience reminds you of your partner. From the kind of coffee they drink to the smell of their cologne/perfume, from the way they say, "Hi!" to the silly way they tie their shoelaces, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, it all comes back to your partner.

Am I In Love Clue #5 - Positive Thoughts

Being in love with someone means that you (mostly) see them through rose-colored glasses. In What is True Love, positive thoughts about your partner are a crucial element to continued love for your partner. In some circles this phenomena might be called "doing no wrong", but with healthy optimism and realism.

Am I In Love Clue #6 - Reciprocated Feelings

If your partner tells you that their feelings mirror yours in a romantic, deep, loving fashion, then your love is likely blooming, or ready to move to the next level.

Am I In Love Clue #7 - Feeling Good

There's flying high on a cloud with loving feelings, and then there's feeling good about yourself. If your partner makes you feel like a million dollars when you're together, or that you can conquer anything because they have unswerving faith in you, then there's a good chance you're in love.

Am I In Love Clue #8 - No Pressure

In many a romantic relationship, there is some pressure to move things to the next level. In this case however we're talking about feeling pressured by your partner to do something you're not willing or ready to do - such as prioritizing them before your work or having sex. You may want to do these things, but when you're truly in love they are your choice alone and do not occur because of being pressured by your partner.

Dating Rules to Meet Someone (source: http://dating.about.com/od/rulesetiquette/tp/MeetSomeoneDatingRules.htm)

Struggling to meet someone new? Following these simple yet insightful dating rules might be just be exactly what you need.

Love Yourself First

Have you ever noticed that happy people get more attention? And if you are happy with yourself, it shows. So in order to attract more people into your life for dating purposes, focus on the things that make you happy. Try writing a large piece of paper full of ideas that you can use in a pinch, such as taking a hot bath, going for a bike ride or filling your home with plants. Then, pick three items from this list every day with conscious effort, knowing that the time you take tending to increasing your own personal joy will increase the pull others feel to learn more about who you are.

Cut Ties To Your Ex

Although this dating rule may be contentious for some readers, it is still an important step in the dating process. Just like a spring cleaning clears your space of clutter and cobwebs, removing an ex still present in your life after a breakup can free you to meet someone new. Of course there are circumstances where this may not be possible - such as if you have children together or work in the same office. But whenever possible, you need to remove your ex from your personal life, even if it is only temporary.

Let Go of Dating Myths

Dating is exhausting and not worth my time. I'll never meet The One. All the good ones are taken.

These three statements are myths about dating that seriously require thought if they are going through your head. Dating isn't about negative thoughts; its about meeting as many interesting people as you can while having faith that you'll meet someone special.

Following this dating rule means you need to stop focusing on the person you are trying to meet, and focus on the spotlight instead on yourself.

Face Your Dating Fears

Feeling anxious or upset about the prospects of meeting someone new usually translates into fear. If the thoughts of never meeting someone special, being upset that your last partner refused to commit, or convincing yourself you aren't worth dating are taking over your thought processes, it is time to face your dating fears. By not following this dating rule and ignoring the issues, your inability to risk losing your heart will stop you from meeting someone special.

(Learn How To Flirt ) 

Too attract new people, you'll need to show them you are interested - which means learning how to flirt. Virtually every single first encounter that leads to more starts with a smile, so this dating rule suggests smiling at everyone you encounter, without qualification. As well, understanding body language is a crucial part of meeting someone new and cannot be overlooked.

Accept All Dates

If you want to follow the rules of dating to meet someone new, its time to stop making snap decisions about the people who ask you out for a date. If someone asks you for coffee, it is your responsibility to accept it, barring any issues with safety of course. A date is just a date - not a marriage proposal. It'll only take an hour or two, and by accepting all dates you'll move closer to meeting someone special while perfecting your notions of what kind of person you'd like to have in your life.