STYLE

Instagram is an undulating sea of images featuring this morning’s latte, last night’s dinner, cats and fitness selfies. Also in the mix, of course, are plenty of beauty and makeup related images. There are hair tutorials, makeup of the day shots (#MOTD), and even behind-the-scenes snaps from fashion weeks, award shows and celebrity bathrooms. Today we’re sharing our list of 11 celebrity Instagram accounts that give us a glimpse into their beauty routines.

@KellyOsbourne

This purple haired maven helped make reality TV a thing, and we love her sassy –and hilarious — Instagram account.

@osiehw

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley‘s instagram is full of dreamy images and on-the-scene shots from photo sessions. Swoon.

@chungalexa

Alexa Chung is one of those chicks you either love or hate, but her Instagram account is def. a must-follow.

@kylizzle

Fact: 2014 was the year of Kylie Jenners‘ lips. This member of the Kardashian Krew has one of the most stalked Instagram accounts, and it’s all because of her makeup game.

@katdenningsss

This relatable babe posts a lot of animal pics and memes, but we’re totally subscribed for the selfies. #flawless

@laurenconrad

No “best celebrity instagram accounts” is complete without a Lauren Conrad mention, especially if we’re talking beauty.

@poppydelevingne

Everything’s first class on model Poppy Delevingne‘s Instagram page. What else would you expect?

@jlo

If you’re looking for a burst of fierceness to spice up your daily routine, just head on over to jLO‘s Instagram and you’ll be set.

@nicolerichie

Nicole Richie‘s transformation from her Paris Hilton days has to be one of the best ever. Maybe even more epic than the Clueless makeover.

@gwynethpaltrow

We love that Gwyn keeps it real. ‘Nuff said.

@katyperry

You may not like her music, but this pop diva is pretty cool.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Image credit: via Instagram

We kind of can’t help but roll our eyes at the “penis runway show” put on by designer Rick Owens at Paris Fashion Week. Yeah, yeah, we appreciate that it’s in the name of art and expressing yourself as an artist. Still, if you ask us, it all leans a little pretentious. Hollywood life sums it up well: “2014 may have been the year of the booty, but if designer Rick Owens has his way, 2015 will be the year of the peen.” Read more about the collection — and take a peek at the pics, if you dare — on the website.

It’s time to delete all those apps on your phone that you haven’t opened up in forever. You know — the ones you can’t remember downloading and that have collected virtual e-dust while taking up precious space on your device.

Once you’ve done a full sweep and nixed your neglected apps, you’ll have plenty of room to download and play with some of the latest and greatest style apps to hit the market. Below are six of our favorites.

Style Thief

For: iOs, (coming soon to Android)
Cost: Free

Miss Kate Bosworth launched her Style Thief app in July 2014 with co-founder Samantha Russ and we’re in L-O-V-E love. “Everyone has fashion envy,” Bosworth told Vogue Magazine. “Everyone can relate to that feeling of looking at an editorial, for example — or a friend, or the runway, for that matter — wanting to steal something exactly as you’re seeing it, or something similar.” The app allows you to search for, find and buy any garment or accessory you see. Genius!

StyleTag

For: iOS, Android, PC
Cost: Free

StyleTag serves as a social networking, curation and discovery platform that’s focused 100% on fashion. It’s used by top bloggers and style icons around the globe and helps users stay up to date on the latest trends. In addition to discovering new looks, you can also share your own finds for others to comment on. The app has a streamlined, gorgeous interface and is easy to use.

GoodShop

For: iOS
Cost: Free

Saving money is always a good thing, and the GoodShop app helps make that even easier for shoppers-on-the-go. It’s loaded with over 200k coupons, deals and promo codes for thousands of popular retailers, including Macy’s, Target, Nordstrom and Amazon. Plus, every time you use the app, 3% of your purchase goes toward a charity of your choice for no extra cost.

StyleBook

For: iOS
Cost: $3.99

If you’re the type who struggles with what to keep and what to donate or sell, this is the app for you. Stylebook tracks how often you wear things, which gives you some fancy pants data-based insight into whether or not a piece is worth keeping around. It also helps you keep track of how much you spend on clothing and allows you to share pictures with others to get their input on whether you should keep it or toss it.

Tradesy

For: iOS, PC
Cost: Free

After you’ve decided what you want to toss, head on over to Tradesy (available on iOS and your PC) to make a little cash. If you’re not interested in selling, you can shop for gently used goods from others trying to make a little dough. This app is great because it’s super style-centered and features everything from rare designer handbags to wedding dresses to vintage accessories to designer ready-to-wear.

Stylicious

For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

Consider Stylicious a virtual closet organizer; it’s kind of like an updated version of Cher’s e-closet in the movie Clueless. We love this app because it allows you to organize all of your garments and accessories in one space, making it easier to plan and visualize your outfits from head to toe. All you do is snap pictures of your tops, bottoms, dresses, jewelry, shoes and bags, then store them within the app. From there, you can mix and match items to create the perfect look. Stylicious also allows you to get inspiration from the app’s stylists, and it features a shopping portal.

By Wendy Rose Gould

How many of you have stood in front of your closet — after huffily trying on about a dozen different items — only to find a sea of seemingly inadequate clothes staring back at you? And how many times has this reduced you to tears, or at least paid a toll on your already sensitive self esteem?

Even after you find the most satisfactory outfit you can muster, you gaze into the mirror and feel like all that effort was for naught. You hate the outfit, you hate the way it makes you look and you hate the way it makes you feel. All you can think about is how others will perceive you in this array of self-perceived unflattering garments in which you’ve cloaked yourself.

You’re not alone.

“I think everyone has that terrible feeling of insecurity from time to time when you just know you have on the wrong outfit – as if it’s not just your clothes that are frumpy and outdated, but you, too,” says styling consultant Ashley Martini, author of the new book, “Styletini.”

Martini says that getting your outfit just right is often challenging. After all, you’re trying to strike the perfect balance between comfort and confidence, professional and unstuffy, current and too-trendy. It’s a difficult task, and one that can send you spiraling into a fit of anxiety and stress. We’re telling you to stop. Stop stressing!

It’s easier said than done, we know — and it will take some time to re-train your brain — but it’s possible. Here are five ways to stop the dreaded “mirror panic” and “wardrobe disgust” that plagues us all.

Give Yourself Time to Get Dressed

There’s nothing worse than rushing to get ready. Not only do you not have time to carefully plan out an outfit, but you’re probably running around like a crazy lady. Mussed up hair and a sweaty face is not a good look for anyone.

Give yourself ample time to choose an outfit and get dressed, especially for bigger events. You can, of course, do this the night before. Make sure you plan the look from head to toe, including accessories, shoes, your bag and even your makeup.

Understand That Not All Trends Work On Your Body

“The trendiest thing any individual can do is answer the question: Is it flattering?” says Martini. Truer words were never spoken.

You’re likely aware that women have six basic body types: triangle (narrow above the waist and wider on the bottom), inverted triangle (fuller shoulders and chest with slim hips and thighs), rectangle (also known as athletic with little definition in the waist and hips), diamond (high-sitting, full stomach with wide hips and full thighs), apple (similar to diamonds, but with a lower-sitting stomach), hourglass (equal upper and lower halves with well-defined waists).

Understand that a waistless sack dress may look fabulous on a rectangular frame, but not so much a curvy hourglass. And where skinny jeans may work for an inverted triangle figure, they probably aren’t the best option for a triangle-shaped woman with wider hips.

Ultimately, your goal is to understand your body shape and work to even out proportions. Any garment that doesn’t work to your advantage should be donated pronto.

Know Your Measurements, Carry a Tape Measure

Whether you’re shopping online or in-stores, knowing your measurements is key to finding clothes that fit you best.

Martini says you should measure the parts of your body that most define your shape, which include hips, shoulders, waist, bust and height.

• For hips/butt, wrap the tape around the fullest part. Make sure you’re not pulling too tightly or too loosely; the number in the center front is your hip size.
• For shoulders, relax your shoulders and stand up tall, then extend the tape from the outer edge of one shoulder to the other. You may want to enlist a friend.
• For your waist, bend forward and note where your body creases, which is where your natural waist lies. Measure around that point.
• For bust, wear a top without a bra and wrap the tape across your back, under your shoulder blades and arms, and then around the fullest part of your breasts.

Make note of these measurements (you can keep them in your phone for handy access) and use them when shopping.

Familiarize Yourself With Fabrics

Knowledge is power, and the more you know about the garments you buy, the better. For example, cotton is apt to shrink, which means cotton clothes won’t always fit you the way they do in the dressing room.

Be aware of fabrics that cling — such as polyester and rayon — which can be unforgiving without the assistance of shapewear. On the opposite side of the spectrum, fabrics such as tweed or wool are starchy and stiff, which conceal lumps, but can add bulk.

Always read the labels and be aware of what certain fabrics look like on your body.

Work on Self Love

We know, we know. Loving yourself — flaws and all — is way easier said than done. Still, exuded confidence is one of the most attractive traits a woman can have. And no, we’re not just talking about being attractive to potential partners, but being attractive in general. If you’re confident, you’re more approachable and more hirable, too.

We recommend checking out self-love blogs, reading books and talking it out with girlfriends or a professional. If you’re uncomfortable in your skin, be proactive. Few things are as motivating and life-changing as taking control over yourself and treating your body the way it deserves to be treated.

By Wendy Rose Gould