Beauty Box 5

1. Perfect my brows

I’ve been patient and allowed them to grow out, and now it’s time to tame them! I love a good thick brow and glamourous arches, but I was not blessed with either, so I’m trying to embrace a straight shape and eyebrow pencils.

2. Find my one true red

I love lipstick and I have a great selection of bright pinks and purples, but I’m still questing for the perfect red. I’ve thrown out or returned a few in the last two years because they were the wrong color, had an awkward shape, or dried out my lips, but this lack of a power red is killing me. The quest begins!

3. Go beyond the basic eye

Minimalist I am, and my daily look is simple: cat eye, bright lips, subtle bronzer on the cheeks. The thing is, I own tons of palettes and brushes, but I don’t experiment enough. It’s time to go wild, binge on tutorials, and see what I can do.

4. Treat myself to more masks

Right now I use a Korres sleeping facial several times a week and pretend it’s a night cream, but I’m not in love with it. It’s time to pony up and buy the masks I can’t get enough of them and use them more often. Goodbye, nose pores!

5. Go for quality, not quantity

I love clothing, but in the last year or two I’ve tried to buy more fitted, luxe pieces so that I really love everything I have and not settle for a second-rate fit. It’s a process.

photo: getty images

1. What cult favorites can you actually live without? [refinery 29]

2. 2013 was the year of the nail, and 2014 will be the year of the… lip? [beauty world news]

3. Who knew our jeans and money were so connected? [allure]

4. We learned ice cubes don’t have to be boring. [brit + co]

5. Interested in following the hair trend forecast? [makeup]

6. We can’t get enough purple. [make it all up]

7. We discovered pink weddings gowns were a real celebrity thing and (sorry) we thought they were pretty fun. [fashionista]

8. Want great skin? It won’t be a walk in the park. Baby steps, y’all. [bella sugar]

9. We want this palette, these looks, and all of the polaroids. [the cut]

10. EE creams. They’re happening, people. [elle]

What does our talented art director want to do better in the new year? We’re glad you asked!

1. Rock the natural curls

The hot tools and products work miracles on getting silky smooth hair, but it’d be kinda liberating to step out in natural curls.

2. Learn how to contour and highlight

Think a toned-down version of Kim K.

3. Try a natural oil moisturizer

Heard this is better than cream-based moisturizer…must try!

4. Accessorize

5. Rediscover colour

Winter was a dark season, this year I want to work on bringing some life and color to my wardrobe.

photo: mamiverse

What does Joanna, our super sweet marketing director, want out of the new year?

1. Give lipstick a go

I’ve been a gloss girl all my life, I think it’s time to move on to more pigmented color on my lips. I’ll be looking for the perfect moisturizing, pink lipstick in 2014 to rock on the daily.

2. Focus on hair

I’m facing my fears and I declare that I will not be afraid of haircuts anymore! I must confess, I only get a hair cut once a year because I always regret haircuts after I get them, but split ends don’t look that great either. I’m going to be fearless and get a haircut twice a year now! it’s a start, right?

3. Dress to impress

Austin’s known for it’s very “relaxed look” so we’re very casually dressed in the office. However, the famous Paris Hilton once said, “There’s too many beautiful women in the world to not always dress your best.” I’m taking her advice and making the office my runway!

4. Experiment with eye makeup

I’m a stickler for “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” so there aren’t many variations to my eye makeup. I just stick to one look that I’m confident with. I’d like to grow the variations for my eye looks that I use on a daily basis, perhaps more hints of color instead of sticking to natural shades.

5. Shop more with my handsome man

I recently went to a gala with my fiancé and inconveniently left the dress shopping until 4 hours before I needed to be ready. Yikes! After not finding a dress for a couple of hours, he came to the rescue, pointed out a dress I never would have tried on and it was absolutely perfect! I got so many compliments on the dress at the event. Lots of fashion credit to my soon-to-be hubby!

photo: makeupgeek

Have you promised to experiment with cream blush?

Treat yourself to more pedicures?

Contour like a champion?

Floss better?

All you have to do is dish! Three winners will be randomly selected Friday morning, so enter ASAP and meet 2014 fabulously!

"Rock the natural curls." -Natalia, Art Director

I was blessed and cursed with thick, curly and frizzy hair. I say blessed because after years of tangled out of control hair, dozens of styling tools, and hair care products, I’ve finally mastered styling my hair into soft, wavy curls and dialed down the routine from 2 hrs to 45mins. This year though, I’d like to go back to my natural roots and let the mane go wild. The hot tools and products work miracles on getting silky smooth hair, but it’d be kinda liberating to step out in natural curls.

"Dress to impress." -Joanna, Marketing Director

Austin’s known for it’s very “relaxed look” so we’re very casually dressed in the office. However, the famous Paris Hilton once said, “There’s too many beautiful women in the world to not always dress your best.” I’m taking her advice and making the office my runway!

"Give myself compliments on a daily basis." -Lauren, Customer Account Manager

I feel beautiful but it is so much easier to spot out the imperfections. When I see something in the mirror I don’t love I am not putting myself down, I am and going to make it something I am proud of. I am talking about you after holiday belly bump!

"Find my one true red." -Alexa, Communications Director

I love lipstick and I have a great selection of bright pinks and purples, but I’m still questing for the perfect red. I’ve thrown out or returned a few in the last two years because they were the wrong color, had an awkward shape, or dried out my lips, but this lack of a power red is killing me. The quest begins!

Looking for a thick gloss that you won’t have to reapply? This might be the ticket. Ofra’s Sultry Lipgloss Plumper comes in a vampy burgundy that’s perfect for ladies who want to experiment with dark lip colors, but don’t want to commit.

Sure, your boyfriend won’t love it, but he probably doesn’t dig your lipstick all over his face, either.

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Could this have come at a more perfect time?

Summer is usually when we give our hands and feet the attention they deserve, but you shouldn’t settle for one season of great skin!

During the cold months is actually when you need the most TLC and this little guy will help you quickly and easily shave down unsightly rough patches and keep you feeling sexy, even after your faux tan has faded.

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As a self-confessed shedder, cleaning my brushes has always been a frequent, unpleasant chore, especially when I had long hair. I didn’t like pulling out my dead strands because the texture was dry and gross, and because I couldn’t never get my brush completely clean.

Gross brushes, meet my new friend, the Sam Villa Brush Cleaner.

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1. It’s engagement season! Whether it’s you or a friend getting hitched, these iconic dresses might inspire your own! [mc mom-ents]

2. Hurry and make that gorgeous Christmas manicure happen! [my newest addiction]

3. Busy doesn’t mean you can’t reshape your brows, girl! Here is how to do it fast. [makeup]

4. Got a gift set junkie on your hand? No problem. [the glitter guide]

5. You thought botox was scary? History is scary. [the cut]

6. Short hair ladies, unite under many lobs! [bella sugar]

7. How chic are your sneakers? [fashionista]

8. We’re green with envy over these wintery emeralds. [temptalia]

9. Don’t let rosacea dampen your winter cheer! These might help clear up your skin. [allure]

10. Can’t get enough Alexa Chung? You’re not alone. [beauty world news]