Another year has come and gone and if you’re like the average person you’ve either decided on your new year’s resolutions or you’re still in the midst of thinking, “Do I really want to give that up?” Regardless of whether or not your resolution is easy, there are subtle ways to improve your look and overall feel this year without being a slave to the gym or sufficing on water and granola for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just follow these 5 easy beauty new years resolutions for 2011. It’s a new year, new you…literally.

Beauty New Year’s Resolution #5: Take a page out of dwarf Sleepy’s book. Get some rest!
You may have thought you were getting an adequate amount of sleep in 2010, but ask yourself one question. Were you getting between 6-8 hours of sleep each night? If that answer is no, then you’ve got some “Zzz’s” to catch up on. You can even try taking a nap if you’re not getting enough shut-eye at night. And, although the workplace doesn’t enforce nap time like preschool, you can even catch up on some dreams during the work week. Simply close your office door at lunch and put your head down for around 15-30 minutes. If you don’t have an office, a car will also do the trick. Just remember to set an alarm in case you happen to trail off…

Beauty New Year’s Resolution #4: Breaking the habit
This one really only applies to addictions like smoking or overeating. You may have tried to stop in the past and maybe every new year you tell yourself that this is the year to break the habit. But, if you’re like the majority of us, it’s usually just talk. How about this year you walk the walk instead of talk the talk?

If you’ve had trouble giving up addictions in the past, try giving them up again but under different reasons and circumstances. Try quitting them for someone else and not for yourself – almost like a present to your family or friends. Or, if you’ve tried to simply quit by using your own methods in the past and it didn’t work, this year try upping the ante. Go see a therapist or get a specialist to help you axe the bad habit.

Beauty New Year’s Resolution #3: Forget about dieting. Wait, what?
That’s right ladies, you can kiss that new year’s diet plan goodbye. The problem with dieting is that it can lead to denying your body certain nutrients and in some cases it can actually have a reverse effect – leading to overeating and at worst hints of depression.

So, this new year, make the changes small. No more sneaking Snickers at work. Go ahead and empty out those candy drawers in your desk. Try swapping your regular pop to diet. Switch to whole grains. Subtle changes like these are easy and don’t take a lot of discipline to pull off. Not to mention, they will help you feel better while looking better too.

Beauty New Year’s Resolution #2: Get up and walk around
The average American sits at a desk 5 days per week for hours at a time just staring at their computers. That’s a lot of lazy time. So try this. Every hour get up and move around for a few minutes. It will help you get your blood circulating again and it’s just a healthy practice in general to reduce stress and clear your head. Also, if you work on the third floor or above, skip the elevator and take the stairs. You’d be surprised what a few flights of stairs can do for the ‘ol cardio. Lastly, start taking a 15-30 minute walks during your lunch break or before work. Simple steps like these aren’t overwhelming and the results will definitely show themselves soon enough.

Beauty New Year’s Resolution #1:  Shot, shot, shot-shot-shot…of water?
Drinking an adequate amount of water is something that is incredibly overlooked by people on a daily basis. It helps flush out your system, keep you hydrated and lose weight while maintaining healthy skin and complexion. You should be drinking 8 cups of water a day. So, ditch that coffee and start chugging some H2O. Okay fine, you can keep your coffee just make sure you’re throwing back your fair share of water, too. Go buy a big 32 oz water bottle from the store and keep it filled on your desk at work. It’s as simple as that!

Are you a beauty blogger? Beautyschool.com is holding a Top Beauty Blog Contest. Having a beauty blog is fun, but it’s time for beauty bloggers to reap some benefits for having a blog! Beautyschool.com is awarding beauty bloggers for their hard work and dedication to the online community of beauty. So how does it work?

Fill out the entry form and tell us about your blog. That’s it!

Entering your beauty blog makes you eligible to win the Ultimate Beauty Giveaway Basket, which includes Barelle Cosmetics Model’s Professional Makeup Kit valued at $125, along with other fab (and free) beauty prizes such as a beauty pack from Motives cosmetics, a skincare set from Decleor, beauty essentials from Rimmel London, eye must-haves from Beautisol and Virginia Alexander’s 5 Minute Makeover DVD on creating a professional and evening look. Not to mention, a Top Beauty Blog badge to post on your blog page, and a featured post on Beautyschool.com and mysocialbeauty.com’s “Top Beauty Blogs to Follow in 2011” list.

All you have to do is enter!!! Get the full details and enter the beauty blog contest here: http://www.beautyschool.com/top-beauty-blog-contest

BeautySchool.com would like to extend a special thank you to their Top Beauty Blog Contest Sponsors:

As the winter months get colder having long hair not only radiates our beauty but also keeps us warm! But how long is too long? There are a number of women in the world that have long hair, but others have LONG hair! Here’s a good point to bring up with your friends as you discuss your latest hair trends for the New Year. The Guinness World Record gives the world record for the longest hair as 18 ft, 5.54 inches! Owner of these overwhelming trestles: Xie Quiping.

Growing your hair this long takes time! It took Xie Quiping 30 years! She started growing her hair our when she was just 13 years old in 1973! We can’t even imagine how having 18 feet hair would feel! But we couldn’t resist.

Ten obstacles having 18 feet hair would cause:
1.    Washing
2.    Brushing
3.    Blow drying
4.    Styling
5.    Sleeping
6.    Exercising
7.    Sitting
8.    Running
9.    Driving
10.    Swimming

What do you think ladies?

There’s no doubt that being a professional athlete takes a tremendous amount of natural talent and skill. That’s why they’re called professionals, right? Well, for certain pro athletes, the money and the fame of being recognized as a master of their craft apparently isn’t a good enough deal. Either their fame isn’t at the level they wished it was and are looking for more attention, or simply, they just have really bad fashion sense.

Either way, there is no denying the large amount of awesomely bad hair in professional sports, both past and present. Unfortunately, this list can’t include them all, but it does justice in finding some of the best, worst hairstyles out there. So sit back and enjoy the fact that you’re hair isn’t mentioned on this list…or is it?

11) Chris “Birdman” Andersen (Denver Nuggets)

Chris Andersen – better known as “Birdman,” well, for obvious reasons – plays in the NBA for Carmelo Anthony’s squad, the Denver Nuggets. At first glance you’ll probably notice his rooster like faux/mohawk to go along with his mass amounts of bird referencing tattoos. At 6’ 10”, Birdman might have the largest wingspan of any bird or man…literally.

10) Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls)

For rather obvious reasons, Noah ends up on this list of awesomely bad sports hair. Beyond your initial look, you might catch yourself thinking, “Wow, he really looks like something I’ve seen before, but I just can’t put my finger on it.” Well, try putting a paw on it because Joakim Noah is a 6’11” poodle. Just check out how that mass amount of hair frizz flows out from his cap like delicately groomed poodle ears. Unfortunately for Noah, the poodle-look isn’t really in when it comes to actual people. Sorry.

9) Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers)

He might be one of the nicest players and best safeties in the NFL, but that doesn’t excuse his Slash style Rock n’ Roll hair. Seriously, even with his helmet, his mop top reaches his lower back, and in case you weren’t sure, he’s not exactly the smallest guy around. Sorry Troy but maybe you should ditch your KISS inspired ‘do and opt for something a little more intimidating. I’m sure locks of love would love to have that hairy mane.

8 ) Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
In a year where baseball became the battle of the pitchers, only one emerged victorious both on and off the field – Tim Lincecum. Not only did Lincecum help pitch the Giants into 2010 World Champions, he also – on a less epic scale – won the best, worst hairstyle in pro baseball. It’s not that his long locks are of ridiculous proportions, rather, it’s that they make him look like a dark-haired twin of Tatum O’Neal from the classic flick Bad News Bears. And, that’s probably not a good thing since she was like 12 years old in that movie – oh, and a girl.

7)  Andre Agassi (Pro Tennis Player)

Hey, the 80s happened to everyone who lived through them – both famous people and commoners alike. It’s a decade where people learned, tried and ultimately failed at a lot of different fashion scenarios. Unfortunately for Agassi, he definitely falls into the failed category. His then layered locks and hot neon bandana makes one unsure of whether Agassi was, in fact, a former tennis star or the lead singer of 80s hair metal gods, Poison? You be the judge.

6) David Beckham (Professional Soccer player)

Now, David Beckham has made a lot of good fashion moves in his successful soccer career, except for one incredibly bad one – cornrows. David you’re not Reggae/hip hop sensation Sean Paul, and even if you were, that’s still no excuse to design your hair based on a geographical landscape that people use to grow vegetables.

5) Ron Artest (Los Angeles Lakers)

Known primarily for his on-the-court antics, Ron-Ron is just as well known for his infamous hair coloring and hair stenciling. In fact, no one seems to remember Artest flipping out and punching that unfortunate fan or the long laundry list of his other shenanigans, but people do seem to remember his ludicrous hair. We can all agree that Artest might be basketball’s bad hair successor to Dennis “The Ridiculous” Rodman.

4) Scott Pollard (Retired NBA player)

With Mr. Pollard it’s hard to pinpoint exactly which ridiculous hairstyle of his was the worst because frankly, he had too many to name just one. As a clean-cut college basketball player at the University of Kansas, Pollard took a different approach during his eleven-year NBA career. Whether he was sporting his Civil War era mutton Chops, impersonating a goat or trying out his lumberjack look, we can all agree that he certainly had a hair fetish.

3) Randy Johnson (Retired MLB pitching legend)

Randy Johnson was a simple man and a phenomenal pitcher during his pro stint; however, he wasn’t the most fashionably sensible person. Unfortunately, during the 90s the mustache made quite the fashion comeback, so you can’t fault Johnson too much for that since nearly every major leaguer donned the stache. Really, Randy Johnson made this list because if country legend Alan Jackson were to play baseball, well, he’d look just like Randy Johnson. It may be “Five O’ Clock Somewhere,” but you and Randy look like each other anytime, everywhere.

2) Brian “The Boz” Bosworth (Retired Seattle Seahawks NFL Linebacker)

Yep, the mullet crept its way into stardom during the late 80s and early 90s, and as a result, many professional athletes – unfortunately – wore it proudly. However, out of all the pros to sport the business in the front, party in the back, Bosworth was one of the most notable, probably for his bad boy persona. Looking back, if the mullet were created for just one person to ever wear, we should all think about nominating “The Boz” to shoulder such a burden.

1) Dennis Rodman (Retired Chicago Bulls Forward and Wanna-Be Movie Star)

Don’t act like you’re surprised – you knew # 1 could only belong to the infamous Chicago Bulls star. Both on and off the court, Dennis Rodman had so many outlandish hairstyles and colors that the rainbow couldn’t even contain them all – ironic, because Rodman at one time did, in fact, have rainbow hair. You want to know the true meaning of life? Then don’t look at a slideshow of Rodman’s hairstyles.

Everyday fashion magazines and commercials on TV tell us about the next great thing.  The lipstick that lasts all day.  The mascara that makes your lashes long and full.  Despite all the hype, sometimes a product will do it right and prove the old saying “if it aint’ broke, don’t fix it.”

The classics on our list aren’t fancy or include any new, crazy offer, but they consistently remain best-sellers with women around the world and will continue to keep us looking great for decades to come. Check out our list of seven beauty products that have stood the test of time.

1-    Johnson’s Baby Oil - This gentle formula has been a classic for both babies and grown women for more than 100 years!  Besides its moisturizing qualities, Johnson’s baby oil is great for removing stubborn eye make-up and shaving when you’re out of shaving gel.  The oil locks in up to ten times more moisture than regular lotion.

2-    Chapstick – There’s a reason Katy Perry sung about this stuff—it’s the best! ChapStick, which was created in the 1930s, has become such a classic that almost all lip balm today is called “chapstick.”  Even though the company now makes a wide range of glosses and balms, the original stuff in the classic black tube and cherry-flavored red tube, remains a crowd-pleaser.

3-    Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream – This Procter & Gamble product debuted in the 1960s and has been a favorite, natural skin cleanser ever since.  The crème is one of the simplest but most effective face washes out there.  It’s clean, menthol smell and tingling feel clean pores deep and leave skin soft.

4-    Essie’s Ballet Slippers Nail Polish - This timeless color is perfect on almost every skintone and can be appropriate for any occasion.  This best-selling color is even a favorite of celebrities who rave about the “go-with-anything” shade. This flattering light-pink color should be your go-to nail polish!

5-    Maybelline Great Lash Mascara – Despite all the new-fangled mascaras on the market today, this classic—with its notorious pink and green bottle—remains a beauty favorite of ordinary women, fashion editors and celebrities alike.  This affordable mascara that can be purchased at drugstores proves that beauty doesn’t have to come at a price.

6-    Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion- This cosmetic line’s cult-classic doesn’t come in a fancy bottle but since the 1970s this lotion has been known for smoothing skin and improving the complexion.  This infamous yellow lotion is lightweight and provides a moisturizing “drink” for skin without being sticky or oily.

7-    Chanel No. 5 – As the first perfume to be introduced by the famous Coco Chanel, this classic fragrance has been a favorite of women worldwide since its debut in 1921.  Chanel No. 5 truly proves that classic never goes out of style with its powerful, feminine scent.  Known as the “world’s most legendary fragrance,” the perfume remains in the highest ranking perfume sales today.

What classic beauty products did we miss?  What are your favorites? Let us know!

The Caesar. The Rachel. The Twiggy. Celebrities often set trends for hairstyles that weave their way into popular culture for a minute or two. Since Brigitte Bardot and Lucille Ball popularized poodle perms and beehives in the ’50s, society has looked to Hollywood for the next big thing in hair. Good or bad, they’ve dictated family photos and school portraits for decades and helped us all look back and say, “What was I thinking?”

On the other hand, some have stood the test of time and, with a few slight modernizations, still appear on red carpets and sidewalks alike. Which ones are hairdos and which ones are hair don’ts? You be the judge:

1. Bo Derek and her beaded cornrows from 1979’s 10

2. Farrah Fawcett’s long, feathered locks

3. Cher’s long, straight, center-parted hippie hair

4. Dorothy Hammill, who brought The Wedge to the masses

5. Jennifer Aniston, whose character on Friends was the envy of women everywhere

6. Meg Ryan and her cropped, tousled curls found their way into salons in the ’90s

7. Madonna’s teased and crimped-beyond-recognition mane circa “Like a Prayer.”

8. George Clooney’s straight forehead fringe, nicknamed The Caesar

9. Christina Aguilera’s Xtina phase that brought about stick-straight black hair with a blonde top layer

The stylists behind these celebrities’ do’s marked their place in history and pop culture forever by going out on a limb and trying something new. Imagine how it would feel to see one of your styles on TV or even in the aisle next to you at the store. What will be the next big look? One can only imagine.

Most fashion trends come and go, but some looks are so timeless they will always find their way back in style. Here are 6 retro hairstyles that will always be hot:

1. The mop-top: From The Beatles to Bieber, this floppy style isn’t going anywhere. It’s hard to believe that 50 years ago this was considered long hair for boys. Shaggy bangs and covered ears are the trademark of this cut. The length in back is negotiable – but don’t go too far, you might wind up with an accidental mullet!

2. Bangs: The 70’s would have been boring without Farrah Fawcett and her signature feathered power-bangs. It’s true, bangs aren’t what they used to be, but they’ve managed to stay relevant. Actresses such as Zoe Deschanel, Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon use their bangs as subtle accents to their other notable features.

3. Spiked: Sid Vicious and the rest of the Sex Pistols were every mother’s nightmare in the late 70’s. Spiked hair, black leather, tight pants – skinny jeans, anyone? – were the hallmarks of this style. Nowadays parents accompany their children to Green Day concerts and ‘faux hawks’ are acceptable in corporate culture. Who knows what Sid would be doing if he were alive today. An American Express spokesman, perhaps?

4. Pixie: This cropped cut was born in the 1920’s and worn by rebellious women known as ‘flappers.’ In 1968 Mia Farrow revealed a horrific take on the pixie cut in the film ‘Rosemary’s Baby.’ And in 2001 this look made an adorable cinematic return on the scalp of Audrey Tatau in the film ‘Amelie.’ Who’s been seen sporting this look lately? Katie Holmes, Rihanna, Emma Watson and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, just to name a few.

5. Pompadour: Before Twilight’s Edward Cullen swooned Bella Swan and became the obsession of every teenage girl (and most of their mothers), Elvis Presley drove the ladies crazy with his gyrating hips and greased signature ‘pomp.’ This high jutting style took a wildly experimental turn in the 80’s on the heads of such bands as ‘Flock of Seagulls’ and ‘Duran Duran.’ And who could forget the competing pomps sported by Dylan McKay and Brandon Walsh on the TV show 90210 in the 90’s?

6. Bed Head: Who says style has to be intentional to be timeless? This devil-may-care do has been around since the earliest cave dwellers and has never looked back. Just think how history might read differently if Albert Einstein had spent more time combing his hair than helping the Allies build the atom bomb. One thing’s for sure, Nick Nolte’s mug-shots wouldn’t be nearly as priceless if the photographer gave him a brush and some gel.

Are you trying to be patient and let your short hair grow out?  As you wait for it to grow out—hair grows at an average of half an inch a month—you see your favorite stars going from cute bobs to long, luxurious locks in a matter of days.  No, they don’t have magical hair growing powers; they’re probably cheating the system with hair extensions.

Hair extensions today look more realistic than ever.  Many are even made of real human hair, which means you can curl it, straighten it and wash it as usual.  Hair extensions come in a variety of styles, application methods and prices ranges.  Another bonus?  You have more options than the glue and wax versions of the past that would damage your natural hair.  So, if you’re considering adding a little length without waiting for months, check out your hair extension options!

Bonding hair extensions
Hair extensions such as Great Lengths, are made of human hair and attached by a “bonding” method.  Without using glue or high heat, Great Lengths hair extensions are applied with an Ultrasonic machine that bonds your hair and the extension together with an ultrasonic wave.  Sounds high-tech, huh?  The price will astound you, too. Worn by many celebrities (who can afford these!) Great Lengths extensions will cost you $1,200 to $2,000!

Positives: Extensions look and feel very natural, last for months
Negatives: Expensive!

“Loc” style extensions
Known as the “no heat, no glue, no sewing, no braiding” extensions, Hairlocs and MicroLoc extensions are gaining popularity quickly.  With these types of extensions small pieces of hair are inserted in a tiny metal circle that’s the color of your hair.  A human hair extension is then inserted as well.  The metal ring is clamped down so that it stays put and the hair extension will stay in.  This process is repeated all over the head and looks very natural when completed.

Positives: Natural looking, no heat or glue used, can be reused as often as you want
Negatives: Expensive—these extensions can cost up to $500 plus application fees

Clip-in extensions
Even safer than loc-style extensions are clip in extensions, which you are able to take out at night.  Hairextensions.com features an expansive selection of hair extensions ranging in all styles and prices.  The site sells Jessica Simpson’s well-known HairDo brand as well as the brands Put On Pieces (POP), Raquel Welch, and easiHair.  Prices are fairly affordable with pieces staring in the mid-thirties to more extensive pieces coming to $100-200—still much less than the $1,000 you could spend on the loc system.

Positives: Affordable, safe for hair, allow you to change up your hairstyle frequently
Negatives: May not look as natural as permanent extensions, inconvenience of putting in daily

I had the HairLoc extensions last year—which I loved.  If they didn’t cost so much, I would continue to wear them today.  Have any of you ever tried out extensions?  What type of experiences have you had with them?

There are a lot of awesomely ridiculous hair trends in the world today. They’re everywhere you look, around every corner and at one time you probably participated in one of these fashion atrocities. However, if you’re looking for the best, worst hair styles – those that are so out of this world that they are in fact out of this world, then look no further than the video game world.

The idea of a video game character and ridiculous hair is like assuming the role of Captain Obvious. Why? Because, they go hand-and-hand. It’s like associating tattoos with sports. Not every player has them, but they are plenty. In this list, we are counting down the top 10 hairstyles can only be found in the virtual world of video games. This is about to get hairy (pun completely intended).

10. Major Guile – Street Fighter II
Major Guile, the ragtag, American military boy from Street Fighter has a ‘do that blends two already horrible hairstyles into one giant NO-NO. It’s like a horizontal blend between the mohawk and the flattop. As if he looked to an anvil or maybe a hammer head shark for fashionable hair inspiration. Needless to say, it’s outrageous, yet somehow he’s been rocking it for almost 20 years.

9. Ganondorf – The Legend of Zelda franchise
Ganondorf, the Triforce tyrant himself has been causing havoc on Link – one of gaming’s most beloved characters for 25 years – not to mention every hair fashion known to man. Here’s some advice starting from the top (literally). First off, Ganon my boy, tone down that ridiculously bright orange hair. Second, trim that yeti-looking beard. Third, take that crown and metal junk out of your carrot top. Fourth, well, you know what, just shave your head altogether. There’s just too much to correct here, sorry.

8. Chun Li – Street Fighter II
Coming in at number 8, we have another member of the Street Fighter lineup. Chun Li, like Guile (#10 on the list) has some unforgettable hair that slightly screams Star Wars’ Princess Leia meets Little Bo Beep (minus the bonnet). It’s an odd style, but when you actually look at all the Street Fighter characters, Chun Li’s hair might be among the most normal. Seriously, this “only in video games hair list” could be comprised of solely Street Fighter characters, no joke.

7. Princess Zelda – The Legend of Zelda franchise
Another Legend of Zelda character graces our top 10 “only in video games hair styles list” at number 7 – the famed Zelda herself. Trust me, this list isn’t only composed of Zelda and Street Fighter characters – promise. Zelda makes this list based on her pseudo-braided locks tucked into tapered off ponytails flowing over her satellite-like elf ears. Try saying that five times fast. Nonetheless, her hair is interesting to say the least, and it’s definitely only in a video game.

6. Bowser – Super Mario Bros.
You know the face, that maniacal dinosaur-looking, princess-abducting turtle. Up until recently, the only hair fashion we really knew about the plumber-stomping no-good-doer was that it was red. That was pretty much it thanks to pixelated 8 and 16-bit graphics. But over the last several years, graphics have improved and we’ve finally gotten a decent look at those vibrant crimson locks of his. And, from what it looks like, Bowser –when he’s not kidnapping Princess Peach over and over and over again – frequently sees his hairstylist to get that newly feathered look. Plus, from the looks of things, despite most people asking for an eyebrow trim, it seems that mean ol’ Bowser likes to fluff those cherry eye-caterpillars out as big as he can get ‘em.

5. Sonic the Hedgehog – Sonic the Hedgehog franchise
Have you ever seen a blue hedgehog? You know what, let me just help you out. The answer is NO! Not sure what Sega was thinking when they created this cobalt-furred speedster, but for some reason it stuck with people and now Sonic is a gaming icon. However, that doesn’t stop us from critiquing his blue spiked ‘do. And seriously, you’re not going to find this hairstyle outside of the video game world…at least hopefully not.

4. Paul Phoenix – Tekken
Umm, can you say House Party meets Jersey Shore? Paul Phoenix from the beat ‘em up fighting series Tekken looks like he stole his blocked off, skyscraper hairstyle straight from 1990’s House Party actor Christopher “Kid” Reid of the duo Kid & Play. He might also be able to pull off saying he was the blonde cast member cut from Jersey Shore. There’s Snooki, The Situation and Paul Phoenix. He could have fit right in. ‘Tis a shame!

3. Cloud –Final Fantasy series
There’s not really a whole lot to say here. The picture pretty much sums up what’s going on with Cloud’s hair. It looks like someone peeled a banana over his head and just left it there. Not sure whether to laugh at it or eat it.

2. Dixie Kong – Donkey Kong Country 2
This cute little primate might not have the most unusual looking mane, other than the fact that a monkey is trying to impersonate Goldie Locks. No, the more unusual aspect of this ape’s hair is what it’s actually used for. In the game Dixie whirls that banana-blonde tress in a similar fashion to helicopter blades in order to slow her decent. She also picks up various in-game objects like barrels and boxes which she then carries over her head or throws. You show me someone in real-life who can do those things and I’ll immediately bump her off this “only in video games hairstyles list.”

1. Goku – Dragon Ball Z series
You’ve reached the finale – our most outlandish and out of this world hairstyle in all of video games. The award goes to Goku from Dragon Ball Z who brings a whole new concept of “wow” to the hair fashion world – and not in a good way. At this rate you might as well call him Rapunzel with that overwhelming blonde cape of hair. “Goku, Goku, let down your hair!” Hmm, doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

There’s no denying the recent popularity of vampires in our society. It seems like everywhere you turn a new vampire inspired movie, television show or book is springing up. Thanks in large part to the hugely popular Twilight series, new vampire offspring are pouring their way into media outlets – Vampire Diaries, True Blood, and etc.

For decades, vampires have fascinated and traditionally horrified generations, but why now are vampires making their way into the hearts of thousands of Americans – particularly teenage girls? What is society’s appeal to these blood-lusting, pale skin-clad creatures? Are they considered hot? Sexy? What is the obsession?

It seems like the bulk of the fascination stems from the underlying romantic notion behind these pointy-toothed, skin leeches because it certainly shouldn’t be from their beauty fashion. Seriously, they take the book of beauty rules and use it as a fire starter, torching every rule out there. Check out the following list of vampire beauty contradictions anddisasters:

1.    Ahh, nothing hotter than ghostly, pale skin…wait, what?
In a society where fake tanning and tanning salons are now nestled in every small shopping center around the block, vampires continue to appeal despite their ghostly complexion. Yeah, yeah, they can’t have direct contact with the sunlight, unless it’s one of those Twilight vampires – they glisten in the sunlight. Really, they glisten? Sometimes it hurts to be beautiful, suck it up vampires (literally).

Anyways, people are so caught up today with adding that extra bit of color that tanning and bronzing products are flying off store shelves to help achieve that “ I just got back from a three-day binge at the beach look.” Beauty strike number one vampires – pale skin is not “in-style skin.” Take a pointer from Sheryl Crow’s “Soak up the Sun” for crying out loud.

2.    The “Antonio Banderas” or “Robert Pattinson” hair? Umm, no thank you.
This one works out perfectly since both of these actors have actually played vampires on the silver screen and both displayed awful hair styles. Whether it’s the pulled back  Antonio pony tail (sorry, there was a time and a place for that style, but it’s not now or here) or the Robert “I just work up after a spin on the roller coaster look,” it’s safe to say that they are both bad. Seriously, take away the fact that they are vampires and you’d be sure to laugh at them with your friends if they passed by you on the street. Beauty strike number two, vampires!

3.    When did the “undead look” get in style?
You don’t see a whole craze of people talking about how hott (with two t’s) zombies are, but if you really stop to think about it, vampires and the walking dead look a lot alike. They’ve got that “all the blood just rushed out of my head look because I’ve been dead for days” thing going on. Not to mention, the creepy and constant blood dribble that is always oozing out from one both sides of the lips. What? Have you been eating spaghetti without a napkin again? Come on, clean yourself up!

Beauty Strike number three, vampires sorry but you just struck out! I think it’s time for a beauty makeover – vampire addition. Don’t be surprised if that concept actually spawns a new television show. Sadly, it could happen at the current rate in which vampires are taking over our society these days.