The great thing about the beauty and fashion industry is that new voices are always rising and making an impact. One of those voices is Grace Cascarilla, who’s using her artistic talents and passion for creating to rise above some of the tough challenges life has dealt her.

Tell me a little about yourself. How old are you? Where are you from?
I grew up on the west side of Cleveland in a suburb called Lakewood, Ohio. Lots of Irish Catholics and Italians. I come from an Italian and Lebanese family of many artists.

How did you get started designing these shirts?
I began making these shirts in April of 2011. The T-shirt is by far the most worn piece of clothing – everyone owns one, and it can be worn dressy or even to bed. I came up with this idea because I have been poor for a long time, and I needed to have clothes. So I decided a girl must be stylish at all times, especially in a situation like mine where I’m working toward these great life goals. The T-shirt is a simple piece of cotton that gets worn and worn and brings warmth to the heart.

Tell me about your process. Where do your ideas/inspiration come from? How do you go about making the shirt once you have an idea? What materials do you use?
My process is a sitting artist. I think, I wait, and then I try to find a way to touch memories and moments together. Sometimes I see things that strike a chord, and I carry them around for what seems like forever before I can connect them and translate them into my designs.

I chose my materials based on what best works with the sound and spark that I’m trying to capture. I use fabric paints, all permanent, safe and washable, although I tell my clients to wash less often. I work on T-shirts that are 100% cotton, preferably with a little bit of stretch, though. Sizes come in Men’s and Women’s: S, M, L, XL. I use a few different base colors: medium heather grey, charcoal grey and sky blue.

What is your advice to others who may have dreams like yours?
You can go anywhere and be anything. I believe everyone has dreams, and I believe that my sharing my spark demonstrates that they can do what they wish.

When I first contacted you, you mentioned the struggles and losses that you’ve experienced. Would you mind elaborating on that?
I have had a 10-year-long battle with massive depression and anxiety. I have had struggles with dyslexia and other disabilities that have prohibited me from living a happy life. Unfortunately, it has stopped me from many things that come more effortlessly to others, but I will not throw in the towel. I think everyone understands the need for love and fair chances. My family doesn’t live close by, so that makes it difficult – I really miss them and I wish they were closer. It has been an uphill battle. I chose to use clothing as a creative method to see myself through better glasses, so basically I designed these shirts to know a greater, better force than myself.

What’s your goal for your fashion design? Where would you like this to take you? Where do you see it developing in the future?
There is nothing I want more than for me to be a fashion designer. I would like to have a runway line in the coming years. But beyond that, a simpler goal of mine is just to have a peaceful life. I find happiness writing my voice in these colors that are brilliantly laid in my tee shirts.

How can people purchase your designs? Where can they go?
I’m very excited to announce that Halls at the Country Club Plaza will be selling my shirts beginning in May! You may also order from me by emailing me at Grace Ma Cascarilla at yahoo dot com or visiting my blog: Effusion Fashion. I do set up meetings, so please feel free to contact me with any interest or questions.

Like everything else, hairstyles change according to the times. For 2012, women are done with pale shades of blonde and platinum locks. Women are also done with clip-in extensions and bouncy curls (at least for awhile, anyway). If you want to follow the hot hair trends of 2012, here are some ideas to try:

The Bob Chignon
Rather than picking a chignon or a bob, you can combine the two looks – even if you don’t have a bob. Basically, this style is a messy side bun combined with the rest of the hair folded under to create a bob. If you want the look without having to use bobby pins, try purchasing one of those bands specially designed to create faux bob hairstyles.

Highlights That Frame Your Face
Two-tone hair isn’t totally out; however, a lot of women are changing up their dramatic ombre fade for something a bit more blended. Highlights that frame the face are definitely in this year, even if they’re combined with darker roots.

Sleek Waves
Forget bouncy, bubbly curls and tight tendrils! This year is all about the straighter, sleeker waves. This look is quite simple to obtain. All you have to do is sleep with a few large braids in your hair, when your hair is still damp. When you take it out, you’ll have straighter waves, and you can touch up any iffy section with a one-inch curling iron.

One-Day Hair Color
Who says you can’t change your hair color just as much as you change your underwear? With one-day hair colors, you can have a different color for every day of the week. One day you might be a redhead for work and then go out the next night as a blonde. One-day dyes and highlights allow you to try out a look and wash it out if you’re dissatisfied.

Layering a Bob
Long flowing layers have been in for a while, and it’s become rather monotonous. That’s why celebrities are turning to a bobbed hair cut with layers. This look is cute, sexy and trendy for 2012.

Tape Extensions
There’s absolutely no need to spend hours having extensions sewed or glued in your hair, since this type of extension only requires two minutes of time per extension. Because of advancements in technology, talk to your hairstylist about tape extensions, which utilize medical-grade tape, rather than glue or clips. Unlike sewn or glued extensions, these come out easily with a special remover.

Warmer Hues
Pale blonde that looks almost white is a trend that’s faded. In fact, it has faded into medium blonde shades with golden or strawberry undertones. Rather than blue-black hair, women are now choosing warmer brown shades with hints of honey-colored highlights. Less extremes, more natural.

What do you think? Who’s taking up any of these 2012 hair trends?

Via the Facebook campaign. Click the photo to visit.

We seem to be living in a time when every woman is obsessed with long, luscious locks. Hair extensions, volumizing shampoos, and Hollywood stars with flowing manes infiltrate our brains with the definition of “perfect hair.” However, in this era when so much emphasis is put on having great hair, a recent movement is calling for beauty icon known for her hair to do just the opposite — go bald.

A growing movement formed on Facebook is urging Mattel to produce a bald Barbie doll. Barbie, who is famous for having a perfect body, hair and looks, has often been criticized for giving young girls an unrealistic view of beauty.

Supporters of the movement believe a bald Barbie would give children dealing with cancer and other illnesses that cause them to lose their hair a way to cope and feel “normal.” Also, any child with a mother with cancer could benefit. The groups Facebook page, “Beautiful & Bald Barbie,” currently has 138,075 likes and continues to grow.

So far, the response seems to be overwhelming positive. The group’s wall is filled with supportive posts, such as this one:

“Barbie is an icon. We’ve seen her with every time of occupation, car, home, and wardrobe. Barbie needs to be bald. Our chemo kids deserve an iconic doll who can go through the battle with them.”

Many supporters even suggest having the bald Barbie doll come with accessories such as bandanas, wigs, and hats.

What do you think? Do you support the Bald Barbie movement? Do you think there’s any chance Mattel would make a Bald Barbie? Let us know!

Celebrity A-listers showed us at the 2012 Golden Globes that the only way to go is au natural … makeup, that is! Forget the sultry smokey eyes and fake tans, this year stars like Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon and Michelle Williams kept it simple this year when it came to beauty.

Of course, there was the occasional bold red (and if we had lips like Angelina, we wouldn’t be able to resist the call of color either!), but most stars chose a nude lipstick with a little touch of gloss for their red carpet look. As for the eyes, again, stars chose to keep it simple with shades of peach, pink and tan, complemented by a light application of eyeliner. Blush was also used to give a natural and light sun-kissed look by applying a light shimmery pink, peach, or even a little bronzer to the cheeks. Many celebrities also embraced their natural hair, and instead of fighting the waves or curls they chose to accentuate them.

As the peak of winter slowly approaches us, it’s the perfect time of the year to give your skin a little bit of a break and go lighter on the makeup. This season, don’t worry that your summer glow has faded and embrace your lighter skin tone. Put the curling iron and straightner away and let your hair have a break from the heat. It’s time for your beauty to go au natural!

Learn more about makeup artistry on and off the red carpet by checking out makeup artist schools in your area today.

Property of KARE 11 TV used via shine.yahoo.com for the purpose of critical commentary

While you may have already heard the big news that bridal fashion bigwig Priscilla of Boston is closing its doors after 65 years, have you heard about what’s happened to some of the unused dresses?

Outrage sprang up after it was reported that the Edina, MN, store had employees spray paint the gowns pink and throw them in the trash. Dresses that could have easily been donated or taken to alternative stores for sample sales were instead destroyed so that no one could wear them. Just as a point of reference: Priscilla of Boston dresses are hardly inexpensive, costing as much as $5,000+, and the store chains sell many other designers as well, including Vera Wang creations that can cost in the five-figure amount.

A statement from the retailer claimed that they don’t donate dresses that are damaged, soiled or in poor condition, but those who witnessed the trashing claim the only thing wrong with the gowns was the garish spray paint.

A retail analyst told Today.com that an ulterior motive may be concern about their merchandise being counterfeited.

Just yesterday, the parent company of Priscilla of Boston, David’s Bridal, released a statement finally apologizing for the destruction, claiming that they also were “disheartened by imagery of … unsold bridal gowns being destroyed,” and promising to rally the other closing stores to ensure that gowns in good condition are donated appropriately.

What do you guys think? Are you outraged? Or more understanding? Or are you just hoping that some gorgeous Priscilla sample dresses turn up near you at an affordable price? (I’m kind of the latter…)

Deep down, every woman longs to have a smooth and sleek tresses fit for a princess – Princess Kate Middleton to be exact. The world fell in love with Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, during her slow-growing romance and highly anticipated wedding to Prince William. As Kate crossed the bridge from “commoner” to royalty, she quickly became known for her fashion savvy and unique style that has been emulated by women all over the world. But, while many of us appreciate Kate for her stunning good looks, timeless grace and iconic style, we all simply LOVE her hair! And recently Kate’s stylist, James Pryce of Richard Ward Salon and Metrospa, has spoken out on how her tresses’ tonal color and simple long layers can be replicated with the help of a professional hairstylist or colorist.

Daily Care
If you want to achieve a look befitting Kate Middleton, you will need to rethink your daily hair care regimen. Princess-worthy hair requires serious conditioning. In order to keep your hair in tip-top shape, be sure to visit your hairstylist frequent. Kate Middleton has been visiting the same salon for eight years and has developed a strong relationship with Pryce, who travels with her for public appearances and other occasions.

If women want to keep their hair smooth and sleek, they may want to think about switching to a sulfates-free shampoo. Shampoos that use sodium lauryl sulfate in their formulas can strip the hair of its natural shine and contribute to frizz. To ensure princess-worthy shine, wash with a sodium sulfate-free shampoo.

Color and Highlights
One of Kate Middleton’s most striking – and most sought-after – hair trends is her rich brown hair color. According to her stylist, she achieves this beautiful brunette tone through the use of three or four shades of brown, which include a gloss treatment and low-light enhancements. To ensure your hair color is Kate-worthy, have your hairstylist apply the hair color on just a few strands of hair instead of large sections. This technique will help to achieve a subtle, more natural looking tresses.

Conditioning and Straightening
Considering Kate’s body and shine, it’s no wonder why many women are interested in Kate’s hair. It has been reported that Kate achieves her beautiful hair texture and distinctive shine through the use of keratin treatments. Keratin treatments have been gaining a lot of buzz with women who are looking for a more permanent solution to achieve radiant hair. Made popular in Brazil, keratin-based conditioning and straightening treatments work to replenish keratin, a protein naturally found in hair. As the keratin is absorbed into the hair, it fills in the damaged hair cuticle – leading to smoother, straighter hair.

Keratin-based treatments last for two months and can cost upward of $300 in a salon setting. Women can opt for a cheaper DIY keratin-based conditioning treatment by using silk protein masks on the hair. For best results, leave the protein masks on the hair overnight.

Whether or not you were like us and tuning in at 4 AM last spring to catch all of Kate and Will’s wedding festivities, you can’t deny that the Duchess has fantastic hair. And now, thanks to Pryce, we know how to try and duplicate it.

Big hair is back, as evidenced by the trendsetting hairdos of the stars like Beyonce and Cheryl Cole. The backcombing, bumps, and beehive looks have actually given hairspray sales quite a boost. UK publication the Daily Mail reported that hairspray sales hit a record £173 million this year (just under $268 million).

With finances as tight as they are in this economy, women are searching for savvy ways to imitate their favourite fashion idols without breaking the bank. The majority of women simply cannot afford the regular salon visits required to achieve and maintain the look they want. Nearly four out of 10 women colour their hair at home, and among those aged 15 to 24, that number is closer to half. Home perms and DIY dye kit sales have made a 12 percent jump just in the last year. Home perms can enlarge a woman’s hair without shrinking her purse.

Money is not the only motivator, however, among the list of reasons for styling product sales. Many women report feeling more in control over the shades and tones of their hair when the color power rests in their own hands. Other women herald the timesaving benefits of at-home hair care. As DIY methods gain popularity, more and more blogs, videos, and websites are offering tips on how to get great locks on a budget. Many are finding they can follow a YouTube video and walk away with a fantastic do.

No longer gracing only the red carpet, big hair is all the rage everywhere these days. Voluminous, sexy locks are easy to achieve with a bit of teasing and a lot of hairspray. Hairspray alone accounts for 60 percent of hairstyling product purchases, making a dramatic comeback in recent years.

Big hair is not a new phenomenon. The ’60s rocked the beehive and the ’70s saw the afro. The keyword for the ’80s was volume. With plenty of diversity in cuts, styles, and colours, bigger continues to be better.

Bouncy locks full of life and luster sends the message that though the wallet may be suffering, the hair certainly isn’t. For women who want to add some pep to their step without breaking the bank, there is good news. Big hair can be done on a small budget with a high-quality hairspray, root booster, and the right techniques. Backcombing and teasing can really add the volume.

For a night on the town or as the perfect juxtaposition to skinny jeans, big hair can make any woman feel absolutely gorgeous. Big hair exudes sexiness and epitomizes style. For an inexpensive way to look amazing this year, grab a can of hair spray and tease away.

Not only are spring runways the go-to place for cutting-edge fashion and exciting designs, they are also a great resource for the latest spring 2012 hair trends. Designers are forecasting a mix of sleek, smooth and textured styles. With an emphasis on cool, feminine design, designers have also opted for long curls as well as more elaborate upswept styles featuring twists, braids and buns.

Hairstyle Trends
Femininity has made a return this spring as designers showcased a variety of soft, feminine upswept styles as well as edgier variations of classic styles like the French rolls and chignons. Many of these upswept styles featured soft accents like loose twists and braids. Braids and twists were also showcased, with designers favoring models wearing French and herringbone braids. Runways from New York to Milan showcased sleek ponytails that were secured to the base of the neck. Many times these ponytails were adorned with leather, feather and other bejeweled hair accessories. Big volume and textured hairstyles also found their place on the runways in the form of youthful waves and windblown locks. Wet, tousled tresses also made their appearance to provide an edgy contrast to some of the more feminine clothing designs.

Hair Accessories
While sleek and voluminous hairstyles will remain popular this spring, perhaps the biggest 2012 hair trends are hair accessories. A number of stylish bows, ribbons and clips served as both function and fashion on the runways.

One of the most easy-to-wear trends are chopsticks/leather band barrettes. This simple accessory can jazz up a ponytail and provide a much needed emphasis on the simple style. Try finding a monogrammed leather barrette to personalize the accessory. Chopsticks/leather band barrettes are also the perfect way to showcase a tight bun or chignon, which are one of the hottest 2012 runaway hair trends.

If you are looking for a conversation piece at your next cocktail party, accessorize with a hat. Since some hats can look a bit dramatic, in order to avoid looking like Lady Gaga, opt for a small pill-box hat or fascinator style, which are less noticeable but equally attractive hat options. If you like the idea of a hat but are looking for something a little less intimidating, opt for a headband adorned with a large flower blossom or corsage hair clip.

If you are looking for a super simple and classic option for holiday events and soirées, accent your hair with a velvet hair accessory such as a ribbon or headband. Try a more dramatic variation of this style by braiding a thin velvet ribbon into a French or herringbone braid. Or, wear your hair down in soft, voluminous curls securing them in place with a velvet headband. Velvet headbands can also complement upswept styles by helping to hold them in place.

Designers used a number of hair clips, barrettes and cording to support and secure elaborate updos and to help hold twisted styles in place. Plastic hair clips can provide a pop of color, while metallic and vintage-inspired clips added a bit of elegance and sophisticated cool. Gem clips and other crystal-adorned clips were also used throughout several fashion shows as a way to incorporate jewelry beyond the basic necklace.

On the other end of the spectrum, designers traded in lady-like sophistication for an edgier approach. Sleek ponytails secured in place by leather accents were an uber-popular runway trend, while ponytails, hats, headband and upswept styles adorned with feathers were also a catwalk-worthy.

As you are preparing for the 2011 holiday party season, don’t forget the little details that bring together an outfit – like your nail polish. There are many possibilities of designs to both match and accentuate your holiday fashion.

Get in the Spirit with Holiday Colors
There are a lot of holiday nail colors associated with Christmas that you can use to add some festival cheer to your attire. Red is the obvious go-to, but also consider some other possibilities, like rich greens, gold, blues or silvers. If your holiday party schedule is a little more on the funky side (rather than, say, work functions), get playful with your nail polish execution. Have one color on the nails of the left hand and another color on the right or alternate from several different colors with all your nails.

Go Glitter
Adding a glitter polish either on its own or on top of a layer of color polish can really jazz up your look. Whether the glitter you choose is silver or gold or some other bright-colored glitter, your hands are sure to attract attention as you mingle among guests at parties this holiday season.

Dressing Up Artificial Nails
If your own natural nails are short, chipped or otherwise nothing to write home about, you can still have fun this holiday season. As a holiday treat for yourself, plan to go to a nail salon to have artificial or gel nails placed on your hands. You can ask the nail artist to take an impression of your cuticle shape so you can easily switch between designs for different holiday parties.

Embrace Holiday Nail Art
Want to get really into the holiday spirit? Nail art takes basic nail polish to a whole new level, creating everything from interesting designs to full out holiday scenes right on your nails. It may be easiest on those who have longer nails – either natural or acrylic – but don’t be afraid to experiment! A tiny Santa or presents on each fingernail? Go crazy! What about snowflake nails like the one in this tutorial? Perfect not just for the holiday season but for spicing up your whole winter wardrobe.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your holiday nail style is all your own. Even if you are not normally the artsy type, it doesn’t require a lot of work to dress up your nails at the same time you are dressing up the rest of the you. Think of your nails as an empty canvas just waiting for your own personal expression. With all of the comments that you are sure to get and the fun you are bound to have, you won’t regret having lived it up a bit.

We love fun and funky new beauty ideas, so it’s no surprise that we’re fascinated by the outrageous and awesome Violent Lips, temporary lip tattoos that are growing in popularity. Kim Kardashian just posted a picture of her wearing them on her Celebuzz blog, and they’re cropping up all over the entertainment scene on singers, actresses and models who all have a flair for wearing bold beauty and makeup trends.

Personally, we’re all about a product that lets us experiment with no repercussions, which is exactly what Violent Lips offers. Pick out one of their wide variety of colors and patterns, put them on, and then dazzle people out on the town. They last 4-8 hours and can be removed simply by applying an oil-based makeup remover to your lips.

And with Violent Lips’ selection, you can be as funky as you want. Go racy with red fishnets or leopard print. Go wild with cupcake sprinkles, stars or checkers. Or go fabulous with their Glitteratti collection, our personal favorites, especially with the upcoming holiday parties. Spakrle is a big makeup trend everywhere else on your face – why not your lips?

Kim Kardashian Photo via Celebuzz

You can get your hands on Violent Lips at Sephora or Ulta, or – better yet – you can just go straight to the source and order from their website. Bonus: They’re offering a 20% off and free shipping coupon, plus they have a whole page of tips and tutorials to help you apply them. Sounds good to us!