The Queen Wants Kate Middleton to Wear Longer Skirts

We may love Kate Middleton's timeless wardrobe but the Queen wants her granddaughter-in-law to take it down a notch - literally.

According to the Daily Mail, Queen Elizabeth II has recently ordered a makeover (makeunder?) for the Duchess of Cambridge while she tours Australia and New Zealand in April.

As part of this new look, Prince George's mum will be wearing longer skirts, Indian gems which were gifted to the Royal Family in 1911 and more tiaras. (Yay! Tiaras!)

"This forms part of a deliberate move to shift the Duchess’s image from High Street to high end, timeless Royal elegance – without losing her freshness and informality," said the Mail.

The Queen has put her personal dresser, Angela Kelly, in charge of dressing the Duchess, who will be required to wear up to four outfits a day for the three-and-a-half week trip.

Designers who will be outfitting the Duchess Down Under include Kate favourites such as Alexander McQueen and Alice Temperley, who are designing bespoke gowns and day dresses.

The idea is for Kate to be be "more Royal than ever" and while we're sure the tiaras will definitely help with that, we're a bit doubtful that lowering her hemlines will make her more royal than she already is. (And she's pretty royal, you guys!)

While it's great that we're going to see the Duchess sport a ton of new designer outfits, we can't but question the reasoning behind this decision since, well, isn't the Queen kinda broke?

Oh well, let them eat McQueen!

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Aerie's Unretouched Ads 'Challenge Supermodel Standards' For Young Women

Looks like aerie is ready for its closeup -- its unretouched closeup.

aerie, American Eagle's sister store for lingerie, has launched aerie Real, a Spring 2014 ad campaign featuring all unairbrushed models. In a release on Friday, aerie announced that the ads are "challenging supermodel standards by featuring unretouched models in their latest collection of bras, undies and apparel."

Spotlighting models sans Photoshop is a powerful move that most fashion brands, not to mention fashion magazines, rarely make. (Notable exceptions, made all the more so due to their infrequency, include Marie Claire's 2010 cover with Jessica Simpson, Cate Blanchett on the cover of Intelligent Life in 2012 and Verily Magazine's total ban on all airbrushing.)

But aerie's decision to show its models in all their real, unretouched glory makes an even stronger statement because of who its customers are. The brand, founded in 2006, is aimed at the 15-21 year old demographic, meaning young women in high school and college. And it's widely held -- and proven by numerous studies and surveys -- that young women's sense of body confidence is so often influenced by the images of female beauty they see in media.

One ad campaign won't solve the complicated relationship between young women's self-esteems and images of women in media. But when a brand beloved by teen girls shows off its cute bras and undies on bodies with real rolls, lines and curves, it can certainly help.

Check out a few of the aerie Real photos below.

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Photographer Dishes About Prince William & Kate's 'Spontaneous Emotion'

When Kate Middleton and Prince William's official engagement photos hit the media in 2010, the world collectively swooned. After all, it was indisputable evidence that fairytales were real. Even the photographer was smitten.

Mario Testino, the man behind the shots, remembered that fateful shooting session with the royal couple during a recent conversation with The Telegraph. He had first met Kate in 2008, but he could tell that Will was "in love" and he "knew they would stay together." Naturally, Testino worked his magic when the time came to shoot them as an engaged couple two years later:

"I waited a long time, an hour or two, to make that picture perfect. But I wasn't totally satisfied. Then, when I'd finished the shoot, they were about to leave and they suddenly hugged in front of a radiator. I took my camera and that was the picture that ran everywhere -- it was spontaneous emotion ... you could see they were completely in love."

All together now: Awwwww! It's not hard to imagine Kate and Will engaging in an impromptu embrace -- they've single-handedly made the most convincing royal case for marrying for love. Every step of the way, from engagement announcement to official photos to the Royal Wedding, seemed more genuine and adorable than the last.

Let's relive it all, shall we?

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Diane Keaton's L'Oreal Ad Raises Eyebrows For Showing Star 'Ageless And Wrinkle-Free'

We were bowled over when we saw Diane Keaton take the stage at Sunday night's Golden Globes -- that suit! That hair! That glow! (Yeah, we've got a little bit of a crush.)

But immediately after Keaton was done accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award on Woody Allen's behalf, the Golden Globes cut to a commercial break with a L'Oreal ad starring none other than Diane Keaton... looking different than she did just one minute before, according to some viewers on Twitter. Some comments after L'Oreal's Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil ad ran:

L'oreal shouldn't run their Diane Keaton commercial right after she's been onstage WITHOUT Photoshop. #GoldenGIobes
— LogicalLibby (@LogicalLibby) January 13, 2014

After seeing the Diane Keaton L'Oréal commercial, it's very apparent there's no filter on the #GoldenGlobes cameras.
— Vicky King (@TresVicky) January 13, 2014

Whoever set this L'Oreal ad w/Diane Keaton to air at the exact moment when everyone was going, "Wow, Diane Keaton looks great," is a genius.
— Bridget Smith (@bredalot) January 13, 2014

Worst commercial placement ever. Diane Keaton wrinkled on #GoldenGlobes then ageless and wrinkle-free in L'Oreal wrinkle serum commercial.
— Gregg Giannillo (@Giannillo) January 13, 2014

There's no question that 68-year-old Keaton has awesome skin and a youthful glow -- that much was apparent to anyone watching her live at the Globes. But did L'Oreal make her even more youthful in its latest commercial? If so, the brand could find itself in trouble: Several makeup companies have had their ads banned after accusations they digitally modified their models to imply better results.

Watch the commercial below.

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Brooklyn has already won New York Fashion Week

It's official: Brooklyn has already won New York Fashion Week.

Alexander Wang announced that he will be staging his Feb. 8 runway show at the Brooklyn Navy Yard this season, thus launching a new era in which the outer borough has major industry cred. The top designer usually shows at Pier 94 in Manhattan at 5pm on Saturday, but he managed to switch times with Joseph Altuzarra so that he can close the day at 8:30pm.

Of course, the time shift was undoubtedly in anticipation of complaints -- it's hard enough schlepping around Manhattan during the hectic week, but asking editors and buyers to cross the East River? Unheard of. The fact that no one will be rushing to another show after should soften the blow. Luckily, Wang might just be the most highly-anticipated runway of New York Fashion Week, so we imagine there won't be too many folks declining to attend.

"We found this incredible space, and it corresponds very well to this season's creative concept," Wang told Women's Wear Daily via email about the Brooklyn venue, the Duggal Greenhouse.

Wang isn't the first designer to mix things up this season. Diane von Furstenberg. and Michael Kors have both opted to eschew the tents at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Like Wang, von Furstenberg was looking for more creative freedom. "My decision is purely because of the anniversary year [of the wrap dress]," von Furstenburg told the New York Times. "I want to do something special."

While Wang has said that his venue shift is a one-time thing as of now, one thing is clear: Brooklyn has just become a major Fashion Week player. Better start saving up for that extra taxi fare...

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Martha Stewart Spends $2000 A Day To Look Like This

Just to be clear, Martha Stewart spends more money on her daily beauty regimen than you do on your rent/mortgage.

The 72-year-old lifestyle guru spilled to the New York Times exactly what skin, makeup and hair products she uses on a daily basis and the results are kinda mind-blowing.

Here's a detailed excerpt of what it's like becoming "Martha" for a day:

"I slather myself with serums. First, it’s a toning lotion. Right now it’s either the Yon-Ka Lotion or a more specific spray, like the rose spray from Mario Badescu. I spray my whole face and body and then its Susan Ciminelli Marine Lotion from head to toe. I use the same products on my body as I use on my face. I don’t think there’s really any difference between the two, so the more moisturizers and serums you use, the better off you are. Then I might use a vitamin B or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum. I’ll also put on Clé de Peau or SkinCeuticals moisturizer. With all of these serums, I find I don’t have to put on an eye cream, although my facialist insists I put one on. Sometimes, I will and the Clé de Peau is good or Caudalie has one — it’s the fancy one from their high-end line — and it’s very good, too. At the end, before any makeup, I use SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense."

Mind blown right? And this is before she even applies makeup, hair product and three spritzes of Fracas fragrance a day!

So how much does all this beauty stuff cost? More than you and I can afford.

The folks at Jezebel did the number crunching and figured out that Martha spends between $1982.99 - $2091.99 a day, if she uses all of the products she mentioned.

We have to admit, the former model looks pretty amazing, so if it takes thousands of dollars a month to keep it up, then why not?

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Are 'Plus-Size' Models Actually Plus-Size?

What is "plus-size"?

PLUS Model Magazine and SWAK, a plus-size designs boutique, decided to conduct an experiment. They took two photos of model Alex LaRosa modeling a tight dress, with one photo highlighting her size and the other downplaying it with a more conservative pose and outfit. Posted on Facebook, the caption asked readers to vote for the photo they preferred:

The surprising result? PLUS Model Magazine reports that "the voting was split in the middle with half of the votes for the bold, curvy pose and the other half going for the more conservative look." The outcome, writes blog editor Marcy Cruz, were surprising: "We naturally thought Pic A would win in a landslide since it shows Alex rocking her curves proudly."

But the results point to a controversial trend. "Plus-size models" are seemingly more ubiquitous than ever, but the models bearing this designation tend to be a size 12 or 14. If those women are plus-size... where do women size 22 or 24 fit in? Are actual "plus" models disappearing?

So argues PLUS Model Magazine in its January 2014 issue, as explained by editor-in-chief Madeline Jones in her editor's letter:

"The HOT TOPIC is model sizes. I'm a size 22/24 woman and I find it very difficult to shop online because most of the models are very small. Years ago when I started my career in this industry there were models size 18 in campaigns and on the cover of catalogs. As the brands continue to compete for our dollars and mainstream acceptance, they have been hiring and asking the modeling agencies for smaller and smaller models. There are brands that do not use plus size models at all and occassionally will use a size 10 or 12."

And the public is becoming conditioned by what they see. As the photo experiment found, "Pic A" was, as PLUS Model Magazine put it, "too curvy for comfort" for some people.

But many plus-size shoppers actually do want to see more representative body types. A 2013 survey conducted by PLUS Model Magazine found that a whopping 91.4 percent of respondents would prefer to see plus-size models larger than a size 12 in ads and magazines, and 94.8 percent of women said they don't consider sizes 6, 8 and 10 models to be representative of the plus-size market.

In short, plus-size shoppers want to see women who reflect them: 38.1 percent of respondents were a size 16-18 and 35.5 percent were a size 20-24. Only 16.7 percent said they're a size 12-14. According to a 2011 Women's Wear Daily report, the average dress size among American women is a 14.

As positive as the trend is, the tidal wave of plus-size model acceptance might actually be missing the mark on true, comprehensive body diversity. Do you think we need more models of sizes 16, 18 and up?

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10 Ways To Find Love In 2014

If your love life was on hold in 2013 and you're ready to look for a spark again, it's time to get your online dating persona in order. Online dating is more popular than ever, and since it's currently the month of resolutions and making changes, now is the perfect time to start.

"The misconception that looking for love online is only for losers is dead," says Kimberly Moffit, Match.com's Canadian relationship expert. "This year people will do almost everything online, and as our Internet use evolves, online dating sites will offer more features to create fulsome experiences."

According to a recent Match.com survey, 43 per cent of Canadian singles said they want to find love in 2014. Moffit says these days, online dating isn't limited to websites. Apps like Tinder and MiuMeet (as well as major websites) can be accessed through phones and tablets.

But with one holiday season behind us and another one just around the corner (yes, Valentine's Day), Moffit says more people are inclined to find someone in six weeks.

"Using February 14th as a goal date could be helpful," she says. "But it’s also important to remember that dating takes time. So while making it a goal to find a date for Valentine’s Day can be a good idea, ensure that your timelines are realistic."

Moffit says she would also like to see people having more fun (and be a little less serious) while dating. At times, singles get too caught up with finding soul mates or tying the knot.

Ready to start? Here are Moffit's 10 tips for finding love in 2014:

Don't Be Afraid To Start
It seems like a no brainer, but just signing up can be one of the biggest setbacks singles have to overcome. Joining an online dating site shows you’re proactive and trying to find a partner. Plus, with the rise of dating apps, online dating is now something you can do on the go from multiple devices.

Update Your Profile
Now that you've registered for a website, uploaded some photos, filled out your profile and sent some messages, your work should be done, right? Not quite. Every few weeks or months, make some updates to your profile to include new interests or a new outlook on what you’re looking for in a relationship. And don't forget the photo — you should try changing or adding a new one every month or so.

Ditch The Selfies
Selfies were so 2013. This year, avoid selfies in front of the mirror, in a car, at the gym or anywhere for that matter. Have a friend take a picture of you and don’t forget to show off your pearly whites.

Don't Obsess Over The Little Things
Is her movie taste a bit different than yours? Is he 5’10 when you prefer guys who are 6’0 or taller? Remember you’re looking for a spark, not necessarily the perfect partner on paper. If their profile makes them seem funny, intelligent or another trait you’re looking for or attracted to, it’s OK to forget about the small stuff to start.

Don't Overthink Your Own Profile
Sometimes people get deterred from online dating if they're stumped while putting together their profiles. It’s important to be unique in your About Me section, but if you can’t think of the perfect witty description, then type something simple, and return to it when you're feeling more inspired.

Try Suggesting A Date In Your Profile
While most profiles list interests, why not list your ideal date? Instead of saying that you love to cook, say that your ideal date is a cooking class followed by a meal you two can cook together. This sets you apart, and as a bonus, listing an experience can help potential matches envision what it would be like to spend time with you.

Upload A Silly Picture
There’s no doubt a simple picture is essential for your online dating profile, but putting up an additional silly photo can help show off your personality a little more.

Make Time
Online dating isn’t that different from offline dating; both take time. Try setting one day a week to go on dates. For example, if Wednesdays work for your schedule, then give yourself several days before Wednesday to connect with someone online and set a date.

Set Goals
Have you really thought about what you want out of your online dating experience? To help, try setting numeric goals. If you decide that in 2014 you’d like to go on one, two or 10 dates, go for it.

Have An Online Dating Buddy
If you have a friend who is in the same boat, why not try online dating at the same time? This person can motivate you to keep meeting new people (and vice versa), and it can help you get a lot more comfortable updating your pictures and profile page.

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Fight Back Against Dandruff With Home Remedies

Dandruff can be a very embarrassing problem, and it can be difficult to treat. There are many causes for dandruff, such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or not washing your hair enough. However, the majority of the time, it is not caused by poor hygiene. Drugstore remedies are able to take care of the problem, but they don't always work if the source of the dandruff is compound or unknown. Products containing coal tar or selenium sulfide can be helpful, but they may have some side effects or have a generally unpleasant smell to them.

Drugstore products can also be expensive to pay for over and over again, for a problem that never really goes away. Instead, there are a few home remedies that can be used to help reduce the symptoms of the condition. These are common household products that you'll normally find lying around the home in your kitchen or medicine cabinet, and are much cheaper alternatives to going to the pharmacy or grocery store.

Aspirin has more uses than simply treating a headache. By taking two tablets of aspirin, you can crush them into a fine powder and add it to the amount of shampoo that you would use to wash your hair. Once it's in lather, let it remain in the hair for one to two minutes and then rinse. Then wash the hair again with normal shampoo in order to eliminate any powder that may remain. This is because aspirin contains salicylates, which is the active ingredient in dandruff shampoos that contain salicylic acid.

Natural oils, such as coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil, can be used to keep the scalp moisturized and prevent dandruff. Simply warm up some oil in a bowl and apply with a scalp massage, ensuring that the entire scalp is covered. Wrap the hair and scalp in a towel and leave the oil on overnight. Then rinse the hair in the morning.

Vinegar isn't just for cleaning your windows or adding to French fries. It can be used to keep your scalp from becoming flaky. After regular shampooing, mix two cups of apple cider vinegar with two cups of cold water and use to rinse the shampoo from your hair. Alternatively, you could apply white vinegar to the scalp and leave it on overnight with a towel, and then wash out of the hair with regular shampoo the next day.

Baking soda can get rid of those funny smells in your cupboards and your fridge, but it's also an easy treatment option for dandruff. Replace your shampoo with baking soda for a few weeks; vigorously rub a handful of baking soda into the scalp and rinse thoroughly. Repeat as you would in your regular schedule of washing your hair.

A lemon juice massage to the scalp can help eliminate the troublesome flakes of dandruff. Massage the juice into the hair and leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes, and then rinse off in the shower. Repeat every day in order to maximize the results.

If you experience dandruff along the hairline, then you may have what is called Seborrheic Dermatitis, which can be treated with any of the above remedies. Concentrate any of these remedies along the scalp line, taking care to massage it well into the skin in order to ensure that there is full coverage.

Don't let dandruff control your life and hold you back from wearing your favorite outfits. Throw the hat away and let your healthy hair and scalp take center stage as you kiss dandruff goodbye.

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This Is How You Should Be Shampooing Your Hair

Shampooing your hair may seem like second nature to you after all these years, but you could be doing it all wrong.

While we'd like to blame all those luxurious shampoo commercials for teaching bad habits, there are hair washing mistakes that we need to own up to. PopSugar Beauty editor Maria Del Russo shares six tips in the video above to help us all wash our hair better. Here's how to suds up the correct way:

1. Saturate your hair with water before applying any shampoo. Then be sure to completely rinse product out to prevent build-up.

2. Avoid piling your strands on top of your head, as this creates tangles and knots.

3. Handle your hair gently and use your fingertips to massage your scalp.

4. There is no need to lather, rinse and repeat every time you shampoo unless your hair is extremely dirty.

5. Shampoo your hair less frequently -- no more than twice a week because the oils on your scalp are actually good for your hair.

6. Women with curly, thick or dry hair should cleanse with a conditioner instead to maintain moisture, as many shampoos contain harsh chemicals such as sulfates that strip hair of moisture.

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