Belleza Trailblazer: Stephanie Flor

One look at Stephanie Flor’s schedule and it’s apparent that she is a mujer on the go. If the 25-year-old celebrity makeup artist isn’t en Nueva York, Los Angeles, or Miami, then she may be backstage at fashion weeks around the world or on photo shoots with the likes of Mariah Carey and Kathy Griffin. Her work has appeared in Latina, InStyle and Glamour, and she documents it all on her popular website, Around the World Beauty, where she dispenses everything from makeup tips to documentaries about beauty ideals across the globe.

Women with schedules half as hectic as Stephanie’s find it hard to stay healthy and fit -- so how does Stephanie do it all with her whirlwind schedule?

"It sounds clichéd, but it’s all about balance," says Flor. "I’m studying the Indian science of Ayurveda, which promotes balance in all aspects of life, from your beauty routine to your diet.”

Flor's diet is a healthy mix of her favorite comfort foods and healthy juices. And when it comes to staying in shape, Flor is enviably fit. She builds exercise time into her schedule by being "a multi-tasking fiend. I hit the gym three to four times a week, and I always do double-duty,” she says. “So if I'm on the stair climber, I'm also on my iPad reading about India or an exotic beauty ritual."

Fall’s Top Hairstyle Trends

Todo el año, the top red-carpet hair trends have expressed the same thing: Mujer Natural. With the Latin Grammys upon us, Las Fabulosas highlights the easy-to-wear estilos femininos we’re likely to see at the show.

POLISHED PONY

High, low or side -- this no-fuss, no-muss ’do is a snap to pull off even on a bad hair day. The key is to keep it neat and eliminate fly-aways. Prep your hair with a serum that controls frizz and adds shine. Use a flat brush to smoothly pull back your tresses into a ponytail. Finish with light, anti-humidity hairspray.

ROMANTIC BRAIDS & TWISTS

The beauty of a braided, coiled up-do is that precision is not required. In fact, the style looks best when a few hairs are out of place. Dry shampoos give your hair just enough texture to keep braids from slipping. Have some fun with this style and play around with different kinds of plaits (fishtail, French, small sections, large sections, and more). Or keep it simple and just twist sections of hair, then pin them into place in fanciful coils.

LOW-VOLUME

Low-volume hair is also low-maintenance hair, and what girl doesn’t love that? This sexy, unfussy look is all about keeping it natural and un-done. Prep strands with dry shampoo, work a bit of texturizing pomade into the ends with your fingers, and you’re ready to go.

ACCESSORIES & ADORNMENTS

The cascading gold stars adorning the coifs for Rodarte on the fall runway set the tone for this season’s decadently modern hair accessories. Bejeweled headbands, chunky barrettes, chic combs, and sparkling, oversize bobby pins…the sky’s the limit (as long as it’s not a scrunchie!). Anthropologie and France Luxe have tons of options.

La Poderosa Janet Murguía

The name “Janet Murguía” may not be known in Latino homes across the country -- but it should be. From Sofia Vergara to Selena Gomez to Zoë Saldana, more Latinos than ever walk the red carpet each year. And we can thank Janet Murguía for that.

As the President and CEO of National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. civil rights and advocacy organization, and the producer for the annual Alma Awards, Murguía has empowered la comunidad through voting and increased visibility in the media. We recently asked this trailblazer to spell out how showcasing Latino talent in music and entertainment is changing the lives of Latinos across the country.

“[Our country] is incredibly diverse,” Murguía says. “But you wouldn’t know that based on the amount of Latino representation in the media.”

Hispanics, she points out, are just as much a part of the American fabric as any other group. “We think it’s important that Latino faces are fairly represented on television, in the movies and in music, as well as behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.”

That’s why Murguía founded the annual ALMA Awards, which celebrates Latinos in the entertainment industry. There were just a few Hispanics on television when the awards were created. But today there are more than 40. Having an awards show during primetime hours on a major network provides huge exposure for la comunidad.

Murguía hopes that increasing the visibility of Latinos in the media will inspire others to pursue their dreams. “Seeing somebody that looks like you on television or on a stage at a concert sends the message that, ‘If they can do it, why can’t I do it too?’” she says. “Having these forbearers is in a sense both comforting and inspiring.”

All this just goes to show there’s no reason a viewer with the talent and drive shouldn’t follow their dreams, says Murguía. “Who knows, maybe they’ll be on stage accepting an ALMA one day?”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (pictured right)

Embrace Latin Color

Spring is bursting on the scene in styles that look like they were taken from the most fashionable Latina’s closet. We spoke to Davis Carrasquillo, the New York City-based creative director and fashion editor of 1fashionproductions  to get our top picks of the bold, the ultra-feminine and the sexy staples that came from the runway.

Citrus
Citrus colors are the powerhouse trend, a favorite of ours because it makes bronzed skin look even more beautiful. The purest way to wear this trend is with a dress, like Selena Gomez does. For a budget-conscious option, try a blouse or simple tank in a saturated hue to put a pop of color in your look.

Bangles
Bracelets are accessory must-haves for lots of Latinas, and as Eva Longoria shows, bangles are back in a big way. “Use lots of different tones and textures -- they don’t have to match,” advises Carrasquillo.

70s-inspired
No need to go over-the-top with frosty eyeshadow and frizzy hair. But if you are in the mood to really embrace a spring trend, then get yourself into some ’70s-inspired clothes, like one-sleeved tops and dresses. Jennifer Lopez gives us a great update with this beautiful dress that also brings in an additional seasonal trend: animal prints.

Ruffles

Ruffles are back on the scene, not just because of the flirty, youthful flare, but because now they are being styled in a grown, sexy way. You can go all-out like America Ferrara with her cape sleeves, or select a key piece, such as a skirt, to experiment with this look. Soft ruffles are more forgiving and flattering.

Shorts

Break out the heels and platform sandals if you are brave enough to try the shorts trend. The styles can range from super-short and casual, a lá Cameron Diaz, or longer and tailored for a work-appropriate look.

Patterns

These were also reigning the runway, but in softer chiffon fabrics that are easier to wear. Chiffon dresses are one option, says Carrasquillo, but even using a scarf can update your look.

Spotlight on: Natalie Morales

Staying sedentary isn’t in Natalie Morales’ DNA. As a reporter and anchor on NBC’s “TODAY” show, she’s gone after some of the world’s most important news stories: the rescue of Chilean miners, the Southern California wildfires, Hurricane Katrina, and the war in Iraq.

To stay healthy, the mother of two from New Jersey is also an avid runner. Incredibly, Morales finds time to volunteer with Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless rebuild their lives by teaching them to run. Their goal is to boost confidence, strength and self-esteem with the idea that building stamina makes facing uphill battles easier.

“As a member of the board, Natalie’s support has helped tell the story of how our program moves people from dependency to self-sufficiency,” says Anne Mahlum, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO. “In addition to media assistance, Natalie has given her time and support as a runner in our signature national race, the Stroehmann Back on My Feet 20in24 Challenge, and motivated fundraisers from across the country to support our mission.”

The Daytime Emmy award–winning journalist was born in Taiwan in 1972 to a Brazilian mom and a Puerto Rican dad. Morales was a U.S. Air Force brat, living in countries such as Panama, Brazil and Spain for the first 18 years of her life. Her natural beauty and runner’s physique lead People magazine to name her one of its 100 Most Beautiful People in 2009.

To date, she’s competed in five marathons, including three New York City Marathons, and has taken up triathlons as well. Morales continues to inspire women to keep going until the race is won.


Photo: Getty Images