It’s that festive (and frantic!) time of year, with a steady stream of invitations to

after-work cocktails and weekend holiday parties! But no need to stress; mamita and celeb makeup artist Tia Dantzler shares how to transition your makeup from day to night -- so you'll have plenty of besos under the mistletoe!

"The quickest way to transform your look from day to night is to apply bold, matte lip color,” says Dantzler. Deep Bordeaux lips are in this season. And you can't go wrong with cherry red. To get this glam look, apply your lip color with a small retractable brush to capture a precise finish. Plus, with a brush you can control the color by layering: The more you apply, the deeper shade you'll get.

An eye-catching manicure always makes fiestas Navideñas brighter, and Dantzler loves the new line of nail polishes that have glitter infused in them. She suggests painting just one nail glitter glam for pop effect.

Para los ojos, Dantzler loves the “wet look.” And there are many new lines of eye shadows that offer it. “Always start with a primer for a lasting effect,” says Dantzler. “Olive skin looks great in coral hues, so looks for shades in golden pinks and creamy peaches.”

"To bring extra sparkle to your face, try a highlighter on your cheeks, a little shimmer on the bridge of your nose, and a dash on the inner corner of your eye,” offers Dantzler. Also, infuse your skin with color by blending in a powder bronzer.

And for the final festive look, Dantzler says, “we should all wear fake eyelashes!" Some are adorned with highlight effects, such as silver pearl drops or Swarovski crystals. Dantzler also recommends individual lashes. “Just pop two or three on the ends of your eyelashes for an easy, sexy pick-me up!”

Photo: Corbis Images

From what we eat to how we bathe to walking outdoors on a sunny day, our cabello is affected by even the most basic lifestyle choices. Keep your hair looking and feeling its healthiest with these expert tips, including foods to eat, habits to start and new styling practices to try.

Comida
A balanced diet is the basis for keeping your hair strong and healthy, from the follicle to the scalp and strand. Your hair is composed mostly of proteins, which means it’s vital to include protein-rich foods in your diet to encourage hair growth, say the experts at the Philip Kingsley trichology clinics[i1] . Fish and nuts are both great sources of hair-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so think of salmon and walnuts. Also aim to eat plenty of spinach, eggs and lentils, all of which are loaded with iron to boost your hair health[i2] . The Philip Kingsley team also recommends keeping your scalp hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Estilo de vida
Malas costumbres (such as smoking, excessive dieting, and lack of sleep) and hormonal changes from pregnancy, illness or menstrual cycles can impact el esplendor del cabello. Hair is very sensitive to changes in your body and emotions. For instance, stress can cause your hair to thin and shed .

Though damage like this is often reversible by reducing el estrés, the National Institutes of Health points out that modifying negative habits is sometimes difficult. Their suggestions? Become aware of bad habits, and then replace them with positive ones . Consider, for example, practicing yoga, daily meditation or exercise to relax your mind and body.

Styling
Regular cabello care includes frequent washing, regular brushing and avoiding direct heat from the sun or a blow dryer. If heat is your go-to styling method, then deep-conditioning once per week is a must.

Also consider ways to implement ‘natural’ hair-care practices. Allow, for instance, your hair to air-dry. Or add a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo routine to remove buildup from styling products that clog up your scalp. Lastly, the trichologists at Philip Kingsley recommend getting a trim every 10 weeks and waiting that same amount of time between visits to touch up your hair color or highlights.

We all know being overweight is unhealthy, but excess fat around your abdomen can be especially risky.

“Belly fat is a sign that we’re carrying a different type of fat that lies deeper in our bodies -- visceral fat -- which surrounds our organs,” says Dr. Helen Troncoso, DPT, Ms. New York America 2012 and CEO of Reinventing You, LLC. Here, Troncoso shares why belly fat is harmful to your health -- plus how to banish it once and for all.

Belly Fat Breakdown
Belly fat is visceral fat, which differs from the subcutaneous fat that we can see and pinch. “Numerous studies have linked high levels of visceral fat to insulin resistance, which makes us vulnerable to developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even certain cancers,” says Troncoso.

There are two common culprits that contribute to excess abdominal weight:

• Stress: Excessive stress over a period of time can cause your body to react by releasing the hormone cortisol. Cortisol stimulates your liver to release more glucose, which makes you feel hungrier and causes you to eat more.

 The Fix: Set aside some “me time” for stress-relieving activities like meditation, yoga or just dancing to Shakira.

• Empty Calories: Even foods that have the same number of calories should not be treated equal. Calories with no nutritional value (think soda, white bread and sweets) are big offenders. “They overload our liver trying to process these foods, and ends up turning it into fat,” says Troncoso. Excess sugar in junk food is said to be one of the leading causes of belly fat.

The Fix: Craving sweets? Grab a cup of berries. Need some carbs? Choose wheat bread or brown rice. Also start making smarter choices in how you cook your favorite foods (less oil and salt) and the sizes of the portions you eat in one sitting.

Belly Fat Be Gone
Most women juggle family, friends, work commitments and more, so it’s easy to get off track. The trick to banishing belly fat is to put aside any excuses: Just 30 minutes of exercise each day is all it takes to get started.

There is no secret to losing weight: “Good nutrition and exercising four to five times per week will keep you fit and clear from belly fat and a slew of other dangerous diseases,” says Troncoso. When it comes to dieting, forget extreme diets and instead aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week. This is the most effective way to lose the weight and keep it off.

It’s important to embrace a new lifestyle in which you can still enjoy the foods you love, but be smart about what you eat and how often you exercise. 

La Primavera has sprung -- and with it comes a gorgeous bouquet of trends straight off the runway. Here are our favorite trends this season, from sweet to bold, guaranteed to add a little joy to your days.

FLORES EVERYWHERE
From dresses to rompers, flowers are in bloom this season. Here are our guidelines for wearing the fun trend without looking like a vieja.

• In Your 20s:
  Oh, the luxury of youth! You can get away with bold patterns and sexy silhouettes, such as shorts, camis and sleeveless dresses. Pair racer backs or tank tops over shorts or a skirt for an easy, breezy vibe. Going to la oficina?  Layer with a light blazer or jacket.
  
  
• In Your 30s:
  Women in their 30s just wanna have fun -- albeit more tasteful, classy fun! Now it’s easier than ever with the floral jeggings trend. Look for an eye-popping print and smart silhouette that that you can top off with a bright cardigan. A one-tone tacón alto will elevate this look from girly to glam instantly.
• In Your 40s:
  Finalmente, you have the confidence to pull off any trend. Go graphic with black-and-white floral jackets over jeans or a bright dress. Accessories are key, so pair the look with sunglasses or bold statement jewelry. Pink lipstick adds the fabulosa touch!

FLATS
Ballet and 90s-style pointy flats are en vogue this spring. Here’s how you should wear them:

• In Your 20s:
  Bows and beads are sweet flourishes that work swimmingly on you, chica! Pair a flirty skirt with pastel-colored slippers for a perfectly spring look
  
  
• In Your 30s:
  Stripes are clasico. But multi-colored stripes on a flat? Sleek. Dress up a pair of jeans or any timeless ensemble with a whimsical print, such as stripes, florals or polka dots.
• In Your 40s:
  Nothing says Madrid and vino like a pair of red flats. The sassy rojo is more neutral than you think and works from garden party to the office.

BERMUDA-STYLE SHORTS
These throwback shorts are all the rage this spring.

• In Your 20s:
  You can get away with prints at this age. For a 90s throwback, top your floral-print bermudas with a fitted polo. Finish the look with bold and punchy flats.
  
  
• In Your 30s:
  Look for a fun palm-tree print on these long shorts, which is both trendy and tropical. You can add edge to your outfit by rolling up the cuff. Go ahead -- show a bit more leg. We dare you!
• In Your 40s:
  Bermudas are the most flattering of shorts. Frame a pair of dark-colored shorts with a blazer and black pumps. Remember, black in spring always looks chic. 

According to recent studies, Americanos are sitting way more than ever -- and the results aren’t looking good. The average worker is burning almost 150 fewer daily calories than his or her employed parents once did. And obesity, which affects Latinos disproportionately, is becoming more and more commonplace.

Studies done at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md., have shows that a sedentary lifestyle can cause a host of medical ailments. These may include sleep apnea, colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, and an increase in blood clots, which can lead to strokes. Another scary finding? Life expectancy in the U.S. would be two years higher if adults reduced their time spent sitting to just three hours a day.

"The body is not meant to be static,” says Dr. Susan Lowery, a chiropractor. "It’s meant to move. It is vital to change your position frequently to prevent damage."

To help prevent damage, Dr. Lowery recommends shifting your posture every 15 minutes. "We encourage patients to adjust their chairs (for example, moving them up or down) just slightly every 15 minutes,” she says. You can also set screen timers on your computer or smartphone to remind you to stand up, do light back stretches or hamstring stretches, change your position slightly, or simply place a pillow behind your back.

It’s also important to get out for lunch at least twice a week. And if you really want to go the extra mile, consider bringing your yoga mat to work to do some easy moves throughout the day. Whatever your mood, it is imperative you get busy moving. It may just save your life.