Whites are everywhere this winter, from runways to vanities. Some of the latest and greatest in the world of beauty conjure the image of a snow-dusted landscape. Brand new from Bliss, blisslabs active 99.0 Refining Powder Cleanser is a unique formula that delivers sulfate-free exfoliation with a creamy, gentle texture.

We can’t face the holiday cocktail party season without pearly white teeth. GO SMiLE TRULY Whitening Toothpaste System doesn’t scrub away stains but, rather, penetrates teeth for a whiter smile without irritating sensitive gums and enamel. Just apply to your toothbrush and brush as usual. We learned this summer that there is nothing more chic than a white manicure. Nails Inc. Snowflake Effect Polish ups the winter inspiration for your nails. This textured polish marries silver foil and creamy ivory that can be worn alone or over another nail color.

From budget-friendly Flower Beauty, Color Play Crème Eyeshadow in Rest On Your Laurel works beautifully in the corner of your eyes to brighten a normal eye shadow routine. Or go for something more dramatic with this buildable formula all over the lid. The water-infused, nourishing cream shadow feels just like more expensive luxury options.
The H2O Plus Milk collection smells crisp but not too overpowering. H2O’s body care is packed with ingredients like milk proteins, aloe and provitamin B that work to improve the look of skin. The H2O Plus Milk collection also makes a great gift.

Kit Thrift

This time of year brings kits, sets and palettes that offer amazing value and limited edition shades from great brands. For the lipstick junkie, BiTE Beauty offers The Lip Kit with four lipstick duos that can be worn either alone or layered. These eight shades have a creamy, hydrating formula. The Pomegranate makes for the perfect holiday red lip. bareMinerals READY Face & Body Luminizer comes with a plush over-sized brush. This luxurious, giant version of the popular mineral powder has three powders that blend into a perfect bronze for winter skin. Too Faced’s Be Merry Be Bright is a clever package of two palettes to create two different holiday-inspired looks.

Oil up for Winter

‘Tis the season for static and flyaways. There is nothing worse than rogue hair after the perfect blow-out. For a quick fix, use a dryer sheet to smooth strands. Throw one in your clutch should you catch frizz on the go. At home, give your hairbrush a spritz of hairspray and brush through the top layers of hair. Or check out a multi-tasking hair oil. Hair oils have come a long way since the days of greasy serums. Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Moroccan Argan Styling Oil is lightweight and adds a dose of shine. Kérastase’s new Touche Finale Supershine Polishing Serum is earning rave reviews from stylists. This great smelling product adds softness and controls frizz.

Photos by Scott Miller and J. Christopher Little.

“Premier” is written all over this event, and we should know. Oklahoma Magazine presents the 2014 Oklahoma Wedding Show, Saturday, Jan. 18, at Central Park Hall at Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. The annual soiree invites brides-to-be to visit with elite wedding industry professionals as well as to sample work by wedding photographers, caterers, florists, bakers and many more. Get answers to your questions about venues, entertainment, receptions and so much more, and don’t forget about the bridal fashions runway show featuring some of the most gorgeous gowns of the season by top labels. Plan to stay a while: Throughout the day, drawings will be held for amazing items and packages totaling more than $12,000 from our generous vendors. What will you win? There’s only one way to find out. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Read more about your VIP experience at www.okmag.com.

While many might consider the beginning of a new year primarily a chance to work on self-improvement resolutions, it is also a good time to review one’s finances and to make plans for the coming year. Arguably, it might be more important this year than many others.

“The number one thing, and all new this year, is the whole healthcare situation,” says Dean Hudgeons, senior vice president and location manager for Arvest Bank. “People will need to assess their personal situations because it appears almost all people are going to be paying more with higher costs and co-pays. People need to budget for more healthcare expenses, particularly if they have a pre-existing condition or needs. If you normally have $1,000 set aside for medical expenses, you might want to look at increasing that to $1,500 or $2,000, because healthcare expenses are likely to affect 50 percent of Americans.

“The biggest issue,” he continues, “is that 70 percent of Baby Boomers don’t have enough money for retirement, and healthcare costs are really going to hurt these people.”

Secondly, Hudgeons says he still sees people living with too much debt.  “People started to shave off debt after 2008, which is a good thing, but many still have too much debt. It’s a good idea to refocus on getting all debt cut down, except a mortgage if you have a good rate. If you do have a good rate, try to pay off other debts.”

Hudgeons’ third suggestion is less finance and more strategy.

“Start having family meetings once a month to remind family members of financial goals,” he says. “You can make it fun. We do graphs so kids can understand what they’re getting for what they’re giving up. Besides reminding the family of goals, you also celebrate achieving them. When you celebrate milestones, it helps keep everyone focused. Get together and discuss goals and strategy. One of the major mistakes of my grandparents’ generation was that they never discussed money.”

When it comes to reviewing one’s personal financial holdings, Hudgeons says, “The bond markets are places that make me nervous now. People on a fixed income are caught between a rock and a hard place. People living off their holdings are having a hard time because interest rates haven’t increased. The bond market has taken a big hit. People have gotten used to seeing bond rates increase. This year, they have seen their principles go down.”

Hudgeons says one way to gain income is to find good dividend-paying stocks.

“In terms of investment sectors, Hudgeons says energy is difficult to invest in because energy prices are down. He advises to look into sectors into which money is pouring, such as healthcare and biotechnology in particular.

Still, Hudgeons says his biggest fear is that people will hand pick individual companies in which to invest. “Unless you’re Warren Buffett and you’re analyzing data all the time, it’s better to let professionals help you make choices. It’s too dangerous otherwise,” he says. “However, I think we’re in an emotional stage now where people are focused on saving and putting money away.”

Proper analysis and planning early in the year can help make for a smoother financial 2014.

Photos by Natalie Green.

Georges Rouault is one of those painters from the early 1900s who helped master a new expression in art. If that was all there was to say of him, it would still make an exhibition such as Georges Rouault: Through a Glass, Darkly something noteworthy and worth jotting on your planner. Philbrook Museum of Art brings the work of the influential French painter to Tulsa. The exhibit opens Sunday, Jan. 19, and runs through April 20. This special collection contains works demonstrative of Rouault’s signature style. His pieces whether of religious subjects or lighter imagery and portraiture often use the characteristic heavy black outlining, prismatic colors and composition that many suggest resembles stained glass. And like glass, his works are both reflective and transformative of light. Philbrook is located at 2727 S. Rockford Road, Tulsa. For more, visit www.philbrook.org.

The start of a new year can only mean one thing to an artist used to the feel of miles under his boot heels, and John Fullbright is most definitely no stranger to the road. The Bearden native who has made it his habit to play local and regional stages, even after being nominated for a Grammy Award last year, has his itinerary mapped out, as usual. Lucky for those in and around Bartlesville, Fullbright has made Frank & Lola’s among one of his earliest stops in 2014. Presented by OK Mozart’s Original Artist Concert Series, Fullbright will play the venue at 200 S.E. Second St., Bartlesville, on Sunday, Jan. 26, and Monday, Jan. 27. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night with special guest artists John Calvin (Sunday) and Wink Burcham (Monday) as well as appetizers and beer and wine, all for $35 each. Get your tickets, and get them fast, at www.okmozart.com.