Photo by Jim Smeal/WireImage

courtesy of InStyle

Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage

courtesy of InStyle

Lots of us are talking about big changes for the New Year and one celebrity that got a lot of attention for a big change quite a few years back was Keri Russell when she cut off her super long curly locks.

Me with my friend Valerie -- we thought the feathers made us fancy

What are you doing for New Year's Eve? I'll admit that it's my least favorite night of the year to go out. I live in NYC and it gets too crazy and crowded, so I prefer a quiet evening at home watching the ball drop on TV. In years past, I've had a couple of friends over or kept it mellow at small gatherings.

Whether you're planning on hitting the town or are tucking the kids in at normal bedtime (or letting them stay up to watch the ball fall, too), you can still ring in the New Year with some beauty and style! I've rounded up some goodies featured in Beauty & Style Buzz perfect for the occasion.

Photo by beauteousxdoll

I'm always looking for new things to do with my hair and I will admit...I'm not very adventurous.

I've always loved the look of finger waves and pinned curls like Jean Harlow used to wear, so when I saw these photos of CafeMom beauteousxdoll (in the private Stay At Home Moms group) I had to ask her how she did it.

Photo by mommytoseven

In case you missed it, one of our very own CafeMoms was featured on The Tyra Banks Show!

mommytoseven thought she was going on the program to talk about for her child advocacy work, but she got a big surprise when they told her she was going to get a fantasy makeover!

To the right is mommytoseven before the makeover...

Cafe Cynthia BEFORE

No matter what you are wearing for the holidays, it's always fun to do a little something with your hair.

cafemama, Cafe Cynthia, and I went to Donsuki salon in NYC so Suki Duggan, stylist to the stars, could teach us how to create a holiday updo in minutes. Suki's a mom to three kids and she says all you need is a few minutes in the bathroom alone to create these styles.

Suki gave Cafe Cynthia a girly updo -- great to embrace the curls you have or the ones you add in. 

Me BEFORE

No matter what you are wearing for the holidays, it's always fun to do a little something with your hair.

cafemama, Cafe Cynthia, and I went to Donsuki salon in NYC so Suki Duggan, stylist to the stars, could teach us how to create a holiday updo in minutes. Suki's a mom to three kids and she says all you need is a few minutes in the bathroom alone to create these styles.

Suki gave me a retro updo -- great for long hair. Also check out cafemama's elegant updo and Cafe Cynthia's girly style is coming tomorrow. Maybe you can wear this style to the CafeMom Holiday Party!

cafemama BEFORE

No matter what you are wearing for the holidays, it's always fun to do a little something with your hair.

cafemama, Cafe Cynthia, and I went to Donsuki salon in NYC so Suki Duggan, stylist to the stars, could teach us how to create a holiday updo in minutes. Suki's a mom to three kids and she says all you need is a few minutes in the bathroom alone to create these styles.

I'll be showing you cafemama's elegant updo today, my retro look tomorrow, and Cafe Cynthia's girly style on Thursday. Maybe you can wear this style to the CafeMom Holiday Party!

Photo from Fred Flare

You can find great gifts with a great price tag! And I have to be honest...I'm trying my hardest not to buy these things for myself. But I've got some friends and family in mind for these items that are sure to match the people on your list, too.

Photo from Folica.com

If you use a flat iron, you might be wondering what is the best one to straighten your hair. There are so many out there and they can cost anything from around $10 to over $100! Are the more expensive ones really the best? 

I found this great question posed to CafeMoms from an anonymous member: What is the best straightening iron to use for your hair?  Wondering if yours made the list?

Discontinued...only to be reborn!

Don't you hate it when your favorite shade of lipstick or styling gel gets discontinued? It can feel like the whole universe is thrown off kilter. OK, not that bad, but if a company has ever stopped making something you loved you may understand. There are a bunch of ladies in the group All About Hair and Makeup dishing about it.

In an effort to find out why products are discontinued, I went to the source, Karen Fuss-Zipp, VP of Marketing at Redken, for some answers.