Out Last Night

In the words of Kenny Chesney “we went out last night one thing starts leading to another”, I know most of us have done this.  Go out and have a good time on a night you have to work the next day.  After a long night of fun, you won’t have an extra 15 minutes to get yourself looking fresh for the day, so quickly evaluate what seems to be your biggest party night give away so that you can hide the evidence.  Redness, blotchiness, puffiness, lack of color, the list could go on and on, so here are a few of the most common.

For redness:

Apply Dermalogica’s Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 Redness Relief to help counter act the redness and put some moisture in your dehydrated skin.

For under eye troubles, including darkness, puffiness and deep lines:

Use Mavala’s Concealer to mask under eye troubles and any blemishes that decided to surface for the morning after party.  The wand makes it easier to maneuver and keep good control of placement.

For pink eyes:

I’m not talking about the infection.  A rough night out can make your eyes look like you are in worse shape than you even think.  Eye Bright pencil by Benefit is perfect for rimming the inside of your lash line to mask that discoloration that occurs with lack of sleep.

For a washed out face:

Dust a blush or bronzer along your cheeks and forehead to bring your skin back to life or at least make it look like it is.

How to Care for Naturally Curly Hair

The number of curly girls getting straightening treatments is on the rise, which is most likely due to the unfair reputation curly hair has for being unmanageable.  We like to encourage naturally curly clients to embrace curl, because when you are equipped with the proper care and styling techniques, those curls will inspire envy.

CARE-Curly hair is undeniably drier than straight hair because of the increased amount of protein in the hair and the shape of the individual hair shaft. Even products that help increase moisture in the hair often dissipate and vanish rapidly.  Always apply leave-in conditioning products to curly hair when it is very wet, almost dripping.  The hair will soak in the product more effectively, because the drier the hair is, the quicker the product will evaporate.  A leave-in moisturizing conditioner will also help to define the curls and decrease frizz and fluff.  It is very important to remember not to wrap your hair up with a towel after you have applied your leave-in conditioner. Because the texture of a terry cloth towel will create frizz when the outer layer of the hair shaft grabs onto the cloth particles, you shouldn’t use it to dry your hair at all.  For the least amount of frizz flip upside down and use paper towels, a T-shirt or a micro fiber towel and a scrunching action to dry hair trying to disturb the curl pattern as little as possible. 

STYLING- Knowing how to style curly hair properly is often the biggest challenge.  After removing some of the water from your hair, flip upside down and using the same scrunching action apply your gel.  As a general rule, you should refrain from using the blow dryer as much as possible.  To help minimize frizz let your hair air dry most of the way and then use your diffuser and blow dryer on the lowest heat and air flow setting as possible.  Try to keep your hands off your hair and let the diffuser do its job.

Speed up your morning Routine

Dragging ourselves out of bed gets increasingly harder as the week goes on.  Some girls adjust by taking their routines on the road (i.e. mascara in the car, lip gloss as you walk, etc.)—but this can prove to be dangerous.  By now we’ve all heard the shocking story of the woman who wrecked her car while shaving her bikini line.

A shocking amount of women take over an hour with their morning beauty routine but then there are those more reasonable women that dedicate 30-60 minutes to the beauty gods. To help everyone catch a few extra minutes of shut-eye, I’ve compiled some tips on how you can speed up your daily routine and get your self out the door a little faster.

Wash your hair the night before and style it in the morning

Getting your hair styled just right probably takes up a lot of your morning.  Get your day off to a good start be showering the night before, and putting off the styling until the sun rises.  This works for girls that straighten their hair but a great alternative is to pull your hair into a loose tousled side braid.  Give yourself a side part and loosely gather hair to the side of your head, securing a sexy, disheveled braid.

Use pencil liner instead of liquid

Since we’re barely awake enough before work to see what color we’re applying to our eyelids, there is no point in trying to successfully use notoriously difficult liquid liner.  Take the easy way out and quickly trace a line on your upper eyelid with pencil liner and then gently smudge.  It’s perfectly office appropriate and not at all time consuming.

Try having a curled mascara brush

Having a curled brush on your mascara wand makes your lashes curl without the added step.  Make sure to carefully trace each lash with mascara, and twist your hand upward as you apply.  This should result in the desired effect, without having to break out the eyelash curler.

Use a tinted moisturizer

Tinted moisturizer is a great way to skip extra steps in your beauty regimen—don’t bother with your face moisturizer or foundation, since it cleverly combines both.  You can simply smooth the light weight product over your skin and go.  For the days that you have more blemishes than you would like to admit you can always use a little concealer.

Make your cream blush double as shadow

Cream blush is faster to apply than a powder—so ditch the brush and use your fingers.  After swiping some color onto your cheeks, use the remaining product to add a little color to your eyelids.  Remember you have already applied eyeliner, so just adding a light shade to your lids will complete your daytime look and get you out the door quickly.

TAKE CONTROL

Do you remember the days when our hair spray choices were limited? Those days are definitely gone!  Here’s a look at three essential types that will satisfy a variety of styling needs.

Working Spray

Use a working spray to allow for combing or sculpting the hair during styling.

Sebastian Re-Shaper adds volume and texture to the hair while blocking humidity.

Enjoy Styling Spray adds volume to any style while adding thermal barriers and shine.

Finishing

Use a finishing hairspray to set a style and keep it in place.  These fast drying sprays come in a variety of formulas. 

Pureology In Charge Plus is a great non-flaking color protecting hair spray that fights humidity, adds shine, and blocks harmful UV rays.

Redken Quickdry is a great medium to firm hair spray that doesn’t flake or make the hair feel stiff or tacky.

Shine Enhancing

Use a shine enhancing hairspray to leave hair looking shiny and healthy all day long.  Most shine enhancing hairsprays tend to offer humidity resistance.

Moroccanoil Luminous Hair Spray adds tremendous shine, fights frizz, and blocks humidity.

Catwalk Sleek Mystique look lock Hair Spray is a medium hold spray that helps fight frizz, block humidity and adds gorgeous shine.

Braided headband

Braids and headbands are two of the biggest hair trends right now, so combining them is the next logical step.  If you need a style that keeps your hair back but doesn’t give you a horrible headache, this is the look for you.

Follow the steps below to get this gorgeous boho style

Make two parts, one on each side of the head near the ear.  Comb the remaining hair backwards and put into a ponytail.

Take the right side of the hair and braid, lifting us and around the head.

Wrap a hair tie on the end of the right side.  Repeat on the left side.

Lift both braids and wrap around your head, positioning them towards the front.

Secure both braids along the bottom of the head with a bobby pin. Release the remaining hair in back.

If you are unable to successfully get braids in place, you might consider trying “Braidies” from the Tony Tail Company.

WHAT IS THAT GUY STARING AT?

AS GIRLS, IT'S PRETTY MUCH OUR JOB TO OBSESS OVER THE SMALLEST DETAILS—LIKE THE WRINKLES WE SWEAR WE SEE.  FURTHERMORE, WE NATURALLY ASSUME THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS JUDGING US AS HARSHLY.  BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THE GUY AT THE OTHER END OF THE BAR IS TOTALLY STARING AT OUR MINUTE WRINKLES. WE ARE OUR OWN WORST CRITICS!

WE WANT YOU TO STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL MORE BEAUTIFUL.  BELOW IS A LIST OF BEAUTY FLAWS THAT ARE A TOTAL TURN-OFF, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIX THEM.

BAD ROOTS

GUYS DON’T NOTICE MUCH ABOUT HAIR AS LONG AS IT’S SOFT AND THEY CAN RUN THEIR FINGERS THROUGH IT –THEY’RE HAPPY.  BUT IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A BAD COLOR JOB (LIKE SUDDENLY IT’S BRIGHT ORANGE) THEY WILL NOTICE.  OR, IF YOU PUT OFF GETTING YOUR COLOR TOUCHED UP—SINCE, MAYBE, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION—AND YOUR ROOTS TAKE UP HALF YOUR HEAD, THEY WILL ALSO TAKE NOTE.  SO, IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THE JUMP AND PERMANENTLY CHANGE YOUR HAIR COLOR, KEEP IT MAINTAINED.

FAKE BAKE

NOW THAT THE VAMPIRE TREND HAS BROUGHT PALE SKIN BACK INTO FAVOR, MANY OF US RE EMBRACING OUR FAIRER COMPLEXIONS AND ARE HITTING THE TANNING SALON A LOT LESS OFTEN.  BUT, IF YOU OPT TO BAKE, KEEP IN MIND THAT MATCHING THE OOMPALUMPAS IS NOT ATTRACTIVE TO ANYONE.  HOWEVER BEING NATURAL IS.  IF YOU CAN’T RESIST A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR IN THE WARM WEATHER, TRY A SELF-TANNING LOTION SUCH AS SUN.

TOO MUCH MAKE UP

A GUY CAN APPRECIATE A GIRL’S GLOSSY LIP OR SMOKEY EYES EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT CAKED ON MAKE UP IS NEVER AN ATTRACTIVE LOOK.  TRENDS ARE FUN TO PLAY WITH WHEN YOU ARE GOING OUT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS, BUT THE NATURAL LOOK WILL WIN GUYS OVER EVERY TIME.  SINCE WE ALL KNOW LOOKING NATURAL ISN’T AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS, START WITH A GREAT LIGHT WEIGHT FOUNDATION OR A TINTED MOISTURIZER AS A BASE AND THEN APPLY A BIT OF PEACH BLUSH TO YOUR CHEEKS.  KEEP YOUR EYES SUBDUED WITH A NEUTRAL SHADOW ADD A FEW SWIPES OF MASCARA AND FINISH THE LOOK WITH A LIGHT LIP GLOSS.

HUGE BAGS

WE TEND TO FORGET THAT SMALL BAGS, SUCH AS CLUTCHES EVEN EXIST.  ALMOST ALL OF US HAVE HAD A GUY FRIEND, AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, MAKE A SLY COMMENT ABOUT US “CARRYING OUR ENTIRE LIVES IN THERE”—WHICH WE, OF COURSE, LAUGHED OFF.  BUT AFTER YEARS OF HEARING THESE COMMENTS, WE’VE COME TO REALIZE THAT GUYS ARE A LITTLE INTIMIDATED BY THE IMMENSE SIZE OF OUR PURSES.  IT COMES DOWN TO THIS—NO GUY WANTS THEIR GIRLFRIEND TO BE MATERIALISTIC OR HIGH MAINTENANCE.  SO, WHY DO YOU NEED TO CARRY SO MUCH IN YOUR BAG IF YOU’RE AN EASY GOING GAL?  WE’RE NOT SAYING TO PART YOUR WAYS WITH YOUR FAVORITE MASSIVE ACCESSORY, BUT MAYBE SWITCH IT UP EVERY NOW AND THEN AND CARRY A CUTE CLUTCH OR A SMALL TOTE INSTEAD.

A LIPSTICK ON YOUR TEETH SMILE

ALWAYS SMILE; YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT BE FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR SMILE.  IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT THE FIRST THING A GUY NOTICES ABOUT YOU IS YOUR SMILE.  WE OFTEN GET CAUGHT UP WORRYING ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER DETAILS-LIKE HOW HOT WE LOOK IN OUR JEANS—THAT WE FORGET THE EASIEST TRICK OF THEM ALL, TO SMILE.  BUT BEFORE YOU FLASH THOSE PEARLY WHITES MAKE SURE YOU ARE FREE OF LUNCH DEBRIS AND SMUDGED LIPSTICK.  IN THE CLEAR? FLIRT AWAY!

BEAUTY BLUNDERS

WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE BEAUTY BLUNDERS WE HAVE ALL MADE AT LEAST ONCE WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO BE YOUR MOST “BEAUTIFUL” YOU.  LEARN WHAT TO AVOID AND HOW TO FIX THE BEAUTY MISTAKES YOU DO MAKE.

1-      THE WRONG FOUNDATION: WE’VE ALL DONE IT. BOUGHT A FOUNDATION THAT WAS NOT CORRECT FOR OUR SKIN TONES, EITHER A LITTLE TOO DARK OR TOO LIGHT.  THE BIG BEAUTY BLUNDER IS WHEN YOUR FACE IS A DIFFERENT COLOR THAN THE REST OF YOUR BODY.  IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO TEST FOUNDATION IN NATURAL LIGHT, RATHER THAN AN ARTIFICIALLY LIT STORE.  REMEMBER, IT’S BETTER TO GO ONE SHADE LIGHTER, THAN SHADES THAT ARE TOO DARK FOR YOU.  ANOTHER GREAT IDEA IS TO LET YOUR REAL SKIN SHINE THROUGH.  AFTER APPLYING YOUR MOISTURIZER, USE CONCEALER OR FOUNDATION ONLY WHERE YOU NEED IT AND BLEND IT WELL.

2-      A ZIT: IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE IN YOUR TEENS OR 20’S OR 30’S. SADLY EVEN ADULTS GET ZITS FROM TIME TO TIME.  DON’T MAKE IT A BEAUTY BLUNDER BY TRYING TO COVER IT WITH TOO MUCH CONCEALER.  GENERALLY, YOU SHOULD PUT A LAYER OR TWO ON THE PROBLEM AREA. OVER COVERING CAN DRAW MORE ATTENTION TO IT.

3-      TOO MUCH MAKE UP: THIS IS A MISTAKE MANY OF US CAN MAKE.  AS YOU GET OLDER, LET MORE OF YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY SHINE THROUGH.  YOU WILL ACTUALLY LOOK YOUNGER IF YOU DO NOT CAKE ON THE MAKE UP.  GO FOR A NICE LIP GLOSS, MASCARA AND SPARINGLY PUT COVER UP WHERE YOU NEED IT AND YOU WILL LOOK RADIANT.

4-      THE AWFUL LIP LINER: THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE WORST BEAUTY BLUNDERS ONE CAN MAKE. DRAWING THE LINE TOO THICK OR USING TOO DARK OF COLOR.  THE NATURAL LIP LINER COLOR WILL SUFFICE AND IT WILL ACTUALLY GIVE YOU THE DEFINITION YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. GO FOR THE NATURAL LOOK, YOUR LIPS AND EVERYONE ELSE WILL THANK YOU.

5-      THE BROWS: EITHER YOU OVER TWEEZE OR UNDER TWEEZE THEM. RARELY ARE WE IN BETWEEN. YOU SHOULD SEE A PROFESSIONAL FOR THIS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND THEN TRY TO KEEP THEM MAINTAINED.

6-      SPIDER LASHES: THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU KEEP YOUR MASCARA FOR LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS. WHEN YOUR MASCARA GOES BAD YOUR LASHES WILL STICK TOGETHER AND WON’T SEPARATE NICELY.  MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE CLUMPS OFF YOUR BRUSH BEFORE USE TO ENSURE SPIDER LASHES PREVENTION AND BUY NEW MASCARA EVERY THREE MONTHS.

7-      FRIZZY HAIR: WHETHER IT HAPPENS NATURALLY OR BECAUSE OF OUTSIDE FORCES, IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO HAPPEN.  DON’T LET FRIZZ GET YOU DOWN.  TRY MOROCCANOIL OR THERMAFUSE DRY OIL….YOU CAN BLOW DRY OR LET YOUR HAIR DRY NATURALLY AND YOU’LL GET THE SAME PERFECT RESULTS EVERY TIME.

8-      STREAKED SELF TANNER: THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN TRYING TO APPEAR AS IF YOU JUST TOOK A VACATION IN THE TROPICS WITH A STREAKY SELF TAN JOB (IT WILL BLOW YOUR COVER EVERY TIME).  EXFOLIATE EXFOLIATE EXFOLIATE! BE SURE TO EXFOLIATE, USE LOTION AND RUB EVERY WHERE. DON’T MISS A SPOT. AND MAKE SURE YOU THOROUGHLY WASH YOUR HANDS TO ENSURE NO STREAKING ON YOUR HANDS.

9-      FADING OR RUNNING EYE MAKE UP: WHETHER YOU ARE OUT ON THE TOWN OR YOU’VE PARTIED ALL NIGHT YOU’RE LOOKING GREAT…OR NOT.  YOUR MAKE UP IS STARTING TO RUN AND NOBODY IS SAYING A WORD!  IF YOU ARE PLANNING A NIGHT OF DANCING, MAKE SURE YOU DO IT RIGHT.  DO NOT PUT MOISTURIZER CLOSE TO YOUR EYES AND FINISH WITH A POWDER AND YOUR EYE MAKE UP SHOULD STAY IN PLACE.

10-   IT’S JUST NOT YOU: WE HAVE ALL TRIED NEW LOOKS…SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND OTHER TIMES THEY DON’T.  YOU KNOW WHEN A LOOK IS “YOU”. SO KEEP IT.  IF YOU ARE A NATURAL BEAUTY, GREEN EYE SHADOW MAY NOT BE YOUR BEST LOOK AND VICE VERSE. BE TRUE AND BE YOU AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A BEAUTY BLUNDER.