Case of the Frizzies?

Do you have the case of the Frizzies during these Hot Steamy months? Well instead of spending a fortune on Keratin Treatments, try your luck with the right Oil. Oils can help to soften and smooth out unruly hair shaft. I'm not talking serums that contain silicones or any other heavy ingredients. Think about it...Your hair is bigger than the Empire State Building. It is feels and looks like it has been baked 2x. The shine is non existent because the cuticle of your hair is so dry and rough that light can't bounce off of it to reflect that Shine. Now when your skin is dry, you put on a moisturizer correct? Well hair oils do the Same for your hair as skin moisturizers do for your body. Oils will not weight your hair down. They will supplement your locks with moisture and help to smooth out your cuticle, in turn creating Shine and less Frizzies. The number 1 reason hair frizzes out in humidity is because the cuticle on the hair shaft is raised. As soon as you step outside in the humidity, that moisture in the air penetrates the raised cuticle and swells the hair shaft. Thus, creating Bozo Hair..eek. Your cuticle needs to stay sealed and "fed" properly to ward off Tress-Wrecking Weather. To Almost Completely get rid of damaged ends, Trim Regularly! For shorter hair, every 6 weeks. I say 6 weeks because you need to keep the shape and style of your hair cut. Its also easier for us hair stylist to See, Remember, and Follow what we did last to your do. You'll get consistent cuts. Longer hair you can push it to 8 or even 12 weeks. I'm talking hair lengths past your shoulders. If you start to see split ends or your hair is acting unruly, then make that appointment earlier. Also, I know that their are just thicker, coarser hair types out there that are Not damaged. To these types give the oil a shot. Also try a conditioning treatment that will soften your locks. I would recommend Redken All Soft Chemistry System. This is an in-salon treatment, but should be priced reasonably. Now when using the Oil Treatment for Any hair type, start off Slow. A little bit of product goes a long way. My favorite oil is Moroccan Oil. You can only get this oil at a salon. My second choice All Soft Argan 6-Oil by Redken. This too is a in-salon product. Another hair oil that is great is Ojon Rare Blend Oil Therapy. You can find this jem at Sephora.

http://www.redken.com/products/haircare/all-soft/all-soft-argan-6-oil/?cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-Google-_-Redken+Haircare-_-redken%20argan%206%20oil&gclid=CNO4oajHqrACFUFo4AodQllIVQ

http://www.moroccanoil.com/

http://www.sephora.com/rare-blend-oil-total-hair-therapy-P373701?om_mmc=Googlepe&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pe-_-ojon%20palm%20nut%20oil&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=1425586

A Start to Brushes

Today I am going to just touch base quickly on make-up brushes. Brushes are essential for your products, application technique, and your results. Invest in a set of Great Brushes!. The bigger the brush, the more area you will cover. You will get a "wash of color" with "fluffier" brushes. The smaller the brush, the more product you will disperse in one concentrated area. Also, the stiffer the brush, the more product you will place in one given area, hence making the product more visible. Liquid and Cream foundations I usually use a medium size brush. I like the duo fiber brush from M.A.C Cosmetics. I can easily buff foundation on to the skin. For Powder Foundations I use a bigger brush ( this will be for a sheerer coverage ) or, I will use a Medium sized brush ( blush/bronzer brush ) to add a bit more coverage. I will get more into depth with brushes, how to use them, and tricks to create contouring later. I just wanted to throw some information out their so everyone has an idea of where to start. So get going and experiment. Make mental notes from one day to the next on how certain brushes affect your application, your look, and the products wear ability!

Hair Color

 One of the biggest questions that I seem to get with clients who color their hair is, " My greys seem to not be effected by the hair color and they are Still here! How can I cover the grey better ?". Well first off, you need to use a permanent hair color. Permanent hair color has smaller dye molecules, and when activated by the hydrogen peroxide or what is called "Developer" ( if you use at home color , this is the "white liquid" in the bottle ) will penetrate your hair shaft, thus leaving you with permanent hair color. Grey hair has a tight compact cuticle. Have you ever noticed that your grey hair sometimes has a thicker, coarser, and rougher texture than the rest of your hair. These are normal signs of a more "compact cuticle". You need the strength of a permanent hair color to penetrate that cuticle, and permanently "stain" it. Another trick you can do is to do is to Pre-Soften your hair. You take your Hydrogen Peroxide A.K.A Developer ( Developer comes in either a  10, 20, 30, and 40 volume bottle at a beauty supply ) put it in a bottle used for coloring hair, and apply just the developer to the hair. When I am doing this application, I divide my clients hair into 4 working quadrants, and let 1 quadrant down at a time. I apply the Developer from root to just pass the previous hair color. Let the Developer sit for maybe 5-15 minutes ( this time is dependent on how coarse your hair ) . What the Developer is doing is "Pre-Softening" the cuticle to make it easier for the hair color to penetrate the compact cuticle. After you have processed for 5-15 minutes, you can then rinse the Developer, do a quick blow dry of your locks, apply your color, process as usual, and done!. Also, when doing Pre-Softening, use 20 volume Developer. As stated before you can find all that you need at a beauty supply store that sells to the public. I know this is an extra step and it does take longer but This Is the Answer to the question. If anyone has any questions about this step, or wants a more in-depth explanation of how it works, I will gladly answer! Have a Happy Dye Day!

http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/Search-Show?q=developer

Salon Service

Well this is going to be a different type of advice post. I by no means want to offend anyone, but just touch base on a subject that people Not in the beauty industry ask me. How do I get better service in a salon? Well, I have worked Everywhere in the beauty industry. Now I can say there are a few things that a client can do as far as salon etiquette goes to make sure he/she receives the Best salon service from their stylist. #1. Be on Time! I can't stress this enough. If you are late then that will throw off the stylist's Entire Schedule for the day. This holds especially true for busy stylists. It also shows respect. When clients are 15, 20, and even 30 minutes late, we feel like we are not valued, and that Our time is not a priority. #2 If you want a particular look, or if you are seeking a new stylist, have pictures in hand for your appointments. Stylists will be able to physically see what "type of highlights" you want, or "what color" your are looking to achieve. You get the picture. This will clear up any confusion that may arise during your consultation with your stylist. 80% of clients disliking their hair is due to miscommunication. Us as Stylist Want you to Love your hair! We want All The Time Scheduled to giveYou Exactly what You Want! After all, its Our work on Your head. You are our walking billboard/advertisement for us. We want you to look and feel your best. One more piece of advice...Keep an open-mind. I work best and do some of my best work on relaxed and open-minded clients. If you are good to us, we will surely return the favor to you. Most of us stylist want to build a lasting relationship with you!

Primer

So have you ever looked in the mirror 4 to maybe 6 hours after you applied your make-up and Thought.... Hummmmm..Where did the Make-Up go? Well my fine friend, it probably did a Houdini act on you for Two reasons. #1 You touch your face..alot. Stop! You are probably doing this and not even realizing it. Also contributing to "face touching" is the phone you talk on during the day is snagging your goods right off your face! You need to be consistant and conscious with yourself on all levels of "face touching. Wether you are hugging someone, talking on the phone, or you yourself are touching your face. Not only does this ruin your make-up but dirty hands, phones, and ahh yes people will contaminate your glowing skin. So be aware. #2 tip, and this tip will help out with the later is Primer. Primers are excellent for keeping make-up In Place. They usually have a silicone base, which helps to fill-in and smooth out the skins surface ( pores, fine lines, even the ocassional breakout ). Some Primers also contain an SPF, which is Double Duty. Primers have the ability to grab onto your foundation and help to keep it in place and even All Day! Some Primers also contain Light Reflecters that help to minimize the appearence of fine lines, or any other skin imperfections. You can wear these primers with powder foundation, liquid foundation, creams, or alone. The possibilities are endless! Remember: Make-Up Sticks to Make-Up! Below is a list of Primers that I recommend and have had first hand experience with. Love them All.

M.A.C Prep and Prime Skin and M.A.C Prep and Prime Skin Smoother
Smashbox Photo Finish
Make-Up Forever HD Microperfecting

http://www.sephora.com/make-up-for-ever?om_mmc=esv103264-GG&om_kwpur=341653276&ppc_crid=8924424377&site=us_search&esvcid=S1337893672_ADOGOP_AGI4014978_CRE8924424377_TID341653276_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jb20%3d

http://www.smashbox.com/products/6038/Face/Primer/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=Google-_-Eng_Eng%7cSmashbox%7cTM%7cExact%7cPC-_-TM%7cGeneral%7cPrimers%7cx%7cMPP%7cOK-_-smashbox%20primer&gclid=CLflmL3qmbACFUdN4AodlVugXw

http://www.maccosmetics.com/category/160/index.tmpl?cm_mmc=Google-_-ENG_ENG%7cMAC%7cTM%7cExact%7cPC-_-TM%7cFace%7cPrep%20%2b%20Prime%7cX%7cPrimers%7cMPP%7cOK-_-mac%20prep%20and%20prime

Lipstick Feathering?

If you wear bright color lipstick at whatever age you are, you know that lipstick "feathering" usually is a problem. A quick tip on how to turn around your Luck is to apply concealer to your lips, then lightly dust with powder to set that concealer. You can then apply your lipstick. The concealer helps the lipstick to "stick and stay" on your lips. Lipstick is a waxed based product, so when it heats up it spreads and settles into the fine lines and "bleeds" outside the lips. Make sense? Make-up sticks to make-up ladies! Always remember that rule of thumb. I will revisit that rule later. Another tip is to line and Fill in your lip with lip liner first, then apply your lipstick. The lip liner will help to keep your colored pout in check. I recommend a long wear lip liner. Regardless of what tickles your fancy on lipstick color, I always do one of the two tips above. I have women ask me how my lipstick stays in place for so long and I tell them one of the two tricks above. I have listed some products below that are tried and true for me and others I have worked on.

Lip Prep and Prime              M.A.C Cosmetics
Pro Long Wear Lip Liners   M.A.C Cosmetics  ( I think "Long Wear" is understated. Amazing!)
Full Cover Concealer           Make-Up Forever
Aqua Lip Waterproof Lip Liner  Make- Up Forever


http://www.sephora.com
http://www.maccosmetics.com

Simple Skin Care

Skin care should be simple for everyone and to the point. I know that some people view taking care of their skin as a chore, especially at the end of the day when they are tired. You Need to Take care of your skin! I will Only say this: No Love for skin = Wrinkles, Breakouts, Damage, and and Professional Face Juice (the docs stuff), may or may Not fix you. Big Bucks for you my friends!. So, with that being said, to my lazy ladies: just wash your face and moisturize 2x a day. For the rest of you who want that oh so beautiful glow all the time, follow this advice. Use a gentle cleanser. You don't need a harsh cleanser to wash off the days dirt or make-up. Too harsh of cleansers can dry skin out or irritate it. This action may cause breakout and wrinkles. If your skin feels really tight or dry after you wash your face but before you put moisturizer on, that cleanser might be too strong for you. It may be stripping your skin of the essential oils it needs. Exfoliate at least 1x a week. If you have problematic ( Breakouts )skin you may be able to do this 2x a week. Exfoliating helps to eliminate that dulling cell build-up that in turn can cause wrinkles and break-outs. Exfoliating may also help those repenting sun worshippers (I am one). It will help to fade away and break up sun spots over time. Always moisturize after you cleanse your face. This is especially important at the end of the day before bed. When you sleep your body repairs itself from the day. Your skin should be given a wonderful slummer snack...Moisturizer!. Your daytime moisturizer ( yes! you should have 2 different moisturizing formulas ) should contain some SPF. I always look for a moisturizer with Titanium Dioxide. This is natural SPF and doesn't irritate ( Breakouts ) the skin like some SPF formulas can. Your night time moisturizer should be a thicker-nutrient rich moisturizer. Your skin just worked all day and needs that extra boost of repair and hydration to repair itself. Below I have listed the products that I have tried over the years that have worked for me. I can have problematic skin if I use the wrong products. This list of products have only been helpful for me. Give them a try. Some may work for you, and some may not but at least they are all cheaper than Face Juice!

CeraVe  Moisturizing Lotion   -    I use this for day Lotion. Its very Light and made for sensitive skin
Eucerin Redness Relief Lotion  -   I have used this both day and night. This is a thicker moisturizer.
                                                   Great for night.
Pure Light SPF 30 Dermalogica - When I used this, my sun spots started to fade within a few days!
                                                   This is a great daytime formula
Bioelements  Pumice Peel  -           This is an exfoliate. I use this once a week. My skin feels and looks
                                                   Amazing after I use this product
Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser  - Yes this is a drug store product but I do Not discriminate. I have 
                                                   sensitive skin and this cleanser does not irritate it. Its gets all my
                                                    make-up off as well.
M.A.C Cleanse-Off Oil  -            This is another Great Cleanser. Don't let the word Oil scare you. This a a
                                                   Super gentle cleanser and gets off every bit of make-up off! 

www.maccosmetic.com

http://www.dermalogica.com/us/html/products.html?type=skin_concern&id=uneven+skin+tone

http://www.neutrogena.com

www.bioelements.com

www.drugstore.com/Eucerin

www.cerave.com

Blushes

A Blush can be a girls Best friend...or an enemy. A quick tip on choosing a Natural looking blush for every skin tone: If you are Golden or Olive complected, then choose a Golden based blush. Try out the Peach/Coral/Bronze family. This tone on your skin will give you the most natural glow. If you are Warmer/Pink complected, then you can do the Pink/Rose/Violet family. When applying your blush, first start in a circular motion on the Apples of your cheeks, then do a quick swish back to your temples. You want a majority of blush on the apples of cheeks. Also, when applying your blush to the apples of your cheeks don't go in too far in towards your nose. This type of application will appear to pull your cheeks down, which is unflattering on Everyone. You will want to stay about 1-2 finger widths away from your nose when starting your application. Here are some Blushes that I recommend as far a formulas. They are work beautifully with all skin tones and types.

http://www.narscosmetics.com/color/cheeks/blush/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=nars%2Bblush&utm_campaign=NARS%2B-%2BCheeks

http://www.maccosmetics.com

Highlights

With Summer on our heels, Highlights are in order. Highlights are a time consuming, money eating, and are high maintenance but they don't have to be! Keep it Simple. It doesn't take much to brighten up a face or look with some at home highlights. Stick to the hair around your face. This is the easiest to reach for everyone. Style your hair how you normally wear it. Now I want you to pull your hair back in a half up do. The hair that you normally would secure, that's going to be the area for which you will put highlights in, so secure the "down half". You should have all the hair that falls at your crown and down in a pony or clip. Don't highlight in this area. Now the hair that is going to be highlighted, start from the bottom up. Add a few small strands of highlights by ears and temples. Take down a 2'' section of hair. Add a few more highlights. Do this all the way up until you don't have anymore hair to take down. Make sure to put highlights at either side of your part as well. Be strategic when placing highlights. Put a majority of your lightener 3'' down from your root of hair and "feather" it up to root, then pull all the way through to ends. Also, stay about 1/2'' to 1'' from scalp as well. Once you do a few strands you will get the hang of it!  You'll be looking bright, light and Gorgeous in no time. Also, when doing this highlighting technique, just use a bowl and brush and "paint" the product on the hair. It will give your hair a beautiful and natural effect. You can find all lightener, bowls, and brushes at a local beauty supply shop. You ll need to get a powder lightener ( I recommend Kaleidocolors in Blue or Violet) You will also need developer ( I recommend 20 volume). CAUTION!!: If you have damaged hair already a.k.a Cotton Candy hair Do Not put any type of bleach/color on Your hair. To the people that have healthy enough hair to add highlights to,the lightener I just recommended is a slow lightener. Its forgiving for the rookies and will tone your highlights a little for you as well. Processing time for these products will be anywhere from 20 minutes to 50 minutes. This time is based on your condition of hair, if you have color on it/lightener already, and how long it takes you for the application. Just have fun with it! I have posted a few celebrity photos for examples of "around the face" highlights for inspiration..or direction.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/powder-lightener/CLAIRL41,default,pd.html
http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/Search-Show?q=developer

Mascara

Tip #2: Mascara

So I have traveled far and wide in search of the perfect mascara. I have tried one of the most expensive mascaras down to the drug store types. My requirements for mascara are Length and most important Volume. If you can get a mascara to give you thick lashes...well she is a keeper! Thick lashes gives any face a youthful look, defines the eye, and also compliments any eye make-up application. Why do you think falsies are put on T.V personalities? Defines the eye and obviously more important... a Youthful Appearance! So the mascara that I highly recommend is Dior Show. This mascara does it all. Its long lasting, it gives you fat lashes and defines! Now if you cant afford to spend $30 on mascara ( I have tried more expensive) then a close runner up, and I mean close is Falsies Volume Express by Maybelline. This mascara will give you the same effect as Dior Show, but Falsies tends to weight lashes down slightly so curl lashes before and you are good to go. Another bit of advice for mascara application: NEVER curl your lashes after mascara application. You don't want to break your money makers do you? Always curl before. If you Must must curl after, do it Ever so gently and don't squeeze all the way down. Have a Most excellent day! oxxo




http://www.dior.com/beauty/usa/en/makeup/eyes/mascaras/lmascaras.html?gclid=CNuZ0uC7jLACFYhM4AodvkMgrg

http://www.maybelline.com/product-explorer?type=mascara&cm_mmc=LabeliumSearch-_-GoogleBrand-_-MNY+Eyes-_-maybelline%20falsies&gclid=CLHi8Yu8jLACFSITNAoduUucow

Hi everyone. Well since I am still working on my craft projects, I figured I could keep everyone busy reading this blog by posting tips and tricks I have learned throughout my many years of experience in the beauty business. i get both men and women on a regular basis asking me questions about the industry, new products, tips, and tricks. So today will be my first "Tip of the Day" post.

Tip #1: Bright Lipsticks-Whats right for your tone?

So bright lips are all the rage this spring/summer. This is a perfect trend for the hot summer months. A clean face, mascara, clean brow and a WOW LIP! Easy and effortless way to look put together for that BBQ. If you are a FAIR skinned beauty( you burn easily or dont tan at all or get a slight coloring from the sun. Think Kristen Stewart, Zoey Deschanel) I recommend that you stick to orange base lipsticks. This tone tends to be more flattering on your tone. Try Lady Danger, Russian Red, Morange, Chatterbox, So Chaud, Brick-O-La, or Costa Chic all from M.A.C Cosmetics. If you are a Medium Plus to Olive/Dark skin tone, try a blue based bright lipstick. Up The Amp, Girl About Town, Lickable, Rebel, New York Apple ( she is my fav!) These lipsticks as well are from M.A.C Cosmetic. These lipsticks are extremely true to their color, long wearing, and conditioning. Another tip: when swatching lipsticks at the counter, DON'T use the back of your hand. Use the fleshy-meaty part of your thumb. This spot on your hand is more true to your lips texture and suppleness. Plus, its closer in color to your lips and you'll get the best reading of a lipstick color on that area of your hand. So go out and try a new shade for summer! and have fun and step out of your box! Keep an open mind and stay fab!

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl

Ok my friends. I have tried a rough go with the bolero. I have not gone very far with it since my actual job calls. Just thought I would keep everyone posted.

Wedding Bolero

Ok. So Im getting married within the year and Im trying my best to keep a budget. With that being said, I am going to attempt to take on a Bolero. I can't seem to find one that I like either. I have a particular taste. I like a couple of styles and I am going to try my best to merge them into one. Just making one bolero should be a challenge, let alone a particular style. I will document this project, and if all works well I will share it with everyone. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

1st post

Well it's finally here. It took me awhile and I apologize. I will do my best to my future followers to post everyday, answer any questions, and of course let you in on my crafting, make-up, hair and beauty secrets I have and that I hear about everyday. To my only blogger friend I currently have ( who stayed on my butt about starting this blog ) Sister #1 from sisters4saymoreismore.blogspot.com and your skirt request is on its way! THANK YOU! and Thank You to the Artistic, Beautiful, Generous people I know. You all have no idea how you all inspire me!