Friday, November 27, 2009

Helloooo Shine!

Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy. And so does all the shine and sparkle going on in fashion right now. Sequins, metallics, sparkle- oh my! I am particularly enjoying the sequins and sparkle. I feel metalics, really, are always kinda "in", but the sparky-sequinness takes me back to my 10 year old self with my dance costume for performances. Holy sparkle!
I am recently the proud owner of ,what I've named, "TV tights". Basically they make your legs look like the moving, colorful, fuzzy, static from a TV not getting reception. Super huh!? Channel your inner 10 year old, it's doing wonders for me.

ANYwho. How does this pertain to hair and make-up? I will show you how.

Skin:
Go for a gold creme make-up to give your skin some lustre. There are also some cremes that are loaded with a warm iridescence. Can't find one easily? Try a gold lipgloss. Dewy shine!

Try a gold shadow just on the eye lid.

Hair:
Jazz up your color! Have your hairstylist try some golden ribbons in the hair either framing the face, or strategically placed around head. Pieces look thinner by the root, and wider towards the mod-bottom of strands.

Get your shine on with some shine spray, try Pureology Glossing Mist, it's lovely. For some shiney seperation, try Purology NanoWorks ShineLuxe.

Have fun!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Hair Accessories!

Helloooo!

Tonight, I will fill you all in on the great fun I am having lately with hair accessories! I want to encourage you ALL to take one or both of these of these ideas with you to try on.



Bobby Pins



Not just for discreet function in my book. Try criss crossing two bobby pins to pull back one side of a deep, side parted style. Another cute look is to use 3 pins in a row, parallel to each other. Use pins that contrasts with your hair type a bit. Have dark hair, try a gold pin! Or, my absolute fav find was some colored bobby pins. Magenta, blue, white- oh my! Try painting some pins you have with nail polish if you can't find them.




Headbands



Nothing new really, but embrace the trend! I am a fan of the larger headbands that Anthropologie has, among many others. From thin gold band varieties to large floppy ribbons, use headbands to polish a hair style, accent any outfit- formal or casual, or fix a bad hair day!











Monday, September 21, 2009

Color Gloss- for the hair!

Gooooood afternoon! I have a question for you all: who knows the beauty in a great color gloss for the hair? Some of you, one of you, none of you??!!

I shall explain! Think of a color gloss as a tinted piece of cellophane. It ADDS hue and shine. It's a top layer that deposits something only- does not have the power to remove what it goes on top of. This is what separates it from other hair color, and what makes it so gentle on the hair. A lot of glosses also contain protein and moisturizers to actually improve the condition of your hair- not bad!!

So when would one get a gloss? Well whenever! I will list some appropriate circumstances. "I want shine!", "I need a hair pick-me-up but don't want a big commitment!", "I want an easy change, not willing to sit in the salon for hours", "I want a subtle change", " I want color without a line of demarcation when it grows in", "My highlights are getting a little light for me.." "I would love to stop highlighting my hair, but this grow out phase is brutal!". See, there is a great need for this! I recently decided to give my color a boost by covering my red with blonde highlights with a great light copper. Now my hair has great shine, and is red/copper! AND it only processed for 15 minutes. I like it. No permanent color.

Something really fun to do with glosses aside from an all over would be to have your stylist foil in some sparkle. This can be done for grey blending, or just to jazz up a color. Picture, you: mousey brown natural color. Don't want to start something that you will have to spend lots of $ and time to keep up, but gee-you really wish your hair color was just a little more interesting. Me: "Hey Jane, you know we could always just add a few foils of really thin gold ribbons. Would catch the light beautifully, and just add enough sparkle. It's a sheer color, so it won't be super drastic, and it won't be lightening your hair- there will be no permanent color change, and it won't fade to something funky you'll need to cover up in the future, how does that sound?" You: "You're a genius!!"


In my salon we use Redken Shades EQ Conditioning Gloss. Beautiful color selection, and always leaves you with great shine!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Lashes!

I know you have all been hearing about them... Lash Extensions!

I think they are simply amazing, and am sporting a set myself! Procedure length: About 1 1/2 hours. Commitment time: About 3 weeks. Price: Anywhere from 150-650 a set. (I know, that's a big range) The higher end is what you call a rip-off ; )

I got my set done from a gal who was running a $50 off special, and I got mine for 150! And I will tell you what, she was wonderful. She moved here from LA, where she did nothing but lashes-full time. Gals really eat it up out there..

I have been seeing the extensions on more and more of my brides, and actresses/musicians I work on, so I just had to learn more about the process, and what it's really like to have them one. Naturally, as a make-up artist, it was research. Heehee.

The lashes are attached individually with an adhesive. You are to take special care for 48 hours, and then just stay away from waterproof eye products after that. I've swam and showered plenty, and they are still hanging on. Now, they do "shed" and become not quite as full over the 3 or so weeks, so to maintain them you need to go in for refills which are generally about half the cost of the original set.
While you have them, there is no need for mascara, lash curling, or really even liner! Eyes look open and awake as soon as you rise. This, is where it's at.

For Austinites, I will refer you to Keri @ www.BigSexyLashes.com

Lash on!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A different kind of post

I am greatly inspired to write about the power of women tonight.

It is no secret that having a social life is part of a healthy, balanced life. Our own social life. But most importantly, from a woman's standpoint, one with inspiring and strong women. We may have partners that "complete us", or we may not, but there is no doubt in my mind that having some wonderful women to surround yourself by as often as you can is just as valuable-. I have a quote on my computer that reads, "Think like a woman. It's a tremendous advantage because men can't do it." Nice, huh? I'm not getting feminist on the conversation.. but ladies, am I right? Or am I right.


I'm holding a ladies night at my house tomorrow night and am just delighted! There will be about 10 of us, and most of the women have never met each other. I think it will be good for all of us, really good for all of us. Great women, drinks, make-up, fantastic skincare, girl time therapy!


If you have great women in your life, embrace them often and make the time. There is enough time in the day. If you don't, try joining some groups. Make a group. Be open and remember- you can't wait for someone (a friend, family member..) to act, you must do it yourself. Make the effort if you want something to happen, like a friendship. We have the power to really inspire each other. To support and motivate, and encourage each other to be who we want to be. To DO.


Are you feeling robbed from my post tonight? OK, here is your beauty tip. Try something different. Cut bangs, get layers, try a color gloss, use bronzer, get eyelash extensions, temporary hair extensions, go red, wear an eyeshadow that isn't neutral. Play with your look and have fun. You would be surprised how a little change can feel reviving, rejuvenating, and possibly like a re-invention.









XO












Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fall Make-up Trends!

Greetings! How I love to be writing about anything "Fall" at this moment! I am so ready.

I am especially excited about fall's make-up trends. We are seeing more color, and a little more drama! I want to post a fashion report that I re-read today, that is so spot on with what I am feeling and seeing on the horizon..I just couldn't have said it better! The author is Gary Jones, who works in product development and PR for Beauti Control.

It’s All About the Eyes:
Fall 2009 colors for eye shadows are said to be nude, taupe and light gray and rich earthy tones that appear to have come right from the forest.


Dramatic eyes will be rich graduations of purple. Look for mysterious shades of this regal shade to play up the eyes and add intense drama.

Metallic can be worn alone for a fashionable fall/winter look.

Eyeliner will be dark and more dramatic to balance the heavy emphasis on the eyelids.

Black eyeliner will return along with dark shades of brown, purple and smoky grey.

Eyebrows will be heavier so put away the tweezers and opt for a more natural eyebrow look and use a clear wax for the perfect grooming tool. Remember, a heavier brow can also make you look younger, so letting those hairs come back in serves two purposes.

Cat-eye makeup is going to be modified in 2009. The cat-eye for 2009 is about making a horizontal line without the upswing at the tail.


Doesn't this sound like so much fun!! Well it looks amazing on the runway that's for sure. And it's my pleasure to help you take runway to everyday.

Foundation:
When it comes to foundation, sheer and natural is in. Mineral makeup will continue to be hot and skin that’s been gently exfoliated and moisturized to give a healthy glow will add to the look for winter. Take care of your skin and exfoliate on a regular basis to get the flawlessly natural look that will be so popular this season.
Remember; emphasize either the eyes or the lips, not both. Leave the rest of your face neutral, with just a light application of foundation.


I just love this advice and agree 100%. You can't use any amount of foundation to change dull skin into true healthy looking skin. Take good care with quality maintenance products used regularly, and specialty products to treat any issues. And exfoliate!

Wonderful words Gary!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Shampoo and Conditioner

Healthy and great looking hair absolutely starts with a high quality shampoo and conditioner that is made for your hair type. Prepping the canvas, if you will. If you want your hair to behave, you simply must give it what it needs. That may be clean moisture, protein, more intense moisture with some natural oils- you get it.

First identify what your hair IS, and then figure out what it NEEDS.

Your hair could be:
Color treated, highlighted, chemically treated(in other ways that color), dry, coarse, fine, curly, AND any combination of those traits and more.

If your hair is being colored, you simply MUST wash it with a color safe shampoo, I recommend Redken Color Extend. What separated these shampoos from the rest is that they have milder cleansers that are created to keep your color, not fade it. Redken's product in particular will also impart nourishing ingredients that help strengthen chemically treated hair, and also help protect it from environmental aggressors, including the sun.
Now, with a line like Redken, one can mix and match very easily to customize a S and C package.
Just because you are protecting your color with Color Extend, does not mean you must use the conditioner as well if your hair has greater needs. Say your hair has highlights in the color, or is weak from over processing. You will want to follow with Redken Extreme Conditioner to add in the protein needed to repair stressed hair. If your hair is a bit coarser, or just very dry, I suggest Redken All Soft for lovely results. You get it? Yes, you do.

When dealing with color treated hair, the shampoo is the MOST important to prevent fading.

Also, if your hair has special needs, treatments work wonders. At home treatments can cost you from $1-5 per treatment, if you buy the whole bottle or package of individual treatments. That is not bad!!

And lastly, do not ever use hotel shampoo, unless it's a darn nice hotel: )