How To: Find Your Curl Cure

September 24, 2012 at 11:53 am , by Nykia Spradley

No two curls are the same. And nobody knows this better than Shelley Davis, founder of all natural curly haircare company Kinky-Curly. Read on for her Fall styling/product tips broken down by twirl pattern.

If your hair is Wavy & Thick…

Combat frizz with a serum or oil that coats the hair and blocks humidity. Rub a little into palms and then distribute through soaking wet strands, suggests Davis.

If your hair is Curly & Thick…

Rake a bit of deep conditioner through wet or dry strands before bedtime. In the morning massage a few drops of warm water into your hair, working it into a gentle lather. Rinse and style as usual. Your curls will be beautifully defined!

If your hair is Wavy & Fine…

“Spritz a lightweight curl spray on slightly damp hair, then lightly scrunch or twist it,” says Davis. Pat down flyaways with a touch more of the curl spray. Try not to overdo it though, as it will weigh down the hair.

If your hair is Curly & Fine…

Embrace moisture! Hydrate your strands with a light leave-in conditioner. You can use  the leave-in on wet hair or to reactivate dry curls on day two, notes Davis.

If your hair is Tight…

Remember this: M.W.C.; moisture, weight and control. To achieve M.W.C., first apply a generous amount of leave-in conditioner to wet hair. Then top it off with a hydrating gel.

Do you have curly locks? What’s your styling secret?

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How To: Get Jordin Sparks’ Beauty Look From ‘Sparkle’

August 20, 2012 at 1:12 pm , by Nykia Spradley

To say that we were “excited” about the premier of Sparkle would be a gross understatement. We love girl groups—shouts out to En Vogue, Destiny’s Child, and the Spice Girls—so to be able to watch 116 minutes of one (even if it is fictitious) makes us an extremely happy bunch. We’re really looking forward to checking out all of the costume changes and makeup looks the actresses go through in the movie. Lucky us; we didn’t have to wait very long. Black Opal (the flick’s official makeup sponsor) sent us a how-to for a look inspired by one of the movie’s stars—Jordin Sparks.

The Look: “Spicy Ingenue”

Step 1

Start by applying concealer one to two shades lighter than your actual complexion. Apply in the center of the forehead, bridge of the nose, center of the chin, underneath the eye from the inner corner back to the hair line. Once foundation is applied to the skin and blended where it meets the areas you concealed you will have a achieved a dimensional canvas to build on.

Step 2

Use powder over the areas you used concealer. This will set the makeup and prevent it from creasing while leaving the rest of the skin to glow.

Step 3

Apply bronzer on the apples of the cheeks and across each brow bone.

Step 4

Line the lips with taupe lip liner and smudge the inner-corner of the lips with the same liner. Apply and blend a warm pink lipstick into the lips and lip liner.

Step 5

Using the Black Opal Gold Galaxy Eye Shadow Palette, apply the darkest color at the base of the eye lid, onto the lid and smudge the color into the crease of the eye. Use the lightest color in the palette on the brow bone.

 Step 6

Softly brush brow powder along the brow hair, shaping and filling in any holes. Start out light handed and build to desired shape and intensity.

 Step 7

Mascara the lashes by starting at the base of the lash line, wiggle the wand and pull through. Repeat several times.

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How To Avoid Warm Weather Hairstyle Meltdown

August 13, 2012 at 5:26 pm , by Nykia Spradley

Whoever said that Mother Nature isn’t a powerful force was just crazy. Summer rain leads to major humidity…which leads to seriously sweaty roots…which leads to frequent shampoo sessions…which leads to dry, frizzy ends. It’s a vicious, never-ending cycle. Enter dry shampoo. The hair washing stand-in has the power to lift oil from the scalp, absorb dirt and product build-up, and leave hair looking and feeling fresh. Take that, Mother Nature.

Here’s the best way to dry-shampoo, courtesy of Ammon Carver, Artistic Director for Matrix:

1.  Comb or brush through your hair to distribute oils evenly.

2.  Start at the top of your head, create a center part and spray lightly along the part, holding the dry shampoo an inch or two from your head.

3.   Make another part about a few inches away and repeat.

4.  Continue creating parts and spraying on each side of the original part until you reach your ears on each side.

5.  In the back, start at the crown of your head, create a horizontal part and spray.  Continue parting and spraying to the bottom of your head.

6.  Gently massage the powder into your scalp, as if you were lathering up your shampoo.

7. Wait a few minutes to allow the powder to absorb the excess oil and dirt.

8. Brush through to remove all of the powder.  Flip your hair upside down and brush through once more.

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How-To: The Avocado Face Mask That Will Change Your Life

August 6, 2012 at 1:09 pm , by Nykia Spradley

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5 Myths (and Truths) About Lash Extensions

July 16, 2012 at 10:48 am , by Nykia Spradley

One experience with lash extensions and we were hooked. Of course there were skeptics who initially warned against them, but after almost a month of bombshell peepers, we seriously contemplated reducing our monthly grocery budget to make room for the new addiction. Then we came back down to earth and decided against it.

As with any beauty revolution there’s bound to be an abundance of myths, which is why we went to lash expert Courtney Akai to set the facts straight. Here’s the truth.

Myth: Lashes don’t hold up in the summer heat.
Courtney uses Novalash platinum blonde glue that holds up amazingly in the summer. Humidity, as well as water and oils from your sunscreen and the beach, actually enable lashes to hold up better. If someone comes in who is sensitive and needs to use another glue, Courtney suggests using oil-free products and more care. Either way, lashes are a great, easy way to look natural and glamorous in the summer heat, without mascara and makeup dripping down your face!

Myth: Lash Extensions damage your own eyelashes and cause them to fall out.
When someone inexperienced applies lashes, they often apply one synthetic lash to three to four natural lashes, causing clumps and the lash to break and fall out. Lashes naturally grow at their 30 to 60 day cycle and can fall out at this time. Lashes do not fall out from extensions, because if you’re separating each one-by-one, there is no way for this to happen.

Myth: It’s safe to apply lashes yourself.
Never. The process includes really strong glue that’s semi-permanent. Since application is done one lash at a time, you’d have to use tweezers, which is very difficult to do by yourself.

Myth: Lash Extensions aren’t safe because of the glue used.
Courtney Akai’s glue, approved by ophthalmologists, is made in the United States, verses many lash houses that use glues produced in China. Shipping glues across the world often lead to buildup of formaldehyde by the time they reach the salon. Since Courtney’s glue is made in the US, it’s fresh and safe. If you’re allergic to the glue, you’re still going to be allergic – this doesn’t mean the glue is harmful. Additionally, it’s safe for pregnant women, as there are no cancer-causing agents.

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Summer Nail Trend: The Ombré Manicure

July 9, 2012 at 12:18 pm , by T.K. Brady

The summer season is all about having fun in the sun, and what better way to channel that sunshine than with orange nails? We love the ombré trend too. If you’re not an orange girl, try it in your favorite color palette like pink, green or blue. Check out some more fun nail trends here!

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Summer Sandal S.O.S.

July 2, 2012 at 11:48 am , by Nykia Spradley

It’s officially sandal season, which means no more hiding. Yes, flats are still perfectly acceptable, but why not let your toes feel the warm air too? Even though cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, summer slaps your feet with some harsh hits too. We’ve all had a cracked heel emergency at some point. Chicago-based dermatologist, Brooke Jackson, M.D. shared a few tips for getting your tootsies in tip-top shape.

Platform wedges don’t look so cute when you have dry, cracked heels. Use a pumice stone or gritty exfoliant once a week and apply a cream with AHA’s at night to keep them smooth. Jackson recommends CeraVe SA Renewing Lotion or Amlactin Plus.

Giving yourself a pedicure? Prevent ingrown toenails by cutting your nails straight across. Don’t try to cut or file the nail into the sides of your toe.

Apply sunscreen on the tops of your feet. “I see patients every summer who forget to put sunscreen on their feet and they get burned on the tops of their feet,” says Dr. Jackson. “Skin is skin and any skin which is exposed to the sun needs to be protected.”

Breaking in new sandals? Blisters and chafing are caused by rubbing and friction, so apply a product like Gold Bond Friction Defense to areas of the foot that feel friction before irritation as prevention. You can also use this on irritated and burning feet to treat and soothe skin.

 

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