Beauty

Win a Haircut with Jennifer Aniston’s Stylist (& Meet Jen!)

May 9, 2013 at 1:16 pm , by Bethany Porter

We sat down with hair icon Jennifer Aniston this week to talk all things hair—especially about why women battle with their locks (we’ve all done it!) and what she’s doing to change that. Aniston recently became part owner of the Living Proof hair care line and produced a mini documentary with the Living Proof team and her long-time stylist, Chris McMillan (he’s the man responsible for the famous Rachel cut) to explore our collective obsession with hair, and the lengths we all go to get our dream styles.

“I had great hair as a kid. My mom actually said you’re not allowed to touch your hair until you’re thirteen and she was right, I should not have,” Aniston says. “The first thing I did was cut it all off…I actually learned what my hair really was (which was not long and sort of cute) it was wide and unmanageable and a pain in the butt. I learned all my lessons in my younger years about what not to do.”

Aniston understands the desire for the latest gorgeous hairstyle but you won’t find her making any drastic cuts these days. “I usually just get a trim. I’ve always thought of going back to brunette but I think it’s more fun to play with it in movies.” (She admits her favorite movie look was the beachy, natural, long blonde look from Along Came Polly). “I think because of all the disasters I had as a kid. I don’t go to the ‘let’s cut it off or color it or shag it’ place. I’ve learned those lessons,” she says.

Now that she and McMillan have cracked the secret to those perfect, smooth locks we love so much on the red carpet, they’re sharing it with the rest of us (yes!). Aniston says Living Proof’s Nourishing Style Cream and Restore Mask have totally turned her hair around. She also says drinking water, getting enough sleep, and getting omega fatty acids in her diet help her iconic locks stay healthy from the inside out.

We also love that Aniston used the Living Proof products for several months before signing on to be a part of the company. She wanted see if the promised results would come through. “I gave it to my girlfriends, they love it. I gave it to Chris and he used it on his salon clients and they love it. So that was like, OK I will stand behind [this],” she says.

Next on Aniston’s beauty agenda is working with the company’s scientists to produce her fantasy products. “I can’t talk about it just yet!” she says. “It’s so exciting, being able to get in there and solve all the problems that girls have with their hair.”

To get a little of Aniston’s hair magic for yourself, enter by May 24^th to win the chance to have your hair cut by her stylist, Chris McMillan. You’ll even get to meet Aniston herself! You can check out the first video in Aniston and McMillian’s Good Hair Day series today—and check back May 13^th and 15^th for more of the documentary.

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How To: Choose Between a Salt Scrub and a Sugar Scrub

October 1, 2012 at 3:53 pm , by Nykia Spradley

Surprise! You don’t have to choose between the two stellar skin polishers, because we found a product that uses both salt and sugar (and it’s DIVINE!). Mor’s Salt & Sugar Body Scrub harnesses the powers of smaller sugar particles and larger salt particles to buff away every manner of dry, flakey skin. Plus, it contains hydrating avocado and jojoba oils and elasticity-boosting vitamins just because. Oh, and the scent!? We’ll just say that we really wish smell-o-internet existed because you guys would die!

Do you prefer salt or sugar scrubs? Or, could you care less—as long as it leaves your skin feeling like silk?

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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: The Avocado Face Mask That Will Change Your Life

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

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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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The White Smile Diet

April 30, 2012 at 1:21 pm , by Nykia Spradley

Admit it, we diet for every other reason under the sun, so why not for whiter teeth?
But this isn’t your typical diet. Think of it more as a compromise that will leave you with a brighter smile. Dr. Timothy Chase a New York City dentist dished on what to eat and what to give up to get your choppers their pearliest.

Do’s

Certain foods help to remove bacteria that cause plaque which hardens into a yellowish tartar if not brushed away soon enough.

• Crunchy fruits and vegetables work best because they function as an abrasive scrub for your teeth.  They also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to keep plaque from forming:
• Apples
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Celery
• Strawberries and oranges are both useful for polishing teeth.  Rubbing an orange peel or a strawberry over your teeth, following by washing out your mouth with water will get your noticeable whiter teeth after a few months
• Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese contain a lactic acid which may help protect teeth against decay.  Hard cheeses are best for whitening since they help remove food particles as well.

Don’ts

• It’s important to avoid stain-causing foods and substances as much as possible.  A simple rule is any food which causes a stubborn laundry stain can stain teeth too.  Brushing teeth or at least rinsing one’s mouth with water after consuming these foods is a great way to help prevent staining.  Foods to avoid include:
• Coffee
• Tea
• Blueberries
• Red Wine
• Soy Sauce
• Tobacco
• Soda

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‘Mad Men’ Inspired Skin Cocktails

March 26, 2012 at 12:01 pm , by Nykia Spradley

To say that we were anxiously awaiting the return of Mad Men is quite the understatement. We’re happy to have had our fix with last night’s season five premiere, and of course it’s our main topic of conversation today.

Considering the very memorable fête that the new Mrs. Draper threw for Don’s 40th birthday, nothing screams Mad Men more that a good ‘ol drink. These cocktail-inspired beauty concoctions created by Jasmina Aganovic, Founder of Stages of Beauty show us that alcohol can do a lot more than pack pounds onto your waistline. When mixed right it’s actually a beneficial ingredient in skincare recipes that can assist in the fight against fine lines and wrinkles.

Okay so you may not actually be drinking these, but you’ll thank us later!

Spring Fling Mask
Winter takes a toll on our skin so springtime is the time to do some damage control. Exfoliation, detox, and hydration are key. The ingredients in the mask below help us do just that.
·       1 egg white – These have tons of protein and lecithin which help hydrate the skin and cure it from winter’s dry skin woes. Eggs are the symbol of spring and new beginnings in many cultures.
·       1 tbsp Honey – Antibacterial and renewal properties.
·       1 tbsp Brandy – Helps slough off dead skin cells while stimulating circulation for a rosy springtime glow! Plus, the brandy helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.
·       1 tbsp green tea – Detoxifying and antioxidant

The Sidecar Mask
This recipe is based on the Sidecar cocktail (Cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice)
·       1 tbsp Cognac – Cognac is great for stress release (by drinking and applying topically!), plus it helps fight fine lines and wrinkles while healing damage to the skin (wound healing).
·       1 tbsp orange juice – Citrus enzymes for brightening effects
·       1 tbsp lemon juice – Citrus enzymes for brightening effects + antioxidant and astringent properties
·       2 tbsp ground oatmeal – Serves as a cleansing and calming ingredient (reduces redness and irritation)

The “Between the Sheets” Scrub (or Mask)
This recipe is based on the cocktail called “Between the Sheets” (brandy, light rum, triple sec, lemon juice)
·       1 tbsp brandy – Helps slough off dead skin cells while stimulating circulation for a rosy springtime glow! Plus, the brandy helps fight fine lines and wrinkles.
·       2 tbsp packed brown sugar – (this represents rum, which is derived from sugarcane). Despite the debate over the effects of sugary foods on the skin, when applied topically, sugar has some great benefits. Sugar is actually rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, which means that it helps give you glowing skin. When used as a scrub it can help slough off dead skin and stimulate circulation in the body.
·       1 tbsp orange juice – Citrus enzymes for brightening effects (this represents the triple sec)
·       1 tbsp lemon juice – Citrus enzymes for brightening effects + antioxidant and astringent properties

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