Jingle Bells Boys!



 So all the good chances for great deals have come and gone...black Friday, small business Saturday and of course we can forget cyber Monday.....you guys were glued to the game and elbow deep in hot sauce. I get it and I also know you guys are last minute. So let me save you from wandering the mall (gross) and making some really bad decisions. This Christmas list will light up her world. For your thoughtful gift she'll be lighting up your Christmas tree Santa baby ;)

How do you think she gets her hair to look that sexy for you? It's called half her paycheck. So why not give her the thoughtful gift of beauty? Find out where she gets her hair done and stop by the shop, the receptionist will be able to tell you what services she usually gets and how much that gift certificate is going to cost you.

Every girl needs top notch styling tools.  You can google search any of these to find the best prices and stores that carry them. Click these links for product page:

• Chi Turbo hair dryer
• Hot Tools professional curling iron 1"
• Sedu Revolution flat iron

 Yoga, it's the new trend. If your girl is into it already or has expressed a desire to try it, this can be a great gift! From buying her a block of classes at a great studio, to that mat she's been looking at buying for months, this is a gift that works for both of you. And don't stop there...let her know the view from behind is getting hotter by the week and she'll show you her improving forward bend. Try these links for mats and accessories:

• Manduka
• Gaiam

 Weekend Getaways are always the best surprise. Whether you're thinking cozy cabin or fun in the sun you'll be sure to find the perfect place here:

• VRBO
• Airbnb

 Stocking stuffers that have stood the test of time:
-walk into a Sephora and buy anything. Trust me.
-get her something luscious from LUSH If you like the way it smells, buy it and put it in her stocking. She will be impressed.
-mani/pedi gift certificate to her favorite place. Just do it.

 Trend alert: hair jewels CLICK HERE! and then use the store locator at the top of the page.....

If you can get through TSA...The Perfect Blowout Guide should be a breeze!

Violet is my cousin and future beauty consultant!

Salon styled hair is hard to beat, but with a these easy steps and some practice, you can look like you just paid a personal stylist to blow your hair out.

1. Product. Use a product that is made for what you want (lift, smoothing, etc...) Be careful with hair type. Really assess what you have and pick the product closest to your hair type. If you have fairly normal hair there's no reason to use products that are made for dry, damaged hair. It'll be too heavy. 
2. Unless your using a root lifter, there's no reason to put a styling product on the roots of your hair. It'll only make it look greasy. Start on mids to ends and work upward so that when you reach your scalp the product in your hands is almost gone.
3. With the guard attachment on your blow dryer turn your head upside down and start drying the roots for some lift. (The guard on the dryer protects your hair from the hot coils.)
4. After your roots are dry, flip your head back up and dry the rest using your hands or a paddle brush
5. If you have bangs or pieces around your face you can start to shape them to the side, middle, etc..
6. For a middle part brush the front section of your hair to one side and blow dry pointing nozzle in that direction, then to the opposite side. Do this motion back and forth a few times. It knocks out any kinks or cowlicks you may have. After a few passes grab that front section of hair and wrap in a round brush. Dry hair by pulling it up and forward away from your face with the nozzle of your blow dryer on top of the round brush facing down. This will create nice lift and then you can push both sides into a middle part. 
7. For a side part, dry in the opposite direction that you want the pieces to go. Then pick up the hair and wrap in a round brush in the direction you want the pieces to lay. Blow dry with nozzle pointing in the same direction sweeping your hair to the desired side.
8. After the front is done you are going to section your hair across the top (think mohawk) and clip in a small bun out of the way. Dry the rest of your hair in small sections around your head with a round brush. The direction is down and under keeping blow dryer nozzle facing down.
9. Last separate the mohawk into 3 sections. Dry each section by wrapping it around a round brush and twisting down to your scalp. Dry until hot, then hit it with the cool button until cool and slide brush out of hair in the direction you are working The back section and middle section you are going to blow dry back. The front section (think temples and back a few inches) blow dry forward.
10. If you need frizz control or shine use a very small amount of product and apply to ends and mids avoiding scalp. Part hair where you want it and use hair spray to shape and hold.

Top Tips:

• The cool shot button on your blow dryer is absolutely your friend! Use it to cool down the hair while still wrapped in your round brush. The heat of the dryer molds hair. The cool shot locks in the shape and adds shine.For smoother looking hair always point nozzle of the blow dryer downward. For example...If you wrap your hair in a round brush the blow dryer position should be on top of the brush pointing down. If it's under the brush and pointing up, you're drying the hair in the opposite direction that you want it to lay and your making a tangled mess in the process.

• Use the guard the dryer came with. If you don't the hot coils are laying on your hair and your burning it. It'll eventually break off.

• Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're not good at this. Doing your own hair is a ton harder than working on someone else. And don't feel like you have to be coordinated like a professional. If you have to put the blow dryer down for a section while you get your hair situated that's totally fine. Keep practicing it'll click!!

• I love the Chi Pro blow dryer (about $90). You don't need a turbo and anything too fancy. Those are made for salon use and drying hair all day everyday. It's too much for basic home use and they usually cost a ton more.

photo credit:

chi pro blow dryer: http://www.farouk.com

cousin V: Melissa Clark

2013 Hair Trends

In the hopes of getting inspiration for my own locks, I have done a ton of research on current hairstyle trends for the coming year. I was hoping for a few shorter style ideas, but that wasn't happening. It's seems like styles are either really long (which I have and I'm sooo bored of ) or super short (which is great for Miley Cyrus and maybe Anne Hathaway, but certainly not me) So my search for a great haircut failed but I did pick up on some trends along the way, here they are...

• low buns and slick low ponytails, easy breezy anyone can do it
• braids, harder to do yourself, but that's what friends are for
• deep side parts, they are back in full force
• headbands and jewels, an easy way to add color and fun to your style
• pastel, good placement and this is very pretty
• auburn and rich browns, red is calling me, it's been a while
• wait for it...ombre, it's been years but she's here to stay
• and ps girls...we'll be seeing orange lips and nails of all shades. Jessica Alba let the cat out of the bag!

ombre check

deep side part check

orange lips BOOM

photo credit:

forever21

Fischer: Glamcheck.com

Alba: Bossip.com
Fox: Makeupforlife.net
Cyrus: Mileycyrus.blogspot.com
fashion week: rizzierischools.com

  

Root Curls Not Bo Peep Curls

Ever curl your hair with all intentions of looking like a Kardashian and come out looking like Bo Peep? It happens to the best of us. Here's a step by step guide on how to get this famous (never going away) red carpet look.

*First let me start by saying your hair needs to be completely dry before you use any hot tool (curling iron, flat iron, etc..) because if it's even slightly damp the curl will go limp and most importantly you can really sizzle and burn your hair. It's always better if it's not freshly washed. It'll look better and also last longer. If you have to wash it make sure you are using the correct products. I can't say this enough! Pick out the appropriate shampoo,  conditioner and styling products for your particular hair type. If you have normal hair, use shampoo for normal hair, NOT for damaged or stressed hair. Treat your hair like you would your skin. If you have a dry face you're not buying moisturizer for oily skin...following? It's the same concept.

So your hair is totally dry and you are ready to curl. The number one thing to remember is curl your roots NOT your ends. Meaning break that high school habit of pulling the iron down to the ends of your hair and curling up toward your scalp. Here's the reason: when you do this the ends of your hair are getting the most heat and for the longest time so therefore the most curl. The result is flat on top and overly curly on the bottom. We need to reverse this.

• Use a good iron that heats evenly. I love the Hot Tools Professional brand. The barrel size I use is 3/4" or a 1" will work too. You can use larger for looser curls, but remember every hairstyle will fall a bit so go with a tighter curl to start.
• Sectioning with clips is good if you feel like it'll be easier. If not, just simply look in the mirror and grab a 1" section of dry, tangle free hair, place the barrel of the iron about 3 inches from scalp and twist up leaving the ends of your hair out.
• Hold for a few seconds and slowly release and twist until all of your hair is curled except the very ends. Making sure the iron is always close to your scalp.

This technique gives you body at the roots of your hair, and beautiful loose waves at the bottom. If you have stubborn hair that doesn't like to curl or stay curled, try spraying each section with a thermal styling product. It protects hair from the heat of the iron and holds the curl longer.

Yea I know, that ass works for anybody...but that hair only works for a child, and even that's a stretch

photo credits

Kardashians: tvguide.com

J Lo : stylebistro.com

Kate Hudson: styletips101.com  

Get Naked This Winter

photo: Allure

I'm seeing it everywhere! Everyone wants to be naked! Naked eyeshadow palettes, naked lip color and naked nails. I'm a fan of going nude this cold weather season (or anytime) so let's take a look!!

Starting with Nails: Christian Dior Vernis Nude Collection.

Four shades of amazing: Trench, Dune, Grege and Chamelle. *If neutral alone is too boring for you try pairing it with a maroon french tip* 
so chic and unexpected.

photo: zimbo.com

Eyes: Urban Decay Naked is a classic. New this season is Urban Decay Naked2 Both are amazing eyeshadow palettes for everyone.


Two Faced Shadow Bon Bon comes with a full sized mascara and an eye primer.











Lips: Bobby Brown the Queen of neutral pulls it all together with her Bellini Lip and Eye Palette. and Stila All Is Bright Lip Glaze Set has a color for any occasion.


(Click on any blue font and it will link you to that particular product.)

Stay beautiful in the flesh this winter and remember it's only makeup, it's not permanent so have a little fun!

the gorgeous Bettie Page wishing us all a happy, healthy and hot holiday season

travel tip(s) #3

3 fun travel tips:

• Room darkening window clips. Yes they are great...clips you can buy to throw in your bag to clip hotel curtains fully closed. However, the pant and skirt hangers in your hotel room closet work just a well. Plus they are double clipped so you can use 2 hangers for the length of the curtain!

• Re-usable canvas bags. Great for so many things, here are 3:

1. You know everything you are going to need while inflight so why wait until you board to dig through your bags and hold up the boarding process? Put your headphones, ipod, books, magazines, lip balm, hand cream, etc... in your canvas bag while you wait in the terminal for easy access once on the plane.
2. Beach bag! Tote your H2O, sunscreen, mags, wallet, etc.. to the pool and beach.
3. Dirty clothes. Perfect for keeping clean and dirty items separate. 

• Cell phone cameras aren't just for uploading pictures to Facebook. When parking in a long term lot at the airport take a picture of the marker heading for the row in which you parked....Don't want to look like a tourist with a gigantic map? Take a picture of the map with your phone. This also works for subway maps, bus route maps, etc.... Also, take a picture of the address and phone number of your hotel. This comes in handy when you are telling your cab driver your destination. (after a few drinks you might need this information) You can find this info posted on your hotel room landline phone, it's usually located right above the number keys for dialing.

BB Cream

BB huh? I know I didn't get it either. “BB” stands for blemish balm or beauty balm. The cream was originally designed and used by a German surgeon to speed healing after post-peel and laser treatments on his clients. He also designed it to hide redness and help with inflammation.  
The product was picked up by the Koreans, and their celebrities started to attribute their flawless skin to the product. It's also said that the average women's skin care routine in Asia is an astonishing 7 steps. Apparently Asia has been holding out on us girls because this cream is a moisturizer/sunscreen/foundation/concealer all in ONE fantastic tube, with soothing, healing and anti-aging benefits. It's no wonder the craze took off with feverish panic in the Asian community! 7 steps? Yeah, ok, not in our insanely fast paced world.


Now, how and where do you buy it? Looking into this further I found that different companies concentrate on different problems:

• hydration
• anti-aging
• redness
• acne control
• skin lightening (most Asian brands)

Decide what you are after and make sure you read the packaging. 


After reading many blogs, and articles a trend started to appear. Here are the top 5 brands for BB cream in the US as far as I can tell:

1. Garnier Skin Renew ~ You can get it for under 15 bucks at Target
2. Bobby Brown ~ comes in 3 different shades with SPF 35
3. MAC prep + prime bb ~ SPF 35 and sold out online! So go directly to a MAC store
4. Estee Lauder Day Wear BB ~ comes in 2 shades with SPF 35
5. Smashbox Camera Ready BB ~ comes in 5 different shades with SPF 35