Oils: Your New Best Friends

No matter what season it is, you want to be sure that your hair and skin glow! Nourishment is extremely important, and if you feel a little “rough around the edges” lately…this is what you’re looking for!

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Let’s start with the basics shall we?

Carrier oils? What are those?

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Carrier oils are pressed from the fat bearing portions (seeds, nuts,etc.) and do not evaporate. The scents of these oils are not as strong as that of essential oils.

Some examples of carrier oils are: Argan, Olive & Monoi

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Argan Oil: This popular oil comes from the kernels of the Argan tree. This tree is found in Morocco. It can be used on the hair or skin. It is more frequently used on the hair as it is said to penetrate the hair shaft with amazing results: moisture, anti-frizz properties & shine.

Product: One ‘N Only Argan Oil 12-N-1 Daily Treatment can be purchased from Sally Beauty for $9.99 USD (In-Store & Online)

This product is AMAZING! I have used this personally on my hair when it was relaxed & now on my natural hair. Be sure not to use too much. A little goes a long way, especially with straight hair (Don’t want to weigh it down). When straightening hair, put this in your hair while it is wet.

Common confusion: Argan oil and Moroccan oil are NOT the same thing. They do indeed come from the same place, BUT….

• Argan oil is from a kernel as previously stated (THAT IS ALL)
• Moroccan oil is not just one thing. It is made from various ingredients, and Argan oil is one of those ingredients

You can pick up this 0.8 oz. Moroccan Oil Treatment at Nordstrom for $14.80 USD!

Keep in mind that Moroccan oil is generally more expensive than Argan oil, but both products are well worth the cost.

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Olive oil: is the fat obtained from an olive! The olives are pressed and the oils are then drained.

This oil is jam-packed with anti-aging antioxidants and is amazing when it comes to moisture. I consider this to be a staple product!

You can use Olive oil in various ways:

• Hair: As a hot oil treatment or as a leave in (Only use a bit!)
• Skin: Olive oil is amazing for healing dry skin. If you have issues with dry skin (especially eczema) this diverse little oil will be your best friend. It is best used when skin is damp.
• Nails: CRACKED CUTICLES BE GONE! At night, add a bit of olive oil to your finger tips and massage gently.

Product: You can find olive just about anywhere! Just make sure it is Extra Virgin Olive Oil! The average price is around $3.00- $6.00 USD for a decent size bottle.

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Monoi Oil: This oil is ONLY produced in Tahiti (not the product that contains it, but the oil itself). This oil has a bit of fragrance to it because it is made by soaking the petals of the Tahitian gardenia in coconut oil (soaked for about a month).

Product: ‘Monoi de Tahiti’ Body Glow II by NARS & this product can be purchased at Sephora for $59.00 USD.

Uses for Monoi Oil:

• Can be used as a bath oil. This helps make skin nice and supple.
• You can mix this oil with your lotion. It helps skin retain moisture & adds a nice scent.
• My personal favorite is that you can add this oil to conditioner for added nourishment and shine.

BONUS: This oil is extremely lightweight!

Disclaimer: If you are allergic to Gardenias..please DO NOT USE this oil. Regular old coconut oil will do just fine!

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Try these oils! Experiment, and see what works best for you!

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Fall 2015 — Wearable Makeup Trends

For every season there are always the classics, but at the end of Fashion Week everyone loves to see the common bond among the collections. Some of the makeup from the runway was a bit out there, but with the right products, are attainable.

One that you might not expect to see in the Fall is Peachy/ Rosie cheeks!

                 

Product Information (Left to Right):

NYX’s Rouge Cream Blush in Tickled– This blush is very sheer, but it packs a lot of power! SHIMMER…SHIMMER…SHIMMER!!! I wouldn’t recommend this color for everyday wear. This blush is perfect for a night out on the town. It gives a bit of a dewy effect, so it’s perfect for catching the light in any room. You can amp this blush up with a seductive smokey eye, or be a fresh face with a neutral lip, and a bit of your favorite mascara.        

Price: $6.00 USD (BARGAIN)

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MAC’s Powder Blush in Hipness– A warm peach/coral blush with a beautiful satin finish. This color is extremely pigmented, and is from MAC’s Wash & Dry Collection Remember a little goes a long way! This color may appear matte at first glance, but it has a hint of shimmer that’s just perfect. It is very similar to Orgasm by NARS. If you have oil skin, and are worried about your blush lasting…this is perfect for you!    

Price: $24.50 USD

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Tarte’s Airblush Maracuja Blush in Shimmering Peach– This cream blush is on the lighter side as far as color is concerned. It is a very light peach color and is very long lasting. With that being said, if you are of a lighter complexion…then this blush may be perfect for you! Of course that does not rule everyone else out. This blush has the ability to be an AMAZING highlight because it is so light in color, and it is very sheer. 

Price: $26.00 USD

Beautiful example of a peachy blush on Naomi Campbell for the Zac Posen Fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear.

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Gold, bronze, silver, sparkle and shimmer plagued the runway in the best way possible this year. Four of my personal favorites this year are Anna Sui, Mara Hoffman, Tadashi Shoji & Zac Posen!

Anna Sui
Mara Hoffman
Tadashi Shoji

Zac Posen

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If you are thinking about some of this glitz and glam to your makeup collection, these products may be perfect!

 

Product Information (Left to Right):

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze– 5 highly pigmented shadows that can be used day or night. This shadow brick doubles as a beautiful highlight! 

Price: $46.00 USD

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Smashbox Mini Palette in Full Exposure– I would recommend this tiny palette for beginners or the best of makeup artists! The gorgeous shimmers are paired with neutral shades that are perfect for everyday use. 

Price: $24.00 USD (BARGAIN)

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MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in A Glimmer of Gold– This quad can help create that hint of glimmer in a fresh face look or the “WOW!” factor for a sultry, smokey eye! 

Price: $46.00 USD

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Bonus! What beautiful eye would be complete without lashes?

Lashes can compliment the most simple of looks or add drama to a beautiful creation!

Product Information (Left to Right):

MAC’s Lashes in 43– These lashes are perfect for a night out! They have a bit of space in between, and this adds the perfect amount of contrast and drama.

Price: $17.00 USD

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Velour Lashes’ Mink Lashes in It’s Sho Fluffy!– These very fluffy and fluttery lashes can be worn day or night due to the fact that they are so wispy. I love that the lash lengths vary across the band! — Follow them on Instagram! @velourlashesofficial

Price: $35.00 USD

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Last, but certainly not least….LIPS! This Fall is all about the barely there nude lip & very vampy shades.

Tips for Nude Lips!

1. When trying to find your perfect shade..the key is to think NUDE!…N-u-d-e….naked…close to the color of your LIPS…not your SKIN! If you pick a lipstick that is the color of your face you will look washed out and..well… just strange.
2. What’s your undertone? This is very important because there are some nudes that are more on the cool side, and some may appear more warm. If you feel like you look better in more cool colors: blue, light green and purple, then you may have a cool undertone. If you feel like you look better in warmer colors: red, orange and yellow/green, then you may have a warm undertone.
3. If your able to swatch your favorite options…take a picture! A picture will let you see what really suits you. A picture with a flash will help determine if the shade is too pale for your complexion.

Tips for Vampy Lips!: 

1. Vampy lip colors can be a bit high maintenance, so choose wisely. If you are going out to eat with the girls, then this may not be the best bet. If you do, choose a long lasting lip color.
2. Use a good lip liner! Many brands release a lip liner that matches the lipstick of choice or one that compliments. This will keep your lips looking nice and not smudgy.
3. Once again, be aware of your undertone, and use it as your guide.
4. Be careful with shimmery lipsticks. A bit of shimmer is ok for the right occasion, but too much shimmer can make classy look trashy very fast!

Product Information (Left to Right):

Dolce&Gabbana’s Voluptuous Lipstick in True Monica 40- Please do not confuse this color with Nude Monica 20 (very pale color). This lipstick has a satin finish and is highly pigmented. 

Price: $35.50 USD

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MAC’s Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Rare Breed- This color is part of the Haute Dog Collection for Fall 2015. This is my favorite out the nude selections! It is very natural with a hint of pink. This lip color is very nice with or without a lip liner.

Price: $23.00 USD 

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Clinique’s Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in Delovely- This color will glide across your lips with ease! This may be a lipstick, but it has the appearance of a gloss. If you are going for a fresh face look, then this is the perfect lipstick!

Price: $17.00 USD (BARGAIN)

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Kat Von D’s Studded Kiss Lipstick in Vampira- When you think of a classic vampy color…this one should come to mind. This color really makes a statement! Caution: Please exfoliate your lips prior to wear! If you have chapped lips your mouth will look like a brick road. You must have a good foundation to work with!

Price: $21.00 USD (BARGAIN)

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MAC’s Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Labradorable– This luscious color is also included in the Haute Dog Collection for Fall 2015. This is a beautiful berry shade that is a good match for almost every skin tone! This color is somewhat sheer, so this is a go to for daytime or nighttime wear. 

Price: $23.00 USD

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NARS’ Audacious Lipstick in Liv- This dark plum shade is truly sexy! I would recommend a liner for this color. You will get your money’s worth with this lip color. It is one swipe to perfection! This is a truly opaque color.

Price: $32.00 USD

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This Fall, try new things, and embrace your beauty!

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Big Chop or Transition?

Over the course of 5 long years I have “chopped” my hair 4 times:Pixie cut, big chop, grew it out, relaxed it, pixie cut, grew it out and now it’s chopped once again.

Whew! That was a lot, but I have learned many things along the way:

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The BIG Chop

For those who are unsure as to what this is…..The “BIG” chop is the process of cutting off all the chemically processed ends of the hair, and leaving the remaining hair which is chemical free (natural).

There are many women who are afraid to do the big chop and have many reasons as to why:

1. “I don’t have the head shape for that.”
2. “I want my long hair.”
3. “I’m not sure if that’s what I want.”
4. “I don’t know what my texture is like.”
5. “My significant other may/ may not like it.”

….I’m sure you get the point.

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Transitioning

Transitioning is when you allow your hair to grow a certain length (whatever length you are comfortable with) without adding chemicals before cutting the processed ends off. This is the route that is taken when the “BIG” chop is not a favored option.

There are many ways to transition, but the process does not come with ease. Some of the ways are:

• Bantu Knots
• Braids
• Twists
• Weaves
• Roller Sets

You can be creative with all of these options!

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Caution

 Chemically processing your hair breaks down the hair strands (makes the hair straighter). While transitioning, your chemically processed hair will be extremely fragile in comparison. The most fragile part of the hair is where the natural and chemical part meet. Be sure to keep tension on your transitioning hair to a minimum! While on your journey, you may also have the urge to straighten you hair so that your natural hair texture will “match” your processed hair. DO NOT DO IT! Try to keep all heat usage to a minimum. If too much heat is used, damage will occur. When you decide to big chop, your transitioned hair will be stringy and lifeless in comparison to the hair growth to come.

While transitioning or while working with your hair post- big chop, just remember that patience is key. Your hair WILL grow!

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