7 Steps to The Beach Hair Look

The hottest new summer hair style for medium to long length hair is sporting the look of hair that has been at the beach all day, kissed by the perfect breeze and sunlight. Hair stylist Wesley with Free people is featured in a YouTube tutorial teaching these 7 easy steps for Beach Hair. While there are many variations by stylist to achieve this tousled look, Wesley’s is easy to follow and gives fantastic results that last. Grab a curling iron (small barrel), thickening spray, sectioning clips, light dry hair spray, texturizing spray and a blow dryer.

1. Start with dry unwashed hair, and run fingers from top to bottom to gently separate any tangles. Clean hair is not recommended for this style, best results are obtained by up to 3 days of no washing.

2. Use a good thickening spray, Aussie products make a great one, as well as Garnier Fructis. Work thickening spray through with your hands, with a blow dryer do a quick rough dry to set the spray in. This step gives the hair lift and texture.

3. This step calls for your small barreled curling iron. Take small sections of hair starting with the front and clip into sections. First loosely curl any hairs left out of sections ,than curl hair in front sections one at a time away from the face. Don’t curl all the way to the ends for a more natural look. The idea is to loosely curl to keep natural and around face only curl away from face, curling towards closes face into a boxed look.

4. In the back of head you can curl in any direction, Wesley suggests you rotate from curling to the back and than to the front. Remember not to curl to the ends.

5. Take a light dry spray and use it all through the hair. Run your fingers through hair, this gives grip and set’s your curls.

6. Wesley recommends a good texturizing spray for this step like Bumble and Bumble, available at www.bumbleandbumble.com . This gives the hair a dry texture as if you have been to the beach. Spray it in well to dampen all of the hair with the product. This allows the curls to fall and by using your hands to scrunch until product drys you will have the most natural effect.

7. The last step is to turn head upside down and shake to give fullness. Flip head up and use fingers to adjust face framing pieces and off you go.

Follow Wesley’s 7 easy tips for fooling the girls into thinking you just left the beach with a great natural hair style. Enjoy your summer with this fun tousled look!

Temporary Tattoos – Chanel or Angelina?

For ladies of impeccable style there is a new trend on the catwalk for 2010 accessories- temporary tattoos! You can bring out your inner Angelina Jolie without the pain and long lasting reminder of a real tattoo. A temporary tattoo is transferred on to the skin by pressing the tattoo in place and using a damp cloth to transfer the design on the skins surface. These tattoos last about 3-5 days and can be easily washed off with soap and water or baby oil. They pose no harmful effects and are fun and safe for all ages to enjoy ( take a look at our article on how these tattoos can help identify a child while at a crowded event or vacation.) Think of the statement you could make at a party or event with the right design and colors, the options are endless.

Coco Chanel spells high-end taste and class, and is now the leader in a designer temporary tattoo. That’s right, Chanel is making designer tattoos and they are hot! The collection went on sale March 1st at Selfridges and features the iconic Chanel logo the double C’s,lace,rosary beads, birds and Karl Lagerfeld’s treasured chains. They are as high-end as the name bears and the costs reflects this at a charge of $78.00. There is a vote being conducted on their site to see if you would wear them and if the costs is justified. The majority of votes were against the high charge and didn’t know if they wanted to print a company logo on their skin. Some trendy ladies thought if they were going to sport a tattoo Chanel is the only way to go to keep it classy.

The choice of a Henna tattoos is the most controversial as the fast staining “black Henna” can contain para-phenylenediamine (PPD)which may cause an allergic reaction and scarring. Air brushed tattoos last the longest and give the artist full range for detail. The transferred temporary tattoo is still the most popular and easiest to obtain and apply. With all these options including Chanel why not sport a temporary look and have some fun fooling your friends! Butterfly or classic Chanel ladies?

5 Tips on a Budget for Looking Younger

We all want younger looking skin and the latest products to help us maintain our appearance.  The cost of these  products could really break the bank! A few simple tips though can keep you looking great and holding on to your pay checks much longer.

1. Lipsticks work best on conditioned/moisturized lips. Buying a favorite shade plus a moisturizing primer could cost over $20.00.  Use chapstick or a plumper like Carmex under your lipsticks at an average price of $2.00 and what a remarkable savings for the same ingredients.  Also applying  a moisturizer like A&D Ointment or  Blistex (in the blue container) every night will help keep your lips moist and plumped.

2. Vitamin E oil is one  the top ingredients listed in facial moisturizers, this is one product that can be very expensive. Purchase of a jar of vitamin E oil  at a fraction of the cost of facial creams. A small amount of this oil is all that is needed on wrinkles. This oil is great applied to lips at night as well.

3. Don’t discard old mascaras, once they dry out they are perfect for eye brows. The brush, on light or thin brows, adds color and a fuller appearance. This trick saves money on the purchase of expensive pencils and looks more natural then drawing in a pencil line.   This is the cheap way around purchasing Lancome’s Brow Control which is $22.

4. Lipstick used as blush is so smart, one small dab on apple of the cheek, blended well, will  last longer and looks more natural then brushed on powder. While out and about lipstick won’t crack in your purse like a powder blush can after  bouncing around all day inside your purse. Some shades look fantastic as an eye shadow. One stick in the right shade can go a long way!   This is not a new concept.  Benefit Cosmetics has Benetint which is the same concept.  Before Benetint they had the perfect shade for my lips and cheeks.  But, alas, it has been discontinued.  Benetint will set you back $28.

5. Creams for redness and irritation are expensive as well as some requiring a prescription to obtain. Milk is the perfect solution. Milk ( 2% or higher) contains proteins, fat, amino acids, and vitamin A which all aid in the reduction of irritation and redness. Try this milk face mask for rejuvenating dry skin:  Mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 3 TBSP of milk and 1TBSP of honey.  After washing your face, apply the mask to face and neck and rub gently.  Relax and leave on skin for 20 minutes.  Rinse face with warm water and pat dry.

Five simple tips that have you saving money and looking sensational, now that is simply fabulous!

Bra Accessory as Fashion Accessory

Stretch your fashion budget by purchasing a few key accessories that will add sophistication to any outfit. For the spring/summer seasons, the best accessory to have on hand is a collection of decorative interchangeable bra straps – beaded, jeweled, rhinestones or gold chain straps can instantly turn an ordinary outfit into a  fashion statement. Go to www.strappys.com for the full selection of shoulder jewelry bra straps that will enhance anything from your favorite tank tops to your off the shoulder black dress. Strappys Decorative Bra Straps are functional and affordable and can take any look from acceptable to wow.

Trying to Rock that One Shoulder Top – Check The Hills Fashion

The one shoulder or off the shoulder look can be very sexy.  But how sexy can you feel when your strapless is sagging down on one side making you look lopsided?  Hold ‘em up there baby with Strappys Decorative Bra Straps.  Check out Kristin on The Hills.  Her gold chain bra strap actually added to the look of her off the shoulder top.  Her bra is in place and she looks like a well accessorized gal.  Get this look with the Gold Chain Bra Straps or the Gold Beaded Bra Straps.  Heck there are over 30 different straps to choose from.  Come up with your own look.  We have faith in you.

Strappys Decorative Bra Straps Seen on The Red Carpet

Actress, singer, model, hottie, Liana Mendoza was seen on the Red Carpet for her movie premiere “Drag Me To Hell” (in theatres, August 29).   She looked beautiful and confident in Trendy Circles bra straps from Strappys Decorative Bra Straps.

See, she knows better than to match her bra straps to her shoes.  Make an accessories statement.  Classy gal, I like that.

So where else can you see Liana on the big screen?  The Mail Man due out this fall.  She is also working on her debut album.

Even Kate Moss is distressed by visible bra straps

I just came across this article from the English Telegraph.  Kate Moss is known for not speaking on record to reporters.  She’s also known as one of the hottest super models ever.  Discovered at the age of 14, she is now 35 and just needing to wear a bra!

While being interviewed for her 9th collection for Topshop and her spring collection opening, here are some quotes from her interview…’For the first time I am having to wear a bra,’ Moss crows, appraising her reflection in the mirror. ‘They just grew overnight. It’s great. I put on a few pounds and it went on all the right places – my boobs!’ But there is a downside. She now has to contend with visible bra straps. ‘Oh no! Look,’ she says, glancing at the rear view of the vest. ‘F***. Bollocks. My straps are showing.’

We have a solution for that Kate, and all you other ladies out there who should be showing the same type of horror…Strappys Decorative Bra Straps.  Yes, you can wear almost any top you’d like by just hooking a Strappy to your strapless/convertible bra.  No more worries about visible bra straps.  No more pinning and shoving or pulling up that strapless bra.  Strappys has over 35 different versions of straps so there will be one to suit your style. Think about dressing your shoulders in rhinestones, beaded, jewelry or designer fabrics and visit www.strappys.com to update your spring/summer collection.

How To – Do Your Own Updo’s

March is such the perfect month for a vacation. Do you think it’s all those years of school and waiting for spring break?   I can’t think of any easier vacation than taking a cruise. No cooking or cleaning and everyone waits on YOU.  All you have to do is show up and look good for dinner. If you cruise on a ship that has formal dining, you’ll see lots of updo’s that gals paid heavily for in the salon.  I hate to pay that kind of money for an evening “out” on the ship.  And really, why should we?  With some expert advice and a little practice I think we can pull it off.  I love the first do, the topsy tail.  So, from our friends at SpinDaily, check out the video.  I am off on my Mexican “Riviera” cruise…

Strappys Decorative Bra Straps Goes to the Academy Awards

Well sorta…  Strappys was selected to offer its unique line of interchangeable bra straps to entertainment celebritites in honor of the Oscar’s.  More than 75 VIP’s chose to take home a pair of Strappys Decorative Bra Straps in their gift bags. This spring you may see this fashion accessory on some noticeable shoulders.

Celeb favorites were the Trendy Circles and Rhinestone straps.  Kara DioGuardi (American Idol’s newest judge) chose the Trendy Circles because they “rocked it the most”.  Camryn Manheim (The Pracice & Ghost Whisperer) thought that “gals everywhere will love these.”  Jennifer Love Hewitt chose a pair and posed for a picture, as did Debby Ryan and Brenda Song (Suite Life on Deck).

This spring and summer, if you’re looking for a great fashion accessory that will turn heads, Strappys has over 40 different options in jewelry, beaded and fabric varieties.

Not only the glamorous women of Hollywood were enthusiastic about this fashion solution but even men – like the entire Silver Medal Winning Men’s Water Polo Team-found them “hot”.  Strappys customers have written in to say that men really like it when they wear Strappys.

Strappys Decorative Bra Straps evolved as a fashion solution to solve the pesky problem of peekaboo bra straps  and slipping strapless bras.  They can take a fashion faux pas and turn it into a fashion statement in one simple step – just hook a jewelry strand to your strapless/convertible bra.  Now women everywhere can go out with confidence and let their straps show fashionably.

For the perfect fashion accessory, appreciated by both women and men, check out www.strappys.com

Here’s A Quick Way to Have a Purse You Can Be Proud Of – MILK it!

No I’m not talking about spending a fortune on the latest IT Bag.  Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t drop major coin on this beautiful Prada purse.  But yes, I love it!  I’m talking about the INSIDE organization of your purse.

I found it embarrasing after a while to open my purse and have to dig through everything to find my wallet or keys or my singing cell phone.  I also noticed that people will look inside your purse when you open it.  I guess we’re all just fascinated with what others carry around with them.

Have you weighed your purse lately?  I’ve had 2 shoulder surgeries now and wonder if my purse, and the weight of it didn’t aggravate the condition.  Let’s face it, if you’re a suburban lady running around in your car most of the day, shouldn’t you just store all that stuff in a nice place in your car?  I’ve learned to keep extra make-up – mascara and lipstick -hand sanitizer and tissues, gum, kids Legos, paperback novels, etc. in my car in their own little compartments.

I very often go back to this saying that a friend used many years ago, “Just don’t forget the MILK.”  Huh?  Yes M for Money (credit cards, what you pay with), I for Iphone and ID, L for Lipstick, K for Keys.  And really, if I have all that I should be fine.  If I switch purses to go out in the evening, once in a blue moon, this always runs through my head, M-I-L-K, “Don’t forget the MILK” , money, iphone, ID, lipstick, keys.

So maybe when shopping for my spring purse I can KISS – keep it simple sweetheart – and choose a smaller lighter bag to keep organized in.  Here are some fun shopping sites for purses,thefind.com,handbags.bz, zappos.com and like.com

Next Page »