Pastel, pastel, pastel…with a base of silver-grey. In the wonderful world of fashion styling, we love it; but when it comes to hair, it’s definitely a hung jury! Some love the look and mysteriously figure out how to make it appropriate for everyday wear, while others either admire or disapprove from a distance.

Nicole Richie at 2013 Met Gala

One funky pastel hairstyle that really had heads turning was Nicole Richie’s violet-grey upsweep worn at this year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. The cutting edge style was very risky, and for some, posed a question: when is enough too much when it comes to hair color? Granted the theme for the 2013 gala was “Punk: Chaos to Couture” so Richie was certainly cruising within legal limits down “Look Lane”, but could the everyday woman take such an adventurous path without citation?

Certainly food for thought, lovelies..how far are you willing to go with your hair color?

Looking for a sweet treat without the guilt? I am hooked on this recipe for “fro-yo dots”. Want to know how to make these easy snacks? Continue reading and see how!

The materials you will need are:   

•     Your favorite yogurt
•     Plastic sandwich bag
•     Wax paper
•     Baking sheet
•     Pair of scissors.

Step 1. Empty your yogurt into the plastic bag…this will act as a pastry bag to pipe out your dots!

Step 2. After lining your baking sheet with wax paper, cut off the tip of your sandwich bag and get to piping your dots on your lined baking sheet. Things may get a bit messy if you use yogurt containing small bits of fruit, but even the messy dots taste yummy!

Step 3. After your dots are piped, place them in your freezer until hardened. These took under an hour to freeze!

Step 4. After you take your frozen dots out of the freezer, hurry up and get a bowl to enjoy right away, or store in a plastic bag in the freezer to snack on later! Be aware…these dots melt pretty quickly! Enjoy these as a snack or dessert anytime you’re craving something cool!

BLOGGER ZINA IN SANDAL HEELS
FASHIONVIBE-BLOG.BLOGSPOT.CA

Ladies, guess who’s back? High heel sandals have made a huge come back recently via fashion blogs everywhere! Sartorialists are snapping more and more fashionistas in these chic shoe classics.

Providing a practical alternative to the more dramatic platform heel, they appear more elegant and sophisticated, especially for the daytime. However, they don’t make any less of a statement if worn the right way!

Since the high heel sandal has never really left our retail shelves, make sure you pick the right pair so you don’t risk looking “mumsy”. Choose an updated pair with a cute ankle strap and a nice chunky heel. Neon and pastel colors are perfect for daytime looks. If you decide to go for a more classic color, like black, then modernize with metallic accents to add a fashion forward edge to your career outfit.

ZINA WEARS SANDAL HEELS BY ZARA

Steer clear of the styles with too many straps and embellishments. Simplicity is better, which goes for the rest of your outfit too! Just keep your silhouette clean and crisp with cropped jeans, leather shorts, or a sleek dress, and you can’t go wrong. These sandals will be the perfect companion to take you from the office, to shopping, then to the party!

How to Scrub the Right Way

WHEN EXFOLIATING, BE SURE NOT TO APPLY TOO MUCH PRESSURE AND ALWAYS SCRUB GENTLY.

Dermatologists, beauty editors, and bloggers always mention the benefits of exfoliating. However, every one of us has had at least one experience when we were a little too aggressive with the scrub we just can’t live without. We already know exfoliating on a weekly basis increases cell turnover and removes dead skin, which improves the texture and appearance of your skin. But we are also all too familiar with the fact that scrubbing too often or too hard will leave your skin irritated, raw, and red. This is because, depending on your age, skin surface regeneration can actually take up to 30 days.

So, how can you ensure smooth, beautiful skin without the risk of damage? The key is finding the scrub that best suits your intended use and skin type. For rough and dry skin opt for a salt scrub, while those of you with more sensitive skin types may want to use a sugar scrub (the alpha-hydroxy acids found in sugar scrubs hydrate your skin without being quite as abrasive as salt scrubs). Oil and cream based scrubs are also great options to think about when you want products that easily wipe off–this will avoid unnecessary rubbing. If the scrub contains granules, make sure it contains seed abrasives, rather than pumice. Pumice easily scratches the skin and leaves minor cuts where bacteria can easily get into, which can result in infections or acne.

Here are a few of our favorite scrubs to help you in your search for your personal fav:

BARE MINERALS
EXFOLIATING TREATMENT CLEANSER

SOAP AND GLORY
THE SCRUB OF YOUR LIFE

  
                                                                                    
The right exfoliant for your skin type can make all the difference in your skin’s texture and may improve moisture dramatically. Just remember, too much of a good thing becomes bad, bad, bad! So, no matter what your skin type is, limit the number of times a week you exfoliate to once or twice and you will be on the road to fresh, glowing, exfoliated skin in no time!

TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo

Just the Facts:

• Price: Approximately $2O USD

• Size: 5.2 oz. / 250 ml / 147 g.

• Color: White/Sheer

• Scent: Tobacco Flower Noir

• Lightweight formula that removes oils from hair to create a clean, refreshed, and volumized look to dirty hair.

• Available at: http://ulta.com

Ever have those days when you wake up late and the rest of your day seems off? You can’t get your hair, your makeup or outfit right and then to top it off you spill your coffee in the car? We all have. But thanks to this amazing product, those rough mornings are few and far between for me now.

I have super fine hair that has a hard time holding product or keeping a style for more than twenty-four hours. I usually have to wash my hair everyday, which is a pain in the butt. Now that I’ve found this lightweight, wonderfully scented dry shampoo that remove oils and residue from my hair, I can push through an extra day and keep my washes to a minimum.

I’ve tried other dry shampoos and have never really found one that I fell in love with. I hate the loose powder dry shampoos that get all over the bathroom floor. I have also struggled with many other aerosol dry shampoos that come out too strong and leave my dark hair looking white and pasty. TIGI Catwalk Session Series Transforming Dry Shampoo is my personal favorite; it adds volume and texture to my fine limp hair while keeping it looking fresh and clean for an extra day between washes.

The only downside is this product is only offered in one shade. I’ve seen a few dry shampoos on the market that offer various colors, but the quality of those products do not compare to this one. TIGI Catwalk Session Series Dry Shampoo comes out as sheer as possible, but if it was offered as a dark colored spray, I would consider it as good as gold!

The price point is not bad, and the product lasts for quite a while. I definitely recommend scooping one of these guys up next time you hit the beauty supply store.

Celebrity stylist and Brazilian Heat platform artist, Derek J, shares his expertise and tells the pros how to go from “Behind the Chair” to “On the Platform”. Watch to get tips on how to get your name out in the industry and excel your career as a beauty professional.

Just the Facts

Cost: $4.99 USD

Size: 0.5 fl. oz.

Available at www.beautyboutique.com

Protective polish shield that prevents chipping or peeling. BEWARE you have to use this product properly in order for it to work effectively. You will still need to apply a topcoat over your polish color of choice before using Never Chip.

I love getting manicures, but I hate when the polish starts to chip making my nails look as if I’ve been playing hand games in gravel for hours on end! One thing I use to avoid the messy, unsophisticated look of chipped polish is Never Chip by European Secrets. I have been using the product for years, and I can honestly say it does work. I wear my natural nails, and this product extends the life of my polish which would otherwise chip within 2 or 3 days with topcoat alone. When I use Never Chip over my topcoat, I can get a full seven days out of my polish (see picture below of my 6 day old manicure with Essie Geranium, OPI Topcoat, and Never Chip sealant). An additional bonus is the protective sealant also contains Biotin, Tyrosine, and collagen which work to strengthen and fortify your nails.

As effective as this product is, everything is not for everybody; and there are a couple of things you should definitely be aware of before using Never Chip. Granted this sealant will guard your polish, but it is NOT a topcoat. You will need to use a topcoat over your polish of choice BEFORE applying Never Chip. If not, the product is radically less effective and you will most likely be disappointed. Also, the product takes a long time to dry…by long I mean, have one of your favorite movies handy and some free time on your hands–literally! My normal routine is as follows: get a fresh mani on Friday, pray it doesn’t chip on Saturday, apply Never Chip before going to bed on Saturday night to maintain a chip-free polish the following Sunday thru Thursday, and Friday repeat the entire cycle. I only apply Never Chip when I have nothing to do, and I can just sit and let the product dry completely. If you don’t allow Never Chip to dry completely, you run the risk of ruining your polished nails because it is almost guaranteed you will smudge and/or get those unsightly dents. Lastly, the brush isn’t the greatest. The bristles are very hard and if you apply too much pressure you can actually get some color residue from your polish onto the brush. You definitely don’t want this to happen because with cumulative use it could actually tint the remaining contents in the bottle, which is why using a topcoat is so critical. The topcoat will serve as a barrier to prevent the Never Chip brush from getting to the layers of your polish color. What you want to do is simply sweep the product over your polished nails being sure to use a lot less force than if you were applying polish color or topcoat. Also, be sure to apply Never Chip to the tip of the nail to really seal and protect your coveted polish color.

6 Day Old Mani: Essie Geranium, OPI Topcoat, and Never Chip Sealant

I will mention there was a time when I ditched my regular manicures and opted for gel manicures. This is when the gel craze first hit the scene, and I plunged all in to this “life-changing” way of getting my nails done. My nails got done alright, and done-in at the same time! While I love the way they look, I am personally not a fan of gel manicures because of the terror they can have on the nail bed; so I opt for regular polish. It’s a bit old-school and way more time consuming, but in the end I don’t have to compromise the integrity of my nails. If gel manis are your thing, keep working them! This is just another thing to have in your beauty arsenal should you ever decide to switch up the artillery a bit!

If you don’t mind sacrificing some time to get a long-lasting manicure, give Never Chip a swirl! It’s not for everyone, so you will have to determine if the product fits your needs. There are many polish extenders on the market, but I find this one still be stellar IF you know how avoid the common pitfalls associated with the product. I will admit it does take some patience, but it’s worth it in order to maintain chip-free polish. While it may seem like a lot to go through, once you get the hang of how to use the product properly, you might never look back!

I’d love to know your thoughts. Leave me a comment and tell me what you use to keep your manicure looking fresh!

Love your caffeine fix? You may consider opting for a cup of tea the next time you need a pick-me-up. Not only does tea come in countless flavors, but sipping on a cup can be great for your health as well. Each of the various blends offers unique protection and benefit to the body, in addition to distinct aroma and taste. With such a wide array to choose from, taking care of your health never has to be a dull routine–for you, or your taste buds! Try any one of the following varieties, iced or hot, for a nutrient-rich, healthy delight.

BLACK TEA

The Sugar Blaster
Black Tea (Darjeeling, Earl Grey & Chai)
The polysaccharides found in black tea provide glucose-inhibiting properties to help reduce and prevent diabetes. Plus, black tea is caffeine packed for when you need a morning boost!

WHITE TEA

The Colon Cleanser
White Tea (Silver Needle, White Peony & Long Life Eyebrow)
White teas are a great choice when you’re looking for a lighter option. Due to reduced processing, white teas have a more delicate taste and are high in polyphenols, antioxidants noted for lowering the risk of colon cancer.

SAGE TEA

The All-Around-Feel-Good
Sage Tea
Sage is traditionally a cooking ingredient, but the bold flavor also makes for a delicious cup of tea! Due to high levels of flavanoids, sage teas are noted for boosting alertness, balancing mood, and reducing both anxiety and inflammation to leave you feeling good all the way around. For the best taste, combine sage tea with a black tea brew and add a pinch of honey–yum!

WORMWOOD TEA

The Personal Scratcher
Wormwood Tea
When consumed, wormwood tea is high in antioxidants and polyphenols that aid in reducing itching and irritation–total relief when no one is around to scratch your back! When applied directly to the skin, the tea provides a great, refreshing at-home remedy. Just brew the tea, drain the water, and place the tea leaves directly on your skin for ten minutes to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth!

GINGER TEA

The Migraine Nixer
Ginger Tea
Ginger has often been noted for its metabolic boosting powers, but ginger tea also works as an anti-inflammatory agent by blocking prostaglandins (the chemicals responsible for swelling in the brain, aka-headache). When you feel a headache coming on, try a cup of ginger tea to help block and reduce that naggy, achy feeling.

OOLONG TEA

The Skinny Tea
Oolong Tea
For a great way to sip to skinny, try oolong tea, which has been noted to help burn fat and lead to sustained weight loss! Just be careful not to undo these effects by adding too much sugar!

GREEN TEA

The Tooth-Fairy
Green Tea (Matcha, Sencha & Jasmine)
Made from unfermented leaves, green tea contains lower doses of caffeine than most tea blends, but is high in the amino acid L-theanine, which has been shown to induce relaxation and relieve stress. While green tea is known for its metabolism boosting effects, what many don’t know is drinking green tea can lead to strong and healthy gums. It’s like having an at-home dentist!

Whether you’re feeling drowsy in the morning and need a burst of energy, looking for a tasty treat to enjoy with friends, or simply need a way to relax after a long day, have tea time–you’ll not only be satisfied with great taste, but your body will thank you too!

BB creams comprise a new skincare category changing the face of makeup. These creams, short for beauty or blemish balm, are tinted moisturizers or foundations-in essence they are skincare products with added features and benefits. Depending on the type of BB cream you choose, you can have sun-protection, hydration, anti aging benefits, and more. BB creams have just started making their way to the U.S. after being a big hit in Asia for years. As a personal fan of BB cream, I can tell you, the right one will change your life! Because of the added SPF and buildable coverage, BB Creams are a great makeup staple. BB creams are readily available at drugstores, beauty boutiques, and department stores alike, so you can find one suited for your individual budget.

What to look for in a BB cream you ask? Take it from me, as someone who has tried many, all BB creams weren’t created equal. Here are few things you want to consider when trying to find a BB cream perfect for you!

DRJARTSTORE.COM

SPF

Keep forgetting to apply sunscreen to your face? Forget no more by using a BB cream with added SPF! Dr. Jart’s Most Moist Water Fuse BB cream features an SPF of 27 that will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. This BB cream is also very moisturizing, hence “water fuse”. Great for paler complexions, it provides sheer coverage similar to that of a tinted-moisturizer.

GARNIERUSA.COM

Hydration

Do you find your foundation dries your skin out? If so, you want to find a moisturizing BB cream to provide hydration without skimping on coverage. I’ve used Garnier’s Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream and it remains to be one of my favorites. It uses numerous moisturizing ingredients to keep the skin hydrated AND offers great coverage! It has SPF 15 which is an added bonus. This product is affordable and easy to find, it’s available in drugstores and won’t hurt your wallet!

STILACOSMETICS.COM

Coverage

Are you looking for foundation-like coverage in a BB cream? Look no further with Stila’s Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm. This BB Cream provides complete coverage similar to foundation and has added benefits. This BB cream is formulated with an exclusive complex that helps reduce redness and offers triglyceride-37, bamboo, and pea extracts to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Stila hit the nail on the head with their BB cream by providing amazing coverage along with additional skin benefits…a true challenge for foundation!

Rest assured, there is a BB cream out there for you! Whether you’re looking for SPF, hydration, coverage, or a combination of all three, with a little patience you are sure to find a balm that is perfect for your individual needs!

Hair removal waxes that require heat may risk cross contamination! We went to the International Salon and Spa Expo and discovered some fantastic cold waxes from Moujan 2000 and L’Eily Cold Wax. We love Dr. Ben at the end: “touch her baby bottom, no sticky”. Watch all the way through to get the inside joke!