Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
August 18, 2009 by Paulina · Leave a Comment
The bride, the groom, the dress, the cake – the list can go on and on. A girls wedding day is supposed to be the greatest day of her life. So of course she has got to look stunning! From shoes to guarder to dress to make-up to hair! So many women have no idea what to do with their hair. We all know it must look flawless, because everything has to be perfect for this perfect day.
Typically though, women go with pulled back in curls, with heavy hairspray, bobby pins and sparkles. But sometimes less is more!
Women with long hair should try leaving it down or having it half up in curls. If comfort and practicality is what you’re looking for, a nice side bun full of curls and volume is very trendy and simple to do. Even leaving your hair down and having it perfectly straight is seen more often. The straight hair gives a sophisticated yet sexy look. For women with shorter hair, wearing it wavey and pinned back is very sleek yet convenient.
There are two main concerns women tend to have with wedding hair, 1) the curls will fall out, and 2) bangs. These two concerns drive women to putting their hair sleeked back into a curly bun at the top of their heads – the typical wedding hair. Ladies, do not be afraid of droopy curls or wavey bangs. There are tonnes of pomades, gels, hairsprays that really do the trick with holding hair. And if the hair at the back of your neck is bothering you while you’re dancing, an easy side bun will not only be your best friend, but you’ll look great.
To do the “side-bun”, you’ll need a hair tie and a comb. First what you’ll want to do is pick a side you want the bun to rest on. Then sweep all your hair to that side and tie it into a tight ponytail up just behind your ear. Grab a few strands of hair and tuck them into the band. Then take the last piece and wrap it around the hair tie so the band doesn’t show and pin it in place with a bobby pin. With that simple way to keep your hair back, you should be dancing all night long!
And ladies, don’t forget something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue!
Alright ladies! Don’t forget your sunscreen!
August 15, 2009 by Paulina · Leave a Comment
Alright ladies! Don't forget your sunscreen!
It’s the middle of summer, the sun is shining, and the heat is blistering! Flow-y skirts, gladiator sandals and one-piece bathing suits are in! Enjoy a freshly squeezed iced lemonade and get your pedicures on!
Trying to keep your body refreshed and safe from UV-A and UV-B rays during a hot day can be tough, but forgetting about your hair is worse.
We tend to take care of our skin, but what about our hair?
The heat can dry out and make your hair brittle, and the sun can turn your beautiful blonde hair into a not so pretty brassy mess. It’s important to take care of your hair. Hats are a good way to stay trendy and keep the sun from drying out your hair. But let’s be realistic, we’re not always going to be wearing a hat, so another way to lock the moisture and color in your hair is a UV-A and UV-B protection spray.
There are many leave in conditioners, hair sprays and gels that have an SPF in them, these usually come with an SPF 12. Also, shampoos and conditioners with an SPF can help protect the hair from sun damage.
A great do-it-yourself-way is to dilute a tablespoon of SPF 25 or 30 sunblock lotion in a spray bottle of water and spray into damp hair before styling. We’ve got to stay away from alcohol, lemon juice, peroxide or any hair lightening products – especially from the sun, this causes dry brittle hair and does nothing to protect our locks!
So ladies, when going out to enjoy the sun, be aware that, just like our skin, our hair needs to be protected too!
How To Give Yourself a Pedicure
May 20, 2009 by Jennifer · Leave a Comment
I know it seems like I’m obsessed with the approach of summer weather, but I live in a place where there is snow on the ground eight months out of the year. Humor me.
My latest beauty project is getting my toes ready for sandals. I work a lot of hours, so it’s not always convenient to get myself to a salon for a pedicure. But it’s so easy to give yourself a pedicure at home, so why not?
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First, remove any old nail polish from your toes. Then, soak your tootsies in a bowl/bucket full of warm water. Add some soothing bath salts and relax for 10-15 minutes. If you’re lucky enough to own a foot spa, now’s the time to break it out! Ahh.
Dab cuticle cream on your cuticles. While that is soaking in, clip your toenails, if necessary, then file down any rough or pointy edges.
Push back your cuticles using an orangewood stick or other cuticle-pushing device.
Use a pumice stone to exfoliate and smooth out rough skin on heels and balls of your feet. If a pumice stone feels too rough for you, try a loofah.
Rub a rich cream into your feet. Many lotions especially made for your feet have a minty, refreshing feel to them. Sit back again for a few minutes to let the cream soak in. Isn’t this fun?
Swipe nail polish remover across your toenails again. Residual oils from the creams you used could keep your polish from adhering properly, so in order to ensure that your pedicure lasts as long as possible, you want to remove those oils from the nailbed.
Apply base coat and let it dry. Apply two coats of polish, allowing a minute between coats. Remove any stray polish with a Q-Tip dipped into polish remover. Finish it all off with a coat of top coat.
Be sure to allow adequate drying time before sticking your feet into shoes!
Now your toes look great and it's time to show off those cute new sandals! Happy feet!
Skin Care During Monsoons(Rains)
May 16, 2009 by ashwin · Leave a Comment
Taking care of your skin during monsoons is often difficult to manage and one of the most common difficulties that arise during these times would be fungal infections. Special care needs to be taken during these times as given below:
- Acne break-outs are pretty common during this season and you may use medicated face-wash to keep that in check.
- Use oil-free moisturizers as your skin gets hydrated during these times. However, avoid using heavy, oily creams.
- Use Oil Free toners, sunscreens. Try to wash your face as often as possible to keep fresh and hydrated.
- If your skin tends to be excessively oily, use an ex-foliate toner or an astringent. One of the reasons why your skin tends to attract fungus is due to the sweat. Use lotion-based moisturizers and try and scrub at least once or twice a week.
- Avoid excessive water contact with the skin on your palms since it this season also causes peeling of skin.
Use sunscreen at all times, even if you think it isn't that hot. UV rays will still hit your skin and it doesn't necessarily have to be hot. To avoid a sticky feeling off your sunscreen, try to modify it into a lotion-based or a gel-based one.
Your skin requires special care during the rains and the above points are only a starting point for special skin during such times. Can you think of any more ideas to protect your skin? Feel free to comment.
How Long Should You Keep Makeup?
May 13, 2009 by Jennifer · Leave a Comment
While you’re doing your spring cleaning, maybe it’s time to take a look at your makeup bag, as well. To keep your makeup fresh and your skin healthy, you should go through your makeup every few months, check smell and consistency, and take note of each item’s purchase date. Keeping your makeup bag fresh and up to date will help you avoid skin irritation or infection that could arise from using old cosmetics. Let’s talk about a few general guidelines regarding the shelf life of common cosmetics.
First and foremost, if your makeup smells funny, throw it out! This seems like it would be common sense: You don’t want to be putting something IN YOUR EYE that smells like it’s gone off. Please. If any of your lotions or potions smells off, get rid of it, no matter how much is left in the container.
Now, here’s a list of general rules regarding the shelf life of make-up:
- Concealer: 12 months
- Foundation: Water-based, 12 months; Oil-based, 18 months.
- Powder: 2 years
- Lipstick: 1-2 years. Again, if it smells bad, throw it away. Now.
- Lip Gloss: 1-2 years.
- Mascara: 3-4 months. This is the product you’ll want to replace most frequently.
- Pencil eye liner: If sharpened regularly, can last 2-3 years. Same with pencil lip liners. Sharpening these pencils regularly removes the top layers of product and helps keep the surfaces relatively free of residual bacteria.
- Powder eye shadow: 2 years
- Cream eye shadow: 1 year
- Powder blush: 2 years
- Cream blush: 12-18 months
In addition, to help keep your makeup free of bacteria, you should wash your makeup brushes in a mild detergent every couple of months. Makeup sponges should be washed weekly.
A final caution: If you tend to use a lot of “natural” cosmetics which are free of preservatives, these should be tossed sooner. The lack of preservatives and the composition of many botanical ingredients means that natural makeup tends to go bad sooner. Keep your eye on it.
So if you still have that fuschia blush and blue mascara in the back of your drawer from that 80s party you went to three years ago? You guessed it: Time to get rid of it.
Get Glowing!
May 10, 2009 by Jennifer · Leave a Comment
Who needs the sun? Try a bronzer or golden shimmer powder for a safe and healthy glow this spring. You’ll feel cheerier. I promise.
Get a safe, sunkissed glow like Lauren Conrad by using face bronzer.
How To Assess Your Hair Loss - Part 1
May 9, 2009 by ashwin · Leave a Comment
Any kind of problem must be solved, but before getting solve anything you should be able to assess the situation. Hair loss is one of the most common, but often frustrating problems many people around the world face. This post is divided into two parts for the sake of continuity.
For what hair related conditions should you see a hair specialist?
Thinning hair, pattern baldness, itchy scalp, flaky scalp, recurring instances of dandruff are some of the most important conditions you will need to show yourself to a hair specialist.
What questions will you be asked when you go to a hair specialist?
The better you answer the questions asked by a hair specialist, the easier it will be for the experts to assess your situation and give proper solutions. For that reason, if you have a bunch of questions that you can expect from the doc, you can be better prepared. Here are some questions that can be asked:
How long have you been experiencing hair loss?
How does your diet look like, each day? Do you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol? If yes, how frequently?
Do you have dandruff, itchy, dry or oily scalp? What kind of hair have you got -- oily, normal, dry?
More to be continued on the next part on how to assess your hair loss. This way, you can take informed decisions about your possible hair care solutions.
3 Easy Hair Care Tips You Should Know
May 2, 2009 by ashwin · Leave a Comment
Lustrous, shiny, beautiful hair need not be a blessed thing for a woman; it could happen if you do certain things right. Hair must be taken care of-- that's been said and now is taken as a gospel truth. Here are a few handy tips to help you take care of them. In fact, there are about 5 of them
How do you comb your hair?
It is very important for you to bend down a little and allow your hair to fall over your head. Yes, you can't see your hair( at least not near the scalp anyway). Pick a light, well-bristled comb and start combing from the scalp area to the front ends. This helps distribute the natural oils, brings about a shine and luster and ensures that hair doesn't come off with the comb.
Do you Shampoo right?
Ensure that your hair is wet before you shampoo and then take a little into your hands. Rinse the shampoo on your palms and then apply it. Let it lather for about 30 seconds up to 3 minutes and then wash it off. Repeat if you have to. Wash it with cool water since cool water can help retain some moisture in the hair shafts and at the base.
Keep it dry, at all times
Hair -- either when you are blow-drying it or whether you are combing it -- must be kept dry at all times. This is to minimize hair breakage. Also, dry hair allows itself to be styled better than wet hair, so it should be easy for you to experiment.
There are plenty of other tips that we will cover in future posts at salonhive, however, taking action is critical. Nothing ever gets done if you don't do something. Your hair makes you look beautiful, it's now your turn to make it look its part.
Mother’s Secrets To Manage Curly Hair - Part 1
April 18, 2009 by ashwin · Leave a Comment
Some women have been granted the gift of curly hair, but it might just seem unmanagable at times. The pros and cons exisrt for everything but the first thing to note about curly hair is the fact that blessed are women who have curly hair -- for it makes them look that much more beautiful. There are certain secrets to managing curly hair and when you are successful with this, it's like blowing the balloon of that blessed curly,beautiful hair. Here are the secrets to managing it.
1. When you can't manage it, don't : There are times -- more often than not -- that you just can't seem to be able to manage your hair. The little known secret is the fact that you must just learn to let it be and leave the curls to sway, swag and fly. keep those flat irons back on the shelf and look to manage your hair during days when it just can't be managed -- think humid, tropic and dry days.
2. Use the right products for managing hair frizz: Curly hair is often dry hair and loves to soak up moisture. Trouble with this phenomenon is that it causes frizz which might just be irritating. You got to have some products like a good leave-in conditioner and a hair styling gel or agent. Having the right products that go well with your hair is a must and you'll get to know what fits and what doesn't only on trial-and-error. Experiment all you can and settle only for the very best.
3. Keep it long, because long is beautiful: The longer your curly hair is, the more beautiful it looks. It is also easier to manage curly hair when it is long. The hair has to extend beyond the shoulders and this ensures that the "poof" is nonexistent.
Next week, we will bring in more tips for managing curly hair. Swaying, curly, beautiful hair can make a woman look ravishiing indeed. Nothing can beat that look atop a woman's head, what do you think?
Easy and Effective Tips To Get Rid Of Cellulite
April 11, 2009 by ashwin · Leave a Comment
Cottage Cheese Thighs or cellulite is a problem many women would kill to find a solution for. According to Howard Murad, M.D., author of The Cellulite Solution: A Doctor's Program for Losing Lumps, Bumps, Dimples, and Stretch Marks., over 90% of women suffer from cellulite problem-- which is incidentally formation of lumps of extra fat making it come through the surface of the skin and look dimpled, at the back of your thighs.Here are some top tips recommended to solve your cellulite problem:
Diet is everything: Eat a good diet with lots of fruits and leafy greens. Needless to say, proper diet is the key to good health. Cliched it might be but that's because it makes tremendous sense. Taking in a diet full of fruit, vegetables( especially leafy greens) detoxifies your body and avoids accumulation of fat. This practice, by the way, keeps you away from almost any ailment and not just getting rid of cellulite. Earlier, I written two posts on diet called "How to Prevent Hair Loss Just By Eating" and "Diet and Acne: Can Your Food Get Rid of Acne?" . Read them to understand the role proper diet plays in our lives.
Fat Foods Can Kill You: Avoid junk food, diet soda, processed food and saturated fats such as butter and animal fats. Unfortunately, most things tasty have fat in them, which is to be avoided as much as possible. There are alternatives for each of the fat rich food categories mentioned above and just by switching over to low-fat or no-fat substitutes can do wonders to keep you healthy. Have juice instead of soda; take a salad instead of junk food and try egg with jam/jelly instead of butter/cheese. Additionally, Avoid toxins like excessive alcohol and cigarettes which do nothing but kill you slowly.
Use proper creams -- not every cream will do: "Should I Use a Cellulite Cream?" is a question most women ask and the answers can get as vague as possible. Not every cream will be able to help you solve your cellulite problem, but some of the effective creams and lotions have caffeine as their promary ingredient which can help smoothen the lumps and make your skin look much better. But understand that creams are to help you for a while and might not be permanent. Major emphahsis must be given to exercise and diet, while using creams.
