Shellac me!

If you have not heard of the new manicure add on service "Shellac" then you are not in the loop.

Until this magical product, I hated manicures. I would spend an hour and too much of my precious money to get my hands massaged, rubbed and filed, only to have my beautiful nail polish peel and flake off in 24 hours (if I was lucky.)

Well now, the wonderful makers of Shellac have made my day! This ingenious product is basically a nail polish that grows out, not flakes off. I wash peoples hair all day long, clean out color bowls, then come home and do dishes, and STILL my polish lasts AT LEAST 2 weeks! Its amazing I tell you.

It is applied as a nail polish, from a bottle with a brush. There is a base coat that is then "cured" under the ultra violet lamp, then 2 coats of polish color (each cured after applied) and then a top coat as well. It is dry in 2 minutes with no smudging, or chipping. It wears as a high gloss shine and is removed in minutes, not adding any damage to the nail. Not only is it used on the fingers, but can be used on the toes as well.

My manicurist has played enough with the product, that she has discovered how to add glitter on top of the polish, to add some funk. She also can do a 'french tip' using the product.

The colors are somewhat limited as of now, but my distributer has told me that in February (or so) new colors should be arriving.

Most salons are only charging $10.00 more as an add on to a normal manicure. (Mine is only $5 more, I believe.)

If you were hating your plain jane manicures as was I, then go get "Shellac" and see what its all about!

XoX

To part or not to part..

I've been told, by a good friend of mine, to post more frequently. So I am taking her advice and trying to do so....let's see how long it lasts :)

Center parts. I don't really like them on most people. I try to steer people to the left or right, the center seems to be too harsh on most people's faces. If you are one of those (Lauren Conrad) who can wear a center part then kuddos to you!

But for the rest of us, pick a side that is easiest to manage. Most of the time you will have a sticky cow-lick that will get in your way, and/or a thinner side that looks funky if parted that way. Use your desecration. The less you have to fight with the hair parting the way you want it to, the easier your styling mornings will go. 

Part on part(ie)rs. 

XoX

Hat hair

I must address the recent engagement of the prince and princess. (As if I know them personally or something. Which I do not) I think it is just wonderful. I think they are the most adorable couple right now, in all of 'famous couples.'

Now in case you couldn't pick up on it, with continuance of the reading of my blog today, I must admit my jealousy/obsession. Kate Middleton. Well not her but her style. Her pick of hats more specifically.

 I wish once, just once, I had somewhere to wear a cool little hat to. Which is why I am hosting a "older womans" soup lunch, and everyone is required to wear a 'silly hat'. (I told you I was obsessed)

In the meantime just take a look at these cute little hats and tell me you didn't fall in love?

Above and below, off to the side is a great look!

^I think, by far, my favorite and I may try to replicate this for my soup-lunch hat party ^

Wear white for wedding, black for funeral. It works! 

Nice funnel! (hat)

Obsessed. I know. 

XoX

Pic of the day:

You're never too young for extensions!

Gluten madness

I have not posted anything about my new gluten (non-gluten) recipes I have been trying out.

This one is all because of a wonderful bag of goodness. I stumbled across this wonderful mix at Safeway grocery store. I am forever looking for quick mixes, or pre-made time savers. I will try anything at least once, and this one I will hold onto and use over and over again.

BY FAR this little bag of special mix made THE BEST bagels....just saying.

XoX

FRIDAY FAVE: Bling for your eyes

So I had the privilege (at a local fashion show) to do some rad makeup for a great shop in town,  Razorz Edge. This, my friends, is where this wonderful story began.

She handed me a gift certificate for graciously "helping" her out (I look at it as her helping me out. You say potato) which I gladly accepted.

When I walked into the store I was super overwhelmed. There was a plethora of styles jammed into this quaint little 4th Ave store. I wandered to the back wall where I discovered a wonderful little necklace that fit my style/career/hobby just wonderfully.

But upon searching and wandering some more, I found what I was looking for. A true "Aaaahhh" moment. 

When I did this little shin-diggy, I was introduced to some wonderful "eye candy." I know I have featured some makeup in past blogs, but this is somewhat different. Medusa's Makeup blew my mind. At the shop the makeup runs $6.99 for one, or 2 or more for $6.00 each. VERY affordable. These loose pigments are truly vivid. 

They definitely work best with a primer, and they come in 48 different colors. I have only used, and own the "Eye dust pigments" but on their Website also includes glitter, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and more. You will fall in love, as I did.

And this, my friends, is where my story ends.

Stop into Razor's Edge to check out the colors firsthand (you can try them out) or order online. I LOVE them!

XoX

Who loves ginger?!..I do!

The wonderful company "Paul Mitchell" has done it again! 

Who here has colored, dry and/or damaged hair? Well according to a study 80% of women described their hair as one (or all) of these. SO, because of that Paul Mitchell has formulated this wonderful new product line for all of us! 

AWAPUHI WILD GINGER

And believe me, it smells as wonderful as it sounds. 

Here are the benefits:

• Safe for color treated hair
• Sulfate free
• Repairs damaged protein bonds
• Smells wonderful

Ok, that last one was my opinion. Im telling you, this stuff is not staying on my shelf. 

Im going to get all geeky scientist on you right now, but this is what interests me about this:

The keratin complex that is found in sheeps wool, is about identical to the keratin complex that make up our hairs. So they have taken the wool from sheep (from New Zealand) and extracted those protein bonds and have added it to their products, mainly the protein treatment. (In salon service only) So this exclusive blend of isolated keratin proteins are specially designed to seal damaged hair. 

Even though the line is sulfate free, the shampoo lathers up very well. Unlike most sulfate frees. 

The 2 step treatment is a in salon service only and the benefits are amazing. Although using the shampoo and conditioner (cream rinse) is enough to feel a difference. 

Along with the Shampoo and the Cream Rinse Conditioner, there is a Intensive at home treatment, a Texturizing Sea Spray, a Styling Treatment Oil, a Finishing Spray, and a Shine Spray. 

Stop by a Paul Mitchell salon and get your Awapuhi Wild Ginger product line! 

XoX

FRIDAY FAVE: You say Burlesque, I say Fabulous...

I am a total "girlie girl." I like all things pink, pretty and shiny. Wait, did I mention SPARKLY?! This new line of nail colors from OPI is amazing!

It is themed after the movie "Burlesque" starring Cher and Christina Aguilera. 

The polishes are divided in two collections that separate the shimmers from the glitters. Colors are as follows: 

SHIMMERS

Rising Star- Faceted glimmering gold

Take the Stage- A warm spotlight shimmer orange

The Show Must Go On!-  Deep pink shimmer

Let Me Entertain You- Multi-talented fuchsia glimmer

Ali's Big Break- Glowing red stylish glimmer

Tease-y Does It- Tempting burgundy shimmer

GLITTERS

Bring On The Bling-  A gold that glitters

Glow Up ALready-  Glittering green

Extra-va-vaganza!- Orange glitter, not for the shy

Simmer & Shimmer- Blue glitters for you

Show It & Glow It- Fuchsias got you

Sparkle-icious- Multi-color glitter goodness

The polish retails for about $8.50 and the set up will look something like this:

Now just take a look at the awesomeness of the glitters.. (all included expect Sparkle-icious)

I'm not only in love, I'm OBSESSED. Also, layer anyone of these over another color, and you have something different! Let your creative mind blow! 

Polish on!

XoX

A salon I'm proud of

The salon I work for, our fun team and the AMAZING talents of our photographer: Kady Kinetic

Color your day beautiful :)

So my last blog was about hair cuts, can you guess what todays is about? 

So my favorite service to give to a guest is COLOR! But with so many colors out there how do you pick just one?! The best part is, you don't have to.

No, but really. Im my opinion, that's why we are girls. We grow our hair out to chop it off. We bleach it blonde to color it black. Thats what we do. But what color are you going for? What are some things to keep in mind when picking a color?

I always tell my clients, the more natural you want the overall color to look, the more colors you need to add. For example...this person has brown hair...

While thats pretty and all, look at how much better this person with different shades of brown looks...

More natural, right? So keep that in mind, with any color. Even blondes, there are different shades of blonde that can be added to give your hair depth. 

As a general rule, if you have green, or light blue eyes I think red hair, or hair with red tints, looks great. Take a picture of yourself when you were 6 or 7. What color was your hair? Thats (usually) the best color for your skin tone. Thats most likely the color that will make you look younger as well. Just a general rule. 

Also you need to keep in mind the upkeep. If you want chunky hilites on top of your head, you need to realize the grow out period will be fairly quick. However, if you chose 3 or 4 colors, and a soft weave, in the same tones as your natural and no more then 4 shades darker or lighter then your natural, then you could most likely go longer in between your color services. 

Talk about never really having to go to the salon...theres a newer technique out there. Its called "ombre" effect. Normally ombre refers to a fabric-dying technique that results in a subtle to dramatic color graduation.  It gives you that same gradual color wash look in the hair as well.  This is what it looks like:

Its the new fall/winter style. It is a way to grow out your summer blonde, or a great technique if on purpose. Either way, its very stylish and can look classy/elegant if done the correct way. Otherwise you are stuck with something like this:

Hope your salon experience is a relaxing, fulfilling one! 

Color on hair enthusiasts!

XoX

"Beauty draws us with a single hair"- Alexander Pope

What's the new trends? What's the new styles? What cuts are in?

Honestly....who cares? It's the truth. Let me explain: Everyone's hair texture and type is different. Everyone's face shape is different. Everyone has a different "style." These are just a few of the things that need to be considered in making a choice for a new hairstyle for yourself.

That being said, just because everyone and their mother seems to be wearing the "Victoria Beckham" bob, doesn't mean you should run out there and be like Susie asap. I mean, have you seen Victoria's jaw line? (AMAZing) There are however, variations to every cut. Like look at this:

or this:

These are all variations of a "inverted bob" or "Victoria Beckham" cut. But notice, Kelly Clarkson has a rounder face, so the cut is modified for her face shape. Katie Holmes might have said she wanted to hide her forehead...so she added bangs, but still the same cut. 

There are different textures you have to consider as well. Like for instance if you have super curly hair, you most likely are not going to have straight across bangs, unless you desire to straighten them everyday. In my opinion, though, I love love love the inverted bob on someone with curly hair. It is one of those cuts that show off the style through the curls. 

So when you go to your stylist and ask "What's the new cut"? And She/he says "The mullet" please don't say "do it". Well all don't have a "Billy Ray" face. 

I do, however have a favorite cut I like to do right now..(if your style allows) LAYERS

So next time you go see your favorite stylist, cut out a picture of something you like, on someone with a similar face shape and similar hair texture. If it's not right for you, they will (or better) let you know. So be daring! 

Remember: A good cut and color allows your hair to do all the talking. 

XoX