So Stacey did the deed, now it’s my turn...to be a Fekkai hair model. This Thursday, 10 am is D-Day. I am both eagerly and nervously anticipating the day that I part ways with my locks. I was a Fekkai model about a month ago, and it was a great experience. I mean what can be better than a free hair appointment? Last time, I wasn't so brave and I only got a blowout. It looked great, but I'm ready to be more daring...
So that's where all of you come in. I have no idea what to do to my hair! It's like hair 9-1-1. I kind of want to do something totally unexpected. People say that cutting your hair is cathartic. I'm not so sure if I believe that, but I know I'm sick of my hair's current state of affairs. It's time for a change! And I'm thinking it might be time to carpe diem. I mean, you only live once right? The beauty of hair? It grows! So maybe it's time I try that asymmetrical bob or something really edgy a la Posh or Katie Holmes.
Should I go short or stay long? My hair is naturally curly. It curls into ringlets that people like to play with all day long. But I like to keep it straight, and if I go short, I will definitely need to keep it straight, because who knows what it'll look like when it shrinks into curls!
I need your help! I want a cut that will make me look fierce. Do you guys have any ideas? I'm open to all kinds of suggestions!
Peace Out,
Lauren
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We asked NYC makeup artist Emily Kate Warren how to transition your makeup bag from summer to fall. Read her top tips and be on your way to a fabulous fall look.
*Scrape the top layer of your powdered shadows in case they collected a top layer of oil from your sweat over the summer.
*Makeup sponges need to be washed once a week and thrown out each month. You also can just buy disposable sponges like these wedge ones at ulta.com.
*Switch from a waterproof mascara to a regular one . It isn’t necessary for everyday use after summer since you’re not sweating as much or doing as many water sports.
*If you’ve been tanning (with SPF) all summer, you probably have put your bronzers on hold. Add them back into your arsenal since you won’t be at the beach any longer.
*Amp up your lip gloss by switching juicy, coral tones out with richer, berry ones for fall.
*Have any lipsticks or cream blushes that melted in your car from the summer heat? Don’t throw them away. Scrape them all out of their containers with a brush or Q-tip and combine them all in an old Tupperware container or pillbox and mush them together to create an entirely different color to “recycle” them for fall.
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Each member of the hot girl group the Pussycat Dolls has given us their exclusive beauty tip. Here's Nicole's, and be sure to come back next week for another.
When applying fake lashes it always makes it easier to cut it in half. Also, always remember to use black lash glue, and if at first you don't succeed, try again! Long, luscious lashes will add some glamour to your look.
XOXO,
Nicole
Don't forget to check out the Pussycat Dolls' new album, Sure Doll Domination, in stores September 23.
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Each member of the hot girl group the Pussycat Dolls has given us their exclusive beauty tip. Here's Ashley's, and be sure to come back next week for Nicole's.
Wear a moisturizer with sunscreen on your face every day. You stay moisturized and protect your skin from harmful sun damage. It will keep you looking younger longer.
Love,
Ashley
Don't forget to check out the Pussycat Dolls' new album, Doll Domination, in stores September 23.
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Enter to win a trip to NYC and a free professional makeover! Enter now!
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I have to admit: ever since freshman year in college, when I first started borrowing my roommate’s smudgy MAC eyeliner, the smoky eye has kind of become my beauty staple. But while I’ll always love the sexy-chic look of charcoal-rimmed eyes, lately I’ve started to wonder if maybe I’ve been stuck in a bit of a beauty rut. I figured it was time to branch outside of heavily lined lids and try something new this summer.
My friend Sophia recently came back from a semester abroad in London, and (lucky me!) she brought along a fun souvenir – and the perfect antidote to my case of the beauty blahs. It was a set of five bold eyeshadows – apparently the stylish birds in London are sporting wild, neon hues this season. My new obsession is foregoing my trusty black liner in favor of a punchier shade, like peacock blue or grass green. The best part is that you don’t have to be totally precise in your application like you do with darker shades – hello, raccoon eyes? – making this look ideal for girls on the go. Plus, vibrant colors look amazing against a (faux!) tan. To test-drive the look yourself, try dipping an angled brush in a bit of the bright shadow of your choice, then run it along upper and lower lash lines like you would regular eyeliner. Finish with a coat of mascara and voila: an easy, pretty look for those hot summer nights.
xoxo
Drew Taylor
CG! Fashion Intern
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It's summertime, which means you've got your SPF30 in one hand and your polka-dot bikini in the other. There's only one small problem: your bikini line. I’m pretty sure every girl has always wondered about bikini waxing . Models do it. My friends do it. Heck, even some guys do it! My curiosity got the best of me and I finally took the plunge.
I made an appointment at a salon recommended by a good friend. When I arrived, I was presented with a menu of all of my hair-down-there options. It was like reading a travel guide: Parisian, Hollywood, Brazilian, Las Vegas. I nervously told the receptionist I wanted a Brazilian, and I was given a private room and a few minutes to get out of my skivvies and cover up with a towel. When the waxer Sofia came in, she was all business. I was super scared about baring it all, but Sofia didn't even bat an eyelash.
I was unprepared for some of the awkward positions that I had to do with my legs, but it's all just a part of the process. Sofia made a couple of jokes to ease my nerves and talked to me through the whole thing, which lasted less than 10 minutes. She applied hot wax, a small strip of paper, and pulled. The wax was done in sections so it wasn't too much in one spot at one time.
And the ouch factor? Not nearly as bad as it sounds - and I have a low tolerance for pain. I practically bawl my eyes out every time I pluck my brows, but after the first few pulls and a couple of nervous cringes, I was fine. Girls always ask me to equate the pain to something, and all I can say is that it's totally bearable. So bearable that I've been back every four weeks since. I absolutely love not having to worry about my bikini line every time I bust out my swimsuit.
There's no time like the present to brave the Brazilian - the beach is beckoning. But before you go, do some research. I did some frantic Googling about different salons and the price range, which seemed to range from $30-$80; I forked over $55 (including tip) and it was worth every penny. Get recommendations from friends and make sure the place is sanitary. Used wax = a huge no-no. Ask any questions you have beforehand.
The most important thing to remember is that these people have seen it all - literally. They're professionals, so don't be afraid to tell them exactly what you want. You can even start small with just a basic bikini wax and work yourself up to the whole shebang.
What do you think about bikini waxing?
Waxing poetic,
Allyson Ayers
Want to have a killer smile? As you prowl around town, cameras flashing, just look left and look right uttering “prune.” I'm having a good laugh just imagining it.
What?!, you ask? No, this isn’t one of my random thoughts. Believe it or not, the “prune” technique is rumored to be how Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen get those silly smiles we’ve all been wondering about. “Every time they pose and smile, they say the word ‘prune,’” a source close to the twins told OK!, MSNBC reported last week. MSNBC
Don’t worry, I’ll always have a soft spot for MK&A. Just poking some harmless fun. Anyway, there’s always the possibility the girls don’t “prune” it, and even if they do, I'm really not one to talk. Up until the past year or so, my mom always called me out on my own closed-mouth, prunish smile. I'm finally recovering and just smiling naturally, but I still have tons of old pictures capturing ridiculous facial expressions.
And you? MySpace... Facebook... Do I even have to ask if you’ve been posing? Rocker pose? Gangsta pose? Surprised face? Pouty face? Kissy face? Crinkled forehead? What's your trademark pose? What do you think makes you most photogenic?
Xoxo,
Emily Moorhouse
editorial intern
We as a generation are apathetic. We think “It will never happen to me.” I was the same way…I used to think that I was invincible. I am a teenager, after all. Then, one day, my superhero cape disappeared. While in the shower, I found a weird mole on my shoulder that I had never noticed before. I stood there completely numb. Since cancer runs on both sides of my immediate family, I am extremely wary about such things. The next day, I went to the doctor to have it checked out, and was told that I needed to see a specialist, who’s first available appointment was three weeks away. Those three weeks were the scariest of my entire life. Here I was, eighteen years old, facing the possibility of skin cancer. All I could do was think about the countless times I had laid on the beach in Hawaii, where I am from, without any type of protection. At the time, getting a tan was my ultimate goal, and I’d do whatever I needed to get it.
I am extremely lucky to now be able to say that the mole turned out to be non-cancerous. That experience, however, has forever changed me. I never want to be that afraid ever again, yet I will be eternally grateful for the experience. I’ve now come to embrace my naturally lighter skin. Yes, I still enjoy the beach, but do so armed with plenty of SPF and the mindset that taking care of myself also includes my skin.
I take this newfound wisdom on my crusade to help educate others. I remind my friends to use sunscreen. I urge then them to refrain from using tanning beds — and I urge you to do the same. I am trying to make sure that no one ever has to go through what I did. Learn from my mistakes, and protect yourself. You would never jump out of an airplane knowing that you did not have a parachute, so why sit in the sun without proper protection?
Maybe my superhero cape didn’t disappear…I just temporarily misplaced it.
Xoxo,
Glenna
I was recently sent a link to an article on ABC News titled "Some Lip Gloss May Promote Cancer" —yikes, what a title! If that’s not an attention grabber I don’t know what is. Immediately, I thought, “is there anything in this world that doesn’t cause cancer?” It seems every other day, word gets out about something new being linked to cancer. But lets stick to lip gloss here; that’s a scary thought right? How could something as harmless as your favorite lip-gloss promote cancer?
Once I read the article, I saw that the whole ‘lip-gloss and cancer correlation’ is only a theory and if you’re like me, you’ll notice that all the verbs are passive and none of the statements are really definitive. At this point in time, it’s all speculation.
Personally, though, I’d much rather be safe than sorry so my advice here is to use your common sense: what we do know for sure is that we all want sexy pouts for the summer, right? Well, the only way to guarantee that is to keep your lips smooth and moistened — meaning, don’t let them get burned! Sunburned lips are not only painful, but they get puffy and red, trust me ladies, it’s not cute! So, if for no other reason, pick up a gloss/lip balm with some SPF in it just to wear during the day when you’re exposed to the sun. And if forty years from now, after considerable research is done, we find out that there is a link between certain kinds of cancer and lip-gloss, you’ll already be in the clear.
Tell me, had any of you heard about this before? How seriously do you take news like this?
xo,
Julia
beauty intern
Flip through any fashion magazine and I guarantee you’ll find an article in there on searching for the right hairdo. I don’t know what it is about women and our hair, but it seems to me we’re never satisfied. I have friends with thick, gorgeous hair that I would kill for and even they complain about their beautiful locks (seriously, Becca, I don’t want to hear it anymore!) I’m convinced it’s embedded in our genetic makeup to associate hair with dissatisfaction. Well last week I finally got a haircut that I actually like — it’s a Kate Bosworth-inspired bob. After years of having long hair that took way too long to blow-dry, I decided to chop it all off, and I, for one, am thrilled. The cut is easy to style, feels fresh for spring, and there’s something very modern about the simplicity of it. So, for the first time in a long time, I can actually say "I like my hair!" — for now, anyway.
What do you think of Kate’s hairdo? While you’re at it, tell me who inspires your look!
xo,
Julia
There are plenty of people out there who pay close attention to hands — your nails can say quite a lot about you. Nails full of dirt and grime may indicate that you are simply do not take of yourself. It’s a clear sign how you relieve stress if you bite your nails. Of course, you can have perfectly healthy nails; which may indicate your profession or sense of sophistication!
We all want our hair to look great, so why not take care of our fingernails too?
It may sound like a lot of work, but it really isn't — you don't need to spend more than half an hour a week to maintain good nails. The best time to start your nail care routine is just after you've bathed or washed dishes by hand; either process should have removed most of the dirt that might have been on your nails. Do not change your nail color more than once a week, because nail polish remover can be drying and damaging to your skin, and it can also cause cracked and split nails.
Once the polish is gone, wash your hands, dry them thoroughly, and use an emery board or nail file to shape your nails. Normally, weekly self-manicures are sufficient to keep your nails a specific desired length, but if you find you must cut your fingernails, use a fingernail clipper. Then soak your fingers in warm, soapy water, and clean under the cuticles and nail edge, preferably with an orangewood stick. Most experts recommend that you leave your cuticles alone to avoid nail-bed infection. Do not push them back.
Once everything's clean, shiny, and well-shaped, paint on a coat of clear polish, let it dry, and then add whatever color polish you prefer, if any. If you like the natural look, the clear polish is enough; it'll protect your fingernails from incidental and environmental damage. If you do choose to add a colored polish, it's a good idea to add a clear topcoat over it in order to make it last longer and strengthen the underlying nail. Finally, it's a cool idea to apply a moisturizing cream or hand lotion to your hands and cuticles.
Do you have tips or nail trick? Let me know!
Smooches,
Cleo Greene
Beauty Intern
A few weeks ago a friend of mine won a free makeover and facial for herself and two friends, and she asked me to go. Of course I said yes, but little did I know I was going to a makeup party as well.
Three of us went to the woman’s house thinking it was just going to be a fun night with makeovers and posing for pictures, but we were wrong. After the fun was over, the sale’s woman whips out her catalogue, tells us the price, then starts writing up order forms for all of us as if we were going to buy the products.
Besides the fact that she was so pushy and implied how rude we were to not purchase something, she tried to force us to sign up to host our own parties even after we told her no. Aside from that, we were all told about imperfections we don’t have just so she’d make us think we needed to buy something to fix it. My friend was told she needed wrinkle cream, and she’s just about to turn 22!
I have been to makeup parties before where I was not pushed into buying anything on the spot. I was offered the catalogue and the sales woman’s number or e-mail after she presented the products. Besides the fact that most of the makeup parties I’ve been to are because a friend’s mom is a sales rep for Arbonne or Avon, they never made me or anyone feel bad about not purchasing anything that minute. I understand it’s a their prerogative to be as aggressive as possible to sell their product, but I was taken aback by how rude she was in her technique. I felt if one of us didn’t buy something we wouldn’t be able to leave, which is NOT ok. So here are a few tips on going to make up parties:
1. Either bring cash or a check so if you do buy something you can pay in full that day.
2. If you can bring your mom. No one will try to force you to do anything like waste your money on a product you don't need with your mom there.
3. Stand your ground but be polite. If you can’t buy something that day ask for a catalogue so you can purchase something in the future.
Tell me about some of your makeup party experiences?
Until next week…xoxo
Amanda
CG! Fashion Intern
Last week was QUITE a week for me. I visited my friends in Massachusetts and Providence, got my picture snapped for a street style blog, went to an amazing concert and found the cutest shirt in a giveaway pile for free. I ALSO slipped down a flight of stairs in front of a crowd of people (darn flip flops!), spilled soy sauce on my favorite dress, got a huge blister on my heel from un-broken-in shoes and was late for work... twice.
It's no wonder I felt in need of some relaxation, which was why I was so excited to have been invited to the media launch party for New York's Spa Week (thanks, Rachel!). It's a brilliant idea: a bunch of spas from all over the country get together, and for one week offer their best treatments for only $50. The party itself was really fun, too. There was an eco-friendly fashion show, a chocolate fondue fountain and free massages and manicures, plus, some pretty big names in beauty like Borba skin water and Jane Iredale makeup had set up stations where you could sample products and get expert advice. Phyto Universe, an all-natural beauty treatment center here in Manhattan, was even diagnosing hair with a super-magnifying camera connected to a screen. Trust me, there's nothing like seeing split ends blown up 400 times to convince a girl she needs a trim.
And the best part? I also walked out with a giant gift bag full of enough eco-friendly foot creams, makeup, perfumes, loofahs, lip conditioners and moisturizers to last months, even for a product junkie like me.
Do you have any favorite pampering spa treatments? What are your other great relaxation tips? I can’t wait to hear about them!
And make sure you check out Spa Week from April 14-20 in your city... it's in Arizona, Florida, Washington, Michigan, Texas, and tons of other places aside from New York. For more info, go to www.spaweek.org.
Bisous,
Meg Reid
CG! Editorial Intern
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