The Hair and Makeup Blog

Getting Your Makeup Ready for Fall

No one looks forward to the first day of fall more than me. It’s my favorite season. I love  the crisp air, falling of the leaves and fall fashions. And just like every season, it’s time to update your makeup for a new season of fierceness. Here are some tips to get your makeup ready for fall:

• First off, clean out your makeup bag. That’s right. Every season you should be making sure that any old, out of style or just wrong makeup hits the trash can. Check out our previous makeup posts for more info.

• Sunscreen isn’t just for summer. You need to protect your skin all year round. Don’t think that just because your beach days are numbered that you can go without sunscreen.

• It’s time to get into deeper, richer colors. Fall is all about the plums, coppers and classic blacks. You can also go on heavier than the light flowy looks you were rocking this summer.

• Heavier makeup can be harder to pull off and get to stay put. But if you stock up on a makeup setting spray like Model in a Bottle, you can be sure that your look will stay in place all day and night long.

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So You're New to Hair Extensions

Last week was the premiere of this season’s America’s Next Top Model. This year, like nearly all the rest, Tyra and show’s producers made changes to each model’s look based on  what could take her modeling to the next level. For some that involved coloring or cutting their natural hair, but for many that meant hair extensions.

Every year I watch Tyra give these young girls hair extensions and watch how some of them struggle to cope with their new looks. Some adjust beautifully and begin working their new hair extensions immediately. But others show up looking worse each week with tangled, nappy hair. I can’t help but wonder if no one sits these girls down and explains to them how to care for their new ‘dos.

Well, I can’t take it anymore. Whether you’re a new model or just new to hair extensions,  here are some quick bits of advice for first time extension wearers:

• Just say no to tight braids. Crying in the beauty chair is a sign that those braids are too tight. That’s also true if you suddenly become Asian after the stylist is done. Too tight braids can damage your hair, irritate your scalp and drive you crazy.

• Avoid tangles by any means necessary. Put your hair in a loose braid and tie it up at night to avoid waking up with nappy extensions.

• Do your best to avoid scratching at the braids underneath. It will just irritate your scalp.

• When you wash your hair extensions, allow the shampoo to seep down into the braid underneath. Let that sit for a bit and then rinse them thoroughly. Washing your extensions at home is just fine but you may want to have a professional do it for the most thorough job.

• You may really like the way you look with hair extensions. More than one woman has gotten addicted to the full, fierce look that comes with them. When it’s time to get them redone, be sure to buy premium human hair extensions for a longer lasting look.

Whether you’re new to wearing hair extensions or you’re an old pro, for all the products you need to glam up your look, head over the Look Hair and Makeup Online Store.

Is Your Makeup Safe?

Finding makeup that matches your style and skin tone is hard enough. And if you’re buying the good stuff, it can definitely take a chunk out of your wallet. So you want to use every bit of our makeup if possible.

But you can’t always do that. Makeup doesn’t last forever and using old or expired cosmetics just isn’t safe. You run the risk of spreading bacteria all over your face and contracting infections.

Check the guidelines below to see if you’re using old makeup:

Liquid Foundation—Foundations with pumps shouldn’t be used for more than nine to twelve months. Bottled foundations won’t last nearly as long because each time you dip your fingers or a makeup applicator in it, you’re exposing the entire bottle to bacteria. These should be tossed out in between six and nine months.

Powder—Pressed powders, blushes and eyeshadows can last up to a year as long as  you don’t see any changes in consistency and keep the makeup applicator clean with mild soap and warm water.

Mascara—Three to four months is all that mascara can last. It is especially dangerous to use old mascara because it exposes bacteria to your eyes.

Eyeliner—A pencil eyeliner can still go strong for as long as two years. Liquid eyeliner has to replace by six months. And if you get any kind of eye infection, throw out all of the eye makeup you’ve been using and start from scratch after you’ve healed.

Lipstick—These, as well as gloss, can last up to two years, unless you see any changes in consistency or coloring.

If any of your makeup is older than it should be, toss it immediately. At least this gives you the chance to go out and buy more. Be sure to put Model in a Bottle finishing spray on your list to give your look lasting power.

Check out The Look for insider scoop on beauty news and luxury beauty products.

Get Summer Chic with 10 inch Brazilian Hair Extensions

This summer both the Weather Channel and your body is screaming one thing: it's hot!  It's too hot to be dependent on your flat iron or hair dryer.

If you're looking for a look that's low on the maintenance and high on the sexy, the short curly bob is for you.  And while there are plenty of times that you must suffer to look fabulous, this isn't one of them.

Put away the usual straight hair extensions and break out the 10 inch Brazilian short curly hair.  short is sexy.  Just ask the gorgeous Halle Berry who went from cropped pixie do to a long luscious hair extensions and then this short curly bob. 

You know what makes this a summer sexy look?  Summer is all about comfort with a chic twist.  Your summer wardrobe is all about being casual and comfy.  A curly bob will compliment your summer look without being messy or frumpy.  Take both your comfort and your look up a notch with 10 inch Brazilian hair extensions.

Wedding Day Glam

June is the height of wedding season so we know that many our fabulous fashionistas are knee deep in wedding mania. Wedding planning comes with an ever growing to do list and tons of stress. There are so many things that could go wrong. The dress. The DJ. The invites. Will the groom even show up?!

Well, we may not be able to guarantee you happily ever after, but you can at least check gorgeous wedding hair off your list with this rules:

• Go for glamour. A wedding day is the perfect time for you to up your style index. An easy way to do this is adding a few extensions to your natural hair. Whether your want a dramatic up-do or curls down your back, you’ll get a fuller, more glamorous look in record time with Remy Brazilian extensions.

• Don’t forget the wedding props. Unlike most days in your life, you will have lots of props and accessories on Big Day. The dress. The veil. The headpiece. The groom. These should all be factors in your wedding hair. Edgy hair and a traditional wedding don’t go together. Neither do your 80s prom do and a  modern minimalist ceremony.

• You get what you pay for. We could all save a buck in this economy but please  remember that if you go the cheap route, you may regret it. Spend the money where it counts and go for high quality hair products and care to avoid any wedding day snafus.

To make your wedding look flawless, check the Look Hair and Makeup online store for the source for 100% Remy hair extensions and luxury beauty products.

Summer 2009 Hottest Makeup Trends: Low Maintenance With Spark Of Color

Special guest blogger and Celebrity Makeup Artist: Felisha L. Mims

Summer is the season when one rule always applies…“less is more”.  Not only does this concept apply to clothing but makeup as well.   With the harsh rays of the sun beaming down on us we want to make sure our skin is healthy and fresh.  This means moving away from heavy foundations and allowing the skin to breathe with a sheer, lightweight tinted moisturizer  which contains SPF ingredients.  The tinted moisturizer will hydrate the skin while giving it a hint of color and add a healthy glow to your complexion.  A translucent powder is a good product to use throughout the day to reset your makeup and control the shine without adding color. 

Keeping with this summer’s makeup trend is a spark of color on the cheeks and eyes.  The cheeks should be vibrant yet sheer enough to compliment the lightweight tinted moisturizer.     Selecting delicate pinks, soft rose and subtle peach colors and placing the color at the peak of the cheekbone, and fading the color slightly downward as oppose to concentrating the color on the apples of the cheeks, redefines the structure of the face.  The eyes on the other hand, should be somewhat more daring and pop with hues of  vibrant turquoises, seductive plums, and shimmery silvers.  Remember a little goes a long way so apply only one of these bold colors on top of the lids or as an accent color on a neutral eye. 

Eyebrows and lashes should not be overlooked.  The summer trend for eyebrows is a natural brow with minimum refinement.  Eyebrows can be filled slight as to not overpower the statement made by the eye makeup.  Eyelashes should be accented with a light application of mascara.    Waterproof mascara is ideal for those sun sweltering days.        

Last but not least lips should be hydrated with a lip balm that contains sunscreen to help protect the lips then a gloss with a tint of color should be applied on top.  The gloss should be subtle enough not to offset the vibrancy that comes from the cheeks and eyes. 

Tip 1:  To take your look up a notch increase the intensity of the color on the eyes, rim the eyes with a soft black or brown to bring them out, add more volume to your lashes by building up the mascara, and add more color to the lips with an opaque gloss.

 

Tip 2: For an evening look add a shimmer to the arms, shoulders and décolletage.

 Visit Felisha's portfolio at http://picasaweb.google.com/transitionsofbeauty

Getting Bronzer Right

Haven’t had a chance to hit the beaches just yet this summer? Are you the kind of girl that goes from zero to sunburned in minutes? Or maybe you just want the sun kissed look without the risk of sun damage? The answer is bronzer.

Bronzer is probably one of the most misused makeup products out there. When done right, bronzer can give you a naturally healthy glow that looks like you just came back from a Miami vacation . . . even if the most sun you’ve gotten is walking from your car to your house. When done badly, bronzer can make you orange, dirty and just plain wrong.

The key to bronzer is where you put it. Like blush, bronzer should be applied anywhere that the sun would naturally hit you—the bridge of your noise, your chin, your forehead, your cheekbones. Don’t forget to blend!

Your bronzer should also be tailored to your skin tone. Are you on the paler side? Then go for a peachy blend. Darker skin looks best with gold or copper toned bronzer blends.

We love the Bobbi Brown bronzer.  There is a perfect shade for everyone.

If you’re worried about making mistakes, go for the powder bronzer instead of the liquid. It’s more forgiving and harder to get wrong or experiment at home with a liquid or cream foundation that is 3 to 4 times darker than your skin tone.

And for pulling it all together, don’t forget to set your makeup with Model in a Bottle. This finishing spray will keep your look in place all day. You worked hard on giving yourself a healthy glowing just-from-the-beach look. Make it last.

Check out The Look Hair and Makeup online store as the source for high end Indian and Brazilian human hair extensions, hair care and makeup products.

Eating Your Way to Healthy Hair

We all know that you are what you eat . . . but did you know that it affects your hair too? You can spend all the money you want on expensive hair products, but if you’re not putting the right things in your body, it won’t do you any good. Good hair care starts with a good diet, so make sure you’re watching what you eat. Here are some tips to eating right for your hair:

Dry /Brittle Hair: First of all, are you staying hydrated? A great way to avoid all kinds of health problems is to make water your main beverages. Another cure for dry hair is upping your intake of fish or nuts, which contain the fatty acids that you need keep your hair so ft and moisturized.

Oily Hair: That’s not enough vitamin B. Stay away from the oily foods and eat more eggs, leafy vegetables and whole grains. These are all great sources of vitamin B

Thinning Hair: This situation is often caused by an iron deficiency. Stock up on red meat and eggs. Vitamin E might also be missing from your diet, so leafy vegetables and nuts are also a good bet.

Even if you don’t have these problems, there are certain vitamins that will improve the general health of your hair. If you don’t get enough vitamin C, found in citrus fruit, you’ll lose your hair over time. You’ll find the vitamin A needed to promote hair growth in carrots, broccoli and sweet potatoes.

After you’ve gotten your diet right, you should keep your hair healthy by using like HairArt tourmaline flat irons that promote hair growth and minimizes hair breakage. For all the hair care products and tools you’ll need to keep your hair healthy, head over the Look Hair and Makeup online store.

Hairstylist To The Stars Robert Ramos On Summer Hair Care Tips

The Hair And Makeup Blog had the pleasure to sit down with Hairstylist to the Stars: Robert Ramos at the salon to discuss some of our favorite topics hair and hair care products.  Robert is very warm, personable and knowledgeable about hair.  This is why so many women trust him with styling, coloring and cutting their hair.

Robert Ramos is part owner of the chic West Hollywood's Estilo Salon. Estilo Salon is located on swank Beverly Ave in West Hollywood.  Estilo is The House of Style for hair.  The salon provides all major hair services and provides additional Brazilian Keratin hair treatment, Japanese hair straightening, traditional sew-in hair wefts and keratin hair extensions. 

Robert is the much publicized hairstylist for Jessica Alba and Eva Mendes.  However, Robert has been in the business for many years and has worked with celebrity legends Bette Midler and Pam Grier.  In fact Bette Midler has been Robert's client for 20 years.

Celebrities have been fascinated with Robert for some time but the latest industry buzz is Robert Ramos fresh clean haircare line.  The shampoo is paraben and sulfate free. The styling spray was featured in fall/winter 2009 LA's Fashion Week. It is ideal for people who want hold and touchable tresses.

One of my favorite Robert Ramos product is the leave in conditioner which provides added moisture for the hair. An extra benefit to the leave in conditioner is that it works great on weaves and human hair extensions.  It makes wavy hair extensions look new, provides sheen and helps define curls. The Robert Ramos conditioner has hair friendly ingredients such as silk amino acids, spirulina, ginseng and UV protection.

Here are some of Robert's tip for summer hair:

1. Keep yourself hydrated
2. Eat a healthy diet - what you do on the outside is as important as what you put on  your hair
3. Buy one to two hair care products you know is gonna work
4. Use a daily leave in conditioner - check out Robert Ramos leave in conditioner- great for vacation hair
5. When out in the sun for extended periods use a hat to cover up your hair
6. You are not bound to a ponytail - create a low messy knot instead. A knot provides a stylish summer look

Robert Ramos products are eco friendly and old school inspired.  You can purchase Robert Ramos products online at  http://www.robertramos.com or in select salons.

To book a hair appointment with Hollywood Celebrity Hairstylist Robert Ramos visit Estilo Salon http://www.estilosalonla.com or contact 323-936-6775

Summer Hair Do's

So it’s finally June and summer is officially in full swing. Get ready for beach vacations, flip-flops and the ice cream truck on your street every five minutes. But before you can  start enjoying all these wonderful summertime treats, be prepared for the stress that the hot weather puts on your hair. Make sure your style is a summer hair-do and not a summer hair-don’t by following the following tips:

• Summer humidity is a breeding ground for the frizzies so even think about giving your flat iron a vacation. Avoid heat damage to your hair by using a heat protecting hair spray and making sure that you upgrade to a professional Hair Art Flat Iron.

• Easy up-dos take the work out of styling your hair and keep you cool at the same time. There are tons of ways to put your hair up, but the easiest is to just grab your hair, twist it up and secure it with two bobby pins. Use a high quality smoothing product, like Tancho Stick, to keep the strays in check. 

• Let your hair take the summer off. Salt water and UV waves can wreak havoc on your tresses. Try sew-in weaves. Your own hair is put in neat braids beneath 100 % Remy reusable hair extensions, giving you the look of long luscious hair without exposing your own hair to the summertime elements.

For all the luxury hair products and tools you need to get you through the summer, check out the The Look Hair and Makeup ® online store.