Wednesday, March 2, 2016

It's A 10 Styling Products ARE A 10, Indeed!

Last January, we were researching the value of keratin leave-in styling products for damaged, dull hair. You can read the beauty post here.

We had mentioned it's a 10 miracle leave-in plus keratin 4 oz. 




And we also divulged that we were going to try it.

The small, 4 ounce bottle is NOT the cheapest at $20, but it performs beautifully, so we will ALWAYS keep this one in our hair care arsenal.

We had noted that keratin in shampoos, conditioners + leave-in treatments all NOURISH hair with body-building ingredients that effectively repair damaged locks, protecting against further breakage and adding shine and elasticity to every strand.


That is NOT our hair in the photo. We wish it were, but we are working hard to improve it.

Our hair does NOT feature much fall-out, BUT, we started using It's a 10 with keratin, because we had found more broken ends for some strange reason. Plus, we have a wonky thyroid, which can also cause hair problems, and we had been under some personal stress for about 6 months, and we believe that all played a role in our hot mess hair.

Since we've been spritzing on the It's a 10, we have found faster growing locks, less breakage and better shine.

BUT-----the downside to using keratin products is the super soft, super sleekness that occurs. For most women, those are good things, but keratin leaves our tresses almost difficult to manage, or do anything with it.

We like BIG hair + volume, so we add a volumizing product the next day. STILL.....a leave-in keratin styling product, shampoo or conditioner are all excellent for correcting + hiding split ends, frizz, dullness, breakage...and so forth.

If you're upset + frustrated about damaged, dull, tired hair, then try a styling product with keratin.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Baby Powder + Talc Down There? Don't Do It Anymore!

If you use talc-based products to stay fresh in the genital area, ladies.....Please DON'T do it anymore.

And that goes for baby powder, which IS considered a talcum powder.


Most of us have heard about the possible link between Johnson & Johnson baby powder and ovarian cancer. Studies have been around since 1971, as well as another conducted in 1992, which found that regular use of baby powder increased the risk of developing ovarian cancer threefold.

A 2010 Harvard study concluded that talc in baby powder was cancerous to humans. And yet talcum powder remained on the market unregulated + without any warning from the manufacturer or the FDA.

Here are the 2 J&J TALC products some women blame for causing ovarian cancer, They were using the talc for personal hygiene.



You might ask, then why do we use baby powder all over our infants' bodies, if it is so dangerous?
Excellent question, for which we have no excellent answer.

In the meantime, the ovarian cancer risk for women is still up in the air. As noted integrative medicine expert, Dr. Andrew Weil believes, it's BEST to play safe, ladies"

....."Some studies have shown a small increased risk and other investigations have shown none. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a part of the World Health Organization, classifies the use of talc-based powders on the genital region as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Although the additional risk, if any, of ovarian cancer would be very small, the American Cancer Society suggests that women may want to avoid or limit the use of products containing talc."

We don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer," we just thought we would spread the news

Meantime.....The first baby powder cancer lawsuit was recently won in 2013. A federal jury recently found that talcum contained in some Johnson & Johnson powders contributed to a woman's ovarian cancer.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

L'Oreal's Low Lather Ever Cleansing Balm Line Won't Strip, Fade or Damage Hair

Do you ever skip a day or two of shampooing because you’re afraid of doing these nasty things?

Damaging, stripping, drying, or fading your hair?

We know we have. That's a never-ending challenge for many of us.

L'Oreal claims their Ever Cleansing Balm line is PERFECT for your demanding tresses. The products feature a low lather, non-stripping, non-build-up system with smoothing botanicals that cleanse, condition, treat damaged hair, de-tangle, soften and add shine.

Wow! Sounds like a must-try.

We found the one for color-treated hair here at ULTA for $11.99.


As you can see from the photos below, L'Oreal's Hair Expertise Ever line also includes EverCreme and EverCurl Cleansing Balms.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Obsessed With Tightlining.....So Cool For Eyes

Nope....We cannot quit this. This simple, tiny beauty tip can transform your look.

And it looks gorgeous on EVERY pair of eyes.

We are OBSESSED with tightlining.

It makes our lashes look longer + thicker! And when you add a great building mascara like L'Oreal Voluminous ($5.89), you can create a false lashes look. Amazing!




And it will work for you, too, even if that's all you apply to your eyes that day.

Er....What is TIGHTLINING?

It's where you apply eyeliner directly to your UPPER lash line, preferably from the underside of the lash line.

Here is a photo  of tightlining: (We found this at Popxo).



To find it, just lift your top or upper eyelid so you can see your upper water line. With your other hand, apply a black pencil liner into the underside of your upper lash line
.
Sounds squeamish, but it's NOT and it's quick to do, once you get the hang of it.

Try it alone without any mascara just to see how it DEFINES the shape of your eye.

We like tightlining, because our almond-shaped eyes  appear almost alien-like.  Looks so cool.

We use a simple black eye pencil, and it does NOT irritate our eyes in the least.

If you've NEVER tightlined before, try it. You might become obsessed.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Tina Fey Looks Great Without Makeup

We're impressed. At age 45, here is a photo snapped yesterday of Tina Fey in New York City sans any stitch of makeup on.

We think Tina looks pretty darn good.


Okay, so her roots are showing. She STILL appears attractive without cosmetics.....not easy to get away with after age 35.

Tina is on another roll these days, as she prepares for  her new movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot to premiere next week.

Even if you don't like the "heaviness" of a foundation on, you should wear a little color to even up your skin tone + add balance.

We suggest a tinted moisturizer for that almost bare look.

Here's a great one by Clinique, Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $27, at ULTA.

Oil-free, nice wash of color + comes in 6 shades to choose from.

Monday, February 15, 2016

Demi Lovato Slays in Sexy + Sophisticated Tuxedo Skirt Suit at Grammys 2016

We are LOVIN' Demi Lovato's hair + entire look at this evening's 2016 Grammy Awards!

The long, dark extensions are GLAM and her tuxedo blazer and long, high-slit skirt are KILLER!



Plus the sensual body chain is also a nice touch.


To copy Demi's black manicure, try Essie's Licorice ($8.50) to add that naughty finish.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Some Girls Can Get Away With Dark Brows And Very Blonde Hair

There are certain beauty rules we all seem to follow, but then again, sometimes beauty rules can be broken. And there are beauties who break the rules....and darn it....look good doing it.

Let's talk dark brows + very blonde hair.......

The beauty rules say this stark combination is a major no-no.

Well, tell that to a number of celebrities whose signature look features the two extremes together.

Here is Rita Ora just last evening at the Creators Party presented by Spotify, in Los Angeles.

Yup.....Rita's blackened brows are very noticeable, and yet.....she carries it off with her platinum hair quite beautifully. Plus, the sexy singer also went heavy on the liner + lashes for a glam cat eye. MEOW!


And Rita is not alone.

Check out more famous faces who wear flaxen hair with dark brows:






And the icon herself, Marilyn Monroe.



If you're looking to emphasize your brows, then go with the best in the biz----Anastasia. Her Perfect Brow pencils aren't cheap at $23, but deliver a great result.