Quantcast
Channel: Beauty, Hairstyles, Fashion Trends & More | SheKnows
Viewing all 4293 articles
Browse latest View live

The Most Flattering Hairstyles for Round Faces Are Not What You'd Think

0
0

We all love a trip to the salon, but trying out a new cut can be a nerve-rattling experience — especially when you're not totally sure what kind of style is best suited for your round face shape. And, unfortunately, not all stylists know what's up when it comes to matching a cut to face shape, either.

That just means it's up to us to do the research and figure out exactly what will look best before we even sit down in the chair. We've got some pro tips, featuring advice from hair expert Karen Shelton of HairBoutique.com.

First, is your face really round?

Before we even discuss some great styles for you, you need to know how to determine the shape of your face. To find your real face shape, measure it with a tape measure or ruler. Take (and write down) the following:

  • Measure your face across the top of your cheekbones, then measure across your jaw line, between the widest points.
  • Measure across your forehead at the widest point. Generally the widest point will be somewhere about halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline.
  • Measure from the the widest point of your forehead to the bottom of your chin. (Remember that you are measuring your face — not your entire head — and mid-forehead to chin will usually do the trick.)

There are lots of other ways women have used to figure out this shape — from outlining the face on a mirror with lipstick to draping it with a towel and asking others to help figure out the structure.

You can try any of these tips or use the steps outlined above. Whatever your method, do remember that this is more about art than science! (And the fact that nobody really has a round-as-a-basketball head.)

More: How to Do the Ultimate French-Twist Updo on Every Hair Type

Round face dimensions

If you have a round face, it will be about as wide as it is long. This may vary a little where your face is not quite as wide as it is long, but it's usually pretty close.

You will have fullness at and below your cheekbones. People with round faces also tend to have wide hairlines, less-pronounced chins, and their necks often seem short.

Below are the most common face shapes besides round. Most people will fit into one of the major categories, which also include:

  • Oval Face - Length equal to one and a half times width.
  • Long - Longer than it is wide.
  • Heart - Narrow at jawline, wide at forehead and cheekbones.
  • Square - Forehead, jawline and cheekbones are almost equal in width.
  • Diamond - Wide cheeks, narrow forehead and jaw line.

Hot hairstyles for round faces

There really is no one "perfect" hairstyle for a round-shaped face; many things factor into the total equation. For example, the length of your hair, its texture and weight, your age and lifestyle requirements all play a part in what is ultimately the best.

There are good general guidelines that you can follow, but the best solution is to find a style that works best for you and all your beauty needs.

If your face is round, the best hairstyles generally include:

  1. Layered bangs rather than straight or heavy bangs.
  2. Short styles which give height.
  3. Styles that add length.
  4. Styles that keep the sides of your hair short or close to the face.
  5. Curls around the crown -- but never near the cheeks -- to create height. Keep the sides of your hair short with a curly style.
  6. Longer to very long styles, with bangs and a graduated shag or layers so that the face and the neck are given a slenderizing shape.

Next Up: Find the best hairstyle for your round face shape

Updated by Sarah Long on 2/10/17

Consider your facial features

  • If you have a double chin, keep the hair around your face above chin level to draw the eyes upwards. The back may be grown a little longer -- a bob would be ideal.
  • If you have a short neck, a short cropped style will make a shorter neck appear longer. Long hair worn up will give the same effect. Well-placed highlights will also slenderize the face. Highlights that are woven around the face in an "angel halo" effect will also help an overly round face appear thinner.
  • Long hair can be worn just as easily as short or medium-length hair as long as you wear your hair "forward" onto your face to create a more "oval" appearance. Don't be afraid to wear your hair any length that you like!
  • While you select your style, be sure to take into consideration the texture of your hair. If your hair is thick and coarse, you would do well with a style that benefits from the "bed head" look around the crown.
  • If you have curly hair, you can use the curls by letting them add height at the crown. You can also wear your curly hair longer, with the bulk of your hair pulled back behind your ears, or with just a very few ringlets along your face to minimize the fullness.

Breaking the rules

Camryn Manheim is a classic example of someone letting her hair be the way she wants it to be and not following the strict rules for a round face. And remember Baby Spice? Her very round face is often coiffed in styles that would not normally be considered the "perfect" style for her face shape — but they still work!

One great way to find the best style for your face shape is to buy fashion, beauty and hair magazines and look through them for examples of hairstyles that you like and think would be flattering to your face shape and hair texture. Make a special hairstyle scrapbook of the styles you like best and then take the entire book to your stylist and ask them to advise you on some styles.

More: 5 Actually Easy Updos to Get You Through Winter

What makes you comfortable is more important than what's trendy

One thing to keep in mind is to find a style that you enjoy. There is no point is selecting "the perfect style" if it is impossible to maintain, it feels unnatural, or you just don't like wearing it. One trend that is definitely emerging in the hair and beauty industry is individuality. If you see a style that you love and it doesn't fit the "rules," wear it anyhow — or modify the style slightly so that it works well for your face.

The bottom line is to have fun with your hair. If you love your look — whether it fits the rules or not — you will look better because you'll be happy with yourself!

Read on to the next page to see how actresses with round faces rock their hair.

Next Up: Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones
Image: C.Smith/Wenn.com, Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com

Catherine Zeta Jones elongates the look of her round face with an updo. Any type of hairstyle with some height will lengthen the look of your face and be flattering for those women with round face shapes.

Catherine Zeta Jones also looks beautiful with her hair left long. With her curls at the bottom, it lengthens the look of her neck to give a slenderizing appearance to her face.

Next Up: Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci
Image: Flashpoint/WENN, Andres Otero/WENN.com

Christina Ricci looks fabulous with short hair and bangs. Though she has a bit of a heart-shaped face, this hairstyle works well for her because it is shorter than chin level.

Christina Ricci's hair pulled away from her face makes her round cheeks a little more pronounced. With her pointed chin, she may fare better with a hairstyle that is a bit closer to her face.

Next Up: Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore hair
Image: Dennis Van Tine/Future Image/WENN.com

Here you can see Drew Barrymore's ponytail look from the side. Drew has worn her hair in almost every way possible. She's so cute that most hairstyles look flattering on her. If she wanted to slenderize her face, an updo with some height would work well rather than a slick ponytail.

Next Up: Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer Goodwin

Ginnifer Goodwin bob
Image: FilmMagic/Getty Images

Ginnifer Goodwin has round cheeks and a pointed chin. With a chin-level hairstyle like this, it widens the look of her chin, balancing out her face. The sideswept bangs are also quite flattering.

Next Up: Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow bob
Image: WireImage/Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow has a bit of a square face which is softened with her side-part. One haircut you should avoid if you have a square shaped face is a straight chin-length bob with blunt bangs.

Next Up: Kara Tointon

Kara Tointon

Kara Tointon hair
Image: FilmMagic/Getty Images

Kara Tointon slenderizes the look of her round-shaped face with her beautiful shoulder-length hair. Hairstyles shoulder-length and longer with layers elongate the look of your face, toning down the roundness of your cheeks.

Next Up: Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson bob
Image: WENN.com

Kate Hudson has an oval shaped face with a slightly pointed chin. Oval faced women are lucky because hairstyles both long and short can look great.

Next Up: Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst

Kiersten Dunst bob
Image: WireImage/Getty Images

Kirsten Dunst's layered modified bob adds length to her round face. To avoid that cherub-like look, layered bangs like Kirsten's are normally best for round shape faces, rather than heavy bangs.

Next Up: Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus updo
Image: FilmMagic/Getty Images

Miley Cyrus' messy updo provides some texture and draws the attention away from her round cheeks. Graduated, wavy layers like Miley's hair takes the emphasis off the roundness of your face, making it appear more slender.

Next Up: Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez hair
Image: Getty Images Entertainment

Selena Gomez has very round cheeks but a pointed chin. Her face is what you would call a rounded heart shape. Her long and gorgeous curtain of hair helps to slenderize her face.

Next Up: 4 hairstyle trends that are a godsend for round faces

Long bangs for round faces

Long, sideswept bangs and long layers slenderize a round face. Avoid heavy bangs and short layers around the cheeks if you want to give the appearance of a longer, slimmer face.

Long layers for round faces

Long or extra long straight hair is an ideal hairstyle for women with round faces. If you want to have bangs, sweep them to the side rather than leaving them blunt and heavy.

Wispy layers for round faces

Long, wispy layers draw the eyes downward, lengthening the look of your neck and face. This hairstyle is a great look for women with round faces. For special nights out, it's also easy to pull this style into a high updo -- which is also a terrific hairstyle for round shaped faces.

Messy bob for round shapes

A messy bob can be flattering to some women with round faces. The key is to avoid a bob that is too short and adds width to your face. Add little pomade and give your bob cut a little texture and height up top. Another tip to slenderize the look of your face with a bob hairstyle is to add a pair of dangling earrings.

Perky bob for round faces

If you have a round face and short hair, try to keep the sides close to your face. This hairstyle flairs out too much on the sides, adding even more width to an already round face.

Next Up: Flattering hair cut techniques for round faces

Pixie cut for round face shapes

Don't think you can't have short hair with a round face. A pixie cut with a little spiky height at the top and layered bangs can actually slenderize the look for your face. If you have curly hair and a round face, keep the curls on the crown and away from the cheeks.

Textured layers for round faces

A terrific hairstyle for women with round faces is shoulder length hair (or longer) with razor cut textured layers. The length of the hair slenderizes the look of your face. Also pulling hair back away from the forehead can add a slimming effect.

Short bob for round face shapes

Many women with round faces steer away from short bobs, but you have to figure out what works with your own face. This hairstyle is very cute because of the textured layers. If the bangs were a little longer and swept to the side it would balance out the round face even more.

Razor cut bob hairstyle for round faces

If you have round cheeks and a slightly pointed chin, you can balance out your face with a razor cut chin-length bob. By keeping the sides of your hair close to your face, you can take the emphasis off of your cheeks.

More: Thinking of Going Short? 4 Questions to Think About

Face-framing bob for round face shapes

A smooth, face-framing bob can work well with a round face and short, straight hair. However, you should avoid this style if you have a round shaped face and curly hair. The curls near your cheeks will make your face look even rounder. Also by pinning your bangs to the side, you can open up your forehead and elongate the look of your face

Next Up: More flattering hairstyles for round faces

Rounded bob for round faces

Should a round faced woman wear a rounded bob? Not usually. But it can work if it's the right length. A short bob that hits above chin level and bangs that are swept to the side will add the right angles to balance out a round face.

Accent curls for round face shapes

To draw the attention away your round cheeks, you want to put the emphasis on the length or the height of your hair instead. With this hairstyle, the soft layers and curly ends of the hair provide a slimming effect by drawing your eyes downward to the curls.

Outward bend for round faces

Layers are the name of the game when you are trying to slenderize the look of your face. If you have a round shaped face, soft layers with an outward bend and choppy bangs can add dimension and texture to your look. This is a fabulous hairstyle for shoulder length hair and longer.

Long layer hairstyles for round faces

A round shaped face looks more slender with sweeping bangs and long layers. This hairstyle is very flattering for round shaped faces with a slightly pointed chin. Since it's just below chin-level, it draws the attention downward (slenderizing the face) as well as adds some needed width to the chin area.

Tapered cut for round faces

Many times women with round faces avoid short hairstyles. But if you love short hair, go for it. Just experiment until you find the right style for you. A tapered cut with sweeping bangs can work well for a round faced woman with straight hair.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

11 best hair products that actually work and cost $10 or less
Image: Natalie Cosgrove/SheKnows

People are PISSED at This Mom for Drawing in Her Toddler’s Eyebrows

0
0

Let’s be honest: We’re all on a quest for perfect, celebrity-level brows. Whether you’re trying a new brow-pencil-gel hybrid, or that cult-favorite, costs-more-than-your-cell-bill crayon the Sephora employee insists you buy, we’ll all go to great lengths to get our eyebrows on par with the likes of Lily Collins and Cara Delevingne.

And recently, our eyebrow envy escalated again when we came across photos of two-year-old Alisha-Lyn. Yup, you heard that right—Alisha-Lyn is only two years old and, with the help of mom Amalia Bass, her eyebrows are already rivaling Kim Kardashian’s.

More: 11 of the Coolest Moms to Follow on Instagram Right Now

Toddler with drawn in eyebrows
Image: Amalia Bass/Facebook

Bass, 19, caused massive internet outrage when she uploaded a photo of her daughter’s eyebrows, which had been expertly contoured and shaded, with the caption, “When you’re two years old and your brows are on fleek.” Despite Bass’ serious makeup skills—and the fact that makeup is completely washable—Facebook users freaked out over the mother’s decision to fill in her toddler’s eyebrows.

Bass has since taken down her photo, but according to Cosmoplitan UK, one outraged user commented, “Ask any responsible adult that isn’t a teen. This is just so wrong on so many levels, and is not fun,” while another user voiced similar opinions, stating, “This generation of girls are [sic] gonna be a lost cause if we don’t teach them about more important things than their ‘LOOKS’….. Such a shame really!” according to Daily Mail.

Amalia Bass Eyebrows
Image: Amalia Bass/Facebook

This almost goes without saying, but putting makeup on children has been a longstanding debate, with pretty much no clear winner. Although Toddlers in Tiaras-level hair and makeup may make you cringe, what about the basic childhood rites of passage, like wearing your mother’s heels or layering up her strands of pearls and rings? Sure, we want to teach children that their value, intelligence, self-worth, and character are all miles more important than their looks, but Bass’ photo definitely wasn’t claiming the opposite.

In fact, Bass insists that filling in her daughter’s eyebrows was simply for Alisha-Lyn’s fun and enjoyment, and she has never plucked or waxed them. “I had a lot of mixed opinions about it,” Bass told MamaMia, “Some people said ‘let her be a baby,’ which I agree with, but I can’t help it if it’s what she likes. I would never force her to put makeup on if she didn’t want to.” She also added, “I just think you should never stop a child from doing what they like or love. You never know—she may become an amazing makeup artist one day.” Perhaps we’ll be first in line to get our brows done by Alisha-Lyn in twenty years.

More: 10 Fast Beauty Tricks from Top Mom Bloggers

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

5 Easy Hairstyles You Can Do in Under 5 Minutes

0
0

Hey, we all have the best of intentions in the morning. You tell yourself you’re going to get your ass out of bed, take a shower, blow-dry your hair, try that cool, funky braid you saw on your co-worker, and finally look like a put-together human being. Then reality hits, and sleep calls you back to bed, and your hair gets thrown into the same topknot or ponytail it’s been existing in for the better part of the last year. We get it.

More: The 5 Best Flat Irons for Natural, Coarse, and Kinky-Curly Hair

But trust us when we say that awesome-looking hair doesn’t need to take you 20 minutes to execute. And to prove it to you, we rounded up our favorite quick-and-easy hairstyles that really will take you a max of five minutes each…provided this isn’t the first time you’ve ever braided your hair or held a bobby pin in your life. Below, our favorite fast hairstyles for short hair, long hair, and everything in between.

Easy, So-Pretty Hairstyle
Image: Imaxtree

Half-up braid

Even braid newbs can handle this one. And no, you don’t need to use the fake hair to master the look on your own.

Braided, twisted, and knotted updos

Three gorgeous updos for natural hair that take approximately five-ish minutes each, and require absolutely zero prep beforehand.

Twisted ponytail

Yes, you really can do something cute with your short hair, as long as you have a few bobby pins and an elastic on hand.

Space buns

When in doubt, throw your hair into some double buns, which save pretty much every and any bad hair day.

Rope-y updo

If you can make a messy bun and twist your hair like a rope, you can pull off this shockingly easy updo in just a few minutes.

More: 43 Best Inspo Photos for Every Type of Bangs

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

How to Dry Your Hair Fast When It's Cold Outside

0
0

In the summer, drying your hair fast usually means stepping outside for the six seconds that it’d take for the sun to do its job, but in the winter, it’s a whole other story: No matter what your grandmother would have you believe, leaving the house with wet head of hair might not actually get you sick, but it will be unfortunate levels of uncomfortable. With that in mind, we talked to hairstylist Michael Dueñas to find out how to dry your hair fast—like, really fast.

Wring It Out

First things first: As soon as you shut the water off, wring out your hair ever so slightly—you don’t want to twist it so hard that it hurts, but getting rid of the excess moisture will set you up for a quick blow-dry.

Towel Dry

For the love of all things holy, stop towel-drying your hair in a fury: You’ll damage the cuticle faster than any heat tool, since wet hair is more susceptible to breakage. And while you’re at it, switch to a microfiber towel for maximum absorption. “I highly recommend switching to the Aquis towel,” says Dueñas, who says he’s “never used a more absorbent, less abrasive towel before.” It’ll cut your dry time in half, but if you’re in a bind, a 100 percent cotton T-shirt works, too. And if you have curls, plop: just flip your head over and pile your hair on top of your head. Then, wrap it in the microfiber towel and get started on your makeup.

Prep Your Hair

“Getting your hair to dry faster without damage is key,” says Dueñas, who recommends spritzing Garnier Fructis Smooth Blow Dry on damp hair before you pick up the blow-dryer. “It provides your hair with the moisture it needs, so it’ll release the water it’s holding on to.”

Drying your fast in the winter
Image: ImaxTree

Grab the Alcohol

This might seem counterintuitive since alcohol can be drying, but if you’re really in a rush, go for it: “A pro secret is to use a light hairspray because the alcohol in it will help dry your hair quicker,” says Dueñas, who likes Oribe Superfine Hairspray. “And as a bonus, you get great texture!” I recommend.

Your Brush Matters

I’ve seen friends use their fingers—or worse, a rattail comb—to blow-dry their hair, which isn’t helpful if you’re trying to get out of the house five minutes ago (or ever, really). Instead, use a brush that allows air to pass through the back of the brush, Dueñas says. He recommends the Denman Vent Brush, which’ll run you about $10.

Drying Time

“A good blow-dryer absolutely makes a huge difference,” says Dueñas, who recommends the Conair 3Q. “It has great airflow that helps dry hair radically faster than other dryers.” If you’re in a position to invest in a blow-dryer, both the T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i and GHD’s Air Professional Performance blow-dryers are ion-powered for a fast blow-dry.

More: 4 Things to Try to Make Your Hair Air Dry Faster

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

11 Models Breaking Barriers and Changing How We View Women's Bodies

0
0

When it comes to shattering societal beauty norms, Tess Holliday is the queen. For a couple of years now, Holliday has been revolutionizing what it means to be a supermodel and has followed her dreams into a successful career. In 2015 alone, she was named one of the top plus-size models by Refinery29, Vogue Italia and Huffington Post. Since then, she's become one of the most prevalent body image activists of our time and founded the movement #EffYourBeautyStandards. But Holliday is not the only plus model turning heads — here are 11 other models who are not only bringing awareness to plus-size fashion, but also making a difference in the beauty industry and the entire world.

1. Hunter McGrady

McGrady is all up in Sports Illustrated's 2017 Swimsuit Issue, and we couldn't be happier about it. The model is proud to be breaking barriers as a plus-sized model in SI.

"This is a surreal moment for me. You guys I have been bursting to tell you all about this! I want to thank @MJ_Day for an opportunity like this to do the SI model search and for being a force in this industry and everyone at @si_swimsuit for promoting that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes," she wrote in her Instagam announcement of her involvement with this year's Swimsuit Issue."

"Women, for anyone who has ever felt uncomfortable or insecure because of rolls, or stretch marks, or cellulite, or acne, or felt like you didn't measure up because you weren't represented in the magazines-THIS IS FOR YOU!" she added. "You are beautiful. You are STRONG. You are powerful and together we need to lift eachother up and inspire one another. There's too much going on on this world to let eachother fall by the wayside."

2. Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham has been involved in many eye-catching projects, from the Lane Bryant ad that was banned from television to body-positive ALDA modeling group (with Marquita Pring, Julie Henderson, Inga Eiriksdottir, Danielle Redman). She has also introduced her own lingerie line inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey. And in 2017 — for the second year in a row — Graham is gracing the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

In her site bio, Graham says: "Stay positive because you're in this for a reason and you're going to change somebody's life just by being you."

3. Robyn Lawley

@robynlawleyswimwear

A photo posted by Robyn Lawley (@robynlawley1) on

Robyn Lawley was the first to break many plus-size barriers: She was the first plus-size model to shoot for Australian Vogue, was on the cover of Madison and in a campaign for Ralph Lauren. She was also the first plus model in a Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition — wearing a bikini from her own line. While many people find it ridiculous that Lawley is considered plus size and not "average size," she has helped redefine beauty standards in the modeling world.

4. Fluvia Lacerda

Fluvia Lacerda, known as the plus-size Gisele Bündchen, was honored as model of the year during Full-Figured Fashion Week. She has a bilingual blog where she continues to inspire plus-size women everywhere.

More: Goodbye ‘Girls’: What to Expect (Fashion-Wise) from Season 6

5. Tara Lynn

Tara Lynn became famous for a Photoshop scandal surrounding a picture of her, but she has also been featured in advertisements for V Magazine as well as H&M's Big is Beautiful (sizes 12 to 22). Named "The Body" by Elle France in 2012, Lynn has spoken out a lot about body image issues. She told Huffington Post: "It is hard to make clothes look great on big women." This may have been a controversial statement, but Lynn's honesty was necessary.

More: Model Tess Holliday Reignites the Debate Over Healthy at Any Size

6. Liris Crosse

Liris Crosse, or "The Naomi Campbell of Plus," completely committed to plus fashion and became her own agent. In order to inspire others further, Crosse has also taught at boot camp for future plus-size models.

7. Marquita Pring

@yumnaaa come back!

A photo posted by marquitapring (@marquitapring) on

Marquita Pring is another co-founder of the modeling group ALDA, and has also been featured as one of Panache's "modelled by role models."

8. Lizzie Miller

After the magazine Glamour shocked people by simply showing her belly, Lizzie Miller became known as "The Woman on Page 194." Ever since, Miller has become a big presence in the plus modeling world. She has also organized the "Lunch with Lizzie" meetings in order to talk about the importance of positive body image.

More: France Rejects Ban on Super-skinny Models but Started an Important Conversation

10. Nadia Aboulhosn

Nadia Aboulhosn is a plus-size fashion blogger and model who is credited with "rescuing" online retailer Boohoo with her own Nadia Plus Collection.

11. Christina Mendez

Christina Mendez made headlines by being the only plus-size model among "straight-sized" models in Adrian Alicea's 2013 Haute Couture Fashion Show "Chrysalis." Mendez was also one of the first Latinas to model for Baby Phat, Rocawear and Ashley Stewart.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Inspiring Feminism Quotes slideshow
Image: WENN

Originally published May 2015. Updated February 2017.

Are You Making This Under-the-Radar Winter Skin-Care Mistake?

0
0

As an editor with a heavy background in beauty, my nighttime skin-care routine toes the line between ridiculous and comical. It starts with a simple swipe of a pre-cleanse, followed by micellar water, then there’s a mist, a serum, a moisturizer, a more occlusive moisturizer, and maybe an oil if I’m feeling particularly dry. My brows were an unfortunate casualty of the early aughts, so I finish it all off with two strokes of RevitaBrow. All of this, of course, comes after I’ve masked—often with multiple formulas on different parts of my face depending on my skin’s needs. Suffice it to say, it takes me at least half an hour to get ready for bed, and that’s before I’ve brushed my teeth.

More: The Best Winter Skin Care Products STYLECASTER Editors Swear By

So, imagine my surprise when I encountered this fun new problem: Last week, for nearly six straight days, I woke up with dry skin and a yellowed pillow. That means somewhere north of $200 worth the skin-care products have ended up all over my bedsheets, which is disconcerting for multiple reasons. At first, I figured maybe my boyfriend’s cotton pillowcases were just sucking all the product off all of a sudden, so I switched them to silk—but no such luck. I woke up just as dry and $26 poorer.

“The issue isn’t so much the fabric of the pillow case you’re using, but the time between application at the particular product and putting your head on the pillow,” said Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, after my week of frustration and shitty skin. But he was right: I usually lie down to scroll through Instagram and answer an unread emails, but as it turns out, I was fighting off a cold while working longer hours, so the second I RevitaBrow’d, I crashed head-first into my bed and passed out.

Are You Making This Under-the-Radar Winter Skin-Care Mistake?
Image: Imaxtree

Naturally, the best course of action would be to wait half an hour until my products dry to hit the hay, but who has the time? Zeichner’s got a better solution: “If you’re very tired and anticipate falling asleep within two minutes of applying your nighttime product, choose something quick-drying,” he says. “Sleep masks are designed to be applied within 15 minutes of falling asleep because they tend to dry relatively quickly. While gel-based moisturizers are also absorbed into the skin fast, some heavier creams may take more time.” Zeichner, who recommends using water-based products at night if you’re looking for fast absorption, recommends both Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel and Dr. Jart Water-Fuse Sleeping Mask. I personally like SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, which is a hyaluronic acid-based serum that sinks right in.

Still, if you’re seeing runoff on your pillow, dermatologist Radha Mikkilineni says to rethink how much you need: “There’s a tendency to apply too much, so discuss the right amount to use for each product with your doctor. Typically, you should be able to rub it in so it disappears after 2-3 light strokes.”

Mikkilineni also recommends saving the super-heavy creams for daytime, especially during the winter, when they can offer an additional protective barrier against the elements. Waiting five minutes between each layer is optimal, too.

It’s been a week since I’ve reversed my skin-care routine so my heavier creams go on during the day and lighter, more active products go on at night. And even though I’ve been crashing within minutes, I’m happy to report I’ve been waking up with supple, hydrated skin. Oh, and I’m back to my beloved cotton pillowcase.

More: The 10 Best Drugstore Face Masks to Get Glowing, Dewy Skin

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

The One Drugstore Retinol We’re Obsessed With

0
0

By now, you’ve seen approximately one billion articles and commercials telling you to start using a retinol ASAP, lest your face shrivel into a raisin by the time you hit 45. And, honestly, we’re here to tell you the same thing, because retinoids (the umbrella term for all vitamin-A derivatives, including retinol) seriously, truly work. Unlike most products that just hang out on your skin to give you temporary results, retinols sink in and start triggering cell turnover and increasing collagen production for newer, fresher skin. Awesome, right?

Annoyingly, there are so many retinoids from so many brands in so many forms that the sheer number of options straight-up overwhelm people, resulting in total confusion and avoidance. So instead of giving you a roundup of our favorites from across the spectrum, we’re giving you just one: Our favorite drugstore retinol that won’t cost you a zillion dollars or melt your skin off. Yes, your life is about to be get a whole lot easier.

Trust us when we say we’ve tried almost every retinol on the market. We’ve slathered them on our faces until the skin around our eyes peeled in sheets and our cheeks felt like they were burning from the inside (note: don’t do what we did). But through it all, one winning retinol stood out from the crowd: L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer.

L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer
Image: L'Oréal

What? A moisturizer? Yes, a moisturizer. Well, a retinol-moisturizer hybrid. And before you wag your finger at us for trying to sell you on another night cream, hold up: This moisturizer—which comes in a dual-chambered pump, so no risk for bacteria growth or destabilization—is formulated with retinyl palmitate (one of the gentler retinoids), glycolic acid (a liquid exfoliant that slowly smooths skin and unclogs pores), and vitamin C (a skin-brightening and wrinkle-preventing antioxidant), so it not only hydrates skin, but also works to fade age spots, dark marks, acne scars, and dull, uneven skin tones. Plus, its consistency makes it practically goof-proof to apply (just massage it in as you would your normal nighttime moisturizer), so you don’t need to worry about going overboard and drying out your skin.

No, you won’t see results overnight, but that’s true of any retinol. Because your skin cells turn over every 5 to 7 weeks, it’ll take a few cycles before you see noticeable differences (think three months minimum), and you’ll need to use it consistently for it to work. If you have super-sensitive skin and are scared of flakes, start by applying the moisturizer every third day for three weeks straight, then every other day for two weeks, and then continue to use it every night for, well, the rest of your life (hey, nobody said staying young was easy). Now go forth into this world, a fresh-faced adult with a new mastery over retinols. Knowledge looks good on you.

Goodbye ‘Girls’: What to Expect (Fashion-Wise) from Season 6

0
0

It’s hard to remember a time before Girls, before life as a twenty-something navigating the real world was so honestly depicted on the small screen. Nearly five years ago, Lena Dunham rose to the occasion, appointing herself “the voice of her generation” in the pilot episode. As we enter into the sixth and final season, and the girls jump into the next chapter of their lives, it’s safe to say the creator-writer-star accomplished what she set out to do. And no matter how uncomfortable her character’s fashion choices—or sex scenes—have made you feel, you can’t deny how well the controversial series nailed the beautiful uncertainty plaguing young adults today. So we chatted with the series’ costume designer, Jenn Rogien, to get the 411 on what you can expect in terms of fashion from the four famous girls in their last season ever.

Before we dive into the interview, a bit about this season’s plot: Since we last briefed you, we’ve learned a bit more about what the future has in store for our favorite millennials. Last night, season six premiered on HBO, and though we can’t say how the series will end—that’s between Dunham, the cast and crew, and God—we have a few hints. We know Dunham’s character, Hannah, is writing again; we know she and BFF Jessa (Jemima Kirke) are feuding (and reconciling) as Jessa continues to defend her relationship with Hannah’s ex Adam (Adam Driver); we know Marnie (Allison Williams) is still struggling with her relationships; we know Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) is fresh from Japan and back in action. But—what about what they’ll be wearing?

More: The 60 Most Naked Celebrity Instagram Photos of All Time

That’s where Rogien comes in. Ahead, find out how she thinks the four actresses’ wardrobes have evolved on the show, her all-time favorite fashion choices for Hannah, Jessa, Marnie, and Shosh, and what item defines each girl.

Girls season 6 fashion: Jenn Rogien
Image: Jenn Rogien. Photo: Amy Dickerson

StyleCaster: What will you miss the most?

Jenn Rogien: “I’m going to really miss the creative energy of the show. It had chemistry like no other job that I’ve been on. Because we’re all freelancers, a lot of us planned our freelance gigs [and] our calendars around going back to Girls to make sure that we could be there for all six seasons. And that’s not necessarily doable, you know, scheduling is so erratic into production that to make a point of it, I think, is a huge compliment to Lena and [producers] Jenni [Konner] and Judd [Apatow], and just the creative atmosphere that the show created for its family.”

Did you feel pressure to create especially memorable looks to send off the show?

“It crossed my mind, to be honest. But when I got the script, there was so much on the page that that thought faded. It was about telling the story [about] these characters in the moment, and these moments were like the other moments—they were the girls, they were up to their normal hijinks.

[My goal] then was to really focus on what was happening to them within the stories of every episode and not be as pulled into creating something bigger than what it should have been. It tied into my focus of the show all along, which was to stay true to the characters and not let negative comments on the internet necessarily feed into how we were dressing the girls or not let the popularity of some of the individual looks influence the rest of the season, depending on what we were shooting. So it really was about maintaining a focus on character work, which I think is then true for all six seasons.”

Girls season 6
Image: @lenadunham/Instagram

There’s definitely more of a realness to the girls that is absent from other shows. What’s the key to executing some of the more unflattering looks?

“I’ve heard the look of the show described as ‘hyper-realistic’—those were not my words, but I think it’s a really apt way to describe what we were going for. Part of that started in season one, before the show had aired, and I was literally just trying to be true to what the girls were going through that season: They had no jobs, they had no money, maybe they had stuff leftover from college, maybe they were shopping in thrift stores, maybe they were shopping in H&M and Zara.

[I was] just trying to imagine where the girls might really shop if they were real people [who] lived in Brooklyn and didn’t come from tons of money. Every season, I would renew my commitment to staying true to their circumstances, and that didn’t necessarily mean doing the same thing we were doing in season one; it meant really reading the scripts, reading between the lines, talking with Lena, Jenni and my girls, and trying to make choices that were right for that moment, that place in their story.”

Girls season 6 fashion
Image: @lenadunham/Instagram

How would you say their wardrobes have evolved, and how will they continue to evolve?

“I got to go through and pull an archive for HBO for the series, so I went back through every single costume from the show, and it was a trip, honestly. As different as the clothes are from season one to six, they’re still a bit the same; you can still see Hannah in her closet, you can still see Marni in her closet, you can still see Shoshanna and Jessa in their closets.

Hannah’s always a little too bright, the patterns are a little too loud, and the fit is still off. And, certainly, her clothing grew up along with her for the series, but there are always some things that are true about her wardrobe—the color and the pattern and the mismatch. Marni went from super faux-tailored business wear to super-bohemian music wear, but there was always a little bit too much. She was always overshooting just a little bit, and that stayed true throughout the six seasons. Ironically, Jessa’s the one who got streamlined and sort of distilled in a way throughout the seasons. She started out as over-the-top and very dramatic and [in] crazy silhouettes, and then by the end she was sort of stripped down to the essentials in vintage jeans, a T-shirt, and a pair of boots. It was really interesting to watch those transitions happen in photos—obviously they were deliberate transitions as we were producing the show and shooting, but to see them all in sort of a slideshow as I was going through for the archives really highlighted the evolution of the girls throughout the seasons.”

Girls season 6
Image: @lenadunham/Instagram

Looking back at those looks, do you have a favorite for each of the girls?

“It’s so funny because a lot of times the looks I end up loving are not the looks that jump off the screen. There are some behind-the-scenes moments that made it really interesting for me or something that happened that made it challenging—those kinds of things stick out in my mind.

I think of Hannah: She ends up Jell-O wrestling at a backyard house party, so we picked a dress that the blue Jell-O would really show up on. It was a white dress with a black print, and it was so iconic visually that you could tell she started in a white dress. What we didn’t realize is that the dye in the fake Jell-o actually turned the dress blue, so we had to do all these things behind the scenes to make sure that in continuity the dress looked the same. Just those kinds of things that [are] not that big of a deal—it’s not significant on screen at all, but to me it was a really fun costume moment.”

Girls Season 6 gif
Image: HBO/Giphy

Since there is so much collaboration between you and each of the girls, how would you say their personal style influenced their characters’ wardrobes?

“The girls are so different from their characters that I don’t know that there is any crossover, and, in fact, when the girls come to work I rarely see them until they’re in costume. It actually took me a while to realize that they’re so incredibly different, that there isn’t any bleed over … There are always those pieces that resonate but that you can tell are right for character and wrong for the human, or right for the human and wrong for the character. That’s the brilliant thing about the girls: They’re amazing actresses, and the fact that you can’t tell the difference is a huge compliment to their work and skills as character actors.”

Girls final season
Image: @aw/Instagram

Looking ahead to the next chapter of their lives, what is one defining item that each of the girls will need to carry into her future?

“Hannah’s is her work bag, or her school bag. And it’s something that we handled throughout the series; she started with a very collegiate, canvas-and-leather satchel-tote-bag thing, and by the end she was in a lovely sky-blue suede tote, and it’s always big enough to fit her laptop, her notebook, and her odds and ends. That’s the thing that will always be with her, her writing bag.

I feel like with Marnie it was always about her rings because you see so much of her hands, whether she’s playing her guitar or music, or working with her headphones. She wore a series of rings over the course of the season, and, for me, there was always something about the rings that she was wearing that said a lot about how she was feeling—sometimes she was wearing a ton, sometimes she was wearing none, and I sort of use that as a tool to help convey where she was at. Then, now, and future, rings are always important to Marnie.

With Shoshanna, it’s her loungewear. If there’s one thing Shoshanna always had a great closet full of, it was loungewear. Whether it was the infamous Juicy Couture suit—which I did not do actually, I did not do the pilot—her crazy Japanese pajamas, or her shredded sweaters toward the end when you could literally see that she was unraveling, I think Shoshanna is an expert at loungewear and that will be true going forward.

And then with Jessa, I think it’s vintage—vintage and a great white dress. That’s something that I maintained throughout the series, starting in season one where she wore a couple of different white dresses, including her wedding dress, and then almost every season after that she wore some form of a long, white dress. [This season] it ended up being a white blouse. It’s sort of a palette cleanser for her, and a lot of the times it’s vintage. I think that’s something that’s very important to her character in the series and going forward.”

Cast of Girls
Image: @aw/Instagram

What style (or life) lessons have the girls learned thus far and still have yet to learn?

“Wow, [‘life lessons’] would be a better question for Lena, Jenni, and Judd than for me. I’ll stick to the style standpoint: Hannah has come a long way in realizing how to dress for the context she’s in, but she has a lot to learn about fit and [using] an iron. Marnie has come such a long way in dressing to express herself, but she has a lot to learn about being comfortable in her clothing and not quite overshooting the mark.

Jessa’s a hard one. Jessa has come such a long way from her crazy, over-the-top, high-end vintage look and has learned so much about using or not using her clothing as armor, but I think she still has a lot to figure out on that same front—she’s got a long way to go. I think Jessa’s definitely used her clothing as armor the most. And Shoshanna has definitely come a long way from the girly, confectionary look that she started [with] in season one, and I think she still has a lot to learn about dressing for her context.”

Don’t miss the final season of Girls on Sundays at 10 p.m. EST on HBO, and follow Jenn Rogien on Instagram and Twitter. Ahead, find some of the most iconic looks from Girls ever, including a shot of Rogien with the fam.

More: The 30 Most (NOT-FAMOUS!) Naked Women on Instagram

Lena Dunham as Hannah

Lena Dunham as Hannah
Image: Craig Blankenhorn

Jemima Kirke as Jemma

Jemima Kirke as Jemma
Image: Jojo Whilden

Allison Williams as Marnie

Allison Williams as Marnie
Image: Jojo Whilden

Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna

Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna
Image: Craig Blankenhorn

Hannah and Jemma

Hannah and Jemma
Image: Jessica Miglio

Hannah

Hannah
Image: HBO

Marnie and Hannah

Marnie and Hannah
Image: HBO

Jenn Rogien with the 'Girls'

Jenn Rogien with the 'Girls'
Image: @jennrogien/Instagram

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com


9 Products That’ll Bring Dry, Damaged Hair Back to Life

0
0

In the summer, dry hair just means dull, whatever hair. But in the winter, dry hair translates to static, flyaways, and actual breakage—leaving hair dull and damaged. But you don’t have to settle for a bad hair season. If getting a trim is out of the picture—remember, you should get a dusting at the salon about every other month to keep your hair as healthy as possible!—there are plenty of at-home remedies that can infuse some health into your strands.

Ahead, we culled scalp treatments, shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins that’ll coax your hair back to life. The key is to look for hydrating ingredients such as argan, jojoba, and grape seed oils, as well as tried-and-true key moisturizers like glycerin and shea butter. Scroll through for our favorite products for dry, damaged hair.

Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment

Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment
Image: Ulta

Phyto Phytopolleine Botanical Scalp Treatment, $40; at Ulta

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask
Image: LeVert Beauty

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask, $58; at LeVert Beauty

Moroccanoil Treatment

Moroccanoil Treatment
Image: Bluemercury

Moroccanoil Treatment, 44; at Bluemercury

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey + Marula Oil Mask Packet

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey + Marula Oil Mask Packet
Image: Target

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey + Marula Oil Mask Packet, $2.49; at Target

Josh Rosebrook Enrich Intensive Hair Mask

Josh Rosebrook Enrich Intensive Hair Mask
Image: Credo Beauty

Josh Rosebrook Enrich Intensive Hair Mask; $36; at Credo Beauty

Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist

Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist
Image: Jet

Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist, $2.97; at Jet

Sachajuan Hair Repair

Sachajuan Hair Repair
Image: The Stell

Sachajuan Hair Repair, $28; at The Stell

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Masque

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Masque
Image: Sephora

Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Deep Conditioning Masque, $32; at Sephora

Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo Deep Hydration for Dry Hair

Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo Deep Hydration for Dry Hair
Image: Sephora

Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo Deep Hydration for Dry Hair, $30; at Sephora

This Stupidly Simple Trick Makes Plucking Your Eyebrows Goof-Proof

0
0

Poor eyebrows—they’ve taken such a beating over the last few decades. Whether you plucked the hell out them, waxed them to smithereens, or slathered them with skin-burning growth serum for the better part of the last two years, they’re almost always getting fixed, destroyed, and messed with. But one angelic Reddit user wants to end the war against bad brows by telling the world her favorite trick for getting clean, even, happy brows, every single time.

More: The Best Under-$10 Hand Creams That Are Too Adorable Not to Buy

In a LPT (Life Pro Tip) posted a few hours ago on Reddit’s Makeup Addiction, one user shared her trick for avoiding the dreaded over-plucked brows, which we’ve all been victim to at least once (or one-hundred) times in our lives. Her trick: “Pluck brows after filling them in [to] avoid over-plucking,” says user Avoxel. “I have found that if I pluck after I fill them in, I have a clear line of where and where not to pluck so I don’t stray too far into the line and damage the shape of my natural brows.” Yes, your mind, our mind, and every Redditor’s mind are blown.

Eyebrow plucking
Image: Imaxtree

It’s so freaking obvious and simple, and yet why did we never think of that?! Pretty much every Reddit user has praised Avoxel for the tip so far, with a few users adding on their own variations, like viixxvii, who notes that “It’s even easier if you fill them in and then carve out the shape with concealer. If you have dark brow hair, it really helps highlight what needs to be plucked and also helps you see/change the shape.” And anyone who has ever accidentally slathered light-colored eyeshadow or concealer on a web of hair knows how visible and obvious those hairs become, so we could definitely see how this would up the ante of the trick.

So next time you’re going in for the pluck, take a few seconds to color your brows, first, with either a pencil (we’re obsessed with the Anastasia Brow Wiz) or a powder-and-wax combo, like Flower Complete Brow Kit in Take a Brow, and then get at those errant hairs. Your non-pencil-thin brows will thank you for it.

More: The 10 Best Drugstore Face Masks to Get Glowing, Dewy Skin

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

Finally—Here is The BEST Foundation for Your Skin Tone

0
0

Un fact: You’re probably wearing the wrong foundation shade right now. Sorry, but someone had to tell you. It’s not totally your fault, though, because finding the best foundation (or tinted moisturizer or BB cream) is a weird, difficult game of guesswork that usually results in you with a mismatched, slightly-too-pink-and-pasty face that nobody has the heart to tell you looks weird as hell. And the reason behind it? We’re all deeply, terrible wrong about our skin’s actual undertones, which, you know, is only the most important factor when choosing makeup.

More: The Best Anti-Aging Serums at Every Price Point

So we went to the mother of all shockingly pretty makeup, Robin Black, makeup artist and founder of Beauty is Boring, to tell us exactly why we’re all basically colorblind to our undertones, and how we can stop the vicious circle, so we can all look our most flawless a.s.a.p. And no, her advice doesn’t require you to hold silver or gold jewelry up to your skin to “determine” your undertones. (Which, by the way, is almost always bullshit.)

The BEST Foundation for Your Skin Tone
Image: ImaxTree

First off: You need to stop thinking your undertones are pink. “I’m always surprised by how many people tell me that they have a pink undertone,” says Black. “Pink undertones are the least common of all complexions, and they generally only occur in those with very fair skin—like, if your skin is the same shade as snow—but even people with very light complexions often have neutral or even yellow undertones.”

OK, but what if you’re, like, pretty damn sure you have pink undertones, because your cheeks are super rosy, or you have red, inflamed acne? Nope; think again. “Many people automatically assume that because they have visible red or pink patches on their skin that are caused by acne, irritation, dryness, wind burn, or rosacea, that their undertones must be pink,” says Black, “But it simply isn’t true, and when you apply something that is a mix of red and white pigment over a skin color that has, for example, a yellow undertone, the result is going to be an unattractive pale grey with hints of orange.” You know, like every girl you saw in high school.

Of course, your gravitational pull toward pink-hued products isn’t totally your fault, notes Black, because, up until recently, most drugstores and cosmetic counters only offered pink-toned shades. “I suspect that the surprising amount of pink-hued foundation still on the market is a leftover beauty ideal from previous centuries, when very fair skin was the most desirable,” she says. “Some brands, like Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier, do focus on yellow, olive, and neutral undertones, but many others still haven’t updated their selection to fit a variety of skin tones, especially when it comes to dark skin,” adds Black. “Why do so many deeper foundation shades have an inexplicable amount of red in them? Dark skin, just like medium and fair skin, comes in a variety of undertones, too, and it’s frustrating that so many lines still remain limited in their foundation colors.”

The BEST Foundation for Your Skin Tone
Image: ImaxTree

Though you may totally represent the teeny, tiny group of pink- or red-hued individuals in the world, your best and safest bet is grabbing whatever bottle of foundation looks more yellow than pink. Or, three bottles, to be exact. “Pick three shades of foundation that look close to your natural skin color and swatch each one down your cheek, then stand in natural light—no retail lighting allowed—and look in the mirror,” says Black. “Then cross your eyes and continue to look at your cheek in the mirror. The swatch that disappears in your blurry, cross-eyed vision is the right match, and if all three stand out against your skin as being too light, too dark, too pink, or too yellow, then try again with three more shades.” And don’t worry—you can totally try on and return open bottles of makeup to both drugstores and Sephora (we’ve done it many a time), so don’t be freaked about buying three shades and getting stuck with them.

And, if you’re still not sure where to begin, Black recommends starting with brands that specifically list their undertones, like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, which is one of Black’s favorites for “sheer, natural-looking coverage.” For buildable coverage, “I’m addicted to the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation,” she says, “and for medium coverage that you can double up as concealer and get an incredibly flawless finish, the Tom Ford Traceless Stick Foundation is my ultimate go-to.” Of course, if you’re a long-wear lover, like, “full-coverage foundation with a capital ‘F,’ try the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup or the Armani Power Fabric Foundation,” says Black.

Now go forth into this world as a new, yellow-toned foundation wearer, and never find yourself staring into a mirror with a chalky, slightly pink complexion ever again. And maybe mention this article to the next stranger on the street whose face has a pasty-pink tint to it. They might thank you.

More: The Best Face Washes for Every Skin Type

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

Are Your Brows in Need of Resurrection?

0
0

With such emphasis on hair removal, especially once the weather turns warm, it can be quite frustrating for some who wished they had more hair in certain places… like their eyebrows. Bold, bushy brows have had their spokesmodels throughout the decades — Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, Brooke Shields, Madonna — and now Hailee Steinfeld, Priyanka Chopra and Lily Collins have us sweating some real brow landscaping.

But what do you do when your garden refuses to grow? Sure, you could grab a brow pencil, brow powder, brow mascara or brow gel — but what if you don’t really know what to do with your arches? Maybe you want to change their shape? Even ’em out? It’s just so time-consuming to perfect your brows, and don’t get us started on midday brow smudging. So embarrassing.

More: Celebrities With the Best Eyebrows

There is, however, another road to perfect arches: eyebrow tattoos. Hear us out. Browhaus, a brow and lash-centric salon, offers the Brow Resurrection procedure, a semi-permanent makeup option to make your brows look naturally filled-in and shaped to perfection — all without the fuss of half a dozen products. Of course, they’re not the only ones offering brow tattoos, but they were one of the first, so we decided to try it out.

First of all, don’t be scared to commit. It’s called Brow Resurrection because it’ll only last you two years — long enough that you don’t have to worry about having to pencil your brows every morning for a long time, but brief enough that if you decide to change your style or you experience any growth spurts with age, you can certainly change your brows along with them. If you’ve never had a tattoo before, there’s nothing to stress about. And if you have, there’s even less. Here’s how it works.

The first part is a brow consultation where you meet with a certified “brow architect” who will draw on the brows you desire with pencil so you can see how the results will look and you can tweak as you please. A numbing cream is applied afterward, once you’re happy with the shape, and left to marinate for 20 minutes. Then your brow architect will gently remove that, and using a micro-blade with about 14 teeny pinpoints, will proceed to gently scratch a vegetable-based ink into your eyebrows following the traced shape. Since the blades are so tiny, they appear just like hairline strokes. Once you’re done, a protective balm that’s enriched with vitamins A and D and lanolin is applied.

Microblading
Image: Imaxtree

But does it hurt? Surprisingly, not at all. The numbing cream is serious stuff. It feels a tiny bit just like you’re getting your brows tweezed — a sensation we can all relate to. Your brow area will be a bit sensitive and for some maybe a bit red right after the procedure (which takes about an hour and a half), but you can pretty much go about your day afterward. The recovery period is discreet too. Browhaus offers a couple of aftercare products: Build, a post-treatment serum with growth factors to help regenerate and heal the skin (and prevent infection), and Fix, a protective balm that’s enriched with lanolin and vitamins, which also “waterproofs” your eyebrows with its petroleum-like consistency. Speaking of which, the trickiest part about semi-permanent makeup on your face is that you can’t let it have prolonged contact with water for a week. So, washing your face is a bit of an ordeal, and showering is a little tricky.

You may notice some flaking as your brow skin naturally scabs and heals, leaving a slightly lighter line than was initially there. Browhaus offers a complimentary tune-up about three months after your Resurrection procedure so your brow architect can fill in any areas that didn’t take as well or any faded bits. Anyone who’s gotten a tattoo will know that it’s itchy as hell when it’s healing, but you can’t scratch it because you could remove the ink along with the scab! Face-pickers, steel yourselves!

In the end, it’s a painless procedure that gives you natural-looking, full and shaped eyebrows for two years — pretty neat, huh? Only catch is that it’s not exactly cheap. Well, tattoos never are, but resurrecting your brows can cost just under a grand at Browhaus. It may be steep (start saving up your acorns now!) but the results are really impressive. And if you break it down by cost per wear, it’s about $1.26 a day for perfect brows two years straight. That’s less than you probably spend on your morning coffee.

More: Expert Tips for the Brows of Your Dreams

By Sable Yong

Originally posted on StyleCaster

7 Common American Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries

0
0

If there’s one thing beauty lovers know (and, who are we kidding — beauty lovers know approximately everything), it’s that there are huge (like, Grand Canyon-levels huge) discrepancies between American beauty products and foreign beauty products — specifically, the vast number of ingredients allowed in U.S. formulations compared to the incredibly restricted formulations of beauty products overseas. And when it comes to cosmetic ingredients here, quality is definitely not favored over quantity, especially when we know that Americans are currently slathering thousands of chemicals onto their bodies every single day that are totally and completely unregulated. Yup.

More: The 10 Best Natural Toners for Every Skin Type

Of course, when compared to the U.S., it may seem like other countries have gone a little overboard in their regulations. The European Union, for example, has banned or restricted over 1,300 chemicals, many of which would never even appear in beauty products (jet fuel, anyone?), but even still, the U.S. has only banned 11. It’s not that the U.S. is slacking off per se, but unless a cosmetic contains an ingredient classified as a drug by the FDA, the product doesn’t need FDA approval before hitting the market. It’s up to the manufacturer to determine a product’s safety (which sounds as sketchy as it is).

Safe or Toxic: Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries 1
Image: Imaxtree

What it really boils down to is a straight-up difference in strategy. The EU is more into taking preventative measures, so even though not every ingredient banned or restricted is necessarily harmful, the EU requires more information on ingredient safety before clearing them for use. The U.S., however, prefers to ban ingredients only when there’s enough scientific evidence to deem it necessary. Think of it like a helicopter mom (the EU) versus the mom who doesn’t open the screen door for anything less than a broken limb (the U.S.).

And this is why the following seven hotly disputed ingredients are probably sitting in your makeup bag — or on your face — right now, despite having spurred a ton of (somewhat unsubstantiated) controversy over the years. But don’t freak out; we went to the experts to find out just how harmful these ingredients are and whether or not they’re worth avoiding. But just in case you’re not into taking chances, or if you’re just feeling very European, we also found a ton of safe and equally awesome product alternatives to help you avoid the unknown without compromising your beauty routine.

1. THE ACCUSED: PETROLATUM

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Skin care products, makeup, shampoo, conditioner, shaving products

Petrolatum — also known as petroleum jelly — is the Grand Poobah of moisturizers and is classified by the FDA as a skin protectant. “Petrolatum is completely insoluble in water, so once it’s applied to dry or irritated skin, it forms a seal that locks in the skin’s natural moisture while also sealing out air, allowing the skin to heal faster,” says cosmetic chemist Joseph J. Cincotta, Ph.D.

But because the gel is derived from petroleum (crude oil), it runs the risk of containing trace levels of the cancer-causing agents found in crude oil, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, he notes. The thing is, you’re not actually slathering crude oil on your face, and only the highest-refined grades are allowed in cosmetics.

“Petroleum has a reputation for being dangerous due to a misunderstanding of the EU classification of toxicity,” says Al-Nisa Ward, cosmetic chemist and founder of Cosmetic Science Innovations in New Jersey, explaining that all grades of petroleum in the EU — from cosmetic to industrial kinds — fall under the same chemical registry number, giving people the misconception that petrolatum is carcinogenic. But in reality, the EU is totally cool with cosmetic-grade petrolatum being used in beauty products, so it makes sense why the FDA has also deemed petrolatum as safe and harmless for daily use in American beauty products.

Even though there’s no need to break up with your go-to lip balm or hand cream, you can still find natural alternatives that are, without a doubt, safe, like Avalon Organics Nourishing Lip Balm (contains essential oils and beeswax to protect your moisture barrier), Bite Beauty Multistick (uses sugarcane-derived squalane to hydrate skin) or Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream (formulated with organic shea butter to reduce moisture loss).

Safe or Toxic: Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries 2
Image: Imaxtree

2. THE ACCUSED: PARABENS

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Face and body cleansers, moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner

Parabens are a common preservative used in a bevy of cosmetics to help prevent bacteria, fungi and yeast growth, which ultimately extends a product’s shelf life, says Ward, noting that parabens are almost always found in water-based products like cleansers and lotions because they discourage the growth of microbes.

Although parabens are generally used in products at concentrations of 0.3 percent or less, according to Health Canada, many organizations have voiced concern over whether or not cumulative exposure can eventually cause hormone disruption and reproductive toxicity, says Ward, which has led to the banning of certain parabens in the EU, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. But because there’s currently no information that definitively shows that parabens mess with human health, the FDA considers them safe to use in U.S. beauty products.

Ultimately, ditching parabens for greener pastures (get it?) is totally up to you, though we will say that we truly love these paraben-free alternatives: Original & Mineral Shampoo and Conditioner (uses phenoxyethanol as a preservative — it is derived from natural sources, and bonus, doesn’t release formaldehyde), Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer (uses the preservative phenethyl alcohol, which is known for its antimicrobial properties) and Kiss My Face Body Lotion (uses sodium benzoate as its main preservative).

3. THE ACCUSED: HYDROQUINONE

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Face and body cleansers, facial moisturizers, skin-lightening creams

Hydroquinone is pretty much the most famous skin-lightening ingredient on the market. Not only does it does it break up the melanin in your skin to fade age spots, dark spots, sun spots, and every other spot as soon as you dab it on, but it also starts working within just a few months. Sounds cool, right?

Eh, not so fast. “Some initial studies of hydroquinone deemed it was a potential carcinogen — meaning it may cause cancer — and may be cytotoxic — which means toxic to living cells,” says Cincotta, though there are no reputable studies that can definitively prove this. As a precaution, though, the ingredient has been banned from cosmetics in the EU and is restricted in Canadian beauty products. The FDA, however, continues to monitor its use, and recommended in 2006 that additional studies be conducted before making a final determination for its regulation. Still, for now, the FDA believes hydroquinone is safe to use as prescribed. “In the U.S., topical treatments in up to 2 percent doses can be sold over-the-counter, and up to 4 percent can be prescribed by a doctor,” says Cincotta.

So long as you follow the directions on the label, there’s no real need to fret. But if you want to make the switch, you can still fade dark spots with Meladerm for Hyperpigmentation (uses natural extracts from mulberry, licorice and bearberry plants to lighten skin within two weeks), SkinBright Skin Brightener (uses alpha-arbutin and kojic acid to decrease melanin production and gradually lighten skin) or Revitol Skin Brightening Cream (uses arbutin, an antioxidant extracted from the bearberry plant, to effectively fade skin discoloration).

Safe or Toxic: Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries 3
Image: Getty Images

4. THE ACCUSED: FORMALDEHYDE

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Skin cleansers, hair-smoothing treatments, hair gel, nail polish

Even if you’re not quite sure what formaldehyde is, you’ve probably heard it being touted as an incredibly dangerous beauty ingredient found in hair-straightening treatments. And though it can definitely be harmful (it’s a known carcinogen, according to the Environmental Working Group), it’s not just hanging around in your beauty products or even in your hair treatments, says Kelly A. Dobos, cosmetics technical manager at Sun Chemical in Ohio.

Because formaldehyde is a gas, it’s not technically found in any of your hair treatments or cosmetics — it’s just the byproduct of a bunch of ingredients and preservatives mixing together to slowly produce trace levels of formaldehyde in a given product. And though research suggests that beauty products can release small amounts of formaldehyde into the air after they’ve been applied, the levels would be far below what’s considered hazardous according to the American Cancer Society. “The levels of formaldehyde in beauty products are lower than what naturally occurs in fruits, like apples and pears,” says Dobos.

To be safe, formaldehyde has been banned from use in Japan and Sweden, while the EU and Canada enforce concentration restrictions. The FDA, though, doesn’t restrict the amount of formaldehyde used in cosmetics (since, technically, pure formaldehyde isn’t even used in cosmetics); however, an American ingredient safety panel has voluntarily issued guidelines saying that no more than 0.2 percent formaldehyde should be allowed in beauty products, which is the lowest possible amount that still has an effective anti-microbial effect.

Whether you decide to stick with your current cosmetics or not, you can still try these formaldehyde-free hair and skin alternatives: Farmacy Skin Savior Kit (the entire line uses natural preservatives, such as phenoxyethanol and citric acid), Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry (uses phenoxyethanol, a natural preservative that doesn’t release formaldehyde) and Yuni Flash Bath No-Rinse Body Cleansing Foam (uses sodium benzoate and citric acid as preservatives).

Safe or Toxic: Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries 1
Image: Imaxtree

5. THE ACCUSED: PHTHALATES

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Skin cleansers, hairsprays, nail polish, scented products

Phthalates are commonly used as fixatives in fragrances to make scents last longer and as flexible plasticizers in nail polish and hairsprays to keep nail polish from cracking and hair from morphing into cement. So, you know, all seemingly excellent things.

However, studies have suggested that phthalates may disrupt how your hormones operate (which, among other things, can cause problems for your immune system and reproductive functions) and possibly lead to cancer, which is why EU has decided to heavily restrict them. But because most of the research on phthalates has been done on either animals or in vitro, the FDA still hasn’t issued a firm, final stance on the family of ingredients, though it asserts that it’s still continuing to follow the issue.

“Even though the science isn’t conclusive, the use of phthalates in the cosmetic industry has dramatically declined due to negative consumer perceptions,” says Dobos, giving us some extra hope — or maybe fear? — to cling to. For safer swaps, try Verb Ghost Hairspray (uses copolymers to set hair), Pacifica Beauty Spray Perfume (uses its own blend of natural oils like grapefruit and orange for fragrance) and Zoya Nail Polish (uses acetyl tributyl citrate as its plasticizer of choice).

6. THE ACCUSED: OXYBENZONE

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Sunscreen, skin care products, nail polish

Primarily found in sunscreens, oxybenzone (also known as benzophenone-3) helps prevent sunburns by absorbing both UVA and UVB radiation, says Jim Hammer, cosmetic chemist and president of Mix Solutions in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. You might also find it hanging around your SPF-infused cosmetics or nail polishes since it’s frequently used to protect products from deteriorating or fading in the sun.

When it comes to safety, though, oxybenzone is a bit of a tricky outlier. Although it’s been linked to hormonal disruption and skin cancer, most of the research has been conducted in vitro or on rats fed very high concentrations of oxybenzone — way higher than anything you’d ever find in cosmetics — so the jury’s still out on how it may truly affect human health, especially in low doses.

Thankfully, even though the research is inconclusive, precautions have been put in place: The U.S. and EU currently restrict concentrations of 6 percent or less in sunscreens and 0.5 percent or less in other types of cosmetic products according to the Personal Care Products Council. Additionally, the EU also requires that any product with more than 0.5 percent oxybenzone be clearly labeled as such.

If the fact that your sunscreen or nail polish doesn’t have a glaring label on it freaks you out, try the Kiss My Face 3-in-1 Sunscreen (uses zinc oxide to shield skin from UVA and UVB rays), AquaSport Natural Sunscreen Face Stick (contains zinc oxide as an alternative) or Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nail Lacquer (uses titanium dioxide to protect colors from fading) instead.

Safe or Toxic: Beauty Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries 1
Image: Getty Images

7. THE ACCUSED: RETINYL PALMITATE

TYPICALLY FOUND IN: Anti-aging products, sunscreens, moisturizers, foundations, acne products

If you’ve ever had zits or wrinkles, you’ve probably encountered retinyl palmitate before. Retinyl palmitate is a type of retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) that increases cell turnover to restore elasticity, decrease wrinkles and dark spots and also improve the texture and look of damaged hair. Kind of a miracle ingredient, right?

Sort of. Though retinyl palmitate is often found in sunscreens, the EWG suggests that it may (ironically) speed up the development of cancerous skin tumors when exposed to the sun. However, this claim was made based on one study on rats, not humans, that used plain vitamin A cream rather than a sunscreen containing vitamin A, so, again — not the most reliable data. The FDA, Norwegian and German health agencies have also raised concerns that applying any form of vitamin A (like retinol) to your skin while pregnant could potentially prove toxic to a developing fetus, but, like many of the ingredients on this list, it’s a judgment call.

Until more conclusive studies are done on humans, the Skin Cancer Foundation has issued a statement saying retinyl palmitate is not a concern, says cosmetic chemist and blogger Randy Schueller. But if you’re already concerned, try Nature’s Gate Aqua Block Sunscreen (uses zinc oxide), Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Deep Pore Scrub (uses salicylic acid to battle acne) and RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-up (uses tocopherol for its anti-aging properties).

More: 5 Easy, So-Pretty Hairstyles You Can Do in Under 5 Minutes

Whether or not you subscribe to the notion that every risky-seeming ingredient is actually harmful, you can still totally avoid these seven ingredients without hugely destroying your current beauty routine. But just like most things in life, sometimes it’s better to just do your thing until told otherwise. And based on the sheer number of murky rat-based studies, it looks like we still have a few more years (or decades) until science course-corrects us. So until then, you do you, OK?

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

8 Things You Should and Shouldn't Do for Healthier Hair

0
0

Some of us make dealing with hair so much harder than it has to be. In an effort to have gorgeous, silky hair we do some pretty ugly things to our manes. There are so many no-nos to avoid, and some methods that can help you reverse the damage. Follow these tips to get the hair of your dreams.

Don't skip trims

If you're trying to grow your hair out, skipping trims seems like the obvious choice, but once you start collecting split ends that break and destroy the shape of your hair, you'll regret it.

Do sleep on silk or satin pillowcases

Satin sheets might seem like a cheesy '70s love scene waiting to happen, but using a silk or satin pillowcase can help twofold in reducing split ends and, as some evidence shows, wrinkles. The fabric allows your skin to slip lightly across the fabric instead of pulling and creating lines.

Don't cut your own bangs

Are you a hair stylist? If you answered no, put down the scissors. No matter how simple it seems, cutting your own bangs is a dangerous game that even some pros don't attempt. Better safe than sorry.

Do protect from UV rays and heat

To prevent heat damage, turn down your heated styling tools to the bare minimum heat you need to get your ideal style. And before you begin styling, spray a heat protectant spray like Aveda's Brilliant Damage Control, which protects your hair from thermal damage, UV rays and reduces breakage.

Don't wear too-tight ponytails

Some women think a tight ponytail gives them a free facelift, but too-tight ponytails can have effects on your skin in the form of dryness around the scalp and hairline. Plus, it hurts, and looser ponytails are en vogue.

Do eat for healthy hair

Foods like salmon, avocado, walnuts, sweet potatoes, eggs, Greek yogurt and blueberries deliver essential nutrition for healthy hair and skin. Plus, avocado, eggs and Greek yogurt can be applied directly to the hair as a masque. Who knew?

Don't smoke

OK, so this one is a little harder to achieve if you're already a smoker, but the sooner you quit, the sooner your entire body — including your hair — can repair itself. Research suggests that smoking causes thinner hair, so kick the habit.

Do braid before bed

If you have long hair, you go to battle every night for the integrity of your hair. Wearing your hair down or in a loose ponytail allows your mane to run along your pillowcase as you move your hair, potentially causing breakage and split ends. To prevent this, braid your hair into two pigtails that lay on your sides. And who knows, maybe your significant other will love this look.

This article was originally posted October 2014, and updated February 2017.

This post was sponsored by Aveda.

More hair care: 

Bed-to-Work Hair in Minutes
How to Spike Your Favorite Hair Oil
What You Should Know about Dyeing Your Hair Violet

Easy Voluminous Updo Tutorial for Thin Hair

0
0

Step 1:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 03

Starting at the side of your head, make a diagonal part going back. A side, diagonal part helps camouflage thinning hair.

Step 2:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 04

Starting right behind your part, gently back-comb your hair to build volume. Repeat this on the next section back.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 05

Step 3:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 06

Throw hair back into place and smooth over gently. Give hair a good spray of hairspray to lock the volume into place.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 07

Step 4:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 08

Gather the top half of your hair into the back of your head and start to make a ponytail, creating a "loop," leaving the "tail" of the ponytail out. Making this "loopy" updo will give the illusion of thick, full hair.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 09

Step 5:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 10

Using bobby pins, pin the loop against your head.

Step 6:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 11

Gather the bottom half of your hair into the back of your head and make another "loop" and "tail". Bobby pin the loop against your head, as you did the first one.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 12

Step 7:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 13

Take the remaining "tail" ends and pin them around the loops sporadically. Make loop shapes with the ends to create more volume and the illusion of thick hair.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 14

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 15

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 16

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 17

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 18

Step 8:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 19

Lightly backcomb your bang area to camouflage any thin-looking hair. Pro tip: backcombing is a great trick to make hair appear thicker — doing it lightly ensures you're being gentle with your hair.

Step 9:

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - step 20

Take the side of your bang area with the least amount of hair and spread it out so it appears thicker. Spray into place with hairspray.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - final hairstyle

An updo gives hair the appearance of looking thicker than when it's worn all the way down. Although wearing your hair down can appear thicker with a great blow-out, thickening spray/powder and some back-combing, a few of these steps can be skipped if you opt for a quick updo like this.

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - final hairstyle

Thin hair tutorial | Sheknows.com - final hairstyle

This article was originally posted October 2014, and updated March 2017.

This post was sponsored by Aveda.

More hairstyle tutorials

Style Your Overgrown Hairstyle
Hairstyles for Wet Hair
Double Braid Hairstyle Tutorial


How Much Do You Really Know About Hair Care?

Meet Retinol Oil: The Coolest Anti-Aging Product That Actually Works

0
0

Alright, so by now, you’ve probably had a lifetime’s-worth of retinol information shoved down your throat (hopefully not literally, though, or you should probs head to the doctor), but do you actually use a retinol? Like, not counting the two random times you slathered one on before forgetting about it for six months, or that other time you tried a retinol and it melted your skin off in sheets of pain, but every single night for years on end? Exactly.

More: These Anti-Aging Blushes Will Actually Make You Look 5 Years Younger

Hey, we’re not judging you—retinols are kind of a pain in the ass. Only apply a tiny, pea-size amount to your whole face, wait exactly 15 minutes before moisturizing, use every third day to start, and cross your fingers that your skin doesn’t implode? Yeah, it’s a lot. Which is why we’re so in love with retinol oils, a new breed of anti-aging products that basically caress your skin while pummeling it with retinol, decreasing the irritation and flakes that usually come with retinol.

Image: ImaxTree

But this isn’t really a new technology, says Yale dermatologist and all-around skin badass Mona Gohara. “The retinol itself is the same, it’s just being delivered to your skin in a more cosmetically elegant, consumer-friendly, and less-irritating way,” she says. “In the hierarchy of moisturizing ingredients, oils are the most hydrating and skin-barrier-repairing ingredients, so a retinol oil could be a great choice for anyone with dry or sensitive skin.”

And, dear reader, let me assure you that Gohara is right. As someone who has the skin resilience of a Fabergé egg—like, to the point where sometimes, my skin just breaks out into hives for fun, before crumbling into flakes—I was able to tolerate retinol oils without any horror stories, a first for me and retinols. Because these suckers are oil-based, though, you’ll want to apply them as the last step of your nightly skin-care routine, after your toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers, or just mix a few drops in with your moisturizer.

If you’re still worried about irritation, stick to the golden rule of retinols: Use them every third night for three weeks, then every other night for two weeks, and then nightly, if your skin tolerates it. And remember that consistency is key. If you use them consistently, you should notice smoother skin, smaller pores, and reduced fine lines within three months. Rather than have you dig through the internet to find the best retinol oil to try, though, we’ve rounded up our favorites, at every price point, to get you started. Click through to see the MVPs, and try one out tonight (and every third night after that).

More: 5 Big Retinol Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Pestle and Mortar Retinol Night Oil

Pestle and Mortar Retinol Night Oil
Image: Pestle and Mortar

Pestle and Mortar Superstar Retinol Night Oil, $109; at Pestle and Mortar

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Image: Sephora

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil, $105; at Sephora

Verso Skincare Super Facial Oil Set

Verso Skincare Super Facial Oil Set
Image: Sephora

Verso Skincare Super Facial Oil Set, $195; at Sephora

Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil

Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil
Image: Dermstore

Ren Bio Retinoid Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Oil, $60; at Dermstore

Ever Overnight Facial Cellular Renewal Oil

Ever Overnight Facial Cellular Renewal Oil
Image: Ever

Ever Overnight Facial Cellular Renewal Oil, $88; at Ever

111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil

111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil, $230; at Bloomingdale's

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

Three 20-Minute Hairstyle Tutorials You Can Wear Anywhere

0
0

Hair bow

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - finished

Step 1:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 01

Begin this look by swooping all hair down onto the nape of the neck.

Step 2:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 02

Make a low ponytail, but don't pull hair all the way through. There will be a loop of hair and a "tail" hanging underneath.

Step 3:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 03

Divide the loop of hair into two sides.

Step 4:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 04

With bobby pins, pin each side of the loop against your head. Make sure the sides look symmetrical. Don't worry about them being perfect though — our hair bow is a little loose and carefree.

Step 5:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 05

Braid the "tail" hanging at the nape of your neck and tie off with a hair tie.

Step 6:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - step 06

Bring the braided "tail" up and tuck under to hide the end. Bobby pin into place.

Step 7:

Hair bow | Sheknows.com - finished

Tweak bow as needed and you're finished — so cute.

Fashionista ponytail

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - finished

Step 1:

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - step 01

Begin by adding a light wave to your hair.

Step 2:

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - step 02

Next, make three ponytails stacking them top to bottom — one high at the crown of your head, the other in the middle and the last one at the nape of your neck. Be sure to give each ponytail a good tug to ensure it's tight.

Step 3:

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - step 03

Add a texture spray and lightly back-comb each ponytail to pump up the volume.

Step 4:

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - step 04

Take very small sections of hair and braid each section. Be sure to scatter the braids around sporadically so it doesn't look contrived (3-4 small braids are perfect).

Step 5:

Fashionista Ponytail | Sheknows.com - step 05

You're finished. Making three separate ponytails keeps your hair looking full and long — you won't lose any length like you normally do with a regular ponytail — this ponytail is sassy.

Crown braid

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - finished

Step 1:

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - step 01

Start a loose braid at your bang area. Keep this braid hugging the crown of your head. If hair falls around your face — leave it! We want this look to be easygoing.

Step 2:

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - step 02

Once the braid is complete, pin it low at the back of your head.

Step 3:

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - step 03

Add a matching braid on the other side and bring around to the back of the head to meet the first braid. Pin the second braid into place (be sure to hide the pins under the hair so they're not seen).

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - step 04

Step 4:

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - step 05

Take the ends of each braid and tie them in a knot like you're tying a shoelace — same concept. Double knot the ends (like you would a shoelace) and pin to hold into place — be sure to hide the pin.

Step 5:

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - finished

Give hair a light spray of hairspray to hold. Next, prepare for compliments!

Crown braid | Sheknows.com - finished

This article was originally posted October 2014, and updated March 2017.

This post was sponsored by Aveda.

Turns Out Your Store-Bought Makeup Might Be Counterfeit

0
0

Remember that bronze, shimmery M.A.C. eyeshadow you had sitting in your online cart that you finally decided to buy after two months? The one that you immediately tapped over your lids without bothering to look in the mirror, as soon as it came in the mail? Now what if we told you there’s a chance that eyeshadow wasn’t a genuine M.A.C. product, but instead, a counterfeit? Welp, according to a recent Bloomberg investigation, massive amounts of counterfeit makeup are currently sold in America, and you might just be using some right now. Yay!

More: Meet Retinol Oil: The Coolest Anti-Aging Product That Actually Works

Like, yes, you already know that if you go to some shady story in a major city, you’ll probably find knockoff Louis Vuitton wallets and Beautyblenders. But what about the beauty products you buy from reputable sites online, like that Estée Lauder lipstick or that Bobbi Brown eyeliner you bought from Amazon, Alibaba, or Ebay? Turns out, they could be counterfeit, as Bloomberg discovered after following a 2014 sting operation that busted a mom-and-pop operation in New Jersey, where a husband and wife were ordering massive supplies of counterfeit M.A.C. makeup and then re-selling it on Amazon, as well as well as to wholesalers who distributed to New York City salons.

Counterfeit Makup
Image: Let It Be Beautiful

And what’s even worse than duping makeup lovers into spending money on crappy knockoffs is that counterfeit makeup can be incredibly dangerous, as it may contain harsh, unregulated ingredients that could be toxic to your skin. “The products often come from moonshine-style operations, with mud-caked floors and open vats of dye, and can contain paint thinner, mercury, carcinogens, and dangerous levels of bacteria,” reported the article, adding that “eyeshadow made with arsenic can seal your eyelids shut.” Excuse us while we try to permanently erase that mental image.

It goes without saying that no cheap sale is worth the risk of ending up with a counterfeit, so if you really want to avoid fakes, make sure to only buy directly from reputable, big-name companies (like Sephora, Ulta, or the brand’s website), rather than random, third-party vendors, like Ebay or Amazon (unless, of course, the seller on Amazon is the actual beauty brand). So even if you just found your favorite, perfectly pink eyeshadow at some random discount site, don’t buy it, despite how much your wallet begs you to. Trust us, your eyelids will thank you.

More: The Hair Color Trends That’ll Be Huge For Fall 2017

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

This Natural-Beauty Guru Wants to Give You the Best Skin of Your Life

0
0

Think back to the last time you and your best friend made a pact to get “healthier.” Maybe you actually made it to yoga three times that week, or you bought a vegan lipstick and silently patted yourself on the back, or maybe you even lasted the full four weeks of Whole30. Hey, every little bit counts, right? But that also means your best friend definitely isn’t Cindy DiPrima, co-founder of CAP Beauty, because the last time DiPrima and her best friend decided to live a healthier life, they created one of the coolest natural beauty shops in New York City, and ever so swiftly established themselves as the new leaders of the beauty and wellness community.

More: 10 Hydrating Concealers That Won’t Sink Into Fine Lines

Unlike you and your best friend, though, DiPrima and her business partner, Kerrilynn Pamer, didn’t just randomly decide to jump on the wellness train after finishing off a bottle of merlot and a bag of pita chips. “I’ve always been into natural beauty and holistic health, but all of those interests were really amplified when I had kids,” says DiPrima, whose two children are ages five and seven. “Babies lick you and kiss you, and I realized I didn’t even know what they were ingesting, because I didn’t know what was in my skin-care products. And that was kind of when I realized I needed to take ownership over my health and what I was putting on my body.”

Cindy DiPrima
Image: CAP Beauty

So when Pamer, who was already the owner of the fashion and jewelry boutique Castor and Pollux, which already carried a small collection of natural products, asked DiPrima in 2014 if she wanted to help her create a store solely devoted to natural beauty, her answer was easy. Within a year, the duo founded CAP Beauty (“it stands for clean and pure, though my very French husband pointed out that it also means destination, which is fitting”), an all-natural beauty website with a hyper-curated stock of hand-picked products, and in 2015, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store in the West Village in New York City.

“Kerrilynn and I decided early on that we were going to have high standards and a really tight edit with our selection of products,” says DiPrima. “Every product we carry has been tested by someone on our staff, and even then, we’ll only include it if it’s really, really excellent and is also filling some sort of void. Like, we’re not going to bewilder you with 20 choices of the same type of product—we’re going to give you the best ones at different price points, so you know you’re going home with the right product for you and your skin.”

Cap Beauty products
Image: Cap Beauty

The rigorous vetting process, though, is somewhat necessary in a world of miscommunication about natural beauty. “People either think that natural beauty products are the less-effective stepsisters of mass-market products, or that they’re over-priced DIY recipes they could make in their own kitchen,” says DiPrima. “But a really excellent natural face oil, for example, wasn’t just slapped together; it’s been intelligently formulated to treat different skin types and issues using truly effective ingredients.”

And those ingredients really do make a difference. “99-percent of the time, synthetic ingredients in mass-market products aren’t actually making the product more effective—they’re generally just preserving the formula so it can sit on shelves for years without spoiling,” she says. “So maybe only 20-percent of the ingredients in your anti-aging cream are benefiting your skin, while the other 80-percent are fillers used to stabilize the product—all of which can be awful for your face in the long run.”

The ingredients in natural products, however, all serve a purpose: to better your skin. “Every single ingredient in the natural products we carry is there for a reason—whether it’s radish root ferment, which is both a natural preservative and an anti-inflammatory, or a botanical active that stabilizes the formula, while producing collagen in your skin,” says DiPrima. “Some of the best ingredients in the world are natural because they’re loaded with excellent nutrients, which makes them wonderful products on their own merit, even when stacked against drugstore favorites.”

Cap Beauty products 2
Image: Cap Beauty

And if none of that sways you to try the natural-beauty life, maybe the fact that DiPrima’s own skin and hair now shine with the light of a thousand moons will entice you. “I have honestly never looked better since using all natural beauty products,” she says. “I’ve been using an oil treatment that turned my frizzy hair into this shiniest, silkiest hair I’ve ever had, and despite the fact that I’m always trying out new products, my skin-tone has totally evened out, my complexion is brighter, and I just look way glowier overall.”

Still, if you’re skeptical about sweeping your entire vanity into the trash can, DiPrima recommends starting small, but staying consistent. “The best way to adopt a natural lifestyle is to just be mindful and doing little things every day,” she says. “You don’t have to do a 21-day juice cleanse, but maybe try to have a green juice each morning. And you don’t need to abandon all of your favorite beauty products, but maybe try to swap two of them out for natural options.” In the end, though, DiPrima acknowledges that everyone needs to find a system that works best for her—“though I’m biased and think that system should be natural,” she says with a laugh.

Luckily, we got DiPrima to tell us her absolute favorite, holy-grail natural products, so you can test the natural life without feeling completely overwhelmed by the choices (or without buying a plane ticket to fly to New York and ask the CAP Beauty founders yourself). Click through to see her MVPs, and then get slathering. Your ridiculously perfect hair and skin will thank you.

More: 7 Natural Makeup Removers That *Actually* Work

Julisis Silver Wash Night

Julisis Silver Wash Night
Image: Cap Beauty

“I know this is expensive, but their entire line is so, so good. This face wash has liquid silver in it, which has been shown to be regenerative and healing, along with a mix herbs that really help clarify your skin.”

Julisis Silver Wash Night, $93; at CAP Beauty

Marie Veronique Pre+Probiotic Daily Mist

Marie Veronique Pre+Probiotic Daily Mist
Image: Cap Beauty

“After cleansing, I follow up with a probiotic mist. Your skin has a microbiome that’s an immune system in itself, and, just like your stomach, the good bacteria needs help to fight the bad bacteria. So if your skin is ‘sick’ with topical conditions, this mist can help restore the balance.”

Marie Veronique Pre+Probiotic Daily Mist, $40; at CAP Beauty

In Fiore Calendula Solution Botanique

In Fiore Calendula Solution Botanique
Image: Cap Beauty

“After the mist, I use this calendula oil, which gives my skin a really vibrant flush. Plus, you only need a few drops, so the bottle really lasts forever. I think everyone should be using facial oils, even if you have acne-prone skin. Our bodies produce extra oil when they feel they don’t have enough, so when you add more oil to your skin, you’ll calm down the oil production that can cause clogged pores and acne. For tougher, acne-prone skin, I’d suggest the Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum; for oily skin, I’d go with Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel; and for dry skin, try the Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerative Oil.”

In Fiore Calendula Solution Botanique, $175; at CAP Beauty

Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, $185; at CAP Beauty

Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel, $65; at CAP Beauty

the Pai Skincare Rosehip Bioregenerative Oil, $40; at CAP Beauty

Honey Girl Face and Eye Cream

Honey Girl Face and Eye Cream
Image: Cap Beauty

“One of my favorite brands is Honey Girl. The company is in Hawaii, and they have their own holistically-managed beehives. They just make really great, amazing products, and this moisturizer is super rich and hydrating.”

Honey Girl Face and Eye Cream, $32; at CAP Beauty

Shiva Rose Blue Crystal Eye Cream

Shiva Rose Blue Crystal Eye Cream
Image: Cap Beauty

“I love this eye cream—your skin actually looks tighter and brighter after just one night."

Shiva Rose Blue Crystal Eye Cream, $95; at CAP Beauty

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

Viewing all 4293 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images