November 21, 2016

Rock that Holiday Look

Think costume theatrical. The classic theme for the holidays is festive, so it’s a great time to dress up and celebrate. Be daring, and have fun with colors and makeup.

Choose sparkling, bright sequin dresses in reds, pinks, silvers, greens and blues. I found a great pink sequin dress that I only paid $10 for at a discount store. I kept it in my closet just so I could wear it during the holiday season.

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If you are more conservative, classic black always provides a classic, subtle and polished look.

Donna Spangler i black sequin dress

Donna Spangler in black sequin dress

Either way, the key to rocking any dress is making sure it fits properly. It should be tight enough to show off your assets — yet not so tight as to pull or make you look like a stuffed sausage.

Your makeup should be complimentary, with a strong emphasis on the eyes, especially for an evening event. Always apply eyeliner and mascara; you can even add some shimmer or sparkles.

maggie o brien

maggie o brien

Just remember to blend and keep both sides symmetrical. Play around with your lips. I always choose a darker color with a light color over the lips, especially if you opt for a dramatic look on the eyes.

Above all, have fun! And happy holidays!

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August 9, 2016

Contessa’s Court August 2016

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I found this fun and fabulous hair look (above) when flipping through the online issue of Contessa’s Court magazine.  I love it.  I also found products from Pura d’or Premium Organic Hair Care, men’s fashion & more.

Pura d or in Contessa Court August Cover

 

 

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July 14, 2016

Having the Appearance of Great Hair

Keep your hair looking good

Keep your hair looking good

It has been said that a woman’s hair is her crowning glory and I agree. Hair is VITAL for a female. Thick, long healthy hair exemplifies youth. The length and style signify clues to your age, health and overall attractiveness. The key to hair is to try and make it appear as healthy as possible. This can be accomplished by taking the proper vitamins, proper conditioning and regular trims and covering any grays.  Also a deep conditioning monthly is recommended especially in summer months.

Internally is where you must start to build great hair. A vitamin such as Biosil will benefit your hair, skin and nails.  Christy Brinkley recommends this product and I have followed in her steps.

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It is said to promote healthy bones and joints as a side bar plus. I also eat jello which has a lot of protein.

synthetic curly clip on hair extensions.

synthetic curly clip on hair extensions.

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Bad hair can be a huge detriment to a woman’s look. If your hair is less than healthy looking, you can add extensions, wig lets or a wig. A lot of celebrities and models utilize these options. When I go on stage, I love extensions that clip in. I even have wigs when I want dramatically different looks. Clip on extensions are fairly easy to put on. You need to match the color as close as possible. Start at the bottom of your head and clip in the first row of hair. make another row an inch or two above that from one end of your ear to the other and clip in another row as so on. the last row should be put on top but having enough hair on top so that you are unable to see the extension. If you need side extensions you can attach those as well for desired styles. After that brush lightly at ends and style with your fingers. Extensions give length and or volume. I am not a fan of permanent extensions as i feel that they ultimately damage the hair. The clip ins should be taken out before you go to bed. Wig lets can be clipped on also as well as pony tails. The key is to blend your natural hair into the style. If you wear a wig this is not necessary. Get a wig cap, some bobby pins and place the wig cap on. When it is secured place the wig on your head. Secure the wig to your head and you are good to go. Make sure none of your natural hair is poking out.

It is important that all the frizz is taken out to seal the hair. This can be done in sections or only the places that need it.

It is important that all the frizz is taken out to seal the hair. This can be done in sections or only the places that need it.

Flat irons and curling irons can create dramatically different looks. Curls tend to be viewed as very feminine. The flat iron can make hair smooth and take away frizz. I find that when I get a blow out I can then do either curls or smooth depending on the look I’m attempting to attain.
If you wear hair spray, make sure it is light and doesn’t stick in place. Too much hair spray is often associated with old ladies and it’s just wrong. Stiff hair that doesn’t move isn’t attractive.
Long hair is sexy and can help you look more glamorous. Short hair works for some people, but make sure it is not too short. The finer your features and the thinner and younger you are, the easier it is to pull off short styles. If you are overweight — don’t go too short.
Now let’s delve into hair color and roots. In life we have to brush our teeth, floss, shave, clean ourselves, etc., and when someone lacks the motivation to do these things, they start to deteriorate their self-presentation. Keeping up with your hair is the same thing. There is nothing worse than a girl with roots. Not only do long dark roots look cheap, but they convey a lazy attitude and lack of interest in presenting one’s self in the best way possible.

Some hair issues are harder to take care of than others. Hair color is important and can affect your beauty routine depending on how much maintenance it requires. Remember if you choose a color that is difficult to maintain, it could wreak havoc on your hair if it has to be done too often. Damaged hair is not attractive.

Curly hair can be especially hard to deal with, and this one I know firsthand! It can get frizzy and look unkempt depending on the weather and texture of your hair. Curly hair needs lots of conditioning.

Great over-the-counter products:
Moroccan Oil
Kerastase Bain Satin Shampoo (1, 2 or 3)
J.F. Lazartique Vita-Cream with Milk Proteins
Fekkai’s Serum
Bumble and Bumble Big Shine Serum
Redken All Soft Heavy Cream
Philip B. Rejuvenating Oil
Palvin-Bid Capillary Mask Deep Conditioner and Reconstructor
AG Ultramoist Treatment
Joico Moisture Recovery Intense Treatment

Home remedies for great hair are wonderful. You will find many examples in my chapter specifically devoted to practical applications using items you have in your home. Healthy smooth hair is a sign of beauty. It is important to protect it through good diet , vitamins if necessary and regular conditioning treatments. It is not necessary to wash your hair every day. I usually go a week without washing my hair, but if your hair gets greasy fast then of coarse you may not be able to go that long. If your hair is curly then it will need extra care as it can get frizzy and dry. If it is color treated then it will also need more conditioning especially if it is bleached. I recommend deep conditioning treatments whenever your hair needs it. Here are some home remedies that you can use for your hair. Washing your hair- If your hair is very dirty you can add baking soda to your shampoo. If you want to go chemical free then you can make a paste out of baking soda and massage it into your head or you can get a cup of water and put one table spoon baking soda and stir then massage that into your head to clean it. After that rinse and put 2 tablespoons spoons of apple cider vinegar to one cup warm water and let it sit for a few minutes. After that rinse.
It is important to comb hair gently with a wide tooth comb. You do not want to yank it. The hair should be combed at the ends and work your way up to detangle after washed.

Rinses-
Beer
vinegar
Hair Masks conditioning treatment-
avocado
olive oil
eggs
almond oil
coconut oil

I keep my hair on the longer side so that it does not kink up. After a good wash, always comb your hair right away. If you put product in it and work it through with your head upside down and scrunch it with your hands it can make nice natural curls. Do not brush it. For smooth styles it pays to go to a blow dry bar. I can leave my hair for a week with a professional blow dry. The other option is Brazilian Blow out. My friend actress business woman Esther Marie is always on the go and loves this option. It makes her hair smooth and shiny. She says its easy to maintain.

Esther Marie with the Brazilian Blow out

Esther Marie with the Brazilian Blow out

If your hair is wavy or straight, a professional blow out can be nice to put body in the places that you want it. Blow dry bars have become very popular. They specialize in blow drying and styling hair, are much more cost effective than full service salons and offer great service. Their employees are quite skilled at doing a great job. As a rule a person cant do as good of a job on their own hair than these people can. The hair comes out smooth and nice and tends to stay that way unless it gets wet. If you aren’t going in for a cut or color but just want a stunning style, opt for a blow dry bar!

Sometimes getting your hair done professionally is not an option so use these tips for the best blow out you can give yourself.
When blow drying your own hair, spray on a heat protector first. If you have curly hair you will need to put some tension on the brush and make sure the hair is completely dry so it does not frizz up! Section off the hair and dry each piece separately until the whole head is dry.

Donna’s Diaries- My hair is naturally curly so it takes some work to make it behave and keep it properly conditioned. I really like to spend my money on my hair including professional deep conditioning at a salon but you can do this yourself at home also.

Styles

It is important to have a style that suits your personality, but it should also be current. Since a mane of hair can make all the difference in your look, it is important to make time for regular trims. Sometimes it is fun to try on wigs of various colors and styles to see what looks best on you. I even think it is fun to have wigs to wear on those days that you want a totally different look. Beauty is all about putting things together to make the style and look that best fits you. Don’t make drastic changes! Always experiment slowly. But if you do make a mistake, there are always extensions…

Hair Extensions
There are many different types of hair extensions that can look quite beautiful when added to the natural hair; however, this choice is high maintenance and usually very expensive. The plus side is you can shower with them in and carry on as if they are part of your natural hair. The downside is that it sometimes causes damage to your natural hair. This can result in breaking and potential hair loss.
Professional Falls, Wigs and Clip-ons
Today, we have many choices when it comes to clip-ons and hair pieces, which can create a quite glamorous look when added to our natural hair. I like clip-ons because they are easy and low maintenance. I use them to enhance my natural hair when I want more dramatic styles. They do not damage your hair, so they are essentially risk free. Plus, you can get top notch human hair clip-ons for a reasonable price. If you get synthetic ones they are not expensive and great for occasional use. DO NOT TRY TO CURL THEM WITH A HOT IRON! The manufacturer already has them straight or curled. They will melt if you try.FullSizeRender (3)

Natural hair clip on’s are wonderful but cost much more.  The bottom line is to make sure your hair is as healthy as you can get it to look and if it needs help then move forward with both internal and external choices. Do not ever leave clip ons on constantly. I wear mine for a night or day then remove them so my hair does not get pulled out.

My girlfriend who is a Beauty Queen & actress, Shanna Olson says that she uses these clips for easy styling.

 

Beauty Queen, Shanna Olson

Beauty Queen, Shanna Olson

All of these options will help make your hair look better if utilized properly!

If you have any further questions you can email me below! Thank you Donna Spangler 🙂

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May 19, 2016

Best Dry Hair Spray

I am often on the go and don’t always time to fuss with my hair.  I use dry hair spray so that I do not have to wash my hair as often and I have discovered that “Dry Me ” by Wella works very vell. It lifts the hair at the roots giving it a freshly washed appearance! I really love it.FullSizeRender

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April 23, 2016

PURA D’OR in Contessa Magazine

Contessa’s Court Fashion & Luxury Lifestyle May 2016 featuring PURA D’OR

 

Pura d'or in Contessa Court Magazine May 2016.

Pura d’or in Contessa Court Magazine May 2016.

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March 14, 2016

Yara Shahidi Carries Henri Bendel to the Kid’s Choice Awards

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LOS ANGELES – March 14, 2016 – Yara Shahidi was photographed carrying Henri Bendel at the Kid’s Choice Awards this weekend! The black-ish star accessorized her colorful outfit with a Henri Bendel Straw Party Starter Box in Black ($148).

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Thunderman actress Kira Kosin was also photographed wearing Henri Bendel’s Luxe Pave Orbital Cuff Ring ($78, www.henribendel.com).

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February 18, 2016

Get The Best Beauty Looks From The GRAMMYS!


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Stars such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Taylor Swift, Bella Hadid, Ciara, & Chrissy Teigen stunned on the red carpet on Monday night. These gorgeous ladies turned heads with their fierce beauty looks – and now you can get the look for less (and with ease!) thanks to Makeup Geek (www.makeupgeek.com)! Makeup Geek CEO and makeup educator Marlena provides a how-to for each look along with what products to use so you can be as flawless as the stars!

Alessandra Ambrosio – Corrupt, Ice Queen, Galaxy, Nautica, Immortal
Pat Galaxy all over the lid blending into the crease, Create a dramatic wing with Corrupt stopping at the transition blending inward, place Nautica all over the inner ⅓ of the eye including the inner crease and extending onto the lower ⅓ of the lid. Highlight the inner corner of the eye with White Lies. Run Immortal in the upper and lower waterlines

Taylor Swift – Magic Act, Rapunzel, Sensuous
Swipe Rapunzel all over the lid extending into the transition. Pat Magic Act all over the lid. Place Sensuous onto the lower lash line extending upward. Highlight the inner corner of the eye with Rapunzel.

Bella Hadid – Barcelona Beach, Shimma Shimma, Mocha, Sorbet, Immortal
Barcelona Beach all over the transition blending down into the crease, Sorbet all over the lid, Mocha in the crease, Shimma Shimma on the inner corner. Run Barcelona Beach under the lower lash line. Immortal tightly to the upper lash line.

Ciara – Moondust, Bedrock, Concrete Jungle, Corrupt, Immortal
Swipe Bedrock into the transition, Pat Moondust all over the lid, pat Concrete Jungle onto the outer ⅓ of the lid, Deepen the outer V with Corrupt, run Moondust along the lower inner ⅓ of the lash line, and Corrupt for the remaining ⅔ tightly to the lash line. Immortal to line eyes.

Chrissy Teigen – Barcelona Beach, Hipster, Mocha, Latte
Use Barcelona Beach as a transition and also run under the lower lash line, pat Latte all over the lid and on the outer ⅓ corner of the lower lash line, run Mocha through the crease, place Hipster on the center of the lid diffusing slightly.

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February 15, 2016

Hard Candy Shadow Spheres are Baked just right

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I recently tried  some of Hard Candy Shadow Spheres Baked Eyeshadow pallettes, and I have to say that I am so impressed with them. First of all, each pallet comes with 10 colors, two applicators, and a mirror for on the go use. Each color can be used dry as an eyeshadow or wet, to use as an eyeliner to create a smokey effect. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of using an eyeshadow wet, so I thought it was really cool and also useful. Okay, when I first tried the eyeshadow out the first thing I noticed was how a little of this product can go a long way. Usually, it takes multiple coats of my normal eyeshadow to achieve the look I want, but with the Hard Candy pallettes I only needed one coat, which was a refreshing change from my average 3 coats. After I was done applying in the morning, I ended up wearing my makeup all the way into the night and I can’t complain, it lasted me literally all day and still looked really great without any smudging. And lastly, I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the hunt to find makeup and other products that are animal testing free, so when I found out this company didn’t test on animals I was so happy and also gained a lot of respect for them as a business. With all this being said, I really encourage you to give these Hard Candy eyeshadow pallets a try, they’ll have you looking incredibly beautiful!

Hard Candy Cosmetics can be found at drugstores nationwide

Look for Hard Candy’s make-up line, accessories and how-to-videos at Hard Candy

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February 8, 2016

Your perfect gift is waiting to be created with Metal Pressions

 

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It started out as a thought. Then it was a creation of my very own. Actually, I did have a little help from this amazing website, Metal Pressions. Owners Andreas and his wife Elisha (the inspiration behind Metal Pressions) established this unique business in 2008, offering fine personalized jewelry. Their jewelry is hand-crafted to your specifications so it is very unlikely you will find millions of people wearing your exact piece of jewelry. You probably won’t even find one person wearing it because your jewelry creation will be one of a kind, created by you.

At Metal Pressions, creating your piece of jewelry is easy and fun.

First, you will select your product, pendant, chain, necklace bracelet charms, ring, gems etc.

Next, you will choose your material such as silver, gold, rose-tone, it’s your choice. l then select text for personalization and stamping.

You will then select text for your personalization and add to your piece whatever else your heart desires.

My piece (shown above) was created with the help of Andreas and after he worked with me on the creative process, alas, my pendant was complete. I couldn’t have asked for a more charming sentimental piece honoring my 4 children. If you need a little help with your creative process, there are professional metal crafters on the site to help you and guide you through the steps.

Metal Pressions also gives you the opportunity to purchase merchandise already created and waiting for you on their website.  Men’s and Women’s jewelry, as well as exceptional Bridal gifts are among many exquisite handcrafted jewelry pieces available for purchase.

When my piece arrived, I was excited to show my creation to my husband. He liked it very much and was impressed with the piece knowing I didn’t drop into the nearest jewelry store and buy it on the spot. I told him I created it on Metal Pressions and he even added a few of his own ideas. Well, it’s too late to add to this piece but It’s not too late for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to create another piece.  It also got me thinking, what a great idea for my children to collaborate and create a piece for their grandmother and/or grandfather.

The personalized intricately crafted pieces can be worn by anyone and created by anyone. There are no limits to what you can create.

Andreas stated himself “We knew early on that creating amazing jewelry isn’t enough to be successful. Our customers want an incredible shopping experience. From the hand drawn images our customers sent us, we realized they wanted to be a part of the design process and know eactly what they were going to get before they purchased. The idea was born then, when we were just starting out in our garage. Now everyone can design their own jewelry.”

You can start designing your own jewelry by going to metalpressions.com and let your imagination take you away.

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January 23, 2016

THE WINNER OF THE ZINK HANDBAG IS…..

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The JAUNT HANDBAG – LAVA from the Zink Collection is “Inspired by the past with an eye toward the future, the Jaunt is a modern heirloom piece. A contemporary design featuring optimal practicality, this luxurious carryall is a must-have for any chic globetrotter.”

Handbag details include:

Full grain vegetable dyed leather
Solid brass hardware
Fully lined natural canvas with leather detailing
Leather base with nut and bolt feet
Four interior pockets, three open, one zippered
Length 16.5” Width 5” Height 11.5”
Strap Drop 8”
zinkcollection.com

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