Jana Kramer shared a photo wearing Socialite on Instagram today! The ‘One Tree Hill’ alum looked camera ready in Socialite’s Lace Trim Camisole Top in Tiger Print ($35, www.nordstrom.com).
Archives for June 2019
June 27, 2019
Need a brow or lash guru?
Umbreen Sheikh is a licensed cosmetologist in addition to being the CEO + Founder of Wink Brow Bar and Salon in NYC. She also has an eponymous product line which is available for review. Umbreen can assist with stories covering any of the following:
Microblading 101- What you need to know before getting this brow treatment
Waxing- What to do and what not to do before you get waxed for a painless and smooth experience
Eyelash Extensions– What are the pros and cons?
Eyebrow Shape- What is the ideal shape for your face and eyes and how to achieve it
Brow Hacks– Things you can do at home to achieve perfect brows
Are your brows aging you? – Common mistakes women make that add years to their face and how to avoid them
Eyebrows 911- What to do when you have overplucked or over bleached
Brow Mistakes you didn’t know you were making
Eyebrow Threading- 8 Thing to Know Before Getting it Done
What is the difference between Microblading and Brow Extensions?
Everything You Need to Know About Lash Lifts and Why They Might Be Better Than Lash Extensions
What are the essential brow and lash products every woman needs?
Eyebrow Trends You Will Be Seeing in 2020
ABOUT UMBREEN SHEIKH LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST
For London born Umbreen, beauty is in her blood. Her mother was a huge influence, having attended cosmetology school and owning London Salons that encompassed all areas of beauty in addition to eyebrow threading, which was quite rare at the time. Umbreen learned to “thread” brows at an early age. Umbreen jokes that her mother taught her, “The birds, the bees and the brows.” Growing up, Umbreen spent much of her time in her mother’s salons while also attending University at King’s College London and graduating with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. After marrying in 2003, Umbreen moved to New York where she became PR Director of a niche magazine. In 2005, Umbreen had a son, and in 2011 her daughter was born. After her children were in school, she decided to fulfill her lifelong passion for beauty, brows and product development.
While living in New York, she realized that there were no brow salons that catered to threading and focused on understanding face shapes and how to achieve the perfect brow shape in a way that did not damage the eye area. Although many salons offered waxing, this was not a method Umbreen wished to pursue. She was dismayed by existing salons that offered one size fits all, unhygienic, or painful brow/eyelash treatments.
As someone who learned the reigns of beauty and brows from an entrepreneurial mother, the concept of women’s “Embrowerment” was essential to Umbreen. In 2014, she developed the concept for Wink. Today, her empire includes three Wink Brows Bars in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one in London. For those who can’t make it to the salon, Wink has an eponymous line of brow, lash and facial products available for purchase online.
Philanthropic pursuits play a significant role in Umbreen’s life. She is a committee member of “Developments in Literacy” that educates 27,000 girls in Pakistan. She is also a Lotus Circle Advisor for The Asia Foundation a non -profit international organization that works across Asia advancing the rights and opportunities for women through their empowerment program.
Umbreen resides in New York with her financier husband and two children.
June 25, 2019
The Don’ts of Buying A Diamond Ring
A diamond is forever. I’m quite sure you have all heard of this. So, if the diamond you buy
remains with you forever, that means you have to make sure you choose the right one. Buying
your first diamond can be intimidating.
Am I choosing the right color, cut, clarity and carat weight? Am I paying the right price? Should
I go with a modern or a traditional design?
The Don’ts of Buying a Diamond Ring
These simple rules will help you get the best diamond ring for your needs:
Don’t Go Diamond Shopping without a budget in mind
Diamonds are not cheap. Let’s be honest from the start. To get an idea of what it would cost,
look online for an estimate.
Remember, most stores are open to price negotiations. There’s no harm asking the salesperson to
bring down the price. There’s a lot of competition among diamond retailers, so you might have
an advantage there.
Also, visit 2-3 shops before finalizing on one ring. This will give you a better understanding of
prices and designs.
Don’t Be Clueless
Is this the first time you are hearing of the 4C’s of diamond? In that case, here is what they mean:
Color- Diamonds are graded based on their color. The lighter the color, the better it grades. This
means that diamonds with a slight yellowish tint aren’t the best quality. The best quality is
diamonds graded between D-H. This also means they are the most expensive. However, very few
people can spot the difference in quality just by looking at a diamond so you can choose a lower
grade without feeling the pressure.
Clarity- Clarity refers to how clear and sparkly the diamond is. Diamonds above S12 clarity are
a good choice. Again, the difference wouldn't be quite obvious above S12.
Cut- The cut of a diamond can improve both its color and clarity. Cut refers to how the shape,
the symmetry, the angle and the placement of the diamond. Choose something around the J/S.I.2
grade. If you have budget constraints, you can go a few levels below the grade cut.
Carat Size- This shows how big the diamond is. When it comes to quality, the carat size is often
holds the least value. A smaller carat size might be better depending on the design and the look
of the ring. So, just concentrate more on the color, clarity and cut.
Don’t go alone
Especially if this is the first time you are going diamond shopping. Bring along a friend.
Who are you buying the diamond for? Is it going to that special ring?
If so, take someone along. Choose someone with a similar style as her. Another plus would be
choosing someone who has some basic knowledge of diamonds. This way they could help you
evaluate the cut, clarity and color.
Don’t insist on a certificate
A few years back, everyone buying a diamond was asking for a certificate. Even though a
certificate does make your purchase more authentic, many diamond retailers choose not to get
their diamonds certified. If you trust the shop, you don’t need a certificate. You can also get the
diamond certified on your own later if you want.
Consider getting insurance while you are certifying the diamond. This will protect you against
any theft or damage to your jewelry.
Happy Diamond Shopping! We hope this guide will make it easier for you to purchase that
special ring. You can also get your diamond online from ADA Diamonds. They have an amazing collection and great prices. Do check them out.
(Diamond Ring Image from ADAdiamonds.com )
June 24, 2019
3 Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Hair
If your hair is badly damaged, it can be very hard to get it looking great. Trying to style hair when it’s dry and you’ve got loads of split ends or your hair is thinning out quite a lot in places is tough and most people end up just putting it up because they don’t really know what to do with it. Sometimes, things like dry hair can be genetic and for some people, it’s just more of an issue. But most of the time, there is a reason for damaged hair which means that there is something to do about it.
There are certain products that you can use to fix split ends, add volume, and lock moisture into the hair. But you don’t want to be constantly using those products to fix your hair every time it starts to get damaged. If you want your hair to look amazing, it’s important that you avoid the damage in the first place by changing the way that you treat and care for your hair. Usually, people struggle with damaged hair because they’re making a few simple mistakes that are easily fixed. These are some of the things that could be damaging your hair.
Applying Too Much Heat
Too much heat is never good for your hair and over time, it will dry it out a lot. This is a very common problem because most people are using hair dryers, straighteners, and curlers on a regular basis. You don’t need to stop using those hair styling tools completely, you just need to make sure that you’re using them in the right way so you don’t damage your hair. When it comes to drying, you should try to dry your hair naturally if you have time. The problem is, most people won’t have time to let their hair dry naturally every morning because they need to get out of the house and go to work, so you’re going to end up using a hairdryer quite often. That’s fine, just try to keep the heat setting low if you can and make sure that you keep the dryer at least 15cm from the hair, that will reduce the impact of the heat a lot and stop your hair from getting too damaged.
Straighteners and curlers are a big problem as well because you’re applying heat directly to the hair and that can be very damaging if you’re doing it all of the time. It’s important that you buy a good quality pair of straighteners that have good temperature control on them, and pick ones that are right for your hair type. There are a lot of different types out there and it can get confusing, so you should visit Hair Straightener Studio for a quick breakdown and a list of the best straighteners on the market right now. If you can, you should try to avoid using straighteners or curlers every single day and just embrace your natural hair more often. Applying heat to the hair is ok when done right but if you go overboard, you could be doing a lot of damage to your hair.
Too Many Chemicals
If your hair is constantly being exposed to harsh chemicals, that could be doing a lot of damage as well. Hair dye is one of the most common ways that people damage their hair with chemicals because a lot of them contain hydrogen peroxide and ammonia which both do a lot of damage to your hair if you’re using them too regularly. If you love changing your hair color and you do it all of the time, it’s likely that you’ll struggle with dry hair and split ends. Using hair dye is fine but you should try to limit it to once a month at the very most if you want to avoid damaging your hair. You should also make sure that you’re using a good conditioner that is designed to protect colored hair and make sure that you lock in enough moisture.
Some shampoos contain a chemical called DHT as well which can contribute to hair loss so you need to check the ingredients carefully on any products that you’re using. In general, you should try to use more natural products instead. There are so many new hair products on the market that are made using all natural ingredients like coconut milk rather than lots of harsh chemicals and they’re often a better choice.
Chlorine is another one that causes problems for people that swim often. It can dry your hair out a lot and lead to discoloration for some people so you’ve got to be careful. Always make sure to wear a swim cap and shampoo your hair straight away after swimming in chlorinated water.
Sun Damage
We all know that the sun is bad for your skin and you need to make sure that you’re protecting yourself when the weather is warm, but a lot of people don’t realize just how much damage it could be doing to their hair. Too much sun exposure is actually one of the leading causes of thinning hair and it will quickly dry your hair out and make it very brittle. If your hair is getting very dry and frizzy and you have a lot of split ends during the summer, it’s likely that you’ve got a problem with sun damage. If you have light colored hair, you’re more vulnerable to sun damage so you need to take extra care to protect it.
When you’re trying to protect your hair from sun damage, you can follow some of the same basic rules that you would when protecting your skin. Try not to stay out in the sun for too long without taking a break every once in a while and wear a hat to cover your hair when the sun is hottest. On top of that, make sure that you’re using a good conditioner to keep your hair moisturized during the summer months.
If your hair is always dry and damaged, it’s likely to be caused by one of these things. But the good news is, if you can avoid these problems, your hair will be looking healthy and vibrant in no time.
(Images: flickr.com , pexels.com, pxhere.com)
June 20, 2019
Elina Organics Ambra Lift Elixir, A Face Lift In a Bottle
A face lift in a bottle, Elina Organics Ambra Lift Elixir visibly lifts, energizes, tones, & firms. State-of-the art genomic testing showed it increases the expression of Sirtuin-1 – a key anti-aging gene! The star ingredient, Baltic Amber, stimulates the production of collagen.
As the winner of the 2019 DERMASCOPE Aestheticians’ Choice Award for “Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer”, Elina Organics Ambra Lift Elixir is a bio-energized skin moisturizing and firming treatment with extracts of Baltic Amber, Marine & Silk Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and other effective skin nutrients.
100% transdermal, organic, fresh, hand-made and cruelty free, it is scientifically proven to increase the expression of anti-aging and anti-wrinkle genes, while activating anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory genes. The star ingredient, Baltic Amber, has been prized for centuries for its anti-aging properties, stimulating the production of collagen.
Like a face lift in a bottle, it visibly lifts, energizes, tones, and firms. State-of-the art genomic testing showed it increases the expression of Sirtuin-1 – a key antiaging gene.
After just TWO applications of Ambra Lift over a span of just 48 hours, it was concluded through independent scientific testing, that Ambra Lift is scientifically proven to positively change the skin. Using the gene expression method called Quantitative Real Time PCR (polymerase chain reaction; qRT-PCR) to measure what genes are “turned on or off”, gene markers determined the following about Elina Organics Ambra Lift Elixir:
- It increased the expression of Sirtuin-1, a key anti-aging gene.
- It activated expression of genes that promote anti-wrinkle effects. This reduces visible wrinkles, expression lines, blemishes, pigmentation changes, discolorations and other environmentally related conditions of the skin.
- It activated anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory genes involved in protective cellular mechanisms.
In the end, exposure to Elina Organics Ambra Lift produced statistically significant changes in 47 out of 91 genes tested after a 48-hour period!
Directions: For dry-normal complexion, use under your moisturizer daily. For normal-oily complexions, use in place of your moisturizer daily.
Price:
$48 for .5oz from https://elinaorganicsskincare.
$80 for 2oz from https://elinaorganicsskincare.
Always free of Artificial Fragrances, Synthetic Chemicals, Toxic Preservatives, Artificial Dyes, Parabens, Gluten, Dairy, and Soy.
June 20, 2019
Minimize the risk for sun damage with Oxygenetix SPF30 Foundation
The sun is shining bright and your skin is definitely at risk for sun damage. To prevent overexposure to the sun’s damaging rays, one of our staff members here at It’s a Glam Thing suggests Oxygenetix Foundation!
This camouflaging waterproof foundation line helps build collagen and elastin, smooth uneven skin texture, and provides your skin with SPF30.
(From the website) :
Oxygenating Foundation breathes, protects and heals as you wear it. And by using a unique aloe vera base, this foundation is both antibacterial and soothing.
Enjoy seeing the natural beauty of your skin shine through. Goes on sheer but once set, you can build as much as you wish to cover blemishes and give the finish that you desire. And it lasts longer and feels lighter than other foundations so you can wear it all day.
CHOOSE YOUR SHADE & SHOP IT WITH US HERE!
image from instagram @oxygenetix
June 20, 2019
Put your best face forward on hot summer days
Lumene Glow Refresh Hydrating Mist (ONE OF OUR FOREVER FAVORITES here at It’s a Glam Thing) will keep skin super hydrated and set makeup on hot summer days. The perfect refresher after a long beach day, this spray absorbs beautifully… unlike many other sprays, it never leaves skin feeling sticky or wet. Another summer essential is Lumene’s Day Cream SPF 15 Broad Spectrum, a fresh, hydrating day cream designed to protect against sun damage, prevent premature aging, hydrate and instantly brighten the complexion.
- Glow Refreshing Hydrating Mist ($14.99) – a refreshing, energizing ultra-fine mist for all skin types, it provides an instant hit of hydration for a radiant-looking complexion. Perfect for quickly refreshing skin and for applying flawless foundation and/or setting makeup. Available at Target.com
- Day Cream SPF 15 Broad Spectrum ($19.99) – a fresh, hydrating day cream that helps prevent premature aging, boosts hydration, calms skin, protects against sun damage, and contains light-reflective pigments for added radiance Designed for all skin types it prevents premature aging, boosts hydration, calms skin and helps achieve brighter looking skin. Apply to face and neck every morning after cleansing. Available at Target, Target.com, CVS and CVS.com
An additional summer skincare tip from Lumene: apply Glow Reveal Moisturizer to bare legs for a subtle shimmer.
- Glow Reveal Moisturizer ($23.99) – a lightweight cream for day and night that brightens the complexion, intensely hydrates, and promotes healthy, radiant, youthful-looking skin. Available at CVS, CVS.com and Target.com
About Nordic-C [Valo]
This collection of skincare blends the natural goodness of the rare Arctic Cloudberry, a wild super-fruit packed with vitamin A, C, E and fatty acids with an extra dose of stabilized bio-available Vitamin C. The formulas boost skin energy, enhance radiance and improve complexion evenness to unveil a natural healthy glow day after day. All Lumene products are formulated with naturally derived ingredients, including Vitamin C, Wild Arctic Cloudberry, Hyaluronic Acid and Arctic Spring Water, and are all 100% vegan, gluten free and cruelty free.
June 20, 2019
There’s a mask for everything even your booty, B-Tight by MAELYS Cosmetics!
It seems like there’s a mask for everything these days – face masks, hair masks – but what about your butt? The booty needs some TLC too! Enter: B-Tight by MAELYS Cosmetics!
MAELYS Cosmetics is an established cosmetic brand based in Israel and launched in the US with B-Tight, the first ever mask to lift and firm the booty with powerful active ingredients! The one of a kind mask is a rich texture with an addictive scent that helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and leaves the booty looking firmer, tighter and more hydrated! Basically, what we all need with bathing suit season amongst us!
B-Tight by MAELYS is available on Sephora.com and www.maelyscosmetics.com.
June 20, 2019
A Simple Summer Guide To Dealing (Or Not Dealing) With Body Hair
Secretly, many of us girls and quite of few of the guys love it when winter rolls around. The reason being that we don’t have to go so hard with hair removal. However, when summer comes around the opposite can often be true. Although it’s worth remembering that there is more than one way to deal with body hair once the sun comes out, some easier and more effective than others. In fact, you can read about the most effective method in my post below.
Shaving
One of the most simple and effective methods of hair removal is shaving. Of which there are two main types. One being the wet shave, usually with a disposable razor, and the other being a dry shave with an electric device.
In fact, if it’s a close shave that leaves your skin as smooth as possible afterward that you are looking for, using a disposable razor along with skin conditioning shaving foam is usually your best bet. This is because the open blade on such a device gets much closer to the hair roots, some are even designed to lift the root as you pull them over the skin, meaning that they don’t just cut the hair at skin level, but below it. Of course, the benefit of this is that there is no hair left to keep the follicle open and create skin bumps giving you the closest shave possible.
Alternatively, you may wish to use an electric razor instead, as there are a myriad of options design for the removal of both men and women’s body hair. Of course, electric shavers can be incredibly convenient as they usually have large heads and automatically rotating blades. Something that means you can get a more substantial area done in less time.
However, they are often associated with a less than close shave, and can even be a source of skin irritation. Something that can make them much less suited for areas in which you want the best results possible.
Waxing & sugaring
The next hair removal methods to consider are waxing and sugaring. Both of these work by applying a sticky substance to the skin and then covering this with a strip so it can be torn off, taking the hairs with it.
There are some distinct advantages of using these types of method too. One, in particular, is the fact that because they remove the hair at the root your skin will be left smooth, and you will stay hair free for longer too.
Some people prefer to using sugaring over waxing because it is made from all-natural ingredients, namely sugar. However, it does need to be heated to precisely the right temperature and can be messy to apply, while it’s possible to get wax that is pre-applied to strips. This being something that can make it a lot easier and cleaner to use.
An excellent tip to remember if you are using wax, and not all of it comes off is to apply baby oil to the area. This will then dissolve, it and will also help to condition the skin underneath as well, making it a double win!
Laser hair removal
Another popular option for hair removal, come the summertime is to use an IPL or laser hair removal device. In fact, this method is very different from all of the others because the aim is to rid the section of body you are treating from hair for good.
To do this, you need to repeatedly treat small areas over time with the light or laser pulse that your device emits. In fact, it is unlikely that you will see dramatic results after just one or two treatments, so you will have to stick with it over the long term if you want this method to work.
However, it is worth noting that there are a range of devices on the market, and not all will be suitable for every hair color or skin tone. In fact, many don’t work as well on red or blond hair, or darker skin colors, which can be frustrating for many people.
Luckily, as laser hair removal machines are so expensive, you can find out which devices will match your needs the best by reading reviews like you will find here on All The Stuff online. Then you will be able to make an informed decision and ensure that your money isn’t going to waste.
Depilatory cream
One of the easiest ways to remove unwanted body hair is to use a depilatory cream, something readily available in most supermarkets and drugstores.
To get the best results, you need to apply the cream over the area that you wish to remove hair from and then leave it for the time stated in the instruction. The idea being that the chemicals in the cream will dissolve the hair and leave your skin smooth and fresh.
Sadly many people find that the more popular creams don’t provide enough oomph to really get to the base of the hair, something that can leave an uncomfortable and unsightly stubble.
They can also smell pretty pungent as well, which is another aspect of using this method that can make it less appealing. When you team this with the fact that some folks with especially sensitive skin can get an adverse reaction from using a depilatory cream, it is sensible that unless you find it works partially well for you, to source another option.
Leave it where it is
Lastly, it is essential to remember that leaving your body hair firmly in place is also an option to consider. In fact, there are various proponents from the feminist and body positive movements that suggest removing our hair just because it is what society expects of us is not the way to go.
Of course, it will be for every individual to make up their own minds on this front. Although, for many, the freedom from what can seem like a never-ending task of removing hair can be liberating, both regarding their time and concerning how they view their bodies too!
Images: Pixabay.com
June 19, 2019
Caroline Lowe Wears RELLERY!
Caroline Lowe shared a photo wearing RELLERY on Instagram recently! The model posed for a photo showing off her dainty RELLERY Triple Mini Oval Necklace ($89; www.rellery.com) while enjoying the summer sun.