February 10, 2015

All the single ladies…& men

Love is still in the air!!
By:​ Dr. Nancy H. ​Wall

Dr. Nancy Hall

Dr. Nancy Hall

All is not doom and gloom, even as we watch the stock market crumble. Our current challenging economic climate has shifted the bottom lines of many businesses, though the matchmaking industry continues to boom, especially in Tampa Bay! This shift is in a positive direction!

Typically, at this time of year, around the holiday season, people become more introspective. They start to, once again, look and reflect back on their lives, in a very critical manner. Things they are not happy about become even more important, negative and even more depressing. This is especially true for singles, where the holidays tend to lend themselves to family gatherings, couples, etc., and they feel very alone and isolated.

We at Tampa Bay MatchMakers have seen an increase in new prospects requesting information about matchmaking, coaching, and dating services. This introspection is very good for our business. People are figuring out what they want and what they feel they need. For many of them, they want to find that special someone. Many of them are sad. Many are looking for love. Many have been searching for a number of years, and each year they repeat the same thing…”I don’t want to be alone again next year.”

Tampabay Matchmakers Logo

Tampabay Matchmakers Logo

The major shift we have seen at Tampa Bay Matchmakers this year has been in working with clients who have recently lost their jobs due to the current economic challenges. As we work very closely with each client to be sure he/she is making the best first impression while meeting new people, and are open and ready for a healthy, happy relationship, those without jobs find this task very difficult. We take the journey with our clients and coach them throughout the process. In these difficult times, without a job, the clients themselves decide to put their relationship search on hold, as they enter a full time job search. We offer them the option to place their accounts on hold, as they work to find new jobs and regain their self esteem. These clients many times are not in a position to meet new people and start a new, healthy relationship, for the right reasons. We are concerned that they might miss the perfect opportunity…….if the right person were sitting across from them in a booth, would they know it? If their mind is not focused on the relationship and the meeting, as they worry about finding a new job and question their self esteem, they might miss their soul mate who is sitting right across the table from them!
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http://tampabaymatchmakers.com/

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February 9, 2015

It’s all about those Grammys

As we know last night was the Grammys awards. Stars flooded the red carpet in beautiful AND jaw dropping fashions that are making headlines. I have always loved watching award shows, especially the red carpet, to see just how creative people can get. It was a show with some dos and dont’s of red carpet fashion. Hard to believe Taylor Swift made the worst dress list when that one was one of my favorites.

Many memorable performances of the night were Sia performing her hit single “Chandelier” with Maddie Zieglar dancing, Annie Lennox with Hozier and my personal favorite Lady Gaga with Tony Bennet performing “Cheek to Cheek”. Not only great performances but many awards were handed out as well. It was defintely a night of star studded bliss that will keep us all talking.

But like I said Im all about those red carpet looks & these ladies (& gentleman) didn’t dare disappoint when it came to their look and may I Just add…Miley you look great.

Beyonce

Beyonce

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus

Rhianna

Rhianna

Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox

Big Sean and Ariana Grande

Big Sean and Ariana Grande

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February 9, 2015

Get the look: Mary J. Blige at the Grammys

Mary J Blige, the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” rocked it out with Sam Smith last night at the 57th Grammy Awards, but it was her Rock Star Pompadour that was all the buzz. Celebrity hairstylist, Larry Sims, was the man responsible for this sleek silhouette

Mary J Blige Performer and Grammy Nominee for Best Dance Recording

Mary J Blige
Performer and Grammy Nominee for
Best Dance Recording

Look: Rock Star Pompadour

1. Apply Smooth ‘N Shine Silk Style Foaming Wrap Lotion to clean, toweled dry hair and establish a strong side part over the right eyebrow.

2. Blow dry entire head and evenly distribute a dime size of Smooth ‘N Shine Silk ‘N Sleek Styling Heat Protect Straighten Polisher from root to tip for added protection and shine.

3. Flat iron whole head and use a large barrel curling iron, moving away from the face, to create volume at the crown.

4. After volume is achieved, take a large tooth bone comb and sculpt hair with a workable, light hold hairspray.

5. For that added Red Carpet shine, mist the Smooth ‘N Shine Instant Repair Spray-On Polisher to finish the look

Smooth ‘N Shine Silk Style Foaming Wrap Lotion ($3.99; Wal-mart/Target) A quick drying formula provides added protection when using heat styling tools and gives hair a natural hold with body, movement and shine, ideal for wrapping. This foaming liquid gives hair a smooth finish and manageable, lasting hold leaving hair healthy, shiny and heat-protected.

Smooth ‘N Shine Silk ‘N Sleek Styling Heat Protect Straighten Polisher ($4.99; Wal-mart/Target) A heat protecting polish formulated with silk amino acids and essential exotic oils. Designed to seal in moisture and protect hair from heat styling tools. Heat activated polymers and exotic oils provide extra smoothing benefits to hair, seal in moisture and protect hair from heat damage. Instantly smoothes straight styles while providing radiant shine.

Smooth ‘N Shine Instant Repair Spray-On Hair Polisher ($4.99; Wal-mart/Target) A light-weight spray-on hair polisher that instantly creates a shiny, glossy and smooth finished style. The advanced polishing formula instantly creates intense shine while it detangles and smoothes frizzies, split-ends and fly-aways. Conditions damaged hair to help prevent future breakage.

These products and more can be found at your local Walmart and Target stores

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February 5, 2015

More heat, no problem

Styling our hair with hot tools can really take a toll. Especially when we do it everyday. After a while of using flat irons and blow driers etc. on my hair, it started becoming very brittle, dry and my color was fading faster and I was still using heat protectants. Having worked behind the chair it is my duty to educate on how to keep hair strong and healthy but how could I do that when mine was falling apart in my hands? So I stopped using all tools and my hair went back to normal. Only problem is I like to style my hair and not being able to find the right heat protectant I just couldn’t.

Oscar Blandi Logo

Oscar Blandi Logo

Designed and tested by Italian hairdresser, Oscar Blandi launched his line in 2005. Oscar is a native of Naples, Italy with hairdressing in his blood. He started working on hair when he was just 14 and has his father, brother and 3 of his sisters all in the industry. I guess you can say he was born with a comb and shears in his hand. Now Oscar resides in New York and works on celebrities such as Faith Hill, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, and Jessica Biel.

After discovering Oscar Blandi Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray, I can now style my hair without fear. In my experience with Oscar Blandi not only is my hair protected but with the Keratin properties it is much stronger and shinier! Not only that but you can use the Oscar Blandi Dry Styling Spray as a day 2 re-styler. Yes!!! Now you can keep your style for an extra day with no added heat (unless you need it). Also, this spray can withstand heat up to 450 degrees. I use this spray to not only flat iron my hair but also to diffuse my hair, while it s damp, giving my curls a soft, shiny bounce.

Oscar Blandi Heat Protect

Oscar Blandi Heat Protect

Such a versatile spray from wet styling, heat styling to restyling, Oscar Blandi Heat Protect Spray is a got to product. Head on over to www.blandiproducts.com, www.sephora.com, www.ultabeauty.com (just to name a few) to check out all Oscar Blandi products and how you can get your own Heat Protect Spray. Get the celebrity hair you always wanted.

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February 4, 2015

Oh Johnny how you can love?

I am not really one to write about celebrities and their personal lives but when it comes to one of my favorites I can’t help myself. This week in celeb news congratulations are in order! Johnny Depp & Amber Heard will tie the knot this weekend on his private island after a one year engagement. He says he can’t wait to marry her and if you ask me they look very cute together. This will be Amber’s first marriage and Johnny’s second.
Congratulations you two 🙂

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Oh one quick thing… Johnny do you ever age?

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February 2, 2015

Jeff Chastain launches hair care at Birchbox

NYC CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST JEFF CHASTAIN
LAUNCHES HAIR CARE LINE EXCLUSIVELY ON BIRCHBOX.COM

Jeff Chastin

Jeff Chastin

Parlor haircare

Parlor haircare

February 2, 2015 – NEW YORK, NEW YORK, Today Jeff Chastain, a New York City celebrity hair stylist, and Birchbox, a leading beauty and grooming company, announce the launch of PARLOR by Jeff Chastain, a line of multitasking hair care and styling products that combine professional quality with everyday ease for fresh, no-fuss style. Chastain – whose celebrity clients include Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington, Keri Russell, Sam Rockwell, Chris Messina, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Kristen Taekman, among others – designed and developed the collection exclusively for Birchbox.

Inspired by his signature practice of “product cocktailing” – using several different products at once – Chastain created PARLOR by Jeff Chastain, blending the benefits of his favorite products into single, easy-to-use formulas. The launch collection, available today on Birchbox.com, consists of four unisex products: Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray, Smoothing Blow Out Spray, Detangling Leave-In Conditioner and Reworkable Hold Paste. Two additional products – the Texturizing Finishing Spray and Flexible Hold Spray – will launch in May 2015.

“In my experience working with other salon hair brands, I’ve noticed that you often have to use two or more products together to get the desired effect. This always leaves you with too many products in your bathroom that you aren’t using,” says Jeff Chastain. “Every product in the PARLOR by Jeff Chastain line can be used alone to get great style because I’ve done the mixing for you.”

All products contain nourishing sweet almond extract and feature a refined but addictive fragrance with notes of ripe peach, fresh cut grass, and white woods. The bottles and secondary packaging have a premium, soft-touch finish with a sleek silhouette to give the collection a luxury-brand feel at a more accessible price point.

“Jeff Chastain is a long time friend of mine, Hayley’s, and the brand,” said Katia Beauchamp, Birchbox, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. “When Jeff came to us about launching his first hair care line, it was a natural fit. We loved the products and his vision for the line, and really stand behind this brand.”

PARLOR by Jeff Chastain is available today exclusively on Birchbox.com and at the Birchbox store in SoHo, with products retailing individually from $24.00-$28.00.

o Debut Collection – February 2, 2015
§ Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray – $24.00: part beach wave spray, part leave-in conditioner, giving hair that covetable surfer-girl texture without the drying effects of salt water
§ Smoothing Blow Out Spray – $24.00: an all-in-one hear protectant, blow-dry aid, and smoothing treatment
§ Detangling Leave-In Conditioner – $24.00: the perfect detangler combined with thermal protection in the form of a leave-in conditioner
§ Reworkable Hold Paste – $24.00: combines the softness and flexibility of a styling cream with the definition of a paste
o May 2015 Launch (waitlist)
§ Texturizing Finishing Spray – $28.00
§ Flexible Hold Spray – $24.00

About Birchbox

Launched in 2010, Birchbox is a leading beauty e-commerce company for both men and women. Birchbox redefines the retail process by offering consumers a personalized way to discover, learn about and purchase the best beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. With more than 800,000 members, Birchbox users enjoy first-touch experiences with new products each month and exclusive access to expert editorial content to help them get the most out of each item. Additionally, through Birchbox’s online store, customers can shop a handpicked selection of full-sized products from more than 800 top brands such as Beauty Protector, Benefit, Cynthia Rowley, Caudalie, Liz Earle, dr. brandt and Joie. Birchbox is headquartered in the US and available in Canada, France, Spain, the UK, and Belgium. In 2014, Birchbox opened its first brick and mortar store in New York. For more info check out www.birchbox.com

About Jeff Chastain

Jeff Chastain is a New York City stylist with over 14 years’ experience. Owner of the Jeff Chastain Parlor salon in Chelsea, he recently opened BLOWN by Jeff Chastain, a blowout bar in the East Village. Jeff’s celebrity clientele includes Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Arianna Huffington, Jonathan Tucker, Jenna Fischer, Sam Rockwell, and Leslie Bibb. He is the personal hairstylist for Kristen Taekman of The Real Housewives of New York City. Fans of PARLOR by Jeff Chastain will love Jeff’s down-to-earth, welcoming personality. Despite his success, he remains lighthearted and doesn’t take himself too seriously. To learn more about Jeff Chastain visit http://www.parlorbyjeffchastain.com.

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February 1, 2015

Eating habits to promote hair growth

Continuous washing, styling and coloring can wreak havoc on the hair. To encourage optimal hair health, focus on a diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins and beneficial fats.

Model

Model

As an established leader in hair growth, HairMax provides a list of super foods known to strengthen, from the inside out:

Protein:

Chicken

Chicken

Hair is comprised of about 97% protein, a critical building block of the body. Without it, the body can’t replace the hairs that you naturally shed.

Prevent unnecessary hair loss by reaching for soy, poultry and lean cuts of beef.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Salmon

Salmon

The hair shaft consists of 2-3% of omega-3s, which are also found in the scalp’s cells and sebum, known to hydrate the scalp and hair.

Since the body doesn’t produce its own omega-3s, ensure silky strands by consuming walnuts, salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, avocado and pumpkin seeds.

Zinc:

nuts

nuts

Support the glands attached to your hair follicles with zinc, a mineral whose absence causes hair to weaken and fall out. Zinc also promotes balanced hormone levels, which is directly linked to hair health.

To strengthen those tresses, opt for oysters, whole-grain breads, nuts, beef, eggs and shrimp.

Iron:

Greens

Greens

Vital for the production of hemoglobin, which is responsible for oxygen transport through blood, iron is necessary to ensure healthy blood flow to stimulate hair growth.

To encourage hair growth, reach for raisins, dried cherries, eggs, kale, dates and whole-grain cereals.

Don’t have time to eat right? Sometimes our body needs that little extra help to get the essential nourishment needed for healthy hair growth. Reach the daily nutritional goals not fulfilled through diet alone with HairMax’ Dietary Supplements. The nutrient-rich formulas are specifically designed with androgen blockers and powerful antioxidants to support scalp health and promote hair growth. See more at www.hairmax.com

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January 28, 2015

Might as well face it.. your addicted

Might as well face it..us women are addicted to skin care. Am I right? We are always striving to find the next best thing to help rid us of those pesky age spots, wrinkles etc. to help reveal the youthful skin underneath! On top of that with being on the go all the time, getting to spend time in a spa is just not on the schedule. Now you no longer have to worry about fitting the spa into your schedule when you get the Kelley West Microderm360.

Kelley West, a licensed medical aesthetician recently created her at-home head to toe microderm tool to help give you beautiful skin without the salon price. Believe it or not using Kelley’s Microderm360 will save you $289 over the course of 6 months. WOW!!!! But what exactly is the Microderm360 all about? The Microderm360 is like it says… An at-home microdermabrasion system that uses the power of diamond tips and suction to lift off all dead skin cells, unclog pores, smooth out wrinkles, reduce dark spots and it helps exfoliate the skin and evens out your skin tone. It’s even great if you tend to have some very stubborn stretch marks. It’s like a magic wand.

Microderm360

Microderm360

Having extremely oily, acne prone skin myself, I have had many people tell me to get a microdermabrasion treatment but have never had time. Now I can get a quick treatment and help get rid of unwanted ugly skin. Even at 24, it’s essential to get rid of dead skin to keep skin looking fresh.

So what are you waiting for?! Get on over to www.microderm360.com now and get your own “magic wand”. Take some time for yourself today because like I said, might as well face it.. You’re addicted to skincare.

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January 28, 2015

More glitter please!

Last Saturday, Jan 24, the students at The Salon Professional Academy in The Villages, FL put their creation skills to the test. Whoever wins this competition will be able to participate back stage at an event for fashion designer, educator and good friend of mine Gina Sais Quoi. An awesome opportunity for these students and I can tell they are just rocking out these beautiful creations!

TSPA mannequin contest

TSPA mannequin contest

I was not there to witness these amazing works but one look at the photos and I was blown away! The creativity, the thought and just the overall appearance of these creations reminds me of something you would see in fashion magazines, T.V. and movies. I swear every mannequin had a theme. A complete makeover. Everything from hair, makeup and even accessories were included. Honestly, I had to remind myself that they are students! I cannot wait to see who wins and am very excited for Gina. This is going to be an awesome event! I will keep everyone updated with info on the event and more!

Mannequin contest

Mannequin contest

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January 26, 2015

Get the Look: Downton Abbey star Laura Carmichael

MAKEUP
For the red carpet, Avon Global Celebrity Makeup Artist Lauren Andersen gave Laura Carmichael a bold red lip. “For Laura tonight the focus is on the lip. We wanted to create a light and airy look with an edge,” Lauren said.

Laura Carmichael

Laura Carmichael

Here’s how to get Laura’s look:

1. Lauren applied Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation as a base before applying Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Coral Radiance on the cheeks. Error! Filename not specified.
2. Lauren then lined her eyes with Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten.
3. Next, she used the light brown shade from the Avon True Color Eyeshadow Quad in Mocha Latte to softly define the eye.
4. As the final dramatic touch, Lauren added Ardell Medium Individual false lashes; followed by a coat of Avon Big & Daring Mascara in Blackest Black.
5. To complete the look, Lauren applied Avon Ultra Color Lipstick in Poppy Love.

www.avon.com

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