Olivia Culpo was photographed wearing 7 For All Mankind while out to dinner in West Hollywood last night. The newly single model looked stunning in 7 For All Mankind’s Leather Biker Pant in Black ($899, www.7forallmankind.com).
November 26, 2018
Holiday Parties, Holiday Hair, Tips from Lucy Garcia Planck, from Salon Bergdorf Goodman
Holiday Parties are just around the corner and while you might be keeping your eyes open for new holiday attire, it’s time to start taking care of your hair so that when it comes time to show everything off, your hair looks just as shiny as your new dress!
Below are some great tips and trends from NYC Hair Stylist, Lucy Garcia Planck, from Salon Bergdorf Goodman, on how to make sure your hair stands out this holiday season:
- Moisturizing is Key: Keeping hair moisturized will help all of your holiday hairstyles look great. The dry winter air will quickly zap your hair of any moisture it has. Try not to shampoo often. If you have oily hair wash it every other day, and if you have dry hair, aim at washing it one to two times a week maximum.
- Hair Masks are a Must: Another great way to keep hair hydrated is by using hair masks 1-2 times a week depending on your hair’s texture. I like to use 1 tsp of coconut oil directly on your hair, starting on the ends of the hair and working it up towards the scalp. Go to work out or run an errand and leave in for 30-60 min then shampoo with the treatment still in the head and then rinse. This locks in the natural oils in the hair and keeps it looking shiny.
- Take Care of Yourself From the Inside: I always say ‘you are what you eat.’ Whatever you put into your body reflects your outsides. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and eat proper foods such as fish, nuts and eggs helps to keep hair shiny. Taking a biotin supplement will also help. Biotin is a natural supplement that many people don’t get enough of and that could be a contributing factor to dry, brittle hair. I always tell my clients to take biotin year round to maintain a strong, healthy glow to their hair and it also helps with split ends. I love using and always recommend vitafusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin and Nails is a great-tasting gummy multivitamin containing 12 key nutrients, including Biotin and Vitamins C and E to help nourish beautiful hair, skin, and nails from the inside out.
- Keep Static Away: Dry winter months always create lots of hair static, which can ruin a great hairstyle. I always sleep on a silk pillowcase, which can help to eliminate this issue. Unlike cotton, the silk pillowcase doesn’t have any wrinkles in it and won’t mess up our hair. To maintain your hair or hairstyle (a fresh salon blowout), sleeping on silk helps with the static as well during the winter when your hair is depleted of moisture. Argan oil moisturizes the ends of your hair without leaving your hair oily. Use only a very tiny amount (pea-sized). If your hair is fine, stay away from the oils, instead use static guard sprayed in your hairbrush and brush your hair. For those with thicker hair, the argan oil will help keep your hair moisturized and reduce static and flyways.
It’s a Glam Thing Argan Oil Product Favorite: Pura’ dor Pro Organic Argan Oil Pure Cold Pressed.
Pura d’or Pro Organic 100% Argan Oil
November 23, 2018
Turn Your Bedroom Into A Glam Haven
We spend a lot of time in the bedroom. Sure, most of that time is spent asleep, but that’s no excuse not to make it the best room in the house. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary away from the stresses of daily life, and if you want it to be a luxurious and glamorous haven, then you’re in luck. Turning your bedroom into a relaxing place to enjoy has never been easier. Make the most of the place where you relax, and you may never want to leave! These tips might be the first steps to creating the ultimate in glam havens that will make it the one place you can go to escape the daily grind.
Get the right bedding
Never skimp on the bedding essentials. If you spend half your life in bed then it makes sense to make sure that it’s as clean and comfortable as possible. Invest in a quality mattress and some matching pillow and duvet sets. It really is an investment in your comfort. A good set of bedding will last a long time, and unlike most investments, you will get ongoing use from it.
Shake up the color scheme
Almost everyone knows that color has a big effect on the mind, but do you know which colors do what? Greens work on the mind in a very different way to reds or grays. Do a little research into the best colors to use for your bedroom and then look for ways to integrate those colors. Having a change of color is a quick and easy way to make your room feel more refreshed, and if you get the color scheme right, it could be doing more for you than you think.
Have a complete overhaul
It might be the expensive option, but it might be worth having a complete overhaul of your bedroom. If you’re working with a dingy and dark space, then finding ways to open it up and introduce a modern feel can be very beneficial. It may cost money, but having a complete overhaul might add some value to your home as well! Sometimes, it’s worth getting a loan to pay for a complete redesign of your bedroom, and many companies are able to loan you money with no credit check required. Investing time and money into a total overhaul of your bedroom could transform your relaxation habits!
Go green
Never underestimate the value of fresh plants in your bedroom. Not only are they great for adding splashes of color where you need it most, but they’re also fantastic for your air circulation as well. This is not a good option if you suffer from allergies, but even then there are still options. No matter your color scheme or allergy issues, there are plants that will match, and they can be a great way to boost your creativity while also helping you to relax. Some fresh lavender on the bedside table might be just the thing for helping you get the best nights sleep ever.
Go minimalist
Clutter is frustrating, and it’s no surprise that one of the trending phrases for interior designers in 2018 was ‘mess is stress.’ The notion that a tidy room is a tidy mind is not a new one, but it’s as relevant and true now as it always has been. Look at your accessories and ornaments, and consider whether you actually need them. You could even sell what you’ve outgrown to help pay for that new mattress and bedding! Learn some tips for achieving the minimalist look in your bedroom, and you’ll be heading to bed with a clear mind and less chance of stepping on the clutter on the floor.
Dim the lights
Lighting is an essential part of any creative design, and neglecting the impact of light in your bedroom is a common error. Too many people spend time and money on decorating but stick with the glaring main light even before sleeping. You can create a much more relaxing and glam ambiance by using lamps, candles, or even fairy lights to create a low light that allows you to see what you’re doing but doesn’t make you want to put on a pair of sunglasses. Look for modern lighting trends for inspiration, and you’ll wonder why you ever used the main light in your bedroom!
From choosing the right accessories to making sure that your room has the scent that you love, turning your bedroom into a haven has never been easier.
November 23, 2018
How To Remove Body Hair Permanently At Home
Everyone has some unwanted body hair somewhere, whether it’s around the genitals, underarms, or on their chest. Shortly put, body hair is a natural phenomenon among both women and men. But what can someone do when their hair thickens and darkens excessively, making them feel like they are carrying around a hair rug on their body? A good proportion of the global population prefers having a hairless, smooth skin and, therefore, seek to eliminate their body hair permanently and from the comfort of their home.
Fortunately, there are numerous techniques for removing unwanted hair permanently, which include the use of laser and IPL devices. While there are quicker hair removal methods, for example, the use of depilatory creams or shaving, the results are often temporary, lasting for a few days only. The following are permanent ways of removing body hair permanently and privately at home.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal has rapidly gained popularity since it was first introduced into the market in the 1990s. This is largely attributable to its ability to semi-permanently eliminate unwanted hair. Laser hair removal works by directing a concentrated beam of light on the hair follicles thus ultimately destroying them. Unlike epilating and waxing, this procedure doesn’t bring about instant results. Instead, it takes a few weeks after which the dead hairs fall out, only to reemerge after a prolonged period.
Shaving is, however, recommended before getting a laser treatment as it propels the hair towards the active growing stage, at which point the latter method is very effective. After just as few sessions, laser users achieve a longer-lasting solution in their quest to achieve a smooth, hairless body. And while the hair density and type determine the number of required sessions, the results are always fulfilling.
Using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Intense pulsed light is closely similar to laser hair removal. Just like with laser hair removal, IPL hair removal utilizes light to heat body the hairs, damaging the follicles to prevent hair from growing back rapidly. However, rather than using laser beams to heat the hair, IPL uses a comprehensive spectrum of light that is less concentrated. This means that more sessions are required than those needed for laser hair removal. Despite taking long, IPL affords users superior results in addition to allowing a wider coverage of the body surface. This method is often cheaper at the salons than laser hair removal, but since one requires a lot more sessions, it ultimately becomes more costly. The best option is to buy an at-home IPL device, which is a whole lot more economical in the long run.
Using Raw Papaya
Papaya is not merely a tropical fruit; it’s heavily packed with minerals and vitamins, not forgetting a vital enzyme known as papain. This enzymes aids in breaking down the hair follicles and ultimately slowing down hair growth rate. Using papaya is incredibly advantageous as it also serves to nourish the skin. Besides, it can even be used by people whose skin is highly sensitive.
Shortly put, papaya is an exfoliating substance that permanently removes body hair and provides nutrients to the skin. To create the remedy, one will need raw papaya and raw turmeric root. Using a knife, one is required to chop the papaya into small cubes and subsequently smash them into a fine solution. The end product is then gently applied onto the skin and left for twenty minutes to rip maximum benefits.
Using Lemon, Sugar, and Honey
A combination of honey and sugar presents an excellent, natural substitute for the expensive wax used to remove hair in spas, but not permanently. Adding the juice from lemons helps to eliminate the unwanted hair with the results lasting for a prolonged period. The mixture makes a very thick wax-like hair removal solution that also nourishes the skin significantly. It essentially sticks to the hair, making it easy to rip out.
For the best results, one needs to mix one tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of honey with lemon juice. The mixture is then placed in a metallic bowl and hovered over a source of heat. This helps to slowly dissolve the mixture to produce a thick, wax-like paste. The resulting solution works just like regular wax, but in this case, it presents a permanent hair removal method that can be easily accomplished from the comfort of one’s home.
The Bottom Line
Unwanted hair can be a real nuisance for anyone regardless of their gender. Most of the solutions applied to quickly eliminate body hair such as shaving only last for a short period of two to three days. Other longer-lasting options like threading and waxing can leave someone experiencing intense pain or with ugly, ingrown hair, and besides, the hair emerges after several weeks. Also, spas and saloons are rapidly increasing their fees in a period when everyone is facing an economic crisis, making these methods less affordable.
This is why people are increasingly turning to the above permanent methods of hair reduction and removal. It’s important to note that the best techniques for achieving permanent hair elimination focus on preventing hair growth by destroying the follicles. Oils and creams are only applicable on the skin surface thus provide a temporary solution rather than stopping regrowth.
November 20, 2018
Brass & Unity Jewelry Designed By Veteran
Brass & Unity – This stunning jewelry line was created by a female veteran who returned from Afghanistan with PTSD. She now gives back a percentage of profits to veterans. Each of her bracelets tell a story. We particularly love the Brass & Unity matte black onyx bracelet that helps to calm your fears, leaving you feeling stable and secure.
Brass & Unity Jewelry Founder, Kelsi Sheren, tells us about herself: “I served in the Canadian Forces, including a tour in Afghanistan during the summer of 2009. After fighting on the front lines (Infantry & Artillery), I was diagnosed with severe PTSD and forced to return home. I always wanted a way to give back to Veterans less fortunate than me. One day a light bulb went off, and by allowing me to combine the art therapy of creation, with support for other Veterans around the world, B&U is truly something I am proud to share with the world. We want our products to be reminders to our customers. Reminders to stay strong – whether it’s for you, a loved one, or a memory of someone important in your life. We aim to tell a story, our story, your story, and all of our stories with each uniquely created collection.” – Kelsi Sheren, Founder
November 20, 2018
STS Blue will customize a jean jacket
sts blue (https://stsblue.com/
November 19, 2018
Under $100: Lucy Hale Wears Unpublished!
Lucy Hale was photographed wearing Unpublished while leaving her morning workout in Studio City yesterday. The actress looked cool and casual in Unpublished’s DRE Cropped Boxy Oversized Trucker in Darkstone ($79, www.unpublishedcollection.com)
November 19, 2018
Your no excuse guide to staying toned while traveling this holiday season
Many fitness enthusiasts find it difficult to follow their normal exercise plan while traveling to see family or friends for the winter holidays. Unfamiliar environments, tightly-packed family living conditions, or lack of exercise equipment may hamper even a fitness fanatic’s best intentions for staying fit while traveling this holiday season. Alex Vitale is a V Shred Lead Trainer, Certified Personal Trainer through the National Council of Strength and Fitness and a graduate of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute. When planning your December holiday trip, he offers the following tips for putting together an exercise program that travels with you.
“If you’ve worked hard to establish a good fitness routine, traveling for the holidays doesn’t have to mean your healthy habits will be derailed, says Alex. He adds, “You can keep your momentum and endorphins flowing and maintain your fitness level when traveling.”
HOW CAN THIS BE DONE?
Stay Hydrated. “Drink a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Airport food, sitting on a plane, jet lag – all contribute to bloat. The best way to fight it is to stay hydrated,” says Alex Vital of V Shred.
Lift from your knees, not your back. Be aware of your posture as you carry your bags. Use good body mechanics when you lift your suitcases up to the check-in counter.
Eat three meals a day- Even though you’ve left behind your daily routine, try to eat three meals a day, maintain a balanced diet and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. If you’re going to eat a high-fat meal, eat a smaller portion, or order an appetizer instead of a main course. Split desserts with a friend.
Rest. If your schedule is shot and you’re not sleeping enough at night, take cat naps whenever you get the chance. Stretch in the morning and evening, especially if you’ve been sitting all day. If you will be drinking alcohol, drink a lot of water between events.
Pack snacks: bananas and apples, yogurt, protein bars. You can make meal replacement shakes in your hotel room. You don’t need a blender, just a container with a tight-fitting lid, large enough to shake the contents.
Find out if your gym reciprocates its membership with a gym where you’ll be traveling, log onto the International Physical Fitness Association’s Web site, http://www.ipfa.us/, or ask at your home health club before you leave town. Alex Vital says that “Three to five days off from a strength routine can give your muscles a rest. But you wouldn’t want to go a week or more without serious exercise and a short respite for your biceps doesn’t mean you should ever let your cardio workout go.”
Become a member of an online fitness platform
Vshred.com guides users to the very best program for their
body type and fitness goals while giving them some amazing tips they can use
that day in a video and then offers them a program that’s perfect for them if
they don’t want to do it themselves.
Pack a jump rope for a go-anywhere aerobic session. Invest in “travel weights” -inflatable weights that can be filled with water or sand when training, folded and stored while on the road.
Plan active recreation during vacations -check out the local golf course, riding stable, and so on.
When sightseeing, forget the tour bus and walk. You’ll not only see more, but you’ll be sneaking in some extra activity.
Bring portable fitness.
For more fitness options, place in your luggage a Resist-A-Tube or any of the home exercise tubing, a stability ball, jump rope or exercise video. ”If you like classes, make your own class in your room,” offers Alex Vital
If you work with a personal trainer, ask him or her to design an exercise plan before you leave town. When you’re sitting on a plane or in a hotel room, take deep breaths occasionally, tighten your stomach muscles, then relax. Travelers need to periodically flex and stretch the hamstrings and hip flexors, the muscle at the upper part of the leg that connects into the pelvis.
For women who spend the day in high heels, a walk around the room toe-up, heel-down will stretch the calf muscles. Or, do toe raises by putting the heels on the floor and stepping up onto a telephone book. “Men often complain of being cramped when traveling,” states Vital. “They need to stretch their lower back and legs.” He recommends the cat stretch. Get up on your hands and knees, arch your back for 15 seconds, then release. Repeat.
Alex Vital points out that the more comfortable you are with operating fitness machinery at your home gym, the easier it will be to set up unfamiliar equipment when you’re on the road.
FIT FLYING
Air travel may be fast and convenient, but for many of us, it can be uncomfortable and restrictive due to cramped cabins and sardine-like seating. The following tips can help you make the most of your next airplane trip by helping you stay flexible and fit while you fly.
– DEEP BREATHING is an instant-relaxer and can be done anywhere at any time. Try taking 4-5 deep, cleansing breaths several times during your flight.
– RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS by bending forward slightly, hands on knees and “rolling” your shoulders in a circular motion 5 or 6 times. Repeat the “roll” in the opposite direction, then finish up by “shrugging” your shoulders up and down 5 times.
– RELAX YOUR BACK by reaching overhead, holding elbows, and bending side to side. Repeat 5 times in each direction.
– STRETCH YOUR LEGS by alternately lifting your knees toward your chest and bringing your body toward your knee to the count of eight.
– RELEASE YOUR FEET by “drawing” the alphabet with one foot then the other.
About Alex Vital:
He is a V Shred Lead Trainer, Certified Personal Trainer through the National Council of Strength and Fitness and a graduate of the Equinox Fitness Training Institute, a global leader in applied exercise science education. Alex’s mission as a personal trainer is to, not only help people to get in shape, but also to take more control over their lives and up-level to the best version of themselves possible.
November 19, 2018
EverSmile WhitenFresh is the perfect solution for protecting your teeth
EverSmile WhitenFresh is the perfect solution for protecting your teeth. The season of celebration is finally here! Throughout the holidays, between cocktail parties, family gatherings, and office soirees you might find yourself indulging on appetizers, desserts, or even red wine! The strong pigments found in red wine are instant stain-makers for your teeth. The deep, intense hue of these pigments can leave marks on your teeth after only a few sips. So how do you enjoy your favorite reds this season without red wine stains left behind on your teeth? EverSmile WhitenFresh is the perfect solution for protecting your teeth and preventing wine stains from ever setting in. EverSmile WhitenFresh is a patented cleaning, freshening and tooth whitening spray that also kills bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay. Since WhitenFresh uses a low dose of hydrogen peroxide, it does not cause the sensitivity you experience with whitening strips and gels and can be used safely up to 6 times per day. Be sure to keep WhitenFresh in your pocket or purse all night long to freshen breath and whiten teeth!
November 19, 2018
Kylie Jenner and a Nexxus Reveal
Kylie Jenner, no one does a reveal quite like her! She took us all by surprise once again by dying her real hair a silvery platinum shade last week. To care for the aftermath, Jenner teamed up with Nexxus to treat her hair with the proteins that damaged hair loses by using the Nexxus Keraphix range. If you didn’t peep her Instagram story yesterday, check out the pic of Kylie below using Keraphix on her newly dyed hair and what she said to fans – “As you guys know, I bleached my hair completely and went platinum which is really, really damaging. But I have been using the Nexxus Keraphix treatment every week and this has really helped me. If any of you are thinking of bleaching your hair, my hair feels really, really good.”
Hair is made up of more than 90% protein. When it is exposed to external aggressors like color, the proteins can get depleted, causing the hair to become vulnerable. Nexxus Keraphix range – infused with Keratin Protein and Black Rice – was designed by our scientists to heal visible signs of severe hair damage from within.
A single dose of the $15 Keraphix protein treatment that Kylie is using contains a protein amount equivalent to that lost from extremely damaged hair over a year – it is the brand’s most potent protein blend to-date.
That’s why it is the perfect, affordable solution when taking the leap to platinum. And why others before her, like big sis Kim Kardashian West and Leighton Meester, have put their stands in the hands of Nexxus protein treatments.
The Keraphix protein treatment is available at Ulta, Amazon and Target along with the rest of the range (shampoo, conditioner and mask). If you’d like to try the Nexxus Keraphix, either at home or in the salon, please don’t hesitate to request a sample or appointment.