COPY THIS LOOK: Parisian Chic Hair

With a little help from celebrity hairstylist Peter Butler, Kate Upton channeled Downtown Parisian Chic  at the New York City premier of “The Other Woman.” Here, his step by step breakdown:

  • To begin styling, Butler applied John Frieda Luxurious Volume Volume Building Mousse ($6.50) to clean, wet hair.
  • Next, he blowdried her hair with a thick, round brush concentrating on adding volume.
  • Butler then spritzed John Frieda Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blowout Spray ($9.99) to add extra volume at the roots and all-over flexible hold.
  • Using a 2 1/2 inch curling iron, Butler gave Upton soft waves ensure her hair had a tiny kick on the ends but not a full flip. He then gave her a neat side part and pinned her hair back.
  • After letting her waves cool, he finished the look with John Frieda Sheer Blonde Crystal Clear Shape & Shimmer Hairspray ($6.50) to hold her style and keep flyaways at bay.

*products available at drugstores nationwide.

 

Big Day Beauty: Skincare Tips from Dr. Jeanine Downie

“Tis the season for special events like weddings, proms, graduation parties and more. Whether you’ve got a big day coming up or you want to look your best all the time The Beauty Wall has the tips for you, courtesy of Dr. Jeanine Downie, a top dermatologist based in Montclair, NJ.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. A good skin care regimen should begin weeks before your big event. Include gentle cleansers, like Neutrogena Ultra-Gentle Cleanser or Aveeno Ultra-Calming Cleanser.  Use sunblock with an spf 30 or more every day rain or shine regardless of your ethnicity.  Dr. Downie also recommends the Aveeno Faces spf 30 and the Neutrogena Dry Touch 55.  Don’t forget to moisturize your body including heels, elbows and knees. Dr. Downie likes Aveeno Eczema Relief for the Body. Drink a lot of water, get enough exercise and plenty of rest.

DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT USING A TANNING BED. Tanning beds increase your risk of melanoma by 75% and age your skin significantly. If you must tan get a spray tan (as long as you don’t have asthma) or use a topical self-tanning agent like Neutrogena Micromist.

GET A FACIAL. If you have acne get it one week before your special event.  If you don’t have acne, 3 days before is ideal. The peels available in a dermatologist’s office are stronger than salon/spa facials and can give you more of a glow factor. Dr. Downie likes chemical peels with glycolic or salicylic acid since they help with tone, texture, acne and fine lines.

ADDRESS YOUR BACNE. It’s hard to treat.  Dr. Downie recommends oral antibiotics, topical anti-acne treatments, at home masques, chemical peels and laser treatments.  The quickest way to begin to get rid of it is to use oral antibiotics and salicylic acid peels or modified Jessner’s peels (Vitalize or Rejuvenize peels).  Some bacne can take more than a year to go away, some is chronic and lasts a lifetime.

NEVER SQUEEZE A CYST. Leave it to the pros–to prevent scarring and/or pitting leave it alone and have your dermatologist inject it instead.

(photography courtesy of j.crew)

Don’t Sweat It!

The one clothing item that’s a “DO” for all body types is the Little Black Dress. It can be dressed up or down, worn with sky high heels or flip flops and always looks chic. Or does it?

As much as the LBD is a fashion “DO”, the deodorant stains that often accompany it are most certainly a “DONT.” It’s that light/dark combo akin to having a neon sign pointing out your fashion faux pas, which brings me to Dry Idea StainClear and why it’s a must-have. It’s formulated with less wax than traditional invisible solids and has encapsulated active ingredients so it protects against stains without compromising protection.

Available in Invisible Solid, Roll-On, Clinical Solid: Dry Idea StainClear $3.49 – $7.99 at mass retailers nationwide.

(photography courtesy of miumiulover.tumblr.com)

 

 

Switch Up Your Style with Hair Jewelry

The easiest way to get out of a hairstyle rut is with a great hair accessory, and the best way to wear it is a bit unconventional. I’m thinking decorative headbands, bobbies and even special necklaces pinned in place (see above) for a statement-making finishing touch.

3 ways accessorize your hair and do it right:

  1. Slip a headband into a loose style without pulling hair back.
  2. You don’t have to be invited to a British royal wedding to pull off this look but you do have to have loads of confidence. For when more is more!
  3. Pretty barrettes and bobbies dress up long and short hair alike. Hold back bangs, decorate a carefree twist or add some magic with three in a row to accompany a low side part.

(featured image courtesy of lefashionimageblogspot.com)

(gallery images (left to right), Athena Headband, $20 at urbanoutfitters.com, Katie Burley Millenery Midnight Flight Feather Headband, $200 at urbanoutfitters.com, Dipali Bobbies, $24 at anthropologie.com)

The Turtle Beats the Hare…AGAIN!

I’m an avid walker. I do run from time to time but it’s always the walking that gets my heart racing–I love breathing in the fresh air, checking out the beautiful homes in my town, experiencing major stress-relief and getting in a nice workout that doesn’t necessarily feel like a workout. I know I enjoy it and I know it has many health benefits but I didn’t know (until now) that walking is actually better than running!

In a six year study conducted by researchers in the Life Science Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the walkers actually beat out the runners when it came to decreasing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Click here for details.

(photography courtesy of realsimple.com)

 

A New Beauty Subscription Service you’ll want in on!

From the Lab is a cool monthly subscription service that works with top beauty research labs to get product delivered to your door 18 months before they’re available to the public! When you become a member you’ll receive a box with up to 3 full-size, high-end skin care, hair care and makeup products. If you love a product you can continue buying it through their online store.

I got a sneak peak at the new Transforming Hair Cleanser No. 724. It’s way different than any shampoo I’ve ever tried before. In the shower, I poured a bit into my palm and was surprised at how oily it felt. I couldn’t imagine putting it into my hair–the thought of past olive oil hair treatments that left me with greasy locks that took numerous shampoos to get out filled me with fear!–but in the name of research for The Beauty Wall I did it.

I massaged No. 724 into my scalp and through my strands. Then, I went to rinse my hands and amazingly my hands had no oily residue on them. I rinsed my hair and thought about adding my usual conditioner (I never go without!) but I wanted a true test so instead, I stepped out of the shower to towel dry. My comb through was easy with no tangles. Instead of harsh sulfates that strip hair of nutrients and protectants Transforming Hair Cleanser No. 724 contains a blend of oils and stem cell technology plus andiroba oil, a new ingredient to the U.S., said to enhance thin, damaged hair by strengthening and promoting new hair growth, while curly and coarse hair is left weightless and tamed. After just one use I noticed how shiny and silky smooth my hair hair looked and felt. Once No. 724 gets into the hands of big beauty companies you can be sure it will retail for way more than the $29.95 starting price for a monthly subscription. I can’t wait to get in on this service! If their other products are half as good as 724 this is one beauty subscription service that’ll be worth every penny!

Click here for more information or to join From the Lab.

Hop On Over to LUSH for Limited Edition Easter Bars, Bubbles and Bombs!

My daughter is addicted to LUSH. She was hooked from the moment she walked into her first LUSH store and now she’s got me hooked, too! The scent envelopes you in the best way possible and has you picking up everything and smelling it. I love to accompany her because every time I step foot in our local LUSH I have the friendliest salespeople offer me a complimentary hand, shoulder, back or scalp massage. And who am I to deny them?

So imagine how excited we both were when I received a limited edition, perfectly-timed for Easter package of LUSH products to review for The Beauty Wall. We tried everything they sent…and the verdict is in. WE LOVE IT ALL!!!

Brightside Bubble Bar, $10.95. Crumble under warm running water. It turns the bath sunset colors as white bubbles fill the tub and a bright,  energizing citrus blend scent fills the air. Feel free to break in half for two baths as this makes a lot of bubbles.

Bunny Bubble Bar, $6.95 was inspired by the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. It softens your skin and envelopes you in a creamy candy scent. Break in two as it’s enough for two baths if desired.

Golden Egg Bath Melt Bomb, $8.95 is almost too pretty to use. This gilded egg is perfect for a long soak in the tub. This bomb/ melt hybrid is dusted with a gorgeous golden luster and smells amazing. It leaves behind light and delicious honey/toffee fragrance plus it turns your skin silky.

Fluffy Egg Bath Bomb, $5.95 is Easter personified. It’s a bright, happy, sweet marshmallow and jellybean scented effervescent bath bomb.

Carrot Soap, $7.75 for 1/4 lb. has a bunny hiding in every bar. Formulated with carrot oil, cocoa butter and select essential oils to moisturize, soften and surround your senses. If you love soap like I love soap you’ll love this one.

All LUSH products are cruelty-free. No animal testing! For more information or  LUSH storefront locations, click here.

 

Pro Lip Tip!

Makeup artists in the know always dab a bit of foundation on the lips to tone down natural lip color before applying lipstick. It’s the best way to  get a true-to-the-tube color.

(photography courtesy of wwd.com)