Tag Archives: The Beauty Wall

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BB, CC AND DD BEAUTY CREAMS

Want perfect looking skin? Who doesn’t! Board certified cosmetic dermatologist, Dr. Kaleroy Papantoniou shares her expert advice on the difference, what to look for, and how to choose the right BB, CC or DD cream for you:

BB CREAMS:  BB creams are short for beauty balms or blemish balms and were first developed in Germany by a dermatologist who wanted a single cream that would protect skin and provide coverage after laser treatments. The all-in-one formulation became a sensation in South Korea and then spread throughout Asia.

BB creams started hitting U.S. store shelves in the spring of 2011. Today, almost every major beauty company has a BB cream, from drugstore brands to high-end department-store lines, as well as lines that are only sold at spas or in doctors’ offices.  The NPD Group, a market research group, found that although only 2% of beauty shoppers have purchased a BB cream, nearly 4 in 5 of those who have, say they’ll buy the product again.

Many BB creams offer effective sun protection, with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, the American Academy of Dermatology’s recommendation for daily use. What’s more, BB creams generally contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide, physical sun blocks that have some built-in water-resistant properties, Papantoniou says.

When it comes to skin treatment, you can find BB creams that contain:
•Anti-aging components, including peptides and antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, and C
•Moisturizing workhorses like hyaluronic acid and glycerin
•Ingredients such as licorice and arbutin that help even out skin tone
•Light-reflecting mica to give skin a luminous finish
•Silicone-based ingredients, such as dimethicone, that help smooth the skin, acting much like a foundation primer does

 

CC CREAMS: What is it? Packed to the gills with vitamins C and E, complexion corrector cream is similar to BB cream, but focuses on color correction. It’s lighter than a BB cream and its primary purpose is to correct color-related skin issues, such as sallowness or redness. Like BB cream, it has SPF as well (number varies by brand).

If you’re acne-prone, have dull skin, dark spots or constant redness, CC cream is for you. It will help with redness, acne, dark spots, sallowness and more, and is actually lighter than BB cream.

 

DD CREAMS:  Another addition to the alphabet cream craze are the DD creams, or “dynamic do-all super cream.” They combine the power and benefits of both BB and CC creams, but their primary focus is anti-aging.

It will diminish wrinkles and fine lines throughout use as well as balance your skin tone and protect the most sensitive areas of your skin. Improvements in your skin are known to come with continued use, so use often and incorporate it into your daily routine. After a month you should notice changes.

The strongest selling point of a DD cream is its anti-aging benefits, ideal for the woman who wants to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and have an over all even, radiant skin tone.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE: What is interesting to note is that each category overlaps to the point where the differentiation is almost non-existent. The upside is they are all great products that can be very beneficial for the skin. The downside is sorting through the many varieties to determine which would work better for you.

If discoloration is your primary concern then start with CC creams, because that’s their claim to fame so you will more than likely find a product that contains skin-brightening ingredients such as arbutin or daisy flower extract.

If fine lines and wrinkles are the issue, then look for an alphabet cream full of ingredients like retinol, firming peptides or adenosine. If your skin is oily, then look for an alphabet cream that controls oil and has a lightweight texture.

www.drpapantoniou.com

Dr. Papantoniou is a Cosmetic Dermatologist, Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She specializes in Injectables, Lasers, Surgical and General Dermatology for adults and pediatrics. She is also a Clinical Instructor at the Mount Sinai Hospital Dermatology Department. She has authored articles in her field, and has presented research at national meetings. Dr. Papantoniou focuses on providing her patients with the highest level of care; she is a superb diagnostician, with a special interest in natural and healthy alternatives to treatments and disease prevention. She has a strong artistic background and applies her skill at natural symmetry and study of lines to her cosmetic patients.

 

 

featured image via pinterest

Can essential oils help you handle plastic surgery? You betcha!

I was first turned on to the many benefits of essential oils when I met the founder of 21 Drops, Advanced Clinical Essential Oil Specialist, Cary Caster. She studied aromatherapy in Europe where aromatherapy is widely recognized as a medical treatment — It’s based upon the principle that oils, extracted from various parts of plants, can help support your body’s physical and mental well-being. Essential oils can be anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, have healing properties and strengthen your immune system. They also have many other benefits including the ability to help you focus, feel more passion, control your appetite, detox and even control stress and pain, which makes them the ideal complementary medicine for everyone, including those about to undergo surgery.

As someone who gets anxious before any doctors appointment — be it the dentist for a cleaning, my yearly checkup with my primary care physician or a full body skin check with my dermatologist — I can attest that the use of essential oils to help you relax can be a game-changer as the anxiety is always worse than the actual procedure. Though many swear by anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Valium, I’m a big fan of essential oils because you can reap similar benefits, without the side effects or possibility of addiction.

Essential oils work through inhalation, topical application or a combination of the two, but are usually most effective when both methods are combined. With inhalation, you simply breathe them in which ignites a physiological response that stimulates changes in your body depending upon the specific essential oil being inhaled. When you apply it topically, minuscule-sized molecules of the essential oil are easily absorbed through the skin where they then pass into the bloodstream to affect change. For better penetration, it’s best to apply to freshly cleansed skin and if the essential oil isn’t already blended, you should mix it in with a thin carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil instead of the heavier ones like olive oil.

Clinical studies have shown that specific essential oils can help get a handle on your daily life and can even be used before during and after surgery to help alleviate a variety of issues. In regards to pre and post op procedures, here’s what you can expect:

  • They can help ease anxiety. Choose lavender, orange, rose or Roman chamomile to reduce stress and apprehension about your upcoming surgery.
  • They can help reduce pain. Eucalyptus has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Rosemary has analgesic and antispasmodic properties. Sandalwood will help relax the nervous system, thereby reducing nerve pain. Depending on what’s causing you discomfort, there’s an oil to help you bear it.
  • They can help with post-operative nausea or vomiting. Choose ginger or peppermint essential oil to help relieve digestive issues.
  • They have anti-bacterial properties. Choose cinnamon, tea tree or lemongrass for help with healing.

It’s important to note that some essential oils are not suitable for pregnant women or people with certain medical conditions as they can have possible interactions when prescribed drugs are involved or when they’re used on those with certain metabolic conditions. Always check with your doctor before incorporating essential oils in any form of your treatment plan.

Click here to see more of my work on Smart Beauty Guide.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

Vitamins: What You should be taking

www.drcal.net

The plethora of vitamins on the market reads like the alphabet- literally from A- Zinc. Do we, as women need to guzzle 50 a day to be healthy? How do we make heads or tails from what the media tell us? And at what age do we need certain vitamins?

Here’s your guide to vitamins at every age according to Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O., an NYC-based anti-aging physician who has been called, “The Stem Cell Guru.”

In a perfect world, all of our nutrient needs would come from the best source: Food. However, if your diet isn’t text book perfect then take your “nutritional insurance” a.k.a. a multivitamin, suggests Dr. Calapai. “Research shows taking a well-balanced multivitamin throughout your lifespan helps fill in nutritional gaps in your diet.”

In your 20s and 30s
• Calcium: These are the decades to bone up, as in, maintain your bone mass. Dr. Calapai recommends adults aged 19-50 years take 1,000 milligrams of calcium, daily. If you don’t receive enough calcium from your diet, you may need to take a supplement containing elemental calcium. Elemental calcium refers to the actual amount of calcium in a supplement that’s available for your body to absorb—the rest are compounds making up the supplement. But when supplementing your calcium, read the labels carefully, cautions Dr. Calapai . “For example, if you buy tablets such as calcium carbonate, each tablet contains 1,250 milligrams of calcium,” he says. “Unfortunately, only 500 milligrams is elemental calcium.”

• Vitamin D: The reason we’re severely lacking vitamin D nowadays, much more so than even our parents were, is because we’re missing out on the number-one source of vitamin D: The sun. “Vitamin D is a pro-hormone made in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and production of it is rapid and robust,” Calapai says. “Within 10 to 20 minutes without wearing sunscreen, people make between 10,000 and 20,000 IU. But because of widespread sunscreen use, total sun avoidance, and our increasingly indoor lifestyles, our vitamin D levels have fallen drastically.” Dr. Calapai says, “Take at least 2,000 IU per day year-round. And although you technically don’t need to supplement on the days that you know you’ll be outside when the sun is high, it’s just easier to take it every day than to try to remember when and not to.”

• Folic Acid: For women in their childbearing years, folic acid is recommended if you’re planning on conceiving anytime soon. “You should take it before you get pregnant to ensure your levels are high because low rates of folic acid can cause a number of birth defects,” says Dr. Calapai. “The recommended dosing of folic acid is 400 micrograms per day if you are age 14 or older.”

• Iron: Iron is another key consideration for menstruating women. “Iron deficiency commonly occurs in pregnant women, causing anemia, which can result in fatigue and weakness,” says Dr. Calapai . “Iron enables red blood cells to carry oxygen and deliver it to body cells.” If you’re pregnant and not getting your daily 27 mg. of iron from sources such as iron-fortified cereals and eggs, then look for it in a supplement containing 16 to 20 mg, or speak to your physician about iron supplementation specifically.

In your 40s
• Calcium: Beginning at age 19 and continuing until age 50, women should consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, according to the Institute of Medicine. This is also the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for women above age 19 who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Once you turn 51, the RDA increases to 1,200 milligrams. As long as your daily diet provides enough calcium to meet your RDA, you probably don’t need a supplement unless it’s under the advice of your health care provider. *Note: Never take more of a calcium supplement than is recommended. It could lead to kidney problems or renal failure.

• Vitamin D: Recommendations for vitamin D intake in your 20s and 30s (as explained above) still apply in your 40s. If you are unsure how much vitamin D you actually need, ask your doctor about taking a vitamin D test.

• Folic Acid: Pregnant? Up your daily intake of folic acid to 600 mcg. To meet this need, women should continue taking a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid throughout their pregnancy.

• Iron: As in your 20s and 30s, be sure to get 27 mg. of iron daily if you are pregnant, whether through your diet or a combination of diet and supplements. Non-pregnant women should aim for 18 mg a day of iron.

In your 50s
• Multivitamin: It’s time to switch to multivitamins designed for adults 50 years and older, says Dr. Calapai. “These multivitamins have significantly less iron than multivitamins for younger women, he says. “For example Centrum Forte for women up to the age of 49 years has 10 mg of iron per tablet and Centrum Select 50+ designed for those over 50 has only 4 mg of iron per tablet, but has additional vitamin B12 to reflect changing nutrient needs.”

• Calcium: For women over 50 years, Dr. Calapai recommends bumping your calcium intake to 1,500 mg. daily.

• Vitamin B12: “Your vitamin B12 needs increases after 50 because the gastrointestinal tract does not absorb vitamin B12 as well as a younger digestive tract,” says Dr. Calapai. He advises those older than 50 get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily, mainly by consuming foods fortified with vitamin B12 or a supplement containing vitamin B12.

In your 60s
While the overall needs are similar to those in your 50s, check your multivitamin again to be sure it’s meeting all your nutrient needs because newer health issues such as eye health and heart disease might be manifesting. “Some multivitamins contain key antioxidants such as lutein which may protect against age-related macular degeneration, and lycopene, which may help prevent heart disease,” says Dr. Calapai.

 

Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O. / Anti-Aging Physician and “The Stem Cell Guru” / www.drcal.net

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, anti-aging medicine and chelation therapy. Proclaimed as the “The Stem Cell Guru” by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S.

His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson’s.

Dr. Calapai started his practice in New York City in 1986 and for over 25 years he has hosted nationally syndicated radio shows, including his two weekly call-in shows on WABC 770-AM, where he offers health and medical advice. He has a show on Saturday morning 8-9am and Sunday evening from 6-7pm. He has consulted with numerous high-profile individuals including Mike Tyson, Chris Noth, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Fox series Gotham’s, Donal Logue and worked as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers hockey team as well as various modeling agencies.

Dr. Calapai received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and he consults in Manhattan with practices on Long Island, in East Meadow and Plainview. He has appeared on News12 and in the pages of 25A Magazine and Social Life Magazine.

He is the author of E-books Heavy Metals and Chronic Disease, Reverse Diabetes Forever! Seven Steps to Healthy Blood Sugar, Top Ten Supplements You Can’t Live Without, and Glorious Glutathione. Learn more about Dr. Calapai on his website, www.drcal.net.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

HOLIDAY HAIR TREND: LADYLIKE

Save your beachy waves and messy updos for another time. This season, a more “done” approach to hair is trending. Embrace polished ponytails and updos and accessorize with a beautiful barrette or hairpin. Right now, I’m loving the Stellar Hair Set ($48) with 3 gold and glimmery options.

anthropologie.com

anthropologie.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(featured image via harpersbazaar.com)

How far are you willing to go for a slimmer waist?

Many years ago I read a wonderful book, Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, that opened my eyes to the ancient practice of foot binding. This practice had very young girls repeatedly having their feet broken and tightly wrapped so that they wouldn’t grow larger than 4 inches or so. This began as early as the 10th or 11th Century and didn’t fall out of fashion until the early 20th Century. It seems that women have long been suffering for the sake of beauty.

The things we’ll do: Noses are broken and reset straighter. Ears are pinned back so they don’t stick out. Teeth are filed down and covered with crowns. Breasts are enlarged or lifted or minimized. Fat is sucked out of thighs and abdomens. Skin has acid applied and toxins injected to smooth it. Women still suffer and we do so willingly.

A not-so-secret beauty secret that’s trending right now and practiced by more than a few celebrities is wearing a waist cincher — Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Amber Rose have all posted selfies of themselves with it. This little device is said to dramatically whittle your midsection leaving you with a flatter tummy, a more hourglass figure and better posture. Many users have reported a reduction of 1″ or more when worn up to 10 hours a day for at least 30 days. I tried it for a day or two and for me it was too tight and too uncomfortable. Apparently I’m not willing to suffer that much. It might not be in your best interest to either. When your lungs and ribs are compressed this way it makes it much harder to breathe.  Women have been know to pass out when it’s been worn too tight or kept on for too long. There’s also the fact the many doctors believe it’s not all that effective and real harm can be done.

For now, I’ll stick with a mostly healthy diet and regular exercise regimen, but if you’re looking to slim and contour your waist and diet and exercise aren’t getting you where you want to be, it might be time to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can help you get real results. There are numerous options including the following:

  • A Tummy Tuck or Abdominosplasty is a surgical procedure performed to remove excess fat and skin and, in many cases, weakened or separated muscles are restored as well.
  • Liposuction, Lipoplasty or Liposculpture is a procedure that actually breaks up and removes fat from the body via suction.
  •  CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure that uses controlled cooling for fat reduction.

A board-certified plastic surgeon will know what’s the best choice or combination of procedures for you, depending on your particular anatomy and frame. Click here to find one in your area.

Note: For more of my stories on aesthetic procedures, check out my blog posts on Smart Beauty Guide.

 

(featured image via pinterest)

 

A NOSE JOB WITHOUT SURGERY? YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT!

Non-surgical aesthetic procedures are hotter than hot, so it was only a matter of time before liquid nose jobs started gaining in popularity. If you’re not happy with your nose but you’re hesitant to go under the scalpel you don’t have to suffer in silence, or suffer at all for that matter. Non surgical rhinoplasty might be just what you’re looking for. The procedure can make a world of a difference in how your nose looks. It can make it appear straighter, give it more symmetry and balance, fix an indented contour, add definition to the tip and even be used to fix post-operative rhinoplasty indentations, all with very natural results.

Chester, New Jersey – based plastic surgeon, Dr. Larry Weinstein, MD, F.A.C.S. has been using fillers to touch up noses for over twenty years, so clearly it’s not exactly a new thing in the field of aesthetics. The difference though is the number of options available to get the job done. Dr. Weinstein has used Radiesse, Collagen and hyalaronic fillers, his latest preference being Juvederm PLUS. He also likes the possibility of Voluma, which he says “may have application for dorsum saddle nose deformities.” If you are a candidate for a non-surgical nose job, your doctor will be able to choose the right filler or fillers for your particular concerns.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The actual procedure can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes.
  • It can be pain-free when a topical anesthetic is applied 20-30 minutes before the procedure.
  • The results are immediate. You’ll walk out of the office with your new and improved nose.
  • If you’re not happy with the results, the procedure can be reversed quickly and easily with an injection of hyaluronidase to break down the hyaluronic acid fillers used for this procedure.
  • Depending on your doctor, the filler and the amount of work being done, the cost is approximately $650 to $900.
  • It’s not permanent. You can expect the results to last anywhere from 3 months to 2 years, depending on which fillers are chosen and how quickly your body metabolizes the product.
  • To maintain the results you’d need to re-inject the nose.

It’s important to note that though this procedure can make you love looking in the mirror, everyone is not a candidate for non-surgical rhinoplasty. Your doctor can advise whether it is an option for you. With a liquid nose job, the upside is that you can have instant and often dramatic results with virtually no downtime and without the pain, recovery period and higher cost that surgery requires. The downside to this procedure is that the results are not permanent so you’ll have to repeatedly get re-injected which can certainly add up financially, plus the procedure is not without risks of its own.

Think it might be worth trying? Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to determine if this procedure is right for you.

Note: For more of my stories on aesthetic procedures, check out my blog posts on Smart Beauty Guide.

(featured image courtesy of pinterest)

EXPERT ADVICE FOR AGING EYES

How are you feeling right now? Maybe you’re happy, sad, excited, scared or something else entirely. One look into your eyes and the world knows — after all, the eyes aren’t called the window to your soul for nothing! But, when the eyes are  camouflaged by distracting wrinkles, bags or sagging skin, the message you’re sending out may not be what you’re really feeling inside. The way your eyes age might make you look tired or angry (not to mention old!) all the time.

When it comes to aging of the eyes, young and old alike complain about what bothers them the most. Santa Rosa, California-based Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon, Heather J. Furnas, M.D.,  says “sun damage and genetics play a major roll in how eyelids droop, wrinkle, and look aged.” These and other variables determine whether you’ll look old before your time.

The good news is, “as long as there is a clear indication for treatment and the patient has reasonable expectations and is healthy, it’s never to early or late to treat these problems,” says Furnas. Though eye creams can be a very effective solution for dark circles, for most other eye issues you’ll need to dig a little deeper.

Here, Furnas shares the biggest eye issues broken down by age and your best treatment options:

EYE ISSUES BY AGE:

  • In your 20s: Occasionally congenital fat deposits of either the upper or lower lids and early crow’s feet.
  • In your 30s: Early crow’s feet, early hooding of the upper lids, and congenital bulging of the fat of the lower lids that becomes more pronounced.
  • In your 40s: Crow’s feet, drooping of the lateral brows, hooding of the upper lids, bulging of the fat of the lower lids, lines and early folds of the lower lids. Tear troughs begin to deepen.
  • In your 50s: Same as above, but upper lid skin droops more, upper lid fat (especially alongside the nose) bulges more, lower lid fat protrudes more. Tone of the lower lids may start to relax. Lower lids skin may fall into deeper folds. The upper lid may begin to droop so that it doesn’t open as widely as in youth (called “ptosis”). The skin thins and becomes crepy.
  • In your 60s: The above process progresses. Peripheral eyesight may be obscured by hanging skin. Tone of the lower lid may begin to worsen.
  • In your 70s+: Worsening of all of the above.

 

BEST BETS TO FIX: 

CROW’S FEET/DROOPING OF THE LATERAL BROWS: Botox

DEEP LINES:  Laser Therapy or Chemical Peel + Botox + products (Retin-A around crow’s feet)

EXTRA SKIN/BULGING FAT: Blepharoplasty of upper and lower lids. This can be combined with laser or chemical peel. Ptosis repair can be done for the inability of the upper lid to fully open. The lax lower lid can be surgically tightened.

DEEPENING TEAR TROUGHS: Filler or fat injections or fat repositioning during blepharoplasty.

 

So there you have it…the knowledge and the know-how to address all your aged eye concerns. xoxoNancy

 

 

(featured image from www.opensky.com)

 

 

 

Post-Procedure Tips: Expert advice on how to heal faster

You don’t have to be a fan of Keeping Up with the Kardashians or Botched to know that there’s a whole lot of cosmetic procedures going on…just take a look around you. If the statistics are any indication — and they most certainly are — the appointments being booked aren’t just for celebs and socialites. Those that partake come in all shapes and sizes as well as from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, income levels and careers. They do it to improve what they perceive to be imperfections so that they can feel better about their appearance or improve their social lives and/or job opportunities.

Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that over the past 15 years, surgical procedures have increased by 73% while non-surgical procedures have increased by a whopping 356%. These are huge numbers! With injectables like neurotoxins and fillers, lasers, plastic surgery and the like continuing to rise, it’s no surprise that those who do indulge would want to cut down on the swelling and bruising that comes with the territory. But, is that even possible?

“Individuals swell and bruise at different rates mostly because of the wealth of the blood supply each person has in that particular site. In general the face and hands have the most robust blood supply, and hence swell most. The good blood supply also affords faster healing and better scarring,” says  renowned New York City-based plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Tornambe M.D., F.A.C.S., who specializes in the face, breast and body. He goes on to explain that swelling is a normal part of the healing process since any trauma can set off the body’s immune system and healing process. The way it works is blood (which carries nutrients and clotting factors) is shunted to that area causing it to swell but also bringing the necessary components to allow healing. Bruising is the result of more blood to the area, but does not have an effect on healing. Patients who are taking aspirin or blood thinners, or those who have recently had certain foods (including some types of mushrooms often found in chinese food) before surgery will bruise more readily as will other patients for no other apparent reason than a genetic component.

Dr. Tornambe adds that “excessive, continued swelling can have deleterious effects on healing because if overly excessive, it can actually choke off blood supply, severely compromising healing.” He recommends the following 5 tips to help speed up the recovery process:

  1. Turmeric, honey and cinnamon are natural anti-inflammatories. Take in moderation.
  2. Though there is no hard scientific proof some people find echinacea effective to decrease bruising.
  3. Elevate the area as much as possible for the first 48 hours to decrease swelling.
  4. Ice therapy will help with swelling. For the first 48 hours post-treatment apply ice pack 10-20 min on, 20 minutes off, repeat.
  5. After 2-3 days post treatment, warm soaks can help minimize bruising.

So there you go. Ingest natural anti-inflammatories and echinacea, elevate the area, ice on/ice off for the first 48 hours followed with warm soaks means less time hiding under big glasses and burkas and more time out there strutting your new and improved stuff!

 

(featured image, webmd.com)

 

 

 

A LITTLE ADORNMENT…

Laid-back luxury is so much better than being primped to perfection. When your hair is less than perfect add a touch of adornment instead of taming every last strand.

Hair jewelry can help you embrace the frizz, the flat, the untamed and elevate it to something spectacular indeed. After all…perfection is overrated!

 

(featured image, jenniferbehr.com)

Nationwide Model Search and Giveaway

Calling all male and female wannabe models…have you got what it takes?

If you’ve got great hair and great style you could be the next L.A. Looks® model! All you have to do is be a fan of L.A. Looks Facebook page and  submit a photo with your best “L.A. Look. All 18 and older male and female fans will get the chance to win a trip to L.A. for a professional photo shoot and a surprise VIP experience, including airfare, L.A. car rental, hotel and even a trip stipend.

Plus, The Beauty Wall readers will get a chance to win a basket full of L.A. Looks® products. The basket contains L.A. Looks Absolute Curls, L.A. Looks Volcanic Rush Glue Gel, L.A. Looks Mega Mega Hold gel and L.A. Looks Define & Shine gel.

To enter to be a model, simply click here and like L.A. Looks Facebook page. Also, submit a hair shot of yourself (your personal L.A. Look). The deadline for this is 9/6/14. *

To enter to win the basket of L.A. Looks® products, simply leave a message on this post or leave a message on my Facebook Wall. One winner will be randomly selected. The deadline for this is 7/25/14.

*Model search entries will be judged on originality, creativity, quality of photo and overall appeal. Using these criteria, the judges will select 10 women and men for the finalist stage. Starting on Sept. 22, 2014, L.A. Looks will ask its fans to vote and determine who the two grand-prize winners will be, with the winner announcement to be made later in the fall. The model search will be promoted on product packaging, social media and the website.

GOOD LUCK!!! xoxoNancy