26 Oct '16

Become Your Heroine this Halloween

Crowd-Pleasing Costumes

So it’s almost Halloween, and you’re still trying to decide on the perfect outfit. You’re looking for something to feel good in, and you have an allergy to the “sexy” whatever costume outlets are pushing this year. You want to take a turn as a recognizable character, but one who’s multidimensional, badass, and a woman of consequence.

You’ve come to the right place! We’ve got 5 choices for your consideration, along with notes for how best to do your makeup and hair. These characters are all classic, whether they hit our screens in 1996 or 2016. (Or comic book pages in 1941.) Let’s get to it:

Wonder Woman

A photo posted by Panterona (@panteronacosplay) on Apr 6, 2016 at 5:45pm PDT

Wonder Woman is a figure synonymous with justice and equality. This classic character is back in the mainstream again, thanks to the DCU movies - even if Snyder likes to suck all the color out of his films. Lucky for you and your Halloween aspirations, you’re not limited to such a drab color palette: you have over 70 years of comic book art and television to draw from for a colorful Wonder Woman look. And remember, Wonder Woman is a costume that suits any skin tone.

This is also a costume that suits all levels of Halloween commitment - if you’re short on time or just super lazy, you can order shirts that look like Wonder Woman’s costume and pair them with jeans. Or those blue lame pants you never have a chance to wear. Some of the snazzier versions of the costume shirt even come with capes attached! With more time and investment, you can sew and fabricate your own costume - Simplicity has some great patterns - or you can source components from Etsy. There are also many prefab choices at various Halloween outlets this year, ranging from $40-75.

For Wonder Woman’s hair, you generally want natural, tousled, and wild. To be accurate, you’ll need black hair. You can work this at pretty much any hair length, or pick up a wig if you’d like the long locks look. As for makeup, keep it subtle overall and then go big with a bold red lip.

Lieutenant Uhura

A photo posted by Anne-Justine Ganse (@anne.justine.ganse) on Oct 24, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

Lieutenant Uhura is an amazingly competent Starfleet Officer, and an important symbol of progress. She also has to wear an excessively short skirt that is simply not job-appropriate, but what else can you expect from the 60’s? (If you’re not a fan of showing off your legs, you can always choose to rock one of her later uniforms from the Star Trek films.)

Uhura is another one of those costumes that scales well depending on time and cost. At its most basic, you can go with any red A-line dress and tall black boots. The Starfleet insignia can either be purchased or made at home from cardstock or tinfoil. You can find a few prefab costumes at Party City and Amazon, or a serious budget can get you a very nice dress from ANOVOS.

Your hair and makeup choices all depend on which Uhura you’d like to be. For Original Series Uhura, be prepared for 60’s style updos, lots of eye makeup, serious eyelashes, and a subtle lip. POPSUGAR has a great tutorial. Uhura from the recent films demands a long, straight ponytail and seriously toned-down makeup - be sure to keep the winged eyeliner, though.

Princess Leia

A photo posted by Timmy (@timmy_yorkie_) on Oct 23, 2016 at 6:12am PDT

Leia’s been inspiring us for a long time, and all from a galaxy far, far away. She’s a tough survivor and a passionate leader; she’s also a great costume for people of any age, whether you want to be the untested rebel or the timeworn general. And, thanks to Disney’s merchandising savvy and Star Wars’ huge popularity, Leia costumes are very easy to come by.

The most common Leia costume you’ll find are versions of the white dress from A New Hope, which you can find from various retailers for roughly $36-75. With a bigger budget, you can find versions of the Hoth-costume on Ebay. The cheapest option is probably General Leia, which you can achieve with a taupe button-up shirt, taupe slacks, a sleeveless eggplant jacket, and combat boots.

If you’re going for Princess Leia from the A New Hope era, you’ll need to put your hair up in her classic and most recognizable style: the ear buns. About Style actually has a great resource for this hair style, collecting several methods to help you. The Hoth crown of braids is covered by that article as well. Princess Leia’s makeup generally includes a darkly lined eye, dusky rose or coral lips, and blush high on the cheekbones. You can find several good tutorials on YouTube.

If Princess Leia isn’t your favorite, other great ideas include intrepid Rey from The Force Awakens or you getting ahead of the curve as resolute Jyn Erso from Rogue One. Great deep cuts include Rae Sloane or Doctor Aphra from the comics.

Imperator Furiosa

A photo posted by Jesse Singh (@jessesinghphotography) on Oct 15, 2016 at 7:22pm PDT

I know it’s been a hot minute since Furiosa exploded into our pop culture consciousness in Mad Max: Fury Road, but she’s still a perfect and dramatic choice for Halloween. Especially if you’ve just shaved your head or have a pixie cut. Furiosa is intense and complicated, and one of the best action heroines to date.

Furiosa’s base costume isn’t that difficult - old scoop-necked tee, fatigued if you have the time, and canvas pants. Throw on a pair of Doc Martens or combat boots, the dustier the better. Multiple brown belts cinched across your torso can complete the look. Please remember that Furiosa is a person with disabilities, and treat the mechanical arm with respect; you can Google search to see how cosplayers have handled this part of the character. They’ll also give you idea for Furiosa’s chrome loincloth.

Furiosa’s makeup is probably the most fun look to play with - lots of eyeliner, messy black eyeshadow, and optional argan oil. Xovain has a great tutorial on how to pull it off.

Ghostbusters

A photo posted by @starlightslk on Oct 22, 2016 at 6:22pm PDT

You knew this one was going to be on here, didn’t you? It doesn’t matter who you are - if you grew up in the 80’s in America, at some point you probably wanted to be a Ghostbuster. Even if it was just for a second. Even if it took Janine Melnitz suiting up before you realized it was possible, and a controversial remake for all little girls to see the truth: we can be women and smart and funny and bust ghosts at the same time.

Also thanks to that remake, it’s easier than ever to get your hands on a Ghostbusters costume. Most major retailers seem to have Ghostbuster jumpsuits in both original and remake styles, ranging from $30-265. The price point depends on how much accuracy and quality you want in your jumpsuit. It’s probably easier to buy a premade costume in this place, but you can do your own using a plain khaki jumpsuit and attaching Ghostbusters logo patches.

Your hair and makeup choices all depend on which Ghostbuster you want to look like: Janine calls for poufy 80’s hair, extreme cat eye glasses, with loud eye makeup and bright lips. For the new crew of Ghostbusters - Gilbert, Yates, Holtzmann, and Tolan - just pull up some images of them in costume and style yourself accordingly. Just remember: anyone can be a Ghostbuster. If you want, you can just go as yourself in the suit - ready to chew bubblegum and bust ghosts.

And you’re all out of bubblegum.

Which amazing woman will you be going as this year? Hit the comments with your costume ideas and tips!

11 Oct '16

Safety With Heat Styling Tools

3 Tips to Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage

Woman With Heat Damaged Hair- ISA Professional

The beauty world is large and amazing, everything from skin care, makeup and hair styling products are all around us to help us achieve the look we want. So many colors, ingredients and hair styling tools are readily available to us but sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to find the right product. Not only that, but if you’re the kind of customer that loves to research and make sure the product is dependable, like me, then you know that there’s a lot to choose from and it can sometimes get a bit too much. An important factor to take into consideration if you’re researching your beauty product, is how safe it is to use and what it’s made of. I thought it would be a great idea to share some of the beauty standards I always follow when doing my hair styling routine; safety in beauty should be a topic we should be talking about more with each other. After all, what good is a hair styling tool if it isn’t looking out for your hair’s well being, as well as your beauty?

High Quality Ingredient Hair Styling Tools with an Auto Shut Off Feature

Mirror Titanium Flat Iron Hair Straightener- ISA Professional

Almost all of us use some kind of hair styling tool to get the look we want; whether it’s a hair straightener, curling iron or blow dryer. All of these products can cause serious damage to your hair if you don’t know what to look out for. For example, not all hair styling tools are made of the same material; the cheaper options can have low quality ingredients, which can cause breakage, burning and fried hair. Luckily, we live in a world that has higher quality styling tools that ensure the safety of our hair is not compromised when using them. Titanium and ceramic styling tools are the best of the best for a reason; these materials are safer for your hair, leave no breakage and gives you shiny and beautiful hair. If you want to go the extra mile in your heat styling tool safety, make sure it has an auto shut off option. We’ve all been there: styling our hair in a hurry because we’re late to our activity and as we dash out the door, are left wondering if we remembered to shut off that hair straightener? I’ve even had to drive back home because I wasn’t sure if I had, making me even later than I was before. It was not an enjoyable experience and honestly, quite scary. I was worried for my dogs and my home, all because of my absent mindedness. I immediately got myself ISA Professional’s Titanium hair straightener after that. I had heard amazing things about the company and am so happy I did! I can now straighten my hair with high quality materials, it automatically shuts off after an hour and it’s such a gorgeous red color! I’m in love! Always remember to use the right temperature when using heat styling tools depending on your hair type; don't just put it on the highest heat setting, especially if you have color treated hair!

Woman With Sleek, Straight Hair- ISA Professional

Thick Heat Protecting Gloves

Thick Heat Protecting Glove- ISA Professional

Although the quality of the hair styling tool is the most important to look out for, there are other products that help you be even safer when styling your hair: heat protecting gloves! These gloves are made to resist extremely high temperatures, allowing you to style your hair without having to worry about burning your hands. In general the thicker the glove, the better. This ensures that you don’t feel the heat as you style your hair, which is such a huge help. I can’t be the only one that has burned myself with a curling iron, it is not pleasant! Now with a heat protecting glove, I don’t have to burning my hand ever again. If you don’t have one, trust me and get one (or two) today, you won’t regret it and wonder what you ever did without it!

Woman With Beautiful Curled Hair- ISA Professional

Heat Protecting Spray

Woman Applying Heat Protecting Spray- ISA Professional

So you’ve got your high quality hair styling tool with an auto shut off feature and your heat protecting glove so you must be good to go, right? Wrong! There’s one more step left if you want to be completely safe when using heat styling tools: a heat protecting spray. These sprays are somewhat new in the beauty world and I'm so happy that they exist and I can take advantage of them. These heat protecting sprays are even more valuable to those who have color treated hair. Anyone that dyes their hair knows that it puts a strain on their hair, making it more likely to break or get damaged from their beauty routine. The heat protecting spray is extremely easy to use and is an essential item in any beauty arsenal. Just spray it through your hair, comb it so it distributes evenly and start using your heat styling tool, it’s that easy! I was pleasantly surprised the first time I used one; after passing my hair straightener, I quickly ran my hands through my hair and it wasn’t burning hot like it used to be without my heat protecting spray. Your hair will thank you for using this every single time you style your hair, so get to it!

27 Sep '16

Achieving Perfect Curls & Keeping Them Beautiful

Steps to Gorgeous Curly Hair

Gorgeous Curly Blonde Hair ISA Professional

I remember I used to resent my curly hair when I was younger and I knew many friends who went through the same thing. We all had to deal with the ever dreaded frizz that would occur on a daily basis, especially with the humid weather that surrounded us all year long. Who with curly hair didn’t go through the ordeal of having your mother or grandma insist on going through your hair with a, *gasp* brush! Not one of these new amazing straightening brushes either; no heat, no warm bristles just pure tug and pull.

Your relatives couldn’t let you leave the house without using some instrument to comb your hair and you would have to deal with your poof ball for the rest of the day, constantly wetting it to try to tame it. Obviously they meant well, but this was before everyone had internet access, the tool we now use to research and educate ourselves on pretty much any topic in the world. The internet helped me figure out exactly what to do to make my curls work for me, not against me. Being finally able to appreciate my curls was a great feeling; I finally knew what to do and use and it’s just routine now. If you still haven’t found out what works for your hair, or just want to pick up a new tip, read on to find different ways to get the best out of your curly locks!

Co-Washing Is Your New Best Friend

Deep Conditioner ISA Professional

Co-washing means to skip shampoo completely and just condition to get the most moisture into your hair follicles. By doing this, your curls will look and feel healthier; I tried it and absolutely love the results! I prefer to use a shampoo once in a while but you can be part of the no-shampoo (no-poo) community if you feel like your hair is extremely dry. If you do decide to sometimes use shampoo, keep in mind that sulfates are curly hair’s worst enemy. Make sure your hair products are 100% sulfate free, since sulfates are harsh and can leave curly hair feeling and looking dry.

Use a Wide Tooth Comb (NOT Brush) and A T-Shirt On Wet Hair

Gorgeous Curly Har with Volume ISA Professional

With curly hair, the best way to de-tangle and style it, is when it’s very wet. A great way to ensure you don’t forget to do this is to always use a wide tooth comb in the shower, with conditioner still in your hair. Rinse off the conditioner when you’re done and use a T-shirt to dry it off, instead of a towel. A T-shirt is not as rough as a towel and will reduce frizz considerably. Stay away from brushes because they break curly hair easily and will produce more frizz. Instead, use a wide tooth comb and start from the bottom, the tips, then work your way up to the roots. This also reduces the breakage that can damage curls so much.

Always Use A Diffuser With Your Blow Dryer

Beautiful Curls ISA Professional

Curly hair is easily damaged if the proper steps aren’t taken when using a blow dryer. While you may love the way your hair looks after a blow out, you should avoid using a blow dryer daily. Instead, pick the day you want your hair to look its best and use dry shampoo in between blow outs to protect your hair. Diffusers are a must have when using a blow dryer! They help distribute the hot air evenly through your hair instead of letting it blow in a direct stream. Just twist small strands of your hair with your fingers and place the diffuser on your hair. It's a good idea to leave the tips for last, since these dry quicker than the rest of the hair.

Lastly, don’t forget to use heat protection before using any heat styling tool, it will save you a lot of grief and haircuts in the future!

20 Sep '16

Deep Conditioning For Shinier And Smoother Hair

Get Longer and Healthier Hair By Deep Conditioning Weekly

Woman with Healthy Curly Hair and Flowers

Have you ever woken up in the morning, walked to the bathroom and sighed at your hair’s state? Do you feel like you look like a porcupine when you look into the mirror, frustrated with your dry and frizzy hair? How about the length of your hair; do you feel like it never seems to grow as quickly as you want it to? Do your ends constantly look burnt out, forcing you to go to the salon more often than you’d like, just to get a haircut? You are not the only one, this is a common issue for many of us, especially those that color treat our locks. The reason this happens is because the hair is more fragile when it’s chemically treated, making the hair brittle and dry in the process. This means that with some extra TLC we can all get healthier and smoother hair!

You may think that it’s too much work to invest even more time into your hair than you already do but believe me, it is so worth it! We throw so much stress on our hair: color treatments, hot styling tools, getting into chlorine pools or salty ocean water. Your hair is constantly dealing with the elements and the longer you wait to treat it, the harder it will be to correct the problem. This is especially true for those with curly hair, always having to fight off humidity and frizz. Luckily, there’s a way to make sure your hair is healthy and soft and all you have to do is invest 30 minutes, once a week! Doesn’t sound so hard anymore, right? Read on to see how you can make your hair more beautiful and manageable than you ever thought possible!

Heat It Up!

Applying Deep Conditioner

Deep conditioning your hair should involve more than just applying conditioner in the shower, waiting 5 minutes and rinsing it off. Why? Because 5 minutes is nowhere near enough time to make the deep conditioner work its magic. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you stand in the shower for 30 minutes. I find that the best way to do this is by applying your deep conditioner correctly, stepping out of the shower and adding some heat to the product. Just wet a towel with hot water from your tap (careful you don’t overdo it and burn yourself!). Then wrap the hot towel around your head, making your deep conditioner warm up as you wait out the half hour. The heat swells up the hair cuticles which helps the conditioner penetrate deeper into the hair, resulting in better moisture retention.

I like to multi task as I wait out the treatment; whether it’s doing my nails, playing a video game or reading a book, I find my deep conditioning time very relaxing. Do whatever makes you feel relaxed as you wait! We should all have some ‘me’ time, no matter how hectic our days. And who wouldn’t love to have beautiful hair as a result? If you’re just starting out a deep conditioning regimen and have very dry or color treated hair, you should apply it twice a week at first. It takes a few treatments to see the results, which is why you should stick to it!

Research Your Deep Conditioner Options

Woman Massaging Scalp and Washing Hair

Just like not all beauty items are of the same quality, deep conditioners should also be well researched to ensure that you use the best for your hair. There are several options out there for your conditioning needs, and just like with shampoo, you should stay away from harmful chemicals. Some ingredients to stay away from are sulfates, polyethylne glycol, dimethicone and phenoxyethanol. These ingredients are can cause a range of problems from dermatitis to organ system toxicity.

Protein conditioners help strengthen hair but can also leave hair feeling a little stiff; just apply a leave in moisturizing conditioner after. A wonderful perk to deep conditioning is how it makes the hair stronger and healthier; this means your hair will grow faster than before, helping you achieve the long haired look you’ve always wanted in a shorter amount of time.

Oil It Up!

Woman Using Oil on Hair

I’m a huge believer in oils; they work wonders on my skin and I even apply it after styling my hair for frizz protection. A great way to boost whatever deep conditioning mask you choose is to add some oil into it! After trying different kinds of oils, I’ve found that 100% pure argan oil is the best product in my beauty arsenal. Just add a teaspoon (or two if you have long hair) to help your hair get as much help as it can get. This can also act as a heat protectant as you style away with one of these amazing brush straighteners! Oils are amazing at retaining moisture in our hair and skin; argan oil even helps fight off acne when used on the skin (and works on both dry and oily complexions). A deep conditioning mask mixed with an oil is the best care you can show your hair and it will definitely show!

What do you like to do while you wait for your deep conditioner to work its magic? Tell us in the comments below.

15 Sep '16

Our Latest Makeup Crush : Hosway

Hosway, Supremely Talented Makeup Artist

It's not secret the we love makeup and spend way too much time checking out looks and MUAs on Instagram. However, one thing we appreciate more than a great makeup look is a prolific makeup artist. One of our favorite MUAs, because of his ability with a brush and wonderful knack for teaching is Hosway Morbak. Not only are his looks amazing, Hosway himself is all about glam and he shows it perfectly. His makeup seminars are some of the most coveted in the US and they happen nationwide from LA to Miami. If you want to learn all the best tips, hacks and techniques, you just have to follow Hosway!

Makeup Seminars

Keep your eyes peeled for a seminar near you! We love his seminars we are currently sponsoring his LA class. VIP attendees will each get a free Xanadu 24K Gold Serum and Makeup Primer.

A photo posted by Hosway Morbak (@glamourbyhosway) on Sep 4, 2016 at 7:27pm PDT

Makeup Looks

Here are some of our fave looks by Hosway, from Ancient Rome to the Streets of LA his looks bring glamour to everything!

A photo posted by Hosway Morbak (@glamourbyhosway) on Aug 23, 2016 at 8:52pm PDT

A photo posted by Hosway Morbak (@glamourbyhosway) on Aug 18, 2016 at 8:47pm PDT

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