Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Making a statement

If you're getting married this year, consider making a bold statement with a brightly colored and/or chunky necklace. Branch out from the usual strand of pearls and go for something big and beautiful. If your dress is less elaborate and has a simple bodice, one of these necklaces may add just the perfect touch so take a chance and check out some of the gorgeous pieces we've found and fell in love with.


Here's your "something blue" with an off-center pink and red flower.

This necklace isn't too overpowering and will match any wedding party's colors and theme.

Swarovski crystals always make a beautiful statement.


More Swarovski crystals this time intertwined with pearls in this bride's stunning necklace.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

As free as your hair...

As some point in our lives we've all wished that our hair was a little straighter, a little thicker, a little more agreeable, but maybe what we should have been focusing on is how to bring out the best in our hair and stop trying to make it into something it isn't. Here are a few tips on how to love the hair you were born with.

Straight and stubborn about it:
If your hair is thick, grow it out! The longer it is the less "poofy" it will seem. Add in some layers for movement.
If your hair is fine, keep it shorter which helps give the illusion of thickness.
Tricks for styling straight hair:
1. Use a deep-cleaning shampoo to get rid of unwanted oils.
2. Don't use a lot of styling products that weight hair down.
3. Blow-dry with a paddle brush and aim the hot hair at the ends of your hair.
4. As a bonus step rub some shine serum between your palms and smooth onto your hair.

Now, just because you were born with that straight hair doesn't mean it isn't able to do other things! Here's an easy way add some curl/wave:
1. Blow-dry with a medium-size round brush, taking 2-inch sections and lifting hair from one side of your head to the other as you dry (focus the air on the roots to help build volume).
2. With a medium-barrel curling iron take portions of your hair and wrap it around the iron. Use a lightweight hairspray unless your hair is fine then use nothing.

Curly and wild:
Since curly hair tends to have a mind of its own, it's up to each individual on how they want/need to tend to their mane. Depending on your face shape and how thick/thin your hair is, curls can look good either long or short. Find a stylist who knows how to cut and style curly hair, check images of curly hair styles online, or use InStyle Hollywood Makeover where you upload a picture of yourself and try out celebrities' hair styles!
Tricks for styling curly hair:
1. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
2. Add a nickel-size drop of styling cream (may need more if you have more hair) to towel-dried hair
3. Twirl sections of hair around your finger to help create curls then let it air dry.

How to tame-down and straighten-out those curls:
1. Use an antifrizz or smoothing shampoo and conditioner.
2. Work a pea-size drop of hydrating style cream through damp hair.
3. Spritz on a heat-protectant spray.
4. Put your hair dryer on high heat and pull hair straight while you slowly dry it.
5. To help keep it straight or straighten what the hair dryer missed, use a straightener and add a drop of that shine serum.

So go on and have some fun experimenting with your hair before the big day!