Beauty School Directory Blog

Archive for March, 2008

Mineral Make-up

Posted on: March 31st, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

I’ve been curious about mineral makeup for years now. The first time it crossed my radar was a little over 4 years ago. I was a bridesmaid in an extravagant wedding, and the bride brought in a pricy makeup artist to transform us all into a picture-perfect wedding party.

As the makeup artist spread out her stash of goods on the counter, she was raving about the new mineral makeup she had just started working with. She was anxious to try it out on all of us.

Mineral makeup looks like loose powder, and is touted for being more natural-looking, as well as better for your skin. Instead of containing harsh chemicals and animal products, it’s made of natural minerals like mica and potassium. (Learn more in this USA Today article.)

She dipped her brush in the powder and glided it over my cheek. The mineral makeup went on smooth, sheer and gave my skin a soft glow that I instantly fell in love with. I had to have some.

I hunted around for some mineral makeup of my own and found that, 4 years ago, it was only sold at high-end department stores. I found it, alright, but one small compact cost more than I was willing to spend on a nice pair of shoes, let alone some crushed powder. I gave up the dream.

Fast-forward to now. Turns out mineral makeup has staying power. As with most advances in fashion and beauty, it started out in the high-end market and has made its way into the mainstream. Now, cosmetic companies like Revlon, Neutrogena and L’Oreal are marketing affordable lines of mineral powder, eyeshadow and blush. You can also check out the Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit which includes mineral makeup, application brushes, and instructions for wearing.

I picked some up. For the same price as a sticky liquid foundation, I now have a light, airy powder that I can dust on and feel good about. It makes me feel fresher than regular makeup, and less like I need to wash my face.

What do you think? Are you ready to jump on the good-for-you, environmentally-friendly bandwagon when it comes to your makeup? What does your make-up training school teach you about mineral makeup?

Sephora.com, Inc.

Reiki Massage

Posted on: March 31st, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 2 Comments

Practitioners of this ancient Tibetan healing system use light hand placements to channel healing energies to the recipient. While practitioners may vary widely in technique and philosophy, Reiki is commonly used to treat emotional and mental distress as well as chronic and acute physical problems, and to assist the recipient in achieving spiritual focus and clarity. A method of spiritual healing that involves the channeling of positive energy from the practitioner into the client. It is meant for relaxation and stress reduction. In Reiki, the healer places the hands above the recipient; however, it is the recipient that draws in the energy as needed. Thus, the individual being healed takes an active part in the healing process as opposed to having a passive part in traditional spiritual healing. Reiki is believed to have begun in Tibet several thousand years ago. 

Please be sure to take massage therapy courses before attempting this technique.

How to make your ponytail an actual STYLE!

Posted on: March 25th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

This past weekend, I was talking with some of my girlfriends, and we started talking about ponytails. There seem to be so many celebrities these days strolling down the red carpet sporting them. You even see all those perfect-looking girls on the street with ponies. Not as a quick “OMG! I didn’t have enough time this morning” fix, but as an actual style.

My friends Wendy & Kelly lamented that no matter how hard they try, they just look like they woke up late and needed to do something – ANYTHING with their hair. And fast. They claim they can’t make their ponytails look like a style. So I did some research for some quick tips on how to make that everyday ponytail into a style. And hopefully the following tips can help everyone – including Wendy & Kelly.

Here are some basic tips and pics to illustrate how you can create a great style out of your ponytail:

  1. Play up the part! Start by parting the hair on one side. You can either go with a straight part or criss-cross for more drama. I like taking the part back about 1.5 to 3 inches. Then pull it back gently into the ponytail. You don’t want to pull it too tight because you don’t want to lose the sweeping movement. If you have straight hair, make sure you ARE getting rid of any bumps, though. If you have curly or wavy hair, try keeping it pretty loose so you can take advantage of the natural movement of your waves, which will also easily cover imperfections.
  2. Frame the face. If you have shorter layers up front, don’t be afraid to let them hang loose – don’t force them back into the pony. You can always tuck or pin the hair behind your ears. If you have bangs, even better – let them do the work of framing your face. Just be aware of the layers and lengths of your hair, and use them to your advantage.
  3. Make it sleek and shiny. If you have long hair, you can go uber chic by pulling it back high on your crown. This is a high-drama look that keeps hair out of your face, but still lets it cascade down your back. If you have really straight hair, pulling it back smooth and tight can create a very elegant look. If you’d like to go a little funkier, add a twist for some interest and volume.
  4. Pump up the volume. Don’t be afraid to play with twisting or teasing your hair. Creating more volume around your crown will show that you meant to make your ponytail look like that. Thus…it’s a style. Gwen Stefani has her signature look, and a number of other celebs have been captured sporting similar types of hairplay.
  5. Accessorize…in moderation. Your ponytail will look more deliberate if you decorate it. You can pin a flower in the side of a tousled pony look for a casual, colorful touch. You can also use a thick headband or ribbon to make your look more stylish. I like using a ribbon closer to the hairline after I’ve teased, smoothed out, then secured the ponytail itself. This accentuates the volume and really makes the look more polished. You can also use decorative hair ties or clips. But don’t go overboard. If you have to stop and ask yourself (or someone else) if it’s too much – it probably is. Remember, ponytails are so beloved because of their simplicity. Don’t ruin a good thing.
  6. Choose sides. The low side ponytail is my personal fave, when it comes to pony styles. You can do this easily by parting the hair and using the parted section of hair to frame the face. Pull the rest of the hair back smooth, but loosely, and secure it at the base of your skull on one side. The ponytail should easily rest over your shoulder (on the front side). This can work as both an elegant and a casual look.
  7. Don’t ignore your styling products! Your styling products are there to help you style your hair. If you want to do a ponytail as a style, use what you already have as a resource. If you have wavy or curly hair, enhance the movement of your hair with styling products. If you’re working with very straight hair, use a shine enhancer to help decrease flyaways and to really turn up the dial on your hair’s sheen. If you have short hair that just barely makes it back into the ponytail, have fun by using a touch of styling wax to spike it out! And everyone can benefit from a little bit of hairspray to help keep it all in place once you have it perfect.

Just remember – a ponytail is like any other good style. It takes some practice to make it perfect. So, take some time out on a weekend or evening to play around with some of these tips and find out what looks best on you. I think it’s safe to say that the ponytail isn’t a style that will go away anytime soon. So it definitely won’t be any time wasted!

Lucky Brand Jeans

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How to create a formal hair style

Posted on: March 24th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

Here’s a video showing how to do a formal updo for prom or a wedding.

Formal hairstyles can be tricky to keep in place while dancing and having a good time. If you have any tricks for keeping your locks in place, please share them!

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Manual Lymph Drainage Massage

Posted on: March 20th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Manual Lymph Drainage is a form of gentle, whole-body massage aimed at stimulating the lymphatic system to carry away excessive fluid in the loose connective tissue. This non invasive, painless therapy is intended for conditions such as acute and chronic edema (swelling), neuromuscular disorders, headaches, acne, and sinus congestion. Working under a physician’s referral, certified therapists also treat post-mastectomy patients’ pain, edema, and fibrosis.

Please remember that massage can be damaging if not done correctly. Find a massage therapy school near you where you can get proper training.

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Clip in hair extensions for thicker hair

Posted on: March 19th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

Do you want fuller, thicker hair? Learn to double your hair volume and create fantastic curls using clip-in hair extensions. You can find them at many salons and beauty supply stores, and they are very easy to put in. We explain below or you can watch the video.

Hair extentions

Kari is challenged with fine, thin hair. Let’s see what we can do to change her look.

Before we put in the extensions, let’s begin by sectioning off the hair and spraying it lightly with hairspray.  After that, start curling her hair – section by section. Use a Chi iron for this procedure. Continue the process until the entire head is curled.

Curling hair

Next, loosen the curls slightly by finger combing the hair. This will make the curls a better match for the extensions.

Now we’re ready for the extensions. Place 2 sections of extensions in the back of the head. To do this, part the hair horizontally and clip in the extension.

 

Do the same on each side. It’s that easy!

 

Wow! Look at all that gorgeous hair! It blends perfectly with her natural hair.

This process is a great alternative for people who don’t have the time or the money for extensions that are sewn into the hair.

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Myofascial Release Massage Therapy

Posted on: March 17th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Myofascial release massage targets the connective tissue, called the fascia, which surrounds muscles. These bands of fibrous tissue establish interconnections of the muscles with other parts of the body, including tendons, joints, bones, blood supply and organs. Due to injury or illness, these fascial tissues can become dense, tight and sore. Myofascial release massage loosens these tissues, increasing blood supply, and stretches the fascial tissues, which will increase motion and decrease discomfort. This hands-on technique seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function and reducing pain. Using their hands, therapists apply mild, sustained pressure in order to gently stretch and soften the fascia. Myofascial Release is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries, and scoliosis, among other conditions.

Below is a video about Myofascial release. Please remember that you should have massage therapy training before practicing massage.

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High Intensity Pigment Eye Shadow Review

Posted on: March 14th, 2008 by Shana No Comments

I recently picked up some L’Oreal High Intensity Pigment (HIP). With spring right around the corner, it seemed time to put away my muted pinks and get a little funky.

I’m completely torn about this product. 

 On one hand:

  • Price -It’s inexpensive. You can pick some up for around $7 or $8.
  • Color! – They pulled out all stops. High intensity is exactly what you get.
  • Staying power – This eyeshadow stays put throughout the day.
  • Eyeliner – You can apply them with an angled brush, and they work terrific as an eyeliner.

On the other hand: 

  • Blending – Or, rather, the lack of. If you want to cover your lid with one color, these are great. I’d rather use them paired with other colors, and they just won’t play nice.
  • Pairing – The colors that are paired together don’t complement each other very well. At least not on my pastey, pastey skin. The colors shown above induced 80′s flashbacks.

All in all, it’s a decent product. I’ll keep mine around to use as eyeliner, and I admit I’m thinking about trying the pink/brown combo. Other people seem to love it. Maybe someone with cosmetology training would have better luck, but I just keep asking myself – “Will it blend?“

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What about bonding over mascara?

Posted on: March 13th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Clink. That’s the sound of your last quarter meeting the belly of the vending machine beast. You’ve now entered the moment of climactic resolution in your purchasing experience. You watch in anxious anticipation – will your Hershey bar fall and be delivered to your eagerly awaiting hands? Or will the wrapper get caught on the spirally-wire thingy that only sometimes pushes your purchase over the edge?

And when your chocolate doesn’t come out, you’re left sizing the machine up. Wondering if you’re strong enough to tilt it to an angle that could knock it from its shelf – and then realizing you’re not.

The saddest part of this whole vending machine business – there’s no one to make it right for you. Where are sales people when you need them?

I have to admit, when I heard that vending machines selling beauty products like Elizabeth Arden and Proactive were popping up in malls across America, I was hesitant to buy into the concept.

Courtesy of miss_rogue via Flickr

What about consulting with a cosmetology specialist? What about human interaction, and advice on skin care? Or the free cosmetology product giveaways?

I understand, if you’ve been buying the exact same beauty products for years and you aren’t interested in someone trying to up-sale your purchase, a vending machine could be really convenient. But, if you choose to go to a machine instead of a real person, you could be missing out on some amazing cosmetology products and advice from beauty experts who are paid to stay current on beauty trends.

It will be really interesting to see how vending machines stocked with items outside of the usual soda pop and junk food fare in America. And, it’s not just beauty products – vending machines selling iPods are even springing up in airports.

In Japan, you can find virtually every product known to man in vending machines. They’re stocked with everything from board games to nine course meals to under garments.

The sales racked up from the vending machines that line city streets and countryside roads alike already rival those of convenience stores. According to the Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, Japan has 1 vending machine for every 23 people.

So, there’s got to be something to vending machines. I just wonder if the convenience factor is going to outweigh interaction with real human beings. Especially when it comes to cosmetology …

What’s next? Drive-thru make-overs?

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Project Runway Justice

Posted on: March 12th, 2008 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

by Jennifer Zammit 

Last Wednesday night on Bravo TV, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou and Christian Siriano had a walk-off to decide who would be named the winning designer.

Okay, fine, the final 3 contestants of Project Runway had someone else do the walking-off for them … but we know they could have done it themselves. Didn’t you hear Christian say he had walked around his apartment in the model heels for hours?

Of course you did. Christian was the best part of every episode. In fact, Christian was the only-stand out designer this season. No, not in terms of fashion. Each of the top 5 designers had a stunning vision, motivated drive and the creativity to make their dreams work. I expect to see much more out of Sweet P Vaughn and Chris March in the future.

And no, Christian wasn’t always the most likeable designer. He was sometimes catty, often whiney, and always egotistical. Yet, he made the season worth watching.

That’s why I’m disappointed that he won. Yes, yes … let the hate mail flow. I recognize that he is an excellent designer. However, I’m used to reality television presenting me with at least a semblance of surprise. The conclusion of this season had none.

How great would it have been to see Jillian rise up from under the radar and take it all? Or have Rami bounce back from having to compete for his shot in the final 3, only to become number 1?

I don’t watch reality television for justice. But in this instance, I suppose justice was served. Fast-sewing, fierce-talking Christian drove off a winner in his 2008 Saturn Astra. While I’m proud that he’ll be able to parade his haute couture designs all over the European runways, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Jillian or Rami original hanging in my closet.

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