Archive for March, 2008

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?“

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.

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?

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.