Cute Makeup Tips

Some are blessed with gorgeous hair that requires little or no styling at all. If you're like me, then a lot of effort is involved in getting that celebrity hair. Nowadays, women want sexy big Gisele hair or boho beach waves like Lauren Conrad. Don't fret my beauties! With some must-have products and a few styling tips you can have celebrity-worthy hair in no time!

Styling Tips:
• For voluminous loose waves, add a volumizing product like 1. Schwartzkopf Professional OSiS Glamour Queen, to the roots and a styling cream with a light hold to the ends. To keep it effortless and easy, this works best when hair is left to air-dry.
• When hair is still wet, scrunch hair in hands after applying a styling cream to encourage some wave or curl.
• Blow dry hair completely dry before styling. Cuts down on damage to the hair and makes styling easier.
• Whether you use a round brush, curling iron, or flat iron it’s all about the direction in which the hair is styled. Achieve volume at the root by blow drying the hair up with your hands or round brush (at the crown or front section to crown).
• You can also use 2. Velcro rollers to achieve volume.
• To give the hair more definition, take pieces here and there and curl with a 3. flat iron for a softer wave or a curling iron for a more defined curl. Twist the flat iron all the way down the hair curling away from the face. Using a curling iron, wrap sections of hair around the barrel.
• To really loosen the curl, flip hair upside down and shake at the root or finger-comb through the hair. You can also brush through the hair for even looser waves.
• For extra volume and hold at the root, use a product that will add volume and texture like 4.
Schwartzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It. This powder looks like baby powder but dissolves right into the scalp. Sprinkle and shake at the root or anywhere you need extra volume. Dust It absorbs oil and is remoldable. If hair starts to go flat mid-day, just shake your hair at the root. Finish hair with a medium hold spray or Glamour Queen.

Schwartzkopf Professional products are sold at most salons and beauty supply stores. In Toronto, you can purchase at Lift Beauty Boutique.

www.schwarzkopf-professional.com

Healthy hair doesn't just happen on its own. Like any relationship, maintaining your hair requires some effort (for some A LOT of effort). How many of you are wishing your hair would just grow? When I used to work at a salon, I used to get women all the time telling me how they were painfully trying to grow out the asymmetrical bob. Read on to see how you can get healthy hair and promote hair growth. Love your hair and your hair will love you back!

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle. I may not always eat the best foods or exercise regularly but I do make an effort! Eating good foods, staying active, and taking multi-vitamins will do wonders for your hair. When I was pregnant, I ate healthy and took multi-vitamins. When I added Calcium pills to my regime in my 3rd trimester, I noticed my hair grow at twice the speed! My hair was always so shiny and thick. My co-workers at the time used to ask me if I got my hair done. I guess it is true when they say what you put in your body counts!

2. Cut your hair every 6-8 weeks. I'm lazy when it comes to this kind of stuff but believe it or not getting regular trims will promote hair growth. Women used to groan when we would tell them to come in more regularly instead of once a year. This didn't go over to well with gals trying to grow out their already short hair. As painful as it may be, trimming your hair regularly means you'll have to get less and less cut off each time you come in. When you don't trim your hair, the breakage will continue until it reaches your root which will eventually make your hair grow slower. If you see a lot of fly-aways or short hairs at your roots, that is breakage.


3. Protect your hair at all times. The majority of us use some sort of hot styling tool everyday which is why it's especially important to protect it. If you protect your hair with a styling product first, it will burn the product off rather than your actual hair. Even if you will be wearing your hair au naturale, you still need a protector in your hair to protect from the sun and pollution. For really damaged hair, curly and frizzy or if you regularly colour your hair, I recommend Moroccanoil Treatment. This oil treatment adds protein to the hair, restoring it back to its natural healthy state. It's light-weight and absorbs quickly into the hair so your hair will never feel oily or heavy. You can use this wet or dry as a style finisher for added shine and to tame frizz. It smells amazing and you can also massage it on your nails and cuticles!

For normal hair, I like to use Schwarzkopf OSiS + Buff Styling Cream. This product is a styling cream, leave-in conditioner, and protects your hair from heat, the sun and pollution. It is light-weight enough for even the finest hair. If your hair has a slight wave and you're going for that beachy wave, apply this to your hair damp and let it air-dry. Then take pieces that are straight, and curl with a flat-iron or curling iron. The results are gorgeous!

Moroccanoil Treatment and Schwarzkopf OSiS + Buff Styling Cream are sold at most salons and beauty supply stores. In Toronto, you can purchase at Lift Beauty Boutique.

Have you tried these products? What do you think? What are your healthy hair tips? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Summer beauty and summer heat doesn't always mix which is why Makeup Junkie has asked some top experts in the beauty biz secrets to maintaining your beauty composure in the heat and humidity! Check out Dylan K. Hanson's summer hair tips!

Dylan's hair tips:

Humidity

a. Helping prolong the life of your hairstyle with less frizz… using or finishing hairspray will help lock out moisture.
b. Try using products (ex: mouse’s, foam, sprays) that have Anti-Humectant formulas, they are specifically designed to help control your style in higher humidity

Ocean and swimming pools

a. Cleansing your hair regularly after swimming will help prevent undo build-up of chlorine and salt water. Specific cleansing shampoo & conditioners are available. Another option to save those delicate hair colours is by wearing a swimmers cap.

Sun

a. A touch of sun can add a beautiful sun kissed glow to your hair but too much will damage it, causing excessive dryness & colour fading. Leave-in conditioners are great for added moisture and hair product with UV protection are a plus. For long days at the beach a fashionable hat is never out of fashion.
TIP: Learning ways to style your hair without using blow dryers and heated elements will help save extra moisture in dry conditions. Use the natural heat of the climate to your advantage. Styling wet hair in single to multiple Ponytails or Braiding can make great beachy looking waves naturally once the hair has been air dried and elastics removed. Even enhance your natural wave or curls by scrunching hair with mouse or light gel and allowing to air dry.

Dylan K. Hanson
Hair Stylist & Make-up Artist

“Live-Love-Laugh” Dylan K. has been building a strong reputation off his signature style of polished and precision beauty, extending from the classic to the avant-garde.

Hanson has collaborated with internationally acclaimed photographers producing stunning covers and images that have graced the pages of Harpers Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Glamour, Elle, and G.Q among others. Also, highly respected for his runway, advertising and television work. Hanson’s impressive lists of clients include celebrities such as Pamela Anderson and Kiera Knightly, as well as royalty and supermodels. Currently based out of Toronto. http://artistgrouplimited.com/dylan-k-hanson

Photos courtesy of Artist Group Limited.

http://artistgrouplimited.com

Ahh, Spring is in the air and Summer is just around the corner! Part 1 of Beauty 101: Beauty Prep For Summer, was all about keeping your skin looking flawless from head to toe. This post gives you the scoop on some hot beauty products for Spring and Summer that my makeup bag can't live without!

Three Custom products are quickly taking over my makeup stash! Is your makeup routine in need of some colour? Check out reviews from my new favourites Light Brights lipstick, Miami Glamour collection and the free mascara you receive when you purchase Poppy Lip and Cheek Stain and Peacock eye shadow! Click here for details on the promo. Ends April 30th! To read my reviews click here.

Exotic beauties don't fret because there is a makeup line that was created with you in mind! Vasanti Cosmetics caters to every woman from fair to deep dark and their informative site makes picking the right colours easy. Last week I began Part 1 of my reviews and you can check out Part 2 featuring the Manhattan 24/7 Eye Colour Palette and Tinted Lip Balm in Bahamas, a natural plum brown! Pretty! Click here for more.I wasn't really a fan of plumping glosses until now. Lise Watier Plumpissimo glosses are available in 6 beautiful hues for Spring and Summer! The line also features La Base, a plumping anti-aging Lip Primer with collagen micro-spheres. Click here to read more!

Loose Lips New York features some Spring/Summer must-haves that will get you noticed in all the right ways! One of my favourite products from the line I reviewed last year was Indelible Gel Liner in Black Cherry. Since the gel liners were such a hit, Loose Lips New York has come out with Indelible Creme Eye Shadow, another new favourite! Click here to read more.

A while ago I wrote about Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes liner being just kind of "meh" for me. Well, I've given it another try and have changed my tune! Click here to read more.

What are your must-haves for Spring/Summer? Have you tried any of my must-haves from the list? Love it? Hate it? Happy shopping!

Warm summer weather is all about shedding those heavy layers and showing a little skin. What you might find underneath those layers of clothes might be scary so it's time to get your skin prepped and ready! This season it's all about healthy, radiant beautiful looking skin. Here are some skin-saving, skin-smoothing products that will get you ready to bare all (or just some legs and arms)!

Slough away dry skin, fine lines and uneven texture with St. Ives' new Elements Microdermabrasion scrub. The mineral crystals in this scrub, combined with soothing cleansers reveal renewed soft skin. After my first facial at the spa, I learned that my skin really needed a microdermabrasion scrub. Not wanting to spend too much money, I was happy when I came across St. Ives newest Element collection at Walmart on sale! Within a few days I was able to see a noticeable difference! I haven't seen my skin look this great in a long time. The scrub is really gentle and doesn't leave my face all red after each use. My skin immediately looks brighter and has an all-over rosy glow. The texture of my skin feels unbelievably soft, pores are a lot smaller, and my fine lines, dark spots and raised bumps are slowly disappearing! A definite must for perfect looking skin. The better your skin looks, the less makeup you have to wear!


Don't forget sunscreen! Yes, it should be worn all year round but some of us (including me) forget. My skin is highly sensitive to sunscreens and M.A.C.'s Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 seems to be the only one that doesn't make my skin break out into a itchy red rash. It absorbs fast into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy film. It can double as a primer but I prefer to wear a separate primer on top because I find my makeup slides off during the day without it. During warmer months, this is heavy enough to double as my moisturizer and sunscreen. Remember: sunscreen worn everyday keeps the wrinkles and sun damage away!


Get rid of winter's dry patches with a good scrub like Belli's Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator to reveal healthy looking skin. If you haven't heard of Belli products before, it is a line that was developed around expectant and new mothers. It is the only skin care line that is teratology screened meaning they screen ingredients and exclude any that are linked to birth defects or any other problems with pregnancy. The products are also allergy tested, free of synthetic dyes and paraben preservatives. Not an expecting or new mother? You don't need to be. The scrub is good for you inside out - your skin is left feeling unbelievably soft and you're not putting anything harmful into your body. It features green tea, ginseng, and peppermint oil. I love the fresh light scent, perfect for those breezy summer days. *Tip: Exfoliate on dry legs prior to shaving or waxing to effectively get rid of dead skin cells. More reviews to come from this amazing line! For more information on Belli Skincare products click here.

Do you want to know the secret to celeb-worthy beautiful, youthful looking skin? It's Malibu Secret! Labeled the first anti-aging face cream designed for your body. "An innovative body cream designed to repair and replenish using a potent combination of botanicals, anti-oxidants, various butters, and a multitude of vitamins". The texture is like a creamy souffle and absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling greasy or oily. I love how it leaves a healthy sheen on my skin. I also love the scent - it reminds me of the beach like coconut suntan oil. Healthy, supple looking skin is always in so slather it on and don't be afraid to show some skin this season!

Fake 'n bake is out and will age you fast. Getting a natural, bronze glow all over is easier than ever these days. Over the years, I've been really happy with Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer because it really does tan your body within in a week. Now Jergens has come out with Natural Glow Express and results can be seen in one day and a full tan in just 3 days! The only thing I don't like about the original is the scent - smells so chemically. Other than that it works! Natural Glow also comes in face moisturizer with SPF 20 - don't leave your face out! The tan won't be natural if you have a pale face and bronze body! ;)

Now that your skin is all prepped, stay tuned for Part 2 for some must-have colours for Spring and Summer! Happy shopping!