-Add a neon clutch or wallet to your assesories.

-You can always find great phone covers in bold, bright colors-GET ONE!  Don’t be afraid to pair neon colors with metalics and, of cours, animal prints.

-Add a little pop to your current makeup style with a brighter shade of lipgloss or eyeliner than you usually wear.

-Even if you tend to wear jeans and t-shirts in nuetral colors, paint your nails and toenails a bright tangerine color and pair with a metalic sandle or handbag. Or even try this fun twist on a French Manicure-Neon French!

-Layer your assesories with neon color combinations for a bold statement or try color blocking with bright colors!

 No matter what your style or your age, you can always add a pop of color to your usual statement in your handbags, keyrings, sunglasses, hats, scarves, shoes, bangle braceletts, earrings, watches, phone covers, nail polishes and makeup.  Don’t be shy about it; just break out with one little item at a time if you are a nervous nelly.  If feels soooo refreshing to finally add some color!

First and foremost, there are a few tools you should always have in your make-up arsenal to manage your brows. Whether you have full, bushy, unmanageable brows or wispy, skinny, fading brows you should have:

                                                                                                              -

-Good tweezers                                                                                   

-Clear mascara or brow gel such as Revlon Brow Gel       

-Brow brush

-Brow pencil such as Define A Brow Eyebrow Pencil from Mabelline

And a,

-Brow powder

You can find many of these items in fantastic cosmetic kits online or at your favorite cosmetic counter such as

SEPHORA’s ARCH IT BROW KIT or Dior’s Backstage Brow Design Brow Shaping Stencils Kit.                                                                     

You can also visit www.eyebrowgel.org to compare a few brow gels.

You may attempt to shape your brows at home with all of these fabulous tools, or just use them to help you maintain your professionally shaped brows in between appointments to the salon.

If you decide to have them tackled and waxed by a professional, which I recommend J , find a reputable salon that you are familiar with, has been recommended by a trusted source or has been rated well in your city. Your esthetician should be competent and experienced with lots of different types of brow shaping as well as tinting.

Your professional is going to use shaping points located on your face to find the most apropriate shape for your facial structure.  You may use this as a guide if you are attempting to shape your brows at home and to groom your line between appointments.

If you have light, faded brows, definitely consider tinting your brows as well as waxing them to find the best shape for your face. You can fill in your new shape at home with powders and/or pencils to keep up your polished look between appointments.

If you have heavy, dark, unruly brows, definitely have a professional carve out a shape that you feel comfortable with, regularly preschedule your wax appointments and have a nice pair of tweezers at home to catch strays in between those appointments.

Maybe you would like to experiment with Threading. Many women enjoy the age-old tradition of Threading to remove unwanted hair from the face and body. It is a technique where the Threader wraps threads around her fingers and quickly rolls the threads back and forth over the area essentially pulling/tweezing the hairs and removing them quickly. Visit this site for more info about Threading http://makeupandbeauty.com/how-to-thread-your-eyebrows-at-home/ Many salons in larger cities have experienced technicians available for this technique.

Or maybe you have a unibrow? I did once. There is always the option of permanently removing unwanted hair between your brows or even your hairline. Laser hair removal on such small areas is fairly inexpensive these days and is not too painful. I would never recommend laser for the arch of your brow or above your brow line as this is an area you might want to fill in as your face ages in the future, but any unwanted hair between those brows MUST GO.

What about your teenage daughter? When should you start to groom her brows? Although this is only my opinion, I feel about the time they reach puberty, they should have a groomed shaped brow. Considering many girls this age are not wearing much make up at this point, beautiful brows, a little mascara and lip gloss can really improve a young girls vision of her appearance. Just be cautious not to OVER pluck or remove too much hair from the brows. Removing hair at this young age will retard the hair growth forever. On the other hand, if yours sweet beauty has been blessed with more that her fair share of facial hair, now is a perfect time to laser or wax it off and be happy to retard future growth that she will fight all her adult life. Leave these decisions to the professionals. CONSULT with a couple different people until you feel very comfortable turning your impressionable, sensitive young daughter over to a stranger J .

There is, of course the option of permanently filling in your brow shape with cosmetic tattooing. From eyeliners to lips to brows, this is a great way to ‘get your face on’ without applying the same make every single day. Many women prefer this to daily makeup. This may be an option you would like to explore as well. But my recommendation is that you start SUBTLEY and work your way up. Instead of getting a nice, fat brow permanently etched into your face, maybe start with a soft line first and see how you like it. You can always add to the line, but never remove it. Be weary if your esthetician suggests a heavier line that you are comfortable with. Start subtle first.

So whichever direction you decide to go (or experiment with lots of options), just DO IT! It is extremely satisfying to have a glamorous, perfectly shaped brows for your everyday activities as well as your nights on the town.

Image Body Spa /Face & Body Bronzer

DESCRIPTION:

Natural, sunless tan in a rich moisturizing crème, specially formulated for the face. Color builds slow & evenly. This is a product that smells AMAZING! It does not have that funny smell that some tanners have.

Urban Decay

Urban Ammo Eye Palette

DESCRIPTION:

A collection of Urban Decay’s 10 bestselling eye shadows packed into a case that’s a tactile experience on its own.

What else you need to know:
Covered in touchable, matte black paper, the compact features a mesmerizing assortment of UD elements – animals, hearts, skulls, and flourishes – gently wafting from a pistol in overlapping textures of violet metallic foil and rich velvety flocking. Upon opening the kit, you’re met with endless eye options: 10 bestselling shadows are arranged as five sets of coordinating duos, running the gamut from subtle to sexy. The slim case is complete with a perfectly sized mirror, applicators, and a magnetic closure, so it’s sure to stay closed in your handbag.

Pureology Hair Care

DESCRIPTION:

Created especially for professional colourists and their clients, Pureology is a salon
haircare brand unlike any other. Thier highly concentrated ZeroSulfate® shampoos and
the exclusive AntiFadeComplex® help colour-treated hair retain its fresh-from-the-salon
vibrancy with every use, while Thier 100% Vegan, Dual Benefit Formulas provide custom care for every hair type.

What else you need to know:

To Pureology, sustainability is a long-term commitment to minimizing the negative environmental impact of thier products across their entire life cycle – from the ingredients that go into thier formulas to the raw materials that comprise thier packaging to the effect thier products have on the environment both during and after use.

To accomplish this, they’re committed to optimizing their use of resources and educating colourists and consumers on what they can do to support sustainability. they also acknowledge thier social responsibility, and strive to make a positive impact by providing clean water.

As a professional stylist of 20 years plus, I love Pureology hair care for all my color clients. These products all use compressed formulas so you don’t need much at all to get the job done.

For all you blondes out there, their new 4Platnum formulas are FANTASITIC for keeping your blondes fresh. This formula has keyloids for clarifying impurities that dull your blonde and is tinted with a little violet to cut any yellow your hair picks up.

Amir Argan Oil Touch of Tan Body Moisturizer

DESCRIPTION:

Wonderfully moisturizes &. beautifies skin whіlе gradually enhancing skin’s natural color & giving іt a healthy sun-kissed glow. A touch οf sunless tanner provides mistake-free color whіlе Argon Oil & Acai Berry extracts condition skin for a remarkable softness аnd vibrancy. I love this as a daily moisturizer as it does not stain your skin too much for every day use.

Argan oil

DESCRIPTION:

Although Argan oil is traditionally used in Morocco for dipping bread, drizzling on couscous, salads and similar uses, the unroasted oil is also traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases, and has found favour with the cosmetics industry in many countries.

Why we are seeing it in our products:

Key ingredients:
Argan oil naturally contains the following compounds:
- Tocepherols, including vitamin E rich in phenols: helps to neutralize free radicals on the skin and scalp.
- Omega 6: helps to prevent hair breakage.
- Saponins and essential fatty acids: naturally softens the hair and skin.

Properties:
- Rejuvenates the skin and hair.
- Rich in anti-oxidants.
- Easily absorbed into the skin and hair.
- Protects against free radical damage.

Usage:
- For dry skin and hair.
- For ultra hydration.
- For softening the hair and skin.
- For reducing appearance of scars and wrinkles.

My favorite product that contains Argan Oil is:

Kitoko Oil

Description:

This oil is enriched with omega oils, Shea Butter, antioxidants and vitamins to not only strengthen hair but bring it back from whatever has been ailing it. It can be used as a hair finishing product as it tames frizzies and it also contains naturally derived UV filters

What else you need to know:

Oil extracted from the nut of the Shea Tree and carefully blended with Argan oil creates the ultimate in hair repair and rejuvenation. Richer in antioxidants, Omega oils and Vitamins A and E, Kitoko Oil doesn’t add weight or a greasy residue to hands or hair after using it. It’s perfectly balanced to the hair and scalp so it absorbs into and penetrates strands quickly.

This oil is great for moisturizing your cuticles, elbows as well as the ends of your hair. I mix it into my facial moisturizer, hand lotions and diffuse it in my house for it’s yummy scent.

Tell me about your favorite products!

Argan oil is an oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree, endemic to Morocco, that is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. The species Argania once covered North Africa and is now endangered and under protection. Argan oil remains one of the rarest oils in the world due to the small and very specific growing areas.

All Argan sold today is produced by a Women’s Cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe (also known as the Amazighs). The cooperative has established an ecosystem reforestation project so that the supply of Argan oil will not run out and the income that is currently supporting the women will not disappear. The money is providing health care and education to the local women and supporting the entire community as a whole and provides income for 3 million people in the southern part of that kingdom.

Although Argan oil is traditionally used in Morocco for dipping bread, drizzling on couscous, salads and similar uses, the unroasted oil is also traditionally used as a treatment for skin diseases, and has found favour with the cosmetics industry in many countries.

Why we are seeing it in our products:

Key ingredients:
Argan oil naturally contains the following compounds:
- Tocepherols, including vitamin E rich in phenols: helps to neutralize free radicals on the skin and scalp.
- Omega 6: helps to prevent hair breakage.
- Saponins and essential fatty acids: naturally softens the hair and skin.

Properties:
- Rejuvenates the skin and hair.
- Rich in anti-oxidants.
- Easily absorbed into the skin and hair.
- Protects against free radical damage.

Usage:
- For dry skin and hair.
- For ultra hydration.
- For softening the hair and skin.
- For reducing appearance of scars and wrinkles.

So, in a nutshell (no pun intended ) there are many shampoos, conditioners, masques and body lotions that now contain Argon oil. My favorite is Kitoko Oil. It is intended as a finishing product for your hair to provide shine and moisture. I like to add a few drops of this oil to my face moisturizer, body lotions, use it on my cuticles and diffuse it in my home for a beautiful fragrance. Some of my clients even put it on as a cologne. It smells FANTASTIC!

Read a the following reviews:
http://www.sleekhair.com/29613.html
https://www.facebook.com/notes/affinage-salon-professional/new-kitoko-oil-treatment-the-ultimate-in-hair-repair-rejuvenation/147453155292605
http://www.cybelesays.com/my_weblog/2011/01/affinage-kitoko-hair-oil.html

References
^ “Biosphere Reserve Information”. UNESCO. http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?mode=all&code=MOR+01. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
^ Morocco: Argan trees
^ “Argan Oil Ailment Treatment“. DietOBio. http://www.dietobio.com/aliments/en/argan.html. Retrieved 2006-10-09.
^ “Is Argan oil miraculous?”. Care2. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/is-argan-oil-miraculous.html. Retrieved 2009-07-17.

Now that you have a lead, when is the best time to book an appointment? Getting a great time (especially for a first time client) will greatly increase your experience with the stylist. Good times to book are early in the week (like a Tuesday or Wednesday) in either late morning or early afternoon. Your stylist shouldn’t be tired but is settled into their routine, it’s less busy so you’ll get more time with the stylist, and it’s easier to get a last-minute appointment if you don‘t have the luxury of waiting. Try to aim for the second or third appointment of the day, that way the stylist is there, set up and in the swing of the day.

Worst times of the day to book an appointment is first thing in the morning, last appointment at night and Friday evening. Stylists need a little time to get going in the morning and may run a little late. A new client first thing in the morning can be overwhelming. Likewise, the last appointment in the evening may mean a stylist is spent, running late and may be hungry. Friday evenings we are all trying to get to a social event and are not as focused on our work, so are stylists.

A great way to have a safe appointment with a new stylist is to schedule a consultation first. Most stylist don’t charge for this and it gives you both the opportunity to discuss what you are looking for, how much time you will need and how much your service might cost. Maybe you need a couple appointments to achieve your overall goal. Giving the stylist a little heads up is a GOOD IDEA! Stylists say fine hair is quicker to cut than thick hair and that texture matters more than length. So if you know you have really thick hair, be prepared and prepare your stylist for a slightly longer appointment.

Communicating with a new stylist needs special attention as well. A good stylist will be honest about what they can realistically do and will work with you to find something that will be right for your face shape and hair type. Listen to what they recommend and then tell them what you are looking for. If you are not sure what you do want, be sure to express what you DON’T want. Express any fear you may have about getting too short, too dark or light. Share any bad experiences you may have had with your hair to give your stylist as much information as you can about your hair and your personality. Instead of saying I want 2 inches cut off here, show them how much of your hair you want cut off so there’s no confusion. Everyone has a different idea of what an inch might be. Be careful when using words like “brassy,” “ash,” “layers” and “graduation.” All of these can mean different things to different people, even different stylists. To be clear, bring pictures or use other adjectives to describe what you want or ask your stylist what these terms mean so you’re on the same page at your consultation.

If you are happy with your results, TIP WELL. If you want the best service (and a chance at scoring the ideal time slot or last-minute appointment), you’ll need to tip well (20 percent is ideal). Stylists remember the customers who treat them well. Don’t forget to tip The stylist’s assistant and/or the shampoo person, as well. It doesn’t have to be much, $2 to $5 is reasonable. A great shampoo deserves to be recognized since it is a BIG part of your experience and remember cash is always King, especially for the tip. If you use a credit card for service and product, remember the processing company will charge a fee and adding a tip means you will be paying them a little less than you intend. People in the service industry appreciate being appreciated.

Now that you have a stylist you like, how do you become a valuable client to them? First of all pre-book. Pre-booking saves you both the stress of trying to get in at the last minute. Your stylist will appreciate this show of loyalty and will take good care of you in return.

Next, be on time for your appointment, don’t be late. Even if your stylist has run a little late from time to time, it is almost always because another client has run late. This shows disrespect for their time and undoubtedly make them less available to you the next time you need a last minute appointment or a little extra time. If you know you are running late, be sure to call and give your stylist a heads up.

What about all those pricey salon products? Are they really that important? The answer is Yes. If you are going to spend good money to get a great style, invest in the right products to support it. A good salon offers a range of price for products to choose from. Different hairstyles have different needs, so if you trust your stylist, listen up. Especially when it comes to color-treated hair, the right shampoo and conditioner can help maintain the color and keep your hair healthy. Purchase the products from your salon, not the discount stores. You really won’t pay that much more (if any) and you know the product was purchased responsibly and is not old stock. Put the money back into your local salon’s or stylist’s pocket.

So what if you find that you need a last minute appointment or you need to reschedule? Here’s a tip for getting in: If the salon is booked, ask to be put on the wait list. This is usually first come, first served so be patient, but if your situation is urgent, let them know. If you know your stylist well, ask to speak to the stylist directly. Call back once during the day, but don’t stalker call, this is just annoying. If you find you are in a rush, expect an appropriate appointment. A blow-out or a few foils are quick, a cut or color is not. And tell your stylist ahead of time that you’re in a hurry so he or she is prepared. Some stylists double-book appointments so it is crucial to be clear about how much time you have and what you expect.

So why do salons differ so much in pricing? Understand salons in more affluent areas will likely charge more. Another reason can be the hairdressers at the salon. Often prices can vary based on how much experience a stylist has or whether he or she is a “master” or “junior” stylist. If you choose to go downtown to a great salon, expect to pay a little more for an experienced stylist. If you don’t want to pay as much for your service, go with a less experienced stylist, but ask the receptionist to refer you to the best one for your needs. Receptionists ususally know who is skilled with what types of hair and can be a great ally for you.

Working on a trusting relationship with a stylist will pay off for both of you. You will get the best your stylist has to offer and the comfort of knowing your hair will always be great. Take care of them and they will take care of you.

1. You have to have the right bang for your faceshape. You cannot go just anywhere to get them cut or cut them yourself. You must find a stylist you can trust who is great with fringe and understands your hairline.

2. Cowlicks can cause major heartache, but you can be trained to style out and train a cowlick to behave. Here’s a great trick for home. When your bangs are wet, blow them straight down and side to side against your forhead. This will force any cowlick straight out. You may need to use an iron to really flatten them against your face. Straight is flattering and stylish. DO NOT round brush your bangs and make a bump! That is out unless you are living in the 90s.

3. Don’t’ be afraid to cut bangs because your forhead gets greasy during the day. You may only need to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, but you will probably need to wash your bangs everyday. When you wash your face, wash your bangs and blow then right back out.

4. Don’t use any product on your bangs but mousse. Mousses absorb oil and provide a little control. Waxes, gels, texturizers and hairspray will increase oil production on your face.

As always, be sure to ask your stylist to show you exactly how to blow your bangs at home and set a standing appointment with him/her to trim them regularly so they will be fresh. Growing your bangs too long because you haven’t scheduled a trim will infuriate you and you will not enjoy your new fringe. It’s a commitment, but it’s worth it!

Jlo’s SWEET FACE, her youth-directed line and was launched in 2003, but her latest collection has really launched her name brand JENNIFER LOPEZ into the spotlight. This line is directed toward an older crowd and can be found at Khols, Macy’s and JC Pennys this Fall. This line is intended to help women feel modern and comfortable, but sexy at the same time. Jlo clothing at Kohls.

The JESSICA SIMPSON COLLECTION, which produces shoes, handbags, coats and clothing took in a whopping $750 million in retail sales last year alone. Her line is expected to reach 1 Billion this year. Considering her career has been a little sleepy the last couple years, we’re confident this will keep her out of the poor house. Jessica Simpson Collections can be found at Nordstrom.  Jessica Simpson Collection 

Victoria Beckham’s Dress Collection can be found at Target. Her high end denim collection, formerly known as dVb denim, has been relaunched under the VICTORIA BECHAM label. Victoria’s denim line was released Spring of 2010 and consists of cigarette styles and skinny jeans with glam hardware like studs and zippers in washes ranging from ice blue to stone gray. Styles retail between $295 for a pair of denim-like leggings to $485 for a pair of slim studded-leg jeans. These styles are very hot and may inspire the rest of us to bargain hunt for similar styles for less.
http://www.victoriabeckham.com/

Queen Latifa says ‘Fashion your world and live in your style”. Her QUEEN COLLECTION is sold online at HSN and in Target stores. Find ‘easy wear for real women’ catering to all body types.
http://www.hsn.com/queen-collection/queen-collection.com

This seems to be a popular trend. Maybe your favorite celebrity will be launching their fashion collection at a store near you.

There are plant cells that have become the main focus for an exciting new wave of regenerative medicine (repairing damaged or diseased tissues and organs using advanced techniques like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering). A very rare apple in Switzerland ( the Uttwiler Spatlauber is an endangered apple variety that was well-known for its excellent storability and thus its longevity potential) has been identified and isolated and scientists have obtained an extract from the leaf of one of these trees to produce a special anti-aging stem cell extract. These apples contain highly active stem cells.

So we now have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of this amazing technology that has changed how many skin creams are turning back the clock for our skin and our appearance. Although there are many products that now use apple stem cells, my favorite is IMAGE SKINCARE – The Ageless MAX serum, MAX Cream and MAX Eye Cream. Follow the link below for all the info: Stem Cell Research and Information

This is what TRUE beauty is all about Ladies! What a beautiful message to women everywhere.
www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3261/Body-Image-Parable-Goes-Viral-Mermaid-or-Whale/

Think about it. How often have you been told you look tired or stressed? It’s not just facial expressions and body language that the people around you are reading. Stress can impact how your skin functions.

Stress hormones can cause flare-ups in existing skin conditions. Whether you have to deal with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, or occasional cold sores, these conditions tend to get worse during times of stress or anxiety.

Stress can keep your skin from protecting you as it should. Have you ever noticed that cuts and scrapes take longer to heal when you’re stressed, or that your skin allergies flare up more than usual?
Stress can make you look older. If your skin isn’t able to rejuvenate at a normal rate during times of stress, those dark circles, wrinkles, and frown lines are going to start to show much sooner.
It’s not just your skin either. Check out these articles to see how stress can affect your hair and nails, too.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071109194053.htm

http://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/stress-and-skin

So what can you do?

Knowing that how stress is affecting you is the first step. Managing how you deal with it is the next.

Pray, meditate, relax. Do what works for you to have a period of quiet and calm during your day. Taking the time to sit quietly, breathe deeply will help you reclaim the right frame of mind to deal with the stress.

Take a walk. Our bodies weren’t designed to sit in an office chair, tying our back muscles in knots all day. Just getting up to walk down the hall every once in a while can make a difference. If you can get yourself out into the fresh air and sunshine, that’s even better.

Watch what you’re eating. When we get stressed, we reach for the comfort food. In times of stress our bodies are already depleted. Avoiding the junk food and taking on the nutrients needed to rebuild and heal will go a long way toward making you feel strong and energetic enough to handle stress.
Treat yourself. Do something special just for you. Maybe it’s an afternoon shopping, a morning at the beach or park, or a little pamper time at the spa. The point is that you need to take some time to take care of yourself.

October 11, 2011 – Posted by Image International | Healthy Living | acne, allergies, cell turnover, cold sores, Image Skincare, psoriasis, rosacea, Stress

http://imageinternational.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/reducing-stress/