Perfect Polish: Watermelon by Essie

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I just bought my fourth bottle of Watermelon by Essie. Never in my life have I finished a bottle of nail polish – now four! Watermelon is the polish I always come back to, year after year. Best for warmer weather, Watermelon is cheerful, youthful and flattering on the skin. It can appear many different colors – bright pink, red and almost neon, depending on the light.

Watermelon applies opaque in one coat. I always use two coats for both manicure and pedicure. I find Essie nail polishes super easy to apply. The thin brush promotes control and ease.

If you are looking for a great spring/summer shade that is refreshing and juicy, try Watermelon by Essie.

How To: Curly Hair

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I am one of those girls with naturally curly hair that constantly styles it straight. Even if I want the look of curly hair – I will use styling tools before committing to my curly birthright. Embracing your natural hair type will not only save time, but save the health of your hair as well.

My curls are not beautiful shiny, spiral tendrils – more like kinky/frizzy non-uniform curls that are impossible to control. Recently, I have decided to embrace my natural curls and experiment with products and techniques to make the impossible… possible. After many ditch efforts I finally found a regimen that transforms even the frizziest frock into luscious locks.

HOW TO:

‣‣‣ Apply mousse to towel dried hair, concentrating on the roots. This will add volume and definition. Favorite: Kenra Glaze Mousse 13

‣‣‣ Next add a styling cream. Favorite: Kenra Curl Defining Cream 5. This will separate and define curls – leaving them shiny and frizz-free.

‣‣‣ A simple hairdryer is not compatible with curly hair because its nozzle directs too much air at each curl, deflating it’s volume and shape. A diffuser attachment provides a steady source of heat without the pressure of a standard nozzle. Each curl will remain formed and maintain its natural body. Favorite: Elchim Cocoon Bi-Diffuser

‣‣‣ While diffusing hair, scrunch and twist random sections around finger to “assist” the shape.

‣‣‣ Add a bit of styling cream to dry curls for additional definition and shine.

‣‣‣ Next day curls can drop and/or vanish – try using a curl spray to “activate” curls back to life. Favorite: Kenra Curl Spray 8

TIPS:

• Curly hair has strong disulphide bonds because of the natural structure of the hair proteins, with which a person with curly hair is born. All hair, however, curly or not, has hydrogen bonds, which are not strong enough alone to draw the hair into a curl. But once you “break” them by wetting your hair, you can “train” them to act like disulphide bonds with heat, at least temporarily.

• Curly hair should never be brushed. On wet hair a brush may tear or stretch fragile strands and on dry hair it will separate and diffuse the curls, thus creating frizz.

• Avoid over-handling curly hair. If you touch curls as they dry you will disturb their natural pattern and create unwanted volume and frizz.

Power of Pink: Kenra Volume Spray 25

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The hairspray choice among professionals, Kenra Volume Spray 25 has been awarded the prestigious Stylist Choice Award for Favorite Hairspray – 8 TIMES. The Stylist Choice Awards are among the most prestigious and influential awards in the salon industry. Each year, Kenra sells over four million bottles of Volume Spray 25 throughout the United States and Canada.

Kenra Volume Spray 25 is a the perfect styling tool. This do-it-all spray has build-able hold providing maximum hold for updos and/or soft hold for loose waves. Style will stay-put all day, even in wet, humid conditions. It never feels sticky or crispy and will not leave any residue on the hair. Additionally, it leaves hair with an element of shine and luster and smells clean and fresh.

Power of Pink:

Supporting breast cancer awareness and other philanthropic causes is fundamental to Kenra’s philosophy of creating inner and outer beauty – a belief that begins with helping others. To make this message resonate, every October Kenra offers limited edition pink packaging for it’s best-selling Kenra Volume Spray 25. Sales support breast cancer research, early detection, support services and more.

Help Kenra support great-looking hair and breast cancer awareness with the purchase of Kenra Volume Spray 25.

Flat Frenzy: J.Crew Ballet Boutique

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J.Crew Spring/Summer 2012 launched an exquisite ballet collection “The Ballet Boutique.” The collection is filled with suede, leather and raffia designs, available in a variety of colors, textures and adorable embellishments.

The Cece design is handmade in Italy and constructed for comfort and style. Dubbed as their official “commuting shoe,” these flats have added padding, an elastic top, a shock-absorbing rubber sole and an interior wedge design for additional comfort and control. Fabric swatches, Pantone cards, art books even candy was used as inspiration to create one-of-a-kind colors.

Embrace this hot season trend without sacrificing comfort. With multiple styles and colors, and a price range of $58-$250, everyone is able to join the flat frenzy.

Fine Line: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

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Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

Gel-based eyeliners provide the look of liquid-liner but apply with the ease and control of a gel formula.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliners are my pick in this category. They are extremely pliable, long-wearing, water-resistant and are available in an array of 14 beautiful colors.

This award-winning liner feels light and silky on the skin. The texture is smooth, slippery and glides on the eyelid gracefully. This liner lasts all day, no flaking and stays put.

Like most gel-liners, packaging comes in a pot-form. This product does not dry-out as fast as others and will last a very long time because only the tiniest amount is needed. Use with any brush that you are most comfortable with. I prefer Chanel’s Pinceau 13 ultra fine eyeliner brush, it provides ultimate control and accuracy.

This product is truly in a league-of-its-own and once you have tried this eyeliner, it will seem very hard to use anything else.