Fashion Favorites: Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013

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A few of my favorite fashions from Paris Fashion Week Fall 2013 Ready-To-Wear:

Valentino, Chloé, Isabel Marant, Dior, Céline

Amateur’s View: T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer

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You have seen your hair stylist use it, you have seen it in magazines and backstage at fashion shows. The T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer is a professional-grade appliance built for speed and heat. But is it worth the purchase?

When shopping for a hair dryer, do you ever wonder what these words mean: ions, ionic, ceramic, infrared heat, tourmaline?

An ionic hair dryer gives off what is referred to as negative ions. (traditional hair dryers emit positive ions) Negative ions are substantially better at breaking down the moisture in the hair and making hair smoother by closing the hair’s cuticle-layer and sealing in the hair’s moisture. This is the reason they dry hair more quickly and efficiently than traditional dryers.

Different brands have different ways to create this ionic charge. Some dryers have an ionic spray coating inside of the dryer’s barrel, and others use ion generators. The T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer relies on the highest quality, tourmaline, a gem that occurs in nature, to generate the negative ionic charge and emit infrared heat. When tourmaline crystals are warmed they become positively charged at one end and negatively charged at the other.

The Amateur’s Opinion: The T3 Featherweight Professional Hair Dryer is exactly that – professional. Yes, it drys your hair in seconds with super-natural speed and noticeably creates less frizz. At 13oz it is comfortably light and ergonomically efficient. If I were a professional, blow-drying a number of clients a-day, this is the necessary tool. As I am not, the main caveat is the inability to use this hair dryer and all of it’s capability. I cannot use on the highest heat setting, for fear of igniting flames and am scared to place on a section of hair for too long because it would be nice to keep my hair. In my novice opinion, it is an expensive hair dryer that I will leave for the talented professionals.

Ridge Filler Benefits: Deborah Lippmann

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Deborah Lippmann Ridge Filler

Once your nails form ridges, you will unfortunately have them forever. They are caused by genetics, trauma and aging. Using a ridge filler as a base coat can help repair and make them less noticeable.

When applying a ridge filler, the silica and silk fibers fill-in ridges to create a smooth foundation for nail polish to hold on to. It creates long-lasting manicures and forms an amazing base.

When wearing dark-colored nail polish, it is a difficult task not to stain the cuticles. When applying a ridge filler, it forms a pocket for the nail polish to adhere to. This “cupping” ensures perfect application that won’t stain the cuticles.

Most ridge fillers, like the Deborah Lippmann, are an opaque, off-white matte color. When using this prior to applying any nail polish, the color will be true and more vibrant. In the past, I have used a white base coat for this reason, I have now found that using a ridge filler provides more natural benefits.

Lastly, this ridge filler by Deborah Lippmann looks great on it’s own. Deborah Lippmann, manicurist to the stars, has used this ridge filler in many fashion shows and events. It provides a modern-matte natural nail look.