How-To: Artfully Undone Hair

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Effortless – artfully undone hair. As seen on models day-off, runway and editorial – artfully undone hair may look effortless, but actually takes a bit of work.

To get that – “just rolled out of bed look” – texture is key. Frizz and flyaways are welcomed (for a change). Use products that will matte the hair for dry texture.

To get artfully undone hair – follow these simple steps:

1. Apply Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam to damp hair and roughly blow-dry with fingers, scrunching hair as you dry.

2. Twist hair up into a bun to set it and mist with Powder Refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo for texture.

3. Take hair out of the bun, spray more Powder Refresh 01 for added texture and a matte finish.

 

Salubrious Subscription: KLUTCHclub

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With so many subscription boxes out there to choose from, how do you decipher the best? From beauty, fashion and food to boxes specifically made for moms, men even dogs, it is hard not to form a “subscription box addiction”.

KLUTCHclub is a new monthly subscription service (launched April 2012) that sends a curated box of health, fitness and wellness products right to your doorstep. You will learn about new, niche brands and products that suit your lifestyle and also get access to exclusive deals and offers from companies that share your values. Perfect for woman-on-the-go who need help with healthy eating options and staying in shape in this busy, demanding world.

Confused by all the options out there (hemp? chia? omegas?), not knowing which brands to trust – and unwilling to invest hundreds of dollars on products that she could not distinguish from the latest gimmicks vs. something that is truly hollistically healthy – founder of KLUTCHclub, Julie Bashkin, wanted an expert to just curate a collection of healthy products and then magically deliver them to her door. Because the idealized option did not exist, she created KLUTCHclub.

“I founded KLUTCHclub to find a solution to my own struggles with maintaining a healthy lifestyle while working demanding 75 hour-weeks and managing a heavy travel schedule” says KLUTCHclub founder and former McKinsey and Company Engagement Manager, Julie Bashkin. “I was on a perpetual quest to find products that would make eating nutritious food and exercising on-the-go more convenient.”

KLUTCHclub subscription service is a great way to sample new product, try new foods, wellness items and activities that you might never purchase yourself. One of the first subscription companies to give you pricing options – KLUTCHclub is extremely affordable at – $16 per month, if you sign up for a year subscription, $17 per month for a 3 month subscription and $18 per month for 1 month subscription.

KLUTCHclub currently has a monthly subscription box for KLUTCHwomen and KLUTCHmen. In the future the company plans on adding KLUTCHmom, celebrity curated boxes and boxes that donate to charities. KLUTCHclub is a wonderful option for those of us that want to improve our health without doing the research. Let KLUTCHclub do the work for you.

Tropical Inspiration: Aqua Eyes

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Bold, turquoise green eye makeup is a perfect summer look. Tropical inspiration from ocean blues and palm frawn greens will make any eye color pop. This color family come in all sorts of textures and consistencies, choose from metallic, shimmering or pastel shades.

Aqua eyes is great look for both day or night. Start with a vibrant turquoise or shimmering green powder or cream eyeshadow and apply all over the lid. Build for more color or leave for a sheer wash. If you don’t want color on the entire lid, try a simple liner. Draw a thin or thick line on the upper or lower eyelid. For true vibrancy, first line the eye with a white pencil and go over with your favorite kohl, liquid or gel liner. This will bring the color to life.

Brighter colors tend to have more pigment and last longer on the skin – so less is more. It’s easier to build color if more is needed,  but harder to remove color if you put too much on.

Here are a few of my favorite tropical-inspired products.

Dior ~ Croisette Edition: $60.00

NARS ~ Shimmer Eyeshadow in Tropic: $24.00

Make Up For Ever ~ Aqua Eyes in 7L – Turquoise: $18.00

Urban Decay ~ 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Siren: $19.00

YSL ~ Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof in Majorelle Blue: $30.00

MAC ~ Fluidline in Waveline: $15.00

Maybelline ~ Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Shadow in Tenacious Teal & Edgy Emerald: $6.99 (each)

Smashbox ~ Limitless 15 Hour Wear Cream Shadow: $19.00

Tried & Tested: The Battle of the Cleansing Conditioners

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A cleansing conditioner is a new approach to the way you clean your hair. These products cleanse and hydrate the hair in just one-step. Different from past “two-in-one” products, these cleansing conditioners do not contain any harsh detergents, chemicals, surfactants and/or sulfates that strip hair of it’s natural oils.

The three products up for review are: WEN Pomagranate Cleansing Conditioner, Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo and L’Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner. Each product claim the same purpose – a healthy alternative to cleansing hair – but perform differently using varied ingredients.

WEN Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner

Company Description: WEN uses a combination of natural extracts and botanicals to hydrate and cleanse the hair without the use of detergents and chemicals. The perfect mixture and blend of it’s ingredients leave hair healthy, moisturized and cleansed. WEN Cleansing Conditioners replace shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler and leave-in conditioner giving you five products in one bottle.

Suggested Use: Rinse hair thoroughly. Apply product in 4 sections, crown, nape, ends on left side and ends on right side. For short hair 24 pumps is suggested, for longer thicker hair 48 pumps. Add a splash of water and massage into scalp. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product and leave in for 3-5 minutes. Rinse. Product can then be used again as a detangler or leave-in treatment.

Review: WEN Pomegranate Cleansing Conditioner is truly a unique product. My first attempt trying the product was mediocre, due to the fact that I ignored the company’s directions and thought “I could not possibly need that amount of product.” After a bit of experimenting and following directions, WEN left my hair clean, extremely hydrated, bouncy and shiny. (Do I sound like the infomercial?… sorry.) When trying this product for the first time, the satisfaction level is a bit frustrating. With no lather or bubbles (it barely foams), it is hard to get used to, until you see the results.

Shu Uemura Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo

Company Description: Delicate formula that transforms quickly into a rich thick foam that effectively draws out the impurities and build-up on the scalp without stripping the natural oils. Leaves hair naturally radiant, soft, and in a balanced state – volumized and moisturized. Paraben and silicone free.

Suggested Use: Formuated for daily use. massage through wet hair and rinse.

Review: Shu Uemura Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo should be in a category of it’s own. Just like the company’s best selling oil-based facial cleanser, their philosophy is “oil removes oil.” Which is exactly what this product does. Formulated from deep-sea volcanic extracts, this revolutionary oil-to-foam cleanser gently washes away built-up impurities and leaves hair lightweight, lustrous and magically free from unwanted grease.  After application, I do use a separate conditioner but it is not necessary.

L’Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner

Company Description: This one-step wonder product is an ultra-gentle, yet powerful combination of 1/4 cleanser + 3/4 moisture. Its Low-Poo, or Low-Lather, cleansing reduces friction on the hair fiber to help minimize breakage. This innovative, ultra-concentrated triple action conditioning formula, with Omega-3 and 6, leaves hair super soft and nourished without weigh-down.

Suggested Use: Apply to wet hair and massage into a low later. Leave in 1-2 minutes. Rinse. No separate conditioner needed.

Review: L’Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner is the drugstore equivalent to WEN Haircare. The newest product of the three, this product produces much of the same results with varied ingredients. L’Oreal Cleansing Conditioner has a surfactant in it, a type of detergent. Although very mild, this product is really no different than any other “sulfate-free” shampoo – other than having added moisturizing properties. It does cleanse the hair and leave it soft and manageable and would be a great product to have in your gym bag for a quick shower.

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Conclusion: I have a hard time using one product for a long period of time, therefore, cannot review their long-term effect. But, this is what I have concluded: Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo might be the best shampoo I have ever used. Feels gentle and nourishing at the same time. WEN is truly a unique product and wins for best all-in-one product. L’Oreal EverCreme Cleansing Conditioner is a good drugstore option, but is not that much different than the line’s sulfate-free products.

Glow-T Gift Guide: Lips

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Glow-T’s Gift Guide continues with lips. Give the gift of kissable lips just in time for mistletoe. These holiday sets will moisturize, repair and color lips with a fantastic compilation of products. From a beautiful anniversary palette to a collection of must-have’s, here are a few ideas for the lipstick lover in your life.

TIP: Stretch these holiday sets by divvying them up. Use the lip products as gift-toppers to add something extra. Or make each one into tiny ornaments by adding a simple bow and hand out to friends and family.

Nordstrom ~ Bobbi Brown ’20th Anniversary’ Lip Palette: $60.00

Sephora ~ Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio: $28.00

Macys ~ Bliss Fabulips Collection: $45.00

Sephora ~ Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip: $25.00

Sara Happ ~ The Gift Set by Sara Happ: $40.00