Did You Know You Could?: Dye Your Brows

So I want to start a new series called, "did you know you could", all about things, get this, that you can do but people didn't know. Mainly because I learn new things everyday about the beauty industry that I didn't know we could do. Like sleep in some conditioners. Hey, who would have thought?

And since I'm all about sharing my insider knowledge, I'm happy to share these small tidbits of info as well.

So...did you know you could dye your eyebrows?

I've known this for a while, but I still talk to at least one person a week that didn't know you could. Or they imagine some awful black dye job when they asked for light brown. But I assure you, both are not true!

You can in fact dye your eyebrows and not only that, they make special color just for them! I myself and partial to the auburn as I try to appear as ginger as possible.

Brow tints are quick services, lasting only a couple of minutes. And most of the time it's around a $15-20 charge. You can't really beat that. Especially if you have blonde brows. Because then you just look like you don't have any. And well, that's not very fun.


Ask your salon about brow tints today!


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My Thoughts on Beauty

Last week, I was playing on the internet, a common occurrence if you must know, and I found this article.  The article is about Kristen Stewart, who up until yesterday I wasn't a big fan of. When asked why, I never really had an answer. I would say things like, "she's just so awkward," "was it really necessary for her to say those things about paparazzi?" But then I read the things that the lovely Kate Spencer had to say about her in that article, and I thought, wow, could I have been more of a jerk?

All of the things that I held against Kristen were things that I value in myself and in my friends. Individuality. Speaking your mind. And it got me thinking about beauty and how it has changed. 

I look at these models in magazines or online and I instantly find I'm comparing myself to them. It is an impossible task. I almost have to tell myself that they aren't real women. They are plucked and tweaked and pulled in so many directions that the person is hardly recognizable beneath. Just watch this Dove Real Beauty video.  

But you know what? It's hard. It's hard to tell myself that it's okay to have a pimple or to have gained that extra 4 pounds during Christmastime (I mean come on, who can resist all those cookies?). But I almost don't even care about that anymore, what I'm more worried about is my future children...or my friends children. How can I expect my daughter to believe me when I tell her she's beautiful when everything around her tells her she isn't? 

The only thing I can do is hope. But I think we're on the right track. Magazines have been coming out saying that they won't do excessive photoshopping, or that they won't use models who are too thin. It's a step in the right direction and I couldn't be more pleased. Then there are role models in Hollywood who are more real than starlets have been in the past. Not only Kristen Stewart, but people like Jennifer Lawrence (I think I've heard her talk about peeing in every interview she's had) or Emma Stone. 

I actually think Emma summed up what I hope everyone one day sees. She said, "But that you’ll continue to harness your own originality and what makes you unique 'cause I know that when you’re a teenager — sometimes when you’re an adult — what sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great. "

Emma. You're awesome. 

And so are you guys. So make sure you embrace it. 

**All views and opinions are that of the author's**

How To Tuesday: Topsy Turvy Ponytail

We're going back to the basics today. This is probably the easiest tutorial I have posted, but that's okay, because sometimes it's the easy stuff that gets overlooked and never explained. So here you are, the ponytail of choice for young girls, the topsy turvy.

Friday Link Love 6/22/2012

• InStyle helps us solve the 20 most annoying beauty problems. 
• Take note of these ways to help prevent hair damage. All great tips!
• I love infographics. Look at this one of the top 10 exercise myths. 
• Beauty products have been around for awhile, but they haven't always been great for you. In fact, some of them could be pretty bad. 
• These photos made me cry. Almost every single one of them. "You will suffer, but you're going to be happy about it."
• Will one of you try these amazing summer manicures? Seriously, who has that much talent?
• Armpit stains are the worst, but apparently they don't have to stay! yay!
• Thank God most of the fashion trends have been buried. R29 shows us trends that went viral, buts shouldn't have. 
• Cut your nail drying time down to 3 minutes! 
• If "Sex and the City" was on TV today, how it would be different. 
• Lauren "Flawless" Conrad shares her summer beauty secrets. 
• On you're lazy days, try one of these no-fuss hairstyles.
• And on a more exciting note: 98 Degrees in reuniting!  No everyone pray to the boy band gods for N'SYNC. 

I'll be out of town next week, so I need you guys to keep an eye on the internet and email me any links worthy of Link Love!  

Soft, Kissable Lips

No one looks at dry, cracked lips and thinks, "those I want to kiss." Kissable lips are soft and moisturized and puckered. And come on, that's what we all want...just in case we ever happen to run into Chris Hemsworth on the street, we'll be prepared.

These lips say, "I know you can't take your eyes off me. Just go ahead and do it already."

Tips for your perfect pout:

1. exfoliate. every morning after brushing my teeth I brush my lips off as well. but you can try a scrub if you don't want to do that. 
2. moisturize. but be careful what you reach for. some lip balm (even the medicated kind) will just dry out your lips to keep you coming back. look for things like petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white wax, paraffin wax, and mineral oil and make sure you stay away from them.
3. color. a pair of colored lips always draws the eye. so pick your perfect shade, or have someone help you pick it, but whatever you do, make sure you have a go-to color!

What are your soft lip secrets?


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The Truth About Oily Skin

It sucks.

That is all.

Okay, okay. I'll tell you  more.

The oil on your face is caused by sebaceous (suh-bay-cious) glands. It's when those glands become over-active that you start to see too much oil. It's a natural healthy lubricant for your skin, but I know from experience that too much can be a bad thing.

Although, the plus side is that typically because your skin is constantly being lubricated, oily skin tends to wrinkle less. So that's a plus.

But sometimes it seems like the downside of clogged pores, blackheads, and build up don't really makeup for that. So here are a few tips to help in that time need.

• wash your face. I know it may seem silly to say, but oily skin gets oilier when it's not washed. I have to wash my twice a day or I'm a greaseball. 
• moisturize. It's not counter productive. Your oily skin could be because your skin isn't getting enough moisture, so your glands are producing the oil at a faster rate, thus making you oily. But make sure you use a oil-free moisturize.
• mattify. I use two types of mattifiers. One in a primer, and then one over my makeup. The oil on my skin makes my makeup come off faster than other people's, so I use a mattifier to soak it up and help my makeup stay all day.
• hands off! Don't touch your face. It just doesn't help. 
• drink water! Again with the hydrating. 

Do you have oily skin? What do you do to help combat it?

How To Tuesday: Jane Iredale's Summer Looks

Yesterday, I was able to meet with our Jane Iredale rep. We talked about general things, like the difference between their pressed and loose powder, but we also discussed their summer products. I hadn't tried the yet (except for the blue eye gloss). But she talked to us about the different ways she used the new Rose Dawn blush/bronzer.

She had been using it not only on her cheeks but also as an eyeshadow. Pretty cool. And then I found this tutorial video from Jane Iredale themselves on how to use their summer colors.

Check it out, and then tell me, did you think to be that creative?

Friday Link Love 6/15/2012

• I've talked a lot before about the importance of cleaning your brushes, but this lady tells your exactly how to do it. 
• Bad hair days happen to everyone. So just go ahead and bookmark this link. 7 No-Fail Hairstyles for a Bad Hair Day. 
• An amazing read- Why Kristen Stewart Matters. You'll see more on this submit next week. 
• You should be using your appliances for more than what they're made for! Check take the lead from Hair Romance and her 10 (other) uses for your blowdryer. 
• Speaking of blowdryers, here's a guide to blowdrying like a professional. 
• So, spray tans might cause cancer too? What doesn't these days?
• Refinery 29 shows you the simplest DIY ever. Try it out beginner DIYers and let me know just how easy it really is. 
• It's wedding season! Which means tears of joy. Make sure you've got your waterproof makeup covered. 
• This has to be the best thing on the internet right now. Abercrombie models lip-sync to "Call Me Maybe." And yes, I watched the entire video wishing I could have been a part of the production. 
• Fancy mohawk! Yes!
• Tips on stain removal. So giving it to mom isn't how you solve all your stain problems? 

That's all folks!

3 Ways to Feel More Confident Instantly

You know what I love? Confidence. I find that it can be so lacking in so many people who should be welding the whip themselves. But I get it. Sometimes it's hard, and there's a fine line between confidence and vanity. But here are a couple of tips to help get you there when you're feeling a little blue.

1. Red lipstick

What's sexier than a pair of red lips? Not much. When I throw on some red lipstick I always feel more confident. I don't know if it's because everyone's eyes are drawn to my lips or the fact that I could plant a kiss on someone's cheek and everyone would know that I had been there. Whatever it is. I say use it to your advantage. 

But be careful! If you start wearing it everyday, the power of the red lipstick will diminish. 

     

     2.  Sexy Lingerie 

Wearing sexy lingerie under your clothes is a major way to feel more confident. There's something about having a secret like that and make me hold my shoulders a little bit higher.

     3. Hair Color

my hairsiration: Karen Gillan

Keeping up with your color is one thing, but picking a hair color that you feel comfortable in is another. I have all different kinds of colors, but ever since I made my change to red I feel different. It's as if I was suppose to always be a redhead and now that I am it just all makes sense.

And of course because I am where I'm suppose to be, I automatically feel more confident. It's just a bonus side effect. 

What are your tricks to feeling more confident? Tell me in the comments below!

Travel Size Tips for Traveling

I just put up our travel size product section at the salon. You know what I love about travel sizes...

they're mini.

Typically, when I go on a vacation I can spend $50 or more in travel sizes. I stand there in front of the travel area: "Travel hairbrush! Must have. Travel Deodorant! Yes! Oh my gosh, there's a travel toothbrush too! "

Which, I'll have you know, is the exact same size as a regular toothbrush, but I buy it regardless. Because travel size things are so cool.


But you have to be careful. Here are my travel size tips for traveling:

• Double check your airline's carry-on liquid requirements. I believe most are less than 3.4 oz. Sometimes things look travel size, but they are deceiving you at 3.6 oz. 
• Just because something doesn't come in a travel size, don't worry! A lot of things do, so ask your stylist about a suitable alternative for the meanwhile. 
• I like to be sneaky with my travel sizes. Like, who wants to buy a travel size perfume? Not me. So I go to beauty stores and ask for those little sample containers for perfume and Bam! Travel size.
• Don't forget about your clear plastic baggy. Did you know that they make cute ones as well? Like these tili bags. I got one in my Birchbox. So cute!
• Organize with your friends. There's no need to bring 6 flatirons. It makes packing easier to share the load. 

What are your travel tips? Tell me in the comments below and I'll share on our Facebook!

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Friday Link Love 6/8/2012

Can I just admit that I wrote April in the date in the title? Where has time gone?

• There are an endless amount of messy waves tutorials online. But you know what? I love every single one. This one from Nasty Gal is no different. 
• I saw a convertible dresses online that you can wear like 7 different ways. And then I found a tutorial for to make it! 
• Flappers were so cool. Check out these photos of famous flappers. Just so you know, my excitement over The Great Gatsby is only intensified because of this. 
• The DIYers on the interest are so talented. Look at these amazing projects done with Sharpies. 
• Remember "the everything I need to know I learned from Mean Girls" article a couple weeks back? Well Hello Giggles did another one called, "Everything I need to know I learned from the women of Disney." I think I agree with this one more. 
• The Beauty Department shows us how to make our own lip stain! I'm super interested to try this one against a store bought version. 
• A smile is your best accessory. And did you know that there are actually 16 different ways to do it? 
• Neil Gaiman's commencement speech is chalk full of inspiring advice. 
• The summer's biggest hair and beauty trends brought to you by Refinery 29. 
• Also from R29, how fashion gets ripped off. It's not quite how you think. 

Did I miss anything worthy of Link Love this week? Tell me in the comments below! 

June Spotlight Stylist: Amanda Hejl

Amanda Hejl is one of the new comers at On Stage Magnolia, but don’t let that fool you. Her resume is packed full with certifications and experience. After having received her cosmetology license eight years ago, Amanda went on a beauty industry binge. She took classes and received certifications, including her esthetician’s license, extreme lashes, injectables, and oxygen infused facials. These days, Amanda has left the world of skin behind and is solely practicing hair.

Her return to the hair industry has made her eager to learn and strengthened her ability to overcome obstacles. She draws her strength from the heroines in the novels she reads, insisting that even though the trials they are put through aren’t something that would happen to her, they keep her strong and able to withstand anything that is thrown at her.

So basically, she's really cool.

Amanda and her mother

You've had your license for eight years, but how long have you been at On Stage?
I started at On Stage in October of last year, but I'm just now getting on the floor. In fact, next week is my first week to be able to take clients for real.


What kind of training did you go through?
I pretty much relearned everything I was taught in school. On Stage is known for it's precision cuts and colors, that's because they teach it to you for perfection. 


What certifications do you hold?
Oh boy, how long do you have? I've been to both hair and esthetician school. I'm also certified for a lot of skin procedures, like intracueticals, injectables, the librotron machine. 


What are your specialties?
Color for sure. I love that we aren't stuck with what we have naturally. There aren't many people who are happy with their natural hair color, and if that's you, I envy you. But hair color is such an easy thing to change, and it can make a person feel so much more beautiful and confident. 


What is your perfect hair color?
I've tried a lot of colors, and my favorite is beige blonde. It's a fine line to tread between gold and beige, but I like to live on the edge. 


So you're adventurous?
Haha, no, not really. That doesn't mean I'm not down for an adventure every once in awhile, but I love to curl up with a good book. And besides, Peter Pan said, "To live would be an awfully big adventure."

Do you have a personal mission statement?

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.

You've really embraced that in the salon.

Yeah, it was rough going for a little while. Relearning things you already know can be hard, but I'm ready now, and I guess you could say I've got my tap shoes on and that water is splashing.

Live in the Magnolia area and want to make an appointment with Amanda? Call (281)259-1222.

BB Creams: What are They?

There's been a lot of talk on the market about a new product simply called BB Cream. What does the BB stand for you ask? Well...

BB originally stood for blemish balm, but has since become to be known as beauty balm. The product has been around for a while, dating back to the 1950s where it was designed by a German dermatologist for post-laser treatments. But the skincare-meets-makeup product rose to fame in Asia, where it was named "the secret of Korean actresses." BB cream then, of course, made its way over to the Western world.

The product comes in a variety of formulas, but the basic gist is that it is an all-in-one stop. I hate layering cream after cream on my face in the morning, mainly because as soon as I step outside it's just going to melt off, or at least it feels that way. So now, I throw that BB on and I'm good. I'm not having to do four different steps. Sunscreen, moisturize, anti-aging, foundation. It's pretty fantastic.

There are a couple of different companies that offer BB cream, from Dr. Jart (the one that I use) to Dior. But I'm super excited to say that jane iredale is coming out with one this summer. As the leader in skincare makeup, I'm excited to see how awesome their product will be. Because let's face it? It's going to be awesome.

Do you use BB cream? Which one? Tell me in the comments below!


photo, info: wikipedia

How To Tuesday: Girl's Night Out

 I'm obsessed with Pinterest. There I said it. Admitting is the first step. But I just love all of those fantastic eye makeup looks that I see. I got a little green-eyed and wanted to do one myself.

I'd say it turned out pretty amazing (way to go Amanda!). And it's perfect for GNO.

So before I start the step-by-step...all the products used are jane iredale.

Step 1: apply primer

we applied the canvas primer to the entire lid.

Step 2: crease

we used wink and roses. apply to the crease, blending as your go.

Step 3: brow bone

first we used wink, then covered it with the 24k gold, glimmer gold. apply over brow bone, blending down

Step 4: lower lid

we put dreamy pink all over the lower lid

Step 5: outer corner

we picked up wine and roses again and applied to the outer corner. then we went back and darkened up the crease to match. blending as we went of course.

Step 6: eyeliner

using both the mystikol dark topaz and the basic brown liner, line your eye, top and bottom

Step 7: mascara and brows

black mascara and brow color to match your own!

ta da!

now go have fun!

Friday Link Love 6/01/2012

• I'm so mesmerized by Bear Grylls in his new Degree Men, Masters of Movement advertisement. 
• A woman is suing Olay for false advertisement on their anti-aging products. Do you agree with her?
• The Beauty Department's tutorial on how to use a wand to get beachy, loose waves is a good one!
• This page has a lot of tips for everyday hair wear! 
• I found this article of beards, or the lack thereof, to be hilarious and enlightening!
• You summer fashion must haves, for any budget!
• 40 of the most powerful photographs ever taken. Be warned, you'll probably cry. I did. #6 and #36.
• The best and worst dressed cities in America. Guess which list the Texas cities are on?
• Get excited! The book sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is slated to come out 2013! Anyone else only excited for the possible movie adaptation? 

What did you see online this week?