Friday Link Love 9/28/2012

• Dark circles are the worst. Have any of you tried this DIY recipe to get rid of them?
• Can you make it through this post without wanting to be in fifth grade again? I made it all the way to 1:00 before I was wanted to go back. 
• Also from Buzzfeed: 48 things that will make you feel old. 
• I was going through all the fantastic tutorials at Birchbox and found this one and this one. Perfection.
• You Beauty tells us if some food can actually cause acne. 
• Just because.
• Turn booties into strappy heels? Sounds fun to me!
• Filed under time waster: Drench.
• This photoset is so full of awesome/awkward hair accessories.  
• Your brain is sneaky, tricking you into sticking with your bad habits. 
• 5 makeup mistakes you might be making. 

What did you see online this week?

It's Okay If You...

• pretend you don't have enough time to make breakfast at home, just so you can stop and get it on the way
• don't wash your hair after you workout
• take all your nail polish off after you just did them because you decide you don't like the color
• want to buy the new iphone even though you don't have an upgrade
• to go to Taco Bell just for the Doritos Loco Taco
• still not understand how to make those curls, even after the tutorial
• have one eye makeup look, and totally rock it everyday 
• "just splurge and get a whole new look!"--submitted by Stephanie Murphy Thompson
• actually like exercising
• keep trying a food that you know you don't like in the hopes that one day you'll like it
• change your clothes several times trying to find the perfect outfit, then go back to the first thing you put on

What are your "it's okay if you.." things? Tell me in the comments below! 

How To Tuesday: Chevron Accent Nail

This post comes with a small disclaimer:

This is Cassidy's first time doing nail art. Do not judge her.

Whew, I'm glad we got that out of the way. Guys...it took me an hour and a half to paint my nails for this tutorial. You know when the last time it took me that long to paint my nails was? Never. Because there's no way I would ever paint my nails if it took that long. 

But luckily for you guys, I worked out all the kinks in this tutorial, so hopefully it won't take you that long.

For polish, I used one metallic (Color Club's Put a Pin In It)  and one regular finish (Ulta's...some pink color that I couldn't find the name of). 

Step 1: bottom coat

Two things: 1. I'm only doing an accent nail on my ring fingers, but you can do all your nails if you feel over-achieving. 2. I put the metallic first, but I think when I do it again, I'll put the regular first.

Let it dry. all the way.

Step 2: shapes & paint

The reason it took me so long was that I couldn't get the tape right. It wouldn't cut and then it wouldn't peel off. My mom suggested painter's tape and this worked like a charm.

So basically, you get your craft scissors that make cool shaped lines. Cut some tape and place it where you want.

Then you want to paint over it using your other color. Pull off while still wet.

Step 3: top coat

a top coat is important since you've got two different polishes on. 

Paint the rest of your nails, and ta-da!

Friday Link Love 9/21/2012

• The work done to restore these black and white photos to color is absolutely amazing. 
• I always get so confused with the TV seasons start up again, but here's a handy guide from R29.
• Tips from a J.Crew stylist. I was already rolling my sleeves like this, so yay me!
• 23 tips to instantly make your day better. In case it being Friday isn't enough...believe me, I almost shot smoothie out of my nose on #12.
• I love this map nail art. No tutorial, but I imagine it's something like the newspaper nail art. 
• Just because I'm LOTR obsessed. 7 movies that put insane detail into stuff you never even noticed, from Cracked. 
• The Beauty Department always has fantastic stuff, like this way to take your pump up your regular pencil eye liner. 
• Also from TBD, a roundup of the eye shadow looks from NYFW.  Which is your favorite?
• More NYFW...this time nail art inspired by the runway looks. 
• Love this heart braid! Would be great for date night!
• And lastly, what does your nail polish say about you?

What did you see online this week? Tell me in the comments below!

Make Your Appointment Run Smoother

I get a lot of questions from first time clients on what they need to do for their appointment. I started thinking that it would be a good thing to talk about on here, since sometimes we all need a little refresher on things.


Arrive early. Your appointment starts at the time that we give you. Which means that, ideally, we'd like to have you in the chair starting at that time. Try to arrive 10-15 minutes early. That way you can get checked it, have something to drink, relax a bit.

Call ahead if you're worried the stylist might be running behind. Things happen. Services take long than expected. So if you need to be out at a certain time and are worried about making it, just call ahead and see if the stylist is on time. The front desk can help you make a decision on what to do. Then tell your stylist again when you get into the chair. "Hey Betty, I've got to be back at work at 2. What can we do to make that happen?"

Bring inspiration with you. I work with my stylist everyday. We talk about what I want to do with my hair the week leading up to my appointment, but I still bring photos on the day of my appointment, and we go over it again. For the most part, hair stylists are very visual, so pictures always help.


What are your tips to making your appointment run more smoothly? Tell me in the comments below!

How To Tuesday Wednesday: Headband Curls

So I got a bit ambitious yesterday. You see...I thought it was already Wednesday. You can imagine my disappointment when I make it through the whole day, write my planned Wednesday blog post, go workout, and then make it home and see that Parenthood is on. Wait isn't that a Tuesday night show? Oh. OH. And then I was three days away from Friday yet again.

What I had planned on doing yesterday was to tell you about headband curls. They are amazing. And the best part: no heat required.

Step 1:

You want to start with slightly damp hair. Put your headband around your head as pictured above.

Step 2:

Start twisting and tucking your hair around the headband. Work all the way around one side, then start again on the other side.

It should look like this...

Step 3:

Sleep.

Step 4:

When you wake up, just gently pull out the headband. 

And you'll have this...

va-va-voom!

CrossFit Challenge: The Results

From Cassidy:

The two months of our challenge ended a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't gotten around to writing this post until today. Mainly because I was nervous to correctly put my experience in words. I almost feel like there are no words that capture it properly.

I had been so nervous to start this challenge. I hated to work out. I mean...hated it, and as a result I hated my body. So I started CrossFit, and I got angry when I stepped on the scale and didn't see any changes. But after a couple of weeks, I stopped getting on the scale, and just started looking at my body. It was definitely changing. I looked into the mirror and thought, oh hello arm muscles, hello calf muscles, hell-oh booty! My mother asked me the other day if I was going to stop now that the challenge was over, I said, "Have you seen me lately?" We both laughed. It is nice to have confidence again.

But more than just muscles, I have gained teammates...a support system....a family. I feel like that is why I love this sport so much. Not because I'm seeing results (which I am!) but because I know that the guys and girls at Uproar are there to help me. Bad days, good days. Whatever. It also doesn't suck that I have the coaching staff that I do. I don't hesitate to tell my friends that we have the best coaches in state..in the country.

Now, I get upset when I have to miss a workout. All I can think is, when can I go back? When can I see my Uproar family again? It's the best feeling.

From Marty:

I have been a hairstylist for over 20 years, in the Martial Arts for much longer than that, and doing different weight training programs for years. I am currently the owner of On Stage Magnolia and Arashi Dojo.

In the hair business we stand up all day with our hands in front of us. It is terrible for our backs shoulders and neck, Stefan's training has helped me with this in many ways. My lower back gave me problems where I couldn't do squats anymore. Now I squat more than I ever have! The mobility training has helped me with my shoulders also.

In Martial Arts we want to be strong flexable and not bulky. When I say strong, I don't mean big arms and little bird legs. I mean functional, balanced, usable strength. We also need endurance and I have it.

Stefan also knows the difference between just fit verses healthy and fit. To me that means your not only going to be strong have energy and look great, you will not have to visit the doctor as much, if at all.

I have gotten a wealth of knowledge from Stefan and his crew, thanks to all of them!

From Trish:

I have been working out with the guys from CrossFit Uproar for 8 weeks. I was skeptical about CrossFit at first because I have bulging discs in my neck and have been going to therapy. Stefan and his crew really are careful about technique so you don't get hurt.

My neck has been better since I started. I have strengthened my whole body, so that now I am stronger and have better posture. I have lost fat and replaced it with muscle. My waist is flatter and firmer, and my butt is higher.

Thanks CrossFit Uproar for helping me to accomplish things I didn't know my mind and body could do.

Are you ready to challenge the way you live? Come visit CrossFit Uproar or find a CrossFit gym near you!

Friday Link Love 9/14/2012

• The perfect smokey eye can be hard look to create, so check out these tips on creating the perfect one. 
• Finally someone tells us how to pronounce those foreign words in fashion! 
• A detox bath. Never hard of it, but I might try it out now!
• This Autumn makeup look is fantastic. And that girl is so darn cute...and British, so obviously I love her. 
• Late night out? Check out these tips of concealing your dark circles.
• Working in a hair salon, you tend to get stained nails (all that color on your hands!), so this cure for stained nails is perfect!
• Tightlining is new to me, but the finished look is fantastic
• Real dried flowers on your nails? Why yes, I think I will. 
• I don't really know what the point of this website is, but I can't stop myself from smiling when I read it. 
• Who better to take tips for looking good in every photo from than models? No one. 
• Around On Stage, we love to wear blush as eyeshadow. And The Beauty Department shows you how to do it beautifully. 
• Also from TBD, your best bottom lashes yet!

What did you see online this week?

September Spotlight Stylist: Haley Hardin

After taking a short hiatus from the spotlight stylist, we knew exactly who we wanted to start it back up with again: Haley Hardin.

A stylist, soon to be master stylist, at On Stage I in Beaumont, Haley knows what it means to have style. I mean...just take a look at her. 

Her potential to do great things is off the charts. Basically, you need to know more about her. That way, when you hear her name, you won't be as confused as your friends. 

Tell me about your personal life?

Well, I’ve been living “Old Town Beaumont” for about year now and I absolutely love it.  Since the scenery is so beautiful and historic I like to invite friends over for bike rides and dinner parties.  I also play drums in a band called Too Heavy Boxes. Music is a big part of my life.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Not being behind a desk all day.. haha Seriously though, I love cutting  hair. When someone comes in and tells me, “let’s cut it all off,” I get so excited! I never thought I would have a job that pays me to cut people’s ponytails off!

Have you won any awards?

No awards yet, but I’m still at the beginning stages of my career.  I do plan to enter contests in the near future. I have been featured in a local magazine called “VIP” about holiday looks and insight about my style as a hairstylist.

Taken any special classes?

Just the educational classes that On Stage has provided which includes: Cutting and styling classes with Anthony Cole from Sebastian, Color theory and techniques with Alexandra Matiz from Wella, and a few classes from Paul Mitchell.

Who inspires you?

Hair wise, I would say Alexandra Matiz, she’s confident in herself and her work. She’s done hair all over the world and knows color like the back of her hand. She’s pretty much a bad ass in my book.

What is your favorite makeup trend? And least favorite?

My favorite makeup trend would probably be the cat-eye eye liner, there’s always something so sexy and vintage about it. My least favorite would probably be tattooed makeup… it looks way too fake.

If we did only one thing for our hair, would should it be?

Trimming the ends! Yes you should also keep it moisturized but you can’t moisturize hair that’s already dead! Trimming off those dead ends will keep your hair healthy!

Do you have a message you'd like to tell your clients?

Be confident! Nobody else on this earth looks like you and you should be proud and appreciate what you have. FLAUNT IT!

Want to make an appointment with Haley? Call (409)866-0560.

How To Tuesday: Aveda's Dreamy Braids

We've had this video playing in our salon for the past week or so of 4 different looks that Aveda put together. Each one really highlights the trends, but my favorite one is the halo braided look.

 I did a similar style on the day I chopped my hair off. It was so cute I almost didn't go through with it, but alas! Here I am, with hair too short to braid. So I must live vicariously through you guys.

If you have hair long enough to do this, watch the tutorial, do it yourself, then send me a photo! You could win some cool stuff :)

Friday Link Love 9/7/2012

• If you don't already follow Hair Romance (you should!), check out her newest challenge: 30 braids in 30 days. That girl so creative! 
• When you're growing your hair out, it can feel like it's taking forever! If this is you, try out one of these ways to make your hair grow faster. 
• Need a hug? Visit the nicest place on the planet! 
• Want perfectly sculpted brows? Click here to learn how!
• Another guide to help you find your perfect lip color, because lets be honest...I still can't find it. 
• Correcting your posture could help you learn thinner!
• 65 tips on organizing your bag and your life! I totally need to take a few tips from there. 
• DIY shaving lotion. But...just be careful!
• New York Fashion is in full swing, and yes you can watch it on the internet!
• More at home beauty remedies. 
• Some of the young Iraqi women are becoming more fashion forward, but could they be facing a religious crackdown on it? 
• The Beauty Department shows us how to keep that inner eyeliner to stay! Yes!
• The top fall eye shadow trends.

Did you see anything worthy of link love this week? Tell us in the comments below and you could win a special prize! 

Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde

Being a blonde is hard. You're always teetering on a fine line of white and yellow, brassy and gold. Yeah it looks fantastic when you leave the salon, but then you wash it, and you sit in front of the mirror wondering if the color could really change after just one shampoo. (Take it from a redhead, yes it can.)

Working at a hair salon totally has it's perks. We got shipped the new Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde line to try out before it hit the shelves. And let me tell you, we totally geeked out. Okay, maybe "geeked out" can only be used to describe me. but we were all pretty excited. It's out for everyone now, so take a look at the new line.

Two shampoos, a conditioner, and a repair treatment all designed with blondes in mind. How awesome?

Platinum Blonde Shampoo: Don't be alarmed. It's purple. But without going into some extensive color theory that I don't really know a whole lot about....purple neutralizes that brassy tone in your blonde. Hooray! Plus it softens strands and adds shine. So win, win.

Forever Blonde Shampoo: Different from the Platinum Blonde shampoo in that it's a daily shampoo, and it's not purple. But it does keep your blonde hair light and shiny. It's packed full of protein to help combat the damage made from bleach.

Forever Blonde Conditioner: An everyday conditioner that helps seal the cuticle, leaving your hair smooth and shiny. And just like its shampoo sibling, it also has lots of protein in it.

Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair: Smoothes, straightens, and replenishes depleted hair. It also has a lot of natural ingredients to help hydrate your thirsty hair.



You're geeking out now, aren't you?

How To Tuesday: Head Scarf

You know what I love? Things that disguise my second-day...third day...hair. Like hats. Or scarves. Because let's face it, putting on a scarf is so much better than waking up early to wash your hair. But how do you tie a scarf on your head? Well, aren't you so glad you know me?

Step 1: you want to put the middle of the scarf on the back of your head, so that the opening is in the front
Step 2: cross the two ends over each other
Step 3: cross the ends over each other again, creating a "knot" at the top of your head
Step 4: bring the ends around to the back and tie. I like to tie a knot and leave the ends dangling, but you don't like that, then just tuck the ends back into the scarf

That's it. Super simple. Now go and sleep that extra 15 minutes. You're welcome.