Sunday, September 25, 2011

Stitch Up Some Beauty

Hairstylists today are ditching the timeless bobby pin for a needle and thread instead!
David Bamford, owner of Therapy Hair Studio, isn't a fan of bobby pins. "All of us have been in a wedding and, you know, come midnight everyone's hair is coming un-done and with bobby pins you're limited as what you can do. So, if you stitch [the hair] up you can create these ridiculous shapes that you couldn't achieve any other way," he says.
He's referring to the new trend of hair sewing, made easy with a kit from Kevin Murphy, or a simple plastic needle and thick thread from the craft store.
"Hair sewing is a technique which takes the place of bobby pins. So, what you're going to do is sew the hair in place, secure it so that way it's more comfortable, it lasts longer and you can't see any pins. It's faster than the typical up-do, lasts twice as long and costs about the same," he adds.
First, thread the needle and tie a knot so the thread won't slip out. Then, tease the top layers of hair, twist it and push it into the shape you want. Then, start sewing the hair like you would with fabric. For a softer look, add more pieces from the sides as you sew them in.
David says girls with curls usually have a hard time putting their hair up with bobby pins because the pins pop out. So, hair sewing is a great option.
The process can even be used to tie up small sections of hair, like bangs.
Removing a sewn-in style is just as easy. Snip the thread in a few places, being careful not to cut the hair, and unravel the thread from the hair by pulling it out.
"I really think the sewing up thing is such a cool modern approach to putting hair up. You get a softer, cooler look which is more wearable and you have an element of difference to it so it creates a bit of a buzz which everyone wants to be a part of something cool," David says.
For more info on hair sewing or the Kevin Murphy STITCH.ME.UP kit contact:
David Bamford
Therapy Hair Studio
713-355-4247
www.therapyhairstudio.com
http://kevinmurphy.com.au

Sweet Sweet Beauty

The next time a sugar craving hits, think beauty instead of bakery! A spoonful of sugar in some of your beauty products could really sweeten the deal.
"Many people don't realize that some of our favorite beauty products are actually sugar-based beauty products," says Rachel Gower, owner of The Upper Hand salon. She says five types of sugar commonly show up on the beauty shelf: white sugar, brown sugar, black sugar, glycolic acid and keto sugar. While they're all derived from sugar cane, each one has a different sweet spot in your beauty routine. Here are some of her favorite sugar-based beauty products.
White Sugar:
  • Bliss Blood Orange & White Pepper Sugar Scrub (about $36 @ Sephora)
  • Primal Elements Sugar Whip (about $22 @ The Upper Hand Royal Oaks)
Make Your Own Sugar Scrub:
Mix and slather on your skin
  • 3 tbsp Turbinado Raw Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Jojoba Oil
  • 1 tbsp Castor Oil
  • 1 dropper of liquid Vitamin E
Brown Sugar:
  • Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (about $23 @ Sephora)
  • Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (about $23 @ Sephora)
  • Fresh Brown Sugar Hand Cream (about $19 @ Sephora)
  • Jane Iredale Sugar & Butter (about $26 @ The Upper Hand, not featured)
Black Sugar:
  • Shu Uemura Tasai Cream (about $38 @ The Upper Hand)
Glycolic Acid:
  • Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser (about $32 @ The Upper Hand)
  • DDF Glycolic 10% Exfoliating Moisturizer (about $50 @ Sephora)
  • Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub (about $38 @ The Upper Hand)
Keto Sugar (The most widely used active ingredient in sunless tanners is DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a keto-sugar that produces an enzymatic reaction within skin cells, causing them to turn varying shades of bronze.):
  • Image Body Spa Bronzer (about $29 @ The Upper Hand)
  • Jan Marini Sunless Tanner for the Face (available @ The Upper Hand)

Accesorize!

When it comes to shoes and handbags this season, mom was right! Being a lady is always in fashion.
Fashion guru Jeanne Ruberti says the easiest way to get a handle on the feminine trend is by carrying it! "The handheld bag is the bag to have this season," she says. Here are some of Jeanne's other must-haves.
Bags:
  • Handheld bags
  • Colorful bags
  • Patent leather
  • Studs
  • Lace/Cut-outs
  • Skins
  • Clutches
Shoes:
  • Pumps
  • Platform
  • Wedges
  • Skins
  • Suede
  • Patent leather
  • Flat boots
  • Riding boots
  • Boots with detail
  • Lace up boots
  • Buckles