Henna- A modern day yet historic fashion trend!

Henna is a plant which prepares a dye used for temporary tattooing. It is usually used to dye skin, hair and fabrics. In the olden days, henna was used for cosmetic purposes in different parts of the world such as South Asia, North Africa, and Egypt. Today, many of those countries still use henna to carry on traditions.

In South Asia, henna is traditionally used for special and religious occasions, such as weddings and Diwali. Brides get henna done the day before their wedding, with religious beliefs in mind. It is said that the longer the henna lasts on her hands, the happier she’ll be with her marriage. The traditional henna look has a lot of design and involves a lot of small detail.

I was a model for a henna artist a few years back, and she had done a traditional Indian bride henna design. In the photo shown below, the henna was freshly applied. When it dries, it becomes hard, which is when you would ideally apply a mixture of sugar and lime juice, which is said to further illuminate the henna when the hard layer is rinsed off.

Although henna is used for religious purposes in many countries, it is also used for cosmetic purposes in North America today. It is especially popular during the summer, and is offered at several puplic places such as Canada’s Wonderland and Harbour Front. Unlike the traditional henna look, these public places offer a variety of different designs that people can choose from. For example, I went to Canada’s Wonderland last year, and got a rose henna tattoo with my name on the side. Henna can be traditional, as well as a fashion statement. 

Top Celebrity Fragrances

Do you want to smell like a celebrity? This list gives you the current top selling celeb perfumes and why they are doing so well in the market.

1.       Britney Spears Fantasy Island

 This fragrance reminds me of a fruity tropical drink. It has a mandarin and melon scent which is perfect to wear during the summer. It’s also very light, and is not overpowering. The bottle is blue and green which gives it that tropical look. It truly does remind me of paradise.

2.       J-Lo Forever Glowing

This fragrance is J-Lo’s 18^th scent! It’s very floral yet sweet and also leaves your skin glowing after it is applied. The fragrance has hints of white honey, jasmine and toffee. The bottle has a very mature and sophisticated look. Individuals who have this personality will be most likely to purchase this product. It’s not overpowering and is perfect to wear every day.

3.       Taylor by Taylor Swift

 This fragrance has a very fruity and floral scent. It contains both peach and tangerine scents and is very light. The bottle has a vintage look to it with pearls surrounding the crystal cap. Both the bottle and scent is classic and unique.

4.       Katy Perry Killer Queen

This floral fragrance contains hints of cherry and vanilla. The bottle itself has a very edgy rebellious look which matches Katy Perry’s personality. A bottle like this will definitely attract those with the same personality.

5.       Justin Bieber The Key 

This is Justin Bieber’s third fragrance, which seems to be very popular with his fans. Girls around the age of 10 to 15 are most likely to buy this product. It has a fruity and floral scent which contains hints of peaches and flowers. There is also a charm on the bottle in the shape of a key which can be taken out and worn as jewelry. 

Get more for less!

        Good quality makeup can expensive. Especially since most are sold individually. How can you get a large amount of quality makeup for less you may ask? Well, there are lots of value sets available at one of the most popular make-up stores in both Canada and the US, Sephora. Sephora offers a wide variety of all kinds of makeup. They offer a wide selection of both brands and products. I like to refer to them as “Make-up Heaven” because they have absolutely everything to suit your beauty needs. Sephora offers a variety of value sets for each category, which includes face, eyes, lips, and brushes.

Face: BareMinerals Try.Believe. Love. Kit $25.00

This BareMinerals kit is a 6 piece set, which gives you a flawless perfect complexion. It includes:

-          Original SPF 15 Foundation

-          Matte SPF 15 Foundation

-          Multi-tasking SPF 20 Conceiler

-          Mineral Veil Finishing Powder

-          Mini Face Brush

-          Mini Concealer Brush

Eyes: Sephora Collection, Define Yourself Black Eye Liner Set $38.00

This set contains 5 black eye liners in a variety of different formulas. The kit includes:

-          Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear

-          Waterproof Smokey Cream Eyeliner

-          Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner

-          Waterproof Jumbo Liner

-          Long-Lasting 12hr Wear Eyeliner

Lips: Laura Mercier Perfection Lip Trio $45.00

This set contains all of the lip essentials to give you the perfect pout. It comes in 4 different colours, Matte Red, Crème pink, Crème Natural, and Sheer Nude. Each kit includes:

-          Lip Pencil

-          Lip Colour

-          Lip Glace

Brushes: Sephora Collection Prestige Luxe Brush Set $150.00 ($390.00 value)

This set contains 12 make-up brushes and a black pouch suitable for traveling. The kit includes:

Black Pouch 

-          Powder Brush

-          Stippling Brush

-          Angled Blush Brush

-          Concealer Brush

-          Allover Shadow Brush

-          Crease Brush

-          Medium Shadow Brush

-          Smudge Brush

-          Brow Brush

-          Lip Brush

-          Angled Liner Brush

-          Brow Comb Brush

Homemade Hair Treatments!

Is your hair dry, dull, damaged or limp? There are many hair products on the market which is made to repair damaged hair. Although it may say so on the label, there are many products that are over-priced and do not improve your hair the way the label and commercials says it does. The best hair treatments can actually be found in your very own kitchen. It is more effective which gives you the results you want, as well as cost efficient. The next time your hair needs a treatment, try one of the methods below which saves you money and is guaranteed to give you best results.

Eggs: Raw eggs are suitable for all hair types. The yolk has fats and proteins, which naturally moisturize the hair. The whites have enzymes which eat bacteria which is beneficial in removing unwanted oils.

Dairy Products: Dairy products such as yogurt and sour cream are ideal for dull hair. Styling products and air pollution can strip the hair of moisture and shine. Dairy products can help repair the damage by stripping away any dirt. The fat in the milk will also moisturize and nourish the hair at the same time.

Beer: Believe it or not, beer is perfect for fine or limp hair. It contains yeast, which helps to add volume and body to your hair.

Honey: Honey works best for dry hair. Many of us like to use several different styling products on our hair which involves heat, resulting in dry damaged hair. Honey both attracts and locks in moisture, giving your hair a luscious look and feel. 

Ombre for Nails!

                One of the biggest and latest trends right now is none other than Ombre! The popularity of this colour gradient hair has increased, and has created a new nail polish look, Ombre Nails!  The easiest way to achieve this look is by using the Gradation Kit by Kiss. It can be found in the U.S at any drugstore and is very cost efficient. Each kit includes 3 gradation nail polishes which are specially made to help the colours blend well together to create the popular and trendy Ombre look.  Each nail polish in the kit also contains hints of shimmer which adds extra sparkle and makes your nails stand out drastically. All of the instructions and steps are included in the kit, which is written a little Intricate; however very easy to follow once you have gotten the hang of it. Below, you will see my simplified version of the instructions so that you can be on your way to getting the Ombre nails you have always wanted!   

 

Step 1: Using the first colour in the kit, apply it to the full nail. This colour would be the lightest of the three. Allow the colour to dry for about 3 to 5 minutes.

 

Step 2: Using the second colour in the kit, outline the tip of your nail in a crescent shape. The colour would be the darkest of the three. Allow the colour to dry for 3 to 5 minutes.

 

Step 3: Using the third colour, apply it starting from half the nail, and continuing to the tip. Allow the colour to dry for 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: This step is Optional. Apply a top coat to your nails in order to prevent chipping. It will allow your fabulous work to stay on even longer!  

1 Minute To Irresistably Soft Lips

These cold winter months can have your lips dry and chapped, giving you an uncomfortable feeling. Chapped lips can also be very noticeable whether you wear lip gloss or not. Do you want soft lips all year round? Do you want your lip stick to glide on smoothly throughout these cold winter months? Follow the steps below, and you’ll have incredibly soft lips in less than a minute guaranteed!

Step 1: The first step is exfoliating. You will need to purchase a toothbrush which has soft and straight bristles. You will then apply a dime sized amount of Vaseline to the bristles to begin.

Step 2: In circular motions, rub the toothbrush on your lip gently to exfoliate. Doing this movement slowly can get rid of any dead skin which has been preventing your lips to keep moisture locked in. It will also give your lips a very smooth feeling.

Step 3: It is important that you invest in a hydrating lip balm, in which you will apply daily. During the day I like to use Eos lip balm. It comes in many different fruity flavours, and keeps the moisture locked into your lips throughout the day. It also contains vitamin E, which is essential when choosing a lip balm for hydration. At night I like to use medicated lip balm specifically targeted toward hydration, such as Polysporin and Blistex. Try to incorporate lip balm in your everyday beauty routine.  

Step 4: This is the step I enjoy the most. Add some colour to your lips by using vitamin E infused lipsticks or substitutes such as Burts Bees lip shimmer. It’s made with similar ingredients as lip balm, and also comes in a variety of different colours to give your lips some colour. It’s the best of both worlds!

Get 4 products from 1 eyeshadow!

                Many of us have seen the Micabella kiosks in the malls, but have you ever taken the time to see what kind of products they offer? I was walking through the mall one day when a sales person from Micabella called me over. Like the average consumer I tried to ignore him, until he insisted I come over so that he can show me the benefits of the mineral eye shadow. I was amazed when I saw that just one eye shadow can transform and serve the purpose of 4 different products!

Eye shadow: The mineral eye shadow can be applied to eyes by first using a primer. The primer will prevent the eye shadow from falling on to your face, and keep it in place on your eyes. Combined with a lighter and darker colour, you can create an eye shadow look that involves both contour and highlight.

Eye Liner: The mineral eye shadow can transform into an eye liner by easily adding just water! Fill a small cup with water, and add a small amount of the eye shadow. Mix the two together and use a liner make-up brush to apply the mixture as eye liner. It can be applied on both the top and bottom lid.

Lip Stick: This product can be applied as lip stick by adding Vaseline. In a small tray, take out a small amount of Vaseline, then mix in the eye shadow. Use a lip brush to apply the mixture to your lips.

Nail Polish: You can even apply this product to your nails by mixing in the eye shadow with a clear nail polish. You can mix the two together with the nail polish brush itself.

Best Skin Care Products for Winter

                 One of my main concerns during these cold winter months is my skin. It tends to get very dry, and new products are always needed in order to keep my skin soft and smooth. The three areas I notice that gets the driest are my face, lips, and hands. I have different products for each that works like a charm!

Face: Clinique Dramaically Different Moisturizing Lotion

This formula has benefits that no other face lotion has. Unlike many brands, this one lotion appeals to all skin types. It locks in moisture for dry skin, and suits oily skin as well because it does not add excess oil to your face. It has a radiant finish, and gives your skin a silky texture. Make-up can be easily and smoothly applied on top of this lotion as well.

Lips: Eos Lip Balm

This lip balm is 95 percent organic and contains 100 percent natural ingredients. It contains antioxidants, vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil. I like to use this lip balm throughout the whole year because it keeps my lips very soft and smooth. It’s perfect for winter because it locks in moisture and keeps lips from getting chapped.

Hands and Body: Olay Quench Daily Lotion

This is my favourite lotion to use on my hands and body during the winter. It moisturizes your skin instantly and keeps it smooth and hydrated throughout the day. One of the biggest benefits of this product is that it helps to break the cycle of dry skin. Since I have been using it I noticed that my skin isn’t as dry as it was before I started using it. This lotion is definitely a great buy.

Cheap vs Expensive Hair Straighteners

Throughout the past 10 years I have probably bought about 8 different types of hair straighteners. There were some that worked very well, some with its pros and cons, and some that just didn’t work well at all! I have naturally wavy hair with a lot of blonde highlights. The bleach in my hair dried it out tremendously, which was a huge factor in choosing what straightener was right for me.

                From my experience, I found that you basically get for what you pay for when it comes to hair straighteners. The cheaper ones sold at local drugstores such as Shopper’s Drugmart and Rexall, as well as department stores such as Walmart and Target are all bad quality. They take very long to heat up, and are also very easy to break. The first hair straightener I bought was a Conair one from Shopper’s Drugmart about 8 years back. I have wavy hair, and I had to go through each section of my hair about 10 times before my hair was ‘somewhat’ straight. I would definitely not recommend a cheaper hair straightener to anyone with wavy or curly hair.

                About 5 years ago, I purchased a Chi hair straightener from Trade Secrets because I heard really good reviews about it. This straightener had both its pros and cons. It had ceramic plates and heated up really fast. I also only had to go through each section of my hair about 3 times before it was pin straight; however, it had it cons as well. I have a lot of blonde highlights (which I had to use bleach to obtain), and I began to notice that the ends of my hair started to get really dry resulting in split and broken ends. The temperature was also not adjustable and the price was fairly high. I would definitely not recommend this hair straightener to anyone with bleached or highlighted hair.

                The most recent hair straightener I purchased is the Croc Infrared. The plates are Titanium, which helps to seal in moisture in the hair. The temperature goes up to 450 which is also adjustable. It takes very little effort to get my wavy hair straight. The plates are larger than the average hair straightener, and only requires me to go through each section of my hair once! It also heats up extremely fast and gives your hair a shiny look without even using any hair products. I would definitely recommend this product to everyone. It is suitable for all hair types and leaves your hair with that sleek, shiny look that everyone wants to achieve with a straightener. The price is fairly high, but you definitely get what you pay for with this product.

A new look for eyes- Boudoir Eyes!

The Boudoir Eyes eye shadow palette from Too Faced Cosmetics is one of the best palettes I own. It contains nine colours which were all handpicked by professionals to give you the perfect 'Boudoir Eye'. Each colour is high-pigmented, which unlike cheaper products only requires one layer of application for the colour to appear vibrantly. Each colour also contains a bit of shimmer, which enhances the overall appearance of the eye shadows. The high-quality of the eye shadow also makes it easy to apply and blend. One of the things I like most about the palette is that it contains colours for

·        - Contour

·        - Crease

·       -  Lid

·       -  Inner-corner

A booklet is included with the palette which shows you how to do three different looks using the same nine colours. The first look is called “Day”, which uses the lighter colours to create a very soft appearance. It is ideal for going to work, school, or just the mall. The next look is called “Classic”, which is perfect for any occasion. It is more dramatic than the “Day” look, which adds a little edge to your eyes. This look is great for social gatherings when you feel like dressing up. The third look is called “Fashion”. This look is a Smokey-eye, which is very dramatic and perfect for events held at night, such as parties, clubs, etc. Each part of the booklet shows you step-by-step what colours and techniques you need to achieve the look you want.  

The Boudoir Eye palette is small, compact and great for travel. It fits perfectly in my purse, and takes very little to almost no space at all. This one palette is all you need for a weekend getaway. It gives you three different looks, which saves you the hassle of walking with other palettes and eye shadow pots.