Hot Irons can FRY your precious locks!

I'm addicted to my curling iron, I admit it. For years my hair gurus have slapped my wrists, urging me to stop curling, but I just couldn't! So, as with any good intervention, my recent visit to my salon scared me straight. "I'm FRYING my hair?" I spend a great deal of time and money on maintaining my hair, so the word "fry" is not something that I want to use in my hair-vernacular. Therefore, on the emphatic advice of my two Stephanie's at Blandon (my home away from home), I went out and purchased hot ROLLERS. Bulky? Uhhh, yes. But super easy and actually quicker than my retired hot-iron obsessive ritual. The good news? My locks are as bouncy and even fuller than before, who knew? Breaking out of old, destructive habits aren't easy...however, listen to the people who know more than you and just say "what the heck".  Quick Tip (as told by Stephanie Blandon, "let the rollers cool COMPLETELY before you take them out"). Thanks Steph & Tutu! 😊 For more on the importance of HAIR, visit my blog post: "Hair:TheGoodTheBadAndTheNotSoUgly"

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#HotRollers #BouncyHair #FabulouslyFullHair #HairMakesYourBeauty #BlandonHairDesigns #StephanieAndTutu #FullFabulousSexyBouncyHair #Hair #CurledHair #TheBestHairSalonInMiami 

WAKE-UP and be REALISTIC about your Skin Care!

Do you want to know the guarded secret to staying wrinkle-free, FOREVER-flawless and perpetually-youthful? Read this carefully and listen up! ......The big, fat secret to staying forever-young is..... that it will NEVER happen folks. Never happen. If you're looking for a miracle in a jar, or a treatment that will render you timeless, then you might as well wait for pigs to fly. If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably IS. I have clients who call me and complain that "the cream I recommended to them isn't working". Lower your expectations and be realistic people! There are fantastic Retinol creams and vitamin-C serums out there, for example, that will indeed change and improve skin's appearance and texture. You need to give these treatments time, however. Change will NOT occur overnight. CONSISTENT use of quality creams and serums MAY undoubtedly improve the quality and firmness of your skin, reducing fine lines, as well as help with hyper-pigmentation and with the production of collagen production. Injectables like Botox & Hyalaronic Acid substitutes or laser resurfacing procedures, can be life changing! HOWEVER, they will NOT transform your face into what you looked like when you were much much younger. Aging "gracefully" is the key to esthetic bliss. Having realistic expectations, as well as patience, will keep you sane. If you are looking for a something to completely transform your face, then you either need a good plastic surgeon or a good therapist (let me know and I can recommend both). Being happy with what you've got, embracing the beauty that you have, accepting that aging is inevitable is incredibly EMPOWERING.

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 #AgingGracefully #Beauty #TrueBeauty #TakeCareOfYourSkin #EmpoweredWomen #BeHappyInYourOwnSkin #BeautyDoesNotHaveAnAge #RetinolCreams #LaserResurfacing #HyalauronicAcidInjectables #UltimaMedSpa #CTM

Lips need CONSTANT Care

Lips need CONSTANT care. Lip-skin is the most vulnerable skin on your body, so here's my Beauty Rx: Exfoliate lips with a granular scrub 2-3x per week. Mix fine sugar (white or brown) and Olive Oil, in a small container, until it forms a grainy paste. Keep the container near your bathroom sink (the paste will stay fresh for at least a week). While puckering your pout, massage a small amount of the scrub onto lips, using a circular motion. Do this for 15-20 seconds. Rinse lips and gently wipe dry. If you make a habit of this during your morning or nightly "CTM" ritual, it will become part of your skin care regime. In a pinch, scrubbing your pout with your toothbrush --in gentle circular motions--, after you've brushed, is a quick fix (but not as effective as a scrub). Always coat lips with a nourishing balm after you've exfoliated; you can even use an emollient cream such as "Aquafor". Keeping lips exfoliated will prevent scale and flakes from forming, and will keep your pout beautifully plump, kissably delicious and impossibly soft and smooth. Your kiss-recipient will thank you 😘💋For more on lip maintenance, see my blog post on "Kissably Soft Lips" & "Skin Care 101"

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#Lips #SoftLips #SexyPout #Lipstick #BeautifulLips  #ExfoliateYourLips #BeautyAndBrowGirl

Smooth, Soft, Gorgeous FOOTSIES in an Instant

Whether you live in a tropical climate (where feet are often exposed) or in a cold weather (where heavy socks and snow can cause scaly epidermis), you know the importance of nice feet. All women, young or old, should maintain their feet and keep them looking pretty, year-round. Foot maintenance should NEVER be reserved for your bi-monthly pedicure, it should be a daily ritual. Tootsies need constant TLC, especially if your feet are exposed to the elements, as with sandals....skin is exposed and will dry-out faster than if wearing closed shoes. A daily slough with either a pumice stone or a granular scrub, followed by  daily moisturizing with an emollient cream, is all you need to keep foot skin maintained beautifully. I can't live without "Mr Pumice Bars", these amazing 2-sided exfoliating bars transform your dry heels into satiny smooth deliciousness. Keep one in the e shower or tub and buff your feet EVERYDAY (or at least every other day). For über-dry, icky-cracked heels here's my Beauty Rx: Soak feet for a full 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup Vinegar (white or apple), 1/4 cup Listerine (yes the mouthwash) and 1 cup of HOT water. Double or triple the recipe as needed to thoroughly soak the bottom of your feet in a shallow basin. The Listerine contains skin-sloughing benzoic acid & the vinegar acts as an acid exfoliator. Immediately after soaking, use your Mr Pumice stone  (with a mild cleanser) and scrub scrub SCRUB! The vinegar solution increases the exfoliation factor exponentially. This 
solution really works...it's GREAT for creating super soft, beautiful foot-skin. However, be forewarned...this solution STINKS! So I suggest soaking feet in either a well-ventilated area or on your back porch. After buffing, massage an emollient cream like "L'Occitane Shae Butter Foot Cream" or "Burt’s Bees Thoroughly Therapeutic Honey & Bilberry Foot Creme". Your Jimmy Choos will thank you :)  

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#SoftFeet #DryHeels #CrackedHeels #HowToSoftenDryCrackedHeels #Tootsies #VinegarAndListerineFootSoak #BeautifulFeet #Pedicure #SoftHeels

DRY Shampoo Adds Volume & Lift

My secret weapon for impossibly full and bouncy hair? DRY Shampoo. It used to be that you could only find a select few brands (like "Psssst", a cult classic) on-line only. Now dry shampoos are mainstream; practically every hair line carries one. They're great for extending blow-outs an extra day or two, or for adding va-va-VOOM volume to your roots. I know, I know, products like these can leave a powdery mess right? Well not if you do it right. Section your hair and spray THE ROOTS, holding the can 10 inches away. Never spray directly in one spot, but rather in quick back-and-forth motions to evenly distribute the product. After applying, hold head upside down and rub the product into your hair, evenly distributing to all parts of your scalp. Then brush and style as usual. Full bouncy hair easily achieved. 

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#DryShampoo #AddVolumeToRoots #RootLift #ExtendTheLifeOfYourBlowOut 

#PssssstDryShampoo #BatisteDryShampoo #FedrikFekkaiDryShampoo

Mascara Opens-up your Face

A made-up face without mascara is like an ice cream sundae without the chocolate sauce...it's just too bland. Here are a few tips to achieve perfectly thick and separate lashes:  

1. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Three pumps is all you need: one at the lash-line base, one in the center, and one at the lash tip...it makes all the difference. 

2. Before you apply mascara, BLOT your mascara brush onto a paper towel or a cotton cloth (something without fibers). Blotting your brush will prevent over-clumping and will allow the clean tip to separate lashes without product getting in the way.  

3. When applying mascara, always start at the lash-base, then, in a zig-zag motion, slowly jiggle the wand up to the tips. Repeat this process 2-3 times until your upper lashes are all well coated, then when dry, apply to lower lashes if desired.  

4. For a thicker lash, allow the mascara to dry before applying another coat to the upper lashes.
5. Using black or dark brown eyeliner, line your upper lash line. This will hide any mascara that has found it's way onto your eyelid skin, and will also add dimension to your lashes, creating an even fuller, thicker look. 

6. Never "pump" your mascara wand into the tube. Pumping the wand will allow air to get in, compromising the longevity of the product. 

7. Always throw your mascara away after 2-3 months. Any dark, moist place is a breeding ground for bacteria. Label your tube with the date of purchase to manage the product-turnover.  

8. High-end products are great (I love "Dior Show"), but spending $25 on mascara every 2-3 months may not be in your budget. L'Oreal & Maybelline are my 2 go-to drugstore brands. These brands are quality, they work fabulously well, and they won't break the bank.

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#Mascara #Lashes #Eyelashes #LongLushLashes #ThickLashes #SeparateLashes #FlirtyLashes #DiorShowMascara #MaybellineColassalMascara #LorealVoluminousMascara

Wear your RETAINER, it will keep yout pearly whitesSTRAIGHT

There is nothing more beautiful than a bright, gleaming smile. After braces have done their duty to straighten your teeth, you need to ALWAYS wear your retainer at night...ALWAYS. Teeth will eventually shift (you can count on it), so wearing a retainer will make certain that your smile stays as beautiful as the day your braces were removed. It's NOT about make-up or clothes.  True beauty begins with good SKIN, good HAIR (meaning: negative & positive hair maintenance) and GOOD TEETH. I don't care if you're the most spectacular beauty queen on the planet, if your teeth aren't maintained, if they aren't healthy, straight, clean and white, you've just negated all of your esthetic efforts. Wear your retainer, ALWAYS.....even when you're 40...wear it!!  Do I wear my retainer at night? You bet your pearly whites I do. 

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#BracesMakeTeethStraight #WearYourRetainer #RetainersKeepTeethStraight #BeautifulTeeth #BeautifulSmile #smilesareourmostbeautufulfeature 

Nourish the Delicate Skin Surrounding the EYES

If you are UNDER 30, you need to start hydrating the delicate skin around your eyes. This skin is the THINNEST on the body, and does NOT contain hair follicles, which means that your eye skin does NOT manufacture nourishing oils like the rest of your skin. Your eye skin is dependent on YOU for daily nourishment and hydration. Signs of aging can and WILL appear as soon as your late 20's. Gently apply a nourishing eye cream, morning and night, patting "inward" towards the nose, never pulling out towards the ears. This skin is thin and vulnerable and requires a delicate touch. I don't care what brand of eye cream you start using, just use one. As you become more educated about skin (by following my blog 😁), you'll eventually learn about what cream and serum is right for you. Just make sure that your eye product is "eye specific"....never use a face or body cream around the eyes. 

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#Eyes #EyeSkin #EyeCream #TheEyesAreTheFirstPlaceToShowSignsOfAging #NourishTheEyeSkin #TakeCareOfEyeSkin

GRAY adds drama to EYES

It only takes 3, not fifty,,shades of GRAY to achieve a platinum eye. Use a light shimmery platinum gray in the tear duct-area and under the brow line; a medium gray in the center of the lid and a dark charcoal gray within the crease & outter lid edge. Line the upper lid with black liner (for dimension & definition) and apply mascara. This is a terrific, dramatic look for a holiday event or anytime you just want to pump-up the glam factor.

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#GrayEyeShadow #SmokeyGrayEyes #3ShadesOfGray #HolidayEyeShadow #HolidayEyes #DramaticEyes #SexyGrayEyeShadow #SmokeyEyes #GrayEyeShadow #PlatinumEyes

Contour & Highlight the face to define facial curves

An everyday fresh face is easily achieved, you just need a few basics steps:

Prep clean, moisturized skin with and a tinted SPF moisturizer. CONTOUR, HIGHLIGHT & add COLOR to your cheeks (I like cream blush, it adds dimension). Set it all with your favorite mineral or translucent  powder (using a fluffy natural-hair brush), and you're ready for the day. 😊

It doesn't take much time, it just takes a bit of practice; the key is to blend blend BLEND! The face is made-up of hills and valleys....take the time to learn your facial contours, it'll make all the difference. 

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#Contour #Highlight #CreamBlush #RosyCheeks #LorealTrueMatchPowder #MaybellineDreamLumiHighlightingStick #BobbiBrownPotRouge

Eye Skin Requires TLC

Are you using eye cream TWICE per day? If your answer is "no" then I'll assume that aging gracefully isn't on your agenda. Here are the facts people: The skin around the eyes is the THINNEST skin on the body. The skin around the eyes does NOT contain hair follicles. Hair follicles are the super-highway for sebum secretion. Sebum is our skin's NATURAL moisturizer (oil). THEREFORE, really really thin skin without moisture equals??? Alligator eyes. Your choice :) 

For more on the über-importance of eye maintenance, visit my blog post 

"The Eyes Have It" 

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#Eyes #EyeSkin #EyeSkinIsTheThinnestSkinOnTheBody #HydrateTheSkinAroundTheEyes #AgingEyes #YouthfulEyes #EyeCream #EyeSerum

Winter Skin requires EXTRA Hydration

Winter skin can dry-out at the first signs of chill. If you live in a cold-arid climate, you need to be extra conscious of your skin. When my skin requires extra hydration, my go-to cream for face & body, is "Cetaphil" or "Argan Oil" ("Aquafor" is great as well, just don't use it on the face). Oils have gotten a bad rap over the years (who took the "oil" out of "Olay"??). But "dry oils" like Argan, are spectacular. The Argan molecules are small, so it penetrates deep within the epidermis....and NO folks, dry oils won't make you "break out". I use oils on my body, head to toe, every day.  Argan can be pricey, however, so mix it up with emollient creams and your winter skin will survive the frost. 😊 

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#Cetaphil #JosieMaranArganOil #WinterSkin #KeepSkinHydrated #DryOilsAreGreatForSkin #ProtectWinterSkin #Moisturizers #Hydrators #SoftSkin #HealthySkin 

Keep shaved skin bump-free

Do razor bumps get the best of you? My solution is always laser hair removal....it can be life changing for those who struggle with unwanted hair. Laser treatments are costly however, so here are 3 easy tips to help your shaved- skin stay smooth and in-grown free: 

1. Exfoliate 3-4x per week. Bikini, leg and underarm skin require perpetual maintenance. A granular scrub or an AHA exfoliator will keep skin cells turned over, reducing the chances of skin-build up.  

2. Use a disposable razor. Razor blades harbor bacteria. Repetitive use of your infested blade will introduce this bacteria onto, as well as into your skin...it's this bacteria which causes the in-growns to become infected. So toss the blade after each use.

3. Use a Glycolic serum on your shaved skin EVERYDAY. Daily cell-turnover on your shaven skin will keep these areas looking smooth, pretty and bump-free  😊 

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#ShaveThoseLegs #BikiniLineMaintenance #KeepSkinBumpFree #CareForBikiniSkinAsConsciouslyAsYourFace #TossThoseRazorBlades

Sugar Causes Acne Bacteria to GROW

If you think chocolate will make you break out, think again folks. It's not the "chocolate", it's the SUGAR in the chocolate that feeds the "P-acnes" bacteria which causes acne to fester.  SUGAR is inflammatory and will provide nourishment for your not-so-desirable breakouts. So, before you nix the m&m's, be conscious that your sugary DRINKS are just as damaging to skin. Fearful of chocolate withdrawals? Don't fret and enjoy your chocolate....just do so in moderation 😊 

For more on acne and proactive maintenance, visit my blog posts: "Acne: Be Proactive",  "Sugar is Acne's Fertalizer" and "Keep Skin Acidic"

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#SugarCausesAcneToGrow #PAcnesBacteria #BacteriaNeedsSugarToSurvive #KeepSkinClean #CleanseToneMoisturize #Sugar #EatSugarInModeration