vineri, 9 august 2013
luni, 5 august 2013
Nail the Textured Manicure with Breakthrough Polishes, Kits and DIY Ideas
MEADHAM KIRCHHOFF, SPRING 2013 VIA IMAXTREE
Sure, you can pick up a classic red nail polish at the drugstore and be ready for any occasion, but sometimes it's fun to play with your manicures, just like you do with your wardrobe. Let's call it mani technology, and say that it's been growing by leaps and bounds. No longer are mere polka dots, zigzags and abstract designs all that's available. And no, I don't mean reviving the 80s rhinestone craze either. What then? From rubber and concrete to velvet and caviar, textured nails raise your polish to new heights. Here are some of the latest products and techniques to bring to your manicurist or try at home.
Velvet and Caviar
When it comes to hot new DIY manicure kits, a company called Ciate rules the pack. Each kit comes with a base coat, texture element and top coat (if necessary) as well as a special brush to apply the nail modification. Just what kind is available? One boasts tiny sequins, another kit uses velvet powder to give your nails a fuzzy finish (below). Their most popular kit is the one they call caviar. Tiny round beads are added in varying colors for something that looks a little out of this world. Kits range between $19 and $25.
CIATE VELVET MANICURE
Rubber and Concrete
Two other polish companies are offering subtle texture elements in an unusual solid-colored finish. Illamasqua has a range of colors called "Rubber Finish". The claim is a unique after-effect that mimics the shiny, flexible material. Not to be outdone, Nails Inc. boasts a polish they call "Concrete." The polish dries with the same rough texture we know so well under our feet.
NAILS INC. CONCRETE NAIL POLISH
DIY Lacy Lady
If you don't mind a little cutting and fitting on your own, try the lace DIY mani. It's simple, really. Buy an inexpensive piece of lace, any color you like, and cut pieces to fit your nails. Apply a base coat and top coat, let them dry. Then lay your lace overlays on top of your nails. Apply another top coat and you're good to go. Who needs an impressive outfit when you're walking around with this look? Exactly.
Snakeskin
You think I'm talking about tacky stick-on polish or nails in a snakeskin design, right? Mais non. I speak of the real thing. But this is no time for DIY experimentation. Real snakeskin appliques have been hitting up the London salons for months, and no doubt are already creeping into high-end salons in places like NYC and LA. If you don't have a thing against wearing parts of animals, and you have an extra $300 laying around, this could be your next fashion adventure.
DIY Feather Fetish
The feather manicure is one to try at home. Did you know craft stores sell bags of feathers for just a few bucks? Once you've acquired your birdie accents, take one at a time, laying the very tip on each nail so it kisses your cuticle. Cut if off where it meets the end of your nail. Now apply any base coat you choose, followed by a top coat. Allow it to dry. Lay your cut feathers on your nails and apply a topcoat to secure them. Let the feathers steal the show with clear or nude polish, add another visual element with a bright polish underneath. Or use black or oxblood, keeping the feathers on display only for those who are close up enough to see your art.
Cut Down on Heat Styling with These No-Fuss Summer Hair Tips
No one wants to spend a minute more trapped in the bathroom with a heat-styling tool than necessary in the summer months. Partially because it's sweaty torture and partially because we know with the humidity in many parts of the country this time of year, your hair is going to frizz anyway. Some women still maintain their stick-straight blowout, and we've got some tips for that, but it can be easier to go with a more forgiving style.
Beachy Waves
IMAGE: IMAXTREE
The absolute easiest thing to do, especially on vacation, is to give in to the seasonal swim and surf culture and go for beachy waves. Thicker, more textured hair types might not be able to get away with this in a professional environment, but "beach hair" has definitely made its way from the shore far, far inland. No need to actually be near a body of water to make this your summer standby.
For those prone to frizz, you're going to want to start fighting that menace early in the process — with your shampoo and conditioner. The more styling prep you do early, the less actual styling you have to do later. Any professional will tell you that one of the absolute best anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner options is Kerastase Bain Oleo-Relax ($18-$62.50). And Kerastase has also come out with a new beach texture spray, Spray A Porter ($35). This reviewer hasn't tried the spray, but can certainly vouch for the Bain Oleo-Relax line, which does more to fight frizz in the shower than any product I've tried. Sometimes I don't even have to use a styling product. One caveat: don't use too much, and if you have oily hair definitely go easy on the styling products.
If $35 is a bit much for a sea salt spray, the girls at The Beauty Department have come up with this simple DIY recipe for Beach Wave Texture Spray: 1 tsp. sea salt, 2 tsp. leave-in conditioner, nickel-sized dab water-based pomade, 1 tsp. Argan or coconut oil, 1 cup hot water. Mix all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and let cool. Use this on wet hair and let it air dry.
Braids
MIRANDA KERR, IMAGE: GETTY
Another awesome option for summer hair is braiding. There are so many cool braids that are trendy now, check out a roundup of Game of Thrones-inspired plaits here, and 5 stylish but simple braids here. Learn to do one that flatters your face shape, and your hair will be off your neck all day. Plus, braids are one of the best ways to relax curly hair into smooth waves, or add texture to fine hair. So at the end of the day, take out the braids and voila! a smooth, frizz-free style. If you are planning to take your braids out and wear your hair loose later or the next day, make sure braids aren't too tight. If you're sleeping on them, even pull out some strands and mess them up to keep the look from getting too "crimped."
Reduce Styling Time
If you're still set on some heat styling, hair-dryer addicts can try some methods for removing as much moisture as possible before hitting the heat to reduce time spent under the nozzle. Obviously, ring out hair with your hands after your shower. Then, squeeze it out again with a cotton T-shirt. Yeah, really. The cotton tee helps eliminate static and frizz. Then, brush out hair with the Goody Quick Style Paddle Brush, $12.99, which has little sponges to absorb even more water.
It's worth noting, too, that if you just picked up any old hair dryer at Target you might want to invest in a higher quality tool. Ionic hair dryers can cut hair drying time in half. When I went from my cheapo drugstore hair dryer to a FHI Heat dryer, there was a noticeable difference in drying time.
If you insist on a blowout and curling/straightening iron time, you may be beyond help. Use a blow-dry lotion designed to cut down on drying time, like Redken Satinwear 02, and crank up the AC.
sâmbătă, 3 august 2013
25 Lazy Ways to Stay Skinny
Feel healthy and fit by following these easy health tips—you won't have to lift a finger!
Lean and lazy
We can't go on the Internet anymore without learning of a new diet tip that is designed to make us lose five pounds in five minutes and three dress sizes by the weekend. And yet some women always appear healthy and thin while never seeming to feed into these crazy diet fads, or even dieting at all! To find out how they – The Skinny Women – do it, we asked two nutritionists to weigh in on some of the best and easy lifestyle choices that you will make to feel healthy and look great.
1. Don't deprive yourself
"Enjoy the foods you love in moderation," encourages Amy Shapiro MS, RD, CND, of Real Nutrition NYC. "No single food makes you gain weight, the portions are what matters."
2. Eat until you feel satisfied, not full
You've heard this before. Etiquette author Emily Post believed that a polite lady should put down her fork between every bite, a technique that also helps you realize when to stop eating before you feel bloated.
3. Make sure half of your plate contains veggies
"Vegetables are filled with fiber and water so they fill you up without filling you out," says Shapiro.
4. When ordering out, always order a small
"Whether it be coffee, salads, soups, frozen yogurt," says Stephanie Middleberg, MS, RD, CDN of Middleberg Nutrition. "If you want to be small, order that way."
5. Know yourself
"If you can't limit pick-able foods (chips, nuts, grapes, candy, etc.), then make sure you stick to single serving portions, such as handheld fruit, individually-wrapped hummus, nut or nut butter packets," Middleberg explains.
6. Enjoy a salad or soup to start the meal when you dine out
"Both fill you up with low calories and leave less room for the main course," tells Shapiro.
7. Skip the breadbasket
Shapiro warns, "It's just empty calories. My clients follow the pick your "poison" rule: Bread, Drinks or Dessert. You can enjoy one but not all."
8. Leave 1/4 of your food on your plate when dining out
"When we eat out, portions are normally double what we need," explains Middleberg. "The beauty here is that you can eat what you like, just less of it."
9. Stay hydrated
"We get confused and believe that we are hungry when we really are just thirsty. Aim for eight glasses of water a day, add lemon for a flavor and vitamin boost!" adds Shapiro.
10. Make sure your intake isn't top heavy
"Don't restrict yourself all day and then break down at night." Middleberg promises, "If you eat more substantially during the day, the nighttime grazing will taper."
11. Don't eat in front of the TV
"If you are hungry, reach for fiber rich snacks that fill you up on less calories like popcorn, fruit, trail mix," Shapiro says.
12. Have a small snack before going to a party
"Try a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit so that you don't show up ravenous and make poor decisions," Shapiro says.
13. Carry snacks
"This way, you'll always be prepared when hunger hits. Temptation is strong when you are hungry and faced with poor choices—so stash snack bars, or fruit or trail mix in your bag." Shapiro's favorite snack bars are Gnu Food Bars, Kashi Granola bars and KIND fruit and nut bars.
14. Don't drink your calories
Shapiro recommends that you "stick to water or seltzer to keep you hydrated and save the calories for a treat later on."
15. Be a part-time vegetarian
"Give your body a break from animal protein and mix things up," Middleberg suggests.
16. Always choose whole grains and avoid the white stuff
This way, you don't have to cut out carbs entirely. Shapiro breaks it down: "Whole grains keep you full longer, maintain your blood sugar levels and provide you with vitamins and minerals. White flour quickly converts to sugar in your body. If you don't burn it up, you will store it as fat."
17. Eat breakfast
"Breakfast gets your metabolism working and prevents you from eating most of your calories at night," maintains Shapiro.
18. Be active for at least 3 hours each week
Shapiro says, "Even if that means waking up an hour earlier to hit the gym, going for a walk after dinner, hopping off the bus or subway a few stops early or parking your car further than you normally would."
19. But know that exercise isn't everything
Going to the gym does not mean you can reward yourself with a gargantuan dessert later on. Eating well, not exercise, determines whether you will gain or lose weight.
20. Try to avoid the "mish-mosh" dinner
"The problem with having a meal of hummus, crackers, yogurt, etc.," warns Middleberg, "is that these 'snack for meals' often end up being more calories than having a balanced dinner."
21. No eating after dinner
"Calories give us energy. We don't need energy to sleep," Shapiro explains.
22. No BLT's—bites, licks, or tastes
Those can add up, especially when you end up finishing your friend's plate.
23. Don't eat out of the bag
Pour your snack (chips nuts, trail mix) onto a plate or bowl so you can tell how much you’re consuming before you finish the whole bag.
24. No seconds
You just don’t need them. Fullness will take some time to settle in, so even if you don’t feel full, give yourself some time to digest.
25. Stay Away From Artificial
Sweeteners
"Artificial sweeteners increase cravings and lead to bloating and fatigue. Go for one teaspoon of sugar in the raw, or honey or maple syrup. One teaspoon is only sixteen calories," says Middleberg.
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