BLOG
The Gloss-ary: G is for Gorgeous
|
|
| Geranium oil: a mild astringent with antiseptic properties; promotes healing. |
| Ginseng: considered a tonic. Believed to be nourishing due to its vitamin and hormone content. It is taken orally and is also felt to have energy boosting capabilities. |
| Glycerin: used in moisturizers due to its water binding capabilities. |
| Glycolic acid: reduces build up of excess dead skin cells. |
|
Glycolic peel: used to help peel or exfoliate the skin, making it appear more youthful. |
| Golden seal: herb used as a mild antiseptic. |
| Grape seed oil : has moisturizing and nourishing properties due to its high linoleic acid content. |
How-tology: Keep to the Color Code
Find out which shades work best with your eye color. Stumped about which makeup colors will bring your eyes into sharp focus? Check our cheat sheet for the best shades for your peepers:
Celebrity Spotlight Olympics Edition: The U.S. Gymnastics Team
Cue the John Williams fanfare. We are now on day 12 of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and it has been an exiting one, especially where women's gymnastics is concerned. The self-dubbed "Final Five" have been dazzling at the games, winning gold in the team final, gold and silver in all-around (respectively to Simone Biles and Aly Raisman), and have had the one of the most dominating runs for an American team ever. We couldn't pick just one person to spotlight this time around, so enjoy our beauty tips inspired by the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team. Go USA!
Beauty Bio: Aly RaismanBirthday: May 25, 1994, born in Needham, Massachusetts Stats: One of the two returning members of the 2012 London “Fierce Five,” Aly is a two-time team captain of the Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team. She is the oldest member of the squad at 22, and finished Rio with 1 gold medal and 2 silvers. Best Events: Aly is a powerhouse on many events (say hello to her silver all-around medal), but her floor routine is truly something to watch. Her first tumbling pass in the routine seems to go on forever, but, in true Aly form, always manages to stay inbounds. |
Get Her Look:
Aly Raisman almost always has this great top knot when in competition that holds and holds. The key to a good top knot that stays is using the right products. We recommend a good smoothing product to keep fly-aways in check or a good gel so it doesn't budge.
We recommend: Tigi S Factor Smoothing Lusterizer, It's a 10 Miracle Firm Hold Gel
Beauty Bio: Simone BilesBirthday: March 14, 1997, born in Columbus, Ohio but her hometown is Spring, TX Stats: Simon is officially the most decorated American gymnast ever (she even has a move named after her, the”Biles”), with a crushing run in Rio earning her 4 gold medals and 1 bronze medal. Best Events: How about everything? Simone is definitely poised as the best gymnast in the game right now on nearly any event, but she especially shines in Vault and Floor Exercise (two of her 4 golds). |
Get Her Look:
Simone Bile always has great personality on the floor, but we've noticed something else has got her sparkling. Simone's glitter shadow and crystals around her eyes have become iconic to her Olympic look that you can emulate with a sparkly shadow or go crazy with eye crystals.
We recommend: DuWop Crush Eye Shadow Trios, Tigi High Density Eyeshadow Split Shades (Feisty)
Beauty Bio: Gabby DouglasBirthday: December 31, 1995, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia Stats: Gabby first appeared in the Olympic spotlight in 2012 as part of the “Fierce Five” and was the first African American ever to win the women’s individual all-around. She’s had an admirable run in Rio as well, earning a gold medal as part of the team final. Best Events: As a former individual all-around gold medalist Gabby is also pretty well-rounded, but she really soars in Uneven Bars (fun fact she got her nicknamed "Flying Squirrel" from this event).
|
Get Her Look:
Gabby generally keeps her make-up pretty minimal, but we've been noticing some bold lip choices by her this time around. We especially liked the deep brown-mulberry shade she wore during the team final.
We recommend: Tigi Decadent Lipstick (Power), Duwop Cosmetics Private Lipstick
Beauty Bio: Laurie HernandezBirthday: June 9, 2000, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey but her hometown is Old Bridge Stats: Laurie is the youngest member of the “Final Five” at 16, and this is her first Olympic competition. She’s done well for being a newcomer to the Olympic scene, leaving the games with 1 gold medal and 1 silver. Best Events: She got a silver medal in this event, so it’s safe to say Laurie Hernandez is pretty great on the balance beam. Her floor routine is also a delight to watch because it reflects her fun-loving energy.
|
Get Her Look:
Laurie Hernandez's beam routine isn't the only thing that's on point. Laurie is the queen of the cat eye, always seeming to have that perfect crisp black line while nailing back flips on a 4-inch beam. Keep on keeping on Laurie.
We recommend: Tigi Precision Black Eyeliner Pen, Tigi Perfect Eyeliner (Black)
Beauty Bio: Madison KocianBirthday: June 15, 1997, born in Dallas, Texas Stats: Madison has been a key member of the U.S. National Team for the past 2 years, and proved invaluable still at the Rio Olympics earning 1 gold medal and 1 silver. Best Events: “Effortless”, “elegant”, and “free-floating” are all words used to describe Madison’s beautiful work on the uneven bars that ultimately got her to the Olympics and it earned her a silver too. |
Get Her Look:
While Madison floats on uneven bars, her hair stays perfectly in place. While Madison may have perfectly straight hair for her pony, some of use might need a little styling help, with straightening shampoos, styling products, or both.
We recommend: Tigi Bed Head Styleshots Extreme Straight Conditioner, Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Haute Iron Spray
Q&A: A Thirst That Can't Be Quenched
 My hair is so dry, so why does my conditioner weigh it down?
Studies show that most people list dry hair as their biggest hair problem. But that may not be the problem at all. What you are calling dry hair may be fine, limp hair, without body. If you do not have a permanent wave, or permanent color and you wear your hair short, you may need a volumizing conditioner! A bodifier may be a better choice, such as a mousse or root lift. If your hair is weighted down, skip the conditioner, get a lighter conditioner like a spray leave-in, or a bodifying conditioner. You don't have to use the conditioner every day, try it every other day or once a week.
|
How-tology: Soothing DIY Raspberry Oatmeal Soap
Smell the fresh-ripened raspberry in this soap, combined with ground oatmeal for gentle everyday exfoliation that stimulates new cell growth. Oatmeal is very soothing to the skin!
Ingredients:One 4 oz. bar unscented glycerin soap 1/3 cup dried oats 15 drops raspberry fragrance oil 1 drop red food coloring |
Steps:1. Place 1/3 cup oats in a food processor and grind until it becomes powdery. Set aside. 2. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt your bar of glycerin soap until liquefied. 3. Remove from heat and stir in ground oats, raspberry fragrance oil and food coloring. 4. Pour soap into a mold and let set for three hours or until hardened. This easy-to-make soap is great for the complexion! |
The Gloss-ary: F is for Fashion
|
|
|
Farnesol: natural ingredient found throughout the plant world which regulates developmental processes and is a natural bioactivator in human skin. |
|
Fir Needle Oil: a natural cleanser obtained from the needle of various cone-bearing evergreen trees. |
|
Follicle: part of the skin which the root of hair comes from. |
|
Fragrance: an aromatic blend of: essential oils of natural origin; or essential oils of natural origin and synthetic fragrance materials; or completely synthetic fragrance materials. |
|
Free Radical Scavengers: naturally derived anti-oxidants that counteract the free radicals that cause fine lines and wrinkles. |
|
Fruit acid : the same as glycolic acid. |
Q&A: Dying Dark Hair
I have dark brown hair, can I color it a funky shade of blue?
Lightening dark hair is the most difficult of the color changes. It does the most damage of any of the hair color changes. For this type of service we strongly recommend a professional hairdresser! However, If you are intent on trying it yourself, here is what you can expect. Hair grows 1/2 inch per month (on average) so your dark roots will show in one week and will need a touch-up by two weeks. Your hair will need to be bleached twice to achieve this color change. The first bleach will leave the hair a nasty shade of orange. The hair must then be dried completely and the second bleach applied. When the hair reaches pale yellow, the bleach must be removed. If you attempt to continue bleaching beyond this point, your hair may melt and break. Some hair is too dark to be bleached successfully before complete breakage occurs. An experienced hairdresser can usually tell this by examining your hair. When the hair is lifted to a pale yellow, a toner may then be applied achieve a platinum shade (usually a toner with a blue or blue violet base). The scalp may burn and get blisters after two bleach processes. A good hairdresser can avoid this and perhaps would even suggest a color "weave" for you, to lighten your hair without such a root maintenance schedule.
|
How-tology: Dark Eyes No More
If you've tried every kind of cover stick, cream, gel, and powder to cover the dark circles under your eyes, but still look like a raccoon. Don't worry, we'll show you how to send those bags packing!
When covering under eye circles, keep three things in mind: color, consistency, and technique.
Too light a concealer will exaggerate the problem, making the area look as if something was covered up and creating the raccoon look you're talking about.
Choose a shade that is no more than one or two shades lighter than your skin color, and always avoid white. For those with darker skin, choose yellow-based concealers (try those from Urban Apothecary), which will counteract the blue in dark circles.
Creamy concealers are the best. Since they won't cake or pull at the delicate eye area. Urban Apothecary's Correct & Reflect stick utilizes properties that reflect light away from the darker areas of the skin while at the same time providing coverage.
An easy to use trick is mixing a bit of face lotion and concealer in the palm of your hand. Gently tap the mixture on the area under the inner eye only, allowing the heat of your finger to blend the concealer into your skin.
The good news is, early research suggests that vitamin K, which has been used to diminish the appearance of bruises, can help to fade undereye circles. Try eating more leafy vegetables, cheese and liver. Vitamin K is also found in asparagus, coffee, bacon and green tea.
The Gloss-ary: E is for Eyeliner
|
|
| Eau de Parfum: the most concentrated fragrance, usually more costly than eau de toilette because of its concentration. |
| Eau de Toilette: a less-concentrated fragrance. |
| Echinacea: an oral homeopathic substance thought to boost the immune system. Frequently taken for cold or flu symptoms. Has anti-itching and soothing properties when used in skin-care products. |
| Eczema: a skin condition that causes areas of the skin to become red, itchy and scaly. The cause is unknown and it can affect any part of the body. The condition may be short-lived (acute) or long term (chronic), and is usually treated with topical anti-inflammatory medications available OTC or by prescription. |
|
Elastin: a surface protective agent used in cosmetics to alleviate the effects of dry skin. |
| Electrolysis: use of electricity to dissolve hair roots. |
| Emollient: a substance that softens and soothes the skin. |
| Emulsifier: a thickening agent added to products to change their physical composition. For example, it can turn a lotion into a cream. |
| Epidermabrasion: skin peel in which the outermost layers of the skin are sloughed off. |
| Epidermis: the outer layers of the skin. |
| Epilate: remove hair from below the skin's surface. |
| Essence: fragrant oil extracted from plant or herb. |
| Esthetician: a specialist in the area of beauty. |
| Eucalyptus: a mild astringent with antiseptic properties. |
| Evening primrose: Used as an astringent and helpful for reducing skin irritation. Also beneficial for dehydrated skin. |
| Exfoliate: to scale off layers of skin. |
Be a Beauty of a Site VIP
Celebrity Spotlight: Jennifer Lopez
She’s not your mama! Welcome back to another installment of Celebrity Spotlight! Today we will focus on everything Jennifer Lopez, from the block to this blog. As you might already know, here, BeautyofaSite will showcase the celebrity style of the moment and how you can replicate the top looks. Master the mold and you're on your way to beauty stardom!
Beauty Bio: Jennifer LopezBirthday: July 24, 1969, born in the Bronx of New York City, NY Relationship Status: Currently split from on-again off-again boyfriend Casper Smart, but who knows ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Biggest Hits: "Waiting for Tonight" (1999), "Love Don't Cost A Thing" (2001), "Jenny From The Block" (2002), "Get Right" (2005), "On The Floor" (2011, ft. Pitbull) Style Staples: High Buns, Plunging Vs, Body Hugging Sheaths & Minis, Dazzles of Skin & Glitz |
Get the Look
Jennifer Lopez has been a beauty icon since the late 90s/2000s, and wow does she look the same. JLo just celebrated her 47th birthday over last weekend (while still piloting her mega-successful show in Vegas), setting some ridiculous beauty standards for rest of because, come on! That aside, what we’ve been loving about Jennifer’s summer style is it just exudes brightness! Just take a look at her Instagram, JLo's current favorite thing is a styled bun, tropic bright lipstick, and fabulous sheaths for the streets or suits for the beach. Check out one of her looks below for our style breakdown!
Hair:
In this Insta Jennifer's sporting an effortless chic low bun with whispy bangs, great for getting hair out of the way in the summer heat! Jennifer's also a big fan of a slicked back high bun. What can really ruin these looks is frizzy hair (it's what summer does best!). The key to a clean looking bun is finishing of the style with anti-frizz serums or argan oil products.
We recommend: Blowpro Weather Girl Pure Anti-Frizz Serum, Alto Bella Argan Seed Oil Style Elixir, It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
Skin:
Want skin that looks ageless like Jennifer Lopez? Investing in good anti-aging creams may seem like a chore, but it's worth the pay off. Look for something that is dermatologist tested for best results, and has deep moisturizing properties.
We recommend: Dermastage Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Dermelect Skin Solutions Trio, Refinee Age Recovery Cream
Make-up:
Jennifer Lopez has been rocking pin-up gone tropical style, featuring bright lips paired with her signature shades. Colors like sherbert oranges, terracotta reds, and electric corals pump up the volume in vibrancy without reading neon. If you choose to do a bold and bright lip, make sure to keep it relatively natural for the rest of your make-up so the lips remain the focal point.
We recommend: Tigi Decadent Lipstick, Duwop Cosmetics Private Lipstick
Q&A: Shampoo, How Long is Too Long
How often should I change my shampoo?
If you are using professional shampoos, you may never need to. On the other hand, water conditions can affect how some products react with your hair. Differences in water condition may prompt you to change to a different kind shampoo. If you travel frequently, you may need several different products depending on the local water conditions. Also, medication you take orally comes out in the hair. If you have changed prescription drugs recently, you may need to switch shampoos and or styling products. If you find that your shampoo is fine for a few days and then your hair becomes weighted down or coated, you are using a poor quality shampoo and/or conditioner that is unsuited for your hair type! Even the time of the year can affect your hair. In severe climates, many people spend the winter months in dry, heated homes. Other times of the year it may be humid.
|