What We Love This Wednesday

1) Karl Lagerfeld's Anti-Selfie Statement

"They are this horrible thing where you are distorted. The chin is too big, the head is too small. No, this is electronic masturbation."

We have to go ahead and agree here (though we’re not totally sure what he means by electronic masturbation?).  Feels good to have the authority on cool back us up.  Yes, much of our selfie hatred stems from bitterness after a plethora of selfie-fails.  We’ve seen this video—we know it can be done.  Just not for us.
It starts when a friend asks to see your new haircut.  You’re walking home alone so you casually stretch that arm—everybody’s doing it—and snap what you just assume will be a gorgeous picture (because your hair is looking sharp, and let’s be honest, that’s usually the problem).  Upon review, you find that you look really tired, your face is asymmetrical, and when you smile, you look like a 6 year old pageant queen vying for the Grand Supreme.  (Just us?)   You hope it’s a onetime deal, but upon experimentation—lighting, angles, filters—you realize there’s no hope.

So thank you, Karl.  If you say they’re horrible, we say they’re horrible.  Let’s just all vow to stop trying.

2) Spring has sprung!  We’re going darker. (And we’re not talking about our tans)

Pastels abound, but when it comes to picking a spring shade, we love the element of surprise. When every other girl in the nail salon is laser focused on the spectrum of pinks and whites, we’re heading for black’s, blues, and dark purples.  
This applies to our lip shade, as well.  Before we all soak in some (much needed) vitamin D, pair your sunlight deprived winter skin with a deep sangria red (try NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Palais Royal) for a gorgeous contrast.
                                  

3) Crispy Green Freeze Dried Fruit

3pm snack time just got super fun.  Or maybe it’s been fun for a while and we’re just catching on. 
In a perfect world, we’d get the after school snack urge and grab an apple without fail.  But being the imperfect gals that we are, sometimes we’d much prefer a bag of chips (or a Handi-Snack, but we’re too old for that).  Crispy Green is helping solve this dilemma with individual servings of freeze dried fruit.  True story- I loved the treat so much, I looked into buying a freeze dryer…they’re expensive.

An individual bag is only 40 calories (and a little under $1.50 at Whole Foods) and won’t quite fill you up, but it’s a great hold-over ‘til dinner if you’re not wildly starving.  I intend to make my way through all the fruit options by next week.  Get on board, friends!  Swimsuit season is fast approaching.

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Daylight Savings Stole An Hour (and I need it back)

It’s never fun when someone tells you that you look tired.  I don’t care if you’re my best friend in the whole wide world.   You’re not doing anyone any favors by shedding light on how sleepy I look.  Want to know what’s even less fun?  When the plumber conveys the same message… at 11am…on a Monday morning.  This was my sad reality this past week.

Fortunately, there was something to blame it on.  While we all love the extra hour of sunlight, losing an hour of sleep is cruel. Fact. (And a weekend full of Irish libations isn’t going to help the cause… should you partake.)

This unfortunate start to my week got me poking around the Internet (on quite a few Mommy websites…because comparing myself to a woman with a newborn felt fair) for some easy tips and tricks to solve my problem.

Some helpful tidbits that I thought I'd share:

•  Wear light gemstone or pearl earrings: An excuse to wear diamond earrings? OK!  This was perhaps the most surprising fun fact.  Light colored gemstones and pearl earring help brighten the face and make you appear less tired.  Word on the street is that earrings in general draw attention away from sleepy eyes, but light stones and studs seem to be the fan favorite by women across the board.

• Keep spoons in your freezer: “Sue Ellen, every girl over twenty-five should have a cucumber in the house.”- Rose Lindsey (Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead)  I truly thought this was the golden rule for growing up.  Here I am just a few monthsyearsdaysweeks over twenty-five and I can barely keep a bag of baby carrots alive in my fridge.  So let’s skip the produce and get right down to it.  Frozen spoons wake you up and eliminate puffiness-- and they have no expiration date.  Sure you can splash some cold water on your face, but a few minutes with these metal popsicles and your puffy eyes will be instantly rejuvenated.

• Curl your lashes:  I saw some tremendous before and after photos with JUST a lash curler.  No mascara, no eyeliner, no concealer.  It’s actually quite remarkable.  Your eyes will instantly open up and you’ll look more alert and significantly better rested.  Invest in a quality curler, friends.  This is a total game changer!

• Bronze: Tons of sights give makeup tips for waking up the face, but the minute I start playing with eye shadow angles and highlighter (below your eyes, in the inner corner, on the brow bone… so you’re saying I just put it everywhere?) is the minute I come out looking worse than before.  Bronzer is something I can handle.  Everyone looks a bit healthier and livelier with a sun-kissed glow so for that, I say, pass the bronzing brush!

• Grab your sunnies:  Longer days means there are more hours to acceptably wear huge sunglasses.  When all else fails, put on your biggest pair and wave the white flag.  Make sure the lenses are super dark so if you happen to doze off at an inopportune time, it’s really anyone’s guess if you’re just deep in thought or napping.
  

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NYFW Hairstyle How-To

The clothes, the shoes, the bags, the beauty!  New York Fashion Week was (and always is) a visual masterpiece.  

Couldn't find your invitation in the mail?  You don't need to be seated front row to feel like you're on a catwalk.  New York City is known for street style, but this particular week is as exciting as they come.  Media moguls and fashion mavens put on their absolute best to dazzle outside Lincoln Center… and this is where we come in!  Hair and Makeup are the finishing touches to any look, and TheStylisted had the pleasure of working with some amazing bloggers and editors to help them round out their Fashion Week ensembles.

One of our favorite looks was donned by West Coast blogging beauty, Aimee Song (SongofStyle.com).  

Courtesy of @songofstyle

TheStylisted's Kailie Joe answers our questions on how to achieve Aimee's gorgeous curls.

Q: How did you decide on Aimee’s look?

A: We had a full consultation before getting started.  She wanted her hairstyle to coordinate with her outfit.  She asked for fresh, effortless waves.

Q: What products did you use to prep her hair?

A. Aimee washed and air-dried her hair the night before.  In our consultation, she let me know her hair holds curls and waves well, and she preferred to use minimal product on her beautiful locks.

Q: What tools did you use to achieve her curls?

A:  To create Aimee's look I smoothed her hair with a Medium 55mm Ibiza Brush and  BaBylissPro™ Volare V2 Mid-Size Dryer. I also used a BaBylissPro™ Ceramic Tools™ 1" Spring Curling Iron.

Q: Curling irons can be tricky, especially for beginners, any tips for mastering the curling iron?

A: To master Aimee hairstyle you want to create a soft movement pattern. Take a 2 inch section of your hair and place the curling iron a few inches from the root.  Feed hair around the iron, stopping with at least 2 inches uncurled.  Each section should be pulled downward immediately after hair is released from the curling iron to relax the curl and achieve a wave pattern.  When every section is completed, go back to your straight ends (those last 2+ inches) and gently bend hair around the curling iron.  Lastly, massage scalp to blend hair sections.

Q: Any other tip or tricks for achieving this look?

A: If your hair does not hold curls or waves well, I recommend you use a texture hair spray or sea salt spray. It's best to apply sea salt spray in your hand first, then apply to your hair.

Q: What products did you use to make sure the look would last throughout her long day of NYFW shows and events?

A: I only used a dime size of a blo pro mane tame soft pomade to give Aimee's hair a weightless hold and natural shine.

Q: What would you advise your clients do to keep their style looking fresh a day or two later?

A: To maintain your hairstyle the next day you must protect your blowout or dry style. When you shower I recommend a shower cap with a terry cloth liner. Hair should be wrapped up in a high bun with a creaseless hair tie. (If you sweat or have an oily scalp, I recommend using a dry shampoo before hair is securely wrapped in a high bun.) When you take your hair down you can always do minor touch ups with a curling iron, if needed.

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What We Love This Wednesday

We have a lot to love this Wednesday, considering we dodged polar vortex part deux for sunnier skies.  

Since that sentence alone probably stirred some bitter feelings, we'll quit while we're behind.

Here it goes...

 

1. Society 6

Buying art when you’re on a budget has always been a challenge, but we’ve found the ultimate site for quirky, fun, aesthetically-pleasing wall décor.  Enter: Society6.com, the site that sells pretty much anything that can be printed on.  We’re partial to the art (prints, framed prints, & stretched canvas), but you can’t go wrong here.  The price point also makes these a great gift option (when you're not Gifting Gorgeous, of course), and the variety allows you to find something personal/thoughtful.

For example- we got this masterpiece for our office.

2. Polish changes are the new manicures

I haven’t let a manicurist cut my cuticles since 2009.  There’s a solid reason why, but I’ll spare everyone since this is 'What We Love This Wednesday', and not 'Tales from the Crypt'.  It certainly varies from salon to salon, but the difference between a manicure and a polish change at many-a-nail-shop is simply cuticle cutting, a bowl of sudsy water, and some hand lotion.  So if you don’t cut your cuticles, you hand wash your wine glasses, and you have a bit of lotion around the house, save yourself $7-$10 and go for the polish change.  My manicurist last week actually advised me to stop asking for the $15 manicure, and switch to the $5 polish change.  That's a friend, indeed.

Perhaps you're asking "You’ve gone this far, why don’t you just paint your own nails?"  Well- I have a clumsy left hand, I’m not the best at filing, and when I air dry, I always get air bubbles.  For $5, $6, $7, I’m happy to get a lasting, smooth, lustrous polish!

3. Phrase Frenzy App

Catch Phrase for your iPhone!  This game will make or break friendships, but it is the most fun we’ve had in a while (is that sad)?  This past weekend we spent half of Saturday night playing Phrase Frenzy and the other half of the night in the club… and I’m not ashamed to say, the Phrase Frenzy portion of the evening was by far the winner.  You giggle so hard your abs hurt, so we should also mention it’s a workout.  You’re welcome.  Grab some friends and get down to it.

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TheStylisted's Golden Globes Beauty Breakdown

We love to see Hollywood's finest taking risks again.  Those years of playing it safe are long gone and the ladies are finally beginning to experiment again with daring 'do's and exciting fashion choices.  Hallelujah!

Here are our thoughts on last night's Red Carpet winners.

The Girl We'd Like to Be

Doesn't get much cooler than Emma Watson.  From the brows, to the hair, to the lip, she's flawless.  And a backless dress with pants...Why not?

The Girl We’d Like to Be in 15 Years

Let's be honest, we'd be lucky if we looked half as good in 10 years.  Every time the camera panned to Ms. Roberts (respectfully admiring whoever was speaking on stage), our jaws dropped in awe.  We'll have what she's having.

Favorite Updo

Amy Adams' braided updo could’ve gone very Junior Prom, but somehow she pulled it off, and we loved it.  Maybe it was the dress she paired it with- risqué- in true American Hustle fashion?  We can't quite pinpoint it.

Best Blowback

Not sure what this style is called, but it’s picking up steam, and we prefer how Jessica Chastain pulled it off. You still got it, girl. (But where have you been?)

New Comer-Show Stopper

The epitome of a blonde bombshell.  That’s all we have to say about that.

Best Hair/Makeup Pairing

We loved her signature smoky eye paired with the soft, romantic updo. 

Overall- Stole Our Hearts

No surprise here, Lupita Nyong’o took our beauty-breath away.  The dress, the hair, the makeup (the Yale degree).  She stunned.   Congratulations, Lupita.  You're perfect.

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Naturally Curious - Flawless Skin From Within

There is one thing that we hear over and over again from TheStylisted artists - great makeup application and hair styling begins with beautiful skin and healthy locks. With all that's been written lately about a more natural approach to skin and hair care - washing your face with oil and moisturizing with honey to name a few - I find that women are more confused than relieved. Luckily, NYC acupuncturist and herbalist Eliza Grimes is here to break it all down for us. In her first post, Eliza will share some of her favorite, natural tricks for flawless skin from within.

We all want to know the secret for flawless skin. There are hundreds of products on the market claiming to clear your skin but most consist of harsh chemicals that actually damage your skin long term. Having clear, beautiful skin can actually be simple! When we are imbalanced internally, it's shows on our exterior. The trick is establishing underlying balance and harmony without having to use harsh chemicals. The following are my favorite natural tricks to healthy skin:

1.    Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV is one of my favorite secrets. Rich in enzymes and potassium, ACV supports digestion by balancing Ph and boosting immunity. A healthy gut yields healthy skin! My favorite is Bragg's Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, which can be found in most supermarkets. You can either ingest 2 Tbs of ACV daily (directly off of the spoon or mixed with a small amount of warm water), or topically by applying a small amount to a cotton ball and using as a toner on clean skin. 

2.    Cod Liver Oil: We hear a lot about fish oil these days but my favorite is Green Pasture's Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil.  This oil provides natural forms of fat soluble vitamins A, D & K. It also has a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and therefore improve the skin. I recommend taking 2-3 capsules daily.      

                 

3.    Cruciferous Vegetables: Be sure to eat a sufficient amount of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. These nutrient-dense vegetables are anti-inflammatory and therefore reduce blemishes and skin reddening.

4.    Probiotics: Take a daily probiotic separate from your food and preferably one that must be refrigerated. Probiotics helps restore healthy bacteria in the gut that may be damaged from the overuse of antibiotics, poor diet, stress, or other digestive dysfunctions that might impair the absorption of nutrients.  There are several great brands out there but I would recommend MegaFoods or Culturelle.

Eliza Grimes is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and has a private practice in the flatiron area in Manhattan. Interested in learning more? You can visit Eliza's website at www.elizagrimes.com and check out more health tips by following her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elizagrimesL.Ac.

Photos courtesy of iherb.com, rediscoverthekitchen.blogspot.com, aicr.org, and samsclub.com

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