Showing posts with label Celebrities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrities. Show all posts

Hairstylists Secret Weapons

Friday, 17 August 2012

When Kristen Stewart wants to darken her hair color or Cate Blanchett wants to freshen up her highlights, who do they call? Celebrity hairstylists, and they have to be the most sought-after colorists and trendsetters in Hollywood. Case in point: Remember when January Jones was one of the first celebs to try out the color trend with those pretty rose gold highlights? That was the work of Jennifer J. Essentially, she is a veritable master when it comes to all things hair.

I found out about the products she loves most. She's familiar with just about every hair tool and professional hair product on earth, so obviously I was curious to know what got her golden stamp of approval. Not only did Jennifer J. have some fabulous tips for maintaining your color (she is one of the world's leading colorists, after all), she also had some great tricks for keeping your hair strong, healthy, and gorgeous -- whether you dye or not.

So what made the cut? Jennifer J.'s all-time faves run the gamut from luxurious splurge items to fantastic drugstore buys. Take a peek at her ultimate list and you'll be way ahead of the hair curve.


Kerastase Ciment Thermique

Blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling rods put our hair through major heat stress. That's why using a product that will protect your hair is non-negotiable. "The Kerastase Ciment Thermique, £16.05, is my favorite heat-activated product," says Jennifer J. "It conditions your hair as you use your hot tool," she says. And while it is a cream, Jennifer J. loves it because it's not heavy, so it won't weigh your hair down.

"Since I'm a colorist, there are times that I dye and style my hair, not even caring that I'm risking damage. I just want the look," she says. "But the Ciment Thermique restores my hair -- no matter what I put it through -- keeping it looking healthy and fabulous."









Turbie Twist Hair Towel

Instead of drying your hair with a regular bath towel, Jennifer J. recommends the Turbie Twist, £4.99, a mini-towel which makes creating the "post-shower towel turban" oh so simple. "This is the best money I ever spent," she says. The material is super-absorbent, so it dramatically reduces your blow dry time, which means less heat damage.

Jennifer J. also suggests wearing the Turbie Twist while you take a bath or shave your legs before going out. "Your hair won't get frizzy while you're running the hot water, and it'll save your blow out," she says.








Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner

Want to get more mileage out of your highlights? Jennifer J. likes Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner, £8 each, from the brand's shine-enhancing line for color-treated hair.

"A lot of people spend their money on color, but then don't want to spend even more cash on another product to help maintain their shade. Luckily this line is so reasonably priced, especially considering it will help you get the most out of your color treatment," she says.








Wet Brush

At first glance, the Wet Brush, £5.96, looks like your everyday hairbrush, so what makes this a hairstylist's secret weapon? "This brush is made specifically for wet hair, and it glides through tangles so smoothly," says Jennifer J.

"I use this brush on women after they have their highlights done, and their hair is still wet," she says. "I don't like using combs as much because they don't have a handle; you have more control with the Wet Brush."











Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

The Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, £18, gives you glamorous hair in just a spritz or two. "This is a dry hairspray, which builds volume and gives your hair amazing texture," says Jennifer J. "But it's different from a hairspray or a dry shampoo, because you can brush it right out of your hair without any residue -- no need to wash it out."

So how does a dry texturizing spray work, exactly? "You just hold your hair up, and spray at the roots where you want to absorb oil and add texture," she says. "It's an awesome shortcut to volume."









Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Restorative Conditioner

"Out of anything I've ever used, this is absolutely the best deep conditioner you can buy," says Jennifer J. And yes, the Shu Uemura Restorative Conditioner, £27.65, comes with a pretty hefty price tag, but the product itself is so long-lasting that it'll take you forever to go through a whole tub. "It penetrates the hair, making it so soft to the touch." she says.

The key ingredient in the Shu Uemura conditioner is argan oil, so if you can't swing the £27.65, try Rusk Restorative Conditioner With Argan Oil, £15.50. But if you do feel like splurging on the Shu Uemura conditioner, Jennifer J. promises it's worth it. "It's one of those products that manages to moisturize better than any other I've used," she says.





Goody Spin Pin

The metal corkscrew-shaped Goody Spin Pin, £5.50, looks like something you'd buy at a hardware store, but it's actually the ultimate bobby pin. "This is the pin you want to use if you're putting your hair in a bun," says Jennifer J. Instead of cramming your head with a handful of bobby pins, you only need one or two Spin Pins. Just twist the pin into the area where you would place a bobby pin, and keep twisting it inward until it is entirely concealed in your hair. "I'm amazed at how tightly it holds my low, messy buns," she says.
















T3 Single Pass Whirl Wand

Beachy, sexy waves are one of the most coveted hairstyles right now, and Jennifer J. swears by the T3 Single Pass Whirl Wand, £87.80, when it comes to getting the perfect waves. "The wand gets so hot, so you don't need to spend a lot of time curling. It majorly reduces your prep time before you go out," she says. "Plus, it creates a looser curl, which is so on-trend and pretty."












Malibu C Hard Water Treatment

You may not even realize it, but if you live in a place with hard water (meaning your water has a high mineral content), showering can dull your hair, leaving it brassy or even slightly greenish. But there's a way to fight this, says Jennifer J. Use the Malibu C Hard Water Treatment Packets, £10 for a 12-pack, "The Malibu Treatment will restore your hair from the damage hard water has done, leaving you with shiny, pretty color," she says.











I'm really sorry that this post is so late today, I was having problems with Blogger.  I hope you've enjoyed this look into a celebrity hairstylist and what her favourite products might be.

Have a fantastic weekend filled with fun and frollicks.  The UK is expecting some great weather, so I'll be enjoying a bit of tanning perhaps.  Let me know what your plans are.

xoxo,
Angelique










6 Easy Makeup and Hair Looks for your Morning Routine

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

We've all been in a terrible rush on an early morning before work, school or during our busy lives. This calls for a quick solution for getting ready - and this remains a constant 'work-in-progress' for me.

While we love a good cat eye and elaborate updo, there are times when we just want to look pretty and put-together without making a whole lot of effort. So I found six effortlessly gorgeous hair and makeup looks perfect for any occasion. And for extra help to get them done even quicker, I looked at celebrity hairstylist's and celebrity makeup artists for ideas.

One of their biggest secrets to speeding up your primping: multi-tasking products. By using these you don't need to reach for a bunch of different tools, which saves you time (bonus: multi-tasking products take up less space in your bathroom too). These looks are impactful and minimal at the same time and don't require a lot of different products. They're easy, effective, and everyone can do them.  Sounds good to me.



Hair: Fresh blowout

It can't get simpler than this. Even if you have course, curly texture, you can still easily get Lindsey Ellingson's smooth, volumized finish with a multitasking tool like the InStyler 1 1/4-inch iron, £99.99. It smoothes hair while creating body and volume, and leaves hair looking shiny.

Get the look: Apply volumizing spray in your hair and then rough dry it with a blow dryer. Then brush through your hair and take one-inch sections of hair and run them through the InStyler iron. You can straighten out your hair, while adding a slight wave to the ends.












Makeup: Monochromatic look

Forget trying to figure out which colors go together, and just wear the same shade for all your features for a simple and put-together finish like Jessica Chastain did. The monochromatic look is huge right now. Everyone can achieve it with a little effort.

Get the look: Choose a soft neutral pink or rose-y shade to use on your cheeks, lips, and eyes. He recommends Nars The Multiple, £29. The texture is perfect for an overall sheer, monochromatic look. Simply add mascara, groom your brows, and you're done.














Hair: Center-parted pony

Ponytails never go out of style -- if they're done well. This one is very clean and Malin Akermen's wearing it low which is very elegant.

Get the look: Use a tailcomb to make a center part. Then use a bristle brush to smooth the sides of your hair back and tie into a low ponytail with an elastic. Then wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide the band and pin with a bobby pin. Apply hairspray on the tailcomb and lightly brush your hair around your hairline to tame any fly-aways. If you want to de-emphasize a round face, use the tail comb to pull out some front pieces of hair to frame your face.











Makeup: Red lip

Even though red lips may seem intimidating to wear, they're deceptively easy to do. And Blake Lively's chic, shimmery glow is the perfect canvas for her bright red lips. The key to this look is to wear a matte lipstick so that it's complementary to your satin shimmery skin.

Get the look: For your skin, I recommend Stila All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten, £15. The duo consists of a soft pink shimmer that can be used all over your skin, and to accent the inner corners of your eyes and below your browbone. For your lips, try Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl or Cruella,  £ 17.50.





Hair: Topknot

From Katie Holmes to Julianne Hough, the topknot is a celeb favorite on and off the red carpet, because it's an easy and versatile style. Plus, "Topknots are flattering, because they draw your eye up and visually lift and lengthen your face,". They're fun, festive, and a style that can easily translate from casual to dressy.

Get the look: Take your tailcomb and section the front middle section of your hair, and clip it out of the way. Then, pull the rest of your hair into a very high ponytail. Apply some dry shampoo to the ends of your ponytail before taking your tailcomb and backcombing a little bit. Then twist the pony around the elastic and pin it down into a high bun. Take the front section then very loosely wrap it around the top knot you just created and secure with a pin. Dry shampoo is a great multi-tasker, since you can use it to soak up any oil when your hair is dirty, and you can use it to add volume for finer hair.





Makeup: Bronzed look

Jessica Alba's bronzed face is a wonderful example of facial contouring, which is so important in looking finished. Jessica's cheeks and eyes are sculpted in the same, slightly matte textured monochromatic tone. While you can achieve this look using a matte textured bronzing powder, sculpting looks best in a neutral, taupey shade. I recommend Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder, £34.

Get the look: Use the Sculpting Powder, or a matte bronzer to contour your face. Add the bronzer alongside your cheeks to your temples like Alba did here. Then for your eyes, apply a neutral shimmer on the lids for the perfect complement.









Has these tips helped you with your morning routine?

I'll always be working on making my morning routine easier and quicker.  Let me know if you have any tips in this endless quest.

xoxo,
Angelique










Wedding Week: Top 10 Bridal Beauty Looks

Thursday, 21 June 2012

No wedding would be complete without the obligatory 'beautiful bride'.  This means a whole package of dress, shoes, hair and makeup, which really makes me want to talk more about makeup! 

Many brides decide early on in the planning process whether they prefer to do their own makeup or have a professional makeup artist do the work for them.  It is easy to get wrapped up in all the other things that accompany a wedding, but the makeup really does make as big a difference as the dress, shoes or any other part of the bridal look. 

Makeup frames the face and enhances the natural beauty of the bride.  So think really carefully about the look that you want to go for.  Here I've compiled a list of the best celeb beauty looks as inspiration for your makeup look:-


Be a laidback bride

Amy Adams worked a soft and romantic updo with a side-swept fringe for an oh-so-pretty look. The hair is understated and super-versatile – dressing up a simple dress and drawing back from overly embellished designs. The Enchanted star dazzled in honeyglazed tones of peach and apricot, with slightly bronzed cheeks for a sunkissed, totally flawless look.












Wedding Week: The perfect wedding hair to match your gown

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Picture this. You're at a wedding and the blushing bride comes waltzing down the aisle wearing a gorgeous princess gown, flawless makeup and ... flat, limp hair. Can it GET more boring than that?

OK, maybe. That is pretty dang dull. I totally know what you were thinking as she passed you. "I would NEVER attend my own wedding with that kind of formal hairstyle. Gross!" So instead, you imagine yourself wearing a sleek, fancy chignon with a loose, flowy dress. That's muuuch better, right?

Sorry to break it to ya, but that's just as bad as doing nothing to your hair at all. Just because your hair is pretty and your dress is pretty doesn't mean they go well together. Certain hairstyles were practically made for a wedding dress, while others shout, "Look at me, I've got no sense of style!" Like wearing a denim jacket with jeans. So 1990's. And since mistakes like this can ruin your entire wedding, you'll want to find the absolute perfect hairstyle for the dress you'll be wearing.



Guess what? I've already asked my hairstylist Becky from the Saks Hair and Beauty in Leamington Spa what that might look like for various wedding dress types. If you're smart, you'll take a look at these hairstyles even before you start shopping for your dress. You're bound to find the perfect wedding hairstyle from one of these celebs, including Kate Bosworth, Debra Messing, Thandie Newton, Lauren Conrad, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and Rachel Weisz.

Oh, and listen when all of your friends say the hairstyle you love doesn't go with your gown. You don't want to be that girl who looks back at her pictures and wonders, "What was I thinking?!"


The Classic Gown

A classic wedding gown is perfect for a bride who wants to look traditional and elegant as she walks down the aisle. It's simple, with clean lines and not too much embroidery or embellishment. The necklines for this style typically follow the collarbone or show a bit more skin on top (think Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, so gorgeous). Becky says a bride who selects this dress type should wear her hair up and off of her face in a "classic way," like sweeping it into a simple bun or timeless French twist. She also recommends adding a hair accessory to your style to up the simplicity of the dress type. Just be sure to get opinions from your friends on whether an accessory looks good on you before deciding to wear it on your big day.








The Classic Gown: A sleek bun

Kate Bosworth's high, sleek bun lets your glowing face take center stage. "A bride has to remember that pictures start as soon as she gets ready and continue till the last dance and that there will be lots of hugs and touching," Becky says. Bosworth's style is polished and ladylike, and will stay in place flawlessly throughout the day and night -- perfect for pictures. If your dress doesn't have any crazy bling on it, try adding a jeweled clip to the side of the bun, or slip on a sparkly headband.









The Classic Gown: A French twist

Debra Messing's French twist will make you look elegant and royal out on the dance floor. Adding a bit of texture to the top of her hair and keeping the rest off of your neck also keeps it a bit modern. Just keep in mind: if your dress has a lot of sparkles or lace, go easy on the jewelery -- opt for simple diamond studs to keep the look classic and timeless.













The Romantic Gown

The romantic wedding gown is Shakespeare in dress form. It usually has flowy flourishes (like soft, billowing fabrics) and plenty of embellishment (like tulle and ruffles). The necklines, which usually include the strapless or scoop neck, tend to show some skin. So this dress is not for the faint of heart, as it will garner all the attention. That's why Becky suggests keeping your hair simple. "The idea is to look dreamy, with hair loose or to choose a style that is soft and sweet," she advises. "Too much hairstyling can quickly take away from your dress," and if you've chosen a dress like this, you definitely don't want that to happen.








Romantic Gown: Flowy curls

Thandie Newton's messy curls are perfect for a romantic wedding dress, because they fall above the neckline and show off her pretty collarbone and bare shoulders. They're effortlessly gorgeous, and they draw your eyes straight to her bust line and dress. Becky says the most important thing is to be comfortable on your big day, and what's more comfy than choosing a style like this that you've probably worn many times before? The other great thing about choosing a style you wear often is that you can totally do it yourself! No more spending money on an expensive stylist.









Romantic Gown: Low side ponytail

Lauren Conrad's low side ponytail has "princess" written all over it. It's perfect for a bride who wants plenty of sugary-sweet romance on her big day, and fits the vibe of the romantic wedding dress perfectly. It's an easy style that will keep eyes below your neckline and draw immediate attention to the dress. If your hair is too short, try adding a ponytail extention.













The Modern Gown

A modern wedding dress is perfect for the chic, city gal who loves random, asymmetrical lines. They tend to have strong, plunging necklines or high necklines with lots of detail. The best hairstyles to wear with these dresses are ones that look simple, "even though they may NOT be, they are so clean that it at least appears that way," Becky says. This allows the bride to play with different style eras and even mix them up, like coupling a retro hairstyle with a trendy gown. The best thing about a modern gown is that you can break all the rules and even create your own. Just don't turn all Bridezilla on us, you hear?







The Modern Gown: A slicked-back hairstyle

Kim Kardashian's long, slick hairstyle is elegant and stylish, especially when paired with a graphic or complicated neckline. If your gown has tons of jewels or embroidery near the neckline, Becky says it's best to wear your hair off your face, to avoid distracting from the dress' detail. Keep your look modern by mixing old with new -- Kardashian's hair looks simply pinned half-up from the front point of view, but when you look at her hair from the side, you see a bundle of gorgeous, tousled hair.










The Modern Gown: A retro bouffant

Jessica Simpson's retro-inspired bouffant takes it from 60's to today when it's coupled with a modern dress with a detailed neckline. Adding height to your hair is important -- it lengthens your neck, elongates your body and makes sure your head doesn't get totally swallowed by the dress. And because teasing your hair means TONS of hairspray, Becky suggests you have your maid of honor carry around a little "emergency" kit that includes a travel-sized bottle of hairspray and lots of bobby pins.










The Bohemian Casual Gown

Want the perfect beachside wedding? You've got to wear a flowy, ethereal gown with soft lines and sweet details. With the casual dress, you can usually wear flip flops (awesome, right?) and soft, natural-looking hair. The different variations for these hippy-like dresses include spaghetti straps with an empire waist or a slim-fitting silhouette with a loose v-neck. Becky says light, pretty waves or loose updos are the perfect laidback look to match the feel of this type of gown.










The Bohemian Casual Gown: Tousled waves

Nicole Richie's long, tousled waves are so bohemian-chic, and they look relaxed and gorgeous with a deep v-neck dress. Becky says hair that looks "earthy" and free-flowing like Richie's is perfect for a bride who wants to look natural on her wedding day.















The Bohemian Casual Gown: A faux bob

Rachel Weisz's messy faux bob is so carefree and fun, perfect if you want to casually show off your shoulders. It's so sexy and refreshing to see loose layers that fall just below the chin, and this also draws attention first to your collarbones and then down to your dress. Try parting your hair to the side for a flirty vibe, or down the middle if you want to keep it casual. You can also pair this look with a sparkly necklace to make your casual gown a bit more elegant.










And that is really the low-down on choosing the two most important elements of your big day.  Make sure that your gown and hair match and that it also ties in with your theme.  For example, you can't go 'retro' when you have a 'modern' gown...it would look slightly out of place.

Hope that you found this guide helpful ;-)

xoxo,
Angelique


















Style Crush: Oliva Palermo

Friday, 8 June 2012

Hello all you sexy chicks!

I'd like to wish you a very happy friday, it truly is TGIF!  Can't wait to just relax over this weekend!

My main message today is just to thank all my amazing readers new and old for all the great support that you have given me in the past while.  My readership has increased significantly, so hopefully I'm improving my blogging skills which is ultimately what I'd like very much to do.

I'd also like to ask if you have any great ideas for posts or reviews or anything at all -- to please share it with me.  I'll do my best to create a post to make you proud.



And on to my blog post today, it is short and sweet but I'd like to share it nonetheless.

I've recently developed a style crush on Olivia Palermo.  It happened so gradually that I didn't realise until the past week that I love her style and the clothes she mixes and matches together.



Olivia also has her own style blog and website simply called Oliva Palermo.  It is definitely worth a look, and will become part of my 'regular' reads.


Olivia Palermo style

Let me know what you think of this crush.  Do you feel the same, or think I'm crazy?

xoxo,
Angelique

Celebrity Prom Pictures

Friday, 25 May 2012

Because it's Friday, I thought I'd end our prom-week in a light-hearted fashion!  Let's have a look at all those crazy-cool celebrities and what they wore for the prom....

Celebrities really are just like us -- they go to prom wearing goofy dresses and take photos with that sunset backdrop too. Don't believe me? Then check out these 25 celebrity prom photos.

I've got everyone from Jennifer Aniston, to Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Natalie Portman, Dakota Fanning, Fergie, Demi Lovato, Christina Aguilera, Brad Pitt, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin and tons more. All of these celebrities have fun prom dresses and (in my opinion) kind of wacky prom hairstyles. I guess that's what happens when you don't have a professional put together your prom styles, huh?

It's so much fun looking at celebrity prom pictures from before they were famous, but I love looking at their prom dates even more. Do you think the girl standing next to Brad Pitt had any idea he'd be the mega-star that he is? Or Lady Gaga's prom date -- think he knew she'd take the world by storm with "Poker Face"? Or Michelle Obama's date -- think he knew he was with the future First Lady? Makes you wonder about your prom date -- maybe he'll be a celebrity some day? Better not lose those prom pictures just in case.

So if you're looking from some prom dress or hair inspiration, or you just want to laugh at how celebrities looked before they were famous, check out these celebrity prom pictures -- and get ready to laugh.



Taylor Swift's Prom Photo

OK, so this wasn't that long ago, but doesn't Taylor Swift look adorable with her prom date?

Lady Gaga's Prom Photo

I can't see much of Lady Gaga's prom dress unfortunately but I love the sunglasses, so cool.














Miley Cyrus' Prom Photo

Not sure why this photo looks so old but I love the bold color choice for Miley Cyrus' prom dress.

Britney Spears' Prom Photo

Awww, this prom photos is a nice reminder of when Britney Spears was all sweet and innocent.












Natalie Portman's Prom Photo

Before she was a gorgeous Oscar nominee, Natalie Portman was just a normal girl heading to prom with her friends (and a giant corsage, but that's OK).

Jennifer Aniston's Prom Photo

Jennifer Aniston got to re-live her prom days in a couple "Friends" episodes, but I think she was cuter in real life.











Dakota Fanning's Prom Photo

Dakota Fanning opted for a short prom dress, she's probably over all the long dresses she already wears on the red carpet.

Fergie's Prom Photo

Love the gloves Fergie is rocking with her prom style. The blonde hair is pretty sweet too.














Demi Lovato's Prom Photo

Demi Lovato has a very impressive limo for prom (that would be a Rolls Royce for you non-car aficionados), her prom dress is pretty too.

Christina Aguilera's Prom Photo

So apparently before Christina Aguilera was famous, she wasn't even cool enough to have her own prom date, she had to share? Surprising. Her dramatic prom dress and makeup -- not as surprising.









Brad Pitt's Prom Photo

Behold, the luckiest high schooler ever -- Brad Pitt's prom date. And her very bridal-looking prom dress.

Kristin Cavallari's Prom Photo

Kristin Cavallari's prom hairstyle is pretty casual, I'm sure it matched her SoCal prom style.












Halle Berry's Prom Photo

The flowers, the crown, looks like Halle Berry was prom queen. Shocking (er, not so much).

Sandra Bullock's Prom Photo

How cute was Sandra Bullock and the baby's breath in her prom hairstyle? Adorable.












Michelle Obama's Prom Photo

Michelle Obama is rocking a pretty racy prom dress -- do you see the leg slit? Side note: her date looks old enough to be her dad, but that might just be the mustache.







Claire Danes' Prom Photo

Another casual bob for a prom hairstyle, but Claire Danes is totally cute enough to pull it off.






Sarah Palin's Prom Photo

Former governor Sarah Palin is sporting a pretty sexy red prom dress, was she vying for a spot on "Dancing with the Stars" all the way back then?

Will Ferrell's Prom Photo

In case you were wondering if Will Ferrell was funny in high school, the crown on his head in this prom photo seems like a clear "yes, he was." Anyone else thing he was also kind of cute back in the day?












Courteney Cox's Prom Photo

This seems like an ultra-conservative prom dress for Courteney Cox, but we love the belt action and her cute smile.

Kellie Pickler's Prom Photo

Remember belly-baring prom dresses? Kellie Pickler sure was trendy with her prom style.













Heather Locklear's Prom Photo

It's really not fair that a high schooler can look as sexy as Heather Locklear does in her prom photo. Are we at all surprised she's got the prom queen tiara on? Nope.

Meg Ryan's Prom Photo

Meg Ryan seems a little more interested in her prom date (crooked bow tie and all) than he seems in her. Wonder if he's regretting that now?












Ashley Judd's Prom Photo

Ashley Judd's prom dress looks a little "Golden Girls" with all the beading, but she can pull it off.

Robin Wright's Prom Photo

Robin Wright's prom dress is pretty classic, she could probably still wear it today if she was going to prom.













Verne Troyer's Prom Photo

Verne Troyer (you probably know his as Mini-Me from "Austin Powers") was prom king in high school, pretty cool.













Hope you've enjoyed this little treat of looking at 'old' prom pictures. 

Have a wonderful weekend filled with lots of fun!

 
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