Curly Research

I am a curly girl and I have done so much research since I have grown out my relaxer and gone natural...here are some of my previous blogs about curly hair fixes...
Wild about Curly
I went for my consultation yesterday at Devachan Salon in SoHo with Carlos and he was AMAZING! I expected him to tell me that I need this service and that and by the time I left I would be spending $300...but, he didn't...he taught me so much in 30 minutes time and I want to share this information with those of you who can't make it to meet with him.
Key Tips:
-No Shampoo or no "poo" as he said...that just dries out curly hair and defeats what you are trying to achieve...which is luscious lasting long curls...
-If you need to comb through your hair it is best to just use your fingers...but, if you need to comb, use a dog comb...it sounds odd, but he says it works;)
-Satin Bonnet and a Satin Pillow for sleeping...this prevents breakage at night...
-At least once or twice a week deep condition your hair by putting a lot of conditioner on your hair...putting it into a bun and putting a shower cap over it for the night...you can cover your head with a bandana as well.
-If you have to use over the counter conditioner he recommended Tresame..I used it last night and my hair looks great:) nice and soft! I have heard from soo many hair stylists as well not to use Pantene! It is really bad for your skin as well as your hair!
-And the best recommendation ever! He two methods to make my crown (top of my head) look fuller and not so flat and dragged down by the rest of my hair...1. Use these clips (I need a pic to show you what they are) to add volume while drying the hair...pick pieces of hair from the crown and just snap them and they will dry with a little volume...if after your hair is dry you still want some umph or want to change the look a bit just do a zig zag in different sections on the scalp with a bobby pin~it works...he did it last night when my hair looked hideous and people kept saying they loved my hair:)
There was a book at the salon...I haven't read it yet...but, I am going to check it out at the library, it is called, Curly Girl. Check it out!

More Curls
http://www.devachansalon.com
Did I say www.ouidad.com last time...if not there you go...
I am going for a consultation for both of these and I will let you know how it goes. And then when I do the BIG step to get my first naturally curly cut/trim I will take you all through the whole experience.
A before and after kind of thing:)

Naturally Curly hair
For everyone with naturally curly hair I think you are going to LOVE this...I always ask people with curly hair what they use and I have found the following information to be helpful:
www.naturallycurly.com
www.curvesalon.com
www.ouidad.com
And the March issue of ELLE has a really good article about naturally curly hair.
ENJOY your curls!!!!!!!!!!

Trend Report: Puff Sleeves

For a variety of images of the new puff sleeve craze on the runway check out I am Fashion's blog page at http://iamfashion.blogspot.com/. This trend is going to be easy to find at all different price points. I know H&M and Forever 21 already have these pieces and Saks Fifth Avenue is also supporting the look. So, go and look for the understated and the eccentric versions of the puff sleeve.

Brilliant Bag

This handbag is not worn by every celeb and every other girl on the street. This is a hot, fairly new designer that is paving her way into the fashion world and her name is Vivia Ferragamo and her company is naturally called, Vivia. You can check out the Fall 2006 line online now that will be including RTW. Visit www.vivia.co.uk to see the Summer 2006 line as well as the first ever online sample sale the site is offering right now with prices that are too good to be true. She is sold is select stores worldwide. But, why not just take advantage of the options online.

Spice up your look with affordable pieces by Yochi Design

I interned at Redbook about four years ago and I still have these amazing Yochi Design earrings that I got for free that I still receive compliments on. Just out of curiosity, I thought I would check and see what was new by the designer and found a lot of amazing pieces and all at a great price. I love butterflies for some reason and I am really into gold right now.

I am going to list the different sites that you can find pieces by this great designer. Enjoy!

www.shopbop.com
www.bloomingdales.com
www.girlshop.com
www.maxandchloe.com (*This is a great accessories site, I have never seen this before.)

P.S. I also love Kenneth Jay Lane who is at www.maxandchloe.com.

Editor's Picks

I just found out that I am getting my second issue of Net-a-Porter's Notes Fall/Winter edition. I am soo excited about receiving this so I had to share. Net-a-Porter Notes is a fashion planner that works as a great seasonal resource for different trends that were on the runway. Plus, it includes a six month calendar. It is small enough to carry with you daily or leave at home in your fashion closet to help you choose an ensemble for an event or for everyday. For the cost of about $50 you receive two issues in a year.

Beyonce Style Program to Come

Beyonce has an abundance of talent and now she will be capitalizing on her fashion line House of Dereon by launching a television show on the Style Network. The program will focus on Beyonce and her mother, Tina Knowles preparing for the House of Dereon fashion show this fall as well as tracking their day to day looks while working on music and fashion projects. I think that this will be interesting. MTV did a program like this with Jennifer Lopez when she had done her first Bryan Park show for Sweetface.

Designer Collections provided by Discount Stores

It seems as though everyone is jumping on the band wagon. Everyday I am reading about a new designer that will create a collection for a discount store. There are so many to come in the fall that I am just going to list them. Keep a look out for these bargains! They may one day be collectors items, when everyone stops doing this:)

• Store: Payless ShoeSource Designer: LauraPoretzky *this will be the first ever designer collection for Payless ShoeSource.
• Store: Target, GO International Designer: As we know, with each season, a new designer is being launched. So far there has been Luella Bartley and Tara Jarmon. Next in line are Paul & Joe in the Fall and during the Winter we will see Behnaz Sarafpour. There is so much excitement. I can't wait! I will be in line waiting for the doors to open. I am making sure to have at least one piece from each collection.
• Store: Nine West Designer: Vivienne Westwood, Thakoon, and Sophia Kokosalaki will be pairing up to create clothing and accessories lines for Nine West.
• Store: H&M Designer: H&M has also been showcasing designs by high end designers for a number of seasons now. In November H&M will launch a line by Viktor & Rolf.
• Store: Wal-Mart Designer: For the first time Wal-Mart will be teaming up with Mark Eisen to create a designer line..this should launch in August.

Now there is no reason for anyone to say that they can't afford a designer piece. Check out any of these stores for great new lines.

Summer Trend

Out with the old and in with the new...while the peasant look is supposedly out (I still see it on the streets)...the Mexican style dress and shirts are so in...places like H&M and ebay have great styles for you to choose from and wear with wedges or cute flats. This is a great weekend look. I also saw a Mexican inspired piece by Nanette Lepore at Saks Fifth Avenue today.

P.S. Saks is having a HUGE sale today! All sale merchandise is an extra 50% already reduced prices!

Feel like Royalty in your Couture

Every lady likes to feel special, as if they are royalty and now so many lines are welcoming that feeling. Lines like Juicy Couture have added a designer collection called Couture Couture. These pieces have a vintage elegance to them. Lulu Guinness has also added a Vanity and Couture line that are reminiscent of women's accessories in the 40's and 50's; exuding pure elegance. And to top it off, lines like Chanel have just had their couture fashion show and everyone is talking...Couture is not a trend...it is a classic that will stay with us forever. Live on Couture!

Deja Vu Style

With the launch of Beyonce's new video last night everyone has been talking about the song and her new video. I want to talk about the styling of this video. I think the styling was brilliant. I am working on tracking down the stylist so I can ask those questions that I know oh so many of you want to know:) Let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to know and I will make sure to ask.
Tonight on MTV they are supposed to have a making the video segment on Deja Vu. I have not been able to find out what time yet, but keep a look out.
I was browsing for pictures from the video that I can't seem to find yet...but, I came across images of Beyonce while she was @ TRL yesterday and I love the look. See below.

*I attached these 3 photos below because Beyonce is utilizing some really amazing trends here. 1. the large rings are really BIG right now. 2. the beautiful yellow gold earrings look perfect with this look. 3. there is a long necklace that goes down near her waist that isn't really visible but has this beautiful accent that pulls the ensemble together.

Project Runway 3: The winner

I loved this dress! I need to find it somewhere...I hope they sell all of the winner's pieces. We shall see! I wasn't able to watch the whole episode because I was at work...but, once I see the whole episode I will make some remarks on all of the designers.

Clothing Swap

Here are different ways to get free new clothes with clothes you no longer wear.

1. Trade clothing at a consignment store like: Buffalo Exchange or Beacon's Closet. They put a price on your garments and then you can use the credit you gain to shop for new clothes.

2. Have clothes swapping parties at your house and have friends and friends of friends over to bargain on what they would like to trade. There are great ideas in, The Fashionista Files on how to plan a clothes swapping party. And online find some hints for swapping parties at: www.myvillage.com/pages/fashion-hints-tips-clothes-swap.htm.

3. Participate in an organized swap with strangers like Wendy Tremayne hosts all over the United States as well as outside of the States. For more information go to www.gaiatreehouse.com/events.htm. Or to go to a swap organized in your area by people with the same interests check out http://clothesswap.meetup.com/.

Other websites:

www.swapstyle.com

www.clothingswap.org

Happy Swapping!

Beauty is ONLY Skin Deep...

or

Pocket deep with these cheap and chic beauty lines

These are some great beauty lines to purchase basics like mascara, eyeliner, or lip gloss for almost a dollar.

Wet n' Wild

There is the classic makeup line that everyone is familiar with at their local drugstore and Wet n Wild is recently offering skincare. To look for tips and tricks check out www.wnwbeauty.com/.

e.l.f.

This used to only be offered online and now is sold at Target. Everything by e.l.f. is a DOLLAR! Exactly ladies, only a dollar. Have fun exploring the site and all of the fun goodies at www.eyeslipsface.com/elfshop/default.asp.

Plus, it's not like this is not already cheap enough, I just found a coupon that I want to share with everyone! 5% off any order Discount Coupon Code: elf5 Exp. 8/1/06. All orders are $5 for shipping and handling.

meet mark.

Make your mark with the younger Avon line that has a range of products from beauty to accessories. You can purchase items through a rep or on your online today at http://pr.meetmark.com/PRSuite/buy/shop.jsp.

Victoria's Secret PINK line is having a PJ Part

Event Details below

Date: Wed. July 19th

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: Hudson River Park-Pier 46

Attire: Wear any pink merchandise and leave with tons of goodies

More Details: www.vspink.com

Free movie tickets from AE

Starting July 11 American Eagle is having a promotion where if you try on a pair of jeans you get a free movie ticket for AMC Theatres. Go to www.ae.com to find out which locations are participating.

Clueless

Fashion Fun

Have you ever dreamt that you could have the computer ensemble search like Cher in Clueless? Well, now you can on Marie Claire's website. Have fun!

http://marieclaire.mvm.com/

White & Gold

I just liked how this looked together, so I thought I would share this with everyone. Once again, Rachel's work at its best:)

Recommended Fashion Site

Don't you hate when you can't find a look that you saw a celeb wearing on television or in a magazine while they were out on the streets...well, look no further! There is a site, besides www.gawker.com that highlights all of these images that you just need to have. Check out www.couturecandy.com/celebs/1/index.html and find all the answers to your shopping searches; and there are even links for some of the pieces for where you can purchase these items...making it even more easy...

One of the pieces I found on the site Beyonce was wearing by Lotta Stensson and is actually on sale now. For your own glitz and glam check it out! http://www.lottanyc.com/

Recommended Reading

I just have to recommend that everyone pick up a copy of British Glamour (costs about $5 a pop). It is one of my favorite women's lifestyle/fashion books. It has a great mix of career, health, life and fashion stories and advice to keep you interested for at least a week. The size of the magazine is perfect too. It is rather thick for a magazine and it is in a compact size that fits perfect into your purse. (So, it can be taken anywhere.)

I am finally checking out the website today and thought I would share it with everyone as well, so check out the site as well as a daily update on what is going on:) http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/

Enjoy!

Fashion Inspiration from the Stars

These are the style stars that I look to for fashion inspiration.