Oscars 2011 Beauty Trend: Understated Hair

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Oscars 2011 Beauty Trend: Understated Hair .

Simply divine: Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mandy Moore at the 2011 Oscars.

As red carpets go, the 2011 Oscars hairstyles were refreshingly short of froufrou.

From chignons (Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Mandy Moore) to ponytails (Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon), hair was largely swept back, putting the face center stage.

Of those actresses who decided to wear their hair down, most wisely eschewed those big barrel curls that have become status quo. Instead of looking like Victoria’s Secret Angels, this year the attendees came off like cool girls.

Take Scarlett Johansson and Marisa Tomei. Their hair was artfully disheveled, parted on the side, and seemed like something one could do themselves with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray.

Penélope Cruz and Gwyneth Paltrow also let their hair down. Both went for center parts: Cruz’s look had a bit of body (to go with her post-baby figure), and Paltrow’s was super-straight and skinny. With her metallic Calvin Klein Collection gown, the look was bionic rich hippie.

But perhaps the coolest, simplest style of all: Cate Blanchett’s boyish blunt cut. During the red carpet arrivals, she sauntered through the crowd (wearing her divisive Givenchy gown) looking like she couldn’t care less—and like the biggest star in the room.

See the top makeup trend at the 2011 Oscars and check out all the dresses in our gallery.

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Hair Care Myths: Fact or Fiction?

Brushing your strands 100 times a day can
 lead to hair damage. Photo: Alamy

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Hair Care Myths: Fact or Fiction?

You've undoubtedly been told that shiny hair requires 100 brushstrokes every night and that plucking a gray hair will only result in two more growing back, right? The beautiful-strand seekers in all of us have tried our share of urban legends when it comes to hair care. But experts say don't believe everything you hear.

To find out which myths are true and which ones deserve to be washed down the drain, we consulted with two top industry gurus. Here are the real facts and fiction behind great-looking hair:

Myth: Brushing 100 Times a Day Keeps Your Hair Healthy
False: If you ask Kenneth Tepper, celebrity stylist at Pierre Michel Salon in New York City, frequent brushing does bring your natural oils from the scalp down to the dry ends of your hair where they are needed, but excessive brushing can also lead to breakage. Skip the 100 strokes and go for about 15 to 20. That will be more than enough, says Tepper. And always use a 100-percent-natural boar-bristle brush, never pull and be gentle.

Myth: Stress Will Make Your Hair Fall Out
True: Stress reduces blood circulation at the scalp and a healthy scalp needs blood flow. "I just had my hair professionally analyzed," says Tepper, "and the analysis expert asked me if I was under stress. I responded, 'Duh!!! I live in New York. Who isn't stressed?'" Tepper was then shown a strand of his hair under a microscope that was bent at the root -- a sure-fire indicator of stress. So eat right and de-stress, otherwise it will show up on your hair!

Myth: Shampooing Every Day Keeps Hair Clean and Healthy
False: Nothing could be further from the truth, according to Tepper. Only very oily hair needs a daily washing; everyone else should find a way to refresh their style in between shampooing to avoid depriving your ends of vital oils. Try rinsing and conditioning every other day instead of shampooing daily.

Myth: Swimming Pools Will Turn Your Hair Green
True: But only if you're a blonde. Chlorine can turn lighter shades of hair a scary green tint -- especially if your locks were dry to begin with. To keep this from happening, apply conditioner to hair before diving in. This will seal the cuticle so your strands won't absorb the harmful chemicals.

Take a break from sudsing up. Photo: Alamy

 

Myth: Ingredients Like Semen, Eggs, Mayo and Olive Oil Are Your Best Conditioners
False: Keep those home remedies in the refrigerator and in the bedroom and away from your hair, said Tepper. While adding moisture of any sort can be beneficial, even the drugstore type of conditioners have certain ingredients like keratin and amino acids that are better for your hair. Besides, egg protein and mayonnaise oil molecules are too big to get inside the hair.

Myth: Coloring Your Hair While Pregnant Is Bad
True: All-over dyes are not recommended, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy because the chemicals can get into your system. Highlights, on the other hand, do not touch the scalp, therefore there is no absorption into the body. To be safe, only do off-the-scalp highlights or lowlights if you decide to color, advises Mark Garrison of New York's upscale Mark Garrison Salon.

Myth: Cold Water Makes Hair Shiny
True: A cool rinse will close the hair cuticle enabling it to reflect light better, so turn the shower to cold and think warm thoughts!

Myth: Dandruff Is Contagious
False: Most people do not have real dandruff, they have a flaky scalp from cold weather and too much heat at home. "It's a dry scalp, not a virus or infection," said Garrison.

Myth: Standing on Your Head Makes Your Hair Grow Faster
True: Getting more blood flow to your scalp is always good, but it might be more easily achieved by massaging the scalp. "You might fall and hurt yourself, then who cares how long your hair is," said Tepper.

Myth: Shaving Your Head Will Make Your Hair Grow Faster
False: Going for a G.I. Jane look will not give you thicker, faster growing locks, so put away the razor. When the head is shaved, your hair will grow in together and all at the same length, making it appear thicker, but it's not. Even if you're not taking it all off, cutting the hair does not make it grow back quicker.

Blondes don't have all the fun. Redheads have more sex according to one study. Photo: Alamy

 Myth: Plucking Gray Hairs Will Cause More to Grow
False: Plucking will only make you bald. You will actually destroy the follicles if this is repeated over and over, according to Garrison. You will want that gray hair one day, so save it!

Myth: Cutting Hair During a Full Moon Will Speed Up the Growing Process
False: Some astrology followers believe that cutting your hair during the new moon or the first phase of the moon, when the light is increasing, will make hair grow back faster, but it won't. Said Garrison, "This may be more psychological."

Myth: If You Cut Your Hair on Friday the 13th, a Family Member Will Die
False: Just like some people believe black cats and walking under ladders can result in years of bad luck, this is another silly superstition. Even so, Garrison said jokingly, "I'm afraid to try!"

Myth: Dye Your Hair Red and You Will Have More Sex
True: Blondes may have more fun, but redheads have more sex according to one study. Once you go red, you may never want to change your head!

Myth: Using Vodka on Your Hair in the Sun Will Lighten It
False: "Drink it instead," said Garrison. "Don't waste it on disappointing results."

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Get the Look: Isabel Lucas

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Get the Look: Isabel Lucas.

 

Even though New York Fashion Week just wrapped and we're already talking about makeup trends for Fall 2011, it's time to back up and realize that it is, in fact, only February, which means it's finally time to break out the Spring 2011 looks we've been obsessing over all winter.

At the Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood 2011 event on Monday, Isabel Lucas showed up sporting a beauty look that embodies many of the things we've been talking about since September - natural glowing skin, full groomed brows, bright lips - and gets them just right. The whole look is so warm and spring-y, it just makes me want to break out my sandals. 

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Get A Flawless Complexion In 5 Easy Steps

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Get A Flawless Complexion In 5 Easy Steps.

We all strive for that picture perfect complexion that we only seem to see on the covers of magazines (and the faces of every model and celebrity we love). Even if you tend to have days where you wake up with bags under your eyes, blotchiness, or ugh - blemishes the size of mountains - Kalina Fernandez, Director of Global Artistry for Too Faced Cosmetics, shows us how to get that flawless complexion we constantly strive for.

Step 1:

Start with clean moisturized skin. Use a foundation primer over the whole face to give you the perfect base and minimize pores for a flawless, airbrushed finish.

Step 2:

Follow with a a lightweight foundation such as Too Faced Amazing Face Oil Free Close Up Coverage Foundation.

Step 3:

If you still have some areas of discoloration after applying foundation, use a brush and concealer to cover them.

Step 4:

Dust a transluscent powder like Primed and Poreless Loose Powder along your inner cheekbone area, concentrating in the center of the face and leaving the cheekbones a little bit dewy.


Step 5:

Finish with a pale pink lip gloss and a bit of blush on the apples of the cheeks.

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Real Housewive's Cindy Barshop Talks Hair Removal For Spring

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Real Housewive's Cindy Barshop Talks Hair Removal For Spring.

 

 Now that spring has well, almost sprung, it's time to really start thinking about getting all of those hairy businesses into shape. That's where Completely Bare comes in – offering a slew of services from laser hair removal to your standard wax. Cindy Barshop, founder of the chain of spas, was recently cast in the latest season of RHONYC and spoke with us below about her spas, hair removal tips, and what's to come for her on reality TV.

What inspired you to start the Completely Bare spas?
I had an unsightly bikini line that really gave me mood swings, really bad. It was embarrassing to look at and everywhere I went for bikini waxing to remove it, it only made it worse. After researching laser hair removal, it seemed like a worthwhile business opportunity to get the service more widespread for ladies like myself.

Hair removal seems to be available at spas around every corner now. What makes Completely Bare stand out?
Our ouchless trademarked wax, specialized ‘Completely Bare Method’ and hair-removal sessions for all skin colors will deliver you the most effective, safest, non-irritating wax out there. But we mostly pride ourselves in having made Completely Bare a discreet, comfortable place for consumers to ask questions in order to make the right decisions for their own hair-removal.

And what is the most requested service at Completely Bare?
Definitely the Brazilian wax or Brazilian laser hair removal session. People like it completely bare!

We all know that waxing isn’t the most fun experience. Are there any good ways to prep beforehand so it’s less painful?
Absolutely. I would wait to make sure the hair is at least 1/4  in. long and wait 7-10 days after the last day of your menstrual cycle so you're not as sensitive. If your hair is very coarse, it usually hurts more, therefore, I usually suggest Completely Smooth for Face & Body, which is a hair-inhibiting lotion. It slows the hair growth making it finer. The finer the hair, the less it hurts when being removed.  Oh – and a pre-wax shot of Patron never hurts.

Any tips for hair removal first-timers?
YES! This is my favorite topic. You should always go to a hair-removal specialist, where waxing, laser etc.  is their main business - don't go to a nail salon for a wax. You’ll be dealing with technicians that do this all day, so they’ll be knowledgeable and gentle. When researching, ask to make sure they have both strip & strip-less wax for different areas of the body to get the most thorough service and never go to a place that doesn't have a policy on double dipping. When you walk in, there shouldn't already be a spatula in the wax that they've already used.

There are so many different types of hair removal out there. How do you pick which method is best for you?
I usually tell people if it bothers you and affects your everyday life, such as frequent ingrown hairs or coarse hair on the lip, go for laser hair-removal. If you have fine hair growth that doesn’t require lots of maintenance, shaving and waxing are both great choices.

You must be busy being a mom, owning a company, and now starring on Real Housewives of New York City. How do you make time for a beauty routine with everything going on?
Well, it’s good to be completely bare everywhere permanently. Not having to shave saves LOTS of time. But I’d never sacrifice my blowouts. Sometimes I ask for the manicure and pedicure to be done at the same time as my blowout, then I’m in and out. For maintenance, I opt for neutral nail polish so chips aren’t as noticeable. Makeup for me is a great SPF tinted moisturizer and a quick pencil to my eyebrows to define my face.  And some lip gloss once I finally get into a cab.

You’ve expanded Completely Bare into facials, teeth whitening and skin care products. Can you tell us if you have any new additions coming up?
I only add treatments that I myself found effective. One of our newest additions, Velashape, has been awesome in our NYC locations for helping smooth cellulite. As for other additions, we’re focusing on our newest national locations in Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles – we want to keep the focus on hair-free skin all across the country!

How did your involvement with the Real Housewives get started?
I love all Bravo shows (I’m constantly lusting after the houses on Million Dollar Listing) so when the opportunity came up, it was a no brainer for me. I was already friendly with Ramona and Jill from their visiting the spa.

What part of being on the show are you most excited for?
I’ve been able to meet a ton of really great people who have given me the opportunity and resources to create an unbelievable network which provides me with a larger platform for charity work and other opportunities. To give back, especially to young women, is really important to me. That, and keeping America hair-free! 

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Jan Arnold Of CND Talks NYFW 2011 Nails

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Jan Arnold Of CND Talks NYFW 2011 Nails.

It's no secret that one of our favorite things at Beauty High are nails - ah, the things we can do when stuck in the beauty closet with a new shipment of polishes. So, we are of course a bit excited about the prospect of new nail trends for Fall 2011, and with fashion week just mere moments away we stopped by a CND salon (to get shellac'd of course!) and chat with Co-founder and Style Director of CND, Jan Arnold, about what goes on in the weeks before fashion week.

Let’s talk about pre-fashion week – what goes through your head when you’re working with designers to create the right nail for each of the shows?

Ok, for me it’s my favorite part of fashion week. I flew out two weeks ago to meet with seven designers, and what I love is that we like will go to their atelier, or go to their showroom, and what I like to do is to hear them talk about the collection and you know as they're talking and describing, I pick up where their passion was. Like was there a muse involved? What was a fabric that really spoke to them? Was there a trip they took that really inspired them?  And then I like to see the fabric and I like to see the silhouette of the clothing. And if I can hear where their passion is and see the fabric and see the silhouette, or if I see the shoe that’s going to accept the outfit, I see a nail in my head that emerges crystal clear. And I’ll give you great example; Behnaz Sarafpour, we walked into her showroom and she had this Manolo Blahnik  bag, and she had a custom shoe done for this collection and she slid the shoe out of the bag and she set it up and I looked and I said, ‘Oh my God, that shoe is my favorite nail…’ and she looked at me like, whaaat? I mean we’ve worked with her for years. But I said honestly, I have the perfect nail for it. So I drew it. And the shoe, it came way, way down, like black patent, but this part comes like all the way down, to where you see the toes; but this part is clear. And super pointy, pointy heel. So what we’re going to do is a black nail, with a very, very strong curve, then we’re doing a crystal clear tip in sort of the same shape as the toe of the shoe. So I drew it for her and she agreed it was the perfect nail. We had the nail style done within five minutes of the discussion. It was easy!

With all of the designers that you work with do you find that some of them will let you do whatever you want?

Totally. And then some are more conservative or like, ‘I wanna do this!’ But what I’m finding is, the first time we work with a designer, they’re a little more cautious and careful and even indecisive sometimes, because they’re not sure; then, after we’ve done a show with them, they (through trust,) then say, well what would you recommend or what do you think here? And then by their third or fourth show their totally off and creative, they completely open up their minds. Like they empower us to go back up to the meeting and I’ll do drawings and we’ll work up samples, so we’ll shoot them and then I’ll send them to the designer, and then they can see them and then they’ll pick. But I would say with time and experience, they open up, they’re much more creative and empowering. And always a first time designer, will start like talking about a nude nail. Always. It always happens!

Now, for you, what are your fashion week must-haves? For nails, outfits, shoes, what gets you through everything?

Well, nails, they have to be, I like statement nails.

Do you change your nails everyday?

I did. Last fashion week, it was really funny, it was like it couldn’t stop for me. We're backstage, we’d get all the models ready, and then they’d go into looks, and then backstage my team like four of them would descent, like two on each hand, and they would change my nails! And it was a little crazy. It was out of control… but it was fun! So everyday I’d wear something different.  So I think what I’m going to do this time, is I’m going to wear these [black shellac with glitter and a rhinestone], because I really love these, so these for a couple of days, then I’m going to pop a form up underneath for the Behnaz show and go with a clear tip underneath. And then I’m dying to do more crystals around here. So I think we’re going to evolve these, and evolve them into what I see, ultimately. And then for me, you know the absolute must-have for me is, running, strangely. I try to run every day during fashion week and I mean I’ll run on a treadmill, I’ll go like 5 miles and it gives me my foot massage.  So then I can wear crazy heels, I can wear anything I need to during fashion week, but then a good run is like my foot massage. If I get massaged it kills me. If I run it helps me. And water. I always need water.

You always have on great statement pieces, what will you be bringing, if anything this season?

Yes, actually. And thank you for noticing, thank you for the compliment.  You know I’ll be wearing this Behnaz Sarafpour necklace. She took silver and different metallic thread, and she made like coils that then you can knot, like big knotted, metallic looking and it looks so chunky, but it’s actually really light. So that’s a piece that’s so great for fashion week because it makes an impact but it’s really comfortable and light, you know. But I love anything that adorns. Like I love cuff bracelets, the bigger the better. And huge watches! So for me, I like big nails. I like big accessories, I mean I like crazy long nails and big accessories. It’s all about the big accessories! 

beautyhigh.com

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Runway Inspired Nails: 5 Of Our Favorite Trends For Fall '11

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Runway Inspired Nails: 5 Of Our Favorite Trends For Fall '11.

It seems that nails are increasingly garnering more attention these days, with the popular return of amazing artwork, artificial nails, metallics, and the more the merrier when it comes to piling on a variety of different colors. We were pleasantly surprised to find more designers making the nail look an integral part of their Fall look, and we've pulled some of our favorites, as well as the most popular nail trends to walk off of the Fall 2011 runways. Which is your favorite?

 Style.com

Nail Art to the Max
Plenty of shows proved that nail art is here to stay --- for at least another season. From the over-the-top glitter at The Blondes to 3-D shapes and decor at Binetti, the louder the nail, the better. Artificial nails and real nails alike were found to possess artistry, with more companies using decals, such as Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. We also found the moon manicure, in new variations of color, popping up everywhere! Picture above is on the runway at 3.1 Phillip Lim, which were a combo of naughty meets nice, with beige on top, and bold color filled in the moon.

  Courtesy of CND

Beige
We saw a lot of the beige variety, from the very pale to the borderline brown. At  Isaac Mizrahi, the custom blended nails by Wanda Ruiz for CND used Chocolate Milk mixed with five drops of Asphalt to match the lip and eye color.

 Ann Lawlor

The New French Manicure
We saw quite a bit of  color play, bouncing off of the traditional French manicure and taking it to the next, bold iteration via mix and match hues. Tibi kept it funky yet clean with a shade of neon pink specially created for the show to match the hats and accessories.

 WWD

Deep, Deep Red
Popping, bright shades of red were few and far between this season, both on lips and nails, but we did notice quite a bit of red that went in more of a Bordeaux, berry direction.
As per the designer's direction, Pattie Yankee of Dashing Diva used Stock Exchange for Farah Angsana's Fall 2011 collection. We also saw deep shades of red at Carolina Herrera and Naeem Khan, that looked absolutely stunning set against the opulent evening wear.

 Ann Lawlor

Razzle Dazzle 'em - with Supped Up Black
Speaking with Priti NYC founder Kim D'Amato backstage, she pointed out that there's been a ton of black polish found on nails this Fall 2011 season - and we couldn't agree more! Most nail artists have added a bit to them, like some glitter or sparkle or a blue or green tinge, and we loved the "caviar nails" found at Cushnie et Ochs. Pattie Yankee for Dashing Diva created a textured nail look using seed beads directly from the designers’ Fall 2011 collection!

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Manicurist Jin Soon Choi Explains Her Fashion Week Prep

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Manicurist Jin Soon Choi Explains Her Fashion Week Prep.

For us beauty girls, a large part of the excitement of Fashion Week is watching the creation of the hairstyles and makeup looks backstage - most of the time never actually seeing the models walk the runway in their full outfits (who has that kind of time?). But, we all know full well that a look wouldn't be complete without the proper manicure. One of the leading nail ladies behind many of the shows is Jin Soon Choi, owner of Jin Soon Hand and Foot Spa in NYC, and she spoke with us a bit about the prep work that goes into fashion week, and her own personal nail care routine.

How do you prepare for fashion week?
The first step is to prepare nail samples and colors to show to designers at the makeup/hair/nail test. Once the design and color is decided sometimes it’s necessary to prep the actual nail tips with designs prior to the show. Then I organize my fashion show kits and schedule assistants to make the perfect team for each show, depending on what the designer has chosen to do.

What do you like most about working the fashion shows?
I love the high energy of doing shows and collaborating with lots of creative people to make the designer's vision come to life. It’s nice to get a sneak preview of fashion trends before the general public. Besides that, it's like going to a week-long party!

Can you tell us about the process – from ideation to collaboration with designers to pulling off the look backstage at the show?
The whole process is definitely a collaborative work between the designers, hairstylists, make-up artists, stylists, and me.  First, I review the collection, from colors to themes, and listen to the designer's ideas and desires so I can get inspiration on creating nail designs or recommending nail colors. Some designers already have a clear idea of what they want in terms of nails, while others want your creative input and are willing to be a bit more risky with color and design. Once I get the thumbs up, I practice painting the look so I can perfect it for the day of the show.

What is your personal nail care regime?
My personal nail care regime involves primarily moisturizing; most problems with nails stem from dryness. When your nails are dry, they get brittle. So your nails, cuticles and hands need extra care since we expose and use our hands so much. As far as painting my own nails, I have to keep that to a minimum because of the potential interference that might occur while working on a client's nails, especially when removing nail polish. I also like to leave my nails neutral so I can more readily try out a nail color. When that time comes, my nails are already clean and ready for a fresh application of paint.

What are your must-have products?
Nail file, cuticle oil, hand lotion, and two or three favorite timeless nail colors.

Are you thinking of collaborating on another nail polish collection in the near future?
Yes! It's one of my favorite aspects of this industry - creating new nail colors.  I am obsessed with color!

Aside from all of this Fashion Week talk - what spring nail trends are you excited about this season?
I'm very excited to see a revival of the sophisticated colors from the 70's such as opium red, bright oranges, magenta, and emerald green.

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Angelina’s In “Love” with Chantecaille Lip Gloss

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Angelina’s In “Love” with Chantecaille Lip Gloss.

Angelina Jolie is in love with her favorite lip gloss by Chantecaille – it’s their Brilliant Gloss ($28) in the shade… Love. Angelina was spotted discreetly swiping on a layer of the baby pink gloss while at the 2011 Golden Globes. The green tea infused formula conditions her lips better than any lip balm.

You can get the same exact gloss Angelina is seen above wearing from Chantecaille.

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Rihanna Debuts New Fragrance Reb’l Fleur

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Rihanna Debuts New Fragrance Reb’l Fleur.

Rihanna’s first ever fragrance will be on sale this February in Macy’s and it’s called Reb’l Fleur (meaning Rebel Flower). The scent is Hawaiian inspired with notes of hibiscus flower and coconut water – which are native to Rihanna as a Barbadian. Perfect for this coming Summer!

Watch the official commercial for Reb’l Fleur

Will you be buying Rihanna’s new scent?

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Celebrity Hair Secrets from Stylist Serge Normant

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Celebrity Hair Secrets from Stylist Serge Normant.

Celebs like Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker and Reese Witherspoon flock to celebrity stylist Serge Normant to give them sexy, soft and tousled hair. Serge is sharing his celebrity secrets for beautiful hair with you!

For Julia’s natural looking waves: Wrap sections of the hair, not too thick, not too thin, around a medium size curling iron. It’s best to wrap one piece one way and the next the opposite.

For Reese’s side swept bangs: The perfect banf is best cut right under the eye brow. Long bangs are sexier to me.

Fixing damaged hair: Trims are key, but what’s most important is a repair treatment used on a regular basis.

Serge’s go to hair product is his dry oil (above). It’s great because it’s weightless and not oily or greasy. You can use it on wet or dry hair for texture and shine.

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How does one judge beauty?

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents How does one judge beauty?

What is considered beautiful? Who is considered beautiful? Is beauty universal or is it something that must be taught by the individual cultures? By exploring these questions, one can come to realize the beauty that surrounds him or herself every day.

Beauty is something that is internal and external at the same time. A beautiful mind does not necessarily accompany a beautiful body and vice versa. A beautiful flower can grow in a trash field. There are many different ways to view the beauty. So, what is beauty?

When asked what beauty is, many people think of flowers or paintings. Beauty can be more than that; it can be an intangible element, such as a mind or voice. Beauty brings joy, and that joy in turn triggers our pleasure receptors in the brain, making us associate the beauty with pleasure. This can been seen every day as one listens to the radio, hoping for that one song with that “perfect” voice that just makes them happy to be alive. The more tangible is the flower of the smile of a child. These signals can also bring joy and therefore pleasure, making them beautiful in their own rights.

Who is considered beautiful is where it gets tricky. Beautiful people can be seen all over the world, but are not necessarily considered beautiful all over the world. Beautiful people who are truly beautiful are those who are kind natured with a respect for all. These people understand the nature of the world and understand that kind and beautiful mind is the best kind of beauty. Physical beauty is what most people judge by though.

Depending upon where you are, one’s beauty can drastically change. For examples, let us look through history. In the classical times, those packing a few extra pounds were considered absolutely gorgeous. Those who were thin and fragile looking were considered sickly and ugly. As times have shifted, the desire to be thin has taken over and has gone to extremes. Rather than being rail thin, think of being healthy as being beautiful. This type of beauty allows for great curves and sweet suppleness.

How do you view beauty? Are you beautiful?

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Derek Lam Fall 2011 Backstage Beauty

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Derek Lam Fall 2011 Backstage Beauty.

Left: Hair look; Right: Orlando Pita working on a model.

Tom Pecheux and Jin Soon Choi for Estée Lauder, and Orlando Pita for T3 were all back to work their magic for this season’s Derek Lam show. EstéeLauder global spokesmodels Constance Jablonski, Liu Wen, and Joan Smalls were also all featured in the Fall 2011 Derek Lam show.

For his collection this year, Lam was inspired by a “definitive dresser,” so it was fitting that a uniformed modern schoolgirl inspired the beauty look, according to Orlando Pita. Pita completely straightened the models hair and then pulled back the mid section and ironed it flat. A straight comb and hairspray were used to add finishing touches to the look.

 Left: Tom Pecheux working on a model; Right: A model getting her nails done.

As for makeup, Pecheux followed up his trend-inspiring orange tinged eyes from last season’s Lam show with an equally impactful look. He used two new Estée Lauder Eye Shadows that were being tested backstage and are set to be launched for Fall 2011: a silver with a metallic finish and a black with a shimmer finish. The shades were then highlighted with the new Estée Lauder Illuminating Powder, which was being tested backstage and is set to launch for Fall 2011.

 Left: Face chart; Right: Derek Lam pre-show.

Automatic Brow Pencil was used on the eyes and the new Nude Matte Lipstick , which was being tested backstage and is set to launch for Fall 2011, was used on the models’ lips. One of the best products I’ve ever used on my own skin, Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer, was used for the below-the-cheek area, and Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10 and Lucidity Translucent Loose Powder were both used on the models’ faces. Skin was covered with the new Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, which will be launching this summer as well as with the brand’s DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15. A new Fall 2011 shade, Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Porcelain, was used on the models nails.

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The World's Quirkiest Beauty Treatments

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents The World's Quirkiest Beauty Treatments.

More often than we’d like to admit, a basic pedicure is an absolute essential. If you’ve been blessed with perfect cuticles, maybe it’s a wax or a facial that is your beauty must. But what about the rest of the world? As much as we adore our spa treatments, there are women all over the globe who would forgo a French mani for a snail secretion facial any day. Check out these quirky beauty treatments!

 

Fish Pedicure

Long before there were razors to demolish the dead skin cells on our heels, there were fish pedicures. The Turkish spa treatment allows people to dip their feet into a pond filled with tiny fish known as garra rufa (or doctor fish), so the carp can nibble away at the dead skin. The treatment has spread all around the world, becoming a big hit in Asia, but unfortunately for us, county health departments around the United States have determined this treatment unsanitary. Guess we’ll stick to a pumice stone for now.

 

Beer Baths

Although being drenched in beer usually means we’ve had a rough night out, for many it is a way to relax and cleanse the skin. Over the last decade, beer baths have become increasingly popular in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.  Apparently, the vitamins in the yeast help cleanse and dry out oily skin. The only problem? Trying to stop the customers from drinking too much bath water!

Snail Secretion Facial

So much for avocado and coconut oils; some South Americans have discovered a new beauty benefactor: snail secretion. In 2008, the International Society of Skin Pharmacology Journal revealed that snail secretion contains regenerating properties that are excellent for anti-aging. Since snails are exposed to the harsh environment daily, their secretion includes protection from environmental pollution and UV radiation. Keep an eye out for the ingredient in facials and moisturizers! 

Gold Face Mask

Nothing makes us feel like royalty quite like a face mask made of gold – or so the Japanese say. This luxurious treatment involves applying thin sheets of 24k gold to the face with moisturizer. The Cleopatra-inspired pampering reportedly softens, tightens, and rejuvenates aging skin immediately. Although we love the idea of being smothered in gold, testimonials seem to be limited and, needless to say, the treatment will surely empty out your wallet in no time.

Bull Semen Hair Treatment

Blow drying your hair after a floral shampooing is heavenly, that is, unless you conditioned with bull semen. A London hair salon, Hari’s, offers a bull semen conditioning treatment that adds shine and nourishes protein-deficient hair. The conditioner, which the salon applies after a wash, sits in hair for 45 minutes before it’s rinsed and blow-dried. Salon owner Hari Salem told reporters that the semen is refrigerated before it’s used, so the smell has been eliminated. Think we’ll skip this one!


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Luxe Life: Hollywood's Strangest Beauty Treatments

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Luxe Life: Hollywood's Strangest Beauty Treatments.

Mila Kunis looked gorgeous at the Golden Globes. Perfect hair, beautiful dress, glowing skin from a $7,000 ruby and diamond facial, courtesy of Scott Vincent-Borba. Wait, huh? Yes, Mila luxuriated in a spa treatment that cost more than most people's mortgage to have perfectly poreless skin the night of the Globes, and she certainly isn’t the first celebrity to shell out big bucks for a beauty procedure. Check out our list of Hollywood’s craziest – and most expensive! – treatments.

 

Eyelash Extensions

One of the tamer are more pervasive new beauty treatments is eyelash extensions. Ashley Greene, Nicole Kidman, and Leighton Meester are all fans of this relatively painless treatment in which a technician applies single strands of synthetic eyelashes to your natural lashes, one at a time.  The result is long, thick lashes (and no need for mascara) for four to eight weeks. Popular Hollywood salon, Makeup Mandy, charges $350 for this indulgence.


The Holistic Facial

Terri Lawton, who specializes in “age management”, has created a Holistic Facial, incorporating a combination of Cranial Sacral Therapy and Energy work. Mindful of the body/mind/spirit connection, Lawton addresses your “beauty chi” with this procedure. Her gorgeous clientele includes Demi Moore, Rachel Weisz, Kerri Russel, Jude Law, Kate Bosworth, and Naomi Watts. Oh, and prices are upon request. Read: expensive! 


Snake Venom Facial

Before you let the name freak you out, be comforted by the fact that there are no actual snakes involved in this facial. The serum in this treatment simply mimics the effects of venom. In other words, it relaxes the face the same way venom will relaxes a snake's prey. The result?  Improved elasticity in the skin, which reduces the appearance of fine lines, and helps to bond skin cells. A bit like Botox, but without a needle, or thankfully, a snake bite! Gwyneth Paltrow and Debra Messing have been known to shell out $200 for this treatment.

Ultimate Total Body Hydra-Dermbrasion Resurfacing

When Ellen DeGeneres, Cher, and Charlize Theron need to be paparazzi-ready, they head to Ole Hendriksen for total body hydra-dermabrasion. For a mere $395, they get an in-depth, full-body facial. According to the skin expert's publicists, "professional grade, high-efficacy serums deeply penetrate the skin and LED light therapy delivers unsurpassed results."  The face, neck, décolleté, arms, elbows, thighs, knees, and back, all get "renewed, hydrated, and refined" in this 110-minute anti-aging treatment.  Sounds good to us!

Leech Therapy

Demi Moore, who always seems to be at the forefront of cutting-edge beauty treatments, is a fan of this bizarre procedure. Also known as Hirudotherapy, the procedure denotes the use of medicinal leeches for purposes of detoxifying the body. It focuses on the release of blood from the deeper parts of the body and dates back to the medieval period. Yikes. Demi's a gorgeous woman, but we’re going to have to drawn the line here!

 

Diamond Massage

Soothe your aching back – with diamonds! This luxury treatment is delivered in the client's home by Spa on Location, which teamed up with Hearts on Fire (yes, the diamond company). Their "Dream Girl" Diamond massage uses $1 million in loose diamonds to rid your body of "electromagnetic toxins" from the everyday exposure to cell phones, computers and microwaves. The cost of the massage? $25,000!
 

Fish Hair

A few years back, it was reported that Catherine Zeta-Jones spent $470 on a liquified sturgeon roe (caviar) treatment for her hair. Supposedly, it is what gives her brown tresses the shine she’s famous for. According to reports, the lavish treatment also includes truffles and eggs. The Beluga caviar is flown in from Iran five days ahead.

Platinum Nails

In 2005, Allure, Essie Cosmetics, Platinum Guild International (PGI), and British platinum supplier Johnson Matthey, joined forces to create the nail polish “I Do” which is made with powdered platinum. The first batch came in a special platinum bottle designed by Henry Dunay, and is valued at $55,000, while a regular bottle went for about $250. When you compare them, the latter doesn’t seem so bad!

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Iman: What's in My Bag?

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Iman: What's in My Bag?

It is rare in the fashion industry for a newbie model to land Vogue as her first gig but, for some, popping onto the scene gracing the pages of a world-renowned publication is simply how it’s done. Case in point: Somali-born supermodel Iman, an industry pioneer, who has been a muse for designers including Versace and Calvin Klein, in addition to working with legendary photographers, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, and Annie Leibovitz.

Founder and CEO of her namesake cosmetic line created for women of color, Iman's endless achievements include book author, wife and mother, in addition to her ground-breaking fashion career. Combined with a seemingly haughty attitude on Bravo’s The Fashion Show, we thought Iman would be the perfect candidate to launch What’s in My Bag?, a new series on theFashionSpot giving you an exclusive sneak peek into the personal makeup bags of celebrities, top makeup artists, stylists, and other industry leaders.

theFashionSpot: With your busy schedule, I am sure you are constantly on the go. What makeup items do you carry in your bag that you cannot live without?

Iman: The two beauty products that I always keep in my handbag are IMAN Cream to Powder Foundation and IMAN After Glow Bronzer.  IMAN Cream to Powder Foundation gives you the flawless look you want, leaving you with a truly natural appearance while IMAN After Glow Bronzer gives you a glamorous sheen with a flawless finish.

 

tFS: Your skin always looks radiant and flawless, what do you carry in your bag in terms of skin care?

Iman: My go-to, must have skincare product is our IMAN Time Control Liquid Assets Skin Refresher Lotion. It contains natural botanical ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Comfrey that soothes, cleanses and moisturizes your skin. With my hectic schedule, this is something that I can’t live without.

tFS: Would you be willing to share a personal skin care tip you swear by?
Iman: The biggest beauty secret I learned is from my mother, and that is it’s never too early for good skincare. The skin you take care of in your teens, and 20s is the skin you will inherit in your 30s, 40s and beyond. So products that protect, like SPF, are a must.

tFS: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what is the ONE thing you could not live without and why?

Definitely IMAN Cover Cream enriched with minerals as a concealer. It hides a multitude of sins and would keep me looking flawless until rescue!

(We were hoping for her answer to be David Bowie, but we can definitely respect a woman who strives to remain flawless in emergency situations!)

Source theFashionSpot

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2011 SAG Awards: Red Carpet Beauties

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents 2011 SAG Awards: Red Carpet Beauties.

In line with the night’s fashion trend of simple gowns at this year’ SAG Awards, beauty looks were either clean, sleek, and pulled together, or chic, long, and loose – when it came to the hair, of course. Julianne Marguilies, right, opted for the sleek look with a tight ponytail with hair parted in the middle to complement her strapless red-hued Yves Saint Laurent gown. 

Amy Adams also chose to pull her hair back, while Jenna Fischer wore a slightly looser ponytail, letting her curls out. Simple updos graced the red carpet, which was no surprise as they are a wonderful complement to strapless looks, especially the more detailed ones. Angie Harmon looked beautiful in her simple updo, as did Natalie Portman and Kate Mara. Those who wore their hair down were slightly more daring, given that it was raining the day of the SAG Awards. Thankfully, plenty of personal assistants were on hand to make sure none of the stars had any frizz in sight.

 

Opting for the chic, free flowing look, were stars like Hilary Swank (with shoulder-length loose curls, above left), Sarah Hyland, (in longer loose curls, which were key in adding visual interest to her simple orange Max Mara strapless gown), and a pregnant Jane Krakowski, who was glowing as she walked the red carpet with her blond mane of loose curls brushing the shoulder of her Badgley Mischka cocktail dress.

 

While they deserve kudos for going out on a limb, the stars that opted for more fussy hair looks, ultimately flopped. Case in point, The Office star Ellie Kemper, whose oddly draped blue halter gown was only made worse by her bangs and lopsided hair look. Similarly, Winona Ryder’s sloppy up-do (above, right) and January Jones' attempt at creating the sexy siren look (above), fell flat.

When it came to makeup trends, one might have expected to see lots of cat eyes and crimson lips to bring life to the neutral hues that dominated the red carpet, but a clean makeup look with neutral lips and soft smoky eyes was the direction most stars went in for this year’s awards ceremony. Amy Adams, Natalie Portman, Eva Longoria, Lea Michele, and Hilary Swank, were just a few of the stars who kept things clean with this beauty look.

Even stars like Kim Kardashian (right), who usually opt for a more done-up beauty style, went for a toned down beauty look this year. The looks at the 2011 SAG Awards were entirely different than what we recently saw at the 2011 Golden Globes, so only time will tell what's in store for the 2011 Oscars!

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Haute Couture Spring 2011: Best in Beauty

The luxury Lifestyle blog (the home of luxury Lifestyle) presents Haute Couture Spring 2011: Best in Beauty.

Couture week always presents the most innovative and captivating looks in fashion, but for most of us, owning a dress that costs upwards of five figures is merely a dream. Fear not, the most interesting garments often come with the most interesting beauty looks, which are easy to try at home.

Chanel (left) and Valentino (right) Haute Couture Spring 2011

Chanel’s uniquely winged eyes are perfect for a night out, but notice the sheer pink under the outside corner, also seen at Valentino. Most of us shy away from pink and red tones around the eye for fear of looking tired (or worse), but a quick swipe of your favorite blush to the eye can add a rosy tone to your look, and you can even forgo the traditional cheek color if you dare.

 Dior (left) and Jean Paul Gaultier (right) Haute Couture Spring 2011

For those of you with a flair for the dramatic, look to Dior’s saturated eye colors for inspiration. For a simpler look, take inspiration from the extreme eye by adding a bright pop of eye shadow when you're applying a standard smoky eye. Also, the disjointed eyeliner coming up from the bottom lash-line could add individuality to your standard makeup routine without being over the top.

Drama may be intriguing, but shy away from the strong brow as seen at Jean Paul Gaultier if you’re not seeking attention. It may be best to steal the soft kohl wings or bright red lips to add to your arsenal of beauty looks.

The overall blush tones seen at Elie Saab (right) perfectly matched the whimsical collection, but beware: if you are recreating this look, make sure to consider the color tone of your skin, as it may not suit those with olive or very pink skin tones.

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