My Top 10 Hair Care Products

   I never really used to do my hair, I would either leave it down or toss it up in a messy half bun and go. I didn't really care too much about hair styling or taking much care of it either. My hair routine used to be as simple as washing it, letting it air dry, then straightening or curling.
   After having my daughter I noticed a drastic change in my hair. It went from healthy, thick and little to no split ends to very damaged, drab, pretty coarse and just over all a pain in the ass. My hair is frizzy after washing, it feels remotely coarse and I have noticed more fall out in my hair brush or even running my fingers through my hair after showering. It was really starting to depress me. I vowed to myself I will learn to take care of my hair better, find things to renew my hair back to health, and learn more ways to do my hair! Thus being said I have cut out my straightner and curler almost COMPLETELY out of my life. I let my hair air dry and only style my hair with heat for special events.

I have made a list of things I have found since I vowed that to myself that help manage and restore my mane.

1. Wen Cleansing Conditioner

Wen is an incredible conditioner. It is a 5-in-1 formula that can replace shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler, and leave-in conditioner. It thoroughly cleanses hair without having to lather it up into a foamy mess. Another great thing is there is not harsh ingredients that are usually found in common shampoos. It is designed for ultra-sensitive hair and scalps. It leaves my hair super soft and shiny, It reduces fly-aways and most of all it moisturizes my coarse hair.

2. Aussie Sun Touched Shine Hairspray.

I don't really use much hair spray unless I'm going somewhere special or doing hair for my many mini photo shoots. I turn to this when I have little stray hairs sticking out that need smoothing down. Aussie hairspray really does the job without leaving it feeling like a chunk of glossed straw and it doesn't fall flat after a couple hours like most hairspray, it stays strong and long! It doesn't have that "sun-kissed" shine that it says but it is wonderful for updos, teasing, or just laying down a stray hair.

3. Bed Head After Party Smoothing Mousse.

After Party brings a healthy, silky shine to my hair. It tames frizz and helps manage my hair so I'm able to work with it. I use this mainly on the days my hair just finished drying and decided to turn into a frizz ball. My hair literally looks like someone ran a balloon on my head and left it all puffed and static-y. Just a small amount smoothes out frizzy messes without making it look greasy. And it smells GREAT! The bottle is quite oddly shapened and I frequently get asked "What the hell is that" when people notice it in my vanity. lol

4. Redken 12 Align Hair Straightner Serum.

When I do want to straighten my hair I grab this stuff! It is applied to damp hair and can be either blow dried for a natural straight look, or used with a hair straightner for a dramatic, dead straight look. It adds control and discipline to curly hair. It is a heat- protective serum, so I don't have to worry if I'm taking 2 steps back and damaging my hair again. I LOVE this product and what it does to my hair.

5. Pantene Pro-V Restoratives For Breakage Defense.

I have the shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner. Within the time I have used this I have noticed quite a change in my hair, it's not coarse and I am not seeing as much fall out as I usually did. When your hair goes through such a drastic change it does depress you. But Pantene Pro-V Restoratives is slowly helping repair my hair. It has made my hair so much stronger and hydrated.

6. Sauve Kids Detangler.

Now I know what your thinking, "Sauve Kids?? Really?" well yes really. I think Sauve is an underestimated product. It is affordable and does what it says. My daughter's hair is curly as heck. The perfect, ringlet almost Sherley Temple type curlers which makes combing her hair out a screaming hassle. When I got this I honestly didn't expect much because I'm used to a high end mane detangler. But spraying this on her hair when it's freshly washed or even dry, letting it sit for 5-7 minutes leaves the comb just running right through her hair. It removes big rat nest type tangles kids get that seem almost impossible to get out and you wondering how the hell they managed to get a tangle that big! She is sensitive headed too, so this turns a screaming situation into a manageable one. I do reccommend this to any mother.

7. Paul Mitchell Tea Trea Oil Shampoo.

This bad boy was picked up for my sister who has a dandruff problem. But being me and having a slightly odd liking for reading the back labels of shampoo bottles led me to using this. It is great! When massaging this into your hair and scalp it has a cool menthol feeling to it even a slight tingling effect. It smells and feels refreshing. My hair feel stronger, frizz free and even helped out her dandruff problem. It is rather pricy, a normal sized bottle is currently 31.95 but it is worth it.

8 Sauve Professionals Rosemary And Mint Shampoo + Conditioner

This invigoration shampoo and conditioner is enriched with 100% all natural rosemary and mint. It gently cleans and increases better manageabilitly. It does leave my hair shiny and soft with a light hint of rosemary. It's cheap and works well.

9. Beyond The Zone Smooth Criminal Thermal Protect Spray.

This light weight balm is great for someone who uses heat in their daily hair routine. It helps seal the hair cuticle and does speed up blow drying time. It enhances shine and smoothness. I used this all the time when I constantly straightened/curled my hair. I use it when I do hair for other people because I know how much I value my hair so I wouldn't want to damaged someone else's hair. It majorly prevents damaged due to heat.

10. Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum.

This unique formula helps repair damaged hair and cuticles. It mends split ends and frizziness. It is an indulgent blend of orangic coconut oil, and keratin proteins that promotes longer hair by reducing dramatic damage. It adds strength and elasticity to weak or brittle hair. This serum completely changed my hair! I dont see any split ends and brushing my hair has gotten alot more enjoyable. I dont have NEARLY the amount of fall out as I did before using this. It smells wonderful. This is great for men and women.

History Of Glam: Natural 1940's

          The decade began early with the world at war and ended broken. Thus The United Nations were established and a welfare state came to be.

       Computers were being invented and familiar items such as the microwave oven, and Tupperware had made it's debut for the first time. The movie style of this decade was Film Noir. Classic films like Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, It's A Wonderful Life, Citzen Kane and Casablanca were box office hits. The careers of Lauren Bacall and Humprey Bogart were just rising.

The world was at war in the 40's, which meant that resources were restricted everywhere. Women were venturing back into the work force while men were going to war. Clothing was greatly reflected this desperate time.Women's skirts became much shorter and duller in the 40's. Fabric and other resources were in such short supply, so a shorter hem was seen more patriotic than lewd during this time.Nylons were rarely available during the war which left women dying their bare legs with tea then drawing seams. Clothes were very much plain, Shoulders were squared off, and skirts were dead straight.  Mixing and matching fabrics was a new thing for women due to the fabric shortage. It made for a one hell of a colorful and lively wardrobe. Heels were becoming thicker and more sturdy with the help of heavy walking to and fro work from women trying to conserve energy.  These thick heeled shoes and basic A-line skirts are still worn today. They were considered one of the marvels of this time. Women's fashion became durable due to the work force. Undergarments were much more useful and industrial. Clothing need to be able to take a long, hard beating. Sleeves were short due to fabric rationing, shoulders were square due to military influence. Short and sportswear were being worn by women for the first time.

The 1940's era had refined women and slowly sat the stage for feminists who would later reflict the history of women. For the first time in our country's history, even the average women was expected to live out to different roles; the sweet homemaker, the wife of a solider, and a hard working factory employee. It didn't take long for women to understand their roles in society during this time. While men were at war, someone had to work in the factories and ship yards. It didn't take very long for the government to realize women were the back bone of companies during this time. They were the only ones producing equipment and the supplies needed to run their war. Some women thought they were doing their patriotic duty and were very delighted to enter the work force, while some women found it unfeminine to work outside the home and refused to work. The government soon sent these women to work by using flattery, cajolery, and outright threats.

Hairstyles in the 40's were smoother and quite longer.  Thus giving the war years a more romantic, softer look. Bob haircuts disappeared, women wanted longer beautiful hair even if they had to pin it up for work.  Curlers and irons were created to give women wavier hair that could be pulled away from their faces. The hair trends were glamorous if not high maintence. For day time styles women would wear their hair down with long wavy curlers imidatiting Lauren Bacall. For evening looks, they wore their hair in a chignon with lots of curls to accompany it.  Fingerwaves and pincurls were still among these trends. Many women would go to sleep with curlers on or even did the dishes with their hair in a bandana to cover their pincurls while drying ever so tightly against their head. Hair dye wasn't unheard of at this time. Peroxide became  a way to have more fun.

Makeup was affected by the war during this time. This took women's thoughts off of romance and more towards simplicity. Lips were a true, patriotic red. Skin was creamy, powdered and smoothly pinkish. Mascara was still on women's face, though it was something mainly worn after work.  Romance and Simplicity fought eachother in the home. Women simply wanted to look beautiful either swing dancing or during working shifts. Makeup for women during the war years was a way of maintaining a woman's feeling of femininity in a world that was incredibly challenging for women expecially to take on a man's role. The defined style for makeup in this decade was simply glamorous. Full luscious lips and a more prominent eyebrow shape was making its way into fashion and slowly kicking out the pencil thin look. Eye makeup was kept to a minimum with very little eye shadow being applied. The main focus was eyelashes. Mascara was the main if not only accessory to the eyes.

Foundation was a slightly darker tone to your own natural skin color. Face powder used then had a bit of a light rose/peach tint. Rouge was still applied in circles but was blended out to the temples. It was applied in a triangle effect. Face powder was to create a beautiful rosy glow instead of the Cleopatra look from the 30's.

Eyes of the 40's started with a full yet well plucked eyebrow with a pronounced arch. Soft cream based shadows were applied to the lids and a brownish tan color just a tad bit darker then their skin color was applied to the crease but never went higher. then they applied many coats of mascara. Long, thick eyelashes were key. Though mascara was something mainly worn at night, if worn during the day women chose a natural brown color mascara.

Lips were probably the most striking feature during the 40's. They were incredibly and stylishly done but with a subtleness to them. The upper lip was made to look roundish, giving women a sexy look without trying too look obvious. Popular colors of lipstick were, crimson, dark red, vermillion. pale red, and a cherry red.

I decided to stick to the working day look. The simplicity of throwing on a little bit of foundation, lipstick and mascara before heading to work. Many of these women figured it was simplier to wear less makeup, not wanting a extravagant look just to get dirty while working. Many women worked long hours in dirty situations either in a  ammunition factory or in a shipyard. You couldn't really stand to look fab with a face full of dirt. So simple I went. I used a lighter skin toned eye shadow, and a volumizing mascara paired with a bright red lip. That's it. Simple is key here.

MAC Photo Shoot Inspiration.

I have seen this picture advertising MAC Cosmetics on facebook pretty often lately. Every time I see this I think to myself "Man I really should try this look out, but it seems mighty complicated." Well it is a little intimidating to look at, and I think that's why I have yet to try it. But today has been pretty friggin boring so I decided I would give it a try. Here is the inspiration:

It's very pretty. And quite basic right? I mean it's just a dramatic cut crease that extends toward right below the brow. The yellow lid extends out towards the nose with a dramatic cat eye. The brow highlight is a neon green color followed with a barbie pink lipstick and blush.

Here's my look:

I didn't use an "OMG here she comes out of the 80's" pink blush. Instead i just placed a pink eye shadow below the green.  I like this look, but I feel like a glamorous clown.

Lioness.

Yesterday I did a little photoshoot with my sister. We do these little photo shoots often out of boredom. She always asks me to take her photo's for her profile pictures. I ask her if she wants normal pictures and she always replys "Who wants normal pictures?" lol. Here is what we came up with.

PRODUCTS USED:

Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner

Voluminous Felt Liner

MAC eyeshadow in Cork

Mac eyeshadow in Honesty

Wet n Wild Lashes

Maybelline quad in Coffee Bean

Decade Of Glam: Dramatic 1930's

The dramatic look of the 30's wasn't very different from the neutral look. It was just changed up a bit for night time or special events. With the inspiration of movie starlets, glamour was the new trend.  Women mimicked the looks of May West, Marlene Dietrich, and Bette Davis.  

Women replaced their daytime light rose lipstick to a darker crimson red. They would round out the shape of their lips for a more sexy, kissable look without trying to seem made up. Eyebrows were drawn on quite thicker than the 20's and slicked down with petroluem jelly.  Mascara was mainly a date night/ special event beauty product. Women would layer coats and coats on for a dreamy eye effect.  Contouring was big in this time, face powders and rouge let alone were the main focus besides eye lashes. Women wanted a glowy rosy effect. With women no longer afraid of wearing makeup, this allowed so many women the abilitly to feel and look like a star. Completely glamourous.

For my look I stuck close to the neutral look, yet i darkened the crease with 3 different shades of brown. I used a light taupe, lighter brown, and a chocolate brown. I used the same skin toned eye shadow for my lid. For the lips, I used a dark crimson red.

Beauty Trick Of The Day: Determining Your Face Shape.

Knowing your face shape cane be very important. It can help you figure out what hair cuts suite your face, how to style your hair and even how to put on makeup correctly.

Choosing the perfect hair style starts way before you look at references or visiting the hair dresser. To select the perfect hair cut for you, you need to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror and determine your facial shape.  Knowing your face shape can help choose hair styles that compliment your good features and balance out your not so flattering features.

To determine your facial shape you'll need:

Measuring tape.

A piece of paper

And lastly a pencil.

Standing in front of your mirror, start measuring across the top of your cheek bones, Then measure just past the outer corner of your eyes. This will be your starting point. Carefully lay the tape measure in a straight line across the bridge of your nose just past the outer corner of your eye. Measure across the top of the apples of your cheeks then your jaw line, and from the top of your forehead to your chin. You should be writing down each measurement.

You have an oval face if: The length of your face equals on and a half time the width of your face. The face is pretty well balanced and proportionate.

You have a round face if: Your face is as wide as it is long. If even the measurements aren't exactly the same your face will be considered round.

You have a oblong face if: Your face is longer than it is wide.

You have a heart-shaped face if: You have a narrow jaw with wide cheekbones and/or forehead.

You have a square face if:  Your face is as wide as it is long yet with a more angular shape than rounded.

You have a diamond face if: your face is at it's widest at the cheekbones and narrow at the forehead and jaw line of amount exact widths.


Hair Styles For Your Face:
Oval face: An oval face can pretty much rock any hairstyle so you have the freedom to experiment!

Round Face: Try hairstyles with height at the crown to balance out the width of your face. Side swept bangs can counter act the roundness and make your face slimmer. Avoid very short, cropped hair cuts because it will make your face alot rounder.

Oblong face: Try hair cuts that are short to medium in length. Layers can soften the angles of your face especially around your face. Avoid very long hairstyles  because it will make your face look longer than it already is.

Heart-Shaped Face: A chin length bob is perfect for your face shape. It will make the jaw area appear wider and more balanced with the rest of your face. Longer hair styles work well too, but avoid cuts with height at the crown or slicked back, and pixie cuts.

Square Face: Short-to-medium length works well as do wavy or rounded outline styles. Wispy bangs also help even out the squareness of your face. A bob that sits either above or below the jaw line will look awesome- just make sure it doesn't sit exactly on the jaw line.Avoid long, straight bangs

Diamond Shape: Just like an oval face, the Diamond shape gives you lots of hair style options so experiment! Just make sure you show off your awesome cheekbones!

Decade Of Glam: Natural 1930's

 With the economic depression, women were falling back to marriage and to hopefully someone rich. The scary, independent woman of the 20's was supplanted in the 30's with one who was softer and more traditionally feminine. There were husbands to catch. Fashion themes softened and mellowed out which somewhat reflected the general mood of the Great Depression.

              In this grim time, the world of movies came to aid people and help forget their troubles. Five cent movies allowed nearly anyone to spend the day at the cinema. These movies were glamorous entertainment designed to uplift the spirits of the public to much happier places, even if it was for only one or two hours. These movie heros and starlets were never poor or hungry; they danced, drank expensive champagne, and wore only the absolute best costumes of gowns and furs. The 1930's buried the once deadly vamp look and gave birth to a softer more appealing style. 








             Complexions were still pale but had a faint kiss of pink or peach made it's way to the starlets cheeks. Dark colors were replaced with pink blush, rose or rasberry lips. Eyebrows were still high and long but smoothed and shiny with petroluem jelly. 



          There were two looks in the 30's- the elegant lady or the fresh faced girl next door. Women's makeup and hairstyles reflected both of the possiblities. It helped women who wanted to switch roles for the evening or even a new lifestyle. Max Factor was the man behind the makeup. His salon on Hollywood Boulevard brought in clients like Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, Marlene Dietrich, and Claudette Colbert. With being credited to inventing cosmetic necessities like pancake powder and mascara, it is said Max Factor also coined the term "Makeup."

In 1935 Max Factor and his son created his famous, breakthrough foundation 'Pan-Cake". This product was widely advertised by the glamourous film star Lana Turner, promising "it does everything you have always wanted a makeup to do." Factor also came out with two gimmick in the 30's, the 'Beauty Calibrator' was a torturous looking instrument which was used to measure beauty to an precise degree, and the 'Kissing Machine' that measured the pressure of lips leaving an imprint of the shape of one's mouth.  Revlon was created in the 30's and was the first to commericalize nail enamel. Original nail polishes just slid off the nails, until Revlon developed nail polish with the help of a chemist. The company produced seasonal fashinable colors and by the end of the 20's they sold matching lipsticks to each colors. Germaine Monteil introduced makeup and skin care products in 1935 targeting middle-class American women. Monteil taught "Beauty is not a gift, it is a habit." She introduced many women to a more modern beauty regime with her "Preview, Combination, Set" collection that included a day facial cream, a night facial cream, powder puffs and a gentle cleansing cream.  Hundreds of new products were being launched in all different price ranges in the 30's, leaving most all cosmetics available and affordable to most women. There was great competition between brands

  With movie stars made up unashamed, the cosmetic concept moved into mainstream society. Ordinary women were no longer afraid of using powder, lipstick, macara or blush. Makeup had another bonus for women during the Depression. The price of a tube of lipstick was fairly cheap so a woman could treat herself with something that would boost her confidence as well as improve her appearance. A woman's goal then was to marry or attempt the workforce. Women believed they needed every advantadge when it came to looking just as glamorous as those on the silver screen. With the easily accessible movie cinemas, people were influenced by the fads and fashions of Hollywood. This resulted in the sky rocketing of makeup cosmetics being widely used and spread all throughout the country. 




For my neutral look I decided to go with the fresh-faced girl next door look. I did a very neutral lid. During the 30's eye shadows were being advertised based on the color of your hair. They said blondes would prefer blue tones, brunettes preferred violet/purples hues, and redheads used more greens. Well I am a brunette so i used a eye shadow very close to my skin color on my lid and brow area and I mixed a light lavender shadow with very little bright bold purple color to create a dim, light purple which worked out wonderfully. Here's my look. 

Natural Remedies: Insomnia

It is quite common to have an occasional sleepless night, but for some people the lack of sleep is a regular occurence. There is a completely natural way to overcome insomina without sleep aids or pills, you could try herbal remedies and supplements. When combined with dietary changes, regular exercise, stress management and certain relaxation techniques. Herbs can be just as effective as OTC or prescription pills and there is no side effects.

Here is 10 things to try to help overcome your insomnia.:

1. Celery.
Celery has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Celery seed has been used for years as a remedy to treat nervousness, insomina and anxiety. It has an all natural substance to help calm you down as well as helping you find a peaceful rest.

2. Pecans.
Pecans are rich with B vitamins particulary B6 vitamin which help cure insomina. Vitamin B6 is a common key to calming an overactive nervous system. Pecans also contain Pyridoxine which produces serotonin that stimulates the production of melatonin, our bodies natural sleep aid. Melatonin is known as "the sleep hormone" and is in many commericalized sleeping pills.

3. Oats.
Eating oats is great for insominacs. It is high in protein that is said to help. Oats are also rich in minerals; calcium and magnesium which are said to help calm the nerves. It is believed that chomping on some oats can cause relaxation and induce peaceful slumber.

4. Milk.
Drinking milk, warm or cold before bed can help. Milk also contains calcuim which isnt just good for your bones but good for a calming effect. It also has Trytophan, a neurotransmitter for sleep and relaxing the muscles.

5. Bananas
Chowing down on bananas can be yummy but also very helpful. This "golden fruit" also contains trytophan, a natural precursor for serotonin a proven mood lifting hormone. Potassium, sodium and magnesium all have a calming effect on the system. Try having a bedtime snack of bananas.

6. Valerian.
Valerian is an herb that has been used for hundreds of years to help cure insomina. Today it is a over-the-counter remedy used commonly in Germany, France Belguim, Switzerland and Italy. Vlaerian has the alot of the same effects as convential sleep aids. It affects the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. But Valerian does have some minor side effects such as dizziness, mild indegestion, and headaches.

7.Crackers.
Foods with slightly higher carbohydrates help promote sleep. So try munching on some crackers before bedtime.

8. Aromatherapy.
The scent of lavender is widely known for aiding sleep. It is even used in folk magic to induce sleep. Research has even proved lavender has sedative qualities. It helps lengthen the sleep time, increase deep sleep and helping you feel more refreshed when you awake. It appears to work better with women because they have a more acute sense of smell. You can buy lavender candles, lotions, or even make an lavender sachet as folk magic has shown us and placing it under your pillow.

9. Cutting out Caffeine.
Caffeine can have a significant effect on sleep that can cause insomina or restlessness. It will leave you feeling jittery and soon the crashing effect. Try avoiding coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, tea and even cough and could medicine 3 hours before bed. You will more than likely see a significant change.

10.Relaxation Techniques

These are the most common and if not effective ways to increase your sleep time. It can help you fall asleep faster and feel more rested when you wake. Most require atleast 20 minutes before you go to bed. I will list a couple of techniques.

* Visualization- All this involves is a nice comfy resting area away from distrubing people, pets or noises. Try imagining a peaceful and scenic place such as a mountain's view, deserted beach, or even somewhere you go just to think. Try blocking out any thoughts and just focus on your breathing.

* Meditation- Meditation is alot like visualization. You must be somewhere you wont be bothered. Find a comfortable position either sitting or laying down. With your eyes closed, try blocking out any thought and just completely focus on your breathing. Slowly breathing in and out. If you can indeed block out your thoughts and focus on breathing you will feel as if you are in a calming trance.

I hope this helps!