How to Achieve Luxurious hair

I'll be the first to admit that my own hair is not perfect. Albeit, even if I might wish for naturally fuller or curly locks as opposed to my fine, silky straight hair, I do try to make the best of what I've got. It occurred to me to write about this subject when I noticed my mother-in-law "towel-drying" her hair. Actually, it was more like she was rubbing the crap out of it...so aggressively it was like she was sanding wood or something. I cringed just thinking about the damage she was causing to her hair...the breakage, split ends and not to mention the frizzy aftermath it entailed. She's not the only person I've seen guilty of this crime against hair though. And these are the same friends and family members that complain about having unruly and unmanageable hair. Now I now not everyone's hair is the same, but there are a few simple and universal tips that can help anyone attain tresses that are soft, shiny, touchable and tamed.

1. After washing your hair, gently squeeze out any excess water with a soft towel. Don't rub your head like your grating cheese, especially not with an abrasive towel because this will only increase frizz. On the other hand, smoothing the hair downward along the shaft will help keep the cuticle laying flat.

2. Use a WIDE-toothed comb to detangle wet hair to prevent breakage. Only use a brush when your hair is dry.

3. Don't over-shampoo your hair. The cleansing ingredients in shampoos will strip your hair of its natural oils, dry it out and make it unmanageable. Whether you shampoo every other day, every two days, three days or every week is up to you and how dirty your hair gets. The same tip goes for other clarifying rinses and products.

4. Avoid excessive sun, chlorine and salt water (during the summer).

5. Concentrate conditioner on the ends of your hair. Your roots produce natural oils that soften and keep your hair healthy anyway...the ends of your hair however are usually the most damaged and need the most attention when it comes to conditioning.

6. Don't sleep in tight buns or ponytails if you have long hair. Instead, opt for a loose braid. Also, the best material for you to rest your pretty little locks on is satin.

7. Trim your hair every six to eight weeks. Some stylists will tell you to come in every four weeks, but that's because they want to get paid. But you really only need clean up about every 2 months to maintain healthy looking hair.

8. You scalp needs stimulation for your hair to grow faster. Gently massage your scalp for 2-3 minutes when you shampoo to increase circulation.

9. Rinse product out with cold water. This is the best way to achieve ultra shiny and tame hair since it seals the cuticle. Hot water causes the cuticle to open up, resulting in frizz.

10. This might be hard for some, but try to avoid over-processing and over-exposing your hair to heat. Your hair might be looking fierce immediately after blow-drying and straightening but, it's going to be damaged in the long-run. If you do insist on blow drying or ironing your hair everyday, use a heat-protecting spray first! Morever, try to invest in ceramic and ionic hot tools. Ceramic plates prevent overheating and seal the cuticle while ionic products use negative ions to help break up water molecules faster and with less damage done.

There are many more tips in my aresenal that I'd like to share but we'll save them for anther post!

Turqoise Nails

This morning the hubz was sweet enough to miss part of the Argentina-Nigeria World Cup match so he could take our daughter to gymboree class. The opportunity arose...so off I went to get a manicure! I'm decided on Essie's "Turqoise and Caicos" polish. It's a bright turqoise color-perfect for summer! It just puts a smile on my face. The bummer is that even though it's a pretty pastel color, the formula is so sheer that you need at least 3 coats for it show up properly. My newly polished nails also go with my new Forever21 feather earrings lol.

A Little Late But Here Nevertheless...May Favorites!

Haven't posted in minute...so sorry about that! But I'm just going to jump right in and give you a rundown on my May favorites. I think these products will continue to be june, july, august...and maybe even longtime favorites!

1. Fresh Lotus Eye Gel

I had to return my Clinique All About Eyes eye cream about a month ago as I found it a little too greasy and it was causing tiny milia around my eye area. While it was moisturizing, it did not seem to reduce any puffiness or darkness. I decided to exchange it for the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel which I am so far loving. The formula is light and absorbs quickly into the skin with a cooling effect. Besides anti-inflammatory lotus extract, it contains green coffee and ginko biloba, both of which help to stimulate ciruclation. I use this day and night, and unlike some other harsher eye serums, I find I can even use the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel three times a day! I've noticed that not only does it diminish puffiness and darkness under the eye, but my entire eye area is more hydrated, leaving a more refreshed appearance. I also like that it comes in a pump container because it saves more product and is more sanitary than a tube or pot container. The only downside is the price...$48 for .5oz. However, with any eye cream, a little goes a long way! You don't need one pump per eye, just half a pump, rub your two ring fingers together and dab lightly under your eyes until the product is absorbed. Never pull your skin as this can cause premature wrinking. Also, it's best to start from the inner corner and work out because this motion drains fluids through the lymph nodes.

2. Cosmedicine Global Health SPF 30 Face

Memorial Day marked the unofficial beginning of summer, but it's been quite warm and sunny here in NYC for some time. Being a brown-skinned girl, I hate the white, chalky appearance most sunscreen give but this formula is clear...amazing! I'm on my third or fourth tube, that's how much I love this product. It's waterless, so it will hold up and won't run and sting your eyes when you're sweating. Even though it's pretty thick, it doesn't feel greasy when used in moderation and it dries to a matte finish. It's also good for all skin types, even sensitive skin. I would recommend this as a year-round moisturizer because we need SPF EVERY DAY and because it can even act as a makeup primer. It retails for about $40 dollars for 1.35 oz.

3. Mac Fleur Power Powder Blush (Satin)

This bright pinky-coral blush may look a little intimidating in the pan but when applied moderately with a soft, fluffy brush on the apples of the cheeks it gives the most beautiful flush and pop of color! It's a great spring and summer hue. I also like the satin finish because it's pigmented, not exactly matte but not as shimmery as a frost finish blush. I was using this consistently, but since I recently got Hipness blush from Mac's To the Beach collection (an intense coral in a frost finish), I've been testing that out instead.

4. Ardell Invisibands Demi-Wispies Lashes

I normally reserve falsies for special occasions or a nights out, but these are natural enough to wear during the day time, yet still flirty, sexy and fun. These lashes add volume and length, and because they are slightly longer at the outer corners, they make your eyes appear longer too. They are around $3.50 a pair but if you take care, you can reuse them a few times before they lose their shape and become all nasty from all the glue.

I'm currently on the hunt for a new perfume. Preferably something citrusy and fresh. Hopefully I'll find one and it'll be in my June favorites!

Beauty Benefits: Green Tea vs. Black Tea

Tea has been a staple beverage in many cultures throughout the world for centuries. Many studies have been conducted on the health benefits of tea like whether certain varieties can reduce the risk of ailments such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. For this reason, Green tea has become sort of a trend in recent years. It's been heralded for its richness in antioxident polyphenols, vitamin C and nutritive minerals. Research has shown that green tea can potentially reduce cholesterol and fight cancer. Although less potent in antioxidants, black tea is also said to be an immune boosting drink. Nevertheless, these are all purported benefits of the consumption of tea since we all know that numerous factors play simultaneously into a person's health, such as genetics and other lifestyle choices.

Despite the uncertainty behind the advantages of drinking tea, there are palpable benefits that you can see when it comes to your beauty regimen. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), found in both black and green tea, is known to aid in the formation of collagen and skin repair. It thus helps maintain a firm and bright complexion. You can make a facial spritzer/toner at home just by mixing some brewed green or black tea, lemon juice and water...it will give you an instand glow and pick-me-up feeling! You can also prepare a mask by mixing green tea powder with water and letting it dry on the face before removing with warm water. Add some coarse sugar to the same mixture and use it as a scrub! Caffeine, also found in both black and green tea, has been shown to boost the circulatory system and central nervous system, thus working as an anti-inflammatory agent (a lot of eye serums and creams include caffeine as an ingredient because it reduces puffiness). Black tea contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant that slows the degeneration of cells while promoting the growth of new ones. It also has emollient properties that "plump" and soften wrinkles and dry skin.

The cosmetic boons of tea have been harnessed in many effective beauty products. One of my favorites is Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask...after using it, my skin immediately feels supple and looks radiant!

Delicious Appetizer Recipes

Hey there.

So this past weekend we had a "baby shower" at our house. It wasn't your typical baby shower though because in our culture, it's not just restricted to women and you don't normally get gifts for the unborn baby as it's considered bad luck. Well, our home was filled with almost 50 of my relatives and for some reason we only decided to cater ONE dish which meant my in-laws had to cook the rest. Even though this party was technically for me, I didn't feel good about letting everyone else do the work and I wanted to chip in somehow, so I whipped up a couple of relatively simple appetizers. I concocted two recipes, one for jalapeño poppers and one for coconuted crusted shrimp. The only paintsaking part was making enough for 50 people, but if you're entertaining for 10-25 then these would be easy but delicious appetizers to serve. You can even prepare them the night before and just fry them when needed.


The recipes are as follows:



Jalapeño Poppers

Ingredients:
25 jalapeño peppers cut in half and seeded (more or less depending on number of guests to serve)
1 16-18oz container of cream cheese
1 7oz package shredded cheese (I used mozarella but you can use monterey jack or cheddar depending on your taste)
1/2 cup canned corn
1 onion chopped
5 garlic cloves chopped
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. margarine
salt and black pepper to taste
lour, eggs and Italian style breadcrumbs for breading
oil for frying



In a saucepan, melt margarine and fry garlic and onions until onions are translucent. Add cream cheese, shredded cheese, cumin, chili powder, salt and black pepper and mix through. Allow mixture to cool before filling jalapeño halves. Use one bowl for flour, a second. for bread crumbs and a third for beaten eggs. Dip each filled pepper first into flour then into the eggs, then coat with bread crumbs. For best results, repeat this process at least twice (three times is great but if you're pressed for time, I don't blame ya). Deep fry in oil for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and let drain on paper towels. (Tip: don't overstuff the peppers as they tend to burst with melted cheese upon frying)



Coconuted Crusted Shrimp with Sweet & Spicy Pineapple Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:
2 lbs of large tiger shrimp cleaned, deveined and butterflied
3 cups flour
2 tbsp. onion powder
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. cumin powder
6 eggs beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3 cups panko crumbs
1 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut

Dip:
1 jar Pineapple preserves or jam
Sriracha Thai hot sauce to taste

In one bowl, combine flour with onion, garlic and cumin powders. In a second bowl, add salt and pepper to beaten eggs. In a third bowl, mix panko crumbs with shredded coconut. First, dredge the shrimp in flour mixture. Dip floured shrimps into the egg then coat with breadcrumb/coconut mixture. Deep fry until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes). Remove and let drain.
For sauce, combine 1 jar pineapple preserves or jam with Sriracha hot sauce according to taste.

Makeup Show NYC 2010

Hey there. After a couple days of rain, the weather here in NYC has been incredibly nice and that makes me incredibly happy. Even with 34083405 layers of sunblock and my humongous JLO sunhat, I am still happy about summer being so close!

This post is dedicated to my recent trip to the Makeup Show NYC 2010. For those of you who don't know about it, the Makeup Show is a two-day trade event that brings together different brands and professionals in the makeup industry. There are seminars, forums and hands-on workshops held by prominent makeup artists like Danny Sanz, Eve Pearl, Johnny Lavoy, Victoria Stiles, Orlando Santiago...the list goes on and on. As geeky as it sounds, it's cool to see such eminent industry professionals up-close-and-personal. At the Makeup Show, you can also check out new products that are coming to the market as well as find great pro-only deals. Whether you are practicing as a makeup artist or are simply a makeup fanatic, I would highly recommend that you attend this event next year. It's a great event to network with others in the field, to find some inspiration and learn tips and techniques. Tickets are generally $50 for one day and $80 for both days. There is also a 10% student discount.

Some of the exhibitors featured at the Makeup Show this year include MAC cosmetics, Temptu PRO, Smashbox, Makeup Forever, Dermalogica, FACE Atelier, Graftobian Makeup, shu uemura, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and L'Oreal...and that's only to name a FEW. The deals are so good that people go there specifically to stock up their kits. There were even some people buying and lugging around airbrush equipment! I got a few small goodies, but there are only two worth mentioning.

1. The Beautyblender is said to be "the ultimate makeup sponge applicator." I've seen and heard about this sponge for a while but never considered purchasing it as it costs about $20 at places like Ricky's in NYC. I thought to myself, "So what? It's pink and egg-shaped." But that is exactly what's so nice about it...more so the shape than the pretty color. The Beautyblender boasts a patent-pending elliptical shape that fits the contours of your face...a larger, round end for bigger sections of your face and a smaller tip that gets perfectly into small areas and crevices like under your eye and around your nose. Whether you stiple or swipe, the sponge's suede-like texture is sure to leave a flawless finish free of streaking. The Beautyblender is also latex-free, non-allergenic and odor free for those of you who are extra sensitive. It's small enough so that you can pack it on-the-go. There is also a special blendercleanser that safely and easily cleans your Beautyblender. I've got to say, I really like this product as it does in fact leave a virtually flawless complexion...the only drawback is that it still is a sponge, which means it inevitably soaks up a little foundation. If I had to give it a rating, I would give the Beautyblender a 4.5/5.

2. Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal-Becca Cosmetics is an Australian makeup brand that used to be sold at places like Sephora until a few years ago when they pulled out of larger retail stores here in the US. Now the most convenient and accessible place to find Becca products is online. I love this brand because its mission is to achieve flawless but natural, radiant looking coverage. The foundations and concealers cover blemishes but feel like you're wearing nothing. They also carry a wide shade selection throughout their range, which is a BIG selling point for a person with dark-olive skin like myself. The Shimmering Skin Perfector is a moisturizing illuminator with SPF 20. There are a number of ways you can use this product. You can apply it instead of your normal moisturizer or after OR your can mix it with a foundation. Another option is to just use it as a highlight on areas like cheekbone, bridge of the nose and brow bone. The light-diffusing particles even out skintone and reduces the appearance of imperfections. It also contains anti-oxidant vitamins A, B, D and E which aid in collagen production, tissue repair, and moisture holding capacity. It comes 1.7 fl. oz. pump bottle and costs $41, however, a little goes a LONG way and it should last a while if used economically. A product like this one is a summer must-have if you want a glowy/dewy/radiant look. The shade that I got is Opal, a pinky-peach-pearlescent hue that gives the most beautiful candlelit/ethereal look. I would rate this 4.5/5 only because it is kind of expensive (but again, worth it).

Random MAC Purchase

Must. Stay. Away. From. MAC.

This is the mantra that always circles my conscience when I'm out shopping, but who am I kidding? Impulsive, irrational and generally unnecessary buys are the penchant of a makeup addict. It's just...what I do. LOL.

On Monday, my cousin and I went to the Mall because she was looking to buy some new makeup for an upcoming vacation abroad. Unfortunately, my sweet little cousin is allergic to almost every cosmetic product she comes into contact with (especially lip products, which would make me so sad if I were her). When she applies something to her face, her skin starts to swell and she gets blotchy patches within minutes. MAC foundations are infamous for irritating many peoples skin, so she was pretty sure she wouldn't be able to rely on any of those but we went into the store to play around anyway. On a whim, I suggested that maybe she try the mineralize foundations since they might be better suited to such senstitive skin as hers. Because she has combination skin that is sometimes dehydrated, we decided to try out the compact version because the creamy texture would be more moisturizing than the powder and because it would provide more coverage than the liquid. After the artist matched her to NC44, we decided to shop around the mall for an hour to see how her skin reacted to the foundation. Lo and behold! After more than an hour, her skin was not the least bit irritated. In fact, it looked absolutely glowing and flawless! If your skin is irrirated by foundations, I would suggest trying MAC's mineralize foundations as they come in a variety of formulations that will also suit different skin types.

Now on to my purchases...

I couldn't just leave the store without something in hand. That would just be too weird!

Please forgive the pics...I took them on my husband's iPhone. Still researching for a new camera...

1. Touch Lipstick (Lustre)-This lipstick is a dark peach (the MAC website describes it as "peachy cinnamon") and I'm currently loving this as a natural-looking nude for my pigmented lips.

2. Hug Me Lipstick (Lustre)-Is a pinky flesh-toned lipstick. It's a little light for an everyday nude on me, but if I ever want to do a Kim Kardashian look, this is probably what I'll go for next time. (LoL why do I always cite Kim K. when it comes to makeup?!)

Here are swatches of both lipsticks.

3. Lucky Green Eyeshadow (Veluxe Pearl)-I LOVE Veluxe Pearl eyeshadows for their soft texture and because they are shiny without being glittery. This particular color is a gorgeous shade of lime green with a hint of gold...kind of chartreusey, in my opinion. It's not bright in an obnoxious way, but definitely striking. I am looking forward to using this with darker greens like Humid or dark matte browns.

4. All That Glitters Eyeshadow (Veluxe Pearl)-Another beautiful veluxe pearl finish. The shade is beige with gold pearl (but sort of on the pinky side) and works as a nice highlight.

Now for some insight as to how often I go into my local MAC store...the artist helping my cousin with her shade selection asked me if I had a Pro Card...when I said "yes", she said "Mhmm. I thought I recognized your face." How embarassing! Oh well...probably not going to discourage me anyway!