Category Archives: Hair

07Jan / 2012

B’s Beauty: Le Bonne Arbonne

There are few things better than walking into a store and finding everything you need—and then some. What is better, however, is not even having to walk into that store, let alone extracting yourself from that dent you’ve created in the couch.

That’s where Arbonne comes in. From vitamins to shampoos, if you want it, they sell it. Don’t let the prices hold you back; it is a bit more expensive than your basic drugstore product, but that’s because this isn’t Boots. Quality does come with a price, but it also means a little goes a long way. As with most quality investments, you’re better off in the long run.

Exfoliating New Cell Scrub

What sets Arbonne apart from other online retailers (and many other retailers in general), is the quality of the products. All Arbonne’s products are entirely natural and botanical-based. Arbonne’s researchers and scientists in Switzerland (where the company is based) are also constantly innovating and developing new, safe, and effective skin care.

I have tried quite a range of what Arbonne has to offer. My personal favourites are their cleansers, particularly the exfoliants with their small sand-like grains that clean to the core, and the moisturisers.

You can also get involved with the company itself and sell the products to friends and family. We’ll understand if you end up investing the cash you’ve earned right back into the company. It’s hard to resist.

Arbonne Deep Cleansing Mask

 

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05Oct / 2011

B’s Beauty: Hair we go again

You know the old adage, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat”? Well, the same goes for styling your hair (no cats involved). You may need different products for different occasions, or even different products for the same occasion. I tend to stick with fairly uniform styles for my hair, and I’ve found a range of products to help me achieve that. Sometimes, though, it’s nice to switch up the routine and use different products, or to mix-and-match various products.

I’ve been using KMS “Hairplay“ since my late teens. It dispenses from a push-down top, which is easy to use and even easier to travel with. What comes out is a thick white paste, not dissimilar to toothpaste (minty smell not included). Simply rub it between your hands and apply from the ends upwards and voila! Instant texture, body, and depth.

 

KMS Hairplay

After I’ve let the Hairplay set for a couple of minutes, I often like to add something a little extra: either MOP “Lemongrass Lift” or “C-System Texture Spray” are the perfect candidates. Alternatively (or even additionally if your hair is feeling really limp) they are great for a little extra evening lift. Often at the end of the workday I want to revitalise my look before a night out, and both of these sprays do a great job. Just a few spritzes towards your ends (stay clear of your roots to avoid a greasy sheen). The result feels clean and natural. Added bonus: the “Lemongrass Lift” contains chamomile, lemongrass, and calendula which give you that desirable bounce, while wheat protein strengthens and nourishes the hair.

With so many product options, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. Let the hair product pageant begin!

Lemongrass Lift

C-System Texture Spray

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03Oct / 2011

B’s Beauty: Girl-Crush of the Day: Lisa Eldridge

Ever wondered how the makeup pros do it? Those smoky eyes, the porcelain complexions? Well, now you can see the looks and get the skills—virtually! A friend recently asked me if I had ever watched any of  professional makeup artist Lisa Elridge’s videos. Yes, Elridge sounds like she should be singing at Lilith Fair, but don’t hold that against her. This woman is amazing. Her videos are incredibly high quality and professional. They’re easy to follow, easy to copy, and she provides an easily navigible roundup of all the products at the end. And she uses a great range of drug store and designer products. Bring on the autodidacticism!

The only drawback: she uses a lot—and I mean a lot—of different products. Most people would go broke trying to recreate all of these looks. But generally it’s more the overall idea and the technique that I feel are the important lessons. So, exhale—you don’t need to rush out to Sephora and buy everything in sight.

Lisa Eldridge

www.lisaeldridge.com

Posted by in Eyes, Face, Hair, Philosophy of Beauty

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01Oct / 2011

B’s Beauty: Kevin Murphy: Who’s that Boy?

One brand, two products, and two (sorry, just two) very different results. I have been using Kevin Murphy’s “Hair Resort” (£5.45 for 40 ml or £15.45 for 150ml) for about three years now and I love it. But recently it started to feel like that point in the relationship where I was looking for a little change, some new spark.

Before I go any further, let’s take a step back. My hair is thick and dark brown, and although it may look straight on first glance, it has a subtle wave. Although it’s fairly easy to handle and maintain, I always like to use a little product to give it more body, volume, and va-va-voom. “Hair Resort” is a slightly sticky beige goop (yes, that’s the technical description) with an iridescent shimmer. The bottle isn’t perfect; when it’s full it’s easy to squeeze, but as the product depletes I usually resort to taking the top off the bottle and scooping out the goop with my fingers. Personally this doesn’t bother me, but it might not be right for everyone. Next I rub it between my hands and run it through my hair, starting at the ends. The result: body and texture that lasts all day and is never crunchy.

In my quest for something new, however, I strayed and tried Kevin Murphy’s “Body Builder Volumiser Mousse” (£16.99 for 350ml). Simply put, this product is not worth the price tag. Once dispensed it’s a rather flaccid white foam with a slight sticky quality. I like my mousse to be light and fluffy like whipping cream or shave gel. It does nothing for my hair, and post-application it feels product-heavy and crunchy.

Back to the “Hair Resort” for me. Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.

Hair Resort

Body Builder Volumiser Mousse

www.kevinmurphystore.com

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25Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: Wax On, Wax Off: London’s Ministry of Waxing

Wax or don’t wax, it’s up to you. But if you’re gonna go for it, you ought to do it right. I’ve tried cheaping out on this element of my beauty routine and baby, it ain’t worth it. A few months ago I started going to the Ministry of Waxing in London and I was hooked. Those girls are serious about their waxing. Pretty much the only service the joint offers is…wait for it…waxing. Well, actually, hair removal in general; they offer laser services as well.

You can also buy packages—which terrified me at first—but now I’m, as I said, hooked. I paid upfront, which gets me 6 treatments for the price of 5, 10% off on all products (more on products later), and I got 10% off on the package itself because it was my birthday month.

The difference between a good and bad wax is pain. And not just day of, but I am convinced that bad waxes and bad products lead to ingrowns and weird regrowth. The staff at Ministry of Waxing are pleasant, competent, and efficient. What more could a gal (or guy, they do that too), ask for?

The other thing I love about the Ministry of Waxing are their products. I use two different post-wax ointments. The first is for ingrowns, called “X’ed Out”. No one likes to talk about ingrowns, but let’s face it: we all get them. (I’ve also read that this product can double as an acne cream, which makes sense to me, but I’ve personally never tried it.) Unlike most (in fact all, that I’ve ever seen) products for ingrowns, this is not alcohol-based. Instead it contains bromelain, a pineapple enzyme (an anti-inflammatory), tea tree oil, vitamin A, and Resorcinol, all of which work together to get down into your follicles and both treat and prevent ingrowns, without the typical harshness of alcohol.

X'ed Out

 

The second product I love is “Body Ultim E. Epil”. When my aesthetician first mentioned it to me, I recoiled in fear. It seemed so unnatural, and frankly I didn’t believe its claims. This product sets out to reduce hair regrowth and to slow down the regrowth process between waxings. According to the product description, its black truffle “impedes new hair growth and promotes finer hair.” Hoping for the impossible, I caved and purchased this product and upon use (once a day for 10 days), I was shocked. It honestly, truly, 100% works.

Body Ultim E. Epil

 

OK, good, but listen carefully to this next bit because I do have one beef with the place. The girls who do the treatments are great. However, the girls at reception are NOT. Walking in there you think you’ve walked into the United Nations or frickin’ Ministry of Defense. I realise they have the word “Ministry” in their name, but seriously people, get a grip. I was once about 3 minutes late for my appointment and upon arrival they both proceeded to give me the death stare and went on and on to me about how “well, they’d see what they could do. See if they could fit [me] in.” This isn’t brain surgery, girls; a little perspective perhaps? And then next time I was there, I heard them talking about another client who was a few minutes late saying “So should we cancel her appointment? I mean if she doesn’t walk through the door, right this second…” You get the point. They’re also just generally frosty and have a Mean Girls look about them.

The second problem is that because Ministry of Waxing so popular, it can be tough to get an appointment. I’ve taken to booking my next appointment just as soon as I’ve finished my treatment.

http://www.ministryofwaxing.com/

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19Sep / 2011

R’s Beauty: Coconut Oil: Multitasking Marvel

My mother made a keen observation recently: she noted that B. is low-maintenance but looks high-maintenance, whereas I am high-maintenance but look low-maintenance. Cheers, mum.

Well I’ve got a spanner (that’s British for “wrench”) to throw in those works. If I were stuck on a desert island (or, um, England), I’d make sure I had a hefty jar of coconut oil to see me through to my rescue, or at least through my thesis defense.

There’s not much this stuff can’t do. In addition to its professed internal health benefits, coconut oil is a beauty multitasker: I use it as a skin and nail moisturizer, a hair conditioner and gloss, and a lip balm. Its antimicrobial properties make it a great salve for minor cuts and scrapes, and it’s even purported to help control dandruff. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature but melts easily upon contact, and its scent is subtle as—you guessed it—a tropical breeze.

See, mom? Sounds pretty low-maintenance to me.

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14Sep / 2011

B’s Beauty: “Hair’s” to the Braun Silk-épil 7

Oh “hair’ve” we struggled. That’s the last of my hair puns, I swear. Prepare yourselves: I’m about to get serious about hair removal. I have had and continue to have an issue with hair, and have resigned myself to the fact that this issue will most likely follow me for the rest of my life.

It’s not all bad; there are some positives. I have thick, dark, no-nonsense hair on my head. I can shower, sleep, and wake up with totally functional hair. It naturally falls into a style that looks no different from well blow-dried, carefully coiffed hair. Awesome. I also have thick, dark eyebrows that, as I am constantly reminded, are “totally in.” Awesome again.

The problem is that the thick, shiny, dark hair on my head translates to thick, dark hair everywhere else. Literally everywhere! I have waxed more times than I’ve climbed flights of stairs (and I’m a walker). I do use and like the Veet at-home wax strips. No, they’re not as good as a professional wax, but they cost £6.79, so they’re great for a gal on a budget (aren’t we all?). I’ve done laser hair removal and I truly can’t think of one positive thing about it, even though I’ve been told a number of times that I’m the “ideal” laser candidate. It’s freaking expensive, it’s incredibly painful, and as far as I can tell it doesn’t work and there’s nothing permanent about it (hello, total regrowth after 4 months or so).

These days I epilate, and for me, this seems like the best solution. Before I began to epilate I had begun shaving again, but for this Madame Yeti, maintaining silky smooth legs required that I shave every day or two, which that resulted in—yup—razor burn. I had switched from waxing to shaving because it’s hard to wait for enough regrowth to wax, especially during the summer. The hippie-psychedelic-flower-child look is just not me. Then I heard a couple of friends talking about epilators. Even though I didn’t know that much about them, I decided, out of desperation, to splurge. The Braun Silk-épil 7 is £80.90 on Amazon—and it was the best £80.90 I’ve ever spent. The epilator is easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to charge. It comes equipped with a little light to help guide you and the flexible head can pivot by up to 15 degrees forward and backward, which means it actually moves with the contours of your body. Remarkable. It can be used wet or dry, but believe me: wet is a lot less painful! On that note, it is painful, there’s no doubt about it. But so is waxing and lasering and sometimes shaving and, particularly if you use the epilator wet after you shower, it’s not that bad, and it, too, shall pass. And when it does, you’ll be silky smooth, no matter where you’ve decided to epilate. It even works on the face, but I’m not that brave. The only downfall: it purports to grab hairs the size of a “grain of sand.” Not quite, but it can definitely get hairs that wax could only dream of.

http://www.braun.com/uk/

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13Sep / 2011

R’s Beauty: And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down…

The sky JUST opened up over Oxford, and God’s green-and-concrete earth is getting mighty soaked. I JUST brushed my hair for maybe the third time in my life, and now I don’t want to go outside. I’m not a Wildling:

"Game of Thrones" is a brilliant show.

I just happen to be the product of an ancestrally-English mother with superlatively thick, straight, gorgeous hair and a father with a very handsome Jew-‘fro. This means that my hair—blonde, thick, very wavy, coarse, and damaged by British hard water—looks best when left untouched by the brush. Rain is not its friend. The one day I feel like experimenting and actually brushing my hair, lo, the rain doth pour. Brushing+rain = puffball sadness.

I try to calm the frizz by raking L’Oreal’s EverStrong Overnight Repair Treatment (only available in the US) through my just-washed hair, which nicely softens and separates the waves as my hair dries. But I haven’t found anything for those days when I’m all dressed, my hair is dry, I’m ready to go, and it starts raining dogs, cats, bunnies, and ponies.

So help a Jewish American Princess out. Got any good umbrellas-in-a-bottle?

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