Top Knots and Curly Locks

Showing posts with label Top 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 8. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Top 8: Beauty Secrets


Growing up in dance classes and musical theatre, I joke that I can only count to eight since almost everything is done in an eight count.  In honor of that, I have decided to do "Top 8".  Here are my Top 8 Beauty Secrets.

8. Curly Haired Girls: Ditch the Sodium Laurel Sulfate
I learned this trick years ago and it really does work.  Sodium laurel sulfate strips away some of the natural curl.  Just because a shampoo or conditioner says it's for curly hair doesn't mean it's sodium laurel sulfate-free.  Be sure to check the ingredients, it's usually one of the first few listed.  Two of the best shampoos I've found are Chi and Big Sexy (either in curls or silky, both are great!).

7. Eye Cream isn't Just for Below the Eyes
It's never too early to start using eye cream.  Right now I'm using Tibetan Goji Eye Serum.  I got it in my FabFitFun box (go here to sign up and you'll save $10 off your first box!) and love it!  A little bit goes a long way with this stuff!  Eye cream isn't just for below your eye though, dermatologists say to massage it onto the lid and take it as far up as the brow.

6. Use Your Ring Finger
When it comes to anything with your eyes from putting eye cream on to gently pulling on your lid to put on eye liner, always always always use your ring finger.  It is the weakest of all the fingers, therefore it causes the least amount of damage.  Remember, the eye is one of the most delicate areas.

5. Never Brush Wet Hair
Your hair is at its weakest when it is wet so never brush it.  Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers if you must.  If your hair is tangled, start combing it gently from the bottom then work your way up.

4. Pulse Points for Perfume
First and foremost, never rub your perfume; it crushes the molecules of the fragrance and ruins the scent.  I was always taught to dab it inside my wrist but recently I've found some new places.  It's best to spritz your perfume where you have pulse points, areas where blood vessels are close to skin and that are constantly emitting heat.  These areas stay moist and perfume applied to these areas will stay longer.  Some of the best pulse points are your inner elbows, the backs of your knees, behind your ears and your lower throat area.

3. Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, But Just Right
Water temperature is very important.  We've all heard if we want shiny hair to rinse in cold water, if it's too hot it can make hair look dull.  When it comes to washing our faces if the water is too hot, it can dry skin out; if it's too cold, it won't open pores enough to clean them.  Also, when washing your face, lather up for 30-45 seconds, that's the time it takes to fully dissolve dirt and oil.

2. Retinol
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that has been popping up in products everywhere especially in acne and anti-aging treatments.  It helps with skin cell turnover and penetrates the outer layer of skin and works to repair the lower layers of skin which results in firmer, smoother skin.  Along with necks, hands give away a woman's age.  I noticed a few weeks ago the backs of my hands looked dull.  I recently read to put retinol on them and since I have some that I use for my face, I decided I would try it.  I noticed the next morning my hands didn't look nearly as dull and my veins didn't appear to protrude as much.  It's recommended to apply it twice a week and I always follow up with a hand cream.

1. The Best Time to Apply Deodorant
The most effective time to apply deodorant is at night, right before you do to bed.  Your body temperature is more regulated at night and skin is calm and dry.  This allows the deodorant to penetrate more deeply into sweat ducts and lasts the whole next day.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Top 8 Ways the Royal Wedding is Breaking Tradition


8. The family baker isn't making the cake
For almost forty years, the royal family baker, Andrew Davidson, has made the cakes for the weddings of all of the Queen's four children.  However, that tradition will stop with Prince William and Kate.  It is still not known who is baking the cake, but there will be two of them.  A traditional fruit cake will be served as well as a chocolate cookie cake as requested by Prince William.

7. Kate will arrive by car
Instead of the usual glass coach taking her to Westminster Abbey, Kate has opted to arrive by Rolls-Royce.  This purple car was given to the Queen in 1977 and has more than $1.7 million worth of security that includes reinforced steel doors, toughened glass and it can continue driving even if it has a flat tire.

6. The couple will have a best man and a maid of honor
Traditionally, the groom doesn't have a best man, he has a "supporter" but Prince Harry will serve as the best man.  The bride doesn't usually have a maid of honor, but Kate will have her sister Pippa filling that role. Also, the bridesmaids are usually teens or toddlers.

5. A smaller guest list
Since Prince William is second in line to the throne, the wedding isn't considered an official state occasion.  This means the couple doesn't have to invite foreign heads of state.  President Obama and the first lady were left off the guest list!  Only 1,900 of Prince William and Kate's closest friends, family, charity workers, celebrities and ordinary citizens were invited.  (I'm sure my invite just got lost in the mail!)

4. They won't have any servants after the wedding
Once the couple settles into their new home in all their wedded bliss, they won't have any servants except for a few body guards.  They are trying to live as normal of a life as possible meaning no cooks, butlers or maids.  They even plan to do their own grocery shopping!  This is far from the 149 servants Prince Charles had.

3. No gifts, please
Prince Charles and Princess Dianna received more than 6,000 wedding presents, but in lieu of any presents you might want to send Prince William and Kate, they have asked that money you would have spent on gifts be sent to the Royal Wedding Charity Fund.  The money raised will then be distributed to 26 different charities worldwide.

2. Get ready to serve yourself at the reception
Instead of an extravagant wedding reception, Prince William and Kate have chosen a buffet-style luncheon.  Later that evening, Prince Charles is hosting a private dinner for 200-300 of their friends and family.  Having two receptions is also another break in tradition.

1. Kate is a commoner
Whoever said you can't grow up to be a princess is wrong.  Kate Middleton is a commoner.  Her parents are a former pilot and stewardess who then opened a successful party supply company.  This is the first time a non-aristocrat is marrying into the Royal Family, so there's still hope for all us girls crossing our fingers for Prince Harry!  Also breaking tradition is the fact that she is college-educated, she and the Prince have lived together and her family is helping pay for the wedding.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Top 8 Items in my Closet

Growing up in dance classes and musical theatre, I joke that I can only count to eight since almost everything is done in an eight count.  In honor of that, I have decided to do "Top 8".  For my first one, I'm doing the top eight things in my closet at the moment.  Keep in mind, this is only my school closet.

8. Hoodies/Columbia Fleeces
     I know it doesn't sound fashionable, but living in northeast Ohio, it's a must.  There's nothing like coming home after a long day of classes and putting on a hoodie or fleece with a pair of aerie yoga pants and heading to the gym.

7. Michael by Michael Kors
     I recently got this shirt and loved it so much I wanted one in every color.  Unfortunately, there was only one in my size.  I love the asymmetrical neckline and the silver hoop.  The shirt is so soft and made of 95% Supima Cotton and 5% Spandex.

6. Jeans
     I absolutely love my jeans.  I have several pairs, but I do have my top three favorite.  Out of my capris, my favorite pair is a pair by Seven.  They are a darker wash and fit my curves perfectly!  When it comes to skinny jeans, my Levi's are the best.  They have a great fit and look cute when cuffed as well.  And last, but not least, my favorite regular boot cut jeans are my Seven For All Mankind jeans.  They are extremely comfortable, very durable and have a wonderful fit.












5. Romeo & Juliet
     Another thing you don't think of as fashionable is flannel; however, Romeo & Juliet Couture has shown that it can be.  They use pearl colored buttons trimmed in gold that are gorgeous.  What really sets this apart from regular flannel are the two buttons on the back that cinch the shirt in giving it more of a tailored look.  I love to pair this with skinny jeans, especially when traveling because not only is it super comfy, it's cute, too!

4. Cowboy Boots
     Being from West Virginia, I love cowboy boots!  I've been wearing them for a long time.  Far before this country craze; since before people even knew who Taylor Swift was.  This pair is my favorite and it's so old, I can't even tell the brand or remember it.  Twice I've somehow forgotten them at home and called my mom, frantic for her to mail them to me!

3. Kira Plastinina
     I love pink and I love black so when I saw the two of them together, I fell in love with this cropped top.  I usually pair it with a sparkly black tank top and people constantly stop and ask me if it's one piece or separates.  This knit piece is something that can be worn from fall through early spring because it's not extremely heavy.

2. MM Couture by Miss Me
     This is probably one of my favorite purchases.  I was shopping for an Easter dress when the sales associate pulled this for me and I tried it on.  I love everything about this dress from the colors to the waist line and from the one shoulder to the tiers and strips of material on the skirt.

1. Candies Combat Boots
     Over the summer I lived in NYC doing two internships plus school.  For one of my internships I did Celebrity Must Have items.  Combat boots were one of the things I saw numerous celebrities and Broadway actresses wearing and I knew I had to have a pair.  I wear these all the time!  I love them so much.  I pair them with almost everything.  I love them with skinny jeans, jean shorts or even to give a tougher feel to skirts and dresses.