Make Up Beauty Tips

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Introducing Kérastase Double Force Controle Ultime

What's the benefit?
Concentrated fixing polymers create firm styles with a protective, extra-strength hold. Helps strengthen the hair fiber. Protective shield helps to prevent UV Damage.



REVIEW:
Ok, so I need to begin by saying I am NOT a hairspray girl. I NEVER use hairspray. But I was asked to try this, and try it I did. I was intrigued to try it because it was from Kérastase, a luxury haircare brand I love and respect. Surprisingly, for a hairspray, I'm impressed. The reason I never use hairspray is it inevitably gives me a headache. Whether psychological or real, the fumes just get to me. Secondly, I can't stand a stiff feel to my hair. I need to be able to run my fingers through it effortlessly. As my hair is think and naturally wavy, it generally holds the style without need of hairspray; so in that regard I'm very lucky.

Here's the deal here though. Double Force Controle Ultime, though strong in hold, does not create a cloud of fumes when sprayed and it doesn't feel overly tacky or stiff. It has humdity-blocking properties, which keep my hair from frizzing out. That's huge for a gal living in the deep south, where the air is so thick with water sometimes you could drink it. Another benefit is that the spray, the formula, actually helps to make weak hair stronger. One of my favorite elements about this product is its UV protection. It not only protects your hair, it protects color - so if you're a color-treated gal like myself, it helps to hold and maintain the integrity of the color even while in the sun - less fading. Because the spray doesn't make hair stiff, it's easy to manage, allowing you to change styles during the day or night without having to wash your hair to get rid of what's already in there - nice! This is a large can, it'll last you a long time.




Kérastase is a consistent winner of InStyle's Best in haircare year after year. For more information and to shop the wonderful sale above, please visit Kérastase online. Kérastase is also available at fine salons nationwide.

Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2009 collection featured a sporty-chic mix of drawstring jumpsuits, easy silk cocktail numbers, and trenchcoats. Influenced by a Sam Haskins photograph of a nude circa the seventies, makeup artist Lisa Butler and hair star Luigi Murenu dreamed up a beauty look that evoked the all-American glamour of Lauren Hutton and Anjelica Huston.




Better Than Bare
Butler was inspired by the modern, neutral tones of the designer's Spring collection. "It's elegance without the fuss," she said. For the makeup artist, the key to the look was perfect skin. She began by massaging the models' faces with MAC Oil Control Lotion, a mattefying primer. Next she used MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation, a new cream-gel base (available in February), mixed with a few drops of lightweight moisturizer for a supernatural finish. "The skin looks suspiciously healthy and vibrant, but free of distracting colors," said Butler of her complexion-perfecting technique.


Keeping things simple, Butler used a fan brush to dust MAC Beauty Powder Blush in Fun & Games, a soft orange-peach shade (available in February), on the apples of the cheeks and the eyelids. Next, she used MAC Crème Royal Eyeshadow, a golden wheat hue (available in February), to highlight the inner corners of the eyes and brows. Butler skipped lip color but used the same gold eye shade on the bow of the mouth to add fullness. She finished off the look with a single light coat of MAC Pro Lash Mascara in Coal Black. "It's bare but groomed—the kind of even, silky, neutral face that says, 'I take care of my skin.' "


Well Coiffed
The models' clean makeup called for equally minimalist hair. Murenu came up with a casual but polished look featuring a smooth and slightly slicked top and sides that fell into a long, flowy wave down the back. The hairstylist began by wrapping locks of hair loosely around a T3 one-inch barrel curling iron "to add movement." Next, he brushed through the just-curled hair to give it a soft, natural look. A few drops of Kérastase Nutri-Sculpt Serum on the ends prevented flyaways while imparting subtle shine. Murenu combed Kérastase Mousse Nutri-Sculpt through dry hair from the hairline to the nape of the neck. The volumizing foam styler served to slick down the sides and top of the hair without adding a greasy or shiny finish. Murenu decorated the smoothed crown with a trio of narrow gold headbands—a reference to the golden hair hues found in Haskins' photograph.



MAC products available at maccosmetics.com and Kérastase available at kerastase-usa.com.

source: story/images - style.com

David Craggs, President, L'Oreal Professional Products Division USA, has sent out notices to consumers asking them to be aware of diversion. This is when mass retailers and unauthorized outlets sell professional, salon products directly to consumers.

Here's what he has to say on the matter:

Do not buy salon products from them. Why?

1. QUALITY – L’Oréal doesn’t authorize sales of professional products to these outlets and can’t guarantee the content or quality of these products. Kérastase products purchased at unauthorized outlets are often older than 250 days, discontinued or even counterfeit. Because of the confidence we have in our products, for the 1st time ever, we are offering a QUALITY GUARANTEE. If you purchase our products at your local salon and you’re not satisfied with their performance, return the product with a receipt within 4 weeks for a full refund. See your salon stylist or product website for further information.

2. PRICE – You may be at a price disadvantage when purchasing our products from an unauthorized sales outlet. In fact, through our price checks vs. syndicated data, we have found that salon products purchased at mass retailers are AT LEAST 10% higher than when bought at your local salon.

3. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE -Most importantly, these products are sold without the service and recommendation of your stylist who knows the best product for your hair, and deprives them of the sale of this product and their service.

Support your stylist, care for your hair and your budget.

If you'd like more information or want to share your thoughts and comments with David, he's started a new blog to interact with you. Check him out at davidcraggs.com.

[note: I tried to leave him a comment and there seems to be something wrong with the word verfication feature on his comments page; perhaps he'll have it fixed when you try ; -) ]