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The Health Benefits of Tea

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:21:32 +1100

You may be the most dedicated coffee lover, but you can never deny yourself a good cup of tea. After all, it works like a charm when you're feeling under the weather. But did you know that teas have more health benefits other than making you feel warm, fuzzy, and a whole lot better during a runny nose?

Different kinds of teas have different effects on your body. While many claim that teas can help minimize your chances of getting cancer, there is always more to it than what they say. So, if you want to learn more about this ancient wonder medicine, then read on.

Green Tea

Among all the teas that the world has tasted, perhaps nothing is comparable to the health benefits of green tea. It holds true to its reputation of being a treasure trove of antioxidants. Studies show that it helps prevent different types of cancers and clogging of the arteries. It also helps in lessening your risk of developing neurological disorders at the onset of old age such as Parkinson's disease. It also minimizes your chances of getting a stroke. Apart from these, green tea is also known to be helpful in burning fat and keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level.

White Tea

White tea is tea in its purest form. It is unfermented and unprocessed, thus it has the most powerful set of antioxidants among all other types of tea. It also has known effects of whitening teeth (thought you'd see that one coming) because it contains a small dose of flouride. It also fights bacteria which cause plaque, bad breath, and tooth decay.

Black Tea

Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine among all types of teas because of the fermentation process it undergoes. While it may have the highest amount of caffeine, it does not have the same negative effects and caffeine content that coffee has. That way, you can say goodbye to headaches and palpitation during long nights with this one. Its flavor is the base flavor of some fancy combinations like chai and bubble tea. Black tea helps reduce the risk of stroke as well as protect your lungs from the damages of second hand cigarette smoke.

Oolong Tea

Some people hold on to the belief that oolong tea is a good weight loss supplement, but unfortunately science has yet to prove this one true. On the other hand, this type of tea has been found to lower bad cholesterol levels.

Teas have always been there since the early days of humanity. Drinking it has been a tradition that many cultures have passed on from one generation to another. While it has taken decades for studies about this beverage to emerge, the knowledge about the health benefits of teas remains one of the most grounded and informative researches about a beverage.

Analyzing Your Skin

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:13:23 +1100

Did you know that there are different types of skin?

Knowing what type of skin you have will help ease your way into achieving a healthy, glowing skin. For one thing, you will be able to address common problems such as acne, flaking, and redness that is usually associated with your skin type.

There are five categories, and your skin might fall into one of these. Let's take a look at them, shall we?

1. Normal Skin

Lucky you. You have something that all women die trying to achieve- close to perfect skin. Normal skin has small pores and the right balance of oil and moisture. It is very elastic and supple as well, meaning early signs of aging will not be a problem for you.

2. Dry Skin

Dry skin is very prone to wrinkling. During cold seasons, it gets rough, itchy, or flaky. This skin type has very fine pores, and although it may look good, it is very prone to early signs of aging such as wrinkles, patches, and blemishes.Thus, you will need to apply moisturizers and creams that target dryness.

3. Oily Skin

Oily skin is oily. That much is true. As a result, it tends to break out because of the excess sebum and the dirt that clogs the large pores. It is important that women with this skin type be vigilant in keeping the skin clean. Dirt can easily get trapped in the pores that are unusually large in this skin type. It is also important to maintain and manage the excess oil to prevent the skin from looking shiny instead of dewy. Blotting papers, powders, and foundations will do the trick.

4. Combination Skin

This type of skin can be tricky and sometimes difficult to care for. It is oily on areas such as the forehead, the nose and the chin which makes this zone, aptly named the T-zone, prone to breakouts and blemishes. The cheeks remain dry and flaky which means that you need to put on heavy moisturizers in that area. You will also need to put creams under the eyes as it will be prone to wrinkling.

5. Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs the greatest amount of care among all the skin types. It is very reactive to the changing climate as well as chemicals and responds by breaking out, flaking, itching, and flaring up with red patches. You will need to use special kinds of products such as Cetaphyl that do not contain perfumes, dyes, or harmful ingredients that would irritate sensitive skin.

It will take plenty of research, visits to the dermatologists, and hits and misses to find the right product for your skin type. VMV Hypoallergenics is a skin care line that carry products specially designed for a particular skin type. It ranges from cosmetics to skin care products, so be sure to check it out. If you do have the time to spare, make sure to research more about your skin type.

The first step to a personalized skin care regimen is knowing which among the five skin types you have. It will enable you to address and somehow manage blemishes and delay ageing.

Makeup Must Haves for Valentine's Day

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:38:24 +1100

February is already in plain sight and you know what that means. V-day is already peeking around the corner. So if you have plans for the day of hearts, you also have to prepare to beautify yourself. It doesn't matter if it's a simple date at a park, a posh dinner at a fine dining restaurant, or a night out with your friends. You're still going to want to look your best. We've listed a couple of things that you might want to get on your face this season of love.

Bold, Red Lips

Red is most definitely the color that has stood the test of time when it comes to lipsticks. It speaks confidence and sex appeal albeit in a very subtle way. Red lipstick looks best when it's matte. Matte, not dry. For your perfect pucker, try M.A.C. Ruby Woo for that retro beauty. This is one reason why it's Dita Von Teese's favorite. Make sure to keep the rest of your face clean and simple, though. You wouldn't want to look like Ronald McDonald's.

Cat Eyes

Nothing says "come hither" better than the eyes. For that statement, cat eyes are your best bet. When your eyeliner is made with the perfect texture and the finest ingredients, it's surely going to make for a long-lasting stare contest between you and an admirer. Try Maybelline Ultra Liner Waterproof for that smooth, even, and instant cat eye.

Pink Flush

Nothing says youth better than a pinkish flush on your cheeks. Makeup artists swear by the magic of Nars Blush in Orgasm because it is tried and tested to suit all skin tones. That slightly pink glow works like a charm in giving you that innocent, child-like appeal that most people find both adoring and alluring.

These are a few of the best ones out there. There may be more in store for you if you start looking around. It's a new year, so go ahead and pretty-fy yourself with these new toys that you will love all year long.

Daily Routines that Keep You Awake

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:49:53 +1100

Oftentimes our bed time routines will completely drain us of energy rather than refresh us the next morning. As an effect, we end up waking up feeling more tired or just as exhausted as the night before. For one thing, we should be more relaxed and energetic after a long night's sleep right? Wrong. Why is that so? Read on.

Many of us might think that a full 7-9 hours of sleep will do us good, but really, it's not just the number of hours that you should count. You may have as little as 6 hours of sleep and feel refreshed enough to do as many tasks as you need to or want to accomplish. Here are the top bed time routines that keep people from having that restful slumber:

Not having a bed time

You are never too old for bed time. The key to having constant energy the entire day is to sleep at exactly the same time every single day (or evening). Another thing you might want to consider is to have a daily routine at home before going to bed. This sets your body clock to a routine and tells it that you should, by hook or by crook, go to bed at exactly 11pm. For those who have a very unpredictable schedule, try to make sure that you are in bed at exactly the same time every single day. Trust me, your body will thank you.

Exercising

You may think that exercising will get you tired enough to just fall into bed and sleep. It's not like that. Exercising triggers your brain to release adrenaline. This gives as much energy as an energy drink, and that's why it's best to exercise during the morning after waking up. If done before bed time, it will keep you up for at least three more hours.

Rigorous Mental Activity

A leisurely read is fine, and even recommended by doctors to relax your brain. Magazines and chic lit, fiction, and fantasy novels will do the trick. However, if you start reading that history book, you better be prepared to wake up feeling like you pulled an all-nighter for a paper.

Books and reading materials that contain too much information triggers the brain to stay up and process it. This could take to as long as overnight and by the morning, you will surely feel as tired as ever. Avoid studying a few hours before bed time while you're at it.

Mid-day long naps

It's fine to take a 10-minute nap during the day. In fact, doing so improves your concentration and focus. However, a nap that lasts for more than 20 minutes tells your brain that you need to sleep, not a nap. A long nap during the day will push back your date with Mr. Sandman by a couple of hours. By the time you feel your eyes getting heavy, it'll be early in the morning.

Caffeine

The effects of caffeine can last up to five hours (at least) after consumption.This being said, it's wiser to avoid drinking anything with caffeine in the afternoon. You may think you need it in the evening for work, but it's no use working if your brain is already exhausted and not functioning properly. It's best to give it a fresh start early in the morning instead.

Studies show that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep in order to function properly. Of course, as with any health-related issue, this varies for every person. Some may be fine with only 5 hours, but surely that's because they have good sleeping habits that help their brains relax during sleep. Try to be more considerate of your brain and body and be sure to factor in your daily routine when considering a bed time. Who knows, you might have a good slumber every night.

Quick Ways To Get Your Energy Back

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:08:42 +1100

You wake up in the morning feeling like... you want to go back to bed. You may be over-stressing yourself that your body craves for sleep even if you've had a complete, straight, eight-hour slumber. You might be suffering from fatigue, and this will definitely bring your productivity to an all-time low. Fight it by getting your energy back in these quick, simple, and inexpensive ways.

1. Drink Tea

Studies show that tea is a better for your body than coffee or energy drinks. Four to six cups a day of black tea reduces the stress hormones in your body significantly.

2. Cold Water Shower

Cold water will wake you up instantly. If you can't handle an entire shower with it, start with warm water and work the temperature down until it gets really cold. If you need a wake up in the office, splash your face with cold water, and then make sure to have a retouch session.

3. Get Out!

Take a breath of fresh air. Literally. Go outdoors even when it's cold and take a few minutes to walk. Leave your desk for a while and focus on your surroundings. Smell the flowers and the hotdogs on the street or listen to the hustle and bustle of the city. A little distraction goes a long way in bringing back your concentration. Once your mind is clear, will have a better time focusing on what needs to be done at work.

4. Power Nap, Cat Nap, Disco Nap

It may take a lot of disciple and a permission from your boss, but quick naps will do you wonders. The operative word here is "quick" because any more than 20 minutes of it won't make you any less stressed or tired than you were before it. So set an alarm to go off after 10-20 minutes and get jump up from your light slumber.

5. Pinch Yourself

Well, not really, because it will hurt. What needs a slight pinching is the area between your thumbs and your forefingers. Applying a little pressure for several minutes onto this area will give you a really quick boost of energy. This technique is one of the many things applied in Acupressure.

The best way for you to maintain your energy the whole day is to have a bed time. It may sound juvenile, but setting your body clock to snooze at a certain time every evening will assure you that it won't remind you to go to sleep at odd hours during the day.

Do-It-At-Home Manicures

frances@sassable.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:22:15 +1100

Okay ladies, let's just admit it. There are just times when we just don't feel like going out. Blame it on the hormones or the bad weather, but really, when we don't feel like going out, even a trip to the salon would feel like a drag. Seriously, would you go to the salon for a manicure during a hurricane?

To start the process, you first have to remove last week's nail polish. If it starts chipping so that half of your nail is naked, yes, it's time to repaint it. Use a non-acetone nail polish remover because acetone can be too harsh on your nails. Try Cutex® Essential Care™ Advanced Nail Polish Remover Pads.

Next, cut your nails short (just above the tip of your fingers) and file them to smooth perfection. Make sure that it is rounded as well. Start at the edges and move towards the top, filing in only one direction. After this, soak your nails in a mixture of gentle moisturizing soap and water to soften the cuticles. Some like to put in a little olive oil instead of soap. This is fine.

After around ten minutes, apply cuticle cream on the cuticles and rub in. According to reviews, one of the best cuticle creams out there is by Burt's Bees. Make sure that the cream is fully absorbed before you proceed to the next step. use an orange wood stick to push the cuticles back. Push, not cut. Cutting might give you infections. Apply a moisturizing hand lotion after. We particularly like Aveeno Intensive Naturals Hand Cream. Wipe your nails (and your entire hand for that matter) with a damp cloth or tissue to get rid of the excess oils before moving to the next step.

Apply a base coat and let it dry for roughly about one minute. After it dries, apply two coats of your color of the week. You should be able to cover the entire nail in just three smooth strokes. Do not stop halfway as this will cause your polish to coat unevenly. Start of with the sides and then finish off with the top. Allow it to dry for about a minute or so before applying the next coat. Lastly, apply a top coat to finish off your manicure and prevent it from chipping or fading.

Giving yourself a manicure might be easier said than done, but the best thing about it is that the service is free. You have all the time to yourself as well. So go on, on days when the weather's bad or you just feel like the world hates you, give yourself a manicure and make your nails a little prettier.

Exfoliating: Uncovering the Facts Beneath

webmaster@sassable.com — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:57:32 +1100

You might think that exfoliating simply means removing the dead skin cells on the surface of your face. Yes, you are thinking the right thing, but there's even more to it.

The skin continuously creates new skin cells in the dermis, the second layer of the skin. Over a month's time, these new skin cells move their way up to the surface of the skin and become acidic. These skin cells die after moving to the surface and become saturated with keratin after the 30-day period. Since they are at the surface of the skin, they become the first barrier of protection against the elements. In this sense, keratin becomes a protective layer.

The drawback of this process is that the dead skin cells make the skin look dry and rough. This is especially true among women who are into their menopausal stage and who are, well, ageing. Skin erosion becomes uneven simply because not all the dead skin cells are removed from the surface. Exfoliating removes the remaining dead skin cells and reveals the new layer underneath it. This process unclogs the pores, keeps your skin clean, and ultimately reduces the chances of you breaking out from dirty and clogged pores. Exfoliating is also as important to men as it is to women. The process allows the hair follicles to be exposed thereby allowing a closer and better shave.

Bear in mind that exfoliating is best done after cleansing the skin. This is the time when it is still soft and will allow an easy exfoliating process. However, overexfoliating can cause dryness and skin irritation especially in the face so remember to always moisturize after exfoliating. This moisturizer from Aveeno, for example, is good enough to maintain the moisture in your skin and prevent it from drying out even after exfoliating.

There are two types of exfoliation processes - mechanical and chemical. Mechanical exfoliation involves scrubbing the skin with tools such as loofas, facial scrubs with microbeads, sugar, salt, and apricot shells, among others. Some products, such as St. Ives Renew and Firm Apricot Scrub, are gentle enough to be used everyday without overdrying your skin.

Chemical exfoliation necessitates the use of acids to help dissolve the connective bond between cells allowing them to simply and easily be removed. These chemicals are usually administered by medical professionals or can be bought in drug stores. Examples of these chemicals are salicylic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids or more commonly known as AHA's, and beta hydroxy acids or BHA's, just to name a few. Chemical exfoliants put you at risk for skin damage when applied incorrectly and in high doses. Thus, it is better to consult a professional for this type of exfoliating.

Perhaps we should thank the ancient civilizations for discovering this beauty technique. For one thing, it is a very affordable and easy beauty regimen. So there, now that you've read about the importance of exfoliation, make sure to include it in your beauty routine. When done correctly and religiously, it will definitely make your skin glow. That's a guarantee.

Barely There: Hair Removal Techniques

frances@sassable.com — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:52:00 +1100

Everybody loves the look and feel of smooth, hair-free skin. This is perhaps the most popular reason for removing unwanted hair; but did you know that different hair removal techniques work better on specific areas of the body? Let's take a look at the different methods and how to maximize their effect.

Shaving

Since the hair follicles are still underneath and left undisturbed after shaving, hair grows faster than when it is removed through other methods. When it grows, it does so with a blunt end that can sometimes cause chicken skin and ingrown hair. The secret to this is to shave as close to the skin as possible. Use a sharp blade and shaving cream after a warm bath to prevent nicks and ingrown hair. The warm water softens the hair so that it's easier for you to shave it. Because shaving works best on flat, stretched areas, it's best to do it on your legs and underarms. DO NOT shave your chin, eyebrows, or upper lip unless you want stubbles growing out from there.

Threading

Threading is usually done in salons by aestheticians. They use cotton threads that twist and pull up hair from their roots. Threading does wonders on small areas like the eyebrows, the chin, and the upper lip. If you want to skimp on salon visits, you can have one session with your trusted aesthetician and then just start tweezing once you notice the hair growing back.

Tweezing

Tweezing requires that the hair is long enough to be pulled. It works best on the eyebrows. Some ladies prefer to do this also on their underarms, but it causes chicken skin when done incorrectly. To avoid this unsightly flaw, tweeze underarm hair immediately after a hot bath when the hair is soft and your skin's pores open. It's also best to tweeze hair that regrows after waxing and threading the underarms and the brows.

Waxing

The best time to wax is (we never get tired of this), again, after a warm bath. Waxing may be a painful procedure since it entails yanking all the hair from the roots at the same time, but it is one method where the results last for more or less a month. Besides, hair grows thinner once this method is used regularly. Hence, lesser pain is involved. It can be used on the face, the underarms, the legs, and the bikini line.

Depilatories

Depilatories contain chemicals that dissolve the hair at the skin level. This is why it smells so darn bad. Although this technique is painless, the results are similar to shaving. The hair regrowth is blunt and can sometimes make the skin look darker. Hair grows back in a day or two. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to test the kit on a small area or check with your dermatologist before using it on your underarms or on you legs. NEVER use depilatories on your face or bikini area because these areas have the most sensitive skin on your body.

Laser Hair Removal

The latest developments in technology has paved the way to machines that allow painless laser hair removal sessions. Salons that offer this techonology may charge more than those that offer the older versions, but one thing I can guarantee you is that the effects are long term and pain free. It works by sending an intense beam of light down the skin to the hair follicle and damaging it which thereby inhibits regrowth. The safest areas to use this on are the underarms, the bikini line, and the legs. It may be expensive and require several sessions before you experience hair-free skin, but the results are permanent.

Different hair removal techniques work well with different women. The key here is to find one that you can commit to doing on a regular basis, what kind of pain level you are willing to take, and the amount of money that you can afford to spend.

Update Your Look with Colored Eyeliner

cwheaton@odesk.com — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:34:49 +1000

Are you in the make up blahs?

So many women get stuck in the same make up routine and it can be quite honestly extremely boring to put on the same natural, neutral shades each day.

This is a quick fix that is super easy. Just add a fun pop of color with a new eyeliner.

Here are some tips when choosing one:

-pick pencil, gel or liquid based on your skill level and available time, they go in that order.

-great colors to try are as follows: navy for brown eyes (brings out lighter honey tones), purple for green/hazel (makes eyes more green), copper for blue (makes eyes more blue).

-If you are too nervous to go all out, just add the colored liner only on the bottom smeared a little, or just in the top outer corners...you can even mix with your regular brown or black to subdue it.

Here are some of my fav eyeliners for you to try out:

Urban Decay 24/7 pencils. They glide on, are movable until dry then stay put! $18

Make Up Forever Aqua Liquid Eyeliner. My fav liquid! Easy application and waterproof. $23

Stila Smudge Pots gel liner. You can smudge them or create a perfect cat eye with a brush. $20

Stick-on Eyeliner?

cwheaton@odesk.com — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:22:04 +1000

The star of Dior's spring show this year was not so much the clothes although quite fabulous...it was the perfect dramatic eyeliner that the models were sporting. Backstage makeup artists created the heavy winged out and artistic lines with ease but what about all the folks at home that are not as handy with a brush?

Starting September 8th beauty goers will be able to purchase Dior's Velvet Eye Kit for about $55 at Dior Beauty counters. The kit contains 4 pairs of varying winged liner that you attach to your lash line with eyelash glue. 2 of the sets are bold black graphic lines and the other 2 are lined with crystals.

Although these probably will not work for day or the office, they would be amazing for a night out or a swanky party. And the best part is, no smeary racoon eyes from your regular liner at the end of the night.

I'm Obsessed! Updos Made Easy

cwheaton@odesk.com — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 22:38:51 +1000

Lots of people cringe at even the idea of an updo. Oh, it takes forever...I can never do it on myself...they are such a pain in the you-know-what...

Well now two major brands have made amazing tools for creating super easy updos in a snap.

1) The Taylor Swift Updo

-curl all your hair using this nifty Conair curler $30. Or you can use a curler you might already have but just wrap the hair around it instead of using the clamp. This technique will help to achieve those "Swift" curls.

-then take these magic springs from Goody called Spin Pins $5 and loosely twist your hair into a low back or side bun and secure into place by "screwing" the pins in, one on the top and one on the bottom. Pull out a few curl strands and either have them stay out or pin them with a bobby pin loosely.

2) The Wedding or Prom Updo

-You can do this either half up or all the way up. If you go half up, you might want to curl the half of your hair that is staying down.

-take the hair you want up, twist it and pull up, then fold in half and tuck the ends under. Hold it with your hand.

-take the Scunci Upzing $5 (two hair combs connected with decorated elastic) and put a comb in either side of your twist and voila, you have a fancy updo that is secure. You can also watch the video here

Amazing Amazonian 12-hour Blush by Tarte!

cwheaton@odesk.com — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 14:20:19 +1000

I have a bazillion blushes. Powders, creams, stains and sticks, you name it. But what I really love is something that STAYS. That's why I heart stains so much because they give me that fresh awake look all day. BUT what I don't like about them is that they can sometimes mess up my foundation or powder, and they do what they are meant to do which is stain...so if you applied a little too much...well wash your face or you are stuck with it.

Enter Tarte's genius Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush! I love this stuff! Not only is it natural based made from nutrient rich sun baked clay straight from the banks of the Amazon river, but it laaaaasts! For up to 12 hours! Gah-I've died and gone to blush heaven. It goes on silky smooth with a flawless powder finish and comes in tons of flattering colors for everyone. I personally love Amused (the one you see in all the adds that is a perfect punchy pink) and Tipsy (a sunny tangerine/peach combo). And seriously, blush is like sleep in a compact, just as important as concealer.

This "green" blush features NO Parabens- Sulfates- Synthetic Fragrances- Petrochemicals- Phthalates- GMOs- Triclosan! It runs about $25 but since it is pretty pigmented it is sure to last you a long time. The cute little compact is round with a handy built in mirror.

Go Nutty with this all purpose oil!

cwheaton@odesk.com — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:34:09 +1100

Coconuts are making a comeback in a big way. Coconut water is just about everywhere claiming better hydration and more potassium than regular water or sports drinks. Plus is it pretty delish. But that's not all coconuts are good for. Coconut oil has been used forever in hair, skin and beauty products. It is a natural way to hydrate the skin and keep it soft, smooth and supple.

Just head on over to your local health food store and pick up a jar of organic coconut oil and go nutty! You can use it straight up as an all over body moisturizer (ladies this will also ward away stretch marks!), as an overnight lip treatment, or use a tiny bit on the ends of dry hair.

It really is the all-around-use-for-everything-cure! Did you know that people who started cooking with only coconut oil instead of other oils such as peanut, vegetable or sunflower, actually lost weight? And that's all they changed! Coconut oil is digested differently into the body and can actually increase metabolism.

You can even use it on the face to moisturize and help prevent wrinkles, age spots and uneven tone. Yay for coconuts!

Help Me! The Fountain of Youth Cream

cwheaton@odesk.com — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:22:02 +1100

The mega brand for all things delicious like Sugar Cookie shower gel has now come up with Allure Magazine's "Best of Beauty" winner for anti-aging treatment: Philosophy's Help Me Retinol Night Treatment. But it doesn't stop there! This little bottle of miracle cream fights wrinkles of course, but also reduces pores, discoloration, and adds a healthy tone and firmness to that tired dull skin everyone is complaining about.

So what's the secret? It's in the Retinol. Retinol is long known for it's anti-aging benefits but many people couldn't use it due to sensitivity, well they have solved that problem by encapsulating it in little time release orbs that allow your skin to soak up just what it needs and not get overloaded and irritated. Brilliant! This keeps the product's ingredients from going sour and losing potency.

This cream also has other heavy hitters when it comes to anti-aging and reversing environmental damage like Vit-C and E, plus it comes in a little metal tube with keeps the light and heat out and your $45 1.05 oz of magic potion lasting longer. Yipee!

The statistics on this cream are ridiculous, over 2 months here are the percentages:

- 100% of subjects had improvement in fine lines.
- 100% had smoother skin.
- 94% had improvement in wrinkles.
- 88% had firmer skin.

Those are some gooood percentages. So give it a go! We have all tried a million different things, what one more item that might be just what you have been searching for.

To Bang Or Not To Bang?

cwheaton@odesk.com — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:39:05 +1100

Not THAT kind of bang! We're talking about the kind that looks super chic over your forehead.

But it is a bit nerve racking to cut those bangs, isn't it? What if they look awful, what if I like them for a little and then I change my mind...they take forever to grow out.

Now you don't have to worry about it, you can bang it up on a whim with clip-in bang extensions. They are made from real hair so they can be styled, are easy to use and look just like the real thing. They come in a variety of colors to match your natural hair too...so what are you waiting for? Find that inner pin-up girl in you.

Get Crackin'!

webmaster@sassable.com — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:06:09 +1100

Everything old is new again! Including this seemingly high-tech nail polish from OPI. Apparently this type of polish was popular years ago but now has been reinvented with a brand new formula, look, and of course a fabulous celebrity to go along with the launch.

Katy Perry always has the latest and greatest nails so this marriage with OPI makes perfect sense. The must-have item in the line is the coveted and sold out everywhere "Black Shatter". One coat of this miracle paint will transform any nail color into a trendy wacky web of black with the original color peeking through...genius! After you have the under color on the nails, either wait for it to dry before putting the Black Shatter on top, or slap on a quick-dry top coat to separate the Shatter from the nail color. Apply the Shatter quickly since it dries faster than you can say "I kissed a girl" then watch it magically pull, twist and crackle into a neat design that's different each time. It dries matte so I would put a top coat over it for a high shine.

Here is the collection:

Last Friday Night (smurfy glittery blue)
Not Like the Movies (awesome irridescent green purple silver)
The One That Got Away (an amazing deep berry)
Teenage Dream (a creamy pink glitter)
Black Shatter (crackle top coat)

The Perfect Loose Curls

cwheaton@odesk.com — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:00:03 +1100

After doing a survey of people in the hair styling business, a curler who's name kept popping up is Babyliss. To achieve the loose tousled curls like Kate Hudson's, go for a larger barrel like this 1 1/4 inch one. The ceramic barrel makes the curl smooth and shiny, and it goes all the way up to 430 degrees of heat for stubborn hard to curl hair.

Here are some tips for getting the look:

1. Always curl the strands by the face AWAY from your face. So if you are doing the right side roll the curler to the RIGHT. If you are doing the left roll it to the LEFT.

2. Alternate the directions of the other curls around your head randomly. I like to do varying patterns...one right, two left, two right, one left, etc. You can hold some on the barrel longer than others to make different sized curls. Kate's stylist even left a few strands straight.

3. To avoid the kink at the bottom of the strand try to start to roll the hair in the middle of the strand and pull the curler down through to get the end of the hair. Since more hair is now wrapped around the barrel, the end of the strand will stay put better and you can get it all in there with no kink.

4. Use a product. I like to spray a beachy hair spray in the hair after it is curled and I then run my fingers through it to separate and mess it up a bit.

Beauty Bargain-Dream Mousse Concealer

cwheaton@odesk.com — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 07:55:06 +1100

I am always on the hunt for a good concealer. And my number one gripe about concealer is that if it is too thick or oily-it seeps into those fine lines around the eye and looks terrible. I have tried so many big brand concealers...M.A.C, Stila, Make Up For Ever, Laura Mercier, Smashbox, Benefit, etc (my favorites being the last two). But one that has impressed me immensely was not a department store brand. It was a bargain drug store brand-Mabelline. Mabelline's Dream Mousse concealer is amazing! It comes in a little glass pot and the formula is whipped and smoother than silk. You can use your ring finger to glide it on to diminish dark circles (this is not really my first choice for blemish or spot cover-up, more for under eye circles or to even out skin tone). It goes on with creamy ease and then dries to a soft powder finish. It does a great job of looking extremely natural and not setting into your lines...all this for $7? I think I am in love! When I tried the matching foundation to the line, I was equally enthralled! Although the coverage of these products are not full coverage-more of a sheer medium-they work together to make your skin glow with airbrushed perfection while feeling as if you are wearing nothing at all. Try it out! If you purchase it from a big chain store, you have nothing to loose, they will let you return or exchange it if it doesn't agree with you, although I think you will love it as much as I do!

Trendy Rope Braid How-To!

cwheaton@odesk.com — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:37:09 +1100

I am going to show you a simple and quick style that you can twist your hair into that looks really neat. My pictures show a side braid version but it also looks amazing done in a few tiny braids on either side of the head and pinned back.

1. First take your hair and make two even pieces.

2. Then twist BOTH pieces the same direction...I twisted mine to my left.

3. Now you intertwine these pieces by twisting them the OPPOSITE direction, I did my right. The hair will naturally want to unwind but since they are going opposite directions (the actual pieces one way, and then both of them together another way) it will create a resistance and hold it in place.

4. It might take a few times to get the hang of twisting the pieces without letting them unravel, I like to cross over and then pull the pieces out wide each time tightening the coil...and voila! You have yourself one really cool looking braid!

Finally! A natural hair dye that works!

webmaster@sassable.com — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:22:39 +1100

I have always been on the hunt for a hair dye that is some-what natural but works like the real deal. I've tried henna, health food store brands, and organic salons...I've even revisited my junior high staple of Sun-In. But all these are just attempts to get the results of good old fashioned chemical hair dye and they all come up short.

I get weary putting those chemical dyes directly into my head month after month. And what about all those mom's to be...are they doomed to 9 months of roots?

Well I finally found the solution in a natural hair dye brand called Nutratint. For about $15 you can get a box of at home hair dye that is NATURAL! It contains no ammonia, no parabens, vegetable colorings, and enriched with soya, corn, coconut and wheat extracts! There is a large selection of 29 colors.

It will lighten your hair up to two shades at a time, and it is safe to mix colors. My mother even takes this into her regular salon and has her stylist create hight-lights, low-lights, and touch up her roots. Her scalp is super sensitive, and this works like a charm, and looks even better.

So I know the leading brand in box dye is Feria but give this a try...your body will thank you. Plus you can say good-bye to the eye tearing smell, and itchy burning scalp that you usually come with regular box dyes.