How to Get Wavy Hair

My hair is as straight as a board so I’m always looking for a new way to curl my hair.  It may be because it reminds me of summer but lately, I’ve been in love with the wavy look.  There are about a million different ways to curl your hair to achieve wavy locks but this five-step process has proven to work the best for me.

1. Use a curling iron that gets really hot.

2. Wrap hair around the curling iron and away from your face.  Don’t use the clamp and hold it there for about 15 seconds.

3. Repeat this all over your head using small sections of hair.

4. Spray hair with a shine serum that has a little hold or a light hairspray that adds shine.

5. Scrunch hair to mess it up slightly so your curls look natural and not perfect!

Give it a try and let me know what you think or if you have any wavy hair suggestions please feel free to share them!

Beauty Bundle Giveaway – $165 Value Ends 3/15

dermal repair creamdaily physical defense

Update: This giveaway is now over.  Out of 354 entries, Stefanie G. was our winner!  Congratulations, Stefanie!

 

I have a high-value prize pack to giveaway to one lucky Embracing Beauty reader! It contains two high-end beauty products that sound amazing and I would love to try myself.  This giveaway is sponsored by Denver Plastic Surgery.

 

Here’s what you can win:
Dermal Repair Cream – $120 value
Daily Physical Defense SPF 30 – $45 value

 

This is a quick giveaway that will end March 15, 2012 at midnight EST so go on and enter now using the Rafflecopter form below!

 

You must be 18 years or older to enter and have a US address. One winner will be chosen via random.org. No purchase necessary. Only entries that follow the above rules will count. Entries close March 15, 2012 at 12:01am EST. Winner will be announced on March 16, 2012 .

Free Sample of güd Body Lotion (Facebook)

gud sample

If you haven’t yet, go to güd Facebook page and “like” them to request a free sample of güd body lotion!  This is awesome lotion!  I had the opportunity to review some and I’ll be posting the review soon.  For now though, trust me and request  your free sample!  Your sample should arrive within 6-8 weeks.  If you can’t wait that long to try it out, you can print a $1/1 any güd product coupon from their Facebook page on the “$1 off coupongüdee” tab.

Jonathan Gale’s Interview with Embracing Beauty

Jonathan Gale

 

I am so excited to share with you an interview I had with a TOP hair colorist!  Johnathan Gale is a colorist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in LA.  He was even voted US Magazine Hair Colorist of the Year!  Johnathan Gale is a master of the art of hair coloring.  He has had a successful career in both the UK and the US that includes high fashion editorials, high publicity advertising and celebrity clients.  Johnathan has worked on advertising for Versace, L’Oreal, Calvin Klein, and Prada.  He works with the likes of Charlize Theron, Diane Keaton, Keri Russell, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Meg Ryan and Jennifer Garner.  How incredible is it that he took time to have an interview exclusively for you?

 

 

1. What is a day in the life of Jonathan Gale like?

 

I am a morning person. The sun rises, the light shows up and I’m ready for action. I have a lot of well-being intentions I start with when I wake. I sleep really well and like to remind myself to be of service and of deep gratitude for this life.

 

I love to walk often and hike in Runyon Canyon. I also like to just walk in my neighborhood then go work out at the gym.  Stretching is key I have found.

 

I like to start work early. I am at the salon by 8:30am just as the staff begins laying flowers atop the pool within the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon. I’m big on breakfast and begin thinking about lunch as soon as I’m done. If I’m en route to the airport or going to be on set or at the salon, I’m always looking for healthy food, juices and treats. I find that if I eat right, I’ll have energy for days.

 

I work in the salon four days a week. My first appointment might be with Debi Mazar, following by an afternoon with Amber Valetta. By the time Jennifer Love Hewitt or Ellen Pompeo comes in, the salon is really busy. All the actresses know each other, it’s a lot of fun and it almost feels as if I’m on a set.

 

Because it’s award season, it’s a particularly busy time of year because everyone is making sure they look their best for walking the red carpet.

 

I also spend a lot of time in communication with directors, making sure the characters these actresses are playing are going to be expressed correctly on screen.

 

I like to cram a lot into my days right now. I’m learning to play guitar and spending time with a composer, creating some joyful meditation music which is so much fun. I study well-being and am constantly learning how to express, create and play. My clients benefit from my playfulness.

 

All of this is what makes my days and my career so much fun.

 

2. How did your career begin in the world of beauty?

 

My career began at home, from my sister to all the neighbors on the street. From the age of 14, I was captivated by transforming the people around me. My first job in hair was at when I was 18 years old as an apprentice for Daniel Galvin and Jo Hansford in London Mayfair.

 

3. As one of the top color artists in the business, are there any celebrities whom you would still like to work with that you haven’t as of yet?

 

Madonna. I have some great ideas for her. I also really enjoy working with artists, so there are plenty people I would love the opportunity to create with.

 

4. What are some common hair mistakes that women make?

 

In my opinion, the biggest mistake women make is going too light. They just decide they’re bored with their color, decide to be another color and don’t take into consideration their eyebrow tone, their skin tone, eye color, eye setting, etc.

 

Instead, I like to make sure they get what they want by still achieving that light “feeling” without doing the standard light all over coloring. I take an artist’s approach. I like exotic features, therefore I like to enhance these modalities. Instead of changing someone, I like to take someone’s authenticity and just “bump it up a bit.”

 

5.  What are your top suggestions for treating damaged hair?

 

The first thing you must do when treating damage hair is deal with the water you’re washing with. Buy a filter for your shower–your health will benefit also. This will help remove the harsh chemicals from your water and keep your hair in amazing shape.

 

The other suggestion for treating damaged hair is the realization that is takes a lot of effort. There is a myriad of products out there…get and use whatever you can find. Use them twice a week, be consistent, and your hair will benefit.

 

6.  What do you suggest Embracing Beauty readers do to achieve the perfect frizz-free look everyday?

 

I love John Frieda’s arsenal of anti-frizz products. I also love Rene Furterer’s Fioravanti leave in detangler.

Free sample of Origins Skin-Tone Correcting Serum *Facebook offer*

Origins skin tone serum

 

For a limited time you can sign up for a free sample of Origins Skin-Tone Correcting Serum.

Damone Roberts’ Interview with Embracing Beauty

Damon

 

I was fortunate enough to be able to get an interview with Damone Roberts, celebrity beauty therapist and undisputed “Eyebrow King.”  *Squeal with joy!*  Here’s the interview:

 

1. EB: Hi Damone! My name is Ashley and I represent EmbracingBeauty.com which is an ultra cool blog (if I do say so myself) *patting back*.  Congratulations on being the new spokesperson for THELOOKBAG.com!  Does this mean that you’ll choose the selection of what goes into each and every bag?

 

Damone:* I’m thrilled to be the face of TheLookBag.com because I actually have a say as to what goes into each & every bag. I’ve been a makeup artist for many years, while working on some of the world’s most famous faces & I deal with women on a daily basis in my New York or Beverly Hills’ Salon. There are always new products that someone is telling me about & now I have the opportunity to share them with women all over the world.

TheLookBag

2. What is a day in the life of Damone Roberts like?

 

*My life changes constantly due to the industry I am in, but typically a day in the life of Damone Roberts starts @ about 7:00 A.M with me laying in the bed staring @ the ceiling for a good 30 minutes. I find I think clearly in this tranquil state and literally will go through my entire day & always end it with giving thanks for entering a new one. Next is some type of workout either with my trainer, hiking or a bike ride. Coffee/breakfast while checking emails, before heading into the Salon. I usually take my meetings during lunch & end most days with a conference call between The DR Team.

3. I’ve read that each month, THELOOKBAG will contain 5 luxury beauty samples but I’m curious, are the samples are big enough to use more than once?

 

*That is actually something I really want to stress to your readers. I think people get confused when they here “testers”. These are not a little packet that can be used only once. We give you a travel size component that you can use for a few weeks to really find out if it works for you. One would easily pay $10.00 for one or two of these items, but we are giving you five samples monthly.

 

4. As one of the top beauty artists in the business, are there any celebrities whom you would still like to work with that you haven’t as of yet?Megan Fox note

*I’ve been fortunate that I’ve worked with so many celebrities. Imagine growing up with posters of Madonna on your wall & then you get a phone call from her saying she hears you are the best & she needs to experience what everyone is talking about. I remember the 1st time I was introduced to the iconic Diana Ross & she said to her friend “I know who he is…I use his products”. Beyonce sitting in the waiting room with everyone else patiently waiting for her appointment, or Megan Fox telling me “I make her feel beautiful”. The list goes on and on! It has been a tremendous journey & I’m just thankful & excited for the next chapter.

 

5. How would you describe your signature look and what is it about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

 

*My signature look is a full defined brow with a carefully blended makeup application. I don’t like to see lines in the eyeshadow or blush. I’m also not afraid to use colors, but they need to flow into one another to create one beautiful  look. I’m confident in my artistry & if I had to choose one word to describe it, that word would be flawless!

 

6. What is the most memorable moment you have had while doing a celebrity’s makeup or eyebrows?

 

*The other day I was taking care of Robert Downey Jr & we were talking about the movies of the last year. Him & his wife Susan have been clients for a long time & we all have become quite fond of one another. We both consider ourselves artist at heart & always share music, movies and things of that nature. We decided to write down our top 3 films of 2011 and then give the list to one another. The list was the EXACT same in the EXACT same order. Another fun story is when I went to the house of a huge A list actress to shape her brow’s. I was packing up my kit afterwards to leave and as I turned around, she was completely nude laying on the table with her legs up in the air. I asked her what she was doing and she replied I figured since you were here, you could just do my bikini as well. Needless to say that did not happen!

 

7. What is the most important piece of beauty advice that you can give to women?

 

* The most important beauty advice I would give to women is never negate the power of a good brow & always take off your makeup before going to bed!

 

8. What are some common beauty mistakes that women make?

 

*Women tend to get stuck in the same routine. I have found that women generally will keep the look that worked for them when they felt most attractive. The problem is styles change & products are constantly evolving. This is another reason why TheLookBag.com is so exciting…you can stay alert to what is new in the industry.

 

9. Do you feel that looking and feeling beautiful is important in regard to a woman’s confidence and self-esteem?

 

*I think that when you look good, you feel good! It really is that simple. Obviously if you have low confidence or self esteem you are not going to give your best, but the part I like the most of working in my salons is when women walk in with heavy shoulders & their head down, & then leave 15 minutes later with their chest out, flinging the hair & glossing their lips. When you look good…you feel good!

10. Do you feel that you have achieved all of your goals as a successful makeup artist?

Damone Roberts Opi
* The journey has been great, but I have learned to never put a lid on a dream. When “US Weekly” named me the #1 thing that Hollywood can’t live without (before the Cartier Roadster or The Bentley), I thought I had truly arrived. Then I found out I was a question in the board game Trivial Pursuit, after that OPI named a nail polish after me. Next I was a question on the game show Jeopardy & just a few weeks ago they did a sketch on me for The TV show 2 Broke Girls. I also did The TLC TV series “10 years younger” for 3 seasons. I’m actually very excited to enter the next chapter.

11. Who are some people that have inspired you throughout your career?

 

* I’ve been inspired by so many & am smart enough to be a sponge when exposed to certain people or situations! I’ve been alone in the room with Madonna & observed how her business mind works. I’ve had one on one conversations with Oprah & observed her kindness, even when no camera’s or others were around to see it. Once I was flown on a private plane by a bank to take care of “The 50 Wealthiest Men in America’s” wives for a palatial, relaxing weekend. The bank does this yearly as a sign of gratitude for the members banking with them. I took care of the wives makeup & brow’s while the guys were golfing, but believe me whenever it was lunch or dinner I had my list of questions out for these guy’s. I know money does not bring happiness, but what inspires me is the people who take a idea or talent and turn it into success.

 

12. What products do you think should be a staple in every woman’s purse?

clear brow gel

 

*No women should ever be without some type of gloss to keep her lips moist. Lastly you need Damone Roberts Clear Brow Gel. This keeps the hair upward, while opening the eyes. Two absolute essentials!

13. What do you suggest Embracing Beauty readers do to achieve the perfect everyday look?

 

*You need to start with a good brow! It frames the face, while adding balance & structure. I also recommend taking some of those powder papers to blot up excess oil throughout the day. Pressed powder can work as well, but can also build up on the skin if used too much. A nice tinted moisturizer can become a girl’s best friend & we all love a strong mascara.

 

14. How did your career begin in the world of beauty?

 

*I studied art for a period @ Rutgers University on a scholarship. Interestingly enough I got the scholarship off of  a drawing I did of Diana Ross that won 1st place in a nationwide contest, so you can imagine what a full circle moment it was for me to meet her years later & have her say she’s a fan of my products. In school I learned how to blend & sculpt while emphasizing certain features, while hiding others. I literally just took all the skills I learned from painting on paper, to painting a face. The first company I worked for where I was able to show off my makeup skills was Fashion Fair & then of course M.A.C!

Protect Your Skin This Winter

Dry Skin

 

Winter can be a harsh time for your skin, with central heating, hair dryers, cold air and nippy winds all causing damage. While cold temperatures and strong winds can leave your skin feeling dry and chapped, turning the heating up is no solution. Spending a lot of time in centrally heated spaces will cause further dehydration of the skin. Worse still, moving between very cold and very warm temperatures – such as entering a heated building after a long walk in the cold – can cause further irritation.

 

While it can be difficult to fit a thorough skin-care routine into your everyday life, if you have enough time to spare why not spend a few hours giving your skin a little TLC? Apply a face mask, use one of a suitable brand of waxing kits, follow it up with a high quality moisturiser and give yourself and your skin a much-needed break.

 

Alternatively, by following an efficient skincare routine, you can easily minimise the negative effects that winter has on your skin, keeping you looking fresh and healthy throughout the party season and right up to spring.

 

One of the simplest, cheapest, most effective and most frequently overlooked ways to protect your skin throughout the winter is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is just as important in winter as it is during the summer, although it can be more difficult to remember to do so. Try to keep a bottle of water close to hand at all times, to drink from while you work or relax. Deciding on how many bottles you need to get through each day in order to keep hydrated will give you an easy objective to keep in mind. You can also top up your water intake by drinking herbal teas, which will warm you up without the dehydrating effects of caffeinated hot drinks such as coffee or tea. It is also important to use a good moisturiser on both your hands and your face to keep them feeling smooth. Use a skin cream or primer underneath your foundation to keep your skin moisturised throughout the day.

 

Drinking fruit juices or eating fruit and vegetables that contain a high percentage of water will not only make it easier to keep hydrated, but will also keep you healthy and protect you from colds, which can leave your skin looking even worse. Colds and ‘flu can cause redness, inflammation, acne and cold sores. While the first three of these are easier to disguise using concealer and foundation, cold sores are more difficult to treat and can be irritating or painful. Wearing good-quality lip balm and making sure you get plenty of vitamins A, C and E will reduce your chances of developing cold sores, while acyclovir cream should help to reduce their effect in the event that you feel one developing.

 

Sleep is another important, yet frequently forgotten, essential to help protect your skin through the winter. While this is, of course, true all year round – dark circles and a haggard face is never an attractive look – it is especially true during the winter. Not only does the festive season bring with it the party time of year, but our increased dependence on harsh, artificial lighting during the winter months makes it even harder to disguise how little sleep you managed to grab the night before! Try to get at least eight hours’ sleep for at least four or five nights each week to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant.

 

This guest post was contributed by Leyla Kee-McParlin, an aspiring blogger who enjoys writing on a variety of topics and especially sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for hair and beauty products. Leyla has a degree in English and French, and is currently writing on behalf of Salons Direct who are one of the leading stockists of professional hair & beauty supplies in the UK.

Revive Dry Skin with Microdermabrasion at Home

Winter weather often translates to dull, dry skin that loses its luster. This can make us look tired, older, and just not as healthy as we typically do. Thankfully, there are a ton of new products and treatments that come to our rescue! There’s always the spa, of course, but that can become costly – on top of requiring an appointment and taking time out of your already busy day. So rather than carve out time for a spa session, why not give some at-home treatments a whirl?

microdermabrasion

You’re probably familiar with the various masques and exfoliating creams on the market, but for something that really gets the job done, you might want to try a microdermabrasion at home kit. These innovative kits typically come with an exfoliating wand, creams, cleansers, and more. For example, the DermaWand RHF Skin System, available at online retailers like ShopNBC, comes with all of the above plus an instructional DVD to ensure you’re performing the procedure correctly. Once you get started, you may notice a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, shrinking of pores, and all the other great benefits of serious exfoliation. Microdermabrasion sloughs off your dull, dry skin to reveal fresher, younger skin below. It’s also thought to diminish the appearance of acne scars.

 

So instead of trudging to the spa or putting up with less-than-stellar skin, consider microdermabrasion at home to get glowing on a budget.

50,000 Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Products Giveaway

Suave

Go to the Suave Beauty Facebook page, then click on the “Giveaway” tab and be one of the first 50,000 to enter the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Giveaway and you could win a free Keratin Infusion product!  They let you know right away if you’ve won.  I won and I bet if you hurry you will too!

 

Don’t forget to follow Embracing Beauty on Facebook for updates on the latest freebies!  Not to mention that we have a very exciting iPad2 giveaway going on over there exclusively for our Facebook fans!

Free Sample Clean & Clear Body Wash (Text Offer)

Clean & Clear

 

When you text GLAMBODY to 467467 you can get a free sample of Clean & Clear Morning Burst Body Wash!  Your sample should arrive within 8 to 10 weeks! *Standard text messaging rates do apply.*