Proper Heat Appliance Maintenance!!

Hey Lovelies!! I love to curl my hair and I always thought I was taking proper care of my curling iron, but until I read a post about Curling Iron Maintenance by TheBeautyDepartment.com I learned some new facts I think you should all know. So let’s begin…

·        Clean your curling iron with rubbing alcohol once a month. You do not want excess build up on your curling iron, this can cause dryness and even yellowing (for blondes) on your luscious tresses.

·        Never shampoo your curling iron, it will not help.

·        Never submerge your curling iron in water when hot, or when cool. This can cause rusting and break your curling iron.

·        If you’re in a hurry and you need to pack a hot curling iron (or any hair appliance) put it into a heat proof bag.

·        When done with your curling iron, DO NOT wrap it around the handle, doing so to many times can cause your curling iron to short out. Wrap the cord up and tie it up with a rubber band or hair tie.

Thanks! Come back for more fun! If you want your curling irons to last longer than just follow these quick tips!! Have a great Day!

-         AM

How I Curl My Hair: Everyday Curly Hair!!

Hey Lovelies!! So I haven't posted a new blog post in such a long time and I am so sorry for that; I have been in love with curling my hair for an everyday look so I decided why don't I show you how to do it also!! I like to use a regular curling iron to get looser and more "natural" curls, when using a wand I seem to get more tighter curls which I don't prefer for an everyday look!! I love the Conair Instant Heat 1 inch Curling Iron. I got it from Target last year and it is still going strong. I personally think Conair curling irons are great, I have another one that is 1/2 in and that also works great!! I think the 1 in just makes amazing curls!!

Before I curl my hair I always use heat protectant, I use the Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray, it works with all heat products but I primarily use it for just curling my hair. If I do straighten it I will use the John Frieda Straight Heat Protectant. It is really important to use a heat protectant, it is essential to shield it from over heating and damaging or breaking the hair. I like to flip my head over and spray this on the front and back of my hair then brush it through with a wide toothed comb to distribute it all over my hair evenly.

When I curl my hair I split my hair into 2 parts, from the top of the ear and up; I first work with the bottom section. I like to wrap the hair around the curling iron away from my face. I keep the hair smooth on the surface of the iron, if you keep it like bunched up it will come out with a different curl. I like to keep my ends out of the curl so I don't damage them and get split ends.

I hold it for 10 - 20 seconds, on 9 which is probably 200 - 250 degrees.

After I am done I like to drop the curl into my palm and hold it there for 5 seconds while it curls off.



Usually I don't like to put any product on my hair after I curl it but if I did I would put a pea size amount of the John Frieda Secret Weapon Finishing Creme. I scrunch it into my hair and it just tames frizz and adds some more curl and shine. I would also spray some Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Volumizing Hair Spray to add volume and keep the curl all throughout the day. I also like to scrunch this after spraying to add more of a curl.



First picture is when it is completely done (without hairspray and finishing creme). I flip my hair over and shake it a little and this is the complete finished look in the second picture. Now I am completely done!! You can add a braid, twist, clip or any hair accessory to add more glam!!

Thanks!! Hope you try this out!! If you do, send me a picture on twitter!! https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

- AM

Have a great day!! Do you have any techniques or products you love to use for curling your hair, let me know in the comments!! 

Color of the Year!!

Pantone has announced the color of the year!! I am so in love with this years color! Emerald Green! Every year Pantone chooses a color for the year to inspire fashion, beauty, and anything else! Last year was tangerine tango and this year is the "Ultramarine Green" or emerald!! I think emerald is such a gorgeous color! So here are a few inspirational ideas, and how others incorporated the hot color of the year!



Essie Nail Polish in "Going Incognito"



So, I hope you like this color because you probably will be seeing alot of it this year! I definitely will be on the look out for more of this color to incorporate into my style!! Have a great day! P.S. I got a
Pose, my username is FashionForwardAM!! Go follow!!

- AM
https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA



Drugstore Makeup Favorites!!

Hey Lovelies!! Today, I was thinking what I should do for a post, and I was thinking, since I do alot of high end favorites, I decided to do a favorites for the drugstore. This tag is perfect because the drugstore is affordable, and close to really anyone. Over the years, drugstore makeup has become amazing quality! So lets begin!!

1. Favorite drugstore makeup brand!
- I would have to say, it is a mix between Maybelline, Revlon and L'Oreal. I like all Maybelline products. I like the Revlon Colorstay/ Photo Ready products and from L'Oreal I like their lip products.

2. Favorite face, cheek, eye and lip products!
- Foundation: Revlon Colorstay is by far my favorite! It stays put ALL day and it does not fade, look cakey, or crease. It is also super build able which is great for everyone because you can put just a little on for light coverage or build it up for full coverage, suited for all skin types.

- Concealer: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer! I put this under my eyes to camouflage my dark circles and just by putting this on over my foundation it looks like I got a full nights sleep (but really who ever does)! You can also highlight your features (top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupids bow, below lips, forehead) with it which is great, it is basically a 2 in 1 product.

- Setting Powder: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder! It really locks in your concealer and foundation and keeps it in place all day. It is really perfect for anyone that has combination/ oily skin types. I like to pat my settingpowder onto the skin because, once you put your foundation and concealer on, it isn't exactly into your skin and if your sweep the powder on you can move your foundation and concealer; so i pat it into to really lock in everything!

- Bronzer: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster! This product is amazing for contouring, it gives you an all over glow that wont make you orange but gives you just the best tan! It also has some benefits like, carob tree extract which helps to naturally enhance a healthy-looking bronze glow. Vitamin C and E are potent antioxidants which help to improve skin's clarity and radiance. If you use it daily it helps to boost skins natural luminosity.

- Blush: Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blushes! They may only have a few colors but they are really great for a natural blushing color! Blush is basically a way to brighten the face and this is just great for that!

- Lip Balm: Maybelline Baby lips! They are so nice! They come in clear and have some colored balms if you want a little color on your lips. They last well and just make your lips so smooth and soft, even in the winter season! Also I love the L'Oreal Color Riche Balms!

- Lip Sticks/ Gloss: Really any L'Oreal gloss or lip stick is nice! All of the ones I have are smooth and apply nicely! I love the 8 hour Infallible Le Glosses from L'Oreal though, they are amazing! They have great color, are opaque, and last for such a long time! They also have plumping lip glosses that do the trick for any one who just wants to enhance there lips and make them fuller!

- Lip Stains: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.

- Lip Butter: I Love the Revlon Lip Butters! They are amazing, that's it, just amazing!

- Cream Eye Shadows: Maybelline 24 Hour Cream Eye shadows are amazing! I have some of the Makeup Forever cream shadows and the Maybelline ones are just as amazing for a fraction of the cost! They stay on great, don't crease and are perfect for eye shadow bases for any eye look. I like Bad to the Bronze the most, it is just an amazing product!

- Mascara: I like any of the Maybelline mascaras, they all are great and just make your lashes look fantastic!

- Eyeliner: I like the Revlon Color Stay Eye liners, they are creamy, stay in place, and are pigmented!

- Gel Liner: Maybelline gel liners! I like to put this on my lower lash line to pull a look together and it just gives me the neatest line ever! I just love how nicely it applies!

- Liquid Liner: Revlon Color stay Liquid Liner Pen! I love just putting this on my upper lash line and it just makes them look so much thicker and great!

Thanks! Have a great day!!

- AM
https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

Beauty Awards!!

Hey lovelies!! I was looking at ElleandBlair.com and they posted a link to a website called Daily Glow. They held the top beauty and skin care products of 2012 recently. I thought you may want to look at some of the different products that got awards! I went through them and saw some of my favorite products so I thought you may want to go through and see if some of your favorite products got an award!
Here is the link: http://www.dailyglow.com/awards

Thanks and have a great day!!

- AM

Review: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette!!

Hey Lovelies!! Guess What! My first review ever! Today I am talking about the new Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette!! It has 6 shadows, ranging from light to dark, perfect for every look!

It is small and compact so it is perfect for traveling, or throwing in your bag for touch ups! It is the same size as an iPhone if you were wondering the size.

It has a mirror when you open it, perfect for applying/ reapplying makeup!

As you can see, the shadows are perfect for any look, preferably a matte neutral look.

Venus - skin tone, light color, this is the only shadow that has a slight shimmer to it. I would use this as a highlight color for the inner corner and brow bone.

Foxy - skin tone color with yellow undertones. perfect for an all over lid color to hide any redness or veins.

W.O.S - skin tone color. I love to sweep this over my lids and it brightens up the eyes!

Naked 2 - Perfect light brown color for the lids. You can use it to fill in your eye brows, or you can use it as a liner for the bottom lash line just to make them a little more prominent.

Faint - Brown color, perfect for crease, lining, or lid color. I like to put this is my outer corner and crease then line the bottom lash line with it, it just looks perfect with Naked 2.

Crave - Deep brownish black color. Perfect for the smokey eye looks, or lining your upper and lower lash line. You could also put this in your crease to give the ultimate drama eye. I like to line my upper lash line with crave because it makes them look fuller!

Thanks!! Have a great day and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

- AM

http://www.twitter.com/FashionForwardA

NYE Makeup and Hair Idea!!

Like my New Year’s Eve outfit Ideas, here is what I will be doing to my hair and makeup! I go for curls and smoky eyes! I have hazel/ green eyes so green complements them very well, so does mocha browns, gold and purple colors! If you have blue eyes then go for browns, earth toned shades, taupe, rose or purple shades. If you have brown eyes, then go for really any eye shadow but if you want your eyes to pop go for a green, blue, or gold color.  (This look is also my everyday curly hair and go to green smoky eye!)

Makeup: I am doing a green smoky eye and nude lip.



Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Face Primer, Tarte Clean Slate Eye Primer, Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched



1.       Prime eyes and face and apply chap stick to your lips. By priming you ensure that your eye and face products will be locked in and stay in place.



(Left) Covergirl Intense Shadowblast as my base. (Center) Maybelline Sunbaked Nuetrals Quad as my shadows, I used the last 2 green shades on the far right as my lid and crease color. (Right) Maybelline Color Tattoo in Too Cool as my highlight for my brow bone and inner corner.

 

2.       Apply eye shadow base so that the shadows on the top will be vibrant and appear more opaque.

3.       Sweep a light green color all over lid.

4.       Put a darker green in the outer corner and crease and sweep it on the bottom lash line.

5.       Blend!

6.       Use a matte white color for highlighting the brow bone and the shimmery white to highlight the inner corner. By highlighting you lift and make the eye appear more bright and awake.



(Right) Revlon Colorstay Eyeline in Black Brown as eyeliner. (Center) Revlon Growluscious Mascara (lengthening) in Blackest Black. (Right) L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes (Volumizing) in Blackest Black.



7.       Apply liquid, gel, or pencil liner (whatever you prefer) in a complementary color or the same color as the color on your lid to the upper lash line.

8.       (Optional) apply a black liner to the lower lash line. This will make the eyes appear smaller and more defined. 

9.       Curl lashes and apply mascara to the desired look.

10.   Sweep the excess shimmer off below your eyes with a brush.




(Left) Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer as my under eye concealer. (Center) Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder in buff beige. (Right) Covergirl Clean Foundation in Buff Beige.

 11.   Apply foundation and concealer to the desired places and set everything in place with a setting powder.

12.   Define your eye brows to make a sleek defined appearance. By filling them in with a powder, gel, or pencil you lift and slim the face.




(Left) Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting. (Center) Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer. (Right) Sonia Kashuk Shimmering Highlighter.

 

13.   Apply blush to the cheek bones/ highlighter to the bridge of your nose, center of forehead, and tops of your cheek bones/ and bronzer to the high points of your face (forehead and temples, below the cheek bones, and on the jaw line) to give a natural tan glow.




(Left) Sephora Long Wearing Lipstick in Maniac, it is a nude with shimmer and pink undertones. (Center) Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume. (Right) Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss in Healthy Blush. (Drugstore and High end choose of lip gloss, I only used the smashbox and sephora lip combo.) 

 

14.   Finish the look off with a light pink or nude lipstick and lip gloss and you’re done!

Hair: I am doing loose curls!

1.       Turn on curling iron.

2.       Apply heat tamer spray and brush hair to distribute product all over; wait 5 minutes to let product sink into hair. Optional, apply gel to hair to hold curl more.

3.       Section hair off by clipping up the top of your hair from the middle of the ear up.

4.       Take 1 inch sections from the back and wrap around curling iron away from your face.

5.       Hold for desired time, I have somewhat easy hair to curl so I hold it for 10 seconds.  Then drop into your hand and hold for 5 seconds. (If you have really hard to curl hair, hold for a longer time on iron then pin curl to head and let sit till it’s cooled.)

6.       Finish sectioning off hair and curling the same way, then hairspray all the curls.

7.       (Optional) tease hair.

9.       I like to apply a finishing crème in my hair to add more hold to the curls and to make my hair softer.

Okay so you are done with your complete NYE look!! Have a great night and see you next year!!!

-AM

https://twitter.com/FashionForwardA

Favorites: Hair Care!!

It is the end of the favorite’s series! Today is my favorite hair products! I do not do a lot to my hair; I leave it natural about 99% of the time. Occasionally I will curl it and, omg if I ever straighten it, something is going on. I do not want to damage my hair so I do prefer leaving it natural so that I keep my hair healthy! I have very thin flat hair so I really like to use things to give me more volume! So let’s begin!

Favorite…

1.       Shampoo: I am using the Big Shampoo from Lush. I just started using it last week though, but I already fell in love with it! It gives me volume, shine, and leaves my hair so soft! This shampoo has seaweed in it to soften the hair and citrus for mega shine! It also contains sea salt which is great for de greasing the hair! It’s natural too! It has a much different texture then regular shampoos but don’t worry, you use it exactly the same way!

       2.       Conditioner: To go hand in hand with the shampoo, I also like Big Solid Conditioner from Lush. It gives your hair mega volume, shine, and softness. Basically you rub it all over the place where you would normally put your conditioner, don’t be fooled by the way it looks.

3.       Fortifying Shampoo: I like the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo. I remember using it for the very first time and I was like “HOLY MOLY” I do not use a lot on my hair but I felt a difference with the texture of my hair. It felt clean. This shampoo is great for taking all the buildup and dirt out of your hair and deep cleaning it.

4.       Oil Treatment: Bio Silk Silk Therapy is my favorite! I also like Moroccan oil but bio silk is my holy grail! I have been using it forever and it just adds shine and softness to my hair. I also use it as a detangle product; before I brush my hair out I like to put a dime sized amount in my hair and it helps take out all the tangles.

5.       Heat Tamer Spray: Tressemè Heat Tamer Spray is my favorite for blow drying and curling (it also can be used for flat ironing) my hair. I like the pump because it evenly distributes the product all over my hair. My favorite for flat ironing is the John Frieda Frizz Ease Heat Defeat which is ideal for straightening your hair. This product weighs down the hair so that it is easier to flat iron, which means using less heat!

6.       Hairspray: L'Oreal Elnett Hair Spray is the bomb.com! I can spray this all over my head and it won’t get crunchy! My #1 pet peeve with hairspray is crunchiness, I can’t stand it, and I need to be able to move my hair. I usually will spray it right after doing my curls and then run through them to separate and my curls will stay in place and won’t lose the curl, love it!

7.       Dry Shampoo: I like the Batiste Dry Shampoo. I do not like oily roots and this baby zaps them away! Whenever I am running somewhere and I feel like my hair looks gross, (it happens to all of us) I will add a little bit of this all over my roots and my hair will look better! I also like the Sauve Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo which also does the trick.

8.       Blow dry Cream: Organix Moroccan Smooth Perfection Blow Out Cream is great! It makes my hair extra soft and smooth and adds a bunch of shine! I like to use it at night right after my bio silk silk therapy and both of these products just make wonders for my hair!

9.       Sea Salt Spray: Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. If I ever use anything to get more refined lose curls then I use this product when my hair is damp. I love to put this in my hair at night before bed and twist little sections around my fingers and when I wake up I have nice lose curls! They do look great if I might add!

10.   Finishing Crème: John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme. This is the ultimate product to hold, add shine, and put the cherry on top of any do. After I straighten or curl my hair I just add this and viola, my look is complete!  

11.   Curling Iron: Hot Tools Curling Irons are amazing! I love them! I just love how they are great quality, and last for a long time!

12.   Flat Iron: KQC Flat Iron. This is supposed to be one of the best flat irons on the market, and omg I can agree! It takes me 5 minutes to straighten my hair when I use this, even though I never do it, but that’s okay. I go over my hair once and it is straight, I love it! I also have used it on my friend who has thick, long, coarse hair and it makes her hair look really good also, so it works on every hair type!

Thanks!! Have a great day!! I hoped you liked this series!! I will have my first makeup and hair tutorial up very soon!!

-          AM