You now have an opportunity to ask me, SARAH, questions you've always wanted to know about beauty! It will be like the interview I had with Becca at her blog, except this time, YOU ask the questions.
But don't ask them here, comment at Natasha Atkerson's blog on THIS POST: http://natashaatkerson.blogspot.com/2011/01/ask-sarah-beauty-q-and.html
Hurry, the deadline to submit questions is FEBRUARY 16.
1.30.2011
1.25.2011
Your Unique Style
"Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess."
~ Edna Woolman Chase
I found this quote at the beginning of chapter two of Nina Garcia's book, The Little Black Book of Style (which you should all read, because it's a fantastic book). Upon reading further, I liked what she had to say, creativity and individuality being the root of style whereas fashion was simply obeying rules of do's and don't's. While I'm not suggesting that being 'in fashion' is bad, I am suggesting that your own style is better.
So, style. I'll admit, I was pretty happy about this when I read it since to be honest, I hate fashion. Yep, I'm writing for a modest fashion blog and I hate fashion. I do, however, like creativity, and I was pleased to find someone who was fashionable and appreciated creativity more than trends.
I'm not saying you have to go out and start trying on outrageous articles of clothing, nor am I suggesting you to try and be who you are not (one of the reasons I dislike fashion). Style is all about YOU.
I love this outfit. The dress, it's a pattern that I don't see a lot, which is why it particularly drew my eye. There are very rare times when I actually like an orange dress, however, this is one of those times. Not only is it extremely pretty, it's so exemplary of individual style. Somehow, the dress just fits the girl wearing it, but I couldn't just put it on myself and say 'this is style'. Style is individual, and you yourself are the only one who can show your own style. I certainly couldn't tell you wear to buy a dress like this (although, I will say that there is a pattern at Walmart that looks pretty similar ;) hehe).
The second outfit is just simply cute. The red shirt bringing a bold that isn't shown anywhere else in the outfit, the rest being simply a pair of ordinary jeans and a slightly unusual white shirt underneath. Style isn't necessarily bold nor exotic, it simply makes use of what you've got in a unique way. So raid your closets girls, see what you've got to project who you are through your clothing style.
rachel
1.20.2011
Questions About Hair Answered!
I (Sarah) did a Q&A with Becca Ann aka pink_becca3 on her blog. She asks me questions about all things hair care, and common questions about split ends, hair types, and shampooing and conditioning. I'll include a piece of the interview here, and follow the link at the end to read the rest!
Becca: Is it true that the more you do stuff with your hair (like braids, straightening, etc) the more likely you are to get split ends or cause breakage and even more likely if your hair is wet?
Sarah: Yes, definitely. Wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair. Putting your hair in a ponytail can easily cause you hair to break because the hair expands as it dries and the ponytail holder cause stress to the strand, possibly causing it to break off. The same goes for tight braids. Not using a heat protection product on your hair when blow drying or using mechanical heat (like flat ironing or curling) can actually cause it to melt from the inside, even if you can’t tell from the outside. NEVER use mechanical heat on wet hair!
Becca: Is there any ways that you can make your hair grow faster by eating certain things, or using certain things?
Becca: Is it true that the more you do stuff with your hair (like braids, straightening, etc) the more likely you are to get split ends or cause breakage and even more likely if your hair is wet?
Sarah: Yes, definitely. Wet hair is much more fragile than dry hair. Putting your hair in a ponytail can easily cause you hair to break because the hair expands as it dries and the ponytail holder cause stress to the strand, possibly causing it to break off. The same goes for tight braids. Not using a heat protection product on your hair when blow drying or using mechanical heat (like flat ironing or curling) can actually cause it to melt from the inside, even if you can’t tell from the outside. NEVER use mechanical heat on wet hair!
Becca: Is there any ways that you can make your hair grow faster by eating certain things, or using certain things?
1.17.2011
SMILE!
Do you ever look at pictures or in the mirror and think, "Oh wow! My teeth are yellow,"? The day I got my braces off (Oh happy day!), I kept looking at my teeth and I thought the same thing, so I spent half of the day brushing them. It had very little affect.
Do you want to whiten your teeth without have to be constantly brushing them? Let me introduce you to some of my favorite beauty items!
Crest 3D White Toothpaste is an amazing toothpaste! It leaves my teeth feeling squeacky clean, literally, and they still feel clean hours after brushing them!
The Crest 3D Whitestrips do amazing work! Just apply the upper and lower strips, wait 45 minutes, and remove! You see results in 5 days! The box tells you to wear them twice a day, I don't. The whitestrips are kind of pricey, so I only wear them once a day, 5 days a week.
The Crest 3D Mouthwash brings freshness to your mouth. Swish it around in your mouth after brushing for a fresh and clean feeling! It really does help whiten your teeth, but it takes much more time than the whitestrips. I suggest buying this if you cannot get the whitestrips.
Of course, a good toothbrush is key in teeth whitening! I use whatever toothbrush is on sale. (I buy my Crest 3D using coupons found on their website.) A good toothbrush is a firm brissled one. If you have sensitive teeth, then use a softer brissled one.
Here are some quick tips on how you can whiten your smile...
* Brush your teeth after you drink hot tea or coffee. They can both stain your teeth pretty badly. This was actually the biggest problem with my teeth, coffee stains.
* Brush your teeth 3 times a day. Once in the morning, once in the evening and before you go to bed. Also, if you have to wear a retainer, make sure it is freshly clean too. Stuff from your retainer can get on your clean teeth and affect it.
* Brush once a week with baking soda. Put some of it one your toothbrush and brush your teeth. If you have sinsitive gums them I do not suggest doing this. Also, do not brush your teeth the entire day with baking soda. Trust me, your gums will be hurting and most likely bleeding. I learned this one the hard way. just brush them once really well and then rinse.
Since I've been using Crest 3D White Set, my smile has improved so much! I am always, and I mean always, smiling, so a yellow smile does not cut it with me! People have noticed that my teeth are whiter and that their proves to me that this stuff really works!
Do you want to whiten your teeth without have to be constantly brushing them? Let me introduce you to some of my favorite beauty items!
Crest 3D White Toothpaste is an amazing toothpaste! It leaves my teeth feeling squeacky clean, literally, and they still feel clean hours after brushing them!
The Crest 3D Whitestrips do amazing work! Just apply the upper and lower strips, wait 45 minutes, and remove! You see results in 5 days! The box tells you to wear them twice a day, I don't. The whitestrips are kind of pricey, so I only wear them once a day, 5 days a week.
The Crest 3D Mouthwash brings freshness to your mouth. Swish it around in your mouth after brushing for a fresh and clean feeling! It really does help whiten your teeth, but it takes much more time than the whitestrips. I suggest buying this if you cannot get the whitestrips.
Of course, a good toothbrush is key in teeth whitening! I use whatever toothbrush is on sale. (I buy my Crest 3D using coupons found on their website.) A good toothbrush is a firm brissled one. If you have sensitive teeth, then use a softer brissled one.
Here are some quick tips on how you can whiten your smile...
* Brush your teeth after you drink hot tea or coffee. They can both stain your teeth pretty badly. This was actually the biggest problem with my teeth, coffee stains.
* Brush your teeth 3 times a day. Once in the morning, once in the evening and before you go to bed. Also, if you have to wear a retainer, make sure it is freshly clean too. Stuff from your retainer can get on your clean teeth and affect it.
* Brush once a week with baking soda. Put some of it one your toothbrush and brush your teeth. If you have sinsitive gums them I do not suggest doing this. Also, do not brush your teeth the entire day with baking soda. Trust me, your gums will be hurting and most likely bleeding. I learned this one the hard way. just brush them once really well and then rinse.
Since I've been using Crest 3D White Set, my smile has improved so much! I am always, and I mean always, smiling, so a yellow smile does not cut it with me! People have noticed that my teeth are whiter and that their proves to me that this stuff really works!
My teeth after one week with Crest 3D... So much better!
1.05.2011
Guest Blogger: Curly Girl Naomi
Naomi is a high school sophomore who loves all things hair and makeup, and cosmetology in general. She plans on pursuing cosmetology in the future, while not as a main career. She enjoys talking to God, reading, working out, being with children, playing the piano, and hanging out with friends. Her passion is purity and finding the romance in waiting. Most of all, she desires to serve her wonderful Lord and Savior with all that she is.
If you're anything like 99% of the other curly/wavy girls in this world, I'm sure you've frowned with disapproval looking at your curls in the mirror. You've probably thought more than once, "Why couldn't God make me have straight hair like my friends?" and believe you are destined to live with unmanageable, frizzy, curly hair unless you spend two hours a day straightening it. Well, I can certainly feel your pain...but I invite you to join me on a journey of learning to love our natural curls and take care of them! I would like to introduce to "The CG Method".
The first step is to eliminate/limit the use of shampoo to our hair. Most commercial shampoos contain surfactants that are very harsh on curls and dry them out, causing that frizzy, dry look. These are called "sulfates", and are usually recognizable by "sodium laureth sulfate", "sodium lauryl sulfate", or "ammonium lauryl sulfate". Curly hair tends to be more porous than straight hair, which makes totally rinsing out all traces of shampoo virtually impossible, and that residue causes frizz. Most conditioners contain mild surfactants that, paired up with a little friction, are more than able to lift off dirt and excess oil from our hair.
The next part of the CG method is using a light conditioner to clean your hair instead of shampoo most of the time. It really does work. Once in a while it's good to use sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your hair, but cleaning your hair with a light conditioner actually removes dirt very well.
The following part of the CG method is using a thicker, more moisturizing conditioner to replenish your hair's moisture. A light conditioner to wash your hair is not enough alone. Frizz usually equals dryness, and curly hair needs a lot more moisture than straight hair.
Another part of the CG method is to remove silicones from our hair routine. A silicone is a damaging ingredient used in most hair products (usually conditioners, most creams, most serums, some mousses, and some gels...but rarely in shampoo) that creates a temporary "cover" on the hair shaft, and basically suffocates the hair follicle. Most times, it can give off an artificial portrayal of healthy, shiny hair, but what it's doing is creating a fake covering. In addition to this, it requires a harsh shampoo to remove. Look for any ingredient ending in "-cone," or "-xane," such as "Amodimethicone." That's all you need to look for. And if it has the abbreviation "PEG" before it, such as "PEG 14 Dimethicone," it means that it is water-soluble and CG friendly...easily removable. Make sure you clean really well after using one though. Personally, I like to avoid silicones alltogether to make things less confusing.
Sound complicated? It really isn't at all. There are 4 steps:
• Remove sulfate shampoo
• Use light conditioner to wash
• Use a thicker conditioner to further moisturize
• Remove silicones
*Some curlies/wavies need to wash their hair with sulfate-free shampoo more frequently than others, depending on how oily your hair is.
"Wash with only conditioner? I can't do that!" you may be thinking right now. "I will turn into a greaseball!" Don't be too hasty – try washing with only conditioner for a week. Yes, your hair may be horrible for a few days, but you need to give it time to adjust. It's been damaged with sulfate-laden shampoos and silicone-laden products for a long time. It can't adjust after one day. You need to give it time. During that time, wash with SULFATE-FREE (I'm REALLY stressing that!) shampoo once in that week.
If your hair is still really greasy after you’ve tried CG for two full weeks (give it time to adjust--like I said before, don't be too hasty), try a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to wash your hair, followed by a moisturizing conditioner.
In anyone's case, your hair can get worse before it gets better. I'm sorry if that sounds threatening, but it is true...some curls take longer to adjust. It’s all about patience. But it will be worth it…the results are wonderful! Your hair will be softer, more manageable, much healthier, less frizzy, and more shiny.
"Okay, sounds great. Where do I start?"
Start looking for your sulfate shampoos and hair products. Now, THROW THEM AWAY! "But I don't want to waste them! Can't I just finish the bottle?" NO. Trust me. It's not worth it. Throw them away!
CONDITIONER (CO) WASHING:
Now, you'll need to get a light conditioner to cleanse your hair with. Try any Suave Naturals or V05 conditioner. They normally very cheap, about 99 cents, and they both work very well. If you don't like one, try the other. I use Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut, and sometimes I use V05 Strawberries n Cream. I love both.
Here is how to cleanse your hair with a light conditioner:
After wetting your hair thoroughly, pour a dime sized amount in your hand and using the pads of your fingertips apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you've scrubbed all over, then rinse all the CO off with plenty of warm water, still gently massaging with your fingertips so the friction will dissolve any residue. Next, pour more CO in your hand, rub your palms together and apply over the length as you normally did in the past. Try to detangle with your fingers or with a very wide-tooth comb.
A THICKER CONDITIONER:
As I mentioned before, in addition to conditioner-washing, or co-washing, you'll need a thicker conditioner. There are some available in drugstores, such as Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition conditioner, and at Sally Beauty Supply, such as Generic Value Products conditioners (look at only the conditioners on this page, and review their ingredients...many of them are silicone-free: http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/Search-Show?prefn1=brand&prefv1=GVP)
A SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO:
Clarifying - Sometimes it can happen that all residue from our gel, oils, etc. may not rinse off with water and CO and we get a little "buildup". Very often it's easy to notice right away that our hair feels "gunky" but other times our hair just seems to stop responding to the routine, it may begin to tangle easily or our curls loose definition and shine; clarifying will refresh them and usually bring the bounce back. Use this weekly or every two weeks.
If you have tried the CG method for more than two weeks and you see that your hair is still very oily, wash with sulfate-free shampoo every time you wash your hair...but if oil isn't the problem and your hair is a mess with CG, be patient.
STYLING YOUR CURLS:
• NEVER brush hair
• Detangle it only when wet and soaked in conditioner, using a wide-tooth comb or whenever possible just our fingers
• NEVER rub hair with the towel* but to gently blot the water off using scrunching motions with it
• Apply product gently preferably by scrunching
• Air dry hair whenever possible or diffuse only partially to avoid frizz
• Don’t touch it while it's drying.
*microfiber towel works best
Well, we have come to the end of our little discussion, curly girls! I really hope you had fun learning about all of this, but more than that, I hope you'll consider doing it. If it sounds confusing, it really isn't. You just have to be educated about it, and re-read this article if you need to. If I still haven't convinced you, look at this:
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/showthread.php?t=47609
I would like to support all of you in embracing your natural, gorgeous curls and do all you can to keep them healthy. Comment if you have questions; I'm more than happy to aid you! The difference it'll make in your curls is unbelievable. You'll finally be at peace with them. Curly and wavy hair is unique and pretty; embrace your God-given hair!
Naomi says…
If you're anything like 99% of the other curly/wavy girls in this world, I'm sure you've frowned with disapproval looking at your curls in the mirror. You've probably thought more than once, "Why couldn't God make me have straight hair like my friends?" and believe you are destined to live with unmanageable, frizzy, curly hair unless you spend two hours a day straightening it. Well, I can certainly feel your pain...but I invite you to join me on a journey of learning to love our natural curls and take care of them! I would like to introduce to "The CG Method".
The first step is to eliminate/limit the use of shampoo to our hair. Most commercial shampoos contain surfactants that are very harsh on curls and dry them out, causing that frizzy, dry look. These are called "sulfates", and are usually recognizable by "sodium laureth sulfate", "sodium lauryl sulfate", or "ammonium lauryl sulfate". Curly hair tends to be more porous than straight hair, which makes totally rinsing out all traces of shampoo virtually impossible, and that residue causes frizz. Most conditioners contain mild surfactants that, paired up with a little friction, are more than able to lift off dirt and excess oil from our hair.
The next part of the CG method is using a light conditioner to clean your hair instead of shampoo most of the time. It really does work. Once in a while it's good to use sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse your hair, but cleaning your hair with a light conditioner actually removes dirt very well.
The following part of the CG method is using a thicker, more moisturizing conditioner to replenish your hair's moisture. A light conditioner to wash your hair is not enough alone. Frizz usually equals dryness, and curly hair needs a lot more moisture than straight hair.
Another part of the CG method is to remove silicones from our hair routine. A silicone is a damaging ingredient used in most hair products (usually conditioners, most creams, most serums, some mousses, and some gels...but rarely in shampoo) that creates a temporary "cover" on the hair shaft, and basically suffocates the hair follicle. Most times, it can give off an artificial portrayal of healthy, shiny hair, but what it's doing is creating a fake covering. In addition to this, it requires a harsh shampoo to remove. Look for any ingredient ending in "-cone," or "-xane," such as "Amodimethicone." That's all you need to look for. And if it has the abbreviation "PEG" before it, such as "PEG 14 Dimethicone," it means that it is water-soluble and CG friendly...easily removable. Make sure you clean really well after using one though. Personally, I like to avoid silicones alltogether to make things less confusing.
Sound complicated? It really isn't at all. There are 4 steps:
• Remove sulfate shampoo
• Use light conditioner to wash
• Use a thicker conditioner to further moisturize
• Remove silicones
*Some curlies/wavies need to wash their hair with sulfate-free shampoo more frequently than others, depending on how oily your hair is.
"Wash with only conditioner? I can't do that!" you may be thinking right now. "I will turn into a greaseball!" Don't be too hasty – try washing with only conditioner for a week. Yes, your hair may be horrible for a few days, but you need to give it time to adjust. It's been damaged with sulfate-laden shampoos and silicone-laden products for a long time. It can't adjust after one day. You need to give it time. During that time, wash with SULFATE-FREE (I'm REALLY stressing that!) shampoo once in that week.
If your hair is still really greasy after you’ve tried CG for two full weeks (give it time to adjust--like I said before, don't be too hasty), try a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to wash your hair, followed by a moisturizing conditioner.
In anyone's case, your hair can get worse before it gets better. I'm sorry if that sounds threatening, but it is true...some curls take longer to adjust. It’s all about patience. But it will be worth it…the results are wonderful! Your hair will be softer, more manageable, much healthier, less frizzy, and more shiny.
"Okay, sounds great. Where do I start?"
Start looking for your sulfate shampoos and hair products. Now, THROW THEM AWAY! "But I don't want to waste them! Can't I just finish the bottle?" NO. Trust me. It's not worth it. Throw them away!
CONDITIONER (CO) WASHING:
Now, you'll need to get a light conditioner to cleanse your hair with. Try any Suave Naturals or V05 conditioner. They normally very cheap, about 99 cents, and they both work very well. If you don't like one, try the other. I use Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut, and sometimes I use V05 Strawberries n Cream. I love both.
Here is how to cleanse your hair with a light conditioner:
After wetting your hair thoroughly, pour a dime sized amount in your hand and using the pads of your fingertips apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you've scrubbed all over, then rinse all the CO off with plenty of warm water, still gently massaging with your fingertips so the friction will dissolve any residue. Next, pour more CO in your hand, rub your palms together and apply over the length as you normally did in the past. Try to detangle with your fingers or with a very wide-tooth comb.
A THICKER CONDITIONER:
As I mentioned before, in addition to conditioner-washing, or co-washing, you'll need a thicker conditioner. There are some available in drugstores, such as Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition conditioner, and at Sally Beauty Supply, such as Generic Value Products conditioners (look at only the conditioners on this page, and review their ingredients...many of them are silicone-free: http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/Search-Show?prefn1=brand&prefv1=GVP)
A SULFATE-FREE SHAMPOO:
Clarifying - Sometimes it can happen that all residue from our gel, oils, etc. may not rinse off with water and CO and we get a little "buildup". Very often it's easy to notice right away that our hair feels "gunky" but other times our hair just seems to stop responding to the routine, it may begin to tangle easily or our curls loose definition and shine; clarifying will refresh them and usually bring the bounce back. Use this weekly or every two weeks.
If you have tried the CG method for more than two weeks and you see that your hair is still very oily, wash with sulfate-free shampoo every time you wash your hair...but if oil isn't the problem and your hair is a mess with CG, be patient.
STYLING YOUR CURLS:
• NEVER brush hair
• Detangle it only when wet and soaked in conditioner, using a wide-tooth comb or whenever possible just our fingers
• NEVER rub hair with the towel* but to gently blot the water off using scrunching motions with it
• Apply product gently preferably by scrunching
• Air dry hair whenever possible or diffuse only partially to avoid frizz
• Don’t touch it while it's drying.
*microfiber towel works best
Well, we have come to the end of our little discussion, curly girls! I really hope you had fun learning about all of this, but more than that, I hope you'll consider doing it. If it sounds confusing, it really isn't. You just have to be educated about it, and re-read this article if you need to. If I still haven't convinced you, look at this:
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/showthread.php?t=47609
I would like to support all of you in embracing your natural, gorgeous curls and do all you can to keep them healthy. Comment if you have questions; I'm more than happy to aid you! The difference it'll make in your curls is unbelievable. You'll finally be at peace with them. Curly and wavy hair is unique and pretty; embrace your God-given hair!
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