Honey Magazine » Beauty Tips

Color Me Fancy: Summer Hair Trends

MakishaT — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:33:18 +0000

What’s summer without tons of color, color, color! We’re only midway through this 2010 summer season and there are three heads we’re eying with envy. In comparison to past summers where pink, purple and even turquoise were favorites, this summer we’ve seen colors that are more functional with a hint of edge and personal style.

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Gray
It is impossible to start off a hair color series without Kelis. She is by far the modern queen of color and this summer alone, she’s given us two colors to be excited about; gray and dirty red. She kicked summer off with what many of us saw as a huge risk: gray. After all, don’t we all shy away from the grays? Well not this bad bee. Kelis has single-handedly made hair aging a beautiful thing.

Top 5 Healthy Summer Hair Guide

MichelleP — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:30:11 +0000

Summer’s in full effect and Honey’s here to help you look hotter than the sun! You may love spending time outdoors, but your hair may not love you for it!As the world makes it’s great escape outdoors, your hair can take a harsh beating from the salt, chlorine, harsh minerals, UV rays and constant styling abuse that it encounters throughout the summer time. Have no fear! Here are 5 tips to keep your hair healthy and manageable during the hot summer months…

1. Go Natural- We tend to wash our hair more in the summer to keep cool and fresh. Washing with harsh chemicals will strip your hair of vital oils that your body produces that keep it supple and moisturized. To avoid this, Use organic hair products. All shampoos contain cleansers, but organic products are less likely to rob your hair of it’s natural moisture!

We suggest:

Aveda Shampure Shampoo

^TM

Tip: Don’t Overwash! Overwashing also contributes to dry hair. Instead of washing daily, settle for 2-3 times a week.

Neutrogena Goes Deep With New Cleanser

Alisha L. Gordon — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:25:20 +0000

The trusted brand Neutrogena has created a new cleanser that helps control that pesky shine that many of us are plagued with. The Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Cleanser/Mask clears away 85% of built up oil while keeping you shine free for hours.

The rice protein cleanser can also serve as a mask! 1-2 times a week, apply the cream sans water directly to your face, let dry, then rinse.

I’m always dealing with an oily T-Zone so this product was ideal! My face was clean, fresh, and oil free for about 4 hours, much longer than when I use my usual face wash.

You can find the Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Cleanser/Mask at any major retailer.

M.A.C Haute & Naughty

Christina Brown — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:30:19 +0000

We have a confession! Beauty products with the words “haute” and “naughty” excite us. So when we found out about M·A·C Haute & Naughty Lash, we were giddy to say the least. This new two-in-one mascara is the first of its kind and features a dual wiper system with two different sizes that let you control the amount of mascara you use. It’s your choice! Use the small one for superior separation or use the larger one for incredible volume and drama. After all, who doesn’t want their lashes with a little extra sex appeal?

M·A·C Haute & Naughty Lash will be available exclusively at www.maccosmetics.com and www.nordstrom.com July 19th. Available at all M·A·C locations, beginning September 16, 2010.

Bottoms Up

Sacha — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:00:40 +0000

‘Tis the season of surprise heat waves and impromptu beach days. While this is all well and (frankly) fabulous – if your bikini line is a little unruly and your trusted waxer is MIA – the thought of slipping into your best bathing suit can be anxiety inducing. Until now!

We’ve got the goods on the tools that’ll get rid of those pesky hairs in a hot second, and rated them on a scale of “Phew!” to “Ouch!” Some things are best left to the professionals, but a little DIY ingenuity can mean the difference between an okay weekend and a legendary one.

Veet Hair Removal Gel Cream, Sensitive Formula
Depilatories have come a long way, Baby! The nostril-searing scent has been replaced with a fairly fresh aroma, but the hair removing power remains. Just smooth on the cream pre-shower, flip through your favorite fashion mag for a few, and rinse it (and your pubes) down the drain.

Pain Scale Rating: Phew! It’s a pretty painless method of removing hair – just make sure you keep the cream clear of your “naughty bits”!

Gillette Venus Spa Breeze Razor
Because it renders the need for shaving cream obsolete, this easy-to-use razor cuts shaving time considerably. It also lends itself well to those “oops I forgot to shave my underarms” moments, and tidies with no muss, no mess.

Pain Scale Rating: Oooh! The lathering stick provides a good buffer between the skin and the blade, but no razor is completely nick-proof.

Bliss/Philips Bikini Perfect Deluxe Spa Edition
This Jane of all (hair removal) trades tool comes with six attachments, and will give you a customized, clean look that’s as bare as you’d like. Designed to reach the smallest, most sensitive areas on your body, this complex-looking contraption is surprisingly easy to use.

Pain Scale Rating: Eeek! The epilator attachment provides longer-lasting hair removal than a straight-up razor, but it does sting a little as it yanks each hair.

GiGi Brazilian Bikini Wax Microwave Kit
Follow the instructions enclosed with this kit to the letter, and you’ll do the unthinkable: give yourself an almost salon-quality bikini wax. Sure, it’s a little messy (and time consuming), but it’s the best way to get the smoothest bikini line when you’re in a bind.

Pain Scale Rating: Ouch! If you’re brave enough to wax yourself, we’ve got mad respect. But, just like at the spa, the most thorough method of topical hair removal is the most painful. Then again, no pain, no gain…

4 Summer Proof Hair Styles

Jamie Hall — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:30:07 +0000

There is nothing that we hate more than waking up on a hot July morning, looking in the mirror and not knowing what to do with our hair. Don’t feel like the curling iron, flat iron , or pouring product after product in your hair? The following hairstyles are sure to minimize time, work and fuss from your morning ritual and will surely revamp your look leaving you calm, cool, and super cute.

The Bob- The Bob is the timeless dramatic look that always seems to fit everyone. Cutting your hair is a great way to cut time and maintenance from your morning routine. There is not a lot of hair to manage. You can keep your bob long like Nicki, short like Mary’s, or add a bang like Rihanna.

Image courtesy aaa-fashion.com

Hair-conomics: Teri LaFlesh

Honeymag — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:34:10 +0000

The price of not feeling our hair is good enough can be quantified by how much it costs us in money. Yet, I feel there is also a much deeper cost, and that is to our spirit.

Procter & Gamble conducted a poll that revealed black women on average spend three times more on hair care products than other races. I know in the years I was searching for what to do with my hair, I spent much more than my straight-haired coworkers in time and products. There were entire years that I worked minimum wage jobs, and if there was money left over, I’d often buy weaves, extensions, or hair products to “fix” my chemically damaged hair, rather than buy food. I didn’t spend that money on books, put it in savings, nor donate it to a good cause.

With weaves, extensions, or miracle products came the promise of hair I could manage, hair that would look “normal”. It meant not having to explain “What Was Wrong with My Hair”. It meant not getting stared at after my hair had made contact with any form of water. Or possibly denied a better job because of it. I began to feel that something must be wrong with me to have such seemingly unfixable hair, and the only way I could hide it was by buying “fix-it” products, including hair for weaves. For me, the price to walk down the street and not feel shame over my mangled hair was worth almost any dollar. Although the financial cost of trying to change my hair was hefty, there was a greater cost to my self-esteem; to the way I honored myself.

Why did I view anything that might give me different hair a sort of salvation? Why had I relaxed my perfectly fine hair into oblivion in the first place? Why had I spent entire decades feeling my hair was ugly and something almost obscene? And why did I grow up not knowing how to take care of my own natural hair? All the money I spent on it was not my hair’s fault. None of those things I bought ever fixed my hair because there was nothing wrong with it. It was how I viewed my hair in the first place that was wrong.

The answers and the solution, both financial and spiritual, is this: I needed to learn to love and care for the hair I was born with. If I had always known how to care for my natural hair, it would not have been as big a deal to me as it once was. I would have cared for it, known it was mine and loved it for being my unique hair, bought only the products that made my job easier, and moved on about my day. I would not have thrown money away trying to “cure” it or used brutal chemicals to change it. I could have used the money, time, and energy I once poured into hiding my real hair on things I truly desired. And instead of focusing on what was on my head, I could have looked inwards to find what was truly important to me, and then out into the world to change my surroundings for the better. Thankfully, I’m there now. As is my mantra, “When I made peace with my hair, I made peace with myself.”

- Teri La Flesh

Check out LaFlesh’s top tips for Summer curly hair on the next page…

Summer Romance: Ralph Lauren

Christina Brown — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:30:37 +0000

Get into one of the newest scents of summer: Ralph Lauren’s Summer Romance ($78.00, 3.4oz). If the title doesn’t make you feel good, the scent surely will. As a captivating fresh fruity floral that transports the senses,we can’t help but reminisce on the days of our quintessential summer romances. The fragrance is a tropical mix of blooming flowers, exotic fruits, and an embrace of milky sweet musk. Escape to the beach for a romantic sunset walk or picturesque picnic for two every time you wear it…

Summer Romance is available now at Sephora.com.

Cover Up: Kiehl’s Sunscreen

Christina Brown — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:30:22 +0000

Memorial Day and the official start of summer are right around the corner. For us Honeys that means jeweled flip flops, maxi dresses, bikinis and hopefully – lots of sunscreen! Kiehl’s newest sun protection product, Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+ features a formula with Kiehl’s highest level of UVA and UVB sunscreen protection. On top of that, it’s super lightweight, matte and blendable, translucent, oil-free, and ideal for daily use over moisturizer and under makeup. So before you hit the sunny beaches of Miami or the blazing backyard barbecues, cover up with Kiehls.

Now available at Kiehls.com and all Kiehl’s Since 1851 stores.

Top Five Beauty: Spring/Summer 2010

Sacha — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:30:59 +0000

Get excited, Honey Bees! The hottest trends for spring and summer are as foolproof as they are fabulous. Here are our picks for the hottest looks ripped straight from the runway, delivered right to your monitor…

1. Crayola Colors: The Bright Lip

Brights are back, Baby! Break out the brilliance with the latest lip looks in shades of coral, fuchsia and punch. Vivid colors look especially contemporary (and stay put better) in matte finishes, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on gloss. We’re gaga for MAC Cosmetics’ Show Orchid lipstick and Nars’ new Easy Lover gloss. Give your nailbeds a crayola kick in a mere 60 seconds with bright colors from Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri collection. Kickoff spring in fun colors like Sea Breeze and Rose Rush. Complete the look with major mascara like Benefit Bad Gal Mascara.

2. Elegantly Wasted: Beautifully “Imperfect” Hair

If you have difficulty taming your strands, rejoice! The artfully undone ‘do is, well – a do! Create sexy, “just rolled out of bed” waves by finger-combing your hair post-set (instead of blowing it out). If you prefer to ditch the heat in favor of going au natural, a curl-enhancer will give you instantly wild, wonderful waves. We like the combo of Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls or Curly Pudding, and Kinky-Curly’s Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner.

3. Get Naked: The Bare Face

Smooth, bare-looking skin is in for spring. The ideal look is naturally dewy, and (appears to be) freshly scrubbed. Here’s how to get the look: Moisturize, repair and cleanse in one nutrient-rich stroke, with African Moringa’s Miracle Oil. Just slather it on to remove dirt and makeup, and tissue it off gently. You’ll be left with a baby-soft glow – just add sunscreen and you’re good to go. If you’re not comfortable going “nude”, you don’t have to hide behind a foundation mask. Cargo’s Liquid Powder provides natural-looking coverage that allows your complexion’s radiance to shine through.

4. Dark and Lovely: The Sultry Eye

Kohl-rimmed eyes add a sensual edge the new bare face. Get in line with gel eyeliners to get the most out of the look – whether you prefer a smoky smudge or a subtle trace. We love how Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliners slide on smooth, and have epic staying power. If you dig a crazy look over a classic one, shine on in a dark liner with subtle glitter (like Nars’ Aigle Noir Soft Touch Eyeshadow Pencil) or brighten up with NYC Cosmetics Automatic Eyeliner in Vampy Violet or Brazen Blue. Layer on some black mascara (try Maybelline’s Great Lash BIG™ Mascara in Blackest Black), add natural-looking lipstick or clear gloss (it’s hard to beat Smith’s Rosebud Salve for moisturizing shine), and fini!

5. Not So Slick: Sleek Hairstyles

Get your hair out of your face, Honey Bees! The sleek look is mad contemporary, and the key is not to look too severe. Tie your locks back in a loose bun, or slick shorter styles back (and up – never stuck to your head) with pomade. Control flyaways, and add touchable shine with Bumble and bumble’s Styling Wax. Honey Bees rocking a little more length can tie one up with Goody’s standby Ouchless Hair Elastics. For evening, Club Monaco’s jeweled clips will add a little dazzle to your ‘do…

Love the “Elegantly Wasted” hair trend? Honey is giving away gift bags courtesy Kinky Curly hair products. Just SIGN UP TO BE A HONEY INSIDER for your chance to WIN IT!