Savvy Thinker » Beauty

Hair fashions by Soho

Karin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:22:15 +0000

If you are lucky enough to have a Soho kiosk near you, then you have seen some of the lovely hair accessories that they have. They are not inexpensive. But they are very elegant, though they can be worn with jeans.

You can search to see if there is a location near you. I also have a business card they gave me that lists their locations.

The good thing is that they will show you how to use them and let you try every color or color combination or style until you find what works for you.

They also have hair extensions that really are amazingly good matches for people's hair. I've seen them sell one or two every time I'm at their kiosk. (I have a couple that I'm not wearing that are not from them, so I haven't yet decided to buy one. And my hair is plenty long on it's own. The question is whether I want a fast way to put it up. And then, of course, if I would ever do it. Shades of the 70s revisited, but updated. I wore plenty of them then.)

I first saw them in Las Vegas, but since have seen them in a couple of other malls.

Don't be put off by the styles necessarily showing on their website. Some are over the top.

Many are beautiful in clear rhinestone.

The stick styles are pretty sprinkled in the hair along the sides. They are even nice when used in multiple colors, either in rows of separate colors or alternating. On blond hair, I liked amber or clear. The amber is more subtle.

You can see other ways to use them at the website. Using the half rounds with little stars or flowers is very nice too.

One style I bought in LV was difficult to get out of my hair because it snapped so tightly. They made an exchange for ones of the same style that opened more easily. Using these (they are crystal circles that snap together) makes it look like my hair is braided without braiding. I haven't tried the looser ones yet. The tight ones necessitated by daughter helping me remove them so as not to break my hair. The above styles do not do that. But I thought their service was excellent!

Karin

Originally posted 2007-10-27 11:34:42.

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How many X hundred dollar creams can a woman use?

Karin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:19:44 +0000

What's a woman to do when the newest high tech face creams are running several hundred dollars each? And how is one to choose one over another, if one is staving off the knife?

Honestly, are they all worth that kind of money? Chanel, La Prairie, Shiseido, Clea de Peau all have their moving-up-to-$500-each creams. Some need to be layered just to have enough moisture -- what's the use of that. And how does one compare an expensive cream by Chanel with a more expensive cream by Chanel sold only in a few select stores? or a Clea de Peau cream with another Clea de Peau cream? Do you think the SAs really know?

Are they old enough to have really given them a run for their money?

Well, the only fair way would be to use one on one side of one's face and the other on the other. Then you could tell folks why you appear only half-rested.

Surely some of this is hype and some is reality and some is making you feel the more expensive, the better it works. But is it true?

Perhaps there are equally good things from other much less expensive drug store lines, all of which say they use their own labs to come up with new things. And maybe if the truth were known, the differences are in the packaging as the labs may be supplying to several lines owned by a parent company.

Believe it or not, it was Avon that changed some of the creams many years ago when they first brought in alpha-hydroxy. And theirs is still one of the best. They have one of the best facilities for research and development of any company.

So, what's your favorite face cream? Do you think it works? Would you spend that kind of money on a face cream? or do you reserve that for shoes or handbags or perfumes or airline tickets? How many mega creams do you own and use? (or owned and used up)?

What's your favorite recommendations?

How much of beauty is from within and how much from taking care of ourselves? (I have a couple of friends who are proud that they do nothing, and it shows. How much of that is laziness or frugality? Or not being able to see without one's glasses?)

If I didn't use something on my skin, it would hurt in a couple of days from dryness. That's not a bad thing, when it has caused me to continue to take care of my face. But I sure don't want to spend money for the proverbial Emperor's new clothes. They ought to sell mini-jars so you could test them at home.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-10-19 12:57:14.

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Oscar jewels

Karin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:02:36 +0000

I don't know about you, but I like looking at the clothes and jewels of Oscar night.

I don't hanker after any of the jewels as they are way out of my reach, so I can look without angst. And I remind myself that most of them are on loan from the jewelers, they are not owned by the wearer. But the craftsmanship (artsmanship) of some of the pieces are worth looking at, if nothing else. I really admire some of the work of (especially) antique jewelry. Much of it cannot be duplicated today. An artist is an artist.

Karin

Here's a rundown:

Cuffs sparkle at Oscars 2008

2008 was a blingin' year on the Oscars red carpet.
Conservative gowns and understated hair meant that the fashion drama
of the evening was concentrated in the jewels, with many actresses
opting for large, diamond-encrusted cuffs...the kind even Mr. T would
have approved of.

Tilda Swinton's huge Damiani Diamond Sahara Cuff,
featuring 1865 Diamonds, was a show-stealer, with Renée Zellweger's Cartier 1930's Art Deco diamond bracelet ($563,000) and 1926 priceless diamond strap bracelet also adding some major sparkle to the red carpet.

Heidi Klum sported a ruby and pink diamond wrist
cuff from her "Heidi Klum Collection for Mouawad"
collection. Set in 18k rose gold, the cuff alone was worth a quarter of a million dollars.

Other cuffers included Amy Ryan, Olivia Thirlby,
Tia Carrere, Lisa Rinna, Hilary Swank, and Jennifer Garner.
Sassy, wearable, and glamorous, this is one red carpet trend that might actually stick.

Oscar accessories rundown:

Nicole Kidman: diamond Sautoir necklace by L'Wren Scott

Marion Cotillard: Chopard's 64-carat champagne-diamond necklace

Julie Christie: custom pink scarab necklace by Neil Lane

Jennifer Garner: Van Cleef and Arpels 1928 Art Deco diamond necklace

Penelope Cruz: Chopard's ruby and diamond drop earrings

Jessica Alba: "Creole" hoop earrings by Cartier

Originally posted 2008-02-29 09:05:31.

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Vanishing nail polish

Karin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 21:21:42 +0000

This article was posted at another list I'm on, but it is worth passing along for the folks not on that list.

I think it is a really great idea! A polish that turns color in the sun, but is nearly colorless inside, for those who are not allowed to wear polish at school or wherever.

Karin

Originally posted 2008-03-24 21:48:12.

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Seeing the beauty around

Karin — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:56:47 +0000

Every area has its own unique beauties.

This morning as we drove around, the trees and flowers in the gardens called to me.

We turned a corner and there was a lovely water fall fountain, maybe 5 feet cubed in size. It was built similar to a pyramid with each increasing size a step. The water flowed across and down and in the flowing were splashes of light, like diamonds. The time of day was perfect to see this. And if I'd been looking the other way or blinked, I would have missed it.

It was nice that someone thought enough of the passersby to make this little spot so lovely. I appreciated it!

What about your area do you appreciate? What would you show me if I came to visit?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-05-06 12:43:10.

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10 reasons we don’t use a product — and why we do

Karin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:36:39 +0000

I've been thinking the last few days about facial and body products. And why. we. use. them. Or don't.

Why we don't use them
10. We aren't knowledgeable. We have yet to hear about them.
9. We don't want to spend the $.
8. We're in a rut. We've always used such and such -- but now we can't remember why!
7. We don't think we need them. And our friends likely won't tell us.
6. We can't see well anyway without reading glasses, so we figure no one else can either.
5. We don't believe the pictures. Avon had pictures of before and after, just of makeup, showing how a person could look younger with makeup. I know it's true. I live it every day. A friend didn't believe it.
4. We think aging is inevitable.
3. We don't think we can reverse all the sun we took in as teens. Remember the baby oil? I can still smell the first suntan oil from France.
2. We are lazy. Old habits are hard to break.
1. We have never seen results particularly on the problem areas.

Why we use products
I think the number one reason is that we see or feel a difference.

If we feel or see it immediately, so much the better! We are liable to keep on with the steps. Forget it, if we don't.

Results not typical
Dontcha just hate that disclaimer! What's that mean for me?

Did they preview the product on someone who'd never taken care of their skin? So for someone like me, who has, what can I expect.

Airbrushed models
We can't compare ourselves to the fake pictures we see in all the magazines. What do they look like on a regular day?

BookGirl said to me that the reason one older actress looked like she did was because of the cadre of specialists she had working on her before every scene. She said I did not come up wanting, even though it is just me doing the work.

Aging in America -- or aging in this time frame
There is so much emphasis put on beauty and appearance in society at this time frame. But there are a whole lot of ways you can stop the clock or turn it back without resorting to injections or surgery.

OTOH, ask me in 10 years! I'm not 100% sure I'd want to be in the same room with a lot of women who've had work done. But I worry about if I chose to -- what if I didn't like it? what if I looked horrible or thought I did. I try to be patient and wait on God. I think there are times when we don't look as good as we will in a year or so.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-19 20:27:35.

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Cosmetics for Un femme d’un certain age

Karin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:02:09 +0000

Have you ever noticed
...that most makeup blogs (and images) are written by younger women...

...that advertising shows young women, even if they are advertising a product for an older woman, 90% of the time or more... What's up with that!

What if you fall outside the youth category, but you still have a lot of good years left!
...the short answer: find what works for you...

...if you intuitively know that something isn't working, be satisfied only when you figure out how to tweak it...

...ask MUAs, ask SAs, ask your hair stylist...

...ask a woman on the street if you love her look what makeup she is using or who cuts her hair or does her color...ask her what color she uses...

Colors
The older you are, the more it matters what colors you wear on your face or on your body. While you could get away with it when you were younger, you can't any longer. Wrong colors are no longer forgiving.

Warm or Cool colors
Find out if you look best in warm or cool colors. Most neutrals are also either warm or cool. So, for example, one gray or brown might be good on you; another not so good.

Softer or deeper
Because your skin tone changes some -- it might become pinker, asher or sallower -- you might need to go softer, brighter or deeper in your makeup colors to balance your skin tones better. You might need a darker or brighter lipstick -- or the opposite, one that is softer and more neutral. Same for your blush and shadows.

Hair color and style
Taking care of your hair will take years off your look. Keep your style in style.

If you color your hair, be sure to really look at yourself. Check the crown area. You might need to color more often. While you could get away with roots when you were younger, they aren't flattering now. Truthfully, they weren't flattering then either, but they are less so now. Or if you are quite white and your color washes out, you might need to color to keep the tone. If you let your hair go white, keep it white, not yellowed.

If you are used to being blond, you might have to change the shade of blond to one with more gold for it to look best.

It never hurts to look at illustrations in magazines and ask your hair stylist for other ideas. If you want to choose something different, give it some serious thought and go to someone who is really talented.

Eyebrows
Eyebrows becoming white
If your eyebrows are coming in strong with white, they are likely becoming more wiry too. Brush them upwards, then trim them even across the top. Then brush them back into place again.

Color the white
You can do this with permanent coloring. Some coloring is made strictly for brows. You can use some of your hair color, if you are careful. Disclaimer: don't get it in your eyes.

An alternative is to use a brow mascara made to color brows. Here's one.

Revlon also makes one that is duo ended, one end having a brow pencil.

A friend uses the following Lancome one, but in a different color. It has made all the difference in her appearance. Her natural brows are almost black, but she has about 50-50 white. This covers perfectly and looks natural. The brush is different than a mascara brush and covers better. I would recommend Lancome's. The Revlon (in blond) is more of a gel fixative; I don't think it covers my small amount of white, which fortunately doesn't show.

Hands
Don't forget your hands. If you need to, use hand lotion. You can even use a mask on them (some are made specifically for hands). Moisturize your cuticles before they start to ravel. After they ravel, a few applications of cuticle cream will take care of it nicely. I usually use the back of my hand for facial product; then I rub the backs of both hands together to distribute whatever is left on my hands. That works!

Body
There comes a point when you need to moisturize your body. If you are especially dry, you can shower, but eliminate any soap products. Just use water, except for the places where you need soap.

Arbonne has a fabulous Body Serum and Body Lotion. It cures what ails you. The difference in my arms is remarkable. Whereas before, my arms were moisturized, they felt like there was product on them. Now, my arms are moisturized, but it feels as if my skin can breath.

Contact Book Girl, if you are interested and do not have a consultant.

Use sunscreen and limit time in the sun
'Nuf said.

Teeth
Make sure your teeth are clean.

Bleach them with a drugstore product or at your dentist. All those years of coffee, tea and simply years do not have to show up on your teeth.

Change your products with the weather or by location
You will likely need more moisture in winter months than in summer. And if you go from a place with high humidity to a place with low humidity, you will need more moisture. The reverse is true also. If you go from a dry area to a humid area, you can use a lotion instead of a cream, for instance. Or simply use a little less product. Some products are considered smart products -- they deliver only what your skin needs at the moment. If you fly, moisturize your skin during the flight.

Think about tweaking your products depending on life stresses
We all know about skin break outs with stress or time of the month. Be proactive. If you are in a particularly stressful situation, take better care of yourself than you might on an ordinary day. It never hurts to be good to yourself. Change your moisturizer to one that defends against breakouts or that will give you added moisture. You know yourself and what you need.

Smile
If you look happy, you will draw people to you, and they will notice your happiness, especially if the rest of you matches the same image and doesn't get in the way of your smile.

What have you changed in your makeup or style as you have gotten older?
Have fun with it, and remember to be happy! Experiment a little; you might love it!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts -- you know who you are

Originally posted 2009-08-24 13:51:47.

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Fashion — from the sublime to the ridiculous

Karin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:49:23 +0000

One of the great innovations in fashion was when there were no longer any fashion police, at least for the most part. When you could choose what length of hem looked the best on you and all were in vogue vs. a time when only one hemline was being sold like a bill of goods to the consumer. When you could choose a shirtdress or a flowing skirt. When there was more than one style of heels...

The other night I was catching up on magazines. I first read the March, 2010, issue of Town and Country. Of course, this is a magazine for grownups. I could see myself wearing nearly every garment in the issue, if I were 20 something, if I were as thin as the models, if I went to appropriate events, and if I had unending money. Well, never mind, you get the idea!

Inside the cover was a luscious Ralph Lauren Collection ad with a beaded top, worn with jeans. Not so much a fan of the opposite page, overalls with a jacket and scarf, still nicely ecclectic. Turning the page to the RLC dress in denim blues -- simply gorgeous!

The Gucci ad was a bit much, but move on to Max Mara and Michael Kors, clothing in good taste. Then Cate Blancett advertising SK-II, which by the way I have never tried...the leopard print of Lafayette 148, then Ellen DeGeneres advertising the Simply Ageless product line (I love the foundation), the Chanel gaucho look, Marina Rinaldi...the jewelry...the clothes worn by real people... the winter white section...the tribute to Jackie...

It looked like a very good year for shopping!

Then I opened the March, 2010, issue of InStyle, a magazine I generally love. Most of the ads looked hard core biker chic meets goth meets street walker. And they looked like Lolita trying too hard.

I don't find it feminine. But, of course, that might be the point.

I thought the whole idea behind the economic slowdown and the loss of major players in the fashion scene due to insufficient sales was to design clothes the consumer would actually buy. Some houses are actually doing that.

A couple of the ads were offensive to me, and I don't offend easily. I asked my 20-something daughter, would you want your daughter to dress that way? or leave the house? (No.) They were pushing the envelope.

I can tell you that if I wore those get-ups -- or anyone did here -- they would be laughed at or worse.

Generally I think fashion is fun because it changes, but I disliked the cocaine chic which was portrayed as chic, though tawdry, a few years ago in Allure, for example.

Fashion is in my blood. But if it doesn't sell, you can't eat it. You have to mark it down until it goes out the door -- or it ends up shredded in the landfill, made into rags, or -- last resort it seems -- donated.

And you have to have new stock. It's a gamble, sometimes, choosing which trends are on mark. Or using a northern buyer for a southern store -- or expecting what sells in Florida to be what sells in California.

There was a time when I was glad not to be buying for stores any longer. I walked through the major stores in my area and saw nothing that I liked. It was very strange. And not too long after that all the stores were in some kind of receivership or bought out by another chain. Because. No.One. Was.Buying. Their.Clothes. And I could have seen in hindsight how I might have been in the same circumstances, if what they had stocked in their stores was all that was available to the buyers. You have to buy something! It was a tough economic time.

I think we should have fun with fashion. We should not sell ourselves short. We deserve to look the best we can. And I can tell you some things that definitely would not show me in my best light -- and likely it wouldn't show you in your best light either.

It's time to vote with our pocketbooks.

Karin

Originally posted 2010-04-04 00:22:21.

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The Oscars

Karin — Sat, 14 May 2011 18:09:06 +0000

I enjoyed watching the Oscars last night. Many of the presenters were cleverly funny. Robert Downey, Jr's, aside about himself was wonderfully drole.

So many of the dresses were beautiful. I didn't care for the big bow on Nicole Kidman, but the color was radiant.

Helen Mirren looked divine. Such a beautiful dress.

Naomi Watts was spectacular in that shade of yellow.

Reese Witherspoon's dress looked black on camera, but in the paper's picture this morning it looked the deep purple that it was.

No big fashion faux pax that I saw like the swan from a few year's back or the ballerina...but Meryl Streep could take better advantage of herself, and Celine Dion, with her divine voice, needs a fashion consultant.

I'd like to see the jewelry in more detail. Up close and personal would be fun. It would mean that I was there...

Will Smith's son is too adorable for words.

Some of the men were stunning, as always.

Jack N looked like he was becoming Marlon Brando in his later years. He was good natured, though, which is a little scary coming from Jack.

Peter O'Toole, poor man, I wish he'd won. Meantime, I hope he's got a couple more powerhouse performances still to give us.

The skit with Jack Black's was fun. I didn't know he could belt a song out.

I thought it was funny when Ellen passed her supposed script to Scorsese...and later when Clint Eastwood told her he was expecting a copy of her script too.

There are always some surprises in the awards. It has to be disappointing not to win, but it should not eclipse the fact of being there.

Hmmmmm, come to think of it, I'd like to know what perfumes they were wearing.

Oh, and let's not forget the dancers.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-26 09:07:11.

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10 reasons to love cosmetics

Karin — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:58:24 +0000

10. Cosmetics enhance you -- you become the best you you can be.

why not look your best ...: natural, fun, but enhanced. We’re not going to lie, that’s what cosmetics do, they enhance your looks. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can become a more beautiful you. Sasha

9. What you do today will have a direct bearing on what you look like in 5 years.
There are products that really work, changing your skin -- and there are some products that don't do a whole lot, it's only advertising -- and there are products meant only to have a cosmetic effect. Take your pick, but don't forget to include products that work -- from lip gloss to skin care.

8. It's an easy way to pamper yourself. Your skin needs as much pampering as you do. Enjoy taking care of yourself. Take time to let the sensations register. You are being good to yourself.

7. When you look your best, you feel better. When you look your best, even if you're not feeling 100%, you really do feel some better. And unfortunately, the reverse is true too! So do everything you can to have the best day possible. Putting on a good face takes on a double meaning when you are camouflaging.

6. Other people see you. If you won't do it for you, do it for them. Believe me, they do see you, and they talk. Make sure they have something good to say.

5. You look more polished and professional. It levels the playing field and helps you compete. That doesn't mean you have to go all out. If you've never used much makeup, begin small and go from there, but at least do something. A new lipstick or shadow color can update your look giving you a lift.

4. You can be a different you. Everyday can be a new you depending on what you wish to portray about yourself. There's no end to combinations that will bring out your different aspects. You can be the vamp, the ingenue, the career woman. You can be dramatic or natural, colorful or neutral.

3. You can enhance your best features and downplay your negatives. Who doesn't want to do this!

2. You look younger. The only time this doesn't matter is if you are in your 20s. All the rest of your life it makes a difference. Stay current in your thought and in your appearance.

1. It makes you happy. See above, for all the reasons. I can always use more happiness!

Do something fun today with your face.
Try something different. Let me know what you do.

What else can you add?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts -- you know who you are

Originally posted 2009-08-24 10:57:27.

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