“Knowing your own hair texture and the current healthy of your hair is the next step in realizing what styling options you have,” says celebrity stylist Dickey, founder of NY-based Hair Rules Salon and Line.

Here are the four main hair textures and Dickey’s guide to caring for them:

Kinky: This type grows ... Read More »]]>

It’s time to set the record straight. All hair is not created equal; therefore, it shouldn’t be treated equal. Wasn’t that in the Constitution or something? Maybe it was the Declaration of Independence. Not sure. I was absent that day at school. Anyway…

“Knowing your own hair texture and the current healthy of your hair is the next step in realizing what styling options you have,” says celebrity stylist Dickey, founder of NY-based Hair Rules Salon and Line.

Here are the four main hair textures and Dickey’s guide to caring for them:

Kinky: This type grows in densely packed, tight zigzag formation. It’s deceptively fragile, according to Dickey, since the more coiled the hair shaft, the more fragile the hair. Therefore, this texture needs extra TLC. He recommends not washing it every day but still giving it plenty of hydration to avoid shrinkage. Sulfate shampoos that won’t strip hair of needed sebum. (Try TIGI Bed Head Superstar Sulfate-Free Shampoo for Thick Massive Hair) “Styling with a moisturizing product will help define tresses and banish frizz,” he adds.

Curly: Spirally and loopy, this texture has a defined S-pattern. “It can be denser with tons of strands, fine and light, coarse and ropy, or soft and springy,” explains Dickey. “It grows in a coil rather than a wave because the cuticle layers don’t lie as flat as those of wavy hair.” Moisture is always the key with curly hair, so daily deep conditioning (think leave-in) is the way to go. Curl-lovers, try the Queen of Curl’s Ouidad Curl Essentials Starter Kit.

Wavy: Wavy hair also has an S-pattern, but lies closer to the head. “It can be described as fine, flexible texture with lots of buoyant light curls or thicker, loosely defined waves.” Use a gentle shampoo to remove product build-up so waves don’t get weighed down. For styling, Dickey suggests a lightweight, non-greasy styling cream to naturally set the hair without leaving residue (Try Hair Rules Wavy Mousse)

Straight: “All straight isn’t created equal,” says Dickey. Avoid heavy conditioner that will make hair look greasy. Choose light conditioners that hydrate but don’t flatten it down. Try a finishing cream to give hair a shine. (Try Frederic Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Creme)

Photo Credit © Jason Stitt | Dreamstime.com

For more beauty, fashion and fitness, visit Cheryl Fenton at EasyPeasyBlog.com and follow her on Twitter @cherylfenton. To become an EasyPeasy Facebook fan, click here.

Use over-the-counter whitening strips. If you don’t want to sit around staring in the mirror while your teeth whiten, there’s nothing that says you can’t stick them on while you’re in the shower. Multi-tasking, my friend. Thy name is you.

After eating, swish water or mouthwash in your mouth for 30 seconds to help rinse away any stain-causing ... Read More »]]>

Whitening your teeth doesn’t have to mean $1,000 and a two-hour stint in a chair with lights all over your mouth. Here, some quick fixes for whiter teeth that you can do throughout the day to get instant results:

Use over-the-counter whitening strips. If you don’t want to sit around staring in the mirror while your teeth whiten, there’s nothing that says you can’t stick them on while you’re in the shower. Multi-tasking, my friend. Thy name is you.

After eating, swish water or mouthwash in your mouth for 30 seconds to help rinse away any stain-causing food.

Snack on apples, pears, celery, or carrots. Not only are they good for your waistline, raw fruits and vegetables produce saliva and that removes bacteria and can help whiten your teeth.

Opt for a lipstick with blue undertones — rose, red, burgundy, and plum shades — to make your teeth appear brighter instantly. Avoid hues with orange undertones, which can yellow even pearly whites.

Pop in some whitening gum with stain-removing calprox after your meals. If you want to keep it simple, any gum will work because it stimulates saliva flow that acts as a natural detergent.

Frown and you frown alone, but smile and the whole world smiles with you. Have yellow teeth, and you scare people whether you’re smiling or not.

For more beauty, fashion and fitness, visit Cheryl Fenton at EasyPeasyBlog.com and follow her on Twitter @cherylfenton. To become an EasyPeasy Facebook fan, click here.

Photo Credit © Flashon Studio | Dreamstime.com

Golden Eyelids: A spring trend that’s pure gold. Keep it subtle (especially the older you are…Golden Girls was a show not known for its makeup, my darlings). Apply with caution. For everyday wear, choose golds with moderate ... Read More »]]>

Usually my little daughter is the only one in a fairy costume–wings aflutter, the little sprite that she is. This spring’s makeup trends are so feminine and fairy-like (shimmery golds, precious pinks), it’s almost like I’m the one to take to the skies. They’re super easy to wear, so here’s the breakdown. Wings not included.

Golden Eyelids: A spring trend that’s pure gold. Keep it subtle (especially the older you are…Golden Girls was a show not known for its makeup, my darlings). Apply with caution. For everyday wear, choose golds with moderate flecks so your eyes sparkle minus the Hollywood hooker effect. Quick tip for extra intensity: pair it with navy mascara.Try: Smashbox Single Eye Shadow in 24K, Shiseido Luminizing Eye Color Limited Edition in Ocean Sunset, Jemma Kidd Make Up Eye Essentials Shimmer Shadow in Brulee (comes with a “makeup school” insert), Urban Decay Metallic Intense Shadow in Eldorado

Neutral Nails: Neutrals aren’t new but they have staying power that other trends don’t. Milky whites (notice I didn’t say French manicures), taupe meets peach, even mushroom-gray–these work easily with all occasions and are great for short nails (nails look longer therefore hands look slimmer). Try: Borghese in Bistro Beige, e.l.f. in Desert Haze (a fantastic grayish beige for $1!), Rimmel London in French Café, Barielle in Beaches & Dreams

Pink Lip: Think pink, the hot new trend for the spring. Looks good with barely any makeup (a busy woman’s best friend). Choose blue-based for fair skin, peachy pinks for yellow undertones and bolder shades for dark complexions. Try: Urban Decay in Love Child, CoverGirl Continuous Color Lipstick in Pink Chic, glominerals gloLip Stick Lipstick in Pink Sugar, Sue Devitt Balanced Sheer in Villefranche, Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout (seen above)

Dewy Cheeks: Pretty in pink again, aren’t we? Reference: dewy softness, note Andie & Blane. Blushing golds, roses, pinks all leave shimmery highlights. Try: Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Grapefruit, Pur Mineral Hot Rocks (seen above), glominerals gloBlush in Begonia, Ramy Cosmetics Juicy Cheeks in Maya Papaya

For more beauty, fashion and fitness, visit Cheryl Fenton at EasyPeasyBlog.com and follow her on Twitter @cherylfenton. To become an EasyPeasy Facebook fan, click here.

My sunglasses. I wear them all the time. I also lose them all the time. My favorite loss: my Prada glasses at a wedding shower. The waitress had no idea what I was talking about. Sure you didn’t, honey.

I dread the hours I spend trying to find the perfect frame…again. But with these tips from stylist to the stars and spokeswoman for Solstice Sunglass Boutique Eden Wexler, I can head straight to the right shape. First off, Wexler suggests doing the smile test when trying on. If the glasses rise off ... Read More »]]>

My sunglasses. I wear them all the time. I also lose them all the time. My favorite loss: my Prada glasses at a wedding shower. The waitress had no idea what I was talking about. Sure you didn’t, honey.

I dread the hours I spend trying to find the perfect frame…again. But with these tips from stylist to the stars and spokeswoman for Solstice Sunglass Boutique Eden Wexler, I can head straight to the right shape. First off, Wexler suggests doing the smile test when trying on. If the glasses rise off of your nose bridge when you smile, they’re not for you!

Here is how to choose the right frame for your face shape:

Round

For a round face shape, Wexler says your goal is to make the face appear longer and thinner. Frames should be wider than they are deep. She suggests choosing lightly angular frames (think: it’s hip to be square) to narrow a round face. Metal frames with adjustable nose pads keep lenses from resting on fuller cheeks.  It’s also best to avoid excessively rounded styles, which will exaggerate facial roundness.

Heart

“With heart-shaped faces, the trick is to find frames that minimize the width of the top of the face and add width below the eye line to offset the narrow chin,” she says. Try frames that are wider at the bottom or styles with low temples to add balance.  Also, rimless frames and frames with rounded tops – such as this spring’s trendy aviators and butterfly shapes – as well as squared bottoms work well.

Oval

Lucky is the lady with this shape face. You can wear virtually any style because of your balanced proportions. Frames should keep the oval’s natural balance.  Wexler suggests selecting frames that are as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face such as wraps and shields. She also notes that   people who have a classic oval face tend to have small features, so they should make sure the frame is in proportion and doesn’t overwhelm the features.

Square

You have a strong jaw line and a broad forehead with a wide chin and cheekbones, so your goal is to find a frame that makes the face look longer.   Avoid a frame that is flat on the bottom, as this will mirror the face shape, according to Wexler. Look for a frame that has some curve or uplift to draw attention away from the jawline. Gently curved narrow styles will minimize squareness and lengthen the face. Round and oval frames compliment this face shape.

For more beauty, fashion and fitness tips, visit Cheryl Fenton at EasyPeasyBlog.com or follow her on Twitter @cherylfenton. To become a fan of EasyPeasyBlog on Facebook, please click here.

Photo Credit © Valua Vitaly | Dreamstime.com