Holiday Hair for your daughter

Tis the season to see family and friends.  If you have a tween, your idea of appropriate might conflict with her idea of fabulous.    While she may refuse to wear the tights and mary janes you so carefully picked out for her, doing something special with her hair might appeal to her.

Celebrity stylist,Patrick Melville, 
http://www.patrickmelvillesalon.com/  gave me some great ideas to dress up your daughter's hair.  Whether she is a tomboy or a girlie girl there is always something you can do.

Curls

To get that Taylor Swift look, Patrick uses a one inch curling iron .  On clean, dry hair, take a small section (about 50  hairs) and curl hair from root to end.  This means placing the curling iron at the top of hair section and wrapping the rest of the hair around the curling iron.  Hold for a few sections, then release.

For faster larger curls, set clean, dry hair with hot rollers.

Hair Accessories
For long hair, Patrick loves hair accessories such as headbands, barrettes, or hair bands.  My daughter loves headbands with  silver rhinestones.  This one is available at Sephora for $10. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P274940&categoryId=B70



Project
Buy a simple stretchy hairband and have your daughter decorate it by glueing on sequins with a hot glue gun.  Or take a simple plastic headband and wrap a pretty ribbon around it, securing it with some hot glue each time you wrap around the band.


Braids
If you are not great at styling your daughter's hair, Patrick recommends one sleek side braid or even a single thin braid in the front of hair that is down.  Secure the braid with a pretty bow.


Ponytails
If your daughter is a tomboy, chances are your best bet is a ponytail.  But, that too can always be dressed up. Patrick likes to accessorize high pony tails with headbands, side parts, and fun ornamental clips for a more festive look.  


For a perfect ponytail, add a dime size amount of Aveeno's new Volumizing Foam or Soft Gel Cream to damp hair.  Fasten hair in a ponytail and then let dry naturally.  These lightweight products will keep hair in place.  



















Enjoy your holiday!


xoxo Erika

Shopping For The Holidays

Holiday Gifts

If you have a tween girl, shopping for the holidays can be so difficult.  Of course you want to give your daughter something she will love, but still feel you can afford gifts for everyone else on your list.  I have found some fun, creative gifts which I know she will really enjoy.  Here are just a few.  I will post more as I find them.

As you all know beauty, fashion, and creativity is what I love so you won't find any video games or electronics on my list.  Let's start with beauty.

Beauty 


Creativity For Kids makes some of my favorite beauty gifts.   They can be found at your local retailer or at www.creativityforkids.com

Make Your Own Lip Balm comes with all she will need to make lip balms in fun fashion colors.  I especially like this gift because it comes with everything you need, its an activity you can do together, and its cool to make something she can use instead of buying it in the store.






Pretty Pedicure Salon is quite fabulous too.  We have this at home and use it weekly.  It comes with a pink pool that you blow up with air.  It also has everything you need to give your daughter a perfect pedicure.   When we use this I also add some bubble bath to the water and rub her legs with a gentle scrub.  She feels I'm lavishing attention on her and it gives her an opportunity to have my undivided attention.

Nail Art is the perfect item to have when your daughter has a playdate and they have nothing to do.  They can put all sorts of fun things on their nails and they do feel quite fabulous after.

Fashion and Creativity 


If your daughter is a budding young fashion designer or magazine editor Fashion Angels makes Project Runway Fashion Magazine Editor Tote.  It contains everything your daughter needs to make her own magazine.  My daughter literally spent three days on this.  It is the coolest gift.








Dolls

Its difficult to buy dolls for your tween.  While we hope they are still loving dolls, it seems many girls have moved on.  However, I think Liv Dolls by Spinmaster are lots of fun.  If your daughter has aspirations of being a hair stylist, Liv Dolls have removable hair.  So, each time she cuts the doll's hair she can remove it and replace it with a new wig of long hair.  My daughter is constantly cutting away so this doll has been a huge hit.


I hope this list helps during the holiday season.  I will be sure to post more great gifts as I find them.  Happy Shopping!

Fall is time to Cleanse

Last night, I taught my daughter how to cleanse her skin the way I do.   It was so much fun to talk to her while we put creams and lotions on our faces.  I had been working all day so it was great to have some special time together.  Its incredible how something as simple as washing your face can become a bonding activity with your daughter and a way to really make her feel special.  


My Favorite Cleansing Routine

Here is what you need:

• Cotton from a roll of unsterilized absorbent cotton, not cotton balls

• Milky cleanser

• Eye makeup remover (if you wear eye makeup)

• Toner 

Special Cotton Pad
First, you and your daughter should break off a piece of cotton the size of your palm. Moisten the cotton under the faucet and form it into a cheek-size pad by folding down the edges. When you both have a nice cotton pad, squeeze out the excess water. 


Cleanse
Pour a milky cleanser on the cotton.  You should both clean your face gently to remove dirt and makeup. For stubborn eye makeup use an eye makeup remover. Be extra gentle around the eye area, never pulling or rubbing that sensitive skin.


For mom, I love this luxurious new cleanser I found.  It is called Zensation Radiance Brightening Cleansing Cream available at www.zensation.com. 
To remove eye makeup, I really love Lancôme Bi-Facil eye makeup remover.


For your daughter, a less expensive cleanser is Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser.  I like it for young skin because it is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.  
If she wears eye makeup she can remove it with  Clean & Clear Soothing Eye Make Up Remover.


Tone
Turn the cotton pad over, pour toner onto that clean side, and remove the excess dirt.  
For mom, I love Comfort Zone Everyday Tonic.  It has a fresh, clean smell and it is alchohol free.  It is available at www.comfortzone.it


For your daughter, L'Oreal HydraFresh Toner is alcohol-free and perfect for her.


Blemishes
If either one of you have a pimple forming, dry it up with some Bremenn Emergency Zit Stick available at www.bremennlabs.com.  


Moisturize
Spread a light moisturizer all over your face.  


For mom, I like Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Moisturizer available at www.paulaschoice.com


For your daughter, I always use Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion on my daughter because it is light and gentle.


While you clean your skin together, talk about her day, what happened in school, and make her feel she has your complete attention.  This is a great way to teach her an important lesson in hygiene while also giving her some special attention.  

Deep Conditioning Summertime Hair

After a summer of sun, surfing, and chlorine, its time to deep condition that hair!  This weekend, my daughter and I put gobs of buttery deep conditioner in our hair, sat in the sun for 20 minutes to let the heat open the hair cuticle, then washed it out and enjoyed our moisturized rejeuvenated locks.

Salons charge a lot of money to deep condition hair because they use professional products and they have those big hair dryers to apply heat..  But, you can do what we did.  We used John Barrett Be Conditioned Weekly Re-Conditioner available at www.johnbarrett.com.  It smells so good and perfect for all hair types.  For ethnic and multi-textured hair, I would try something a little heavier like Ellin Lavar Textures Reconstruct Masque available at www.ellinlavar.com.  If you want to do it on a budget, Garnier Fructis Sleek Shine Deep Conditioner will do the trick.

Simply work the deep conditioner through the hair.  You can cover it with a shower cap or just sit in the sun.  To really trap in the heat from your head and keep it confined, you can wrap the shower cap in aluminum foil.

While this will smooth the cuticle and make hair softer and shinier, I would still recommend you and your daughter both go for a trim to get rid of those split ends.  Maybe even a Brazilian blowout for you to make your hair healthier and more manageable.  Remember all these activities are more fun when shared with your girl.  So, make a girl's day of it before she goes back to school and all the activities take over your life.  Enjoy!

Makeup for Tweens

Its back to school and your tween is saying she is ready to wear makeup.  Little girls love to play with makeup as soon as they can get their little fingers into your cosmetic bag. When they are eight, nine, and ten, they usually just want to put on some lip gloss to feel good and to play with something sparkly and shiny. From ages eleven to thirteen, makeup becomes more about being attractive and trying to fit in and be cool. 


Each mom will face the makeup question at different times depending on her daughter’s personality, friends, school, cultural influences, and activities.  Every mom has their own opinion on this issue, but I think finding a compromise is the best solution.  If she wants lipstick, get her some gloss.  If she wants mascara, try a clear one.  But, most importantly, buy it in the drugstore.  She can do chores and easily earn money for a new gloss or eye shadow.  If it gets dirty or needs to be thrown away, it is not a week's pay.  

Lip Liner, Lipstick, Lip Gloss

A tween does not need lip liner or lipstick. In fact, if she uses these products she will probably look like a clown. Lip glosses are just fine, and they come in many fun colors. 

I would stick to that. For an older tween who wants to wear lipstick, try to find something in subtle pinks and browns. And point out to her that the problem with lip liner is that most girls choose a shade darker than their own lip color, and it looks especially ridiculous when the lipstick has worn off but the lip liner hasn’t. Try to steer her toward a lip gloss with a hint of color. Be sure to buy a lip gloss that is applied directly to the lips with a wand. Those glosses that come in a pot are bacteria havens because girls stick their fingers in them all day long.


For Younger Tweens

Maybelline New York Shine Sensational Lip Gloss is a gloss that comes in 18 different shades and has a fruity taste she will love.  It comes in a pretty tube for easy application.

For Older Tweens

An older tween might want a little more of a lipstick feel.   

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor comes with a wand so it goes on easily like a gloss.  She is less likely to make a mistake and get it over or under the lipline.

Blush

A pretty powder blush gives a little extra color to cheeks.  Choose a soft brush and apply to cheeks and chin for a sun-kissed look.

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers blushes are easy to apply and I like that they are mineral make-up and less likely to irritate the skin. 

Eyeliner
Older tweens love eyeliner and they love applying it incorrectly. Eyeliner should be applied under the lashline not inside.
L'Oreal Paris  Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner goes on easily and gives eyes a beautiful definition without being harsh.  I would recommend a brown eyeliner for a softer, more natural look.

Mascara

Makeup artist, Maria Maio, www.mariamaio.com suggests you choose a mascara for your older tween that matches her hair color to give her lashes a softer look. For a younger tween, clear mascara will make her feel she is wearing makeup but you won't really see it.  

Redheads
Max Factor makes an auburn mascara which is much more subtle than black mascara.


Blondes and Brunettes
Maybeline Great Lash Mascara comes in black, brown, and even clear.  


Mascara Tip:
If your daughter wears contacts or tends to have eyes that tear up, she needs a mascara that won't end up under her eyes after an hour.  The absolute best product for this is
Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara.  It lasts all day long without smudging or flaking.  


Whatever you decide for your daughter, have fun with her.  Let her pick out a new lipstick for you and you pick out a gloss for her.  Make a girl's day of it before she heads back to school.  It is a great way to bond with her and make her feel special.

How To Treat and Cover Pimples

Pimples, Zits, and Breakouts

With the summer heat in full force, the oil glands are working hard and the sticky sweat is causing your daughter to breakout.  The sunscreens do not help the situation either.  So how do you cover, treat, and get rid of those dreaded zits?

How To Cover It Up During the Day

Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Concealer with 0.5% salicylic acid - I love this product because it conceals the pimple while actively drying it at the same time.  Choose the shade that best matches your daughter's skin tone.

How To Dry It Up


Bremenn Research Labs Emergency Zit Stick contains natural botanicals such as prickly pear cactus extract.  Apply a thin layer to the pimple three times a day and your pimple will dry up in no time!  Available at department stores, Sephora and www.BremennLabs.com

Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment is a light gel containing both salicylic acid and glycolic acids.  It helps reduce the size of pimples.

If you are more adventuresome and like to make things at home, makeup artist Maria Maio www.mariamaio.com suggests you mash up a baby aspirin and mix it with saline or mineral water to make a paste.  Dab the paste on the pimple before bed to dry it up.

How to Get Rid of It 

Dr. Friedman-Kien, dermatologist at NYU Medical center does not recommend squeezing a pimple because any type of squeezing can scar the skin.  To burst the pimple, run hot water over a tissue or clean wash cloth and hold it to the pimple.  Do this a few times a day.  The pimple will spontaneously burst or resolve itself internally.

Keep in mind, when you squeeze a pimple at home, you probably do it incorrectly because it’s hard to get the right angle to squeeze out all the bad stuff. Also, you likely have not prepared your daughter's skin properly to easily release the pus without damaging the facial surface.

If You Are Going To Squeeze A Zit, At Least Do It Properly

While I do not advocate you pop your daughter’s pimples I know many people do it.  So, if you are going to do it anyway, you should know how they do it in the salons.

Remember only pop it if it has a white cap on it.  To get a white cap, you need to apply a topical pimple cream and leave it on for at least twelve hours.  Only do this before bed, not before she goes out.  It will look worse before it looks better.

1. Have her take a hot shower for ten minutes to open pores.
2. After the shower, wrap clean cotton around your two index fingers. Dip covered fingers in teatree oil, toner, or astringent. Squeeze out excess liquid.
3. Put each finger at the base of the pimple. Squeeze the base pushing fingers upwards until all the white pus comes out.
4. Stop squeezing and clean the area with cotton and astringent.
5.  Stop the blood with a small piece of cotton.
6.  If she must go out, do not use make-up for at least a half an hour.

So, do not fear if you see a zit coming on.  Try the products I mentioned and the zit will be gone before you know it!

My Favorite Moisturizers for Summer

With summer in full force, its time to break out the spaghetti strap dresses, tanks, shorts, and of course those teeny weeny bikinis. Its a busy time for moms especially during that time between the end of school and camp. While you are getting those last minute camp things like shampoos and sunscreen, its a great time to update your moisturizers and get something lighter for summer.


Morning Moisturizers For the Face 
I think its great to get your daughter in the habit of moisturizing every morning. For the summer, its best to get her an oil-free moisturizer just in case the hormones start raging and she gets a bit oily.  Because we sweat more in the summer, oil free is fine for moms too!


My favorites:


Clean & Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer with SPF 15 which you can find in your local drugstore.  I used this cream on my daughter and myself.   It is really light and leaves skin soft and smooth.


Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 30 which you can find online at www.mariobadescu.com.  I am a huge fan of Mario Badescu skincare and have been using their line since I was a teenager.  The ingredients are always gentle and you know you are getting a really great product.

Tinted Moisturizers
I LOVE LOVE LOVE tinted moisturizer sepecially for the summer.  It evens out the complexion without feeling heavy like foundation.  If your daughter is a teenager, she might really like tinted moisturizer especially if she is prone to blemishes.


My favorites:


Neutrogena Tone Correcting Tinited Moisture SPF 30 available at your local drugstore.  It is so light and your daughter can wear it because the coverage is very light.  It is great at the beach when you do not want to wear make-up but still want to look great and have that SPF.


Laura Geller Barely There Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 available at www.laurageller.com.  This is truly the most amazing tinted moisturizer I've tried.  It feels feather-light while giving flawless coverage.  I also love that in comes in a pump so the product stays free of contaminants. This is a must-have for summer!


Lancome Imanance at department stores.  A little pricier than what's in the drugstore but well- worth it.  This is really great for moms.  You look flawless but its moisturizer not foundation.  You will look like you slept at least 3 hours more than you actually did.


Nightime Moisturizers for Mom


My new favorite:
 I am inlove with this new line of products I found by Bremenn Research Labs.  
Bremenn 6 in 1 Cream and Upper Eyelid Lifter feels fabulous and my skin actually looked firmer.  I usually don't buy into creams tightening but the difference was noticeable.  With all the packing for camp, school graduations, and the kids wanting to be entertained while they are home, I need all the help I can get.  You can order these products online at 
www.BremennLabs.com


The Body
Of course the body has to be beautiful in the summer.  I love products with natural ingredients for my daughter and me.  


My favorite:


Aveeno  Active Naturals Positively Nourishing 24 Hour Body Moisturizer with Blueberry and Goji Berry which can be found at your local drugstore.  It is so gentle and smells light and wonderful. 


Don't forget to hydrate especially in the summer months.  Drink half your weight in ounces and moisturize each day.  If you can add vitamin C to your diet and keep away from the junk food, you and your daughter will be on your way to glowing skin!