Beauty Buzz | WhyDid.com

Beauty Buzz: The Skinny on Yerba Mate

By Kirsten|July 14th, 2009|Beauty Buzz|

As we all know, there is no quick fix for losing weight (well, at least not one that doesn’t involve scalpels and lasers). However, there are things they may aid in your battle with the bulge. One of these little tricks is an old South American tradition that is as easy as switching from coffee to tea.

South Americans are known for being fit and sexy. One reason for this, other than genetics, could be attributed to a daily ritual involving drinking a tea made from a species of holly called yerba mate. The leaves are collected, dried, steeped in hot water and then sipped from a dried gourd through a bombilla (fancy straw).

So what is all the fuss about? Well, yerba mate gives you energy like coffee and other caffeinated drinks, but without the jittery feelings and a more sustained effect. Researchers have also found that yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins (including A, C, E, and B’s), and minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc) as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and yes– what you’ve been waiting for– a thermogenic (burns fat). Additional benefits include mental clarity as well as acting as a mood enhancer.

While people still drink yerba mate the traditional way (a la gourd and bombilla) you can also purchase tea bags for easy brewing. Like other teas, it can be sweetened with sugar or honey (I prefer mine with a little lemon). So if you’re willing to give up your morning coffee, I really can’t see the downside. It’s cheaper than Starbucks.

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: The Art of Beauty

By Kirsten|May 13th, 2009|Beauty Buzz|

frontshop

This morning I was lucky enough to be asked to volunteer my face for a makeup class that Linda Mason was teaching at her workshop in Soho. I remembered that many, many moons ago, Ms. Mason was the makeup artist for a runway show that I was in. That particular show was a bit “abstract” (read- I had plants in my hair and a yellow triangle on my eye), so I wasn’t exactly sure what I had gotten myself into, but was very pleasantly surprised.

Today, the students were learning about “bridal makeup.” Linda wanted me to tell them what kind of bride I would like to be. Ha! This has got to be a sick joke. I have no idea what type of bride I would like to be. So, I guess that made me the “indecisive bride.” Anyway, Linda did a demonstration for the students on my face where she played with different styles. My right eye was a soft, romantic bride while the left was more glamourous and sexy. She filled in my lips with pink and then red. She added shadow and tweaked liner. She was able to create several different looks with just little changes to my makeup. Each one was more stunning than the next. This woman is clearly a genius, I decided.

The students then took a break and my face was cleaned off. When they got back, the students got a chance to recreate the looks. A young lady taking her first makeup course was in charge of my next look. I was not facing a mirror, so I had no idea what she was doing. I snuck a glance or two and saw that she was using shades of blue and coral, and I’m not going to lie, I got a little bit nervous. I figured I was about to be “80’s bride.” However, when she was finished, I was amazed. She did a wonderful job and I left Linda’s workshop looking like a supermodel.

Chatting with Linda, you would never realize that she has quite the resume. She’s charming and sweet, but don’t be fooled. She’s painted the faces of models, actresses, and celebrities (Charlize Theron, Naomi Campbell, Joan Jett, Sarah Ferguson to name a few).

If you are a bride who knows what kind of bride she’d like to be, you are an aspiring makeup artist, or you just love makeup, you need to get down to The Art of Beauty. I know that when(if) the big day comes for me, I will most definitely entrust my face to Linda Mason.

The Art of Beauty -Linda Mason

26 Grand Street

212-625-0490

www.lindamason.com

Beauty Buzz: Do the Wave

By Kirsten|May 11th, 2009|Beauty Buzz|

splash-movie-03-1

Oh it’s about that time of year again. You know, the warm weather we have been wishing for but then curse it when it gets here. “It’s too hot.” “This humidity is killing me!” You know what I’m talking about.

On a positive note, it’s time to bust out the sundresses, strappy sandals, and shades. While you overhaul your closet, tucking your sweaters away and positioning your short shorts front and center, it’s also time to tuck your flat iron away. Stick straight hair for the summer is just too fussy, not to mention that it is a completely futile effort.

It’s time for sexy, wild wavy beach hair. How do you get this Gisele hair without looking like Amy Winehouse you ask? A few simple tricks will get you on your way to looking like a mermaid who just found her legs and crawled out of the ocean to meet her Prince Eric.

After you wash your hair, apply a salt spray/wave spray to damp hair. There are several different options out there. I like Bumble and Bumble South Surf Spray andFrederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves. Then wrap hair in a loose bun and pin in place. Allow your hair to dry in and unpin when hair is mostly dry. This will create loose waves. Touch up any wonky strands with a large curling iron. Make sure to leave the ends out because you don’t want it to look like pageant hair. Mist with hair spray and tousle with your fingers. Voila! You are a sexy sea maiden.

Some will suggest creating this entire look with a curling iron, but I don’t believe it stays as well and it is also causing unnecessary damage to your hair (not what it needs during the humid summer months). If you have super straight or fine hair that just will not curl, I suggest using a wave iron like this one. I warn you though, use it sparingly in order to avoid looking like a crimped poodle. Not even close to hot.

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Hair Repair. 911!!

By Kirsten|April 20th, 2009|Beauty Buzz|

frizz

You know I love taking vitamins and my vitamins are helpful in maintaining my long lustrous locks, but as of last week, my hair was looking mighty wonky. I had split ends out the wazoo and my hair was feeling a bit more like straw than silk. Emergency!!

One of my bff’s (she’s a bit of a beauty junkie and has perfect hair) told me about a new product from Paul Mitchell called Super Strong Liquid Treatment, but after searching the web and a few local hair salons, I came up empty handed. What’s a girl to do?

I hit the local Duane Reade (which I now know is named Duane Reade because the first one ever is located on the intersection of Duane and Reade Streets in Tribeca). After looking at the $58 Kerastase conditioner, I grabbed a much cheaper version from Neutrogena at a whopping $7.98. I figured I would probably get what I paid for… but was very pleasantly surprised. After just one use, my ratty ends are now smooth as butta’, baby. Phew! Crisis averted!

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Take Your Vitamins!

By Kirsten|March 21st, 2009|Beauty Buzz|

vitamins

You’ve heard of pharmaceuticals,and you’ve most likely heard of cosmaceuticals, but the newest kid on the block is nutraceuticals.

Neutraceuticals are vitamins and supplements that are taken daily to address health issues internally. From cancer to acne, they all have claims to help alleviate your ailments.

Brands like Perricone MD, Elemis, and Borba all have created supplements for skin and body. Some claim to give you younger glowing skin, while others help to manage weight. While most have not been evaluated by the FDA, they do produce results.

I’m a sucker for things like this, so I decided to start taking the Skin and Total Body Supplements from Perricone MD about a month and a half ago. My hair has grown about 8 feet (okay, an inch), my nails are stronger and people have definitely commented on how good my skin looks. These supplements aren’t cheap, but I think they are totally worth it.

xx,

WhyDid

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