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Beauty Buzz: I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts

By |August 25th, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

Don’t get the Zazu reference? Probably need to go ahead and rent a copy of The Lion King, STAT. Anyway, while out the other day at Target (a perk of the suburban sprawl) I was picking up the necessary toiletries when I stumbled upon a packet of Palmer’s Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner. I was intrigued. Made with pure coconut milk, coconut oil, and vitamin E this little packet promised a big punch. Well, let me tell you- the best $1.69 I’ve ever spent. Seriously. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on fancy pants deep conditioning treatments and I must admit… this bargain beauty buy held its own. Not to mention, it smells absolutely delicious. Every time I flip my hair (and I do that a lot), I’m transported to an exotic island with white sandy beaches, never ending pina coladas, and men in Speedos fanning me with palm fronds… Oh, sorry… forgot where I was.

Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Deep Conditioning Protein Pack

Coconut oil isn’t just good for you hair though. There’s a plethora of other uses for coconut oil:

  • Antibacterial
  • Antifungal
  • Emollient
  • Psoriasis relief
  • Cholesterol control
  • Weight control
  • Aids immune system
If you’re not already slathering yourself with this delicious tropical oil… well, you should be. I’ll save you a seat by the pool.
xx,
WhyDid

Why Don’t You Make Bath Time Lots of Fun?

By |July 7th, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

I’m a sucker for testing out new and noteworthy beauty products.  I’m always looking for the next “miracle cure” for whichever beauty ailment I happen to be fixating on at that moment (split ends, cellulite, chipped nails, dark circles).  This week, we’re back to split ends.  I ran out of my usual deep conditioner, so I decided to test out CEW’s (Cosmetic Executive Women) pick for best hair care product, Bumble and Bumble Mending Masque.

First things first, this stuff is expensive.  $37 for five ounces… you go ahead and do the math (I’m not any good at it).  Anyway, the texture is nice and thick and I actually don’t recall a smell at all.  Let me sniff my hair.  Please hold….

Yeah, no.  So, anyway, I slathered my hair with the dense cream and then raked it through from roots to tips with my fingers concentrating it on my ends (duh).  Then I decided to go ahead and look down at the directions (see how I operate? Do not do as I do. Always read directions FIRST).  I saw that it instructed me to leave the mask on my hair for ten minutes.  Ten minutes?!?! That’s a long time to hang out in the shower with not a whole lot to do.

1. SplashProof iPod Shower Speaker, $33.99, 2. Hello Kitty Shower Cap, $16, 3. Biore Steam Activated Cleanser, $6.36, 4. Crystalline Pedicure Wand, $10, 5. True Blue Spa 60 Second Manicure Scrub, $12, 6. Bliss Stimulator, $22, 7. Pink Baby Light Up Duck, $4

So, I tried to figure out how exactly one would spend this extended shower time productively.  Clearly, my “go to” would be dancing (you’ve seen my moves), so a shower radio is a must.  You also probably want to scrub any calluses off of your tootsies or pretty little fingers and follow this up by steaming your skin flawless.  In case you get lonely, it can’t hurt to bring a pal… like a rubber ducky.  With the party you’re throwing in the shower, ten minutes will fly by in no time and you’ll emerge looking like a lady who spent all day at the spa.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photo via

Beauty Buzz: Hay Girl!

By |May 12th, 2011|Beauty Buzz|

While we’re on the topic of hair… Remember a month or so ago when I went to get mah hurr did by the illustrious Whitney Thomas?  Well, I was so impressed with the way she “trimmed” my hair (it almost appeared longer when she was done) that I headed back a week later to let her play with my color.

Now, I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion that I do not let just anyone touch these strands of glory.  I take great pride in my mane and swallow a lot of vitamins to keep my follicles a-flowin’.  It had been so long that I’d had my hair highlighted (a solid 10 months) that I’d transitioned myself into accidental ombre and also become quite friendly with my God given color- which I would call a dirty honey slightly tainted with dishwater blonde.  I teetered between going super dark and returning to my sunny past… Kind of like a fight between good and evil.  Finally, I remembered what my mother always tells me, “You were born a blonde… you will always be a blonde.”

So, Whitney spent time tediously painting on highlights that would blend in and make me look like I had just spent a few sunny months south of the equator.  Few things to note here:  I hate stripey streaky stripper blonde.  I hate orange yellow bottle blonde.  I hate roots that grow straight out in a straight line from your scalp.  Whitney had her work cut out.  I’m a psycho when it comes to my hair and I’m not afraid of a good tantrum and a few tears if things don’t come out right. But alas, everyone can take a deep sigh of relief.  I couldn’t have been more pleased with the masterpiece she created out of my hair.  Phew.

There is a point to this story, I promise.  Whitney handed me a bottle of conditioner after we were through and told me to use it twice weekly for a month and then once a week following.  She swore it would mend any split ends and keep my tresses stress and tangle free.  Now, this isn’t my first time at the rodeo.  If there’s a “miracle” conditioner, I’ve tried it.  So, to say I was skeptical is an understatement.

Any good girl with colored hair knows the rules, you must, must, must condition your hair.  Dyeing and frying can take a serious toll on your hair and you don’t want to walk around looking like a haystack.  Girls who have long hair need to be even more careful because if you think about it (and I’m sure you’ve spent countless hours doing so) your ends are old.  If your hair grows about half an inch a month and your hair is down to your boobs and that’s like, what? A foot?  That means your sad little ends are two years old!  You must baby your fine follicles.

Loreal Serie Expert Absolut Repair Conditioner, $50.99

Moral of the story? (And I know… it was a long story).  Whitney is my hero.  She cuts, she colors, she recommends great products.  My hair has really come around since using this conditioner.  From the moment I rinse it out, my hair feels like silk and I have way less frizz than I normally do.  It’s like my hair went to rehab.

xx,

WhyDid

P dot S- if you need Whitney and you’re in the LA area, here’s how to find her: 212-623-4383.  It’s worth the trip downtown.  Besides, it gives you a reason to stop by Cole’s for some delicious chocolate pie.

Beauty Buzz: Double Duty

By |June 5th, 2010|Beauty Buzz|

last-minute-travel-directions

It’s summertime and for most of us that means we will be shlepping to and fro the beach or other exotic locales. I tend to overpack so coming up with ways to consolidate (as well as save some dough) is pretty crucial. You know I love my Benetint and Nars Orgasm stick but here are a few more products that are doing double (or triple!) duty:

rosebud-officialSmith’s Rosebud Salve, $5.59

It can be used for a lipgloss as most people know, but it’s also great for dry cuticles, chapped skin, and blemishes. A dab is all you need to get dry skin under control.

719_lSuperbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil, $30

This little miracle worker can be used on the body for sexy smooth skin or hair for shiny lustrous locks. Slathering this dry oil on gives a gorgeous sheen to both skin and hair.

51dSoQoeNXL._SL500_AA300_Egyptian Magic Cream, $29.95

This cream does basically everything besides your dishes. Can be used on dry skin, dry hair (or deep conditioner), burns and bites. One tub, tons of uses.

Some other on the go tricks:

  • Use toothpaste as a spot treatment for a pesky belmish.
  • Lemon juice makes a great astringent after cleansing.
  • Olive oil also works great on dry skin and hair.
  • Honey is a great facial mask for oily skin. Warm honey and apply to face after washing.
  • Mix tomato juice and buttermilk and apply to sunburned skin for after sun relief.

Safe travels, my little lady loves.

xx,

WhyDid

Beauty Buzz: Hair Repair. 911!!

By |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