Tag Archives: Beauty

LOOK Style Society

07 Wednesday May 2014

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Need your hair done? Gel manicure? Make-up application? Little Botox? Quick spray tan? (Is there anything quick about that?) I may have found the perfect spot for locals getting ready for a big night on the Strip. LOOK Style Society has got it all for you under one roof. Prices are reasonable, location is accessible, and most definitely a RockStarMom Recommends place to be.

LOOK Style Society Las Vegas product

The salon itself is well planned. You can thank local builders, Christopher Homes for the well thought out design and plenty of detail. LOOK Style Society is a revolutionary new concept in the world of beauty destinations. Located in Town Square Las Vegas, the ultra-chic environment features a fashion-forward array of beauty services and products. Here’s what you can expect to find at this all-inclusive destination:

  • Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar
  • A flagship essie Nail Lounge
  • The MedSpa by Dr. Orna Fisher, M.D.
  • Sunless Tanning by Chocolate Sun
  • Skin Spa
  • Makeup Lounge
  • A complete array of hair services from the city’s best stylists

Here’s what I loved about the LOOK Style Society:

  • The LOOK cafe with handcrafted coffees, high-end tea selections, SmartWater, and snacks set in a sweet coffee shop style area while you wait for your services
  • Exclusive top-rated beauty products available in The Beauty Boutique
  • Private VIP areas for bridal parties, birthday parties or just a fun Girls’ Day Out at the salon
  • Everything I need to primp all under one roof

LOOK Style Society Las Vegas umbrellas

While there, I had the chance to have my hair blown out by one of the stylists in the Sam Villa HairShow Blowout Bar. You don’t know Sam Villa? No worries. I was not familiar with him either until the stylist started to explain his affiliation with Redkin and the work they have created together for hair care products and styling tools.

All stylists are trained by Sam Villa, known as the “hairdressers’ hairdresser,” whose credentials include 30 years of teaching experience, winner of “Favorite Platform Artist/Educator” at the prestigious Stylist Choice Awards in 2007, 2011 and 2012, education artistic director for Redken 5th Avenue and chairman of his namesake digital education and styling tools company. All beauty professionals taught by Villa are known for speed, consistency and creative finishing services. 

One example is the Texturizer, which I asked to be used in my style. A styling tool that looks similar to a crimping iron, and is used under the top of the hair and near the roots to give lift and texture. Love it! I also loved how the stylist would share techniques with me on how to get a salon professional look at home. Drying each piece carefully with a rolling brush, then taking that same piece, hand rolling it, and pinning it to my head while she went on to the next. By the time she finished, my hair had cooled, and had great body with a lasting curl. 

Sam Villa HairShow Blow Out

Personally, I’ve never done a spray tan before, but I hear that if you are to do one, then the Sunless Tanning by Chocolate Sun is the way to go. All the products are natural and organic, which caught my attention right away. They are also said to not stain nor leave that funky after smell often associated with spray tans. I went straight from looking at spray tans to checking out the oola sunblock, both for me and my kids. LOOK Style Society carries both lines, and as far as organic sun care goes for your skin, this is the one I prefer for me and my children.

Do not forget to book your next main pedi at LOOK Style Society in the essie Nail Lounge. A flagship store that has every single color of essie ever known, as well as the wildly popular gelish options as well.

essie flagship nail lounge LOOK Style Society Las Vegas

Finally, who can resist a VIP area set up just for you and some girlfriends. I found this amenity to be one of the most valuable, especially for those upcoming brides who want a personal, yet luxurious experience of getting primped for the big day. Bachelorette parties, bridal and baby showers, even birthday celebrations are welcome in this space. The beauty is that Town Square is minutes away from the big hotels on the Strip. Why bother with the fuss of a busy hotel salon when you can have local convenience and pricing?

LOOK Style Society VIP

Speaking of pricing, book a service now through May 31st book a service using the code: KIMVIP and you will receive 40% off. 

 

 

 

Nexxus Color Assure System

05 Monday May 2014

Posted by in Fun

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Today’s post is sponsored by Nexxus Salon Hair Care. 

So, I am approaching 40, and my hair has been fighting me on this one since I turned 33. I am a natural brunette. No other way around it, except for those brief moments in college when I was seduced by the San Diego sunshine and decided to lighten up my locks a bit. Other than that, brown, brown, brown. Which is a bit challenging when you start to go gray.

For a few years, I was OK with spotting one or two whispy pieces. I’d cover it up with a quick swipe of my mascara wand until my next hair appointment. Truthfully, though, I had highlights and all kinds of hair colors going on, so they gray just blended into wash. Once I started having children though, it became harder and harder to get to the salon every 4-6 weeks. As I got older, it became harder to extend those weeks from 4 to 6 to 8. At one point I remember considered buying a bottle of dye to just do myself at home. I tried this once in college…was not a good look for me. Instead, I opted to have my hairdresser just get rid of the highlights all together, and bring me back to my natural color. Though less maintenance, I still found myself needing to be at the salon no more than 6 weeks after my last appointment, and that was pushing it. At least I just had to sit there for one color process, and could be in and out within an hour if needed, with wet hair.

Nexxus Color Assurance Family

Of course, single color processing gets boring after awhile, and I needed, wanted, something to bring my hair back to life. This time around, I went with the ombre look. I absolutely love this because I can still have depth to the color of my hair, and only have to do my roots each time. A fun new look, but same gray haired sob story. Some things just never change, I guess.

The Sway Team at Conde Nast reached out and asked if I would be interested in trying a new line by Nexxus- the Nexxus Color Assure System. I have not used Nexxus since I was in high school, but the new line looked intriguing and possibly one that would be beneficial. A beautifully wrapped box was sent to me, with these fantastic metallic pink bottles which made me excited and annoyed at the same time. I really don’t like high maintenance products. I don’t have time for 12,000 steps before I get to the finished results. I’m lucky if I can get into the shower alone, and remember to shave my legs, let alone put 8 different bottles of product on my hair and wait the allotted time in order for them to work. Admittedly, the bottles stared back at me for about a week, which was the same amount of time until my next color appointment.

Nexxus Color Assure Collage Before

I love that fresh look after the hair salon. With the Nexxus Color Assure System just begging me to use it, I thought, OK, let’s see if it will really do what it says and keep my grays hidden longer. Surprise surprise! There are 4 bottles, but seriously 4 super easy steps. As long as I remembered to do the first step, add the Color Assure Pre-wash Primer to my hair before getting into the shower, the rest was crazy easy.

Nexxus Pre Wash Primer First step

The important thing to remember about this primer is that a little truly does go a long way. Too much will leave your hair feeling and looking heavy with product. I know because it happened to me. But, was super simple. I left the bottle right nest to my face wash, which I also put on before getting into the shower, rubbed it through my hair, then jumped in. I washed my hair with the Color Assure Vibrancy Retention Shampoo & Conditioner.

nexxus shampoo and conditioner

The one thing I didn’t love about the shampoo and primer combo was that I found the shampoo to not suds up enough for my liking. I wasn’t sure if my hair was really getting clean, which caused me to use more of the shampoo than I normally would have. The conditioner was just like any other.

Once everything was rinsed out and towel dried, I sprayed the Color Assure Glossing Tonic in my hair, then combed through. Four easy steps.

nexxus tonic

Results: the color lasted. Really, it did. Even though I am still struggling to find a balance of the amount of product so my hair doesn’t feel heavy, I was pretty impressed. We spent a week at the beach and in the pool about 2 weeks after I got my hair colored and started using the Nexxus Color Assure System, and though not quite as shiny from the salon, the color was still rich, and I did not spot any grays after 3 weeks. They usually start making an appearance at that time. You will see in the pictures below that my hair still has great color from top to bottom. I love that!

Nexxus Color Assure Collage After

Which product does all the hard work around here? The Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer. All the products are needed, of course, to get the full benefit and great results. However, it’s the primer that is the activator.

Nexxus Color Assure Pre-Wash Primer

  • The Pre-Wash Primer is meant to repel water- one of the harshest agents for fading hair color.
  • Ingredients like white orchid extract help to provide moisture, while ingredients like almond oil work to reduce breakage, and coconut oil makes your hair extra soft.
  • Combined, the ingredients in this product work to give you color that lasts up to two times longer than if you didn’t use the Pre-Wash Primer.

Try it for yourself and see how the Nexxus Color Assure System works for you! Visit Nexxus.com or follow @NexxusHair on Twitter or Instagram to learn more.

Thank you Nexxus Salon Hair Care for sponsoring today’s post.

 

RockStar Red Lips for the Holidays

07 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Fun

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It is my signature color. I rock the red lips. I have for decades, starting in high school. It has taken some perfecting for sure finding the right shades, the perfect blends and the no-bleeds brands. Oh! And, also the most kissable red products. Going into my 40’s, I’ve believe I have finally discovered what works great for me, and helps me feel confident rocking the red lips.

Rocking Red Lipstick

By no means am I a make-up artist. I am no beauty blogger expert either. I cannot tell you which shades of red go perfect with your hair and skin tone. You have to figure that out on your own- took me years to lock in those colors. I will tell you this though…

1. This is NOT a sponsored post. Meaning, no one or no brand has asked me to use their product or paid me to tell you my story about rocking red lips. These are brands I have grown to know, learn about, and trust. I’m sharing this info with you because my friends ask me all the time how to wear red lipstick in a classy, yet bold, fashion.

2. Do not be afraid to combine all kinds of products and brands and colors to achieve the look and affect you are trying to gain. There is no need to be married to one line when it comes to make-up perfection or kissable lips. Try them all! That’s the most fun part about being a girl who loves to wear make-up and/or lipstick, we get to have fun with all these amazing products out there. So, give them a chance and remember you do not need to be loyal to just one brand. No consumer’s guilt!

Now, with the holidays coming up, many women like to sport the red lips. I do all year long, but more so during the holidays. Red is festive. Red is bold, sexy and daring. You can wear all black, and let your lips be the one color splash. I love red lips!

Here is how I get my RockStar Red Lips:

Exfoliate! Exfoliate! Exfoliate! Start with a light scrubbing of the lips, paying close attention around the line of your lips, and slightly above the line onto your skin. Look for a scrub that is gentle on your skin. I prefer my products to use as little chemicals as possible, and mostly all natural ingredients. My absolute favorite is the Lip Scrub by LUSH fresh handmade cosmetics. It is made from products like Castor Sugar, Glycerine, Milk Powder (Cocos nucifera), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), and Fizzy Candy (yes, that’s an actual ingredient listed on the jar). I love the LUSH products because they are made with mostly no synthetics, and the ones they have to use, are deemed safe. Because of their commitment to quality, the environment, and people, I proudly purchase LUSH cosmetics for not only me, but for my whole family. And, I love to buy the products as gifts! We prefer the Popcorn flavor Lip Scrub (again, even my kids use this stuff to fight chapped lips), but if you are looking for a more grown-up flavor, try the Mint Julips. I, personally, can’t wait to try the Santa’s Lip Scrub with a cola flavor and with crushed candy hearts. After scrubbing with the Lip Scrub, lick your lips to wipe off the scrub (tastes great!). I usually lightly wipe my lips with a clean, soft towel to make sure it’s all off. I exfoliate with the Lip Scrub every night before I go to bed, then complete my lip routine with my favorite moisturizing lip balm from Kiehl’s. (LUSH Lip Scrub $8.95, Kiehl’s Lip Balm $9)

Lush Lip Scrub for RockStar Red Lips

Moisturize those kissers. Exfoliation completed and going out for the night? Skip the lip balm, Instead, find a great product like Phytomer’s Youth Contour Reviving Wrinkle Correction Cream Eye and Lip Care. Take a smaller than pea-size amount and lightly dab all around the line of your lips until the product is absorbed. Honestly, I had not tried anything like this before until I was given a sample from the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event this summer. I am totally addicted to this product. Gracefully aging has its challenges, and let’s face it, approaching 40 is not an easy thing to accept at times. I am constantly scouring my visage for signs of new wrinkles, spots, lines that I hadn’t noticed before. Not a good habit to get into. Since I love red lips, I needed to find a product that would grow with me and allow me to keep my lip lines looking fabulous. This Phytomer product has been that for me. There are many options on the market, so I recommend finding one that works best for you. I have done my research, and have found that Phytomer is a line that I am confident with in its results, and the price made the most sense for my budget. Putting a product like this into your RockStar Red Lips regimen and using it consistently (like before bed) will help keep the lipstick from bleeding. Don’t forget to moisturize on the inside by making sure you are drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated from the inside helps to keep your lips hydrated on the outside. (Phytomer Youth Contour Revivng Wrinkle Correction Cream Eye and Lip Care $74.50)

phytomer lips and eye corrector

Apply a base for a good foundation. In my early red lip wearing years, I would cover my lips completely with my foundation or powder from my compact, then outline my lips with a lip pencil and color it in. This system worked, but it wasn’t great. By George, I have finally discovered my favorite base for a Rockin’ Red Lip…the Lip Marker by TopShop. It is a lip stain in a pen form, which allows you to apply the stain around your lips just like a lip liner would. Outline those babies in one of the shades of red offered, and let the stain dry. Before you do that, take your compact and lightly powder your lips, even over the lip line, then apply your TopShop Lip Marker. I love how the tip on the Lip Marker is precise enough for me to create an outline. Once dry, it helps to keep the lipstick in place. The beauty of this product though, is that it will stay on throughout the night. I’ve even eaten meals and sipped cocktails, and when I’ve gone to re-apply my lipstick, my lips are still a nice shade of red, and not clown-y looking. In fact, during the summer months when I want more of a sheen looking red, I apply the lip marker with a gloss or a hydrating lip balm for just a hint of color. I own like 6 markers, duplicates of each available color, and keep them in every purse. It’s one of my favorite products. (TopShop Lip Marker $15)

LipApplication.jpg

Rock the Red. I switch up my reds all the time, depending on what color suits my mood and look and the season my skin is in. Currently, I rock the red from Tom Ford Beauty. My pick for this season is Scarlet Rouge, but Tom Ford always has a great collection of reds with even more options during the holidays. Have the make-up artist help discover the right red for you. Once you got it, apply away! Many prefer the little brush application, but I just slather it right on from the tube. I don’t have time to mess around with the other primping. It took me this long just to get to this point! One little tip I will give- after applying the lipstick, for a final mess-free touch, don’t blot with a tissue. Instead, take your pointer finger, stick it in your mouth (no joke) wrap your lips around your finger and slide your finger out. Any excess lipstick will come off on your finger, and not stick to your teeth. So, you are almost guaranteed a perfect smile! (Tom Ford Beauty LipStick $49)

RockStar Red Lips for the Holidays

Kiehl s lip care
kiehls.com

Tom Ford lips makeup
bergdorfgoodman.com

Topshop lips makeup
$13 – johnlewis.com

Of course, if you want a more matte look, skip the gloss, but if you are looking to shine up your smile, add a touch in the middle of the top and bottom lips and slightly press together. Another fun, festive thing to do is add a bit of glitter to gloss, or press on a glittery powder on your lips, then blend it in.

Enjoy those holiday lips! And, take lots of kissy face photos!

A special thanks to my fabulous friends who let me use their images in this post…and tell me when my red lipstick is all over the place! Check out two of my favorite bloggers, who also happened to be two of those friends shown above- ChamorroChica and RedLotusMama.