Want A Lift? Bumble & Bumble's Texture Adds Volume

I have always loved the way models have their hair styled in surf an swimwear magazines with their loose locks, partial waves, and semi matte look that win all the boys hearts.

I went to see Christina and she asked me if she could make a messy matte look on my hair and of course I said YES! I was headed to an event that night and was looking to switch up my style a bit. Other than getting rained on, it was perfect!

I found that I was having trouble getting volume around the crown of my head. She added some short layers and introduced me to Bumble & Bumble's Texture product. She said it creates a matte look with a playful tossed touch. Fabulous! I want it.  

She used a combination of products but the star was Bumble & Bumble's Texture. She gave me a sample to take home and try on my own and I have been hooked ever since. I use it for extra volume and semi-matte fun. It's even cute for a trip to the beach. I used it in the Zansus Photo Shoot as well (see below) and had serious lift that lasted the entire shoot. I love this stuff.

Cyn's Style Tips:  ***You will want to apply the texture to damp hair or towel dried hair.

• For a semi-matte look with volume around the crown: Apply a small amount to the palm of your hands, rub then smooth through hair at the root. Blow dry hair in layers from the base of the head to the crown with a bristle roller brush.
• For a matte, undone look: Apply about a quarter sized dollop of product to your palm and rub through the middle and to the ends. Apply any remaining product to the roots. Use a diffuser on your blow dryer and gently wrap hair around fingers as you dry to create light waves with texture. Lift hair near root to create volume as drying. 

Want More Fun? Go to Bumble & Bumble's website and enter your take on texture for a chance to win Bumble & Bumble products.  Sign in with your facebook account to upload photos and have some fun! 

Related Articles: 

Christina's Winter Hair Tip:Bumble & Bumble's Quenching Hair Masque

Color Your Hair Perfectly: Tips to Compliment Your Skin Tone and Add Depth

I Whip My Hair Back and Forth: Kerastase Hair Treatments for Immediate Visible Results

I Love Curls, Curls, Curls, Curls...Curl's I do Adore!

Are You Jellish? The Life Cycle of Gel Nail Polish

I love a beautiful manicure but they never lasted past the first two days without chipping. My polish job at home never stood up to the job at the salon and the maintenance was brutal. I have my hands in water all of the time at work and in my dated little apartment, I AM the dishwasher. I found that I would make the time nor take the time to keep my nails polished. I have never been one for fake nails so when I heard about gel nail polish, I almost did back flips out of my chair.

I had a client come in with beautifully polished nails and I made a comment about how pretty they looked and that she must have just had them done across the street. To my surprise, she replied "No, these are from last week."

 Last week?

What?! How could that be? They were perfectly manicured and as shiny as the first day of a fresh manicure. really? Are you sure? Yes, she was sure. It is gel nail polish that is applied in layers using a UV light to dry in between coats. It lasts 7-10 business days and is removed by soaking it with acetone. You may have seen advertisements for various brands of gel nail polish at your local salon as there are quite a few brands on the market now. The cost is a bit higher than a regular manicure and it takes longer to remove. 

Knowing me, I wanted to do a little more research before hand to find out more about it. Finally, I made the commitment last week and was completely surprised at the results. Most of you know that we cook big meals on Sunday and often times there are a lot of dishes that go with that. Last Sunday, I did five loads of dishes throughout the day and my nails remained flawless. I banged them on a keyboard all week, knocked into things, I even accidentally microplaned my nail while grading cheese and still, they remained shiny and new looking. I was astonished.

I took some pictures to show you the life of the gel polish manicure and in my opinion, I think that it looks best for about seven days. It begins to look a bit duller and starts to grow out at that point. I have had mine on for eleven days and am ready to have it removed.

After seeking the perfect manicure for the past 15 years, I have finally found a product that I really like. I am not sure that I will try the Jellish by Glamour Queen brand again as I can't confirm if it is a trusted non-toxic company; I will however, seek out OPI's Axxium gel polish to try that next. This works with my lifestyle instead of against it. What a relief! The photos below are not as perfect as I would like. I took them one handed with my iPhone and had a hard time focusing the camera with my one finger!

Day three after hand washing five loads of dishes in very hot water. No chips and still shiny!

Day 5: Still glossy small chip on the very tip of my middle nail where I microplaned my nail on accident. Hardly noticeable and completely my fault. You can see that the edges are still in tact and gloss is still high.

Day 10: Grown out, slightly dull, edges are beginning to become inconsistent and uneven looking. You can see it better in this next picture. Not bad for DAY 10!

Related Links
My New Obsession: Chic Prints by OPI for Sephora
Toxic Nail Polish: Be Aware!
Most Wanted Nail Polish List: What's Your Favorite City?
First Impressions: Dress For Success When Interviewing

Happy Memorial Day Weekend From Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips

We have collectively decided to take the weekend off. We wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend and will return on Tuesday!

See you soon,
Cyn and Kimberlee

Barneys New York Spectacular Spectator Tote: Fashion Friday with Cyn

For those of you who know me well, you know that Barney's holds a very special place in my heart. When I was in college, I had a vision for something greater. I knew that the world was far bigger and grander than where I stood and I wanted a piece of the action. I had this inner desire to find my avenue into the fashion world even if it took some risk. I remember this day vividly because it was that moment when I realized it was possible. I was in a local mall browsing through a book store where I happened to come across Confessions Of A Window Dresser By Simon Doonan. 

Simon Doonan is the man who made Barney's windows famous. He started out as a nobody who became somebody by following his inner vision ultimately becoming an American icon. He often chose graphic, controversial content to adorn his window displays to draw attention and start a buzz. The buzz led to fame and there I was standing in the middle of the bookstore with his book in my hand and faith in my heart that one day, I too would start a buzz that led to something grand.

Two days later, I received the book as a gift from a very close friend who wrote "Here's to unlocking your dreams!" To this day, I continue to unlock my dreams one at a time. Today's pick is a wish list accessory yet to be had but worth sharing as some day, I will receive this dream too. I encourage you to go to the website for the full effect of this gorgeous bag. The photo above does not do it justice. Happy Fashion Friday everyone!

Sugar Kisses,
Cyn

Celebrate With Us June 25th: "Who We Love Event" 2011 and Summer Runway Show

 Madison, WI – Sugar Lips Lifestyle Tips in conjunction with Hesperidian Productions presents a Beauty and Fashion Expo and Summer Runway Show taking place at Tempo Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio on Saturday, June 25^th from 4-10pm. Tickets for this event are $15.00 in advance, or $25.00 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased here through Zahava Designs. Tickets are non-refundable. Fashionable attire required. Children under the age of 16 will not be admitted.

• Socialize and Network with independent designers, stylists, models, retailers and more. 
• Ballroom Dance Performance and Beginner Instruction sponsored by Tempo Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio 
• Complimentary Beauty Bar sponsored by Aniu 
• Fashionable Trunk Shows and Exclusive Shopping Opportunities

$5 of each ticket and all additional sales for entry to the summer makeover prize drawing will be donated to Gio’s Garden.

Entry to Prize Drawing for Head to Toe Summer Makeover Giveaways sponsored by:
Avant Garde Salon
Hello Gorgeous Salon
Zahava Designs
Sugar Sugar Shoes
Effie’s Heart
Heliotrope 
Zansus Purses  
Dustin Maher Fitness
Tempo Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio