The Beauty Bar Blog

Category: General

What to look for in 2013 Hairstyles

2012 saw plenty of women’s hairstyles on display and whether you opted for a short pixie cut or decided to use hair extensions for long layers there were no shortage of hair trends to try. Elle magazine voted the pixie as the most requested hairstyle of 2012 with long layers and the bob cut coming in a close second and third. Bangs made a bit of a comeback during the year with Zooey Deschanel and Demi Lovato sporting fresh bangs and color was again a big trend as many women tried to achieve the golden-blonde hue Jennifer Aniston is famous for. Now that 2013 has begun the watch is on the see what styles break out of the gate and set the trend.

Many hairstylists are predicting 2013 will be the year of wearable looks that don’t require a team of stylists following you to keep your hair in place. Twists and knots may be very popular this year due to its simplicity and easy maintenance. By blow drying your hair straight and creating a clean center part you can then secure your hair in a firm ponytail and wrap the tail into any number of knotted looks that are chic and smart.

Last spring the ‘wet hair’ style achieved sudden popularity and the slick look is coming back. Unlike the drenched looks of 2012, the 2013 versions of wet hair are less sleek and feature dry parts that create graphic center and side parts. Waves and twists are great options for styling wet hair and expect to see a number of takes on this recurring trend.

Another trend you can spot early on this year is a natural look that features tousled hair left loose and flowing. Some women will spend a small fortune for a style that doesn’t really look like a style at all. However, the casual look actually does require professional styling that includes volumizing foam and aerosol hair powder.

For more tips on emerging hairstyles for 2013 make an appointment at The Beauty Bar

New Year’s Eve Makeup Tips

If your New Year’s Eve plan involves staying out late to party you’ll need to heed some makeup tips to prevent smudging, smearing and streaking. Though it’s cold outside most of the places you’ll be that night will probably be crowded meaning a lot of humidity and these are not ideal conditions for mascara, blush and lipstick. We’ve come up with a few makeup tips to give you long lasting protection when you’re dancing the night away.

First off, try using airbrush makeup rather than traditional makeup. Airbrush makeup provides full and even coverage, uses a 1/3 less product that traditional makeup and produces a natural look that will last. Longevity is the key with makeup on a night like New Year’s Eve and with airbrush makeup you can party with confidence knowing your makeup is on to stay.

With traditional makeup you’re susceptible to the heat and humidity of a crowded bar or lounge making your makeup run and streak. Since you may be hopping around a few parties you’ll want makeup that doesn’t need re-touching and with airbrush makeup you get a flawless finish that holds up.

Be careful with bronzers. Winter is well known for pale skin and if you use a bronzer from the store you may end up with an orange glow that is unnatural and looks awful in photos. Don’t spend New Year’s Eve hiding from cameras try spray tanning a week before the big night and see if that won’t produce a natural looking shade that won’t be over-the-top.

Wedding Preparation: Eyebrows

At the Beauty Bar we want you to look your absolute best when the day of your wedding arrives so we offer some helpful tips for bridal hair and makeup that will make a big difference. This week we focus on the eyebrows and provide some tips for eyebrow shaping that will create luxuriously groomed arches any bride will die for. Some women have naturally full eyebrows that can be easily shaped by a trained makeup artist but there are many women who lack thickness and for them we offer some tips on shaping that will add depth and fill in any gaps.

When shaping eyebrows it is important to take a long, realistic look at your face. Longing for something that isn’t there won’t help you any so it’s best to accept the face you have and then work on shaping your brows to fit your particular angles and curves. Aligning the front of your brow with the upper bridge of your nose is the first step. Before plucking your eyebrows fill each in with a slanted pencil and use a spoolie brush to get lift and volume. Now that you have full eyebrows to work with you can remove unwanted follicles with a tweezers. Step back from the mirror periodically to get a big picture look at your shaping.

When using a pencil to fill in brows try to avoid sticks that are too waxy since this can lead to dark and heavy brows that may stick and clump. Also be careful about trimming since the more you trim the harsher new brows will grow in and if you notice any hairs that are obviously longer than any others snip those carefully. Aim to have the tops of the brow arches to be at the same point and always comb brows at an upward angle, in the direction of the brow. For outstanding eyebrow shaping prior to your Connecticut wedding, contact the expert stylists at the Beauty Bar in Southington, CT.

Make your Winter Skin Shine

Before Thanksgiving we posted tips for keeping your hair healthy and full during the cold and dry months of winter and this week we offer up some helpful advice for treating your skin when the weather turns harsh. The biggest problem winter presents for skin is dryness. The cold winter air and the artificial heat generated inside homes and buildings combine to sap the moisture from your skin and this can lead to itchy and flaky skin on your hands, face and other parts of your body. Knowing how to properly moisturize your skin and how to avoid excessive dryness will go a long way to keeping your skin healthy all winter long.

As with hair, you want to avoid long hot showers in the winter. Though it is tempting to unwind in the tempting steam of a hot shower when the air is frigid, too much time in the bath or shower will dry out your skin and make it harder to keep your hands and face well moisturized. Try using water that is a mild temperature and avoid spending more than 5-10 minutes at a time in a warm bath or shower. When you are finished bathing or showering, pat your skin dry with a soft towel since rubbing hard with a towel will only irritate the skin and possibly cause rashes.

In winter the two areas you will be most concerned with are your face and hands. Every other part of your body is covered pretty well in the winter but your face and hands are most likely to go unguarded and it’s important to care for these areas to avoid dry skin that not only looks bad but can also be irritating and uncomfortable. A few tips for keeping your face moisturized is to use a mild cleanser before going to bed and avoid using harsh soaps that are known for drying out skin. Most dermatologists will recommend moisturizing your face twice a day and look for moisturizers that are oil based that will last longer.

For your hands it is advised that you wear gloves outside, even if the temperature is mild. Winter air will dry skin quickly and if your hands are unprotected you could be looking at skin that will have painful cracks and rashes. When you’re inside and have your gloves off regularly apply moisturizing lotions to your hands to keep the skin soft and smooth. Look for fast drying lotions that will allow you to use your hands at home or at work while still getting the moisture needed to prevent dry skin.

Keeping Hair Healthy in Winter

Winter can be a rough time in New England and in addition to causing problems for skin it can also damage hair. The cold air and reduced sunlight tend to dry out hair fast and leave hairstyles looking limp and splitting on the ends. Keeping hair hydrated in winter is also a challenge and unless you plan on wearing a hat for the next five months heed some helpful tips for maintaining the health of your hair during the winter months.

One way to keep your hair from splitting at the ends is to avoid going outside in below freezing temperatures with wet hair. Wet or damp hair will freeze fast when the temperature is in the 30’s and frozen strands are more likely to split at the ends. If you are in a rush and have to run out into the cold winter air remember to add a drop of serum, particularly one fortified with argan oil, that will help prevent split ends and also reduce a frizzing effect if you wear a hat or hood.

You can also use argan in a hair conditioner and this oil is known to keep hair glossy and full even in the darkest winter hours. Argan contains antioxidants, Vitamin E and fatty acids that all help to prevent hair from drying, looking limp and splitting. Some products you should consider using include Ionix Diamond Drops Hair Serum, Hask Aragan Oil Vials Shine Treatment and L’Oreal Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz Serum.

Another tip for keeping your hair healthy in the winter is to avoid taking long hot showers that will strip the natural oils from your hair and reduce the shine. A healthy diet that includes foods rich in protein such as beans, nuts and poultry will also help to keep hair strong and radiant even in the coldest winter months. For more tips on how to care for your hair in winter contact the beauty experts the Beauty Bar in Southington, CT.

Airbrush Makeup is great for girls to use when getting Senior Portraits done. No more retouching makeup in-between outfit changes!