The Beauty Bar Blog: CT Hair Styling, Bridal Makeup & So.Cap Fusion Extensions, CT Hair & Beauty Salon

Common Hair Care Myths

You have undoubtedly heard a lot of hair care advice over the years, but some of it may actually do more harm than good. Here are some of the most common myths when it comes to hair.

Myth: Over time, your hair care products will stop working.

The Truth: The environment and seasonal weather changes can make products less effective. Some products also contain large amounts of silicones and other ingredients that build up on the hair and cause it to become limp and lifeless. You can remove buildup by using a clarifying shampoo once a week.

Myth: You need to apply conditioner from the roots of your hair to the tips.

The Truth: You should focus on your scalp when shampooing your hair because that is where oil and product residue build up. Focus conditioner on the ends of your hair.

Myth: Going to bed with wet hair can cause damage.

The Truth: Sleeping with wet hair won’t cause damage by itself, but sleeping with wet hair in a tight ponytail or bun can. You can strengthen your hair by wringing out excess water, applying a leave-in conditioner, and loosely braiding your hair.

Myth: If you pluck a gray hair, a bunch more will grow in its place.

The Truth: Plucking a gray hair won’t make more grow, but it can damage the hair follicle and prevent any hair from growing back. If you pluck a lot of gray hairs, you could wind up with a bald spot.

Myth: Trimming your hair often will make it grow faster.

The Truth: Hair grows about a half inch per month. Trimming your hair won’t speed up growth, but it will help you prevent damage and splitting. If you want your hair to grow faster, eat more foods high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

How to Choose the Right Lip Color

Whether you are going to work or out to dinner for Valentine’s Day, the right lip color can enhance the beauty of your wardrobe and make you shine. However, the number of choices can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you choose the right lip product and color.

The simplest rule when choosing a lipstick color is to try one that is one or two shades darker than your natural lip color. If you are able to try on lipstick in a store, apply it to one lip and compare it to your other lip in a mirror. If you can’t try it on in the store, go by the color on the package. It can also be helpful to look at the lipstick in the natural light that comes through a window.

You should also consider your skin tone when choosing a lipstick color. If you have fair skin, try a nude color with a slightly apricot shade, pink, or a light coral. Avoid brown. For a medium skin tone, you can try a darker shade, such as rose, mauve, berry, or a deep burgundy. Avoid bright red. If you have dark skin, try deep plum, chocolate, or red.

Red lipstick is timeless. The secret is to choose the color with the right undertone for your skin color. If you have pink skin, wear a cherry red lipstick. For olive skin, try fire-engine red. If you have dark skin, a deep red is a good choice. Don’t try to match your lipstick to your outfit.

If you don’t want to go all out with red lipstick, you can create a red lip stain. Put on lip balm and then apply red lipstick with your fingers.

If you have thin lips, use a light or medium lipstick shade. Avoid dark colors because they will accentuate the thinness of your lips. A creamy lipstick or tinted gloss can make your lips appear more plump.

If you buy a lipstick and don’t like the way it looks on you, don’t throw it away. You can create a different shade by combining more than one color. If the lipstick is too bright, apply a darker liner first.

When applying a strong color, use a lip brush. Be careful not to paint the outside edges of your mouth.

To make your lip color last longer, apply lip liner to act as a color base before your lipstick. When the lipstick wears off, you will still have color from the liner.

Contouring and Highlighting Tips

Contouring and highlighting is a technique that uses shading to enhance and define facial features. Applying makeup in the right way can help you enhance your cheekbones and make your face appear slimmer. Here are some tips on how to get a contoured look at home.

The first step is to choose the right products. You will need a matte shading cream or powder and a highlighter. Creams can be patted with your fingers and create a smooth appearance, while powders can create a softer contour. It is important not to mix product types. Use either all creams or all powders. Using different types of products can give you a caked-on appearance.

When choosing products, consider your skin tone. You don’t want to choose a product that is too different from your natural skin color. If you have fair skin, use a cream or powder one shade darker. Try a formula with a graying cast. Avoid anything too red or orange. A pearly highlighter works well with fair skin, while a warmer golden highlighter looks better with a medium or dark complexion. Avoid anything sparkly.

If you are using creams, smooth them with your fingers. The heat will melt the makeup and make it blend seamlessly. If you are using a powder, blend it with a brush that has soft, natural bristles.

To highlight your cheekbones, suck in your cheeks to find the hollows and then shade along and just beneath the hollows, working from the top inward and stopping an inch from the corners of your mouth. Use your fingers or a sponge to blend. To make your nose look slimmer, blend cream or powder from your brows along the sides of the bridge of your nose with a small shadow brush.

Use highlighter sparingly. Lightly coat three fingers and then dab them on the same fingers on your other hand. Tap your fingers on your cheekbones, brow bone, the center of your chin, and the tip of your nose.

Take the shape of your face into account when contouring. If you have a round face, you can make it appear smaller by contouring under your cheekbones. If you have a narrow face, you can soften your features and make it appear more rounded by shading along the top of your forehead and on your chin.

The most important step is blending. Use a sponge to blend cream or a fluffy brush with natural fibers to blend powder. Hold your brush lightly near the end of the handle.

Finish the look with blush. If you have fair skin, use a creamy soft peach or pink. For a darker complexion, use a soft plum color. Blend a cream on the apples of your cheeks to create a natural, finished look.

Foods to Eat for Healthier Skin

The skin is the largest and fastest-growing organ in the human body. It can become damaged by daily exposure to pollution and the sun’s UV rays. The foods you eat can have a direct effect on the health of your skin, and the condition of your skin is also an indicator of your overall health. Here are some of the best foods to eat to have healthy, vibrant skin.

Cocoa hydrates the skin, makes it firmer, and gives it a healthy glow. To get the best results, eat chocolate that contains at least 70 percent cacao. Eating a couple of pieces of chocolate every day can give you better looking skin.

About 75 percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated fatty acids. Studies have shown that these fatty acids can improve skin’s health and make it appear younger. Olive oil also contains antioxidant polyphenols that eliminate free radicals that can damage skin.

The antioxidant lycopene that is found in tomatoes increases the skin’s natural SPF, which can help prevent sunburn. Levels of lycopene are higher in cooked, processed tomatoes.

Walnuts contain copper, which can increase the production of collagen. Eating just a few walnuts every day can improve the texture of your skin.

Since oatmeal is digested slowly, it keeps blood sugar stable. It can also help heal skin. Steel-cut oatmeal has more vitamins than other forms of oatmeal because it is less processed.

Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums all have high levels of antioxidants that can protect skin from free radicals in the environment and damage from the sun.

Kale contains lutein and zeaxanthin that block free radicals such as UV light and vitamins A and C, which can improve the firmness of skin.

Rosemary has antioxidants that eliminate free radicals. Consuming rosemary has been shown to reduce the risk of developing melanoma.

Soy contains isoflavone that prevents collagen from breaking down and can stop skin from sagging. It can prevent fine lines and wrinkles and increase skin’s elasticity.

Oysters contain zinc, which is important for healthy growth and function of the skin. Some studies have linked low zinc levels with acne.

How to Make Your Curly Hair More Manageable

Many women with curly hair are frustrated because their locks tend to become dry, frizzy, and unmanageable. Some decide to straighten their hair, either every day or for longer periods of time with chemical treatments. This styling can dry out and damage hair. Here are some tips on how to make your hair more manageable so you can enjoy your natural curls.

Shampooing too often can rob your hair of natural oils, making it dry and brittle. Try washing your hair less frequently to allow it to keep more of its natural moisture. Wash it in a downward motion with a gentle shampoo.

Don’t brush your hair when it is dry because that can make it frizzy. Brush your hair in the shower as you work conditioner through it. You should notice that your hair will become less frizzy.

Keeping curls moisturized is key. Use a deep conditioner at least twice a month. If you have tight curls, use a deep conditioner once a week. You can also use a leave-in conditioner.

Finding the right products that work with curly hair can be a challenge. Since everyone’s curls are different, a product that works for one person might not work for another. Look for products that are specifically designed to nourish curly hair. Apply products to your hair when it is wet so that they can be absorbed when you dry your hair.

Replace your terry cloth towel with a micro-fiber one. It will be gentler on your hair and dry it faster without making it frizzy.

Don’t overstyle your hair. Frequent treatments that involve heat or chemicals can damage hair. If you stop using heat to style your hair for a week, you will find that it will be more nourished, healthier, and easier to manage.

Playing with your curls can make your hair frizzy. After you have styled your hair, leave it alone. If the ends are dry, you can add water or aloe juice.