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Easter Bonanza: Only 2 more days left of the 25% storewide sale!

30 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by freshbeautyblog in Beauty Haul, Beauty Tips, Complexion, Fragrance, Fresh discover beauty online, Haircare, Lip Lust, Reviews, Sale Mania, Skincare

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beauty, beauty haul, products, sale

eastersale1

Howdy, there. I’m sure everyone is preparing for tomorrow’s Easter festivities  but in the meantime, have you checked out the Fresh sale? There’s a whopping 25% off storewide and it’s for 2 more days only, so take advantage of this exclusive offer and shop away, beauties! It’ll make your Easter celebration all the more sweeter.

Below are the items I scored from the sale (I saved a total of $116.75… woohoo!):

sale picks

1. Guerlain Rouge G Jewel Lipstick Compact in Gina, WAS $61, NOW $45.75 – The fastest way to look polished is pick an orange-y red lippie for maximum impact.

2. Kerastase Reflection Chroma Captive Shine Intensifying Masque (For Colour-Treated Hair), WAS $82,  NOW $61.50 – A miracle in a tub; this creamy formula restored my coloured ends to perfection thanks to a silkifying, truly luxe complex.

3. Jane Iredale Super Shape Me Eyebrow Kit, WAS $87, NOW $65.25 – Hello picture-perfect arches. Where have you been all my life?

4. Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Serum, WAS $82, NOW $61.50 – A boost of vitamin-infused, face-saving goodness that gives good glow.

5. Prada Candy Eau De Parfum Spray, WAS $155, NOW $116.25 – The most sweetly scented fragrance I’ve ever smelt. A burst of candy floss, caramel, vanilla and sugared almonds made modern by sophisticated musk tones.

 

The sale ends on Monday, so hop to it!

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line!kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over atwww.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.

Volume-Boosters: The Do’s and Don’ts for fine-haired mavens

14 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by freshbeautyblog in Beauty Tips, Hair Styling, Haircare, Hairstyles

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thick hair

Thin, flat locks got you down? You’re hardly alone. My hair is thinner than most manes when all I’ve ever really wanted is a head of full, bouncy, shampoo-ad strands that move like they’re attached to Megan Gale’s pretty noggin… preferably under a glossy, glistening waterfall. Not. Gonna’. Happen.

Luckily working in the beauty industry means I’ve picked up a tip or two about how to feign texture, bounce and thickness and even improve the quality of my locks over time.

So, without further ado, presenting my do’s and don’ts for all you fine-haired mavens out there. Thank me later.

DON’T… Colour the hair too often

Don’t try to tell this to your stylist (in case they whack you over the head), but colouring your strands too often can damage the root of the hair, causing it to break easily and dry out; a no-no for thin, limp manes. If you’re a certified hair chameleon and can’t resist a dye job (or 10), try to keep your tresses healthy as possible in between salon visits. Pureology Essential Repair Condition is great for distressed colour-treated hair as it helps rebuild the hair cuticle, reduces breakages and creates a protective layer around the hair strands that offsets harmful chemicals caused from dyes and whatnot. Plus it has a pleasant scent that’s to-die-for!

DO… Enlist the help of a hair mask

The quickest way to give the illusion of thick, lustrous locks is to apply a volumising mask to mid-lengths and ends once per week. Something like Wella Sp Volumize Mask for Fine Hair adds vitality, strength and volume to the hair without overloading it. Not only will a treatment like this help to plump up each individual strand, but it’ll create a nice healthy sheen that lasts.

blonde

DON’T… Tease your hair… this is not the 80’s!

Put down that teasing comb, now! Not only does teasing your hair increase the likelihood of tearing and damage, but it significantly thins out the tresses over time. You can crank up the volume (on your hair… not your ipod) in other ways such as with a volumizing mousse like Redken Aerate 08 All-Over Bodifying Cream. The body-boosting formula will not only provide texture and bounce to your locks, but it’ll help the hair appear fuller, suppler and more lustrous instantly. Apply to wet hair and then dry the hair upside down to allow gravity to lift the strands away from the scalp – no comb required!

DO… Apply a volumizing cream before bed

Take a shower at night (or wet your hair) and then apply a volumizing product like Rusk Radical Thickening and Texturizing Creme (which helps to thicken even the most baby-fine hair) to your mane before finally making a big braid. The next day your hair will look wavy and full.

DON’T… Overdo it with conditioner

Conditioner has a tendency to weigh down fine locks and leave them limp, so make sure you rinse every single inch out of your hair each time you wash it, preferably with cool water as it’s better at getting all the residue out. Also make sure you avoid conditioning your roots because this will weigh the mane down. Try Matrix Total Results Amplify Volume Conditioner for lustrous, healthy locks.

DO… Use a hair-repair treatment system

If your thinning hair is a serious issue that no amount of blow-drying, curling or primping will fix, a kit like Nioxin System 1 System Kit For Fine Hair will save the day! It’s designed to improve the appearance of fine hair, by delivering essential botanical, nutrients, antioxidants, protein and vitamins to the strands. Not only does it create and maintain a healthy scalp environment (which aids faster hair growth), but it plumps up the hair cuticles to Kardashian-fullness and achieves maximum results in a minimum amount of time. A true mane hybrid!

thick hair 2

DO… Use rollers and curling irons

Setting the locks with rollers or a large-barrel curling iron is a great way to make hair appear thicker. Once you add your waves or curls, lock in your handiwork by flipping your head over and spraying on a veil of Redken Body Full Volume Amplifier Thickening Lift Spray to hold everything in place and add some extra body. Just be sure to coat your strands in a heat protection serum beforehand (try using Paul Mitchell Heat Seal Thermal Protection and Style) to protect the hair cuticles from drying out.

DON’T… Brush your mane too quickly

Breakage happens when you rip through your hair by brushing it too quickly. Slow, steady brush motions will do the trick and especially with a brush that’s gentle on the strands like the Mason Pearson Nylon Hair Brush for Fine Hair. Also avoid ripping through wet tangles which creates split ends. Try gently running a wide-tooth plastic comb through wet hair instead and when blow-drying with a round brush, don’t pull too hard to avoid breaking and pulling out the hair.

straight

DO… Understand that even straight hair can look thicker

If you love leaving your hair straight but still want it to look full of life, apply some AlfaParf Style For You Tx’T Volumizing Gel to wet hair (for added oomph), dry it and then flat-iron just the ends leaving out the roots entirely. Texturise your roots without flattening them with a straightener by dusting through some Schwarzkopf Mattifying Powder which will lift the lengths and create the illusion of thickness.

DON’T… Be a stress-head

Excessive stress causes the release of cortisol and other hormones that contribute to hair thinning. Stress also pushes a large number of growing hairs into a resting phase which means it may never grow back at the natural rate, so ensure you get your stress levels under control! 

DO… Give yourself a head massage

When you massage your scalp with shampoos containing peppermint or eucalyptus oil (like Phillip B Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo), you’ll help increase circulation and blood flow to your follicles, therefore boosting growth at a faster rate.

olue

DON’T… Shampoo everyday

Shampoo strips away the natural elements that help to protect thin, fine hair so try restricting this to only a couple of times per week. When you do shampoo, consider a sulfate-free formula as they contain less harsh detergents,and therefore help preserve your hair’s natural oils. Reach for BlowPro Blow Up Daily Volumizing Shampoo (sulfate-free), which brings hair back to life by making it appear fuller and thicker.

DO… Eat more greens, drink lots of water, take vitamins, exercise and get enough sleep

It all helps. Seriously.

DON’T… Overuse heat tools

Sure straightening or curling the hair is all well and good, but overdoing it can cause more damage than it’s worth. Try to resist using the highest heating temperature on your mane as this can fry the hair cuticle and – you guessed it – cause the hair to break off and thin out over time. And always coat wet locks with a highly moisturising product like Shiseido Multi-Treatment Hair Lotion for protection prior to any kind of heat styling. Hot rollers are also a better, gentler option than curling irons, or you can simply go au naturale with a bit of texturizing mist through your ends for added bounce and luster.

ombre

DO… Get layers

If your hair is long and thin, the best way to add a dose of volume and versatility to it, is with a few choppy layers. That’s because layered cuts have more movement that serve to make it look as though you have a thicker head of hair. You can wear the shape smooth and straight or mussed up and textured with Joico Structure Shape Texture Creme. Got short strands? Get some extensions! Clip-in’s are my preferred cup of tea.

DON’T… Hide behind a wig

No need to disguise your thin strands when you’ve got a beauty hub of mane-saving formulas right at your fingertips! I’m talking about Fresh, in case you haven’t caught on…

PRO TIP: When the hair texture is naturally fine, the key is to always use lightweight products on the tendrils that aren’t so heavily chemically-laden and won’t weigh the mane down. When all else fails, resort to wearing the infallible topknot. It wins every time.

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au.
Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter @fresh_fragrances.

Now Trending: The Deep Side Part

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by freshbeautyblog in Beauty Tips, Beauty Trends, Beauty Tutorials, Hair Styling, Haircare, Hairstyles, Trends

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ff46e21f0126b3cf857379a53202d5f6

One thing’s for sure—a deep side-part adds instant sophistication to any hairstyle. Not only is it the most flattering ‘do for any face shape but it’s the runway and catwalk trend that’s taking the mane world by storm.  However for many, creating the perfect part can be quite tricky. I gave it a go last week and the results were kinda’ awks (combover, much?). So after hunting down some expert tips, I’ve compiled an easy peasy tutorial that will have you achieving this voluminous extreme part in no time at all. If I can do it – so can you!

4fe79d6058e9ddefc2c192317c297a301. One hair is washed, run a leave-in conditioner such as Paul Mitchell The Conditioner through your locks.

2. Apply a coin-sized amount of Biosilk Smoothing Balm to towel-dried hair from the roots to tips to tame frizz.  If your hair is fine, spray on a volumizing mist to the scalp like Matrix Total Results Amplify Volume Wonder Boost Root Lifer to add structure and body.

3. Using a fine toothed comb, create a dramatic side part all the way to the top of your head, parting the hair closer to your ear and using the high point of your eyebrow as a guide of where the part line should start. Comb straight down on either side.

4. Add some “oomph” to your locks by creating a few loose waves and volume throughout the rest of your tresses. Use this tutorial as a guide.

5. Complete your look with a spritz of lifting hairspray, particularly around the part, in order to ensure it stays put.

6. Add some shine serum for a glossy finishing touch. To evenly distribute the product, put a teensy amount of serum in your palm, then run your hairbrush bristles through it and run the brush through hair, steering clear of the roots to avoid greasy looking tresses.Kapish!

hair-tools

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat all things beauty? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au.
Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join us on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for plain old fun, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter @fresh_fragrances

Hair How-To: Reese Witherspoon’s vintage glam mane

26 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by freshbeautyblog in AW13 Trends, Awards Season, Beauty Trends, Beauty Tutorials, Get The Look, Hair Styling, Haircare, Hairstyles, Red Carpet

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ReeseI know we’ve already covered the cascading wave look in yesterday’s Victoria Secret-inspired hair post, but I simply had to mention Reese Witherspoon’s bouncy Old Hollywood sideswept curls from the Oscars. They. Are. Awesome. Incredible! Spectacular! Being the beauty buff that I am, I’ve compiled yet another how-to (my, my won’t your grooming skills be totally up to scratch by the end of this month!) that’ll give you her A-lister retro waves in a flash.

STEP ONE – SIDE PART

Add some BlowPro Blow Up Root Life Concentrate directly to your roots while hair is still wet to give your locks some lift. Next, create an extreme side part and blow dry the top of your hair with the nozzle facing the direction you want your part to lay. You can do this with a round brush for better control. Leave the rest of your hair damp.

STEP TWO – CURL EM’

Wrap your hair in large curlers and blow dry while the curlers are in. Start from the root and twirl the hair around the roller and roll the roller back up to your head. Pin with the pins provided or bobby pins. Spritz over Lanza Healing Style Spray Gel to set the curls and leave for several minutes. Then, remove the rollers and use curling tongs to add any additional bounce to your curls.

STEP THREE – BRUSHING TIME

Time to add your vintage glam touch! Using Frederic Fekkai Hair Brush, brush the curls out very lightly to blend the curled hair into one beautiful cascading style. To add extra volume, working from ear to ear, take sections of hair at ear-level and back comb slightly with a teasing comb a small amount of hair spray. Repeat this in a section about one inch after the first one.

STEP FOUR – FINITO

Lightly brush the top layer of hair to even everything and spray some hairspray all over. To finish, add Aveda Brilliant Emollient Finishing Gloss to your ends then swoop one side of the hair over the front of your shoulder, while tucking the other side behind your ear. Don’t forget to flash a smile!

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you want to suggest a story idea? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au.
Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join us on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances

AW13 TREND REPORT: The Sleek High Ponytail

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by freshbeautyblog in AW13 Trends, Beauty Tutorials, Haircare, Hairstyles, Trends

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sleek ponytail1

My, my what a month in the big bold beauty world it’s been, what with New York, Milan and London Fashion Week kicking off with a bang. I’ve been steadily stalking the runways, and let me tell you beauties, it’s going to be an exciting new season of skin, hair and makeup!

I sung praise over the berry lip only a few days ago, and today’s second instalment in the Autumn Winter trend forecasting series focuses on a mane-changing ‘do that’s equal parts flattering and wearable. I’m talking about the oh-so-chic sleek high ponytail, making its debut at Donna Karan, Michael Kors and Alexander Wang shows during NYFW. The Kors look was paired with a sultry winged cat’s eye and nude lip while models at the Karan show sported hair tightly pulled back from the scalp and wound up in black mesh elastic tape. Similarly, models rocked the sophisticated look at Jason Wu, this time with a corresponding emerald green eye (how very bang-on-trend!) while Alexander Wang models donned low cognac coloured tresses styled in – you guessed it – the signature ponytail.

To get the high pony look, follow these so-simple instructions:

1. Wash your hair with a smoothing and hydrating shampoo such as L’Oreal Professionnel Liss Ultime Smoothing Shampoo and follow with an equally smoothing and nourishing conditioner like Redken Smooth Down Conditioner. Blot the hair dry, but don’t rub to keep the cuticle smooth.

2. Next, spritz some Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Fast Fixx Style Prep through the locks, to ensure your hair is detangled and smooth for styling. Then work KMS California Hair Stay Styling Gel through the  hair to make the ponytail easier to sculpt and then blow dry section by section using a paddle brush. Flat iron the hair if necessary once it’s completely dry.

3. Create the pony tail using a Mason Person Bristle Brush or a flat headed brush.  So worth the investment, this iconic mane tool is designed with a unique convex rubber-cushion pad for absolute efficacious brushing. Centre the pony high on the back of your head, where it begins to slope away from the top, and brush all your hair in that direction until it is as smooth as possible. Finally, wrap your hair elastic around the base until it is taut and then pull the sides of the ponytail to tighten them a bit more. You can also be a bit experimental and wrap the base with a strip of your hair and clip it with a bobby pin for added finesse.

4. Use a comb to smooth out any lumps or bumps in the ponytail. Finish by lightly spraying a flexible hold spray gel to the entirety of your hair for a long-lasting hold.

Still need a little extra help? Take cue from this video tutorial. Hint: You may need a toothbrush to smooth things into place. Yikes!

Voila! You’re all set to woo the crowds in the seasons ahead.

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you want to suggest a story idea? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au 

Weird and wonderful products of the week!

05 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by freshbeautyblog in Beauty Over Bills?, Competitions, Fragrance, Fresh discover beauty online, Haircare, Hands, My Lips But Better, The Frugalista Perspective, Uncategorized

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Tags

beauty, Cream, Givenchy, Lancome, Weird, Wonderful

Unless you’re some sort of beauty professor, there are so many unique beauty products out there that you’ve likely never heard of. From face masks made out of a birds nests to placenta creams, we’ve narrowed it down to the 2 that actually work. Which one will you try?

Lancome Oscillation Power Foundation

This is the 1st micro-vibrating mineral foundation. You simple push the button and let the velvety cushion applicator glide across your skin for that perfect coverage. With 7,000 micro-vibrations per minute the product breaks down the mineral powder for you into micronized particles for that smooth refined look.

Image

Le Soin Noir Complete Beauty Renewal Skincare
World’s first black moisturiser. An intense and luxuriously black cream with exclusive formula boosting benefits. Scared you’ll end up looking dirty or been to the mechanics. Don’t be; it goes on black and melts into skin without leaving a single trace of its original colour. Specially engineered Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate is what gives the cream its inky hue.

Image

What are some weird yet wonderful products you’ve tried?? We’d like to know!

Hair, Hair, Everywhere

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by freshbeautyblog in Haircare

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

discount haircare, ginnifer goodwin hair, hair definition and control, hair mask, hair powder, hair style, hair stylist, hair treatment, hair wax, haircare, haircare budget, michelle williams hair, Modern Organic Products, organic conditioner, organic shampoo, Redken, Redken Electric Wax Medium Control, Schwarzkopf, Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Powder, short hair

Last post I made mention of the fact that I am a mother to young boy. That comes with highs: listening to that gorgeous giggle when I tickle him; and lows: him pulling my hair.

When pregnant (isn’t it always then, it must be the hormones), I imagined I would be one of those mothers with long flowing locks, baby in its Ergo Carrier, going to cafes and drinking lattes. The reality is not quite the same. When Cam was about 4 months, I had had enough of him tugging my locks and also never had the time or energy to do anything more than put my shoulder-length hair into a pony-tail. So, on a family trip to Fiji, I cut it off.

Let’s go back for a minute. Yes, I said in Fiji. I would never, ever, recommend getting your hair cut while on holidays in Fiji. I have never regretted a haircut more. When I asked for a long bob, just a couple of inches off, the lady understood I wanted Posh Beckham’s style (not true) and I ended up with something like Nick from the Backstreet Boys in the early days.

I now have a style more like Ginnifer Goodwin or Michelle Williams. Easy to manage and I love it. The trick if you are getting a new cut is to get your stylist to show you how to look after it before you leave. For short hair like mine, you need a good quality wax that has some movement, (such as Redken Electric Wax Medium Control). My stylist also recommended using a hair powder (such as Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Powder) BEFORE the wax to give more definition and control.

You will need to make sure the product is completely washed out before you use it again, otherwise your hair will feel like it a piece of grass. Ideally get an organic shampoo and conditioner; you will then be sure that you are not further coating your hair with something it probably doesn’t need. Modern Organic Products has a great range of yummy smelling products made from fruit and vegetables so you will feel healthy too.

Finally, look after your mane. Treat it once in a while to a treatment or mask instead of bleaching it. It will thank you when you are 75 and want a full head of glamourous Helen Mirren-style grey hair.

image of Ginnifer Goodwin courtesy of dailymakeover.com

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