Finally—Secrets to Curl Control!
Style
The hair regiment of curlistas used to go something like this: Wash, gel, scrunch, and hope for the best while waiting for it to dry. No longer. These easy steps will change your life:
Instead of the classic “scrunching” motion, which throws individual curls out of whack, Ouidad uses the “cup and squeeze” method: Cup the bottom of the curl in your palm, push it all the way up to your head, then squeeze when your fingers touch your scalp. Now each curl comes out boing-a-licious!
Use hair clips to make your curls tighter or looser than they are naturally. For tighter, wrap each damp curl around your little finger, then secure it at your scalp with a hair clip, like an old-fashioned pin curl. When hair is dry, release the clips. For looser wrap each curl around two or three fingers, then clip, dry, and release. For waves, wait until your curls are dry, then stretch and wrap hair into five small buns (a la Princess Leia) around your head. Secure with baby butterfly clips, heat with a diffuser, and release.
To counteract crunchy curls, rub a little paste or pomade (we like Jonathan Product Dirt Texturizing Paste, $26) between your palms and move your hands over your hair as if you’re pulling it back into a ponytail. Instant crunch relief!
WE’VE GOT MORE CURLY SECRETS. READ ON! PLUS TRY OUT NEW LOOKS WITH OUR VIRTUAL MAKEOVER TOOL.
Do have secrets to share? Or are you a curlista who straightens? We want to know your story!
Product
“Curly products” exist for a reason. According to Massey, “Curly hair is naturally dehydrated. So you want to leave a little scalp sebum behind — it’s the best conditioner out there.”
Try a non-stripping shampoo, like DevaCurl Low-Poo; the low-lather aspect (because it’s sulfate-free) is strange at first, but we promise it’ll clean your hair as well as any of its sudsy sisters.
Follow up with a rinse-out/leave-in conditioner. You want to leave a little conditioner in at the end of your shower for extra weight and frizz protection.tried: Try Kinky-Curly Knot Today, $12. Smells yummy and made my hair feel silky.
Rub a slightly slippery gel between your palms: “If your hands stick together, your hair will look like petrified ramen noodles,” says Massey. Start with a quarter-size dollop of slippery gel, then add more as needed to coat every curl. We like Curlisto Structura Lotion, $12.
Naturally curly hair: 65 percent of the women in this country have it, and about 90 percent of those women struggle with it. Curls are unpredictable, means that many women with beautiful curls would rather wrestle their hair into (straight) shape a with a brush and blow-dryer.
These women went all out. See their shocking hair makeovers.
It now longer has to be that way. We spoke with two Lords of the Ringlets—Ouidad of Ouidad Salon and Lorraine Massey of Devachan Salon, both in New York City—who set us straight on the curl issue. Here at last, the secretstaking control of your curls to .
Take a hair cue from Hollywood’s hottest starlets.
Plus-size supermodel Kate Dillon opens up to Vogue
Related: Gisele Bundchen talks about life with Tom Brady.
Dillon and Levin are now happily married and living in Spanish Harlem. They are both serious athletes who train for triathlons and ride their bikes to Nyack and back on weekends. They don’t hire personal trainers, and they don’t join gyms. When not working toward a specific event—this July’s half-marathon in Napa Valley, say—Dillon runs a minimum three days a week and takes class at YogaWorks. Says her agent John Ilani, “Kate is superfit. She’s not going to shave her shoulders off to fit into a sample. As long as one is healthy and beautiful, then that’s something to aspire to.”
And Dillon’s aspirations are vast and purposeful. She has cofounded a program called Komera to educate and mentor high school-age girls in Rwanda. She also tutors and mentors students near her home. It’s her mission to form a bridge between the lives of local teenagers in New York and those of the girls in Rwanda. Education, sustainability, and poverty are her three overarching areas of concern. “I enjoy being at the frontier of an issue,” she says, “being in that fuzzy area, and being willing to look for solutions.” Says her husband, “Kate has two speeds: on and off. She has this engine. Once she sets her sights on something, there’s only one speed.”
The Hottest Accessories for Spring
Kate Dillon laughs when she says this. After working for nearly two decades in the fashion industry, she knows better than most that when the clothes don’t fit you right, move on: It’s the clothes, not you. She describes her professional life thus far as Modeling 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. Modeling 1.0 began in 1992, when she was seventeen years old, a grunge beach babe from San Diego sought after by the likes of Richard Avedon and Peter Lindbergh for her beautiful face; pals with Kate Moss and the coolest stars of the post-supermodel, heroin-chic era; a size 4 or 6; and in the throes of a “nontrivial eating disorder. When I was skinny, I was really self-conscious. I felt so fat all the time.” She recalls being on a shoot with a skinnier model where both felt inadequate. “If I had your face or you had my body, we’d be perfect,” she recalls her colleague saying. And then Dillon remembers looking around and thinking, The photographer isn’t in shape, the fashion editor doesn’t eat and doesn’t look happy about it, and the fashion assistant has body issues. Soon after, in 1993, Dillon had an intestinal virus for ten days. “Someone in fashion said, ‘You look amazing.’ I lost any faith in the belief that being pretty or skinny was better than being anything else.” She stopping starving herself and headed home for a two-year break.
When Dillon returned—Modeling 2.0—it was to work in plus-size with “a mission. It was so clear, so important: You can be beautiful and a little bit bigger.” She was bigger then; she had gained 40 pounds and was closer to an actual plus size. The reasons were personal—”Part of me wanted to cover up and hide by being overweight”—and professional: Certain plus-size clients will book only models whose bodies directly resemble those of the customer. Dillon realized that she was rebelling through food (”I used to eat an entire bag of Tostitos. I didn’t know what full was”) in ways that were as destructive and untrue to the naturally healthy, athletic woman as what she had gotten up to in Modeling 1.0. She sought the advice of a nutritionist, started exercising, and dropped the weight superquick. “I moved to Houston and went to school,” she says. “My focus shifted off my body.” Kate Dillon was 28.
Enter Modeling 3.0: Dillon graduates with a poli-sci degree from the University of St. Thomas and is accepted to Harvard’s Kennedy School. Two years later she gets a master’s in international development, coauthoring a prizewinning thesis and receiving a Dean’s Award for teaching (Dillon teaches statistics because she “has a gene that is good at math”). She meets the man she will eventually marry on a flight from San Diego to Houston. He works in commercial real estate and is utterly beside himself that the Amazonian bombshell in the next seat is reading about the deregulation of the electricity sector in the Dominican Republic. He has just watched a documentary about deregulation called Power Trip. It seems fated. His name is Gabe Levin, and he later woos her by buying her an article from The Economist online. Dillon remembers thinking, All I want is some eco-terrorist, and I am going to end up with a corporate guy in New York? She adds, “I found a depth in this corporate guy that I hadn’t found in the creative types.”
Kate Dillon, the plus-size supermodel and Harvard-educated policy wonk, is brilliant with figures.
By Sally Singer. Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.
On a chilly December day, a giant of the modeling world goes shopping at some Lilliputian boutiques on New York’s Lower East Side. Kate Dillon—she stands five feet eleven, wears a size 10, and at age 36 has been the face (and body) of “plus size” modeling for more than a decade—is looking for clothes that fit her well in every sense. An environmental and education activist with a degree in international development from Harvard’s Kennedy School, she has an overtly principled approach to shopping. So at the eco-fashion and lifestyle shop Kaight, she considers sweaters and little tops made of bamboo (”grows like a weed; in my opinion a great material because of the low water usage. Some people don’t agree”) and hemp (”also grows like a weed, but you still have to process it”). She wanders in and out of vintage shops—for Dillon, recycled is best—looking for the right plaid flannel shirt; not one buttons over the chest with requisite slacker ease. At Maryam Nassir Zadeh (a gallery space that sells the labels of the minute alongside arrows and twigs), Dillon falls headfirst in love with a nonorganic Isabel Marant Empire silk peasant dress and heads straight to the changing cabana. “Can you witness this?” she says, emerging with her hands thrown up. “It’s the boobs that ruin it. My struggle.”
The Most Overly-Hyped Beauty Products
The Hype: This queen-of-the-infomercial says it will “give you an incredibly flawless, even application and picture-perfect skin. Its silky, soft texture looks like a powder, but it feels like a cream and buffs on beautifully, without settling into fine lines or drying out the skin.”
The Bottom Line: If you find yourself getting sucked in to the commercial, change the channel. See what’s not so awesome about his foundation.
See the rest of the overly-hyped products here.
Want an acne-fighter that actually fights acne? Separate the good, from the bad and the worthless here.
Or read more about the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara controversy here.
Keep up with the latest in beauty — follow us on Twitter, add us on YouTube or become a fan on Facebook.
The Hype: This venerable mascara has been around forever and is often cited as every makeup artists’ must-have tool.
The Bottom Line: Just because something’s been around for ever doesn’t mean it’s necessarily great. See how this product disappointed our readers here.
Philosophy Hope in a Jar, $38
The Hype: A purported cult fave that’s a “99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration.”
The Bottom Line: May offer “hope” for some – if they can stand the stink. See what’s up with the smell of this product.
Bare Escentuals i.d. bareMinerals Foundation SPF 15, $23.99
Overly-hyped anything always sets me up for disappointment — whether it’s a beauty product or a film (sorry Clooney, but all the best lines from “Up in the Air” were in the trailer). Expectation really is the mother of frustration. Plus, the allure of cute packaging creates a certain kind of hype, which can either be a sweet score or a total waste of money. And unfortunately I’m a sucker for it — hook, line and sinker — from choosing a bottle of vino to picking out a tube of lipstick (see a list of top-rated ones here).
Here are a few of the 6 most overly-hyped products. See whether you agree with the product’s hoopla or with the TotalBeauty.com readers’ comments that question the love-fest some people have with them.
ProActiv Solution 3-Piece System $44.95
The Hype: This infomercial darling was developed by Stanford-trained dermatologists and has recently added Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne to its stable of celebrity endorsees.
The Bottom Line: Whether or not the product works seems to depend on skin type. Maybe you’ll get red, itchy skin, maybe you won’t. Either way, you’ll still have to contend with another aspect that some reviewers found troubling: having to order it and wait for it to arrive. See what real women have to say about Jessica Simpson’s favorite acne-fighting products.
Paper Denim And Cloth Jeans Are Half The Price They Were A Decade Ago
A cropped skinny jean like this Paper Denim & Cloth Audrey Cigarette with Zip Jean ($100) looks adorable with heels or flats.
Now that you know how to wear grey skinny jeans now through the summer, try the look with these Paper Denim & Cloth Natalie Peg Leg Jeans ($100).
We like the dark wash on these Paper Denim & Cloth Bridgette Boot Cut Jeans ($100) - it’ll make your thighs look slimmer, and makes the jeans slightly dressier.
These Paper Denim & Cloth Sienna Straight Leg Jeans ($100) are a slimmer take on the boyfriend jean - great for running weekend errands, or any laid-back spring activity.
Paper Denim & Cloth debuted way back in 1999 as a premium denim brand, with jeans that cost up to $200. But now the brand is relaunching with denim jeans, skirts, and shorts all priced between $58 and $100.
The line is sold exclusively online at the National Jean Company, and is available now. Below, four of our favorite from the new line.
Check out our guides to the best white jeans and celebrity-style jeans for your other denim needs.
Your Most Important Beauty Tool For Spring/Summer: A Teaspoon
Related: 10 Miracle-Working Skincare Tricks
If you use less than that–as many of us do, especially when it comes to tinted moisturizers–you’ll only be getting a fraction of the SPF protection listed on the label (say, SPF 2 instead of 15). And as I’m sure you know by now, wearing adequate sun protection daily is the single most important thing you can do to keep your skin young and healthy. Not convinced? Look at my crazy before-and-after photos!
How much moisturizer would you estimate you apply each day? A teaspoon’s worth? Less? More? How many of you rely on a moisturizer as your primary SPF protection?
That’s right. Forget pricey procedures, gadgets and potions–a plain old teaspoon from your silverware drawer is one of the smartest beauty tools around. Got any ideas what I am getting at?
Did you answer:
A) For heating with a blowdryer and curling my lashes
B) For keeping in the fridge as an on-call de-puffer for tired, hungover eyes
The correct answer is: Neither! Okay, both of those are really good beauty uses for a teaspoon, but what I am hinting at is a different tip that I’ve heard from a couple different dermatologists lately: If your daily moisturizer contains SPF and serves as your only daily sunscreen, make sure you apply at least one teaspoon’s worth to your face.
User post: What kind of borrower are you?
When you borrow or someone else borrows, how do you leave the clothes? I’m not just talking “I’ll wear this tonight when we go out then give it back when we get back to your house.”
I’m talking, when you return it another day/week.
I’ll be borrowing this dress for a few weeks before I see her again. My plan is to wear it, wash it, and return it. If I get anything on it, I plan to treat it or dry clean it. I plan to take care of it how I take care of my own clothes! (Which will be a topic soon!)
When you borrow, what is your attitude?
A) I don’t care, its not mine
B) I better be extra careful, since it is not mine.
C) Wearing and returning is fine!
D) Wear, Wash , Return—it’s the only proper way!
E) I don’t borrow, that’s gross.
This past weekend was a girl’s weekend at my house. Three of my best friends and I had a big girls night out and borrowed each others clothes, shoes, makeup, and accessories. In all the clothes swapping, I came across a dress to borrow from CLK to wear on my upcoming vacation. This got me thinking.
4 New Zit Zappers
YOU SEE: A raised, white dot
REACH FOR: Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash, $32. The gentle acid dissolves the buildup of dead skin that’s blocking the pore.
YOU SEE: A dark, enlarged pore
REACH FOR: Avon Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, $25. Glycolic acid clears away oil, which has been oxidized by air. Less oil means a lighter, smaller-looking pore.
YOU SEE: A large, red swelling
REACH FOR: Clean and Clear Acne Eraser Kit, $30. A four-step regimen zaps bacteria and shrinks the cystic breakout; a lightening cream (shown here) reduces redness. Find out how to deal with post-zit scars
Like the Criss Angels of skin care, these acne attackers will make your breakouts vanish. Plus, read the surprising secret to perfect skin.
YOU SEE: A small, red bump
REACH FOR: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $7. Salicylic acid releases trapped oil, while an antibacterial ingredient clears the infection. Is chest acne your issue? Here’s the solution.
YOU SEE: A raised, white dot
REACH FOR: Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash, $32. The gentle acid dissolves the buildup of dead skin that’s blocking the pore.
Celebrity Spring Fashion Wars
Kristen Stewart vs. Melissa George
This J. Mendel dress fits both women like a glove. But Kristen— looking uncharacteristically feminine, we might add— does it better. She leaves it looking unfussy with her platform nude pumps and pulled-back hair. Melissa adds too many components, like a blazer, which covers the sweetheart neckline, and ankle-strap shoes that shorten the look of her legs.
Kristen Bell and Katharine McPhee
Kristen does this 3.1 Phillip Lim off-white lace mini the right way, with a simple pop of color in the form of bright red pumps. Katharine takes the monochromatic feel WAY too far. The dress, the tights, the platinum hair—it’s a very unflattering combo, especially with the stark black shoes.
Do you agree with our choices? Tell us what you think by emailing us or sending us a Facebook message. And be sure to vote in our poll below. We’ll be back soon from our Planet Hollywood studio in Times Square with a brand new episode.
Carmen Electra vs. Taylor Swift
When we caught up with Carmen at Fashion Week, she was wearing a strapless grey Rebecca Taylor floral dress. I immediately fell in love with the piece, but I didn’t particularly love the way she put the look together with heavy leather winter boots. Taylor, on the other hand, gave the dress the casual, bohemian feel it needs with a girly headband, a long silver necklace and nude platforms.
Lady Gaga vs. Kimberly Wyatt
I feel bad for anyone who competes with Gaga in the fashion area. But this is a rare occasion where a challenger prevails. The canary yellow Dolce & Gabbana dress did NOT need Geisha-style lipstick, a wide-brimmed hat, a parasol, or 6-inch platforms. Former PCD, Kimberly Wyatt, made the dress far more flattering with black patent peep-toe heels and a chic blunt bob.
It’s amazing how different the exact same dress can look depending on which star is wearing it. Check out our picks for who did four spring styles the right way.
Clothing prices are dropping, Americans spending less of their incomes on wardrobes
Dr. Mark J. Perry, professor of economics and finance at the University of Michigan, found that Americans spent almost $326 billion on their wardrobes in 2009. Sounds like a ton of money, but that only made up 2.98% of their disposable incomes. That’s the lowest amount in U.S. history! In comparison, the average American spent 9% of their income on clothing and shoes back in 1950.
So does this mean we are shopping less? By the looks of our overstuffed closets we’d have to say no. With a far greater selection of garments and footwear to choose from than in the past, constantly fluctuating trends, increased materialism, and the advent of online shopping, we’re definitely greater consumers than previous generations. But since 1992, the price of clothing has dropped 8.5% even taking inflation into account. Isn’t that incredible? It’s nice to know, especially during a recession, that we are in fact spending less of our hard earned money. [Carpe Diem]
Though the prices of certain designer items may seem higher and more ridiculous than ever, we have some surprising news for you: clothing is cheaper than ever before. In addition to that, Americans are spending far less of their disposable income on clothing and shoes than they have in the past.
10 Ways to Look Better Naked
Turn On the Lights
We know that trick: Clothes come off, lights go out. But according to L.A. interior designers Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield, there’s a more exciting alternative to getting frisky in the dark. “Amber light casts skin in a warm, rosy glow,” says Woodson, who suggests placing a red-hued bulb in bedside lamps and painting your ceiling a barely there shade of peach or pink to enhance the effect.
Light Bulbs Direct 60-watt amber flame ($2, left) and 25-watt transparent bulb ($1); lightbulbsdirect.com.
Photo by: Jeffrey Westbrook