Facial Scrubs for Body Scrubs

On March 28, 2016 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, lifestyle, skin careLeave a comment

While I was at the New York International Beauty Show (#IBSNY2016 if you want to search the Instagram tags), I made several interesting purchases, along with things from my Sephora haul last month.

I’ve already got combination skin so I know that heavily moisturizing facial scrubs tend to trigger acne for me. Since I still wanted to try stuff out I decided I’d use them as body scrubs instead. This is actually one of my favorite uses when I buy or receive products that aren’t quite a perfect fit for me.

First up was Rebels Refinery Advanced Clear Skin Facial Scrub which was absolutely awesome and comes from a very cool company with the most amazing smelling Moisturizing Beard Oil that I’ve ever smelled. This scrub had a really nice gritty texture and made me feel super clean, but it’s definitely designed for men’s skin and to pair with a lighter moisturizer than what I use (and probably not use make-up with either). I did notice that my skin was super smooth, and when used as a body scrub all over I had no ingrown hair issues, razor burn, or even a need to use body lotion. For someone with dryer skin, or as a body scrub I rate this as one of the best I’ve used, but for my face it’s a waste.

Second I tried my luck with Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub which had similar issues. Absolutely wonderful as a combination body scrub body wash but not really working for my face. Great texture, and decent lather when mixed with water, nice smell.

Hopefully the next set of things I get my hands on prove to be a better fit for my skin type as we approach warmer weather again. Get stoked!

Got any recommendations you think I should check out? Leave them in the comments section and I’ll be sure to take a look.

Not Always a Win

On March 16, 2016 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, lifestyle, skin careLeave a comment

Not everything I buy to try is a product I’m destined to love forever.

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Recently, in my Sephora haul, I purchased Glam Glow Super Mud to try. My good friend and former assistant, Vanessa who works at the Springfield Town Center Sephora location, assured me I would love it. While I acknowledge it is a beauty junkie favorite, and it did great things for my skin, I just can’t get past the scent.

It contains several herbal extracts, like licorice, which give it a distinct smell that ends up being extremely reminiscent of Jagermeister. I just can’t handle it.

This is a bit of a loss because my skin does feel incredibly refreshed and clean. The goal of using it tonight was to make up for three days of chain-smoking in my car traveling to teach hair extension classes out of town. It worked amazingly so I’m disappointed a bit, but I’m planning on gifting it to a current staff member who really enjoys Jager.

Current Obsession: Hippie Hair

On April 24, 2013 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, hair, lifestyleLeave a comment

Big, beautiful, beachy hair is what I’m into right now.

I’m loving this mid-tone look, it’s got a slight ombre feel to it, and the head band really accentuates the texture.

To get a look like this I recommend braiding your hair overnight if your hair isn’t already textured. Once it’s fully dried you can finger comb through it to rough it up. To get a really messy feeling you can even run a spray wax or salt spray through it as well.

If your hair isn’t long enough for this then hair extensions may be a great option for you. If you’re considering wearing a look like this only occasionally then clip-in hair extensions would be a wonderful option. If you’re like me though, and want to do as little work as possible each morning, then something more long term might work better. Fusion hair extensions or tape-in hair extensions have more staying power and allow you to sleep with your long hair in. This means waking up ready to go.

If you’re going to be rocking a hairstyle like this then i suggest leaving your make-up more minimal. Big hair shouldn’t be competing with bright lipstick, or overly dramatic eyes. Balance is the key to looking like a fashion plate and not like an overzealous clown.

Taking Care of Your Hair Extensions

On February 11, 2013February 11, 2018 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, hairLeave a comment

Cleansing/Conditioning

Brush your hair with a detangling brush. Use the shampoo recommended by your stylist. Gently, from the scalp to the ends, massage the shampoo in a downward motion and repeat if necessary. Only use sulfate free conditioner and apply from mid length to ends.

Styling/Drying

Always dry your hair using a low to moderate heat setting on your hair dryer. Style as desired using the recommended hair products from your stylist. Remember to keep all heated styling tools away from the bonds. When using blow dryers, flat irons or curling irons, use the appropriate protective serum to protect against thermal damage and add control and shine.

Sleeping

Never sleep when your hair is still wet. Gently gather your hair on top of your head with a scrunchie. A loose braid will also help prevent tangling and matting at night.

Swimming

Before swimming, mist hair with a leave in conditioner or apply a shine serum from the ends of your hair to mid-length. Do not apply directly to the scalp. Loosely braid your hair since chemicals and salt water may compromise the integrity of the bonds. Follow the advise of your stylist for post-swimming hair care.

Removal

Do not remove your hair extensions by yourself! You might damage your real hair. Your extensions stylist is trained in the steps to properly remove your hair as to best preserve the best condition of your natural hair, and not impede the next extension process.

Seasonal Style Rules

On February 5, 2013 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, hair, lifestyle1 Comment

Often as seasons change, my clients ask me what’s trending in with the new weather pattern. While there’s always a fair amount of unexpected fashion, there are also a lot of style rules that don’t really change. Hope these help you stay on point.

Spring.

-Makeup returns to peach tones and colorful pastels, think “playful” and “innocent.”

-Clothing is shorter, of course, as few items as possible, kind of the anti-layering, usually lace or other “open” fabrics.

-Hair gets lighter though don’t go too light too quickly, but more natural sun-kissed, typically on the ash/beige end of the color spectrum.

Summer.

-Makeup is typically dewy with soft, brown-rimmed eyes, not black, and nothing too deep for lip colors. Sometimes bright eyeshadows for extreme color trend, but that can be hit or miss.

-Let’s address the clothing trends: Denim! It’s always denim. I don’t know why, it’s a terrible fabric, but summer brings is denim skirts, shorts, vests, oh gosh, everything!

-Hair this season views lots of blondes, golds, caramels for darker hair with beachy, worn-in scrunchy wavy softness.

Autumn.

-Lots of natural soft looks with makeup, sometimes just a bit of color to keep it interesting. Since it’s just starting to get cooler people seem to start cutting down their beauty routine. Possibly to spend a few extra minutes in a warm bed each morning?

-Autumnal clothing is pretty well understood by most already. Unlike spring, despite similar temperature ranges, there is almost an obsession with layering as though you aren’t dressed without three outfits at the same time. Also wear lots of brown, since Autumn is the season to celebrate brown everything.

-Personally it’s my favorite hair season because I love all the gold, red and copper. Emulate the local foliage as much as you reasonably can.

Winter.

-Makeup settles in with bold, jewel tones with a soft neutral lip, or goes the other direction with a Snow White look and red lips.

-Clothing gets puffy. As the temperature decreases, the level of mass required by clothing increases exponentially. 40=jacket. 30=puffy jacket. 20=strap on a polar bear and hide it with an even puffier jacket.

-Hair trends darker, more intense, and often straighter, my guess is that since this is the coldest season it’s the only one where the hair is chosen based on ease. If you cannot leave with wet hair, straight is usually the fastest.

Why Over Washing You Hair Is A Problem

On January 24, 2013 By Christine RinehartIn hair, lifestyle1 Comment

Hair is naturally dry on its own and relies on oil from the scalp to keep it supple and enhance elasticity. Over washing your hair can actually strip your hair of its essential moisture.

How often is too often, though? It varies from person to person. Ask your stylist. Some factors include:

-Hair thickness

-Activity level and exercise

-Products used

-Air-drying vs blowouts, curly vs straight

-Chemical processes

As a general rule, hair should be shampooed only when it’s dirty. This results in less frizz and can save you from going through conditioner at an alarming rate. There are lots of “non shampoo” cleansers out there if you simply must wash every day. My favorites: Kerastase Chroma Sensitive, WEN, and Deva Curl No-Poo. Otherwise, washing with regular shampoo about twice a week is good pretty standard for most hair types while some hair thrives being washed only bi-weekly.

My Winter Face – Favorite Things

On December 27, 2012 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, lifestyleLeave a comment

With the weather all wonky for Winter skin can be dry and lips can feel like they need some extra oomph (technical term, I swear). So today I reached for some of my favorite Winter products to protect and emphasize.

I’ll start off with Barrier Repair, a calming “moisturizer” for sensitive skin by Dermalogica. Barrier Repair is a water free silicone and natural oil based “moisturizer” designed to instantly form a soothing barrier for your skin. You’ll notice I keep putting moisturizer in quotes. This is because it’s not a moisturizer in the traditional sense. Most moisturizers add lots of oils to your skin to fill it up and keep it feeling supple, what Barrier Repair does is different because it’s not creating moisture so much as it’s protecting it. It’s also full of other vitamins to keep the health of your skin up during these chilly dry months. Think of it as the grown up version of when your parents put Vaseline on your face before you went out to play in the snow. Added benefit: it can be used as a primer before make-up or instead of make-up because the silicone adds a soft focus feeling and reduces the appearance of pores. Really a great multitask product. That’s what we all need right? Fewer things in our bag?

My other favorite Winter product isn’t as much a multitasker or hugely beneficial, but it always makes me feel like my lips really pop. In the Winter I feel like my lips start to disappear on my face because they get dry and they aren’t shiny so they look thin and, well, blah. Enter Du Wop Lip Venom (I prefer the Gold Flash version for added sparkle). Unlike many other lip plumping products this one stays shiny all day so that long after the effects have worn off it still feels like it’s working. It also has more of a cinnamon “flavor” than mint so I’m quite appreciative of the warmth during Winter instead of just the tingling you would normally get from other products.

So those are my gotta have Winter favorites for my make-up kit. What about you? What Winter product do you always turn to?

I Just Wanted To Share This

On August 29, 2012 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, lifestyleLeave a comment

Is Organic Really Better?

On March 7, 2012 By Christine RinehartIn beauty, hairLeave a comment

Short answer: Not always.

Organic foods may be good for your body, but there isn’t clear proof that organic beauty products are healthier for you externally. Actually, lots of organic beauty products have a shorter shelf life than their “non-organic” counterparts. To make matters worse, they can even cause harm if the product is expired. Many organic products can cause irritation and allergy flares from various nuts, fruits and oils.

The industry isn’t effectively regulated at this time, so please read the ingredient labels carefully. A bottle labeled “organic” must contain only 95 percent organic ingredients. Those marked “natural” or “made with organic ingredients” usually have no regulation against many inorganic ingredients. Do your own research and find companies that make great products you can trust in.

Some of my favorites:

— Burt’s Bees

— Davines (probably my favorite)

— Pureology (100% vegan, too)