How To Keep Your Hair Color From Fading!

1.  Use a good deep moisturizer 7 to 10 days before coloring to prepare hair for the color. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair at least 24 hours before your color (this is especially important if you use styling products with silicon because they will prevent the color from adhering to the hair). Do not wash your hair within 24 hours of coloring because the color will not take to the hair as well. Furthermore, do not use the clarifying shampoo after coloring because it can strip the color from your hair.

2. Do not shampoo your hair until at least 48 hours after the color is applied to avoid stripping the color. When you do shampoo and condition, use products that are specifically designed for color treated hair. Shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair have ingredients that are designed to protect your color rather than stripping or dulling it. I prefer Park Avenue Color Protecting Shampoo& Conditioner. My stylist also advised not to shampoo my hair every day but only when necessary to protect the color.

3. This one is a little difficult for me because when I take my shower the water is hot enough to boil eggs most of the time. However, in order to protect my color I have learned to shampoo and rinse in cool water rather than hot water. The hot water opens the hair follicles and dulls the color. Cool water will keep hair color much brighter and true than using hot water.

4.Speaking of showers, the chemicals in your water can dull and strip hair color. My stylist suggested that I invest in a filtered showerhead and she was correct - my hair color does last longer and is brighter than before.

5. Heat not only damages your hair but it also damages your hair color. I dry my hair on a medium heat setting and I use John Frieda Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray to protect my color and hair when using a flat iron or other heat styling tools. This is essential to keeping your hair color from fading.

6. Protect your hair from the sun to make the color last longer. Purchase hair products that have UV protection. Wear a hat if you are in the sun and cover your hair when you are in tanning bed

7. Avoid using hair spray if possible because this will dull your hair color. However, make sure that you use products to enhance the shine and appearance of your hair color such as BioSilk Silk Therapy (I cannot live without this product for my hair).

8. There are color enhancing shampoos on the market that are designed to boost your hair color by depositing small amounts of color on your hair. I have tried some of these and found that they actually turn my color brassy if I use them every time I shampoo. Therefore, use these only once a week or every other week to give your color a little boost. Pick a shade that is closest to your hair color for best results.

The Benefits Of Olive Oil!

So I tweeted earlier that as you get older your skin starts to sag and someone replied saying that Olive Oil keep yours skin looking radiant so I did some research and this is what I found!

The olive tree is an evergreen tree in the Mediterranean region. The tree grows to 9 meters tall and takes 15 years to bear fruit. Olive oil has a heavy texture, and can vary in color from a pale golden yellow to dark green. The purest form is "extra virgin," and it is lightest in color. Olive oil has many antioxidant properties. Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and appears to assist in repairing cells and in preventing cell damage. Olive oil is soothing and healing to all skin types

.

Olive oil is a fantastic source of vitamin E. Consuming olives or olive oil has been associated with such health benefits as reducing blood pressure, decreasing growth of some cancers, lessening the severity of asthma and arthritis and may actually help maintain a lower weight. Using olive oil externally on your body can also have benefits. Olive oil is now found in many skin care products. The vitamin E found in the olive oil is the key ingredient.

For hair care, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to your hair conditioner. Shake well before each use. Use conditioner as usual. Olive oil will provide not only a beautiful shine, but also manageability.

Olive oil can also help with the area around your eyes. Nightly, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Gently dab on the corner of your eyes, your eyelids and under your eyes. Use caution not to get the oil in your eyes. You can also do this to your eyebrows after tweezing or waxing to provide moisture and soothing relief.

For lip care, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Rub across your lips to provide moisture and shine.

Similarly, take a small amount nightly and rub into your nails and cuticles. This will give a beautiful shine to your nails and keep the nail beds and cuticles soft. Make a sugar scrub and use it on your hands nightly to keep hands hydrated and soft.

For foot care, use 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a warm footbath. Soak for 10 minutes, then pat dry. You can also use sugar scrub on your feet daily.

Use sugar scrub daily in shower for continued soft and hydrated skin. You can also use olive oil in a massage
.

Up, Up & Away !

A few weeks ago I teamed up with Atlanta based photographer Antonio Guerra and M.A.C. makeup artist Tinisee Buckman for a very fun shoot. When the idea was first pitched to me I was very concerned because I couldn't get passed the balloons. Many people may not know this but I really don't take myself to seriously when it comes to modeling. I'm very used to being behind the scenes as a hairstylist. I made jokes about coming across as a clown but in contrary I am extremely pleased with the outcome. I learned a very valuable lesson out of this project and that is when you stop letting fear get in your way the possibilities are endless. I hope you all enjoy!

Photographer : Antonio Guerra

Makeup : Tinisee Buckman

Model & Hair : Paul Mitchell Rabell 

COCO and BREEZY For GoldenHeart

In honor of the release of Dawn Richard's Forthcoming album the R&B songstress teamed up with Famed Sunglasses Designers COCO and BREEZY for their GoldenHeart shades which will be available worldwide January 15th. Along with this release comes a cool contest where you can win a dinner date with the trio.

CONTEST: Win a Dinner Date with @Dawnrichard + Coco and Breezy at TOY Restaurant in NY ! SHARE this image on FB + Follow @TOYNYC on Twitter! - This will enter you in the contest! CONTEST ENDS JAN 12th

1st Place: COMPLIMENTARY dinner @ TOY w/ Dawn Richard + Coco and Breezy

2nd Place: AUTOGRAPHED Dawn Richard "GoldenHeart" album

3rd Place: PAIR of Coco and Breezy for GOLDENHEART sunglasses

Coco and Breezy for GOLDENHEART Sunglasses will be available Jan 15th on www.CocoandBreezy.com

The same day the GoldenHeart album comes out which is available for PreOrder now !
GoldenHeart Pre-Order

Beauty Ad Campaigns For 2013

It's the new year and the girls are here to SLAY! Here's a look at a few of my favorite beauty ad campaigns.

Katie Holmes looking SNATCHED darling for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics 

The ad, released Monday, is promoting the brand's new Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks. It shows Holmes posing for the camera with smoky eye makeup, loose waves in her hair and wearing a bold statement necklace.

The cream shadow sticks will be available in stores in February. Holmes is wearing two shades, violet plum and bark, in the ad, according to Glamour .

The beauty industry was taken by surprise when M.A.C. Cosmetics debuted its latest spokesperson, Jelena Abbou, a Serbian-American female bodybuilder with the kind of ripped physique more likely to be found in Muscle Milk ads than high end cosmetics campaigns. For those within the female bodybuilding world, however, it made perfect sense. "A lot of us use MAC," Monet Colbert, a makeup artist and former bodybuilder, tells Yahoo Shine. "It's designed for theatrical stage performances." That means it holds up under the double white lights designed to capture every muscle striation--and if you're not prepared, every wrinkle. 

Your favorite Harry Potter chick Emma Watson pretty in pink for Lancome In Love SS13. Emma Watson may be taking another break from acting as she prepares to return to Brown this month, but she certainly isn't neglecting her contract with Lancome.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress, 22, proves that a pop of bright color will be the look for next season in the beauty giant's latest campaign.

Little Miss Nicki Minaj looking PERCHED in her 3rd (that's right 3rd) M.A.C. Cosmetics lipstick for Viva Glam. Can't knock her hustle especially when her legs look like that!

Who doesn't love Selena Gomez ? Well now your nails can look like hers with her new collaboration with Nicole by OPI

it promises to deliver shades that are "sweet and spunky" and "flirty and fun." Of course, Gomez herself fronts the campaign, which is a soft and serene interpretation of the pop sensation.

The campaign featuring Dolce Gabanna favourite and natural beauty Scarlett Johansson, is shot by Mert+Marcus. The image sees Scarlett in an intimate moment, relaxing amongst sating sheets, disrobed as if enjoying the warming rays of the morning sun bursting through the window. A true image of relaxation, happiness and glowing natural beauty.

Dolce Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation comes in 18 shades to suit any woman’s complexion who wishes to achieve that golden glow, from Caucasian to Asian to dark skins.

Emma Stone for Revlon's Shanghai Collection  Inspired by Chinese cinema, this look is all about high-impact colour made wearable. She looks BEAT!

Mariah Carey IS "That Chick"

In the two decades since she burst onto the scene, Mariah Carey has produced more chart-topping singles than Elvis.

With more than 200 million albums sold, she is now the best selling female artist of all time. In a tucked away corner of her palatial New York City penthouse are Grammys, Vibe awards, World Music awards -- accolades from an unparalleled career.

The singer, who is expected to release a new album in the coming months, sat down for an exclusive interview with ABC's Barbara Walters to talk about her music, being a mother to twins and what's in store for her future.

Watch Barbara's exclusive interview on "Nightline" tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET

We're used to seeing Carey on stage, belting out her music with a voice of staggering power and range. But starting next week, she will be judging the singers, instead of being the singer, as a new judge of "American Idol."

And her star power doesn't come cheap. Although she wouldn't confirm it, Carey is reportedly being paid $18 million a season.

"I think we're in the ballpark, [but] I can't even talk about those things," she told Walters.

But it's not only Carey's salary that is drawing attention these days. It's her relationship with fellow "Idol" judge, Nicki Minaj.

In October, TMZ released a video of a heated argument between the two divas during an audition in North Carolina. After the cameras were off, Carey claims others heard Minaj take it even further and say, "If I had a gun, I would shoot that bitch," as Walters reported on her daytime talk show, "The View."

"It felt like an unsafe work environment," Carey said. "Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate. I'm a professional. I'm not used to that type of environment."

"I just felt it was the appropriate thing to do," she said. "Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances."As a result, Carey said she hired more security.

Minaj has denied saying anything about a gun, calling the statement a "fabrication." When ABC News asked her for comment for this story, her representative said "she's said what she's saying on this topic."

"For all the drama, I hope it helps the show," Carey said. "I think it's a classic, classy show and it didn't need this."

The public battle with Minaj is not the only challenge Carey faced recently. Nick Cannon, her husband of five years and the host of the rival competitive singing show, "America's Got Talent," suddenly fell ill and was hospitalized for kidney failure last year.

"It was very serious, but he's got some great doctors who really got in there and helped him out and at this point he is doing great," she said. "He's better than ever."

His struggle with that life-threatening illness inspired her recently released song, "Triumphant."

"I was just trying to encourage people to never give up and to get through and to persevere," Carey said. "And that's what the meaning of 'Triumphant' was to me."

The couple have something else to rejoice over: Their 20-month-old twins, a girl named Monroe and a little boy named Morrocan.

"I call her Miss Monroe, and that kind of dictated her personality," Carey said of her daughter. "She's a total diva. She's into jewelry. She's fascinated by jewelry."

Her son's nickname, she said, is "Rock."

"He's my pal," Carey said. "He'll just watch movies with me. We've watched 'Shrek' I don't know how many times. We watch movies all the time together, relax. He's more chill."

The power couple recently celebrated the twins' first birthday in true diva style with a family trip to Paris, where they renewed their vows on the Eiffel Tower. In fact, they renew their vows every year.

"[Nick] is just as festive as I am," Carey said. "I'm very, very festive, and he kind of almost trumps me there."

Despite the glamorous trips, Carey is trying to stay close to home, for now, to spend quality time with the kids. She said she and Minaj have made up, and she is looking forward to the return of "American Idol" for its 12th season next week.

"For me, ultimately, this is about the kids, the contestants," Carey said. "I've been blessed to live my dream more than half my life, so I want help give that back to someone else."

Staying Uplifted & Free From Negativity

How well are you buckled in for life's wild ride? Are you holding steady or getting thrown around?

When the road is bumpy, are you resilient or battered? When it is smooth, are you grateful or oblivious?

And, just as importantly, what are you modeling for your kids in the navigating of life?

For most of us, it is the fundamental challenge of our lives to find our center through difficult times while savoring the joyful moments. When hurdles emerge out of nowhere, it is common to feel a loss of control. However, we have more control than we think.

Stress is a given, regardless of one's circumstances; it can vary in severity and disruptive effects, but we can sharpen our skills to remain resilient and calm, discharge anxiety and helplessness, do our best navigating and appreciate all that is positive in our midst.

By no means an exhaustive list, here are 12 tips for staying positive, regardless of the special challenges you may face at any given phase of your journey.

1. Breathe with awareness. Life is a gift, and each breath is a new manifestation of that gift and the power you have to nurture yourself in the here and now.

2. Relax and commit to less "doing," more "being." Meditation teaches, "you are at the center of your own inner peace." Discover what you need and give it to yourself. Meditate, rest, just be.

3. Move your body, make it fun. When exercise is enjoyable, we are more apt to do it consistently. Consider activities you used to love or never tried, such as a team sport, dance or zumba, yoga (you can try it in a chair) or tai chi practice; hiking, biking, running, walking ... diversify and enjoy.

4. Accept, rather than resist, the challenges that life deals. See possibilities hidden within them; what is it you are needing to learn? Value the blessing of growth that accompanies adversity and transforms suffering.

5. Limit negative influences on your mood and mindset. Notice negative thinking patterns and change them. Immerse yourself in positive books, quotes, music, workshops, websites, wellness practices, and self-talk. (Two book suggestions: "How To Make Every Day A Friday" by Joel Osteen, and "Happier" by Tal Ben-Shahar)

6. Manage your daily dose of negative news bombardment. Drink in positive and inspiring stories. Learn how others have overcome great obstacles and pain.

7. Consciously associate with positive people. Set boundaries with people who are negative or draining; limit (or eliminate) contact if it is toxic to your well-being.

8. Ask, "what brings me joy?" Make time for your passions, appreciate simple pleasures. Laugh! Prioritize positive, nourishing experiences.

9. Spirituality, stillness and nature: Connect with your own path of spirituality, wholeness, meaning, and purpose. Tune in to nature for lessons on the universe and its mystery, power, transformation, and healing. See that you are part of something infinite. Cultivate hope.

10. Expand your gratitude for all that is good in your day, your week, your life. Notice the simple and the profound. Shine your love light on family, friends, pets ... and yourself. Consider a gratitude journal.

11. Experience community. Give generously when you can — time, support, caring, smiles, warmth, nurturing — and let yourself receive such blessings.

12. Do your best, know that it is enough, let go. Your "best" is not an absolute, but will vary from day to day; when you are sick, or stressed, or overwhelmed your best will be different, but it is still your best for today. Relinquish impossible standards and give yourself credit for your effort to do the best you can in any situation.

Life offers no guarantees of predictability despite our very best efforts. In fact, the one certainty is uncertainty. Cultivating strategies for staying positive can enrich and strengthen us for the difficult, uphill climbs, and can enable us to be truly grateful whenever we have, however briefly, the luxury of easy coasting. May your own life journey be a positive unfolding of resilience and growth, joy and peace.

Sammy B Look Book S/S 2013