hair

Favorite Find Friday: Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream

Written on June 8, 2012 at 12:52 pm , by April Franzino

Being a beauty editor forces us to be fickle— new launches to test arrive at our desks every day— so very few products become mainstays in our arsenal. One that’s remained unmatched over the years is Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream. The lightweight olive oil-based formula has the miraculous ability to instantly turn our strands from straw to silk. We use it as a leave-in conditioner or work a dime-sized amount over dry strands to smooth and add shine, making split ends disappear and even the most abused hair (like ours) look healthy again.

Tell us: What’s the hair styling product you can’t live without?

Beauty From The Barre

Written on June 7, 2012 at 1:49 pm , by Fitness Magazine

Up until starting college a few years ago, I was a ballerina. When you’re propped up in pointe shoes for hours at a time, there’s little tolerance for beauty woes. Ballerinas have primping solutions that stand up to the thickest sweat, most unflattering lighting and unruliest hair. And you don’t have to be Natalie Portman to get the in.

Flash-Friendly Makeup:

Take a peek at a principal dancer’s makeup kit and there’s not a speck of glitter or shimmer in sight. Stage lighting makes shimmer look like grease and sweat, and so do the flashes on your best friend’s camera. If you know you’re going to be getting mobile upload notifications throughout the evening, switch out your illuminating foundation for a matte yet hydrating formula, like Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation— you’ll find yourself untagging fewer pictures. Use a highlighter just on cheekbones to catch the light, but be sure to keep blush and bronzer matte.

Topknot 101:

The buns perched on the top of ballerinas’ heads look polished and sophisticated, but when you try the look on yourself it’s more of a Christmas elf situation. Here’s your guide to conquering the bun:

1. Study your cheekbones: Your ponytail should be gathered at your crown following the angle of your cheekbones to create the most flattering proportions. So, if you were to draw a line from the top of your cheekbone to the base of your pony, the line would be straight.
2. Don’t twirl too tightly: If you twist your pony too tightly before you wrap it around the base, it’ll create an awkward, lopsided shape. Give it a few twirls, then slowly start your spiral.
3. Use two hands: As you’re spiraling with one hand, use the other to gently press the bun against your crown. This will prevent the dreaded doorknob shape (FYI: donuts are the ideal shape.)
4. Tuck and pin: Tuck the tips of your hair underneath your formed donut. Next, grab the hairpins. Note: not bobby pins, hairpins. They’re different. If you have superthick hair, the drugstore hair aisle won’t cut it. Bunheads Hair Pins hold up through 32 fouetté turns—the true test of a hair product’s prowess.
5. Mess it up: You don’t want your knot to look too perfect. After all pins are secured, lightly pinch little sections of your donut. It’ll make it look effortless—like you didn’t just get a full tricep workout trying to put your hair up.
6. Spritz, baby, spritz: Mist your ‘do with hairspray. You’ll find Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray backstage.

—By Cody Marick, beauty intern

Behind-the-Scenes: 2012 FITNESS Beauty Awards

Written on May 16, 2012 at 9:33 am , by April Franzino

Here’s a peek at just a fraction of the 3,600 new products our beauty team called in for testing for the 2012 FITNESS Beauty Awards, the 60 winners of which will be published in the October issue. Our panel of twelve experts in the fields of dermatology, hair styling and coloring, and makeup artistry are currently testing the products, judging them on factors like effectiveness, ease of use, packaging, and cosmetic elegance. Next, we’ll distribute the products to hundreds of readers for the final round of testing before they’re narrowed down to the top choice in each category. Keep your eye out for the winners in our October issue on newsstands this fall!

3 Key Beauty Tips for Triathletes

Written on May 15, 2012 at 9:34 am , by April Franzino

The number of people participating in triathlons has increased 50 percent in just the past two years—putting involvement in the U.S. at an all-time high. If you’re one of them, Brooke Jackson, M.D., a dermatologist and director of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, shares these key beauty tips for each leg of a triathlon.

• SWIMMING: Coat your hair lightly with conditioner before you put on your cap to protect against drying, color-stripping chlorine.
• BIKING: Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes (bikers have an increased risk of cataracts) and prevent squinting, which causes crow’s feet to form.
• RUNNING: Put on a hat made of a breathable material like Dri-Fit to protect your scalp from the sun and ward off strand damage.

Cynthia Nixon Talks Rosacea and Her Secrets to Great Skin

Written on April 30, 2012 at 11:41 am , by Fitness Magazine

She spiced up the small screen as Miranda Hobbes on the cult TV series Sex and the City, and now actress Cynthia Nixon is speaking out about her experience with the chronic inflammatory skin condition rosacea. Read on as she dishes about the foods she loves, her biggest beauty indulgence and her secrets to embracing that natural flush.

FITNESS: What made you start working with the National Rosacea Society?
Cynthia Nixon: I first started working with the National Rosacea Society because 16 million people have the condition, but not many know about it, so I wanted to raise awareness. When you have it, it can be awful to treat it yourself. The first thing you have to do is speak to a dermatologist and get a treatment plan. You can’t cure rosacea, but you can control it. I had acne in my teens and early 20s, and then developed rosacea in my 30s. So many people think of it as acne, then use scrubs and masks and don’t realize they are only making the problem worse. You need to know what to do and what to avoid. Rosacea is a condition that can cause embarrassment and discomfort.
FITNESS: What’s been your experience with rosacea, and how have you managed it?
CN: I cannot stress enough the importance of seeing a dermatologist because everybody’s skin is different. After I found out what the dermatologist recommended and he prescribed me medicine, I have managed to keep it under control.  I also got information about things that I was eating that were triggering the rosacea.
FITNESS: What specific foods trigger rosacea?
CN: Spicy foods trigger it, like tabasco and jalapeño peppers. I still eat those things, but I stay away from them when I know I have important events coming up. Other things that can trigger it are red wine and too much sun exposure.
FITNESS: What have you learned from working with the National Rosacea Society?
CN: I’ve learned that rosacea is much more common than we think. Also, if you don’t treat it, it can get worse. There are four different kinds of rosacea: redness, pimples, eye irritation and thickening of the skin. Your face gets red and blotchy and it’s not fun. You have to tend to it so it doesn’t get worse.
FITNESS: Moving on to beauty: What’s one product that never leaves your bag?
CN: Undereye cream for sure. I find myself applying some too many times per day!
FITNESS: What are your haircare, makeup and skincare routines like on a typical day?
CN: My hair tends to be oily so I wash it two to three times a week. I wake up in the morning and wash my face, then apply some toner, moisturizer with SPF, and undereye cream.
FITNESS: What are your secrets for looking great anytime, anywhere?
CN: I make sure to maintain a gentle regimen. I don’t use many products because they can be too harsh on my skin and can cause my rosacea to flare up. Also, I wear SPF all the time.
FITNESS: What’s your diet like? Are there certain foods or snacks that are your go-tos?
CN: I’m a big fan of cheese! (Editor’s note: Woman after our own heart!) I also eat a lot of salads. I keep celery, carrots and almonds in my house. I also keep protein bars around because those things can really help sustain you through the day.
FITNESS: What’s your biggest beauty indulgence? 
CN: Facial acupuncture for sure. It keeps my blood flowing.  With rosacea, my skin can get very inflamed so the circulation boost is helpful.
FITNESS: How do you stay in shape when you’re on the go?
CN: I work out mostly when I’m at home. When I’m away for a couple of days, I’ll use the hotel gym. I try to eat well; I’m a vegetarian. Also, as I mentioned, I make sure protein bars are always around.
FITNESS: What’s the best tip you’ve picked up from the makeup, hair and skincare experts you’ve worked with?
CN: I actually received the best tip while filming Sex and the City and that is “put as little foundation on as possible.” Maintain a good skincare routine. A ton of foundation only ages you!

Visit rosaceafacts.com to view Cynthia’s iPSA and take a self-screening quiz.

—By Wanda Rosa, beauty intern

Behind The Scenes: May “Must Dos” Photo Shoot

Written on April 17, 2012 at 1:20 pm , by April Franzino

Our special 20th Anniversary May issue with Elle Macpherson is on newsstands this week (pick it up!)—  and one of the highlights, if we do say so ourselves, is our “Must Dos” hairstyling feature starting on page 48. Tresemmé celebrity hairstylist Jeanie Syfu came up with three fresh, super-easy styles (down, ponytail and night out) tailored to your strand type: straight, wavy or curly. Here’s a peek behind the scenes on the set of the photo shoot, where you can see Jeanie working her magic and our stunning models posing for the perfect shot.

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How To Get The Hairstyle You Want

Written on April 16, 2012 at 1:05 pm , by April Franzino

Before plopping down in the salon chair, consider these tips for getting the hairstyle you want from Ansley Meredith, a hair stylist and makeup artist in New York City. “Your hair is your most prominent accessory, so you want to make sure it’s perfect— there’s nothing that will ruin a day faster than a bad cut!”

Bring a picture  Everybody has a different idea of what a ‘chocolate brown color’ or a ‘layered cut’ is. Having a picture to work from makes it much easier to achieve the exact style you are looking for.

Be vocal Tell your stylist exactly how you feel about your hair and what you have in mind. It’s their job to make sure you are 100 percent satisfied with your hair when you walk out of the salon.

Talk about yourself  Knowing what you do for a living, how you dress and how you normally style your hair will give your stylist an idea of what look will best suit you.

Reveal your routine Discuss all aspects of your haircare regimen, including how long you spend (or want to spend) styling your hair in the morning, what products you like you use, and how often you shampoo so your stylist can give you a cut that fits your lifestyle.

Bring up the past  Hair typically grows about a quarter inch per month. So if you have longer hair, the ends can be up to four years old! If you’ve had multiple hair color changes or chemical treatments, tell your stylist— they may use separate color formulas on the roots and ends, even though in the end the color looks totally even throughout.

Proceed with caution Often times, women will want to do an impromptu dramatic cut or color change. Even more often, they end up regretting it. To avoid style regret, find a picture of the look that you like and tape it somewhere where you’ll see it on a regular basis (i.e. refrigerator, bathroom mirror or vanity). If you look at it every day for two weeks and still love the idea, then go ahead and do it.

Would You Try a Pixie Cut?

Written on April 11, 2012 at 10:16 am , by April Franzino

Actress Anne Hathaway recently chopped her long locks into a close-cropped pixie for her roll in the upcoming film Les Miserables, which got us thinking about whether we’d ever have the guts to go super-short.

Anne has the bone structure and striking, feminine features to carry it off, but the boyish cut doesn’t work on everyone. Before going super-short, have a thorough consultation with your stylist to discuss whether a pixie works for your face shape and hair texture, bring pictures of pixies you love for inspiration (think Halle Berry, Michelle Williams and Emma Watson), and get tips and techniques for styling your new ‘do.

As for us, for better or worse, we’re too attached to our long locks to make a drastic cut.

Tell us: Would you—or have you—tried a pixie cut?

Be A Model Citizen

Written on April 4, 2012 at 12:55 pm , by April Franzino

Cult favorite cure-all Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil is getting the model treatment this month: Catwalk stunners Angela Lindvall and Petra Nemcova, along with Josie herself, have decked the bottles in limited-edition designs that reflect the charity closest to their hearts. Ten percent of the price of each bottle sold will be donated to their respective causes— Healthy Child Healthy World for Angela, Petra’s own Happy Hearts Fund and Women for Women International for Josie. Virtually scent-free, the nongreasy, fast-absorbing argan oil inside is a superb nourisher for face, body and hair. Try rubbing it into cuticles and elbows, onto heels before slipping on socks, adding a few droppers to your bath for a moisture boost, and smoothing over fried strands for an instant hydrating fix.

Beauty Q&A With March Cover Girl Rebecca Romijn

Written on March 12, 2012 at 11:17 am , by April Franzino

You can read about FITNESS cover girl and Wella Professionals celebrity ambassador Rebecca Romijn‘s workout and diet secrets in our March issue— but we got her to reveal how she gets those beach waves and that fresh, glowing skin, plus the products she can’t live without.

FITNESS: What’s the one beauty product that never leaves your bag?
Rebecca Romijn: I always carry Wella Ocean Spritz to refresh my hair. It mimics sea water and adds great texture. It’s a very good low-maintenance solution for someone who’s on the go.

FITNESS: What are your haircare, makeup and skincare routines like on a typical day?
RR: I cleanse and moisturize my face in the morning and at night, and never forget sunscreen.

FITNESS: What are your secrets for looking great no matter where you are and what you’re doing? Do you have a go-to makeup look or hairstyle?
RR: I don’t wash my hair every day; in fact I always prefer “second day hair”. It’s easy and it does what I want it to do!

FITNESS: What are you gym bag beauty essentials?
RR: I always carry a hair elastic and bobby pins in my gym bag to put my postworkout hair into a bun. A bun is an easy classic. I also put on a great pair of sunglasses and Smashbox O-Gloss for my lips. The pink shade is natural-looking and perfect on everyone. And I love the texture.

FITNESS: What’s your biggest beauty indulgence?
RR: My biggest beauty indulgence are regular facials, and I splurge on Oyxgen Plasma by Knutek. It’s a miracle-worker, and I use it morning and night when I cleanse. Oxygen helps with fine lines and to heal blemishes.

FITNESS: What’s the best tip you’ve picked up from the makeup, hair and skincare experts you’ve worked with?
RR: The best tip I’ve learned from makeup artists is to regularly use the Clarisonic on my face. Even if I think I’ve removed all my makeup, it’s amazing how much cleaner my face becomes after I use my Clarisonic. It’s possibly the best investment I’ve made in my skincare routine since I’ve been an adult.