Music- Lightning Crashes

Wednesday, June 30, 2010


Folica.com is All New




Folica.com launched it's new website.  The design is much easier to navigate, it gives shoppers the chance to see reviews before they purchase, create a review after they've purchased, and provides hair styling tips.  The site is much more than just a flat iron store, you can head there to read see photos of other women celebrating their hair! 

Right now just in time for the launch Folica.com is having a sales and providing discounts for you! 

The BEST offer?!?  10% off any product in their 10 top list.

 

Poolside Hair Favorites: Edition 1


I'm the girl by the pool with the huge sunglasses, killer caribbean like tan (if I must say so myself), and a bag full of hair products next to my lounger!  If you need a spray, lotion, or gel I have you covered.  I protect my skin and my hair at all times when I'm lounging by the pool, it might look like all fun and games but I'm serious about protecting myself.  Skin cancer is not just for white folks and damaged hair is never a good look.

Here are a few of my favorite hair items to keep on hand:

Redken Color Extend Sun Sparkling Shield 5.0 oz
Amazon.com for $17.38

Redken Color Extend Sun - Even though my hair isn't exactly color treated, I love the fact that this product contains Mango Oil to help moisturize my hair.

Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner (4 oz)

Federic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beachcomber Leave-In, $22.95 Amazon.com

Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beachcomber Leave-in - I spritz this on when I'm planning on hitting the water again in a while.  It adds moisture to my hair and it feels renewed after using just a little bit.  You know how you're hair can feel dry after getting out of the water, even after rinsing?  Well this is the solution to that problem. 

Matrix Biolage Thermal-Active Repair Cream 5.1oz

Available from Amazon for $11.25

Biolage Thermal-Active Repair Cream - Even though this is a thermal product, meaning it's mean to be used with heat tools what's hotter than the sun?  This product gets a spot in my bag because it features Cera Heat Technology which is a restorative blend of ceramide and natural oils.  I save this product to use once I'm done with the pool and I'm just going to be laying out because it does provide a light hold.

Joi's on Madame Noire

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Hey Ladies!  Guess what?  5 of my hair tips for this summer were featured on Madame Noire!  Do me a favor, head over and check them out!  Leave a comment if you are so inclinded, Thanks! 

More about Madame Noire:  Madame Noire is a passionate, cutting-edge web publication geared towards African-American women. The publication's mission is to unite black women at various stages of their lives, around a common aspiration for better, more fulfilling lifestyles. 

Thanks again guys!  You're the best. 

Rock the Look: Monica at the 2010 BET Awards


42059, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - Sunday June 27, 2010. Monica arrives at the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Photograph: Koi Sojer, PacificCoastNews.com
While I don't usually tune into anything on BET, I always like to see what the stars looked like at any awards show and this was no different.  Monica's short do was on point thanks to Motion’s Celebrity Hairstylist, Ursula Stephen. 

Step 1: Relax the sides and back of hair with Motions Silkening Shine Relaxer System to give hair the foundation for great style. This is the first at-home relaxer kit that reduces breakage by up to 85% and moisturizes in each step.
Step 2: Then, wash and mold hair with Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion – it holds hair in place and keeps curls looking fresh!
Step 3: Curl small sections of hair with a small flat iron while randomly curling pieces in the OPPOSITE direction of the rest of the hair, allowing hair to “stand up.” This showcases the shape of the cut and creates beautiful texture.
Step 4: Add shine to hair by massaging a dollop of Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade in hands and rubbing through hair. The Pomade provides hold while shaping hair to create beautiful curls!
Step 5: Finally, to keep hair in place all day - finish the look with Motions Light Hold Working Spritz.

& yes!  Motions got a makeover!  Check out the new packaging below.



Bridal Ringlets



This is an adorable curly style with cascading ringlets set off by a bejeweled hair comb.

The Unbearable Shortness Of Being

When my husband died he was in his mid fifties and I was in my early thirties.  At that time I thought that the age of fifty something was unfathomably old.  Naturally my perspective on the matter has changed greatly. At least, when he died, I could say that he had lived a rich and full life. Strangely knowing that he had five decades to live up to his potential, including having two marriages, five children, a successful business and a multitude of friends, made his death less traumatic.

But how does anyone deal with the death of a young adult.  There is no way to put an ameliorating layer of "he lived a full life" on the comprehension of death.  The death of the young is so very sad because it is also the death of potential.  Who would this young man have become if he had lived out his life?  What would he have brought to the world?
In this particular situation there are even more questions about how a strapping young man of 20 could disappear on his way home from a friend's house in Bel Air a mile away from his home in Brentwood.  How the police and coroner could mistake the identity of a hit and run victim for two days after the family had filed a missing persons report, searched the neighborhoods and trails of western Bel Air by foot, hired a private investigator and searched by bloodhound and helicopter.

A rather amazing thing came out of the senselessness of this situation.  Through the use of Facebook and Twitter, the news of his disappearance spread quickly and many more people than just the immediate family and friends could be on the lookout for him.  Unfortunately, by then it was too late but it was an important reminder of how technology can help in times of crisis. 

Jamie O'Connell, had your grandfather lived to have seen the fine young man that you became, he would have been very proud.  
Jamie O'Connell, R.I.P.

Beauty Break: Sephora makes Sun Safety Easy


Every year Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation rounds up the best sun protections products availabe to create the Sephora Sun Safety Kit. For just $25.00 the Sephora Sun Safety Kit has got you covered and 100% of the net profits will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation.


Why I love it: As a brown girl finding a sunblock that doesn't make me look like I'm radioactive is a hard feat. Either I have a radioactive purple tint or I look like a stand in for HBO's True Blood. All the sun safety products, including eye cream and lip balm, and self tanner come in an adorable pink clutch too!

Keep Reading to find out what brands are included:

Sephora’s 2010 Sun Safety Kit includes:



Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF15 & Dermaxyl™ (0.25 oz) - This anti-aging primer contains SPF15 to guard against UVA/UVB rays while prepping skin for perfect foundation application.


DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew™ UV Moisturizer SPF 15 (0.23 oz) – This fragrance-free lotion absorbs quickly and replenishes moisture while providing full UVA/UVB protection.




Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen (0.16 oz) – A breakthrough serum-based sunscreen that offers broad spectrum SPF 55 protection without a chalky white residue.




Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 (0.14 oz) – A patented formulation designed to correct, protect and hydrate with powerful Vitamin C and UVA/UVB protection.




Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer (0.34 oz) – A weightless daily moisturizer that has it all: UVA/UVB protection, vitamins, minerals and omegas. It defends against free radical damage, and contains illumination phytonutrients to even skin tone.




PeterThomasRoth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion with SPF 30 (0.25 oz) – This ultra-light lotion offers maximum hydration and utilizes Parsol® 1789 for protection from UVA rays.




Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Crème SPF 15 (0.25 oz) - Ideal for sensitive skin, this day crème shields skin with SPF 15 while harnessing the power of herbal ingredients to soothe, hydrate and repair.




Cover FX BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer & Photo Aging Defense SPF 50 (0.16 oz) – This “anti-UV” makeup primer creates the ideal surface for makeup while fighting the effects of the sun both before and after exposure with SPF 50 and skin illuminators.




Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque SPF 20 (0.02 oz) – A touch of color and skin protecting SPF 20 help this multi-tasking face product conceal and enhance skin while protecting from the sun’s rays.




Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion N SPF 60 PA+++ (0.23 oz) – This highly nourishing, anti-aging sunscreen defends against UVA/UVB rays with one of the highest levels of SPF available.




Jack Black Lip Balm Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with Lemon and Chamomile (0.10 oz) – Lips are even more vulnerable to the sun than the face and body so keep this hydrating balm handy to keep them looking and feeling luscious.




Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15 (0.27 oz) – This light, creamy, non-tinted self tanning mousse is the only way to guarantee a safe sun-kissed look.

UVSUNSENSE Bracelet – Never question if you’re protected again! This bracelet monitors the sun’s UVA/UVB rays and indicates when it’s time to reapply sunscreen or head for the shade.

Pantene Clarifies Conditioner Myths


While at the Pantene Pro-V breakfast the conditioner stories just kept pouring out.  Like most of  you, the women at the breakfast confessed that we love to leave our conditioner on long.  The directions say let sit 5-10 minutes?  We leave it on for at least 30 minutes with heat and sometimes even overnight, with the idea that if 5-10 minutes is good well 1 hour plus heat is even better.  Well guess what ladies?  Pantene Scientist Jeni Thomas says it's not true.  If the conditioner is not formulated to be heat-activated then adding heat is just a waste of time and enegry.  Another big mistake?  Using too much conditioner.  The directions say a dime sized amount?  We take fists full and glop it on our hair.  Guess what?  We are wasting product.  Celebrity stylist and Pantene user, Tippi Shorter says we only need enough conditioner to coat our strands and a dollar coin sized amount should do the trick, because remember you don't need to condition your scalp, in fact Tippi warns against it. 


Product tip:  The newest Pantene products are specifically tailored to different hair types.  Just because you are  a black woman doesn't mean Relaxed & Naturals is for you!  Keep your eyes peeled for more posts on more Pantene News.

Black Fashion Models 2009

The current issue of Italian Vogue looks at how the fashion industry has moved past the rail thin negative size models to the lack of black models in the industry.

In a move that is causing the industry to take a deep look at itself the July issue of Italian Vogue features only black models shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel. Mr. Meisel is also the photographer behind Madonna’s infamous 1992 book, “Sex”.

black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models

Fashion Models 2009

Tao Okamoto. Tao Okamoto, Japanese (1987), mysterious, elegant. She had long hair, now it is short. Very professional, very perfectionist.

models interested in being featured, interviewed or photographed can inquire via e-mail: models (at) asianglam.com - of course replace (at) with @

Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models

Veuve Clicquot Classic - Go Polo!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Forgetting about the World (snore) Cup action in South Africa
Heather Clawson over at Habitually Chic blogged last week about this new book Polo: The Nomadic Tribe
and last weekends Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic starring Prince Harry and polo superstar and face of Ralph Lauren Black, Nacho Figueras.

Harry had a little tumble, ouch
but Nacho was a suave as ever... and Black Watch won the match...of course.
More on polo out in blogland
The Trad has been weighing in on the the lack of spectator chic at Palm Beach Polo compared to how the polo crowd dressed for the games back in the 1980s.
Having seen these photos of the 2009 Westchester Cup  I can report that there are still plenty of well turned out fans at Palm Beach.
But no matter how the fans dress, the game is still the most elegant professional sport out there even if the life is nomadic....and it is. 
And it's not all champagne and caviar because you don't get to be a top American polo player like this talented horseman and to play on the team that won the Triple Crown of Polo without years of hard work and training.  Yes, the Argentine players like Nacho add the sexiness and excitement, but the American players like Julio add the goals.

Make Mine Mid-Century

Saturday, June 26, 2010

If you haven't seen this month's Vogue editorial with a homage to Mid-Century Style
with Ewan McGregor and Natalia Vodianova
You can view the slide show here
Could this be the beginning of the end for oversized handbags and sky high heels?
I can only hope so

New York Fashion Week 2009 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

For Spring 2009, Nanette Lepore delivered a collection that radiated sultry femininity with hints of mischievous romance. Capturing the carefree essence of spring was the "anything goes" vibe exuded by each look where there are no restrictions when it comes to mixing patterns, shapes, textures, silhouettes, style, and so on. Ethereal silk dresses with cropped leather coats, sleek stripes paired with flirty florals, statements frocks with statement jewelry and super statement shoes- you get the point. Never one to stray too far from her ultra-femme aesthetic, we saw ruffles galore, lush garden florals, cinched waists, and loads of vibrant colors that can€™t help but make you embrace your inner girly girl.

new york fashion week
new york fashion week
new york fashion week
new york fashion week
new york fashion week

Olympus Fashion Week 2010

Today starts the best week on the planet,Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2007. If only I could be in the mix!!!Tonight at 8:00 pm Baby Phat will roll out their collection. Whether you like her not,Kimora Lee Simmons is hustling chick and eye is inpecable. She know glam,fab, and what divas are made of. Plus, her shows are packed with hip hop gliterrati. I always check www.Style.com every day.This website is good on posting the current days shows online. Also,Fashion Rocks Show is coming on tonight on CBS at 8:00pm. Because I don't have a "friday night social agenda" I'll be front of the tube.

olympus fashion week
olympus fashion week
olympus fashion week
olympus fashion week
olympus fashion week

Men's Fashion 2009 In Italy

The Burberry Prorsum fashion show for Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 in Italy. Burberry is such a great brand. The colors for next Spirng/Summer season were too Fall colorish to us, but the bright mustard and soft powder blues really worked well. The dark olive green is a color you don’t expect to see at summertime, but they do make it airy. The grays had a soft touch to them. The hats you can do without.

Men's Fashion
Men's Fashion
Men's Fashion
Men's Fashion
Men's Fashion