Beauty Quickie: Let’s pour one out and have a moment of silence for all the beauty habits that we left behind in 2015. Makeup is fun to play with but in order to look as fabulous as a celebrity or an insta-famous chick there is sort of an order of operations to get the best look possible. With this in mind we received a question towards the end of last year that begged insight as to whether what should come first when creating a beauty look, mascara or eyeliner?
To make a long answer really short, mascara should always be applied last. The reasoning behind this according to MUAs is that it is much easier to apply eyeliner when lashes are bare. When eyelashes are still nude the lash line is more visible which in turn helps to achieve a more precise eyeliner design. Moreover, once your eyeliner is beat then you can gauge how much mascara is needed (if any) to complete your look.
Thoughts? Talk beauty with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Beauty Quickie: Can we please put the myth to rest that black women do not need to wear sunscreen? It does not matter how dark your skin is or how much melanin you possess the sun can still cause havoc to your skin if is not protected. Black may not crack but due to environmental effects such as global warming and the disappearance of the ozone layer it is a very good idea to give your skin a little protective barrier to stay un-cracked.
Does sunscreen ever expire and if so when should it be replaced? Yes, sunscreen does indeed expire and the problem is most gals hang on to their bottle longer than they should. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of about three years then after that it should find a new home in a dumpster.
What happens when sunscreen expires? The ingredients found within the formula begin to separate thus becoming less and less effective. Therefore, if you are wearing expired beauty products such as sunscreen you are not really receiving the protection that you need.
Answer: If you have made the resolution or goal to grow longer tresses during 2016 then this is differently a question you will want to give some attention to and very soon. Nevertheless, the thought of taking a pair of scissors to strands can seem like to many women to be a practice full of contradiction. It is easy to begin to think, “So I grow hair and then I am supposed to cut it every few weeks?” Oh the madness!
Over the years it has become abundantly clear that is no longer necessary to get strands cut as often as previously believed. Moreover, to help ease the mind do know that a trim is completely different from a haircut. With trims the only hair that is getting or should be cut is what actually needs to be cut. The whole thrust of trimming is just to cut a little bit at a time.
So then, what exactly does a proper trim achieve? Trims enable hair to stay healthy due to the removal of split ends and other damage. If left unchecked split ends can travel further and further up the hair shaft weakening it. Long, weak looking hair will not bring the boys to the yard and will not look so good to the girls either. Therefore, if you are growing out your hair then at the outset of your journey get a trim and then every couple months due a maintenance trim to keep growth going in the right direction.
Thoughts? Talk hair with us on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Struggling with the battle of the bulge? Don’t despair, with the right vegetables you can eat as much as you want and not gain a pound. However, you must exercise caution in choosing the vegetables that are low in calories. What are these low calorie vegetables? The following types of vegetables are great to eat if you’re on a diet or want to lose weight. They include: carrots, cucumbers, radishes, fresh green beans, celery, cauliflower, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and lettuce. Clearly, you don’t have to go all green when you’re on a vegetable diet. These choices not only contain the least amount of calories, but are packed with essential nutrients as well.
If you are on a low carbohydrate diet you may have heard that munching on vegetables is the way to go. However, just as there are vegetables that contain low and high calories, there are also vegetables that are low and high in carbohydrates. Vegetables that are low in carbohydrates include: sprouts, leafy greens, broccoli, mushrooms, avocado, peppers, summer squash, scallions, asparagus, bamboo shoots, leeks, eggplants, artichoke hearts, okra and more. Of course, low calorie vegetables are also low in carbohydrates so you can take your pick. So as not to ruin your diet, you might want to initially stay away from vegetables that are starchy and high in carbohydrates. These include: beets, corn, parsnips, peas, all types of potatoes and winter squashes.
Other types of vegetables that should be included in your diet are those full of fiber. Though vegetables in general are good sources of fiber, there are certain types of vegetables that contain more fiber than others. Examples of fiber-rich vegetables include: brussel sprouts, carrots, beans, peas, and spinach. Other good sources of soluble fiber are cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Soluble fiber helps keep you feeling full and therefore makes it easier for you to resist eating too much food.
Vegetables are generally helpful if you are on a diet; but, observing the right serving sizes will help accelerate the results you want to see. The National Cancer Institute has recommended certain serving sizes for different types of vegetables. The recommended serving size if you are eating raw non-leafy vegetables or cooked vegetables is half a cup. If you are eating raw leafy vegetables, the recommended serving size is one cup. If cooked beans or peas are what you’re having for a meal, the recommended serving size you should eat is half a cup.
When you pick out vegetables, try to go to the organic produce section. If you can’t get organically grown produce, then exercise caution by washing your vegetables thoroughly. Vegetables that are not organically grown contain pesticides which are harmful to your health. Of course when you are picking out vegetables you’ll want to choose the freshest available. You can tell vegetables are fresh if they are brightly colored and blemish-free or have the least amount of blemishes. In season vegetables are guaranteed to be fresh, so plan your meals around vegetables growing at certain times of the year. You shouldn’t plan on storing vegetables for too long. Buy only the vegetables you plan to eat within a few days and discard vegetables that have been stored too long.
When you eat vegetables, try to leave as much edible skin on them as possible. The skins on vegetables contain their own nutrients which can benefit your health. Eating vegetables raw is also a good idea as cooking them can take away some of their valuable nutrients while adding unwanted fat from the oil used. Vegetables are quick and cheap alternatives to fatty foods. Because they are low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories vegetables have been advocated to dieters for a long time.
One important area in fashion that can easily get overlooked is the nails. Beautiful nails can help any outfit look like a perfect ten. If you prefer to get your nails done professionally there are a few beauty risks you should keep in mind.
First, DO NOT LET ANY NAIL TECHICIAN CUT YOUR CUTICLES. Rather, politely ask for your cuticles to be pushed back. The cuticle protects the nail root and snipping away at them opens the seal of protection which can lead to infection and nail-plate damage or loss of the nail itself.
Lastly, do not let a nail technician razor off foot calluses. All of us want smooth, soft feet, but a razor is not the answer. Removing calluses can cause infections or blisters since they protect underlying living tissue. Instead make sure your feet are smoothed down with a foot file after a good soaking.
Thanks to social media outlets such as Instagram and Facebook you may find your likeness popping up all over the place. This year take the stress out of taking pictures and learn how to strike a pose!
Celebrities know the tricks on how to take great pictures on the red carpet or at any big event. Follow our simple tips and you too will be the shining star in photos. Remember, practice makes perfect so rehearse a few moves and you’ll snap pictures like a Hollywood starlet.
Strike a Pose 101
Rule #1: Never stand with your shoulders facing squarely to the camera.
Rule #2: Keep your body at an angle with your head up and chin down. Putting your hand on your hip can also give your body form.
Rule #3: Always look right into the camera.
That’s it ladies now you have the basics and you are ready to say cheese. Check out next month’s issue as we step it up a notch giving you even more advice on how to strike a pose like a pro.
This week has basically been deemed Star Wars Week. The film’s critic scores were released exciting fans even more due to the movie receiving scores ranging from high 8s to 10s! It is clear that Star Wars is set to be the blockbuster that J.J. Abrams promised us all.
The film release is not the only thing that has us excited here at 1966, the fashions seen during the red carpet for the Star Wars premiere had us like whoa! Especially, when it came to Janelle Monae’s C3PO inspired ensemble. If there was a Star Wars fashion award Monae definitely would have been nominated and would of won hands down.
The gorgeous Yoga singer dazzled in a futuristic design by Erevos Aether with shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti. Monae completed the look with jewels from: Casa Reale, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, Butani Jewellery and Djula Jewelry. Moreover, being a Covergirl Janelle’s overall beauty, hair and style look was on point thanks to her “Android Maintenance Squad” as she put it. That squad included: Maeve Reilly (style), Jessica Smalls (makeup) as well as Cheryl Reid and Caprice (hair).
This power droid look was also spotted on another pretty starlet too. Kat Graham donned the Erevos Aether mirror embellished leather vest for her shoot with Mane Addicts magazine.
Thoughts? Talk fashion by dropping us a comment down low or hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Actress Kerry Washington has some big beauty news today! For 2016 Kerry Washington has been named the Creative Ambassador of the highly successive nail lacquer brand, OPI. This is the first time that the brand has had an ambassador position which makes this beauty move even more momentous.
Kerry Washington has used her fashionable and trendy style before when the Scandal inspired couture line was launched. Also, since 2013 Kerry has been a creative consultant for Neutrogena. Now Washington is bringing her chic influence to the OPI family. For 2016 Kerry will be designing her own nail polish collection incollaboration with OPI Creative Director, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, which will no doubt fly off the shelves. Therefore, if any ladies out there have hopes of reflecting Olivia Pope into their personal style next year you will get your chance!
For a few days now fans have been weighing in on Washington’s inking a deal with OPI. Here are just a few of their comments:
OMG!
We need a shopping trip!
Our two favorite things!! Kerry and OPI
Wanna guess what I just added to my Christmas list? Haha
Listen this here is going to be epic. I can’t wait to see the collections that’s gonna come out of this partnership. Great move OPI
Kerry Washington herself has had some thoughts on her new beauty job. Washington by all accounts seems happy to be and excited on getting her creative juices flowing in order to create some timeless nail shades. Kerry stated,
“This is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to testing out new colors on the red carpet. The fun, for me, is that nail lives in the crossover space between fashion and beauty. I love to play with nail color on the red carpet and explore new shades.”
Thoughts? Join the discussion on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Scientific studies involving photographic tests have proven that sleep deprived individuals may be found to be less attractive to onlookers. As if not looking your best is not enough of a reason to hit the sheets; what about not feeling your best? Lacking adequate rest can potentially wreak havoc on your body and health from the inside out.
What can result from a lady not getting enough rest? Sleep deprivation has been linked to disease, depression and even weight gain. With the winter months behind us and bikini wonderland right around the corner a few extra pounds is probably not what most of us women want.
So then, how much sleep does the average adult need to look well-rested and function properly? The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 6 to 8 hours a night. Anything less and you’re not letting your body — let alone your skin — fully rejuvenate. Therefore, be sure to get your beauty rest and your skin and health will thank you.
Many find it difficult to fall asleep at night. Here are a few quick tips to help you slumber:
Workout daily. Even 20 minutes of walking can help keep stress hormones from interfering with your sleep.
Don’t binge right before bed. Yes, that fare looks good, but it has the potential to make you restless because an active digestive system can disrupt sleep. Yet don’t go to sleep hungry, either. Instead, have a balanced meal of sleep-promoting foods such as tuna, almonds and eggs to lull you into Snoozeville.
Kanye may want to see all of the lights, but your body doesn’t. Minimize light, noise and temperature extremes; (your bedroom should be kept at about 68 degrees) anything that might disrupt a comfortable environment.
Beds are for sleeping and physical relations only. Sleep specialists recommend not reading, watching TV, working or discussing important issues in bed.
Consume Starbucks and Coffee Bean in the morning hours. Caffeine, nicotine or other stimulants should be avoided within four hours of bedtime. Caffeine effects can take up to eight hours to wear off.
They say love is war, but hair can be just as much of a battle. When it comes to getting great results when straightening your hair you have to turn up the heat. Salon quality results can be achieved in the comfort of your very own home. What’s most important is having the right tools and weapons to make it all happen.
A heat-styling tool you most likely have in your hair arsenal is a hair straightener. This article’s focus will be specifically on flat irons. Most women think there is only one type of flat iron and that you simply plug it in, allow it to heat up, then get busy. However, there are so many other factors that need to be taken into consideration in order to gain silky, shiny and smooth hair.
Choosing the right flat iron begins by developing a knowledge of the various types available and how they operate. There are four different types of flat irons: Ceramic, Tourmaline, Titanium and Ionic. So then, what exactly does each one do or accomplish? Before we break it down keep this one fact in mind, all flat irons use the help of negative ions in order to give your mane a sleek and smooth finish. Moreover, this is true regardless of what brand or make that you purchase.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at ceramic and tourmaline flat irons. Ceramic irons are manufactured more than any other type of flat iron; therefore, making them very accessible to the public. Flat irons that are ceramic when in use transfer heat evenly. It is best to look for one that is pure ceramic because unfortunately some companies make their product with only a coating of ceramic. This is a problem because with use the coating may chip exposing your hair to the metal underneath. If hair comes in contact with the hot metal it could lead to damage, which is something all women wish to avoid.
Tourmaline flat irons are made from a gemstone, tourmaline, which is pressed into a powder and used as a coating on the plates of the flat iron. Tourmaline is an excellent source of negative ions making it a damage-free option in the straightening process. Nevertheless, how do titanium and ionic irons weigh in?
Titanium tends to be on the more expensive side but still has its benefits. Titanium is not only a great source of negative ions but is also known for being a more speedy option. This type of iron conducts heat faster than ceramic and users will experience little temperature variation during usage. This means hair will receive an even amount of heat during treatment.
Lastly, tresses may be smoothed by the use of ionic flat irons. Ionic irons infuse the cuticle to maintain and extend the life of straight tresses for a longer period of time. Ionic technology helps users obtain glossy locks, lessens the risk of heat damage, conditions strands and provides a softer finish. How is all of this possible? Hair has a positive bond of hydrogen which is destroyed when it comes in contact with the negative charge of the flat iron, rendering it straight. In other words, the negative ions neutralize the positive ones to eliminate the static and make your mane much shinier and moisturized. Nonetheless, Ionic irons heat up quickly allowing you to get started styling sooner. A win-win situation when you’re in a time pinch.
