Goodbye Halitosis

Holiday season is here, which means some spiked eggnog might lead you under some mistletoe if you’re lucky. The quickest way to find yourself standing there by your damn self is by having funky breath. That’s right folks, this post is about keeping the mouthpiece fresh, especially during this time of close contact. Think about it, not only will you be greeting relatives, but that good snuggle weather is upon us, and again — you gets none if your breath is foul. Here are some tips to keep people wanting to talk to you during the winter. Feel free to make them lifestyle habits:

- BRUSH at least twice a day. Get in the back of your mouth, top and bottom. Please don’t forget the tongue and the roof of your mouth. Bacteria will live, and die depending on how hot your mouth is, there.

- FLOSS. Seriously,  flossing is the most important thing you can do to keep a healthy mouth situation besides brushing. It’s important to get rid of the bits of turducken meat you might’ve eaten at Grandmommy’s. Not only can leftover food particles make your mouth smell like ugh, but it can cause gingivitis, which can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss. Would you want to kiss a toothless person? We thought so. We recommend Plackers Flosspicks. They’re an easy glide floss that won’t make it feel like you’re sawing through your teeth. Keep in your purse or pocket along with your…

- BREATH MINTS. Gum is great, but if you’re looking for insta-fresh, a breath mint will be your best bet. Gum takes a few chews to activate and if chewed too long can become stale, defeating the purpose. Besides, there’s something classy and imperceptible about a mint over gum. We recommend DentaClean Herbal Breath Mints.

- BLACK TEA. Gentleman, want to impress your lady friend and avoid puppy dog breath in the morning? Make sure to keep some black tea in the cupboards, and fix her some in the morning. Studies have found that black tea not only improves cardiovascular health, but also kills the bacteria in the mouth that causes stinky breath. You can try peppermint and green tea, as well.

- SMILE. True enough, a smile won’t kill halitosis, but it will kill the notion that you aren’t confident about your oral situation. Besides, it’s the holidays, there’s plenty to be grateful for and a smile from me and you makes the world a better place.

BONUS: Whitening products. I think we can all agree white is alright when it comes to teeth. Invest in more than just sparkly looking toothpaste and buy whitening strips. We also like Listerine whitening pre-wash for before you brush, and Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster to put on top of your toothpaste while you brush. Do yourself one better and the next time you go get your teeth cleaned (because we know all of you are making efforts to go at least once a year), ask your dentist to make custom molds of your teeth so you can have your very own set of whitening trays. The trays can last you for years if you take care of them, and it will be easier to maintain, instead of create, a pearly white smile. Healthy diet and plenty of water are also essential to oral health.

Products Babies of all Ages Can Enjoy

So after an innocent conversation with my husband recently, he went into detail about the many uses of baby products by men.  Now, just to let you know, my husband is about as rugged as it gets so for him to explain the uses and why men use baby products was interesting, and I thought I should share with you, if not for useful information, but at least a good laugh.

So you just had an amazing night, wake up for you usual routine in the morning and what do you find, no tissue, but baby wipes instead.  This may freak a girl out, but then you think, I guess he is a real stickler for cleanliness.

In the heat of the moment, anything can happen, but what would you do when you you’re covered in baby oil and no end in sight.  I mean it can be a nice little touch to intimacy, but really, an entire bottle gone and he still wants more?  It is a little off putting, but hey, you have baby wipes right?

So I have not personally used baby powder since I was 5-years-old, but apparently men never stopped using it.  Whether it’s for feet, chaffing or sweat prevention in the private region, it is usually not a good look when you reveal yourself to your partner and white powder is falling to the ground.  It was cute as a child, but as a grown person, it is just ridiculous.  And don’t even think of using baby oil after that, it just creates a weird paste that is hard to clean.  Not even baby wipes can save you then.

Have you ever tried Vaseline?  It is interesting to say the least when getting ready to have relations with your partner and he pulls out Vaseline.  I have asked a few guy friends what is the appeal of this medium and they simply say it is not a messy as baby oil and seems to last longer.

Now the point of this column is to be a bit of informative and hopefully a little humorous as well.  Now I consider myself hip and in the know, but I did not know about this.  I have been married for some time so my interaction with baby products and the opposite sex is almost non-existent, but when I asked my friends, male and female, exactly what is the appeal, they all say the same thing, one they smell good, plain and simple, two, they feel good, no irritation for sensitive skin and finally, it is just cheaper.  I mean a good bottle of personal lubricant is about twelve bucks, foot powder, maybe four bucks, a bottle of baby oil is about two buck and there are always coupons, it’s a recession people, got to save where you can. Now baby wipes can be expensive, I have children, I know, but that clean feeling cannot be matched.

Even celebrities get in on the action, Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard has gone on record to say he will not even be interested in a potential mate, unless he knows she uses baby wipes.  Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny’s Child, has publicly stated that she maintains her sexy glow with baby oil on her legs and Vaseline on her hands at night.

So there you go, ladies and gents, don’t be shy or surprised when you finally get invited over for the first time and he has more baby products than Target.  Its ok, he’s clean, and smells good and at the end of the night you will literally be slipping into the sheets together.

The Essential Back-to-School Makeup Looks

It’s that time of year again, back-to-school, and time to revamp those makeup bags with fall’s newest colors and products to keep you on trend and looking hot!  Before you even begin your makeup regimen, always remember to cleanse, moisturize and prime.  No matter if you are a glam goddess or very casual, making sure you skin is in great condition will ensure a forever flawless and timeless face.  And don’t forget, bold brows and matte skin is the key to keep all of these looks Back-to-School ready.

Glam Girl

Your look is dramatic, sexy and flawless.  You feel your best when your look is striking and everyone knows it.  For this look, playing up the eyes with a dramatic smoky lid or a fresh pop of color will make a great impact.  For those of you, who want to play up the lips, think luscious berry, glossy gold and neutral pink.

Eyes- Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Catherine 03 and De Luxe Pink 29, sephora.com

Cheeks- Sephora Blush Me Trio in Abricot 11 and Brun 12

Lips- Makeup Forever Lipstick in Mandarin and Pearly Raspberry

Celeb Looks- Beyonce, Gabrielle Union, Kim Kardashian

Rocker Chick

Your look is unique, flirty and edgy all at once.  Right now, the look of the moment is the ultimate in femininity, the Cat Eye.  Black is classic, but you’re different, for that reason, so many brands have created pencil and cream eyeliners in fun and exciting colors.  Blue, Violet and Green, try them all.  Another option for this look is color in unexpected combinations.  Try a dark green liner to compliment a neutral brown lid, or a deep plum lid paired with a hot pink lip.  The options for this look are as limitless and daring as you are.

Eyes- Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Crash and Smog; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Zero and Rock Star.

Cheeks- Urban Decay AfterGlow Blush in Quickie and Fetish

Lips- Bare Escentuals Buxom and Big Healthy Lipstick in Monte Carlo and Las Vegas

All found at sephora.com

Celeb Looks- Rhianna, Keri Hilson

Classic Beauty

Your look is soft, balanced and sophisticated.  To achieve this look and stay on trend, matte colors are the way to go.  This season classic does not mean beige, ivory or brown, think soft pinks, rich jewel tones and sculpted cheeks.  The trend for lips with this look is the always chic, bold red lips or a swipe of lip gloss over any color lipstick.

Eyes- Nars Duo Eyeshadow in All About Eve and Portobello

Cheeks- Nars Blush in Mata Hari, Zen and Orgasm

Lips- Sephora Maniac Mat Long Wearing Lipstick in Mat 06 and Mat 10

All found at sephora.com

Celeb Looks- Keyshia Cole, Letoya Luckett, Megan Fox

Casual Cutie

Your look is easy, natural and very chic.  To get this look Back-to-School ready, keep the colors in the same family.  This will bring out your best features, without overpowering.   Try a shimmering golden peach on the lids, a rosy peach on the apples of the cheek and a peachy pink gloss on the lips.  To all a little bit of drama, a quick swipe of dark brown liner on the lids will add depth and make this look a bit more sultry.

Eyes- Smashbox Eyeshadow in Ambient and Torch

Cheeks- Smashbox Soft Lights Luminzer in Lens and Tint

Lips- Bare Minerals Scandalips in Cassis and Cupcake

All found at sephora.com

Celeb Looks- Taylor Swift, Ciara

Classic Face

One of the hottest looks this season is the Rhianna palette. Angela, a make-up artist with Nieman’s, gives some tips on how to achieve the look:

The best way to create Rhianna’s look is to keep it very matte. Get the face ultra matte with oil control skincare and good powder, and then do a soft cheek with a bronzer. To achieve a bold lip go for MAC’s Russian Red or Viva Glam and a good liner from MAC. Stay away from gloss on the lips for this look. a gel or liquid liner on the eye in black will make eyes sultry.  Be sure the line on the upper lid is very precise and brought out in the corner almost cat-like, but not too much. Eye shadow should be very subtle if any and matte like a beige or skin tone. If its shimmery then only apply a slight shimmer. Its more appropriate than other looks of the moment, so when you head out make sure to pair the look for when you have on your sophisticated outfit for the office, or solid colors. The Rhianna look is not so hot with prints and busy outfits.  It’s a simple look that is derived from the flapper and pin up girls. That Marilyn Monroes and Audrey Hepburn look is so simple, classy and sexy.

Special Shout Out to Angela Bartel for the Beauty Advice!

Dear Farrah…A Hair Tribute to Farrah Fawcett

Houston Hair Help

Growing up in Houston Texas has provided more benefits for my career than I could have imagined. What I learned from my mother, a Houston hairstylist, was the importance of healthy hair. My mother’s constant advice on conditioning the client’s hair has stuck with me as a renowned celebrity stylist. “Keep the hair strong by cutting dead ends and keep the hair from being dry and brittle,” she would always tell me.

Back in the 80’s, I would always research what was best for each and every client individually. I concocted all kinds of conditioner formulas that today I call my own “Hair Cocktail.” I may put a little bit of this and a little bit of that on the hair but believe me it’s just what the Hair Doctor (me) ordered. Over time I’ve come up with a few tips, and found a brand of products that works well with most hair types.

To remedy dry and brittle hair I recommend a wonderful new line called Moroccan Oil. The humidity being so high in the Houston area is reason enough to give this product a try. Moroccan Oil has four great products in their line:

1. The Original Moroccan Oil treatment is a great to use before coloring, relaxing or just as an oil treatment.

2. Intense Hydrating Mask is great to use after a relaxer, color or in between the use of artificial hair or for bi-weekly use as an intense conditioner. This product is great to mix with the Moroccan Oil.

The other 2 products are Hydrating Styling Cream and Intense Curl Cream.

But, for old fashion good hair sense, remember to always drink plenty of water. Hair needs to be hydrated form the inside just like everything else on your body, so make sure you don’t let yourself get dehydrated or it will show in the skin and hair.

And make sure you eat a well-balanced diet rich with Omega-3s. These can be found in fatty fish like salmon. These will keep natural oils in the hair making it lustrous and supple.

Until the next time,

Rhonda

Rhonda O’Neal is a celebrity stylist based in Los Angeles, but grew up in the the Mo. (Missouri City).  She is a proud alum of Dulles High School, and has styled for Condoleeza Rice, Ben Affleck, Solange, Shaun Robinson, Mila Kunis and Jason Bateman. She has been head stylist for the Golden Globes, Grammys, BET awards and the Oscars. Check her out and get your own personal hair styles tools at http://notanotherbadhairday.com/.

Life Time Fitness- Get FIT

Looking for a luxury fitness center? If so, Life Time – Sugarland Fitness is the place. Located at 1331 Highway 6, it’s a 24-hour gym complete with a spa, cafe, basketball court and an indoor and outdoor pool equipped with water slides. The club has excellent lighting and offers a variety of clean cardiovascular and weight machines. The major drawback is the club is around five-years-old and its routine to see broken machines sitting around for days waiting to be fixed.

Life Time offers a wide range of classes such as yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, aerobics, spinning and strength training. The first class during the week is at 5:15 a.m. and the last is at 7:15 p.m. One caveat for dedicated yogis, the yoga classes offered are more fitness based than traditional yoga. If you want to try a class, Adriana is the most skilled instructor.

The locker rooms are clean and spacious except for the restroom area. They only have four stalls and could be kept neater. The pool and locker room area is overrun with children and teenagers during peak hours. This is expected from a gym in the suburbs. And if you’re looking for a solid game of basketball, be prepared to stand in line, the court generally stays crowded. They have extra space outside that would adequately fit a soccer field, but no moves have been made by management to accommodate this member demand. Still, membership is comfortable enough to make getting a good workout in a decent amount of time possible.

All of Life Time’s amenities come at a moderate price for a plush gym — $55 is the average fee. However, members have to pay or upgrade their membership to use the rock climbing wall or racquetball court and to visit other Life Time Fitness locations.

All in all, if you are willing to pay the slightly pricey monthly dues and mingle with the slow-paced suburban crowd, Life Time is a well-run club with a friendly staff

Debunking the Top 5 Cosmetic Department Myths

Have you ever walked into a cosmetic department and felt intimidated by the sea of women dressed in black?

Have you ever strolled into a cosmetic department and thought “Damn, I knew I should have done my hair and makeup today… I’m a hot mess!”

Have you ever gone to a cosmetic department and immediately felt over whelmed by the prospect of finding the perfect color foundation?

Have you ever been bombarded by cosmetic associates trying to sell you the sun, the moon and the stars?

Have you ever wondered how on Earth you would find the perfect shade of lipstick to match your dress with so many choices?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you have a serious case of CDS, Cosmetic Department Syndrome.

So I am here to cure your case of CDS. This used to be me until I ended up getting a job in the dreaded cosmetics department. I thought “Oh no! Now I’m going to be labeled as one of those stuck up, cosmetic bitches!” “How dreadful!” As I took a trip to the dark side, I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Myth #1- “These cosmetic ladies are here to intimidate me with their black outfits, perfect hair, and perfect makeup!”

Since I have been in the industry for over 5 years now, I can tell you that it is a requirement of the department stores as well as the cosmetic companies for their employees to wear all black, have their hair pulled back away from their face, and have on a full face of makeup. If it was up to me I would wear lime green and fuchsia, any color but black, and come in “a la natural.” Unfortunately, if I looked like that, I would never sell one piece of makeup or skincare.

Myth #2- You must look like Tyra Banks to walk into the cosmetics department.

The truth is, if you are in search of a whole new look or all new skin care it is actually better if you come in without makeup. The cosmetic associates could care less what you look like. With the economy as horrible as it is, they are just happy to see any customer walk into the cosmetics department.  Their job is to make you look and feel beautiful. At the end of the day if they accomplish that goal, then you are more likely to buy something.

Myth #3- “It’s impossible to find the perfect color foundation that actually matches my skin, I’m sure this will end up in my drawer of makeup I cannot wear!”

Finding the perfect foundation may be easier than you thought. First narrow down exactly what kind of coverage you’re looking for, sheer, medium or full, with or without SPF, and finally liquid or powder. An experienced beauty advisor will be able to help you find a foundation based on your skin type. If you are still struggling, try a couple of counters, let them know you just need to be matched up and that you’re shopping around. If you feel you need to wear it around for awhile, ask for a sample. All cosmetics companies can make you a sample of anything that can be put into a container, including foundation.

Myth #4- “These people would try to sell snow to an Eskimo. They just want to sell me something even if I don’t need it!”

Now, while you may feel as if all cosmetic associates are trying to sell you anything and everything, the truth is, they have all been trained to not only show you that foundation or lipstick you’re looking for but to also show you a healthy skincare routine to go along with it.  So when you feel pressured to buy, only buy what you really need and will actually use.  As a beauty advisor, I would never want to sell you products that you are not going to use or don’t need because the likelihood of you returning it is high. In the cosmetics industry RETURN is considered a four letter word. Granted, there are some cosmetic sharks out there that could care less what they sell you, but in my experience most of us really do care. These cosmetic companies put billions of dollars into training their beauty advisors to provide you with the best customer service possible as well as product knowledge. If you are feeling pressured just say “I don’t want to buy something that I’m not sure about and end up RETURNING it.” You will see the cosmetic associate back off quickly. If you encounter a cosmetic line that is too pushy, is not listening to your needs, and is making you uncomfortable, leave immediately and walk down the hall to the other 50 cosmetic lines that are eagerly waiting to assist you!

Myth #5- “Finding the perfect lipstick is impossible!”

Here are a couple tips to make finding the perfect lipstick shade easier for you. So the most common lipstick customer I encounter is the one who is trying to match up some other color that they either used to wear, or has been discontinued. In this case the best way to find this obscure color is to actually bring that old tube of lipstick with you. The beauty advisor that’s helping should have no trouble matching your old color. With one stripe of your old lipstick on their hand, they can compare other shades that are close to your color. If the person helping you is just trying to match your lipstick tube by looking without actually striping it on their hand, you’re likely to end up with a color that won’t match the one your looking for. The other lipstick customer is the one who just wants a new shade. By asking a couple questions about what kind of shades you like, what kind of finish you want, your beauty advisor will be able to find a color for you. DO NOT; I repeat DO NOT leave the store without actually trying this color on your lips. Lipstick has a tendency to turn colors as soon as it hits your lips. We all have different pigments in our lips so this can determine how the lipstick actually shows up on us.

So with these beauty basics in your back pocket, you should be cured of Cosmetic Department Syndrome. Happy shopping and good luck!

A Vintage Shave

Christopher’s Vintage Shave

2288 Texas Drive

Sugar Land, TX 77478

Phone: 281-313-1455 

Christopher created his company out of the sheer desire to bring a real value to men. Vintage Shave is not just a men’s grooming salon offering professional shaves and grooming services, rather it is a philosophy and a way of life. After experiencing his first professional shave in 2004, he began to take better care of my body through regular exercise and diet. Christopher changed the types of foods he consumed and even began to study and grow spiritually. He wanted to come up in every area of his life and for him, it all started with the shave.

Christopher’s Steps to a Clean Shave

1. Hot Water

The first essentials to a perfect shave are water and warmth. When hair absorbs hot water it becomes softer and easier to cut and with warmth the skin and facial muscles become relaxed, making shaving so much easier. Thus the best time to shave is after a bath or shower. Soaking a folded flannel or small towel in hot water and wrapping it around the face for thirty seconds can also achieve this effect.

2. Preparing the face

Those who desire a particularly smooth shave (or who have sensitive skin) might wish to apply a glycerin-based Skin Food; this protects the skin and helps the razor to glide smoothly across the face. (This is also good preparation for those who electric shave.) Massaging the Skin Food against the growth of the beard also helps to lift the beard in readiness for the lather and shaving.

3. The lather

Applying shaving cream or ‘lathering up’ can be done with either the fingers or a shaving brush. Using your fingers is a very successful way of preparing the skin and beard for wet shaving as well as revitalizing the facial muscles. The shaving brush, filled with a good quality badger hair, will lift and moisten the beard, preparing it for the shave. We recommend traditional glycerin based shaving creams and soaps which help to keep the skin and beard warm and wet during the shave. Alcohol based shaving foams and gels have the opposite effect, dispersing moisture and cooling the skin, which can cause irritation whilst shaving.

If you use a brush we recommend Vintage Shave shaving brushes. Each brush is hand made and densely filled with a minimum of 13 grams of Best or Super badger hair (Super badger is softer). Vintage Shaving brushes are designed for comfort and guarantee many years of quality shaving.

4. The razor

Always use a quality razor with the sharpest blades available, avoid disposable razors with low-grade steel blades that bend when shaving.

Select a blade that suits your technique; cut-throat and safety razors for the competent and well tutored wet shaver, Gillette® Sensor® for those who require precision shaving around the moustache, beard and sideburns and Gillette® Mach 3® for wet shavers wanting an extra smooth shave. The revolutionary Mach 3® triple blade has an advanced lubricating strip, which indicates when the blade no longer provides a close shave.

We recommend Vintage Shave shaving razors, manufactured to the highest standards, and assembled by hand and incorporating the latest Gillette shaving systems. Vintage Shave has an international reputation for designing and manufacturing perfectly balanced shaving razors, each providing a secure and comfortable grip during wet shaving.

5. The shave

Make sure you use a sharp blade that has been warmed in the sink or under hot running water.

Shave with the grain of your beard, or move the blade sideways across the growth in awkward areas such as the chin and under the nose.

Never shave against the grain as this pulls the skin in the wrong direction causing small cuts and ‘grazing’ to the skin and is the most common cause of ‘razor burn’, ingrown hairs and shaving rash. Rinse the face thoroughly with cool water to close the pores and pat the face dry with a soft towel.

Use an anti-septic Alum Block to treat any small nicks or cuts, which occurred during shaving.

6. Caring for the skin

A good wet shave exfoliates and cleanses the face, leaving smooth new skin and a healthy clean appearance. Newly exfoliated skin needs to be protected from the elements, so for healthy skin it is important that men use an after-shaving moisturizer or Skin Food.

Products containing alcohol should not be applied to the skin immediately after shaving as this may inflame the skin and cause dryness. For best results cologne and other fragrances should be applied to the ‘hot spots’ behind the earlobes and on the sides of the neck. (Skin Foods and moisturizers are perfect for the electric shaver.)