Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Wax Much????


So before everyone really starts bumping the summer ending classic Dear Summer, I think a thorough discussion on beach etiquette is in order. Who remembers the Wax Much scene from my super fave movie Sex and the City??? Well the honesty of it is Miranda is not the only woman who overlooks the much needed personal grooming, and while most may think that waxing is a personal grooming matter when walking around exposing your Hairy Scary you’ve just made your personal regime my personal insult. So in the spirit of keeping us all Radiantly beautiful, I have listed below a recipe that I personally use for waxing and hair removal. This recipe goes along with my long list of ancient techniques – Egyptian sugaring.

For those who have ever dared a Brazilian wax, this recipe can be used to **de-clutter** those bikini lines or for those who dare to completely bare, and don’t forget the legs, underarms or even the face. It’s an all-natural recipe, using items in your fridge/kitchen and is based off the sugaring technique. Additionally, this wax when made right is in the form of a gummy/rubbery texture that can be continuously applied to the area you are working on. What I have found is this type of wax and its specific texture is way less painless that commercial, unnatural shall we say, waxes. The sugar component allows for the substance to attach solely to the hair as opposed to the skin like regular wax. This technique is used with room temperature sugaring paste as opposed to scolding hot wax applied to some of our most intimate parts! The lemon provides citric acid, which as an astringent tightens skin making the hair removal process easier. Further, for all the home-based waxers this technique is much easier to clean than regular approaches. And the major bonus for all my Radiant and frugal is the natural recipe saves you big bucks, so we can all keep it carefree and hairless when the sun is shining and even when it is now!!!


RECIPE:

1. Two cups of water
2. Three cups of sugar or three cups of honey

3. Two teaspoons of lemon juice


PROCEDURE:

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil.

2. When its color changes to golden brown, lower the heat and continue to simmer.

3. Keep a careful watch on the color. Once it starts to change to brown, turn off the heat.

4. Allow cooling a little, then pour small quantities onto heavy-duty plastic; the type that will not melt.
NOTE: It is not a good idea to use a plate, you will want a pliable source.

5. When it becomes cool enough to handle, pull a piece off the plastic and pull and stretch it. This will immediately cause it to change color, from a clear golden brown to an opaque gold. It should be easy to stretch and pull. If it is too hard, you have left it on the heat for too long and must make a new batch. If it is too liquid, it has not been heated enough and must be heated once more, or a new batch made.


If you use a candy thermometer 260 degree is the correct temperature.


UPDATE: An excellent question has come in regarding proper use of the wax. First things first, unless you have experience and/or feel strongly comfortable waxing yourself - please leave it to the professionals. That being said, when selecting a suitable waxing salon ask them if they offer sugar waxing. If you prefer self-waxing, with the recipe above, the wax will form into a putty like substance. Apply it to the are in a downward facing direction, and remove the wax in a direction going against the grain of the hair. You'll want to remove the hair quickly. Feel free to use aloe at the end of the process to reduce any temporary redness. Hope this helps, hit me up if you're interested in more detailed information.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Hair Pampering in 2008 and Beyond...



I remember back in 1996 when I was a young’n on the streets of NYC. Hair care in the 90s had a different spin, it was all about the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday $10 wash and set special at your local Dominican hair salon. In 2008, Dominican hair salons have more than blown up – while I won’t get my $10 wash with the doobie at Mirror Images (yes the original weekly client for Dominga!), with prices like $25 and $35, we can all stay Radiant in these economically challenging times.

That being said, back when I lived in area where I could walk to the shop at any time, on any day – I used to get a special conditioning treatment, that I promise is the hair pampering treatment of 2008 and beyond. For those who are well versed with conditioning – 3 Radiant points for you; for those who aren’t you are 15 years behind schedule! Steam conditioning, a technique where you sit under a steamer (clear bowl connected to a glass pot with steeping water) for 20 – 25 minutes is excellent for your hair. The ultimate in moisturizing – so for all of us naptually yours Radiant girls, this is what you need to do – but wait its NOT only for natural beauties, our lye partners can get down with the steamer too! It also helps with dandruff, increases softness of hair, and the luscious Radiant shine.

So during your next trip to the hair salon, pay a few more bucks and indulge in the steam conditioner – I mean with the money you’re saving on your eyebrows you can afford it. And if you really want a treat tell the stylist to use the Dominican conditioners and if you aren’t up on those, stop by your local Dominican shop and purchase some – your hair will thank you.

****Radiant Bonus*****
For the two cities nearest and dearest to my heart, here are some personal references of places to find this Radiant hair technique:

New York City:
Mirror Images
109th and 110th Street Columbus Avenue
NOTE: It’s been a minute since I’ve gotten my hair done at home, back when I went Dominga charged $5.00 extra for the steam machine. I’ll hit her up to get the accurate info for you Radiant girlys.

UPDATE: It has been confirmed, Mirror Images has one steam machine. $5 for steam conditioning, $5 and up for special dominican conditioners. Lovely Radiance!

Atlanta:
Lilly’s Hair Plus
5344 Jimmy Carter Blvd Nw, Norcross, GA 30093
With confirmation from the source, Lilly has two machines in heavy rotation…get on it!

Threading, Threading and more Threading....




So I’ve decided that my first inaugural post since publishing this blog will be about my absolute tried and true hair removal technique: threading!!! If you are one who has ever wondered how to achieve that razor sharp, perfect eyebrow arch without risking the botox shot to the wrong muscle look or that dang I sneezed when the razor was still moving look, then threading is the way you need to go.

Threading is an ancient, eastern hair removal technique. I mean if we are all about vintage clothing, why not be about vintage beauty techniques as well. Some say threading originated in India (my belief as well); others will list other Middle Easter countries, nonetheless, this technique has well passed the “up and coming trend” here in the US. Celebrities like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and dang it Oprah are sworn threaders, you should be too!


The Technique:

The actual process of threading requires a SKILLED threading practitioner. Before going on, I cannot stress that enough – eyebrows you all will learn are my favorite body part, yet can be so easily messed up with a long lasting impact. I mean how many have accidentally had too much taken off? That super thin, do you have alopecia look that will last at least a month. It’s not worth it and definitely not Radiant, so let’s always keep it professional. That being said, the process includes use of 100% cotton thread which is rolled and twisted along the surface of the skin entwining hairs and lifting them from the follicle one by one, talk about precise! In terms of pain, I personally believe it’s not much different in comparison to waxing (just a little longer), but it is all-natural so none of the weird, red eyes funny business afterwards. In fact, threading is highly recommended for those using prescription acne treatments such as Retin-A and Accutane. When your hair re-grows it will come in finer and sparser than before. Additionally there is a reduction of in-grown hairs.


Pros and Cons:
I am obviously biased, but for the objective at heart here’s my attempt at a balanced perspective of this super hot and **Radiant** trend:
PROS:

• It’s all natural – not likely to have an allergic reaction here

• Less expensive – so on a personal note my first introduction to threading came from my desire to stay Radiant yet frugal when I moved to Atlanta for college, I always manage to stay within the $4 - $10 range
• More precise

• Shaped to the natural curve of your eyebrow – or – achieve other desired eyebrow shapes


CONS:

• Where can I find a place near me?


So there you have it folks, the uber Radiant beauty technique for those fabulous eyebrows. Let me know if there is anything else I can include to make this more **Radiant!!!!**