It's a New Dawn...A New Hair...And I'm Feelin' Good!

To quote 'Jo':
"My head feels deliciously light and cool!"

Trimming Up

Gheesh. Where did Spring go? Summer has hit us with a full frontal assault, here in Tennessee. The heat has been bad but with the humidity, 90 degrees feels like an easy 120. All I wanna do is hit the pool but after having delivered my 4th baby in January and after 5 months of almost NO regular exercise, hiding seems to be the easier option.

Since my teens, I've always been very regimented with my workout routine. I had a membership to the local gym just before I got married and after I married, I started working out at home. I invested in a good quality aerobic 'step' (the popular thing in the 1990's) and some free weights. I also participated in group Kickboxing, Jazzercise, and Water Aerobics. When we moved to the country, a local gym wasn't an option so I went back to my tv workout, using Fit Tv as my motivator. I also purchased more equipment, including a stability ball and pilates mat.

Now we live in town again but the budget (for a family of six) simply doesn't allow for a gym membership. In addition, Fit Tv is no longer an option with our current cable service. So I fell off my routine and noticed that the weight I dropped so quickly after giving birth, was creeping back. After much reworking of the budget, I realized that the most cost effective way for me to get back in shape (considering the fact that the kids would be difficult to tote along on a daily strolls around the neighborhood) would be to invest in a few good exercise videos. I did well following the routines of Cathe Frederich on Fit Tv. Her programs are extremely challenging but can also be tailored to your individual fitness level. The music is upbeat, the environment is basic, and her personality does not annoy me. This is an important point since I will likely be watching her often.

I checked her website and discovered there were many videos I had never seen, in spite of the fact that others had aired repeatedly on Fit Tv. So I chose one that included a weight training segment and an intermediate step routine. Though 'Step' is somewhat 'dated' now, I find that my thin legs benefit from this type of exercise. After a month, I plan to purchase another video and incorporate it into my week as well. Not an ideal situation, but I'll certainly keep you posted on my progress.

Drinking water and cutting out refined and pre-packaged foods has always been the most full-proof way for me to slim down, in the past, so I also plan to do that. Feel free to dish about what YOU do for fitness, in the comments. I'd love to hear it...

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The time has also come for another kind of 'trimming up'. The hair must come off. The heat is getting to me and I'm tired of resorting to various buns and ponytails in order to keep it off of my neck. Last night, I wore a complex looking chignon with a sweater twin set, pencil skirt, and horn rimmed glasses. My husband said I looked like Ginger Grant from Gilligan's Island, when she was pretending to be a librarian.

Anyway, I'm anxious to try out some styles I have had requested and to finally get some good finger waving practice in. I am taking two photos to the salon with me, of styles I'd like to try wit the cut, and hopefully I'll also be able to film the process. My hair is to my bra strap right now...so this will be pretty drastic.


Change is good!

xxoo,
Ashley

'Moose and Squirrel Makeover"!

This week's tutorial featured my interpretation of 'Rocky and Bullwinkle' baddie, Natasha Fatale. I decided to go for a look that would be 'wearable' for some...not so much, for others. It is a tribute to 1930's film noir, much like Natasha's signature look, but includes a few modern touches to make it more 'evil'. I had recently gone red with my streaks, so the latter point was more easily made.



For those of you with long hair that is all one length, the front rolls can still be achieved without looking too awkward by placing them further down over the forehead so that the mimic the middle parted 'bangs' that Natash made famous. I used a small perming rod set for these curls. The purple ones are smaller than the peach colored ones I typically use. I knew this would give me a tighter curl but since I only rolled them to around ear level, I didnt need to worry about getting any unsightly crimps in the finished style. I used pillow rollers on the shorter bangs that I'm growing out, since perming rods are a bit too slippery for these shorter pieces.


For the hair:

1. After removing rollers, brush all hair thoroughly using a stiff bristled brush. Allow the volme and 'frizz' to remain, for the time being.

2. tease the two front sections on either side of the part and curl them towards one another, in two large pin curls. Use bobby pins to secure.

3. Continue brushing the remaining hair until you have sleek waves. Depending on your hair texture, this might take longer for some.

4. Finish with hair spray and an accessory of your choice. I chose a cocktail hat by Taissa Lada designs.

For the face:

Products Used:
Besame' Souffle' Foundation in 'Bisque'
Ben Nye concealer wheel in 'Medium'
Besame' loose transluscent powder applied with a powder puff
TOo Faced Shadow Insurance
Bad Gal eye crayon by Benefit
Sigma Makeup Brushes
purple eye shadow from the 'Party Pops' palette by Revlon
Smokey Eyes palette by NYX
Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Zero
Kat Von D liquid liner in 'Black Metal Love'
loreal Clean Definition Telescopic Mascara
NYX lashes
Revlon lash adhesive
Revlon Cream Blush in 'First Blush'
Deep Berry lip liner by Mary Kay
Noir Red lipstick by Besame' Cosmetics

Create the Look:
1. Apply foundation upward and outward, using a lighter shade than you're used to.

2. Apply concealer where needed and top with powder, to set.

3. Use a black eye crayon at the upper lashline and blend over whole lid.

4. Top with a purple irridescent eye shadow, carrying beneath the eye as well.


5. Using a steel gray shimmery shadow, blend around the edges of the purple shadow and beneath the eye, for a smokey appearance.

6. Highlight browbone with a shimmery ivory color.

7. Create a strong arched brow with a matte black shadow

8. Line upper and lower inner eyelid rim with black pencil. Also blend along the upper lashline.

9. Use a liquid black liner to create a slight wing at the upper lashline.

10. Finish the eyes with a dramatic half lash at the outer corners and mascara.

11. Use a deep berry colored cream blush to contour the cheeks.

12. Apply a very deep purple or berry colored lipstick to the lips, focusing on definition. Use a brush if necessary.

Make sure to check out the video for further styling tips.

xxoo,
Ashley