BlackStyleFile

ARISE Fashion Week Catwalk Highlights

Highlights from this years ARISE Fashion Week in Lagos 2012

Bestow Elan http://www.bestowelan.com/

Adama Paris - http://www.adama-paris.com/en/

Koke

Duaba Serma

Laquan Smith - http://www.laquansmith.com

 

For more on ARISE Fashion Week 2012 visit http://www.arisemagazine.net

 

We will always love Whitney!

We lost another icon today.

Whitney Houston was someone we admired, marveled at, and routed for, but she was also someone who we talked about, laughed at, and wondered on many occasions what in the world she was thinking. She felt like family, and we related to her as such.

However in recent years we mostly prayed that she would remember that the talent and the strength that God had given her was all she needed to overcome her trials and reclaim her rightful place in the world as well as the #1 spot on the charts. The place her voice belonged. We wanted Whitney to be the very best version of herself again.

We loved her then. We love her now. And we will always love her.

Rest in peace Whitney Houston.

 

BSF Beauty Review: JJ Eyelashes

Eyelash Extensions: The Hottest New Beauty Trend

Cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments are nothing new. In fact, most women take part in a daily ritual of applying face, hair, nail, and body products in an effort to enhance their overall appearance. But every now and then something new comes along, that seems intriguing and perhaps even a bit weird. 

I have to admit, I was skeptical about why anyone would want to get eyelash extensions? I mean, I have been known to throw on a couple strips or a few individual lashes for a birthday celebration or New Year's Eve, but what would I look like walking around in the middle of the day batting my eyes like Minnie Mouse?

I also had questions about how they were applied, how long they'd last, if the application hurt and how much would they cost? After hearing about a place from a friend called JJ Eyelashes I decided to give it a try.

The Appointment 

I visited JJ Eyelashes at their new location on Wooster Street in Soho and was instantly impressed. The salon felt more like a luxe boutique spa. I was greeted by the owner May Lee, who gave me a consultation and asked me what kind of look I wanted. Natural or dramatic? Long or short? Curly or straight?

She showed me a examples of various lashes and we settled on a lash that was a bit longer than my natural lash and because my lashes are naturally curly, we chose a straighter lash so that the lashes wouldn't clump together.

The Experience

The application was painless, relaxing and needless to say I almost fell asleep - that was until my complimentary foot and leg massage began, which felt so wonderful I was determined to stay awake to enjoy every minute. After prepping my face and applying tape to protect the skin around my eye, the synthetic lashes were applied individually to my own lashes (not the skin) with a special glue. There were between 150 lashes applied to each eye and the entire set took about an hour. *Tip - show up makeup and mascara free to cut down on a lengthy cleansing process before hand. 

 

See the application in the video below.

  SOURCE

The Results

May Lee was gentle and professional. She applied each lash with precision and answered all of my questions and concerns regarding application, after care and maintenance. It felt good to lay down and be pampered but when it was time to get up - Viola! I could see amazing results. It was instant gratification! I loved the lashes and they looked and felt natural. They definitely made my eyes pop. I even got rave reviews from my friends and family.

See for yourself. Below are my before and after pictures.

                                        BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BSF take away:

 It's been three weeks since I had my lashes done and I am still loving them. I was told that most people come in every two weeks or so for fill ins and to replace the lashes that have naturally fallen off. I could use a fill in now, but I still have a noticeably longer lashes with the ones I have left.

JJ Eyelashes also offers other services such as permanent make-up, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. You can even schedule to have a manicure while you get your lashes done to save time! Love that!

You should know...:

Price: Ranges for a full set $ 120 - $200, Refills - $45 - $150 (depending on how many weeks you wait to refill)

Care: Use oil free eye makeup remover and avoid mascara if you want them to last a longer length of time.

Duration: Lashes can last over a month.

Removal: You can have them professionally removed at the salon but it is reccommended that they fall off naturally.

 

 Tour JJ Eyelashes Soho location

Book your appointment online or call JJ Eyelashes at 212. 966.1160. You can also email them directly at info@jjeyelashes.com.

 

 

BSF Beauty Review: Pantene Curly Hair Series Dry to Moisturized Shampoo

 
 
 

Product:  Pantene® Pro-V® CURLY HAIR SERIES DRY TO MOISTURIZED™ SHAMPOO

They Say: "Pantene’s shampoo, with targeted moisturizers, helps seal and smooth cuticle edges to define curls and control frizz. Pantene’s unique shampoo & conditioner system replenishes hair from root to tip to help regulate your dry hair’s natural moisture balance.Gentle enough for color-treated or permed hair."

Tichanda Says: On my natural curls, anything with sodium laurel sulfate (the chemical that causes lather) is usually a no no, but I have always been a fan of Pantene products and I was sent the latest products from the Curly Hair Series by Harper's Bazaar to try and review. Upon applying the shampoo and massaging it into my wet hair I noticed the fresh scent, and the creamy foamy suds that appeared. I clearly could have used less product.

After a few minutes of working the shampoo through my curls i was ready to rinse. I could tell I was going to need a lot of conditioner after my rinse because the slip of my hair changed from slick to stiff. My hair qas squeaky clean but it felt stripped of all moisture. Yikes! The good news is that my next step was the Pantene® Pro-V®
DEEP MOISTURIZING TREATMENT. After applying a heap of the treatment my hair soaked it up and returned to moisturized manegable state.

Take Away Tip: I wouldn't use this shampoo daily for natural hair. Once a week as part of a regimen that includes deep conditioning as well as a moisturizer is probably best. 

BSF Launch: SoftSheen-Carson® Professional redefines the relaxer with Optimum Advanced

 

On Tuesday BSF had the privilege of sitting in on a presentation for the launch of the next generation of SoftSheen-Carson® Professional relaxing and styling products called Optimum Advanced.

 

Typically media and press event are crowded, loud and over the top, but this launch was small and intimate. Set in a sleek studio, branded with the logo, colors and informational videos - no detail was overlooked. It set the stage for a truly different conversation surrounding hair straightening and overall hair care.  

This model had a relaxer 3 weeks ago and the stylist used only the Flexible Holding Spray to finish the look. The cute bob had lots of body, movement and a brilliant sheen.

Anyone who has had a perm, or who has seen the 2009 documentary "Good Hair' by Chris Rock may be a bit skeptical about relaxers in general. And if you are like me, a black woman with natural curls that haven't been permanently straightened for more than 6 years, you might be even more hesitant to entertain the idea of another relaxer being introduced to the market. 

However, I have to say I was truly impressed with what I saw. And it wasn't just because they served me some pretty good hors d'oeuvres! Here's why:

• The Optimum Advanced Keratin Whipped Crème Relaxer System features a patented and advanced technology which they call Smart Lye. It uses 25 percent less Sodium Hydroxide* for significantly reduced damage and healthier hair.

• Sure 'Smart Lye' sounds like an oxymoron, but the company claims the relaxer works evenly on each strand to optimize application timing, allowing stylists to relax with control and still achieve maximum straightness. The lye acts like a "GPS system" and attaches only to the parts of the hair that need straightening. This limits breakage and avoids over processing the hair shaft.

• Each step in the relaxing system is infused with patented Pro-Keratin TM Complex and Oil Infusion, a blend of argan and coconut oils.

• It actually smells good! No rotten egg, perm smell here. That alone makes it worth a try!

 Model Maya Haile sports a beautifully sculpted up do with shiny hair that was smooth and soft to the touch.

“Optimum Advanced has the lowest levels of Sodium Hydroxide, which significantly reduces damage and protects the health of the hair," said Johnny Wright, Celebrity Stylist and Artistic Style Director.

“It gives better hair fiber integrity which, as a stylist, means more styling options. It’s as simple as that.”

  Johnny Wright - Celebrity Stylist and SSC Artistic Director, Angela Guy- Senior VP and General Manager of SSC and Shannon King - Director of Education of SSC.

The system which launches Spring 2011 consists of:

1. Keratin Whipped Crème Relaxer
2. Ceramide Gel Scalp Protector
3. Keratin and pH Recovery Crème Conditioner 
4. Keratin Recovery Neutralizing Shampoo 
5. Keratin Sealing Leave-In Conditioner.+ Oil Infusion™technology

The Oil Infusion styling products include a High Gloss Shine Spray and Flexible Holding Spray, and will be available exclusively to professional stylists through Full Service Distributors beginning April 2011.

The Optimum Advanced product line.

In celebration of the pending launch, Soft Sheen Carson will be participating in numerous trade shows and events around the country.

They will also be offering education opportunities for stylists and are currently offering salons a chance at winning a makeover by the Soft Sheen Carson Style Squad.

For more information on events and promotions please visit the Soft Sheen Carson Professional website . 

 Screen shot from newly launched website

 

NY Fashion Week Recap: Byron Lars Fall 2011

  The BLBM ladies on display.

 Silver glaze cocoon coat over charcoal scrunched boy pant

Ivory ruffled chiffon plush coat over black and ivory tangled mesh shell

Designer Byron Lars and Actress Anika Noni Rose

BSF hit up designer Byron Lars Beauty Mark Fall 2011 presentation during New York Fashion Week. He showcased his "Native Americana" collection which was truly a sensory experience.

There was a large projection of the models in BLBM designs in surrealistic landscapes as well as a drummer who set the mood with his steady beats. Lars brought the outdoors inside with a foliage backdrop featuring models planted on on a platform and draped in rich textured fabrics.

The tribal makeup and feather adorned head pieces accentuated and completed the look.ts etc. I loved the accessories just as much as the collection.  From leggings, shoes, boots and belts - no detail was left out!

The show was styled by Darius Baptist and hair and makeup were provided by L'Oreal. For more on Byron Lars Beauty Mark visit his website.

Check out more exclusive pics below!