We're Mad about Christina Hendricks

"So many Women have said encouraging things to me, told me it's been inspiring to them, that I feel like it is something to celebrate," she says and laughs. "Honestly, for people to be nice about anything is so darn rare in this town." (When nay-sayers remark on her cleavage- showcasing
dresses, she shrugs: "I've had people be like, 'I can't believe she's wearing that- it accentuates her breasts!' Look they're not going anywhere. They can't be hidden!")
Christina Hendicks is a good role model to any woman. Showing off her curves and being proud of them. Not giving to the Hollywood stereotype of size zeros. She has stuck to who she is and I believe any young girl could learn a thing or two from her or her onscreen alter-ego Joan Holloway from Mad Men. "Joan is the kind of person who knows that every second, at least one person is watching her," says Hendricks. "Every time she
stands or moves, she's doing it for someone else."













x.o. Brandy
(follow me on Twitter @BrandyHoward)


from The Ellements of Personal Style
25 Modern Fashion Icons on How To Dress, Shop, and Live

My Muse...

Marilyn Monroe will now and forever be one of my biggest inspirations. I believe every girl has at least once fanisiced what it might be like to be or look like her. I came across a tutorial from Kevyn Aucoin on how to do your makeup like marilyn Monroe modeled by Liza Minnelli and also some of Marilyn's famous beauty secrets!





Some of Marilyn's most famous beauty secrets...

Used Nivea Skin Moisturizing Lotion

Her first husband claimed she washed her face 15 times a day

When she wasn't wearing makeup, she smoothed olive oil on her face

Marilyn liked to take ice baths to smooth cellulite. She would sometimes add Chanel NO. 5 to her bathwater

Erno Laszlo was a Hungarian born dermatologist, who moved to New York in 1939, and set up the Erno Laszlo Institute specialising in beauty treatments and cosmetics. Marilyn was a massive fan, and you can still buy some of the products she used today







x.o. Brandy

(follow me on twitter @BrandyHoward)

Choose Wisely....

There are many stories of bad salon experiences and I'm sure we all have at least one. But some are worse than others. While in school we were taught to keep everything clean and tidy. To sanitize every instrument after every use. But some salons don't keep to that same rule. There have been many stories of people going to a salon for a simple eyebrow wax or manicure and ending up with herpes or some other infection. Salons without a license and not really knowing proper sanitation rules.
There was a college student once doing a study of what other students would spend the most money on. And going to the salon was one of the top ones. She went to the local salon to get a simple eyebrow wax and ending up getting herpes in and around her eyes. She later found out that the stylist did not change wax sticks from the previous client. Little mistake like these are what can cause life changing infections and law suits.
A while back my sister and I went to a local salon in Wisconsin to get our nails done. It seemed harmless enough. There was one women there to do both of us. One thing I noticed is that she didn't sterilize between me and my sister. My sister was getting her nails done and said something was burning her cuticles and she asked what it may be. And guess what the lady said..."I don't know. How should I know..". I looked around and what do you know..no license.
You should always be very careful at what salon you choose to go to. Low prices may not always be the best choice. Always look for good sanitation and a license on the walls.

I am also posting links of other stories of bad salon experiences and feel free to comment any of your salon expereinces.


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126069&page=1

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,53589,00.html

x.o. Brandy

Before You Do It!

Perms...it's a tricky subject because some people love them and some people hate them. I'm very nuteral on the subject. Some people can pull them off and look fine. If your thinking about it..think long and hard. Read about it and ask your sylist. If you have super straight hair and you want your hair to look curly...please keep in mind what perms really turn out looking like. I think a lot of people want hair that will end up like this...




But will more than likely end up with this...




Not that this isn't cute. It may not be what your looking for...
Perms can cause alot of damage to your hair. Perming over-bleached hair that probably has some damage to the hair's cuticle will likely cause big time frizz. While frizz can be taken care of with product, it can also be a sign of serious breakage. So please girls think twice before deciding to perm your hair. And ALWAYS go to a professional!

x.o. Brandy
(follow me on twitter @BrandyHoward)

Photoshop....

Now, I don't disapprove of photoshop. Some pictures need to be improved or some pimples disappeared but some are done way too much. Including this picture of the beautiful Beyonce Knowles. To me photoshop is a tricky subject. I look at the before pictures and I think...some things need to be photoshoped...but not to this extent. The color of her true skin is beautiful why mess with it.
There is also the picture of Zooey Deschanel and her Rimmel London Ad. People thought it looked like her but just wasn't sure. And Kourtney Kardashian and her Ok! Magazine photo promoting post baby weight lost. I just think we should keep it as simple as teeth whitening and touch-ups. Not to let people see their idols for what they aren't.




















x.o. Brandy =)
(follow me on twitter @BrandyHoward)

I'm Back And Better Than Ever!

I haven't been on to blog for a long while now. I've been so busy with school and life. But I am so excited to share my experiences with all of you! So let me catch you up...in case you didn't know I was going to Regency Beauty Institute and living in St.Louis. If your thinking of beauty school I defiantly recommend this school. The instructors are amazing, tons of hands on experience, enough one-on-one time, and the atmosphere is amazing! But really think about this...beauty school isn't for everyone. It's hard work but if your passionate about what you do then go for it.
I have learned so much in the past couple months and am so very excited to share everything with you. Makeup, hair, fashion, and inner beauty, products i recommend and much more! So please keep following and thank you for being patient!


x.o. Brandy (follow my twitter! @BrandyHoward)

What I've Learned So Far...

Well, I haven't had internet and I've been trying to settle in this new town and I've been so busy with school. But so far I just love it! I'm in workshop learning how to do perms and relaxers and now on Monday I'll be learning nails. My first week in class we learned basic hairstyles. I learned how to put rollers in and how to fingerwaves and pincurls and I'll tell you something, All of those things are coming back in style. You would think of fingerwaves when you see a picture of a woman in the 20s. But they are coming back. And so are roller sets. Most people don't like to use rollers because they think it takes too much time and reminds them of a little old lady. But alot of celebrities are using them. And you want to know why...They last longer! When you want a long lasting curl that will stay all day and night do a roller set. Sure it might take a little extra time in the morning but you could even do it at night and let it dry and you'll be ready in the morning! And it's really a good idea for girls who want curls but don't like to damage their hair with a curling iron. That's what I love about it, it requires no heat. And there is also a good way for you to straighten your hair without a lot of heat damage. Have you ever heard of a hair wrap? Its not that hard and if you do it when your hair is wet it's very simple and when it drys out your hair will be nice and smooth and straight. There might be a little waves but you can straighten those out and you still won't get that much heat damage. In the video I will embed she does it to dry and straight hair but like i said it's much easier to do when your hair is wet and it will dry alot smoother.

How to Make a Hair Wrap -- powered by eHow.com