For the most detailed directions ever on how to get dark, smoky eyes, see the new blog, Profumeria Virtuale. She is an NYC Sephora makeup artist, so gets to do all of the fun looks. From brushes to colors to what toner to start with to make sure that makeup goes on smoothly. It's like you're at the counter. These directions also include how to get a stagey look.
Maybe I should wear for the wedding? Kidding.
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Tampilkan postingan dengan label Beauty. Tampilkan semua postingan
How to Curl Your Hair with a Flat Iron - Yes, Curl
It's the Chi Curl, and I've been mastering it before blogging about it. Couldn't give you a recommended how-to post without being able to curl my own hair with my flat iron, and with a Chi flat iron nonetheless. So here it is. How to curl your hair with your flat iron. After mastering this, you can throw that bulky round brush away!To show you the curl, half of my hair in this picture just got curled with the flat iron in about 7 minutes. The other half remains straight so that you can see the difference. There are two big tricks to curling your hair with a flat iron: timing and your wrist. Depending on your flat iron, it may take a bit to master this combination. It did me, that's for sure. I thought my Chi was broken and tried to return it, but didn't want to bother. Then one morning, the curls sprang to life.
The curl is in the wrist: Glen is the rock-in-roll hair dresser for WTS Hair in Columbus OH who taught me this technique. He is pulling the hair from top to bottom through the flat iron. But do you see how his wrist is turned? He is turning the flat iron to have the curls go underneath. I have since gotten more layers, and want the layers to curl away from the face, so I have been grabbing my hair so that instead of pointing to the floor, as shown, it points to the ceiling.Slow that curl: You must pull the flat iron slowly down the small section of hair you have. And by small, I mean small and thin so that the flat iron can cook it properly. Resist pulling the flat iron quickly through your hair, as if your hair is a ribbon that you are curling with the edge of scissors. Pull the flat iron slowly down the length of hair, keeping your wrist turned each time.
Little Tips: Here is what I've realized after curling my hair with the flat iron many times (and if you have your own findings, please tell us in the Comments below!)
- You could start with your wrist turned, grab the hair, then flip your wrist back to a normal position, and it may be easier to run the flat iron through.
- In the flat iron, your hair might slide and slip out the end of the flat iron. My flat iron , ever so slightly, does not close evenly, and although I thought this was a defect in my flat iron, I've since seen it with other brands. So. As you are pulling the flat iron down your hair, try guiding the tip of your flat iron with your other hand. Don't get burned, though! This is just an ever so slight guidance.
- I don't use product on my hair before I flat iron. I did once, and the smoke it produced scared me too much. I do spread some Aveda Smoothing Fluid on it when wet, and then apply the smoothing fluid again when dry.
Good luck! If you have pictures, add them to the FashionMista Page at Facebook!
Look at These Pedi Stations, and Melissa's Target Shoes
Look at These Pedi Stations, and Melissa's Target Shoes, originally uploaded by KT Flicker.
Aren't these chairs a pedi dream! Melissa from SpaceStyle and I treated ourselves to in Pinky, the nail salon chain in NYC. If I move to Columbus, I'm seriously thinking of bringing the New York pedi experience to Columbus, because in Cleveland, at least, they've never heard of the 10 min chair massage, their chairs are too far apart for a good gab session, space is not maximized, and their lotions are lower grade then Bath and Body Works, and smell like a bad peach. We indulged in an extra 10 minute leg rub, and it was soooo good.
AVEDA's Be Curly Works on Straight Hair
Some would call this messy.
Moms would call this "Brush your hair!"
But I call this hair curly.
Let hair air dry for the most part. When damp, apply Aveda's Be Curly to your fingers and scrunch hair in big chunks. Apply heat to scrunches from the hair dryer (best results: use diffuser). Gingerly apply a lot of squirts of Aveda's Smoothing Fluid with your fingers to your new hot curls and waves. (ps: that's a Katie James red sleep mask pictured above)
My pursuit of curly hair for the straight girl has not been tamed yet. You too can have curly hair from Aveda's curl enhancer. I've tested it three times. The proof is in the curl. And it smells nice.
Get this look online:
Aveda's Be Curly Curl Enhancer
Learn more at Amazon >
Works best when used with Aveda Smoothing Fluid
Learn more at Amazon >
Moms would call this "Brush your hair!"
But I call this hair curly.
Let hair air dry for the most part. When damp, apply Aveda's Be Curly to your fingers and scrunch hair in big chunks. Apply heat to scrunches from the hair dryer (best results: use diffuser). Gingerly apply a lot of squirts of Aveda's Smoothing Fluid with your fingers to your new hot curls and waves. (ps: that's a Katie James red sleep mask pictured above)
My pursuit of curly hair for the straight girl has not been tamed yet. You too can have curly hair from Aveda's curl enhancer. I've tested it three times. The proof is in the curl. And it smells nice.
Get this look online:
Aveda's Be Curly Curl Enhancer
Learn more at Amazon >
Works best when used with Aveda Smoothing Fluid
Learn more at Amazon >
Fresh Morning Skin Care
When the night comes, I'm so longing for my delicious bed with a Tempurpedic lining and alternative feather bed, that when it comes to exfoliating, then dabbing my face with my very favorite bar of earth - Fresh's Umbrian Clay Bar Treatment - I skip it! So mystery red bumps have started creeping up on my face.Then, when I was raving to a new friend about the Umbrian bar, she raved back, telling me how whenever she gets a hint of a red dot on her face, she dabs a little Umbrian on it, and it vanishes. So when my regular red weirdness started appearing on my left cheek, I dabbed the Umbrian on it, and the first day it went down. The second day, even paler. Third day, gone.
But this time, I did it in the morning, right after the shower while drying my hair. I really didn't even have to put it on my whole face, although I couldn't resist because every time I use it my face is...fresh and glowing. I don't use foundation on my face, so this is working, where I have a super fresh face all day! And, it does make for good holiday gifts, because Fresh sells pretty little dishes, or you could find on an Etsy search for a dish, or a super cute dish that people found in Stylehive.com's search. I've given it for two years in a row, and I'm thinking of who can get it this year. Oh, and because it's a bar, it lasts for a really long time, as opposed to the tube version, which is easier, but you'll go through it faster. I used this to get rid of my 2-year old forehead bumps, and I still swear by it two years later.
My New Curly Hair Product Invention!
I've tried a new concoction of products in my bathroom to get curly hair for the summer, and I'm so excited that it's working!True ocean water has been the best "product" to give me natural waves. Ocean water brightens hair in the sun, and it coats it with salt to keep your hair in position. Not the John Frieda Ocean Water product, because that was a big disappointment. Not only did it not coat my hair in salt, but it smelled like coconut sunscreen, which is not how the ocean smells. In fact, it was sticky, and didn't even taste like salt. It curled my hair, but not in the true ocean water kind of way that leaves your locks thick, stiff and soft.
So, in my thoughts yesterday, I considered dissolving some sea salt from the kitchen in hot water, and sprinkling it on my hair. Then I considered using my Ameripure Crystal exfoliator because it does taste like salt, and it's basically salt and some kind of baking soda or something. Plus, one day when I was exfoliating my face, I got some of the product on my bangs, and it actually made them stiff yet soft, and they stayed right where I wanted them!
So this morning, I took a tiny dip of the AmeriPure exfoliator, mixed it with water, and scrunched my hair, which does have some natural wave to it, but it's all about capturing that wave. I did scrunch and blow dry, which maybe I should not have done, because my top pieces did get blown frizzy and straight. Otherwise, though, I am having curly hair!
Proof of Curly Hair From My Product Invention
 One curly lock! |  Natural curly waves! |
FashionMista's Recipe for Curly Hair Product Combos
Products:2 tiny dips of Ameripure Crystal Exfoliator
Splashes of water
Aveda's Smoothing Fluid
Redkin #2 Water Wax
Procedure: how to get curly hair from these products
Start with wet hair. Dip your finger into the Ameripure Crystol Exfoliator and mix it with some water from the faucet. Rub it on your hands and scrunch into your hair. Blow dry with scrunches if you wish, and if you have a round diffuser, that would be best. Otherwise, blow dry and scrunch lightly, then let the rest air dry. More curls will come. If you can get into the sun while the hair is still wet that would be fantastic.
Once suitably dry (maybe just the underneath is wet), squirt about 3-5 squirts of Aveda Smoothing Fluid onto your hands and lightly scrunch while smoothing over the top frizzy parts. To finish the curly ends, take a small dip of the Redkin #2 Water Wax and quickly pull at the ends of your hair. For extra hold, rub in some more Ameripure Crystol Exfoliator.
Comment below if you try it!
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Benefits Mascara - Not So Beneficial
Hate to admit this, but I was wrong about Benefits Mascara. I was first warned by a friend that Benefits mascara smelled. Writing it off as peculiar PMS high-alert senses, I continued to use it. Then my sister complained after using it (attempted theft is more like it), saying that it went on super clumpy. I wrote that off as the hardships from having already long and thick lashes.
When I bought my second bottle from Sephora, I could not deny the smell, the lightness of the bottle, and the clumpiness on my own lashes. It could have been a bad bottle from Sephora, but I don't think so. First of all, any makeup bought from a Sephora store is suspect because of all of the unqualified, public hands that get all over it and mess it up. Yes, I have bought Benefits eyeshadow, that I love, but that had been dipped into. The shadow and lip gloss that also came with the shadow set were marked. I just don't like Sephora.
But the Benefit mascara was a disappointment. The next mascara to try on my list was Dior. I was in Saks with my Newly Engaged Mista friend, and while walking out, walked right past the Dior counter. I of course got a mini-makeover and bought the mascara, which I must say has a nicely perfumed smell. It also brings a very delicate look to my lash, which I like. But, I'm going to do an official post on it, because my Dental Mista friend said that she is married to Maybeline's mascara. So I will get it from Duanne Reade and compare. Stay tuned.
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When I bought my second bottle from Sephora, I could not deny the smell, the lightness of the bottle, and the clumpiness on my own lashes. It could have been a bad bottle from Sephora, but I don't think so. First of all, any makeup bought from a Sephora store is suspect because of all of the unqualified, public hands that get all over it and mess it up. Yes, I have bought Benefits eyeshadow, that I love, but that had been dipped into. The shadow and lip gloss that also came with the shadow set were marked. I just don't like Sephora.
But the Benefit mascara was a disappointment. The next mascara to try on my list was Dior. I was in Saks with my Newly Engaged Mista friend, and while walking out, walked right past the Dior counter. I of course got a mini-makeover and bought the mascara, which I must say has a nicely perfumed smell. It also brings a very delicate look to my lash, which I like. But, I'm going to do an official post on it, because my Dental Mista friend said that she is married to Maybeline's mascara. So I will get it from Duanne Reade and compare. Stay tuned.
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Dayna's Cheap Beauty Tricks
David's twin sister, Dayna, entertained some friends on a boat. It was a Girl's Day on the boat, and she asked her girlfriends to bring one cheap beauty tip. Dana claims to not have her own beauty tips, but she seems to have quite a few...
1. Vaseline on your brows in the morning when you're doing your make-up to deepen your color and keep the flyaways or no-helpers in place. By no-helpers we mean stray long ones that you don't want to hit your eyes in an ungainly way.
2. Vaseline on your lips at night, just because Dana says so. She says:
"Don't most people?" Well, I didn't, but now I think I might.
3. Shave your legs with cheap hair conditioner (the kind that leaves residue on your hair). The cheapest your can find, like Suave, or something one sale. The conditioner is slippery so it won't clog the raiser like bar soap or regular shave jell. Personally, I use Oil of Olay bar soap, and have for years, to shave my legs, and it's just fine. But if you use shave jell, conditioner seems like a better idea.
4. For rough skin patches, there is a baby jell available in the baby section of the drug store. It is a combination, or something, of oil, and baby something. It might be Johnson and Johnson, but it is a jell-like-lotion that is great for very rough patches like elbows, the backs of arms, upper thighs. Available in the baby section of the drug store. We don't know what it's called, and we don't know how to Google it, but it's there.
5. Exfoliate your lips. That's right. Brush your lips while brushing your teeth. This clears the chapped, flaky pieces of skin that you just want to pick off.
6. Witch hazel. I've heard this one before, so it's confirmed. Buy witch hazel at the drug store for $2.99 instead of expensive toner. Personally, I use Clinique's number 2, but have been meaning to buy plain old witch hazel and have been forgetting.
Happy Beautifying.
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1. Vaseline on your brows in the morning when you're doing your make-up to deepen your color and keep the flyaways or no-helpers in place. By no-helpers we mean stray long ones that you don't want to hit your eyes in an ungainly way.
2. Vaseline on your lips at night, just because Dana says so. She says:
"Don't most people?" Well, I didn't, but now I think I might.
3. Shave your legs with cheap hair conditioner (the kind that leaves residue on your hair). The cheapest your can find, like Suave, or something one sale. The conditioner is slippery so it won't clog the raiser like bar soap or regular shave jell. Personally, I use Oil of Olay bar soap, and have for years, to shave my legs, and it's just fine. But if you use shave jell, conditioner seems like a better idea.
4. For rough skin patches, there is a baby jell available in the baby section of the drug store. It is a combination, or something, of oil, and baby something. It might be Johnson and Johnson, but it is a jell-like-lotion that is great for very rough patches like elbows, the backs of arms, upper thighs. Available in the baby section of the drug store. We don't know what it's called, and we don't know how to Google it, but it's there.
5. Exfoliate your lips. That's right. Brush your lips while brushing your teeth. This clears the chapped, flaky pieces of skin that you just want to pick off.
6. Witch hazel. I've heard this one before, so it's confirmed. Buy witch hazel at the drug store for $2.99 instead of expensive toner. Personally, I use Clinique's number 2, but have been meaning to buy plain old witch hazel and have been forgetting.
Happy Beautifying.
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My First Gray Hair
It's official. I'm dying. Not even 30 yet, and dying. Oh dear.
I have found faux gray hairs before, but those are most likely from over processed hair, because some of the strand of hair will be brown (root), then blond, then the white. Most likely damaged hair, right? Well, this one is one of my little side pieces of hair, like that I put behind my ears or gets combed back when I put my glasses on, as what I was just doing to see this glaringly offending piece of hair.
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I have found faux gray hairs before, but those are most likely from over processed hair, because some of the strand of hair will be brown (root), then blond, then the white. Most likely damaged hair, right? Well, this one is one of my little side pieces of hair, like that I put behind my ears or gets combed back when I put my glasses on, as what I was just doing to see this glaringly offending piece of hair.
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I Heart Nail Polish
I got a brilliant idea for a Valentine girl gift last night before falling asleep - a Valentine rainbow of nail polish! I treated myself to a much needed pedi and 10minute chair massage, which can bring any girl back from a long week and deliver her into quiet time to hear herself think. My polish color? China Doll from Essie Cosmetics. And if you're in New York, where nail salons are practically 2/block, you can get the nail polish for cheap - $5 or $6. I'm sure other New Yorkers know where to get it even cheaper, but this is as low as I've gotten for Cassie - which is that generic looking clear bottle.
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Nail Polish Color Rainbow
Yes, you should get 6 nail polish colors and give them to your sister or daughter for Valentine's Day. Or at least, that's what I might do... :) china doll |  charmeause |  sugar daddy |
 bachelorette bash |  flirt |  national velvet |
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Laser Hair Removal - Appointment #3.5
It's been a while since the last laser update, but to tell you the truth, I'm bored with it. I'm still shaving, so the hair has not disappeared like I thought it would have by now after three laser treatments. Yes, it's thinner, but still persistent. There really aren't any more details to report, other than for my third laser appointment, it's possible that the esthetician and I talked too much, because my appointment ran over, and another esthetician came in to ready the room for a VIP client (aka jerky-man-client-who-is-a-jerk-if-has-to-wait). Yes, she barged in to prepare paperwork and such, which means that I was severely intruded upon during my appointment. I was upset and called the very next day to complain. I considered not including it here on the blog, but a bloggerette has to be honest, doesn't she?
So for my next laser appointment, the appointment to finish the lasering of the last appointment, I of course had the esthetician who barged in on my previous appointment. She asked how I was, and I couldn't resist a passive-aggressive, snippy comment like "I'm fine, unless someone is going to barge in on my appointment again." She looked at me quizzically, and we proceeded to the room. It was uneventful from there, meaning the gross laser jell was still cold and gross, and we actually had fun chatting while I leafed through an Bazaar magazine, imagining how I could make a dress out of raw silk rosettes like what was on the cover. The red bumps that usually happen after a laser treatment really aren't coming. We lasered me on the highest level, and still I wait.
The main highlight, really, is buying that great Crystol Exfoliator from AmeriPure. LOVE IT.
ps: Is a "bloggerette" a girl blogger? just curious.
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #7 for pics of technicians
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #6
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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So for my next laser appointment, the appointment to finish the lasering of the last appointment, I of course had the esthetician who barged in on my previous appointment. She asked how I was, and I couldn't resist a passive-aggressive, snippy comment like "I'm fine, unless someone is going to barge in on my appointment again." She looked at me quizzically, and we proceeded to the room. It was uneventful from there, meaning the gross laser jell was still cold and gross, and we actually had fun chatting while I leafed through an Bazaar magazine, imagining how I could make a dress out of raw silk rosettes like what was on the cover. The red bumps that usually happen after a laser treatment really aren't coming. We lasered me on the highest level, and still I wait.
The main highlight, really, is buying that great Crystol Exfoliator from AmeriPure. LOVE IT.
ps: Is a "bloggerette" a girl blogger? just curious.
Laser Progress Reports
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #8Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #7 for pics of technicians
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #6
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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Celebrity Bang Me
I'm dropping out of the Split Ends Club and dropping into an 8:15pm hair appointment tonight at the Scott J Aveda Salon Spa (their name rings through my head b/c I used to call so much for bikini waxing appointments...no longer!). Ever since Anne Hathaway's bang in The Devil Wears Prada, I want my bangs back. I'm over my swoop, no-bang look, so am looking for a new bang to hopefully give a little life to my just-got-out-of-bed-and-didn't-brush-my-hair look. Also, because of my roots, the new, undied pieces of my hair are healthy and limp. I need me some color damage to bring this droopy look some volume!
Here's what bangs I'm going for:
Ashlee
NOT this person (oh wait, I think that's a 1998 Jessica!)
If only I had curly hair! (Ruth!!)
I could take a little of this bang - a whispish swoop:
Most of these pictures have brown hair...maybe I should get that too...??
This sent from MistaVille:
Hillary
An iVillage article on bangs (check out the before and after picture...it's amazing what a little makeup and an expert blow-dry and style can do)
My Bang:
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Here's what bangs I'm going for:
Ashlee
NOT this person (oh wait, I think that's a 1998 Jessica!)
If only I had curly hair! (Ruth!!)
I could take a little of this bang - a whispish swoop:
Most of these pictures have brown hair...maybe I should get that too...??
This sent from MistaVille:
Hillary
An iVillage article on bangs (check out the before and after picture...it's amazing what a little makeup and an expert blow-dry and style can do)
My Bang:
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New Katie James Sleep Mask
**yawn**
Just finished a potential new katie james product - the beauty sleep mask. When I first started Narnia, David would off course go to bed before me. I had a random sleep mask lying around, so he'd put it on so that I could continue reading. Then when football season came around, with those highlights, I wore the sleep mask. Of course, we needed katie james versions, so here it is.
Made from 100% raw silk, with a black reversible back that blocks out the light, this sleep mask is good for catnaps and sleep-ins. Red (shown) is now available at katie-james. More colors available soon.
Here are some sleep mask prototypes. At first, David thought it neat if it had the shape of cat eyes. But it didn't work so well.
I've also been making tweaks to the website, as it was not up to SEO (search engine optimization) par. So, there will be a few changes to the site in days to come. I had to get more keywords in the category and home pages, so it can be a lot of work.
Here's what I'm going to look like in about 2 seconds:
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Just finished a potential new katie james product - the beauty sleep mask. When I first started Narnia, David would off course go to bed before me. I had a random sleep mask lying around, so he'd put it on so that I could continue reading. Then when football season came around, with those highlights, I wore the sleep mask. Of course, we needed katie james versions, so here it is.
Made from 100% raw silk, with a black reversible back that blocks out the light, this sleep mask is good for catnaps and sleep-ins. Red (shown) is now available at katie-james. More colors available soon.
Here are some sleep mask prototypes. At first, David thought it neat if it had the shape of cat eyes. But it didn't work so well.
I've also been making tweaks to the website, as it was not up to SEO (search engine optimization) par. So, there will be a few changes to the site in days to come. I had to get more keywords in the category and home pages, so it can be a lot of work.
Here's what I'm going to look like in about 2 seconds:
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My Laser Experience and Reviews at American Laser Center
I started this review series of my laser experience with American Laser Center (ALC) in August of 2006. My first review was the night of my consultation, where I signed up for a $2000 laser hair removal of the thigh, bikini area, and love trail. Even though this particular post was published in 2006, I update it when I learn something new about American Laser Centers, their financing program with GE Care Credit, or with laser hair removal in general. I do blog a review about each laser appointment I have, and followup posts if I notice anything new.
All of my reviews with American Laser Centers.
When I decided to invest in laser hair removal, I had done no online research. I spoke to friends who had gone through it and saw results of no hair. I responded to an ad on Daily Candy, featuring a contest where you could win different levels of prizes. I have since come to learn that basically everyone wins the lowest level of $300, and you may win even if you don't enter.
During my consultation, I was told by the office manager that the process would take 1 year, which equals 6 appointments. American Laser Centers includes a 2 year extension, where you can continue your appointments for up to two years. I am into my 1st extra year, which means that as of March 2008, I had completed 10 appointments and was unhappy with the results. I had far too much hair left, since I was led to believe that I would have minimal hair by the 6th appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Everyone reacts differently and has different skin types and hair color. This is just my experience.
My decision was based on math from waxing. Every 3 weeks, which is 17 times a year, I paid $32 (which includes tip). I have invested at least $544 a year, times 6 years is $3,264, only to have to repeat forever.
Overall, I am glad I made the decision to laser. My hair is less coarse, I don't get ingrowns, and I feel more comfortable in general. My main wish is that American Laser Centers did not lead me to think I would be done in 6 appointments, with a 2 year cushion. If I did not have this 2 year cushion, I would be quite upset. As you research and review American Laser Centers, or lasering in general, I've included some basic questions below.
There are different levels of the lasers power, depending on what stage you are in. Lasering the hair doesn't make it fall out right there. It just damages the follicle. Apparently, the hair falls out after the appointment. In my experience, I have never seen my hair fall out. For about 3-4 days after, I have to put special soothing lotion on the area. American Laser Centers sells lotion from AmeriPur, and it's wonderful. It's actually the best lotion I've ever used. My skin doesn't absorb lotion very well. But this lotion is absorbed well. You may see red dots on your skin after your appointment. In my experience, when I applied the lotion to the red areas, the redness was soothed.
American Laser Center's Financing Program
I financed my laser treatment with the GE Care Credit Card. The American Laser Center office manager told me that the card offers 0% APR, which is very attractive. I signed up, and agreed to pay $180 each month to pay it off.
The fine print, which was not stated by the manager at the time of signing, is that if you are late on one or two payments, you will lose the 0% APR. Almost more important, and definitely not stated in the appointment, is that the interested from the APR is deferred and is owed by you if you do not pay it off in 1 year. That means that after 1 year, if you do not pay off this card, you will have to pay deferred finance charges, which could be as much as $500 or more, depending on the amount you got credit for. Big surprise. I learned of this when I had 2 payments before the year ran out. For some reason, I read the fine print where this was stated. I looked on other bills, and it had been there all the time, but the most recent bill had been redesigned, so I noticed it more.
As with all credit cards, beware. I wrote a more detailed review of the GE Care card here). In the end, I paid off the credit card before the end of the year and as of this date, avoided the deferred finance charges.
Also note, and this is very important, each American Laser Center office has the power to quote you a different quote, based on how much they think you can pay. I have experienced the negotiation, and so has this person, in a more grotesque way. It may be that you can negotiate with all laser companies.
As far as American Laser Centers is concerned, do your homework. If you are having many areas done, consider splitting it between a dermatologist and a place like American Laser Centers. ALC has offices nationwide, so check to see if there is one near you. Your doctor (dermatologist, gyno) may also offer laser treatments. Visit the office first to make sure you are comfortable with the location and people. Keep in mind, lots of people ask me about the American Laser Center contest that they've "won." The consensus is that everyone "wins," so it's a gimic to get you into the appointment.
Best of luck, and stay smart.
Laser Hair Removal Review: Appointment # 10. Yes, 10.
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #8
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #7 for pics of technicians
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #6
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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All of my reviews with American Laser Centers.
When I decided to invest in laser hair removal, I had done no online research. I spoke to friends who had gone through it and saw results of no hair. I responded to an ad on Daily Candy, featuring a contest where you could win different levels of prizes. I have since come to learn that basically everyone wins the lowest level of $300, and you may win even if you don't enter.
During my consultation, I was told by the office manager that the process would take 1 year, which equals 6 appointments. American Laser Centers includes a 2 year extension, where you can continue your appointments for up to two years. I am into my 1st extra year, which means that as of March 2008, I had completed 10 appointments and was unhappy with the results. I had far too much hair left, since I was led to believe that I would have minimal hair by the 6th appointment. PLEASE NOTE: Everyone reacts differently and has different skin types and hair color. This is just my experience.
My decision was based on math from waxing. Every 3 weeks, which is 17 times a year, I paid $32 (which includes tip). I have invested at least $544 a year, times 6 years is $3,264, only to have to repeat forever.
Overall, I am glad I made the decision to laser. My hair is less coarse, I don't get ingrowns, and I feel more comfortable in general. My main wish is that American Laser Centers did not lead me to think I would be done in 6 appointments, with a 2 year cushion. If I did not have this 2 year cushion, I would be quite upset. As you research and review American Laser Centers, or lasering in general, I've included some basic questions below.
What's the process for laser with American Laser Center?
Your own laser experts should walk you through the procedure, as it may vary. I can only tell you what happened to me. A technician spreads the lasered area with the jell used when performing sonograms. The jell is cold, and is the worst part for me. The laser comes from a plastic head with a trigger on it. Here's a picture. The technician pulls the trigger and a little laser zaps dark hair follicles in the area. The laser is attracted to pigment, so the ideal skin type is fair, untanned skin with dark hair.There are different levels of the lasers power, depending on what stage you are in. Lasering the hair doesn't make it fall out right there. It just damages the follicle. Apparently, the hair falls out after the appointment. In my experience, I have never seen my hair fall out. For about 3-4 days after, I have to put special soothing lotion on the area. American Laser Centers sells lotion from AmeriPur, and it's wonderful. It's actually the best lotion I've ever used. My skin doesn't absorb lotion very well. But this lotion is absorbed well. You may see red dots on your skin after your appointment. In my experience, when I applied the lotion to the red areas, the redness was soothed.
Does laser hair removal hurt? I heard it's like getting a tatoo.
I've heard that too. I've also heard it feels like rubber bands hitting your skin. So far in my experience, the laser did not hurt, although perhaps it should have, hence why it's not gone. I did notice on some coarse patches on my thigh, the feeling from the laser was stronger. My Syrian friend is going through it, and she has hair coarser than I do. Her experience is painful. She is not going to American Laser Centers, and I don't know what kind of laser they are using on her. I have been told that the ideal skin type is fair skin with dark hair. If you are tan, I would not get lasered. I would take the summer off from laying out.American Laser Center's Financing Program
I financed my laser treatment with the GE Care Credit Card. The American Laser Center office manager told me that the card offers 0% APR, which is very attractive. I signed up, and agreed to pay $180 each month to pay it off.The fine print, which was not stated by the manager at the time of signing, is that if you are late on one or two payments, you will lose the 0% APR. Almost more important, and definitely not stated in the appointment, is that the interested from the APR is deferred and is owed by you if you do not pay it off in 1 year. That means that after 1 year, if you do not pay off this card, you will have to pay deferred finance charges, which could be as much as $500 or more, depending on the amount you got credit for. Big surprise. I learned of this when I had 2 payments before the year ran out. For some reason, I read the fine print where this was stated. I looked on other bills, and it had been there all the time, but the most recent bill had been redesigned, so I noticed it more.
As with all credit cards, beware. I wrote a more detailed review of the GE Care card here). In the end, I paid off the credit card before the end of the year and as of this date, avoided the deferred finance charges.
Also note, and this is very important, each American Laser Center office has the power to quote you a different quote, based on how much they think you can pay. I have experienced the negotiation, and so has this person, in a more grotesque way. It may be that you can negotiate with all laser companies.
Where should I go for the laser treatments?
NOTE: This paragraph has been edited after 10 appointments with American Laser Centers.As far as American Laser Centers is concerned, do your homework. If you are having many areas done, consider splitting it between a dermatologist and a place like American Laser Centers. ALC has offices nationwide, so check to see if there is one near you. Your doctor (dermatologist, gyno) may also offer laser treatments. Visit the office first to make sure you are comfortable with the location and people. Keep in mind, lots of people ask me about the American Laser Center contest that they've "won." The consensus is that everyone "wins," so it's a gimic to get you into the appointment.
Best of luck, and stay smart.
American Laser Center Reviews
Laser Hair Removal Review: Appointment #11, The DoublepassLaser Hair Removal Review: Appointment # 10. Yes, 10.
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #8
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #7 for pics of technicians
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #6
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal Review :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal Review :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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Summertime Facial Skin Care Treatment
Facial skin bumps? What facial skin bumps? I've been meaning to blog to you about this since the first heat wave when I went on about Minute Maid Fruit Juice ice-cubes, but I just couldn't make the time! I know we all have the perfect skin because we read about how to get the "Perfect Skin For Now," but I have to confess, I've fallen off the facial skin care treatment wagon. What with obsessing over the laser hair removal for my legs and bikini, I've let my Fresh clay umbria bar sit dry and untouched for a while in its little bathroom dish.Until my friend came to visit and saw my AmeriPure Crystal Exfoliator. She'd heard about it and had been dying to try it on her skin. Watch out, I'm about to sound like a bad Sunday afternoon info-skin commercial, but it's true. I got the AmeriPure Crystal Exfoliator to fight ingrowns, as instructed by the American Laser Centers people who are doing my laser hair removal. That was my assignment: take care of the ingrowns before your next appointment. The esthetician said that she loved the exfoliator and even used it on her face to get rid of some redness she had there. Whatever, I thought. I have the perfect skin for now. Aside from the little skin-colored bumps on my forehead that usually only showed up when I had bangs during field hockey pre-season over highschool summer vacations. But they've been here through a winter already, ok two winters, but whatever. Don't we all have skin bumps?
Not if we use the AmeriPure Crystal Exfoliator on our faces. And if we combine it with the clay Umbria mud bar face mask from Fresh, we have no skin bumps and a fresh healthy glow. Why wasn't I doing this before? The exfoliator is cool because it's not like that St. Alves or whatever, that has the harsh sand. It's like a jar of a thick baking soda paste that tastes like salt water when you rinse it off. Basically, remember the baking soda paste you put on your bee stings, and apply it to your face. And the clay umbria bar. Oh! Don't get me started on how much I love it! Picture yourself emerging from the freshest lake when you rinse it off in cool water. Delish. Does wonders.Bottom line: I've had these dratted skin bumps on my forehead for two years, and now they are thinning out. The AmeriPure Crystal Exfoliator is quite a skin treatment. I highly recommend. I did a quick search, and think that the exfoliator is only available on the American Laser Center's website. The Fresh clay umbria bar you can get from Amazon.
PS: I've been putting the exfoliator on dry skin, either after I run and before my shower, or before I go to bed and after I wash my face with my regular bar soap (Oil of Olay, of course).
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Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup
The first day after the laser hair treatment, I noticed little purple dots when I got home from work. They instructed me to put their special lotion on 4x/day, but I forgot the bottle at home, so only had it on once in the morning. I called, of course, and Claudia the office manager was very sympathetic and instructed me to apply the lotion and call if it got worse. I applied the lotion, and all was better in a few hours.
That weekend was the week in the country, and I applied religiously, plus covered the lasered areas in their special 65 Total Blocker. Another successful move. No sun. No purple dots. Just smooth skin. One notable thing is a freckle on my leg must have gotten zapped (remember the laser is attracted to the contrast of dark pigment and light skin), because it looked raised. I will bring this up at my September visit.
Did the hair fall out yet from the laser blasts? No. I am not aloud to pluck or cream, as that would encourage the hair follicles. I have been shaving, so I know that the hair is not out yet. We'll see after the second zap if there is a difference. It is scheduled to take 6 sessions. Some people see results sooner, some don't. I have a feeling my hair will be a little resilient (but not for long...hehehe).
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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That weekend was the week in the country, and I applied religiously, plus covered the lasered areas in their special 65 Total Blocker. Another successful move. No sun. No purple dots. Just smooth skin. One notable thing is a freckle on my leg must have gotten zapped (remember the laser is attracted to the contrast of dark pigment and light skin), because it looked raised. I will bring this up at my September visit.
Did the hair fall out yet from the laser blasts? No. I am not aloud to pluck or cream, as that would encourage the hair follicles. I have been shaving, so I know that the hair is not out yet. We'll see after the second zap if there is a difference. It is scheduled to take 6 sessions. Some people see results sooner, some don't. I have a feeling my hair will be a little resilient (but not for long...hehehe).
Laser Progress Reports
Laser Hair Reomval :: Appointment #6Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5.5 for Bikini
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #5
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #4
Laser Hair Removal :: Appointment #3.5
Laser Hair Removal :: The Second Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Followup
Laser Hair Removal :: The First Zap
Laser Hair Removal :: War of My Legs Part 1
Disclaimer: FashionMista, nor its author, are qualified to give medical advice and cannot be held responsible for anything that may occur. Should you have a medical concern, please consult your physician.
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