The Beauty Society

The Beauty Society
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." - Maya Angelou

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Lotion (Cold) perm versus Digital (Hot) perm-What is the difference

We always wonder what's the difference between the lotion perm and the newer technology, Digital perm or also known as Ceremic perm?

In simple terms:
Lotion perm a.k.a cold perm, rollers are made of plastic.
Digital/Ceremic perm a.k.a hot perm, where the rollers are heated up.

Process of Cold perm:
1) Hair is wind onto rods (30min-40min depending on length)

2) Lotion applied and processed. Usually 15min to half an hour without heat, depending on hair texture.

Hair is rinsed

3) neutralising lotion (set for 10min)

4) treatment (10-20min)

5) styling and blow dry (30min)

The whole perming process will take about one half hour to 2 hours including blow dry.


Process of Digital (hot) perm :
Generally, the whole digital perm process takes about 3 hours or more to complete.

You probably will look like a monster with tentacles because of the many wires connected to the rollers. But well worth it!

1) softening ( ~30 to 45 min depending on hair texture. )

Hair is rinsed

2) winding of rollers in hair (~30min), heat processing (20min to 30min again depending on hair texture)

3) heat is applied to the rollers (~ 20-30min)

4) neutralising (10min)

5) treatment(~20min to 30min)

6) wash and blow styling (30 to 40min)


Maintenance after the hot perm is simpler because of lesser products required on the hair. The curls are more prominent when the hair is dry. Just twirl and scrunch and the bounce is back.

The reverse is true for the cold perm i.e: curls are more prominent when wet, and products are needed to 'catch the waves' , by twirling and scrunching so that when it dries, the curls are better defined.

So, hair using the cold perm technique has looser curls or waves whereas the curls or waves from the hot perm are 'bouncier'.

One other thing to note is that, if you want curls from the scalp onwards, it's not possible to use the hot perm technique as it runs the risk of burning the scalp.

Do consult your hairstylist on which is a better technique to use for your hair.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Little black book of Style

I was in Borders and I saw this "Little Black Book of Style" by Nina Garcia, fashion director of Elle magazine and one of the judges of Project Runway.

I couldn't help feeling curious because I'm an avid fan of the fashion reality show! I'm amazed at the type of fashion the designers churn out episode after episode!

So, I stopped and flipped this little black book... and came to this page, which I couldn't help taking a sneaky picture of it... (I think taking pictures are not allowed? So that's why it's sneaky!)



Oh My God! This is truly an inspiring quote! I can totally relate to it and it just makes perfect sense!

Check out what it says of a style icon...




Click to enlarge


And now I will comment on each point, and how it is relevant to me..

A Style icon knows:
  • How to EDIT. She only buys what she likes and what looks good on her.
THAT'S ME!
Fortunately, I look good in a lot of things! (*Sniffle....please dun whack me!...)

I'm not ashamed to say I scour This Budget (clearance store of This Fashion) for budget/cheap stuff where I can mix and match with my other stuff! The key idea is to find the right fitting and the correct designs.. [Get the basics]

I can't stand the tent dresses with the large colourful prints. They just don't suit a lot of people at all!

  • To invest in "The Bones"
For e.g : I buy plain coloured pieces. Black, white or any colours that I fancy.

Brown is NOT my colour so, I only have 2 brown bottoms... followed by navy blue..
Black is a must have but that doesn't mean I got to have monotonous black in my wardrobe!

So, later on, I can mix with appropriate accessories or play up your look with eye-catching makeup.. (Either one for subtle drama)

  • To buy with drama
SUBTLE DRAMA has always been the key for me.

Either I play up my dressing (focusing on details or contrast colours) and tone down the makeup, or play up the accessories and makeup and tone down the dressing (plain casual pieces in cotton or denim)

The most expensive dress I've got cost me $99.90 from MU. It is such a simple yet innovative tube dress!

  1. It's in black. I can pair it with any colours of accessories I like. Even on its own, it still stands out.
  2. I can wear it as a long buffon skirt for creativity (Thank god my chest and waist are not too far in measurement. Only time when Im thankful for being NOT being well endowed)
  3. The hem area of the dress can be strategically bubbled up to my liking! (This was what made me got to have this dress)
  4. The most important thing is, I feel trendy and glamourous in it.

You've got to feel good and confident in what you wear!

Reason why females always complain they got nothing to wear when their wardrobe is practically spilling out of clothes:
BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND THE CLOTHES THEY CAN WEAR FOR THEM TO FEEL GOOD FOR THAT DAY!

Ha! Totally relatable. Fickle Minded Females. Me included.

  • The utmost importance of SHOES. lots of shoes.
Truckloads of them possibly...

Check mine out...

Section 1



Section 2: On the floor


Section 3: note the big LG box? and under it? SHOES!
SHOES hanging all over the place!



Section 4: On top of the rack. You dont't want to know how many I've got IN the rack


Section 5: Slippers and more shoes....


Maybe and bags?

Overlapping one behind the other...



and clothes?















MORE is never enough! ROAR!!!

more clothes and makeup and accessories.

It looks like a hurricane just came and went... lol!
I wonder if I'll get left on the shelf with such a mess for a room???

  • The power of Accessories. Done just the right way
Never underestimate the power of accessories! I've got plenty, cheap or expensive. It can make the overall outfit look 'complete' and 'wow'

Especially belts, which helps to define the body's silhouette making it more proportionate.

A 1001 belt collection.
  • A good tailor
Yes! I am always altering my clothes. Some budget buys already have the general design but may not come in the right fitting..so, i always alter it to what's best for me.
I've seriously considered taking up a simple course of tailoring so I can do it myself! Gerra Style!

  • How not to be a Fashion Victim She never buys into trends and she never carries the 'IT' bag
I do check out what's the latest trends when I happen to get the lastest issue of magazine. I'll pick certain bits and pieces to keep myself updated. NEVER A VICTIM.

SIGH! But isn't better to buy the past season's 'IT' bag? Because prices will be slashed! ha ha ha!

  • It is not about the MONEY She wears her flea market earrings the same way she would wear her diamonds

Who says it's not about the money?!! Look at all the junk I have! Imagine how much I would have spent on it already if every piece were high priced!
One thing about me is that, I'm good at co-ordinating fashion and style that I can save so much on clothes and what not...

  • How to mix it up
Oh yea, this is my forte! If I don't know how, why the hell I buy so much junk for? They are my toys!

  • How to be imperfect She understands that not everyday is a photo shoot.
I don't put on my fake lashes everyday though I know it ups my looks by mega watts!
*proud*

I wear granny glasses out...

I can go shopping or meet friends without makeup. Yup! Not even eyeliner when Im in the mood..

But there is one thing: you wont see me dressing in rags or overly unflattering clothes; like ultra baggy bottoms that makes my already non-existent ass disappear...

That's not being imperfect!! It is something far worse which no words can describe... or any word suggestions?

Fashions Fade, Style is Eternal - Yves Saint Laurent

Monday, November 24, 2008

Fashion tips on dressing for petite girls

Frequently Asked Questions on how to dress up for petite girls.

Petite: Height of less than 155cm

Q1: I want to appear slimmer! What kind of clothing can I wear to have this effect?
My advice: Choose the kind of tops with a volume effect at the hem area. e.g baby doll design tops
Another alternative is to wear baby doll dresses that make your chubby contours less visible.



Q2: How to I make T-shirt and denim more fashionable?

My advice: Accessorise! With necklaces, bangles, bracelets, thin scarf etc...
Take note: only accessorise one at a time. You don't want to be looking like a Christmas tree.



Q3: How do I make my dress more Up-style?

My advice: Use a wide belt placing it low rise on your hips. This makes the dress shorter but your legs look longer and slimmer!


Q4: How do I carry off a long hem T-shirt?

My advice: Tie up one end of the T-shirt with a nice hair barrette paired with a mini denim skirt for that cute look
OR
Just wear that long T-shirt as a dress!!



Q5: How to make my small kiddish frame look better?

My advice: Choose a chiffon material top to create the illusion of bulk to the upper body.


Q6:
How do I coordinate my dressing to look more mature?
My advice: Invest in black tops, a jacket and a clutch bag


Q7: How do I make my chubby face look smaller?

My advice: Wear a fitting top and loose fit bottom to create the illusion of an 'A' line.
Or choose a 'V' neckline top exposing the neck and collarbone for the illusion of a slimmer face.


Q8: What kind of clothing do I wear to make my legs appear longer?

My advice: A mini skirt is a petite girl's best friend.


Q9: How do I make sure my dressing is well proportioned?
I'm a sucker for proportions...
My advice: I suggest a mini skirt or shorts paired with a hat or cap and heels. The cap lengthens the whole silhouette, diverting the attention away from the petite frame.
OR
Choose a heeled, toe grip flip flops and pair with a belt to accentuate your contours for a better proportioned figure!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Hair updos for Functions and Dinner



Queen Amidala from star wars? (did i even get the spelling and character right??)



The simple and elegant chignon. Perfect for many occasions



A style of elegance with the right accessories.


Clean and neat. Looking like your girl next door?



Tousled and curly. Letting loose your natural hair flow


Romantic falls. Hair must be long for this style.


My personal favourite! The complicated chic Up-do.

Here are some inspirations for hair up dos that are the all time favourites! Hair accessories play an important role in creating a different look on the same style. Do play around with them! I especially love the flowers and the bling kind...

pics taken from www.hairdohairstyles.com

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Halloween crazy!

I haven't had enough sleep since halloween party. My eyes look swollen like a gold fish and on certain days, I swear I could just fall asleep while walking.... Sighh the down side of being older. What the heck, you take a longer time to recuperate.

Anyways! Check out the halloween pictures! What with all the fun makeup and crazy dressing...
It's the only day where you get to look UGLY/OVERLY PRETTY without feeling self conscious! Ah ha! Though for this year's Halloween, I refused to become an ugly ghost. A meek Lee-O-Pard without spots perhaps?

nnnnoooooooo im not minnie mouse....... whine.........

*MEOooooW...*


Preparation of Scariness:

Look at the wonderful imagination of my friend, done by Jo, and the resemblance to 'The Nightmare before Christmas' female version?



Close up...






WOOHOO!
and with me adding to their deranged ghost/doll look with a vengeance...


Chinese ghost Pian Pian in the making...



madness hair


Now for Lola, the lolita maimed doll... Woahahha! I get such a kick out of doing this! Spray her!


Finished!



Striking resemblance I would say! Hmmmmm Christmas! what shall we be? Santa-rinas?
I'll be spending it in USA!


Of course we must take a photo together to the start of our ghostly adventures!


* The reason i propped my leg so high is because I want everyone to see my 5" platform high heels! Apparently not high enough...


Ahhh never mind.. so, we decided on St James, thinking the premise will actually be big enough to accommodate all the 'ghosts' out celebrating Halloween. Zouk is out (which is freaking jam packed! And MOS has since closed down..)

Me getting into the mood of scaring people.

Lola looks unperturbed..



try again...to no avail..



A proper threesome picture before we go in



Sad to say,

The atmosphere was boring! The Powerhouse music was sucky (with awkward beats and pauses), nobody actually seemed to be dancing. Dragonfly was packed to the brim as usual, looking down from "Firefly", we decided to NOT step in and squeeze with the madness of a crowd.

However, we sure attracted lots of new friends unknowingly!

While queuing up to go into Power house, we spotted this! Mustn't let this chance of taking pictures with this "mutilated till death" ghost off!

And also for self entertainment..... muahahhah!

As you can see, Lee-o-pard (that's me) is scared.... -_-lll


Totally made full use of the green spotlight to make ourselves look 'eerie' And when the moon is full, we transform....into greenish hulks..



While we were trying to gyrate our pelvics away, we were approached by 2 males; one Afro American and the other malaysian.
They invited us over to their table for drinks.. We weren't really interested so we kept telling them later till they went off. Ha!

So, later on came this group, where the satanic female is ultra friendly... with motives???





This is eerie! shedding black tears! must have been severely upset when alive......



A satanic Chinese ghost???!!
For the gal on the right, you can see a bit of a blood stain on the edge of her mouth ..... wonder what/who she devoured?

Run Pian Pian Runnnn!!!..........




A hoody transformed into spidey! Absolutely love it! stifling hot!


In Firefly to claim our 1 Free drink and instead we got more!


Stupidity knows no boundaries... what the hell you took my ears for???!! obviously for stupid reasons....



Group of jappys out to have fun on Halloween



A Single mum out working on halloween night selling alcoholic shots according to Pian Pian..

So, she got the lame jappys to buy us drinks! Thumbs up for free alcohol!


We got a new addition..



We stayed till 4 plus 5 before Pian pian's fiance came to fetch us home...
And the next day, I got an early morning job!

Tired but still photo crazy...


Byeeeeee Lola
Byeeeeee Pian Pian
Byeeeeee Lee-O-Pard.....

*Yawnz...*