Category Archives: The Beauty Aisle

Relax: Create A Day Spa at Home!

Don’t you love a spa day? I certainly do, but sometimes I don’t feel like venturing out to do it. Bellus Academy has provided fantastic tips for Any Second Now readers to replicate a wonderful spa in the comforts of home. I think I may try it this weekend!

At Home Summer Spa Day

Lights turned down, soothing music and a break from the real world is a must from time to time, especially when it’s hot out during the summer. But spending hours and money at an expensive day spa isn’t realistic sometimes. That’s where Bellus Academy’s Expert Team can help. They give their tips on how to create a spa day at home that will rival the real thing and get you out of the heat for a few hours.

Set the Mood. The relaxing atmosphere is what makes spas so great. Re-create the mood at home by dimming the lights or covering lamps with sheer scarves, lighting relaxing lavender or vanilla candles, sipping on cucumber or lemon infused ice water, wearing your comfiest pajamas or rob and turning off distracting electronics. Turn on soothing music, preferably without lyrics, and it will feel like you’re at the spa and not in your living room.

Hit the “Steam Room.” Emulate the steam room by taking a long, steamy shower. This will open up your pores and help detoxify the body. While in the shower, gently exfoliate your whole body, using a loofah for your body and a washcloth for your face. This will remove dead skin cells and give you a healthy glow.

Self Massage. After your “steam,” wrap up in a snuggly warm towel and get comfortable. Apply lotion all over your body and gently massage hands, soles of the feet, the small of your back, temples and other tense body parts. Use your thumbs and rubbing in small circles, to give yourself a relaxing massage.

Facial. Prepare for your at-home facial by placing a handful of lemongrass, mint, parsley, lavender flowers or rose petals in a teapot and pour boiling water. Wait five minutes to let herbs infuse, then fill a sink or glass bowl with this infusion and add more hot water.

Drape a towel over your head and lean about eight inches above steam for three to five minutes to unclog debris and oil. Rub on some cleanser, lean over steam again for a minute to release impurities and wipe off. Apply toner, exfoliate and cover face with a mask that best suits your needs.

Rest while mask is on, placing cotton pads or balls soaked in cold green tea over eye lids to tone and reduce puffiness. Finish by applying moisturizer to entire face.

Time to Relax. Read a book, mediate or just sit outside to unwind. Finish your at-home spa day by rubbing lotion all over body and feet. Before taking a nice long nap, put on some socks and wake up soft, refreshed and relaxed.

Bellus Academy has three of their campuses located in San Diego County with the newest campus in Manhattan, Kansas. They continue to elevate the beauty and spa industry through breakthrough education in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Make-up Artistry, Spa Nail Technician and Massage Therapy and innovative business practices. To learn more about Bellus Academy, please visit www.bellusacademy.edu.

(FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.)

Warm Weather Skin Care Tips From Bellus Academy

With the spring weather being so warm lately, it’s hard to believe there ever was a winter this year in San Diego! Now that Dominic is older, warmer weather means getting ready for days spent outdoors. Not only do I have to protect his skin, but my skin as well. The folks at Bellus Academy have some tips to share on how to protect your skin during these upcoming days having fun in the sun. Thank you Bellus for always providing important beauty tips!

Spring means warmer weather, which translates to more time enjoying the outdoors. But warmer weather doesn’t mean it is time to neglect your skin. More time in the sunshine gives you more reasons to protect your skin. Bellus Academy’s esthetics expert share their warm weather skin tips to help defend your skin while out and about under the sun:

·   Sunscreen. Applying sunscreen every day is one of the most important tips to remember when spending long periods of time out in the sun. When choosing this crucial skin care product, make sure to choose one that is at least SPF 15 (SPF 30 for lighter skin), that is water resistant and that protects against UVA rays—the rays that penetrate below the skin—and UVB rays—the rays that cause sun burns and reddening. Sun screen should be reapplied every two hours for maximum protection. Also, remember to throw away last year’s bottle; sunscreen has a short shelf life and old sunscreen won’t protect skin from harsh rays.

·   Lip balm. Don’t forget your lips are skin too! Make sure to apply lip balm like you would sunscreen, which is every two hours to keep lips from sun burn and cracking. Also, lip gloss won’t cut it; gloss attracts the UV rays instead of repelling it.

·   Exfoliate. Many know that it is important to exfoliate in the winter, but did you know that it is important to exfoliate during the spring and summer also? Exfoliating helps remove previous sun damage and also keeps skin looking fresh and rejuvenated.

·   Water Spritz. Since the sun is harsh on skin, spritzing water on your face helps to moisturize and calm skin from the heat and helps prevents facial sun burns.

·   Make-up Switch. In hot weather, foundation tends to be too thick and heavy for skin to handle. Instead, try a tinted moisturizer that is easily absorbed by the skin. The tinted moisturizer helps keep skin soft and serves the same function foundation would at evening skin tone and as a base for make-up.

·   Bronzer/Sunless Tanner. Instead of lying out all day to achieve that perfect tan, a bronzer or sunless tanner can help you achieve that same look. These products are safer to get that sun-kissed look than sitting-out for hours under the sun.

For more information on Bellus Academy, please visit www.bellusacademy.edu.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

"Beautiful Lashes are a Blink Away" at Blink Lash Boutique

Last Saturday, I had my first ever experience at receiving eyelash extensions at Blink Lash Boutique. I recall reading about wonderful experiences of eyelash extensions at Blink Lash Boutique by Laura of Laura Neuzeth (here) and Paulina of Lil Bits of Chic (here), but never braved trying it out for myself. After meeting Carly of Blink Lash at a local networking event, I decided to try out the service for myself. I made my early morning appointment close to home, which was at the Little Italy location on Kettner Boulevard. After signing some important paperwork regarding allergies and previous experience with this type of procedure, I was ready to get started! I have to mention that I absolutely adore my husband and son for being so patient while they waited for me (the pictures of the process were taken by my husband). I want to thank Carly for this wonderful opportunity, and Jenavie for being so patient and kind through my first experience with this process, answering my many questions and lasting through the photo taking. If you would like to experience this process for yourself, check out their full menu of services here, and please follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Doesn’t Dominic look so excited? My awesome little boy is the most patient 5-year-old ever!

The process was actually quite relaxing. I was impressed with the how meticulous and patient my Lash Stylist was. She talked me through the process, explaining the condition of my lashes and how many she was applying and why. I chose to do the Blush set, which is about 60 lashes per eye (but I may have had slightly more due to the fact my lashes were very fine).

Check out the results! I can’t believe how pretty and natural my lashes look.

With my Lash Stylist, Jenavie. She was incredibly sweet and made this experience so wonderful!

FYI: The Blink Lash Boutique is located in a historical landmark. I love knowing this type of information because it’s always fascinating what the structure was prior to it’s current use.

(FTC Disclosure: I received a service free of charge, and was asked to review the service in return. Although I did receive a service free of charge, the opinions in this post are strictly my own.)

The Bellus Academy Experience

We provide the Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nails and Massage industries with graduates who are a credit to their college, their employer and their profession. When we built our Academy, the goal was to design a college that provides the necessary space and professional atmosphere today’s students are looking for.

– From the Bellus Academy Poway Site

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of getting a cut and style, courtesy of Bellus Academy in Poway. It was such a great experience because I truly got to see how a full fledged working beauty academy operates. After posting about Bellus Academy, meeting current students, graduates, instructors and attending their events, it was nice to finally actually enter one of their campuses, which looks just like a working high-end salon. My stylist for the evening was April, and the only difference between a salon and the Academy was the occasional guidance of her instructors throughout the evening. I felt so confident in April’s abilities and skills, because she explained how much training is given prior to any encounter with an actual live customer. Additionally, I could see the attention given to each student by their instructor, regardless of the style of cut they were performing (I went from growing out my longer locks to a more Great Gatsby/pageboy inspired cut). I am so pleased with the way my hair turned out, because I can straighten it to give it a more modern flow, but I can also style it for a very retro look. Thank you Christina of Alternative Strategies for setting up my appointment, and thank you to April and her instructors at Bellus Academy Poway for a lovely experience!

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Hair Coloring Tips for a New Do From Bellus Academy's Lindsey Washbourne

I don’t know about you all, but I’m starting to get that itch for a new look by doing something new for my hair. If you’re in the same boat as me, here are some tips I was given from Lindsey Washbourne of Bellus Academy to get you started for Spring!

Have you become bored of your look, but are too afraid of coloring your hair? With spring just around the corner, maybe it’s the perfect time to take the plunge with hair color, whether it’s just a few natural highlights or bright blue streaks. Lindsey Washbourne, Inspiration Manager at Bellus Academy and Brand Educator and Master Colorist for Wella Professional hair care, gives salon:

·         Relax, breathe and trust your Stylist. The best thing you can do when it comes to your hair color is to relax, breathe and trust your stylist. It’s great to come in with an idea or general direction of where you might want to go with your color, but it’s important to know that stylists aren’t just trained in putting the color on your head. A true “colorist” steps back and sees the whole picture – your skin tone, eye color, personal image, maintenance and commitment level.

·         Ask questions and allow your colorist to educate you. Your stylist’s main priority is to make you look 10 years younger – so why would you want them to use the same techniques they did 10 years ago? Be open to change and get excited for the future!

Which leads to…

·         Ask your Stylist about Latest Trends. Always ask your stylist if they’ve learned anything new lately, and what the hottest trends in color are. You might be surprised on how quickly things evolve and change.

·         Technology is changing. Trends are evolving. Beautiful hair color is no longer about having enough foils in your hair to pick up radio signals. In fact, most colorists are starting to push the foils further and further away. Hair painting has been a slow revolution, but is now a way of salon life. Color.id by Wella Professionals (launching in May) allows colorists to place color next to color without bleeding and without foils. Resulting in a more creative, more pleasant coloring experience.

Ask your stylist if they will be using Color.id in May! For more information on Bellus Academy, please visit http://www.bellusacademy.edu/.

(FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.)

Weekend in Pictures: Bellus Academy Presents Come2gether

Last Saturday, I was invited to attend an exciting and inspirational charity event presented by Bellus Academy (where I met up with quite a few San Diego Style Bloggers). Come2gether was held at the Moniker Warehouse in Downtown San Diego and benefitted Beauty Changes Lives, “a non-profit initiative designed to raise awareness of how careers in the hair, beauty and wellness industry transform lives both personally and professionally.” It started off with the media portion, where bloggers, photographers and journalists could interview, photograph and visit with the artists who would be presenting that evening. Bellus Academy president, Lynelle Lynch, and Cosmetology Educator, Manny SanMartin, chatted with us briefly about their career paths and the importance of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation. The keynote speaker was Stacey Broughton, a former Senior Art Director for the Vidal Sassoon Academy. Special guests that night included Mike Varela, Nina Kovner, D.J. Muldoon, Douglas McCoy, Nicole Brown, Omar Antonio, Carrera Bailey and Diego Raviglione. The main portion of this fun event included dynamic visual styling presentations set to music. Thank you Christina of Alternative Strategies for inviting me to this fantastic event!

Early in the evening for the media portion, just before the main event.

Lynelle Lynch and Manny SanMartin took time to chat with us about the importance of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation.

The Moniker Warehouse beginning to fill up for the main event.

Lynelle Lynch sharing the message of Beauty Changes Lives to a captive audience.

Artistry in action!

Artistic Director and Wella Top Stylist, Diego Raviglione, working his magic (in a Joy Division shirt!)

SD Style Bloggers: Bianca V. of The In-Between Girls; Ashley of Array of Style; Heidi of A Fashion Statement; Lindsay of Elle Web Style

Lindsay, Ashley, Heidi and I, with Bellus Academy’s Terrell Mitchell, who won Project Runway’s Photo Challenge (he gave tips for winter hair care here). And YES, I finally got my Bodhi Safety Pin clutch in Electric Purple (original “Wanted” post here).

With Heidi, Bianca of Just Ask B, Amber of King & Kind, Ashley and Bianca V. (photo courtesy of Bianca V.).

Winter Hair Care Tips From Terrell Mitchell of Bellus Academy

I’ve been very lucky to receive so many tips to share with Any Second Now readers on how to feel fabulous and stay beautiful during these crazy winter months. Here are some great tips from Terrell Mitchell, Alumni Association Outreach Coordinator for Bellus Academy, and the new Grand Prize Winner of Project Runway’s Photo Challenge!

1. Protect your hair from the elements: Where a hat to protect your hair from the weather. Also, make sure to wrap your hair with a silk scarf first, so it won’t snag your hair when you wear a hat for some warmth.

2. Don’t wash your hair everyday: If you normally wash your hair every day, cut back during the winter so you don’t catch a cold with your pores being open out in the cold.

3. Get a Trim: Keep your hair in good health by coming into your local Bellus Academy and getting a nice trim to take care of all the dead/split ends.

4. Get a deep conditioning treatment: This will really help with the dryness from the heater in the home and cold winds outside. Bellus offers the best deep conditioning treatments.

Terrel’s winning submission to Project Runway’s Photo Challenge!

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

15 Ways to Feel Fabulous this Winter From Daxon

I’m definitely feeling the effects of this strange winter, going from wonderfully warm to feeling the chill. If you’re starting to feel the effects of winter, including catching a cold (like I did), Daxon has provided the readers of Any Second Now with some tips on how to feel fabulous!

If you haven’t already, it’s time to clear out your Autumn wardrobe and make room for hats, coats and thick woolly scarves. Winter is well and truly in full swing, and as usual in the UK, we are feeling the chill!

Sniffles, colds, darker evenings, shorter days, the frantic rush of the party season – this time of year can really take its toll. So how can you keep your mood up and your body healthy?

Even if the weather is a little dull and dreary, it doesn’t mean you have to be too! We’ve come up with some great tips to stay fabulous during the cold season, sure to chase away those winter blues. Complete one tip a day for fifteen days and let us know just how great you feel afterwards!

And if you feel inspired to try shapewear, have a look at our slimming effect range!

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

Photographs From 7 Image Salon’s First Annual Holiday Cocktail Party & Fashion Show

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to attend 7 Image Salon’s First Annual Holiday Cocktail Party and Fashion Show, with proceeds from their silent auction benefiting the Sproles Empowered Youth foundation. The chic party featured a fashion show with apparel from La Jolla boutique Kerut and hair and makeup styled by 7 Image’s own talented team. The event was hosted by Thomasina “Goo Goo” Atkins from WETV’s reality show, “The Mary Mary Show”. It was quite the lovely evening, and I want to thank Alternative Strategies and 7 Image Salon for the invite. Cheers!

Because I arrived quite early, I was able to get some shots of the beautiful interior of 7 Image Salon.

7 Image Holiday Collage 3

Delicious goodies from the party. That’s a mini lemon bunt cake next to my phone. Yum!

With the evening’s host, Thomasina “Goo Goo” Atkins. She liked my Lexington Cardi I bought from Street Chic at the Vixen Pop Up Boutique. She is such a sweetheart!

Of all the fashions presented, this wedding gown stole the show (and the camouflage booties with the orange dress).

7 Image Holiday Collage 7

Kerut Boutique’s display table. Lovely pieces!

The silent auction items, where proceeds went towards the Sproles Empowered Youth Foundation. Michel Sproles is the CEO, as well as the owner of 7 Image Salon (pictured with me below). I was dying over the autographed Darren Sproles and Drew Brees jerseys (oh, and the Prada backpack)!

The ladies of the 7 Image Salon team.

Look who I bumped into, fellow San Diego Style Blogger, Vanessa of Fashion Mixtape!

Our gift from 7 Image: a lovely candle and Innie Minnie Mightie Bow nail polish by OPI (from their Couture De Minnie collection). So pretty!

My outfit details: Lexington Cardi by Sage (from Street Chic); Libertine for Target dress; New Look shoes; J.Jill tassel necklace; Eva glasses in Sepia Kiss c/o BonLook

Winter & Traveling Skin Care Tips from 7 Image Salon

Having just returned from Las Vegas over the Thanksgiving holiday, I found my skin suffering from the wear of travel and weather. 7 Image, a new salon here in San Diego, has provided Any Second Now readers with some great tips for caring for your skin while traveling during the winter, especially with Christmas fast approaching. FYI: 7 Image is owned by Michel Sproles, wife of NFL running back Darren Sproles (if you are a football novice, he started with my favorite team, the San Diego Chargers, but currently plays for the New Orleans Saints). Thank you 7 Image for these great tips!

7 Image Salon Gives Winter and Traveling Skin Care Tips

The holiday season might be the most wonderful time of the year, but colder weather and flying from city to city can sometimes take a toll on your skin. No one likes dry, cracking skin. Don’t fret, 7 Image Salon is here to help with tricks of the trade on how to keep your skin looking its best when out and about traveling this holiday season.

·         Moisturize and stay hydrated: Moisturizing is even more important while traveling and during the winter months; constant moisturizing keeps skin soft and prevents skin from drying out. Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water is important since dehydration is revealed through your skin. Take advantage of those free cups of water from the flight attendant to keep skin nice and soft.

·         Keep showers short: After a long day of traveling and a day in the cold, it might be tempting to take a long hot shower or bath; however, the hot water and soap will strip skin of moisture. It’s best to keep bathing time to 10 minutes or less and only for once a day. If you can’t keep away from your long, hot baths, apply lotion before jumping in to help prevent the drying effect of the soap and hot water.

·         Hydrate Lips: No one likes having to deal with chapped lips! Before applying your favorite lip balm, moisten lips with cool water and then apply the balm to seal in moisture. Moistening with cool water first helps the top layer of skin become more absorbent and allows the balm to lock in hydration and help prevents dry, chapped lips.

·         Skip the toner: Toners often contain an alcohol base, which can strip skin of natural oils and dry skin out even more. But if you must, try to find a toner that is not alcohol based.

·         Keep on shaving: Even though it might be tempting to skip the razor during the colder months, a way to remove dead skin on legs is to keep on shaving. By shaving you’re not only removing hair, but also exfoliating and allowing the skin to absorb lotion better. Resulting in smooth, silky non-dry legs.

For more info about 7 Image, please visit 6050 Mission Gorge Road or online at 7image.com

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

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