Showing posts with label grooming. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Flashback To The 80s

Lately, I've been listening to a lot of 80s music on Spotify and having flashbacks to a decade that I never fully appreciated because I never fully realized what an incredible decade it was. And I suppose that's because when you're experiencing a decade, you're not watching it, you're living it. It's only in retrospect that you appreciate all the wonderful gemstones within each decade.

Today, I would like to share bits and pieces from the 80s that I recall as being an integral part of its threadwork.

In the 80s, I was in my mid-20s and 30s. I remember it as a powerful time of personal growth for me. I learned so much about myself in the 80s through investigation and experience. I also had a lot of fun.

Please enjoy a flashback to the 80s...

I got my cosmetology license in the 80s and was working as a hairstylist. Trust me when I tell you that back then, hair was big. And when I say big, I mean BIG. So big, in fact, that people looked like they had been electrocuted with 765 volts of electricity. Also, LOTS of hairspray was used to make sure that big hair STAYED big. If you ever touched someone's hair back in the 80s, it was as hard as a rock. I used to refer to it as HARD-ON hair...

I miss Blockbuster. Yes, we can now stream movies through our computers, tablets, and phones. But for me, I miss the joy of walking into a Blockbuster and hand-selecting the films I wanted to watch. I was so sad when the last Blockbuster closed here in Philly...

Who didn't have a Sony Walkman? I certainly did. Back in the 80s, I used to jog. Therefore, having a Walkman was the ideal way to listen to music, which made jogging more enjoyable. At home, I had a big box of cassette tapes with all my favorite music...

Here are 10 vocal artists I enjoyed listening to in the 80s. However, there were many more...

And speaking of vocal artists, I remember seeing my first music video, a-ha: Take on Me on MTV. Back then, music videos were a new thing and everyone was SO in awe of them...

Aerobics and Jazzercise were very popular in the 80s. I took a few aerobic classes, but it didn't last long because I discovered that I did not like exercising with other people. I prefer to do it alone...

Do you remember when answering machines first hit the market for home use? OMG, I was obsessed with getting one and changing my outgoing message every other day. I would also call myself from work during the day and leave messages so that when I got home, I could listen to them LOL! I used to get so excited when I saw the little red light blinking on the machine because I knew it meant I had messages...

Popular TV shows in the 80s...

Clothing in the 80s was bright and colorful...

When cell phones were first introduced in the 80s, they were the size of a brick. Which is why they were called Brick Cell Phones. My boss at the time had one that he kept in his car. But few people had cell phones...

And speaking of cars, back in the 80s DeLorean's were the BOMB. My boss had one of those too. I remember him taking me for a ride and watching the doors lift to get inside. It was so cool! The DeLorean became widely known after it was featured as the time machine in the Back to the Future films...

Swatch watches were so popular in the 80s. Lee Majors (from the TV show, The Fall Guy) did a few ads for the company. I remember going to Burdines (a Florida department store) and purchasing my first Swatch...

Does anyone remember Glamour Shots? I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I worked at one in our local mall. Back in the 80s, Glamour Shots were the rage - big hair, seductive shoulder exposure, and a soft-focus lens.

Glamour Shots was a popular portrait studio chain, known for offering a complete makeover and photoshoot experience, often in malls and department stores, and emphasizing a glamorous Hollywood-inspired style.

But OMG, the photographs were so HOKEY...

Hope you enjoyed my 80s flashback, folks!

🕐🕑🕓🕕🕗🕘🕙

*If any of you experienced the 80s, please feel free to share some of your memories.

Monday, October 21, 2024

It's That Time Of The Year - "Fall Clothing"

Autumn always makes me think of the movie When Harry Met Sally.

Not only is it my all-time favorite romantic comedy, but I also love how the movie takes you through all four seasons but highlights autumn and winter, my most-loved.

While living in New York City, my ideal thing to do once autumn rolled in was to take long walks through Central Park. Lucky for me, I lived only half a block from Central Park East Side.

Central Park was one of my cherished spots in Manhattan because in a city composed primarily of buildings—small, large, and huge—the park was my escape into nature.

Besides the cooler temps and cozy, comfy foods, I also look forward to fall clothing. I have always felt that clothing is much more attractive than little or no clothing. And to me, I think fall wear is sexy.

Two things I love about fall clothing:

- warm, rich, earthtones.

- layers and textures

Some of my faves...

Fall clothing for kids...

And for pets...

🍂🍁🍂🍁 Hope you're all enjoying this season!🍂🍁🍂🍁

I certainly am...🧡

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Skincare Recommendations & Tips

*This is not a sponsored post

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Today, I would like to share a few skincare recommendations and tips that I've discovered throughout my time in the beauty industry and found them very useful.

Hope you will too!

Washing Your Face -

Always use lukewarm water when washing your face. Extreme hot or cold water expands and contracts the capillaries, and over time, will break them, causing redness - particularly around the nose and cheek areas. People with rosacea or eczema should especially know this.

Wash your face twice a day - once in the morning before applying any skincare and makeup, and then again at night before your nighttime skincare routine. A lot of my clients ask, "Why do I need to wash my face in the morning when it's clean?" And I tell them, "Your bed pillow breeds bacteria as you sleep. So, it's important to give your face one quick wash, preparing it for your skincare products."

Some of my favorite face washes are here, here, here, and here.

Using Face Exfoliants -

Do not use physical exfoliants on your face. They are too abrasive and can cause damage. Use only AHA/BHA or enzymatic exfoliants. They are much more controlled and gentle. The two exfoliants I linked to are my absolute favorites. They are highly effective, yet very gentle.

Do not over-exfoliate. Once or twice a week is more than enough. Most clients exfoliant way too much. They assume more is better. And it's not. Over-exfoliation it can strip away your skin's natural barrier responsible for keeping the bad stuff out (pollution, irritants) and the good stuff in (water, oils).

Pain Means Gain -

I kid you not, many clients I assist tell me, "Whatever you recommend, I want it to BURN and HURT, because that way I know it's working!" And I tell them, "No, that does not mean it's working. It means it's too much." And yet, do you know what they always say? "I don't care. Give me the most severe product you have. I can take it. I'm tough!"

It continually blows me away how clients psychologically believe that something has to hurt to be effective.

I used to work with a woman who believed that pain means gain. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her, but she and I had a completely different approach to skincare. Therefore, I would refer all those "hurt to work" clients to her. When I was first trained in cosmetology school, I was taught skincare in the European way, that you treat your facial skin as if it's a delicate piece of tissue paper and be GENTLE. The woman I worked with believed that skincare had to feel as though you got hit by a Mack truck and dragged 10 blocks. Then, and only then, did she believe something worked.

I used to call her The Dominatrix.

Sunscreens: Physical Versus Chemical -

Having lived in Florida for 20 years, I've tried both chemical and physical sunscreens, and I much prefer physical.

The chemical sunscreens not only irritated my skin but also my eyes. I perspire a lot when I'm hot, so the chemical sunscreens would sweat their way into my eyes and burn like HELL.

Physical sunscreens have come a long way. They no longer feel heavy on your skin or cause a white cast. They are now much more sheer, but still very effective.

They're also better for people with sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, and acne-prone skin.

The bottom line is that physical sunscreens are better because they act as a wall between you and the sun.

Some of my favorite mineral sunscreens are here, here, here, and here.

Skin Bruises -

One thing I noticed as I reached my 60s was how easily my skin bruises. And I don't have to bruise my skin hard for it to create a mark like this (not a photo of my arm):

Why Does This Happen?

As we age, our skin gets thinner and we lose some of the layer of fat that cushions our blood vessels and protects us from injury. Also, our blood vessels become more fragile. Both things mean we may get more bruises, even from a minor bump.

So, in case anyone reading is experiencing this, I would like to share what works for me to speed up the healing process.

I use a homeopathic cream from the company Boiron that is quite effective. It's not only great for bruises but also cuts, scrapes, chafing, minor burns, sunburn, and dry skin.

This light cream soothes and moisturizes, while the active ingredient, made from fresh Calendula, heals.

I always keep a tube in my backpack so that if I'm out and about and bruise my skin, I can immediately apply it. I will often apply it to my cuticles and lips during the colder, winter months. It's one of those things that I always have handy, just in case I need it.

It has a light, natural scent I find calming.

How to use: I apply it 3-4 times a day and usually see a reduction in the bruise within a few days. Be consistent. You can't just use it once and expect the bruise to be gone.

I've seen nothing work as well as this cream. I highly recommend it. And be sure to get the cream, not the ointment or gel.

Extra tip: Before applying the cream, apply a cold compress on the bruise. This helps with any inflammation and swelling.

In Conclusion -

Don't Believe Everything You Read And See On TikTok and Instagram -

Be very careful when reading things on Instagram and TikTok, promoting skincare, makeup, and haircare. Understand that these people are receiving free products and/or getting paid to promote those products. That is why they're called influencers. Do your own research and don't believe everything that's plastered all over social media.

When looking for a product in-store, find a beauty advisor you fully trust before making a purchase. Get a sense of whether they are genuinely assisting you to find a product to match your need, or just selling you something to meet their daily goal.

FYI -

Here is an article and video from CBS News Boston about how kids all over TikTok and Instagram are sharing their skincare routines, and while many of these brightly packaged creams, lotions, and serums are harmless, dermatologists say most of these expensive products just aren't necessary. Influencers as young as 9 years old are promoting products.

Trust me, I see this every day that I work. And what surprises me is why the parents allow it.

Just remember, social media is both positive and negative. Use discernment before purchasing.

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Hope you found this helpful and informative!

*Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have about skincare in your comments. I will be more than happy to respond. Thank you! 💕

Monday, June 03, 2024

Handsome, Beautiful, Or Even Both

Traditionally, men are seen as handsome, while women are seen as beautiful.

Personally, I think men and women can be handsome, beautiful, or even both.

Throughout my life, I've looked at many men and thought, "What a beautiful man!" I've also looked at many women and thought, "What a handsome woman!"

-HANDSOME suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

-BEAUTIFUL applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

However, that doesn't mean I don't think men and women are different, they are. In fact, I celebrate the differences between men and women because they each bring something different to the table of life.

There are times when I desire to be in the company of women, and other times when I desire to be in the company of men because I find that men and women communicate differently.

I also celebrate and admire the physical differences between men and women.

Odd as it may seem...

I See Men And Women As Vehicles -

To me, women are like a smooth and curvy Chevy Corvette -

Whereas, men, are like a brawny and scruffy Jeep Wrangler -

Both of which I view as beautiful and handsome.

So, allow me to share several men and women I find very attractive.

*Please note: as you will see, I like fur on a man's face.

Christopher Meloni - (Besides his sexy, rugged look, what I admire most about Christopher is that he is so comfortable with himself. He can portray any character, straight or gay, and doesn't care what people wonder about him)

Diane Lane - (To me, Diane gets more attractive and sexy as she ages. I've seen every film that Lane has made. Whenever she's onscreen, I am riveted to her every word. Yes, I'm a HUGE fan of this talented, stunning lady!)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan - (I have only one word....woof!)

Julianne Moore - (She is like a chameleon who can magically transform herself into any character from any period. Julianne is a combination of elegance and raw earthiness. I love her auburn hair and pale skin)

Jon Hamm - (He was born looking like he just stepped out of a time machine from the 1960s, which is why he was perfect for Mad Men) I'm strictly a vegetarian, but I would make an exception with HAMM)

Vanessa Williams - (I've been following her career since the 1980s. Vanessa is a triple threat because she can sing, dance, and act, and excels in all three. She has a light that shines from within. You can see it in her GORGEOUS eyes!)

Ewan McGregor - (What blows me away about Ewan (besides his good-looking Scottish face) is his entire body of work as an actor. He is all over the place with it comes to the roles he's portrayed. He cannot be typecast because he continually challenges himself with diversity. If you've never seen, Halston, please watch it. He's freaking AMAZING!)

Salma Hayek - (Talented, exotic, and sultry! In addition to her film work, I've seen Salma on many talk shows in which she was incredibly down-to-earth, outspoken, and hilarious! When I look at her, the word POWERFUL comes to mind)

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