6 Tips For Going Red

Red is the Hair color for fall 2011. It is a dynamic color and  can make you stand out in the crowd.Red hair can give you shin, vibrancy, and can give you a look like no other color. Here are a few tips to consider before joining the red family.


Tip 1. Make sure it is something your absolutely  committed to.  The number one rule in Coloring your hair Red is, that it is Hard to keep and can be even harder to take out!!


Tip 2. Once your mind is set on those fierce locks, Make sure you know what direction to take the color in. For instants if you are very fair skin copper/ Blonde or Fire Red complement your skin tone better. And if you have more olive  in your skin go towards  the Burgundy, red browns. Reds can easily wash your skin tone out if you choose the wrong tone.

Tip 3. After going red remember you must change your shampoo and conditioner to a sulfate free brand. This will keep the your money  from washing down the drain. Here are a few amazing shampoo and conditioners that will keep RED  in!! Moroccan oil or a Professional sulfate free system.

Tip 4. This next step is my secret  to keeping the Red vibrant. Wash your hair in Cool water. Cool water keeps the cuticle closed and lets the color stay in your hair!!

Tip 5. Your make-up is important to completing your fabulous Look!! If your a  copper or more warmer Red head  keep your skin as fair as possible. Make sure you are concealing your red spots and taking any roses colors out of your skin. Also stay away from bronzer!! Now if you are on the violet / Burgundy side of Reds then have fun with the bronzer and warm up those cheek bones. Now for eye shadows greens and earth tones are your best friend. Golds and Emerald greens are amazing on the red browns or  Burgundy Reds. It will make your eyes pop and put attention on your hair and eyes. Although this is not an absolutes and wear what makes you happy. But if you are stuck in front of the mirror try these tips!!

Tip 6. Walk with Confidence ! Know when you walk into a room you will turn heads!! 

Now you have the tools to go Red. Be fabulous , Be fierce , and Just Be Red!! For you personal Red transformation, and your in the Chicago area. 
Book an appointment 773-683-8635!! BE BEAUTIFUL!

Healthy T-Day Swaps

A timeline of a typical Thanksgiving dinner:

4:00 Your family sits down and starts devouring everything in sight.
4:45 Everyone leans back and agrees that they’ve never eaten so much…
5:30 You all stagger into the family room to watch football.
6:00 Halftime — back to the table for pie!
6:20 More complaints about overeating followed by more pie!
6:45 The meal is finally over and, ignoring all evidence, everyone agrees that they didn’t really eat that much. It’s back to the family room for more football and potato chips.
12:00 Raid the fridge for a midnight snack.

If any of this rings a bell, we have something very valuable for you. No, not a forklift to get everybody out of their chairs, but a healthier, less fattening way to celebrate!

Think outside the box when it comes to the menu. Include salads and vegetable dishes. FFF loves Greenleaf’s Roasted Cauliflower Salad!
Omit thick, dairy-based sauces for meats. Use marinades or rubs to add flavor.
Make roasted yams with agave and cinnamon instead of candied yams to cut calories and fat.
Create a menu, estimate how much food you will need, and then decrease it by 25%. Most people have a tendency to make too much food, and thus overeat.
When making stuffing, substitute wheat bread instead of white; egg whites in place of whole; use fat-free milk, and add extra vegetables and fresh herbs.
When basting roasts, use a homemade vinaigrette instead of butter.
Make your own dressings and sauces using seasonal inspirations. This can be super simple. For example, to create Greenleaf’s Pomegranate Reduction, just simmer pomegranate juice until it has the consistency of syrup.
Use agave or sugar substitutes in desserts. There are also recipes that use unsweetened applesauce in place of butter.
If you want cranberries with dinner, make a cranberry-orange relish sweetened with agave instead of the traditional sugary cranberry sauce.
When putting out snacks for the football game, make smart choices such as popped chips or veggies with hummus.
xx, Beautyqueen

Fall into Fitness

Turn everyday activities into quick, easy workouts

Summer has come to an end, and with the temperature dropping, we have a few fun tips for dropping those pounds as well! Here are some fall calorie burning activities that we think are fall-bulous! Sorry, lifting your hot cocoa cup isn’t considered an activity.

Raking Leaves: Turn a boring chore into working out your core. Raking leaves can work your abs, legs and your biceps. When you rake, tighten your arms and alternate your dominant hand. When you reach out, lunge forward with each pull and then tighten your abdomen when you pull back. Though you may look a little silly, this workout burns about 250 calories per hour. For an extra few calories and some fun, be a little kid again and jump in the pile of leaves!

Football Season: Who knew you could burn a few calories by watching the game! Head out to a game, and if you stand the entire time, you can burn 250 calories an hour! Every time someone scores, do a few squats, and in between plays tighten your abs! You can burn up to 400 calories, plus a few extras for cheering! Or host your own football party at your house. You can burn calories serving food and drinks and cheering in your own living room.

Pre- and Post-T-Day Cleaning: Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, washing dishes, moving furniture…getting ready for the big turkey day is not only a lot of work, it can also burn a lot of calories. Sure, you may not have time to get to the gym but on average you can burn 200 calories an hour or more getting your clean on!

Walk the Dog: Make your pooch and yourself happy by walking. A simple stroll can burn 150 calories in an hour, a steady pace can burn 250 and if you run, you can burn about 350. Every time he needs a pit stop, take a few seconds to stretch and lunge.

xx, Beautyqueen

THE COOLEST COATS

Taking a little inspiration from our favorite fashion diva, Ms. Rachel Zoe: Girl, it’s time for you to have a fabulous coat moment!

Of course, jackets are a pragmatic way to keep warm as temperatures drop, but they can also be a fashion-forward statement piece. From classic trenches to wild faux fur, these coats are definitely bananas!

Carefully Chosen Coat
Mod Cloth, $99.99
Classic and fresh, this super chic black and white houndstooth coat features an oversized collar, asymmetrical button closure, and a figure-flattering tie at the waist.


Rachel Zoe’s Betty Coat with Fur
ShopBop, $550
Do you die? This adorable double-breasted black wool coat features a removable hood and a fab gray faux fur trim.


Allover Sequin Blazer
Forever 21, $27.80
Get glam this fall with this super-cute cropped black sequined blazer that features notched lapels and an open front design. It’s the perfect amount of sparkle to add to any evening look!


Mackintosh Rousay Tattersall Coat
J.Crew, $1,200
Go big and bold with this fire engine red, long, wool coat that is sure to make a statement. The light weight jacket features an insulated water-resistant fabric that is perfect for cooler weather.


Checked Military Coat
Zara, $129
Take a little inspiration from the troops with this classic checked coat from Zara. The neutral gray tones mean it will work with practically any look!


xx, Beautyqueen

Get Healthy. Tap into Liquid Gold Tips and recipes to get the most out of your olive oil

You are a multi-tasking maximizer! You carry weights when you speed walk. You cut up enough fresh veggies at once to make snacks for the whole week. You bathe with your pup (err, maybe forget that one…).

So the question is, while you know that olive oil is healthy, are you getting the most out of your oil?

Love olive oil, Here is how you can reap the most benefits from your liquid gold!

Make the Switch: Use olive oil instead of butter! Dip your bread in it, use it to marinate your meat, and drizzle it over fish and veggies. This will add healthy fats and reduce saturated fat.

Get High on Polyphenols: Recent studies have shown that polyphenols are a key component of what makes olive oil so heart healthy. Polyphenols have strong anti-inflammatory properties and help protect cells. If a label doesn’t list the number of polyphenols in an oil, go by taste. High-quality, high-polyphenol olive oils should taste fruity, rich, or assertive versus flat and rancid.

Organic Is Not Necessarily Key: Finally a place to save money! Organic olive oils can be a plus, but many non-organic ones are still good for you, especially ones from parts of Spain, Greece, and Sicily, which are remote from pollution. There, the trees are traditionally grown and cultivated naturally.

Don’t Feel the Burn: Heating olive oil beyond its smoke point destroys the quality of the oil and creates an unpleasant taste, so forget about putting it in the deep fryer. And always store oil in a cool, dark place to keep its antioxidants at their best.

Try New Recipes: Wanna make fabulous, heart-healthy recipes like the ones at Fig & Olive? Well it’s your lucky day! Ihave two mouth-watering dishes for your cooking pleasures. Check out the delicious Zucchini Carpaccio and Spaghetti Salad with Grilled Vegetables!

Ingredients:
1 1-lb., medium-small zucchini sliced paper thin
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 tablespoons shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Directions:
1. Arrange the zucchini slices so that they’re slightly overlapping on a large flat platter.
2. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Just before serving, whisk the olive oil and lemon juice together in a small bowl.
4. Drizzle the mixture over the zucchini, season with salt and pepper, scatter the cheese and pine nuts and serve!



Spaghetti Salad with Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. spaghetti
Salt to taste
1/4 cup olive oil

Tapenade:
1/2 lb. pitted olives, niçoise
3 oz. fruity olive oil
1 teaspoon Tabasco
1 oz. fresh basil
Salt & Pepper to taste

Grilled Vegetables:
1/2 lb. heirloom cherry tomatoes
1/4 lb. cippoline onions
1/2 lb. baby zucchini
1 Japanese eggplant
Fresh thyme
Salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved

Directions:
1. Boil water with salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot. Cook the spaghetti until al dente. Rinse with cool water to prevent over-cooking. Spread on sheet pan and pour the rest of the olive oil over the pan.
2. Cut the zucchini lengthwise and the cippoline onions in quarters.
3. Slice the Japanese eggplant into thin slices and marinate in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Use a grill or a very hot sauté pan to cook the vegetables very quickly and preserve firmness.
5. Reserve in the fridge.
6. For the tapenade, combine all ingredients in a blender and season to taste.
7. To assemble, mix the pasta with the olive tapenade, grilled vegetables, and shaved Parmesan. Let rest for approximately one hour.
8. Optional: Add sliced grilled chicken breast to salad.

Enjoy!







xx, Beautyqueen

Pumpkin skin care

Get the skin-nourishing goodness inside the squash





A little-known fact is that Linus didn’t spend all his time in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin, but was actually developing beauty products. And that’s why this ageless character is now on a beach next to a beautiful bikini-clad Jessica Rabbit. They are both entwined under his blanket, which he no longer just uses for security.



And it makes sense! Many studies have shown that pumpkin is actually a bit of an aphrodisiac! Not to mention that the orange squash is filled with antioxidants, enzymes, fatty acids, and other skin-healing goodies. So in the spirit of Halloween, check out my favorite pumpkin-inspired beauty products:


Philosophy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath: Yummy in a bottle! The sweet smelling all-in-one formula leaves your body and hair feeling soft and hydrated.

Spices Spa Remedy Pumpkin Souffle: This exfoliating body scrub gently removes dead skin to create silky, smooth skin with a refreshing, sweet scent.


Lush Jacko Bath Bomb: Spice up your next bath with the scent of cloves and other holiday goodness. The pumpkin-shaped bomb is just the trick to making your next soak an absolute treat!

Pink Papaya Party Pumpkin & Goji Berry Anti-Aging Facial Mask: This anti-aging 100% natural facial mask is like super-food for the skin. Rich in anti-oxidants that detoxify without over-drying to leave complexion dewy and youthful.

Arcona Pumpkin Body Lotion: Infused with pumpkin extracts, this lotion aids in the improvement of skin elasticity, speeds cell turnover, and repairs signs of sun damage.




Demeter Pumpkin Pie Fragrance: With hints of pumpkin, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, you wonder whether to spray this delicious fragrance or eat it for dessert!

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Lotion: This drool-worthy blend of fresh pumpkin, crisp apple and spiced vanilla scented lotion will leave skin soft, supple, and smelling amazing!

Happy Autumn!

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SHAPE FACE I HAVE??

How do I know what shape face I have? All you need is a mirror, Alice band and never to be used again lipstick. 1. Sit in front of the mirror and slick your hair back with the Alice band. 2. Use the lipstick to draw around your face in the mirror. Move away from the mirror and look at the shape.

SQUARE Your perfect hairstyle:Your style options are surprisingly sexy… • A style, which is feathered at the top and soft around your ears, is an instant disguise for a square jaw. As a rule of thumb: if a stylist suggests a cut that's above your jaw line, go elsewhere. Really short cuts will exaggerate the squareness of your face shape. • Fine hair? A long poker-straight cut is absolutely perfect and soooo flattering for a wide jaw.

• If you have curly hair, coax soft, sexy, textured layers around your face to soften your strong features. • Your fringe options: Most hair types, except curly, will be able to take a fringe that touches the eyebrows and which is longer and layered at the sides. But if your hair's thick or frizzy, layer the fringe throughout to thin it out. Look at the way Victoria Beckham does a great job of disguising her square jaw: she simply sweeps fine pieces of hair just over her forehead and eyes. • Colour you sexy: Lightening hair all around the face will soften a square face. Avoid Long straight styles that accentuate square jawbone. "Linear" straight bangs or center parts. A straight bob ending at the jaw line is the wrong thing to do for your face shape. You can wear a layered bob, however it should end above or below the jaw line. Make sure in styling that you achieve some roundness to the shape and some height at the crown or bangs, and you will be on the right track. Other Square face celebrities include: Kristin Scott Thomas, Holly Marie Combs, Sandra Bullock, Demi Moore, Isabella Rosellini

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OVAL   Your perfect hairstyle: you lucky thing- any style will look good on you..... · If you have long, thick, curly hair, ask your hairdresser to cut it so the curls are looser, to take the thickness out. Then sweep the top part back for a soft, flirty romantic look. Hair not so long? A short, messy style is ideal - give it shine with a serum. Want to get rid of your curls? Chop them out with a short, messy crop.

• Fine Hair? If you'd like it long, ask your stylist for soft layers throughout. It's the best way to add volume - and sex appeal. If you want to go super short, you're in luck. Your hair texture and face shape is ideal to carry off one of the catwalk's favourite styles. • Medium-textures hair? Try a flirty, flicky razor cut - for inspiration, see Trish Goff… she cuts her own! Too edgy? A short bob longer at the sides and shorter at the back would look wonderful. • Fringe options: If you have thick hair, you could go for a sexy short fringe or one that's long and blunt. For fine hair, a long wispy fringe is for you. • Colour you sexy: Ask your stylist about low lighting the hair around your face to accentuate your oval shape. Avoid Covering up your "perfect" features with heavy bangs, or too forward-directed styles. In wearing your hair style on your face, you'll lose your face shape behind the hair. It may appear to add weight to your face. Other Oval face celebrities include: Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Mariah Carey, Cindy Crawford, Heather Locklear, Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman,Julia Roberts, Courtney Cox Arquette, Elle MacPherson, Tyra Banks.

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HEART Your perfect hairstyle:Avoid top-heavy cuts, and no one will be able to resist your sweetheart sex appeal. • Choose a style that will create volume around the bottom of your face. But whatever your hair type, don't have your hair too long. Four inches below your shoulders is ample. • Thick, long hair? Ask for soft layers to soften your chin area - keep the layers cut as close to your jaw line as possible so that they can fall on to your face. • Long, curly locks will look fantastic on a heart-shaped face if you keep them soft and loose.

Ask your hairdresser to cut them round so that they lightly fall on to your face then use a serum like The Body Shop smooth over serum, £4, to keep them frizz-free. • A short bob shape is a safe and sexy style. This works best on curly or wavy hair, just don't let it grow any longer than your jaw line. Insist on a choppy cut around your chin - not a thick, blunt, bush of locks. • Fringe options: A shorter, wispy fringe is low-key but will look gorgeous, especially if your hair is quite thick. A blunt fringe is really dramatic and will work well on all hair. • Colour you sexy: Highlight hair above the ears to widen your face and low light above. Avoid Short, full styles that emphasize upper face. Height at the crown. Severe, slicked back looks. If you are a dramatic heart shape, the short full styles with tapered necklines which emphasize the upper face will make you look top heavy. Too much height at the crown will give the appearance of a longer and narrower chin. Just remember if you have a dramatic heart shape face, you have great cheekbones to emphasize! Don't miss the boat by getting a cut which is to top heavy. Other Heart face celebrities include:  Michelle Pfeiffer, Ashley Judd, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Claudia Schiffer, Emmanuaell Beart, Juliette Binoche, Lucy Lawless, Naomi Campbell

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ROUND Your perfect hairstyle:Luca Sparti of Paul Windle Salon, London, says: "Contrary to belief, lots of hairstyles suit a round face." • Medium to long curly hair? Ask your stylist for some choppy layers through the back and the bottom of your hair to give it some shape and sex appeal. Whether your hair is long or short, if it's prone to a wave or curl, avoid at all costs ending up with a rounded 'bubble cut'. • Straight hair? The golden rule to remember is that round faces need a style that has longer pieces that fall onto your face to lengthen your cheeks - making them look slimmer and your

cheekbones more structured. Try a graduated bob cut on to the face and higher at the back. Alternatively, a choppy shag will suit your face shape. • Fringe options: Don't go near a short blunt fringe - it will only emphasise a round face. On the other hand, a long wispy fringe will look great and suit fine hair. And if your hair is thicker, a longer fringe that you can sweep to the side will lengthen your face. • Colour you sexy: Talk to your stylist about low lights at the side of the face and lighter highlights at the top of the head to create the illusion of lustrous length. Avoid Chin length hair with a rounded line that mirrors face’s circular shape. Center parts. Short-short crops, straight "chopped" bangs. Fullness at side of ears. A rounded haircut ending at the chin will certainly add weight to your face shape. Because the widest part of your face is at the cheeks and ears, you need to avoid having the fullness of the cut here as it will make your face appear wider. Other round face celebrities include:  Ingrid Bergman, Roseanne Barr, Kate Winslet, Natalie Merchant,Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Charlotte Church

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LONG Your perfect hairstyle: Breathe a sigh of relief: you're certainly not short on style options… • Long, fine hair? Go shorter so hair looks thicker and your face looks wider. A cut that's unstructured, which you can wear messy, is a time saver. If you like a more groomed look, think Salma Hayek - her neat, sophisticated, one length cut will suit you and give you that edge of sleek glam. • Thick, coarse and curly? Lucky you - your hair is a playground and the results can only be positive. Our favourite style is a short razor cut - edgy, sexy and full of texture. (Make sure you avoid like

the plague shoulder -length and straight styles such as the one Celine Dion wears… no wonder she looks so miserable!) • Fringe options: Unfortunately in the fringe area it's not a case of anything goes for you…Disguise a long forehead with a thick blunt-cut fringe - you'll be surprised how feminine it makes you look. Steer clear of a fringe if you have a small forehead - it will just emphasise the length of the rest of your face. • Colour you sexy: Adding highlights to hair at the side of the face will make your face appear shorter, combined with keeping the forehead area darker. Avoid To much hair length . . . your face will look even longer! Too much height lengthens your face. Center parts. When your hair gets past your shoulders there is a good chance it is doing you more harm than good. The models with rectangular face shapes and long hair, get by with it only because they have a "on call" hairdresser who is busy primping and teasing, setting and styling to add fullness to the hair. Since most of us don’t have this luxury, my suggestion is keep it above shoulder length. Other long face celebrities include:  Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirstie Alley, Janet Jackson, Gabrielle Reece, Niki Taylor, Stephanie Seymour