steven's Blog

Washing your hair every day is not as good for it as you may think.

There are some things that we do without thinking about it. Washing our hair is one of them. But while we assume that using the latest shampoos can give us beautiful hair, it can actually be detrimental to our tresses, according to organic hairdresser Tabitha James Kraan. She believes that hair responds better when you use a cleaner product which doesn't contain the chemicals that many shampoos today do.

"It's become habitual to use shampoo. Hair's like our skin, it should always have a slight sheen on it to protect it," she explained. "Shampoo is a detergent and it's designed to get rid of oil. It strips it away and leaves very little on the strands. The consequence of this is that we are left with hair that has lost its protective layer. Under the microscope hair looks like fish scales and they should be closed and smoothed. But shampoo lather buffs that up, so it won't move as freely, it won't shine and will be much more reactive to moisture. A lot of shampoos are full of silicones to combat this but it's all completely fake."

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Tabitha believes it's more important to focus on replacing the hair's natural oils. To do this, get an organic, gentle oil and use 50p sized amounts, working it through damp hair.

"Massage it into the scalp and then through the hair then leave it on for about an hour," said Tabitha. "If you decide to sleep with it in and wash it out after, you are taking away the excess and the hair will have taken what it needs."

Tabitha is adamant that oiling and conditioning your hair is more important than washing and shampooing. She advises that you should only wash your hair every five to seven days.

"I'm not saying don't clean it I'm just saying don't wash it, you can do more damage with the wrong shampoo than with any other product," she explained. "But there are lots of things you can do to clean it in between. As well as using oil, when applying conditioner, keep it off the roots and use it through the middle and ends to keep your hair healthy."

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IF there’s an optimum time on the calendar to experiment with colour, it’s high summer.

IF there’s an optimum time on the calendar to experiment with colour, it’s high summer.

Sporting naturally sun-kissed skin, you can be more experimental with brights and venture outside your cosmetics comfort zone.

“This summer’s hottest make-up trend is all about eye-popping colours teamed with a bronzed glow,” says Collection make-up artist Francesca Neill. “A bold wash of colour can instantly brighten your face.”

For maximum impact, play on one feature with an intense bright and avoid the rainbow effect. Time to pick your colour of summer 2014 and get creative.

Accent eyes

If you’re going super-bright, you don’t have to pile on the product to make a statement. “Vivid or bright colours can be used on either the upper or lower eye areas and are best applied in minimal quantities,” says make-up artist, Rae Morris.

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“Try applying your colour as a fine line, very close to the lash line, or a corner accent on the inner and/or outer corners, for that extra impact.”

Think of your bright eye as accessorising, as with a striking handbag or piece of jewellery that will be a key focus of your final look.

Electric lips

With bright lipstick, you either fall into the cool or warm category. If you have pinkish undertones to your skin, try fuschia pinks or pinky corals. If you have yellow undertones, experiment with orangey reds for a flattering pout.

“Bright lips bring a new lease of life to any look,” says Seventeen make-up artist Vanesa Guallar.

“The paler your skin, the bigger the pop, so go light on the eyes and the blush. Leave the rest of your face fresh and luminous, and your eyes bare. To go bolder, use a lip liner for extra definition, or, for a more subtle wash of colour, try a tinted lip balm or gloss.”

If you’re trying out a new bright, test the colour on your lips, rather than the back of your hand, to achieve a true-to-life tone.

Notice-me nails

The non-committal way to work the boldest of colours? Via your fingertips.

Because your hands are below your waist, there are no restrictions on the shade you choose, nor how bright you go.

“Bold, bright and neon nails are always popular in the summer months, because they complement a golden glow,” says Laura Maddock, Orly manicurist.

“The key with bright shades is to use a good base and top coat, as chips show up more easily than on dull or nude shades. To really make the bright colour pop, paint a layer of white polish underneath your shade, for the ultimate stand-out look.”

To make a fashion statement, match bright nails to statement rings or to a clutch bag, to work some co-ordinated colour.

Stuff we like

Make a bold statement with this shocking pink shade. More than just a fashion statement, it glides on like a dream, leaving your lips soft and kissable. Not for the retiring.

Colour lash mascara in blue, €2.69.

Bat for summer with this eye-catching mascara. The colour works a treat with a post-holiday tan, and on a night-out those blue-dipped lashes are bound to turn heads.

The low price means you can experiment without shelling out.

No7 High Shine lip crayon in tropical beach, €11.75

This lippy comes with a lovely, creamy texture and glides on like a dream — just what’s needed to rehydrate sun-weary lips. The barely-there colour gives a casual beach look. Just add some srunching gel to your hair and you’re good to go.

Urban Decay Electric pressed pigment palette, €45

For an intense, dramatic look, dip your brush into this exotic palette. And forget about smoky, demur eyes, these colours are all summer salsa — think Brazil and you’ve got the picture.

Bobbi Brown nail polish, navy, €14.

Go all midnight blue with this ocean-deep colour. Wear it by day for a fashion statement; wear it by night for a hint of mystery. Whatever the hour, the colour will look sublime on summer-kissed hands.

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Sophia Lee, of Christchurch-based Living Dolls, is staging an alternative model search this weekend, featuring 15 contestants.

''The winner will be crowned Miss Diamond Doll,'' explains Sophia Lee, the pink-tressed CEO of Living Dolls.

''The winner will win loads of prizes and grace the runway at the annual Living Dolls show, Doll Bomb, in October.''

These 15 contestants are not typical examples of beauty.

Lee describes the event as one of New Zealand's first alternative pageants.

''There are no restrictions at all. We are celebrating beautiful, confident women who are comfortable in their own skin.''

Lee, a pink-loving couture designer of lingerie and burlesque outfits, has run Living Dolls shows in Christchurch for more than seven years.

''Girls like Bonita Danger Doll started at Living Dolls. We are quite underground and a lot of people don't know about us.''

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Lee is aware of the stigma attached to the word pageant. ''A lot of the time pageantry is about what you look like but with this competition it's really not. I'm proud of the diversity we have,'' Lee says.

''A living doll is a woman who projects in a crowd. She has a sparkling personality, she is well presented and polished. She's an it girl, you know a Living Doll when she walks in the room.''

Hosted by Cassie Law, Miss Ink South Island 2012, the 15 contestants will vye to become Miss Diamond Doll, the newest addition to the Living Dolls group.

''We have our core group, who are very experienced, so we thought we'd get one lucky last contestant to be a Living Doll,'' Lee says.

''When you arrive on Saturday night you'll see roaming lingerie models who are there to host the evening.

"There will be three rounds to the competition. The first is like a Victoria Secret-style fashion show, then there's the talent round and then they parade in gowns.''

For their ''talent'', entrants will rap, sing, do burlesque, disco, circus acts, and even live tattooing. ''It's very colourful.''

Other entertainment for the evening includes pop-up stalls, a mini fashion show by Medicine Wolf Clothing, modelled by the Living Dolls, and a burlesque performance by Bonita Danger Doll.

''Bonita is performing her new routine,'' Lee says. ''Wild cat.''

Judges alongside Lee include local drag queen, Jordaniel aka Miss Idol, Miss Nikki Needles, Juanita of Sugar Skulls Confectionary and centrefold model and Australian-based fashion designer, Jackel, who has recently released a rap single called The Realest Bitch.

''The winner gets signed up to Living Dolls for a year which means they will be on our books and get assignments,'' Lee says. ''They win 24 carat gold candy floss, a custom-made Diamond Doll cake, a tattoo voucher, a photoshoot voucher and tons of other goodies.

''They also get the crown, it's a very big crown, and we'll probably throw glitter at her.''

Lee was surprised at the high number of entries this year.

Ticket sales to the event have been so high she moved the show to a larger venue.

''Contestants range in age from 18 to 35 and are all shapes and sizes, and so far from the commercial confinements of what beauty is defined as.

''We had 86 online entries, the 15 girls with the most Facebook likes went through to the finals. I thought we might get 20 or 30 girls, not 86.''

For Lee the event is also about changing attitudes around what it means to be beautiful.

''There is so much stigma attached to the way women dress and how they are perceived because of the way they dress. I want to encourage women to be confident, to not be afraid to show skin, to show a bit of cleavage. It's OK to wear lipstick and makeup. Sparkle.

''A lot of women are discriminated against for having tattoos, too. Living Dolls is about celebrating all women.''

Lee has worked in the fashion industry for more than 10 years and says she finds her job gratifying.

''I have restored confidence in some women and helped hundreds of women to feel beautiful. I am proud of my art, it goes beyond aesthetics.''

She encourages those who attend the show on Saturday night to dress up too.

''There'll be lots of glitz. Walk in wearing a tutu and you'll fit right in.''

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