As with all kind of styling, it is recommended to  start with clean hair. Hair next day of washing is always the best for styling. But you can suit yourself as long as it works for you.

To clip in on the whole head, always start from the bottom and back and then move on to the sides and at last the fringes. But if you want to attach a single piece,  well and good. So, let’s start.

We need a few crunch clips, a teasing brush or any brush that would let you tease the hair and some hair spray. Moreover, we do not need the strongest hold for this. Anything would do in fact. Divide the hair where you want to clip in you extension. Clip up the upper portion with the crunch. Now spray on a bit of the hairspray at the roots and lightly tease the hair. Don’t tease it too much. We do not need volume here.

The teasing would just give the clips a better hold and help merging the extension. Now, take off the crunchies, but don’t let the section go. Just near the bottom, which is bordering the extension, tease the hair slightly and then lightly comb down. See, the hair blends in perfectly with the extension.

Once done, you can mist the whole head to set, or just style as you want to.

See, just as easy as ABC!!  We promised you!

What’s the hoopla? Hair extensions as the name suggest are attachments to your hair to add length, volume or simply for a streak of funky color without actually coloring your hair!

There are various methods of adding extensions and depending on the type you go for it should be done professionally or DIY at home. The following are the ones for which you need to go to the salon and spend extra bucks -

A. The non sew-ins

1 Bonding: In this method, a section of extensions are glued to a section of natural hair to add length. The glue is nor your craft-glue in case you are wondering. It’s a special kind of glue that would not damage the hair. This glue can be flexible for more comfort or non-flexible which lasts longer.

Typically bondings last shorter than sew-ins extensions.

2 Fusion:  This is similar to bonding, only, the extensions are attached to each hair strands with the help of a glue machine that looks much like hot glue-guns. These look very natural. Another way of doing this is - keratin coating is added to the hair tips and then, with a heat clamp which melts the glue and  the extensions are attached . This is not only the most natural looking bonding, it is most low maintenance as well. You can do hair washes as frequently as you would your non-extensioned hair, or use hair products to style. But this is the most expensive and time-consuming method as well, often requiring upto 8 hours.

B. Sew ins

1 Netting: In this kind of extension, the hair is done into very thin braids and then a very thin hairnet or mesh is put on it covering up the head and it is fixed creating a smooth and uniform surface.  The extensions are then sewn in on the net and the hair. The fine net allows the scalp to breathe. Netting lets you get a denser extension since the stylist can attach at random and not in sections or with individual hair. This is a comparatively easier method.

2 Lace fronts:  This is a cousin of the  netting method. A lace cap is fitted on the head and the hair (both natural and the extensions) are ventilated through the tiny pores of the lace. On the hairline extensions are attached with glue to merge with the cap.

The caps are customized depending on the size of the head or the bunches of hair that would come out. The ventilated hair is often sewed in again to ensure even better fit.

There are more ways of extension like tracking etc but all of them require professionals to do and taking them off.  But if you are the self-sufficient woman looking forward to doing the extensions yourself don’t worry, Clip in hair extensions are there for you.

Clip in Hair extensions:

These are the safest and the best because these can be worn almost in a jiffy and you can alter your extensions every other day. Since they do not need chemicals to put on, the damage is minimum whatsoever. These are actually like wigs and come in sections. The sections have little clips attached which are not visible when put them on the hair.

Clip ins give you more freedom. You can choose artificial hair if you are not comfortable with human hair or go for the natural hair to achieve the perfect natural look.

Of the natural strands there are qualities available-the European, Asian, etc depending on your hair texture. Moreover, depending on your need the hairs are colored so was to blend in or make it stand out whichever way you prefer. You can just attach a streak of colored hair for that funky look without having to step into a salon and have your natural hair colored and therefore damaged!

In order to keep you gorgeous 365 days, we have brought the Balmain Hair clip in hair extensions which are one of the finest quality hair extensions that are quite popular around the globe. These are made from the finest quality of hair and can stand the recommended temperature for natural hair which is up to 160⁰ C . You can just use mild shampoo for cleansing or use styling products and appliances as you would to your natural hair.

If you are worried about matching colors, don’t be. The hair extensions are colored into different shades to let you choose your perfect shade or go for a change. There are sets as well as different pieces in almost every shade and color to let the inner diva out.

In case you want the exact steps and some  tips and tricks to work with your clip-ins, watch out this space.

xoxo, Stay Gorgeous :)

1. Color your hair periodically - The first thing to do is set a schedule for your hair color. Because of frequent washing and exposure to chemicals and pollution in the environment, the color starts fading in about four weeks’ time. Depending upon the chemicals in water, the color of the dye and the frequency of hair serums used, you may need to either color it completely or just highlight it. For example, black color lasts longer than red or burgundy. This is because the ingredients in black are less sensitive to the detergents present in shampoos.
2. Use clarifying shampoo before you color hair - You may be using hair serums to make your hair manageable and shinier. Before you color your hair, wash it with a clarifying shampoo and do not apply serum. Products with silicon in prevent penetration of hair dye and have to be removed from hair before applying hair color.
3. Use color-enhancing shampoo after coloring it - Use a shampoo that is meant for colored hair. These shampoos, known as color-enhancing shampoos, care for colored hair and protect it so that the color does not fade too quickly. Hair experts advise using a shampoo, the color of which is violet based, if you have colored hair. This prevents the color from changing to the hateful brassy tone.
4. Rinse with cool water - Wash you hair with either cool or lukewarm water. Hot water has the tendency to strip hair of color.
5. Shampoo on alternate days - Most people wash and shampoo their hair every day but hair experts are of the opinion hair does not need to be washed daily. If you are in the habit of shampooing your hair everyday, replace it with a cool water rinse and condition the ends. You can use a shampoo every alternate day.
6. Shampoo 24 hours after coloring - After you apply color, just rinse it with cool water. Do not use shampoo on your hair for at least 24 hours.
7. Get a haircut to suit you and avoid hairspray - Get your haircut to suit your face and also so that it can be managed without a hairspray, as it tends to make hair look dull. If you need to use it, keep it only for special occasions.
8. Give your hair sunscreen protection - Use a hat or a scarf to protect your hair from sun. Wash your hair with a shampoo that has sunscreen. Alternatively, you can make your own sunscreen by mixing a spoon of sunscreen with 25 SPF to half a cup of water. Shake it well and spray it on hair after your shower.

When hair color starts fading, hair does not look too good. So it is essential to protect the color from fading quickly. However, as it cannot last forever, you have to color it periodically.

First things first, mascara should be applied as the second last makeup product after you have fininshed doing your base, blush and eyes. Apply the mascara before you do your lips. For added drama, curl your lashes using a lash curler first and then start with the mascara. Make sure you're using a lash curler that's wide enough to cover the entire lash line and that the rubber pads are properly in place. Always curl bare lashes; if you do it after applying mascara, they're more prone to breakage.

Don’t let so many kind of brushes confuse you. Mascaras have different brushes to serve different purposes depending on the kind of lashes you have.

Small Lashes:  If you have small lashes and want some definition, go for the thinner brushes that would comb and define them for the false lash effect.

Thin Lashes: If your lashes are thin, go for the bushier ones, which would add volume.

The right technique of application is important.

Step 1:  Blot the end of the mascara brush on tissue to get rid of excess mascara. Remember not to pump the wand in the tube. This will push air into the mascara and cause it to dry out.

Step 2: Tilt your head backward and look into the mirror.

Step 3:  Now, gently wiggle the wand near the base of your lashes ensuring that the bristles hold on to the lashes right and then sweep outwards slightly towards the arch of your brow. For the lashes on the inner corners, gently coat them with the tip of the wand.

Step4: Do not forget the lower lash line.  With the tip of the wand again, start coating the lashes.

Go over for a second coat for the added effect.

Pro secrets:

• Sometimes, when applying mascara, a little of it transfers to the lids. To prevent this, grab a visiting card or a tissue and hold it behind the lashes. It’s funny, but works fine.
• Spider lashes are so last season. If you want to avoid clumping of mascara, put on the second coat before the first one dries. This would keep spider lashes at bay, but the volume and effect is enhanced all the same.

For definition, we recommend

NYX Long Lash Mascara in Black

Lakme Absolute Flutter Secrets Dramatic Eyes Mascara 

Lakme Lash Artist Mascara.

For volume, we recommend

Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara

Maybelline Volume Express Hyper Curl Mascara in black

Revlon Double Twist Mascara 

Thats it darlings, flutter and flirt with your eyes, Stay gorgeous XOXO

Let’s start from the basics.

WHAT IS A BRONZER?

A bronzer is a finishing product like a blush, but it creates a more tanned or sun-kissed look . It mostly comes in two finish - matte and shimmery. The matte bronzer should be used for overall contouring and the shimmery one for highlighting on the cheeks. For oily to normal skin use a Powder-based bronzer  and apply using a  short, fluffy blush like a blusher brush or a contour brush . For Dry Skin us a Cream- or gel-based bronzers and apply with your finger or a face sponge.

WHICH COLOR OF BRONZER SHOULD I USE FOR MY SKIN COLOR?

Choose a shade that's no more than two shades darker than your skin. Rose, Gold  or Copper shades are most suited for wheatish Indian skin tones, while tawny and darker amber shades are perfect for dark skin. If you are fair or have a pale complexion  don’t use a dark shade bronzer, instead us a color with honey tones. Avoid orange shades, as these may make u look like a Halloween pumpkin.

HOW TO APPLY A BRONZER?

First things first, prep your skin before applying the Bronzer. Use a sheer moisturizer, apply concealer on blemishes (if needed) and work a base using a loose face powder . It is best to apply a bronzer without the foundation base.

A bronzer looks best when applied lightly to all the spots where the sun naturally shines (the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin). There are a lot of different opinions about the method of application. While the professionals have one hundred methods, the amateurs have only two! It’s the ‘C’ or the ‘E’.

• THE C WAY:  From your temples to the top of your cheek bones, where the light hits, brushing on a bronzer there, would give you the perfect sun-kissed glow jazzing up your face.  

  You should also contour your face along and below the jaw line and on the top of your forehead and blend in well.

• THE E WAY: There are some who like to add a further hand to the C and make it an E by adding the bronzer to the jaw-line as well and blending along the line to the hollows of the cheek. Just imagine an E― the temples, the top of the cheek bones and the jaw line.

You can try this with a  matte bronzer. Blend on the temples and  then go on the hollows of the cheeks instead of the top and the jaw line. This way, you look like you have had a good beach holiday, been sun-kissed as well as shed some weight, since a matte bronzer would make your face look more contoured as well

OUR  FAVORITES

Of the shimmer goddesses, Lakme Absolute Sunkissed Bronzer and Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder: Sunkiss 030 would never let you down.

So go ahead and have fun in the Sun and Stay Gorgeous  (but don’t forget your sunscreen)

Powder Blush Application:

Swirl your fluffy blush brush on the blush and then tap it to get rid of the excess. Now stand in front of the mirror and smile. On the apples of your cheeks, dab the brush on to put on the color evenly and then start blending it working it up and fading it towards the temples.Otherwise, suck in your cheeks. Dab the color on your cheekbones and blend very well blending it out gradually into the temples.

While pinks and corals look good with the above technique, reds, browns and berries might not. To make them work, you must use it in a different way. Suck in your cheeks and then pat and blend right above the hollows and on the cheek bones avoiding the tops of the apples blending towards the temples. This way, the blush would make you flush as well as contour your cheekbones. If you have a round face try putting the blush this way rather than on the apple of your cheeks.

Cream/Liquid blush Application:

For this, we also use the similar technique like the powder one, but with a difference. The application is mostly done with the finger tips and blended into the skin. Alternately a flat topped kabuki would also do the job nicely, but the effect may turn out a bit too dramatic. But a little practice gets you a long way.

Techniques for application of blush for your face structure

We recommend:

Powder Blush for Day time―

• Lakme Absolute Cheek Chromatic Baked Blush in Day Shimmer
• Colobar Blush in Cosmic Rose
• Revlon Blush in Pink Peony
• Bobbi Brown Blush in Sand Pink

Powder Blush for night time―

• Colobar Blusher in Just Earth
• Lakme Absolute Baked Chromatic Blusher in Night Sparkle 
• Lakme Absolute Baked Chromatic Blusher in Night Sheer
• Revlon Powder Blush in Wine with Everything

Cream/Liquid blush -

• The Maybelline Dream Blush in Soft Plum
• Lakme Cheek Artist Blusher in Kiss of a Rose
• Bobbi brown Cream Blush stick in #2 Desert Rose

Thats it darlings ..... stay gorgeous xoxo

• Color your hair periodically

  The first thing to do is set a schedule for your hair color. Because of frequent washing and exposure to chemicals and pollution in the environment, the color starts fading in about four weeks’ time. Depending upon the chemicals in water, the color of the dye and the frequency of hair serums used, you may need to either color it completely or just highlight it. For example, black color lasts longer than red or burgundy. This is because the ingredients in black are less sensitive to the detergents present in shampoos.

• Use clarifying shampoo before you color hair

  You may be using hair serums to make your hair manageable and shinier. Before you color your hair, wash it with a clarifying shampoo and do not apply serum. Products with silicon in prevent penetration of hair dye and have to be removed from hair before applying hair color.

• Use color-enhancing shampoo after coloring it

  - Use a shampoo that is meant for colored hair. These shampoos, known as color-enhancing shampoos, care for colored hair and protect it so that the color does not fade too quickly. Hair experts advise using a shampoo, the color of which is violet based, if you have colored hair. This prevents the color from changing to the hateful brassy tone.

• Rinse with cool water

  Wash you hair with either cool or lukewarm water. Hot water has the tendency to strip hair of color.

• Shampoo on alternate days

  Most people wash and shampoo their hair every day but hair experts are of the opinion hair does not need to be washed daily. If you are in the habit of shampooing your hair everyday, replace it with a cool water rinse and condition the ends. You can use a shampoo every alternate day.

• Shampoo 24 hours after coloring

  After you apply color, just rinse it with cool water. Do not use shampoo on your hair for at least 24 hours.

• Get a haircut to suit you and avoid hairspray

  Get your haircut to suit your face and also so that it can be managed without a hairspray, as it tends to make hair look dull. If you need to use it, keep it only for special occasions.

• Give your hair sunscreen protection

  Use a hat or a scarf to protect your hair from sun. Wash your hair with a shampoo that has sunscreen. Alternatively, you can make your own sunscreen by mixing a spoon of sunscreen with 25 SPF to half a cup of water. Shake it well and spray it on hair after your shower.

When hair color starts fading, hair does not look too good. So it is essential to protect the color from fading quickly. However, as it cannot last forever, you have to color it periodically.

Plagued my pigmented lips? The simple rule of the thumb is, before you start, pat on a bit of your concealer on the lips and top with a wee bit of translucent powder. We always suggest using a lip-liner to make your lipsticks last longer and fade it evenly with time.  For pigmented lips use a nude liner and fill it in. This would create the un-pigmented base you need. Start drawing the line starting from the Cupid’s bow and work towards the sides. Then, fill them in.

While putting on lipsticks, always start from the centre of your lips. It should be in three steps― on the centre, then starting from each corner towards the centre. If you are using a bright lip color, using a lip-brush would give you the perfect Scarlett Johanson pout you love. The same application rule also goes for working with lip-brushes too.

After you are done, if you are the kind who eats and dreams of shiny glossy lips, take a clear gloss and spread it out from the middle of your lips for the 3-D shine!

On Indian skintones, reds, corals… almost every color looks good except for browns unless you want to look older and want to give the impression of aged pigmented lips. Maroons, deep reds, chocolate brown are on-the-go colors for evening, while corals, peaches and pinks are perfect anytime in the day.

Let your lips do the talking and stay Gorgeous xoxo

The Blue Eyed Girl: No, the lenses are not back, but blue eye makeups are. Instead of conventional bright aquamarines for Spring-Summer, Navy blues and dark mid-night blues are going to rock. How to wear it if you are no good at skilled eye makeup? Simple, just opt for a navy blue eye pencil. Line your eyes in different styles. Else, rub the smudge-proof dark blue pencil all over your lids and also line the lower lash line. Seems a bit start? Line the waterline with a black liner.

For a smudge-proof look we recommend Maybelline Vivid and Smooth Liner in ocean Blue, Lakme Shadow Artist Shimmer Stick Astral Blue and Starry Night, Colorbar I-Glide in Electra, Lakme Fantasy Shimmer Liner in Glimmer Blue or NYX Long Pencil For Eyes - Blue Lagoon. You can pair these with a blue shadow palette like Revlon 12-Hour ColorStay Eye Shadow Quad: Stone Wash Denim.

Metallic Eyes: From gold, to bronze and even copper, this season will see  metallic eye lids with big eye liners. You can either go for the soft allure of metallic glow of a heavy wash of metallic with complementary colors in pink, blue or violet.

The Winged Eyes:  Amy Winehouse may be gone. But her songs remain, as much as her signature thick winged eye style. Nothing is perhaps sexier than the black winged liner with either thick and squarish wings like Winehouse for that raw appeal of life, or the thin elegant cat-eye of Audrey Hepburn!

To add another twist to this look what about color meets the wings? Draw the winged liner not with the traditional black, but with colored liners and be prepared to meet all the attention.

The Nude Look:  Summers may encourage you to go nude.  Go for the no makeup make up French chic look.  Perk up your skin to a flawless one with the right foundation (click here for it) and wear muted colors pale colors on the lips. Dust some bronzer on the cheeks and skin tone eyeshadows on the lids.

Pretty Pastels: This season have fun with roses, lilacs  and baby blue hues. This season wear the vibrant pastels that offer a wearable, glam riff on candy colors. Look fresh with sweet saturated pastels without looking as if you're trying too hard. Brighten eyes instantly with shimmery shadows, make lips kissable by creamy lip gloss, create a more youthful appearance with a sheer cream blush, add a beautiful glow to your face with shimmer.

Stay in the trend and stay gorgeous xoxo

CLEANING

The cardinal rule to hair styling  is cleaning the hair first.  So wash your head in the morning before the big party and style them in the evening.  However if you are the kinds who takes things as they come and do not believe in planning, then there is a possibility that u don’t have time for shampooing. Rescue is just a shake and spray away, that’s right use a dry shampoo for cleaning your hair without actually shampooing it. Just spray the shampoo at the roots and then, massage it. The shampoo would absorb the oil. Now  just comb out the product to get your shiny and voluminous hair back and you are ready to paint the town red.

HEAT STYLING

Though we love our blow dryers, electric curling irons, flat irons and hot rollers, but trust me our hair don’t love them that much.  Imagine subjecting your hair to 160-180 degrees of heat, ouch !! Heat styling using blow dryers or heat irons not only removes the surface moisture but also removes water that is bound to the hair. This causes hair cuticles to  become dried, rigid and brittle. Combing hair with this degree of cuticle cracking causes significant breakage.

So it is imperative that you use thermal protection before heat styling.  There are products designed to protect your hair against heat damage.  Blow dry damage can be prevented by using products containing glycerin and propylene glycol as these actives retard water evaporation. You can also look for an ingredient called “hydrolyzed wheat protein polysiloxane copolymer,” which also significant reduces cuticle damage.

You would like to reach out for the famous Toni&Guy Iron-It Defense Spray.

HAIR SPRAY

This is one hair styling product which is equally loved by the professional hairdressers and the novices alike. Hair sprays come handy for multiple purposes – hold the hair style, add volume, roll up curls better, tame fly-aways,  keep your bangs in place or even to get madly creative and build Lady Gaga Hair  structures. The hairsprays come in various variants depending on how well they can hold the hair - light hold, medium hold and strong ,  extra strong hold etc.

Be forgiving to your hair. So, we recommend good hairsprays which would not cause damage to your hair. Our favorites are - Fudge Head Shine Hairspray , Fudge Skyscraper Hairspray medium hold , Toni & Guy Firm hold Hair spray.

STYLING GELS

This is more popular with guys and women with short hair who love to add stiffness to their hair. Remember Godfather, yeah the mafiaso look , courtesy hair gels. Hair Gels hold  your hair style, make the hair stiff and in some products give the hair a wet look . From spikes to layers, gels can be used for both wet hair styling and dry hair styling.

Most hair gels are made of Cationic polymers which makes them  appear thick and more viscous. Hair gels resist natural protein conformations and allow hair to be styled and textured. These days gels are available to cater to your exact needs.  Our specials are Fudge Fat head Styling Gel Firm hold

STYLING WAXES & PUTTIES

Also called whip, glue , paste or pomade(depending on the manufacturers ) , are hairstyling products which are wax based rather than water based . While gels leave an oily-shine finish and harden when set, waxes and putties remain soft and don’t mess with the moveability of the hair. These are mostly texturizers which work best to enhance layers, or keep the parting neat and even tame flyaways if smoothened onto the hair lightly. The flexibility of these wax-based hair styling products allows hair to be styled by just running your  fingers through your hair. However, because these products don’t have water in them, it’s difficult to wash them out easily.

STYLING MOUSSE  & CREAMS

Mousse is usually the styling product that comes out in the form of foam. The same work can also be achieved by a styling cream. But the foam form of the mousse makes it easier to spread evenly if you hair is too long. Hair mousses are used to add volume , give UV Protection,  provide conditioning and hold, cover up greys, style, reduce frizz and define curl.

A special tip: If you have dry hair stay away from product that have alcohol in them as those could dry out your hair further. Also remember to remove the hair styling product using a good Detox Shampoo.

Don’t feel shy to use these products to change your hairs appearance, texture and style.  So, be your own coiffeuse and get that  red carpet hair. Stay Gorgeous  Xoxo