Beauty, Fashion, girl talk, Lifestyle, Party, trending, women

What does it look like “Behind The Scenes”

August 23, 2017

Whenever I post images or “bts” images on my social media pages, I get flooded with text messages from “hey, how can I become one of your models” or “what really happens behind the scenes?” I thought for my next blog post it would be fun to share some of my experiences.

For the past four years I have worked with a client helping create the looks for their spring and fall bridal campaigns. When I think back to our first campaign together, I can’t help but be reminded just how far we have come as a team. I can’t emphasize the word “team” enough because it truly is a group effort.

There are so many preparations that go into executing a successful shoot. A lot of creative energy and communication goes into. One of our first steps is our creative team will send emails and photographs of inspiration. After several meetings and inputs from everyone, they will usually confirm the mood and the process of building our sets start to take place.

While our set is starting to slowly be brought to life, the photographer will usually send his/her inspiration for lighting. I can’t tell you how important lighting is. It’s everything. You can have the most beautiful model, on a perfect set, wearing a gorgeous gown. If the lighting is off then everything is off! No pressure, right?!

Once we have all agreed on a lighting that is appropriate for our inspiration, we start brainstorming hair, makeup and styling looks. This can be from choosing a model with the right hair color, down to the color of their natural lips. Does she have freckles? How will they photograph? Does she have a birth mark on her back? Can our team of editors get rid of it and will it be expensive to do so.

From there we start our search for the perfect models. This process can be a long and draining process. They not only have to fit the image the creative team desires but they need to be the exact height and measurements as the sample sizes as they will not alter them.

These are really just a few but most important steps in bringing a vision to life. As I mentioned it’s truly a team effort. I always look forward to these shoots because they allow me the opportunity to work with such creative people whose passion for art and excellence is contagious.

Love,

Deanna-Your Beauty Chick

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How To Get #HairGoals

August 9, 2017

3 months postpartum and I was losing hair in ridiculous amounts. When I say ridiculous amounts I mean constant never-ending shedding all day long. 4 months postpartum and I could tell the thickness of my hair was not what it use to be – my ponytail was skinnier, I could see bits of receding in places around my hairline. I CRIED.

After doing some research, I found out that postpartum hair loss is completely normal, and happens to most women but in different severities. It has to do with all the crazy hormones trying to go back to normal in your body (Like we don’t go through enough, right?)

Even after reading that it was normal – I was devastated and seriously thought my hair would never be the same. Fast forward to 8 months after delivering – and I saw fly always all around my head. IT WAS GROWING!! (Insert happy dance!!)

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I started taking things into my own hands to help my hair grow faster and better. No chemicals, no expensive medications, just a few nourishing techniques I learned while obsessing over how to get my hair back.

Please hear me — this is just what I did to grow my hair quickly. Don’t feel pressured to have to try all these things all at once. It’s like a buffet — pick a few that work for you!

No-poo

Sigh. Yeah, you heard me. For years now I had heard about no-poo, and thought it was nuts. But I was desperate and tried it. Why not? Buy a little bit of high-quality baking soda, and use a little vinegar, add my favorite essential oil (lavender oil), clean all the buildup off my hair and scalp. RESULTS: LOVE! My hair had never looked as good, ever. I did the no-poo for about 4 months, before I went back to a natural shampoo.

The Inversion Method (Major game changer!)

What’s the Inversion Method? For one week per month, once a day, you wet your fingertips with some hair-appropriate oil (I did a mix of almond oil and castor oil), flip your head over and give your scalp a good 5-minute massage with your fingertips. Like, a really good massage. The massage paired with your head being upside down MAJORLY increases blood flow to the scalp and triggers an increase in hair growth. You should only do this once a week per month (one week on, three weeks off). Your scalp quickly gets accustomed to it if you do it too often. I’ve read that this method can grow hair 4 inches in one week – I’m not sure I saw that kind of growth but I DEFINITELY saw a difference.

Biotin

This one’s an easy one, peeps. I started taking Biotin. Pairing this with all the other crazy hair things I was doing makes it hard to for me to say how effective it is, but since taking it my nails have become rock hard. So I know it’s doing something!

Eat Healthy!

This is usually a no brainer, but there are certain foods that provide the exact vitamins that your body needs. I’m a vegetarian so I did the plant version of everything but I will list the beneficial non-vegetarian options as well

Fatty acids: Avocados, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts were my go-to. Non-vegetarian: Salmon

Antioxidant, beta-carotene, vitamin A: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Cantaloupe

Protein & Iron: Eggs for me! Non-Vegetarian: chicken, pork, and beef.

Vitamin C & Folate: Spinach, kale, broccoli, and leafy greens. I would make a smoothie!

Zinc & Biotin: Lentils, soybeans, kidney beans

Vitamin B5 & D: Greek Yogurt

Vitamin C: Blueberries, strawberries, and kiwi – Also added this to my smoothie!

Chlorine, UV, and Wind Protection: This ones pretty obvious — Throw on a hat if you can! If you’re in the pool a lot, wet your hair before going into the pool and if possible add a conditioner to help prevent it from stripping in the chlorine. Also check out my previous post on physical sunscreen to learn more about my recommendations on UV protection.

These are just somethings that really helped my hair! My hair if feeling the same as before and even a bit thicker than before having my baby girl. I just cut off 7-inches of my hair just to try something new so it is the perfect time for me to do a before and after in a few months to show you guys how much my hair has grown!

Think hair-growing thoughts! #hairgoals

Love,

Neema

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Q & A with Model Alexandra Schafer

July 12, 2017

Being in the beauty industry has many perks. From working on exciting projects on sets to meeting the people behind the scenes that help bring everything to life. All aspects of it have been an exciting journey. However, my personal favorite thing about being in this business has been all the talent you get to meet and learn from.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some really fascinating people. And although it’s always exciting to meet your favorite celebrity or work with a high profile client, there is nothing more exciting then working with other people who share the same passion and creative energy as yourself.

Alexandra Schafer (@lamakeupalex) started her career as a model. After traveling the world to walk high fashion designer shows and working as the face of Ralph Lauren in the 90’s, Alex decided to go back to what she originally intended to do from the beginning and that’s working behind the scenes. You have probably seen her work in national campaign’s for designers/retailers such as Bebe and Guess.

I was able to ask Alex some questions about her life in the industry today and thought I would share this with our C & S readers.

Happy Reading!

Your beauty chick,

Deanna

How did you end up in the beauty industry?

Through a class I took in my late teens, which led me to modeling and then back to beauty. It was all the amazing artists I worked with over the years that inspired me to approach makeup full time.

Working with celebrity clients must leave you nervous sometimes. How do you deal with it?

I don’t really get nervous, rather excited to collaborate and meet creative’s. Creative energy is exciting and everyone is coming together; and when it really gels, it’s magical. When you have a “difficult personality” to deal with it sometimes is a challenge, but you just breathe and keep on believing in yourself and remind yourself they only want is best as well.

What’s the most common beauty mistake you see in people’s work?

They don’t enhance and frame beauty, but rather they cover it up and mask it; or the base is too heavy.

Alex doing makeup on Katie Wee of Return of the Mac

If you had to pick just one product to recommend everyone keep in their makeup bag, what would it be?

Bronzer or blush, depending on skin color.

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Low Key Cutie

June 14, 2017

If the contents of your bag should be kept a secret, you should probably steer clear of this blog post — however, if you’re the friend in the group who is known to have accessories which show a lot of thought and detail, then you are the ideal woman to carry the see-through bag.

Gone are the days when women’s bags were the mysterious, inaccessible Pandora’s box. We put so much thought into the details of all the items we own, and it shouldn’t go to waste in the dark hole of your large tote.

The see-through bags are ironic because the bag itself is minimalist in its design but the contents of the bag are ever changing. It’s so easy to match it to your outfit using your own accessories. For instance, this all-white daytime look is most appropriate for running errands, a BBQ or taking a stroll at the park. However, this time, give the Chanel a break and play it low-key cutie with this sheer beauty. Make it your own using your own accessories. I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging and if I’m going to spend a little more cash on the YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick than the drugstore brand then I’m going to want to show it off and get my money’s worth! Obviously my choice is based on quality but you can’t deny the gorgeous packaging! You can also throw in that iPhone with the confetti cover for some glimmer, a pair of reflector shades, a fancy MUJI pen (always carry a pen) and I love the Herbivore Rose Face Mist to keep you looking fresh.

You can change up the look and contents of the bag using what you already have which makes this bag on trend, and efficient! It’s also a great way to start a conversation. People will automatically be drawn to your bag and it’s likely to spark a discussion; so it’s also a great ice-breaker!

Show us how you style your outfits with your see-through bags by tagging @chicksandsalsa.

Your Trendy Chick,

Puja

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