Style #1- The Classic Braid

I’m sure all of you have been acquainted with this style for years now, so there’s no need to spend too much time reviewing this look. The classic braid has always been a favorite style of mine, and it pairs perfectly with a simple look for any season. In the winter, a long simple braid looks great under a cozy winter hat, and in the summer it adds a bit of elegance to a cute sundress.

The basic line is no matter how you wear the classic braid, it will look just like it sounds: classic.

Glitter nail polish has become all the rave among young adults. But what about those of us that are interested in a less flashy shimmer that is better for daily wear?

Zoya has come out with a great alternative that can still provide a bit of flash in a more sophisticated, understated way.

Instead of glitter, Zoya uses mylar “flecks” in their line of Fleck Effects nail polish. This spring they have come out with three new glazes called Maisie, Opal, and Chloe.

The Maisie can be best described as a sheer turquoise blue base with reflective flakes that shift from varying blue to green hues.

The Opal has a sheer green base with flakes that also shift from greens to blues.

The Chloe is very different from the first two with a sheer coral pink base and two types of duochrome Mylar flakes in red-orange to gold and gold to green blue.

What’s also really great about the Fleck Effect line of polish is the endless possibilities for layering this product. By just picking your favorite nail polish color and adding one of the Fleck Effect polishes you can create a whole new fun and trendy look. Consider laying two of the fleck effects or just applying it by itself for a translucent appearance. Anyway you use it, I’m sure you’ll love it; just give it a try at one of the best nail salons pittsburgh has to offer!

If you are treating only yourself this holiday season, sign up for  Verve’s Heart and Solo Package! This package comes with an 80 minute blissful Swedish Massage that is sure to sweep you away to paradise and cure any holiday blues you may be feeling.

If you are planning on treating your special someone to something as wonderful as they are, why not give them the Tip Top Special or the From Head to Toe Special! Both come with Le Grand Classique Facials, while the Tip Top Special comes with a Spa Manicure and the From Head to Toe Special comes with a Spa Pedicure. Both specials will leave your someone feeling radiant and refreshed.

If you are planning on spending Valentines Day with your significant other, why not treat yourselves together! Sign up for the Cupid’s Couple Special and relax the day away. Cupid’s Couple Special comes with champagne, rose petals, chocolates, and the pièce de résistance, two 50 minute Swedish Massages. You will definitely feel the love and be in the Valentines Day spirit after this romantic rendezvous.

If you would like to book one of these specials or learn about other treatments that Verve has to offer, stop by the downtown Pittsburgh salon.

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious reactivating mist is perfect for daily touch ups and mid-morning revivals.  Simply spray onto your hair to bounce those curls back into shape!  Curl Conscious allows your hair the moisture it needs to stay fresh and the structure it needs to curl.  The lightweight formula also allows you to spray onto your hair whenever needed without weighing it down.

Beauty experts at Sephora agree that Curl Conscious reactivating mist is the perfect product to transform curls from limp to luscious from sunrise to sunset.  Many users agreed they love the way this product works, giving it a four out of five star rating, but also love the way it smells.  So don’t waste any more of that beauty sleep, avoid the morning hassle, and try Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious reactivating mist today!  For Bumble and Bumble salon services, stop in or make an appointment at Verve 360 wellness salon in downtown Pittsburgh!

http://living.msn.com/love-relationships/weddings/6-wedding-traditions-no-one-will-miss

Want to look like a doll? You might want to book a flight half way around the world to Japan…or you can just read this article! Japanese makeup trends and fashion have been invading our country for a while now. Leaking in through famous starlets like Gwen Stefani, Katy Perry, and it even seems like Nicki Minaj draws her fashion sense from the Japanese. A currently popular style called ‘Gyaru’ is all the rage. There are different runoffs of the gyaru (Gal) style like ‘hime gyaru’. (‘princess gal’ in English) It’s all about looking super cute and innocent, high fashion, and doll inspired makeup.

1. Let’s Start! The gyaru style encompasses cuteness and elegance.  It begins with something called ‘contouring’. Contouring starts with a powder slightly darker than your own skin tone to create the look of shadows on the sides of your nose and following the eye brow line. Next, highlighting powder is used on the bridge of your nose, cheeks, under eyes, and along the brow arch. Blush (in subtle pink tones) is applied as normal on your cheek bones.

2. Big Eyes. The focus of the gyaru style is big doll-like eyes. (Think of Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ music video…but not that big!) Eyes are outlined with black eyeliner, but on the lower lid the liner is drawn just under the lower lashes to give the impression of larger eyes. Next, you add fake lashes, but not just on the top! Lower fake lashes are added as well to even further the impression of doll-like eyes.

3. Lips. Pink, pink, pink. Soft pinks are the key! No bright reds or crazy colors here folks! Unlike our red lip trend going on in the USA, the gyarus in Japan want subtle soft lips. (With gloss to make them shine)

4. Finish! Feel like a doll yet? The Japanese makeup/style culture will always draw me in! Maybe I will have to invest in that plane ticket…! Now throw on a dress, some cute shoes, and stroll down to the best hair salon downtown pittsburgh, Verve 360, to get a gyaru inspired hair style to go along with your new look. Everyone will be saying “Kawaii ne!” (You’re cute!)

Look #1: Gentle waves with a small beaded band

I came across many photos of celebs with their hair flowing naturally and a very tiny headband added on top. This look will work for any hair type, but the beaded band will stay in place much better if there is some sort of wave or curl to it. If your hair is naturally straight, try adding a bit of gentle styling product to it to add some extra bounce.

The beaded band adds a bit of girly glam to any look, dressy or casual. However, Vanessa still seems a bit childish with this look, so let’s move on to the next option.

Look #2: Messy bun with a braided headband

The messy bun look has been in style for years now(I’m still just trying to master it!). However, messy sometimes mean that stray strands can come untamed and end up falling in your face unannounced. The perfect solution? Add a headband and keep those flyaways pinned down throughout even your longest days!

This metallic band sported by Natalie Portman adds the perfect bit of class to any updo, and there’s no chance stray hairs will be messing up this look!

Look #3: Sleek and smooth bun with a petite headband

If the last look was still too unkempt and childlike for your preferences, we have the perfect solution for you: the sleek and smooth bun!

If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, start out by styling your hair with either a flat iron or smoothing product to get a sleek professional look. Next, pull your hair tightly into a pony, then wrap the ends around into a neatly pulled back bun. To secure it, pin down the ends with a few small bobby pins, preferably ones that blend in with your natural hair color. Finally, place a thin elastic headband on top to complete the look. Kristen Bell looks classy and professional with this look, and I’m positive that you will too!

So, there you have it, ladies: professional, mature ways to wear a headband at any age! Whether you want to be casual and messy or classy and professional, there’s a way to do so with a headband. Want to try out a look, but don’t have any styling products to assist you? Head on down to your favorite salon, Verve 360, to get any styling product or advice you could want! Verve 360 is also one of the salons in pittsburgh that ombre, so while you’re there, check out their options for that as well!

Mineral Make-up has become the preferred product of the beauty industry. Many brands have kept up with the trend, introducing mineral products into their skin care lines. But unlike other make-up lines, Jane Iredale is no new-comer to the mineral scene. She was the first to supply the aesthetics industry with a full-line of makeup based on minerals. She was also the first to see the benefits of offering physicians a makeup that was actually good to suggest to patients.

So why is mineral make-up so good for your skin? Think about it like your body, if given the choice wouldn’t you prefer to keep out harmful toxins and synthetic ingredients? I think so. So then why spread them all over your face?

A mineral make-up is so gentle and lightweight it won’t clog pores! A great choice for people with sensitive skin, it has virtually no allergy risk and will protect against UVB and UVA rays up to SPF 30. For those of us dealing with frustrating pimples, applying only natural ingredients helps reduce heal time, chemicals only worsen skin!

But like anything else in life, you’ve got to try it to believe it! Try out Jane Iredale’s products at one of the best beauty salons in Pittsburgh. You’ll be amazed at its flawless finish in addition to its’ organic benefits.

The human mind is like an absorbent sponge, sucking up all sorts of information. Immediately, from  the second you are born, your mind begins to take in sights, sounds, and thoughts. This intake never stops. It just continuously piles up your feelings, your failures, your successes, your dreams and any thought you have ever had. By the time you get to your twenties or thirties, your mind is ready to explode. You need to be able to clear your head of all the unnecessary and bad thoughts that have accumulated and learn how to observe things without clogging your mind. One way to do this through Vipassana Meditation.

Vipassana is a style of meditation based on self-purification through self-observation. Like all meditations, it bases its technique around the breath and centering the mind. This breathing technique allows you to become more aware of what is changing in your body and mind, creating an interconnection between your mind and body. It  ultimately help dissolve mental impurities,  allowing  you to be exposed to the universal truths of suffering, egolessness,  and impermanence and reach a balance of a mind full of love and compassion.

Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques, that was later rediscovered by Gotama the Buddha. However, there are no spiritual or religious attachments to this type of meditation. It is not a commercialized type of meditation or exercise and only a select few are trained to teach it. Therefore,  you can not just sign up for a class in a near by location. If you want to try Vipassana, you must apply to take a ten day course from one of the few instructors who do teach it. The course is free, however, there are a number of rules you must follow. For example, you can not use any form of technology, you can not wear tight or form fitting clothing and you can not use any form of drugs or alcohol. If you would like to learn more about Vipassana and its courses, or if you would like to apply to take a course, you can visit this website.

If you are just starting to try meditation and Vipassana seems a little too intense, try doing some yoga. This will help teach you the basic breathing and focusing techniques that you will use in meditation. It also has the added bonus of helping you get into shape. If you want to try yoga, you can sign up for classes at the Pittsburgh beauty salon, Verve.

This product was truly inspired by the fast-paced world of the runway.  Bumble and Bumble was able to find a way to give hair an immediate pick-me-up without leaving hair greasy or unmanageable.  So when I tell you that it is so easy to use, believe me!  Shine On allows anyone to keep their favorite everyday products because all you need to do after styling is spray and go show off the results it adds to your luxurious locks.  For extra shine, use Shine On shampoo and conditioner!

Beauty experts at Sephora also agree that Shine On is “light weight and easy to use”.  So stop into one of the best salons in Pittsburgh, Verve 360, and don’t forget to always Shine On!