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Posted by on Oct 29, 2009 in Uncategorized | 9 comments

She’s Got the Look – Betty Draper of Mad Men – Halloween Hair

Don your favorite apron and give an air of Stepfordish wifey perfection as Mad Men’s Betty Draper. One of television’s hottest series provides the perfect fodder for Halloween with the beautiful retro stylings.
madmen_8
Pantene Stylist Danilo gives Solessence the secret (natural boar bristles!) to achieving the look of the perfect housewife:

bettydraper_halloweenhair
1. Start by using the Pantene Pro-V Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner to help tame frizz and leave hair silky

2. Apply the Pantene Restoratives Frizz Control Ultra Smoothing Balm to damp hair
3. Blow-dry hair using a natural or combination bristle round brush

4. Wrap big sections of hair around a 1-inch barrel curling iron, wrapping from root to end for deep waves (wrap the front of hair away from the face and curl ends under)

5. Part hair to one side and apply gently brush hair with a natural bristly brush to keep curls together (using a synthetic brush will separate the curls creating a more tousled look)
6. Finish the look with the Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Maximum Hold Aerosol Hairspray

Solessence brings you four looks through Friday – inspiration for Halloween Hair. Each of these looks takes after a celluloid celeb, so you can try these during the day, and well after the witching hour.

Wednesday: Uhura of Star Trek
Tuesday: Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf

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Posted by on Oct 28, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

She’s Got The Look – Uhura of Star Trek – Halloween Hair

spock_uhura
Star Trek was one of the glories of the big screen for 2009, and Uhura (played by Zoe Saldana) is an easy way to capture trends and glamour for Halloween Hair. The most important feature to this style is the perfect pullback – flyaways not allowed. Pantene Stylist Danilo shares with Solessence readers how to get this look:

zoesaldana_uhura

1. Start by using the Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Shampoo and Conditioner to smooth hair and tame fly-aways
2. Apply the Pantene Pro-V Smooth Serum to give shine and smoothness, and protect hair from heat
3. Blow-dry using a flat brush with the airflow aiming down for a sleek, straight look
4. Flat iron hair, directing the iron downward, parallel with face for more “finished” looking ends
5. Pull hair back using a natural bristle brush for superior tension and smoothness, and secure ponytail at top of crown with an elastic
6. To create the illusion of a bun at the top of the ponytail, secure hair with a hair-embellished elastic (available in multiple shades to match your hair)
7. Complete the look with Pantene Pro-V Ice Shine Maximum Hold Aerosol hairspray for reflective shine

Solessence brings you four looks through Friday – inspiration for Halloween Hair. Each of these looks takes after a celluloid celeb, so you can try these during the day, and well after the witching hour.

Tomorrow: America’s current favorite housewife is not mom to the Beaver.
Yesterday: Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf

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Posted by on Oct 28, 2009 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

Lush: Snow Fairy Shower Gel & Bath Melt

As with most Lush products, this dark bubble gum pink gel evokes pure love or hate among users. There is seldom an in-between for the line that tends to tread on earthy smells and claims of being all natural. Despite the marketing image, many, if not most, of the products in Lush cannot be classified as Natural or Organic.

snowfairyLush Fairy Shower Gel is a limited edition product that, at $20 for 16.9 ounces, seems like a steal for the line. It promises to be:

Candy floss pink and sweet as sugar with iridescent sparkles and a hint of wicked frutiness

I am not a super girly girl, but there is something inviting about this bottle that makes me want more! The pink, the promise of shimmer. It is heavy on the peppermint, but the scent is cut with some other fragrances. During the winter months it takes a bit more powerful scent to get things moving, and Snow Fairy does the trick. I’m pretty sure the fact it has the potential to be overwhelming is the reason it is not sold year round. I will be getting another bottle before it leaves stores.

Back to the shimmer. Glitter is on the label and ingredient list, but the only place you can find it is in a thick layer of goo at the bottom of the bottle. No amount of mixing will bring any to be visible with the naked eye. That’s a shame!

This is a product that works best with a loofa or washcloth. It can be a bit drying otherwise. I used it over the body with the Clarisonic and it did a superb job of cleaning, exfoliating and leaving all the bits soft. It makes for a fragrant bath gel too.

Snow Fairy also comes in a pretty gift set.
snowfairygiftset
In the US, order online at www.lushusa.com and in Milwaukee Lush can be found inside Macy*s.

BATH MELT
lushfairy_bathmeltWhere Snow Fairy Shower Gel is mildly overpowering but slightly intoxicating, the Bath Melt I had was pumped full of fragrance, and my jaw became numb from tingling whenever I was in the vicinity of said melt. Mint is an oil that has to be used in low quantities but there was no moderation here. Counter staff also does not wrap these items for some reason, leaving the melt to rub against all of your other products. A tad messy. Unless you like tingly, painful appendages and the possibility of contact dermatitis, skip this item.

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Posted by on Oct 27, 2009 in Uncategorized | 13 comments

She’s Got The Look – Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl – Halloween Hair

GOSSIP GIRL

Solessence brings you four looks through Friday, in case you still need inspiration for Halloween Hair. Each of these looks takes after a celluloid celeb, so you can try these during the day, and well after the witching hour.

First up is Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. Who wouldn’t want to trick and treat with these locks? Stylist Danilo from Pantene breaks the look down for us:

  1. Start by using the Pantene Pro-V Texture Shampoo and Conditioner  to prepare hair for a healthy, textured look
  2. Apply Pantene Pro-V Volume Root Lifter Gel to damp hair from root to tip
  3. Blow-dry hair periodically flipping hair upside down to create maximum fullness at the crown
  4. Wrap large sections of hair around a 1-inch barrel curling iron starting at least 4” from scalp
  5. Remove iron and quickly twist hot section pulling it into a rope-like shape until it cools – this will transform curls into waves
  6. Brush hair out and run fingers through hair to break up the curls for a tousled look
  7. Give hair added texture by adding some small braids and twists throughout hair
  8. Complete the look with a headband, placing it 1-inch away from your hairline

Tomorrow:Boldly go where no man has gone before – get Uhura’s look from Star Trek.

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Posted by on Oct 26, 2009 in Uncategorized | 26 comments

Brew City Beauty: Tracey Gessner of FitMilwaukee.com pt 2

gessner

Meet Tracey Gessner, co-founder of FitMilwaukee.com and part two of our inaugural Brew City Beauty feature. A wife and mom, Tracey (and kids) can be seen plugging for Milwaukee Public Library and sharing a big love for Bay View. Her path to fitness began with longing looks at weekend runners, and a desire to get fit for her 30th birthday. Now she has completed her first marathon and become an inspiration to a community of women. Read on to find out more about this natural born beauty.

Were you born and raised in Wisconsin?
I’m actually an Illinois girl, sorry! I was born in Rockford but moved to Chicago in college and finally ended up here with my husband and two kids about four years ago.

What do you do?
I’m a stay-at-home mama to two little girls- ages 5 and 9. I love it.

Marital Status?
I’ve been married for 12 years now. That always sounds so long when I say it out loud!

What does Milwaukee mean to you?
Milwaukee to me means laid back, easy-going people who are still hip and artsy with a bit of attitude, eh? And beer.

What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty shouldn’t be hard. It should come from taking care of yourself and doing things that make you feel good about you.

traceygessner_marathon

Discuss how Fit Milwaukee came into play and your role
I was on Twitter talking about running all the time and was approached about starting a fitness blog with Anne (Munkwitz), who is also crazy into running and fitness like me. I basically just want to share information about health and fitness that I’ve learned through my own experiences. I’m not a trainer or a doctor but I think there is something I can offer just as a regular person trying to get out here every day and have a healthy lifestyle..

What makes you feel beautiful?
A hot shower after a long run, changing out of my yoga pants and sneakers for once to get dolled up right for a night out with my husband. And let’s face it, a glass of red wine.

Name a favorite Milwaukee spot
For a splurge I love going to Lake Park Bistro. It’s worth every penny. For just a regular night though I prefer the Palm in Bay View with my best friend. I love everything about Bay View in general. You can’t go wrong in that neighborhood.

Where do you get beautified in MKE
I go to Sweeney Todd Salon on S. Delaware Ave. I used to color my own hair for years but after I moved here I decided I should be a big girl and find myself a stylist. Jeanne and Annie are awesome and tons of fun. I also love to get a sports massage at Wisconsin Athletic Club. Heaven!

Tracey is also a blogger on Milwaukee Moms and recently discussed being a fit mom on TV. Check out the interview below (sound quality improves after intro):

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