Stephanie Linus Daily

Category: Beauty

Home Remedies For Treating Split Ends
Hi SL Fabz,

I hope your day has been great so far.

It seems growing long and healthy hair is hot topic here so I promise we’re gonna discuss it more in the coming weeks. In my last post on 5 Tips to Maintaining Longer & Healthier Hair, some people asked questions about dealing with hair breakage and split ends.

Split ends occur when hair becomes weak and begins to break near the end of the hair shaft. It can be caused by several factors such as excessive heat, use of harsh styling products and brushing hair when it is wet.

The secret to dealing with split ends is moisture! And the best kind of moisture for your hair is gotten from natural products. You can tame split ends by providing your hair with extra moisture and getting a trim every two months.

Here is a guideline to getting shiny and healthy hair using all natural ingredients.

What you need:
How to use it:
- Put your ingredients into a bowl, and use a whisk to blend.
- Apply the mixture from mid-length up (applying it from the roots are a little too heavy and may weigh down the hair)
- Ensure that you work the ingredients evenly into your ends.
- Leave the treatment on for about twenty minutes to one hour.
- Use warm water to shampoo and condition.
Do this regularly and see the wonders it does to your hair!

Does anyone have any other home remedy for hair breakage and split ends?
April 17, 2015
Get Your Groove On! Alluring Lipstick Shades You Could Try Out

Everyone knows the wonder a good lipstick does, especially the iconic red lipstick. But many women – regardless of their skin colour – usually have challenges finding a suitable colour that suits them.

Here are 7 lipstick shades that would look good on you:

1. Sleek Papaya Punch: A rich coral-orange and applies smoothly. It is also a good gradient when applied with a purple lipstick.

2. MAC Ruby Woo: Internet reviews dub this vibrant red lipstick as the “perfect sexy red from the runway to you.” I think its lovely too.

3. Nars in Chelsea Girls: A nude beige high-shine lip color with a unique texture. Should suit any skin colour.

4. Lancôme’s L’Absolu Rouge Grande Amour: This is flawless, and perfect for dark skinned ladies.

5. MAC Fixed on Drama: If you want that edgy look, this is a highly pigmented (deep wine), easy to apply and long wearing lipstick .

6. Mac Flat Out Fabulous: If you like some colour, this cool-toned, fuschia-plum with a flat matte finish should work perfectly.

7. Kate Rimmel Nude: This is more suitable for a daytime natural look. You could spice it up with a little lip-liner and gloss.

I hope you find these suggestions really helpful when next you want to get your groove on.

Remember, one great trick for looking beautiful, is by feeling beautiful!

Ladies, which one is your favorite? Mine is the MAC Ruby Woo.

Photo Credit: Poshmark.com, Lipstickalley.com, Pinterest

April 16, 2015
5 Tips to Maintaining Longer & Healthier Hair

There is so much “fuss” about hair these days, and people are beginning to pay more attention to how they keep hair healthier and longer. Many hair experts say that hair grows an average of ½ inch per month, however it is the level of maintenance that determines how long your hair would be.

There is no magic involved in growing your hair, it just requires total commitment.

Here are 5 tips you could use to get your “dream” hair:

1. A Healthy Lifestyle: There is no leapfrogging about having a long hair, it starts from the inside-out. So give attention to what you eat, drink, and how you treat your body – as it affects your hair growth. Take more of fresh fruits, vegetables, and water. Regular exercise is also beneficial for your overall hair benefit.

2. Regular Trims: Now this is the part many people do not want to hear, because they believe that in getting a long hair, you have to retain as much of the length as possible. However, trims help to get rid of dry, damaged and split ends, which can work up their way to the shaft of your hair and cause more damage. Have a professional hair stylist who understands your hair, and your trimming could be anywhere between every six weeks to every six months.

3. Use moisturizing products: When it comes to hair moisture, Africans in general, require more, because of the dry nature of our hair. It is advisable to use products that replenish the needed moisture, especially shampoos and conditioners formulated for dry and/or damaged hair.

4. Protective Styling: To maintain a good hair length, the amount of hair manipulation has to be minimal; just because your hair has reached a certain length does not mean you have to let everyone know just how long it is. By wearing protective hair styling, you keep your ends from rubbing against clothing, pillowcases or car seats. This helps lock in the moisture your hair needs and prevents dryness that leads to hair breakage.

5. Do not Relax too often: Relaxer does not make your hair grow longer, however when it is time for a touch-up, get one because the longer you wait, the higher the chances of hair breakage. It is important to always mark the thin line between your relaxed hair, and the new growth. Be careful not to overlap relaxer to already relaxed hair, as this could lead to breakage. This also reinforces the point of having a competent stylist and sticking to one, so as to limit the number of people applying chemicals to your hair.

Ladies, do you have any more tips to add?

April 14, 2015
Fashion Nostalgia: Rocking the Fro’s Again

One thing I have discovered about fashion – and culture in general – is that it evolves so much that each trend or fad, seems to exist in the origin of the former. Old school is becoming new school, and new school was the old school of yesterday.

The Afro hairstyle is one that has remained timeless right from the 80’s when it became very popular among black American communities. Though it became less popular in Nigeria at some point, however, it is refreshing to see guys and girls these days rocking the Afro look in grand style.

Kinky and Curly hair is becoming a strong contender for its Indian, Brazilian and Peruvian counterparts, and Nigerians are gradually embracing it more.

So where next do you see this “hairvolution” going? Would Jerry curls make a grand re-entrance, or would we be going about in oversized sweaters? What ‘old school’ trend is gradually becoming hip again?

April 13, 2015
What I Caught On TV: Chantelle Winnie

Beauty is not about looks, makeup or clothes. True beauty comes from being yourself.

I had once read the inspiring story of Chantelle Winnie, a beautiful 19 year-old model who has a skin pigment condition called – Vitiligo.

She has become the first model with the disease and her story is truly inspirational.

For most people with this condition, it is something they want to hide and won’t dare dream of flaunting it as a model. But Chantelle is different. Rather than being judged for her distinctive looks, Winnie’s now being celebrated for them.

She was diagnosed with Vitiligo at the age of four, and suffered bullying in school from her peers. They even gave her the nick names such as ‘Milky’ and ‘Zebra’ because of the white patches on her skin.

So I was very proud of her when this past weekend, I watched her picking up the Beauty Idol award at German magazine Gala’s Spa Awards 2015 in Baden Baden, looking gorgeous in a sequin and lace red dress.

Chantelle is a model, catwalk star and aspiring writer. She doesn’t let her skin condition define her success and has broken barriers to rise successfully in her profession. I am truly inspired.

See more photos of Chantelle:

Photo Credit: Metro.co.uk, @winnieharlow

* Vitiligo is a skin disorder characterized by smooth, white patches on various parts of the body, caused by the loss of the natural pigment.

March 27, 2015
10 Beauty Tools Every Woman Should Have

Every woman, and I don’t just mean the makeup pros, should have some basic tools that would make her look her best always.

Here are 10 essential things I think every woman should have:

1. Red Lipstick: Just like your signature scent, every girl needs the perfect shade of red lipstick for her skin colour or dress. It brings out that glam in your look, everytime.

2. Brow & Lash Comb: You don’t want to go around having a set of occasionally unruly brows. The brow brush is so convenient to tame and brush your eyebrows and the comb is great to comb out any clumps in your mascara or to comb your lashes into place.

3. Blow Dryer or Hair Dryer: Whether its to dry your wet hair or to set your curls in place, a blow dryer can produce sleek, polished hair styles for almost any hair texture. It is especially great for home use and a quick fix when you need one.

4. Makeup Brushes: Having the right makeup with poor tools for apply them on is a recipe for disaster. It is worth the investment to purchase a high-quality set of makeup brushes. A basic makeup brush kit includes a narrow brush for eyeliner, broad brushes for eye shadow and blush and a brush with an angled tip for your lips.

5. Beauty Sponge: If what you need is a smooth finish and even application of your make up, then the Beauty Sponge also known as the Beauty Blender is just perfect for you. The teardrop shape of the sponge also makes it easy to really get into the nooks and crannies and get uniform coverage. It’s not very commonly used but I recommend them if you have never tried it.

6. Tweezers: You never know when you need to do a little grooming and plucking on your brows. Tweezers always come in handy to help set your false lashes on your lash line and, of course, keep stray, unwanted hairs away.

7. Face Wipes: Sleeping in your makeup is absolutely terrible for your skin’s health and appearance, so before you drift off to sleep, you can quickly take off your makeup with a moist face wipe.

8. Curling Iron or Flat Iron: Whether you want a sleek straight look or a wavy curly look, this electric tool will make set you on the right path. This is great for both your real hair and hair extensions.

9. Cotton Swabs: The best way to remove makeup from your delicate eye area is with cotton balls soaked in makeup remover. They can also be used to clean up accidents with eye makeup, to apply skin care products you don’t want to contaminate or to clean up nail polish that’s gone astray. I always have cotton swabs and cotton balls in my makeup purse just in case.

10. Bobby Pins: Bobby pins are a beauty accessory that’s been around for ages and are still very useful to this day. Whether you want to put your updo in place or you’re in a hurry and you really need your hair to look good, this could come in handy. It’s great for both short and long hair too.

Ladies, which of these tools do you not have or don’t think is necessary? What is your most important beauty tool?

March 19, 2015
Important Facts You Need To Know About Gel Manicures

Gel nails- a type of artificial nails – are taking over. It’s creating so much buzz in the beauty world because along with a more natural appearance, gel nails typically last for about 10-12 days.

They’re quick, and the shiny, glossy color would last for a long time. If frequent trips to the nail salon aren’t your thing, you can always purchase gel nail polish.

However if you’re considering applying them the professional way, here are some important things you have to know. I found these on AllWomensTalk and thought it would be good to share here:

1. Longer Wearing
Many women choose a gel manicure because they last longer than other types. That means you won’t have to have a redo or a new nail polish job as often. If you work with your hands or wash them a lot, a gel manicure makes more sense. That way, you can show off a fabulous manicure even when life gets crazy.

2. Cuticle Dryness
While a longer wearing manicure might sound heavenly, the extended wear of the gels do pose risks to your cuticles. Because they hang out there on your natural nail for so long, they can cause dryness in your cuticle. Fortunately, you can counteract this by taking good care of your gels. Experts suggest rubbing a good quality cuticle oil in every single day. It might sound like a lot of work, but it’s so worth it.

3. UV Light
I cringe to think of all the time I spend with my hands in a nail machine to dry the polish fast. When a gel manicure is set, your fingers are exposed to UV rays that can lead to skin cancer. The more often you’re exposed, the higher your risk. If you have a family or personal history of skin cancer, it’s probably a good idea to avoid sticking your hands into one of the dryers. Better safe than sorry, right?

4. Chemical Exposure
This is a double risk. As you have your gel manicure done, you breathe in the chemicals in the materials used to create the look. There’s a reason why so many nail techs wear a mask! At the same time, the extended wear of the gels allow some chemicals to soak into your nails, which can cause dryness, brittle nails and other problems.

5. Underlying Health Issues
There’s no question that gel manicures look fantastic. However, if you always have gels on your nails, it can be hard to detect possible issues. That includes melanomas growing under your nails, fungal infections and other issues. Experts suggest taking occasional breaks from wearing gels so you can monitor the health of your nails and the skin underneath them.

6. Irritation
Because your fingernails are attached to your fingers, it’s pretty hard to avoid contact with the materials used to create a gel manicure. Some of those things can cause skin irritation. Make sure you wash up as soon as possible after your manicure to remove anything that might cause a reaction.

7. Removal
I can remember how terrible my nails always looked after having my acrylics removed. Gels can cause similar problems. Experts say the best way to remove gels is to soak the nail in acetone until it can be lifted from your natural nail. Popping or cutting the nails off will sometimes take a couple layers of your real nail with it. That can lead to brittleness and breaking.

So, SL Fabz. Do you get gel manicures? What other tips do you have to share with everyone? Would you be considering getting a gel manicure?

March 14, 2015
Feeling Beautiful Without Makeup

I read this story written by a lady called Maya Rupert on how she saw herself in a gorgeous new light after she bought foundation to “correct” her skin tone. It was published on Oprah and I just had to share it here. Believe me, this will change the way you feel about makeup:

I was 27 years old when a clerk at a cosmetics counter told me I was looking at the wrong shade of foundation. Instead of the color I had worn for the last several years, which matched my skin tone, she encouraged me to get one that was actually two shades lighter. Registering skepticism, she explained that I should try to go as light as I could get away with because with my complexion, she said, “you wouldn’t want to get any darker.”

There was no question in her voice. She didn’t say it as if she were stating a preference, but rather a fact, the same way she would have advised me on how best to apply blush or find a base that wouldn’t dry out my skin. I was humiliated by her assumption that it was an unspoken understanding between us: that obviously, if given the choice, I would change this thing about the way I looked.

As a black woman with dark skin, it wasn’t the first time I had been told—subtly and often not so subtly—that my complexion was a deficit I had to overcome to be beautiful. But the fact that the saleswoman, who was white, said it not out of malice, but seemingly with genuine concern, made me feel worse. I didn’t think she was criticizing me; she was trying to help me. And I was terrified that she—an expert—knew something I didn’t. I bought the foundation.

At home, I dipped the sponge in the compact and covered my face with the powder. I couldn’t bring myself to look in the mirror as I applied it.

When I finally did look, I was horrified: I had to admit that I looked prettier than I’d ever remembered. I had to admit that my dark skin was unattractive, and that being lighter really did mean being more attractive.

I wept. Then I went to wash my face. But the makeup wouldn’t come off. I scrubbed hard; still nothing. That’s when I looked at the compact and realized I hadn’t pulled off the protective paper. In fact, I hadn’t been wearing any makeup at all.

After seven years and countless applications of the right shade of makeup, that moment has stayed with me. Whenever I question whether my complexion is beautiful (which is more often than I should, but less often than I might), I think back to that moment when I saw my face—my bare face—and thought it was so beautiful, it made me cry.

Light skin, dark skin… every one is indeed beautiful. Yes, makeup does often enhance beauty but if you don’t begin to see yourself as beautiful inwardly, no one can convince you that you are even with layers of makeup on.

She hadn’t even applied any makeup on but just the ‘thought’ of being lighter than she was made her feel more beautiful. And the fact is that there was nothing on her face!

Ladies, bask in your natural beauty and let it radiate.

*Picture used is not that of the writer.

March 9, 2015
Tempted To Pop That Pimple? Read This First!
You wake up in the morning and see one ugly bump on your face. It may be a whitehead, inflamed pustule (pus-filled) or just a modest blackhead. Either way, you search for the simplest, fastest way to get rid of it and the first tool you reach out for is your hands. You either want to pop it, squeeze it, squish it, prick it, scratch it, scrape it….

However, before you do that, take note of this:

The reason you’re not supposed to pop pimples is that anytime you deliberately break skin, you risk creating a scar or getting an infection. Popping pimples also in the long term damages skin.

According to some dermatologists, you should only pop a Whitehead and not a Blackhead. Whitehead pimples have usually been around for a few days, and they have a white tip where pus has collected underneath the skin. These pimples are easy to pop, and when treated with care they can be safely removed without causing an infection or scarring.

However doing it right is difficult for most people that is why it is generally advised to avoid it. As tempting as it may be to pop that pimple, you may regret it later if it scars. If you squeeze a whitehead wrongly:
- you inflame it and the tissue around it
- it bleeds and scabs over, making it harder to cover up
- it ends up lasting a week instead of a few days
- you might even damage the skin, leaving you with a scar
Still, there are many people who just can’t resist attacking a pimple. It can be an irresistible impulse, much like scratching a mosquito bite or picking a scab. So, if you insist on attending to it right away, here’s what you can do instead. I found this on TheBeautyDepartment
- Run hot water that is pretty hot but not so hot that you can’t touch it with your finger. Place a corner of a clean washcloth under the hot water to soak it.
- Wring it out so it’s no longer dripping.
- Immediately hold the corner with your finger directly on top of the blemish. This is bringing all of the fluid to the surface (where the phrase “bringing it to a head” comes from).
- Watch TV or chill for a few minutes until the cloth is no longer warm. While holding your finger still directly on top of it, gently slide your finger 1 millimeter in any direction. The whitehead should slide right off with the cloth.
- If not, no worries, you just need to repeat steps 1-4 again until it’s ready and it works.
Whatever you do, make sure you never use your nails to pop a piimple. Also, don’t pop the pimple if you don’t think it’s ready to pop. If it’s something little and you try and mess with it, it’ll make it look worse.

A final caution: There are types of pimples you should never try to pop, no matter how great the urge — cysts and nodules, which are firm, painful pimples that form deep in your skin. The treatment for these pimples is more complex than that for regular acne, and they should be treated by a doctor only.

Stay beautiful!

What are your thoughts on these tips? How do you resist the urge to pop a pimple anytime you feel like? Do you know of any other ‘proper’ way to pop a pimple? Let’s share!
March 4, 2015
The Best Places To Apply Perfume Correctly

When it comes to perfume, deciding on what scent to use is only half of the journey – the second half is actually making it last through the day.

The method of application influences the way a fragrance smells and how long it lasts. Today, I’d like to share with you some tips I’ve learnt over the years about perfume application and the best ways to use it:

The Pulse Points
The “pulse points” are locations on the body where the blood vessels are closest to the skin. These spots emanate heat, which can help fragrance to emanate from your skin into the air. When applying perfume, your wrists, inside your elbows, the nape of your neck, even in the crease behind your knees are the places you should be concentrating your fragrance. Also the base of the throat, behind ear lobes, in the cleavage. As you wear your perfume throughout the day, it will react with your body heat and continue to emit scent.

Where You Shouldn’t Apply Perfume
If you can help it, then keep from spraying fragrances directly onto your clothes. You never know what will leave a watermark. Also avoid spraying it on your hair. Many perfumes’ ingredients can dry out and damage your hair.

Timing Is Key
The best time to apply perfume is directly after your shower. Spray some on your skin after drying off and before putting on your clothes. Your skin will absorb the scent better, and you won’t run the risk of staining your clothes or jewelry.

Other Methods
I love to to this often. Spraying in a cloud in front of you and then walking through the scent mist to get just the right amount. It works!

Making Your Fragrance Last Longer
A scent will fade faster when skin is dry. Apply moisturizer on your body before applying fragrance. The perfume droplet will cling to your skin rather than sink into your pores, thereby making it last longer.

Using products from the same brand is another effective way to make a fragrance last. You might use the scented body gel, treat skin with the body lotion, and then spray the perfume on top. The combination of products will help the scent to maintain fullness and extend throughout the day.

SL Fabz, do you have any other tips to add? Where do you apply perfume?

February 18, 2015