Well with spring right around the corner maybe its time to revisit your resolutions and make the turning point for the seasons be the turning point for your life. Ask for that promotion. Run that race. Lose those last 10 pounds for good. There is no better time then the present to make changes in your life that will make you look and feel better.

A good way to start your lifestyle and/or weight loss is with a cleansing. It’s a good way to get rid of the old and start something new. Now with this and everything else you do, you should look for the healthiest way to incorporate into your life. Dr. Gaetano Morello, author of Whole Body Cleansing and a member of the Schwabe North America Scientific Advisory Board, shares her tips and advice on cleansing safely and effectively.

*A cleanse propels your body’s digestion system to help clear out the “junk” you may have accumulated over the holidays. With the right cleanse supplement, two weeks is about what it should take to get your body the momentum it needs to help you reach your fitness potential.

*Not all cleanse supplements are alike. Look for a good cleanse supplement.  A good cleanse supplement program can give you the two-week “recharging” your health batteries need. The supplement should include:

* Fiber to help pull out the bad and get things moving. You want to go with a fiber supplement that expands – but does so gently – in your intestines to scrub toxins and excess waste away from intestinal walls and helps prime your body for fitness. It doesn’t give the bad stuff any place to hide or a chance to “double back” and be re-absorbed. Oddly, many cleanse supplements don’t include fiber, so choose carefully.

* A natural, gentle laxative formula. Look for a laxative formula that listens to the needs of your body. Make sure it’s a gentle, predictable laxative with no harsh stimulant ingredients to make you feel off balance – just botanicals that help get things “moving.”

* Support for your liver, too. The liver is always busy. It helps the body keep the good and get rid of the bad. Using an herbal supplement that includes milk thistle can do an amazing job of supporting the liver’s ability to detoxify the body. One thing to look for when choosing a milk thistle product is that it is absorbable (look for products bound to phosphatidylcholine).

Used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, a good cleanse really helps you jumpstart weight loss and energy.  If your looking to start a cleanse do your research and check out this effective and healthy products from Whole Foods Market:

1. Guayaki Organic Traditional Yerba Mate Teas ($6.95 box of 16 bags)- Wonderful Organic teas that come in a variety of delicious flavors including Chai Spice Mate, Greener Green and Traditional. Each Yerba Mate tea bag is made with an array of organic ingredients, to give it a special flavor and to help improve your health A nourishing, green source of energy, the leaves of the yerba mate tree deliver a unique trio of stimulants: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline as well as 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and abundant antioxidants.

2. Guayaki USDA Organic Yerba Mate Organic Energy Shot ($7.99 for 2-pack)-These Organic Energy Shots are fueled by yerba mate’s naturally uplifting, healthy and nourishing properties. The Energy Shots have organic blends of ALL ORGANIC Superfood extracts that will help give you the energy you need to throughout the day. A great way to keep your energy up during a cleansing process and/or weight loss program.

3. Sambazon USDA Organic Acai Diet Energy Drink ($9.49 pack of 4 cans)- This energy drink is not like anything else on the market because not only does it provide you with the energy you need but it also does it organically and with vitamins. Sambazon starts with acai, the amazing little purple berry that is harvested from the Amazon basin. Then they add the vitamin C superfruit acerola, along with botanicals like guarana and yerba mate. When they finish they have created an all-natural, potent energy drink that you will love.

Vital Vitamin Cream is a super fluffy cream that delivers the perfect blend of beneficial ingredients and multi-vitamin goodness. It is a gentle moisturizer that hydrates and shields skin all day with SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection. So not only are you hydrating the skin with vitamins but also you are protecting it from future damage. The formula contains Pr-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to help soften, smooth and improve skin. After applying this cream you are left with nourished and hydrated skin that isn’t sticky or heavy. And because it’s free of harsh chemicals perfumes and color, its suitable for all skin types.

A great buy that proves you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a quality skin care cream. Now taking care of your skin is affordable and simple with Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Day Cream.

But, once you find that perfect hairstyle, you can also click on Mane & Chic’s Fashion tab to find that perfect outfit. Along with the latest fashion trends Mane & Chic provides runway finds for $100 or less, fashion advice and spotlights brands that feature curly-girl models. Mane & Chic’s – Question of the Day and Contest are also popular with it’s fans. Not only is Mane & Chic a blog, you can also follow Mane & Chic on Twitter as well as join its popular Facebook Fan Page.

The creator of Mane & Chic, Kai Chic shared with Clutch, her hair journey and inspiration for the site.

My last relaxer was in February 2007. I transitioned from then until July 2008. It was about a year and a half before I decided to chop off the relaxed ends. I did it myself on July 4, 2008: Independence Day (in more ways than one). I’ve been natural since then – roughly a year and a half.

I decided to go natural for a few reasons. I wanted to be different. I wanted to grow my hair out. I was tired of feeling like my hair wasn’t progressing and I felt relaxers had a lot to do with that lack of progress. Most of all I wanted to disprove some myths I heard from former stylists. Myths like ‘you have to get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks in order for it to grow’ and ‘if you want to go natural, you’re going to have to shave your head bald’. I knew there was a better way. I began reading books and online forums and just drowning myself with knowledge and I’ve never looked back.

The inspiration behind Mane & Chic…
It was the perfect marriage between two of my passions: hair and fashion. The only “hair blog” that I knew of at the time was targeted towards women with relaxed hair. I knew of other websites, but they weren’t my speed. I’m a very visual person. I needed to do something different. I thought it would be cool to document my journey from relaxed to natural. I’d never seen that before.

Also, I’d never seen a fashion blog featuring women with my hair type that were fly and stylish. I wanted that to change. Mane & Chic came from my own yearning and thirst. I wanted to see it, so I figured other women would want to see it. It was also inspired by street-fashion blogs. The idea that you could get inspiration from other women you see walking down the street. You see that element manifested in the “Featured Curls” posts on Mane & Chic.

Mane & Chic is a living breathing being. She is the sum of all of her readers. She is that fly, natural/curly-haired chick one day, pressed straight the next with an edgy but chic sense of style. She is highly intelligent, curious, worldly and conscious.

Future outlook for Mane & Chic…
More. More perspectives from other women, crisper visuals, more depth. Mane & Chic will never settle or be complacent and will always push itself to the next level, take on more challenges and listen to what the readers want.

For more Mane & Chic Visit:
www.maneandchic.com
www.facebook.com/maneandchicfans
www.twitter.com/maneandchic

Splurge:

Balenciaga Eau de Parfum ($70, balenciaga.com or neimanmarcus.com) This Parfum is all you expect it to be and more. It manages to be both modern and classic. It is a luxurious fragrance that is complex and refined. It delicately mixes the green fresh scent of the Chypre Violet into the exciting scent of pure woods. Your left with an intricate fragrance that is sure to entice all who come in contact with it. It comes in an innovative bottle that highlights just how different this fragrance is. Balenciaga Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that stands out from everything else out in all the best ways.

Steal:

U by Ungaro Fever for Her ($34, avon.com) This beautiful fragrance is a mix of sensuality and sophistication. One scent and you want to know about it. U by Ungaro Fever makes a bold, feminine statement that captures the essence of Ungaro fashion and puts it into a bottle. It’s a Chypre Floral fragrance that exudes pure sophistication in a fusion of smoldering woods and feminine florals. The fragrance drapes over like a well made dress It comes packaged in a feminine silhouette with bold colored etched folds that only help to prove that quality doesn’t have to be expensive.

The Phytospecific Phytorelaxer is a revolutionary, gentle, hydroxide-free relaxing treatment. The egg- and soy-based formula is odorless and does not contain lye. Many celebrities and those in the know use this product to achieve straight hair that isn’t lifeless. Phytorelaxer is easy to use and provides step by step instructions to apply the product at home. Though it’s a little pricey for those of us who are used to super cheap at home relaxers this product really delivers on its promises. Whether you use Index 1 for Delicate/Thin Hair or Index 2 for Normal, Thick, Coarse Hair, your hair will be left soft and smooth. Phytorelaxer won’t get your hair stick straight instead it gets it straight but leaves the volume, body and life that healthy hair needs. It only takes one treatment to notice why this is one of the most popular products out now.

Phytorelaxer is a straitening treatment and even though it doesn’t contain lye, hydroxide, parabens or phthalates, it is a process and you should follow the directions and condition your hair regularly. Relaxing your hair can be incredibly drying, but Phtyorelaxer makes sure that your hair stays conditioned through the process. So if you relax your hair or are thinking about doing it in the future, this is a must-try product. If you don’t believe read all the reviews for it and ask your stylist about it. And remember no matter what you decide to do with your hair, beautiful hair is healthy hair.

What to Do When You are Thinking about Turning Back to the Perm…

We all have been there – sometime along our natural journey we began to consider turning back to the perm. Whether it’s because of hairstyle boredom, looking for a change or just simply missing those ‘bone straight’ days, no matter what the reason before you make a ‘permanent’ decision take the following intervention steps into consideration.

Recommendation 1: First of all, before you make any drastic decisions I would suggest that you put your hair in a protective style, braids, twists, bun, headwrap etc. and don’t touch it for a few weeks. And remember, you’re not alone. Many naturals go through this ‘phase’ throughout their natural hair journey.

When I look back on my decision to turn back to the perm (three times) after deciding to wear my hair natural, I truly wish someone would have done a ‘Natural Intervention’ for me. The first time I decided to turn back to perming I had made up my mind that I had ‘run out’ of style options – I got tired of wearing the same old two-strand twists (funny – now their my staple) and felt with a perm I had more overall choices.

Recommendation 2: If seemingly lack of style options is one of the reasons why you are thinking about turning back to perming consider this: natural hair can be worn in straw-sets, updos, chignons, pin curls, spiral curls and more, so the styles are really limitless.

Recommendation 3: Run – don’t walk to the nearest computer and click on your favorite natural hair website and browse through the photos for inspiration. Pay special attention to styles worn by people who have the same hair texture as yours, and look for short and long hair styles that will represent each stage of your hair growth, even if your transitioning. Create a hairstyle picture board or journal of possible styles you would like to wear and keep it where you can look at it each day.

The second time I went back to perming I just simply got bored with my natural hair, and felt that perming it would give me a ‘new look’.

Recommendation 4: If you’re seeking a ‘new look’ think about a hair cut or even enhancing your hair color with henna. Accessories are also a way to add some excitement to your hair style. Go on an accessory shopping spree or save your money and make your own.

Recommendation 5: If it’s just a straighter texture you want to achieve, consider the non-chemical options. For some, braiding or banding to stretch their hair may not be enough. Therefore, treat yourself to a professional hairstyle like a sewn-in weave (where your hair is cornrowed underneath), human hair individuals or even a wig. These are also great protective styles that will aid in the overall health of your natural hair.

The last and final time I was drawn back to perming was because of outside influence; people were hinting that they’d like to see me with straight hair and others were telling me how my old straight hairstyles were so cute. Not surprisingly, none of these people were naturals.

Recommendation 6: Surround yourself with like-minded people. Seek out a support group of naturals and read and re-read their journeys. Don’t be afraid to start a discussion on the topic on your favorite site – maybe something like, “Help! The perm is calling my name!” or even, “Tell me why you decided to stay natural.” Having a network of like-minded naturals is very encouraging, and will keep you in a natural state of mind.

Inevitably, not two weeks later after each of my re-perming sessions, I regretted turning back to the perm. Not to mention the time and maintenance, but I would leave the house with my permed style and a second later spot a model-looking natural, sporting a huge ‘Fro’ or swinging twists and immediately I wanted my natural hair back. All those times I re-permed, I really didn’t take the time to think it through.

Recommendation 7: Ask yourself  why? If your answer is similar to any of the reasons above, follow the ‘intervention’ steps – follow all of them if you have to. Make a list of all the reasons why you like being natural, and a separate list of all the reasons why you want to go back to the perm. Which list outweighs the other? Is going back to the perm really worth it?

I felt pretty fly myself when I discovered LASHLIGHT by Too Faced ($25, sephora.com). This high tech mascara has an innovative formula that contains millions of microscopic mirrors that bounce light off lashes for a super-glossy, jet-black finish. Lashes will be longer and thicker all day. The jet-black finish will make eyes look brighter, whiter, and more beautiful; camera ready. And the cutting edge formula has a combination of panthenol, and Vitamins C and E keep lashes healthy and red algae that increases Keratin resistance for maximum lash flexibility.

LASHLIGHTS formula is amazing but what really got me was the wand. Not only does the wand have a slightly tapered brush-tip to get the tiniest lashes but the wand has a light to spotlight each lash for precise application. The exclusive light-up LED wand spotlights every lash for the perfect mascara application every time and the close-up mirror on the side of the component is perfect for on-the-go application.

The perfect mascara for everyone even if you aren’t a beauty tech geek like me.

“My mission is to promote a healthy, holistic approach to beauty by creating handmade hair, body and bath products made from a diverse selection of the highest quality natural ingredients from around the world. I firmly believe that health, beauty and wellness are entwined and so nature supplies us with all of the ingredients we need to create products to enhance your natural beauty. “- Karen Tappin Saunderson – of Karen’s Body Beautiful

Karen Body’s Beautiful Boutique and soon- to-come spa is located in Brooklyn, New York. But no need to worry if you can’t make it to BK, because you can experience her wonderful natural goodies with a few keystrokes by visiting the store website – karensbodybeautiful.com. Her most popular hair products are Hair Milk and Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair Mask. The most popular scent is Pomegranate Guava.

Karen Tappin Saunderson’s hair story…
At around the age 13 or 14 – as most young girls do, Karen began getting interested in boys. She noticed that the boys were paying more attention to the other girls – the ones with perms – so she wanted one as well, but her mother was not having it. At that time Karen viewed natural hair, like her mother’s signature teenie-weenie-afro, as a style for older people. So although her mother told her she could not get a perm, Karen went behind her parents’ back and put one in herself.

Years later, her soon-to-be husband and Co-Founder of KBB, Damani Saunderson, and his family and friends, influenced Karen to stop perming her hair. Karen noticed that his family and circle of friends all wore their hair natural and it was beautiful. One day when she announced to him that she was going to get her hair “done”, he asked her, “Why?” That “why” although it was just one word, it carried a lot of weight with it. Karen began to ask herself “why” too.

Why do I perm my hair? Why alter my hair at (literally) all costs? What message am I telling the world by covering my natural hair with perm? Karen also felt that she was damaging her hair at all costs. She has since been natural for 10 years. Karen says that she understands that not everyone wants to wear their hair natural, but advises women to seriously ask themselves the question “why?”

“Can you look in the mirror and be happy with yourself 100%?” she asks. “Be true to yourself, do what’s most comfortable for your lifestyle, she added.

Karen’s Boutique …
Deciding at an early age that she wanted to be her own boss, at the age of 17 Karen was the CEO of her own mail order business, selling care packages. Karen’s Delicious Deliveries provided gourmet food gift baskets. Karen began paying attention to the labels of the items that were sold as a part of the baskets. As she read and studied the ingredients, she found that many of them were made with potential harmful chemicals such as carcinogens. She began replacing the items with natural ones, dropped the gourmet food and KBB was born.

In February of 2004, Karen and her husband opened Karen’s Body Beautiful, and after having to get up hours early before the shop opened to make her products in her home and then transport them to the shop on a daily basis, they added a kitchen within the shop. “I decided, why not work at work?” Karen shared.

Karen and her husband are also adding a spa to the back half of the shop that will offer manicures, pedicures, waxing, massages and body treatments, both for men and women. KBB is also planning a completely new look as far as product packaging – “It will be really fly and gorgeous,” Karen assures.

As far as switching to natural products Karen suggests finishing the products you have and as you run out, replacing them with natural ones. “Once you use them you will realize your hair and skin will benefit so much. You will see the difference in your life and your health. You’ll get inherent nutrients for your hair and body just as you do when you eat healthier. To me, it’s a rational decision,” she said.

More info on Karen’s Body Beautiful:
Website - www.karensbodybeautiful.com
Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/Karens-Body-Beautiful/173856026169?ref=nf
Twitter: twitter.com/karensbeautiful

Premier Nail Treatments, the Truth About Minx & the Next Best Thing! We’ve Got the Skinny on Spring-Summer Trends from Beauty Expert and Owner of the POLISH BAR BROOKLYN, Tricialee Riley!

Face it, nails are important. These days you can walk into a nail salon and find loads of brands and polishes to choose from. Nail brands like OPI and Essie are releasing seasonal collections like designer ready-to-wear. Nails are a major feature on contemporary runways and celebutantes are the messengers that help propel the trends we see. Real women however, with a conscious for style and expense are interested in three things: long-lasting options, glam-on-the-go and what’s next.

Spring is around the corner and your nails is the wild card that can take any look to new heights. Whether it’s a simple mani or an exotic Minx display, nails are a critical extension of a fashion head’s personal style. For our Spring-Summer 2010 nail trend report, we get the scoop from beauty insider, Tricialee Riley. In the industry since the age of 19, Tricialee is a certified beauty junkie and the owner of New York’s lacquered nirvana, The Polish Bar Brooklyn.

MAKE THE INVESTMENT: The Best Base + Top Coats

“Make the investment in brands that specialize in treatment not color”

“Women wonder why they’re nails are chipping within two days. The key to long-lasting manicures is your base and top coats.” Tricialee discourages the use of a cheap base and top coat brands. She urges us to make the investment in nail brands that specialize in treatment, not color. “My personal favorite is a product by treatment company, Nails Alive called, Gooey ($11.50). It’s super thin and has an adhesive base that sticks to the polish.”

Top coats are equally as important. There are many to choose from, but Tricialee happens to live for a local nail brand that manufacturers their products in the heart of Brooklyn. Duri’s Rejuvcote Nail Growth System ($12) is an all-in-one treatment great for a top or a base coat with contents that grow the nail.” Tricialee also loves Zoya’s Armor ($7) and Seche Vite’s Dry Fast Top Coat ($9.99). To extend the life of your mani, grab these brands at your local drug store and don’t leave home without them. If your go-to nail salon doesn’t carry them, bring it with you and urge them to use it!

GET CREMED: Spring-Summer ‘It Colors’

When we asked Tricialee about the choice colors for Spring-Summer she became giddy with girly excitement! “Spring-Summer colors are all about pastels and softer hues. Those harsh neon looks are yesterday.” Tricialee spotlights a nail line that we deemed the “Ultimate Sleep-On Nail Brand.” China Glaze is a brand that everybody overlooks but has been innovating colors for years. China Glaze’s “Something Sweet” could easily be the muse for the “it colors” of Spring 2010. Tricialee shares, “When China Glaze does a color, most major nail companies won’t catch on until seasons later.”  Essie’s new “Art of Spring” collection presents a charming palate of what to expect this season. OPI gets mod introducing an array of unexpected hues in primary colors like, “Jade is the New Black” for their “Hong Kong” collection. Tricialee does promise however that brighter nail colors in fuchsias and corals will remain a mainstay.

Here’s a preview of our fave Spring-Summer Colors:

China Glaze, “Something Sweet”
Essie, “Lilacism”
OPI “Suzi Says Feng Shui”
Ginger + Liz, “Boy Toy”
Zoya, “Lana”
CND, “Plumville”

THE POLITICS OF MINX: When to Wear + Making it Last

“Minx is a luxury service, it’s not for everybody”

We experienced the Minx craze last spring. Beyonce dazzled us with her gilded nails in performances and on red carpets. Dispersed throughout the entertainment and beauty industries, the trend was quickly adopted by other starlets like Rihanna, Solange and Lady Gaga. The Polish Bar Brooklyn (PBB) was one of the first nail salons in the country to offer the Minx service. Tricialee’s manicurists were especially trained by Minx specialists and tested various techniques to make this $55 manicure last. With a life expectancy of the expensive Minx merely lasting a hopeful week, women across the country are asking themselves is it worth it. Clarifying the misconceptions, Tricialee says, “Here’s the thing, Minx is a luxury service, it’s not for everybody.”

Tricialee reveals that the infamous service was tested on Beyonce. “Your average woman is scrambling through files in the office and washing dishes at home. How many dishes do you think Beyonce is washing?” So there it is ladies! If you think the $55 mani should stretch for your buck, your dead wrong.

It’s all about the application and Tricialee says there is hope. “When we first received the product, I sent one of my specialists home and told her, ‘take this home and figure out how to make it last.’” PBB offers four Minx tips:

1. Apply a clear top coat on the edge.
2. Buff nails to line with the product.
3. Use UV gel to seal the top of the product.
4. Think luxury and get the manicure for your special events only.

HIGH-END DESIGNER NAIL BRANDS: Is it Worth It?

High-end designers from YSL to Chanel are cashing in on the nail explosion with polishes that retail for as much as $18. We asked Tricialee about the hype and if it’s worth spending an extra dime on a designer polish. “There is no real difference between a Chanel polish and an Essie polish.” Tricialee explains that these major designer brands recognize the branding and trending perks of releasing seasonal colors. These colors however were already released by brands like China Glaze and Ginger and Liz before Chanel or YSL caught the hint. Tricialee also says, “Most of the popular colors like the Chanel’s “Blue Satin” for example were released as limited editions so people went wild for them.” Be aware of major retailers like American Apparel and Forever 21 who have recently launched nail polish lines. Save your buck and invest in what counts like your top and base coats.

WHAT’S NEXT: UV Gel Polish + Mixing + Nail Shapes

Tricialee reveals that the future of long-lasting wearability is the new UV gel polish. Ladies, if your looking for the ultimate lasting manicure in pop colors, you want the acrylic and polish mix that UV gel nail color offers. Known as “crystal nails” or “calgel nails,” this technique costing about $40 “cures and bakes” the polish on the nail. Tricialee says that the option can last for weeks and can only be removed by an in-salon treatment. According to Tricialee, “Nails will begin to outgrow the polish, but the polish lasts and lasts.”

The next big thing in nail fashion is mixing. Last spring, everyone from Necole Bitchie to Solange experimented with color mixing. It’s punctuating that pop color on the index or pinky fingers while using a muted color on the rest of the nails. In Spring-Summer 2010, we’re taking it to the next level with mixing that features a Minx design, matte color and the additions of materials on single fingers. How about this amazing nail trend spotlighted by Glamour magazine in September? The additions of materials like lace on nails is a fierce way to amplify any textured or print dress this spring. While matted colors alone are now a chipping drab, flip it with a matte and gloss french manicure a la Kim Kardashian! Kim’s black gloss tips on a matte finish was an explosive sighting last fall. Play with this look by using a pastel or a classic coral hue.

Say goodbye to those extreme square or rounded nails. Tricialee encourages a rounded square nail shape. Are long nails back? We see the revival of our mom’s long and rounded nails featured on Rihanna and other celebrity women. Commenting on the budding trend, Tricialee says, “It’s not realistic. It may be great for editorial but not for real women.” Tricialee further states, “Women today are texting and typing more. Professional women look for functional glam on the go. Nail companies are striving to develop products adapting to women’s changing lifestyles.”

The Polish Bar Brooklyn has ongoing specials like the “2-week Manicure” and “Green Gals.” PBB also has a February promotion on Minx designs for $40!

To learn more about The Polish Bar Brooklyn and Tricialee Riley check out polishbarbrooklyn.com. Follow them on Twitter at: twitter.com/polishbar_bklyn.

So I decided as I continue to work on distressing my life that I was going to work on not looking so stressed out. I began to use Bare Escentuals RareMinerals™ Active Triple Treatment Eye Cream ($28, sephora.com). This groundbreaking treatment was designed to minimize the look of fine lines, restore firmness, and reduce puffiness around the eye area. RareMinerals Eye Cream is an advanced, ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested age fighter that visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, boosts firmness and brightens skin in the delicate eye area. Infused with the RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, it harnesses mineral electrolytes and marine peptides to rejuvenate skin around the eyes instantly and over time.

I wasn’t so sure a mineral product could really help reduce puffiness and soften lines but it was worth a try. I am happy to report that RareMinerals made me a believer. The gentle non-greasy cream goes on so smoothly and sinks in very fast. I love how easy and effective the cream is. It glides on and my skin was never sticky. Within a week my skin looked and felt younger and sexier.

And because it contains no synthetic dyes, fragrances, parabens or petrochemicals, I am fulfilling another one of my resolutions. My resolution to buy more responsible living products. One thing less to stress over.