This past weekend, I went on a “girls only” weekend getaway for a birthday celebration. We were all checked in and settled in our hotel rooms.  And began to start our beauty rituals before our first night out on the town (we were ready to live it up in Viva Las Vegas).  As we started getting ready, one of my friends shrieked in horror… she forgot her flat iron! Forgetting a flat iron is like leaving home without a credit card. Her realization was after her shower, so her locks were left damp and ready to frizz. We tried to use a blow dryer and brush to dry it straight…stubborn hair! And also tried tons of product to keep it from curling up. No budge! There was one last option, as we glanced to the corner of the room to find an ironing board with an iron (old fashioned hair straightening method). We all laughed and gave up. She ended up going to the store and purchasing a new flat iron in this particular case of “hair-mergency“.

A flat iron is a styling tool to help frizzy hair or stubborn curls. It is mostly used to create a straight sleek look. These flat irons come in varying shapes and sizes. The metal plates also differ in width depending on the length of the hair. It is best to choose metal plates made of ceramic for use on damp hair. This also prevents as much heat damage on the hair. When hair is thick or coarse, it is best to use a flat iron with multiple heat settings. Also, it is advisable to purchase this styling product with an automatic shutoff to prevent any accidents such as fires and burns.

How To Flat Iron:

1. Wash, condition and dry your hair; it is okay to leave hair damp when using ceramic flat irons (other than that, hair should be completely dry to prevent any heat damage)
2. Brush/comb your hair thoroughly and apply heat protection product
3. Separate your hair into different sections (equal parts); clip each layer of hair
4. Pull a section (at least 2 inches) and place between metal plates; starting from the root to the ends, grip handle as you slide hair through
5. After straightening one section, use a clip to keep it separated or simply move to the side
6. Repeat straightening process on each section

Flat Ironing & Different Styles:

Flat Straight: gripping handle and simply moving styling tool from the root down to the ends; gliding slowly

Soft Curls: gripping handle and gliding from root to ends; as you reach the end curl the flat iron inwards and up to create a curl 

Flip out/Flip in: gripping handle and gliding the flat iron from the root down; as you reach the end curl flat iron out or in depending on the type of style you want to achieve

Smarter can help you find a flat iron that’s perfect for you!

Check out this database of straight hair styles.

Image Source: folica.com, newlookhair.com.au, myhairstylingtools.com

flat iron, folica, how to find a flat iron

The Sensual Versace Women Perfume- the sweetest aroma
Emma Roberts Goes Blonde- who wore that
2010 Prom Dress Trends- promstylingtips
2010 Teen Hairstyles- teen trends and tips
Celebrity Body Shape...

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

For the season of giving, the easiest gift for a woman is perfume. All women deserve a nice fragrance with a pleasant smell. Perfume scents are a reflection of a woman’s personality: a mysterious woman who is always deep in thought (vanilla, sandalwood, earth tones) or the outgoing and free spirited woman (citrus, rose, gardenia, floral tones). It is important that women use a special fragrance that fits with ones body chemistry and pH balance. See below for some useful information to make more sense out of your scent:

Perfume Notes:

• It is best to test fragrances on the skin first. The chemical reaction of notes in perfume and pH balance in body create a different smell altogether
• There are 3 notes in perfumes: Top (is the first smell to evaporate), Middle (develops later), and Base (the scent that develops during time and is the most true scent of the perfume)
• Take note of your favorite smells or hobbies and translate that into a perfume (i.e. raindrops, hiking, camping–choose a more woodsy tone)
• Don’t rub perfume when applied, this spoils the composition (spray onto pulse points to get the most out of your scent)
• Perfume expires 3 years from the date it was bottled. By keeping it stored in the fridge will extend the life of the product
• Do not spray perfume next to pearls or costume jewelry: the alcohol base can strip the coating and ruin jewels and chains.
• In warm weather, the scent will intensify and become much stronger when mixed with humidity (choose a lighter airy scent in the summer season)

My personal fave (a birthday present this fall from my fabulous friend “Juanito”) is Lola by Marc Jacobs, anew scent that launched this year. For a “modern-day woman with a free spirit and irresistible attitude”…. that’s me!

As the seasons change, so will my perfume to match my wardrobe and personality. The scent is more of a warm floral bouquet which is perfect for cooler climates and the holiday season. It is a deep musky scent with a sweet mixture of floral and fruit undertones (such as pink peppercorn, pear d’anjou, ruby red grapefuit, vanilla, tonka bean, creamy musk, etc.). Besides the sensual scent, it comes in an elegant purple bottle adorned with retro cutout flowers made of vinyl. A stylish scent!

Buy Lola by Marc Jacobs from Smarter!

Image Source: vice.typepad.com, olamujer.com

Fragrances, marc jacobs, perfume