Jazz Up Your Lace System With A Little Color

Coloring your lace system can be a very easy, simple, and safe process to complete depending on the products that are used. I usually color my units if the natural color is way too dark for my skin tone or if I just want a change. To lighten the hair to a subtle brownish color, I will use Jazzing Temporary Hair Color by Clairol Professional in Spiced Cognac with heat (microwave 20 second increments until color achieved) for a more permanent color. Prior to Alopecia Totalis, I would use Jazzing to color my natural hair because this was the safest hair color product to use. Not only does Jazzing conditions the hair, it has no ammonia or peroxide that would potentially damage the cuticles. To achieve a more vivid color, you can pre-lighten the hair prior to adding the color. Below is the photo of my original unit 100% Malaysian Remy Light Yaki before adding the color and a photo afterwards. Jazzing can be purchased at your local Sally's Beauty Supply store for under $6.

100% Malaysian Remy Light Yaki - Natural Color

100% Malaysian Remy Light Yaki - Colored using Jazzing Spiced Cognac

Photo credit: www.clairolpro.com

How are you spicing up your lace system?

XOXO, Nicole

Hair 'Nspiration | Amber Rose ~ Be Bold, Beautiful & Different

The most amazing thing about wearing wigs is that you can switch up your style and transform your beauty at the drop of a dime. When I first started wearing wigs, I admit I was scared to go too short or too long for the fear of someone knowing I was wearing a wig. I was stuck with the same boring hairstyle for like a year. Something came over me one day where I needed to get out of my box and try new looks. I have to thank the celebrity world for that awesome feeling.

Today's Hair 'Nspiration is about being bold and different. It's okay to step out of the box with new looks whether it be a new hair color, hair length, hair cut, and a wild look. One celeb that I admire is Amber Rose because she doesn't mine stepping out of her box at all! This week is also very special for Amber Rose too because she just gave birth to her & Wiz's beautiful baby boy named Sebastian Thomaz! Just love the name.


Image Source: Instagram @muvarosebud & Google Images

Are you 'Nspired to step out of your box? 

XOXO, Nicole

Lashes Galore & New Sexy Gloss by Victoria's Secret

Finally Mastered Applying Faux Lashes

Yes, it took me while in applying these lashes, but I fianlly got the hang of it. I tried applying lashes back in 2008 when I had Alopecia Universalis (total all over body hair loss), but I ended up with glue in my eyes and gave up...lol. The lashes shown in the pic are from Eylure Naturalites #116 purchased at Ulta for $5.99. They are a little too long for me and I was scared to trim them, but they are fancy. Next step is learning how to apply bottom lashes where I need it! Wish me luck on that one Beauties..lol  



On my lips is Victoria's Secret New Limited Edition Sexy Kiss Aphrodisiac Gloss in Dedandent Berry. This is going to be my favorite go to gloss. It smells so good, very glossy, shiny, and just the right sparkly for me. I love the packaging too...very girly.

Have A Glamourous Weekend Beauties!

XOXO, Nicole

Weekend Look | Red Lips & Rocket Lashes

Being that it's National Heart Month, I thought I would rock red lips this past weekend. I rarely wear bright or dark colors on my lips because it makes me look extremely pale, but I don't mind going bold every so often. Products used for the lashes & lips is Maybelline's The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara in Blackest Black and Mary Kay's Creme Lipstick in Red.

Eyelashes Before & After Looks 

Due to Alopecia, I have chunks of eyelashes missing but Maybelline's Rocket Volum Express Mascara helps to mask the missing lashes.

Final Look

How are you wearing your Red this month?

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You with Confidence.

Nicole

New MAC Collection by Rihanna

I was excited this morning when I seen this image popup in my Instagram feed! +badgalriri is now a #MACgal!!! Rihanna had the honor of designing her own packaging and product for MAC called RiRi [Hearts] MAC. Take a peek at the Instapic below. I have my eyes on that makeup brush and eyeshadow palette.

What products are you eyeing in Rihanna's new MAC collection?



Source: Instagram/+badgalriri 





Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You with Confidence.

Nicole

5 Ways To Love Your Scalp

Essence did an article in their February issue on 5 Ways To Love Your Hair, which gave great tips on how to create volume, staying hydrated, embracing the gray, reducing styling time, and minimizing a bad hair day. Even though the article was a good one, it just did not relate to me or my fellow alopecians who have little to no hair as well as those going through medical treatments (e.g. Chemotherapy) that will lead to hair loss. I created a list of 5 Ways to Love Your Scalp, and this is something I do on a day-to-day basis.

1. Cleanse - Nothing is more important than a healthy & clean scalp! Our scalps need to be deeply cleansed on a daily basis to remove dirt, oil, and grime from our pores. Use a natural clarifying shampoo infused with peppermint oil such as Eden BodyWorks Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo to help increase scalp circulation, revitalize, and refresh your hair follicles.  
2. Hydrate - Even without hair it's still important to keep your scalp hydrated at all times to avoid dryness. Use natural oils like Simplicity Hair Oil Blend to keep your scalp moisturized. Click to read the review I did on this superub natural hair oil.
3. Massage - Massaging your scalp nightly will help increase the blood flow to the hair follicles, promotes relaxation of the mind, and reduce stress. Use natural oils while massaging your scalp.  
4. Protective - I'm very big on protecting my scalp and you should too. When facing hair loss, do not continue exposing your hair or scalp to anymore tramua such as hairstyling that involves pulling & tightness, overexposure of the sun, and harsh enviormnet. Cover your head with a scarf, hat, or a wig such as a Lace System that mimics real hair growing from your scalp. Visit www.couturelacecrowns.com  to learn more about Lace Systems commonly refered to hair replacement systems.
5. Embrace - Embrace your God-given natural beauty. If your new to experiencing hair loss or is a warrior in your hair loss journey this an everyday process and we will succeed in embracing our beautiful looks.  
   

Image Source: Tumblr.com

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You with Confidence.
Nicole

Hair 'Nspiration | Natalie La Rose @ 2013 Grammy's

My eyes were glued to my television last Sunday to see all the glitz & glam from the celebrities who walked the red carpet. I immediately had hairgasm when I seen Flo Rida and his date with fly copper reddish wavy tresses walk the carpet. After doing a little bit of research, I found that her name is Natalie La Rose and is actually one of Flo Rida's artists....a multi-talented artist at that (check out the videos below)! In my opinion, Nataline was the most glamourous person at the Grammy's. I can't wait to here more of her beautiful voice in the future. I have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot of her in the future.  

 

What do you think of Natalie's Grammy style copper reddish tresses?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image source: Natalie La Rose Twitter & Google Images

Beyonce Graces the cover of VOGUE

Sensual...Sexy...Chic...Sophisticated. 

The words that describe Beyonce's look on the cover of Vogue's March issue. 

Source: Beyonce's Tumbler

Beauty Must Haves for Valentine's Day 2013

Beauties, when it comes to makeup...I'm like a kid in a candy store! I get over excited with all the colors, packaging, looks, and jsut want everything. While searching and hunting down what I love, I made a list of items that would be must haves for a glamourous Valentine's Day look.  So here's my beauty picks for a glamourful look.

Smashbox Love Me Eyeshadow Palette in Admire Me

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Khol Eyeliner in Brown

Ka'oir Lipstick in Keyshia Ka'oir

Ka'oir Lip-Pop in Pretty Girl

Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket Mascara

UD Naked Basics

Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush in Natural

What new products will you be trying for this lovely day?

XOXO, Nicole

Hair 'Nspiration | Romantic Updos

Couture Beauties, Valentine's Day is only a few days away and we must being how we are going to style our hair for that romantic evening with our loved ones. I just love the sensual look of an updo. Look at these celeb updos and find your inspired style. 

                        
                        

Photos spotted at Good Housekeeping

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

XOXO, Nicole
www.couturelacecrowns.com

Support Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week February 7th -14th

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week kicked off today! This is such a special week to fully think about the babies who were and are affected by congenital heart defects. If you have been keeping up with my latest post you know that this birth defect has personally affected my family. My son Christian was born with an heart defect called Tetraolgy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. His heart defect was not discovered until three days after his birth. After two open heart surgeries and 4 1/2 years old, Christian is doing great and is a very healthy & strong little boy. Christian will continue to have multiple surgeries throughout his life to replace his pulmonary valve (which does not grow with him). To celebrate this month, I have partnered with The Healthy Hearts Team to raise funds for Little Hearts, Inc.

Christian at two weeks old after 1st open heart surgery

Christian today at 4 1/2 years old

Support my son Christian & all the other babies who are affected by Congenital Heart Defects. There's two ways that you can give your support:

1. Donate as little as $5 (Click the "Donate" button below)
2. Purchase a Couture Lace System from www.couturelacecrowns.com and a portion of the sale will be donated to Little Hearts, Inc. 

Feburary Is Heart Awareness Month!

"Approximately 40,000 babies are born each year in the United States with a 

CHD. That equates to 1 out of 125 babies born with a heart defect."  ~ Little Hearts, Inc

February is widely recognized as National Heart Month, and within that month Congenital Heart Defect Awareness is celebrated from the 7th-14th. Congenital heart defects is the #1 birth defect. My family was personally affected by the congenital heart defect because my four year old son was born with Tetraolgy of Fallot. He was 1 of 125 babies to be born with a congenital heart defect and has underwent two open heart surgeries since birth. Click here to read more about my son's condition.

This month Couture Lace Crowns will be donating 10% of February sales to Little Hearts, Inc which is a community that provides support, education, and resources to families affected by congenital heart defects.

Please give your support by purchasing a Couture Lace System or donating as little as $5 to help spread the awareness of Congenital Heart Defects.  Visit www.couturelacecrowns.com and donate today!

 

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You with Confidence.

Nicole

Hair 'Nspiration | Beyonce's Side Waves

Happy Friday Couture Beauties! I was on one of my favorite blogs (www.tracthertrailher.com) last night and found a photo of Beyonce's look that she had for her Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Half Time Show press conference. Beyonce sported her signature waves brushed to side. To achieve this very simple style use a heat protectant, curling wand, and a serum to create beautiful waves. Finger comb the waves and being to smooth the hair to the side with a loop brush or a wide tooth comb. Bobby pins can be used to keep the hair to the side. 

Beyonce gave her audience a surprised A Capella performance at the conference. Click here to hear Bey's beautiful voice.

Spotted @ www.tracthertrailher.com

Contact me today to design your Beyonce Inspired Lace Systems! Visit www.couturelacecrowns.com.